To say I'm nervous would be an understatement. I'm sitting on Catherine's sofa. With Catherine right next to me. And I have no idea what to say to her.

"So, tell me, why are you sacrificing your spare time to visit a grounded 12 year old?"

Ok, so she beat me to it. Great. Now how do I answer that one. Because I have a crush on said 12 year old's mother doesn't seem the best thing to say.

"Because I couldn't say no to her." I shrug. That is true after all.

She smiles, and boy does she look beautiful.

"What did she do? Blackmail you?"

I laugh.

"More like pity talked me."

Catherine nods, a smirk on her face. "She's good at that."

My hands play with the seam on my jeans. Why am I so bad at this small talk thing? I really want to say something, but my mind feels empty as the Nevada deserts.

I let my eyes dart around the room. There's photos of Lindsay on the shelves. And some pictures obviously drawn by the girl. It's nice - and quiet.

This is officially getting awkward.

It's been a stupid idea, from the very beginning. Damn Lindsay for getting me into this mess.

Catherine glances at her wristwatch with a smile.

"I think we should let her suffer some more, you want coffee?"

What the-?

This is bad enough as it is and she wants to draw it out with coffee?

The question was obviously rhetorical seeing that she doesn't even wait for a reply from me, she's already heading to the kitchen.

Great. Gives me a minute to think at least.

What the hell am I doing here? And why am I finding it so damn hard to talk to Catherine?

She's my colleague, dammit. I've known her for years, I should be able to find something that I can talk to her about, right?

Something other than work preferably.

Great idea, genius, but what?

I helplessly scan her living room again. Books, music, movies. None of the names and titles are totally foreign to me but it's also nothing that I have on my top 10 list.

I sigh.

Maybe I should just make up an excuse and leave. Yeah, that would be for the best. I'll just tell her Grissom called.

"There you go," I almost jump. Why can't she make any sounds when she walks into a room?

She hands me a cup and graces me with one of her beautiful smiles.

Damn, why did I want to leave again? I think I'm quickly changing my mind because staring at her sounds much more appealing than- oh shit, I've been staring at her!

She grins.

Oh god, I'm so busted.