Disclaimer: You know the drill.

Catherine collected Grissom on the ER ramp, and the ride to his townhouse was lively. Gil told her blow for blow what happened in the ER, leaving out one event. The unprecedented puke would not be revealed under threat of death.

But if there ever was a blind side punch, Catherine asked, "So did you tell her you blabbed about you two?"

At that moment, Grissom was sipping coffee she brought him and spewed it all over the dash, "Jesus, Catherine, do you have to be so blunt."

"Answer my question," she replied sternly.

"It didn't come up."

"You are something," shaking her head. "Anyway, why don't you let me go get some things for Sara at her place, that way you can get back there faster."

He winced, cringed, and fumbled with words, "um, it's Ok, really"

"What are you trying to say?" she glared at him.

"It's all one stop, she lives with me now."

"Oh, Geez, you two were living together!"

He just shrugged, nodded, and looked out the window.

"Just how many other secrets do you have?"

"That was the biggie."

She just rolled her eyes and kept driving. Finally, in a reserved voice, "Gil, I know you're not one to share anything personal, but there's one question that's been nagging the begeebees outta me over all this. Do you mind?"

"Ask away. Lord knows I owe you for this massive lie of omission I've been hiding from a good friend. I hope you understand why I had to do it though."

"Well, that's another talk, another day." Pausing, choosing her words carefully before speaking, "Gil, you are not the type of person driven by emotion to act, and you keep personal relationships at arm's length. For a man like you to cross the line, and enter a relationship which could potentially, seriously, derail your career, it must have looked like stepping over the Grand Canyon. What in the world made it something you could do?"

"Mmmm, well, I guess the answer is that when that moment came, it didn't look anything like the Grand Canyon, it didn't even look like a line at all, it was more like a Greek sailor trying to pass the Sirens," and he gave that look he always does when he quotes something.

"That's great; you know that doesn't tell me much. I guess that's what you intended," shaking her head.

"Well, tell me this, do you want to know out of curiosity, or are you possibly in a similar situation?" he retorted, eyebrows raised, a vague reference to her interaction with Warrick.

"C'mon Gil, how long have we known each other? You know I don't fish from the company pier! I just want to understand this. Besides, like you said, you owe me!"

"You're right; I know what you want to know. Let me try to answer it." Taking a deep breath, he started, "I don't know about 'love at first sight' or anything, but I met Sara and something clicked. I kept in touch with her, but I couldn't figure out how to start up a relationship. She was too young for me, we lived in different states, and I felt something so different for her, even though I couldn't define it, it was so scary and intoxicating at the same time. Anyway, when the opportunity came, I brought her into the lab, but, that wasn't really too smart, now what, I can't date her! We started a cruel cycle of me flirting, her responding, me pushing her away, and around again. I couldn't confront it, but she finally did, and I shot her down. I don't know why she stayed, but she did. I was that guy you described in your question, I think I truly loved her then, but I was looking across the Grand Canyon."

Catherine laughed softly, understanding.

"I know you remember the time she lost it to you and Ecklie over those Russian women we found buried in tar."

"Oh yes, that was ugly."

"In more ways than one. Anyway, I went over to her place to confront her. If you think I'm private, Sara makes me look like the office gossip. It took hours, but I finally got her to tell me about why she was so angry so often. All of a sudden, I understood her, completely. But, she needed more counseling, so I made sure she got it. I knew it would be painful for her, and since I had more or less forced it on her, I couldn't let her go through it alone. I began checking up on her, taking her to appointments, we started spending time together, talking about things. I couldn't wait for those times; we talked about anything but work and we never ran out of topics."

"That's sweet, but I still see 'Grand Canyon'," Catherine interjected.

Grissom laughed, "You're right again, I didn't jump right in."

"So, what pushed you over that line," Catherine coaxed him. She could tell he was starting to clam up.

"It's really a bit embarrassing."

"Gil, you've gone this far…"

"OK," he sighed heavily, "I've learned living in this town, most men are turned on by women getting dressed up, decked out, made up, and all that." He shrugged, "I suppose I'm wired backwards, I find a beautiful woman who is casual and comfortable so much more…. intimate."

He shook his head, wrung his hands a bit before going on, "I knew how she had trouble sleeping at times, so after a particularly trying shift I did some paperwork, and then picked up some breakfast and went over to check on her. I had to see her, to just see she was OK. I never imagined she was able to sleep! She answered the door after a while, hair all over the place, her tank top a bit askew, and sweats that might have been in the dryer one too many times. She had been dead asleep and was practically sleep walking, clearly oblivious to the effect she had on me, turned and invited me in while she padded back to her sofa. I was already attracted to her, physically, intellectually, and emotionally connected; but when I saw her this intimately….whoa, it was over, the last of my defenses melted away, that being my weakness. I realized I couldn't continue to suppress my feelings any longer. It was all I could do not to take her in my arms and back to her bed that very second."

Catherine's eyebrows shot up, even knowing about their relationship; she had trouble picturing her friend acting so vulnerable, so human.

"I managed to leave, but not without asking for a date. She didn't accept right away. It started a marathon heart to heart talk. And let's just say neither one of us are too good at that kind of business. I had to do some serious damage control for all those years, major begging. When that night came, it was a Sunday, I think, and there was no line at all….or if there was one, I was well over it already before I kissed her that first time"

His voice drifted off, his eyes closed, he was thinking about the most singularly passionate episode of his life. The kiss…. The kiss led directly to making the most sensational love that was beyond any he could have dreamt of. Seven years of sexual tension between two people can bring about an incredibly passionate moment after all.

They were in the driveway. Catherine had tears in her eyes, seeing her friend as she had never imagined him, but had always hoped for him. She recognized the value of the gift he had just presented, a glimpse at his most private moments. And Sara, still a mystery, was now seen in a whole new light. Of course, now Catherine would be tormented wondering what Sara revealed to Gil to bring them together emotionally, but she dare not go there. She knew he would soon regret what he'd already told her, and that was clearly guarded territory. She was also a bit stunned to realize how long they had been together, and how long Gil had been potentially in love with her. How didn't we see it?

"That was a beautiful answer, I mean I really think I understand now. And don't worry, I know how hard that was for you, it won't go past me."

He nodded, trusting her.

"But, Gil, just one more question?"

"Now what," he replied in an exasperated tone.

"Is your car still at the lab? How were you planning to get back to the hospital?"

He looked in the driveway and let out a massive sigh, then with a sideways grin, "Gosh, I must be beyond exhausted, um, so, can I catch another ride from you?"

TBC…..

A/N: This was a tough chapter to write, but I couldn't resist trying to put yet another theory about how Grissom and Sara got together. If you want to call me to task for taking Grissom out of character, revealing such private details, I understand. I just hoped his emotional state made it OK, plus I couldn't resist.

For those of you looking for Dr. Lurie, I promise, next chapter!