I turn to my right when Nick begins to nod towards the back of the altar. The doors open to reveal Catherine, one of the most beautiful women I have ever had the honour of knowing. Scratch that. She is *the* most beautiful woman I have ever met. Hands down. As if even possible, she looks even more beautiful now in her white wedding dress with a small bouquet of flowers in her hands.

Her beauty stuns me and at the same time, pains me. Why? Because everytime I see her, I'm reminded of a love I lost. A love that still haunts my every dream and every waking minute.

I loved her. She was my life. And at one point, she told me I was hers. I believed her. I don't think she lied to me, she wouldn't do that. But who was I kidding? Who were we both kidding? Her heart never fully belonged to me. I guess I always knew it somewhere deep inside of myself but was never able to admit it. It just hurt too much to admit that the woman I was willing to give my life for would give hers for another man.

I can be sensitive but I can also be a man's man. I don't cry. I have refused to shed tears since I was a child. But when she told me what we had was over; when she walked out of my door for the very last time...I cried. I would rather die than to go through that pain again.

But after all that's said and done, I still love her. She's still my life. And I would still gladly give my life for her. But I understand that she's with somebody else now and she's happy. And for the first time in a very long time, I'm happy too.

She reaches the front of the altar and she gives me a little smile to show her appreciation of my presence. I smile back. Despite all the pain, I am glad I am here for her. And surprisingly, I am glad I am here for him as well.

As the ceremony continues, I watch them carefully. Their eyes are on each other and filled with tears. How can I fight with that? How can I even try to fight with something so strong? I can't. So I won't.

He turns to me and reaches for the rings I have in my hand. I give them to him and he whispers, "Thanks Warrick."

I nod with a genuine smile, "No problem, Grissom." And I mean it. No matter what problems may arise from now on, as long as Catherine was happy, then so was I.

*THE END*