A New Story [Catherine and Vartann]

ladyhunter

Head of the Swing Shift
A/N I came across this a while ago while I was putting together more stories.

It's some fluff/angst and stuff
I wrote this last year and it's been sitting in my MS Word folder since then.

Enjoy this one while I work on Catherine's Serial Killer



DROP YOUR WEAPON!

Those are the first words Catherine heard as she stood in the doorway of a North Las Vegas home; that and the sound of the safety belonging to Detective Tony Vartann’s Glock 9MM being released.

Catherine is stunned by the suspect as he stands not two feet away from her brandishing a bloody knife. The knife is evidence, evidence in a crime where he is the prime suspect. Catherine slowly steped back towards the tall Detective as he stands behind her still holding his gun at the suspect.

“What the HELL are you doing here?” He said quietly to Catherine while keeping his eyes and his weapon squarely on the suspect. The late summer heat was evident not only by the temperature outside, but in the tense situation currently unfolding.

Catherine noticed sweat running down her back as she whispered back, “I had a HUNCH”.

The suspect suddenly dropped to the floor releasing his hold on the bloody knife. Catherine immediately stepped forward as the knife landed on the coffee table. She grabbed it as fast as she could.

“Tony, she said, “there are more of them, I heard voices coming from one of the back rooms.”

She then turned and walked out of the house as fast as she could, bagging the bloody knife as evidence. The Detective then radioed for backup as he walked towards the suspect now on the ground. He cuffed the almost comatose suspect and walked him out to a police car where several more officers were waiting and even more officers raced into the house and found the other suspects.

Tony noticed Catherine by the lab’s SUV.

“Hey”, he said as he walked up to her.

“Hey yourself” She replied back.

“So, does Grissom know how you handle your cases?” He asked with a smile to Catherine.

“What does that mean?” She asked back.

“Well, that was pretty gutsy to come here alone, were you ever going to request some help?”

Catherine continued to work as she thought about it for a minute…”Gee Tony; I didn’t think I needed help.”

Catherine continued to write her findings at the crime scene. “But, I’m glad it was you.” She said as she looked up at him and smiled then he smiled back.

When Catherine finished bagging and describing all the evidence from the scene, she began to climb into the SUV.

“Catherine,” Said Det. Vartann.
“Hey, can I…I mean…. would you like to get some coffee after your shift? It’s my way of saying… I’m glad it was you too.” He asked hoping she not really knowing what she would say.

“I would like that Tony, but not today.” I want to get this to the lab as soon as possible, and I would like to see my daughter tonight. She has been with my mother for a few days and I want to spend some time with her before she starts school next week.” But, I would LOVE to some other time, really I would.” Catherine said.




“Good work Catherine.” Grissom said to Catherine from his desk.

“Thank you, Gil.” She said back

“No, really, I mean it. That was good work finding the knife; and putting your self in that situation. I’m glad you are okay and how’s the victim?”

“She is still in intensive care at UNLV Hospital.” Catherine said with a touch of sadness in her voice.

“I hope she makes it, not just so she can identify the suspect and put some closure on this case, but for you. I know how these kinds of cases affect you Catherine.” Grissom stated.

Catherine looked at her friend for awhile. WHAT DID HE MEAN BY THAT? She thought.

She realized these kinds of cases do affect her. More than she would like. It has been two days since she found the knife and she is still focused on putting this case behind her. She wanted to make sure EVERYTHING was completed and to the ‘letter’, EVERYTHING! Catherine, like all of the CSI’S, makes sure all the cases are done properly and it’s just the evidence not personal feelings that make a case.

But, every once in awhile a case will come along where she ‘can’t shake it’. This is one of those cases; a case where a young woman came to Vegas to find ‘fame and fortune’. This was Lisa Hernandez. She went to college for awhile then dropped out at the promise of something better, a life in show business. Then she got hooked on drugs and ended up stripping just to support herself.

Catherine could have been just like Lisa. Catherine did her share of ‘the Vegas party scene’. Catherine was an exotic dancer so she knows what was Lisa was going through. But, Catherine got out. Out when she knew she wanted more out of life than drugs and dancing. Catherine did it for her daughter. She wanted to show Lindsey that there is more to life than being pretty and partying.

So, when one of these women who want to know the life that Catherine has already experienced is on Doc. Robbins autopsy table, it’s hard for Catherine to shake. In this case, Lisa didn’t wind up on the autopsy table, and hopefully she won’t, but Catherine still feels she needs justice for her.

“Catherine, Catherine,” Said Grissom, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Catherine replied in a haze.

“Why don’t you go home, we’ll call you if something comes up regarding your case?”

“Sure, sure that would be great. Plus, I want to take Lindsey clothes shopping. School starts next week and she swears she needs new clothes.” Catherine said to Gil, but he was lost in his paperwork.

“Oh, he said, looking up from the piles of papers on his desk, “I heard Det. Vartann was with you at the scene.”

“Yes, he was.” She said sort of dazed. Her mind wandered at that moment, but not to the case….to Detective Tony Vartann.

*********

“Mom, mom, are you okay?” Lindsey Willows asked her mother.

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.”

“Yeah right.” Lindsey said sarcastically.

Catherine found herself looking at her reflection in a department store mirror.

“Mom, you look great, but I like the blue dress better.” Lindsey said to her mother.

Catherine was looking at herself wearing a pink short-sleeved shirt and skirt.
“And whomever you buy it for will think so too.” Lindsey said with a smile and to see what her mother would say.

“What makes you think you are the only one entitled to new clothes, darling?” Catherine said back to her daughter with a smile and a laugh.

“Mom, before we go, there is a KILLER pair of jeans I’m DYING to try on. Can I?”

“Yeah, sure honey, anything you want.” Catherine said with a dazed look on her face.

“Mom, are you sure you are okay? I know you had a tough case, we can go home if you want.”

“HUH? What, oh, I’m okay.” Catherine said looking at her daughter

“WHATEVER” replied Lindsey with the sarcasm only teenaged girls have.

“I’ll be downstairs trying on jeans.” Lindsey called as she left the dressing room.

Catherine returned to looking at herself in the mirror; not to indulge her vanity, but to thoughts of Detective Tony Vartann.

She remembers the day she found the knife. She remembers how he looked, what he was wearing (a t-shirt and jeans) and how the hot day was not only taking its toll on her, but she watched from the corner of her eye as he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

She found herself thinking about him more and more. He asked her out for coffee two days ago and she should have said YES, but she wanted to be with Lindsey at the time.


*****


“Catherine, there you are,” called Greg from down the hall.

“What’s up?” Catherine replied.

“Grissom wanted me to give you this, it came from UNLV Hospital, its’ the results of the Sexual Assault Exam they ran on your vic., Lisa Hernandez.”

“It’s been almost three days, what took them so long?” Catherine inquired.

“I don’t know,” said Greg in his usual hurried tone.

Just as I thought. Catherine said to herself. There was more than one donor.

She could feel the rage building up inside of her. She had to keep it under control to find out EXACTLY what happened to Lisa Hernandez.

“Thanks Greg.” She said quietly as she walked away.

Catherine needed a place to collect her thoughts. She headed towards the evidence room. Grissom is right; it is the quietest place in the lab. In here she could really think about all the evidence and how to put it all together. She went over every detail, the knife, the pivotal piece in the puzzle, the Sexual Assault Exam from the hospital, the fingerprints from the main suspect and the others that were in the house. All of these items are evidence and it’s up to Catherine to put it all together for Lisa.

Hours went by as Catherine put all the pieces together. She compared the fingerprints to the donors from the S.A.E results to narrow down the suspects and that will tell who not only stabbed Lisa, but who exactly participated in a ‘gang rape’ against Lisa. That thought made Catherine shudder.

She rushed to Wendy in the DNA lab.

“Will do,” Wendy said cheerfully.

“I want it ASAP” Declared Catherine.

Catherine felt somewhat relieved at the possibility of catching the guys who did this to Lisa.

But, just as she was leaving the DNA lab, her cell phone rang.

LVPD It read on her caller I D.

“This is Catherine.” She blurted out. “I mean, CSI Willows.” She quickly replied before the person on the other end could respond.

“Catherine, its Tony, I have some bad news for you….”

Catherine knew what he was going to say next, he didn’t have to say it; she just knew…

”She didn’t make it”.

Catherine was silent.

“Catherine, are you there?” He said from the other end of the line.

She heard what he had said but couldn’t speak.

“I’ll be right there.” She heard him say as she closed her phone.

Catherine’s next thought was Grissom. She wanted to keep him up to date and what she was planning next. One of the things she cherished most about their friendship was his objectivity. She really relies on him that way when she feels herself ‘get carried away’ sometimes by a case.

She walked towards his office but was not ready for what she saw next.

Sara and Gil were sitting at the same side of his desk. Catherine looked in (as the door was partly open) as Sara wiped something from Gil’s face as they sat talking, laughing and eating.

A stolen moment she happened to witness.

Catherine managed not to roll her eyes.

She knew that Gil and Sara were attracted to each other, but she wasn’t sure how it was going to affect the lab. I sure hope they know what they are doing. Catherine said to herself.

“Achem, am I interrupting something?” She said as both Sara and Grissom turned around.

“Hey Catherine, how is your case going?” Sara asked genuinely concerned.

“She didn’t make it.” Catherine managed to get out without completely breaking down.

“I’m so sorry.” Sara said again sympathetically.

“Can I talk to Gil alone, please?” she said looking more in Grissom’s direction than Sara.

“Sure, sure, Catherine, again, I’m sorry.” Sara said as she got up and walked towards the door.

“Catherine, I, too; am truly sorry.” Grissom said apologetically.

The good news is, I KNOW we have the guys who did this to her, I’m just waiting on some lab results. Vartann is on his way here now. They are holding the suspect at PD. Now we can put him and his friends away for a long time.” Catherine said to Grissom feeling relieved again.

“You have a couple days vacation left don’t you?” Grissom asked out of the blue.

“Yeah, I think so.” “Why?”

“Why don’t you take the next two days off? Spend some time with Lindsey before she goes back to school or spend some time by yourself. Catherine, you work very hard at your job, I want you to enjoy it when eventually you have mine.” Grissom said smiling.

Catherine managed a smile back.

“Thank you Gil, is that an offer?”

“Not exactly.” Grissom said still smiling.
“There is nothing here that we can’t handle without you. So, when you are done at PD, go home. I won’t expect you for the next two days. Do we have a deal?” Grissom asked.


“DEAL, Catherine said stunned. “Thanks again.” She said walking out of his office.

Catherine walked out the door of the building after checking with Wendy in the DNA Lab. Wendy said she would fax over the results as soon as she was finished.




The sky was just turning colors as the heat begun to subside. This is her favorite time of the day, especially in the late summer. The colors are so beautiful.
This is going to be another beautiful sunset. She thought.

“Catherine, there you are.” She was startled at the sound of her name as she was taking in the sky.

“Hey.” She managed to get out.

There was Tony Vartann standing by a police car with a cup of coffee in his hand.

“This is for you, he said, since we didn’t get to have coffee a couple of days ago.”

“Thanks Tony, this is really very sweet of you.” She said smiling.

She took the cup from his hand, MMMM vanilla, how did he know?

Then she looked in his eyes.

Her brilliant blue eyes met his steely blue/grey eyes.

Just for a minute… a second… nothing else mattered; not the case, not Lindsey, not Sara and Grissom… nothing.

“So, are you ready to put away some very bad people?” He asked as she was startled back to reality.

“You bet!” She said very animated.


In the interrogation room, the suspect sat across from her.
Catherine explained to the suspect about DNA and blood.
His greasy long brown hair hung in his face, his eyes were bloodshot and he wore a dirty t-shirt and jeans. It looked like he had slept in his clothes for days.

“Meth has done your body good.” Catherine remarked to the suspect as she showed him a picture of the knife he was wielding three days ago.

“This is the knife you used to stab Lisa Hernandez to death after you and your friends raped her.” Catherine said in her usual calm voice.

“So what, she was just another whore ‘tryin to live it large’ if you know what I mean.”
He mumbled from across the table.

Catherine explained his fingerprints and his were on the knife and how not only his ‘sample’ was found in the victim, so were his friends.

“And that you raped and murdered Lisa Hernandez because she couldn’t fix you up with any more drugs. You lured her to your home with the intention of scoring drugs from her.
You and your friends planned to get her high; then try to get her to tell her source. When she wouldn’t talk, you guys started torturing her.”

“Is that how it went? Because all the evidence says that is what happened and the evidence doesn’t lie.”

Catherine watched the suspect from across the table. She noticed her facial expressions made the suspect squirm.

“So, you think you know about DNA, the suspect interrupted Catherine, or what ever it’s called, well here is some more for you…”

And at that moment, he got up out of his chair and SPAT right at Catherine from across the table.

There was another officer in the interrogation room with her along with Det. Vartann.
They both immediately subdued the suspect and took him down the hall to a jail cell.

Catherine left the interrogation room. She was shaken by what just happened in there but relieved that the suspect will now be in jail for a very long time. She found the first chair she could and collected her thoughts.

A few minutes later Det. Vartann walked towards her.

“Are you okay?” He asked sitting next to her putting a hand on her shoulder.

“Yeah, I’m fine”. She replied. “I’ve been through worse.”

He could tell by looking at her face she wasn’t exactly okay.

“I can give you a ride back to the lab if you would like?” He asked.

Catherine was too tired to think.

“I’d like to go back to the lab” Catherine quietly replied to the Detective.

“Sure, I’d love to give you a ride back to the lab.” He said offering a reassuring face.

“I’ll meet you out front” He said as he got up and walked towards the door.


As soon as she walked outside, he was waiting for her.

They drove in silence

“I hope you don’t think this is weird.” His voice broke in.

“What’s that?” She asked all of a sudden very curious.

“If you are feeling up to it, I’d like to take you out somewhere,
Only if you want to… It’s just that I would feel bad if I missed an opportunity to be alone with you”…he added.

Catherine felt more awake and energized; her fatigue had faded. She also noticed the growl in her stomach that made her face turn slightly red.

“That didn’t come out right…” The Detective sighed with a blush on his face.

“Are you asking me out?” Catherine questioned.

“Yeah, I guess I am.” He said with a smile on his face.

Catherine thought for a minute.

His heart began to sink as he looked the other way.

“Let me check in at home.” Catherine reached in her purse and pulled out her phone.

There was a message blinking….

[/i]“HI MOM, it’s Me, I was… uuuhhhh… wondering if I could go to Julie’s house tonight? Her parents are home… I SWEAR… I think you know the number. Anyway, you just seem like you need to be alone… I try calling you later…
I love you… BYE.”[/i]

Catherine took a deep breath in. She remembered that she had the next two days off, then looked over to him and smiled. “Sure, I’d love to go somewhere, anywhere but here.”
 
Nice story, great job. Hope to read more of your stuff soon.

You should continue this too, I'd like to see where they end up. :D
 
Yeah, you know I loved this. I, too, would like to know if there will be more. *wink wink* *nudge nudge*
 
Thanks for the comments. :D

I appreciate it. ;)

As for this turning into something more... Well I'm not sure
I'm working on two other fics at the moment, but as Marg says "anything is possible" :D
 
Wow.. Awesome story... I don't really ship anything besides the true canon ships. :p But this is still a great story.

Please, please, continue it. :)

Kate.
 
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