Title: Admitting Feelings

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI, Anthony Zuiker and CBS do.

Author's Note: Companion piece to the Nick/OC prequel that is to follow later. Just after the end of season 9. A random story that needed to be written and the name of the newspaper is made up. Catherine's birth year is 1963 and 1971 for Archie Johnson. Gemini Arcade Palace is located in Las Vegas.

Beta'd by: Simply Laura

Genre: Romance/General

Rating: T

Chapter 1: The First Step

Mentions of/Spoilers for: Coming of Rage (4.10), Viva Las Vegas (5.1), Weeping Willows (5.20)

It was one of those days where the entire grave shift crew was busy from the CSIs to the lab techs. As it neared the end of shift, Catherine was in her office looking over the reports and finishing up the paperwork.

For the duration of that time, one thing had been bugging her: how she had been single for way too long. It seemed like almost everyone had someone, Wendy and Hodges, Mandy and Henry, Sara and Grissom, and Greg was with the new lab tech Larissa Lang; even Archie had a girlfriend at least that was what he mentioned over five years ago during the Brian Haddick homicide case.

Warrick was gone and she missed him terribly. This left her best friend and assistant supervisor for the grave shift, Nick Stokes. Nick had now married the lovely Aurelia two years ago and were the parents of Catherine's adorable eighteen month old goddaughter, Chloe Stokes.

As the paperwork seemed nowhere near done, she took of her glasses and rested her eyes from the eye strain. When she heard her elbow wrinkle paper she looked down and saw the personal section of the newspaper that was opened right in front of her. Now Catherine would be more like the type who sought guys at bars after work and not with personal ads or online dating.

The only problem was her run of bad luck with picking up guys from bars considering Chris Bezich cheating on her and with her run in with Adam Novak a few years back.

She looked over the ads and thought, what have I got to lose?

The moment she had her mind made up, she decided that if she finished the paperwork at a reasonable time then she could place the ad before leaving. With that new found resolve she completed her load of the paperwork within a half an hour.

With the paperwork completed in she jotted down the possible details she wanted to include.

When she was done reading it over she thought, good thing I have disposable email address to use.

Satisfied with what she read she calls the paper, LV Scope and eventually dictated and the person in charge who then told her it would be printed in two days.

What Catherine didn't know was that move was about to change her life.

-x-

The next morning as Archie was getting in and the first thing on his mind was sleep. Most of the time he could sleep on a few hours and he would be fine; however, this past shift was grueling as they were stretched to their limits.

After he had sufficient amount of sleep he downstairs to the lobby to get his mail.

As he took the elevator back up to the seventh floor he perused his pile of mail, junk, junk, bill, bill, bill, letter from old college friend, and newspaper.

Archie usually didn't get the paper but recently had gotten a free subscription trial to the LV Scope and decided to use it.

Once he was back upstairs, he got the bills paid so it would be one less thing to worry about. Then after reading the letter from his friend, he looked through the newspaper and flipped to comics and caught up on sports.

Suddenly for some reason he was compelled to read the personals when normally he would skip that section. True it has been six months since his ex-girlfriend, Tao Mei-Hua ended their relationship, he wasn't sure if he was ready to date again.

While he continued to debate with himself he thought if I do skim through the personal section what is the harm in that?

After scanning for about twenty minutes Archie almost gave up when an ad caught his attention.

SWF, 46, Pisces, seeking SM of any ethnicity and astrological sign and must be btwn. the ages of 35-45. Looking for companionship that could lead to something more. Love an adventure and would like to try new things. If this is you please send an email to esmeraldaalwoodATyopmaiDOTcom.

What got Archie's attention the most was "love an adventure and would like to try new things". He let his mind wonder a little, it is not every day that I could get them interested in surfing or snowboarding which was two things that I could get Mei-Hua to try even once.

As soon the thought passed he went to his laptop and opened up his laptop and logged on as alter ego identity and began typing away. Archie read it once over and when he was satisfied he pressed send and hoped for the best.

-x-

Catherine was at home enjoying the rare one day off she had off since becoming grave shift supervisor when she heard her phone beep.

She groaned to herself, better not be a call in from Ecklie.

When she checked to see that she got another message in her disposable email. Ever since she had placed the personal ad she had been inundated with reply after reply; for some reason none of the guys interested her but when she saw a message from a bdestin777 that got her attention.

She opened the message hoping it will lead her somewhere.

Greetings mi'lady Esmeralda,

Your ad caught my eye and thought I would email you. I am Ballard Destin and a thirty eight year old single Asian male. I am one for adventures, being and trying new things. Send a reply if I am the guy you are seeking. Can't wait to her from you.

Smiles,

Ballard Destin

Catherine couldn't help but smile at the email, Ballard? Hmmm from the mood of the email of it he sounds like a decent guy. Well, he does sound like someone I would want to be with.

With her mind made up she hit reply and sent a message back to Ballard.

-x-

Over the next two weeks Catherine acted as Esmeralda exchanged messages with Ballard and it seemed to be working out well.

Archie felt comfortable enough to ask Esmeralda on a date; only he hadn't made the connection it was someone he already knew.

As Catherine was in her office dealing with paperwork once again, she felt her phone buzz. She knew immediately who it was; she pulled it out and read it quickly.

Greetings mi'lady Esmeralda,

Since getting to know you better I was wondering if you would like to go out with me? We can keep it simple and casual for the first date? Let me know.

Smiles,

Ballard

After reading the message Catherine grinned, it is about time.

She quickly typed a reply and sent it.

Ballard,

I would love to go on a date with you. Just name the day and the place. I will be there…can't wait to meet you in person.

With anticipation,

Esmeralda

It didn't take long for Catherine to a get response.

Mi'lady Esmeralda,

How about a night at the Gemini Arcade for some fun and games this Friday at 7:30pm? Look for a green and white polo and cream khaki pants with slightly spiked hair by the air hockey table.

Looking forward to meeting you,

Ballard

Catherine took a deep breath...she was four days away from meeting for her date and she knew looking forward to it would make the week go much slower. Letting out a sigh, Catherine put her phone away and went back to the stack of paperwork needing to be dealt with.

-x-

Strangely enough they had enough cases to keep Catherine's mind off the upcoming date.

Luckily she had the night of the date off. She had gotten out of the shower and had freshened up and was looking through her wardrobe for a casual outfit she didn't hear Lindsey walk up, "Mom, do you need any help?"

Catherine jumped a little, "Lindsey, don't do that."

Lindsey shrugged, "Sorry mom. Do you need help picking out an outfit for your date tonight?"

"How did you know I had date tonight?"

"The way that you have been pacing especially since this morning."

"Really?"

"Yea mom," answered Lindsey then added, "Here how about your favorite purple sleeveless shirt with your best pair dark skinny jeans that you wear only during special occasions?"

Raising an eyebrow at her daughter, "Oh so you think this would count of a special occasion?"

"Yes mom, I do and the guy you are meeting tonight may the one for you."

Catherine blinked and pulled Lindsey into a hug, "What would I do without you?"

Lindsey only hugged her mother back.

Once they came apart Catherine inquired, "Do you have everything you need for your annual camping trip with your aunt and cousin?"

Lindsey's answer was short and to the point, "Yep I do."

Right then they heard car honking, and a "Got to go mom, I will see you Sunday. Have fun tonight", Lindsey darted out of her mother's room and towards the front door.

Catherine let out another sigh and then quickly got ready for her date before heading out and caught the cab she called earlier to get to the place of the meeting.

-x-

Meanwhile Archie was also getting ready and rehearsing what he wanted to say in the way of introducing himself and after many tries decided to let it flow naturally out of his mouth. After putting on his rarely used cologne he made one final check and was out the door soon there after.

-x-

After light traffic, Catherine reached Gemini Palace Arcade five minutes before the arranged time. She took a deep breath in order to calm her breathing; for some reason she was nervous.

The nervousness lasted for a millisecond when she mentally berated herself, Snap out of it…you have been looking forward to this all week.

Catherine got out of the cab after paying the cabbie, and headed into the arcade. Once she got in, she looked around and when she spotted slightly spiked hair by the air hockey table and she headed in that direction.

Once Catherine was close enough, "Ballard?"

Archie was finishing up a game a stranger when he heard his other name. He whipped around, "Esmer-"

Archie froze when he came face to face with none other than his boss, Catherine Willows, LVPD crime lab grave shift supervisor.

A/N 2: Thanks to my beta who pointed it out to me but there is a slight reference to "You Got Mail" (which is distributed by Warner Brothers) can you guys spot it?

A/N 3: Thanks for reading Chapter 1 of "Admitting Feelings". Reviews are appreciated!