Summary: What if young Nate Culver couldn't raise Maria? What if Nick decided to step up to the plate? Who would help? Where might it lead?

Genre: family, friendship, humor, romance, Nick/Cat

Rating: G. Will change it later, if required

Disclaimer: CSI will never belong to us, except in our little fanfic hearts. Title borrrowed from "West Side Story." Thank you Mr. Bernstein and Mr. Sondheim

Moochiecat2009andPraire24

"Maria. I Just Met a Girl Named Maria."

"Nick, I don't know what to do, " the young man said, softly and sadly.

Nat Culver sits in the rocking chair next to the NICU bassinet and gently cradles his 4 day old daughter.

Raising his head to look up to the tall, dark CSI, Nate continues…"My Dad refuses to even consider letting me keep Maria. He's adamant about it. He said he "did the baby thing" already and he's not going through it again. I told him there was no way that I'd let her go into foster care. He told me there was no danger of that since she's a healthy white newborn. Dad's gone to a private adoption lawyer." With his voice breaking, Nate sobs out, "He's going to sell her, Nick. That's what it is, at the end of the day. It's selling Maria to the highest bidder. That lawyer said my Dad will clear at least $75,000 out of the arrangements. And I have absolutely no right to stop it. I'm only 17, legally a minor. I have no say at all. I have no idea what kind of people will raise Maria. Dad tells me he'll never tell me their names or let me see any documents. Says he's going to make sure I can never find her."

Nate rocks his darling babe forlornly, knowing he has very little time left with her.

Nick Stokes is absolutely appalled. He places a comforting hand on Nate's shoulder and vows to the teenager that he'll try to find some other solution. It's almost time for shift, so Nick bids the youngster goodbye and heads into work.

Several hours later, Nick goes down to see Doc Robbins in Autopsy. He's lucky that he catches the curmudgeonly, yet kindly, M.E. during some "downtime." "Albert, could I talk with you for a few minutes? About Maria?"

"About our little girl, Nick? You can talk about her for hours as far as I'm concerned," Doc shot back.

"Nate's Dad won't let him keep Maria and raise her. Basically, he's asking a private adoption lawyer to get the highest price for her. Under the guise of being 'reimbursed for medical and pregnancy expenses, " spits Nick, disgustedly. "Doc, I can't stand the idea of our little girl going to people who bought her. Yeah, maybe they'll be good parents, but that kind of a start to an adoption has a 'three day old dead fish' smell to it. We helped bring her into this world and we have an obligation to make sure she gets a loving family and a great start."

"Damn straight, we do," growls Doc.

"So, I've been thinking," Nick drawls, slowly. "Will you support me, recommend me, if I get an attorney and try to adopt Maria myself? I have no doubt young Nate will support my application. If I adopt Maria, he knows I'll be happy to have an open adoption, so he can still be part of her life. What do you think?"

Studying the younger man, gravely, Doc responds, "I'll stand beside you Nick, wholeheartedly, IF, and only IF, you can convince me and MRS. Doc that you will

have a complete support system in place to assist you in raising Maria. You know, Nannies, proper feeding, nursery set up, emergency backups if she gets sick, proper female influence and role models, pediatrician selected, shot schedule, and most important, tons of very, very important Daddy/baby time." Eying Nick, Doc concludes, "If it helps, my Judy will certainly jump on board. She was all over Maria when I took her to visit the baby at the NICU. So?"

Nick grinned broadly and said, "Let's set it up Doc. The day after tomorrow is Saturday. How about you and Judy come over to my home for a BBQ at 4pm? I'll have the plan in writing."

Smiling warmly, Doc says simply, "Done. I don't even think I need to bother to ask Judy. Now, get back to work. I'm busy." Turning away, Nick doesn't get to see the broad grin on Doc's face.

Exiting the morgue, Nick starts thinking about how he's going to get the plan together. First thing that enters his mind… Find Cath, now!

TBC… Over to Prairie