A/N: If you don't know what's going on regarding Season 9 of CSI, I suggest you leave now.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Catherine had already changed her clothes and gotten comfy on her couch when he knocked on her door. In sweats and a t-shirt, she threw the door open ready to lash out on whoever opted to disturb her rest, but her breath caught in her throat at the sight of Warrick on her doorstep.
With mixed feelings, Catherine gave him an uncertain grin. Truthfully, Warrick had a lot of nerve showing up like this. And after what he'd done, she wasn't sure how she should receive him. She wanted to be upset with him but what right did she have?
Catherine had been in the field for most of her shift but that didn't mean that she had not heard the rumors about him, about how he was leaving. Reality didn't quite catch up to her until she asked Grissom about it. The rumors were true. Warrick handed in his leave of absence papers that night and had already left.
Not really knowing what to say, she said the first thing that made sense. "What are you doing here?" Catherine's tone wasn't rude but completely curious.
He took a step towards her, putting them in arms reach of each other. "Doing something I should have done a long time ago." Warrick answered.
The words had barely left his mouth when his arms were around her. "A long, long time ago." He whispered and claimed her lips with his own.
All of Catherine's fantasies paled in comparison to this reality. His lips were softer than she imagined, but still firm. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had, silently hoping it would convince him to stay. Suddenly, the kiss became a contest of 'Who Wants This More'. Both were overtaken by the desire for one another that had never burned out. Their lungs ached with the need to breathe so they both, reluctantly, pulled away from each other.
Catherine couldn't look him in the eyes. If she did, he would see the longing in her eyes and Catherine was already feeling vulnerable. But she couldn't resist when he lifted her chin with his finger. The look in his eyes mirrored hers.
Warrick kissed her again, gently guiding her backwards into her home. He only broke contact with her long enough to close and lock the door before his lips were right back on hers. Catherine pulled at his tucked shirt and managed to concentrate long enough to unbutton each button. She slowly pushed the shirt off his shoulders and it fell to the floor.
"Catherine." His voice was thick and low. He said so many things with just one word: I want you. I need you.
She nodded and he didn't need to be told again. Warrick picked her up, she wrapped her legs around him, and he carried her down the hall to her bedroom.
This was not what he had intended when he came to her, but Warrick was glad it happened. He felt that Catherine needed to know how much he cared about her. She needed to know that he was always hers, even if she didn't know it.
Watching her sleep now, Warrick knew that leaving would only be harder to do. But he had to do what he had to. He just hoped she would understand.
Warrick kissed her temple and whispered, "I love you." His words were so soft it was as if the wind carried the message of his heart to her.
Quietly rising from the bed, he left her sleeping peacefully. He had gotten to the end of the driveway when he felt something tug at his heart. Turning slowly, he saw his Catherine watching him from her bedroom window. She didn't call out to him. She didn't speak at all. All Catherine did was watch.
They stared at each other for a moment before she nodded her head slightly. This warmed his heart. She understood. She was letting him go.
Warrick got in his car and drove away, not knowing that Catherine watched until he was out of sight and silently praying he would come back to her.