Catherine sat down in the tranquilly decorated waiting room at Desert Palm. She knew the surgery didn't take that long, besides she would wait for him no matter how long it took. Gil was her best friend, and lately neither of them had been acting like it. They were drifting, and she hated it. Going through everything this year without him had been hard for her. She had learned the hard way, that she needed him. She knew he needed her, and she would not let him down. True he had let her down, but this was why. He had been fighting his own battle and had no time to fight hers as well. She knew his hearing was deteorating, but she wanted him to tell her, and she knew he would when the time was right, and he had, so she would be there.

After a couple hours a nurse came into the room to get her. "Ms. Willows."

"Yes?" she answered, standing up.

"Mr. Grissom's operation was a complete success, his hearing will be back to normal after a few days. He is having some trouble now, but it's normal after surgery. You can see him now if you'd like."

"Thank you." Catherine smiled. She was glad the operation had went well, she knew it would, but it was still relieving. The nurse led her to his room where he she saw him laying, his eyes closed. He looked peaceful and content.

Catherine quietly walked over to the bed and sat down in the chair next to it. She reached for one of his hands with hers and locked her fingers around his.

He looked up when he felt her hand. "Cath, what are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be at home with Lindsay?" he said quietly.

"No, Lindsay is on a camping trip with her Girl Scout troop. She won't be back for a week."

"Oh."

"How are you feeling?"

"Tired. But Good. They said the operation was successful."

"I know, the nurse told me, I'm so happy for you Gil."

"Cath, I can't thank you enough for being here. It really meant a lot to me. Especially after how I've treated you lately."

"Hey, it's okay. Gil, I'll always be here for you. Just like you've always been there for me."

"Not lately."

"Gil, look, I understand that you didn't want to press, and you were dealing with this. It's okay. I made it. I'm okay. I mean I'll always miss Eddie, and I'll always feel guilty for hurting Greg and Sara. But everyone is okay Gil, including me for once."

"Cath, are you sure, what about today, with your-Sam?"

"Gil, how did you know...."

"Greg told me. I asked him. And I wanted to tell you, but I, it was something you needed to find out for yourself. But is you ever need to talk, I'll listen."

"I know...I just can't believe him. He, I love him, I have always loved him as my father, and my mom, and now I find out he commited murder. But I still love him. He's my dad. Just like I'll always love Eddie, even though he hurt me. I can't just stop feeling...." She explained, tears falling from her eyes.

"Hey, hey. It's okay Cath." He whispered in her ear giving her a hug. "No one is asking you to stop loving Sam. Or Eddie. You have big heart Cath, and you care about everyone. Tammy Felton, remember her, you felt sorry for her even though she played you. And I love that about you."

She managed a smile. "Thanks, Gil. You always know the right things to say."

"So do you. So does this mean we're friends again?"

"We never stopped being friends."

"I know, I just meant, are we okay?"

"We're better than okay."

They smiled at one another. Catherine sat and talked with him until visiting hours were over.

"Uh, Ms. Willows. Visiting hours are over."

"Okay, Gil, looks like they're kicking me out. I'll be by tomarrow morning to pick you up." She kissed him gently on the lips. "Get some rest."

"I will. Thanks Cath."

She grabbed her coat and purse and slid past the nurse. "Gil, don't be giving them a hard time."

"I'll try. Hey Cath, don't pick up any doctors on your way out."

"Grissom, you spoil all my fun. Besides there is only one person who posesses a PH.D. that I am interested in."

"Goodnight Catherine."

"Goodnight Gil."

After flashing him one of her trademark smiles, she was gone. "Glad things are back to normal." Gil laughed to himself.

END