Disclaimers: Not mine
Spoilers: Nope
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SACRIFICES
(Chapter 9 - A Completely Selfless Sacrifice)
"Talking to the cupboards again? Should I come back later when you're done?"
"Shut up, Alex." Catherine rolled her eyes and turned around, "You're early."
"So are you. You know, that 'shut up' could be considered harassment from a supervisor."
"And I'm sure you'd somehow be turned on by it."
Alex simply smiled before heading to the community fridge, "I saw your old team walking incredibly solemn-faced down the hall just now. Everything ok?"
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
"If you're going to ask me about my life story or any tidbit in it, save your breath, Smithson. I'm not in the mood."
"You underestimate me, Willows."
"Yeah? How so?"
"I don't need you to tell me about yourself. I've already figured it all out."
"All?"
"Well not all. Just the bits I need to know."
"I'm almost afraid to ask."
"Catherine, you must know how I feel about you."
Catherine simply stared at him, a little dumbfounded by his bluntness.
"Catherine? I'm serious."
"I know, that's why I'm speechless." She shook her head, still at a loss for words, "Alex, you can have practically any girl in this lab."
"I don't want just any girl in the lab, Catherine. I want you."
She chuckled awkwardly, "I know I should be flattered and I am but you'll have to excuse me if I seem a little...shocked."
"You shouldn't be. You're beautiful."
"We really shouldn't be having this conversation...right here...right now."
"I'm not trying to pick you up, if that's what you're afraid of."
"Really? Cuz it sure seemed to me like there were a few pick up lines in there."
He smiled, putting down the bottled water he had gotten from the fridge, "I admit it, there was a time when I thought I could maybe have a chance with you."
"You don't think that anymore?"
"Well judging by your reaction..." He sighed, "Plus I know you're still pining away for Gil Grissom."
"I'm not pining away for him." She said defensively.
"Catherine, the only reason you took this job was so you could get away from the guy. And if you really don't care about him then you wouldn't care about getting away from him." Noticing the odd look on her face, he frowned, "Did that make sense?"
"Yeah." She shook her head, "It did. This is really weird. So if you...like me...then why are you doing this?"
"I like you and you might be physically attracted to me..." When she smiled, he shrugged, "Or not. My point is, I like you and you like him. That never works out so I'm just gonna step away before I can dig myself into a deeper hole here."
"So you're making a completely selfless sacrifice."
"Yeah, does that turn you on?"
She laughed, "I appreciate your touching speech but it's of no use now."
"What do you mean? You're still alive, he's still alive, and most importantly, he's not your supervisor anymore. So the whole supervisor-subordinate relationship rule doesn't apply. Nothing's in your way."
"You're making too much sense." She shook her head and sighed.
"I think I saw him still in his office."
Catherine smiled and walked to the door. Before stepping out, she stopped and walked back to Alex, giving him a hug, "Just so you know, I think you're cute."
"Get outta here before I change my mind, you tease." Alex chuckled but the smile faded from his face as he watched Catherine exit the room.
*To be continued*
