Catherine smiled. She was sitting on the floor of her lounge, an open fire warming her back, as the friends and colleagues she'd grown to love over the past twenty or so years were sitting in an assortment of chairs and the sofa, forming a circle. Beside her on her left Lindsey was engaged in an animated conversation with Greg about her Chemistry class, in which she'd by all accounts, narrowly avoided blowing the roof off the school building.

Gil shifted slightly beside her, causing her to turn to him. "You okay? I could get another chair for you if you want."

He smiled, his left arm coming to rest around her shoulders. "And miss this, sitting next to my wife. I'm fine." His hand went to start rubbing her back, "Hey honey, you need to be careful you're going to burn yourself."

She smiled, playfully swatting him on the chest. "Don't say that. You sound like my mother."

He grinned at her. "It's only because I love you." He moved closer, a chaste kiss was planted on her lips.

She smiled, allowing him to return to his conversation with Jim and Al. She sat and watched him, enjoying a moment to watch her husband.

"Catherine! Catherine, what have I told you about sitting so close to the fire? You'll burn your back young lady, then where will you be? Hmm?"

"Sorry mom." She shuffled across the floor, the contrast between the cooler air of the room and the fire causing her to shiver. "Mom, why couldn't I go with dad and Nancy to see Grandma?"

"Because, that's why, just because."

Her dad and two year old Nancy had left early that morning, no explanations given as to why Catherine couldn't join them. It had puzzled and confused her, as she knew her grandma loved to see her and her sister.

A knock on the door caused her mother to literally jump out of her seat. She quickly patted at her hair, and smoothed down her skirt, watched intently by her young daughter.

Catherine heard a greeting, a deep voice she knew and waited patiently for her mother to bring the guest through to the lounge. She didn't have to wait long.

"There you are Catherine. Are you going to give me a hug?"

She walked up to him, threading her arms around his neck. "Hi, Sam." She felt herself being lifted up of the floor and then swung around. She squealed with delight, briefly catching sight of her mother with a wistful look on her face as she gazed at the pair of them, as she was spun around. After a couple of turns, Sam gently lowered her to the floor.

"Hey, your mom's told me how good you've been. She said you got a great report card all `A's. That's my girl."

Catherine caught her mother flinch slightly, why would she do this? Was it really true that her mom and dad liked Nancy better, so even when she was good, and did well, it was like she was being bad? She vowed to be the best daughter possible this next year, prove to them that she was just as worthy of their praise as her sister. "Thanks Sam."

"Well, I thought since you'd done so well Santa could come a little early." He briefly disappeared from the room returning with a large box wrapped in Christmas paper. "Here you go Catherine. Merry Christmas."

Catherine's eyes lit up. She looked at her mom. "Can I open it now or do I have to wait 'til Christmas?"

"Go on mom, let her open it now." Sam smiled at her mother.

"Okay, seeing as Sam's here and brought it for you, I guess that'd be fair."

Catherine tore away the paper, watched by a beaming Sam. Her eyes grew wider as she surveyed the contents. A Barbie house, held together by two metal clasps, as they were undone, inside she found her very first Barbie doll, a Ken doll, six separate packets of clothes for Barbie to be changed into and a pink Barbie Sports car. She held each item up for her mother to see, not noticing the tightening of her mother's lips as each new treasure was revealed. "Thank you Sam." She ran to him, giving him a kiss on his cheek.

"You're welcome. Now why don't you play with these while I talk with your mother in the kitchen."

Catherine watched Sam move towards her mother, taking her by her elbow to lead her to the kitchen. As the door closed, her mother's first angry words to Sam floated out for Catherine's ears. "You didn't have to spoil her!"

Catherine looked down at her gifts. The joy she'd felt moments earlier had been shattered by those words. It was as if she'd swallowed some huge boulder that was now settled on her stomach. She'd begged her mom for a Barbie for the last few months, only to be told money didn't grow on trees. She seemed to be the only girl in class who didn't own one, and now here she was the envy of her friends yet it didn't make her happy.

The voices were raised in the kitchen. The anger seemed to dissipate over the whole house. Why couldn't her mom just be happy? Why did she have to shout at Sam? He was always so nice to them.

The kitchen door flew open, Sam walked purposefully out. He crouched down next to Catherine.

"Honey, your mom is a little upset. How about I help you take these things to your room, so your mom doesn't have to tidy them away."

He helped her take her new treasures to her room. Then whisking her up into his arms, he held her tight, in a bear hug. "You are a beautiful young lady, smart too. Don't let anyone tell you any different." He tweaked her nose, and then kissed her forehead. "I hope Santa brings you all you wished for. Bye honey." He set her down in her room.

She listened, hearing the front door open, a car drive off and the soft crying of her mother.

"Hey, Cath, honey are you still with us?"

Gil's question brought her back to the present. She smiled up at him. "Yeah, yes of course, just remembering Christmas back home for a moment." She stood quickly to prevent further questioning. "Hey, anyone need refills?"

She was soon lost in a myriad of requests. Smiling, she headed for the kitchen to prepare them. Unnoticed, Gil crept in behind her. He leant against the counter, watching her, as she turned and caught sight of him, she visibly jumped. "Don't sneak up on me like that."

He caught hold of her arm, turning her so she faced him. "You sure you're okay?" He watched her face, saw a flash of something; he wasn't sure what, then her smile returned.

She reached up on her toes, lightly brushing his lips with hers. "Course I am. Honey, could you change the CD I feel like something festive. I think we've all had enough of Green Day."

He didn't argue, just left the kitchen, heading back out to the lounge.

The strains of Jingle Bell Rock, soon replaced the lament about September. Catherine smiled, humming along at first then starting to join in.

"Cat, you ready, you're on."

With that, she climbed on the stage, a too short mini skirt leaving nothing to the imagination of the customers; a red silk bra with fur trim was cast aside before she reached up for the pole. Her Santa hat precariously balanced, yet secured with hair grips seemed to add to the heat of being on stage with the lights trained on her. She went through her movements automatically, barely needing the accompaniment of Bobby Helms as he belted out Jingle Bell Rock.

She looked out at the crowd that were in tonight, Christmas Eve. Most of them middle aged men who no doubt had families back home waiting for them. What were they doing here on such a night? Shouldn't they be at home, with their children enjoying the excitement and anticipation this special night brought, instead of here lusting after her, a woman they didn't know and would never know as she gyrated around a pole? She shimmied up to the front of the stage, her black stiletto heeled boots attempting to stamp her mark on the stage, with each step she took.

She fixed a smile on her face, trying not to recoil as the flabby hands of a party of businessmen reached up to paw at her under the guise of handing her tips. She let them slip the money into her garter, avoiding showing any sort of reaction as their hands lingered that second too long.

Her ankles were killing her, her body felt like it was on fire, she was going to kill Ted when she got off the stage. It was his idea, or so the rumour around the dressing room had it, to change into these costumes for tonight and tomorrow. He'd gone as far as producing fliers, with their pictures in costume, and having them distributed around the city, probably the reason why so many people were in tonight. She seemed to remember he'd said something about a drinks promotion too, but she knew they were ten a penny on the strip so that couldn't be the cause for the crowd to descend tonight.

She sashayed towards the rear of the stage as she became aware of the song ending. She was grateful that she had the next night off. It was bad enough dancing on Christmas Eve, let alone Christmas Day.

As she disappeared from view behind the curtain, she fought with the hat that was still firmly fixed to her head, wincing slightly as the grips pulled at her hair trying not to release their prize.

Making her way to her chair in the dressing room she collapsed into it. Her first act was to take the money out of the garter and count it up. Twenty dollar bills mainly but amongst them a fifty-dollar, black scrawled writing caught her eye, `Rm 2439 Tangiers Kitty Cat if you want more.' She turned it over, no hint of which of her many admirers that night had given it to her. She re-read the message, nobody gave fifty-dollar bills as tips, they considered themselves lucky to get a twenty.

"What you got there, Cath?"

She looked up to see Ted standing in the doorway. He walked in coming to stand beside her, he read over her shoulders. "Room 2439 the Tangiers Kitty Cat if you want more. Fifty dollars, wow you impressed someone tonight sweetheart." He moved to lean against the counter top facing her, so he could gauge her reactions. "You're not thinking of going are you?"

"Why?" Her eyes met his briefly then returned to finger the bill.

"Do you know who it is? Did you read the note, or did you just read the dollar sign. If he's giving you more, it means he wants more. Are you ready for that? Because if you are I've got a list of people I know, clients, but men I trust who would be all to willing to pay you well." He reached out for her hand. "Honey, you're different from the others here. There's something about you. You always said you'd only dance, don't change that decision for a fifty-dollar bill, you're better than that."

"Am I?"

"This is going to come back and kick me in the butt, but yes. The others talk about going to school, doing this as something to get the money to meet their ambitions, but you, you're the first one I've known to actually go and do it. You're in college, you have a chance, don't throw it all away now." He squeezed her hand. "Anyway haven't you got a term paper to write? I thought that's the reason you persuaded me to let you have tomorrow off."

She smiled, putting the money on the counter so Ted could take his percentage. He picked the bills up, folded them without counting them, and placed them in her hand.

"Shhh, just don't tell anyone." He winked at her.

"But…Ted…there's got to be…" She was silenced as he put a finger to her lips to silence her.

"Honey, think of it as a Christmas present from me to you. Just promise me you won't go anywhere near the Tangiers tonight."

She smiled, raising herself half out of her seat she kissed his cheek. "Thanks Ted, I promise I won't. Thanks for the chat."

"Anytime Cath." He stood and walked out of the changing room.

She smiled to herself. How could she be mad at him after what he'd just done? She'd get that term paper written and she'd make sure she got the highest grade, not for her, but for Ted and the faith he'd put in her.

The arms of her husband snaking around her waist brought her back to reality. She leant back against him, a contented sigh escaping her lips.

"Need any help?"

"I'm just about done. Could you help me carry them in?"

He quickly picked up the tray and the two of them made a circuit of the room, handing out the requested drinks, before settling themselves back down in front of the fire.

Al smiled at Catherine, nodding towards Lindsey he said. "She's getting to be quite the young lady. You did good Cath."

"Thanks."

Brass grinned. "Always knew you'd make a great mother. Look at the way you looked after us."

"I think we all looked out for each other over the years." She replied not sure of where this conversation was going.

Brass looked from her to Gil then back again. "Don't tell me you forgot. Must have been your second Christmas at the lab. The night of the great snowfall."

Gil smiled. "Come on Cath you can't have forgotten that. The way you had to come to our rescue."

Catherine was sitting in the break room, a cup of freshly brewed coffee in front of her. The night, so far had been quiet, their one call being to a convenience store on I-15 some fifteen miles outside the city limits and as Brass had informed them when giving the details of the case, in the middle of nowhere. He'd decided that Gil would accompany him out there and they'd take Al Robbins along with them, due to the deteriorating weather conditions. An ambulance had apparently already been called to the scene and would be able to transport the bodies back once Al had declared the victims dead.

She wondered at the wisdom of the three of them leaving together. Feeling a little resentful that they'd left her out, as if she wasn't good enough. Yes she was still learning, but all her evaluations had been positive with nothing to indicate she was failing to do a good job. Now with a chance to once again prove her worth, she'd been left behind with Ecklie's number to call in case of an emergency. She knew why they'd done it, neither Brass nor Gil liked to work with the ambitious level 3 CSI preferring whenever possible to team him up with somebody else. She heard the rumours, the talk about his rapid promotion from others in the lab, as well as Ecklie himself, who seemed to take great delight whenever she was paired with him in telling the ever-swelling story of his meteoric rise through the lab. She wondered if he'd ever heard of promotions being granted to remove candidates from their current position, as a means to offload them on another section. From what she'd experienced she learnt little from the man, he was superb at delegation yet seemed to lack the patience required to see a case through to its justified end. He was too busy counting the cases he'd cleared, as if each one were some invisible notch in a belt he could hold up before the Sherriff when a supervisory position became available.

The ringing of her cell phone made her jump. "Hello?"

"Is that you Cath?" Came the crackly reply.

"Yes. Gil? Where are you?"

"Uhmm…we need some help. We've got car trouble. The paramedics have left and in the past two hours there's been no cars along this road. Can you come and get us please?"

"What about the lab. Should I call Ecklie, let him know…."

"No! Whatever you do, do not call Ecklie. Is that clear?"

"Yes. But what if there's another case?"

There was a pause, she could make out a couple of voices, but was unable to distinguish what was being said. There was a series of rustling sounds, before the unmistakeable sound of Jim Brass greeted her.

"Catherine, look we need you to keep this quiet. We understand your concerns about the lab, but if Conrad heard about this, it would just be embellished into another of his accounts of how he can run the lab single-handed. Listen is Judy still there?"

"Err, I think so. I'll just go to the desk, she should be there."

"Thanks Catherine."

As she reached the desk and found Judy sitting behind it, she passed the phone across to her, listening to the one-way conversation from the receptionist as she agreed to something that Brass was requesting.

Finding the phone passed across to her once more, she listened intently as Jim gave her directions to find them.

An hour and a half later, she was peering through her windshield at the decreasing visibility, as the storm seemed to form a tunnel of snow around her. She'd dropped her speed as she'd left the safety of the city, although this was a highway, it was pretty deserted mainly she assumed due to the weather conditions. Any sane person surely would not be venturing out on such a night, unless it was absolutely necessary. She knew the journey was taking longer than would be expected and that her colleagues' patience was surely being tested as a result. She was just about to turn off the road and attempt to call them when she caught site of a dark shape looming ahead. As she approached it, it was clear that this was the store they'd been called to, as their vehicle was parked outside.

She pulled off the highway and parked beside their vehicle. Exiting the Cherokee, she pulled her jacket around her tightly and headed for the store. There were no lights on inside, and apart from the car outside, it appeared as if it was deserted.

She pulled the entrance door towards her quickly entering the building and enjoying the relative shelter from the storm outside. She called out into the darkness. "Gil? Jim? Al?" Shivering slightly as she waited for their replies.

"Catherine, what kept you?" Gil replied, a hint of a smile in his voice.

"Have you seen the weather out there? I wasn't about to risk running off the road. Anyway if I had you'd have had to call Ecklie and all this subterfuge would be discovered."

Jim chuckled, the sound getting louder as he moved towards the two of them. "You have to admit defeat there Gil. I think Catherine here has an excellent point. Just how much do we want to let Ecklie know about our little mishap?"

Gil chuckled. "Yes she's won this one."

Catherine smiled, "Okay, so exactly what is wrong with your vehicle."

She was greeted by a series of coughs, before Jim added. "Engine problems."

Appearing from the back of the store, Al added. "He means no fuel to run the engine."

Trying not to laugh, Catherine asked. "So you ran out of gas?"

"You could say that. But we prefer to consider it as engine problems." Gil replied. "And Cath…"

"Yeah?"

"This is our secret right? It would serve no purpose to repeat this within Ecklie's hearing."

Catherine smiled adding innocently. "Oh, of course not. I think we can keep this between the four of us. Come and help me. I've got a tow rope in the back and we'll get that hitched up ready to go back to the lab."

As she walked towards the door, Gil leant closer to Jim. "You know she's going to make us pay for this don't you?"

Jim sighed. "I'm sure of it."

The two of them followed Catherine outside. They hitched up the rope and were surprised when she went to the cab and brought out two thermoses.

"Here you are. I figured you'd probably gotten pretty cold out here so I brought coffee." She returned to the Jeep and this time retrieved a couple of blankets. "One of you at least is going to have to ride back in the car, so I've blankets so you don't freeze."

Gil and Jim volunteered to ride in the car, justifying the two of them being there as helping each other to stay awake. Al was designated to ride with Catherine. As he climbed into the vehicle beside her, he offered her a smile. "Thank you Catherine."

"No problem doc. It'll be good to have company on the ride back, another set of eyes."

Al chuckled. "You mean rather than the two cowards behind. The only reason they let me ride up here with you is because they're scared of you."

She chuckled. "Don't I know it. And between you and me, I quite like it to."

Al joined in her laughter. If only Jim and Gil knew what they'd let themselves in for, a lifetime of bribery, well at least until Conrad Ecklie left their shift. Something left Al believing that neither one of them was about to protest at being placed in such a position.

Both men found a snow globe with a clamshell inside it on their desks the next night. A small note underneath them `Next time remember to stop at Shell!'

Catherine smiled at the memory. She winked at Al. "I'm sure that I've not been suitably rewarded for keeping my silence."

Gil caught the twinkle in Al's eye and was more than aware of just what his wife was up to. "And what would you suggest?"

She feigned deep thought for a couple of seconds. Then turning to him replied. "I don't know right now, but I'm sure I'll think of something."

"I'm sure you will." Gil replied, before leaning in and capturing her lips with his. "Will that do for now?"

She sighed contently. "Hmm, for now, yes."

Their attention was brought away from each other by the sound of a throat being cleared. Nick Stokes stood up looking slightly nervous; he stroked his face, enjoying the feel of the bare skin newly revealed as his moustache had been sacrificed. "Ehmm, I'm sorry could I just have your attention for a moment please." He paused waiting for the conversations to lull. "First of all I'd like to raise our glasses to Catherine, Gil and Lindsey for opening their home to us and making us feel so welcome, and a true part of their family." There was another pause as everyone reached for the glasses, before raising them in a massed declaration of "Catherine, Gil and Lindsey, Merry Christmas." Nick waited until the toast had been completed, remaining standing. He then dropped to one knee in front of Sara who started to turn an uncomfortable red colour. "Sara, it's no secret that I love you. Would you do me the honour of being my wife?"

The room seemed to hold its breath as they waited for Sara's decision. She nodded and managed to mumble out "Yes."

Gil moved his right arm around Catherine's shoulders, needing to hold her close, raising his left hand, which contained a glass he announced. "Congratulations! To Nick and Sara."

The room once again raised their glasses but this time to toast the newly engaged couple.

Catherine snuggled into Gil's body. She thought back to their first Christmas gathering as a team.

"Merry Christmas!" The toast was followed by the clink of glasses.

"Mommy, Greg says he can set up a camera in our house so we can video Santa. Can he do that?"

Catherine knelt down before her daughter. "No honey, he can't. Because if he does then Santa will be very angry and not leave us any presents. We don't want that do we?"

"No."

Catherine stood, momentarily resting her hand on her daughter's head, her eyes sought out Greg. She pierced him with a look and was satisfied when he visibly gulped and mouthed `sorry'. Letting go of her daughter, she smiled as she saw her run towards Warrick, who was only too happy to have her join him as he played a game on Gil's computer.

"Hey Catherine. Merry Christmas." The voice of Gil beside her startled her.

She smiled. Kissing his cheek, she replied. "Merry Christmas."

Gil followed her gaze. "So where's Lindsey spending Christmas?"

"At home. Ed's dropping by during the day to see her, then taking her across to his parents."

Gil nodded, then took a deep breath. "You know, if you get lonely…or just want to…I don't know talk maybe. I'll be at the lab all holiday. It's got to be hard not having her for the whole holiday."

She turned to face him, trying to force a smile on her face as tears welled. "I'll be…" She seemed to change her mind on looking into his eyes. "Thanks, maybe I'll drop in and make sure you're not wasting away under all the reports."

He took her hand, squeezing it, and then planted a kiss on her cheek. "It'd be good to see you."

She nodded, suddenly nervous but not sure why, she turned her attention on the gathering of colleagues. Seeing Nick and Sara together deep in conversation, she nodded in their direction. "Sara seems to be making quite an impression."

"Yes, she's a good CSI, although a little too focused at times."

Sensing the worry in his voice, Catherine smiled. "I'm not sure if she'll stay that way for long if Nick has anything to do with it."

"What do you mean?"

"Those two." She nodded in their direction. "They are going to be a couple soon. Mark my words."

Gil kissing the top of her head brought her back to the present. "I guess you were right about Nick and Sara."

Catherine smiled. "You remember that?"

"I remember most things when it comes to you."

"Really?"

"Why shouldn't I? Catherine you have made me the happiest man on Earth. Even before you agreed to marry me I valued time I spent with you. You are my lover, my friend, and my life. Without you I am nothing. Now you share my name, your life, your love with me I feel truly blessed. I love you."

A tear started to slowly from Catherine's eye. "I love you."

The end.