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May. 23rd, 2005 05:14 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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nickngregSpoilers for Grave Danger
Title: She knew.
Rating: PG
A/N: Slash is back story. For some reason I just was really struck by what Catherine did and had to write this. And a HUGE thank you to godgaleshot who beta'd and fixed all the parts that needed fixing.
When Nick's image first came up on the screen, she heard a pained gasp. Carefully Catherine turned her head and saw Greg turn completely white and start to shake. She wondered if he was going to pass out. She was fairly sure she was the only one who knew and edged closer to his side, just in case. But in a second his face blanked out all emotion except for a certain grimness around his mouth. She knew he was going to control his fear and work to get Nick back like the rest of them.
Her attention returned to the screen, her mind was racing, reviewing all possibilities. The scientist's habit: probe for any possibility, any theory, see what would work. Feeling the stress, the terror of the whole situation. She knew the city had a policy regarding payment of ransom. Even though Nick's family was well off, they wouldn't have one million dollars handy. Damn, how did this whole situation start anyway. Right, well it started when she, she, sent Nick out there into a trap. Nick, who was so sweet and dependable and not a big enough screw up to blow up Greg and the lab, she anguished. Her mind was spinning, racing out of control. Breathe, Catherine, she reminded herself, working on slowing her breathing. This isn't going to get Nick back. Slowly the sound of her rushing blood calmed and she could hear her colleagues again, talking in hushed tones about what to do next.
Archie came to the door and told them Ecklie had tried to lobby with the Sheriff about manipulating the Lab's budget to come up with the required money. My God, thought Catherine, could Ecklie be human after all? She banished the thought for future consideration because it really didn't matter right now. And then came the bad news…the sheriff’s response. She barely heard Gil talking to the other CSIs, telling them what to do next.
She only knew what she had to do.
She'd gotten in trouble before because she led with her heart. She had a scientist's mind, well trained, well educated, very intelligent. She loved a puzzle, figuring out each piece, working with the evidence till she got that rush of satisfaction when she had the answer. But still she led with her heart, in spite of her intelligence and training.
She'd tested the strength of her friendship with Gil when she used the lab to test her DNA and again when she'd accepted that check from Sam, and Gil had questioned her ethics. They were Okay again but it had taken a while for things to go back to normal. She knew their love of science was different. She was thrilled to find the solution to the puzzle, while he thought about the discipline of science, the methods, the satisfaction when results could be duplicated through experimentation. She knew he thought of science as the application of truth, principles that could be used to live one's life. She knew he never understood when her heart drove her actions.
She strode down the hall of the lab, slamming through the door to the cool night air, pausing with her hand on the door handle of her car. She shrugged, unlocked it and got in.
____
"Sam, can I speak to you?"
"He's already got company," purred the blonde as she leaned into him.
"Zip it, honey," snapped Catherine, her gaze on Sam Braun.
He stood and introduced her to his companions as his daughter. The blonde looked a little startled but Catherine didn't notice.
She knew she had to do this and it was one of the hardest things she's ever had to do. She knew it would have been easier if it had been for Lindsey. Everyone would have understood. If it were Lindsey, Sam would hand over the money quicker than she could ask and it would be easy to ask. But this was different. She took a deep breath, "Sam, I need a million dollars."
Sam looked at her, his face growing stern. "Are you here asking as a cop, Catherine? Because if you are then the answer is no."
"I'm not here as a cop, Sam."
"Then ask me as my daughter," he said. The words sounded triumphant to her, like he knew he had her. She tightened her lips, and almost laughed. They were standing glaring at each other and for the first time she saw the resemblance between them. Both with clenched jaws, tightened lips. The nostrils of his nose had a cruel flare, marring the suave blandness of his face. Then she looked at his eyes. Windows of the soul, huh? Well I guess so, she thought. Belying the hardness of his expression, his eyes were pleading, the eyes of a father wanting her acceptance, her kindness, her love. Unconsciously the tension drained from her shoulders, neck and face. She searched his eyes, remembering this was the father who hadn't married her mother, who hadn't even bothered to tell her he was her father, who was kind and playful with her, but never emotional, never fatherly. Now his two sons were gone and she was there, and he needed something from her.
"Sam… Dad…" she stumbled, "I need a million dollars. I don't know where else to get it. One of my friends, a dear friend at work, has–"
"Honey, come to my office," he paused, with one hand on her arm, looking searchingly at her. "Thank you."
"No, Sam, thank you," she murmured, with a little smile. Right now she was a little too shaken to really take it in.
____
Almost running into Gil's office she dumped the bag on his desk. She steeled herself, knowing this was another time when her feelings were going to crash into his principles. "Catherine, where did you get this?" She explained defiantly.
Gil stood and grabbed the bag, "Fine, but I'm taking it to the drop and I'm going alone." He hurried out before she could protest. She swept a hand thru her hair and leaned on his desk.
_____
Warrick slammed the bottle across the floor at Greg. Greg jumped and his voice quivered, "Was that necessary? Not to mention my clothes, but the evidence–"
Looking over at him Catherine saw him shaking again like he was going to drop. Warrick looked over too and suddenly Greg turned away and rubbed both hands over his face. His shoulders shook a little. Catherine hurried over to Warrick and calmed him down, got him to focus, and then she came up behind Greg quietly and put her arm around his shoulders. "Let's get some air, Greg."
She pulled him out the door and into to the cooler night air. He moved as if he'd forgotten how to walk and stood unresistingly. His face was shut down again. "Thanks," he said, "I better... I um... I better... get back to it." He put his hands over his face again. "I need to sort through the shreds that are left of whoever took Nick," his voice shook. Then he turned and swiftly walked back in, sat by the tub and picked up his tweezers.
____
Gil knelt on the glass box, his hand mirroring Nick's hand, yelling instructions thru the plexiglass. The 'dozer was behind him with a full load of dirt as he explained the plan to Nick. Catherine gripped Greg's hand tightly as she felt him tremble beside her. She knew. She just knew how he was feeling right now. The only thing he'd been able to do was rush over with a fire extinguisher to try and kill the ants that were all over Nick. She smiled at him as they both grabbed onto the rope that the other CSIs and cops were holding.
The cable was hooked to Nick's belt and the 'dozer dumped the loose dirt over him. "Now," yelled Gil, they hauled quickly and Nick came flying out of the box and landed on the ground with a painful thud. EMT’s rushed forward and loaded him onto a stretcher.
She looked at Greg and she knew that he knew he was going to be left behind. Nick was part of her team – it had to be Warrick and herself who went to the hospital with Nick; that was what would be expected. She squeezed his hand once more and whispered gently, "Honey, I'll call you from the hospital. Get there as quick as you can, I'll get you in." Startled he looked in her eyes and he knew that Catherine knew.
She got in the ambulance after Warrick and the doors slammed shut. Looking back she saw Greg fall to his knees, tears tracing glistening trails in the dirt on his face. Sara came to his side and knelt next to him, putting her arms around him. Gil stood watching the ambulance drive off.
____
Catherine knew that she had principles, ethics, ideas about the honourable way to live her life. She knew she wanted to live by those ideals. But she also knew that what she'd done, she'd done for love and she would do it again. She couldn’t help wondering how you reconcile your principles when something like this happens. Despite whatever vows she made that next time, next time she would abide by those values, those principles so important to her, she knew next time she would follow her heart again.
Title: She knew.
Rating: PG
A/N: Slash is back story. For some reason I just was really struck by what Catherine did and had to write this. And a HUGE thank you to godgaleshot who beta'd and fixed all the parts that needed fixing.
When Nick's image first came up on the screen, she heard a pained gasp. Carefully Catherine turned her head and saw Greg turn completely white and start to shake. She wondered if he was going to pass out. She was fairly sure she was the only one who knew and edged closer to his side, just in case. But in a second his face blanked out all emotion except for a certain grimness around his mouth. She knew he was going to control his fear and work to get Nick back like the rest of them.
Her attention returned to the screen, her mind was racing, reviewing all possibilities. The scientist's habit: probe for any possibility, any theory, see what would work. Feeling the stress, the terror of the whole situation. She knew the city had a policy regarding payment of ransom. Even though Nick's family was well off, they wouldn't have one million dollars handy. Damn, how did this whole situation start anyway. Right, well it started when she, she, sent Nick out there into a trap. Nick, who was so sweet and dependable and not a big enough screw up to blow up Greg and the lab, she anguished. Her mind was spinning, racing out of control. Breathe, Catherine, she reminded herself, working on slowing her breathing. This isn't going to get Nick back. Slowly the sound of her rushing blood calmed and she could hear her colleagues again, talking in hushed tones about what to do next.
Archie came to the door and told them Ecklie had tried to lobby with the Sheriff about manipulating the Lab's budget to come up with the required money. My God, thought Catherine, could Ecklie be human after all? She banished the thought for future consideration because it really didn't matter right now. And then came the bad news…the sheriff’s response. She barely heard Gil talking to the other CSIs, telling them what to do next.
She only knew what she had to do.
She'd gotten in trouble before because she led with her heart. She had a scientist's mind, well trained, well educated, very intelligent. She loved a puzzle, figuring out each piece, working with the evidence till she got that rush of satisfaction when she had the answer. But still she led with her heart, in spite of her intelligence and training.
She'd tested the strength of her friendship with Gil when she used the lab to test her DNA and again when she'd accepted that check from Sam, and Gil had questioned her ethics. They were Okay again but it had taken a while for things to go back to normal. She knew their love of science was different. She was thrilled to find the solution to the puzzle, while he thought about the discipline of science, the methods, the satisfaction when results could be duplicated through experimentation. She knew he thought of science as the application of truth, principles that could be used to live one's life. She knew he never understood when her heart drove her actions.
She strode down the hall of the lab, slamming through the door to the cool night air, pausing with her hand on the door handle of her car. She shrugged, unlocked it and got in.
____
"Sam, can I speak to you?"
"He's already got company," purred the blonde as she leaned into him.
"Zip it, honey," snapped Catherine, her gaze on Sam Braun.
He stood and introduced her to his companions as his daughter. The blonde looked a little startled but Catherine didn't notice.
She knew she had to do this and it was one of the hardest things she's ever had to do. She knew it would have been easier if it had been for Lindsey. Everyone would have understood. If it were Lindsey, Sam would hand over the money quicker than she could ask and it would be easy to ask. But this was different. She took a deep breath, "Sam, I need a million dollars."
Sam looked at her, his face growing stern. "Are you here asking as a cop, Catherine? Because if you are then the answer is no."
"I'm not here as a cop, Sam."
"Then ask me as my daughter," he said. The words sounded triumphant to her, like he knew he had her. She tightened her lips, and almost laughed. They were standing glaring at each other and for the first time she saw the resemblance between them. Both with clenched jaws, tightened lips. The nostrils of his nose had a cruel flare, marring the suave blandness of his face. Then she looked at his eyes. Windows of the soul, huh? Well I guess so, she thought. Belying the hardness of his expression, his eyes were pleading, the eyes of a father wanting her acceptance, her kindness, her love. Unconsciously the tension drained from her shoulders, neck and face. She searched his eyes, remembering this was the father who hadn't married her mother, who hadn't even bothered to tell her he was her father, who was kind and playful with her, but never emotional, never fatherly. Now his two sons were gone and she was there, and he needed something from her.
"Sam… Dad…" she stumbled, "I need a million dollars. I don't know where else to get it. One of my friends, a dear friend at work, has–"
"Honey, come to my office," he paused, with one hand on her arm, looking searchingly at her. "Thank you."
"No, Sam, thank you," she murmured, with a little smile. Right now she was a little too shaken to really take it in.
____
Almost running into Gil's office she dumped the bag on his desk. She steeled herself, knowing this was another time when her feelings were going to crash into his principles. "Catherine, where did you get this?" She explained defiantly.
Gil stood and grabbed the bag, "Fine, but I'm taking it to the drop and I'm going alone." He hurried out before she could protest. She swept a hand thru her hair and leaned on his desk.
_____
Warrick slammed the bottle across the floor at Greg. Greg jumped and his voice quivered, "Was that necessary? Not to mention my clothes, but the evidence–"
Looking over at him Catherine saw him shaking again like he was going to drop. Warrick looked over too and suddenly Greg turned away and rubbed both hands over his face. His shoulders shook a little. Catherine hurried over to Warrick and calmed him down, got him to focus, and then she came up behind Greg quietly and put her arm around his shoulders. "Let's get some air, Greg."
She pulled him out the door and into to the cooler night air. He moved as if he'd forgotten how to walk and stood unresistingly. His face was shut down again. "Thanks," he said, "I better... I um... I better... get back to it." He put his hands over his face again. "I need to sort through the shreds that are left of whoever took Nick," his voice shook. Then he turned and swiftly walked back in, sat by the tub and picked up his tweezers.
____
Gil knelt on the glass box, his hand mirroring Nick's hand, yelling instructions thru the plexiglass. The 'dozer was behind him with a full load of dirt as he explained the plan to Nick. Catherine gripped Greg's hand tightly as she felt him tremble beside her. She knew. She just knew how he was feeling right now. The only thing he'd been able to do was rush over with a fire extinguisher to try and kill the ants that were all over Nick. She smiled at him as they both grabbed onto the rope that the other CSIs and cops were holding.
The cable was hooked to Nick's belt and the 'dozer dumped the loose dirt over him. "Now," yelled Gil, they hauled quickly and Nick came flying out of the box and landed on the ground with a painful thud. EMT’s rushed forward and loaded him onto a stretcher.
She looked at Greg and she knew that he knew he was going to be left behind. Nick was part of her team – it had to be Warrick and herself who went to the hospital with Nick; that was what would be expected. She squeezed his hand once more and whispered gently, "Honey, I'll call you from the hospital. Get there as quick as you can, I'll get you in." Startled he looked in her eyes and he knew that Catherine knew.
She got in the ambulance after Warrick and the doors slammed shut. Looking back she saw Greg fall to his knees, tears tracing glistening trails in the dirt on his face. Sara came to his side and knelt next to him, putting her arms around him. Gil stood watching the ambulance drive off.
____
Catherine knew that she had principles, ethics, ideas about the honourable way to live her life. She knew she wanted to live by those ideals. But she also knew that what she'd done, she'd done for love and she would do it again. She couldn’t help wondering how you reconcile your principles when something like this happens. Despite whatever vows she made that next time, next time she would abide by those values, those principles so important to her, she knew next time she would follow her heart again.
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