Catherine felt troubled. She should be sorry that Warrick's marriage had ended; should be sympathetic. After all, she'd gone through a divorce.
But instead of feeling sorry about Warrick's situation, she was secretly relieved. She'd never thought Tina had been good enough for her sweet natured, gentle co-worker, and when it got out that Tina was cheating on Warrick, Catherine had not been surprised.
Now he could start over; find someone that would be faithful to him.
"I wouldn't cheat on him," She thought and dismissed it quickly with a sigh of irritation.
Yes, she was attracted to Warrick Brown. She had been for a long time, and she couldn't deny the fact that there was a certain chemistry between them. She knew he felt it too; she'd seen him checking her out when he thought she wasn't looking; she'd seen his eyes soften when she'd told him about the death of her ex-husband, Eddie. Hell, he'd wrapped her in a hug when she broke down in tears over Eddie's death; over the death of Lindsay's dad. Eddie might not have been a decent husband, but he'd been a good father. Being in Warrick's embrace that day had been comforting..and exciting.
So wrapped up in her thoughts was she that Catherine didn't notice Warrick come around the corner and nearly ran right into his broad chest. Embarrassed, she looked into his face to find him smiling, his eyes dancing.
"You look a million miles away," he told her, and Catherine blushed.
"Yeah, I guess I was thinking," she stammered lamely.
"About what?" Asked Warrick, curious now.
About asking you out, Catherine thought silently, and then immediately quashed it.
"This case we're working, the DNA is not matching any of the vics, nor is it a match with anything in CODIS."
Warrick frowned, reaching for the file folder Catherine held.
"Mind if I look at it?" He asked, taking the folder from her.
His fingers brushed hers as he did so, and sent a jolt of electricity down Catherine's spine. Even with their age difference, she still wondered what it would be like to be in a relationship with him. Then she noticed something else.
Warrick hadn't bothered to move away, and they were standing shoulder to shoulder. If either one of them turned just slightly, her hip would brush against him, or his arm upper arm would brush against her..
Shut up!! She commanded her rambling thoughts, and tried to focus on what Warrick was saying about the case.
"Maybe we missed something at the scene," He suggested, and Catherine frowned.
"Like what?" She asked, and Warrick shrugged.
"I don't know," he sighed, and checked his watch.
"It's almost lunch time; why don't we grab a bite to eat, and then we'll go back over all the evidence when we get back?" Warrick suggested, and Catherine nodded.
"Sounds good," she responded, and looked up to find him smiling at her again, but this time, there was a different look in his eyes.
Catherine had seen that look on his face before, a few weeks ago when they were processing a case in a darkened restaurant. The same day Warrick had told her that he and Tina were getting a divorce. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, Warrick put his mouth close to Catherine's ear.
"I'm not looking at this as a business lunch." He said, and Catherine grinned.
"Me neither," she whispered, and looked into his disarming green eyes.
"Good," Warrick responded, moving away from her at the sound of approaching footsteps.
Nick walked up to them and Catherine made the excuse that she had to run a set of prints. She didn't want Nick to see her face; to see how she'd been blushing at the close proximity she and Warrick shared before he interrupted. Nor did she want anyone to know just how much Warrick affected her. She'd show him later, she decided, but it was better if no body else were around.