-------------Catherine's House-----------
Sara and Nick processed the crime scene silently, hardly speaking to each other. Sara stood up taking close-up pictures of a footprint. Her voice shattered the silence, "This feels weird." She sounded unnaturally loud after the quiet of the last few minutes.
Nick glanced up at her, "What, going through all Cath's stuff?" Sara nodded. "Yeah."
They continued taking pictures and lifting prints, most of which would come back Catherine or Lindsey. Sara removed the tape from the door leading to the garage. "Hey, Nick!" He poked his head around the wall separating the utility closet from the living room, where he was still looking for clues.
"Yeah?" he questioned, his accent more pronounced than usual.
"You almost done? I'm just about finished here, gonna take all this stuff to Greg."
Nick stood slowly, and glanced around. "Yeah, we've been over everything at least twice, we're not going to find anythin' else."
He walked over to where Sara was kneeling by the door. She braced herself against the wall to stand up, but Nick held his hand out to her. Sara grasped the out-stretched hand, and he pulled her to her feet, encircling her in his arms.
Sara stood there, simply enjoying the closeness of him, his arms wrapped protectively around her. They remained like that, unmoving, for a few minutes, each taking strength from the other's proximity.
Sara stepped backwards, feeling the rush of cold as she moved away from Nick's innate warmth. "We should get this stuff to Greg." she muttered, turning away.
Nick grasped her wrist lightly, turning her gently toward him. "You OK?" he asked concernedly.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Sara replied, her tone contradicting her answer.
"Hey, Sar'?" Nick tilted her face upwards, so their eyes met. "We're gonna find her. -It's going to be all right."
"I know." Sara brushed the tears off her face in what the thought was a subtle way. She looked up at Nick again, smiling (though her eyes were still red). "Let's go." she said shortly.
Nick sighed, knowing from experience that it was useless to try to talk to Sara when she didn't feel like it. He picked up the pile of plastic bags, and followed Sara out to the Tahoe.
--------------XXXXXXXXX-------------
Catherine spun the wheel, trying to keep the car on the road. She heard the gunshots continue, and seconds later, her other back tire went flat. The car swerved off the side, and crashed into the ditch.
Catherine screamed as the airbag exploded out of the steering wheel, filling up her field of vision. She fought to free herself from the car, forcing the door away from its bent frame. She squirmed out of the vehicle, and took off running.
She hadn't gotten far in the car, but it was enough to give her a head start.