Disclaimer: I own NOTHING. Not CSI, Not the lyrics. NOTHING. Did you get that?

A/N: This chap MAY contain a little bit of CG, I'm still undecided. But it will have lyrics from Theresa Andersson's song "Don't Disturb".

Awesomepossum edited, has she, as like Yoda speak she. Apparently.

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Catherine stood in the bathroom a few days later. She shed her clothes and looked at herself in the mirror. She didn't look like herself. Over the past few weeks, she had barely eaten anything. She had lain awake at night, because whenever she fell asleep, those eyes, his eyes, haunted her dreams.

Today

I don't feel like doing anything

I don't answer when the phone rings

And I don't wanna be disturbed

Catherine stared at her body. Her skin had taken on an almost grey tone, there were puffy bags under her eyes, and her hair was lank and dull. She was barely a shade of the beautiful, strong woman she usually was. She leaned in and blew on the mirror, her hot breath causing it to fog up. She lifted a finger and wrote on the fog. S-L-U-T. The phone rang in the distance. She didn't pick it up. She heard the beep that meant someone was leaving a message. She waited for them to finish. She put on her robe and entered her message code. She heard a familiar voice.

"Catherine? Um… Hi. It's Gil. Uh…Grissom. I wanted to know how you're doing. I guess you're still asleep. I wanted to let you know that we all love you just the way you are. Don't do anything you'll regret later. I hope you're okay. Please come back to us. We miss you. Please Catherine. Call me back. We all want to speak to you. Bye Cath. We love you."

Right now

I don't have a lot of energy

And I don't want your sympathy

All I need is the truth you overheard.

Catherine listened to Grissom's message five times. When he said "we love you," it sounded a lot like "I love you". She knew she couldn't hide from this forever. But at the same time, she felt bad. Grissom never showed any emotion, but in that message, she could have sworn she heard something there. Something she wasn't sure what to think of.

You're lost

And tied up in the make-believe

I get caught up in the web you weave

But I don't wanna say it's your fault.

She stood up and went back into the bathroom. She let her robe fall from her shoulders and stepped into her shower. She turned the water up until it was almost burning her. She started to wash herself, rubbing with the sponge until her skin was almost raw. Even though it had been many years before, she needed to get the feeling off her body, out of her hair, out of her mind. She closed her eyes and stood in the stream of water. Her mind went blank; she stood there for what felt like years, just letting the water wash away all the bad memories.

Catherine got out of the shower and dried herself off. She sat on the edge of the bathtub and thought about Grissom's message. She walked into her living room and picked up the phone, and listened to the message twice more before picking up the phone and dialling.

"Hello, you've reached the home of Gilbert Grissom. I'm unavailable at the moment, but please leave a brief message and I will return your call at my earliest possible convenience."

Catherine almost laughed. Typical Grissom, he had used the instructions that came with the machine. The message wasn't personal, it was just… Grissom.

"Hey Gil, it's Catherine. I got your message… I just wanted to say thank you. See you at work. I wouldn't miss it for the world. We… we love you too."

Catherine's voice cracked as she finished the message. She hung up the phone and lay down on her couch.

Right now

All the cards are on the table

If I'm willing are you able

To be honest once and for all

With me?

Several hours later, Catherine pulled into the lab parking lot. She walked in through the doors. Inside, she noticed people staring at her as she walked through the halls.

"This is like high school," Catherine thought to herself. "Gossip travels really quickly."

She turned a corner, and since she hadn't been looking where she was going, she bumped into Ecklie. He muttered an apology, surprisingly, and blustered by, not making eye contact. She was surprised, he had been really uncomfortable. It was almost amusing.

She walked the familiar route to get her assignment; she assumed she would be continuing her work on the case from before. But she knew better than to make assumptions, this was Vegas… anything could happen.

Catherine looked at her watch and quickened her pace; she was late. She sped up to a jog. Grissom hated lateness. She rounded the corner into the break room where the rest of the team was gathered around the table, deep in conversation. The room went totally silent as she entered.

"No hellos? Okay, I'll start. Hi Catherine, how are you doing? Good? Well, we're glad you're feeling better." Catherine smiled. "Now, would that have been so hard?"

Her questions were met with more silence.

"Okay, I give up. What's with you guys today?" Catherine was beginning to become worried. The team never acted this awkward around her.

Sara spoke first. "Sorry Cath. It's just good to see you up and running again. After what happened, we were really worried. We missed you."

Nick spoke next. "You know, everyone has had problems in their lives, but you had an awful experience. We were worried that you were having trouble dealing." He stood and enveloped her in a hug. "I'm glad… We're all glad, that you're okay."

Warrick stood up and replaced Nick as he pulled away from Catherine.

"We really want to make sure you're okay," his deep voice rumbled. "You went through a lot."

Soon, the whole team was in a big clump in the middle of the room, taking turns hugging Catherine and paying their condolences. Catherine was touched that they would be so worried about her.

Grissom walked to the break room. He knew he was late, but he had been listening to Catherine's message and interpreting it, and every meaning he could derive from it. He hoped she meant what he thought she did. He walked into the room and was greeted with an odd sight. Sara, Warrick, Greg and Nick were in a big group hug.

"What's going on here?" he inquired, incredulously.

"Oh, hey Griss," Warrick said, "we were telling Catherine here how much we missed her." The group parted to reveal a haggard looking Catherine.

"Hi, Gil. How are you doing?" Catherine turned as red as her hair. Grissom smiled.

"I'm doing well. Let's get down to business, shall we?" He smirked.

They all sat down around the table. Grissom smiled and started to speak.

"Tonight, we welcome back one of our own. Catherine Willows here has been off for a few days. By now, you all know why, and I don't feel the need to explain it any further. I'm sure we all understand personal boundaries and the need to respect them, so I don't expect any problems."

Catherine let out a sigh. Grissom continued.

"The other week, a case brought some unwanted memories to the surface for Catherine, and so emotions were raw. She would probably, knowing Catherine, have let it all pass had it not been for Lindsey's suspicions which were brought to my attention. For that, I am very thankful. Lindsey was smart enough to realise that there was something her mother was hiding.

"She did the right thing. When I found out that Lindsey's fears were correct, I was very worried about Catherine. She was forced to confront feelings she had buried deep inside her. I was scared that she might do something to herself. But thankfully, I was wrong."

He smiled and looked at the team. "Yes, I'm admitting it, I was wrong. Catherine is a strong woman. She dealt with those feelings, and now she's back with us, stronger than ever. Welcome back, Catherine." He began to clap. The whole team soon joined in the applause. Catherine blushed deep scarlet. Grissom signalled for the applause to end and smiled at her. She stood up and hugged him.

Grissom leaned into her ear and whispered, "We love you Catherine."

Catherine pulled away, gave him a grin, "I… We love you too."

Today

I don't feel like doing anything

I don't answer when the phone rings

And I don't wanna be disturbed.

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A/N: Like it? I like this one. Awesomepossum adds: me too! Should this be the end? Or should I explore this? R&R, your reviews will determine what happens next!