Morning in Washington.
There was little slush left on the busy streets of Washington, it had snowed over night but it just didn't have chance to settle here in this instustrialised climate. The girl was wearing simple black trousers, and black boots, a long black coat that hugged her waist fastened around her and about her neck was a jet coloured scarf. She's just come up from the subway was rummaging for something in her bag, not really paying much attention to the people around her, a yellow cab near her grabbed her attention briefly as it's driver punched the taxi's horn. It was the morning rush hour, the roads were gridlocked as usual and the streets were crowded with christmas shoppers and people pushing past others on their way to work. The business men dressed in their suits, with long black coats and the women who worked along side them with fawn coloured coats, eating bagles and drinking coffee they'd bought on their way into work.
She turned her attention back to the bag she had slung over her neck and one arm, it was a dark brown and she'd started to cover it with little badges. Nina had bought her one with a large yellow smiley face on it, and she'd been pleased when Cat seemed chuffed with it, now every time Cat seemed to become really down Nina turned up with another badge. Unfortunatley it seemed like the beginning of a large collection. What she was wearing seemed to show some sort of transition, one one hand she looked quite safisticated in her black coat but the badges upon her bag seemed to show that she wasn't ready to be a serious adult yet.
Finding what she was looking for she pulled out a thin black hair band and pulled her hair upwards into a high pony tail, her hair seemed used to this since it obayed her and moved neatly into the desired position. She zipped her bag up again and stuck her bare hands into the pockets of her coat, she'd left her gloves back up on her bed in her hurry to leave the house that morning.
Her footsteps seemed to waver slightly as the hairs on the back of her neck stood up, she had the sudden feeling that someone was watching her. Her eyes looked around her, at the shop next to her, then at the people around her, finally her eyes moving towards the road, glancing off the various yellow cabs and cars. Her attention being caught for a second by a sleek silver car, it had tinted windows, she shivered slightly, anyone could be sitting on the other side of that glass.
She seemed to shake herself, she didn't have time for standing around in the cold like this, she just wanted to get to work. Another few meters down the street and she entered through a door into a small cafe that was sandwitched between a large department stone and a tower block of glass, ignoring the closed sign over the door.
'Hi Mary Jane.' She called out as the bell on the door tinkled merrily. The hyper active girl she worked with almost bounded out from behind the counter to greet her.
'Hi Cat, look we've got to put up the christmas decorations today.' She was almost squeeling with happiness as she insisted in helping Cat off with her coat and taking her bag. Under the long black coat she was wearing a white shirt with a name badge that read .... My name's Catherine, how may I help?
Cat: Do you think I should go back?
Nina: Cat.. he's only a man.
Cat: You don't understand...
To say Riley was frustrated with all this would be an understatement, he felt like he wasn't getting anywhere, and now, he literally wasn't getting anywhere, the traffic was terrible. And when he drove his hands would grip the wheel so tight that Kimmie, is partner, had insisted that she drives when they are together. It was just.. there was something about being behind the wheel that.. made him highly anxious.. he felt as if he shouldn't be there, he shouldn't be driving a car, it felt wrong to him. But he knew how to drive one so he was quite content in coping with his frustrations behind the wheel now. The subways where always crowded and he didn't like taking the train late at night, besides.. he needed his own transport get around so he could search for his forgotten.. now missing lover.
I’ve never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I’ve never seen you shine so bright
I’ve never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
They’re looking for a little romance
Given half a chance
And I’ve never seen that dress you’re wearing
Or the highlights in your hair
That catch your eyes
I have been blind
Glancing down at his radio, then dismally staring out at the streets as he seemed stuck on this one spot, his eyes scanning the remainder of the snow that had fallen the night before. He'd never seen snow before.. he wanted to go out, he wanted to touch the white frost.. but it didn't feel right, he didn't want to experience anything new if Catherine wasn't beside him to share in that experience. It wasn't fair, he still couldn't remember things about his family, or a whole lot about his life back in the initiative, nothing about his time in the Academy and yet he could remember perfectly everything he's every done with Catherine.
The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There’s nobody here
It’s just you and me
It’s where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I’ll never forget the way you look tonight
Catherine had a red dress.. Riley had an amazing ability to shift ALL songs into having something to do with Catherine, but this one fitted her so wonderfully well that Riley's eyes left the sidewalk and took a moment to stare at the radio. Just to hold her once more.. all of this would be worth it.. even if she told him to leave her alone.. just one last chance to hold her again.. one last good bye.. Riley stared down at his police uniform for a while as he listened to the words of this song, first he was in a military uniform, now a police one.. he just wanted to never wear a uniform again.. unless it was their X-Force uniform, but only if he had Catherine at his side..
I’ve never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I’ve never seen you shine so bright you were amazing
I’ve never seen so many people want to be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled it took my breath away
And I have never had such a feeling such a feeling
Of complete and utter love, as I do tonight
Rather boredly Riley's eyes searched the forms of all those moving past on the side walk, much like that night so many months ago in the club, his eyes searching for that smile.. those eyes.. those lips just looking back at him, moving towards him.. Rubbing his temples with his fingers gently as got annoyed with the impatience of those around him, bluntly ignoring a taxi's horn that was nearby, not caring what reason he had to beep, Riley figured he was like so many others.. just frustrated and banging endlessly on their horns as if that would hurry the traffic along.
But the young woman on the sidewalk, the one who glanced over towards the taxi, there was a spark within Riley's chest that caused him to sit up straighter. He had seen her a thousand times in a thousand different faces, a hundred different areas, an endless amount of hopeful looks of his fading away into returned despair. He watched, her hair obscuring a clear shot of her face, so used to disappointment that his body slouched back into the seat even though his eyes remained stubbornly attached the younger woman. He watched as she fiddled within her bag, eventually seeming to pull out a hair-tie, his heart raced because it was just like her.. like when she had her hair up.. sitting on the couch, watching TV.. where as Riley had been intently watching how her lips pressed against the spoon of ice cream she would place in her mouth.
I never will forget the way you look tonight
The lady in red
My lady in red
I love you
As Catherine glanced about, Riley's lips slowly parted, his grip on the steering wheel more firm then usual as he sat up once again, as if that some how might make her image more clearer. But he sat behind a heavily tinted window all around him, even if she looked directly at him, she'd be unable to see him. Suddenly she was looking at him.. right at him, could she see him? He was so sure she could see him, it was Catherine, those where her eyes, her eyes where looking at him, Riley's hand grasp hold of the door and was ready to open it and race out of the car, even if he was late for work.. But then the most terrible thing that has happened to him seemed to happen again, she looked away and soon disappeared within a cafe. It felt as if his heart shattered repeatedly, he had to lean forward on the steering wheel in order to recover, he could feel the burn of hidden tears threatening to appear, but blinked hard, shutting off the radio and memorizing the address of the building she had entered. It had a 'closed' sign so he figured she must work there, of course, she needed to work, there was a loud horn behind Riley, who let out a frustrated yell as he sat back angrily, it wasn't fair, she should have seen him, even though the tinted windows, she should have felt it was him! He knew it was stupid but he wanted her back so badly and now he saw her it just hurt so much more then when he was looking for her.
He was sure the initiative wasn't following him any more, they would have tried something by now, heck, and they shot at him when he was in a train station. He doubted they'd care if he wore a police uniform, his fingers once again gripped tightly at the wheel. He stared down at his badge, 'Riley Johnson', he refused to allow them to change his first name, that was his, he wasn't something to match the name on the tags he still wore about his neck, infact he had two sets of tags now.. He spent most of the past few months with Catherine's tags wrapped around his right hand, but he couldn't do that now he was at work, only when he was doing desk duties for the day or if Kimmie was driving about.
But what would Catherine do if he just appeared back into her life? He wasn't invited.. she didn't even look as if she ever planned on returning.. she had a job and she had a life.. Catherine was so far away and now out of sight, but he was still overwhelmed by her presence, he could feel his hands over her skin, he could smell her scent even stronger then ever before. He could hear her voice humming away 'Everywhere' by Michelle Branch. The CD lay within his CD playing the car, and another one sat atop his stereo back in his apartment so he didn't have to take the CD from his car and back to his apartment all the time.
But he couldn't hear any other voice but Catherine's as he listened to the song, he actually had a diskman, first hour Kimmie had spent in his car with him had nearly driven her insane. He got a diskman so he could listen to it without annoying her or any of his other work mates.. maybe he was overly obsessed with Catherine, he wasn't going to deny it.. But that's only because he loved her so much, he needed her so badly, and she as gone and no one seemed to understand just how painful it was for him. He was going insane, he needed to have her back, even his body felt as if it was tearing apart without her. He just needed her touch, her scent, her lips, he wanted to be inside her again, he wanted her to say she loved him as he told her so many times. How could she leave him, she promised she'd always be there, she promised she'd help him.. And instead she left.. and he was alone and he was miserable.. and here she is, in a cafe, with friends, a life.. she has everything and she doesn't seem to be bothered by the fact she doesn't have him.
There was another car horn behind Riley, but he couldn't do anything, what, move a feet ahead? He grabbed up his mobile and called Kimmie who should already be down at the police station. He rarely called her, he rarely spoke now, and half the force was convinced that he was mute, unable to speak as a medical condition. He even had a habit of responding to the Commander with a small nod of his head instead of a 'yes sir' and sometimes he'd get told off.. But Riley didn't care, he did his job, and he did it well, and he was the most organised filer of the lot there, so they put up with his silence.
"I'll be late, bad traffic." Right after her reply of 'See you soon Riley', he hang up, she was used to his short calls and gave up trying to ask anything further when he called to tell her something. He got better actually, he used to just to 'I'll be late' and hang up, and leaving her unsure just how late her partner would be. When the traffic moved, Riley didn't get very far, parking the car and hopping out, clipping his radio to his belt and glancing down to make sure he brought his gun, he forgot yesterday he had been so distracted. Placing his hat over his head, Riley shut and locked his door, he owned the car, he brought it with his money, but he got it specifically for his job so he requested for it to be declared a police car, wasn't very hard for him to convince his commander how it'd save the department money in lending him one of their own cars which might just be damaged since he doesn't drive a lot.
Everyone thinks he's the son of a rich man, he's too young to have earned enough money to be throwing it about as he does, but then again, not everyone is part of the Initiative, one of the richest military organisations known in the secret underworld. Riley disappeared into a flower shop, he knew exactly what he wanted and there was nothing else able to catch his eyes, even if they weren't the most expensive or glamorous flowers in the store. Picking out a collection of red roses, plus some yellow ones, he placed them on the counter and pulled out his wallet, his eyes taking a chance to stare at the note that lay hidden behind a plastic window, the name 'Catherine' seen scribbled across it. He had folded it just so he could see her name every time he opened his wallet, looking up at the elderly man, Riley smiled slightly as he began talking about how wonderful it was to be to be young and in love.
These roses where much pretty and healthier looking then the ones he had hand picked for Catherine all those months ago down by the lake. He made sure to arrange them exactly like ho he had done when he had asked her out on the date, only instead of flowered vines he had them in a red paper that reminded him of the dress Catherine had worn back then.. the night she disappeared.. Picking out a small silver card, a cream textured paper inside the small card to make his writing easier to be read. Borrowing the mans black pen, Riley wrote very carefully in his neat copperplate handwriting..
~Forever Drowning~ Your Beau
Writing 'Your Beau' in a blue pen, Riley handed back his pends and thanked him and carefully tied the card to one of the roses for Catherine to see. But Riley couldn't even approach the door of the cafe.. what if she was upset that he found her? It wasn't like she's written to him.. and he's wrote to her.. every day, even now.. all her letters piling upon his desk and being stored away into his draws when he could be bothered moving them aside. Staring down at his wrist, eyeing his silver watch, Riley was going to be very late, Kimmie will ask him questions and will get more upset then usual if he doesn't give her any.
He lost all his nerves now... he wanted to just have that little bit longer of fooling himself into thinking just maybe Catherine might be excited to see him.. he couldn't survive just yet knowing she'll tell him off if he walks in there. She looked busy.. he wasn't sure he wanted to meet like this, he didn't want to be in uniform.. he just wanted her to see him like all these other normal people.. With out a badge or a gun or any of this.. He placed his dark glasses over his eyes very quickly, holding the flowers closely against his chest for a moment.. what if she had moved on? He never thought of that.. she looked so normal and carefree.. what if she settled down here? What if.. what if she forgot about him?
Slowly Riley dropped down the flowers, leaning them against the front door of the cafe, right where SOMEONE was bound to see them, he didn't care if she got them or not.. If fate decided to let her have the flowers.. then she'd know he was around, if they pushed aside.. then she'd be none the wiser.. He'll come back.. he'll come back and maybe he could find out where she lives, he'll try and follow her home.. he had to find out where she lives, he's had troubles getting a chance to grab her files. Sulkily Riley moved off towards his car, slipping into the car and sitting there for a moment, casting his eyes over towards the cafe's door... Maybe if he was really lucky... he might catch Catherine's expression.. then he'd know if he should proceed with trying to contact her any further or to just give up right here and now.. It's like he planned on joining the police force full time.. he was here before of her.. and her alone.
Riley(about Catherine): She'll come back for me.. she'll come back because I love her...I need her..
Re: Morning in Washington.
Inside the small comfortable cafe with it's big leater sofa's and low ceeling Cat was grabbing a box of christmas decorations, they had half an hour before they opened and even then they could keep on putting up decorations. The usual owner was in hospital over the christmas period having a heart by-pass so things were much nicer in the cafe than usual. She wasn't a demon to wrok for, but she was strict and Cat had felt the lash of her tounge more than once when she'd turned up a bit late when there were problems with the subway.
'Hey Catherine.' Grant stuck his head around the kitchen door. 'You two gonna be alright on your own today, Suzie called in sick .... again.' His mouth widened into a smile, he was the owner's (Miss Lee) son and if she hadn't already decided upon the fact that she wanted Riley, and Riley only she might hung off his every word like the other girls seemed to do all the time.
'Yeah.' Cat said without even turning around as she stood on a chair to hang up a purple strand of tinsel around the menu sign. Mary Jane proceeded to melt into the carpet as Grant winked at her before retreating into the kitchen. Sometimes Cat wondered if it was him who single handedly kept this place running, he was usually behind cash registery and the amount of women and girls who flocked through those doors to drool over him was even noticed by Catherine.
'Oooooo he's so cute.' Mary Jane who was usaully known as MJ, she didn't get a response from Catherine, but then she never seemed to join in any sort of 'men' talk, Grant related or otherwise. Suzie was convinced she batted for the other team, 'how else' as she pointed out to MJ could she resist the charms of Grant. But MJ couldn't be convinced of that because she'd seen how Cat looked up every time the bell on the door went to say that someone had entered the cafe, sometimes it was almost as if she was expecting someone to come through the door. MJ knew she had a couple of freinds that came to see her but she just didn't think she was looking for them but when questionned Cat would just say she didn't know what MJ was talking about.
Cat finnished putting up the particular decoration she was doing and moved over to the window to help MJ assemble a small christmas tree to display to the public. Her eyes lifting to survey the crowds out on the street, as her gaze travelled down the sidewalk her eyes centered upon the silver car she'd seen before .... or was it a different one? she couldn't be sure all cars looked the same to her. She watched as a cop got out, her eyes narrowed slightly, she wasn't over fond of the police. He placed his hat onto his head, Cat lost interest in looking at him, if only she'd kept watching for him, if only she'd just looked that little bit longer she'd have seen him come back out from the shop and head over towards her cafe or she may have recognised his walk, but as it was she didn't. By the time he'd made it to the door, nervoulsy hanging around for a few mintues her and MJ had both gone into the back to put on their white tie on aprons embroidered with the words Rebecca's Cafe in a diagonal slant across the bottom.
Just on seven o'clock the pair of girls managed to get the shop open, MJ fluttereing about everwhere in a distracted manner, knowing they would be bustling with customers in a few minutes. Cat was left to store the boxes of decorations they hadn't managed to get up back away under the counter, they could always put them up quickly tonight before they went home. MJ hopped over to the door and flipped the sigh over, skipping back to Cat she slipped behind the counter, knowing their first influx of customers would be those who were on their way to work and needed their morning fix of caffine. They had cute little paper type cups for these customers with plastic sticks that they could use to sir in the packeted sugar they asked for.
Cat hated being on the till since it required her to count money to MJ always seemed to get in such a fluster that it was usually Grant or Suzie who always ended up on the till. However today the task fell to Cat.
It was extremely unfortunate for the fate of both Catherine and Riley that they had this rush of over busy men and women in the morning, people who cared for little more then themselves, their job and when they were getting that promotion they deserved. It was one of these types that marched into the shop first followed by what seemed like a mass of other people who to Catherine looked all the same, they all had stripy suits on.
For a few mintues Catherine was almost overwhlemed by demands of caffine from every side, it wasn't untill this tide of young men and women had departed that a woman in a lilac coloured coloured suit came forwards holding something Cat supposed had started it's life off as a bunch of flowers.
'Sorry these were by the side of the door, I think someone left them here for one of you.' Cat smiled slightly, it was nice to meet some who seemed to have a bit of a heart in this other wise cold environment.
'Is there a tag?' Cat asked, something in the region of her heart stirring, Riley had got her red and yellow roses hadn't he. She could remember .... down at the lake laying upon that warm blanket .... she should really go back soon, she'd been away so long but each time she mentioned it Nina got so upset and had bagged her to stay just at least untill the next week. And it seemed that a month had turned into two then three, but she just didn't want to see her friend so upset and as she was away longer she thought Riley would probably have forgotten her or be really angry about her not saying good bye.
'There is one but you can't read what it says.'The woman sounded apologetic, she streatched out a hand to let Cat take the bunch of flowers off her but MJ leapt in first. The small scrubby looking girl stared down at the flowers, there's a couple of them that havent been trampled. She pulled out three un trampled roses, two red and a yellow tossing the rest of the package into the bin, Cat wished she hadn't done that, she wanted to pour over the card, just incase .... just incase what? Riley came six hundred miles to find her.. she was being stupid..........
Later that evening Cat helped the others finnish putting up the rest of the decorations, her face thoughtful, her eyes turning to the three roses they'd put in the vase behind the counter. When at last the three of them left the shop it was dark outside and now early evening, Grant and Cat waited untill MJ had managed to flag down a cab.
'Good night Cat.' Grant said looking down at the younger girl as she stood snuggled up in her coat. 'Look did you want my gloves?' There was no doubt that he liked her, but he knew she wasn't interested in him but he didn't understand why, he knew she didn't have a boyfriend, he'd made a point of asking her once. He just wished he knew a little bit more about this amazing girl who stood in front of him, he didn't even know where she lived, he just knew she turned up at work in the morning and left at night. She didn't really talk about herself, infact she didn't really talk much at all.
'No thanks.' She said shaking her head, putting her hands in her pockets incase he tired to force them upon her. She was cold, her breath steamed in the air infront of her, rising to mingle with his upon the chilled air.
He nodded and turned away heading off up the street, looking back once he reached the corner to wave but she wasn't looking, all her attention was directed through the window at the three roses that sat in the water. She wanted them to be from him so much that it hurt that she knew they couldn't be ... but she could still pretend couldn't she? she could just imagine they were from him and he wasn't hundreds of miles away from her and quite probably very happy without her. What would she do if the went back and he'd found someone else .... it was probably that more than Nina that was keeping her here.
Cat: Do you think I should go back?
Nina: Cat.. he's only a man.
Cat: You don't understand...
Re: Morning in Washington.
Watching with the utmost heart break as his carefully chosen flowers where trodden over, Riley wasn't sure if he was relieved she didn't get them or even more traumatized by the fact. He frowned when he watched one of the girls seem to throw away most of the flowers, Catherine didn't even get to glimpse at his card, starting the engine of the car and driving off rather sulkily, in more then his usual state of gloom. If he was in Iowa, he was sure the people would have had the time to pick up the flowers placed down in front of the door and would have handed them to Catherine still in perfect condition.
He hated the city, everyone where strangers to each other, even neighbours didn't know each other well, the people where always in a rush. Riley was almost an hour late by the time he got to work, and Kimmie cornered him in a determined stand to ask where he was. But there was something in his attitude which caused her to lay off him, even if he always seemed down, today seemed to be even worse, and only she could tell the slight difference between his moping from the days before and today’s moping. Riley didn't remove his glasses for the whole day, he couldn't, his eyes where tinted red with blinking back tears from finally finding Catherine and not having the strength to go up to her.. even if she threw him out of the cafe.. at least she'd have known that he loved her enough to track her down.
Kimmie wanted to go in her police car for their portal, but Riley asked if they could use his car, he's never asked a favour of her before so she agreed without too much bother. As usual Riley was sitting in the passenger seat as she drove, a silver chain wrapped about his right hand, the tags hidden from sight as his fingers always closed about them. He had always seemed lost in thoughts, staring rather distantly out the window, his eyes scanning the faces of everyone they passed. But today Kimmie had noticed he was rather depressed as he simply stared down at the silver Discman, listening to the same song over and over again for their entire round.
There was one thing that Riley didn't like, and that was being touched, by anyone, but even more when it was a woman’s touch. He'd always pull away, and the Sargent wasn't too pleased with seeing Riley jerk his arm out of his grasp when Riley had been walking past and the Sarg. reached out for his arm. But he was even worse when Kimmie touched him, she'd hand him a coffee or a hot chocolate and he'd go to extreme efforts in order to take the cup from her hand without the need of his fingers touching hers.
It was boring.. but the day passed so fast for Riley, when Kimmie pulled up at the police station, Riley glanced up and looked out the window rather surprised. Riley hadn't left the car once, Kimmie had gotten out for various reasons, to grab something to drink, to grab lunch, and normally Riley would hop out with her, but today something was different about him.. Once back in the drivers seat, Riley switched on the radio once more, go home, or go to Catherine's? There was no choice, his body was deciding for him, his hands guiding the steering wheel towards the small cafe while he thought.
By the time Riley arrived back to the cafe where Catherine worked, his shift ending earlier then the cafe closed and so meaning he was camped outside and just across the street. He wasn't sure if he could go back to work tomorrow, he wasn't sure if he could do anything any more, he was here to find her and he finds her and.. and look at her.. Talking with that guy outside her work, it was cold, Riley wanted to run out there and offer her his coat, even if it was a police jacket. Riley's glare grew cold and jealous towards the boy who was talking with her, he wasn't ugly, and he was smiling with her.. how dare anyone smile at her when he wasn't allowed to be there and smile as well.
Well I will go down with this ship
And I won't put my hands up and surrender
There will be no white flag above my door
I'm in love and always will be
Riley flicked off the radio once again, didn't they have ANY song that didn't involve being in love? His fingers ringed the steering wheel but slightly relaxed as he watched the guy walk off. Narrowing his glare as Grant waved back at Catherine, but feeling rather overly pleased at the fact she seemed not to notice him. Part of Riley was ready to die if Catherine had kissed that boy good-bye, even if it was just a peck on his cheek.
But then Riley looked over worriedly, she didn't have a car, did that mean she used the subway? Kimmie used the subway, but Riley didn't, he's never, he'd have no clue what to do down there. Hurriedly picking up his phone, Riley called the guy that he had contacted the day before in order to help him find Catherine's current address, she wasn't living with Roger and Anne any more. When Thomas picked up the his phone and gave a rather dry grunt while he rubbed his sore eyes, Riley flicked on the radio once again, the silence was terrible, so many memories took the chance to haunt him in the silence.
When it rains it pours and opens doors
And floods the floors we thought would always keep us safe and dry
And in the midst of sailing ships we sink our lips into the ones we love
That have to say goodbye
It wasn't fair, Riley didn't get to kiss Catherine good-bye.. he informed Thomas of finding Catherine and where she was, then asked him to hop over to the nearest subway. It might look odd having a police officer following her, but Thomas was very good at tracking people without them noticing him. Riley didn't want to scare Catherine.. but he wanted to meet her so desperately.. and.. for some reason he had to see where she was living before he was willing to enter her life again.. what if she lives with someone? ..Someone who was more then a friend.. there had to be something keeping her here, something that kept her away from returning to him..
And as I float along this ocean
I can feel you like a notion that won't seem to let me go
Cause when I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here
Removing the dark glasses from his eyes, Riley placed them aside and watched Catherine with his own eyes, she was so beautiful..
And every word I didn't say that caught up in some busy day
And every dance on the kitchen floor we didn't dance before
And every sunset that we'll miss I'll wrap them all up in a kiss
And pick you up in all of this when I sail away
He's never seen a sunset with her before.. he practiced some dance steps alone in his room over the past few months, he knew she didn't leave him because he couldn't dance.. but if he tried hard to become better at everything he can't do, then he could surprise her, he could take her dancing, proper dancing.. She was supposed to come back, she was supposed to return to him so he could take her out and take her dancing..
'Your a wreck.' She said that to him once hadn't she, back in the cells, what would she think of him now, he wasn't even in school any more. He had less of a life then what little he had before and it was all just because she walked out on him..
Whether I am up or down or in or out or just plane overhead
Instead it just feels like it is impossible to fly
But with you I can spread my wings
to see me over everything that life may send me
When I am hoping it won't pass me by
But he had told her.. he said that he couldn't live a day without her, and then he said at the school his life fell apart in just being without her for an hour, how the hell could she just expect him to survive without her for half a YEAR!? He needed her, he had to have her, he had to just speak with her, to hold her, just one more night with her, he could get her back, if he really tried, he could get her back.
And when I feel like there is no one that will ever know me
there you are to show me
But no one could know him.. they weren't allowed to, their lives depended on not knowing him, Catherine was all he had in this world, she was everything, she was his life, and she left.. and she didn't seem ready to return to him..
Cause when I look to the sky something tells me you're here with me
And you make everything alright
And when I feel like I'm lost something tells me you're here with me
And I can always find my way when you are here
He pulled the car out of where it was parked and drove towards where he had earlier seen her first, his eyes watching her as he drove up behind her.. He wondered if she still remembers the scent of his cologne, he only wore the one he had on the night they shared together. It was hers, he was hers, he didn't have the strength to change anything about him in that way, he always wore the leather jacket and that white shirt, and he'd be in the jeans rather often as well.. he couldn't cope losing anything that she might have liked about him.. She had returned his kiss at the nightclub before she told him to leave her alone..
And I can always find my way when you are here
He knew she couldn't see him, his eyes turning slightly as he passed her, his mind just thinking over and over and over 'I love you' as if in some miracle that just might make her see him. He could see Thomas waiting by the entrance to the subway as he pulled up and placed on his glasses, pressing play on his car's CD player. Maybe Riley wanted her to start thinking about him, he knew she wasn't too far behind him, and it's not like anyone could recognise him at a glance. His skin had tanned nicely due to his time sketching outside, it lost the pale look of years being locked away underground and working only during the night.
Turn it inside out so I can see
The part of you that’s drifting over me
And when I wake you’re never there
But when I sleep you’re everywhere
You’re everywhere
His window was rolled down slightly before he shut the door, leaning against his car as Thomas approached him, commenting on hearing the same song Riley always seemed to have playing, Riley bluntly ignored him. Riley didn't like the thought of Catherine catching the subway on her own at night, keeping his head low as Thomas talked to him, Riley seemed to wait impatiently for the arrival of his lost love.
Just tell me how I got this far
Just tell me why you’re here and who you are
’cause every time I look
You’re never there
And every time I sleep
You’re always there
Riley wasn't sure what the sandy blonde man had been saying to him, but he moved over to the steps as Riley stared over towards Catherine's form approaching them, looking over towards Thomas as he began to descend the stairs down into the subway. Riley moved ahead a few feet as Thomas continued to talk with him, folding his arms and leaning forward onto the rail, staring down at the man who was looking up at him and still talking.
’cause you’re everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it’s you I see
You’re everything I know
That makes me believe
I’m not alone
I’m not alone
Thomas disappeared into the underground station, but Riley lingered there for a moment, listening to the music flowing from his car as he knew that Catherine was nearing him.. If he just turned around, stood there.. removed his glasses, took off his hat.. if he just stood there and showed himself to her.. what would she do?
’cause you’re everywhere to me
And when I close my eyes it’s you I see
You’re everything I know
That makes me believe
I’m not alone
’cause you’re everywhere to me
And when I catch my breath
It’s you I breathe
You’re everything I know
That makes me believe
I’m not alone
Not yet.. he couldn't.. not if she has settled down and gotten on with her life, even if it was without him, even if it was killing him to be away from her.. He couldn't just barge into her new life and expect her to take him back, but he told her that he'd love no one else.. he said that no other shall ever lay beside him.. and he still meant it.
You’re in everyone I see
So tell me
Do you see me?
Turning away from the rail, he looked over towards Catherine, raising his fingers to the front of his hat and giving a small nod as he slipped back into his silver unmarked police car. As his door closed, his head turned and watched Catherine from behind his tinted windows. He could hear the train coming, the rumble from beneath the earth causing a stir of rather unpleasant memories from his demon hunting days. Starting his engine, Riley pulled out, driving off and not daring to look back at Catherine, he'd get to his apartment, change, and by then Thomas should hopefully know where Catherine lives..
When Riley arrived at his apartment, he moved quickly up the stairs, reaching the 3rd floor and his key opened the door to apartment 12. Closing and locking the door behind him, Riley moved off towards his room, the entrance into the apartment was his living area. He had a window that peered out over the roofs of other buildings and the loud noises of the street could still reach him up here. The apartment was well lit, it was nice, a little empty, he didn't have a TV, all he had in the main room was a red sofa and his stereo. He seemed to have a fond liking towards both the colours Red and Silver.
The walls where empty except for three paintings one on the wall by the door of Angela and Dawn playing a game of table tennis. There was only a bit of colour in the mostly plain sketched pictures, although they had a great deal of details, and where very well done, only Catherine's form was coloured in the picture. But she wasn't paying attention to the game, she was in her blue sea world top, her finger fiddling with where the hole was in her shirt, her eyes downcast shyly as if avoiding looking up and catching the sight of someone who might be looking at her. Faces in the background where shaded heavily, the main focus only the three girls, Catherine in the center though she was on the other side of the table.
For some reason, Riley didn't want Catherine to ever see these.. Dawn and the others seemed to get upset when he drew pictures like this, he didn't want Catherine to get upset. And maybe part of him knew he was being so overly obsessive like Dawn had complained so often... maybe he didn't want to scare Catherine, how would she feel to know he spent every minute since she's left in a down hill spiral and continuously drawing her? Another paint on the wall in the small hall that lead a few meters to the back of his apartment and to three rooms. One room was his bedroom, another was where he stored all his art things and the 3rd was his bathroom.
The painting in his hall was very colourful, two figures the main focus in this, a woman with a red dress and a taller man with a white top and blue pants, Riley and Catherine, both holding each other. It was from the nightclub, a lot of his recent pictures seemed to be from the last night he saw Catherine. His eyes only gave the red dressed figure a passing glance as he moved by, how her arms held him about his neck as hi own lay comfortably about her slim waist. It probably didn't help him, surrounding himself with all this images of her, refusing to let her rest, maybe if he knew she had lost all interest in him then he'd slowly be able to let her go... But he'll never love anyone like he's loved her, even if he tried, they'd all be judged up against Catherine's perfections and no one could have her eyes or her heart or her body or her love or hold him the way she held him or kiss him like she does..
Inside his almost empty room, the small queen sized bed was covered in a darker red, he undressed from his uniform and dropped them over his bed as he thought. Taking his gun, his radio and handcuffs and anything else he had on him, he placed them in the draw of side table.
'I want you to show me what your idea of love is.'
The young Rogue agent looked up at one of his paintings that sat above his bed, a man sitting on a stool by a bar, holding a lady in red against him, his legs on either side of her slender form. One hand resting on her hip while his right hand was out of view, but was tucked just under her ear, he knew where it was.. he remembered exactly how he held her. Their lips connected, they stood out compared to the more darker colours used to make up the background crowd.
Going to his closet, Riley pulled out off white trousers and a white, both where very dirty, splatters of paint over them, folding them over his arm as he moved into the bathroom. When he finally managed to get into the show, it was impossible to hold all the pain in, leaning his forehead and resting his arms against the cold white wet wall at chest level. Why was it so painful, why did he feel so weak? Why couldn't he have just walked into that stupid cafe and see her, why couldn't he have smiled at her outside of the subway and removed his glasses, why couldn't he be strong enough to meet her face-to-face.
What was he going to say if he meets up with her? What can he say? Why did you leave? How dare you abandon me? I want you to come back..? ...I want you.. I love you, come back with me, let me hole you, I need your kisses, I need your love, let me love you, I dream of you every night? So many things he wanted to say, but he wasn't sure what he should or shouldn't say, what if he said something and it made her upset?
Wrapping the towel about his waist as he finished the shower, moving in front of the mirror and staring at his reflection, it looked more familiar now days, unlike that day in the jeep when Catherine had first shown him his face. Gently touching his cheeks with the tips of his fingers, Riley felt the rough sensation of his unshaven skin. It wasn't easy to see from a distance, he hadn't shaved today, or yesterday, or the day before really... Reaching for his shaver, Riley placed it against his skin.. for some reason he didn't have the desire to groom himself with as much effort as he had used to. Half way through shaving he seemed to have decided to leave the newly forming moustache and a neatly trimmed beared on his chin. Tilting his head to the side, Riley allowed his fingers to explore the strange new feel, why he wanted this, he wasn't sure.. but the less like Riley he was, the closer to Catherine he could get without her recognising him too easily.
Riley stared down at the clothes he had brought with him, he couldn't wear these, he was so used to just coming home and locking himself away in his art room that he didn't even think that today was VERY different to all the others that have passed. Riley was taller then a lot of people, and that was hard for him if he wanted to blend into crowds since his hight often made him stand out.
"Things fall apart Catherine. Evil, misery, hurt, pain and all bad things - they come and go. But the way people manage is, they don't do it alone. They pull each other through."
Riley didn't have anyone.. well he had Lisa, he had Dawn and Angela, but they couldn't help him like Catherine could, no one could ever be there for him like she has.
'And then they leave you.'
When Catherine had said this Riley had gotten so upset, it hurt so much, it was like she was accusing him of leaving her.. He had tried to defend himself, but now.. now she's left him.. it hurt so much..
"Sometimes they leave because they have to, sometimes they leave because they're not strong enough to stay...but sometimes they leave and they don't want to..."
What was Catherine's reason? Did she have to leave .. no.. she chose to.. wasn't she strong enough to stay with him? Maybe.. did she leave and she didn't want to? Who knows.. all Riley knew was that she's had left, and she hadn't returned.. and whenever she disappears he always seems to be the one running after her.
"And sometimes Catherine, just sometimes, it's not their choice to leave, but they're taken from you, and they're to weak to fight their way back to your side."
But he was fighting wasn't he? He was using her as a way to make himself stronger and for once in his life he was fighting so hard, he was losing everything he is able to call a part of his life in order to get to her.. first the initiative, now the school..
'It doesn't matter why ... they still leave.'
And she was right... he would have done anything to be able to turn back time and just redo the night they where separated, he wouldn't drink, he wouldn't walk off, he might.. he might just stand there and hold her until she realizes he loves her, he.. he'd do anything... anything to take away all the pain he's been through since she's left him. Riley stared up at the mirror, looking his reflection right back in the eye, he rarely looked at his eyes now, they looked so sad all the time that it was just too depressing for him to stare at them.
"I just wanted to help, look what you did to me, I just wanted to help you, why couldn't you just let me help.."
Riley(about Catherine): I'm not losing her, I got her back once, I'll get her back again.
Re: Morning in Washington.
She wished now she'd taken one of the roses but Grant had the key and he was out of sight around the corner of the sidewalk, her delicate fingers reaching out and touching the glass for a long moment. She turned around with a sigh and her feet trapped off down the street, her feet were beginning to hurt from standing all day and she still had to get home. She wondered where Nina and Brad would take her out tonight, it was monday night and neither of them had to work tonight and when ever they all had an evening off the pair of them felt as if they needed to take her out somewhere, but she'd in truth be much happier just staying in.
She stuffed her hands into the deep pockets of her coat, she could feel the temperature dropping around her, getting to work tomorrow would be fun what with all the black ice there would be on the streets. She glanced down at her watch, she was already an hour late, Nina and Brad wern't going to be pleased with her once she got home, she could have called them from a pay phone but deep down inside she didn't care. Her breath still rose in a white cloud in front of her, her eyes lifting to scan over the faces of the people walking towards her, how many hundreds of times had she looked for him in the crowded steets of Washington and how many times had she been dissapointed not to see him. She wondered what he was doing right now, probably talking and laughing with the others, something painful seemed to rest in the region of her chest and she looked down at the ground again.
If she'd only known she was walking straight towards Riley she'd have been wearing a very different expression but as it was she didn't give the silver car a second glance as it passed her, she saw thousands of cars each week and it was just one more on the busy streets.
She wanted to stop and get something to eat, but if she did that she'd miss her train and she didn't want to end up doing that since she'd have to wait twenty minutes for another one and she was cold enough as it was.
It only took her a few mintues more to reach the subway, it had never really bothered her taking trains by herself, as far as she was concerned if anything bad was going to happen to her, it was going to happen weather she liked it or not. But her eyes lifted slightly as she put her foot down on the first step, she hestiated for a second. That man, the one in the police uniform, had his build, there was something about him, if he wasn't too darkly tanned, in Washington and wearing a police uniform she would have sworn it was him .... Riley. She watched as he raised a hand to his cap, you couldn't see because of the scarf that covered her mouth but a tiny smile crept onto her face at the thought that that was something Riley might have done.
The next second she heard the rumble of her train arriving at the platform below. She pulled her eyes away from his form as she nimbly ran down the steps, just mananging to make it to the train before the doors closed and it pulled away from the station. The train wasn't too full since the rush hour was almost at an end, so she managed to find a seat. Pulling her coat a little closer around her and sitting down, there was a man with sandy hair and green eyes sitting opposite her but she didn't pay him any attention. Her eyes stared out of the window behind him as if he didn't even exist, her eyes looking at the back tunnel which was all she could see outside of the rocking swaying train.
Her eyes dropped back down to look at her hands for a moment while she intwined her fingers. I love you. .... he'd got to say it so many times and she'd never been able to say it once to him. She knew Nina could go mad if she knew Cat was still thinking about him, she wasn't supposed to talk about him when they were around since after she'd told Nina what was wrong with him her every second word had been Riley related. She could still remember his warm lips against hers, she couldn't understand why he'd had to kiss her when he was drunk ..... maybe she should have stayed and asked him if he meant what he'd said the next morning, maybe she should write to him, hadn't Jean told her to write and the short note he'd recived hadn't been much. She'd started lost of letters just none of them had been finnished and they'd ended up in her bin.
She didn't have to far to go by train, impatiently waiting while people filled off the train, before it was her turn, she didn't even notice the sandy haired guy get up and follow her out onto the small underground platform. Her eyes didn't even see the grafitti upon the walls or the ciragette butts on the floor, after a few months of the subway you just stopped seeing them anymore.
She came out into air even colder than when she'd gone into the subway, her pace quickened slightly as she crossed the road. She stopped her eyes peering down a dark enterence to an allyway, she'd cut ten minutes off her journey if she just went down that alley, she'd seen the enterence at the otherside but she didn't have the nerve. She could still fell the cool prick of steel against her throat, she turned away to hurry on down the street, taking a maze of twists and turns before she eventually cast her eyes upwards. The strip club was closed at the moment, the doors chained shut and metal shuts pulled down across the front, it looked cold an uninviting to the eye but her gaze was directed higher to where a light shone brightly from a window. There was a figure at the window, looking down at the street and the girl in the snow.
The window opened dislodging a section of snow what fell near where Cat was standing, Nina leaning out with a not very pleased expression upon her face fixing her gaze on Catherine.
'And what time do you call this?' Cat grinned slightly at her freinds disaproving shout, but Nina wouldn't have been able to see it because of the scarf. 'Get inside before you freeze.' The window slammed and Nina's form dissapeared from view. Cat turned up a small side ally, making her way up a flight of steps and then throwing open the door, being hit by a wall of warm air.
Cat: Do you think I should go back?
Nina: Cat.. he's only a man.
Cat: You don't understand...
Re: Morning in Washington.
Staring at the stubble under his nose and around his chin, Riley decided he really hated the look.. he looked older.. he looked older the 25 and at 25 he wanted to settle down and have a family. But was this the life Cat wanted? A city life.. Riley would live here, he'd work here and be happy here if this is where she wanted to live and if she took him back.. Maybe he'd stay here even if she didn't want him back.. just to see her through the window of the cafe every day would give him a reason to get up in the mornings.
There was a ring from his room, his mobile going off, causing him to run over to his room, almost losing his towel in his eagerness to grab the phone that was in the center of his bed. But Riley didn't care, no one was around to make him embarrassed, and even if Cat was here.. he wouldn't care.. she's already seen every inch of him. Placing the phone by his ear as he sat on his bed, draping the white warm damp towel about his waist as he listened to Thomas going on about how he followed Catherine to a nightclub, it didn't occur to Riley that it wasn't the type of club he had gone to with Catherine months ago...
Riley quickly jotted down the address, Thomas said it wasn't very far from where Riley was now, he could walk there in fifteen minutes!! Thomas told Riley that she lived above the club with another girl by the looks of it, Riley fell back on his bed with relief. As he hanged up the phone, Riley hastily began to dress, he wasn't sure why now would be any different to the last few times he's stolen distant glimpses of her.. but he had to see her home. She wasn't living with a guy that was something, that was everything!
Riley practically charged out of the apartment, his black suit trousers and white long sleeved shirt hurriedly pulling them on and throwing his black leather jacket on as he locked the door and rushed down the stairs. Getting out his street map, Riley found his route and wasted no time in driving down there, coming to a stop on the other side of the street from the club. His eyes looked up towards the lights of the building, if he went out there and started calling her name.. what would happen? ..He didn't want that to be how he enters her life, he wanted her to be closer to him, he didn't want to be screaming up at a window. It still felt nice to be close to her, even if she couldn't see him, Riley watched the windows hidden behind his own tinted ones.
He wasn't there long, he couldn't stay any longer, there was a mixture of need to leap out of the car and start screaming and an excitement to hurry back to his apartment and get ready for meeting her in the morning. He sided with the morning meeting, and he was anxious, he was so anxious he couldn't sit in the car any longer. He placed the tips of his fingers against his lips, touching the glass a moment later as he looked up at the windows.. I love you Catherine.
Riley knew Thomas was still around, he'd linger around Catherine and watch her and record her moves until Riley told him to stop. The more information he got on her the more money he'd ask from Riley and for Riley money wasn't a problem. It wasn't long until he was back home, sitting on the red sofa and wrapping Catherine's Christmas present in a box, the wooden horse was rather heavy, he had to get a 40cm- by 40cm red box with golden and silver strips. He didn't want the horse to be so big, where was she going to put it? But at the same time.. he wanted her to see it whenever she was around it.. he didn't want something that could easily be misplaced. And it doesn't cost him a thing.. she can't get made at him for buying something so expensive, she couldn't knock it back.. he made himself, from wood that was chopped from a fallen tree in the schools grounds. It was all free.. he didn't pay a single cent for it, all it cost for him to do this was his love and devotion for Catherine. The horse was running, it was a dark brown with a deep red tint barely seen, the polished wood was smooth to the touch from his constant sanding.
The base of the statue was very hard, he had to learn how to use all sorts of small tools, chipping and cutting away to make grass and tiny shapes of rocks and butterflies and little flowers. It was all rather basic, carved out from the base, nothing overly amazing when you normally see similar things in shops. Riley ran a soft cloth over the horse one last time before wrapping it up in soft clothes and slipping it into the box, dropping the lid on it and wrapping a bow and string about it. He sat back, his eyes moving over to the stereo as his CD of Michelle Branch played yet again, rolling over onto his back, Riley shut his eyes.
::::
The taste of her lips was intoxicating, the feel of her fingers across his skin, the movement of his body against her, the unbelievable sensation that run through him as he was inside her.. He was in love, he was breathless, and everything about her was just making him breathless.. she was so beautiful..
::::
It seemed the instant the dream had begun, his eyes where blinded by the morning sun, with a groan, a very unappreciative grumble at fate haven woken him from the only time he seemed able to spend with Catherine.. in his dreams. But that wasn't true right now was it? He knew where she was, he knew where she worked and where she lived.. he seemed charged with energy all of sudden, showering and dressing, although he didn't want to dress as a cop, he still had a 3 hour shift which he might still have to go to at midday.. Kimmie might hunt him down if he doesn't show up without telling her.. and even if he does tell her, she might still swing by to see if he's alright.
But there was a knocking at his door that caused him to stop pacing and stare over towards his door, placing his hand on the gun in his belt, Riley peered through the peek hole to stare at Kimmie. The woman was black, with black hair that always seemed to be in a bun, she was slim and very pretty, but Riley wouldn’t have noticed if she walked about naked, he was so blind to other girls more so since he met Catherine then he's ever been. Opening the door he stared at his work partner who was standing with her hands folded across her chest and an expression that bluntly screamed out he's forgotten something again.
"Johnson, what part of the four hour shift from 8-12 didn't ya get?" It took a second for Riley to register the name Johnson as his own, he was still getting used to it, why Cody had chosen that for him he didn't know.. But then again, any name that would have been given to him Riley would have hated. Riley had a habit of mixing his new initials RJ with Robert Forn's RF, Riley's mind just never seemed to be focused lately, he gave an apologetic glance down at the floor. Kimmie's never been allowed into his apartment before, in fact Riley's gone out of his way to keep her from entering, but today he stepped back and invited her in, causing the female officer to glance at him wearily as if this was some form of trick.
But her arms dropped by her side and she moved into his apartment, studying Riley's guitar that lay against the side of the red couch. He didn't seem like someone who'd play music, she could already guess most of the songs he knew where more depressing kinds. Her eyes shifted over towards the two paintings that she could see, they where pretty.. the girls who were centred in them look similar.
"Wow.. you don't have a TV.." She was just teasing, but Riley felt uncomfortable as he noticed her studying his pictures.. looking over his things, summing him up, deciding on what he was like and how he lived just by looking at the things in his apartment. Maybe.. just maybe.. Kimmie would go with him to the cafe? Catherine wouldn't yell at him for hunting her down across a few states if he had a real officer with him, since she'd know he wasn't really one..
"Have breakfast with me? I need to meet someone." Riley slowly moved over to pick up his gift for Catherine, ignoring staring at Kimmie who was trying to remember if he has ever said so many words in a row to her. She gave a nod and they left his apartment, helping Riley with locking the door since his hands where full, Kimmie then hurried down the stairs and opened the entrance doors for him. He hopped into the passenger seat, Kimmie slipping into the drivers even though she didn't have a clue where they where heading. Riley's form of guiding her was a 'left' or 'right' until finally reaching a 'here' and she parked right out front of the Cafe. It was just after nine, and Riley hugged his present very gently with a nervous look about him.
"Hey, who's the gift for?" Riley's eyes glued on Catherine's figure as she moved about inside the cafe, Kimmie took that as his answer and watched her for a moment, just catching Riley's whisper of the girls name. She said something about Catherine being pretty, but Riley was too distant in thoughts to hear her. There was a pause, Kimmie didn't think he has ever spoken with her before, Kimmie wasn't even sure this girl knew him. She was for some reason surprised that Riley had a crush on someone, it sounded silly, but the guy was so depressed all the time it was hard to think him any other way. She hopped out of the car, maybe this is why Riley brought her with him.. he couldn't back out with someone so head strong pulling him along. He stared at the small card that was similar to the one which had been tossed away unread by Catherine.
~Forever & Always~
I love you Catherine.
Closing his eyes, he looked up at the rear view mirror, his hands touching his newly shaven chin, he was done hiding now.. he wasn't going to hide from her any more.. He had to shave before he saw her, it was different... he wanted her to see him like how she remembered.. he didn't think about his tanned colour or the fact he was dressed in a blue cop's uniform. He followed Kimmie but couldn't go into the cafe, he was keeping his hat on, his glasses covering his eyes as he watched Kimmie walking into the cafe. He was so scared.. he was terrified, his hands where trembling slightly as he watched her approach the counter trying hard not to ruin the box with his strength he leaned back against the front of the car. His head was so low his cap made it hard for people to see his face when they looked at him from ahead, but as Kimmie stood by the bench and glanced about thoughtfully on what she'd like to eat, she looked back at him, then focused on Catherine.
"Hey, there's a delivery out side for a Catherine." Kimmie held up her badge so they knew she was a cop just incase her uniform didn't prove it enough, she smiled and motioned towards her partner who was staring down at a neatly wrapped gift.. what if she didn't want him around here? What if she didn't want him to know where she was.. if he made a dash for it.. would Kimmie kill him? He glanced up at Catherine once more, offering her a smile, he didn't want to leave.. he wanted to see her.. he wanted to hold her.. he wanted to be happy again. One of his hands rose and his fingers touched the front of his cap like he had done the night before. He stared back down at the present in his hands, then removed his glasses but lost all ability to look up, tucking his sunglasses in his front pocket, Riley placed his gift on the car's front beside him. His heart was racing so quickly as his hand rose to his hat once more, but this time his fingers took hold of it and he removed it from his head, running his hand through his hair before resting the cap against his chest.. Taking a second to build up the strength, Riley looked up at her, he just wanted her to be happy to see him.. It's been so long since he's seen her.. she was so wonderful.. she was amazing.. she was.. she was still so beautiful.. but was she still his for him to think of her in such a way?
Riley(about Catherine): I'm not losing her, I got her back once, I'll get her back again.
Re: Morning in Washington.
Catherine was whiping down tables after the morning rush of customers, they always had a quiet spell around nine since the wave of people getting to work at nine were already there and those who were working at ten were still on the subway. She folded the damp cloth over, stacking several dirty plates onto a tray and shifting them onto a seat so she could clean the table. Her hand closed around the cumpled five dollar bill someone had kindly left as a tip, she slipped the note into the big pocket on the front of her apron. There was a large jar on the side which contained all their tips for the week and on a fridays night Rebecca would divide it up between the lot of them.
The door jingled but the step was that of a woman and therefore of no interest to Catherine who was really only listening for the step of one individual. She didn't even bother to glance up, shifting around and picking up the tray in one swift movement, her body turning away from the woman. The lady would just be another one in the countless number of people who came in though that front door.
"Hey, there's a delivery out side for a Catherine." The woman gained her attention then, Catherine turning around to face the police woman, the image didn't really instill her with confidence. She didn't really have many good images associated with the police. She hoped she wasn't in trouble for something .... but then wouldn't they have clapped her in hand cuffs by now.
She placed the tray down upon the countertop and put the cloth next to it. MJ was almost hopping up and down in excitment, her fingers jabbing towards the roses in the vase. The three roses seemed to be doing well, their petals beginning to open, she'd never got to see the ones Riley had given her properly, she'd left before they'd bloomed.
'I bet it's from who ever left the roses.' MJ said with a squeal, 'thats so sweet.' Cat wasn't so sure, it wasn't that she didn't like the idea but there was only one man she ever wanted flowers from or whatever this delivery was and he was miles away. But it had been weird how the flowers had been red and yellow roses .... just like Riley had picked for her.
She looked quizically at the woman but she didn't seem like she was going to give Cat any hints as to what the police would need to deliver to her. Even Grant had his head stuck around the kitchen door, the shop customers looking at her as well. She made her way over to the door whiping her hands on her cotton apron as she went, more importantly than that, who would send her a package? letter? thing .... what ever this was she going outside to collect.
Her small hand reached out to press against the door as she pushed it open, stepping out onto the cold street, her eyes falling upon a figure in front of her. The old feeling of was this Riley flew back to her, everyone who was as tall as him and had the same build was untill she'd checked otherwise was him. But this couldn't be because Riley wasn't a cop in Washington and even if he was the chances of him finding her were so unbelivebly slim.
'Can I help?' She said stepping forwards, it looked so much like him and it was beginning to hurt, tugging at her heart. He didn't say anything but tilted his head downwards, removing the dark glasses from his face, her eyes glanced off the present on the bonet. She didn't understand why this officer would be giving her a present, her puzzled face looked up at him her eyes searching to try and find the features he was conceeling from her.
She watched as the man pulled the cap off his head, it hurt so much because his hair was the same colour and in the same style as Riley's, she could feel a lump in her throat, he'd look up, she'd be dissapointed, it had happened countless times to her.
His face lifted .... she could see him in the mans face, she could see him .... it wasn't fair, she blinked slightly but the face didn't seem to change into someone elses features. It took a few moments for her face to pass though a transition of emotions, confusion, shock changing to amazement. She blinked again, stepping forwards towards him so she had to tip her face to look up at him.
'Riley?' her voice was little more than a whisper, it couldn't be him could it? He was miles away.. yet look at him he was right here in front of her, her hand streatched out as if worried he might dissapear, her palm touching his chest and the digits of her hand spreading out over the uniform he was wearing.
A sudden smile seemed to spread over her face, the sadness in her eyes lifting for the first time in a long time, anyone who'd seen her since she'd returned from Xaviers would have seen the difference in her apperance suddenly, she looked much more pretty when she smiled.
'Riley!' Suddenly she'd flung her arms around his waist, she didn't know what to think about why he was still here .... did he still like her? or was he just here to say hello to her. Either way he wasn't leaving without her having held him against her one last time. She didn't want to let go though, she didn't ever want to be by herself without him again. Her face was pressed against his cheast, she half registered the fact she was crying, but it was happy crying, not like the tears she'd been crying for so many months now.
Cat: Do you think I should go back?
Nina: Cat.. he's only a man.
Cat: You don't understand...
Re: Morning in Washington.
There was a long moment where she just stared at him, he was ready to just turna nd walk off, she wasn't pleased to see him, he's come all this way and she wasn't even smiling at his effort. But then he pushed aside his usual panicked thoughts as she took a step forward, he could tell now.. he could see it in her eyes, hear it in her voice.. she was having troubles believing he was here.
'Riley?' He wanted to reach out, he wanted to touch her, he couldn't move, his eyes dropped down for a chance to watch as her palm pressed against his chest and her fingers spread out. She felt so real, she was touching him.. she was touching him after so long without her contact. It was like she had slapped hall the air from within his lungs, her lips broke into that wonderfully amazing smile that he had once told her he had loved. But he loved everything about her, every single thing..
'Riley!' As her arms wrapped around him, Riley took a few seconds before he was able to slowly take hold of her as well.. She felt so real, but was he about to wake up, alone in his bed without her for yet another day.. His arms held her close to him eagerly, his lips pressing against the top of her head not caring if his partner saw or if this might upset Catherine.. she was holding him.. maybe she's forgiven him.. forgiven him for everything and anything he's done to make her upset and leave him. He wanted to say so much, but if he spoke.. if he said something.. he always ruined things, he always made her upset. He pulled her back slightly, his hands reaching for her cheeks, his fingers shakily touching them softly, gently stroking over the skin, he missed her so desperately much.. He just wanted to hold her forever like he told her, he wanted to cover her in kisses and pulled her into his embrace until she remember that he was hers and she isn't allowed to leave him like she had.
His hand picked up the present and held it out for her, leaning over it and quickly kissing her on the forehead before holding it up for her to take. This was made with his love for her, not with money, not with anything else, only his love, his love and his hands that where guided by the love he had for her..
Riley(about Catherine): I'm not losing her, I got her back once, I'll get her back again.
Re: Morning in Washington.
I couldn't be real .... she felt his arms slip around her, she wondered how he'd found her but did it really matter, he was here and he was holding her, surley that was all that mattered, that he didn't leave her side ever again. But he still might, maybe he'd just come here to see her and he'd walk away and leave her again in a moment. She'd just have to convince him he still wanted her, that he still needed her. His lips dropped to the top of her head, she could feel every inch of her clamouring out for him, she'd been deprived of his touch for so long that she felt she'd just melt if she even saw him just looking at her in the right way.
She could feel him pulling back from her, his hands reaching out for her cheeks, her eyes looking up at him with the same expression Angela's puppy had done when Angela left him alone for too long. He could feel a gentle shaking to his hands, did he still miss her as much as she missed him. There was no city around them, noone else, just her and him.
He was reaching behind him for something, pulling the box towards them, holding it out to her, bending down slightly so he could kiss her forehead. He just kissed her, did that mean he still liked her, still thought about her.
Rather wordlessly she pulled the gift from him, opening the box, her slender fingers pulling aside the soft cloth that was inside, revealing the beautifully carved horse, her fingers reached out to caress the horse. The surface was cool and smooth under her fingers, she looked back up at Riley.
'Thank you.' She was suddenly excessivley glad she was wearing the earings he got her, even though the only time they left her ears were at night or if the was bathing. See she wasn't rejecting any of his gifts, and look she'd not lost his earings. She looked back across at him, whispering the two words again hoping he'd hear them. Her dark eyes seemed to be caught by his, she wanted to ask him so many things but none of them wanted to come out. She jsut couldn't belive he was standing here, in front of her, looking at her, and he'd given her a gift hadn't he.
Cat: Do you think I should go back?
Nina: Cat.. he's only a man.
Cat: You don't understand...
Re: Morning in Washington.
Watching quietly as her hands removed the lid of the box, and then reach in to remove the statue, brushing aside the protective cloth he had placed around it. His eyes and hands had already seen and memorized every aspect of that statue, so he was rather content in simply watching how her eyes looked over it. She had said thank you and all he could do was watch her, even when she whispered it a second time.. all he had to do was say one word, a single sound and she'd run off upset again.
He wanted to say he made it, it didn't cost him anything so she wasn't allowed to be upset or worried, but the instant the words reached his mouth his lips clamped closed in refusal to speak. But he could tell her.. without having to say a word, without risking her leaving him.. his hands slowly reached for the horse, tilting it around gently so she could see the bottom of the base of the statue. 'Merry Christmas' was carved into the center of it and then in smaller carved writing underneath the season greetings was 'Made by Riley, 2023'.
Could she tell, could she understand, he didn't spend a thing, she can't get upset, she’s not allowed to, his hands placed the wooden statue down on the front of his car and then took hold of her hands, his eyes staring down at them. These where her hands, her small and soft and delicate hands, the ones that sent a warm tingle down his spine and into his stomach and through his chest every time they touched him. Slowly glancing from one of her hands to the other as he pulled him towards his face, gently resting them against his cheeks with his larger hands. His hands pulled away from the back of hers so his thumbs could reach up and stroke away any residue of tears from her cheeks. In truth he was on the verge of breaking down in her arms, but he couldn’t, it hurt too much at the thought of doing anything other then holding her..
His hands glided back down to Catherine's, but then he reached for his name tag, quickly removing the false name from his jacket letting it drop to the ground, getting a 'hey!' from Kimmie who had wondered out with two coffees. But Riley didn't care, it wasn't his name and he wanted to kiss her but not with another false name on his chest. His left hand reached for her for neck, which was unusual since he was right handed and he normally used his right when about to kiss her. Pulling her closer to his lips, Riley leaning in to meet hers part way, his right hand taking hers and slowly lacing his fingers between hers. His dreamed of her kisses for so long, every night, always her, always with her kisses, he was almost lost simply in the motion of their kiss, the gentle rhythm, the feel, the taste..
And this is where she runs off isn't it? He kisses her and then she makes an excuse and leaves or pull away, he's not losing her again, not now, not after fighting so hard for her. His left arms snaked about her waist while his right still held hers, lightly pressing his palm against her much smaller one. He stood up, guiding her over to the drivers door but only because he was getting agitated slightly by prying eyes of others. There was also the fact of he could just hold her then if she got upset she couldn't run off on him he could hold onto her until she tells him what's wrong. He stood in front of her, taking another moment before he took her hands once more and rested them over his heart.. his aching heart that's been screaming for her for so long and yet its cries seem to have gone unheard.
He could talk now couldn't he? Say things without her running off, again Kimmie seemed was slowly figuring the girl knew him so she moved back into the cafe since Riley was bluntly ignoring her. He didn't think he'd be going back to work, so he didn't care, he didn't need to work, he never had to work, Catherine never had to work, they could if they wanted to or not if they didn't. It was their choice, Riley could support them, both of them, forever, and their children, he wanted children with her, he wanted a family with her, he never wanted her to leave him.
"..I was waiting for you.." His voice was barely a whisper, he inched closer against her so he could rest his forehead down against her shoulder. He didn't want her to run off just because he was speaking, he didn't want her to leave him, but he had to tell her.. he had to tell her that he had been waiting, even if she had no intentions of returning to him.
"Every day that came I thought would be the day you'd return, every night was cold and empty, I was so alone, but there was hope that come morning you'd be back.." He had ended up sneaking her pillows into his room since they got mad if they found him sleeping in her bed when the nights became unbearable for him to be alone, but over time and constant cuddles, her scent had faded from the fabric. He could smell her so strongly once again, he was holding her, he was with her, it was only just very slowly beginning to sink in, she could disappear right now and he could go through his day as if she had simply been yet another day dream.
"..You.. you never came back Catherine." His voice got caught in his throat when he began, his eyes burned with the strong desire to cry but he refused to allow the tears to fall. He had so many things to say, so many things he needed and wanted to tell, so many others which he had to tell but knew she might get upset, like about him dropping all of his classes.. he didn't think she'd be pleased with that.
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you those flowers yesterday, I was scared, you had a job, and a home and friends.. you built a life.. I didn't want to ruin what you built.. you built it without me.. but I just fell apart.. I lost everything when I lost you.." His left hand moved to stay close to her cheek as he spoke, his thumb gently stroking across her cheek as his eyes searched over her face. Nothing has changed, she looks just as wonderful as when he last held her, maybe a little more life experience was within her eyes but they where still those amazingly beautiful eyes that would captivate him with every glance. His feet both took small steps forward, resting beside Catherine's smaller ones, his arms reaching up for the car on each side of her, almost as if he was blocking her in. His body was completely against hers for the moment, his lips reaching for her forehead before lowering to her ear with a gentle whisper.
"I figured it out." He pulled his head away slightly, his arms slipping down around her once again, but his eyes looking off down the street. 'And I like Washington ....' ... 'And.. and there’s a park near where I live, Rock Creek Park and that’s nice too.' He wondered if that was near here, but he let his distracted mind wonder back to the young woman in his arms, smiling down at her.. Smiling for the first time since she left, none of the pain mattered any more, look at this.. he had her in his arms, he could feel her against his body..
"What makes me happy.... I don't want to be free Catherine, I want to belong to someone.. I want to belong to you... I can stay here in this city if you wanted me to, you said you liked it here... My apartment is actually 15 minutes walk from yours.. I.. I didn't know when I rented it though." He added quickly incase she was upset at him hovering about her, but then felt awkward over having to tell her how he knew where she lived if she asked.. which he was sure she might.. but he can hope she wouldn't..
"Please, an hour was painful without you.. but two hundred and thirty days, twelve hours and about fourteen minutes was a bit more the I was able to handle Catherine." He gave a half smile before dropping his eyes downwards from hers, Dawn had been very upset when she discovered he seemed to be keeping track of the days Catherine was gone.. He didn't mark it down or anything. the days just seemed to stick in his mind as he desperately waited for her to return.
Riley(about Catherine): I'm not losing her, I got her back once, I'll get her back again.
Morning in Washington
She let him spin the carved statue over, holding it so she could see the words, 'Merry Christmas - Made by Riley 2003' her eyes flicked up to his again, he'd made this? It must have taken him hours, days .... months maybe .... and he'd made it for her. She wanted to clutch it to her but at the same time she wanted to hold onto him. What if he just turned around and left, how was she supposed to find him again if he wasn't at Xaviers.
He put the horse down on the boot of the car behind them and reached down for her hands, feeling him guiding her hands towards his cheeks, pressing her hands against his skin. Her hands tingled at the contact, small shivers that traced down her arms and flooded into her body. Could it be that he remembered her? .... what they did together, she wanted so ask him but part of her didn't want to know the answer incase it was negative.
Her eyes closed for a second, refreshing her mind of his scent, her lids flicking open a second later when she felt his thumbs on her cheeks, whiping away the tears that were left upon her smooth skin. She watched him remove a name badge with the name 'Riley Johnson.' on it and let it drop to the floor. Her ears were deaf to the cry of the other woman who stood behind her because right now there was only her and Riley.
She felt the fingers of his right hand intwine in hers, his other hand reaching out for her neck, curling around her skin and tugging her gently towards him. His lips dropped slightly as she lifted her own face, pressing against her own lips. She could taste him in her mouth again, not the same taste as the one back at the dying star, because this time he hadn't been drinking .... this time he really wanted her ....? His arm slipped around her waist, pulling her that little bit closer to him, his lips still caressing hers.
He stood up, severing the connection of their lips, she blinked as she stared up at him, her eyes searching his, he looked so sad, but at the same time happy to see her. She wished she'd gone back to Xaviers, back to him. He guided her around so her back was towards the car, she wondered for a second if he was just going to push her in the car and run off with her, she wouldn't have minded at all, as long as he wanted to be with her. She just couldn't belive he was really hear with her, standing in front of her. She watched as he lifted her hands to rest them over his heart, she could feel his presence burning all around her, she could feel herself blushing slightly.
"..I was waiting for you.." He'd waited for her, she looked away, she couldn't help feeling awful for everything that that happened. It was all her fault, her eyes centering on the floor somewhere around his feet. Did this mean he'd remembered her .... she wanted to ask him so many questions, but that one most of all. Was he happy thed love each other, or would he rather they'd not done that?
"Every day that came I thought would be the day you'd return, every night was cold and empty, I was so alone, but there was hope that come morning you'd be back.." And she'd wanted to come back, it was just every time she went to, something happened and she couldn't. She wanted to know what he was going to do now? was he settled here? did he not want to go back to Xaviers? Cat's eyes found their way back to his face, her eyes caressing him, her hands remaining still over his chest as if she didn't dare to move incase he dissapeared.
"..You.. you never came back Catherine." Her hands lifted to his face, stroking over his skin, her face suddenly upset, she hadn't meant to hurt him that much, she should have left an address or something, but she'd just wanted to get away as fast as she could.
'Oh God I'm sorry. I meant to come back I really did .... can you ever forgive me.' He voice was overconcerned as her hands slipped down to rest around his neck, she listened intently as he continued to talk to her.
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you those flowers yesterday, I was scared, you had a job, and a home and friends.. you built a life.. I didn't want to ruin what you built.. you built it without me.. but I just fell apart.. I lost everything when I lost you.." She glanced back over her shoulder into the restaraunt, then they were from him ... for her. She moved a little closer to him, her eyes flicking back to his face, he was studying her with his eyes.
'That was you ... yesterday ... wasn't it .... by the subway.' Her face took on a slightly confused apperence as she listened to him talking. 'Why didn't you just say hi then.' She didn't understand, did he not think they would be happy.
"Please, an hour was painful without you.. but two hundred and thirty days, twelve hours and about fourteen minutes was a bit more than I was able to handle Catherine."
'I did mean to come back.' She protested as he lifted his hands and placed them either side of her on the car, pinning her in using his body. She looked over his shoulder at the cafe, she'd have to go back in in a few mintues.
Edited by: Silverbunni at: 12/14/03 6:54 am
"I tried to.. when I saw you on the side walk, when I saw you in here, when I got you the flowers, when I saw your home, I just wanted to scream out until you came down to see me.. but I couldn't.. I didn't know what kind of life I was walking in on, I didn't know why you didn't want to be with me." But she was here now wasn't she, saying she wanted to go back, she was returning his kisses wasn't she? His hands closed in on her cheeks again, he wanted her to leave with him now, just go somewhere where he can hold her and kiss her and have her tell him WHY he hasn't been allowed to do that for the past few months. His breathing picked up as leaned towards her once again, his kisses touching her lips only lightly, moving once to her cheek and then up to her forehead before returning to her lips.
It was so overwhelming for Riley, it's been so long since he's been close to anyone, it was like he was back down in the base but he didn't even have Graham and Forrest there to keep him company.. But he had Lisa and the others.. but it was different.. they weren't Catherine..
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'll be quiet, I won't speak so much, I'll be quiet and won't say anything to upset you, I promise, please, let me back into your life.. I wont say anything to hurt you again." He sounded rather silly, but he was still very upset since every time he spoke he'd seem to make her angry. Like when he said he never celebrated his birthdays because he didn't have loved ones to celebrate it with, and when he said she had a nice voice she went to bed, and when he said he liked her.. that was the worst.. she runs away for months.. His kisses seemed to grow almost desperate, just the closeness, the touch, he didn't want it to end, bad things always happened when the kisses ended.
"I still want.." He began between a few kisses, his mind so distracted with just holding her he was almost forgetting the fact they where outside in the streets. But with one final kiss, taking one last long taste of her lips before he could find the strength to pull away. Though he remained close to her, his forehead resting against hers as he looked her right in the eye, his left hand dropping to her hip and his right still letting his fingers stroke gently against her warm cheeks.
"...to hold you forever." That's what he had said just after they.. they expressed their love... wasn't it? That's what he's wanted to do ever since she left, no, before she left even, he just wanted to hold her. And he will, if she lets him, he'll forever have her in his arms.. but what if she didn't want that.. he'd still stay close to her.. he'll still always love her.
Riley(about Catherine): I'm not losing her, I got her back once, I'll get her back again.
Re: Morning in Washington'I didn't know why you didn't want to be with me." he thought she didn't want to be with him? was he crazy? didn't he understand she didn't want anything else but to be with him, didn't he understand she hadn't looked at another man since she'd left Xaviers. She didn't want to look at anyone else, if she couldn't have him holding her then she didn't want anyone else to touch her. The thought of anyone else being with her was out of the question, she didn't think anyone could make her feel the way he did and if she was going to be hurt like that every time she lay with a man then she'd rather just be with Riley, she could handle being hurt by him, because how it felt later was amazing.
His hands pressed against her cheeks, his fingers smoothing over her soft skin, her body seemed to clamour louder for him each him he touched her. Couldn’t he just whisk her back to his apartment, he hadn’t said he loved her, but she was going to say it to him, she was going to tell him how she felt. Her eyes seemed to slip from his face and look around the busy streets, she didn’t want to tell him here though, she wanted to make it special.
He was leaning in closer to her, his body only an inch from her, she felt a delicious little tingle run though her as his lips reached out for her again.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry... I'll be quiet, I won't speak so much, I'll be quiet and won't say anything to upset you, I promise, please, let me back into your life.. I wont say anything to hurt you again." His lips were back on hers again his body pressed against hers now, as if he was trying to prove he was sorry … but he had nothing to be sorry about, everything that had happened was her fault not his. He’d never left her life had he? She didn’t want him to stop speaking, she wanted him to talk forever, she thought she could listen to his voice forever and never grow tired of it. She felt his kisses grow more urgent, as if he was worried she might not let him kiss her again.
"...to hold you forever." She wanted to tell him not to let go of her then, but she felt suddenly shy in his presence, dropping her eyes from his and then peering over her shoulder into the café, she had to go back in their, she didn’t want to but she couldn’t stand out here with him for ages. Now that the initial rush of adrenaline had passed she was suddenly cold, she managed to back a little away from him, so her back pressed up against the car. Her hands reached into her pocket, pulling out her notepad that she’d write orders in and a simple blue biro, she quickly scribbled down her address.
Her fingers quickly tore off the slip of paper and folded it, pressing it into his hands, her eyes lifting to his again, the expression in her eyes suddenly tinted with desperateness, what if he just suddenly vanished off, but she could see a line of people forming inside the café.
‘I have to go back inside ….That’s my address, will you come and see me some time?’ She didn’t want it to sound like she was pressuring him into seeing her ‘I work here in the day time, but I’m free weekday nights ….ap … apart from Fridays.’ She seemed anxious for him to know when she would be in, she’d be so devastated if he came to see her and she wasn’t there …. He might not come back. ‘An … an I work the weekends at night.’ She worked an awful lot but living where she did wasn't exactly cheep, but the moeny from the nightclub went on rent and then she had to buy food and bills and all those stupid little things you didn't know you needed. Cat had managed to save a bit though, she'd thought about getting a bank account but it had all seemed so confusing when she'd gone in to talk to someone about it. So she kept her money in a shoe box in her closet, that way she could get her money whenever she needed it and she didn't have to worry about cards or bank books.
Cat: Do you think I should go back?
Nina: Cat.. he's only a man.
Cat: You don't understand...
Re: Morning in Washington
Watching as she pulled away from him, jotting down her address even though he knew where it was, he watched her tear the paper off, he allowed her to take his hand and place the address within it. He smiled slightly as she looked up at him, he knew she was about to leave him.. but he couldn't ask her to stay if she didn't want to lose her job.
‘I have to go back inside ….That’s my address, will you come and see me some time?’ He'd be her shadow, where she looks he's probably going to be there waiting, she wouldn't have anything to worry about, he'd be there..
‘I work here in the day time, but I’m free weekday nights ….ap … apart from Fridays.’ His hand slipped her address into his front pocket of his light blue shirt that was under his police jacket as she spoke.
‘An … an I work the weekends at night.’ Why did she have to work so much? She could live with him.. she wouldn't have to pay for anything if she stayed with him.. but then she'd get upset again wouldn't she? She could pay for some of the foods if it made her feel better.. but he could pay for the apartment and then she didn't need to work so much. Riley had so many hidden accounts that held a great deal of money that he's earned over the years, but he also kept a lot with him. He wasn't used to the idea of someone breaking into his apartment and taking all his money, but still he would keep the money there, because he didn't like wondering down to the banks, the more he wondered out in the world the more chances the Initiative had to find him.. He didn't yet know they could track his every location with the implant inside his head.
"I guess I'll go to work as well then.. it'll help pass the time.." He glanced over towards Kimmie who was coming out with a warm coffee and some sandwiches, giving him odd looks as he looked away and down at Catherine.
"I'll be here waiting for your shift to finish when I'm done with my round." Leaning forward, he gave a quick kiss before reaching over for the horse and putting it on the ground in the back seat of his car.
"I guess you don't really want to be lugging that around with you, I'll hold it until later, I'll see you tonight, I.." He was going to say he loves her, but it got caught in his throat, she really wanted to get back into her work and he wasn't sure how she felt him saying it just now.
"..I missed you.. I'll see you tonight Catherine." He smiled rather brightly as he walked her to the door, taking her hand and leaning forward to give her a final kiss before hurrying back to his car, getting into the passenger seat as Kimmie had already moved about to the drivers seat, picking up Riley's name tag as she did. She glanced over towards Riley as he grinned towards Catherine's form, watching her intently as she disappeared within the growing crowd. It was very difficult to believe this was the same guy who looked ready to give up on life just a day ago.
The rest of the day Kimmie found herself having more then just a passing comment with Riley, in fact she learned a bit about him.. as much as he could tell, and even though that wasn't much, it felt like so much more since Kimmie barely heard three sentences from the guy on normal days. She learned that he used to be a farmer, his family was still farmers last he knew, she talked a bit with him about why he didn't go check up on them but he seemed to shrug off the questions. It hadn't taken much before she had managed to steer him onto the topic of the waitress back in the cafe, and then the rest of the day one thing after another all about Catherine and about his classes and the projects he's done and how much he loved her.
When his round was over it was 6, he still had an hour for Catherine's shift to finish.. if she finished at the same time as before. He grabbed her the same collection of roses, yellow and red and then was parked outside of the cafe by 6:45, sitting on the front of his silver car with his legs crossed slightly as he waited patiently for the minute hand of his watch to reach 12.. but it was moving so painfully slow as he kept his eyes glued down on it when he wasn't watching Catherine.
Riley(about Catherine): I'm not losing her, I got her back once, I'll get her back again.
Re: Morning in Washington"I guess I'll go to work as well then.. it'll help pass the time.." Didn't he like his work? he didn't sound overly enthusiastic about going there .... but then why was he even a police officer, he'd never said anything about wanting to become one to him. Sometimes she felt like she knew him intimatley and others it was like she didn't even know him at all, stupid little things like what he wanted to do as a job, thins she didn't know the answers to. But if he just gave her a chance she'd find out everything about him and she'd prove to him how very sorry she was for hurting him before. She hadn't realised how badly she'd injured him simply by walking away from him, and after she'd promised to stay by his side. But all she needed was a chance to show him how much he meant to her.
She wasn't overly keen on him being a cop, especially one in Washington, there was always reporting on the news about them being killed or injured and she never wanted anything to happen to him. She didn’t really have any good images associated with the police either, all her runnings in with them had been because she'd been in trouble one way or another. She hoped he hadn't read her file, it might tarnish his thoughts about her. But she much pefered cops over the initiative, at least the Washington police hadn't tried to kill her and when they had locked her up for a night once they'd released her the next day. On top of that their cells hadn't had electrified fronts.
"I'll be here waiting for your shift to finish when I'm done with my round." She smiled slightly as he leant forwards his lips caressing hers for a moment as if sealing the deal that he would return. She wantched him put the horse back in the car, her eyes folowing it's movement untill it was out of sight, only then did her eyes return to his face. She could put the statue on her bedside table next to her book. She'd thought that maybe she could read it and somehow it might improve her reading since once she got back to Xaviers she'd have to take English lessons with Riley when she got back and she didn't want him to think she was stupid. She'd picked out treasure island from the bookship up the street a step or two. Cat had asked the lady owner if they had any good books but she'd simply waved an elderly hand around the shop and told her that all books were good. In the end she'd settled on it because she could remember her parents having that particaular book in their bookcase but also because it had a small illustation in black and white pen at the beginning of each new chapter. However as it was she hadn't got past page three for all her good intentions.
"..I missed you.. I'll see you tonight Catherine." That was right wasn't it? .... she was going to see him again in short space of time, she couldn't wait but she had hours and hours untill she did see him. Her eyes flicked over to his partner, he hadn't introduced her had he? but she didn't care because he was here and that was all that mattered to her at the moment. She felt his hand slip into hers as his head bent so he could give her a good bye kiss. She stood and watched him as he walked back to the car before turning and making her way into the cafe, looking back to watch the car as it pulled away again.
She spent the rest of the day watching the hour hand creep around the clock on the wall and absent mindedly giving the customers the wrong orders untill Grant sent her into the back to do some washing up. She could still taste him in her mouth even though he wasn't here anymore and his lips weren't against hers.
Cat hardly noticed that the water was burning her hands as she washed up, she was too busy deciding what they were going to do tonight, she wanted everything to be perfect. But she'd need to ask him to come around a bit later than he was going to turn up, she needed to buy a few things and then she had to tidy up the appartment since they really only cleared up on sundays and by thusdays it looked rather a dump.
MJ kept sticking her head around the door every time there was a lull in customers asking Cat a hundred and one questions about Riley. She answered them as best she could, it was suprising the amount of things she didn't know about him, but if he just gave her a chance she'd try so hard to learn everything about him that there was to know.
Just at the point where she'd decided she was about to burst (around six thirty) they closed up shop and she came out from the back to whipe down the tables. Her eyes searching up and down the street for any sign of him as she flipped the sign on the front door from 'open' to 'closed' but he was no where in sight yet. She flitted around the cafe no really doing much but managing to look really busy even though her eyes were glued on the space outside the window. He'd be here, any second he'd be here and they'd be together again. He was going to come wasn't he? he had seemed really enthusiastic about coming to see her, he wouldn't forget, as long as he could remember where she worked. What if he forgot? .... he still had her address didn't he? so.. so he could still find her.
She looked around ... and he was there, sitting on the bonnet of his car, a bunch of roses in his hands, his eyes trained upon her. Almost without thinking her hand reached out and picked up one of the roses which were in a vase upon the counter top. Lifting the delicate rubby bloom to her lips to kiss the petals, her eyes upon his. She blushed slightly as she caught Grant watching her as he counted the contents of the till.
Cat turned to speak to him, slipping the rose back into the water, asking him if he didn't mind giving her this weeks wages one day early. He looked down at her knowing Rebecca would blow her top if she found out he'd paid one of the girls early. But at the same time there was something so hopeful in her eyes as she looked up at him, knowing this would mean such a lot to her so he agreed, smiling as her face broke out into her own happy smile.
He handed her a few notes from the pile, she kept thanking him as she pulled on her coat and slipped the money into her purse. She threw her scarf around her neck as she pushed the front door open feeling a sudden rush of shyness rush over her. She could feel the cold nipping at her warm cheeks, she fumbled to put on her gloves, her eyes dropping from his face as she did so.
'Riley..' His name slipped off her lips so easily, she felt as if she needed no other word in her vocabulary other than his name. 'Riley.' She stepped a little closer to him. 'Would you..' she shuffled to a stop several feet from him. 'mind if.. if we maybe met a bit later, I've got a few things I need to get ...' She looked at his uniform. 'And ..an it will give you chance to change.'
Cat: Do you think I should go back?
Nina: Cat.. he's only a man.
Cat: You don't understand...
Re: Morning in Washington
There was a pause in his breathing, his eyes watching intently as the rose in her hands was placed against her lips. He could feel the swell of hunger swirl inside of him.. the hunger just to be kissing her once again.. to hold her.. she was so far away but she could be in his arms and still feel as if she was miles away from him. But as she turned to speak with Grant, Riley's fingers fidgeted with the roses, who was that guy? Watching then as he handed her money, which Riley had to fight the urge to ask her why she was getting money.. she had a job, jobs pay you don't they? But there was a hesitation on his part that made Riley feel as if she was getting an advance just for him..
As she left the cafe, Riley stood from leaning on the car, he's never had a car before and it felt strange owning one, he was always putting things onto it, always leaning against it, Kimmie said he was going to end up scratching it soon enough so he tried to remind himself not to do those things.. Riley's high stamina brought on by the constant drug that was pumped from his heart's chip throughout his entire body gave him a higher resistance to the chill of the air, so he watched as she placed on her gloves, normally he was fully content in having his own hands in the pockets of his jacket. But right now they where busy just holding her flowers, he loved her so much, he wished he could do so much more for her, he wanted to shower her in gifts but he knew it made her feel bad if he did that.
'Riley..' He fiddled with the flowers for a bit as he smiled at her for his hello, watching as she stepped a little closer and repeated his name.
'Would you..' ... 'mind if.. if we maybe met a bit later, I've got a few things I need to get ...' ... 'And ..an it will give you chance to change.' Although the delay in spending time with her was a bit disappointing for him, he also wasn't keen on wondering about in his uniform. Stepping towards her, he leaned forward, letting his lips touch her forehead before standing back and looking down at her. His hand reached into his pocket and handed her a neatly folded piece of paper.
"It's my address, I don't really know any of the streets around here, my partner, Kimmie, had to drive me to work the first few days so I learned the route. I could go to your place, or.. or you could come to mine, I don't mind." As long as he removed all the paintings and she didn't get into the back room with all his other paintings so she didn't think he'd become 'obsessive' as Dawn had mentioned so often.
"Did you want me to give you a lift to your place? Or.. just go on your own to do your things." He asked, wanting to make her trip home easier, but then remember she had 'other things' she had to do..
Riley(about Catherine): I'm not losing her, I got her back once, I'll get her back again.
Re: Morning in Washington
She felt her heart quicken slightly at the touch of his gentle lips against her forehead, watching him mess around in his pocket, producing a folded piece of paper and handing it to her. She opened it, vaguley recognising the street written on the paper as being around her way. It was a rather more upmarket area then where she lived, he wouldn't mind that she didn't live anywhere like that did he?
"It's my address, I don't really know any of the streets around here, my partner, Kimmie, had to drive me to work the first few days so I learned the route. I could go to your place, or.. or you could come to mine, I don't mind." She shook her head, she didn't mind really, she'd be happy either way.
'Which ever you want.' She said, she'd just be happy to see him. Her face lifted slightly so she could look at him, her skin tingling because he was so close to her. She'd be suprised if she could see how bare his appartment was, her own one was filled with clutter and it was hard to find a space to put anything down.
"Did you want me to give you a lift to your place? Or.. just go on your own to do your things."
'It's ok I'll take the subway or get a taxi I've got to get some things anyway .... thanks for the offer though.' It would probably be quicker for her to get a cab than to take the subway and easier since she wouldn't have to lug bags around. She was being very mysterious about what "stuff" she was getting, but she wanted it to be a suprise for him.
Cat: Do you think I should go back?
Nina: Cat.. he's only a man.
Cat: You don't understand...
Re: Morning in Washington"Alright.. since you're running around.. you can just come around whenever you're ready, I'm um.. apartment twelve, third floor." He was pretty sure he wrote it down, but he wasn't sure and he didn't want her to leave because she didn't know his room number. His hand reached out once more for her, his fingers tucking beneath her chin as he moved forward to kiss her lips, then fiddled slightly with her scarf as he pulled away and spoke to her.
"I'll.. I'll put the flowers with the statue in my apartment.. you can take them tonight so you're not carrying them around with you, I'll be waiting for you." Hesitating for a moment, just soaking up one last ounce of her presence before smiling and moving back into his car. Watching her for a moment as he placed the flowers down on the seat beside him, he waited another moment before then starting the engine and moving off to his apartment. By the time he was clipping the bottom stems of the roses and neatly placing them into his vase, Riley was already half dressed, wearing his jeans though droplets of water where seen on his shoulders and in his hair, still damp from his recent shower and too eager and busy to find the time to finish drying his hair. The music in the background consisting of forest sounds in a weak effort to drown out the constant car horns that could be heard in the distance and the calls of people rushing about as they headed home.
It was odd, but Riley hadn't heard the sounds of wildlife much in his entire life, so when he found a collection of CDs dedicated to various wildlife, he found himself rather eager to listen to them, they where very relaxing against the noises of the city. Moving into his room, Riley finished packing away his police uniform and all the items that go with it, he wasn't sure what Catherine had planned for the night.. should he wear sneakers or proper shoes... he hurried back into the bathroom to finish grooming and drying himself as he eagerly awaited Catherine's arrival.
Riley(about Catherine): I'm not losing her, I got her back once, I'll get her back again.
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