Now David thought he knew his supervisor, but in this particular situation, he was unable read her. The absence of words and a look from over the rims of her glasses, in his direction mostly, had been her only response as Wendy proceeded to tell her the news. He could feel her judging him, the longer she studied his person, and he'd be lying if he said that he liked it. In actual fact, the very act festered at the core of his very being, and had it had been anyone else, he probably would have snapped. Truth be told, he had wished he could have backed out of this whole, "telling Catherine" bit, but knew it would of resulted in a very emotional fight between the two, and he didn't want Wendy upset over something that needed to be done. It was better to get it over with sooner rather then later!
"So let me get this straight," Catherine began as she slipped her glasses off, placing them down on the desk in front of her to look at David, "when you approached me a while back inquiring about the protocol of reporting a possible romantic relationship between two co-workers, and, in not so many words, what would be required for them to be together, you were actually referring to this." She completed her inquiry with a gesture of her finger pointing back and forth at both Wendy and David.
He could feel both Catherine's and now Wendy's eyes on him as he made all attempts not to look directly at either one of them. Now he didn't hang his head for he wasn't the least bit ashamed for questioning lab policies, or inevitably getting involved with the DNA tech, but a simple nod was all he could muster up.
"And my response to the inquiry was...?" Catherine countered, giving the young brunette a quick look before returning her attention to the man sitting across from her.
David hesitated momentarily before speaking up. "That it would have to be reported directly to Ecklie. That one of the parties involved would have to switch shifts."
Their supervisor leaned back in her chair with folded arms, once again, studying the couple that sat in front of her. "You both realize that this is a little more serious then a simple dinner and a movie date, correct?"
"I'd..." Wendy suddenly piped up, looking from David to Catherine, trying to find a solution to achieve the most positive of outcomes. ".. be willing to switch, if it means we can further our relationship without any complications."
She then reached out and gathered up David's hand, to reassure him that she was okay with her sudden decision. Up until that moment, they had failed to come to a decision about which one would be willing to give up their position, if it had come to doing so. In actual fact, the subject had never come to the surface for discussion.
The look in David's eyes was that of devastation and it was the first time that Catherine witnessed such raw emotion from her trace tech, that it nearly tugged at her own heart strings... nearly! But lab policy was lab policy, and there was serious reprimand if they were violated. He had wanted to say something, anything. Be the one to step up and do whatever was needed. Damn Conrad Ecklie!
Wendy knew this, quickly adding that it was probably the best scenario for all involved. That she would probably have better sleeping and eating habits, less stress. But they all knew that nothing was guaranteed.
David reluctantly resigned himself to the fact that he and Wendy would eventually be separated. The one thing that kept him going each and every shift. Now it was going to be difficult. They'd be going from working side by side every night to hardly ever seeing one another.
He should have regretted having sex with the young brunette, releasing himself within her without protection, but he didn't. And the old David Hodges would have probably tried to blame her, somehow, for their current situation. But he had checked his selfish attitude at the door the moment their souls untied as one, and took full responsibility for his part. She meant everything in the world to him and more. He had finally felt a sense of worth in his life beyond his career. And the two souls that were now depending on him made him understand that this was a sacrifice worth taking.
As their meeting came to an end, both technicians stood to return to their respected workstations, thanking Catherine for her time.
"You know.." Catherine piped up as David placed a hand on the knob of the door. Both he and Wendy glanced at each other before redirecting their attention to their supervisor. This was something unexpected. The conversation for the most part was over. At least that was what they thought. "I've watched you two dance around your feelings for one another for more then four years, denying yourselves true happiness for the greater good of this lab. I respect that, I really do, but what was the last thing I said to you that conversation, Hodges?"
David quirked a brow and took a moment to think about it, resulting in a head shake.
Catherine smiled as she picked up several folders from her desk and tucked her glasses neatly on top of her head. "I simply said to 'go for it,' that 'life is to short.'"
Neither of the Tech's knew where exactly she was going with this, and Catherine could tell by the blank looks she was receiving. "If there is anyone on this team that has any understanding of family, of what it is like to have children, I would like to think it to be me. I understand the importance of having support, to know that you are not in it alone." She looked to Wendy and smiled.
"Look! We are all adults and we all understand that rules are in place, here, for many reasons. We can not afford to have our better judgements clouded due to personal issues... especially in our line of work. But..." She quickly continued, in hopes that she hadn't lost them altogether, "here's what I'm willing to do for you!"
David released the door knob in favor of directing his full attention in Catherine's direction.
"I am willing to over look this conversation, for now, and let you remain on the same shift, but there will be a few stipulations. One, I expect both your conduct toward each other and toward the lab to remain as it is now. Work comes first in foremost. Two, be weary of the strict consequences of your actions should Ecklie find out. And if he happens to find out, proper reprimand will be in order, if not from him, unfortunately from me...and the consequences will be a lot more serious.
"As I said, life is to short. To short to miss out on a wonderful experience such as the birth of a child...or two in your case. To experience a pregnancy...all the high's and the low's. The support of your partner." Catherine smiled a warm smile, extending a hand in congratulating the couple.
Both Wendy and David couldn't thank Catherine enough for what she was willing to do for them, and promised to keep things under wrap until the situation proved otherwise. Grissom would never had done that. Until then, they simply shook hands outside of Catherine's office and addressed one another:
"Hodges!" She smiled, with a newfound glow and a twinkle in her eye.
"Simms!" He nodded with a smirk, quickly becoming lost in her overall presence, but managed to note on how she subtly touched her belly.
With that, they hesitantly separated ways in favor of their respected workstations.
