Disclaimer: see first chapter

A/N: I got a little bit sidetracked from this story, but I'm going to do my best to update this on a fairly regular basis, as well as post a few of the one shots that have been floating about, and now Julie's Christmas Challenge. I'm also still working on a sequel to "Disappearing Filter Phenomenon." Lofty goals, but I'm going to try all the same. Work will be crazy until Christmas, and writing is my only salvation (well that, and curling up with a comforter, my CSI dvds, and my Harry Potter books). Hope you enjoy!


Nick awoke several hours later to the sound of his phone ringing. He glanced over, finding Sara still asleep, feeling her curled up against his side. It took him a moment to find his phone, which had fallen onto the floor while he was asleep.

"Stokes," he answered, debating whether or not to try and extricate himself from the bed, and risk waking Sara, or risk waking her while on the phone. He tried to roll away gently, but changed his mind when Sara's hand gripped his. She must have reached for it in her sleep, and she wasn't going to let go. Instead, Nick turned his head so that he wasn't speaking directly into Sara's ear.

"Hey Nicky, how's she doing?" Catherine's voice was full of concern, and Nick immediately felt guilty for not calling her sooner. While he had been busy trying to get Sara settled in, he had forgotten that everyone else was in the dark about how Sara was doing.

Nick sighed. "I got her home, made her some soup. She's asleep now…maybe a couple hours? I'm not sure…Cath, she's…I don't know…" Nick trailed off, unable to tell Catherine how Sara was really doing; he wasn't even sure himself.

"How are you holding up? I'll come over…"

"No, we're fine," Nick interrupted. He wasn't sure how much longer Sara was going to be able to sleep, and what kind of state she'd be in when she woke up.

Catherine seemed doubtful. "Nick?"

"Yeah, she's still asleep, there's nothing you can do right now."

Catherine paused, but it seemed she wouldn't fight him on it for the moment. "I think Detective Reynolds is gonna ask you to bring her down sometime today…"

Nick was trying not to sound too alarmed, but it didn't work very well. "Cath…"

"Nick, everything's going to be fine…even Ecklie's being a human being for once. It's just…there have been some developments, and Reynolds has a few more questions for her."

Nick took a deep breath, and glanced over at Sara again to make sure she was still sleeping. "What kind of developments?"

Catherine sighed. "I'm not going to get into it over the phone. But there aren't going to be any charges or anything to worry about…everything so far has supported what she's told us. There are just some loose ends to tie up."

"Are you sure?"

"Nicky, I'm sure. Look, I've got a few things to take care of here, and then I'll head over to check on you guys."

"Cath, I don't know how much longer she's gonna sleep…why don't I just give you a call when she's awake?"

"You sure you're okay until then? How are you holding up?" Catherine's voice radiated concern for both Sara and Nick, something that wasn't lost on Nick.

His voice was thick. "I've got it under control. I'll call you later."

Nick sighed and threw his phone back onto the floor before turning his attention back to Sara. Her brow was furrowed, and she was clinging to his hand, but she was still asleep, curled up on her side with her head resting against his arm, and she hadn't been woken by any more nightmares. Nick knew that was all he could ask for at that point.

He wasn't entirely sure that Catherine was telling him the truth, but he figured there was nothing he could do until Sara woke up, and he could see what was going on. Until then, he would just watch her sleep.