Title: What The Heart Wants
Summary: NickOC. When a new CSI member joins the team she and Nick soon find themselves attracted to each other. As an obstacle in her life obstructs their relationship, could something more deadly threaten their lives?
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I do not own any character from CSI or the concept. Don't sue…
This is my first CSI fanfic, so review to tell me what you think. Here goes…
Chapter 1
"So why don't you tell us why you think you should be recruited for a CSI level 3 at the Las Vegas Crime Lab?" Grissom peered over the edge of his glasses at the young, black-haired, brown-eyed woman dressed in a smart suit, sat in front of him. The panel of interviewers, himself, Brass and Catherine were scribbling away on their note-pads as the interviewee for the new position at Las Vegas replied.
"I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm your best candidate for the job. There is almost certainly someone out there who has a better degree grade, that has worked somewhere more prestigious than California and has had better work experience references. But I believe I have much to learn and I think that working in one of the most successful crime labs in the United States would help me. I work hard, am dedicated to every case, however small, and I think that the qualities I bring to the job will also benefit the lab."
Catherine turned to her side and smiled at Brass and Grissom. Brass returned the smile while Grissom simply gave a nod to her and turned his attention back to Katie Walsh sitting patiently across from the three bodies of the panel.
"I like you," Grissom said.
Katie was slightly taken aback by this comment, "Uh… thank you, sir."
"No, I mean you are pleasant, easy to get along with and most of all modest. You came the second in your class and have the credentials to go further than CSI Las Vegas."
Catherine smiled, "He's right. Las Vegas is gaining more than you are. You would be a credit to the lab."
"If I work here, I know that I could gain so much knowledge and understanding of crime scenes."
Brass let out a sigh and looked one last time at Catherine and Grissom before saying, "Well then, I guess you're part of the team. Welcome to CSI Las Vegas." He held out his hand for her to shake. Katie looked at his hand in disbelief and stared back and forth from their 3 faces and back to the hand in front of her.
"Are… are you serious? I've got the job?" She suddenly broke out into a huge smile, jumped out of her chair and embraced Brass into a hug, which caught the cop off-guard. Realising her inappropriate behaviour she let go of the man's torso and stepped back.
"I'm so sorry… I… I… I'm just so happy. I will not let you down. Thank you all so much for this opportunity." She reached out to shake everyone's hand and mouthed a quick apology to Brass for her outburst. "Not a problem," he replied.
"Well now that that's decided I believe a tour is in order for our new recruit. Why don't you show her round Catherine while I go pull in our suspect from the Johnson's case with Brass," Grissom declared, gathering up the papers in front of him on the desk and shuffling them into a scruffy pile. "It's nice to meet you Katie. See you for your first shift tomorrow night." Katie watched Grissom and Brass heading out of the office where the interview had taken place. She looked back to Catherine, who came beside her and gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder.
"You ready?" she asked.
"Ready as I'll ever be." Katie took a deep breath and followed her new superior out of the office to face the new lab she was now working in.
The whole tour was a blur to Katie - laboratories, interview rooms, evidence-collecting rooms, offices etc. She was in awe of the busiest crime labs in the US and she could not believe that she working there now.
"And this is the main lab where you come to if you want anything processed," said Catherine, as she guided Katie's eyes to a tall, skinny man looking like he was having a seizure to the loud, guitar-based music booming from a CD player. "That is Greg, our very own lab-rat."
"Did I hear my name being spoken on the lips of a lovely vixen?" Greg turned round to see Catherine with an eyebrow raised and a young woman staring inquisitively at him. "My, my, my. And who is this beauty standing before me? Greg's the name, complimenting you's the game. You are a gem. Is there an angel missing from heaven as I think I found her." He took Katie's left hand and kissed it, whilst trying his best to look as seductive as possible.
Katie didn't know whether to laugh or sue for harassment. "Uh… thanks? I'm Katie Walsh, the new CSI."
"Ah, fresh meat. Well, I'd love to get to know you better…" He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.
Catherine saw the slightly disturbed look on Katie's face. "Alright Greg, back off. You don't want to scare her away before she's even started."
"Catherine, you don't have to be jealous. There's enough time for you to ride the 'Greg Machine'."
"And on that note, let's move on." Katie quickly followed her guide, turning round to see Greg one last time checking her out.
"Oh my God, is he for real?" Katie asked, astonished at the man she had just encountered.
"Unfortunately yes, but don't worry bout him - he's all talk. We do have a few good guys in the CSI lab." She steered Katie to the staff room, still firing off new rooms that they had yet to pass. Katie simply smiled and nodded, hoping the memory of her encounter with the 'lab-rat' would slowly fade away.
"This is where we all relax and enjoy our free time and is the final stop tonight on the tour. May I introduce to you some of the crime scene investigators you will work with. This is Sara Sidle. Sara this is Katie Walsh, our new level 3 CSI," Catherine said, pointing to a brown-haired female sitting on a chair at the table, stirring her cup of coffee.
Sara looked up from her coffee, "Hey, nice to meet you." She put out her hand.
Katie shook the woman's hand, "It's nice to meet you too."
Catherine pointed to a dark-coloured man, wrestling with an unopened packet of chocolate biscuits, "And this is…"
Katie immediately smiled, "Warrick Brown."
At the mention of his name he looked up and grinned when seeing the young woman, "Katie Walsh! My God, I haven't seen you in a long time. How have you been?" He immediately put the packet down and embraced Katie into a brotherly hug.
"I'm great. I'm the new CSI here."
"Fantastic. Now you know you're working with the best. You could learn a lot from me," he said, puffing out his shoulders.
"Yeah, like how to scam off my paper!"
Warrick looked hurt, "What?"
Katie saw the puzzled look on Catherine and Sara's faces. "We used to go to university together. Warrick always managed to scam his way into getting his hands on my notes."
"Scam! You so gave them to me!" Katie raised her eyebrows. "Okay, gave or stolen from, whatever… it's great to see you!"
"You too, it's been a long time…"
"See, you've settled in already," Catherine said. "Listen, Warrick can you show Katie the admin papers and get her blood sample? I need to speak with Sara about a case. It's great to meet you and welcome once again!" Catherine shook hands with Katie, as did Sara once again, who gave her a wink, and the two females headed off down the corridor.
"Blood sample?"
Warrick grinned, "Follow me."
He took her to an evidence room and sat her down on a stool, rolling up her sleeve. He proceeded to bring out a needle and take a blood sample.
"Oh my God," she said, closing her eyes, "I hate needles."
Warrick chuckled, "You can deal with a dead body but you can't stand needles? Nice."
"Not when they're sticking out of my arm! Don't laugh at me, I'm serious."
Nick Stokes walked into the evidence room where Warrick had last been spotted headed into, with his nose firmly in a bunch of papers. "Hey Warrick, I've got a lead on the body in the dumpster. I think-". He stopped mid-way sentence to see his fellow colleague taking blood from a beautiful woman. He suddenly felt his cheeks burn as he realised he was staring at the girl while she and his friend stared back.
"You were saying Nick?"
"Uh… uh… yeah, I got a lead with the boyfriend." The girl smiled at him, "Hi, I'm Nick Stokes," he said with a heavy Texan accent.
"Hi, I'm Katie Walsh, the new CSI," she replied.
"Great to meet you." The two shook hands and stayed connected for a few moments before pulling away. Warrick noticed this and couldn't help but smile.
"Ok, we're all finished here. You can head off home and we'll see you tomorrow evening, Katie." Warrick smiled and gave her a quick hug before leaving with her blood in hand. A moment later he stuck his head round the door, "Nick?"
"Oh, yeah, right I… I… better go." Nick smiled before following Warrick out of the door.
"You better watch out, Nick. She's not one to have her heart broken…" Warrick sighed.
"Me? Break hearts? Never. Besides, I was only being friendly," he said innocently.
Warrick scoffed, "Yeah, right."
As the two headed off down the corridor, Katie walked the opposite direction, smiling at the thought of her first day tomorrow. Not at all of the fact that she may see Nick. No way.
Chapter 2 is up soon, so tell me what you think of it so far…