Thank you to those reading/reviewing :)
Couple of points to mention here: The sculpture referenced here is from 'Everybody Loves Raymond' episode 'Marie's Sculpture'. If anyone hasn't seen it, I would recommend it!
Secondly, I am using a character from British soap opera Coronation Street. If you want an idea of what she is like, google Kirsty Soames.
Needless to say, I don't own either of these things.
x x x x
Catherine quirked an eyebrow at it suspiciously, cocking her head to the side.
"I can't find any sign of forced entry." Sara's voice filtered into the living room. "I did, however, find a 'spare key rock' by the front door but the key was missing."
The brunette looked up, mildly concerned by her colleague's lack of response. Catherine was still staring in bemusement at the large sculpture in the corner of the room.
"Cat?" Sara called softly, trying to get her attention. "You find something?"
"Come here." Cath beckoned, her gaze remaining fixed on the object. "What does this look like to you?"
Sara stepped up to stand beside her and gave it a once-over. She pursed her lips, biting back a smile.
"Well … it's abstract." She commented with amusement. Catherine sent her a sideways glance.
"Not abstract enough."
Shaking her head, the blonde turned away from it and gave Sara her undivided attention.
"So, catch me up." She said, clearing her throat.
"Well, there's no forced entry but the hider key is missing; so whoever was here might be a friend or relative who knew it was there." The younger CSI explained. "I also found evidence that the office was searched - maybe they were looking for documents of some kind since most people don't keep their valuables in their desk.
"Yeah, well most people don't have a four-foot vagina in their living room." Cath gestured to the sculpture again, earning her an amused smile from Sara.
"Good point." She conceded, not sure what else to add to the conversation. "I'm going to go check the bedroom, I'll let you know if I find anything."
Catherine watched her walk away, before a thought struck her.
"Hey," She called. "Are you going to tell me or not?"
"Not." Sara smiled to herself, continuing to leave the room.
Cath stared at the departing figure for a moment before calling after her.
"That was a rhetorical question!"
X x x
"Man, I am starving!" Warrick grumbled, placing a hand over his growling stomach to emphasize his statement.
"Franks?" Nick suggested, never one to turn down the offer of food.
"Hell yeah!"
"I'm in!" Greg piped up eagerly from the bench, furiously trying to tug his sneakers off without bothering to untie the laces first.
"Alright." Warrick hummed. "What about you, girls?"
"No, I am going home to steal a few hours of sleep before Lindsey gets back from school." Catherine wrapped her satin scarf around her neck and flicked her long hair out. "No doubt she'll have already made plans for this afternoon."
The boys chuckled in understanding, well aware of how energetic the little Willows could be.
"What about you Sara?" Nick chirped. "You in?"
The brunette stilled, deliberating for a moment. She wanted to – it had been so long since she'd shared breakfast with the team – but …
"No, I'd better not." She mumbled at last when she realised they were still waiting for an answer. "I've got some stuff to catch up on today." She added hurriedly before anyone could inquire as to her excuse.
"Stuff huh?" Catherine asked teasingly, smirking at her across the small room. "You sure it isn't because there's a certain someone waiting for you at home?"
Sara felt her cheeks turn pink as the boys swivelled to face her with matching curious grins.
"Hey now." Nick raised his eyebrows in question. "Something you're not telling us?"
She emitted a nervous laugh, pretending to look for something in her locker in a vain attempt to avoid meeting their questioning looks.
"Thanks Catherine." She joked lightly, snatching her bag and slamming the door shut. She attempted to slide past them before they could interrogate her further, but Greg blocked her path; folding his arms defensively.
"You're holding out on me?" He asked, mock hurt dancing across his face. She smiled, gently nudging him aside.
"I still want an answer to my question." Catherine hollered after her as she finally managed to reach the door. She raised a hand in acknowledgement and slipped swiftly into the cool hallway.
She had gotten away with it – just. Next time, she would have to think on her feet a little quicker.
X x x
She turned the key in the lock, leaning her whole weight against the door until it gave way and swung open. Since leaving the lab, exhaustion had taken over her entire body, seeping into every muscle. It was a miracle she had even been able to keep her eyes open on the drive home.
She shuffled into the flat, simultaneously running a hand through her hair and tossing her keys onto the bench.
All she wanted to do was strip off her clothes, stand under a hot shower until all the tension had washed away and then fall into bed.
She turned towards the bathroom door, surprised to find someone staring back at her from the threshold.
"Oh, hey." She blinked. "I thought you'd have gone home by now."
Kirsty looked her up and down for a minute before pushing past her into the kitchen in a sullen silence.
Sara rolled her eyes, turning towards her somewhat reluctantly.
"Okay, I'm sorry." She began. "It was an emergency. I had to go in."
"Sure." Kirsty hummed, keeping her back turned as she poured herself a mug of coffee.
"You know I didn't want to, I ignored the call for as long as I could."
"Yeah, I know." The dark-skinned woman continued in an eerily blank voice. "But you still went in anyway, didn't you?"
"I had to…"
"Forget it!" She whirled around, making Sara jump. "It's obvious you'd rather be in work than spend any time with me."
"Come on, that's not fair." Sara scowled.
"Isn't it?" Kirsty countered. "It took days for me to persuade you to go to Pahrump with me, but one phone call from him and you go running straight back to your precious lab."
"He's my supervisor. I don't have a choice." The brunette attempted to explain rationally, carefully eyeing the steaming mug of coffee clutched in Kirsty's trembling hand. For a moment neither of them moved, when finally the woman slammed the mug down and grabbed her purse from the counter. Sara's breath hitched at the action, the instictive fear residing in her stomach slowly fading with relief.
"Yeah, sure you don't." Kirsty snapped, stropping past her towards the door.
"Kirsty, wait!" Sara called, throwing her hands out to the sides feebly.
Her only answer was the sound of the door rattling in its frame as it slammed shut.
She released a tired sigh, casting a glance at the clock on the wall.
It was eight-thirty. About six hours before Kirsty's shift started. Six hours before the apologetic phone call would come in. Kirsty would apologise for her irrational behaviour and beg for forgiveness, just like she always did. And just like always, Sara would forgive her. And it would all be forgotten.
Until the next fight.
X x x
Catherine sighed, scowling petulantly at the red traffic light.
She had been in a perfectly jovial mood upon leaving work, but with each subsequent traffic jam she got stuck in, her demeanour had dropped somewhat.
Although, the traffic wasn't entirely to blame. Since leaving work, something had been playing on her mind. Or rather, someone.
Sara had been unusually evasive today regarding her date. Not that this was a peculiar personality trait for the brunette and ordinarily it may not have struck her as odd. But her reaction to Nick's offer of breakfast had seemed a little off.
Her exact words were 'I'd better not'. That didn't imply reluctance so much as concern. But about what?
She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel in thought, pondering the situation.
Finally, the lights switched and she darted forwards, turning into the first quiet side street she came across. She would take the scenic route home – hopefully avoiding the rush hour traffic.
Casting her mind back to her young colleague, she quickly disregarded the worry. She was probably just reading too much into it. After all, Sara was a very private person and her cagey behaviour was likely just a reaction to being pressed for personal information against her will.
Catherine nodded to herself, accepting the explanation. All the same, she made a mental note not to push the young woman too much in future. Clearly Sara had felt uncomfortable in the locker room, and it wasn't fair to wind her up too much. Even if it was a lot of fun.
X x x
Sara stripped off slowly, letting the steam from the shower instantly warm her skin. She flicked her eyes to the mirror, catching sight of her body in the reflection. Despite the mist filling the small space and condensing on the cold glass, she could just make out the purple marks tainting her pale skin.
She touched one of the bruises gently, wincing at the pain it sent richocheting through her nervous system.
The earlier argument flashed back to her mind; the look on Kirsty's face as she had clutched that hot drink in her shaking hand.
She took a deep breath, reminding herself how lucky she was that all her girlfriend did was storm out.
After all, it could have ended a lot worse.
