A/N: This fic is a birthday gift to my wonderful friend GSR'er. I hope you have a fabulous day! I realize I'm a little early, but, this one will take a few days to post in its entirety. I hope you enjoy it.

I don't own CSI.


Catherine

I hate surprises. I have ever since I was a little girl. Fortunately, being a CSI has robbed me of my ability to be surprised. After the Bruce Eiger man-as-baby case, what's left to shock me? Besides, I'm the mother of a teenager. At this point, even melodrama seems mellow.

When Grissom basically shoved me into his position so he could go after Sara, it, thankfully, wasn't a surprise. I'd been his heir apparent for almost a decade, and his friend even longer. I saw the signs. The only surprise was how long it took him to decide to leave. After everything they'd been through together, he actually considered not going with her? Please, Grissom. Like anyone thought you'd just let her walk away forever.

But, I digress.

So, after almost ten years of being Grissom's right hand, I took his job. I have to say, this supervisor gig is harder than he made it look. I'll give him credit for that. He must have been far better at this job than I ever realized, because it's a lot more stressful than he let on. There's always some issue. And, today's special issue is Hodges, who is screaming like a girl.

Okay, then. Detour to the Trace Lab.

Hodges is there, apparently recovering from screaming his head off. But, he isn't alone.

Grissom and Sara are standing with him, struggling not to laugh at his girly screams.

"Hi," I say, staring at them in shock.

Sara is beaming. "Hi, Catherine."

It's not that I'm not happy to see them – believe me, I'm thrilled – but, honestly, shock and surprise are my first identifiable emotions. I mean, not six months ago, Grissom had me packing up things he had forgotten to ship to Costa Rica. I sort of assumed they'd be there for awhile.

"Did you get sick of the jungle?" I ask.

Grissom smiles. "Aren't you happy to see us?"

"Yes, of course I am." I smile. "I've missed you."

"We've missed you, too," Sara says.

Grissom smiles. "When my wife said she missed our friends –"

He keeps talking, but I can't hear him over my girly screams.

I hug them both at once. I love surprises.

TBC…