| Title: Cast in Starlight Series: CSI By: OmegaWolf Pairings: GrissomxNatasha former GrissomxSara Warnings: Cuteness, animals, OOC, OC, sap, angst Grissom stood in Natasha's apartment, pencil in hand as the smaller woman lay on a blanket, stare thoughtful as she posed, unmoving. "Are you sure this is a good way to unwind?" I considered, putting the shadow of the muscles on her thighs, frowning. "I'm not that good at drawing although I don't mind the view..." Natasha grinned, shaking her head a little. "It's not a matter that you're good; it matters that you have fun with it," she said. "Done?" "I guess," I replied and watched her stand, moving and stretching out her short frame. She hadn't moved in nearly forty five minutes. I gestured to her and she came to stand next to me, hand naturally going to her waist. "What do you think?" Hand on my chest, she drew a line with her finger. "You see planes and lines very well, Gil," Natasha said thoughtfully. "You *are* good at this." "You think?" "I know," she answered, planting a kiss on my cheek. "We're supposed to be going to my aunt's house today. I have to go put some clothes on." I gave her a mock pout. "You sure?" Natasha laughed, tucking her hair behind her ears. "I've been naked all morning, Gil," she pointed out. "I'm cold...and hungry. And my aunt makes a mean ham and cheese sub." Watching her walk down the hallway, I smiled, peeling out of my apron, folding it and laying it on the counter. 'I'm lucky,' I realized. 'I'm one of the luckiest bastards in the world. Sometimes I tend to take her for granted, thinking she'll always be there. She's so patient, patient to the point of self sacrifice. Or at least what I think is self sacrifice.' Reappearing only a few minutes later clad in faded blue jeans and a black t-shirt, hair in a braid, she bent over, looking for her shoes. "Ever ridden a horse, Gil?" Natasha asked, shoving her socked feet into sneakers and I nodded. "Only once though. For a case," I said softly, hugging her from behind. "I love you." "I love you too," she whispered. "Ready?" "Let's go." Natasha's aunt's house was a ranch in every sense of the word on the outskirts of Las Vegas, trees naturally ringing the area in a mini forest. "This is right on the edge of Nevada's National Forest," I observed and Natasha nodded, stepping onto the porch. "That forest holds a lot of memories," she mused, ringing the doorbell and looking over her shoulder. "I hope your signing is up to speed." 'Of course!' I said, mentally slapping myself. 'Her aunt is deaf. I had almost forgot.' The door opened and Natasha smiled, hugging the older woman with longer hair than her's in a tangle of different sized braids but it was a hard silver color, her skin a healthy coca brown. *Aunt Mary,* she signed. *This is Gil Grissom.* The older woman smiled, the lines of age in her face seeming more natural. *How are you?* I asked. *Fine, now that I've met the famous scientist,* she replied. *Come in, come in. Natasha, the animals miss you.* The inside of the house was rustic but nicely furnished in the era of the late 1800's frontier style. I noticed the bell on the floor that was connected to the door bell so she could hear when someone was there and I nodded. 'That's one thing they didn't have in 1800's...' My lover smiled, beaming, the hand that would usually rest entwined with mine busy 'talking'. *I miss them too,* she said. *Are they all out back?* *Of course. Tell you what; you go and get reacquainted with them and Mr. Grissom and I will have tea,* Mary offered and smiled back. *How does that sound?* *Gil?* Feeling nervous, I kissed her on the forehead, tucking errant strands of her hair behind her ear. *Go on ahead, I'll be fine,* I answered and Natasha was suddenly out back surrounded by dogs of every size and shape, laughing as they leaped excitedly. *This way, Mr. Grissom,* Mary said, dragging me out of my thoughts and following her to the dinning room, her tiny hands pointing to the varnished table covered in a simple white tablecloth, the sliding glass door still allowing us to see Natasha. *Please,* I started, sitting where she had indicated. *Call me Gil.* Returning with a tray of tea, kettle, sugar, milk, and three cups, all in delicate white china, the older woman grinned. *Then you must call me Mary. No 'Ms. Steward' or 'Aunt Mary'...well, at least until you two get hitched,* she chuckled and I blushed. 'Marriage? Me?' She poured us both cups, sitting across from me, sipping slowly. *Natasha told me you could sign; I wasn't sure how well...* Mary said and I nodded. *My mother was deaf; she taught me when I was three. You are Natasha's maternal aunt?* *Maternal great-aunt,* she corrected. 'Ah, I see...' *I run an animal shelter here. I may not hear but I can still see animals hurting.* I swallowed, looking out of the glass door to see Natasha nose to nose with a two ton bull, petting him. *Is that safe?* I asked, frowning and Mary laughed, a sparkle coming to her honey colored eyes. *Natasha has a way with animals that other people can only dream of,* she explained, a knowing smirk crossing her features. *The wildest beasts become like children in her hands.* *Like me,* I chuckled. *How was she as a child?* Next |