Love in an Elevator

These characters are all owned by CBS. This is my own spin based on where show set my ship.

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“Ok Warrick, Catherine –You two have a possible suicide over at The Golden Nugget,” Grissom finished calling off assignments.

Catherine yanked the slip out of Grissom’s hand and uttered ‘Right’ under her breath. Grissom shot her a curious look but quickly dismissed it and walked away toward his destination. Catherine looked up at Warrick.

“Your ride or mine,” she asked in a huff.

“I’ll drive,” Warrick muttered.

“K. I’ll get my kit out of my truck and meet you by yours,” Catherine said as she walked off.

This was their first case together since the dead would-be-stripper. The first case since Catherine found out Warrick was married. The first case since Warrick found out his impulsive marriage was an end to Catherine’s fantasies. ‘Whatever that means,’ thought Warrick as he headed to his Denali.

The few weeks that had passed had been filled with awkwardness. Catherine was still reeling over… well, over many things. First off: Warrick marrying someone after 4 months of dating. Next: Warrick not telling a soul of his plans. And last but not least, that he made his commitment at the Circus Circus drive thru. But above all, Cath regretted telling Warrick her feelings for him. She realized what an awkward position it put him in. The last thing she had wanted was to push him away. He hadn’t really said a word to her since then; not about her confession, not about his life, not about anything. Yes, things were very awkward for Catherine Willows. Warrick Brown could second that emotion.

Warrick had attempted to clear the air on a few occasions. Well, in his mind he had tried. He thought of ways to talk to Cath. Everything sounded so stupid … ‘Hey Cath, we had an obvious mutual attraction but I was too chicken shit to say anything. Hope we can still be friends.’ Or ‘Sorry I ended your fantasy, still friends?’ Warrick couldn’t even wrap his head around what Cath said. ‘She fantasized about me? If she only knew how I’d dream of her.’ Warrick couldn’t believe he didn’t read the signs correctly. He just assumed Cath out of his league. Yet he didn’t want to seem naïve. Maybe he misinterpreted what she meant about fantasy. Did she just have a fling in mind or was she talking about serious feelings? Warrick was an awkward mess. He let out a sigh as he got into his truck.

She could see his body language. ‘Is there trouble in paradise or is he not thrilled about having to work a case with me?’ pondered Catherine. She kept her tongue in cheek and cast the thoughts aside; she’d know soon enough.

The weather suited the evening at hand. Rain came down as if the heavens had sprung a leak. Vegas had record rainfall for the last couple of weeks. Catherine opened his tailgate and situated her kit inside. She groaned as she opened the passenger door and climbed in.

“Not a night for pumps, don’t know what I was thinking” she said in a frustrated tone.

“You were thinking that the rain would stop like all the meteorologists so inaccurately predicted,” he said in her defense.

Warrick shot a feeble smile to Catherine who returned the gesture. He backed out of the parking spot and embarked to The Golden Nugget. They exchanged a few pleasantries…

“So how are things? It’s been a while,” Warrick began.

“Well besides wet feet and pant legs, same ol, same ol. Just me and Lindsey getting by with the occasional help from my mom…How’s Tina?”

Sure, Catherine said it nonchalantly, but it felt like she swallowed a horse pill getting that last part out.

Warrick had his own discomfort; he had no idea why, but he hated discussing Tina lately. The gang now referred to her as ‘Yoko,’ thanks to Sanders, but it talking about his wife was even more awkward around Cath. There was unfinished business between him and Catherine, yet Warrick couldn’t think of how to put it to rest.

“Fine... I guess. Our shifts don’t allow us much time together. But I’m sure she’s fine,” Warrick answered.

“Yeah our shifts don’t allow for much… Well I guess you were talking about Tina’s shift at the hospital and your shift here. But I have the same scheduling problem with Lindsey… Still, it’d be nice to go to a warm bed instead of a cold one at the end of the day. I say you still have it good,” Catherine said with a bit of sadness in her voice.

“I guess,” Warrick said simply.

A few minutes passed in complete silence. He turned on the radio, hoping to ease some of the tension. A somber melody played. Warrick looked at Catherine who seemed so solemn. He thought the song was appropriate. Yet he didn’t know why he felt that way.

Catherine had her left arm resting on the center console as she looked out her window. She tapped her hand gently in rhythm with the music. Warrick placed his hand on hers without thinking. Though he didn’t look at Catherine, he could feel her eyes burning a hole through the side of his head. Yet Cath didn’t pull her hand away. Instead, she turned it over and held his as she looked back out her window.

Warrick lightly tapped the top of her hand with his thumb. His eyes never left the road. As badly as he wanted to look at Catherine, he knew if he did, she’d see right through him. There were things he knew he should say but he really didn’t know what they were exactly. It seemed enough just to hold her hand.

Catherine had questions that had been on her mind on an almost daily basis for the last few weeks. Yet all those questions took a back seat as she enjoyed his touch. Though Warrick wouldn’t look at her, his touch spoke volumes. His caress answered what words weren’t: Things had changed, but nothing was different between them. The end of a fantasy is a troubling thing. She sighed as she brought her right hand over and cradled his. Cath hugged it briefly, and then set it down on the console, slipping out of its grasp and bringing her own hand to rest on her lap. She had to let go.

Seven minutes to The Golden Nugget; Warrick and Catherine made record timing considering all the rain befalling Las Vegas. Water was rising on the strip as Warrick pulled up in front of the casino. He turned off the radio and shut off the engine before turning to Catherine.

“Hey, I got an umbrella in the back. Let me jump out and get it with the kits then I’ll get you,” he offered

“Thanks”

Warrick nodded in acknowledgement of Catherine’s gratitude before sliding out of the SUV. She watched him in the rear view mirror.

It amazed Catherine how Warrick matured in the time she’d known him. Six years back stood an angry and aggressive young man with a gambling problem. He was still sexy back then, but shadowed by troubles. Cath had her own demons. They each fought to come out of their undesirable pasts into their present respectable beings. Yet even in their ‘early’ days, Catherine was found of Warrick.

With his tough exterior and habit of blaming ‘whitey’ for all of society’s faults, Catherine also got to see a gentle and patient Warrick whenever he was around her daughter. By chance, the occasion rose more than once that Lindsey was at their workplace. Warrick would be the first to look after her. So much so that it was Warrick whom she trusted to watch Lindsey outside of CSI halls. Cath wondered if that was when she first fell in love with him. The thought was pushed aside by the sudden opening of her door.

“When I said I’d come get you, I didn’t mean I’d carry you out the car,” Warrick teased her.

Catherine looked to find him bracing their kits against the side of the vehicle with his left leg while he held the umbrella with his left hand and the passenger door with his right. He had been standing outside a good minute expecting her to open the door and exit the Denali. He took a closer look before banging on the door to alert her of his presence.

Warrick saw her lost in thought. She looked so content; he didn’t have the heart to knock it out of her mind. He missed seeing her smile and waited for it to die down a bit before opening the door back to reality.

“Sorry. Just thinking of some good times,” she answered him as she descended from the truck.

Warrick smiled understandingly at her. Cath returned his smile to show gratitude.

“Man that’s cold,” she commented as her feet made contact with the rising water on the street.

She reached for their kits to allow Warrick the freedom to close the door and lock the vehicle. He did so quickly and grabbed his kit from Catherine. He held his kit in hand just behind her as if protecting her rear.

“Sorry, this water’s getting out of hand,” he said apologetically.

As they walked toward the casino, Warrick chimed in.

“So those good times you were thinking about… was I in any of them?” he asked slyly.

“Of course,” Catherine responded energetically.

“You remember when Lindsey was little and she was so afraid of thunderstorms, and you told her that thunder was the sky having to burp, and lightening was the sky having to –”

“–fart,” Warrick finished the sentenced and chuckled.

“Well to this day, Lindsey giggles at every rumble of thunder or lightening crash,” Cath concluded lightheartedly.

They arrived at the entrance doors. Warrick closed the umbrella and opened the door for Cath. She shook her legs as she entered. He followed suit behind her.

“She remembers that?” he asked in amazement as they walked to the front desk.

“Yeah. You’re unforgettable Warrick. You should know that,” Cath said with a wink.

Warrick smirked at her teasing. They turned their attention to the front desk clerk.

“Catherine Willows. We’re with the Crime Lab. Someone reported a suicide.”

“Yeah, up on the 48th floor. Some poor bastard went for broke and decided to end it all. I think the coroners already up there. Room 4821. Take the west elevator,” the clerk answered as he pointed in the direction of the elevator.

“Thanks,” Cath replied.

Catherine led the way with Warrick at her heels. They stopped at the elevators.

“I’ve missed you and Lindsey,” he said to her sincerely as he pressed the elevator call button.

“Well we’ve been around. You’re the one who went off and got married,” she taunted him as the doors opened.

He eyed the floor as he followed her in. Warrick was on the verge of responding when the lights suddenly went out.

“I am NOT climbing 48 flights in these shoes!” Catherine said emphatically.

Within seconds, the lights returned and the doors closed. They each let out a sigh of relief as they ascended to their destination. Warrick let out a chuckle.

“Good, ‘cause I wasn’t gonna carry you up 48 flights of stairs,” he joked.

“Even if I asked real nice?” Cath asked flirtatiously.

“Oh man, I’m such a sucker for a pretty woman,” he playfully responded as the doors closed.

They each had mischievous grins as the doors to the 48th floor opened. As they exited the elevator and walked down the corridor, they were greeted by the familiar face of Dave the coroner. There was also a uniform cop on the scene. Catherine and Warrick examined the scene thoroughly and concluded that it indeed was a suicide. A sad case of fallen hopes for a better life ending with the self-inflicted demise of it: Chester Dawkins came to Vegas and lost everything in a feeble attempt to turn his life around. Cath and Warrick collected all the evidence and bid farewell to David.

“Well that was quick and painless,” Cath said happily as they walked back down the hall to the elevator.

“You know we aren’t getting off that easily. The night is young. And with this rainfall, I’m sure something else will come up. We’d be too lucky to get off this easily,” Warrick responded.

“Well one can hope, cant they?” she chided him as they stepped in the elevator.

“You got plans for the weekend?” Warrick inquired as he pressed the lobby button.

“Oh yeah, I have a magnificent appointment with my pillow that is long overdue. This has been the worst wee–” Catherine was cut off by the abrupt stop of the elevator.

The lights had gone out and stopped the elevator on the 23rd floor.

“Here we go again,” Warrick jested.

They stood silently as a minute passed.

“Uh oh. Don’t tell me that we’re stuck here,” Cath said warily.

Warrick shuffled around until a light shone.

“What you kept that thing in your pocket? And here I thought you were happy to see me,” Cath teased which got a chuckle from Warrick.

“It wasn’t in my pocket, I just know where I keep it in my case,” he answered her simply.

“So then, you are happy to see me,” she teased him further.

He smirked and shook his head in playful disbelief. He picked up the emergency phone.

“It’s dead.”

The emergency bell wouldn’t ring either.

“You’d think that would work regardless of power,” he added.

Catherine had pulled her cell phone out.

“Small chance our cells might work but no.”

“Well I’m gonna try to open the doors and see how close we are to the 23rd floor,” he said as he took of his Forensics jacket in preparation for the task at hand.

“Good idea,” she replied grabbing the flashlight from his hand and shining it at the doors.

As Warrick worked on opening the doors, Cath continued to talk.

“Ugh, I’m taking these shoes off. It’s bad enough my feet and pant cuffs are wet. Who knows when we’re getting out of here. At least it’s a carpeted floor,” she said as she kicked her shoes to the side.

Warrick pulled open the doors to find a concrete wall. Cath took off her forensics jacket and walked up. She shone the flashlight toward the top and bottom of the doors.

“Wow, those shoes make a difference,” Warrick joked as he looked to Cath.

“Well unfortunately, opening these doors didn’t. I don’t see any indication of a landing in either direction. Think you can find a ceiling access panel?” she asked as she shone the light toward the ceiling of the elevator.

With that, Warrick felt around the ceiling in search of the access panel.

“Think I could fit into your shoes? I could use a few inches,” he teased as he searched.

“Funny, that’s the least thing that ever crossed my mind about you,” Cath shot back.

He hung his head in defeat as he chuckled. Cath attempted to hide her impure thoughts with a smug smile.

“Ok, you got me with that one. But seriously, if I find it, I’m barely gonna be able to pop it open. This stupid thing’s got an 11 foot ceiling,” he said before stopping in a central location.

“Found it.”

“Well just boost me up, I’ll see what I can find,” she answered.

“I’m not gonna boost you up. You gonna wear them heels up there?” he asked as he placed his hands on his hips.

“I’m a big girl Warrick. And I’ve done tougher things in heels, or have you forgotten?” she chided him, referring to her days as an exotic dancer.

“–Besides, I wasn’t gonna wear my shoes up there. That would leave a nasty mark on you and we couldn’t have that,” she teased further.

A smirk found its way back to Warrick’s face.

“Alright, but be careful I don’t think I can get up there to help you. I doubt our kits can hold my weight,” he replied.

Warrick locked his fingers together and Catherine stepped in the union. He lifted her up slowly, allowing her to open the access panel. Cath stepped on his chest with her other foot.

“Are you seeing this? It’s like 10 stories to the next landing!” she exclaimed.

He looked up to confirm her findings and found himself looking up her shirt. Mischievously, he tried to make out the lace design of her bra before speaking. He had let opportunities pass him before and he wasn’t going to let this one get away.

“I’m not seeing anything bad from this angle,” he jested.

Cath looked down to see the huge grin on his face. It took her a second to realize what he was grinning about. She couldn’t help smiling herself.

“Well you know, one good turn deserves another,” she teased back as she began to lower herself.

Her hands lost their grip and the flashlight slipped out of her hand. As it rolled away from the access panel on the roof of the elevator, Cath came clumsily down. Warrick caught her in his arms. She wrapped her legs and arms around him in efforts to brace herself. Her breasts also acted as somewhat of a speed bump against his chest.

“Whoa,” they both huffed synchronously as they looked in each other’s eyes and laughed.

The laughing subsided yet their gaze didn’t. Warrick’s eyes fell to Catherine’s lips. She watched him anxiously instead releasing her hold on him. His eyes came back up to meet hers. Cath slightly slid her arms apart, cradling his head in her hands. She leaned in and kissed him lightly.

The invitation was all he needed; Warrick opened his mouth wider letting her tongue dance around his. Their tongues moved around each others in slow but strong strokes. His hands slid down to her derriere as they continued to kiss passionately. Cath moaned in his mouth, exciting him further. She loosened her arms and slipped her hands into his hair, cradling the back of his head. When she broke away slightly to breathe, he took the opportunity to taste more of her.

He kissed down her neck with an open mouth, letting his tongue slide as he made his way down her. Warrick clenched her ass cheeks in his hands as he lifted her to him, making his way down her cleavage. She loved how strong his hands felt. Her blouse restricted his access which prompted Catherine to rapidly bring her hands from his locks and unbutton it. His touch had her senses reeling; electricity seemed to flow throughout her body.

The flashlight rested somewhere above them, emitting just enough light to see each other flawlessly. Her yearning increased as he stared intensely in her eyes, patiently waiting for her top to open. His emerald eyes seemed to glow with his desire. Catherine concluded they still were his best feature; she loved how they lusted for her now.

Warrick carried her in a rushed manner to the corner of the elevator, basically slamming Cath into it and surprising himself. He searched her eyes to ask for forgiveness and saw that his over zealousness suited her just fine. For Warrick, it was refreshing not having to be so delicate. This was the first time he was intimate outside of a bedroom. He rested her bottom on the intersection of hand rails as he pinned his legs against the walls to help support her. He slid his hands up the back of her blouse and released the clasp of her bra.

Cath yanked at his shirt the minute she got her last button undone. She had always admired his physique. There was an agony in her loins now that she was able to touch him. Warrick slid off her blouse as Cath placed wet kisses all over his neck and chest. She bit his neck right as he slipped his hands under her bra. He moaned from the pain and pleasure it brought.

His jeans were causing the only real discomfort he was feeling. Cath seemed to read his mind as she hastily wrestled his belt and undid his pants. He pulled her bra off and grabbed handfuls of her flesh. It was sheer heaven having him devour her breasts.

The handrail aided Catherine’s objective; she reached down and grasped the rails firmly with her hands as she wrapped her legs higher around Warrick’s torso. The pleasure he was giving her breasts already resulted in a slight climax. Once her legs were higher, Cath let her back rest against the corner and she released the handrails to pull his pants down. He was awed by her resourcefulness yet he continued to massage her nipple a little longer with his tongue. Her crotch felt so warm against his abs, his mind got lost imagining what it would be like when he entered her.

With his jeans down, Cath tried to bring his boxers down but they remained perched on his erection. She had just about brought them down when he slid his hands to her hips and lowered her to the floor. Warrick was a firm believer in equal opportunity and he didn’t allow Catherine to get ahead of him.

Once her feet hit the ground, Warrick worked diligently on the intricacy of her dress slacks; they weren’t as cooperative as his jeans. Neither was Catherine. First she playfully bit his chest and slid her tongue across one of his nipples before pulling away. Her hands worked down past his abdomen and stroked him as if they’d been longtime lovers. Warrick groaned her name as he finally unfastened her pants. Catherine had started to place wet kisses on down his torso.

“Cath… mmmm… wait… damn” he moaned breathlessly.

The image was surreal. Warrick thought he’d explode just watching the view. His ego wouldn’t let him lose control so easily; He grabbed Catherine under her arms and brought her to her feet. She stared at him curiously with a slight smile. It wasn’t in her experience that a guy would pass up what she was offering, but leave it to Warrick to be the first. He brought down her slacks and underwear in one swift movement.

“Ladies first,” he whispered as he knelt to the floor.

He slipped his arm between her legs and rested her left thigh on his right bicep. He kissed the inside of her thigh working his way in to her lady lips. Kissing should have been indicative of the ability he possessed in this new found location but Catherine was awed nonetheless. She felt intoxicated by the pleasure he was giving her. She stumbled backwards but Warrick caught her, never skipping a beat. They slowly made their way back to the elevator corner and as they each grabbed onto the hand rails.

As she neared her second climax, Cath pushed Warrick’s face away from her. It was bitter sweet sorrow for him to leave her loins: he was enthralled with gratifying her. His excitement arose with every quiver her body gave, every moan her mouth let slip and every filthy word she uttered. Above all, she tasted exquisite. But it seemed that though Catherine took delight upon him there, she was ready to move to the next endeavor. She cupped his face with her hands and slid off his shoulders.

He obtained a good grasp of her ass once he rose up. Once again, he lifted her to him with his eyes locked to hers. Catherine wiped his mouth with her hand before wrapping her hands around his neck. She could feel his manhood rest excitedly near its destination. She attempted to work her way down to him but her efforts were thwarted. Warrick kept a firm grip and teased her repeatedly. His eyes never left hers.

Catherine pulled her lips to his and kissed him furiously. She broke away and whispered in his ear…

“I want you inside now.”

Warrick waited for her to face him and rested his forehead to hers as he entered her. Her nails dug deep in his back as he thrust slow, but deep into her. She embraced him tighter and rested the side of her head against his. Cath began to moan expletives in his ear. Warrick tried to think of the drabbest things possible in order not to erupt. She was driving him mad with her behavior and the way she could clamp down on him. Warrick looked down at their crime scene kits and started to picture the order of his items. Catherine was starting to ride him at her own pace.

All her past lovers combined couldn’t compare to the ecstasy she was experiencing with Warrick. Catherine was slightly conflicted: she was no longer positive his eyes were his best feature. He reached deeper and filled her better than she received before. She let herself go and had her first multiple orgasms. That first brought on another first; Catherine screamed his name. She demanded he conclude business, her vaginal walls were closing in from the climax and she didn’t believe she could keep him in her much longer.

His attempt to stay distracted was ruined by her screams, combined with the moisture and tightening around his shaft. He had barely completed thrusts of his own before erupting in rapture.

Sweat ran down their bodies as their chests rose and fell with heavy breathing. Catherine released her legs from his torso and slid down his body. She slid her hands down his back but held close to him. Warrick stumbled a bit in his euphoric stupor. As he began to wind down, he brought his hands to Cath’s face. He tilted her up to him and gazed in her eyes. The flashlight was losing battery strength but Warrick could still see the details of her beautiful blue eyes. They looked at him with wonder. He felt lost in them. He leaned in and kissed her tenderly.

His lips were softer than she had ever imagined. Catherine marveled at what a perfect lover Warrick was. He had the perfect amount of hardness and softness, gentleness and roughness. Reality began to set in though she worked hard to put it out of her mind. Cath finally pulled away from his lips in a pained and slow manner. She looked up at his eyes and saw lust replaced with love. The sight caused her heart to soar against her mind’s advice. He had let his hands slip from her face and brought them around her in an embrace. Cath shook her head no, trying to get back to reality.

“Warrick.”

He rocked with her from side to side and began to sing in a soft harmonious voice…

“Now the skies could fall…
Not even if my boss should call…
The world it seems so very small
'Cause nothing even matters at all

Nothing even matters, nothing even matters at all
Nothing even matters, nothing even matters at all

See I don't need no alcohol...
Your love makes me feel ten feet tall…
Without it I'd go through withdrawal
'Cause nothing even matters at all

Nothing even matters, nothing even matters at–”

Though Catherine fully enjoyed the time they had shared, realizations began to set in. Warrick was married. As wonderful and as beautiful as the moment between them was, it meant nothing substantial. A tear rolled down her cheek and landed on Warrick’s forearm, distracting him from the ballad he had been softly serenading her with.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked gently.

“Oh besides you being married? Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s great,” she answered him sarcastically.

Catherine broke away from his embrace and searched for her clothes. Warrick grabbed her arm.

“Cath, don’t do this. Don’t run and hide behind a wall. We need to talk about this,” he said earnestly.

“Fine but we can talk as we dress. I don’t know about you but I’m getting a little cold and it’s not like I can really go anywhere,” she answered him sternly as she slipped out of his hold.

Warrick pulled up his boxers and buttoned his pants as he watched Catherine fasten her slacks then reach over for her bra. She mesmerized him. He loved watching her rainbow of expression. To him, she was beautiful whether she was happy, angry or sad. As she straightened her bra out and slipped it on, he stepped behind her and fastened it. He wrapped his arms around her and held her snug. Cath tried to walk away but it was a meager attempt. Instead, she twisted around and held him in return.

“This shouldn’t have happened this way. You deserve better. I’m gonna try to make this right Cath. I hope you know me well enough to believe me,” he said before placing a kiss on the top of her head.

“I know you wouldn’t lie to me Warrick, but how can you make this right? You’re married. You have to choose one of us; I’m not going to be the other woman. Though it’s a bit late for that now, isn’t it?” she asked rhetorically.

Her arms stayed wrapped around him as his did around her.

“Cath, you know why I kept trying to talk to you about getting married? Cause I had so many doubts. I –”

Catherine stepped back and looked up at him as she interrupted.

“What, the drive thru intercom didn’t tip you off?” she said mockingly.

Warrick looked at her for a second in an angry pout before continuing.

“Yeah that should’ve been a sign… I don’t know what I was thinking. Even as it was happening, I honestly didn’t think she’d go through with it. But before I knew it, I was married. Tina’s a good girl, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t think we’re a good fit. I think I just settled for Ms. Right Now instead of Ms. Right. I was just so caught up about Nick and all… UGH… I’m such a dumbass,” he ended as he hung his head and loosened his hold around Cath.

She pulled him back to her.

“Do you love her?” she asked as she searched his eyes.

“I don’t think I do. I know I care about her. But I don’t think I’ve ever loved her. I figured that might come eventually, as stupid as that now sounds.”

“No one wants to be alone Warrick. That’s why we have drive thru weddings in Vegas. There is a difference between finding the right person and settling. I can’t fault you; I did the same thing many times. But Tina accepted, she probably feels the same –she didn’t want to be alone. She might love you though. You’re gonna hurt her if you tell her how you feel. She didn’t go through the ordeal with Nick that we did. She accepted your proposal for her own reasons. That’s something you’re gonna have to deal with,” Cath said with sadness.

Warrick looked deep in her eyes.

“I know I love you and Lindsey.”

Cath jerked away from him.

“Warrick, don’t. Don’t do this,” her voice cracked when she spoke.

She grabbed her blouse and slipped it on. He was utterly confused but determined. He gently grasped her arms and looked at her eyes though she refused to look at him.

“I do Cath. I’ve loved you both from afar for a while now. I just never thought it’d have a chance to work outside of friendship. I didn’t know how you felt about me and I didn’t want to embarrass myself or risk losing you as a friend. You were my boss on top of all of that. Man, I was just the same scared dork I was in high school, afraid of asking the pretty girl out. I thought you were way out of my league and resigned myself to be content with all the times you allowed me in your life and Lindsey’s.”

Her eyes met his about halfway through his spiel. It was wonderful that he loved her, but it was priceless that he loved her daughter as well. For a brief second, Cath contemplated that she very well could be looking at her soul mate, even though she never believed in that crap. He smiled tenderly at her, as if he had read her mind and continued.

“The biggest slap in the face I’ve ever received had to be when you told me how you felt about my marriage. I was a wreck. I couldn’t sleep, I’d scroll through my cell and pull up your number but I couldn’t call. All these days that have passed have had me in agony. I hated not being around you but I didn’t know what to say. I was even starting to riff with Tina. She thinks my job has me wound up too tight; little did she know that I was heartbroken over another woman. I was miserable without you. But she’ll know Cath. If you give me a chance, I’ll be truthful with her like I’ve been with you here. Well, even if you don’t give me a chance, I’ll still try to make things right.”

Tears rolled down Catherine’s face. She knew he was being genuine. Her heart soared. She stepped back and punched him in the chest as she wiped her face with her other hand.

“OWWW! What’s that for?” he exclaimed as he covered the spot she made contact with.

“That’s for being a dumbass. I can’t believe you could’ve prevented all this drama. And I can’t imagine how much longer things would’ve gone on for if we hadn’t been stuck in this elevator. How could you think I’m out of your league? I’m seven years older than you and a single mom. Now I’m always going to feel guilty about you dumping Tina.”

“Really?” Warrick asked surprised.

“No, not really… Guess I’m just selfish that way,” she laughed as she reached for him.

Their arms enveloped each other again. Catherine switched to a serious tone.

“I love everything about you Warrick. I thought we were always real honest with each other. I think that if you would’ve maintained that, we wouldn’t have had to go through all of this. You’re right about our jobs, that might’ve made things awkward and it’s probably what prevented me from ever approaching you. But we don’t have that hindrance now so lets not let anything else come between us,” she said softly.

“You’re a mature, intelligent, beautiful, warm, giving woman who also happens to be the mother of a wonderful little girl… that’s how I thought you were out of my league.”

Cath tilted her head back and met his eyes. She tiptoed up and kissed him long and slow.

“Mmmm… what was that for?” Warrick asked as they broke from the kiss.

“That was because I love you.”