Apologies for not getting this up last night like I had intended, personal issues got in the way. I hope you enjoy it anyway

x x x x

Cath's POV

After our late night chat, I had expected at least a little awkwardness between Sara and I this morning, but thankfully there is nothing of the sort.

If anything, things feel unusually settled between us. It is like a weight has been lifted and replaced with a certain level of understanding.

Despite our new sort-of-friendship, we haven't actually spoken much since exchanging sleepy greetings this morning.

After lunch, during the mind-numbing dullness which seems to stretch all afternoon, Sara has settled on her bed with her notebook – a new routine of hers – and is contentedly doodling away to herself.

It was laundry day yesterday – colours – and I have just finished folding and tidying away all of my returned clothes. Now, with little else to occupy my time and a question that has been burning in the forefront of my mind all day, I amble over and perch on the edge of her mattress.

"Sara?"

"Hmm?" She doesn't look up from her work, but I am used to that. When she is drawing, nothing short of a fire will drag her eyes from the page.

"I was just wondering … about last night?" I say coyly, playing with the edge of the blanket nervously. "Were you serious?"

She smiles, a light blush tinting her cheeks.

"Yeah." She drawls, cocking her head to the side. "Why do you ask?"

"You know I … I, uh …" I stop, taking a deep breath. I know what I'm trying to say, but this is not a conversation I ever thought I would be having with someone I barely know. "I couldn't ask you to do something that you don't want to do." I manage to say at last. "Don't get me wrong, it's a very sweet offer, but I could never expect you to do something like that for me."

To my surprise, Sara laughs, finally tearing her attention away from her notebook with a playful glint dancing in her dark eyes.

"You do remember why I'm in here, right?" She asks teasingly.

I bite back a smile, trying to remain serious.

"I know, but that doesn't mean I'm going to make you…"

I trail off, my gaze falling onto the grinning shadow that is wandering past our cell. How much has she heard?

Before I can even begin to work out what to do next, Sara does the last thing I expect her to do.

She kisses me.

X x x

Sara's POV

If you asked me why, I couldn't tell you.

Catherine had been mid-sentence when she stopped, her eyes following something over my shoulder. I turn, following her line of sight to see what has gotten her so distracted.

Of course, why hadn't I guessed?

Harper is wandering past our cell with a manic grin on her face.

Turning back to Cath, my heart clenches to see the look of fearful despair in her eyes. Without even thinking, I do the first thing that comes into my head.

I lean forward, quickly pressing my lips to Catherine's.

I feel her jump at the action, but she doesn't do anything to stop it.

When we do eventually pull back, she is blinking at me in surprise.

"What was that for?" She asks calmly, her tongue darting out unconsciously to lick her lips.

Without bothering to offer an explanation, I glance over my shoulder again.

I still have no idea why I did it, but either way it worked. Harper has vanished.

Catherine is still watching me curiously when I turn back to face her, but this time there is a small smile twitching at her lips.

"Nicely played." She mumbles bashfully, nudging me gently in the leg before standing up and clambering onto her own bed.

"Thank you, I do try." I reply, clearing my throat.

It strikes me how easily the words roll off my tongue around this woman. Usually I would be a stammering mess, trying to think of some explanation regarding my actions or a half-decent comeback to her comment, but around Catherine they seem to come naturally.

Perhaps our unusual living arrangements are sparking some kind of mutual psychic connection.

I'm sure Freud would have something to say on the matter.

X x x

Cath's POV

It is rare that anything shocks me anymore, but Sara's kiss did just that.

It has been playing on my mind for most of the day and I can't quite put my finger on why that is.

It had been a tender kiss, albeit brief. It reminded me of my youth; stolen kisses underneath the bleachers and sneaking out of the back door for illicit late night meetings in the rain.

It is raining now.

I hate the rain. I used to like it when I was young – I liked the rhythmic sound it made against the walls and the refreshing chill of a rainstorm on a hot summer evening.

Now that sound is like a war drum, and the chill cuts straight through your bones, freezing you from the inside out.

I hold the blanket tighter around myself, sealing out the cold.

Below me, I can hear Sara shivering as well.

I dart my tongue out, wetting my dry, chapped lips. I can still taste her kiss.

Without relinquishing my hold on the blanket, I sit up and shuffle out of bed.

X x x

Sara's POV

It is the coldest night so far. So cold that I daren't even try to sleep in case I wake up frozen to the mattress in the morning.

In the darkness I see Catherine's legs swing off the edge of her bed before she drops down with a dull thud.

Suddenly another blanket is thrown on top of my own and my bed shifts with added weight as she shuffles underneath the covers.

"Catherine?" I inquire, not sure what is going on. "You okay?"

"Cold." She answers bluntly. "And I know you are too."

I smile, remembering when those words were last uttered between us.

She fidgets, trying to find a comfortable position in the small space. Finally she seems to settle and her breathing turns soft and slow.

I close my eyes, preparing to try and get some rest despite my newly acquired sleeping partner.

On the plus side, I'm not cold anymore.

A hand is thrown across my stomach and I feel hot breath against my neck.

"This still isn't a yes." She murmurs, placing a soft kiss on my cheek. In the dark that lay between us, I smile.

"Duly noted."

X x x

Cath's POV

Sara falls asleep first. I feel her breathing even out beneath my hand, which lies inoffensively on her stomach.

I look up, scanning her peaceful face. It is the only time that I have truly seen her relax.

I still don't fully understand this girl. There is something deeply secretive about her that makes me want to know more.

When I first came here, I made a point of saying that I wasn't going to get attached to anyone or anything connected to this place.

If no one can get close enough to get under my skin, they can't hurt me.

But Sara Sidle is a different ball game all together. I am intrigued by her; I want to know what is hiding behind those expressive brown eyes.

But is it worth the risk of letting her get close enough to know me?