(disclaimer, spoilers etc... see prev chaps)
Chapter four: San Francisco
She's sitting in Golden Gate Park and is thinking about her life so far. He's right. San Francisco is really beautiful and she loves the city. But isn't it ironic that he told her that. She'd love to be here together with him. But she needed to leave him. He was her best friend but after more than 2 decades she wanted more than just friendship. But he never seemed to feel that too.
He was never the one showing his feelings to anybody but there were times she knew he was in love. With someone else.
And isn't it ironic that it was her who could've been together with him in the ice-skating station talking about beauty. That it was actually her that mentioned that that girl looked like Sara. That it was her pushing him in the arms of Terri and lady heather. That it was always her who told him not to stare or to shut his mouth. And it is her who wished that it were true every time someone assumes that they couple.
Isn't it ironic?
He told her everything but she wanted to be more than just his best friend. He doesn't know what it meant to her that day Ed was about to slap her at work and he throw him out of the building. Ed has mentioned that he has suspected that she and Gil has a thing. O, how much she wishes Ed was right back then. Isn't it ironic? That it was Ed who told her.
Gil would never know how worried she was when Paul Millander wanted to kill him and he went alone to have dinner with him. How much did she wish to be there with him to save his life if she'd need to do it. She'd done it before and she'd do it again without thinking twice about.
What would she do to have him here now?
She'd do anything. But she has decided, she'd do anything.. and she decided not to.
There were the looks they exchanged.
The jokes they made.
The smiles gave.
And the way they always knew what each other think.
He was the reason she always smiled when she came to work.
She loved the breakfasts they shared after shift's end. After watching the sunrise on shift's end for so many times.
She told him once, 'never doubt never look back' she knows he's her past and not her future. She has to move on. So she stands up from where she was sitting and walks back home into her new life.
Catherine has just finished off with cleaning their new apartment, she sank down the couch after a tiring day's work when she heard a knock, "what now?" she groaned. As she opened the door there's a woman in her 60's standing on the other side.
"Hi, what can I do for you?"
"I'm your neighbor, I'm Alice. And this is my husband James"
"Oh hi! Come in. come in" she let the couple inside and led them to the living room, "By the way I'm Catherine. Catherine Willows. Take a seat"
"Catherine Willows!?" Alice repeated in shock
"Is something the matter?" Catherine was puzzled.
"Sweetheart, there can be two Catherine Willows you know" Catherine eyed the husband, "Excuse me, but I'm not following the conversation"
"It's just that our daughter has this friend, and our daughter has told us a lot of her co-workers and we've been very eager to meet them, or at least one of them."
"Oh, you have a daughter!"
"Yes, an our only child."
"What does she do?"
"She's uh, what do you call that?"
"A Crime scene investigator sweetheart" Alice smiled sweetly
"I've always wanted her to be a model."
"James my dear, if she had become a model, she'd be wasting her brains."
"Our daughter is very smart and a toughie too, we can't be any more prouder" said James with pride.
"A crime scene investigator" Catherine muttered, as she placed two and two together. "Sara, Sara, Sara" Catherine said in a hush, she couldn't believe Sara actually talked about them with her parents. Who would have thought that that girl has a soft spot for the team, Catherine thought.
"It's you isn't it?" Alice asked, Catherine nodded. "James, Alice, I would appreciate it if you don't mention to your daughter about me"
"Having a new life?" Alice asked knowingly. Catherine nodded again.
"Okay, but if you need anything, just come to us"
"Will do."
The next day in a diner.
A man is watching them. And as a CSI Catherine had already noticed it. She's talking with Linds about her first day at school as the man walks to them next to him a girl in Lindsey's age.
"Sorry but we heard you talking about you guys being new here, and uh- "
"Yes, we are new here." Catherine said a little too harsh, but he just came a little too cocky, he's a charmer, Catherine knew a lot of men like him, she did like those types before, but not anymore.
"My daughter and I just wanted to say Hi. And introduce ourselves with you lovely ladies."
With the mention of the word daughter, Catherine's features softened, she gave him a light smile, "I'm Catherine and that's my daughter Lindsey."
He's a really good-looking guy she thinks. And he seems to be nice.
"My name is marc and that's my daughter Alison"
Lindsey interrupts him.
"I'm in Al's class, we already met today"
"That's great" said Catherine
"Can we go to the park dad?"
Marc looks at Catherine for her approval, she nods, "Okay, just be careful and 3 hours tops. We'll wait for you guys here"
"3 hours then'
"Bye, mum"
"Bye dad"
"See ya Al"
"Linds! –"
"Al – "they both called for their daughters at the sametime
"We'll take care, don't worry!"
Catherine sighed. "Kids." They said in unison, they glanced at each other and laughed, as soon as the laughter faded Catherine asked,
"So um. Where's your wife?"
"We're divorced, she has a new family"
"Oh. I'm sorry I didn't- "
"It's okay, we're actually very good friends now. How about you? Do you have a husband?"
"No. We got divorced, then months later he um. Died in an accident"
"My condolences."
"Enough about my ex, I want to learn about you..."
Catherine and Marc began talking as soon as the two girls left, and Catherine found it surprising how much she feels comfortable with talking to Marc.
Days passed by, and the days turned into weeks, and the week is now a whole two months. Everyday Catherine sees Marc as they both fetch their kids, and the four of them would go for some ice cream, they talked on the phone and even arranged Friday night movies together. Catherine has learned enough about Marc to say that he is indeed a great man. He has a house of his own, he takes care of his daughter, he has a great job and very thoughtful. He and Catherine became very good friends, and the other thing that Catherine loves about him, is that he respects her a lot. Their relationship is hemmed in that of friendship.
And it's a wonder; with two months it felt like she has known him all her life.
Catherine and Marc waved good-bye to their daughters who are now inside the bus getting ready for their class fieldtrip.
"So now that we are alone, have you been in the haven?"
"Well, you haven't brought me there yet"
Marc gave out a chuckle, "What am I to you a tour guide?" he jested
"Yea. And a very good one too, I'll have to tell your boss to give you a raise."
Marc just grinned at her, "You wanna go there?"
"Have I ever said no?"
On their way as usual they talked animatedly about everything and anything. They got out of the car and started walking, a few moments later they stop. And Catherine felt the urge to kiss him.
He is the most fabulous man I've ever met. That's probably why I was brought here, maybe I was meant to meet him.
They turned to each other and she can see this feeling of desire in his eyes. The same feeling she knows is also reflected on hers.
She makes the first move and walked a step closer to him, he looked in her eyes, "Are you sure you want this?"
"I think I do" said in a whisper. With that, he moved a step forward, he held her face in his hands and closed the distance of their lips. The kiss was gentle and affectionate at the same time. Everything seemed to turn into a slow motion, as they both pulled apart, they were both still trapped in that illusion of a slow motion, they looked in to each other's eyes, moments later their lips crashed together again, this time the kiss was more bold and with much more passion.
2 days later, in front of Marc's house.
"So tomorrow summer holidays begin. Do you already know what you're doing then?"
"I want to visit my sister in Vegas and Linds misses her friends...if you want you and al can come with us."
Linds and al are already on the doorsteps.
"Well, Linds and I better go."
"Go? Aren't you gonna stay for dinner?"
"You're making dinner? I though you said your exhausted for all that walking around the mall we did"
"Well you're going to help me with it, aren't you?" Marc winked at her, and she smirked at him. Lindsey and Al exchanged looks; they have not yet been told of what happened two days ago.
They all entered the house. Marc closes the door behind them.
With that ends the first of hopefully a lot more fantastic days in Catherine's new life. Far away from home. Home will ever belong to Vegas and Gil Grissom. But for now she's happy in the HOME of someone else.
TBC