AN: I'm sorry, this one's a bit shorter, but I work with the material as best as I can. I hope you enjoy. Feedback is appreciated : ). This was inspired by the song "Some People" from Gypsy. Please, tell me what you think. (Sorry, it has taken me so long... I'll try to update sooner next time. School has been killing me.)

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI or its characters although I've rubbed about one thousand magic lamps already.

The Red Rose and the White Lily

A Series of Perspectives: Part II

As I woke up, I felt that there was something strange going on, something outside of habit, a break in my routine. I looked around… but nothing seemed out of place. Judging by the sky outside, it was almost time for shift… wait that was it. I don't have shift today. Yesterday, let's see what happened yesterday: wrapped up my case, was placed on Catherine's, lost my temper with a suspect, lost it with Catherine, lost it with Ecklie who suspended me for a week… that still sounded reasonable… until I got to the part that seemed the strangest of all. Catherine came by, and we had a good talk. I had expected Grissom to maybe come by again and help me out… I was hoping at least for him to come again, but it was Catherine that came by and apologized first, and after I had told Ecklie I wouldn't apologize, I had. I guess everything's going to be okay between us for now, but the visit and conversation had really phased me out. I probably wouldn't have admitted it before, but I really do respect Catherine. She's tough, and she's a good CSI… She'll probably become a good supervisor. I've seen her office, and it's sure a whole lot more organized than Grissom's.

My insult was out of context anyway; especially with her past relationships, her sexuality would have placed her on my side. Sometimes, I envy her confidence in her looks, in her attitude, but I've realized that in a way, I'm just belittling myself, and I want to stop. We're equals. She has more experience with her age, but I hope that with time I gain some stability, the poise I see in her. We're also different individuals. What I believe doesn't make it universally correct, so if she believes something different, it doesn't make her wrong. We both cope differently, we deal with life differently, and it is perfectly fine. As for that relationship, friendship, whatever you want to call it, thing… I've realized that I really do want to try it out.

I have to get to the shower and wake up… I'm definitely phasing out again.

Xxx

As I settle down with a bowl of cereal with mixed fruit and a glass of juice on the side, I switch on my laptop and check my email. I saw that someone from the old criminal psychology band in college had emailed me a new article of theirs. It looks interesting: "Crime of Passions: How to Read into Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships." The beginning was all the basics to any healthy relationship, romantic or otherwise. First was proper communication: a relationship has to be open and full in order for trust to be established. Well, that's a bummer for Grissom and me… well, until I can get him to speak… then, maybe it'll work out for us. Catherine enters my mind too. Maybe, I need to tell her what I really think. Maybe, this is what we need to get everything out of the way, or it could open an entire can of worms. We've had our shares of problems and even if she wasn't there to support me this time, she was there for me when that entire Hank fling blew up, she was there for Nick when he was suspected for murder, she's there to humor Greg, and she's always been there for Gris and Warrick. Actually, she can be downright protective at times. I guess that comes with being a mother. I wasn't always there for her either. I remember that entire thing with that showgirl's case. It's silly really. This article's going to be a good read…

Xxx

Well, I made the call. I'm going to meet her for drinks this weekend. I have a good feeling about this. We can make this work, and who knows, I need a friend who's not a guy.