I am Shining Zephyr, and I, well… I'm beginning to love CSI: New York. By the way… 'Past Imperfect.' Shoot me, please. I love that episode. Alas, it's not in this one. It's semiAU. And Dobson isn't dead… yet. –growls-

I don't own CSI: New York, though. Hope you enjoy this story!

1. Interlude: Whoever It Is

"Results from the knife clearly indicate that the girl was stabbed to death," a lab tech acknowledged, his brown hair messed up and green eyes scanning the paper. He handed it to his boss, who also had brown hair, but intense blue eyes instead of the calming green. Adam Ross looked up towards Detective Mac Taylor, who scanned the paper. It was another day in Manhattan, New York, and another murder case had both men stumped for answers.

The lead CSI nodded. "Nice work, Adam. Run with it and let's see what we get." Just as he finished his sentence, his phone rang and he pulled it out. " Taylor… all right, I'm coming."

Adam began typing up data, not looking away from his work. "Another scene."

"Another scene," Mac agreed, walking out of the room and putting the folder on his desk.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Don Flack stood in the room, observing Mac walk in with his kit, setting it down, and snapping on some gloves. "Name's Selena Maridel. Age seventeen, goes to Midtown High. Or, used to. Family says she's been missing for around four months now. Murdered by one hand, slashed into pieces. Almost."

Mac looked at the body and swallowed. "Looks like she went through hell," he muttered, beginning to snap pictures of the girl and the scene around her. "Makes you wonder how many killers out there are willing to do this to some innocent woman." Blood stains in the carpet looked to be about three weeks old as Mac snapped more photos and leaned down over the other stains. He took out a swab and wet it with some water before swabbing the carpet. He placed it into a small container and handed it to Flack. "Trace ASAP," he instructed.

"I'm out," Flack replied, hurrying out the door.

Footsteps were heard outside, and Mac turned around to see Stella Bonasera walking into the room, her facing paling over. "Whoa."

"I know," Mac told her grimly, picking up his camera again. "It's bad. Not like self-mutilation. Someone cut her into pieces, and I want to know who."

"Don't we all." Stella felt around the body, checking her temperature. "She's been gone for about two days, Mac. Why couldn't someone find her?"

Mac shrugged. "Girl's name is Selena Maridel. It's itching me to know who would do something like this, Stella."

Stella nodded and turned her over on her back. There was an sharp inward gasp as she examined her thoroughly. She bit her lip and looked at her coworker. "Mac."

He came from another room after snapping more photos and walked over to where she was standing. One look at her, and that was all he needed to see. The girl had no eyelids. He tensed up. "Damn," he muttered angrily.

She snapped more pictures, ignoring Mac's bending down motion. "Do you see what I see?" she asked.

"I do," he replied. "I've got bruising on her arms and legs, not to mention upper body portions, such as her chest and her rip cage area." He glanced at Stella, who was busily swabbing her legs. "You?"

"A nasty feeling of who did this and emotions welling up," she replied. "Anyways, I'm going to get this back to the lab. Maybe it'll have some kind of residue on it for what weapon the killer used. Although judging by the signature…"

Mac's eyes narrowed. "No comment, Stell. Get that stuff to the lab and tell Adam we need info on mutilation serials and… well, I think it's safe to say that no one else has the signature of cutting off girls' eyelids."

Stella out a hand on Mac's shoulder. "Come on, Mac. Take it easy."

"If you say so," he muttered, taking a deep breath. Deep in his mind, though, he was already forming theories of what could have happened to Selena. Given that she had long brown hair and blue eyes, it would have made sense that the killer would go after her. Clay Dobson had done the same thing five years ago, but with Truby in jail and Dobson out… well, Mac wanted to put away the serial for good.

Hopefully it would start with a bit of the evidence and a lot of digging.

This is not a typical case fic. In fact, it kind of… well, I'll just say that this fic is going to really go into the deep zone. SMacked… I'm a fan, can't you tell? Anyways, reviews are appreciated and are rewarded with cookies! And if you take an extra, I won't do anything to you. Promise.