After a fairly seamless shift, Catherine was relieved to return home to find Sara sleeping peacefully and Lindsey full of smiles as she discreetly fed Maverick pieces of her breakfast.
And, to her utmost joy, the smiles continued, right through to the school gates. At least until Lindsey realised that Catherine was following her inside, at which point the child's face promptly fell.
"What are you doing?" She asked in a hushed voice, looking anxiously around in case any of her friends were watching.
"I just need to speak to your principal." She explained, but Lindsey blocked her path.
"Why?"
"Hey," Cath chuckled, gently moving her aside. "I just need a quick chat, that's all. Go find your friends, I'll see you later on."
Resisting the urge to give her daughter a kiss in front of her schoolmates, she briefly touched the girl's hair before heading towards the entrance steps while Lindsey watched on in dismay.
x X x
"Ms Willows," Mr Hart greeted with his usual wariness, stepping aside to let her into his office. From the day he first met the CSI, when she enrolled her daughter in his school, he felt intimidated by her. His subsequent discovery that she was the daughter of Sam Braun did absolutely nothing to assuage his mild fear of this woman.
So when his secretary announced that she wanted a word with him, he couldn't help the feeling of dread that began to settle in the pit of his stomach.
"How can I help you?" He asked as she made herself comfortable in front of his desk.
She took a deep breath, taking a moment to consider where to start.
"I just wanted to make you aware of something." She began, her natural imposing energy faltering somewhat. "A friend of mine has recently been diagnosed with cancer."
Immediately, the knot in the principal's gut unravelled, replaced by a mixture of genuine concern and curiosity.
"I'm very sorry to hear that." He offered sincerely.
"She's going to be staying with me and Lindsey while she undergoes her treatment." She continued. "It could be for several weeks, or months. It's hard to say at this point."
"I understand." He nodded, a small frown on his face. "I take it Lindsey is aware of the circumstances?"
"Yes. She's fine with it, she likes Sara." Cath was quick to add. "I'm just worried that seeing Sara undergoing treatment and the impact it has on her might upset Lindsey. I was hoping that you could help keep an eye on her at school, and let me know if there are any issues."
The reason for her visit finally registering, he relaxed. As principal of a prestigious private school, this is precisely where his strengths lay – the personal touch.
Standing up, he moved to a filing cabinet and quickly located a form, before returning to his overstuffed leather seat.
"We have a supportive plan that we can put in place for children who have parents and close relatives undergoing such treatment." He explained in a rehearsed tone. "I understand that this person isn't a family member, but given the fact Lindsey will be living with her and witnessing her treatment, I think it would be beneficial."
"Absolutely." Catherine agreed, nodding eagerly. She had felt a little uncomfortable about doing this initially, but her conversations with Doc and Nancy had gotten under her skin and the more she thought about it, the more she began to worry that she was neglecting Lindsey's needs by bringing Sara's treatment into their home.
"I'll arrange a meeting with Lindsey, her form tutor and the school counsellor this afternoon." Mr Hart continued. "We'll discuss with Lindsey all of the support available to her within the school and how she can go about accessing that support whenever she needs it."
"Okay." She exhaled. She could imagine Lindsey's response to that, but it still made her feel better to know that the support was there, even if her stubborn child would probably refuse to use it at first.
"I'll also speak to all of her teachers in private and explain the circumstances. Part of the supportive plan is that, if the child feels overwhelmed in class, they are free to leave in order to clear their head. They can elect a friend who can leave with them, if they feel that's something they would benefit from."
"Thank you, that all sounds great." Catherine breathed. "I'm sure she'll be fine, but I know Lindsey and she doesn't always tell me if something's bothering her."
"Kids don't like to open up to their parents." He conceded with a knowing smile. "But we will make sure that she has every support available to her in school. And if you have any concerns, or you want an update on how she's doing, just give me a call. I'll be happy to keep you informed."
"Thank you." She smiled again, standing up, the guilt that had been plaguing her all night finally starting to dissipate. He mirrored her actions, escorting her to the door.
"I hope your friend gets better soon."
She smiled tightly, nodding.
"She's not going to have much choice."
x X x
Sara narrowed her eyes suspiciously at the scene, not that Catherine even noticed her presence, so occupied was she in tinkering with her phone. There was a new calendar and diary in front of her, along with all of Sara's medications lined up in a neat little row on the coffee table.
"What are you doing?" Sara asked cautiously, slinking up to the couch.
"Oh, hi." Cath smiled brightly, gesturing to the phone in her hand. "I'm just saving some reminders for when your tablets are due."
Sara sank down beside her, casting her eyes over the calendar, which was now adorned with all of Sara's upcoming appointments.
"Cat, you don't have to do this." She opined meekly. "I can take care of it myself."
"No." Cath retorted coolly. "I told you; you're going to concentrate on getting better. I'm going to do everything else."
Sara picked up one of the leaflets that had accompanied her medication, but Catherine snatched it out of her hands.
"Painkiller. To be taken with food four hours apart, but only for one day at a time. It will make you drowsy, so no driving. Better used for more moderate pain, because there are some addictive qualities. For day-to-day pain, you use this one." She nudged a small bottle to her left.
Sara blinked, stunned into silence by the abrupt explanation. Catherine caught the look and smirked.
"Like I said," She tapped her friend on the leg with the leaflet. "I got this."
Sara stared at her for a long moment, before deciding that this was a battle not worth fighting. Standing up, she ambled off towards the kitchen and left Catherine to her planning.
However, the blonde's voice held her back.
"Hey, there's something I've been meaning to ask you." She enquired.
Sara nodded for her to continue; but Catherine hesitated, taking a moment to reposition herself so she was properly facing her young colleague.
"You don't have to tell me if you don't want to." She offered as a caveat. "A little while ago, you mentioned that you don't speak to your mother anymore..."
Sara audibly inhaled a sharp breath, although she attempted to cover it by straightening up and crossing her arms.
"I don't really like to talk about it." She stated in a restrained voice, plastering a tight smile on her face. Sensing the discomfort washing off her in waves, Catherine nodded in understanding an offered a nonchalant shrug.
"That's okay. I was just curious."
Sara nodded, satisfied that the subject was dropped, and continued onto her path into the kitchen while Catherine watched her go, disappointment clouding her face.