Disclaimer - see chapter one

Chapter Two - Later

He'd survived. Dinner was over. The after dinner segment was over. The party was over. And, not only had he survived, he had enjoyed it. Or, at least, he would admit it wasn't as bad as he had thought it would be.

Nick and Sara were just leaving. Catherine was standing by the door, Nick hugged her and whispered into her ear. At that she laughed, throwing her head back. He watched. She looked so happy. Truly happy. The happiest he had ever seen her. For the first time she seemed completely free of worry. And it suited her. He had never thought it possible for her to be more beautiful. But here he was, captivated by her radiance. And once again taken aback by his thoughts.

Nick and Sara left. She closed the door and rested herself against it, looking directly at him.

"It was quite a night. Coffee?" her eyes fell to the jacket over his arm, "or were you going?"

"I thought the party was over."

"I just didn't have enough coffee for everyone. So I figured I'd wait til there was only one left and then offer it. You are the lucky winner. You want or are you going?"

"I should - "

"It's okay. Well, thank you for coming. I know Lindsey was pleased."

"Just Lindsey?" he said, before he even realised he was going to say it.

"Well, I think Nick and Warrick were impressed to find you interacting with other humans.. Sorry, with humans." A mischievous smile crept across her face as she spoke.

She had understood what his question implied and she avoided it because she also understood the look of terror on his face after he'd said it. She always knew when to carry on a topic of conversation, and when he just wanted to retreat and not reveal any more information.

"Bugs tend not to make insulting comments. They don't talk back -"

"And they don't ask anything of you? We don't ask much, Gil, but you're our leader, we look up to you, we follow your example."

"So you all stay home on your days off, listening to Bach and reading encyclopaedia?"

"Well, no. But we think about doing it.. I'm glad you eventually gave in. It only took four years to persuade you to join us. That means, in two years, you'll come for Christmas dinner."

"Christmas is for family, Cath."

"You are family, Gil. I told you. And I hate thinking of you all alone."

"I won't be alone. I'm working."

"What? Since when? I thought you were gonna take this holiday off."

"I was. But I figured I had no plans so -"

"Right." Her voice revealed a slight disappointment. He realised he had not chosen his words very carefully. He could have had plans. She had invited him for dinner.

"Sorry."

"It's alright. I've known you long enough to know you didn't mean it to sound that insulting." She joked, but she was partly serious. He had offended her. She wasn't important enough for him to take the day off work. He could see it in her eyes. He had upset her. Throughout the years of seeing her hurting at Eddie's hand he had promised he would never hurt her. He would always be there to protect her. Now he was the cause.

"I'll just get your presents." That was his confirmation. She was no longer asking him if he wanted to stay.

He followed her through to the living room. She was crouched in front of the tree.

"The one from Linds needs to be kept the right way up and handled with care. And she chose it herself so don't blame me. Mine, you can throw around as much as you like." She stood and handed him two gifts.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. And thank you for ours."

There was a short, awkward silence.

"I didn't -"

"Hey, it's okay. I know what you meant. You said you weren't coming. Therefore you didn't have any plans. It's fine. It's not like I don't have any other friends coming over. I'll probably only miss you as much as you missed me when I was in Miami." She flashed that cheeky smile again and his guilt subsided a little. She was okay. They were okay. That was her way of telling him.

"Are you sure you don't want that coffee?"

"No thanks. I should get some sleep."

She had known him for a long time, and she knew there was something wrong with this conversation. He wasn't relaxed. He wasn't himself. She longed to ask what was going on. Why he looked so lost and alone despite her company. But she also knew that he would deny it. So she did as she always did, and didn't ask. And she knew that was what he wanted. And he knew she would be there if he ever did want to talk about it.

"I'll see you out then."

They walked, silently, into the hall.

"Merry Christmas," she smiled and wrapped her arms around him.

He returned the embrace and held her close to him. She could feel that he felt uncomfortable so she pulled away. As she did, he kissed her cheek. Gently, softly, yet also nervously. It surprised her, but she didn't show it. He wouldn't want her to.

"I'll see you in two days."

"Give Lindsey a hug for me."

"I will. Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

And with that, he left. Now she could show her surprise. She now understood what was going on. Or, at least, she had a theory. But it couldn't be right. Could it? This was Grissom. He didn't show his feelings. But what was that? What the hell was he doing?