A/N: Please review.
Crash
"Can I crash at your place tonight?"
Catherine almost dropped her coffee mug. Thankfully, Warrick caught it but swore as the hot liquid splashed over the lip and onto his hand. She continued to stare at him until her training kicked in and she grabbed his hand, pulling it to the sink and turning on the water to cold. "Can you what?"
He tossed her a half grin and flinched only slightly at the change in temperature on his dark hand. "Can I crash at your place tonight? I won't be any trouble, I promise. I'll even help wash dishes."
"Why?" She asked bluntly, then grimaced at her rudeness. "I mean, it's no big deal…" She turned off the water and rummaged in a side cabinet for some ointment. Sapphire eyes met cobalt ones as she carefully unscrewed the top and began rubbing the ointment gently into his skin with one hand, holding his hand steady with her other one.
Warrick massaged the back of his neck with his uninjured hand. "Uh, Tina decided we made a mistake getting married, and apparently she's still in love with her ex, who just happens to work with her."
"So not all interoffice relationships are bad, huh?" Cath mused with a sympathetic smile, breaking eye contact and placing the tube of ointment back in its place. "Sorry." She let go of his hand. "I know you loved her."
He frowned thoughtfully and sighed. "Now that I think about it, I'm not sure I did." He inspected his hand. "Nice job." Changing the subject again, he added, "so I have two days to get my stuff outta her house, and then I'll buy a new place. Nick agreed to put up with me tomorrow, but something's goin' on tonight."
Catherine hesitated for only a fraction of a second before speaking. "You can stay with me until you do, if you want." She shrugged. "If you don't, no big deal." She reached for her coffee mug again and wiped off the counter with a cloth, yawning.
Warrick looked slightly surprised, but didn't comment. "Thanks. I don't want to impose…"
"Nah," she reassured, "I know Lindz likes you."
He grinned. "What about her mother? I'm not sure about her sometimes," he teased, eyes twinkling.
Catherine tipped her head to one side and regarded him with a smile. "Oh, I'm pretty sure she likes you too. She'll like you even better since you agreed to do dishes."
"Hey, I said help," he defended, grinning back.
"You know you will."
Warrick started when his pager vibrated at his hip and grabbed it. "I gotta go, it's Grissom." He stopped for a moment, then leaned forward and enveloped her in a hug. He rested his chin on the top of her head, enjoying the feel of how snugly she fit in his arms. "Thanks, Cath."
She winked at him playfully. "No problem," she said, and gave him a little shove. "Go. Grissom doesn't like to be kept waiting. I know from experience." Catherine made a face.
"I'm going, I'm going…"