Chapter 3: Catherine Willows
~~~~~~~~CATHERINE'S POV~~~~~~~~
"I ask first." Nick pointed to himself. "Because of the seriousness of Grissom's question to Sara, I believe its time to shake things up a bit."
"Oh brother. I don't know how to do a back bend Nicky so don't ask." I sent a smile Sara's way. She surprised us all by that little stunt, especially Grissom who was practically drooling. I wish they would just get it over with soon. Their flirting was driving me crazy.
"Well then you have to answer my question." Nick sat down next to Sara on the sofa. "What's the craziest thing you have ever done?"
I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Crazy how?"
"Surprise us."
Nick what are you planning? Well definitely not this. "Fine. Craziest thing I have ever done was go skinny dipping at the lake three miles behind my house in the dead of winter."
The entire room burst into giggles. It was nice to see them all so happy again. In fact its been awhile since anyone has laughed.
"Oh. My. God." Sara said laughing so hard she was crying all over Nick.
"Damn Cath." Warrick gave me a big bright smile. The kind that made my heart beat just a little faster. "I wish I could have known you then." He said.
"Me too." Greg laughed. "Grissom you're the only one not laughing but why am I not surprised."
I looked over to Grissom, who wore a face of seriousness. "Well Greg, I'm not laughing because that would be inappropriate. I have managed to keep my questions good-natured but somehow I knew that you all couldn't resist."
"Oh Grissom lighten up. They're just having fun." I said in everyone's defense. Like you were having fun when you helped Sara up, I added to myself. I made sure to talk to him about Sara later.
"Did you know Catherine then Grissom?" Nick asked wiping the tears off his face.
"No I didn't." He said flatly.
I stepped in trying to explain my actions. "This happened way before I met Grissom. A group of friends and I got drunk on mom and dad's liquor, and jumped in butt-ass naked into the lake. We froze our butts off that's for sure."
"How cold was it?" Greg asked.
"Cold enough to see your breath. I am surprised we lived to talk about it. With the water almost reaching freezing and the alcohol in our blood, you would think hypothermia would have set in. But here I am."
"Yes here you are." Warrick mumbled.
"Come on give me some credit, I was a teenager and you know how teenagers can get. Every once in awhile it was nice to just be carefree and to live a little."
"Live a little? You lived a lot. Your next step was the world of exotic dancing." Greg laughed.
"Yeah Catherine how did you get into dancing? I never knew the whole story." Sara went to the coffee pot.
"Its not your turn Sara." Nick said.
"It is now. You got a problem with it." She shot back.
"Not at all."
"That's what I thought. So Catherine tell me."
"I never thought you cared Sara." I said. I regarded her question with reluctance. Sara was never one to pry because such questions usually led to her sharing of memories. She really was a great girl and really smart I admit, but she definitely needed to be brought out of that shell more often.
"We'll its interesting." She again sat down beside Nick on the sofa.
I decided to indulge her. "Okay. I waited tables for awhile trying to get money for college but the money wasn't good enough, so I decided what the hell I'm young, and at least as pretty as the girls I saw dancing so I gave it a shot. That's how it started. The money was great and before too long I was married to Eddie and had Lindsay."
"What happened?" Sara asked.
"Well I finished college, came to work for Grissom, and have been here ever since. Eddie and I realized we need to split so we did." I sighed. "Finishing college and having Lindsay was the best thing I ever did with my life. I have no regrets and wouldn't change one thing that happened to me."
"Wow." She said. "I wish I was that way."
I couldn't help notice the regret in her voice. Something happened to Sara that she preferred not to talk about but I let it go. If she wasn't forthcoming I wasn't about to step on her toes, but I tried to offer her friendly advice. "Sara never want to be something your not. It took me a long time to accept myself. I don't want to see you make the same mistake of living in the past. We all have to get over our demons by conquering them. Remember that."
"Easier said than done." Grissom said from behind me. Ah yes the other puzzle in my life. Gil Grissom. Why was I not surprised?
The room was quiet again as each CSI remembered a time in their life they could erase. Even I permitted myself to wallow in the past, but only for a brief second before Greg interrupted our thoughts.
"Jeeze Sara way to bring down our fun. I guess I will have to save the day again." He walked to the front of me, pulled out a chair, and he sat down in front of me. Everyone's eyes suddenly watched whatever Greg had planned. I knew it would be original coming from Greg. He was a unique individual to say the least.
"Do you still lap dance?" He asked boldly.
Like I said something original. I saw Grissom raise an eyebrow, Warrick looked at the floor, Sara held back a laugh, and Nick reached over and slapped Greg on the back of the head before I got the chance.
"Ow! That hurt!"
"Good." Nick said trying to keep from laughing.
Greg rubbed his head. "Its a legitimate question. Catherine?"
How to proceed, I thought. "Sorry Greg but I don't give out lap dances, and especially not to you."
"Does that mean you still do it though?" His smile was contagious.
"Watch it pal." I warned but I knew my smile betrayed the tone of my voice.
"Okay I'll drop it. But it does raise some very interesting questions." Greg rose from his chair and pushed it under the table.
"Payback is a bitch Greg." I turned away from him and went to stand by Warrick. "Who's next?"
"I'll go." Warrick said. "Have you ever slept with Grissom?"
I was naturally shocked to utter speechlessness as was the whole room at Warrick's frankness. The room was quiet with tension until Grissom spoke in his defense.
"Why do you all assume that I am such a ladies man? Do you think I bring in women for my own sexual pleasure?"
Warrick raised his hands in front of him with a devious smile on his face. "Hey you said it, not me."
I released the laugh I was holding. It was kind of funny. "This is good. Me and Grissom? That's worse than Grissom and Sara. What ever gave you that idea?" My eyes went to Warrick's, but not before noticing Grissom and Sara exchange glances. I was going to say something but got lost in Warrick's beautiful eyes.
"We all know he recruited you, and I was just wondering if you two have ever..."
I turned to Grissom. "No offense Gil, but you couldn't handle me. And Warrick do I detect some jealousy?"
"No." He said lightly. "I think it all crossed our minds at one point or the other, so I thought I should ask."
Oh he was jealous, I knew it for sure.
Grissom turned to face the team. "Do you honestly think I would sleep with Catherine?"
"Wow Gris you say it like its repulsive. Thanks." I rolled my eyes. I could probably teach you a few things Grissom. Like how to take Sara and plant one on her.
"That's not what I meant Catherine. I mean we just...look we are just friends. That's it." He said clearly getting upset.
"Okay so let's move shall we." Nick said and I was thankful for the change of subject. "Grissom you're the last one to ask Catherine a question."
"I really am beginning to hate this game." He said.
"Come on Grissom, just play along." I urged him.
"Fine. What was your childhood dream?"
"Oh that's original." Greg mumbled but unfortunately Grissom heard him.
"Yes it is Greg but it appears I am the only one that is capable of being an adult."
"That's it." Okay I've had it by this point. Grissom is a good friend but he was being a real jerk. Couldn't he see that we were all having a good time. He really sucks with people. "Grissom this is all a game of fun. No one will press harassment charges, no one will be offended, and you won't get into trouble. So pull the stick out of your ass and have some fun."
A uncomfortable silence settled upon the room. It was as if death itself walked in and stopped the fun. I began to regret what I said but to be perfectly honest it was true. No one moved or looked at the cold stare Grissom was sending me.
"Pull the what out of my ass?" He asked incredulously.
"The stick." I said again not afraid of backing down. No that was definitely not my style.
A slow grin pulled at his lips. "I had no idea I had one up my ass."
"You do." I said starting to laugh. The room followed my lead and let out a nervous laugh. Even Grissom permitted himself a full-hearted laugh. That in itself was amusing.
"Just answer my question Catherine." He said composing himself finally.
"Whatever. You want to know what I wanted to be. I wanted to be famous. It didn't matter who I was as long as I was famous."
"Ah the attention grabber." Warrick said sarcastically. "Never would have guessed that."
I got in his personal space and poked him in the ribs. "Oh just shut up. Let's stop picking on me and go to the next person." He gave me another smile to make me melt. "Who's next anyway Nick because I want to cream Grissom." And Warrick, I added quietly.
"No. Grissom has to be last. So I choose...Greg you go."
Greg was practically jumping up and down. "Oh this is going to be so sweet. Just so you all know I do not embarrass easily."
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tbc...