Would you promise to be true?

That was the question at the forefront of Catherine Willows' mind right now. Her marriage had collapsed due to her husband's infidelity and since then she had had a series of relationships. At first it was a fun, nothing too serious, no strings or commitments, but as time went on and she continued to seek out that elusive relationship that could be more, so the patience she had for their casual attitude decreased. She wanted someone to love, who loved her, someone to grow old with, but most of all someone she could trust.

Her thoughts turned to Gil, as they had so often of late. Had there always been something between them, or was it just her desire filled dreams that made her think so?

There was so much history between them; maybe that's what made her feel as if she was being drawn to him. But was it love? More importantly if it was love, could she trust him to take custody of her heart? If she gave into the craving to be near him, beside him, with him skin on skin, would it end the same way as all her other attempts to find happiness? Maybe she'd tested the waters too many times, tried to find a path through the maze of affairs that time too many. What if she'd used up all of her chances? But what if she hadn't? What if all along what she'd been searching for was right beside her?

She shook her mane of hair, replaced the lid on her fountain pen and stood. For a moment it was as if her body and mind were gripped in a silent argument, one insisting on staying in the security of her office, the other adamant that this risk was worth investigation. Finally the mind ruled and she found herself walking, not without the feeling of jelly in her legs and lead in her stomach, towards his office.

A moment to breathe as her hand clenched the cool door handle; somehow its chill seemed to settle her. As she turned it and entered his office, she noticed his attention was immediately focused on her. She closed the door, hoping that would prevent interruption, having the nerve to finally face him she knew only the briefest interruption would cause her to take flight words unsaid.

"Catherine?"

Why did he do that she wondered. How could a man who appeared so inaccessible to human contact seem to be able to see right through her?

She didn't speak at first, choosing silence until she was seated before him. She needed to gauge his reaction to her enquiries; seek out any falsehood or pity in his replies.

"Gil. I…what I wanted…argh why is this so hard?" She looked at him reading only patience on his features, kindness in his eyes.

He took hold of both of her hands in his. Then he smiled, his eyes sparkling, not with laughter but with something else, could this be right? Could it really be what she'd hoped for?

"Slow down, take your time."

She paused. Closed her eyes, and then dropped her head slightly so that when she opened her eyes her focus was on their joined hands. It seemed natural. A simple touch an act of affection. Slowly, so very slowly she raised her eyes to his. She sought out his eyes, noticing how the small smile that was on his lips seemed to reach behind them, filling them with light. Confidence restored, she started once more. "I need to know something. I need to know what this is, this thing between us."

"What do you think it is?"

She fought the immediate reaction of biting back in anger. She had to remember who this was, who she was talking with. Gil, her friend, the man she…no she couldn't confess that even to herself not until he'd reassured her. She'd made a fool of herself too often. He had been hurt in the past she needed to remember that. Coming to him now with no fair warning she had to accept his hesitation. After all they'd both danced around it for far too long. "I was hoping you could help me out with that."

"Why now?"

"I suppose I've had enough of being disappointed." Her head once again sought out their united hands. "I…I don't know, I guess I want, no need to know what you feel for me." She looked up at him; a wobbly smile fought to break out on her face and then gave up the battle as her eyes fixed on his.

As if he sensed her doubts, he moved his right thumb, so that it gently stroked the soft skin between her thumb and forefinger. His eyes never left hers as he answered. "I think you already know. But as you've asked I'll tell you. You are more than a friend to me. I care about you. I want you to be happy, above everything else. When you are not around my nights seem longer, you bring me a life I crave."

She let his words penetrate her understanding. Could he really be saying what she thought he was? "Do you love me?" Her voice seemed to have gathered a strength she thought was long lost.

"Yes. I'm in love with you."

The simplicity of that statement and the readiness with which he confessed it confused and surprised her. Could she trust him? All the signs her heart were telling her, her ears were hearing, her eyes reflecting suggested so. "If….if I were to fall in love with you, Gil, would….would you be true to me? Can you promise me that?"

As she gazed into his eyes nervously waiting for his reply, she saw realization cross over his face. As if he suddenly seemed to understand her earlier hesitation. "Yes."

"What?"

"Yes, Catherine, I promise if you were to give me your heart I would hold it safe. You would be giving me a precious gift, how could I not value it. In valuing your gift to me I would cherish you. If you gave me your heart, why would I seek another? So, yes I promise I will be true to you."

"Gil?"

"Yes."

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

Would you help me understand?

She closed her eyes as his lips met hers, wanting to savour that first touch of love. They'd kissed before, but this was different. This was love.

As he pulled away, she tightened the hold on his hands, as if suddenly afraid that in pulling away he'd be lost to her.

"Gil?"

"Yes?"

"Would you hold me? Help me? Teach me?"

"Come here." He pulled slightly on her hands, not relinquishing his hold on them. She rose as she realized his intent. Moving around the side of his desk she let herself succumb to his arms as he pulled her onto his lap. She snuggled against him, marvelling at the feeling of instant security she felt, here wrapped in his arms.

"Catherine, what do you need me to teach you?"

She looked up at him, slowly releasing her left hand from his; she traced his jaw line, and then brought her hand to rest above his heart. "Can you teach me to love? Help me to understand what it's like to be in love."

He closed his eyes, resting his chin on her head as he pulled her tighter into an embrace. For a moment he just concentrated on breathing, tasting her scent with each inhalation. Then he spoke. "We've both been hurt by what we thought was love. Asking me to teach you something I myself do not comprehend fully, well I don't know. However I propose we learn together; teach each other as we travel along this path. What do you think?"

"Ok." She pressed her lips to his chest, kissing him above his heart. Wanting in some way to show the growing love she now felt after finally admitting what she had kept hidden for so long.

"Don't you worry sweetheart, I will help you to understand my love for you. I will not seek to hurt you although surely as we make this journey together we will not only speak in words of love. No matter if we argue, have cross words, know now that I solemnly promise to love you throughout. If you are lost, confused or bewildered, know that I and my love will always be here for you."

Her lips found his as he once more confessed his love for her.

Will you love me more than her?

This time as she pulled apart she shifted slightly so she was facing him. He raised an eyebrow as a sign that he was prepared for whatever her next question might be. "Go on?"

"Sorry."

"There is nothing to apologize for. I know you have questions. It is far better for you to ask now than have them festering away, spoiling what we have before it starts."

Her hand came once more to rest above his heart. Her eyes locked with his. "I know you have been in love before. I've seen you. I admit I was jealous. You have just told me it wasn't love, but to my eyes it appeared as nothing less than that. So I need to ask, will you love me more than her?"

He smiled, she marvelled as the worry and puzzlement brought there by her words vanished before her eyes. His eyes flickered as love was reflected in them. "I already do. Always have. The reason I've not found love with another is because I was always in love with you. What about you Catherine? I've seen you; you were married, loved, coveted by others before me. Will you love me more than them?"

She didn't hesitate; it was as if she had, by asking her question, expected him to return it to her. "Yes. They may have loved me, cared for me or so I thought, but as I grew to know them I understood it was not love I felt. I was used and I'm not proud to admit I did my share of using. But that's what I want to progress away from. Your words of love, concern and care for me have shown me in these brief moments what I have always missed. A part of me will always love Eddie, he gave me Lindsey, but the love I feel for you right now is more intense. It feels so right, I finally feel at peace. You have done that. You have restored my faith in love. Thank you."

His smiling lips met hers and for the first time they parted and for a few brief seconds their tongues duelled as they learnt the contours of their mouths and started to map their love.

If I trust in you will you run and hide?

Pulling reluctantly apart she smiled. With fingertips she started to trace around his face, before satisfied, she leant in and kissed the tip of his nose.

He chuckled. "No more questions?"

She bowed her head. Was she testing his patience? Hadn't she asked enough? But there was still that fear, that one dread that frightened her. Half whispering she voiced her concern. "I need to trust you. Have faith that you will come to me when troubles darken your door. I need to know, if I trust in you will you stay with me or run and hide at the first bump in the road?"

Gently he brought his right hand beneath her chin, tipping it so he could see her face, the worry in her eyes that she instantly tried to mask. "Catherine, I have waited too long for this. In the past few minutes you have given me more than I ever hoped for. I cannot promise to never keep a secret from you. It will be hard for me to share some of my darkest fears with you, but with time I promise to try harder. I will not let my fears haul me away from you, as with you is where my life now is. I will not run from you. I will strive to always be there for you. I trust you and in time I hope you will learn to trust me in the same way. I will not judge you. I know it will be hard, but I'm prepared to take those steps, are you?"

She smiled; reaching for him she answered him with a kiss.

"Gil?"

"Yes?"

"I've fallen in love with you."

"I have always been in love with you Catherine."

"Be gentle with my heart."

"I promise I will."

The End