Disclaimers: Not mine
Spoilers: Nope

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SACRIFICES
(Chapter 10 - One Last Sacrifice)
Shift had been unbearably long and it didn't help that Grissom had been on her mind throughout the day. She had gone to his office to talk to him upon Alex's encouragement but was disappointed to find that he had already left. She tried again at the end of her shift but was surprised to find he hadn't come in early like he usually did. Too tired to think about it anymore, she headed home.

She searched mindlessly through her purse for her keys as she made her way to the front door. When she finally pulled them out, something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye. Turning, she found half of a white envelope sticking out of her mailbox. She reached for it and flipped it around to open it as she entered her house.

"Catherine," She read aloud, immediately recognizing the writing, "I'm sorry for all the hurt that I have caused you. You didn't deserve any of it and I know an apology won't do. So I've decided to quit. I have already spoken with the Sheriff, who will offer you my job and I'm sure will offer your current one to someone competent. I'm sure the team will be delighted to have you back. I'm truly sorry and I wish nothing but the best for you in the future. Grissom."

Too stunned to react, Catherine startled when she felt something wet on her hand. It wasn't only until she walked in front of the mirror that she realized she was crying. Steadying herself against the wall, she took a deep breath and wiped away her tears. She took one last look at the letter before dropping it and grabbing her keys. This was one last sacrifice she wasn't going to allow Grissom to make.


She was at Grissom's townhouse in less than 10 minutes but was hesitant to ring the doorbell, realizing there was a possibility that Grissom had already left. She could imagine the empty townhouse in her head but still forced herself to reach out for the doorbell. After what seemed like an eternity, the door swung open, revealing a surprised Grissom.

"Catherine..."

"How could you do this?" She pushed herself past him into the townhouse.

"I have my reasons."

"You say that a lot but I'm beginning to doubt it."

He shook his head, continuing to pack his books.

"What the hell are you doing, Grissom? Did you think that you could just pack up your stuff and leave? Just like that? That I would be happier this way?"


"Yes."

"Aren't you sick of being such a martyr?"

"I'm doing this for your own good."

"No, Gil, you're doing this for *your* own good. You never once thought about how this would affect me."

"I thought you'd be happy to see me go. You get my job and you get to be with the team again."

"There is no team without you."

"I'm going back to San Francisco. I've been offered a teaching job at a local college."

"You'll never be happy there."

"Why not? It's peaceful, it's a simple job."

"I won't be there."

He looked at her, not sure how to respond.

"I must be pretty stupid then, huh? Running all around the lab trying to find you and then coming all the way here, thinking I could somehow convince you to stay. But it's obvious to me you have no intention of staying so you know what? I'm gonna leave now. That's obviously what you want me to do and since you've already made so many *sacrifices* on my behalf, the least I can do is grant you this." She turned around and opened the door.


"Have you ever considered that maybe I'm doing all this because I have to?" He waited until she turned around again to face him, "Do you wanna know why I have to push you away?"


*To be continued*