Title: Love Don't Lie

Author: Angie

Summary: What happened in their past?

Disclaimers: CSI Crime Scene Investigation does not belong to me, they are the property of CBS, Alliance Atlantis, Jerry Bruckheimer and the wonderful actors who portray them.

Author's Notes: Thanks, as always, go to Marianne for being the most excellent beta that she is. To view this story as it was written, and meant to be read please visit This story is, well it's a bit Alternate Universe. Gil and Cath are still Gil and Cath, but this takes place in the past. A sort of... what if?

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Anything in the series is fair game...as of now it's just general ideas.

Distribution: The GraveshiftCSI Homepage

Chapter 7

XOXOXO

Catherine looked down at her outfit, a short tight skirt and low cut shirt. 'I can't do this.' She muttered and turned back to her locker.

"Catherine? You ready?"

She looked back to the door, seeing her new co-worker standing there. "I can't do this, Stephanie."

"Sure you can, hon. Don't worry. All you gotta do is bring the guys some drinks. Let them flirt a little. It's the girls on stage who will get most of their attention."

Catherine looked back to her locker, still not sure what she wanted to do. She needed the money. Desperately. She closed her eyes, her mind instantly focusing on an image of him. Gil Grissom. It was always Gil these days. Turning around, she had a determined look on her face. "Just flirt a little right? It doesn't mean anything anyway… and it can get me the big bucks."

Stephanie laughed a little. "You need to wear a little less than that to get the big bucks. Those are reserved for the girls on stage. But you will definitely do better here then at any restaurant you were at."

Catherine took a deep breath and shut her locker door.

XOXOXO

"What are you doing here?"

Catherine looked up at the slightly familiar voice, her mouth dropping open in shock. "Jim! What's going on? What's happened? Is Gil all right? How did you find me?"

Jim shook his head as he crossed the short distance to Catherine. "One question at a time please. But answer my question first."

"What question was that?"

"What are you doing here?"

Catherine looked down at her outfit, or lack thereof, and then back at Jim. "I'm working here, okay? I know it isn't the best job but…"

"What was wrong with your old job?"

"How much money do you think a waitress makes?"

Jim shook his head, trying to come up with a better line of questions. "What about working at…"

"Don't. I tried those other places. But none of them will just let me work nights. And I need to have the days free for classes. And time to study."

Jim held his hands up, motioning for her to stop. "I'm sorry. Just…. How long have you been working here?"

"Tonight's my first night. But now it's my turn to ask the questions. What are you doing here?"

"Owner called us. He was having a problem with one of the patrons. I was in the area with Johnson and he took the call."

Catherine nodded. She had wanted to ask him more questions but wasn't sure if she wanted to know the answers.

"Has he called you at all?" Jim watched her face and had his answer without her speaking. "He loves you. I know he does. He just doesn't know how to express his feelings."

"I think he's expressing them pretty well. But he's right. I never should have gone out with him in the first place."

"You don't honestly think that."

"Yes I do! All I've done is cause him pain and I never wanted to do that. I never wanted to make anyone feel the way Eddie makes me feel."

"Come here." Jim said as he took her hand and pulled her with him, out the front door. He didn't relinquish his grasp as he pulled her around the corner and to the side of the club. "Now, listen to me." He let go of her hand and watched as she leaned back against the building. "You made him feel alive. You gave him a life. I have known Gil for a while now… and he was never as happy as he was with you. He will get past this. You just need to give him time. He needs to think about everything, let his mind process what happened."

"He doesn't even know what happened. He's never let me explain. At least not much more than the fact that we've been separated."

Jim sighed, hating the situation. "I know it's going to work out. He just…"

"Needs time. I know. It's been a month, Jim. How long am I supposed to wait? He doesn't return my calls. He won't answer the door. I don't know what else to do."

"Catherine? Are you all right? This guy bothering you?"

She turned her head at the sound of her name, smiling slightly when she saw the large bouncer standing menacingly in the side doorway.

"I'm fine. Thanks for checking on me. I'll be in in just minute." Catherine waited until they were alone again before she turned back to Jim. "I need to get back in there. It's my first night, and I really can't afford to lose this job."

Jim leaned in, placing a quick kiss on her cheek. "Just take care, okay? And don't give up on him. I'll talk to him. Try and get him to…"

"No! Don't talk to him. Let him come to his own conclusions. He knows how to contact me if he wants to." Catherine turned and walked into the club, not looking back.

XOXOXO

To be continued…