Disclaimer: I do not own CSI

Inspiration: Post 10x01 & also mentioned "A Space Oddity" from Season 9

The Aftermath

David Hodges' heart was pounding as he helped fellow colleague Wendy Simms up from the floor. During the gun play he had 'tackled' Wendy because she just happened to be in the line of fire. Why there was all that gun play, Hodges had no clue.

"A-are you ok Wendy?" he asked as he helped her up.

"J-just shaken a little bit. I need some water." She said and started to walk a little but became unsteady and fell backwards. Luckily Hodges was there to catch her.

"Thanks." She said.

Together they walked to the break room and he insisted she sit down while he get her some water. He poked through the fridge until he found a bottled water for her. He opened it.

"Do you want it in a glass?" he asked gently.

"Please." She said with a half-smile.

He located a glass for her and poured the water in and handed it to her.

"Thanks… for everything David. Had you not been there.." she trailed off.

He looked her in the eyes. "Wendy, I-I" he began but he got a little choked up and stopped talking.

They shared a thought that shall remain unsaid.

Meanwhile, Catherine and newly-appointed Assistant Supervisor Nick went from room to room, lab to lab to make sure that everyone was ok and to check and note the damages, but it was Sara who saw Hodges and Wendy sitting together.

Sara entered the break room and saw Hodges and Wendy sitting together, holding hands, her jaw dropped. She had no inkling that they had 'thing' for each other, after all she had been away from the lab and missed some things.

As soon as Sara entered though, they stopped holding hands.

"What's going on you guys?" she said as she entered.

"N-nothing." Hodges said.

Sara gave Hodges a smirk. "I saw you holding her hand – come on spill it!"

Wendy gave Sara the low-down on what had occurred a few months back, to which Hodges looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but there.

Sara gave him a teasing smile. "You almost set your lab on fire fantasizing about her? I'm not one to criticize someone lusting after a co-worker, but go Hodges!"

"I had better get back to my lab now." He said and exited the break room, leaving Wendy and Sara to chat but before walking away he looked at her. "You'll be ok Wendy?"

"I think so. If I need you, I'll text you." She said with a wink.

Hodges nodded and went on his way back to his lab.

"So how long have you two been a couple?"

Wendy shook her head. "We're not officially a couple Sara. We flirt and hang out in the lab and sometimes watch movies at each other's apartments, but it is not official. " she replied.

"Is Catherine aware of your flirtations?"

"Flirtations between whom?" a new voice inquired.

Wendy and Sara turned to see the Grave Supervisor Catherine Willows standing there.

"Wendy? Sara?"

"The little flirtations between Hodges and me" Wendy said finally.

Catherine's grin spread across her face, which surprised the heck out of the other two women. After a few moments of silence, Wendy looked at her.

"Catherine?"

"Finally!" was what Catherine replied.

Sara and Wendy looked at each other in confusion. "Pardon" Wendy asked.

Catherine closed the door to the break room and sat down with the other two women.

"Hodges and you, finally he is doing something about his crush! Now I understand fully what he was talking about a few months ago!" Catherine said.

"English please!" Wendy said.

"Wendy, you remember when you and Hodges were at that Astroquest convention thing? Where you two sorta solved the case?"

"Ye-ah? But what has that…" she trailed off.

"Hodges came to me at one point and asked me what to do if he knew of someone in the lab who was having a relationship with a coworker. I of course told him that one of the pair would have to switch shifts and then tell Ecklie." Catherine said.

Wendy looked at her . "H-he came to you and asked you that?"

"Yes Wendy he did. By the way, just so you know, I know about the little fantasies he's had… it's quite obvious…. Almost setting the lab on fire…just being so distracted…"

"And then playing Mister Chivalry a few weeks later when we were taking evidence from those 'bikers' and that chick head butted him after coming to my aid…." Wendy said with a smile.

Wendy suddenly felt a little woozy as she tried to stand up.

"Are you ok Wendy?" Catherine said.

"I-I don't know. I suddenly don't feel so well. I think I got up too fast."

"I'll go get Doc Robbins to take a look at you. You do look a little pale."

"Please get Hodges while you're at it." she said with a half-smile.

Catherine nodded and Sara made her exit as she wanted to send a quick text message to Grissom.

Catherine returned with Doc Robbins and Hodges in tow.

"Wendy what is wrong?" Hodges said with a panicked voice.

"I-I don't know, I stood up and suddenly felt woozy."

Doc checked Wendy over and then frowned.

"Wendy when was the last time you ate?"

She shrugged I don't know. Just before that gun play I was thinking about going out for a snack something to eat. Then the gun play happened and that was the furthest from my mind. So I don't really know Doc."

Doc Robbins turned to Hodges. "Do you know if she ate in the last 24 hours?"

He shook his head. "Honestly Doc, I have no idea." He said.

"Wendy, I think you are in need of some food. You experienced some shock during that gun play… and now you are feeling a little woozy… my immediate guess would be lack of food. If neither of you can tell me when you ate last, then that is my suspicion. I've examined you and there is nothing else wrong…." Robbins said trailing off.

Catherine turned to Hodges and Wendy. "You two are off the clock. Go eat, go to a movie and I'll see you tomorrow for shift ok?"

Hodges and Wendy exchanged glances and nodded. Their unspoken look spoke loud and clear. Keep your relationship on the down-low and you won't have to switch shifts.

Hodges helped Wendy to her feet and they walked out towards the parking garage. They sat in Hodges' car and he texted Catherine. Thanks. I appreciate this. To which she replied. I like to see my team happy David, I'll see you two tomorrow for shift. Just please don't forget to come in.

Wendy and Hodges drove to a little out of the way place a few hours down the road where they could dine in peace and that no one would spot them.

Doc Robbins' theory was correct, Wendy was incredibly hungry and that caused her woozy and paleness. She ordered the pasta dish and ate it and then ate some garlic bread as well. David had one piece of the garlic bread and a burger and was full. They shared a piece of cheese cake for desert and each had a cup of coffee.

"You're looking better" he commented.

"Why thank you David."

"You worried me Wendy – you didn't look good before. You looked as pale as a ghost!"

"That happens when you don't eat in hours." She replied.

"Be honest Wendy, how many hours was it?"

She shrugged. "I don't know. All I do remember is that before the gun play, when I was headed out of my lab, I was headed to the break room to grab a quick meal. Before that, I grabbed a few crackers hours earlier as a snack but a full meal? I don't know. I just tend to skip meals when I'm working steadily. I just don't have time for meal breaks."

"You should make time" he told her.

They signaled the waiter for the bill. They quarreled a little over the bill but she insisted they split it fifty/fifty, after all she ate a lot that night. "It is ok David! You treat next time." She said with a smile.

They headed out the door. "After you M'lady" he said.

As they were leaving, to their horror they ran into someone they knew from the lab.

"Good evening Hodges, Wendy."

"Good evening Ecklie" They replied and made a beeline for their car.

TBC