Catherine watched across the table with an eagle eye as Gil pushed his food around his plate. She knew that something was bothering him - he'd been very quiet since his return home and she knew her cooking wasn't that bad.

"Gil?"

He looked up at her. "Huh?"

"What happened at work tonight?"

He frowned at her. "What do you mean?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Tell me about your case."

"It was fine."

"Really?"

"Why would I lie to you?"

Stunned, Catherine sat back in her chair. "Wow. Where did that come from?"

Gil sighed. "I'm sorry. I just had a bad day."

Catherine leant forward again, her hand reaching over to take his. "You know, Gil, part of being in a relationship with someone is being able to talk to them."

"We talk."

"That's right, we do talk. But more often than not it's you listening to my problems because you won't tell me yours."

Gil groaned. "If this is about my hearing again."

"No, Gil, it's not about your hearing. It's about you not telling me things."

"Catherine, I'm not good with relationships. You knew that when we started this."

She sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Maybe, I just wish that sometimes you'd talk to me. Let me know what's going on in your head. Sometimes I can't always read what's going on in there and I feel a little helpless."

"I wished you were there with me today," he finally said.

Catherine smiled at him. "I love working with you too, Gil, but I did have to go to that meeting."

"I know you did. What I meant was - I needed you with me on that case, not Sara."

"Did she do something to upset you?" Catherine asked, well aware of Sara's ability to frustrate Gil.

"Nothing out of the ordinary," he replied. "It was just.we were at a mental institution. And some of the people there."

"They got to you," she finished.

Gil nodded. "Usually I'm okay, or I'm okay because I know you're there to keep an eye on me - but I felt isolated and alone. I know that's strange coming from me, but since we've been together I've gotten used to." He trailed off.

Catherine smiled at him. "Used to not being alone."

He smiled at her and shrugged. "You've gotten me used to you, Cath."

"About damn time," she replied, making her way around to his side of the table. "I'm already used to you."

"Very glad to hear it," he replied, letting her sit on his lap. He put his arms around her. "I can always count on you to make me feel better."

Catherine kissed his cheek. "I do what I can." She cupped his face, making him look at her. "I need you to start talking to me, Gil. The only way this is going to work is if it's a two-way street."

He nodded. "I know. It's just hard."

She rested her forehead against his. "Oh come on, you'd be bored if everything was easy."

"There was one reason I was glad you weren't on the case with me," he admitted.

"And what was that?"

"One of the men took Sara hostage."

Catherine looked up at him in shock. "Oh my god! Is she okay?"

Gil nodded. "She's fine. But I was ashamed of myself."

Catherine was confused. "Why?"

"Because my first thought wasn't for Sara's safety. My first thought was 'what would I have done if it had been you'."

She sighed, resting a hand on his cheek. "Oh, Gil."

"I know it was a terrible thing for me to do, and I'm ashamed of myself for thinking it, but I couldn't help it. I thought that if you hadn't gone to that meeting, if the team had still been together, I would have taken you with me. And you could have gotten hurt."

"Gil, you're thinking about what if's, and maybe's. What you need to remember is that I wasn't there. I'm right here and I'm fine." She kissed his forehead. "And you don't have anything to be ashamed of. You love me, and I'm grateful for that."

He put his arms around her, holding her tight against his body. "I love you, Catherine."

She smiled. "I love you too." Nudging him, she gave him a small kiss. "Take me to bed, bugman."

"The dishes."

Catherine speared him with a look. "Forget the dishes. Take me to bed."

Comforted by her love, Gil took her upstairs with him.

To bed.

FINIS