A/N: I'm Back! Working on finishing my other fics also. So you guys know I left to do NaNoWriMo and I finished in only 11 days. I wrote a novel titled 'Decadence & Danger' and it will be released for purchase in February of 2016. Until then I wanted to get back to my roots and back to fan fiction.

MADE WHOLE

CHAPTER ONE

ALEX

"Alex!, Alex! ALEXANDRA!" a voice shouted. To me it started out fait, but suddenly I was shaken from my trance and I turned around sharply to look right at my supervisor who stood there looking at me with a look of distain yet sympathy.

"Yeah…sorry." I said quickly.

"Come to my office please." He said. I nodded. I quickly stood from my desk and followed him into a small office. "Close the door." He instructed and I closed the door behind me. He motioned for me to take a seat and I sat. He just stat there for a minute looking at me; I could tell he was trying to find his words. It seems a lot of people these days had to find a minute to find their words with me. I don't know if they were trying to not hurt my feelings or trying to not piss me off. Either way I don't think I would have either of those reactions.

"So Alex…" he then started. "You've been… a little distant, preoccupied, and just not motivated lately. I get it. You just solved the case of a lifetime. You pretty much single handedly caught a serial killer. You kicked ass and I think you spent so much time dedicated to that case that you lost yourself." I nodded. I agreed with ever word he said. "I think you need a change of scenery."

"You want me to take a vacation?" I then questioned.

"Not exactly." He said as he pulled a piece of paper from a folder. It was a letter. He handed it to me and I started to read it. I realized it was a glowing recommendation from him about me. I looked confused. "A position is open at the Crime Lab in Las Vegas. I personally think you'd be great down there."

"At the best lab in the country?" I questioned. I was shocked.

"You'd be the best at the best lab in the country. I personally think it would be a great move for you. Plus you need it. Around here you are becoming furniture. I think you will be challenged more and you just need to get out of San Francisco. We will survive without you." He explained giving me a smile. "Think about it." He then said.

"I'll think about it." I answered.

I was exhausted, but it was good to be out. I loved the feel of the city around me. I stood at the bar at the Parc55 Hotel. I sipped on a Ginger Ale when I saw a familiar figure enter the bar and start towards me. I was greeted with the smiling face of my best friend, Simone. She was everything I wasn't. She was skinny and tall, an everyday supermodel. Her perfect hair flowed down her back as she wore a backless slinky dress. Here I was looking frumpy and dumpy in a t-shirt and dark jeans. My curly hair pulled into a low bun, as I was too lazy to really do something to my hair.

"Hey girl." She said happily as she came to me and stood at the bar. I could feel all of the eyes in the room on us as they checked her out. This was usual everywhere we went.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked.

"Vodka Cranberry." She said sweetly before turning back to me. "So tell me are you going to take it?" She was referring to the job. I'd been two weeks since my supervisor had told me about it and going against my better judgment I'd applied and actually been offered the job. The bartender sat Simone's drink in front of her; She took a sip waiting for my answer.

"I think so." I then answered. I'd spent the last couple days thinking about it and it would be nice to get out of San Francisco. I'd been here my whole life and this place had started to haunt me. So much had happened to me here. I was starting to think that I really was ready to move on. I was scared out of my mind though. This would be a completely new experience and I'd be starting over. I wouldn't have any friends nor any family close. I was going to be putting myself completely outside of my comfort zone. Truthfully I'd never done that ever in my life.

"Congrats girlie!" Simone said happily as she pulled me into a hug.

"I'm scared." I then said looking at my best friend.

"That's the best part. Being scared out of your mind and going somewhere new." Simone said.

"Ugh you are so brave…unlike me." I said sipping my soda.

"Me brave?" she questioned laughing hysterically. "You're the brave one. You fucking took down a serial killer and nearly all by yourself and you carry a gun. You are for sure more brave than me."

"Yeah, but I do my job. You take on adventure like it's no one's business. I mean you just came back from touring Asia practically by yourself. That is some bravery I could never face." I said to her. I was so afraid to leave my own little bubble and there was my best friend who could take on the world like no one's business.

"Alex, you've got this and you will be great. I know you." She said giving me a kind smile. I sighed.

"I guess you're right." I said.

"I know I'm right." She said happily. "I'm going to miss my bestie though, but now I have the best excuse ever to go to Vegas." She said giving me a huge smile. I laughed. This was going to be huge and such a change for me. Maybe I would find whatever would make me whole again.

"It's going to be so different." I said with a shrug.

"Different isn't always bad. Plus you might be some cute guys. New guys and not the same old ones who frequent around here." She said. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I had thought about it. I thought about meeting a new guy. Someone different from the guys I'd dated before. I wanted someone who could seep me off my feet in the best way. I wanted that unexplainable and instant connection. I wanted to fall in love. I knew it had to be possible and that he was out there somewhere, I just knew it.

NICK

Coming home I opened the door to my empty house. It seemed to be the same every single day. It was getting monotonous and repetitive. Day after the day it seemed to be the same thing over and over. Then I would come home to an empty house. I could only hope that one day I could find that single person. That person that I would come home to who would make me feel whole again. I knew she was out there somewhere. I truthfully didn't know what I was searching for. I just knew that when I found it I was going to know. There was going to be an unshakable connection, I just knew it.

I walked to the fridge and grabbed a beer. I found myself on the couch with the TV on. I more felt like the TV was watching me rather than me watching the TV. I just needed to clear my head. There was so much clouded in there and then the thought came to me and I decided to run with it. A change of atmosphere just for the moment was what I needed.

The last few weeks were what I needed to reboot my enthusiasm and my mind. I was able to get away and be far away from Vegas. I got to spend time with the people who raised me and the people who know me so well. I know without a doubt that I could always get away and see my family. Walking into the lab I felt ready to take on the night. I was barely in the door when my cell phone beeped. I took it from my pocket and looked at it and of course it was what I expected. I sighed knowing it was surely time to get back to it.

"Hey man you're back!" said a cheerful voice that I knew. I turned to see Greg coming up to me. "How was it?"

"Hey it was great. Got to see my folks and just chill you know, but now it's back to it." I said waving my phone.

"Yeah the 419. Sara and Alex are already there." Greg said. I was confused. Who was Alex? I don't remember having a Alex around here.

"Who's Alex?" I asked.

"New CSI. Alex is awesome." He said then his phone beeped. "And I'm off too. Catch up with you later man." He then said before rushing off. I shook my head and wondered about this Alex guy. I knew the team needed a little more help and it was pretty great that we were able to find someone so fast.

Pulling up to the address I was given I was greeted by the good ole yellow crime scene tape. I grabbed my kit from the passenger seat and made my way into the house. I could hear voices coming from what seemed to be the kitchen area. I looked to see Sara standing and taking photos and there was someone else kneeling at the body next to Dave.

"Hey Nick." Sara said as she spotted me.

"Hey Sara… did you keep my spider fed?" I asked her.

"Yes I kept your spider nice and fed." Sara said shaking her head.

"Ahh so this is the owner of the spider." Came a female voice. I looked in the direction of the voice. It was coming from the person kneeled at the body next to Dave. She looked at me. I was struck at once. I hadn't expected her at all. She stood and came to me. "I would shake your hand, but…" she looked down at her blood covered glove.

"Hi…" was all I managed. I couldn't feel my breath. She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. There was nothing particularly remarkable about her, but something about her in that moment just stuck me. Her skin was a shade of milk chocolate and her hair was curly and dark brown pulled into a loose ponytail. She had a kind smile and something about it was instantly genuine and perfect. She was perfect.

"I'm Alexandra Cook, but please just call me Alex." She said giving me that perfectly genuine smile.

"Umm yeah… Nick… Stokes." I spurted out. She laughed. I was making a fool of myself, but it seemed she was easy to be a fool around. She looked at me her honey brown eyes shining in the light.

"The other supervisor?" she then questioned.

"Yeah… co-supervisor." I said. She gave me a nod.

"Well we have a male DB here. He was found by the owner of the house when she returned home from work. She says she's never seen him before, but here he is dead in her house." Alex explained.

"Think I found some ID." Dave then said.

"Let me see." Alex said quickly turning and going right back to the body. I watched her as she walked. I blinked a few times trying to decide if this was a dream or not. I couldn't explain it. There was something about that moment. I felt some strange instant connection with her that I'd never experienced.

"Welcome back." A voice came. Sara was now text to me. "Good trip?" she questioned.

"Yeah the best." I answered my eyes staying on Alex.

"Earth to Nick." She said waving her hands in front of my face. I instantly was out of my trance and turned to her. She smiled.

"So a new CSI?" I questioned clearing my throat.

"Yep. Alex is great. She came from San Francisco. Apparently I'm some sort of God up there. She was so excited to meet me because she'd heard so much about me. She's the one who solved that big serial killer case they had… The Bedroom Bandit." Sara explained.

"Really?" I asked my eyes going back to Alex. "When Greg said there was a new CSI by the name of Alex I was expecting a guy."

"Nope not a guy, but pretty cool and crazy smart. This girl knows her stuff. She might even teach you a thing or two." Sara said giving me a wink. I shook my head and put my gloves on. I didn't know what it was about Alex, but I needed to know. I'd never been so intrigued by one person before. I'd never had one woman instantly just take my breath away.