Where was she? He was beginning to get worried. It was not like Catherine to be late or not call if she was to be detained or couldn't make it. And this was the lab's annual Halloween party, something she would NEVER miss. They were to meet here after he finished his paperwork and she dropped Lindsey off at Megan's. Since Halloween was on a Friday this year, it was also a sleepover... She tickled him into accepting her invitation and he was touched that she wanted him to be on her arm. They had been so close lately, closer than ever. They had worked many recent cases together, one tough one about a baby left in a car and another rather fun one about Plushy Furries and it had been wonderful.

He fidgeted with the black ankle length opera cloak he wore. He wiggled his fingers into the collar of his white dress shirt and adjusted the white bow tie at his neck. He was lucky he found a tux to rent in his size so late in the costume planning game. He wore the iconic white half-mask that covered the right side of his face. He had to admit his beard ruined the character, but that was beside the point. He *was* The Phantom of the Opera, the tragic figure from the 19th century novel and, most recently, the very popular Broadway musical. He thought he looked amazing in this getup, he certainly FELT handsome. He wanted her to see him and he couldn't wait to see her.

From his vantage point on a catwalk overlooking the large warehouse room, he observed. Every kind of Jack-o-Lantern you could picture smiled or scowled at the festive crowd. Candles of all sizes and shapes burned and spider webs hung from every corner. The buffet was full of brownies with candy corn on top, cookies with ghosts on them, punch bowls with eyeball ice cubes floating in them. It was a wonderful site. There was a time when he would not have cared at all about this, but he was a changed man and it meant the world to him.

He had a family now, a real one. For the first time in his life, he knew he was loved. First and foremost, above everyone else, was the love of his life Catherine and precious Lindsey. He watched his youngest 'son,' Greg Sanders, who was portraying a surf bum, hit on the new lab techie who he could not name at the moment and smirked. There was Nick Stokes, his 'son' from Texas, wearing full cowboy garb as a joke. His 'problem child' Warrick Brown, dressed in a purple toga, was dancing with his new flame Stace from dispatch. Doc Robbins, the father he never had, was in his scrubs. Jim Brass, his 'brother,' decided to come as a gangster. And Sara Sidle, his tomboyish 'daughter,' who was smitten with him. Theirs was by far the oddest, most strained relationship in his life. She wore no costume, choosing not to dress up- not unlike her. She looked up and saw him. She smiled wistfully, obviously taken with his appearance. He smiled back. There was a promotion being offered and she had said "what did or didn't happen between us" shouldn't affect his decision, making it sound as if they actually had a 'relationship,' that he would naturally favor her. It surprised him that she would speak that way to his face after he had turned her down. She knew full well nothing had happened between them but obviously did NOT know that nothing ever would. He only wanted to help her after the explosion at the lab. He had only succeeded in hurting her. He felt bad, but he simply did not return her feelings the way she wanted him to and he was uncomfortable knowing she liked him. He truly didn't know what to do about her or about this 'thing' she was convinced existed. He shook it off and descended the stairs, ready to join the party.

"Yo, dude!" Greg called excitedly, playing up his character, giving the peace sign.

"Hello, Greg," he chuckled, unable to hide his amusement, a smirk spreading across the visible part of his face.

"Howdy, boss-man," Nick drawled, tipping his hat.

"Hello, Nicky my boy," he smiled.

"Greetings, Gris," Warrick beamed, extending his arms out to the side in Roman fashion. He nodded to him.

"Have any of you seen Catherine?" he asked.

"Nope, sorry, Gil," Jim answered, coming to his side. The others shook their heads no as well.

"If I see her, I'll tell her you were looking for her," Sara offered, always wanting to please him no matter what that meant doing.

He was with them, but focused on the room, looking. Then he saw her. He felt ashamed gazing at her, like he was betraying Catherine, but he couldn't look away. The woman was dressed in a black spandex body suit that left absolutely nothing to the imagination. Her hair was pulled up under a skintight mask, the pointy ears delicately lined with pink satin. She had an incredible body. A long fuzzy cat tail hung from a belt that was settled on her perfect hips, just below her slender waist. Her boots were very high heeled; he could not judge her height properly. She turned around to face him, as if she felt him watching her and heard him silently asking her to show herself to him. Their eyes met. They were far apart, at opposite ends of the room. He couldn't see the color of her eyes or any other details, but he felt her see into his soul. He felt as if he had known her his whole life. Then, just as quickly as she appeared, she broke eye contact and disappeared into the crowd. He felt panicked, like he lost part of himself.

"Excuse me," he said, passing between Sara and Warrick who looked at each other and shrugged. If they had been more observant, they would have seen Nick and Greg smirk at each other and heard Jim snicker. They had seen the lovely creature and his reaction to her.

. As he searched for the mysteriously beautiful cat, Archie, a samurai, and David, a very unconvincing vampire, caught him and detained him for a few moments. He didn't mind speaking with them, but his brilliant mind was elsewhere.

"Hi, Mr. Grissom," Judy Taylor chirped. He turned and smiled at her. Her long red curls were perfect with her green velvet renaissance gown. She pushed her glasses up on her pert little nose. Her green eyes flashed her admiration and timid attraction. Another smitten mouse he thought. He was not interested in mice, he wanted a cat. He whirled away from her, leaving her looking longingly after him.

As he resumed his pursuit, the sensual, perfect wail of Carlos Santana's guitar filled the room. Alex Van began to sing.

SINCE THE MOMENT I SPOTTED YOU, LIKE WALKIN' 'ROUND WITH LITTLE WINGS ON MY SHOES
MY STOMACHS FILLED WITH THE BUTTERFLIES. OH AND IT'S ALRIGHT
BOUNCIN' 'ROUND FROM CLOUD TO CLOUD
I GOT THE FELLIN' THAT I'M NEVER GONNA COME DOWN
IF I SAID I DIDN'T LIKE IT THEN YOU KNOW I LIED

He spotted her on the stairs, but by the time he made it back across the room, she was gone.

EVERY TIME I TRY TO TALK TO YOU, I GET TONGUE TIED
TURNS OUT EVERYTHING I SAY YOU COMES OUT WRONG
IT NEVER COMES OUT RIGHT
SO I'LL SAY WHY DON'T YOU AND I GET TOGETHER, TAKE ON THE WORLD, AND BE TOGETHER FOREVER
HEADS WE WILL, TAILS WE'LL TRY AGAIN
SO I'LL SAY WHY DON'T YOU AND I HOLD EACH OTHER, FLY TO THE MOON AND STRAIGHT ON TO HEAVEN.
'CUZ WITHOUT YOU, THEY'RE NEVER GONNA LET ME IN

He stopped at the bar and grabbed a Budweiser. He leaned against the table and took a long swig. What was to have been a wonderful evening had turned into a cat and mouse game. Catherine. Where was she? Why was he following this. fabulous feline. around? He sighed deeply.

WHEN'S THIS FEVER GONNA BREAK?
THINK I'VE HANDLED MORE THAN ANY MAN CAN TAKE
I'M LIKE A LOVESICK PUPPY CHASIN' YOU AROUND. OH AND IT'S ALRIGHT
BOUNCIN' 'ROUND FROM CLOUD TO CLOUD
I GOT THE FELLIN' LIKE I'M NEVER GONNA COME DOWN
IF I SAID I DIDN'T LIKE IT THEN YOU KNOW I LIED
EVERY TIME I TRY TO TALK TO YOU, I GET TONGUE TIED
TURNS OUT EVERYTHING I SAY YOU COMES OUT WRONG
IT NEVER COMES OUT RIGHT
SO I'LL SAY WHY DON'T YOU AND I GET TOGETHER, TAKE ON THE WORLD, AND BE TOGETHER FOREVER
HEADS WE WILL, TAILS WE'LL TRY AGAIN
SO I'LL SAY WHY DON'T YOU AND I HOLD EACH OTHER, FLY TO THE MOON AND STRAIGHT ON TO HEAVEN.
'CUZ WITHOUT YOU, THEY'RE NEVER GONNA LET ME IN

He saw her across the room. Once again their eyes met. She didn't rush off this time; instead they gazed at each other for a moment.

SLOWLY I BEGIN TO REALIZE THIS IS NEVER GONNA END

Then she darted into the crowd.

RIGHT ABOUT THE SAME TIME YOU WALK BY AND I SAY OH HERE WE GO AGAIN. OH!

He took off after her, determined to get to her this time. He felt silly, like a schoolboy. But it was also very exhilarating- especially since he never did anything like this. They weaved in and out of the crowd, keeping an eye on each other the whole time. He wasn't sure if she was simply going to allow him to catch her or was lost or worn out, but she slowed and he was able to corner her. Her back was to him. Their breathing was erratic- not just because of the chase.

EVERY TIME I TRY TO TALK TO YOU, I GET TONGUE TIED
TURNS OUT EVERYTHING I SAY YOU COMES OUT WRONG
IT NEVER COMES OUT RIGHT

She sighed in defeat. She slowly removed her mask. A familiar cascade of reddish-blond hair fell about her strong, shapely shoulders. She turned to face him, a gorgeous, seductive, victorious smile on her stunning face. Her flashing blue-green blue eyes immediately met his shining blue eyes. A bemused, loving smirk spread across his lips. It was her all the time, playing with him. No wonder he had been drawn to her. He never felt more alive and more in love with her. She was an amazing woman and she was his. Their breathing returned to normal and fell into unison.

SO I'LL SAY WHY DON'T YOU AND I GET TOGETHER, TAKE ON THE WORLD, AND BE TOGETHER FOREVER
HEADS WE WILL, TAILS WE'LL TRY AGAIN
SO I'LL SAY WHY DON'T YOU AND I HOLD EACH OTHER, FLY TO THE MOON AND STRAIGHT ON TO HEAVEN.
'CUZ WITHOUT YOU, THEY'RE NEVER GONNA LET ME IN

"Hey," she said, slowly walking to him, their eyes never breaking contact.

"Hello Kitty." he said deadpan. He knew she got the reference because she closed her eyes in disgust at the bad joke. When she reopened them, they were full of love and desire. She pressed firmly against him.

He sighed deeply, hanging onto every last ounce of will power he had left. He was radiating tenderness and his eyes took on a loving glow. He reached out his right hand and gently caressed her cheek. She reached up and lifted off the mask, revealing his boyishly handsome face in full. "Hey, where's my tough guy?" she cooed. His kind, bright eyes darkened with primal desire. He put on the 'tough act' for her.

"Come here," he growled. He let his hand cup her shoulder; he gave it an affectionate yet aggressive squeeze. Then he let it slide down her arm and snaked his whole arm around her waist. He pulled her even closer. It was her turn to do the eyebrow thing.

"Yes, Master," she smiled. They enjoyed the electric sensations that having their bodies so close together produced. Their eyes were locked and they were looking deep into each others souls. "Wanna pet the Kitty and make her purr?" she asked quietly, her sultry voice low and aroused. His eyes darkened even more and he drew in a sharp breath, nudging against her involuntarily.

"That's the best offer I've ever had." he managed, letting his breath out.

"It's not the only offer you've ever had, though," she teased, thinking about kindhearted Terri Miller, 'lovely' Lady Heather, that poor stripper she had recently manhandled, and even delusional Sara. He chuckled, a bit embarrassed at that thought. His cheeks went flush.

"No, guess not. But it's the only one I've had worth taking," he said sincerely, again touching her cheek with tender reverence. Her heels put her at just his height. She nuzzled his cheek and neck as a cat would. He closed his eyes and smirked. Then she began to gently lick his lips with her bubblegum tongue. They forgot where they were and kissed passionately.

SO I'LL SAY WHY DON'T YOU AND I GET TOGETHER, TAKE ON THE WORLD, AND BE TOGETHER FOREVER
HEADS WE WILL, TAILS WE'LL TRY AGAIN
SO I'LL SAY WHY DON'T YOU AND I HOLD EACH OTHER, FLY TO THE MOON AND STRAIGHT ON TO HEAVEN.
'CUZ WITHOUT YOU, THEY'RE NEVER GONNA LET ME IN

"Hey! Look," Nick said quietly, pointing out the loving scene to his friend.

"'Bout time," Warrick said, coming up beside Nick.

"Nice catch, Gil," Jim mused, lifting his whisky glass to them and then bringing it to his lips and draining it.

"WOW! The Mouse caught the... CATH?!" Greg gasped as he came up to the group. "I *knew* it! ... Well, I knew THAT, but I didn't know that was her," he corrected excitedly after he received incredulous looks.