Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me, except from maybe the idea - at least some of it.

Rating: I'm thinking T

Summery: Grissom has an important choice to make which will have great consequences for Catherine.

AN: Hey guys! So I've had this idea in my head for a while and then today I just got the inspiration I needed to get on with it.

I will finish my other fic, but as you know, if you're reading it, I'm a lousy updater! Hence I run dry of inspiration a lot. Anyway, I'd be happy if you want to read this! And please leave a review, I love those.

Hope you'll enjoy! xx

Warrick was standing there laughing joyously at the sight of him. He smiled at him, couldn't believe that he was actually seeing him. He looked happy, at peace. He wanted that too. And Catherine. He could hear her voice suddenly and tried to spot her but she wasn't there, she wasn't alongside Warrick or anywhere behind him in the beautiful light. He spun around and looked into the darkness; there it was again her voice almost a whisper.

"Come back to me, Gil. You need to hold on, you need to come back. Your team needs you." Her voice was fragile and she sounded scared.

He looked to Warrick and suddenly he could see the incredible setting behind him. Nature, different kinds of nature, all kinds of nature and with it surely all kinds of bugs. This place was beautiful.

"Come on, Gil," she urged him, "we need you, come back." Beautiful was her voice no matter how tired it sounded. He'd been in this dilemma for a while now, the sight in front of him welcoming him into his Paradise, the voice he held so dear pleading him to return, to make the long journey back.

"I need you, Gil. I need you. Please," he couldn't believe his ears that were telling him she needed him, that she actually needed him. He turned around and was ready to go all the way back to her.

"I can't do it without you. I can't run the nightshift all by myself, I can't do it, please, come back and help me." He let out a disappointed breath. Of course, work. Cases from the past flashed before his eyes. He had fought crime and merciless murderers. He had helped solve puzzles and put pieces back in place for several families. He had done his bit and she was more than ready to take over for him.

He looked forward at Warrick still smiling brightly, waving his hands at him inviting him to advance.

"Don't you dare leave me, Gil Grissom! You have no right." The threat in her words did not make it to her voice, "please, just open your eyes. Look at me, Gil." And he wanted to. He wanted to look at the beautiful woman talking to him. He wanted to see her and be reminded of her beauty. Scenes from their relationship passed before his eyes and he watched her age, every wrinkle and every line only making her look more spectacular. He saw her smile, saw her laugh. How he loved her smile and if possible her laughter even more. But it wasn't enough. She would live without him, their friendship wasn't what it used to be; they weren't that close any longer. She would be fine he knew, he had taught her well and she was ready to stand by herself. He looked to Warrick once again and gasped seeing his mother there as well. It has been so long. He took a step forward towards them.

"Don't go, please don't leave me. I need you." He took another step forward. He didn't want to leave her, but he knew that she would be alright. She had Lindsay and her mother, and she would find a man to keep her happy if she felt the need, that had never been a problem for her. He sighed. She could have anyone and he obviously never struck her mind, not in that way anyhow. Men from her past he observed as they passed before his eyes. He shook his head, not a single one of them would he approve of. They weren't good enough for her.

"I love you." He stopped dead in his track his mind working as fast as it possibly could. Her voice was small, vulnerable but nonetheless sincere. The words were sincere though said in despair and he was sure more than just friendly feelings lay behind them. Again he experienced exchanges between them, but now he felt it, the love in her voice, he saw the adoration in her eyes. It was as if he could read her thoughts however much he tried not to intrude on her privacy. How could he not have known for all these years that Catherine was in love with him?

He cast one last glance at the Paradise in front of him and realized that without her it could never be.