It is a wonderful night. Warrick, Nick, Sara, Greg and Gil have all turned out to the local club to help celebrate my birthday. No one is drunk yet, which I'm eternally grateful for. I have something else on my mind tonight. And that something is Gil Grissom.

He sits across the table from me, sipping slowly on a beer. He is listening to Nick and Warrick argue about football teams, although I can bet he had no idea what they are talking about.

They had all given me presents, most of them gag gifts. But what I want for a present is sitting across from me sipping beer.

"Gil," I say, getting his attention by lightly kicking his shin under the table.

He glances up at me, an inquisitive look on his face.

"Wanna dance with me?"

Gil looks around at the other CSI's, all engrossed in conversations. "Me?"

I narrow my eyes. "No, the Gil Grissom behind you. And if you look behind you, I'll have to come over there and beat you up."

He smirks and stands up. "Then I better dance with you. Nothing is more scary than the wrath of Catherine Willows."

I stand up and take the proffered hand. "And don't you ever forget it."

He holds my body close to him as we sway slowly to the music. I could just die here in his arms and I would die a happy woman. But I still want something more. Something I know he wants too.

I'm not a stupid woman. I can see all the signs and all the flirting we do with each other. And his birthday present to me? Well, the fact that it was a room at one of the ritziest hotels for the night has got to be a hint. He says it's because I deserve a night away with a dashing man. I want him to be that dashing man.

My arms slide up and lock together around his neck, and my eyes travel up to his. He smiles at me and I smile back.

"Got any plans for tonight, Gil?" I ask. Man, I'm out of practice. THAT'S the best I can do for a pick-up line?

"Helping you enjoy your birthday," he replies. "And hopefully, making sure that our friends who are ordering double shots now will get home in one piece."

I glance over and watch Greg down a double shot. I turn back to Gil. "Want to enjoy yourself with me?" My God, what is the matter with me!?

"I am," he says sincerely. "I always enjoy myself with you."

Maybe I'm REALLY out of practice. Maybe he's not attracted to me? No, don't think that Catherine. I can feel him pull away from me and almost have a heart attack.

"What's the matter?" I ask, reluctant to let go.

"Greg just passed out," Gil said. "I think we better go help because I don't know if the rest of them are any better."

Could Greg be any more insensitive!? NOW? He picks NOW to pass out? I follow Gil over, and he examines the limp body of Greg Sanders. If I weren't getting such a nice view of Gil's butt, I'd be killing Sanders about now. I glance at the table, and look at how many empty shot glasses there are.

"Jesus, guys, we were only gone a few minutes!" I say, gesturing to the glasses.

Sara giggles uproariously. "Twas all Warrick's idea!"

I glare at her. Someone is going to die. But if I go to jail.that pretty much ruins any chance of being with Gil. I grab my purse.

"I'm exhausted. I better get going." I smile broadly and put on my best flirting face towards Gil. "Thanks for the birthday present."

Gil watches me leave and soon Greg comes around.

"I think she's pissed off," Nick says, his eyes on the door.

"Well duh!" Warrick says. He points at Gil. "That's because he's a dumbass."

Gil raises an eyebrow and stares back at Warrick. "Excuse me?"

"And an idiot," Sara nods.

"And a moron," Nick says.

"Have you got anything to add?" Gil asks Greg.

"I think I'm going to be sick," Greg says, staggering off to the bathroom.

"She wanted you REALLY bad," Warrick tells him. "All the signs were there! And you blew it!" He downs an untouched shot glass on the table. "Dumbass."

Sara gets a somber look on her face and raises a finger. "But wait! Maybe it's not too late!"

Nick burst out laughing. "You're a poet and you didn't know it!"

The two giggle as Gil looks towards Warrick. "Anything else?"

Warrick yawned. "Yeah. She wants to bang your brains out."

"Warrick! That's so rude!" Sara chuckles.

"It's SO true though," Nick says.

Gil's eyes widen at the three of them. "Are you sure you guys are finished?"

Sara puts her head in her hands and stares at him. "Why are you still here? YOU rented her the room at the hotel! Go away!"

"Dumbass," Warrick repeats.

Nick smirks at Gil. "You want her really bad, dontcha?"

"I'm talking to three insanely drunk people," Gil says.

"Hey! I'm not drunk!" Sara cries, and promptly passes out in Nick's lap.

Nick waves at Gil. "Bye bye now."

"Have mindblowing sex," Warrick says.

"Trust us.we're experts in the dating field," Nick grins. "Look! I got a girl in my lap!"

Jim Brass walks into the club, sidling over to them. "Sorry, I'm late. Got caught up and.woah, what happened to this lot?"

"Can you take care of them? I've got somewhere I have to be," Gil says, patting Jim on the shoulder.

"Sure. Hey, where's the birthday girl?"

"Waiting for me," Gil replies, dashing out of the club.

Brass sits down beside Nick. "Well, you guys aren't going anywhere. Waiter!"

I jump off the bed as I hear someone knocking on the door. As I peer through the peephole, my fantasies are realised.

"Yes!" I cry, pumping my fist in the air. Okay, so it's a REALLY good thing the door is shut and Gil didn't see that.

I open the door and we stare at each other for a few moments.

"Hi," I say, finally breaking the silence.

"Hi," he replies.

I open the door a little wider and stand aside as he comes in. My eyes widen as I see him place the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the doorknob and close it.

I back up against the door, facing him. We stare at each other again.

"Did you.uh.did you want something?" I ask him.

"Maybe," he replies.

"Maybe?" I repeat, staring at him. God, his lips are so kissable and.oh, he's moving.that's good.a little closer..

Our lips crash together in our first kiss, and now I KNOW I've died and gone to heaven. His body feels so good pressed against mine and as we kiss I push off his jacket. He sucks eagerly at my bottom lip and I moan, my hands on his shoulders as he deepens the kiss.

He lifts me then and I wrap my legs around his waist as he anchors me between the door and him. God, he tastes good. And boy does he feel good!

Somehow we get tangled and then there's a stumbling from one of us and next thing I know, we're on the floor, me on top of him.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

He bursts out laughing and I laugh with him. He makes quick work of the buttons on my shirt and I shrug it off. I straddle his waist and unclasp my bra, slipping it off quickly.

We stare at each other again, and finally he reaches a hand up and gently cups my breast. The feelings of his hand on me is electric and I move forward slightly, gasping as his other hand cups my other breast.

Our eyes lock on each other as he continues touching me, and I return the favour, my hands caressing his chest. I bend down and we kiss again, and I relish the feel of his chest brushing against mine.

I want him, and I want him now. I travel down his chest, pressing small kisses to it and reach his feet, where I yank off the socks. My eyes lock onto his.

"Stand up," I order.

He stands up in front of me and my God, what a specimen of a man. I bite my bottom lip in anticipation as I let my eyes travel over him. I crawl over and pull his boxers down, watching him step out of them.

Okay, it's going to be a VERY long night. And I thought I was the most aroused out of the two of us but I was seriously deluded.

My hand reaches out and he's so incredibly hard in my hand. I look up at him and his eyes are clenched shut and I smile. The pad of my thumb travels across the tip and he lets out a soft sigh.

I take my hand completely away and watch as he opens his eyes and smiles at me.

"Do I pass inspection?"

"You'll do," I grin, standing up. "But I really need to investigate some more before I make my final decision."

I climb onto the bed, resting on my elbows and watch him walk towards me. My God, this man should come with some kind of consumer warning.

"Well, that's fine, but I haven't done any investigating yet. How do I know that you'll pass inspection?"

Why that big.no, bad word choice Catherine. I arch an eyebrow at him. "Come on then, investigate away."

The predatory gleam in his eye worries me slightly. Perhaps this is one of those times I should have thought before I opened my big mouth. Geez, what's wrong with me? Big, bad, sassy Catherine who was literally throwing herself at this man earlier is now literally melting under his gaze!

He hovers above me for a moment and I can feel myself dying of anticipation. I wiggle gently underneath him. Probably not the best idea, because I collided with him and boy did that feel good. Well, that's what sex is about right? So I do it again.

His eyes stare at me and I smirk back, a challenging look in my eyes, just willing him to make good on his promise.

We kiss again and as our tongues duel together and explore, I can feel his hands skim across my breasts and stroke them gently. Where the hell did he learn all this stuff? Maybe it's better not to know, because at the moment I'd rather concentrate on.oh geez! My stomach is such a good place for his hand to be. He's stroking so gently and I can feel my muscles contract underneath him in anticipation for where his hand is going to disappear to next.

But now his lips are on the move and they're sucking gently on my collarbone. Thank god for concealer cause I know that's going to leave a mark for tomorrow.

He moves lower and his incredibly warm and talented mouth investigates my breasts. They should patent this guy in a bottle!

My hands tangle in his hair and urge him on. I make an exasperated noise as I feel the cool air hit my upper body, but my brain activity is taken over by the kisses currently working their way down my body. He pauses at the hem of my skirt and looks up at me. I smile broadly at him and he grins back, unzipping the skirt and sliding it down my hips.

His warm hands arrive back and I lift my hips for him as he slides my panties off. I reach for him, to hold him to me. God, I want to feel his naked body pressed against mine more than anything. But he holds back, kneeling on the bed and staring at me.

"Do I pass inspection?" I ask, mimicking his earlier tone.

He looks up at me and his voice is hoarse as he replies, "Absolutely." He pauses for a minute. "But I have one last thing to inspect."

Oh God. If he's going where I think he's going.my hips buck up against him as he strokes gently around my centre. I watch him, so intent on his investigation. He looks up at me for a moment, before bending down and.oh yes, right there. His tongue is doing amazing things down there and when I feel his finger enter me, curling inside me and his tongue circle my clit, I'm gone. My entire body convulses around him, my orgasm rushing through me at breakneck pace. He continues his ministrations until I start to calm, breathing heavily and my body settling onto the bed.

"Hi," he says, coming to hover above me again.

"Hi," I reply dreamily. I tug on his shoulders and bring his lips to mine in a deep, soul-searching kiss. I know I will always love the feeling of his lips pressing against mine for the rest of my life. But at the moment, what I am more aware of is his naked body pressing against mine and the ache I have inside me for him to satisfy it.

I wrap my legs around his waist, and close my eyes as he brushes against me.

"Gil, please," I beg. Is this really me? Catherine Willows, begging a man to make love to her? That's when it clicks. I'm not begging for sex.I'm simply wanting to make love to a man that I have loved for seventeen years.

"I love you," I whisper, before he moves and before I lose the courage to say it.

His eyes stare down at me and a smile spreads across his face. His hand brushes some stray hair from my forehead. "I love you, Catherine. So much."

Our eyes lock together as he slowly slides inside me. We watch the pleasure from our joining show on the other's face in wonderment.

He feels so incredibly good inside me and I whimper slightly. He looks down at me, making sure I'm alright and I smile, my hands running across his shoulders.

"More," I murmur.

He smiles at me and starts slowing moving. My hands travel down his back, and finally come to rest on his backside. I grin at him.

"I like your ass," I tell him. "It looked very fetching as it wiggled in that hospital gown."

He stops moving completely and raises an eyebrow at me. "I did not wiggle my ass at you."

I wink at him. "Maybe not intentionally." I arch against him, my hands pressing on his ass, trying to move him deeper inside me. "Gil, please, don't stop."

He smiles at me, resuming his movements and my eyes flutter closed. I never knew it could feel like this.like I was actually one with another person. I know, I know it sounds corny but we fit so well together, as if we were made for each other. Who knows, maybe we were.

"Faster," I tell him, as I feel that familiar feeling rising within me.

He bends down and captures my lips, kissing me gently. "You're beautiful," he tells me, as we move faster together.

I cry out his name as white-hot pleasure spreads through me. I writhe beneath him as my body trembles and I feel him shudder as he groans my name in release.

"I love you," I tell him, peppering his face with kisses. "So very much."

He smiles and we indulge in a long kiss.

"I love you back, Catherine."

We snuggle together and our hands entwine.

"Happy birthday, baby," he tells me, kissing my hand.

I grin. This has definitely been the best birthday ever.

FINIS