A knock on the door made Catherine jump.  She nearly dropped the tank she was holding.  Replacing it on the shelf, she turned around and smiled as she saw the young man standing by the door.  He looked rather out of place; his white lab coat made a vivid contrast to Grissom's dark office.

            'Hey Greg'  she greeted him.

            He smiled back in acknowledgement.  'What you doing?' he asked.

            Catherine sighed.  'Looking for answers.'

            'Well I don't think you'll find them in Grissom's tarantula tank.'  Greg shoved his hands in his pockets and leaned back against the door.

            Catherine could tell that he was trying to act indifferent but he obviously felt the loss of such a major character as well.  Unable to hold the smile in place any longer she sat down heavily in Grissom's chair.  Grissom's chair in Grissom's office, how empty it felt without his presence.

            'You should get some rest, Catherine.'

            'No.  I have to see this through.  Grissom wouldn't rest until he had caught the perp-'

            'But you're not Grissom'  A smile crept onto the young lab techs face.  'And you're always telling him to have a break.'

            'I know.'  Catherine said exasperated  'But that's different; I worry about him.'

            Greg's eyebrows raised and Catherine studied his mild reaction.  Had he already guessed?  She suddenly had the overwhelming urge to tell him, to confess all the feelings that she had kept bottled up inside herself.  But could she trust him?

            Catherine put her head on the desk and shut her eyes in a vain attempt to block out reality.  No, she decided, she shouldn't tell Greg.  She really needed to speak to Grissom.

            'Were you looking for me?'  Catherine asked.

            'Actually, I was looking for Sara-'

            Catherine's head shot up.  It was an involuntary movement but it seemed to have a profound effect on the young man.  She hadn't realised he was so close.

            Catching his breath and with a hand on his chest, Greg finished what he was saying.  'She's taken to hanging around here in the last month, when Grissom's not around.  I've got the results form the blood sample she gave me.' He added, as though for safety.

            Catherine frowned.  'She's visiting a witness.' She said somewhat coldly.  She didn't want to hate Sara but she just couldn't help disliking her at the moment.  There was something about the way the younger woman acted around Grissom that got to her.

            'Oh' Greg replaced his hand in his pocket.  'It can wait.'  He turned and reached for the door handle but stopped and looked over his shoulder.  'If you see Grissom tell him we're all routing for him.'  He stayed long enough to see Catherine nod then left her alone with her thoughts.

            Grissom put down his book.  It was no use, he couldn't concentrate.  He was too wound up.  It was frustrating being cooped up all day; he wanted to be out there solving Las Vegas' crimes with his team.  That was his life.  But more than that he was fretting over Catherine.  Did she still believe in him?

            He hoped she did and he wished he could see her but he wasn't supposed to leave his house and he was afraid to put the phone back on its hook.

            Grissom looked up when he heard a knock on the door.  He froze for a moment but decided company would be a welcome distraction, whoever it was.  Opening the door a crack, he smiled.

            'Catherine.'

            'Yeah, who were you expecting?' she said as he stood aside allowing her entry.  'Place looks a little different.'

            Grissom smiled wryly.  'I haven't had time to straighten it up yet.'  He didn't resent the police after all they were only doing their job, but they had left his place in a bit of a mess.

            'I've been trying to get through to you for ages…'

            Grissom saw Catherine's eyes settle on something behind him.  Turning, he saw the phone with its receiver lying on the floor.

            '…And that would be why.'  Catherine finished and looked back at Grissom as if to ask why.

            He shrugged.  'Persistent caller, have a seat'  he invited but Catherine remained standing.

            'Who is it?' she demanded.  'Its not those journalists is it, because-'

            But whatever it was Grissom never discovered; Catherine stopped her rant when there was a series of sharp raps on the door.  Grissom hesitated.  He had a feeling he knew who it was and he wasn't sure he wanted to speak to them.

            'Aren't you going to answer that?'  Catherine was giving him a strange look and he supposed she had never seen him act like this before.

            'Maybe' he answered evasively but made no attempt to move.

            'Grissom!'   A familiar voice floated through the solid wood.  'I know you're in there!  We have to talk!'

            There was something new in Catherine's eyes now, something he hadn't seen for a long time.

            'Sara' she said and he was surprised to hear the ice in her voice.  'She's the persistent caller, isn't she?'

            All Grissom could do was nod.  They stood for a moment then Catherine strode over to the door.  She had her hand on the catch when Grissom pulled her back.

            'Leave it' he whispered urgently.  'She'll go soon.'

            Catherine looked surprised and he didn't blame her.  He led her away from the door and was amazed at how willingly she allowed herself to be drawn deeper into his house.

            'What did she want?'  Catherine asked when they stopped.

            'I have no idea.'  Grissom lied.

            'She's been acting very strange lately.'  Catherine said and continued when Grissom didn't comment.  'She thinks I hit you.'

            Shock caught Grissom.  'Why?'

            'How should I know, but she got her own back.'

            Grissom looked at Catherine, wondering what she could mean.  Then he saw it.  No wonder he had missed it before; the purple tinge on her cheekbone was nearly completely enveloped by the growing shadow around her eyes.

            'She did that to you?'  He only just managed to suppress the urge to reach out for her.  'But you didn't hit me, it was Anna.'

            'I know that and so do you, she doesn't.'

            'I should have said-'

            'It doesn't matter.'  Catherine cut in.  'Why did Anna hit you?'

            The question caught Grissom unprepared.  'She was in a temper and I guess I wasn't helping.'

            'So she struck out?'  Catherine looked troubled.

            Grissom nodded.  'She phoned the day before and we arranged to meet up.  It wasn't the first time.'  He paused.  'I didn't kill her, Catherine.'

            'I know u didn't'

            Grissom felt an immense rush of relief; a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders.  Would she ever realise just how much hearing her say that had meant to him?

            But Catherine didn't look at ease, in fact she looked quite the opposite and she began to pace in front of him.

            'You didn't kill her, but how can I prove it.  The evidence is all wrong there has to be something I've missed.  I can't let you go down!'

            'Catherine'  Grissom caught her and pulled her closer, stopping her movement.  He heard her sudden intake of breath and realised that all he had to do was lean forward.  But now wasn't the right time, he had to be professional.  'Catherine, you can't become emotionally involved.'

            She remained locked in his gaze for a while longer before exclaiming, 'That's it!'

            She slipped from his hold and bolted out of the room.  Grissom heard the front door slam and stood there with his arms held out.  Had he said something wrong?