Title: Las Vegas Knights

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. These character's are owned by some ridiculously rich people who think that character development means that you turn one of your best characters into an alcoholic.

Chapter Four:

After Sara left his office seemingly upset, Grissom sat alone trying to figure out what he said wrong this time. He leaned back in his chair and used his index fingers to gently massage his temples. Between Warrick asking for an early vacation, Ecklie just being himself, Greg sporting a new blue haircut and now Sara getting moody once again Grissom felt his skull pounding relentlessly.

"Gil I just saw Sara race out of your office. What happened?"

Grissom groaned. The last thing he needed now was a lecture from Catherine. "Catherine can we talk about this later?"

She stood silently in his doorway for a few moments before walking in and shutting the door. Catherine sat down in the chair across from his desk and waited patiently for him to start talking.

"Catherine I really don't feel like having this conversation now," he said grumpily.

She stared at him for a minute before replying. "Have you taken your migraine medicine?"

He sighed deeply. "Yes. Its not helping. Getting the third degree from you won't help either," he added.

"Why don't you let me drive you home then?" she asked kindly.

He shook his head. "I was going to wait and see what Sara finds at Medieval Replicas. We might have a lead on our case," he explained.

Catherine smiled sadly. "Gil, honey, I saw the look on Sara's face when she left here. I don't think she will be coming back to see you today. Especially since the end of shift was," she paused to look at her watch, "ten minutes ago."

"I don't know what I said wrong this time Catherine," he said tiredly.

She stood up and started to gather his things. "Come on Gil, let me take you home."

"Alright. Let me get my things."

Catherine led him to her car with a fair amount of concern. Grissom's headaches weren't always common, but they were severe. Once they were both situated and on the way to his townhouse, Grissom pulled his seat back and closed his eyes. On the way to his house she pulled out her cell and speed dialed her mother.

"Hi Mom. How is Lindsey doing?" She paused and listened for a bit. "Well just call me if it gets any worse. I'll be a little late this morning alright? Okay love you."

Catherine glanced over at Grissom when they reached a red light. He was leaning his head back against the headrest and had his eyes closed. She thought he might be asleep. When they reached his townhouse ten minutes later she gently shook his shoulder.

"Gil, honey, come on lets get you inside."

Grissom nodded and got out of the vehicle without saying anything. He walked to his front door and frowned at her when she followed him. "Go home Catherine."

"Make me," she quipped.

"Your daughter is sick. She needs you more than I do," he replied as he opened his front door. Catherine pushed her way inside and made her way to the kitchen.

"Lindsey just has a small case of the sniffles. Besides she has my mom right now and you don't have anybody. And no, you can't tell me that you have your roaches. I still can't believe you listed them as your immediate family the last time we had to fill out our Emergency Contact List at work."

He sighed. "I can't ever win with you can I?"

"Nope. Sit down and let me make you some tea. You seem a bit more talkative now. Is the medicine helping?"

"A bit," he admitted.

Catherine grabbed a few mugs from his cup rack and began brewing each of them some tea. She had suspected from the moment she entered his office that he needed someone to talk to. Catherine knew her friend well enough to know that if she wanted information she would have to beat it out of him or be uncommonly patient. She watched him from her spot in the kitchen and felt a touch of melancholy spread through her abdomen. It didn't take a genius to realize that a migraine wasn't the only thing bothering her friend. Catherine lifted up both mugs of tea and walked over to the living room where he sat quietly. She gifted him with a warm smile as she hand Grissom his mug.

"Thank you Catherine. You don't have to stay," he said trying to indicate that he wanted to be alone.

"Nonsense. Lets chat. When was the last time we chatted?"

"Today," he said dryly.

"Gil I am not talking about work. I am talking about our lives. You've been so quiet lately and I've been...well I've been doing my own thing," she said evasively. "Are you still mad at me for cashing the check?"

Grissom narrowed his eyes. "Catherine I really don't feel like having this conversation now."

"What then? Do you want to talk about Sara?" she asked relentlessly.

"Catherine are you trying to provoke me?"

"No I am just trying to bust through this shell you have erected around yourself these past several months. You're a pretty private person normally, but this is extreme." She lifted her mug and took a sip of tea as she waited for him to respond.

Grissom in turn felt as if he was being backed into a corner. Using his hand to rub the area between his eyes lightly he tried to concentrate on a way to convince Catherine that he needed to be alone. Catherine, for all of her good qualities, had no qualms about meddling in other people's lives if she felt it necessary. He silently chided himself for letting her bring him home.

"Gil?"

"What is it you want Catherine?" he asked somewhat harshly. His migraine continued to bother him as did Catherine's persistant presence.

She stared at him with both eyebrows raised. "The truth."

Grissom glared at her. "Okay so want the truth? Yes I am upset that you cashed the check. You seem to completely lack common sense when it comes to dealing with your family. First Eddie and now Sam Braun. Yes I am upset about the check Catherine. I thought that would have been obvious without having this discussion," he said bitterly.

Catherine pursed her lips tightly but didn't lose her temper. "And Sara?"

Grissom felt his anger fade away. Sara. He didn't want to talk about Sara. "Catherine there is nothing to talk about in that regard."

"Nothing Gil? She seemed pretty upset when she left your office this morning."

He grunted. "I don't know what I said to her. I asked her what she needed and she just stormed out." He sighed. "My headache was already coming on strong," he explained.

"Its not always what you say, but instead how you say it. I've seen Sara dissect every single comment you've made over the past several years. Honestly it wouldn't surprise me if she kept a diary with 'Grissom Quotes'," Catherine said seriously.

Grissom stood up and took his now empty mug to the kitchen sink. After washing the cup out he set it in the dishwasher. Finally he looked up at his friend who sat staring at him. "Catherine I think its time to call it a morning. I just want to take a long hot bath and go to bed."

Catherine finally admitted defeat. She wouldn't get more out of him this morning. "Okay Gil. You win this round. I'll clean up my mess and see myself out. Go get some rest," she said kindly.

"Since my car is still at the lab can you pick me up tonight?"

"Sure."

Grissom then walked to his bathroom and shut the door. He hadn't wanted to talk about Sara with Catherine because he knew she would make him say too much. He turned the faucet on and watched his tub fill with hot steaming water. Slowly he peeled his clothing from his body and climbed into the welcoming water. The steam helped him relax and soon his thoughts drifted to an earlier, happier time several years before.

Grissom smiled to himself as he remembered the first time he had seen that smile. Memories blended with one another and he couldn't help but remember a beautiful, brilliant college student who had claimed to love him. It hadn't lasted. Nothing ever did.

When she had come to Las Vegas he had assumed that they could be friends and nothing more. He dated other women in an attempt to free himself of her. Grissom thought he had been successful. That is until she had asked him to dinner. He had been hurt once before, and he swore he wouldn't make the same mistake again.

He intended to save them both the heartbreak this time.

To Be Continued...