Viva Las Crime Scene

Hey… heh. Thanks for opening this! I'm re-writing this story; but don't worry, it'll turn completely different directions than before. And it'll be better written too. Anyways, I know you're probably tired of female OC's being thrown into things, but that's too bad. Sorry! I promise this will be good… If you help me out and give me some extra ideas. I'm completely open to constructive criticism, so leave me a review and let me know what you think!

"Samantha… Wait, please!"

The woman in question was being followed closely by a dark haired man. Heads turned as co-workers stepped out of their path. They knew a scene was destined to follow; there always was when this girl was involved. After a while it became an everyday sight… But they still didn't mind watching. It seemed to excuse them of their own sins and insecurities.

Finally, as the pair reached the set of double glass doors, the woman turned to face her hunter. A thin layer of sweat was forming on his forehead, not from the chase, but more from stress and maybe a tinge of fear. His brown eyes searched her calm expression frantically; although his was relaxed with desperation. "You don't know what you're doing."

"Actually, I do John." The blonde named Samantha answered his question; and although his short breathing would usually amuse her, there was no sign of entertainment on either face. A heavy bag was beginning to weigh down her arm, as did the stack of books she was carrying. Samantha really hadn't realized that she had so much stuff in her locker.

She was going to Las Vegas. Or at least hoping she was. A week before she had been in for an interview, which had been accompanied by a gigantic wave of freedom. It was as if the burden of the Chicago Crime Lab had already been lifted off of her shoulders. It had been a long time since she had an opportunity like this… And this was the first that she had actually recognized the chance. She wasn't going to let it slip that easily.

He had never disrespected her; but John and Samantha had never been close. Well, at least not as close as other cliques and couples around the lab. This is why it came to such a chilling surprise when he rested a gentle palm against her cheek. His eyes pleaded with her, and he had somehow magically become closer to her as he breathed his last request. "Samantha; Sam… Please don't do this…" Samantha had to pause for a second, barely able to tear her eyes away from the man. There was a sudden feeling of hope… As if she may actually be able to have a family here. To be wanted. There was no reply as she turned on her heel and left.

She had cried for what felt like forever.

In truth, it was only about fifteen minutes; maybe a half hour at tops. She had thought it would be so easy, just to give it all up. To suddenly pick up her things and leave. But she had grown with those people… They had been all she had; whether they were jerks or not. That was the main reason she was leaving. Not that Las Vegas held promise of a lovely working environment; but Samantha didn't believe it could get any ruder than Chicago.

Yet things had proved different. What did she have now? Nothing. At least she had given that woman in Las Vegas her file… But what exactly was she chasing? Las Vegas was the second highest crime lab in the country. What were the chances of her getting in? And if she did, who says she is going to like it? She would have quite some time trying to convince her old supervisor to take her back… Probably after she had been replaced. Actually, from what she had heard a couple days ago, he was already looking to replace her.

But that look John had given her… It was as if she really did have a connection to the place. To be honest, she had just been doing her job all those years… But now, in that very moment; what had she done? She had made another mistake, no doubt. Samantha's barely deep but upset thoughts were cast aside at the sound of her phone ringing, buzzing and rattling against the dash of her car. With a sigh she leaned over to pick it up.

Catherine Willows had to raise a hand, tucking her flying hair behind her ear for the second time that evening. The first had been when she was riding alongside Sarah from a robbery scene. Now she had taken a quick turn from an even quicker pace, opening Gil Grissom's barely cracked office door and inviting herself in. He was found behind his desk, scribbling furiously across a standard evaluation form.

It was after a few minutes of peering at him curiously that Catherine spoke. She was surprised he hadn't seen her already… Although he probably had, and just didn't care to acknowledge her until she spoke. "Hey; Grissom." The man paused after a few moments and looked up at her.

"Yes?"

Three crème folders were instantly laid onto his desk, arranged in a fanned fashion. Each one was labeled with a different name; and each of them were from different parts of the country. As soon as the budget for the crime lab had been raised, Grissom hadn't hesitated to open another investigator position. It seemed like more and more crime was growing lately; and he had an eerie feeling that one of his employees was on the verge of leaving. Who was a mystery to him; but he could never be too careful.

"These are the final applicants from last week's interviews." Catherine explained, resting a hand on her hip. "It took us hours to pick them out." She added, as Grissom merely blinked and retracted the ink portion of his pen.

"What are you implying?"

"That I'd appreciate it if you'd hurry with your decision."

Grissom shrugged and tapped a random folder, in his now usual subtle mocking behavior with her. "Fine, I pick that one." His voice had a hint of sarcasm in it as he watched Catherine's expression grow grimmer. She had sensed that he would say something smart like that; and although she had seen it coming, it still burnt her as any other comment would. She should have been used to this treatment by now…

"You can't just grab one and say 'you're hired'." She pushed the files closer to him. Grissom took a simple glance at them and then back up to Catherine innocently. "You have to read them Gil… C'mon, make this easier for both of us." She was leaving for the day shift soon; but that wouldn't stop her from helping Grissom sort her final affairs. Who knew how it would turn after she left… This was why she had Warrick help her sort through the applications all throughout the past month.

"Well, they're all obviously good candidates. You picked them." Grissom knew his limits. Hidden but fatal glare in Catherine's eyes forced him to pick up the first folder and scan the information. He sighed after a moment, laying it down in its original position and lifting the next. "He seemed a little inexperienced, didn't he? Keep in mind that we're going to have to try and fill some of your space… Not that you can ever be replaced."

"Right." The application was now in Catherine's hands, a slight smirk curling onto her face at Grissom's cover up remark. Her eyes fell onto crucial details as she pointed them out to her former supervisor. "But he's very experienced in blood and blood spatter analysis… That's my specialty, you know that."

A pleased smile formed across Grissom's expression. "Yes, but we need someone to account for you Catherine… I think we can manage without him." He rested the final folder back onto his desk as he looked back up to her. She was fighting for her choices… Just what he expected from her; and what he liked to see. But he could tell she was getting tired of it quickly; by now she didn't care what he did. The second application was in his hand, prompting a skeptical Catherine to take it. "I believe they're the best."

Catherine sighed and closed the file. She would have diffidently put that first man in as a first choice… But this was a good decision. All in all, she was glad he had made it so she wouldn't have to. They each really had their own individual talents that the lab would have valued. But none of the choices would affect Catherine that severely… Just wreck havoc on the team chemistry. "I'll give 'em a call." She finally agreed, flashing him a quick hint of a smile as she turned and exited the room. Grissom watched her the entire time.

Another hour later and Samantha was still sitting in her car. Her hands were gripping the wheel, and if the car was somehow cranked and could magically work it self; she would be driving. But she wasn't. She was sitting in an empty parking lot on the other side of town; an abandoned barbeque place that he never been bought after the owner had died. That or the family just had never put it up for sale.

It was the exact same place she had been since she had left the Chicago lab and had her little 'break down'. Of course, that doesn't mean that she would crank the car and get prepared to drive; she just could never commit the act itself. And as she sat there, she wondered why. At the decision of putting it off until she began to drive, she got ready to crank the car. Samantha was suddenly stopped by a hand on her car and the door suddenly opening.

"Get out of the car."

Fear struck through her like a lightening bolt. Her already tight grip grew around the steering wheel as she froze. This was just her luck… Getting her car stolen just after she had walked out of her job. It was karma, she knew it. How she had treated everyone… It was coming back on her. Then, just as quickly as she had completed this, she recognized the voice and looked up to see a man staring down at her in a slightly angry and agitated state. The forceful command was repeated.

"I'm not screwing around Samantha, get out."

'Ian…' Samantha thought to herself as she relaxed her tensed body. He really must be pissed at her to call her by her full first name… But Ian being mad really wasn't saying much. And although she knew such a response wouldn't be tolerated by her co-worker, she proceeded with the same explanation she had given John, spoken simply as she looked back in front of her. "No. I'm leaving."

A glare set into the young investigator's face as he heard her words. "No you're not." He countered, opening the door his full arm's length. He was still bent, staring at her angrily with those light brown eyes of his. But he hadn't started freaking out… Yet. "You're staying here."

"No I'm not!"

A frustrated snort left Ian as he stood for a moment and shook her head like she was stupid. He leaned his head slightly closer to her as he spoke the grave words that he knew would trump anything she had to say. Well, she was the one dragging this on and on… "You didn't get the job Sam."

"What?" Samantha turned her head to look at him, her eyes wide with slight disbelief. This was what she had everything riding on… And even though she knew not to do such risky mess, she did. And it turned on her. She calmed down after a moment and shook her head with a light laugh. "That was good Bosco… But how would you know?"

A quick and smart reply was all Ian could manage. "Because John applied for the same position." He explained to her in an almost matter-of-fact tone. Each word made Samantha feel sicker and sicker as he continued to prove to her he was correct.

"And guess what? He's the one who got it."

So… What'd you think? Leave me a review, ok? Tell me what you liked and what I can work on! And I wouldn't mind some ideas for the future. Thanks you guys!