THE DEVILS MIND
Chapter One
Note- I do not own the CSI characters, although Hayden-Lars Ackerman is mine.
Everyone looked out eager eyed waiting for the new member of the team who would be coming in to be a new part of the team. Resentment was most of what was whirling around the room, feeling insulted that already the position that once had been Sara Sidles was gone. It was not that exited joyful eagerness that waited the new member of the team, oh no. It was resentment, anger, confusion and hurt. It was as if they had been stabbed in the back.
How could they ever accept a new member onto the team, without Sara, it didn't seem like it would ever be complete again, the job they loved and hated just couldn't be done so feverishly, or competitive. The last few cases seemed to make each member grow emptier. The fact that the last month had been devoted into getting this position filled. And it wasn't just someone qualified. No, as if to add insult to injury the new member had been the most desired newly graduated from Quantico and with degree in criminal mentality, in forensics, all sciences, a jack of all trades that the director had tolled them they had wanted to bring in anyways.
No, the fact that his job had been made that much easier, rather than fire someone to give this new member a job, but as if the murder of a member had been for the better. And that truly irked the members of the Vegas unit. Today they had ended up here in Gil Grissom's office when they learned today this 'member' of their team was finally completed her tests and studies, graduated and everything. It enraged most of them, someone fresh out of studies, and directly into the field. It was blasphemy!
Warrick Brown, Catherin Willows, Nick Stokes, Greg Sanders, and Gil Grissom were in the office. How pathetic each person looked with the look of hurt and betrayal on their faces. Knowing it was today that they would get a newbie member who would advance rather quickly. They had been ordered in early today, just so they could give this member a 'warm welcome from the team'. The most devastated image was of Gil Grissom, his eyes withdrawn, pain and lose was still written all over him. Blaming himself for not protecting Sara. He had taken the death of Sara the hardest of them all. Although now her killer was locked up, found, unsound as she was.
The phone rang and made everyone jolt with a start, unusually tense and jumpy in the moment, each person looked annoyed, for it could very well be the warning call to stop sulking and invite in the new member. Nicks hands clenched at his side. Greg released the breath he had been holding. No more Sara. Today it was as if the reality would become all to true, all to heart shatteringly true. Gil picked up the phone. Answering in a monotone voice, masking the pain he wielded inside.
"Hello…….So… Hayden-Lars Ackerman is on the way up?... Great….. Thank-you"
He dropped held the phone from his face a moment, hands white from gripping it so intensely. Hesitating a moment before setting it down with a clank. Looking at the people he had been able to call friends for years. Good people, and the obvious question unspoken as to why they would even need another person, they would be able to handle it.
"Okay, the new member of the team is coming in now. Names Hayden-Lars Ackerman. Ecklie and Jim are on their way up with her."
Everyone looked up at him, saying nothing else. What else was there to say, they had protested the position being filled at first, but that had done nothing. This guy Hayden-Lars Ackerman was some big sensation, having excelled in forensics, and the youngest to leave Quantico, and top of the class. A degree proving he knew how to profile as well. A hot shot guy who had been pined after by many of the labs over the USA, and other countries as well of course. The tension in the air was devastating, harsh and bizarre, they were not going to ever see Sara walk threw the doors again, no, instead some guy named Hayden-Lars.
What kind of a name was that shit? Nick gritted his teeth as his eyes glared with anger at the door of the office. Each member braced themselves for some meek science stick man nerd who would disappoint every-ones expectations. Eyes burned at the door, tension building, no smiles awaiting to meet this new person. None at all.
But shock filled that glare once a woman of five foot five, flaming red hair and porcelain white skin walked in. She was no guy, and she was a beauty of a rarity, an exotic face. She had crystalline clear blue eyes with an outline around them that appeared to be black. Her brows of a dark brown-red had a gentle natural arch to them, her face as well had a gentle curve of jaw, not fat, but gentle, kind and innocent. Her nose was a small, elegantly dished profile, her lips full and lightly curved, yet so tempting… The face and body had pale milk white skin with no blotches, blemishes, and a snow white beauty. Her neck was a good medium length, not as slim as a swans, but as fashioned for her body type as it could get! Narrow shoulders gave her a dainty look. But you could not let that fool you, under her blue shirt that made her eyes scream out at them, and her form fitting black pants, you could see a lithe and fit body, she had round, small, but perky breasts, absolutely divine on her fit form. Her hips with a slight flair, giving her a desirable hourglass shape. The hair that seemed to be live fire cascaded far down her back, as it was bulled into a loose pony tale behind her head, with her bangs falling wispily over her fine features.
This couldn't be Hayden-Lars…
Absolutely everyone was expecting a male to walk threw that door, but this was absolutely one hundred and fifty percent a woman. They had thought they had braced themselves for anything and everything that could walk threw the door. Those cold empty stairs had turned to shock and interest. The face had no expression or emotion it seemed, but for some reason each and every single person in the room felt a sadness radiating from her. Something that came from within, something pin pointed it… But it wasn't her face, her eyes didn't betray her. It was simply there. She carried herself what seemed proudly. The light caught on her eyes, and then they all could notice as her blue eyes had slight hints of green and other blues.
No smile came for a moment, then a slight upward curve appeared on her luscious lips. It was as if she was as busy assessing everyone else. Her shocking eyes leered over each and every one of the team members. She offered forth her elegant pale hand to whom ever would dare to take it without fearing to find she was indeed made of porcelain.
"I'm Hayden-Lars. Lars for short. I'm taking you are my new team members"
Shocked silence. It was Greg that had broken the uncomfortable silence. Taking her hand he savored that silky smooth skin, warm and exiting to the touch. She shook his hand firmly, and he seemed to freeze for a moment. As if he thought it was absolutely, without a doubt a grand, beautiful dream. He shook her hand continuously as Ecklie and Jim Brass looked ready to kill Greg for his blank moment. As if his embarrassment was theirs.
"Uh.. Hi. I'm Greg Saunders…"
She looked down at their hands still attached to the other, still being shaken by Greg, for a moment it almost looked like amusement entering her empty eyes. But it was so brief non could have been sure about the sighting. Finally he noticed his hand still gently gripped and shook her white warm hand and let go turning slightly pink.
"Pleasure meeting you Mr. Saunders… I think I will say now that I hope you don't think I am a replacement for Miss. Sidle. I would hate that, and know that it's a dreadful thing. Fact is I was lined up for this job long before. To work with all of you… And her. I might not have known Miss Sidle, but I hear only grand things of her and I give you my sympathy"
The entire room fell deathly quite, it was as if no one was even going to breathe now, Ecklie cleared his throat spoke he had something to do, Brass as well left. Nothing else was said, as if that topic was much to hurtful and the would to fresh, as it was. Grissom offered his hand and gave one firm shake. The vision in front of him was that of innocents. It made him forget his anger. But he remembered something that looks nice and innocent can be deadly and poisonous.
"Gill Grissom, and it is a pleasure to meet you Lars" she smiled at him openly. "Well, that's great! And you noted my nickname".
All the others had taken the hand, surprised at the warmth the pale extension had. Each offered a smile, and one that crossed over the emotionless yet innocent face mirrored back at them. An oddity this woman was, and Greg could not take his eyes off of her.
But he was not the only guy on the team under the spell.
All of them seemed to have their eyes glued on her.
It was as if they were bewitched by the porcelain beauty that exuded sadness, and never seemed to allow true emotions in her face.