Chapter Five- Let Me Tell You A Story

Thanks to KaydenceRei, LegaspiWeaver, Maggie Dolye, CharmedOneToo22, big-smiles-all-around, obsessedwithstabler, CocoCola1052, ginormoussvufan, KWillows, Isabel Jung, Callisto Insanity's Angel, soliz, and DrusillaBraun for their reviews!

Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing. Not even myself. Okay just kidding about that

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Slowly the group of law enforcement workers trickled out of the room. Everyone else breathed easier. The room had been silent since they came in because no one wanted to be arrested.

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Nick insisted on driving Alex home despite Olivia's protest. Finally Olivia had given in because she could see the way gazed at the CSI.

"Fine." She gave in.

Alex smiled and gave Olivia a hug. "I'll be fine." She said firmly, following Nick out.

He drove slowly and carefully, finally stopping a quaint looking house. He opened the door for her like perfect gentleman. They held hands and kissed as they made their way to the door.

Nick kissed Alex's neck as she fumbled with the keys to her house and let him in. She suddenly pulled away once they reached her living room. She didn't want to go any farther. She was scared that if she did fall for Nick, he wouldn't stay once he knew her past. He gazed at her.

"What's wrong?" he asked concerned laced in his voice.

"Nick let me tell you a story." she said softly not meeting his eyes and staring at her reflection in the window. He had to know and she had to tell him before she went any farther. She would save herself the hurt this time.

Nick eased himself onto the couch. "Sure." He said gently, watching her back as well as her reflection.

"There was an ADA once. She worked with Olivia and Elliot. She grew up in New York in a rich family, but she didn't go the way her family wanted her to. Her father was upset after she told him she was going to pursue the thankless job of a prosecutor. Her mother didn't mind and the girl flourished in the courtroom. She learned about herself and about the world and about the people she learned to love and trust."

Nick gazed at her and listened intently. He didn't make any noise, barely breathing. He could tell this story was important and held himself back from wrapping his arms around her.

Alex took a breath. "She learned the ins and outs of the job. Put some very bad people away for life. Then one day she came across a rapist, only to find he was a powerful drug lord. She didn't back down though. She put him away for life and got the death penalty. He had connections though. He put a price on her head."

At this point, Alex took another trembling breath, her voice breaking a little. She stopped for a minute. Nick didn't move. He stared at the back of her head and let her go on, afraid that she would stop, be scared that she would go on.

"She was shot one night in front of her best friend and she was pronounced dead. Only she wasn't. She survived, but the aftermath was so much more painful than the bullet."

Alex felt her eyes become wet with tears. She forced herself to continue. He needed to know everything about her before she would let him into her heart.

"She was shuffled into the WPP. She lost her job, her family, her friends, and her home. Her mother died while she was away and she couldn't go the funeral. She even lost herself. She wasn't the strong confident ADA anymore. She was a lonely girl who didn't know herself and couldn't let anyone know her either."

Nick got up and wrapped his arm around her waist. "What happened?" he asked quietly.

"She dealt with it. She never saw her would be killer's face, just his gun pointed at her heart, but she survived the shot and she survived the aftermath. She lost her life. She couldn't practice law. She couldn't call her friends whom she had depended on all their life. In time, she learned and adapted and then, she fell in love. A man in her new life, but he didn't know her. She knew him, but he didn't know her. He knew her by a different name, different background. She never heard him call her by her real name or hear her stories about her job. He didn't know her past and she couldn't tell him. He thought she was a different person. Her life was one big lie and she had to weave bigger lies to cover up the minor ones. The salvation came one night when she got a call. Her shooter had been arrested. A paid assassin with four homicides under his belt not counting her own. She decided on testifying against him."

Nick was rubbing her back, hurting at the sight of the tears falling out of her blue eyes.

"She testified against him. Pushed his buttons until he lost his temper in court. She used her skills as a prosecutor to trap him in his own words, giving her friend the prosecuting ADA everything she needed. He was found guilty on all charges, but it wasn't over for her. She and another witness were shuffled back into the WPP, where they stayed for another two years. Finally, when they found and locked up every single member of the drug lord's group. The woman got her life back. She was back in New York, back in law, back to everything she left behind. She was herself again with more experience and more lessons that she would have learned in a lifetime."

Alex broke down in tears. Nick rubbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. "What was her name?" he asked, knowing the answer.

"Alexandra Cabot." she whispered.

Nick could feel his own eyes misty. "Oh Alex that must have been hell." He said softly, pulling her into his arms. He couldn't imagine having to spend everyday of his life as someone else and have the one person you trusted and counted on, not even know his real name. He found the thought too painful to bear.

A door slammed and little feet came running down the stairs. A little boy around the age of nine peeked through the corner. Nick stared. The boy managed a shy wave before launching himself into Alex's arms.

"Oh and I have a son."

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Olivia was exhausted. Mentally and emotionally. She eased herself on to the couch of her apartment. She hadn't let Elliot take her home. She figured that he would want to be with Catherine; only thing was that Olivia hadn't seen hide or tail of the red head. Olivia sighed. Maybe it was time to move on. Grissom had been kind to her and had let her cry on his shoulder. They were in the same hole, maybe it was time to climb out of it.

She popped the cap of a beer. She closed her eyes but the only thing she could see were Elliot's blue eyes and she began to imagine the feel of Elliot's strong arms around her. She felt wetness in her eyes. She couldn't bear to see him tomorrow. How would she be able to work and concentrate on the case when she was reminded of her heartache the moment she laid eyes on him? She forced the thought from her mind. What happened tomorrow was not something she would have to worry today.

She took her beer to her room and lay down on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Olivia shifted her body to stare at the picture that was always on her bedside table, the one of her and Elliot in each other's arms at the park after winning a particularly difficult case. She never told Elliot that she fell asleep gazing at his face or that she has a picture of him hidden in the folds of her wallet. She never told him. She was afraid of losing the one thing she had left to hang onto.

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Catherine made her way into the morgue. She knew it was her day off and she didn't have to work, not to mention the time difference made night much earlier than she had anticipated. She saw another car pull up. Apparently someone else wanted to work late. A figure stepped out of the car. It was Melinda.

"Hey." Catherine greeted, tugging at the locked doors.

"Yeah you need a key?" Melinda was rather coldly. She wasn't fond of Catherine, mainly because of her story. She was in the profession for the money, not for much else. The girl was a former strip dancer. She probably was not the purest of hearts, especially for Grissom.

"Yeah I think I do." Catherine answered a little confused. Melinda was giving her negative vibes and Catherine couldn't figure out why. "I came to get a head start on the case."

Melinda let her in without another word. They both made their way to the autopsy room and glanced at the body lying between them. Catherine felt cold all over. This case was too familiar. She touched the still wet paint on the victim's hand, fighting back tears.

"I can't believe I'm here again." She murmured without meaning to open her mouth.

Melinda raised her eyebrows. "What do you mean?" she asked, a little curious.

"I was the one who took the case the first time he claimed a victim. I caught the copycat though. Not the real deal. I saw the copycat's execution. I was there." She said tightly. She silently added, and I cried.

Melinda was starting to see Catherine from a new perspective. "So you were the lead in the case of Charlene Daniels?' she asked a little surprised. She had always admired the CSI that led the case, but never thought it would be Catherine.

Catherine nodded. "I led the case and testified at his trial." She said lowering her eyes to gaze at the victim. "All I could think about when I met the girl's parents were 'what if that was my daughter?" She said softly.

Melinda understood exactly what she meant. "I know what you mean. I have a little girl too and every time I deal with a case with children, it's all I can think about."

Catherine was already examining the paint on the hand. "Isn't this the reason why we do what we do?" she asked.

Melinda nodded and watched as Catherine rubbed off some of the blue paint.

"Grissom and I have already determined that the paint has been mixed in a car oil base. It keeps it from drying. We've also figured out how the perp lures his victims. All we need now is to catch the guy and have some sort of lead." Catherine said, biting her lip.

"You guys can see the crime scene tomorrow. I think it would best to do it with everyone in the same place." Melinda answered.

Catherine nodded. "How do you deal with a demanding job and a child at the same time?' she asked suddenly.

Melinda drew a sharp breath. "I don't." she answered. "I just do the best I can to be there. My husband and I are on a rocky road right now."

"I know what you mean. Sometimes I wonder what husbands are for when they cause more problems than they solve."

"That's only if you marry the wrong person." Melinda comforted. "Why are a CSI anyway?" she asked suddenly. "I mean of all the things you could have been." Melinda needed to know. She knew Grissom was head over heels for this woman and Melinda wanted to know why.

"It gives me a high that no drug had ever given me." Catherine answered matter-of-factly.

Melinda raised her eyebrows and gave her a please-explain-because-I- think-I'm-taking-you-the-wrong-way look. Catherine let out a soft chuckle.

"I went go Vegas at eighteen. I needed money, badly, so I found a job stripping. I earned like two hundred dollars a night on tips alone. I used the money toward college and then medical school. Got married halfway through and had my daughter. My husband had a coke habit which I didn't know about, but back then, even if I didn't I don't think I would've cared. I got addicted too. Then one night I saw Lindsay nearly take some of Eddie's coke. I came clean and divorced him. Grissom got me a job and then I moved up in the ranks." She explained easily.

Melinda gaped at the woman. Her story was incredible. "Whoa." She said softly. "that's must've been tough."

Catherine shrugged. "You live you learn." She said.

"And I thought studying my ass off and being a nerd in school was bad." Melinda pointed out.

"Believe me, I wish I had been that smart." Catherine retorted.

"Let's get home." Melinda suddenly said, stifling a yawn.

Catherine let hers out. "Yeah. Lindsay's gonna want me home soon. I wonder how Greg is holding up."

"You can drop her off at my house tomorrow if you want. She and my daughter can play together." Melinda offered.

Catherine smiled. "That'll be great." She said. "I'll let Olivia know tomorrow." She grew stiff at the mention of the pretty detective's name. The image of her and Grissom in each other's arms still fresh on her mind.

The two hurried out of the morgue, both eager to get home.

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"Lindsay, would you please go to bed?" Greg begged the nine year old. "Pretty please?"

Lindsay was jumping on the bed. "Why?" she asked. "I'm not tired.

Greg groaned. It was past midnight. Catherine was going to kill him if she found Lindsay awake so late.

Greg you are very stupid. He said to himself. Why the hell did you give a nine year old candy before bed?

Lindsay was still hopping and jumping and screaming the lyrics to an Eminem song. Catherine was going to kill him for that too. Greg should not have ever given Lindsay the unrated CD to keep her quiet. There was a quiet knock on the door and Greg froze.

"O shit." He muttered afraid that it would be on the other side.

Lindsay screamed the words in return, forcing Greg to clap a hand over her mouth. He slowly answered the door. It was a very drunk Casey and a stumbling Warrick.

Greg caught Casey when she fell over. "Uh Warrick?" he asked a little confused.

Warrick smiled a little loopily. "Uh well I got tired so I thought maybe Catherine could take Casey home." He said a little woozy and stepping all over himself.

Greg helped Casey to the couch just as Lindsay came over to hug Warrick, knocking him over. Warrick groaned and collapsed on the floor.

"I am so glad they called a cab." Greg said slowly as Lindsay stared wide-eyed at Warrick.

He gave Warrick a hard poke on the side. He didn't move. Greg wasn't strong enough to carry him onto the couch. He turned to Casey, who was really out of it.

"Catherine?" she asked. "Nice to meet you."

Greg shook his head. "Uh…I'm Greg." He said nervously. She was damn good looking.

"Nice to meet you Egg." Casey slurred.

Greg gave up. "Uh will you be okay?" he asked.

Lindsay walked over and gave Casey a gentle slap on the head. Casey yelped and flopped onto her back on the couch. "Whoa she's really really drunk." The little girl pointed out.

Greg was at his wits end. "Lindsay bed now." He said firmly.

Lindsay pouted but ran quickly down the hall and into one of the two rooms of the condo, not wanting to be in trouble when her mother came home.

"Sit with me." Casey said sounding somber for the first time in the night.

Greg was a little scared of the ADA so he obeyed, sitting down beside her. She laid her head on his lap. "You must be Greg the guy that Olivia said was watching Catherine's kid."

Greg gulped and nodded. "Yeah that's me."

"I like a guy who likes children." She said softly, not a hint of being drunk.

"Yeah well, I'm not that great with them and I think you're drunk." He said.

Casey smiled. "Drunk enough to fool Warrick into taking me home, but not drunk enough to not know what's going on." She said with a twinkle in her eye.

"Wait, you tricked Warrick?" Greg asked in shock.

She laughed. "I wish I did, he's a sweet guy and I really like him, but it's too early to go home with anyone." She said firmly. "I have my morals."

Greg gaped. "I still think you're drunk."

Casey smiled. "Oh I am. I'm not denying that, but that I still know slightly what's going on."

They both paused, and then Casey burst out laughing. "I'm just kidding. I don't think I'm gonna remember anything tomorrow morning."

Then she leaned her head to one side of the couch and fell asleep. Greg stared at her. She was pretty. Her red hair was redder than Catherine's and fell in long locks over her face. Her green eyes were closed. He stared and couldn't stop staring.

"I hope Catherine doesn't mind." Greg said softly to himself, but he was exhausted from babysitting Lindsay all night and soon fell asleep beside Casey, unknowing cuddling up to her a little. She didn't stir.

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Catherine quickly slipped into the condo and nearly stepped on Warrick. What the hell? She though. The next thing she saw was Greg and the girl she recalled as Casey curled up on the couch. She made stared at them. Wasn't Casey just flirting with Warrick? She thought, but then rolled her eyes. It was none of her business. She eyed Warrick again, but decided to leave him on the floor. He was the one who had decided to fall asleep in the middle of her doorway. She walked briskly down the hall.

Her daughter was sitting up in bed as if she had been waiting.

"Mommy!" she cried.

Catherine put a finger to her lips as she sat down beside the nine year old. "Greg and Casey are sleeping." She paused. "Warrick too."

Lindsay suppressed a giggle, but then looked at her mother with big eyes. "Mommy can you stay with me tonight?" she asked softly.

Catherine's eyes softened at the sight of her little girl. "Yeah sure honey." She settled down beside Lindsay and pretty soon had her daughter asleep in her arms. Moments later, Catherine fell asleep as well.

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Elliot was tired. He was alone. He had watched Olivia slip out before he even got his coat. Catherine had left long before. He didn't know why though, but he could tell she had been upset. He wondered if it was because of him, but found that he didn't care as much as he should. His thoughts were on Olivia. Where did she go and then why did she left so quickly?

He laid down in the darkness on his queen sized bed. A bed for two but only housing one. It was more than depressing. He wished Olivia was with him, but things seemed to have gone cold between them lately. He had remembered the time when he had almost lost her. He hadn't confessed his love for her back then and he still couldn't do it now.

"Will you be there tomorrow, Olivia, and then everyday after that?" he asked the picture of him and her on his bedside table.

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Sorry this took so long to get up, but look at how long it is! I really hope you guys like it. I try to include as many characters as I can in each chapter but it's really hard so I'm trying my best. More EO soon, they might confess soon. GASP….or maybe I'll make you wait for it. MUAHAHHAAHA I'm okay.