Chapter 18:

"Josh Whitman refuses to talk. Big surprise. We'll need evidence linking Chris Hartman." Catherine announced, at the beginning of their shift. There was only one of their number missing – Sara, who was still at home. Nick even managed to get in, but requested a case closer to home this time. Now, with the officer outside the apartment door, he felt a bit better about leaving her alone. Since they had talked that morning, she had seemed better as well, and even was making a bit of food when he left. It was a good sign.

"Catherine…" It was the question she had been dreading all day. She knew they were coming and wasn't prepared. She had no idea what exactly Sara told them. She raised her eyebrows at Grissom. He continued, "There's still a few blanks Sara left out. We didn't want to push. Can we at least ask you the questions and you can answer them if you feel like you can?" Catherine sighed, but nodded. Warrick kept a close eye on her, but said,

"Why don't you tell us what Sara said first – since we both don't know?" Grissom agreed, and he and Nick were both able to get all of the details out. Catherine frowned at the end, a frown Grissom picked up on.

"Was she telling the truth?" Catherine looked up at him.

"Yes – completely." Grissom and Nick both felt like she was hiding something though. "Ask away your questions – I don't know how much I can tell you though, she covered it pretty well."

"Okay then – do you know who the 3rd person is, the one with Chris and Josh - the one from her past?"

"Yes."

"Can you tell us who?" Nick asked back.

"I can't."

"Okay," Grissom continued, slightly frustrated, "Why was Sara so scared to go to the hospital when we suggested it yesterday?" Catherine didn't know how to answer that question. She knew she should, but didn't want to break any confidences.

"Because…because someone paid her a visit in the hospital and bad memories. I can't say anything more. I'm sorry." At least it was a start. Grissom looked at Nick, who decided to let the man ask the last question. Nick's voice was soft and quiet.

"Why did Chris come in here and tell us that Sara is having his baby?" This one rattled Catherine – she didn't know that they knew. She sat in shock for a few moments, trying to absorb the question, and come up with the right answer. She didn't know that Chris had come by and broken such a precious confidence.

"Again," she said in a low voice, "I can't tell you that. That is in Sara's hands. It's not my place. Anything else?"

"One last thing." Grissom said. Nick looked at him curiously, realizing it must have been one of his epiphanies. They had already asked everything they wanted to know.

"Okay?"

"Are we wasting our time going after Chris – are we missing the real problem? If you could tell us everything, and this wasn't personal, would you be going full fury on this case?"

"That's two questions." She answered with a small smirk that quickly vanished as she thought through her answers. She said slowly, "You're not wasting your time…" She left her answer dangling telling Grissom all he needed to know. There was more involved. "And, if this wasn't personal, even though it is, I still would."

"Have you told Sara about Josh Whitman and what we actually think he and his buddies did?" Nick asked. Catherine shook her head no.

"She doesn't need that hanging over her head now, she can find out later once she's more recovered." Catherine replied, but then excused herself to the washroom, leaving the three men behind with plenty more questions than answers.

-+-+-

"I hope you weren't asleep." Catherine said quietly into the phone, glancing occasionally at the door.

"No, I'm still up – don't worry," came Sara's soft voice from the other end. "What's up?"

"The boys just came to talk to me. Asked me to answer some questions they had from this morning. They didn't want to push you." She could almost see the small frown forming on Sara's face.

"What sort of questions? I answered everything they asked – the only thing I didn't tell them was about Daniel, but you knew I couldn't do that. I've got to protect him Cath."

"I know, I know. I knew they would ask about him. They also asked about the hospital. I didn't let on to any information, but Sara, be realistic – they're going to find out sooner or later. Do you really think they're just going to let this go? Even once they get Chris, which they will soon, Daniel will get dragged into this. You don't need to protect him. You told me yourself that if this wasn't…well, personal, you would arrest the guy. He shouldn't be out free."

"I know, but I can't Catherine. I can't. If they find out, they find out, but it won't be from me – I won't betray him." Catherine sighed, but answered,

"I think they think you're trying to protect Chris, and that the reason you wouldn't press charges was because you didn't want Chris arrested."

"I knew they would figure that. That's why I was hoping that they would arrest him, and then leave it at that. I hope he goes to jail forever. Look what he did to me. He's the last person I'd try to protect. I was hoping to use him as a decoy…so much for that plan. I thought everything would settle once they caught him – they need to catch him. Did you find out yet what the note Chris' friend left for him meant? Do you know what they were doing so secretively?" Catherine didn't know what to say – she hated lying, especially when Sara had already told her so much.

"We're getting there." She felt it was a safe answer. "I hope we get Chris soon…"

"Me too…" Sara said in a whisper. "He scares me. The accident, whatever he's doing illegally, the phone calls…if we don't get him soon, he's going to kill me. I know it."

"Don't talk like that Sara. I promise you he won't hurt you again. We would never let that happen. But there is something else you need to know. Chris came here – you're going to have to tell the boys about the baby. They already know about the pregnancy, but nothing more. I'm sorry honey but you're going to have to deal with it sooner than planned. I can help you if you want." All she could hear were the small sobs on the other end.

"Okay – I'll come in later." She replied.

"No – I don't think you should drive here alone!"

"Who shouldn't drive here alone?" asked a voice from the doorway. Catherine turned around and saw Warrick standing, looking at her curiously. "Umm Sara?"

"Yeah?" came her small voice,

"One of us will get you first okay – don't leave alone. Promise? Call me if you want a ride. I've got to go. I'll see you later – get some sleep. If you don't make it tonight, its not the end of the world."

"Okay – thanks again Catherine. I owe you so much for this." They both hung up their phones, as Warrick continued to watch Catherine, concern in his eyes. He walked over to the sink where she was standing and enveloped her into a hug.

"Is Sara alright?" he asked

"No, but she's getting there. She wants to come in tonight, she got some things she needs to tell everyone." Warrick nodded. "Umm Warrick?"

"Yeah?" he asked, looking at her. Her eyes were full of sadness, though a small smile started to appear on her face.

"What are you doing in here?" He grinned.

"Hey - It's not like it's the first time. I wanted to make sure you were okay. Look – when Sara calls and wants to come in, let me know – I'll get her okay?"

"Thanks Warrick." she whispered.

"Anytime…" he replied as they both walked back out of the ladies room and headed towards Grissom's office.