Hiya, let me start with my usual thank you's…
CatherineLouise – Thanks for reviewing – hope this chapter still keeps you liking it…
A Christy – Don't you just want to slap Katie for not kissing him! ;-) thanks for reviewing!
P.L. Wynter – Thanks for reviewing!
Dying Angel1 – Thanks for reviewing again!
I want George – I must admit the last chapter I didn't concentrate that much on it cos I have had recent family problem but I wanted to post to people who are waiting – that's why I re-posted it with slight adjustments. Thanks for reviewing again!
I'mAMonkey – I wish someone would give up their coat for me! Thanks for reviewing!
punkrocker269 – Greg's not in this chapter but I'll try and see if I can squeeze some more Greg into later chapters for you! Thanks for reviewing.
Charmin-Lady – Sorry for keeping you in suspense but I can't get them get together without a bit of it! Thanks for reviewing again, I love my multiple reviewers!
Well, here it is…
Chapter 6
Katie could not stop thinking about her moment with Nick in his car the other morning. She could not get out of her head how good it felt to be close to him and yet her freaking out and leaving him in the car was what she had to do. It wasn't the fact that he was known as the CSI ladies man but of her own position and responsibility that he knew nothing of.
She had decided that when she returned to Las Vegas from California she would not get into any relationship - not because she was afraid of getting close to a guy and getting hurt. She was not a woman scorned. But because of her life and how she had no room for someone to love, let alone a colleague. She couldn't explain to anyone her feelings; they just wouldn't understand.
So many thoughts and feelings raced through her head as she banged into someone in the corridor at the lab.
"Shit! I'm so sorry. I keep doing this to people," she exclaimed, as she rushed to pick up the person's papers that were now covering the floor.
"Don't worry about it Katie," Warrick said. "I see your co-ordination hasn't changed since college," he scoffed.
"Whatever. People sooo always come at my direction when I'm walking."
"Yeah, I'm sure. Are you up to anything? If not, I could really do with some help on a case," he asked.
"Sure, no problem. I just finished with Catherine." He guided her into the evidence room where 20 pairs of shoes were currently laid out on the lit table.
"Wow. You have got a lot of shoes. You could rival Imelda Marcos."
He sighed, "Tell me about it. Can you help me print all the soles onto paper? There are our killer's shoes in here."
"Let's get started." The two started collecting and printing the shoes of each pair. In doing so, they talked about their college days and how Katie was getting on. Issues soon arose about Nick and Warrick couldn't help but ask.
"Sooo… what is up with you and Nick?" he casually slipped into the conversation.
"Very subtle, Warrick. I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, do not get all innocent with me Katie. You know what I mean."
Katie tried to busy herself by printing another shoe, "I don't know what you're talking about. We're just friends. Nothing more."
Warrick looked straight at Katie, "The day you say you are 'nothing more' with someone, you are more than nothing. I know you Katie and I also know Nicky very well and there is something definitely going on. He's always glancing at you and you at him…. he also told me about that almost kiss."
"Even if there was ever something, Warrick, there will be nothing more."
"Why? You have to justify that answer Katie. You can't just say you'll be nothing more."
"It's… it's complicated. I'll see you later." She quickly put the last printing down and swiftly left the room, hoping Warrick would not follow her or ask anymore awkward questions.
Warrick knew he was not going to let her walking away stop his questions so after finishing his shoe prints and passing them on to Grissom, he left to find Katie. He had known Katie for a long time and he was going to find out what her problem was even if it killed him.
Warrick found Katie sitting on the bonnet of her car in the parking lot of the lab, a sadden expression on her face. He suddenly felt guilty for making her feel uncomfortable before.
He knew she had had a hard time in her life, especially since her mom had died when she was in university and she was crushed. And her dad… he couldn't even remember. He decided to go over and say something.
"Still trying to tease me?" Katie turned to see an apologetic-looking Warrick standing near her. "Step into my office."
He sighed, sitting down next to her and placing an arm around her shoulders, "You know I was only messing about you and Nick."
"That's the thing. You weren't. I think I have it bad for him. I see him, I get all excited and happy. I can't stop thinking about him. Tell me I'm crazy."
"You are crazy alright. Crazy in love."
"I'm not in-love with Nick. I can't be."
He looked at her, confused by her last remark. "You can't be? Everyone can fall in-love. It's not a crime."
"I can't, I have too much responsibility…" She immediately wished she had never said anything.
"What responsibility? Katie, I know you are hiding something. Nick told me. Please tell me what is wrong, I want to help you."
She closed her eyes for a moment before opening them, "It's complicated. I just… there isn't just me to think about. There are other people. Having a boyfriend like Nick, well, it wouldn't be fair. He'd always be second best."
"Second best to whom?"
"It doesn't matter. Listen, whatever there might have been with Nick and that almost kiss is gone. Besides, you told me yourself that he was a ladies man."
Warrick laughed, "It's true, the dude's been around the block." Katie gave him a side-wards glance and he realised how bad that sounded. "But he's a good guy and I have never seen him with someone the way he is with you. Give him a chance."
Katie gave Warrick an inquisitive look, "Nick didn't tell you to talk to me, did he?"
"No, I just took it upon myself to play cupid. Come on, you know you want him!" he said, nudging Katie in the arm, which caused her to laugh.
"You are unbelievable Warrick!"
"That's what all the girls say." At that comment, Katie tried to stifle a laugh.
"You really are something, Warrick. Thank you for being here for me. You know how great I think you are. Anyway what about your love life? Any news for you?"
"Me? Nah. I don't want get tied down. Too busy setting everyone else up," he said, winking at her.
"I better go, but I'll see you tomorrow." She got up and kissed him on the cheek before heading off to the crime lab.
Warrick smiled as he watched his friend walk away. He was sure she would come round, she just needed someone to push Nick in the right direction. He took out his cell phone, dialled a number and waited for the recipient to pick up the phone.
"Hello, Nick?... I need to talk to you… ok 5 minutes… bye." He hung up the line and nodded in anticipation for his conversation with Nick. 'He needs a lesson in the art of female form'.
"So I have to be the dominant one?" Nick asked, trying to take the information in that Warrick was giving him, as he sat in the booth of a café. Warrick had called him asking to meet him to talk to him about Katie.
"Yeah, but not in a Greg-type way. Just approach her and tell her how you feel. Honesty is the best policy." Warrick said.
"Be honest?" A slight smile appeared on his face. Warrick saw this and decided to re-phrase his answer.
"Not if your honesty involves something non-virginal."
Nick started to protest, "Hey, man, I have feelings."
"Yeah, but I also know your urges tend to take over your brain. Just tell her exactly how you feel, you know, that you like her. You do like her don't you?"
"Yeah, I really do," Nick said. "But what if she doesn't like me?"
Warrick smiled, "Believe me, you will have no problem on that matter."
"Why, has she said something?" Nick asked curiously.
"You'll just have to ask her yourself."
Thanks to everyone who is still reading and reviewing… Chapter 7 should be up soon…
It would be intersting to see what you all think Katie might be possibly hiding...