AN: So in the time between writing chapter 1 and 2 I bought a flat, completely renovated it, and moved in. Started a new business, helped out a very pregnant friend with her household chores, babysat and visited three babies that I believe purposely waited for the busiest time in my life to pop out. A sob story yes but it makes it no less true. I have been working from 7 until 12 for 4 weeks straight so if this is crap, please be lenient.

But JF and GE were reinstated; hurrah.

Z xoxo

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The two women walked through the automatic doors and winced at the harshness of the artificial lighting.

"See, we're here and what d'ya know all in one piece." Sara Smirked "You know you've really got to start to relax."

"When my pulse stops racing at twice its normal speed I will definitely consider that option." Came the retort.

Sara looked at Catherine and raised one eyebrow. "You can always walk back to the lab."

"I will also be considering that option"

As they reached the admissions desk a harassed-looking young woman looked up at them. Catherine started the charm offensive. "Hi, this is Sara Sidel, I'm Catherine Willows; from the Crime Lab. I was wondering if you could help us locate someone brought in earlier today." Catherine smiled at the clerk as she spoke.

The young clerk gave them a weary look "Do you have a name?"

"I'm afraid not you see the vic ...the woman in question was found without ID".

"We've had 5 Jane Does brought in over the last 24 hours you are going to have to be more specific."

"Beaten so badly she was unconscious and had to go straight to surgery on arrival." Sara was beginning to get impatient

"Well then I suggest you try surgery," replied the clerk with a tone easily as curt as Sara's.

Sara grimaced and walked in the direction of the elevators. Catherine shot an apologetic look at the clerk before quick stepping to catch Sara up.

"Would it kill people to be helpful?" Sara hit the elevator button with venom; stabbing at the button with each word.

"And here was I thinking you were feeling less misanthropic today."

"I don't ... I am not a misanthrope just... what do you mean less misanthropic... How many times do I have to press this flippin' button" Sara hit the button a few more times

Catherine laughed "Because of course that makes it come quicker."

Sara stopped and took stock of the absurdity of her actions and laughed.

"Hospitals make you antsy huh?" The older woman searched Sara's face for the answer.

Sara looked plainly at Catherine as she spoke and shrugged. She hit the elevator button with the palm of her hand and at that moment the elevator doors pulled open. Sara cocked her head to the side in triumph and motioned an 'after you'.

As they were not alone in the elevator Catherine did not prod any further and by the third floor Sara had regained her usual composure.

The receptionist looking after the surgery admission was no more helpful than the irritating girl at the front desk. Sara was just contemplating getting stroppy when she heard someone shout from down the hall.

"Hey Kam you stalkin' me now? You know really just have to let it go. You just aren't my type."

Sara grinned "You should be so lucky." Catherine turned to see a very tall handsome man in scrubs bounding up to Sara.

"Well if it isn't the most beautiful public servant I know." The man turned to look at Catherine. "Actually Kam I think you may have some competition." The young Doctor took Catherine's hand and bent down to kiss it but not before being swiped across the back of the head by the Brunette.

"Down boy. Ignore him Catherine he's harmless." Sara grinned.

"Catherine, huh?" The man smirked at Sara and raised an eyebrow. "Well, well pleased to meet you."

"Pleased to meet you too I'm sure." Catherine extended her hand and looked quizzically at Sara who was slowly turning a rather fetching shade of puce. "Is harmless your given name or..."

Sara jumped in "Sorry what would Miss Manners say. Casey this is Catherine, she works with me at the lab. Catherine this is Casey who somehow managed to fool someone into thinking he was smart enough to be a doctor."

"Nice to meet you Casey."

"Now, Kam, enough of the niceties, when are you going to give me the chance to win my money back? I've got a £100k loan to pay back you know."

Catherine looked more amused than confused but Sara let her into the loop anyway. "Casey may be the finest surgeon that the state of Nevada has to offer, but he sucks at bowling."

Casey held his chest as if mortally wounded. "Not all of us can be freaks of nature Kam"

"Not all of us have issues with aim"

Catherine looked somewhat amused at the picture of Sara that was unfolding. She has friends, likes to bowl and has a strange nickname. Casey turned to the receptionist and handed her the charts he had been carrying up till now.

Catherine took the opportunity to question the taller woman on the origins of the strange nickname. "Why does he keep calling you 'Kam'?"

"Long story." Sara sighed. "Basically he is under the impression that if you say my name fast enough it sounds like suicidal." Sara paused to let Catherine comment and when none came she continued. "He then thought he'd call me Kamikaze which eventually shortened to Kam. Actually I guess it's not that long a story."

"Not really. Where do you know him from?"

"Ah..." Sara hesitated clearly not wanting to tell Catherine all the ins an outs. "We met through a mutual friend."

"And how is she?" Casey chimed back into the conversation.

"I could care less"

"OK still in that place are we?"

Sara scowled at him.

Casey quickly redirected the conversation. "I suppose you two lovely ladies haven't just come to see me."

"You're right. We've come to get some info on a Jane Doe brought in earlier. Pretty badly banged up. Came straight to Surgery by all accounts" Catherine jumped in sensing the tension meter climbing 50 points. "Are we in the right place?"

"You certainly are. She is less of a Jane Doe though. Her name is Rosie we think"

"What makes you say that?" Sara was suddenly back in case mode.

"My amazing psychic ability and the tattoo that says 'Rosie hearts Sid' on her gluteus maximus."

"What makes you think she's not Sid?"

"Good point and well made. But it was the tattoo of the rose on her left shoulder which lead me to think my first instinct was right."

"And here I thought all those years in med school were wasted." Sara smiled and then became serious once more. "What's the damage?"

"The list of things not damaged would me shorter. But major injuries include; facial fractures, crush injuries to both radii, dislocated shoulder, fractures to the right tib and fib, fractured left fib, fractures to hands and fingers. She suffered multiple contusions including major damage to the genital region, tearing that sort of thing. Her face is a mess, she needed 27 stitches, scalp laceration. She's anaemic due to the blood loss and when she does eventually wake up we will know if she has suffered any permanent visual impairment."

The two women stood in silence wearied by the extensive list of injuries.

Catherine was the first to speak. "Have you kept her clothes?" Casey nodded. "Was a rape kit done?" Casey looked over at Sara and nodded again.

"I've heard enough stories of cases being dropped to know the importance of the physical evidence. Kam here tells..." Casey was cut short by Sara kicking the reception desk. The flimsy panelling caved easily under the force of the angry brunette's foot.

"Hey," the receptionist exclaimed, taken aback by Sara's aggression.

Catherine shot the beleaguered receptionist a look as she reached out to comfort Sara. Sara didn't respond, she just set her jaw in determination and almost breathed out, "Can we see her?"

"She's sedated sweetie and yet to regain consciousness." Casey rubbed his friends shoulder with the look of real compassion in his eye. Sara shrugged him off.

"I don't want to talk to her; I want to take photos for the DA. Whoever did this is going to feel the full weight of the law."

"You'll have to be quick there are other patients in the same room. The relatives have been put off enough by the cops stationed outside the door."

Sara nodded lees out of agreement and more because she felt she ought to. The two women followed Casey down the stark hospital corridor. Catherine made an attempt to lighten Sara's mood.

"So he's cute any chance you two have you know been more than just friends?"

Sara grinned at Catherine. "He's so not my type and well to be honest I'd have more chance with George Michael," she chuckled.

"Okay then." Catherine grinned back at her.

The trio rounded the corner and came to an observation bay. Two of Las Vegas' finest were sitting outside the bay drinking out of hospital regulation Styrofoam cups. Both stood as they saw Catherine and Sara approach. "At ease fellas." Catherine advised as she passed them.

The two women drew nearer to bedside of the girl Casey had indicated.

Catherine let out a low whistle. "Jesus, she looks like she's been in a car wreck."

Casey described the injuries again, this time in mere detail. It wasn't for a few minutes that Catherine realised Sara wasn't taking any photos. She turned to see Sara standing stock still, staring at the victim, pale as a sheet, having bitten her lip so hard that blood was trickling down her chin.

"Sara," getting no response Catherine tried again, "Sara, Sara are you ok?"

Catherine's voice brought Sara back to the room. "Excuse me." she almost mouthed as she bolted from the room.

Catherine and Casey followed in hot pursuit and rounded the corner to see Sara being sick in the trash can. Catherine swept Sara's hair off her face and held it back as she was sick again. Sara looked up at Catherine when she finished too distraught to be embarrassed.

"Sorry"

"Don't be, look if the case is too much or you are not feeling well I can have one of the boys..."

Sara interjected, "It's not that. Catherine, I know her."