Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters nor do I profit when I make the characters, especially Nick and Sara, dance in my head.
A/N please tell me if I suck. I'll gladly take the (harsh) criticism.
CHAPTER ONE
Nick walked in the break room. It was empty except for the sleeping figure on the couch. He didn't notice the individual but strolled across the room to get some coffee. He was humming a song to relax himself. This night is a bad night for him. Not only did his mom called to tell him that he arranged a blind date for him. It turns out that the blind date was the daughter of his mom's friends. The one he actually met and hated because she bullied him when he was young. 'She is a lot older than me. What was mom thinking? And when I told her I'm already seeing someone else, she wants to meet her. She assumed that it was Sara and he said yes to that assumption. "Yeah mom, it's Sara." What was he thinking? Now, he got to convince her to go out with him for one date with mom.' He turned around to sit on the chair and to continue to mull over his problem. That was when he saw the sleeping figure on the couch.
It was Sara.
She was sleeping like a baby and was oblivious to the world. Nick wondered if she was feeling well because she rarely appears at work tired. She appeared grouchy once but that was because she worked three straight weeks without a day-off. He sat on the chair near hers and finished his coffee. He also read the newspaper in the coffee table. A few minutes later, Sara woke up.
"Hey Sar, want some coffee?" Nick greeted. Without waiting for her answer, he stood up and poured coffee in her mug. He then gave it to her and sat down next to her.
"Thanks." Yawning, Sara smelled the sweet aroma of the coffee before drinking it.
"Are you feeling ok?" Nick after Sara seemed awake.
"Huh? Why'd you ask?" Sara replied. After all 'I do have sniffles but he doesn't need to know that right? Right!' she thought
"Nothing… It's just that… you rarely appear at work tired." He squirmed for a while. He has something to ask her and he's afraid she will refuse or be slapped. "I have a favor to ask you and I hope you will understand me…"
"What?" when he seemed to refuse to answer, she gave him her 'what-is-it-you-want-to-say' look. She continued "this is a very disconcerting attitude of yours Nick. And there is something bothering you. Now you want to say something, spill it"
"You know how much mothers want their children to settle down and have families?" he started
"Yes?"
"My mom has now laid her eyes on me as the last of her conquest on having a family. She did it to my other siblings and they are all happily married." He continued.
Eyebrows raised, she asked "What's that got to do with me?"
"Mom arranged a blind date for me-" he was about to continue when Sara interrupted "Now that's where you got that blind date thing! From your mom!"
"Not really. Anyway, my blind date was supposed to be the daughter of one of her friends. I know her when we were kids and she's 5 years older than me. She is also a selfish, manipulating bully. I hate her back then, I still hate her now!"
"It seems like she a very horrible person." Sara commented while sipping her coffee.
"She is. Now when I found out that she is the blind date, I told her I'm already seeing somebody. Which was a lie." He paused, looking at her as if he was pleading for something from her.
"You told her YOU'RE dating ME?!?!" Sara said. She was almost shouting when she said the words. "What are you going to do when I say NO to your favor?!?!?!?!"
Nick winced. "Actually she assumed that it was you I was dating. Please? It's just for Saturday. Then I can tell my mom after three weeks that we already broke up." When Nick saw Sara's facial expression, he knew that she's going to say no.
"I'll think about it." Was Sara's only answer.
~~~~~~~~~
"Why do you look like you're scanner's broken?" Catherine asked Sara. The four of them, Warrick, Catherine, Nick and Sara were going to a crime scene. Grissom was still with Brass while Catherine and Sara were the first one who reached the door.
"Nick told his mom that he was dating me. Actually his mom assumed that it was me. Now she wants to meet me. On Saturday." Sara replied.
"What's wrong with that?" Catherine asked as she puts her kit down.
"Just bothers me. That's all" Sara answered as they surveyed the house. It was a big house and it looked like it was still as magnificent as the day it was built.
"Nice house" Catherine remarked. "Big"
"Yeah. Why don't we come in?" a voice from behind said. It was Warrick and he opened the door for them. "Ladies?" as he motioned them to come in first.
The room that welcomed them was huge. Its center is a mahogany staircase that splits into two.
"Majestic" Sara said. As the four CSI's put on their gloves and start inspecting the place, Grissom walked in.
"Hey Gris, Brass." Nick greeted. "So, what's the sitch?"
Grissom smirked at his greeting. He apparently stumbled upon that cartoon about a green eyed, red haired cheerleader who saves the world. He found it quite amusing.
"You watch too much TV, Nicky." Grissom replied,
"What is the situation anyway? All we know is that it's burglary, 2 civilians hurt, a male and a female. Siblings." Catherine asked Brass as she watched Gil wear his gloves. The last two things she said sounded familiar to her.
"Yes. Burglary. The thieves stole these-" Brass said as referring to the list which he gave to the CSI's. "The burglars shot the kids of the owner both are 18…" he was interrupted by Catherine "They're twins?"
"Yes. They're names are Sarah Christianna and Shane Christian" as the names were heard, Warrick, Nick, Sara and Catherine all looked surprise, shocked even.
"Why all those expressions? Do you know them?" Grissom remarked, referring to their surprised expressions.
"Yeah. They were the ones who found the body in the alley a year ago. Christianna was an intern CSI and Shane was an intern for a law firm" Catherine replied.
~~~~~~~~~
(a flashback)
"So, what do we have here?" Catherine asked Sgt. O' Riley. They were walking towards the alley, passing the onlookers, the tourists who were out late in the evening.
"Dead body. Two civilians found it. A male and a female. Siblings. The vic's still unknown" O' Riley replied.
"Brother and sister found it together?" Catherine asked
"No. Brother found it first. Sister told him not to touch it because he's already dead." He replied.
"Do they have names?" she asked
"Yeah. Christian Shane and Sarah Christianna Johanson. And they're twins, age, seventeen. They're here for the summer." O' Riley said. "Do you want to process the scene or ask the witnesses first?" he asked.
"Let's ask them first. It's late." Catherine replied. They both went towards the kids. The girl, Christianna, was talking to her cell phone.
"Yes dad. We're ok… we're fine no need to worry… really… You want to talk to Shane? Ok he's here…" and gave the phone to her brother.
"Dad?" the boy said. When he saw Catherine and Brass, he told the phone, "We'll be home soon… yes… Bye"
To Catherine and O' Riley, they both looked ok with their surroundings. It was like they were through this setting a lot of times before and they don't appear afraid nor near hysteria. She noticed that even though they're supposed to be twins, they don't have the same color of hair, the girl was a red head, and the boy was blonde. And that they don't have the same color of eyes. The girl has emerald green eyes while the boy has crystal blue eyes. Both they were both tall, the boy standing taller than six feet and the girl, as tall as Sara. She also noticed that both of them have a slight British accent.
"Mr. and Ms. Johanson?" they both looked at her "I'm Catherine Willows of Criminalistics. Can we talk to you for a sec?" Catherine asked.
"Yes… ok. Please do call me Shane and call her-". He turned towards his sister, smirked and continued "anti-social?"
His sister frowned at him and said "Please call me Christianna"
Catherine secretly smiled at their apparent closeness "How did you find the body?" she asked
"My sister and I took a shortcut to this alley because our car was over there" he pointed towards the SUV across the alley. "We were supposed to buy ice cream and soda when I realized that we have circle around the street in order to reach the 7'11. But we don't really know the area that much so Chris suggested we just park the car and walk to the store. The alley was well lit and I saw the guy. I honestly thought he was asleep until I saw blood in his neck. I called my sister and she told me not to touch it. She had her cell phone with her and she called the police." He narrated.
To Christianna, Catherine asked "how did you know he was dead? Apart from the blood in his neck?
"He was pale, his eyes were rolled back and his lips were bluish. His neck's slashed. I think that the jugular vein was severely damaged. Ripped open I guess. " she answered. Catherine thought that the reply was so well observed. Normally people who found bodies which suffered brutal slashing would have been near to tears or are very hysterical. They also don't joke around with their siblings' social skills. Both of them even don't seem shocked to find a bloody body in an alley.
"You look a little surprised with our answers." The boy observed.
Catherine shrugged. "It's just that you two are very young yet you don't seem to be shocked, grossed-out nor think that the body is 'cool'. Nor are you crying." She said as she took out her flashlight from her pocket. "May I see-"
"I'm an intern CSI for the Boston Crime Lab." She said
"And I'm an intern for a law firm in Boston. I see dead bodies all the time because they kept sending me to the morgue." Shane said.
"Well that explains it." O' Riley said. He then told Catherine to just ask those CSI-related questions that he can't possibly ask. A few minutes later…
"I'm not being rude or something but… do you still have questions?" Shane asked.
"Uhh… None. Thanks for your time." Catherine answered. As she turned around to go to the alley, she was called by Shane.
"Ms. Willows? How do you get to the other side?" he asked, pointing towards 7'11.
Catherine smiled and walked towards them to give the directions.
The following morning
Catherine was walking towards the victim's house when someone called her name.
"Ms. Willows?" Catherine turned around to see who called her. She was surprised to see Christianna coming towards her, in her in-line skates.
"Christianna? What are you doing here?" Catherine asked.
"I was bored at home. But the dogs didn't feel like walking this morning so I just took my roller blades. I live 15 blocks from here. You found out who the victim was?"
"15 blocks?" Catherine asked.
"Yes. I need the exercise. So did you found out who he was? Christianna asked again.
"Yeah. A guy with the name Milo Davidoff" Catherine replied.
"Can… can I…" Christianna hesitated "Can I go with you? I'll just stay by the door if he lives alone and you need to process the house." She added hurriedly.
"He didn't live alone. He had his brothers staying with him." She paused for a while, like she's thinking. "Do you have your street shoes with you?" Catherine asked.
"Yes." Christianna replied.
"Put them on when we go inside the house. You said you're an intern CSI right?" Catherine said. When Christianna nodded, she continued, "You can need all the observation you can get." Christianna smiled at what Catherine said. And they walked together.
~~~~~~~~~
"I almost ran over Christianna and her dogs with my car. I offered her a ride home. That was about a year ago too." Nick answered.
~~~~~~~~~
(a flashback)
Nick turned on the radio. Listening to Stephen Speaks singing "Passenger Seat" reminded him of someone. 'Just can't remember who' he thought. The shift is over and he was driving home. They just finished a case about a couple who drowned in the lake. Turns out that it was an accident. The boy slipped and cracked his head. His girlfriend tried to save him but not knowing how to swim, they both drowned. 'And to think that we thought it was suicide.' With all these thoughts in his mind, he didn't notice a girl with two dogs on the road. He almost ran over her when noticed the girl's red hair. He stepped onto the breaks. Worried, he got out and went towards her. The girl looked about 16 and was as tall as Sara. She looked at him, wide-eyed.
"Are you hurt?" he asked.
"N…no. I'm ok. And so are the dogs." She replied shakily.
The girl has a slight British accent. She also has two big golden retrievers with her. "You sure? I might have hit you. Do you want to go to a doctor?" He asked.
"No. It's ok. I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for the concern anyway." She said. She seemed composed.
"Of course I'm concerned. I almost ran over you." Nick replied. He gave her his card and said "I'm Nick Stokes, of the Las Vegas Crime Lab. If you have any injuries, anything that may have resulted in the accident please call me."
"I can assure you that I don't have any injuries." She replied. She showed him her right hand, smiled and said "See? No injuries. I'm Christianna Johanson. It's nice to meet you Mr. Stokes, even if it almost turned out messy." She turned around to walk away, when Nick said:
"Can I offer you a ride home? It's the least I can do when I almost landed you to the hospital." Christianna smiled and asked
"You're ok with these dogs? They're kinda big"
"Yeah they're ok." As they were walking towards the car, Nick asked,
"How old are you? 16?"
"Uh, seventeen…" she said timidly. "Turning eighteen this December."
"Seventeen huh? It's a nice age to be in." Nick replied then sped away.
~~~~~~~~~
"Last year, Christianna gave me the last cartridge of the laser ink jet she bought. She refused to sell it to me. She insisted on giving it." Sara responded, confused that Nick and Catherine also met them.
~~~~~~~~~
(a flashback)
Sara was walking around the block to find a store that sells ink for an HP desk jet 3325. All the stores seem to be out of stock. She was opening the door to the last store near her house when she heard a girl asking for the same ink for the same printer. She hurriedly went to the counter and asks if they have another one. But the guy said that they were out of stock and that the girl with red hair before her bought the last cartridge. Her shoulders dropping, she sighed and walked towards the door. But in her mind, she was cursing violently.
"Excuse me?" Sara turned around to look at her. The girl was about 16 with red hair and a slight British accent.
"Yes? May I help you?" Sara asked. The girl was the one who bought the last cartridge of ink. She secretly hoped that she will sell it to her. She really needed to print out a very important document.
"Do you need the ink? It's supposed to be for my brother but I made a mistake and bought the wrong one." The girl told her.
"You're selling it to me?" Sara replied, astonished that the girl was doing what exactly what she secretly hoped her to do.
"No, I'm giving it to you." She gave the plastic bag to Sara.
Sara was astounded. "No. I can't just take it. You bought it. I must buy it from you. I mean you haven't used it and it's a bit expensive" Sara replied as she was giving back the plastic bag. She was ready to pay anything for it.
"No. Please take it. I made a mistake. And as you said, I bought it. I can do whatever I want with it. Now please,-" she gave her the plastic bag "-take it."
"Are you sure about this? Because once you give it to me, I might run away and you'll never be able to get it back if ever you change your mind." Sara said as she took the bag.
"I won't change my mind." With Sara's 'yeah right' look she added "Believe me. I will not change my mind. Nor will I regret it."
Sara, unsure of what to say, answered "Thank You. By the way, I'm Sara Sidle." She reached out her right hand.
Taking it, she replied, "You're name's Sara too? I'm Sarah Christianna Johanson. But my friends call me Christianna or Chris." She smiled. She looked at her watch and said "Oh. I have to go. I have a dentist appointment. It's nice to meet you Sara." She said and went out the door. Sara looked at the running figure and softly said "nice to meet you too."
~~~~~~~~~
"Their dogs jumped on me and they offered to pay for my shirt and a ride home which they insisted on. I also met them last year. They seem very kind and generous." Warrick answered.
~~~~~~~~~
(a flashback)
"Yeah… at three o'clock… yeah… I'll be there." Warrick said as he ended the call. The mechanic who was fixing his car called to tell him that the car was fixed. The headlights were shattered because Catherine's suspect tried to stall them by smashing all the headlights of cars that were parked near their house. 'Stupid move' he thought. But the suspect's stupid move is now his problem. And since he has no car, he has to take the bus. He was walking towards to the bus stop when two large golden retrievers suddenly jumped on him and started licking his face.
"Hey guys, down. I said down. Oh Jesus Christ! I said down boys, down!" Warrick said, "Where are your owners?" he asked, not really expecting a response from them. A red head was running towards his direction, with a leash in each hand.
"Oh my God! Oh I am so sorry. Are you hurt? Marvel! DC! Sit!" she commanded the dogs. The dogs obeyed her and she proceeded to attach their leash. She stood up to say sorry to Warrick again.
"I am so sorry. The dogs were just excited. They do that every time." The red head explained.
"It's ok." Warrick replied. 'A Brit?' he thought. He then noticed a good looking, brown-haired calling them. "Uh, you're boyfriend's here" the girl turned around and replied "He's not my boyfriend." A remark that reminded him very much of Sara. "He's not my boyfriend." She repeated again. "That's my brother." When her brother reached them he paused to take a breath.
"Told you they'll do that." Turning to Warrick he said "I'm sorry. Did they bite you?" he asked
"No. They just jumped on me." Warrick replied.
"I'm really so sorry. I'm Christianna Johanson. And this is Shane, my brother."
"Warrick Brown." He replied as he looked at his shirt.
"Nice to meet you" said the brother. "I'm really sorry about that. It's my fault. Oh they soiled your shirt." He added. Warrick's shirt has four, big paw prints in it.
"Don't worry. It'll come off" Warrick replied. 'I hope so…' was his only thought. "Uhh… here comes the bus." He said as he saw the bus going to the bus stop. He began check his things when Shane said "Can we offer you a ride? Our car is parked nearby."
"Nah, I'll just-" Warrick was interrupted when Christianna said "Please? It's the least we can do for you. I'm also offering to pay for your shirt if the dirt doesn't come off" she also made a 'please-accept' look that can make you agree to their proposal. As if reading her mind, Shane also did look and now they look like two hungry children in search for food. Warrick had no choice but to accept their offer. "Ok I'll take the offer" he said as if playing in Who Wants to be a Millionaire
"Alright! You stay in the front with Shane. I'll be in the passenger seat with the dogs." Christianna said.
"So, are we set?" Shane asked Christianna and Warrick.
"Yeah. Whenever you're ready." Warrick answered.
"Me too." Christianna responded. "Hold your dog please." She told Shane.
"What's with their names anyway?" Warrick asked as they were walking towards their SUV.
"Marvel's for Marvel Comics. You know, X-Men, Spider Man, The Hulk. DC's for DC Comics. Batman, Wonder Woman, Justice League. Mine's Marvel. Shane owns DC." Christianna explained as Shane opened the car.
"Oh..." Warrick said as Christianna answered his question
"Where do you live?" Shane asked
"At the other side of Vegas" Warrick answered.
~~~~~~~~~
"What about you Gil? Did you meet any of the twins?" Brass asked Grissom who was silent all throughout the confusion.
"In fact, yes. Christianna is an almost former student. She attended all my lectures in Harvard about Sociology and Entomology, its one of her elective. She is majoring in both Psychology and Cultural Anthropology. The brother, from what I heard, graduated last year, he is now a lawyer; she's going to graduate this year. They are actually gifted children with IQ's above 140." He finished. Brass looked at all of the CSI's and just shook his head.
Brass continued, "Both of them are here for the Easter break. Their parents are both in Europe. Apparently, a business trip they need to make every other month. They were informed of their children's mishap but they are being held in France due to a storm. The twins are being treated in Las Vegas Medical Hospital. They were both shot. The bullet grazed the girl's shoulder but hit her already broken ankle. She also dislocated her knee. The boy was shot in the thigh. It appears that the burglars entered through a ladder they had with them in both of their rooms. They exited through the front door." He said.
"Who fell down the stairs?" Sara asked.
"The girl fell down when she was shot in the left shoulder. The boy was found in his room." Brass replied. He then told Grissom "I'll be outside if you need anything."
As Brass walked away, Grissom assigned them their duties. Nick and Sara in the girl's room then help Warrick in the boy's room if they finished first. Catherine was to inspect the front hall. And he was to ask questions and to inspect outside. They all went to their post quietly knowing that the victims helped them, in one way or another.