XI - ERNIE
~Between heaven and earth
There's a ballroom floor
Where couples glide
In the evermore
Floating through the clouds
Dancing in the rain
Eyes that see no lies
Hearts that feel no pain
Hope it's not too late
We were more than friends
I can hardly wait
Til we meet again
If you don't really know
Where you want to go
It makes no difference
Which road you take
Hope it's not too late
We were more than friends
I can hardly wait
Til we meet again
We never danced
We never danced
We never danced the night away
We never danced
We never danced
We never danced the night away ~
"So, what did you think?" Catherine asked, twisting slightly on the sofa to face Warrick as the closing credits of the movie faded out. She had shifted into a more comfortable position about a third of the way through the show, leaning into Warrick and curling her legs up to the side. Shifting to face him now, she pressed her shoulder into the back of the sofa just underneath his arm, planting her chest firmly against the side of his strong body.
Warrick tried to ignore the feeling of her pressed so close to his heart, and smiled. "You never struck me as a schmaltzy-type before."
"You don't believe in soul mates?"
Warrick shrugged, shifting to face her, "The idea that there's one person out there who's your ideal mate - that you're destined to be together? That you'll only find happiness with them? I don't buy into that."
"Why not?"
"There's no proof. When you married Eddie, didn't you think he was your soul mate?"
Catherine snorted, "God, no! I loved him - I hoped it would last, but I wasn't convinced that it would. I should have listened to the little voice inside me telling me not to do it, but I liked the idea of being married and having a family. Stupid." Catherine sighed, glancing at Warrick from under her eyelids, "That doesn't mean I don't think the perfect man doesn't exist."
"Well - trust me - there is no such thing as a perfect man. And as a man, I can honestly say this. If you're waiting for perfection, you'll be waiting a long time."
"I don't mean perfect in every way - I mean perfect for me." Catherine leaned her head against the side of the sofa and smiled.
Warrick shook his head, "There are millions of people in the US alone - how are you supposed to find this perfect man? And even if you do, how will you know him - will you hear angels singing? Thunder claps? Fireworks? What?" His tone was teasing, but his eyes were serious, as he studied her. *This is the oddest conversation*, he thought to himself.
"I think maybe it will sneak up on me. I've never been one for the obvious. The perfect man could be right in front of me, and I've just never noticed before," Catherine's tone was light, but her eyes were serious. Warrick felt as if he was being burned by blue flames.
"Catherine - don't start with me," he warned gently. "The flirting, I can handle. This - I don't know if I can."
Catherine sighed, "I'm not just flirting, Warrick. There's something going on here - between us. I want to explore it a little. Do you?"
"What about work?"
"What about work? Work is work, and this is - us."
Catherine placed her hand gently on his chest, just above his heart. She could feel the steady pounding of it through her skin, and smiled when Warrick covered it with the palm of his own, pressing. "Let's just take it where it leads. We don't need to move fast - I could love you, Warrick."
Warrick closed his eyes at this, before reaching out with his other hand and pushing her hair off her cheek and behind her ear, marveling when Catherine leaned her face into his palm. "I could love you too, Catherine."
* * * * *
"Nick, you're out of your mind," she was standing in a Starbucks with him, snagging coffees for everyone before heading back to the office. After Nick's stunning suggestion during lunch, Sara had carefully tried to avoid the subject again - not sure if he were serious or not, and afraid to find out.
But after they had stopped at her apartment so she could grab some fresh clothes, Nick had brought it up again in the car. "We don't need to tell him we're dating-" he began, out of thin air, "Just let him think it. He probably already thinks it, anyways. Why not - I'm a single sinfully attractive male," he grinned wickedly at Sara, "You're a single beautiful woman probably in the throes of some biological clock turmoil - why wouldn't you want to date me?"
Sara rolled her eyes and laughed, "Why am I driving you to work again?"
Nick just grinned, "Because, deep in your heart, you like the idea. Listen, Sara - I'm not saying lie to him. Just get him thinking. I know we're not dating - you know we're not dating - but Grissom? It might be just the push he needs to act."
Sara shook her head, "It strikes me as dishonest. I don't think it's a good idea."
And now, here they stood in line at Starbucks, and Nick was still talking about it. "Sara, do you trust me?"
Sara rolled her eyes, "Nick, you know I do - but this idea is crazy."
He just grinned at her, "Crazy like a fox. Listen - who's the guy here?" When Sara just cocked an eyebrow at him, he flashed her his most charming smile. "Thanks for not challenging me on that. So - as the sole representative of the male species as far as this conversation goes, I think that gives me an edge in the psyche of the male mind. I'm telling you, this will work."
Sara sighed in exasperation, and handed the guy behind the cash register some money, taking a tray of coffee and handing it to Nick, before grabbing the second tray. "You're not going to give this up, are you?"
"Nope. 'Cuz it's a good idea, and it will work."
"And what if it doesn't?"
"How much worse off could you be then you are now?" Nick paused at the doorway, holding it open gallantly for a little old lady who was coming in, nodding at her politely when she thanked him, commenting to Sara it was so nice to have a handsome young man with such nice manners. "See? Even she thinks we're a couple, Sara. And what have you got to lose? If it doesn't work, it's not like it's going to wreck the relationship you already have - and if it does, well - I can think of a variety of ways you can thank me later."
Sara shook her head at him, but couldn't help smiling. "Okay. What is this going to entail?"
"That's my girl!" Nick chortled. "Grissom won't know what hit him."
* * * * *
Greg was actually the first person at the lab. Arriving a little prior to 4:00, he expected to see at least Grissom in the break room or in his office, waiting impatiently for the rest of the team - but even Grissom wasn't there yet.
Sauntering down the hallway and into the locker room, he grabbed a book out of his bag and headed to the lounge to wait for everyone else. He hadn't been sitting there long when Grissom walked in, folders held tightly underneath his arm as he walked to the fridge and grabbed an apple.
"First one here, Greg?"
"Yeah. Imagine that." The younger man grinned at Grissom and sat a little straighter, dropping his book on the table as Grissom sat down across from him and started tapping the folders against the table top. He looked a little more tense than normal; eyes bloodshot and circled, skin slightly pasty. Greg frowned at him.
"You feeling all right, Gris?"
When Grissom just looked at him, Greg shrugged, "You look like hell, man. You getting a headache?"
Grissom sighed, "No. Just have a lot on my mind."
"My feet are better," Greg offered, as a way to keep the conversation going. When Grissom just started blankly at him, he sighed. "My feet - remember? You infected them with fungus - some 'little experiment' you needed to do?"
Grissom half-smiled, "Right. Actually, it wasn't your feet - it was your foot. And it broke the case for us."
Greg grinned, "I'll add it to my list of things you should thank me for, then."
Both men looked towards the door when the heard the sound of Nick's voice echoing down the hallway. "How can you even say that? Gonzo was the coolest Muppet ever!"
"I don't even know what Gonzo was," Sara responded cheerily, "and he was creepy. I'm surprised Ernie's not your favorite - he was smart, funny and had the endearing habit of annoying the hell out of Bert."
"Only because Bert was too stuffy-" the good-natured bantering continued as the two rounded the corner into the break room, nodding hello at Grissom and Greg, "for his own damn good. Everyone needs an Ernie to loosen them up somewhat."
Nick grinned at Greg as he handed him a coffee from the holder, and slid one to Grissom. Sara had grabbed a chair on the left side of the table from Greg, and Nick slid into the empty seat beside her, casually sliding his hand over hers as he sat. The slight touch didn't go unnoticed by either Greg or Grissom. Both men's eyes widened imperceptibly, before Greg grinned and Grissom frowned.
"Sorry we're late," Sara offered, "but Nick said it was his turn to buy coffee for everyone, and he made me stop on the way in."
"Nick drove into work with you?" Grissom asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Sara nodded, "After you dropped me off, Nick and I had lunch. Since you wanted us back at four, there was no point in my going home so we caught the rest of the movie we were watching last night."
"In other words, neither of you slept," Grissom's tone was dry as he looked at Sara. "How are you supposed to work to full capability if you don't get any sleep?"
"You tell me. You don't look like you slept either," Sara retorted angrily. "I'm not a child, Grissom. You can't tell me when to sleep and when not to."
Nick reached up a hand tucked a strand of Sara's hair behind her ear, grinning at Grissom as he did so, "Sleep is way over rated anyway."
Before Grissom could respond, Catherine and Warrick walked into the lounge. "You been waiting for us? Sorry we're late - got stuck in traffic - there's some type of jam on my off-ramp."
Catherine smiled happily at everyone, taking the spot next to Greg, "I hope one of those coffees is for me? I really need one - haven't slept."
"You gonna lecture Catherine about her sleeping habits, Grissom?" Sara jibbed. Grissom ignored her, instead turning to Warrick.
"I suppose you didn't sleep either?"
"Nope. Not enough time. Cath and I watched a movie."
Greg started laughing, "You and Cath 'watched a movie' - Nick and Sara 'watched a movie'. I'm beginning to think that's the latest euphemism around here for getting---"
"Greg!" Sara kicked him under the table, face impossible red. Beside Greg, Catherine was grinning like the cat that ate the canary, and Warrick was looking at his feet. Nick just smiled widely and stretched his arms over his head before dropping one casually over the back of Sara's chair.
"I have a feeling this is gonna be a great shift!" he chortled happily.
"Shut up, Ernie," Sara hissed at him in annoyance.
Grissom just looked at him miserably. What the hell was going on?
______________
Author's Note: Song is "We Never Danced" by Neil Young, from the movie "Made in Heaven". I think I'm one of the few people that ever saw it when it came out back in the '80s. Those were the days, my friends.
Anyhoo - please R & R - we're getting back into the case the next couple of chapters. And Nick is going to torment the hell out of Grissom - will bug man snap? Stay tuned for continuing chapters - As the Lab Turns...(cue cheesy soap music and fade to credits.)
~Between heaven and earth
There's a ballroom floor
Where couples glide
In the evermore
Floating through the clouds
Dancing in the rain
Eyes that see no lies
Hearts that feel no pain
Hope it's not too late
We were more than friends
I can hardly wait
Til we meet again
If you don't really know
Where you want to go
It makes no difference
Which road you take
Hope it's not too late
We were more than friends
I can hardly wait
Til we meet again
We never danced
We never danced
We never danced the night away
We never danced
We never danced
We never danced the night away ~
"So, what did you think?" Catherine asked, twisting slightly on the sofa to face Warrick as the closing credits of the movie faded out. She had shifted into a more comfortable position about a third of the way through the show, leaning into Warrick and curling her legs up to the side. Shifting to face him now, she pressed her shoulder into the back of the sofa just underneath his arm, planting her chest firmly against the side of his strong body.
Warrick tried to ignore the feeling of her pressed so close to his heart, and smiled. "You never struck me as a schmaltzy-type before."
"You don't believe in soul mates?"
Warrick shrugged, shifting to face her, "The idea that there's one person out there who's your ideal mate - that you're destined to be together? That you'll only find happiness with them? I don't buy into that."
"Why not?"
"There's no proof. When you married Eddie, didn't you think he was your soul mate?"
Catherine snorted, "God, no! I loved him - I hoped it would last, but I wasn't convinced that it would. I should have listened to the little voice inside me telling me not to do it, but I liked the idea of being married and having a family. Stupid." Catherine sighed, glancing at Warrick from under her eyelids, "That doesn't mean I don't think the perfect man doesn't exist."
"Well - trust me - there is no such thing as a perfect man. And as a man, I can honestly say this. If you're waiting for perfection, you'll be waiting a long time."
"I don't mean perfect in every way - I mean perfect for me." Catherine leaned her head against the side of the sofa and smiled.
Warrick shook his head, "There are millions of people in the US alone - how are you supposed to find this perfect man? And even if you do, how will you know him - will you hear angels singing? Thunder claps? Fireworks? What?" His tone was teasing, but his eyes were serious, as he studied her. *This is the oddest conversation*, he thought to himself.
"I think maybe it will sneak up on me. I've never been one for the obvious. The perfect man could be right in front of me, and I've just never noticed before," Catherine's tone was light, but her eyes were serious. Warrick felt as if he was being burned by blue flames.
"Catherine - don't start with me," he warned gently. "The flirting, I can handle. This - I don't know if I can."
Catherine sighed, "I'm not just flirting, Warrick. There's something going on here - between us. I want to explore it a little. Do you?"
"What about work?"
"What about work? Work is work, and this is - us."
Catherine placed her hand gently on his chest, just above his heart. She could feel the steady pounding of it through her skin, and smiled when Warrick covered it with the palm of his own, pressing. "Let's just take it where it leads. We don't need to move fast - I could love you, Warrick."
Warrick closed his eyes at this, before reaching out with his other hand and pushing her hair off her cheek and behind her ear, marveling when Catherine leaned her face into his palm. "I could love you too, Catherine."
* * * * *
"Nick, you're out of your mind," she was standing in a Starbucks with him, snagging coffees for everyone before heading back to the office. After Nick's stunning suggestion during lunch, Sara had carefully tried to avoid the subject again - not sure if he were serious or not, and afraid to find out.
But after they had stopped at her apartment so she could grab some fresh clothes, Nick had brought it up again in the car. "We don't need to tell him we're dating-" he began, out of thin air, "Just let him think it. He probably already thinks it, anyways. Why not - I'm a single sinfully attractive male," he grinned wickedly at Sara, "You're a single beautiful woman probably in the throes of some biological clock turmoil - why wouldn't you want to date me?"
Sara rolled her eyes and laughed, "Why am I driving you to work again?"
Nick just grinned, "Because, deep in your heart, you like the idea. Listen, Sara - I'm not saying lie to him. Just get him thinking. I know we're not dating - you know we're not dating - but Grissom? It might be just the push he needs to act."
Sara shook her head, "It strikes me as dishonest. I don't think it's a good idea."
And now, here they stood in line at Starbucks, and Nick was still talking about it. "Sara, do you trust me?"
Sara rolled her eyes, "Nick, you know I do - but this idea is crazy."
He just grinned at her, "Crazy like a fox. Listen - who's the guy here?" When Sara just cocked an eyebrow at him, he flashed her his most charming smile. "Thanks for not challenging me on that. So - as the sole representative of the male species as far as this conversation goes, I think that gives me an edge in the psyche of the male mind. I'm telling you, this will work."
Sara sighed in exasperation, and handed the guy behind the cash register some money, taking a tray of coffee and handing it to Nick, before grabbing the second tray. "You're not going to give this up, are you?"
"Nope. 'Cuz it's a good idea, and it will work."
"And what if it doesn't?"
"How much worse off could you be then you are now?" Nick paused at the doorway, holding it open gallantly for a little old lady who was coming in, nodding at her politely when she thanked him, commenting to Sara it was so nice to have a handsome young man with such nice manners. "See? Even she thinks we're a couple, Sara. And what have you got to lose? If it doesn't work, it's not like it's going to wreck the relationship you already have - and if it does, well - I can think of a variety of ways you can thank me later."
Sara shook her head at him, but couldn't help smiling. "Okay. What is this going to entail?"
"That's my girl!" Nick chortled. "Grissom won't know what hit him."
* * * * *
Greg was actually the first person at the lab. Arriving a little prior to 4:00, he expected to see at least Grissom in the break room or in his office, waiting impatiently for the rest of the team - but even Grissom wasn't there yet.
Sauntering down the hallway and into the locker room, he grabbed a book out of his bag and headed to the lounge to wait for everyone else. He hadn't been sitting there long when Grissom walked in, folders held tightly underneath his arm as he walked to the fridge and grabbed an apple.
"First one here, Greg?"
"Yeah. Imagine that." The younger man grinned at Grissom and sat a little straighter, dropping his book on the table as Grissom sat down across from him and started tapping the folders against the table top. He looked a little more tense than normal; eyes bloodshot and circled, skin slightly pasty. Greg frowned at him.
"You feeling all right, Gris?"
When Grissom just looked at him, Greg shrugged, "You look like hell, man. You getting a headache?"
Grissom sighed, "No. Just have a lot on my mind."
"My feet are better," Greg offered, as a way to keep the conversation going. When Grissom just started blankly at him, he sighed. "My feet - remember? You infected them with fungus - some 'little experiment' you needed to do?"
Grissom half-smiled, "Right. Actually, it wasn't your feet - it was your foot. And it broke the case for us."
Greg grinned, "I'll add it to my list of things you should thank me for, then."
Both men looked towards the door when the heard the sound of Nick's voice echoing down the hallway. "How can you even say that? Gonzo was the coolest Muppet ever!"
"I don't even know what Gonzo was," Sara responded cheerily, "and he was creepy. I'm surprised Ernie's not your favorite - he was smart, funny and had the endearing habit of annoying the hell out of Bert."
"Only because Bert was too stuffy-" the good-natured bantering continued as the two rounded the corner into the break room, nodding hello at Grissom and Greg, "for his own damn good. Everyone needs an Ernie to loosen them up somewhat."
Nick grinned at Greg as he handed him a coffee from the holder, and slid one to Grissom. Sara had grabbed a chair on the left side of the table from Greg, and Nick slid into the empty seat beside her, casually sliding his hand over hers as he sat. The slight touch didn't go unnoticed by either Greg or Grissom. Both men's eyes widened imperceptibly, before Greg grinned and Grissom frowned.
"Sorry we're late," Sara offered, "but Nick said it was his turn to buy coffee for everyone, and he made me stop on the way in."
"Nick drove into work with you?" Grissom asked, trying to keep his voice neutral.
Sara nodded, "After you dropped me off, Nick and I had lunch. Since you wanted us back at four, there was no point in my going home so we caught the rest of the movie we were watching last night."
"In other words, neither of you slept," Grissom's tone was dry as he looked at Sara. "How are you supposed to work to full capability if you don't get any sleep?"
"You tell me. You don't look like you slept either," Sara retorted angrily. "I'm not a child, Grissom. You can't tell me when to sleep and when not to."
Nick reached up a hand tucked a strand of Sara's hair behind her ear, grinning at Grissom as he did so, "Sleep is way over rated anyway."
Before Grissom could respond, Catherine and Warrick walked into the lounge. "You been waiting for us? Sorry we're late - got stuck in traffic - there's some type of jam on my off-ramp."
Catherine smiled happily at everyone, taking the spot next to Greg, "I hope one of those coffees is for me? I really need one - haven't slept."
"You gonna lecture Catherine about her sleeping habits, Grissom?" Sara jibbed. Grissom ignored her, instead turning to Warrick.
"I suppose you didn't sleep either?"
"Nope. Not enough time. Cath and I watched a movie."
Greg started laughing, "You and Cath 'watched a movie' - Nick and Sara 'watched a movie'. I'm beginning to think that's the latest euphemism around here for getting---"
"Greg!" Sara kicked him under the table, face impossible red. Beside Greg, Catherine was grinning like the cat that ate the canary, and Warrick was looking at his feet. Nick just smiled widely and stretched his arms over his head before dropping one casually over the back of Sara's chair.
"I have a feeling this is gonna be a great shift!" he chortled happily.
"Shut up, Ernie," Sara hissed at him in annoyance.
Grissom just looked at him miserably. What the hell was going on?
______________
Author's Note: Song is "We Never Danced" by Neil Young, from the movie "Made in Heaven". I think I'm one of the few people that ever saw it when it came out back in the '80s. Those were the days, my friends.
Anyhoo - please R & R - we're getting back into the case the next couple of chapters. And Nick is going to torment the hell out of Grissom - will bug man snap? Stay tuned for continuing chapters - As the Lab Turns...(cue cheesy soap music and fade to credits.)