For Gedda Epilogue
Gil Grissom sits in his office not talking to his friend and co-
worker Catherine Willows; they do not need or want words. What they
both need is company. Their shock; their loss is beyond words.
Warrick Brown is dead? How can that be? He was there with them at
breakfast two days ago; chatting, laughing, gracious, cool Warrick.
Someone shot him. Why? Who? When? Dammit WHY?
Ecklie tells them to go home because they can't work this one; they
are too close. Ecklie will let them know, he promises, but they
can't go home, they just can't. There is no reason to go home.
Lindsay is at her grandmother's house, and Hank is here lying on the
sofa with his big head in Catherine's lap. So any reason to go home
is accounted for and dismissed. So they sit here in shock and silence
needing each other's company.
Hank lets the one called Catherine pet him, and stares at Grissom
with sad worried eyes. His human is usually quiet, but this is
different. Today his companion is sad. So is his friend Catherine.
Hank loves Catherine. She rubs his ears and calls him Buddy, and she
smells good too; like strawberries. Hank wants her to feel better so
he lifts his head and licks her face. It is salty with tears. Hank
whines; something very bad has happened. Grissom comes to the sofa
too; he sits and hugs Catherine for a long time and she cries. Hank
worries.
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Catherine's phone rings. Grissom gives her a handkerchief. She
wipes her face, blows her nose, and answers the phone. It's Linds and
she is upset too; about Uncle Warrick. Catherine says "I'm coming
Baby" and hangs up heading for the door. She stops at the door and
turns to him with a sad apologetic look. He knows she must go, her
daughter needs her, so he smiles and waves her away.
He sits alone now with Hank. For five minutes or two hours; he has
no idea how long. There is a soft knock at door Catherine was kind
enough to close behind her when she left. Grissom does not move or
speak. The handle turns slowly and the door slides open. She stands
there in the door frame and awaits permission to enter his domain. He
stares at her; takes in the sight of her. Long silken dark hair
loose around her shoulders, emerald eyes filled with concern, full
lips curved in a slight hopeful smile, charcoal gray short dress
covered in soft black lace, black leather jacket and high-heeled
boots. Heather is breath-taking. She is hopeful that he will let her in.
She has come to return a favor. He has always acted as her friend,
ever since his mistake, even when she would not willingly accept him.
Now she has come here as his friend; without reserve and yet slightly
fearful that he may turn her away. He gives only the slightest nod
and she steps in nudging the door closed with an elbow as her hands
are holding tightly to two large Styrofoam cups. He eyes them
curiously. "Tea." she smiles sadly, "I saw the news." she offers in
explanation for her arrival.
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Hank watches her. She sits beside him on the sofa; on the side
opposite Hank. Hank has never met this lady, but she speaks softly
and moves slowly and with purpose. She sets the tea on the
floor beside the sofa carefully so it will not turn over. Then, she
reaches across his human's lap to offer a hand to sniff. Hank
sniffs; accepts her as a friend; and licks her outstretched hand
once, then stares at Grissom and whimpers. She pats his head and
calls him "Good Boy" and she smells like vanilla and orchids. She is
kind and not afraid of him; Hank likes her too.
She reaches down and picks up a cup of tea and removes the lid. She
offers it to Grissom but he shakes his head. He does not want it. So
she replaces the lid and sets it back on the floor. She settles more
comfortably into the sofa and offers Grissom her hand to hold. He
takes it; squeezes it tightly and they sit in silence together.