Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of CSI. You hear that CBS?? Yea I don't own them, so why don't you get off my back and stop calling me? I am a poor broke senior in high school with nothing to do over my summer but write, so just let me enjoy it! He he, anyway I also do not own the song "Lullaby", it is written and performed by Creed.

Authors Note: Another short story to try to ease the writer's block I am having with my other story. Enjoy!

Stay With Me

            It had been a long shift for the CSI team, but the case had been wrapped up. Both mentally and physically, tired the team retreated to their respective cars to head home. He spotted Catherine across the lot, slowly following her to her car. He was worried about her. He knew what cases like this did to her. It was a man who would get his kicks raping and then killing harmless little girls, leaving them lying alone in dumpsters. Whenever a case involved child, it got to all of them. But he knew that Catherine was hurting the most. He knew she pictured her precious daughter being tortured by the killers' tough, blood soaked hands. Gently he laid his hand on her shoulder. For a moment there was complete silence, but still he could feel her body trembling beneath his touch.

Hush my love now don't you cry,

Everything will be alright,

Close your eyes and drift in dream,

Rest in peaceful sleep

            He felt her body shift as she turned around to face him. There was an unspeakable sadness in her eyes. Her face was red, puffy, and wet with tears. Tears that no one was supposed to see. But she could hide no secrets from him. He read her emotions like a book.  It was something he had been able to do ever since they had met.

            No words were spoken in those few moments. None were needed. Ever so slowly he moved his hand down her arm, entwining his fingers in hers. Affection or caring, in any form, was uncommon for him, and she knew it. However, he saw a fresh set of tears forming and could not bear to see her unhappy. It wrenched at his heart. Encircling his arms around her waist, he pulled her into his protective embrace.

If there's one thing I hope I showed you,

If there's one thing I hope I showed you,

Hope I showed you, just give love to all

Just give love to all

            Standing in the cool Las Vegas morning, he comforted her until the last tears had dried. He knew she couldn't go home by herself in the state she was in, nor did he think that she wanted too. Without a thought he led her to his SUV and they sped off to his apartment. He decided when they arrived, to give her the bed; her tired petite form still trembling. She fell asleep almost instantaneously. A small smile crept up his face as he watched her sleep. Then he covered her with a blanket that was laying at the foot of the bed, closed the curtains, shut the light off, and slipped silently out of the room.

Oh my love, in my arms tight,

Everyday you give me life,

As I drift off to your world,

Rest in peaceful sleep

Returning to the living room, he kicked his shoes off and lay down on the couch. He tried to sleep but visions of Catherine filled his thoughts. No matter how hard he tried, he could not stop worrying about her. Its not like he hadn't helped her before. There were countless times she'd come to his apartment and slept on the couch to avoid Eddies' wrath. But this was different. She had not shone up at his door; there was no Eddie to escape. He had taken the initiative; he had led her here. Something had changed. No not something; someone. Himself; he had changed.

As much as she had needed him over the years, he needed her just as much. She understood him in a way that no one else could. They had been there for each other through it all. He had always cared for her, but there were always obstacles. She was married, off limits, taken; but now she wasn't. With this new revelation, he realized he couldn't live without her. He loved her with all his heart and soul.

He was snapped out of his thoughts; he heard a whimpering coming from the bedroom. Catherine was thrashing in the bed when he entered. She was screaming, trapped in her nightmare. He rushed over to the bed, throwing his arms around her, holding her tightly. Her clothes were wrinkled and sweat-soaked.  She was calming down now, her breath becoming less rapid, more rhythmic. He kissed the top of her head letting her rest in his arms.

"Stay with me Gil" she muttered to him sleepily.

 *Always Catherine * he thought to himself. Always.

I know there's something that you showed me

I know there's something that you showed me

That you showed me, just give love to all

Just give love to all, let's give love to all

Let's give love to all, just give love to all

TBC.