The house and the renovation of it had taken a lot of time and energy. Plus the work and advanced training, Sofia was tired. She felt like she didn't have a day off in ages and not two weeks. There was nothing left of her two weeks in Europe, it was like it had never happened, the life in Vegas had taken over, demanded everything from her. Double shifts, painting walls and not enough sleep.

Coming home, in her new house, throwing the keys on the kitchen table she was ready to go to bed. She was tired and tensed. When would there be the time to enjoy her new place? A house. Four rooms and a bathroom upstairs, a kitchen, living room and a second bathroom downstairs, a garden. Everything she ever dreamed of. When was the time to have a BBQ and see to good sides of having an own place? It was late autumn, the days were shorter and colder.

Knowing the car was in the driveway and seeing the keys, Sofia knew, Sara was home too. She hadn't talked to her today, they had barely spent any time together the last week. Both were filled up with work, tried to renovate as much as possible and got some sleep whenever there were spare five minutes.

Catching a breeze Sofia guessed Sara was sitting outside in the garden. Thinking for a short moment to go upstairs and sleep, she changed her mind. She should at least greet her friend. Wife. Friend. Since they were back from Europe they had stopped acting like a married couple and got back to their old friendship. What happened in Europe stayed in Europe.

With a glass that looked like it was filled with whiskey, Sara sat on the step from the terrace to the garden. Under other circumstances it could have been a nice picture.

Not sure if she should disturb the brunette Sofia stood still for a minute. It wasn't usual that Sara was drinking after work. A beer or a glass of wine sometimes, drinking whiskey was highly unusual. Sofia couldn't recall the last time she had seen Sara drinking hard liquor. She wondered if something bad had happened or if her friend simply had felt like having a whiskey.

"Good morning." Sofia said.

"Good day." Sara didn't bother to turn. She was right about the time, it was almost noon, another long night for Sofia and she was sure, Sara's shift hadn't ended in the early morning either. They were both good on doing doubles at the moment.

"Everything alright?"

"Sure. Why?"

"Haven't seen you drinking whiskey in a long time. Is there a reason why you do so?"

"You mean is there a good reason to drink? Apparently there's always a reason for a drink."

That didn't sound good. Sofia knew her friend long enough to know, something was bothering Sara. Something that weighted heavily on her. Slowly she walked to Sara, sat down next to her, got the glass gently out of her friend's hand. Sara wanted to protest first, when she saw Sofia took a sip and gave the glass back to Sara, she was quiet.

"Bourbon."

"Yeah."

"You know I'm a little sissy I prefer Scotch, it seemed less strong. I think I need some chocolate with bourbon."

"I brought chocolate donuts."

"Why are they not here with you and the bourbon?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Mhm." Sofia looked at Sara. "You're not that hungry the last time."

"Call it a diet."

"Oh yeah you really need a diet." Sofia shook her head and sighed.

"I know."

"Sara…"

"What?" The sound of the response sounded more like 'don't talk to me' or 'stop annoying me, leave me alone'. Neither the one nor the other Sofia would do. It was obvious something bothered Sara and Sofia would not leave her friend alone with whatever it was.

"I'd like to talk to you."

"I'm tired Sofia."

"So am I."

„Let's talk another time." Sara got up, leaving the half full glass and Sofia behind her.

"Sure." Sofia mumbled. Something was wrong. Really wrong.

Sara had been strange for a while, now that Sofia thought of that. It started maybe a week or two after their Europe trip. Sofia didn't pay much attention, it was the same time they found the house and started to be busy with the renovating. She thought Sara missed Europe, she had enjoyed the trip a lot, all the culture, the history had fascinated her. But she also loved her job and had looked forward to return to it.

What could it be? There had been no fight, no case that got close to her, Sofia always had an eye on Sara's cases to make sure, her friend didn't end up with a domestic violence or child abuse case. Or when she did, Sofia wanted to know and made sure, Sara was alright. There had been no special case, nothing had happened; at least nothing Sofia could remember of. And she was sure, Grissom had told her if something had happened.

What had happened to Sara?

Being tired it was very tempted to go to bed, to leave Sara alone and give her the time she had demanded. No, she hadn't demanded time, she wanted Sofia to leave her alone, there was a difference. So easy to please her, so easy to do what the brunette had asked for.

No, Sofia wouldn't do what she had been told. She never liked it when people told her what to do or not to do.

Taking the whiskey inside, closing the door, Sofia walked upstairs. Sara wasn't in the bathroom, she had to be in her room already. Knocking and not waiting for a response, she knew that wouldn't come, Sofia opened the door.

Sara was in her bed, fully dressed, eyes closed but not asleep.

"I'm tired Sofia."

"So you said."

"Why are you here then?"

"I want to talk to you."

"Another time." Sara didn't look at Sofia, she didn't open her eyes.

"Sara…"

"I really don't want to talk right now."

Sofia looked at her for a few second. Quietly she mumbled. "And I thought we could talk about everything. Looks like I'm wrong on that." Without waiting for a respond Sofia turned, closed the door and walked to the bathroom. She couldn't force Sara to talk to her but she didn't understand why the brunette was closing up herself. What was wrong? Was it something Sofia did? Said? She couldn't remember a fight. There was no reason why Sara acted like she did; not a reason Sofia could see.

Whatever it was, maybe Sara would tell her later when they had dinner. If they had dinner together. The last days they hadn't have a meal together. Sara was awake before Sofia got up and was usually gone by the time Sofia had dinner.

Not bothering with really drying herself after the shower, Sofia pulled over a long sleep shirt and walked into her room. There was no reason to keep on thinking what was wrong. She had no clue and if she would go on thinking, she wouldn't find an answer either.

Had it been a mistake that they've moved in together? There had never been a problem all the years before. It had been like they'd shared a place and everything was alright. What was wrong now? What was the difference?