Spoilers: Through "One to Go"

Disclaimer: I don't own them, although would've made a nice birthday present...

Leaving

I was lost.

Yes, me, Gil Grissom,

CSI: graveyard supervisor,

Man who could read DNA results better than his own emotions,

was lost.

I spoke without thinking, who doesn't?

My best friend just died in my arms and the only woman to ever hold my heart returns after having left me nearly a year ago.

So, yes, all rational thoughts in my brain were gone.

And I told her to leave me.

About a month later… I get a video.

"Before I left… you said some things that I tried not to hear. But now, I think you were right."

"You don't have to worry about me anymore. "

What in the hell have I done?

I consulted in Lady Heather.

She said the same thing as Sara, "Sometimes, not making a decision… is making a decision."

I had never made one… until then.

I knew what I had to do.

Telling the team was harder than I thought. I had to walk away so they couldn't see the tears threatening to fall.

Then came the personal goodbyes…

Wendy's was the smoothest, but then again, I never really got to know her.

Brass' left me confused.

Greg's had me thinking of the impact I've made on my team.

Hodge's was emotional, on his part, to say the least.

Nick, Warrick, and I all shared some sort of bond. With Warrick's death I felt guilty for leaving him.

David's was, surprisingly, the hardest. He was the only one who broke down, in front of me. He had to walk away. I just stood there. Dumfounded was an understatement.

Al knew.

Catherine knew.

I wanted my departure to be unnoticed.

I found Warrick's funeral announcement and at that moment in time, I couldn't describe what happened, but I had newfound confidence.

All of my uncertainties had vanished.

I took my last walk through the halls, to bid my silent, inconspicuous goodbyes.

First there were Archie and Ecklie, I may not see eye to eye with the guy, but I have always respected him.

Wendy and Hodges.

Henry, Mandy, and David.

Greg.

Al and Riley.

Nick.

Brass.

Then, the only person to see me leave, Catherine. She winked, wishing me luck. I couldn't help the boyish grin that crossed my face as it occurred to me that this was finally happening.

I was leaving my old life behind to be with the woman who made my whole life worth living.

I took my last steps out of the lab,

Programmed my destination into my GPS,

And with the wind, I was gone.

Everything was sort of a blur until I stopped in my tracks,

Astonished at the sight before me.

She knew I was behind her. We've always been able to do that, sort of like a sixth sense.

When she turned around and tears welled in her eyes, all my doubts were gone.

I dropped my bag to the ground, and took my past, present, and future into my arms.