PART FOUR: Kiss This Town Goodbye

August 2008.

She was packing her things, even what her mother would tell her she didn't need. She was packing everything she thought she would need. But special, she was packing things that would remind her of Las Vegas - her Las Vegas. The first picture she had taken with Lindsey, the pillow her mom had given her on her birthday, the first ticket to a show her grandmother took her to, the necklace her grandfather had given her. And pictures. Pictures of her with Grissom, Sara, Sanders, Nick and Warrick. Her family. She took a deep breathe at the sight of Warrick Brown. She couldn't help but having tears in her eyes - she could hardly believe he was gone. Gone. And he will never come back.

Catherine took the day off so she could have one last day with her daughters. Her daughters. She dreamed of this moment, she feared of the day she had to kiss one of her girls goodbye. And now that moment had arrived. Grace was finishing packing. And she, well she was trying not cry. She drove themselves to the airport. Grace gave the biggest hug to her mother, her grandmother and her sister. She was going to miss seeing her girls every day. She was going to miss midnight movie sessions and popcorn battles with Lindsey. She was even going to miss the fights with her mom (or grandma). But she was ready. She was ready to kiss this town goodbye.

August 2010.

She was packing her things, even what her mother would tell her she didn't need. She was packing everything she thought she would need. But specially, she was packing things that would remind her of Las Vegas - her Las Vegas. A picture of her with Grace, the necklace her father had given to her when she was six, the ring that once belonged to her grandmother and a photo of her with her mother. Pictures. Memories of a life in Sin City, her city.

Just like two years ago Catherine took the day off so she could have one last day with her youngest daughter. She dreamed of this moment, she feared of the day she had to kiss her baby girl goodbye. And now that moment had arrived. Lindsey was finishing packing. And she, well she was trying not cry. She drove themselves to the airport. Lindsey gave the biggest hug to two of the most important women in her life. She was going to miss midnight movie sessions with her grandmother. She was even going to miss the fights with her mom. But she was ready. She was ready to kiss this town goodbye.

Catherine Willows was gathering her things to leave when someone knocked at her door. Yes, came in. She replied as in command.

"The report. I brought you a copy" - he said as he put the file case on her table. "Are you okay?" he asked when the only thing he got from her was silence.

Catherine Willows was lost, lost on her own thoughts. She was starring at the picture frame on her desk. It was one of her with her daughters. And all of suddenly it hit her. She wasn't just alone, she could handle being alone. She had managed that for most of her life. But feeling lonely in an empty house that once was full of laughters that was what hurt the most. She was lonely.

"Are you okay? Catherine?" - she looked up at the sound of her name. She noticed his eyes, a mix of green and grey. She had never noticed how beautiful his eyes were. She had notice how elegant he was. She wouldn't deny she felt attraction. A woman must be blind to not feel attractive to him. Or play for the other team. But despite that she had never really looked into his eyes.

"Do you wanna go out for a drink?" she asked abruptly. She had not even noticed she had said those words. Caught by surprise he didn't reply. "I mean if you don't have another plans".

"Yeah, I mean, sounds good to me." he finally found his voice. Was he dreaming? Or had Catherine Willows just asked him out? He saw the smile that was now on her face and no, he wasn't dreaming. He couldn't help but smile. He had always wondered if she'd ever said yes. But that thought would quickly go away, a woman like her would have someone at home. A man must be blind to not be attracted to the strawberry blonde. Or play for the other team.

"Are you coming?" she asked as she stood near the door waiting for him.

"Yes." he said as he woke up from his daydream. "Where are we going?" he asked while closing the door behind him.

"What about that new bar near the Palermo, Detective?" she asked as they walked down the hall.

"As long as you call me Lou."