Disclaimer: CSI isn't mine. It belongs to some guy called Jerry.

"Hey, Valerie?"

Valerie turned to smile back at Nick. "Oh, hey! I was looking for you." She grinned. "Did you call Bernie and let him know he lost?"

"Yeah," Nick grinned back. "I was just going over to collect my twenty. You wanna come?"

Val shook her head. "No, I have to get back to my hotel. And I have to let my mother know how I am." She grinned at him.
Nick smiled sheepishly. "Umm, listen, Val… I'm sorry about eavesdropping before. I didn't mean to. It's just that… Well…" He sighed. May as well spit it out. "Greg had a bet with me that he would get your number before I did."

"And he did." Val said evenly. She frowned. "But if you two were having a bet, why didn't you ask me before? You certainly had a lot of opportunities. We were out at the crime scene more than we were at the lab."

Nick sighed. "I don't know."

"But you did want my number, didn't you."

Nick grinned and avoided eye contact. "Yeah."

"Typical knight-in-shining armour," Val grinned at him. "Too polite for your own good." She paused, and bit her lip. "Listen," Valerie sighed, looking somewhat uncomfortable. "I don't care whether you two were having a competition." She sighed again. "I haven't had anyone ask me for my number in… a long time." She looked up at Nick, and shrugged. "And I admire someone with courage." She tried and failed to hide a smile. "Besides… he is… kinda cute."

Nick nodded, and stepped aside to let Val pass. "I understand."

Valerie shook her head. "No, wait." She pulled a card from her jacket pocket and passed it to Nick. "You're cute too. And I owe you this. We've finished this case, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't keep in contact."

Nick hesitated. "No, I… I don't think so."

Valerie smiled. "Well, you did ask before. And I don't exactly remember saying 'no'." Val chuckled dryly. "Just don't call as often as Greg does. He calls, like, every hour or so. It's getting a little…"

Her phone began ringing.

"… Annoying." She sighed. Nick turned, and saw Greg sighing melodramatically back in the DNA lab. Valerie ground her teeth silently. The phone rang three more times, then fell into silence. Val sighed, then held up the card again. "So, you want it or not?"

Nick grinned back, and took the card. "Thanks."

Valerie nodded, and started down the corridor, her heels clipping on the lino.

Fortune favours the bold, Nicky. You got her number… "Could I give you a lift?"

Valerie turned back, and smiled. "No, it's okay. I'll catch a cab."

"Well, where are you staying?"

"At the Monaco."

"Whoa," Nick winced. "You don't want to stay there. A lot of murders happen in that hotel."

"Well, good." Valerie smirked. "I'll be close to work then." With a final grin, she turned and was on her way out of the lab.

Nick looked down at the card in his hand and smiled.

Nick shoots, he scores!

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"… I haven't done anything wrong. You have no right to keep me here!"

Sara slipped into the room. Gina Thompson glowered at the CSI with eyes ringed by copious amount of eyeliner.

Grissom visibly relaxed as Sara sat down opposite Damien's girlfriend. Sara only gave him a questioning look. He didn't look battered at all, considering what Brass had said. But then, Brass was Brass.

"Ms Thompson," Sara cleared her throat. "We're not holding you here because you've committed a crime."

"Then good," the girl snapped. "So let me go."

Sara fought back a sigh. "Ms Thompson, we would like to talk to you about Damien Peterson."

Gina snorted and slouched further down in her seat. "What about him?"

Sara raised an eyebrow. "Your… concern is underwhelming, Ms Thompson."

"And why the hell should I be concerned?" Gina sat up and pointed an accusing finger at Sara. "Like I told these bozos: I couldn't care less what you have pegged on him." She sat back and crossed her arms again. "Drugs, gambling debts, credit cards - you name it, he did it. Ok? Can I go now?"

Sara looked up at Brass, then to Grissom. The detective just shrugged; Grissom just sat quietly, watching Gina with a deadpan expression. The woman just glowered back.

"You haven't told her?" Sara asked him softly. Grissom shook his head.

"Haven't told me what?" Gina snapped.

Sara cleared her throat, then opened the folder that lay on the table. She didn't let Gina see any of the photos that were inside. "Ms Thompson, what was your relationship with Mr Peterson?"

Gina squirmed, looking more and more like an adolescent with each passing moment. "He's my ex. We've had this on-off relationship for about a year now. I couldn't handle it anymore."

"What happened?" Sara asked softly.

The girl shrugged. "I left him. I'd had enough. I mean, wouldn't you?" She clicked her tongue.

"Do go on," Brass commented dryly.

Gina scowled, but otherwise ignored the detective. "Drugs and money problems aren't exactly the foundations for a good, lasting relationship. The first couple of times… he swore he'd clean up his act. But old habits die hard. I got sick of having to clean up after him, sick of having to lend him money 'just to tide him over'. I'd had enough of the thugs coming around to my apartment, threatening me because Damien couldn't play his cards right."

"He told me he'd kill himself if I didn't come back," Gina said, sighing melodramatically, "But he does drugs, y'know? He was n addict, a gambler, and a waste of time. That's why I left. For real. And so he's been calling me, day and night, saying he'd kill himself if I didn't come back." Gina paused in her rant to snort with laughter. "Can you believe that?"

Brass bowed his head and bit his lip, but his expression did not change. Grissom out a hand to his chin and shut his eyes. Sara sighed. She put the folder down between herself and Ms Thompson, and spread the photos out for her to see.

"Yeah, I believe that. Because he did kill himself."

A/N: I'd like to thank everyone who has read/reviewed/made suggestions for this story. I admit, I think this story is a little rushed, but then, this is, after all, my first attempt at a CSI fanfic. I plan to do more… Many more… -evil cackling paired with finger steepling- I shall improve (most definitely!) next time. Stay tuned! And Thanks For Reading!

Coming soon:

She was dead. She'd been shot straight between the eyes… but he'd just stood there, helpless, unable to do anything but stare…

"I'm pretty sure Grissom would notice it…"

"How many more people have to die before I take the hint?"

"You're asking me to help you commit professional suicide!"

"Call Brass, now! We need backup! Suspect is in the building, armed and dangerous!"