Grissom wearily threw down his keys. He glanced around him at his empty townhouse.

Here's the Tin man in his tin house cocoon Grissom let a wry chuckle pass his lips. "God I'm pathetic" he said to no one in particular as he went to his refrigerator to get orange juice.

Out of nowhere, his recent discussion with Brass came to mind. Curiously, it had been about Catherine. Grissom pondered this for a moment. Did Brass possibly see how much lighter his heart was when he was around her? How jealous he always seemed to get even when someone like Warrick paid attention to her?

They had been sitting in Grissom's office partway through shift. All Grissom wanted to do was catch up on some of his paperwork, but he kept seeing Catherine laughing and joking with Nick and Warrick in the breakroom.Brass had looked at him quite seriously when he had said "You should really talk to her, Gil. She's not a mind reader you know."What kind of comment was that anyway?

Suddenly, Grissom had an epiphany. He grabbed his keys again, going back for his coat when he realized it was raining again. He was in love with Catherine. He had to tell her.

Catherine was settled in front of the TV with a hot cup of tea and a bowl of popcorn, glancing outside the window and sighing when she saw the rain had started again. When the front doorbell rang, Catherine muttered softly under her breath because she was sure Lindsey had forgotten her house keys again. However, she was stunned to find a soaking wet Grissom standing on her doorstep. Ordering herself out of her stupor, she took Grissom's hand and pulled him inside.

"Hey." Grissom gave her a sheepish smile.

"Come on. We better get you dry before you catch pneumonia," Catherine said. Grissom obediently followed her to the bathroom as he rehearsed in his head what he wanted to say to the one woman who was his everything.

Grissom snapped out of his train of thought with Catherine's voice "Earth to Gil. You still with me over there?" She was holding out two towels and a dry bathrobe. Catherine continued as Grissom took the items and went into the bathroom. "I'll make you some tea."

Grissom quietly dried off and changed, hanging his wet clothes on the bath tub. He found Catherine in the kitchen. He crept up behind her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

"Catherine."

Catherine knew something was up when Grissom turned off the TV.

"I need to tell you something," Grissom said softly.

"Okay." Catherine tried to be encouraging despite being able to feel a hard lump beginning to rise in her throat.

Grissom took a deep breath as he reached for Catherine's hand. "I love you," he finally blurted out.

Catherine's eyes widened a little. "What?"

"I love you," Grissom repeated a little quieter now. Catherine leaned forward to cup Grissom's face. She pressed a gentle kiss to his lips, emitting a cry of pleasure as Grissom deepened it. He gently lowered her to the couch. He ran his tongue along the seam of her lips, wanting entry into her mouth. Catherine moaned as she opened her mouth for him.

"I want you," Grissom whispered as his fingers went to the buttons on her blouse. Catherine arched against him.

"Yes," she whispered. Her hands went up to his hair. Grissom couldn't contain himself. Her taste and scent were driving him crazy. He ripped the buttons off Catherine's blouse and sat her up to slide it off. Her bra was expertly unclasped and tossed on the floor. Grissom hungrily took Catherine's right breast in his mouth, growling low in his throat. Catherine writhed under him, trying to get as close to him as she could. Grissom began to pull down her jeans and her underwear as he switched to her other breast. Changing his mind, he whispered, "Wrap your legs around me." Catherine looked up at him, eyes widening a little. Obediently, she anchored herself to him. Grissom kissed her neck as he carefully stood up with her in her arms.

Catherine buried her face in his neck as he walked to the bedroom. He gently laid her down on the bed as he kissed away the tears that had managed to fall down her cheek.

"I love you," Catherine whispered as her hands reached up to caress his beard.

"I love you too," Grissom reciprocated without any hesitation at all. He resumed his ministrations again, running his tongue down to her belly button. Catherine moaned and arched again. Grissom's fingers were beginning to tremble as he pulled down her jeans and underwear. They were pushed onto the floor. He assaulted her soft white thighs, nibbling and licking toward her center.

"God!" Catherine slammed her body into the bed. Her body shuddered. Grissom's tongue darted out to taste her.

"Gil.please." Catherine shuddered again.

"Please what? Tell me what you want..." Grissom whispered, touching her again.

"Want you inside me," Catherine groaned as she pulled at his shirt. Grissom stood up to remove his robe, returning to cover Catherine's body. Catherine whimpered when she felt his skin against hers. Grissom closed his eyes as he entered her.

"Yes.more..." Catherine begged.

Grissom bent down to kiss her neck as he moved inside her. She was a drug in his system, urging him on. Catherine's hand ran through his curls and then down to his back, gripping his skin.

"Deeper.faster..." she growled.

Grissom growled low down in his throat as he dove into her warmth, needing to be as close to her as he could get.

"So close," Catherine whispered again. Grissom pushed her more, wanting.no, needing her to come. She did, shuddering violently around him. He followed soon afterward, crying out her name. He shuddered and collapsed on top of her.

Catherine tried to catch her breath. "Gil.that was.that was amazing."

Grissom rolled over so she was on top of him. He pressed a soft kiss to her perspiring forehead.

"You're the amazing one," Grissom whispered as he caressed her skin. Catherine kissed him, trying to convince him otherwise but he insisted, "You're the one who really understands me."

Catherine rested against the crook of his neck as her fingers caressed his chest. "You understand me too."

"You saved me."

Catherine met Grissom's eyes at his soft admission. She pressed a lingering kiss to his lips. "I love you."

"I love you too, Beautiful," Grissom urged Catherine's head down to his chest once again. Catherine kissed his skin. Shortly after her breathing slowed and evened out.

Grissom smiled contentedly before he followed her into sleep.