Somebody That I Used To Know
Rating: Teen for now, mature later.
Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or the characters.
Summary: She's just somebody that he used to know.
A/N: Here's the second chapter! I wrote this last night and in class today instead of taking notes. Haha. Enjoy! Sorry for any grammar mistakes!
:)
Minutes passed, which seemed like hours to him. He wouldn't have imagined his visit back home would end up like this. Regardless, this wasn't the worst place he could be. He could still be with Sara. He closed his eyes and brought his fingers to his temples, rubbing gently to ease away the reoccurring migraine. Those minutes eventually turned into hours and he found himself soon under the soft sheets of Catherine's guest bed. He drifted off to sleep seconds after his head hit the soft pillow.
Hours later, his eyes fluttered open at the subtle hint of light coming from the window on the other side of the room. Yawning and stretching, he dragged himself out of bed and rubbed his hands over his face. It would be one of many sleepless nights he'd experience, he knew.
The house was still a bit dark and after his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting, he made his way down the hallway. He remembered there was still a suitcase full of clothes he had forgotten to take out of his SUV when he made it back. On his way, he passed her bedroom. The door was still wide open, she had left it that way in case he needed anything. He stopped and took small steps until he was leaning against the door frame, his arms crossed over his chest and contently watching her sleep. Her bedside lamp was still on, illuminating her small frame. She was asleep, somewhat propped up by pillows behind her. Her glasses were on the tip of her nose and a book rested in her lap.
It wasn't until that moment, watching her, that he realized how much he had missed her. He missed their conversations, their inside jokes, making dinner together at his place, eating breakfast together at the diner, being close to her- he missed it all. Of all the years they had worked together and known each other, she had never betrayed him... intentionally. She was his constant, what kept him from going insane. What had ever led him to believe that Sara could ever provide that for him? He did love Sara, though... at one point. He had trusted her... once.
Without thought, he carefully stepped into her room and up to her bed, where he reached out and gently tucked a piece of her hair behind her ears. Softly, he removed her glasses, set them on the nightstand, and picked the book up from her lap. He straightened up and watched her peacefully sleep for a few more seconds before turning off her lamp and leaving her to sleep.
–
After showering, changing into clean clothes, and making up the guest bedroom, he had found himself in her kitchen, still familiar with where everything was. It was a little past eight o' clock in the morning and Catherine still hadn't woken up, so he planned to surprise her with his signature breakfast that she loved so much.
He had his back turned as he turned on her stove and prepared to scramble eggs. It wasn't until he had broken the egg into the pan when she appeared behind him, leaning up on her toes and resting her chin comfortably on his shoulder. Her lips, dangerously close to his ear, curled into a smile when she saw he was making breakfast.
"Good morning," she whispered, before falling back on her feet and moving towards the fridge to get a bottle of water. He had to fight the shiver that was threatening to rock his body from having her soft, flirtatious voice right in his ear. "Slept well," she asked, leaning against the kitchen counter directly opposite of him. With his back to her, he looked over his shoulder and gave her a well knowing look. He let his eyes roam her body, noticing that she was still wearing the attire she had slept in. He could feel the heat rise in his cheeks and quickly turned his attention back to the task on hand.
"Did you have any plans for today," he asked, finishing off the eggs, turning off the stove and then fixing both of their plates. Taking the dirty dishes from the counter, he turned and headed for the sink, anticipating her to move from in front of the sink so he could wash the dishes. She stood her ground, though, and eyed him as she took sips from her bottle of water.
"Housework," she answered back. When she didn't move, he positioned himself in front of her, reaching around her to put the dirty dishes and utensils into the sink. "What were you planning on doing today," she asked in return. He looked down at her and was at a loss for words. At this time, he'd probably be spending it with Sara, but that wasn't going to happen today. She reached up and rubbed his arm, letting him know that it was okay. "We'll do something together today, if you'd like," she offered, then led him to the kitchen table so they could eat the breakfast he had prepared for them.
As he sat down, his mouth opened to decline her offer, not wanting to keep her from her errands, but instead of a protest, he accepted with a small smile and a nod. She smiled back and took a seat next to him, then scooted her chair closer to him.
They began eating in a comfortable silence. After a few moments, she had thanked him for making such a delicious breakfast.
"You don't know how much I missed this," she muttered before taking another bite of buttered toast. He looked up at her, his food completely forgotten. He wondered if she knew how much he had missed her too. It didn't take her long to notice that he had stopped eating and was fixated on watching her. She brought her hand up to her mouth and her eyes grew wide, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "What? Do I have something on my face," she asked with a mouthful of pancakes. He laughed at her insecurity and shook his head.
"No." He went back to picking at his food, suddenly finding himself full. "I just missed this, too."
When she was done with breakfast, she leaned back against her chair and watched him.
"So... have you talked to her yet?" Grissom shook his head and downed the rest of his orange juice, then began clearing the table. Catherine moved swiftly to help him, but he insisted that she let him do it. "Do you even want to talk to her," she asked.
"I wouldn't know what to say." He looked back at the digital clock on her stove. "I'm surprised she hasn't called me yet. She knew I was coming back."
"I have a list of things I would like to say to her, actually." He had finished clearing the table and leaned against the counter where she once was. "I'm sorry, Gil. I really am." He nodded. "I wish... I wish there was something I could do, you know? I just can't believe... she and Nick..." When he didn't respond back, she pressed her lips together and began to leave the kitchen, worrying that maybe she had upset him with bringing up Sara and Nick again. She mentally cursed at herself, but before she could get away, his voice was dragging her back.
"You know... there were signs that I ignored." She stopped, kept her back to him, waiting for him to speak again. "I knew she wasn't happy. I could see it in her face... hear it in her voice." Catherine turned around and took a step back into the kitchen. "I thought I was enough for her," he admitted softly. Catherine's heart pounded against her chest. She had never seen him like this; so vulnerable and misguided. Just the fact that he was here, trusting her with such personal information, was overwhelming. She hadn't seen him or heard from him in months, almost a year or two, and then he calls and shows up last minute. Not that she had minded, it was nice to finally have him back. And frankly, she had to admit that she had given up hope that day she found the picture in his kitchen, of him and Sara... years ago. But now... even though she knew she shouldn't be happy about this, the hope was coming back.
Shyly, she walked up to him, stood close to him and touched his arm.
"Gil, you should've been enough for her. None of this is your fault. I'm sure you were the perfect husband to her," she whispered. "A million times better than Eddie, for sure," she added, trying to lighten up the mood.
"Cath..."
"If you weren't enough for her, then it's seriously her loss... and whoever you choose to love next will be the luckiest woman in the world, I'm sure of it. Just... don't let this get you down, okay?"
His blue eyes met her's and she had to remind herself to breathe.
"I'm glad you're here, Gil," she whispered. And what happened next, she would never forget until the day she died.
He had slowly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him in the most intimate embrace they had ever shared. She closed her eyes as he pulled her against his body even tighter and buried her head into his chest. She felt so tiny in his arms and he had to remind himself not to squeeze her too hard, afraid she might break. With her in his arms, all the anxiety and troubles seemed to just disappear. All he knew, was that in this moment, he had Catherine Willows in his arms and he wasn't letting go. He had wanted to do this for so long, to just sweep her up into his arms and hold her.
It was then that he admitted to himself silently that maybe he had settled for Sara. It was then that he realized he had made the wrong woman his wife. All the time wasted... he felt his chest grow tight in guilt and pulled her closer, letting his fingers run patterns up and down her back.
"I missed you so much," he whispered. His chest hummed as he spoke the words and her pulse raced. She had never been this close to him, but it was nice. It was more than nice. It was intoxicating. She snaked her arms around his waist and allowed herself to relax against his body. She felt him shift slightly and he was leaning against the kitchen counter again, just holding her in his arms.
"I missed you a lot more, Gil. A lot more." He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head, her soft hair brushing against his cheek and nose. "And you'll get through this. I promise. It may not be easy, but as long as you have the people that you love close at hand, you'll be fine." At her words, he laid his cheek flat against the top of her head and refused to let her go.
"I know."
She pulled back slowly, tilting her head back so she could look up at him. Without her heels, she barely came up to his shoulders and at this, he smiled. Her lips parted so she could speak, but before any words came out, a loud ring beat her to the punch. The sudden noise made Grissom jump and drop his arms from around Catherine's waist. He had forgotten that he had brought his phone into the kitchen and now regretted even bringing it with him.
He looked across the kitchen, where his phone vibrated and rang constantly, then back at Catherine who gave him an encouraging nod.
"What if it's her?"
"Talk to her."
"But-"
Moving swiftly, she dashed across the kitchen and snatched his phone from the counter. She unlock his phone, answering the call, just before it stopped ringing. Grissom's eyes grew wide as he watched her bring the phone to her ear with a forced smile on her face.
"Hello," she answered, in a sweet voice. On the other line was a very confused woman. Sara looked down at her phone, making sure she had called the right number, and then slowly brought the phone back up to her ear.
"Catherine," she asked in a low, suspecting voice. "What- why do you have Gil's phone? Is everything okay?"
"I don't know, Sara. Is everything okay," she asked, her tone becoming less sweet and more forceful. "Hang on. He's right here." She walked back over to him and handed him the phone, which he took softly and kept eye contact with Catherine.
"Sara."
"Gil... I thought you were coming home." He stayed silent for a few moments, locking eyes with Catherine.
"I did," he answered her.
"Why is Catherine there?"
"Sara... I think we need to talk."
A/N: Okay so I have a confession to make. I really really really like writing this story, but I can't for the life of me get into character for Grissom. I think I write Catherine fairly well, but it's something about Grissom that makes me want to erase all of this and start over. Anyway, I think this chapter was a bit cute, so I won't delete it. Any thoughts/suggestions? Let me know what you'd like to see and maybe I can write it in! Thanks for all the reviews so far, guys!