Date Night 1/3
Disclaimer: Don't own them just borrowing
Rating: T
Spoilers: None
Summary: Her first date. She really is growing up. But then again a night of nervous waiting can bring surprising results.
Chapter 1
"Oh my god, he asked me out this Friday, I can't believe it, what am I going to wear? Catherine stopped in her tacks outside Lindsey's room. She walked closer to the door, and listened to Lindsey's excited planning.
She sighed. It had only been an hour since she hesitantly allowed Lindsey to go on her first date. Catherine had been expecting the question for permission the last couple of weeks. She had been resistant to give her permission, something inside her telling her it was way too soon to let Lindsey out into the scary world with her heart wide open.
But she knew she had to. Lindsey was 14 and from what she could tell Matt was a really nice boy who seemed to treat Lindsey well. She had met him twice when she picked up Lindsey. He had introduced himself and she had seen him at a school event a week ago, where he and Lindsey talked most of the night. The fact that they just had a case involving young girls Lindsey's age being date-raped by guy the same age as Matt shouldn't mean that she would limit Lindsey but it was so hard.
"My mom just said yes" Lindsey's excited voice brought Catherine back to reality.
Catherine walked into her bedroom and closed the door. She sat down on her bed. The conversation with Lindsey earlier had been hard. The excitement in Lindsey's voice still rang in her ears.
"Mom, he asked me. He really asked me. Can I go out on a date with Matt Friday?"
"Linds..."
"Mom, please I promise I'll never ever ask for anything else".
"Honey, come here" Catherine padded on the bed; she had just woken up and was due at work in three hours.
"Mom, you've met him. He said he'd have me home before curfew and he's taking me to the movies."
"Linds...can he come here...you two could..."
"MOM"
Catherine looked into Lindsey's eyes and knew she had to trust her.
"Okay" she softly breathed.
"Mom, I love you thank you so much, I have to go call Julie right now, she's so jealous, I bet she..."
"Lindsey!" Catherine caught her daughter's hand.
"I just want you to be careful, okay?"
"Mom, seriously, I'm not a baby anymore. And I've always been careful about boys, don't worry. I know what to say. Mom, really I've been so careful I've never even been on a date. Please, say you're happy for me" Lindsey sat back down.
"I know. I'm happy for you".
"Mom, I promise to be careful. It's three hours, what could happen."
"Lindsey, honey, I know you'll be careful." Lindsey moved into her arms and settled in the hug for a minute before she hopped off the bed and ran into her bedroom to call Julie.
Catherine took a deep breath. She could still hear Lindsey going on and on. Sounded like she and Julie would go to the mall on Thursday after school to pick out the perfect outfit. Catherine got up and into the shower, got ready and left for work.
Sitting in the break room hours later, Catherine sat reading a magazine when Gil entered the room.
"Cath, the numbers are in," he told her then noticing she was miles away.
"Catherine" he sat down besides her studying her face. He could see her eyes, unfocused. He wondered what she was thinking about.
"Cath" he said touching her shoulder. She flinched and dropped the magazine she was holding.
"Jesus, Gil, you scared me" she said her hand reaching out, her fingers grabbing his forearm.
"You were miles away"
"Sorry, I ...well, it's Linds, she... she has a date Friday" She looked at him as the word sunk in.
"She has what?"
"A date"
"And you're sitting here worried out of your mind right?" her eyes snapped up to met his.
"She's only 14"
"She will be alright"
"I know... well, isn't it just ironic, my own daughter is side tracking me on having a personal life"
Catherine tried to sound cheerful but failed miserably.
"Well, that and you're also thinking about our last case, right?" she didn't need to say anything. She suddenly felt tears pool in her eyes and bit the inside of her cheek to prevent them from falling.
"Oh Cath" Gil rose and pulled her into his arms and led her to his office. Once inside he made her sit on his couch and crouched down in front of her.
"Catherine she is a smart, amazing kid. Give her some credit, she has grown into an amazing human being because of you and as much as I want to do a background check on her date, I wont because I trust that she will know what to do. Please tell me you trust her and more importantly yourself enough to do that."
Catherine knew he was right.
"Thank you" she whispered softly and leaned into his hug. His hands rubbing her back as he kissed her on top of her head. She froze, never before had he so openly showed affection for her.
Gil could have kicked himself. He felt like a jerk, letting his guard down at a moment of weakness. Sure she was worried, sad even but that didn't mean she suddenly loved him. Now did it?
"Oh, who am I kidding" Catherine said pulling slightly out of his arms. She felt her heart swell at his caring actions and decided to lay her heart out on the line.
"Gil, what are you doing Friday, want to be my date on date night, come over and help me fill the minutes while I wait for Lindsey?" she asked him trying to hide her nervousness.
"I'm... Catherine what are... well...I mean..." he wasn't sure what she was asking. He was pretty sure it could be a real date, but he didn't dare believe it. But then he saw a cloud of disappointment cloud her eyes and she pulled out of his arms entirely.
"Hey" He caught her arm as she was about to pull the door open. He turned her around seeing her refusal to meet his eyes. He reached up and his fingers tilted her head to meet his gaze. He saw a few stray tears spill on her cheeks.
"I'd love to join you and..."
"Gil, it's alright, it was a stupid idea anyways..." she interrupted him, just wanting to get out of there.
"Did you hear me, I said yes" he told her waiting for the penny to drop.
"Well, ok... I guess I'll see you Friday then?" she told him, a smile spreading on her face. She was almost out the door when he spoke again.
"I guess you will. Want me to come over and help scare the guy half to death when he picks up Lindsey?"
"Would you?" Catherine knew she was being ridiculous but she was sending her baby girl off on her first real date and any help she could get would be greatly appreciated.
"I'll be there early, promise"
With that she left his office and headed home butterflies already spreading turning into a full flown flutter. She actually had a date this Friday. Now all she had to do was figure out how to concentrate on her own date, while her daughter was out there on her first date.