"Did you find me attractive when you first met me?"

Grissom almost spit out his coffee in reaction to Catherine's question. "What?"

"Did you find me attractive when you first met me?" Catherine repeated, not understanding Grissom's big reaction.

"What kind of question is that?"

"A very good one."

"Why are you asking me this?"

"Because I'm curious as to what your answer is."

"Why?"

"Can you answer my question before you ask me another one?"

"This is awkward."

"How so?"

"Well I...you just...how am I...what do you want me to say?"

"I want you to say whatever is the truth."

"It's just that...I wouldn't want you to take offense..."

"So you didn't find me attractive."

"I didn't say that."

"You didn't have to."

"See! You're angry."

"No I'm not."

"Yes you are."

"Well it's a woman's right to be a little disappointed when a man outright says he doesn't find her attractive."

"I didn't say I don't find you attractive."

"But you said you didn't want to offend me."

"And I meant it."

"So if you weren't going to say you didn't find me attractive then why would I have been offended?"

"It's very hard to explain..."

"Try me."

"Alright...well, my answer to your question would have been yes, I found you extremely attractive."

"And why would I have been offended by that?"

"Because the first time I met you, you were...naked."

"I was a stripper, Grissom, nudity was just part of the job."

"Yes but I wasn't sure if...I didn't want you to think that I..."

"That you what?"

"That I only found that aspect of you attractive."

"You don't?"

"Of course not! Over the years, I've gotten to know you as more than just...your past, and...well...you've just gotten more attractive."

"Your answer just gets better and better."

"Are you being sarcastic?"

"No."

"Oh."

"Thanks. This was just the pick-me-up I needed today."

"You're very welcome...I think."

"Oh and just so you know, Grissom, I thought you were the cutest thing in a labcoat I had ever seen when I first met you. Just so we're on even ground, ya know?"

*THE END*