Chapter Text
Good For The Soul
Prologue
Nick was reading over Doc Tui's autopsy report when a dark haired woman came inside and closed the door.
"Can I help you?" Nick asked, his hand sliding to the gun holstered at his waist.
"My name is Sarah Adler...I'm Jack's girlfriend."
"So he sent you here huh? Couldn't take the hint to leave me alone when I haven't answered his texts or calls the last couple of months." Nick replied and relaxed his hand.
"Jack doesn't know I'm here. I know you're angry with him but he called your parents because he loves you Nick. He didn't want you to suffer anymore--"
"I wasn't suffering! It was none of his business--"
"How could you not be suffering? You hid that secret for years because you were ashamed. It wasn't your shame to carry and Jack wanted you to realize that. He loves you and misses you Nick. We're having Thanksgiving at Mac's...I know he hopes you'll be there."
"Are you finished Ms. Adler? Good, I have work to do." Nick said and walked to the door yanking it open, "you know the way out of the lab, please use it."
"It's a time for being thankful...I know Jack is thankful you're in his life." Sarah said and left.
Nick closed the door and pulled his glasses off.
A glance at his watch then packed up, told Grace he'd see her on Monday and headed home where he paced.
"Come on Sam, we're going on a road trip."
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Catherine had just poured a glass of wine and was heading for her patio when the doorbell rang.
With a sigh she walked to the door and checked the peephole and quickly opened the door.
"Hey stranger." She smiled and it fell seeing his face.
"What's going on Nicky?" She asked pulling him inside, she got him a beer and they sat.
Nick told her everything, not touching the beer until he was done.
She was silent a moment.
"Let me ask you something...if you had a case of an abuse victim, what would you tell them?"
Nick thought back to Tommy Baker who had been sexually assaulted by his girlfriends brother...how he counseled Tommy to tell Jess.
"I once told someone to tell his girlfriend...she loved him and would be there for him..."
"Why do you think your cousin told your parents?"
"Because he loves me and doesn't want me to carry this anymore....that's what she said."
"Who?" Catherine took his hand.
"Jack's girlfriend."
"Do you feel better now that they know?" She asked.
"Yeah." He admitted.
There had been a lot of tears and some unexpected revelations but in the end telling them had felt like shedding an enormous burden from his soul.
Nick finished his beer and Catherine arched an eyebrow.
"I assume you're not heading back tonight."
"I took the weekend off." He shook his head.
"Good, you'll stay here, eat. sleep, relax then head home Sunday with a clear head." She ordered.
"Thanks Cath." He smiled.
"Always Nicky." She hugged him.