Note: Next chapter!
9.
It was almost eleven in the evening when Catherine was still in Dusty's arms. He was gently stroking her hair while she was resting her head on his chest. They had had sex. And it hadn't just been sex. It had been making love. It was more intense, more passionate than Catherine could ever imagine it could be. She turned her head to face Dusty, and saw he was staring at her. He smiled at her when their eyes met, and Catherine said: "I think you're having a wine spot on your carpet." "I don't care. I'd throw that carpet away if it meant having you in my arms for the rest of my life." Catherine smiled and gave him a kiss on his lips. She wasn't sure where this was heading, and that's what she said. Dusty kissed her on her head and said: "Neither am I. Does it matter?" Catherine shook her head. She was happy that she was lying in the arms of a man she liked. A man she liked a lot. After thirty minutes more filled with kisses and touches, Catherine knew it was time to get back to her house. Gil was probably wondering where she was. When Dusty heard Catherine sigh, he knew she needed to get home. "You have to go don't you?" Catherine nodded. "I do. Gil's probably wondering where I am, it's getting late." She got up slowly and started to grab her clothing while Dusty observed the beautiful, naked lady in his room. He knew he wasn't able to see her as much as he wanted to. But he also knew that the intriguing, pretty, sweet woman in his room would be on his mind the entire day. While she put on her clothes, Catherine said: "Dusty… I… I really want to see you again some time soon." Dusty smiled. "Well, than I guess we agree on that point."
Gil was already asleep that evening when Catherine arrived home. He had tried to wait up, but was just too tired. When he got up that next morning though, the bed next to him was empty. When he came downstairs, he smelled pancakes and saw a smiling Catherine standing in the kitchen. "Ah, you're just in time! Pancakes are finished!" She put two plates on the kitchen table while Gil sat down. While they put the ingredients on the pancakes that they liked –mainly butter and syrup,-, Gil said: "So, you had a good evening with Meg?" Catherine took a bite of a pancake while she smiled. "We did. It was a lot of fun, she's a great woman." Gil nodded and said: "These are delicious bye the way. You're a good cook." Catherine laughed. "Well, thank you. But I think I'm just good at making pancakes." While having breakfast, Gil noticed Catherine's shining face. She was looking happy. He wondered what it was that made her look as shining as she did. He decided to talk about the case though. If he wouldn't, he would probably start fantasizing about the woman in front of him. And it wasn't exactly the right time to do. "So, you're working today?" Catherine nodded. "Yeah. I'm having contact with Nick today, to talk about Ric Decker, and of course the usual secretary stuff. And you?" "I'll check the rest of the files Jack sent me yesterday." Catherine nodded. "Good." After the two finished eating, she put the plates in the dishwasher and said: "So, I'm going. I'll be home around five." Without thinking, Gil said: "You want to have dinner tonight?" Catherine smiled on the outside, and started thinking. She really wanted to see Dusty. But she knew Gil and her had to be seen in public, they were supposed to be a couple after all. So she agreed. "Sure. We'll meet there at five thirty, okay?" Catherine grabbed her purse, smiled one last time and left the house. She wondered why she lied to Gil about Dusty. After all, there wasn't supposed to be a reason for her to lie to him, he was her best friend.
At the station, Catherine received a fax from Nick, that stated that there hasn't been any link with Ric Decker in Las Vegas. He could've changed his name though, so it wasn't anything special. There weren't any fingerprints found at any other crime scene's either that matched with Ric Decker's. A couple of seconds after the first fax, Catherine received another one. It was a quick message, that said: "We know we can't have any contact, but we wanted to let you know we're working as hard on the case as possible. We're missing you two. And Catherine, Lindsey sends you a big kiss. Sara, Greg, Warrick, Jim and Nick. Tears were forming in Catherine's eyes. She missed her daughter a lot. She was able to call her this evening though. While Catherine did the usual secretary stuff, Jack came bye to give her an update about the things the Oakdale police was doing. They hadn't had any luck so far. It looked like Ric Decker had disappeared from the earth. A little after twelve, Carly walked into the Oakdale PD. She waved friendly at Catherine, who waved back, and then walked over to Jack, who greeted her with a kiss. "So, you have time for lunch?" Jack made a painful face and said: "Carly, honey, I'm working." "I know, but policemen have time to lunch right?" "I'm sorry honey, I can't. We're working on an important case, I can't just leave an hour to have lunch." Carly nodded, and put her hand on his arm, softly striking up and down his skin while she said: "I understand. I was just really looking forward to have lunch with you… The two of us, together." Jack smiled. He knew Carly wanted them to spend some time together, but both of them had been very busy lately. "We'll do something later this week, together, okay? Maybe you can go with Catherine. She's able to go away for lunch." Carly smiled and gave Jack a kiss. "You know, that's actually a good idea."
Ten minutes later, the two women were in Al's Diner, with a coffee and hamburgers in front of them. Carly laughed while she said: "This is my guilty pleasure. I love hamburgers." Catherine smiled, while Carly continued talking. "So, you and Gil enjoy Oakdale so far? We don't see you around town that often." Catherine nodded and said: "I like it here, it's a great town, with nice people." Catherine didn't want to tell any lies to Carly, but she was sure Carly would ask more about her and Gil. "And you and Gil? You two seem to have a good marriage." Catherine's look became icier and Carly immediately apologized. "I'm sorry if I'm going out of line here." "No, no, don't be. It's just…" Carly kind of finished her sentence when she said: "Not the way it's supposed to be?" Catherine put up her lying face again when she said: "I don't know… I know I'm not the wife I should be?" "What do you mean?! You're a gorgeous, sweet woman, what's not to like about a wife like you?" Catherine laughed ironically when she said: "Enough." Something started to daze with Carly when she quietly asked: "Are you… Are you cheating on Gil?" Catherine gave her a sad smile when she said: "I kinda do. Don't judge me, please." "I wouldn't dare. Believe me, I've done enough stupid things to not judge you for yours. Tell me, what happened?" Catherine shrugged. "Not much.. It's just, I'm not feeling for Gil what a wife should feel for her husband. Not anymore. And then I met this guy, the first day we moved here, and there was just a click. He liked me, I liked him. The only problem was that he had a girlfriend and I'm married. He's girlfriend and him are done though. But I can't just tell Gil I'm in love with someone else, not with his burn-out. Besides… How do I know I'm in love with someone after I've been with him for a couple of times?" Carly laughed and said: "Believe me, I understand. I loved Jack from the first moment I saw him. We've been breaking up and getting back together so many times, I lost count. We've been with other people, but we always came back to each other. Love at first sight exists, believe me." Catherine sighed. "I guess. But perhaps it's just a fling, just a little adventure I need. But how am I supposed to tell Gil?" Carly took a sip of her drink and said: "Not. Don't tell him. Not until you've found out what you feel." The women were quiet for a while, until Carly said: "Catherine, I'm sorry for asking, but I'm curious… Who's that man you're in love with?" Catherine smiled when she said: "You know, I want to tell you, but you know the man. You have to promise not to tell anyone about this. Not even Jack." "My lips are sealed." "It's Dusty. Dusty Donovan."