Running From Monsters Chapter 15
Title: Running From Monsters Chapter 15/?
Author: CSI_Niteowl
Pairing: David/Nick, slight Greg/OC
Rating: PG -13
Warnings: slash, language, violence
Spoilers: Grave Danger and Stalker
Summary: What does David's brothers want in exchange for Nick?
Disclaimer: I don’t own CSI or its characters. If I did there’d be much more Nick, David and Greg screen time. I do, however, own the original characters that came from my twisted mind.
A/N: Thanks again to everyone that’s reading and reviewing this story. Reviews make me extremely happy!
Previous chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14
David’s despair turned to rage when he heard Teddy’s voice. “You hurt him and I swear I’ll kill you.”
“I’m shaking in my boots.” Teddy laughed.
“You should be. You know how fucking stupid it is to kidnap a CSI? Every cop in Vegas is going to be looking for you. There won’t be a rock you can hide under.”
“If we get caught we’re not going down alone. You’ll have another dead boyfriend.” Teddy hung up.
“Teddy? Fuck!” David almost threw the phone but realized in time that his brother might call him back so breaking it wasn’t a good idea.
“What did he say?” Grissom asked.
David stared at the spot where Nick had last kissed him as he repeated Teddy’s words. Grissom went into action. David was vaguely aware of what was going on. Archie took his phone and hooked it up so it would record the next call.
“Does Nick have GPS on his cell? Archie looked up from what he was doing. “David?”
“Huh?”
“Does he have GPS on his cell?”
“I’m not sure. I think so.”
“I’ll check it out.”
David’s phone rang again. Archie looked at the caller id then handed the phone to David. “Keep him talking as long as you can.”
“And ask to talk to Nick.” Grissom added.
David’s hands were shaking as he pushed the talk button. “Hello.”
“I’m going to ask you a question and you’d better tell the truth. If you don’t Johnny will shoot Nick right now. Remember Davey, I can tell when you’re lying to me.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Do you have the pictures?”
“What pictures?” David stalled as he looked at Grissom for guidance.
“Did Brenda give you or Mary any pictures when you were there?”
Grissom nodded his head.
“Yes.”
“We want them.”
“You can have them but first I want to talk to Nick.”
“You’re not calling the shots here. You can talk to Nick when you bring me those pictures.”
“You’re not getting them until I talk to him.”
“Davey, you haven’t done something stupid like give them to the police, have you?”
“As if I could do that.” David knew he was taking a huge risk by lying. “As soon as they found out I’d known about the murder it would be the end of my career.”
Teddy was silent for a minute, as if he was trying to figure out if he was lying. “I’ll call back in thirty minutes be ready to hand over the pictures.”
“Wait.” David pleaded but Teddy had already hung up. “Do you think he wouldn’t let me talk to him cause he’s already died?”
“No, I think he just wants to show you he’s in charge of the situation.” Grissom played the tape back then gave it to Archie. “See if you can get any background noises.”
David stared at his phone willing it to ring again.
“Try calling him back.” Grissom suggested.
David picked up the lab phone and started dialing.
“Use your phone.”
“I can’t.” David sighed. “Nick’s in enough trouble.”
Grissom raised a questioning eyebrow.
“My number is set to a specific ring on his phone. I don’t think it’s a good idea for them to hear it.”
Grissom nodded slightly, giving no indication that he knew what he was talking about.
David finished dialing the number. It rang five times then went to voice mail. He swallowed back the lump in his throat as Nick’s recorded message began.
“You’ve reached Nick Stokes. I’m not able to talk now but leave a message and I’ll call back as soon as I can.”
“I’m not giving you those pictures till I talk to Nick.” David said then slammed the phone down. He started pacing, try desperately to stop from thinking of his brothers beating Nick. There was one thought that he clung to. He didn’t think they would kill Nick until he was there to see it. He hoped he was right.
******
Teddy hadn’t called back when he said he would and that scared the hell out of David, as if he wasn’t scared enough already. It had been over three hours now. Nick’s phone did have GPS but when the police got to the address Archie provided they only found the phone and some of Nick’s blood. Greg had returned from the hospital. Warrick had been hit over the head as he was getting into the truck. He had tried to get back up but was beaten then told if he moved they’d shoot Nick.
David knew he shouldn’t blame Warrick but he did. He knew Nick was in danger so why the hell wasn’t he more cautious? Seemed ever time Nick got hurt Warrick had something to do with it. He was with him when he got tossed out that window and he won that damn coin toss that lead to Nick’s first kidnapping.
It was a good thing he was in the hospital cause if he was here David would punch him himself.
“Hey David.”
David looked up to see Jacqui holding two cups of coffee.
“Want a cup?” she offered.
“No thanks. I thought you were getting off early for your date.”
“I cancelled. I thought you could use some support.”
“You didn’t have…”
“Oh hush. I wanted to so that’s it. Got it?”
David slowly nodded.
“Talk to me.”
“God Jacqui, I feel like I’m relieving my two worst nightmares, Nick’s burial and Petey’s murder.”
“Nick’s a strong man. He’ll survive this.”
David shook his head. “They’re going to kill him.”
“Don’t give up hope, David.”
“I’m trying.” he sighed.
“What are you clutching?” Jacqui noticed he was squeezing something so tightly his knuckles were white.
David opened his hand.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Nick gave it to me last night. It’s been in his family for years.” He closed his hand around it again.
“We’ll find him.” she said as she hugged him.
David let the tears fall as he buried his head in her shoulder.
*******
David was staring out into the hallway not really seeing anything until two techs bumped into each other. He was instantly transport back to that fateful day. They had just closed a case where a mother had killed her two sons. It hit to close to home for him and he had to get out of there before he broke down.
“Why the fuck don’t you watch where you’re going?” David growled at the person that had bumped into him.
“I could ask you the same damn question.” Nick growled back.
“Fuck off, Stokes.” David replied and kept walking.
“What’s your problem?” Nick grabbed his arm and spun him around to face him.
David freaked out. “Let go.” he pleaded.
Nick was shocked to see that David was scared and on the verge of crying. He immediately let go. “It’s okay man, I’m not going to hurt you.”
“Of course not.” David tried to regain his composure.
“Are you alright?” Nick asked, genuinely concerned.
“You don’t have to be polite. I know you don’t really care.”
“I do care, David.” Nick smiled gently. “I care a lot.”
David could only stare at him.
“Listen it’s been a long day and I’m starving. Want to go get a bite to eat?” Nick asked tentatively.
“With you?”
“Yeah, if you want.”
“Sure.” came out of David’s mouth before he could stop it.
“Really?” Nick couldn’t believe it. He was sure the tech would say no.
David nodded. “As long as we don’t go to that greasy spoon Sanders likes so much.”
“Deal” Nick grinned.
That had been it, their first unofficial date. Nick had tried over the years to find out why he had reacted like that but David always managed to avoid answering. How could he tell him the truth? That he was on edge because of the case and when Nick grabbed him all he could think of was the beatings he took as a kid. He didn’t think Nick would understand. He was afraid he’d lose him. Now he had told him and he was about to lose him permanently.
*******
Mary was reading and David was silently going crazy. They both jumped as his phone rang. The whole lab must have been listening for it because suddenly everyone was staring into the break room, holding their breath. David glanced at the caller id but didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello”
“You sound a little on edge there, Davey.”
“Teddy! What took you so long?”
“Patience little brother. I thought I’d give you some time to think about what will happen if you don’t do what I say.”
“I’m not doing anything till I talk to Nick.”
“I told you no. Now shut up and listen.”
“No, why won’t you let me talk to him? Is it because he’s already died? If he is Teddy, I swear I’ll go straight to the cops with these pictures and tell them everything.”
There was a moment of silence before a different voice came on the line.
“David?”
“Nick! Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Dave, remember you promised.”
“I love you.”
“Aww that’s nice but can’t say the feeling’s mutual.” Teddy sneered as he took the phone back.
“Let’s end this. Tell me where and when and I’ll be there.”
Teddy gave him the address. “Be here in twenty minutes with the pictures. And Davey, if we see anyone but you we’ll kill him. Understand?”
“Yes. Don’t worry it will only be me.”
“It better be!” Teddy hung up.
Archie confirmed the call was from the address Teddy had given David. Brass started to organize the rescue but David yanked the phone from him.
“No. He said come alone.”
“We can’t let you go.”
“Try to stop me.” David glared at Brass.
“Davey, please they will kill you.” Mary pleaded.
“They will kill Nick if I don’t go. I have to try to save him.”
“David, do you really think they’ll let him go if they get the pictures?” Sara asked.
“I know they won’t kill him till I’m there to see it unless they see cops then they’ll kill him just to teach me a lesson.”
Brass and Grissom exchanged looks.
“They’ll probably search you so you’d have to go in without any protection, no vest, no gun.” Grissom said.
“I don’t care.”
“Archie get him hooked up to a wire.”
“Do we have time for that?” David was all too aware of the minutes wasted arguing.
“Only take a minute.” Archie motioned for him to follow him.
Once David was wired he went to the break room and hugged his sister. “I love you, angel.”
“I love you too... Daddy.” Mary cried. “Please come back.”
David smiled and kissed her cheek then glared at Greg. “Take care of her till I get back.”
“I will.”
Grissom and Catherine walked to David’s car with him. Brass had already instructed him in what to do and say. He was to distract his brothers so the cops could move in undetected. He wasn’t crazy about the plan but knew it was the only way they’d get out alive.
“Catherine, wait.” David called as her and Grissom started back into the building. “Could you do something for me?”
“Anything.”
“Would you hold on to this?” David handed her the pocket watch. “If something happens make sure Nick… or his parents get it.”
“I’ll give it back to you.” she hugged him. “You’re a brave man, David Hodges.”
“I’d do anything to save Nick.” David glanced at his watch as he got into his car. He had fourteen minutes. It should take him only ten minutes to get there. He prayed that he wasn’t cutting it to close as he started the car. He looked at the lab wondering if he’d ever see it. At least he’d get to see Nick one last time.