Leaving Las Vegas

Chapter One- He Said He's Changed

What happens to Grissom when Catherine decides to return to an old flame?

Disclaimer: I own no one and nothing in CSI.

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Catherine arrived at work a little later than usual, looking like a mess. She didn't greet anyone when she walked in, which earned raised eyebrows from Warrick and Nick. "What did you eat?" Greg piped up. Catherine glared at him and Nick elbowed him in the ribs, shaking his head. Catherine didn't answer. "Is Grissom in his office?" she asked, trying hard to control her onslaught of emotions. Sara nodded quickly, a little frightened of Catherine in her emotional state. "Thanks." She muttered and headed out, leaving the rest of the team confused. "What's gotten into her?" Warrick wondered.

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Catherine walked into Grissom's office without knocking. He didn't need to look to know it was her. He looked up and as usual his heart skipped the beat at the sight of the strawberry blonde standing before him. "What's up Cath?' he asked, then stopped when he caught sight of her tearful eyes. He quickly stood up to stand beside her and wrap her in a hug. To his surprise, she pulled away. "Ed called me." She stated plainly. "He said he changed and he lives in Miami. He's working at this company now and off his drug habit." Grissom was already shaking his head. "You can't be serious about this Catherine. Remember last time?" he reminded her. He couldn't believe that jerk still had a hold on Catherine's heart and part of him was jealous. Catherine's eyes brimmed with tears. "But shouldn't I give him a second chance? I mean he is Lindsay's father and she needs a dad in her life." She reasoned, not only with Grissom but with herself. It wasn't fair for her daughter to grow up without a father and with a mother who worked as much as she did.

Grissom placed his hands on her shoulders. Every nerve in his body screamed at him to tell Catherine that Ed was bad news, but looking at the grief in her eyes, he held his tongue. She still cared for him and it would be good for Lindsay to see her father. "Go meet him, Cath." He said softly. It tore him apart to tell Catherine to see another man, but maybe it would be for the best. "Find out if he's changed and then we'll see from there." Catherine looked up at him with soft eyes. "I hope he has, Gil. I really hope he has."

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Lindsay was ecstatic at the thought of meeting her father. She had been three when the divorce happened. Catherine watched her daughter, the light of her life, with soft eyes. Even though Ed had never been the greatest husband, he had given her one thing, Lindsay, her only daughter. She smiled at the little girl, who was trying to pack everything except the kitchen sink. Catherine reached over to pat the little girl on the head. "Easy squirt. We'll be there for a week, not a year." She said smiling. Lindsay responded with a toothy grin of her own. "I think I got everything Mommy." She said. Catherine ruffled her daughter's red hair that was just a few shades darker than her own. "Alright, I think I hear Gil's car." She said.

Grissom caught sight of the red headed girl first before he spotted her mother. The little girl dove into the backseat of the car with a bright smile, so much like her mother's. "Hey Uncle Gil, can you drive fast to the airport?" she asked. Grissom laughed. "If I wanna get arrested Butterfly." Catherine opened the trunk and jumped back at the sight of Grissom's bugs. "Hey Gil. I think you got a little junk in your trunk." She called a little disgusted. He got out of the car. "Oh I forgot I had them here. He quickly moved them into the backseat and Lindsay moved away with a frightened look on her face. "What are those?" she asked with big eyes. Grissom started to explain the rarity and habitat of every single one of his bugs when Catherine clapped a hand over his mouth. "Easy Bugboy." She said. "Make sure the lid is on tight." He responded by waving a jar in front of her face. She groaned and continued shoving suitcases in the trunk.

After both the suitcases were in the car and every bug was accounted for and securely locked in their boxes, Catherine slid into the passenger seat. Grissom started the engine and drove slowly, not wanting the drive to end. He peaked to her side every once in a while just to gaze at her. He ran a red light and car horns beeped at him. "Shit." He muttered, then blushed knowing full well that Catherine didn't approve of cussing in front of her eight year old daughter, even though she had a colorful language herself. "Sorry." He said, getting a smile from the woman seated beside him. It was enough to elevate him to the highest mountaintop.

He dropped them off at the airport and Catherine thanked him and pecked him on the cheek. "Call me when you get there." He called after them. Catherine waved and winked, Lindsay bounced up and down, waving. He smiled to himself. There they go, the two most important women in the world. He wished them a safe trip and hoped that Catherine would come back to him. He wanted to be brave and tell her, but he couldn't. He gazed at her retreating back. He loved her.

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Hope you like that! Please R&R so I know whether or not I should continue.