Catherine made her way down the corridor to Gil's office. He'd been in a strange mood the entire night, and he'd looked almost depressed. Concerned for her friend, she was now determined to get to the bottom of his mood.

She found him moping over some papers in his office and she walked in, closing the door behind her. "Gil?"

He looked up quickly at her. "Oh. Evening, Catherine."

Catherine lifted an eyebrow at his response and sat down in the chair facing him. "Alright, Gil, what's going on? You've been acting strangely all night."

He sighed, pushing his papers away and taking his glasses off. "It's too ridiculous to even contemplate."

"So? I like the ridiculous. We work with Greg Sanders, remember?"

Gil cracked a small smile. "That's true."

"Come on, Gil. Tell me."

He took a deep breath. "Fine. Just promise you won't laugh."

Catherine raised her hand. "I promise."

"You know the annual forensic science convention I go to?"

She nodded. "Sure. You love that convention."

"Well, each year they give select scientists a topic outside of their specialty area to write a paper on. One year I was given blood spatter, one year fire erosion, another year, sperm donation from a recently deceased man."

"Yeah, I read them all. Even helped you with the blood spatter. So what's the topic this year?"

"It's." Gil stopped. "It's too embarrassing to talk about."

"Gil, you've seen me dance naked, and I've seen your ass peeking out of a hospital gown. I highly doubt anything else could be embarrassing between us."

"But."

Catherine reached over and picked up the paper in front of him. She scanned the topic and then glanced at him. "A joke?"

Gil sighed. "I checked."

She shrugged and handed the paper back. "Okay, so you do a few experiments, write something up, over and done with." She grinned. "I bet your current girlfriend would love to help."

"I'm not seeing anyone at the moment," he admitted.

Catherine paused. "Oh, okay. What about Lady Heather?"

Gil's eyes shot up. "Excuse me?"

"Well, you two slept together, right?"

Gil tried not to sputter as he answered, "once, Cath! Once!"

"Fine," she muttered. "What about.Sara?"

Gil's eyes almost popped out of his head. "WHAT?"

"Well you and her." Catherine narrowed her eyes. "Haven't you?"

"Catherine, she's a child!"

Catherine tried not to smirk and instead lifted an eyebrow. "You may want to let her in on that."

Gil pushed the paper away. "I just won't go."

"Oh yeah, that's a great idea. Everyone will know why you're not going. You don't want them talking about you." She reached over and grabbed the paper. "Well then, I guess you're stuck with me."

He gulped and looked up at her. "Huh?"

She grinned at him. "Come on, Gil. Who better to help you study the." She checked the topic. "The Elements of The Female Orgasm?"

"Cath.I."

She pouted. "You think I'm not up to the job?"

"Of course not. I mean." He gulped again. "Cath, this isn't just writing a paper. I have to."

"Do experiments. Yes Gil, I'm aware of how to research an academic paper," Catherine told him.

"But you'd have to be."

"Naked, yes, I'm aware of that too." Catherine was highly amused at his flustered state. "Look, Gil, you've seen me naked before when I danced. Granted, I'm a little older now, but I can assure you it all still works." She headed towards the door. "I trust you, Gil, and I know how much you value your work. It's just an experiment."

Gil took another deep breath. "Cath, I'm not sure."

"Forget about the topic and finish your shift. Over the next couple of days, do a bit of research." She smiled at him. "Then we'll set a date and work shall begin."

"Cath."

"Bye, Gil."

Gil watched, open-mouthed, as Catherine sauntered out of his office.

"What have I gotten myself into?"

--

Next day, word got out that Gil was preparing for his next forensics convention. No one knew the topic, but there were a lot of people eager to go. Gil had already made his decision though. He was taking Catherine.

Unfortunately, that word had apparently not gotten around, because about fifteen minutes before shift ended, Sara appeared in his office.

"Grissom?"

Gil was shuffling around papers on his desk, looking for a piece of research he had gathered for his experiment with Catherine. "Mhm?"

"The forensics convention is coming up and I was wondering if you could take me with you this year."

"No."

Sara blinked. "No? Well.why not?"

"I'm taking Catherine."

"What? Griss, you took Catherine last year. And Nick the year before that. And then you took Catherine AGAIN the year before that!"

Gil was feeling a little nervous about his approaching experiment with Catherine, and he had no time for Sara's objections. He heaved a sigh and looked up at the young woman. "Sara, do you feel in any way that you're deficient at your job?"

Sara lifted an eyebrow. "Uh, no."

"Good. Then I see no pressing reason for you to come with me."

Sara folded her arms. "I didn't know that Catherine was having trouble with her job."

Gil's eyes looked up sharply, fixing on the brunette. "She's not. I need her help with my paper this year, and in return I'm taking her to the convention."

"What's the topic? Maybe I could help."

"Impossible," Gil said quickly. He hurriedly picked up his papers. "See you later, Sara."

--

Gil arrived at Catherine's house a bundle of nerves. He wasn't one hundred percent sure what they'd end up doing together, but he was more than willing to spend time in her company.

Catherine answered his knock with a smile. "Hi, Gil."

"Hi, Cath. How are you?"

"Just fine." She let him into her house and shut the door behind her. "Don't look so worried. People would think you're getting a tooth pulled or something."

Gil followed her into the living room. "Aren't you the slightest bit nervous?"

Catherine looked back at him. "Truthfully? Yes, a little. But Gil, I've known you for over twenty years. If I can't trust you - who else can I trust?"

Gil nodded and sat down on the couch. "Is Lindsey here?"

His friend lifted an eyebrow. "Yes, Gil, I often ask Lindsey to participate in experiments that involve orgasms."

At Gil's shocked look, Catherine groaned. "Geez, Gil, lighten up! Of course she's not here. She's spending the weekend with a friend."

"Right. Of course she is." He sighed. "I'm sorry, Cath. I don't know how good I'm going to be with this."

"Just calm down," Catherine told him. "Neither of us are going to be able to do this if we're so wound up." She leant back against the headrest of the chair and closed her eyes. "Tell me some of the research you did."

"Well, women are.different from men."

Catherine smirked. "Very astute, Gil."

"That's not helpful."

She sat forward, staring at him. "Gil, really. Women are different from men?"

He narrowed his eyes. "It's easier when experiments don't talk back." Gil put down the file. "Catherine, can I ask you a personal question?"

"I'm going to restrain myself from remarking on that and answer, yes, Gil, you may."

"Have you ever.faked it?"

"An orgasm?"

He nodded.

"More than once," she admitted.

Gil looked surprised. "But why?"

She shrugged. "Some men just don't know the right buttons to push." At his clueless look she sighed and leaned forward. "Look, let's go back to your original statement. 'Men are different from women.' Well, that applies to everything. It takes.uh.more to bring a woman pleasure."

"Another question?"

Catherine nodded.

"Where's your G-spot?"

"That's for me to know and for you to.find out." Her voice faltered on the final two words, as the reality of what the experiment entailed started to sink in.

Gil sensed the change in her mood. "If you don't want to do this."

"No backing out," Catherine warned him. Her blue eyes locked onto his. "Gil, do you believe in the chemistry between a man and a woman?"

He nodded. "Of course. It may not be a scientific fact, but sometimes you just feel it."

She leant forward, staring intently at him. "Well I've felt it for twenty years. With you."

Gil suddenly felt the heat in the room increase. "What are you saying, Cath?"

Catherine stood up, her hands disappearing into her pockets. "I'm saying, let's conduct your experiment and see where it leads us."

He nodded and stood up. "Okay."

She bit her lip. "I'm nervous."

Gil smiled softly at her. "Me too." Holding his hand out, he took hers and squeezed it. "Remember, Cath. You can trust me."

"I know," she replied. "I do. It's just that.It's such a private part of you that you very rarely let people see. I mean, it's not like I just invite anyone in to watch me have an orgasm."

"I know that," he nodded. "I feel the same way." The pad of his thumb gently caressed the top of her hand. "What if it was me giving you an orgasm instead?"

Catherine felt a shot of arousal shoot through her system. "I thought this was about you watching me bring myself to orgasm so you could learn for your study."

"Maybe I'm more of a hands on learner."

"Okay," she said quietly.

"Okay?"

She tugged on his hand, urging him to follow her upstairs. "Let's experiment."

--

Gil soon found himself in Catherine's bedroom. He hadn't been in there before, but he found he liked it, with the tasteful colors and comfortable style.

And the big bed.

Catherine turned to look at him. "I told you I was going to show you - so I'm going to show you." As she saw him about to protest, she raised a finger, pressing it to his lips. "And then, then I want to try some hands on learning." She smiled at him. "You have to thorough with experiments, right?"

Gil nodded slowly.

"Right, so uh.how about you sit there and I'll just uh.get undressed."

Gil sat on the edge of the bed, watching closely as Catherine started to undress. She removed her shoes first, followed by her jacket. Flashing him a quick smile, she undid the buttons of her shirt.

"You'll have to bear with me," Catherine told him, taking the shirt off, "I've never done this for anyone before. Not like this."

"Haven't done what?" Gil asked curiously, still entranced by the object of his desire wearing nothing but a bra and long pants.

Catherine blushed, something that Gil had never seen her do before and he was absolutely delighted by it.

"I haven't, uh, done this before with anyone watching me."

He smiled at her. "You're doing just fine."

Her eyebrows shot up as the meaning of his words sunk in and she glanced at him, her eyes moving systematically southward as she sought to satisfy her curiosity.

"Concentrate, Cath."

She unzipped her pants and pushed them down, stepping delicately out of them. Gil watched with avid interest as she stood before him in her bra and panties. Part of him felt he might self-combust at the sight of her, but he forced himself to look at her eyes. She looked a little nervous and he rewarded her with a broad smile.

Next she unhooked the bra and Gil forced himself not to make a sound as her breasts came into his view. Her nervous gaze met his and she smiled softly as she put the bra next to her other clothes. Finally, her fingers hooked in the elastic of her panties and pulled them down.

She finally stood before him naked, biting her lip as she silently sought his approval. He gave it in the form of a smile and the softly whispered words, "You're beautiful."

Catherine blushed slightly and sat down on the bed, scooting her way back to the headboard. She put a couple of pillows behind her back and rested against them.

Gil felt like moving closer to her and touching her, but he knew that she wanted to show him and do this for him, so he remained where he was, forcing himself not to touch.

Her eyes weren't looking at him anymore, and it seemed like she wasn't conscious of his presence. Gil watched intently as her fingers trailed down her body, as if refamiliarising herself with revered territory.

His mind was still whirling over the revelation of her beautiful body. He couldn't believe that Catherine Willows, the object of his desire for so long, was lying before him, naked, and about to touch herself so that he could write an academic paper.

God was very, very good to him.

"Are you watching?"

His head snapped up to find Catherine studying him. She quirked an eyebrow.

"You won't learn anything if you don't watch."

He gulped. "Believe me, Cath, I'm watching."

A big smile appeared on her face as she listened to his voice and she finally nodded, her eyes fluttering closed. Her hands moved downwards, cupping her breasts firmly and gently caressed the tender flesh. Gil watched avidly as her thumbs ran across her nipples. He longed to move across the bed and gently lave his tongue over the taut buds, but instead he sat on his hands.

He watched as she lifted a finger to her lips, moistening it slightly before moving back to her breasts, circling her nipples and rolling them between her fingers. Gil felt like self-combusting, and kept his eyes riveted to her body as she slid one hand down over her stomach and paused just above her center.

Her eyes opened and stared at him. She bit her lip and Gil just sat silently watching her.

"Do you want to stop?" he asked, fearful of the answer.

"No," came her whisper.

"Keep going then," Gil urged. "I want to watch."

She nodded and closed her eyes, her hand palming her center. Gil moistened his lower lip with his tongue as she spread her legs further apart. His eyes focused on her glistening sex and he felt his erection grow as he contemplated leaning over and pressing a tender kiss right on that spot. Then he decided that it would be better to watch her for this first time and see what she liked. And the next time - the next time he would bring her as much pleasure as he could.

"Open your eyes, Catherine."

She looked over at him curiously.

"How do I know the right places to bring you pleasure if I can't watch your eyes?" he asked innocently.

Catherine had the nervous fluttering in her stomach that told her this situation was getting rapidly out of control. "I've never uh."

"Just look at me," he told her. "It's just me. No one's judging you, or expecting anything of you. It's just me."

The sound of his voice was sending fresh waves of arousal through her system, and she took a deep breath. "Gil?"

"Mhm?"

"Keep talking."

A smirk appeared on his face. "Alright. What do you want me to talk about?"

Her voice sounded faraway as she murmured, "anything. Just keep talking."

Gil watched as her finger found her clit, slowly circling it. He'd never felt so thoroughly aroused by a woman before and he found his pants getting increasingly uncomfortable as his desire for her grew. "Alright. Then I'll tell you how beautiful you are, the way you look before me. I've never seen a woman look so beautiful."

Her hips lifted slightly and he locked his eyes onto hers as she slid a finger inside her body. Gil shifted on the bed. "I've never had a woman so willingly share such an intimate part of herself with me like you're doing for me here."

Catherine's breathing deepened and Gil felt himself getting more emboldened as she continued to touch herself. "I've never wanted to touch and taste anything so badly before in my life. To experience something so amazing and be able to watch it but not do anything makes me ache."

Her eyes started to close, but were stopped by Gil's voice. "No, Catherine. I want to see everything."

She looked back over at him again, mesmerized by the tone of his voice and the way his eyes studied her closely. Her thumb continued to circle her clit as another finger slipped inside her body.

"You look so beautiful, Catherine. I don't think I've ever seen you look so beautiful. I don't think I've ever wanted you more than I do right this moment."

Her eyes flashed with surprise. "Gil."

"Shh," he hushed her. "Don't stop, remember? Don't stop now. Not when I can see how close you are."

Catherine made a sound that sounded between a strangled cry and a groan as she started to move her fingers faster. Her eyes roamed his body and finally zeroed in on the bulge of his trousers. Unable to wait any longer, Gil reached out and took her other hand, gently caressing the palm.

Her breathing quickened and her eyes darkened, as the extra stimulation brought her perilously close to the edge. Gil watched the silent plea for release appear in her eyes and he caressed her palm.

"Come for me, Catherine. I've waited over fifteen years to watch you orgasm."

The acknowledgement of his long awaited desire was her undoing, and her eyes widened, hips lifting off the bed as an intense orgasm overtook her. Gil took in the experience as much as he could, watching the way her body trembled and shook, and her eyes betrayed deep feelings of desire and love.

His arms slid up the side of her body as her pleasure began to ebb, before he finally took her against him. Catherine's lips eagerly sought his and he returned her kiss greedily as the intensity of their connection took over.

The kiss was long and deep, many years of desire fuelling their passion for each other. When the kiss broke, the two stopped, staring at each other, before smiles appeared on both their faces. Gil's hand reached out, gently brushing some hair from her face.

"Thank you."

"For kissing you?" Catherine asked.

"No. For doing what you just did. I wasn't sure you would."

Her fingers reached out, slipping underneath his shirt. "I didn't just do it for your academic paper, you know."

Gil nodded. "I know."

They shared another soft kiss, and Catherine's fingers started to undo the buttons of his shirt. Her eyes looked up at him.

"I want to see how good a student you are."

Gil paused her hands. "I can't wait to show you. But I have to do something first."

She lifted an eyebrow. "What?"

His hand slipped down between them and her mouth dropped open in pleasure. Gil bent down to whisper in her ear.

"I have to touch and taste you. I've wanted to ever since I started watching you - and despite what people may think - I'm not a patient man."

"I'd believe it," Catherine replied, closing her eyes and Gil's lips trailed down her neck. She whimpered as he sucked on the pulse point of her neck and her fingers tangled in the hair at the nape of his neck when his hands cupped her breasts.

He trailed his thumbs across her nipples, smiling as they pebbled underneath his touch. Gil found it fascinating to watch her as she responded to his touch and his kisses. Thinking of the way he loved to feel her mouth beneath his, he bent down, finding her lips and pressing a hard kiss to them.

Catherine felt the deep arousal building in her body. She wanted Gil with a far greater intensity than she'd ever wanted another man before, not even her husband. Part of that bothered her, but the other part of her wondered if perhaps she had just been waiting for Gil.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the incredible pleasure of Gil's tongue tenderly circling her right nipple. She let out a long moan, and almost lifted her body off the bed as he gently nipped the taut peak.

"Oh god.Gil."

He smiled smugly as he continued his endeavor, both hands softly caressing her breasts as he laved her nipple. Deciding that he wanted to try the other one, he switched sides, first daintily licking the bud and then sucking it into his mouth. Catherine was clutching tightly at him as streams of arousal shot down her body.

When she could bear the pleasure no longer, Catherine's fingers tugged at his shoulders, urging him upwards. Their lips met in a soft kiss that quickly deepened into a long one, each trying to get closer to the other.

"Gil," she whispered as the kiss broke, "get naked. Now."

"I'm not finished," he replied, his fingers trailing down her abdomen.

"Honey, you can take as long as you want," she promised him. "I just really want to feel your skin against mine."

Gil nodded and kissed her lightly before moving back from the bed. Catherine leant up on her elbows, watching with fascination as Gil slowly undressed. First he removed his shirt, shrugging it off his shoulders and then he shucked off his shoes and socks. Next he unbuckled his pants and Catherine bit her lower lip when he stood there in nothing but his boxer shorts.

When he removed his boxers, a slow smirk appeared on her face. Gil lifted an eyebrow at her.

"What?"

"It's always the quiet ones."

Gil rolled his eyes and made his way back to the bed and to her arms. They kissed long and leisurely, before Gil's fingers made their way down to cup her heat. He ran one solitary finger down her entrance and Catherine almost self-combusted at the intimacy of his touch. With a cheeky grin, Gil slowly slid his thumb to her clit, circling the nub tenderly.

He was rewarded with the sound of her whimper and the arching of her hips. One of his hands moved to her right hip, gently easing her back onto the bed. "It's okay, sweetheart. Just relax and let me touch you."

Her eyes opened and slowly focused on his. Gil was moved by the amount of love and trust in her gaze and he moved upwards, tenderly kissing her lips.

"I love you, Catherine," he admitted.

Her eyes widened and Gil was nervous about her reaction to his statement. Then a smile lit up her face, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

"I love you, Gil."

They kissed again, slowly and leisurely as Gil's hand sneakily made its way back down Catherine's body. She closed her eyes, allowing the sensation of his touch to overwhelm her body.

However her eyes popped back open as she felt Gil's tongue take one long lick outside her center. "Jesus.Gil."

Gil looked up at her, lifting an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"Are you trying to kill me?" she asked, breathing deeply.

He pretended to look confused. "No, I'm trying to give you an orgasm. Am I doing it wrong?"

"You're doing really good," she assured him, laying her head back down on the pillow. "Don't stop.please."

Gil smirked and then stared at her for a moment. Her eyes had fluttered closed again and it gave him time to study her without her knowing she wasn't being studied. Her body was flushed with arousal and her chest heaved as she breathed deeply. Her legs were spread before him, and her knees were bent. His hands ran down her legs, watching as she arched towards him.

As he looked at her, laying on the bed in front of him and aching for him to touch her, he realized that he'd never wanted or desired a woman as much as he did Catherine. He'd never ached to touch someone so much, or wanted to make love to someone as much as he did her. Oh, he'd had sex before, definitely, and it had been good. But he'd never wanted to be completely joined, completely one, body and soul with a woman before.

Not like he wanted with her.

He realized that she was willing to give him everything - her body, her mind and her heart and soul - and what was more, she trusted him with them. And for the first time in his life, he wanted to give those things to someone else. To her.

Yes, he loved her.

"Cath," he whispered, his fingers tracing her long legs.

She opened her eyes, gazing up at him. "Mhm?"

He reached over, caressing her cheek. "I need to make love to you, Catherine. More than anything."

The smile that he was rewarded with lit up her face and she reached out, touching his face. "I want that too, Gil. Very much."

The question of protection was never needed. They trusted each other implicitly and both knew that it was going to be a lasting relationship. The likelihood of Catherine falling pregnant was minimal, and they were comfortable in the knowledge that if it did happen, they would be fine.

The deciding factor was their need to be as close to each other as humanly possible. There were to be no barriers between them this time - or in the future.

"I want to hold you when we make love," Catherine told him. "Please."

They kissed again, long and deep as Gil made his way to sit against the headboard. He propped his knees up and watched as Catherine eased herself onto his lap. She rested her back against his knees, and their eyes locked.

He kissed her neck, sucking gently on the pressure point and he felt her hands clutch at his back. Gil found himself becoming rapidly addicted to the way she tasted.

"Gil.please." Catherine urged his face upwards. "I need you inside me. Now."

His fingers disappeared inside her, smiling as he found her slick wetness. She gripped him tightly, her eyes closing as he caressed her intimately. He removed his fingers as he sensed her pleasure building up, and instead he moved his erection so that he was rubbing it back and forth on her clit. Catherine bit her lip, her arousal deepening.

When Gil couldn't stand the agony any longer, he slowly pushed inside her. Catherine whimpered as she felt her body stretch to accommodate him. When he was fully sheathed within her, they looked at each other, eyes wide with amazement.

"What took us so long?" she whispered, meeting his lips urgently. "God, Gil, you feel so good. So amazing. So."

"Right," he finished, kissing her back. "It feels right."

She nodded and kissed him again, before resting her head on his shoulder. His arms went tight around her, his fingers stroking her spine as he kissed her shoulder.

Gil slowly began to move inside her, relishing the sensation of being one with Catherine. She clung to him, her eyes closing tightly as she moved her body in unison with his. Her body was on fire, pleasure coursing through her veins at every thrust and every touch.

"Too much?" Gil whispered in her ear.

A seductive smile crossed her face. "Not enough," she murmured back.

They kissed again as need increased. Catherine felt her orgasm rising within her, and her breathing quickened as it threatened to overtake her.

"Come for me, Catherine," Gil whispered, thrusting harder. "Long and hard."

Catherine's orgasm thundered through her, making her body shudder in Gil's arms. He held tightly to her as she rode the waves of pleasure. His hands moved to her hips, gently lifting her up and down atop him. He could see that she was heading for another orgasm and he smiled smugly, knowing that he was the cause.

"Again," he murmured, kissing her lips tenderly. "I've got you, sweetheart."

She leant over, kissing him hard as her arms went around his back. His hands gently anchored her hips so that she could easily move atop him. Catherine moaned as he deepened the kiss, both eager to taste more of the other.

"You feel so good," she whispered to him. "So incredibly good."

"I love you," he told her, his lips falling to her neck. "More than anything."

Gil felt Catherine's fingers digging into his back and he pulled back slightly, desperate to watch her face as she surrendered to her orgasm. He could feel himself approaching the edge, the ecstasy of being surrounded by her tight, wet heat pushing him tantalizingly closer to release.

Their eyes locked as Catherine's jaw dropped, pleasure hitting her with full intensity and she arched against his body. Gil thrust deeply inside her, capturing her lips with his own as he came hard inside her.

Not ready to break their intimate connection, they stayed entwined and Gil leaned back against the headboard. Catherine's head rested back on his shoulder, pressing a kiss to the damp skin.

Gil tenderly caressed her back, his fingers lightly running up and down. Catherine sighed in contentment and snuggled closer.

"You comfortable, sweetheart?" he murmured in her ear.

"Mhm," she mumbled, closing her eyes.

"You know, I think I'll have the best paper at the conference."

Catherine smirked against his shoulder. "You certainly know how to give a woman more than one amazing orgasms."

"It was good, huh?"

"It was better than good."

Gil kissed her gently. "I'm glad."

"Although."

He lifted an eyebrow. "Although what?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Well, in order to have a truly thorough paper, I think we need to experiment some more." Her lips curved upwards in a smile. "Don't you agree, Dr. Grissom?"

Very soon, he wore an identical grin to hers. "You're absolutely correct, my dear."

FINIS