It was a slow shift at CSI that night. Perhaps that's how the idea had been born, out of boredom. Once conceived, it took root and grew in the mind of Greg Sanders. By the end of shift all the arrangements had been made and the invitations extended. Had the graveyard supervisor known what his newest CSI had been planning, he would have assigned Greg some work; something along the lines of inventorying the supply closet. But Gil Grissom was not aware of Greg's plan until the end of shift. The entire group had conspired to keep him out of the loop. But as he was signing out, Greg approached. He extended the written invitation to his boss. "You gotta come, boss. It wouldn't be a good party without you."

Grissom took the paper from Greg's hand and opened it.

You are invited to the Bachelor Party of

SUPER DAVE

Saturday Night

7:00 pm until….

Wild Woody's Bar

"Greg…" Grissom cocked his head and the younger man knew what was coming, "I don't think so."

"Aw come on, Grissom. It's Super Dave. He's getting married; we gotta do something about it."

"I intend to send a very nice gift," Grissom replied.

"Hey Grissom, don't be a party pooper….." she was laughing at him from somewhere behind. He turned to see the smiling face of Sara Sidle. "Come on, it'll be fun," she coaxed.

Grissom blinked. Just hours ago they had been discussing plans for a date tomorrow night. "You're going?" he inquired, still puzzled the apparent change of plans.

"Of course, it's Dave. It's a special time for him and I want to be a part of it."

Grissom looked from her back to Greg. "Okay, I'll go…..for a little while. But Greg.."

"Yeah"

"Wild Woody's?" Grissom's eyebrow was up and he was teasing now.

Saturday night arrived and the gang began to arrive at Wild Woody's. Grissom was impressed by the gathering. Almost the whole graveyard was there, lab rats included. Also, Brass, Doc Robbins, and Sofia had been invited. Grissom found a table near the back and watched as his colleagues danced, shot pool, and played darts. After a few minutes, Doc joined him. Before long Brass and Catherine were there too.

"So, Papa Bear," Brass teased his friend, "proud of the little gathering arranged by the wild child?"

Grissom looked across the table at Catherine. "Seems like it was not too long ago some one else was accusing me of fathering this bunch." His eyes were twinkling.

Catherine looked over the rim of her beer glass, her eyes twinkling back.

"Well Jim," chimed in Doc, "If he's Papa Bear, what does that make us?"

"Dutch Uncles, I hope," chuckled Jim.

The four sat watching as Sofia relieved Nick of a ten spot over darts. "She's amazing," commented Brass. "She takes his money and he's laughing about it."

Catherine glanced sideways at the detective and smiled. She thought there was something going on there but…..then another thought struck. Usually Sara was hovering wherever Gil went. But she was dancing with Greg and Gil seemed oblivious. The music changed and a slow song began.

"Catherine, my best dancing days are over but if these two lugs aren't going to ask….may I have the honor?" asked Doc.

"Why Doc, that's the best offer I've had all night." And they headed to the floor.

Gil Grissom took a long sip of his beer. Out of the corner of his eye, Jim noticed and wondered the cause. As Sofia walked away from Nick, Jim saw his opening and left to go ask her to dance. Gil sat at the table, chugging beer and watching his friends enjoy each other. He was happy that they were having such a good time….but…..why was he feeling sad. You know, you idiot. Because you're just going to sit here and watch, like you always do. Coward.

Doc and Catherine came back just as the waitress was bringing Gil another beer. Catherine noted that it was his third. Gil usually stopped with one. What's with him, she wondered. Brass and Sofia walked up and Jim asked Catherine to dance. He didn't want it to be obvious that he had made a point of dancing with Sofia. He wasn't ready for that yet. So he played the part of a player.

Nick and Warrick had challenged each other at pool and the other CSIs had gathered around to watch. Gil watched as Sara laughed and alternately cheered or teased them. She should be with one of them, he thought. They're closer in age and she would enjoy more of the same things with them. I'm too old. Yeah, Gil….too old. He drained another mug and signaled for fresh one.

Catherine left the group and sat back at the table. He's on the fifth one, she thought. Need to get him doing something bedsides drinking himself into a coma. "Hey, Gil….we haven't danced tonight. Come on, I want to dance and everyone else is ragging on Nick over there."

"Don't want to dance," he slurred.

"Well, I do and you're elected. Come on," she grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the dance floor.

Once there, he decided just to dance with her and get it over with. He held her in his arm and gathered her hand into his. Through his beer haze he realized that she was watching him, watching his face. Her blue gaze broke through the blur and he found his eyes locked with hers. He went into one of his trances, except instead of being a 'think trance,' he was lost in her eyes. He had danced with her before…lots of times. Why had she never had this effect before? But he knew deep down that she had. He's just never let himself register it. She felt good in his arms, he thought. He wished he hadn't had so many beers now. His feet felt like lead. He usually could dance better than this and for some reason he wanted to prove it to her.

Jim Brass saw them dancing. Gil was having trouble and was all over her. She can't be enjoying this, he thought. He eased his way over and as the song ended, he cut in. Gil shuffled back to the table. Another beer.

Sara was dancing with Nick now, but Gil didn't care. He was watching Cath with Jim. He loved the way she moved, her grace and elegance as she danced. He wanted to dance with her again, wanted to hold her, feel her body in rhythm with his. That is if he could manage any rhythm in his current state. He made his way back and cut in on Jim, who looked at Catherine. She nodded affirmatively and he moved away.

She found herself back in Gil's hold. His arm was behind her and his hand was holding hers next to him. His face was close…beer, way too much beer, she thought. But she was enjoying this anyway. She loved the way he felt, loved having him so close. He seemed to be enjoying it too. They danced through that number and the next one. His face slipped into the crook of her neck, comfortable in her warmth. He pulled her closer until their bodies were almost one. And he found his rhythm. For Gil Grissom, the rest of the room no longer existed. He was lost in her beauty, her warmth, her sensuality. He wanted to stay there, never leave that moment.

Across the room, Sara had noticed his dance. At first she had been amused by his drunken attempt but as their bodies melded and blended, anger arose in her. Bile inched its way up her throat. Infuriated she made her way to them.

Brass saw her from the table. "Oh no," he declared. "Lover's quarrel. I don't think Sara shares well'," he commented to Doc. Robbins turned to see what Jim was talking about.

Sara stood close to them. Her arms were folded across her chest and her face warned of the immanent eruption. Neither of the dancers seemed aware. "Hey, you BITCH," she yelled as she yanked Catherine's arm, digging fingernails into Cath's arm. "Hey," yelped Cath, stunned.

Gil was appalled. "Sara, what the…"

"And YOU, what the hell do you think you are doing? Dancing with HER….like THAT!"

Gil shook his head, trying to focus. "Why wouldn't I dance with Catherine? We've been dancing for years. She's a good dancer," he rambled drunkenly. "Why'd you attack her?"

Catherine was still standing there, shocked; her hand covering the scratches.

"You're supposed to be dancing with ME, you BASTARD!" Sara screamed.

"I don't want to dance with you if you're going to yell at me. Besides, you were dancing with Nick. Besides, Catherine is a better dancer…"

Catherine's mouth flew open. Brass sighed, "Uh oh." The others couldn't believe what he'd just said. Neither could Grissom. "Oh no, I'm screwed," he thought.

Sara glared at him, she opened her mouth to speak but nothing emerged. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, SMACK. Her hand hit his face so hard that it knocked him off balance. Nick happened to be standing behind him and caught him before he hit the floor. He straightened up, hand to his face, and glared at her. He said nothing. His glare said everything. She turned and stormed out of the bar.

He turned to his dance partner, "Cath, I am sorry. I am so sorry. Did she hurt you, let me see." He walked her back to the table and moved her hand from her arm. The scratches were just scratches, but they were deep. Doc eased over to take a look. "Nothing too bad, Catherine. But you do need to get them cleaned out and bandaged. She cut deep," Doc reported.

Gil went to his truck to retrieve his first aid kit. Sara was in the parking lot. She flew out from between the cars at him. "What the hell were you doing in there?" she asked.

"I was dancing. And now I'm trying to get my first aid kit so we can get Catherine's arm cleaned up."

"Oh, she's not hurt that bad. You just want to make more puppy dog eyes at her and be her hero some more. Why did you do that? Why did you have to dance with her….like THAT?"

"You were enjoying yourself, Sara. And I wasn't included. And I was tired of sitting by myself. And Cath and I have been friends for years. Why wouldn't I dance with her?"

"But you…she….you were so close. Like you were making love to her or something."

"Maybe it is a good thing. That this happened, I mean. I never thought it could work between us. There's too much….many differences. Tonight just proves it. I'm going back in to help Cath. And then I'm going home. I want to be alone tonight, Sara. You understand? Alone." He turned and walked back into the bar.

Alone in the parking lot, Sara realized what she had done. She had broken all the unspoken rules for dating Grissom. He wouldn't forgive her easily, if at all. She got in her car and headed for the closest bar.

Back inside, Gil sat next to Catherine and gently tended her scratches. "I am so sorry, Catherine. I never thought she would do something like that."

"Gil, I'm not going to rant and tell you 'I told you so,' but she's had a short fuse for a long time. Something was bound to happen."

He sighed deeply and admitted, "I know."

Brass approached, "Gil, you're not driving yourself home. You've had too many beers. I'll take you and we can come back for your truck in the morning."

Gil shrugged his shoulders and walked out with his friend. Softly, from the other side of the table Doc spoke, "Catherine, when are you two going to stop this and admit you love each other?"

"I don't know, Doc. But it has to come from him and I don't think he is ready. If I say anything it will scare him and he'll never find the courage to do anything about it."

Doc was forced to admit that she was right.