Mark and Sara had the day off and they spent the day at the music store getting equipment for their guitars, on the way back they are getting a bite to eat when Mark gets a text.

Sara asks, "Catherine?"

Mark replies, "Nick actually. He says he and Cath had a tough case and he's worried. Apparently she went home early and wants me to check on her."

Sara says, "Go ahead, I'll settle the bill. Let me know how Cath is."

Mark opens the door and sits his shopping bags on the floor. He hears a glass clink in the kitchen and heads that way.

Catherine is taking a sip of vodka and Mark asks, "Bad day?"

Catherine puts her glass down and refills it and replies, "You could say that. Where have you been?"

Mark says, "Sara and I went to the music store and then grabbed a bite to eat."

Catherine sighs and snaps, "Figures you were out with your little girlfriend."

Mark chuckles and responds, "Oh yeah me and my lesbian girlfriend, that's a real threat there."

Catherine says, "Every other man in my life has cheated on me, so why not you and your lesbian girlfriend."

Mark walks up to Catherine and takes her glass and sits it in the sink and says, "Ok let's talk about what's really bothering you. I don't know specifics but Nick texted me and said you guys had a tough case and he was worried about you because you went home early."

Catherine turns around to face Mark and asks, "Why do you want to be with me?"

Mark replies, "You're kidding right? I love you Catherine."

Catherine hops on the kitchen counter in a sitting position with tears running down her face says, "But I'm old."

Seeing Catherine's tears Mark grabs a tissue and wipes her eyes. Mark caresses Catherine's cheek and asks, "Why on earth do you think you're old?"

Catherine sniffles and says, "Look at me. I have some wrinkles here, gray hairs here, my chest used to be a lot higher, my stomach used to be a lot flatter and don't even get me started on stretch marks."

Mark responds, "You and the rest of the world. My stomach is nowhere near flat, shit hurts a lot more than it used too. We're getting older together dear."

Catherine laughs and says, "You're still a lot younger than me, and besides I love your little tummy." Catherine reaches down and pats Mark's stomach.

Mark shakes his head and says, "Well if you love my little tummy then I can love all of those things about you. I love you for who you are Catherine. I mean don't get me wrong you are drop dead gorgeous, but it's your good heart and personality I fell in love with not the color of your hair or the smoothness of your skin."

Catherine continues to sniffle and asks, "Why are you so sweet to me?"

Mark asks, "Why not?"

Catherine leans down and kisses Mark.

Mark asks, "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

Catherine replies, "Two women died because of faulty cosmetic procedures, the doctor we had to deal with was just a jackass the whole time with no remorse and he made me feel very uncomfortable like he was analyzing what procedures he thought I needed. The worst part was these two women thought they were too old and you know I started thinking and my insecurities got the best of me."

Mark embraces Catherine and while he's holding her says, "How about I have Linds go to your sisters and we spend a night together just us?"

Catherine pulls away from Mark and responds, "That sounds like a good idea."

Mark calls Nancy and makes arrangements for her to pick Lindsey up from school.

Mark also sends Sara a text.

Mark: Catherine is fine I will tell you the full story later. We are going to spend some alone time together. Lindsey is with Nancy. I know you were going to help Lindsey with her project maybe you should go to Nancy's and try to light that flame ;)

Sara: I will go help Linds but I don't know about that last part!

Mark grabs a bottle of wine and two glasses and takes them upstairs. Catherine is drawing them a bubble bath. Mark figured a night of talking and closeness would be just the thing for Catherine's insecurities. Mark likes that he is able to be the assuring one in their relationship for a change. He feels like Catherine is always being the voice of reason and while he doesn't mind that, he wants to feel that he and Catherine are 50/50 when it comes to their relationship. Most parts of their relationship is a 50/50 split but there are things like when it comes to insecurities and doubts have mostly been his and Catherine swooping in to save the day.

Mark walks into the bathroom to find Catherine lighting candles and soft music is playing in the background.

Catherine looks up to see Mark brought wine and says, "Look at you being all thoughtful and romantic."

Mark smiles and responds, "Only the best for my girl!"

Once they are settled in the bubble bath Mark wraps himself around Catherine from behind and she is leaning her back into his chest. Mark starts, "I don't ever want you to feel insecure when it comes to my feelings for you. I know I have had my doubts along the way that I wasn't enough for you especially during Eddie's case, but you kept all of my doubts at bay. I hope I can return that favor because as much as we split things in our relationship 50/50 I feel like this is the part I've been lacking in. It's been a one-way deal and I don't want that."

Catherine interrupts, "Babe you're great at being my equal don't ever doubt that."

Mark picks up where he left off, "I know you know that before you I hadn't had a relationship in quite some time and the one's I had prior to that were nothing like this. I told you when we met that moving to Vegas was a fresh start for me. I had so much negativity where I was I couldn't take it anymore and had to get out of there before it dragged me down to the point where I couldn't get back up. In a sense I came here to forget, even though I know I never will because if I forget I will lose part of who I am. But the point is you opened up something in me I didn't think could I be anymore. I left that part of myself behind a long time ago, I thought it was locked up like a vault but you had the key. The odd thing is and this is probably going to sound cliché, but I knew you were going to change my life from the minute we met. I wanted to have all those things with you that I had locked away from everyone, I can't remember ever having that kind of moment with anyone."

Catherine says, "You're going to make me cry, but in a good way."

Mark responds, "That's definitely not my intention dear."

Catherine leans up and kisses his cheek.

Mark speaks up, "The fact that you are in means you're in forever if you want to be. Just so you know, every bit of love left in this beat up, banged up, scarred up heart has been waiting on you. I'm certain of it."

Catherine responds, "I know better than to pick a fight for no reason with something I knew wasn't anywhere near true. I was just so upset and sometimes when I'm upset I just find something and fixate on it. Sara can tell you that for sure, before we were friends I took stuff out on her all the time."

Mark chuckles and responds, "You know both Sara and Nance have told me you can fight and be extremely stubborn. Sara even referred to it as the 'Wrath of Cath".

Catherine laughs and says, "Oh I'm going to kill her for that."

Marks says, "Leave me out of that one."

Catherine turns slightly to look up at Mark and says, "But seriously thank you for stopping me from starting a stupid fight over nothing but me being worried that you are going to leave me for someone else. I know you've never given me any reason to think that but between that doctor today and my own past, it all just kind of came crumbling down. You didn't let it though; Nancy was right, at Eddie's funeral she said you have a way with the women in our family since they all love you. This stable relationship business is kind of new to me too, I mean yeah Eddie and I were married and not all of it was bad but a lot of it was. We both need to learn that neither one of us are going anywhere anytime soon. I'm convinced this is how it's supposed to be, no other man has ever put up with my stubbornness before but somehow you knew just what to do today."

Mark kisses Catherine's temple and they relax in silence just being with each other.

At Nancy's …

Nancy just fed the kids and they are off doing their homework. Sara called and said she is dropping by because she is helping Linds with a project. Nancy decided it's now or never to see if Sara is interested. Nancy held dinner back for herself and Sara, she figures a little surprise date might be just the thing. Nancy is taking a sip of wine when the doorbell rings.

Nancy goes to answer the door and greets Sara, "Hey Sara come on it. The kids have already eaten but I figured you and could eat together and talk while Linds is finishing her other homework before you guys get started on her project."

Sara comes in the door and replies, "That sounds great Nance, thanks."

Nancy leads Sara into the kitchen and motions for her to have a seat. Nancy asks, "Sara would you line some wine?"

Sara replies, "Sure."

Nancy says, "Don't worry I made eggplant parmesan so you don't have to worry that I fixed you meat."

Sara laughs and responds, "You didn't have to fix something special just for me."

Nancy winks replies, "Sara you have to let yourself be spoiled every once in a while."

Nancy sits a plate for her and Sara down on the table, then she turns around to get Sara a wine glass and pours some wine in the glass. They eat together in a nervous silence for a while.

Being the first to break the ice Nancy says, "So there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about."

Sara asks, "What's that?"

Nancy says, "I think we should go out."

Just then Sara was taking a drink of her wine and starts choking out of surprise. Nancy gets up and rushes to Sara's side making sure she's ok.

Nancy says, "Oh Sar I'm so sorry I didn't mean to make you choke on your wine." Nancy starts wiping the wine off Sara's face and shirt and asks, "Are you ok?"

Sara still shocked but enjoying Nancy's touch responds with, "I am now."

Nancy smiles at Sara's response as they two of them gaze into each other's eyes. Sara is so happy Nancy felt something too and was able to say something. Nancy starts leaning in for a kiss but just then the kids start running down the hallway and into the kitchen breaking the tender moment up.

Lindsey says, "Sara!"

Nancy goes back to her seat as Sara and Lindsey start talking about Lindsey's project. Nancy starts clearing their plates so Sara and Lindsey have a place to work. All throughout Lindsey's project Sara and Nancy keep stealing glances.

Lindsey finally says, "I think that will do it Sara. Thank you so much for helping me."

Sara responds, "No problem short stuff."

Lindsey makes a face because she hates it when Sara calls her that but she hugs Sara and Aunt Nancy goodnight and goes to Jeremy's room to sleep.

Nancy says, "Let's go into the living room and talk on the couch."

Sara follows Nancy and once they are seated Sara says, "So you want to go out with me, that's a surprise."

Nancy nervously chuckles and says, "Yeah it's been on my mind for a while. Then the other night at dinner while Cath and I were doing dishes she called me out on it."

Sara interrupts nervously, "Wait Cath knows! She's going to kill me!"

Nancy responds, "Why on earth would Cath kill you?"

Sara replies, "I'm … I'm afraid she won't think … she won't think I'm good enough for you."

Nancy says, "Quite the opposite actually. She told me to go for it with you. She said she was waiting for me to move on from Alan and that you are one of the best people she knows."

Sara a little stunned says, "Wow that's not what I was expecting at all. I talked to Mark about it the other day and he told me to talk to Cath, he told me she would be fine with it. I guess since Cath and I always haven't had the best relationship I just assumed the worst."

Nancy smiles at Sara and says, "I bet I can wow you again."

Sara responds, "Oh yeah."

Nancy leans in and this time without interruption they kiss.

A/N: Catherine was upset because of the aftermath of what happened in Crow's Feet.

During the conversation between Mark and Catherine some of the conversation was taken from the Rascal Flatts song Yours If You Want It. "every bit of love left in this beat up, banged up, scarred up heart has been waiting on you."

Nancy and Sara have had an impromptu date, I wonder where it will go next?

This was the first chapter I didn't have written so hopefully I will come up with more for you guys soon. Thanks for reading so far!