Say Hello to the Past (CSI fanfiction)

Summer with the family

AN: takes place during the break between the season 4 finale and the season 5 beginning.

Nick Stokes was happy to be back in Texas. After the last case he worked, where the woman Lynley had been raped and killed, and the murderer ended up having two strands of DNA in his body, he was glad to be around his family and the organized chaos they brought. Nick walked into the family kitchen at the Stokes house and saw his oldest niece, Ashley, sitting on one of the bar stools drinking coffee while reading a forensic science book.

"Ashley, you do know what summer vacation means, right?" Nick couldn't help but smile as he teased his niece.

"Yes, Uncle Nick, I do know what summer vacation means. But, I got a chance to take an introductory forensic science class this summer at college." Ashley was excited about this class. The fact that her eyes lit up when she talked about it was all the proof that Nick needed.

"Let me see what you're reading." Nick took his cup of coffee and sat on the bar stool beside Ashley. Soon, the two of them were engrossed in a conversation about forensic science and how cool the subject was.

While Nick and Ashley discussed the latest developments in forensic science, Emma Grace was sitting on the bed in one of the guest bedrooms in the Stokes house. Fifteen-year-old twins Emily and Joshua were sitting with Emma Grace.

"So, what should I pack for this family camping trip?" Emily asked as she looked down at the list she was making in a notebook.

"Emily, you've been camping ever since you were six months old. You know what you need to pack for this trip." Emma Grace couldn't help but laugh a little at her niece's antics.

"Yeah, but Aunt Emma, I want to look cute for the pictures during this camping trip." Emily looked at Emma Grace like she had two heads and held her hands up as if all of this should make complete sense to Emma Grace.

"Emie, when have you ever looked cute?" Joshua looked at his sister like she was crazy. Then a pillow went flying through the room and hit Joshua in the face.

"Oh, shut up Joshie. What would you know about looking cute?" Emily put her hands on her hips and showed her full potential of sass after she hit her brother in the face with a pillow.

Emma Grace was laughing when she said, "Okay you two, calm down. Josh, you will be getting a crash course in fashion later tonight as you help your sister and I pick out what clothes she'll be wearing on the camping trip." At this Joshua groaned and flopped down on the bed, he knew there was no arguing with Aunt Emma, she always won.

"As for you, Emily, we will pick out cute outfits, but outfits that are still appropriate for camping. After all, it's not all about looks Sweetheart." Emma Grace's tone was light, but the look she gave Emily meant that she and Emily would have a conversation about where looking cute she rank on Emily's list of priorities later that night.

Emily and Joshua agreed to Emma Grace's rules, and the three of them headed downstairs.

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Nick and Ashley were still sitting at the island in the kitchen looking over the forensic science book Ashley had been reading when Nick's nine-year-old twin nephews, Michael and Matthew came rushing into the room.

"Uncle Nick, Daddy and Granpa need your help with the camper!" Michael explained in a frantic tone.

"Okay. Did one of you go and get Uncle Chris? He can help too," Nick reminded his nephews, after all, his brother was the one who really knew how to fix anything with an engine.