If Only I'd Known
Summary: Warrick wishes that he had known how Catherine felt about him before he had asked his girlfriend to marry him. I do not own CSI or any of the characters! This is my first CW fic so please review!
"Cath?" He asked the redheaded CSI in the break room over black coffee once their Tuesday night shift had finished. "Can we talk?"
"Yeah." Catherine Willows replied, putting her cup down and looking across at Warrick. She attempted a small smile as she looked into his deep green eyes.
"I want you to know that even though I'm married to Tina now that I still care about you."
Catherine let her eyes look with Warrick's for a moment, trying to ignore what she was feeling. She couldn't deny how much it had shocked her when she had spotted the ring on wedding finger. Catherine had barely heard Warrick talk about Tina although he probably wouldn't have discussed his girlfriend with her anyway but he might have mentioned it to one of the guys. She couldn't help but think that Warrick was rushing things even after the wake up call they had all received after the ordeal that Nick had been through.
"I couldn't let the opportunity slip away, not after what had happened with Nick."
"It's okay." Catherine reassured him, or at least she tried her best to. "I understand, you know I just want what's best for you." She paused. "As a friend."
Warrick picked up his coffee cup, took a sip and put it back down again thoughtfully.
"Yeah I know Cath. Hey you should come over for dinner sometime, then you can meet Tina for yourself." He suggested but Catherine wasn't convinced.
"I don't think that's such a good idea."
Warrick looked puzzled and slightly hurt.
"But why?" He asked.
Catherine was caught off guard she thought Warrick would already know.
"Well you know…the history between us."
Now Warrick understood. He hadn't realised how much they had or hadn't had together meant to Catherine. If only he'd known she felt the same before he'd rushed ahead and married Tina. If only.
"I've been an idiot haven't I?" Warrick asked, getting up from the table. Catherine did the same.
She nodded with a smile. "Don't worry Warrick, it's not the first time and I doubt it will be the last."
Warrick smiled too. "No, you don't need a crime lab to find evidence of that." He was still smiling but his tone was wistful.
"I'd better get home." Catherine said quietly. "I need to get Lindsey to school."
"Okay, night Catherine." He said, kissing her cheek.
"Night Warrick." She replied, even though the dawn was breaking in Las Vegas.
He might be married but she still had him as a friend, maybe for now that was all that mattered.