Hey guys. New one for ya. This is (heavily) based on Living Doll/Dead Doll. However, as always, it is Cara :) The italics are flashbacks. I hope it's not too complicated to follow, but the dates and times should make it easier.

Disclaimer: I do not own CSI, the characters, storyline or anything remotely related. I am merely borrowing and adapting them to my liking. I'll put them back when I'm done.

Stephanie, keep smiling girl x

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Prologue

25th September; 9:30

The door slammed. "Mom?" The voice filtered into the lounge from the hallway.

"In here Linds." Cath called hoarsely, trying her damndest to conceal the fact that she'd been crying.

"Hi," The fourteen year old greeted cheerfully, but her expression changed once she laid eyes on her mother. "What's wrong?" She dropped her bag and threw herself onto the couch next to her mother. "Mom?" She asked earnestly. Catherine wiped her eyes futilely and attempted a smile.

"I'm okay honey." She assured her. "How was the slumber party?" She asked; but she should have known that trying to change the subject would never wash on her daughter.

"It was fine. What's wrong?" The teenager pressed, shuffling closer.

"Nothing's wrong. I'm fine" Cath insisted, albeit weakly.

"Has something happened? Is Sara okay?" Lindsey's blue eyes searched her mother's face for any clue. And she found it in Sara's name.

"She's okay." Catherine assured her.

"Have you two had a fight?" Lindsey guessed, correctly judging by Cath's expression.

"We had words." Cat corrected. Lindsey was quiet for a moment.

"Are you gonna split up?" The girl asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

"I don't know." Catherine answered honestly. She had learnt a long time ago that it was not worth lying to Lindsey, she always knew.

"Well, where is she?"

"I don't know." Cath repeated, wiping at the stray tears that kept creeping out. "We had words and she left. I don't know where she is." She shrugged sadly. "I screwed up." She mumbled. In a reversal of stereotypes, Lindsey wrapped her arms around her mother in a comforting hug.

"Well why don't you call her and talk it out. Fix it." The little blonde mumbled. Catherine didn't say anything, just revelled in her daughter's embrace. "I know you don't want to lose her." Linds said solemnly. "So do something quickly before it's too late." Cath hummed in agreement but didn't let go.

"When did you become so grown up?" She asked, nuzzling her little girl's face softly. Lindsey laughed.

"I don't know. I guess you were too busy making out with your girlfriend to notice." A smile crept into her voice. In a swift movement, Catherine grabbed her round the middle, causing her to shriek and shrink away into the cushions.

"Cheeky." Cath smiled, properly this time. Lindsey matched the expression. The teenager picked up the phone and handed it to her mother.

"Call her." She said, placing a kiss on Catherine's cheek. Cath watched her daughter disappear upstairs before turning her attention to the phone.

With butterflies in her stomach, she dialled Sara's number and waited for the smooth voice on the other end.

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26th September; 23:42

"Pick up Sara. Come on, please pick up." Catherine muttered to herself, phone glued to her ear as she stalked the Las Vegas Crime Lab corridors on route to the layout room. And yet she knew in her heart that that voice was not going to answer her.

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