Author's Note: Guys, this is my firs ever fanfiction. This idea is on my mind for a long time now, I just thought I should try and put it into words to let it out. I do appreciate and actually hope for constructive criticisms because it will help me improve. But please, please... no bashing! Thank you! I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 1: The New Member

"I cannot believe, I still have to attend conferences like that. I'm a supervisor, for goodness sake! Where's the perks?" Sara said while walking down the hall side by side with Catherine towards the latters' office.

"That's because it's part of the Lab Policy, dear. Every employee must attend a certain amount of conferences or seminars within the year for the.. Continuous Education"- thing of the Lab! You know that!" Cath says while entering her office as the brunette held up the door for her, and closed it when they are both inside.

Closing the blinds, the brunette approached the desk and sat down on one of the chairs in front of the red head that's currently settling her things down. "Still, that last conference I attended to was for those interested on acquiring new gadgets for the lab, and you know that I have not enough patience for all the testing or whatnots of those stuff."

"Oh I know, that's why I made sure Greg comes with you on this one! To make sure that we at least got something out of that conference… a little new item to add on out inventory. We've got budget anyway. That boy loves new gadgets as much as he loves video games." Cath says as she leans on her desk crossing her fingers below her chin as she grins on Sara.

"Hmm, smart move!" Raising her brows and nodding towards her girlfriend with a cheeky grin of her own. They were silent for a couple of seconds, the two women just staring on each other as if having a mental teasing in their own little world. Sara can't hold it any longer though, "So anyway, it's time to go back to work, I still need to pick up the slips for today's cases on my office, the team is probably waiting for me on the break room now. See you later." She stands up, look around and check if anyone's watching, although the blinds are closed and so were the door as she closed it herself when she comes in, then leans towards Cath and give her a chaste kiss on the lips before turning towards the door. The redhead returns the kiss willingly and was pouting a bit as soon as their lips were apart. Already missing her ladies' lips on her.

Just before Sara stepped out of the room though, Cath called out to her. "Oh by the way, have I mentioned to you that you'll have your newest team member come in tonight?" Sara gave a pause, then nods. "Yeah I think you did. You said she's got some high profile recommendations and studied in Harvard too. And comes from a lab in California, right? You haven't mentioned a Name and a specific Lab that she came from though." Cath gave her a nod to confirm what she said. "Yeah, that's her.. Well her name is.." trying to look through her docs on the table to find the file folder of the newbies profile. Sara waved her off as if to tell her to not worry about it. "That's fine, that's fine. Just send her to the break room directly as soon as she's done here." she winked, then step off the Lab Director-her girlfriend's- office.

Not a couple minutes later, there was a knock on Catherine's door. "Come in!" Stepping inside her room is an Auburn haired-women in her late 20s, slim figured, hazel brown eyes with some tint of green in there, with a sweet smile. She's wearing skinny jeans, black boots, and a maroon plain shirt under a denim jacket. "Hi! I'm Grace Elizabeth Hart, I'm the new hire for the Night Shift Team. Ms. Judy from the front desk told me to go straight here to the Lab Director's office."

Catherine, without looking from the file she was reading, which is the newbies various recommendation letters, waved her to come take a seat in front of her. "Oh yeah, please take a seat, I was just looking at your letter of recommendations …." She stopped short as she finally tilted her head up and take a look at the new comer. For a while she just stared at the women, her heart jumps and her bloods seems to skip a bit. She looks so familiar, the redhead thought but she can't figure out why or how. Those eyes, I think I've seen that before. She snaps back to reality when she noticed a hand waving in front of her face.

"Uhmm.. Miss Willows? Are you okay?" Grace was frowning, she's a bit confused, trying to figure out what's in the Lab Director's mind. "Have we met before?" says Catherine, still wondering where she've seen those hazel brown eyes before. "I don't think so Ma'am. At least, not that I can remember." the girl tilted her head on the side as she shrugged.

"Anyway, as I was saying. I haven't even look at your resume just these set of recommendations from your previous Harvard Professors and your prior SFCL Shift Supervisor. And I must say, you have quite an impressive pile here! sooo.." looking at the girl shaking her head a bit to clear her mind, and with a contented smile she continues.".. were not doing any first day interviews, don't worry! I was just curious and wanted to see you personally first before your team does." Giving the girl a wink. "If you could just sign here, here and here." Pointing at the specific portions on the paper and pushing it toward the newbie. "To release your new ID, Locker Key and Gun." Grace signed the papers enthusiastically, "Done!"

Catherine stood up so does Grace and lead her toward the Break Room. They walk in a comfortable silence, the new girl looks around her trying to get a feel of her new work place. While Cath, stride the hall with ease as she has been doing so for more than a couple of decades of her career. As they were nearing their destination, they heard the chatting and teasing from the rest of the Night Shift Team.

"I believe the shift started about 15 minutes ago?" Catherine comes in with a raised brow and a smirk, that silenced the rest of the people in the break room. But her statement was kind of set aside, their attention is on the new girl right beside their Lab Director. As expected, Greg broke the silence with one of his flirtatious remarks. "Well, we apologize Boss, but we do believe we are waiting for some one, maybe someone you have to introduce to us?" Now looking at the younger women in front of him, "May I know who is this beautiful lady right beside you?" He steps toward the new girl, reached out for her hand and land a soft kiss to her knuckles without breaking their eye contact. Grace held the staring contest with a smirk of her own, amused by Greg's antics.

Cath steps in front of Grace and pushed Greg lightly. "Back off, Greg! don't scare the girl away. It's her first day." Now everyone's attention is on Cath, she continues. "So Guys, this is the newest member of your Night Shift Team, I hope you welcome her warmly." Cath steps aside and give the girl a nod to the side signalling her to step forward and introduce herself.

"Hello Guys! I'm Grace Elizabeth Hart! CSI Level 2 from San Francisco Crime Lab, I look forward to working with all of you!" Morgan and Lindsey step forward together and introduced themselves pushing Greg to the sidelines. Then Finn followed right after. Every one gave her warm greetings and sincere smiles, well, except for one.

"Sara?!" Catherine tries to get her girlfriend's attention. She noticed that the brunette was staring at the newcomer since they got inside, and followed her movements during the whole introduction with the members. Mouth a little bit agape, brows furrowed and eyes blinking every now and then. To Catherine, it seems the brunette is both confused and surprised at the same time. "Honey, you okay?" She stepped forward and held her girlfriend's arm. They don't usually do touches during work hours and while at the lab, but she can't help it. The younger woman's action is a little bit concerning.

But to her surprise, along with the other members of the team, it wasn't Sara's voice that responded to the question. "Yeah Sar?! Are you okay?" it was Grace, the new girl, looking straight to Sara's eyes, head tilted and a teasing smirk planted on her lips. But that's not all that turned everyone into a wide-eyed-mouth-agaped-deer-caught-in-the-headlight look. They realized that the newbie just called Sara by the nickname she don't usually let anybody call her unless they have a close relationship.

But what made their jaw-dropped even further was when Sara replied with her unmistakable trademark smirk, narrowed eyes and raised brows. "Well, just fine and dandy...Gracie!"