Disclaimer: CSI and the song are both mine
Spoilers: none
A/N: thanks for reading this and reviewing! the song used here is Everybody's changing sang by Keane, Grissom's POV
Chapter nineteen: Everybody's changing
You say you wander your own land
But when I think about it
I don't see how you can
This café is really nice, Brass says it has just opened about a week or two ago but by the number of people entering the establishment it sure didn't look like it. It gives a cozy feeling, its ambience is really nice, the waitresses do their job efficiently and the food is truly scrumptious.
"Gil, tell me, why did you left?"
"It's a little too personal Jim, maybe I'll tell you some other time"
"Okay, well, since you won't tell me why you left, do you mind telling me why you came back?"
"For Catherine"
"Catherine went through a lot when you left; every thing ain't the same any more"
I know a lot of things have changed; Brass has managed to rub it for probably the millionth time this afternoon.
"Hey Brass!!" called an all too familiar voice from behind me.
"We didn't - - . Grissom!"
"Hey Greg; Nick. Sara. It's good to see all of you"
"Yea sure" was Sara's deadpanned response.
"Why don't you guys join us?" Jim invited, and the three got themselves a chair and settled down on our table.
You're aching, you're breaking
And I can see the pain in your eyes
Says everybody's changing
And I don't know why
Having lunch with them again wasn't as nice and comforting as it used to be. Jim had a lot of unanswered questions but we are still okay, but the other three... well they look at me differently.
Greg used to look at me with such respect, I know I frighten him at times but he has shown great respect towards me in his own way, now well, he looks at me questioningly and with doubt.
The same with Nick, Nick used to have this look of respect, friendliness and trust, now he looks at me with a disgusted smirk.
Sara looks at me as if saying 'I used to respect you' and 'what the hell are you even doing here, you bastard?'.
I'm not sure if I'm just imagining things or what but one thing is for sure, none of the three showed any kind of sign that they are glad to see me back.
I know it would be stupid to ask why, coz I think I know why.
So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same
The bell has rung and the kids are running towards their parents while some are towards the bus stop and the others to the play ground. And there she is, the little blonde girl I came here to see, she's walking with some friends and giggling. Somehow I managed to step out of my car to see her more clearly, I'm not sure whether to come up to her or not, but I guess I just won't, I don't think I'm ready to see what her reaction would be, I mean if my co workers looks at me like that, what more Lindsey?
And so I open the door of my car....
"Daddy G!!!"
I turn back around and I see Lindsey grinning and running towards me, I closed the door of the car back and embraced MY DAUGHTER.
After a long moment of cradling her in my arms, I back away a little and I see tears running down her little face, I try to wipe them for I can't bear seeing my little girl crying.
"Sweetie, why are you crying?"
"Coz- coz, I-I, thought, that.. that, that I wouldn't see you ever again" Lindsey managed to get out between sobs. "I'm here now, no need to cry sweetheart" and I watch my little girl giggled at me..
"Why are laughing?" I inquired
"Coz your crying too daddy G!!"
I reached for my handkerchief, and she's right, I am crying. Probably because I'm overwhelmed with joy. The joy of seeing her and being able to embrace her and know that this little girl doesn't hate me and that she hasn't forgotten all about me.
"You know I think I have a little something for you at the back of the car"
"Really!!"
And so I retrieved my gift for her, it's a little heavy plus it's fragile, I don't think Lindsey could carry it.
"It looks heavy"
"It is."
"Can I open it now!!"
"Well – "
"Lindsey!!"
And now I find myself staring directly at those two beautiful blue eyes which I know very well.
You're gone from here
And soon you will disappear
Cause everybody's changing
And I don't feel right
"Catherine.." I whispered
"Lindsey, get in the car, we're going home." she said sternly
"Could I just ride with daddy G?"
"Mr. Grissom is going somewhere else Linds"
Mr. Grissom?? Where did that came from!
"No he isn't!"
"Listen to your mom Linds"
"But I just saw you now after a really, really long time, and I want to hear all about Africa."
Africa??
"Lindsey, I said we are going!"
"But mom – "
"Get in the car Lindsey!" Catherine's voice rose, and Lindsey threw her arms around my waist as if not wanting to let go, her head is bowed down but I could hear her muffled cries.
"Linds, sweetheart, don't cry. We could spend more time next time, okay. Now come on, I'll walk you to your mom's car."
Lindsey nodded, Catherine led the way and I followed with Lindsey's arms still around me.
So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same
As I settled Lindsey inside Catherine's car, I handed her, her gift which is still wrapped. I closed the door and found Catherine waiting for me.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see you"
"You're using my daughter"
"I think you misunderstood. I came here to Vegas to see you; I came here to the school to see Lindsey"
"What are you trying to do?"
"I'm trying to make up for the lost times"
"Those times aren't really lost Gil, they were thrown. You threw it away, once you throw something it's either you keep it that way or you go and pick it up. You obviously choose to pick it up, but guess what, there's nothing to pick up. You're too late"
"Cath.."
"Things change Gil, people change, and you're gonna have to live with it.... don't look so confused you're the one who thought me that"
So little time
Try to understand that I'm
Trying to make a move to stay in the game
I try to stay awake and remember my name
But everybody's changing
And I don't feel the same
TBC