I'm Out ch14

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Ch14: Normality

The team watches as Sheriff Liston leaves Nick's room, they watch and wait in achy anticipation. Nick walked out of his room, his steps that of someone who's sore. Nick struggles to put his jacket holding a folder that the Sheriff gave him.

"So?" DB asked wondering why the sheriff came.

"I'm off for the next week." he said smiling, as the rest of the team smiled too.

"You're coming back." Greg said excited as everyone stood.

"Yes." Nick said.

"So is the week a medical leave or suspension?" Catherine asked as they all started walking out together.

"Both..." Nick chuckled. The team started to get lost in their own small talks about this case and previous cases.

This is what Nick missed about the team he felt that the team unity was gone. They were the best lab in the country and everyone kept throwing monkey wrenches at them as if trying to sabotage them.

However once again there they stood stronger and more determined. The team felt they could trust DB and Finn after going through the harsh initiation that Sin city gives to all her participants.

First, she punishes them with her triple degree heat and brutal thunderstorms.

Second, she introduces her dark world to those who are supposed to do well. Taking police, firefighters, paramedics, doctors, lawyers, teachers, and parents and getting them to do bad things.

Third, she uses her henchmen to carry out her malicious tendencies.

However it's not all bad because there are rewards. Like when they save the victim or bring the wrongdoer to justice. Or moments like this being surrounded with your best friends. She rewards them.

"Who needs a drink?" Finn asked loudly as her and Nick chuckle realizes that that is how all of this started.

"I sure can." Nick said. The others agree as they start discussing who will ride with whom. Everyone teases Sara saying how's she is a terrible driver.

"It's fine because I like driving alone." Sara said.

"Greg, just ride with me." Catherine said but then Greg turned to DB with puppy dog eyes.

"No offense Catherine but I would like to get there alive." Greg says Nick chuckles. Catherine is known for having a lead foot.

"No one likes a backseat driver, Greggo." Catherine says, everyone gets into their respectful cars as Catherine waits for Nick who seems to be staring off into space. "Nicky..." she says touching his shoulder turning to see what he sees. She sees Lauren in a similar state as Nick as she too just stares. Lauren looks like she's caught in between emotions.

"Let's go." Nick said still staring at Lauren, as he gets in the car. Nick is aware of Lauren pseudo involvement thanks to the Sheriff and he doesn't know what to do.

Instead of going to the bar with the others, Catherine and Nick go to see an old friend. Nick and Catherine walk together in the field that has now been the home to several people who have been laid to rest. They see Warrick's headstone that has been slightly overgrown with plants. Nick takes out his knife and cuts the weeds away.

"Do you ever think what it'd be like if he was still around?" Nick says putting his knife away looking up at Catherine.

"All the time. Thinking how he would have reacted to certain things in a case and me..."

"You leaving?" Nick chuckled.

"Yeah..." she says crouching next to Nick. The marble stone was in great shape especially in comparison to others. Nick brushed the dirt and dust off.

"I miss him." Nick said wiping his eyes trying to hide his tears.

"Me too, Nicky." Catherine said as a tear fall she gave Nick's shoulder a squeeze. They enjoy this moment as they are both flooded with both good and happy memories of their lost friend.

A father, a friend, and a good man gone but will not be forgotten. 1966 - 2008.

Nick and Warrick were playing the play station three in the break room talking trash to each other as they play Madden. Nick was the Vikings because he is a big Randy Moss fan and Warrick was Oakland because that's the team his grandmother loved.

"I don't know how you get all the refs to call for you..." Warrick exclaimed as his team got another penalty.

"It's easy when you're not the Raiders..." Nick chuckled as Warrick pushed him.

"Aye Grissom is coming." Greg said, Catherine turned off the television as Nick and Warrick slid the controllers under the couch and turned their attention back to their paperwork. Grissom came into the room disorganized like usual.

"Nicky and Rick, you have a double at the Palermo. Catherine you have an assault out in Henderson. Greg, domestic violence assault..." Grissom says sitting down on a chair hitting the on button on the remote. The theme music from Madden started playing and Nick and Warrick took off.

"I'll drive," Warrick said.

"I oughtta get rid of this damn thing!" Grissom says his voice unclear whether he was angry or annoyed.

"We are so fired." Nick said as they both broke out into laughter as the elevator shut.

After an extravagant day trying to rid the small evils from the Vegas streets both the men started thinking that they needed to talk to their boss. As both men went over their stories and excuses in their head. However they were surprised to not find their boss inside his office reading a case file or forensic journal.

"Aye Greggo, have you seen Griss?" Warrick asked.

"In the break room." he says handing into the trace lab eager to get his own results.

As Nick and Warrick approached the door they hear a familiar noise or theme music rather coming from the break room. Inside they see Brass and Grissom playing Madden. Warrick starts laughing and grabs Nick's shoulder as they watched their bosses play.

Nick opened his eyes and felt soreness all over his body. He felt a smile come across his face realizing that it was just a dream. A great dream. The few nights that Nick did dream they often turned dark but this one hadn't.

Nick felt like his life went back to normal. His psyche and body was a little bruised but in a couple days that'll change. His life was back at his normality. He didn't need a housewife with 2.5 kids, a big house, and a sports car to be happy sure he did hope for all those things but he didn't need them. Nick heard a knock on his door and his guard went up as he cautiously moved to the door. He opens the door and a smile spreads across his face.

"Can I come in?" Lauren asks trying to hide a smile but was obviously happy that Nick was happy to see her. Nick opens his door wider smiling.

The more Nick thought about the more he realized he couldn't be angry with her even though initially he sure wanted to. Lauren didn't know, and Nick can't judge her on her past because he wasn't a part of it. Nick had his own skeletons in the closet.

"Please." Nick said smiling.

Sorry if the ending wasn't the best. Please Review! I hoped you enjoyed it!