This is a bit of a run-on chapter, but at least it's a chapter. Thanks for the reviews, they keep me interested in writing! I promise this will be a Catherine/Sara story, it's getting there. If it's not obvious, I adore Sara/Sofia together. But I will tear them apart, just for you guys.
Sara
I blinked tired eyes at the empty road ahead, reaching over to jab the worn button on the dashboard for the sixth time, upbeat pop music filling the vehicle. I let it play for a moment, finger hovering over the button before pushing it again. Quiet blues music replaced the sound as azure eyes shifted over to me with unconcealed irritation.
"Can you just choose a station, please"
I sat back, holding one hand up in surrender before returning it to the wheel.
It had been a brutal scene, the familiarity of it all an added weight on everyone's mind. The MO had been the same- seventeen year old girl, single stab wound to the chest, flower resting tauntingly between parted lips. A fractured wrist and split lip told a story of resistance. The look contorting her soft features was one of fear so vivid even David had avoided looking directly at her, vacant eyes an unnervingly familiar shade of blue.
Music felt completely out of place, bordering on inappropriate, but the ride out had been so painfully silent I wasn't sure I could endure another 45 minutes of complete dismissal from a despondent Catherine. So here we were, listening to Norah Jones croon about sunrises as we sat with the horror of the evening heavy in our chests.
I chanced a glance over at her, staring idly out the window. The angry tirade that had begun our evening had quickly dampened into a quiet weariness, punctuated by a relentless irritation at what seemed to be my general existence. She had dismissed me all evening, the anger sitting at the back of my chest dampened only by the exhaustion that seemed to have engulfed her completely.
"Do you want to stop for a coffee?" I tapped my thumb against the steering wheel anxiously.
"No" she spoke to the window, throwing an absent glance over her shoulder at me as an afterthought, "thanks".
"Breakfast?" I questioned weakly. She shook her head, strands of blonde hair illuminated by the dashboard lights tumbling over a slim shoulder.
I tightened my hands on the wheel, biting back the emotions threatening to surface. The violent ebb and flow of our relationship seemed to be back with more vigor than ever. We weren't threatening each other over case details anymore; yelling in hallways or punching lockers with overflowing frustration, but things had been easier then. Less convoluted. Her soft closeness, followed by this unwarranted dismissal was less like irritation and more like a knife.
I knew that now wasn't the time to address it. Our day had barely begun.
"Why are you being like this?"
I couldn't let it go.
It took her a moment to acknowledge my words, her gaze burning into the side of my face as my fingers unconsciously tightened against the wheel.
"Like what?"
Right.
I took a breath, silently reminding myself that peace never comes when one of us doesn't remain level headed, and Catherine had made it painfully obvious that tonight that person wasn't going to be her. I glanced over, her shoulders pulled slightly back, already on the defense. I took a second to think out my words, keeping my tone gentle.
"You've been dismissive all night, Catherine. You completely took over that scene- I don't mind taking statements from PD and working the perimeter if it's a conversation, but you brushed me off like some rookie back there- spoke to me like one in front of the under sheriff- in front of David for god sake. I did nothing to deserve that"
She scoffed- that quiet, humorless sound- shaking her head lightly. "I'm your supervisor, Sara. I'm sorry if that seemed unfair to you, but I was just doing my job"
Fingernails dug into soft leather, pursing my lips together tightly.
"Don't play the supervisor card here- we have been working this case as equals for months, so don't act like the condescending bullshit you pulled tonight was just you 'doing your job'"
She chuckled, blonde head shaking in the dim lighting of the passing streetlights as we entered the shady outskirts of Vegas.
"I'm sorry that I wasn't friendly enough for you today, but focusing on the case takes precedent over your feelings"
I tore my eyes away from the road to glare at her violently, her focus back out the passenger window.
"Seriously? I do know that" I spat, shaking my head bitterly. "I can't keep up with your moods, Catherine. One day we're friends, the next you won't even fucking look at me let alone give me the time of day. It's exhausting"
"You know what's exhausting? Your deep seeded issues with authority. Why does it always come down to you trying to fight me on every little thing? It's getting really old"
"I'm not trying to fight you, Catherine! I'm trying to figure out what the fuck is wrong with you"
I grunted quietly in unsuppressed irritation, narrowing my eyes at the approaching lights. I took the left turn onto Jefferson too fast, swaying us to the side heavily. She shot me a glare, leaning back against her seat.
I took a deep breath, followed by another one, trying to channel some of the calming techniques Sofia had, with an air of half-seriousness, taught me one night over a bottle of whiskey. They were designed for dealing with difficult civilians- techniques she clearly never actually bothered putting into practice.
"Look, I know that you're having a tough night- you've made that abundantly clear, but you don't get to treat me like shit because you're unhappy. I'm not exactly having a great night either"
"Jesus Sara, if you're so aware of my feelings, then you should know to just back off"
She pushed a hand through her hair, closing her eyes as her head came to rest heavily back against the seat. I stared at her for a moment, irritated at the way my eyes lingered on the soft curve of her neck, the perfect line of her jaw.
"Fine" I spat, turning my attention back onto the road.
I bit my tongue for the rest of the drive, desperate to get out of the tense space as we pulled into the vacant lot at the back of the building. I threw the Denali into park, slamming the large door, the sound echoing through the concrete space.
I jammed the keys into my pocket, walking around the SUV with the weight of the night heavy on my shoulders. I glanced over at Catherine as she shut her door, turning to lean back against it with a deep, shaky breath.
"I'll be in in a moment"
I frowned, crossing my arms protectively over my chest as I observed her from a distance. A few moments passed before I glanced over my shoulder at the lab, silently weighing my options. Running a hand through my hair and taking a breath, I turned back towards the car.
Her eyes were shut as I approached, stopping awkwardly in front of her. She didn't acknowledge my presence as azure eyes opened, staring somewhere over my shoulder for a moment before dropping her gaze to the ground.
"Look, you don't have to talk to me" I spoke quietly, a soft tenderness for her abruptly replacing the heavy unease as I breathed in the smell of Jasmine and sandalwood, fingers reaching out for her on their own accord. My hand stopped midway on its trajectory towards a stray lock of hair that had fallen over her soft features, redirecting it to rest casually on the frame of the door next to her head. She glanced up, slightly bewildered at my actions as I silently cursed her for being so wildly intoxicating.
"I hate that you treated me like that tonight, and I hate that you won't fucking look at me" I punctuated my statement with a slight tilt of my head, trying unsuccessfully to catch her bright eyed gaze. She shook her head lightly, waves falling over her shoulders as she shifted, moving to slide out from the space between my body and the SUV.
"I'm too tired for this Sara"
I knew I should let her go, but as usual when it came to her, my body was faster than my brain. My free hand caught her waist before she could move too far, gently but firmly pushing her back against the door. The hitch in her breathing was audible, lips parting lightly in surprise.
The sudden intimacy of this position was unintentional and entirely overwhelming. I tried to ignore the heat spreading up through my body at the feel of her all but molded against me.
Her eyes darted from my neck to my lips, lingering for a moment before moving back over my shoulder with a look of angry determination.
"Why won't you look at me?" I asked softly. She sighed in annoyance, resting her head back against the window, looking up at the light polluted sky for a moment before dropping her gaze down to meet mine steadily.
My hand was still on her waist, moving slightly beneath her deep breaths. We remained like that for what could have been an eternity, but I'm sure was more like a handful of seconds. The intensity behind her eyes was unnerving to say the least- a dangerous mix of anger and what I could have sworn was arousal, but was more likely some new found level of distain.
I had maneuvered us into this position- and god was it a good position for her- chest heaving lightly, body slightly arched backwards with the gentle curve of the vehicle, unsure what to do with her hands. But I hadn't exactly planned an exit strategy that didn't look like giving up.
I didn't get long to consider my options before she abruptly pushed off the Denali in a single, swift movement, bringing her body flush against mine. My breath caught heavily in my throat, finding myself suddenly staring at my own bewildered expression in the car window. The smell of jasmine completely overwhelmed me as my grip on her waist tightened in an attempt to steady myself, blonde hair brushing against my lips, hot breath playing over my ear.
Fingertips brushed over my stomach, so subtly that for a moment I thought I might have imagined it, her voice dropping down to the lowest, huskiest alto I had ever heard it reach as she whispered darkly "Get over yourself"
Jesus Christ.
My body arched slightly into her on it's own accord, stumbling blindly somewhere between fury and arousal as she pulled back just far enough to meet my gaze, bright eyes holding a dangerous intensity. She hesitated for a moment, as though daring me to do something, before sliding gracefully out from the space between me and the car.
…what?
I stared at my own wild reflection for a stunned moment before turning to watch her walk away, hips swaying with each angry step.
"Grab my kit, I'll get you a coffee" she tossed over a slim shoulder. I forced my teeth to unclench when the pressure in my jaw became too painful, glaring at her retreating form as I turned back towards the Denali.
What the fuck was that? I let out a quiet growl of frustration, slamming my fist against the trunk door before forcing it open.
Get over myself? She was the one ping ponging between friendly and distant… between outright seductive and aloof. Was she just fucking with me, or did our proximity affect her the same way it did me? If by some insane chance all of these flirtatious moves of hers were born out of desire, where the fuck was this going?
Nowhere healthy, I told myself firmly. Nowhere I would escape from in one piece. I trudged bitterly towards the lab, the feel of her body against mine still lingering against my flesh, hauling both of our heavy kits at my side.
Rounding the corner, scowl firmly set, I was greeted with the unexpected sight of Sofia leaning against the stucco wall, heeled foot pressed back against it, a half smoked cigarette set stiffly between her fingers. Wendy was perched next to her on the wide cement ledge, thin arms crossed over her chest, a long jean clad leg thrown across the other.
The blonde threw a glance over at Catherine, disappearing through the glass doors before glacial eyes drifted back to take in the sight of me with an amused raise of an eyebrow.
I felt my tension ease slightly as I approached, glancing at Wendy, a sour look painted on her features, eyeing the cigarette dangling a foot away from her with what could only be described as painful desire. Eyes meeting Sofia's once again, I raised an eyebrow right back.
"You her bell boy now?" she asked, smirking softly as I moved in front of her, setting the kits down heavily. I puffed out a breath, pushing a lock of wavy hair behind my ear before snatching the smoke from her hand.
"You're smoking at work now?" I countered, relieved at the ease of her presence, her face breaking into a small grin as I took a much needed drag. She wasn't supposed to be working tonight, but I didn't question it, grateful for her presence. I could sense Wendy's gaze moving between the two of us for a long moment before a knowing smile tugged at her lips. "Oh, okay. You two… got it. Fantastic"
I turned my gaze towards her as she dropped her dark head back against the building, pretty features illuminated by the slow rise of the February sun.
I gave the blonde a questioning look, which she dismissed with a single shake of her head. She looked tired, noting the messy ponytail that had replaced the perfectly crafted one she had been sporting earlier.
"What is going on around here?"
She took a breath, about to speak when the lab door flew open, the click of Catherine's heels resounding through the vacant parking lot as she approached with just as much vigor as she had left with.
"The feds are here" she spoke softly against my hair, twisting the cigarette out of my grasp to take the final drag before stamping it out against the wall behind her, tossing it into the trash can a few feet away.
Catherine strode up, waves bouncing against her shoulder, hand out in the universal motion for "gimme"
"Can I have one of those, please"
Sofia's eyebrow raised once again, another smirk forming on her lips.
"Sure"
I glanced at Catherine with a scrutinizing look, which she blatantly ignored.
"You haven't smoked in years, are you sure?"
Scoffing, bright eyes making a point of meeting mine, she snatched the cigarette from Sofia's outstretched hand, leaning forward to allow for a light.
"Yes, I'm sure"
My gaze narrowed into a glare as Sofia casually stuck another one between her lips, glancing between the two of us with an air of intrigued amusement.
"So we're just going to stand out here chain smoking then? It can't be that bad"
Sofia sighed and Wendy turned her brunette head towards me, irritation heavy in her dark eyes.
"I just spent two hours explaining to that…" she pressed her lips into a thin line, hands coming up to mimic a half hearted choking motion "difficult woman why we have found next to no trace evidence on any item or sample collected from any crime scene related to this serial case, to point us towards any direction. As if it's my incompetence holding this case back"
Typical. I offered her a sympathetic smile, Catherine's eyes rolling straight up to the heavens as she exhaled a breath of smoke, crossing freckled arms over her chest.
I let my eyes trail over her tense features, bright eyes directed everywhere but at me. I shifted my weight uncomfortably, body still humming from the feel of her. Sofia's shoulder pressed against mine as she adjusted her position against the wall, feeling myself automatically leaning into her.
What the fuck are you doing.
"It's what they do. Agent Callum asked Brass for another detective to be put on the case- apparently being involved in a recent shooting makes you less of an asset" Sofia spoke calmly, but I could feel the tension in her body, eyes focused absently on the cotton candy sky.
The audacity of these people. I shook my head, taking the cigarette from her grip, my fingertips gripping her hand for a drawn out moment as a silent comfort, eyes focused on Wendy, who seemed more irritated than anyone by this.
"What?"
The brunette had sat forward, dark eyes narrowing at Sofia.
"They can't do that. You just went through hell and that makes you unfit for federal work?" she scoffed, folding her arms over her chest, eyes softening slightly. "I'm sorry Sof"
I couldn't help the frown that tugged at the corner of my lips, shifting my gaze back to the blonde- that perpetually smug grin playing over her lips as she caught my gaze, giving her head a single, dismissive shake, brushing off my unspoken question.
"Everyone above me apparently has better things to do, and anyone below me isn't qualified enough" she shrugged lightly, sending a gentle smile in Wendy's direction. "She's not getting rid of me that easily"
A figure casually approaching from the parking lot grabbed my attention, dark eyes meeting mine momentarily with a smile, two coffees in hand.
"Has something terrible happened I should know about?"
Liev moved to stand beside Catherine, too close, glancing down to meet her unfazed glance with a toothy grin.
"Yeah, the feds are here" she took a quick drag of the smoke resting effortlessly between delicate fingers.
"Shouldn't affect you at all" I threw in, covering my bitterness with a forced smile
He nodded, focusing back on Catherine, taking a slight step back as he fully took in her current state.
"Cigarettes, really"
His tone held a level of disappointment and I was suddenly grateful for her break in composure.
"When the occasion calls for it, yeah"
He chuckled, shaking his dark head slightly "well, I can't say it doesn't look good on you"
I didn't bother trying to conceal the roll of my eyes, letting my own cigarette fall to the ground, stamping it out with my booted foot, a little rougher than necessary.
"I was hoping to see you, I brought you a coffee"
He seemed pleased with himself as he passed her the steaming cup, which she assessed hesitantly, as though he was offering something much more loaded than a simple cup of coffee. Eventually she allowed a grateful smile to grace her lips, accepting it readily.
"Thanks, I need it this morning. What are you doing here, it's like 5:30"
She stubbed out her own smoke with a heeled toe, smoothing down her perfectly placed hair. He shrugged, glancing up at us with a smile "figured I'd come in early, catch up on some paperwork. Walk with me?"
He offered up a muscled arm in an expensive looking dress shirt, a deep shade of evergreen.I shifted uncomfortably against the wall, dismissing the burning in my chest as some sort of stress induced heartburn. Azure eyes flickered over to me and I was suddenly aware of the scowl settled deeply onto my features. She seemed to be weighing her options for a moment before a smooth smile slid onto her features, her hand grasping his arm gently.
"Thanks for the smoke, I'll see you inside" she spoke to Sofia and I respectively before falling into step beside Liev.
Seriously?
Sofia chuckled beside me, running a hand over her loose ponytail.
"Of all the men in this place" she mused once they were out of earshot. Wendy let out a deep sigh, uncrossing long legs and dropping off the cement ledge heavily.
"I'd settle for less if he'd bring me decent coffee in the morning" she smoothed out her dark t-shirt, glancing up to shoot us both a smile.
"See you guys in there"
She turned to go, not before holding her fist up at us in some show of strength and solidarity.
Sofia chuckled, glancing over at me. I must have still had the scowl on my features as her chuckle turned into a throaty laugh, shifting against the wall to face me. Her eyes trailed softly over my features.
"Did you pop a Xanax this morning? Why are you so relaxed?" I muttered, absently leaning into her.
She reached out to brush back a stubborn lock of dark hair.
"Two officers are dead, the feds are in the building, everyone is tip toeing around me as though I'm about to go off the fucking deep end. My mother is in town, surely waiting for the most inconvenient moment to show up" she took a deep breath, pushing a hand through her tied back hair out of anxious habit. "I can't stress anymore, I'm maxed out. I am just… going with the flow"
I felt a surge of tenderness, eyes shifting around to make sure we were alone before moving into her space and capturing her lips in a soft kiss. She smiled against my lips, hand coming up to tangle in my hair as she kissed me back languidly. For a moment, everything else faded into irrelevance.
I pulled back, lips grazing over her cheek, tilting my head in the direction of the doors.
"We should probably flow back to work"
She shot a weary look over at the lab before begrudgingly pushing herself off of the wall, moving to haul Catherine's kit up over a strong shoulder.
"I'll help with your slave duties"
I shot her a look of mock irritation, grabbing hold of mine, suddenly brought back to the heavy reality of the evening.
Go with the flow. What a radically simple concept. I took a deep breath, ridding my mind of as much pent up tension as would ease off with a single exhalation.
"Sara... they're going to try to shake you. Don't let them"
I met her soft gaze, falling into step beside her. We were going to get through this- this day, this case, this exhaustion.
flow.
.