All Seeing POV

Sara turned and froze. All she could do was let her jaw drop to the floor. Lucie's cheeks turned bright apple red so she fidgeted with the horribly worn handmade bracelet on my wrist trying to distract her from the fact she would now have to deal with the one thing that had plagued her thoughts since she left.

A strangled whisper escaped Sara's mouth, "Lucie- Mae?" Her daughter finally met her watery gaze.

Sara's POV

I could hardly keep myself form scooping Lucie into my arms. I had to remind myself that there was a reason she left, it could've been me, her father anybody; anything, I didn't want to ruin our possible relationship before it started. Tears, though, came to her eyes; that said she still cared, maybe even loved me. They were pushed down; obviously she was hiding her emotions.

Lucie's POV

I could feel all of my pent up emotions and sadness coming forth at the sight of my mom.

'Come on Grissom, soldiers don't cry!'

My sergeant from basic training; his voice came into my head. That was the day one of the camps got blown to bits, soldiers and all, while I was standing while I was standing a mere twenty feet away.

I could've done something to prevent- Of course you couldn't have you're a good for nothing-

I pushed those thoughts aside; I wasn't that person any more. I hesitantly stood from my chair, not sure what my mother was going to do.

"Mom!" I tried to hold back, but it slipped passed my thick walls as a hoarse whisper. She ran to me and engulfed my small frame with her welcome arms, with tears rushing down even her face. I was still fighting my tears.

But you're not a soldier, honorably discharged. Now you can be human, a girl who hasn't seen her mother in ten years.

My conscience always tried to reason with the depressed thoughts that plagued my mind. My mother pulled back slightly, seeing the inner turmoil. The look of sympathy almost killed me.

"What happened to you? Where have you been?" her voice was soft and curious, not at all harsh like I'd imagined. My mom held my face with a feather like grasp, as she did when I was kid. Nevertheless I leaned into the comfort I so desperately needed.

"Maybe you could all come over to my place for dinner and we can talk?"

"Okay," My mom whispered back, "What if we brought Dillon, Eden, and Marcus over?" I must've visibly tensed because she gave me a scolding look, "You know you're going to have to patch things up with them, and I don't care how high and mighty you think you are compared to them,"

"Mom, they don't want anything to do with me, if anyone were high and mighty it would be them! I sent you all letters, postcards, emails, phone calls, I get that I just left, but I tried explaining. No one listened before I left or even after. I got nothing from them or you. That told me you didn't care whatsoever!" I pulled back angrily.

How dare she try to blame me! How could she! I mean isn't your family supposed to be there and support you in whatever you choose?

"Lucie-Mae! We never got anything from you, so don't go throwing a fit like it's our fault!" My parents, especially my mother, hardly ever raised their voices or had to defend themselves to us, so it surprised me when her first reaction was to cross her arms to me.

"Okay you two! Settle this later please. Or I will get you transferred to another shift," he pointed threateningly at me.

Why was everyone so against seeing me? I still don't get it…

John found this moment convenient to step in. "Sorry I'm late, Sir, I got a little lost." He stepped farther into the room.

Now he decides to come in. I hope he knows I saw him standing in the door way when I hugged my mother.

"Don't worry too much; we have yet to get a case tonight," D.B .said, "Since everybody's here why don't we get to know each other?" he clapped his hands together then rubbed them with excitement, like a kid waiting to open presents on Christmas.

Confusion coated every ones faces, but Nick voiced their concern first, "Wait; there's two new-bees?"

"Um, yes, since we've been getting a lot of cases lately I thought more people would help, and now days has more options to pillage from," Everyone smirked or just nodded their heads in knowing agreement and started introducing themselves to John, each stepping up shaking his hand in turn

"Hi I'm Julie Finlay, but I go by Finn,"

"Morgan Brodey,"

"Nick Stokes,"

"Greg Sanders," Greg whipped his hair and fixed a goofy lopsided gin to his face, before taking Johns hand, "You know, it takes a lot to be part of this team and family, do you have what it takes?" Greg had a scowl and was looking John up and down in what I could only assume to be an intimidating look. John seemed confused at the sudden change in the man's demeanor.

"W'll, but of course, Sir." John exaggerated his British accent, and straightened to his full six foot two height. His smile was perfect, and his hard worked body extremely apparent. It all aroused butterflies in my stomach. Greg snuck back to his spot obviously annoyed that he wouldn't be able to intimidate the new CSI. No one tried to cover up their amusement.

"Sara Grissom,"

"I'm D.B., now it's your turn,"

"John Emerson, US Army, Major, Killa Special Farce team, Sir," he stood at attention ready to solute.

"At ease soldier," Russell laughed, "We'll work on that, with both of you."

I laid my hand on his shoulder, and then launched into my own practiced routine, "Kiler Emerson, US Army, Lieutenant Cornel, Killa Special Force team leader," I started my jump into attention, but retracted quickly. I took orders from my superiors, and if he didn't want jumps to attention then I would adjust.

"Wait a sec!" my mom caught on, "You're married to him and you're working together, you've been working with him. How long have you been together? Better yet how long have you known each other?" All attempts to stem the flow of questions were fertile.

"Relax, we've known each other for ten years, been together ever since. We worked on the same spec ops team because our skills were required." I explained sparsely.

Everyone was speechless. They'd all practically watched me grow up and then I run away to come back a woman and married.

Not the biggest surprise they'll get tonight…

"Ok, how 'bout we save this 'till after shift. Unless this isn't gonna work and we need to move some people around." DB brought up. Everyone closed their mouths and continued listening to him, "Why don't I give John the dime tour" he took his buzzing phone from his pocket, "And the rest of you head to the new casino off of Flamingo. Sara I'll text you the details as I get them, and meet you there."