A/N: Another chapter-thank you for reading.

Gil Grissom's Romance Part 2

Chapter 30

The rest of the day passed in a whirlwind of sorrow and celebration. Everyone appeared to be relieved and pleased to have Catherine Willows return in an unexpected way. Naming her as sheriff had been a surprise that seemed to be working.

Catherine looked good on camera, calling many of the reporters by name as she answered questions. And she was good at answering questions even when the answer was not straightforward. The behind-the-scenes-wealthy political players of Vegas knew and liked Catherine; no one questioned her holdings in one of the newest resorts on the Strip. If anything, people thought of it as a good thing.

The mourning period for a sheriff had no blueprint but the ritual for death was well-established and that moved forward with astonishing speed.

And the hunt for the sheriff's killer continued.

After several hours of poring over case files, Grissom had retreated to the break room for a needed cup of coffee when Catherine showed up. He had hoped for a few minutes of solitary thought, but that was not to happen as she dropped into the chair next to him and arranged another chair for her feet.

Laughing, she said, "I don't even remember getting here—and now I'm the sheriff."

"You'll do fine, Catherine. What about the FBI? How will you handle that?"

Another laugh. "I'm on unpaid leave for six months. I don't think I want this job permanently but I can handle six months."

When Grissom said nothing, Catherine leaned against his shoulder, asking, "What about you? What are you doing here? I mean—Nick said you were in San Diego when he got a call from Sara. David Hodges threatening the reputation of the lab is pretty damn extreme—do you think he really did anything?"

Pointing to his untouched cup, her eyebrows lifted in an unasked question. Grissom scooted it to her hand.

Catherine continued talking, "I can't believe Hodges would shoot Ecklie—I mean, he was always brown-nosing, so what pushed his button? Ecklie hired Hodges! I mean—to kill someone—what would cause that?" She took a long swallow of coffee. "What did Heather say? Was Hodges involved with her? Imagine that—Hodges and Ecklie sharing the same woman." She wiggled her shoulders in a fake shiver. "I don't even want to go there."

She took another swallow of coffee; Grissom remained silent.

"Did you know his mother is terminally ill? Greg said only a few people knew. She's in hospice care—in a coma. He spent the night sitting in a chair in her room before driving to Heather's place."

Grissom had been working for several hours reviewing open cases, searching for any damage David Hodges might have done with evidence. While the search had gone on for the killer, he had been immersed in past cases. As he sat silently while Catherine chattered on, his conscious mind delved into Hodges' mother's illness.

Finally, he broke in, saying, "Wait a minute. Terminally ill—Hodges' mother? Do you know the illness?"

"Liver failure, according to Henry. Why?"

Grissom remembered something. He said, "Hodges said something to Ecklie—'you did this'—something like that. What did he mean? Did what?"

Catherine pointed a finger and clicked her tongue, saying, "You've still got it." Taking her phone she tapped out a message.

A few minutes passed before Sara entered the room followed by Greg and Nick.

Smiling, Catherine said, "It's like old times, isn't it?"

Nick and Greg grinned.

"What's up?" Sara asked as she took a chair across the table from Grissom. In her presence, Grissom had to make himself take a breath; she had been working for hours yet she was beautiful. He stared until she glanced at him. Nick and Greg filled in with chairs on either side.

Catherine took the lead. "Do we know the cause of Mrs. Hodges' liver failure?"

Sara answered, "Overdose of acetaminophen—tragic. Hodges said it was accidental—she mixed up medications." She quirked her mouth in what Grissom recognized as an indication of more to come. "To accidentally take an overdose of Tylenol would be unlikely—it happened about three weeks ago."

Nick asked, "How does this lead to Hodges shooting Ecklie?"

Everyone was quiet for several long moments.

"Ecklie and Hodges' mom—didn't they date?" asked Sara. She had squiggled connecting lines on a folded paper. She glanced up, adding, "Hodges tried to date Morgan—there was something going on."

Nick joined in, saying, "They did! I remember Hodges bragging." He turned to Greg, asking, "What do you remember?"

"Nothing! We've never talked about it! Morgan likes Hodges but says he always acted so weird about his mother. Remember they went to Italy and Hodges came back with that beautiful woman?"

"Morgan? Would she know?" Catherine asked. Crinkling her nose, she said, "Well, we don't want to ask her now. Her mother is flying in—she has a lot on her right now."

"We need to find Hodges." Grissom said.

Catherine said, "We think he's holding up in one of the big hotels. Waiting—or something else."

"You think he's dead?" from Nick.

"It's a good possibility—after he realized what he'd done," said Catherine.

"Well," Grissom sighed, "Nick and I have checked—what thirty or forty cases files—and found nothing to indicate tampering or contamination."

Catherine stood, saying, "Go home—all of you. You're exhausted." She turned to Nick and Grissom, adding, "There are rooms at the Eclipse for you two. Unless you have other plans."

Everyone murmured agreement that sleep was needed but Catherine stopped their departure.

"Wait," she said. "One more thing. I think it comes as no surprise to any of you when I announce the new director of the lab will be Sara." She waved a hand in Sara's direction and gave a soft laugh. "Finally, she can move to days—or nights! Officially, I'll announce it tomorrow."

As the others congratulated Sara with hugs, Grissom watched, waiting his turn.

Catherine said, "Let her get out of here—she needs rest so she'll look good for the cameras!"

With good-natured goodbyes, Nick and Greg left the room.

"Do you need a ride, Grissom? To the Eclipse? Or—or…" Catherine trailed off as she suddenly realized she was the third wheel in the room. She waved as she exited, saying, "I'm sure you two have enough to talk about—see you tomorrow."

Sara spoke first. "I can drive you to the Eclipse if you want."

"Sara."

Her head tilted. She bit her bottom lip. Her eyes stayed on him for several long moments. Finally, she said, "Yes."

"We—I'd really like to talk—just us. Not about work."

Sara remained where she was standing. She said, "It's been a long day, Gil. I—I think I've been awake for about twenty hours. I—I don't think I can talk—not now." Sighing, she seemed to make a decision. "I'll be happy to take you to the Eclipse. Or—or—would you like to sleep at the house? You've still got some things there."

Her eyes stared into the distance as she lingered; her fingers tapped the table.

Grissom did not wait; immediately, he said, "I'd like that—to sleep at your house." He pressed his fingers together before softly saying, "I'll get my bag."

It took a few minutes. A dozen people stopped Sara to congratulate her on the pending promotion. Young men and women, serious, enthusiastic faces; he knew none of them. Finally, they were in Sara's car.

Grissom belted in and when Sara started the car, he said, "You've got a new one."

"In the spring," Sara answered. "I—I thought it was time."

Softly, he chuckled. "I remember how much you researched the first one."

"Are you hungry?"

"Dinner?"

Sara laughed. "Drive thru—or take out—eat in? I don't cook much."

They chose Chinese. Service was fast and food was good; neither one mentioned it had been a favorite for years; when they did talk, it was about Conrad Ecklie.

When they arrived at Sara's house—the house Grissom had worked so hard to find, the house they had turned into their home—he was, again, almost breathless; he was speechless as she led the way into the house.

"I'll get a few things you might need," Sara said as she passed through the living room, heading into the master bedroom.

Remaining in the living room because there was no doubt where he would sleep, Grissom noticed more plants in the foyer, several pieces of new furniture, a stack of books next to a chair—and photographs on the shelves.

Carefully, he ambled around the living room, curious to see what else had changed. He was surprised to find several photos of him and Sara, together, almost picking one up before hearing her returning footsteps. He quickly stepped away and picked up a book.

Returning, Sara said, "You can use either bedroom—and—and these are yours. I—I—I've never gotten around to packing everything up."

Her words were soft, so soft that Grissom moved near her and she handed him a stack of folded clothes—his clothes—boxers, a couple of old tee-shirts, even a pair of socks.

As soon as she handed the clothes to him, she turned, murmuring, "Good night", and a few seconds later, he heard the bedroom closing, firmly.

A/N: Thank you for reading; we appreciate your comments, reviews, and encouragement! More to come-probably after the holidays.