Chapter 2

Warrick stands up and stretches his long legs. It feels like time is dragging. Catherine is watching him and wondering if he has any clue how handsome he is when he stretches like that. She shakes her head and tries to push it out of her mind. "Jeez, is that all I ever think about?" she wonders. She stands up and walks over to Warrick.

Cath: You OK?

Warrick: Yeah, What's taking them so long?

Cath: She's going to be OK 'Rick. Just hang in there and give them time to do it right.

Warrick: You really need to go home Cath. It's not written anywhere that my supervisor has to baby-sit.

Cath: I'm not here as your supervisor. I'm here as your friend. And there are not any written rules on that now are there? I'm not leaving you here alone. Case closed.

Warrick: (cheeky grin) Yes ma'am.

(Warrick takes in his breath as he sees the doctor walk towards them.)

Dr. Anderson comes out of the surgical area and tells Warrick that Ms. Rice is doing great. She had two 98 blockages, but they were able to put stents in and open them up. They are not going to have to do bypass surgery. Warrick releases his breath in a relieved sigh. Catherine realizes she has just done the same thing. She puts a hand on Warrick's back.

Warrick: Dr. Anderson is she going to be OK?

Dr. Anderson: Yes. I believe she's out of the woods and the stints should take care of the blockage. The damage to the heart done from the heart attack is not repairable, but with a strict change in her diet and keeping her blood pressure under control she should be fine.

Warrick: Can I see her?

Dr. Anderson: They will be moving her up to a room shortly. She will need to keep her legs completely still for 6 hours and stay overnight. If all goes well, we may be able to send her home tomorrow. If you and your wife want to make your way up to Room 525, Ms. Rice will be brought up shortly.

Warrick: Um………….ah…………….she's not……..this is………um

Cath: (reaches to shake the doctor's hand) I'm Catherine Willows, a friend and co-worker of Warrick's.

Dr. Anderson: Nice to meet you. You can both go up to the room at wait there if you'd like. Ms. Rice should be up there in about 20 minutes or so.

The doctor walks off with a grin. He knows he's embarrassed the couple, but he wasn't crazy. There were some feelings there or the gentleman wouldn't have stuttered through that so bad.

Catherine and Warrick stand there awkwardly for a moment.

Warrick: (grinning) So, Mrs. Brown, would you like to go upstairs with me?

Cath: (coughs) I'm assuming MISTER Brown that you mean to the hospital room on the 5th floor.

Warrick laughs and shrugs his shoulders.

Cath: I really don't want to be in the way. I'll go home and let you visit with your grandmother alone. I'm glad she's going to be OK.

Warrick: So am I. I don't think I have been that afraid since the day my Mother died. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to my Grams…………… Go upstairs with me Cath. I want you to meet her.

Cath: You sure?

Warrick: I asked didn't I?

Cath and Warrick walk to the elevator in a quiet comfort. Warrick smiles to himself about his quip about going upstairs. He'd like to have pushed that joke a little further, but knew he didn't need to. Little does he know that Catherine is thinking the same thing. They get to the room and chat quietly until they bring his Grams in and get her settled in the bed. Warrick can't wait to get up to her and see that she is OK. Warrick leans down and kisses his grandmother on the forehead and wonders why he feels like crying again. What a sap!

Warrick: Grams, don't ever scare me like that again.

Grams: I'm fine sweet boy. You worry too much. (She reaches up and pats his cheek.)

Warrick: Grams, you had a heart attack. They had to shock you. You could have died.

Grams: Boy, when the Good Lord gets ready for me to go, I'm going to go and there isn't a thing you or I can do about it. So don't be trying to pull out that big gun of yours and get in the Lord's way. Just rest in the fact that today is not my day. I'm fine………….now quit hovering and tell me who this lovely woman behind you is.

(Warrick turns and looks at Cath.)

Warrick: This is Catherine Willows, you've heard me talk about her, she's my supervisor at work.

Grams: (raises eyebrows) Your supervisor comes and sits at the hospital with you? Ms. Willows, it is nice to meet you. I'm Adnia Rice.

Cath: (reaches out and takes her extended hand) The pleasure is mine Ms. Rice. Your grandson and I work together, but I'd like to think we are also good friends. I didn't want him to be here alone. I knew he was worried. He loves you very much.

Grams: Please, call me Adnia. And thank you for staying with my Warrick. The hospital would have had to buy new floors for the holes he'd have paced in them without someone to talk to I am sure Ms. Willows. So, Lindsey must be your daughter.

Cath: Please call me Catherine. (looks to Warrick, who is blushing.) Yes ma'am. Lindsey is my daughter. Have you met her?

Grams: (chuckling) No darling, I haven't. But the way Warrick talks about her, I feel like I know her. My grandson has a way with the ladies, especially the young kids. They flock to him like bees and he loves it.

Warrick: Grams……….

Cath: (smiling at Warrick and biting her lip) Your grandson definitely has a way with the ladies and my daughter is pretty crazy about him as well.

Warrick: I think you LADIES can find something else to talk about ……

(Both women laugh and Warrick grins and shakes his head.)

Cath: I really need to get home and check on my daughter. Ms. Rice……..Adnia………I hope you feel better and I am so glad you are OK. It was a pleasure to meet the hero in Warrick's life. I've heard a lot of wonderful things about you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.

Grams: Well, Catherine, Warrick never told me how beautiful you are.(looks pointedly at her grandson) I'm glad I got to meet you too.

Bring that daughter of yours to see me when I get home. I want to meet her. That's what you can do for me. I'll even cook.

Warrick: No, you won't Grams.

(Grams puts her hand up to brush Warrick off and Cath jumps in to the rescue)

Catherine: We'll bring take out or something. I'm sure Lindsey would love to meet you.

Grams: Sounds wonderful. I can't believe Warrick hasn't brought you around before! (Squints eyes at Warrick who does it right back!) Be careful going home Catherine. My grandson will walk you out.

Warrick and Cath walk outside the room. Cath has tongue in her cheek trying not to grin. Warrick is rubbing his chin.

Warrick (laughs): Sorry about that Cath.

Cath: Sorry about what. She's an amazing woman with incredibly good taste. (smiles really big)

Warrick: Heh, heh………Ok, not sorry. Thank you again for everything. And be prepared to bring Lindsey over. Grams won't forget about it.

Cath: (jokingly looking insulted) and you want her to forget about it?

Warrick: (cocks his head sideways with that frown of his) Don't put words in my mouth there missy. I just don't want you to feel pressured or uncomfortable.

Cath: (pats Warrick on the chest and winks at him) I'm not the one who's uncomfortable. Tell your Grams to let us know. Lindsey will be excited. Call me if you need me. (turns and walks away)

Warrick: (smiling as he watches her walk off). Heyyyyy, I'm totally comfortable………..totally……………

Cath (flashes a grin back at him and waves): Riiiiiiiiiighttt…..

Warrick laughs and goes back in to listen to Grams tell him what a beautiful supervisor he has. He knows he is in for her matchmaking now and hopes he can keep a sound mind and not let her get into his head.