Sound Stage 23. Late night. Kate makes her way over to Angela, ducking from spot lights and all sorts of lighting equipment hanging around the set, traversing a sea of thick cables on the laminated floor.
« Hey Ange, » she announces from behind, making herself known to the director, and following up with a customary hug as Angela turns around with a smile. « Hey you. »
« Sorry I'm late. »
Kate removes the dark gray beanie hat off of her uncombed head in one swift motion and scratches her forehead apologetically.
« You're not. We're running a little behind. I need to go talk to Rose, actually. I won't be long. »
Angela motions over to the large bed on set discreetly, where Sarah is waiting, lying under the sheets uncomfortably. « I don't think it's in my interest to keep that bundle of nerves waiting much longer. »
Kate's eyes find her there from the distance, and without breaking visual contact with the unclothed brunette, she volunteers, « I'm gonna go talk to her. »
« Good. I'll be right over with you guys. »
« Mmm'kay. »
With a light stroke of the hand on Kate's shoulder, Angela takes off.
Kate, calm and composed, walks over to the queen bed in the middle of the set. It is rigged with light stands, dolly tracks, and white reflectors. She spots Jo Ann, one of the make-up artists, getting her assorted cosmetics and tools organized on a nearby workstation. She flashes her a polite smile and redirects her attention to Sarah.
The brunette exhales with relief at the familiar face, « Hi. »
She nervously readjusts the large pillow on her back against the black headboard, on the right side of the bed.
Kate comes to stand on her side of the bed, to the left. « Hey. » She looks around, evaluating her surroundings. « Sorry for keeping you waiting… Lost track of time playing with Floyd, » she explains with a sudden irritated temper, all the while taking her black denim jacket off. « Then, arrrrgh, the shower in my trailer wouldn't work. »
She sits down on the easy chair next to the bed to untie her Converse's shoe laces.
« No problem. Angela said they needed a few minutes anyway. »
Kate nods, removing her socks, and shoes, one by one. She stands up, her hands already working on the clasp of her belt buckle when she hears, « What are you doing? »
She looks up to find a pair of confused brown eyebrows, and replies casually, « Uhmmmm, getting undressed? »
Sarah looks her up and down, a crooked smile forming at the corner of her mouth. « Don't you need… »
Kate goes on to unzip her jeans casually, revealing Shane's signature white boy shorts. Sarah forces her eyes up at the sight of porcelain flesh, wishing away the sudden blush on her face.
« Oh, no, I don't do the robe thing. » Kate pauses, smiling at her co-star's wandering eyes, and proceeds to slide off her jeans.
« I just show up and… get naked. »
A smirk creeping up on her face.
Sarah chuckles timidly in the back of her throat at the blunt statement, or, she wonders briefly, is it because Kate is now standing in a white, v-necked, loose t-shirt over very short boy shorts. And nothing else.
Looking around the room aimlessly one more time, Kate concludes, « I mean, it's a closed set and I don't really care anymore. It's just easier. »
Flashing a goofy grin, « For me anyway. »
Shoes are kicked to the side, the pair of jeans carelessly thrown onto the easy chair. Sarah barely has time to study the tall frame before her eyes, or to linger on what she discerns to be Kate's perfectly sculpted abs.
Reality strikes back as Jo Ann approaches on her left to apply a last-minute touch of shadow over her eye lids. Sarah feels a sweep of blush on both of her cheeks and thanks the make-up artist politely when she leaves.
Kate slides in between the sheets effortlessly. Tilting her head to the left, she finds Sarah's caramel eyes fixated on her.
Her voice low and appeasing, she whispers, « How are you doing? »
Sarah forces a dismissive shrug. « I'm fine. »
The response betrayed by her clenched hands tightening the cotton sheet against her bare chest.