One year later, Catherine Grissom stood in front of the mirror in the bedroom she shared with her husband. She was completely naked – a fact that she was sure her husband would be busy appreciating if he were here.
She knew that when he got home from dropping Lindsey to school, that he would be doing just that.
The past year had been very good to her.
She was still seeing Philip Kane, but her visits weren't as often as they had been. She was back at work, but staying mainly around the lab. In another month, she'd go out on her first field assignment with Gil.
Catherine focused on her face. The worry lines were fading a little, which pleased her all the more because it meant that she hadn't been so upset lately. There was no scar on her face from her attack, nor, for that matter, was there a physical scar on any of her body.
She looked at her hands, smiling at the glittering emerald cut diamond and simple gold band that graced one of them. Their marriage and their two-week honeymoon had meant a lot to both of them. Being alone together, for so long, had been amazing. They had talked, connected, and healed. And, Catherine thought with a wry smile, they had made love. Often.
Dale Graves had committed suicide a month after being incarcerated. Neither Gil nor Catherine had mourned his passing. Stanley Graves had been put on a suicide watch, but, privately Catherine didn't think he would. It didn't matter anyway, because he couldn't hurt her anymore.
Neither of them could. Physically or emotionally.
A smile came to her face when she heard the front door shut.
"Cath?"
"Upstairs."
Gil Grissom made his way upstairs and smiled smugly when he saw his wife standing naked in front of the mirror. "Miss me, huh?"
Catherine arched an eyebrow, and leant back against him as his arms encircled her waist. "You were only gone fifteen minutes."
"And yet I missed you desperately," he murmured, his lips kissing her neck.
Catherine's eyes slipped shut. "Gil…"
"I can be as naked as you are in two seconds," Gil whispered, his hands caressing her stomach.
"Don't tempt me," Catherine replied, turning around in his arms. Her hand stroked the back of his neck.
"Don't tempt you? I didn't undress first, you did."
"I have to admit I was shocked that you didn't just toss me on the bed like you did a week ago."
"You gave me that look. I was powerless." He kissed her gently. "What were you thinking about?"
"About how wonderful the past year has been. What look?"
"The look that says 'I want you to take me on the bed right now'. And yes, this last year has been wonderful."
Catherine chuckled. "I have a 'I want you to take me on the bed right now' look?"
Gil shrugged. "I have no choice but to obey."
Catherine squealed with laughter as Gil picked her up and dumped her on the bed. Her arms pulled him down with her and they kissed slowly.
"Thank you," she whispered, her hand caressing his cheek.
Gil looked slightly confused. "For dumping you on the bed and being about to ravish you?"
Catherine giggled and punched his shoulder. "Is sex all you ever think about?" She paused. "Don't answer that, I'm as guilty as you are."
Gil just smiled smugly at her. "What were you saying, dear?"
"Thank you for all you did. During. And after."
"You don't need to thank me," he murmured. "You did most of the work." He kissed her again. "Besides, I did it because I love you."
"I know I don't have to. But I wanted to."
"Well, you're welcome." He brushed some hair from her face. "And Cath?"
"Mhm?"
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"Showing me what's really important in life." He kissed her lips. "Living it with the ones you love."
Catherine smiled broadly at him. "You must have known somehow. You caught me when I fell."
FINIS