Disclaimer: Who's mine--Ariel, and she's just mentioned. Who's not--everybody else. Any questions?

Category: Part of the Ariel series. Follows "Rainy Day Remembrance." Missing scene for "Dead Certain."

Archive: To CL and GP, please. I'll post it to my site ASAP. :-)

Note: This story came about in a rather amusing way. I'd heard horror stories about Cassie just about since I joined the fandom, but I'd never seen her in an episode, or seen a picture of her. At the same time, the character of Ariel had popped into my head several months ago, and I'd been struggling to find an actress to "play" her, since I almost always design graphics for my stories. When Cassie first appeared on screen in "Dead Certain," I just about died laughing. She didn't look quite right, but it was close enough to inspire this missing scene from the episode...

Warnings: Includes mention of an OFC. But I think you'll like her. :-)

Acknowledgements: Again, to my beta-reader for this series, Nancy Taylor. And to the people who wrote me asking for more. Thanks for the support, guys!

"Ariel: A Certain Similarity"
by Azar

"You really like her?" Jim asked as soon as the elevator doors closed. His voice was slightly incredulous, and his posture was still tense from the unpleasant run-in with the new head of forensics in Simon's office.

Blair nodded. "Yeah, I do. Okay, she comes on a little strong, but..." he shrugged.

Comes on a little strong--there's the understatement of the century. The detective shook his head in wonder. "Can I ask you something, Chief?"

"Sure. Shoot."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with Cassie's resemblance to Ariel, would it?" He quirked an eyebrow at the younger man.

Sandburg blinked. "Huh? I'm not following you, man."

"You have to admit, they do look alike."

"No, I don't," the anthropologist frowned. The patch of skin between his eyebrows furrowed. "Cassie doesn't look a thing like Ariel. Where'd you get that idea?"

Ellison smiled. "Oh, I don't know. The curly red hair, the green eyes, the shape of the face..."

"First of all, Ariel's hair is a bit longer, and a lot redder. And her eyes are not green; they're blue-green, with that little gold corona around the pupil that makes them look like there's a solar eclipse going on in there. I can't believe you've never noticed that."

"Probably because I've never stared deeply into her eyes," Jim murmured, smirking.

Blair glared at his partner. "We were *acting,* man. Sheesh. Don't you ever forget anything?"

The detective chuckled. "I still think there's a definite resemblance, but suit yourself, Chief."

The anthropologist sighed. "All right. Maybe there is a certain similarity--"

"Uh huh." The elevator doors dinged open, and Jim stepped out into the lobby. Blair followed, his naturally faster pace allowing him to keep up easily with his friend's longer stride.

"But even if there is, why would that influence me liking or disliking Cassie? Geez, Jim, you sound like you think I have a thing for Ariel."

Jim just grinned. "You said it, Chief, not me."

Sandburg rolled his eyes. "So, if you think I like Cassie because she looks like Ariel, what does that say about you, man? I mean, should I be warning Ariel to stay away from you for a while...?"

FIN...for now