"Nicky can I talk to you for a second?" Catherine asked when she turned the corner. Nick stopped walking and turned around to give Catherine his full attention. "What's up Cath?" Catherine grabbed Nick's wrist and walked them into her office before closing the door. "I um…I wanted to run something by you." Nick's confusion was evident as he gave Catherine a once over look, "Is this about the case because I already told Greg-" "No it's not about the case. I'm actually um seeing someone. I'm dating someone." "Oh. Do you think that's a good idea? It's not Chris is it?" "God no. I've been in love with her for years but I never said anything."
Nick took a moment to process what she had just said. He looked up at her with a foolish grin, "Cath's got a lady? Who's that lady?" Nick asked her as he sang off-key. Catherine couldn't help but to laugh at him. "Seriously, Catherine who is this woman?" "It's Heather. Lady Heather." Catherine struggled to not laugh at the fish out of water expression that Nick had. "Whoa whoa whoa. You've been in love with Lady Heather and the two of you are now dating? For how long?" "Not that long, but it is serious. She's been around the girls and they love her. She hasn't officially sat down with my mother because she's been out of town. She hasn't met you guys because I didn't know how to make that happen. Heather and I love each other and I think that it's time for the people that I care about the most to have an introduction. You are my best friend…you are the perfect person to tell first. So, what do you say? Ready to meet my girlfriend?"
Nick sat down and toke a swig of coffee, "Your girlfriend is pretty scary. I mean she does own a fetish club and she's a shrink." Catherine rolled her eyes, "Owned a fetish club. She's a psychiatrist with patients that need her." "That's cool and all but I thought that her and Grissom were pretty chummy back in the day." "They were but according to Heather, Grissom told her that she would only ruin me. As far as I know, they aren't friends anymore, but I could be wrong. Nick it's important to me that you at least give her a chance. I truly love Heather and besides my girls, she has been one of the few upsides to this pregnancy." "Catherine you know I support you 100%. I just want you happy. If you being happy means that you're with Lady Heather, then so be it. If anybody can put Chris in his place for good, it's probably Heather. What are you going to do about Sara and Brass? They can't stand her."
Catherine started to pace the small space, "Brass doesn't have a lot of contempt for Heather on a personal level…just a professional one. He always wanted her to cooperate more than she was willing to. He may not be that big of a problem. Then again, he could be because he and Gil are pretty tight. Sara on the other hand will be the biggest problem yet. She and I have spent years trying to be and maintaining our friendship. Sara has the biggest issue with Heather and we both know that it's because of Gil. I was wondering if you would help me, maybe be a buffer, for me to tell Jim and Sara about Heather?" Nick looked at the hopeful look on Catherine's face and caved, "Of course I'll help you Cath. Mostly because I love you but also because I think it'll be pretty entertaining." Catherine swatted her hand at him and chuckled softly. "Anything else Cath?" She looked up at him. "Yeah tell Greg that any experiments that are flammable or explosive belong outside this lab. I am not about to have that conversation with Russell or Conrad again."
Nick saluted her and left the office with a big grin. Catherine picked up her phone to text Heather. Nick said that he was okay with meeting you. He even agreed to be the buffer between you, Sara, and Brass. Catherine waited on her reply just as her door opened once again. Ellie Brass surprised her when she walked in. "Hey Catherine!" "Hey Ellie. How is Junior doing?" Ellie reached behind her and picked up the swaddled baby. "We just visited Daddy and he went right back to sleep. How are you doing?" Ellie asked pointing at Catherine's swollen belly. "No two days are the same. Sometimes the baby doesn't move for hours and other days it doesn't stop moving. Today is one of those days." "How do you deal with it?" "I usually just stay on my feet as much as I can handle and then I find the most comfortable position and muddle through." Ellie gave her a sympathetic smile, "Well you are a stronger woman than I am. Anyways, I wanted to invite you to our official housewarming party this weekend." Catherine took the offered invitation with glee, "Your house is finished? How long did you ride Greg's case for that to happen?"
Ellie laughed, "For a while. Although it did help that I could guilt him with being the mother of his child, the changes that my body has gone through, and the infamous labor and delivery." Catherine reached over and gave her a high five. Ellie got ready to leave but turned once more to say, "You can bring the girls and whoever it is that you're dating?" Catherine's jaw dropped. "How did you know I've been dating someone?" "You're happy—truly happy—for the first time since you've gotten pregnant. There has to be someone new in the picture and they are invited to our housewarming as well." "We'll be there." Catherine's phone vibrated, I can't wait to meet them. Hopefully all goes well. My only question is can it wait until this weekend because I have plans with Jenny.
A/N: Next chapter is Ellie and Greg's housewarming party. Expected and unexpected guests will make an appearance.