I look up and groan as I see Gil Grissom standing next to my booth at the bar.

"Nice to see you too, Catherine."

"What are you, stalking me now? Trust me, you can't make me any more miserable or guilty than you already have."

"I didn't mean to make you upset or guilty."

"Go to hell, Gil."

Gil sits down opposite me. "We need to talk."

"I think we've done enough talking to last us quite a while."

He picks up my drink, downing it in one gulp. "How many of these have you had already?"

I narrow my eyes. "Two."

He signals the bartender. "Two more here." Gil looks back at me. "You don't need anymore."

"I think I know what I can handle."

Gil accepts the two drinks from the waitress. "In light of recent events, I'd seriously question that theory."

I move to stand up. "I didn't come here for a lecture. I came here to get away from you."

"Sit down, Catherine."

He's never sounded so forceful and demanding before. I sit down.

"You could have been killed."

I arch an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Don't play games with me, Catherine. You can't make me believe that you didn't suspect Adam Novak of those murders."

"Even if I did, he didn't do it. What are you so upset about?"

"What if he had been the murderer, Catherine? Did you ever think for one minute about that?"

"Why are we playing the what if game? I tried to talk to you about the possible conflict of interest, and you blew me off!"

"I was busy, Catherine! I had a lab to run!"

I fold my arms. "That's all this is about to you, isn't it? Your precious lab and its reputation! Well get this, Gil Grissom. The people MAKE the lab!"

"I don't have time to keep track of every man you choose to go to bed with!"

My eyes widen and so do his as he finally realizes what just came out of his mouth.

"I can't believe you said that."

"Cath."

I stand up. "You are a royal son of a bitch, Gil Grissom." I grab my things and go to leave. As I pass him, I lean down to whisper in his ears. "Not that it's any of your business, but I never slept with him."

With that, I stalk out of the bar.

--

I curse loudly as I bump into the lounge suite. Fortunately my mother decided to leave me and Lindsey to ourselves for a while.

Not that it will do much good, because Lindsey is overnight at a friend's house.

My pride is hurt. My dignity is hurt.

But more importantly, my heart is broken.

If I'd known that Gil thought of me like that, I'd never have let myself get so emotionally involved.

Bastard.

When the knock comes at the door, I go out, groaning as I see Gil Grissom standing on the other side.

"What the hell do you want?"

"We need to talk, Catherine."

"Every time you say that, nothing good happens. How about we just leave it that you're a saint and I'm a whore?"

Gil pushes the door open and slams it shut behind him. My eyes widen as he advances on me, and he pins my body against the wall.

"Don't you ever, ever call yourself that again. Do you understand me?"

His voice is unnervingly calm, yet lethal in its delivery.

"Gil."

"Do you understand me?"

I nod mutely, mesmerized by his eyes. They've gone a dark, stormy color, and I can almost feel them burning into me.

"Why did you.why did you say what you did to me?" I ask him, my curiosity bursting out.

His eyes are searching my body, looking me up and down. His hands have pinned my wrists above my head and his body is pressed against mine.

"I was jealous."

I open my mouth and close it again as this new revelation slips through my mind. I've never seen him like this. He's primal, animalistic, looking like he wants to stake his territory.

I'm the territory.

The way his eyes look at me, it's like he's the predator.

And I'm the prey.

I can feel his length hardening against my thigh. It's hot. And big. And clarity starts to fill my brain as I realize I want him to take me.

In a bed preferably, but right here against this wall is a good start.

I want him to take his prey and stake his territory.

I'm in big trouble.

"Catherine."

My eyes lock onto his and I inwardly shiver at the look he's giving me. It's full of heat and desire, yes, but it's also full of love and tenderness.

Which seems a little peculiar considering he's pinned me against a wall, his erection is hot against my thigh and I am about to melt into a puddle.

"Are you listening?"

I nod my head slowly, biting my lip.

"I was jealous. I hated the thought of him.of any of the men you've dated over the years, touching you, kissing you, sharing your life and Lindsey's life."

I open my mouth, about to assure him that none of them made me feel the way he does, but his finger presses against my lips.

"Let me finish."

I close my mouth, gently sucking his finger inside. He groans.

"Let me concentrate."

I smirk and nod politely.

"I hated the thought of those - scum -being allowed to touch you and kiss you, and see you in your most vulnerable state.when you were making love."

I blink and continue to stare at him. I think he may have rendered me speechless.

Gil looks a little concerned. Maybe I should say something.

Or better yet, do something.

My lips fuse to his as I wind my arms around his neck. I arch my body against his, trying to convey in this one kiss how I've felt about this man for a lifetime.

His arms tighten around my waist, pulling me against him. I think I'm definitely going to self-combust.

"Cath."

I look at him through dazed eyes, trying to control my arousal. "Yeah?"

"We're against a wall."

I almost laugh at the absurdity of it all before I catch the look in his eye. Not only does he want me, but he wants me to be sure and comfortable with it.

"Here," I tell him, nuzzling his neck. "And later, in my bedroom."

He groans and pushes harder against me. "Do you know how long.?"

"Yes," I interrupt. "Because it's been that long for me."

We share a deep kiss and he slips a hand under my shirt. This time my shiver is visible, and I can feel his long fingers gently caressing my sensitive skin.

"Hurry, Gil," I whisper, my lips grazing against his earlobe. "I need you."

With that, things move into warp speed. His fingers grasp the hem of my t-shirt and lift it over my head. I let my arms fall around his body as I capture his lips for another kiss.

I think I'm addicted to him.

"God you taste good," he murmurs, pressing kisses to my neck.

I moan as his hands cup my breasts through the bra, and he pulls me to him as his fingers work on the clasp.

There's no argument from this end, as the feeling of being pressed hard up against his body is sending shockwaves through my system.

Finally the bra is tossed onto the floor and I arch towards him as his thumbs run across the skin he has uncovered.

His lips meet my skin and I feel like I'm burning up. He's kissing the tip of each of my breasts, and I realize I want to feel his skin against mine, let my fingers trail across his chest and make him feel the way I do now.

"Shirt off," I pant, my hands going to the buttons of his shirt.

He lets me push the shirt away from his body and I smile broadly as I let my fingers caress the warm skin.

"Closer," I murmur. My arms go around his back and push him towards me. The feel of skin against skin is electric and I can only imagine how good it's going to feel when we're completely connected.

His thoughts must be going in the same direction as I feel his fingers skim down my body and over my abdomen. I twitch in reflex and then my eyes slip shut as he dips a finger underneath my pants.

When the finger slides past the hem of my panties, I buck against him, a low moan emanating from my lips.

"Does that hit the spot?" he asks me, a smug smile on his face.

"I don't know, does this?" My free hand cups him through his pants and he closes his eyes.

"I'll take that as a yes," I reply, my smile mirroring his earlier one.

"No more games," he growls.

Within a few seconds I'm standing naked before him, and he's got that predatory gleam back in his eyes. They roam my body, followed by his hands in hot pursuit.

And when I say hot, I mean hot. My body is tingling and hot at the same time, and I can't stop the arousal that throbs through me.

I don't want to stop it.

"You too," I tell him, my hands going to his belt buckle.

He stops me, pushing my hands away. "No touching," he warns. "Too good."

I snicker and watch with lust in my eyes as he strips down. When he's completely naked I look him over, my tongue snaking out to moisten my lower lip. My eyes finally lift to meet his.

"Gil."

He only needs that one word and he pins me against the wall again. His hands lift me up and I wrap my legs tightly around his waist. My arms are around his neck and I secure his lips in a deep kiss.

His tongue snakes inside my mouth to caress mine and I moan into the kiss. The tip of his erection brushes against my center and I reach between us, guiding him inside me.

With one deep thrust he's there and I whimper at the sudden feeling of completion.

His eyes burn into mine as he moves and I arch towards him, meeting his lips in a kiss.

"Gil."

"I've waited for two decades to touch you, hold you, kiss you and be inside you." His mouth moves to my ear and I shiver at his warm breath against my sweat-slicked skin. "To watch you when I push you over that edge."

He gets his wish as I tighten my body around him. Wave after wave of hot pleasure pulses through me as the combination of his words and his deep thrusts send me spiraling.

"Gil.please." I half beg and half plead with him as I close my eyes and let the pleasure build up again.

"I've got you, Cath," he whispers into my ear, moving faster and deep.

My hands caress his back, stroking up and down as he moves within me. Part of me feels like I can't take anymore of the immense feelings building up in me, and wants him to stop. The other part of me doesn't want this feeling to ever go away and I can hear myself telling him how much I want him, how good this feels.

Then he changes the angles of his thrusts and I feel his hands caressing my body.

"Gil.I can't." I bite my lower lip.

"I know you can," he tells me. "Look at me, Catherine."

I open my eyes, looking into his.

"Just let it go," he encourages, his tongue soothing my lower lip where I bit it earlier.

Heat explodes in my center and I whimper at the intense heat taking over me. He thrusts twice more, before he groans out my name. I can feel his warmth inside me, our bodies pressed tightly together and his hot breath against my breast.

We sink to the floor and I snuggle in his arms, unwilling to let him move away from me. But it seems he's not interested in leaving me, as his arms tighten around my body.

Gil moves a little and I look up at him, concerned that this is it.

"Relax, baby," he murmurs. "I just thought we might be more comfortable upstairs."

Oh my god. He wants to take me upstairs. He called me baby.

This is all very positive.

I think he's just realized what he said because his face is getting the most adorable red flush on it.

"Gil.it's okay." I put my hand on his arm. "As long as you don't start putting me in diapers. Nick told me about that woman saying you were his daddy."

We both laugh as we remember the recent case with the diaper clad businessman.

"You told me that night that you'd missed my tush." I remind him as he helps me up off the floor.

"I did miss your tush," he replies, affectionately patting it as we make our way upstairs. "But I missed you more."

"I missed you too," I reply, leading him into my bedroom.

I slip into the bathroom and then settle myself in my bed while he uses the bathroom. I don't bother with a nightgown - I'd much rather feel his skin against mine than anything else.

When he returns, he slips into bed beside me. I curl up against him, closing my eyes in satisfaction as he gently caresses my back.

"I love you," I murmur. My eyes pop open. Did I really just say that?

Obviously I did, because Gil's hand stills against my back. But it's only for a moment, then Gil resumes his ministrations.

"I love you too, Catherine."

I smile and rest my head on his chest, closing my eyes again.

"Cath?"

"Mhm?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Anything."

"Why did you pick men that hurt you?"

I stiffen for a moment, then relax. This is Gil. He's naturally curious. I'm safe with him.

He moves beside me and settles on his side. I roll on my side to face him and smile as his fingers trace the contours of my face.

"We don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," he murmurs.

I reach out, my fingers touching his face. "No, I want to. I want to explain to you."

Gil nods and kisses my fingers. "When you're ready."

It's hard to explain. But for him, I want to try. "Do you ever lie awake at night, wishing someone was there to hold you?"

"Sometimes."

I look at him in surprise but continue my tale. "I need human contact, Gil. I need someone holding me, touching me."

"But why them?" he asks, clearly still confused.

"I don't know," I whisper. "I wish I did."

"Why not me?" Gil finally asks.

"You deserve better."

"You fit," he tells me. "I want you."

"You better be damn sure," I reply. "Because once I have a hold of you I'm not letting go."

He takes my hand. "Yours."

I shift my body so that I'm resting above him. "I love you."

Gil leans up and kisses me. "I love you too."

I snuggle against him and he goes back to caressing my back.

"Sleep, Cath," he whispers.

I follow his suggestion.

--

My eyes fly open as I feel a warm mouth close over my nipple. I look down, arching an eyebrow as I see Gil Grissom's curls.

"Well, good morning to you too," I whisper, my fingers running through his hair.

He looks up at me, a smile on his face. "Hi. Sorry I woke you up."

"No need to.mmm," I close my eyes again as he resumes his ministrations, ".apologize."

"You were asleep," he explains, "and just lying there." He lets his tongue run around the areola. "You taste so good that I couldn't resist."

"Come here," I urge, tugging at his shoulders.

His lips meet mine in a leisurely good morning kiss. I deepen it slowly, my arms winding around his neck.

"You taste pretty good as well," I tell him, my fingers running down his chest.

His hands skim down the side of my body and rest against my hips. He lifts me up against him and I groan as my heat brushes against his erection.

"Been thinking about me this morning, have you?" I ask, a mischievous smile on my face.

"Mhm. And dreaming about you." He kisses me again. "I love you, Catherine."

I cup his face. "I love you too."

We kiss again and I slip my hand between us, stroking his length. "Gil."

"Let me explore," he murmurs, his lips trailing down my neck.

"Well.when you put it like that." I close my eyes, shivering as his tongue flicked over my nipples.

His lips move downwards, licking and sucking at my skin. My fingers tangle themselves in his curls, finding myself still amazed at the feelings he could invoke within me.

I arch my body upwards and my mouth drops open in a silent groan as his mouth closes over my center. The intensity of my arousal shoots up another notch as he pleasures me, licking and sucking at my clit.

"Gil.god."

"I like to think so," comes the reply, before his fingers begin to stroke my inner thighs.

"Smartass," I mutter.

"Shh, now," he whispers, "just relax."

My eyes widen, wondering if he enjoys asking the impossible.

I realize he must be enjoying this, because he's kissing and touching and tasting and licking and my body is on fire.

"I." I can feel the tingling begin in my body, and I know I'm so close to release.

"I want you to," he murmurs against my skin. "I want to know that I caused this, that I made you feel this way. I want to watch you receive so much pleasure that you can't stand it anymore."

I open my eyes and look at him for a moment, before throwing my head back and crying out his name as an intense orgasm rushes through me.

He continues to caress me, his eyes locked onto mine as he watches me shiver and tremble beneath him.

Gil's hands move to my hips, easing me onto the bed as I take deep breaths.

"You have no idea how amazing it makes me feel to watch you when that happens," he grins.

I blink, still finding my way through the pleasure-induced fog. "Huh?"

He chuckles and leans down, kissing my lips gently. "You have a beautiful orgasm face."

I feel the blush rising up my face, and I realize he has seen it when he presses kisses to every part of my face it moves to.

"Don't be embarrassed," he murmurs. "You're beautiful. Amazing. And I love you."

I lean up to meet his lips with mine and hug him close to my body. "You're handsome. And amazing. And I love you."

He lifts my hips so that I brush against him and I shiver at the sensation.

With a smile on my face I wrap my legs around his waist. I place my hand on his erection, letting my fingers gently stroke it, before guiding it to my center.

I hear his groan as he slides deep within me and I arch towards him, letting out my own murmur of pleasure.

When I open my eyes again, he's looking down at me, thrusting deeply in and out of my body. I'm not sure which has me more aroused, the sensation of his movements or the way he's looking at me.

He makes his strokes slow and deliberate, making sure I feel every inch of him. His eyes are a dark blue, glazed over with desire as he leans down to kiss me.

"Gil."

"Let the feelings take over," he whispers in my ear. "Let them overwhelm you."

I take deep breaths, wanting this delicious feeling to last longer. Gil's thrusts start to quicken and I know he must be close to the edge.

I wrap my arms around his neck, urging him down for a deep kiss. He responds in kind, his tongue snaking into my mouth to stroke the roof sensually.

My inner muscles tighten around him in response as I find myself losing the battle to keep from letting go.

He kisses my throat and then begins to lick and suck my breasts as he changes the angle of his thrusts.

With a cry of his name I tumble over the edge, shuddering beneath him. He continues to thrust, and I hold tight to him as the intensity of my orgasm increases. I faintly hear him groan my name as his warmth fills me.

His body rests on mine for a moment, and I luxuriate in the sensation of him pressing me into the mattress. A startled cry leaves my lips as he rolls us over and I end up sprawled above him. However I am pleased to note that he's been careful enough to make sure he remains inside me.

After only making love for the second time, I'm already addicted to being completed by him.

"Comfortable?" he asks, his fingers caressing my back.

"Absolutely," I reply, snuggling close.

"I love you, Cath."

"Hmm, love you too," I tell him, my eyes drooping shut.

"I'm sorry about."

I reach up, pressing a finger to his lips. "It's over now, Gil. And we never have to go back to that place again." My hands run over his body. "I've got all the human contact I need."

Gil smiles broadly and pulls me down for a long, slow kiss. "Me too, Cath. Me too."

FINIS