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Title: Next Time Author: Becky Rating: Trainee Summary: This was supposed to be my contribution to graveshiftcsi.com’s November 2005 challenge. It is now January 2006. I know. Spoilers: None. Archive: Sure, I’d be flattered. Disclaimer: And somehow, I still don’t own anything. “Okay.” Catherine rapped her fingernails on her kitchen counter, trying to figure out what had happened. “Okay. This is… not good. I don’t think.” She looked from the cookbook to the stove, and back again, her frown deepening. Definitely not good. “Cath?” The strawberry blonde snapped the cookbook shut and whipped around instantly. “Hey! I told you you couldn’t come in here,” she reminded him, stepping in front of him to block his view. It didn’t help; Gil merely moved his head a bit to see what she had been cooking. His chuckle was low, but she heard it clearly. “Shut up!” He smiled innocently. “I didn’t say anything.” He paused, pursing his lips. “I don’t have to eat that, do I?” ::thwap:: “I deserved that.” “Mhmm,” Catherine turned to look at her meal gone wrong, then back at Gil. She shook her head, half-laughing and half-sighing, “I can’t cook.” “I know.” “And yet, you were the only one who didn’t flake out on me tonight. Again.” Gil shrugged. “They’re all smarter than me.” “Shut up.” He ignored her. “I’m just wondering why they didn’t let me in on their plan to avoid…” he looked at the formless, charred cuisine, “…that.” “They don’t like you.” “Ah, that explains it.” Their banter was interrupted as Lindsey walked into the kitchen. “How does it look?” she asked Gil. He moved so that she could get a clear view of the stove – and to be a safe distance from Catherine. “Judge for yourself.” Lindsey made a face, her verdict clear. “Eww.” She turned back to Gil. “The pizza’s on its way.” “We are saved,” Gil said, eliciting a giggle from the teenager. “Ha, ha,” Catherine glared. “You two are a riot.” She looked at her daughter. “No anchovies, right?” “Right,” Lindsey confirmed, nodding. “Can we have the ice cream now? I’m starving. And mom, can you throw that thing away?” Her nose crinkled again. “It’s gross-looking.” “I’ll do it,” Gil offered. He quickly disposed of the offending object. He gave Catherine a teasing smile as he rinsed and dried his hands. “I’m glad you only try this once a year.” “Me, too,” Catherine and Lindsey both replied. “Hey!” Lindsey laughed at her mother’s indignant tone. “You’re a bad influence on my kid, Grissom,” Catherine said, jabbing her finger into his chest to make the point. “Thank you.” “Pfft,” was Catherine’s reply as she walked to the freezer, taking out the three ice cream pints Gil had brought with him. She kept the cookies-and-cream for herself and gave him the vanilla. Lindsey handed them each a spoon and took the pint of hot fudge sundae. “I think we’re set,” Catherine said. Gil nodded. Lindsey looked pensive. “I think I’m getting too old for hot fudge.” Catherine kept herself from laughing and shared an amused look with Gil. She watched as he walked up to her daughter and placed his free hand on Lindsey’s shoulder, heading with her into the living room. “Next time I’ll bring you chocolate mint,” he promised. Lindsey nodded. “Yeah, chocolate mint.” That seemed much more appropriate, she thought, as she placed the first delicious spoonful of hot fudge sundae ice cream in her already-watering mouth. Catherine followed them, smiling. Next time. The end! |