Souvenir Chapter 1: Christmas Eve Afternoon, a csi fanfic

Disclaimer: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation does not belong to me. The characters are full of inspiration, intelligence, and intrigue that I can't help but borrow them a short while. I heartily enjoy the show and its premise. The events of this story are mine, but the characters are definitely not.

Author's Note: This is for b8kworm. Thank you for watching CSI in the first place. Thank you for getting me hooked. You know that I'll make you sorry for it.
Thanks to Angie, Manda, and Ann for the storyline read through and encouragement.
Thanks to you wackos on graveshiftcsi. You're all incredible. Now if only we could get those lurkers to speak up more often.

Archives: the Graveyard, ShipperworldCSI, Working Love, mine. Anybody else, email me. I like to go visiting.

Pairing(s): G/C

Sequel to "Sex In The Desert".

***** ***** *****

Title: Souvenir (Snapshot)

Author: Laeta
E-mail: ladylaeta@yahoo.com

Part 1: Christmas Eve - Afternoon

It was picture perfect; if he preferred snow, the effect would have been mystical. As it was, Grissom enjoyed the warm weather that prevented the formation of snow. He could see the cold puffs of his breath in the typical cold desert night in the dim light from the moon and stars above as well as the lights cast by the streetlamps and the brightly lit house. In his hand was a bag of gifts for Lindsey, Catherine, and a few others.

Not for the first time, he wondered at the wisdom of spending the night amongst others. Like a crab, he wanted to hide in his shell until the season of lights was over. However, a promise was a promise; he rang the doorbell.

Before he could register the opening of the door, he was assaulted by a spry little girl among peals of shrieks. The girl's mother looked relieved as Grissom instinctively dropped the bag of gifts in favor of the little girl. He shifted his hold to plant a kiss on her cheek while she returned with the warmth of a hug before she was lifted out of his arms by her mother. Grissom gave a grin as both girls registered his brimming bag of gifts; Lindsey left in a flurry of excitement to add them to the ever-growing pile under the tree. This left a quiet moment to be filled by Catherine and Grissom. A flash went off somewhere as he leaned in to place a similar kiss on Catherine's cheek.

Both turned their heads but Catherine spoke low in his ear, "Ignore the camera. It's been going off all day; I've given up trying to find the damn thing."

A healthy grin found its way to Grissom's face; it took quite a bit of skill to hide anything from Catherine. Though, he had a feeling he knew who the culprit was.

He stepped fully into the house so Catherine could close the door and a wave of festive happiness greeted him. The living room was presided by an amazing tree laden with reflective ornaments. There was silver and gold tinsel that offset the dark green of the leaves and the light that reflected off everything was the luminescent white of the moon. The rest of the house, within his field of vision, had garlands and other seasonal decorations in some unknown prearranged appointment. The overall effect was stunning.

The excitement of new gifts having faded and spying Grissom's entrance to the living room, Lindsey hurried to commandeer his attention. With her were half a dozen other children whose faces bespoke of the magic in the atmosphere. The other adults were nowhere to be seen, probably hidden away to watch a sports game or another; the rest were in the kitchen exercising their culinary prowess. Catherine gave the reluctant man a slight push in her daughter's direction, who grasped his hand to pull him across the room.

Catherine watched as Grissom was pushed unceremoniously into a chair near the tree and Lindsey climbed into his lap. She grinned as a look of pure panic flitted across his eyes; numerous pairs of hopeful eyes rooted him to the spot. Finally, giving in, Grissom dug into the recesses of his memory for all the holiday, seasonal, and mythical stories that he knew. The camera went off again.

A few hours later, a friend pulled Catherine aside to mention the adorable scene in the living room. A natural-born storyteller was Grissom as he held the children captivated with his tales. Watching the group with her friend, she saw how the children had trusted him almost immediately; they lay practically draped all over the man. His rich, low voice was beginning to become raspy; constant use tends to do that.

Moments later, she walked to the comfortably ensconced man and pressed a cool glass of warmed brandy into his hands. Grateful swallows followed in a rapid succession as he silently asked to be rescued from the children. She took pity and joined Grissom on the couch as the children quickly and easily persuaded Catherine to tell a story. With Lindsey sitting between her and Grissom and the rest of the children in varied positions around them, they passed another hour as Catherine reminisced about the snow that none of the children had ever seen.

The game finished in the other room and cooking temporarily at a stand-still, the other adults paused to wonder at the absence of their children. Not a single one was underfoot or running rampant throughout the house. Joining the friend who first noticed the storytelling session in the living room, they watched in amazement as Catherine's well-known boss entertained the children with yet another story that was coupled with magic tricks. By itself, well-behaved children were a miraculous event, but it was together with an obviously relaxed Grissom. To complete the scene was their hostess, who, at the moment, was laughing with the carefree attitude of a cloud and happiness shining brightly in her eyes. They watched as Grissom's eyes slid toward Catherine and he smiled almost involuntarily.

It was at this instance that Grissom won the approval of Catherine's closest friends and family. Of course, everybody in Las Vegas had heard of Grissom's reputation, and, through Catherine, they knew of his intelligence and passion for the truth. However, no one could forget the vague rumors surrounding the man, but they felt that they could learn to ignore the rumors and accept the man for himself based upon one reason only: he made Catherine happy.

Leaving Catherine and Grissom alone, everybody left to ensure that Christmas Eve dinner would be perfect. In the kitchen, out of earshot of the two friends, they knew that this perfect evening only needed one thing.

Part 2: Christmas Eve - Evening