It was the night before Catherine's wedding, one which two years before she never believed would happen, thinking the man she'd loved would never return her affections, fully believing his love lay elsewhere.

It wasn't until that relationship had ended shortly after it had begun that she realised both parties were just testing out their feelings. They thought it was love, but in reality it was a deep friendship and mutual respect, no sparks, no fireworks. It wasn't until they'd admitted their relationship was not going to blossom and that their hearts lay elsewhere that she was able to act upon her feelings.

Catherine looked at the clock once again, where was Sara, her maid of honour had been sent out to get Chinese food the only thing they could all agree on eating before the big day tomorrow, but Catherine knew that little of the food would pass her lips she was to keyed up to eat.

At the sound of the car drawing up the driveway, Lindsey reappeared from her self-imposed exile in her room. Trust a teenager to sense the arrival of food, Catherine smiled to herself.

Opening the door she smiled at Sara, "Hey, I was about to send out a search party, don't you know how dangerous it is to leave me alone with a teenager and no food!"

Sara laughed, "About as dangerous as leaving Grissom without a bug! Talking of that, have you found a home for them yet?"

"Basement," Catherine all but growled, while both Sara and Lindsey collapsed in fits of giggles at the face she pulled.

They quickly set the food out on the table, and while Sara and Lindsey involved themselves in a detailed conversation discussing the various merits of the nightshift, Catherine retreated into reflections of how her life had changed.

Baby before you
Well I was bad news

It had been a chance meeting after the murder of her friend outside the French Palace that had brought Catherine to Gil Grissom. Jimmy Tadero her mentor had actually introduced them.

After Stephanie's murder, Catherine had decided that life in the clubs was becoming too dangerous. It was the `80's, new drugs, new diseases and she was determined not to become another statistic. It wasn't that she was an angel; she just loved life too much. She had a promising new relationship with Eddie; he'd be big in the music industry one day, or so he kept promising her. For now life in the clubs supported him and enabled her to attend school make up classes to get her High School Equivalence. Then from there Jimmy had promised he had contacts at UNLV and would help her to get in. He didn't want anything in return, he loved to watch her dance, in a strange way he felt the need to protect her like a father might protect a daughter, and at that same time teach her about the intricacies of solving crimes. He encouraged her in her efforts to leave, supporting her decision, a secret they kept between them, knowing full well the club owners and Eddie would not be pleased to know of her intentions. Despite her profession, Catherine had pride, a need to find a life better than the one she was living currently. When Stephanie had been killed, she knew but for the hand of fate that could have been her, and she was determined not to die in a similar fashion. She'd promised herself on leaving her parent's house that she would make something of herself and she was not about to go back on that promise.

Jimmy knew Eddie had introduced her to cocaine, part of him wanted to get her away from him, but he could also see how much in love with the man she was, he didn't want to alienate her and had instead stood by and turned a blind eye to the habit.

It was cocaine that helped her get through college, working all the hours she could at the French Palace to keep a roof over Eddie's and her head, pay the tuition, buy the books and support one after another of his great new discoveries. Cocaine gave her the high, when she was about to pack up one or another, usually Eddie, hence his eagerness to ensure she had a ready supply each time she hit one of her lows.

It was one such night when Jimmy could see her heading for a low, her eyes, even plastered with make-up, were surrounded by dark circles, and the movements she performed on stage were robotic and lethargic. He could see where this was going and to spare her another drug induced high, he decided to give her another one, one he hoped would give her reason beyond the chemical one to continue.

"Hey Cat, meet me after your set," he shouted up to her on stage.

"I dunno Jimmy, I'm kinda tired, I just want to head home to Ed."

"Ahh Cat… you can't turn me down. I promise you'll like it, then I'll take you to IHOP and spring for whatever you want."

It was the mention of IHOP that did it, a smile, a wink; he knew he'd won her over.

Later that evening as they headed away from the Strip towards the business end of town, Catherine dozed in his car as he continued to babble on to her about how she wasn't going to believe what she saw.

They finally drove up in front of the Criminalistic buildings and Catherine's introduction to CSI. Little did Jimmy know where his supposed distraction would finally lead her.

He led her through the corridors of the CSI building, much as a proud father would show off his daughter to work colleagues. He introduced her to various members of the team and had just got her to the lab when his pager went off. He stepped outside to find a phone to discover why he was needed. While he did this, the scientist in Catherine couldn't resist looking through the microscope, she was in the middle of adjusting it to try to discern what was on the slide when she was startled by a small cough behind her.

Without turning around she hissed, "Jeez, Jimmy I thought you brought me here to relieve my tension, not give me a heart attack." When there was no reply to her comment, she slowly turned to face two blue eyes, and a mass of thick curly hair. "Ehmm…sorry, I thought you were Jimmy…sorry.."

"No need to apologise. So you must be the famous Catherine everyone is talking about tonight. Don't you have a better place for a date?"

Catherine began to straighten her back at the compliment, but at the final question she decided attack was far better than defense. I mean who was this guy anyway? So she snaked out her hand and held it towards him, finally grabbing his offered hand to give it a vice like shake and with a dazzling smile, she knew would melt most men, "You obviously know who I am, and as I intend to be working here when I graduate UNLV you'd better let me know who you are, so I know whose name to call when I need caffeine."

He couldn't help but smile at her boldness, releasing a small chuckle he replied "I'm Gil Grissom, Grissom will be fine and I take my coffee black. So UNLV then, they've a good course, tough but they train the best. Have you thought of gaining some on the job experience while studying? I mean, if you have the time, I'd be happy to show you how the lab works and as you know how I like my caffeine, I'm sure you would be an asset to our shift."

She'd not thought of this, but maybe this was a guy just playing with her, the point was he looked so sincere and not like the others in the lab, he seemed to exude science and books. It'd be good to have contacts, she knew that, no matter what job you were in, and something in him seemed to show genuine care for her studies. Never being one to back off from an opportunity, she agreed to volunteer at the lab. Tuesday was normally a slow night at the French Palace so she agreed to go and work with Gil every Tuesday. Something told her not to let Eddie know of her new employment, he wouldn't see the importance of working and not getting paid, all he'd see was the money she could be earning. She'd have to cover it some way, maybe add a couple of extra dances at the end of her routine, the boss would be happy as anything to keep the customers drinking for longer seemed to please him.

Catherine began to live for those Tuesday nights. Gil Grissom became her escape from the life she'd built with Eddie. They were beyond friends; they cared for each other. He was always asking her about her assignments and seemed to sense when things were not so good with Eddie, allowing her space or to rage about him whichever seemed to calm her. They could so easily have ended up lovers there and then, but for Eddie.

"Mom, aren't you going to eat any of this it is soooo good?"

"Sorry Linds, I'm not really hungry, must be those pre-wedding jitters everyone talks about." She smiled at her daughter.

Genuine concern now entered Lindsey's voice, "You're not going to call it off mom, you can't, I mean…"

"Calm down Lindsey. Nobody is calling anything off. I love Gil and if he's not front and centre at the chapel in twelve hours time, his life, what little will remain of it, will not be worth living," she screwed up her face to try to add to her threat, which once again sent Sara and Lindsey into a fit of giggles. "I'm going to leave you two and have a long bath, you might as well watch the video without me, I'm not in the mood for Brad Pitt." With that she left the two of them to go and have a long soak in the bath with a glass of wine.

In letting me love you
I think I get through

She slowly eased herself into her tub, took a quick sip of wine, then dialed the familiar number on the cordless phone.

"Hey Nick, can I speak to him?" there was a pause, then a familiar voice came on the line.

"Hey Baby, having second thoughts?"

"Never, just sending you a warning, front and centre tomorrow or face the consequences."

"What are they?"

"Never you mind, put it this way your life will be in danger. You know me I have contacts."

He laughed down the line at her threat then to reassure her added, "I wouldn't miss it for the world, you know that. Anyway why are you ringing me, you shouldn't be talking to me the night before the wedding, isn't that why you made me move out for the night, something about cosmic forces of fate lining up to disrupt the wedding if I stayed with you."

Oh baby before you
I was so scared
I was a train wreck waiting to happen
On the way to nowhere

She couldn't resist a giggle, her minds eye seeing the pout, which no doubt now covered his face, "That's seeing you silly, we're allowed to talk, so long as I don't see you." Her tone turned serious for a moment, "You are okay with this aren't you? We're not making some horrendous mistake? I'm not forcing you into looking after me, taking care of me. You can walk away now if you want, I don't want to mess up your life, you've given me back mine, I could never hurt you."

Barely had Catherine finished speaking when she got the reply, "Catherine, listen to me, please, believe me it took me long enough to wake up to myself and summon the courage to believe you would even think of loving me. I've loved you since you told me you would get me to make your coffee. It frightens me sometimes to think how much I care for you, but believe me now I've got you to say yes I'm going to keep you to your promise. Everyone makes mistakes, I'm not saying we won't hit rough times but I know with you I'll cope, we'll cope; we can get through anything. Remember what you used to say, `never doubt, never look back', from the moment we finally came together I've never looked back. Now stop crying, and don't deny it, I know you. I don't want you to doubt one part of our decision, till the day I die I'll love you Catherine Willows, soon to be Grissom."

"I'll love you too. How come you suddenly remembered our first meeting, I've just been thinking about that?"

"Take it as a sign we were always meant to be together, now as much as I'd like to spend the next 11 hours talking to you I really must go, sleep well baby, I'll see you in the morning."

Catherine was sure she could hear Warrick and Nick in the background trying to sing `I'm getting married in the morning' as she wished Gil a goodnight, she'd make sure she saw to them tomorrow. After all, it would only take a little word in Sara's ear and she could easily get Nick to regret his jokes.

And now I think it's kind of funny that you say you love me
You tell me that I'm crazy then you smile

And now I think I'll get through
The end of the world
Now I think I'll get through
Being a girl
Now I think I'll get through
Anything
Now I think I'll get through

Now honey around you
I'm feeling so good
'Cause you picked me up out of the rough
And you polished me up and made me brand new
Now baby before you
There was a black hole
Yah I was beat down blacked out
My darling you couldn't even know

But ever since I met you on a cloudy Monday
I can't believe how much I love the rain

She finished her wine, and slowly sank down in the tub thinking about how her life had changed since meeting Gil.

She remembered the night she'd had to pluck up the courage to tell him that she had married Eddie. It had been just before her graduation, Eddie had come home for once ecstatic, one of his music contacts had got a major label to Vegas to see a band Eddie was promoting, he'd been impressed and they were about to start talking contracts. Eddie had come home and for once was trying hard to be romantic, he'd got down on one knee, pulled an engagement ring out of his pocket and wooed her with, "How about it Cat, you and me, the future, let's get married tonight."

Although part of her was in love with Gil another part had recognised that he was married to his work. A part of her really did love Eddie Willows and when he was being this sweet she found him difficult to resist, so without taking time to think it through she'd said yes. Within two days they were married, she was never sure whether that was Eddie just dealing with a piece of unfinished business, making it legal, so he looked more respectable to his new record company friends having completed an obligation he'd no doubt told them off, keeping his promise to marry her and so being seen as a man of his word, or whether it was because he'd genuinely had enough of waiting and wanted to make sure she was his.

When she next saw Gil for their Tuesday meeting, he'd noticed the rings. She felt the need to almost apologise for marrying Ed, this couldn't be right, but there was something about the look she saw pass across his face when she told him of the wedding, that made her think if only she'd waited until he was ready.

She'd still not told Eddie about her Tuesday meetings, even though she was now married to him and her heart said she shouldn't be keeping secrets, her head said something different.

It was a couple of months after the wedding that her life started to fall apart. She was approaching her finals and had never been happier of her decision to work with Gil as he was helping her with some of her assignments, reading them through for her and offering advice as to how she could improve them. Eddie was still trying to get the music company's A and R man to sign his group and as a deal- maker had taken him to the French Palace to see his Cat dance. Having built the guy up as to how he was going to be blown away, he'd had to spend the night apologising for Catherine's unexplained absence. When she got home in the early hours of the morning, it was to be met by a very drunk Eddie, who demanded answers and when she refused to give him what he considered an acceptable answer, he hit her across the face. The burning sensation mixed with the shock at first paralysed her, it wasn't until he'd spent a good five minutes raining blows down on her that she finally managed to crawl to the bathroom, lock the door and promptly throw up in the toilet. That was the first of many nights she spent on that bathroom floor, it was safe, a bit like surviving a hurricane, and didn't they always recommend the bathroom as the safest place? Well that was what she was doing surviving, well surviving and lying.

She could still see the concern in Gil's eyes as she'd walked into the building a week after that initial beating. A lump formed in her throat as she spun a tale of slipping on a cushion that she'd not seen on the polished wooden floor of her home. She'd wanted to tell him the truth but thought that in doing so she'd lose his respect, and one thing she wanted more than anything was to be respected by this man.

Each time she arrived with a new bruise or cut visible, he found some way in their hours of working together to ask its cause. She had a whole catalogue of ready excuses, and he began to question her general health concerned there may be some underlying medical problem causing all this clumsiness, she laughed it off with a comment about how he should of seen her in grade school then he'd have seen clumsy. The slight twitching of his eyebrow alerted her to the fact that he didn't believe that. She had to be fair to him, it was unusual for a woman who made enough of a living to support a husband and herself from dancing was hardly likely to be as clumsy as she was making out. An uneasiness started to stir in her stomach as she realised that he must know the root cause of her clumsiness and she made a mental note to start wearing more concealing clothing, long sleeved shirts or roll neck sweaters, so long as it hid the evidence she'd rest more easily.

Along with the beatings, came Eddie's insistence that she join him in his increasing coke habit. Knowing what would follow should she refuse, she allowed herself to become addicted. He became more depressed following the break-up of the band that was to lead him to riches and his longed for music industry career. The beatings and addiction increased to the point where Catherine was not sure whether she'd see the next week let alone graduation, yet her pride prevented her from telling Gil.

At the end of each night's work as she returned home, she take off her strappy sandals at the door and tip-toe across the threshold, barely daring to breathe until she reached the sanctuary of her bedroom. If she made it there unnoticed, she'd normally get a night's sleep and by the time she woke Eddie would either be out or well on the way to recovery from the previous night's binging.

She graduated, not quite with honours, but near enough. Gil had pulled a bit of weight around the office and that, together with her earlier unpaid work there, had enabled her to get a job working for CSI. Before she started, Gil had invited her back to his house, to celebrate her graduation, but really to get her to face one of her demons. He told her after a simple dinner that he knew of her cocaine habit, when asked how he'd found out, he listed a whole series of things he'd noticed, from her sunken eyes, her forgetfulness and her increasing nosebleeds. She'd started to cry, fearing he was about to tell her the job was no longer hers, fearing what this could do to the rest of her existence. He did not attempt to comfort her, knowing she needed to accept the seriousness of the situation, he did however give her a final warning that if she didn't clean up her act she'd be fired on the spot. He offered to help her, letting her know he'd arranged a leave of absence to see her through this. She'd accepted his offer, after two weeks spent in the mountains with him, having told Eddie it was an orientation course, she'd conquered the habit, it hadn't been easy but Gil had been true to his word and seen her through it all. The immeasurable bond between them had strengthened, never had she regretted her decision to marry Eddie Willows more than at the end of those two weeks, when she'd left Gil and returned to her house.

Maybe it was this newfound confidence hat had done it, but that first night back, when Eddie had returned home drunk looking for her, she'd actually answered him back. As his fist came swinging towards her face, she attempted a punch at his stomach, which hit home, about the same time his fist connected with her face and she felt a snap then searing pain. The punch had at first shocked Eddie, but when he became aware of what she'd done, he made it his mission to teach her a lesson; nobody tried to better Eddie Willows let alone a woman. He continued to hit her soon unconscious body, long after it had hit the floor, on hearing a siren approaching down their road, he gave her body one last kick before heading in the direction of the nearest bar via the back door.

Catherine had woken in her hospital bed to be greeted not by the sight of her husband, but Gil's concerned face. He'd been called out to her house when one of the CSI's had recognised her. He hadn't wasted any time in getting to the hospital and had managed to convince the doctors treating her to allow him to stay with her.

"Hey," she whispered.

Alerted to her return to consciousness, he whispered back, "Hey." Then drawing in a deep breath he asked what he already knew, "It was Eddie, right?" He watched her eyes fall away from his, no longer boldly meeting his gaze and surrendered to a brief nod. He followed his line of questioning; needing to know the answers from her, wanting her to allow him to once again help her. "It's not the first time is it?" He watched as tears slowly made their path down her face. When he could stand it no longer, he gently leant forward and rubbed them away with his thumb. Then without really thinking he scooped her body gently up into a hug, rocking slowly back and forth while stroking her hair. When he was sure she was calm once again, he lowered her once again to the bed.

"So, how bad is it really?" she tentatively asked.

"Well, you probably know your left wrist is in a cast and you've cracked a couple of ribs. You were lucky your eye socket doesn't require surgery; there's a hairline fracture, which should heal given time. I'm sorry"

"Why are you apologising? It's not your fault Gil, it was my doing, I shouldn't have tried to fight back. I'll be okay, don't worry, Ed will calm down, he's not had an easy time, I mean he's had to watch me achieve all that I wanted to while his dream was slowly snatched from him. He just needs time to cool off, he'll be okay; we'll be okay."

Gil could feel the vein begin to throb at his temple. How could she even think of returning to a man who'd put her in the hospital through a drunken rage? He managed to stammer out, "B..but Cath you can't possibly…"

He was stopped by the icy resolve he saw in her eyes. He felt her fingers tighten around his as she all but whispered out "I have to, he's my husband, what would he do without me? I need you to be my friend, to stand by me, if you can't do that, please let's just not talk about him. I'm not leaving him over this. I told you we'll be okay"

The one thing he'd learnt about Catherine in their friendship was she was determined. There would be no changing her mind once she'd decided on her path. His choice was simple to remain a close friend or distance himself from her. At least if he was her friend, as much as it might pain him, he'd be able to help her.

She'd started work the following week, her bruises had faded enough to be hidden by concealer and her other injuries were well on the way to healing. Although she was convinced everyone on the shift would have a theory as to what had happened to her, she was thankful that none of them dared to openly discuss them in front of her. She settled in with ease, and to be fair Eddie had tried hard to improve. Maybe the shock of seeing her when he eventually arrived at the hospital had brought him to his senses; it was either that or the figures at the bottom of her hospital bill. She could feel Gil's eyes almost examine her at times, especially if she'd had to work late the previous night, she never spoke to him about it, knowing it was his way of acting as her personal guardian angel, if anything it made him more endearing. When she told him she was pregnant, several months later, she could see the questions in his eyes, how could she bring a child into such a violent situation, but she reassured him that Eddie was a changed man, yes he still drank but he'd stopped taking cocaine and hadn't so much as raised his voice to her since she'd left the hospital. This baby would be their fresh start, a new beginning in their marriage.

Gil was with her in the hospital when she gave birth to Lindsey. He'd been the first one to hold her, as Eddie was missing following one of his music leads. She'd been so pleased he'd been there at the start of Lindsey's life. He instantly became Uncle Gil at that moment and the people back at the lab would have been shocked to see the usually emotionless man, with tears in his eyes, cooing at the small bundle he held.

The bliss her pregnancy had brought hadn't lasted long. Eddie found it difficult to accept her increasing responsibilities to Lindsey and her work. She'd been promoted and now found it more difficult to just leave at the end of a shift, often staying for extra hours to process evidence as the responsibility of a caseload demanded. When she returned home she wanted to spend as much time as possible with her daughter and she knew Eddie resented this, but wasn't sure what she could do to ease the situation. The verbal abuse he gave her, soon gave way to the occasional shove and it wasn't long before she'd returned to the situation of having to cover her body to hide evidence and lie to dismiss what couldn't be hidden.

Gil's concern for her increased, she knew. He never mentioned the fact that he'd seen how Eddie had changed, but instead tried to make her life easier, ensuring they were paired together on cases and taking more than his fair share of the workload when he noticed her having a particularly difficult day. She grew to trust and rely on him. It was no surprise that the first time she'd left Eddie, after he'd beaten her for arriving home late, then returned for another inning when Lindsey had started crying in the middle of the night, that she found herself at Gil's house. He seemed to be expecting her, opening his door and quickly finding somewhere for Lindsey to sleep, then retrieving enough lotions and medication to stock a pharmacy to treat her. She'd cried in despair that night, pouring out a flood of worries, about how she worried about Lindsey seeing, hearing, experiencing this violence, fears for her own life and the dilemma of the inevitable one parent family Lindsey would end up in, if she stayed she would no doubt be killed at some point, if she left him Lindsey would be passed between them like some parcel. He'd listened to all of her worries, not judging or offering his opinion to cloud her own muddled thoughts, instead he gave her the space to make her decision. A phone call to Eddie, a meeting at a diner and several apologies later she was back with him.

Their marriage didn't last however, a couple more nights had seen her flee Eddie's wrath and each time she turned to Gil. Each time she'd fallen for Eddie's pleadings and returned to him. She'd only given up when she'd discovered him with a girl in their bed.

After her divorce her relationship with Gil seemed to strengthen. They would share breakfast after shift, he'd even come over to spend more time with Lindsey, feeling he was no longer intruding now that Eddie wasn't around. A part of her still loved Eddie and she had delayed the final divorce proceedings until she was convinced there was no way the marriage could be saved. It had hurt her more than she wanted to admit to divorce Eddie, he'd not been a model husband, but somewhere deep beneath the veneer he offered to the world she knew he loved her. With Gil beside her helping with Lindsey, some of the pain she felt was lifted, she knew that she could begin the new chapter of her life with his support.

And now I think I'll get through
The end of the world
And now I think I'll get through
Life as a girl
Now I think I'll get through
Anything
Now I think I'll get through

About a year or so after the divorce she'd noticed her relationship with Gil start to change. He was not so willing to have breakfast with her, and he didn't seem to offer to pair them together so often. He even left her in charge of cases they'd initially started together to pursue a case with another member of the team. She'd not really noticed at first as she'd also started to drift from him, testing out her new found marital freedom with a couple of men, but each relationship was doomed as neither could match the man she now knew held her heart.

That's what had really hurt her, this man who held her future happiness was oblivious to the fact and if anything was moving further from her each day. When Eddie had died, she'd needed him, her oldest friend, but according to the office gossip he'd been off pursuing a relationship with Lady Heather. She was left to stumble through the first few weeks, trying to placate Lindsey and under the constant worry that the house she'd worked so hard for would be taken away in her mounting debts.

Over the weeks then months that followed things seemed to get harder. Lindsey was missing her dad and getting involved in fights in school. She asked constantly about her Uncle Gil who also seemed to have abandoned her. Catherine had tried to fill the gaps but in doing so her career suffered as she made mistakes in the job she loved and ultimately ended up hurting the people she cared about most by accidentally blowing up the lab. It had taken this final piece of evidence that her life was falling apart that had brought Gil back to her door. Following her confession about her life in the sheriff's office, she'd run from the building to begin her suspension, firstly at Greg's side, then with Lindsey trying to sort out her troubled daughter. She'd not sought Gil's help or support, she'd heard the rumours about him and Sara and knowing she'd been hurt, Catherine was sure he'd not want to help her sort out the mess she'd created, how wrong she'd been. That first night he'd come around, concerned for her and Lindsey, demanding to know why she'd not let him, her friend know what was happening in her life. What followed was a long morning of tears, apologies and confessions from both of them. As he'd left to get some much needed sleep, she felt warm again, a feeling of rightness with the world encircled her and for the first time since Eddie's death she slept for more than a couple of hours. For the next five days of her suspension Gil came to her house, he'd spend time with Lindsey before she went to school, stay for breakfast with Catherine, then return to his townhouse to sleep, before returning to share a family dinner with Lindsey and Catherine, helping her with her homework, then staying to talk with Catherine before heading off to start his shift. It felt good to have their friendship back.

It was probably due to their ability to repair their friendship that he'd confided in her with regard to his surgery. She seriously doubted he would of without their growing closeness from the previous week. They'd both needed each other after that case. She'd found out about Sam Braun and didn't at this point in time want it broadcast around the lab, while despite his protests she could see that the fuss and attention Lindsey and herself made of him brought that smile back to his eyes. They were still friends though, nothing more, that was understood between the two of them, although she wanted to think of eventually having a relationship with Gil she knew the timing wasn't right, and she didn't want to risk one of the most important things in her life for once, by rushing, no she'd bide her time.

Ever since I met you on a cloudy Monday
I can't believe how much I love the rain

Then there was the whole Sara issue. If you'd asked Catherine a couple of years ago who would be matron of honour at her wedding, you'd have gone through a long list of prospects until she'd finally mentioned Sara's name. She'd started to really befriend Sara when Hank had left her, taking her for a beer and a long talk. From there, their relationship had had its ups and downs. At times she'd been Sara's confidant, but then there had been the whole episode where she'd pulled rank and taken over a high profile case in the middle of the younger woman's push for promotion.

She knew Sara had been attracted to Gil, however, she was surprised when the two of them decided to embark on a relationship. Yes she'd been jealous, she felt like Sara was stealing something that was hers. Partly in spite, she'd sought out another relationship, hoping this would make Gil see reason. She saw reason before he did, ending the relationship a little after it had started. Despite Gil's and Sara's relationship he still made time for her and Lindsey. She did her best not to make him feel awkward, knowing how important it was for Linds to have this man as a stable part of her life

When Gil finally told her that his relationship with Sara was over, she actually felt regret. They'd realised that what they shared was a sense of respect and friendship. They'd tried to build something out of this, a life they could share together, but had failed to find enough to keep the relationship going. In many ways they were too similar and had simply fallen into a rut which although comfortable they did not want to spend the rest of their lives repeating the same patterns. They'd both been happy and relieved when they'd finally agreed to end the relationship. They'd laughed at Catherine's attempt to mother them as if they needed nursing back to normality and it had taken several days of Catherine being reassured by both of them that they were more than happy with their newly single status before she stopped fussing.

In that time, Catherine grew closer to Sara and started to have her over for an occasional breakfast after shift. Sara had in turn grown close to Lindsey, a fact Catherine was glad of, as her sister had recently moved to California as her husband had gained promotion. Sara had been more than willing to baby-sit Lindsey allowing Catherine some much needed time alone, as much as she loved Lindsey sometimes she still needed time alone away from her to reflect, especially if she'd had a difficult case.

The time with Lindsey had changed Sara as well. She took on the role of a big sister to Lindsey, often offering to take her to the mall when she was planning a days shopping. Sara seemed to revel in Lindsey's company. Although work was still an important part of her life, it was no longer her whole life. Everyone in the lab had noticed the change in Sara as a result. She was still driven, and could become emotionally involved with the victims but she was also more approachable, willing to offer and listen to ideas whereas previously she had a clearly defined path along which she would ensure she trod, never veering from what she believed to be a professional attitude to her work and co-workers.

It was about six months after the break-up with Sara that Gil had first asked Catherine out on a date. At first she wasn't sure what to say, she'd wanted this for a long time, but now she had other considerations, how Lindsey would cope if it didn't work out, how she would cope, losing a dream she'd held onto for more than a decade and surprisingly how this would affect Sara. Seeing the doubt in her eyes Gil had listened as she told him of her fears, he'd promised to always be involved in hers and Lindsey's lives, no matter where this took them. Then he'd suggested she speak to Sara about her fears. Catherine had fretted about doing this, but had finally approached the subject with Sara to be met by the most unexpected response from the brunette.

"Yessss!!!!! He's finally done it." Sara squealed.

"Wh..at?" came Catherine's puzzled reply.

"That's what you've just told me isn't it, Gil's asked you out. I never thought he'd get around to it. I've been telling him to go out with you ever since we broke up. I knew back then he loved you. So you're going, right?" Sara was jumping up and down a huge grin plastered on her face.

"I didn't expect this from you. I was so frightened of telling you, I nearly didn't. It's taken us a long time to become friends Sara, and I didn't want to lose that friendship. I've loved Gil for a long time, I guess I just resigned myself to thinking we would never have a future."

"When are you going out? What are you wearing? You do realise that this will require some serious shopping by you and I don't you?"

Catherine laughed at Sara's obvious enjoyment in this new change in her relationship with Gil. "You're worse than Lindsey, you know! Speaking of which will you baby-sit Linds for me?"

"As if you need to ask." With that the two of them headed off to the mall and the hunt for the perfect outfit.

A year later Catherine had stood arm in arm with Gil as he made three important announcements. First of all, he'd accepted a post as a professor in Criminalistics at UNLV. The post would allow him to be called in to support the shift as an expert on the more challenging cases. Catherine had been made supervisor due to his resignation. It hadn't been handed to her, she'd had to apply and go through the whole interview process. Some of the shift who'd known of this had grumbled about the unfairness of it, believing she should be given it outright anyway, but she was more than happy to jump through the hoops her superiors put before her as in doing so she was proving herself to them, her ability to do the job and also a small part of her wanted to be respected fully and not suffer the rumours she knew the third announcement might initiate. Gil held her hand tightly as he proudly announced he'd asked Catherine to marry him and she'd accepted.

He'd waited until both of their careers were settled before making it all official. Although there were no written rules about married couples working together, he knew in such situations he'd be respected and gain kudos whilst Catherine would have been seen as less than she was, only in her position due to her husband. He did not want to put her in that position so he decided to take up the opportunity of the lectureship when he'd heard of the retirement of one of his old friends from the University, this way Catherine could take on the supervisor's role he knew she so rightly deserved.

They'd both been overwhelmed by the support their colleagues had shown them, especially Sara who had even managed to win the office pool. Catherine and Sara became ever closer during the planning of the wedding, with her sister out of town Catherine came to rely on Sara to help her make decisions. She'd been there when Catherine had found her wedding dress, and with Catherine's sister unable to make the wedding due to her husband having to host a conference, it seemed natural to ask Sara to be matron of honour, which had the younger woman beaming for over a week and the guys in the lab offering numerous favours to Catherine for making her this way.

Catherine slowly finished her wine then stepped out of the tub, drying herself, then putting on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt she went into the lounge where Lindsey and Sara were sitting together on the couch watching a video. Sitting beside Lindsey she pulled her towards her and kissed the top of her head, before asking, "Good movie?"

"Yeah, but its just about finished."

"Okay then kiddo, we need to get you to bed, no buts. We've a long day tomorrow, the sooner you're asleep the sooner it'll come." With that, she scooped a giggling Lindsey into her arms for a hug, before sending her to wash up and get ready for bed.

A few minutes later Catherine went to Lindsey's room and sat on her daughter's bed, slowly stroking her forehead and hair. "You sure, you're okay with this baby?"

"Mom I couldn't be happier. I love Uncle Gil, not the same way I loved dad, but I do love him. He looks after us, he makes you smile again, why wouldn't I want him to marry you?"

Smiling at her daughter, she said, "You know some things around here are going to change. We're going to start looking for a new house where we can start as a family together. I love you, Lindsey."

"I love you too mom, I can't wait for tomorrow."

With a final kiss to her daughter's head, Catherine turned out the light and closed the door. She returned to the lounge, poured a glass of wine for Sara and herself, handed the younger woman her glass then sat on the sofa curling her left leg under her and leaning back against the cushions that covered it. The two friends sat talking quietly for about another hour before Catherine called it a night and headed for bed.

The next morning seemed to go in a whirl for Catherine. She thought she'd planned for everything, but mysteriously whenever Sara or Lindsey seemed to want something they needed her assistance in finding it as they couldn't possibly sort it out themselves. She wondered how Gil was getting on and got her answer when Warrick arrived at her door early. She'd asked him to give her away, he was like a brother to her and she honestly couldn't think of anyone better to perform this important duty.

"Wow, Linds you look gorgeous," he smiled lifting her into a hug.

"How's Gil?" Catherine asked, and the look on Warrick's face said more than any words could. "In that case I'd better get myself ready and get over to the chapel before he changes his mind."

An hour later she appeared again in the lounge to see Warrick's eyes gleaming and a huge smile stretch across his face. Warrick gently traced her jaw line with his forefinger whispering, "You're gorgeous," before planting a kiss at her hairline.

"That's good!" Catherine giggled, as the tall Las Vegan nodded slowly before offering her his arm to lead her to the car.

Gil and Catherine had chosen a chapel on the edges of the city, with only their closest friends invited. Neither wanted a huge wedding, wanting to keep it as private as possible, not seeing the need to invite acquaintances. They were secure enough in each other's love to feel that only the important friends should share in their moment. The only people who were missed were Catherine's sister and her family. But Catherine and Gil had arranged for Lindsey to stay with them while they took their weeks, honeymoon. They were going to drop her off tomorrow and with the wonders of digital cameras would have some photos to share at that time also.

Catherine had never been gladder of their decision to keep the wedding small as she stood at one end of the short aisle. In front of her stood a very nervous Gil, her future husband, her new life. She smiled broadly as Warrick led her to him, upon reaching each other they gripped hands as if the previous night of separation had required them to seek comfort once again in each others touch.

As the minister announced them as husband and wife, Catherine Grissom leant across to her husband, Gil, kissing him deeply secure in the knowledge that her life together with him would enable her to overcome whatever came her way. In many ways her life had just begun.

And now I think I'll get through
The end of the world
And now I think I'll get through
Life as a girl
Now I think I'll get through
Anything
Now I think I'll get through

The End