Title: Hold Onto Me
Show: CSI…Duh!
Pairing: Grillows!!
Disclaimer: Sadly enough, I don't own anything. This is written for pure enjoyment only and no profit to be gained!
Rating: The Rating WILL Change depending on the chapter, so just keep an eye on it.
Spoilers: Identity Crisis, The Finger, & Burden of Proof.
Authors Note: This is my first fic that I've decided to actually publish. I've been working on this for months! Critiquing and what not, so reviews are greatly appreciated! I have several chapters written already (over 11,000 characters written for this story) so it will be a long one. I've just decided to post it in chapters to see how it does. Please let me know what you think! -Snyder-
Summary: My Take On What Happened After The Screen Went Black in "Burden Of Proof."
CHAPTER 1:
Catherine had been over to Gil's townhouse several times. Usually it had something to do with a case. When they were fed up with working long hours at the office, they would take the paper work back to his house and work there. At least there it would be a bit more comfortable.
Catherine remembers vividly the first time she went over to his place. God how uncomfortable she felt. To say she wasn't sure of her self would be an understatement. Being out of her territory while trying to work wasn't something she was used to. At work it was easy, she knew what to do and how to do it, but being at Gil's was different. It was just him and her which made it even worse.
Would he care if I took off my coat or my shoes?
So many thoughts ran through her mind at the time that, to this day, she doesn't know how she ever got any work done. She often wondered if he had felt the same way, but by the look of his actions, it was a definite no. As the years went on, those feelings started to diminish and Catherine began to feel as if it were her home as much as his.
Lazily she plopped down on his couch, screwdriver in her left hand, and nothing in the other. Everyone once in a while, she'd turn her head around to look outside. She smiled as she listened to him call the flower shop, chuckling as Gil spoke into the phone.
"…not flowers, a plant, a living plant. She likes vegetation." As Gil tried to figure out what he should put for the sentiment on the card she began thinking of how she ended up at his place tonight.
Flashback (At the lab):
After a hard case affecting her personally, after the effects of what happen to Jody Bradley started to wear in deep in her heart, she didn't want to be alone. Catherine just couldn't stop thinking about Lindsey. "What if it happened to Lindsey?" As she looked back up from the floor, she spotted Gil walking down the hall, his strides long and even and by the look in his eyes, he was somewhere else. She thought perhaps thinking of the preview case which he…well all of them had just put to rest. After a few more seconds she figured he was thinking of his fellow companions. Yes, his bugs. God only knew what he was actually thinking about. His mind brilliant, but he still wouldn't let anyone in to care about him or, to even love him. As he got closer to her, she shook her head to clear her thoughts and started to walk forward to meet him.
"Long week." She stated as she paused a few feet away from him.
"Yeah, looking forward to going home." It was more of a statement than a question. His voice ragged and tired. So much had gone on this week with both cases that seemed endless, but more importantly, Sara's request for a leave of absence. For the life of him he couldn't figure out what he'd done wrong. I mean sure, he spends a lot of time on his experiments, bugs and other activities, of course, non-human. It wasn't that he was afraid of human contact; it's just that he's seen the way humans behave, and he's looking else where. Better to play safe and avoid is what he keeps tells himself.
"Want some company?" Catherine asked.
Gil Stared at her for a few moments. He wasn't sure what to say. Was she just bored and actually want company? Or did she actually need to talk, privately, perhaps about something personal. "Oh god" he thought. "This is going to be a long night." He couldn't stop thinking, "Why would she want me as her company? I'm sure she can find a lot more interesting people than me to talk to, to…"
"Gil, it's a simple question, not a puzzle." She spoke loud and clear, bringing him out of his thoughts.
"Oh. Sorry, Cath. I was just—"
"Thinking, I know. You need to stop doing that so much. It's not good for you. Not healthy." She laughed at that as the edge of her lips turned up to a smirk.
"Catherine, I hardly think that…well, cognitive thinking is bad for you. So, is anything, um…wrong?" Slowly reciting the last few words slowly, shifting his weight to his other leg, not sure how long this conversation would last. His husky blue eyes fell downward in the direction of the floor as if he had just confessed something horrible.
"Gil, stop thinking so much. I just wanted to know if you'd like to hang out tonight, you know, watch a movie, play a game, have dinner…something!" She said, raising her voice a few decibels.
Catherine could tell by his body movement that her sentence has reassured him, making him more relaxed. She didn't know why he was so nervous but right now, she didn't care. She just needed to be with someone. "Interaction," she thought to herself.
"Sure Cath, why not. How about you meet me over at my place in an hour or so. I need to take a shower and clean up a bit.
"Sounds good." Nodding her head slightly all the while her perfect smile illuminating the hallway.
She then turned and headed out to her car.
End of Flashback.
Gil smiled. "So how'd I do?" He asked, as he crossed his arms over one another. With no sign that Catherine had heard him, Gil decided to raise his voice a bit since he wasn't getting a response from the 'spacer' over on the couch. "Catherine!" At this she jumped and looked up from the couch that she was staring at.
"What?" Her voice registering a shocked tone to it.
"I said, 'how'd I do?'" Amused, Gil could help but laugh.
"About what?" Catherine asked, still confused as to what he was rambling on about.
"About the plant I got for Sara." Gil said and rolled his eyes.
He smoothly walked his way over to the couch Catherine was sitting on and sat down.
"Oh, good. Very nice." She mumbled as she sat up straight. "I wish someone would send me a plant…hell, even a flower once in a while."
Gil knew the comment was more to herself than to him, but he heard her loud and clear of course.
"Maybe if you're a good girl." He teased.
"So you mean, if I threaten to quit you'll buy me flowers?"
"Well, no. That's different." Gil said with that intelligent yet humorous tone in his voice.
"Ugh, men!" She pouted and crossed her arms in a pouting statement. "I need another drink." She announced, and rose from the couch. She made her way over to the kitchen, shrugged her shoulders and unintelligently spoke, "I guess another screwdriver will do."
"Don't you think you've had enough? What's that, your third?" Gil said with a hint of concern.
"Gil Grissom, you know I AM of legal drinking age. Would you like to see my I.D.? Oh and this will be my fourth if you must know."
"No, Catherine Willows, I do not need to see your I.D. You look old enough…ancient would be the correct term." He couldn't help but laugh following his statement.
"Did you just call me old?" She said in disbelief as she turned to face him, hands on hips.
"Well, yes." He exclaimed. Gil thought for a moment, chose his words carefully and then spoke once more. "But we're both old. Besides, that's not my point. If you have anymore, you won't be able to drive home, which means that you'll have to stay here, which means I'll have to find a place for you to sleep…on the couch I guess, which means…" Gil trailed off until Catherine finally shut him up.
"I'll take it!" Gil shifted a bit on the couch.
"Take what?" He asked, looking over towards her vicinity.
"The couch, I'll take it. Thanks, I owe you." She said, opening the refrigerator to access the orange juice.
A/N: So, what do you think so far? Any advise? More to come soon!
-Snyder-