This is my version of events of what happens once the titles ended at the end of Living Doll. I have no part in anything CSI related, this is all from my imagination.

Disclaimer- I do not own any part of CSI. If I did, there'd be no summer break and we'd all know how this story really ends! -x-

Chapter One – A dark day in Vegas

The clouds overhead darkened at an alarming rate and the thunder gave a deep rumble once again. The droplets of rain fell steadily but still with haste, bouncing all over the car park, eventually covering his feet and his bowed head as he sat perched on the kerb.

But he couldn't feel the rain soaking his body or see the people running down the street huddled under shared umbrellas as the lightning streaked brilliantly across the onyx sky.

All he could feel was the hairs standing on edge on the back of his neck and arms when he had seen that tiny but meaningful electronic movement.

The small model arm that was making its escape from the upturned car, fighting and grasping for unreachable freedom. At that moment he had wanted to throw the miniature scene against the wall in anger and frustration. Instead he had paced his office before leaving it in the examination room and going outside to get some fresh air. And there he sat.

He lifted his hands to look at them and realised that they were shaking, Sara's invisible imprint still branded on there from when she had held his hand under the table earlier in the day, when they were discussing the mini crime scene killer. He had finally removed the imagery of the mini Sara from his brain with great difficulty but he banged his fist angrily as the same string of words repeated themselves merrily.

"…I've got a pain in my sawdust…"

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The four of them sat in silence, each with their own set of photos and case notes. The newest mini addition sat in the middle of the table like a centrepiece. Nick glanced up at it while re-reading through his case. He looked at the small shrubs and rocks then shook his head lightly and returned his concentration to the folders.

He glanced up again and although it was facing away from him slightly, he could still see the little hand moving. He had thought about switching it off, but he couldn't bring himself to do it; it was as if switching off the model would have a direct impact on Sara. So he had remained quiet, silently stealing glances of the model and of his friends sitting around the table searching their own case files. He rubbed his forehead and eyes, feeling a mixture of frustration and exhaustion.

"Found anything yet?" He asked aloud to the room. Catherine, Warrick and Greg looked up simultaneously.

"It's just, y'all know we've looked through these notes a thousand times and we've never found anything. Why would we suddenly find something now?"

"We've just gotta keep trying Nick. There has to be something we've missed." Warrick replied calmly. Nick pointed at the mini scene.

"Y'all heard what Grissom said, this ain't like the other ones…it's personal. The setups changed. I mean for a start, where's the bleach?" Nobody could reply, they all continued to avoid looking at the miniature.

"Izzy Delaney, Penny Gardner, the chicken factory and the Doctor's apartment, they were all recognisable locations. They were so precise that we could spot the scene from a mile away." He pointed once again at the model.

"That is a generic piece of sand, nothing unusual in the design or recognisable in the detail. Why? Because she doesn't want us to find this one. And why is that? Because the setup has changed; this victim is still alive. Don't you see what Natalie's done?" Catherine sat in deep thought, Warrick's nostrils began to flare and Greg's face became paler by the second.

"She's set it up so that if Sara dies then we'll blame ourselves for not finding her fast enough. She's passed on the guilt."

"Shut up! Stop talking like that!" Greg replied, upset.

"Hey sorry man, but I'm just telling it like it is. Brass needs to force answers out of Natalie."

"Yeah good idea Nick, let's go in there and beat our killer to within an inch of her life and then see what she has to say." Warrick replied sarcastically.

"Hey it's a suggestion. I don't see you coming up with anything!"

"Actually, I think we should speak to Grissom." Warrick replied, his teeth gritted and his eyes glaring at Nick.

"He'll say follow the evidence probably." Nick muttered.

"You didn't listen to Grissom at all did you?!" Greg shouted unexpectedly, causing Nick to look at him in shock.

"He said Natalie took Sara because she's the only person he's ever loved! He loves Sara! You think he's just gonna sit around and do nothing?!" Nick looked down ashamedly and Warrick laid a comforting hand on Greg's shoulder to calm him down.

Catherine stood up and walked quickly to the door.

"Cath, where you going?" Warrick asked gently. She turned around and looked at his worried eyes.

"I've just gotta get outta here for a while. I'm getting a headache." She gave a quick glance at Nick's bowed head before leaving hastily, her shoulders heavy with uncertainty, confusion, and stress. And dread.

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Well that's chapter 1 finished! Hope you're enjoying it! -x-