Posibilities
"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."-- Jane Howard
Months had passed now since their last gruelling case that hit closer to the hearts of the Vegas grave shift CSIs that they would ever admit. Routine had suddenly become crucial to maintain lifestyle and now, Christmas had rolled around. The sheriff, in an uncharacteristic Christmas mood had ordered that half of day shift take over the grave shifts on December 23rd, 24th, and 25th to allow for some well deserved time off for the season. They didn't object, especially since their then budding romances hadn't really gotten the chance to blossom.
"Gil?" Catherine poked her head into his office.
"Coming, Cath." It was routine. Catherine came to tell Grissom it was time for assignments and grave shift began. Energy for the dedicated CSIs, however, was running high. It was their last night before their three day vacation. Grissom stepped into the break room.
"Alright guys, let's try to get everything done so we don't have to pull a double. Quickly and flawlessly," he said, handing out three sheets. Nick and Greg – who was in the field more often since the Lopez case – received a casino murder, Sara and Warrick headed towards Lake Mead for a drowning and he and Catherine took a mundane robbery.
"Please no compromising cases!" he called at the retreating backs of the younger CSIs.
"They'll do their job, Gil. We'll have Christmas with all of the kids," Catherine quipped, grabbing her jacket off the back of her chair. He smiled in return, his hand automatically finding the small of her back.
"And what, may I ask, is the point of our robbery? We could do this backwards with our eyes closed and our hands tied behind our backs," she said as he pulled open the Denali door and helped her into the truck.
"That doesn't mean that we can't do it," he replied before closing the door. Catherine smirked as she buckled herself in.
"And plus, am I not allowed to spend time with my favourite CSI?" he asked as he climbed in the driver's seat. Catherine's smile grew.
"No, never," she said as they drove off.
-
Catherine was never more thankful for an easy robbery in her life. She'd thought she'd be okay, that she wouldn't be fidgety and over energetic, but to no avail. Her mind kept drifting to her three days of holidays that were a mere three hours away.
"Cath, stay with me here," Grissom's voice drifted into her thoughts. Catherine shot him a less than apologetic smiled and did her best to concentrate on the screen where their robbery was being played out.
"And pause it Archie. Go back a bit so we can get a good face picture," Grissom instructed. Archie, the A/V lab rat, complied, rewinding the security tape. The face of their robber was plastered on the large screen. Grissom and Catherine exchanged grins.
"Print!" Greg called, dropping a sheet in Catherine's hand before racing back out of the room. Grissom flipped open his phone.
"Brass, Grissom."
-
Catherine and Grissom stumbled into Catherine's house after their shift, around 9AM, locked together tightly.
"Gil…" Catherine moaned into his mouth. She broke away reluctantly and held his head in her hands.
"We shouldn't be doing this. We were supposed to just drop stuff off then go to pick up Lindsey and Bekki at Nancy's," she breathed, her chest still heaving from breathlessness. Grissom's eyes closed as he groaned.
"You know Bekki won't be happy if we're not there in time," Catherine reminded him. Grissom nodded, letting her slip out of his arms and she went to retrieve the cases that they'd dropped just outside the door.
"Christmas is coming, you know," Grissom murmured in her ear as she set the cases by the coffee table. His arms snaked around her tightly, pulling her snugly into his embrace as he tugged her back against him.
"Mm," she agreed, snuggling back against him. "My boss' boss gave me the next three nights off." Grissom smiled against her neck where his lips had settled.
"My boss gave me a couple of holiday nights too," he replied, allowing his lips to graze her neck with every word, his breath caressing her pulse as he spoke.
"Maybe someone would be willing to watch Lindsey on Wednesday," Catherine breathed out, referring to the final day of their holidays.
"Nick and Sara?" Grissom mumbled against her shoulder as his teeth nibbled her flesh. Catherine struggled to keep a fleeting hold on coherent thought.
"They'll probably want… ah… to get rid… oh, Lord… of Bekki," she replied between gasps and moans.
"Warrick? Greg?" Catherine nodded as his lips trailed down to her shoulder and collarbone.
"We should pick her up though," Catherine managed before her lips attacked his. Grissom groaned as she found the strength to pull herself away and saunter out the door, keys jangling from her fingers. He smiled as he followed her out.
-
December 23rd dawned cloudy and grey, much like Catherine was feeling as she awoke to a memory of a conversation.
"Sara's court date is today. The custody hearing for Bekki," she mentioned as, for once, she, Grissom and Lindsey sat at the breakfast table. Lindsey stopped, fork paused half way to her mouth.
"We've done all we can, Cath. We know Sara and Nick are the best people to be taking care of her, especially considering Sara's past with her parents," Grissom answered, placing a hand on hers. Catherine smiled at him.
"I know, and I have complete faith, but I don't know what Sara would do if she lost her," she voiced. Grissom shrugged.
"Let's just keep hoping she never finds out."
I know, kind of a weird place to stop but it has to be… here's to hoping Sara gets Bekki!
Oh, and I'm really sorry that this chapter's kinda boring… I kind of needed it to be here so we could have the next couple and the final… then maybe I can get to work on Blossoming and the sequel!
Coming soon…
Christmas brings all kinds of gifts
And, as always… Blossoming coming soon!
Kavi Leighanna