It had been a week after I had started my new employment and it seemed I had already gathered a routine. It involved sleep, work, eat, back to sleep. It became a deadly cycle and although I really did want to see what Las Vegas had to offer, I was too exhausted with the time changes to actually motivate myself to do anything. It took my about thirty minutes to get home because I had to take the bus, stupidly choosing a nice apartment over a car. I could, I suppose, go out with a co-worker from work if I had really wanted to, but anything that involved effort was automatically erased from my to-do list.

I had just gotten off shift and was riding the metro bus home when out of the corner of my eye, I swear I saw a familiar face, and someone not from work either. I slipped off my headphones and jerked up so quickly that the old lady sitting next to my grasped her chest in fright. I mumbled an apology and rapidly got off the bus. I walked down the sidewalk and finally towards a diner with neon flashing lights exclaiming the words Rico's.

I opened the door and the bell attached to it rang ever so slightly. It was pretty early in the morning but there were still tables filled with people too intrigued in their conversations to notice my arrival.

And that's when I saw the familiar face. And to be quite honest, I almost squealed with joy.

I strolled over to the counter nearest to him. He was looking through papers most likely concerning his business, which now that I think about it, this is diner. I don't know why I never even thought of it. I had passed by those blaring words Rico's every night for the past week.

"Da quando รจ nata la sua propria ristorante Rico?" I asked in Italian, placing my hands on the counter and making a reference to Rico's whereabouts.

He immediately lifted his head up at Italian words and gasped when he saw my face. "Mia bella!" he proclaimed loudly that people poked their heads up to hear. Rico hugged me from across the counter and kissed both of my cheeks excitedly.

When I lived in Italian throughout my childhood, Rico was a close friend of my grandmother. He was about sixty, yet had jet black hair slicked back and a matching black mustache. He was slightly portly but a joy to have around, his hearty laughter easily comforting. He helped look after me whenever my grandmother could not be around, due to her two jobs, and after college I had gotten out of touch with him. I didn't even know he had moved, much less to Las Vegas, considering he had been an Italian true and true. Although you could still see that in his diner, what with all the Italian flags and paintings lining the walls.

"Oh! Bella! Bella!" he exclaimed and I couldn't help but laugh at his happiness. "What a surprise! I missed you and so did your nonna!"

"I missed you too Rico! I never expected you to be here," I said, with a sigh of relief, happy that I found someone I actually know here in this city. I took a seat at one of the barstools and placed my things down on the counter. Rico barked for a near by waiter to bring me a Diet Coke and when I took out my money, he pushed it back into my bag.

We had a conversation for a couple of minutes, mostly in Italian with trace amounts of English, just for the amusement of talking in our native language. He told me he has a few diners scattered across Nevada, but his main one is here in Las Vegas. He told me that my nonna was doing good in Italy and that they still talk every other day. I felt a twinge of guilt knowing that I hadn't called her in awhile due to my crazyness at work. Then when we got on the subject of what I've been doing and once I told him I was working at the Las Vegas Crime Lab, he let out a roar of laughter.

"They come here all the time after work! I give them free meals sometimes, you know, because they make city so safe," he said. He looked over his shoulder and to the left. "Actually, they are here right now."

My smile faltered and I looked to where Rico was gazing at. Sure enough, there were some members of the Crime Lab sitting down and enjoying their breakfast. It was Nick, Warrick, and Grissom in a booth, their meals finished and cups of hot coffee were present. I felt my face grow hot and I turned away from them.

Rico looked over at me. "You know them yes?"

I nodded and tried to pretend nothing was bothering me. "Slightly, yes. They work on my shift."

He nodded as well. A phone ring could be heard from the back on the restaurant and Rico stood up from his slouched position. "Excuse me bella," he said and disappeared. That's when I noticed that I was sitting next to the cash register. And that the Crime Lab boys were done eating. But I couldn't move. I was motionless and I tried to find a way to get a way out without being noticeable. But, alas, nothing like that comes that easy to me.

"Mae?"

I looked next to me to see Nick standing there, money out, and check in hand. He was in front of the cash register and soon a waiter came by to help him. A smile that I didn't have to fake tugged at my lips.

"Hey Nick," I said, trying my best to keep my voice level at ease. "How's it going?"

The cashier handed him his change back and Nick shoved it in his front pocket. "Fine I suppose. I see, or better yet heard, that you know Rico," he noted to the loud expressions previously that Rico had given off.

I laughed and tried not to flush the color of a tomato. "All Italian people know each other," I said. "Did you just get off shift?"

"Yeah oddly enough I didn't have to work overtime," he said. "You like it here in Las Vegas so far?"

I brushed my bangs out of my eyes. "It's---"

"Mr. Stokes!" came Rico's voice, returning to his usual spot behind the counter and giving Nick a firm handshake. Rico looked over at me and I saw a glint in his eye. "Ah, you know Mae!" Oh dear. I had to leave before Rico got anymore excited.

I laughed slightly and nervously. "Yeah, well I've got to be going if I ever want to get some sleep."

Rico gave me a confused look. "Is your car in the parking lot?" he asked.

"Don't necessarily have one," I cringed. Rico narrowed his eyes. "Yet." He sighed. Nick was just standing there slightly amused. "Anyway. I'll see you later Rico." I gave my kisses to Rico and a slight wave to Nick then hurriedly left the diner as fast as I could.