Disclaimer: I don't own CSI. That's why I work for a living.

Chapter 25

"Hey, Griss. You got a minute?" Warrick called as Grissom passed the break room with Jonathan on his hip.

Pulling up short, Grissom backtracked and looked through the door. "I was just taking Jonathan to day care. What did you need?"

"I needed to talk to you. It's kind of personal."

Only then did Grissom notice the dark circles under his eyes and the lines bracketing his mouth. "Sure. Um…let me…um…let me drop Jonathan off and I'll meet you somewhere."

"Okay. How about the McDonald's on Fourth? I don't want to run in to anybody."

"Sure. I'll be there." Grissom stopped for a second to study the other man's face before nodding and walking off.

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When Grissom arrived at the restaurant it was to find Warrick sitting in a booth with a cup of coffee in front of him. After getting coffee for himself, Grissom slid into the seat on the other side of the table. "You don't look so good. Are you sure you need more caffeine?" Grissom remarked.

"Probably not. I can't sleep anyway but I'm sure it's not helping." Warrick sighed and took a sip from his cup.

Never one to interfere in the personal lives of his team, Grissom waited patiently for Warrick to tell him what was going on.

"You're not going to make this easy for me are you?" Warrick asked. When Grissom shrugged he spat out, "Tina left me."

Grissom's lips formed a silent 'o'. After a moment he asked, "When?"

"A week ago."

"Did you need some time off? Because you have plenty of vacation."

"Nah. What would I do with time off? Sit at home and stare at the walls?"

"O-kay. Then what can I…uh…do to help?"

Amusement flickered in Warrick's eyes at Grissom's discomfort. "I'm not sure. I just…it's…how do you do it?"

"Do what?" Grissom asked.

"How do you work nights and Sara work days and you guys keep it together?"

Grissom rubbed an index finger over his lips as he contemplated an answer to the question. "You know, Warrick, I spent a lot of years running from what I wanted. But when I 'pulled my head out of my ass' and made those vows I knew what I was getting. So did Sara." Leaning forward he said, "Neither one of us takes that commitment lightly. Besides, any woman who would wait that long for me is not going to give up easily. She loves me and I love her and for that you work harder."

"Yeah. You're right about Sara. That is one more stubborn woman." Warrick smiled before his eyes grew sad again. "You're lucky, Griss."

"I know. More than I deserve to be, I'm lucky."

"Thanks, Griss," Warrick said.

"I didn't do anything."

"You did more than you know."

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Jonathan's second birthday party was in full swing. Sara and Grissom's backyard resounded with the laughter of children, both big and small. Some of Jonathan's playmates from daycare and their parents were there. They joined the gang from the lab. Lindsay brought her boyfriend and spent the day holding hands and giggling, much to the amusement of all those who remembered her tagging after Greg the year before. Greg, to his credit, took the rejection well. Sara stood back and surveyed the group of people gathered to celebrate her son's special day. Again Grissom and Brass were manning the grill while Nick, Warrick and Greg played with the kids. The women were gathered on the deck, making use of the tables and chairs there.

Sara was in the kitchen getting food ready to go outside when Catherine wandered in. "Hey, need some help?" she asked.

Looking around, Sara said, "Sure. Can you get those two plates out to the deck?"

"Yeah," Catherine said. She hesitated before asking, "Have you noticed anything strange about Warrick?"

"What do you mean strange?" Sara's tone was noncommittal.

"He's not wearing his wedding ring. And I heard Nick saying something about a date." Catherine busied herself picking up the platters so that Sara wouldn't see the naked hope in her eyes.

Sara turned and studied her friend. Could Catherine actually be carrying a torch for Warrick? He had been married for more than three years. Of course she waited almost a third of her life on Grissom. "Catherine, why don't you ask him?"

"He talked to you?" Catherine couldn't mask the hurt in her voice.

"Not to me, no. I only have second hand information that I swore to keep secret." Sara held Catherine's gaze with her own. "Just ask him."

Catherine nodded and started outside with the food. Turning back to look at Sara, she said, "Thanks for not asking me why I want to know."

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Warrick was sitting on the grass watching Nick and Greg pushing the children on Jonathan's new swing set. He looked around when Catherine dropped down beside him and held out a beer. "Thanks," he said, taking a long pull at the bottle.

Catherine drank and sighed at the feel of the ice cold liquid sliding down her throat. "Mmmm. That's good." When Warrick only nodded in agreement, she continued, "How've you been?"

Warrick, green eyes hidden behind sunglasses, studied Catherine's profile before replying. "I'm good. How about you?"

"Me? I'm good too." Catherine continued to watch Jonathan on the swing and take sips of her beer. "They are so precious, aren't they? The kids."

"Yeah, Jonathan is the greatest." The affection in Warrick's voice was unmistakable.

"I think we're all a little biased."

"You're probably right. I wonder if they've ever thought about having another baby. They are really good at this being married and having a family stuff."

Catherine knew an opening when she saw one. "I don't know about another baby but I do know they work very hard at keeping their marriage solid. Who would have thought that Grissom and Sara would set the example for everyone else?" She hurriedly added, "Except you and Tina."

Warrick sat there for a moment, his mind trying to form the words to tell Catherine. Why was it harder to tell her than anyone? Her anger at his marriage was long over. But her words about fantasies only being good if there was a possibility they could come true still played in the back of his mind. Turning to face the one woman that was unattainable, Warrick said, "Tina and I are getting a divorce."

Catherine wished he would take off the sunglasses so that she could see his eyes. "I'm sorry to hear that. I thought you guys could make it."

Warrick wished she would take off her sunglasses so that he could see her eyes. "I thought so too. But when you don't want the same things it becomes impossible."

"I know what you mean. That's what earned me my divorce. I needed to be better for Lindsay and Eddie never did."

"Tina wanted me to find another job. She didn't like me working so many hours. She ended up spending more time with her friends than at home. Then, one day, she left." Warrick kept his gaze moving, never letting it linger on the woman beside him.

"I'm sorry." Catherine's voice was quiet and thick with feeling. "You know that if you need anything, a shoulder, an ear, anything, you can call me."

"Thanks. I appreciate the offer." Warrick smiled for the first time since Catherine had taken the seat beside him. "Wow, this is getting pretty deep. Why don't you tell me about Lindsay's boy-toy over there?"

Catherine rolled her eyes, "Oh, you mean Blake…"

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When everyone had gone home and Jonathan was in bed, Grissom and Sara were stretched out on the couch together listening to music and unwinding.

"Catherine has a thing for Warrick." Sara smiled when she felt Grissom jerk in response.

"Why do you think that?"

"Because I am female and I have intuition." Laughing at his snort, Sara said, "Because she wanted to know why he didn't have on a wedding ring and got a little testy when she thought I knew."

"That's it. You're basing your assumption on her being nosy and snippy? And you call yourself a criminalist." Grissom smiled at her playful growl of irritation. "Seriously, why do you think she has this…this…thing for Warrick?"

"Because she didn't want to explain why she wanted to know. Not to mention that she sought him out and have a pretty serious conversation with him." When Grissom still looked skeptical she said, "Trust me on this. I know the signs."

"Promise me something?" Grissom asked. At Sara's nod he said, "Promise that if you're unhappy you'll tell me that you won't let it get to that point."

"Oh, Gil, I promise." Sara wiggled until she was sprawled on top of Grissom. Looking down into his eyes, she said, "I love you and I can't imagine life without you. Don't ever let me go."

"I won't, honey. I need you too much." Grissom tangled his hand in Sara's hair and drew her lips down to his. He broke away long enough to say, "I love you Sara. More than you will ever know."

"Show me," she whispered against his lips.