Disclaimer: (chuckles as her wolf pack guards the real owners of CSI) I own CSI now, all right...(evil laughter, which is interrupted by the arrival of the pasky hero) Excuse me.

Chapter 16

Alex was speechless. No one had ever proposed to her in their life, and she stared at Nick for a long time before Warrick coughed and said, "Alex? You gonna answer him or do we wait in suspense until the apocalypse?"

Laughing, she threw herself at Nick, just managing to get out, "Yes, oh yes…"

The rest of the graveyard shift clapped, with a few wolf-whistles from Greg as Nick swept her into a delighted kiss. Even Grissom was smiling.

Breaking off the kiss, Nick slid a shiny ring onto Alex's finger, kissing it into place, before looking up to gaze into Alex's eyes.

They didn't even the notice the rest of the team exchange quietly amused glances and steal quietly out of the break room.

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"How long have you been planning this?" Alex wanted to know once they were alone.

"About a few months now," replied Nick, kissing her fingers.

"Really?"

"Really."

"And the others knew?"

"Nope." Nick grinned. "Just told them today. I needed their help with the fortune cookie part, I was so nervous I was afraid I'd mess up."

Alex laughed. "What on earth gave you the idea to put it in my fortune cookie?"

The CSI grinned. "Well…I did tell the others once that I knew how the fortune got into the cookie, and so…"

She shook her head fondly. "I don't know whether to call you a genius, or crazy."

"All things considered, I prefer genius," said Nick. He leaned in, but Alex pulled away.

"Not at work, Nicky," she reminded him, with a mischievous grin.

"We just got engaged!" complained Nick.

She thought that over. "Hm. No."

Laughing at the look on his face, she gave him a kiss before pulling away, and heading for the Trace Lab.

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The office was dark, and for the first time since Grissom had made it his own with his jars of things that grossed people out and his tarantula and his bugs, he felt…it was too dark. Lonely. Quiet.

The CSI supervisor flashed onto Alex's joyful face as she hugged Nick. His daughter. Well, his biological daughter. She was engaged. She'd be married in two months. To say time flew by was an understatement.

Grissom swallowed hard, wondering why his vision was blurring suddenly. Stupid glasses…he'd have them checked, maybe his power had increased.

Wetness on his cheek ruled out that possibility, and Grissom mopped it away, mortified, not wanting anyone to walk in and find him crying.

As though thinking the idea had conjured it to life, Catherine walked in just then. She took one look at him and closed the door.

"Oh, Gil," she breathed, moving to sit in front of him.

Catherine was the one person Gil had ever told about Alex. After a case, she had revealed something about herself, and something had made Gil say, "I've never told anyone this before, Catherine, but…I have a daughter."

Now, Catherine held him close and wiped away his tears, and to the entomologist's great shock…he found he didn't mind.

Cath looked at him gently when it was over. "You've put this off long enough, Gil," she told him firmly. "You never replied Kitty's letter about Alex, allowed her to think you don't give a damn all these years… you need to talk to Kitty. To Alex. You owe them that much, Gil."

Grissom swallowed again. Looked into Catherine's blue eyes. Nodded. "I will."

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The break room was empty when Gil went to look for Alex at the end of shift, as was the Trace lab and female locker room. The supervisor didn't give up though, but continued through all the likely places in the lab until he found Alex making out with Nick in his office.

Their reaction speed was incredible, he noted calmly as they both noticed him and practically threw themselves away from each other.

Grissom didn't say anything. From the red-faces both were sporting, it was clear he didn't have to.

"There a reason you chose my office?" he asked carefully.

"It was empty, and the lock actually functions," explained Nick, still red.

The supervisor nodded. "Not exactly helpful when someone has a key, Nick."

If it were possible for the deep red blush to darken, it did. "I forgot."

"So noted." Grissom pointed to the door. "You have work?"

"Right, yeah," Nick shot Alex a look. "Um, see you later?"

She nodded, casting Grissom a nervous glance.

Once Nick was out of the way, Grissom grabbed the opportunity and said, "By the way, Alex, I was wondering if it were possible for me to give you a ride home later?"

She turned, startled. "Um, sure…why?"

Grissom gave her his angelic smile, this one tinged with nervousness. "I'd like to speak to your mother."

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Alex led the way up the drive way, checking over her shoulder every few minutes to make sure Grissom was keeping up with her, and padded right up to the front door where she rang the doorbell and yelled, "Drop the magazine and answer the door, TJ!"

Surprisingly, Grissom seemed right at home once her lazy brother had let them in. He looked as though the living room he was standing in was his natural habitat, and Alex grinned to herself as she went upstairs to get her mother.

Kitty Shan met her halfway, looking ruffled and in shock. "Alex? I saw you walking in with someone…your supervisor?"

"Yeah," Alex nodded. "He wanted to see you. I don't know, I feel like I'm back in high school and Grissom's my principal."

Her mother gave a weak smile. "Heh. Right. Send him up to my bedroom, would you dear? I have a feeling I know what he wants to talk to me about."

Grissom's voice interrupted them. "Hello," he greeted quietly from the top of the stairs.

Alex whirled. "Griss?"

He nodded, but his eyes were on Kitty. "Kitty."

She swallowed. "Hello, Gil."

"You two know each other?" blurted Alex, feeling relief in the back of her mind that this wasn't about failing grades as a lab tech or something.

"You could say so, yes," her mother replied, her voice strangely calm. "Gil and I had an affair about 27 years ago."

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Shout-outs:

love N/S - Nick having a vision? Nah, he was just worried she wouldn't eat her cookie and his carefully prepared plan would fail. Glad you liked it. (hugs)

gelf - LOL. True. But they'll be in eventually. ;)

SpectralLady - Thanks, i got the idea from a s3 or s4 epi, can't remember which...they were eating and Grissom asked who knew how the fortune got into the cookie, and Nick explained everything...

Kat Hawkins - Darn, I wanted to eat - I mean, meet,your rabid cow...Rabid cows are so tasty - i mean, so much fun! And I'd forget the potions, if i were you. I'm half-feral, half-witch. In fact i'm a Charmed Feral sister. >:)

DCHeesegirl - You're back! (hugs) Spontaneous, huh? I was under the impression that he planned it.

Detective Faith Boscorelli - An unfinished review? But still a review i guess... remember, Faith, always finish what you star

CatherineLouise - but it is complete. In my head, anyway. >:) Here's a hint - you want me to finish it fast? Start reviewing more.

future tkd blackbelt - You read it! You reviewed! Yay! While waiting for the next chappie, you might update your fic, eh:) Thanks so much, I love you! (hugs)

Now, if everyone will excuse me, I have to get back to defeating this pesky hero.

"Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb."