A/N: This a new format that I'll be using on the next 2 chaps, sorry if it distracts. And by the way, I hadn't had this much fun writing a chap since chap 7, so enjoy!


October 10, 2003

Grissom Residence

7:43 p.m.

"Kaylenn, I'm going to the bar! I'll be back in a bit!" Gil checked himself in the mirror one more time, and was about to turn around but stopped when he saw Kaylenn's reflection.

"The bar?"

"Yeah, the one I took you to to get something from Sara and Nick."

"Oh yeah, is that where Warrick's party is?

"Yes, it is."

"Can you give him this?"

Gil turned to face her and looked at the small box, wrapped in green with a bow on top. "It's nothing big. But don't let'im open it till 9:30."

"Um, ok." He took the box and said, "Well, I'm off."

She watched him leave the bathroom, then started up the stairs but was stopped by the sound of his faint voice. "Be good and again, happy Birthday." He smiled, "And please do not burn the house down."

She laughed slightly. "Oh, come on, it's not that bad!"

Gil looked up from where he was putting on his watch to look at the charred space over the stove. "Kaylenn, it's the size as your beloved state." He grinned, "I'll see you later tonight, goodnight Kay!"

"Good night Gil!"

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Double Down Saloon

8:05 p.m.

After going to Catherine's to pick her up, she and Gil pulled into the parking lot of the Double Down Saloon. "You know for as long we've known Warrick, I would never have guessed he came here, I'm still getting over the fact that he would actually want his party here."

Smiling, Gil got out and opened the back to get out the presents. "I wasn't that surprised, actually."

The door on the other end opened, startling Grissom, "Well, that figures!" They closed the back doors and met in front of the Tahoe, where Catherine took her present from his arms. "What's that?" She was pointing to the small lump in his breast pocket.

"Oh, I forgot about that," he fished a small box wrapped in green out of it. "Kaylenn wanted me to give this to Warrick."

"Kaylenn?" She snorted, "I thought they were enemies?"

"I thought so too. But, I'm gu-"

"Hey guys! Over here, we got a table saved!"

Looking towards the entrance of the bar, both saw Sara waving toward them. Glancing at Catherine, he shrugged and put the box back in his packet.

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Dessert Breeze Park

8:17 p.m.

"Hey Kay, you made it!" Laughing, Kaylenn was bowled over by Alex, who hugged her so hard her back popped. "Oops, sorry, I'm excited."

"I can tell," she rolled her shoulders, "though having you as a friend means I never have to visit a chiropractor."

He smiled as the rest of the gang came over, when they had reached the two of them, they screamed, "Happy birthday!" Alex almost felt sorry for the red-head as she was engulfed in yet another hug from her friends.

Finally, Kaylenn emerged from the group and said, "Thanks guys, so when do you go on, Alex?"

Phoebe let the now green haired boy pull her towards him. "He goes on in a few minutes, the competition ends in around 40 minutes."

"Then we go to Silverado for the show."

Kaylenn's eyes snapped towards Declan, "What show?"

Zoë stepped in front of her brother and said, "Our band's opening for This Calendar Year and Forget McCarran; they're pretty badass."

"I still can't figure out why we would open for either of them, we're harder than them."

"It's a gig, Alex." Declan looked at Kaylenn, "Come on, you'll like it."

"Ok, I've been wanting to see you guys play anyways."

A guy carrying a skateboard walked by and waved over to them. "Alex! You got 5 minutes!"

"Thanks Doug!" He turned toward his friends and kissed Phoebe, "See you guys in a few minutes."

"So, where do you wanna sit?"

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Double Down Saloon

8:45 p.m.

"I do not know what she is talking about, I swear to God!"

"You are such a liar, Greg! Kaylenn was even there."

"And you're just gonna take her word over mine!"

Sara and Nick looked at each other. "Uh, yeah."

The table exploded into laughter as Greg yelled, "You guys are asses."

Trying to calm himself, Grissom commented, "Why wouldn't we believe Sara, since it's not that hard to imagine?"

Finally able to breathe, Catherine got out, "Really it is easy to picture your face smashed against a glass door!" The last part was barely heard as the table again melted into a fit of giggles.

"Again, you guys are a bunch of asses." Greg was pointing to them.

After a while, the CSI's had settled down and were talking about anything other than work, when the music changed to a slow rock ballad. Nick eyed Sara, then leaned over to her and whispered something in her ear; she nodded and took his hand. They scooted out of the booth and made their way to the dance floor where other couples were dancing.

Greg voiced the table's thoughts, "So, when do you think they're gonna actually come out as a couple?"

"When the world revolves the other way?" They jumped as Jim Brass' voice rang out.

"Brass, you made it!"

Pulling up another chair, the man sat next to Greg, "Sorry 'bout that Warrick, I got a call."

They tensed up and Gil asked, "Anything big?"

"Nope, just your run-of-the-mill, stupid robber," he smiled at their visible relaxation. "Who's on call besides me?"

"Sara and Gris," Greg held up his bottle of beer, "and yeah for that."

Catherine shook her head, and asked, "Who's the lucky guy who wants to dance with me?"

"Well, I wo-" Greg jumped out of his chair dragged her out of the booth, effectively cutting off Warrick's reply. "Damn Greg, don't kill her!"

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Dessert Breeze Park

8:57 p.m.

Seeing Alex exiting the gate, Phoebe shrieked and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs around him, "I can't believe you got 4th!" She kissed him as he carried her over to his van where Declan, Zoë, and Kaylenn stood.

"Yeah, Alex, that was pretty cool, but now we're running late. We gotta get there in 20 minutes to play 3 songs, so come on." Alex just shook his head at Declan as everyone hugged him and congratulated him.

"You're such a worry-wart."

After piling into the van, Alex started it up and started toward Silverado Ranch Park. Watching the nightlife of Vegas pass her by, Kaylenn leaned her head on the glass, tuning out the loud rock and laughing voices in the front until Declan whispered in her ear, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." She turned back to the window, and then look right back at him, "How do you live here?"

Taken a back, he responded, "What?"

"This city, how do you stand the fact that it never sleeps?"

"Oh, that. I dunno. How am I suppose to feel about?"

She searched his eyes for any ridicule, finding none, she said, "I feel trapped. There's nowhere quiet unless you go to the dessert."

He smiled gently and pulled her against his chest. "I don't exactly agree with you, but I can see it from your point of view." After a moment of silence between the two, he noticed she was again staring at the neon lights, "You miss Texas."

"Yeah, I do." She continued to stare.

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Double Down Saloon

9:23 p.m.

Warrick shook his head as he pulled out the gift from Greg, "You disappoint me Greggo, it's just a t-shi-" reading what it had printed on it, he glared a the lab rat, "You would."

Everyone laughed as Warrick turned the shirt toward them, written on it was the phrase "Upon the Advice of My Attorney, My Shirt Bears No Message at This Time".

"Sorry Warrick, it was either this or one that I thought was a bit racy. I thought you'd appreciate this one."

"Well, thank you for that and thanks to you guys for getting my presents."

Everyone just shrugged and said various forms of welcomes, until Gil looked at his watch and said, "I guess I can give this to you now." He pulled out the green box and leaned across the table to set it before the man. "It's from Kaylenn; she said not to have you open it till 9:30."

The CSI's looked at the present with skeptical eyes and Brass said suspiciously, "Kaylenn, eh?"

"I'd watch out Warrick, you did give her a dropped soda the other day." Nick pointed at the box, "She's a smart girl; she could've fit a lot of things in that box."

Shaking his head at their reactions he carefully tore the green wrapping from it and as he took the top off, all of the people at the table leaned in to see. They all dropped back in their seats.

"It's a piece of paper. How anti-climatic," Catherine huffed.

Gil grinned at her reaction and how cute she looked slumped against him with her arms crossed. She was starting to show the effect of the 4 beers she had drunk so far. His attention, though, was pulled to Warrick's reaction to the paper. The darker man's green eyes were fixated on the note, and then slowly moved to the door of the bar, his mouth crept into a smile. "Excuse me."

They all gave him confused looks until he walked over to meet a very pretty black woman, who proceeded to follow him back to the table. When they returned Warrick noted his friends looked like they were fish caught out of water. "Guys, this is Lily Ace, she's a teacher at Kaylenn's school."

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Lady Heather's Palace

Residence

11:13 p.m.

Kaylenn and Declan laid in the bed of Zoë's truck underneath a blanket, while Zoë, Phoebe and Alex sat in the yard talking and playing with the dogs. Snuggling into his warmth, Kaylenn noticed that Declan tensed. "What is it?" Her head rose from his chest to look into his stormy-blue eyes.

"I don't wanna lead you on."

Kaylenn turned away from him and said, "Oh, so you don't like me."

He scooted forward and touched her chin, making her look at him. "Actually, I do like you but that's not the point."

Her eyebrow rose and she asked, "Then what is, Declan?"

"I'm gay."

Kaylenn blinked. "You're what?"

Misinterpreting her reaction, Declan started to pull himself to the tail gate but was stopped by the hand on his arm, "No, D, don't go! I didn't mean it like that, you just threw me."

He eyes stared into hers; he leaned against the tire-hump and asked, "So you don't hate me?"

She burst into nervous laughter, "Hate you? Never, Declan. Actually, if you wanna know the truth, I'm kinda relieved."

"Relieved?"

"Yeah, I didn't wanna go to the next level with you 'cause I love our quasi-couple relationship. I feel comfortable cuddling and talking to you 'bout sex and guys." She cocked her head to the side. "I guess I now know why."

He blushed and looked down, "I figured after the park, that you wanted to be with me, and I've only really come out to myself and Zoë."

"The park was interesting but I don't blame you, it was moment." Kaylenn leaned over his legs and hugged him. "Plus, I like another guy, so this works beautifully."

Declan snorted into her neck, "Me too."

Astonished, she pulled away, "His name his Leo, he works with Zoë."

A smile spread over her lips, "You are a slut."

He laughed, "When I told her, she asked if I minded meeting a friend of hers who was also gay, you know, to just talk." The boy just shrugged, "I think she counted on him asking me out."

"I'm happy for you Declan."

"Speaking of which, I want you to meet him, I was even wondering if I could bring him to the party."

"Most definitely."

Rearranging themselves into a more comfortable position, they continued stargazing. This time, relaxed. "Happy birthday Kaylenn."

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October 11, 2003

Willows Residence

12:01 a.m.

Giggles escaped their throats as Gil made his way to the front door as a very inebriated Catherine Willows clung to his side. The stairs proved to be an obstacle when she tripped and they both ended up laughing so hard that they almost had to sit down. Once the 'evil stairs', as Catherine had called them, had been conquered, Gil fished around in his pants for his keys.

Still holding her, he found the key to her lock and unlocked the door, causing them to spill into the living rooming. Laughing, she whispered, "Shhh, Lindsey!"

Nodding, he pulled her up and made their way to her bedroom, which when he got to, he settled her on the bed and started on unclasping her high-heeled shoes. Catherine stared at the ceiling and smiled. His hands on her feet and calves were driving her insane; she slipped her eyes closed.

"Catherine, open your eyes." She complied but looked at him through heavy lids. "I'll be right back."

She watched him disappear into her bathroom and after a few moments of the sound of running water, Gil remerged holding a glass of water. Handing it to her, she took some sips and was about to put it away when he barked, "All of it." She glared at him over the rim as she finished it.

Taking it from her and setting it on her bedside table, he sat on the bed and brushed her hair back. "Next time, you might want to listen to me before drinking that much."

"Not like you've nev'got drun' before."

Gil smiled as he started on sliding his coat off her shoulders, but stopped suddenly when he felt Catherine's hand sliding up his thigh. "Catherine, I think we better-", her lips were suddenly on his, her tongue asking for permission, which he allowed. They soon lost themselves in the heat of it but when she suddenly grasped him through his pants, he stood hastily.

She looked at him with confused eyes, "What?"

"Not like this." His expression was a pained one as he said goodnight and left the room.

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Be my friend
Hold me, wrap me up
Unfold me
I am small
I'm needy
Warm me up
And breathe me

"Breathe Me" by Sia

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A/N: Hoped you enjoyed these and please review. Thanks!