Author's Note: Hi, this is my first time writing a CSI fic. I only recently got into the show, but now I'm pretty obsessed. Lol. I have read some incredibly amazing stories on here and I only hope I can live up to those authors' talent. This fic is a multi-parter and I'm doing my best to try and keep the characters realistic to the show. I'm not sure if this will turn into a Snickers romance or not, but there will definitely be friendship. Please give me honest feedback. I can handle criticsm, but no flames please. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except for my original characters, I just love to write.
Spoilers: um Grave Danger and a few pieces from seasons 1-5 later on.
Ch 1 When it Rains It Pours
A shrill scream shattered the silence of the night's sky and jolted Maura Davenport from her bed. Oh my god, Rachel, was the only thought that raced through Maura's conscience as she quickly threw on her work-boots, grabbed her hooded sweatshirt and raced out of the door. She didn't care that she was still in her pajamas or that the heavy rain was soaking her to the bone. The only thing that mattered was Rachel. Oh god, please let her be okay, Maura pleaded silently and as she ran toward the direction of the first scream, another one pierced through the night...
"Ok Jim, what do we have here?" Gil Grissom in his usual "matter of fact" voice. He and Warrick Brown had just arrived at Desert Miracle Wild Animal Sanctuary, and he knew just by looking this was going to be a bad one and a difficult one to process. In the hour long drive it took to get them up here, the rain had only let up a little and everyone knew what rain did to a crime scene.
"Vic's name is Derek Ainsley, 52." Jim Brass read off of his sheet. "He and his wife, Rachel Ainsley owned this Sanctuary for the past eight and a half years. It was called in by an employee, a Miss Maura Davenport. It looks as though his throat's been slit. Blood everywhere." While Brass was rattling off the information, Grissom was walking toward where the body was found. At first glance, he knew his instincts were correct- this was going to be a bad one. Derek Ainsley lay face down with his neck at a unnatural angle. Blood was pooled all around his neck, which indeed had been slit. There was also quite a bit of blood spatter, however whether that was part of the scene or due to the rain drops, Grissom couldn't be sure. Damn, did he hate the rain.
"Hey David," Grissom called to the assistant coroner as he dealt down to where he was. "Ya got a TOD for me?"
"Sorry Grissom, I can give you my best educated guess but the rain's cooled down his body temp. We don't know how long he's been out here before he was found. But I'd say he's been dead a few hours tops. Definitely under ten." He added helpfully.
"Great." Grissom replied shortly.
"Well, hey at least we know this is the primary crime scene. That's something right?" Both men turned to see Sara Sidle smiling at them.
"Yea, but that's all we seem to know right now." Grissom answered grimly. "So when did you get here?"
"Just now, I saw Brass and he told me to tell you that he wants you to check out Maura Davenport. What do you need me to do?"
Grissom stood up and tried not to wince as he felt his knees crack quietly from the task. He was definitely not getting any younger. "Well, I sent Warrick to check for tire treads, but with the rain...Besides this place is huge. I'm thinking of making this an 'all hands on deck' call."
"You gonna call in Nick?" Sara questioned and watched her supervisor hesitate slightly before answering. Even though it had been a few months since Nick Stokes was abducted, they were all still struggling to move on, especially Nick. He'd been back to work for over a month now and he was constantly trying to prove that he was over it. He was back in the field much quicker then Grissom or the others had wanted and because of this Grissom tried to leave him with easier assignments. Something that Nick noticed and was biting his tongue from saying anything about.
Tonight was his night off and Grissom didn't want to call him if he didn't have to. "I don't know." Grissom finally said with a tired sigh. "I have to go see Brass. Sara, why don't you try and process what you can here once David moves the body?"
"You got it," Sara replied and she lifted her right hand in a mock salute. Grissom started walking away but was stopped by Sara's serious tone. "Hey Grissom. If you really need all our capable people, you should think about calling Nick. You know he'd be up for it. Besides, I think he's getting pretty sick of being handed level 1 rookie cases." As expected Grissom simply raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment, but didn't say anything. Sara shrugged her shoulders and turned back to work.
Grissom walked under the crime tape and headed toward where Brass standing with a young woman. He quickly discerned from the woman's appearance that she was probably Maura Davenport. She was younger than Grissom would have thought. Her long brown hair was pulled up in a haphazard ponytail and she was wearing a large purple zipped up sweatshirt. But those things weren't as important as the reason Brass had asked for Grissom- Maura Davenport was covered in blood.
"Miss Davenport, this is Gil Grissom with the Las Vegas Crime Lab." Brass reported quickly as Grissom came up to them.
"Hi, I am going to need your clothes." Grissom replied and took out his cotton swab from his bag. "And could I see your hands please?"
Maura wordlessly lifted her shaking hands out in front of her and Grissom took the swab and ran it over them. He looked up at Brass and the two seemed to have a silent conversation before Brass said, "I think that it would be best to finish this conversation at the station. Miss Davenport I need you to come with us."
"What? What about Rachel and the animals? I can't just leave them." Maura spoke softly with a trace of southern accent.
"Mrs. Ainsely is with the medic right now. We needed to sedate her. Look Miss, we'll get you back as soon as we can, but for now you really need to come with us." Brass spoke firmly.
"Am I under arrest?" Maura questioned fearfully.
"No, we just need to ask you some questions. For now."
Brass started leading her toward the back of his car and Grissom took out his cell phone. He quickly punched in the numbers and waited for an answer.
"Hello Catherine? It's Grissom. I need you and Greg over at the Desert Miracle Sanctuary as soon as possible." He listened to her response and with a quick "good," he hung up and walked briskly to catch up to Brass and Maura. He was sure that he and Jim had quite a few questions for this girl.
