Author note: Sorry for the long delay in getting this chapter posted I've been busy lately but I will try and round this story up soon and not leave you all hanging. Reviews would be nice as I'm not sure how well this chapter works. No spoilers but a reference to 'Lady Heather's Box' in Season 3.
Disclaimer: I don't own them but they are my most favourite toys!
I didn't know how long I'd been standing staring at the object of my love. Who had once been so full of life and was now inanimate and cold. I didn't even turn around when I heard Catherine address me.
"Sara, Doc Robbins once told me that you can't say goodbye in an autopsy room. I think he's right you know."
"I thought you were the designated driver…" My voice tailed off as I lost what I was thinking and went back to looking at my sleeping beauty.
Catherine paused before answering, maybe she had to figure out what I meant, "I already dropped them off and Warrick said you were upset."
"And because you're my bestest friend you came running to comfort me?" I knew my voice was harsher than was necessary but I felt so numb that I didn't care.
"Well no, I phoned Grissom and he confirmed that you were upset about something and he told me that you'd lost a friend but I guess that he was more than that by the way Grissom said it."
I stood looking puzzled and finally turned to face her, "He?" And just after I said it I realised why Catherine had referred to my 'friend' as a he. I hadn't told her yet.
"Yeah? I figured…" Cath's voice tailed off as she looked behind me and saw mandarin nail polish on the toe-nails, "Oh!"
I stepped aside to show Catherine the face of my sorrow, "She was… I mean I think… she was special." I looked down ashamed by her silence.
"Of course, you deserve the best. She's beautiful."
"Yeah, I told her that and she thought I was lying." I snorted a small laugh which changed to tears. I felt Catherine wrap her arms around me, "You don't even seem surprised that I'm not surprised."
I took a minute to figure out what she meant, my brain seemed to be working in slow motion, "Oh yeah how did you know that I'm gay?"
"You remember that night at my house when Greg dropped you?" I nodded so she continued, "Well I spent a while thinking about what could have upset you so much and I realised what the last thing that was said before you tried to escape. Nick said 'Get out of the closet'. I know what that turn of phrase means to me." I smiled at her and she linked her arm with mine and said "Come on, I'm the designated driver tonight. You're going home."