Author's Note: I'm pretty reliable with new chapters, and a write-aholic to boot, so the completed story shouldn't take long. The rating is really for suggested actions more than anything; language won't get too heavy either.

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"I'll make a deal with you." The sultry whisper was so close to his ear.

"What kind of deal?"

"One we'll both benefit from." So warm and sweet.

"Well, make it quick." He pretended to be annoyed. "I've got the Everest of paperwork piles waiting on my desk."

She laughed, low and loving. "That's my husband. Still in bed and already thinking about work."

"Great minds," he shrugged.

A hand slipped under the covers, fingertips running across his collarbone. "We do more than think alike," she murmured, inching closer.

"Mmmm," was all he could manage, leaning in to kiss those smiling lips.

"But you're right." She pulled back, just barely, her tone still teasing. "We need to get going. All that paperwork, all those calls to return. Busy, busy."

He reached for her hand as she rose up from the bed. "I do believe there was a deal on the table."

Her eyes were sparkling now. "Oh, so there's more to Mr. Grissom than work after all, huh?"

"Who knew?" His grin grew as she sat down, shifting their grip to let her fingers entwine with his own. "So what have you got?"

She pressed her lips to his and he responded enthusiastically. After a long moment she stopped, keeping their mouths close. "You're a genius. It should be obvious."

He opened his mouth to respond, but she pecked him on the lips once more before standing back up. "I saw the files on your desk yesterday. You weren't kidding."

He sighed. "That and the last five minutes make a very good argument for early retirement."

She stopped her trek to the door and gasped. "What a horrible thing to say! You know 'quit' isn't in my vocabulary." She pursed her lips to stifle another smile. "Great minds, remember?"

"I won't make the mistake again."

"See that you don't." She winked. "I'll drive Maya instead, okay? That'll give you more time to tackle Everest before case assignments."

"I still say bed sounds a helluva lot more—" The alarm went off beside him, interrupting his suggestive comment.

Standing in the doorway, she wrinkled her nose. "And grab another alarm clock on your way home, okay? That thing shrieks like a banshee. It's driving me crazy."

He stopped the noise with a slap of the snooze alarm. "Sure."

She opened the door and headed down the hallway. "I'll see you at work. Love you!"

Before he could reply, the alarm went off again. Damned thing. He reached over and hit the Off button, only to have the volume go up. His ears were beginning to ring.

With a jerk, Grissom opened his eyes and shut off the alarm without thinking. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion and he looked over. The other half of the bed was empty, the comforter as smooth as the night before.

Another dream. Grissom sighed as he got up. Just what he needed, another habit.