"Cath, sweetheart you've had too much to drink. I don't think we should be getting carried away. You need to get some rest, Lindsey is back early tomorrow".

"That's my answer, after all these years. And by the way, I just confess that when you call me 'sweetheart' it does things, so you say SWEETHEART and then pull that crap on me. I'm so humiliated, but on the plus side - congratulations you've managed to render me completely sober."

"Sweetheart..."

"I swear Gil Grissom if you say that one more time.Ooh I'm gonna throw up."

"Listen woman, you need to sit down and we need to talk about this."

"Actually, no we really don't need to do that. There was just one word I wanted to hear and that didn't work so just call me a cab and I'll be out of here."

"NO. This is all wrong, please let's talk."

"I've just done quite a bit of talking and you weren't interested in that so let just agree that this never happened and we'll speak tomorrow."

"I love you Cath."

"Don't, that's not fair."

"I know it's not fair, you know how many other guys think they are better qualified to be with you - but fair or not, it's me thats got you. Did I see you smile just now?"

"No Gil, I'm nauseous - could be the vodka or this situation, anyones guess."

"Just listen to me, give me 5 minutes and then if you still want to leave I'll drive you home myself".

"Seconds are ticking by here buddy, so I'd get on with it".

"You're very sexy when you're mad..."

"That's what you're telling me cause that's not making me want to stay."

"Okay, my turn for heart felt confessions. I've been waiting all night for you to come home, missing you all night and then I go and screw it up. You make me happy sweetheart, I know what happy means because of you. And if I call you sweetheart so much it's because I like the way its sounds coming from my mouth. It's like I've wanted to say it for years but stopped the words, now I can't and that's wonderful. I love that when I call you sweetheart I can make you shiver, and that look you get in you eyes - leaves me breathless. I love that you worry about making Lindsey and I happy more than you care about your own needs. I love that you put 100% of yourself into everything - your work, Lindsey, your friends, me. That last one makes me particularly happy... I love your eyes, when you look into mine it's like we have entire conversations without the words. I love your kindness, the way you care passionately about what you believe in. I love that you kiss me awake in the morning and I kiss you to sleep at night, and that it's going to be like that forever. I love your beautiful skin and your beautiful face and your beautiful heart. Most of all, though, I love your bravery, if you hadn't pushed then we would never be together. And tonight, you asked me this wonderful question and confessed your feelings - I know vodka helped you a lot but it was still lovely. Sweetheart, I live inside my head too much, and you and Lindsey are the only ones who can stop that, but I mess up sometimes and with all my heart I'm sorry for not giving you the answer we both know should have been uttered. Nothing would make me happier than for you and I to be husband and wife, but I have to confess that I beat you to it."

"You're already married?"

"No funny lady, Lindsey and I bought this the other day."

"That's a ring."

"Mmm."

"Who's it for."

"You. Catherine, I love you. It's that complicated and that simple, I love you. Will you marry me, please very much?"

"Are you making fun of me ?"

"Little bit, will you sweetheart?"

"Yes."

THE END