A/N: Here's the rest from the last chapter. Hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 47
Desert Palms
11:35 PM

Grissom opened his eyes while taking a deep breath. Not a single tear left him until he looked out the window and saw the private jet finish its circling and fly away. "Goodbye Catherine," he whispered at the same time, in the air above the neon glowing city, Catherine whispered the same to him. Once he could no longer see the jet he opened the box. He sighed seeing the first thing on top addressed to him. It was an envelope and he wondered how many more letters he'd receive before the two of them stop their new dance and fixed things. Picking up the letter with shaking hands he brought it to his face. He kissed it with his lips as he smelt her familiar lotion on the envelope. More tears feel as his shaking hands opened the envelope and pulled out the newest letter to add to his collection. The collection that sat in the pocket of his robe now, the nurses having found them among his possessions when he first came to the hospital. With his hands shaking he unfolded the letter.

'Gil,

There is so much that I want to say. So much that has gone unspoken between us. All I know is that … is … it was never meant to work between us. We are too different, Gil. Every time we tried something got in the way. First, back when we first meet it was the jobs. Then it was Eddie, I really did love him Gil, I loved you too, but he loved me and I loved him and we could be together. After he left it was still the job. We refused to end our dance because we could lose our jobs. I didn't want to ruin your reputation and you didn't want to ruin me. We were afraid … cowards trapped in a dance we never should have started. Then we finally did get together and … well that didn't last.

We never stuck it out, Gil, we never tried. I waited for weeks in DC. I waited for you to find me. To come in and rescue me. Lindsey had no idea what to do. She blamed you for my pain but I told her not to. I told her to never blame you for anything, clearly that hadn't worked out very well. I'm so sorry that it can't work. I wish it could but it won't. Even now, after years of being apart, of change … of everything … we won't make it, Gil. Our love … it's just … I don't know what it is but I do know that it's not lasting. Every time I see you I can't help but wonder who you're with, if you're happy, how well those kids know you … everything just comes so fast. And I have to leave again because its hard to be there.

Nothing in the world can change the way I feel for you but it's become obvious that we aren't meant to be together. Too much has come in to prevent us. Fate is screaming at us to see it. It's time we moved on. I won't. I know that. I've tried, I really have. I've had one or two boyfriends here in my new life but … they never last more then two days. No one can meet up to you. I haven't been with anyone since you … well unless you count Ecklie. I can't stand the thought of someone else touching me where you once touched me. Of something seeing things only you should see. I'm yours from now until the dawn of time. But you can find someone else, Gil. You can let go of me and become a better man.

I read your file, Gil. I know you became an alcoholic and became suicidal. I'm so sorry for doing that to you. Your family is right; I don't deserve someone as great as you. You deserve sol much more then what I can offer. I hope with all my heart that you family will some day forgive me for my acts. They were wrong and the worst thing anyone could ever do. I'm so sorry for that. I destroyed you and gave you no explanation and that was wrong. Please, Gil, don't let my leaving this time destroy you. Your stronger then I am. Better then I am. I'm not worth your time.

I have decided to allow Alex to live with you for the rest of the school year. All the paper work you need is in an envelope in this box and I will mail everything else you will need as well. Copies of his birth certificate, death certificate,'

He paused at that looking over to his son and fighting the urge to go check for a pulse. To go make sure it was really him lying on that bed so peacefully. His hands shuck like crazy as he thought of that coming in the mail for him. A strangled cry escaped him as he tried to fight the feelings he was feeling. Going back to the letter he bite his lip to help.

'Copies of his birth certificate, death certificate, social security card, and any other documents you will be needing along with information on his medical insurance, which I plan to get back up as soon as I'm back in DC, will all be sent to you within the next few weeks. Randy has assured me that the Federal Marshalls will be seeing to it that his identity is restored along with Lindsey's. I will also be sending you Lindsey's things so that she can take care of all that as well.

What you plan to do for the summer and breaks during school is up to you. I would understand if you want to keep him from me, I did the same to you for six years. It is only fair that you do that same to me. I guess I'll see how much he changes after six years now. I'm so sorry for that as well. I plan to tell him myself that he gets to stay with you for the school year. You can choose from their. He still loves bugs and his favorite color is black and he loves strawberry ice-cream and … well you'll figure it all out on your own. Take care, Gil. I love you.

Yours forever,

Catherine.'

He folded the letter and failed to get it back in the envelope ten times before he succeeded. It then fell onto the table as his shaking hands moved to his face to cover his tears. After he calmed himself he moved the envelop aside and looked into the box. Ten more envelops sat waiting and he pulled them out. He went through them to see who they were all for and smiled. He placed the one holding the documents for him with his letter and then placed the others beside his. They were for the team. For everyone adult in this room, from Lindsey to Brass, even for Sandra and Mia. And their was one more for Dr. Robbins.

After he finished getting that settled he turned back to the box and smiled. Inside was smaller boxes for each of the kids. He looked around the room at his family. At those he loved and he wondered how much this all would end up breaking their hearts. Wanting to protect them. To know that nothing was going to hurt them, though he couldn't read the letters he'd just have to trust that they were not going to break down when they read them. So, he was going to make sure that at least the kids could stay safe and happy. He removed the first one with a smile.

It was for Michelle. He looked to the sleeping girl and then back at the box. He was glad that it wasn't tapped shut. Silently he opened it and nearly laughed at what he saw inside. Placing the box in his lap he removed the letter on top and placed it gently on the table. Then he removed what was inside. He couldn't help but smile at the gift. He held the small journal in his hand and couldn't help but smile. It was a beautiful brown with Michelle's name scrawled in beautiful writing across it. Placing it gently down, he pulled out the next thing. It was a small box and after opening it he discovered that it was a charm bracelet with no charms. That struck him as curious but he ignored it and moved on. Three more boxes held jewelry as well, one silver locket, a pair of earrings, and a ring – which was clearing to big for a seven year old. Another box held glass pom-poms that were designed to hold things like cell phones and iPods. The final thing he was simply an envelope that he opened and smiled at. It was a brochure for a cheerleading camp in DC. Putting everything back he noticed that each thing had a number written on it, but the journal, the only number missing was one.

The next box was for Jenny. He knew that he would open the box to find another letter and six presents this time. Presents for birthdays and Christmas's missed over the years. Presents that had to cost a lot of money and thus would count for both in the eyes of the kids and the parents. Presents that would bring tears to their eyes. Jenny had a matching journal like Michelle's and three boxes of jewelry as well. The locket, earrings, and ring matching the ones Michelle got. He told himself that she had to have bought a matching set for each other girls since they were all the same. He couldn't stop smiling at the fact that each item had butterflies some how designed into them, and were still elegant and beautiful. He wondered why she didn't receive a charm bracelet and when he looked over to the sleeping girl he noticed that she already had one on her wrist. The final thing was an envelope holding a brochure for a summer FBI program for children and teens.

The next box was for Dylan. Again their was a letter on top and he nearly laughed when he saw another matching journal. After the journal was a treasure chest for him to put different things in, it was designed like that of a little boys but one that he could keep around his house when he was older as well. Next was three new video games tied up together. He laughed Catherine's easy way of doing things, she was always like that, even wit Lindsey's gifts when she was growing up. If you tie it together that's good enough. Then was a brand new foot ball. After that was a small build your own roller coaster kit with a special not on it saying he could do it with his Grandpa Grissom. The last thing was an envelope and he removed it to find a few different summer programs located in DC including, among the FBI academy one, some for football, soccer, and other sports, but also science and math and other school subjects that might just interest the boy.

The next two boxes were for the twins. Junior's held another matching journal; Martina's had one as well. Then came another chest like Dylan's and then a video camera, though he noticed it had a note saying that Greg and Sandra could hold onto it for later. After those was another build your own roller coaster kit, another note attached saying that Grandpa Grissom would enjoy it. Martina's, along with the journal held four boxes of jewelry matches those of Michelle's and Jenny's. Each box also had envelopes in them as well. Junior's held some summer program brochures for the DC area that involved anything that was electronic, ranging from computers to video cameras to cell phones. After reading he noticed that each of the camps had something to do with the A/V department of crime labs. Martina's envelope held brochures for summer programs involving law and politics in the DC area. It also held a note saying that she had decided to give all the jewelry now even though it was a little early.

Lindsey's and William's boxes came next. He smiled at the fact they still had letters. The last four boxes were for people who couldn't read but yet she still wrote them something. A tear slipped from his eyes as he was again reminded of why he feel in love with Catherine, her heart. Lindsey's had the jewelry and the journal and in the envelope was more brochures for summer programs in the DC area, since Lindsey was three they were just for different things – some the other children had already been given. The envelope though also held a gift receipt for a two field kit and Grissom just knew it was probably sitting and waiting back at home for her. William's box held the journal and the treasure chest and the same envelope holding more DC brochures but it also held a gift receipt for his own little cleaning supplies.

The final boxes were for Alex and Sarah. Alex's had two present, both of which were books and Grissom some how knew that was because the boy already had the journal and chest somewhere. He wondered if that was with Catherine or if Alex had packed it before leaving his mother. The books were ones Grissom would enjoy as well, one for etymology and the other a collection of Shakespeare. Sarah's box held the journal and the jewelry and a baby book. Neither had brochures in them and Grissom wondered if that was because she was leaving it up to Lindsey and him.

Something told him that Catherine knew he'd go through all of them. That she knew who would be the first to look at all of them. He looked at everything sitting out on the table. The letters for the adults and the boxes for the kids. He was surprised little Jenny had been able to carry it into the room but then again that girl had always done more then she should be able to. He knew that he was going to find a summer program in DC for Alex.

Looking back at the box he cried more. Inside was picture frames wrapped in bubble wrap but still visible. Enough for each family. He put them all on the table and looked at the bottom of the box to find she had protected it. He wanted to go lecture her on her packing abilities but only smiled. She had always been horrible at putting things into boxes. Picking up his picture frame he realized their was two. All of them had two in them. All the picture frames were simple and elegant. Something you could put up and not be embarrassed by.

His though, his were special. The first one was a design of butterflies flying around the photo. The photo was one he never knew had been taken. One of the long ago Christmas party. One of him dancing with a young Lindsey. The second one he knew was not put in by Catherine. She never would have given him this photo. The frame she picked, it was obvious. It was roses and hearts entwined around the image. Hearts for their love and roses for their passion, something he always said to her. Something that he told her every time he came home with another rose and a heart shaped box of chocolate. Something he did everyday until that one day. The day he lost her. The image was covered by a note. That's how he knew it wasn't from her. Pulling the paper out he unfolded it.

First he looked at the photo. It was of Catherine sleeping on the couch in her office. No blanket covered her and her shoes were still on. Her skirt hugged her legs as they were curled as best as they could be comfortable. Her blouse was hanging loosely on her body and was slightly revealing her chest. Her shoes he noticed were elegant and sexy and must have hurt like hell to sleep in. But what caught his eyes was that, even in this photo, he could see the glistening tear caught falling down her cheek. Keeping the photo in his hand he looked to the note.

'Dr. Grissom,

You don't know me well and I don't know you well but we both know Catherine. I work for her and I love her like the mother she is to me. She'd kill me if she knew I took this photo and she'd bring me back to life to kill me again if she knew I gave it to you.' He laughed knowing that had to be true. 'But I had to. I had to because … well without you she has no one to cover her, no one to remove her shoes, and no one … no one to give her a little kiss when they tuck her in. The moment we even try to cover her she's awake. It's like she knows it's not you. She loves you. She's nothing without you. By the way, the photo she wanted you to have in behind this. –Marsha and the rest of the team (what we conspire against her get over it)'

He laughed as the act was very much what his team would have done as well. When he removed the photo to look at the one Catherine wanted him to have he smiled. It was her in a hospital bed and he knew it was right after the labor. Right after she gave birth to his son. His son who was sleeping peacefully in her arms. His son who he hadn't been able to see her give birth to. The was the best thing she ever could have given him. Putting the photos back, the one with her sleeping on the top, he placed them back in the bubble wrap. Some how he knew the others were, the first being, the picture of her and the team, including him, at the dinner, and the second being that of her and her new team, a reminder that though she had a new family she still treasured her first one.

Lindsey had watched the entire thing. From Grissom helping his mother to him finally going back to the letter. She watched him shed tears and smile and laugh and look around not once noticing her eyes were open and on him. The first thing she had wanted to do when her eyes opened was scream out in pain but she had seen him and held it in. Carefully she moved her arm out from under Alex and held him closer, protecting him and Sarah like she has always done. A silent tear fell as the thought of her mom not even coming to say good bye to her hit her. But she expect her to run. Keeping her eyes on Grissom she watched as he stood and moved to the window placing his hand on it and looking up into the sky. Looking for Catherine.

A/N: Okay, please don't hate me. Trust me they will get back together. I'm not some crazy Grillows fan who keeps them apart for ever. I like them together to much. This is the end of this story but not the end of this series. I'm not sure when I will start posting the next one as I've got to finish my other ones now. If there is anything in particular you want to see in the letters to the others let me know and I'll see what I come up with. I really hope you enjoy this and please, please leave me some reviews. The next story for this series will eventually be posted. I'm sorry it will take awhile but I'm heading off to boot camp soon and then I have some other training to do and then I have to settle into my first duty station. Then I'll be working. So, my stories will continue to come piece by piece at a slow rate, maybe even slower. Tell me what you want me to work on next and I'll see what I can do. Thank you for continueing to read this and I hope you enjoyed every piece of it.