A/N: Hey, I need a break from all the stress in school. So I decided to continue on with my first ever trilogy piece. I'm back to my SNICKers roots. Of course, my LOVE for Archie -- he's so underused -- he should be in every episode!

So I hope you like this. If you get mixed up, read "Come... Rain".

Thanks!

HANNAH

"Hey guys! This is Charles Damien, CSI3 and Alberta Davis, CSI1. You all know Hannah already," Sara, in a dazzling red cocktail dress, said to the waiting LV CSI. I was wearing my little black dress with my usual heels and my silver effects. I have never been a big fan of gold. As always, Nick was a knockout! The women who were passing us were eyeing him and Warrick who was looking all nice. Sara has talked about him to Charles and I know he is excited to meet a mentor other than my own. Catherine looked way too young for her age… she's a stunner! AD, was looking at Greg all interested. Well, they complement each other's attributes. Archie, on the other hand is way overly handsome tonight.

Wearing that stand-out white tuxedo amongst the black coats and stuff, he's like a prom king. On second thought, maybe he is. I went straight to him. "Hey, you. Looking good, are we?"

"You are," he said softly. "Ready to go in?" he said offering his arm. We walked inside leaving the group with a polite nod. Inside, we found our table for 10. This, for a change, was a convention dinner and by the looks of things, we are in for the long speeches. "Hannah," Archie said shyly reaching inside his coat, "I have something for you."

He presented me a little orange Beanie Baby. Its name is 'Hannah'. "Aw… you don't have to get me anything, Archie. Thank you!" I put the soft toy in my purse and dug around it. "You're not the only one who did some shopping." Then, I gave him a personalized Parker pen. "I know you work in the AV lab and you don't use pens much but I can't think of anything else. So…" I looked at him and he was looking back at me oddly. "Okay, I'm babbling again. Oh, I'm such a school girl!"

He laughed and pocketed the pen. He took my hand, "Okay, stop. I like it, Hannah… thank you." I smiled at him and gripped his hand tighter. Right there, I felt that connection.

Fall... With you, I fall so fast

I can hardly catch my breath, I hope it lasts

The convention was about forensic anthropology and entomology. I kept glancing at Grissom who was not paying much attention but to Catherine. They were in some sort of banter and savoring the osso buco. As I've predicted, Charles and Warrick were in a particular CSI3-ish conversation. Charles was just promoted last month. Greg and AD were talking about Marilyn Manson for some reason. Sara, for a change was just having a staring match with the leg of lamb. Nick was picking at the edge of the tablecloth. Archie was not that interested.

"Hey, finish with that?" I said. He pushed his plate back and drank his red iced tea. "It's just 930pm. So unless you have other plans, I suggest we get dessert."

"Or maybe, we can get dessert from some place else," he suggested. "Do you know some ice-crème parlor near here? My treat."

"Yeah… 'Iced Drémes' just around the block," I said. "Let's go?" I moved to stand but Sara and Nick beat me to it. "On second thought, maybe we let them go first?" When they didn't come back, we excused ourselves and walked outside.

"Here…" he said wrapping his overcoat around my bare shoulders. "Lead the way, Miss Valdez." I smiled and wrapped my arm around his.

The usual attendant there, Teddy was serving some sundaes to an elderly couple when we entered. "Holla, Senorita Hannah," he said in his best Spanish accent. "The usual I presume?"

"No, Ted. I'm with a friend here. Archie, this is Teddy," I said to him. They smiled at each other yet when Ted found how our hands were intertwined , he shied away. "Arch, I get what you get."

He though for a bit. He looks so cute when he's thinking. "Or better yet," Teddy exclaimed busying himself with the ice-crème and the sprinkles and stuff. "Take the Iced-Drémes Mountain. It's a quadruple deck mound of low-fat ice-crème of your preference, topped with your choice among rice crispies, Skittles, M&M's, chocolate chips, peanuts, and syrup and complete with two maraschino cherries." I was surprised because while he was saying that, he presented us the whole selection of toppings and that was in one big breath.

Archie smiled and said, "Why not? Hannah, you choose two flavors and a topping. I'll take the other half." I nodded for him to go first. "Okay, first level, cookies and crème, second level, very rocky road. And uh… M&M's."

"I'll take Strawberry then one scoop of vanilla," because he practically chose the exact same two that I wanted. "And top it with chocolate chips." Teddy saluted and went on with our order. Archie and I chose a booth at the back. "You sneak, how did you know that I was going to order the two you've chosen?" I said in mock hurt.

He raised his eyebrows and replied, "I didn't! Honest! My mom and sisters and I used to eat at this sweets place in LA and we always ordered those with that same topping."

"Oh memory lane…" I grinned but it faded right away.

"What's the matter, Hannah?" he said with concern in his eyes as he reached for my hand.

"Oh nothing… it's just that – I never knew my mother. All I know is she's Canadian and she died in childbirth with me," my eyes begin to tear up. "I have one brother but we're not that close. He's married with kids now in New York." His grip on my hand grew tighter.

"I'm sorry, baby…" he whispered holding my hand close to his lips. "It's okay…" and then he kissed my palm. Our eyes met and sparks flew.

"Ahem… excuse me…" Teddy said unsure. "Here is your order and that'll be $5.50."

Archie made a reach for his wallet when I suggested, "We split 50/50. $2.75 from you, $2.75 from me."

"No, I won't go dutch on you. Hannah, I asked you out. Not the other way around," he replied. "Keep your money. I'll pay," and then he handed $7 to the waiting man. "Keep the change; you've been a great help, man. Thanks!"

While we ate the mountain of calories and sugar, we had the chance to know more about one another. Our birthdays, how we were like in HS and in College, disastrous relationships. He didn't even believe that I was a cheerleader in HS until I dared to do a cartwheel right there and then.

"Oh no… not in that dress you won't," he laughed encasing me in a hug. The proximity was deafening. Our eyes met and all the world melted.

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