I don't own CSI: NY or any of the related characters. I do own Samantha and Jonathan though.

What's Golden

Chapter 1

'I hate this part of the job' CSI Dayshift supervisor Mac Taylor thought before redirecting his attention back to the newly qualified CSI interviewee. Four CSI's of various experience had passed through his office over the past week all vying for the position left open by Stella who had been promoted to Night shift supervisor two weeks prior. As the last but one drew to a close he couldn't help but wish that the old night shift supervisor hadn't quit and put him through the rigor of finding a replacement.

As the nervous young man left he looked over the file made a few notes on a separate sheet and turned to the final folder.

CSI 1 Danny Messer passed through reception of CSI HQ back from a call out. Hold up at a convenience store. A small boy gripped the hand of a woman, possibly his mother who was waiting for the receptionist. Sighing to himself he made a move to pass by as quickly as possible and log in evidence but was spotted by the eight year old.

"Hi" The boy said attracting the attention of the woman. She spun to face Danny.

"Hi, can you tell me where the receptionist is?"

He shifted the weight of the bagged evidence before looking over the counter "No but maybe I can help. Danny Messer CSI 1 what are you looking for?"

"I'm Dr Samantha Kenson here for the interview for the vacancy I'm looking for Mac Taylor"

"Ah yes wait here and Mac will be down in a moment" As he turned to the door that lead to the lab Mac appeared from it. He bypassed Danny and lent over the top in search for the absent desk hand. Seeing no sign he muttered something and left the files to be sorted later.

"Sir"

Mac's head snapped around to face Danny.

"Dr Kenson is here to see you about the position" He indicated to the woman a few feet away holding the hand of a nervous looking lad.

"Oh" He said on noticing the woman. "Detective Mac Taylor" Offering his hand out. "Lovely to meet you"

"Likewise" She returned the gesture "is this a bad time?"

"No more than usual I'll get the receptionist to log you in then we can get down to business"

"Excellent. Is there someone who can watch my son during the interview?"

"I'll have the receptionist watch him"

"Thanks"

The receptionist returned moments later. Whilst Mac spoke to her he out of the corner of his eye could see Dr Kenson talking to her son

"Okay Jonathan now you need to be a good boy while I go speak to Detective Taylor. Can you do that?"

The kid, Jonathan nodded and pulled out a battered book flipped over a few pages and began to read

"That's my boy" She ruffled his hair then pushed her hands to her knees and stood at her full height which at a guess was 5'7 including heels.

"Thanks" Taking the temporary pass and clipping it to her jacket she gave her son one last look before following Mac upstairs.

"Okay Dr Kenson" Mac stated flipping through her file "it says that you left criminalistics 9 years ago to have your son then you were head of an eight year psychological study so what makes you want to return?

"Well when my husband passed away before my son was born at that time the research study fitted the roles I needed to be as a mother and as bread winner. But in all that time I didn't find research as fulfilling as I found working in criminalistics. I kept up to date with all the advancements in the past eight years I have my doctorate in forensic psychology I am a CSI 3 so I can do this job, it's not something you forget."

"And what about your son?"

""He's enrolled in school, its half term at the moment but he's back Monday"

"You understand that this job often requires overtime and call outs can be at any time"

"I understand, I'm used to working strange hours my neighbour has a son a similar age and doesn't mind keeping an eye on Jonathan for me"

"I see are there any kinds of cases you would rather not work"

"Child abuse and bug infested DBs, I'm a meal on wheels for any sort of bloodsucking insect"

"Okay I think that's just about everything, we'll be in touch" Mac rose to shake her hand again

"Thanks Detective Taylor " Samantha stood up tucking a brown strand behind her ear before reaching out to clasp his hand.

She headed back down to reception, Mac followed her retreating figure as she took the hand of her son, handed back the pass and headed out into the city.

Mac reviewed each file in turn. It was between CSI 3 Dr Samantha Kenson and CSI 2 Jason Andrews. Widowed mum of one, out for nine years but excellent solve rate, top credentials and glowing recommendations, well learned in current techniques. Married, father of two under fives, good solve rate, not as much experience, more than qualified, glowing references well practised in current techniques.

He picked up his cup of coffee and located Aiden and Danny and had them meet him in the break room

"I need you two to review these personnel files and tell me which one you'd employ" Danny was obviously bemused but caught the end of one file and flicked through it.

An hour or two cups of coffee later…

"Well Dr Kenson is certainly closer, she could start work tomorrow but it's her son if she's working a case she can't be there for him"

"Yeah Danny but Andrews is in Boston and he doesn't have the experience plus he took paternity leave for both his kids that would put us back here. Dr Kenson is thirty seven"

"She doesn't look it" Aiden looked at the file picture Danny was indicating to.

"Maybe so but she's a lot less likely to get pregnant, she's not even in a relationship. Andrews's wife is expecting their third in six month's time"

"So" Danny stated "The good doctor it is"

"Thank you, now back to work" Mac swept up the files and headed back up to his office. It wasn't particularly late, swing shift were winding down when he picked up the phone.

"Hello who is it?" The voice was that of a child

Mac didn't have much experience with children "Its Detective Taylor, can I speak to your mum?"

"Hang on" There was a pause before a yell "Mum, phone" Mac jumped at the volume. There was another pause before a new voice floated down the receiver

"Calm down sweetie, now who is it"

"Detective Taylor"

"Okay thanks sweetie now go get changed for bed" There was the sound of footsteps and a door before the voice of Dr Kenson came through clearly "Hello? Detective Taylor?"

"Dr Kenson I am pleased to inform you that the job is yours"

"Thank you Detective Taylor when would you like me to start?" The happiness could be heard through the receiver

"Monday nine am sharp"

"Sounds excellent I'll see you Monday. Thanks again Detective, Bye"

The dial tone sounded down his ear before he put down the receiver. He dragged himself out of CSI, home to an empty apartment. The whirring of the microwave as it cooked his meal, the irrelevance of the TV. The sound in silence. Current cases, the lumpiness of his mattress. Days in the marines. The sound of passing traffic. The latest football results. What tomorrow… may…may…br…br… bring. And for the first time this week. He was asleep.