Chrissy

Author's note…This is my first CSI Fanfic…it's Grillows…my fave couple. I am unsure of Catherine's actual age, but this is an idea that came to me…so bear with me, please.

Rated T for later chapters…that may change, though, depending on how things go. That said, please read and review.

December 1983

Catherine awoke to the obnoxious buzz of her alarm clock. She reached her hand out from under the covers and smacked the button to turn it off. After a few minutes, she sighed as she sat up. As she yawned, she felt a wave of nausea coming on. She threw a hand over her mouth as she dashed into the bathroom. Once she had gargled to get the bad taste out of her mouth, she went back into her room to get dressed. Today was the last day before Christmas vacation began. As she picked out her attire for the day, she silently wondered why she had been so sick lately. The nausea had started a week earlier. At the time, she just thought it was the stomach flu, but now, she wasn't so sure. She felt her forehead, which felt quite cool to her.

"I should go see the doctor about that. I really don't want to have to fight the flu over Christmas break." She muttered.

As she went back to her closet for her shoes, her calendar on her desk caught her eye. She noticed that she had yet to place a star on it. She went over to the desk and flipped through the calendar. She flipped back to November and also didn't see a star. She flipped back to October and saw that the last star made was on October 22, nearly two months ago. Her eyes bulged as she realized just what might be the problem. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of her mother's voice.

"Catherine, hurry up!!! You're going to be late at this rate!!"

Catherine glanced at the clock, which read 7:45 am.

"Damn!!" She yelled as she realized that she only had 30 minutes to get to school. She grabbed her book bag and ran downstairs. She grabbed the toast from her mother and downed it, followed by a glass of orange juice. After bidding Lily goodbye, she rushed out the door. As she walked, she heard a car horn. She turned to see her best friend, Shannon, driving up beside her.

"Hey Cath, need a ride?"

She smiled. "Yeah, that'd be great. Mr. Richmond said that if I was late one more time that I'd have detention."

She got into the car and the two hurried off to school. As the entered the building, another wave of nausea hit Catherine. She ran into the girls' room, where she lost her breakfast. Concerned, Shannon followed her friend. When Catherine came out of the stall, she was met by a concerned look from Shannon.

"Cath, you okay?"

Catherine knows that she can trust her friend, but she is not quite ready to reveal anything…at least not until she is certain herself.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine. I just have the stomach flu."

"Ah, okay. You sure you're okay? I mean, I can bring you home if you want. You don't look so good."

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'll make it. But, I would appreciate it if you could bring me home and stop at the drugstore for me to pick up some soup."

"Sure, whatever you need."

Their conversation is cut short by the bell ringing. Catherine quickly splashes water on her face and runs to her homeroom with Shannon not far behind. The day drags on slowly as Catherine watches the clock. After what seems like an eternity, the school day is over. Though the nausea has subsided, Catherine is now sick with worry that her suspicions will be confirmed. She waits for Shannon at their usual spot. A few minutes later, Shannon appears.

"Hey Cath, are you feeling any better?"

"Not really. I think I may need to go home."

"Well, let's see about getting you home."

They go to the car and take off in the direction of Catherine's house. As the pass by the drug store, Catherine reminds Shannon that she needs to stop for some soup and some other things. Shannon turns the car around and parks in front of the store.

"I'll be right back."

"Well, I needed a few things to, so I was going to come in with you."

"Oh, alright then."

Though Catherine didn't want Shannon going with her and seeing exactly what she was buying, she also didn't want to raise her suspicions by saying she didn't want her there. The two of them go into the store together. Catherine quickly locates the soup and grabs two cans just to try to keep up her ruse. She then goes off in search of what she really came for. Shannon, who suspects nothing, follows Catherine. As Catherine grabs what she needs, she sees Shannon looking at her with wide eyes.

"Catherine?"

"Shannon, it's just a feeling I have. You have to promise not to say anything until I'm completely sure."

"But…I…alright, I won't say anything."

"Good. Now, let's get out of here."

The two head up to the front to pay for their purchases. The woman at the check-out counter gives Catherine a strange look as she rings up her total. Catherine quickly hands the clerk the money and rushes out the door right behind Shannon. They get in the car and soon they are at Catherine's house. Much to Catherine's relief, she finds a note from her mother stating that she would be working a double shift at the diner and wouldn't be home until the next morning and that there was leftover spaghetti in the refrigerator.

"Cath, you need me to spend the night?"

"No, I need to do this myself. I'll call you later."

"Okay then. Hope it turns out the way you want it to."

Catherine smiles slightly. "Me too, Shan, me too."

Catherine walks Shannon to the door and then locks it before heading into the den to watch some TV.

The next morning, Catherine wakes up early to make sure that Lily won't be home yet. She goes into the bathroom, checks the instructions on the box and does just what they say. With that done, all she can do is wait, hoping that she is wrong. She decides to occupy herself by cleaning up her room a bit. Once the time has elapsed, Catherine nervously bites her lip as she goes back into the bathroom. She picks up the box to see how to read the results and then looks at the tube.

"Damn it!!" As if on cue, a wave of nausea overcomes her and she gets sick. After brushing her teeth, she looks in the mirror and then at her flat tummy. "Oh my god, I'm pregnant."

After a moment, the reality of her words set in. She feels tears forming in her eyes as she rushes to the phone and calls Shannon. After three rings, someone picks up.

"Hello?"

"Shannon?"

"Yeah. Hey Cath, what's up? Have you done it yet?"

Catherine stifles a sniffle as she responds. "I just did."

"And?"

"Shannon, I'm pregnant."

"Oh, Cath."

Catherine collapses in tears on the floor next to the phone. In disbelief, she says it again. "I'm pregnant."

To be continued….