I do not own CSI

Rated T

*AUTHOR'S NOTE:

When I get an email that says "Fan Review" I literally get excited hoping for encouragement - It helps me get the confidence to continue, especially when I am not a real writer, compliments and encouragement mean a lot. So, my apologies for asking for reviews so much. Today, when I saw a review arrive, my Happy Dance did not last once I read it and is the cause for my apology. I will share my latest review, perhaps you will agree and want to congratulate her on being brave enough to say it. Here is what "JEN" my reviewer had to say...

Its kinda annoying that you keep asking for reviews. if someone likes your chapter they'll write a review you don't have to keep

asking. and its funny how you keep "blackmailing" us "Is the story too long? Should I

continue? I wish I knew if I was wasting my time or not." i think saying that is stupid.

Brave enough to say it, "JEN" is too cowardly to review without anonymity, so I must respond here: I am not forcing you to read my work so I can't blackmail you in to it. If you find me stupid and annoying, please, I suggest you move along and find another story and keep your insults to yourself. Funny how you can take the time to bash someone but not build them up as a writer...that's very telling. According to the rules on this site, I am not allowed to post a note without a story attached so I will add a chapter I have already written... I'm glad I wrote it ahead of time. I spend far too much time writing this story as it is but I enjoyed writing it. Well, Jen, if you wanted to taint the fun in my hobby and take the wind out of my sails, you managed to do it very well...I am hopeful I will blow past it though, if not I always have a lot of laundry to catch up on so thank you.

Enjoy this chapter...it had been written through encouragement.

The moonlight splashed through the blinds and blanketed the room subtly. It was glowing in just a way that made her dark hair, that was cascading around the pillow, glisten and shine.

He couldn't help watching her as she slept.

"I always knew you were a good lookin' girl, Trist, but my God, how did I not see how beautiful you are?" he whispered to her. "What's got you so torn up, Sweetheart? What has you running like the house is on fire?" he asked her knowing she wouldn't respond.

Warrick was having a hard time sleeping. It was a crazy night. He was just coming down from the realization that she was in real trouble before he got to her. Jules wasn't wrong to worry, but he would never let her know how right she was. He was just happy he went to find her before…. Warrick squeezed his eyes shut…he couldn't bring himself to think about her back in that alley.

He stared around at the room and admired the décor. He liked her style and flair. He looked to the left and saw a picture on the nightstand. Leaning his arm over he moved the frame so he could see it. The frame held three small pictures. One of the pictures was of the profiles of Trista and Jules from many years ago; they were looking at each other and laughing. Warrick thought back and was pretty sure he was the one who took that picture. The next picture was of Nick holding Emma up on his shoulders. Nick was looking up at Emma and she was looking down at him. The third picture was Emma with a fist full of cotton candy, wearing a baseball cap backwards and smiling wide.

Warrick leaned his arm over and grabbed another frame off the night stand and spent a longer time staring at that picture. It was a 5x7 of all four of them on the dance floor at Nick and Jules' wedding reception. Nick was smiling wide into the camera as Jules stood next to him in her beautiful white gown. She was standing sideways with both arms wrapped around Nick's neck, his head pulled toward her and her lips smashed into his cheek. Warrick stood next to his sister looking at the camera with a proud, open mouthed smile and Trista stood next to Nick, holding his arm and laughing at Jules' attack on new husband.

He remembered that night well, and he remembered exactly when that picture was taken. They were supposed to all be looking and smiling at the camera but Jules lost her mind for a minute and turned, reached over, grabbed Nick's neck, and pulled his head down to kiss his face hard. Warrick was sure she just ruined the picture but it turned out to be one of the best candid photos of the night. Warrick looked at himself in his tuxedo and Trista in her bridesmaid dress. She didn't have to be facing the camera for him to see how beautiful she was. He smiled softly and wondered how he could have possibly not seen then what he sees now.

Warrick stared at the images of the four of them for a long time before finally deciding to shut the moonlight out along with his thoughts. He put the picture back, got up from the bed and walked to the window.

As he pulled the blinds down they slipped and made a subtle noise.

She gasped and jolted upright.

Warrick turned quickly.

"Whoa, hey, hey," he said scurrying back to the bed, "I'm right here."

"Warrick!" she screamed and wrapped her arms around his neck as he sat on the side of her bed next to her.

He could feel her heart pounding hard and fast.

"It was just a dream…just a dream," he whispered and rubbed her back as he held her.

She pulled back and took a deep breath. "I shouldn't have been out there…it was my fault…" she choked out.

"It's over…you're fine now…I'm staying right here," he stroked the side of her face with his finger.

She stared at him... "Why you being so good to me?" she asked abruptly.

"Because we're solid like that, Trista…we've always been, you gotta know that."

She nodded and knew he was right. They were always there for each other when the chips were down.

Trista let her eyes meet his again and she leaned in, touched his face and kissed his cheek softly. She lingered there before she pulled away.

"Thank you…if I don't tell you later…if I have to call you names…I want you to know…okay?" she whispered and touched his hand.

Warrick swallowed hard and whispered back…

"You're welcome…"