Catherine stands next to Sara in the elevator, and the brunette notes that yet again she is not wearing the proper clothing, which is always a good start to leaving the hospital. Sara slips off her jacket, and wraps it around Catherine's shoulders. Catherine flashes Sara a small smile in response, and then puts the coat on the rest of the way. Catherine is bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet with itching anticipation to leave this place. She glances over at Sara who is observing her with an amused look on her face. The elevator door open, and Catherine grabs Sara's hand practically dragging the brunette behind her to reach the door before the doctors change their mind. Sara has Catherine wait in front of the hospital while she rushes to get the car, because the blonde has already started to shiver. Sara speeds up to the curb, and Catherine gets in, "Jesus Sara you are going to kill somebody."

"That's okay at least you could get in the car, and be warm while I cover my tracks." Catherine chuckles, and rolls her eyes at the brunette.

Sara picks up speed and is going about eighty on the interstate." So you want to go out to lunch, or something the four of us?"

"To tell you the truth I would really like to take a real bath first."

"Okay, I have to supervise you right? I'm telling you this is retarded you are completely capable of taking care of yourself...but after an hour lecture on how to take care of you until you heal I don't think I should disregard what was said just because of my personal opinion."

"Probably shouldn't."

"Yeah I guess. So anyway how do you want to celebrate your newborn freedom?"

"Ummmmm I don't know, lunch sounds good I guess, actually anything that isn't hospital food sounds good."

"I hear you there." The rest of the car ride is silent. The women slyly take turns looking at each other through the corner of their eyes Sara pulls in in front of her house, and Lindsay is instantly at the front door. She runs to her mother, and gives her a bone crushing hug, but loosens her grip when her mom accidentally allows a small wince to slip from her lips.Sara kisses the young blonde on the forehead when it is her turn for a hug then leads Catherine into the house. The two women are greeted by Lilly at the door, and more hugs are exchanged. Sara glances back at Cath, and catches her eyes signaling to the blonde to follow. Sara leads Catherine up into her bedroom pointing out rooms along the way. The walls are a rich purple, and there is a king size bed against the back wall with black covers, and pillows. Ebony nightstands lie on either side of the bed. Everything in the room has a slightly antique appearance, and isn't exactly what Catherine would have pictured Sara's room looking like. "Okay now that you have had your brief tour this is where you will be staying, Linzz and you mom are in the guest room, and I'll be sleeping on the couch."

"What now that we aren't in the hospital we can't share the same bed?"

"No... Cat I just thought you might want some space."

"No way Sara you are sleeping in here with me."

"Okay." Catherine smiles at Sara, crossing the room to meet the brunette, and laces her arms around Sara's shoulders. Sara slides her hands across Catherine waist, and holds the blonde tight. She rests her head on top of Catherine's, and gently runs her fingers up, and down Cath's spine. Catherine tangles her fingers in Sara's hair, and rubs the back of the brunette's neck while placing a few light kisses on the tender spot of Sara's neck. Sara can feel her heart racing, her breathing becoming labored, and her nipples hardening. She starts to pull away so that things won't be uncomfortable for Cath, but the blonde holds her tighter. "Do you want to start your bath?" Sara whispers.

Catherine shakes her head, and whispers back, "Just a few more minutes?"She looks up at Sara a pleading expression on her face, and Sara nods tightening her hold on Catherine. Catherine lifts her head after five minutes, and Sara releases her.

"You can get the bath ready, there are bubbles under the sink if you want them, call me when it's okay for me to come in."

"Okay." Catherine crosses the room, and enters the bathroom to the right of Sara's bed. Sara walks over to her closet, and searches for a shirt she feels like wearing, and settles on a black long sleeve v-neck instead of the tank top she is wearing now. "Sara!"She crosses the room, and enters the bathroom closing the door behind her. Catherine is laying in the tub covered by bubbles, her hair is slicked back, and wet from where she already dunked her head in the water. Sara places the bag of bathroom stuff next to her, and tries to avoid looking at where she knows Catherine's naked body lies.

"Do you want some fresh clothes?"

"Nah I'll just wear the ones I have on."

"Okay, do you mind if I change my shirt in here?"

"I'm lying in your tub only covered by bubbles, and you are asking me if I care if you change your shirt?" Catherine flashes Sara a gorgeous smile, "No I don't mind hun." Sara walks over to the sink so that she can face the mirror, and her back is to Catherine. She lifts her tank top off over her head, and Catherine gets her first real look at Sara's back. It is pale, and toned with a long white scar running diagonally from her lower back to about her bra line at little lower. Catherine quietly gasps, and Sara looks over her shoulder at the blonde.

"What?"

"It's nothing... ummmm is that scar on your back from..."

"No."

"What happened."

"It's nothing it happened when I was a kid." Sara sighs, and places her hands on the sides of the sink, dropping her head. She glances over her shoulder again into Catherine's curious eyes. "Before I tell you, you have to know you will learn a lot about me at once, and a lot of things will click, and make sense. When I tell you this there is no turning back Cat you either take me or leave me."

"Sweetie we are already past that point, and I'm not leaving." Sara puts on her fresh shirt then crosses the room, and sits on the edge of the tub placing her feet in the warm water so that she is completely facing Catherine. Sara takes a deep breath her nerves are chewing away at her stomach, her pulse is ringing in her ears, and her hands have become cold. Catherine reaches up, and takes one of Sara's hands sensing the brunette's uneasiness. "It's okay Sara, I'm here for you. You can tell me about it." Catherine can sense something horrible is about to come from Sara, but she could never prepare herself fr what she is about to hear.

Sara opens her mouth to speak, and her voice comes out in little more than a whisper. "When I was little there was a lot of abuse going on in my house. My mom, and dad used to beat me, and my brother occasionally, but I was the unexpected, and unwanted one. I got used to my mother telling me how worthless I was, and her pulling me out of bed to beat me after my father had finished slapping her around. She was looking for someone to blame, and who was better than the little brat who decided to come around unexpectedly. I would try to be my quietest not to disturb them, and give them a reason to give me another black eye; I would try my hardest in school to make them proud of me. While I got straight A's and no acknowledgment for my hard work, my brother got C's and D's and was praised by my parents. Then I was the no good know it all show off, and why couldn't I be more like my brother, why couldn't I be more normal. We had this sliding glass door that lead out onto the patio, and while my father did his daily routine of beating my mother one of the windows on it was broken. My mother shortly after came for me. I braced myself for the feeling of her fists against my body, and maybe a bat or a book. The slight chance of another broken bone, and the feeling of the table crushing into my side. I didn't however prepare myself for what would happen that night. My mom took me out into the hallway. There was glass scattered across the floor. She was a very pretty woman from what I remember, but she had blood streaming down her face from her forehead that night. She started to hit me harder, and harder all over releasing her anger. She slapped me so hard across the face that I lost my balance, and fell onto the broken window, and then out onto the patio. I remember the deep ripping of my skin like it was yesterday I had never felt a physical pain so bad until Natalie trapped me under that car. A trip to the hospital follow, I had gotten so used to the late night hospital trips, and that time wasn't any different the fake smiles, and concerns when every single person in that hospital failed to notice how often a small shy, girl came into that emergency room. The pain was endless, because no matter how many pain meds I was prescribed I never saw one of them for myself; I did however see many of them being eaten like candy by my mother." Sara raises her head and glances at Catherine, tears are gathered in her eyes yet to fall as she struggles to be strong while she listens to Sara's past. Sara can feel her own tears trickling down her face, but picking up pace.

"Jesus Christ Sara! What happened did you end up staying with your family until you were eighteen or did you manage to escape?" Sara squeezes Catherine's hand as she plunges back into her memories for the woman.

"About a week later my mom pulls me out of bed, and my brother is standing next to her. I figured that her beating was even worse tonight, or that my father I couldn't quite comprehend this at the time, but looking back my father had raped her again. That mean we would both be beaten, and most likely taken to the hospital afterward. My mom had bruises forming around her neck that night as she lead my brother, and me out into the living room. My father was passed out on the couch surrounded by beer bottles. I still remember the cast off, smell of iron that night, and clinging to the social security woman's hand who came to take me and my brother, as I watched the young cop puke his guts out. I'll never forget when my mom pushed me and my brother into the corner, a knife in one hand, as we were forced to silently watch as my mother killed my father." Catherine has given up on fighting the tears, and they pour down her face.

"Sara I..."Catherine looks at her lost for words.

"I've been racking my brain for advice to give you on how to cope with what you have gone through, but I have none, because the truth is I didn't handle it right myself. I buried myself in school, and then work until I started to burn out, at the same time I repeatedly tried striking up a relationship with my boss. I then became an alcoholic, and almost lost my job when I was pulled over for DUI, and was lucky they only called Grissom. From that point on I slowly began to self destruct, and continued to until I finally left Vegas to try to start over leaving everything, and everybody I loved, behind." Sara breaks down, and starts to sob. She doesn't object when Catherine pulls her into the tub, and holds her close. She clings to Catherine her fingers digging into her back, but not enough to do damage. Catherine kisses her head, then forehead, cheek, and her lips, and Sara lets her. It only lasts for a few seconds, and is comforting; Sara blindly reaches for Catherine's lips again with her own, but Catherine doesn't allow her to find them, not wanting the brunette to make a mistake she will regret while she is vulnerable. Sara begins to gain control of herself again, but holds Catherine tight until the last of her tears have stopped. She looks into Catherine's clear blue orbs they are full with so many different emotions Sara doesn't know where to start to unravel them. She reaches up, and strokes Catherine's jaw line wanting nothing more than her lips to be back on Catherine's, but Sara can't bring herself to do it. Sara pulls away from Catherine, who won't let the contact between their bodies end, and holds Sara's hand. "I know that will probably be extremely awkward for both of us not that it isn't already, but I will never be to lift myself out of this tub," Sara's voice is hoarse, as she whispers to Catherine. She peels her sopping shirt away from her skin, then covers up to her neck in bubbles as she removes the rest of her clothing. Catherine takes Sara's hand again when she is done, but both women's minds are on the other's naked body, and a larger gap forms between them. Sara grabs the towel on the floor next to the tub, she turns so that Catherine won't see her front side, and stands up then wraps herself in the towel. She pulls another one off the shelf, and places it next to the tub for Catherine before leaving the room.--

Sara can feel Catherine's leg against hers under the table again, and is having a hard time concentrating on what Lindsay is talking about. Ever since this afternoon Catherine has been going out of her way to make physical contact with Sara. She isn't complaining she just feels like everyone can see what is going on right now, plus the fact that her nipples are starting to get hard again, and she doesn't want it to show. She glances over at Catherine quickly smiling at her in encouragement, and notes how the blonde has placed one arm on the table, and is leaning into it to block the view of her already hard nipples. Sara reaches behind her, and grabs her jacket putting it on to hide anything that might start to show. Catherine observes Sara's actions, and seems to understand what the brunette is doing so she moves her leg away. Lindsay is talking about a show she watched earlier while Lily watches the two women suspiciously. After dinner, and a movie the four women go to get ice cream. Sara is focusing on Catherine's hand on her leg as they are eat silently. She glances over at Cath, and smiles at the blonde. Catherine gives her a faint smile in return, but her blue orbs tell another story. They are filled to the rim with sadness, and worry. Sara reaches under the table, and places her hand on Catherine's capturing the blonde's attention. She directs her gaze toward Sara, and Sara gives her a questioning look, but Catherine light shakes her head, closing Sara out. Catherine decides this is the best of moments as any to tell Linzz about going home since no one else is talking. "Linzz sweetie at the end of this week I'm sending you, and grandma home."

"But Mom you are going to be here still aren't you?"

"Yes, but listen to me you have missed too much school, and ave vacation in a few weeks if I'm not back to Vegas by then I will fly you back out."

"Fine," Linzz grumble, but is in a visibly worse mood for the rest of the night.--

Sara wakes up to the alarm, Catherine is in her arms the blonde's arm is draped protectively over her stomach. Catherine can hear a faint buzzing, and opens her eyes. All of a sudden the actual sound of the alarm floods her ears, and she groans. She glances over at Sara who has looked over at her when she broke the silence, but quickly close her eyes again. Catherine lifts herself resting her head on her hand, she rubs Sara's side as she watches the brunette pull herself out of sleep. She has a dazed look on her face which is quite adorable, and it makes Catherine smile. Sara props herself up against the head rest, and peers down at Catherine through the fog that clouds her vision.Catherine sits up next to her, and rests her head on Sara's shoulder draping her arm across brunette's chest, and massaging Sara's other shoulder. "Morning," Catherine whispers.

Sara tucks Catherine's blonde locks behind her ear, and rests her hand on Catherine's cheek stroking the blonde's face with her thumb. "Morning, you should go back to bed."

Nah I'm fine I have all the time in the world to sleep right now. How about I make coffee while you get in the shower?"

"Okay." Catherine is the first to brave the cold that lies outside the covers, as she rushes into the bathroom. Sara can hear the toilet seat slam open, and the sound of the contents of Catherine's stomach coming back up. Sara gets out of bed, and knocks on the bathroom door, "Catherine, are you alright?" Her reply is the sound of Catherine being sick again, and Sara opens the door to rush to the blonde's side. She pulls Catherine's hair back, and kneels down next to the blonde stroking her back. Catherine finishes, and reaches up flushing the toilet. She sits on the floor, and runs her hand through her hair pushing it out of her face, before looking up at Sara, and quickly adverting her eyes not wanting to see the worry in the in those brown pools.

"Sorry..." Catherine says quietly. Sara starts to rub Catherine's upper arm.

"Cat, are you positive this is a stomach bug? I thought you weren't getting sick anymore."

"Only once in a while; I talked to the doctors, and they said it should clear up soon I just have a weak immune system right now so the illness has spread out, because I can't fight it off."

"Okay, I'll take you're word for it." Sara catches a glimpse of guilt on Catherine's face, before it is quickly erased. Catherine pushes herself up, and offers Sara a hand who gratefully takes it; her knees have started bothering her from long hours on the job. Catherine walks over to the sink, and brushes her teeth before leaving the room. She tip toes down the hall not wanting to wake anyone, passing the guest room she carefully shuts the door, and goes down to the kitchens, and begins her search for everything she needs.

Sara follows the smell of coffee into the kitchen where Catherine is sitting at the table with a book reading. Sara notices how Catherine has thrown her hair up in a pony tail, and smiles; she has always loved Catherine's hair up. Catherine notices the brunette enter the room, and gets up to make her a cup of coffee. "I've got it Cat, please sit and relax." Sara crosses the room to the coffee maker on the counter, and grabs the mug Catherine has left out for her. As she is pouring her coffee Catherine comes up behind her slipping her hands around Sara's waist, and resting her hear on the brunette's toned back. She still has her coffee in one hand, and is careful not to rest it on Sara's stomach, but doesn't stop it from allowing her to hold Sara's tight. Sara takes the coffee mug from Catherine's hand, and places it on the counter. She turns around in Catherine's arms and laces her arms around the blonde's neck trying to get a glimpse of her face. Sara kisses the top of Catherine's head, and starts to stroke her arm. Catherine buries her face even deeper into Sara's neck, her warm breath sending chills up, and down Sara's spine. Sara kisses the top of Catherine's head before turning back around to grab her coffee, and passes Catherine her's. "Do you want to come in the living room with me?"

"Sure." Catherine replies quietly; she is still refusing to look Sara in the eye. Catherine closely follows Sara into the living room. Her eyes sweeping over the maroon walls, brown leather couch, stuffed bookshelves, and fire place. "This is nice." Sara looks over her shoulder at Catherine, and smiles. She sits on the couch, and pats the spot next to her, as she observes Catherine taking in the room. Catherine looks at her before crossing the room, and sitting on Sara's lap instead. Sara wraps her arm around Catherine's back, and rubs her arm with one hand her coffee in the other. Catherine takes a sip of coffee her eyes grazing the bookshelves. Sara watches Catherine, and is forced to smile at the curiosity in the blonde's eyes. Sara remembers that look from when they worked cases together; it is what makes Catherine such an amazing investigator. Between the Sara's determination, and emotions, and Catherine's curiosity, devotion, and caring everyone knew they were the best team in the lab. Other partnering was good, but the two women were amazing no matter how much they didn't get along. Catherine glances at Sara who is watching her with a sad smile. "What are you thinking about?"

"The look on your face."

"What do you mean?"

"You're curiosity Cat, you would always get this certain look on your face. I always thought it was cute, and it caused you to be determined. I miss working with you."

"Yeah me too we made a pretty good team didn't we."

"Yeah we did." Sara is quietly taking in Catherine's face while she has the chance the sadness dancing across her face could never be hidden. Sara rest her head on Catherine's upper arm, and kisses her soft skin. Catherine runs her hand across Sara's jawline before tangling it in her hair, and stroking the back of her neck. Sara glances at the clock in the other room. Sighing she looks up at Catherine, "I have to go." A look of disappointment plays across Catherine's face, and she nods letting Sara up. Sara puts her coffee cup next tot he sink; it is still half full, but she will have to get some sludge from the break room at work. She is getting her coat on when she hears Catherine enter the room behind her. When she turns around, and Catherine pulls her into a hug, burring her face in Sara's hair. Sara holds her tight, and brushes her lips against Catherine's head. Catherine tightens her grip when she senses Sara getting ready to pull away. Sara places her hand under Catherine's face, and lifts the blonde's head so that their eyes lock. "Are you okay baby? I can stay if you need me today." She kisses Catherine's cheek, and returns her gaze to Catherine's.

Catherine shakes her head, and faintly says, "You've missed enough work for me." Sara pulls Catherine into her even more, and tangles her hand in Catherine's blonde locks, and kisses her head before releasing her.

"If you need anything call me okay," Sara says before reluctantly turning, and leaving for work.--

Sara starts to spray luminol on the walls, and floor of the two story house. There is sign of struggle, but also an obvious attempt to clean up. Her cell phone rings, and she answers, "Sidle."

"Sara it's Linzz."

"Hey Linzz is everything alright?"

"Kindda."

" What do you mean kind of?"

"Well mom has either been wandering around the house aimlessly, or been out on the balcony in you room crying. She has been out there for about an half an hour, and neither grandma, or me can get her inside. She isn't wearing a jacket or shoes or anything to keep her warm except for a tee-shirt, and jeans. We might need your help."

"I'll be right there sweet-heart try to get your mom to put on a jacket."

"Okay." Sara hangs up the phone, and begins to search for Beth to tell her she has to handle the scene on her own. She finds the young red head talking with the coroner.

"Beth I have an emergency at home, and I need you to finish processing the scene if you need any help call in whoever is free."

"Okay Sara is everything alright?"

""Yeah, well I hope so." Sara places her gloves in an evidence bag then rushes out of the house. She pulls into the driveway, and almost falls backward down the stairs as she races up to her room. Lily, and Linzz spot her, and come over shaking their heads. Lily is still holding a jacket, and Linzz a blanket, Sara motions for them to leave the room, and shut the door behind them. She walks out onto the balcony, and turns Catherine around, attempting to pull the woman into her, but Catherine fights. Sara grabs both her wrist to stop her moving, and Catherine glances up at Sara before collapsing in a wave of tears. Sara picks her up, her pants, and feet are soaked from the snow, and places Catherine in bed under the covers. Sara kicks off her shoes, and crawls into the bed next to her. She holds the weeping woman tight, and strokes her hair. Then she begins to place kisses on different parts of Catherine's face the memory of how comforting it was to her returning. She kisses Catherine on the lips holding the kiss slightly longer than Catherine had, but to Catherine it was just as effective. She kisses Sara's face knowing the brunette won't allow another connection of the lips, but searching for more comfort. Sara holds Catherine tight until her tears are gone and she has fallen asleep. She knew she shouldn't have left Catherine to go to work this when the blonde had been so clingy this morning, and the night before when they had all gone out to dinner, a movie, and dessert. She had assumed then that, that had to do with what she had told Catherine, that afternoon about her parents, but maybe there was more to it. Possibly Linzz, and Lily leaving tomorrow, Sara tries to convince herself that, that is it, but she has the feeling that it is something more. --

Catherine, and Sara are standing at the airport gate with Linzz, and Lily many hugs, and kisses are going around, as the hard departure nears. Sara hugs Linzz one last time before the teenager, and her grandmother turn to board the plane. The two woman wave from outside the gate. Sara can see the longing in Catherine's eyes to be with her daughter, and when she is positive Linzz, and Lily can't see she slips her arm around Catherine's waist for support. Catherine leans into her resting her head on the brunette's shoulder. Yesterday is still in the back of Sara's mind, and is pushing it's way forward as the two women leave the airport. Catherine has been looking extra pale today, and nods off on the car ride home leaving Sara time alone with her thoughts; the last place she wants to be.

TBC...