Catherine sighed deeply and sat the empty tumbler on her friend Jim's desk. "Thanks for the drink," she offered with a weak smile. She turned to leave.

"He's gone," he said. He watched her stop and sigh.

"I know," she said sadly, softly, almost cryptically.

Walking down the hallway, she reached into her bag. Her hand brushed against soft silk. She smirked as she realized it was his bowtie. now glued and ruined thanks to that bitch from dayshift. Sophia Curtis better NEVER even THINK about touching his bowtie - or anything else of his- EVER again or she would rue the day she was born. Her brilliant mind drifted back to the moment she felt life come back into her soul and eyes and heart after months of being dead.

. Catherine was seated at her tiny desk in her 'cupboard' of an office going about paperwork. She dotted an I and flipped the folder closed. Suddenly she felt warm and safe. She knew why. She looked up. Her eyes immediately met his. He was smiling softly at her as he stood in the doorway, his hands in his trouser pockets, left shoulder pressed against the doorjamb. It was apparent he had been watching her. They hadn't lost anything between them... Lindsey had given them a scare and they talked- reconnected, even. Then was being supportive and encouraging and believed in her for the dayshift promotion.

"Hey," she chirped, breaking the friendly silence that had settled over them. He nodded. "What's up?" she asked.

He suddenly became shy, his eyes lowered from hers and he gently cleared his throat. "You about done?"

She smirked and her heart leaped back to life as she realized where this was going. "Yesss," she hissed playfully. "Why?" she said, choosing to make him squirm, pretending that she didn't know what was about to happen.

"It's just that. Um. I."

She bit her bottom lip to stifle her giggle. This was one reason she loved him with every cell in her body. "Spit it out, Gil." she teased.

He sighed. "They're having a dinner for Ecklie. Formal. They. want me to give a speech. I. Would you.? ."

She knew about the dinner, but she hadn't dared dream. She was happier at this moment than she had been in longer than she could remember. Her full lips spread into the smile he missed so much. He returned her smile with all his heart. Her blue-green eyes got misty with unshed tears. They had never needed words to communicate.

. The night had been magic. She hadn't felt this beautiful in a VERY long time and he had never looked so handsome. Her little, low-cut black dress and strappy sandals raised his blood pressure immediately. Seeing him in a tux made her melt. She choked on a laugh when she noticed a diagram for tying the black silk bowtie that, for now, hung loose around his neck. She hopped into the Denali beside him. God, he was sexy. The best part about it was that he had no idea. Dressed up for each other, going out together. He got flustered when he tried to use the diagram to tie the tie. She couldn't help but giggle at him and melt with desire- he was so sexy when he was aggravated. She told him he didn't need a diagram, he needed a woman. She tied the tie for him at the mirror, pressing her body flush against him, her arms snaking around his shoulders, her warm gentle breath on his neck and cheek, his fingers grazing her hands and wrists. It was one of the most intimate, exciting moments of their life... She calmed him and took care of him as she always did. She told him she couldn't wait to hear his speech.

. She sighed as the best part of the memory came to an end. The Las Vegas morning sun beat down, but as it was now mid- November, the temperature was actually pleasant. She put on her shades. As she approached her Denali, she was shocked to see him, leaning against it, just as he had the morgue door when Holly was killed. Waiting for her, to be with her, to be there for her. They simply smiled.

"You wanna have breakfast?" he asked quietly, raising his eyes to hers.

She smiled with all her heart. "Why yes I do."

As they settled into the routine they knew so well, her sitting at his counter in his townhouse after having mixed the perfect screwdriver and watching him chop the green pepper for his famous Grissom Omelet.

"How's Lindsey?" he asked looking up to catch her eyes with a look of genuine concern reflected in his soul.

She shrugged. "She's doing better again. She doesn't smart mouth or tell me how terrible she thinks I am anymore. I consider that a small victory... But seriously... Things are better. Especially at school."

"I'm happy to hear that," he said, genuinely relived.

She smiled. "She thought it was funny how you stiffed me at the banquet."

He did that thing with his eyebrow she loved. "Oh? ... I'm sorry about that, Cath... Once again, I put you in a situation that I shouldn't have."

She snuffed it off, lifting her drink to her smiling lips. "Please, Gil... How many times have I caused YOU trouble? You still invite me out and cook me breakfast..."

Their eyes met. They simply, silently admired what they saw in each other.

Soon they were eating and it felt wonderful. She made him relax, saying he cooked and wouldn't let her help, so she would clean up and not allow HIM to help. When she was finished and closing the dishwasher, he moved to press himself against her back. His arms went around her shoulders, his warm breath caressed her neck and cheek... like they were when she tied his tie, only in reverse... She closed her eyes and let herself relax against him.

"You're wrong, Cath..."

She chuckled. "What am I wrong about?" she managed, her voice breathy from arousal. It was amazing how fast he turned her on with just a simple act.

"I don't need "A" woman... I need MY woman... I need YOU..."

She smiled and turned in his arms to face him. "I need you, too..."

Their lips met in kiss that shamed every kiss that came before.