Disclaimer: Not mine, never have been, never will be.
Rating: PG
Spoilers: None
Category: C/G UST, fluff, team friendship
Author: Traci
Feedback welcomed at traci_ann@yahoo.com
Summary: After solving a case, the CSI team goes to a minor league hockey game and something interesting happens – all innocently of course.
Author's Notes: For non-sports fans out there (hehe) – at some games during intermission, etc. the camera guys will put the camera on various couples throughout the stands and they are supposed to kiss on camera… well, this past weekend I was at a hockey game where they did that and this idea hit me. There is a hockey team (West Coast Hockey League) in Vegas but I am not sure of their name and as I'm writing this I have no access to the net… so they remain nameless.
Thanks to Tracy for being an awesome beta reader!!!
For the Love of Hockey"I have seat thirteen," Catherine Willows announced, pushing a strand of strawberry-blonde hair back from her face.
The only other woman on the team, Sara Sidle, glanced at her ticket. "I've got ten."
Three men looked at their tickets at took their respective seats with their boss, Gil Grissom taking the aisle seat beside Catherine.
"Does anyone know anything about hockey?" Nick Stokes asked with a slight Texas drawl.
Leaning forward, Grissom looked at him. "Hockey is more than a sport. It's a lesson on teamwork…"
"Gil, shut up," Catherine said, grinning.
His eyes widened at her.
"For once just sit back and enjoy it as a game."
Silently, he obeyed.
"How does she do it?" Sara whispered to Nick who shrugged.
"It says here that Vegas is in first place in the standings," Warrick Brown announced, reading the program he had picked up. "So at least it should be a good game."
*****************
By the time second intermission began, the Vegas team was ahead by five goals. Nick, in his excitement over one of the goals, had spilled his beer on Sara, who has still making him feel guilty. Warrick, sitting in the middle, had found himself absorbed in the game and Catherine humored Grissom by listening to his analysis of the sport of hockey.
"It's time for the kissing game," the announcer said. "Everyone, turn your attention to the Arena Vision and if the camera is on you it's time to kiss your partner."
The audience was a mixture of cheers and groans.
Warrick, however, was the only one of the CSI team to be paying attention. Nick was still trying to wipe beer off of Sara's jacket while Catherine was leaning in close to Grissom, smiling and listening to something he was saying. Suddenly Warrick grinned and nudged Catherine who looked up.
Grissom sat in shock as Catherine pressed her lips to his.
The audience cheered.
Sara and Nick stared over.
Warrick chuckled.
When Catherine pulled away, her eyes met a very confused Gil. "The camera was on us," she explained.
He opened his mouth but no sound emerged.
The dropping of the puck signaled the beginning of the third period. Grissom had still not managed to say a word since the kiss.
Five minutes into the period he leaned over to Catherine. "What did you mean the camera was on us?"
She turned to him and smiled. "You didn't know?"
Sheepishly, he shook his head.
"It's something they do at games. You're supposed to kiss someone you're with when it's on you."
"Oh." He failed to hide the disappointment in his voice.
She leaned in closer and whispered. "You thought I was just randomly kissing you?"
"N… no. I just didn't…" He stopped when he felt her lips on his cheek.
"Thirteen has always been my lucky number," she softly told him.
His eyes met hers. He smiled. "Mine too, apparently."
The End