Chapter 1
(Opens on Nick standing in the locker room shirtless in front of his locker, he pulls out a shirt and slips it on)
Warrick: (walks in) Man! (sits on bench) What a night huh? This town never changes. Everybody thinks they can get away with everything. That is just not how it works. That chick was crazy!
Nick: (buttoning shirt) Yeah man nuts. Hey do you guys know if we're all going to breakfast?
Greg: Yeah. Brass is taking us all out and offered to pay because he got his bonus yesterday.
(they all exit the locker room and walk towards the break room)
Warrick: Where are we going? Does anybody know?
Brass: Oh I was thinking that new Bar & Grill on Palm.
Nick: That sounds awesome. I'll follow you there okay?
(they all walk out of the building)
Brass: That's fine Nick. Anyone know if Gil's going to join us?
Sara: I think so. He mentioned meeting us there. He told me to order for him.
(nick walks towards his truck)
Warrick: Hey Nick!
Nick: (turns around) Yeah?
Warrick: Can I get a ride with you? Tina's supposed to pick me up there but I need a way to get there.
Nick: Sure man. I'll give you a ride. (truck honks when Nick unlocks it) Hop in. So, how are you two doing anyway? Did the counseling help at all?
Warrick: Yeah. But I don't want to talk about it okay?
Nick: Alright man. Woah that was fast. (stops and parks behind Brass)(Warrick gets out and walks to Nick's side of the truck)(Nick is looking at the name of the Grill.)
(The neon sign says "Senora's Mexican Bar & Grill")
Warrick: Hey Nick. You coming man?
Nick: (gets out) Yeah. Sorry. Kinda zoned off there. (walks to the door with Warrick following)
Warrick: That's fine. It happens. (Nick stops in his tracks)(Warrick runs into him) Dude! What is up with you?
Nick: (turns to face Warrick) I know that waitress from somewhere.
Warrick: She's gorgeous man. Are you sure? I think she's ours today, too bad for you.
Nick: Damn! Now I have to figure out where I know her from.
Warrick: Not unless she remembers you. If she doesn't you're home free.
Brass: (yelling) Brown, Stokes! Over here! (waving at them)
(girl turns and looks towards the door. She's standing at the bar.)
Girl: Joey. (Bartender walks over to waitress) Hand this to mom please?
Joey: Yes Ali. (turns to hand it over a counter to a woman standing in the kitchen)
Ali: Thank you.
Joey: Hey Ali... More customers with the cops. (acts nervous)
Ali: Joey... (places her hand on his arm) I know you've had issues with cops in the past but you haven't done anything wrong. They're not here for you. They're here to eat and that's all. I promise. You don't have anything to worry about. I'll be right back bro. Just relax and serve these lovely people. Okay?
Joey: Yeah, yeah...
Ali: And smile while you do it. Be presentable oh brother of mine.
Brass: Alissia (Alisseea) we have two more.
Ali: (walks over to the table laughing to herself and shakes her head) What can I get you two? (Nick stares at her)
Warrick: I'll have some coffee. (looking around the table) Do you have any creamer?
Ali: Yes we do. Night shift's just not doing their job again. When I bring out your coffee I can bring you some. What kind would you like? We have French Vanilla, Irish Cream, Hazelnut, and Caramel Toffee.
Warrick: I'll take the French Vanilla.
Ali: Okay. (looks at Nick) And you sir?
(Warrick elbows Nick in the ribs)
Nick: Ow... Oh sorry... I'll just take a Coke.
Ali: (grins) You know you're probably the first person I've encountered from Vegas to say Coke and mean the pop and not the drug.
Nick: Doesn't surprise me around here.
Ali: (sneezes into her shoulder) Hmm.. Excuse me. I'll bring these right out. (walks back to the bar)
Nick: Hey Warrick let me out please?
Warrick: Alright man. (stands up)
Nick: I'll be right back. (walks up to Ali)
Ali: (laughing) You, my lovely, crazy, brother of mine, have some major issues. I get watched all the time. It's nothing new.
Joey: (sees Nick) Oop. Alert. 5 o'clock.
Ali: (turns around) Oh hey there. What can I do for you?
Nick: Okay, this is going to sound really weird but go with me on this okay?
Ali: (brows raised slightly) Okay.
Nick: I feel like I know you from somewhere.
Ali: As in a past life type of thing...
Nick: Maybe, but I doubt it. Are you from Vegas originally?
Ali: (laughs slightly) No. My family and I moved out here a little over a year ago, so my brother and I could go to college but still be near mom and dad.
Nick: Okay, so where are you from than?
Ali: Border town, USA
Nick: (grins) South Texas. Got it.
Ali: (shocked) Really? You know what that means? I have not met one person that gets that joke. Most of them just look at me like I'm a dork.
Nick: I'm from Dallas.
(Ali opens her mouth to answer)
Joey: (Spanish)(Told you sis, he likes you) Dicho te el sis, él tiene gusto de ti.
Ali: Joseph!
Nick: I do like you. You seem sweet.
Ali: No he means like...
Nick: (grins) I know what he means. I have five older sisters. I get it.
Ali: Anyway, I'm originally from Killeen. But I went to High School in Dallas. Which one did you go to? Southeast or Northwest?
Nick: Northwest.
Ali: So did I. Maybe that's where we know each other from.
Nick: How old are you?
Ali: I'll be thirty-six in October.
Nick: I'm thirty-seven.
Ali: See how much talking helps? We both thought we knew each other from somewhere and we did.
Nick: Yeah... You're last name is...
Ali: Still Sutton.
Nick: I thought so. I was just making sure.
Ali: Oh, that's understandable. And I thought your last name sounded familiar. How are you? (hugs him and gives him a kiss on the cheek)
Nick: Oh I'm good... I had to get away from under my dad's thumb.
Ali: Hence the move to Vegas.
Nick: Absolutely. (smiles)
Brass: Will you guys look at him? When was the last time you saw that man smile like that?
Warrick: It's sure been awhile. (yells) Hey Nick! Let the poor woman do her job.
Nick: (shakes his head) Well I'll talk to you later?
Ali: Yeah sure. Hey listen, I get off at one, you wanna hang than?
Nick: Yeah. That would be great.
Ali: I have a feeling your friends need something. I'll walk you back to your table.
Nick: Oh well thank you ma'am.
Ali: (smiles) You're welcome sir. (to Warrick) Did you fellas need something?
Brass: No. (Ali looks at him) We were just giving Nicky here some hell. (Ali looks back at Nick)(shakes her head)
Ali: Okay. Well you know the drill. If you need anything let me know. (grins once again)(turns and walks away)
Sara: Nick? Do you have something to tell us?
(Bell above the door rings, signaling new customer)
Ali: (looks towards door)(Grissom walks in) Uncle Gil! (runs to him and hugs him)(he easily picks her up and twirls her)
Sara: What?
Brass: Uncle?
Warrick: Uncle and Gil used in the same sentence is just weird.
Nick: Yeah a little bit.
Ali: Papa! (Italian)(Look who's here)Osservare chi è qui!
Man: (walks out of back room) (heavy Italian accent) Gilbert!
Gil: You know English? Never thought that day would come.
Ali: I made him and mom take an English course and the college.
Gil: Well I'm quite proud of you for that Al.
Ali: Thank you. It took some work but I finally succeeded. You still keeping that job open for me?
Gil: I never made any promises to you for that job... you have to earn it.. remember?
Ali: Yes Uncle Gil... I know... I was just pulling your chain.
Gil: (turns to Ali's dad) I didn't know you guys owned this place Frank. (A/N: Just so you know her dad's name is really Francois. I tried to come up with a French name and this was the only thing that popped into my mind.)
Frank: Yep. Just opened it. We bought it when we first moved out here last year. Been remodeling it.
Gil: You guys doing good so far?
Frank: Yes surprisingly.
Gil: I'm glad. This place looks great.
Frank: The interior design and decorations are all Alissia here. (puts an arm around Ali)
Gil: Well well maybe you should be a designer.
Ali: No I'm good. Designing is just something I do on the side. So you're one of the cops too?
Gil: (chuckles) There's only one cop in the bunch. You do remember what I do right?
Ali: That's right you're a CSI. I forgot. Sorry.
Gil: That's fine. I've been called worse. I think I'm gonna go join them though. I'll talk to you guys later. Remind me to get your number before I leave okay?
Ali: Okay. If nothing else I do know where you work and live so I think we'll be okay. Do you want anything to drink?
Gil: Tea?
Ali: Sweetened or Unsweetened?
Gil: Sweetened please.
Ali: Okay I'll get it and bring it over to you.
Gil: (walks over to the table)(looks at everyone as he sits down, they are all staring at him)What?
Sara: Uncle Gil? I thought you were an only child.
Gil: I am. Her dad and I went to college together. We quickly became good friends. Him and his family are good people. I was best man at his wedding.(Ali walks up and places plates in front of everyone and also a drink in front of Gil) I'm also this little lady's Godfather.
Ali: That's funny. You don't look like Marlon Brando to me.
Gil: (Nick chuckles) Really? I've been told we look like twins.
Ali: Especially with the beard. Seriously Uncle Gil, you need to shave that thing off. You look weird with it.
Joey: Ali! Come over here please?
Ali: Excuse me. (Ali walks to the bar) What's up?
Joey: I'm bored. Talk to me.
Ali: Joey there's not much to talk about. I know the morning lull has arrived. Go help with the dishes. You won't be bored anymore. I'll cover out here.
Joey: Good idea. If you need anything, holler okay?
Ali: I will. (Sits down and pulls out a book and starts reading)
Brass: (walks up behind her and clears his throat)
Ali: Oh sorry. (places in bookmark) (turns around on the stool) What can I do for you?
Brass: I would like to pay.
Ali: Okay. (walks around the bar, finds their ticket, and does some figuring) That will be $41.50.
Brass: Okay (hands money to Ali) There you go. And you can keep the change.
Ali: Oh wow... thank you.
Gil: See you later Al. (Ali comes around and hugs him once more)
Ali: Later Uncle Gil. (turns to go back to her book)(bumps into Nick) Oh. I'm so sorry.
Nick: It's fine. (sits at the bar)
All: Later Nick!
Ali: Just so you know, if I'm not to talkative, it's because I have a paper due on Monday and I still have to read.
Nick: That's okay. I remember college. Sucks ass. Your last year though right?
Ali: Yes. Thank god! Two years back home and two here in Vegas.
Nick: What are you there for?
Ali: Major in Elementary Education, Minor in Psychology. (clock chimes) Alright. I'm outta here. Bye mama, papa. Joey, I'll see you later. You better be in class or I'm coming to get you. I'll track you down and drag you there.
Joey: Yeah yeah sis.. Right... Good luck with that.
Nick: Can I walk you to your car?
Ali: Actually I walked here.
Nick: Oh well in that case than. Would you like a ride home?
Ali: Sure. If it's not too much to ask. I don't want you to go out of your way though.
Nick: It doesn't matter. I want to spend as much time getting to know you as possible... But I trust you so I think we're good.