Once the food had been ordered, Greg excused himself to the bathroom, needing to compose himself for a minute or two. It had been hard not to react to Nicks hand on his leg, and he had no idea what the Texan had meant by it. Pulling himself together, he walked back over to the group again, and not wanting to disturb anyone, he pulled a chair up to the side of the table. It didn't take long for the food to arrive, an easy banter falling over the group.

'Hey Sara, Sweetie, slow down a little…' Catherine said when she noticed that for her 2 slices Sara was on her 6th

'I can't help it…' Sara mumbled whilst still eating the pizza 'This baby is making me ravenous'

'Doesn't mean you can stop chewing' Catherine grumbled, hoping Lindsey wouldn't notice or start to copy Sara. In response Sara just rolled her eyes, but she did resist picking up another slice, and lasted all of 20 seconds.

'Wow, someone's greedy, are we sure there's just one?' Greg piped up from the side of the table

'Fuck you Greg' Sara snapped between bites

'Yeah, Fuck you Greg' Lindsey echoed mimicking Sara's actions, causing everyone to almost choke on their food.

'Lindsey Willows!' Catherine snapped, eyes wide, as Sara finally placed down her piece of pizza, shocked by what had happened.

'Lindzz…' Sara began, trying to make it better, eyes darting between the two women in front of her.

'Sorry…' Lindsey mumbled, realising that she had done something bad.

'Lindsey we don't use bad language, no matter what you hear, and you don't talk with food in your mouth either, now saw sorry to Greg and grab your bag, if you can't be nice, were leaving' Catherine snapped, not caring who was around right now

'But Sara…'

'Sara is an adult and should know better, that doesn't mean you have to copy her Lindsey'

The atmosphere grew even tenser, the boys trying to make themselves unnoticed.

'Lindsey, your Mother's right, you shouldn't copy me or say things you don't understand'

Lindsey was now even more confused, she heard her Mother swear all the time, and she thought Sara was a cool person, and someone she wanted to emulate.

'But I wanna be like you…' she confessed quietly

'No you don't!' Catherine and Sara snapped at the same time.

'Maybe we should…' Greg cut in, gesturing to the door, wanting to leave

'No, not until Lindsey, and Sara, have apologised to you' Catherine said, her voice stern

'I'm sorry Uncle Greg…' Lindsey mumbled quietly

'I'm sorry Greg' Sara said in a quiet voice, her, and everyone else appetite's quite gone. 'Excuse me…' she added, standing up from the table, practically stepping over Catherine to escape the table.

Xxx

Sara didn't know what she wanted to do right now, her mind was telling her to leave the restaurant all together, but her body was telling her that once again, mother nature was calling and she had to once again relieve her bladder. Darting to the bathroom, she did what she needed to, whilst trying to compose herself. It had never once crossed her mind that what she did or said could affect how Lindsey would behave, that the little girl would see her as a role model. Slipping out of the bathroom, she left pizza planet, and headed towards Greg's car, not caring how long she might have to wait for a lift home, but not sure she could face anyone right now, especially Catherine.

Xxx

'I'm sorry Greg' Catherine sighed, watching Sara's retreating back 'I don't know what's got in to Lindsey'

Greg just tried to shrug it off 'Doesn't matter, I know she didn't mean it'

'But that's the point, if she doesn't know what it means, she shouldn't be saying it…' she turned and directed her attention to her daughter 'should you Lindsey?'

'No Mum' she mumbled 'I really am sorry…'

'I know you are…'

'I think we best call it a night…' Greg said, trying to keep his voice light 'You coming Brass?'

'I'll be there in a minute' he smiled at Nick and Greg, hoping they would get the hint that he wanted a minute or two alone with Catherine and Lindsey. Nodding in understanding, the two walked out of the restaurant.

'Well, at least we know that Sara is eating properly now' Nick said, trying to lighten the mood

'Yeah, but that little incident is going to really set her progress back Nick…'

'Hey hey…' Nick flung an arm around Greg's shoulder 'You can't blame yourself Greggo, I was thinking the same thing, you just said it out loud, no one knew Sara would react like that, or that Lindsey would think it appropriate to copy her..' he pulled Greg a little closer

'I know…' Greg sighed, in part because of what had happened, and in part because he was close to Nick, so close he could smell his shower gel. Walking towards where they had parked the car, Nick kept his arm around Greg's shoulder, not removing it when they stopped walking.

'I mean it Greg' he said at last

'Yeah…' Greg shuffled away, leaning against the car 'It's just I always seem to put my foot in it… call it a talent'

Nick smirked, taking the tiniest step closer, still intrigued by Greg's actions at the shooting range and when they had first sat down at the table.

'I like someone with talent…' Nick husked, his arm moving to rest on the car above Greg's shoulder.

Greg just scoffed, blushing a little 'No, you like blue eyed, blonde haired younger chicks and playing the hero, as long as you get someone in bed, you don't care too much'

Nick pulled back, slightly hurt 'That's not true…'

'Yeah Nicky, it is… Look, thanks for teaching me earlier, but I'm tired, perhaps you could drive Sara and Brass home…' Greg moved to get away from Nick, suddenly finding their closeness too much to handle, but before he could get very far, Nick had grabbed his arm, pinned him back against the car, and had kissed him. It took a moment for Greg to realise what was happening, to respond, at first he wanted to push Nick away, moving his hand up to the man's chest, he had every intention of doing so, but as Nick begged for entrance with his tongue, he changed his mind, and pulled him in closer, granting access as his other hand moved to rest on Nicks hip.

As Sara approached the car, she did a double take, at first she thought perhaps she had approached the wrong vehicle, but she knew she hadn't. She blinked a few times, her mind trying to register what her eyes were seeing.

Nick had Greg pinned up against the car, kissing him passionately, and Greg was offering up no resistance. Sara thought for a moment about making her presence known, and then decided against it, instead she started walking down the road towards a familiar location.

Xxx

'Catherine, you know Sara never meant for Lindsey to copy her, don't you?' Brass asked, placing his hand on the table close to hers

'Yeah…' Catherine sighed 'I know, still, it was a shock though…'

She had sent Lindsey off to wash her hands before they left so the car wouldn't get sticky

'And you know that Sara would hate the thought of being a bad influence on someone, especially Lindzz, right?'

'Yeah' Catherine smiled weakly 'I know… I just wish I knew why Lindsey thought it was ok, and why she wants to be like Sara of all people…' Catherine tipped her head back, realising what she had said, and how it would sound 'Jim… I…'

Jim cut her off 'I know what you mean, don't worry about it, but you need to remember that Lindsey doesn't know anyone of this, she see's someone who cares for herself and her mother, someone who will give her a baby brother or sister, someone who she enjoys being around. It's natural for her to want to copy, don't be too hard on her ok, or on Sara' he patted her hand 'Shall we'

'Sure… let me get the bill' Catherine ran a hand through her hair

'Don't worry, I'll get it, you grab Lindsey and I'll meet you outside' Brass smiled

'Thanks'

Catherine walked towards the bathroom 'Lindzz Baby, you ready to go?'

'Yeah…' Lindsey mumbled as she finished drying her hands, and walked over to her mum.

'I really am sorry' she said again

'I know, don't worry about it Lindsey, really, I overreacted… so, you like Sara then?' she asked, hoping that a shift in conversation would help her to understand a little more.

'Yeah, I do, I know she's been poorly and stuff, but she's still a nice person'

'Yeah, she is' Catherine beamed, taking Lindsey's hand and leading her outside, closely followed by Brass who had paid the tab for the pizzas and drinks they had ordered.

As Catherine scanned the car park, she did a double take, much like Sara had done minutes before. Clearing her throat, she called out 'Ahem…. Boys… I think we're ready to go…'

Nick pulled away, flushed but grinning, as Greg just went beetroot red for being caught kissing Nick Stokes of all people. Luckily, Lindsey hadn't noticed, but Brass had, and he couldn't help the smirk that currently plastered his face.

'I believe you were my taxi Greggo, so, whenever you're ready…'

'Sure… where's Sara?' he questioned, stepping away from Nick

'Is she not out here already?' Catherine asked, looking at their cars, wondering if Sara had decided to wait inside one of them

'Nope… not that I know of anyways…' Greg blushed a little more.

'Well, you wouldn't would you, all distracted like that, I didn't know it was Hockey season' Brass smirked.

'Perhaps she's still in the bathroom?' he added, turning to Catherine

'Nope, Lindsey and I just came from there…'

All four of them sighed collectively, as realisation dawned

'Great…' Catherine mumbled sarcastically, kicking at some loose stones

'What's great Mum?' Lindsey asked, not picking up at the tone of voice

'Sara's gone walkabouts' Brass replied heavily.

Xxx

Thoughts? Review if you can, : )
Hope all well wherever you are with C-19 going on.

Emz. X