Title: The Revolving Door

Author: Angie

Email: CSI Crime Scene Investigation does not belong to me, they ar the property of CBS, Alliance Atlantis, Jerry Bruckheimer and the wonderful actors who portray them.

Author's Notes: It's been a long time... anyone even remember this fic. I've been anxious about even attempting to open this fic lately and finally just worked up my nerve and did. Now to start writing some more on it... The first ten chapters can be found on, for those that don't remember... or need a refresher on the fic.

Many thanks to Marianne, as always, for a wonderful beta... not to mention answering all my doubts.

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: anything and everything is fair game but nothing specific

Distribution: The GraveshiftCSI Homepage

Gil watched as Lindsey jumped out of the car and ran to the front door. "Does she ever slow down?" He asked as he turned to Catherine.

"Not often. She's at the age where she has limitless energy."

"Just watching her makes me tired." Gil grinned. "Ready to go in?"

Catherine nodded. "I'll wait."

Gil quickly made his way around the car, assured that Catherine would wait for him, but still with doubts on how long her patience would actually last. Opening the car door, he handed her his keys before bending down. "It's easier to give them to you now then try and get them out of my pocket once we get to the door." He sheepishly explained. Lifting her into his arms and kicking the door shut behind him, he made the short distance to the front door with ease. "Linds, can you take the keys from your mother and open the door, please?"

Lindsey did as Gil asked, waiting until they were in before shutting the door behind him. She crossed the room to the couch and squeezed in between them.

"How was school today, sweetie?"

"It was all right. We're going to have a test on Friday. Why do teachers always put tests on Fridays? All I can think about on Friday is that I don't have to go to school for two days."

Grins came to the faces of the two adults as they looked down at her.

"But tests on Friday aren't that bad. It's better then having the test on Monday." Gil reasoned with her.

"I still don't want to take the test." Lindsey said as she crossed her arms.

"What's the test on?"

"History. All those names and dates… I just…" Lindsey stopped as they heard the phone ringing. "I'll get it." She jumped up from the couch and ran to the phone. "Hello? Yeah. Hi Warrick! I'm fine how are you? He's over on the couch with mom, I'll get him for you." Lindsey turned around with the phone in her hand. "It's Warrick. He wants to speak to…"

"We heard, honey." Catherine said, watching as Gil got up to take the phone from Lindsey.

"Warrick, what's going on?"

Catherine continued watching Gil, his head nodding as he listened to what Warrick was telling him. His voice suddenly raised and she could see the anger rising in his features, his fists clenching. "Sweetie, why don't you go on down to the guest room and get started on your homework?"

Lindsey didn't argue, picking up her backpack and heading down the hall. Catherine sighed with relief when she heard the door close and turned her attention back to Gil. It was clear he still wasn't happy. She held her hand up, motioning him over to the couch, relieved when he noticed and started walking towards her. Reaching up, she grasped his free hand and pulled him onto the couch, leaning close to try and hear the other side of the conversation. "What's he saying?"

Gil turned to Cath, seeing the worry in her eyes. "Just a minute, Warrick." He said before moving the phone. "He's just filling me in on the case. Most of the prints came back for the three of us. There was one in your bedroom, on the headboard, that hasn't been identified yet. Another on the doorframe into your room and one on Lindsey's dresser. The prints are still being processed, and Greg put your case up front, so they are hoping they may start getting some DNA results tonight."

Catherine nodded, reaching for Gil's hand and raising the phone back up to his ear so he could finish the phone conversation. She moved her hand down to grasp Gil's free hand, leaning her head on his shoulder as he finished the rest of his call.

"Call me in the morning and let me know if anything else comes up, okay? Yeah that sounds all right. You know when Lindsey leaves so you may want to wait until after that. I will, bye."

"What was that about?" Catherine asked, her head still resting on Gil's shoulder.

"They want to see you. After work tomorrow. We can call later tonight and tell them no if your not up to it."

Catherine nodding, knowing she wouldn't be able to hide from them forever. "Let's wait until tomorrow before we make any definite decisions."

"So, what do you want to do for the rest of the evening?"

"Gil…"

"You're exhausted Catherine. Any fool can see it, as evidenced by Ecklie's comments earlier this afternoon."

Ignoring his comment, she snuggled closer to Gil, playing with the fingers she still held in her hand. "You never did tell me what he said…"

"He started to ask what our relationship was, but changed his mind. Probably figures if he doesn't know then when Mobley finds out he can just play stupid. He did suggest that we tell Mobley though."

"Let me guess, something about him being more upset if he's left out of the loop?"

"Exactly," Gil nodded, shifting slightly lower on the couch. "I guess Ecklie has a point. Besides, Brian likes you, so he may not be totally opposed to the idea. I was looking the other day, and there is no actual rule written anywhere that says we can't have a relationship, or that they will split us up. It's covered for police officers, but not for CSI's. So we have a loophole."

Catherine sat up, looking Gil in the eyes. "When did you look this up?"

"I don't know. A month or so ago, I guess. Why?"

"Why were you looking it up?"

"Catherine…"

"Gil, just answer the question please."

Gil remained silent for a moment, his thoughts racing through his mind. "I wanted to know where we stood. What could happen. I know what we have, together…it's just starting, at least from a dating standpoint. We've been taking it slow, but I know we're going to be together forever. I just needed to know what we had to look forward to at work."

"You've been thinking about us?"

"I think about us all the time, Cath."

She leaned in, brushing her lips across his. "So do I." She smiled, brushing her hand against his cheek. "You always surprise me, you know that? I never really thought about you thinking about us. Does that make sense?"

He brought his hand up to hers, grasping is slightly. "It makes perfect sense. And the feeling is definitely mutual. I can't begin to count the number of times you have managed to surprise me." He lowered his eyes slightly, his gaze darkening as his focus shifted to her injuries.

"It's going to heel."

"I know. I just hate that it happened. I swore to myself that I would never let anything happen to you again…"

"Gil, there's no way you could have predicted this, or stopped it. Sometimes… things just happen. We deal with it and go on. We'll get through this. I know we will." She felt him release her arm, and slowly moved it back to her lap. "So, what are you going to make me for supper?"

Gil grinned, watching the smile appear on her face. "Thanks."

"For what?"

"Changing the subject. Listening to me. Being here just now… just everything."

"Hey, this is a two way street you know. You're allowed to be weak too. You don't have to keep strong for me, I know that this is bothering you, just let it out."

"I think I just did."

Catherine stared at him, remaining silent for the time being.

"It's not enough, is it?" Gil questioned.

"Good enough for now. Just promise me that if you need to talk you'll come to me. You don't need to protect me from your feelings, just come to me."

"I promise." Gil answered, leaning in slightly to seal it with a kiss. "Now, about that dinner… what do you want?"

"I don't know. But I'm starving. I feel like I haven't eaten in days."

"You haven't. At least not much. Do you want to try soup again?"

"No! I'm sick of soup. I want an actual meal. I miss your cooking."

"Then what do you want?"

"Didn't we just go through this? What do you have?" Catherine asked, enjoying their teasing.

"Why don't we go and see? I haven't been shopping in a little while, but I'm sure I have enough to work with." Years ago, Gil couldn't have been so certain of this fact… or even a few months ago. But since he started this new relationship with Catherine, he had started becoming a bit more domesticated. Enjoying spending his time off away from work, as opposed to being locked up in his office. He stood and looked back down at Catherine. "Do you want to wait here or do you want me to bring you to the kitchen?"

"Have I mentioned how much I hate this?"

"One or two times." He said, reaching a hand to her. "It's not going to be that much longer. Then you can hobble around on a walking cast. Until then, I get to be your chariot."

"And does my chariot await?"

"Always, my dear." He answered automatically. Lifting her into his arms, he brought her to the kitchen and gently set her on her feet in front of the table. "Hold on for just a second, and I'll get this chair pulled out."

Catherine nodded, and patiently waited while Gil busied himself behind her. Feeling his hands wrap around her waist, she let him guide her backwards, into the chair.

"You comfortable?" Gil asked. Once he saw her confirm his question, he started opening the cabinets. "I have some pasta. There's some taco shells in here…"

Gil bent over to further look in the cabinets, and Catherine let her mind wander. No longer hearing what he was saying, she concentrated on the sight in front of her.

"Are you listening to me?"

Catherine jumped slightly when she felt his hand on her shoulder. "Sorry." She could feel the heat rising to her face.

"Don't be sorry. I'm flattered."

She glanced down at the floor, her face blushing more at being caught. Not only being caught, but having the object of her attention point it out so bluntly. "Tacos."

"What?"

"Let's have tacos. Do you have more then just shells?"

Gil turned to the refrigerator, letting her change the subject for now. Opening the door, he glanced inside, finding all the ingredients he needed. "Looks like you're in luck. Everything seems to be here." Gil gathered the lettuce, cheese and tomatoes in his arms before turning around to Catherine. "You know, you don't need to be embarrassed. You're allowed to look at me like that."

"I just…. How did we think we could hide this from the others? I can't stop staring at you when we're alone. How many times do you think I was caught at work?"

"Catherine…"

"It's a legitimate question. I know this isn't the first time I've been distracted by you. Distracted to the point where I don't even notice what's going on in front of me. So how could we have possibly thought that other's wouldn't notice it?"

"Hindsight is always twenty twenty. But we don't have to worry about that anymore, I think we've pretty much been outed. I'll call Mobley in the morning, make sure he's aware."

"So… did I ever distract you to that point?"

"Constantly. Catherine you've distracted every male in the lab to that point." Gil put the cheese and vegetables on the table and grabbed a cutting board. "Want me to call Lindsey in to help?"

"No, I can do it." She moved the items in front of her, taking the knife from Gil as he brought it to her.

They worked together as well as always, only instead of dealing with bugs and blood they were working with food.

"How are you doing, Cath?" Gil asked as he stirred the spices into the hamburger.

"Just finishing."

"I'm just about done here too. I'll go get Lindsey so she can get washed up." Gil wiped his hands on the towel and stepped out of the kitchen, returning minutes later with Lindsey in tow.

Lindsey helped Gil set the table and soon the small family sat down to their meal. Content for the moment in their domestic tranquility.