Disclaimer: I own nothing that you recognize. I give credit to Jerry and everyone involved for making a kick ass show like CSI. The only thing I take credit for are Katie, April, Todd, and Stephanie. So please don't sue, I have nothing, I am a broke ass college student. So I hope you read and enjoy. Ps- reviews make me feel all happy and good inside.

Chapter 1:

Nick Stokes was going through the isles in the grocery store, scanning through his mental list. He filled his cart with the things he would need for the week and made his way to the cashier.

"No, you can't have that." Said the girl in front of him. There was a small child sitting in the seat of her cart and she frowned as she put the candy bar back. "You know you're not allowed." She said. She stepped to the side as she put her items up on the belt and Nick got a full view of the child. She had a thick head of short blonde curls, and bright blue eyes. She kept staring at Nick so he waved to her. Coming from a big family he had lots of nieces and nephews, so he grew to love kids. There was something about her, the more he looked at her, that reminded him of Stephanie. She left almost eighteen years ago and never said why. It took him a couple years to get over it, but even today just the thought of her would make him depressed. "I'm sorry my mom has the card." The older girl said looking for her savings member card.

"Well I can't give you the discounts unless you have the card." The cashier said as he continued to scan the items.

The girl gave a deep sigh. "I have one." Nick spoke up, feeling sorry for the girl. She wasn't very tall and he guessed her to be around sixteen or seventeen. He handed the card to the cashier and he scanned it before giving it back.

"Thanks." She said giving him a smile. Unlike her sister she had dark brown hair and dark brown eyes. The cashier bagged the groceries and she left the store out to her car. He finished Nicks groceries and he went out to his car. He saw the girl putting groceries in the back of her Jeep Grand Cherokee and oddly enough he was parked next to her.

"Hi." He said as pe passed her and put his few bags in the trunk of his car.

"Hi." She smiled politely. She finished with the bags and Nick saw her struggling trying to load a case of 24 water bottles into the car.

"Let me help you." He said taking it from underneath the cart and placing it in the trunk. He smiled again at the little girl who was watching as she leaned over the back of the seat.

"Thanks." She said smiling. She closed the trunk. "My wrist hasn't been the same since I sprained it." She said.

"No problem. Have a good day." He said as they got into their cars and drove off.

Katie pulled into the drive way and took her sister out of the car. She handed her a light bag as she took a few herself and they walked into the house and to the kitchen. Todd was laying on the couch, beer in his hand, watching a tv show. Katie put her sister, April, at the kitchen table and began to put the groceries away. Her mom was once again working all day at the diner to support the three of us. Todd had come into her mom's life when Katie was twelve, and he had been nothing but bad news ever since. Katie had never known her dad but she was luckier than April, because she would rather have no dad than a bum like Todd. He abused her mom and her and Katie swore that if he ever lay a hand on her sister she would kill him.

Although Katie was seventeen and April was three, the two shared the same room. Katie was afraid that if she wasn't there Todd would do something. "Katie, where's my fucking beer?"

Katie quickly tucked her in and went down stairs. She swore under her breath as she got the bottle from the fridge. "Why can't he do it himself? He's in the next room." She mumbled unaware that he was standing there. She turned around and he caught her by her arm. She winced in pain for it was the same one he sprained last month.

"You weren't quick enough." He said smacking her across the face. No matter how much it hurt she wouldn't give him the satisfaction of crying. "Now someone else will pay." He smiled evilly and headed for the stairs.

"No you don't." She said as she grabbed his leg and dragged him back down the stairs. All the anger she held in her from the past five years all came out. After he got in a few good swings she got her licks in. She stopped when she heard sirens and saw April standing at the top of the stairs, crying. She looked down and saw that Todd was unconscious. She caught her breath as she willed April to come down. "Come here hon, it's ok." She said coaxing her down. When she reached the bottom step Katie took her in her arms. "Did you call 9-1-1?" She asked. April nodded as she continued to cry into her sisters shoulder. "It's ok, you did good." She said. She had taught April that if there was some reason she couldn't be there and she was scared that she should call 9-1-1, and help would come. She ran a hand down her back as the doorbell rang and Katie answered it to see two cops at her door.

Nick walked into the crime lab unaware that by the end of tonight's shift his life would be turned completely upside down.