AN: Again this is obviously in older timeline as it still has Greg being in lab.

Chapter 7

They were laughing as they walked back into the house, having begun to reminisce about some of Greg's more interesting behaviors in the lab. They both had to admit they'd seen a lot of growth in the young lab tech, but he had always been a character since his first day on the job. The laughter died quickly though as they walked in to see his mother now sitting at one of the straight backed arm chairs in the living room, obviously waiting for their return.

"Did you have a nice walk?" She asked as they came and sat down on the loveseat near her chair.

"Yes we did, thanks for asking." Catherine said cheerfully, giving her most winning smile to the older lady to see if she softened. "Nope, not yet." She thought to herself as she saw the lack of response.

"So Mother, you were telling me earlier that the doctors thought with chemotherapy and radiation you had an 80 chance of…" Gil quickly stopped talking as a definite warning glare was sent his way. Obviously she did not want this discussed in front of Catherine he realized.

Meanwhile watching the elder woman's body language Catherine could not figure out why his mother was being so cold to her. It wasn't a natural standoffishness like Gil sometimes displayed, that she could deal with, but obviously this woman had something against her, if only she could figure out what it was.

"I guess it's getting late, I'm still tired, so goodnight." Catherine finally came up with an excuse, wanting to escape the tension in the room, she really hoped this wasn't how the rest of the vacation was going to go. She wanted to support Gil as much as she could, but his mother's apparent attitude was starting to really get to her.

Mrs. Grissom gave a curt nod to acknowledge her departure. Grissom could tell Catherine was upset also as her carefree attitude from other had vanished, he wondered for a moment if he should go after her, but also knew he needed to continue talking with his mother about the cancer and issues at home. Torn between the two urges he bid her goodnight as she hastily departed before he turned his attention back to his mother.

Catherine slowly got ready for bed, and laid in thought while mother and son considered their conversation downstairs discussing the treatment options and prognosis of her cancer. She thought for what seemed like hours not being able to sleep again so soon, as she tried to figure out what she could be missing. "Was it something she said, or was it the clothes she wore? Or was it about her at all?"

After lying in bed unable to sleep for what seemed like an eternity, Catherine looked at the clock. Seeing that it was 11 p.m. she decided to go see if Gil might still be awake so she could talk things over with him. As she began stealthily tiptoeing down the hall towards his room, she could still hear muted voices from downstairs. Realizing they were still talking she moved closer, knowing she shouldn't eavesdrop but hoping it might shed some more insight onto his mothers behavior.

"Mother I just don't understand why you're being so cold to Cath." Gil's voice was barely audible as she moved a little closer to the corner of the stairs, holding her breath so she could hear them.

"I'm sorry Gilbert but I just don't approve of her. I don't think she's right for you." His mother said bluntly, unknowingly causing Catherine to flinch at her words.

"Why? You barely know her." Gil pressed on trying to understand.

"I know her type son, and she's beneath you. Trust me on this." His mother continued, each word driving the knife a little further into Catherine's chest.

Having heard enough she turned and quietly returned to her room, collapsing on the bed again as the tears started to flow freely down her face.