Unfortunately, I don't own any part of CSI or Nick would be mine…or at least George. I'm just borrowing them because they're so darn interesting…….
They parked at the dock and the ladies were awestruck at the sight of the beautiful Paddle wheeled Steamer sitting before them. "Oh this is certainly going to be a night to remember" Sara smiled at Nick who was standing beside her. "I didn't even know they had anything like this on Lake Mead" he looked around and noticed that Grissom and Catherine were talking in whispered tones. "Did you see the way he looked at her?" Grissom nodded but didn't have much to add. It wasn't a big surprise that Nick had feelings for Sara but it hit Grissom hard that she was beginning to openly display affection for the younger CSI. "They'd make one beautiful couple" She added not noticing the way that Gil blanched at the thought "Tina and Ric certainly look happy tonight" she noticed the way Ric stood beside his wife but a part of her felt the same way Gil did about Sara and Nick "I honestly can't get a read on them Catherine" he turned and looked around "Sometimes I get the feeling Ric rushed into this and has regrets and others, like now I just don't know" Catherine looked up at Gil "I got the same feeling" she smiled which wasn't missed by her co-worker "Do you now?" he asked in a very inquisitive tone. Catherine chose to ignore is intentions.
"Well well" They all cringed when they heard the familiar and irritating voice of Conrad Ecklie "If it isn't my two favorite CSI teams" he walked toward them with open arms followed closely by the Mayor and several of his constituents "How lovely of all of you to be able to take a night and join us" Grissom motioned to his cell phone "We're on call if needed" Ecklie looked wounded "Gil, I want you all to enjoy this evening, it's our taxpayers that felt we all deserved it for a job well done!" he smiled warmly reached over "Catherine, love the dress, it simply looks stunning on you" he pecked her on the cheek and Catherine suddenly felt she needed a bath. "Sara Sidle, my you sure do clean up well" Nick turned toward him and the look he shot him kept Conrad form further advancing "Nick, you're looking fit and well and Warrick I take it this is the lovely bride we've all heard so much about?" Tina turned and offered her hand but the look in her eye told Ric that Conrad's statement had better have some clarification. "Tina, our boss Conrad Ecklie, Conrad this is my wife Tina Brown" he looked past her toward Catherine and the moment their eyes met, she blushed slightly wishing it was his hand on the small of her back as opposed to the tall and slender woman beside him.
The boarded the Cruise boat and were each handed a glass of champagne "I'll need something stronger than this before the evening is over" Nick turned, toasted his friends then sipped at the bitter liquid "They didn't spare the expense on this one" Warrick quickly emptied his glass and handed it back to one of the waiters. "No thanks, I'm watching my waistline" Tina refused the offer of another glass "Besides someone has to be the designated driver" no one quite knew how to take that statement and for the moment they chose to ignore it.
Before long the boat filled with the invitees and the Captain came down to greet everyone. "I'm Captain Merlin and I'd like to welcome you to my ship" he smiled and raised a glass of Champagne "I hope you'll have an enjoyable evening of dining, dancing and celebrating the arrival of another New Year" he nodded "And a personal thank you to all of you for a job well done, the taxpayers of Las Vegas owe a huge debt of gratitude to all of you" they all raised their glasses to the toast. Before long the ship was underway and everyone moved to different areas to get a good look around. If anyone had noticed anything out of place, the person standing alone at the bow of the ship certainly hadn't ascertained that and with a wave to those waiting on shore he lifted his wrist, synchronized his watch, flipped his flashlight on and off twice then disappeared into the shadow of the Cruise ship….
The fifteen people dressed in black from head to two silently moved to their water crafts and waited, the leader returned the wave but held off on the flash as not to draw suspicion to them. Their time would come later, they simply sat in wait for the signal from the man on board…
To Be Continued….
Please go easy on me….this is my first CSI fan fiction…I hope you enjoy it and please…reviews are greatly appreciated, even thought I didn't ask in Chapter One…