Ok note for the purpose of this fic Lindsey is nine years old (yes I realise she is not, I'm using my artistic licence, that or imagine she found a time machine)

Also if I owned CSI would I really be writing fan fic when I could control everything …oh the power…..

"People shouldn't commit murder near Christmas" announced Catherine coming in and slamming a file on the desk next to Sara.

"Oh because murder is so acceptable the rest of the year" she smiled handing Cath a coffee.

"Sorry it's just he was a father, those two children have to spend Christmas without him because some punk couldn't shpt straight" she said gratefully taking the coffee and sipping at it.

"Thinking about Lindsey" smiled Sara

"Sometimes I wonder what effect not having a male around has on her"

"Probably makes her a lot more sensible" replied Sara

"Fancy getting a proper drink?" asked Cath "I have some wine at home, you could rescue me from Lindsey bugging me about her Christmas presents" smiled Cath

"Ok" replied Sara picking up her bag and following Cath to the car. "Linds excited about Christmas?" asked Sara as they got into the car.

"That would be a understatement, last night she spent half an hour going through the cupboard in the bathroom to see if I'd hidden any presents there"

"So she thought she was getting toothpaste" laughed Sara.

"Oh wait until she sees auntie Sara's coming home, you wont get any piece" laughed Catherine as they drove to Lindsey's school.

"Hey Cath what do nine year olds want for Christmas?"

"Apparently lots. Unless you want to get her a horse, anything goes"

"I think I'll pass on the horse but I did get her this sort of make up thing. Not proper make up you now brightly coloured eye shadow that sort of thing," said Sara seeing the way Cath was eyeing her.

"Oh you'll in her good books" smiled Cath as they pulled up at the gate "she'll probably get another three chemistry sets from certain people" said Catherine.

"What are you doing for Christmas by the way"? She asked as they joined other mums waiting at the gates.

"Staying at home" replied Sara realising how sad it sounded.

"Why don't' you come round to mine, you could stay over Christmas Eve"

"Erm Catherine I know were started going out together outside work, but don't you think that's pushing our friendship barriers to far" smiled Sara

"Well we could invite Grissom it's not like he'll be doing anything"

"You think you could get him to come," said Sara raising an eyebrow.

"Hey I think the night shift is the most dysfunctional family there is its only right we spend Christmas together"

"So you're planning on inviting everyone?"

"Now you mention it that's not a bad idea. Nick can't get home so he'll have nothing to do, Greg will come, and Warrick wont nee much persuading"

"All we have to do it tie Grissom up and it will work," laughed Sara as a sudden scream of her name was heard and Lindsey charged up to her wrapping her arms around her waist.

"Yes mum's come to pick you up" mocked Cath as Lindsey completely ignored her and started talking to Sara.

"What are you doing? Are you coming home? Do you want to play my new game?"

"Wow Linds slow down" smiled Sara picking her up and carrying her back to the car as Cath picked up her school bag that had been discarded and left on the ground once she had seen Sara.

"Yes I'm coming back"

"And she's coming to stay for Christmas"

"REALLY" shouted Lindsey going into a girlish squeal.

"Apparently" replied Sara as Cath just grinned at her.

"How would you like uncle Gil, Nick, Warrick and Greg to come round?" asked Catherine as Lindsey strapped herself in the back of the car.

"Yes! I like uncle Greg he says my presents this big" said Linds stretching her arms out.

"I dread to think" smiled Cath shaking her head. Greg got on with Lindsey well possibly because they both had the same mental age or because Greg was the biggest kid Catherine knew.

It was strange to realise how much Catherine thought of the people she worked with family not that long ago she would have considered Sara a friend who she occasionally spoke more than two words too. Recently the whole group had started bonding, well almost the whole group. Grissom came out for dinner occasionally been dragged from his office.

This was not a sight she was expecting to see. Sara sat cross-legged on the floor playing buckaroo with Lindsey.

"Come on put it on," cried Lindsey as Sara's hand waved about the plastic donkey debating where to put a blue bag. Once Sara did find somewhere to put it the plastic donkey rebelled kicking up and sending bits of plastic flying much to Sara's surprise.

Even Cath couldn't suppress a laugh as Sara creamed.

"You were scared" laughed Lindsey running through to the kitchen to get her tea.

"I wasn't' scared just startled" Sara said to Cath who handed her a glass of wine.

"I believe you" she smiled as they sat down. "Thanks for entertaining Linds" she said watching to make sure Lindsey was at down eating.

"No problem she's more fun than a day in trace with Hodges" smiled Sara "maybe you cold invite him"

"And maybe Grissom is really Santa" laughed Catherine

"SANTA "cried Lindsey from where she was listening into their conversation.

"Eat you tea," shouted Cath through "I swear she's got this place bugged" she smiled.

"Where exactly are you going to fit five people?" asked Sara looking around.

"Well Nick and Warrick can have the spare room, you and Greg on the floor in Lindsey's room, Greg of course will be made to wear full length pyjamas in fact I may make him sleep in his clothes"

"Sleep I bet he stays awake all night waiting for…Santa" Sara whispered the last part.

"That's why I'm putting him with Lindsey they can both stay up and wait"

"Oh and what about me"

"You don't sleep anyway"

"And where is Grissom going?" asked Sara as Lindsey came back in and began looking through the rest of her games

"He can sleep in here, he'll be grumpy anyway I may as well give him something to be unhappy about"

"Sara lets play his," said Lindsey holding out monopoly

"Sara has to go now but she'll be coming to sleep in two days, she's going to share your room"

"Yeah" smiled Lindsey putting the game down.

"Guess I better go" smiled Sara getting up

"See you soon Linds," she said as Lindsey latched on to her hugging her goodbye.

"Oh and Cath the others better be coming or else I'll leave you with Greg" she said before leaving.

TBC…….

Let me know what you think, this is only going to be about five chapters so short for me!