Title: The Reflection
Author: Cheers
Pairing: gen
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: This story is based on characters created by Anthony E. Zuiker for the television series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Summary: A hint leads to understanding ... perhaps.

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Catherine sent her computer document to the printer and then closed her laptop. Walking to the printer, she tried to keep her anger under control. He didn't need that. This was just the way he was. If anyone should know that by now, she should.

The printer spit out her document. Grabbing it, she headed for his office.

Gil hated the paperwork. It wasn't just the tedious nature of it, but the bureaucratic need to justify every paperclip. Okay, fiscal responsibility had its place, but shouldn't a just society be willing to pay for justice?

Then, when was any society truly just?

With a silent groan, he plunged back into the expense reports for the past month when he heard the rap on his door. The door, as usual, was already open. Looking up, he found Catherine walking up to his desk.

"Hi, Cath."

She didn't respond immediately. What should she say? One thing she knew for sure, she shouldn't sound angry. Catherine opted to just hand him the paper she had printed.

With a slightly confused look, Grissom reached out to take the document she offered to him. "What's this?"

Again, she decided not to say anything. He started to read it right away. His expression morphed from one of confused curiosity, to recognition, to complete inscrutability. That's my Gil, she thought.

"How did you…?"

"Know?" she interrupted.

When he looked into her eyes again she saw a haunted quality there that made her heart ache for him. Couldn't he see what his isolation was doing to him, to them? Friendships were supposed to exist for times like this. And then she knew just what she should say.

"The lenses of your glasses are good surfaces for reflections," Catherine explained. She paused just long enough to catch the first hint of comprehension in his face before continuing. "I just wanted you to know that you're not alone. If you need to talk, I'm here. Anytime."

Catherine was pleased her voice had been gentle. She had wanted it to be. Deciding not to wait for him to acknowledge her offer, she turned and left his office. He would find her when the time was right. At least, she hoped he would. God, the man needed a friend right now.

Gil stared after her until the sharp report of her heels on the flooring faded completely. She had probably gone home for the day. He looked back at the document she had given him. It was entitled "A Patient's Guide to Otosclerosis."

Once his research had put a name on it, she must have done some research of her own and put the pieces together. He had feared one of them would. Gil instantly realized he was thankful it had been Catherine. She knew about his mother's deafness. Taking his glasses off, he sat back in his chair to think.

The next time he looked up at the clock he was shocked to discover that he had been thinking about Catherine's offer for over twenty minutes. He would have to finish with the expense reports before he could leave. Perhaps by then Catherine would have gotten Lindsey off to school. Perhaps, she would be willing to let him buy her breakfast.

Perhaps it was time.

Fini

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