Chapter 6: September

One day you turn around it is summer and then before you know it, it’s autumn and the autumn leaves turn to snow as it all falls down. Gil remembered and found himself sighing again as he realized he was nearing the September of his years. On the same park bench he had sat before, he was smiling gently as he watched kids play on the merry-go-round, young couples walking arm-in-arm again, and jazz musicians playing just for the soul of the music. He realized that these sights were almost foreign to him, and that he hadn’t paid attention to the little details of life that made all the difference. He had never stopped to watch the kids play on the playground, to listen to the raindrops that fell rarely where he lived, to watch the sunset in the city. He had let a friendship die because he didn’t have the guts to call up and simply say ‘hi’. Now he realized that life was short and he was dancing too fast to the music that wouldn’t last forever.

He knew he couldn’t turn back time as he regretted all that he had ever done; his childhood, his background, his degrees, his reputation. None of them mattered to him anymore as he painfully came to terms with the fact that he could not blame his current state on anyone else, and wondered if things would have been different if he had just uttered different words instead of the Shakespearean quotes and the haikus that all seemed fruitless now.

Gil’s hands trembled as he fingered the pack of cigarettes in his jacket pocket. He had smoked a bit in college, and he hadn’t particularly been an avid smoker back then either. He couldn’t believe himself as he deftly pulled one out and lit it. He sighed as the familiar fumes permeated his lungs. He watched the smoke drift away in the autumn Seattle wind. He was still buzzing from his rummage through the minibar in his hotel room. For the first time in a long time, he thought of what he had done with his own life. Here he was, smoking and drinking, wondering what it was all about.

He was the fool now, as he ached for a proper conversation with Catherine. Most of the time, it had been he who shut her out and he who refused the communication. The crisp air had dried his skin, and Gil was surprised when the ghost of a tear burned its way down his cheek.

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“Catherine? Earth to Catherine?”

Ian waved his hands in front of Catherine, who was sitting at her desk staring out the window. He knew he surprised her when she yelped as her chair spun around and found her listening to music.

“Ian! What are you doing here?”

“Wanted to see what you were doing.” He smiled at her as he revelled in the warm sensation which just the sight of Catherine produced. She smiled right back as she stood up. They shared a tight embrace and Catherine gave Ian a peck on his lips.

“That’s it?” He asked, as he raised an eyebrow and slightly pouted his lower lip. He saw Catherine briefly falter at his expression and he saw her eyes glaze over with something like a bad memory. She quickly smiled as she turned back to sit in her chair.

“So what did Jen and Grissom tell you?”

“TOD, possible COD and the fact that our lab is yet again backlogged.” She was looking out the window again.

“Hm. All right. Their sheriff keeps calling me. Apparently he can’t reach Grissom.” Ian told her, frowning, and was surprised when Catherine smiled and shook her head. “Page me if…”

“If there’s anything, I know.” Catherine replied as she flashed him another fleeting smile. Ian sighed as he closed the door on his way out. He walked out of the building and he buttoned up his jacket as the bitter air floated right through him. Ian was hit with a coughing fit which went almost to the point of being violent as he drew the attention of passers-by. He shook his head as he headed to his Mercedes to head home, a supposed daily routine that seemed almost a luxury to him.

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“I’m afraid you’ll need a court warrant. I know my rights.”

    The door was shut in Gil’s face and he flinched. He looked at Jen who was huffing as she rolled her eyes. He followed her back to the patrol car, reluctantly.

“Can you believe this? The damn only suspect slamming the door on us?”

“I’ve had worse.” Gil replied, and felt his phone vibrate. “Hello?”

“Grissom. Gates, here.”

“Hello, Mr. Gates.” Gil replied, clearing his throat.

“Did the suspect…”

“No, he didn’t let us in.”

“Well we’ll see about that. Cath’s at the lab right now, meeting with DNA. Just came in.”

“Oh.”

“I suggest you two meet up with her. I might be able to crack a warrant with a judge.”

‘”Thank you director.” Gil replied as he almost wished Gates was somehow not as nice as he was.

“Please. Call me Ian.” Gil was cut off by a dial tone, and he stared at the phone as he closed it.

“What did Ian say?”

“Meet up with Cath…erine, at the lab. She’s with DNA.” Gil did not allow himself anytime to think as they drove to the lab. He couldn’t let himself familiarize with the past.

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“Semen on the shirt, matches your suspect.” Catherine told Gil and Jen as they met her. “I assume you’ll want the warrant.”

“Oh will you excuse me for a second?” Jen briskly walked out of the room, looking at her beeper.

“You know Gil, that really was record time.” Catherine told him and Gil briefly froze up at the mention of his first name from her lips. “Good work.”

“We’ve still got some ways to go.” He replied, still reeling from the contact.

“You never say when you’re done, do you.”

“Well technically I’m not done until…”

“…the perp’s behind bars, I know.” Gil looked at her as she finished yet another one of his sentences and smiled to himself. He watched her ruffle her hair and saw a ring on her hand.

“When were you going to tell me you were engaged?” Gil asked, almost in a whisper and Catherine’s eyes shot to his. He stared at her with an expressionless gaze and he hoped to shake her.

“I…I didn’t think you’d want to know. Seeing as how you’ve done that the minute I walked out of your lab.” She replied, bitterly. “What difference does it make if I’m married or engaged?”

“Catherine…I…”

“Sorry, guys. Got the warrant, Gil.” Jen appeared out of the blue and held the warrant up triumphantly. “Want to tag along, Catherine?”

“You guys wouldn’t mind, would you?” Catherine asked, smiling at Jen. The two ladies walked right past Gil.

“Come on, Grissom!” Jen called to him and he jogged to keep up.

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Jen brought the A/C down a notch as the three started to drive out of the parking lot. Catherine had taken the backseat willingly and Gil was staring out the window, looking at the slightly familiar Seattle scene when he felt Catherine’s hand slide onto his shoulder.

“So Jen, how much farther?” Catherine asked, and Gil knew she was taken aback as she met his almost fearful gaze. She pulled her hand away. Gil saw her falter slightly.

“Not much. He lives downtown.” Jen hadn’t seen the exchange between the two of them as she focused on the road ahead of her. Catherine sat back in her seat and Gil knew she felt the tension too. Gil cleared his throat as he turned his attention away from his tingling shoulder to the high-rises now passing by.