Hey guys. Here's chapter 10. Hope ya'll like it :) Thanks so much for the reviews, they make my day.

After a brief series of introductions and explanations, Catherine stood and swiftly left the office, D.B. Russell hot on her heels. Given the substantial height difference between them, it only took him a few long strides to catch up.
"I'll take you to the lab, I can get you caught up on our active cases, show you where everything is then introduce you to the team when they arrive; they normally get in a little early," she reeled off once he'd fallen in step with her.
"Sounds good to me," he replied.

Once they exited the building, Catherine instructed him to follow her to the lab; they both had separate cars and it meant she could go straight home when she was finished.
On the drive over she watched her speed and periodically checked her rear view mirror to make sure he was still behind her. As she drove, one thought kept wandering through her mind; How am I going to tell them?

They arrived at the lab and parked next to each other then walked inside. Judy the receptionist smiled at Catherine as they approached.
"Hi Ms Willows," she greeted, eying D.B. warily as Catherine signed in.
"Hi Judy," Catherine replied then turned to the man next to her. "You'll need to sign in and be given a visitors pass 'til you get your permanent ID from Human Resources."
"Oh that's not a problem. I have my ID already." He fished around in his pocket for a moment before pulling out the plastic card, showing it to Judy.

"What?" The redhead was visibly shocked. "When did you get that?"
"The Sherriff gave it to me yesterday when I got into town," he replied, signing his name on the log in sheet. By the time he turned back to her, she'd managed to put a more neutral expression on her face.
"Well, that makes things a little easier." She ignored the quizzical look on Judy's face and led D.B. into the lab.

She spent the next forty five minutes showing him all around the lab, telling him the names of the lab techs he'd be working with on Grave, took him to the morgue then ended up in her office. As she grabbed up the pile of active case files that were on her desk, D.B. did a 360, looking around the room. She caught him and he smiled wryly.
"Nice office."
"Thanks, although I guess it's yours now. I'll make arrangements to have my things moved to the shared office." She didn't like the idea of working in Gil's old office; it had been the reason she gave it to Nick in the first place.
"That's not necessary. I'm sure there's another office somewhere here that I can use."
"I doubt it. We're pretty short on office space, that's why Nick, Sara and Greg have been sharing."
D.B. simply shrugged. Catherine straightened and raised an eyebrow.
"It seems like you were blindsided about me being brought in to take over your position as supervisor, I don't want to add insult to injury by taking your office as well."

Catherine wasn't quite sure how to respond, so she simply smiled.
"Why don't we get you caught up on these cases?" she indicated the pile in front of her.
"Sure thing." He took a seat opposite her and they spent the next few hours going over all the active cases Grave had. They had just finished when Catherine leaned back to stretch her aching back. Lifting her head she caught sight of Greg walking along the corridor.

She stood quickly, causing D.B. to look at her strangely.
"My… the team just started arriving. I'd like to speak to them first before I introduce you. If you don't mind," she added as a courtesy.
"Not a problem. Take as long as you need." Catherine smiled gratefully and hurried from the room, finding Greg pouring a cup of coffee in the break room. She watched him for a few moments, knowing he would probably take the news hard. She was just about to speak when he turned around, grinning when he saw her.
"Cath! You're back!" He put his mug down and darted over to her, wrapping her in a big hug. "It's so good to see you! We've all missed you!"
She was just about to respond when he pulled away. "Hey guys, look who's back!" Catherine turned and came face to face with Nick and Sara, both smiling. Hugs and greetings were exchanged; although when Sara pulled back she frowned slightly, noticing the look in the older woman's eyes.

"Looks like your reign of terror is over Nick," Greg teased. The Texan placed a hand over his hear, feigning hurt.
"I wasn't that bad, was I Sar?"
"I plead the fifth," the brunette grinned and Nick pouted.
"What is this, 'Pick on Nick Day'?"
"You should know by now it's always Pick on Nick Day," Greg shot back.
Catherine stood watching the good natured banter, hating that she was about to put a damper on things.
"Guys, now that you're all here I need to talk to you."
"Don't worry Boss Lady, we had no problems while you were gone. I made sure they behaved," Nick smirked, not quite realising that the smile he got in response was mostly fake.

"I don't doubt that Nicky, but that's not what I need to talk about. I was called in to a meeting with the Sherriff and Ecklie earlier."
The mood among the group quickly became sombre, all three CSIs staying silent, waiting to hear what she had to say. "Officer Shultz has concluded his investigation; apparently I don't come out looking very good. The Sherriff has made some decisions based on the report. And he's decided that Grave Shift needs a new supervisor." She watched their faces fall.
"They fired you?" Nick looked like he was about to explode.
"No, no," Catherine cut in quickly. "I've been demoted. I'll still be working here; you just won't have to call me 'Boss Lady' anymore." She tried to smile but she couldn't quite manage more than a slight twitch of her lips.

"They can demote you? Just like that?"
The strawberry blonde turned her attention to Sara and shrugged.
"They have. I'm only here tonight so I can tell you, show the new guy around and introduce him. Then I'm finishing out my suspension and returning to work as normal the week after next."
"Who is this guy?"
"His name is D.B. Russell, he's been brought in specifically to take over as Supervisor. I'll go get him."

Catherine turned and left the room. She was part way down the corridor when Nick called her name. He faced him and he jogged over to her.
"I'm not gonna be his assistant supervisor." She started to interrupt but he cut her off. "You promoted me, you gave me that chance and I'm so grateful to you. But assisting someone else wouldn't feel right; my loyalty is with you."
Catherine felt a lump forming in her throat; she had to blink a couple of times to rid her eyes of the tears that sprang at his words.
"That's sweet Nicky, but do me a favor? Think about it. Seriously. And give him a chance. I know you're mad at how I've been treated but don't take it out on him ok? He seems nice enough so far."

Nick sighed and nodded minutely. The former supervisor smiled and hugged him, rubbing her hand over his back. After a few moments she pulled back.
"Guess I better go get him."
Nick nodded again. "Yea, no sense in putting of his baptism of fire any longer."
"Nicky," she drew his name out. "Be nice. I don't want you to scare the poor guy away before he's even worked a shift."
He raised his hands, a mock innocent expression covering his handsome features.
Catherine shook her head and chuckled slightly, then continued down the hall to her office.

Nick watched her go, in awe of her attitude considering the awful way she'd been treated by the higher ups. He made a silent promise that he wouldn't be too hard on the new guy, for no other reason than it was what Catherine wanted.

Hope ya'll like it
Lily
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