Title: I'll Never Leave You

Author: ANNE (the insane one)

Rating: PG - Just kissing and language

Spoilers: Strip Strangler

Summary: Aftermath of the Strip Strangler. Forget the scene at the end where they are all eating. This is set straight after Cath shoots whatshisname.

"You alright?" she asked him, lowering her gun.

Grissom nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."

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He didn't see her again until after the statements had been given. Even then it was hard to find her because she wasn't wandering around. He walked past her office and stopped. She sat in there, shoulders shaking with the sobs that wracked her body.

"Cath," he said, racing in and hugging her.

"Go away," she told him wriggling out of his grasp.

"I'm not going to leave you here crying. What's the matter? Is Lindsay okay? Is Eddie bothering you?"

"No," she replied, grabbing a tissue from the box on the desk. "Just leave me alone."

"What's making you cry?"

"You!" she cried, moving away from him. "Damn you, sonofabitch."

Gil raised an eyebrow. "What did I do?"

She whirled on him. "What did you do? You almost got yourself killed!"

"Cath…"

"Don't Cath me. What would you have done if I hadn't been there? Just let yourself get killed?"

"You would have gotten my job."

"You think this is funny?" She pushed him back. "Damn you Grissom! I can't lose you!"

He pulled her into a hug, that she fought. He held her until her fighting turned into sobs. "You haven't lost me, Cath. I'm not going anywhere." He took her hand and traced it around his arms and face. "See? All still in one piece."

Her hand did its own exploring and traveled till it stroked his cheek. She leant up and kissed him gently on the lips.

Gil's eyes widened and Catherine stepped back, afraid that she had crossed an invisible line.

He pulled her back to him, and she let out a moan as his mouth crashed down on hers.

Her arms snaked up to encircle his neck and he pulled her body closer to him.

When the kiss finished she leant her head against his chest. "Don't leave me."

He hugged her tighter. "I've got you. I'll never leave you. I promise."