Death and the Grave
Sara couldn't breath from the tears and her body shook with the force. She felt Catherine's arms withdraw and stronger ones engulf her. She fell into Nick's embrace more than willingly, sobbing harder. She barely heard the whispered conversation between Grissom and Catherine. Nick interrupted them.
"Have we talked to Banning?" he asked, wrapping his arms tighter around Sara as her shaking intensified at the name. His hand ran comforting strokes up and down her back.
"Not that I know of." Grissom replied warily. Sara buried her head in Nick's shoulder.
"I want this to be over," she whispered, watching as an officer led Scott Paolini out of the interrogation room.
"You should take a break," Grissom said suddenly. "Go out for a bit or something."
"We've got another case," Sara protested feebly, even knowing that she was no use on the cases. Nick bent to her ear.
"Let's take a break, we'll go visit Amanda." Sara nodded.
"We're…" she started. Catherine nodded with a smile and Sara was thankful she didn't have to explain things. She left with Nick.
-
The drive to the hospital was made in silence, both lost in their own thoughts, Sara lost in her nightmares. Nick slowed a block from the hospital, jolting Sara from her mind. Lights were flashing everywhere. They exchanged a look and hopped out of the SUV. The drama had indeed occurred at the hospital and as Sara caught glimpses of the injured staff, familiar faces began to swim in her vision. She picked up the pace, flashing ID and almost running to get into the building. She found inside numerous bullet holes in the walls and a dead security guard by the door to Amanda's room. The door itself was thrown from its hinges, revealing an equally as disturbing scene.
Blood spattered the white linins where Amanda lay, her head tilted to the side, a hole in her head.
Sara collapsed to the floor of the hospital, her hand to her mouth in shock. Amanda was dead. Her best friend was dead. Then came the gut wrenching sobs. She didn't think she would be able to cry for a while after her episode at the lab but this was much, much worse. She didn't even feel Nick drop beside her until he'd pulled her securely into his arms, resting her against his chest as he withdrew his cell phone.
"Hospital…Amanda…" was all Sara caught of the first line of the conversation. Whoever he'd called replied and Nick answered a no. The next line she heard blew everything home.
"She's hollow, Cath. I'm scared." She wanted to scoff, wanted to laugh. He was scared? She'd just lost her best friend, who had a daughter that now had no mother. Not to mention most of he aunts were dead and her father was going to go to prison for at least two counts of murder one. What was she supposed to do? She felt his other arm wrap solidly around her as he ended the call.
"Why did it have to be Amanda?" Sara whispered, her voice as small as a child's.
"I don't know, honey," Nick answered softly, pulling her to the side as David entered. He smiled at the coroner and waved him about his work.
"I want to go home," Sara whispered. Nick pulled her tighter against him.
"Honey, we have to go back to the lab. Bekki needs to know about her mother." Sara stiffened but reluctantly agreed.
-
Sara knew by the look on Catherine's face that she looked horrible when she walked back into the lab but she could also tell that the blond had some words of wisdom for her. The two women faced each other in the break room.
"Chances are you'll get Bekki," Catherine began without warning, catching Sara off guard. Her rational mind had already told her this and she continued to stare forward blankly.
"Sara." She felt a shake as Catherine moved, sitting down beside her.
"I know you lost a best friend, and trust me, I know what that feels like, but you have a little girl asleep in your boss' office that needs to se you as a strong woman. You can't shut down on us Sara, you can't shut down on her." Sara met Catherine's eyes reluctantly but Catherine held the gaze relentlessly.
"You missed how she shattered Sara. She's ten years ole. Her mother and most of her adoptive aunts were killed by her psycho father." Sara knew Catherine was right, as always. Bekki did need someone strong, someone who she could depend on, especially now. She would get her moment to break down and mourn her friend, but Bekki came first. Then Catherine threw in the sucker punch.
"She needs someone, Sara. She needs you."
I'm trying to get this done.
It's getting hard to write, for the second time. The first time it was someone looking in and now its someone on the inside. I almost cried writing this chapter and I'm the author! I knew what was going to happen!
Anyway, hope you like.
Kavi Leighanna