Catherine comes out of Gil's office and looks at Mark and says, "I think that went well."

Mark nods and responds, "Yeah it went better than I expected it. Do you think we should tell the team now?"

Catherine says, "Everyone should be here except Greg and we can tell him later."

Mark says, "Alright." He takes Catherine's hand and they walk into the break room. Everyone is gathered around the table.

Catherine speaks up still holding Mark's hand and says, "Everyone Mark and I would like to tell you something."

Mark says, "Catherine and I met the night before I came to work here. She was in the bar of my hotel. We met, got to talking, and things progressed. I woke up several hours later to find that Catherine had left. I came to work and when I was getting introduced to you all was when Catherine and I met again."

Nick asks, "Does Gris know?"

Catherine responds, "Yeah that's were Mark and I just came from. He is off for at least the next week per department policy, but we decided how we feel about each other is pretty serious and we should come in and be upfront with everyone. Especially after last night's events we decided that no better time to be honest with everyone than now. Also before we started harboring this secret and adding more stress to our lives than be already needed."

Everybody says, "Congratulations!" And is hugging Catherine and Mark.

Grissom comes in and sees this and says, "I guess everyone knows the news now. Well not to disappoint you all but it's a slow night. So until further information comes in work on paperwork, back log in the lab, and anything else you need to finish up for ongoing cases."

Everyone gets up to find something to do. Grissom turns to Catherine and says, "You are still on Mark duty, what you told me does not change that. You two go somewhere and relax; I will call you if I need you to come in. With it being this slow though I'm sure you won't have to come in."

Catherine looking shocked says, "Thanks Gil."

Grissom walks out of the break room and heads toward his office.

Catherine says, "Would you like to leave?"

Mark says, "Let's head down to the AV lab and tell Archie." Mark takes Catherine's hand again and walks toward the AV lab to find Archie doing not much of anything.

Archie sees Mark and gets up to hug him and says, "So glad to see you are alright man."

Mark pokes, "Oh sure now you're just glad you'll still have back up when I'm back to work."

Archie laughs and says, "What's up?"

Mark says, "I didn't want you out of the loop but Catherine and I just told everyone, including Bossman, that we are dating."

Archie says, "Congrats! You two make a really nice couple."

Catherine asks, "Archie do you work Tuesday night?"

Archie responds, "No I'm off. What's up?"

Catherine smiles and says, "Well it turns out our Mark here used to be in a band. They are going to be playing Tuesday night."

Archie says, "Sure thing keep me posted."

Mark and Catherine are walking to the parking lot and Catherine says, "Linds just got back, Nance was going to let me pick her up in the morning but I think I'll go get her now. Want to join us for dinner?"

Mark looks at Catherine and says, "I would love to but Kerri and Elizabeth are only going to be here until Wednesday so I should probably spend some more time with them. Besides you and Lindsey probably need some mother daughter time. She'll see so much of me soon I'm sure she'll get sick of me."

Catherine leans up and kisses Mark as they part she says, "Do you want me to tell Linds about us or do you want to tell her together?"

Mark says, "Whatever you think is best. Do you think she would take it better one way or the other?"

Catherine shakes her head and replies, "No I don't think it will matter either way. We can just tell her together."

Mark says, "Alright then. I will see you later." They kiss one more time before parting ways.

Catherine gets out her phone and dials Nancy and says, "Hey Nance it's slow night mind if I come over and get Linds?"

Nancy says, "Not at all but don't think you're going to get away without telling me what's going on with Mark."

Catherine sighs and says, "Fine. I'll be there soon."

Catherine pulls into Nancy's driveway and walks up to the door and rings the bell.

Nancy answers the door and says, "Hey Cath. Come on into the kitchen. I made a pot of coffee. The kids are playing upstairs."

Catherine walks into Nancy's kitchen and sits down. Nancy hands her a mug and she takes it. Nancy sits down and as Catherine finishes her sip she says, "Ok spill."

Catherine starts, "Ok so the night before you picked up Linds I went to the Bellagio after work and had drinks. Mark not knowing who he is or that we will soon be working together sits down beside me and we start talking and drinking. It progressed throughout the night and I eventually went back to his room. We really clicked, it was weird, and I haven't clicked with anyone like that ever maybe. I remember at one point lying in his arms afterwards as he was sleeping and just thinking how safe I felt. Anyways a few hours later I got called into work and had to leave, I left a note for him. Needless to say a few hours later as everyone was coming on shift and we were gathering in the break room for assignments, Grissom comes and introduces Mark as the new employee."

Nancy interrupts, "You didn't meet him before in the interview process? I thought you were in all the interviews for the new position?"

Catherine says, "I was for all but Mark's. I was on vacation with Linds the week that happened. I had read his resume and choose that he was one of the finalists but didn't get to sit in on the actual interview."

Nancy laughs and says, "That's so weird that it ended up being Mark. Did you not discuss your job for once?"

Catherine nods and responds, "I had dealt with a particularly bad case that day. A girl around Lindsey's age had been abducted; it was one of those things I would rather forget, which is how I ended up at the bar in the first place. I originally asked Mark if he was on vacation because he had mentioned being from Ohio, and his response was that he was looking for new opportunities and a fresh start. Our conversation grew from there."

Nancy asks, "So how did you guys deal with being face to face in the work place?"

Catherine responds, "Well I was assigned to work a case with Grissom so I actually didn't see him much. Mark's lab in Ohio was very small he actually can do field work and computer forensics, so we hired him to do both. That first night he was in the AV lab with Archie. I went up to Mark after his introduction and told him we would talk later."

Nancy interjects, "And that's why he was there when I picked up Linds for Disneyland?"

Catherine says, "Yes once you guys left we discussed how we were going to handle it. We decided that since there was definitely more on the line now and we needed to take it slow and see where it went and then if it seemed serious we would tell Grissom. Tuesday night he took me out for our first official date, it was great he dropped me off at the end of the evening nothing happened. Wednesday he moved into his apartment. I helped along with his two best friends Kerri and Elizabeth they drove a U-Haul of his stuff all the way from Ohio."

Nancy says, "Wait Cath, his two best friends are women. Are you sure he's not having his cake and eating it too?"

Catherine laughs and says, "I'm sure. Kerri and Elizabeth are partners. Also Kerri is like a sister to him I think it would just be awkward for them to be together. Besides his Kerri is like my Warrick, just two opposite sex people who are in a very close relationship."

Nancy scoffs, "I'm still not sure nothing happened between you and Warrick and either way neither one of you are gay."

Catherine laughs and says, "So the only way men and women can be friends is if one or both of them are gay?"

Nancy laughs and replies, "I'm just saying in my experience sex always gets in the way at some point."

Catherine jokes, "Well maybe you're just a slut."

Nancy playfully smacks Catherine and says, "Anyways continue."

Catherine says, "After we had moved everything in Greg left, who also came over to help, and Kerri and Elizabeth went into the guest bedroom, Mark and I were sitting on the couch. He had his arms around me and I said that this felt really safe. After that Mark asked me to stay the night and we would just sleep. When Linds called Thursday morning I was in bed with Mark and that's why I wasn't willing to discuss anything with you at the time."

Nancy asks, "So are you guys still taking it slow or have you got together since the infamous first night?"

Catherine chuckles and says, "Well we kind of broke that rule Friday. We worked a case together and let me tell you his amazing resume doesn't do him justice for the way this man sees a crime scene. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before and it was sexy as hell. So after work we came back to my place, as Kerri and Elizabeth are still at his place, and it was unbelievable. Not only was it the sex, but I've never felt that connected to another person. I don't even know how to explain it."

Nancy says, "Nice I'm jealous. So have you told Grissom or the rest of the team yet, since you're obviously pretty serious about this it sounds?"

Catherine responds, "Yeah we met before shift and told Grissom, he and the team both wished us luck and said as long as it doesn't affect our work it's fine."

Nancy asks, "So how did you manage to get off early?"

Catherine says, "Well since the explosion yesterday Gil assigned me to be with Mark. Even though his injuries weren't that severe they are obviously still concerned about any emotional damage he may face, and since he doesn't really have anyone here at least after Kerri and Elizabeth leave Wednesday, he wanted me to be his support. After we told him Gil said it's a slow night and told everyone to catch up on their other cases and told me that I could be on call since my main assignment was still Mark."

Nancy asks, "So where's Mark now?"

Catherine explained, "Normally I wouldn't have left him but he said he's going to go spend more time with Kerri and Elizabeth before they leave. He also told me to enjoy some mother daughter time with Linds, since she would probably get sick of seeing him soon."

Nancy responds, "Ok I have to ask how old is this guy and does he have a brother?"

Catherine says, "He has a step-brother who he doesn't speak to that situation sounds like a mess. He's 32."

Nancy nods and says, "Well clearly these young guys are the way to go, and he has his shit together more than anyone I've ever dated."

Catherine and Nancy continue talking and laughing into the evening.