Title: We Regret To Inform You
Author: cjacsifan
Pairing: Catherine/Riley
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: CSI is owned by CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer
Summary: Catherine comforts a friend in mourning. (This is an AU story and takes place during World War II).
Spoilers: None

Riley Adams and Catherine Willows exit the nurse's locker room of Desert Palms Hospital and head toward the nurse's station to get the reports about their patients from the overnight shift nurses, "So Lee how are you this morning?"

"Not too bad Cath, I just wish I would get a letter from Bill".   Riley's husband Bill enlisted in the Marines right after Pearl Harbor in his last letter he told her that he was heading for a place called GuadalCanal, she didn't even know where that was. 

"I know what you mean, I talked to Wendy and she hasn't heard from her fiance Greg in a few weeks I guess that means this are going okay for our troops...I hope."

"So do I Cath...so do I," Riley says as she and Catherine sit down to get their patient assignments for their shift.

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"Good Morning Private Stokes, my name is Riley and I'll be your nurse today..." Riley says as she enters the first room on her assignment sheet, "how are you doing this morning?"

"Not too bad after seeing your smilin' face...and please call me Nick."

"Okay Nick...let's see how you're healing this morning..." Riley then check under the bandage on Nick's right knee and notices the wound seems to be getting better, "looks like you are healing nicely... if I may ask how did you get your wound?"

"I got some shrapnal in my knee while on patrol in Africa, one of our guys tripped a land mine in the desert and amazingly this is all I got...the problem was it was a piece of my friend's helmet that pierced my leg...I didn't know it was him at the time but I guess that's for the best or I would have gone bonkers knowing I lived and he didn't...know all I have to do is tell his wife Tina, that Rick won't be coming home...I'm sure the Army already sent the usual telegram, but I want to tell her how good a friend he was not only to me but the the rest of the guys in our squad."

"You were close to Rick?"

"You bet once I met Warrick Brown, that's his full name I knew we'd be buddies for life, he was a good guy," Nick says with a smile but with a tear in his eye.

"I'm sorry about that Nick...well I best get to my next patient, just ring if you need anything."

"Thanks Riley I will," Nick says as he turns on the radio on his bedside table to listen to Arthur Godfrey.

As Riley is leaving Nick's room she hears, Nurse Riley Adams please report to the Nurse's station.

Riley got a knot in the pit of her stomach as she heard the announcement and ran towards the nurse's station.

As she got there she was met by Captain Jim Brass, the Marine liason for Las Vegas; as soon as she saw him she knew it was bad news and began to cry.

"Please take a seat Mrs. Adams, Captain Brass offered her a chair, he then said the speech he had memorized; although he hated every damn word of it; WE REGRET TO INFORM YOU THAT YOUR HUSBAND  SGT WILLIAM RILEY WAS KILLED IN ACTION DURING THE BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL...PLEASE ACCEPT THE CONDOLENCES OF A GRATEFUL NATION FOR YOUR LOSS.

Riley couldn't hold her grief in any longer. she screamed as tears poured from her eyes; nurses, doctors and staff came from every direction.

Catherine was first to see her and then she saw Captain Brass and knew what had happend, "Oh Riley, I'm so sorry...come on let's go to the locker room and get your coat so you can go home."

"She isn't going anywhere Catherine..." It was the voice of Dr. Conrad Ecklie, "she has a shift to finish."

"Jesus Christ Conrad....can't you see this woman is suffering and needs time to compose herself," Dr. Ray Langston spoke up on Riley's behalf.

"Everyone is suffering Dr. Langston...she isn't a special case...Now she can either get back to work or be fired"

"Well then fire both of us because I'm taking her home and staying with her to make sure she's okay." Catherine says angrily as she leads Riley to the locker room

About 90 minutes later, Catherine and Riley are sipping tea in Riley's bedroom; Catherine put Riley right to bed after getting her home, she held her close and let her cry herself to sleep and was there when Riley woke up and asked Catherine to make her some tea.

"Feeling better?"

"Yes I am thank you Cath...I just can't believe Bill won't be coming home...God why him?" Riley began to cry again.

After calming Riley down a second time, Catherine explained that she was exactly the same after she found out her husband Eddie died during the atack on Pearl Harbor, "How did you get through it?"

"With the help of family and friends."

"I don't have any family here in Vegas."

"But you have me and I will make sure to look after you and help you in anything you need...that is if you want my help."

"Of course Catherine I would appreciate all the help you can give me....Catherine I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."

"You know Riley, I think you're right." Catherine then leaned in and hugged Riley.