Title: Personal Attachments

Author: Bj Jones

solokid1@yahoo.com

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Drama

Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters from CSI, they belong to CBS and Bruckheimer - lucky guy he also owns Jack Sparrow. I’m just borrowing them for a moment, will return them to the lab in a few short hours.

Summary: A serial rapist is attacking college students. An FBI profiler is called in, but what is her connection to Gil Grissom.

Author’s Note: My first serious CSI fic. I’m working hard on the technical side along with the personal side of the characters.



Personal Attachments
By Bj Jones
~*~*~*~*~*~*~


~University Nevada - Las Vegas~

The first thing Gil Grissom noticed, as he stepped out of the Tahoe, was the night air; it was still, no sounds, no movements, not even a small breeze, just the settling of dread in the pit of his stomach. As he took a deep breath he closed the passenger door; getting his focus. Looking around the surrounding area he observed every detail before heading to the back of the Tahoe to grab his gear.

He glanced towards Sara, who was grabbing her own gear; the two had been distant since the ‘the incident’, or what the DUI had been dubbed as around the lab. He had always had a good working relationship with Sara, and didn’t understand what had caused her to distance herself away from him. He figured it had something to do with him turning down her dinner invitation. He had thought he had made it clear he only saw her as a friend and colleague, but now sees he wasn’t clear enough. And since he felt guilty for hurting her, he kept his distance, failing to see her burning out. The phone call was a shock to the system, but if he was honest with himself, he had seen the signs but ignored it. Lately, he had been working more cases with her, to try to get that old chemistry back, but he wasn’t sure if it was working. He turned to ask her how her day was, when Brass walked up to the two CSI’s, interrupting his train of thought.

“The victim’s name is Amy Neal, twenty-two year old student, an English major,” Brass gave them a quick update as they walked towards the crime scene. “Campus security found her.”

“A little late,” Sara stated, as they walked up to the crime scene. David, the coroner, glanced their way, but continued examining the body.

“I would say she was raped first then had her throat slit. The wound goes from the right to the left, indicating her attacker was facing her.” He explained using his pen to show the movement of the knife.” There is a large amount of blood on the front, the wound’s deep; she probably bled out in less than a minute. I’ll give you a full detail once I get the body back to the morgue.”

Grissom looked over the body, his eyes searching for any type of clue, while Sara pulled out her penlight searching the surrounding area; a black strap caught her eye a few feet away from the body. She walked over, squatting down next to it. “Looks like we got a camera.” Sara said as she looked back over at Grissom, who was staying at the body no, indicated that he had heard her.

Grissom blinked, and then gave a quick shake to his head. “I’m sorry, Sara, you were saying?” He looked over to her, an apologetic look on his face.

She held up the camera by its strap, “do you think she got any pictures of her assailant?”

Grissom eyed the swinging camera, “get it to Nick see what he can pull off the negative.”

Grissom turned back towards Brass. “Can we find out who was the last person out of the photo lab was?”

“Right on it,” Brass grabbed a few uniforms and headed inside the building.

Grissom watched as they zipped up the bag over Amy Neal’s face. “She’s the third victim, this month.”

“Serial rapist?” Sara paused while taking pictures of the surrounding area.

“Same MO, college student, red hair, throat slit, left nude on campus. We won’t know for sure till Greg runs the tests and see if we come up with any similarities.”



~Crime Lab~

Grissom was heading back to his office, when he heard Nick call out to him. Grissom stopped and turned to wait for Nick to catch up to him. Grissom watched the young CSI, remembering back to when he first arrived in Vegas. He had come a long way from that green CSI level one.

Nick smiled, “Grissom, I’ve got an update on the Cushing case,” Nick handed Grissom the file folder he was carrying, then waited for his reaction.

“Same weapon?” Grissom looked up at Nick.

Nick nodded, his smile turning series; “I talked to Doc Robbins. He discovered while examining the latest victim he noticed a pattern on the left hand side of the neck. Following a hunch he pulled up the autopsy reports on the other two victims, both had the same pattern. He had written it down, but didn’t take notice until now.”

Grissom eyes narrowed, it proved their suspicion, ”Looks like we have a serial rapist on our hands. Grab the rest of the team, and meet me in the break room.” Nick nodded as he headed down the hall.

Grissom set the files down on the table, and then walked over to the coffee pot to get a cup of coffee. He set the cup down on the table and slumped into the chair, pulled his glasses off and rubbed his eyes. The team walked in taking their seats around the table, waiting for Grissom to begin.

“These cases have moved to top priority. We have a serial rapist on our hands, and we need to stop him as soon as possible.” Grissom looked at his team, each with their own weakness, and strengths. He had come to rely on them these past five years, their skills and insights. “We have to focus on the evidence, let it tell us the story. Once the press gets a hold of the story, there will be a lot of pressure from the community, higher ups, and the victim’s family to solve the case. The main key is to stay focused or we could let something slip. If we rush, we make mistakes.”

He looked at the faces of his team, he knew their were good at their jobs, professionals, well trained, but he could see the under lining emotion in their faces, some not so deep. Nick and Sara were his two most emotional CSI’s. Nick feels for the families of the victims, sympathizing with them, making himself available to them. His main weakness was crimes against children, at least on this case he will be less likely to get attached to the case, while Sara had always associated herself to the victims, specifically crime against women. He knew this case, would be especially hard on her. He looked towards Catherine, his second in command. Her resolve was set, he knew she could handle Nick if need be, but he was more worried about Sara. He could tell she was already getting agitated with the case, just sitting for a meeting made her antsy. He could always count on Warrick to handle himself as a professional, also to keep Sara on her toes, keep her busy enough to not think about the situation. He grinned slightly; they were a truly balanced team.

“Grissom?” Nick’s voice broke through his thoughts.

Grissom looked over at him, “What do we have so far?”

“Greg is now comparing fibers that were found on your latest victim Amy Neal and also the second victim Tanya Cushing.” Nick informed him.

“Let me know what he finds. Have you had a chance to look at the camera?” Grissom asked.

Nick shook his head no, “not yet, I’ll get on it right away, and let you know what I find.”

“Prelim on Neal shows that like the other two cases, no semen was present.” Catherine added to the conversation.

“He’s either using a condom, or getting off after the fact.” Warrick’s forehead was knit in concentration. “It will make it more difficult to link him between all three cases.”

Grissom shook his head, “serial killers will have one common element in each of their slayings, for our guy, it’s the knife.”

“We find the knife, we find him.” Sara stated.

“I doubt we will find the knife, until we find him.” Nick spoke his thoughts out loud.

“Well we don’t have much else to work with,” Sara’s voice was becoming agitated. “Three women are dead and we have nothing.”

”Not true, we know the knife is the common element. We know he at least knows enough information about forensics, by the lack of evidence. No semen, no fingerprints, no hairs, nothing, he takes their clothes, leaving no trace of him behind. Look at the evidence, read it.” Grissom tapped the folders making his point, “now everyone back to work.” Grissom stood up pulling together his notes and files.

Warrick and Catherine headed towards the Morgue to talk to Doc Robbins, as Grissom followed them out, Sara stopped him.

“How can you not be fazed by all of this?” Sara asked. She never understood how Grissom could stay un-emotional, so unattached. “Three women are dead, and there will probably be others if we can’t catch him.”

Grissom paused, masking the strong emotions that lay underneath. Emotions he had been fighting all evening. This case was hitting close to home, dredging up old memories, ones he preferred stayed in the recesses of his mind. “Getting emotional will not solve the case any quicker, we have to keep a calm and rational mind. Look at the evidence, follow the leads, that is all we can do.”

“Is being emotional a weakness to you?” Sara pushed him, to see what lay underneath the cool exterior. All she wanted was for him to show some emotion, if she was honest with herself, show some emotion to her.

Grissom stiffened; his eyes bore into hers, “Don’t assume you know me.” He left a shocked Sara in the break room.

“You went to far, Sara.” Nick stated from the back of the room, a shocked Sara spun on her heel to face the Texan. “We all deal with these cases differently. You give me crap about showing my emotions, or giving my sympathies to the victim’s family, yet you snap at Grissom for his lack of emotion, you can’t have it both ways. Whatever your issue is with him, deal with it and move on.” He stepped past her and headed toward the lab, to see if Greg had any news.



~CSI - Grissom’s Office~

Grissom continued onto his office, now even more tired. All he wanted was to sit in his dark office, put on some Mozart, and close his eyes. He was feeling a headache coming on, and wanted to quiet his mind for an hour. He opened his door only to stop short. Sheriff Atwater was sitting at his desk looking over the case files on each of three dead college girls. “Can I help you?”

“We have a serial rapist on our hands,” Atwater commented. “How is the investigation going?”

”Warrick and Catherine were called to the first case…” Grissom shut his door; setting the files he was carrying on the bookcase.

Atwater interrupted, “Nancy Hanes, found behind the library?”

“Yes, that was September first, two weeks later Nick and Sara were called back to the campus for the second victim, Tanya Cushing, she was found near the Psych buildings. Tonight, Sara and I were called to the third scene, Amy Neal, found just outside the Art Buildings, specifically the photo labs.”

“Bold leaving the bodies in plane sight.” Atwater speculated. “I’ve gotten a call from the FBI, an Agent Culpepper. You’ve worked with him before?”

Grissom’s eyes narrowed at the thought of Culpepper invading his territory, again. “Yes, and it wasn’t pleasant, he manhandled my case and my CSI’s.”

Atwater stood up, “This isn’t a time to let personal grudges get in the way of solving this case.” He opened the office door and looked back. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better. Oh, and Grissom, keep me informed.” He exited the office closing the door behind him.

Grissom slumped into his chair, tossing his glasses onto the desk and rubbed his tired eyes. The badly concealed emotions were beginning to run out of control; he shook his head as if trying to shake them out. He knew they all thought he didn’t feel any emotion, when in truth he felt them too much. There were reasons behind is persistence in keeping focused on the evidence, and not the victim. They can’t save them all, and if you tried even the best CSI would burn out.

The year before his surgery he had purposely distanced himself away from his team, afraid of them knowing his weakness. Then with the lab explosion, he had shut down completely. Seeing Greg sprawled out on the floor, covered in glass and blood tore at him. When Sara had asked him to dinner, he refused. He was to caught-up in the after effects of the explosion, and his own hearing loss that he didn’t want or need an emotional entanglement; his mistake was not explaining this to Sara.

When he got back from surgery and they had gone back to the way they were, he figured there was no hard feelings. But now he sees that may not be so, it was so much easier with Catherine. They had their disagreements, but overall Catherine was his best friend, and they had a silent communication. She understood him; he didn’t have to explain his reasoning’s. She was the only one on the team he had confided in about his hearing.

Then with the promotion, subsequently going to Nick, even if the promotion was pulled due to lack of funds. Sara had not understood his reasoning, and became even more withdrawn, leading to the DUI. He had taken her home, ordering her to take some time off. When she returned back to work, she was ordered to see the department therapist. He wasn’t sure if it was helping, but talking with Jim he hasn’t seen any signs of her drinking. But lately, she had started to become more testy and trying to push his buttons to get a reaction out of him.

This case was high profile; it was going to get ugly. The press, the public outcry, who ever works the case, is going to be under a microscope, and now Culpepper was involved. Grissom had decided to let Nick be lead on the case, he deserved a case like this after loosing the position to a robot for the lab, and Sara wasn’t going to be happy about it. He sighed, then picked up the phone, and began to dial; a knock on the door interrupted him.

He set the phone down, as Nick’s walked into the door, a grin on his face. The one Grissom as associated with, a cat that just eyed the canary. “I take Greg found something?”

“The black fibers found at two of the scenes matched, a black synthetic.” Nick handed Grissom the printout.

“Looks like the cases are weaving together,” Grissom cocked his head eyebrow raised towards Nick. “Now we just need to unravel the mystery.”

Chapter 2: Federal Agents

~SHERIFF ATWATER’S OFFICE~

“A series of rapes, have plagued the campus of University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This station has discovered that there have been three victims, found raped, with their throats slit. When Sheriff Atwater was question he informed the press that he had his top detectives working on it, and the crime lab was working overtime, to bring the criminal to justice. All calls to the Crime lab have been answered with a series of no comments. Our own Ashley Gains was able to get a few seconds with lead investigator Gil Grissom, when asked if they were close to naming a suspect he informed her that he will let the evidence do the talking, and walked into the crime lab. In recent development, Agent Culpepper, of the FBI, told the press earlier today that he was bringing in a top-notch profiler to help with the case…”

Atwater hit the mute button, and threw down the remote onto his desk. His eyes flashed in anger, turning towards Agent Culpepper. “You bastard, no warning you just inform the press that you’re bringing in one of your agents.”

“Inter-agency cooperation, Sheriff,” Culpepper sneered. “I’m just helping your team out, to catch this sick son of a bitch.”

“We don’t need your help, my team is on it. We already have a few leads and working them.” Grissom commented from the sidewall, where he and Brass were standing. “I will not let one of your men, into my labs.”

Culpepper smiled, “you have no choice. Unless you want to explain to the press, why you turned down federal assistance.”

“Our labs are second in the nation,” Grissom informed him.

Culpepper’s eyes locked with Grissom, a battle of wills. “The agent is a profiler. Highly recommended by the DC branch. I suggest you take advantage of our generosity.”

Grissom stepped forward, Brass’s hand on his shoulder. Atwater’s voice interrupted the two, “A profiler would help, Gil. We should accept the FBI’s help...” Culpepper smirked at Grissom, “but on our terms.” Culpepper’s head snapped towards Atwater’s who just continued on. “I will allow your agent to help on the case, but they will report to Grissom and follow his lead.”

“Sheriff...” Grissom looked at Atwater.

“And here I thought you would want to work with me again.” A feminine voice entered the conversation. Four heads turned to the now open door, one shocked expression, one neutral, and two very confused.

“Abby?” Grissom’s voice and expression showed his shock.

She smiled, her hazel eyes shining with mirth. “Sheriff Atwater, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” She walked up to the Sheriff hand out, shaking his hand and then turned towards the confused FBI Agent. “Agent Culpepper? I’m Agent Abigail Thornheart. You talked to my boss Agent Cornwall. I’m your profiler.”

Culpepper stood up, and shook her hand. “Welcome to Vegas.”

“It’s good to be home, sir.” Abby inwardly grinned at Culpepper’s expression. “I’m originally from Las Vegas.”

Culpepper recovered quickly, “Oh, well that should help in the case.”

“That is if Mr. Grissom will let me near his pristine labs?” Abby turned back to the two men. She smiled at Brass, “Detective Brass, I’m not sure if you remember me.”

”How could I forget, you and Catherine tormented all us detectives. It was a shame to see you go.” Brass smiled.

“So Mr. Grissom, am I aloud back in your labs?” Her grin widened, Grissom was rarely caught off guard.

Grissom recovered from his shock, then smiled, ”Welcome home.”

Abby smiled back, “It’s good to be back.”

“I’ll update you on the case.” He opened the door for her and slipped out behind her. Brass followed suit, ignoring the shocked Atwater, and confused Culpepper.

“How come I have a feeling I’m missing something?” Culpepper contemplated.

“Cause you probably are, now get out of my office.” Atwater pointed at the door, sending a glare in Culpepper’s direction.

~CRIME LAB~

” Our own Ashley Gains was able to get a few seconds with lead investigator Gil Grissom, when asked if they were close to figuring a suspect he informed her that he will let the evidence o the talking, and walked into the crime lab. Agent Culpepper told the press earlier today that he was bringing in a top-notch agent to help with the case. Agent Abigail Thornheart has been called from Washington to help with the investigation. She is one of the top profilers in the Bureau…”

Catherine hit the mute button, staring at the picture of Agent Thornheart. Catherine smiled, and then laughed shocking the rest of the room’s occupants. “Culpepper you’re an idiot.”

“Well we know that, but what’s so funny?” Nick asked, looking at the grinning Catherine.

“Agent Thornheart…”

“Is present and accounted for,” Abigail answered as she and Grissom entered the room.

Catherine smiled, and jumped out of her chair, and hugged Abby to her. “I’ve missed you,” She stepped back giving her a once over. “You’re looking good.”

”Not nearly as good as you.” Abby smiled, hugging her again. “I’ve missed you, how’s Lindsey?”

“Pre-teen.” Catherine rolled her eyes, pulling Abby farther into the room.

“I know you two would like to catch up, but we have a case to work on.” Grissom commented from the doorway. “Abby, let me introduce you to the rest of the team.” Abby turned her attention back to Grissom, giving him a slight smile. “Nick Stokes.”

Nick smiled, “Welcome aboard,” His accent slipping into the conversation.

Grissom continued down the table. “Next to him is Sara Sidle.”

“Nice to meet you.” Her tone was tight, not open or friendly.

“Next is Warrick Brown, a fellow Las Vegas homebody.” Grissom finished out the introductions. “Everyone this is Agent Abigail Thornheart, on loan from DC.”

“What high school?” Abby turned towards Warrick.

“Durango,” a smile appeared on Warrick’s face.

“Silverado,” she answered with a grin.

“Rivals,” Warrick laughed. “When did you graduate?”

“Eighty-eight, you? Sports?”

“Eighty-seven. Sports weren’t my pass time.” Warrick grinned, remembering all the odd jobs growing up.

Abby grinned back knowing her own vices she participated in Vegas. “Later we will have to talk about common hangouts.”

“Nice to talk to a fellow Vegas kid, these guys just don’t understand the benefits of growing up here.” He nods his head towards the others.

A throat cleared, interrupting their discussion. Abby turned, giving Grissom a sheepish look “sorry.”

“Shall we?” Grissom sat down at the end of the table. “Do you know anything about the case?”

“I was handed the case file as I walked on the plane.” Abby pulled out the file out of her bag. “What can you tell me about it. There’s one thing to read a report, and another to hear your accounts. Who was at the first scene?”

“That would be Warrick and me.” Catherine answered, getting down to business.

“What was your first impression of the scene?” Abby turned towards the two CSI’s, her tone now sharp, and business.

Grissom watched her at work; she had developed into a fine CSI. He had kept up with her career over the years, proud of her accomplishments. She made a name for herself as a profiler, but her true roots were in forensics. It was an interesting balance between the two fields. She once told him, it was like looking at a plate full of cookie crumbs, and figuring out who made them.

His thoughts were interrupted when Sara interrupted Abby, “What does that matter?” Grissom looked up, trying to figure out what they were discussing.

“All I have to look at is pictures taken at the scene, making it difficult to get a feel for what the rapist may be thinking,” Abby explained her rationale.

“Why do we care what he’s thinking, he’s a sick bastard. All we need is to find the evidence to catch him before he does it again.” Sara’s tone didn’t hide her animosity.

“As a profiler, my job is to get into his head, figure out what he will do next.” Abby’s tone began to harden.

Sara didn’t let up, “We know what he will do next, rape and kill.”

“A pattern, a simple pattern can help us figure out who, where, and why. Once we have that, we can stop him before he gets a hold of his next victim. If we alter his pattern, then he gets careless and makes mistakes, leaving behind evidence. Making him easy to find, and capture.” Abby then turned back towards Catherine. “Just give me a general impression of what you saw.”

Catherine glanced at Grissom, who was studying Sara. “It wasn’t random.”

“While getting my degree I frequented that library just about everyday, all times of the day. It stays open for students till past midnight, students constantly going in and out. The victim was discovered at Eleven pm. He didn’t wait for closing, when most of the students are gone, no possible witnesses.”

Abby leaned back in her chair, “the first victim was Nancy Holmes?” Catherine nodded her head, “Who was called to the second scene?”

“That would have been Sara and I,” Nick answered. “Tanya Cushing, found behind the psych buildings.”

“After hours?”

“Nope, a professor walking the last student out to her car, discovered the body.” Nick informed her.

“How did the scene look to you?” She locked eyes with Nick.

“Clean,” he had a look of concentration on his face as if trying to put a few things together. “To clean, actually.”

“Grissom, you were on the latest victim?” Abby turned toward Grissom.

“Amy Neal,” He paused “She was found outside the Art buildings, specifically the photo lab.”

Abby looked him in the eyes, “You’re impression?”

“Calculating,” Grissom answered. “Once we identified that the cases weren’t random, I sent Brass to pull the girls transcripts, to see if there are any similarities. Once Brass gets back I’ll have Nick give them to you.”

Abby nodded in acknowledgement, Grissom was always one step ahead. “Is there a place I can unpack my laptop and files?”

“Pick a corner,” he gestured around the room.

“Thanks,” Abby sarcastically replied, turning to Catherine, “you have a minute to update me on where everything is at?”

“Gladly, let’s go.” Catherine and Abby walked out of the break room.

“Grissom why are you trusting her?” Sara asked. “She works with Culpepper and we know what he’s capable of.”

“Did she used to work here?” Nick asked, cutting off Sara, who sent him a murderous glare.

Grissom smiled, at Nick’s astute question. “She left eight years ago to join the Bureau. Warrick, here, was her replacement.”

“Still doesn’t mean we should trust her with all of our information.” Sara commented, not liking the fact Nick upped her in front of Grissom.

Nick shrugged, looking over at Sara. “She can’t do her job unless she’s informed,” he pointed out. “Besides, if Cath and Gris trust her, why shouldn’t we?”

“Of course, you would say that, you’ve always been too trusting, Stokes.” Sara snapped, at Nick.

Nick’s jaw tightened his eyes narrowing at her, “I’m going to go check to see if Brass is back with those transcripts, and get them to Agent Thornheart.” He got up and walked out, leaving behind a cold room.

“What is up with you, girl?” Warrick asked shaking his head, as he followed Nick out of the break room.

“Grissom?” Sara turned, question in her voice.

“Sara, I trust Abby with my life.” Grissom stood and left the room leaving a shocked Sara behind, twice in the past thirty-six hours.

Chapter 3 - Transcripts

~Crime Lab - DNA Lab~

Opening the door to the DNA lab Catherine let Abby walk into the room first. The sight that greeted her was of a young man, with spiky blonde hair, bouncing with beat of the music blaring through the headphones he was wearing. He hadn’t heard the door open, fully concentrating on the lab work in front of him, and the music blaring in his ears. Abby looked over at Catherine a smirk on her face.

“Meet Greg, are DNA tech, and future CSI, once he finds a lab replacement. The irony he doesn’t like any of the applicants, says none of them were good enough for his ‘lab’.” Catherine smiled as she waved her hand towards the oblivious tech.

“Is he always this hyper?” Abby asked, watching him bounce between microscopes and printers.

Catherine shrugged, “He’s actually a bit calm today.” She stepped in front of him, raising her voice. “Greg!”

Greg looked up, startled when he saw Catherine, across the table from him. Taking off the headphones, “hey Catherine, how can I help you?” He smiled at her, as he leaned on the table.

“Greg, I want you to meet a friend of mine.” Catherine motioned towards Abby, who was still standing in the doorway.

Greg’s eyes went wide; he pulled back from the table, straightened his lab coat, and held out his hand. “Any friend of Catherine’s is a friend of mine.”

Catherine rolled her eyes at his antics, “Greg this is Agent Abigail Thornheart, she’s helping us with the campus rape case. Abby this is Greg Sanders, lab tech.”

“Don’t forget DNA extraordinaire.” Greg took her hand and kissed the back of it, then stepped back and looked over his shoulder at Catherine. “Grissom actually let an FBI agent into the labs?”

Abby pulled her hand out of Greg’s now lose grip. “I trained here as a CSI level one, before I became FBI.” She smiled, instantly like the hyper lab tech.

“Really?” Greg intrigued by the woman standing in front of him. He stepped closer grinning, a conspirator gleam in his eyes. “Are all FBI agents as pretty as you?”

Abby gave a sly smile, and leaned towards Greg whispering “Are all lab techs as cute as you?” Abby took a quick step to the right, winked at Catherine as Greg stumbled a bit.

Greg turned towards the two women, “Catherine your friend is a tease, but welcome in my lab any time.”

“Thank you, Greg.” Abby smiles. “The lab has changed a lot since I’ve been here. It will take me a while to find my way around again.”

Greg stepped up, “Greg Sanders, personal guide.”

“I’ll remember that, when I get lost between the break room and the DNA lab.” Abby shook her head. “It was nice meeting you, Greg. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing more of you.”

“I’ll wait till the end of the earth to be graced by your presence,” Greg flourished.

Catherine grabbed Abby’s arm, pulling her out the door. “Greg, I’m still waiting for those fiber samples.”

“I’m working on it,” He yelled as the door shut. He waved as the two women walked past the lab. Abby laughed, but waved back. “I’m in love.”

”I wouldn’t fall to hard.” Greg turned startled, twice in less than thirty minutes, a new record. “She was trained by Grissom, before she went to FBI.” Nick laughed at Greg’s horrified expression.

Greg sat down in front of the samples he was working on, for Catherine. “So if I want to keep going out into the field…”

“I wouldn’t only think of pure thoughts when you’re around Agent Thornheart,” Nick finished his thought for him.

“Is there something I can do for you?” Greg asked, getting down to business.

“Where you able to identify the substance we found on the camera lens?” Nick asked.

“I’m running it now.” The printer started up, Greg grabbing it before Nick could. “Rubbing Alcohol.”

Nick pulled the paper from Greg’s hands. “He wiped the camera clean, so it is possible that she got a picture of him. But then if he wiped the camera clean why not take the camera?”

“Not enough time?” Greg asked.

“Or he’s toying with us,” Grissom’s voice entered the lab. “Did you get anything off the film, Nick?”

Nick looked over at Grissom; “I got Archie to scan in the photo’s and digitally enhance them to see if we can pull anything off the two exposed frames. The rest of the film was blank.”

“Brass just got back with the transcripts.” Grissom held out the files to Nick, who grabbed them, taking a quick look through them, as he followed Grissom out the door, sending a quick nod towards Greg. “Abby, is setting up in the break room, I want you to lead and Sara to work with you on this case. Warrick, Catherine and I will be working any other cases that come in.”

Nick stopped just outside the break room, looking at Grissom. “Sara and I? Are you sure about this?”

Grissom could understand Nick’s hesitation. The two CSI work well together, but since the ‘promotion’, it was a bit strained between the two. Plus a case like this would be difficult with emotions so high. Let alone added stress, of the FBI, the Sheriff, and the unknown factor of Abby. “You’re both good at what you do, and this will case will take a lot of single minded attention.”

“That’s a nice way of putting, we’re to damn stubborn to know when to give up.” Nick graced Grissom with a rare true smile; one Grissom hadn’t seen a lot of lately.

Grissom’s lips turned upward slightly, “I want to be kept in the loop.” Nick nodded, turning to go into the break room. “Oh, and Nick…” He paused and turned back towards Grissom. “…Remember nothing is to small, and trust your instincts I’ve got a feeling this case will need it.”

Nick watched as Grissom walked away. In three hours he watched Grissom storm out of his office to a meeting with the sheriff, to come back with a smile on his face. He looked through the glass to see Abby setting up. He took the opportunity to study her, and wonder about the effect she had on Grissom. She stood at five-seven, auburn hair pulled up into a twist on the back of her head, strands curling around the top and down the sides. Her sharp green eyes, were piercing, when Grissom introduced her she had looked each of them in the eyes, he felt like she was searching for some hidden answers. She was wearing a crisp dark gray suit, with a cream colored silk shirt. Her make-up was light, and minimal jewelry, actually the only pieces he could see was a simple set of earrings, and a chain around her neck. He looked back up to see her watching him, smiling. He blushed, as he opened the door and walked into the room.

“So did I pass, inspection?” She asked, with an all-knowing smile.

“Just tryin’ to figure out who you are,” Nick’s accent thickening, a sign when he’s nervous or embarrassed.

“I’m just a kid from Vegas, who has a weird fascination with criminals and what makes them do what they do.” She cocked her head, eyes dancing with mirth.

Nick set the folders down on the table, asking the million-dollar question. “So what’s your connection with Grissom?”

She laughed; Nick noticed that it was a soft shy laugh. “Now there’s a man any psychologist would love to figure out what makes him tick. Unfortunately in the fourteen years I’ve known him, I still haven’t figured it out.”

Nick absorbed the information, Abby knew Grissom before Catherine. Just about the time he had arrived in Vegas, from Los Angeles. “I brought those transcripts,” he said getting down to business.

“Good, now lets take a look and start making a chart.” She wheeled a dry erase board closer to the table, and picked up a black marker. “Okay, who’s the first victim?”

“Nancy Holmes, twenty-one, found September first, behind the library.” Nick answered picking up the victim’s transcripts. He watched as Abby wrote down the information.

“Second victim?” She looked over her shoulder.

“Tanya Cushing, twenty, found September fifteenth, outside the Pysch buildings.” Setting the second victims transcripts next to the first. “You ready for the third?” She nodded keeping her eyes on the board. “Amy Neal, twenty-two, September twenty-ninth, found outside the art building.”

After writing all of them up on the board, she stepped back next to Nick and studied them. “What’s the connection?” Abby asked to no one in particular.

“You started without me?” Sara’s voice came from behind them.

“Just getting the preliminary data onto the board.” Nick answered, not looking back.

“So what does it tell us?” Sara stepped up next to Nick.

“Let’s look at their transcripts, see what classes, clubs, programs, anything they would have in common.” Abby picked up Amy Neal’s and handed it to Sara, Tanya Cushing to Nick and herself took Nancy Holmes.

Nick took up the pen, “Neal was taking Children’s Lit, an English Special Project, Fiction Writing, and Photography. We know her last class was photography, she was coming from developing a project she was working on when she was attacked.”

“Children’s Lit?” Sara asked, looking up at Nick. “Cushing was taking Children’s Lit, along with Ancient Society, Human Mind, and Art History. How about Holmes?”

“Stats, Civil War, Cultural Anthropology, and Psychology. She was a History major, wouldn’t be in an English classes.” Abby commented as Nick wrote the info on the board. “Places of residence? Holmes lived at home with her parents.”

“Neal was married,” Nick said.

“Sorority House,” Sara added.

“Damn, is there any connection between the three?” Nick asked stepping back from the board. “We have a History major, Sociology major and an English major.”

“Maybe there is a connection that isn’t school related?” Sara questioned. Both turned to Abby, noticing she was quiet, contemplating.

“Agent Thornheart?” Nick tried to get her attention.

“Call me Abby,” Abby moved forward concentrating. “It’s the dates.”

“What?” Sara asked.

“September first, fifteenth, and twenty-ninth, fourteen days apart. Once is a coincidence, twice is a pattern, third time is a signature. What is today’s date?”

Nick looked at the calendar on the wall, “October second.”

“So if this pattern holds, we will find the next victim on the thirteenth. We have eleven days to find another pattern.”

“All three victims are red hair, or dyed red. All around the same age, and height, all students.”

“We know the knife is the same, between the three. The same black fibers between Cushing and Neal.” Sara thought out loud.

“No semen found?” Abby asked.

Nick answered, “Not a drop, no fibers, no blood, the bodies were clean.”

“He’s toying with us.” Abby kept staring at the board. “He’s leaving just enough evidence to know he’s out there, but not enough to find him.” She turned to the two CSI’s, “The hunt is afoot.”

Chapter 4 - Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Abby walked through the mall towards her destination, her heels clicking on the marble floors, echoing through the empty corridors. The crowds were thin, to early to actually be up and shopping. Only a few tourists roaming around taking pictures of gaudy motifs and statues of Zeus and other Greek god like figures. Most of the shops were high end stores designer clothes, jewelry and expensive gadgets. She stopped for a second eyeing a trendy black suit in the window of Jones New York, then kept on her way, she had a breakfast date to keep.

She stopped, for a few minutes, and watched the man waiting for her, absorbing his presence. It had been to long since she had seen him last. Abby walked up to the table, set her satchel down and took the seat across from her breakfast date. She sighed with relief when she noticed the venti starbucks coffee sitting in front of her.

“Please tell me it’s bold Columbian or something close to it, I really need a caffeine fix.” She lifted the lid off the cup and inhaled the strong aroma.

”You and Greg would really get along, he has a stash of some expensive Hawaiian coffee around the labs.” Grissom shook his head at the look of pure bliss on Abby’s face.

“Really? I’ll have to hunt him down, and make him tell me where it is at.” She took a sip of the coffee, sighed with content as she set it back on the table. “Food?”

He produced a bag full of various muffins and pastries from a local bakery. “Molly’s Bakery, your favorite.”

“God, I love you!” Abby snatched the bag and started digging through it, pulling out a cheese danish, and banana nut muffin. She handed the bag back to Grissom, while nibbling on the danish.

“How’s Grant?” Grissom asked pulling out a muffin for himself.

“Would love to hear from you, he’s got a science project due next week, and of course he wants to study bugs. So he can be just like his godfather.” Abby sipped her coffee, sending a mock glare at Grissom.

“Well it’s my job to help mold him into a stable part of society.” Grissom off handedly remarked, “I’ll give him a call later today.”

“I still haven’t forgiven you for the pet tarantula.” Abby shook her cheese danish at him. “You know I hate spiders.”

“It was a pet, to teach him how to be responsible.” His monotone voice was ruined with the twitching of his lips. “Besides I hear you’re the main suspect in its death.”

“There was no evidence to prove that theory,” she sipped her coffee, looking like the cat that ate the canary.

“How are you doing?” Grissom leaned back in his chair, blue eyes piercing. “And I don’t mean in general, I mean about the case?”

“Sure know how to ruin a good meal.” She threw down the danish, and sat back. “I’m fine… Honestly I’m fine. It was a long time ago, and it isn’t like I haven’t worked rape cases before.”

“Yeah, but none of them were on the campus, where yours took place.” Grissom’s voice was calm, yet filled with concern.

“I’m a trained CSI, with a degree in Psychology, I’ve dealt with it, and I’m fine Gil.” Abby picked up her coffee and took a few sips.

Grissom nodded, and then said, “My door is always open.”

“Good, because I need a place to stay.” She grinned, “You walked right into that one.”

“Yeah, I did. FBI not putting you up in a hotel?” Grissom sipped at his own coffee.

“At the cheapest hotel they can find. I don’t even want to know what organisms might be living in that hotel let alone, in the sheets.” Abby shivered at the thought. “Especially since I happen to know this great guy, who happens to have an extra bedroom, yes I admit it has bugs on the wall, but at least their not in the sheets.”

Grissom laughed, putting his coffee down, before he spilled it. “You’re always welcome at my house.”

Abby shrugged, “That’s good because my bags are already there.”

“How’s the mapping going?” Grissom asked, getting more serous.

“Good, Nick and Sara were still combing over the victims transcripts trying to find any more connections. So far we have only the dates to go by.” Abby pulled up her satchel going through it looking for something in particular. “Fourteen days between each attack, so if we don’t figure out who the rapist is, we will have another victim in eleven days.”

Grissom sighed, “Any ideas?”

She looked up from her search, eyebrow raised. “You’re asking me for an educated guess?”

”No, I’m asking a profiler their opinion.” Grissom pointed out.

“He’s toying with us, ahhah.” She yelled, and then pulled out a leather bound journal. “He knows by not leaving clues, he’s leaving clues. He wants us to chase him. What I don’t know is if he’s doing this because he has an issue with young college students with red hair, or if his issues lies towards the police, maybe even CSI.”

“What’s with the journal?” Grissom pointed at the book in her hands.

“My personal notes, on the case, my feelings or others. I’ve found that if I write down it helps not to get my thoughts and the evidence mixed up.” She opened the book and wrote a few things down.

Grissom watched as she chewed on her pen, writing a few things down. “I’m glad your back. I’ve missed you.”

Abby looked up, a shy smile on her face. “I’ve missed you to, Gil. To bad it took three women dying to get me back in Vegas. It will be hard to leave when the case is solved.”

“Who says you have to leave?” Grissom’s look showed his sincerity.

Abby’s shock showed on her face. “Let’s catch the asshole first then we will talk job opportunities. Besides if I recall the last time you asked if I wanted to work for you I was in labor.”

”Distraction method, it worked.” Grissom grinned, “You took the job.”

“Never regretted it.” Abby laughed, “well most of the time.”

“What do you think of the team?” Grissom asked.

“Catherine has really come along way. She’s confident in herself and her abilities. She’s found a nice mix between being sensitive to the victims and families and following the evidence, a balance between being a mom and an investigator. She called me after Eddie died you know, she’s doing well, considering everything she’s been dealt with this past year.” Abby set the book down on the table. “As for the rest of your team. I’ve only got to know them a little, can’t give you a full profile on each of them.”

Grissom looked down, like being caught with his hand in cookie jar. “First Impression?” “Sara is dedicated to her job, almost married to it, reminds me of someone.” Abby sent him a knowing look, “Her single-minded dedication is also a hindrance. She doesn’t know when to let go, and walk away. She is not very trusting of strangers. That was obvious the moment we were introduced. She sees me as a threat. She’s determined to prove to you, she can be trusted.”

”I’ve tried talking to her, but she’s just been pushing my buttons lately,” Grissom sighed.

“Classic child trying to get dad’s attention. She just needs to find her center, again.” Abby explained.

“Warrick?” Grissom asked. “My other problem child.”

Abby smiled, “Warrick, my first impression is that he is completely professionalism, maybe even a perfectionist. All his energy he spent gambling is now reflected back on his job.” Abby stilled for a minute thinking. “He’s hard to read actually, since I talked to him for only a few minutes I can’t really say, exactly what makes him tick. But from what you’ve told me, over the years, he’s loyal. You’ve stuck by him, when others wouldn’t; it is what strives him to be the best. To prove to others that your faith in him was not misplaced.”

Abby paused and studied Grissom carefully, “If you recall is need to prove his loyalty was strong after Holly was killed. He pushed your buttons to get you to respond, to see he was capable, to let go of the leash. Sara is doing much the same thing. You’re her mentor and she misplaced her feelings of admiration, even fatherly love for romantic love. When you turned her down she retreated into herself, and her work leading to burn out. She was humiliated, and now needs to prove to you and herself that she is a good CSI.”

Grissom gave her a contemplative look, listening to her observations. “ What about Nick? Ironically, considering he’s my least problem child, I’m worried about him; he’s been acting a lot less like ‘Nick’ these past few months. The tension between him and Sara has been thick.”

Abby sat back in her chair, “Nick is coming into his own. Learning to be the CSI he wants to be, not what he thinks you want him to be or his family. The promotion was a sign of moving up in your career, to prove to his family that he’s going somewhere. He realized that the promotion didn’t matter; he was there for his reasons, not his families or yours. His relationship with Sara was damaged, and I think he doesn’t know what to do about it. Causing some of the tension. He’s afraid of doing something to upset her.”

Abby paused then smiled. “I don’t know how, but considering his job, and events that has taken place in his life it’s hard to imagine that he still believes in the good of mankind.” Abby grinned, “You can’t help but be caught up in his optimism. He’s now comfortable with himself and his abilities. He reminds me of Catherine, trying to find that balance between instinct and evidence, emotion and reason. Yet he still has an underlining need to please others, he’s looking for acceptance, specifically from you.” She looked up at Grissom, giving him a knowing look. “The Nick you knew is still there, just a bit more matured.”

He nodded, “Did you meet Greg?” Grissom asked.

“The hyper lab rat, trying to break out of the maze and get into the field?” Abby commented.

“Yeah, him.” Grissom watched as the mall began to fill with more people as the morning progressed. “You got him peg pretty well.”

“He’s trying to find his nitch, he knows he’s good at what he does. He just wants to try new things. He’s trying to impress all of you, to show he’s more than a rat.” Abby downed the last of her coffee. “All of your team members have a common element. The need to please you.” Abby looked him in the eyes, “They just want you to say good job.” Feeling his uneasiness, Abby let him off the hook and changed the subject. “You know they are all curious about our history. Nick even flat out asked. Must of learned his get straight to the point technique from you.”

“What did you say?” Grissom asked, concerned. There were few people he couldn’t hide from, Abby, Catherine, and Lady Heather. He knew just because Abby dropped the subject didn’t mean she forgot it. She was a psychologist, a criminalist, stubborn, and observant, he trained her, he should know. His team was his family, and at times he didn’t know how to say ‘good job’. There are only a few people that he could open up to; consequently they were the same few he couldn’t hide from.

“That in the fourteen years I’ve known you, even I don’t know you.” Abby motioned with her hands, absent-mindedly. “Of course he latched onto the whole fourteen years part, got yourself a good CSI there, observant. What do you want me to tell them?”

“I don’t know?” Grissom shrugged, his eyes clouded with concentration. “I don’t think we should mention that we met, because I was investigating your rape case.”

“Or that you got personally involved and let your emotions cloud your judgment.” Abby added.

“I don’t regret it.” Grissom said with sincerity. “You and Grant are my family. I just don’t like my personal life talked about at work.”

“I know, look they know I used to work with you. That you trained me, they don’t have to know how we met.” Abby got up out of her chair and kissed him on the cheek. “You saved me, and gave me a chance for a better life.”

“No, you saved yourself. I held the net to make sure you didn’t fall.” Grissom brushed a piece of hair back behind her ears.

“I’m exhausted, can we go, so I can get some sleep, before I face shift tonight.” Abby stood back, picking up her satchel.

“Let’s go, besides I need to give Grant a call, to talk bugs.” Grissom grinned as Abby rolled her eyes at him.

“By the way, why did you ask me to meet you here?” Abby motioned around.

“I always wanted to have Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Grissom held out his arm for her to take it.

Abby looked up at the Tiffany’s window, “You’re much better looking than George Peppard.”

“Why thank you, Miss Hepburn.” Grissom took Abby’s arm and walked back through the mall, now filling with tourists and shoppers.

Chapter 5 - Frustration

~Crime Lab - Break Room~

Nick walked into the building around six pm. Abby had called him about a possible lead she had found in the victims employment records at the campus, he was to meet her and Sara in the break room a couple of hours before shift. The past few days had been frustrating, getting the records from the campus were taking longer than expected.

The University was afraid of lawsuits, and getting information out of them was slow. At one point he thought Sara or Abby was going to reach across the chancellor’s desk and strangle him. Each of the girls were involved in various clubs and organizations, and it was taking time to compile all the roosters from all the clubs to see if there were cross members that new all three victims. Last he had checked before crashing after a double shift was that a few of the clubs still hadn’t handed over their lists.

There seemed to be no connection between the three girls. A through search of each of the residences hadn’t pulled up anything. They were involved in very different social circles, none of them coming into contact with the other. So far the only connection they had with each other, was being a victim. Their case was at a stand still until they found some active leads. He and Sara both were working separate cases, while working with Abby, who seemed to get more frustrated by the day.

As he turned the corner he could hear raised voices coming from the break room. By the time he reached the door, it was an all out screaming match between Abby and Culpepper. He stopped outside the door, not sure if he should interfere.

“Well you can just shove your progress reports up your ass!” Abby stood nose to nose with Culpepper.

“As your supervisor I demand to be brought up to date one this case,” Culpepper gave back as much as he got.

Abby stepped back; hands on her hips, eyes burning, “Considering you’re not my supervisor you could demand all you want, doesn’t mean you’re going to get anything.”

“I’m in charge of this investigation.” Culpepper took a step forward, “And you will follow my orders Agent Thornheart.”

“First off, Grissom is in charge of this investigation. Second of all, I’m on loan from DC, as a profiler, I’m not one of your agents. Third of all, Sheriff Atwater made it quite clear that I was to report to Grissom, only.” Abby’s voice lowered into a low growl.

“I can have your badge,” making his threat clear

Abby smirked, “And I can work freelance.” Making her position known.

“Agent Culpepper your disturbing my labs, and CSI’s I suggest you take this argument somewhere else, actually why don’t you just leave.” Grissom entered the break room, Nick a few steps behind him.

Culpepper turned on his heel, his anger now focused on the CSI Supervisor. “Grissom, just the man I was looking for, what is the status of this case.”

“My CSI’s are working on a few leads.” Grissom stood his ground, arms crossed in front of him. “Until further evidence can be analyzed that is all anyone is going to get.”

Culpepper snapped his head back towards Abby, “I’ll be calling your supervisor.” Then stormed out of the break room, shoving Sara aside as she walked in.

“Tell him I said hello,” Abby yelled out after him. “Bastard!”

Grissom now turned his intense stare towards her, “Abby?”

“Don’t you start on me, I was minding my own business going over these employment records when he stormed in knocking things off the table demanding an update. I told him we were working the evidence and would get back to him when we had something conclusive.” Abby sat down at the table sorting through the scattered files. “He didn’t like my answer, and well one thing led to another; next minute I know he’s threatening to call DC and have me removed from the case.”

“Can he do that?” Nick asked, picking up files off the floor.

“No, he’s doesn’t have jurisdiction over me, plus I’m on loan from DC branch, not Vegas.” Abby looked over at Nick and grinned, “I would love to be a fly on the wall when he calls DC.”

”Culpepper can still make problems.” Sara stated sitting down at the table. “He’s railroaded our cases before.”

“Abby, can he cause problems with your supervisor?” Grissom asked, a bit concerned.

“I’m going to say this once, there is no way Culpepper can get me pulled off this case or any case…”

“Why?” Sara quipped, “are you that good?”

Abby smiled, “I was involved in catching the sniper. Even had dinner at the white house, for my work. So who do you think they are going to side with?”

“The sniper, as in the one who was shooting people randomly throughout Virginia and Maryland?” Nick asked, a bit awed.

“The one in the same, of course I also bribed the lab techs, that the one who found me a linking piece of evidence I would pay for them to go to the Bahamas.” Abby grinned, then looked up to see a wide eyed Greg. “No, don’t even think about it, I’m not sending you to the Bahamas unless of course that report in your hand tells me who the rapist is?”

Greg looks at the report, frowns. “No, but it does tell Grissom who his killer is, does that count for something?”

“No,” Grissom grabs the report, seeing Abby raise her eyebrow at him, “but good job Greg.” Leaving a shocked lab tech at the door, he turns and looks at Abby. “Abby, we will discuss this later, in my office.” Greg walked back to his lab on cloud nine.

Abby watched through the windows as Grissom went to go find Warrick. “I’m in trouble aren’t I?”

“Probably,” Nick grinned. “What did you find in the employment records?”

“A connection, finally.” Abby pulled up one of the files. “At one point they all worked at the college bookstore.” Pausing for dramatic affect, “and worked under the same supervisor, who interestingly enough was fired for sexual harassment.”

“Brass picking him up?” Sara asked, a smile forming on her face. She was beyond frustrated over the pace of the case. They had nothing until now; she was giddy with excitement.

“Should be bringing him in now, Sara I want you to do the interview. I had the campus fax over the complaints made against him. From what I can tell from the reports, he doesn’t like strong willed women. ” Sarah’s grin just got wider. ”The biggest complaint was that he would always preach that women should be at home making sure dinner is on the table for her man, taking care of the kids, and keeping her husband happy in the bedroom.” Abby looked up at Sara, smiling.

“He’ll just love you,” Nick grinned at Sara, who grinned back.

“I’ll just watch from behind the mirror, see his responses and mannerisms.” Abby handed her the report as they headed out of the break room.

“Anything specific I should I do?” Sara asked, looking over the complaints quickly.

Abby shrugged, “Just be yourself, it will be enough to set him off.”

“Was that a compliment or insult?” Sara stopped looking at Abby.

“Depends on how you want to take it.” Abby walked off leaving Sara gaping.

“The more I work with her, the more I see Grissom’s training.” Nick commented; a huff from Sara was her only response. “What exactly do you have against her?”

Sara just glared at him, “We have to get to the station.” She turned on her heel and followed Abby down the hall.

Nick sighed, and followed the two women out into the parking lot. He fished out the keys to his Tahoe, unlocking the doors to let the girls in, when he heard the door open, and Grissom stepped out of the labs and jogged up to Nick.

“Nick, whatever you do, do not let Abby drive,” Grissom stated with extreme seriousness.

“What?” Nick asked shocked.

”WHAT!” Abby yelled indignant.

Grissom looked Nick directly in the eyes. “You heard me, Nick, Abby doesn’t drive.” Grissom then turned towards Abby, “And you know why?” Grissom turned and walked back into the lab.

Nick turned to Abby eyebrows raised in a question. “So?”

“Shut up and drive.” Abby grumbled getting into the backseat of the Tahoe. Her eyes narrowed at Sara’s smirk.

~Interrogation Room - Police Station~

Sara sat across from one Thomas Philips, thirty-two, single, and balding. He was belligerent in his answers and only spoke to Brass when he answered, Sara’s questions. Abby watched through the two-way mirror, watching carefully for any indication of violence.

“You don’t like woman, much do you? Mr. Philips.” Brass asked, sitting across the table from the suspect.

“Only woman that don’t know their place.” Philip pointedly glared at Sara.

“Is that why, the woman at the bookstore, filed charges against you?” Sara asked.

Philips leaned forward, “Those woman, were know-it-all little bitches. Couldn’t get a man if they paid one.” He finished his statement by sitting back in his chair, smiling at Brass. “Is that why you raped and killed them?” Sara threw a picture of Amy Neal. “She was married, and she didn’t pay him.”

“I didn’t rape or kill no one.” Philip pushed the photo away from him in disgust.

“Mr. Philips, where were you on the night of September first?” Sara asked, cocking her head to the side staring at him intently.

“Working like I do every night at the construction yard.” He answered, and then looked over at Brass. “Why aren’t you asking the questions? She your supervisor or something?”

“Or something,” Brass shrugged.

Sara interrupted, “Now Mr. Philips do you have any witness to the fact you were at the construction yard?”

“Are you married, miss?” Philips glanced at Sara.

“Do you or do you not have proof you were at the construction yard?” Sara asked, her voice becoming tight with frustration.

“Obviously not, no man would put up with a bitch like you.” Philips sneered in her direction, then turned to Brass. “Check my time cards man, and ask my crew. I work the graveyard shift, clock in at eight pm and clock out at eight am, my lunch break is at one am.”

“We will do that Mr. Philips, and if I find one discrepancy I’m hauling you in, personally.” Sara stood and left the room.

~Behind the Mirror~

“So, why can’t you drive?” Nick asked, as they watched the interrogation.

She looked over at him, trying not to succumb to his grin, “that’s between me, Grissom, and the DMV.”

“Oh really, maybe I should make a call,” Nick was in full grin.

Abby focused in on Mr. Philips, watching his reaction to the photo. “You do, and I’ll tie you up in the lab…”

“Kinky…” Nick looked over at Abby’s eyes dancing.

“…With Gil’s spider.” Abby smirked.

“That’s just wrong,” Nick turned back to the interrogation. “What do you think?” Nick gestured towards the man being interrogated.

“He’s not our guy. He’s a chauvinistic pig, who obviously can only get a date when he pays them.” The door opened as Brass and Sara walked in.

“I all ready have them checking out his time cards and asking his co-workers, but I have a feeling they will support what he’s telling us.” Brass commented as he closed the door behind him.

“He’s a jerk, but not a killer.” Sara sighed looking back through the mirror at Mr. Philips. “Now what?”

“Back to the records,” Abby shook her head. “There’s got to be something we are missing.”

~Break Room - Crime Labs: 2 days later~

Nick barely missed the thrown file folder as he opened the door. Abby looked beyond frustrated. She sat down at the desk and stared at the board.

“Nothing?”

”No, notta, zip, zero, zilch…” Sara waved her hands around exuberantly.

“Got it.” Nick sat across from her, handing her a cup of coffee from Starbucks. “Grissom told me about your ah, addiction, just don’t let Greg see it. He’ll think your cheating on him.”

“Thanks,” Abby sipped the coffee. “How’s the other case going?”

“Good, we found a match to the DNA and fingerprints, Warrick is with O’Reilly booking the suspect.” Nick answered, picking up some loose papers. “What is this?”

“I finally got all the clubs to send me the roster lists.” Abby rolled her eyes. “I gave Sara a copy earlier, she’s running the names through the system to see if we get a connection.”

“How many days left?” Nick asked, flipping through the papers.

“Five, until he strikes again.” Abby stood up and looked at the board frowning. “I know I’m missing something. Something important, something he knows I should know, but won’t tell me. The only thing we have is the number fourteen. It could mean anything, date, victims, age he lost his virginity, months in the service, jail; the list is endless.”

“You look frustrated,” Catherine walked in with a sympathetic look.

“Well you would be to if your phone rang every five minutes. Culpepper is riding me, I now got the Sheriff hounding me, DC called asking my estimated return time, and now the damn reporters keep calling. I’m sorely tempted to turn my cell phone off, but then Grissom would yell at me, or worse make me do a shoe print comparison on his case.” Abby smirked, and then yawned.

“How long you’ve been up?” Catherine eyed the venti starbucks.

Abby blinked, looked at her watch, then calendar. “What time is it?”

Nick shook his head, “Four am.”

Abby spun in her chair and looked at Catherine. “Then I’ve been up for twenty hours.”

“Well I’m heading out, you should go home and get some sleep.” Catherine headed for the door. “Why don’t you come over before shift, I’ll cook dinner. Lindsey would love to see you.”

Abby smiled, “Thanks Cath, I would love to.”

“See you around six?” Catherine called out as she headed out the door.

“Catherine’s right you should go, get some rest. If you want I’ll drive you out to your hotel, since it seems the state of Nevada won’t let you drive.” Nick grinned, and then laughed at Abby’s glare.

“For your information Mr. Stokes, I can drive in the state of Nevada. Its just that Grissom doesn’t trust me driving the Tahoe’s,” Abby’s glare was ruined by a mouth splitting yawn.

“Do you need a ride home?” Nick asked concerned.

Abby gave a tired smile, “I’m just waiting for Gil; he’s my ride and my hotel.”

“You’re staying at Grissom’s?” Nick asked.

“Anytime, I’m in Vegas I stay there, it’s like a second home.” Abby picked up another folder and started going through it.

“You and Grissom are close?” Nick tried to easy into the conversation, hoping to get more information out of the redhead.

Abby looked up at the Texan and smirked, “He helped me through a rough time in my life. My parents died when I was sixteen I had no one, until I met Grissom. Grissom became my family, a second father in a sense.”

Nick looked up, hearing the emotion in her voice. It made sense to him, watching the two interact. Grissom treated her like his kid he was protective of her, and always quick to smile at her antics. Nick was curious; it was the CSI in him. He wanted to know how the two meet, what situation made the two become so close, and in truth he wanted to know more about Abby. He opened his mouth to ask more questions, when the theme song from the A-Team interrupted him. He looked at Abby, who smiled sheepishly and picked up her phone.

“Thornheart,” Her voice was professional, though her face showed her irritation. Nick watched in amazement as her face softened and lit up in joy. “Hi, honey. How are you…I’m fine, yes Gil is taking care of me…No I’m not drinking coffee…” Nick watched as she pushed her cup of coffee away from her. “No, I’m not lying to you… What are you doing up? It’s four in the morning… Oh, yeah, time difference. Did you get your homework done?” Nick looked up in surprise. “I’m fine… Yes, I’m eating…did you finish your project? Yes, I’m changing the subject… I’m your mother, it’s my job to change the subject.” She looks up to see a surprised Nick looking back at her. “Honey…I’m not answering that…one of Gil’s CSI’s is from Texas…went to A&M…I’m not sure… Why don’t you ask him?” Abby grinned then handed the phone over to Nick.

Nick took the phone without thinking, gave a puzzled look to a smirking Abby, who sat back sipping her coffee. “Hello? This is Nick Stokes…Yeah, I’m from Texas…Didn’t play for A&M but played in high school, but I do know the quarterback…He’s a friend of the family…Next time I’ll talk to him I’ll get an autograph, who should I have it signed for? Grant Grissom Thornheart.” Nick raised his eyebrows at Abby she coughed and looked down. “Yes, she’s drinking coffee…Oh really, I’ll write that down.” Nick pulled out a paper and pen, “No coffee after 3am got it… Really call the local Starbucks.” Abby huffed from her side of the table her hands gesturing for the phone. Nick grinned and leaned back in his chair. “Must have three meals a day or gets crabby…Yes, I noticed that…Thanks for the tip I’ll make sure to remember that…Well it looks like your mom is going to try to rip the phone out of my hand so I’ll talk with you later… My cell number? Its…” Nick stated his number then handed back the phone to Abby smirking.

“Grant honey, what did you tell him?” Abby glared at the phone,” Don’t give me that young man. Of course, now you have to go, love you to.” She closed the phone and looked over at Nick.

“A-Team theme song?” Nick grinned at her.

“You’re just getting tons of information out of me this morning aren’t you.” Abby smiled, as she reached for her coffee.

Nick was one step ahead of her and grabbed it before she did. “Grant, said no coffee after three am, and its now four-fifteen.”

Abby eyes narrowed at the Texan, “Give me my coffee.” “Nope, and he also stated that if you argued with me, I should tell Grissom that your drinking to much coffee.” Nick stood up walking over to the sink to dump the coffee.

Abby jumped up to stop him, “Now, Nick, we can work out some arrangement right?”

Nick held the cup over the sink. Abby lunged for it; Nick grabbed her by the waist pulling her way while dumping the liquid down the sink. Abby groaned at the loss of the blessed caffeine.

“Is there something going on here?” Grissom stood at the break room door. He had heard laughter from the break room, and had decided to investigate. He walked up to see Nick and Abby laughing, Nick holding Abby around her waist, while she was reaching past him trying to get to the cup in his hand. He wasn’t sure what to feel about the cozy moment he witnessed.

“Grissom your CSI just poured my perfectly good coffee down the drain.” Abby stood there hands on her hips glaring at the Texan, who didn’t look at all ashamed.

“I was ordered to get rid of it,” Nick pointed out.

Grissom looked over at his CSI, “By who?”

“Grant Grissom Thornheart,” Nick looked Grissom directly in the eyes.

Grissom paused, looked over at Abby who shrugged, “The two of them had a chat.”

”And exactly how did they end up chatting?” Grissom asked, his answer coming from Abby’s eye shift and quick movement to sit back down. “Distracting Grant from asking questions so you handed him off to Nick?”

Abby looked over at Nick, “You know he should be a CSI.”

Nick laughed as he sat back down at the table. “So Grissom…”

“Don’t you have a case to work on?” Grissom cut him off.

“Warrick and I wrapped the last one, I was going to go over these club records with Abby.” Nick took the hint and dropped the subject matter. Grissom nodded then turned and left the break room.

Nick looked over at the board and tried to focus on finding any connection. Abby pulled up more folders and began sifting through them, writing down thoughts or notes into a journal that sat next to her. ‘The only thing we have is the number fourteen. It could mean anything, date, victims, age he lost his virginity, months in the service, jail; the list is endless.’ Nick stood up and headed for the door. Abby jerked at his sudden movements following him with her eyes to the door.

“I have a hunch, I want to follow. I’ll let you know if it pans out.” He walked out the door and down the hall. She watched him head to the back of the labs, loosing sight of him as he turned the corner. She then looked around, got up walked over to the cabinet, opened the second to the left and reached into the back of the cabinet. Grabbing her prize she pulled out Greg’s secret stash, and made a fresh pot of coffee.

Nick sat down at the computer and pulled up the Crime Lab’s database on past cases. He typed in the number fourteen to see if it would pull up anything. He slowly began a methodical search, using the number fourteen in every possible search field - date, victim, age, year. What if it was personal? What if he is saying something to CSI? Nick sat back; it was going to be a long day, now he wished he hadn’t dumped the Starbucks coffee.

END PART

~*~*~*~*~*~

Author’s Note:
I want to thank all those that are reviewing. For the few who have questions, I’m getting all my information about the characters from the CBS website. It stated that Grissom worked over the past 15 years to bring the Las Vegas lab from #14 to #2. And that Grissom recruited Catherine to be a lab tech and that she worked over a decade to make CSI level Three.

Timeline for story: Grissom and Abby meet w/in Grissom’s first year in Vegas. A year later Catherine is recruited. So Abby only has a year on Catherine in knowing Grissom. But the two girls would have worked together and gone up the ranks together since Abby also starts as a lab tech.

Hope that answers some questions - and please keep reading and reviewing. The story 80% finished, so there shouldn’t be to many spaces between updating - pending any crisis.