Disclaimer: I Own NADA!
A/N: I promise, NO cliff-hangers this time, I'll be nice.
Edited by Awesomepossum, who would like to add that George here rocks my socks!
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Grissom took Catherine's hand, but said nothing; sometimes, he knew it was better to just listen.
Catherine let out a little whimper. "I was 19, and it was just before Christmas. I was out walking with a friend – we had just gone on a double date – when she said goodbye outside my apartment. Nothing seemed unusual." Her voice cracked. Grissom gripped her hand tighter. Catherine looked at him gratefully.
"I headed up to my apartment, and there was a man in the hallway. Looking back, I should have noticed him, but I was young and stupid. He came over and grabbed me." Catherine stopped speaking and hesitated; she was obviously fighting to speak every word.
"He raped me, right there in that dark hallway. I was terrified he would kill me. When he left…" She paused again, and put her head in the crook of Grissom's neck. "He… He wished me a Merry Christmas…" She let out a loud sob. Grissom was totally shocked, Lindsey had been right. He let out a sigh.
"They never got him, did they Catherine?" He asked.
Catherine looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, she blinked, and they all fell down her cheeks. "No. They never did."
Grissom let go of her hand and stood up. He didn't know how to react. He turned to face Catherine, but she had crumpled onto the couch and lay in a heap. He went to his office and brought back the blanket he kept there, and wrapped it around the quivering Catherine. He sat back down and put her head in his lap. He needed to think. He had assigned Catherine to so many rape cases over the years because he knew how Sara became so undone. If he'd only known, he never would have put either woman in that position.
Grissom rose to his feet a second time. Right now, Catherine needed time and sleep. He got on his knees next to Catherine and whispered gently, "Cath, you need to get some sleep, do you want me to stay with you?"
Catherine opened a bloodshot and teary eye. "No thanks," she sniffled, "you need to get back to work."
Grissom stroked her hair. "Okay Cath, I'm right down the hallway if you need me." She gave a feeble smile.
Grissom turned and slowly walked out.
"Grissom?" Catherine called. "Thanks. This means a lot."
Grissom turned to face her and smiled. "That's what friends are for."
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Catherine lay on the couch in the break room. She needed to sleep, but somehow it was the last thing she wanted to do.
Yesterday I had a dreamThat I could fly
To the sky.
She felt a tear roll down her cheek.
Then I woke up in a sweatNot dead yet
But on the ground.
She remembered that day so well, and even after trying to forget for so long, she couldn't get it out of her head. She remembered the man's face; his eyes had been the most evil she had ever seen.
A little girl was early toldThat life was time
And time was gold
She took a little every day
'Til it went away
And she was old
And she cried 'cause her gold was gone
And she cried 'cause she was all aloneCatherine shut her eyes, she shouldn't cry over this any more, and yet she couldn't stop crying. If she cried, he would win, but if she didn't it was like she wasn't acknowledging that it happened, and he would still win.
She's calling to you in the darkCrying never more shall we part Never more
Shall we part.
Catherine woke up and looked around. She couldn't see the time. "How long was I out for?" She wondered.
All of a sudden, she heard a noise and looked over. Lindsey was seated at the table, facing her mother, and she too had tears in her eyes.
"Mom, what happened to you? Was I right?" She looked at her mother. "Oh my gosh, I was right wasn't I? Who would do that to you?"
Catherine felt another tear roll down her cheek. "That's the problem sweetie, I never found out."
And all those words I never said Gently bledFrom my mouth
Lindsey stood up and walked over to her mom. "Mom, it's okay. I still love you. You're still a good person. You're gonna be okay, we're gonna be okay. It's over."
And I am ready to embraceThis place
Where I belong
Lindsey lay down beside her mom and cuddled her close.
I'm afraid, but I need to love If I don't, I'm gonna flood And I'm calling to you in the darkCrying never more shall we part
Never more
Shall we part.
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A/N: I know it was short, but if I'd made it any longer it would have lost its feeling. This is my favourite chap so far, hopefully you guys liked it too, R&R ASAP. I thought adding this beautiful song would help show how Catherine feels (or how I imagine she would have felt.) I may use another song by the same artist for the next chap (but if I told you the name, I'd ruin the surprise), if there is one, once again, your reviews determine how far this goes.
Disclaimer: The lyrics I used here are from "Lorraine's Song" By Theresa Andersson. I don't own them. But I love them. Buy her album "Shine," it rocks.
