Just as we were about to kick things up a notch, Jim's cell phone rang.He groaned and pulled himself from me, to check the caller ID on the phone.He growled as he answered it.

"Brass." he said

I could hear him go, "uh huh" and "Um Hmm." a few time and then he hung upand groaned.

"I have to go in to work for a few hours. I won't be long. You can stayhere if you like." he said
"But it's your day off. Why do you need to go in?" I asked, frustrated
"Something to do with a case and a witness that was just brought in forquestioning. Like I said, I won't be long." he explained
"Well, maybe I'll stay here for a while and then go home later." I said

He seemed disappointed when I told him that I might go home later.His expression changed from one of hopefulness to one of depression.I assured him that I would try to make it back to his place later and heseemed to lighten up a bit. He smiled and slipped on a pair of faded bluejeans and a white button down shirt and blue blazer. He slipped his loaferson and gave me a peck on the forehead before he left.

I had just arrived at home when my phone rang. It was Grissom, with thequestions. I picked up the phone and spoke.

"Hi, Grissom." I started
"Oh, um, hi. I didn't expect you to be home. I thought you would still beat Jim's" he said
"Jim got called away for a while and I just came home to shower and change.What's up?" I asked
"Well, I was just a little bit surprised to find you at Jim's this afternoon,that's all." he explained
"Well, we just hit it off. We have a lot in common." I said,
wanting his reaction
"He doesn't seem your type."
"Really, what's my type Grissom?" I said, egging him on
"Well, he's older and kind of rough around the edges."
"I like Jim, Gil. He's a good man, Gil. He makes me happy. Don't you wantme to be happy?" I asked
"I want you to be happy. I just didn't think it would be with Jim,
that's all."
"Well, if not with Jim, than who with?"

I knew this last question would make him think for a while. He hesitated hisresponse for a little while and then said what I least expected to hear himsay.

"I thought I would ask you out." he said softly
"Grissom, I asked you months ago and you said no. I learned to move on."I said
"So, you're telling me that if I asked you out, you would say no?"he asked, curiously
"I would have to say no. I am with Jim. When I date, I date one man.I commit, so does he." I snapped

I realize that I probably should not have snapped at him, but his
inquisition was getting a little annoying. I had spent the last God knowshow many years hanging on to hope for Grissom and I, that when he turnedme down flat, I decided to give up on him and stop wasting my time.His silence was what I needed to give myself an out.

"Grissom, I have to go. I need to shower and change and then get back toJim's."
"Well, I wish you two all the happiness in the world." he said, dejected
"See you tomorrow, Grissom." I said and hung up before he could sayanything else

As I showered, I thought about what Grissom had said and thought it kindof coincidental that he would choose to ask me out, only after he foundout I was dating someone else. The whole situation made me laugh a bit.Jim would get a kick out it when I tell him.

I finished up at my place and headed back to Jim's. Just as I was pullinginto his driveway, He pulled in next to me. I could not wait to give himthe dish on mine and Grissom's conversation. I was literally busting atthe seams. Jim exited his truck and walked over to me. He kissed me onthe cheek and walked with me up the stairs and opened the front door for me.

Once inside, I could not wait any longer. I spilled.

"You'll never guess who called me this afternoon." I said
"I'll play. Who?" Jim asked
"One guess."
"No. What did he want?"
"He questioned me about our relationship."
"He gave you the third degree?"
"Yeah. He even asked me out. In a round about sort of way."
"He did? What did you say?"
"I told him no; that I was with you and that I only date one man at a time.That ticked him off." I said
"That's rich. He keeps you hanging for all these years and as soon as youdecide to move on, he makes his move. That's funny." Jim said
"So, I guess we will have to spend more time together now." I said,awaiting Jim's response

Without hesitation, Jim responded in a good way.

"I guess we should make it official, then." he said

I was a bit confused for a minute, until Jim reached into his pocket and pulled out abeautiful ring. It had a heart being held by two hands and a crown on top of the heart.He handed it to me and explained the history of the design.

"Its a claddah ring. Its Irish in origin, as am I. You wear it with theheart facing you, if you are taken, you wear it with the heart away fromyou if you are single. How would you like to wear it?" He asked sweetly

I took the ring in my hand and examined it closely. It was gold, so hemust have spent a good sum of money on it. The craftsmanship wasbeautifully intricate. I looked up at him and placed the ring on my ringfinger, crown down. I looked at him and saw the wide smile on his lips.He whispered to me.

"This should really get Grissom, now. He'll flip."
"Yeah, I think he will." I said and kissed him on the cheek

We walked into the kitchen and he removed some food items from the fridge.He took off his blazer and dress shirt. He was standing in his jeans anda t-shirt. He looked so good. I found myself wanting to pick up where wehad left off, before the phone call this afternoon. But I waited. Thingswould happen in their own time. Who was I to rush?

Jim began to cook our supper and I pulled out a bottle of wine, pouringa glass for each of us. I think I startled him when I reached around himfrom behind and wrapped my arms around his waist. He placed his hand ontop of mine as he continued to cook.

The meal was delicious. He was so thoughtful. It was totally vegetarian.I didn't think he knew I don't eat meat. But as he pointed out, he washead CSI at one time. I smiled as he said this. Our meal having beenfinished, we retreated upstairs to the bedroom and back to Jack and Sam.We settled ourselves in bed and toasted our coupling with a clink of ourwine glasses and a kiss.

We were in the middle of the episode in which Jack and Teal'c were caught ina time loop, when I heard a soft snoring. I looked up and Jim had fallenasleep. I gently removed the remote from his hand and turned the televisionoff. I stripped down and put on a pair of boxers and t-shirt that I hadbrought with me. I slid beneath the covers and as soon as I settled myself,Jim woke up. He rubbed his eyes and seeing me under the covers, I could
hear him laugh quietly to himself. I heard him undress and felt him climbin bed. He scooted up behind me and draped his arm around my waist.I placed my had on his and squeezed gently.

We woke early in the afternoon of the following day. We showered and gotready for work and went out for breakfast before going in to the lab.We ate at a nice little family restaurant that was close to the lab.Jim smiled as he looked at my hand with his ring on it.

"This is going to be fun. You'll tell me Grissom's reaction, I trust?"he asked
"This will be fun and I will tell you his reaction, or we can witness ittogether." I proposed
"And how do you plan to go about doing that?" He asked curiously
"Well, we can walk in, hand in hand and then when we part, I place my handon your cheek and give you a little kiss. He will see the ring on my handand then we'll have our candy." I proposed

Jim looked at me and smiled wide at the thought of the torture we would beputting Grissom through.

"You're evil." he stated
"Yeah, well, he kind of deserves it." I said

We finished our meals and drove to the lab, where Jim would drop me off.We parked in the lot and walked in, hand in hand. As we approached Grissom'soffice, we noticed he was in. We stopped just past his door and I could seehim rise out of the corner of my eye. He walked towards his door and that's
when we put out plan into action.

I took a step closer to Jim, so we were mere inches apart, placed my lefthand, with the ring, on Jim's cheek and kissed him on the lips. The kisslasted longer than anticipated, but achieved the desired effect.

The look on Grissom's face was priceless. We both turned to see him standingin his doorway with his jaw hanging open like a goldfish. Jim and I lookedat each other and whispered in tandem,

"Mission accomplished."

He turned to leave and I playfully patted his butt and he turned to me andwinked. As Jim exited the lab, Grissom was still standing and gawking.His eyes were glued to my hand and the ring. I almost felt sorry for him.

TBC?