A/N: This is something I have been working on for a few years and a special thank you to Keki186 for the inspiration to post this. Most of the story is written but at this time it isn't complete. Also this is my first time writing fanfiction, I have spent years reading it so I figured why not give it a try. Anyway here it goes ...
Catherine sat at a bar in the Bellagio sipping a vodka on the rocks with a squeeze of lime. It had been one of those days at work that she'd just assume to forget. It had been a particularly hard case involving a young girl close to Lindsey's age. Those were always the hardest.
Catherine had been so absorbed in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed the attractive man that had seated himself next to her at the bar, that is until he ordered his drink. The dark headed man next to her ordered a rather interesting beverage … Southern Comfort and Dr. Pepper. It was at that moment Catherine looked to her left where the man was seated. She thought to herself this might just be the kind of distraction she needed. Not only had it been a particularly awful day at the office, but also it had been a while since she had been in the company of a man.
Catherine says, "That's a rather interesting choice in beverage. I don't know that I've heard of many people mixing a whiskey with many things other than Coke."
The man responds to her comment with a chuckle then says, "Yeah, it's something I picked up from an old friend I was in college with back in Ohio."
Catherine says, "Ohio huh? You here on vacation?"
Her bar mate responds, "No just looking for new ventures and opportunities … kind of a fresh start for me."
Catherine nods and then says, "Yeah sometimes we can all use one of those. By the way my name's Catherine, what's yours?"
The dark headed man turns to Catherine to offer his hand. As they shake hands he says, "Mark."
The bartender sits the drink Mark ordered in front of him. Then bartender asks, "Would you like to start a tab?"
Mark says, "Yes and can you charge it to room 1340?" The bartender nods.
The bartender looks at Catherine and asks, "Miss would you like another?"
Catherine says, "Yes, that would be great."
Catherine looks over at the man next to her. He is attractive but not overly so, has short dark brown hair, short well-kept beard, and is probably about 10 years younger than herself, which would put the man in his 30's.
The bar is having some kind of theme night as 80's music has been coming from the DJ booth in the corner since Catherine showed up about an hour ago. Hold On Loosely by .38 Special starts playing.
Mark says, "This is a great song."
Catherine raises an eyebrow and responds, "Yeah it is. I didn't peg you for someone who listened to 80's rock. I honestly thought you might be into this noise the kids are calling music today. You know one of those trashy hooker types like Ke$ha where you are looking at her body more than listening to what she is actually singing." Catherine said it in a teasing way but realized she may have come off sounding too old for this man she's finding herself attracted to for some reason.
Mark responds with a laugh, "Are you serious?! Music from the 70's and 80's is some of the best out there, and you are right what these kids are listening to is a bunch of noise. What ever happened to writing your own songs or playing an instrument for that matter?"
This started a long string of small talk. Most of it about music they both liked. They had a lot in common. Several drinks later you would have thought Catherine and Mark were old friends. They were drinking, laughing and having a great time. In fact, Catherine found herself forgetting the reason she had come in the bar at the first place. She was also finding herself more and more attracted to Mark. He had a great personality and a wonderful sense of humor, something Catherine really enjoyed in a man. She had also picked up that he was interested in her as well. Mark had been flirting back and buying her drinks.
Catherine finishes what is left of her current drink looks at Mark and says, "You wanna dance?"
To this Mark laughs and says, "Ok but I'm warning you, I have absolutely no rhythm."
Catherine winks and says, "I'm sure you are not that bad."
Catherine was right Mark wasn't a bad dancer. They danced together for several fast songs. Then they returned to their seats to take a break and have more drinks.
Catherine looks at Mark and says, "I told you."
Mark looks at her and asks, "Told me what?"
Catherine responds, "That you are not that bad of a dancer."
Mark looks at Catherine with a Cheshire grin and says, "That's just because I've gotten you a little drunk and it's given you the illusion that I have some rhythm. It works like a charm on all the women I've danced with."
Catherine flashes her amazing smile at him and they continue on in their conversation and drinking for about another hour. A slow song comes on, Crazy for You by Madonna.
Mark looks at Catherine and says, "Care to dance?" He extends his hand and she takes it and he leads her to the dance floor. They are gently swaying back and forth to the music. All of a sudden Mark and Catherine stop and lock eyes, Mark leans in to kiss Catherine. Catherine returns the kiss, which turns very passionate in a matter of seconds. Towards the end of the song they stop kissing and regain some composure as they head back to their seats holding hands.
As they return to their seats Mark leans in and says, "I don't want you to think this is a question I ask many women, because I don't, but would you like to come back to my room with me?"
Catherine grins and responds, "Yes I would love to, but I also want you to know I don't accept very many invitations up to men's rooms."
Catherine asks the bartender for her bill, signs the credit card receipt, and follows Mark out of the bar. They walk through a lobby to the elevators. Once in the elevator Catherine and Mark cannot keep their hands off each other. Feverishly exploring parts of each other like they had never been with anyone else before. The elevator dings and they separate looking into each other eyes and smiling. As they walk out of the elevator and down the hall, Catherine can't help but notice how excited she is. Her stomach is doing somersaults, almost like it's her first time again. She wonders what it is about Mark that is making her feel all giddy inside.
They reach Mark's door and he opens it with his keycard. They disappear inside.
Sometime later …
Catherine is lying in Mark's arms thinking how good this feels and wonders if this was a one-night stand or something more. It definitely feels like something more. Catherine falls asleep feeling safe and secure for the first time in a long time.
Several hours later Catherine is woken up by her cell phone vibrating. She gets out of bed, grabs her phone, and goes into the sitting area so she doesn't disturb Mark. She answers the phone, "Willows."
"Hey Catherine it's Jim. We have a homicide that I need you to check out, I know you're on overtime already, but could you come check this out?"
Catherine responds, "Yeah Jim that's fine. Let me get ready, text me the address."
Jim says, "10-4 I'll see you soon."
Catherine hangs up the call and looks around for her clothes. Her and Mark's clothes are all over his hotel room. That was one crazy ride she thinks to herself as she smiles. She gathers up her clothes and heads in the bathroom to get ready. Once dressed Catherine exits the bathroom and goes back into the sitting area to write Mark a note.
"Sorry I had to leave so soon.
I got called into work.
I hope to see you again soon."
Catherine signs the note with her phone number and places it on the pillow next to a peaceful Mark. Catherine slips out of the room very quietly as to not disturb him.