Title: Chances
By: Kasandra
Rating: K
Pairing: Ryan/Valera (RaVe)
Summary: Everyone at CSI knew of Maxine's crush on Ryan – except Ryan himself.
-------------------------------------
Ch. 1
"Maxine, Maxine, Maxine… aren't you looking as radiant as a sunflower today!" Ryan Wolfe announced in a sing-song fashion as he walked into the DNA lab.
The young woman looked up from her microscope and smiled. "Wow, Ryan. Normally I would say thank you but considering you've got DNA results pending, I would say you've got a little brown on your nose." Maxine Valera teased before resuming her actions once more.
"Oh, come on Valera, I've been waiting on those results all day." Ryan whined. "Isn't there anything I can say or do to expedite the process?"
Maxine blushed as a few choice thoughts ran through her mind. She chewed on her lip and motioned with her arm to the mountain of evidence bags that lay before her. "I'm sorry Ryan but I'm gridlocked in evidence bags. I won't be able to get to it for awhile."
Ryan groaned frustrated. "Alright, well page me as soon as you get the results." Maxine nodded and sighed to herself as she lost herself in the sight of him walking away. Though she had a slight crush on Ryan ever since the first time they met, Maxine refused to let herself to do anything about it. She had made an agreement with herself to never compromise a career by entangling in a relationship ever since she was caught making out with a customer behind the counter at her first job when she was fifteen.
She paged Calleigh to the DNA lab, as the results printed out. Maxine hummed to herself as she walked to her desk drawer and pulled out a piece of candy to perk up, as she looked over the results once more.
"Hey there Valera. Got something for me?" Calleigh questioned brightly. Maxine smiled back and handed her the sheet of paper containing the results. Maxine popped another piece of candy in her mouth as she watched the blonde Southern woman furrow her brows.
"Well, this certainly compromises my case," she heard Calleigh mutter. Calleigh cleared her throat before speaking once more. "Rumor has it that one Ryan Wolfe came and paid you a little visit. Anything I should know about?"
"No, unfortunately. He just came by asking for his results, but I'm swamped. He asked if there was anything he could do to expedite the process. I wanted to suggest a few things but I stopped myself." Maxine sighed.
Calleigh looked her up and down, chuckling. "Girl you've got it bad. You need to do something about it."
"I can't Call. I just can't. I want to though." Maxine admitted.
"Well you should. After all, tomorrow's never certain." Calleigh replied, sadness etched on her face. Everyone knew of the unfortunate short-lived romance between Calleigh and Speed. Maxine couldn't picture Calleigh's immediate reaction to learning of her boyfriend's death, but she did know that Calleigh wasn't ever the same afterwards.
Maxine felt Calleigh's hand on her shoulder and she smiled sympathetically. Calleigh cocked her head, and Maxine felt her breath catch as she saw the wheels in Calleigh's mind turn.
"Fine, if you won't say by choice, I'll just force it out of you." Calleigh finally announced. "I know someone who owes me a favor at one of the restaurants downtown. At dinner, you will tell him how you feel," she finished proudly.
"Oh no you don't miss. I am not telling him how I feel. What if he doesn't return the sentiment? Then it's going to be awkward around here and I really would rather that not happen." Maxine argued.
Calleigh's eyes narrowed. "But what if he does?" she challenged. "You have nothing to lose."
"I do. My very fragile relationship I have with Ryan."