So I admit, this chapter is pure fluff. But we all like some fluff every now and then, right?

There will be more to come!

"So Catherine was really about to lose it when they were taking Keppler's gurney to the ambulance," Grissom said. "I had to turn her away from looking at him so she wouldn't completely lose it. I walked her away from the ambulance, across the parking lot and got my car to pick her up. It was really hard for her, and I'm not exactly sure why. She's seen death before. She's even lost an ex-husband before. Why did this guy get to her so much?"

He shrugged, and turned his attention to me. It was a few hours after Keppler had been shot, and he was telling me the dirty details about what happened. I figured he'd be too wiped out to want to see me later, but he called me and asked if he could come over. I told him of course he could, and hurriedly got ready for his arrival, making sure the landfill stink was nothing but a bad memory.

When he knocked on my door, I ran to the door and let him in. I wanted to completely smother him in hugs and kisses and whatever else, but I also wanted him to take the lead here. I was still just a little hurt he hadn't tried to contact me while he was gone and I didn't want to seem overanxious. There's always the truth that I could have called or emailed him, but before he left he seemed so distant that I thought doing that would just bother him, and I didn't have a single urge to do that.

We talked about the case for a bit while I made us some dinner. For him, I made a super meaty cheeseburger and tried not to think about all that had happened to various animals for that cheeseburger to be where it is today. For me, I made a sandwich and some soup. That was all I was hungry for, anyway.

When we were done eating, we sat on my little sofa, pondering what we should watch. I reached for the remote on the coffee table when Grissom grabbed my hand.

"Let's not watch anything right now. I have something to say, obviously, so just listen for a minute, okay?"

I nodded, anxious to hear what he was going to say.

"Sara, I'm sorry I didn't contact you while I was gone. I picked up that phone so many times, but I had no idea what I was going to say. I even tried to write you a letter and I got so far as to address the envelope to put it in, but I...I didn't. There's just so many things I want to tell you and I knew a phone call would never convey those feelings over the phone."

He paused and took a sip of water.

"I know our parting was awkward, and that hadn't been my intention. But I know I took this sabbatical rather hastily and you were a little hurt by that. But while I was gone, I really took some time to ponder all these emotions that were going on in my head. This is all very new for me, Sara. I haven't had a girlfriend in a long time. I haven't had...feelings for someone in a long time."

"What about...Lady Heather?" I asked, somewhat joking and somewhat not.

He chuckled.

"She intrigued me, I'll admit that. I will also admit that we were intimate once or twice. But with her, it was about control. We were interested in the way each other's minds worked but there weren't any real emotions behind that. It was more like we were studying each other. With you...it's not about lust or attraction or control or anything else that a relationship can be about. I can't explain to you why it's taken me so long to finally let you into my life the way I've wanted you to be in it since the very first time I met you, but maybe it's because these feelings I have for you are the most powerful feelings I've ever felt. I mean, I like my life. I love solving the case, getting it right, using the bugs and the science and the sheer brainpower of the whole team. I don't even mind the politics of the job, either. I'm addicted to the rush, I will admit that to you right now. And I guess I just always felt that letting you in would make things change. But this last year, with us being so close...I don't ever want to lose that. It took me being away from you for so long to figure out I don't want to be without you. I discovered there's more to live than solving the case, and that's invaluable to me. I guess what I'm trying to say is...I'm sorry I didn't figure it out sooner. I've been really dumb and stubborn about it, I know. But I'm finally--"

I kissed him. I couldn't let him keep rambling on and on about it before tasting his sweet lips. God, how long I waited for him to say those words to me.

We broke from the kiss when neither of us were capable of breathing.

"In conclusion," he said, grinning, "it's you, Sara. It's always been you."

He kissed me again before he said, "I love you. I mean, duh. But I figured you should hear it from my lips. I love you."

"I love you, too," I said, kissing him back.

I don't think I have to tell you that watching a movie became our last priority that night.