Goodness me I am the sorriest person in the world for leaving this story for so long. Anyway here is the long awaited chapter 16. I hope it was worth the wait. I also apologise (once again) profusely for the depression that is chapter 16. I solemnly promise to make 17 happier!!!
Thank you for the reviews of 15 and to those of you who emailed/reviewed a need for another chapter. It's made me feel absolutely wonderful. I hope 17 won't have to wait as long. And a final 'thank you' to Basilea and Lauri for being so kind to me.
Previously:
Catherine and Simon's lips met for the second time, but this time it was full of hunger. They had left their previous smooth and refined atmosphere, which had felt uncomfortable to both of them, and had created an explosion of passion.
They pulled away, breathless but with a need for more. Catherine couldn't think of anything at the moment, when once again their lips crashed together.
Simon moaned into her mouth and Catherine faltered. He sounded exactly like Grissom. She pulled away once more, still gasping for breath.
"Wait. We can't do this."
"Oh no you don't, Catherine. I'm sure you felt that; you can't back away now."
"But Grissom-"
"What about me?" They both turned in the direction of the voice to see Grissom standing in the open doorway
Chapter 16 - 'Welcome to Las Vegas'
May 9th - 1:15pm
La Curaith
"Grissom... you're back."
"Evidently," he paused. He could tell that Catherine was feeling awkward. Was it with him or was it with Simon? "Simon, I see you've come for a visit."
Catherine was sure that if she took her hands out from behind her back the two men present would be able to see them trembling. Grissom had not seen anything. She was silently begging now for Simon not to utter a word about what just took place.
"So, what about me, Catherine?"
"Oh," she faltered. No ideas came to her; what the hell was she going to say?
"She was just saying that because you were willing to accept my apology, she has decided she will too."
Catherine felt her rage ready to boom out of her body. She couldn't correct Simon because then she would have to tell Grissom about what just took place. She tried with all her efforts to keep her expression neutral. However, neither Catherine nor Simon expected Grissom to react the way he did.
"Ah, well that's great. I suppose you were just leaving then?" Grissom gave Simon no time to answer as he pushed the already open door further open as an indication for Simon to leave.
"Yes... well... right," Simon regained his composure from the sudden reply Grissom gave to him and said menacingly, "Just go back to Vegas, Gil." With one last look a Catherine, he made his way out of the room.
His words hurt both Catherine and Grissom more than Simon could imagine. The sudden shock of reality sprung right back into them both. In a few hours they would be back in Vegas, back to being only CSIs to each other.
Catherine still couldn't understand the fact that she had, only moments ago, *willingly* betrayed the man in front of her.
"I tell you what," Grissom said before she could utter a word, "let's go the long way home. We don't have much time before we have to get back to Vegas."
This made Catherine's heart soar then plummet almost immediately after. He came forward towards her and rested his hand on her arm. The tingles were there just as they had always been, but their faces, instead of lighting up with passion, gazed sadly and longingly for each other.
May 9th - 2:30pm
La Curaith Car Park
"Everything packed?"
The rain had stopped from the previous night, and although the sky was grey and murky, the air was clear and pleasantly warm. Catherine had her bewildering 'May 16th ~ 2003' message in her pocket, having not forgotten it's strange appearance at breakfast that morning.
It seemed an age since last night, but it also seemed hardly any time at all since the journey that took them both to the motel then on to La Curaith. The SUV rumbled through the familiar streets along the smooth road. Both Catherine and Grissom were preparing themselves for the rough and bumpy journey ahead. Grissom's slow driving did not bother Catherine now. She wanted this journey to be as slow as possible.
"Catherine?"
"Mmm?"
"Do you know what has happened to my radio?" Grissom asked her curiously.
Catherine thought back to when her hand had slipped and the radio stations all turned from music or speech to a low buzz.
"No."
9pm
Just outside Vegas
The journey back was a pleasant one. Neither spoke of what was to come once they were in Vegas and the conversation was comfortable. Half way through their long and tiresome journey they stopped at a service station for food, drink and petrol. As they walked into the station their hands met naturally and held soothingly onto each other. Neither had noticed this event until Grissom had to reach for his wallet and pay the assistant. They did, however, notice that since that moment both found it increasingly hard to prevent themselves from the smallest touch.
As they past the unforgotten motel two hours previous to the present, the unspoken thought passed both of their minds, as their heads in the SUV turned with the vehicle wobbling bumpily along the dirt road past the familiar sight, 'couldn't we stop for another night?'
That desperately desired moment did not take place however, and all too soon the signpost came into view. It loomed up about a hundred yards away from them. Catherine and Grissom fell silent in mid conversation as both watched the signpost coming ever closer. Catherine felt the SUV slow to a halt as they came about five metres before the 'welcome' sign. It had never been less welcome to either.
The light from the city was slightly illuminating their surroundings and Catherine felt Grissom's hand find hers in the semi darkness. She then heard the click of the door and felt more than saw Grissom lift himself out of the SUV.
Catherine saw him make his way around the front, passing through the light of the headlights causing his whole body to twice light up, then ultimately fall into a blurry shadow. Grissom walked to her own door and pulled it open for her. She stepped out, curious of his intentions, but grateful that he was delaying the inevitable.
As Grissom closed the door behind her, Catherine walked over the dusty path road to stand, arms folded, in front of the signpost. An unexpected tear glistened in her eye and made its way down her cheek as she beheld the city beyond its sign. Catherine wiped her face dry before Grissom could notice as she heard her name being called. She turned to face the speaker. Catherine moved quickly towards Grissom and their lips met with gentle force. Her hands moved from Grissom's face into his hair to pull him closer to her.
"I'm so sorry, Gil." Catherine said as they pulled apart, still holding tightly to each other, unwilling to let even a millimetre of air in between them.
"I am too."
"No, I mean, there's something I have to tell you. I have to tell you now because it'll be easier for us both when we step over that boarder."
Grissom pulled away, confusion conquering his face.
"What is it?" he asked nervously.
"It's about Simon."
Grissom's brow furrowed further. Catherine knew the loathing that had developed between the two men was severe. She also knew what she was about to say would tear Grissom to pieces. Breathing deeply in and lowering her eyes to her dust coated shoes she told him.
"He... I... We kissed."
* * * * *
I know it's very very very extra short but I figured I owe you a chapter and it's better than nothing. I know everyone loves happy things (so go read chapter 5 or 10 ;) ) but fear not my friends, happiness looms ever closer. Pleeeeeeeeease review. I need replenishing! ;) ~ Cath
Thank you for the reviews of 15 and to those of you who emailed/reviewed a need for another chapter. It's made me feel absolutely wonderful. I hope 17 won't have to wait as long. And a final 'thank you' to Basilea and Lauri for being so kind to me.
Previously:
Catherine and Simon's lips met for the second time, but this time it was full of hunger. They had left their previous smooth and refined atmosphere, which had felt uncomfortable to both of them, and had created an explosion of passion.
They pulled away, breathless but with a need for more. Catherine couldn't think of anything at the moment, when once again their lips crashed together.
Simon moaned into her mouth and Catherine faltered. He sounded exactly like Grissom. She pulled away once more, still gasping for breath.
"Wait. We can't do this."
"Oh no you don't, Catherine. I'm sure you felt that; you can't back away now."
"But Grissom-"
"What about me?" They both turned in the direction of the voice to see Grissom standing in the open doorway
Chapter 16 - 'Welcome to Las Vegas'
May 9th - 1:15pm
La Curaith
"Grissom... you're back."
"Evidently," he paused. He could tell that Catherine was feeling awkward. Was it with him or was it with Simon? "Simon, I see you've come for a visit."
Catherine was sure that if she took her hands out from behind her back the two men present would be able to see them trembling. Grissom had not seen anything. She was silently begging now for Simon not to utter a word about what just took place.
"So, what about me, Catherine?"
"Oh," she faltered. No ideas came to her; what the hell was she going to say?
"She was just saying that because you were willing to accept my apology, she has decided she will too."
Catherine felt her rage ready to boom out of her body. She couldn't correct Simon because then she would have to tell Grissom about what just took place. She tried with all her efforts to keep her expression neutral. However, neither Catherine nor Simon expected Grissom to react the way he did.
"Ah, well that's great. I suppose you were just leaving then?" Grissom gave Simon no time to answer as he pushed the already open door further open as an indication for Simon to leave.
"Yes... well... right," Simon regained his composure from the sudden reply Grissom gave to him and said menacingly, "Just go back to Vegas, Gil." With one last look a Catherine, he made his way out of the room.
His words hurt both Catherine and Grissom more than Simon could imagine. The sudden shock of reality sprung right back into them both. In a few hours they would be back in Vegas, back to being only CSIs to each other.
Catherine still couldn't understand the fact that she had, only moments ago, *willingly* betrayed the man in front of her.
"I tell you what," Grissom said before she could utter a word, "let's go the long way home. We don't have much time before we have to get back to Vegas."
This made Catherine's heart soar then plummet almost immediately after. He came forward towards her and rested his hand on her arm. The tingles were there just as they had always been, but their faces, instead of lighting up with passion, gazed sadly and longingly for each other.
May 9th - 2:30pm
La Curaith Car Park
"Everything packed?"
The rain had stopped from the previous night, and although the sky was grey and murky, the air was clear and pleasantly warm. Catherine had her bewildering 'May 16th ~ 2003' message in her pocket, having not forgotten it's strange appearance at breakfast that morning.
It seemed an age since last night, but it also seemed hardly any time at all since the journey that took them both to the motel then on to La Curaith. The SUV rumbled through the familiar streets along the smooth road. Both Catherine and Grissom were preparing themselves for the rough and bumpy journey ahead. Grissom's slow driving did not bother Catherine now. She wanted this journey to be as slow as possible.
"Catherine?"
"Mmm?"
"Do you know what has happened to my radio?" Grissom asked her curiously.
Catherine thought back to when her hand had slipped and the radio stations all turned from music or speech to a low buzz.
"No."
9pm
Just outside Vegas
The journey back was a pleasant one. Neither spoke of what was to come once they were in Vegas and the conversation was comfortable. Half way through their long and tiresome journey they stopped at a service station for food, drink and petrol. As they walked into the station their hands met naturally and held soothingly onto each other. Neither had noticed this event until Grissom had to reach for his wallet and pay the assistant. They did, however, notice that since that moment both found it increasingly hard to prevent themselves from the smallest touch.
As they past the unforgotten motel two hours previous to the present, the unspoken thought passed both of their minds, as their heads in the SUV turned with the vehicle wobbling bumpily along the dirt road past the familiar sight, 'couldn't we stop for another night?'
That desperately desired moment did not take place however, and all too soon the signpost came into view. It loomed up about a hundred yards away from them. Catherine and Grissom fell silent in mid conversation as both watched the signpost coming ever closer. Catherine felt the SUV slow to a halt as they came about five metres before the 'welcome' sign. It had never been less welcome to either.
The light from the city was slightly illuminating their surroundings and Catherine felt Grissom's hand find hers in the semi darkness. She then heard the click of the door and felt more than saw Grissom lift himself out of the SUV.
Catherine saw him make his way around the front, passing through the light of the headlights causing his whole body to twice light up, then ultimately fall into a blurry shadow. Grissom walked to her own door and pulled it open for her. She stepped out, curious of his intentions, but grateful that he was delaying the inevitable.
As Grissom closed the door behind her, Catherine walked over the dusty path road to stand, arms folded, in front of the signpost. An unexpected tear glistened in her eye and made its way down her cheek as she beheld the city beyond its sign. Catherine wiped her face dry before Grissom could notice as she heard her name being called. She turned to face the speaker. Catherine moved quickly towards Grissom and their lips met with gentle force. Her hands moved from Grissom's face into his hair to pull him closer to her.
"I'm so sorry, Gil." Catherine said as they pulled apart, still holding tightly to each other, unwilling to let even a millimetre of air in between them.
"I am too."
"No, I mean, there's something I have to tell you. I have to tell you now because it'll be easier for us both when we step over that boarder."
Grissom pulled away, confusion conquering his face.
"What is it?" he asked nervously.
"It's about Simon."
Grissom's brow furrowed further. Catherine knew the loathing that had developed between the two men was severe. She also knew what she was about to say would tear Grissom to pieces. Breathing deeply in and lowering her eyes to her dust coated shoes she told him.
"He... I... We kissed."
* * * * *
I know it's very very very extra short but I figured I owe you a chapter and it's better than nothing. I know everyone loves happy things (so go read chapter 5 or 10 ;) ) but fear not my friends, happiness looms ever closer. Pleeeeeeeeease review. I need replenishing! ;) ~ Cath