The Apple and the Tree
Rated PG
Disclaimer: This is based on CSI, which is owned by CBS, A. Zuiker, and Atlantic/Alliance, et al. I don't make any profit or make any money from this. No infringement is intended. This is just for fun.
Synopsis: An 'alternative' view of one of Grissom's interpersonal relationships. It's getting stranger by the minute.....
Notes: Thanks to Trap and Escher for continually putting up with me, to Disempi and Eric for pointing out serious flaws in my plot and Dawn for listening to me rehearse it all over sandwiches.
MUCH THANKS TO ALL WHO R/R*** Those that don't :( ... *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^
9- First Contact
"Hey, what's wrong, man? You look kind of sick." Warrick scowled at Nick who laughed at his friend's discomfort.
"What's up? Been reassigned to day shift?" Nick grinned.
"Worse." Warrick passed Nick Grissom's note as he perused the rest of the papers the envelope had held.
Nick's face fell. "What does it mean?" Nick reread the note aloud. "'There is more to being a supervisor than handing out assignments and handling bureaucracy. You have to be able to impart to others the skills that have made you supervisor. You aren't supervisor because you are smarter or better than the rest, but because, as supervisor, you're the one that makes them work as a team. So let this be a test of those skills.' That's cryptic."
"That's Grissom." sighed Warrick.
"So what's it mean?"
Warrick gave Nick a humorless smile. "I get to baby-sit an intern." Warrick shook his head. "Why me?"
Nick grinned again. "You're just lucky, my man."
"Yeah, and it's all bad." Warrick scowled at Nick. "It should be you. What did I do to deserve this? I don't need some punk kid looking over my shoulder, asking stupid questions and getting in my way."
Warrick looked at the official papers still in his hand. "'Gillian Genoix.' Probably some cute little co-ed who chose forensics to be with her boyfriend and knows nothing at all."
"Or maybe she's a tough chick who wants to prove women are as strong as men." Nick laughed at the idea, and then sobered. "Or another Sara."
"Just what we need," laughed Warrick weakly. "Another Grissom clone."
"Excuse me."
Startled, Nick and Warrick looked up at the door. A petite, young blonde studied them with detached regard. She wore a dark tailored suit, little make-up and her hair and shoes were pragmatic and neat.
"I'm looking for Warrick Brown." she said brusquely.
"I'm Warrick Brown."
She afforded him a quick business like nod. "I'm Gillian Genoix, your intern."
"Oh." Warrick looked at Nick, chagrined. There was a long awkward silence. Finally, Nick broke the silence by introducing himself. He held out his hand. "Nick Stokes."
She shook his hand and nodded.
"Why don't I show you around?" offered Warrick, uncomfortably aware that she had probably heard their disparaging conversation and trying to make up for his foolish comments.
Gillian nodded.
They were in the DNA lab when Catherine paged. Apparently, Greg knew Warrick's new intern; they had met in a club downtown. Gillian stayed to talk to Greg as Warrick headed to find Catherine and received the night's assignments.
"... She was sitting in the room with him, but he really wouldn't say anything about her."
Sara and Catherine looked up at Warrick as he entered the break room.
"Warrick, did you know Grissom has a daughter?" asked Sara.
"No, but I wouldn't be surprised."
"She was at the hospital, when I went to visit him today. She's seventeen and looks just like him." Catherine shook her head. "How could he keep something like this a secret?"
"You know Grissom." replied Warrick with a dismissive wave of his hand.
"Hey, Warrick, where's your shadow?" Nick entered the room snickering.
Warrick glowered at Nick. "I left her talking to Greg. She doesn't start until Monday; she just wanted to introduce herself."
Monday evening Catherine entered the break room to find Grissom's daughter doing the crossword. Catherine smiled, shaking her head thinking how much like Grissom, Gillian must be.
"Your father isn't here." Catherine said, taking a seat beside the preoccupied teen.
"I know." Gillian replied, not looking up. "He's at home. Hopefully, he's sleeping. I'm waiting for Mr. Brown."
"Warrick?"
Catherine's question was stopped short by the sound of another person.
"You're here early." Warrick poured himself some coffee and looked at Catherine. "I see you've met my intern."
Catherine's eyebrows shot up. "How come you didn't tell me your intern was Grissom's kid?"
"What!?" Warrick shot Gillian a betrayed, accusing look. "I didn't know she was Grissom's kid."
Gillian gave them both an unreadable look. "It wasn't important and no one asked."
"Your dad is my boss and that's not important?"
Gillian waved away Warrick's anxiety as she finished the puzzle. "If he didn't trust you, I wouldn't be here. Don't sweat it."