- Oh, Tess, you saved my life, I'm owe you one, - Catherine's was breathing heavily having run a whole block to get to precinct before Joe asked for her again. Third time this morning actually...

- Cat, try to look like you're in pain! You were to the dentist, for God's sake! - whispered Tess in a rush seeing Joe approaching them.

But their boss disregarded their shushed conversation and threw a file to the Catherine's desk:

- Chandler, finally! You choose a bad day to fix root canals! You two – off you go! You have a case!

Tess picked up a file and checked the address:

- Phew, the other side of the city! Cat, where's your car?

- No good, parked it one block from here, couldn't find any parking closer…

- OK, whatever, we'll take mine. Let's go!

They hurried up to the door while Tess said in very hushed voice:

- Cat, you're glowing! I know that glow, but haven't seen it on you for a freaking long while… You owe me details! Seems like that Gabriel guy is an animal in bed!

Cat tried to look nonchalant and preoccupied with case while staring in the file documents. But she couldn't completely hide away the smile as she murmured to herself:

- Well, you've got one part right…

- Oh, come on, no way you can mean it! How could you two broke up all of a sudden? You were perfect for each other!

Catherine shrugged:

- Sometimes perfect does not work for me.

Tess kept insisting:

- No way, Cat, you ain't fooling me – you have had some last night and now you all fuzzy and dreamy and smiley… I don't need THOSE details, but you have to tell me – who's the guy?!

That was a turning point to some extent. Catherine could not have told Tess about Vincent… but there was no way she could've hidden the effect their love had on her from her best friend. So she opted out for some sort of mid-truth hoping that this will be enough for Tess:

- Tess… there is a guy. And I'm crazy about him. For a long time now. If you ever saw me sad without a reason – that was about him… If you ever noticed me missing without an explanation – it was for him… If you realize how happy I am now – it's because of him! Everything has finally worked out between us and I feel like I'm about to explode with joy and silly dancing…

- Wow, no, hold that thought! Been there, done it – your silly dancing will get us checked for illegal use or possession!

Tess kept silent for a second processing Cat's words and her… shining. There was something about her that made up for all the previous lies and secrets between them… because if those things led to this, to seeing her best friend so elated and drunk with love… then it was totally worth it!

Tess had to clarify one more thing:

- Since you avoiding telling me his name I'm guessing it will take some time to meet The Man?

Catherine lowered her gaze apologetically:

- Yeah, some time, totally. You see… Tess, I just need to keep it all to myself for now… in my own little world. Just us two… you know…

- Yeah, I know, I get it, no need to get any more sentimental here, or people may think we are some emotional ladies!

Catherine looked around – they were standing in a bank foyer waiting for an administrator to show up for some questioning about recent hit-and-run robbery that ended up with shooting. Wounded were rushed to the hospital, and only CSU guys were noting the evidence.

Only two women in the room were Cat and Tess. Nobody even remotely female in 100 yards radius. Catherine giggled.

- Who "ladies"? We're "ladies"? Nuuuh!

Tess got serious. She took Catherine's hand and looked her in the eyes to see the truth in case Cat would avoid giving her straight answer to her very important question:

- Just promise me you checked him and he is not serial killer or a rapist and nothing creepy of that sort!

Catherine gasped:

- God, Tess, no! Nothing like that! He's… - Cat smiled on the memory, - he a doctor. And he saves people.

Tess's eyes beamed with detective interest:

- Ah-huh! Anyone I know? Is that why you're keeping his name a secret?

Catherine hissed with a comic threat:

- Back off, Tess, he's all mine! And you don't know him, I promise. And if I will ever be ready to introduce Vi… - she stopped abruptly realising that she'd almost spilled his name but then continued as if nothing ever happened, - you'd be the first one to meet the guy!

Tess nudged Catherine motioning towards little pale man rushing to them – administrator, probably. Her last words on the matter were:

- I'll be waiting to meet your mysterious "V" doctor!

- Man, that guy was slow! Was there any slower way to talk? I mean, I get it – some shooting, people in masks… but nobody's killed, insurance will cover the losses… what's up with all the sweating and stammering and water drinking? C'mon! Men these days are such a disappointment!

Tess was her usual cranky self having spent half a day questioning some clerk who was way too nervous… come to think of it…

- You're right, Tess. Maybe there's more to this. We should check him out later; see if he has any plans for tonight…

Catherine was about to say something else when familiar husky baritone interjected:

- Who has what plans? I have no plans so I'm all available tonight!

Catherine looked around to see Gabriel sitting down on a side of her desk, rolling a coin on his knuckles. He had raised his head to meet her gaze… and froze.

She knew what he'd seen. The same thing Tess saw. That she, Catherine, was happy… so-so happy!

But they'd broken up a day ago. It took her all of one day to find her happiness she couldn't fully conceal… She felt like shmuck because Gabriel didn't deserve it… This was all her mistake – to let it happen in the first place, to lead him on… She mouthed "forgive me… please". There wasn't much else she could do now…

Gabriel gulped. Slowly, very deliberately he nodded. More like a bow. Graceful, regal.

Gabriel has accepted this change in her life. And his defeat. And he was going to be a gentleman about it. Classy.

Nobody noticed this little but such an important silent conversation. At least, nobody understood it's significance… Then came Tess's surprised voice:

- Oy! What's this?

Catherine followed her pointing finger directed at something on Cat's desk. A big box of donuts.

- What do we have here? – Gabriel's voice cheerful as he reached out for the small envelope on the box but Tess snapped at him:

- Watch it, Angel! Some things are not for grab! – and she winked at Catherine's who was still eyeing the box with amazed look on her face.

Oh no, he did not! How could he risk so much just to… ?! Or… maybe it was a delivery… Nope, no delivery stamp, no address note, no nothing… Sure thing, he did it himself… during lunch when there were fewer cops around… but still… I'm gonna kill him! I'm gonna strangle that stupid gorgeous man! Oh, Vincent, wait till I find you… Just wait!

She took an envelope and opened it. There was an ivy leaf and a note that said:

Rings a bell?

V

Inside of the box there were nine donuts – freshly made judging from the mind-blowing delicious smell.

- Hey, Cathy, - Gabriel's voice was… mischievous, - remember that breakfast you owe me?

Catherine raised an eyebrow – something was off in this question, he knew better than to ask this… But before she'd figured out his plan Gabriel has already snatched a box from her hands and stepped away where she could not reach him.

- I will opt out for this in exchange!

And before she could say something to object he turned around and hollered:

- Hey, you, guys! Fresh donuts! Chandler's treat!

Exclamations of appreciation followed and now when the whole precinct was on Gabriel's side there wasn't much Catherine could do about that. She sighted and nodded to Tess:

- Go, grab some! Take the one with a chocolate – avenge me!

Tess giggled and grabbed her cup to get herself coffee to go with a donut she was totally gonna snatch later! She only stayed long enough to say:

- See you in an hour after lunch! Ermm… happy hunting!

Catherine smiled and caressed an ivy leaf in her hand. Some hunting was ahead indeed…

Again... this chapter was intended to be longer but I had to split it... for my own reasons =) But the second part of this meant-to-be-one chapter will be up today so no worries, really =)