Thank you for the reviews so far, hope you enjoy this one. I promise the next chapter will explain...
x x x x
She had no idea who called the ambulance, but as soon as she saw the blue lights illuminating the park her heart skipped a beat. She glanced down at her friend, cradled tight against her chest. She could feel Sara's blood soaking into her own clothes; hot, in stark contrast to the brunette's stone cold skin pressed against her own.
"Help's on its way Sara, just hold on for me." She whispered to her silent companion.
The police crashed through the hedge before the EMTs had even gotten their equipment out of the ambulance. Catherine looked up, greeted by a lot of uniforms and the shocked, ghost white face of Jim Brass.
X x x
After that all hell broke loose. Sara was forcibly prised free from Catherine's fierce grip and the blonde was hauled off in another direction and bundled in the back of a police car. Despite her protests that she was fine and that she wanted to go with Sara, Brass insisted that she be checked at the hospital herself.
It never crossed her mind that that might not be the only reason they wanted to get her away from Sara.
X x x
With the all clear from the doctors, Catherine was out of the small cubicle before she was even fully dressed again.
She rounded the corner and her gaze fell instantly on the team; despondently holding the fort outside the ER.
Warrick was the first one to see her, immediately standing up to engulf her in his warm embrace.
"How is she?" she murmured against his strong chest.
"Still in surgery."
"What happened, Cath?" Nick asked from his seat next to them. She pulled back a bit, still in Warrick's arms, wiping in vain at her tears.
"I don't know. Everything's a mess." She mumbled. Before she could clarify anything for them, a gruff voice spoke from behind them, making her whirl around.
"Catherine Willows?"
"Yes?" She asked, a frown etching itself into her features as she found herself staring at two police officers she barely recognised.
"We need to ask you a few questions." She took a deep breath, nodding her consent. Of course, it hadn't dawned on her that the police would need to know what she saw. However, to her surprise, the officer who had spoken shook his head. "At the station." She felt Warrick tense at her side as the same thought crossed his mind that had just crept into hers.
"Why not here?" The dark skinned man asked, edging closer to her. Cath narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You think I shot her!" She realised. The officer pursed his lips, not answering. She scowled. "Fine" she conceded, stepping towards them.
"I'll call Brass." Grissom announced, materialising at her side.
"It's okay," She promised, looking pointedly at the officers. "This won't take long."
X x x
"I want to talk to Jim." She repeated for the millionth time, toying with the sleeves of her work jumpsuit nervously. The two officers who had escorted her from the hospital had disappeared and she was now facing the woman who had taken her clothes for testing.
"I'm afraid I can't allow that." The woman insisted, fixing Catherine with a steely glare.
"Then I want Sofia." Cath said adamantly through gritted teeth. Realising that she was not going to get squat out of this woman herself, the female officer reluctantly heaved herself up and stalked out of the interrogation room. Alone, Catherine shivered. She tried to convince herself it was because she was cold, but she knew it wasn't. She could still feel Sara's blood on her skin, soaking into her like a scar.
Finally, the door swung open and detective Sofia Curtis walked in. Catherine did not profess to like the woman, but right now it was just nice to see a familiar face.
"Hi Catherine." Sofia started softly, sitting down.
"How's Sara?" Cath asked, ignoring the formalities. Sofia paused, thrown for a second.
"She's still in surgery." The detective answered at last. Cath exhaled a deep breath, letting her head fall onto her folded arms on the table. Sofia watched her for a long moment before speaking again. "Why don't you tell me what happened?" Catherine looked up.
"Do I need a lawyer?" She asked pointedly. Sofia shook her head.
"You're not under suspicion Catherine; we just need to know what happened out there tonight." The blonde assured her. Catherine scrutinised her for a long minute. Finally, she opened her mouth and started to talk.
"I was in the park."
"Where you alone?" Sofia interjected. Catherine chewed her lip.
"Not exactly."
