Title: Hot Chocolate Love
Author: ANNE (the insane one)

Rating: CSI -2

Summary: In Sex, Lies and Larvae, someone comes to help Grissom with his experiment. And it's not Sara.

Disclaimer: Characters et al belong to the people that make CSI.

She stood and watched him for a moment. He was totally engrossed in his experiment, but a frown grew on her face when she saw him shiver.

"Hey."

He looked up and smiled. "Hey. What are you doing here?"

Catherine walked over and sat beside him. "I heard you were going to be here. And I didn't like the idea of you sitting out here all by yourself."

"And you brought supplies."

Catherine nodded, shifting the bag between them. "I know you when you get into your experiments. You forget to eat, drink and stay warm." She pulled out a blanket, wrapping it around his shoulders. "You'd freeze to death."

"Thank you," Gil whispered, his hand touching hers.

She smiled, squeezing his hands. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you, Gil."

"Love me?" he asked, a small smile on his face.

Catherine grinned and kissed his cheek. "Always."

"Can I ask what else is in the bag?"

She nodded and reached in, pulling out two thermoses. "One's coffee, one's hot chocolate."

Gil narrowed his eyes. "Your special hot chocolate?"

She chuckled. "I didn't put any alcohol in it, but there is the cinnamon." She opened the lid and wafted it under his nose.

"Cath…that's teasing."

"It would only be teasing if I wasn't about to pour you some," she answered, pouring him some of the drink.

"Bless you," Gil said, taking a drink of the chocolate and letting out a long sigh of satisfaction.

"Want to know what else is in there?" Catherine asked.

Gil widened his eyes. "There's more?"

Catherine nodded. "Sandwiches, a couple of slices of cake…oh, and I brought your research assistant."

Gil's eyes widened. "Who?"

"Hi, Uncle Gil!" Lindsey said, coming over. "This is for my school science project. I don't have school tomorrow, so Mommy said we'd surprise you."

Gil opened his arms, hugging the little girl. He turned to Catherine. "Thank you."

Catherine grinned. "You didn't think we'd leave you alone out here all night, did you?"


Five hours later, Lindsey lay fast asleep in her sleeping bag. Catherine was checking the video camera for Gil, who was busily taking notations.

He looked over at her. "I really appreciate what you did."

Catherine finished her checking and walked back over, sitting beside him. "Gil, I love you. Lindsey loves you. And we weren't going to leave you out here all night. Besides, Lindsey has to do a project for school."

"And you?" he asked, putting his arm and part of the blanket around her.

Catherine snuggled closer, resting her head against his shoulder. "Because I love you."

FINIS