they lay on the cot together, legs intertwined, her head on his bare chest, her arm lazily draped over his abdomen. his hand roaming and playing in her soft hair. this is what he had missed most, just laying with her, being able to feel her against him, having her scent invade his senses.
he felt a wet pool on his chest, looking down he saw the silent tears falling from her eyes. he shifted his position so that she would look at him, and with his thumb he removed the trail of tears from her checks.
"what's wrong?" he asked quietly, gently,
she shook her head and wiped her eyes with her palm, "nothing- i just, i cant believe you're really here"
he smiled softly but did not answer. she traced her finger over his jaw line,
"when do you have to be back?"
all he did was shake his head, still not uttering a word. she looked at him puzzled,
finally he responded, "i don't"
"gil, i-"
"shh, i know. i know you didn't ask me to leave, i wanted to. it was time, i was ready."
she kissed him softly and nuzzled back against him, breathing in deeply.
-----------
Catharine was back at the lab. standing in the large empty office that once occupied specimen jars, and piled up paperwork, framed butterflies and every issue of forensic journal. but now, all that was left was the eerie quiet and one box Gil Grissom had left behind.
she opened the box and peered into it. a few books, including an entomology textbook, the prized fetal pig, and a framed butterfly, took up the space inside.
reaching into the box she took out the entomology textbook. opening the front cover, revealed the inscription inside.
"try not to call me with questions regarding insects. good luck-
gil"
she smiled, fingering over his hand writing. as she was about to place the textbook to the side, an envelope fell out. catherine bent down and picked it up, her name in script covered the front of the envelope.
she took a seat and opened the flap. first she pulled out a photo, of gil and sara, she flipped it over- nothing was written. then she removed a neatly folded letter from the envelope. unfolding it she began to read-
"Catherine-
I know my departure will effect you, and I apologize for that. But know that this is for the best. You have deserved a supervisory position for a long time, and i am confident in your ability to succeed.
I know you value being informed, and i have not been open with you, ever really. So to make amends for my departure, i shall give to you what you have pried me for, a look into mine and sara's lives together."
as she read she couldn't help but grinning. it was amazing to see him so open, so human, even if it was through a letter;
"We met a little over ten years ago at the Forensic Academy Conference, which that year, was held in San Fransisco. it was not until about four or five years later that our relationship began. we moved in together about after that , and on october 20th, roughly a month after she had been abducted- i proposed, and she accepted. the rest, im sure you know, and im sure you can fill in the blanks.
I have gone to Costa Rica, to be with Sara, who is their doing field research with an organization of scientists. I'm not sure when or if we will be back. But if that day does come, i will inform you. You have been a great co-worker and friend. i will miss you dearly.
-Gil Grissom"
catherine began to tear as she finished up reading the letter. just as she was wiping the her tear stained cheeks, nick came in-
"cath- assignments?"
"yeah ill be in in a moment"
tbc...
