The wee hours of early morning drew closer to dawn, that celestial span of time where night meets day. A symbolic change of spirit can occur with the rising sun, which can lift a person's heart up in joyous innovation or cast it down to lurk in the unchangeable shadows.

One such person waited for dawn's approach reflecting on the recent events that affected his personal life. As he watched the horizon stain pink with pre-dawn's light, his contemplating on those circumstances brought him no resolution.

A woman he was attracted to became a suspect in a recent murder case. The evidence pointed to her possible guilt, so he brought the mysterious Lady Heather in for questioning. Initially he did not believe in her plea that she was totally innocent of that charge. Now he felt like an idiot because she was inevitably cleared. His stubbornness got him in trouble again. Her anger toward him was justified, considering the way he treated the dominatrix during the interrogation. He realized too late that sometimes evidence points a devious finger on the straight path to truth.

So he sat in his SUV across the street from her house and brooded, indecisive if he should knock on her door a second time. Even though she refused to answer his phone calls or contact him at all, Gil Grissom still desired her company. This dawn's resolution brought no light but inevitable shadow. Lady Heather had banned his existence out of her life before the sun's rising. His thoughts ran somber on the feeling of emptiness stewing painfully inside his gut. Indeed a bitter lesson to swallow on the fallible odds in both his personal life and the merits of forensic science.

Gripping the steering wheel, he lowered his forehead on his hands and closed his eyes. He had to get back to the lab. There was no use hanging around there mulling over the proverbial 'what if.' Taking a deep breath, he sat back up and rubbed his tired eyes. With one last look at her house, he started the SUV and headed out trying to shake off the agonizing loneliness sinking into his heart.

While driving through the gaudy lights of the strip, his cell phone insistently went off. He scowled at the device on the passenger seat swearing a word or two as he picked it up. In the mood he was in the damn cell phone could have wound up thrown out the car window. Instead he eyed the caller ID and recognized the number. All pretense of his suffering self-pity fled as he answered and heard the pleading voice at the other end.

"Uncle Gil." Lindsey's tearful greeting filled his ear. "I don't know what to do. Can you come over?"

Before panic could set in he quickly asked, "Lindsey, calm down. What's wrong?"

"Mom is really upset Uncle Gil." The little girl sniffled before she went on. "She won't stop crying and I feel all alone. I'm scared!"

His hand gripped the phone tightly with tension as he somehow calmly replied. "I'm on my way sweetheart. All right? Stay with your mom. I'll be there soon."

She gave another muffled sniffle. "OK. Please hurry!"

He heard a click. The little girl hung up.

Guilt mocked him as he slipped the phone in his jacket pocket and picked up his speed heading over to Catherine's house. He felt ashamed of himself. Her ex-husband Eddie was just murdered. She needed his help and understanding. But what did he do? He gave his standard line about taking personal time and walked off leaving her forlorn and hurting. The image of Warrick hugging Catherine filtered through his memory. He felt for the second time that night quite the calloused jackass. His CSI partner had been his closest friend for years and look at what he did. Because of his blatant obsession over Lady Heather, he had ignored Catherine when she desperately needed his help. Rejection hurt like hell didn't it? How did he feel when the dominatrix closed the door in his face? Not too good, he grudgingly admitted and yet he did the same thing to his best friend. It took a begging phone call from her daughter Lindsey to remind him of that fact. Catherine needed loving support around her now. It was about time he resurrect himself in the eyes of the one woman who really cared for him.

What was the old saying? What comes around goes around. At the rate he was going tonight it proved to be painfully true.

****

The dim light in the quiet bedroom brought no relief to her churning emotions. She cried in confusion for a loss she did not fully comprehend. Eddie was an unpredictable bastard, but he was Lindsey's father and she did love him once. She mourned the man he could have been, before the abuse, the drugs, and the cheating. Recently he tried to be a better father to Lindsey even with his screw-ups. But the painful recognition that her ex-husband had at least tried brought her to this miserable point of helplessness. Her daughter would now be denied a father. His death came at a point in the child's life when she definitely needed a male authoritative figure to help her through her adolescent years. The pain she saw in Lindsey's face at the news of her father's demise made her furious. How dare he die!

She knew her tears were on one level toward fate, the future, and the twisted circumstances of loss. Fear imbedded into her soul on how fragile life could be. In one breath everything could change. Another part of her anger was foolishly childish. She was upset with Gil for his cold shoulder response back at the lab. She did not fully understand his attitude earlier. They always helped each other in extremely difficult times. For that reason it hurt to see him holding that damned clipboard acting like the proper business like supervisor. He did not even give her a consoling response. Indecision played through her heart to either tell him to go to hell or forget about it. She saw what happened between her best friend and Lady Heather. Maybe he had a miserable bout of karma and closed himself off again. What ways love could render a cosmic joke. Look at Eddie and her. The joke also seemed to be on Catherine Willows.

Lindsey came into the bedroom and started rubbing her mother's back. Catherine's attention diverted to her daughter and she pulled the child into her arms. Her tears soaked the little girl's hair and would not stop. She was ashamed to seek Lindsey's slender arms around her in her weakness, but she had no more strength left to give.

Since Lindsey felt compelled to comfort her mother, the role reversal calmed the little girl enough to reason logically. Her weeping mother needed consolation that she was not wise enough to give. Hence she called Uncle Gil. Lindsey knew he would make things better. In the past he always had. The shrewd child figured out since her mother was this upset, she would refuse help and want to be alone. So she kept silent about her phone call to Grissom. He would show up soon enough to ease her mother's pain. Families help one another and in Lindsey's estimation Gil Grissom was family.

She heard the sound of a vehicle pull up in front of the house. Detaching herself from her mother's embrace she ran to the living room and peeked out the window. Relieved to see who it was, she opened the door before Gil had a chance to knock. He appeared rumpled, tired and extremely worried. His drawn face looked ancient displayed in the light spilling through the doorway.

"Uncle Gil," she quickly said blinking away burning tears. I'm so glad you are here."

Before he could answer her, she flung her arms around his waist and broke down in tears

Placing his hands under her armpits, he lifted Lindsey still clinging to his waist, off her feet and put her down just inside the entryway. Using his right foot, he pushed the door closed behind him. Since his balance was off, he steadied himself before tightening his hold on the little girl as she cried uncontrollably cradled in his arms.

Running his hands down her back, he smoothed the little girl's wrinkled nightgown back in place. His heart ached seeing the condition she was in. Lindsey was wraithlike in appearance and trembled so hard his arms shook in conjunction with her shaking. She babbled nonsense between hitched sobs as she tried to speak to him. He had never seen her so upset and frightened.

"Okay Lindsey, shhhh, everything will be alright." He crooned softly to her in a voice just above a whisper. "I'm here. I got you now."

Keeping up the endearing tone as he spoke, his low voice calmed her down and eased the child's shivering. His hands gently skimmed up her back and over her shoulders as he rocked her gently in his embrace.

Lindsey took a deep breath and tilted her head back to look at him. His large blue eyes were soft with his concern and misted with tears. The child was feeling better already as his hands brushed her long blond hair back from her shoulders. He gave her the ability to gain control of her sorrow just by him physically being there. Though that sick hollow feeling still sat deep within her belly at the loss of her father, she no longer felt so lost in a dizzy whirl of confusion.

"Feeling better?" He asked her with a reassuring smile. Pulling out a handkerchief he gave it to her. "Here take this. Blow your nose."

She gave him a little half-smile and did as he asked. Clenching the linen cloth in her hand she asked, "Will you talk to Mom now?"

"I can if you want me to. Want to join me?" He believed it was her right to be there unless she gave him permission to talk to her mother alone.

"Not right now. You talk to her." She told him this with a determined flair in her blue eyes so like her mother's. "Please Uncle Gil, I hate to see her cry. Just help her. Okay?"

He nodded and caressed her cheek. Dropping his arms from their embrace he told her, "Try to get some sleep. You'll feel better and your mom won't be so worried. She really needs you now Lindsey."

"I know Uncle Gil. See you later and thank you." She gave him a warm peck on the cheek. When she held out the handkerchief he indicated for her to keep it. She squeezed his hand in parting and took his advice to get some rest.

After Lindsey disappeared to her room he ran his fingers nervously through his hair. He couldn't decide if this would be a comforting visit or a confrontation with his best friend. All the years of their friendship slowly built on merit and trust. One incident of mistrust or misuse could render a red flag high in warning in that precious bond. It could be destroyed totally or never be the same. She had every right to be angry with him. He wanted to square things with her for his unusual behavior earlier. Sympathetic support was what she needed in the horror of Eddie's murder, not a friend who wallowed in self-pity. He loved her too much to alienate that valued privilege of her close friendship. She was that important to him.

****

She was curled in a fetal position on the bed facing away from the door when he entered her room. In the dim light thrown by the fading streetlights through her window, he could just make out her strawberry blonde hair draped over the pillow. Her breathing was ragged from crying and she hugged herself lost in her own haunted memory.

He went over and sat on the edge of the bed. Lightly touching her shoulder he cautiously said her name.

She stiffened in response and turned over to face him. In a frigid tone she asked, "What do you want Gil? Please leave me alone."

"No," he retorted. "You should not be alone now Cath and I won't leave. I care for you too much to see you hurting like this."

"Care for me?" She angrily threw back to him. "Guilty conscience Gil? Where was your caring heart today after we found out Eddie was murdered. Do you think by tossing me a few personal days to grieve while you're off chasing Lady Heather is consoling me or anyone else? You turned your back on the team and me by playing the high and mighty supervisor. I thought better of you. We were supposed to be a family or did you forget that?"

"I shouldn't have treated you that way," he reluctantly admitted. "I was angry at myself for the way I handled the case involving Lady Heather. I took it out on you and everyone else. I know I have been an ass and I'm so sorry Cath. Please forgive me."

"Is that why you are here now? Groveling for my forgiveness?" She wiped angry tears from her eyes and backed away when he tried to take her hand. "Do you think it will vindicate your screw up by asking for my forgiveness? Did Lady Heather kick you ass before you crawled here hoping I would heal your injured ego? It does not work that way Mister. You better start learning that!"

"For one," he indignantly growled. "I'm here because Lindsey called me to come over. She was scared because you were so upset. Your daughter thought I was the one person who could help you get through this even though I was ashamed to see you after what I'd done."

"Lindsey called you? But…"

"Two." He curtly interrupted her. "There is no damn Lady Heather. Even if it could have been possible, I screwed that up like everything else in my personal life. I admit I'm a bastard when it comes to women. I had failed too many times with the fair sex because of my hang up of self-indulgence. But not you Cath, I would never intentionally hurt you. I love you and I always have!"

There was suddenly a stilled quiet in the room except for her startled gasp. Embarrassed at his frustrated confession that slipped out in anger, he put a hand over his eyes and bowed his head. He did not want to see the expression on her face as he lamely finished. "God help me. I have always loved you. But I could never admit that to you!"

Her indicative fury drained away quickly after his outburst. The one thing she always wondered about the man finally came to light in that minute, and that day. All the times she tried to comprehend why he treated her so differently than he did among the others suddenly made sense. At first she presumed it was due to their close working relationship when she first became a criminologist. After that they became the best of friends and always helped each other. But she never thought he would want to pursue a romantic relationship with her. Her personality and past were too colorful for his quiet studious ways. He always played it safe with the women in his life. After her marriage to Eddie any intention for her to even think about crossing that romantic line became impossible. But now all of a sudden it was different, wasn't it?

"Gil, look at me." She tugged at the hand covering his eyes. "Please, I am sorry I vented my anger at you. I'm so pissed off at Eddie at this point I am not thinking straight. You don't deserve such hateful treatment. Gil?"

Uncovering his eyes he took a shaky breath and mumbled, "I deserved it." He lifted his head up and gave a sloppy wave with his hand. "The bastard strikes again!"

"You're not a bastard. If you are, so am I." She wiped at her reddened eyes and took his hand. "Now one safe question before I go on. How is Lindsey and where is she?"

"She has gone to bed. That is some amazing little girl. Strong like her mother. For now she is okay." He smiled and added; "Smart too. She wanted me to talk to you alone. 'Help her mom' is what she said."

"That's my daughter," she said with subtle pride. "I am grateful she is sleeping and thank you for consoling her. She would not have gone to bed otherwise. I'll check on her in a little while."

"I wouldn't do less. I love her as if she were my own." Shifting his feet around nervously he asked, "End of safe questions? Now on to my outburst?"

"Yes on to that." She sat up on the bed still holding his hand. "Come sit over here in front of me. I want to see your face."

He slid over on the bed with her sitting cross-legged in front of him. When she turned on her bedside light, he held up his free hand to shield his eyes after sitting in the darkness for so long. After his dazed pupils adjusted to the brightness, he saw a very resolute dried eyed woman ready to talk. The tears for now were over.

He randomly played with her fingers and then looked straight into her piercing blue eyes. "I fell in love with you years ago. But the timing was always off for both of us. You were dating someone when I was available. I was trying to work on a troubled relationship when you were free. You got married before I even got up the nerve to approach you. I dabbled with dating after that but it never amounted to much of anything. By the time you divorced Eddie I accepted 'us' as good friends and colleagues. That's it Cath. I never tried to tell you or really knew if we could work out in a relationship. In the long run I valued our friendship too much to jeopardize it."

She shook her head and poked his knee emphasizing her disbelief. "What you are saying is that if we'd had the timing right you would have tried. Since it didn't work out our 'friendship' stayed a comfortable habit. You were too afraid I would say no. If it were not for your outburst tonight I would have never known."

"Basically that's it. I should have kept my mouth shut! I'm so sorry about the angry confession." He fidgeted around as if he were sitting on a hot seat.

"Why? It's about time isn't it? Get it out. What if I want to see you?" She pointed to herself in emphasis and her body language changed with the next question. "Also, where does that leave you with Lady Heather? Come on Gil, for once be honest!"

"Cath even if Lady Heather were willing to forgive me and wanted my company, I would have only have seen your face." He titled his head back to stare at the ceiling not believing he was admitting this to her, but what was done was done. There was no going back. He lowered his head to give her an uncomfortable look and stood up to leave pulling his hand from hers. "Cath this is all wrong with Eddie's death and so forth. I better go."

"No! You're not going to avoid the issue and run away." She rose up on her knees and grabbed him by the shoulders pushing him back down so hard his teeth rattled. "Seems we both have early morning confessions. I always wanted to be more than friends. But I questioned if I was right for you. I love you too Gil, but I was afraid you would not want me. Shit… this is riidiculous!"

She wrapped her arms around a stunned Grissom kissing him fiercely on the mouth to prove her point. He tried to say her name, but only managed a mangled syllable. Giving in to her sweet demands he relaxed into her embrace parting his lips in shock to experience a caressing tongue. He broke the astounding kiss with a sigh and the taste of her still tingled on his lips. In wonder at her impulsive behavior he asked himself which one of them needed consolation now.

"Did I prove my point?" She stressed her question by holding his head and witnessed the doubt slip off his face.

"I say you did," he breathed putting his hands over hers. "Does this mean what I think it does?"

"It does. Now shut up. You think too much." She softly whispered.

He just gave her a slight smile and returned her answer with a long lingering kiss.

****

Afterwards their time together was about the sharing of comfort. He took off his jacket and shoes to join her, stretching out on the bed. In final acceptance of each other, they broached the topics of private matters freely and without reservation. His shoulder became a strong support for any remaining tears about the tragic death of her ex-husband. Questions became answered or doubt resolved itself with a final conclusion. She in turn used her street wise savvy to comfort him for his indecisions or insecurities in his life. This was the bonding that was meant to be in this span of time, no longer a missed opportunity.

She checked up on Lindsey when the conversation played out. Much to her relief her daughter was soundly sleeping. She smoothed the child's hair and kissed her in departing satisfied the little girl would rest several more hours. Her ex-husband's death had hit her daughter hard. Sleep was the best remedy to start toward healing the aching wound of grief over such a terrible loss.

Upon reentering her bedroom she found Gil apparently asleep sprawled flat on his back in the middle of the bed. The early morning sunlight streamed through the window accenting his high forehead and chiseled features. It stirred her heart to see him in such repose. Unchecked desire suddenly overwhelmed her, urging her to touch and feel his skin, his hair, and what was mysteriously hidden under his rumpled clothing. The logical side of her reasoning deemed this urge improper, considering the poisoning of Eddie's death. But there was also the womanly side of her craving for love and completion.

She yearned for a loving touch, a soft word, and the need to fill the emotional emptiness deep within her being. The man lying on the bed in front of her was not a quick fix for bereavement but a pathway for a new beginning. He offered love she never envisioned from anyone before. All those years they shared in friendship could be compared to a fine vintage wine in its foundation. The longer the ingredients aged, the more exquisite the taste from it's seasoning. She was now ready to sample that remarkable tasting. For she knew if that promised aging sat for too long it would turn to embittered vinegar. This particular vintage was ready to be uncorked. The battle of propriety turned over in her mind and lost. She approached the sleeping figure on her bed with a clear conscience banishing Eddie's ghost to the netherworld of her memory.

Quickly locking the bedroom door, she walked over and picked up his discarded jacket. Searching through the pockets she found his cell phone and turned the ready switch off to avoid any possible interruption. Discarding both phone and jacket on her lounge chair she went over to lie down very carefully next to the oblivious man sleeping on her bed. She wanted to take what time she could to savor undoing the clothing that covered him before he awakened. This representation at what she was about to do symbolized the coming change in their unique relationship. Her curious fingers started with his shirt.

She ran her hands down his torso enjoying the feel of the soft cotton covering his upper body. Pulling out the shirt tucked in his pants, she unbuttoned it touching the warm skin underneath. The graying hair that sprinkled across his chest was curly and soft, mirroring the thick thatch that covered his head. Even in his sleep he felt her warm fingers caressing him. His slow breathing pattern quickened and he slightly moved on the bed as if asking those fingers to continue their search. After lazily running her hands over his chest and face, compulsion drove her to explore the most sensitive area on a man.

She ran her fingers over his genitals and felt the stirrings of an erection. It was at that point in her fondling he softly moaned and woke up.

"Cath?" He got out groggily and discovered what she was up to. Instead of protesting, he gave in to the urges she was causing and lifted his hips up thrusting hard against her rubbing palm. Another moan escaped his lips and his hands moved to fumble at his belt.

"Let me," she whispered slipping her fingers off of him to unfasten the buckle.

Even though he enjoyed her attempts to go further a warning light went off in his head.

"Cath… hold on…Cath! "Do you…Ah!" His husky voicevoice was cut short by the heel of her hand pressing down on a very evident arousal.

"I want this Gil." She unzipped his fly in one fluid motion. "No fancy vernaculars of speech on our conduct. Right?"

"No we're past that." He sat up and pulled her down on top of him. Brushing her flame gold hair away from her face he settled for a demanding open-mouthed kiss. He arched his body up rubbing his erection against her groin and squeezed her butt gently with his hands. She moaned in his mouth allowing him to slip his tongue through her lips to devour the salty taste of her essence.

The only vernaculars quoted afterwards were the grunts and groans of their passion.

Clothes were cast off leaving both bare of confining cloth. He slid the last piece of clothing off her hips and his eyes soaked in Catherine's delicate beauty. Her bright blue panties were thrown off the bed, landing among the items scattered on the floor. They rolled around on the bed frantically trying to find a position to meet their growing desire. Before she knew it, her back was pressed hard into the mattress and his legs pushed hers wider apart to seek immediate entrance for his demanding need.

She broke from his kiss to press her groin against his manhood. He threw his head back and stifled a groan jerking his hips downward between her thighs. Roughly probing her silky folds with his fingers, he found her saturated with wetness and more than ready for his aching arousal. With her guidance, he slid into her with one powerful thrust feeling the tip of his erection pass deep beyond her cervix.

This was not a gentle love making. It was quick in their desperation for completion. As soon as her interior muscles adjusted to his size, he started to thrust with quick powerful strokes enabling her to follow his lead. She arched off the bed wrapping her long legs around his waist for deeper penetration. Waves of fiery pleasure radiated out of her core driving the intense feeling to surge in a ripple effect from her head to her toes. The aching loneliness burned out of her recreating a new resolve and determination. She rose out of the ashes like the phoenix in rebirth of her soul.

Groaning at the onslaught of tingling energy coursing through her, she arched off the bed demanding more from her lover. He sensed she was getting close so he moved one hand to the location of their joining, rubbing one finger over and around her clitoris. That was enough stimulation to send her tumbling over the edge. With one last muffled groan she climaxed, stiffening in uncontrollable throws of spasms under his sweat soaked body.

He pumped several more times and grinded into her, straining his over worked back muscles through her violent shuttering. When his own release coursed viciously through his system, he lowered his head into the crook of her neck and cried out as his body started to convulse. After the orgasm abated, he slumped limply on top of her in exhaustion. As his overheated flesh cooled down, his thoughts gravitated to the woman he held tenderly in his arms. He was grateful she loved him so unconditionally even with all his strange eccentricities. No other woman would put up with him as she did and for that reason her love was priceless.

****

"Gil?" Her voice broke the silence in the aftermath of their coupling.

"Mmmm," he mumbled still nestled in the soft groove of her neck.

"No regrets?" She asked as she ran her fingers through his sweaty hair

"No regrets. None at all." He lifted his head and gave her an affectionate kiss. "I love you too much. You're stuck with me now. You know that?"

"Yes I do and I'm glad." She smiled and ran her feet over the back of his upper thighs. "Guess we're stuck with each other."

"Wouldn't have it any other way." He put his head back down and nuzzled her neck. "Nice."

"Don't get too comfortable." She unwrapped her legs from around his waist. "Lindsey will be up at any time."

He pulled away from her and rolled over on his back. Sitting up he turned his head to look at her. "Cath why now with Lindsey..." His gaze went briefly to the bedroom door.

She pushed up on her elbows and finished his statement. "With my daughter right down the hall? For once I went with my feelings and not what was proper. It was something we both needed and I felt it was right. I normally don't bring men into my bed but you're not just any man. You're family to my daughter and I love you. That's enough. I will harbor no guilt over this."

"I understand. No guilt then for either of us." Getting out of bed he stretched and looked out the window. "I better get dressed and get back to the lab. I'm AWOL." Looking at the clock on her night table he saw it was past eight. With a sheepish expression he mumbled, "or I was."

"You're not going anywhere. Just stay here and get some sleep." She gave him a grin. "I turned off your phone."

"You what? Cath!" He exclaimed and shook his head. Looking around at the clothing scattered all over the room, he sat back down on the bed and chuckled. "You know for once I don't care. Ecklie can give me suspension. Now where are my shorts?"

She tried to hide her grin and lost. "Try under the bed." Watching him get down on his hands and knees to look for his missing underwear she added. "Too bad we have to get dressed I was admiring the view."

"Going to take pictures?" He teased back. "Ah ha! Found them!" He pulled out his boxers and waved them in the air. "Guess they landed in back of the headboard."

"Got a bad throwing arm Grissom." She sat down next to him and the smile left her face. Putting her arms around him, she put her head on his shoulder and said, "Hold me."

"Cath?" He became worried at her mood change but understood why. Running a finger down her cheek he told her, "Don't worry, we'll get through this. I'm here for you and Lindsey."

"I know you always were," she murmured. "I'm concerned about my daughter right now, just stay with me."

"I promise I will. We will always be here for each other, right? As you said we're stuck with each other." He gave her a light tender kiss then helped his lover to her feet. "Come on let's get dressed and have breakfast."

****

Lindsey woke up to a delicious smell. She rubbed her eyes and swung her feet over the side of the bed. Her nose identified the aroma of pancakes drifting from down the hallway. Realizing she was hungry the little girl quickly got up to put on her robe. Hearing the sound of voices coming from the kitchen meant her mom was up so that meant breakfast.

She was relieved to see her mother coping with her grief talking to Gil as he made breakfast. Whatever he did to stop her mom from crying brightened the little girl's outlook immediately banishing away her worried concern. Catherine seemed more herself in Lindsey's opinion when compared to the anguished woman from the night before.

The terrible circumstances of her father's death no longer shattered the normal existence of Lindsey's limited world. In simple terms her mother was all right and still provided a nurturing haven for the child. Because of Gil Grissom's efforts to help her surviving parent, she was not swept away into a maelstrom of uncertainty.

Lindsey said good morning which caused both people to break their conversation at her sudden presence.

"Good morning sunshine," Catherine greeted her daughter followed by a hug and kiss. "Sleep well?"

Lindsey nodded to her mom and sat down at the kitchen table. "Uncle Gil looks funny with his hair sticking up in the air. Guess he slept here."

"Yes he did," the strawberry blonde said fighting to keep a straight face as she saw him trying to smooth down his unruly mop. "We had a long talk and I feel better. Thank you honey for asking for his help."

"That's why I called him Mom." Lindsey gave her precious dimpled smile to the man making breakfast. "Thanks again Uncle Gil for coming."

"You're welcome Lindsey, anytime." He waved the spatula and bowed to the smiling little girl.

She got up and went over and gave him a big hug. Gil's look of look of astonishment from her display of affection for him went unnoticed by the little girl. She just looked at the pancakes sizzling on the grill. "Smells good. I'm hungry.

"Then let's sit down and eat." He flipped three pancakes with flair on a plate for Lindsey. Glad to see the girl's healthy appetite he celebrated by serving generous servings also to Catherine and himself.

His pancakes were a success with all three consuming every bit of delicious food and enjoying light conversation through the meal. His lover gave him a grateful look upon seeing that glint of confidence back in Lindsey's eyes.

After breakfast Gil had standing orders to get to bed. He understood Catherine wanted time to be alone with her daughter. Giving each of them a kiss he vacated the kitchen. Not even bothering to clean up, he stripped down to his boxer shorts and slipped under the covers. He was fast asleep by the time Catherine finished her talk with Lindsey.

Since Lindsey was feeling better and out of school for several days, she left the child to watch TV in the living room. That left her free to attend to matters she had to do. She made several phone calls to start the process for her ex-husband's final arrangements. Since Eddie had no immediate family except for Lindsey the responsibility fell on her. She also called the lab to notify them of Gil's whereabouts and to obtain the release date of Eddie's body. Exhausted after being up for so long she went to join her lover for a few hours needed rest.

Curled on his side in sleep he looked as young and innocent as Lindsey. A woman reacts maternally in her loving and Catherine was no different. When love first graces someone's heart she sees her partner in a different light. A thrill went through her to see him so vulnerable and trusting in his slumber. The small sounds he unwarily made as he slept instilled such a fierce protectiveness arising within her, that it totally surprised the strawberry blonde. She ran her fingers through his curly hair with a motherly tenderness bestowed only on her daughter before.

It was ironical that the worst of times could be the best of times. Sometimes in events of tragedy truth will come out pure and simple as the rising sun. Truth brings empowerment and just cause. If not for the blatant circumstances of the previous day's events, the early morning confessions would have never come about. In the time of life when more years are behind a person than ahead, it is better to be forthright and honest with what you desire. The man sleeping next to her was proof of her redefined belief. They both revealed a lone truth to each other of one consisting of love and respect, too long blinded by ignorance or the misfortune of missed opportunity. What happened between them was right and it was due, no matter what anyone else thought. Lindsey loved Gil as much as Catherine did. That was all she was concerned with. She no longer cared about propriety and long mourning a man she lost years before he left this earth.

As the sun approached its zenith both were fast asleep reconciled in the brightening rays. On the next dawn's rising no longer would these two people be relinquished in loneliness but in the strength of unification.

**Finis**