Thicker Than Water

G/C

By Bexster

This is the first time I've ever let anyone read what I've written, but you don't have to be gentle.  Please rate and review it so I know if anyone likes it, and let me know how I'm going, I may need all your help to get to the end!

Disclaimer:  The characters aren't mine, I just borrow them when I'm bored…

1

Grissom sat in his office staring at a display case of butterflies.  His current case was running slowly, and he was stuck until Greg had managed to finish the lab work he was waiting for.  He was puzzled, the murderer hadn't been leaving many obvious clues behind and it was frustrating for the team to have these long pauses where they desperately searched.  But then, he reminded himself, he didn't do the job because it was easy.

"Anything yet?"  He heard Catherine's voice from over by the door and smiled.  He thought that she somehow always managed to cheer him up a little when she came in.

"No.  Still waiting for the lab results."  She walked in and sat down opposite him.

"It's half past five, Gil."

"What?"  He looked at her puzzled.

"You asked me to remind you when it was five-thirty."  She watched as he paused, then the realisation spread over his face.

"That's true.  Catherine, I have to go out for a while.  I'm leaving you in charge."

"Anywhere important?" she asked a he picked up his jacket and walked towards the door.

"Oh yes," he replied as they left through the door. "Very important."

Catherine followed him out to the car park.

"Ok, spill.  I haven't seen you with a grin this wide since you found that new species of moth last Christmas."

"I'm going to the airport."

"Going or coming in?"

"Coming in."

Catherine remembered instantly why he was going.  "It's holiday time isn't it.  Time for Grace and Maggie to visit."

"It is."  She smiled at him, pleased to see him in such a good mood.  She loved the way his smile lit up his eyes, giving them a playful spark that she rarely saw these days.  "You and Lindsey should come over for dinner tonight."

            "It's a date."  She stopped, not realising what she had said until it was out.  He paused for a second, before chuckling slightly and opening the car door.

"Definitely," he replied to a slightly embarrassed Catherine before getting in the car and driving off.

            The traffic to the airport had been moderate, even at the early time of the morning, and the plane had just touched down as Grissom headed for arrivals.  Anyone watching him would have just seen a man walking through with a big smile on his face, any worries left far behind.  He was happy.  He looked forward to this time every year, and it was an excuse to rest his brain from thinking about investigations.

            Allowing for time to retrieve baggage, he looked up just as the two people he was waiting for walked out through the gate, spotted him, and made their way over to where he stood.

"Uncle Gil," the younger one exclaimed as she placed her bag on the floor and wrapped arms around the larger man.

"Hello, Maggie," he said, pulling her back to arms length to get a good look at her.  "You've grown again!"

"I'm sure I stopped a few years ago, but I'll go with you on that one."  They laughed, and Grissom turned to embrace the other woman next to him.

"Hello, Grace."

"Gil," she kissed his cheek.  "These years seem to get longer and longer."

"Time is relative."

"I know that."  They let go of each other and Grissom reached down for her bag.  "Lets get you back to the townhouse."

            They walked out into the car park and made a small trek back to Grissom's car.  He threw the bags into the trunk and they started the short journey back to his house.  They talked all the way back.  Maggie mostly, filling Grissom in on every thing she'd done in her last year at college.  As he listened, he realised for the first time in ages that he felt content; that this kind of life would make him happy.  He had never believed he would have had the time for a family, and up until now, he had been using Catherine and Lindsey as his substitute, and he had enjoyed all the time he spent with them.  Maggie and Grace were different.  Very different.

            They arrived back home, and after a quick drink, Maggie went off for a nap, leaving Grissom and Grace sitting on the couch.

"She's been looking forward to seeing you, Gil.  Been going on about it for months."

"I've been looking forward to it to.  She's grown up so much."

"Come on, Gil.  She graduates in a few weeks time."

He looked down into his lap, wondering where all the time went.

"I'm very proud of her, two years difference at that age is a lot."

"I know, but don't tell me, tell her"

"Has she asked you anything yet?"  He felt the need for the change in conversation.

"No.  She's mentioned the idea of her father in passing a few times, but nothing direct."  She moved along the couch until she was sat next to him.  "Same as always.  She's a very smart young lady.  I'm surprised she hasn't figured it out by now."  She reached over and took his hand.  "What are you worried about?"

"I don't know.  I've thought about this situation so many times, and I don't know what to do about it."

"Wait, Gil.  We didn't make this decision lightly.  We did what we thought best."

"Maybe it's time to think again."

"The right time will come."

"I hope you're right."  He sighed.  "I feel wrong lying to her."

            Grace leant over and kissed his cheek.  "You were always so conscientious, that was one of the reasons I fell in love with you.  I'm glad that never changed."

He smiled.  "People change as dictated by their circumstance."

"It's not always bad."

"No."

"Maggie wasn't the only one who missed you."

"I missed you too."

Grace slid down next to him and put he wrapped his arms around her and they sat in silence, Grissom periodically leaning down to kiss her gently.

            They sat for a while longer, before Grissom sent Grace for some sleep and headed back to the lab.