Title: Fixation

Disclaimer: I do not own anything.

Rating: M to be safe

Summary: Season: 4 Episode: 8 After the Show references. Howard Delhomme is fixated on Catherine Willows and he will do what it takes to make sure she knows. .......Grillows.......

Chapter 6

"Edward Stoller?" Brass help up his badge to the man that answered the door.

"Yes." the man nodded "Can I help you?"

"Do you know this man?" Brass held up the picture of Howard.

"Yeah." the man answered. "That's Howard. Did you find my car?"

Brass furrowed a brow" How do you know him?"

"We worked together for awhile, as photographers at a modelling agency."

Brass looked over at Gil and back to Edward. "Do you know where he is right now?"

Edward shrugged "No, but he was supposed to bring my car back last night and he never showed up. I tried calling him at his studio, at his house and on his cell, but he won't pick up"

"His studio?" Gil cut in. "What studio?"

"Howard said he purchased an old house and he was using it to get back in the business. He asked to borrow my car to transport his equipment."

"Do you know where this studio is?" Gil asked, well aware that no record of a second address had be found in Howard's file.

"No." Edward admitted "But I can call him again and see if he answers." he showed the phone to Gil, who took down the number. "And if he does I can get the address."

"That would be good, why don't you do that." Brass spoke up

"There's that beautiful face." Howard smiled as he wiped the dried blood from Catherine's skin.

Catherine cringed as his finger tips caressed her cheek.

"How is that feeling?" Howard inquired pointing to the bruise around her eye. "Can you see any better?"

Catherine watched as Howard played doctor but she didn't respond.

"I'll get you something to help you sleep after we take care of Lisa."

Catherine remained quiet as the water from the shower cascaded down on her naked frame. Her body began to shiver when the warmth of the water faded.

"Cold." she whispered ignoring Howard's comment "I'm cold."

"Okay." he smiled kissing her forehead like a child. "I'll get you a towel."

Howard grabbed he towel he had set out for her. "Stand up." he ordered

Catherine kept her knees pulled tight against her body and closed her eyes, her cuffed hands were going numb and the sharp pain she was feeling in the rest of her body was becoming unbearable.

"You shouldn't be ashamed of your body." he commented her "It's beautiful."

Still Catherine refused to move.

"I get it." he closed his eyes and passed her the towel. "You're shy."

"My hands." she whispered.

Howard opened his hands. "I can't remove the cuffs. Not after the stunt you pulled."

"I can't feel my hands." she muttered trying to fight her emotions.

Howard watched her for a moment and reached into his pocket, pulled out the keys to the handcuffs and gently released her hands.

"I don't want you to think of me as insensitive." he whispered

Catherine rubbed her numb hands together to get the blood flow back to normal. "Thank-you." she spoke as he placed the towel over her shoulders.

"I just want you to be happy. I don't li..."

Howard was interrupted by the vibrating of his cell phone, but he ignored it.

"I don't like to see you upset, and unhappy. I..." he tried to finish once more when his house phone then began to ring. Howard waited for the ringing to stop and the answering machine cut in.

On the machine, Edward demanded Howard pick up the phone.

"You can put this on for now." he handed her a bathrobe. "Excuse me." Howard sighed in aggravation and walked out of the bathroom.

"Hello?" he answered

**

"Howard?" Edward Stoller was irate "Where the hell are you?"

On the other end of the line Howard tried to condone his actions, and convince Edward to let him keep the car a few hours more.

"I want my car back now Howard, you were to have me car back twenty-four hours ago!"

Brass and Gil watched intently as Edward conversed with Howard and the call was traced.

"I want my car back Howard, I want it back now or I'm calling the cops and they will come and get it!"

**

Catherine watched from her position in the shower where she spotted a stainless steel nail file. Stepping out of the tub, she inched toward the counter waiting for the moment Howard would turn his back to her.

Howard looked up from the phone call he was listening to and smiled at Catherine, and as she had anticipated he then turned his back attempting to block the conversation. He had no intentions on appearing weak in front of her.

Catherine reached for the file and pulled on the robe, she quickly hide the nail file in the cuff of her sleeve and took her place on the edge of the tub and waited.

Howard hung up the phone and returned to the bathroom.

"All better." he smiled taking his taser out of the drawer. "Now, we should get you dressed."

Catherine eyed the taser and concluded that now was not the time for her to strike against Howard.

"Your dress, is waiting for you." he gave her a shove into the bedroom. "I have to run a few errands, but I will be back. I trust you won't disappoint me."

Catherine nodded. Howard caressed her cheek. "When I get back we will be free of interruptions."

Catherine waited until the door closed behind him before she cringed at his touch. She then sat on the bed and listened to the silence of an empty house.

TBC