Catherine Willows was not her usual effervescent self. Her blue-green eyes were constantly darting to the main entrance of the Crime Lab and she was in motion all the time. She sighed deeply every few minutes and tossed a lock of her shoulder length reddish-blonde hair over her bare shoulder. Her skin-tight, ivory colored tank top, black flare leg slacks and medium heeled ankle boots were her typical style. At 42, she had a body any woman would die for and was healthier than most women half her age. Her picture ID badge was clipped to her waistband. She wanted to be with him, but it just didn't work out. Two important cases, and he needed to have his best CSI on one of them. They hadn't seen each other since lunch. Being separated from him was much worse than going through withdrawal in rehab... She couldn't wait until he walked in.

Speaking with her pony-tailed friend Detective Erin Conroy, filing a mountain of paperwork and handing out assignments kept her busy. As she was passing through the lobby on a mission to trace, he came through the doors. She forgot everything else. She smiled and crossed the room to his side.

Gil Grissom had remained boyishly handsome with his grey-brown waves, warm, ice blue eyes and adorably crooked smile. He stood 5'10", and had a strong, healthy body even at 47. He had no idea how beautiful he was and got embarrassed each time she told him. He wore a blue, short sleeved button down the same color as his eyes and black trousers. His small, wire framed glasses were perched on his perfect nose. They exchanged no words and he smiled shyly at her. Placing his right hand in the small of her back, he nodded towards his office. They quickly made their way across the room and closed the door behind them. That always meant business. His door was always open- literally and figuratively- except if it was closed, which was not often. He sat his briefcase down by his simple metal desk and moved to settle on the small couch to the right of the door. She followed, alighting her slight 5'6" 105 pound frame next to him.

He nodded. "What would you like to do tonight?"

"Be with you," she smirked as if the answer was obvious. He returned the smirk, flattered and full of pride.

"Shall I cook?" he asked. She nodded her approval.

Unable to help himself, he pressed his lips to hers. The taste of her strawberry lip balm made the tender kiss they shared even sweeter for him... She was still getting used to the scruffy beard he was trying out, and giggled at it ticked her chin.

... Half an hour later, their good friend and the Las Vegas police Captain Jim Brass called. There was a new case in an apartment complex near the Mandalay Bay casino. They approached Nick Stokes. With his crew cut brown hair, shiny blue eyes and strong, sculpted features and body, 32 year old Nick looked more like a GQ cover model than a very highly skilled CSI. He wore a plain black tee shirt, dark blue jeans and his black boots. His picture ID badge was clipped to his left front pocket. His bigger than Texas itself smile and drawl added to his genuine charm. It so happened that he just put the finishing touches on the paperwork for his previous case and was eager to join them.

"Let's roll!" he said, grabbing up his blue vest with STOKES, LVPD FORENSICS emblazoned on it in white. He slid into it. The trio signed off on the field work sheet and set off across the parking lot to the large black Tahoe. Nick climbed into the back while Gil took the drivers seat and Catherine buckled up on the passengers side. "Can we run the siren?!" Nick squealed, imitating an eager child asking his parents to grant a wish. He received two amused glances in the rearview mirror. Catherine smirked as Gil hit the button. The red and blue lights began to bounce off of everything they touched. As he backed out of the spot, Catherine hit the siren. It began to wail and Nick smiled.

Gil held up the familiar yellow tape that read CRIME SCENE DO NOT CROSS, allowing Catherine and Nick to slide under it before he himself ducked and lowered it back into place. He fell into step beside Catherine. They exchanged a beautiful look, one that warmed Nick's heart. He felt and knew that things were dramatically different between them these days and he was happy... He wanted them to know he knew, but kept quiet.

They became different people as they approached the crime scene. Jim met them at the door. He was dressed in a light tan colored suit with a black tie and white shirt. His graying brown hair and waistline were in competition to see which could disappear the fastest. So far, his hair was winning...

"DBs in there, " Jim announced, a slight sigh in his voice, nodding to the living room. Nick cringed. Gil and Catherine exchanged looks. The entire apartment was trashed. Tables, chairs, books, everything out of place or destroyed.

"Possible b and e gone bad," Catherine suggested. Gil nodded his agreement and Nick squatted over the over the body.

"Destruction is a way of self preservation," Gil mused. "Let's find out who wanted to destroy this victim and what it was they wanted to preserve."

They each slid their hands into a pair of white latex gloves and got to work. Tweezers flashed, Luminal was sprayed and UV lights glowed. Carefully, Catherine and Gil completed their turn around the room.

"Geez," Nick sighed as they once again came to his side. "The wounds on this guy... They're so clean... Precise ... Like they were made by a Ninja who knew just where to strike..." he said. He straightened up to full height and imitated a kung-fu master's stance. The couple gave him a look that told him they thought he belonged in a straight jacket. "What?" Nick shrugged.

Evidence bags were full by the time Jim returned from next door where he had questioned the neighbors.

"People next door heard nothing," he said, "but I don't buy it... I got a vibe they knew something they weren't willing to share... I'll keep my guys on it."

Back at the Lab, Nick settled in to begin the paperwork and Catherine and Gil went to see Greg Sanders, their trusted lab rat and CSI in training. His spiky blond-brown hair was in it's perfect coif. His blue eyes were shining. He sported a bright yellow Billabong tee shirt, baggy dark blue jeans and a pair of red high top Converse sneakers. Over it all, he wore a baby blue lab coat. There was rock music playing in the background, this time at a bearable level. He was his usual cheery self. The world, especially the Lab, would be a very dull place without Greg, they thought each time they saw him- even more so these last months after the explosion...

"Hello, Greg," Gil said.

"Hey, boss," Greg smiled at his hero. "Pretty lady," he added, nodding politely to Catherine who gave him one of her dazzling smiles. "Whatcha got for me today?" the 28 year old asked, spinning in his chair, clapping his hands together and rubbing them furiously, as if waiting for dinner after a fast.

"Fresh evidence from a new case. The sooner it's analyzed, the better," Gil advised.

"OK, but that means I'll have to get Jackie to help with the stuff I'm already working on... and she's..."

"More than up to the challenge," came a new female voice from behind them. The trio turned and faced Jackie Franco who stood in the doorway. The tiny and admittedly slightly chubby dynamo had curly black hair and keen blue eyes that saw everything. She sported a simple white blouse, navy slacks and comfortable black flats. Like Greg, she wore her baby blue lab coat. "Hey, Cath, boss," she smiled as she made her way into the room. As she passed beside her dear friend and her boss, she felt a warm glow, one she had first noticed a few months back, when they were working on a case from a movie theater and brought her the evidence. Unfortunately, she and Catherine had not had a chance to get that beer they'd been talking about, so she had yet to give her the third degree... It would be perfect... She returned to the here and now. "So what mess of this yahoo's do I need to fix now?" she teased, jabbing Greg in the right shoulder with her index finger. He played hurt and spun the chair violently around.

"Let him fill you in, "Gil said, a smirk on his face. For once, he did not try to hide his amusement. "We need to get a look at the body with Doc," he finished.

"Have fun," Catherine said over her shoulder as she and Gil headed out the double glass doors side by side, much closer than was necessary.

Greg and Jackie turned to each other. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing? They are SOOOOOO busted," Jackie smiled.

"Oh yeah, " Greg smiled. "It's been there all along..."

"Been thinkin' that myself... I like it," Jackie smiled back.

"Me too," Greg sighed.

... Heading down the hall, Catherine&Gil ducked into autopsy room 1. They pulled on their own baby blue lab coats. Albert Robbins, a very pleasant man with a very unpleasant job, greeted them with a smile. He was sitting at the counter on the left side of the room, putting a final note on the autopsy report he was completing. Hopping off the metal stool, he slid his arm into the brace of his crutch and ambled across the room to their side. He was almost as tall as Grissom at 5'9" with a gray beard, round face and a knack for subtly hitting the nail on the head. He wore a black and white checkered button down, black slacks and a baby blue lab coat, which he had buttoned. He was the best Chief Medical Examiner Las Vegas ever had. At 55, he was the only married member of the squad- for now. Although he was older, Al held Gil in the highest regard. He couldn't help but hope that he would settle down in Catherine's arms. After these last few months, it was becoming more obvious to him that his prayer had been answered.

"Hello, you two," he said. They nodded and smiled. Gil slid his hands into his pockets.

"What did he tell you?" Gil asked.

"Not much more than you already knew, unfortunately," Al sighed...

.... Later, they once again sat close together on the couch in his office, pouring over the preliminary reports and lab results. For months now, even before the surgery, they had been getting even closer than they had ever been. They had worked a great many of the latest cases together. It had begun to annoy another member of the team... Unbeknownst to them, Sara Sidle had been watching. Sara was not one to do or admit to anything personal, but the sight of them, inseparable and so physically close, drove her crazy. She swung her neck length, straight, dark brown hair. Her deep brown eyes turned green with jealousy and her sharp features contorted into a scowl. This was beyond her comprehension. Feelings she never knew existed boiled inside her, melting her cold heart and soul.

"Um... What the hell is going on?" she barked from the doorway.

Both heads looked up to her. The female half of the couple, never one to gloat or have too much pride, couldn't help but notice the bitterness in her co-worker. Catherine allowed herself to exuded possessive protection over Gil and let her eyes take on an arrogant air. Gil smirked, immediately sensing the situation. He had never been the object of a woman's desire until Catherine and Catherine was the one and only love he had his whole life... Poor Sara, he thought. Unrequited feelings can drive even the most sane person to say and perhaps DO crazy things. It occurred to him that the reason she followed him around and worked so hard was to impress him, to try and get his attention. When he turned her down, he meant it and never thought twice. She had obviously not forgotten about it or the more recent times she had tried to create something personal with him... He couldn't help but be embarrassed and turned to Catherine who smiled.

"Can we help you, Sara?" he asked, turning back to the younger woman, hoping to ease the tension.

"No... And what is this WE bit?" Then she stopped. It suddenly hit her- and hard. "Oh my God..." she sighed. She hissed, a wry smile appearing, showing the slight gap between her two front teeth. She suddenly lunged at Catherine, completely uncharacteristic and out of line. Gil jumped off the couch and grabbed her arms, managing to keep her off of Catherine. He let her go and turned to Catherine who waved off his concern with her eyes. Truth was, she was terrified and was invisibly shivering at horrible memories, her face stinging from imaginary, yet real assaults... "So THAT'S how you get everything you want and get to be second in command... I should have known...You almost killed me and you get off virtually scott-free!!!!"

There. It was said. They hadn't even been in the same room, much less taken a case together or shared anything since the explosion. They had never had a true friendship and now they never would. This was an inevitable confrontation. Catherine managed a sincere "I'm sorry." She wanted to say more, but she was so taken aback by the situation she found herself in, she could find no words.

"And you!" Sara sniped, turning her aggression to Gil. "I thought you had class. Guess I was wrong... You have lousy taste in women... This is so far beneath you..."

Gil's normally calm and bright eyes clouded. Catherine had never seen him truly angry in all the fifteen years they'd been together. She'd never heard his voice so authoritative, so stern. "`THIS' has a name and is in the room... YOU will have respect and NEVER speak like that again... " he fired at her. Catherine watched Sara shrink back. "It is none of your business... Please leave my office or you will find yourself on suspension and out of consideration for the promotion," he said. He hated raising his voice and having to be so tough, especially to Sara, someone he cared about. But she started it and the situation needed addressing.

"Sara, I'm sorry..." Catherine said again, standing and moving to Gil's side.

"You're sorry?!... Gee, thanks. That makes up for everything... You do half-ass work, so you whore yourself to the boss and seduce him into covering up all your mistakes... Guess you wouldn't have a job if you didn't do that... You are so incompetent! You almost destroyed the building and Greg and I in the process!"

Gil was now enraged. "SARA!" he roared. Sara froze. Catherine stepped even closer to him and touched her hand to his. Gil took a ragged, deep breath and closed his eyes. "Please, Sara- just leave," he said gently, opening his eyes. "There is nothing more to be said... We are all adults here, and we all know what happened..."

Sara stood 5'8", but she suddenly seemed very small. She turned and rushed from the room...

Gil stood there, amazed and confused. He turned to Catherine and took her in his arms. "I'm sorry..."

"Once again my heroic knight in baby blue lab coat," she said, her eyes twinkling... Then she said, "Why does everyone want to hit me?" ... That bastard had beat her, a perp had attacked her at a scene, and another threatened her during the feuding neighbors case... He felt her shaking and she felt his arms tighten around her. She laid her head on his chest and began to listen to his steady heartbeat. He began swaying to calm her. After a moment, he chuckled.

"*I* want to hit *ON* you," he said deadpan. He pulled back and looked down at the beautiful woman in his arms. She looked up and their eyes locked. She beamed, then sighed deeply.

"We, especially YOU, have to be very careful around her, baby," she gently warned, reluctantly letting him go.

"I know," he said. "She has feelings for me... I don't know what to do... It makes me uncomfortable."

"I can't help you with that, my dear, and you can't help her. She has to deal with it on her own," Catherine said shrugging. "She has good taste in men, though," she smiled. He smiled back, then got serious again.

"I don't want you to worry," he said, taking her hands in his. "I am with you and nothing will EVER change that... I won't have her upsetting you..."

"Nothing upsets me anymore... I have the greatest protection in the world- you and your love. I could never doubt you, Gil- You have never or will never give me reason to, you aren't that kind of guy... By the way, I'm sure she will tell everyone," she said

"`When love is true, it demands to be seen.' Cath, the whole world knows about us," he smiled.

... As they prepared to leave an hour later, Warrick Brown came to see them. He was the only African-American on the squad and he was also the tallest at 6'5." His hair was in loose corn-rolls and he wore a green tee shirt and chinos... He watched the couple intently. Why hadn't Catherine told him? The answer was simple: She had no need for his friendship anymore. He realized it had been weeks since they had really talked.

"Hey guys," he said, leaning against the doorway.

The couple once again looked up. Catherine and Warrick exchanged friendly smiles. Gil had been trying to understand what had happened between them since the Phelps case, but had been unable to. He simply nodded, knowing Warrick would want nothing more from him. Warrick was about to speak when...

Catherine&Gil smiled at the same time. The 9 year old bundle of energy and joy literally pushed aside her uncle Warrick and made a bee-line for Gil's outstretched arms, her nanny, Mrs. Goodwin, right behind her.

"Can you say Hi to Warrick?" Catherine asked her beloved daughter as the girl leaned over and kissed her cheek.

Lindsey turned in Gil's arms. "Hi, uncle Warrick" she said, smiling. "I'm sorry, I'm just excited! My friend Megan's birthday party is today. It's gonna be SOOOOOO fun. It's a sleep-over, the last one before school starts again next week... We're gonna face paint and everything! Bet it'll be better than YOUR birthday party the other day, daddy," the beautiful, blonde, freckle faced girl smirked, turning back to Gil. `Daddy?' Warrick thought...

Gil chuckled. "I'm sure it will be."

"Speaking of that, we have to get a move on if we're gonna get everything we need and get you there on time, Linds," Catherine smiled. She watched as her daughter wiggled down from Gil's embrace and moved to cling to her own legs. She lifted her daughter into her arms and smiled as she hugged her close. "Thank you, Norma." she said. The woman nodded.

"Have fun, Lindsey," the older woman said.

"I will!" she assured her with a wave.

Warrick felt as if he were intruding and said his goodbyes as quickly as he had said his hellos. Mrs Goodwin followed and soon the trio was headed out to the Tahoe and their next adventure.

"Will you stay for a few minutes?" Lindsey asked as she buckled her seatbelt.

"If we're cool enough, "Catherine teased, looking over her shoulder at her giggling child.

"Oh, you are, trust me!"

Gil smiled. "That's a first, me being called `Cool'," he smirked, glancing quickly at Catherine who winked. They slid on their sunglasses at the same time. Gil pulled out of the spot, and they were off...

They stopped and had breakfast at the little café in the Venice Casino they liked so much. Lindsey charmed Gil into a new set of markers for school in the Art Shoppe. Then they headed to Circus Circus to shop for the gift and to pick up some things for the party. They settled on a pretty but simple pair of earrings and a tee shirt with a lovely rainbow on it. Catherine also picked up a pack of paper plates and cups so Megan's mother wouldn't have to do a lot of dishes. Their errands run, they returned home to prepare the presents. That done, Lindsey quietly retired to her room as Catherine&Gil laid down, snuggled close and actually, for once, fell asleep for three solid hours. Lindsey timidly snuck in at 3 o'clock and slid into the bed between them. Gil, a relatively light sleeper, woke as she nudged him.

"Hey, Butterfly. Ya OK?" he whispered, glancing at the love of his life still peacefully sleeping.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she whispered, matching his tone. "But it's 3 and you told me to wake you guys up at 3 so we could be ready to go at 4, so..." There was an ominous pause. He knew the child well enough to know what was about to happen. "WAKE UP!" she hollered.

Catherine's eyes flashed open and she smiled. Gil couldn't help but sit bolt upright.

"Hey, baby," Catherine said to her daughter. "It's 3 already?" she managed sleepily, looking to Gil. She sat up and stretched.

"Time flies when you're asleep," he said.

"We'd better get a move on..." Lindsey said, sliding herself down the bed. She hopped off the foot of the bed and disappeared down the hall into her bathroom.

The couple turned slowly to each other, he had a fire in his eyes, one she had set the instant they met. Leaning in, he allowed his lips to brush hers. She let her lips spread into a smile and then their lips came together in a kiss.

"I know you're kissing..." Lindsey called.

They pulled apart and giggled. "Save that thought, Bugman..."

"Oh, I will..."

They rolled off the bed in opposite directions and Catherine headed for the shower. Gil went to Lindsey's side. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he'd be a father. It scared him, but with Catherine at his side, he knew he could do anything... They talked about the coming school year as they sat on the couch.

Catherine re-emerged 20 minutes later. Her hair was wet. She had on a red tank top that allowed her navel to show. Her pale jeans were low-rise hipsters. She had on a pair of red sandals. He was amazed that each time he saw her, even after 15 plus years, he still reeled from the feelings she stirred in him. She gave him a wink that held promises of things to come.

"I'm ready!" Lindsey said, hopping up. "Come on!" she urged, grabbing hold of Gil's hands and pulling him from the couch. They grabbed the presents, Lindsey's overnight bag and Catherine's purse. After a piece of cake and playing one game of ring toss, they bowed out gracefully. Lindsey hugged them both tightly.

"Have fun, baby," Catherine said. Lindsey turned and went back to her Barbie doll and friends.

After a stop at the liquor store for a bottle of Tequila that the recipe Gil planned to try called for, they were once again home, safe and sound. Just the two of them. Catherine flopped on the couch with a glass of white wine. Gil busied himself at the stove. Soon the small house smelled wonderful. She had been lazily thumbing through the latest issue of VOUGE and laid it aside to go into the kitchen to join him. She smiled as she strutted into the kitchen.

He glanced to her and smiled back. "What are we having again?" she asked as she pressed herself to his side.

"It's a variation on co-co vin- Chef Grissom style," he offered with a smirk.

"Oh, sounds yummy..." she sighed, pressing herself closer against his side, making sure her hand touched him in just the right area. She felt him shudder. She found herself unable to stop and continued her ministrations. She turned fully to him, her hand growing bolder. She began to grind her hips against his. They went silent for a few moments, eyes locked, enjoying the warmth of the fire that began to burn inside them. "But you taste better," she smirked. With that, she began to run her bubblegum tongue lightly across his lips.

"My dear," he managed in between gasps for air, "...dinner will be ruined if you continue trying to seduce me..."

"Seduce you?" she scoffed, "Who, me?" she cooed, adopting an innocent air, batting her eyes. He swallowed hard and turned his attention to the stove. He turned everything off and removed the skillet form the burner, setting it aside.

"Desert first, then?" he teased, pulling her into his embrace.

"Oh yeah..." She smiled that glorious smile and he felt himself begin to fly.

This was still so new to him, feeling happy, complete, and loved. She taught him everything he knew in the bedroom, he had taught her many things in the lab. He was the boss in the lab, she was the boss in the bedroom. He felt her fingers slip into the waistband of his black slacks. She began walking backwards, pulling him along to their bedroom, that come hither look in her eyes. By the time they reached the foot of the bed, he was more than caught up in her eyes and wrapped his arms around her. He flopped them onto the bed and rolled, putting her on top.

As he looked up into her glowing, mischievous face, he knew he was in for one hell of a ride. She straddled his hips and straightened up, reminding him of the Venus di Milo rising from the sea. She was many men's fantasy, but his reality. He couldn't help but think about how lucky he was. She gripped the hem of her top and lifted it over her head, tossing it aside. He licked his lips. She lowered her head, but her eyes remained locked with his. He reached up to undo her bra, but she caught his hands swiftly and hissed through her teeth.

"No touchy... Not yet..." she whispered, shaking her finger. Then she smiled. "Now it's your turn- what do you want me to take off of you?"

He arched his eyebrows in his typical fashion, thinking for only a second. "Surprise me," he chirped in his tenor. "I'll close my eyes... Do your bidding..." he said. She watched him close his eyes as promised. She let him stew for a whole minute before she made her move. Before he knew it, he was shoeless. He sighed in mock disappointment, opening his eyes. "Real nice, Cath... You should have just thrown a bucket of ice water on me..." She snickered ruthlessly.

"Close your eyes, Gil... I have only begun to fight..." she said, her voice sultry and breathy. He did as he was told. After a few moments, he felt her begin to kiss his hands and then he felt her breath on his face. She pressed her lips to his. He couldn't help but wonder what she was doing. When she had been silent and still for a minute, he opened his eyes. She was completely naked and straddling his hips again. His eyes began to glow. Her fingers began to undo the buttons on his shirt. She placed kisses on each inch of skin she exposed. She put her hands on his shoulders and pulled him up into a sitting position. She slid his shirt off and tossed it aside. She began to run her fingertips up and down his relatively hairy chest. She leaned in and attached her lips to the left side of his neck. He sighed dreamily and began to squirm beneath her. Still holding onto the kiss, she leaned him back down into a lying position. She continued her kissing on the right side of his neck. Next she concentrated on his lips, her hands running up and down his sides, her hair cascading around their faces. He arched up fiercely, trying to give her the message. She pulled away and looked down at him. "What's wrong, my dear?" she asked, playing dumb. Then she looked down. "Oh, that must be VERY uncomfortable... You know what?," she cooed, "I think I can fix that. Want me to try?" He nodded and smirked.

She slid down his body slowly, creating agonizing and glorious friction between them. She stopped at his waist and swiftly undid his belt. She had tortured him enough, she decided, and worked quickly to divest him of his remaining clothing. She moved to straddle his hips once again, this time taking him into her as she did. They both sighed deeply at the sensations their union produced. They remained still, just enjoying their union, for as long as their bodies could stand it. He gripped her hips and arched slightly. She leaned down and gripped his shoulders. She nudged him to roll them over. He more than willingly obliged. She was now beneath him. They then began to move as one. Their eyes were locked and then he moved to latch his soft lips on to the left side of her neck. His hands began to wonder all over her breasts and soon she was flying so high, she arched up against him and growled. He smiled that smile and she felt his lips lock onto hers. She heard herself call out his name over and over as she held onto him tightly. As she calmed, he stoked her cheeks, smoothed her hair behind her ears.

"THAT'S the real reason I'm glad the operation for my hearing worked, so I can hear you..." he said, his eyes glittering. She smiled coyly.

"Your turn..." she said. She slid her hands between them and began to rub his thighs. She gripped him and nudged him to roll. She was once again hovering above him. With deep kisses and massaging caresses, she made him gasp for air and growl. She smiled in victory when she heard him call her name and felt him arch against her strongly...

They lay entwined for a long time, stroking each others arms and cuddling.

"I'm hungry," he said out of the blue.

"Me too... We should be after expending that much energy..."

"Let's go finish making dinner..."

"If it's half as good as desert was, it was worth the wait..."

They smiled and rolled off the bed in opposite directions...