Gil Grissom wanted to tear Adam Novak to pieces. He remembered the feelings he had as he tore Eddie off her only a few feet from where they stood now all those years ago. But he hadn't been there this time. Novak had been only a few steps from raping her. Thank God his Catherine was as strong and willful as she was and saved herself from that terror... but he hit her as a result of the power she had shown. The bruise and scrape across her cheek said it all. Now he was convicted of murdering a woman. All he could think about was that it could have been Catherine on the metal slab in there... The bastard was a real peach.

"You attacked her. She was defending herself," Gil said shrugging, his usually soft tenor voice almost a growl. "You won't be able to hurt her again..."

"That bitch pulled a gun on me! That's assault with a deadly weapon! SHE should be the one in cuffs! Or at least lose her job..."

How dare this prick try to make this mess her fault? Gil slammed his fist on the table. He pushed his chair back. Within seconds, Jim Brass was behind him, his hand on his shoulder. Two guards quickly came to either side of Novak. They cuffed him. Gil glared at him through narrowed eyes.

"I'm a defense attorney, I know the law..." Novak grumbled.

"Then you know you'll be going away for a very long time," Gil grinned proudly.

Novak sensed something in Gil- like a hunter does it's prey- and struck. "You love her, don't you?"

The anger and pain that had darkened Gil's blue eyes faded and was replaced with light. A look of peace came over him. He sat still for a second, allowing the warm feeling the unspoken answer to that question gave him take over his soul.

The guard on the left nudged Novak towards the door. The other guard opened it. Jim took one last look at the man he thought of as his blood brother, patted his shoulder and followed them out.

With a heavy sigh, he closed the manila folder that held the report of yet another closed case. Standing on shaky legs, he turned and walked form the room.

He passed through the doorway and into the hallway. He heard a muffled gasp to his right. He turned his head and their eyes immediately met. Tears were streaming down her high cheekbones as all the pain that had built up inside her spilled form her eyes. All the old wounds this latest trauma re-opened began to bleed... It was obvious she had been watching and listening through the two-way glass. His heart broke at seeing her trembling form. In less than a heartbeat, he moved close to her. There were no words spoken because they had never needed words to communicate. He reached out and gently touched her injured cheek, brushing the wetness away with his thumb. She smiled. He smiled back. Their eyes had remained locked.

He took her in his arms and brushed a lock of her reddish blonde hair from her exquisite face. She took his boyishly handsome face in her shaky hands. Tenderly, she ran her thumbs across his soft lips and began to stroke his beard. She wept violently against his chest as he held her tightly.

No more talk of darkness,
forget these wide-eyed fears;
I'm here, nothing can harm you,
my words will warm and calm you.
Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears;
I'm here, with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you.

Say you'll love me every waking moment;
turn my head with talk of summertime.
Say you need me with you now and always;
promise me that all you say is true,
that's all I ask of you.

Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light;
you're safe, no one will find you,
your fears are far behind you.

All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night;
and you, always beside me,
to hold me and to hide me.

Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime;
let me lead you from your solitude.
Say you need me with you, here beside you,
anywhere you go, let me go too,
that's all I ask of you.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Say the word and I will follow you.
Share each day with me, each night, each morning.
Say you love me ...
You know I do.

Love me, that's all I ask of you ...
Love me, that's all I ask of you