It was late when I managed to pull myself away from my desk, still laden with full case reports. I looked at the clock on my wall and saw that I was about two-thirty in the morning. I knew that when I got home, Catherine wouldn't be there waiting for me. For the past couple months, she had been getting home later and later.

I never asked for an excuse because, I knew what was happening. I had done it already to another person; I was wise enough to see the signs, because I had at one time presented them myself.

I locked up my office and left. I walked slowly to my car, in no hurry or mood to get back to my empty house.

One my way home, I stopped at the Dunkin' Doughnuts drive-through to get a late night snack. Pulling out of the drive-through Sara was suddenly on my mind. I don't know what put her there, but suddenly I couldn't think of anything else.

I didn't manage to get Sara off my mind until I pulled up into my driveway. Catherine's car sat on the right side of the driveway. My mind began to whorl with questions…none of them could possibly have good answers.

I got out of my car slowly, prolonging every step I took towards my now not welcoming house. I unlocked the door tentatively, afraid of what awaited be on the other side. I stepped inside slowly and called out "Honey, I'm home."

I was met by silence and decided to walk further into my home. The kitchen was empty, but when I entered the living room I found Catherine sitting there with a half empty bottle of wine on the table and a full glass in her hand. The image was all too familiar, different woman, but same scenario. I was suddenly filled with dread, dread I didn't know this relationship was capable of.

"Catherine?" I asked trying to get her attention.

She looked up to me with a weird look in her eyes, one that I had seen before, one that told me there was trouble up ahead.

"Grissom…we need to talk."

Oh God, we're using my last name now…this cannot possibly be good.

"Okay, what about?" I asked sitting in a chair that sat across from the couch which currently held Catherine.

"About us…I don't know how to say this…I didn't want it to come to this…to be this way…" Catherine began to ramble and that made me more nervous.

"Catherine what are you trying to say?" I asked calmly, surprising myself at how steady my voice was.

"I cheated on you!" Catherine suddenly blurted out.

And that's when my blood ran cold and dread set in, but for different reasons than one might think. I loved Catherine and I cared for her, but not in the way I got the feeling she needed me to, and really…I just didn't want to be alone again.

"Okay…" I didn't know what to say…I was suddenly at a loss for words.

"I love you Gil I do…and I know you love me too, but just not the way I need. I just…I needed…"

"Stop…" My voice curtly cut her off and she looked worriedly up at me. "What does this mean then?"

Catherine looked almost hurt at me but then said "Grissom…if you're not going to fight for me…fight with me after I cheated on you…I think…I think we should separate."

There was silence and then Catherine suddenly continued "I don't want to work at the lab anymore…I…think I'm going to California with…"

"With who Catherine?" I said a little hurt suddenly.

"With him." She whispered out.

"So then…I guess this means we're done then?" I asked standing suddenly.

Catherine set down her wine and stood to "Gil…don't hate me." She pleaded, but the reason for her pleas were lost on me.

"I don't hate you…but…" I stopped not wanting to finish the sentence.

"Why did I do it?" Catherine asked.

I nodded and Catherine walked closer to me and said softly "Gil, your heart never belonged to me…I'm going to pack some of my things." Catherine kissed my check lightly and then left the room.

I was left standing there, dumbfounded as to what her words meant. I knew what they meant of course, and knew of the truth behind them, but whether or not I wanted to admit that I had thrown my true love away and let her get picked up by another man was another thing.

My heart hurt a little and I took notice of it when my cell phone was suddenly ringing.

"Grissom." I answered rather quietly.

"Griss?" A voice asked on the other end, that voice got my heart racing almost immediately.

"Sara…what is it? Is something wrong?" I asked wondering at why she was calling so late.

"No Griss, everything is fine, I just figured you'd still be up, so I decided to call you and tell you the news now." Sara said almost cheerfully on the other end.

My mind began to run away with all sorts of wonderful news Sara could deliver for me but realistically I answered. "What's that?"

"Ben is doing better, he can come in tomorrow…I just wanted to give you the heads up that we'll have another mind working with us." Sara said happily.

I was deflated slightly but said all the same "That's great, tell him I'm glad he's feeling better."

"Will do Griss…take care." Sara said with sincerity that made my heart flutter.

"See you tomorrow." I hung up the phone and stuffed it back into my pocket, sighing.

"That was her wasn't it?" I heard Catherine behind me.

"How did you know?"

"You always sound…happier when you talk to her, like the world is all rainbows and butterflies."

There was silence…"I do care for you Catherine."

"I know you Grissom, but I was never her, and I can't fault you for that."

"I'm sorry Catherine."

"I am too."

A/N Okay sorry it took so long to update. And if you all remember the plan i mentioned earlier, it still stands so...yeah get hopeful but not to hopeful where GSR is concerned. Sorry if this one was kinda bad too, i tried really hard to work through some tough writters block. There's about 8-10 chapters left just so you know. Thanks for all the reviews!