Chapter 5: Warrick Brown
~~~~~~~~WARRICK'S POV~~~~~~~~
I regarded the room with reluctance. I never was one to talk about myself. It's not like I am overprotective of my privacy like Grissom or even Sara. They were clearly were afraid of sharing. No I just didn't want people knowing my business. After all its my business no one else's and I can handle my own life very well without anyone's input or advice. But since I agreed to play the game and chose to ask the questions, I had to be asked the questions. "Well I guess I'm next, since Grissom is last. What do you guys want to know? Nick?"
Nick drummed a finger on his leg. "I'm thinking. Someone else can go first."
"I'll go." Sara said next to him. "What was your childhood dream?"
Easy enough and somehow I wasn't surprised Sara that asked such a question. She liked to understand people. "Well I wanted to be a boxer actually."
She smiled. "Really. So you really are a fighter at heart."
"I was picked on a lot in school so I wanted to be able to defend myself. I learned some moves but never really had the courage to use them until high school when I started to build up. I love the sport. I wasn't lying when I told you that its about mind and body. I strongly believe that. The physical aspect is great but being able to control it is something else entirely. I learned that the hard way."
"How?" Nick asked totally interested.
"Got in some bad trouble for beating up this other kid for talking trash. My anger got away from me. I was sentenced to community service and that's where I met my coach. He taught me a lot about controlling my anger. I didn't want to admit it but I was in the wrong for going off on that kid. I'll never forget what he looked like. I have never hurt anyone like that again in my life."
"Wow." Sara said.
"Yeah well you asked." I gave her a half-smile but somehow my eyes came to rest on Catherine's eyes. She touched my hand and I couldn't pull my eyes away from her.
"How much can you lift?" Greg interrupted.
"Bench?" I almost laughed. Greg was so much smaller than me and I just found it funny that he would ask such a simple question when I expected something more bold from him. I guess it was suitable enough. One less embarrassing moment.
"Yeah." He confirmed.
"Well the last time me and Nick worked out together, I benched 335."
"Pounds?"
We all laughed. "Yeah Greg pounds. You should come with us and work out. We'll have the ladies falling all over you in no time."
"As if they don't already." He said smoothing his lab coat. The room got strangely quiet and I thought I said something wrong. I was wrong it was just the rest of the team thinking of the next very good question.
"Okay I am next." Nick smiled.
"Oh great. You not one to hold a grudge are you Nick?"
He got up and went to the fridge. "No. I wouldn't want to damage that gentleman persona of yours."
"So?" I asked. "What is it?"
"If you were a piece of food what would you be?"
"Are you that hungry Nick that its invading your thoughts?" Sara teased. "I figured that you would make him squirm."
"To tell you the truth I am out of questions. I mean I already know Warrick pretty well. And was just wondering what he would say. Could someone get up so I could have a place at the table?"
"I'll move." Grissom said standing. He went to the sink and poured the cold coffee down the drain. It didn't go unnoticed that he went over to sit with Sara on the sofa after he was done. I made a point to ask Catherine about it later. She always had the answers, plus that meant I would get to see her off hours. Find about Grissom and Sara was nice but being with Catherine was a bonus.
"Well?" Nick said unwrapping a sandwich.
"A food?" I thought quickly. "Fine a tangerine."
"What? Why?" Catherine surprised me by slapping my shoulder. She seemed intent on my answer so I decided to play with her a bit.
I gave her sexy smile. "Tough exterior but once peeled away sweet as candy."
She smiled real big and gave a chuckle. "Real nice Warrick. I thought is would be a serious answer."
"Well it was a dumb question so blame Nick." I exclaimed laughing.
Nick smiled at our flirting. "I know it was dumb but like I said I ran out of something good to ask. Sorry Catherine will just have to make up for both of us."
"And I will." Catherine adjusted in her chair to face me. "What's your favorite sexual position?"
No one in the room said a word but I knew they were on the verge of laughing. I was still recovering from shock. "You have got to be kidding me."
Catherine was always very bold. That's what I liked about her. "Answer or be challenged big boy." She licked her lips.
Oh wouldn't you like to know, I thought slyly. I considered her my choices. Her eyes danced with excitement. "Give me the challenge." I said with a sigh. It was a safe bet I had it coming but it was better than revealing such a personal question. No one would let it go for weeks.
"Top shirt off and sing 'Somewhere over the Rainbow'." She said seriously.
Behind me Sara was thrown into a fit of giggles while Grissom just gave me a shrug of the shoulders. At the table Greg was bent over in his chair laughing his ass off and Nick was choking on his food.
"What's wrong Warrick? Maybe you feel like sharing?" Catherine urged.
"No way. I will never tell you." I said trying to remain serious.
"Then start singing. And the shirt has to come off."
I was suddenly very glad I wore my usual white tank top under my dress shirt today. I stood up and unbuttoned my shirt. The result: cheers from the only women in the room.
"You two are as bad as men." Greg yelled.
"Shut up Greg." Sara said. "Don't forget to turn around Warrick so I get a good view."
"I am not a supermodel Sara." I said dryly.
"You could be." Catherine said. "I can't hear you singing Warrick."
So there I was in a white tank top going to sing my heart out to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow". It's bad enough that I wasn't a great singer, but to have to serenade Catherine was down right wrong. How could she do this to me?
I sighed and began the most embarrassing moment in my life. "Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high, there's a land that I heard of, once in a lullaby. Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true..."
The room was loud with laughter and excited shouts that only made my voice crack because of the attention.
"Okay you can stop." Catherine said gasping for air in between her laughter. "That's good enough."
"Thank you." I exclaimed full of embarrassment. I pulled my shirt back on and began to button it.
"I might add though that you sounded pretty good and well your appearance is nice too." She gave me a quick wink and I wasn't even sure I saw it.
"I'd sing anytime for you Cath." I said seductively trying to get control over the situation. I was always in control. I am The Man after all.
"I might take you up on that offer." She said softly.
She is so damn sexy I thought. We stared at each other for the longest time just lost in the passion and desire in each other's eyes.
"Excuse me." Nick said clearing his throat. "Hate to break up your lovefest but you'll have to continue that later."
I shrugged and sat down next to Catherine. Just keep it cool Warrick.
"I believe my question is in order." Grissom said breaking the sexual tension that was building in the air. "Are you two...involved?"
I couldn't have asked for a better time for everyone to break out in laughter. It kind of made whatever we say not too serious. I knew Grissom was just curious and wouldn't be upset if we were but still, I wasn't sure how Catherine felt about me.
"Well?" Grissom inquired again.
I was going to answer him but Catherine beat me to it.
"We will let you know tomorrow morning Gil." She winked at me and this time I was sure it was a wink.
Oh anytime Cath, I said to myself.
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tbc...