Part 24

"Remember me?"

Katie's eyes widened and she froze for a second. After a moment she slowly turned around and blue eyes connected with blue eyes as she stared at Greg Sanders.

"What are you doing here?" "That's funny. I was going to ask you the same question." Katie turned back to look at the fountain. "I had to leave." "Yeah, I noticed that you left. So did Grissom and Catherine, who are both going insane trying to find you." "Tell them not to bother." Greg gripped her shoulder, making her face him. "Why? What the hell happened to you? You scared the hell out of everyone!" "I couldn't rip apart their family." Greg sat down beside her. "What are you talking about?" "Mom and Sam Braun. I saw the way they were arguing about me. I don't want to be the one to ruin that relationship." "What relationship?" Greg asked. "Catherine and Sam Braun hate each other's guts! Maybe Sam not so much Catherine, but she hates him! For everything Sam did to her mother and to her!" Katie's eyes widened. "What?"

"Sam and Catherine haven't had a good relationship for a long time. Not since she found out he was her father and a murderer. Or a suspected murderer." Greg ran a hand over his face. "Jesus, Katie. We've all been up overtime looking for you! I can't tell you how scared everyone's been."

"You're serious about Sam Braun and Mom?"

"Why the hell would I lie? I've been up 24 hours straight looking for you! Your parents are going out of their minds with worry!" He grabbed his cell. "I better call them and let them know I found you." He paused before he dialled the number. "Wait." "What? Not ready to take me home like a little girl who missed her curfew?" Katie asked, eerily acting like a pissed off Catherine Grissom.

"No, not yet," Greg answered. He cupped her face in his hands. "Don't ever scare me like that again." His lips descended on hers in a deep kiss, pulling her close to him.

"Catherine," Gil said, shaking her awake. She had fallen asleep on top of the phone book. "What? Dammit, Gil, I told you not to let me go to sleep again!" "Never mind that. Greg's found her." "What? Where is she? Is he bringing her home?" Gil nodded. "Yeah. He says she was outside the Bellagio, sitting outside the fountain." He caressed her cheek. "Just like you do when you're stressed." "Is she okay? She's not hurt?"

Gil smiled. "She's fine. Greg's bringing her home."

Greg pulled up in the Grissom driveway, and stared at Katie. "You okay?" "She's not going to be happy." "Do you blame them?" Greg sighed. "Sorry. That was unfair." Katie smiled at him. "No, it wasn't. And no, I don't blame them." She leaned across and kissed him gently. "Thanks for talking some sense into me." He grinned at her. "Anytime." "We'll reschedule our trip, yeah?" Greg nodded. "No problem." He squeezed her hand. "Want me to come in with you?" "Normally, I'd say yes. But…I think mom is going to be pissed." "Okay…so you want a human shield?" His hand still gripped on hers. Katie smiled. She had a feeling he wasn't ready to let go of her…and to be frank, she didn't want to let go of him either. "Call me tonight?" "You'll be there?" Katie nodded and kissed him again. "I promise." Before she could get out, Greg hugged her fiercely. He pulled back, blushing slightly. "You better go before your parents find me making out with you."

Katie chuckled. "Bye, Greg."

Katie reached above the door for the key that was always kept their for emergencies. She had just inserted it into the lock when the door flung open and Gil Grissom had enfolded her in his arms. "Dad…can't breathe…please…" Gil released his grip and put her at arms length. "Don't you ever…ever do that to me and your mother again, understand? I don't care what the reason was, or what you thought you had to do. You're in our lives now and you can't just walk out of it and pretend there's nothing wrong! You scared your mother to death!" "I know, and I'm sorry." She hugged her father. "I'm really sorry." Gil held her in his arms for a moment, feeling his world slowly start to become normal again. "Where's mom?" "In the lounge." Before his daughter could go in, he grabbed her wrist. "Katie…she's really, really pissed. Not that I blame her but…just be aware okay?" Katie nodded. "Okay." She walked into the lounge room and saw her mother sitting on the couch. Her heart broke as she saw how tired and worn out her mother looked…and that she was at fault. "Mom?" Catherine turned around and stood up. "First of all, let me just say how glad I am that you're okay. Then, I'm going to start telling you how much trouble you're in." Katie gulped. Perhaps she should have let Greg come in as a human shield. "Do you have any idea how terrified you've made everyone? I mean lets forget your father and me for a moment, but don't think I won't come back to that. Lindsey thought she lost her big sister. Greg thought you stood him up and he has been scouring the city for you. Brass has put an APB out on you and the rest of the CSI team has also been looking!" "I'm sorry. I…" "I'm not finished yet," Catherine told her. "Then there's your father and I. Jesus, Katie! I've never been more scared in my life! What the hell were you thinking!?" "I saw you and Sam Braun fighting. I knew he was your father and I knew you were fighting because of me. I didn't want my presence to ruin your father/daughter relationship." "WHAT relationship?" "Well, I know that now. But I didn't then." Katie shrugged. "I don't know what else I can say." Catherine walked over and pulled her into a hug. "If you ever do that to me again…just don't ever do that to me again. You understand?" "I won't, I promise." Catherine kissed the top of Katie's head."I lost you once before. I'll be damned if I lose you again." "Love you, mom." "I love you too, baby."