A/N: La la la la la...not much to say...la la la la la...so I'll sing a song...Twinkle, twinkle little star...how I wonder what you are...Okay, but seriously, how many of you were psyched when Griss and Sara showed up at the lab?
ME! ME! I was! I missed them...so I brought them back...because I can do that...I could actually kill them off with death by a killer bunny...or, death by giant eraser (don't ask) and then bring them back to life...! I like to think of myself as the puppeteer of the story... (Cause I am) :) And yes...I know...I'm a very odd person.
Disclaimer: Wanna know who I don't own...everybody but Kris and D.D...and maybe a few others you don't recognize...if they aren't in the show, they're mine...if you don't recognize them, and they are in the show, and you accuse me of stealing...then that's your own fault... (Not to be mean...) but it really would be your fault. Because I am clearly stating that anyone who is (or has appeared) in the show, is not mine...Question, will any of these characters that are mine ever appear in the show..? Answer...I have no idea...probably not. But if Zuiker or Bruckhiemer ever wanna put 'em in there...I would totally be okay with that. :)
Also, I don't own any of the songs in this chapter. They belong to the totally awesome dudes in Fall Out Boy and whoever represents them (yeah, that's not me either).
Rating: Yeah...as guessed...it's still M. For language, violence, and sexual situations.
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Chapter 9: Little rumors through the CSI grapevine...
Friday December 16, 2004
LVPD CSI Crime Lab
Conrad Ecklie's Office
4:27 p.m.
Conrad Ecklie looked at the personal files in front of him. He knew he had no real right to go into the CSI nightshifts' personal files, other than he was heading up the lab now...but if it came down to it...that was all he needed for justification. As suspected, the files were mostly clean...mostly. Each of them had a black spot or two.
Sara Sidle, DUI. Only a few months back surprisingly. She was off on leave for a short while...then returned 'a new person'. Her PEAP consoler suggested she talk to her supervisor...Gil Grissom. Ecklie wondered whether or not she had actually followed through on that. He made a mental note to confront the two about that later.
Warrick Brown, gambling addiction. He sought help from Gil Grissom...his supervisor.
Interesting...two CSIs...let off the hook...saved by their supervisor...
He flipped to the next file. Catherine Willows, ex-exotic dancer. Set her life straight after meeting up with her best friend Gil...clean for the most part.
Besides that nasty, yet slightly arousing, past...she'd make a good supervisor someday...someday.
Nick Stokes, suspect of murder.
Ooh! Jackpot! We've got the big one here folks! Step on up to see the CSI who sleeps with a hooker then kills her...well, not actually kills her. But for about 18 hours it was lookin that way...
Got off the hook by Catherine Willows...seems as though she's following in her supervisor's footsteps.
Eh well...she's still hot and kinky...
And the new girl...Kristina Anderson. For the most part she was clean...at least nothing on the record. Said to be a bit over bearing at times. But for the most part it was only when she was provoked...
Well, we'll certainly have to find that little switch, now won't we...Oh! What's this...? Manhandled by a suspect in interrogation earlier this morning...well...I believe a confrontation is in order.
And lastly...the man himself...Gilbert Grissom...nothing on his file to indicate anything in particular. Worked as the youngest coroner in history of L.A. County, and then he began working here 15 years ago...
Well there isn't much...but luckily that's just enough for me to being them down...
He knew that he'd still have to keep his ears open for any tidbits of incriminating information about the nightshift in the CSI grapevine, and his little brown-noser (aka Hodges) would be of big use in this situation.
Using what little CSI skills he had, Ecklie began to formulate a plan for the fall of the Graveyard Shift of the LVPD Crime Lab.
Nick's House
5:32 p.m.
"I hate working for the Graveyard Shift LVPD!" Kris exclaimed and threw her head back against Nick's couch. D.D. jumped slightly from her lap, startled by Kris' outburst, but Kris petted the puppy, who eventually settled back into Kris' lap.
"So quit." Hannah advised through Kris' cell and Kris sighed.
"I don't wanna quit."
"I know...you're just stressed about the case, and the threat, and the ass..."
"Don't trash him right now...I'm in his house...you can trash him all you want after I get out of his house."
"What? What are you doing in his house?"
She sighed. "There isn't anything to do today, and D.D. is here, plus I was so damn tired of sleeping on hotel beds. His couch is really comfy." She pointed out.
"You did sleep on the couch...right?" Hannah asked and Kris rolled her eyes.
"Duh! I'm not sleeping with him Hanns...I can't even stand him. Why would I have sex with him?"
"I bet it'd be hot."
"Hannah!"
"What? I hear the hottest sex is make up sex! Well, if you guys fight constantly you'd have constant make up sex!"
"Hannah stop!" Kris demanded, her face redder than she thought possible.
"And he's from Texas...so he's probably really bi-"
"Hannah! Stop it now! We are not having this conversation," Kris replied and buried her head in her hands.
Hannah laughed... "I can practically hear you blushing through the phone...so, how big do you think he is?"
"Hannah! I am not going to sit in his house and have a discussion about the size of Stokes'-" She was cut off when Nick appeared in the door. She dropped her jaw and blushed even redder, the blush spreading to her ears, neck, and arms...something that only happened when she was really embarrassed. "House..." She finished. "I'll talk to you later Hannah." Kris said hurriedly and hung up the phone.
Nick looked at her for a moment, then raised his brow.
She looked at him, not really knowing what to say. Did he know what she was talking about...?
"Hey..." Was all he said as he set his keys down on the counter and walked back towards what Kris guessed to be his room. She bit her lip and slipped her shoes on and straightened up the couch she had messed up when she had fallen asleep and stood up to see Nick standing there watching her.
"Thanks for letting me hang out here." She said and handed him back the key. He nodded and accepted the spare key he had let her use.
"Are you still looking for a place to stay?" He inquired before she made it to the door. She slowly turned to look at him and nodded.
"Yeah...do you know somewhere?" Kris asked, a slight hint of excitement peeking through her voice. She stepped towards him a bit and waited anxiously.
Nick scratched the back of his neck, a motion to show he was slightly uncomfortable, and sighed. "Kinda...Warrick and I were talkin today and uh...I have a freshly remodeled spare room..." He gestured down the hall. "I uh...I mean if you're interested..."
She stiffened slightly and looked down the hall towards where he had motioned. "Um...I uh..."
"Do you wanna see it?" Nick offered and she thought about it for a moment.
"Okay."
He led her to the back of the house, to the right side of the hallway, second door back. He opened it and reached over to turn on the light. A soft white light enveloped the foam green walls, with a beaver brown trim and desert brown flooring and ceilings. There was a dark, burnt pine wood finished dresser, end table, queen size bed frame and mattress in the room, along with a plush foam green chair to match the bed sets laid out on the bed, however the bed was not made.
She suppressed a smile and shook her head. "I don't think I've ever met a man that has taken the time after remodeling a room to paint and match everything to the paint..."
He looked over at her as her eyes were still taking in the substantially large room before her. "Are you questioning my masculinity?"
She chuckled and shook her head. "No...I merely pointed out a fact...however you take it beyond that is your own fault..." She laughed, while waving the comment away and walking fully into the room. "What's the rent?" She asked and Nick thought about it and gave her an estimate. She nodded and walked over to the dresser and ran her hand across it. She sighed and nodded while looking at him. "Alright..."
"Alright...?" Nick shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, not knowing if she meant 'Alright...I think not' or 'Alright...I can live here'.
She cocked her head to the side and gave him a look. "Alright...yes. I'll stay here."
Nick nodded and shrugged, not knowing what else to do. "Alright..."
CSI Crime Lab
Greg's DNA Lab
8:26 p.m.
"Alright...now it's definitely no."
"Come on Sara...it'll be fun." Greg begged and Sara chuckled and shook her head.
"I-I don't think so Greg. I am just getting back into the swing of nightshift..."
"Come on...it's just breakfast..."
Sara sighed, he looked so damn adorable and the begging thing made her (or any woman) just want to give him a big hug. Any time before last week she would have said yes, but now...now she was with Grissom...
Damn...what's with all the temptation...that blonde back at the seminar, now Greg...what's wrong with me?
She sighed again and looked the eager lab tech in the eye. "I'm sorry Greg...but I just...I just don't think it'd be a good idea..."
Oh God, please, please, please don't ask my why...
A downhearted look cast over Greg's normally cheery features, and he nodded while looking down at the samples he was working on. Sara took her paper and left the lab, feeling guilty about not telling the lab tech the truth about why she couldn't go out with him. At least then he would know she was 'off the market' so to speak, rather than just turning him down.
She sighed and walked into Grissom's office, not bothering to knock, and laid the papers down on his desk. Grissom looked up and smiled at her, and quickly checking to make sure she had closed the door, he smiled wider. "Hi Honey...did you sleep well?" He asked and she nodded.
"Yeah...Greg got the results back on James...positive to the DNA found at the scene."
Grissom looked at her a moment more, then down to the papers she had laid in front of him. "Well, the evidence on James was already solid...but it never hurts to be prepared." He replied, shuffling the papers accordingly. Sara nodded and walked to the door, but his voice stopped her before she made it out. "Good job Sara."
She whipped around to face him, almost in shock, her thin eyebrows knitted in confusion...had he just complimented her on a job well done. It wasn't completely bizarre for him to complement her...on things like her suits for court...but hardly ever for a case...
"What?" She asked softly, not sure she had heard him right. True, he had changed...somewhat...throughout the past week she was still having trouble in getting him to admit to how he was feeling and what he was thinking about or was bothering him. But he had taken on a more cheery mood, but was professional when need be, yet not discourteous. Maybe she just wasn't giving him enough credit.
He looked back up at her and slid off his glasses slightly. "I said you did a good job." He clarified, and turned his attention back down to his work. She stared at him a moment, not really knowing what to do. But slowly, a soft smile appeared on her face, and developed into an innocent, satisfied grin.
"Thank you."
And with that she left his office and walked down the hall with a slight bounce in her step. She trotted into the break room and poured herself a cup of coffee. Kris walked in the room and raised her brow at the smile...it wasn't a usual Sara smile (not like Kris knew what a 'usual Sara smile' looked like) but as a woman, Kris had an idea what this was about.
She smirked and walked over to Sara, the older woman did even notice her. Oh yes, she was definitely in wonder land. Kris leaned forward, next to Sara's ear, and said, "What's up, Sar?"
Sara yelped and whipped around to see Kris laughing. "Jesus, Kris! You trying to give me a heart attack?"
Kris smiled. "Geez, I didn't think I could do anything to take that smile off your face..." She replied and Sara blushed. "So...what happened?"
Sara shook her head and turned around. "Nothing, I'm just having a good day."
"Or a good la-" Sara turned around and shot Kris a look, interrupting the sentence. "A good day...hmm...I wonder if that's anything like a good night..." Kris hinted and Sara rolled her eyes.
"No, I didn't have sex last night Kris, so get your mind out of the gutters...you can be as bad as Greg..." Sara quickly diminished Kris' thoughts, not wanting word of her getting laid to seep into the work detrimental CSI grapevine.
"Hey!" Kris and Greg objected in unison as Greg walked into the room. Sara and Kris turned to look at the peculiar lab tech. "I take that as umbrage."
"Seriously Greggo, I think Griss wants his Thesaurus back...stick to the comics." Kris joked and Greg gave her a fake smile. She smiled as she poured herself a cup of coffee as Sara had, and joined her at the table.
"Ha ha. You're a riot Kris. But no, my mind isn't always in the gutters...if it was, would I have time to read a Thesaurus?" He justified and Sara rolled her eyes.
Kris and Sara stared at Greg with weird looks on their faces. "Anyway..." Kris began after a beat. "Why are you having a good day?" It was obvious she wasn't letting this subject drop.
Sara sighed. "I just woke up in a good mood, didn't run into any jerks on the road, finished off a case here..." Sara let her explanation trail off as she took a sip of her coffee. Kris eyed her skeptically, but let it slide (for now) and took a sip of her coffee while flipping through her issue of Forensics Monthly.
Warrick walked into the break room with a big smile on his face. Everyone looked up, and Kris rolled her eyes. "God, why is everyone having such a good day except me?" she asked, looking at Greg, who shrugged as an answer.
"I'm not having a good day." He countered and Kris shrugged also, not knowing what was wrong with them.
"So, why are you having a good day, Warrick?" Sara asked, somewhat relieved that she wouldn't be the only one on the spot for her happiness.
Warrick smiled dopily and plopped down into the chair across from Sara. "It's Friday," he said, sighing. "Hallelujah, its Friday!" he exclaimed and everyone laughed at his outburst.
"Long week?" Sara asked and Warrick shook his head.
"Like you wouldn't believe. Cath and I just got back from our scene...double trick roll, a dead clown, three transvestites, and a guilty bank manager..." Warrick shook his head and Kris dropped her jaw.
"Damn...I've been in Vegas for a week, and I've heard the stories about the crazy shit that goes on here...but I had no idea..."
Warrick chuckled. "That wouldn't even make my top five...but it still is pretty crazy." Warrick admitted and snatched Sara's coffee cup up, taking a quick sip, knowing she wouldn't want it back once he had taken a drink of it. It was his signature way of getting coffee without actually getting coffee. Sara rolled her eyes, but her smile from earlier still on her face.
It wasn't only that Grissom had complimented her on a job well done; but that he had said it twice, and looked her in the eye...
Maybe their relationship was pulling the blindfold away from his eyes in certain areas of their work relationship...
Maybe now he wouldn't be so tedious about giving her due praise...
Just maybe...
Catherine interrupted Sara's thoughts by sauntering into the room, a grin from ear to ear shining on her face. Sara stole a quick glance at Kris and Greg (who were scowling in envy). Sara chuckled while thinking,
Geez, maybe if they actually let go of the anger and repressed jealousy they could have a good day...
"Okay...dare I ask...why are you happy today Catherine?" Greg muttered. She smiled and turned away from the coffee pot to face everyone.
"I just got a call from Lindsey's doctor...she's able to come home early." Catherine replied, a hint of pride in her voice. Everyone smiled and congratulated her...all of them glad to know that Lindsey was making progress (at least enough for her to go home).
"So tell me...how psyched was Linds when you told her?" Kris asked and Catherine laughed.
"She was practically ecstatic. It's the first smile I've seen on her in too long..." She shook her head as she let the thought trail off. Everyone chuckled.
"Well, when can we see her?" Greg asked and Catherine thought about it.
"Well, I'm going to be with her over the weekend, TGIF," She chuckled and continued, "And then they're sending an in home nurse to help her while I work. So...anytime after this weekend I guess." Catherine explained.
"Well, at least that's when we get to see her; Warrick gets to see her whenever the hell he wants. Ah, one of the many rewards of sleeping with Catherine," Greg blurted, forgetting that Sara was in the room, and Catherine and Warrick didn't know he knew yet. Catherine and Warrick looked at Greg in sheer horror, while Greg quickly slapped his hand over his mouth, and Sara and Kris looked at each other guiltily.
"Greg...?" Catherine hissed.
"Oh yeah, guys, by the way...I kinda know about you two." Greg apologized, the apology muffled by his hand. Catherine sighed in exasperation as she and Warrick looked over at Sara. They expected to see disappointment, puzzlement, and at the least shock...but they were the ones disappointed, confused, and shocked.
"Um...yeah, I already knew about the two of you too..." Sara admitted and Warrick and Catherine looked at each other confused, then back to the other three.
"Okay, who all knows about us...?" Warrick asked gesturing between himself and Catherine.
Kris, Sara, and Greg exchanged glances and thought about it. "Um...well, I know, Sara, Kris, David, Nick, and I'm pretty sure Brass does." Greg answered.
"Do either Griss or Ecklie?"
"Nah, Grissom's blissfully unaware (as usual), and Ecklie's got his head so far up his own ass he wouldn't know you two were involved if the two of ya fucked on his desk." Kris answered, and Sara flinched at Kris' harsh language, figuring she'd probably grow accustomed to it quickly since everyone else had.
Catherine nodded slowly. "Good...and as far as I know, departmental relationships aren't prohibited."
"At least as long as it isn't between a supervisor and a subordinate." Warrick interjected and Sara almost winced from the news.
Oh God...oh shit...oh no...does Gil know...is he delightfully naïve as usual...or was he just keeping it from me...?
"Well...we're not breaking any rules so far..." Catherine decided and everyone stood in awkward silence. Greg looked around and noticed they were short a usual person.
"Hey, where's Nick?" He asked and everyone looked around, then to Kris.
She shrugged. "What? You all think I killed him and buried his body where no one will ever find it...?" She joked dryly and everyone looked away, not quite sure if they should answer that question. "Ah, speak of the Devil." Kris replied as Nick walked into the room, and everyone else's gaze turned to him.
"Dude, where have you been? Shift started like an hour ago..." Warrick informed him and Nick shook his head.
"I know, but I got caught up with somethin." He answered ambiguously as he went over and poured himself what was left of the coffee.
"...And that would be..." Catherine urged and Nick only shrugged his shoulders, not turning around. She was about to protest when Grissom walked in the room, assignment slips in hand.
"Las Vegas is busy my CSIs. Tonight...people are dead, houses are robbed, persons are missing, and criminals walk the streets..." Grissom informed them all ominously.
"Ooh. Nice one Boss...got anymore creepy haikus for us?" Greg joked, causing the other patrons to stifle laughter as Grissom gave the lab tech an unfriendly smile.
"Yes, in fact Gregory, I do...tonight, a CSI will investigate a 419," He handed Catherine a slip of paper, "two CSIs will inspect a 406," He handed Warrick and Kris slip of paper, "And two other CSIs will try to locate an omitted woman." He handed the last paper to Nick and Sara. "While a lone lab rat sits in his lab 'till he has something to do." Grissom replied, a smug grin on his bearded face.
Nick chuckled and shook his head. "Burn Greggo, burn."
"Aww. baby's first burn." Kris teased, feigning excitement and cherishing the moment by covering her mouth with her hand. "Kodak moment." She took an invisibly picture of Nick, who was shooting daggers at her.
"Damn...I get scolded and she still finds a way to burn him..." Greg noted as everyone filed out of the room, Greg tagging along behind Kris, smiling at her in awe.
She shrugged and smiled. "Yeah, I'm amazing like that." She joked and threw an arm around his shoulders. "Besides, I can't have him messin with my boy can I?" She asked and ruffled Greg's already crazy hair before walking away, leaving Greg gapping at her...
Her boy...?
A grin broke out across his face and he smiled as he strolled to his lab, whistling as he did so. Warrick and Catherine shook their heads at Kris and the lab tech as Kris neared them. "I'll meet you at my Tahoe...you're drivin." Warrick replied and tossed the keys to her.
Kris rolled her eyes as she slid into her jacket. It had warmed up quite a bit considering it had been snowing only a week prior, yet it was still cold enough to make Sara resent Vegas (not as much as she resented New York though). "Gee, thanks. How could I ever thank you?" Kris replied acerbically.
"Hey, you are a sarcastic one aren't you?" Warrick joked, and she stuck her tongue out at him as she walked towards the front doors. Warrick smiled and looked back at Catherine, then around them to make sure no one was watching as he planted a kiss on her glossed lips. "I'll see you later Baby...and remember, no more texting me at scenes." He joked.
Catherine laughed. "You started it that time."
"Did not."
"I know, but I'm still blaming you."
Warrick scoffed. "Typical Catherine, always blaming things on me and making me clean up your messes."
"Yeah...but that's why you love me." She insisted and Warrick smiled sincerely at her, his blue green eyes meeting her lighter blue ones.
"Absolutely."
Catherine blushed and smiled, as she slowly backed away from him. "...I'll see you later." She turned and left him watching her walk away, knowing a smile would be on his face from watching her behind sway, something she often added to her walk just for him.
She sauntered out the front doors of the lab, sliding into her coat as she made her way to her Tahoe, and driving off to the location of the scene.
Warrick chuckled as he went to his Tahoe and saw Kris bobbing her head and singing along with the rock 'n roll blasting from the car. He winced slightly and climbed into the passenger seat. "So what classical music are you listening to my dear Kristina?" Warrick inquired sarcastically.
"Fall Out Boy, Our Lawyer Made Us Change the Name of This Song So We Wouldn't Get Sued." She answered and Warrick raised a brow.
"What a name."
"Hell yea! Best thing is, it has absolutely no relevance to the song. Very few of their titles do." She informed him as the song ended and the next one began.
"And the title of this would be...?"
"This is Of All the Gin Joints in All the World..." She skipped a few tracks on the CD player. "And this one is I Slept With Someone in Fall Out Boy and All I Got Was This Stupid Song Written About Me." She informed him and began singing along with the words.
"Nice."
"I found the cure to growing older, and you're the only place that feels like home. Just so you know, you'll never know. And some secrets weren't meant to be told. But I found the cure to growing older I'm the first kid to write of hearts, lies, and friends. And I am sorry my conscience called in sick again. And I've got arrogance down to a science. Oh, and I'm the first kid to write of hearts, lies, and friends."
Warrick shook his head at the music and Kris and tried to ignore them.
"Douse yourself in cheap perfume it's so fitting, so fitting of the way you are. You can't cover it up. Can't cover it up. Douse yourself in cheap perfume it's so fitting, so fitting of the way you are. You can't cover it up. Can't cover it up. Find a safe place, brace yourself, bite your lips. I'm sending your fingernails and empty bottles you've sipped back to your family. Cause I know you will be missed. So you can find a safe place, brace yourself. They call kids like us vicious and carved out of stone. But for what we've become, we just feel more alone. Always weigh what I've got against what I left. So progress report: I am missing you to death."
Warrick tried to ignore her further as she danced slightly in her seat and continued bobbing her head carefully, as not to run them off the road.
A minute later the song ended as they pulled up to a stop light, and Kris broke out in air guitar and dancing wildly in her seat. Warrick laughed loudly at her antics and hid his face in embarrassment at the surrounding cars' sudden interest in Kris.
She didn't seem to notice until she looked over and smiled at Warrick, her intention had been to make him laugh...it seemed to have worked. She blushed as she looked around and noticed the several people in the cars around them laughing, and a few of older teenagers began applauding her and winking, obviously not realizing she was a bit older than them (not that they would have cared).
Warrick laughed at her. "Did you ever think about becoming a rock star?"
"Every damn day!" She exclaimed. "Hey, you know, I could always quit CSI and go for life on the road." She replied jokingly.
"No! I'd get stuck with all your cases." Warrick exclaimed and she laughed.
"Aw, Rick!" She threw a hand over her heart, knowing that he'd probably miss her. "You could always come with me. You play piano right?"
"Uh...I don't like playing for strangers."
"Well I hate singing in front of strangers and I only play my guitar for D.D., who by the way also thinks I could be a rock star." Warrick laughed. "C'mon. It'd be fun." She continued as the light turned green and they drove down the street.
"Yeah, I could do that." He joked.
"We could always get Greggo to play guitar for us. We'd have our own little band." She said mock-excitedly.
Warrick laughed, "Uh huh, had to sneak 'your boy' in there somehow huh?" Warrick teased and she furred her brow.
"What?"
He laughed again. "Dude, he obviously has it for you...and you don't seem to mind that too much."
She shook her head. "Nah, it's just harmless flirting. He does the same with Sara, and he used to with Catherine."
"Eh I don't know...yeah he's got a crush on Sara...but I think the boy, excuse me, your boy," She rolled her eyes and he smirked. "...has moved on."
"Whatever Rick..." She said while chuckling. "Nothing would happen...I couldn't risk splitting up the band." She joked.
"Ah yes, we must protect the future of 'The CSI 3'."
She laughed and shook her head. "Is that our name...?"
"Yes. Why?"
She laughed harder. "It sucks!"
"What? It does not!"
"Yeah huh...it's gotta be somethin cool like... 'The Sludge Buckets'," she joked and Warrick looked at her in horror.
"I am not being part of a band called, 'The Sludge Buckets'."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Is our imaginary wanna-be band's name not good enough for you?" She mocked offense and Warrick played along.
"Yes. It's utterly ghastly."
She scoffed. "Fine, I'll get Greg's opinion on the names." She joked.
"No! No fair! He'd side with you!"
She smiled deviously. "That's why I'd ask him."
Warrick shook his head. "That's why we'd need Nick in our band..."
"What! Hell no! No banjo boys allowed in the rock band!"
Warrick laughed, "Yes! I need someone to rebut all of your ideas! Greg will side with you on everything, and Nick would go against you..."
"Leaving you to even the score."
"Exactly."
"We'd never decide on anything."
"Which is why we'd end up calling our band The CSI Sludge Buckets'." Warrick pointed out, and Kris laughed hysterically.
"I like that name!" She decided finally. "And then I'd kick Nick out of the band because he serves no purpose."
"Ouch!"
"Well what's he gonna do? Stand there and look slightly appealing to every other woman in society but me?" She asked and Warrick laughed.
"Nope that'd be my job." Warrick replied and she laughed.
"You're right. Therefore he serves no purpose."
"We could use him as a shield from crazed fans..." Warrick suggested.
She laughed. "There ya go!" She continued driving down the street, a goofy grin on her face. "Man, our make-believe, wanna-be, rock band is the best!"
Saturday December 17, 2004
CSI Crime Lab
Greg's DNA Lab
2:04 a.m.
"What do you mean Kris is leaving CSI to start a rock band?" Greg exclaimed in horror. Catherine smiled and nodded slowly, finding it amusing how gullible the man could be sometimes.
"I'm only relaying what Warrick told me..."
"She can't seriously be leaving." Greg was so downhearted it would have made Catherine feel guilty if she wasn't getting such a kick out of it.
"Who's leaving?" Sara asked, walking in the room with Nick trailing closely behind her.
"Please God, let it be Anderson," Nick begged, folding his hands as though he were praying and pointing them up towards Heaven.
"Wish granted." Greg replied droopily. Catherine bit her tongue to keep from doubling over laughing. This was meant to be a simple rib on Greg...and it was getting good.
"What! She's leaving! But she just got here!" Sara exclaimed, she hadn't spent much time with the younger woman but (in a very unlike Sara way) she had taken to her immediately. Sara slapped Nick upside the back of the head, much like the way everyone normally did Greg. "Good job! It's your fault she's leaving," Sara blamed the Texan, who was rubbing the back of his head, feeling half guilty, half happy.
Catherine squeezed her eyes shut and tried her hardest not to laugh, even though a grin had broken free and displayed its self across her attractive visage.
Warrick walked into the room and felt the change in atmosphere, from the relaxed hallway to the tension filled DNA lab. "Uh...what's goin on in here?"
"Oh like you don't know! You're the one who told Catherine!" Greg accused. Warrick raised his brow.
"Told Catherine what...?"
"About Anderson leaving." Nick informed him and Warrick looked over at Catherine. She shot him a look saying 'don't spoil my fun' and he kept his mouth shut and shook his head.
"You mean about her wanting to be a rock star?" He asked although he knew the answer.
"What?" Nick and Sara both shouted in disbelief. They knew about her love of rock, but they didn't know she wanted to be a rock star...despite her laid back demeanor...she could be very shy and a little too serious at times. In fact, Warrick had begun describing her as half Catherine half Grissom. The joke throughout the nightshift and several of the lab techs was that, if Grissom and Catherine ever had a baby...it'd be Kris.
"I can't believe she's leaving..." Greg whispered, plopping down in his chair, the look on his face was one of someone who had just been told their puppy died in a brutal pitchfork incident. Warrick looked at Catherine pleadingly and she merely smiled evilly and shook her head.
"I hear she wants to name her band 'The CSI Sludge Buckets'." Catherine supplied and Warrick shot her a glare. She merely chuckled at the expressions on everyone's faces.
Warrick gave in and began to play along. "She asked me to join the band as the pianist, Greg, she wants you to be the drummer, and Nick gets to be the shield we throw in front of all the crazies..." Warrick replied and Nick rolled his eyes.
"I ain't jumpin in front of any crazies for her." He muttered and Catherine suppressed a chuckle while thinking,
I wondering how long we could actually keep this going...
"What's this I hear through the CSI grapevine about Kris leaving?" Grissom asked, walking in the lab, a case file in hand and puzzled look on his face.
Apparently not very long...
Warrick whipped around in surprise. "Who told you?"
"I heard Greg yelling." They all turned to face the depressed lab tech, not really listening to any of them. Catherine looked at Warrick, both of them displaying guilty expressions.
"She wants to become a rock star." Greg relayed disbelievingly.
Grissom furred his brow and looked around the room for confirmation. Sara nodded and Grissom shook his head. "Um...wow..." Was all he could think of to say. "I-I guess...we just...support her."
"Support who?" Kris asked, meeting up with the entire team in Greg's lab. Everyone turned to look at her, and Warrick and Catherine had the 'oh shit we're screwed' looks on their faces. "What's goin on?"
"I hear you're leaving CSI..." Grissom began.
"Leaving?" She asked confused.
"To become a rock star." Greg replied bitterly and Kris looked confused for a moment, before realizing what they were talking about. She shot a glare at Warrick, who was torn between laughing and running for dear life.
She shook her head. "Warrick Brown your ass is mine." She declared and made a move to run towards him. Warrick took off running, admittedly worried about what the fiery redhead would do to him if she got a hold of him. Though she was about five inches shorter than him...she could still do much damage. The two ran around Greg's lab before Grissom's voice rang out.
"Come on you two...Warrick, Kris!" He shouted, but the two weren't listening. Grissom motioned for Nick to step in, and he grabbed Kris and picked her up off the floor, and carried her away from Warrick.
"Eww! If you don't put me down Stokes you're next!" She threatened, and he immediately released her, letting her fall to the floor. She glared and adjusted her shirt.
"Now Kris...why are you leaving CSI to become a rock star and why are you claiming Warrick's rear?" Grissom asked and she glared at Warrick again.
"I am not leaving CSI to become a rock star."
"Damn..." Nick muttered, and was rewarded with six glares.
"Warrick and I were joking around in the car about me becoming a rock star..." Kris admitted reluctantly.
Warrick held up his hands in surrender. "I didn't tell anyone besides Cat."
"Warrick!" Catherine hissed, knowing the red head's wrath would now be aimed at her. She sighed. "It was meant to be a joke on Greg...but I uh...I took it farther than I should have and I'm," She paused and looked at Warrick who shot her a look telling her to own up to her mistake. "Sorry." She finished and smiled guiltily at Kris, who sighed and shook her head.
"Well then...I see we have no real problem here...everyone get back to work." Grissom ordered and exited the room. Greg smiled at Kris.
"So...you're not leaving?" He asked hopefully and Kris shook her head.
"Nope."
Greg released a breath of relief. "Good! I can get back to work now..." He began working on his samples from earlier and everyone shook their heads.
"So, I take it you don't have our buccal swabs processed yet." Nick observed.
"Or our blood samples." Warrick guessed.
"And I'll take it my hairs aren't ready yet, huh?" Catherine supposed.
"Catherine, you just brought your evidence in twenty minutes ago, no Nick, your buccal swabs aren't done yet, and Rick, yours will take the longest because there are two different types of blood on each swab."
Warrick's eyes widened. "Cross contamination!"
"Yes, but not from my lab. You gave 'em to me that way...two people's blood was mixed...my poor run down machine is still working on it." Greg said patting the printer gently.
"Wait...so, the blood was mixed? Do you know how many different samples there were total?"
"Three. DNA sample #1 and #2 were on the first swab, then #2 and #3 on the second, #3 and #1 on the third, and finally, #1 only on the fourth." The printer spit out the results and Warrick snatched it up.
"No friggin way..." He said unbelievingly.
"Catherine, your hairs are next, then you Nick." Greg replied and Nick's eyes widened.
"What? But I brought my evidence here first." Nick whined and Catherine rolled her eyes.
"Suck it up Nicky...I've got sonority." She replied and winked as she walked out of the room. Kris and Warrick chuckled as they walked out behind her, and Nick stood there pouting and shaking his head.
"It ain't fair..." He muttered and stormed out of the room. Sara laughed and shook her head as she walked out.
"God I'm working with a group of insane CSIs!" She declared and Greg scoffed.
"At least you are a CSI," Greg mumbled and continued sorting his way through the piles of evidence waiting to be processed.
CSI Crime Lab
Locker Room
5:12 a.m.
"C'mon man, fifty bucks says Greg doesn't become a CSI for another month," Nick drawled as he laced up his boots and looked up to see Warrick chuckling and shaking his head as he buttoned up the clean shirt he had thrown on over his black under shirt.
"Nah man...I'm out of the gambling business."
"No, you're only out of the gamlin business when it comes to Greggo and that's because you lost last time." Nick teased and Warrick shot him a look, causing Nick to laugh more.
"No, I think it's wrong to bet on your friends..."
"...And loose." Nick continued to tease and Warrick shook his head, smiling deviously.
"Ya know, I think you would have learned your lesson not to bet on people when Kris reamed your ass."
Nick shot him a glare and stood up to change his shirt. "She didn't ream my ass."
"That isn't what I heard." Warrick sang as Sara walked in, discussing something intently with Catherine. Catherine looked up and saw Warrick, resulting in a big grin across her face. She walked over and quickly pecked him on the lips.
"Oooooh!" Nick and Sara sang like a couple of third graders. Warrick and Catherine pulled away to glare at the two, who eventually ended up laughing.
"Look, just because you know doesn't mean you get to be all stupid about it, keep in mind very few others know."
"Yeah and we'd like to keep it that way for a while." Warrick added as Nick and Sara rolled their eyes.
"Alright, but just because we know doesn't mean we wanna see ya'll all up on each other..." Nick motioned them making out with his hands and Sara slapped him upside the back of the head. He winced and rubbed his head. "Hey..."
Sara shrugged innocently as Warrick and Catherine laughed. They were too much like brother and sister sometimes...
"Alright, the diner? I hear Carmen has the New Jersey Special up today...it is Saturday right?" Warrick asked and Catherine nodded.
"Yeah, but I have to be home by 11. Lindsey's new house nurse is coming over today so I can meet her early."
Warrick nodded. "Are you two in?"
"Yeah, I just gotta check in on our case with Griss, but we should be good to go." Sara replied.
"I'm in."
"Cool." Warrick nodded as Kris walked in, her nose buried in a case file, but occasionally flipping over to an issue of Forensics Monthly. She didn't acknowledge anyone in the room, simply lifted her head.
"Sara, Grissom said that you would know the chances of collecting DNA from a cigarette," she stated and Sara nodded.
"Yeah."
"And those would be...?"
"67...why?"
She shook her head and stuck her head back in the case file. "B&E with very little evidence." She mumbled and turned to leave the room.
"Hey Kris, you comin to breakfast?" Warrick asked and Kris shook her head before disappearing from the room. The foursome shrugged and Sara went to go see Grissom about the 'case'...
She sauntered into his office and closed the door behind her. He looked up and smiled when he saw it was her. "Hey you." He said softly and she felt a grin break out across her face.
Damn...how does this man do this to me with only two words...?
"Hey yourself...are you comin to breakfast with the team minus Kris?"
Grissom smiled sadly and shook his head. "No."
"Aw, come on. We always get better service with you there."
Grissom chuckled. "Well, I would love to go, but there are very few things there that would keep me from bending you over the table right then and there." Grissom stated and she gaped at him.
"Gil..." She replied a little stunned. He smirked and pulled off his glasses.
"Plus: I've got Ecklie breathing down my neck."
"What's he complaining about now?" Sara asked, extremely exasperated at the dick head of a Lab Director.
"Anything and everything."
"Well...I guess if you can't come to breakfast...then I'll have to see you at my house later...I won't even subject you to my cooking." She replied matter-of-factly and Grissom smirked.
"I'll be there around eight-ish." Grissom stated and she smiled and walked out.
"See you then."
Grissom sighed, wishing he could be with her at the moment, but knowing it probably wasn't the wisest choice. He had been overly stressed, and was in desperate need of some sleep (and figuring he wouldn't be getting any later) he should catch up on as much as he could now. He sighed as he looked at his watch, then began to clean up his desk for the shift and head to his house to prepare himself for his 'aerobics' with Sara later...
Break Room
11:21 a.m.
Kris checked her watch and saw that her aerobics class started in a half hour, and if she didn't leave now she wouldn't make the class. Kris sighed and sat back in her chair and closed her eyes, rubbing the tiredness out of them the best she could. She checked her watch again and growled in frustration. There was no way she was going to make it to the gym in time.
She sighed and stood up, stretching her body to work out the kinks in it as she picked up her papers and walked into the hallway. Her nose was once again buried in the case file, and she almost collided with Ecklie. Their eyes met and they glared at each other. "Anderson," he snipped.
"Yes. What can I do for you Conrad?" she said mock-pleasantly, much in the way Grissom would have.
"Where's Gil?" He asked, not bothering to correct her on the fact that she had called him Conrad. Normally she would have referred to him by his last name because of his seniority...but she really didn't give a rat's ass.
"I don't know. Wasn't my turn to watch him," she replied, ignoring whatever he might have to say to her next by sticking her nose back in the papers and walking towards the locker room. Ecklie watched her as she left.
Hmm...pretty face, good rack, great ass...she's a bitch though...
He noted and walked back off to his office. Kris pushed open the locker room door with her elbow and sat down on the bench, not noticing anyone else was in there.
"Whoa!" Greg exclaimed when he turned around to see her there. Kris looked up surprised and covered her eyes to shield his shirtless body from her (he he).
"Sorry!" She exclaimed and turned away from him. "You blend in with the lockers..."
Greg chuckled nervously. "You didn't see my hair?"
Kris chuckled. "No."
"You can turn around now."
"...Are you dressed?" She asked, not quite sure she could trust him. She could practically hear him roll his eyes and she chuckled and turned back towards her locker. She opened it up without getting up from the bench and took out her gym bag.
"What are you still doing here? Didn't your shift end like three or four hours ago?"
Kris looked at him. "What are you still doing here?"
"Ecklie's got me playing 'little minion'. Apparently Brian from days is off this week."
"Damn...so are you pullin doubles all week?"
Greg shook his head. "Only every other shift. Ecklie's got it worked out between Kevin Jordans and me." Kris nodded slowly, as she shut her locker and stood up to leave. "Hey, wait..." She turned around slightly to see him leaning against the locker. "What are you doing in a few hours?"
"Nothing," she answered.
"Well you are now. You're coming out for drinks with me," Greg said and Kris turned fully to face him, jutted her hip out to the side and cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Oh, really?"
"Yep. I'll pick you up at 7:30 sharp so you'll have enough time to sleep and do whatever things girls do before they go out," Greg replied nonchalantly. Kris was a bit taken back by his smooth, confident demeanor...
She pursed her lips and raised both eyebrows showing she was impressed. "Okay...drinks at 7:30."
Greg smiled at her. "Okay." The stood there in compatible silence for a few minutes before Greg spoke again, a Cheshire cat grin on his face. "It was the whole assertive confidence thing that made you cave in wasn't it?"
Kris laughed and nodded. "Yeah, actually it was."
Greg shrugged and nodded. "I figured that'd be the key to getting you to say yes..."
She chuckled again. "Okay, pick me up here." She handed him a slip of paper she had jotted her current address on and handed it to Greg.
Greg studied it for a few moments, confused. "This is Nick's house."
"Uh huh..."
"...Because every girl hangs out at Nick's place before going out for drinks?"
"Nope, that's where every girl goes after she goes out for drinks." She joked and Greg laughed.
"Damn! You can burn him even when he's not around!"
She smiled and shook her head. "Yeah, I'm amazing like that," she replied jokingly and walked out of the locker room.
Greg smiled as he watched the door she disappeared from. "Yep...you are."
Catherine's House
1:30 p.m.
"No...I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"No mom!"
"Lindsey, you need to talk to someone."
"No." Lindsey said firmly.
"Lindsey-" Catherine began but was cut off when Lindsey hurled a cup of water at the wall by the door Catherine was standing in. The girl folded her arms across her chest defiantly and gave her mom a hard glare. Catherine was about two seconds away from blowing up at the girl, but remembered what stress they were both under, and how that would only add stress, and nothing would get solved.
"Leave me alone." Lindsey growled in a low voice, not looking at her mother. Catherine sighed and walked out the door, closing it behind her. Lindsey stared at the wall next to the door her mom had exited for a few more minutes before, and felt a small tear stray down her cheek. She rolled over onto her side, facing away from the door, and let her tears fall.
Before she knew it she had cried herself to sleep, and her tiny Arctic Bluebird watched her from its golden, Victorian style cage hung on its perch by her window.
Antares chirped as it saw a group of birds fly by...ones much similar to itself, and hopped back and forth on the tiny perch jutting out from the cage, giving it a place to stand. It chirped softer as the birds flew farther into the distance, leaving Antares behind. The bird looked at Lindsey's sleeping form, then to the liberated world beyond the cage, then back to Lindsey.
The bird slowly turned back to face Lindsey, at sat there, watching her chest rise and fall rhythmically, and soon the bird's feather chest was in sync with the girl's. Both of them liberated from their onerous situations by the ease of a dream...and sometimes, that's all that was needed.
CSI Crime Lab
Grissom's Office
4:09 p.m.
"Come on...just one damn paper...that's all I need." Ecklie growled as he rooted around through Grissom's drawers in search of any piece of evidence contradicting the high held integrity of the CSI Nightshift. "Damn!" Ecklie cursed and rubbed his bald head in aggravation.
He stormed out of the office and stalked down the halls to the front desk. He walked up to it and laid his hands out flat on the counter like top. The receptionist (Judy-what's-her-face) looked up and smiled at him. "Hello Mr. Ecklie...um, what can I do for you?" She asked nervously and tried her hardest to keep from blushing.
"Hi Judy." He replied with a big grin on his face, he leaned forward on the counter and smiled at her. "Can I ask you a favor?"
She blushed and nodded vigorously. "Yes sir...anything sir."
Ecklie smiled. "You see, I have something I need to do...but I need some contact forms for it."
Judy brightened up. "I have the contact forms." A big grin broke out across her face as she realized she could actually be of assistance to someone.
Duh...
Ecklie forced a smile. "Yeah, I know...I was wondering if I could have the forms for the CSI nightshift..." He flashed her a smile that would make any normal person sick to their stomach, but for some reason other than nausea, Judy's stomach began to fill with butterflies.
"I could get those for you." She said brightly and went into the drawer by her desk and located the entire team's contact sheets. "Here you go..." She handed him the files and smiled nervously. She flashed a flirty grin and Ecklie smiled and nodded to her with his head.
"Thank you Judy uh-" He stopped a minute to think about what her last name was, and realized he didn't know. "Judy." He smiled and quickly scurried off to his office.
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A/N: (ducks under desk to avoid flying objects from computer screen) I know I know! I'm a horrible person for making someone have a crush on Ecklie (cringes at thought). But hey...it had to be somebody...so it might as well be Judy-what's-her-face... (chuckles) yes, some of you might have gotten the impression that She isn't my most favorite character... (grimaces at thought of Judy-what's-her-face).
Just so everyone knows, that last scene was created merely to bash Judy-what's-her-face and her existence. She's about as bad as Sofia-nobody-cares-enough-to-write-her-last-name (grimaces again and shudders). Uck. Something about the two of them annoys me. Why?...well, let's just say that someone made Sofia and Nicky a couple --icky Sonics-- as well Nick and Judy --pssh...they weren't even important enough to have a shipper name-- (gags and runs to vomit in a trash can while Tigger points and laughs).
Oh go away Tigger! I read a book where Grissom cheated on Sara with Sofia! (Tigger gags and runs for trashcan while Chella snickers evilly)
Anyway...
The Lindsey/Catherine drama continues... aaaahhh, just when you thought we were in the clear...I throw ya'll back in the woods! Ha ha!
The Nick-Kris-hate-each-other Plot Bunny prolongs! And now they're living together! (shakes head) how will they make it out of this one?
Grissom and Sara are back in Vegas!...but you already knew that so...
Moving on...
Greg/Kris ship in store? Hmm...maybe...who really knows? I mean really...ps, the answer is no one.
And as for Warrick/Catherine...pure fluff! --mixed in with Cath's evil-ness and the usual Greg torture-- Hope I didn't gross any of you angst-ers out with all the fluff...I myself gagged a couple times XD. Yes yes, I'm very angsty.
Okay...so I'm rambling...next chapter anyone?
Sorry, you'll have to wait till next week (crosses fingers) hopefully...
Reviews are the bestest! XD
Thanks to my new beta- MootheQuackingCow :)
-Chella Belle