Catherine waited out in the hallway. She knew he was staying home for Christmas. The huge stack of folders next to the notebook on his desk told her that much. She chose to observe. Gil stood with a hand full of assignments. He waited for them to quiet down and pay attention. He made a joke concerning their conversation. They laughed, not with him but at him for being…well for being Gil. Catherine saw the flinch. She noticed the way his head hung lower while they all recovered from their chuckle.

****

Gil was silent as he held a coffee mug full of egg nog. His team, minus one, surrounded the table and talked about their upcoming break. There were napkins covered in cute cartoon characters. Colorful Christmas cookies were piled high on paper plates. Torn bits of paper and ribbon covered the tabletop. The final morning before the Christmas break was always a lively one. Gil thumbed through the huge crossword puzzle dictionary half heartedly. Knowing that she wasn’t there, he looked straight ahead. He couldn’t believe he had done it again.

****

He looked out at the other townhouses with a third beer in hand. They were all outlined in tiny lights. It made them look like unfinished connect the dots puzzles against the pitch black night sky. Their blinking reminded him of the strip. The way the colored patterns reflected on the siding of the other houses matched the way the glass of downtown warped the inescapable neon.

Minneapolis was on his mind. It was the only white Christmas he had ever witnessed. He spent the whole evening at the glass watching the flakes fall to the ground. It was a simple joy that held his attention for hours.

He circled around the coffee table. The echoes of his feet on the stone floor were the only sound. His eyes focused on the cover of his latest companion. He was convinced Christmas break was a torture designed to bore him to death.

The season outside kept taking over his thoughts. The end of the calendar always seemed to force self evaluation upon him. He always faced it alone. He knew why he had brought the files with him. They were the only tangible evidence he had of progress in his life. Intelligence was a double edge sword. He could think up endless distractions. He could reason with himself for hours. But in the end he knew exactly what he was doing. It was all an excuse to avoid the truth.

The doorbell provided a welcome distraction. He couldn’t help but smile when he looked through the peephole. The vision of Catherine wearing a Santa hat on his doorstep was almost too much.

“Catherine?” as pleasant a surprise as it was, it was still a surprise.

“Lindsey’s spending some time with Eddie’s family. So was I. I couldn’t deal with the whole Willows family Christmas…thing.” She looked up and awaited his welcome. He stepped backwards to allow her inside.

“Nice hat,” Gil grinned at her when she set down her purse and bag on the counter. He took her coat and found a place for it. Catherine tossed the hat next to her purse.

“I see you are celebrating the traditional minimalist Christmas,” Catherine surveyed the entire space and didn’t see a single decoration.

“I don’t like unnecessary lighting,” Gil worked hard trying to see into the bag Catherine had brought with her. Realizing she had caught on to his game, he focused on her. The simple khakis and mint green t-shirt fit her like a glove. She rarely wore anything over her t-shirt outside of the office. She enjoyed his attention. Holding Grissom’s interest was something to be proud of.

“Do you know why I volunteered to organize the Secret Santa this year?” she noticed several empty beer bottles by the sink. He hovered near her. The alcohol wiped away some of his natural shyness.

“You wanted a legitimate reason to wear that hat.” Gil finished off the beer in his hand.

“No smart ass” she fought hard not to laugh. And failed. Her unchecked laughter brought him a wide smile.

“I volunteered because I knew you would forget to sign up again. I couldn’t take that forlorn look this morning so I left early.” She recovered enough to start emptying the bag onto the kitchen island.

“I wasn’t forlorn,” Gil leaned on the refrigerator, another bottle in his hand. He was glad someone noticed.

“Right,” She pulled out a box of candy canes, a couple packets of hot chocolate with marshmallows, one bottle of peppermint schnapps and a wrapped gift. The silver paper shined in the kitchen light. Gil’s smile was amazing. Just when she began to think that the man was an unsolvable riddle, he would offer her a glimpse of his soul.

“Another present for me?” He pointed to the package but he never looked away from her. She nodded and stood up on her tip toes so that she could lean over the island and kiss his forehead.

“It’s kind of for both of us. Merry Christmas, Gil” he had to force himself not to stare at her. He dug a finger into the paper. The sound of tearing wrapping paper was another of those simple joys. He stopped and gave her a nervous chuckle. Gil threw his head to the side for the best silent question he could muster.

“I heard you talking about how they went together somehow.”

“They do. I just don’t remember telling you.”

“Are you saying I should have gotten you, “It’s a Wonderful Life”?”

“No. Give me a few minutes. I will get it set up.” he paused and then offered. “Do you want something to drink?”

“While you get it ready, I’ll make the peppermint patties.” Gil tilted his head again.

“Trust me.” Gil looked at his recently opened beer and back at Catherine.

“I don’t want to be further accused of lacking Christmas spirit.” He put the bottle back into the fridge.

Catherine worked in the kitchen while Gil disappeared around the corner. She carried 2 piping hot cups to the couch. He was working on the stereo. He bent over to listen to one of the speakers. Catherine enjoyed the view over the edge of her mug.

“OK that should…” Gil spun on his heel. His breath caught. Catherine sucked slowly on the candy cane. She had kicked off her shoes and tucked one foot up underneath herself. His mind went blank. He knew he was staring but couldn’t stop.

“I grabbed you a blanket. You always get cold.” Catherine couldn’t believe how much she enjoyed watching his confusion. She pretended not to notice as she continued to enjoy her candy cane. Gil placed the blanket next to her. He stirred the concoction in the mug with a flick of his wrist. The taste was smooth and minty.

“I am gonna need another one of these.” He didn’t want to sit down just yet. He knew he wouldn’t be able to get back up once he did.

“Pretty good, huh. I premixed 2 more for you. Just put it in the microwave for 2 minutes.” Catherine watched him make his way to the kitchen with a more pronounced stagger than usual.

The scent of peppermint hit him before he got to the counter. He punched in the numbers. While he waited for his drink he took off his shoes. Catherine threw her arms up and stretched. Arching her back, her head fell back against the wall. She looked comfortable. She looked beautiful.

He put in the other mug in after the loud beep had sounded and repeated the pattern on the number pad. When it was ready he put 2 candy canes in his shirt pocket.

“Gil, can you get me another.” She held her mug over her head.

“Sure,” he continued his journey, stopping by the light switch to turn them off. The glow from his huge TV was all that lit the room. He handed her one of the mugs.

“Thanks,” she smiled. He was always a half step ahead of her even when he was a bit drunk. Catherine looked him over with the warmth of her first drink setting in. She loved it when he wore jeans. The beard had grown on her. The white of his button down shirt brought out the unearthly hue of his eyes. She could stare into them forever. Knowing that they sometimes couldn’t stop watching her gave her a thrill. He settled into the couch with a long sip from his mug and handed her the massive universal remote.

“Ready?” the bass of his voice reflected off the uneven surfaces of the room.

“Which one do I push?” the number of buttons on the thing was staggering.

Gil’s fingers moved across hers, guiding them towards the large arrow in the center of the remote. The screen went black. He lingered near her.

“The key to a good sync is…waiting…for…the…3rd roar.” Gil flashed another remote exactly when the MGM lion began its final roar. The CD player clicked to life.

Gil sat back. He felt himself melting into the couch. He sipped from his mug and enjoyed the beginnings of a good buzz. The movie and music barely held his attention. He stole glances at her whenever he could. He stretched out his legs and bumped Catherine’s foot when Dorothy took her first step on the yellow brick road.

“Sorry,” they had been staring at each other without noticing.

“Don’t be,”

“Can I have some of that blanket?” he wanted her close. That much he was sure of.

“We can share,” she gathered herself and the blanket in one motion. She sat back down right beside him. He put his arm up onto the back of the sofa to allow her as much access as she wanted. The movement had caused her shirt to shift. Gil sighed seeing the indention of her skin under her bra strap.

****
TBC