Disclaimer: I don't own anything CSI or CSI related, but Dani and this plot is mine…and only mine…so no stealing.
Author's Notes: This is sort of a sequel to my other story: Love, Leaves and Dead Bodies, which isn't actually finished yet, but if you want to know more about Dani, go read that, and you'll get a pretty good idea. Alright, ON with the story!!

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Tears and Smiles

Chapter 1

A few crickets chirped as a black SUV pulled up to the Las Vegas Crime Lab, and out stepped a figure. His name? Nick Stokes, CSI level 3, muscular, dazzling smile, girl-magnet…however, he didn't know much about that. His attentions were solely on one girl and one girl only. The one and only Miss. Danielle Ryan, who, in his opinion anyway, was a goddess of beauty…a queen of love…a…ok, enough of that slightly over-dramatic love stuff…and Nick and Dani were certainly in love. As he climbed out, he looked over the parking lot in search of her familiar blue Toyota, which he spotted parked a few spaces over, seemingly tiny in-between Grissom and Warrick's SUVs.

He grinned widely, and locked his own car, walking into the crime lab and signing in just below Dani's name, then walked towards the break room, where she would be waiting for shift to start. Maybe he'd even be lucky and he'd find her alone.

Dani was indeed in the break room, swivelling back and forth in a rolling chair, bored out of her skull. The minutes seemed to be passing by like hours. However, she caught a glimpse of a familiar face in the doorway as she went spinning crazily, and before she could stop herself, two firm hands had stopped it for her, and she was staring right up into those big brown eyes that could make any girl melt. Not that Dani wouldn't make quite a few guys turn their heads and gawk. Curly blonde hair, blue eyes, a nice figure…and actually down-to-earth and nice. Definitely not a supermodel, but not too shabby.

"Hi." She said, smiling softly, and he grinned as well.

"Hi Dani." He said, and gave her a kiss, soft but passionate, pushing her back into the chair, which resulted in the chair slowly pushing back against one wall. They might have remained like that for a while, were it not for someone clearing their throat from the door. They both broke away to reveal a rather amused-looking Greg standing in the doorway. Dani blushed, as did Nick, and they both stood up, and Greg couldn't help but laugh, and he quickly left to go to the lab before Nick hurt him.

Nick glanced at Dani, and they both broke out into embarrassed grins, as Grissom, Catherine, Warrick and Sara walked in, and, from the look on everyone's face (except Grissom, of course) they'd obviously been talking to Greg in the last five minutes. Grissom, however made no comment, just started handing out cases. "Nick, you, Catherine and me have got a DB over on Birchtree Lane." He held out a folder to Nick, who took it reluctantly, wishing he could've had a case with Dani for once. But then, Grissom probably didn't trust them to be alone together, and he couldn't really blame him…

Grissom continued. "Warrick, you, Dani and Sara go out to Fremont Crescent, there's a dead body found in one of the houses. The circumstances lead us to believe it's related to a case a few weeks ago over in L.A, so be extra meticulous. Get everything." Dani nodded, as did Warrick and Sara, and they walked out, Dani sending one last small smile over her shoulder at Nick, who smiled back, watching her until she was out of sight.

"Stop gawking at your girlfriend, Nick, and come on." Catherine said, grabbing his arm and pulling him along. He dragged his eyes over to her, and followed, sighing audibly. It was going to be a long night…hell, it always seemed like a long night when he couldn't see Dani every moment of the day. Not that she lived with him, but they stayed over at each other's houses often enough that it seemed like they did.

Dani was smiling to herself the entire way over to Fremont Crescent, her lips still tingling. Concentrate on the case. She reminded herself as they pulled up to the curb outside the house, which was surrounded by yellow tape. They all climbed under the tape, and she pushed Nick to the back of her mind reluctantly. The cops were already on their way out, and it was just Brass left, along with a couple of his rookies.

"What do we got, Jim?" Warrick asked as the three CSIs walked up to him, each with their field kits dangling from their hands. "Dead white female, name of Jaclyn Naten. Throat slit, multiple stab wounds…in other words, a lot of blood, so hope you didn't have a big meal for dinner. She looks like she was tortured. It's the exact same scenario as a couple cases up in L.A. The victims even look the same. Looks like we're looking at a serial killer here." As Dani processed all of this, she was looking around at the neighbourhood. Quiet area, perfect lawns, and definitely not the place you would expect a murder to take place.

"She got any family?" She asked, turning her head over to Jim, who shrugged. "Neighbours said she lived alone…" Dani nodded, then turned to the other two, and as in silent agreement, they all started towards the house. "She's in the basement." Jim said as he followed them. He pointed to the stairs, where the door was standing open.

"Was the door open when the police arrived?" Sara asked, turning to look at Brass, who nodded. "It was left wide open…and the stench was pretty evident…" All of them, as used to blood as they were, couldn't help but feel a little nauseous as the scent of blood wafted up from downstairs. They all paused at the top of the stairs, none willing to go down, but then Dani squared her shoulders and started down, bracing herself for what she was about to see.

((CLIFFHANGER!! Ya, I know I shouldn't do that in the first chapter, but I couldn't resist XD Alright, not the most exciting chapter, hope people review and stuff…I'll update probably later tonight or tomorrow night. Again, if you want to know more about Dani, go read my other fanfiction: Love, Leaves and Dead Bodies. Sorry it's so short guys, I'll try to make the next chapter longer…))