Uncertain Times, Chapter 3 – "Be kind to my mistakes"
Disclaimer: Nope. I don't own CSI or anything related to it. :)
Contains a very, very slight spoiler for the CSI Episode 507, "Formalities."
Title of chapter is from the song by Moi Caprice, "Be kind to my mistakes."
A/N: God, I can't believe I got reviews! It made me feel so happy! A big thank you to the people who reviewed – It means a lot to me. That's why I'm continuing the story right away. :)
A beam of light hit Catherine's closed eyes. Having worked for years as an experienced and aware CSI, she immediately sensed the disturbing morninglight, so she opened her tired eyelids and tried to get a hold of her current situation.
She wasn't at home.
The surroundings seemed familiar – a couch. A table with wineglasses. The paintings and pictures on the walls. The odd, dead butterflies behind glassframes, hanging on the wall.
She was at Gil's house. On his couch. Still dressed.
Quietly, she sat up and looked around, surprised to see Grissom next to her, still asleep, head to the armrest, feet still reaching the floor. His glasses were on the tip of his nose, slightly vertical. She smiled at the sight, but decided not to wake him.
Instead, she got up from the couch and straightened her dress, while she thought about how awful she probably looked. Knowing where Gil's bathroom was, she headed towards it, entered the door that led to it, and sighed.
He had a very simple, sophisticated-looking bathroom; only the usual things – a toilet, washbasin, a mirror, a few towels and a shower – were to find, but it was far by enough. Right now, the only thing Catherine needed was a mirror.
She looked into it, both shocked and horrified – her face. She looked like crap. Her mascara had floated to beneath her eyes, making her look like something from another world. And her dress. It was all crumpled together.
"You've looked worse," a voice spoke.
"Thank you, Gil. I feel so much better now." Catherine responded without looking towards the door where he was standing.
Somehow, she could tell – without looking at him – that he was smiling.
"Nothing to smile about," she spoke lowly, trying to make her hair look human.
"Who said I was smiling? Besides, you do look okay."
"Okay ain't enough," she complained softly.
Gil took a few steps towards her. She expected him to say something nicer, but he didn't. Instead, he changed the subject.
"I understand that we must've fell asleep yesterday evening."
Catherine finally turned to him – he was still wearing last night's suit, but his hair was messy, and so were his trousers.
"Tell me about it," she said, turning to the mirror again, "I figured it out when I looked into the mirror."
He laughed slightly and walked to where she stood.
They were both standing a few moment in front of the mirror, watching themselves.
The situation reminded Catherine of a moment similar to this, that had taken place some years ago – she had helped Gil to bind his tie just before he was going to make a speech for Conrad Ecklie – but of course he had received a very important call, leaving her behind to finish the speech. It was a memory that she wasn't fond thinking of, but somehow, it always brought warm feelings to her body.
"You should be going," Grissom said, in his usual way.
Catherine rolled her eyes and turned to him.
"Give me a break. It's Saturday."
He smirked.
"Las Vegas never sleeps."
She realised that they were standing quite close; only a few inches separated them. She looked at him. Then to the floor.
"Ugh. You're right. I should.. go."
Catherine noticed that Gil was hesitating in either saying or doing something. He opened his mouth to speak, but ended up staying quiet.
"Yeah.. I'll, uh, see you. At work."
Catherine nodded, a bit disappointed, and walked out of the room. Shortly after, Gil heard the front door being opened; a moment of silence before it was closed – and then it was shut.
His hand reached his forehead; and immediately, he regretted the words he had left unspoken.