Title: Preying Mantis – Chapter 10

Author: Nuclearjane

Author's Note: See previous chapter for disclaimers and stuff.

"Gil, does any of this remind you of something?" Catherine asked after settling in the passenger seat of his Denali and they were alone.

"Like what?"

"Like...the first time, we got together."

"Hmm, let's see, we met at a sports bar, had a couple of beers, played pool, then had breakfast and each other at my place." He summarized; his attempted humor fell flat.

"Gil, we met at the Grill'em sports bar! You were sitting next to a brunette when I got there. I remember because she stared daggers at me. I took a swig of your beer, you ordered two more then went to the bathroom."

"It was more like a gulp and I ordered more because it was obvious you weren't gonna stop 'til you chugged the rest of mine!"

"I was thirsty, Okay? So, we played pool, but...after a few minutes, all I could think about was sex. How 'bout you?"

"You know what I was thinking about. You had on that sort of see-through white linen top with the lace up front, which you don't exactly lace up. Every time you bent over the pool table to make a shot, I had a very clear view of your breasts. As I recall they were invitingly displayed in a white Jacquard print Demi Bra."

"Took you long enough to notice!" She dryly commented, tucking away that little nugget. She would definitely be wearing that top again, and soon. "So then, we got to your place and ate half a plain omelet. Gil, you never make plain omelet's!"

"Sure, I do, just not for you and I did notice. I just didn't say anything. In fact, you've done that sort of thing to me for years."

"Well, the next thing I remember, we were all over each other on your sofa."

"Until we fell off."

"Riiight. Gil, haven't you wondered; why, after all these years, we suddenly jumped all over each other, like horny teenagers?"

"I don't think I was ever that horny, even when I was a teenager." He muttered.

"What?"

"Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, even the biggest loser gets it right, sometimes. Look, I've waited for, practically forever, for you to give me a, ah, a sign. I guess; I figured you finally gave it to me. The other old adage that presently springs to mind is, 'Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.'" He honestly couldn't remember how they ended up in bed, together. The sex was great but the details were a little blurry. He did remember cleaning up the mess of broken plates and scattered omelet remnants; later that day, which must have resulted from their unceremonious fall to the hard wood floor.

"Really? What exactly, was 'the sign'?"

"I don't recall."

"Well, there you go. I think, that was her, and she put something in your beer. After, we both drank it; we did, what we've both wanted to do all along."

"Cath, that's crazy! Every one of her murders occurred at night. We were there at nine in the morning; plus, you're implying that she's been hanging around Vegas for two months to find another victim. It surely wouldn't take her that long to find a suitable victim!" He exclaimed as he pulled into the Stargazer Motel. Catherine was staring straight ahead, arms folded over her chest. Realizing she was upset, he gently asked. "Well, even if it was her, and she spiked my beer, do you regret it?"

"No, it's just...what if, I hadn't shown up. You might be dead."

"That wouldn't have happened because I wouldn't have been there in the first place. It was your idea to go there, remember?"

"But, what if...I'd been detained?"

"Then, you would've called me and I would've gallantly rushed to your side. My dear, you're worrying over nothing."

"I'm not so sure."

"Cath..." He began as the FBI sedan pulled in next to them. "Take Rob to The Magness and see if they have surveillance tapes, Okay?"

"Yeah, alright." Catherine huffed.

TBC