Catherine rapped on Gil's door. Brass had called her and told her what happened to Roger Jennings. Part of her wished she had stayed at work with Gil, so he could have leant on her when he needed her. The other part of her knew that she hadn't known until after she arrived home, and what she was doing now, going to him, was the best thing she could do.

"Cath?"

"Hey handsome," she smiled at him.

Gil opened the door, allowing her in. Dressed in only boxer shorts and his dress shirt, he looked half asleep. "Is everything okay? Lindsey?"

Catherine walked in, taking off her coat and hanging it up. "She's fine. I dropped her off at school and then came over here." Her hand rested on his cheek. "I know what happened."

His shoulders slumped, he shuffled back into the lounge room, sitting on the couch. "I don't want to talk about it, Catherine."

Catherine eyed the half empty vodka bottle on his kitchen counter, before turning back to him. "Got started on the screwdrivers without me, huh bugman?"

"Want one?"

"No, I think at least one of us should stay sober."

Gil frowned at her. "I'm sober."

"So far."

"You think I'm going to get drunk, Cath? If I wanted to get drunk, I'd have been passed out before you got here."

Catherine realized it was going to be a tough night. "Thanks for waiting then. How about something to eat? What do you feel like?"

"Not hungry."

"You might not be, but I am." Catherine walked over to the fridge. "Omelet?"

"I said I wasn't."

"Right, sorry. Oh well, you can sit there and keep me company while I cook."

"Catherine, I don't."

Catherine just looked at him. Gil sighed and sat on the stool.

He watched as she started to prepare the omelet.

"You're a good cook, Catherine. You should cook more often."

She arched an eyebrow. "Thanks, Gil."

"I mean it. I don't think you've ever made me something I didn't like."

Catherine smirked. "What about the pie surprise I made one night after class?"

Gil paused. "Well. That was.a surprise."

Happy to see him relaxing a little, Catherine smiled. "Thank you for being so nice about it."

"I killed him, Cath."

Her eyes rose, looking at him. "No you didn't, Gil. This isn't your fault."

"Don't say that when we both know it is! I let Nick and Sara's evidence go to the DA when we weren't ready!"

"Gil. You did not kill him. This is not your fault." She knelt in front of him. "What do I have to do to make you believe that?"

Gil didn't look at her. "I'm not in a good mood tonight, Cath." He stood up. "I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"

Catherine ignored the hurt and stood up. "I don't think so, Gil." She stood toe to toe with him. "Part of being in a relationship is being with the other one when they need you.whether they're willing to admit it or not."

Gil looked at the floor. "Would you.do you want to.stay tonight?"

Catherine rolled her eyes, putting her hand on his arm. "Was that so hard to ask?"

"I'm new to all this, remember?" he said, looking at her. "I'm used to dealing with it on my own."

Catherine took his hand and squeezed it. "Get used to dealing with it, with me."

---

An hour later found them curled up in bed together. Catherine had fed him, ordered him into the shower and had stood over him as he brushed his teeth. She had helped him change into a pair of boxers and had slid into bed beside him.

His hands were tight around her waist, his lips nuzzling her neck.

She turned in his arms and they looked at each other, pressing close together as fingers caressed.

"You won't die on me, will you Cath?"

"I promise," she whispered. Her fingers caressed his cheek. "Promise that you won't die on me?"

He nodded. "I promise."

They lay looking at each other for a few moments, gently touching and caressing.

"Cath?"

"Mhm?" she asked, her finger trailing down his chest.

"Let me make love to you."

Her eyes met his. "You sure?"

Gil nodded, his hand caressing her breast through the fabric of her shirt. "You make me feel alive, Catherine. I love you."

She leant in, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips. "You make me feel the same way." She kissed him again. "I love you."

Gil deepened the kiss, moving so that he hovered above her. She arched against him, putting her arms around his neck as she kissed him back.

His hands slipped underneath her shirt, smiling as he watched her eyes close. He always felt safe with Catherine. He knew that even if he opened himself up to her, she might take all of him, but she'd never hurt him.

She raised her arms, letting him slip off the shirt and his hands fell to caress her bare breasts. As he listened to her quiet sighs, he thought of how lucky he was, and how amazing she made him feel.

Catherine brought colour to his life, lighting it up and making it seem real. She showed him how to live his life, instead of living in a shell.

Now, as she arched her hips so he could take off her pants, he knew she was the only one that could help him.

Catherine felt the slight change in Gil as they kissed deeply. She could feel the stiffness in his muscles start to relax, and she smiled into the kiss as her fingers gently stroked his back.

"What?" Gil asked, looking at her.

She continued to caress his skin. "I can feel you starting to relax."

"You're good for me, Catherine."

"You take care of me when I need it. Now let me take care of you when you need it."

Gil leant down, his hands framing her face. "Just by being here, by making love with me.you're taking care of me."

Catherine captured his lips with hers, her arms going around his neck and pulling him closer so that their bodies lay aligned with one another. She felt him harden against her thigh and she let her body slide up and down under his, creating friction between them.

"Cath." He felt his body tighten at her movements. "Don't tease."

She smiled, whispering in his ear. 'But it's fun to tease."

A smug smile that had Catherine worried for a moment came across Gil's face, and his hand cupped her heat.

"Oh.kay." she hissed, her body arching against him. "Point taken."

"Not nearly," Gil replied, kissing her again as his fingers ran over her breasts. His lips followed the trail that his fingers made, and Catherine moaned under his touch.

"Gil." Catherine opened her eyes and looked up at him. "This should be about you."

"I want it to be about both of us," he replied, kissing her nose. "It makes me feel good when I see you feel good."

She leant up to kiss him again, her hands splaying across his back.

His hands held her hips, lifting her body to brush against his. He was rewarded by a whimper and her legs wrapped around his waist.

"Now, Gil," she murmured, caressing his cheek. "No more waiting."

He bent down, pressing his lips against her breasts, watching her shiver with anticipation. He cupped her heat once more, now satisfied that she was ready, and inch by inch, he slowly moved inside her.

Catherine's body tightened around his, her fingers clutching his hips. Her eyes opened to stare up at him and her hands moved to stroke against his skin.

"I love you," she whispered.

He smiled down at her, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips. "I love you too, Cath."

Taken over by the passion he felt for this woman, he started to thrust harder and faster. Catherine moved with him, arching her body to get closer to him.

"Cath," he groaned, feeling the tightness in his belly.

"Let go," she murmurs, holding his hand.

Gil thrust once more, hard and deep inside her and shuddered, whispering her name as he came inside her. His warmth proved the trigger for Catherine, as she strained against him and cried out beneath him.

Moments later, he rolled onto his back, letting Catherine rest atop him.

"Hi, handsome," she whispered, brushing his damp curls away from his face.

"Thank you," Gil whispered back, his hand stroking her back.

"I think you thanked me at the end there, didn't you?" she teased.

He looked at her, all sincerity in his eyes. "You know what I mean, Cath."

Her eyes softened. "I know. And you're very welcome." She kissed him gently. "How about you get some sleep now?"

"Stay with me."

Catherine smiled broadly. "Always."

FINIS