FF :: Cupid's Chokehold (31 - The Truth Behind the Dare)
Title: Cupid's Chokehold
Author: GraveyardIntern
Rating: CSI-3
Spoilers: None
Disclaimers: I don't own them. I only wish I did.
Summary: " It was because Cupid had fired his smoking gun blindly, in the wrong direction."
Writer's Note: HAVE FUN AND REVIEW PLEASEE!!!!!
----------------------------------------------------
Chapter 31: The Truth Behind the Dare
“So what’s up between you two?” Sofia asked, her voice booming in his left ear. “Seriously. I have to agree with Warrick. It looked like you two were…you know.”
“I don’t know if I want to answer this, Sofia.” He replied, his head coming to rest gently against hers. “And I don’t know if I can.” His felt his control slip again and he closed his eyes.
“Come on, spill. My lips are sealed.” She told him as her arms wound completely around his neck.
“Isn’t that a song?” Gil asked, wanting to avoid the topic altogether, but Sofia’s knowing look made him give in. He did not feel that he should be telling the whole world his secret that he should have carried to the grave, but his control had slipped too far. “Honestly….I don’t know.”
“What do you mean? What’s your side of the story?” She enquired.
“What’s it to you, Sofia? Why does this matter so much?” He asked, afraid that perhaps this conversation would reach someone else’s ears.
“Well maybe I can find out the other side for you.” She offered, and he perked his ears. “I don’t know what it is about you tonight but the fact that you reek of alcohol yet you seem so together, more so than usual, actually, kind of scares me.” He chuckled. “It almost seems as if you’re getting drunk to…”
“I will not ruin her wedding because of something I couldn’t keep quiet about.” He told her, and Sofia’s eyes were narrowed. She looked like she understood. He hated how much of a hypocrite he could be.
“That was all the answer I ever needed, Grissom.” She replied, turning her attention back to moving with him. “But wait. Is this serious or is it just something silly?”
“I wish it could just be a silly passing phase for me, Sofia. But I’m too old for that, you and I both know.” He told her and sighed. He felt Sofia envelop him in an embrace and he welcomed it. This was a moment when he didn’t feel like he was lonely in the world, that someone had understood his inner workings and he appreciated it. He felt that she truly cared, without ulterior motives and he relished her friendship. He had always been somewhat attracted to Sofia because of her strength, her charisma and just the way she carried herself was all up for his admiration. “Sofia…I…I’ve always admired you, I want you to know that.” He heard her chuckle in her low and husky voice.
“Gil…I’ve always admired you, too.” She said as she looked at him, and he smiled in return. “I just want to tell you that you can always tell me what’s on your mind. I mean…I’m always on your side, you know that.”
“Thank you.” He replied, turning his attention to the table they were just sitting at, watching as Catherine appeared around the corner and their eyes met. They held each other’s gazes for a long time, and when she broke out of her reverie, it looked like she was ready to leave. “Sofia…I…I’ve got to go talk to her.” And Sofia let him go without a second thought.
-------------------------------------------------
“What? You’re leaving? This is your party, Cath.” Warrick told her, as he tried to hold her back by grabbing onto her wrist. But she shook her head. “No you can’t. This is your bachelorette party, you have to stay.”
“I really don’t feel very well.” Catherine replied, and before she could say anything more, she was being drawn away from the table by Gil and led to the corner by the bathrooms. “What are you doing?”
“Why are you leaving? You were having so much fun until I danced with you.” He told her, and she looked at him as if she couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth. “Is it because of me? Then I’ll leave first. I’m not going to ruin your night.”
“You didn’t ruin my night, Gil…I…I did.” She told him and when she tried to walk away, he pinned her to the wall.
“You’re not leaving before I do. You can’t.”
“What are you doing? Who are you?” She asked, and he knew her face showed signs of fascination.
“Remember what I told you? This is me, Catherine. This is the Gil Grissom that you’ve never cared enough to discover.” He replied, bitterly. He didn’t know why his words were getting the better of him. He didn’t know where the bitterness that was dripping from his words came from. Although he knew that jealousy possessed the power to change people, he never thought that those people would come to include him.
“Gil, you’re hammered right now.” She told him, as if he was just a teenager, rambling on because of the alcohol.
“So what if I am? I could probably walk in a straight line, recite the alphabet forwards and backwards, and state my full name.” He told her, drawing closer. She shifted uneasily. “The only thing that being intoxicated is changing is…”
“Look, I’m not going to stay…”
“Look Catherine. I’m really lifting my head out of the microscope again, okay? This is the last time I’ll ever be this way, so bear with me. People like who I’ve been so far today. I know you did.” He told her, his tone slightly changing. She frowned. He shook his head again, trying to keep the proud man in check. “Stay a couple more minutes. Then you can drive me home.” He told her as he stepped even closer to her, his lips inches away from hers. She seemed to shiver under his form. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her back to the table.
“There’s a good fiancée. Sit down, Cath. Drinks on me.” Greg told her as he made space for the both of them. Drinks were waiting for them on the table and Gil did not hesitate to down a shot. To everyone else, Catherine still seemed unconvinced.
“Take it easy, Gil.” Sara told him, and everyone looked at her as if a dumb person just learned to speak. “You’ll get the worst hangover.” But she didn’t seem angry or offended and everyone was even more surprised by that. Gil simply replied with a bitter and knowing smile, and Sara’s face showed hints of a slight smile.
“You know, I think we should do this more often. Griss is way more fun tonight.” Nick called out. “Seriously, man. You’re totally not yourself.”
“I’ve heard that too many times tonight. I don’t know if that’s a good thing.” Gil replied, and he surprised himself with the coherent speech that was coming out of him even with the amount of alcohol he’d consumed. “But tonight’s the last time I’m ever doing this. Enjoy it while you can.” He said, to no one in particular. The truth of it was that Gil wanted to get himself trashed, so drunk that he didn’t know how to feel anymore. He wanted the hangover to carry on onto the wedding, just enough so that he wouldn’t be conscious when he walked her down the aisle. He knew Sara was right; he didn’t know how in God’s name he was going to do it.
“Griss, you look like you’re almost trying to get drunk for Catherine’s wedding in two days.” Nick pointed out, and Gil simply laughed it off. “How are you going to deliver your speech when you’re so hammered?”
“My speech won’t be affected. It’s not being affected now, right? And right now, I feel like shit.” He told the group, who chuckled.
“Give me two shots.” Catherine piped up, the whole team turning their heads to look at her. “What? This is my party. I have the right to get drunk.” Warrick smiled and gave her a high-five.
“This is going to be an interesting night.” Warrick whispered to himself.
-------------------
“Dare.”
“Oh Catherine, can you please choose truth just once?” Greg whined, clinging to Catherine. “Please?”
“Ok, fine. I’ll indulge you, Sanders. Truth.”
“YES! I get it my way. MY WAY!” He shouted, the team cringing from the volume. “Ok Ms. Willows. If you had to have an affair in the future…”
“Sanders…” Warrick whispered, nudging Greg, who didn’t feel a thing.
“…who would it be with? And it has to be one of us.” He asked. Warrick wondered if Greg really was drunk or if he was just trying to stir up trouble. He looked at Grissom, who was engrossed in his drink, seemed almost fascinated by the glass.
“Do I really have to answer this?”
“It’s your Bachelorette Party, Cath! You could technically hook up with someone here and it would be forgiven as a one-night stand.”
“Would it, now?” She asked, one of her eyebrows raising itself in curiosity. Warrick took it as a bad sign.
“Well…as long as no one else knew about it.” He replied, winking at her.
“I think you know the answer to the question, Greg.”
“I do?” He asked, innocently.
“I’m not going to spell it out for you.” She answered, bringing the bottle to her face. Greg smiled.
“You’re blushing Catherine.”
“I am not. It’s the alcohol.”
“It’s also the man next to you.” Greg whispered, seeing Gil’s head pop up at the mention of his name. He looked from Catherine to Greg and again before realizing what had transpired. “Do you want to take the Dare now, Cath?”
“No not really.”
“I dare you, Catherine Willows, to kiss both Warrick Brown and Gil Grissom. Five and Ten Mississippis, respectively.” He announced, feeling smug about himself. Although everyone would have usually hushed, they burst out in a roar of happiness from alcohol. Even Warrick was too gone to protest the insanity of such an action. Catherine hesitated but wet her lips and Greg screamed in joy. She went for Warrick first, grabbing his collar and putting her lips to his quickly. After 5 seconds, she pulled back, smiling.
“I love you Greg.” Warrick said, a smile appearing on his face. Greg burst in laughter and hugged Warrick with all his force. When Catherine sat back down properly in her seat, she shifted. She wet her lips again, had a bite of the lemon in her drink and turned toward Gil. He turned his head to look at her, trying to get a sense of what she was thinking, even in his drunk state. Even in their drunk states, everyone hushed. Even Greg Sanders.
She straightened her back, and inched closer. When her lips were mere centimeters away from his, she smiled before closing the gap. From the beginning, Warrick knew this was different. Perhaps polar opposite to what he had just shared with Catherine. The kiss was gentle, her lips softly moving against his.
One Mississippi…
When their lips parted for air, her tongue snaked out very briefly, passing unnoticed by everyone else but Gil Grissom. He wanted to do something but he guessed that it must be alcohol that froze his body the way it was.
Two Mississippi…
Her hand started to snake up his torso to land on the collar of his dress shirt. He felt her tug it slightly, drawing him closer but by very little.
Three Mississippi…
She didn’t know what was happening. What was she supposed to do? What did they expect from her and Gil in this compromising position? She thanked God that Nick had taken Sara home earlier. She wanted to think but when she sensed the first movements of Gil’s lips, she had to abandon all thought.
Four Mississippi…
He made the decision to deepen it slightly. He was glad that Sara had left. Although he wasn’t quite recovered from the shock of their break-up, he was at the mercy of Catherine’s lips. He decided to abandon all his senses except for the sense of touch and taste.
Five Mississippi…
She tasted the vodka. When their tongues somehow met in the slow movements, she could taste the strong alcohol on his breath. It was a new feeling as their lips moved in unison. Usually when she tasted alcohol on men, the kiss was never this gentle, never this unhurried. Never Gil Grissom.
Six Mississippi…
She tasted of alcohol and lemon. He had only been in such situations rarely, but never with Catherine Willows. This was obviously a different kiss than the one they had shared at the hospital. He didn’t like the fact that they were kissing again. He didn’t like to admit the fact that he could possibly be lost again.
Seven Mississippi…
She didn’t want to ever admit the fact that Gil Grissom was the only man that could give her second thoughts about this marriage. She didn’t want to ever admit the fact that she often compared other men to Gil, and she didn’t ever want to admit the fact that Ian had been the one closest to that standard. But they weren’t Gil Grissom. The hand that was tugging at his shirt collar loosened, two of her fingers leaving the shirt to explore his beard.
Eight Mississippi…
He kept telling himself that this was Catherine Willows he was kissing right now. He knew that this would never come again but his body refused to act without a strong will. One of his hands left his side to slowly trace her curves along her waist, returning to the place it was when they were on the dance floor. Only two more. He didn’t want to admit the fact that he was afraid. He fell in love with her upper lip.
Nine Mississippi…
She had never realized how much she had appreciated his lower lip. Her teeth tugging at it, she wanted to pull it away from him, to keep it as hers. She couldn’t help but smile and she felt his smile on her lips accordingly. She was teasing him, and she knew he liked it.
Ten Mississippi…
It was as if she never got engaged. It was as if nothing bad had ever happened between them. It was as if Gil’s dreams were coming true. When they pulled away, the shadows of smiles evident on the corners of their lips, they opened their eyes, azure meeting sky blue. Gil Grissom imagined what could and what should be.
Author: GraveyardIntern
Rating: CSI-3
Spoilers: None
Disclaimers: I don't own them. I only wish I did.
Summary: " It was because Cupid had fired his smoking gun blindly, in the wrong direction."
Writer's Note: HAVE FUN AND REVIEW PLEASEE!!!!!
----------------------------------------------------
Chapter 31: The Truth Behind the Dare
“So what’s up between you two?” Sofia asked, her voice booming in his left ear. “Seriously. I have to agree with Warrick. It looked like you two were…you know.”
“I don’t know if I want to answer this, Sofia.” He replied, his head coming to rest gently against hers. “And I don’t know if I can.” His felt his control slip again and he closed his eyes.
“Come on, spill. My lips are sealed.” She told him as her arms wound completely around his neck.
“Isn’t that a song?” Gil asked, wanting to avoid the topic altogether, but Sofia’s knowing look made him give in. He did not feel that he should be telling the whole world his secret that he should have carried to the grave, but his control had slipped too far. “Honestly….I don’t know.”
“What do you mean? What’s your side of the story?” She enquired.
“What’s it to you, Sofia? Why does this matter so much?” He asked, afraid that perhaps this conversation would reach someone else’s ears.
“Well maybe I can find out the other side for you.” She offered, and he perked his ears. “I don’t know what it is about you tonight but the fact that you reek of alcohol yet you seem so together, more so than usual, actually, kind of scares me.” He chuckled. “It almost seems as if you’re getting drunk to…”
“I will not ruin her wedding because of something I couldn’t keep quiet about.” He told her, and Sofia’s eyes were narrowed. She looked like she understood. He hated how much of a hypocrite he could be.
“That was all the answer I ever needed, Grissom.” She replied, turning her attention back to moving with him. “But wait. Is this serious or is it just something silly?”
“I wish it could just be a silly passing phase for me, Sofia. But I’m too old for that, you and I both know.” He told her and sighed. He felt Sofia envelop him in an embrace and he welcomed it. This was a moment when he didn’t feel like he was lonely in the world, that someone had understood his inner workings and he appreciated it. He felt that she truly cared, without ulterior motives and he relished her friendship. He had always been somewhat attracted to Sofia because of her strength, her charisma and just the way she carried herself was all up for his admiration. “Sofia…I…I’ve always admired you, I want you to know that.” He heard her chuckle in her low and husky voice.
“Gil…I’ve always admired you, too.” She said as she looked at him, and he smiled in return. “I just want to tell you that you can always tell me what’s on your mind. I mean…I’m always on your side, you know that.”
“Thank you.” He replied, turning his attention to the table they were just sitting at, watching as Catherine appeared around the corner and their eyes met. They held each other’s gazes for a long time, and when she broke out of her reverie, it looked like she was ready to leave. “Sofia…I…I’ve got to go talk to her.” And Sofia let him go without a second thought.
-------------------------------------------------
“What? You’re leaving? This is your party, Cath.” Warrick told her, as he tried to hold her back by grabbing onto her wrist. But she shook her head. “No you can’t. This is your bachelorette party, you have to stay.”
“I really don’t feel very well.” Catherine replied, and before she could say anything more, she was being drawn away from the table by Gil and led to the corner by the bathrooms. “What are you doing?”
“Why are you leaving? You were having so much fun until I danced with you.” He told her, and she looked at him as if she couldn’t believe the words coming out of his mouth. “Is it because of me? Then I’ll leave first. I’m not going to ruin your night.”
“You didn’t ruin my night, Gil…I…I did.” She told him and when she tried to walk away, he pinned her to the wall.
“You’re not leaving before I do. You can’t.”
“What are you doing? Who are you?” She asked, and he knew her face showed signs of fascination.
“Remember what I told you? This is me, Catherine. This is the Gil Grissom that you’ve never cared enough to discover.” He replied, bitterly. He didn’t know why his words were getting the better of him. He didn’t know where the bitterness that was dripping from his words came from. Although he knew that jealousy possessed the power to change people, he never thought that those people would come to include him.
“Gil, you’re hammered right now.” She told him, as if he was just a teenager, rambling on because of the alcohol.
“So what if I am? I could probably walk in a straight line, recite the alphabet forwards and backwards, and state my full name.” He told her, drawing closer. She shifted uneasily. “The only thing that being intoxicated is changing is…”
“Look, I’m not going to stay…”
“Look Catherine. I’m really lifting my head out of the microscope again, okay? This is the last time I’ll ever be this way, so bear with me. People like who I’ve been so far today. I know you did.” He told her, his tone slightly changing. She frowned. He shook his head again, trying to keep the proud man in check. “Stay a couple more minutes. Then you can drive me home.” He told her as he stepped even closer to her, his lips inches away from hers. She seemed to shiver under his form. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her back to the table.
“There’s a good fiancée. Sit down, Cath. Drinks on me.” Greg told her as he made space for the both of them. Drinks were waiting for them on the table and Gil did not hesitate to down a shot. To everyone else, Catherine still seemed unconvinced.
“Take it easy, Gil.” Sara told him, and everyone looked at her as if a dumb person just learned to speak. “You’ll get the worst hangover.” But she didn’t seem angry or offended and everyone was even more surprised by that. Gil simply replied with a bitter and knowing smile, and Sara’s face showed hints of a slight smile.
“You know, I think we should do this more often. Griss is way more fun tonight.” Nick called out. “Seriously, man. You’re totally not yourself.”
“I’ve heard that too many times tonight. I don’t know if that’s a good thing.” Gil replied, and he surprised himself with the coherent speech that was coming out of him even with the amount of alcohol he’d consumed. “But tonight’s the last time I’m ever doing this. Enjoy it while you can.” He said, to no one in particular. The truth of it was that Gil wanted to get himself trashed, so drunk that he didn’t know how to feel anymore. He wanted the hangover to carry on onto the wedding, just enough so that he wouldn’t be conscious when he walked her down the aisle. He knew Sara was right; he didn’t know how in God’s name he was going to do it.
“Griss, you look like you’re almost trying to get drunk for Catherine’s wedding in two days.” Nick pointed out, and Gil simply laughed it off. “How are you going to deliver your speech when you’re so hammered?”
“My speech won’t be affected. It’s not being affected now, right? And right now, I feel like shit.” He told the group, who chuckled.
“Give me two shots.” Catherine piped up, the whole team turning their heads to look at her. “What? This is my party. I have the right to get drunk.” Warrick smiled and gave her a high-five.
“This is going to be an interesting night.” Warrick whispered to himself.
-------------------
“Dare.”
“Oh Catherine, can you please choose truth just once?” Greg whined, clinging to Catherine. “Please?”
“Ok, fine. I’ll indulge you, Sanders. Truth.”
“YES! I get it my way. MY WAY!” He shouted, the team cringing from the volume. “Ok Ms. Willows. If you had to have an affair in the future…”
“Sanders…” Warrick whispered, nudging Greg, who didn’t feel a thing.
“…who would it be with? And it has to be one of us.” He asked. Warrick wondered if Greg really was drunk or if he was just trying to stir up trouble. He looked at Grissom, who was engrossed in his drink, seemed almost fascinated by the glass.
“Do I really have to answer this?”
“It’s your Bachelorette Party, Cath! You could technically hook up with someone here and it would be forgiven as a one-night stand.”
“Would it, now?” She asked, one of her eyebrows raising itself in curiosity. Warrick took it as a bad sign.
“Well…as long as no one else knew about it.” He replied, winking at her.
“I think you know the answer to the question, Greg.”
“I do?” He asked, innocently.
“I’m not going to spell it out for you.” She answered, bringing the bottle to her face. Greg smiled.
“You’re blushing Catherine.”
“I am not. It’s the alcohol.”
“It’s also the man next to you.” Greg whispered, seeing Gil’s head pop up at the mention of his name. He looked from Catherine to Greg and again before realizing what had transpired. “Do you want to take the Dare now, Cath?”
“No not really.”
“I dare you, Catherine Willows, to kiss both Warrick Brown and Gil Grissom. Five and Ten Mississippis, respectively.” He announced, feeling smug about himself. Although everyone would have usually hushed, they burst out in a roar of happiness from alcohol. Even Warrick was too gone to protest the insanity of such an action. Catherine hesitated but wet her lips and Greg screamed in joy. She went for Warrick first, grabbing his collar and putting her lips to his quickly. After 5 seconds, she pulled back, smiling.
“I love you Greg.” Warrick said, a smile appearing on his face. Greg burst in laughter and hugged Warrick with all his force. When Catherine sat back down properly in her seat, she shifted. She wet her lips again, had a bite of the lemon in her drink and turned toward Gil. He turned his head to look at her, trying to get a sense of what she was thinking, even in his drunk state. Even in their drunk states, everyone hushed. Even Greg Sanders.
She straightened her back, and inched closer. When her lips were mere centimeters away from his, she smiled before closing the gap. From the beginning, Warrick knew this was different. Perhaps polar opposite to what he had just shared with Catherine. The kiss was gentle, her lips softly moving against his.
One Mississippi…
When their lips parted for air, her tongue snaked out very briefly, passing unnoticed by everyone else but Gil Grissom. He wanted to do something but he guessed that it must be alcohol that froze his body the way it was.
Two Mississippi…
Her hand started to snake up his torso to land on the collar of his dress shirt. He felt her tug it slightly, drawing him closer but by very little.
Three Mississippi…
She didn’t know what was happening. What was she supposed to do? What did they expect from her and Gil in this compromising position? She thanked God that Nick had taken Sara home earlier. She wanted to think but when she sensed the first movements of Gil’s lips, she had to abandon all thought.
Four Mississippi…
He made the decision to deepen it slightly. He was glad that Sara had left. Although he wasn’t quite recovered from the shock of their break-up, he was at the mercy of Catherine’s lips. He decided to abandon all his senses except for the sense of touch and taste.
Five Mississippi…
She tasted the vodka. When their tongues somehow met in the slow movements, she could taste the strong alcohol on his breath. It was a new feeling as their lips moved in unison. Usually when she tasted alcohol on men, the kiss was never this gentle, never this unhurried. Never Gil Grissom.
Six Mississippi…
She tasted of alcohol and lemon. He had only been in such situations rarely, but never with Catherine Willows. This was obviously a different kiss than the one they had shared at the hospital. He didn’t like the fact that they were kissing again. He didn’t like to admit the fact that he could possibly be lost again.
Seven Mississippi…
She didn’t want to ever admit the fact that Gil Grissom was the only man that could give her second thoughts about this marriage. She didn’t want to ever admit the fact that she often compared other men to Gil, and she didn’t ever want to admit the fact that Ian had been the one closest to that standard. But they weren’t Gil Grissom. The hand that was tugging at his shirt collar loosened, two of her fingers leaving the shirt to explore his beard.
Eight Mississippi…
He kept telling himself that this was Catherine Willows he was kissing right now. He knew that this would never come again but his body refused to act without a strong will. One of his hands left his side to slowly trace her curves along her waist, returning to the place it was when they were on the dance floor. Only two more. He didn’t want to admit the fact that he was afraid. He fell in love with her upper lip.
Nine Mississippi…
She had never realized how much she had appreciated his lower lip. Her teeth tugging at it, she wanted to pull it away from him, to keep it as hers. She couldn’t help but smile and she felt his smile on her lips accordingly. She was teasing him, and she knew he liked it.
Ten Mississippi…
It was as if she never got engaged. It was as if nothing bad had ever happened between them. It was as if Gil’s dreams were coming true. When they pulled away, the shadows of smiles evident on the corners of their lips, they opened their eyes, azure meeting sky blue. Gil Grissom imagined what could and what should be.