Chapter 12

The drive to Catherine's house was once again done in silence. "Cath…Cath…we're here." She didn't move. Hard as a rock I know He said to himself as he got out and went to Catherine's side to pick her up and carry her. He slid one hand under her legs, and put his other hand behind her back.

"You're not going to get far with me cowboy, my seat belt is still on." Catherine said but never opened her eyes.

"Jesus Cath! Give me a heart attack why don't you!"

"Well, I could make it up to you." She said in a husky tone, keeping her eyes closed.

"Is that all you think about?" He shook his head and smiled "Like I said later." He unbuckled her seat belt and scooped her up in his arms. She snaked her arms around his neck, and snuggled herself comfortably in his arms. He carried her inside and into her bedroom. He laid her down on her bed and covered her up. He kissed the top of her forehead. "I'll see you later Cath, call me if you need anything." She had already fallen back asleep and mumbled some incoherent words. He smiled and left.

~ * Two Hours Later * ~

Catherine woke up to the sun shining bright in her face. She groaned and rolled over. Her head was pounding "COFFEE!" She moaned to an empty room. She stood up and slowly made her way downstairs on wobbly legs. She wandered into the kitchen and turned on the coffeepot, they wentto the living room and plopped herself down on the couch. She held a pillow close to her and smelled it. "It smells like him!" She whined. She leaned back and closed her eyes.

~ * Back At CSI * ~

Nick was walking towards the DNA lab when he bumped into Grissom. "Hey Nick, how's the case going?"

"Actually I'm just getting back, and I'm waiting for a warrant. I've got no witnesses, no ID for the two victims, and a footprint that could belong to anyone. But other than that it's great!" He said sarcastically.

"That good huh? Well if you need any help grab Sara to help you and Cath. Speaking of, where is she?" Grissom looked around in no place in particular.

"Uh she's coming in soon." He smiled weakly and walked away. "Thanks Grissom, I'll see ya later." He called back. He walked into the DNA lab. "Hey Greg I need you to process these few fibers ASAP! OK!"

"Yes sir!" Greg stood straight and saluted Nick.

"Very funny! Get to work" Nick said as he left the lab. He was headed for autopsy when his cell phone began to ring. "Stokes ::pause:: yeah I'll be there in twenty." He hung up his phone and continued over to autopsy. "Hey doc, do you know the cause of death for my new friends here?"

"Well for the male it was a single gun shot wound to the head, and for the other 2,"

"What 2? There was only 2 dead bodies."

"Actually 3, the woman was 8 months pregnant, and ready to give birth."

"OK, so how did mom die?"

"Could have been a number of things, she had an extreme amount of acetaminophen in her system. She could have OD'd and died."

"Not likely, she was found behind a bush."

"OK, or it could have been blunt force trauma to the head, or this stab wound to the chest."

"OK and the baby died because mom died?"

"Yup, it was a girl to." Nick sighed.

"Thanks doc." Nick walked out of autopsy and headed for his truck.

~ * Back @ Catherine's * ~

"Uh where is he!" Catherine moaned to an empty room. "Nick if you're not here soon I'm gonna.."

"Kiss me wildly after I close the front door?" Catherine jerked around and stood up.

" 'Bout time cowboy, I was starting to get worried." She stood up and gave him a hug.

"Yeah Grissom was asking about you." She rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Well anyways let's get you back to work, I'll fill you in on everything on the way." He turned to leave when Catherine pulled him back for a long deep and passionate kiss. She snaked her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He wrapped his arms around her waist tightly. After a few moments she pulled away and smiled up at him and walked out the door. He followed and they drove back to CSI in complete silence both marked with grins from ear to ear.