Masquerade Love

Summary: Morgan and Greg meet at the CSI Masquerade Ball and are mesmerised by the other. When Morgan moves to Las Vegas, she realises that Greg's the mysterious guy from the ball. But will she ever tell him who she really is?

Author's Note: This story is an alternate retelling of Morgan's first meeting with the CSIs and the subsequent events that occur. Hence, the events of "Cello and Goodbye" did not occur, and is AU from Season 12 onwards.

Chapter 1

15 June 7:10am, Las Vegas.

Thirty-five year old Greg Sanders strode down the long hallway of the Las Vegas Crime Lab, clutching a brown file in his hand. The level 3 CSI was currently heading to the break room for some rest and maybe a snack. He had another two hours ago until the end of shift, but knew that he was going to remain in the Crime Lab for much longer.

Last night, he and fellow CSI Catherine Willows had been sent out to a crime scene at a dark alley. Their evidence collection at the site had taken an hour, and another two more back at the lab. Greg had just sent the evidence to various specialists for further examination. It would take a while, so Greg decided to take a rest before tackling a new day.

The break room was deserted; dayshift wouldn't be in until 8:30am at earliest, and those on the night shift were either out on a case (like his other CSI colleagues Nick Stokes, Sara Sidle and supervisor D.B Russell), or in their own offices. Greg immediately headed to the vending machine and bought a small bottle of apple juice. As he opened the bottle, his eyes roamed the notice board in front of him.

Greg immediately noticed the light blue flyer which stood out from the all the other white sheets of paper. It was a flyer that he had seen plastered all around the notice boards of the Crime Lab for the past two weeks. The Crime Scene Investigators Dinner and Dance.

The dinner and dance had always been a big event every year, allowing CSIs from all over the country to celebrate and rejoice in their achievements (and commemorate significant events or losses). It was always held in the middle of year for December months were often too chilly in the evenings. Greg hadn't gone last year because of personal reasons, but he was attending this year's event. It would be a great reprieve away from work.

This year's dinner and dance was to be held in San Francisco, three days from now. Crime Scene Investigators from states in the western part of United States would attend this event. From what he had heard, most of his colleagues from the crime lab were going too. Greg was certainly looking forward to it.

What made it even more exciting was that it was masquerade themed. The organisers of the D and D had apparently decided to spice things up a little. At first, Greg had found the idea to be quite silly, for he knew he was likely going to spend time with his colleagues anyway. Gradually however, he warmed up to the idea of anonymity and bought himself a mask to go with his suit and tie. It was silver, with black diagonal lines going across the mask.

"I hope you're not choosing to back out on the D and D." Suddenly a voice said.

Greg had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he failed to notice that someone else had entered the break room. Turning on his heels, he grinned as he saw his fellow CSI colleague Catherine Willows behind him. The male CSI shook his head. "Just thinking about the D and D in general. Are you sure you're not going to come along? There is still time to change your mind."

Catherine smiled back and shook her head. "Thanks Greg but I'll pass. Lindsey and I are going to have some mother-daughter bonding time." Catherine was a single mother to a young teenage daughter. "Besides, someone needs to be in Vegas to hold down the fort. Crime never stops."

Greg nodded in understanding. Most of them, including Sara, Nick and Hodges, would be travelling to San Francisco for the event. As what Catherine had summed up, crime doesn't stop just because there was an appreciation dinner for CSIs going on in another state.

"But this year's dinner and dance sounds fun." Catherine piped up. "A masquerade. Things would definitely get interesting." She smirked before elbowing Greg playfully. "Maybe you can snag yourself a Cinderella." It was an inside joke. As Greg was already thirty-five, the other CSIs would often encourage him to think about settling down.

That would be nice. Greg thought to himself, picturing himself meeting a beautiful woman he could connect with. Let's hope for an interesting weekend. He thought.

Los Angeles, 4.45pm.

Thirty year old Morgan Brody heaved a sigh of relief as she finished the last line of her report.

"Finally." She murmured to herself. The blonde CSI's gruelling shift had finally came to an end, and she had managed to clear some paperwork on her end. Now, she was just ready to head back home for some rest. Pressing the 'print' button on her laptop, Morgan begin to pack her things while waiting for the report.

After she had dropped off the report to her supervisor, Morgan walked down the hallway of the Los Angeles' Crime Lab. Turning left, she knocked on the door to an office. "Come in." Came a female voice from within the room.

"Hey Emma. Ready to go?" Morgan stuck her head in and smiled at its' occupant. A woman about the same age as Morgan, long titan hair tied in a ponytail, sat by the desk. She was apparently working on analysing the DNA from a blood sample.

"Hey Morgan. You done already? I might need to pull an extra hour though. Our department is… swamped." Emma turned around and smiled apologetically at her friend. Morgan tsked, and entered the room fully.

"Another extra hour? Don't overwork yourself Em. Think about the little one." Morgan looked pointedly at her friend. Unconsciously, Emma's hand moved to rub circles on her bulging belly. Emma was slightly over eight months pregnant, so Morgan was very concerned about her friend's state of being. Besides, the CSI had promised Emma's husband Dave to keep an eye out for the pregnant lady.

"I know I know Morgan…But I'll be leaving in two weeks, which will just cause us to be short-staffed AND swamped." The mother-to-be explained, giving Morgan her best puppy dog eyes.

Morgan sighed. "Dave will have my head when he knows I let you work the extra hour. " She looked pointedly at her friend. "Maybe you shouldn't go for the CSI Dinner and Dance this weekend, you should rest."

There was an immediate groan of protest from Emma. "Not you too. Dave's been questioning my decision to go for the D and D. It's going to be my last D and D with you guys; I have to attend." Emma was going to officially leave the LA CSI team in two days in favour of a more normal life once her baby was born. Hence, she was adamant on attending the CSI Dinner and Dance which would be held in San Francisco over the weekend, much to the worry of her husband Dave.

"Besides, I've got you and Spence to watch over me during the D and D. It'll be fine." Dave had enlisted the assistance of Morgan and another lab technician Spencer to be Emma's guardians during the event.

"If you say so…" Morgan trailed off, but she was still slightly worried for her friend.

"I know my body best Morgan." Emma insisted. "Now…Give me one more hour?" She pleaded.

Morgan sighed once more. "One more hour." She repeated, raising one finger in emphasis. "No more than that. I'll be in the break room."

"You're the best Morgan." Emma said with a grin, already getting back to her work.

"You're treating me lunch tomorrow." Was Morgan's reply as she shut the door behind her, shaking her head. Her friend was such a workaholic, and also had so much consideration for others too. The blonde CSI was going to miss her redhead buddy when she officially leave the team.

Striding down the hallway once more, Morgan's thoughts turned to the Dinner and Dance event that weekend. She had managed to find some time earlier that week to rent a formal evening dress and a mask for the event.

Yes, a mask. This year's theme was Masquerade.

Morgan had been going for the past few Dinner and Dances, and she enjoyed interacting with other CSIs from different states near the West Coast. This year's event shall be more interesting with the added anonymity that came with a masquerade.

Then again, it was likely that she would be staying close to Emma's side during the party, not that she minded much. She was already planning to keep an eye out for her really pregnant friend during the event whether or not Emma's husband Dave requested her to do so.

Unconsciously, Morgan let out a sigh. Emma was about the same age as her, but yet was already going to start a family. When will I find the one for me? Morgan thought glumly. Her previous two relationships had been wrong for her, and she yearned to find someone who understood her.

Seeing Emma (and some of her other colleagues) happily in love made her envious on occasion. She knew that love couldn't be forced, but she couldn't help wonder if there was something wrong with her, that caused her still single state.

I want someone who understands the nature of the CSI job, someone who's kind, considerate and loves me for me.

Little did she know, fate had a magical chanced encounter in stored for her at the dinner and dance that upcoming weekend.

Hi guys!

So here's my new Morganders story! Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter!

Updates for this will be slow though. I have an internship coming up so that will be taking up a large bulk of my time. But I will try to post as frequently as I can!

Leave a review if you have any feedback I'm always open to constructive criticism. ^^

Until the next chapter!

-TrixieNancy124