72 hours

Catherine is in town for a couple days for a case. Old feelings are resurface, while a terrorist plots.

Ch1: Tuesday

Vartann checks his watch again, as he anxiously awaits. He sees the plane land and feels his heart beat quicken. His palms became sweaty. Vartann was nervous like a teenage boy he thought. He rehearsed what he was going to say the entire car ride to the airport but none for himself speechless as he saw her smile.

A smile that just oozed confidence, and a bit of sass. A smile that could light up a room. A smile that was unbearably contagious at times, but could warm up the most frigid heart.

He smiled as they shared a quick heart. Even though they didn't leave on the best terms he couldn't deny the fact that he missed her. She continued smiling as he could not help but smile. Her eyes just as piercing as he remembered.

"How's LA?" He attempted to make small talk, as he took her luggage for her.

"It's no Vegas. What do we know?" She asked. He couldn't help but smile again.

"Brass is at your casino. He's getting us an updated victim list. Sara has point... Her and Greg are there going over the bomb and checking surveillance..." Vartann started but was interrupted.

"Where does she need me?" She asked eager.

"I am going to drop you off at the lab and then I am going back to the casino to give Brass a hand." Vartann said. They made small talk and shared brief war stories. As they pulled up in front of headquarters, and an overwhelming awkward silence took over.

"I guess I'll see you later..." She said grabbing her luggage. "We are going to get drinks later. You should come?" She said smiling again.

"I'll see you later, Cath." He said with a smile.

Catherine turned and looked at the building that she called home for many years. The elevator was still as noises and sketchy as always. The lab was busy but not chaotic. Aside from minor remodeling it looked like the same. Her absence appeared to make little difference are the ever moving engine. Catherine went to DB's office hoping that he'd be there and he was.

"Oh, Catherine!" DB shouted excited as he gave her a hug.

"Hi DB," she said smiling. "How are you?"

"I'm good, good. And yourself? How's Los Angeles?" DB said sitting on his desk as Catherine took a seat.

"I'm good. I miss it here. Los Angeles is great but my roots are here... Anyway, how's Lindsay doing?"

"She's a natural. I got her with Nick now. They are looking over the getaway car. We found it a few blocks away. The driver tried to torch it but was unsuccessful." He said looking on his desk for an updated case file. Catherine stands and walks towards a plaque hanging on his wall.

"I'm sorry... about Finn."

"Yeah, me too. Her family had a nice service for her."

"And you caught the gig harbor killer?" She asked turning to face him.

"Yes, we did." DB said with a half smile. "You still haven't told me why the FBI is so interested, or is this personal because someone tried to blow up your casino?"

"Both. We are going to need to have a family meeting and I'll tell you what I know." She said with a smile as they begin walking to the break room.

Catherine sees Nick and Lindsay in the break room. Nick looks to be explaining something to her. He passes her the sugar as they share a laugh. Catherine remembered that Nick always drank his coffee black. It made it easy to get coffee for him on coffee runs.

"Mom!" Lindsay exclaimed gladly as she put her coffee down hugging her mom.

"Hi sweetheart." She said.

"Linds, go get Morgan." DB said as he left to answer his phone.

"Nicky!" Catherine cheered as Nick picked her up in a powerful hug. Catherine loves Nick's hugs. Everyone did. He was a great hugger. Catherine could smell his cologne which was subtle. His hair was always combed to perfection and his beard was tightly groomed. His shirt was incredibly soft. Nick was the only man to wear flannels in Vegas.

"Catherine..." As he remained speechless as he put her on the ground but they remained in locked in embrace. "Oh god, Cath. I missed you." He said with a heavy accent as he hugged her tight again.

"I am going to be here for three days." She said smiling at him.

"Look at you. Big federal agent." Nick chuckled as he pulled a seat out for her, and sat with her. "Linds, told me you were headed over. I didn't realize it was for a case."

"It's indeed for a case. Tower caper." Catherine said and Nick cringed as he drank his coffee.

"Who's tower?" Nick said. She went to lean on to tell him when everyone came back. After sharing hugs with everyone the team got down to business.

"10 days ago there was a break in at a BioWeapons lab in LA. It is suspected that a new lab tech Jesse Bourne is responsible. We have him on tape attacking his superior and stole what he believes to be a bioengineered weaponized anthrax." Catherine said changing the sliding accordingly.

"What do you me he believes he stole anthrax?" Greg asked.

"He stole the placebo." Catherine said matter of factly. "We found that Bourne belongs to several eco terrorism groups. One of the groups is responsible for two mass shootings in LA. The same group accepted responsibility for bombing my casino. Bourne has been having email exchange with someone with the username oldsam666, who we believe is the crispy critter in the morgue. We traced his IP address to Vegas. I have agents searching his residence now. We have to find Bourne before he realizes he has the placebo and retaliates."

"Are you taking the case from us?" Nick asked crossing his arms.

"No. Kinda. I told my bosses that you are the best, but the Feds wanna keep it in house. If we can't solve the case in three days the Feds are going to take it over." Catherine added.

"How can we help?" Nick asked standing.

"Bourne's grandmother lives in a nursing home in Henderson. So far she's the only known family. She is listed as a tenant in a condo in Henderson." Catherine said.

"Greg and I can go check it out."

"I'll text you the address." She added putting her hands on her waist.

Greg and Morgan arrive at the cozy condo in Henderson. They are met by Crawford who's eagerly holding their search warrant.

"Condo is clear. Looks like he left in a hurry." He said handing Greg the warrant. "You better take a look inside."

"What is it?" Morgan asked tucking a piece of hair behind her ear.

"After you." Crawford said. As Greg and Morgan enter the condo they see half a dozen various police scanners, maps with various landmarks circled and crossed out, several newspaper headline cut outs, with strange markings and quotes on the walls.

"Whoa." Greg said as he looked around looking at all of the markings.

"Did Catherine mention anything about a mental health issues?" Morgan asked.

"No." Greg said still speechless.

"It is nice to have Catherine back." Morgan said.

"I am too. I can't help but think Cath, and her Feds are gonna take the case though?"

"As long as we assist in the investigation. Less paperwork for us if they want to prosecute."

"Yeah, well, don't be surprised if the Feds make Bourne and the whole case disappear."

Catherine is in the break room making herself some coffee. She sees Nick asleep at the break room table. He held his head up with his head with a case file opened in front of him. She couldn't help but smile as he snored slightly. She tried to be quiet but the beeping of the coffee machine woke Nick. Nick immediately looked around embarrassed.

"So busted, Nicky..." She said laughing as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

"Yeah, well, I was fixing to go home when we got your case. DB called for all hands." He said handing her a sugar packet as he made himself a cup.

"What's this I hear about a lab director in San Diego?" Catherine teased. Nick chuckled.

"I haven't made any decisions yet."

"Why not? San Diego is great. There lab is state of the art. The pay has to be better."

"I'm not sure. It's a big change. I'm established here. I would love to go to San Diego and run it but I'd feel bad if I left the lab now." Nick said shrugging his shoulders.

"How are you doing?" Catherine asked, Nick smiled.

"I'm fine." He said his accent was heavy.

"Still dating that nurse?" She asked and Nick looked at her with wide eyes. "Oh, don't look at me like that. You know, I have to pry or else you wouldn't tell me anything."

"Lauren. No we are not together anymore."

"Why not?"

"She's crazy, and not the good kind either." Nick said slightly agitated. Catherine looked at him with a questioning look. "Anytime, I went out after shift she thought I was sleeping with someone. She would go through my phone. She was very jealous and insecure. Now, what about you?"

"What about you?"

"No. FBI keeps me plenty busy. I have been overseeing day to day lab processing, and lab auditing. It's nice to be in the field." She said shaking her head. The rest of team came in.

"So, we found some evidence that suggests Bourne suffers from paranoid schizophrenia. I gave Archie a lap top we found and probably gave Mandy a couple dozen latent prints. So you know what that means?" Greg said and Nick smiled.

"What?" Catherine asked.

"We gotta go out and catch up." Greg said.

"There's a maniac preparing to a national attack and you want to go out and drink alcohol?" Catherine asked putting her hands on her hips. Greg eagerly nodded.

"You said it was the placebo. Besides, every LEO in the state has Bourne's mugshot he can't do a whole lot especially with big brother watching. Just an hour?"

"Fine. Just a hour." She said sternly.

Several hours later... Everyone is having a good time in the bar. Alcohol, jokes, and music. Everything felt normal, like the good ol' days. The environment was relaxed, and fun. The team teased Nick's shirt. It read "if you touch my beard... I will touch your butt." Nick was a notorious ass man and he appropriately embraced his appearance. He wore a worn flannel over it but the shirt was visible and the message.

Nick and Catherine talk and take a picture of her teasing him because of his shirt. Their personalities were similar in a relaxed environment. As the more they drank the more personal boundaries blurred.

"Let's make a toast!" Greg called out as he stood on the booth seat, and Nick put his arm around Catherine. "Even though we haven't caught our guy... yet. It feels good to have the old team together one last time. Catherine coming back from the Feds and Nick going to San Diego to run the show over there... This is the best group of bad ass investigators out there!" Greg cheered loudly as everyone clinked glasses. After the toast Nick leaves to use the bathroom.

"Hey..." Vartann said to Catherine. Catherine could tell that Vartann still liked her even though he had a terrible way of showing it. Catherine did not feel the same. They had promised each other to stay friends but Catherine was worried he wanted something more.

"Hi Lou..." She said smiling.

"It's really good to have you here. Even if it's only for a short time." Vartann said strangely sober for the environment. Catherine said nothing in response as she finished her drink. "Let me get you a drink." Vartann said smiling.

"You don't have to..."

"Nah... What are you drinking? Vodka soda?" Vartann said smiling taking her glass. She tried not to smile but the alcohol wouldn't allow her to be serious. She covered her face and as she did so she felt someone come and pick her up. She didn't panic as she smelt Nick's cologne as she hugs him back.

"Oh god, Cath. I missed you." Nick said his accent plenty thick.

"Stop it, Nicky." Catherine said as he put her down. Catherine looked past and saw Lindsay talking with a young uniform officer.

"You want me to knock him out?" Nick asked smiling. Catherine smiled as she playfully pushed him. "When did she grow up? I feel like yesterday she was calling me uncle Nicky with light up sneakers on." Nick said.

"How do you think I feel, Nicky?" Catherine teased. Nick smiles as he took a sip of his beer. Nick put his arm around her and walked her out to the dance floor.

"Well, you look great." Nick said as he and Catherine began to dance. Nick and Catherine already had a personal relationship different than any other friendship. What was normal for than would not be for other people or their other friends. They danced close and handsy. Nick twirled Catherine careful not to spill his beer or spin Catherine too fast. Catherine could see Nick smiling at her but past Nick she could see an angry Vartann carelessly putting her drink at the table an walking off angrily.

"I'll be right back." Catherine said with a sigh. Nick gave his shoulders a shrug and continue to drink his beer.

"Lou!" Catherine called out as he was walking towards his car. Vartann turned around upset.

"What?"

"Is everything okay?" She asked annoyed.

"Yeah, friend." He said sarcastically.

"Don't be like that."

"I can't watch you and Stokes be all over each other."

"Are you serious? We aren't all over eachother. He's my best friend."

"You don't act like that. Friends don't act like that."

"You're so insecure."

"Even when we were together you preferred him over me. How am I not suppose to feel insecure? I see the way he looks at you. The way you greeted eachother and how excited he was to see suppose to believe that nothing happened between you guys? If you want Stokes don't string me along..." Vartann said leaving as Catherine rolled her eyes. This was an argument that they've had a hundred times before.

Catherine returns to the bar and sees Nick leaning against the wall. She was unsure who was holding up who. The only thing that appeared stable was Nick's grip on his beer. The group had dissipated as someone had to report on time for shift in the morning, and Sara and Grissom had many long awkward talks that lay in front of them.

"Drunk, are we, Nicky?" Catherine teased and was met by a classic smile.

"I prefer the term pleasantly intoxicated. Is everything alright?" Nick asked and Catherine rolled her eyes and gave a sarcastic smile. "That good?" Nick teased. Catherine took his beer and downed it with ease. Nick smiled at her. "Feel better?"

"Working on it."

"I'll get another round."

Nick brought Catherine a beer and sat next to her in the booth. The two began to reminisce and tell tales of their new travels. They talked to each other with such ease, that it was relaxing.

"Mom..." She heard Lindsay say.

"Yes, baby." Catherine said putting her best sober face forward. Lindsay saw through it.

"I'm leaving. Morgan is going to give me a lift." Lindsay said as an awkward silence took over.

"I'll be home soon. I promise. I'm just catching up." She said smiling.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Don't worry, Linds. I'll make sure she gets home. Scouts honor." Nick said smiling.

"Alright, I'll see you later. Don't stay out too late."

"Yes, dear." Catherine said as Lindsay left. Nick and Catherine broke out in laughter. The continued to talk and laugh.

"Last call!" They heard the bartender yell. They looked at the table and saw it was covered in empty beer bottles.

"Wanna split a cab?" Nick asked awkwardly. Catherine just smiled at him. Nick went to stand but fell back in the booth, causing Catherine to laugh again.

"Nicky, what's up with the beard?" Catherine teased touching his shoulder.

"It makes me look tough." He said flexing a little. He felt Catherine's hand linger around on his back. He looked over at her too drunk to be confused but sober enough to see what she was doing. Before he could speak he felt her other hand reach up and touch his beard . She wiggled her eyebrows.

"Do you think we will be able to catch a cab at this hour?" Catherine said letting go of Nick and getting out of the booth. She looked over her shoulder and saw Nick making some adjustments before standing. She felt Nick grab her arm and pull her back towards him. He grabbed her face planted the most passionate kiss, he had in his arsenal, on her. Catherine held on to his flannel as Nick kept her close. Nick ended the kiss realizing he needed to breathe, and that he just stepped over the very blurred line that they had. Nick and Catherine looked at eachother with wide eyes.

Catherine brought her hands back to his face and pulled him back for another kiss. Catherine ran fingers through his hair as she felt his hands go to her hips before Nick grabbed her butt pulling her close. Catherine pulled away looking slightly shocked at him.

"You did touch my beard." Nick said smiling. Catherine bit her lip as she put her hands up his shirt sadly feeling a tank top. How many shirts did he need?

"How about we get out of here?" She said and Nick smiled. She took his hand and they walked out to the street. It turned out to be easier to get a cab then they had expected.

Nick grabbed Catherine's face kissing her again. He pulled her close as he moved his lips to her neck. Catherine held his head and pulled on his shirt. Nick began unbuttoning her shirt and kissed her chest forgetting about the cab driver. Nick pulled Catherine on top of him and kissed her again. Catherine moved her hips against him, and could feel him. Nick looked down at her hips with pouty lips.

The cab stopped and Nick threw whatever cash he had left to the cabbie and followed Catherine out of the bar. Catherine shushed Nick as she struggled to unlock her door. Once inside Catherine took Nick by the hand and quietly brought him to her room.

She turned to face him and helped him take his tank top off. Once his chest was exposed Catherine had to touch it. Kiss it. Nick worked on his belt and pulled Catherine into another kiss. He was too impatient to undo the remaining buttons on her shirt and ripped it open as it fell to the floor. He kissed her neck and shoulder as his hands went to her pants undoing them as it joined her ripped shirt. He continued to kiss her chest as they moved closer to the bed before moving onto it. Nick moved on top of Catherine helping her get free from her bra as a smile spread across his face as her breasts were free. He quickly kissed her breasts as his mouth claimed her nipple. His hands gripped the one as the other pinched the other nipple. Catherine let out a quiet moan as Nick explored her other breast. His tongue flicked across her nipple causing her to bite her lip. Nick kissed the valley between her breasts and continued his way southbound. Nick pulled her underwear off. Nick took her leg and planted gentle kisses from her ankle to her inner thigh before moving to her other thigh. One hand held her leg while the other explored her folds. His thumb gently brushing her clit as his finger made its way inside of her. She let out a quiet moan as she gripped the sheets. Catherine saw Nick's crooked smile as his mouth replaced his hand.

Nick positioned her hips just a little before he devoured her. Catherine tilted her hips as she felt his tongue. She let out a hard sigh as she took a grip of his hair. Nick had a grip on her thigh and butt as his mouth explored her.

"Oh, Nicky..." She moaned as her back arched and thighs squeezed his head. She let go of his hair and held tightly on his hands. She rocked her hips to meet his tongue letting out a stifled cry as she bit her lip. Nick let go of her hands and pushed her legs open again as she pulled him up for another kiss. Nick pinned her one hand against the bed as he entered her. Catherine dug her nails in his side and smiled as she watched his face. He kissed and nibbled her neck, as Catherine took a sharp inhale.

Nick began to rock his hips slowly as he kissed her chest. Nick let go of Catherine's wrist and put hands on the mattress on either side of Catherine. Catherine felt his chest, and abs, as he began to pick up speed. Nick returned to kiss her neck and Catherine held him close and wrapped her legs around him pulling him in more. Catherine kissed his ear as she dragged her nails across his back and shoulders. Catherine felt herself losing control and bit down on shoulder to stifle the moan that was coming from the deepest part of her soul. Nick sat up and held onto her waist and sped up even more leading out a couple grunts. Almost primal like. Catherine began moving her hips and held onto his forearms. Nick gave her two powerful thrusts before his groan matched her moans. Nick collapsed Catherine.

They smiled at eachother. Nick held Catherine's hand as he kissed it. They were tired, sweaty, and three sheets to the wind drunk. Catherine went to say something but Nick kissed her and brushed the hair out of face.

please review. It's my first story. I wrote this a while back and just got the courage to post. Let me know what you think.