CSI: Fortunate Justice

When Las Vegas's finest wake up one morning with strange new powers, it takes a genius (okay, a very smart person!) to figure out what's going on!

In answer to csiaddict2's Super Hero Challenge-and no, I don't own CSI or Bruckheimer Productions-and I won't make a penny off these characters. So there....

Early Saturday Morning…..

"Thanks, Grissom…having to work a double isn't so bad when we get to eat like this.." Nick sighed, surveying the empty plate in front of him.

Next to him Warrick slurped down the last of his won ton soup, earning a snicker from Greg. "Well, someone's enjoyed his food….didn't your grandmother teach you soup manners?"

"I'm sure she did, Greg…" Grissom interrupted, casting a warning glare at the youngest CSI. "But in some cultures, making a noise when drinking soup is a sign of appreciation for one's food."

"Says the founder of our feast….and the one who should know about appreciation." Catherine yawned from the head of the table, plopping down her napkin. "And I second Nick's thanks..but I have to get home to send Lindsey off to school…Mom has a breakfast date with Greg's publisher and doesn't want to be late."

"Greg's publisher?" Sara spoke up, flashing a teasing smile as Greg squirmed. Grissom snuck a wink at her, then signaled the restaurant owner for the bill.

"Well….once Max read the chapter she helped me with…he practically begged me to set up a meeting with her. She could have a whole book written about what she remembers about the "pack" days, Catherine." He admitted.

"Okay, before you guys split, open up your fortune cookies." A diminutive woman stood at Grissom's elbow, and he nodded respectfully at her as he passed around a plate of the folded treats. Fan Tan Fanny's was an old Vegas hangout whose customers jealously guarded as "their" place, an attitude encouraged by its owner.

"Thank you, Fanny, everything was good as usual. I think I'll save my cookie for later.." he began, only for Fanny to shake her finger at him.

"NO, Grissom…you must open now….it's bad luck not to open fortunes after you eat!"

Amused by her outburst, he nodded and took the last cookie as the plate came back to him.

"And remember, they will only last as long as the moon is full…" Fanny added, lifting the empty plate off the table, then vanishing through a beaded curtain.

Immediately the group burst into laughter, with Greg wheezing, "She told you, Griss!"

"I never heard about a time limit to fortunes, man.." Nick wiped his eyes, then broke open his cookie. Scanning the small bit of paper, he chuckled as he said, "This is funny, "Whistling while you work will make bad spirits disappear."

"I'll say…talk about Confucius.." Warrick pulled out his fortune, then read aloud, "Might makes right any evil under night."

"Huh?" Catherine looked puzzled as Greg leaned over and looked at the tiny words.

"That's what it says, humph! Boy, you guys got some winners!"

"Well, what does yours say?" she asked, as the younger man broke the treat open, then popped the pieces in his mouth as he glanced at the paper.

"Speed will lead to many good deeds."

"I think we've got a pattern here.." Sara grinned wryly as Catherine put down her purse and picked up her cookie.

"Yeah, Gil…you were real subtle here…great joke!" she remarked, then raised an eyebrow as he protested, "I didn't have anything to do with these…just look at mine!"

"The rivers of justice will wash away injustice? That's a bit corny, even for you…" Catherine snorted. As Grissom stared at her fortune, Sara read it aloud.

"The tiniest spark can fan the winds of change."

"Okay, we get it, Gris…our work does make a difference." Greg snickered, then elbowed Sara as she slowly broke her fortune out of the folded cookie.

"What does it say, Sara?" Grissom spoke up, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Ask and it shall be given unto you for good….these are weird, Griss…like instructions." She replied, an uneasy feeling making her stomach turn. Grissom cleared his throat as he stood up.

"Well, they are different, but I wouldn't exactly take them to heart, guys… By the way, remember we have a mandatory staff meeting tomorrow at 6pm….Ecklie has some new paperwork I have to go over with you." He added, giving a wry look to Sara as the others groaned.

"Boy, that's something I bet you would wash away, Gris." Nick snickered, as Catherine said her goodbyes and hurried out the door. Grissom shook his head as he helped Sara on with her jacket .

"A necessary evil, Nick, in any job..."

Nonetheless, as he watched Greg, Nick and Warrick rag each other as they went to their cars, Grissom fought back a sense of anticipation that something was going to happen.

"Do you believe any of that, Gil?" Sara's voice caught his attention, and he met her gaze.

"The fortunes? I think so…words do give you a sense of power. Would you like to test that theory over a cup of coffee?" he offered, a shy smile on his face.

"Only if you let me bring the cookies…" she replied, beaming. As the two CSI's exited the restaurant, Fanny came out of the shadows and watched them leave, a slow smile crossing her face.

TBA