2?

9th September 1975 – Los Angeles

I've seen the light

And I've seen the flame

And I've been this way before

And I'm sure to be this way again

Gil Grissom strolled along the pathway. One of his professors had told him that he needed to get out more. That he couldn't just spend all his times with bugs and dead bodies.

Of course, his professor had suggested that he go and spend time at a party with some boys.

Gil Grissom didn't like parties.

And so he found himself, at 5 in the afternoon, observing people along the pathway. It was warm for autumn, with a slight breeze making the trees sway slightly.

He liked this time of day. He found it was good for people watching. Determined to make the most of his time, he sat down on a bench, ready to watch.

Gil watched three kids playing jacks in the corner of the park. Two mothers sat nearby, reading magazines.

Two runners jogged past him, unable to be missed in their fluorescent pink polyester pants. He shuddered and turned to the right.

And blinked.

And adjusted his glasses.

The girl looked familiar.

She was a little older yes, but still familiar.

Long strawberry blonde hair was pulled up into a ponytail, and swung from side to side as the girl roller-skated her way down the path.

He remembered Las Vegas, six years ago, and the impish child who had poked him and threatened to scream at him.

On that note, he thought it would be safer to stay where he was.

His eyes moved to other things, taking in the view of the land, when he heard a loud curse. Eyes moved instinctively back to where he had seen the girl, and he widened his eyes as he saw her sprawled across the pavement.

"Uh, Catherine?"

"There's pepper spray in my back pocket, so don't even THINK about touching me inappropriately!"

Gil gulped. Yes, he remembered this girl. "Uh, can I help?"

Blue eyes looked up at him, fighting to hold back tears of pain. She wiped them away with the back of her hand, and her eyes narrowed slightly. "Should I know you?"

Gil shrugged, crouching down beside her. "Probably not. I only stopped you from getting yourself killed."

Catherine's hand inched its way to her back pocket.

"Wait…" Gil put his hands up. "Please, don't blind me. My name is Gil Grissom. We met in Las Vegas six years ago outside the Tangiers. You were six. I was fourteen. You came tearing out of the casino, almost running into the traffic and getting yourself killed. You had the biggest attitude I have ever seen on a six year old, and your mother came out wearing a leotard and feathers, taking you back inside again. And you poked me. Hard."

The hand slowly moved away from the back pocket, before pausing. "Are you stalking me?"

"I should be asking you that question, since I live here."

The hand relaxed and Catherine looked up at him. "Oh."

Gil smirked. "I think that's the first time I've succeeded in shutting you up since I met you."

Catherine whacked him on the shoulder. "You're a wiseass."

"And you have a mean right hook," Gil frowned, rubbing his shoulder. "Have you hurt anything?"

"Just a scrape," came the reply.

"And where's your mother?"

"With my dad and sister. In the kiddy playground." Catherine shrugged. "Figures we'd come all the way to LA for a holiday and end up at the playground."

"You sound unhappy."

Catherine arched an eyebrow. "What are you, a shrink?"

"I notice the attitude hasn't changed. And no, I'm not a psychiatrist. I'm training to be a forensic examiner."

Catherine blinked. "English, please."

"I look at dead bodies and see how they died."

"EWWWW!" Catherine edged away. "Have you washed your hands?"

"Pipe down, someone will think I'm attacking you." Gil frowned. "And since you don't seem to like my profession, what are YOU going to be…when you grow up."

Catherine folded her arms. "Grow up? I'm twelve years old, thank you very much. And I'm going to be Mrs David Cassidy."

Gil arched an eyebrow. "So instead of being a shrink, you're going to need one?"

Catherine glared at him. "Don't make me hit you again."

"Here, let me help you up."

With a bit of effort, Gil hauled Catherine back onto her feet. She stared defiantly back at him.

"Will I get invited to the wedding?"

Catherine looked at him. "I don't know. Only if you can behave yourself."

"At least I can always say I knew you back when you were an obnoxious child."

"I promise, when I write my tell-all biography, you'll have a major feature as one of the most insane people I have ever met!"

"I hope I get an autographed copy."

"We'll see."

Gil chuckled, and lifted her right hand to his, brushing his lips across it. "Goodbye, future Mrs. Cassidy. I look forward to reading about myself in your forthcoming best-seller."

With a chuckle, he made his way down the path again, deciding it had been a very good idea to go out after all.

--

Song used - "I've Been This Way Before" - Neil Diamond