The shrill ringing of his cell phone woke Gil Grissom from his slumber on the sofa. He bolted upright, fishing in his pocket to retrieve the phone.

"Hello?"

There was a pause, a sob, and then silence.

"Hello?"

The sound of a small child crying broke the silence, a muffled sob, and then a very shaky voice greeted him, "Gil...help me."

"Cath? Are you okay?" Gil asked knowing the question was redundant, it was obvious she wasn't.

A sniffle, Lindsey let out another cry in the background. "Can you come over? I just...it's Ed."

"I'll be right over. Is he still there?" Having heard Eddie Willows name, Gil had already started to pull at the laces of the shoes he'd kicked off as he'd curled on the sofa, now frantically trying to loosen them, allowing his feet access.

"No...no he's left."

"Okay. Listen to me, Catherine. I want you to make sure the doors are locked. Make sure there's no way he could get back in. I'm leaving my house now. I'll be there in fifteen minutes. I'll call you when I pull up. Okay."

Another sniffle, "Okay."

He drove the familiar route, trying not to think about the cause for her call. At times like these, having received such a call he imagined the worst. It was one of their longstanding jokes; he'd tease her about her ability to imagine the worst of people and events. She always replied that by doing so she was often pleasantly surprised when events turned for the best. He'd not revealed his secret to her, how her phone calls had him imagining the worst in the hopes of finding something better. He'd stopped this practise quickly when he discovered that the scene that greeted him was often as bad as he imagined. He couldn't allow himself to imagine any more, as if by doing so, he was causing her pain, his thoughts magically transferred into Eddie's fists.

As he parked in Catherine's driveway, he could see the front door was open. He silently cursed the fact he had no means of protecting her. If Eddie had returned he could be entering a hurricane, even be fuelling it, depending on her husband's mood.

Realising he could wait no longer, he left the security of the Tahoe, slamming the door to warn the occupants of the house of his impending arrival. At least if Catherine was putting up a fight she'd know help was on its way.

He walked slowly to the front door, stopping before it, comforted slightly by the silence that greeted him. He called out "Cath! Catherine!" Waiting with dwindling patience for her reply.

"Here. In here." Her voice was weak, full of fear, but he couldn't help but feel relief that she'd answered.

He pushed the wooden door, hearing it creak in protest as if Eddie had ordered it to deny him entrance. Once he stepped onto the wooden floor of the hallway, he quickly closed it, to guard against any unwelcome interruptions.

He could see her sitting on the stairs, her head down hair shielding her face from him. He felt the lump rise in his throat, why did she let him do this to her? Why did she choose to spend her life with a man who did all he could to destroy her? He took in a deep shuddering breath in an attempt to take control of his emotions.

He quietly moved before her, kneeling on one knee, quickly scanning her form for signs of injuries she would try to hide. He was just about to touch her, break the spell of silence the house had been trapped in since his arrival, when her eyes slowly opened. First her left eye, then her right, the pupils were an uneven size evidence of some trauma to her head.

"Oh Cath..." He sighed.

She silenced him with her hand on his cheek. "It's okay. I'm...I'm okay."

"No, no you're not. You're hurt, let me..." He could barely contain his anger.

"No. Don't. Please!" She was begging now.

He didn't understand. If she didn't want his help why did she call him? Why invite him into the whole situation only to push him away the moment he arrived? Her actions didn't make sense. He examined her features, searching for some clue to explain her actions, but all he could see was a deep hurt in her eyes, and something he feared, regret. Was that regret because of his presence here? Did she want him to leave so soon?

The disgruntled cry from Lindsey seemed to shake her into action. Her hand reached out and grasped his. "Could you...? I don't think I can.."

No words needed to be said; he knew now his part in this drama. He wanted more, needed more. He could comfort her, should comfort her. She could rely on him to care for her, not let the demons come back to harm her, but not now. For now, this instant, she needed him to give her daughter comfort and he was more than happy to comply with that simple request.

He walked along the upstairs hallway, towards Lindsey's room. Gently, he pushed the door to her room open. Lindsey was sat up in her bed, clutching her brown bear close to her. Her eyes widened at seeing him enter.

"Uncle Gil!"

"Hey, Lindsey. Your mom sent me to check on you."

She reached out two arms to him. He picked her up comforted by the soft curls of her hair bushing against his neck, as her head rested on his shoulder.

"It's okay honey, everything's going to be okay." He softly rubbed her back, while rocking her back and forth. Her sobs lessened, her breathing deepened, he heard the familiar sound of her sucking her thumb. He stroked her curls, noting her still form, hoping that she might have resorted to the sanctuary of sleep, allowing him to have that difficult conversation her mother had been avoiding.

He continued to rock her as he made his way out of her room. He could make out Catherine's voice, talking to someone, he presumed from her tears and the conversation it was her sister.

I can hear you downstairs crying on the phone
Telling someone that I'm here but you still feel all alone
Maybe we were too young
Goodbye, I've gotta go
I can hear the baby waking up
Got to get back to the life I know

He waited until she'd finished. Then fixing a too bright smile on his face he descended the stairs, Lindsey still in his arms. As if sensing her mother's presence, she stirred in his arms, twisting her body slightly then letting out a cry of "Mommy!" as she caught sight of her.

Catherine glanced up at the two of them, unable to smile; a look of disappointment crossed her features. He felt cold, was she upset with him? Would she rather have someone else here, looking after her? He quickly tried to cover his emotions. "We'll get you some ice, it'll help the swelling."

He took Lindsey with him to the kitchen. Placing her briefly on the counter top, while he searched the freezer, unnerved slightly to find an ice pack already cooled within its depths. He quickly gathered a cloth to protect his hand from the burning cold, and then with his right arm lifted Lindsey onto his hip, jumping slightly to settle her into a more comfortable position. She rested her head on his shoulder and resumed the sucking of her thumb.

"Let's go and see mommy then, Linds."

He walked the short distance to the landing on which Catherine was still sat. He stopped for a moment trying to negotiate in his head the best way of moving himself, Lindsey and the ice pack to a seated position without dropping any of them. He quickly decided to turn and started to sit slowly as if descending into an armchair. In his new position it was apparent that Lindsey could no longer be comfortable so he scooped her from his hip to his lap; his right arm securing her close to him. He took a quick breath then offered the ice pack to Catherine.

She accepted the ice, placing it on her damaged right wrist, a small gasp escaped as she placed it on her skin.

He squinted his eyes, his face grimacing slightly as if feeling her pain. "We should really get you to a hospital, you know."

Her blue eyes stared at him emotionless. "Nancy's coming over she's going to take me." The coldness with which she spoke startled him.

"Oh." He tried to hide his emotions but was aware that he'd been unsuccessful. He allowed a moment of silence to pass. Maybe this wasn't the right time to approach the subject, but then when was the right time. If he had any hopes of saving her he needed to get her away from the man she called her husband. He knew the procedure, as did she, maybe by offering her a limited number of choices it would make the whole process easier. He mentally took in a breath before asking, "Who do you want me to call, Brass or someone from dayshift?"

"What?" A mixture of anger and confusion met his enquiry.

"To investigate this, Catherine. If we're going to get Eddie convicted we're going to have to have evidence." He tried to sound convincing, tried not to give in to the anger that was building.

For a brief moment she seemed to consider it, but then his hopes were extinguished. "No...I'm not going to press charges."

His anger began to boil within him; he fought to keep it contained, unconsciously squeezing Lindsey tighter. She let out a small whimper of protest. "What? You're not..."

"Gil, I don't...I can't ...he didn't..."

"Don't tell me he didn't mean it." He hissed, keeping his voice low and even. He couldn't understand how a few minutes ago she seemed reliant on him, needing him there to offer some comfort, a solution. But the moment he attempted to offer her the simplest of solutions she fought against him. Surely she couldn't want to stay with Eddie, could she? "Do you want me to get a mirror, see what Eddie not meaning it has done to you?"

She started to sob gently, unable to answer him.

"Catherine, I can't let him do this to you. I can't wait on the sidelines until he goes too far and kills you. I don't want to be called out to investigate your death, knowing I could have prevented it."

"Then don't. Leave." She whispered. "Just leave. If you tell anyone about this I'll just spin some story about falling downstairs, it'll be your word against mine."

He stood was she really sending him away. Tossing him aside now his usefulness had been spent. He gently placed Lindsey beside her. "It wouldn't be the first time." He couldn't help letting that comment pass. It was cruel aimed to hurt, but after all hadn't she just hurt him. Without looking back he walked to the door, slowly opening it, and then closing it behind him, leaving Catherine and Lindsey alone.

He made it to the Tahoe, opening the door, when the sound of an approaching vehicle caused him to pause. Despite Catherine's refusal of help he was not going to let Eddie come back and cause further harm.

It was with relief that he saw Nancy, Catherine's sister; leave the driver's side. She hurried towards him half running.

"Gil, glad I caught you. You're not leaving are you?"

He tried to cover his embarrassment, what sort of man was he to abandon his best friend. "Yes...but no. It's complicated. She doesn't want me in there, she ordered me out. I was going to wait in my Tahoe for you. Make sure you had her safely in your car before going…"

"Don't listen to her. She's frightened. She's scared that if you become involved you'll get hurt. She told me she could cope with Eddie hurting her. It's almost like she believes he has a right to do that to her, that in some way she deserves it..."

"That's crap."

"You know, I know, but to my sister...It's like Eddie has an ability to drain all the sense from her. Please don't give up on her. She cares for you. I don't know what would happen if you left her."

Gil sighed, he reached out grabbing hold of Nancy's arm. "I'll try, I will, but honestly I don't know how much longer I can deal with this."

"I know. I know it's hard. It hurts to see her letting him do this to her. I'll talk to her. Are you going in to work?"

"Yeah, but I'll call you see how the hospital goes, if that's okay?"

Nancy smiled. "Yeah that'd be good. Just give her some time Gil, don't give up just yet."

He stood in the driveway watching Nancy enter the house. In his mind, imagining the words of comfort she would offer. He got into his Tahoe and slowly reversed down the driveway, turning the vehicle at the bottom, still reversing, so he could park a couple of houses up the road from Catherine's house, enabling him to keep watch over her house.

A few minutes later, Nancy reappeared Lindsey in her arms as she ran to her car, opening the back door and buckling the small girl into the child seat. His heart skipped a beat as she performed these basic actions, why wasn't Catherine there. Had she changed her mind, surely she wasn't going to chase her sister and daughter away too.

Nancy slammed the rear door of her car, and then returned to the house. She re-emerged after several minutes, supporting Catherine, who was leaning heavily on her sister for support. The two of them made slow progress to the car, it took all of Gil's self control, not to leap out and carry his friend. But he knew their current relationship was fragile and such an act could break the tender links that held it.

He sat watching the scene before him, a lead weight growing in his stomach. As soon as the rear lights of Nancy's car disappeared around the corner, he started his vehicle, heading for the crime lab.

The night was a slow one, for which he was thankful, his mind was held elsewhere and on more than one occasion he was brought from his thoughts by the sharp questioning of Brass.

Having tried to get Gil to concentrate for what felt like the tenth time that night, but in truth was only the third, Jim Brass had had enough. "Gil! My office now!"

Gil walked behind his boss to the office, much like a condemned prisoner. As the door was shut behind him, he stood in front of the desk; his head bowed slightly his hands clasped before him.

"Sit down Gil. Now tell me what's going on?"

"I can't."

"Does this have anything to do with Willows' absence tonight?"

Gil's eyes shot to his boss's features. "What?"

"You heard. Did she have another `accident'?"

"Err"

"Look, you two might like to think I'm just a cop with no ability to process evidence, but I know when evidence like this is shouting at me. Her husband is handy with his fists. I know all about Eddie Willows. What you need to realise is you can't help her until she's ready to help herself. It sounds harsh, I know. Don't you think I want to get my hands on the bastard each time she comes in with just a little bit too much make-up? But you know as well as I, that in domestic violence cases we need her support, otherwise she'll spin whatever story Eddie tells her to, to the judge. Then after the court case collapses she'll have about six months, a year if she's lucky to get out alive."

"It's just..."

"Gil, it's hard when it's someone you care for, love." Gil looked at him in shock. "Look, it's a slow night. Go to her, be a friend. If I need you I'll call you in."

"Thanks, Jim." He left the office quickly in case his boss decided to change his mind. He went straight to the parking lot, only reaching for his cell phone when he was once again safe inside his vehicle.

"Nancy?"

"Gil, we're at Desert Palms. The doctors want to keep her in overnight for observation."

"I'm on my way over, I've got the rest of the shift off."

"That's great. I'll be able to get Lindsey home and into a bed for the rest of the night. Take care."

He didn't remember the journey to the hospital. Once he reached his destination, he quickly found a parking spot before entering the hospital through the emergency room. He was grateful that Nancy was waiting for him, thus limiting the number of people who needed to become aware of his raw feelings. He followed Catherine's sister to the elevator then through a maze of corridors before she stopped on a small ward outside a room. He waited while she entered, then nervously knocked on the door before entering.

Catherine was lying down on the bed, her focus on her daughter, who was in the middle of hugging and kissing her mother. As Nancy lifted Lindsey from the bed, and made her quick goodbyes, Gil held the door for her. Once she'd exited the room he stood a little nervously at the foot of the bed, unsure of how to start the conversation they needed.

"Come here." She held her left hand out to him.

He quickly went to her side, unable to resist her request. "Sorry."

"For what?"

"Being here. You made it clear you didn't want me around. Its just Jim sent me."

"He knows."

Gil sighed, "He knows more than we thought he did. He's wise for a boss you know." He smiled at her. "Don't worry he's not going to say or do anything until you want him to."

She smiled back at him squeezing his hand gently. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I hurt you, I didn't mean to, I just wasn't thinking straight. What you said about getting the police involved it scared me. I just don't want to make it any worse than it already is." A small tear made its way down her face.

Gil leant closer, gently brushing it away with his thumb. "Hey, it's okay. I understand. We'll deal with this any way you want. Honey, I won't leave you. I value you too much."

She sniffled, trying a weak smile. "I know I should leave him. I know that one day it'll get worse, but he doesn't mean it. He's depressed; his career is… well there is no real career. Then he drinks and I say the wrong thing then this happens. He'll be back, he'll apologise. I can't just leave him, what about Lindsey?"

Gil reached forward, pulling her up into a hug. "I know, I know."

I should have never believed him
Maybe I should just leave him

After several minutes of just enjoying each other's comfort Gil pulled back slightly, brushing a stray hair from her face. "When are they going to let you escape?"

"Tomorrow, with a bit of luck. They said something about a concussion. I've sprained this wrist too." She held up her right wrist, he surprised her by gently steering it to his lips then kissing it.

"I'll stay."

"I'd like that."

Maybe I'm not but you're all I got left to believe in
Don't give up on me
I'm about to come alive
And I know that it's been hard
And it's been a long time coming
Don't give up on me
I'm about to come alive

As the morning light gently filtered into Catherine's room, Gil released his hold on her hand. He stood moving both of his hands to his lower back, rubbing the area, gently trying to work out the creases the plastic hospital chair had placed there.

He walked to the window, gazing out at the new day. Maybe this could be a new beginning for him. He'd let his guard down, allowed Catherine to see inside him, something he'd only let one other person do in his life, his mother. Yet here, this beautiful yet fragile creature lay fighting a never-ending battle with a man she called her husband, whilst claiming his heart. He could do this, they could do this, there was too much invested to let it all slip away through fear. If it took him another twenty years, he knew his place was beside her. So right there in the hospital room, he made a promise to stay beside her, to support her unquestioningly, to love her, his witness, the slowly rising sun.

She woke a couple of hours later. Smiling up at him. "Hi."

"Hi."

"You stayed."

"You asked."

She beamed up at him, slowly shifting her position so she was seated.

"How's your head?"

"You'll be glad to know there's only one of you."

"Is that a bad thing?" He smirked.

"For some people, yes."

"Like who?"

"Ecklie."

"You have a point. Do you want me to find you a doctor, see about getting you out of here? I'll make you breakfast?"

"You spoil me, Gil."

"Ha, my plan has been uncovered." He tried a wicked laugh, which only resulted in the two of them collapsing with laughter.

Once she'd recovered, her tone became serious. "Gil, has Ed...?"

He turned to face her, his face fixed, no emotion. "I'm sorry, no." She took in a deep breath slowly releasing it. "Maybe, that's not such a bad thing. Now about that doctor."

She'd barely spoken, when the door to her room once more opened, this time a young doctor approached the bed, notes in hand. "Lets have a look at those eyes shall we?" He retrieved a small pen light from his top pocket and proceeded to check Catherine's eyes. He held a finger before her, slowly moving it from side to side and forwards and back asking her to follow it with her eyes. Satisfied she had no headache or dizziness he signed her discharge papers, before leaving the room.

"I'll leave you, go and find coffee, give Nancy a call, check on Lindsey, allow you time to get changed." Gil squeezed her hand. He walked down the hospital corridor in search of coffee. Finding the vending machine, he inserted his money and made his beverage choice. As the drink was dispensed, he gingerly held it with his thumb and forefinger while he walked across to the chairs in the waiting area. He placed the cup on the floor beside his right foot, and then dialled Nancy's number.

"Nancy. It's Gil."

"How is she?"

"They're allowing her home. I'm going to take her, stay awhile."

"Good, so you two talked."

"You could say that." He chuckled a little self-consciously. "How's Lindsey?"

"Wonderful as always. I'll keep her with me for the moment. Then when Catherine's ready she can come by. Tell her not to worry about rushing over, we're planning on having a baking day."

Images of Lindsey covered in flour came flooding into Gil's mind. "Good luck, and thank you Nancy."

"Hey don't either of you worry. I'll see you later."

The phone call complete, Gil reached down for his coffee. It was still too hot to drink really, but he blew over the surface a couple of times before attempting a sip. It was bitter, hot and bitter. He found the waste bin and threw the cup and its contents away. He glanced down at his watch. He could chance returning to Catherine. He walked the short distance to her room, knocking lightly on the door before entering.

She was sat waiting, a plain white T-shirt and blue jeans adorning her body. She smiled at him.

"Your chariot awaits, m'lady." He crooked his arm offering it to her.

"I was hoping my breakfast awaits"

"All in good time my dear."

The short journey to Catherine's house was completed in silence, not an eerie or angry silence, but a comfortable, companionable silence. As he pulled into her driveway, Gil was aware of Catherine taking a shuddering breath. He parked the Tahoe, and then reached across, taking hold of her hand. "It's going to be okay. I'll be there with you, for you. You need anything, just ask."

"What if...Ed?"

"His car's not here. I doubt he is either, but if he is I won't leave you until you want me to. I'll protect you, trust me."

They left the Tahoe and with a certain amount of trepidation approached the scene of last night's drama. Gil allowed Catherine to set the pace, only able to imagine what thoughts might be travelling through her head.

The key soundlessly turned in the lock and the door noisily yet again protested their entry. Allowing it to close behind them Catherine seemed to sniff the air as she slowly turned on the wooden floor. Silence greeted them. She walked slowly towards the kitchen, Gil unsure of his position trailed behind her.

She walked into the small kitchen ready to be indulged in some gastronomic breakfast treat by her visitor. She opened the refrigerator, bending down and glancing up at him as she slowly listed each of its contents. "Eggs, bacon, cheese, tomatoes, milk, orange juice, butter, lettuce, ham, spinach...that's about it."

"Okay, how about omelettes."

"You read my mind." She spun around, her eyes shining, "I'll start the...coff...ee. Gil?"

"Yes?"

"When you got the ice did you notice that?"

He turned, looking in the direction she was pointing. A white envelope sat on the counter top resting against the coffee machine, a name, her name scrawled across the front. "No, I can't say I did, but I had Lindsey in one arm and you on my mind so it was all a bit of a blur."

She nodded as if understanding, but stood staring at it, not moving.

Finally, Gil realised one of them needed to take action. "Here, let me." He reached across for the letter, offering it to her. With shaking hands, she pulled a small piece of paper from the envelope.

Cath,

I'm watching you, lying on the floor, still breathing. By the time you read this I'll be gone. I'm moving in with Mel, she understands me. I'll be over to see Lindsey, let her know her daddy loves her.

Ed

Catherine wobbled slightly then dropped the letter, she ran out of the kitchen, heading for the small downstairs washroom. She lifted the lid on the toilet and bent over it, her stomach retching, she spat phlegm repeatedly into the bowl.

Gil had picked up the note as soon as she'd dropped it; he quickly scanned it before following her. "Cath ...Catherine... Honey, it's going to be okay."

He sank to his knees behind her, pulling her to him, revelling in the warmth of her body falling against his. She was crying, sobbing, but at this moment in time she needed that more than anything. A release from all the pain this man had brought to her. Gil simply held her, his arms hugging her close letting her know she wasn't alone.

She slowly calmed in his arms, a husky whisper escaping her lips. "Why? Why now after all of this?"

"I don't know."

"It hurts. He stood watching me, staring at what he'd made me into but that wasn't good enough. Where did I go wrong? What did I do?"

Gil sighed. "Cath, honey, believe me you did nothing wrong. This is Eddie's choice."

She sniffled. "So, what now?"

"What do you mean?"

"What do I do now?"

"As I see it, you have two choices. You can hunt down your husband and Mel, try to get him to change his mind, come back to you, and fight for your marriage. Or you can start to make a new life for yourself and Lindsey."

"What do you think I should do?"

Gil sat there on the bathroom floor, his heart and head screaming at him to tell her to choose him, but the voice, the wisdom of Jim Brass came floating back to him. He took in a breath, sighing heavily, his hands starting to gently stroke her arms. "I can't answer that, you know that. But what I can tell you, promise you, is that whatever choice you make I'll be there for you." He leant down kissing the top of her head.

Catherine nestled back in his arms. "Thank you. I'm sorry I shouldn't have asked you that. How could I have been so stupid as to stay with Eddie? How many other Mel's were there? Why was I so stupid to believe him?"

"Love, Catherine, simply love. You have so much inside you; you fought for your marriage when many others would have run away. You are not stupid, you just wanted the best for your daughter and yourself."

"How did I get so lucky as to have a friend like you?" She suddenly sat forward, then stood up, pulling him with her. "Come on, we've a lot to do?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Well there's the locks to change, a lawyer to see ..."

"I take it you want a new life then?"

"Damn right and Eddie will not get the house. He's walked all over me for too long, no more, I'm having the house, I'm going to take care of Lindsey, he'll get to see her when I say, not when he suddenly remembers her."

Gil resisted the urge to chuckle. Moments ago she'd seemed broken beyond repair, yet here she was now putting up the strongest fight of her life. He felt proud of her, her courage, and her willingness to fight and not give in yet again to the man who'd sought to control her. He felt a small twinge of pity for one Edward Willows, he wasn't quite sure if the man was fully aware of what he'd created. Gil followed Catherine out of the washroom. While she flicked through the telephone directory looking for locksmiths, he returned to the kitchen, savouring the simple task of preparing breakfast for a woman he not only loved but also admired.

Later that morning, after the locksmith had been changed the locks and presented her with a new set of keys, she'd given him the spare set.

"Why?"

She smiled in reply. "Because I want to. You, you and Lindsey are what I want in my new life. I don't want to have you disappear on me. By having these keys you know you will always be welcome in this house."

Gil was lost for words. He instead pulled her into a hug, then pulled back slightly to search her features for any sign of doubt. Catherine raised her left hand, and with a featherlike touch traced the outline of his face. She raised herself on tiptoes, her lips brushing his slightly. "Thank you for believing in me Gil."

No one thought I was good enough for you
Except for you
Don't let them be right
After all that we've been through
`Cause somewhere over that rainbow
There's a place for me
A place with you

Eight years later, Catherine's house could have told the story of their friendship. The For Sale sign pitched in the front lawn a symbol of their new commitment to each other.

Gil opened the door for his fiancé, enjoying the simple action, which spoke volumes of their changed friendship. "What time did the realtor say she was bringing the couple around?"

"Elevenish."

"So time for breakfast, then they should be here. What do you want?"

"You know the answer to that?" Catherine smiled and winked at him. "You, only you."

Needing no further invite, Gil scooped her up in his arms heading for the stairs.

As they ascended the stairs, they passed a myriad of framed photographs charting how their friendship had turned to undying love.

In every frame upon our wall
Lies a face that's seen it all
Through ups and downs and then more downs
We helped each other off of the ground
No one knows what we've been through
Making it ain't making it without you

The End