Chapter 9

Catherine had heard him outside her room. She hadn't been able to sleep. He had come all this way to see her. She couldn't believe it. She swings her legs over and slowly gingerly gets out of bed. It was not an easy feat and would get harder as the months past. She grabs a pale green robe and puts it over her gown. She opens her door and walks down the hall. She sees the light coming from the nursery. She opens the door and looks inside. She brings a hand to her mouth and tears well up in her eyes. One falls down her cheek. She brushes it away. Warrick was sitting there in the rocking chair fast asleep holding the little bear that had been a gift from the crew. She grabs a small blanket and walks gingerly into the room hoping not to disturb him. She places the blanket on him and goes to kiss him but pulls back so as not to wake him. She looks at him sleeping.

Catherine feels the baby move. She touches her stomach. She flashes back to that night. It was wonderful no matter how it happened. She loved Warrick. She had been denying it for so long. The thought of losing him had been too much for her. It had killed her inside. It made her realize that he could have died without her telling him how much she loved him. That morning she was going to tell him that she loved him. She didn't care what the others though at work. If they were put on separate shifts, then so be it. They were going to work it out. She watched him sleeping beside her. She was about to touch him when the phone rang. She picked it up and questioned. The phone rang again and Warrick mumbled. Catherine looked at him and answered the phone.

" Warrick baby I'm so sorry. I just heard about Nick. I wanted to come and see you but my shift hadn't ended. Warrick are you there ? "

" Whose this ? "

" Dr. Tina Andrews. And whose this and what are you doing with my guy's phone ? "

Catherine had put down the phone and ended the call. She had gotten out of bed then and pulled on her green robe. She walked over to the window. She heard the traffic outside. Las Vegas was waking up. A new day. It was supposed to be a new beginning for her life with Warrick but… Warrick was involved with some woman named Tina. If that was true then what was he doing in bed with her. Why hadn't he left last night ? She had pushed him away. Instead he had stayed with her. What was it a one night stand ? A pity moment ? She felt like she had been used. Catherine was furious with him, but more than anything she was hurt. She looks over at him sleeping. She'd almost whispered that she loved him and…he was going out with some girl named Tina. What type of name was that anyway ? Catherine felt the same way that she had after finding Chris with that waitress. Why did she have such horrible luck finding a good man ? First Eddie, then Chris now Warrick. No, Warrick wasn't that type of man. Warrick had then woken up. She felt his arms come around her waist then his lips on her neck. Nibbling her neck. He held her close to his body. It felt so right so wonderful yet…

" Warrick… "

" Good Morning. "

" Morning…look about last night. "

" Look I know the way that it happened but it…"

" was a mistake. I took advantage of the situation. We were both vulnerable after what happened to Nicky. I'm sorry. I never should've put our friendship in that position."

Warrick had pulled his arms back and stood back from her. She had turned and looked at him. He had his hands on his hips. He had the sheets wrapped around his hips. Catherine remembers the look of hurt on his face. What else could she say ? She had to step away from the situation. She couldn't very well tell him that she loved him. He just wanted to be friends. It had been a moment of comfort nothing else. Yet the look on his face.

" Cath you got to be kidding me ? "

He went to touch her shoulder with his hand but she pulled back. She had to remain strong.

" I'm not . Look we were both hurting over Nicky. That's all. I'm sorry I let it get that far. "

" Cath I can tell there is more. Look you can't spend a night together like we did and not have it mean something. Both of us don't do one night stands. Is that all this was ? "

Catherine had said nothing. Warrick just looked at her with a confused look on his face.

Catherine had been so tempted at that moment to scream at him and ask him what the hell it was to him. He had a girlfriend, yet he slept with her? Why didn't he go home when he could have? What did he plan on sleeping with her again? She would be the other woman. That was one thing Catherine was not going to let happen. Or was it just a moment ? How could she have been a fool ? So many questions were running through her mind. Then the phone had rung and Grissom was on the other line. After the phone call Warrick had left in a huff. She had wanted to talk to him but had stopped herself.

Then at the office Catherine had heard Grissom talk about the fact that Nicky's kidnapping wasn't random. That means that Warrick could have been killed. Catherine had been sickened by that idea. She was lost. She held it together long enough to get her part of the investigation. She had gone outside. She had been standing there thinking about Warrick when she felt his hand on her shoulder. She let it linger there. She let herself forget about that morning. She just wanted to be close to him then she had heard his name called.

" Warrick… "

Catherine had looked over and seen a beautiful young black woman looking at him. She had a concerned look on her face. She glared at Catherine.

Sara had come out of the break room after talking with Gil and had seen her with Warrick. She had seen Tina looking at them. Warrick had pulled Tina aside and taken her into an empty lab. Catherine pulled Sara aside.

" Do you know who that is ? "

" Tina I think. I heard Nicky razzing Warrick about her a couple of days ago. He's been seeing her for a bit. So what's up between you and… "

" Nothing. We were just talking… about the case. So that's what she looks like " Young, thin, and beautiful. Catherine was sickened. How could she compete with that ? She was a fool. She knew that she was a beautiful woman but age had crept up on her. There were lines by her eyes and mouth. She wasn't as trim as she could be. Tina was stunning. She had no chance. It was just a moment of weakness last night. Both of them needed comfort. Nothing more. She had felt like such a fool thinking that it could be more. Sara and Catherine had continued to talk about Nicky. Sara had seen him that morning. The fire ant bites were healing but his mind would take a lot more.

Warrick had come out of the office after talking with Tina. He had looked between Catherine, Sara and Tina. Sara had gotten the hint and left but not before looking back at Catherine and Warrick. Warrick walked over and tried to talk to Catherine.

" Cath…about last night."

" Let me go. " She hissed.

Warrick had been taken aback by her anger. He pulled back and turned her to face him. He looked at her face. He went to touch her face but saw Sara looking at them and decided not to.

" Look. Tina…. "

" Don't bother. I thought that you were different. " She had whispered to him with hurt in her voice.

He had tried to explain to her but she refused to listen and had left.