"Yeah, we wouldn't want that happening." Sara grinned at Warrick's mocking tone. "Never thought I'd see the day you backed down from a fight."
Punching him lightly in the shoulder, Sara led the way out of the locker room. "She's so worth it." Despite the occasional panic attacks, she'd started to enjoy – even look forward to – Lindsay's body snuggled up to her side as they peered at a book and the shy hugs she got just before Lindsay fell asleep.
Sara almost missed Warrick's wide-eyed look.
"What? I'm just saying…" Sara might have continued if a new voice hadn't interrupted.
"You need to stop saying, Sar." Catherine strode up to them from another corridor. "Whatever you were talking about seems to have broken Warrick. In fact," she pointed at Sara's silent companion, "I'm wondering if you used more than words. You still in there, 'Rick?" Catherine playfully waved her hand in front of Warrick's eyes. "Hello?"
Her actions broke the spell. Warrick shook his head and then glanced back and forth between the two women. "You two… Man." He backed away, still appearing off-kilter. "I gotta go." One hand raised in a half-hearted wave before Warrick turned and hurried down the hall.
"That was weird," Catherine commented quietly. "What the hell were you two talking about?"
"Lindsay." Sara chose not to mention her unplanned "outing." "I told 'Rick we wanted a rain check on breakfast so you could get home to Linds." When Catherine frowned, Sara winced. Damn. She should have asked Catherine before making a decision for them both. "Um, did I make a mistake? I'm sure we could still meet the guys at the diner."
Sara was braced for a cutting comment; she didn't get one. Instead, Catherine sighed tiredly. "No. I don't have time for breakfast this morning. Gil's got me working on a report to the Sheriff." Her face grew grim, and she looked away from Sara.
Something was wrong. Sara tensed, examining Catherine closely. "Cath?" Her mind raced. What cases was Catherine working? Had something happened? Misplaced evidence? Something political enough that the Sheriff wanted extra information?
Before Sara found an answer, Catherine provided one. In a way. "Look, I don't want to talk here." She reached out and gently gripped Sara's arm. "Come on. We'll do breakfast on our own and I can fill you in."
Wait. Hadn't Catherine just said there wasn't time for breakfast? Sara followed Catherine in confusion.
"There's a place that delivers. Just bagels and muffins, but I promise to make it up to you." Catherine's office was up ahead, dim light illuminating the gap under the door. Her expression was a mix of self-mocking humor and irritation as she gestured for Sara to precede her into the office. "It's been awhile since I called for breakfast; I don't think I have a menu anymore. Trust me, though. The cinnamon-raisin bagels are a winner."
"Sure." Taking a seat in front of Catherine's organized desk, Sara watched Catherine closely. Something was definitely bothering her. What? They hadn't worked a case together in weeks so it couldn't be an evidence problem. The lab hadn't been flooded with any new rumors. "Have you heard from Nancy?" She sat forward in the chair. That had to be it. Only Lindsay could make Catherine this edgy.
Unfortunately, Catherine had already picked up the phone. She shook her head and mouthed, "No," as she quietly placed an order for bagels, muffins, and coffee. "Have you heard from Nance?" Catherine asked as she hung up. "I left a message for her a few hours ago, letting her know we'd be late today. Why?"
Damn. Sara frowned and avoided explaining her question. "Why are we still working?" She'd stop guessing and let Catherine assuage her curiosity – and concern.
"Sam." The word hung in the air for a second.
"What did he do?" Sara's mild worry hit full bloom in a heartbeat. "Have you talked to Grissom? And the Sheriff?"
Eyebrows reaching for her hairline, Catherine waved a hand. "Sar? You want to give me a chance to finish? Or should I let you panic first?"
A blush burned Sara's cheeks. "Talk, Cath." Fast. Damn it. She'd warned Catherine about Sam Braun. Why hadn't she listened? Sam was dangerous. What if he'd gotten tired of waiting for Catherine to change her mind?
"I went to Gil earlier, Sara." Catherine rubbed her forehead. "I should have gone sooner," she admitted with a sigh, spiking the anxiety already rattling Sara. "I'm sorry for not taking your advice or Sam's pig-headedness more seriously."
Sara didn't even think about rubbing that in. Instead, she stood up and walked around the desk. "You OK?" Her hands settled on Catherine's tense shoulders, kneading gently. "What did he… What happened?"
Catherine's chuckle was a surprise. "Would you believe he sent flowers?"
What felt like hours later, Sara pushed away from Catherine's computer. Her eyes felt as if she'd removed them, dunked them in sand, and replaced them in her head.
But the report was finished.
Sara resisted the temptation to proofread the document one more time. She'd done that three times already. The only thing left to do was email it off. Tired fingers fumbling on the keys, Sara typed Grissom's, the Sheriff's, and the District Attorney's addresses into Outlook. Catherine's went into the blind copy field. One more click… Done.
Standing up carefully, Sara stretched. "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty," she called out – and then chuckled. Catherine hadn't woken up, merely mumbled and rolled over. "I'm going to take Linds down to the Bellagio. There was a flyer for new dancers. I think the kid's a shoe-in."
"'kay." Catherine sighed once before her soft snores resumed.
It was too bad Sara didn't have a video camera. This was perfect blackmail material – not to mention the cash she would rake in if Nick and Warrick learned the footage existed. "Cath," Sara said a little more loudly as she dropped to her knees next to the couch. "It's time to go home. You need to sleep in a bed." Reaching out, she placed her right hand on Catherine's shoulder.
"Cath. Come on, Cath." The annoying voice wouldn't go away, and it was now accompanied by a hand rocking her shoulder.
Prying one eye open, Catherine looked for the source of her irritation. Whoever was interrupting her sleep was going to discover what a very bad idea that was. "Somebody better be dead," she snarled and rolled toward the voice.
A pair of amused eyes stared at Catherine from mere inches away. "In our line of work, that wouldn't be unusual." Sara winked and sat back on her heels. "But you're safe today. No bodies, no Grissom, and no more overtime. Only me and Linds and a real bed. Get up; I'll drive us home."
Home. Bed. Those two words were enough to lure Catherine from her anger. "That's an offer I can't refuse." She struggled to sit up, finally grasping the hand Sara held out. "Are there any other benefits to this trip?" A quick glance at the clock verified that it was nearly noon. "Lunch?" Waiting until a wave of mild dizziness passed, Catherine teased, "Or a bedtime story. Linds swears by those."
"Nope. I save those for my best girl." Sara's grin took the sting out of that verbal slam as she stood, too. "You'll just have to settle for lunch – and being second best."
Catherine dramatically placed a hand over her heart. "I'm hurt, Sar. I can't believe you feel that way. I mean, I'm the one you spend your nights with." She flounced away (mostly to hide her amusement) and flung open her office door. "If you think I'm going to overlook your other girlfriend, you don't know me very well."
"Don't be that way, Cath." Sara's voice trembled with her own laughter. "My nights are yours. That leaves me twelve hours for someone else, though." She appeared at Catherine's elbow as they headed for the parking lot. "I never pegged you for the jealous type."
"Really?" This time, Catherine couldn't hold back a snort. "Please. Now you sound like Eddie." Doing a creditable imitation of her ex-husband, she continued. "Now, Cath. It isn't like that. Bambi doesn't mean anything to me. I love you. She's only a…bit of fun." For once, thoughts of Eddie and his many indiscretions didn't bother Catherine. She was too busy watching Sara blush and attempt a glare.
The glare never truly materialized. "I'll have to watch myself then. If you're going to demand fidelity, I'll have to be more careful when I sneak out."
"Or stop sneaking out," Catherine said, poking Sara in the arm. "That would be the best choice. We've had this conversation before, I think. I work in a crime lab. Push me too far, and I'll show you how much I've learned from all the perps we've investigated."
Sara's hands waved at her. "Fine. Geeze, put the threats away, Cath. It's early. Or late." Catherine smirked as Sara stumbled over the time. "And I'm being nice, remember? Lunch and bedtime."
"I'll put them away for now." Not forever, though. Catherine enjoyed their playful banter too much for that. She held open the door and let Sara stride outside first. "Where are you taking me? Those bagels were good, but I'm starving."
"Me, too." Sara unlocked the Tahoe and climbed behind the wheel, hissing at the heat. "What's more important, though? Food or sleep? There are dozens of fast food places on the drive home. If you want something different, we'll have to plan ahead. Leaving the office during the traditional lunch hour complicates things."
Damn. Catherine bit her lip and scanned the parking lot as she tried to decide. Sitting down for a leisurely meal and less grease had appeal. So did sleep. The bruises under Sara's eyes helped her decide. "McDonald's, I guess. I'll let you tell Lindsay we stopped there without her."
"Thanks," Sara responded wryly. McDonald's was Lindsay's favorite restaurant. "You're so good to me." The SUV moved smoothly out of the parking space and hesitated as she shifted gears.
"Obviously not." Catherine couldn't resist one last dig. "Or you wouldn't be sampling the other princesses in the kingdom." Turning on the Tahoe's stereo drowned out Sara's reply, and Catherine relaxed back in the seat, idly watching another car follow them out of the lot.
.
