Natural Progressions

Disclaimer: Characters and programme I don't own them! They belong to more devious minds than mine! :o) "Black Eyes, Blue Tears" Belongs to Shania Twain.
Spoilers: None
Dedication: AbyKitten as always for putting up with all my CSI fics when she doesn't watch this type of programme! VividlyBlue for reading all my stuff even the crap!
Author's Note: Just another little song fic. Decided to make it a series although I wrote this one after parts 2 & 3 were already written LOL. Don't always get things in the right order first time!


Chapter 1: Black Eyes, Blue Tears

Catherine Willows sat in the plush outer office. She was early for her appointment but that was fine, she wanted to get this all over and done with before her shift started later on that evening.

Positively never goin' back
I won't live where things are so out of whack
No more rollin' with the punches
No more usin' or abusin'

She'd finally reached the point of no return. Eddie had hurt her for the last time. It was bad enough he'd brought women into their home...into her bed. This time though when Grissom had seen the fresh bruises on her arm and shoulder he'd lost it and that had forced Catherine to take stock of her life.

I'd rather die standing
Than live on my knees
Begging please - no more...

"Catherine, you have to do something now," Grissom told her, "this is going too far." His eyes were flashing in anger. He hated that Eddie seemed to think he could do anything he wanted to Catherine. As if she was his property because they were married. In Grissom's eyes that didn't give him any rites at all, but Gil could only push so far. "How did you explain these to Lindsey?" he asked.

Lindsey had been too young the last time her father had beaten her mother and explanations hadn't been needed, or given. It had been Gil Grissom who'd had to pick up the pieces on that occasion as well.

They were standing face to face in Grissom's office after he'd talked Catherine into following him there. He'd resisted the temptation to drag her in the moment he'd caught a glimpse of the black and purple marks. Even in his agitation he didn't want to appear anything like the bastard she was married to.

"She hasn't seen them." Catherine assured him and from her tone the youngster wasn't going to either. "I know her father's a swine but I don't need her to know that."

Catherine knew Gil was right. It was only a matter of time till things escalated to a point where she wouldn't be able to hide things from her daughter and she didn't want the child hurt. Eddie wasn't much of a father but he was the only one her daughter had.

"What's your next step?" Grissom asked moving them both to the couch. He desperately wanted to put his arm around her and comfort her. Her confusion was written all over her face. The problem was he wasn't sure how Catherine would take the gesture and he didn't really know how he meant it. 'Down, Gil,' he thought savagely, 'don't go there now.'

Tears sparkling in her eyes, Catherine cleared her throat and answered, "I've made an appointment with a divorce lawyer." Sighing she shook her head banishing her tears with one hand and clasping his with the other, "I'll see what he says and take it from there."

Grissom swallowed his sigh of relief, "Good," then thoughtfully and tactfully added, "it's an expensive business though, if you need any help..." he left the sentence unfinished worried about offending her.

She smiled at his tentativeness, "I'll manage, Gil," she thanked him. She knew no matter what happened she could always rely on him.

Definitely found my self-esteem
Finally - I'm forever free to dream
No more cryin' in the corner
No excuses - no more bruises

That was how she found herself here. The intercom on the secretary's desk buzzed and the young woman spoke quietly into it. A few minutes later the door on Catherine's right opened and an older man in an expensive grey suit, immaculately coifed, walked towards her holding out his hand. "Ms Willows? Daniel Greer, please come into my office."

It's all behind me, they'll never find me now
Find your self-esteem and be forever free to dream.