A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! It is much appreciated! Here's the second chapter. I'm open to suggestions about where to go with the story – let me know what you think!

Sara Sidle opened the door to her and her boyfriend's two-story Las Vegas home, thankful that her journey was finally over. She'd been at a forensic conference in L.A. the past three days. All she wanted to do right now was take a nice, hot shower and then climb into her own bed for some much deserved sleep. It was Friday night, however, so she figured she wouldn't be that lucky if Mally was home. Had she ever been that gleeful and as annoyingly teenager-ish as that? She prayed not. Mally was a sweet girl for the most part – Nick had done a wonderful job raising her by himself – but she had a lot of energy.

Sara heard the unfamiliar sound of silence in the house as she plopped her workbag down by the kitchen counter. She immediately noticed a note in Mally's unmistakable scribble. Apparently, she and Natalie had gotten bored and headed over to her friend Ashley's. That was just fine by Sara – she just may actually get some peace and quiet. She decided to call Nick to let her know she got home safe before she took her shower.

"Stokes." He answered in his Southern drawl.

Sara was in mid-yawn and it took her a second to answer.

"Sorry, baby, it's me."

"A little tired there, are we?" he commented. Sara could picture him smiling on the other end. "Too much party hopping in LA?"

"You know me. L.A.'s most wanted socialite."

"You back at home now?" He questioned as he stepped out of the crime scene he and Grissom were investigating at an apartment complex near the Bellagio.

"Yeah. I think I'm just gonna hit the shower and go to bed."

"Good idea, sweetheart. Are Mally and Natalie keeping it down?"

At the mention of Mally, she turned back to the kitchen counter and picked up the note again.

"Actually, she left a note saying they went to Ashley's. Got bored apparently."

"They left the house alone at night?" Sara could tell he was not happy with this.

"Nick, they ARE fourteen. They've been crossing the street for years."

"You never know what kind of scumbags are out there. You and I know that better than anyone, Sara." Nick sighed and rubbed his face. "Alright. I'm gonna call to make sure they got there okay. And tell her to stay put."

"I'll be waiting for you."

Nick laughed and grinned. "Love you, sweetheart."

"Love you too."

Nick snapped his cell phone shut and poked his head back in the crime scene.

"Sara's back from her conference." He told Grissom. "And our little angels have apparently headed over to Ashley Graham's house. I'm gonna call to make sure they got there okay."

"They walked?" Grissom looked up from the body of the young girl on the floor. Nick nodded his head as he scrolled down in his phone book for the Grahams' number. "Wonderful. After everything we've talked to her about she does something like that? How far away is Ashley's from your house? Four blocks?"

"Something like that." Nick acknowledged as he pressed send on his cell phone. It rang a few times and finally Ashley's mother picked up.

"Hey, Carolyn. This is Nick Stokes. I'm sorry to bother you. Is Mally over there?"

"No, she's not, Nick. Ashley's not even home tonight. She's at the movies. Is something wrong?"

Nick got a horrible feeling in the pit of his stomach. Oh, God, something's happened to her. He'd never be able to forgive himself.

"Shit." He rubbed his forehead. "I…I don't know. She and Natalie Grissom said they were heading over there. Will you keep an eye out for me and call me if you hear anything from her?"

"Of course, Nick. When Ashley gets home, I'll ask her if she knows anything."

"I appreciate it, Carolyn. Bye."

Nick uttered a few obscenities under his breath as he walked back into the crime scene.

"Grissom, the girls aren't at Ashley's house. She's not even home tonight. Something's up."

Grissom stood up and reached for his cell phone.

"Let me call Natalie's cell phone. She's never without it." He said with a concerned look on his face. It was so unlike both girls to not be where they were supposed to be. Grissom dialed his daughter's phone and got her voice mail after a few rings.

"Natalie, it's dad. Your Uncle Nick and I are a little worried because we called Ashley's house to check up on you and you weren't there. We want to make sure you're okay. Call me as soon as you get this."

Nick and Grissom exchanged worried looks. The investigators in both of them were dissecting the girls' note, the fact that Ashley seemed to not be expecting them, and the typical behavior of their kids.

"I think they're up to something, Griss." Nick finally said on gut instinct. "This isn't like them, but they're somewhere they shouldn't be."

Natalie and Mally were having the time of their lives, cups of beer in hand as they danced along to the music with dozens of others at Ryan's house. They'd already lost count of how many drinks they'd had. Ryan and Jordan made sure their cups remained full and stayed close by. This was their first high school party and they were loving every minute of it. A little reserved and shy at first, the alcohol had soon loosened them up and they'd both been flirting like crazy with their crushes. Natalie soon found herself being lead out to the back porch by Ryan, his hands roaming. Their lips soon locked and they were exploring each other passionately for the first time. Mally found herself in a similar situation on the couch with Jordan. She sat on the junior's lap, his hand on her thigh as she willingly allowed his tongue into her mouth. The evening was going perfectly.

"I've got a noise disturbance a couple streets over in a neighborhood area." One of the officers informed Grissom, who had just received the call on his radio. "Sounds like a bunch of kids having a party."

"Thanks, John. We're about finished up here." Grissom responded. Nick had once again stepped out of the room on his cell phone again. He was calling Sara now to see if she could go search for the girls.

"Sara's on her way out to see if they're walking around in the area." Nick informed his boss as he entered the room again. "I feel really bad about this, Gris, they're supposed to be safe at my house, and now…"

"Nick, stop. We've left the girls alone at our house too. This could've easily happened there."

"God, Gris, if anything happens to them…"

"Don't think like that Nick. They're smart girls, even if they made an incredibly dumb decision."

Nick chuckled. "Any luck with Natalie's cell?"

"She turned it off. I guess she knows we're on to them."

Mally was still enjoying the new sensation of a boy's lips on her own; the feel of his hand caressing her thigh. These parties would definitely have to become a regular part of her life, as long as she could keep finding a way to them. Their off to a friend's house ploy seemed to have worked reasonably well so far anyway. As long as she was home at a decent time in the morning and showed no signs of a hangover, she didn't think her dad would be able to tell. He was an investigator, but she was counting on the hard-earned trust he had in her. Her thoughts were interrupted when the music abruptly shut off.

"Everyone stay where you are!" Said a loud voice. Everyone in the room quickly attempted to run for it at the officer's request. All of a sudden, three or four officers were everywhere, trying to round up the kids. Jordan threw Mally off his lap and bolted for the nearby door, while Mally fell helplessly to the floor, too disoriented from the fall and the alcohol to do anything about it. As she tried in vain to lift herself, hearing orders barked by the officers and the frantic shuffle of feet, she felt herself pass out and again fell hard to the floor.