Part 8


It was Katie's first night as an intern and she sat in the breakroom, watching her father hand out assignments. Sara's eyes were on her the entire time, almost boring a hole into her. Katie squirmed uncomfortably, and turned her attention to the cases at hand.

"And Katie, tonight you'll be with Greg in the lab."

Catherine's ears pricked up. "Greg? You want to put her with Greg? Is that safe?"

"I heard that," Greg said, leaning in the doorway. "There is nowhere safer than in the lab with the G-man."

Catherine looked pointedly at Gil who shrugged.

"It's not up to me. They want her to get acquainted with the lab before she goes on fieldwork."

Katie glanced at Greg. "He doesn't look too hard to handle."

Catherine moaned. "I didn't hear her say that."

"I'm just a big pussy cat," Greg grinned. He turned and looked at Catherine. "You didn't hear me say that."

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"You couldn't have left her with Archie?" Catherine asked, as she and Gil headed for the Denali.

Gil glanced at her. "What are you worried about?"

Catherine looked at him, surprised. "It's GREG!"

Gil opened the car door for her. "Well, apart from some of his questionable habits, I don't think he's actually dangerous. To one's sanity perhaps, but not physically." He watched her for a moment.

"What?" Catherine asked, wondering if she had something on her face.

"I love you," he murmured, gently brushing his lips against hers.

She smiled. "I love you too."

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"So, this is where all the action happens," Greg said, sliding into his chair. "Without me, there would be no peace of mind on the streets."

Katie glanced at him from the seat she had taken beside a bench. "From what I hear, it's safer when you're off the streets."

Greg narrowed his eyes. "Are you flirting with me?"

"Are you delusional?" Katie shot back.

Greg grinned. "I'm gonna enjoy working with you."
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When the shift had finished, Catherine went to the lab, checking on her daughter.

"He didn't corrupt you?"

Katie chuckled. "No, he didn't corrupt me."

"I was the epitome of restraint," Greg grinned, bowing to Catherine.

Catherine gave him a sideways glance and then turned back to her daughter. "Ready to go?"

Katie nodded. "Nice to meet you, Greg."

"Nice to meet you too. Come back anytime," he smiled.

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Gil poked his head around the door to one of the evidence rooms, where Katie watched Nick sift through some dirt.

"Katie, want to come search for bones?"

Nick glanced up. "Huh?"

"Another family pet has brought home a human bone from the desert. Catherine and I are going to check it out."

Nick waved as Katie headed out to the car with Gil.

"I hope you've had all your hepatitis shots," Catherine said, as they approached the car.

"Why did you ask him that?" Katie asked.

"You'll see."

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Gil licked the rock and Katie screwed up her nose.

"Eww!"

Catherine glanced at her. "Don't ask. Just don't ask."

"Nope," Gil said, moving onto the next one. He looked at it. "Definitely bone."

Katie looked at him. "Want to suck it? Just to be sure?"

"No, I can tell," Gil replied, oblivious to his daughter's sarcasm.

Catherine smiled slightly, as she and Katie headed to the next flag.

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"I can't believe all the interesting stuff happens when I'm not around!" Lindsey cried, as Gil picked up one of her bags.

"We'll do our best not to do anything else interesting when you're not here," Catherine said, rolling her eyes.

"Can I watch your home movies?" Lindsey asked Katie.

"Sure. Just not when I'm around. And there will be no making fun of me."
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Catherine was folding the laundry as Lindsey, ensconced on a beanbag, perused the home videos.

"Hey mom?"

"Mhm?"

"Why didn't you let Katie grow up with me?"

Catherine stiffened. "What do you mean, Linds?"

Lindsey pointed to the TV screen, where Katie was playing with the woman Catherine presumed to be her adoptive mother. "Why'd you give her to them? You're a better mom and you're her real mom."

"It's complicated, Lindsey."

Lindsey frowned. "Is that just the grown up way of saying that I'm to young to understand?"

Catherine put the washing down and slid down on the floor next to her daughter. "No, it's my way of telling you that it is really complicated." She brushed Lindsey's hair back. "But if you want to ask any questions, you can." While she was nervous about some of the questions that Lindsey might ask, Catherine felt she needed to be honest. The last thing she needed was complications and lying.

Lindsey looked confused for a moment then looked back into Catherine's eyes. "You love Uncle Gil, right?"

"Very much," Catherine replied.

"Did you love Dad?"

Catherine nodded, afraid of where this was headed.

Lindsey bit her lip. "Did you know Dad when Katie was born?"

"Yes."

Lindsey pressed some more. "Did you love Dad when Katie was born?"

Cath fidgeted slightly. "I did but we were…having problems."

Lindsey widened her eyes. "You were married to Dad when Katie was born!?"

Catherine looked at her hands. "We were separated, but yes."

"You told me that you only have sex with someone that you love and only with that person!" Lindsey stood up. "I'm not stupid you know! I watch TV!! You cheated on him!!"

Catherine felt her heart breaking. "Lindsey, you have to understand that…"

"I don't want to understand!!" Lindsey yelled. "You're a liar! All while I was growing up you were mean to Daddy and calling his girlfriends mean names and he never called you anything!"

Catherine could feel the tears threatening and tried to reach out to her daughter. "Lindsey, please…"

"I hate you! I hate Katie and I hate Uncle Gil! But I hate you most of all! You drove Daddy away! You're….you're a bitch!" She went to hit her mother but felt a strong hand grip her wrist.

"Lindsey Anne Willows, apologise immediately," came Gil's stern voice. "Do not make me ask again."

"Let me go," Lindsey squirmed, hot, angry tears spilling from her eyes.

"Apologise to your mother," Gil said, letting her arm fall away. "Now."

"No!" Lindsey cried, racing to her room and slamming the door.

Gil was about to follow her when he heard Catherine's small voice from the floor.

"Leave her."

"Catherine…"

"Leave her," she said more forcefully. "Dammit Gil, I've caused her enough pain!"

He slid to the floor beside her, enfolding her in his arms and rocking her gently. He felt her body convulse with sobs and he pressed small kisses to her head.

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Part 9