#csi x reader insert

[ilariyalavorowrites]

Stalking Me, Stalking You (CSI Nick Stokes) Part three

Imagine: You never saw it coming, you never knew he was there until the moment he struck. For months, this individual had stalking you from the shadows, trying to find a way into your life. Never quite able to but in his mind, time was running out and soon enough you would be completely out of reach. This was the moment to act, to ‘rescue’ you and steal you away.

Warnings: Angst with a happy ending, kidnapping, hurt but eventual comfort. Suffering, lots of suffering, slow-moving plot, stalking, obsessive behaviour.

Pairings: Nick Stokes x Reader and Reader x OC (one-sided)

Word count: 3,068 words

Universe: CSI

Reader gender: Female

Part three of ten

Tagged: @just-call-me-the-old-hag @horsedragonllama @space-helen @kneelforloki @flopiboni

Previous / Next

Monday, Midnight

Greg and Morgan sat side by side, as Archie worked his magic on the various clips of CCTV. Each of the three larger monitors displayed different parts of a timeline that had been created by the day shift’s visual and audio tech Franklyn. They watched as their friend exited her known and preferred coffee shop with her piping hot beverage alone. This had been the last place that she had seen when Officer Sawyer had taken the barista’s statement.

“This is the only first clip that Dayshift obtained after the warrant for her finances came through” Morgan stated with the matching report in hand. The short clip showed nothing out of the ordinary. There was no one tailing her, no strange car parked with a window partially wound down with the driver trying to look casual as their eyes trailed after her.

“It confirms the Barista’s statement at the very least” Greg replied as his gaze shifted to the second screen. Archie paused the first clip and then slid the cursor to the play the next one.

All of them were teetering on the edge of professionalism. Trying their best to push aside their personal feelings. They needed to try at the very least to view the evidence collected like any other case. It was going to be a long night especially as Greg and Morgan had been the ones assigned to review what was already there for this shift. 

The plan was for hands on deck over the next few shifts, to hand over the new details and brief the incoming day shift at the end of their night then repeat the process with a fresh set of eyes the next night.

“This one isn’t the greatest quality, it’s a wall-mounted camera from one of her neighbours that was discovered by the door-to-door interviews” Archie stated as the pixelated footage started. Both Morgan and Greg noted the timestamp, it had been captured at 2:30 in the afternoon. 

“This camera will only record when the motion detection is triggered as you both know” Archie reminded them as they all watched as a battered, Silver Chevrolet Cruze drove past. It did not match the make and model of the car that the Detective had, which had yet to be located even with the BOLO that had been put out with all the necessary details. It had vanished into thin air.

Notes from the lead CSI Ava Dane stated that none of the neighbours had recognised the car when they had spoken after reviewing the footage. One neighbour had commented that he noticed the vehicle when he had returned from home at around 3:10 but he had heard tyres screeching loudly about twenty-five minutes later and when he looked at the window, it was gone.

There had been a slight skid mark noted and photographed from outside that particular address which had been run through the system and matched commonly used wheels. It had the first dead end.

“Franklyn managed to recover a partial plate after cleaning up the image, I won’t be able to get much more than that due to video quality” The tech apologised, knowing that this was not what the two of them wanted to hear.

“It’s a start at least” Morgan responded, trying to remain positive as she turned to the next report. Her eyes rapidly moved over the data displayed there. “It looks like the day shift ran that plate, there’s a fair few listed but they eliminated half” 

As her eyes drifted down the page, they stopped over one particular name. As memories of the case that she had worked on came flooding back. The Detective had been waiting for her at the scene. 

Vaughn Mikhailov was a two-bit drug dealer, he and his older brother Artem had been targeted and shot at in a drive-by gangbangers after they had tried to move in on the turf of another local dealer. The initial warnings had been ignored by the pair, and this had led to the car being targeted. Vaughn had been in the backseat, he had barely been clipped by a single bullet in his left shoulder but Artem hadn’t been as lucky.

He had died at the scene, bleeding out whilst waiting on the paramedics. Vaughn had been cooperative to a point, but eventually, he just screamed at her friend when she had in his eyes failed to get justice for his brother.

It was not always possible to reach a satisfactory end to every case, it had been one of those which slipped through the crack when the leads had all run cold. Morgan remembered that her friend had noted that this had not been her first rodeo with either of the Mikhailov brothers.

“The first time I met them was when I was working the beat, I arrested Artem for soliciting a working girl and Vaughn for dealing. Both of them had rap sheets as long as your arm. It's their mother, I feel for each time one of them ends up in court”

There had been sympathy that lingered as she listened, as it turned out their mother had raised both the boys single-handedly after their father had run off. She had tried her best but they had been drawn into the fast-paced lifestyle of wheeling and dealing. As she watched, the detective informed the woman of her son’s death.

“What is it, Morgan?” Greg asked, noticing that Morgan had not spoken and became transfixed by one of the reports further in. He leaned, to see what she had been reading. It was the list of cars compiled by the plate search. 

“Vaughn Mikhailov,” She said looking up to meet his gaze. Greg’s gaze narrowed perplexed as he did not recognize the name. However, before he could reply, Morgan beat him to the punch.

“It was a drive-by shooting case, I worked a few weeks back and she was the lead detective assigned work to the case alongside me” She started, knowing that she would need to give him more than that if they were going to start to seriously look at him as a potential suspect.

“He and his older brother were targeted after trying to move into another dealer’s turf. His brother died at the scene. He was far from happy with how things went but he had a chip on his shoulder as she had arrested him more than a few times in the past” Once she had finished speaking, Morgan waited for Greg to process the information that had been dumped upon him.

“So he held her responsible for not finding his brother’s killer then. Greg asked, Morgan nodded before one last comment. “He had an axe to grind”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------Tuesday, 4 am

With one hand poised, Nick firmly knocked upon Russell’s closed office door. In a roundabout way, he had expected the text summoning him to the supervisor’s office but not this soon. He had hoped that he would be one way approaching Russell but then again, at least this way soon enough everything would be out in the open.

This was not the way that he had hoped that this conversation would be initiated. He knew that she had already started telling her partner and fellow officers about her boyfriend whenever she had a spare few minutes. She had also scheduled a meeting with HR on the day that she was meant to be returning to work. Nick then would approach Russell around the same time as she would have been seated down with HR. Effectively killing two birds with one stone 

This had always been their plan when things became more serious between the two of them. Multiple discussions had arisen, on when, where and how they approach their collective jobs regarding their romantic relationship and the potential impact on both of their jobs that would need to be addressed and solutions put into place.

She had planned to offer to be moved from Graveyard to Swing or Day if no other compromise could be reached. Where it would be possible for both of them both work the same shift pattern without any issues. Departmental policy had previously torn Sara from the team when her relationship with Grissom came to light, they had wondered how it would have played out for them.

Yes, they were still colleagues working alongside another one, but not under the same direct supervisor. They crossed over for Homicide and Forensic evidence collection and investigation came hand in hand. Without one, you couldn’t have the other.

“Come in” Russell’s voice called from behind the door, bringing Nick back of his thoughts as he pushed the handle and then the door inwardly. “Hey Russell…” He greeted the man sitting behind the desk but what he hadn’t expected was Catherine being in the room, standing off to one side behind Russell.

“Shut the door Nick” Russell continued as he went through the motions of crossing the threshold and closing the door behind him and moved further into the office to stand before the pair staring straight at him.

“I know this is about Detective..” Her name rolled off his tongue, one that had fallen on his lips many times before. “Look, I know that I should have told you..” Nick started to try and explain the position that he had found himself in.

“Nick, I need to know that you’ll be able to recuse yourself if you cross that emotional line where you start to lead your heart, not your head. For as long as you can remain objective then you still work on the case but the moment, that you step over that line. I will remove you and you’ll be treated just like every other significant other or next kin on every other case that had past through this department” Russell spoke with a conviction that could not be ignored or overturned. This was a promise that he would not go back on. 

Nick quickly nodded, happily agreeing with his supervisor’s conclusion. “This will have to be logged with HR and I’ll arrange the meeting shortly”  Russell said before turning to Catherine. “Anything you want to add?” He said, pulling her into the dialogue. Catherine had been quietly observing the short back and forth between the pair.

“Nicky, from here on out, we’ll be watching closer. Please understand, that we want to bring her home as much as you do. Still, we have to follow the rules and ensure there nothing can be challenged further down the line” Her words held a warmth that Nick had felt before, the familial love that had developed and grown over the many years that they had worked together. Once again, Catherine was looking after him, all whilst balancing the integrity of the crime lab and their necessary work on top of that. It was a well-practice balancing act that she had perfected over the last decade.

All it took would be one step in the wrong direction and it would come tumbling back down. That could not happen, no it would not help.

------------------------------------------------------------------------Tuesday 2 am

As the night rolled by, evidence was processed, reviewed and reported, with the new findings and avenues to venture down next added to the ever-growing list.

The one initially weak lead that had cropped up early in the shift strengthened as prints from the scene which had been set running whilst the sun was still up bore fruit. Morgan’s theory now seemed more plausible as the same name popped up once more, this could not just be a coincidence in the name of bad blood. 

Morgan turned to Greg, still trying to wrap her head around this as there were still too many variables that did not make a lick of sense. She could understand the steps taken to enact some twisted form of payback by breaking into the detective’s home and destroying everything that she might hold dear. There were no signs of a struggle, no blood splatter or trail to imply that they had been lying in wait for her to return.

With the crime scene photos laid out on the table between them, this felt much like the pieces of a puzzle waiting to be put together to reveal the image displayed upon the box when a handful of key tiles were missing, creating holes in the image. “This isn’t the primary scene, there is no indication that she ever came back. Two separate indications with one connecting factor, her” Morgan said, churning over the thoughts in her head out loud as she tried to make any sense of it all.

“What do we know about Vaughn Mikhailov, beyond his last arrest report?” Greg started before listing off what had been discovered thus far “His prints are all over this crime scene, his car matches the mark and model spotted on the neighbour's CCTV but why would a dealer break into a cop’s home in broad daylight?” He posed the question to Morgan, the blonde’s face twisted in confusion as she tried to gather together a logical answer but found none. 

“How did he find her address? That’s what bugs me unless he tailed her previously but according to the neighbour’s statement” Morgan replied, fishing out the relevant document from the box on her side of the table and turning to the right page. “That car had never been caught on camera before that day and those cameras had been up for more than six months”

“The only way that we’ll get satisfactory answers is that Vaughn Mikhailov needs to be found and brought in for questioning” Morgan nodded her head in agreement, the two-bit criminal had a lot to answer for.

“Brass put has BOLO out on Mikailov’s car”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------Tuesday, 4:30 am

The blinding flash of blue lights and screeching sirens were not out of place as the convoy of vehicles pulled up in front of the homestead. Its chain link fence had seen better days, half still attached to the poles that marked the edge of the property and the rest lost within the depths of the tall grass that desperately needed cutting. 

The property itself was registered to one Nikolai Mikhailov, the cousin of their prime suspect. It was not out of the ordinary for Vaughn to crash on his cousin’s sofa when his mother threw him out for the third time that week. Officers had called the property in the past, more often than not on matters of public nuisance or disturbance. Nikolai loved to party well into the small hours and was not shy about using violence to silence any complaining neighbours if they dared to call the cops on him.

Detective Captain Jim Brass surveyed the scene from behind the cruiser’s side door and soon found what he was looking for. With the garage door half enough, it was plain to see the car parked within, its license plate matching the suspect’s known vehicle of choice. No lights could be seen from the street as Officers tentatively approached the front door, ready to burst through the door and apprehend whoever was on the other side.

With the fury of valkyries leading the charge, the officers breached through the threshold as calls of LVPD came and went as Jim watched them disappear inside. This had to be it, this had to be the end of the road.

He was not the only one listening in, as the Officers inside cleared the scene. The investigated interest ran through from the bottom straight up to the top. She was one of them

‘419’ The code of a dead body came crackling over the airwaves, a dead body had been discovered. A chill rushed through him as he envisioned the very sight of her lying there, with empty, glazed-over eyes staring up at him as he wondered why.

’It’s not her’ The voice of Officer Mitchell soon followed as Jim released the breath that he hadn’t known he was holding back, then again he wasn’t the only one. Nick stood silently by, with bated breath as Morgan and Greg left with kits in hand. This was their scene now as they had been the ones to discover the connections that led to this.

Hodges stood in the doorway, reading the scene before him. The air was still tense as they all waited for the relief to set in but yet that felt too premature. The lab tech cleared his throat to try and catch Nick’s attention. He watched for a moment then tried a different approach.

“Nick, this was left at Reception for you” Hodges called into the room, as he held out the unstamped manila envelope for the other man to take. Nick Stokes was scrawled across the front in a large and unfamiliar hand. 

Nick frowned, he was not awaiting any post as he took it. “Thanks, man,” He said as he turned it over, inspecting it from every angle. There was nothing about the envelope that stood out, it was a standard A3 office stationery that was stocked by countless suppliers but the question arose of who had sent it.

As he carefully opened the sealed flap and reached inside, Nick quickly found the content. A series of photographs which he slid out. Hodges slid up beside him as he turned over the first which revealed little other than what he already knew to be true.

“Is that…” David questioned at the sight of his friends and colleagues locked in a rather passionate embrace. “Yes,” Nick curtly replied, annoyed at the very prospect that they had been followed and their privacy had been invaded like this as he turned over the next one.

It was the last one that drew a shocked gasp from Hodges, as he shook with a rage that he hadn’t felt for some time. The sight of her bound and unconscious in the boot of an unidentifiable vehicle with the words I WIN STOKES, SHE IS MINE written in bold, block capitals across the top of the image.

Each had focused upon her, she was the object of this maddening desire. A tail had been placed as her routine was documented. He held pride of place in a number of the images, whether he liked it or not.

He was taunting him, this was just his opening move.

[winchesterszvonecek]

random dialogue prompts #38

for adam ross please! there’s a severe lack of adam content out there

Random Dialogue - [ Adam Ross ]

Prompt: “You’re such a dork.” “Yeah, no wonder you’re so in love with me.”

Word Count: 707

Warnings: female!reader, fluff

A/N: idk if there’s much of an audience for adam out there but i love him so thank you to whoever suggested this! i hope you like it and i hope there’s others out there who do too

shoutout to @dumplingsjinson for the prompt list

Masterlist | Adam Masterlist

Waiting for test results was always slow and boring. There wasn’t much to do but stare at the screen and hope it went faster so you’d get the team one step closer to finding their killer, but unfortunately for all of you, these things took time. And a lot of it.

You couldn’t even do anything else whilst you waited as all your open case files were stuck in the waiting period as well. Same with Adam who was currently spinning in circles in front of his own screen, telling you facts about penguins of all things. You didn’t know exactly how the topic went from dirt trace found at the crime scene to penguins, but you weren’t exactly complaining.

You always loved hearing him ramble on about things that made him happy and if penguins happened to do that, then let’s just say you’d be stopping off at the store on your way home to buy him a stuffed one.

“And did you know that penguins adapted to fly underwater…” Adam continued, his chair squeaking quietly beneath him as he spun in slow circles. “I mean how crazy is that? Flying underwater?”

“That is crazy.” You replied softly, unable to help but smile at him as you leaned against your table, your chin propped up on your closed fist as you stared at him with nothing but adoration in your eyes.

“Right? See, most birds have these hollow, air-filled bones to help them stay light for flying. But penguins, they naturally adapted to have solid bones instead, that way it makes it easier for them to swim and they don’t just float up to the surface again.” He finished with a little wiggle of his hand through the air, as though mimicking that of a penguin floating to the surface of the ocean.

You chuckled softly to yourself, shaking your head a little as you couldn’t believe just how many strange, yet interesting, facts swam about inside his head. Ones that he often passed on to you and that you even found yourself repeating to others without realising.

You’ll never forget the day you ended up in the elevator with Mac and began to tell him all about the difference between brown bear fur and polar bear fur. He’d only said good morning to you, yet he got a lot more than he bargained for when you opened your mouth. Not to mention when the elevator came to a stop and he simply said ‘you’re spending too much time with Adam’ before walking away, leaving you drowning in embarrassment as your relationship with Adam had been on the down low back then… Or so you both thought.

But now that you were both out to the world officially, you simply didn’t care if people told you that you were spending too much time with Adam, because if you could, then you’d spend every single waking moment of your time listening to him talk.

“You’re such a dork.” You breathed out, a soft laugh mixed in there somewhere as you straightened from your slouched position. You could see how Adam blushed a little and you heard his own, little, awkward chuckle escape his lips as he realised he’d been rambling.

But he also knew you loved it when he would talk about complete and utter nonsense when you were both waiting on test results, as, like you’d told him many times when he apologised for doing so, it made the long wait that little bit less boring.

“Yeah, no wonder you’re so in love with me.” He exhaled as he stretched his arms over his head, unaware that you’d gotten to your feet and were currently making your way over to his little corner of the lab.

It wasn’t until he felt your hands land on his shoulders did he know you’d moved, and when you placed a sweet, gentle kiss on his cheek, just above the lining of his beard, he couldn’t help but smile. And it was a smile that grew just that little bit more when your next words reached his ears.

“You got that right.” You whispered, placing another soft kiss on his cheek. “I am so madly in love with you.”

Prompt List

Like this? Apply to my Adam tag list here!

[mrscmobsession]

Two Months Later

Life at the Vegas Crime Lab was beginning to feel more settled again. Warrick’s absence was still felt, but the team was adapting. Ray Langston, the newest addition to the group, had quickly proven himself as a competent and thoughtful CSI. He was still finding his footing but had earned the respect of his colleagues, including Nick and Clair.

Nick and Clair, meanwhile, had been quietly navigating their relationship. After months of playful flirtation, their bond had grown into something more serious. But outside of stolen glances and the occasional subtle touch, they were careful to keep their relationship private, not wanting it to interfere with work.

Ray’s Confession

Ray and Nick stood side by side in the break room, each nursing a cup of coffee. The hum of the vending machine filled the silence as Ray hesitated before speaking.

“So, uh... Nick,” Ray began, glancing at him. “What’s the deal with Clair? She seeing anyone?”

Nick nearly choked on his coffee, managing to cover it with a cough. “Clair? Uh, why do you ask?”

Ray shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I was just thinking about asking her out. She’s smart, funny, beautiful... seems like the whole package, you know?”

Nick’s face froze for a moment before he forced a neutral smile. “Yeah, she is,” he said slowly, carefully. “But, uh, you might want to talk to her about that.”

Ray raised an eyebrow, sensing something unspoken but deciding not to push.

Nick and Clair’s Conversation

That evening, Nick found Clair in the locker room, packing up her bag for the day.

“Hey,” he said, leaning against the doorframe.

She looked up and smiled. “Hey, you.”

Nick walked closer, lowering his voice. “So, uh, Ray’s thinking about asking you out.”

Clair blinked, surprised. “Really? What did you say?”

“I told him to talk to you.” Nick paused, studying her reaction. “But it got me thinking... How would you feel about that?”

Clair leaned against the locker, considering. “You know I’ve always been open to exploring things,” she said carefully. “But I’d want to make sure you’re okay with it.”

Nick nodded. “I am. I mean, I’d want to talk about boundaries and make sure it’s something we’re both comfortable with. But if you’re interested in Ray, I wouldn’t want to hold you back.”

She stepped closer, her voice soft. “And you? How would you feel about the three of us spending time together?”

Nick’s lips curved into a small smile. “I think I’d like that.”

Clair and Ray’s First Date

A few days later, Clair and Ray went out for coffee after their shift. Ray was charming and attentive, and Clair found herself enjoying his company more than she expected.

Halfway through their conversation, Clair decided it was time to address the elephant in the room.

“Ray,” she began, setting down her cup. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Ray leaned forward, his expression curious.

“Nick and I are in a relationship,” she said simply.

Ray blinked, startled. “Oh... I didn’t realize. I’m sorry—I didn’t mean to—”

Clair held up a hand, smiling gently. “It’s okay. Nick and I talked about this. We’re... open to exploring other connections. But I wanted to be upfront with you about it before things went any further.”

Ray studied her for a moment, then nodded slowly. “So... you’re saying this is something he’s okay with? Something you both want?”

She nodded. “Exactly. But if it’s not something you’re comfortable with, I understand.”

Ray sat back, considering. After a moment, he smiled. “You know what? I think I’d like to see where this goes.”

The Trio’s First Date

A week later, the three of them decided to go out together—a mix of curiosity and mutual affection driving them to see how things felt as a group. They started at a trendy downtown bar, where the drinks flowed freely and the laughter came easily.

Nick and Ray quickly bonded over shared interests, and Clair found herself enjoying the playful banter between the two men.

By the time they left the bar, the three of them were giddy and warm with alcohol, the night taking on a dreamlike quality.

A Spicy Night

Back at Nick’s apartment, the atmosphere shifted. What had started as lighthearted fun became charged with unspoken tension. Nick, Clair, and Ray exchanged uncertain glances before Clair broke the silence with a soft laugh.

“Well,” she said, her cheeks flushed, “this is new.”

Nick grinned, stepping closer to her. “Yeah, but I think I like it.”

Ray, watching them both, hesitated before nodding. “Same here.”

What followed was an evening of exploration and connection, each of them discovering new depths to their relationships. It was uncharted territory, but for the first time in a long while, they all felt alive, free, and truly understood.

[duckprintspress]

Fandom Lexicon: C

The third installment in our posts about our Fandom Lexicon introduces the most terms yet: those beginning with the letter C!

Make sure you check out the main Fandom Lexicon page! We’ve posted letters A, B, and now C, and will be adding one or more letters each week until the entire lexicon is live and available for your perusal.

Spot a mistake we’ve made? Have we left something out? Let us know!

Lexicon Terms Beginning with C (read more)

C Drama: Abbreviation for “Chinese drama.” TV dramas from China

C Pop: Abbreviation for “Chinese pop.” Pop music from China.

C-Ent: Abbreviation for “Chinese entertainment.” Overarching term for the Chinese entertainment industry.

C&C: Abbreviation for “comments and criticism.” Typically used by a creator when indicating whether they do or do not want comments and/or criticism on their work. For example, an author’s note might read, “C&C Welcome.”

Camp NaNo: Shortened term referring to “Camp National Novel Writing Month.” A week-long writing event that occurs twice every year, in April and July. It is hosted by NaNoWriMo, but unlike the original NaNo, participants in Camp NaNo choose their own goals. See also NaNoWriMo (pending).

Canon: Facts about a narrative provided within the published context of the media being referred to. What does and does not count as canon is often up for speculation and scrutiny by fans with different interests/perspectives. Generally considered separate from “Word of God” explanations of the text – canon events must have happened “on the page” or “on the screen” or “in the recording” for the media in question, depending of course on the original format for the media. Read more about what canon means.

Canon Compliant: A fanwork that follow the rules/characterizations/plot of its source material, as interpreted by the creator of that work. Truly canon compliant works follow canon so closely that they could exist in canon without violating any known information about the world and characters, though that can be a moving target for canon compliant works created when canon is still ongoing. Read more about canon compliance.

Canon Divergent: A fanwork that begins at an established point in the source material’s canon, then takes off in its own direction. Read more about canon divergence.

Canon Insert: Most typically refers to when a writer’s original character is added to canon or replaces an existing canon character. Less typically, refers to a character from franchise A who is added to a canon or replaces an existing canon character in a fanwork about franchise B. Read more about character inserts.

Carrd: A service that hosts simple, easy-to-make websites for free, or more advanced ones for a fee, used by fans and other people to provide a central place for their contact details, interests, and personal information they want to share. Learn more on the Carrd website.

Casefic: A genre of fanwork in which the main characters are solving a case. Most common in fandoms where there are episodes or books that are each case-based, such as The X-Files, CSI, or Supernatural. Read more about casefic.

CBT: Abbreviation for “cock and ball torture” and for “cognitive behavioral therapy.” A classic example of just how important context can be for understanding what an abbreviation means!

CC: Abbreviation for the Creative Commons. A license that a user can assign to their own creation, giving permission to use the creation in their own projects provided they follow the terms of the chosen Creative Commons license. Read more about the types of Creative Commons licenses on the Creative Commons webpage.

Cheerleader: A person who reads a fanfic before it’s published and cheers the author on, so they keep up their motivation. The difference to alpha or beta reader is that the cheerleader usually does not offer any concrit nor do they do spelling and grammar (SPAG) editing.

Chibi: A type of art in which the characters are shown with unrealistic proportions, most often with unusually large heads and eyes. Also sometimes called “SD,” which stands for super-deformed. Read more about the term “chibi.”

Cishet: Shortened term for “cisgender heterosexual.” An individual whose assigned gender at birth matches their gender identity and who experiences sexual attraction to the opposite gender and only the opposite gender (excluding non-binary people and other genders outside the binary). While intended to be used to refer to people who are not queer, the term has often become a short-hand insult for aromantic and asexual people, and for bisexual people who are in relationships with person who are of the opposite in-the-binary gender. Read more about the term “cishet.”

Cisswap: See Genderbend (pending).

Citrus: See Citrus Scale.

Citrus Scale: A method for rating works from general to explicit without using lewd terminology. Read more about the citrus scale on Fanlore or in our blog post on the topic.

Claims: Typically refers to the point in a Bang of any size when artists are given an anonymized list of fic summaries, choose their favorites, and subsequently find out which authors they will be working with. In reverse bangs, it refers to when authors choose the artist they will be working with. For another usage, see Face Claim (pending).

CNTW: Abbreviation for “chose not to warn.” The creator chose not to use warning tags/labels. This abbreviation and usage is based on the AO3 Archive Warning “Creator Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings.”

Coda: A fanwork that adds a scene that fans wish had been included in the source material. Often described by citing the season and episode that the fanwork is a coda to. For example, “coda to 5 x 2” would be a coda/new final scene created to follow the events of episode 2 of season 5. Sometimes referred to as an “episode tag.” Read more about codas.

Concrit: A shortened term for “constructive criticism.” 1. Critique of a creation that actively contributes to its improvement. In this definition, the criticism is usually intentionally solicited, and the critique is done by the editor or beta reader in collaboration with the writer, after discussion of what the author is trying to accomplish and what their goals are. 2. Unwelcome and unsolicited critique from commenters on fanworks, which givers often try to excuse by leaning on definition 1.

Conlang: A shortened term for “constructed language.” An artificially created language, for example Klingon in Star Trek and Elvish in the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. Read more about conlangs.

Consentacles: A portmanteau of “consent” and “tentacles.” Used to refer to tentacle sex enjoyed with enthusiastic consent. “Dubious consentacles” is also in use, indicating that the consent is more ambiguous.

Cosplay: Dressing up like a character from a given franchise. Ranges from exact replications to crossovers and/or creative reinterpretations of the source material. Read more about cosplay.

CP: Abbreviation for “couple,” except when it means “child pornography.” In East Asian fandoms, CP refers to the main couple in a work. In Western fandoms, CP most often stands for “child pornography.” This difference has caused many, many problems. Read more about the different uses of CP as an abbreviation.

Crack: A speculative concept that is unbelievably ridiculous. For example, “what if all the characters were chicken nuggets?” Read more about crack.

Crackship: A ship between that is unbelievably ridiculous, such as a character with an object, a location with a creature, or two people who would genuinely never in a thousand years ever work out in a relationship. Not the same thing as an unpopular ship or rare pair. Read more about crackships.

Creation Challenge: A fandom event in which the host(s) come up with a theme and/or a list of prompts, and participants are invited to create fanworks in response to that prompt. Examples of creation challenges include Big Bangs and Bingos.

Crossover: A term with many uses in different contexts; in fandom, it refers to when a fanwork combines multiple sources in some way. Mulder and Scully showing up in a Doctor Who fic, for example. Read more about crossovers.

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[thinkingaboutbetterdays]

one of the good ones. ( ray langston x reader )

gif belongs to me

It was raining the first time you met Ray. The CSI was searching the streets for information about a case he was working on, and you were escaping a bad date. You hadn't predicted the change in the weather, and the rain felt like icicles as you walked down the street.

Ray turned when he heard heels against the sidewalk, and you stumbled when one of your heels broke, cursing in frustration as you took off both shoes.

"Are you alright?"

You lifted your head, meeting his concerned gaze. "Aside from the universe turning on me, yes. I was, uh, on a bad date, and I dropped my phone." You showed the damage to your cell phone, and his frown deepened. "I've been walking around looking for a cab."

You knew what you must have looked like. Your dress was clinging to your skin, your styled hair was now flat and soaked, and your makeup was being washed away. You just hoped your mascara didn't make you look like a drowned panda.

"And now my heels have given up."

Ray shrugged off his jacket, and you noticed the writing on the back before he placed it over your shoulders.

"CSI?" 

"I'm a Crime Scene Investigator." He explained. "I'm parked not far from here, I'll drive you home."

"Are you sure?"

He nodded with a smile, and you returned it.

 "Thank you."

Ray led you to his car, holding the door open for you as you climbed inside, closing it afterwards. You sighed in relief from getting out of the rain, pulling his jacket tighter around you as he got inside. He started the engine and pressed the controls to heat up the car. 

"Thank you again." You said as he drove off.

"Don't mention it." He glanced at you with a smile. 

As he drove you traded stories about your night, you told him about your date that was so suspicious Ray would check his name out later, and he told you why he was out canvasing the neighbourhood for information on a case.

A robbery that had left three customers wounded, a fourth customer dead, and a missing shop owner that turned up dead after being brutally tortured.

You bit the inside of your cheek as he parked outside your house and turned to thank him as you removed his jacket before stepping onto your driveway.

"Good luck with your case."

"Thank you." He smiled softly, "Goodnight."

"Night." You sent him a smile as you closed the door, and Ray watched as you held your broken heels and jogged to the porch. He waited until the door was closed before driving off.

The next day, Ray ran the name of your date and made the grim discovery that it was an alas commonly used by a man who was recently on parol for stalking a woman and breaking into her house. It had been so dark that night that he couldn't see the number of your house, but Ray knew he needed to find you.

Later that day, you were returning home from work when you saw a message on your answering machine. You walked over, about to press play when you noticed a window was open in the kitchen. You went over to close it, wondering if you had really left in such a hurry that you'd left it open.

You were about to sit down to listen to the message when there was a knock on the door. You were surprised to see Ray on your porch.

"Hi," You smiled softly.

"I left you a message on your machine." 

"I was just about to listen to it." You stepped aside to let him in. "Is something wrong?"

You were stunned when Ray told you he ran the name of your suspicious date and discovered he was on parol, arrested for stalking and breaking and entering. Your gut twisted at the thought of him watching you for weeks before inserting himself into your life. 

You looked at the kitchen window and Ray glanced over before meeting your gaze.

"What is it?"

"I-I always check before leaving for work, and it was open when I came home."

Ray took a look around the house, and after you declared nothing was touched, he gave you his number before leaving for work. He stopped by every night on his way to work for three days, and you checked in with him through text messages throughout the day. You found it hard to sleep knowing that your stalker was out there watching.

On the fourth day, you came home from work and began to make dinner. You always made some for Ray, who was thankful but told you that you didn't have to.

"Please, after everything, it's the least I can do."

You opened the fridge and gathered ingredients in your arms, closing the door with your hip. You gasped when you saw the pantry door was open, and your stalker approaching you. Dropping the food, you rushed out of the kitchen, and the man caught up to you in the living room. You heard the front door being busted open and were relieved to see Ray with his gun drawn.

"Let her go."

You squirmed as the man held you tighter, feeling tears prick your eyes as you watched another CSI enter the room.

"You're the one who drove her home." 

A chill went down your spine at the revelation he had followed you and Ray home.

"I did," Ray admitted.

"Is that why you left me? Because you're with him?" You held your breath when your stalker gripped your cheeks and held your neck as he pinned you to the wall, shouting about how much he loved you. You felt a sharp pain in your stomach and glanced down to see the stalker had taken out a switchblade and stabbed you with it.

Ray fired a round into his shoulder, making him stagger away and he and Nick quickly wrestled him to the ground. Once he was handcuffed, Ray looked over at you, seeing your back sliding down the wall and your hands trembled as they hovered over the switchblade.

"No, no, keep it in." He rushed over to your side, "It's slowing the blood loss."

"R-Ray..." You whispered teary-eyed, looking at your stalker fearfully as he was hauled to his feet by Nick. 

"He can't keep us apart forever, my love!"

"Shut up!" Nick yelled as he dragged him outside the house while Ray called for an ambulance.

"Look at me," Ray said softly, and you met his gaze, "You're going to be alright."

Ray shrugged off his jacket, bundling it into a pillow before guiding you to the floor. You closed your eyes, wincing at the feeling of the blade moving inside you, meeting his gaze as he knelt beside you. "The ambulance will be here any minute."

You nodded, swallowing the lump in your throat. "How did you know?"

"I know your schedule. You always check your machine when you come home. When you didn't call me back, I had a feeling something was wrong."

Ray filled the silence by talking about his case, to keep your attention until the ambulance arrived. But he could see you were getting weaker and the blood was slowly seeping onto your shirt. Nick returned briefly when the ambulance arrived, and the patrol car arrived moments later.

"I'll hitch a ride in the patrol car," Nick said when the paramedics told them that they couldn't ride in the ambulance. 

Ray nodded, thanking him and the two followed as the paramedics wheeled you out of the house. Nick got in the patrol car while Ray climbed into his car, following close behind the ambulance as it drove off. He stayed at the hospital for six hours while you were in surgery. When you were moved to a room, Ray listened as the doctor recounted the surgery, thanking him before he left to go to work.

He didn't know how long he'd been sitting in the locker room when Catherine found him. Time seemed to pass by slower for him, and he felt paralyzed at the events of tonight.

"Hey," The blonde lingered in the doorway, "Nick told me what happened. Are you sure you want to work tonight? I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to go home."

"Thank you, but I need the distraction," Ray replied.

Catherine nodded before diving into details about the two cases they had caught that night and when she left Ray shook his head, resting his head in his hands. He hadn't absorbed a single word.

Ray left the lab and returned to the hospital. He pulled a chair next to the bed and took a seat. You slept peacefully throughout the night, well into the morning, and when you woke, Ray was talking to Nick who kept him updated on their cases. You smiled softly when his eyes met yours as he hung up.

"Hey,"

"Hi, how are you feeling?"

"Like hell." You blinked slowly, your brow furrowing when you noticed the three coffee cups in the trash can. "Have you been here all night?"

"Most of it," Ray admitted. "I couldn't focus on my work, not after everything that happened."

"Thank you. This is the second time you've saved me." You blinked away your tears, glancing away briefly, "I would invite you for dinner, but I threw it at him when I ran. Rain check?"

Ray smiled softly, realizing you were still half asleep and believed you were still at home and knew the drugs the doctors had given you had a lot to do with it. "Sure."

After spending the day with you, Ray returned to work, his mind put at ease for the time being. He visited every day, meeting your parents briefly, and they thanked him for helping you. A few days later you were cleared to leave the hospital and you picked up your jacket, glancing at Ray with a smile when he helped you. Ray led you outside to his car and you stole glances at him as he drove, asking about his latest case. The stupidity of the killer made you laugh and you were saddened when he parked in the driveway, knowing he would be going to work.

"Thank you for driving me home." You smiled softly as you stepped inside, looking around the hallway.

Ray noticed the way your eyes were darting around as he set down the bag of clothes your mother had brought to the hospital. "Will you be alright?"

You rubbed your arms as you turned to meet his concerned gaze, "I think so. Although I might start sleeping with a bat under my bed."

"Still feeling cold?"

You nodded. Ray led you to the living room, and you sent him a small smile as he ushered you to put your feet up on the sofa, covering you with a blanket. "You'll be late for work."

"Can I check in with you after my shift?"

"We can have breakfast together." You suggested with a smile.

Ray smiled before turning to walk out, pausing in the doorway as he turned to you. "If you need anything you know you can call me anytime?"

"I do." You smiled softly, "Although with the amount of pain medication I'm taking you probably won't make heads or tails of any of it."

"And I thought I was doing well so far." He mirrored your smile and you took his hand, squeezing gently.

"You've been amazing. The one good thing that came from all of this, was meeting you."

"Get some rest, and I'll check in later." He moved the blanket over your shoulders, and you felt his lips on your forehead a few moments later.

A few weeks after leaving the hospital, having dinner and breakfast together became routine, and you spoke through text messages throughout the day. After the arrest of your stalker, you slowly began to feel comfortable in your house again and enjoyed having the CSI around. Despite the events that brought you together, it was all rather domestic, exchanging stories about your day at work over dinner, and Ray spoke about his shift over breakfast.

Nick noticed the change in Ray's mood at work and knew it had something to do with you. The two were standing at the back of the bar, getting their kits from the trunk when Nick asked him about you.

"Hey, whatever happened to that woman who was stabbed by her stalker? Y/N, wasn't it? Do you know how she is doin'?"

Ray glanced at him, lips tilting upward, "You're not very subtle."

Nick chuckled.

"She's fine. She's back at work and redecorated. It was her way of reclaiming her space from the bad memory."

Nick smiled, nodding, "I'm glad you've got someone. It's nice to see you happy."

You were eating dinner before his shift one night when Ray asked you out on a date. "I'm not much of a cook, but I know of a great restaurant."

The air was cold that night as you left the restaurant, and Ray shrugged off his jacket, placing it over your shoulders just like he did the first time you met. You held it on your shoulders with a small smile, meeting his gaze. 

"Thank you. And thanks for dinner. I had a wonderful time."

"So did I. I'd like to do it again sometime."

Ray reached out to free your hair from beneath his coat, resting his hand on your cheek. You moved closer, placing your hands on his chest and closing your eyes as your lips met. Ray pulled away a few moments later, and you smiled softly as you met his gaze.

"Just say when."

You looped your left arm with his right arm as he led the way to his car, and Ray took your hand, smiling down at you when you rested your head on his shoulder. He held the door open as you got into the car and when he got behind the wheel he started the engine and turned on the heating and it took you back to the night you met. You weren't afraid to talk about your stalker anymore. You considered meeting Ray, an encounter conjured by fate.

You smiled softly when he took your hand as he drove as he frequently did.

You had your fair share of bad relationships but when you met Ray you knew he was one of the good ones. And when he confided in you about his father, you knew he didn't believe it. He felt that deep down he was capable of barbaric acts, but you knew he could never intentionally hurt someone because he strived every day to be better.

[chaostheoryy]

The Masterlist of Reader Inserts

Remember, not all readers identify as women or use she/her pronouns (myself included). In order to make stories more accessible to people of all gender identities, I ask that you try to keep your requests gender neutral whenever possible. Obviously, there will be specific situations that require more gendered language but, if the idea can be applied to more than one gender identity, keep it inclusive!

Characters I’m Currently Writing For

Steven Grant (Marvel)

Walter (Alien: Covenant)

Benedict Bridgerton (Bridgerton)

Cal Kestis (Star Wars)

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Top Gun)

Din Djarin (Star Wars)

Key Labels

GN! = gender neutral reader, either they/them or no pronouns in use

F! = female reader (implied or stated), she/her pronouns

AFAB! = reader is described as having female genitalia but she/her pronouns are not used, can be read as transmasc or cis female

M! = male reader (implied or stated), he/him pronouns

+ = mature content, NSFW

* = author favorites/recommendations

(List below the cut. Updated: 9/17/2024)

Top Gun

Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw

Like Father, Like Son (GN!Reader)

Duly Noted (GN!Reader College AU)

Wedding Crashers (GN!Reader) *

In My Darkest Hour (GN!Reader) *

Jurassic Park

Alan Grant

The Illusion of Control (GN!Reader) *

Safe and Sound (GN!Reader)

Daze at Dawn (GN!Reader)+

Good Boy (M!Reader)+

Alien

Walter One

No Survivors in Love (GN!Reader)*

Touch Me (GN!Reader)

Star Wars

Cobb Vanth

Take Good Care (GN!Reader) +*

Place Your Bets (GN! Reader) *

Under the Light of the Desert Moon (GN!Reader) *

Crawlin’ Back To You (AFAB!Reader) +

The Beauty of the Beast (AFAB!Reader) +

Take Me Home Tonight (GN!Reader)

Din Djarin

Until the Stars Burn Out (GN!Reader) *

Caressed by Firelight (GN!Reader) *

General Hux

A Personal Call (GN!Reader)

Something to Miss (F!Reader) +

Under the Weather (GN!Reader)

Maybe I’m Amazed (F!Reader) +

General Misconduct (GN!Reader)

A Big Mistake and a Bigger Fight (GN!Reader)

One Blast, Two Broken Bones (F!Reader) *

The Set Up (GN!Reader)

The Pleasure is Mine (GN!Reader)

General Tarkin (GN!Reader --TWO PARTS)

Never Again (GN!Reader)

Tell Me (GN!Reader)

Relax (GN!Reader)

The Gift (GN!Reader) *

To Ease the Temper (GN!Reader)

Ms. Dameron (F!Reader)

Thank You (GN!Reader)

Kylo Ren

A New Path (F!Reader)

Broken (GN!Reader)

The Showdown (GN!Reader)

In Our Italian Restaurant (GN!Reader Modern AU)

I’m Sorry (GN!Reader)

Weaknesses (F!Reader) +

Keep Him Safe (F!Reader)

Learn to Love (F!Reader)

Truly Special (GN!Reader) *

I Feel It Too (GN!Reader)

With Everything I Have (GN!Reader)

Two Can Play Dirty (GN!Reader) *

You’re a Fool (F!Reader)

Han Solo

The Virus (GN!Reader) *

No Man Left Behind (GN!Reader) *

Out of Luck (GN!Reader) *

Somebody Missed You (GN!Reader)

Promises (F!Reader)

Ben Solo

Caught (GN!Reader) *

Master’s Secret (GN!Reader)

Stories (F!Reader Werewolf AU)

Big News (F!Reader Modern AU)

Obi-Wan Kenobi

Be Careful (GN!Reader)

I Will Return (GN!Reader)

Secret (GN!Reader)

Matt the Radar Technician

No Such Thing as a Sick Day (GN!Reader)

Bullies (F!Reader)

Master and Technician (GN!Reader) *

Guardian Angel with a Blaster (F!Reader)

Lending a Hand (GN!Reader)

Marvel (MCU)

Scott Lang

Bar Fight (F!Reader)

Peter Quill

Gunslinger (GN!Reader)

Carol Danvers

Hiding (F!Reader)

T’Challa

Kingly Duties (F!Reader)

Civil War (GN!Reader)

The Bounty Hunter (GN!Reader)

Mission Impossible

August Walker

Loving a Ghost (GN!Reader)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Nick Stokes

The Jealous Are Troublesome (GN!Reader) +*

Three Bodies and a Breakfast Burrito (GN!Reader)

Your Lucky Day (GN!Reader)

Undercover (F!Reader)

Popping the Cherry (F!Reader)

Competition (GN!Reader)

Indiana Jones (Movie Series)

Indiana Jones

How Many Times? (GN! or F!Reader) *

Morning Sunlight (GN!Reader)

No Hands (F!Reader)

[majwrites]

Beauty Standards

Don Flack x Reader (Romance)

Summary: Reader gets insecure about their looks and contemplates ending their engagement with Flack.

A/N:This one was requested by @sirishavenigalla. I'm not that experienced with writing romance, so I hope it turned out alright.

Warnings: Reader struggles with their self image, fighting in a relationship, some angst

Something about Don Flack seemed off today. Danny had noticed that his friend wasn't the attentive, focused detective he usually would be. After Flack had snapped at Mac Taylor, didn't eat anything for lunch and left all paperwork unfinished in a messy pile, Danny decided he had to confront his friend about this: "Don, we need to talk". "Why, what is it", right now Flack sounded only sad and tired. "Something is going on with you. It's not only that you are not focused on the case, you're wearing a Stone Temple Pilots shirt to work. It's nothing you'd normally do and I know that this shirt is not yours but (Y/N)s", Danny wasn't only worried about Flack, but also about (Y/N). It was well known that Don Flack and (Y/N) (L/N) had a tendency to make really emotion based decisions. Flack waited for a bit before he started talking: "(Y/N) left me behind". "What do you mean?", Danny was confused, it had always seemed like (Y/N) and Don had a picture perfect relationship. They had met at a concert. Sam had dragged him there and he hadn't really been in the mood for a concert but that had changed once he saw (Y/N) in the crowd. Three years had passed and they had recently gotten engaged. Why should all of this be over now?

Now the answer to this question wasn't an easy one. We live in a society where people get judged by others and feel pressure to meet beauty standards that are often impossible to achieve. (Y/N) was usually aware of the fact that everything they saw in magazines was usually photoshopped to a point where it wouldn't even be possible to fit all important organs into the model, but ever since one of their family members had asked them if they put on more weight, (Y/N) started to feel more and more insecure about their weight. They had suffered with body image issues a lot when they were younger and now they feared that they weren't good enough for Flack. They loved him so much and right now (Y/N) was so convinced that they couldn't make him happy that they made a rushed decision. (Y/N) left the shiny engagement ring on the kitchen table and added a note.

Donnie, I'm very sorry to do this, but I need space to think about something. I'm only doing this for you.

-(Y/N)

And so, (Y/N) left the apartment to spend the day somewhere else.

"Did you try calling them?", all of this seemed very odd to Danny, "you definitely have to talk about this". "They won't pick up the phone and they're very vague in the answers to my texts. I don't know what to do anymore, maybe this is all my fault". "You should go and find them, our case is closed anyway and we have the rest covered", Danny sounded very convincing. "Thanks Danny, I'll go and try to fix this", Flack left the CSI building.

He finally found (Y/N) at a motel, sitting on the chair in front of a mirror. He wanted to go in for a hug immediately but as (Y/N) stood from the chair they pushed him away. "Why did you just leave? I was worried sick about you, is it something I did?", he sounded angry for some reason. "You wouldn't understand it anyways", the last thing (Y/N) wanted was a fight but it just happened. "What do you mean, (Y/N)? Am I not good enough?", even Don Flack gets insecure when it comes to the love of his life. "No, that's the problem, Donnie. You're perfect. You're the best boyfriend anyone could ask for and you deserve so much better than being with me", (Y/N) started crying and they hated it. Flack just stared in confusion as (Y/N) continued: "Just look at me, I'm boring and ugly and as my family never fails to tell me, I've been putting on weight. I don't deserve someone as good as you, in fact I deserve to be alone forever, because no one could ever love me". Flack needed a moment to process everything that (Y/N) had just said. Then he pulled them into a hug and this time they just let it happen. He started to ramble: "(Y/N), please don't think like that. I love you more than anyone else on this planet. Whatever other people say about you doesn't matter. You're perfect to me just the way you are". (Y/N) started crying even harder but Flack just held onto them. He continued: "I love the way you look at me when you get really excited about something, and I love how you sing along to every song and can always tell me what a song is called when I only know three words and the melody. You're the most kind and caring person I know and I love the way you look, you're the most beautiful person to me even when we take a walk at night and the only light comes from a street lamp". "Do you really mean all of this, Donnie?", (Y/N) leaned their head against his shoulder. "Every single word. And what's really impossible for me is to stop loving you, so will you please stay with me?", he looked at them with a pleading expression. "Of course I will. I love you so much. I'm sorry for reacting like this", (Y/N) felt a little embarrassed about it now. "Don't apologize, it's not your fault", Flack fished (Y/N)s engagement ring out of his pocket and slid it back onto their finger.

"Do you want to come back home with me?" "Yeah, let's go", and so they left the motel.

[writings-of-a-hufflepuff]

Close Call

Fandom: CSI

Pairing: Nick Stokes x Reader (No Gender Prounouns etc. are used)

Warning: Very angsty based around S1 Ep.6

Writer: @writings-of-a-hufflepuff​ aka @thequeenofthehobbits

Summary/Requested: Nick never wakes you up when he comes home, he always lets you sleep. But not tonight. Tonight is different.

Note: Reader has glasses because I do and I can’t imagine waking up and not putting them on so...

Archiveofourown

Normally he wouldn’t have woken you after a long shift. Normally, Nick would have tiptoed into your shared apartment, quietly kicked his shoes off and gotten undressed without making too much of a sound. He would have been careful when sliding under the covers next to you, not wanting to wake you up, not wanting to disturb your sleep. You always slept so peacefully. He’d smile as he looked at you next to him, before nestling into his pillow and letting the exhaustion of a hard day’s work lull him to sleep. But, today hadn’t been normal, his shift had been anything but. He hadn’t even been able to drive himself home. Grissom had done that, his hands had been shaking too bad, the adrenaline still running laps around his circulatory system. The fear, the realisation of his own fragility, shook him to the core.  

He sits carefully down on the bed, not undressing like he normally would or pulling the covers back to go to sleep. Instead, he turns to look at you, at the smoothness of your expression, how everything about you seems relaxed when you sleep, the gentle breaths that help your chest to rise and fall, and the bedhead he always made fun of. It should calm the shakes in his body, the anxious bubbling in his chest, but it doesn’t. It makes it worse because for a second he thinks of what he might have lost and of how it all might have hurt you. 

It’s a gentle call of your name and the soft touch of a warm hand to your cheek that starts to stir you awake. At first you’re confused, in that bewildered and dazed moment between sleep and wakefulness you’re not quite sure what’s going on or why that southern accent is so familiar. But, you blink away the sleep turning towards the voice, hand fumbling on the bedside table for your glasses before pulling them on to turn the bleary blurry shapes clear in the low light.

“Nick?” Your voice is heavy with sleep but concern rides your voice at the sight of tears in his eyes. They’re red and blotches cover the skin underneath them like he’s already cried once tonight. He’s gnawing on his bottom lip so hard you think he might hurt himself. You reach out with a gentle hand and pull his bottom lip free of his teeth, before cupping his jaw as you sit yourself up to meet him. “Baby, what’s wrong?” 

He isn’t a crying sort of man, Nick. He’s sensitive and he’s sweet, but he doesn’t often cry. He’s one of the most composed people you know. Tears come from Nick only in the most extreme circumstances, a bad case, a horrible death, rarely does it mean something simple or easy to handle. It sends a horrible feeling to your gut and you know without him saying a word that something happened on the job, something bad enough that he woke you in the night to talk when he’d normally let you sleep. 

You scoot yourself forward, legs wrapping over his, tangling together as you pull yourself as close to him as you can before pressing kisses across his cheekbones, his jaw, his nose, his chin. You do this because you don’t know what else to do while you wait for an answer. 

His breathing is shaky, rough, like he’s holding in a sob and you kiss away the tears that quietly fall over his cheeks in slow rivers. Arms wrapped around his broad shoulders as if you could shield him from whatever happened, whatever wanted to hurt him, whatever might still hurt him. 

“I...she was gonna shoot me...she was gonna shoot me.” You don’t ask who, you don’t need to know. You have to physically stop the gasp that wants to leave your throat knowing it won’t help, knowing it’ll make him feel worse, that he’s scared you, that his pain is your pain. So you hold it in your throat like you hold the tears in your eyes, in a desperate attempt to be strong for the man that nearly died tonight. For the man that is always so strong for you. 

“It’s okay, baby, i’m here, and no one is going to hurt you. Do you understand me, Nick? No one is going to hurt you while i’m here.” You press your cheek to the crown of his head, pulling his cheek against your shoulders and holding him tightly as he cries. 

He cries so hard and so loud that you think he might fall apart, but you’re determined to hold him together, even though your heart is breaking and your own fears have almost been realised tonight. 

Nick has always been the one to tell you not to worry, that he’d be fine, that he’d come home safe after every shift. It had always been you that would worry, you that understood his mortality, the reality of his job and the risks. For the first time it seems like Nick really understands that he could die, that he could get hurt. It’s a fear you’ve always held deep in your heart, that horrifying sinking in your stomach when you don’t hear from him, when you have time to think that maybe something happened while he was on a case. 

“I love you...I love you so much.” You whisper it into his ear, hoping beyond hope that the love you have for him can in some way soothe the fear, the pain, the thoughts that are cycling through his head and the feelings that are rushing through his bloodstream. 

It feels like hours that you sit there rocking him, keeping him pressed against you as he cries and mutters and mumbles. It feels like hours, like your voice will go hoarse from all the reassurances, all the I loves yous, all the words that you hope will soothe him. It can’t in truth be more than an hour, and your voice is not hoarse, but his is. Rough from all the crying and the emotional confessions that fall from his lips, things that make little sense but he says them because they hurt him and they come to mind. It’s ramblings, but you understand that feeling, the fear, the sadness, how it can all bubble out of your mouth in streams of words, your thoughts made vocal, real. So you let him.

When he finally goes quiet and the tears have stopped you gently pull him to lie down on the bed, helping him untie his shoes and pull them off, to undress before tucking him under the covers. You follow suit, not wanting to be far from him, holding him tight hoping that maybe you can offer some semblance, some feeling of safety and protection. 

When his breathing is finally even, when you can sense the calming of his body, the muscles relaxing, you allow yourself to cry. You cry out of fear, out of a deep worry that one day he might not come home, that tonight he could have died and you wouldn’t be able to tell him all the wonderful things that bubble inside of you whenever he’s around, that you wouldn’t have any more years together. It is an utterly paralysing thought to think that the man you love was inches away from being murdered tonight, that he could be taken away from you with little effort. So you cry, you cry as you hold him tight in his sleep because you know come morning you need to be strong for him and you know that letting this fear fester and wallow inside of you will do nothing good. 

There is no doubt in your mind that tonight was a close call. There is no doubt in your mind that you could have lost Nick and it reminds you to hold him closer, love him harder, and never leave things on an angry conversation or a harsh word. It reminds you to always say I love you. 

[yoyoanaria]

Midnight Inturder | Ryan Wolfe X Reader

MASTERLIST

“God damn it Ryan, where are you?” You muttered to yourself as you laid on your side. You looked at the time, greenlights revealing the numbers 11:45, Ryan doesn’t usually get home until seven thirty, but Ryan was on an undercover patrol, so he wouldn’t get back till tomorrow. You felt your eye flutter when a thump downstairs. You got up slowly and took the closest thing to a club that you could find…a bowling pin, from under the bed then quietly made your way downstairs, as you get to the bottom of the steps, you see an outline of a strong build and looking through the draws as quietly as possible.

You frowned, but as you see the intruder turn around, you make your way over and raise the pin.

“What the- ACK!” The man shouted and dropped to the ground with a groan, you turn on the light then freak out.

“Oh, my g- Ryan!?” You gasp and run to the freezer then come back to the man on the floor. “I’m so sorry Ry.” You put the bag of frozen peas onto his head.

“Geez woman, you’ve got an arm on you.” He smirked, and you roll your eyes and help him up the stairs.

“I thought you were an intruder.” You mutter then look at the police officer, the bump didn’t really show because it was at the back of his head. “I’m glad that you’re here, but why’re you here early?”

“Well, I wanted to surprise you since we got the job done…I got the surprise instead, with a bowling pin?” He gave a weird face and you roll your eyes and sit on your bed.

“C’mon, take off your gear and come to bed.” You yawn, and he smirked.

“Yes ma’am.” He said, and you roll your eyes.

“Shut up.” You giggle.

[vinnieswife]

Bozer´s friend?!

Angus Macgyver x Reader

Angus Macgyver

Cute, fluff,action

Summation: the reader is a friend of Bozer and helps them with a problem with the Fenix ​​foundation

It was like 3pm when you got a call from your friend Bozer, it was a rainy afternoon where you just wanted to eat chocolate and watch some cheesy movie on TV.

Yn: there is Boz-you answered calmly

Bozer: Yn! I need you right now! It is very urgent take your car and come to this address (insert address because I don't know what to put :)) - he was very upset and yelled, poof or that a serial murderer was going to kill him.

Yn: ok ok, I’ll be there in 5’ are you okay?! - you were scared too. You and Bozer met at the University, he did arts and you study Bio-chemistry, he was your best friend.

You quickly took your car, and your mobile phone, you accelerated until you reached the address that Bozer sent you and simply when you arrived you heard your name.

Bozer came running as if he were going to die accompanied by a blond boy that he made known.

You came out of your trance when you heard several ... SHOTS ?! They were bullets mother of Jesus Christ that this idiot has gotten himself into now.

They both got into the car with a kind of tube with something fluorescent yellow inside that looked familiar and you got out of there as fast as you could, when you were driving on a lonely road you asked.

Yn: well ... eh I don't want to be nosy but ... I CAN KNOW WHY THE FUCK THEY WERE SHOT?! - Now you were upset - it's not very normal for your best friend to call you and tell you to go look for him when They're shooting you know Bozer?

Bozer: it is confidential, I can not tell you anything, it is my job-he replied

Yn: worth your job, now who is he? -You asked looking at the blonde next to you.

Bozer-ooohhh Yn he is Mac my co-worker -smile

Mac-you mean that “you” are my co-worker Bozer -he said laughing

Yn: wait wait, is he Mac? You described him to me as if I was an idiot and a lot of ugly I mean he’s not-you answered

Mac: thanks for the compliment, hey bozer drive to phoenix

Yn: Phoenix? That is not a technological foundation?

Mac-eehh if we work there, those guys who shot us have stolen an Acid that can leave whole hectares infertile with a single drop, which is what this thing here has been. -He pointed to the tube in his hands.

Yn: oh my, that is terrible, if that makes a drop imagine and they threw everything into a river, or a wastewater canal. It could alter the water agents and burn cities or entire towns through which the flow passed.

Bozer: Yn when you speak in a scientific plan I do not understand you-he say laughing

Yn: I mean if that acid falls into a river, all the places that guy passes will be contaminated.

Mac: Bozer didn't you tell me that I was so smart, that you studied? -He asked

Yn: you blushed-I studied Bio-chemistry and advanced Biology in decoding (I heard this in CSI, I don't know if it exists lol)

/////////////////////////////////////////////

Upon arrival at Phoenix Bozer and Mac led you to a large room with a container full of clips?

When entering the room there was a girl with a computer, so you imagined it was Riley, Bozer has an obsession with this girl, but she is very pretty. And also a tall guy, reading something on his cell phone.

Yn: hello-you smiled at everyone without knowing very well what to do

Jack: and who is she? Mac, do you have a girlfriend? There is how I'm happy for you! -he hug you very tight

Mac-what? Jack no-oh the big guy was called Jack, cool-she’s friend’s with Bozer Yn

Jack: wait wait, she is Bozer's friend?! I thought you would be ... you know like Bozer- he laugh

Bozer: what did you mean by that- he asked with that descriptive tone

Jack: you know very well what I wanted to say-he replied

Riley: a tip stay away from these two idiots, I'm Riley-extended his hand and you took it "I'm Y/N a pleasure"

Yn: Bozer talks a lot about all, I mean it's a bit exaggerated, he talks a lot-you smiled

Mac: well I hope it consoles you that he talks about you all the time-he smiled back

Jack, Bozer and Riley gave each other a look when they noticed  how Mac was looking at you and how you were looking at him.

The sound of a door opening brought you back to reality.

Matty: a perfect job guys the acid is already safe in the bio-weapons zone-concluded

Yn: Mrs. Webber? -you did not expect to meet your boss here

Jack: do you know each other? -His astonished face was worth millions

Yn: uh yeah, Mrs. Webber is my new boss, remember Bozer? From the project that I mentioned the other day-you answered

Matty: the lady (your last name) helped us to separate the substances that made up the acid, to find ways to dissolve it-She answer looking at you

Mac: So Bio-chemistry huh? -He smiled looking at you

Yn: Let's say MIT is a good university after all-you smiled back.

Matty: you blonde, leave the flirting for another day- She said as she went out the glass door, Bozer and you following her.

You paused behind the glass walls to tie your shoelaces, when you hear Mac and Jack talking.

Jack: You got caught buddy-patted him on the shoulder

Mac: what? I-I wasn't even flirting with her, I mean, if she's beautiful and god she's incredibly smart-Mac noticed the smile he had on he’s face and quickly erased it-but I wasn't flirting with her-he sentenced

Jack: of course, what a smile you made when you were talking about her, Mac likes Yn! - started to sing

Maybe you would help Bozer more often.

[ilariyalavorowrites]

Stalking Me, Stalking You (CSI Nick Stokes) Part Five

Imagine: You never saw it coming, you never knew he was there until the moment he struck. For months, this individual had stalking you from the shadows, trying to find a way into your life. Never quite able to but in his mind, time was running out and soon enough you would be completely out of reach. This was the moment to act, to ‘rescue’ you and steal you away.

Warnings: Angst with a happy ending, kidnapping, hurt but eventual comfort. Suffering, lots of suffering, slow-moving plot, stalking, obsessive behaviour.

Pairings: Nick Stokes x Reader and Reader x OC (one-sided)

Word count: 2,528 words

Universe: CSI

Reader gender: Female

Part Five of Ten

Tagged: @just-call-me-the-old-hag @horsedragonllama @space-helen @kneelforloki @flopiboni @maddy-villain @ilkkawhat

Previous / Next

Chapter Five 

Countdown: Four Months Remaining

The rattling of keys twisting in the lock was the sound that haunted you throughout this waking nightmare that you could not call living. It alerted you of his imminent presence. 

He was allowing you a few precious moments to prepare for what he might have in store for the day. Every day had been different. Your jailer kept you on your toes, showing his prize for all to see. For that was all you would ever be, his pretty little pet tightly tethered, never able to wander far from his side, always within sight. Most would simply see an overzealous spouse, trying his best to keep his pregnant bride out of harm's way. 

In light of your present condition, you had been trusted to sleep alone, locked in the master bedroom. A panic button had been recently installed to summon him to your side if such a need arose. Yet as the grains of sand slowly fell into your hourglass, it seemed more likely that you would have to push the damn red button.

He hardly mentioned your ever-growing waistline, only in polite company when it inevitably arose in conversation. He played his part beautifully like a doting father-to-be would. His facade of excitement vanished the second that the front door slammed shut, he could hide his thinly veiled expressions from you. His jealousy shone through, each time his eyes fell on your growing bump housing a life that he hadn’t had a hand in the conception of.

It was similarly a tool to use. You shivered at the thought of what he might do when the time came when your waters broke. The fear had been slowly building with each new day. You still had time. You were comfortably within your second trimester, around the five-month mark. Each new day brought with it surprises and a new round of nightmares as new scenarios played out on your inner silver screen as you slept.

Sleep itself was becoming increasingly more difficult, as your little one liked to rest against your bladder, so more often than not you’d have to get up more than a few times throughout the night. Each new development brought on a new degree of heartache, which reminded you of the fact that Nick should have been here for this. As the flutters and kicks grew stronger, the tears flooded like the bursting banks of a rushing river.

It could be easily explained away, hormones and mood swings of an expectant mother. Nothing out of the ordinary as you forced yourself to smile through the sorrow. The first rays of dawn creeping over the horizon shone through the closed drapes, hiding a large bay window that could not be opened, it had been nailed shut before you had been permitted to sleep within these hallowed walls.

The softness of the bed linen outshone any of the countless sheets and duvet covers that you owned, they were truly in a league of their own. Only matched the most luxurious hotel suites that you had found yourselves walking in, met the sight of the worst that humanity could do to one another. Still, such horror seemed a world away when compared to your imprisonment.

Yet the threat of violence was held by the thinnest of threads. You knew from on-the-job experience that one wrong step was all it took, one misplaced word could turn your world on its head. All of this would always, your continued existence was at his pleasure. You needed to continue to play the dutiful spouse and companion to see another sunrise like this one.

It was such a breathtaking sight to behold, watching as the vivid oranges and yellow dance through your fingers as the morning rays passed through the thin, silky curtains separating you from the outside world. Moments like this made you think of Nick, of gently waking to the sight of him still lost in dreams after a long night’s work. In those moments, he looks younger, the hard lines born from the difficult cases fade away in an instant.

You can easily lose yourself in daydreams of him for hours on end, remembering both the good times and the bad.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------You checked the time on your dashboard, as you turned into the hospital’s main car park. 5:45 pm was displayed on the tiny screen, your shift had been over for the last fifteen minutes. You still had plenty of time to spare since you hadn’t made any concrete plans for the night ahead outside of this stop. You could always call up Lexie, one of the few friends that you had made since starting your new job as you knew, she loved to party and dance away.

She was like you, a single woman living alone in the heart of Sin City. Where you differed was that she would easily go a little too wild and over the edge, as she got lost in the music and whoever she happened to be dancing with. She was a wild card but sometimes you needed to cut loose too. To forget the horrors of the day, the varying degrees of twisted minds that used the Vegas strip as their hunting ground.

As you manoeuvred your patrol car into the tiny space far from the entrance your thoughts quickly turned to the handsome CSI who you’d been crushing hard on for some time now easily making you smile. Nick Stokes was way out of your league, of that you were certain.

However, such thoughts would have to wait. You needed to check in with Lydia. You had promised her that you would come back to visit as she needed to stay in the hospital for at least one more night. You could still vividly picture the awful state that she was found in when you rolled up to answer the call.

She had been the lucky one, Lydia had survived by the skin of her teeth but the ones that came before hadn’t. She had been the last victim in the chain going back a fair few months, the one that refused to die. She had been the first case in which you were taking point, this was your case. 

It had been a few weeks since your promotion to Detective. You had been riding that high through the cases that landed on your desk but they were not your priority like Lydia’s had been. It had been difficult to stop yourself from stepping over the line and remain strictly professional. 

As you stepped out of your unmarked vehicle, before swiftly locking it behind you then crossing the parking lot and heading into the hospital and up towards the ward. The trip through the familiar white, sterile corridors was uneventful and barely took no more than ten minutes. You traversed the same path on each visit. You could get to the ward with your eyes closed if you wished to but you didn’t. As you’d likely bump into many people on your travels that way.

Soon you found yourself choosing to wait for the lift over taking the stairs and climbing up three flights to reach your destination. Your legs ached, from having chased a suspect as they fled from the scene of crime earlier on in the day. There was no way that you were going to take the more physically taxing option. As you watched the floor numbers slowly creep down from 6, a small crowd formed around you. All awaiting going your way, up. You didn’t glance around, knowing that it was likely a mix of visitors and staff. 

5 

4

3

2

It was getting closer by the second, you dared to hope that Lydia had taken the advice of the medical staff to see the onsite psychologist. She had only just started to come out of her shell, more so with each visit. You were seeing a ghost of a smile creep in now and then, in those brief moments of peace. It was understandable that she would never go back to the person that she used to but you wanted to help her find a new balance, a new sense of normal as she came to terms with the trauma that she had gone through. 

The pain would fade, the cuts and broken bones would mend but the mental anguish would linger on. Lydia had been beaten within an inch of her life, her face heavily bruised and almost recognisable. The ding announcing that the lift’s arrival dragged you out of your thoughts of then.

You stepped in, ready to press 3 on the panel but before you could a voice spoke “Which floor?” You turned your head, politely smiling in their direction before answering. “Three please”

Your focus quickly turned away from the kind stranger, you’d give them a second thought as the doors slid shut and the lift began to ascend.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- “As of this moment, this case is now part of an ongoing Federal Investigation” 

Agent Aveline Montgomery confidently spoke to the CSIs standing across from her. She watched as her men rounded up the last of the evidence boxes. This latest victim had surprisingly outlasted all of the prior ones. The pattern had been fixed, as usually by the time the second set of photographs arrived, the women would have already been discarded. According to the profile, he treated them like broken toys who failed to live up to the seemingly unreachable heights of his deluded fantasy. 

This individual had eluded the long of justice for the last eight years, having crossed multiple state lines to abduct his chosen few but the bodies of the murdered women that come before had never been found. He had held onto those failures, as tightly as he had done when they had been alive. The detective had been different, she had played along and survived. She had been his ideal, fitting the mould that all those others had failed to fit into. 

She glanced up at the photographs pinned to the layout board. Each had been taken in a similar vein, softly lighting her oddly intimately. It was as if he had been covertly caressing her form, showing his deeply twisted desires in a few frames. However, they lacked any signs of escalating violence, no fear in the subject’s eyes as her last moments were captured. The final image had always been the same, that of the woman’s broken, dead body. His rage displayed front and centre as his hatred for failure bled through.

Aveline could only imagine the delight that this sick prick must have felt the moment that his chosen victim did not break the immersion. She had theorised that the killer was trying to right a perceived wrong that had been committed. Trying to rewrite a part of their personal history. The others had made him truly face the fractured reality, to face what had gone wrong the first go-round leading them to their deaths.

Aveline had been doing this job for the best part of twenty years but this one could be the cornerstone of her career. She refused to let this one slip any further through her fingers.

“This will be a Joint Taskforce as this perpetrator has knowingly crossed state lines to abduct then murder his victims when they fail to play the role that he has assigned.” She briefly explained, turning her focus back to the silent few, taking their varying facial expressions from left to right. Each told a story, some more openly than others. 

One stood out from the crowd, the victim’s partner Nicolas Stokes, she would have to keep an eye on him. Hoping that he won’t become a problem but then again, she could handle such delicate situations if she needed to. Aveline just dared to think that it wouldn’t come to that. Emotions are already running high, this was a case that hit home for many an officer. It would be akin to walking on eggshells, knowing that the next step could crack a few.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------Another round of bad news, that was all Nick needed right now, further souring his already rotten mood. These days, it was hard for the Texan to be anything other than sullen. What did he have to smile about when his partner had not been found? 

Progress had been slow, as if they were being drip-fed. Tips had been few and far between, and lately, they had all been dead ends until the second set of photographs had arrived only a few days prior. He had been wrapped up in chasing down each lead, hopefully at the possibility that this informant would be the one to lead him straight to you. However, each time the disappointment would quickly set in as reality came down hard, like a ton of bricks when they reached the inevitable unsatisfactory conclusion. She was not home. 

Seeing his name scrawled across another manila envelope was the wake-up call he needed, kicking him into high gear. This time, it had been different. This one had been posted directly to his home address. A fresh lead with the very real chance of a paper trail, it had to lead somewhere. It had been the last chase that he had observed before the Feds had turned up.

Nick stood off to one side as he watched Greg enter the information pulled from the latest envelope into various databases. Mandy had not been able to find any useable fingerprints, only smudges but they still had been logged as a longshot. Hodges’s chemical analysis had been nearly identical to the one for the first envelope.

Each avenue ventured had drawn a blank, Nick couldn’t even bring himself to take a proper look at the photographs. It had just been too difficult, Catherine had swiftly taken charge taking them from him. He had only seen the first image but that had been enough, if he had been anyone else, he might have seen it as a loving candid shot, taken to show off the woman that the photographer adored but that’s not what it revealed.

It was a wild expression of obsession, a gross exaggeration of prideful glee at gazing longingly at his prize from a safe distance. She never knew that he was there, photographing her when she was vulnerable. It was impossible to forget the sorrowful expression on her face as she sat wistfully staring out of a window with a book perched upon her lap, forgotten in the moment.

It burnt him, something wicked that son of a bitch truly had been tracking her every step of the way for god knows how long. A silent observer with a persistent and unhealthy preoccupation fixated upon his partner. Nick had never seen this coming, his imagination could never dream up such an outcome. Yet here he was.

He had been suppressing his steadily growing rage and frustration for the last few weeks as the investigation began to grind to a complete standstill. Now, this latest development would be the final push to trip him over the edge. 

“This isn’t right”

[twistnet]

fandom + character list

this is the current list of characters i write for.  all of the characters, to include the poly-pairings are strictly for reader inserts — note ; if a character is not listed below, i do not write for them anymore

✰ — ARCANE

characters ; vi, jinx, viktor, jayce talis, caitlyn kiramman, ekko, vander, silco, sevika

poly-pairings ; vi x sevika, vi x caitlyn, vander x silco, silco x sevika, jayce x viktor

✰ — CSI MIAMI

characters ; tim speedle, eric delko, calleigh duquesne

✰ — CALL OF DUTY

characters ; john price, simon ‘ghost’ riley, johnny ‘soap’ mactavish, kyle ‘gaz’ garrick, könig, valeria garza

✰ — DAZED & CONFUSED

characters ; randall ‘pink’ floyd, jodi kramer, kevin pickford, benny o’donnell

✰ — MARVEL

daredevil // punisher

characters ; frank castle, billy russo, matt murdock

avengers

characters ; yelena belova, bucky barnes, sam wilson, scott lang, stephen strange, robbie reyes

spider-verse

characters ; miguel o’hara, hobie brown

miscellaneous

characters ; peter parker, druig, sersi, kingo

✰ — MAYANS MC

characters ; coco cruz, bishop losa, creeper vargas, nestor oceteva, luisa ‘adelita’ espina

✰ — NARCOS

characters ; javier peña, steve murphy, horacio carrillo

poly-pairings ; javier peña x steve murphy, javier peña x horacio carrillo

✰ — ONE CHICAGO

chicago fire

characters ; matt casey, kelly severide, leslie shay, sylvie brett, stella kidd, brian ‘otis’ zvonecek, joe cruz christoper herrmann, violet mikami, evan hawkins, greg grainger

poly-pairings ; kelly severide x stella kidd, matt casey x kelly severide, matt casey x sylvie brett, stella kidd x sylvie brett, brian zvonecek x joe cruz

chicago pd

characters ; adam ruzek, kim burgess, kevin atwater, antonio dawson, hailey upton, erin lindsay

poly-pairings ; adam ruzek x kim burgess, kim burgess x hailey upton

chicago med

characters ; will halstead, connor rhodes sarah reese, ava bekker, ethan choi

poly-pairings ; ava bekker x connor rhodes, sarah reese x connor rhodes

crossover

poly-pairings ; matt casey x antonio dawson, antonio dawson x sylvie brett, ava bekker x erin lindsay

✰ — PRODIGAL SON

characters ; malcolm bright, gil arroyo, dani powell

poly-pairings ; malcolm bright x dani powell

✰ — RESIDENT EVIL

characters ; jill valentine, clarie redfield, leon kennedy, carlos oliveira

poly-pairings ; leon kennedy x claire redfield, jill valentine x claire redfield, jill valentine x carlos oliveira

✰ — SONS OF ANARCHY

characters ; chibs telford, tig trager, jax teller, happy lowman

✰ — STAR WARS

jedi : fallen order

characters ; cal kestis, trilla sunduri, merrin

poly-pairings ; trilla sundari x cal kestis

bad batch // clone wars

characters ; anakin skywalker, obi wan kenobi, padme amidala, crosshair, wrecker, tech, echo, captain rex

andor // rogue one

characters ; cassian andor, jyn erso, bodhi rook, bix caleen

the mandalorian // book of boba fett

characters ; din djarin, boba fett, fennec shand, cobb vanth, luke skywalker, ahsoka tano

poly-pairings ; fennec shand x boba fett, din djarin x boba fett , cobb vanth x din djarin, luke skywalker x din djarin

✰ — STRANGER THINGS

characters ; robin buckley, steve harrington, nancy wheeler, jonathan byers, alexei smirnoff, joyce byers, jim hopper, karen wheeler, eddie munson, dmitri ‘enzo’ antonov, chrissy cunningham, peter ballard, argyle

poly-pairings ; steve harrington x nancy wheeler, nancy wheeler x jonathan byers, nancy wheeler x robin buckley, steve harrington x eddie munson, eddie munson x chrissy cunningham, dmitri ‘enzo’ antonov x jim hopper

✰ — SWAT

characters ; dominique luca, chris alonso, hondo harrelson, deacon kay, victor tan, jim street, donovan rocker, erika rogers, nora fowler, jessica cortez, robert hicks

poly-pairings ; chris alonso x jim street, hondo harrelson x jessica cortez, jim street x victor tan

✰ — TOP GUN

characters ; natasha ‘phoenix’ trace, robert ‘bob’ floyd, reuben ‘payback’ fitch, mickey ‘fanboy’ garcia, jake ‘hangman’ seresin, bradley ‘rooster’ bradshaw, javy ‘coyote’ machado, beau ‘cyclone’ simpson, pete ‘maverick’ mitchell, tom ‘iceman’ kazansky, ron ‘slider’ kerner, nick ‘goose’ bradshaw, rick ‘hollywood’ neven, leonard ‘wolfman’ wolfe, charles ‘chipper’ piper

poly-pairings ; natasha trace x jake seresin, natasha trace x robert floyd, jake seresin x bradley bradshaw, pete mitchell x tom kazansky, tom kazansky x ron kerner, rick neven x leonard wolfe

✰ THE LAST OF US.

characters ; ellie williams, joel miller, tess servopoulos, tommy miller, abby anderson, dina

poly-pairings ; ellie williams x dina

✰ — UNCHARTED

characters ; nathan drake, sam drake, chloe frazer, nadine ross, elena fisher, rafe adler

poly-pairings ; sam drake x chloe frazer, nathan drake x elena fisher, sam drake x rafe adler, chloe fraze x nadine ross

✰ — 911

characters ; evan ‘buck’ buckley, eddie diaz, bobby nash, howard ‘chimney’ han, henrietta ‘hen’ wilson, ravi panikkar, lou ransone

poly-pairings ; evan buckley x eddie diaz

[randomfandomimagine]

Smart (Jake x Reader)

Character: Jake Peralta

Fandom: Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Categories: Reader Insert, GenderNeutral!Reader, Santiago!Reader, Sibling!Reader

Title: Smart

  Requested by @panda-duuu:

Hi there! How are you? I was wondering if I could request Jake Peralta x Reader where the reader works i as a forensic (kinda csi) and is working on a case with the 99 and maybe related to someone from the precinct, so they already know the reader, and gets in trouble, like kidnapped or something, but can get away since they're trained on escaping situation and then major fluff

 A/N: I tried to write this one a little more like case, I hope it worked and that you all enjoy it :D

WARNING: Kidnapping and slight violence! 

I went up to visit Amy at the 99, and on the way say hello to everyone, they were all really nice. Even if, apart from my sister, I was especially excited to have one of our playful conversations with Jake. That nerd’s presence was so exhilarating and he always managed to put a smile on my face no matter how crappy my day was.

As soon as the elevator doors opened and I entered the bullpen, I felt at home. Sure, I was from forensics and not an actual cop like them, but they were all so friendly that they made me feel like family. Even if one of them was actually my family.

“Y/N is here!” Scully exclaimed when he saw me, warning everyone of my presence.

“Hi, Y/N” Hitchcock said too, so I waved at him.

“Y/N!” Amy was the first one to come to me and hug me. “What are you doing here?”

“Hi, sis” I hugged her back. “I just wanted to come by and say hi”

“That’s so sweet of you!” She smiled at me, and as I smiled back and was about to talk again, someone interrupted me.

“Y/N?” I turned around to Terry as he came from the Captain’s office and sat back down on his desk.

“Hello, sergeant!”

“Hi, sorry to interrupt” Unlike his usual friendly expression, he bore a grave one now. “Captain said your team called, the medical examiner identified the body as a Victor Richardson”

“Richardson?” I exchanged a quick glance with my sister. “Why is that name familiar?”

“I don’t know, maybe you wanna take a look at the file” He picked it up from his table and offered it to me.

“Thank you, sergeant” I took it and quickly examined it, trying to find some answers.

I quietly leaned against the outside wall of the break room and read through the file, reading every single world on it with the utmost attention.

“Hey, Ames” I called my sister as I positioned myself next to her and showed her the contents of the file. “You aren’t working the case of the B&E, are you?”

“The homicide? No, that’s Terry and-“

“Whatcha doing?”

We turned around to a certain familiar goofy face that was trying to read the file over our shoulders.

“Hello to you too, Peralta” I greeted him with a snicker.

“Hi, Y/N, you look great today” To tease me, Jake ruffled my hair. “Whatcha doing?”

“The results of the M.E. arrived” I sighed with a resigned sigh, knowing he would insist until we told him. “The suspect has been identified with the autopsy”

“O-kay” He said in a sing-song voice, snatching the file from my hands and reading it. I didn’t mind, my mind was far off from there at the moment.

“Richardson…” The answer was at the tip of my tongue.

“So that’s it, case solved” With my level of concentration, Jake’s voice sounded distant. “We just gotta find that guy and arrest him, we have enough proof”

“Wait!” I finally said, grabbing the report again and scanning it. “Richardson, that’s where I know him from!”

“What’s that?”

“A murder weapon a week ago, I ran the tests and the results gave me the fingerprints of a Victor Richardson”

“So it’s not the first time he strikes, is it?”

“No, and it’s the same MO” I turned the pages on the file to demonstrate. “Always with a knife, always with a stab on the back. He never leaves any evidence other than fingerprints, except that time he dropped the knife”

“Noice, Y/N!” Jake held his hand up and I gladly high-fived him. “I’ll work on it”

“Noice?” I teased him, knowing how often he did that.

“Yeah, smort” He grinned, kindly patting my back.

“Um, it’s smart” I corrected him, only to mess with him.

“C’mon, Y/N!” Jake pouted at me. “Say ‘smort’ for me?”

“No, I told you, Peralta. You will never hear me say that”

“Fine…”

“You sure you got this, you don’t need any help?” Amy and I followed him to his desk.

“Yup” His fingers quickly typed on the keyboard. “There he is, he’s in the database”

“Well, I guess that’s beyond my field of expertise” I watched my sister when I realized she was frowning at me. “What? I’m a forensic scientist, not a detective”

“You almost were, remember?” Amy arched an eyebrow, examining my expression.

“Wait, you almost were?” That gathered Jake’s attention back on us.

“Yeah…” I sighed, deciding to tell him knowing how insistent and annoying he could be. “I trained for a long time but in the end I went to forensics”

One of the reasons was precisely because of Amy. We were very competitive and I didn’t want our careers to turn into a giant competition between us. Besides, I was interested in forensics after all. It was only after meeting everyone in the 99 and hearing about Jake’s stories that I began wondering if I chose wrong. I was far away from the action, from the epic chases and all the cool stuff.

“So who’s the smart one then?” Jake suddenly asked us.

“What?” Amy replied, voicing my own astonishment at the question.

“Y/N never became a cop so we can never know which one of you is the smartest”

“Watch it, Peralta” I said, jokingly glaring at him. Then I waved goodbye at my sister and headed back for the elevator.

“It’s you, isn’t it, Y/N?” Jake exclaimed, making me grin in spite of myself, even if I was facing my back to them.

“I’m the smart one!” Replied Amy, and I heard him chuckling because he had successfully messed with my sister.

*

As I headed back home, I was quite literally questioning my life choices. What would have happened if I tried to make it as a cop? Would I have been in the 99 with my sister and with Jake and Terry and all those amazing people? Would I have been any good with all the detective work and the action? I would never know.

I got startled when I bumped into someone. It was quite late at night and I was a little jumpy, but it was just a random bystander. He must have been just out of work or something, because he seemed groggy and looked like a zombie.

“Watch were you’re going” I told him over my shoulder, not stopping. But then my heart skipped a beat at the sight of a hazily familiar face.

I quickly hid behind a corner and pulled out my phone. I absently dialed as my eyes focused on the burly figure, not wanting to lose sight of him.

“Peralta” Soon came his answer, even if his voice sounded a little tired.

“Hey, Jake” I whispered, trying not to be heard even if he was too far to hear me.

“Y/N? Why are you calling so late, is everything alright?”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry”

“Why are you whispering?”

“I’m after your suspect”

“My suspect?”

“Yes, from the murder case, Richardson?” My eyes followed him as he crossed the street. He might not be the brightest, because he wasn’t the most inconspicuous, he was obviously up to no good. Besides, his MO betrayed him as a big brute with little subtlety. “I ran into him and I’m waiting for him to do something incriminatory”

“I appreciate that, Y/N, but you’re not a cop” Jake said, sounding surprisingly serious for the first time since I knew him. He was always goofing around when I saw him during my brief visits at the 99.

“So? I got a lead”

“So that’s dangerous, and if something happens to you because of me, your sister will kill me”

“Amy is not the boss of me, no matter how bossy she is”

Jake sighed, knowing us Santiagos were a little pigheaded.

I suppressed a gasp when Richardson looked my direction, but I quickly took cover and hid from his sight. I was pretty sure he hadn’t seen me.

“Are you home?” I asked Jake, hoping Amy wasn’t listening to his conversation.

“No, I’m still at work”

“Look, don’t tell Amy, okay? I got this”

“Okay, but you should get out of there. Thanks for the tip, we’ll investigate that area” Jake’s tone was patient yet cautious. “Where are you?”

“I’m-“ I gasped when I felt something against the back of my head, and a sinking feeling grew in my stomach when I realized what it was.

“Y/N?” Jake asked me, even if the phone was taken away from me. “Y/N?!”

I didn’t know when he noticed I was there. How much he knew about me. How interested he was on keeping me alive. But I took my chances even with a gun to my head.

“I’m on 10th with-“ But before I could finish my sentence, everything turned black.

*

I squeezed my eyelids tight, trying to get over the throbbing headache beating in my temple. I slowly opened my eyes and jumped at the sight of someone unwanted.

“So you’re a cop, huh?” Was his greeting. At least he had kept me alive, maybe to question me and find out how much I knew. Or to torture me.

“Technically not” I said to try and buy myself some time, because I figured that as soon as I told him what he wanted to know, I would stop being useful.

I analyzed my surroundings to grow aware of my situation. I was in some sort of warehouse, lying on the ground. My wrists were stuck together with duct tape behind my back, just like my ankles were tied together. There was no bursting out of there on my own.

“Who are you?” He asked me, and his piercing stare was intimidating, and his eyes were dark and fierce.

“No one of importance” I half-questioned, gulping violently.

He glared at me, and I had the nasty realization that I was going to die. I wouldn’t be able to say goodbye to Amy, to thank her for being such an amazing sister, person and inspiration for me. I would never see my family again, nor anyone from the 99. I thought back to Jake, nearly relaxing when I pictured his sweet brown eyes and his cute goofy smile. I… liked him. It took me a death threatening situation to finally realize I had a huge crush on Jake! And I couldn’t even act on it!

“You have new messages, from someone called Jake” I gasped when he held up my phone, which he obviously took when I was unconscious, and began reading them out loud. “There’s a lot: ‘Y/N, where are you?’, ‘Answer your phone’, ‘Amy says you didn’t get home last night’, ‘Please tell me you’re okay’, ‘This isn’t funny anymore’, blah blah blah”

“Y-Yeah” I nodded energetically, fidgeting as I tried to sit up, which was hard with my hands tied behind my back. “Jake and Amy are coming after me, and they’re the best detectives in New York, they’ll find me and arrest you”

“Detectives” He repeated, looking at the phone. “Peralta and Santiago?”

It felt like it wasn’t the first time he heard about them, and I wondered if they had dealt with him before. Not that they had mention anything, but then again, they went through a lot of cases those last eight years.

However, I held my breath when I realized I had given him some precious information. Now he knew they were after him, and who they were. Stupid! I had definitely gone through basic training to prepare for situations like this, but unlike my friends, I had never been put in them and I had no experience. The adrenaline was rushing through my veins and I behaved recklessly and illogically.

“Write to them” Just as I managed to finally sit up, he kneeled in front of me.

“What?” I gawked at him, shrinking away from him when he pulled out a knife.

“Write them a message” He used the knife to break the restrains in my wrist but not in my ankles. “Let them know you’re okay and safe”

I stared at him, wondering if he was actually stupid. I could just make it so they suspected of my message and realized something was wrong. It would also tell them I was alive and I could even hint at where I was. Not that I knew about that.

Richardson saved his knife and handed me back my phone. Then he stared at me as he rose to his feet, towering over me once more.

“Now!” He suddenly pulled out his gun, making me yelp as he pointed at me.

“Okay, okay!” I quickly tapped the messaging app and began typing.

“Don’t try anything” To reinforce his threat, he took the safety off his weapon.

My thumbs hovered over the keys as I thought of what to type. I needed to send an eloquent message that would alert them. I decided to send it to Jake, figuring he would check his phone more often than Amy. I took a deep breath as I typed it.

“Hey, Jacob! I’m okay, don’t worry about me, my phone just died” I said out loud as I typed, trying to make the text as intriguing as possible without having Richardson suspect it. “Btw, you were right about Amy: smort”

Richardson stared at me, unamused by the way I usually interacted with Jake.  which I took to my advantage and tapped my screen again when he wasn’t looking at my hands.

“That casual enough for you?” He didn’t reply, just kept staring as he snatched the phone frm my hands. I looked away, uncomfortable. He might not have been the brightest, but he gave such a violent and intimidating vibe.

“Okay” He turned around and walked over to a close by table. “Now I’m gonna tie you up again”

“Like hell you are” I quickly stood up and began running for the entrance.

My plans were foiled, however, when I realized my feet were still tied up and I could only hop in an attempt to escape.

“Come back here!” Richardson was gaining on me fast.

“Oh, no” I looked over my shoulder to him, he was way too close already.

Before I could even brace myself, he hit me in the back of the head.

*

Ugh, what a nightmare! I had to put an end to it, only I could save myself. I knew or… hoped, that Jake and Amy were looking for me. But what if they were too late? What if they didn’t find me?

I groaned as I came to, as my previous headache had worsened. The second blow to the head had rendered me in an uncomfortable, weak and queasy state. I forced my brain to work faster even though my thoughts were swampy and hazy.

I tensed up when I felt someone kicking me in the back, but didn’t open my eyes. All I had now was the fact that he had kept me alive. As long as he didn’t find more information from me, I would be safe. I pretended to be still unconscious while I thought of a plan, which was hard with my probable concussion.

I rummaged through my mind as I gathered what I knew so far. I didn’t know where I was, except that I was in a warehouse somewhere. I had sent Jake a suspicious message and activated my GPS when Richardson wasn’t looking, but they hadn’t found me yet.

I slowly moved my hands, realizing he had tied them back together with duct tape behind my back. Then I suddenly remembered that I always carried a knife with me and a spark of hope made my heart race.

As soon as I moved, however, my whole body complained. I strained my arms and shoulders as I tried to reach the back pocket of my jeans, there where I kept my knife. Hopefully, Richardson wasn’t bright enough to think of checking all my pockets after he found my phone.

I stopped moving when I heard footsteps. Richardson was behind me, pacing, and I had no idea what he was doing. I tried to hurry up just in case.

Trying to repress a gasp in celebration, my fingers wrapped around the knife and I pulled it out of my pocket. I thought it would be better to untie my feet first so I could run, not wanting to make the same mistake twice. So I painfully twisted my body to try and reach my ankles.

After several more seconds, the knife finally reached the tape in my ankles and tore it apart. My heart skipped a beat with the sound, but Richardson seemed too preoccupied to notice. Maybe he had somehow found out the police was on its way and he got nervous.

I took a deep breath, letting the adrenaline build up, and decided to act. My wrists were still tied together, but I didn’t want to waste any more time, I could escape even if my hands were behind my back, I just needed to run.

I jumped to my feet, unable to use my arms to gather my balance, and quickly turned to him.

“What the-?” He began, startled by my sudden movements.

Before he could reach out for his gun, I kicked him as hard as I could where the sun doesn’t shine. He groaned in pain and dropped to his knees, holding there where it hurt.

“That’ll teach you, dirtbag!” I exclaimed to my surprise, still feeling the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

I then ran to the door, wondering how I was going to get it open with my hands tied behind my back. To my surprise, however, it suddenly swung open before me.

“NYPD, you’re under arrest!” I found face to face with none other than Jake Peralta… pointing a gun at my face.

“Jake!!” I exclaimed, trying to hold my hands up in defense as an instinct even if they were still tied.

As I jumped up by his sudden outburst, I lost balance and was unable to regain it, not used to being unable to move my arms.

“Y/N!” Jake said, immediately lowering his gun and extending his arms to catch me when I stumbled forward.

“Jake, Richardson!” I warned him, accommodating against his torso. “He’s right behind me!”

“Terry!” Jake shouted, firmly wrapping my frame and moving me out of the way.

He took me with him as he stepped away, just in time to let the police squad burst into the warehouse, with Terry at the head of the operation. I noticed there were two police cars not far from us. The sirens were turned off, but I assumed they wanted to be sneaky not to alarm Richardson taking in consideration I was his hostage.

“Jake, you’re here…” I whispered, starting to feel exhausted as the adrenaline began wearing off. Not that he was there, I knew I was safe.

“Y/N, oh my god…” He whispered back, quickly turning me around and tearing the tape off my wrists. “You’re alive…”

Before I could say anything else, Jake had attracted me towards his torso again and was hugging me tight. I feebly leaned my weight against him, feeling extremely tired and woozy.

“Are you okay?” He gravely asked me, putting his hands on my arms and gently breaking the hug to take a good look at me.

“I think so” I winced when my temples began throbbing. “But I have a killer headache”

“Did he knock you out?” Jake frowned, his brown eyes dripping with concern. “That bastard”

I just nodded as my strengths slowly left me. I was honestly surprised that I was able to attempt my escape, but I blamed it on the adrenaline.

“How did you find me?” I gladly let Jake wrap an arm around me just in case.

“Well, we tracked your phone, and luckily your GPS was on –good job with that –and followed you here since he was stupid enough to keep your phone”

It was my first proper case as a ‘cop’, and even though I had kept myself alive, I had lucked out. If Richardson hadn’t been sloppy and were a criminal mastermind instead, I may not have lived to tell the deed.

“You knew I was in trouble, I knew you’d know”

“You said ‘smort’ and I knew it was a code”

I stupidly chuckled, feeling my eyelids growing heavier. I leaned my side against him just to alleviate my exhaustion, not making my body support its entire weight.

“Not the fact that I called you ‘Jacob’ or admitted my sister is smarter than me?” I asked him, patting his shoulder.  

“Yup, that too” He kindly rubbed my arm.

Oh, Jake, I was really hoping he would find me. I had managed to get away, but I couldn’t be sure that Richardson wouldn’t have gotten me again. My hands had been literally tied and since he hit me in the head twice I wasn’t in the best condition.

But Jake… his presence reminded me of how much I thought about him. How I wished I would live through that to tell him how I really felt. To see him again and hug him and kiss him.

“Jake” I called him, carefully pushing myself off him to say what I had to say. “I kept thinking about you and how I never told you how I actually feel and…”

“I… didn’t get anything of what you just said, you’re slurring too much” Jake stared at me, even if a slight grin tugged at the corner of his lips. “I think you have a mild concussion”

“Makes sense” I sighed, not really knowing if what I was about to do was a good idea. “This is what I mean”

I put my hands against his face and pulled him closer to me until our lips touched. It was a brief and gentle kiss, but I hoped it delivered the message that my words failed to send him.

“Oh” Jake muttered, resting his hands on my waist. “I get it now”

“That’s it, I just wanted to say that” Exhausted, I bowed my head down so my forehead rested against his shoulder. Still wrapping an arm around my back, Jake kindly caressed the back of my head.

“Y/N, I-“

“You don’t have to say anything, Jake… Besides, I don’t think I’m good to talk. I just needed to let you know”

“Okay”

When I looked up at him, he was smiling down at me. As I shoved my face on his chest, he sighed and wrapped his arms around me like he had done before, softly squeezing me against him.

“Your sister’s gonna kill me” He broke the silence, absently playing with my hair.

“Oh my god, Amy!” I urgently looked up at him. “Where is she?! Is she okay?!”

“Don’t worry, she’s fine” He held a hand up to calm me down. “She’s looking for you, but she’s okay, she’s just gonna be mad at me”

I heaved a sigh of relief, even if I knew she would definitely lecture me when she saw me again. After all, I had been reckless and stupid when I was unexperienced.

“In her defense, you were the one that filled my head with that stupid action nonsense” I tiredly replied, treasuring that moment of tranquil, I really needed his comfort.

“Guess you’re right” He chuckled, his hands gently rubbing my back.

“Jake?” I reached out to hold on to his shoulders.

“Yeah?”

“My knees are giving in”

“Okay, time to get you to the paramedics”

Jake scooped me up in his arms and carried me to the ambulance. The paramedics immediately knew I was the victim and opened the doors so he could sit me in the back. There, Jake stayed by my side without me having to ask him to. He also took my hand in his and didn’t let go, just as he never stopped gently smiling at me.

@c-taylor-wanna-be-a-glader, @xionroxas, @qtmeryr

[tortor94]

NEW WRITER ON THE BLOCK

Hi guys! I’ve been writing for myself for a few years but had got my start in fanfiction years and years ago. I’ve recently decided to get back into it but I need your help to come in with requests so I can really get started (I prefer to do reader inserts if you don’t mind, and they can be smutty lol)

Fandoms:

Gotham

Vikings

The Walking Dead (TV show)

Supernatural 

Preacher (TV show)

The Guardians of the Galaxy

Avengers 

X-Men

Daredevil

Criminal Minds

CSI Miami

[ilariyalavorowrites]

Stalking Me, Stalking You (CSI Nick Stokes) Part Four

Imagine: You never saw it coming, you never knew he was there until the moment he struck. For months, this individual had stalking you from the shadows, trying to find a way into your life. Never quite able to but in his mind, time was running out and soon enough you would be completely out of reach. This was the moment to act, to ‘rescue’ you and steal you away.

Warnings: Angst with a happy ending, kidnapping, hurt but eventual comfort. Suffering, lots of suffering, slow-moving plot, stalking, obsessive behaviour.

Pairings: Nick Stokes x Reader and Reader x OC (one-sided)

Word count: 4,535 words

Universe: CSI

Reader gender: Female

Part Four of ten

Tagged: @just-call-me-the-old-hag @horsedragonllama @space-helen @kneelforloki @flopiboni @maddy-villain @ilkkawhat

Previous / Next

As you stood at the bar, sighing after having lost sight of your friend for the third time. At least one of you was having a good time as you continued to nurse your first drink of the evening. With the thin red straw between your lips as your eyes flitted over the crowded dance floor, watching them dance to the beat of an unfamiliar song. However, your gaze was drawn like a moth to a flame to the sight of a familiar face as he made his way off the floor and over to the bar. You leaned back against the cold, hard surface of the marble bar top before placing your glass down upon the surface.

You could not help it as a smile graced your lips when his eyes found yours. It felt much like the start of a cheesy romance novel.  “Hey you, fancy bumping into you here tonight” Nick said loudly, trying his best to overcome the thumping of the drum and bass.  “I need to lose myself after that last shift. Dance the night away, looks like you've got a head start on me” You playfully teased, as he moved to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you.  This was one of the few times he had seen you out of your regular tailored suit and trousers. However, Nick hadn't expected to see you in a form-fitted short dress that seemed to kiss your knees each time it lightly brushed past.

It was a welcome sight indeed. A coy smile played on his lips as he leaned on the bar, his eyes leaving yours but a moment as he ordered his drink. Your gaze raked over his form, as you briefly let yourself get lost in your foolish crush as you relished in the proximity of his body to your own. Nick edged himself closer, with a hand raised to catch the attention of the bartender. His tight form-fitting t-shirt paired with black skinny jeans fitted the particular club scene to a tee as he relayed his order to the man behind the bar. All while a playful grin lingered upon his lips, as his gaze returned to meet yours.

As you stared into the mirror on the dresser, you could not help but notice him standing in the doorway. The reflection of your abductor. The man who claimed to be your salvation, to have rescued you from hell on earth, only to deliver you straight into the heart of the inferno.

“Darling, dinner is nearly ready and Mrs Branson has dished up all your favourites” His voice was calm but his words felt heavily practised as if he had spoken directly from a script. One that he held with a cast iron grip, one that changed at his beck and call.

“Oh, that’s oh so kind of her” You replied, knowing that the housekeeper doubling as a chef knew only what he had fed her. Tales of false lives lived, of a loving husband and his distant wife who had been away for many months at a time to care for her ailing mother. One that had peacefully passed on which summoned him to bring his beloved home. A passionate marriage built solely on falsehoods and outright lies. 

With one hand cradling the ever-growing bump hidden beneath the flowing fabric, you pushed yourself to your feet before waddling over to him, taking the crook of his arm. Memories of Nick were still fresh and at the forefront of your mind as you fiddled with the ring upon your left hand. 

One that did not belong to you, one that felt more like a ball and chain keeping you prisoner. A constant reminder that your freedom was not your own. The white gold band felt more like a lead weight than a wedding ring. This make-believe was all just an act, a live-action roleplay where you were cast as in the role of a lifetime, one that you were dying to play. A fact that he had harped on about for the last few nights, as you lay in bed inches away from him.

He would not dare touch you, not in your condition. A stray roaming hand caressing up your thighs was more than enough for now. To keep him content as he played the role of a lifetime that he longed for—the doting husband who worshipped at the feet of the pedestal where he placed his wife.

As you swayed and danced to the beat of an unfamiliar song, you were quickly drawn back into the moment Nick’s hand pulled you further into his welcoming embrace as you smoothly moved around the floor. There was nothing but the two of you in this moment as your head laid down upon his chest and you lost yourself to the rhythm.

Enjoying the closeness of how it felt to be pressed up against him. His hands rubbed up and down your back, it was pure ecstasy as you leaned into it, and your lips found his. Shock overtook your senses but you did not pull away, neither did he. The seconds ticked by, as your lips flowed effortlessly over his as the kiss heated up.

It had begun as a surprisingly soft kiss. Nick had been caught off guard from the moment that her lips had brushed his softly, delicate like the petals of a rose would kiss, would brush past barely there. To give him a taste of what could be, if he dared to take the plunge.

Oh, how he dared, dangling over the edge ready to drive in head first. Nick had never considered the possibility of a moment like this to occur. His lips were tentative at first but once the shock had passed then all bets were firmly off. There must have been signs but all of them had gone over his head as he pulled her closer, deeper into his embrace as they continued to sway around the floor.

Nick could not help but reflect upon that night, the first of many. As he stared down at the image displayed on the board opposite him. Each one of them had been burnt into memory but the last deeply disturbed him. It had been the one he saw into the worst of his nightmares of late. His failure to save her from this surmounting terror. An unknown adversity had chosen her for this most wicked of games but seemed to be unwinnable.

The memory of their first kiss had been in the heat of the moment but she had been the one to initiate it. To take that leap of faith and cross the line hovering between them. He had hesitated, contemplating the countless pointless reasons to stay in his lane. Do not try and see if he had been interpreting the signs incorrectly. Thankfully that hadn’t been the case.

The weight of her body against his was electric, as his lips slid effortlessly over hers. Nick’s mind was racing as it fogged up with images of what could come next. Racy, raunchy and most definitely delicious possibilities flooded through his mind but not tonight. He would have to push down those thoughts for now at least. Nick Stokes, categorically was a gentleman first and a player second. As he slowly pulled back, his breath quickened and his heart thumped harder than before. He found himself admiring her, whether it be reddening cheeks or the well-loved lips that he could not help but intensely stare at, wanting nothing more than another taste. A goofy smile played on his lips as the seconds ticked by. “Never thought you’d be interested in me that way Darlin’” He breathlessly spoke, each word drawn out as if it was drowning in smooth honey.

“Let me show again, I’ve wanted to do that for ages Nick. I like you more than I think I should” She called back, the words mixing in with the beat of the next song as she once again claimed his lips and kissed him deeply in the middle of the dance floor. Her lips eagerly mapped out the slopes and valley of his back. This heated exchange had been the first of many that night, they had never crossed that invisible line lingering firmly between them. Only kissing as if they were love-struck teens in between brief moments of conversations. It had been breathtaking to see this passionate side of her. At the end of the night, he had eagerly walked her back to her car. Smiling from ear to ear with his hand firmly entwined with hers. “Hey, I like to take you out to dinner or breakfast. Whatever comes first” He had rambled out as he stood there, still holding her hand.

“Like a date?” She had called back, there had been a hopeful glint in her eyes that he could hardly tear himself away from. “Yeah, a date if you want to of course”  It had been a painful few minutes before she had answered but he hadn’t needed to hear those words as the huge megawatt smile upon lips gave away the answer.

Nick remembered the first few seconds after they had parted, as he made his way over his own car. Still smiling as he began to think over the next step. This had not been how he had envisioned the night to go but here he was, with a date to plan for. With his colleague and friend, one who he had never thought saw him in any other light. He had seen past the service weapon and badge to see the strong-willed woman underneath.

Greg had been the one to crush hard, first with Sara then with her and any other woman who might give him the time of day. Nick had always been the player, the one to catch the girl's eye and take them out of the town before moving on. He had never found the right one. She was most definitely different.

He stood there, waiting for answers as a single thumbprint had been recovered from the photographic paper. Mandy had put a rush on it, it was a priority and needed to be compared to ones already in CODIS. He dared to hope for a match as it had been blow after blow. For now, it looked like they were making progress, they would wander haplessly in another dead end. The Texan needed a catch-a-break, to crack this case wide out. 

“Nick” The sound of his name being called was enough to bring him back down to reality and out of his daydreaming. He lifted his gaze to find the familiar sight of Mandy standing there in the doorway, with the report in hand but something was off. Whether that be in the way that she held herself, almost halfway out of the room. Her bespectacled gaze barely met his own. This was not the type of news that he was hoping for.

“Not in the system then” Nick spoke, sighing jumping the gun before the lab tech could get a word out.

“Actually it is but it’s linked to an Active Federal Investigation” Mandy interjected, knowing this was going to be the start of a world of frustration. Agents would soon be knocking at their door, wanting access to all the evidence that the Lab had collectively gathered. Descending upon them like a plague as they overtook the case and ripped it right out of their hands. 

Nick was not going to let that happen. “Thanks, Mandy,” He said as he took a look over the information for him. The thumbprint seemed to taunt him from the print, as he stared down at the word UNKNOWN MATCH almost daring it to burn. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------You sat stiffly to the right of him, playing the role perfectly. You were meant to be his ideal little housewife. Keep busy during the daylight behind these four walls and only take out of your self-contained box at his beck and call. His ironclad tightening hold upon your hand was unwelcomed and all you wanted to do was pull away.

You couldn’t, that would create a scene and unwelcome attention that he would quickly write off with a litany of excuses. You would pay for it though when he and you were finally alone. This was just another dinner party to get through by the skin of your teeth as you acted your heart out to play the doting wife.

You would envision Nick in his stead, standing there proudly staring down at your swollen stomach housing his unborn child safely within. Yet, this was not the case as you carefully watched those envious daggered stares aimed at what was not the product of his loving touch. This was all the more reason to pander to his slimy desires, to his wants and needs even if it felt oh so wrong to do so. You needed to bide your time, wait out the clock and not upset your captor too much.

He would slip up eventually then you’d make your daring escape. As you raised the glass that you held in your hand in toast. The fruit juice sloshed from side to side. “Here’s to all who could join us on this most wonderful of evenings” You started, selecting your next words ever so carefully.

“To my husband and your host, cheers” You plastered a false smile upon your lips as you turned to take in the look on his face. Grateful to discover a pleasant smile beaming back in your direction. Gone was that look of jealousy that sent shivers down your spine. For now, you’d get through the night and see the rising sun of morning then it would all begin again. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------Five years ago

You stood there in the locker room taking it all in, with your service weapon holstered on your left hip. The light brown uniform top paired with the standard issue trousers fit like a glove but the smile upon your lips just won’t disappear. The golden shield pinned to your top for all those who glanced your way to see. It sat just below your radio with its long trailing wire connected to the battery pack hidden in one of the pockets on the thick black standard-issue belt that your service weapon was holstered into. 

This was the day that you had been eagerly waiting for. Although your parents were far from keen on the idea of you uprooting yourself across state lines. They would have rather you joined one of the local law enforcement departments but Vegas had come calling. It was dang near impossible to resist. 

This was your first job, fresh out of the academy and you were as green as they came but it was a rush to find yourself assigned to Sin City. You were expecting to be thrown into the deep end, a graveyard shift straight from the get-go but the sun still shone high in the sky. Maybe, they were planning to treat you with kid gloves. You didn’t know what felt worse.

“Officer, you’re riding with me” The voice of your new partner echoed through the room catching your attention, snapping you out of your daydream. This was the person charged with training you. The one that you’d spend countlessly riding up and down the Strip with as you grabbled with radio codes and all the various crimes committed at the drop of a hat for reasons both simple and complex.

Learning on the job was part of the experience, one that you were ready and willing to jump into as you turned to face Officer Ashby. For Andrew Ashby, this was not his first rodeo or his first rookie. You were the latest in a string of many that had come before, sometimes he felt much like a revolving door.

One came, only to be replaced by another after they passed through the final exam and were sent out onto the streets. In his eyes, you were just the next in a long line of Green Officers who were too naive and not street-wise to be aware of what it was truly like out on the beat. To work the streets, alongside the scum of the earth, the users and the worst of humanity.

This would be a crash course that would open your eyes for better or for worse. This was only the beginning, he doubted you’d last the week, let alone the shift before deciding to get on out of dodge.

“Come on Rookie” He called before exiting the locker room. You did your best to match his pace as you wandered through the Precinct. Your gaze danced from left to right taking in each little detail as you followed Ashby out past the front desk. He did not speak to anyone as he went, his eyes firmly fixed upon the path ahead. 

The desk sergeant nodded your way, you raised a hand to wave back. First impressions were important, especially if you intended to stay, which you did. 

“Rookie, this way. You can social butterfly later” He grunted at you, without ever turning his head back to look at you. You picked up the pace, trying to push down the embarrassment as it arose and your face turned a deeper shade of red.

The police cruiser stood silent, awaiting its driver for the night. Officer Ashby swiftly unlocked the door before sliding behind the wheel. You exited the building, taking the sight of the black and white vehicle, number painted upon the roof with the light housed front and centre. Without a second thought, you rounded the car before opening the passenger side door and taking the seat beside Ashby. As you pulled the door closed, the engine roared to life.  

“Let’s not waste time, mine or yours. Prove to me that you are serious about being here” His words hit hard, you knew that this was what you wanted to do. You had fought hard to get through the trials and tribulations that the Academy flung your way. You felt small like a child being scolded for daring to stand on two feet.

“I have no intention of wasting anyone’s time. Let’s get rolling sir” You shot back, trying to nip this in the bud this early in the night. Silence fell as the radio crackled in life. You watched as he answered reeling off radio codes rapidly, showing his years of practice when engaging and coordinating with the dispatchers. You recognised a few but one stood out. 419 was the code for a dead body. What a way to start your very first shift.

The relentless heat of the afternoon sun hanging high in the sky, baked the bare skin of your neck as you stood at the side of the road. This lonely stretch of desert highway was not where you’d thought to end up for the first call out. A jeep had careened, crashing straight through the barrier before colliding hard with the tree below. 

The paramedics had been and gone, the driver was already dead. Ashby had been the one to radio in for a coroner and forensics. All you could do now was wait, all the necessary protocols had been carried out and at least he had let you take notes as you followed his lead. 

As you awaited the arrival of the Crime Scene Investigators assigned to work this case. You couldn’t help but wonder. They were the scientific side of the coin, working in tandem with the police department to unravel the questions of who, how and on occasion the why. You had tried probing Andrew but he said very little.

“They gather the evidence, what else do you need to know” His tone was curt, refusing to elaborate any further than that. You could not help but notice the painfully obvious chip on his shoulder as the sound of an approaching vehicle rumbling from behind you caught your attention.

With your gaze fixated upon the horizon, you watched as the car came into sight. As the lone black four-door SUV pulled up and parked, you caught the tail-ended of Officer Ashby’s mutterings. “Took them long enough” This was the first of many cues that you could not miss, your training officer was already in a sour mood. You didn’t want to make it any worse, as you closed the gap to stand shoulder-to-shoulder, beside your fellow officer.

You watched as the two criminalists exited their vehicle carrying their kits, the tools of their trade. Each of them could easily be described as handsome, but your gaze settled on the shorter of the two men.  Your already flustered cheeks could explained away by the heat of the afternoon, masking the first flutters of butterflies.

Whenever Nick was asked about their initial encounter, he would also hark back to the fact that they had met through work, stringing the few split-second moments together. Each had started the same way. He remembered that those early days before their friendship had truly taken over, had been whilst he and Warrick had been assigned to work the swing shift with Catherine as their supervisor.

He recalled that their introductory had been awkward and plagued by the chill of her training officer. Officer Andrew Ashby was a decent, hardworking member of the police department but it was hard to shake off that bitter glare that he shot his way, whenever they happened to cross paths at a crime scene. He was a stick in the mud who believed that boots on the ground, good old-fashioned police work trumped whatever they did in that musky lab. 

Nick couldn’t help but notice her, a new and unfamiliar face. Never knowing that this was the very start of a journey that they could embark on together. 

With the crime scene and jeep fully photographed, Nick climbed back up the embankment, needing to head back to the lab to get the evidence to the various lab techs for processing. He glanced from left to right to make sure that he had not missed evidence of the vehicle's descent as every the smallest detail could be vital to getting the answers to what had happened to their victim Cory DeMayo.

Nick had his theories as to what might caused the crash but without the evidence, they were just that, theories. He had noted that Officer Ashby had been one of the first responders on the scene after the Neveah Power company had called in the crashed jeep. When he and Warrick had pulled up, he had seen Detective Chris Cavaliere receiving the rundown from Ashby but it was who was standing off to one side that caught Nick’s attention.

He had never seen her before, she must have been Ashby’s latest assigned rookie. A new fresh face to work alongside. Warrick had called him out, as they carefully clambered down to where the runaway jeep had come to rest. 

“Good luck with getting past Lukewarm Ashby Nick, he’ll never let you say more than a few words to her”  It was a fair assessment of the other man’s character, he rarely went beyond cordial to anyone other than Catherine or Grissom but that was more down to their job title than their personalities. He respected them only as far as their seniority and authority went.

When he was finally back up on the highway, Nick found himself unconsciously searching her out and when his gaze found hers, it was only polite to go over and introduce himself. With a warm smile spread from ear to ear and his hand out for her to take, Nick made the first move.

“Hey, I’m Nick Stokes, CSI. Nice to meet you”  He said with a smile, as he noticed that she seemed to be caught off guard for a split second. Maybe, she hadn’t thought that he could speak to her, that must be Ashby’s doing. She quickly took his hand, accepting the olive branch and introduced herself but before she could say anymore, Ashby cut in.

“Rookie, we’re heading out. Stokes don’t you have anything better to do than trying to flirt with my trainee” Ashby swiftly commanded her with an iron glad authoritative tone matching any seasoned general when addressing the soldiers servicing under them. 

“Goodbye, it was nice to meet you too” She had quickly replied, her words warm and friendly as she turned to leave. Nick stood there for a moment longer, watching the two of them leave. He could not quite make out what was being said, Ashby was doing most of the talking, likely reprimanding her for the perceived slight that she had made in that brief few seconds.

Warrick had been right but still, Nick couldn’t help but smile as he climbed into the SUV and drove off back to the lab.

Their next few chance encounters had played out the same, as if they were reading from a script penned by Officer Ashby. Short and sweet but never going beyond, colleagues being cordial to one another before he stepped in to whisk her away. He always seemed to be waiting in the wings, never more than a few feet away. Warrick thought it was incredibly comical but Nick never gave much weight to the other’s man actions. He just laughed it off and went about with his day. You wandered through the halls, your latest shift had come to an end. Andrew dismissed you but not before giving one last order. To file the last of the paperwork before heading off home. A simple administrative task that would take no more than a few minutes, he had slowly started to allow you to step up and have a more active role, instead of just passively watching and taking notes. 

You had made your first arrest earlier in the day and for the first time, you truly felt like a police officer. The sound of your name being called stopped you in your tracks. You turned to find yourself face-to-face with the brunette Texan who never missed the chance to stop and say hello.

“Good evening CSI Stokes” You amiably greeted him, knowing this was the first chance that you had gotten to speak more than a few simple words to him. 

“You can call me Nick” His words were playful, teasing you for your formality. You couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright Nick, I just need to file this as I made my first arrest today then I’m done for the week” You continued, finding it incredibly easy to eager in small talk with him. 

“You’ve probably heard it all before, sorry” You couldn't help but apologise for your excited ramblings. “No, I get it as I was the same when I closed my first case. Warrick and I are going to get something to eat if you want to join us then you can tell us about your arrest” 

“I’d like that, if I’m not imposing” You answered, happy at the very notion of getting to know both of them. “No imposition at all, I’ll wait for you in Reception”

[ilariyalavorowrites]

Stalking me, Stalking you(CSI Nick Stokes)

Imagine: You never saw it coming, you never knew he was there until the moment he struck. For months, this individual had stalking you from the shadows, trying to find a way into your life. Never quite able to but in his mind, time was running out and soon enough you would be completely out of reach. This was the moment to act, to ‘rescue’ you and steal you away.

Warnings: Angst with a happy ending, kidnapping, hurt but eventual comfort. Suffering, lots of suffering, slow-moving plot, stalking, obsessive behaviour.

Pairings: Nick Stokes x Reader and Reader x OC (one-sided)

Word count:  2,240 words

Universe: CSI

Reader gender: Female

Part one of ten

Tagged: @just-call-me-the-old-hag @horsedragonllama

Next

Sunday, 10:45 am

With your acquired piping hot morning cup of decaffeinated coffee, confined to the conveniently supplied to-go cup, you were ready to head out, to head back home and get the final chores finished before your mother arrived. Tomorrow could not come soon enough, it had been way too long since your mother last visited a few years back but this would be different. 

Dinner reservations had all but been confirmed. You were awaiting the relevant information as soon as your partner had it in his possession as he had insisted on handling this little task himself. This would be the first time your mother and he would be in the same room. It was rather nerve-racking as you hoped that nothing would go wrong and they'd get on like a house on fire.

Lost in your thoughts, as you wandered through the crowded little coffee shop, one that you had regularly visited twice a week over the past four years. You only saw the stranger coming once it was too late to prevent the collision. His shoulder knocked into yours hard enough to send you spinning and before you could react, your coffee flew out of your hand, spilling its dark content all over the tiled floor.

“Damn,” You said, mildly annoyed but knowing the popularity of your favourite coffee shop. There was always a chance that something like this could easily happen. It's just your turn. You would look back and laugh about this later with your mother.

“It’s my fault, sorry about that. Let me buy you another one” An unfamiliar smooth baritone voice spoke, catching her attention. You raised her gaze to meet theirs, ready to politely decline as after all, it was just one cup of coffee nothing to cry over. With a friendly, nonchalant smile upon your lips, you open your mouth to reply…

Monday, 9 am

Evelyn had never been truly comfortable flying but when her daughter had called around two and half months back with an open invitation and her airfare fully paid, she jumped at the chance. After sending one more message to both her daughter and husband, Evelyn boarded the plane.

Driving down had been an option, Evelyn had never been the most confident driver, especially over long distances. On those long lonely straits of road, she would always worry needlessly about every little thing, even if her husband had been along for the ride. Flying had been the only option since her husband was still not back from his fishing trip. An hour and a half was nothing, it would be over before she knew it.

Just before she turned off her phone, Evelyn checked one final time to see if either of them had replied. Her dear Bob had but her daughter had not. This hadn’t been the first message that she hadn’t responded to.

Evelyn had spoken to her the previous morning to confirm what time she would arrive at the airport so that she would be prompt to pick her up but after that, it was utter radio silence. This was hardly unusual due to the nature of her daughter’s job but this felt different. For her daughter was truly a creature of habit, always calling back if she had missed more than one call that day from either parent and replying to text messages by the next morning.

She had done neither of these as Evelyn had tried calling last night and once more before leaving this very morning. She even used the keypad to text carefully a goodnight message and the one before boarding. She preferred to call over using the messaging function on this newer model of phone that had been purchased as a Christmas present. Her family wanted her to try and keep up with the times and have a way of contacting them whenever she left the house.

It had been sweet though but it wouldn’t have been her first choice of present. She knew that her daughter worried about her, but then Evelyn deeply worried about her child’s safety especially since they had not lived in the same state for the last five years. 

All she could do was wait until her plane landed safely at Las Vegas Airport and the sight of that ever-infectious smile beaming from just beyond the barrier in the Arrival Hall. The pleasant image would be enough to get through the flight as she laid back in her seat, closing her eyes and relaxed as much as she possibly could.

An hour and a half flew past and Evelyn found herself standing in the right place with a suitcase in one hand and her purse dainty held in the other as her eyes scanned the crowd. She had checked the signage on the walks to ensure that she had gone in the right direction, as it was most definitely possible that the airport had more than one arrival hall in this terminal but this hadn’t been the case.

She had been walking up and down for the last twenty minutes, her eyes passing over each of the many faces staring back at her from the barrier. None of them were the ones that she had been expecting. This was strange as her plane had not been delayed and her trip through security had not taken long. Maybe her daughter had been held up in a traffic jam, yes that had to be it.

Evelyn made her way through the crowd, all whilst looking for a seat to rest and continuing to wait as she was certain that her child wouldn’t be much longer.  

Minutes ticked past, soon becoming tens of minutes and before long an hour had passed. Evelyn was concerned as her eyes had remained fixed upon the exit doors, watching as they opened and closed as people flooded in and out but her daughter had never stepped foot across that threshold.

With one hand, she fished out that dreaded mobile phone and swiftly dialled her daughter’s number. It rang for a few moments before being diverted to voicemail. Without hesitation, she spoke knowing that she had few options in a city where knew no one beyond her child. 

‘Sweetheart. It’s your mother. I’ve been at the airport for a little while. I know you are on the way and have likely been caught up in some dreadful traffic on the way here so I’ll get a taxi as I do have your address and you head home. I’ll meet you there

She placed the phone back in the depths of her purse before heading outside to find a taxi as seeds of worry and doubt blossomed into life.

Monday, 11:10 pm

Detective Captain Jim Brass had seen it all. There was not much that shook him to the core anymore, after all the years spent with all that he had seen with the ever-loyal team of hardworking CSIs that made up the graveyard shift. 

His officers were just as hardy as he was, well maybe a few were still green and somewhat naive but in time, they would be as hard as diamonds on the outside at least. Seated in his office, he was ready to burn the midnight oil when a quick succession of knocks alerted him to the presence of someone at his door.

The words were on the tip of his tongue, to summon them to cross the threshold and enter but this individual did not wait as the door was swiftly pushed open. He frowned, annoyed at this sudden intrusion but as his gaze fell upon the familiar face of Officer Rodriguez of Day Shift, a thousand questions rose erupted within his mind.

Why was he still here? His shift ended hours ago but yet he remained within the department. His pale and drawn face was far from the usual for this stern man who lived for the badge. 

“Sir, I’m sorry for just entering but I felt that you needed to hear this” His voice lacked its normal steady tone, it was similar to that of the many terrified fathers that he had encountered over the years. “I’m listening, Rodriguez” He patiently spoke briefly, to allow the man to find the rest of his words.

“My partner and I were called to the scene of a 406, from the information that we had received from dispatch just seemed like a run-of-the-mill job. However, when Sawyer and I rolled up at the address, it was far from ordinary”  

Jim watched on silently as the story began to unravel. “A distraught older woman was waiting outside the property for us, and quickly it was established that this was the mother of the individual that owned this unit” It was plain to see the professional nature waning as the officer continued to relay his report.

“The owner was discovered to be one of our own” As he heard the name, the cogs began to turn, as he tried to make sense of what had led to this but yet, he lacked the whole picture as if only a few matching pieces had found and place down upon the table, the jigsaw was slowly coming together. 

However, this still perplexed Jim, why was a simple burglary being hand-delivered to his door, unless there was more to this than a case of a stranger breaking into the home of a member of law enforcement and taking anything that wasn't nailed down. 

A small case that dayshift would need no assistance from either swing or graveyard but this didn’t feel as if they were reaching out for a fresh set of eyes to look over the evidence. He would bite and see where he ended up.

The memory of the morning still fresh lingered at the forefront of Rodriguez’s mind. It was hard to push aside as he relived each step, trying to see if he missed any detail. No matter how miniscule it initially seems could open doors down the line.

“She’s been paid leave for thirty-six hours as her mother was due to arrive this morning. Using a few vacation days left over from last year” He relayed the information readily to the younger man. A basic set of facts that most of the department was already aware of. She had been rather openly vocal about the pending arrival of her beloved mother. 

Each shift had been part of the active countdown that drove many mad but much like any other family, they took in on the chin and revelled at the sight of her excitement. Both men remembered the smile that never faded, it didn’t matter which end of her shift they encountered her, there it would be.

The years of service had not yet tarnished and hardened her heart, but it would come eventually. That one case that they could not get past, sleepless nights and a drive to find a way to justice that went above the call of duty. Jim had his, he knew that Rodriguez had his own.

The sight of Conrad Ecklie and the click of his office door closing behind the said man spoke volumes, this was not going to be good news in the slightest. “Sir, The Detective in question never turned up at the airport to pick up her mother and has not been seen since the morning before that”

Monday 11:20 PM

Nick held his phone as he walked through the station’s front doors, his focus transfixed firmly upon the tiny screen of the device. Still no message back but then again he wasn’t expecting her to answer straight away especially now that her mother was in town. He had the breakfast date to look forward to once he finished this graveyard shift.

Tomorrow was going to be his day with his girl, meeting up with her at their regular breakfast joint and then sitting down to dinner with her mother later in the evening. Nick would message her the details later on during his first break of the night.

Nothing could easily railroad this wonderful feeling, for the first time, in a long time things were going swimmingly with his love life. He never knew that these were famous last words, ones that would haunt him in the days to come.

As his eyes rose from his screen, he could not help but notice the scene in Brass’s office. Ecklie was a familiar sight, flitting in and out whenever the need arose but an unfamiliar Officer who should have clocked out hours ago, now that was unusual.

Catherine lingered in the hallway near the locker room, leaning into the wall behind her with her arms crossed over her chest. Her eyes trained upon the glass-walled office. “Evening” He greeted his dear old friend as he stiddled up beside her. “Do you know what’s going on?” He enquired curious to know if she had any insight into the strange situation.

“No, but I don’t doubt we’ll be in the dark for long. All I do know is that it’s do with one of the day shift’s newest cases” She replied, her curiosity had been piqued the moment that she entered ten minutes earlier.

In tandem, their phones beeped and the same text message was displayed on each of their devices. What a way to start a shift, Nick knew that he would have to tell about this in the morning.

FAMILY MEETING