"Gil! I just want you to do get rid of all the extra crap in your closet. If you want me to sleep here I need room for my stuff. What is with you and all these damn ties! I don't even have a hook for my robe."

"Those ties are still good Cath. There is nothing wrong with them," came the irate complaint from her disgruntled lover. "Why should I throw them out?"

"Because you don't even wear ties that much except for court," she shot back angrily as a load of ties she was trying to move fell all over the closet floor. "Damn! You must have a hundred of them!"

"Cath! Look at what you did!" He got off the bed and pushed her out of the way. "Some of these are collector's items!"

"What? Those battered rags!" She shook her head in disbelief and shoved him back for pushing her. "Here's for shoving me you idiot! You know, you're anal at times!"

"Hey! Watch it! You almost knocked me over!" Giving her a dirty look for insulting his integrity he growled, "and I'm not anal!"

"Well I would think you were for wearing this!" She held up a tie that was a bright yellow flowered design bordered by hot pink. It looked as if John Travolta could have worn it in the seventies' hit movie 'Saturday Night Fever.'

"That is classic disco and still very vogue," he complained. "In fact I bought that in the seventies'!"

"You got to be kidding!" She laughed and grabbed the tie out of his hand. "It's ugly! I bet the last time you wore it was the day you bought it!"

"I wore that tie at least until the early eighties'! Give me that!" He tore the tie from her hands and angrily hung it up.

She did not know why he was so wrapped up about an old tie. He did not even wear one-quarter of the ones he had strung all over the closet. To make amends, she helped him pick up all of his 'collectables' scattered all over the floor. After putting the last tie away she tried to hug him, but he shrugged her off by pulling out of her embrace.

"Gil, I am sorry! Why get worked up over some old neck ties?" She tried to take his hand to apologize. "Look, I just vented out my frustration on you for some closet space. Forget it huh?"

"No I won't! "I don't appreciate being called anal!" He growled at her and knocked her hand aside. "Look I'm going in the other room. I don't care what you do. As far as the damn ties, do what ever you want! Wear them for all I care. Otherwise leave my stuff alone!"

"All right fine! Be that way!" She followed him into the living room. "I'm going home so you can cool your irate ass off!"

He just glared at her and went into the kitchen without saying a word.

Finding her jacket by the front door, she shrugged it on and left grumbling how asinine men were and where they could go.

Wincing at the language the strawberry blond came out with, he started having second thoughts about the whole fiasco. He was still a little annoyed with her, but felt silly about losing his temper especially over something so stupid. Making quick time to the door, he rushed outside just as she peeled away from his townhouse.

"Damn!" He cursed as her Denali fishtailed around the corner. "Not fast enough!"

Sticking his hand in his pockets, he just stood there hoping she would come back. After waiting awhile with no lover coming back to his door, he heavily sighed and went back inside.

He slammed the front door and immediately headed over to his portable bar. Pouring two fingers of a stiff Scottish whiskey in a tumbler he brought it to his lips and drained it right down. He filled the glass again taking a few sips before he flopped down on his couch. The burning liquid eased down his throat smothering his remaining anger to ashes. He sat there brooding until the liquor took full effect making him tired enough to go to bed. A few hours of solid sleep would clear his confusion over their spat and then he would go over to her house to apologize. Knowing his lover's temper she would not come back unless he asked for her forgiveness. Resolved with his plan of action, he got up off the couch and headed for the bedroom.

Catherine took her time going home. The intensity of her wrath generated by his silly temper tantrum simmered down enough to become a logical crafty thinking. He told her to find a use for those horrid ties and she did. She planned to accept Mr. Grissom's apology with a 'loving payback' he would never forget.

Two hours later she entered his town house to be welcomed by complete silence. She dropped her jacket on the chair nearest the door and quietly made her way to the bedroom.

He was deeply asleep and the smell of whiskey on his breath told her the man drank a pretty stiff nightcap. She understood immediately what he did. Being familiar with his long-time habits, she knew Gil would consume a whiskey or two when he was troubled or angry. This tended to knock him out and he would not wake up unless someone really made a noisy racket. She could plan her little statement without disturbing him until it was time.

****

Uncomfortable flat on his back, he came awake to find he could not turn over. Confused as to the reason for his immobility, he tried to move his arms and found his wrists restrained. Lifting his head up, he was surprised to find himself tied spread eagled to his own bed with colorful silk ties. The blanket had been pulled off of him and he was buck naked. Standing there in front of the footboard was a sweet smiling Catherine with her arms folded across her chest. She was wearing only a skimpy red teddy.

"What the…" He was not amused to find himself bound in such a comprromising position. He pulled at his restraints in protest. Cath! Untie me!"

"Not yet." She answered him firmly fingering one of the silk restraints wound around his right ankle. "I found good use for your tie collection. You told me to 'wear them' so I am in a way. You're wearing them again the way I see fit."

"Cath that was a stupid thing I said. It was in anger." He twisted his hips off the bed in frustration yanking at the ties. "I'm sorry! Just untie me!"

"No I won't." She repeated and broke into a grin. "Did you untie me when you had your fun with those silk scarves several weeks ago? At least you're not blind folded as I was!"

"You had to remember that," he mumbled knowing full well she was correct. His face blushed as red as the teddy she was wearing. "Payback?"

"Payback." She came over to the right side of the bed and sat down. Leaning over him she tenderly kissed him and ran her finger around his jaw. "But this pay back is sweet."

"Not…" He was interrupted when she nibbled his lips. "Mad," he breaathed after another kiss. "At me?"

"No I'm not." She ran her fingers along his neck and grasped his face with both hands. A long lingering kiss sealed her forgiveness.

He felt her soft lips draw back from his to explore the crook of his neck. When the tip of her tongue traced wet lines in back of his right ear lobe, he closed his eyes and trembled as she slowly tickled him. Her fingers meanwhile ran lazy circular patterns across his collarbone to his chest. By the time her soft touching and licking reached his nipples he felt his manhood jerk in response, swelling to full attention. He arched his back off the bed and groaned, wrapping his fingers around the ties binding his wrists in reaction to her questing lips.

His heart skipped a beat as he struggled in his confinement. Totally helpless to her demands, his tormenting angel clothed only in skimpy red silk played her erotic torture. Every finger movement or sensuous kiss that worked its way downward had him wanting more. His body temperature soared as he struggled to maintain his fragile control as she reached her attended goal.

He gasped as she kissed his thighs and took hold of his erection with one hand. Slowly she ran her nails over his rigid length, which caused him to draw his legs up straining for more mobility in his restricted position. His attempts to stifle his cries failed as she stroked and tongued the sensitive flesh of his arousal. When he felt her break off, he whimpered in frustration. Opening his eyes, he whipped his head around looking for his sweet tormentor. He spotted her in front of him holding one of his neckties and a small bowl of ice.

"Cath?" He groaned in frustration as he saw her place the bowl back on the floor. Her red teddy clung to her inviting figure that made him desperate to touch every inch of her flawless skin. He tugged at his bonds to get her attention.

She just gave him a demure smile and opened the wide seamed end of the tie to form a pocket. Taking several ice cubes, she dropped them inside and wrapped the shiny material around her right hand. He could see the wetness of the melting ice seep through the fabric. What in the world was she up to?

She sauntered back over to the bed. Sitting down near his right hip, she took her unusual cold pack and placed it in the hollow of his neck. He shivered as the frigid material slid down his chest causing goose bumps to rise up from the chill of her cloth wrapped hand. Her lips licked up the icy wetness afterwards on his skin that provoked an intense heat to sear through every nerve ending in his body. The contrast of temperature sent him wheeling away in sensation. Moaning in blissful agony, he arched off the bed twisting his hips around as she circled his groin and inner thighs with the wet tie. He did not know how much more he could take when suddenly she stopped.

He opened his eyes to see her pull the red teddy over her head and throw it on the floor. Her flame gold hair seemed to float around her as she shook it away from her face. Unwinding the tie from her hand, she squeezed the saturated cloth and spread glistening wetness all over her firm upright breasts. He groaned at the sight of her delicate peaked nipples taunting him to caress those glorious orbs. Clenching his fists around his bindings he desperately called her name. He had enough. She was driving him insane. She raised an eyebrow and smiled at the pleading sound of her name. Dropping the saturated material in the bowl she obeyed his frantic call.

She ran her hands down her sides as she approached her frantic lover. His eyes were burning with the fever of passion as he stared at her naked curves. When she touched his sweating brow he moaned and lifted his head up to nip at her fingers. Pulling her hand away she got on the bed and straddled him, causing his erection to slip between her thighs. He raised his hips up jabbing against her groin to ease his growing urge. Moaning in pleasure at his intimate demand, she leaned over him and rubbed her breasts against his chest. Throwing his head back he growled low in his throat and jerked at his restraints trying to get at her. She finally riled him up enough to lose control by her taunting actions. He never looked so appealing in his helplessness, bound to the bed and fully aroused.

Taking her time she ran her hands through his hair and gave him one final kiss. She lifted her hips up slowly, taking in his stiffened penis deep inside her slick hot folds. Sighing at the euphoric feeling of fullness within her, she started a rhythmic rocking motion that he could easily follow. His plaintive groans urged her to pick up speed due to his inability of speech in the stage before orgasm occurred. He was locked into a semi-paralyzed metal state focused on just physical completion.

She narrowed her attention to his movements and her own growing desire. Grasping his upper arms she lowered herself just a few inches above his writhing body. With one final passionate kiss to his parted lips, Catherine began to thrust roughly against him until she felt her orgasm unfold. When it hit she groaned, tightening her hold on his arms leaving livid bruising behind. He followed shortly after her crying out in ecstasy at his release. Both lovers shook uncontrollably with violent force until she collapsed on top of him with her breath as ragged as his. He went limp with his wrists hanging loosely in the silk tie bindings. For the moment he did not care if he was tied up for eternity, as his lungs heaved for precious oxygen. Finally when he could breathe normally again, his attention turned to his restrained arms and legs.

"Cath," he whispered tugging at his bound wrists. "Please untie me."

She raised her head from the crook of his neck and nodded. Getting off of him with an effort she rolled over and just lied there. Running a finger across his chest she answered, "Give me a moment until I trust my balance."

"That good huh?" He joked in a weak voice. "Was it the ice or my neckties?"

"It was you," she said with a chuckle. "The rest was a prop."

Getting up very carefully, she wobbled on unsteady legs but managed to untie him. She laid down again throwing the neckties on the night table. When she saw him wince as he moved his arms she asked, "Are you alright?"

"Just getting my circulation back. My arms fell asleep." He shook his arms and flexed his fingers to rid himself of the numbness. Lifting one leg then another he sighed in relief to be able to move again

Straightening up the bed, she noticed the friction burn forming around his wrists when she covered him with the blanket. Feeling guilty, she turned on her side and hugged him. "I should not have tied you up. I'm sorry."

He just smiled as he looked at his wrists. "We're even now. I will get rid of all my old neckties I don't wear as long as you do not tie me up without my permission. I have to admit being tied up was an experience or at least your version of it was. Good Lord!"

She laughed and agreed. "Next time I will warn you. You know you're a stubborn fool, don't you?"

"That my dear Catherine I do know and you remind of that every day." He turned on his side and gave her a long affectionate kiss. "Now how about some shut eye?"

"That's the first good idea you have had since we left the lab." She settled in next to him grateful their spat was resolved. "I do love you especially when the animal comes out in our lovemaking. Maybe I will keep some of those ties."

He just choked at her comment and groaned to be reminded of his loss of control. It figured he wound up being the monkey in the barrel again when it came to Catherine.

She just laughed when he gave a mock growl and kissed her. It delighted her to see his playful side come out.

After a few more minutes of light banter all became quiet as they started to drift off to sleep.

One last comment broke the silence when she heard him grumble in her ear. "Can I at least keep my yellow tie?"

She just smiled and sighed. The days ahead with this man would be down right challenging but that is why she loved him so much, even if he kept his strange collection of neckties.

**FINIS**