It was just about a week after the bus incident when things started to change between Catherine and myself. The tension between the two of us was increasing with each shift. Sometimes I would look at my blonde beauty and I would barely be able to breathe. She was so beautiful, and so not mine.
We had just gotten back from a particularly grizzly crime scene; both of us wanted nothing more than a warm shower to wipe away the grime. A man had come home from work, opened fire on his wife and two children before turning the gun on himself. Another crime scene with children.
Even though Grissom had me working crime scenes with Catherine, I still had my regular job to do, so in-between calls I would head back down to my office. Some nights I didn’t have a chance to breathe, I was so busy. But at least my shift would go quickly.
I was deep in thought when I heard someone enter my office and sit down on the couch. The couch always made a whooshing noise when someone would sit. I didn’t need to turn around to know that it was Catherine.
‘You okay?’ I asked.
‘Fine.’
I turned around in my chair. Whenever Catherine was upset she would draw her legs up under her chin.
‘I don’t think so,’ I responded. ‘When you’re upset you have a tendency to draw your legs up under your chin.’
‘I do?’
I smiled and nodded.
‘You’re observant,’ she laughed.
‘Only when it comes to you,’ I let slip.
Catherine raised her eyebrows and smiled. ‘Oh really?’
I stood up, suddenly feeling the need to vacate the room. ‘Look Catherine, I have to go see Nick about something, but you hang here as long as you need.’ I started to exit the office but found a strong hand grabbing my arm and forcing me onto the couch. I nearly landed on Catherine as I sat down.
Blue eyes were looking into my green eyes. ‘Oh Vic, I can’t take it anymore,’ she cried.
Knowing how badly Catherine felt about tonight’s case, I took her hand in mine. ‘I know how hard these cases are, especially when children are involved.’
‘I love you,’ she blurted out.
Not quite believing what I was hearing, I said, ‘What?’
‘Victoria Ames, I am in love with you,’ she said softly.
‘Catherine, how can you be in love with me, you don’t even know me.’
‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.’ Catherine started to get up and leave but now I was the one pulling her back down into the couch.
‘Catherine?’ I questioned. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Vic, since I met you, I’ve felt there was something between us. The chemistry, the sexual tension. I can’t explain it, I just know deep down that you’re my soul mate. I know that sounds corny, but honey, I can’t eat, I can’t sleep, I’m barely keeping my mind on work. All I can think about is you. I’ve wanted to talk to you the last couple of days but I kept chickening out. I know you probably don’t feel the same way but-‘
Before Catherine had a chance to finish her sentence I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips. She gasped when our lips met. ‘Oh Vic, I’m not wrong am I?’
‘No honey, you’re not wrong,’ I replied huskily. ‘I love you so much, and the last week or so, I’ve been out of my mind, having to work so closely with you.’
‘I know what you mean,’ my now blonde honey responded. ‘I know this is going to sound stupid, but Vic, I’ve been waiting for you my entire life, I just didn’t know you were here.’
We kissed again, but broke apart when I started to giggle.
‘What’s wrong,’ Catherine asked, with a worried tone in her voice.
‘Nothing, it’s just, well, I’m not complaining or anything, but I don’t have any idea what someone as beautiful as you, sees in someone like me.’
‘Oh baby, you are so beautiful, you don’t have a clue. Women like you usually don’t. You’re dark hair, piercing green eyes, the window to your soul, which is as beautiful inside as outside. Vic, I love you heart and soul.’
We held each other until the ringing of my phone brought us around. I picked up the receiver. ‘Ames here. Yes sir, she’s here.’ I handed the phone to Catherine.
‘Hello? Hi Gil. I’m sorry, I don’t think I can. I have a date after my shift. Yes a date, don’t sound so surprised.’ Catherine hung up the phone and looked at me. ‘I’m not wrong am I? I do have a date after shift?’
‘Now that depends,’ I laughed.
‘On what?’ she asked seriously.
‘Is it the whole gang, or do I finally get to have you all to myself?’
‘I’m all yours baby, all yours.’
Naturally the rest of the shift dragged on. I didn’t think it would ever end. I practically ran to the time clock to punch out. Catherine was standing there waiting for me. As I approached she broke into a wide smile. I knew I would never tire of seeing that smile.
‘Ready?’ she asked.
‘Lead the way,’ I laughed.
We were barely out the door when Sara called after us. ‘Hey you guys, breakfast?’
‘Sorry Sara, Vic and I have an appointment, maybe tomorrow.’
‘Okay sure, see you later.’
‘Come on let’s get out of here,’ Catherine whispered my way. ‘I’ll drive.’
We both jumped into her car and took, off never looking back for fear someone might follow us. After we were away from the building, Catherine pulled into the closest parking lot.
‘How about we go back to my place?’
I must have looked panicked because Catherine qualified that by laughing and saying it was only breakfast.
We went back to her place. She and Lindsey had made a nice home for themselves. I knew that Catherine didn’t have it easy being a single parent, but I knew that in spite of her wild work hours she was a good mom.
Neither one of us was hungry, so we settled on two hot mugs of tea. Not sure what to do or where to sit, Catherine motioned for me to sit next to her on the couch.
I could have cared less about my tea. All I wanted was to hold the woman of my dreams.
‘What are you thinking?’ Catherine asked me as she placed her mug on the coffee table.
I placed my cup next to hers and leaned in closer. ‘I’m thinking how incredibly lucky I am to have you in my life.’
‘Actually I’m the lucky one, I get the girl of my dreams.’
I laughed out loud.
‘What’s so funny?’ Catherine asked.
‘Honey, it’s going to take some getting used to. I’ve never been anyone’s dream girl.’
‘Well you’re my dream girl, and that’s all that matters to me. I’m thinking we’ve done enough talking for one morning.’
Catherine leaned in and took me into her arms. One kiss and I think I pretty much melted right there on her couch. But of course we didn’t stop at one kiss.
‘Catherine, we need to stop,’ I said quietly.
‘Why, what’s wrong?’ She sat up and looked at me. ‘Have I done something wrong?’
‘No baby, but if we don’t stop, I’m not going to be able to control myself.’
‘You’re right, I’m trying to rush things.’
‘No sweetheart, we just need to take things slow. You’re the one, and I want to make sure we do everything right so nothing gets screwed up.’
I pulled Catherine into a hug. She snuggled into me and we stayed like that until we both fell asleep. Unfortunately we both awoke many hours later, stiff but very happy. I can’t remember the last time I felt so rested. I definitely could get used to waking up with Catherine in my arms. It just would have been nicer had it been in a comfortable bed.
Neither one of us wanted to move from the comfort of each other’s arms.
‘Hey Vic, remind me to thank whoever let you get away.’
‘Marcie.’
‘That was her name?’ I nodded yes. ‘Did you love her?’
‘I thought I did, but after meeting you, I realize what we had wasn’t love, it was more like lust. I can’t explain it. Even though I don’t know everything about you, I feel a closer connection to you than I ever did to Marcie.’
‘I know it’s not any of my business, but what happened?’
‘It’s okay, I want you to know. Five years ago, I got called to a scene. Marcie was PD. We didn’t usually work together but this particular night we did. I walked in on her kissing another officer, a man no less.
‘Ouch!’
‘I pretty much shut down, and retreated down to my office, to get away from everything and everybody.’
‘Too bad, because everything I’ve read, you’re a good investigator. I’m sorry honey.’
‘Why are you sorry?’ I asked as I ran my fingers through her hair.
‘I’m sorry that someone hurt you so much you had to disappear from the world.’
‘Well, I think I’m back,’ I half laughed. ‘And it’s your fault,’ I said as I poked her in the side.
We settled back down on the couch quietly enjoying one another’s company until it was time to get ready for work. Luckily for me, I always kept a change of clothes in my office. This was one time I was glad I had done that.
Thankfully work quieted down and I was able to spend most of my shift back down in my office doing my job. It was few and far between that I went out on a case. Grissom had spoken to me, and we worked out a plan that I would be used as a backup agent, on nights when there were too many calls and too few agents available.
Catherine was busy most nights so it was usually just a quick kiss and a hug before she’d head out.
After shift though, we would get together every morning for breakfast and share our day with one another. Catherine was so easy to talk too; never critical of anything I ever said or did. A far cry from Marcie. Marcie as I learned was very controlling and basically it was her way or no way. I never saw it when I was with her, always making excuses to myself. Marcie is right, she knows more than I do. But with Catherine she enjoyed hearing about my day and seemed to value my opinion.
The best part of our being a couple was spending time with Lindsey. At first I was nervous about meeting Lindsey, but the first time we met she gave me a hug and from then on, I was hooked on Catherine’s daughter. She’d done a good job raising her child, and I would tell her repeatedly she should be proud. I know the only regret Catherine had was her daughter would grow up without her dad. No matter the problems and issues Catherine had with Eddie, he was still Lindsey’s dad. Catherine mourned the things Lindsey would never do with her dad, like walking down the isle together, or grandchildren.
After a particularly grueling shift, Catherine and I went back to her place for some much needed quiet time. We were both exhausted after the shift we had put in. Catherine, Sara and myself had been called to a triple homicide. To say it was grizzly, was an understatement. It took us beyond our shift to collect the evidence. It was probably one of the worst scene’s I had worked in a long time.
Catherine and I were sitting on the couch quietly sipping our coffee when Catherine cleared her throat.
‘You okay Catherine?’
‘Vic, I want you to move in.’
I was shocked. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Catherine Willows wanted me to move in with her.
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’ve never been more sure of anything. Honey, I love you so much, and I want us to be together, every day. Not just one day at your house, the next day at mine. I want us to be a couple. I mean, if that’s what you want.’
‘Oh honey, yes, yes, yes,’ I answered excitedly.
The usually reserved Catherine Willows let out a big whoop, and then pulled me into a tight bear hug.
‘Lindsey is going to be so excited. She’s come to love you like a second mother.’
‘I think the world of her too, Catherine. She’s a great kid.’
The next few mornings after shift we tried to figure out where all of my stuff would go. I didn’t want to move in like gangbusters and displace Catherine and Lindsey. But the truth was, I had as much stuff as Catherine. Combining our two homes was going to be difficult. That was until Lindsey; the voice of reason came up with a solution.
Catherine and I were standing in the bedroom trying to decide where my clothes would go, when Lindsey walked by and said,’ I don’t know why you two don’t just buy a bigger house. Then there would be room for everyone, plus a dog.’
Catherine and I looked at one and broke out laughing. Lindsey was right! We were so busy trying to figure out how to move me into Catherine’s small place we never gave thought to buying a house together.
It didn’t take us long before we found our dream home. As a family we decided that we all had to agree on a home. All or nothing. Lindsey felt important being a part of the decision making process. Catherine and I wouldn’t have had it any differently. We finally choose a four-bedroom stucco house in a nice residential neighborhood. The backyard was fenced in, making it safe for Lindsey to play, and to keep a new dog in.
Catherine and I settled into our new home without any issues. We were compatible beyond belief. With two incomes it made child care for Lindsey a lot easier. We hired a lovely older woman, Celeste to come into our home to take care of Lindsey. Celeste became a member of our family right away. She had lost her entire family, so I know she was as thankful to have us, as we were to have her.
Last but not least was Steve our newly adopted Sato rescue puppy. He’d been brought to Vegas from Puerto Rico where he had been discovered living on the streets. We never were really sure what breed Steve had in him. He was a cross between a beagle, a daschund and who knows what else. He and Lindsey became the best of pals. All in all life was pretty good.
For the most part I returned downstairs to my office to perform whatever research was needed. But there were the other times when I ended up going out on call. Usually that was on the nights when there were too many calls and not enough investigators.
Everyone at work, once they found out about Catherine and myself was very supportive. Even Gil Grissom readily accepted the fact that Catherine and I was a couple.
We were sitting out on our deck watching Lindsey and Steve play. Catherine looked up at me and smiled. I can’t imagine Eddie let something so wonderful go. But, I will forever be grateful he did.
‘Thank you,’ Catherine whispered in my ear.
‘For what?’
‘For being you. I never thought I could ever be as happy as I am right now. You complete me.’
I settled into the strong arms that I had come to know so well.
Yup… life was good.
Even when…. Catherine’s beeper went off…………..
The End:
Thank you to those who wrote me words of support. I don’t normally write in the first person so this was a new writing experience. I’m not totally sold on the story, but at least I tried a new form of writing, but I think I’ll go back to what I know.
