Note: Hi guys. I know I have tons of unfinished stories at this point, but I'm just hoping this isn't going to be one of them. Set in, well, lots of different settings, haha! Hope you'll enjoy it, please let me know! xx.
Summary: 1985. Catherine & Gil meet at the French Palace when Gil's working a case. Fast forward. 2005. Catherine and Gil work nights in Las Vegas, both secretly wishing their past would still be their present.

Sweet Like Cinnamon.

Chapter 1.

1985

"Gil, you're coming with me. We have to interview about twenty lovely half-naked women in there." Detective Jim Brass told him that with a slight smirk on his face before walking backstage of the French Palace. Gil Grissom followed him with a little hesitation. His new CSI Level 2 gave him the opportunity of interviewing people with another person there. Which meant that he was now supposed to be interviewing about ten women, who were all half-naked, loved turning on men and make them all excited. Gil hated the fact that he was the one doing the interviews along with Jim that day; his people skills weren't that great. Luckily, Jim had already been able to gather all the women in one room and spoke loudly. "Hi all, thanks for waiting. We're sorry to keep you here for so long. Me and my colleague, Gil Grissom, are going to ask you guys some question. Hopefully, we'll be finished soon so you guys can go home. Thanks in advance." The women all started talking softly again as Jim turned to Gil. "Gil, you take this half of the list. I'll do the other." Gil nodded and couldn't even reply as Jim yelled: "Sarah Hellington?" A dark-haired, tall woman stood up and followed Jim as he mentioned her to do so. Gil decided that would be the best idea to do as well. He read the name on his paper out loud as he looked through the room. "Catherine Flynn?"

A pretty, petite, strawberry-blonde stood up as he said the name. Gil gulped. These interviews were going to be tough. He scraped his throat before he said: "Hi. I'm Gil Grissom. We'll just go over there and then I'll ask you a few questions, okay?" The woman nodded. "Sure." Gil walked in front of her to a little room nearby as he quickly made a mental note to himself that the first interview could've been worst; at least this girl was wearing a denim jacket and a pair of leather jeans instead of a bra and super short shorts. Didn't make her any less gorgeous though; she was beautiful.

As Catherine followed to obviously young man, she started feeling slightly embarrassed. Her job had never been something she felt ashamed of; it earned her good money that she needed for school. Yet, being with someone who was obviously around her age and doing so much better in life, made her feel bad about herself. More time to think about that wasn't available though; the man in front of her had started talking. "So, Catherine… Sit down, please." As they sat down in front of each other, Gil started to get nervous. The woman's icy blue eyes were staring at him and he wasn't sure if he was able to do the interview without getting as red as a tomato. He scraped his throat again. "So, can you tell me anything about the shooting? Did you see anything, hear anything?"

Catherine bit her lip. "I had just finished my routine and was changing my outfit backstage.. I was allowed to go home early today so I could study for upcoming tests next week. I tried to be quick, but when I was walking out of here, I heard everybody scream. I peeked my head around the door to see what was going on, and.. All I saw were all these people on the floor, broken liquor bottles and stuff… I saw someone running out the door, all black. If I'd been here a few seconds earlier, maybe I could've seen his face.. But this is all I can tell you, I'm afraid. I'm so sorry."

Gil had been enchanted by the woman's voice; so intriguing and beautiful. He felt sorry when he heard her talk about tests… She'd already been in the building for almost an hour. So much for an early night off. "That's okay, Catherine. I'm sorry we're keeping you from studying."

She waved his apology off. "That's okay. Freakin' chemistry, probably gonna fail it anyway." Gil's eyes lit up when she said the word chemistry. "Chemistry? What are you studying?" "I'm doing extra courses in Biology, Science and Chemistry. I… Never mind, you're probably gonna laugh at me." Catherine smiled shyly, something she barely did and caught her off guard; why was she getting nervous because of the man in front of her?

Gil could tell she was getting nervous, and, surprisingly enough, it made him a little more comfortable. "Don't say that, I would never do so." Catherine shrugged before she said: "Well… I eventually want to become a criminalist. I'd… I'd love to do what you and your colleagues do. Finding evidence, collecting the last piece of a difficult puzzle… It's so interesting. But, well, without a degree in Chemistry that isn't going to work."

A sudden silence overcame Gil; he wasn't sure what to say now. He didn't have any other questions for her, but something inside of him just wanted her to stay and talk to him a bit more. Catherine as well wasn't sure what else to say, so she just said: "Was that all? Can I go now?" She was about to stand up and leave as Gil decided he had to do something; he didn't want her to leave for some reason. "Catherine, wait.." He jumped up as Catherine turned around. She chuckled lightly at the sight of Gil; he looked as if he'd just realized something extremely important. "What?" "Well.. You know.. I'm a CSI. I could help you with your chemistry… If you're interested, of course." Catherine's eyes lit up as she heard the proposal. Getting help from an expert would be the best thing possible. Her face darkened after a few seconds though. "Mister Grissom.. That's extremely nice of you. But.. I can't give you any money for it, I barely earn enough to pay rent and school. But… Thanks for the offer though."

She was about to walk away again as Gil reached out and lightly grabbed her arm. "I.. I don't want any money, Catherine. I… I just want to help you." Catherine raised an eyebrow; she wasn't used to people who just wanted to help her. "You're sure about that?" Gil got confused. "Why wouldn't I be?" He let go of her arm and Catherine tried to look right through his pretty eyes. Was he honest? All she could see in his eyes was pure interest, kindness… Not a single bad thing. She smiled before she said: "I'm sorry.. I'm not used to men doing something without the need of me returning them anything." Gil nodded. "I can get that.. But really, I… I just want to help you." "I appreciate that. When are you finished tonight?" Gil shrugged. "Late. Got another nine people to question. If they all take as long as this one… It's going to take a while." Catherine chuckled. "Right. Well, then… Come meet me for breakfast. You tutor me, I'll feed you. Does that sound like an honest deal?" "I'd like that." Catherine nodded, and for a while, they just stood there, not saying anything, just staring. Catherine broke their little contest after a bit as she said: "Okay. Let me just write down my address for you then."