Disclaimer: For years I’ve written these disclaimers. They own the characters I’m only borrowing them for my pleasure.
Subtext: Yup. Actually main text. Although this story isn’t about Catherine and Sara. It’s about Catherine and a new character Victoria.
I’m not really sure where I’m going with this story, so sit back and enjoy. Feedback is always welcome at: [email protected]
Chapter 1:
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I looked up from my computer and smiled as I felt her walk into the room. I knew without looking that it was the love of my life. She had such a presence about her, such energy. I always knew when she entered a room. Before I had a chance to turn around, her arms were around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. I managed to turn around in my chair and face the beauty that was smiling at me. Catherine Willows, my best friend, my love, my soul mate. The woman I was going to spend the rest of my life with.
‘What brings you down here, business or pleasure?’ I asked.
‘Unfortunately business.’
Without being asked I spun around in my chair and faced my computer. ‘Whatcha got?’
‘Actually babe, I need you to come out to the scene. Sara called, seems the vic, was some sort of techno computer geek, and Sara thinks you can make heads and tails over all the computer equipment.’
‘That’s what I do best.’
‘I know, that’s why she wants you,’ my blonde honey purred.
I stood up, coming face to face with my Catherine. ‘Hmm, she wants me. What about you?’
‘Oh I need you too, but that will have to wait until later,’ she laughed.
Before we go, I need a kiss.’
Without asking a second time, I took Catherine in my arms and kissed her.
‘You’re making it hard to leave you know,’ Catherine laughed.
‘Not to worry honey, there’s more of that after shift. Come on let’s get going.’
The ride to the Crime Scene was a short one, only 10 minutes. It was rare I ever was called into a scene but tonight was one of those nights that I had to leave the sanctuary of my office. A year ago I would have put up a fuss about having to go to a Crime Scene, now I just went, did my job and that was it. But that was because of one Catherine Willows. I’ve digressed, I’m sure you’re wondering who I am and why Catherine Willows is my soul mate. I know you were all thinking it was Sara Sidle. But no, it was never Sara. Oh Catherine and Sara are now best friends, and I like to think it’s because of me. I’m sorry let me start at the beginning.
My shift had started out like any other shift, I clocked in at 11pm, went downstairs to my office, booted up the computer and set about working on line until my shift ended some 8 hours later. Even though I was technically a CSI Agent, I never worked the Crime Scenes, instead I worked in a large office down in the basement, my job, was to go on line and learn everything I could about anything. I would spend my shift researching drugs, bombs, weapons, you name it, whatever my agents needed, I would find for them.
Believe it or not, it was a full time job, processing and researching all this information. Many of the people I worked with didn’t even have any idea what I did. They just knew I was the go to person if they were seeking out information.
I had taken a dinner break somewhere around 3am, and was headed back to my office. As I neared the office door I shrugged because the door was closed, I never shut my door. Quietly I entered my office only to find Catherine Willows sitting on the couch crying her eyes out. Not sure what to do I try to quietly leave, but she must have either heard or sensed me because she looked up. Even with puffy eyes, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on.
‘Are you okay Miss Willows?’
Catherine looked around the office and suddenly looked panicked. ‘I’m sorry, this is your office,’ she said as she started to get up off the couch.
‘It is, but somehow I think you need it more right now than I do. I’ll go get a cup of coffee, and you can stay here as long as you want.’
‘I’m sorry, please, stay,’ she said pleadingly.
‘Are you sure?’
She nodded her blonde head, ‘I think I can use the company.’
‘Bad case?’ I asked as I sat down next to her on the couch. I always loved my couch. One of the perks of my office. I don’t know how I scored such a large office, especially with a couch, I guess because I worked in the basement Grissom decided to at least make my space comfortable.
Catherine sighed as she pulled her legs up under her chin. ‘Yeah.’
I knew without asking that it probably involved kids, but I also knew she needed to talk about it or she’d eventually end up like me, working in a basement with very little human contact.
‘Kids?’
‘Huh?’
‘The case that has you so upset, kids?’
She shook her head and started to cry once more. Instinctively I wrapped my arms around her and held her until she cried no more.
‘I’m sorry, ah,’
‘The name is Victoria, Victoria Ames.’
‘I’m sorry, I barge into your office, cry like a baby, and then insult you by not even knowing your name.’
‘It’s okay Miss Willows, no one knows my name.’
Catherine sat up straight and looked at me. ‘Well they should,’ she said almost indignantly. Suddenly it dawned on Catherine who I was. ‘I know who you are, you’re the Internet gee-‘ she stopped short.
‘It’s okay, geek. Yes, I am the CSI Internet Geek,’ I laughed.
‘Geez, I’m batting zero here. Insulting you left and right, I think I better leave before I do some real serious ego injury.’
‘Actually it’s nice to have company once in a while. Usually people fly in and fly out once they get their information. So, you want to tell me what happened?’
Catherine shook her head in disgust. ‘No matter how long I work this job, I will never get used to kids being hurt.’
‘And you don’t want to Catherine, because trust me, you’ll end up like me, sitting in an office in a basement somewhere with very little human contact.’
Catherine was ready to question me on my statement but luckily for me, her cell phone went off.
‘Willows? Be right there Gil.’ She turned off her cell and smiled at me as she stood up and stretched her long legs. ‘Thanks for the couch and the shoulder.’
‘Feel better?’
She half smiled, ‘I’m getting there.’
With that she was gone, leaving a void and warm spot where she had just been. She was so beautiful and yet I knew deep down she didn’t have a clue how beautiful and sexy she was. Women like her never had a clue. I know, because I had been married to one.
I settled back down in front of my computer and did some research for Nick. He was a nice guy, what little I knew of him. He’d come down and always politely ask for my help. A lot of the women in the office lusted after him. I think I was one of the few who didn’t care that he was handsome and charming. I think it was one reason he’d come down and spend an extra few minutes talking to me; I never came on to him. I always treated him like a brother.
As usual I lost track of time, so I had gotten in the habit of setting the alarm on my computer. It would ring 15 minutes before the end of my shift. I found it was the best way to get off work on time. Not that it really mattered what time I got off, not like I had anyone to go home to. Just an empty apartment.
The day was starting anew when I left the CSI building. The sun was slowly rising. It was going to be a nice day, I could tell.
‘Hey Vic!’
I spun around and saw Catherine running towards me. She was smiling as she approached me. I felt a jolt run through me when I heard the word Vic. It had been a long time since someone had called me Vic. I didn’t mind that Catherine called me that. From her it seemed natural.
‘You look like you’re feeling better,’ I said.
‘I am, thank you. And thank you for letting me hide out last night.’
‘Anytime. I mean it, anytime you need an escape, I’m glad for the company.’
Catherine Willows smiled, ‘It’s funny, from most people I would think they were just saying that to be nice, but coming from you, I know you mean it.’
‘I do.’
‘Are you heading home?’
‘Might as well, nothing else to do,’ I laughed.
‘Have breakfast with me?’
‘Don’t you have your daughter to take care of?’
‘Lindsey is away at summer camp for the next three weeks, so I’m single,’ she laughed.
I hesitated not understanding why all of a sudden Catherine Willows wanted to have breakfast with me.
‘Please?’
Never one to resist a beautiful blonde, I smiled and nodded.
‘Great, I’ll drive. Come on.’ The shapely woman grabbed my arm and pulled me over to her car. She opened the door for me, gave me a little push in, then went around to her side of the car, and in moments we were off.
‘I know this great little place, they serve the best breakfast. Are you hungry?’
‘Always,’ I replied. ‘Hence the few extra pounds,’ I laughed. I wasn’t by any means fat, but I did own a few extra pounds on my 5’5 frame. It was more from sitting all the time and lack of exercise. I had always wanted a body like Catherine Willows, tall and thin, but not too thin. She was just right.
‘I think you look great,’ she stated.
‘I need to exercise more, and lay off the soda. But a girl has to have some vices.’
A few minutes later Catherine pulled her car into the parking lot of this little diner. I had passed it a hundred times with never a thought of stopping in. Before I had a chance to open my door, Catherine was standing there opening it for me.
‘Thank you, ‘ I stammered. For some reason Catherine Willows was starting to unnerve me and I didn’t know why.
Once inside the diner, we sat down in a booth. Catherine handed me the old used menu and pointed out some of her favorite foods. I had decided on the Lumberman’s breakfast, three eggs scrambled, bacon, toast and home fries. Catherine as I later found out, had quite the appetite too, so I was more than surprised when she ordered the same.
Breakfast was a silent affair as we both scoffed down our meal. Both of us cleaned out plates. ‘I love a woman who can eat,’ Catherine said.
I almost chocked on my coffee. ‘Do you?’ I stuttered.
‘All these women who barely eat, and are thin as a rail. I love to see a woman eat.’
‘You came to the right place, because I love to cook and I love to eat what I cook.’
‘If you ever need a subject, I’d be happy to sign up,’ she blonde laughed.
‘I’ll remember that.’ I yawned, and stretched. ‘As much as I’m enjoying your company Miss Willows, I need to get some shut eye.’
‘It’s Catherine. I’ll take you back to your car.’
A half hour later I was entering my apartment. I had thoroughly enjoyed my time with Catherine Willows. She was quite a lady, actually much more relaxed away from work.
I walked over to my desk and picked up a photograph and looked at it. How many hours had I held that photo and stared off into space, wishing for another time and place. A time, when I had been happy. A time when I had been loved, or at least thought I had been loved. I came to the realization that morning, it was time to let go of the past. Time to start living.
I know what you’re thinking it was just breakfast, And believe me, I wasn’t looking for anything more. As a matter of fact, I wasn’t expecting anything more from Catherine. It had only been breakfast. But it had been so long since I had socialized with anyone, and it felt nice. I had gotten so used to being along, I didn’t realize how starved I had been for friendship.
I gave once last glance of the photograph, and then quietly slipped it into my desk drawer.
For the first time in a long time I was actually looking forward to my next shift. First things first, I needed some shut eye. I readied myself for bed, still happy over my impromptu breakfast with Catherine Willows.
