What Could Never Be
Summary: "I guess it just wasn't meant to be." WarrickCath.
A.N.: Okay, I caved and saw the marriage scene at the end where Catherine talks to Warrick. I'm so weak; I only saw the clip and cried. I don't know if they still drive Denali's. Can someone clear that up for me? Spoilers for 'Bodies In Motion'. DRABBLE-ish.
Catherine heard footsteps following her across the parking lot an hour after the end of shift. She knew who it was, and who she definitely didn't want it to be. Turning around slowly, Cath came face-to-face with Warrick. Flashes of their conversation earlier seeped into her mind and she shook her head slightly to distinguish them. No use bringing up that heartache again.
She dropped her heavy shoulder bag to the floor, which was laden with paperwork and folders she had to get through that night, and stood, arms crossed defensively.
"Hey Warrick," she greeted, attempting to make her cheeriness sound authentic, but hearing it come out fake.
"Catherine, are we okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, 'course. Why wouldn't we be?" she brushed the air, dismissing his question. The look in his eyes showed his sadness and vulnerability and Cath gulped nervously. And she hated losing control.
"I probably should have told you before I went ahead with the proposal, so you wouldn't get hurt..."
"Warrick," she cut him off. "I'm okay, really." She smiled reassuringly at him and made to pick up her bag. When she stood back up, she saw the bright smile on his face not aimed at her. Cath looked over her shoulder and saw a woman standing not too far behind them. "Is that her?"
"Yeah. My Tina." He looked like a shy, school kid now and Cath could feel the difference in their ages creep up on her.
"Don't let me keep you then." She walked around him, towards her car, and stopped when she felt his hand on her arm.
"I still love you, you know," came out of his mouth, but she wasn't convinced.
"No, you don't. You might have thought you did at some point, maybe you really did in some context, but you don't anymore." She shook her head sadly, letting the tears cloud her vision. She blinked them away. "I guess it just wasn't meant to be."
Cath let Warrick drop his hand from her arm before turning back around and heading to the car. Third time lucky. As she unlocked the doors, she watched Warrick walk briskly over to Tina and envelope her in a hug, before letting her go and kissing her soundly. Cath smiled a little as the memories of their almost kiss flashed before her eyes and thanked the higher powers that nothing had happened.
Her fantasy might have hurt her more than it already had.
THE END