It’d been a year and eight months.  

Just this month, January 19th, 2007.

In May, on that same date – the 19th – it’ll be two whole years.

May 19th, 2005.  When Nick was abducted, put under two times (chloroform), and stuffed in a Plexiglas coffin and the abductor really having no actual “want” of releasing him or returning Nick to Grissom.  

The entire team was in an uproar, having just been “separated” by Ecklie not too much earlier on, they already had been dealing with the stress of both a new situation and losing an old one they felt so much comfort and enjoyment being in.  The decision was final, Ecklie had jurisdiction… Catherine was promoted to Swing Swift Supervisor and took Warrick and Nick with her… while Grissom, Sara, and Greg stayed on Graveyard… with Sofia being demoted to join them.  

At some times, Swing and Grave would cross – and it’d be proven that the tension of the new situation was still upon them all.  But all of that changed when they learned that their beloved Nicky, the Texas Charmer who’s been through hell in a hand basket – had been abducted and even Ecklie agreed, that CSI has only one case that evening.  Nick.  

Everyone raced against a clock, his or her own hearts worked in frenzy because of the situation.  There was no doubt, not in any case – that anyone of them were putting anyone first, but Nick.  He was what it all boiled down to.  Nick, despite his first realization of where he was and just what was going to happen to him, remained calm.  Which was good, meant he was still holding it together and not losing it.  

Hey, how you holdin’ up?

I’m not.

I know.

I just can’t help to keep thinkin’ that that could have been me in that box, you know? I mean we flipped a coin for that trash run.

Hey, Nick is not in that box because a flip of a coin.

If that was me I would’ve…

Hey, you know what? I know you. I don’t believe that. Okay?

No. You’re wrong. I wouldn’t have lasted this far. Catherine, if something happens to Nick, if we don’t bring him back in one piece…

It wasn’t until they all heard Warrick’s watch going off, that the world seemed deaf.  Warrick looked to everyone, but continued to dig.  Finally, he hit something – and it was thankfully, Nicky.  Swiping away the dirt, they quickly killed off those fire ants and worked about getting him out… only to find out the base of the coffin is laced with dynamite, on pressure switches – so if Nick moved, he’d blow everyone up.  

Those dimples on the bottom of the prototype GCMS found traces of SEMTEX on each one.

You got to be kidding me.

One, two, three.

Everyone out of the hole! The box is ready to explode!

Are you kidding?

Get out of there now!

I’m not leaving without Nick.

There are charges under the box!

I’m not leaving here without him.

Warrick, Catherine’s right get out of the hole now. I know what we’re gonna do. Just trust me.