Jim Brass drained the last of his light beer. It was very obvious he was a third wheel and they had finished their discussion of the case. So he decided he would leave. They hadn't had a night like this in a long time and he knew the last evening they'd tried ended up ruined.

"Again, sorry for the interruption," he said as he stood up. "NO ONE will bother you for the rest of the night. I'll threaten bodily harm. Have fun, kids," he grinned, looking from Gil to Catherine.

"It's OK, Jim... It was nice to see you," Gil told the man he regarded as his blood brother. "Thank you."

Jim nodded. "Keep him in line, Catherine."

She raised her glass to her perfect lips, and their eyes met across the table again. They gazed at each other. There was something in his eyes tonight. She knew it was reflected in her own.

They never heard or saw their friend disappear.

"Lindsey?" he suddenly blurted out.

"She's fine," she smiled, glancing up at him. He smiled back. "Nancy has her tonight," she said, knowing what the real meaning behind that question was. "She wanted to be with her aunt and cousin Jeremy because he got a new computer game... They don't have school tomorrow. Things have been going well, so I said yes," she shrugged.

The tiny red candles in the middle of the table flickered. Slot machines chimed. Waiters and waitresses buzzed about them. Other lovely couples were enjoying themselves. It was Las Vegas, full of commotion and noise, but they were in their own little world.

"Ya wanna forget dinner and blow this pop stand?" she managed, her sultry voice low and suggestive.

He arched his eyebrow for the second time that night. "And go where?"

"Somewhere you can admire my tush in private..."

His tongue slid out and wet his bottom lip. He stood and moved to help her with her chair.

They paid for their drinks and made their way across the casino floor walking side by side. Once they got to the door, he opened it for her and they slipped out into the night air. It was clear and actually quite pleasant. As they walked to the Denali, he slid his arm around her waist, splaying his hand across her hip and pulling her closer. That felt good and she leaned against him, enjoying every second.

His place was closer. It was silently and mutually agreed upon that was where they would go. They drove along, passing the giant black glass pyramid that was the Luxor, the fountain and the elegance that was the Bellagio, the Eiffel Tower at Paris, and the Pirate show SIRENS at Treasure Island. The famous Las Vegas Strip glowed and tempted, but they had only one thing on their mind.

Once they reached his townhouse, they climbed out of the Denali and he rested his hand in the small of her back as they made their way inside. She heard the door close and lock behind them. The next thing she knew, she was in his warm embrace, his lips pressed to hers. It opened a floodgate of memories they had both kept in the best, most special place in their hearts and souls.

She was pleasantly surprised when she felt his gentle hands glide down her back and fill themselves with her perfect "tush." He wanted her and she was not going to deny him. She arched her hips against his. He pressed strongly back. Their hearts were racing and the kiss deepened. When his trembling hands slid up her back and then across her hips to grip the hem of her uncharacteristically plain, unrevealing- but skintight- blue sweater, she smirked.

"Who are you and what have you done with my Gil?" she said, her lips moving against his neck.

He chuckled in her ear as he tugged awkwardly at the offending top. She bit at his shoulder, swatted his hands away, and stepped back. "I used to take my cloths off for a living. Let me handle this," she said, her eyes shining. He watched her exquisite, beloved face disappear only to reappear seconds later, her reddish-blond hair falling like rain against her pale, freckled shoulders. He stood in awe of her. She wanted him and he was filled with pride. Flinging her shirt to the floor, she stepped up, pressing flush against him. Their lips drifted together. Breaking the kiss, she bit his bottom lip and then licked it- slowly. She wore a black lace bra. He regained his ability to function and made short work of removing it.

"I'm impressed," she told him.

"You taught me well," he told her.

She smirked. "My turn," she declared. She attacked the buttons on his dark wine colored button down, making sure her fingers brushed the new area of skin she exposed as she completed her task. They let the shirt slide down his arms and puddle on the floor.

Their bare chests pressed together. She let her arms wrap around his neck, her hands resting on the back of his head, her fingers playing in his grey-brown curls. She stepped out of her shoes. He pulled her close and lifted her into his arms. She squeaked with delight and began to giggle.

He walked to his bedroom, pausing only to hit the switch that illuminated a small lamp on his bedside table. He dropped her onto the bed, smiling as she hit the soft navy blue down comforter. She raised herself up on her elbows and moved so that her legs were spread and bent at the knees- an open invitation- one he boldly accepted by sliding between them. He softly urging her back against the pillows. He settled gently on top of her. Their eyes locked and they laid in that position for a moment or two, simply gazing into each others souls, caressing each others body.

He took her face in his hands. He stroked her high cheekbones with his thumbs. She watched him begin to glow as her hands slid between them and began to undo the belt to his black trousers. He let his lips trail down her chest to just above the waistband of her pants as he slid off the bed to remove his shoes, pants and boxers. She licked her lips. When their eyes met again, he smirked mischievously, moving towards the end of the bed once again.

"Wait," she called out. He froze. Too fast? Not ready? Second thoughts?

"Turn around," she commanded. He obeyed.

"Very nice," she said after a moment, her voice sultry and full of respect.

"What?" he managed, throwing his head over his left shoulder. He turned around to face her.

"Your tush... I missed your tush, too... I'll always have a soft spot for it," she admitted. She thought he looked adorable- naked with a confused look in his desire filled eyes.

"A soft spot for my tush?" he questioned.

She nodded. "Hospital gowns are VERY revealing, Gil... Especially from the back," she reminded him... The scene replayed in both their minds: he had to have surgery to correct his hearing. She came to be with him, to hold him and give him strength. When he refused the wheelchair and strode proudly and confidently down the hallway, he gave her a view she'd never forget. That event was the most intimate and emotional and powerful time in either of their lives... Raising to her knees, she stretched her arms out to him. She was a Goddess, HIS Goddess waiting for him on his bed. The look of pure love and passion in her blue-green eyes made him want her even more. He climbed onto the bed and pulled her into his embrace.

Their lips locked and he began to fumble with the buttons on her black slacks. Again she giggled and pulled away, hopping from the bed. His eyes were glued to her perfect body as she expertly teased him, drawing on her long ago days as a stripper. First one leg, then the other, then a shimmy as she slowly removed her black lace panties. She made it back into his arms.

Wasting no time and not bothering to pull down the sheets, they clung to each other and let their bodies do the talking, making love in silence. The only sounds were their soft sighs, pounding hearts and escalated cries. They had never needed words to communicate.

As they lay entangled and fully satisfied, allowing their bodies time to calm, she laid her head on his chest. He snuggled her closer against him.

"Not bad for two old fogies, huh?" she smirked.

He laughed in earnest. "Not bad at all... And it's been a very long time for me..." he said before he could stop himself. She always had a way of making him open up- just by being her. He felt safe with her.

"You know all my sordid escapades... I want to know yours. How long? Who was your last?" she asked, a giggle in her voice.

"Many years," he said. Her eyes opened wide and she blinked in shock. "Honestly." He swallowed and smirked. "She was beautiful. Her eyes were like... a mix of sapphires and emeralds... Her hair was golden and red like the sun..."

She swatted him on the arm. "Be serious!"

"I am being serious, Cath. Have I ever lied to you?"

"No."

"Then why would I lie about this? You asked a legitimate question, I'm giving you a legitimate answer... It's been years since I was... with a woman."

"I heard a rumor about you and that woman we had two cases on who runs that Victorian S&M place on the hill... Lady Heather..."

Gil became shy. He felt as if he had to admit to cheating. "I'm sorry, Cath... If you want me to tell you about it, I will... Yes, I went to her place to question her. Yes, we talked... I'm a human male. The woman was in a kinky business. You know me better than I know myself... Do you really think I could or would give myself to a woman that I had met only twice in my life? No matter how pretty I might have thought she was, no matter what she tried to do... I spurned her... I thought she was interesting... Not enough to make me have a one night stand. I'm not that kind of guy, you know that...We were attracted to each other, yes- I can't and won't deny that... But we didn't want to act on it - and we didn't... There were no "feelings" involved... I know you know what happened with the case... I admit I feel bad about what happened and the way I treated her... I even went to try and apologize- in fact, that's where I was before Lindsey called and asked me to come over that night, sitting there trying to decide if I should go up to the door or not... I didn't... and I didn't sleep with her, either. Why would I? What would have been the point? ... And besides, she was involved in the case... Professionalism, Cath... I touched her face... Like this..." He took her face in his hands. He pressed his forehead to hers. "It went no further than that, I swear to you. My mind rules my body, Cath," he assured her. "...except when it comes to you..." he added, rubbing his nose against hers. They kissed deeply. When they pulled apart, she smiled lovingly. They gazed into each others eyes in admiration and love for a few moments. She caressed his cheek and stroked his beard. Somehow, hearing those words from him banished every thought of jealousy and fear forever.

"Do you miss the whole me or just my tush?" she asked.

"I miss your..."

"... passion and tenacity... I know- you told me that at dinner. You also said you missed my tush. What else? Give me something."

He tugged her until she was laying fully on top of him. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She rested her hands on his shoulders. Their eyes locked.

"I just miss being near you all the time... watching you... I miss working with my best friend..."

She threw her head back and let herself chuckle. "Best friend? I mean... Yeah... Of course we're best friends... But Gil- we just crossed THAT line... AGAIN... We can't take it back."

He shook his head. "I don't want to take it back... I want to take it forward... These last few months since Ecklie split us up, I've discovered I don't like life without you. We've barely had time for each other. That's something we always had. It makes me sad, " he explained, placing a kiss on her pert, perfect nose. "I gave you my pig, I show up early to...."

"... destroy my Tar Babies," she interrupted with a smile. They giggled, Gil with a sheepish, embarrassed grin. He let his eyes fall away from hers.

"Am I ever gonna be forgiven for that?"

She caught his boyishly handsome bearded face in her hands and tilted his head up until their eyes met again. She bit her lip. She looked so sexy and sweet; it made his heart hers all over again. "Baby, what you just did to me... You're paid up plus interest."

His sparking blue eyes darkened. "Can I pay in advance for my future thoughtless actions?"

She smirked. "The bank is definitely open for deposits," she said leaning down to press her lips to his in a passionate yet loving kiss...

... The next day, she prepared to make her way to a new crime scene. She pulled on her jacket with the fur trimmed hood and her stocking cap. There he was, shades on, camera in hand, taking pictures of the victim.

His heart jumped to life in his chest when he heard her footsteps behind him.

"Hey Cath," he smiled and looked up at her. Their eyes met.

"You're coming to my scenes before I get to them now? Weren't you on a 419 in Northwood?... Guess you missed me," she smirked. The look exchanged was priceless and beautiful.

Later, a woman he was questioning asked him if he had a wife. He had to be honest and say no. Girlfriend? Nope. Did he have a woman? He answered "Yes I do." ...Her face appeared before him and he flashed back to a time when they were canvassing a bedroom. He discovered a silk scarf tied to one of the bedposts. "Cath?" he called. She looked up at him, their eyes meeting through their goggles. "Got silk?" he asked. She reached down and pulled a scarf from her side of the bed. "Why yes I do," she commented. The intonation in their voices was the same. He smiled at the thought.

Catherine WAS his woman. The only woman he had ever loved and wanted. And soon it would be her birthday. He had to come up with something spectacular...

... He stopped by her office on the way in. The mere thought of her was enough to take his breath away even after 20 plus years. He leaned his left shoulder against the doorjamb and simply stared at her. She was engrossed in a report, the end of a pen in her mouth. Her reddish-blond hair framed her face, hiding it from his view.

She suddenly felt his presence and looked up. Their eyes met... over the rims of their glasses. She sported a pair of stylish, black framed glasses. It was the first time she had worn them.

"How are they working for you?" he asked gently, admiring her new spectacles.

"Very well, thank you," she smiled, closing the folder, happy for the sweet interruption.

"They look wonderful on you, by the way," he said. Only she would pick up on the sensual tone and implications in his lowered tenor voice. In other words, he was turned on. She would just have to play on that, then.

She stood up and moved to his side. They walked to the breakroom. As luck would have it, they had it to themselves. He settled in a chair close to the TV. She put her plan into action. Sauntering over to the fridge, she pulled off her glasses and put the left arm in her mouth. Then she pulled the door open, purposely bending over so he had a nice, full view of the tush she knew he loved. Knowing he was staring, she milked her position for all it was worth. He smirked, knowing she was doing it on purpose and loving her all the more.

She closed the fridge door and made her way over to the table. She laid her hand on his shoulder and leaned down. "I need to check on some results... Wait for me... We'll go home... I showed you mine, you have to show me yours," she whispered, her warm breath caressing his cheek and her soft, kissable lips brushing his ear. She couldn't be sure, but she distinctly heard him growl with desire. She took pride in knowing she was the only woman to have ever made him do that.

Letting her nimble fingers trail along his neck, she moved out of the room. Had she been able to see his face, she would have seen the beautiful smile and light in his eyes.

When she was halfway down the hallway..."Catherine," called the chilling voice.

Catherine squeezed her eyes shut and avoided turning to her. She kept walking.

"What? You too good to talk to me?" The brunette stepped in front of her threateningly. Her brown eyes held contempt and hatred for the woman before her. Catherine let her eyes bore into Sara's, she wasn't going to back down or let her get the best of her this time.

"I have nothing to say to you, Sara. I know what you really think of me. You made that perfectly clear," she told the younger woman. There was sadness in her voice and Catherine immediately regretted that. But she couldn't help it. Sara had hurt her - deeply. There was no way to cover her emotions.

"Oh, so the lab's resident slut has feelings? Who knew?" she sneered. She grabbed her shoulder and backed Catherine against the wall. "I saw your little act with Grissom. Just like you were on that stage at the whore house again, huh? Do you really think a man like him could be interested in trash like you?"

"SARA!"

Both women's heads snapped to face the voice. Gil stood there at the entrance to the breakroom, staring at the scene. He moved quickly and stepped between them, protecting Catherine. Once again he came to her rescue, her knight in baby blue lab coat. The young woman cowered under his intense glare. "You are way out of line. You don't understand anything and it's none of your business." His normally quiet and calm tenor voice was angry and full of warning. "Catherine told me all about what happened between you two earlier, when you got suspended. You were wrong and it was uncalled for. I gave you a second chance, don't make me regret it. I care about you and I have tried to help you and I understand what you're going through, but if you continue like this, I will be forced to take action."

"You're standing up for her? She's not worth your time! I thought you were smarter than that..." Jealousy and anger welled in her. "Is she THAT good in bed? "

Her raised voice carried all over the hallway- just as it had that day. Catherine closed her eyes, ashamed. Gil was furious. Catherine had seen him in every possible situation, good and bad, but she had never seen him this upset. She laid her hand on his shoulder.

"Get out!" he hissed, pointing at the front door. Silence. The tall, young woman seemed to shrink under his intense glare. She swallowed and obeyed.

He turned to Catherine. "Cath..." He reached for her.

She waved off his embrace and hurried down the hallway, pulling off her glasses and covering her mouth with her elegant left hand. Gil watched until she was out of sight, his heart breaking.

Reluctantly, he gave her 15 minutes before he went to her office. He found her sitting at her desk, in the dark, her attention on nothing. He smiled at the sight of her.

"Be careful, Gil... You lay down with dogs, you get fleas..." she said softly.

If she had the strength to lift her eyes to meet his, she would have seen that he shrugged. "I like fleas... Amazing little things," he commented, moving into her office and closing the door. He moved to settle in the chair across from her. "I like laying with you. I would go through anything, DO anything for you- to be beside you."

"I know..." she began, her voice trailing off. "I... can't... I don't want to get into all this here at the lab," she said. It was only then he realized there was a tear trickling down her right cheek.

"Cath..." The way he tilted his head let her know he saw it. "Let's get out of here. Lindsey will be home soon, and we can find something fun to do until..."

"Until I have to come back here," she snarled, slamming back in her chair.

"Calm down, my dear... Come on... Let's get out of here..." he smiled. They drove to her little house and he settled her on the couch, sitting next to her.

"I would love to just lay in your arms and worry about nothing for a second because I sure wouldn't be granted anymore than that... and if I wished for more, I'd only end up disappointed... But noooo... This is 2005. Life doesn't stop. Case after case. Death after death. Struggle after struggle... I have never once had peace in my life. NEVER. No one has ever loved me... My parents hated me- my mother because I constantly reminded her of her biggest mistake and the man who I thought was my father despised me because he KNEW... No man has ever loved me. I'm a... eye candy, a piece of ass, a fuck! ... My own daughter hates me and tried to run away... Now my co-workers... People I thought ..." She lost it. He pulled her into his arms. She sobbed against his chest. He stroked her hair and held her close and tight.

"I love you. I have always loved you. I will always love you. I have never once thought about leaving you..." he said softly, his own voice shaky with empathy and desire to ease her pain.

"I know... I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that... You are the only man... PERSON... who has ever loved me... You've always been there for me..." she smiled and looked up at him. The love in her eyes made his heart flip flop. "But I broke your heart... All those years ago... I've made horrible decisions and I hurt you... I'll never forgive myself..."

Gil smiled softly and brushed a lock of her hair from her face, smoothing it behind her ear. "I forgive you... I survived and my heart is just fine," he said proudly, taking her hand in his and placing it on his chest over his heart. "See? Still beating... for YOU and BECAUSE of you... My heart is yours. Always has been, always will be... There has been no other woman. Never will be, never could be... I know how it was... I lived through it all. I felt it with you... You survived... WE survived... We're here- together- like this- after all these years, after everything... That means something. "

She had never had such a feeling of complete and utter love and happiness and she wanted to cry. Those words were the most loving and romantic words any man had ever spoken to her.

Raising her eyes, they met his. The passion, love, respect and admiration she found in his soul erased all the pain she ever felt. Lips met lips and two souls knew they were home...

... On her birthday, March 26th, he showed up in his black leather jacket, the song ARE YOU GONNA BE MY GIRL blaring from the speakers of the Denali.

Catherine looked at her excited 12 year old daughter with a knowing smirk.

"What? You think *he* actually knew who JET was let alone have their CD?" she shrugged, her blue eyes shining. Catherine smiled and her eyes got misty at the thought of the man she loved more than life and Lindsey spending a time together- without her knowledge.

The feelings of that night under the stars during the race rushed back to her as the words of the song echoed through the tiny house. She turned to him. There was mischief in his eyes. He was standing on the runner of the large black SUV.

"Let's go, birthday girl... Du Breff doesn't hold reservations forever," he called, the playful tease evident in his tenor voice.

"That's birthday WOMAN to you, Grissom," she hollered. She turned to Lindsey and hugged her. "Half hour on the phone... Remember to put your books back in your bag after you finish your homework..."

The near teen rolled her eyes. "Yeah, yeah... GO, Mom... Have fun," she urged with a smile.

Catherine hurried down the three steps and short walkway that cut through her small, gravel filled yard to her mad scientist and the rest of her life...