Title: Silent Nights
Author: Ann
Summary: G/C...Gil and Catherine are sent to a small town in New England to investigate a series of murders. Who knows what else may await them.?
Disclaimer: They're still not my characters. I just make them do fun stuff!
Notes: Just want to thank everybody for forcing me to post this story. ; ) I just hope you're not too disappointed. It's not finished at this point, and I hope to get a bit of inspiration and a few ideas so I can wrap it up neatly. Allison--thanks a bunch. I know that sounds repetitive, but I would never have the courage to write without your help.
Chapter 1
"Reservations for Mr. and...um...uh...Mrs.um.... Grissom." Gil stuttered nervously, surveying the quaintness of the vintage inn, hoping that the receptionist couldn't see the awkwardness that he most-definitely felt. Although Brass had given him a few mundane reasons, Grissom was still trying to figure out exactly why it was crucial for he and Catherine to pose as husband and wife. Truth be told, he was still trying to figure out exactly why they were there in the first place...and two weeks before Christmas. He just hoped that they would get home in time for Catherine to spend the holidays with Lindsey--she wouldn't forgive herself if she didn't.
Union, Conneticut...what the hell was in Union, Conneticut? This little inn that would become their temporary home, a sporadic assembly of small restaurants and shops, and...a murderer. Ah, yes, back to the reason they were there. A small town with a population of under 600 people, 12 of which had been murdered within the past six weeks. Twelve unsolved murders, no prominent evidence, and two crime scene investigators shipped across the country to solve a crime they know nothing about--except for barely legible notes written by a small-town sheriff and his deputy. "Welcome to Mayberry." Grissom mumbled under his breath.
He was startled out of his thoughts by the feeling of a soft pressure inside of his coat pocket. Instinctively, he reached his own hand into the flap, grazing a much colder hand that was making it's retreat, and feeling the small box he had left in the car earlier. He wondered briefly if it was now empty. He turned slightly to his left and saw her now standing by his side, cheeks still flushed from the biting cold from the outdoors. Grissom eagerly looked down to her gloved hands and mentally chastised himself. When Catherine shivered slightly, still getting used to the warmth in the building, he raised his eyes. She had his leather overnight bag slung over her shoulder. He had carried her much heavier bag in with him as he checked in. While hastily leaving the car a few minutes prior, he had muttered something about coming back to get his own later.
He gave her a crooked smile and shook his head, knowing that there was no use in arguing with her as to why she had bothered bringing the bag in with her now. He simply slid his hand up her shoulder and underneath the strap and transferred the bag onto his own arm. She gave him a mock glare as she moved to pick up her own suitcase. He quickly manuvered and grabbed it with his free hand before she had a chance. ~Why does she have to be so stubborn?~
Grissom still stood, arms full, when the desk clerk came back with their room key and a form for him to sign. He shifted his body, weighing his options as to how to manuver the bags in order to pick up the ink pen off of the counter. Catherine giggled at his persistance and the young lady smiled slightly at the look of irritation crossing his features. "Um, sir? Your wife can sign the receipt."
Grissom's eyes shot up, and then he tried to play down his shock at hearing those words. ~My wife...hmm..am I the only one phased by that?~ Catherine had already moved to the counter, removed her gloves, and began signing the slip when he first noticed a slight shimmer on her left hand. ~She's wearing them.~ His thoughts drifted back to a few minutes prior.
**********
Gil and Catherine had been sitting in the rental car as they pulled up to the inn when Catherine had first noticed the odd silence that encompassed them. They had previously shared idle chit-chat on the plane, both expressing their curiosity and intrigue over the little-known details of this case. Discussions of their "marriage arrangement" were not brought up. Both had been briefed by Brass and told to not let anyone in the town know of the real reason for their visit. The town was so small that by one person knowing their interest in the murders, the actual killer could catch wind of it quickly, and any hope for deciphering any remaining evidence may be lost. She noticed Grissom's hands tightening on the steering wheel of the idling car. He was staring straight ahead, watching the small flurries of snow being removed by the windshield wipers at even intervals. Even though they were at their destination, neither one had made a move to get out of the car.
"Gris, you okay?" Catherine tilted her body forward to try to make contact with his eyes.
He looked at her and loosened his grip, while nodding his head. "Yeah...um..I'm fine. He reached into the backseat and grabbed his coat and set it on his lap, reaching a hand into the pocket. "Cath..I'm not sure...well, I brought these...and...you don't have to..." He stopped mid sentence and lowered his head again.
"What Gil? Are you sure you're alright?" She was obviously worried now. Just as she was about to speak again, demanding to know what he was stammering about, he pulled a small velvet box out of the pocket that his hand had been resting in.
"These were my grandmother's." He opened the box to reveal an elegant engagement ring and wedding band. "I just thought that since..well..I mean..so, we don't arouse suspicion.." He looked over at her to try to read her expression, but it was one of pure astonishment. It was just then that she had noticed a golden band on his own ring finger. She reached over to lightly graze it with her fingertips. "My grandfather's." He answered her unspoken question.
Catherine nodded as she pulled her hand back, so that it was resting in her lap. Her eyes gazed back to the box that he was still holding in his right hand. She was in awe of the beautiful rings, but even more so because of the fact that Gil was basically asking her to wear them--allowing her to wear them. She had often dreamed of a moment similar to this. And even though the sentiment wasn't the same, it took her breath away, nonetheless. Catherine had to force herself to hold back tears.
Gil mistook the look on her face as one of sadness. He didn't want her to feel as though she was obligated to wear the rings. He became slightly angry at himself for even bringing up the idea. "Listen Catherine..you don't have to wear them...it was just a thought..just forget it." He looked down at the ring that was housed on his own finger and closed his eyes. Before she could say anything, he had opened his car door, tossed the box down on his seat, mumbled something she couldn't decipher, and shut the car door. She could see him in the side view mirror unlocking the trunk. Without another word, he was walking into the inn, her suitcase in tow.
**********
Gil was shaken out of his thoughts by Catherine whispering in his ear. "Are you sleeping standing up?"
He shuttered lightly, feeling her breath on his neck. "No." He answered shortly, not wanting to have to explain why his thoughts had wandered off.
"You ready then?"
"Ready for what?"
She laughed at his obliviousness. "To go up to our room." ~Our room..~ "You sure you don't want me to grab one of those bags."
He smiled, tension leaking from his body, witnessing the radiant grin covering Catherine's face. "I'm sure." He nodded towards the counter. "Just grab the key and lead the way."
Catherine gave him a slight wink. "Yes dear."
Author: Ann
Summary: G/C...Gil and Catherine are sent to a small town in New England to investigate a series of murders. Who knows what else may await them.?
Disclaimer: They're still not my characters. I just make them do fun stuff!
Notes: Just want to thank everybody for forcing me to post this story. ; ) I just hope you're not too disappointed. It's not finished at this point, and I hope to get a bit of inspiration and a few ideas so I can wrap it up neatly. Allison--thanks a bunch. I know that sounds repetitive, but I would never have the courage to write without your help.
Chapter 1
"Reservations for Mr. and...um...uh...Mrs.um.... Grissom." Gil stuttered nervously, surveying the quaintness of the vintage inn, hoping that the receptionist couldn't see the awkwardness that he most-definitely felt. Although Brass had given him a few mundane reasons, Grissom was still trying to figure out exactly why it was crucial for he and Catherine to pose as husband and wife. Truth be told, he was still trying to figure out exactly why they were there in the first place...and two weeks before Christmas. He just hoped that they would get home in time for Catherine to spend the holidays with Lindsey--she wouldn't forgive herself if she didn't.
Union, Conneticut...what the hell was in Union, Conneticut? This little inn that would become their temporary home, a sporadic assembly of small restaurants and shops, and...a murderer. Ah, yes, back to the reason they were there. A small town with a population of under 600 people, 12 of which had been murdered within the past six weeks. Twelve unsolved murders, no prominent evidence, and two crime scene investigators shipped across the country to solve a crime they know nothing about--except for barely legible notes written by a small-town sheriff and his deputy. "Welcome to Mayberry." Grissom mumbled under his breath.
He was startled out of his thoughts by the feeling of a soft pressure inside of his coat pocket. Instinctively, he reached his own hand into the flap, grazing a much colder hand that was making it's retreat, and feeling the small box he had left in the car earlier. He wondered briefly if it was now empty. He turned slightly to his left and saw her now standing by his side, cheeks still flushed from the biting cold from the outdoors. Grissom eagerly looked down to her gloved hands and mentally chastised himself. When Catherine shivered slightly, still getting used to the warmth in the building, he raised his eyes. She had his leather overnight bag slung over her shoulder. He had carried her much heavier bag in with him as he checked in. While hastily leaving the car a few minutes prior, he had muttered something about coming back to get his own later.
He gave her a crooked smile and shook his head, knowing that there was no use in arguing with her as to why she had bothered bringing the bag in with her now. He simply slid his hand up her shoulder and underneath the strap and transferred the bag onto his own arm. She gave him a mock glare as she moved to pick up her own suitcase. He quickly manuvered and grabbed it with his free hand before she had a chance. ~Why does she have to be so stubborn?~
Grissom still stood, arms full, when the desk clerk came back with their room key and a form for him to sign. He shifted his body, weighing his options as to how to manuver the bags in order to pick up the ink pen off of the counter. Catherine giggled at his persistance and the young lady smiled slightly at the look of irritation crossing his features. "Um, sir? Your wife can sign the receipt."
Grissom's eyes shot up, and then he tried to play down his shock at hearing those words. ~My wife...hmm..am I the only one phased by that?~ Catherine had already moved to the counter, removed her gloves, and began signing the slip when he first noticed a slight shimmer on her left hand. ~She's wearing them.~ His thoughts drifted back to a few minutes prior.
**********
Gil and Catherine had been sitting in the rental car as they pulled up to the inn when Catherine had first noticed the odd silence that encompassed them. They had previously shared idle chit-chat on the plane, both expressing their curiosity and intrigue over the little-known details of this case. Discussions of their "marriage arrangement" were not brought up. Both had been briefed by Brass and told to not let anyone in the town know of the real reason for their visit. The town was so small that by one person knowing their interest in the murders, the actual killer could catch wind of it quickly, and any hope for deciphering any remaining evidence may be lost. She noticed Grissom's hands tightening on the steering wheel of the idling car. He was staring straight ahead, watching the small flurries of snow being removed by the windshield wipers at even intervals. Even though they were at their destination, neither one had made a move to get out of the car.
"Gris, you okay?" Catherine tilted her body forward to try to make contact with his eyes.
He looked at her and loosened his grip, while nodding his head. "Yeah...um..I'm fine. He reached into the backseat and grabbed his coat and set it on his lap, reaching a hand into the pocket. "Cath..I'm not sure...well, I brought these...and...you don't have to..." He stopped mid sentence and lowered his head again.
"What Gil? Are you sure you're alright?" She was obviously worried now. Just as she was about to speak again, demanding to know what he was stammering about, he pulled a small velvet box out of the pocket that his hand had been resting in.
"These were my grandmother's." He opened the box to reveal an elegant engagement ring and wedding band. "I just thought that since..well..I mean..so, we don't arouse suspicion.." He looked over at her to try to read her expression, but it was one of pure astonishment. It was just then that she had noticed a golden band on his own ring finger. She reached over to lightly graze it with her fingertips. "My grandfather's." He answered her unspoken question.
Catherine nodded as she pulled her hand back, so that it was resting in her lap. Her eyes gazed back to the box that he was still holding in his right hand. She was in awe of the beautiful rings, but even more so because of the fact that Gil was basically asking her to wear them--allowing her to wear them. She had often dreamed of a moment similar to this. And even though the sentiment wasn't the same, it took her breath away, nonetheless. Catherine had to force herself to hold back tears.
Gil mistook the look on her face as one of sadness. He didn't want her to feel as though she was obligated to wear the rings. He became slightly angry at himself for even bringing up the idea. "Listen Catherine..you don't have to wear them...it was just a thought..just forget it." He looked down at the ring that was housed on his own finger and closed his eyes. Before she could say anything, he had opened his car door, tossed the box down on his seat, mumbled something she couldn't decipher, and shut the car door. She could see him in the side view mirror unlocking the trunk. Without another word, he was walking into the inn, her suitcase in tow.
**********
Gil was shaken out of his thoughts by Catherine whispering in his ear. "Are you sleeping standing up?"
He shuttered lightly, feeling her breath on his neck. "No." He answered shortly, not wanting to have to explain why his thoughts had wandered off.
"You ready then?"
"Ready for what?"
She laughed at his obliviousness. "To go up to our room." ~Our room..~ "You sure you don't want me to grab one of those bags."
He smiled, tension leaking from his body, witnessing the radiant grin covering Catherine's face. "I'm sure." He nodded towards the counter. "Just grab the key and lead the way."
Catherine gave him a slight wink. "Yes dear."