This is officially the last chapter that will also explain my story title. So read and please, do review.
They made it to the airport quickly but faced another challenge.
„Uh... Grissom... what flight did they take? There isn't a direct Las Vegas – London route so they have to go somewhere else before."
He froze. Sara was right but which flight they were taking, he had never asked. He decided to take a wild guess. „Miami? Philadelphia? I don't know!"
„Okay, no panic. Let's check the latest flights out."
They took a look on the big screen and felt their anguish grow. There were dozens of flights leaving Vegas and numerous possibilities to where Greg and Catherine could've been headed.
„Miami 16:30? Or Philadelphia 16:50? Or Philadelphia 16:25? It is almost five o'clock and they couldn't have been here before 16:15. And you need to be here half an hour before. So... Philadelphia 16:50?"
They ran towards Gate 8 but it was closed. Lady at the table was just closing.
Grissom took the chance, „Excuse me, miss? Is this the 16:50 Philadelphia plane?"
„Yes, but you're late. It has took off already."
„We need to know if a Catherine Willows and Greg Sanders were onboard."
The lady smiled politely but said, „I'm sorry, I can't tell you that. Company policy."
Grissom felt as if everything was gone but Sara acted quickly. She pulled out her badge and said, „Las Vegas PD, CSI. Could we get that information now?"
The receptionist smiled apologizingly and said, „Certainly. Willows and Sanders, right? Hmm... no, no one under these names took this flight. I'm sorry."
„But when is the next flight to Miami due?"
„In three minutes. Gate 42, but they're already closing."
Love gives you wings – Grissom and Sara made it to Gate 42 in three and a half minutes but it was already closed.
Sara repeated the question to this receptionist and she answered, „No, I'm sorry, we didn't have any Willows or Sanders on board."
„Damn it! Did we really lose them?" Grissom couldn't believe his bad luck.
„I'll go and check the timetable again; maybe their on the next flight," and with those words Sara was gone.
Grissom sat down and sighed. Had he really lost the only person he deeply cared of? And he never got the chance to tell her how he really felt...
Just then someone covered his eyes with two palms and he figured it was Sara. „Sara, please, we don't have..." but stopped mid-sentence as he recognized something. It was a very distinctive perfume - bitterish-sweet and very familar. But it couldn't have been...
„Surprise," he heard a soft voice behind him and turned around.
„Catherine!" he practically yelled in surprise and joy and pulled her into a warm embrace. She was there, she really was.
He finally let her go and looked at her, „But how can you be here? I thought you went to Europe with Greg and the last flights already took off. And where is Greg anyway?"
She smiled, „My guess is, with Sara."
Sara was gazing at the timetable and learned that there weren't any flights to Miami or Philadelphia in another two hours. So Greg was really gone with Catherine. She couldn't stop the single tear that rolled down her cheek but was caught by someone's finger.
She turned to see who it was and lost her breath.
„A pretty lady like you shouldn't be crying," Greg said, smiling.
Sara couldn't say anything but just hugged him tightly. „What are you doing here and not on a plane to Miami or Philadelphia?"
„First you tell me what you are doing here."
She hadn't quite thought of anything particular to say but to her surprise the words just came out.
„I couldn't let you go with Catherine because I want you to be with me. I didn't realize it until you left today and it just hit me that when I'll see you again, you may be tightly attached to Catherine. And I can't let that happen because..." her voice trailed off, not quite sure of what to say, not quite ready to say it.
But Greg didn't mind. Actions speak louder than words and he simply kissed her. She hadn't expected this but greeted the kiss anyway.
When they parted, Sara started, „I just wanted to say that..." but was cut off.
„I know. Me too," and kissed her again what she didn't mind at all.
„With Sara?" Grissom didn't understand anything.
She nodded, smiled and asked, „But what are you two doing here anyway?"
Now came the hard part for Grissom. He wasn't good at showing his feelings and to say I love you was hard for him. He decided to start from the beginning.
„Catherine, I've been such a fool not to do this before. We have known each other for what – ten years?"
„Make it fifteen," and she smiled.
„Fifteen years and we have become incredibly close. I know that I can trust you with everything and I hope you trust me as well. It seems there is nothing in this world that I couldn't say to you but there is one thing I have not dared to say."
He let her go of his embrace and instead took her hands into his. „You have been my best friend who has helped me put through everything. But until today, until you were to head off with another man, I didn't realize what it is I really want. I don't want you to be my friend, I want to you to be mine. So I could tell everyone „this is the woman I love" because, Catherine, I do love you. Always have and always will."
There were tears in her eyes as he finished.
„I understand if you don't feel the same..." he quietly said.
She silenced him with a tender yet passionate kiss. When they parted, he said, „I guess this answers my question."
„I love you too, Gil, love you with all my heart."
They were still hugging when Sara and Greg got to them, holding each other.
„Hey, you two lovebirds. I think it is time that Catherine and Greg explain what just went on here."
The two looked at each other and Greg started, „Well, you see, it was actually Catherine's idea..." as they walked away from the airport.
XOXOXO
It was day off for the graveyard shift and they had all gone to a jazz club for some nice music and dancing. Greg was with Sara and Catherine with Grissom, obviously, while Nick had taken Wendy from the lab and Warrick was with Lindsey. She had begged mom until Catherine couldn't take it and allowed her to come. And Warrick, who didn't have a date, had offered to take Lindsey instead.
They sat down, ordered champagne and talked about everything that had happened. Everything except for work, as they had had enough work already. Then they all headed to the dancefloor.
Catherine watched as Warrick twirled Lindsey and said, „This is probably the best evening of her life."
„She'll remember it; I mean, how often can a 14-year old come to this kind of a place," Gil smilingly replied.
Catherine smiled and said, „I didn't mean that. She gets to dance with Warrick."
„Oh?"
She continued, whispering, „I think she has a crush on him."
„Seriously? How do you know? Do you read her diary?"
She looked a bit offended, „Gil, I'm her mother, I just know these things."
„Motherly instinct?"
„Something like that."
They laughed as the band started a tune.
„Oh my god!" Catherine exclaimed.
„What?"
„That is the song that kept playing when I was constantly thinking of the only man I have ever loved."
„Really? Where is he now?" he sounded a bit nervous and jealous.
She laughed at his reaction. „He's right here in my arms," and kissed him as the song started to play.
I'm mad about the boy
I know it's stupid to be mad about the boy
I'm so ashamed of it but must admit the sleepless nights I've had
About the boy
„I still can't believe that you and Catherine set this whole thing up just to get me and Grissom," Sara said, smiling.
„Well, if we wouldn't have, we would not be here right now," Greg answered.
„I like that we are," Sara replied. She put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.
On the silverscreen
He melts my foolish heart in every single scene
Although I'm quite aware that here and there are traces of the cad
About the boy
Lord knows I'm not a fool girl
I really shouldn't care
Lord knows I'm not a school girl
Whose in the fury of her first affair
„So, Wendy, I hope you like this," Nick said to start a casual conversation.
„Yeah, this is a really nice place and I am with a really nice guy," she replied.
He blushed a little but then said, „Well, I do have the prettiest date around," making her blush in return.
Will it ever cloy
This odd diversity of misery and joy
I'm feeling quite insane and young again
And all because I'm mad about the boy
„This is so great that mom let me come with you guys. I have never been anywhere so beautiful," Lindsey said, looking around.
Warrick smiled. „Yeah, it sure is beautiful here. And you are a pretty girl."
She blushed and giggled a little. Warrick was her secret crush, after all.
So if I could employ
A little magic that will finally destroy
This dream that pains me and enchains me
„I am so happy, I could just stay here and dance forever," Catherine murmured, dancing in Gil's embrace.
„Mmm... me too. And the most important is being with the woman I love."
She looked up at him and whispered, „I love you, Gil."
„I know Cath, I love you too."
And they danced and danced as if tomorrow was far away.
But I can't because I'm mad...
I'm mad about the boy
Well, this is the end. Sniff. This story has been like my baby and it's sad to let go. But thanks to all who have reviewed and a warm thanks to all who will review. Cause you know, you will :)
PS. Just in case – the song is „Mad About The Boy" by Dinah Washington.