Disclaimer: Why, yes, I am Carol Mendohlsohn, and I do own CSI…whoops! It was just a dream. Oh! And I also don't own Lost. How disheartening. I don't even own a car.

Spoilers: Ummm, let's just say all the seasons, but disregard Mea Culpa

A/N: For all intensive purposes, Mea Culpa never happened. This idea has been floating around my head for weeks now, but studying for exams has hindered the writing of it. I hope you enjoy! This story is beta-free.

Lost

Gil Grissom walked into the break room, his subordinates scattered about the room. Catherine was at the coffee machine, stirring the liquid pick-me-up. Warrick and Nick were arguing over the football scores that appeared in the newspaper earlier that day. Sara was sitting on the couch, reading a science magazine that she no doubt had a subscription to, while Greg was watching a DVD of his favorite talking sponge on the television.

"Okay gang, we have some news here via the sheriff," Grissom announced. They all averted their eyes to where their boss was standing.

"In a notice that was placed on my desk, we all have to attend a conference in Hawaii this weekend. It deals with the new method of collecting key evidence on the victim's body, especially around the mouth. Other topics are collecting fingerprints, DNA samples, the usual stuff," he said as he looked around the room. One face was lit up like a Christmas tree.

"Hawaii? Whoa. Maybe I can get some surfing in while we're there," chided Greg, who paused his DVD long enough to hear the announcement. He was even happier he passed his proficiency so he could attend these conferences now.

"Don't count on it. We'll probably be stuck in some lectures all day about something we're masters at," Warrick said.

"It doesn't matter if we're masters at it, we have to go. And besides, it might be enlightening," Sara added, putting down her magazine.

"Oh and Catherine, I checked with the sheriff, he said it'd be okay if you took Lindsey. He said he could talk with her school and tell them it's an educational field trip," Grissom said, making sure Catherine was listening to him. She was very quiet tonight.

"Oh great. At least I don't have to make my mother look after her for whatever amount of time this thing will be," Catherine sighed, taking a sip of her coffee.

"Hey! That's not my Blue Hawaiian, is it?" Greg asked standing up, looking like he could cause some serious harm if it was.

"Calm down, Lab boy, it's not. It's the standard regular coffee."

Greg calmly sat back down.

"Thatta boy, Greg, piss Catherine off before you spend a set amount of time with her," Nick joked, giving Greg the thumb's up.

"Anyway, we leave Thursday and be back on Monday. Since the day shift is going to the next conference, they'll pick up our cases until we get back," Grissom explained, "Now, for tonight's assignments…"

Everyone met up at the airport Thursday afternoon. They all had received minimal sleep and were dying to get on the plane to finish their slumber. Catherine was wearing sunglasses, probably to hide the black circles around her eyes from lack of sleep. Lindsey was distant at best, and would have rathered hang around with Warrick, Nick, and Sara than her mother.

"I'm losing my mind, Grissom," Catherine confided in her friend. "I'm so worried about her; I just don't want her ending up like me, before."

"She won't, Catherine. As long as you keep her in line, she'll turn out all right," Grissom comforted.

"I don't think it'll be that easy. She acts more and more like her father everyday. I can't help but worry."

"Now boarding Flight 157 Las Vegas to Honolulu!" The announcer chimed.

Everyone picked up their carry-ons and walked aboard the plane.

Sara opted for a window seat while Grissom sat beside her. In the row in front of them, Nick sat with Lindsey. Across the aisle, Catherine sat on the side closest to Nick so she could keep an eye on her daughter, and Warrick sat beside her.

Not one for much conversation, Sara pulled out a book from her bag and began to read. The silence was deafening to Grissom, who instead, tried to start a conversation.

"Is that a good book?" he asked, realizing how much of a dorky seventh-grader he sounded like.

"I'm surprised you haven't read this one. After all, you gave it to me for Christmas last year," She replied, not looking up from the text.

'Now that wasn't stupid was it?' He thought to himself.

Just when he was about to try another approach, the plane hit some turbulence. Bad turbulence.

"Passengers, please fasten your seatbelts as we try to get through this rough patch as soon as we can. Thank you," The pilot finished from the speakers.

Everyone did as instructed. Sara's knuckles were turning white as she clutched the armrest tightly.

Lindsey was shaking, scared of what would happen next. It was too late for anyone to switch seats, so she stayed where she was, and Nick was there to protect.

The plane continued to rock dangerously high in the air. People could be heard screaming and a few cries were heard from the younger children. Catherine looked over at her daughter.

"Lindsey! Are you okay?" She managed to say through the chaos.

Lindsey just looked at her mother with a panicked expression on her face.

"Nick, I swear, of you let anything happen to my baby…"

"Don't worry, Cath, nothing will happen to her, I promise."

And with that, everything went black.

TBC

A/N: Okay, a little slow going, but I wanna know what you think!