Thanks to my beta, Camilla Sandman.
The next morning Catherine was standing in the kitchen, making a pot of coffee. She was going to need it to get through the day ahead of her. Both she and Alex hadn't managed to sleep much. Alex had woken up three times during the night due to more nightmares. Catherine had gone to comfort her each time. Alex had told her she didn't need to, but Catherine had refused to leave her. So now she felt a bit like a truck had run over her, her body tired and crying out for sleep. Pressing the start button on the coffee pot, she checked her watch, and saw it was only a little before nine. She decided to let Alex sleep for a while longer since Lindsey wasn't due home for another eight or nine hours.
The doorbell rang just as she was reaching into the fridge to start on breakfast, she wondered who it was this early. She hoped it was Warrick stopping by on his way home from work. Opening the door, she was surprised to see Sara and Nick.
"Hi guys," she said to them. "Do you want to come in? I just put a fresh pot of coffee on."
"Sure, thanks," Sara said before she and Nick followed Catherine into the kitchen.
After giving Nick and Sara their coffee, Catherine sat down at the table across from them. "Not that I mind you two stopping by, but it's a little early for a social visit."
"We came over to see how you and Alex are doing, but you're right, we aren't here just to talk," Nick told Catherine. "There's been a development with the case."
Catherine didn't need to ask which case he was referring to, so instead she asked, "What kind of development?"
"We have a suspect," Sara told her.
"Who?" Catherine asked. It was hard to make her voice sound natural, her mind already filled with implications of what this might mean for Alex.
"Jason Kline," Nick informed her. "He was pulled over for speeding, and the officer recognized him from the wanted poster. He's at PD right now, demanding to see his lawyer before he talks. They can only hold him a few more hours on the speeding ticket, so we need Alex to come down to ID him before they have to let him go. Is she awake yet?"
"No, she's still asleep. It was a rough night last night," Catherine said, covering her mouth as she yawned.
"How is she doing?" Sara asked.
"She's okay, but neither of us got much sleep," Catherine said. "I'll go wake her up."
"I'm already awake," Alex said. Nick, Sara, and Catherine turned to see her standing in the doorway to the kitchen. She was still in her pajamas, and her hair looked like she hadn't brushed it yet.
Catherine got up and went over to her. "How are you feeling?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
"I'm fine," Alex said quietly, running a hand through her hair. "What's going on?"
"They think they found the man who attacked you and the Millers," Catherine told her, watching her face intently.
"They did?" Alex questioned, surprised they already caught him.
"We need you to come view a lineup if you feel up to it," Nick said.
"It shouldn't take long," Sara added, noticing that Alex didn't look that good. It was hard for her not to look at the dark bruises on Alex's arms and the bandage on her left forearm, which protected the stitches.
"Okay, but I don't have anything to wear," Alex said, turning to look at Catherine. "Can I borrow something else from you?"
"Sure, let's go to my room and you can pick something out," Catherine told her. They went to the bedroom, while Nick and Sara exchanged glances. They were both wondering just how strong Alex was at the moment.
Catherine rejoined Nick and Sara in the kitchen while they waited for Alex to get ready. The silence was a little awkward, with much to be said and no one quite sure how to bring it up. Finally, Catherine spoke up.
"Sara," she started. "I want to thank you for talking to Alex yesterday. She told me what you told her, and I'm sorry to hear about what you went through."
"I know how much I wished I had someone to talk to when I was going through it, so I was glad I could be there for her," Sara said.
Sensing that Sara didn't want to talk in great detail about it, and remembering how she had kept her past a secret for a long time, Catherine decided to change the subject. "Warrick told me he walked in on you two doing a little more than just talking in the locker room the other night," she said, smiling at the pair.
"He told you?" Nick asked, wondering when Warrick had time to tell her with how busy they have been.
"Yup, so when did you two start dating?" Catherine asked. "Or were you just brushing up on your mouth to mouth technique?"
"Um…" Sara said, unsure of how to answer.
Nick spoke up for her. "Since the night before he saw us. When did he tell you?" he asked.
"That night after he saw you," Catherine replied.
"He came to your house just to tell you about us?" Sara asked.
"No, he was…"Catherine said, stopping when she realized how her answer already sounded. She decided it didn't matter though. If Nick and Sara were dating, they couldn't really object much to her and Warrick. "He gave me a ride home, to his place."
"So that's why he was in such a rush to get home," Nick said, grinning knowingly.
"I don't think he knew I was waiting by his car until he saw me there," Catherine said, stopping when she noticed Alex come back into the room. "Are you ready to go?"
"As ready as I can be," Alex replied. She did look slightly better, having gotten the chance to take a shower. She was wearing one of Catherine's t-shirts and a pair of shorts since Catherine's pants were too short for her.
Catherine put an arm around Alex's shoulders, leading the way out of the house. "You're strong Alex. You can do this," Catherine said, trying to reassure Alex.
Alex didn't reply as she got into the car. Silently she stared out the window, watching her new home as they backed out of the driveway.
The closer they got to the station, the more nervous Alex got. She began twisting her hands together, thinking about what she was about to do. She was worried about being able to ID the right guy. What if she couldn't do it and the case collapsed? What if she could, and he would know it was her?
Pulling into a parking spot, Catherine turned off the engine. Turning to see Alex, she saw her staring straight ahead with a blank look on her face. "Whenever you're ready, we can head inside," Catherine said, trying to get Alex's attention.
"What if I don't ID the right guy, and he gets away and tries to hurt me again?" Alex asked, looking at Catherine.
Seeing the worry in Alex's eyes, and knowing this was going to be hard for her no matter what the outcome was, Catherine tried to calm her down. "They're not even sure they have the right guy. The one officer thought he looked like your sketch, so they brought him in. Don't worry about it, if you don't see the guy that attacked you, then just tell the truth. As long as you do that, you will be fine."
"Okay, but what if he's not there? He has to know I'm still alive," Alex said, a lump forming in her throat. "The sketch has been all over the news."
"How about we think about that if we have to? There is still a chance he will be there," Catherine said. "Let's go inside."
Without more said, they left the car and Catherine led the way into PD. She and Alex didn't say anything else until Alex noticed Greg talking with Sara, Nick and Warrick in the hallway. "What are you all doing here?" Alex asked.
"I'm here to support you," Greg told her, giving her a quick hug.
"Thanks," Alex said, trying to keep her composure. "But you didn't all have to come."
"We wanted to," Warrick said. "And we wanted to make sure you know that we care about you."
Brass approached the group and said, "Hi Alex. Thanks for coming in. Everything is set up, so whenever you're ready, you can view the lineup."
"I just want to get this over with," Alex said.
"You can follow me," Brass said, his voice reassuring.
Catherine embraced Alex, whispering in her ear, "I'll be right here when you're done."
"I know," Alex whispered in return. She turned away, following Brass down the hall. Right before she entered the room Brass was holding the door open to, she turned back to look at everyone. The sight comforted her. They were all there, and for her. She took a deep breath, and went in. She jumped slightly when she heard the door close behind her. The only other person she saw in the room was a man whom she assumed was a lawyer.
"Alex, when I flip the switch, you will see six men. Each one will be holding a number. I'll have each one step forward. Take as much time as you need to look at them. If you need one of them to turn, let me know," Brass told her. "Are you ready?"
Alex nodded her head, and taking a deep breath, she stepped in front of the window. Brass flipped the switch, telling the men to step forward on at a time. Alex looked at them closely. When the fourth one took a step forward, almost simultaneously, she took a small step back. She felt her stomach starting to turn. "That's…That's …That's him," Alex said, unable to look away.
"Where did you see him?" Brass asked. He knew what she meant, but he had to ask so his lawyer couldn't try to get the ID thrown out in court because procedure hadn't been followed.
"He's the man who killed Joe and Silvia Miller, and attacked me," Alex said quickly, turning her head sharply to look at Brass. "Can I go now?"
"Yes, you're done," Brass said, waiting for Alex to leave the room. As soon as she did, he pressed a button and said, "Take number four into custody. The rest are free to go."
When Alex heard Brass say yes, she ran as fast as she could out of the room.
Hearing the door open, Catherine, Warrick, Nick, Sara, and Greg turned just in time to see Alex run out of the room, and bend over a trashcan. Alex threw up the little she has managed to eat that morning. Catherine approached her quickly, placing a comforting hand on her back. "It's going to be okay, Alex. It's over now," she said.
When she was finished emptying her stomach, Alex stood up, taking the tissue Greg held out for her, and wiped her mouth. She threw it in the trashcan, looked up at Greg, and broke down. Taking a step closer to Greg, she buried her head in his chest, clinging to his shirt like her life depended on it. He body trembled as he held her tightly against him.
Everyone except Alex looked at Brass when they heard him approach.
Knowing the question they all wanted answered, he said, "She did it. We got him."
Hearing Brass's announcement, Greg hugged Alex tighter.
Catherine reached over, giving Alex's shoulder a squeeze. "How about we get out of here?" she asked.
Alex pulled away from Greg, and wiped her eyes with her hands. "Okay," she replied, sniffling to try to stop herself from crying.
There were a few moments of silence before Catherine's cell phone rang. She looked down at it and seeing who it was, Catherine said to Alex, "It's Lindsey. Why don't you go wait outside with Greg?"
Replying with a nod, Alex walked away, Greg by her side.
The call didn't last long, and after she had finished it, Catherine left the building. Opening the door, she saw Greg and Alex sitting on a bench. As she approached them, she said, "Lindsey's coming home early. Her friend's dad is sick so they had to leave. She should be home in about an hour."
"Oh," Alex said, her mind still on what had happened inside.
"I know when we talked yesterday, that you said you would leave before Lindsey came home, but if you want to come home now with me, that would be okay," Catherine said, worried about leaving Alex at that moment.
"I'll take her to her apartment and stay with her. She told me she's moving in with you, so while I'm there, I'll help her pack," Greg said, shifting a bit so he could look at Alex. "If that's okay with you, Alex?"
"Of course it is. I would appreciate the help," Alex replied, standing up. "When should I come home?"
"I'll talk to Lindsey, and then I'll call you," Catherine said. "I'm not sure what time it will be."
"That's okay. I remember how the kids acted whenever I went to a new home," Alex said. "It's going to be a lot for her to take in and adjust to. I don't want her to feel like we're forcing her to meet me."
"So you'll be okay with Greg?" Catherine asked, wanting to make sure Alex would be alright after being through so much in a short time.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Alex said, giving Catherine a quick hug.
"Good. I'll call you later," Catherine said. "I love you, Alex."
"I love you too, Mom," Alex said, giving a quick wave before Catherine walked away.
"Let's get going," Greg said, placing a hand on the small of Alex's back, guiding her towards his car.
Catherine headed home as well, and it was about half an hour later when she heard Lindsey come in. When Lindsey appeared in the doorway to the living room, Catherine placed the magazine she was flipping through, down on the end table. "How was your trip?" she asked, trying to delay telling Lindsey about Alex and Warrick for a moment.
"It was okay, but it stinks that we had to come home early. We were going to rent jet skis," Lindsey said. She sounded to be in a fairly good mood, something Catherine was sure would change fairly quickly once she had given the news
"Can you come sit down for a minute, Linds? There's something I need to talk to you about," Catherine said.
"Okay, but I'm not in trouble, am I?" Lindsey asked, picking up on the serious tone in her mom's voice as she took a seat next to Catherine. "I didn't do anything wrong."
"No, you're not in trouble," Catherine said gently.
"Then what is it?" Lindsey wondered, a million possibilities running through her head.
"There's no easy way to tell you, so I am just going to say it," Catherine said, looking at her daughter. It was impossible to say just what the reaction would be.
"You're starting to scare me, Mom," Lindsey said. "What's wrong? You're not sick or something, are you?"
"I'm fine, Linds," Catherine said, pausing a second before she finally broke the news. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you this sooner, but I have another daughter. You have an older sister."
"What?" Lindsey exclaimed. "What are you talking about?"
"I had a baby when I was nineteen, and I gave her up for adoption," Catherine told her.
"Why are you telling me now? Why didn't you keep it a secret forever?" Lindsey snapped, trying to process what she was just told.
"Something happened," Catherine paused, waiting to see if Lindsey was going to say anything else. Lindsey just sat there with an angry look on her face. "The couple she was living with was killed. She was there when it happened, but got away. Her name is Alexandra, and she is going to move in with us, but…"
Lindsey cut her off before she could finish what she was saying. "I can't believe you're telling me this!" she yelled, jumping off the couch.
"Lindsey," Catherine started, but was once again cut off.
"No! Just leave me alone!" Lindsey shouted, running out of the room, slamming her bedroom door and a moment later, angry music blasted through it.
Catherine didn't immediately go after her because she knew Lindsey would need some time to think about everything. Leaning back, she let out a heavy sigh. Now she only needed to figure out how to tell Lindsey the rest of the news without upsetting her again.
A/N: Please read and review! I hope you all liked this chapter. Please let me know if there is anything you want to see happen and I will try to fit it into what I have planned. I'm really sorry this took so long to get up but I have less than a week until my last final and I'm very stressed out about all I have to do. Please continue to read and review since reviews make me so happy!