Disclaimer - as chapter one, also this chapter contains lyrics from the songs "Sorry Seems to Be (The Hardest Word)" by Elton John, and "Big Yellow Taxi", previously by Joni Mitchell, most recently by Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton. These lyrics belong to the artists and writers, not to me.

Chapter Fifteen - A Pink Hotel .

He thought she had left. That this thought was wrong he discovered when she burst into his office.

"What's it gonna take, Gil? A pink hotel, a boutique and a swinging hotspot?" She spoke rapidly, but clearly. And whilst he understood the individual words and phrases, he didn't understand her meaning. He looked at her, silent and puzzled.

"Do they need to pave paradise and put up a parking lot?" she continued. It was now making slightly more sense. He still watched her silently, though.

"I wish you'd speak! I think I've been mis-interpreting your thoughts lately.. And I'd really like to know what the hell is going on.. Actions speak louder than words, Gil, and yours are contradicting everything you've ever said!"

She stared at him. Her piercing eyes telling him that he had better say something or else he could get seriously hurt.

"I love you," he said, with a smile of adoration.

Catherine froze. Her breathing froze. Her body froze. She stood in silence. The rapid beating of her heart, the only sound. After a few seconds the only response she could come up with was, "What?"

Grissom rose and walked towards her. "Don't go to Miami, Catherine, I need you here. I know I said it wasn't a good idea, but that was the biggest mistake I have ever made. We have missed out on so much time."

She listened, still frozen.

".And sorry is the hardest word now, because I can't think of a way to say it that encapsulates just how much I regret what I did, what I said, and what I put you through- "

"You're getting a bit soppy, Gil," Catherine smiled, finally managing to move.

"I'm not finished," he said stopping in front of her and looking deep into her eyes with a look that made her heart melt. "I have always loved you, Catherine. Always. Now just tell me." With a little smile he started singing.

"What I gotta do to make you love me?"

Catherine laughed, moved by his non-Grissom act.

"What I gotta do to make you care?"

She felt the tears gathering in her eyes and the lump developing in her throat.

"What do I say when lightning strikes -"

His singing was stopped by the impact of her lips on his, as she threw her hands round his neck and pulled him closer to her. Wrapping his arms around her waist he returned the kiss, locking them together in an embrace they had longed for.

"Sorry doesn't have to be said in words," she said smiling, when she pulled away for air.

"I know a good little pink hotel actually," he said, looking at her longingly, but lovingly.

Catherine laughed. She stroked his cheek with her hand, and looked into his shining blue eyes. "I love you too."

And they kissed again, and they both knew it would last forever, and no-one would have anything to apologise for.

THE END