Now it's time to officially meet everyone. Reviews are always welcome.

Chapter 5:

9:00 p.m., Las Vegas

Shannon stood over yet another dead body.

Not half an hour ago she'd been at the other end of town waiting at the airport for the detectives from New York and Chicago. The Chicago detectives were to arrive at least two hours previous but their flight had been rerouted and had arrived about the same time as the New York detectives.

Catherine stood at the scene with her hands in her pockets, a frustrated frown on her face. "What're we waiting for? Why can't we process the scene yet?"

Grissom meandered over in her general direction and handed over a cup of steaming coffee. "Were waiting for the on-scene officers to clear the site and the detectives from Texas."

"Wasn't that new detective…Sharon…"

"Shannon Martin." Grissom put in.

"Yeah. Wasn't she supposed to pick them up at the airport too?"

"No. They're supposed to arrive by car. Brass got a call a while back. Said Detectives Sam Tracy and Tess Koil are supposed to be in here in about…oh, the next 10-15 minutes."

Just about the time the officers cleared the scene, Catherine and Grissom turned at the sound of an engine rumble to see an old S-10 pull up to the crime tape. A short blond hopped out and started to argue with an officer as she fumbled around for something when he wouldn't let her past the crime scene tape.

Grissom moved to intercept and caught the end of her tirade as she flashed her badge. "I told you, I'm Texas PD. I need to speak to Dr. Gil Grissom."

"I'm Gil Grissom. You must be Detective Koil."

"Naw," She drawled in a thick southern accent. "I'm Tracy. Tess couldn't make it. 'Bout ready to pop she's so pregnant."

Grissom frowned. "You're Detective Sam Tracy?"

"Of course." Then she started to giggle. "Oh, you musta thought I was a guy since my Cap'n called me 'Sam'. It's short fer Samantha."

Grissom gave a worried blush and Sam laughed harder. "Don't worry. I get that all the time."

Catherine stomped over and glared Sam down. "Where's your partner? We need to process this scene."

"Well, ain't she just a ray of sunshine."

"You'll get used to her."

"Not in the time I'm gonna be here."

Grissom and Sam made their way over and introductions were passed around.

Elliot felt like the odd man out being the only out-of-town male detective.

Lieutenant Jennifer Linn reminded him a bit of Munch. A bit too much, actually. She had a sarcastic streak in her a mile wide. She was tall with piercing blue eyes and short graying hair that stuck up in spikes around a pair of dark sunglasses perched on her head. She was 45 but didn't act it with her sharp wit and laid-back look.

Her partner, Detective Tasha Alexander was almost her exact opposite. Short with long black hair and hazel eyes. The obvious Public Relations expert, she'd sent the press of the premises content with the lack of information she'd given them. All of 22, she carried herself like a seasoned detective. Her twin-set was professional and her wedding ring kept all the ogling men at bay. Elliot had warmed up to her immediately when she mentioned her daughter, Maria.

The detective from Texas was a-whole-nother story. She had no problem standing up to the Crime Scene Unit's Assistant Director, Icky, or something. Ecklie, Conrad Ecklie; that was it. Everyone on site silently cheered her on when she told the sleaze-ball to 'go stuff it up a coon-dog's ass'. As soon as she'd arrived she'd started asking questions with alacrity, tipping her cowboy hat back to better look up at everyone's faces since she was only about 5'4".

Olivia had taken Shannon under her wing as soon as the younger woman opened her mouth. Not one to mince words, Shannon Martin got right to the point. She and Olivia compared notes on the cases and hair tips like they'd worked together for years instead of mere minutes.

As soon as Catherine and Grissom claimed the site was almost exactly the same as all the others, everyone groaned and trooped back to their respective vehicles, knowing there was nothing more they could do there.

So, they all tried to settle in the CSI break room, but to no avail. There just weren't enough seats.

That is, until Brass said something. "We could always go to the basement."

Grissom and Catherine both turned to look at the other man. "We have a basement?"

Nick and Warick nodded eagerly. "Yeah, completely furnished, too."

"How do you know?" Interrogated Sara.

"They have a huge plasma-screen TV…"

The brunette held up a hand. "Say no more."

As they filed down the steps to the LVPD's spacious basement Ecklie turned slightly to Grissom. "Where's CSI Curtis?"

"Greg said she's taken some sick days. Has the flu or something."

Jennifer suddenly appeared between the two men. "Did you say Curtis? As in Sophia Curtis?"

"Yeah."

"Tall blond with a funky accent?"

"Yes." Ecklie was getting a little perturbed at the questions.

"She used to work in Chicago till she left the precinct. Nice girl, but you might want to keep an eye on her. The last time she took a whole bunch of sick days for the flu she was actually looking for another job."

Conrad's eyebrows went up as he made a bee-line for his office. "I need to catch up on some paperwork."

Grissom let out a sigh. "Thank you."

"For what?" Jen asked as she idly chewed on the earpiece of her sunglasses.

"For getting him off my back."

"It's always a pill when you have an ass on your ass."

Brass let out a snort as they all gathered around a beat up conference table.

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SVUNUT85: Okay, okay. To Munch's GunAngel and Alex White-Thanks for the help.