THIS CHAPTER IS DEDICATED TO ALL MY FANS - OKAY, EVERYONE WHO HAS DROPPED A LINE SINCE I STARTED POSTING BACK ON HERE - THIS IS FOR YOU. AS IS EVERYTHING NOW. I'M BEGINNING TO WRITE AS MUCH FOR THOSE WHO READ THE STORIES AS I AM FOR MY OWN ENJOYMENT. ONCE AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE POSITIVE REVIEWS.

The music was washing all over them - Nick and Greg's reaction to the jazz surprised Brass, who wouldn't have figured they'd be as moved by it as they were. Then again, it could have been because they were trying to impress two women who were standing nearby, but Brass didn't feel it his place to judge. Warrick and Catherine were sitting in companionable silence, occassionally swapping the odd comment, but mainly enjoying each other's presence. What an unlikely couple. Then Grissom and Sara - the two enigmas of the team. Brass wasn't all that surprised they had hooked up, though he wondered why it took them long enough to get together. Grissom may have been his friend, but he cared for Sara too, especially after being the first person to suspect an alcohol issue somewhere. So he was happy they were finally a couple. The only issue was the volatile nature of their relationship - both were head-strong, although Grissom could be deliberately obtuse sometimes, a trait that Sara obviously didn't like too much. Then again, she had her own quirks, and they definitely bothered Grissom, in the context that he hated her not telling him anything about what was troubling her.

Brass smiled to himself, sipping his scotch, wanting to know when such a propensity for psychoanalysis had become a dominant trait in his personality. Fair enough, he had been a cop for many years, but had always avoided questioning motives. Damn the geeksquad he thought affectionately. They were all getting under his skin.

"You think Brass is okay?" Sara asked Grissom, leaning into his side a bit more.

Grissom glanced over his shoulder, catching Jim's attention. he detective nodded at him, a smile on his face. "Yeah, he's fine," Grissom replied, turning his head back to the front, where the jazz genius from Yale was playing. Gil pressed a kiss to Sara's cheek. "You enjoying yourself?" he asked.

"Yeah. It's just nice to be with everyone away from work." They were silent for a while, basking in the glory and atmosphere of a bygone era.

"Man, that was some musician," Warrick enthused, taking care to not walk along with Catherine in case they aroused too much suspicion. Instead, he chose to stride along with Brass.

Catherine was keeping Nick and Greg company, secretly marvelling at the talent the guys on the nightshift had - except for Brass and Grissom. Yes, Brass was nice, but Brass was Brass - not her type. And Grissom? The bugs. The bodyfarm. The non-existent social life. Yeah, great potential. Not. But Nick? Warrick? Even Greg? They were all young, all pretty buff, all had their hearts in the right place too. Just a shame she couldn't have them all. She'd have to settle for Warrick.

"So, what's the story between you and Rock Boy?" Nick teased.

Catherine put a hand on his sleeve. "Dear Nicky, are you jealous?"

"No way, Cath." Her face fell. "Well, me and him, we're not too averse to sharin'," he joked. Catherine quickly withdrew her hand.

"Nicky, you are gross. I don't even care if you're joking." She looked over her shoulder. "I'm gonna go talk to Sara," she said, grateful for an excuse to escape.

"Hey, Sara," Catherine said, hanging back.

Sara looked up and smiled. "Hey. How are you?" She seemed preoccuppied.

"Fine, thanks. You?" She studied her face. "Are you okay?"

"I'm just thinking, that's all." She looked around her. "It's wonderful, just being here with all you guys."

"And Grissom?"

Sara tried to keep a smile from bursting across her lips. "Yeah, him especially."

"Where is he now?"

"With Jim and Warrick. He needs his guy space. I insisted."

Catherine nodded knowingly, secure in the knowledge that Grissom was not participating in the men's conversation. She flashed him a wink over her shoulder, letting him know she was on to whatever was going on. "That normally means you need to space. Why can't you just tell him that?"

"Because I enjoy being around him. I don't want him to think that I'm giving him the shoulder or anything like that. I love him, but I'm not sure he understands me too well sometimes."

"Then maybe you should explain to him why that is. Give him a chance. I know it's a long shot, but he may surprise you." Catherine patted her arm. "Trust me. And look at him. He wants to be with you. Jim and Warrick are killing him with macho talk."

"Yeah, that's something - you and Warrick. Care to divulge?"

Catherine grinned evasively. "Maybe when you're older." They both laughed. "Come on, rescue Spiderman from the automobile crew."

Sara smiled shly at Grissom. "Hey," she whispered.

He took her hand. "Wanna explain what that was about?"

"I'm using my unwillingness to talk as an excuse to push you away," Sara told him immediately.

"Woah, I was expecting to have to torture the truth out of you."

"Would I have enjoyed it?"

"Maybe. So, what's up?"

"Not out here, Gil. I'd rather tell you when we get back to our room. Bit more private, no-one around." She was comforted by the strength and heat of his grip.

"See, I could interpret that two ways. Either, you want sex, or there's private stuff you want to talk about."

"It could be both," Sara replied, making Grissom prick his ears up, "but it will probably be the latter."

His face fell, and he pulled her closer to his body, their feet falling in step with each other. "Okay."

"That all?"

"If you need to talk, I'm not gonna try and jump you. I have more respect for you than that."

"That's why I love you."

"Yeah, it's why I love me."