As she drove to Sam's hotel, she allowed herself to think back on the prior events of the night.

***Earlier that night***

When the call first came in that an officer was missing, Catherine was, of course, concerned. Then when she learned of the address, she started to worry. That was the same address that she'd given to Warrick and Nick. When she learned that it was Nick who was missing, she thought she was going to pass out.

It couldn't be Nick. Not her Nick. It had to be a sick and cruel joke. However, one look at Grissom's face and Catherine knew that it wasn't a joke. So, she swallowed whatever fear she had inside. She knew that Nicky needed her at her best.

When the arrived at the crime scene, the first thing they saw was Brass. He was questioning the police officer that was supposed to be watching Nick. Obviously, he hadn't done his job. Otherwise, Nick wouldn't have been missing. She knew that he wasn't to blame.

Walking closer and seeing Nick's vest on the ground was it's own kind of hell. She felt like someone had punched her in the stomach. She had to keep from collapsing onto the ground and crying. Instead, she knelt to see if there was any evidence on it. She noticed a white fiber. Which she collected and put into a baggie.

After that, there was not one single damn clue that would lead them any closer to Nicky. It was as if he'd simply vanished.

They didn't have a single clue. Until the courier came. Then the courier came and the city said that they didn't negotiate with terrorists. Screw them. She was going to get the money one way or the other. Especially after seeing her inlaws in such pain.

***Present Time***

She walked into the lobby of the Wynn Casino. It felt almost surreal. The last time she'd been here hadn't been under the best of circumstances. So, she sighed and walked with a determined gait over to where Sam sat with some of his friends.

Her nerves were already stretched paper thin, so when the woman that was sitting with them gave her some lip. It was all she could do to keep from decking her. Instead, she simply said, "Zip it sweetheart."

Finally, she was alone with Sam and he practically made her beg for help. He'd told her that if she was asking as a cop, she could forget it.

"Ask me like a daughter."

"Sa..Dad, I need your help. It's not just any of my guys that was taken. It was Nicky."

"Your husband? What on earth happened?"

Catherine responded with tears in her eyes, "He was at a crime scene. The officer took his eyes off him for a second and someone took him. I'm scared. I didn't know what to tell Lindsay and..."

"What is it Mugs?"

"There isn't a single clue that will lead us to him. It's as if he's vanished. Into thin air."

Sam lifted her chin and said, "Your good at your job Mugs. You'll find him. Of that I have no doubt."

"I wish I could believe it, but I think this is one of those times that the bad guys get off and one of the good guys dies."

"Stop talking like that. I'll have the money for you in a few minutes."

True to his word, Sam had the money ready in record time. Soon, Catherine was on her way back to the lab. She slammed the duffel bag on Grissom's desk and nearly laughed when he asked, "What's that?"

"It's the ransom money."

"Where'd you get it?"

"Where do you think?"

Grissom sighed and said, "this is going to look like Sam bribed the crime lab."

"I don't really care about the integrity of the lab right now. All I care about is getting Nick back."

"We can't take this."

"Dammit Gil!! I want my husband back!! I want my children's father back!!"

Grissom was speechless as he looked at her. It was then that she realized what she said. She knew that there was no taking it back as he said, "Excuse me?"

Catherine sighed and said, "We've been married for eight years."

"Eight years? He's Lindsay's father. Isn't he?"

Catherine nodded and said, "Yes."

"You said children. As far as I know you only have Lindsay. Is there something I don't know."

"It was a slip of the tongue. I just want Nick back."

Grissom looked at her and said, "I don't know what's more of a shock. The fact that your married to Nick or that you've kept it secret for this long."

"Talking about it isn't going to bring Nick back. Let's go."

"No. Your hands off on this money Catherine."

She sighed, but agred. She needed to get something to settle her stomach. She hadn't been completely honest with Grissom. She only had one child right now, but she'd just found out that morning that she was six weeks pregnant. Nick didn't even know yet. Now she wondered if she'd ever get the chance to tell him about their new baby.....