Author:Jodie (adorelo)
Title:Ice-cold
A/N:For the Fanfiction Critique Group, which I implore you all to join. There is a link on my profile.
I had to start this challenge with the words, 'it's snowing' and it had to be based around Valentines Day and a ship I have never written for before. I chose Catherine/Warrick. As this is my first story for the pair, any and all feedback is much appreciated with regards to characterization and the like. Thanks.
It's snowing, the light silver flakes falling softly on the little plastic people as Catherine shakes the snow globe. A Christmas present from her daughter from several year back, it had sat in the break-room, on the shelf gathering dust, for longer than it should have. She wipes some grime off with her fingers gently, and takes a closer look at the people within it. Brightly dressed children play merrily around a brightly dressed couple ice-skating in the middle. She is sure Lindsey didn't understand the connotations of such a gift - a couple in love encased for ever with only each other - but it makes Catherine's heart ache to think she'll be alone again this Valentines Day. It's only later that day, when she steps into the garage, that the true level of isolation hits her. He's there. But not with her.
It's snowing on her face, ice-cold droplets burning holes into her eyes as she watches him step out of that car. Hand, warm hand, pressed gently on her back as he threads his fingers through her long dark tresses. A nameless woman, an exotic beauty. Better than her, surely.
It's snowing on her mind, her memories of their time together. Lost now. Gone. Forgotten. Never by her, no, she could recite every one. But as his smile widens at a remark, a joke, most likely, she knows he's let go of those memories. She wishes he'd hold on to them tightly, needs him to. She's not strong enough to support them alone.
It's snowing on her heart, stone-cold flakes chilling her very core. He's gone, left her uttering the words she's always dreamed of saying to him. But he cannot hear them, not from where he is now. He's crossed back over the line and turned away, she's almost fearful of the emptiness she feels without him. There's always the call though, next day wonderment about where they stand, "Cath, you okay?" But no, it's not that easy to crawl back in. She cannot risk her heart for him; instead, he's left in the dark, wondering why she's mad when he cannot think of anything he's done wrong. And he hasn't, not really. Just in her mind, he's hurt her more times than she can count - Busy? Yeah, got a hot date.
It's snowing on her body, chills up and down her spine as his fingers dance elusively across her back. Worry, concern; she can feel it radiating from him. His words are soft, almost hesitant as he's not sure how he's upset her. Just knows he has. Again. A slight plead comes from his lips and she's helpless, has to meet his eyes. Green. Brown. Gold. Colors so warm they melt the snow in her heart, pull her in and hold her tightly until all she can feel is warmth.
It's snowing on the TV screen, the film credits rolling. He fingers her hair lightly, pulling her closer. He smiles at her moan of appreciation, knowing, at least for now, that she's happy again. And that's all he ever wanted; she knows that. The women, the dates, were normal. He is a man. A good-looking man. But that is the thing that hurts more than anything; that all those other woman have the guts to play ball with him. She'd always lived in the shadow of fear. Not now. No. She didn't want to miss out, always living, wondering about what could have been. So she makes no move to stop him as he moves his head down, hands cradling her head with such tenderness and allows his lips to press softly to the corner of her mouth.
And then the snow melts.
-- Fin --
-- February 9th 2008 --