Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Chapter Ten

The Wedding

Part 1

Warrick had never seen Nick so agitated as he was now. His constant pacing in front of the standing mirror was beginning to make him seasick.

As if reading his mind, Nick suddenly stopped walking and took to adjusting his tie for the 10th time in 5 minutes.

He couldn't stop thinking of all the bad things that could happen to him. He knew he loved Sara, and was absolutely certain that she loved him back; he just knew that something would happen today. Even though he knew something would happen he wasn't sure if it would be good or bad and it was this uncertainty that was spurring his present nervousness. He couldn't shake the feeling that something had happened between Catherine and Grissom. One minute they were standing together in the break room and the next they had disappeared and no one knew where they were. He just hoped Catherine hadn't disappeared again. He needed her there. When they had received the decline to their invitation both he and Sara were disappointed but they thought they would be OK without her there, but seeing her again had made him realise that he would really miss her if she weren't there. Not to mention what Grissom would be like if she left again. He was supposed to walk Sara down the aisle, but Nick was sure that he wouldn't turn up at all after seeing Cath again. He remembered what it was like after she left over 2 years ago.

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He walked into the CSI building and was suddenly hit with a change in the atmosphere. He knew he was a little later than usual, but usually it didn't matter. This time though he could feel that something was different, something was missing. Mentally shaking it off, he headed to the locker room. Upon entering he found it empty, shrugging off his jacket he unlocked his locker. Opening the door, a slip of white caught his eye as it feel to the ground. Hanging up his jacket and closing the door he bent to pick up the envelope from the floor. Turning it over he found his name written on the front. He recognised the handwriting but couldn't place it. Turning it over he slipped his finger beneath the flap and pulled out a folded slip of cream paper. His curiosity growing each second, he unfolded the paper and found the page filled with writing in the same hand as on the envelope. A subtle scent came from the page. One he recognised as Catherine's, and he instantly placed the handwriting to her as well. Now feeling more scared than anxious he began to read what she had written, the knot in his stomach raising with every word.

Dear Nick,

I know that as you read this you're probably sitting on the bench in the locker room, late again, and I just want to say that I wish I could be sitting there with you, telling you this in person, but I can't, so I'll write it instead.

I've watched you grow from that bright eager young man you were, to the intelligent, witty man you are now, and I'm privileged to have seen that. You take such pride and conviction in your work, and that is something many people lack. But even without your work you are a fabulous man and I know that you will make some girl really happy one day. I know a certain stubborn woman not too far away that regularly sends you glances when she thinks no ones looking.

These past months have been the hardest of my life for me and you and the others helped me through it as best you could but this is something I have to work through alone.

I know in the next months you're going to hate me but I need you to know that no matter what happens you will always be one of the closest friends I have and I will miss you so much more than you will me.

Love always,

Catherine W

As he reached the end of the letter and saw her signature he couldn't help the tears that began to flow down his cheeks. She hadn't said goodbye, but he knew that that was the message behind the letter. He sat on the bench for a while longer, the tears slowing but the knot in his stomach moving to his heart. As her words sunk in he realised that by now she would be long gone, and there was no way for him to make her stay, or at least say goodbye to her. All he had was the letter. As his tears stopped he summoned all his strength to reign in his emotions. He set his face in a blank expression, and headed out to the break room to see if the others knew about this.

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When he had found them all huddled in the break room he instantly knew that they had heard the news themselves. Though they had told each other that they had each received a letter from Catherine, they never shared the contents of the letters; instead they kept her words secret. When Grissom had entered the break room an hour later, eyes red and an expressionless look to him no one mentioned the letters nor Cath's absence as the assignments were handed out and they each went on with the job.

Nick's hands had once again found their way to his tie and it wasn't until they were snatched away that he remembered Warrick was in the room.

Warrick had watched Nick as he fell silent and still, his reflection in the mirror told him that he was lost in thought and he had a good idea where his thoughts were.

His kept drifting to the same place. Catherine's letters.

He could still recall what he felt and what he read as if it were only yesterday.

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He had come rushing into the building, an hour early hoping to catch a word with Catherine before shift started and everyone else arrived.

He wanted to talk to her about his new girlfriend and try to cheer her up as he had noticed how down she had looked recently.

Racing into the Locker room he expected to find her in front of her locker applying her last minute makeup or just staring into space as she had been a lot lately. He didn't expect the room to be empty. Taking off his jacket and opening his locker he tried to think of where she would be. He almost missed the small envelope lying on the shelf. Picking it up he recognised Catherine's handwriting and was filled with dread. He knew what was coming, but he hoped it was just a letter of thanks or and invitation. Opening and unfolding the letter he paused only to sit on the bench, before reading it. The words flew into his mind as if she were speaking them to him.

Dear Warrick,

You probably already know what this letter is for. You always seem to know what I'm thinking and what you can do to help, and I would love to be able to let you help me with this, but it's something that I need to get through myself.

You are one of two people that know me the most, and I thank you for taking the time to do that. I know that I can trust you to take over from me as not only second in command, but by looking out for everyone else there, especially Greg, don't let him get into too much trouble.

You are an incredibly sensitive and sweet man and I only hope that you find someone who can see that. I will never forget how much of a comfort you were to me after my attack, and I will always remember how much of a friend you have always been.

I think of everyone you will understand my decision most, but I also know that you will be angry with me, and I accept that. I am angry with myself too but this is something I must do, and I hope that one day you will understand why this had to happen and know that I will miss you so much.

Love always,

Catherine W

He sat in the same position looking at the letter until he heard someone open the door behind him. He shook himself alert again and stood in front of his still open locker. He couldn't believe she was gone, but more than that, he couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it earlier. Now he could see the regretful looks she kept sending people the last few days. He hadn't taken any notice at the time and had accepted her excuses of sickness for the lack of spark in her step. He couldn't help think that if he had paid attention sooner he may have been able to help her. But then he remembered something she had written, she needed to get through this herself. Maybe there really wasn't anything he could have done.

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He was brought back from the memory by the movement of Nick's hand as he began fiddling with his tie again. He moved over to him and pulled Nick's hands away, to rest at his sides. The contact seemed to break Nick from his trance and both men looked at each other with knowing and understanding. Warrick patted Nick on the shoulder for encouragement and a smile grew on his face. Just as Nick was about to thank Warrick, the door burst open and a flustered Greg barged through it.

A/N: Sorry this took so long, i started writing it and the chapter was becoming really really long so i figured it was best to break it up into parts. The next part is already done but i will upload that in a couple of days. Again sorry for the delay. Please review.

- Linds -