So here's the next chapter. I'm just starting a week off work so hoping to get some more written/typed up and hopefully posted.

Some time later Catherine and Grissom were joined in the office by Warrick, Greg and Brass.
Sara entered just as Grissom was pinning the last picture to the board.
"What the hell?" From her initial glance there had to be over twenty pictures displayed; black and white candid shots of all of them ranging from Warrick coming out of a casino, Nick picking up his dry cleaning, Greg at his car, Catherine leaving her house and Grissom entering the lab.
"Sara shut the door."
She complied and took a seat on the couch next to Catherine. Brass stood.

"It's looking like the bomb and Nick's attack are connected. Someone is targetting you guys. Grissom received these pictures today, hand delivered. I've got Archie looking at he CCTV, he'll let me know when he finds something. I've also sent officers to all of your homes. There's going to be two officer's stationed outside Nick's hospital room until this is over."
He paused for a moment, watching the faces of his friends and colleagues before he dropped the final bomb.
"I've alread spoken to the Sherrif, he's insisting on protective custody for all of you until this is resolved."

As predicted, the room exploded. All the other occupants spoke at once, each voicin vehement oppositiong. Grissom, who had been just as blindsided by Brass' statement, objected loudly.
"We can't do that Jim. Who knows what this guy will do if we all go into hiding."
"So you'd rather another one of your team gets injured, or worse?"
Glancing round the room, for once Grissom had no answer.
"We're still nailing down the specifics but once your places have been cleared an officer will escort each of you home to pack some things. You'll all come back here before being transported to the safe house. I know moving you in one group is risky, but the fewer people who know about this the better."

The shouts lessened to murmers, each person digesting the information. Until a lone voice spoke out.
"I'm not going."
All eyes fixed on the strawberry blonde, Grissom the first to find his voice.
"No way Cath."
"I'm not leaving my mother and Lindsey to fend for themselves, especially as this psycho knows where I live. They come too or I stay at home."
Brass chose his next words carefully; he wasn't eager to incur the barely controlled wrath of the woman in front of him, even if she was injured.
"The Sherrif was specific. Only the people under imminent threat of harm are going to the safe house. That's the five of you."
"Then count me out." Brass tried to counter until Grissom moved, kneeling beside Catherine and effectively silencing the captain's rebuttal.
"Is there another way? A way you can come with us and keep Lily and Lindsey safe?"
His eyes bore into hers, conveying a message not meant for other ears. She held his gaze for what felt like an eternity for the observers. Eventually Catherine stood and crossed the room, heading for the door.
"Cath? Where are you going?"
She glanced back at Greg as she pulled the door open.
"To make a deal with the devil."
Then the door shut and she was gone.

Catherine took a deep breath as the car pulled up outside the Tangiers and Detective Vartann killed the engine. He'd met her in the lab parking lot, evidently following a lightening call from Brass amd insisted on accompanying her. She hadn't put up much of a fight; she was exhausted and suspected the cast on her left arm would hinder her ability to drive.
"You ok?"
She jumped at the sound of his voice in her right ear. She hadn't even noticed him get out of car let alone open her door. She brushed him off and slid out.
"Let's get this over with."

They walked inside and approached the front desk, Vartann trailing slightly behind. His eyes scanned the crowds of people milling around, alert to any potential threat. He didn't feel like facing Brass and the rest of Grave Shift if something happened to their friend on his watch; he was pretty sure he'd become intimately acquainted with Doc Robbins' slab.
The receptionist behind the desk looked up at Catherine's approach, the 100 watt smile faltering slightly as she took in the older woman's appearance.
"Can I help you?"
"Is Sam around? I need to speak with him."
The brunette barely managed to suppress an eyeroll. What was it with these people who thought they could just waltz in here and demand to see the owner?
"I'm afraid Mr Braun is very busy..."
"Call him please. Tell him Catherine needs to see him. It's urgent."
This time the woman did roll her eyes.
"Look ma'am, like I said, Mr Braun is a very busy man."
"Listen lady, in case you hadn't noticed I'm not having the best day. My patience is hanging by a thread so just pick up the damn phone and call him. Or I'll reach over and do it for you."

"Is everything ok here Suzanne?" The man in question appeared at the desk, shooting the brunette a glance before turning to Catherine, his eyes widening.
""Jesus Muggs, what the hell happened to you?"
"Sam. Can we go somewhere and talk?"
"Of course! Suzanne hold my calls, I don't want to be disturbed."
He led Catherine towards the bank of elevators, his eyebrows raising as Vartann followed them into an empty car.
"Who's this guy?"
A ghost of a smile flitted across her lips.
"My muscle."

Once they were inside Sam's office and the man had been sworn to secrecy, Catherine briefly outlines the situation. When she was finished Sam exhaled loudly.
"What do you need from me Muggs? Money? Somewhere to lay low?"
The strawberry blonde shook her head.
"The Sherrif has organised a safe house for the team." Her usual composure slipped for a moment but was quickly regained. "I need... I need you to take mom and Lindsey away from Vegas for a bit. Til this thing is sorted and I can come home."
Sam's eyes widened; Vartann too was taken aback.
"Muggs..."
"Please Sam. This guy knows where I live; it's too dangerous for them to be here. They can't come to the safe house and I won't be going anywhere unless I can guarantee they'll be ok."
Sam rose from behind his desk and moved to crouch beside Catherine's chair, daring to take her uninjured hand in his own and feeling surprised when she didn't pull away.
"I promise I won't let anything happen to them. My guys will protect them the same way they do me; with their lives."
She squeezed his hand almost imperceptibly and offered a grateful smile. "Thank you. I'll get them packed and have Vartann bring them here."
"They don't need to pack. Whatever they need I'll get them when we arrive."
"Sam? Thank you again." Against her better judgement she embraced him quickly before releasing him and heading to the elevator with Vartann at her heels. Only once they were inside and the doors were closed did the detective finally speak.
"So, Sam Braun?"
Catherine smiled slightly, rubbing idly at her cast.
"He slept with my mother."

Back at the lab Warrick's and Greg's houses had been cleared so Detective Sam Vega had taken them to collect their things, Sara had retreated to the locker room stating she needed some time to clear her head, which left Grissom and Brass alone in the office. Making sure the door was shut tight, Brass crossed to a chair by the desk and sat down, regarding the man opposite.
"What's on your mind Jim?" He didn't even glance up from whatever he was doing.
"Something's bugging me. The report from Archie say that the bomb was detonated remotely using a cell phone trigger right?"
Grissom merely nodded, eyes still down on the aforementioned report. "So here's the thing - how did he know when to make the call? How could he possibly predict just the right time to detonate it so that one or more of you guys would be in the firing line?"
Finally the other man raised his head, removing his spare glasses and fixing Brass with a measured look.
"You think he had help?"

The Captain nodded grimly.
"But that would mean that whoever his accompliss is..."
"Works at the lab, I know," Jim finished his friend's thought.
"How could someone we know and work with conspire to injur or kill Catherine and I?" For a man who didn't get angry often, Grissom could feel his blood boiling.
"I don't know. That's why I'm keeping the stalking and safe house location on a strict need to know basis. Only a handful of officers I trust implicitly know where you guys are going; not even the Sherrif has that information cause I picked the place. And I'm coming with you, that way I can be 100% certain you guys are safe."
"You're a great friend Jim."
"Yea well, the thought of having to break in a new grave shift team gives me an ulcer, I'm doing my health a service by keeping you guys alive."
Brass had never been more grateful for a ringing cell phone than he was at that moment; emotions weren't really his strong suit.
"Brass... Ok good... Yea we'll head over now then all meet back here. Thanks."
He disconnected the call and turned to Grissom.
"The rest of your houses have been cleared. Sofia already picked up Sara so I'm going to take you to get your stuff. If there's anything from your office you want to take, set it to one side so we can grab it and go when we get back."

There was a moments pause before Brass continued.
"Cath and Sara will kill you if you bring your tarantula. Get Hodges to feed it."
It took a few beats contemplation before Grissom responded.
"You're probably right. Let's go."

Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far, they're all appreciated

Lily
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