Notes: The only thing I can really say is that, except for the last two chapters which were the basic idea for this fic (it was originally going to be only three chapters long), this is turning out completely different than I had planned. I hope you like it the way it is. :)

And yes, I realize that Jacksonville is every bit the cliched small hick town. But who cares? I love stuff like that! ;) And the town I live in is, ahem, may I say, not much better? lol!

Disclaimer: See chapter one if you feel the odd urge to check.

--Jacksonville Dreamin' Chapter Two--

Two hours later, I was seated next to Gil on the plane. We chatted a little, but before I knew what was happening, I talking to no one, and he was engrossed in a forensics magazine.

"Gil Grissom, were you even listening to me?"

His head jerked straight up and he turned to face me. "What? Oh, yes - yes, of course, Catherine...What was it you were saying?" He finished rather sheepishly.

I just rolled my eyes at him."Gil, you are hopeless."

"I most certainly am not. I was simply engrossed in a very interesting article."

"Oh, really? And what, exactly, was so interesting that it distracted you away from me? 'Cause, you know, I may have to throw it out."

I paused, and he looked at me, offended.

"I'm kidding, Gil."

"Oh. Right." He paused, and went back to his highly engrossing article. "I knew that."

"Yeah, I'm sure. But seriously... " I snatched the magazine from his hands, ignoring his exclamation.

"Come on. Talk to me."

"What about?"

"How about you pick. I always seem to choose our conversations."

"Are you telling me that you are tired of that?"

"No. I just want you to pick. Now pick."

"Okay. Kimmie Wilson. Now, I know the blood spatter was consistent with..."

"Gil Grissom!"

"That's the second time I have heard my full name in five minutes. That can't be good. You just said to pick a subject so I did."

I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Okay, then, mister wise guy, I will be more specific. Pick a subject other than work."

"Like...?"

I sighed.

"Okay, now I know that you really are hopless." I said, continuing to tease him.

"No, I'm not. How are you and Lindsey?"

He seemed quite proud of himself for that. Unfortunately, I was going to burst his bubble.

"Gil? You asked me that on the way here."

"I did? Oh, I did, didn't I?"

"Yep."

I was actually quite enjoying myself. I love it so much when we banter back and forth--especially if I am winning. He was in control all the time, and when I am ahead, the most fun thing in the world is to rub his face in it. But of course, I didn't want to annoy him, so I decided to change the subject.

"So..."

"So..."

We both spoke at the same time and laughed.

"Listen, Gil. We are going to Texas. Lighten up! Have fun! Okay, so we are on a case, but still. Listen. You know that we know everything there is to know about this case. We just have a couple loose ends that we need to tie up. And they happened to require us to go to Texas. Now, you better have packed some fun clothes, not those..." Her eyes swept downward."...work clothes you always wear. And we are not going to talk to work at least until we land. Deal?"

"What's wrong with my clothes?"

"Nothing; They just aren't made for fun."

"Alright, deal. But Catherine..."

I should have known there was a 'but' coming.

"I didn't pack any 'fun' clothes."

I shook my head for what seemed like the umphteenth time in less than an hour. This man needed some serious help. As I thought about it, a slow smile spread across my face, and a happy Gil went back to his article. The rest of the plane ride was silent, and we arrived at the airport a little over two hours later.

We picked up the Denali that Gil had rented ahead of time, and started off down the highway.

A little over an hour later, we crossed a sign that said,

JACKSONVILLE, TEXAS

POPULATION 1004

"Wow. This is a really small town."

"Is there something wrong with that, Catherine?"

"Of course not. It's just that I usually think of those 'one-horse towns' that you hear about in movies and books existed only there--in fiction. But I guess not." I added, glancing around toward the small motel they had come to a stop next to.

We climbed out of the Denali and headed towards the small building marked "CHECK IN HERE."

We stepped into the dim, but surprisingly clean room, letting out eyes adjust to the lack of sunlight that seemed to bright outside. A slightly overweight, but pretty receptionist who looked to be around thirty sat at her computer playing Spider Solitaire.

"Hello! And how may I help y'all?" She asked with a snap of her gum, and an accent that reminded me of Nick.

"We would like two rooms, please."

"Just a minute, please...Okay, here you are. Rooms 3 and 4. There is a connecting door between them that either of your room keys will open. They are right around the corner. Would you like me to show you?" She asked with a bat of her eyelashes directed at Grissom.

What the hell? What on earth gave her the right to flirt with Gil?

"I think we can find it on out own, thanks." I replied with a stiff smile, grabbing our keys, along with Grissom's hand and walking out the door.

"Catherine? What was that? That girl was perfectly nice."

"Oh, she was nice alright."I muttered.

"Excuse me?"

"She was flirting with you!"

Grissom looked taken aback.

"No, she wasn't."

"Yes, she was. Didn't you see little eyelash-flutter thing?"

"No, I can't say that I did. Is something wrong, Catherine."

"No. I just...I mean, she didn't even know you. For all she knew, we could have been married!"

"We requested seperate rooms. I don't think she thought we were married."

"We could have had a lovers' quarrel."

"Catherine, is there a really a reason for this conversation? If it helps, I did not find her in the least attractive."

I paused. "Really? Oh, here they are."

"No, although I still don't see how it's relevent."

I stepped into my room, but turned back around.

"Oh, it is. Trust me."

"I suppose you aren't going to tell me why, either."

"Nope. So, what do you want for dinner? Or do you just want bed?" She asked with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

"Catherine!"

"I was just kidding! I thought I did a mean impression of that receptionist. What do you think?" I teased, batting my eyelashes.

"I thought we were through with that conversation."

"We are. I noticed a diner about half a mile back. It looked good. Although I have to change first."

"That's fine. What's the matter with what you are wearing?" he asked, with a glance at the outfit in question.

"I've been traveling in it all day."

"I really don't think anyone will care."

"Do you want me to go looking ugly, Gil; or are you just hungry."

"You couldn't be ugly if you tried, Catherine."

Woah, what had he meant by that comment? I shifted my eyes to his, but they were blank, like he was stating a fact, not complimenting me. I guess he hadn't meant that in the way it sounded. Probably just my overactive imagination.

"Okay, then. Let's go." I said with a bright smile.

Two minutes later, we were off.

TBC...