I know it's been forever, but I've been caught up in not having a life. I'm sad to see this end, but it needed to be done. Please enjoy! Beta: Amanda Ruth

Burn to Shine

Won't you be the new one
Burn to shine
I take the blue ones every time
Walk me down your broken line
All you have to do is cry
Yes
All you have to do is cry

Warrick stepped up onto the dimly lit porch, raising his hand to knock on the hard wood before him. In one hand he clutched a small bouquet of yellow roses--he had driven all over town in search of this distinct arrangement. Nerves set deep into his stomach when the door opened. Catherine stood half behind the door, half exposed to Warrick's view.

He smiled apologetically, "Can I come in?" he asked, his voice low. Catherine didn't say anything; instead she backed up, swinging the door open completely.

Warrick walked through the door apprehensively, and followed Catherine to the living room couch.

"Bringing me my favorite flowers and looking like a sick puppy doesn't mean everything is going to snap back to normal," she told him, making it perfectly clear that she wasn't just going to roll over.

"I don't want things to go back to normal." She looked intrigued, and Warrick took it as a cue to continue. "How can I make you understand that I never wanted to hurt you?"

Catherine didn't answer, but as she shifted on the sofa, Warrick could see tears welling up in her blue eyes. It took all of his perseverance not to reach out to her.

"Catherine?"

"I just don't understand." For her to admit something like that, Warrick knew, it took a lot of strength.

Warrick sighed and tried his best to explain, "Cath, I've had these feelings for you for as long as I can remember. I don't know why I never acted on them…I guess I was scared…Tina was…" Warrick paused and nervously scratched at his head "I don't even know what she was. What happened the other night with Lindsey, it brought those feelings out again. Nothing happened between us when I was married; even if it had come to that, I would have stopped us. I didn't want to hurt you."

Tears were now slowly falling down Catherine's cheeks. Fearing that he had done the unspeakable yet again, Warrick set the flowers that he had been holding the entire time on the table, used one hand to cup Catherine's face, and wiped away a tear as it rolled down. He hastily removed his hand, looking straight into her eyes.

"I'm sorry," Catherine said, in an understanding tone, "I never realized."

"I understand if you don't feel the same way; I just needed to get it off my chest," Warrick said brokenly. He hadn't thought of the feeling not being mutual until now.

"That's not what I'm saying," she said quickly. "Are you sure about this?"

"One hundred percent," he told her with meaning behind his voice. Warrick leaned closer to her face, watching her eyes and body language carefully. Before he knew it, his lips were on hers; a connection of passion for them both.

As they pulled apart, Warrick placed his arms around Catherine, feeling her lean into him. They stayed that way for several minutes before Catherine pulled back.

"I need to get a vase for those flowers." With that she stood up, grabbed the bouquet from the coffee table and disappeared into the kitchen.

Warrick leaned back on the couch, satisfied that he had made up for the pain he had caused her. All he wanted now was for her to be happy, with him by her side.

When Catherine sat back down she leaned into him as he stared at the blank TV, thinking to himself. "Do you want to stay?" she asked.

Warrick turned and smiled down at her. "On one condition." She looked confused. "Tell me about this 'abuse' thing."

The End