Disclaimer: Me no own. You no sue.
The excessive knocking on Gil's front door told him who it was before he even opened the door. He didn't, however, expect for her to look the way she did. She didn't have the usual vibrancy about her. Defeated was the best way to describe the way she stood in front of him.
"Catherine?"
She kept her head down, not making eye contact. Gil reached out and lifted her chin. Tears were welling in her eyes. He'd never seen Catherine cry before.
"What hap-?"
She held up a hand to silence him. "I know you wanna know what's wrong." Her voice cracked a little. "But right now, I just…I just need you to…" Catherine didn't know how to put it.
Not necessarily knowing what she needed him to do, Gil instinctively wrapped his arms protectively around her. Tears began to soak his shirt, not that he cared. Catherine had come to him for comfort, nothing more. And if that was all she needed, that was all he would give. If she wanted to be asked 21 questions, she would've gone to Jim.
After a while, Gil remembered that they were still standing in the doorway to his townhouse.
"Catherine," he said softly. "Why don't you get cleaned up and I'll get you something to eat."
She stepped back out of his embrace and gave him a weak smile. "I'm not hungry." She sniffled. "I just need some sleep."
Gil nodded and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Use my bathroom. You know where the towels are."
One wouldn't have known that Catherine had been crying after she got out of the shower. The only evidence of her tears were her red, puffy eyes. She smiled at the t-shirt and sweats Gil left on the bed for her. After putting them on, Catherine wandered into the living room. Gil was on the phone.
"…not feeling well." He said into the phone. "I'll cover for…" he paused. "Okay, but if she gets called in I want her with me." Another pause. "Alright, bye Jim." Gil hung up.
"Covering for me?" Catherine asked softly.
He turned to her. "You're on call tonight, but only if I need help."
"Thanks." She took a deep breath. "Can I ask you another favor?"
Gil woke up to find he was alone. The cold bed sheets next to him told him that Catherine had left a long time ago. A note lay on the pillow she had slept on.
Thank you for being there for me, Gil. You have no idea how grateful I am to have a friend like you. I'll see you at work. –Catherine
He still had no idea what had upset Catherine, but she had made it clear on numerous occasions that she could take care of herself. All he could do was be a comfort to her when she needed him. And if she was okay enough to go to work, it must not be too serious. At least, not serious enough to tell Jim that Catherine had shown up at his doorstep in tears.