Chapter 4
A/N: Thanks to: Anne, Mar & Marg ;) (Utrecht was a blast!!)
-- - - - ----- - ----- ------- -------- ------------- ------- ----- --- ------- ------ ------ ---------
Grissom pulled the keys out of the ignition and glanced over his shoulder at Catherine's house. "We're here."
Catherine turned around in her seat and unbuckled Reese and Alexis. "Let's go. We'll make you two something to eat and then put you to bed, okay?"
They all got out of the Tahoe that Grissom had neatly parked in front of Catherine's place and walked up to the door.
Alexis was sucking her thumb while Reese held her other hand, pulling Alexis along with her.
Catherine rummaged through her purse, trying to find her keys, but before she did, the door was swung open by Lindsey.
"Hi," she beamed.
"Hey baby" Catherine leaned in and kissed the top of her head.
Grissom nodded at her in acknowledgement and the two girls looked at the little blonde curiously.
"Come inside!" Lindsey spun around and allowed the others to enter.
Catherine immediately headed for the kitchen, dropping her purse on the coffee table when she passed it. Warily, Reese and Alexis followed her.
Grissom sat down on the couch and Lindsey joined him. "Hi, Uncle Grissom."
"Hey, Linds."
They sat next to each other in silence for a couple of minutes, Lindsey intensely staring at Grissom, Grissom staring at the wall.
"So, what exactly are they doing here?"
Grissom smiled, knowing that Lindsey had been thinking about that for the last couple of minutes. "I thought your mom called you to ask if this was okay?"
"She did," Lindsey nodded. "And I don't mind. But, what happened to them?"
"They're here because they don't have anyone else. And they're a part of an investigation."
"Are they orphans?"
"They very well could be."
"Weird." Lindsey wasn't sure what to think of this whole situation. She didn't mind at all about the two girls staying with them, but she wondered why they were here.
Meanwhile, Catherine and the two little girls had come from the kitchen and Alexis and Reese were both munching on some sandwiches.
"We're going upstairs, to get ready for bed." Catherine told Grissom and Lindsey, and the girls silently followed her.
Grissom saw that Lindsey was thinking about what he had just told her. "You know what?" Lindsey looked up at him and shook her head. "You can help me and your mother with our investigation".
Lindsey's face lit up. "I can? Really??"
"Yes, you can help Reese and Alexis feel welcome here."
"Oh. Okay...." It wasn't exactly what she'd been hoping for, but she then decided that if Uncle Grissom had asked her, it was probably important enough to do. "I'll go see if I can help them." Lindsey got up and ran upstairs.
While Lindsey had been downstairs, Catherine was in Lindsey's room explaining everything they needed to know. "So, I know this is really 'weird' and scary, being in someone else's house so I want you to know, if you get scared or you'd rather stay somewhere else, just say so, okay?" The girls nodded.
"Well, I guess that's it for now but don't forget: if you want to ask me something, I'm here." she smiled at the girls, who again nodded in understanding. "And if you need anything, just let me know and then I'll see what I can do."
"Okay," Reese said uncomfortably as she eyed her surroundings. Lindsey's room looked strangely familiar. The yellow walls, the brightly colored stuffed animals, the dolls in pink dresses, pictures of Catherine and what Reese assumed to be Lindsey's father on her nightstand. There was one large Disney-poster literally taped to her door. Crooked.
Just as Reese was staring at it, Lindsey opened the door to her room and saw her mother and the two girls. Catherine turned around.
"Hey, I'm staying with you, right mommy?"
"Yeah, that's right." Catherine told her. "You don't mind, do you?"
"No." Lindsey shook her head enthusiastically.
Alexis looked at Lindsey and then glanced around the room. "I like your room, it's pretty, right Reese?" She pulled her older sister's sleeve. Reese nodded briefly.
"Ok, Lindsey, it's good that you're already up here, 'cause it's way past bedtime-" Catherine began when she saw Alexis unsuccessfully try to hide a yawn behind her hand.
"-Mom, no please, just 5 minutes. I'm way too excited to go to bed NOW!" she whined.
"No way kiddo, better luck next time."
Lindsey sighed. "But let me just say goodnight to Uncle Gil, please?"
"Ok, but just saying goodnight and that's it." Catherine turned to Reese and Alexis. "You also want to say goodnight?" They nodded and followed Lindsey downstairs.
"Uncle Gil, we're going to bed." Lindsey chirped and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"Yeah, we have to go to bed too." Reese said softly and Alexis nodded in agreement.
"Ok, you girls sleep well then. I'll be here first thing tomorrow morning." he answered.
"Ok, and now its really time for bed, come on Lindsey." Catherine said and was already on her way upstairs with Reese and Alexis.
"But I'm thirsty!" she called back. Catherine sighed.
"Well, it's nice to meet you 'Thirsty' but you've still gotta go to bed."
"One minute!"
Catherine sighed, rolled her eyes at her daughter's stubbornness and continued to guide the two girls upstairs.
"It's alright, I'll get her upstairs." Gil said.
"Fine, but make sure she gets in there soon. One minute." She was too tired to argue.
"I'll be right up, mommy I promise!"
"You had better." she said, and wondered how long it would take Gil to get her to go to bed.
Lindsey had finished her water in two large gulps and brought her glass to the kitchen.
"Linds, the minute has passed..." Gil began.
"I know." she replied and kissed him on the cheek again and walked to the stairs.
"Goodnight Linds, I'll see you later." he smiled at her. Lindsey smiled back, waved and yawned again.
"Lindsey!" they heard Catherine's voice coming from upstairs.
"Cooooooooooming!" Lindsey called back.
-- - - - ----- - ----- ------- -------- ------------- ------- ----- --- ------- ------ ------ ---------
Exhausted, Catherine plopped down on her lime green couch and leaned back. "So, Alexis and Reese have Lindsey's room for now, Lindsey can sleep with me. Which means, she'll sleep....and I won't."
Grissom nodded.
"I'm doing the right thing...right?" She ran a hand through her wavy strawberry blond hair. "Two strange kids.....two scared kids..."
"Never doubt, never look back, remember?" He answered, leaning back as well.
"Yeah, you're right." She shook her head and sighed. "So what are we gonna do now?"
Grissom took of his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we're not exactly working the case anymore, obviously. And, if it's okay with my supervisor, I think I'm going to stay with the kids for a couple of days and do that load of paperwork for him."
Grissom tilted his head slightly. "I don't think your supervisor will have a problem with that."
"Because he loves ducking case-reviews."
"I'm sure he'll make it up to you."
Though she was tired, her eyes began to sparkle. "He had better..!"
He smiled and noticed how tired she looked. "Do you want me to make you some coffee?"
"Hm?..Oh no, that's ok. My damn coffee-machine-thing makes worse coffee than I do back at the Lab."
This time he cringed, remembering how much he disliked the coffee Catherine made at the Lab. He imagined it must be like drinking 'liquid-man' Sara and Nick had found in a bag in the desert two years ago.
While Catherine was trying very hard not to fall asleep, he looked around the comfy living room, from the pictures on the wall to the collection of toys, pencils and sheets of paper on the floor. He wasn't sure what he'd call it, but.....it looked like a ...happy mess.
"I think I'd better go." He picked up his jacket from the armrest and got up. Catherine followed him to the door. "Good luck with the kids, call me if you need me. And....could I come over tomorrow...?"
She stifled a yawn. "I think that's a very good idea. Around 10?"
"I'll be there. With coffee."
"Bless you, Gil Grissom."
He smirked and turned around.
"I think you broke a record," she suddenly said.
He gave her a confused look.
"I don't think any sitter managed to get Lindsey to go to bed that fast. I mean, in actually one minute."
He grinned smugly at that comment. "It wasn't that hard."
"Well, you have no idea what it took others to get her to do what you achieved in 2 minutes." she grinned. "I just never knew you were that good with kids."
"Well, to be honest with you, neither did I."
"People have all kinds of hidden talents, I guess."
"Yeah. Plus, it helps that she's a miniature version of you."
"Riiiight. I just can't wait till she hits puberty."
Grissom cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah..well." He hesitated for a second but then casually said, "See you tomorrow."
Catherine opened the door and let him out. "Bye Gil"
- - - - ----- - ----- ------- -------- ------------- ------- ------ -- ------- ------ ------ ---------
She got back inside and switched on the television, flipped through the channels, but soon realised that it was getting incredibly difficult to keep her eyes open. Catherine switched of it off again and was about to go to bed when she heard a noise behind her.
It was Alexis. She was standing in the middle of the dimly lit living room, dressed in one of Lindsey's old nightgowns.
"Hey," Catherine said, attempting to sound cheerful. "What are you doing down here?"
"I... couldn't sleep," the girl said and looked at the floor.
"How come?" Catherine asked her, frowning.
Alexis shrugged. "I'm not sure...can I stay here for a while?" she asked shyly.
"Of course." Catherine smiled at her. Alexis sat down on the couch, next to Catherine.
"How long are we going to stay here?" Alexis asked and looked up at Catherine.
"Well, I can't tell you that for sure, but it's only for a couple of days probably. When we find your family you and Reese can go there."
"But I don't want to go, and we don't have a family."
"Honey" Catherine sighed as she reached out to push a strand of hair from the girl's face. "I know that......your parents are not here anymore, but I mean.... other family? Like aunts and uncles and..."
"They weren't our parents."
"The man and woman in the hotel room. They're not your parents....." Catherine's blue eyes widened in confusion. "Then who are...were they?"
"Um..." Alexis began softly. "They told us that.....um."
Catherine knew Alexis wanted to say something but that she just didn't know where to start. The girl's brown eyes nervously glanced from Catherine to the floor.
"Hey" Catherine covered Alexis's hand with her own. "It's alright if you want to tell me something..."
"They said we could never tell." She whispered.
"But I'm with the police. If you tell me, maybe I can help?"
Alexis sighed heavily and kept gazing at the floor. Her dark brown eyes and wavy brown hair were a sharp contrast to her pale skin. She was biting her lower lip and fumbling with a piece of her nightgown. "Maybe Reese will tell," she answered, slid off the couch and quickly ran up the stairs again.
-- - - - ----- - ----- ------- -------- ------------- ------- ----- --- ------- ------ ------ ---------
TBC ???????????????????????
-- - - - ----- - ----- ------- -------- ------------- ------- ----- --- ------- ------ ------ ---------
Grissom pulled the keys out of the ignition and glanced over his shoulder at Catherine's house. "We're here."
Catherine turned around in her seat and unbuckled Reese and Alexis. "Let's go. We'll make you two something to eat and then put you to bed, okay?"
They all got out of the Tahoe that Grissom had neatly parked in front of Catherine's place and walked up to the door.
Alexis was sucking her thumb while Reese held her other hand, pulling Alexis along with her.
Catherine rummaged through her purse, trying to find her keys, but before she did, the door was swung open by Lindsey.
"Hi," she beamed.
"Hey baby" Catherine leaned in and kissed the top of her head.
Grissom nodded at her in acknowledgement and the two girls looked at the little blonde curiously.
"Come inside!" Lindsey spun around and allowed the others to enter.
Catherine immediately headed for the kitchen, dropping her purse on the coffee table when she passed it. Warily, Reese and Alexis followed her.
Grissom sat down on the couch and Lindsey joined him. "Hi, Uncle Grissom."
"Hey, Linds."
They sat next to each other in silence for a couple of minutes, Lindsey intensely staring at Grissom, Grissom staring at the wall.
"So, what exactly are they doing here?"
Grissom smiled, knowing that Lindsey had been thinking about that for the last couple of minutes. "I thought your mom called you to ask if this was okay?"
"She did," Lindsey nodded. "And I don't mind. But, what happened to them?"
"They're here because they don't have anyone else. And they're a part of an investigation."
"Are they orphans?"
"They very well could be."
"Weird." Lindsey wasn't sure what to think of this whole situation. She didn't mind at all about the two girls staying with them, but she wondered why they were here.
Meanwhile, Catherine and the two little girls had come from the kitchen and Alexis and Reese were both munching on some sandwiches.
"We're going upstairs, to get ready for bed." Catherine told Grissom and Lindsey, and the girls silently followed her.
Grissom saw that Lindsey was thinking about what he had just told her. "You know what?" Lindsey looked up at him and shook her head. "You can help me and your mother with our investigation".
Lindsey's face lit up. "I can? Really??"
"Yes, you can help Reese and Alexis feel welcome here."
"Oh. Okay...." It wasn't exactly what she'd been hoping for, but she then decided that if Uncle Grissom had asked her, it was probably important enough to do. "I'll go see if I can help them." Lindsey got up and ran upstairs.
While Lindsey had been downstairs, Catherine was in Lindsey's room explaining everything they needed to know. "So, I know this is really 'weird' and scary, being in someone else's house so I want you to know, if you get scared or you'd rather stay somewhere else, just say so, okay?" The girls nodded.
"Well, I guess that's it for now but don't forget: if you want to ask me something, I'm here." she smiled at the girls, who again nodded in understanding. "And if you need anything, just let me know and then I'll see what I can do."
"Okay," Reese said uncomfortably as she eyed her surroundings. Lindsey's room looked strangely familiar. The yellow walls, the brightly colored stuffed animals, the dolls in pink dresses, pictures of Catherine and what Reese assumed to be Lindsey's father on her nightstand. There was one large Disney-poster literally taped to her door. Crooked.
Just as Reese was staring at it, Lindsey opened the door to her room and saw her mother and the two girls. Catherine turned around.
"Hey, I'm staying with you, right mommy?"
"Yeah, that's right." Catherine told her. "You don't mind, do you?"
"No." Lindsey shook her head enthusiastically.
Alexis looked at Lindsey and then glanced around the room. "I like your room, it's pretty, right Reese?" She pulled her older sister's sleeve. Reese nodded briefly.
"Ok, Lindsey, it's good that you're already up here, 'cause it's way past bedtime-" Catherine began when she saw Alexis unsuccessfully try to hide a yawn behind her hand.
"-Mom, no please, just 5 minutes. I'm way too excited to go to bed NOW!" she whined.
"No way kiddo, better luck next time."
Lindsey sighed. "But let me just say goodnight to Uncle Gil, please?"
"Ok, but just saying goodnight and that's it." Catherine turned to Reese and Alexis. "You also want to say goodnight?" They nodded and followed Lindsey downstairs.
"Uncle Gil, we're going to bed." Lindsey chirped and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
"Yeah, we have to go to bed too." Reese said softly and Alexis nodded in agreement.
"Ok, you girls sleep well then. I'll be here first thing tomorrow morning." he answered.
"Ok, and now its really time for bed, come on Lindsey." Catherine said and was already on her way upstairs with Reese and Alexis.
"But I'm thirsty!" she called back. Catherine sighed.
"Well, it's nice to meet you 'Thirsty' but you've still gotta go to bed."
"One minute!"
Catherine sighed, rolled her eyes at her daughter's stubbornness and continued to guide the two girls upstairs.
"It's alright, I'll get her upstairs." Gil said.
"Fine, but make sure she gets in there soon. One minute." She was too tired to argue.
"I'll be right up, mommy I promise!"
"You had better." she said, and wondered how long it would take Gil to get her to go to bed.
Lindsey had finished her water in two large gulps and brought her glass to the kitchen.
"Linds, the minute has passed..." Gil began.
"I know." she replied and kissed him on the cheek again and walked to the stairs.
"Goodnight Linds, I'll see you later." he smiled at her. Lindsey smiled back, waved and yawned again.
"Lindsey!" they heard Catherine's voice coming from upstairs.
"Cooooooooooming!" Lindsey called back.
-- - - - ----- - ----- ------- -------- ------------- ------- ----- --- ------- ------ ------ ---------
Exhausted, Catherine plopped down on her lime green couch and leaned back. "So, Alexis and Reese have Lindsey's room for now, Lindsey can sleep with me. Which means, she'll sleep....and I won't."
Grissom nodded.
"I'm doing the right thing...right?" She ran a hand through her wavy strawberry blond hair. "Two strange kids.....two scared kids..."
"Never doubt, never look back, remember?" He answered, leaning back as well.
"Yeah, you're right." She shook her head and sighed. "So what are we gonna do now?"
Grissom took of his glasses and rubbed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
"Well, we're not exactly working the case anymore, obviously. And, if it's okay with my supervisor, I think I'm going to stay with the kids for a couple of days and do that load of paperwork for him."
Grissom tilted his head slightly. "I don't think your supervisor will have a problem with that."
"Because he loves ducking case-reviews."
"I'm sure he'll make it up to you."
Though she was tired, her eyes began to sparkle. "He had better..!"
He smiled and noticed how tired she looked. "Do you want me to make you some coffee?"
"Hm?..Oh no, that's ok. My damn coffee-machine-thing makes worse coffee than I do back at the Lab."
This time he cringed, remembering how much he disliked the coffee Catherine made at the Lab. He imagined it must be like drinking 'liquid-man' Sara and Nick had found in a bag in the desert two years ago.
While Catherine was trying very hard not to fall asleep, he looked around the comfy living room, from the pictures on the wall to the collection of toys, pencils and sheets of paper on the floor. He wasn't sure what he'd call it, but.....it looked like a ...happy mess.
"I think I'd better go." He picked up his jacket from the armrest and got up. Catherine followed him to the door. "Good luck with the kids, call me if you need me. And....could I come over tomorrow...?"
She stifled a yawn. "I think that's a very good idea. Around 10?"
"I'll be there. With coffee."
"Bless you, Gil Grissom."
He smirked and turned around.
"I think you broke a record," she suddenly said.
He gave her a confused look.
"I don't think any sitter managed to get Lindsey to go to bed that fast. I mean, in actually one minute."
He grinned smugly at that comment. "It wasn't that hard."
"Well, you have no idea what it took others to get her to do what you achieved in 2 minutes." she grinned. "I just never knew you were that good with kids."
"Well, to be honest with you, neither did I."
"People have all kinds of hidden talents, I guess."
"Yeah. Plus, it helps that she's a miniature version of you."
"Riiiight. I just can't wait till she hits puberty."
Grissom cocked an eyebrow. "Yeah..well." He hesitated for a second but then casually said, "See you tomorrow."
Catherine opened the door and let him out. "Bye Gil"
- - - - ----- - ----- ------- -------- ------------- ------- ------ -- ------- ------ ------ ---------
She got back inside and switched on the television, flipped through the channels, but soon realised that it was getting incredibly difficult to keep her eyes open. Catherine switched of it off again and was about to go to bed when she heard a noise behind her.
It was Alexis. She was standing in the middle of the dimly lit living room, dressed in one of Lindsey's old nightgowns.
"Hey," Catherine said, attempting to sound cheerful. "What are you doing down here?"
"I... couldn't sleep," the girl said and looked at the floor.
"How come?" Catherine asked her, frowning.
Alexis shrugged. "I'm not sure...can I stay here for a while?" she asked shyly.
"Of course." Catherine smiled at her. Alexis sat down on the couch, next to Catherine.
"How long are we going to stay here?" Alexis asked and looked up at Catherine.
"Well, I can't tell you that for sure, but it's only for a couple of days probably. When we find your family you and Reese can go there."
"But I don't want to go, and we don't have a family."
"Honey" Catherine sighed as she reached out to push a strand of hair from the girl's face. "I know that......your parents are not here anymore, but I mean.... other family? Like aunts and uncles and..."
"They weren't our parents."
"The man and woman in the hotel room. They're not your parents....." Catherine's blue eyes widened in confusion. "Then who are...were they?"
"Um..." Alexis began softly. "They told us that.....um."
Catherine knew Alexis wanted to say something but that she just didn't know where to start. The girl's brown eyes nervously glanced from Catherine to the floor.
"Hey" Catherine covered Alexis's hand with her own. "It's alright if you want to tell me something..."
"They said we could never tell." She whispered.
"But I'm with the police. If you tell me, maybe I can help?"
Alexis sighed heavily and kept gazing at the floor. Her dark brown eyes and wavy brown hair were a sharp contrast to her pale skin. She was biting her lower lip and fumbling with a piece of her nightgown. "Maybe Reese will tell," she answered, slid off the couch and quickly ran up the stairs again.
-- - - - ----- - ----- ------- -------- ------------- ------- ----- --- ------- ------ ------ ---------
TBC ???????????????????????