A/N: Just a short chapter to round up Grissom and Catherine's POW WOW. Next chapter - Grissom and Sara.
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Chapter Sixteen
Later at Catherine's homeā¦
She had to hand it to Sara. The woman had guts getting in her face that way. But about her being in love Grissom - that was just crazy.
Of course Catherine loved Gil. He was her best friend for goodness sakes! At least she still hoped so after today. Grissom had been there for her when there was no one else in the world she could trust - especially a man. He made her not give up completely on the male species. But in love with him? He wasn't even her type!
Grissom was older than she preferred - though he was good looking with his unruly graying hair, impossibly blue eyes, baby face and legs that couldn't be any more bowed. So, she may have had more than one fantasy about her best friend - but who didn't wonder from time to time what it would be like if?
He was old fashioned. In a chivalrous type of way. Impeccable manners (except when he ignores her - even post ear surgery) Grissom always managed to make her feel like a sophisticated woman - not the girl that jumped off of a pole a decade and a half ago.
Unfortunately, he had no clue that these qualities he possessed made him a hot commodity. And if he ever looked up from the larvae for more than two minutes, he would have noticed that there was a line of woman waiting to catch his eye; including her at one time.
Not recently, however.
She thought maybe their friendship was heading in that direction a few years back after the Harvard mess. It hadn't. And deep down, she'll admit to being disappointed but who could compete with bugs and the ghost of Sara Sidle?
So, she became the next best thing - his best friend. A friend that he could talk to about any and everything. They went out occasionally or ate in. They were also each other's official date person. When an event they were forced to attend required a date, she and Grissom would automatically fill in as one another's temporary significant other.
It was only natural that she would become territorial with the man - how could she not? She was protecting him from woman that only wanted him for status and monetary reasons.
Okay, so maybe she was still hoping somewhere in the far recess of her mind that one say he would see her differently but that hope faded a while ago and continued to go at warp speed once Sara moved to Vegas. The depths of Grissom's remaining feelings for Sara were immediately obvious. Sara's appearance and later the twins added to the mix, Catherine finally accepted the hard truth. Only she hadn't realized any of this until Sara's accusation. She had her place with Grissom and it was as his best friend - his heart still and had always belonged to Sara.
Catherine sat down hard on the dining room chair, sloshing her drink in the process.
Sara was right at least partially. She needed to let go of her unrealistic fantasies go before they cost her, her friendship. Shit - Warrick was right too! Now, she had to figure out how to fix the problem and salvage her own relationships.
She still believed that Sara was indeed hiding something from Grissom. Maybe, it wasn't anything they couldn't work through? The woman did move to Vegas and brought their children. Catherine did not believe that Sara was using the children as pawns; she seemed genuinely interested in establishing Grissom in their lives - all of their lives.
Catherine smiled again at Sara's threat, a mild one but a threat no less. Actually, it was nice to see her get fired up - claiming Grissom for herself and family. He could do worse.
It helped that the two were totally compatible - who else could put up with the other's weirdness?
Catherine stood, moved to the kitchen and dumped her drink. She had a lot of crow to eat, so she mind as well get some extra sleep. Moving on to her bedroom, she undressed feeling surprisingly better than she had in years.
"Guess there's something to be said for soul searching." She mumbled out loud. "Who am I talking to?"
She definitely needed to get some rest; there was much to be done. Including, talking to Sara, apologizing to Grissom and Warrick.
Warrick had been patient all these years. Waiting for her while she obsessed over Grissom's life or lack of one. She wondered if he knew or suspected that her feelings for Grissom were stronger than she let on. Probably. But that was over now - her priorities were straight. When this was over, she would focus on her own life. A life with her daughter and a real possibility - Warrick.
Catherine fell asleep with a smile on her face.
Sara's Apartmentā¦
Sara wasn't surprised to find Grissom perched on her doorstep not long after shift ended. Word around the lab was that he and Catherine had gotten into a huge shouting match in his office and that he fired her. However, Sara knew better. She knew that what happened in that office had nothing to do with CSI, it had everything to do with the rest of her life.
"Come in." Stepping to one side to allow him passage. "Can I offer you anything?"
"Yes. The truth would be nice."
Sara nodded her head, in silent acceptance. "Then you'd better have a seat."
