And I'm back again.
Enjoy,
So ;)
Act 11: Sara
I take a last look at myself, even though at this point it's useless because I can't go back home and change. I think I look decent. I rub my clammy hands against my pants, take a deep breath and ring Catherine's bell.
I really wish my heart wasn't beating in my throat at the moment because it makes me slightly nauseous. There's no reason to be nervous. This is Catherine, I see her every day.
Holy… It's Catherine … alright, don't freak out, don't freak out...
I'm startled out of my mental melt down by the door being opened. The little oxygen I had in my lungs is knocked out. I suddenly feel very inadequate and underdressed. Catherine has always been easy on the eyes, but in her curve hugging black dress, with curly hair, she's currently giving a new definition to the word 'stunning'. My eyes are roaming everywhere at once then come back on her face, and it occurs to me that staring at her like a moron is far from endearing.
"Wha uh huh eh hum…" oh freaking brilliant. That has to be the best line in history, bonus point for the high pitch voice. You rock, Sidle, seriously. I give my head a shake as if that could jump start my brain again and. "You…" damn high pitch! I clear my throat and try yet again. "You look amazing," I breathe out.
Three words straight, progress.
My brain farts again when Catherine sends me a dashing smile, apparently she doesn't mind my predicament. "Thank you, you don't look too shabby yourself."
I have to look down at myself suddenly overcome with the fear that I might have stepped out of my apartment butt naked.
Oh for crying out loud, stop freaking out!
Catherine chuckles at my behaviour and I'm imploring every cosmic force out there to give me the strength to take back the control of my brain. "Thanks," I grin. "Ready?"
She puts the alarm on, steps out of the house locks the door then turns to me again. "Yes."
I offer her my arm and she hooks hers on it delicately. I lead us to my car and hold open her door waiting for her to be seated before closing it and going around to get in myself.
The small talk during the ride helps me to get some of my wit back, and keep my nerves to a low rumble; I also realise that Cath is a bit nervous as well and that helps.
I leave the car to the valet and open the door for Cath again. "Wow, you were not joking when you said fancy."
I smirk with satisfaction, glad that she approves of my choice. To be honest I was afraid she'd think it was too much.
We are immediately directed to our table, I help Cath shading her vest and seating down. The waiter wishes us welcome as he hands over the menus.
"Ah, the dreaded first task," I joke.
"And here I thought I was the only one having a hard time with menus," she chortle.
"People underestimate the delicacy of that task."
"Everything always sounds tasty, then you have to question yourself whether you feel adventurous or not."
"It's like being in the Chocolate Factory, having all those wonderful things within reach and yet you can only choose one sweet," I analyze.
"And even when you do choose, you're already regretting not picking something else even though your choice was great in itself."
"Exactly!"
We both laugh a bit, then return to the thorough study of the menu. The waiter comes a first time but we ask for a few more minutes and a pitched of water. I'm distracted by the constant vibration of my phone.
"My, my, someone is eager to talk to you."
"Yeah, well, let me switch it to silent," I reply. "I'm sorry."
I frown when I see the caller ID though. "A problem?"
"Those were four calls from Grissom."
"You're on call?" she asks with disbelief.
"No, and he knows it because his last words to me were 'enjoy your night off and see you on Wednesday'," I elaborate.
Grissom never bothers us when we're off unless it's really important.
She's about to say something but my phone vibrates again flashing Grissom's name on the screen, only this time her phone echoes mine, she fishes it out of her purse. "I got Warrick over here," she states.
We exchange knowing glances, with matching sighs we answer. "Hey Griss" "Hey Rick."
"Sara, I know this is your night off and I'm really sorry to bother you but something major happened we need everyone, and I do mean everyone. I'm sending you the address right away. Do you need a patrol car to come and get you?" he speaks with urgency and a tone that leaves no room for argument.
"No, I have my car, I'll be there as soon as possible," I hear Cath saying the same to Warrick.
"Alright, sorry again about your night off," he says before hanging up. Figures, I get a hot date and I can't even get through with it.
Just as we're about to stand the waiter comes back to our table. "Ladies, have you made your choice?" he asks with a warm grin.
"Unfortunately we have to go," I announce.
"So soon? Was there something wrong?" he looks apprehensive probably wondering if he was too slow.
"No, duty called," I reassure him.
"The joy of being in the law enforcement," Cath adds.
"Oh, well in that case, let me walk you out."
He accompanies us to the entrance and I shake his hand swiftly sliding a bill in his hand. "Thank you, have a good night," I salute him and he smiles in response wishing us a good night as well.
"This has to be some kind of record," Catherine states when we get close to the spot where the valets bring the car. "The fastest date in my personal history," she tries to make light of the situation.
"Yeah, I'm that good," I snort. "It's only a rain check."
"I hope so," she grins at me.
"I can't believe you! There are at least thirty of you in this team, surely they could have called someone else," the woman not far from us spits with blatant frustration, apparently we're not the only one to have a bad night.
"They did…" the man pleads.
"And you're the only idiot to say yes, this is your night off! I mean, they can survive one night without you."
"Sweetheart believe me, I'd rather stay and enjoy my night with you than go…"
"This was supposed to be… Catherine?" the woman stops her reply short when she notices us and we realize who it is.
"Hey Beth, Darren," Cath greets then and I do the same. Darren works as an EMT, so we get to work with him every now and then.
"You got called in?" I ask piecing their argument together.
"Yeah," Darren confirms.
"Same here," Cath informs him.
"You guys too?" comes a third familiar voice, we all turn and discover Troy – a fireman – and his wife Lisa. We exchange greetings and look at one another.
"Do you know what happened?" Darren asks us.
"They wouldn't say anything other than they're calling everybody in," Troy shrugs.
"Warrick said the same word for word."
"All hands on deck, no details," I muse.
There's a cold chill running down my spine and I'm sure the same is happening to the others. There are rarely times where we all have to be gathered for the same event. If every force is to converge on the same spot then by default it's a bad omen; and the fact that we don't have much details let us know that it's really bad.
The tension shifts immediately, apprehension settles in.
"Honey, take the car, I'm going to get a cab home," Beth suggests softly, her frustration and anger instantly replaced by understanding.
"No, no I'm driving you home," Darren protests.
"Don't be silly, you have to be there fast. I'll be fine."
"Here's an idea, Beth why don't you come home, we might as well get a girls' night out of this," Lisa offers. "It's been a long time anyway."
"That's a plan," Beth agrees.
In times like this one, I realize that every mundane event, every friendly tournament, every charity gig that gather us all created greats bounds, and a second support system for our families. With demanding jobs you know you have found the right person to be with when they understand when to be easy about things, like right now.
Cath and I turn a deaf ear when reaffirmations of love and promises to get back home safe and sound are exchanged.
"You be careful too girls," Lisa addresses to Catherine and I, Beth agrees.
"Yeah don't worry."
"Look out for one another," Beth adds before departing with Lisa.
The four of us watch them walking away to get a cab. "You're lucky," Catherine declares.
"Trust me, I know and I remind myself of that fact every day," says Troy with a fond smile.
"Yeah, same here," Darren concurs. "I hate our jobs in days like this. Seriously, it takes at least a month to get a reservation here and barely two bites into the main course and we have to go, unbelievable," he groans.
"Dude, I didn't get to finish the hors-d'oeuvre," Troy outbids.
"We didn't even get to order," Catherine shrugs.
"Okay, you guys win," Troy chortles.
"Yeah, hands down," Darren agrees.
"The water was delicious though," I joke.
"While this night is still alright, let it be said that you girls both look fantastic tonight," Troy compliments with a wink.
"I second that."
Cath and I thank them with smiles. The valets come back and pull our cars in front of the restaurant. "Time to brace ourselves," Darren states and we all nod.
"See you guys in a bit," I salute them, open the door for Cath and get in.
The drive is silent, I know I'm hoping that whatever happened, it's not as bad as I can imagine right now.
Fifteen minutes later Cath and I are both in the lab locker room getting change – away from one another, and gearing ourselves up. It's another twenty minutes before we arrive at the scene; as soon as we step out of the car all thoughts of our ruined date evaporate.
We were expecting chaos. We got worse.
Fuck.
Thanks for reading
