Chapter 4: Apparition

The detective was a hard worker and Gil admired her spirit. She was great company, making small talk and putting him at ease as she pulled out her jokes but the easy-going side of her vanished as they arrived at the lab. They caught up with Tox, Trace, and DNA. The famous bella was clean and the trace was not back yet. By the time they got outside, the sky was about to turn into black night.

“Well, we should really get something to eat.” Jennifer suggested as she gave her stomach a tap and Gil had the right mind to agree. “Fancy or quick?”

“How about fancy? My treat.” He offered and she laughed.

“Department cover meals, too?”

“Yep.” He laughed, for what seemed like the first time in a long time.

“All right but you’ll regret you ever asked.”

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As Gil opened the door for Jennifer to go through, he was met by a gust of warm air.

The restaurant was lit by a faint orange glow. It was halfway between dark and light, just to the point where your eyes strained to see everything. There was a separate bar, but they agreed not to drink, and they headed for the tables upstairs. It was not too crowded, and Gil was glad that he didn’t have to wait. They were led to a table and they both sat down with a sigh.

The waiter carried over their menus and the Scrooge in Gil screamed but Gil managed to keep it to himself as he listened to Jennifer talk about nothing much in particular. He looked over the menu carefully and chose a New York Sirloin Steak with salad and Jennifer went with clam chowder and a small dish of pasta.

The two talked in a wide range; the case, their families and what Vegas was like. She had never been and Gil took on the job of trying to squeeze the labyrinth of a city that was Las Vegas into a nutshell. She was fascinated by his stories and they laughed many times throughout the dinner. As Gil was about to call for the check, Jennifer called out as a grin spread across her face.

“Hey, it’s Mr. Gates and the AD.”

Gil’s heart sank and felt like it was all of a sudden put on ice. He felt sweat break out on his forehead and he suddenly shivered. For a while he didn’t breathe and all he could do was stare at his empty plate. All sound faded from around him, and he could only hear the absence of his heartbeat. He slowly turned to look in the direction Jennifer was looking and found the handsome director talking intimately with a woman with shoulder-length strawberry blond hair, beautiful shoulders and a laughter that resonated and barely registered within his mind. Even though all he could see was the back of her, he knew.

“Let’s go and say hello, Grissom.”

“Um…I’d..I’d love to, but I’m rather tired.”

“Come on, it won’t take a moment. I mean, you have to meet the AD some time, right?” She asked as she got up and Gil realized how foolish he had been to try and avoid her in her own lab and how foolish he had been to think that Sara could be wrong. As Gil got up, Jen faltered. “Maybe we should…do it next time.”

Gil looked towards the couple and saw them kissing. They broke off soon enough but the damage was done.

“Yeah…let’s do it later.” Gil managed to speak, as he sat back down. He called for the check impatiently, wanting to get out as soon as he could.

“You know Grissom. Thanks for dinner tonight.” Jennifer whispered and Gil smiled. She didn’t know what an effect the apparition had done to him.

“It’s really nothing. I can say I ate it all to the department.” He replied, winking and she smiled. Their check came and Gil fished in his pockets for his wallet and pulled out his credit card and looked for change, but Jen stopped him.

“At least let me pay for the tip.” She told him as she flashed him her best smile and he quietly nodded. She put the change on the table and stood up. He couldn’t help himself as he looked towards the couple one last time, but he was met with a pair of azure eyes he knew all too well. Time stopped and he drew in a breath. She was standing up, waiting for Gates to pick up his jacket, but Gil didn’t notice anything that was going around him as he did not break their eye contact. He felt his lungs deflate, gasping for oxygen.

“Mr. Grissom!” The director broke rudely into Gil’s reverie, ending his eye contact. He heard Jennifer clear her throat and Gil put on his best professional smile that he reserved for the press, as if nothing had happened. Gil and Jennifer walked towards the couple.

“Mr. Gates, we meet again.” Gil replied, looking at the director.

“Indeed, a pleasure. Wait. This,” Gates replied, gesturing affectionately, “is Catherine Willows, our assistant director. Wait a second…you two must know each other.” Gates frowned and Gil could feel Jen’s eyes bore into the back of his head. He gulped as he looked at Catherine who had never taken her eyes off of him.

“We do.” Gil replied, turning slightly towards Catherine. “Great to see you again…Catherine.” It hurt him beyond belief to even utter her name but he made sure he didn’t show it.

“Same here…Gil.” Her voice rang in his ear and until then he didn’t realize how much he had missed her. He stood there, his mouth slightly ajar as he struggled to take the situation in. He knew he was staring at her, in disbelief, in shock, and in hatred.

“Well, Jennifer. I think we should leave these two for a minute. Join me as I pay for the check.” The director politely excused himself and took Jennifer with him.

“How long have you been here, Gil?”

“Two days.”

“Why didn’t you call?”

“I didn’t think I’d have to.”

“Did you see us here?”

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t you…?”

“Because I knew better.” He replied bitterly and Catherine did not miss it. During their conversation, he refused to look at her.

“Where are you staying?” She asked, quietly.

“At the Sheraton.” He replied and put his hands in his pockets. “I’m not here on personal matters, just on a case.”

“I know. I know you better than that to think you’d come to see me.” She replied and Gil looked at her. She was looking at her toes and Gil clenched his teeth to keep himself back from confessing to her how much he hated himself right now.

The director was striding back to them and Gil smiled at Catherine who also raised her eyebrows and smiled right back.

“Great to see you, Gil.”

“Pleasure to see you too, Catherine.”