Chapter One

The Intern

It was a busy evening at the Las Vegas crime lab. Grissom was sitting in his office going through a file. As he was reading Nick, Sara, Warrick and Catherine came into his office.

"What's going on Grissom? Why did you call all of us in here?" Catherine asked.

"We have an intern joining our team. Her name is Keara O'Sullivan, she's 23 and in her senior year at UNLV. As part of a federal work study and her final semester, her advisor is sending here for six months," Grissom explained.

"Why are they sending her here? Don't they have other labs more suitable for her? " Warrick questioned.

"She actually picked our lab from a list she was given. She found us to be the best out of all of the forensic labs on that list and there were labs from all over the country. Plus, she's a Vegas local so she won't have to move and take her remaining course at another university," Grissom answered.

"Personally, I think this is a great opportunity for both her and our lab," Nick chimed in.

"That's the first positive response to this internship I've heard," a voice said from the doorway.

They all turned around to see Keara standing at Grissom's doorway. She was a beautiful young lady. She had long strawberry blonde hair, sapphire blue eyes, a soft milky complexion and a thin, petite figure. She walked by Nick to get to Grissom's desk. Nick couldn't help but stare as she passed by. As she passed him the smell of peaches and sakura blossom flooded his senses.

"Gil Grissom I presume," Keara said as she held out her hand.

Grissom took it, she had a very firm grip, "yes, I'm pleased to meet you Keara. Let me introduce you to my team. Catherine Willows, Warrick Brown, Sara Sidle and Nick Stokes."

"It's a pleasure to meet you all. I'm really looking forward to starting my internship and working with all of you," Keara replied.

"So what made you want to become a CSI?" Nick asked.

"I love science. It has always been a passion of mine. I also enjoy solving problems and figuring out how a situation played out," Keara explained.

"How do your parents feel about your career choice?" Sara questioned.

"Not too thrilled about it, but they really didn't have a say in it," Keara answered.

"Well, we're happy to have you here with us. I'm going to have you work with Nick. He'll show you around the building, all the equipment and introduce you to some of our lab techs and other fellow employees," Grissom explained.

Nick nodded, "come on Keara, I'll give you the grand tour."

Nick led Keara out of Grissom's office and they headed down the hall. The rest of the team watched as they turned the corner.

"You think she'll last six months?" Warrick questioned.

Grissom smiled, "I think she'll do just fine. And the director is ready to offer her a position at the end of the internship if she does well."

"That's great, we could use a little more help around here," Catherine replied.

The first stop on the tour was the DNA lab. They walked inside and loud rock music filled the room.

"This is the DNA lab," Nick shouted over the music, "and this is Greg Sanders. He's our DNA tech!"

Greg turned his music down and spun around to face Nick and Keara.

"Sorry about that, the music helps me think," Greg apologized.

"Greg, meet Keara. She's our new intern," Nick introduced the two.

"Nice to meet you Greg. Good choice in music, what is that? Radiohead?" Keara asked.

Greg nodded in approval, "awesome, we need more rocker chicks in this place. I'll see you around, good luck."

"Thank you, I look forward working with you," Keara replied.

Nick and Keara left DNA and continued the tour. Nick opened the door to the trace lab and Keara walked in. As they walked inside Hodges was going through a bag of clothes.

"This is Dave Hodges, he runs our trace lab. Hodges this is Keara O'Sullivan, she's a student from UNLV. She'll be interning here for six months," Nick explained.

"It's nice to meet you," Keara said cheerfully.

"A pleasure," Hodges replied and continued with his work.

Nick put his hand on Keara's shoulder and led her out of the room and back into the hallway. They had a few more stops to make. He took her to the print lab, A/V lab and the ballistics lab. Everyone was very welcoming.

"Alright, we have one last stop to make," Nick stated.

"Which would be, where?" Keara asked curiously.

"The morgue," Nick replied.

They walked down the hall and got into the elevator. Nick hit the button for the bottom floor.

"So, why did you pick our lab?" Nick was trying to break the awkward silence.

"I've heard a lot of great things about Grissom. He sounds like a good guy and an even better CSI," Keara answered.

"He is a good man. I have a lot of faith and trust in Grissom. He's like a father to me."

They reached the bottom floor and the elevator doors opened. They walked out and headed into the autopsy room. Inside, Dr. Robbins was examining a body when they entered the room. It was the body of a young girl.

"Hey doc, I'd like to introduce you to our new intern," Nick introduced.

"Hello, I'd offer you my hand but," he said as he showed her his bloodied latex gloves.

"It's quite alright. It's a pleasure to meet you doctor," Keara replied with a smile.

"Keara will be working with us for six months," Nick explained.

"That's excellent, I'm sure you'll learn a lot. Nick here is a very good CSI," Dr. Robbins praised Nick.

Nick smiled, and then he took a look at the female victim on the table. "Whatcha got here doc?"

"Seventeen year old rape victim from the day shift. She sustained several cuts, bruises and contusions. She was a fighter. COD looks like asphyxiation due to strangulation," the doc replied.

Keara's face turned white, she looked ill. She started to feel a little light headed.

"Are you okay?" Nick asked softly and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I think I just need to sit down," she whispered.

Doc Robbins understood, he just nodded at Nick. Nick nodded in return and led Keara out into the hallway. He had her sit down on a chair that was up against the wall. She sat in the chair and put her head between her legs.

"That's it, take slow, deep breaths. Don't worry, the morgue can get to people like that sometimes," Nick said as he stroked her back.

Keara slowly sat up, "I think it was just the fact that her organs were outside of her body."

Nick chuckled, "don't worry, you'll get used to it. If it makes you feel better, most people actually vomit during their first autopsy."

Keara sighed, "not really, but thanks for trying."

Nick shrugged and Keara put her head back between her legs.

~*Okay so that was chapter one. I hope you liked it, if you did please leave a review. Chapter Two up soon.*~