Grissom ran into the ER just as they were bringing Catherine in. It all felt so familiar to him, the ER, the staff, the sense of urgency. He had been here just a few months ago for Sara; but it seemed like a long time ago. Now he was here for Catherine; his stomach had knots in it and he felt his hands begin to shake. A nurse directed him to the exam room where Catherine was being taken.

He was relieved when he entered the room and saw that she was awake. The doctor was examining her and she seemed a little groggy, but she was alive and awake. Gil began to relax but was still concerned. Slowly he moved toward her. She looked up and spotted him as he moved into the room. "Gil," she called to him.

Edging beside the bed opposite the side the doctor stood on, Gil was studying her intently for reassurance that she really wasn't in serious danger. She was groggy and seemed disoriented but her eyes came into focus when she saw him. He smiled weakly as his eyes met hers. There was so much he wanted to say, wanted to ask; but the words stuck in his throat. His heart was pounding and every breath he took seemed too shallow. His chest felt like it was about to explode. Swallowing hard, he opened his mouth to speak but words just wouldn't come out. His whole world was lying on that hospital gurney; that truth was painfully being made clear to him as he stood there, struggling to control his fear and simply watching.

As she observed him, Catherine understood how strongly he was being affected by all of this. Unsteadily, her hand reached for him, grasping at his. "Gil…"

Responding to her movement, he stepped closer and took her hand. It felt warm in his. "Good," he thought as he relaxed just a little more. He covered their hands with his other hand, holding onto her for both of their sakes. His mouth still wouldn't work but maybe his touch would be enough, he hoped.

"Gil….I'm going to be okay," she whispered.

He glanced from her to the doctor, who nodded in agreement while he listened to her heart. Relief washed through him and his heart and lungs began to act normal. Finally, he could speak. "Cath, I….."

"It's okay, Gil. I understand. After everything with Sara, this had to have scared you." Her voice was sounding a little stronger to him.

Nodding affirmatively, "When Sam told me that it was you that got hurt, I panicked at first. But I couldn't give into the fear; I had to believe you would be okay. I couldn't stand the thought…"

"So, don't think it. I'm okay Gil. And I'm here and have no plans to be anywhere but here with you. You're stuck with me," she chuckled.

He let out a deep breath. With glistening eyes, he leaned close to her face. "You promise?"

Catherine opened her mouth to answer but the doctor interrupted. "Okay Ms. Willows, all things considered, you seem to be in pretty good shape except that you have a nasty cut and bruise on your head and a concussion to go with it. I want to keep you here overnight for observation and if things look good in the morning we'll toss you out. You are probably going to have a really bad headache for a few days but we can give you something to help with that. Is there anyone at home who can look out for you?"

Before she could answer Gil responded. "I'll be there and her mother can watch her while I'm at work."

Catherine was startled by his statement. His tone left no room for argument. He was going to be there for her….not that she ever doubted it; he had always been there when she needed him. But there was a new conviction in his tone and she knew, whether he did or not, that his commitment to her care would be unswerving to the point of obnoxious. Something inside of her glowed at that thought. Finally, he was hers. Closing her eyes, she relaxed and settled into the warmth of knowing that he loved her.

The doctor continued. "We'll get you settled in a room and Gil can visit with you there."

"Oh, I'm not visiting…I'm staying with her until she is released." His tone was matter of fact.

"But our visiting hours are…"

"I could have lost her today, Doc." His eyes were shining a little too brightly, Catherine thought. "I'm not letting her out of my sight until I know that she really is okay." Now his expression was defiant. Catherine knew that Gil was entrenched and the doctor could argue all he wanted too but Gil Grissom was going to be a fixture at her bedside, no matter what hospital regulations said. She had never loved him more than she did at that moment. More than that, she loved that he loved her.

While Catherine was being taken to her room, Gil called Lily to tell her about her daughter. Lily rushed to the hospital and found Catherine and Gil in the room. She fussed and fidgeted over her daughter until Catherine thought she would explode. Gil remembered that Catherine had commented that since Sam Braun's death, Lily had been even more diligent in her relationships with her daughter and granddaughter, sometimes driving them insane. It was showing now.

Eventually Catherine reminded Lily that someone needed to be home for Lindsey. Lily got the hint and headed out, promising to bring Lindsey back that evening. As she turned to leave, Catherine reminded her mother that Lindsey was going to an overnight party at her friend's house and had to be there by ten because the parents were locking the girls in at that time. Lily nodded and waved as she exited the room.

Gil smiled as he watched Lily leave. Turning to Catherine, he grinned. "I think she was probably a lot like you in her younger days," he commented.

Catherine rolled her eyes. "Gil….sometimes you are clueless. No woman ever wants to be told that she is like her mother."

Smirking, Gil responded. "But I meant it as a compliment. She's so….full of life."

"And you're full of….something too." She smiled and then groaned. "It hurts to smile."

Pulling his chair close to the bed, he took her hand and in his and gently kissed it. "Then close your eyes and take a nap. I'm here and I'm not letting go. Let me do all the worrying, you rest."

She gazed into his bright blue eyes, marveling at the turn of events that had brought them together. Even with a sore head, she thought, everything is perfect.

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