Title: She's Wearing White 2/5
Author: Jaclyn Parker (Jacsie)
Email: jaclynparker...
Rating: M
Summary: Recollections on a very important day for our duo.
Spoilers: Weeping Willows, Grave Danger (in this chapter)

She's Wearing White 2/5
By Jaclyn Parker

FLASHBACK

Catherine was sitting at the bar waiting for her order as the voices of people laughing and talking drifted around her. Her sleek and strapless red dress came to just above her knees and then ruffled slightly at an angle, showing off her dancer's legs. Her strawberry blonde locks were curled and red chandelier earrings danced in the light from the bar. A ruby red lipstick, with a built in lipgloss made her naturally sultry smile practically mouth watering and her dark eyeliner gave her "come hither" eyes. Men's gazes strayed to her every few seconds but none had the courage to get up and actually approach this vision in front of them. It wouldn't have mattered if they did anyway, because the object of her heart was upstairs in the second level of the bar. She had only come down to the lower level because the bar up there was packed and she needed a slight break.

Greg, Warrick, Nick, and Mia had organized the surprise engagement party at their favorite bar and so far it had been a blast. They had rented out the entire top floor of the establishment and at least fifty people had shown up. Mia knew the owner's son and had even managed to get Lindsey in for an hour while they ate dinner and opened gifts. Even though there had been no alcohol served during that hour, Catherine's mom hadn't been too keen on the idea. However, Lindsey had been beyond thrilled and when Lily had come to take her home, the girl was so happy that even Lily had to admit that it was a success. Now that Linds was gone the alcohol flowed like a river and even Gil was cracking jokes and telling funny stories.

Catherine leaned on the bar waiting for the bartender to get around to her and fiddled with her gorgeous ring, a soft smile lighting up her face.

"Penny for your thoughts." A voice came from her right and Catherine's eyes widened. Turning she saw Sara Sidle slide onto the stool next to her and smile shyly. Catherine took in Sara's appearance and couldn't help noticing the differences. She wore a golden-hued halter dress that cut to give her curves and accent her coloring. Her normally limp brown hair seemed fuller and it was definitely longer, brushing past her shoulders and curling slightly at the ends, along with a soft fringe of bangs on the right side of her face. It had warm golden-brown highlights that made her eyes seem more dark, but what caught Catherine's attention was the happiness and contentment in her eyes. Whatever Sara had found on her vacation, had given her the peace she needed.

"How bout a shot instead?" Catherine responded and Sara's smile grew.

"Deal." Sara signaled the bartender and he appeared at their end of the bar immediately. After ordering two shots of something whose name should not said in polite company, Sara turned back to Catherine.

"How'd you do that? I've been here for 10 minutes and couldn't get him to come over." Catherine exclaimed and Sara laughed.

'Well, duh. You're a little intimidating in that dress, Catherine. It's a wonder the men down here are remembering how to breathe." Sara grinned and Catherine raised an eyebrow.

"I wouldn't talk the way you're dressed tonight." Catherine said and Sara blushed slightly.

"Thanks. I have to admit, I have an ulterior motive. There is a certain someone I am looking to stun tonight." Sara said and Catherine felt her world slide on an axis.

"Sara..." Catherine started, but a wave of Sara's hand brought her to a halt.

"He came out to San Francisco last weekend, saying enough was enough." Sara told her, her head tilted waiting for Catherine to make the connection.

Catherine's heart rate slowed to normal, knowing that Gil had been with her and Lindsey last week and wracked her brain for those she knew took off work last weekend. When it landed on one in particular she knew in an instant it was him. In fact, when he had returned from his weekend getaway, he had seemed more than a little distracted. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped. "Nicky?"

Sara laughed at Catherine's stunned expression and then smiled softly, her eyes far away. "There were some other things he said, but they are a little personal. Long story short he convinced me that I was making a fool of myself. What happened in my past is exactly that...the past. There is no one saying that I will turn out like my mom or that no one cares about me. He said that it was time to come home. I knew he was right and I couldn't let a little hurt pride stand in my way."

The significance of Sara's statement didn't escape Catherine as their parting words two months ago were still fresh in her mind. Catherine hadn't told anyone what had happened in the locker room that day, not even Gil. He hadn't asked Catherine for an explanation, knowing that this was no one's business but her and Sara. He had told everyone that asked that Sara had a family emergency and was taking some time to deal with it. No one had believed him, but Gil's authority hadn't been questioned and while the rumors had run amuck, the grave shift ignored them all.

Sara turned to accept the shots the bar tender placed in front of them along with Catherine's drink order. Handing one shot to Catherine, she raised her glass.

"To new beginnings." Sara offered, her glass in front of her.

"To a fresh start." Catherine lifted hers and they clinked them together. The shot went down smooth and after a quiet moment they smiled at each other. Catherine stood and grabbing her previously ordered drink from the bar, turned to Sara.

"What do you say we go upstairs and join the party? If nothing else, you and me showing up without either one of us bleeding should give our co-workers something to gossip about for a while. Besides, I can't wait to see Nicky's face when he sees you in that dress."

"You know, Catherine? Me neither." Sara replied and laughing they walked upstairs to join the others.

END FLASHBACK

"Hey, a shot for your thoughts." A voice broke into Catherine's memory and she looked down into Sara's concerned brown eyes. Catherine laughed and Sara grinned at her, their inside joke now a common greeting between the women.

"I was actually thinking of my engagement party." Catherine said and Sara's eyes glowed with knowing. That night had been a fresh start for more than just Catherine and Sara's friendship. Her and Nick had been in serious relationship for over 6 months and she had never been happier. They complimented each other, just like Catherine and Gil. Nick and Cath brought out the fun sides in Sara and Gil, while the more serious duo grounded their partners. While the sheriff hadn't been thrilled, he couldn't deny that their work hadn't suffered in the slightest. In fact, their rate of solving crimes had increased due to the knowledge that they truly were becoming a family.

"Oh my god, Mom! Look!" Lindsey's voice cried out and Sara and Catherine turned their attention to the 13 year old practically dancing by the doors of the bridal suite in the church. Jim Brass, Warrick, Greg, and Nick strode into the room, each carrying a large vase of 3 dozen red and white roses. Dr. Al Robbins was on their heels carrying two camcorders, one closed in his hand with his cane and the other open and recording the struggling men.

"I am going to guess, Catherine, that you can figure out who these are from. If not, I'll give you a hint. By now he is probably pacing a path in the floor deep enough to reach China." Al joked and Catherine laughed at the image.

"Uh, someone wanna tell us where to put these down?" Nick complained and Sara rolled her eyes.

"What the matter, He-man? Arms getting tired?" She teased and Nick just playfully growled at her. She directed them to place them around the room and the four men sighed. Nick grabbed Sara by the waist and she squealed, when he kissed her ticklish spot on her neck.

"Ewww, gross! Like I don't get enough of that from Mom and Uncle Gil!" Lindsey whined and shrieked when Nick grabbed her and poked his fingers in her ticklish ribs.

"Children, settle down!" Lily said from where she was fixing a curl in Mia's hair. Nick gave her a sheepish grin and went back to place his arm around Sara.

"You look...I can't even find words, Cath." Jim Brass spoke and she blushed for the first time in a long time.

"Thanks, Jim. You ready?" She asked and he nodded, tugging at his bow-tie nervously. It was a great honor to walk the bride down the aisle and he was incredibly touched that she had chosen him. He knew that Sam Braun had been put out at first, but when explained that his other option was not coming to the wedding at all he quickly gave in. He also knew the fact that Braun was coming at all was something that several people weren't thrilled about, as his eyes shied to Lily and his thoughts turned to Gil.

"Cath, I have something else for you. From that same very nervous somebody." Al spoke up and handed her the other camcorder, flipping it open and pushing play for her.

Gil's face filled up the screen and Catherine felt tears well up in her eyes at the very sight of him. The second his voice began, she knew she was a goner.

"Cath, I know tradition says that the groom shouldn't see the bride before the wedding and since I can't really see you, I thought this would be okay. I just had to tell you once more, how amazing you make me feel and how completely you fill me. I love you with all my heart and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you and Lindsey. See you soon, my love."

The screen went blank and Catherine felt the tears falling down her cheeks. A gentle hand took the camcorder out of her hands and wiped her tears away with a tissue. Catherine's blue eyes looked up to meet her mother's own watery gaze. A million expressions of love passed through that one look and Catherine felt a lightness in her heart that she would remember for the rest of her life.

Lily quickly fixed her daughter's makeup and then gathered the wedding party into their couples in the hall that led into the chapel. Warrick and Nancy, Nick and Sara, Greg and Mia, then Al and her mother. Lindsey would walk in, right before Catherine and Jim, carrying the rings attached to her bouquet by a satin ribbon.

"Let's do it." Catherine said, more ready for this then anything she had ever been in her entire life. The music began and the doors opened, welcoming the group and the family beginning a new life together.