Disclaimer: I do not own anything relating to CSI or it's affiliates. I am merely a fan whose would like to take already established characters into a story of my own rendering.

Revelations: Catherine

Watching her daughter sleep, Catherine did all she could do to keep the tears from flowing. It was bad enough for Lindsey to have been a statistic. Just another kid of divorced parents.

But what made it worse was that her father was now dead.

Her mother was never home.

She must feel like an orphan. Catherine thought. Moving slowly and quietly, she kissed her daughter on the forehead and moved towards the door of the bedroom. Turning around one last time to gaze at her child, she couldn't help but wonder if Lindsey would understand someday.

Catherine closed the door behind her, said goodnight to her mother, then slumped into her SUV to head to work. Again. Possibly to pull another double.

Since she's moved to the swing shift, Catherine had had just enough time to pick Lindsey up from school, give her a snack, and maybe help with a little homework before she had to go to work. Plus, if she didn't have to work overtime, she was able to take her to school as well. But the latter rarely happened. Her climb to the top had cost her dearly.

She just hoped Lindsey would understand.

It was easy for everyone else. They didn't have kids or spouses or other family to take care of. Grissom's mother still lived in California. Besides, the man was so emotionally detached that it was no wonder he wasn't married. Although Catherine knew that Gil's heart was avaliable, he wouldn't part with it without knowing he could have everything he wanted. Job first, love second. Someone specialy would have to come along to understand. Someone had, but he wasn't sure he could balance. Poor fool.

Warrick's love of gambling had left him empty since he'd quit. And although he was a native of Las Vegas, most of his family had either moved away or had died. He did have friends and all the kids loved and respected him. He would make a good father. But he needed closure in his life first. Although Catherine couldn't pinpoint what it was, she knew something was holding the man back. She could help him.

After she helped herself.

Nick was a sweetheart with a love of life, women, and peace of mind. He was, perhaps, the most normal of all her coworkers. She was grateful to have been able to get him on the swing shift with herself and Warrick. But he lacked discipline and composure and often let the victim's families get in the way of being inpartial and only letting the evidence speak for itself. He would probably be the best of them all one day of he could master his emotions.

Sara was an enigma unto herself. So full of secrets and unwilling to let people get too close to her. Catherine had wanted to be a sister to her. But every time they get close, Sara pushes her away. She pushes everyone away. Something won't allow her to get close to anyone. If only she'd tell me. We have more in common than she realizes. She was a genius, but was so emotional one minute and another so detached. Her balance would make her a rival to Nick. And could possibly get Ecklie off her back.

Greg. Poor Greg. Grissom should have never let him in the field so soon. He just wasn't ready and the others on his team had to pick up the slack. He was a genius in the lab, but a lost puppy elsewhere. Lost puppy following Sara. Grissom would be jealous if he felt the kid was a threat. Catherine's only wish for Greg was that he would never lose himself as he because the great CSI that potential showed he could be.

Catherine pulled up to the lab with the feeling that tonight was going to be rough. Some would think that stripping was dangerous and unfeeling. Sometimes she longed for a hit. Just to take off the edge. She and Eddie had some great times and great sex while sniffing that little white powder. It was relaxing and invigorating. But not safe. Especially with Lindsey around. Catherine went to school and bettered herself. Eddie couldn't resist the fast life.

They divorced. Catherine had hoped that Lindsey would slow him down, but Eddie wasn't one to do anything for anyone unless it benefited himself in some way. His wild ways cost him everything, including his life. Not to mention he had almost taken Lindsey down with him. God, what would she have done if her baby had died that day? Catherine shuddered just thinking about it.

She couldn't trust anyone in her life. Except Lindsey. Not even Sam, whom she now knew also as Dad. He'd lied to her most of her life and it had taken her nearly losing her job with a DNA test to find the truth. But it was a bittersweet reward and she now had an even more powerful link to move up in the world.

No. Lindsey was alright. She was a good mom. She just made a few mistakes. A lot of mistakes. But her life as a supervisor was just the beginning of something good for her small family. She knew the game of politics thanks to Sam. Although few people knew about their true relationship, she would never use that connection to move her forward, even if the whole city knew. It didn't matter.

She would go as far as she wanted as long as it benefited her career and her family. All she needed was a good man at her side to be a partner and father. Then she'd have it all.

She just hoped Lindsey would understand.

End