Authors Note ;Please see chapter one for disclaimer and the legal stuff

TWENTY

Grissom and Sara both stood with hands on hips inside the now well lit hidden chamber somewhat at a loss as to where Catherine and Jim may be now.

'Well,' offered Sara, 'I'm now convinced they weren't in the church at least when the fire broke out.'

'Me too.' Grissom sighed heavily feeling a great weight lifting from his shoulders. 'The trick now is to find out exactly where they are.'

From outside there was a great commotion and shouting prompting the two CSI's to peer out of the room across towards the exit. Nick appeared at the open gap that was the door and waved his arms hurridly.

'C'mon guys, we got 'em!' he yelled.

Outside the paramedics were dressing the cut above Jim's eye which had opened again and he had greatfully taken an ice pack to sooth the Mount Everest that had grown on the back of his head. Catherine stood close by snuggled down into a blanket one of the medics had thrown about her shoulders. Grissom looked up at the stone carving of St Jude and silently gave thanks to the guardian of police officers.

Warrick pulled Catherine into a hug followed by Nick who planted a kiss on her cheek. Sara waited until the face was patched then ruffled Jim's hair as if he were a favourite pet. Brass grinned at her, one eyebow arched at the sudden display of affection. Sara returned the grin and shrugged before wandering over to Catherine.

'How you feeling Jim?' Grissom appeared by the rear of the ambulance.

'Like shit, seeing as you ask. Thanks.'

'What happened?'

'I came here to get Cath after Sara and Nick worked out the clue. I found her in a room behind the high altar but when I slid the hidden door back, someone came up behind me and pushed me inside.'

'You found another way out?'

'Yeah. Long story, but the tunnel came out other side of the railway. And before you ask no I didn't get a look at the guy who pushed me in there.'

'We'll debrief back at CSI next shift. In the meantime, I want you both to stay with someone.' Brass cast a glance over at Catherine who was in the middle of her second hug from Warrick. 'Cath can stay with Sara, you can crash in my guest room as long as you don't mind sharing with a couple of experiments I have ongoing at the moment.'

***************************************************

Brass shifted from one foot to the other nervously. His eye was throbbing and he felt like every bone in his body ached. The room otherwise empty, he was alone with Catherine waiting for the others.

'Listen before everyone else gets here,' he said quietly. 'I'm sorry about my behaviour in the church. Kissing you and all.'

'Oh that.' Catherine went silent.

'Yeah well I just don't want any hard feelings Catherine. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you...........'

'You didn't embarrass me. I just never knew how you really felt.Always thought you were just flirting with me. You know, it was a bit of fun.'

Jim threw his hands up in surrender. He shook his head and felt the lump on the back of his head. He was sure it had grown since that morning.

'How's you head?' Catherine noticed him wince.

'Alright. Hurts like hell, just like my eye.'

'You've been through the wars for me. I should be greatful. I never did really thank you for getting us out of there. For coming after me in the first place.'

'Any of the team would have done the same. They did in fact. They came looking for both of us. Never knew they cared so much, well not about me anyways.' Catherine brushed his hair to one side then put her hand to his cheek.

'That's very sweet of you to say Jim, but it was you that found me. It was you that helped me and kept me company in the dark. You know I wish there could be more between us, but there can't. Not right now. I still have a lot of Eddie issues.' It was her turn to press her lips to his. 'Thank you. From now on you'll always be my Knight in Shining Armour.' Brass kept his eyes closed, lost in the moment. 'And for what it's worth baby, I'm sorry, it's just the way it has to be for a time.' She pulled away as Nick and Sara entered followed closely by Greg, Warrick and Grissom. The door was closed as Grissom spoke,

'Okay, sorry to say but another envelope arrived this morning at the desk for you Jim.

tbc..................................