Disclaimer: Refer back to previous chapters. It hasn't changed, I swear.
Spoilers: After the Show
A/N: Again, lads and lasses, I apologize for the delay. Thank ya for all your lovely comments, and feel free to keep 'em comin! This chapter, like all previous chapters, takes place during the last scene of [this] episode, so the Disclaimer isn't the only thing they have in common. Go figure.
Chapter 6: It's Your Back I Have
Gil and Catherine have taken a few minutes to rest in the break room and watch the local anchorwoman inform the general public of the Julie Walters case. "You did good, Cath," Gil said.
"I had help," Catherine replies.
"How are things with you and Nick and Sara?" asked Gil, knowing full well the friction that had developed over the past few days.
"They're good. They're pros," Catherine comments, opting to not complain. The anchorwoman's report prompted Catherine's thought of how easily Howard could've gotten away home-free. "All he had to do was stay quiet."
"Unlike Robyn Knight, Julie Walters became Las Vegas' post-mortem sweetheart. The media has a moral conscience," Gil pointed out.
"She couldn't get away from him and he couldn't get away from her."
"Catherine, might you want to elaborate on you current situation with our promotion-hopefuls?"
"This is new. It's not often you encourage me to discuss my relationships with my co-workers," Catherine said, somewhat shocked by his sudden interest in her relationships.
"I'd like to make sure that my subordinates have good rapports with one another. It's never good when members of the same team are fighting and cannot stand to be civil," Gil explains.
"Uh huh. I'm not sure that they're going to forgive me getting to lead the case, but I'm sure they'll understand one day, and ultimately forgive and forget. You never know-one day, they may be in my position and they'll understand that this was probably the best solution," Catherine told him. "On a side note, it is nice to know that you have my back."
"Yeah. As long as you're not at each other's throats, I'm happy."
"So, you wanna get something to eat?" Catherine asked, notably more cheerful.
"Sure. But, I have some errands I have to run. Do you mind coming along?" Gil asked.
"I don't mind. I just want something small. I'm really in the mood for something like an ice cream cone. What errands do you need to run?"
"I need pants," Gil said dully.
They left work a few minutes later in search of an ice cream shop. Soon they found a small parlor. Catherine found a small table while Gil ordered them two chocolate soft serve cones.
"Catherine, I have something I've been meaning to ask you," Gil murmured.
"Hmm?"
"Uh, do you still remember that promise we made a while ago? About how, if we never found anyone else, we'd tie the knot?" he asked.
"Yea," Catherine replied. Her face fell at the thought of what he would say next. Had he found someone?
"We still on?"
"Yea, why?" she replied.
"Well, I thought, since we're practically a married couple already, maybe it wouldn't hurt to do stuff together, albeit few and far between, like a married couple would. Like shopping for stuff like furniture, clothes, going out for anniversaries, that kind of thing."
"What about what we're doing now?" she inquired.
"Well, it's not irregular for co-workers to go out for meals together." Gil deadpanned.
"Hmm, I think I'd like that. What prompted this change in attitude?"
"Well, what I said about always having your back-it seemed like a wedding vow. And we've been friends for so long, it wouldn't be frowned upon for you to help me pick out a pair of pants."
"Okay, I can see that. Everyone already knows we go way back." Catherine smiled to herself behind her ice cream. Maybe there was hope for the two of them. Hell, Gil thought, we're already more compatible than any of our previous partners. Catherine already is my better half…
