An Upstate Christmas
Disclaimer: Don't Own CSI
Please Review!

Ch1: Snow

"Nick… Nick, wake up. We are here." Mandy said shaking his shoulder as he slowly opened his eyes. Mandy was jealous, not only had Nick managed to get a last minute round trip ticket from Vegas to Albany, NY but he also slept the entire way while she was wide awake. Nick rolled his head so that he was facing her but had the sleepiest expression and Mandy kissed his nose, Nick couldn't help but smile.

The original plan was for Nick and Mandy to come over on Christmas Eve and spend Christmas and New Years' with her family. However a kidnapping case and string of murders kind of put that on the backburner as they both worked feverish to solve the crimes.

"I'm awake." Nick said rubbing his eyes. Mandy stood up and started getting their carryon bags. Nick smiled to himself seeing Mandy excited to see her parents. Hopefully this would be a good trip… for both of them. This would be the first time Nick would be meeting her family.

"Nick?" Mandy said feeling Nick's hand on her midriff. "Stop, Nicholas." Mandy said smiling at Nick as he yawned. Nick laughed and looked out the window and was immediately blown away.

"Whoa…"Nick said staring out the airplane window.

"What is it?" Mandy asked wondering what had just totally captured Nick's interested. Nick had a star struck look on his face as if he was stuck in awe.

"It's snowing." Nick said smiling. Mandy smiled as Nick turned and looked out the window.

Nick had confessed on the way to the airport that he had never seen snow before in real life. It didn't snow much in Texas and when it did it always missed his house and Vegas it never snowed. Mandy was sad borderline devastated that Nick had never had a White Christmas and Nick told her it sounded girly but he certainly wasn't feeling that way now. Nick was fascinated by the snow.

"Babe, where we are headed there's a lot more of that." Mandy said smiling padding his shoulder.

"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not." Nick joked leaving his seat. Nick stretched out once he was on his feet and scratched his head. He felt his back start to ache a little but that was probably from sitting in the same position the entire flight. Mandy joked that once Nick fell in a deep sleep it was over it would be like trying to wake someone in coma, just about impossible.

"Can you get that one?" Mandy said standing on her tipping toes still unable to reach her bag. Nick reached over and grabbed it handing it to her but when she went to grab it he held on to it tight and she looked up at him puzzled.

"Merry Christmas, babe." Nick said leaning in kissing her lips gently as he smiled.

"Merry Christmas." Mandy said kissing him again.

Holding hands walking through the airport and Mandy was filled with holiday spirit until she saw everyone else in the airport and they were lacking Holiday spirit. Mandy was disappointed that she couldn't spend the entire Christmas with her family but after the carnage they saw at work, Mandy was grateful for anytime she got to spend with them. They decided that the best plan on attack was to divide and conquer, Nick went to get the luggage and Mandy went to get the keys for the rental car.

Nick had packed one suitcase and Mandy had packed three. Nick struggled to carry them all luckily Mandy came up to him with the keys. Once they left the airport, they were meant by a gust of cold snowy air. Nick face was unreadable as Mandy looked at him. He wore just his leather coat, which Mandy loved, with a gray thermal jeans and boots. It was evident he didn't like the cold, but was fascinated by the snow.

"Come on, before you get frost bite." Mandy teased as she popped the truck. Nick loaded the luggage in the truck as Mandy tried to figure out how to adjust everything. Nick jumped in shivering and brushing the snow off his shoulders and hair.

"You got the heat on?" Nick asked as he buckled up and they pulled away. Nick watched Mandy as she drove, she was very nervous.

Nick was nervous too, he could interview stone cold gruesome serial killers and sociopaths but meeting with his girlfriend's family did scare him and make him break a sweat even in this cold weather. He wanted them to like him and prayed for a good trip. This trip had to be perfect, he thought. He had big plans for him and Miss Webster.

"My father is a retired gunnery sergeant in the marines, a man's man. My mom is a spaz. We are like the modern day Griswold Family. I am the youngest and my two older brothers are going to be there. They are going to try and make you go crazy." Mandy said looking at Nick. Nick just smiled at her.

"Mandy, I have five brothers and three sisters. I think I can handle this." Nick chuckled. Mandy just looked at him giving him her signature look.

"My brothers are very protective. They may try to bait you. Don't fall for it. My dad is going to want to watch football with you, after him and mother give you a law and order quiz down. My mom is going to want you to cook with her, if you decide to just make sure she doesn't forget the food in the oven." Mandy said very serious. "Don't drink with my brothers they are going to want to get you drunk and get you to do dumb things. I don't know who's coming to the family party so that will be a different talk. That's not too much right? I don't want to overwhelm you?" she said turning on to her hometown street.

"No, no. its fine." Nick chuckled still looking out the window. "I need you to just relax." Nick chuckled holding her hand.

"I'm just really scared that my family may be too much."

"Have some faith in me." Nick chuckled. "We just worked a thirty-six hour shift and just sat a plane for another eight. No one is scaring me away." Nick said kissing her hand. Mandy released a deep breath giving Nick's hand a squeeze. Mandy turned into her childhood driveway. There was an American flag flying next to the Marine Corps flag.

"Ready?" Mandy asked, Nick released a deep breath and nodded. Nick followed her squinting from the falling storm. Mandy smiled at him as she opened the door and her mother immediately yelped and hugged her.

"Oh, Mandy. Merry Christmas." Her mother squealed. Once her mom let go her father hugged her as her brothers came out. Nick took this time to scan the house and take everything in; this was a big cozy home.

"Everyone, this is Nick." Mandy said hugging his waist. Nick smiled and waved.

"Come here, Nick." Mandy's mom said hugging him, giving Mandy an indiscreetly thumbs up. "I'm Elaine; this is my husband Eli, my sons Billy and Matthew. Let me show you around." Elaine said grabbing Nick's arm after he greeted everyone. Nick gave Mandy a frightened look.

"Elaine, give them a minute to settle in, geez. They just spent hours on a plane with probably last then desirable characters." Eli said shaking his head.

"You're right; I'll get some food together for you guys." Elaine chuckled. "Mandy, you are in the kids' room." Elaine said leaving for the kitchen.

"You turds stuck me with the bunk beds." Mandy said squinting at her brothers.

"Love you." Matt sang as he followed his brother and father back in the living room.

Nick/Mandy for life lol. Just something different from the other christmas stories. I got this idea last night. What did you think? Get ready for some more antics! Please Reviews.