Chapter 16

Warrick looked at Catherine from the bottom of the stairs. She had a hand on her obvious stomach. He still couldn't believe that she was pregnant. He was going to be a father. In the morning light she looked so beautiful. The sun set off the auburn highlights in her strawberry blonde hair. He could also see a look of worry on her face. He walks over to her. As he gets closer he can see that tears have fallen down her face. Dark circles were beginning to appear under her blue eyes. She hadn't gotten any sleep. She wasn't telling him everything. The scare they'd had the night before at the lab when he found out about the baby. Was there something wrong that she wasn't telling him? Warrick touches her stomach and looks Catherine in the eyes. Catherine could see the concern in Warrick's face. She touches his hand on their baby. He touches her cheek and looks her in the eyes. A new set of tears fall down her face.

"Hey what is it? This is me you can tell me anything you know. "

"It's nothing. It's just hormones. I never expected to see you again. "

She turns and faces the window looking out over the water. She could hear the waves hitting the beach. She closes her eyes. Warrick puts his hands on her shoulders and rubs them. He could feel the tension built up in them. He turns her to face him.

"Why did you run away?"

"I wasn't running away. This is a good job. I've been thinking about it for a bit. It's a good move for all of us. "

"You've been thinking about it for a bit? Really because this is the first that I've heard about it. The first that the team has heard about it. "

"I don't have to run my life by you. I made a choice that I thought was good for my family. "

Warrick getting irritated but more than that he was getting worried. She was just dodging his question. He knew there had to more of a reason why she left Las Vegas. She wouldn't leave without telling him about her baby just because of Tina would she? Was she ever going to tell him the truth? Would he have never known about Lily?

"Our family. That is my baby as well that you are carrying. "

Cath could see that he was hurt by her statement. She goes to touch his shoulder but pulls back.

"I know Warrick. You are this baby's father. It's just neither of us thought about this happening. It was just one night between us. I thought about telling you it just I didn't want you to feel obligated to us. I can take care of the baby fine myself. "

"I know that Cath but this is my child as well. I had a right to know. I do not run away from my responsibilities. "Just like my father did. Warrick flashes. He wasn't going to put his child in the same place. "Besides..."

"I know that Warrick. I know you are a good man. I would never deny you the right to see your child. I wasn't even sure if you wanted to be a father. "

Catherine looks at Warrick. He slowly brushes her cheek with his thumb brushing the tears away. He grasps her hands and holds them close to his face. He kisses them. Catherine looks at him.

"It's surprised me. I can't deny that but Cath, "Warrick's voice gets all choked up." When I came down here and saw how beautiful you looked carrying my child. It took my breath away. I never thought it was going to happen. I never thought that I would be blessed. That night..."

"But Tina..."

Warrick could see how much Catherine was hurt by what Tina had said to her. All because of a misunderstanding. He should have set it straight with her that morning but then Grissom had called them in. She had to understand how much that night meant to him.

"Is that what this is all about Cath? It never would have gotten to that point with Tina. Catherine you are the only person that I've ever wanted to be the mother of my children. I see the way you are with Lindsey. You are such an incredible mother. It's the best thing that could have ever happened. I know neither of us planned on making love that night but it was so right no matter what the circumstances. "

"I loved that night as well. It felt so right being in your arms no matter what lead to it. Then it got all complicated. "

"Because of Tina calling right?"

"Yeah. Look you don't need to explain to me what happened. I know it was just a moment. I hope she makes you happy. That is all I've ever wanted for you. You're not obligated. "

Catherine turns back and faces the window. She brushes a tear away from her cheek. She touches her chin. She looks at the medallion in her hand and closes her hand. Warrick turns her to face him. He sees tears running down her face. He brushes them away with his thumb.

"Cath can't you see. I don't feel obligated I want to be here. I'm not marrying Tina. I couldn't marry her. "

Warrick touches Catherine's lips. He flicks a hand across them. He sees the confusion in her blue eyes.

"But I saw her at the Bellagio. She said that you were getting married. "

"She was just playing you. She was pissed that I left her because of you. "

"Me?"

"Cath...I broke it off with her before that night. "

"You did?"

"Yes. You know I don't do one night stands. When I sleep with someone it's because I love them. It wasn't fair being with her when the only woman I've ever loved is you. "

"You love me?" Catherine's voice was a whisper.

"Yeah, I've always loved you. I've just been too chicken shit to say it. I would try to say something to you and the words would get all twisted. When you walked into the room I got all flustered. I figured that you just wanted to keep it a friendship. Look Cath if I am reading this all wrong. I'm sorry but..."

Catherine looks at his face. She puts her thumb up to his lips to quiet them. She smiles at him. A tear falls down her face. Warrick puts his hands on her shoulders.

"No, I want more as well. I have for a long time. I'm not sure when this turned into more than friendship. I think it's when I watch you with Lindsey. How much you love her and respect her that means more than I can say. That night when Nick...the thought of almost losing you without...when you said about the gun... "Cath thinks to herself. He could have been in that box.

"Without what?" Warrick could see that she was thinking about something else as well. Something that scared her. He could feel the tension in her shoulders. He rubs his thumbs slowly in circles as to relieve it. "Cath, what is it baby?"

"Without telling you how much I've always loved you. I've always been too scared to say anything. To risk putting our friendship on the line and possibly lose you from my life. I couldn't handle that. I felt so safe and loved in your arms that night. "

"Because you were Cath. I love you so much. "Warrick leans in and kisses Cath tentatively on the lips. He remembered the feeling that night. He puts a hand around her waist and pulls her into him and deepens the kiss. Warrick's tongue pushing past her mouth demanding access. Catherine slowly opens her mouth. Tongues darting in and out. Warrick brushes a hand through her hair and kisses her passionately. He could feel the tension melt away. She fit against his body so well. Hard against soft melding into each other. A perfect fit. He pulls back and looks at her. He touches her face with his hand and smiles. He pulls her close and hugs her.

"Then to get that call..."

"I know but she is a part of the past now. We only look to the future now. But Linds? "

"She'll love the idea. As she put it your hot and make me smile. "

Warrick laughed. All was good then. "I'm never letting you go again Cath." Catherine looks at Warrick. He sees a chain in her hand. He pulls her hand open and sees the medallion. "Cath why are you holding this? I remember I gave it to her after Eddie was killed. Why do you have it again? "

Catherine looked at him with worry in her eyes that turned to fear.

"Cath hey baby what are you not telling me? Look I know that you didn't just leave Las Vegas because of Tina. Grissom told me that you talked to Novak. Look if he scared you or touched you. "Warrick felt the tension rise again in her body.

"Cath what is it? What aren't you telling me? "

Just then Warrick's cell phone rings. Warrick pulls back and looks at Catherine. He pulls his cell phone out of his pants. It was Grissom.

"Grissom hey why are you calling me?"

"Are you with Catherine right now?"

"Yeah I followed your advice. I'm at her condo right now. Why are you calling? "

"Novak's been released."

"He's what? How? "Warrick was furious.

Catherine watches the conversation intently. Phone rings. It was Cynthia Tobin.

"Hi Cynthia. Look I'll pick up Lindsey in a bit. Can you keep her for a bit longer? "

"Catherine I'm so glad that you are o.k."

"What are you talking about?"

Warrick continued to talk to Grissom.

"The defence filed a motion saying that our office had bias against Novak. They said that Greg didn't have a proper search warrant to pull out the box. "

"Wait you mean the box that had the cell phone account, the gloves...but they are the main part of our argument."

"I know. Look the gloves, the account, and the medallion. "

Warrick looked at Catherine.

Catherine continued to talk to Cynthia.

"I'm fine."

"Well that's weird. Someone from your office came over saying that you and the baby were both in Dade Memorial. You had called for Lindsey and sent him over to pick her up. "

"Him? What are you talking about Cynthia? "

Catherine looked at Warrick.

"Medallion. What are you talking about Grissom? "The one that Cath was holding in her hand.

"There was a medallion in the box as well Warrick. I showed it to Catherine. She was really spooked by it. I know that it's a piece of the puzzle. "

"In the box?"

"Yeah. Look Novak's case was thrown out. Unless we can find untainted evidence or another way into the box. He can't be charged. Warrick..."

Warrick looks at Catherine. That is what she was holding. She was holding the medallion. Why would Novak put it in the box? What did he mean by it?

Just then the door bell rang.

"Grissom I need to get the door. Someone is here. "

"O.k. Warrick the last we saw Novak he was catching a flight to Miami. We lost him after that. I think he might be coming after Catherine. He blames her for everything that happened. "

Catherine was starting to freak out.

"So you let her go. I mean you have no clue that he was. "

"Catherine he had on a cap from your office and a badge. Lindsey seemed to know him. "

Because he had come over to Mrs. Trimble's.

"Where did they go?"

"They were going to the hospital?"

"OH GOD…" Catherine dropped the phone.

"Cath! What is it? "

Warrick rushed over to Catherine. The door bell kept on ringing.

"Cath baby what is it?"

Catherine could feel a sharp pain in her stomach. Oh God. He had Lindsey.

"LINDSEY! Oh god...he has...he has Lindsey. "

Catherine collapsed to the ground holding her stomach. Warrick held her close to him. Lindsey...Novak had her...Grissom's phone call. Warrick grabbed his cell phone.

"Grissom. Novak's here. He has Lindsey. "

"What? I'm coming down. I'll be on the next flight out. I'll call Horatio Caine. "

Warrick held Catherine as she sobbed for her daughter. He hadn't gone after Warrick he had gone after Lindsey. He had her daughter.