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 just being a wonderful beta and always offering her advice and words of wisdom. 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 10

XOXOXO

Jim watched the man before him, who mechanically performed the tasks of his job. He looked down at his watch, knowing he was once again going to have to speak to the man. "Gil? Can I have a minute?"

"What do you need, Brass? I'm in the middle of something here." Gil said, not bothering to look up at his boss.

"I won't keep you long. Let's go to my office." He left the doorway and walked down to his office, trusting that Gil would follow. He wasn't disappointed. Minutes later, the man was standing in the hall staring towards his desk. "Come on in and shut the door."

Gil walked forward, shutting the door before sitting in the chair in front of the desk. "What did you want to talk about now?"

"Why don't you at least talk to her? It can't be…"

"I did."

"You did? Well?"

Gil leaned back in his chair, looking towards the ceiling. "Well, what? We talked."

"Something else happened. Want to talk about it? It can't possibly be as bad as…"

"As bad as I'm thinking?" Gil interrupted. "And why is it that it can't be as bad as I'm thinking?"

"Things are never as bad as they seem."

Gil sat straight up in his chair, staring intently at Jim. "Sometimes they are. But, first let's start with you. How you conveniently left out that Catherine wasn't working at the diner when you ran into her…"

"It wasn't my place to say where she was. And you didn't ask."

"It wasn't your place? Give me a break, Jim. You've been sticking your nose in this relationship since it started."

"So it's a relationship?" Jim quickly jumped in.

"A relationship isn't always something good. You and I have a relationship."

"That isn't what I meant and you know it. So, what happened?"

Gil relaxed back in his chair, crossing his legs. "We talked. Then her husband showed up again."

"Wait a minute. Eddie showed up? Again? Where were you at?"

"I was at home. I called her. I don't know why I called so late, but she was up… so we talked. And then there was a knock at the door."

"Okay, let me get this straight. Her husband. The one who has been following her, the one who hit her… shows up at her door in the middle of the night, unannounced… and you do what? Let me guess. You hang up the phone."

"She was up waiting for him!"

"And who were you waiting for?" Jim questioned.

"I wasn't waiting for anyone. I couldn't sleep. I don't usually sleep at night anyway."

"Exactly. So, why is it different for her? Why is it that she couldn't sleep? She works nights, too. How well did you talk to her? She hasn't slept well for about a month now. Did you know that?"

"I…"

"You didn't give her a chance Until you can get over your own hurt, you are never going to be able to forgive her."

Gil looked down, studying his hands clasped in his lap. "I don't know how."

"I can't help you with that, Gil. This is something you have to do yourself." Jim stood from his chair and walked around his desk, placing his hand on Gil's shoulders. "Figure out what you need to do. Find out how to get over this. She's good for you. You need her in your life. Take some time in here and think for a bit if you need to. I'll be back later."

XOXOXO

Jim knocked on the door and waited. Not getting an answer, he knocked again, this time calling out. "Catherine, it's Jim. I know you're in there. Let me in."

Jim watched the door open, and Catherine's face appeared in the crack.

"What do you want Jim?"

"Let me in."

"No… I'm not…. No."

Jim shook his head and put his hand on the doorframe. "I talked to Gil. I can guess what happened. I just want to check for myself that you're alright."

Catherine relinquished her hold on the door and moved to the couch, turning to watch Jim close the door behind him.

Jim let his eyes adjust to the light in the room, then slowly took in Catherine's form. The hand-shaped bruises were clearly seen on her pale skin. "How much worse does it get?" When Catherine didn't answer he moved closer and bent down in front of her. "Have you been to the doctor?" One look at her face and Jim instantly knew the answer. "Come on. I'll drive."

"I don't need to see a doctor. It's just a few bruises."

"Catherine…"

"Sit down, please." Catherine waited as Jim did as requested. "Please don't take me to the hospital. I'm fine. Really."

"You don't look fine. What happened?"

Catherine moved to stand up, but leaned back as she felt Jim's hand on her shoulder. "You said you could guess what happened. You're smart…I'm sure you've figured it out."

"Sometimes it's good to talk things out."

"I know… I just… it's too soon."

"What are you going to do?"

Catherine turned and faced him. "What can I do?"

"You could file charges." The cop in him replied.

"It won't do any good. Just make him angrier. If I just let him be, then maybe…"

"I know you are not going to say 'then he'll just leave you alone.' It doesn't work like that, Catherine. Trust me. Every day I see women whose last words were 'maybe he'll just leave me alone.' I do not want to have to come here on one of those calls."

Catherine didn't answer. She sat in silence, watching the man next to her; thinking about everything he had said. "What happens if I press charges? I'll tell you what happens. You bring Eddie in and he's out in a day, if not less. The first thing he is going to do is come here. And even if I did survive that… he wouldn't stop. He'd be back again and again."

"Catherine…"

"I know it's the same thing you've heard time and again. But tell me a different scenario. I don't want to run and hide the rest of my life."

Jim sat back, watching her intensely. "I…well maybe I can't offer a different scenario. I've never been in your position. But I want to help. Maybe you can just get away for a while?"

"To where? And with what money? I can't afford a divorce, I certainly can't afford a vacation."

"Then let me help. I have…"

"No. I can't accept money from you. I need to do this on my own."

"I can see why Gil loves you." Jim threw out of no where.

"What?"

"You have this incredible strength."

"But he doesn't…"

Jim scooted across the couch, slightly grasping her hands. "He does. And, I know Gil. He doesn't open his heart easily, but he opened it to you. And, no matter what he says, what he does… he loves you. Remember that while he's working through this."

Catherine looked down at their hands, contemplating her next words. "I…" She looked up, watching his face. "Thank you. For being here now. For listening to me. I know you must have something better to do than to act as a go-between for the two of us."

"Hey. No thanks are necessary. I have a feeling about the two of you. I just know everything is going to be alright."

XOXOXO

to be continued