Disclaimer: Don't own CSI, don't own the part I borrowed from K.A Applegate's Animorphs series.

Notes: Unbetaed. Since school's keeping me and Impulse apart, and I'm an impatient person...but as usual, any and all perceived plotholes or inaccuracies are purely imaginary, though you could mention them should you feel the need to be laughed at. (evil grin)

Chapter 12

Nick woke first the next morning, pleasantly surprised when he found Alex snuggled up to him, sleeping soundly on his chest, her face buried in his shirt. He smiled, running a hand through her soft hair, pausing to tenderly touch the small bandage she sported on her head, almost matching the one he had over his eye.

Unfortunately, the action jostled Alex out of her slumber, and Nick was treated to the rather endearing sight of her yawning and stretching. Something he'd really, really like to get used to, he decided.

Alex blearily focused her gaze on him, just before she bolted upright, yelping, "What the fu-dge? Nick?"

Nick grinned. "Hope you weren't expecting someone else," he teased, watching as she stared at him, horrified.

"We didn't…do anything, did we?" she asked, biting her lip in consternation.

Chuckling, Nick took pity on her and explained, "Nope, just slept together, that's all."

He probably shouldn't have termed it that way, he mused as her eyes widened even more. He proceeded to explain fully all that had happened, but it was a while before Alex calmed down.

"You could have said so," she said, whacking him lightly on the shoulder. Nick accepted it, knowing he probably deserved that.

For a while, both just sat together in a comfortable silence, before Alex looked up and asked, "Have you had breakfast?"

"Nope." Nick shook his head. "Haven't bathed or changed, either."

Alex held out her hand. "Come on," she said, smiling shyly. "My mom's a great cook, and I bet my brother can lend you some clothes."

Nick took it, studying the slender fingers carefully before kissing her hand. Alex smiled at him when he looked up at her to see how she reacted to that. That was all it took, really. From that moment, both of them knew that their relationship was far more than 'just friends', and would probably – hopefully? – never be the same again.

"I love you," was all he could say. Alex looked at him, then slowly, slowly, they leaned towards each other…

And pulled apart again as someone banged on the door, yelling, "Alex! Get up, already, mom won't let us start without you guys and I'm starving!"

Together, they laughed. "I guess you've met my brother Trevor," grinned Alex, sliding out of the bed. "Now you know how cranky he gets in the mornings when he isn't fed on time."

Nick laughed. Taking Alex by the hand, he followed her downstairs to the dining room.

8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8

Breakfast with the Kane-Shan family was a babble of noise and activity. Jim started a food fight with TJ, while 17-year-old Max ate with one hand and frantically tried to finish his long overdue homework with the other.

Jim brushed maple syrup off his face, and peered over at his little brother's work. "English report?" he asked, grinning.

Max grunted an affirmative. Jim laughed.

"You're so good for me, Max. Compared to you, I'm so responsible. So. You have a topic?"

Max looked up, indignant. "I've already written three pages! What do you mean, do I have a topic?"

Alex shook her head, smiling. They all knew Max.

"Well? Do you have a topic?" asked Jim.

Max sighed, giving in. "A topic will…emerge," he said, gesturing vaguely. " It will rise from these pages. It will reveal itself to me. I just need to keep writing."

"You should write on the use of total bull in the writing of English essays," said TJ, chuckling.

Max grinned. "I am the master of bull. Three pages so far and I haven't actually said a thing."

Alex took pity on her youngest brother and leaned forward. "Try – the use of rhetoric to obscure a lack of content."

Max froze. He looked up. "That's brilliant! It means the same thing as 'the use of total bull…' only it sounds so much better!" He leaned over and hugged his sister. "Thank you!"

Alex looked up as her father got up. "Let's go," he said, nodding to her.

"Go where?" Alex asked, confused.

"To check you out," replied Adam. "You took quite a hit yesterday."

"I'm fine," insisted Alex.

"Well, even if you are…" Adam firmly took her by the arm to lead her away. At the door, he stopped, then turned to Nick. "You can come too," he offered. "You had some questions if I remember."

Nick nodded. He half wondered if he wanted to know the answers to the questions he had. But Adam was waiting, so he got up and headed over, following them to the western wing of the house.

Adam entered one of the many rooms, Nick suspected Terry had told him what was in this one, but he hadn't been paying attention.

Alex laughed when he paused. "This is my father's lab," she said, smiling up at him. "He does his research and experiments here. I think you'll find the equipment and technology he has in there are far more advanced than those at our lab."

"Is that why you barely needed any teaching on the usage of our evidence processing equipment?" asked Nick.

Alex nodded. "I've helped my dad in his lab since I learnt how to walk." Taking his hand, she said gently, "I know you're afraid of what you may learn. I'm not sure myself that telling you will be the right thing to do. But my dad trusts you, and so do I. So come on. Let's get this over with together."

Nick couldn't have resisted those brown eyes if he tried. He swallowed, steeling himself, before squeezing Alex's hand and following her in.

8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8

My evil plan to steal the rights didn't work! (sobs pitifully) But never fear! i will return! With an even greater evil plan! Mwa-hahahahahahaha!

Shout-outs(I never get tired of doing these:)) :

Kat Hawkins - Yes, Adam is the Adam Kane from Mutant X. In this fic, I explored what Adam might have done after he disappeared at Naxcon, since I really didn't like the way they made my Adam into a hologram! How dare they??? Adam deserves better, he's been with Mutant X since the start! Darn Mohan! >:( As for Grissom telling Alex he's her father...well. Why should he? She never asked, so it's up to him if he wants to or not. If he wants to, he'll let me know, and I'll toss it into my fic. ;)

SpectralLady - You can't make me update with those puppy eyes. I'm a wolf puppy myself, puppy dog eyes are my business. However, should you want a few pointers, I will happily give you tips on how to charm people with said puppy dog eyes. ;) And here's another tip - I will do a lot of things for doggie treats and/or George Eads in chocolate sauce.

love N/S- Thanks for the links...he's gorgeous, isn't he? Keep reading and reviewing! I always look forward to your reviews! ;)

gelf - FM heard it. Too late. And I didn't know you wanted a chocolate Eads...waitaminute. What's a chocolate Eads bunny? Hey! I don't think those exist...gelf!

Rob - I dunno about ruining it, but I have great hopes for s5. Still, if they put too much GSR in there...(sigh) I just hope they don't ruin the show, like Mutant X was ruined by Peter Mohan...

Okay people. (holds up chocolate covered George Eads plushie) These go to the first five people to review, and chocolate covered Eric Szmanda and Gary Dourdan plushies are for the next ten! So...review! :) Even if you thought this chapter was the most boring one ever and you want to shoot me for it, well...let me know, okay? I like at least 24 hours warning before someone takes a shot at me, thank you very much.

Kudos, next chapter coming soon - i hope.

RK9.