Gil Grissom woke slowly. His left eye opening first, taking in his surroundings, his right eye opened to confirm the fact that he was in his own bed, in his room, in his townhouse. He sat up, shaking his head slightly, letting his right hand run through his hair as if this act would prevent its unruly behaviour. He brought his left hand up to his face, pinching the bridge of his nose while squeezing his eyes shut, before giving into a deep yawn.

`Remember Gil, come on remember.' He chastised herself silently. Shaking his head, the dullness of his memory evidence of his previous intoxicated state. Mercifully his memory seemed to be the only after effect of the previous night's drinking. No headache.

He had a nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach as if something important had happened; yet he had no memory of what it could be. He looked across at the clock on the nightstand, half past three. She'd be arriving for her shift now. How different it could all be? If only he had the courage to talk to her, confess, maybe he wouldn't be waking up alone. But there was the other possibility by confessing he could lose what little he already had, was he strong enough to sacrifice that?

He stretched again, in the vain hope of releasing some of the stiffness from his back. He briefly contemplated trying to get another couple of hours sleep, but discounted that almost immediately, knowing such an action would be sweet torture, as having thought of her, the possibility of being with her, his dreams would only be filled with her. No, his best action now was to start the day, and finally make a decision he'd been pondering for some months now, a decision that could bear no more procrastination. It was time to end his torture.

He swung his legs over the side of the bed and headed for the bathroom, a warm shower would benefit his back further, then coffee before heading for the lab. He padded towards the bathroom; reaching inside the shower cubicle he turned the water on, before quickly discarding the boxers he'd slept in and stepping under the inviting spray.

Here I am, I'm in the wrong bed again
It's a game I just can't win

He'd stood under the shower until he felt his head begin to clear with the invasion of steam. Feeling clean if not fully refreshed, he turned the water off, before stepping out and grabbing the towel from the rail beside the shower. He patted each arm dry, and then repeated the action on his torso and legs before pulling the towel across his back and buttocks. He brought it around his waist tucking the one end snugly into a part that was held firm. He leant across the washbasin clearing the condensation and steam from the mirror behind it with his right hand. He examined his features, running his fingers across his beard, contemplating a new style, removing the beard. She'd told him the beard made him look sophisticated, was that just a gentle way of saying it aged him? Deciding against such a dramatic action that would distract from his main purpose, he instead trimmed it. Knowing that little extra element of care was bound to grab her attention. She always noticed these things he did.

He reached across the counter, finding the bottle of aftershave; he quickly applied some, before returning to his bedroom.

He found a clean pair of boxers, quickly pulling them on, and then returning to the bathroom to hang the towel on the rail in order that it could air while he was out. He then went to his wardrobe; pulling a pair of navy slacks from their hanger he put them on, then sought a shirt to compliment it. He found a navy blue polo shirt; pulling it over his head he left the two buttons open. He retrieved a jacket that matched the slacks placing it on the bed, before pulling a clean pair of socks on, and finding the shoes he'd kicked off the night before.

He felt a sudden urgency to get to the lab, confront this weight that had been hanging over him, now he'd made his decision to resolve it, he could not do so fast enough. He found his wallet, pager, cell phone and keys on the kitchen counter top. His usual habit of divesting them there, working to his advantage today, when he still had no recollection of the previous night's events.

He stepped out into the afternoon sun, the dry desert heat hitting him, causing him to hurry his journey to his Denali. Once inside it, he retrieved his sunglasses from the console, before turning the key in the ignition and starting his journey.

He pulled into his parking space in the lab parking lot, much as he would any day, yet knowing that after this day, this conversation it would never be the same again.

He walked through the lab, briefly stopping at her office, but finding no evidence of her presence. He reached his own office, depositing his jacket and casting a quick glance at his desk, noting the files on his desk the perfect alibi, the perfect excuse for once more delaying the inevitable. But no he couldn't live like this anymore, constantly dreaming, grasping for something more. He had to know if it was a futile dream or a possible reality.

He resumed his search, stopping when he reached the trace lab. Alone within the glass walls she worked. He stood outside observing her. The confident air with which she methodically examined different substances, her hair tucked behind her ears, her brow slightly furrowed in concentration, as she went about her task. He couldn't see her eyes; the urge to lose himself within their depths overcame him, as he slowly opened the door to the lab.

Upon hearing the intruder she spun around on her chair, an indescribable look upon her face when she realised who it was. Was it anger? Pain? Or annoyance at being disturbed, he couldn't quite discern.

"You checking up on me?" The bitterness evident in her voice.

"I came to find you, talk with you. Check up on you, no."

She sighed. "We've got nothing to talk about. Not after last night anyway."

"Why? Catherine?"

"You know why, you were there." Her brow furrowed again, a warning to him to cease his current line of enquiry.

Gil's heart sank to the pit of his stomach. He needed information fast. Memories of his initial feelings of dread at waking came flooding back. What had he done? How had he destroyed his possible future in one night? Deciding to retreat to the safety of science he started a new line of enquiry. "Are these the samples from the warehouse? Nick said he'd never seen anything quite like it."

She looked at him, her eyes searching his face searching out the intent of his sudden questioning. Realising she could probably use his input, she slid her chair aside slightly so he could examine the sample she'd just been scrutinizing through the microscope. "Do you want to take a look?"

He raised an eyebrow.

She sighed, he wasn't making this easy. "Look, I could do with a second opinion."

"In that case, I'd love to my dear." She shuddered slightly at that term of endearment from him.

He adjusted the magnification slightly, staring intently at the wood before him, trying to forget her proximity. Finally he lifted his head, keeping a hand on the microscope, he gestured to her to look again. "Tell me what you were thinking?"

She leant in, her shoulder brushing against his arm, this time causing him to shudder. An action not missed on Catherine. She once again stared down the scope. "The wood appears to have been eaten by something, tiny little holes, obviously weakening it, maybe the cause of the roof collapse."

As she finished speaking she turned her head towards him. An old habit, seeking his initial reaction to her theory, her warm breath caused the hairs on his hand to ripple as she exhaled. All he wanted to do was kiss her, share her breath, but he knew now was not the time, instead, he stored the memory in his subconscious to haunt his dreams later on.

"Definitely woodworm. Which variety? You'd need to find some wood with some live specimens. Shouldn't be too hard. I could help...if you wanted?"

She smiled for the first time that night. "Uhmm, yeah, I mean if you're not too busy or anything." She took in a breath trying to regain her composure, adopting a more professional tone she continued. "I have to check on a couple of things. If you are still free in half an hour we could make a site visit then."

He smiled. Half an hour, half an hour to make the necessary contacts, find the missing pieces from last night that had served to distance the person he cared most for. "I'll be in my office. Come and find me when you are ready."

He left the lab, the memory of her breath on his hand warming his heart. There was hope, and half an hour to act upon it.

There you are breathin' soft on my skin
Still you won't let me in

Gil returned to his office, as he was entering it, he paused on hearing someone call his name.

"Hey Gris."

Turning he saw Nick and Warrick advancing towards him, concerned looks on their faces. He gestured they should follow him into his office, hoping they could provide some clue to his missing time.

As they entered, they shut the door behind them, as if they too were aware of his subject of conversation. Gil walked behind his desk sitting down, while the two younger men sat in the chairs before it.

"Err, this is a little awkward. I was wondering, hoping really, if you could tell me what I did to upset Catherine?"

Nick looked at Warrick, who returned his glance, before replying. "You mean you don't remember?"

"Would I be asking if I did?" Gil was finding it difficult to control his temper as his need for information grew.

"You know it was the conference gala dinner last night, right?" Nick asked.

"Was that last night?"

"Yeah, I can't believe you don't remember." Warrick smiled as a memory of his new supervisor crossed his mind. "Man, it was all Catherine's been talking about for the last six weeks. Ever since Ecklie insisted as supervisors you two had to be there and you agreed to go together. You've got to remember that, right?"

A sick feeling started to build in Gil's stomach. He remembered the look Catherine had given him when he'd suggested they went together. The way her eyes had lit up and that little smile she seemed to preserve for him alone once more played around her lips, as she'd agreed.

Nick nudged Warrick in the arm. "How long do you think she took picking out that dress?"

Warrick focused on his partner for the evening. "That dress! Well since all she's been doing on rides to scenes is quiz us on styles and colours for the past month and a half, I think just about every store in town has received a visit from her."

Gil smiled. "She looked good then?"

"Good!" Warrick let out a low whistle. "On the worst of days she looks beautiful, she was stunning. The two of you walked in and the whole room seemed to take in a breath. Every male in that room wanted you dead Gris, believe me. Yet she only had eyes on one person, you."

Gil was becoming more frustrated; by all accounts everything was going just the way he would have wished. "So, what happened? Why does she despise me?"

Nick looked up at him, disappointment clearly evident in his eyes. "Fiona, that's what happened. Don't tell me you don't know her, because it sure didn't look like that last night."

"Fiona, who?"

"Fiona Powell your college sweetheart. Legs up to here, blonde hair and a dress to show off all her assets if you know what I mean." Nick almost spat out.

Gil shook his head. "The Fiona Powell I knew had brown hair, glasses and wouldn't be seen dead in a dress."

"We'll that's not true now." Nick replied. "You and Catherine had just met us at the bar, you'd ordered drinks when she came over, pushing between you and Catherine as if Cath wasn't even there. She managed to introduce herself to everyone and when your drinks arrived, she took the one you'd ordered for Catherine, remarking, let me see...what was it she said...oh yeah, `Gil, honey, I can't believe you remembered my favourite drink.'"

Gil blushed. "Believe me, she never drank in college, honestly too interested in the books to go out drinking. How was Catherine? She understood right? I explained it to her..."

The slow shaking of Warrick's head stopped him. "No, you didn't. It got worse. You sure you want to hear this?"

Gil nodded slowly, his stomach knotting, yet he needed to know all the details if there was any hope of reconciling this.

Nick took in a deep breath before continuing. "Well from the moment she took the drink, it was like Catherine didn't exist. I've never seen that look in her eyes, it wasn't anger, or disappointment, it was hurt. Fiona spent her time reliving college memories with you, encouraging you to drink more and more; you seemed to only have eyes for her. Catherine, well she was so quiet, too quiet, we all were really I suppose, so we didn't really notice it, we were all mesmerized by you and Fiona. When we were called to dinner, it was part anticipation, part relief, knowing that for the next two hours you and Fiona were to be separated, but also knowing you would have to face Catherine."

Warrick looked at Nick who nodded for him to continue. "We found our table, it was one of those large round ones, that seats fifteen. Imagine our surprise when the place cards revealed Catherine and Fiona Powell flanked you. It wouldn't have been so bad, if you'd at least acknowledged Catherine's presence. You ignored her Gris, turning away from her so that you could focus on Fiona. We all tried. We tried to start a conversation with you, with Fiona, anything to stop the mini love fest the two of you seemed engaged in. But you barely replied. Catherine, I don't know how she did it, she sat through dinner. She tried to keep her emotions hidden, but we could tell she was hurting. She didn't say one word, two hours Gris without one word, how long have you ever known her go without saying something. She loves those dinners, loves getting us all together to catch up on news, loves to dance, complain about the rubber chicken. Well, you know, she always manages to drag you along. This one was special to her; it was the first time you had asked her to go with you. You, well... I don't know, it goes beyond hurt."

Gil looked up at Warrick, his blue eyes holding the younger man's. "What am I going to do?"

Warrick despite his anger felt a wave of pity for Gil. "Okay, before I agree to anything, answer me this. Do you love her? I don't mean as a friend. I mean that deep love, the love that makes it worth you getting up to face the darkest of days, the love that makes you willing to fight even when the odds are against you. The love that means you will give up everything including her, just to see her happy?"

Gil kept his gaze fixed on Warrick, hoping the sincerity of his answer could be read in his eyes as well as his words. "Yes."

Nick smiled. "I told you Warrick. So what's with Fiona?"

Gil shook his head. "I don't know. I've not seen her since graduating college. I've had the occasional Christmas card. She's married, two children, husband's a professor at Stanford. She's always demanded attention. Been one of those people who can be in a room full of people, but only know one person's there, if you know what I mean. I think it must be the combination of drink and not seeing each other. I woke up alone, she wasn't at my apartment and by the looks of things this morning I was the only one who'd been there. I could contact her, make sure nothing went on..."

"No!" Warrick interrupted. "Listen to me, contacting her is the last thing you are going to do. If Catherine even thinks you've called her, you'll lose Cath forever; believe me."

"So what do I do? Cath's coming by here in..."he looked at his watch, "about ten minutes to take me to a crime scene. What am I to do?"

Warrick rubbed his hand across his forehead. "Okay, okay, right, what you'll do is go there. Keep it professional; don't refer to last night, or Fiona. When you come back, Nick and I will have a plan."

"We will?" Nick looked at him puzzled.

Warrick stared at him, in a commanding tone answering. "We will."

With that the two former members of Gil's team left him, before their current supervisor had a chance to catch them conspiring with him.

Ten minutes later Catherine Willows knocked on Gil's door, he was ready for her, and the two of them left the lab building, Catherine driving, heading to the warehouse building.

They arrived, neither having spoken while completing the journey. The yellow crime scene tape fluttered slightly in the early evening breeze. Gil retrieved his kit from the back of the rig, before heading towards the tape, holding it up so first Catherine, and then he could duck under it.

"So, this warehouse, what was it used for?"

Catherine looked a little puzzled at first, as if she suddenly realised he was there with her. "Furniture storage for a local business, furniture from all over the country was brought here, before being sent to the chain of stores."

"A beetle's smorgasbord then?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "I suppose you could say that."

"Any of the furniture come from North Carolina?"

"I don't know, but I would guess so, why?"

"Oh, it could limit our choices. I know they have been fighting The Asian Ambrosian Beetle. Not entirely successfully either."

"You think a beetle could cause this?" Catherine's right arm waved in front of her, indicating the full extent of destruction in front of them.

"Oh, I know it could. We just have to find one to prove it."

Carefully the two CSI's started to navigate the remains of the warehouse. Unusually, it was a timber framed warehouse, from the early days of Vegas, lucky in many senses to have survived the city's constant need to regenerate with concrete, but having served the family owned business since the beginning, it was as much a part of the company as the stores.

Catherine and Gil managed to make it to the centre of the warehouse, where the largest supporting posts would have stood, the size of a mature pine tree trunk. Crouching over one of the posts, Gil seemed to find something that caught his interest. He reached into his pocket, and retrieved a small plastic bottle with a screw lid. Placing it towards the bottom of the post, he reached with the forefinger of his left hand and seemed to brush the wood a couple of times, before pulling the bottle away. He quickly screwed the top back on, holding the specimen jar up for Catherine to observe.

"Catherine, meet an Asian Ambrosian Beetle. Looking at the state of his post, he's not the only resident. We need to take photographs and collect further samples."

The next hour was spent with Catherine taking close up photos as evidence of the destruction the beetles had caused, while Gil sought further samples to clarify the rate of infestation and whether this was due to one species or many different beetles. Having satisfied himself that he had enough samples, he ensured they were safely stowed in his evidence case, before returning to Catherine's side.

"How are you doing Catherine?"

"Just about finished. You?"

"Yeah, I've only found relatives of our Ambrosian friend, so I can safely say they are the guilty parties."

She couldn't help but smile at him, despite all that had happened the previous night. There was something about the look on his face when bugs were involved that she found too endearing to resist. If only... she shook her head, it was too late for that now he'd made it quite clear. She stood up, intending to go with him back to the Denali. She took a couple of steps towards him, then a piece of debris, under her foot shifted, sending her off balance towards Gil.

He caught her with ease, his hands tightening around her waist. He could feel her rapid heartbeat, the smile still evident on her lips, he bent slightly, it felt so right to try to capture her lips in a kiss.

Realizing what he was doing, she quickly turned her head away, pulling herself free of his grasp. "No Gil, it's not right..."

"Ehmm sorry Cath...I didn't mean..."

She looked up at him, pain clearly evident in her eyes. "We'd better get back. Your shift will be starting soon."

No other words passed as they made the return journey to the lab, each wrapped in thoughts of regret, for what had just happened and what had occurred the previous night.

Why save your kisses for a rainy day
Baby let the moment take your heart away

Arriving back at the lab, Catherine hurried to her office, leaving Gil to decide on the best way to log and care for the evidence he'd collected. She made it as far as her desk, before her head was jerked around on hearing the door to her office open.

"Hey Catherine, how are you doing?"

She looked up at Warrick, and then sat on her chair. "The case is coming along."

"That's not what I meant and you know it. I heard you and Gris went out to the scene together. Just checking to make sure you both arrived back in one piece."

He was greeted by a scowl. He allowed a couple of seconds to pass, before attempting to get her to open up again. "He loves you."

"Who?"

"Grissom of course. I know..."

"Yeah, you were there, right! You saw the way he was all over that woman. He's no longer my concern he's made his choice."

"Cath you need to speak with him. Let him explain."

"You mean let him lie." She spat, her anger building.

Warrick moved forward, perching on the edge of the desk in front of Catherine. "No, I mean explain. He had no idea about what had happened. He'd not seen Fiona since college, before last night. He'd hardly kept in contact. You know what Grissom's like, not big on personal communication. You are the one he loves and cares for, not her."

"How can I be sure, Warrick? I'm sick of being lied to, treated as something that can be discarded the moment something more appealing comes along. How many more Fiona's are there?"

Warrick pulled her hands into his; the contacting ensuring her eyes met his. "Okay, you are probably not going to be happy about this, but we couldn't let the two of you break each other apart." He noticed her eyebrow twitch slightly and became increasingly nervous, knowing his words were the cause of it. "In our lunch break, Nick and I just happened to be at the Tangiers, where the convention was. The conventioneers were in the process of checking out. We just happened to accidentally meet Fiona. She seemed to vaguely remember us, so we invited her to eat with us, as she had a late flight so had no need to go to the airport. She told us all about Gil in college, then went on to talk about her current life. She is married to David Powell, a professor at Stanford, has one-year-old twins and has just started back in a full time position at a lab attached to the university. This was her first convention since she had the children, she was here to party and apparently she did."

"But that doesn't tell me Gil's not still in love with her."

"Just wait a moment and I'll explain. She was married on 26th March 2002."

"My birthday, so?"

"She sent Gil an invitation and was hurt when he declined. Think about it Catherine, your birthday 2002, what had just happened? Why was this birthday special?" She stared at him blankly. "It was your first birthday divorced from Eddie. He had refused to let you have Lindsey for the day, totally pissed you off. But the next day you came in glowing, why? Grissom, that's why. He'd taken you away for the day; wining and dining you and making you feel like a million dollars. If he was in love, or had any feelings for Fiona, do you honestly think he would have declined her invitation to be with you?"

Catherine's eyes were filled with tears; she sniffed in an attempt to hold them at bay, yet one broke free and slowly meandered down her cheek. She snatched her hands free of Warrick's grip, swiping furiously at the growing tears.

Warrick stood, leaning forward; he pulled her into a hug. "Honey, I know he hurt you, but is it really worth throwing away his love for one mistake? I know you love him, the whole lab knows. All I want you to do is listen to him, before making your decision, would you do that for me?"

Catherine nodded not trusting herself to speak.

"I'll go and find him then." Warrick left her office, hoping the words of advice he was about to give Gil Grissom would be enough to heal their wounds.

Have you ever needed someone so bad, yeah
Have you ever wanted someone
You just couldn't have
Did you ever try so hard
That your world just fell apart
Have you ever needed someone so bad
And you're the girl I gotta have
I gotta have you baby

Warrick found Gil in his office, attending to his spiders. On seeing Warrick he motioned him towards the seat, then returned to his normal position behind the desk. He clasped his hands on the desk, his eyes fixed with concentration as if hanging on Warrick's next words.

"Okay Gris, before you go in to see Catherine, you need to know something. I'm telling you this as a friend and not as you as my supervisor, okay?" He watched Gil slowly nod. "You have hurt Catherine by your actions. I know this was not your intent, however, if you ever hurt her again, you will answer to me, understand?"

Gil nodded solemnly, then added. "I know Warrick, I appreciate you looking out for her. But I promise you, as I'm about to promise her, that I will never hurt her again."

Warrick smiled. "I believe you. Okay, first of all you need to apologise to her, and then agree some time when you can talk with her. You need to let her know your true feelings. Most of all give her time to talk to you, let you know what she feels, what she wants, what she needs. Only by being honest with each other can you hope to build a relationship with her."

"Thanks Warrick."

"Remember, honesty and don't rush her." Warrick watched as Gil made his way out of the office, silently crossing his fingers that for once they'd both let their hearts do the talking.

Gil knocked on the closed door of Catherine's office. Hearing no reply, he tried the door, finding it unlocked, he gently opened it, peering around the opening door. He spotted her sat at her desk her head down, not entirely convincing him that this was in concentration.

"Err, Catherine, could I talk with you?"

She looked up, her eyes still clouded in sadness. "Yeah."

Suddenly feeling nervous, he entered the office fully, closing the door behind him and approached her desk. Instead of stopping at the chairs before it, he walked around it, adopting the position on her desk that Warrick had so recently vacated. He swallowed as if this act would fill him with courage. Noting a little uncomfortably that he was the subject of her gaze, he took one last breath like a condemned man and began. "Catherine, I know I hurt you by my actions yesterday. I'm not going to bore you with excuses you have heard a thousand times before. I just want to apologise. If I could take back the events of last night, and live that night again, it would be so different. I disappointed you, I understand that you may want no more to do with me; by my actions I surely don't deserve you as a friend. But I'm asking, pleading for you to forgive me."

There was silence. Catherine was slowly digesting the words he had just spoken. What was the meaning behind this? Could he really care for her? She looked deep into his eyes, seeing within them a hurt to match her own. Could he really be hurt at the prospect of not being her friend?

"I don't know Gil. I don't know what to say? I'm not sure if three simple words can undo what has happened, been happening to us. I need to think. We need to think."

Gil's stomach seemed to flip over inside him. Thinking quickly, trying to frantically remember Warrick's advice, he finally answered. "I...I understand. How would it be if we had breakfast after shift? I could come over to your house, or you to mine, or even go back to that little dinner we used to go to? Then we can talk, without being interrupted, without being called to a case. What do you say?"

She could hardly believe her ears, Gil Grissom wanting to spend time talking, how long had it been since they had shared a breakfast? "The diner would be good. I could drop Lindsey off at school then meet you there, how about nine?"

"I look forward to it." He stood, heading towards the door; her voice stopped him.

"Oh and Gil, don't get caught up in anything. If this really means something to you make sure you are there."

He turned and smiled at her. "I'll be here."

There you go, midnight promises again
But they're broken by the dawn
You wanna go further, faster every day baby
But in the morning you'll be gone
And I'm alone
Why save your kisses for a rainy day
Baby let the moment take your heart away

Throughout the rest of his shift, Gil kept glancing at his watch. Never had the hours between midnight and five seem to take so long. Then it was like time was speeding up. He was about to leave the office when Greg appeared at his door.

"Err, Grissom, you leaving?"

Gil looked a little annoyed as his escape route appeared to be blocked. "Is it urgent?"

"Well..."

"Is there any chance this could wait until tomorrow? It's been a long night."

"No problem, boss. I'll ask Sara's advice."

"If she can't help, catch me first thing at the start of shift and I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks."

"See you, Greg."

Gil managed to get to his Denali without being delayed further and soon found himself driving the familiar route to the diner.

Meanwhile, Catherine Willows was seated in a booth with a view of the parking lot. She had promised herself that she would allow him ten minutes grace, before she left. She was only hoping her resolve would hold out and she wouldn't still be sitting there at noon.

As her watch displayed nine o'clock, she caught sight of his Denali, turning slowly into the parking lot. She watched him as he got out and locked it, then headed for the entrance.

He entered, making his way directly towards the booth she occupied.

"How did you know I was sitting here?"

He smiled. "This is our booth Cath. Where else would you be sat?"

She let a brief laugh escape. "You remembered."

"I remember important details, when they connect me to you."

Her eyes widened, as a light blush covered her cheeks. "I never knew you cared."

"For you Catherine, always."

Have you ever needed someone so bad, yeah
Have you ever wanted someone
You just couldn't have
Did you ever try so hard
That your world just fell apart
Have you ever needed someone so bad

Catherine's mind began to race, all the earlier doubts and questions from before battling for attention.

Gil leant across the table, grasping her hand. "I know I hurt you. I've asked for your forgiveness, but I really need you to know how much you mean to me. Since you entered my life, you have made me realise how much life there is to live. You have taught me about friendship, how to care, and more importantly how to love. I need you to keep teaching me, I cannot contemplate life without you. I'm in love with you Catherine. All I want is for you to be happy. If that means you need me to leave, I will do that, so long as I know you are happy."

Every dream I dream is like
Some Kinda rash 'n' reckless scene
To give out such crazy love
You must be some kinda drug
And if my time don't ever come
For me you're still the one
Damned if I don't, damned if I do
I gotta get a fix on you

Catherine sat across from him stunned. The in a voice barely above a whisper she answered him. "I forgive you. Just...just don't leave me. I need you in my life. I love you Gil Grissom. I've loved you for a long time. All I ever wanted was for you to notice me, to love me back."

Gil half stood, swinging his body around the end of the table. Recognising what he was doing, Catherine, slid along the seat to allow him to sit beside her. He put his arm around her shoulders, relishing the feel of her head nestling on his shoulder.

"I've always noticed you Catherine. I just never thought you would consider anything beyond friendship with someone like me."

She shifted slightly, enabling her to catch a glimpse of his features. "So much time. So much wasted time."

He caught her gaze, smiling at her. "Well you know I love you. I know you're in love with me. What next?"

She leant up, so her lips were tantalizingly close to his. "We could always make up for lost time."

Their lips joined in a tender kiss with a promise of more to come.

Have you ever needed someone so bad, yeah
Have you ever wanted someone
You just couldn't have
Did you ever try so hard
That your world just fell apart
Have you ever needed someone so bad
Have you ever wanted someone
Did you ever try so hard
That your world just fell apart
Have you ever needed someone so bad
And you're the girl I gotta have
I gotta have you baby

"Cath?"

"Yeah."

"I promise I'll always be there for you. I promise I'll never hurt you. I promise to always love you. Would you be mine?"

She smiled. "I love you. I know you didn't mean to hurt me. I trust you like I've trusted no other. I feel safe in your arms."

"I love you Cath."

Their lips joined again, before Gil rose, dropping some bills on the table and guiding her to the door.

They stood outside, the morning sun blazing down, yet neither wanted to leave, not yet, not after what had been said.

Catherine moved closer to Gil. Reaching up with her right hand, she held it briefly against his cheek, then with a feather light touch, slowly traced the outline of his face. Her eyes not leaving his, slowly she raised herself on her tiptoes, her lips once again finding his. She pulled slightly on his lower lip as they parted. Her right hand found his left, fingers entwined. She pulled away slightly, moving towards their Denali's, then paused, looking at him over her shoulder. "Follow me home?"

"There's no place I'd rather be Cath."

The End