Here's a look back at the relationship in it's infancy
Disclaimer: I still don't own the CSI crew, CBS does.
Review's are appreciated

It came after the Mather's case was reopened and all the personal hell she had to go through after he was finally executed. She came home afterwards in a complete haze, not feeling bad for the good job that she had done but surprisingly feeling that Mather's death was too peaceful, too easy compared to the hell and the terror those women had faced. She came home with these feelings wondering if she was getting too hard. He had called her that night, knowing that the execution was going to do a number on her no matter what façade she put up. He ended up over at her house with dinner and they ate in relative silence; after dinner he sat her on the couch lit a few candles and washed the dishes. After he was done he cracked open two cold beers and he put the movie on, 'Signs should be a good engrossing movie, take her mind off all this' he thought when he had picked it out. Before the menu even popped up she turned to him and whispered, "Do you think that we all get cold and hard after all that we have seen?"

He turned to her, setting his bottle on the coffee table and ran his fingers through his hair, and said quietly, "Not if you don't let yourself, you have to feel emotion for these people… both the victims and the perpetrators it keeps us on our toes, hell it keeps us human."

" I just feel like Mather's and the other perps get it too good sometimes, I just want to bring back outlaw justice, you know stone 'em, tie 'em to a stake out in the dessert for the vultures… I feel as if I am getting twisted after all these years… after seeing all the innocent faces of the victims cold and bloodied, and the perps there in there nice jumpsuits eating three square meals…" Her voice trailed off and she tilted her head back and drained part of her beer closing her eyes, deep in thought.

Nick scooted closer to her on the couch, their legs touching, he took her free hand that was draped over the back of the couch in his left hand and rubbed the knuckles with his thumb. She didn't resist his touch, he began quietly, "Cath you are a woman who is very analytical and logical but you are also passionate and emotional. Those feelings compliment each other when they are in balance. Make you a damn good investigator and wonderful empathetic woman."

He picked up his beer and took a couple of long swallows and placed it back on the table, he continued in a lighter tone, "Now when you start putting bamboo skewers under the nails of suspects and keying the cars of co-workers that don't agree with you, then I'm afraid I'll have to reel you in." Nick said with a small smile and was rewarded with a small smile from Catherine.

Nick's smile, his soft touch and easy conversation began to ease the tension in her body and mind. The beer didn't hurt either. She sighed and downed the last of her beer and sat the empty bottle on the table. Catherine turned to Nick and smiled a small smile taking their joined hands and placing them against her face, "Thanks for listening, I really appreciate it."

Nick nodded and winked at her with a quiet, "Anytime."

Catherine stood and grabbed her bottle off the table and asked Nick, "Want to have another, I sure do." Nick drained what was left and handed the empty bottle to her.

"Please, that'd be great."

As Nick turned to watch Catherine toss the empties in the trash and the familiar 'snick,snick' of two bottles opening, he began to admire the way she moved, her graceful walk and gorgeous body. He groaned inwardly and turned back to face the TV. When she called from the kitchen, "Hey Nick… how about that movie." He smiled and thought 'Well at least she is not throwing me out yet…which is good …I wish I was over here under different circumstances …maybe we…" he was brought out of his thoughts by Catherine's voice.

"Nick… Nick…. hey space cadet."

He shook his head, "Yea, sorry….. Ohh movie." He picked up her remote and hit play.

To Nick's dismay, Catherine sat at the other end of the couch when she came back and handed him his beer. He nodded and smiled as his hand brushed against hers for a wisp of a moment causing her to smile and conveniently corral some unruly hair behind her ear.

They sat back to watch the movie Nick was surprised when Catherine placed her well manicured feet into his lap and laid her head back on the arm of the couch. Nick smiled took a several long drinks from his beer then, leaned forward and sat it on the table. It was then that he commented on her toes

"Red is nice on you."

She smiled and rested her beer on her breastbone and commented, "Thanks… pedicures are one of my few vices."

Nick nodded and picked up her feet and twisted so he was sitting against the other arm eliciting a curious glare from Catherine. He then picked up her left foot and began to massage it slowly from heel to toes, eliciting a moan from Catherine. Nick smiled a broad smile and continued his work occasionally stealing a glance over to Catherine but attempting to watch the movie. Soon she placed the empty bottle on the table and placed her hands over her chest interlocking her fingers and closed her eyes with a small smile on her face. Nick continued his menstruations and watched the movie until he realized she was really quiet and noticed that she had fallen asleep, her face slack and breathing slow, he shut off the TV and DVD player. He knew it was late and he needed to get home for work tomorrow, so he moved her feet and stood picked up the discarded beers and placed them quietly in the trash. He walked back to the couch, bent down and lifted her into his arms careful not to wake her. He carried her upstairs to the master bedroom and softly laid her down. He pulled a throw on the end of the bed up over her and pushed some unruly hair out of her face. 'God she's beautiful and I care for her so much it hurts to keep up a professional facade' he thought. As he was about to exit the room a quiet murmur was heard from the bed.

"Nick… you still here…what happened?"

Nick walked over to her bed and knelt down, "Hey…yea I was just getting ready to leave… I figured I'd let you sleep comfortably in your bed not with the kink you'd get from the couch."

Catherine's eyes opened fully though clouded with sleep she whispered, "It's late why don't you stay, I'll make sure you get up in time to go home before work."

"Nah, I'll be fine." He said in contradiction to what his heart was telling him.

"Please, I'd feel better, you've had a couple drinks too."

His heart sped up at the thought of sleeping at her house, with her just a few feet away. He smiled a slight smile nodded. "I'll be on the couch, thanks."

As he began to stand she grabbed his hand and their eyes met, Nick saw clarity and certainty in her eyes as well as something else he couldn't place his finger on. In the smallest whisper she said, "Please stay here."

Nick momentarily debated with himself about this, he was attracted to her, and cared for her deeply, and maybe she felt the same but, he didn't want to push anything in light of her feelings this evening. When he heard another whisper, slightly more desperate.

"Please."

He didn't need to debate anymore, he didn't respond he just pushed some hair behind her ear and smiled. He stood and toed off his boots and placed them to the right of the door and closed the bedroom door. Her back was to him as he sat on the opposite side of the bed. He untucked his t-shirt and lay down on his back and slipped under the light throw. He stared up at the ceiling momentarily, then rolled over to face her back and stroked his hand softly down her arm and whispered, "Night Cath."

Before he could remove his hand she lifted her left hand and took his in hers and tugged softly. He followed her lead and spooned up close to her. She released his hand at her waist and placed her hand under her head. He was content and excited all in the same moment having her this close to him. He knew from this moment on that there relationship had made a turn for the more personal. He calmed his emotions and allowed days of fatigue overcome him and drifted to sleep.

Next Chapter: It heats up at the Willows residence... I promise!