Title: Saved by the Bell

Title: Saved by the Bell

Summary: After a series of murders at UNLV, the murderer’s identity remains a mystery. In order to catch the killer, the CSI team sends in one of their own undercover as the ideal victim, which could cost the CSI their life.

Spoilers: Season Eight

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI…not yet anyway. ; )

A/N: Sara is gone. Sorry Sara fans, but she’s gone.

Chapter 1

It seemed like they were relieving the same day all over again. First came the calls, then the silent drive over, the crowded hallways filled with curious yet frightened students, the same bloody crime scene. The only thing that was different was the body. This time, it was a twenty three year old brunette. But he was in the same position as the last six victims. The senior was face down on the floor facing the door. There were multiple stab wounds to the back and blood spatter covering the ceiling and the Play Boy posters that clung to the wall. The four other CSIs were busy outside processing the scene. But the CSI was standing over the body. Gil Grissom didn’t see Tony Stalling; he saw Andrew Mason, Tyler Stone, Eric Stowing, Peter Calihan, Jason Boeing and Daniel Austen. “The vic’s name was Tony Stalling. He‘s a senior and a science major, just like the rest of them,” informed Captain Jim Brass.

“Yeah, and another broken family,” muttered Grissom as he walked further into the room. If anyone knew Grissom, they could tell from the look on his face that the room was speaking to him. But it wasn’t just the room, but the team mates as well. “You know, for being a college student, I would expect to see a bit more action in the bed,” stated Catherine Willows who was busy examining the bed.

“Yeah, well I think he was a bit more focused on his studies,” replied Nick Stokes who was overlooking the victim’s desk.

From the bathroom emerged Warrick Brown. “The bathroom smells like bleach. Any blood evidence in there is destroyed.”

“I’m sure we can take a sample from Bloody Mary here,” smiled Greg Sanders who had taken a picture of the blood spatter on one of the posters.

“Actually, Bloody Mary wasn’t bloody. She got the nickname for the number of deaths of Protestants that she ordered,” corrected Grissom.

“Yeah, and then she died a bloody death,” added Greg.

“I didn’t know you were interested in the royal family of England,” stated Catherine.

“I’m not. I was actually more interested in the competitions they held. When I was a kid, my friends and I would attach cookie sheets to our shirts and wore pans on our heads. Then, we would take long stick and joust each other,” replied Greg.

Catherine, Nick and Warrick chuckled as Grissom raised an eyebrow at Greg. Just then, Doctor Al Robins came walking in. “Sorry I’m late, there was traffic on Freemont Street.”

“It’s alright, Doc. What can you tell me about the body?” asked Grissom.

Slowly, Doc Robbins bent down and studied the body. “From the appearance of the body, it is safe to say that the body wasn’t moved,” then, Doc Robbins took out what seemed to be a turkey temperature thermometer and stuck into the victim’s liver, “Body temp suggests that he’s been dead for over six hours.”

“That puts TOD around 1 AM,” replied Nick as he looked at his watch.

“What about COD?’ asked Grissom.

“Just like the last six; exsanguinations due to multiple stabbings to the back. Autopsy will show more.”

Grissom nodded as the coroners wheeled away the body. As the corpse disappeared, the team walked up to Grissom. “What do we got?” asked Grissom.

“It’s just like the last scenes, plenty of evidence pointing to murder, but no signs of the murderer,” replied Catherine.

“It’s almost impossible to track this guy down, Grissom,” stated Warrick.

“There’s a clue somewhere, Warrick, you just got to look,” replied Grissom.

“But Grissom, if this is like any of the other scenes, he wouldn’t have left any trace of himself behind,” replied Greg.

“Just look. Never judge a book by its cover, Greg.”

And looked they did, only to come up empty. After they had gotten back to the lab, the entire team met in the layout room with the pictures of all seven scenes laid out on the table. “So this is what we got. We have seven dead bodies all from the same killer. Each was stabbed in the back multiple times during the night. Each was a senior and a science major. Those are the only things they have in common. Question is, how do we find the guy that’s killed them?” asked Grissom.

“Well, did they share any classes together?” asked Nick.

“No, each had a different teacher or a different period,” replied Warrick.

“How about enemies?” asked Greg.

“According to classmates, they were all well liked by everyone,” stated Catherine.

“In other words, we got nothing,” said Nick.

The entire team sighed in unison. How could they have seven different crime scenes and no clue on who the culprit was? It made no sense. Just then, a light bulb went on over Greg’s head. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. What if one of us went in undercover as a senior science major?”

Almost the entire team groaned. “Someone’s been watching Bad Boys to much,” smiled Catherine.

“No, well yes, but that’s no the point. The only way we are going to catch this guy, it’s got to be in person,” argued Greg.

“Do you know how much work that requires? I would have to talk to Brass who would have to talk with the undersheriff who then has to talk with the sheriff who then has to set it up with the Principal,” replied Grissom.

“Are you complaining about work?” asked Nick.

“No, I just don’t want to see any of you get hurt, that’s all,” replied Grissom.

“I’m sure any one of us are willing to take the risk to provide some conclusion for the dead boy’s parent,” replied Warrick.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, Grissom heaved a great sigh. “Alright, I’ll see what I can do. Now, seeing as how Catherine and I are too old to pass as a college student, it’s going to be one of you three,” replied Grissom.

Nick, Greg and Warrick exchanged glances. “Draw swabs?” suggested Nick.

Greg and Warrick nodded as Catherine took out three swabs from her kit and smiled at the boys. “Open up.”

Catherine swabbed each of their mouths and closed the lids without labeling them. Then, the group walked over to the DNA lab where they found Wendy filling out some paper work. “Wendy, we need you to pick a swab and run it,” smiled Catherine.

“Who are the vics?” she asked.

“Either Nick, Greg or Warrick,” was Grissom’s reply.

Wendy smiled as she chose the swab to the far right and ran it through the cop database. As soon as it got a hit, Wendy opened up the window to reveal Greg smiling at them. “Congratulations, Greggo, you’re going back to college,” said Nick as he patted a depressed Greg on the back.

“Hey, maybe you’ll learn something,” laughed Warrick.

“Not funny,” whimpered Greg as he stared at his own smiling face. As everyone filed out of the room, Greg whimpered, “Me and my big mouth.”

TBC…

Please R&R!