Grissom stood amongst the numerous boxes piled around his townhouse, as he looked around the familiar place he gave yet another silent thanks that he'd decided to keep his Vegas home and just rent it out instead of selling when he'd moved away to be with Sara. But that was all a distant memory now, what a fool he'd been to think he could live away from the bright lights of the city that had given him so much. How he could live away from his friends and the ones he'd come to regard as his family. And most of all, what a fool he had been to think that he could have any kind of romantic relationship with the moody brunette. Sure, it had been fun and a little thrilling at first but all that had soon changed. He'd realised quickly after leaving his home to follow her to the jungle that nothing was what it seemed. While she had been a good competitor intellectually she wasn't what he wanted in a marriage. He'd led himself to believe for so long that they could make it work but he had been wrong, so very wrong. They were both anti-social workaholics. And that just didn't work, he had foolishly thought it could but after being with someone just like him he came to realise just how wrong it was. He'd once heard a statement along the lines of dreamers needing realists and vice versa, he now believed that statement to be true. He needed someone who was social, who enjoyed activities outside of work, someone who was vibrant. Someone who could pull him out of his self made cocoon of work and bugs and into the world. Someone who could make him truly live.
So here he was, back in the city of sin with a divorce underway and a home to unpack, again. He turned on the spot and again took in the amount of possessions he owned, he'd always considered himself a modest man but when faced with all your worldly goods boxed up you really saw how much you owned. And it was a lot. He had no idea where to start. Sighing deeply and deciding to dive right in he made his way to the nearest stack of boxes and pulled the top one down labelled books. He'd barely removed the packing tape when a soft rapping at his door drew his attention, with a slight groan he braced his hands on the top of the books and pushed himself standing and padded his way along the wooden floorboards to answer the slowly increasing knocking. Whoever was on the other side was quite impatient.
Swinging the door open without checking the peephole he came face to face with one of his best friends, Catherine Willows. And she looked annoyed.
"Catherine, to what do I owe this pleasure?" He smiled warmly as he stepped aside so she could pass him, the soft scent of her perfume invading his senses as she breezed into his home.
He closed his door and turned to face her, watching as she took in the sight of his home. She hadn't said anything yet and he was unsure what he should do, unsure what she thought of what she saw. Catherine had always befuddled him, she was a complex woman and he never could completely understand what he should say or do around her. They'd had a back and forth banter going on for years and at one point he'd entertained the possibility that there may be something more to their friendship but then she'd encouraged him to pursue Sara and any idea of them had been shattered. Catherine wasn't the type of woman to settle down with a nerdy scientist. She went for bad boys, men who could keep up with her vibrancy. Men she could go out and have a good time with. So he'd followed her advice and made the first move in pursuing Sara by buying her a plant. Now that particular fiasco was over old feelings were pushing themselves to the surface as he studied her form while she wandered his home, her observant eyes taking in every little detail while her long fingers ghosted over the boxes as she passed them. Something about her demeanour seemed off, he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was but she didn't seem like…well Catherine. She wasn't the full of life and sparkling woman he had once known, she seemed withdrawn somehow. Not quite fully letting him see her, like she was trying to conceal something. Hide her true self from him. The only time he'd ever known her like this was when Eddie had been treating her like utter crap and she'd been too worried to tell him for fear of his reaction and opinion of her. Surely she'd not gotten herself mixed up with another character like that, he truly thought she had built herself up enough to not fall for those guys anymore. Lost in his thoughts he almost missed when she spoke, her voice barely audible despite the silence in the room.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she still hadn't faced him yet, instead choosing to pull open the flaps on the box he had been about to unpack.
He didn't have to ask what she was referring to, there was really only one thing it could be. "I didn't tell anyone." Now she did look at him, only the briefest of glances but he could see in that split second that she didn't believe him. "Catherine, how did you find out?"
Rolling her eyes despite the fact he couldn't see her she pulled the top book out and scanned the front cover as she replied. "Really Gil? You think the person who has been taking care of your affairs here wouldn't know when you suddenly moved back into your home?"
Of course she'd know, she'd been the one who had been dealing with the lease of the his house since he had left so it would only make sense that she would know when the tenants he had been renting it to moved out and he moved back in.
"So," she turned to face him finally. "what's going on? Where's Sara?"
This conversation was one that definitely called for a drink, turning on his heel he headed to the kitchen. "drink?" he called through to the blonde who was now standing staring at the open door he had just gone through.
Shaking her head at his attempt to bypass the conversation she replaced the book back in the box and moved to the only piece of furniture in the room, an old leather sofa that had been there since she had met the enigmatic scientist who was now walking towards her with two glasses in his hand. Taking her glass she didn't need to ask what the contents were, screwdriver as always when they shared drinks at his place.
"Thank you." She muttered as she took a tentative sip of the drink, she wanted to keep a clear head for this conversation. "Are you going to tell me what's going on or do I need to guess for myself?"
Grissom smirked over the rim of his glass as he took a large sip, she always was very outright and straight to the point. Moving his glass to rest near his knees he held it between both hands and looked at the hardwood floor, trying to gather what he was going to say. He lifted his head and met her eyes, one thing he always prided himself on was the ability to face things head on.
"Sara and I are no longer together. Its over."
"I figured that much." Her response came as a bit of a shock. His fingers clenched around the glass slightly, was he that easy to read?
"How?" He couldn't offer much more right now, his mind was too busy trying to figure out exactly how many people knew about the breakdown in his marriage.
Inching herself closer she took one of his hands in hers, her thumb brushing softly against his knuckles. "Gil, you're not wearing your ring."
Tilting his glass slightly he looked down at the fingers curled around it and the slight tan line left from his wedding band. It was starting to fade after not wearing it for a month but it was clearly there, a stark white stripe around his finger indicating he had once been someone's significant other. Now he was just boring old Grissom again, the bug man. Sighing he lifted the glass to his lips once more and let the liquid inside slide down his throat, desperately trying to forget the mistakes he had made regarding his love life. He should never have pursued her, never fooled himself into thinking she could be enough to make him happy.
"If you don't want to talk, that's fine. Just know that I'm here for you." Catherines soft words dragged him back to the room and the woman beside him, he had no idea how she always knew the right thing to say but she did.
She was always there for people when they needed her, offering words of comfort, an ear to listen to their problems or someone to vent to when things got too much. How many times could he say he had done the same? At the beginning he had been her shoulder to cry on, the one she had gone to for support but in the past few years things had changed. They'd changed. She no longer turned to him, she no longer confided in him. He knew he was at fault for at least part of it, he'd made some stupid decisions. He'd passed judgement on some of her life choices, like the men she dated, when he shouldn't have and that had driven a wedge between them. He missed the way they used to be. Missed her smile and the way she would laugh at his lame jokes. The movie nights they shared or just walking down the strip eating hotdogs.
"What happened to us, Catherine?"
"I don't know, you two seemed like the perfect match."
Grissom furrowed his brows, trying to catch up to her train of thought when it hit him. She thought he was referring to him and Sara, god he knew what went wrong there. She wasn't the woman he wanted.
"With us." He watched her face as realisation dawned. Her blue eyes left his and darted to their joined hands between them on the couch.
"What always happens. People drift apart." She shrugged her shoulders in an attempt to seem like it was an every day occurrence but he knew her. Knew that she felt the pain and loss as much as he did.
"Cathy," He hadn't called her that in years and it caught her attention, her head snapped back up to meet his eyes with her sparkling blue ones. "Sara's gone, we're getting a divorce." Catherine's eyes remained on his, she knew all of this. "We couldn't make it work. We tried, god did we try, but it wasn't right. She wasn't right for me."
"Who is right for you?"
Who was right for him? He knew what he wanted but he'd always been too much of a coward to go after it. Did he really have that much to lose if he took the chance now? He wasn't getting any younger and he couldn't see himself getting into the dating scene again. But did he really want to spend his later years alone in this empty house?
Taking a deep breath he let his shoulders sag slightly. "I don't know…someone," he paused, trying to gather his courage. Her hand squeezed his slightly, encouraging him to go on. "someone like you, I guess." He closed his eyes to shield himself from seeing her reaction to his muttered words.
"Grissom," she waited for him to acknowledge he had heard her, when he didn't she removed her hand from his and lightly touched his chin. The light stubble there scratching her fingers as she did. When he finally opened his eyes she continued. "I'm me."
Moments passed as her words hung in the air like a thick cloud, threatening to consume them both. Did she mean what he thought, or rather hoped, she meant? Had she pined for him all these years the way he had her? His blue eyes searched hers for the answer.
It was right there, she had opened herself to him again and he could see what had been hidden for so long.
Her love.
Smiling softly he leaned in slowly, inch by inch bringing his lips closer to hers. Hearing her breathing hitch slightly as his lips lightly brushed against hers in a barely there kiss he was suddenly very thankful yet again for the surgery that had corrected his hearing problems and allowed him the pleasure of hearing such a sound from the woman before him.
Breaking away from her he smiled at her worried frown before he removed her glass from her hand and placed it alongside his on the floor. Turning back to her he ran one hand through her silky hair while the other cupped her cheek and brought her to him again for another kiss, a much deeper and soul searching kiss. The type that makes your body tingle and shivers to run down your spine. He hoped she was feeling the same feelings he was from their intimate lip lock. He felt her hands ghost across his thighs before finding purpose on his waist and holding tightly. Her nails dug in slightly when his tongue ran along her lips before sliding alongside hers in a teasing dance. His head was spinning with all things Catherine but one thing that was forefront was that this felt right. Kissing Catherine felt like home.
His whole body was alight with sensations he hadn't felt in a long time. It had never felt like this with Sara and all he had done was kiss her. She was intoxicating and he wanted more. He broke their kiss with small pecks to her lips before pulling away, his hand remaining cupping her cheek.
"What are we doing, Catherine?" He didn't want this to stop but he needed clarification. Was this a one time deal? Was it something more? Was she offering him a pity fuck?
As if sensing his thoughts she raised her own hand and ran it along his jaw. "We're finally being honest with each other." Her smile was radiant as she removed her hand and stood from her seat next to him on the couch, causing his hand to fall into his lap.
He watched as she turned to him, her hair swaying with the movement, and offered him her hand. Taking it he stood, wondering where she was going with this. Pecking his lips lightly she turned and guided him by the hand towards his bedroom.
He could feel his palms beginning to sweat at the prospect of making love to Catherine, of not being able to satisfy her, not being good enough or fit enough. He'd seen the lovers she'd had in the past and he knew his body was nowhere near as physically attractive as theirs, it had never really bothered him before but this was Catherine. The woman he had lusted after for years. What would she think of him when she finally saw him naked and he didn't have toned abs?
They reached the bedroom and Catherine turned to face him at the end of the bed, her intuitive nature seemingly in full swing she ran her hands up his arms to his shoulders and offered another of her warming smiles. "Relax, I wont bite." Her smile turned feral. "Yet."
He watched as she sat herself on the end of the bed and leant back on her hands, watching him with a mysterious smile on her face. Her eyes slowly travelled down his body and back up again, once her eyes met his again she raised one hand and held it out to him in an invitation to join her. Gladly he placed his hand in hers and she pulled him none too gently to her, his body collided with hers and forced her onto her back on the bed, she let out a chuckle at his murmured apology and shook her head before her lips found his once again and she was kissing him.
As if sensing his nerves she used her body to roll him onto his back and straddled his stomach, his legs dangling off the edge of the bed, and sat up looking down at him. Her beautiful strawberry blonde hair falling around her face in a array of curls. He was incredibly happy she had gone back to her natural colour rather than the blonde she had been sporting over the years, he loved her however she had her hair but the red colour just made her look radiant. She tilted her head to the side trying to work out what was going through his head.
"Gil," her voice was breathy with desire. She had no idea what she was going to say, instead her fingers found the buttons of his shirt and slowly worked the small button out of the hole, moving downwards until his shirt fell open revealing his hairless chest to her. She ran her hands over the warm skin and smiled softly. "Smooth."
Gulping in much needed air his eyes watched her face as she watched her hands exploring his chest, he remembered how she had once told him she liked hairy chests and was now worried about his lack of hair. "I know its not what you usually go for."
Raising her eyes to meet his she placed one finger against his lips to silence him. "Its perfect." She bent at the waist and met his lips in yet another kiss, this one slow and sensual as opposed to the hungry and passionate ones of before.
Gils hands found her hips and held steady as they kissed. Slowly she pulled her lips from his followed by her body as she stood up, pushing himself up onto his elbows he watched as she pulled her thin sweater over her head and revealed her white lace bra to his hungry eyes. She was perfection personified standing before him in dark jeans and a white bra, her hair cascading over her shoulders. She bit her lip and her fingers found the button on her jeans, popping it open before her fingers toyed with the zipper. She hesitated and Gils eyes found hers again, reassuring her that she could stop at any time. He wouldn't force this, he wouldn't think any bad of her if she changed her mind. Instead she flashed him a sexy smile and lowered the zipper, her hands ghosted back up to the waistband of her jeans and she shimmied her hips as she slowly lowered them to the ground. Standing back up straight she stood before him now in her white bra and matching white thong. A sight he would never forget.
"This is only going to work if you undress too." Her voice was teasing in its delivery.
Scrambling quickly to his feet he inwardly cringed at his ungraceful actions and shrugged his shirt off quickly before lowering his own trousers to the ground and kicking them off, leaving him in a pair of snug black boxers and his socks. Trailing her eyes down his body she smirked at his socks making him cringe yet again. God, here she was being absolutely cool and sexy and he was being…well him. The nerdy scientist fumbling his way through an encounter with the hottest woman on earth.
Quickly bending down he pulled his socks off his feet and tossed them across the room, before he'd had chance to stand up fully again she pushed him backwards onto the bed and ran her hands up his legs until they met with the fabric of his boxers. Her hand ghosted across his arousal until they reached the waistband, her fingers dipped inside slightly while her eyes teased his. Finally she slowly pulled the fabric down his legs and let it pool at their feet, her eyes left his and made a slow journey down his body until she was level with his erection. Licking her bottom lip slightly she stood back up again.
"Scoot."
"What?" His brain seemed to have gone on lockdown and he was having a hard time thinking.
"Move up the bed." She watched as he did what she said until he was settled against the pillows. "Good boy." She grinned at him.
He took a deep breath and tried to stop the shaking in his hands. He seriously hoped he wasn't about to disappoint her. His eyes almost bulged out of their sockets when she reached behind her and unclasped her bra, letting the lacy material fall to the floor and exposing her dusky pink nipples to his eyes. What he wouldn't give to be able to wrap his lips around that small bud and hear her moan his name.
His breathing picked up pace when she hooked her fingers into her thong and eased it over her hips before letting gravity pull it the floor to join the rest of their discarded clothes. His heart pounded as he took in the sight of Catherine's naked body. His eyes ran the length of her, from her beautiful blue eyes and down over her pert, rounded breasts and down to the perfectly groomed pubic hair between her legs. His erection gave a jump as his arousal sky rocketed and his eyes jumped back up to hers, her own eyes glittered and she wore a soft grin on her face. She knew she looked good and was oozing confidence, slowly she got onto his bed on her knees and crawled over his body.
"Relax Gil, you wont enjoy this if you don't relax." She settled onto his thighs and ran her fingers over his chest in an attempt to relax him.
The feel of her naked bottom on his thighs caused him to groan softly and his hands to seek out her waist. "Cath…"
Smiling she shifted her weight slightly and bent down, pressing a kiss to his chest. Her breasts brushed against his stomach and he quickly tried to figure out if he'd ever been so close to release without actually having done anything before. The answer was quick to come, no. He had never felt like this in his life.
"Protection?" Her lips were still pressing soft wet kisses to his chest.
"Damn…" His heart sank as he quickly realised that he didn't have any condoms, he'd not had the need for them in a while so hadn't bothered to purchase any.
"Don't worry," she smiled as she climbed off of his body and disappeared out of the bedroom, she returned shortly with her handbag in her hands, one hand digging around inside before emerging again holding a foil wrapper.
"You have condoms in your purse?"
She dropped her bag onto the chair in the corner of the room and made her way back onto the bed as she tore open the wrapper. "Is that a problem?"
Quickly shaking his head Gil watched as she took his erection into her small hand and rolled the latex down his shaft until he was fully sheathed, his hips lifted and strained against her. Once covered she lowered her head and placed a soft kiss to the tip, her hair tickling his thighs.
Slowly she trailed her kisses back up his body until she was level with his face, she placed a soft kiss against his lips and sat up straight. Her eyes were sparkling as she moved her body until she was hovering above him. Grissom couldn't believe this was actually happening, that this amazing woman was actually about to make love to him.
He didn't have long to ponder on this though as he felt her hand take hold of his erection and guide it into her as she slowly lowered herself. His hands shot up and grabbed her hips as the sensations of her warm heat surrounded him. He let out a low growl at the feeling, her own moan mixing with his as her head dropped back slightly and her eyes closed.
She let go of his shaft as her body fully accepted him. She paused for a moment, letting the feeling of them finally being joined wash over their bodies. Grissom, not able to tear his eyes away from the sight of her sat above him, let out a shuddering breath and stroked a hand up the side of her body.
At the feel of his roaming hand Catherine opened her eyes and looked down at the man beneath her, she smirked slightly and slowly rolled her hips bringing an immediate stop to his exploring. His eyes closed and his head dropped back against the pillows. The feeling of her riding him was something he couldn't describe.
What started out slow quickly built in pace as her hips began moving at a faster rate, he could do nothing but go along for the ride as her expert ministrations brought him to the edge of oblivion. He felt every little move she made, every change in speed and direction. He felt when she angled her body just slightly and god, when she let out that moan he instinctively knew she had moved her body in that way to ensure there was contact with her clitoris.
He opened his eyes once again, the sight that greeted him would forever be etched into his memory. If one day, heaven forbid, he lost his mind this moment was one he wanted to retain. Catherine moving above him, her breasts bouncing, her mouth open moaning and gasping, her eyelids fluttering with the sensations going through her body. It was a sight to behold. One he wanted to see again and again.
Suddenly feeling bold, whether it being the sight of Catherine riding him or the knowledge that her increasing moans of pleasure were because of him, he roughly grasped her waist and moved her body to the bed. His actions causing his erection to leave her body and her eyes to open in shock, however he was quick to rectify that as he moved on top of her and thrust himself back in. The usual careful, reserved man had turned almost feral.
All he knew in that moment was that he wanted to feel her around him, under him. He wanted her entire being to fill his senses, he wanted her trembling with pleasure.
As his body thrust into her again and again he felt her hands roam across his back, he dropped his head to her shoulder and placed kisses along it up to her neck. As he reached his destination he felt her body arch into his, stiffen then drop boneless to the bed as she whimpered out his name.
He lifted his head from her neck and looked at her face as his movements faltered slightly.
"Did you...?"
Catherine reached her hands up and cupped his face, a smile lighting up her own face as she nodded.
Groaning at the knowledge he had just made Catherine freaking Willows have an orgasm he dropped his head again and sped up his movements.
It didn't take long for him to reach his own satisfaction, with the help of Catherine quietly muttering sexy, filthy words into his ear.
After disposing of the condom he lay on his back trying to gather his breath, his hand resting on his stomach and Catherine lay beside him equally panting. A few short moments later though she turned onto her side and snuggled against him, one leg tangling with his as her hand found the one resting on his stomach and lacing their fingers together. The feel of her breasts pressing into the side of his body reminded him all the more of what had just occurred between them. He looked down at her and raised his free hand to run his fingers through her hair.
"I'm glad I came back."
Catherine smiled at him and stretched her body up to meet his lips in a soft kiss. "So am I. But..."
His heart sank at her words, his eyes scanning her face for any indication of what she was going to say. Had she not liked it? He thought she had. She had certainly seemed to be enjoying herself at the time.
"If you ever decide to find someone like me again I will hunt you down."
Letting out a relieved breath he smiled at her. "Darling, why would I need someone like you when I can have you."
Smiling they curled up on the bed together and thought about how life was about to change now they had finally found each other.