Nick stood in the doorway of Catherine's house. She had tears in her eyes as she prepared to say goodbye to the man she'd loved for the last twelve years. Nick smiled sadly and said, "I don't want to leave Cath. If only..."

Catherine silenced him with a desperate kiss. Even though she didn't want him to leave, she knew that she couldn't ask him to stay. From the day they'd first met, she known that he was destined for bigger things.

Six months ago, the chance of a lifetime was presented to him. The chance to join the FBI. He'd asked her to come along with him. To join him on the east coast, but even as he'd asked, he'd known that her answer would be no. Her entire life was here. She was a Vegas girl born and bred. So, that's what led them to this sad goodbye. A night that would change both of their lives forever.

They made love one last wonderful time. Neither one thought about using protection. Honestly, neither one cared. The only thing that mattered was the bone crushing sadness that filled every ounce of their souls.

When Catherine woke up that morning. Nicky was gone....

***Fast Forward Five Months***

Nick and Catherine talked on the phone nearly every day. Everytime she hung up the phone she'd cry. He sounded so incredibly happy. Tonight was no exception. She hung up the phone and put her hand on her ever growing stomach. She cried harder when the baby she carried, gave her a kick.

Nicky didn't know about their baby. At first, she'd been too shocked to say anything. Then, she'd realized that if she did tell him, he would do the typical Nicky thing. He'd rush to be by her side. He'd give up all of his hopes and dreams to be with them. She couldn't ask him to do that. So, she kept silent about their baby.

Everyone in the lab knew the truth. They'd seen the pain etched on her face from the moment Nick had left. For weeks, no one dared utter a word about Nick around her. It would cause her to dissolve into tears. When she'd found out she was pregnant, she felt as if fate was playing some terrible trick on her. For a brief moment, she considered having and abortion. In fact, she'd went so far as the call her doctor and make an appointment.

***Flashback***

Catherine had been convinced that she was going through menopause. That's why she'd called her doctor and made the appointment.

The doctor smiled and said, "Let's do a blood test. Just to rule out anything else."

Catherine had nodded and gladly given the requested blood. She'd went home and a few days later, she'd gotten the call that had changed her life.

"Hello?"

"Mrs. Willows? This is Doctor Logan. Do you have a moment?"

Catherine was thinking a thousand thought. All of them worse than the last. Finally she said, "Just tell me doctor. Is something wrong with me?"

"Well. The blood tests all came back normal. Except for one. It seems that you're pregnant Mrs. Willows."

To say that Catherine was shocked would be the understatement of the year. She whispered softly, "Pregnant? I can't be pregnant. There must be some mistake. I'm too old and.."

"I take it that this wasn't planned?"

"Hardly. I can't be pregnant. I can't have a baby. I.."

"Well, Mrs. Willows, there are other options. I'd like you to come into my office tomorrow morning."

Catherine simply nodded and said, "Okay."

She hung up the phone and cried.

The following morning was a blur. She barely remembered driving to the doctors office. She was seated and when the doctor came into the room she blurted out, "I want an abortion."

"I can definitely understand. We need to do a sonogram first to determine how far along you are. Since you said that your cycles were unregular. "

Catherine nodded and laid down on the table. The doctor pulled out the sonogram machine and prepared it. Although she told herself not to look, she caught a brief glimpse of the baby. She gasped at the tiny image on the screen. She knew at that instant that she couldn't go through with it. Regardless of her circumstances. This baby was a part of her and a part of Nicky.

She whispered softly, "I can't do it. I can't have an abortion. I..." She started crying softly. Horrified at what she'd been thinking. At what she'd nearly done.

The doctor smiled and said, "I understand." Then he smiled and said, "I'll let you get dressed and then we can go into my office."

So, she'd swallowed hard and walked into work one evening and announced her pregnancy. She'd also made the bold statement that, yes, Nicky was the father and, no they weren't together any longer. So, she'd appreciate it if they all kept quiet about the baby.

***Flashback Ends***

She knew that she should tell him. She wanted to tell him, but she didn't want to force him to give up his dreams.....

Should I continue? Reviews are love and much appreciated....