A/N: Hey guys, I have been working on this on and off for a while and I have like, 60 pages of this, but: I know how irritating it can be having a OC in fan fics, so read it first and let me know what you think, and I'll decide whether to keep going.
Disclaimer: I do not own anything CSI related no characters, locations or anything like that. No cases mentioned in this are to do with any crimes (to the best of my knowledge) and I apologise if they bear any resemblance.
I woke with a start. The alarm clock was ringing loudly. Groaning, I pulled a pillow over my head and tried to go back to sleep. It didn't work. The alarm clock kept going, not minding that I had nowhere near enough sleep last night. I sat up, rubbed my eyes, and turned it off. Sitting in my new apartment, I looked around at all the boxes I had yet to unpack. Throwing back the covers, I swung my legs to the floor. Feeling it under me, I stood and stretched. Heading to the wardrobe, I glanced at all the clothes and started rummaging through for the perfect outfit. I normally wouldn't care, but today was a very important day. It was my first day at CSI: Las Vegas Division. Nothing was jumping out at me, so I headed into the bathroom and decided to look when I was finished with my shower.
As the hot water ran down my back and woke me up, but at the same time relaxing all my muscles, I carefully washed, shaved and exfoliated. Stepping out of the shower, I wrapped the towel firmly around me and walked back to the bedroom. Standing in front of the clothes, I decided I needed my mum's help. She always knew what to do in situations like this. I walked over to the phone, and was just dialling in the number when I realised that it was a different time zone from home. It was the middle of the night in Australia. I was on my own. I had to do this by myself.
Stepping back in front, I randomly pulled out clothes until I had an ensemble I was happy with. White V neck mid length sleeved tee under a red trench coat with jeans tucked into suede black boots. Classy, yet street wise, yet "I-mean-business", I smiled. Going into the bathroom, I carefully straightened my hair, and pulled a section of it back, sliding a black clip into place to hold it there. I left my hair elastic on my wrist just in case. My makeup was simple, yet helped accentuate my features. I took off my glasses to apply a couple of coats of mascara and stood back to admire my handiwork. Good enough, I reasoned.
"My name is Bella James, and I am an accomplished CSI. I can do this." Oh great, now I'm having conversations with a mirror. I'm going insane.
Going out into the kitchen, I grabbed an apple and a small juice. I packed my keys, phone, iPod, wallet and identification in my handbag and went down to the car park. I was terrified, but at the same time, so excited I could burst.
* * *
As I waited at the front desk of the CSI lab, with a receptionist who seemed far too helpful for her own good, I looked up at the board of officers who had lost their lives. Calm down, Bella, I told myself. It won't be as bad as you think it will be. Then I noticed a red headed woman striding towards me. Her confidence was intimidating. She walked straight to me, and stuck out her arm.
"Bella James I presume?" I nodded and shook her hand. "Catherine Willows. Welcome to CSI."
"It's... nice to be here." Why did I find this woman so confronting?
Come on Bella, grow some backbone.
"Let me give you the grand tour." She gestured for me to follow her. She walked fast, and in some places of jammed corridor, it was hard to keep pace with her. As I followed and she pointed out various rooms such as the DNA and trace labs, the AV lab and the Ballistics lab, I began to realise what a maze this place was. After we had visited Detective Jim Brass's office and had an introduction, we ran into Sofia in the corridor. We chatted like old friends and Catherine seemed confused until Sofia explained to her that she was the one who had convinced Ecklie to hire me at CSI. We kept moving after Sofia excused herself because of an emergency in Henderson. I was amazed at the design- there were corridors that looked like they went on forever and other corridors that looked like they went nowhere. I was starting to think I would never have it memorised when we got to what Catherine labelled the "Break room".
"This is the best place in the whole lab. More often than not, it's where we meet up at the end of shift, and where we brief each other at the beginning of shift." She gestured for me to enter, and came in quickly after me.
There were a few people sitting at the table in the middle of the room. A petite brunette was reading a file, going over photos. Her case maybe? A large man, with a shaved head was reading a newspaper, and barely noticed that I had entered the room. An African American guy was leaning against the back of his chair, his phone open in his hands. Then I saw him. A smallish white guy, wearing a loud and obnoxious shirt of yellow with large blue flowers, open to the bellybutton with a white long sleeved tee underneath. His jeans were tight on his legs, and his yellow converse had the laces undone. His hair was spiked just that tiny bit too perfectly- a casual attempt to look like he hadn't tried, I deduced- and his eyes were alight with excitement. I giggled as he rushed to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. Downing it, he slopped half of it over his shirt. I raised my eyebrow, scrutinising his clumsiness. Wiping away the rest of the water away from his mouth with his sleeve, he stopped, and stared at me. My stomach dropped, and my heart began racing.
He recapped the bottle, set it down on the counter and took a few steps towards me. My heart raced even faster, and I was sure he could hear it. For God's sake Bella, I chastised myself, what are you doing?
He isn't even that cute!
"Greg Sanders", he said extending his arm. I took it and shook it firmly. I was sure he could feel my pulse under my skin. He stared at me, assessing me up and down, and I began to feel like a cow being bought at an auction back home.
"Bella James" I replied. "It's nice to meet you."
"G'day" He replied. So it was that easy to recognise my accent? I raised an eyebrow at his attempt of an Australian accent, but bit my tongue. It was a bit early to be antagonising people that would have to be my family.
From the table I saw the African American man get up and slip his phone into his pocket.
"Warrick Brown", he introduced himself. "I'm a local around here, so if you need any help with anything, let me know." I introduced myself, and thanked him. I might need some of that help later- I still had no idea where anything was in this city.
The tallish, stronger looking one came up next. His name was Nick Stokes. He had a strangely reassuring Texan accent which made me feel right at home.
The petite brunette's name was Sara Sidle and she apologised, but she had to leave right away, her case file was due at the DA's office in half an hour. She was a newbie at this lab once, and told me to ask her any questions if I had them. She seemed nice enough.
Soon after Sara left, an older man walked in, his arms laden with folders. They weren't kidding, this lab was busy.
"New cases." He announced. "Sara and Greg, you have a triple out in Henderson. Catherine, you and Nick can take the 419 at the Tangiers, and I'm going to supervise with Warrick at a suspicious circs in Death Valley." He looked up. "Where's Sara?"
That was when he noticed me.
"She's just gone to the DA's office to hand in her case file. I'll page her and let her know the address of the scene." Greg offered. "By the way Grissom, this is Bella James. The new CSI."
The older man called Grissom stepped forward, juggling the files, and held out his hand.
"Gil Grissom, Lab Supervisor. It's a pleasure to meet you. How was the flight?"
"Horrible. They showed a Hugh Grant movie." I replied. Greg laughed.
"Well then, seeing as we have an extra hand today, I might send you out to the Triple with Greg and Sara. I understand all your qualifications are in order?"
"Yes sir." I replied. Sir? Sir? What a tool. I wasn't at school anymore.
"Fantastic. Here are your case files. Let's get to it." He handed out the files as we left the room.