"I know it's none of my business about your private lives but it interferes with work then it's a different matter, Catherine." Grissom walks slowly in front of Catherine and leans on his desk.
Catherine looks up at Grissom, "And you mean?" Geez, does he know about me and Sara, we're we that obvious?
"You and Sara." Grissom says simply.
Okay, he knows. "I don't know what you're talking about, Gil." Avoiding his eyes, Catherine reaches for a pencil on his table and starts twirling it around her fingers.
"You're getting uncomfortable talking about this. It's okay, I mean about you and Sara. Well, it's a bit of a surprise. It's just, ... I need to absorb it all." Grissom takes a deep breath, sticks both hands in his pocket.
"Gil, I don't..." Catherine looks at her friend.
"You and Sara. I've noticed the looks you two have been giving each other when I assigned you the case together this evening. Same as awhile ago, both of you blushing while I was asking what took you two so long coming back. Obviously Sara was talking about you. And I see that you're smiling again. And it seems you're making her smile, too. Which is a good thing." Grissom smiles sadly as her look back at Catherine.
"How are you with it?" Oh, no. Don't tell me Gil stil has a thing for her.
Grissom takes a deep breath, "like I said, I need to absorb it, accept it. Didn't expected it, I mean to say I'm happy you two found each other. It's… good. She's good for you. You two are good for each other."
"Gil, tell me. I know you. We've been friends for so long, I know when something bothers you." Catherine reaches out and touches his arm. Please, please, please. Don't have a thing for Sara. She's mine now.
Grissom smiles, "Sara."
Damn it. Catherine repeats her name, "Sara."
"It would be very presumptuous of me of me if I said that I thought Sara would always… you know." Grissom makes a gesture with his hand.
"Be around... for you?" Catherine closes his statement. You snooze, you loose. Okay, be nice. This is Gil, my lifelong friend. but still, you snooze, you, loose. Be nice, be nice!
"Yes, for years she was giving me all these signals which I chose to ignore or not act upon. Was like a little unspoken game, she walks towards me, I keep on walking away. Now that she's found someone, and don't get me wrong, I'm happy its you. She couldn't have picked a better person. But now it's over. And I will regret that I wish I was a better player. Sometimes the best things are infront of us but at times we're too blind to see."
"Gil…" Be honest now. He'll understand, he always does. Catherine stands up and takes both of Grissom's hands in hers, "I don't know how it happened. I have been attracted to her for awhile but I never acted out on it, mostly in respect to you. You're my best friend. Somehow in me she was yours. You two have this…connection." A connection that makes me green with jealousy.Why would anyone be attracted to Gil? Okay, he's odd, he's intelligent, focused. I'm glad he doesn't have social skills.
Grissom looks at Catherine and smiles, "I see the look in both of your faces when you two look at each other, Sara never looked at me like that. Like I said, I need to accept this, but I'm alright with it. Seeing you two smile again makes me happy, Catherine. Are you…happy?"
Catherine smile widens, she blushes. Hell, yes! The rush in the desert is proof!
Grissom gives her a bear hug, "Then I'm happy. You're my best friend, Catherine. You deserve to be happy." He then looks at her and with all concern and seriousness, "it's going to be tough for awhile, you know that. Right? Office romance, Eckile, plus the fact that both of you are stubborn," Grissom laughs, "I don't know whose going to give in first."
Catherine laughs, "ha, ha! We'll meet in between." She grins mischievously, "after she apologizes."
"Now, Catherine. Be good." Grissom smiles.
Catherine takes a step back, and quietly, "I don't know, Gil. I'm falling for her. Fast. It's scaring the hell out of me. I've never been attracted to a woman the way I'm attracted to her.I've had hidden feelings for her for so long and now I don't think I can stop myself from falling in love with her. I don't know if what she's feeling for me is just…a now thing. What about tomorrow, or the next day? In a week?"
Grissom looks at Catherine, takes her hand and pulls her close giving her another hug, "take one day at a time, Catherine. Don't rush. If you two are meant for each other, then it's going to last. Both of you are fighters, let alone survivors.I don't think both of you will give up a good thing. It's not in any of your systems."
Catherine tightens her hug, "Gil, I love you, thank you. I'm glad you're always here when I need you." Thank god, he's my best friend!
Grissom smiles and laughs, "we're always there for each other through the good and the bad. Now, go. Back to work. The night is not over. You two still have a case to finish."
Catherine salutes as she walks out, "roger that, boss." She sticks her head in his office, "Gil? Thanks."
He looks at her with a smile, "Anytime, Catherine. Anytime."
---oOo---
