The day of the labs Valentines party arrived. The graveyard shift was still at work on their cases (having arranged to work a double and hand over to swing), with only a few more hours until they finished for the day.
"Hey Greg" Catherine said as she walked into the DNA lab "You got my results?"
"Naturally" Grinned Greg handing her a sheet of paper "The DNA you recovered from the toilet paper was a match to your victim"
"So that would mean Pringle had to be culpable"
"Indeed – the blood isn't menstrual which one would assume having found it in the bathroom"
"Well there wasn't any other blood on the floor. Cleaners?"
Greg shook his head "None I did a check but even when I first took a look at your sample it was evident there were no traces of detergents or cleaners"
"So where is it all?" Catherine sighed
"That would be your department. However, there is always the trash and the drains. Maybe your killer put down some bin liners"
Catherine smiled "Maybe. Thanks Greg"
She disappeared down the hall.
Warrick and Sara were standing inside the public restrooms at the diner owned by their suspect.
"There is not a drop of blood in here" Sighed Sara spraying the sink with luminol
"I hear that," sighed Warrick as he pushed another cotton swab down the drain
"Anything?" Sara asked walking over to him
He removed the swab and put some phenolphthalein on to it, nothing happened. He sighed "Nothing"
They both stood up and looked around
"I guess we're done" Sara said picking up her kit.
Warrick followed closing his before following her to the door
Back at the lab Catherine sat down in the break room a mug of steaming coffee in her hands. She had been sitting there for a few minutes when
"How's your case?" asked Grissom walking in
"Mind-numbingly awful" sighed Catherine
"I take it you're at a loose end"
"Loose? Try dead, stuck, cut off, barricaded…"
"It can't be that bad"
"We found a tissue with our victims blood on it in the bathroom, theres no sign of any other fluid of any kind in the bathroom. Theres nothing in the trash and our suspect just made CNN very happy"
"Well perhaps to find the evidence you have to let it come to you"
Catherine finished her coffee and stood "Yeah cos a big ol' blood stains gonna come walking through the door"
Suddenly there was a huge crash from the entrance. Catherine looked at Grissom, he stood and they walked down the hall together.
Most of the lab was standing in the halls looking at the reception. Catherine and Grissom pushed their way through and stood looking at the front doors.
There was glass all over the floor, some of it was still hanging in the frame – a part of which fell and smashed into pieces whilst they were looking. In the middle of the glass sat a large brick with a piece of paper tied to it and a brown envelope. Grissom retrieved a pair of gloves and put them on. He walked over and crouched down, removing the paper and reading the note.
He turned to Catherine with a slight smile and that strange look he always got when something surprised yet amused him.
"It would seem your blood stain didn't walk"
It was the end of shift. Warrick and Sara were in the locker room when Nick and Catherine came in.
"Hey guys" smiled Warrick
"Hey" nodded Nick as he went to his locker
"So everyone ready for the party?" asked Catherine
"What, you mean the one tonight where we don't have to work and have tomorrow off?" asked Warrick "Hell yeah"
They smiled
"Afternoon all" Greg stated with a smile as he bounded into the locker room
"Why are you so happy?" asked Sara
"Well I have no more cases to process, am going home – on time might I add, and theres a party later" he smiled at her "and did I also mention that Michelle is handing out the valentines cards?"
"They're bringing them round now?" asked Catherine
"Yes" smiled Greg
Catherine looked at everyone; they were all standing with their jackets on ready to leave.
"Well then lets go see if we have some"
They shrugged and headed to the reception
Michelle the receptionist stood with a pink box that was decorated with all kinds of Valentines Day doodles, she looked up and smiled as she saw them all standing there.
"I see you've come to see if Cupid has left you messages" Michelle smiled rising to her feet
"Of course" Greg spoke up
"Okay Sara Sidle, Warrick Brown, Catherine Willows, Nick Stokes and Greg Sanders" she handed them their cards
"Damn someone's popular. How many did you get?" asked Warrick eyeing Sara's pile of cards
"Ummm sixteen" she cringed a blush spreading across her cheeks
Everyone looked at her and she shrugged.
"Okay" smiled Catherine "Shall we go and get ready for the party?"
"Subtle" smirked Sara
"What?" Catherine asked innocently
"Changing the subject. How many did you get?"
"Four and I was only saying to go because we'll get stuck here if we don't"
They looked at her
"Lets go" she sighed
They all followed her out to the parking lot
"Okay guys I shall see you at eight" Catherine called as she walked to her car
"Yeah" called Warrick
They all yelled their goodbyes across the parking lot as they walked to their cars.
Nick walked into his house and put the keys in the dish beside the phone before walking to the couch and slumping into it with a sigh.
He looked at the cards in his hands and shook his head – he always got cards from work on every holiday and he had a pretty good idea who they were from.
He began opening them one by one; each one of them was silly and cute, he laughed as he read the verses placing them on the seat beside him.
He picked up the 6th envelope and looked at it. It wasn't pink or red – it was a pale blue color and Nick was extremely intrigued, he read the name on the front.
It had been written in calligraphy that made it hard for him to identify the handwriting. Sitting forwards on the couch he looked it and then slowly he began opening the envelope sliding the card out.
The card itself was quite contemporary there were no cartoon cats or little cuddling love bugs – it was a white card with a black and white photograph of a Labrador puppy on the front; its eyes longing and sad looking.
Nick opened it noticing there was no printed verse; instead he found more of the same calligraphic writing.
'Roses red violets blue,
From where I am I can see you.
A shot in the dark, and X marks the spot,
I let my gaze linger on the place where you stood.
Rushing away with hope in your step,
Your eyes, your smile,
Stored deep in my heart.'
Nick studied the words, he slowly stood and walked to the unit beside his TV and stood the card on a shelf, pausing once again before heading to the bathroom.
Greg entered his apartment and threw his already removed jacket on the sofa along with the cards he had received from work.
He strolled into the kitchen and pulled out as beer from the refrigerator, he opened it and went back over to the sofa where he proceeded to flop – not so gracefully – onto the cushion.
He put the bottle on the table to the side of the sofa and picked the cards up from the seat next to him. Smiling he flipped through them chuckling as he recognized the handwriting from his colleagues. He paused.
He held the crisp white envelope and looked at it, the name was typed curiously he opened it.
The card itself was quite contemporary not one of the girly cards that were always being sent, this one had more thought. It was pale blue with pale purple hearts and darker blue writing, Greg opened it, the verse was already printed inside although there was a small typed message included, he read it.
'To GregWords can't describe how I feel,
So much so I can't even say them myself.
I hope maybe someday you could be my valentine'
Greg smiled at the message and placed the card on the table beside his beer.
"Time to party" he said to himself as he stood and headed to his room.
The lab had gone all out this year, which everyone on graveyard was glad about as this was one of the first times they had all had the night off at the same time and they were going to take full advantage.
The Grand Ballroom in The Mirage had been hired for that nights party, there was to be a buffet table, a free bar, a jazz band to be later followed by a larger swing band and DJ. The hall itself had been decorated with sophistication in mind, simple silver and gold decorations with modern valentines accents such as simple red and pink heart shaped balloons and also streamers to offset the metallic.
The dress code for that evening was black tie and all of the crime lab staff and guests didn't disappoint.
Catherine was first to arrive dressed in a simple yet elegant crimson dress, her hair pinned up and simple jewelry and make-up and matching crimson sandals.
Grissom turned up wearing a black suit with a white shirt and a black bow tie. Warrick also in a black suit and white shirt hadn't worn any kind of neckwear. Nick also had the same idea as Warrick.
Sara arrived wearing a plain floor sweeping black dress, with kitten heel sandals, her hair curled and swept up and her make-up and jewelry not unlike Catherine's.
Greg on the other hand had other ideas as to what the term 'black tie' meant. He turned up in dark jeans, black chucks and a white pinstriped shirt with a black dress jacket over the top.
They all stood to one side waiting for the last to get there.
"So we're all here I see" Greg grinned as he strolled up to where they stood "Catherine, Sara looking ravishing this evening"
"Thanks Greg" Sara replied, "You uhh look nice"
"Why thank you"
"You do know it's supposed to be black tie," Warrick stated looking at him
"Yes and this is the Sanders fool-proof black tie to nightclub outfit" nodded Greg looking at them all
"A night club? You sure you're gonna make it?"
"You assume I'm not?"
"Well G" Nick laughed "If it's anything like New Years then we know you're not gonna make it"
Greg looked shocked by their comments in a joking way "Okay well that's you off my Christmas card list this year" he stated with a smile
"I'd believe it if you weren't smiling" laughed Nick
"I wasn't smiling"
"Yes you were"
"Okay" cut in Brass as he approached them "Shall we disperse before this gets childish"
"My, my don't we scrub up well?" asked Grissom looking at the detective in his black suit, black shirt and tie
"Special occasion what can I say" he shrugged "Come on lets hit the buffet before days get their hands on it" he turned to them "I think I saw Ecklie ready to strike"
They all moved off towards where the food was laid out, all taking a plate before walking over to the tables beside the dance floor
They had been at the party for just over 2 hours. Ecklie had already accosted all of them to tell them to mind their manners whilst the Mayor and the sheriff were with them.
Sara had been dragged up on the dance floor by numerous people as had Catherine – Greg had partnered with them earlier but was now more settled where he was – propping up the bar with swizzle sticks behind his ears and a cocktail umbrella in his jacket lapel. Grissom and Brass were currently escorting Sara and Catherine around the dance floor whilst Nick and Warrick sat talking with Archie.
An hour later and Nick was standing against the wall next to the bar, Greg was stood further along talking to Catherine whilst Warrick flirted with one of the bar staff. Sara, Grissom and Brass were sitting at a table.
"So did you send it?" asked Catherine
"Send what?" asked Greg
Catherine looked at him un-amused "The card Greg, and don't play dumb"
Greg grinned
Catherine raised her eyebrows and smiled pulling him into a hug
"Oxygen" gasped Greg
Catherine released her grip and looked slightly embarrassed "Sorry" she cringed "So what's next?"
"I'm not sure we'll have to wait and see" Greg looked over to where Nick stood
Catherine patted his shoulder and headed over to the bar
"Hey Catherine" smiled Nick as she approached
"Hey yourself. So did you send the cards you were planning on sending?"
"Actually yes I did"
"All of them?" she quizzed
"All of them" he smiled emphasizing 'all'
She squeezed his hand and leant in "I'm so proud of you" she smiled
"I don't know, he won't even know it's from me"
"That maybe but its one step closer right?"
"I guess"
Catherine picked up a glass of champagne and began to walk off
"Nicky, don't guess"
He stood smiling as he watched her walk over to where Grissom and Sara were sitting
Suddenly the lights began to flicker, everyone looked around
"Damn fine weather we're having" sighed Brass knocking back a scotch
Greg looked over to Nick. Nick had moved over to the corner nearest to where Greg stood; there was nothing obstructing them apart from the few feet in distance.
Suddenly the lights went out.
Almost instantaneously Nick was pressed against the wall, he had no idea who it was pinning him back; it was too dark.
Suddenly Nick felt their lips meet gently brushing each other, then passionately, a tongue applying pressure waiting for Nick to allow access. Before he knew it he was kissing back with just as much want, opening and allowing the strangers tongue to enter and gently caress his own. Nick gasped and he inhaled he had never felt so good. His tongue pushed back into the stranger's mouth, massaging back tenderly. Suddenly the stranger began withdrawing – gently sucking Nicks bottom lip as they pulled away.
Nick stood against the wall breathing rapidly 'god that felt good' he thought to himself before a torch light hit his face.
"Nick you okay man?" it was Warrick
Nick realized what he must look like; panic, fear and want plastered across his face
"Yeah I'm good" he managed to convince himself
"You sure?"
"Yeah"
"Okay – Brass said the lights should be on in a few"
Nick nodded as the light fell away.
A few minutes later and the lights came back on. Nick walked over to join the rest of the graveyard shift.
"What the hell happened to you?" asked Catherine looking at him strangely
"What?" Nick asked puzzled
"Did you fall into the shrubs?" asked Sara
Nick looked at them blankly
"Perhaps he rendezvoused with a lady" smirked Greg raising an eyebrow
"What?" Nick was totally confused now
Catherine shook her head "Doesn't matter. Just sort your hair out it looks like you've just woken up"
He looked into one of the mirrors that hung in the room; his hair was sticking out in all directions – like Greg's generally did
"How in the hell…" he asked himself as he began smoothing it back into place
Suddenly it hit him; the mystery person had run their fingers through his hair all and all over his head as Nick had held their waist. He looked around still not able to grasp what had happened, he noticed everyone beginning to leave.
'Maybe I can work it out' he thought to himself as he walked over to the others