A few hours later Mark is woken up by his cell phone going off, he reaches over and grabs his phone off the nightstand an answers, "Anderson."

"Mark, it's Brass. I had some guys sweeping the area near the scene where Eddie was shot, they found a .38 snub nose stashed in a dumpster a few blocks away. I'm sending this to the lab stat, I figured you'd want to come back in to test this ASAP.", says the voice on the other end of the phone.

Mark says, "Yes thanks, I'm on my way."

Catherine rolls over and asks, "Break in the case?"

Mark nods and replies, "Yeah Brass had some guys sweeping the area near the scene and they found a .38 snub nose stashed in a dumpster a few blocks away. Brass is sending it to the lab stat."

Catherine gives Mark a kiss and says, "Be careful out there and call me later."

Mark says, "You got it." Mark turns to leave and says, "I love you."

Catherine says, "I love you too."

At the lab …

Mark walks into the layout room and finds everyone there.

Sara says, "Ok now that everyone is here let's check out this gun." Sara tests the gun for GSR and finds out that it has been fired recently. She also swabs the barrel and it is positive for blood.

Gris says, "Ok we know that this gun was fired recently and it has blood on it. All good signs but nothing definitive yet. Get the blood to Wendy and take the gun to Bobby and let's see if we can tie this to the victims. I realize we still don't have a suspect yet but see if Bobby can track down registration. We have a long way before we can close this case but good work so far."

Grissom walks out and goes to his office.

Mark says, "I'd like to take the gun to Bobby if no one minds."

Everyone nods.

Sara gives Mark the gun and says, "Ok I'll take the blood to Wendy. Guys keep digging for a suspect."

Everyone files out of the layout room.

Mark walks into the Ballistics lab.

Bobby asks, "Hey is that the gun found a few blocks from the scene?"

Mark hands the gun to Bobby and replies, "Yeah Sara tested it for GSR and it was positive. She also found blood, which she is taking to Wendy. So this is ready for comparison with the slugs found in the two vics and hopefully we get a hit on registration."

Bobby takes the gun. He hands Mark some ear protection.

Bobby says, "Firing."

Bobby sets up the microscope and a few minutes later Bobby says, "We have a match. Bad news though this isn't a registered weapon. I'm sorry."

Mark says, "Hey it's ok Bobby. Hopefully this is enough."

As Mark turns to leave Bobby asks, "How's Catherine holding up?"

Mark turns around and replies, "She's doing ok. Lindsey … now that's another story."

Bobby nods and responds, "Ok well let me know if you need anything else."

A few hours later …

Everyone is seated around a table in the break room.

Grissom speaks up, "Ok so we know the male vic is Eddie Willows and the female vic is Jade Withers. Both shot at close range with this .38 snub nose. The .38 snub nose was positive for GSR. Also there was blood on the barrel of the gun belonging to Eddie. We know that Jade was one of Eddie's music clients. We however do not know who the suspect is, as the gun wasn't registered and the house was registered to a rental company, which we got a hold of and they said no one has rented the house in 6 months. The previous renter now lives in Florida so it's unlikely that they are involved."

Ecklie walks in and states, "Sounds to me like you have a case that's gone cold."

Grissom says, "Ecklie we need to fill some holes yes."

Ecklie says, "The undersheriff says we've spent enough time on this case as it is, you guys need to start writing up your reports now."

Grissom responds, "We aren't done with this investigation, Conrad. We need another day or two."

Ecklie retorts, "Grissom did you not hear me? This came down from the undersheriff, there's no negotiating."

Ecklie walks out.

Mark throws his folder across the room and yells, "Does that pompous ass not understand the magnitude of this case?! It involves one of our own we should be throwing all available resources at this!" Mark stands up and walks out of the break room.

Everyone looks at Sara.

Sara says, "I'll go after him."

Sara walks outside and finds Mark. She asks, "Hey you ok?"

Mark shakes his head and replies, "No I'm not. I have to figure out how to tell Catherine that the undersheriff doesn't want any more time or resources on this case. How can I look Lindsey in the eye knowing that I let her down? I have no idea who killed her father and I never will."

Sara doesn't say anything she just puts her hand on Mark's shoulder and stands there with him.

Back at Catherine's …

Lindsey asks, "Is Mark going to help find out what happened to Daddy?"

Catherine sighs and replies, "Mark and everyone else are trying real hard baby."

Lindsey asks, "Why aren't you helping?"

Catherine says, "Well everyone else wanted me to be right here with you."

A few hours later …

Catherine checks on Lindsey to make sure she is still sleeping. Lindsey tired herself out crying again. Catherine looks at her phone she's hoping it's a good sign that she hasn't heard from Mark. Catherine looks out her bedroom window and sees Mark's Jeep in the driveway and Mark sitting on the front steps. Catherine goes downstairs and opens the door and sits next to Mark.

Catherine asks, "How long have you been out here?"

Mark replies, "About an hour."

Trying to lighten the mood Catherine asks, "What's with your new thing of not coming in the house?"

Mark just looks straight ahead.

Catherine inquires, "What's wrong?"

Mark rubs his hands together and responds, "We were all pulled off of the case. The undersheriff said we'd spent more than enough time and resources on this case."

Catherine exhales and asks, "What about the gun Brass' guys found?"

Mark says, "It was positive for GSR. Eddie's blood was on the barrel. It also matched both slugs. But the gun wasn't registered to anyone and the house belonged to a rental company and no one was currently renting it."

Catherine says, "Well even if the undersheriff didn't pull the plug sounds like it was running cold."

Mark looks down at his feet and doesn't say a word.

Catherine puts her arm around Mark and says, "Hey it's not your fault. I've never seen you work so hard. Sometimes we can't solve a case no matter how much we want to."

Mark says, "This wasn't just any case though. I feel like I have failed you and Lindsey. I don't know if I can look her in the eye knowing I couldn't find Eddie's killer."

Catherine puts her finger under Mark's chin and turns his head towards her and says, "Hey it's ok. I don't blame you. This doesn't change anything between us. I love you Mark Anderson, you're stuck with me so you better get used to it." Catherine closes the gap between them and kisses Mark. She presses her forehead against Mark's and they sit on the front steps for a while just being with each other.

About an hour later Catherine says, "Come on let's go inside."

Mark gets up and follows Catherine into the house.

Catherine asks, "When was the last time you ate?"

Mark replies, "Honestly I have no idea."

Catherine says, "Come in the kitchen, I'm making us something to eat."

Mark leans against the counter as Catherine goes to work. She is making bacon and eggs.

Mark smiles and states, "You know I love bacon."

Catherine gives him a sideways glance and smiles and responds; "I figured a little comfort food would do you good."

A few minutes goes by and Catherine says, "So I was talking to Eddie's mother and since her place isn't that big, I was thinking of having everyone over here after the funeral."

Mark nods and responds, "I think that would be a really nice thing. I will help out however I can, I'm sure the team will too."

Just then there's a knock on the kitchen door. Mark goes to answer it and its Sara. Mark gives her a hug and then let's her in.

Sara says, "Hey Cath I just wanted to check up on you guys."

Catherine continues cooking and says, "Thanks Sar. Want some eggs?"

Sara says, "No. Thanks though, I was just on my way home and saw the kitchen light on."

Mark speaks up and says, "Catherine was just saying that she wants to have everyone over here after the funeral. I told her we'd help any way we can."

Sara nods and replies, "Yeah definitely. I'll talk to the guys. Tell Linds I said hi. See you later." Sara exits the kitchen door.

Mark sits down as Catherine is plating up the bacon and eggs. Catherine just put everything on one plate and sat it in the middle of the table as she takes a seat across from Mark.

Mark says, "This is really good. Thank you."

Catherine says, "You're more than welcome."

A few quiet minutes go by and Catherine quickly says, "So I've been thinking. I know it might seem soon but maybe you should move in here. I mean you spend most of your time here anyway. This way you aren't wasting money on rent and you know you'd be here."

Mark smiles and asks, "Miss Willows are you nervous?"

Catherine chuckles and says, "No. Yes. Maybe."

Mark says, "Well I am on a month to month lease. Would Lindsey be ok with it?"

Catherine says, "We will talk to her after the funeral, but it really wouldn't be much different that it is now. I don't see her having a problem with it."

Mark says, "You know months ago if someone would have told me when I got to Vegas I would have met the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and that not only would I be lucky enough to be in a relationship with her but that she would want me to move in with her I would have thought that they were lying."

Catherine blushes and leans forward and kisses Mark. When they separate she says, "You keep saying things like that and you are going to get very lucky."

Catherine puts the dishes in the sink grabs Mark's hand and says, "Let's get some much need rest love."

A/N: Has Eddie's case really gone cold? Maybe, but you know the CSI's never quit. Of course the Undersheriff is pulling the plug. What could that sneaky bastard be involved in? We shall see :)