"I didn't think I'd be comfortable with a reply like that, but I was."
Gil looked over at Catherine. "Which reply?"
"Would you lie for me if I was in trouble."
"Were you uncomfortable with my answer?"
"No," Catherine assured him. "I thought I would be, but I wasn't." She took his free hand. "I love you. And I love what you just did for me."
"What I just did for you?"
"Testifying," Catherine replied, closing her eyes in comfort as Gil's hand cupped her cheek.
"I'd do anything for you," Gil whispered, his hand caressing her face.
Catherine smiled, her hand resting against him. "Same goes, bugman."
Gil leaned over, kissing her gently. Catherine returned the kiss, her hands sliding up his chest and around his neck. Gil's hands went to her waist, helping her move so that she sat in his lap.
The kiss deepened, and Gil's hold on her tightened.
Catherine rolled them so that she lay beneath him, and her arms tugged him down for another kiss.
"Closer," she whispered. "I want you closer."
Gil nodded and kissed her again, his hands sliding up under her shirt to gently caress her skin.
Her hands moved to the buttons of his shirt, starting to undo them one by one. Each piece of skin she revealed, her hands gently caressed at it, followed by her lips, as she marked him as hers.
Gil closed his eyes, his hands caressed her skin for a moment as he relished Catherine's touch. When he felt her hands pushing the shirt away from his shoulders, he opened his eyes to find her smiling at him.
"You're handsome," she murmured, her fingers trailing across his face. "I like that you have long eyelashes." Catherine traced them with her fingers, smiling as he closed his eyes to make it easier for her. "You're very sexy."
"I'm glad you think so," he replied, taking her hand and kissing the palm.
Catherine's eyes slipped closed. Her entire body shivered as he started kissing each finger, one by one.
"You don't mind if I just melt into a puddle here, do you?" she managed to get out.
Gil grinned, kissing his way up her arm. "Sure I do. It's pretty hard to make love with a puddle."
"Speaking of hard…" Catherine whispered, her free hand sliding between them and cupping his erection.
"Cath…."
"Mhm?" she asked innocently.
Gil slowly started to realize something. This was Catherine. His Catherine. Catherine before the attack.
Catherine noticed his look. "What is it?"
"You're back."
A smile began to spread across her face. She lay flat on the bed, her eyes staring up at him. "Make love with me."
Gil leant down, kissing her deeply as his hands pushed her shirt away. Her hands slid up his bare chest, caressing and stroking the warm skin.
"You feel so good," he whispered in her ear. "You're beautiful." Gil's fingers went to her face, memorizing her features. "So perfect. So…"
"Yours," Catherine finished, leaning up to kiss him. "Yours."
Gil kissed her again, a whole different kind of happiness flowing through him as he realized she was back. He kissed her again, his hands gently unclasping her bra and pushing it away from her body.
Gil gathered her into his arms, smiling as she snuggled closer.
"Love you," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.
He kissed her gently. "Love you too," he whispered back.
They were silent for a moment, trying to get their breath back. Finally, Catherine spoke.
"Gil?"
"Mhm?"
"I'm scared."
His eyes wide, he looked down at her. Caressing her face with his hand, he asked, "what of?"
"Tomorrow." Catherine burrowed further into his body. "It's not going to be like it was with you. The testimony."
Gil smiled, caressing her back. "I wish it was. I wish that you didn't have to do any of this, and that nothing had happened in the first place."
"But it did."
"And you'll get through this, Cath." He kissed her forehead. "I was so proud of you when you told me what happened. The way you gave your statement." He hugged her. "I'll be right there in that room with you, Catherine. I promise I won't leave you."
"I know you won't," she whispered, kissing his chest. "Thank you."
"Anytime, Catherine. You know that."
He bent down and they shared a gentle kiss.
"Get some rest, sweetheart. Tomorrow's going to be a big day."