Mr. and Mrs. Grissom had a small problem. Technically, I suppose it is my problem, thought the groom, since it is the groom's responsibility to plan the honeymoon. But how does one plan a honeymoon when one doesn't know he's getting married until about two hours before the event? Nervousness was settling in. Once he had decided that he wanted to marry this beautiful creature, a raw energy had overtaken him spurring him into action without thought. But that energy was waning and Gil's natural reticence was reclaiming him. He wasn't rethinking his decision to marry her; he knew that was right. But now what?

"Cath?" he almost squeaked. Damn, don't sound like such a wimp. They were walking back to his car.

"Gil?" She was looking into his eyes, her own laughing at his sudden change of demeanor.

She knows what's happening to me. She knows I'm scared...and she's laughing at me. Oh, this wasn't going as well as he had hoped. Come on, Grissom...get it together.

Catherine had been swept away in a whirlwind when he had appeared on her doorstep, essentially telling her to marry him. It was a dream come true and his boldness had been astounding. But she was more comfortable with this Gil Grissom...her Gil.

Swallowing with difficulty, he took the plunge. "I didn't plan anything for a honeymoon. We'll have a real one later but...for tonight...Well, going back to your house seems ...strange. And my place...well, it still feels like Sara might walk in. I'm sorry, I didn't plan this very well."

Laughing aloud now, she wrapped her arms around his arm and leaned into him. "It's simple, Gil. We'll get a room somewhere."

"But...I don't know where to go... and before you suggest one of your casinos, no. You are not paying for our wedding night."

"Okay, I'll let you pay. But I don't see why it is okay for me to be a kept woman, but you don't want to be a kept man."

He smiled and replied, "I'll let you keep me some other time...in fact, forever. But this night is my night to keep you...very close." He nuzzled her ear."Very, very close." Then he gently kissed her cheek.

Arriving at the car, he helped her in. Then sliding into his side, he continued."Bellagio?"

"Gil, I've wanted this for twenty years, we can do it in the backseat for all I care. I'm tired of waiting and I want you...now." There was no mistaking the lust that oozed in her voice.

Blood rushed through his body, especially certain parts as he responded physically to her words and her tone. Glancing at her, he smiled. "I think I'm going to enjoy being your kept man." Starting the ignition, the car took off. Thankfully there was a room available. Gil didn't think he could have survived another ride to another hotel. The silence had been unbelievably taunting, their sexual tension building as they sped down the road. Silence for him was usually peaceful. He was feeling many things; peace was not among them.

Finally they were in a room. Before the door had closed they were already in each other' arms. Twenty years of pent up desires were fighting to the surface and threatening to explode. Removal of the clothes is such an awkward part of love making, he thought as he fussed with her dress. Then suddenly his hands stopped. He gazed into her lovely blue eyes and was suddenly bewildered. She's so beautiful...and she's here with me. After all these years...what if...she said our one night had been perfect. What if tonight ...isn't?

Catherine was suddenly feeling a little apprehensive also. They both had strong memories of their time together. What if the memory is better than the reality? What if I disappoint him? Normally Catherine had no doubts about her ability to please a man...more than please a man. But this wasn't other men and they had set a high standard before.

Sensing her sudden timidity, he actually began to relax. They were having some of the same feelings. She would understand. That comforted him. Slowly he began his task again. His mouth found hers as they joined in a long, demonstrative kiss; each expressing emotions for which there were no words...at least not adequate ones.

Their first night and morning was a long, unconstrained manifestation of their years of loving. Where it had threatened to begin as a raw lustful event, it had evolved into something much more intense and meaningful... a true expression of their love. Catherine had never felt so cherished and revered. His every touch and caress told her how much he treasured her. She felt like a queen; no he had called her a goddess. From the lips of any other man that would have simply been a flattering word. From his lips, it carried her to new heights; to other worlds. He made her feel better about herself than she had ever felt; he had always been able to do that ...uplift her. But that night, he touched her soul and made her belive in herself as he saw her. The air was thin in her new world and a bit dizzying. She just hoped she would be able to live up to his vision of her and not plummet back to earth.

For Gil, she quite simply completed him. He felt things with her that always had seemd to escape him before. His fear fell away and he felt confidence in his ability outside of a lab. She showed him that he was capable of absolute love...no reservations. His commitment to her was total and uninhibited. She was the only person in his entire life that he had so unreservedly opened himself to and he knew she would be the only one with which he would ever be so free.

As they lay, their bodies entangled she whispered, "Gil, are you still planning to meet Gillian?"

"Yes, at noon. Do you want to come?"

"No, I don't think so. At the lab...well, if they see her with me...that might raise questions. Besides, I don't think I'm ready to face them yet."

He looked down at her as her fondled her hair."Face them?"

"Well, I'd never be able to keep 'us' a secret like you and Sara did. And explaining Gillian on top of that...well, I'm not ready."

"You have a point. I'm not sure how to introduce her. At least it will be the day shift there...not our guys, yet. And if you were with me...there's no way I'd keep my hands off." He smiled and gently kissed the top of her head.

She giggled at his remark. "I love you, Mr. Grissom."

"I love you too, Mrs. Grissom." His heart swelled as he said her new name.

Still entwined in body and soul, the newly married couple drifted off to sleep.

PUREJOYPUREJOYPUREJOY

Reviews are such a nice thing! Please consider leaving one.