Having skipped dinner to get through some old case notes, Sara realised she had missed at least three meals. The grumbling from her tummy concurring with her thought, she felt the need to seek out some food before going home. She had started to head away when she collided with someone for the second time in two hours. She picked herself from the floor in disgust.

"Do I have hit me tattooed to my face?" Looking up to see who had mown her down.

"Oh God, I'm so sorry."

"Catherine? Have people stopped looking where they are going?" Sara complained checking herself for damage.

"What?" Catherine looked puzzled.

"It's not the first time I've been knocked down today." Sara offered.

Catherine smirked. "Perhaps it's you."

"Thanks."

The two women stood awkwardly in the corridor. A loud rumble of Sara's stomach broke the silence.

Sara looked embarrassed. "Sorry."

Catherine immediately looked concerned. "Sara when did you last eat?"

"I'm sorry did you say eat?"

"Sara," Catherine chastised.

"What? It is top of my list, right above washing and sleeping" When Catherine did not look mollified she continued. "I was on my way out when I was struck down by a southern tornado." Sara was unsure why she felt the need to justify herself to her colleague. Because that was what she was wasn't she? Just a Colleague?

"Sorry." Catherine grinned.

Sara chewed her lip. "What did Grissom say?"

"About what?"

"Me. Taking time."

"Nothing much." When Sara frowned at this, her colleague elaborated. "No seriously, he raised an eyebrow and said 'she has a lot of time accrued' and scurried down the hall."

Sara half nodded somewhat unconvincingly. "How does the case look?"

"I walked the timeline and Sidney's story stands up." Catherine became professional in her manner as she laid out the case for Sara. "We have enough physical evidence but the DNA wasn't in CODIS; do you think she'll be able to ID him?"

"Well given she hasn't even been able to tell us what happened. I can't really tell you." And as an after thought, "Sid will be able to though; photo graphic memory."

"Good."

Have you found anything else?

Catherine continued. "Well he's not in CODIS and we have no fingerprints so…" Catherine hesitated. "So, either he has been lucky before or this is first time out."

"He dam near killed her Catherine," Sara spat. "I doubt this is his first time."

Catherine put her head to the side and looked past Sara. "How is Rosie?"

"She's not said anything yet I don't think. But she's been extubated and I'm assured she's 'comfortable'." Sara made a face at the word comfortable.

"She'll pull through Sara. It will be okay." Catherine pulled Sara into a half hug.

Sara, uncomfortable with sudden, imposed closeness stepped back to release herself from the hug. In a brief moment of honesty, Sara looked Catherine in the eye and spoke plainly. "No, no it's not." And, with a half attempt at a smile she added, "But thank you for the support."

The awkward silence that followed was broken by the voice of the young doctor that had 'run' into Sara earlier.

"Well, Sara, Sara Sidle," Ellie said warmly. "Heading out?"

"Trying to." Sara smiled back. Their eyes met and Sara felt something she had not since the first time Catherine had eventually smiled at her.

Catherine eyed Ellie. Confused by the look on her colleague's face, Sara felt introductions were in order.

"Catherine, this is," Sara peered at Ellie's badge, "Dr Hawkins, or Ellie, as she is known to people whom she knocks down in the hall."

Ellie stuck out her hand. "Pleased to meet you."

"And you." Catherine responded, firmly shaking the doctor's hand.

"Catherine is my partner." Sara added and nearly missed Ellie's face drop.

"Sara, do you need a ride home?" Catherine asked.

"Huh, Ah no my car is work. I'll just catch a cab." Sara then added. "If I give you my keys could you give them to Greg so he can drive my car to my apartment?"

"Greg knows where you live?"

"Yeah he drove me home once."

"Oh partner as in cop thing." Ellie suddenly lit up.

The two colleagues looked at one another and then at Ellie.

"CSI actually." Sara chuckled to herself realising what Ellie had thought. "We work in the same lab."

Sara dug her hand in her pockets for her keys. Handing them to Catherine, she smiled. "Thanks Catherine." She smiled cordially to the two women and excused herself. "I have to get going. I need to eat and sleep before I fall over."

Ellie quickly spoke up. "Well, I'm about to head out fancy some breakfast?"

Sara looked at Ellie. 'Is she just being friendly?' she speculated 'is she interested?. Unable to decide and sensitive that the two women had an audience, she declined. "You know, I wouldn't be good company right now. I need to get home." Adding as an afterthought, "But thanks."

A noticeably disappointed Ellie replied with a smile. "No sweat, perhaps another time."

"Sure."

Catherine piped up. "You sure about the ride?"

"Yes." Sara answered. "I'm going to head out ladies. I catch you later." Feeling increasingly more awkward, she turned with a half wave and headed home, leaving the two women no choice but to stand together watch her leave.

When Sara arrived home, the last twenty-four hours hit her. Completely exhausted she managed to grab a banana as she crossed her apartment on route to the bedroom. After setting her alarm, she curled up on the bed, still fully clothed, and fell immediately into a deep dreamless sleep.