A/N: Firstly, I would like to say that I am so pleased you haven't forgotten my story through my long absence, thank you. Secondly, congratulations to all those G/C angels who won or came second or third in the voting. Thirdly, thank you to those of you who voted for this story!! I am truly amazed and grateful to you crazy kids. I really appreciate that. So here's a chapter I think (I hope) you might like.
Previously:
"No, I mean, there's something I have to tell you. I have to tell you now because it'll be easier for us both when we step over that boarder."
Grissom pulled away, confusion conquering his face.
"What is it?" he asked nervously.
"It's about Simon."
Grissom's brow furrowed further. Catherine knew the loathing that had developed between the two men was severe. She also knew what she was about to say would tear Grissom to pieces. Breathing deeply in and lowering her eyes to her dust coated shoes she told him.
"He... I... We kissed."
Chapter 17 - Hanky Panky and Monkey Business
May 9th - 9:25pm
Just Outside Vegas
"You kissed him?"
Grissom's question was not filled with emotion; infact it was quite the opposite. Catherine could not see any hurt or anger; she even checked for relief - nothing. This caused the situation to become much worse on her part.
Grissom was consciously trying to keep his emotions level. He knew he sounded monotonous and unfeeling through his tone, but inside he was raging. After Catherine had told him he realised that he already knew and that now she was just confirming it.
The silence was deadly and Catherine was feeling very uncomfortable as Grissom stared blankly at her. He was silent so she decided to speak now and defend herself.
"Listen, Gil," she paused, anticipating a response. When there wasn't one she continued. "I stopped it eventually, he just has a bizarre affect on me. He... he sort of reminds me of you."
The latter part was said with a slight smile which showed her teeth, and a shrug of her shoulders.
"Does he?" The comment made by Catherine had irritated Grissom. In no way whatsoever did he want to be like Simon. "How?"
"Not in a personality way, Grissom," Catherine quickly filled in, hearing the anger in his voice as he spoke. "You smell the same."
"We *smell* the same?"
"Yeh," Catherine smiled at his surprise, "and..."
"And what, Catherine?" Grissom pressed at her pause.
"And you, well... well you sort of kiss the same too." She then audibly muttered her thoughts with another shrug, "only I prefer your way."
Grissom ignored this and said, "Well, it's not like anything can happen between *us*, is it?"
"Right." Catherine was slightly offended about Grissom's lack of anger but disguised her distress from him. "I am sorry, Gil. He just, sort of, took me by surprise."
"It's ok, Catherine," he responded in a business-like tone.
There was another long silence. Catherine was staring at Grissom who was now looking at the 'Welcome' sign. He looked back at her and said,
"I'm really going to miss you."
"Yeh, me too. And, Gil, thanks for not making a big deal out of this."
He smiled at her, although his insides were screaming, and placed both his hands on her shoulders. Pulling her towards him he kissed her forehead and encircled her in his arms.
May 12th - 3:25am
CSI Lab
"So, did you have a good time at the reunion?"
Grissom, Nick and Greg were all in Greg's lab waiting for the lab results on a case the two CSIs were working on. It was Nick who had spoken, his usual Texas twang leaking through his words.
"Yes. It was good."
"Good?"
This time it was Greg who spoke.
"Sounds exciting," he continued sarcastically. "No hanky panky with Catherine then? Man, if I got the chance to spend a whole weekend with Catherine I'd have-"
"Greg?" Grissom interrupted, "may I have my results please?"
"Oh, right, sure thing, boss," he replied with a wink at Grissom and a large grin thrown Nick's way.
Satisfied with his attempt at winding Grissom up, Greg got back to work. Grissom's mind, however, had floated back to Catherine. Working for the last couple of nights had been a relief for Grissom. He acted normally around Catherine but made sure that they were not on any cases together just yet. It was hard to let go of something that he had had so close to him, even though they both knew that they had no choice.
Grissom was hurt about Simon but had decided not to show Catherine how much it bothered him. They were not an item and he had no reason to be angry with her even though he did feel betrayed. He knew Catherine and he knew Simon. Simon was always up for a challenge and Catherine had made sure he had one; it was her way. But Grissom also knew that Catherine did not like Simon any more than he did; he knew the kiss meant nothing.
Grissom stood between Nick and Greg, rolling his fingers around the gold pen he had bought on the reunion weekend from the shop next to the supermarket and which now lay in his pocket. Should he carry on? May 16th was not looking very promising in Grissom's eyes anymore.
Later that morning, however, Grissom's mind began to change.
May 12th - 6:35am
Grissom's Office
"Case solved."
Grissom looked up as Catherine walked into his office closing the door behind her, and threw her report onto his desk with a large and satisfied smile already spread across her face.
"Good, thank you."
Grissom went back to completing his own paperwork as he heard Catherine drop into the chair opposite him on the other side of his desk.
He looked up at her and found her still to be smiling, but slightly excitedly this time.
"Hey, Gris... you got any jell-O?"
Grissom lifted his eyebrows in surprise. Finding his mouth slightly open, he closed it and swallowed. The time Grissom and Catherine had spent away from work had not been mentioned by either since they crossed the boarder into Vegas.
Before he answered her, Catherine took the opportunity the long pause presented, lifted herself out of the chair and made her way to the break room; content with the surprise she had given Grissom.
Finding the break room empty, Catherine commenced making herself some coffee. A couple of minutes later Greg walked into the room and fell heavily into the sofa that was situated on the other side of the room to Catherine. The two exchanged their 'hellos' and, after a few minutes silence while Catherine finished making her coffee, sat down opposite Greg and grabbed a magazine from the table between them, Greg said,
"So, I hear there was no monkey business on your little weekend for two."
Catherine looked up from her hot coffee surprised at Greg's comment, but responded characteristically quickly and coolly.
"Aw, now what makes you think that, Greggo?"
A smile played upon her face as she saw Greg's face change from smug to stunned. He then laughed at what he presumed was Catherine's "joke" and winked at her saying spiritedly,
"Now *that's* what I like to hear!"
**
Soon enough the break room was filled with the other four CSIs, all looking particularly pleased with their night's work. Grissom had situated himself in Catherine's seat as she and Greg made the coffee. She walked over to him, with his drink and her own, and stood directly in front of him.
"Shift yourself, mister. You're sitting in my throne."
Grissom stared up at Catherine whose lips were threatening a smile. Finding himself quite comfortable where he was, he didn't move but pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows.
"You don't get your drink if you don't budge up."
"Fine," he replied, "but you can get the next round of coffee."
"Suits me."
Grissom shuffled along the couch as Catherine turned her back to him to place the cups of coffee on the table. As she turned back she saw that, although Grissom had left her plenty of space to sit down in her old seat, he also had spread his arm across the back of it. His legs were crossed and he appeared very calm and untroubled. Catherine glanced at him briefly, then casually took the seat he had given up for her. She could feel his arm touching the back of her neck then, suddenly, but only for a split second, Grissom's hand brushed her shoulder sending a reign of shivers straight through her body. She was sure she had visually shaken but no one seemed to notice. She stiffened for a few moments then thought, if he is going to play this game, why shouldn't I?
Grissom felt Catherine shuffle her body down the couch a bit as she said,
"You don't mind, do you?"
Not waiting for an answer, Catherine relaxed her head and neck and used Grissom's arm as a sort of pillow. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and sighed. On relaxing, Catherine had noticed that her head was close to Grissom's shoulder and their bodies were completely touching down their sides. Both were feeling as though an earthquake had erupted in their stomachs.
Grissom and Catherine's legs now lay out in front of them so that their feet were under the coffee table. Catherine felt Grissom's foot shift positions and very gently touch her own. She knew he was silently telling her that she was not going to get away with that one. His foot then smoothly went straight over Catherine's linking the two together and never dropping contact. She could almost feel her blood accelerate inside her. This had to stop, even though both knew they were only teasing each other.
Catherine opened her eyes and sat straight up, apparently appearing to pick up her coffee from the table in front of her. Everyone's eyes in the room were on the couple on the couch; some with bemused expressions, some trying to hold back a grin. Thinking that her sprawling on the couch in Grissom's arms must have seemed strange to the others in the room, Catherine shook the thought from her mind and attempted to start up a conversation. Everyone was settled with his or her own steaming cup of coffee, which they had gratefully accepted off Greg and Catherine, and a conversation about the Vegas clubs arose.
Warrick, Greg and Catherine being more knowledgeable about this were laughing heartily together about their experiences, with Nick chipping in quite often and Grissom and Sara listening intently but offering no comments themselves. Catherine made sure that she sat on the edge of the sofa and didn't sink back into the comfort of her boss' arm.
"Oh yeh, that's right, Cath," Warrick said enthusiastically after one of Catherine's comments about a bar he was particularly fond of, "yeh, that bar is amazing, man. Plus they give you those jell-O shots now. You know the ones made up of jell-O and vodka? Heaven."
"Mmm, jell-O shots," Catherine said with an ecstatic look appearing on her face. "We ought to try that sometime, Grissom," she said twisting her body round to face him and concealing a wink she shot his way.
Grissom was ready for that comment. He saw Catherine's eyes light up as soon as Warrick mentioned jell-O, and he had a response ready.
"Yeh, I think I'll fit right in there now," he responded with jest. "Jell-O, a bumblebee for a logo, and you at my side? How could I go wrong?"
"Oh I don't know..." Catherine replied in mock ponder staring at the ceiling, "I have a feeling the alcohol could," she brought her eyes down to look Grissom straight in the eye and continued, "send you over the edge."
He stared straight back at her. Knowing she was referring to their small incidents of flying over the edge of their bed a fair few times, he decided to play along.
"True, true," he said, in the same mocking tone Catherine had used. "Hey, it's not an open mic bar is it? I think a whole lot of ear drums in the vicinity would be damaged."
"You should count yourself lucky that it doesn't have wooden doors inside!"
Grissom put his hands together melodramatically and said teasingly, "Thank you, God!"
Straight after this had been said, Catherine and Grissom both leant forwards to grab Grissom's coffee cup that lay on the table. Their hands touched as they both encircled the cup with their own. They quickly turned their faces to each other and their eyes met. The room was suddenly completely still. So still that both Catherine and Grissom's breathing could be heard. After a few long seconds, Grissom blinked and looked towards the coffee cup they both still had a hold of.
"That's mine." He said quietly.
"I know," Catherine replied defiantly, brushing his comment away with her other hand, "but I've finished mine." A huge grin had spread across her face with glee as she ran her hand over Grissom's wrist and gently removed his hand from over hers so that she could steal the last of his coffee.
The others present in the room watched all that had been taking place between the couple with extreme interest. This kind of interaction had never taken place between Grissom and Catherine before; at least not in front of them. They had seen it from Catherine; the flirty actions and the fast comebacks; but never from Grissom. Was this what they are like when they are together out of work?
Eyebrows lifted Greg said, "Cosy... so," and picking up on the only bit of the previous conversation he could understand, Greg continued, "are you going to give us a song, Cath?"
"*No*." Catherine responded in unison with Grissom; both were grateful for the break in tension.
"Okay, okay," Greg said, holding up his hands in defence. Letting a small pause follow, he then spoke again. "I suppose I can settle for a dance." He grinned at Catherine, who grinned back and replied,
"I don't know if you could handle it, Greg. What do you think, Gil?"
Everyone's eyes quickly flashed from Catherine, who was still staring at Greg, to Grissom. They were all surprised at what Catherine had just asked him. Had Grissom actually danced with Catherine? They were all eagerly anticipating Grissom's answer.
"Grissom?"
Brass was standing in the doorway. "Can I have a word?"
May 12th - 8am
CSI Car Park
"Hey, Grissom."
Grissom spun around as he heard Catherine voice sail towards him, whilst suddenly being very aware that they were the only two people in the car park.
"Hey, Catherine."
"So, what did Brass want?"
"Oh just to tell me that they had linked the guy Nick and I put away today to some other old unsolved case."
"Two for one, nice job."
Grissom and Catherine's eyes locked and they both noticed their breathing quicken suddenly. Neither said a word. It felt almost dangerous to be left alone with each other. Catherine felt her chest tighten as Grissom's breath glided over her face. Their proximity was too close, she had to step back, or say something. She wished her phone would ring because she couldn't get herself out of this situation. Grissom seemed to be having the same problem; he was sure they were moving closer although neither had actually moved their feet.
Catherine took a deep breath and pulled herself together. She wasn't used to this but they couldn't go back on their words. Not in Vegas.
She cleared her throat, which triggered them both to be suddenly aware of what they were thinking. Grissom shuffled back slightly but Catherine lay her hand on his arm and ran it down gently to his hand. She squeezed it and said,
"You want to grab some breakfast?"
His answer was delivered a little too quickly for Catherine's liking.
"Thanks, but I'm pretty tired. I just want to go home and sleep for a year."
"Right... Ok then, uh, sleep tight."
Catherine leant forwards automatically and lifted her face to Grissom's. She stopped quickly, pausing just before her lips reached his. Not for the first time the breath breezing out of both of them danced together between their lips. Catherine lowered first her eyes then her face from his, and this time it was she who stepped back. She made a mental note that she must remember to check herself in public when she was around Grissom. Neither of them could afford to be seen acting as though they were more than colleagues.
Slightly embarrassed at her small mistake Catherine turned and walked back to her car, half expecting to hear Grissom call her back and say that he's changed his mind. He didn't.
Grissom watched Catherine walk away. Checking that he had remembered the pen and the newly added map that were currently situated in his pocket, he got into his car. He would have given anything to have breakfast with Catherine that morning, but May 16th was drawing near and if he wanted to make *that* perfect, then what he was about to do was more important than breakfast.
*****
Hope you enjoyed it!!!! Like I always say - it'd be lovely if you reviewed. I'm always keen on feedback. I hope chapter 18 will be here soon. Thanks for reading. ~ Cath
Previously:
"No, I mean, there's something I have to tell you. I have to tell you now because it'll be easier for us both when we step over that boarder."
Grissom pulled away, confusion conquering his face.
"What is it?" he asked nervously.
"It's about Simon."
Grissom's brow furrowed further. Catherine knew the loathing that had developed between the two men was severe. She also knew what she was about to say would tear Grissom to pieces. Breathing deeply in and lowering her eyes to her dust coated shoes she told him.
"He... I... We kissed."
Chapter 17 - Hanky Panky and Monkey Business
May 9th - 9:25pm
Just Outside Vegas
"You kissed him?"
Grissom's question was not filled with emotion; infact it was quite the opposite. Catherine could not see any hurt or anger; she even checked for relief - nothing. This caused the situation to become much worse on her part.
Grissom was consciously trying to keep his emotions level. He knew he sounded monotonous and unfeeling through his tone, but inside he was raging. After Catherine had told him he realised that he already knew and that now she was just confirming it.
The silence was deadly and Catherine was feeling very uncomfortable as Grissom stared blankly at her. He was silent so she decided to speak now and defend herself.
"Listen, Gil," she paused, anticipating a response. When there wasn't one she continued. "I stopped it eventually, he just has a bizarre affect on me. He... he sort of reminds me of you."
The latter part was said with a slight smile which showed her teeth, and a shrug of her shoulders.
"Does he?" The comment made by Catherine had irritated Grissom. In no way whatsoever did he want to be like Simon. "How?"
"Not in a personality way, Grissom," Catherine quickly filled in, hearing the anger in his voice as he spoke. "You smell the same."
"We *smell* the same?"
"Yeh," Catherine smiled at his surprise, "and..."
"And what, Catherine?" Grissom pressed at her pause.
"And you, well... well you sort of kiss the same too." She then audibly muttered her thoughts with another shrug, "only I prefer your way."
Grissom ignored this and said, "Well, it's not like anything can happen between *us*, is it?"
"Right." Catherine was slightly offended about Grissom's lack of anger but disguised her distress from him. "I am sorry, Gil. He just, sort of, took me by surprise."
"It's ok, Catherine," he responded in a business-like tone.
There was another long silence. Catherine was staring at Grissom who was now looking at the 'Welcome' sign. He looked back at her and said,
"I'm really going to miss you."
"Yeh, me too. And, Gil, thanks for not making a big deal out of this."
He smiled at her, although his insides were screaming, and placed both his hands on her shoulders. Pulling her towards him he kissed her forehead and encircled her in his arms.
May 12th - 3:25am
CSI Lab
"So, did you have a good time at the reunion?"
Grissom, Nick and Greg were all in Greg's lab waiting for the lab results on a case the two CSIs were working on. It was Nick who had spoken, his usual Texas twang leaking through his words.
"Yes. It was good."
"Good?"
This time it was Greg who spoke.
"Sounds exciting," he continued sarcastically. "No hanky panky with Catherine then? Man, if I got the chance to spend a whole weekend with Catherine I'd have-"
"Greg?" Grissom interrupted, "may I have my results please?"
"Oh, right, sure thing, boss," he replied with a wink at Grissom and a large grin thrown Nick's way.
Satisfied with his attempt at winding Grissom up, Greg got back to work. Grissom's mind, however, had floated back to Catherine. Working for the last couple of nights had been a relief for Grissom. He acted normally around Catherine but made sure that they were not on any cases together just yet. It was hard to let go of something that he had had so close to him, even though they both knew that they had no choice.
Grissom was hurt about Simon but had decided not to show Catherine how much it bothered him. They were not an item and he had no reason to be angry with her even though he did feel betrayed. He knew Catherine and he knew Simon. Simon was always up for a challenge and Catherine had made sure he had one; it was her way. But Grissom also knew that Catherine did not like Simon any more than he did; he knew the kiss meant nothing.
Grissom stood between Nick and Greg, rolling his fingers around the gold pen he had bought on the reunion weekend from the shop next to the supermarket and which now lay in his pocket. Should he carry on? May 16th was not looking very promising in Grissom's eyes anymore.
Later that morning, however, Grissom's mind began to change.
May 12th - 6:35am
Grissom's Office
"Case solved."
Grissom looked up as Catherine walked into his office closing the door behind her, and threw her report onto his desk with a large and satisfied smile already spread across her face.
"Good, thank you."
Grissom went back to completing his own paperwork as he heard Catherine drop into the chair opposite him on the other side of his desk.
He looked up at her and found her still to be smiling, but slightly excitedly this time.
"Hey, Gris... you got any jell-O?"
Grissom lifted his eyebrows in surprise. Finding his mouth slightly open, he closed it and swallowed. The time Grissom and Catherine had spent away from work had not been mentioned by either since they crossed the boarder into Vegas.
Before he answered her, Catherine took the opportunity the long pause presented, lifted herself out of the chair and made her way to the break room; content with the surprise she had given Grissom.
Finding the break room empty, Catherine commenced making herself some coffee. A couple of minutes later Greg walked into the room and fell heavily into the sofa that was situated on the other side of the room to Catherine. The two exchanged their 'hellos' and, after a few minutes silence while Catherine finished making her coffee, sat down opposite Greg and grabbed a magazine from the table between them, Greg said,
"So, I hear there was no monkey business on your little weekend for two."
Catherine looked up from her hot coffee surprised at Greg's comment, but responded characteristically quickly and coolly.
"Aw, now what makes you think that, Greggo?"
A smile played upon her face as she saw Greg's face change from smug to stunned. He then laughed at what he presumed was Catherine's "joke" and winked at her saying spiritedly,
"Now *that's* what I like to hear!"
**
Soon enough the break room was filled with the other four CSIs, all looking particularly pleased with their night's work. Grissom had situated himself in Catherine's seat as she and Greg made the coffee. She walked over to him, with his drink and her own, and stood directly in front of him.
"Shift yourself, mister. You're sitting in my throne."
Grissom stared up at Catherine whose lips were threatening a smile. Finding himself quite comfortable where he was, he didn't move but pursed his lips and raised his eyebrows.
"You don't get your drink if you don't budge up."
"Fine," he replied, "but you can get the next round of coffee."
"Suits me."
Grissom shuffled along the couch as Catherine turned her back to him to place the cups of coffee on the table. As she turned back she saw that, although Grissom had left her plenty of space to sit down in her old seat, he also had spread his arm across the back of it. His legs were crossed and he appeared very calm and untroubled. Catherine glanced at him briefly, then casually took the seat he had given up for her. She could feel his arm touching the back of her neck then, suddenly, but only for a split second, Grissom's hand brushed her shoulder sending a reign of shivers straight through her body. She was sure she had visually shaken but no one seemed to notice. She stiffened for a few moments then thought, if he is going to play this game, why shouldn't I?
Grissom felt Catherine shuffle her body down the couch a bit as she said,
"You don't mind, do you?"
Not waiting for an answer, Catherine relaxed her head and neck and used Grissom's arm as a sort of pillow. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath and sighed. On relaxing, Catherine had noticed that her head was close to Grissom's shoulder and their bodies were completely touching down their sides. Both were feeling as though an earthquake had erupted in their stomachs.
Grissom and Catherine's legs now lay out in front of them so that their feet were under the coffee table. Catherine felt Grissom's foot shift positions and very gently touch her own. She knew he was silently telling her that she was not going to get away with that one. His foot then smoothly went straight over Catherine's linking the two together and never dropping contact. She could almost feel her blood accelerate inside her. This had to stop, even though both knew they were only teasing each other.
Catherine opened her eyes and sat straight up, apparently appearing to pick up her coffee from the table in front of her. Everyone's eyes in the room were on the couple on the couch; some with bemused expressions, some trying to hold back a grin. Thinking that her sprawling on the couch in Grissom's arms must have seemed strange to the others in the room, Catherine shook the thought from her mind and attempted to start up a conversation. Everyone was settled with his or her own steaming cup of coffee, which they had gratefully accepted off Greg and Catherine, and a conversation about the Vegas clubs arose.
Warrick, Greg and Catherine being more knowledgeable about this were laughing heartily together about their experiences, with Nick chipping in quite often and Grissom and Sara listening intently but offering no comments themselves. Catherine made sure that she sat on the edge of the sofa and didn't sink back into the comfort of her boss' arm.
"Oh yeh, that's right, Cath," Warrick said enthusiastically after one of Catherine's comments about a bar he was particularly fond of, "yeh, that bar is amazing, man. Plus they give you those jell-O shots now. You know the ones made up of jell-O and vodka? Heaven."
"Mmm, jell-O shots," Catherine said with an ecstatic look appearing on her face. "We ought to try that sometime, Grissom," she said twisting her body round to face him and concealing a wink she shot his way.
Grissom was ready for that comment. He saw Catherine's eyes light up as soon as Warrick mentioned jell-O, and he had a response ready.
"Yeh, I think I'll fit right in there now," he responded with jest. "Jell-O, a bumblebee for a logo, and you at my side? How could I go wrong?"
"Oh I don't know..." Catherine replied in mock ponder staring at the ceiling, "I have a feeling the alcohol could," she brought her eyes down to look Grissom straight in the eye and continued, "send you over the edge."
He stared straight back at her. Knowing she was referring to their small incidents of flying over the edge of their bed a fair few times, he decided to play along.
"True, true," he said, in the same mocking tone Catherine had used. "Hey, it's not an open mic bar is it? I think a whole lot of ear drums in the vicinity would be damaged."
"You should count yourself lucky that it doesn't have wooden doors inside!"
Grissom put his hands together melodramatically and said teasingly, "Thank you, God!"
Straight after this had been said, Catherine and Grissom both leant forwards to grab Grissom's coffee cup that lay on the table. Their hands touched as they both encircled the cup with their own. They quickly turned their faces to each other and their eyes met. The room was suddenly completely still. So still that both Catherine and Grissom's breathing could be heard. After a few long seconds, Grissom blinked and looked towards the coffee cup they both still had a hold of.
"That's mine." He said quietly.
"I know," Catherine replied defiantly, brushing his comment away with her other hand, "but I've finished mine." A huge grin had spread across her face with glee as she ran her hand over Grissom's wrist and gently removed his hand from over hers so that she could steal the last of his coffee.
The others present in the room watched all that had been taking place between the couple with extreme interest. This kind of interaction had never taken place between Grissom and Catherine before; at least not in front of them. They had seen it from Catherine; the flirty actions and the fast comebacks; but never from Grissom. Was this what they are like when they are together out of work?
Eyebrows lifted Greg said, "Cosy... so," and picking up on the only bit of the previous conversation he could understand, Greg continued, "are you going to give us a song, Cath?"
"*No*." Catherine responded in unison with Grissom; both were grateful for the break in tension.
"Okay, okay," Greg said, holding up his hands in defence. Letting a small pause follow, he then spoke again. "I suppose I can settle for a dance." He grinned at Catherine, who grinned back and replied,
"I don't know if you could handle it, Greg. What do you think, Gil?"
Everyone's eyes quickly flashed from Catherine, who was still staring at Greg, to Grissom. They were all surprised at what Catherine had just asked him. Had Grissom actually danced with Catherine? They were all eagerly anticipating Grissom's answer.
"Grissom?"
Brass was standing in the doorway. "Can I have a word?"
May 12th - 8am
CSI Car Park
"Hey, Grissom."
Grissom spun around as he heard Catherine voice sail towards him, whilst suddenly being very aware that they were the only two people in the car park.
"Hey, Catherine."
"So, what did Brass want?"
"Oh just to tell me that they had linked the guy Nick and I put away today to some other old unsolved case."
"Two for one, nice job."
Grissom and Catherine's eyes locked and they both noticed their breathing quicken suddenly. Neither said a word. It felt almost dangerous to be left alone with each other. Catherine felt her chest tighten as Grissom's breath glided over her face. Their proximity was too close, she had to step back, or say something. She wished her phone would ring because she couldn't get herself out of this situation. Grissom seemed to be having the same problem; he was sure they were moving closer although neither had actually moved their feet.
Catherine took a deep breath and pulled herself together. She wasn't used to this but they couldn't go back on their words. Not in Vegas.
She cleared her throat, which triggered them both to be suddenly aware of what they were thinking. Grissom shuffled back slightly but Catherine lay her hand on his arm and ran it down gently to his hand. She squeezed it and said,
"You want to grab some breakfast?"
His answer was delivered a little too quickly for Catherine's liking.
"Thanks, but I'm pretty tired. I just want to go home and sleep for a year."
"Right... Ok then, uh, sleep tight."
Catherine leant forwards automatically and lifted her face to Grissom's. She stopped quickly, pausing just before her lips reached his. Not for the first time the breath breezing out of both of them danced together between their lips. Catherine lowered first her eyes then her face from his, and this time it was she who stepped back. She made a mental note that she must remember to check herself in public when she was around Grissom. Neither of them could afford to be seen acting as though they were more than colleagues.
Slightly embarrassed at her small mistake Catherine turned and walked back to her car, half expecting to hear Grissom call her back and say that he's changed his mind. He didn't.
Grissom watched Catherine walk away. Checking that he had remembered the pen and the newly added map that were currently situated in his pocket, he got into his car. He would have given anything to have breakfast with Catherine that morning, but May 16th was drawing near and if he wanted to make *that* perfect, then what he was about to do was more important than breakfast.
*****
Hope you enjoyed it!!!! Like I always say - it'd be lovely if you reviewed. I'm always keen on feedback. I hope chapter 18 will be here soon. Thanks for reading. ~ Cath