Disclaimer: Sadly enough, I don't own anything. This is written for pure enjoyment only and no profit to be gained.

CHAPTER 10:

Catherine heard him loud and clear, but was unable to speak.

Why would he be afraid of me? Oh god, was it because I hit him? Does he have the same fears I do? No…

Catherine was pulled out of her train of thought by the deliverance of Gil's soft tone as he gradually spoke once more.

"I'm afraid that after this weekend, of us being so close and sharing our feelings, that…that I'll be afraid to talk to you. That it'll be awkward as hell at work. That it won't be the same as it was a week ago between us…you know, the normal Gil and Catherine. That…That…" He shook his head. He gave up. He was done. He verbalized his thoughts and now he digressed. He couldn't handle any more of this, and with that, he began to pull the covers back over his body when Catherine reached for both of his hands.

"Gil, look at me." She waited for him to look up, but his head was still down, facing his lap. "Gil, please look at me." She pleaded with him.

"I can't, Catherine. I just can't." He quietly responded.

Catherine was upset and knew that she couldn't and wouldn't leave without clearing this up; she deeply feared the outcomes of what would happen otherwise. Slowly she released his right hand from her left hand and swiftly reached up for his chin. Gil was startled by the contact when she placed a single finger, her index finger, under his chin and pushed it up. Effortlessly, she propelled his head back up so his eyes were once again locked onto hers. He didn't resist when she softly pleaded with him.

"Gil, look at me."

"I am." He spoke hoarsely.

"Nothing has changed between us, you got that? You do know that, right? If anything, our friendship has improved. Best friends talk to each other all the time, not avoid each other. Do you understand? This whole weekend has been a blessing. We've improved our friendship and we were both able to express our feelings and let out some of the fear that we've both been holding in. I can't remember the last time we sat down and talked like that." She paused briefly. "Actually, I don't think we've ever talked before, I mean, not as in-depth as we have the past few days."

Gil nodded and swallowed hard before he spoke.

"That may be true, but it will still feel awkward at work. I can't help it. Every time I let someone get close, it backfires on me and it's never the same. I always end up wishing I would've kept my mouth shut. I'm sorry, I should've thought about it before—before all of this. I should've kept my own problems out—" Gil sighed heavily, not finishing his statement. There was no need to. She knew what he was going to say; the tone in his voice was so deep…dark, like he hadn't slept in days.

"Gil, please don't do this. Why do you expect the worst? You know I don't judge you. We've been friends for so long…" She paused. "Do you really think something like this is going to pull us apart? Gil, this weekend was a luxury compared to what I would've been doing. Please don't think things like that, ok?"

Gil nodded. He still felt awkward and he knew when he'd spot her in the hallway at work, passing by, he'd still feel awkward, but deep down inside he understood her. He understood what she meant. They would be friends forever and she had just reassured him of it. He needed her and he figured she needed him just as much.

Gil silently reached up with his right hand to claim her left hand once more and held onto it as if it were his last lifeline.

"Thank you, Catherine."

She looked confused and tilted her head slightly to the side as if asking him to continue.

"In my eyes, your reassurance is golden." He smiled once again. "Thank you for being there when I needed you—"

"Just like you were here for me when I needed you." Gil nodded and pulled her into him for a hug.

Once again, it was a hug that lasted longer than it should have and once again, they didn't care. After a few seconds, the hug only increased as their hands slid along each other's shoulder blades and onto each other's backs. Both of their heads tucked into the crock of each others necks.

A/N: So, let me know what you think. I pretty much have in mind where it's headed from here. Not sure how long it will be though…
-Snyder-