Five Cent Romance.

disclaimer- i don't own csi

a/n pre-season. au. some of this was inspired by what little biography i have come across for catherine. Cross posted to catloveswar yahoo group.

Warrick met his future wife at the tender age of nine years old. It didn't matter to him that she was white, or that she was eight years older than him, or that he was way too young to even be thinking about marriage. All he knew was she was beautiful and sad and lonely and he wanted to make her smile and be happy. She was rail thin and homeless so he sat on the park bench and gave her half a PB+J sandwich. She gave him a crooked smile and told him her name. Catherine- the most beautiful name he had ever heard.

That night he told his grand mother about her. She patted him on the head indulgently before sending him to clean up for bedtime.

The next day he passed a five cent gumball machine. It was filled with clear plastic bubbles containing toy rings made of colored glass set on gold colored tin. He dug into his pocket and pulled out his last nickel and bought one. It was as blue as her eyes.

When he gave it to her, he informed her with great seriousness and sincerity that they were engaged. And that when he was big and strong and had a good job he promised to marry her. She laughed but took the ring and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She whispered thank-you before slipping it on her finger and walking away. She never came to that park again, but warrick wasn't worried, he knew he'd see her again.

the end