Sara was glad to find that when she woke up about 5 hours later, not only was she feeling refreshed and well rested, but that she had two text messages and one voicemail on her phone. Sitting up in bed she listened to the voicemail

'Hi Sara…' came the male voice 'Sorry I missed breakfast earlier, Nick said it was amazing. I settled for a breakfast at the Diner after finishing my double shift… Got talking to Dani… things are looking good… Anyway, hope to speak to you soon, later' Warrick's voice finished. Sara curled her toes a little in excitement, hoping that things would progress well with Warrick's latest crush.

Opening the text messages, she saw she had one from Grissom and one from Catherine. Opting to read Grissom's first, she opened it

'All entertaining and no sleep makes Gilbert a very grumpy boy'' it started, playing on the saying 'all work and no play' the message went on to read 'breakfast really was great Sara, and just what everyone needed. Sorry about earlier, really needed to sleep, hope you got some sleep too. Looking forward to when you are back at work, Gx'

Sara quickly replied

'Me 2, and thanks… sleep was a good shout all round, Sx'

Stretching a little more Sara opened the message she was most looking forward to reading, Catherine's

'Who knew a 9yr/old could have such xpensive taste! $200 dollars on books, toys&clothes! Nice way 2 spend day tho. We're both really looking forward 2 2moro… missed you 2day… call me, Cxxx'

Sara didn't even hesitate, pressing the call button straight away, and was happy when it barely rang before being answered

'Hey sweetie!' Catherine beamed into the phone

'Hi Cat'

'How are you feeling?' Catherine asked, her voice full of care

'Good, a little in shock at Lindsey's spending habits, but also impressed, how many books did she get?'

Catherine couldn't help but chuckle, of course this was the one bit of information that Sara would latch on to the most '7 in the end, 4 from the thrift shop, and 3 new… a good mix to, a couple on wildlife, two Jacqueline Wilson, two other novels, and even a junior encyclopaedia.. I didn't even ask her to get it, in fact, she begged, it was nearly $30!'

'That's actually a really good price Cat, who published it?'

'Smithsonian, I think'

'That's one of the best ones, Hey, I could give Lindsey my O.E.D if you like, if she's in that kinda thing now… also, you really should get her the Readers Digest Reverse Dictionary, that is absolutely brilliant! Makes it so much more interesting and captivating..' Sara trailed off 'I'm sounding like a geek, aren't I?

Catherine couldn't help but laugh 'Yes, but a very lovable and cute geek'

All Sara could do was smile into the phone, after a beat or two Catherine started to speak

'Lindsey's so excited about tomorrow Sara; she's been wanting to go to the Zoo for ages!'

Sara sighed 'Cat…'

Catherine picked up in the trepidation in Sara's voice 'You don't want to go?' she questioned

'No, it's not that… I'm just… nervous… I don't want to ruin the day if I have another…fog… and…and I don't want to scare Lindsey' Sara admitted

'Oh sweetie! You won't scare her…'

'What if I do? I'm scared myself…' Sara whispered

'Why?' Catherine questioned calmly

'Because I love you, so very very much, and if Lindsey doesn't like me, or can't accept me, then I'll have to lose you….'

'Oh Sara… You won't lose me, and Lindsey's going to love you, she has good taste like her mother'

Catherine could hear Sara take in a deep breath, and so continued to talk, to reassure Sara

'Sara, love, I explained what's going on to Lindsey a little bit, she knows your, sad, so to say, and pregnant, she also knows your my girlfriend, and it was actually her idea to ask you to the Zoo, even when she learnt all of this. She believes a nice day out, will cheer you up, and she wants to get to know you, spend time with you, with us… I know a lot is happening Sara, but Sara, she won't hate you'

Sara nodded in to the phone 'Ok' she whispered

'Ok?'

'Ok, I'll come to the Zoo' Sara clarified

'Good, so, can we pick you up at 9.30 then?' Catherine asked

'No… I mean, is it ok if I meet you there? In case I can't cope, or if I get overwhelmed, I wouldn't want you to both have to leave because of me…'

'If you get overwhelmed, will you be… capable… of driving?' Catherine questioned, hoping to not sound to accusatory or doubtful

'I… I don't know' Sara admitted 'But, I need to not feel…trapped… if I have an out, maybe it will help?'

'I understand sweetie, I really do, but let's comprise ok, me and Lindsey pick you up, and if it's too much, you can go sit in the car until you feel better, and if it really doesn't pass, we can leave together, or we can get one of the boys to pick you up? Besides, I have a feeling that Lindzz would love to show you some of her new books on the drive over?'

'Ok' Sara agreed, relaxing and smiling again, happy that talking with Catherine had worked out, just like Brass had told her it would 'So, tell me about the rest of your day, what else did you and the munchkin get up too? Sara asked, wanting to hear Catherine's voice for a little longer.

'Ahh, after the shopping we went for Lunch at the Diner, Warrick was there looking a little… smitten with one of the servers! I had to try so hard to make sure Lindsey didn't notice and ruin the mood…'

'Describe it, I need to hear more!' Sara said curling her toes again

'Ok ok… so, this server, dark eyes, completely toned, olive complexion, a man!'

'I know' Sara giggled

'You do?'

'Yeah, he told me the other night, he's called Dani, and Nick is after the lady from the Deli, Julia… anyway, tell me what happened!'

'Well, I couldn't tell too much, as I was trying to keep Lindzz distracted, but judging by their smiles, I think it looks promising… anyone, this guy, Dani, ended up being our server, but he kept glancing over at Warrick, who was at the counter, when he took the order. Warrick clocked us, and waved, but didn't approach us until he was leaving… I don't know if he was embarrassed or what, or just not wanting to have Lindzz jump all over him… anyways… after that we went for a walk around the park, which Lindsey loved as there was this really sweet older couple who let her play with their dog for a while… Now Lindsey's watching Thumbelina for about the 100th time this year alone…'

'Wow, busy day!'

'Very, how about you sweetie? How did the crazy card game go?'

'Oh, really good, everyone had a good time, and I, mostly, held it together…'

'Mostly?' Catherine questioned

'Ahh… Yeah… I got a little… off, with Griss, when my meds were wearing off, and I was more tired than I realised…feeling much much better for sleeping…'

'Good, I'm glad to hear it'

'Cat…about last night…'

'Don't worry about it Sara, not now, I don't want to get into it right now'

'Ok… so, I can't be sad if I see a Porcupine right?'

'Nope, not according to Lindsey anyway, and you know what, I think she could be right'

'Me too' Sara smiled 'I gotta go… nature's calling… god, it's only gonna get worse as I get bigger isn't it?' Sara questioned, rubbing her belly

'Oh yes!'

'Great!' sighed Sara 'See you tomorrow Cat'

'Bye Sweetie'

Getting out of bed, Sara made her way to the bathroom to relief herself before jumping into the shower. She really was feeling good, and certainly felt a lot lighter after having spoken to Catherine.

Xxx

The next day come around quickly, and Sara, and Brass, were happy to note that Sara's mood had stayed on an up. It was 9.25 and Sara was pacing the room, expecting a knock at her door any moment now, but still jumped a mile when it came.

Before she could walk over to answer it however, Brass had beaten her too it, and as he opened the door he saw Lindsey standing there

'Hey Kiddo' he said crouching a little

'Uncle Jim!' Lindsey shrieked, not having expected to see him, throwing her arms around him. Jim straightened up, pulling the little girl with him

'I'm happy to see you too!' he chuckled, spinning her a little, before placing her back down

'Are you coming to the Zoo too?' Lindsey questioned, not understanding why else he would be there

'Nah, not today little one, I have boring grown up chores to-do, like laundry' Brass pretended to shudder at the thought, causing Lindsey to giggle.

Sara just watched them interact for a moment, her nerves melting away

'Hey Lindsey' she called, moving to stand so Lindsey could see her from where she stood

'Hi' Lindsey said with a wide smile

'Where's your Mum?' she questioned

'In the car park… she let me come up by myself…'

'Ok… well… let me just grab my bag, and then we can go…'

'Ok… bye Uncle Jim' Lindsey said turning around

'Bye Kiddo'

'Bye Jim' Sara said, walking past him, placing a small kiss on the side of his face as she passed.

Moments later they were walking down the stairs of Sara's building, Sara living on the third floor of a building whose elevator rarely worked.

Suddenly Lindsey piped up 'Are you kissing and cuddling Uncle Jim as well as my Mummy?'

Xxx

A/n ahhh… the curiosity and bluntness of young children…. Sara will react shortly… review if you can, thanks again, Emz