Again, thanks for the reviews and, again, I don't own CSI.

Chapter 5

It was 9 p.m. when Grissom entered the hall of the Rampart Hotel and followed the policeman, who led him to a luxury suite, their crime scene.

Brass welcomed him with one of his sarcastic jokes.

"Someone's definitely not a good tipper…" he said, pointing at the dead waitress lying on the floor.

"Amanda Carter, 28 years old. She had worked as a waitress here at the Rampart for the past three years." Grissom crouched down next to the body to take a closer look at the corpse. At that moment, Greg entered the room.

"You're late." Said Grissom.

"I came as soon as I could, but I've been stuck in the traffic. Tonight was supposed to be my night off…" he complained.

Actually, he was out on a date, with some girl he met at a club a few days earlier, when his boss calledsaying he needed him for a case at the Rampart. And there he was, looking at the body of a dead girl, instead of a living girl's one.

Three weeks had passed since Greg had taken Aida home, and yet they hadn't gone out on a date. Actually, Greg hadn't even asked her out. It was not that he hadn't tried, but every time he called her, he kept getting her answering machine. He had even showed up to her place, but she was never home. Maybe something had happened to her, but since Grissom hadn't shown any sign of concern lately, he assumed she just wasn't in Vegas. Or that she just didn't want to see nor speak to him. Or both. He didn't want to ask Grissom, even if this would have explained lots of things. So, he had given her up and carried on with his life.He didn't deserve tobe treated like that; as far ashe was concerned, she couldhave goneto hell.

"We have lots of cases, everyone else was busy. Now get down to working." Greg started searching the room for evidence, while David finished examining the corpse.

"One shot in the head, most likely COD. There are signs of struggling on both hands, haematomas around the neck. I'll take the body to Dr. Robbins for the autopsy, we'll see what else we can find."

Grissom nodded andtook some pictures. David left and the corpse was taken away.

Brass told the CSIs that the dead body had been found by Mrs. Foster, whowas in Vegaswith her husband. "They were at the Casino tonight, butshe had left her purse in the room, soshe cameback, discovered the corpse and called 911. I'm going to ask some more questions to Mr and Mrs Foster, and then to the other waiters.See you." Grissom waved, and Brass left.

Three hours later, Gil and Greg had finished processing the crime scene, and were headed to the Crime Lab. they had found some blood stains, some hairs and some blue fibers, which needed to be analysed. While walking through the hallway, Grissom suddenly stopped and turned around. Greg saw him smile. "I'll be back in a while."

Greg nodded, then looked in his boss' direction,and froze.

The piano player was Aida. Her long fingers were dancing on the keys, her body rocking forward and backward, following the rhythm. Greg hadn't noticed the music before, it had just entered his ears and reached his brain. When he became aware of it, he realized that the music was great, even though it was not the kind of music he preferred. Damn, she was good. She had started singing, too. Her voice was amazing, intense. Damn, she was really good. He looked at the men sitting at the tables which surrounded the piano and the other players. They were all staring at her with adoring eyes, and she ignored them, just like she had done with him. She was as cold as ice. And it burnt like hell.

The song ended, the players decided to take a break. While playing,Aida had spotted his uncle among the audience; she joined him, not giving attention to the complimentspaid to her.

"Hi Gil! Are you spying on me?" she asked.

"I wish I were. One of the rooms is a crime scene, but I can't tell you anything about it, you know… anyway… You're really good! You've improved a lot!"

"I was 15 when you last heard me play..."

Uh... anyway...how is Paolo?" he asked, a littleconcerned. "I'm sorry I couldn't come with you but we've been really busy…"

She smiled "He's fine… the accident wasn't serious, he has a broken leg and some scars, but he's already back to work. You know him, he can't help keeping busy..There was no need for me to stay with him anymore, so I left."

She then spotted Greg, who was looking at them. She smiled at him and waved. Grissom noticed her gesture and turned to see who she was waving to. Greg joined the two, but avoided looking directly in her eyes. He reminded Gil they had to go to the Lab, said goodbye and turned, heading for the exit, Grissom following him.

"Greg!" she called. He told Grissom he'd be back in a while, the boss replied they would meet at the Lab.

"Yes?"

"Uh.. I've come back to Vegas four days ago, I… had to return to Italy." Her smile was fading because of Greg's glare.

"I noticed…" he wanted to appear cold, detached, but he just sounded hurt.

She looked down. "I…I had to leave in a hurry, I didn't manage to warn you and I forgot my mobile here…there's been..." she saw that the players were all taking seats. "I have to go now, get back to work…"

"You're good. Really." He forced a smile. "I have to go back to the Lab, too. See you."

"Thanks... Bye…"

Aida joined the others. She sat at the piano and started playing. Music filled the air, again. Greg took a deep breath of that air, and left.