I don't own CSI...if I did, Nick would have been in the 300th episode.
I wish we could have gotten to know Riley better. I think that's why I've written some Jackson stories trying to explain her character a bit more. And I got to thinking...in the episode "One To Go," where Grissom said goodbye to everyone, what would he say to Riley? So I thought I'd write it. Hope you enjoy...and pretty please review!
And more Jackson stories are on the way :)
Riley Adams stared at the evidence in front of her, not really paying attention to it. She came to Vegas because it was the best crime lab in America, outside of the FBI. She'd made some good friends there, and really hoped she'd found a place to fit in. Granted, her supervisor was distant at times, but she knew they'd just lost a colleague and friend. Still, she hoped the team would get stronger and she'd find a home here.
Then her supervisor, Gil Grissom, met with the team to give out assignments - and he told the team he was leaving. Riley sat there and just stared at the man in disbelief. Here was one of the best criminalists she'd heard about, and he was leaving. She looked at her soon-to-be supervisor Catherine, who had tears in her eyes. Her friends Nick and Greg just sat there as if their world was ripped from their hands. All Riley could do was watch Grissom walk away after casually stating he was leaving. Here she thought she'd have a home here and now everything was upside-down.
Like her colleagues, Riley wanted to capture the killer with ties to a man in prison. She stared at the evidence in front of her, but really wondered what kind of team there would be after Grissom left. Unlike her friends there, she wasn't mentored by Grissom and had no problem standing up to him. But she knew he was one of the most respected entomologists in law enforcement and was respected by everyone on the team. She had to admit she did respect him, even if she thought he was lost in the past.
She didn't notice the man she was thinking about standing in the doorway.
"Find anything?"
Riley's head snapped up and she looked at Gil Grissom. "Um...no. Not yet."
Grissom sighed. "Riley...I know you haven't been with the team long."
"They're a great team," Riley said, looking back at the evidence.
Grissom smiled softly. "They're my family. And...I owe you an apology."
Riley looked up in surprise. "Why?"
"You are a good CSI. A bit confrontational...but Nick and Greg work well with you."
Riley smiled softly. "Nick and Greg are great guys." Seeing her boss' stare, Riley sighed. "I know I seem...confrontational, but I...I guess I need to prove that I'm able to do my job." She laughed softly. "My dad still thinks I can't do this."
Grissom smiled softly. "I once told Nick that someone good at their job does it for their own approval...no one else's."
Riley nodded and sighed. "I really do love being a CSI. And...I think I may find a home here."
Grissom smiled softly. "I hope you do."
Riley smiled softly. "I...I am sorry about your friend. I know it doesn't mean much..."
"It's...it's fine." Grissom sighed softly. "I think you might have even liked Warrick. He loved music and science. He was raised by his grandmother, and she passed just a year ago. We were the only family he had."
"Oh," Riley said softly. "I didn't know. I'm sorry."
"Nick, Greg and Warrick...they're brothers. Were brothers. We are a family here. I hope you'll find that here."
Riley smiled softly, hoping her boss was right.
Grissom's cell phone rang and he sighed. "I'd better take this."
"Of course," Riley said softly.
As she watched her boss talk on his phone about the case and walk away, Riley wondered if she really would find a home in Vegas. She really did like Nick, Greg, Doc Robbins, Super Dave and Wendy. She really wanted to be part of this team...and hoped Grissom would find some peace wherever he went after this case was closed.
The End.