A/N: Thank you to those who've reviewed. I'm so glad people are enjoying the story. Anyway, here's the next chapter and a little more angst.
Warning: This chapter gets a little dark.

Chapter Nine – Sara's POV

I start to feel nervous as I dial her number. I remember the look she gave me earlier. There was a flash of sadness in her eyes, but that quickly turned to anger. What if she rejects me? Well, it's no more than I deserve after the way I treated her this morning. I was so wrapped up in my issues; I never stopped to think how she must have felt. Shit, she's answered the phone.

"Willows."

"Cath, it's me."

"What do you want?"

Yeah, she's definitely pissed off.

"Um, I was wondering if you'd come with me to get something to eat after shift? We could talk..."

"What's there to talk about? You said all that was needed to be said this morning."

"I didn't mean that Cath, I'm sorry, I-"

"Too little, too late Sidle."

She's hung up before I have the chance to say anything else. I'll just have to think of another way to get through to her. I can't bear to leave it like this.

Catherine's POV

It's almost the end of shift when I throw my kit into the back of the SUV and slam the doors hard. I rev the engine and speed off towards the lab. How dare she. Who the hell does she think she is? She completely blows me off yesterday, but suddenly she's being all sugary sweet. She probably wants to get laid again. Maybe she thinks I enjoy one night stands. I have a daughter for Christ's sake; I can't afford to sleep around, for her sake, let alone mine. I slept with Sara because I care...CARED about her, and I thought she cared about me. Instead, she just used me, and then basically threw me out. She humiliated me, just like Novak, just like Chris, just like Eddie...she's no different. After all the business with Novak, I made a promise to myself that I wouldn't be messed about again. I thought she cared.

Once I've logged all the evidence in, I clock out and leave on time for once. I miss Lindsey, but I'm relieved Nancy is taking her to school again today – I'm just too tired. Once I get home, I don't even bother going upstairs; I just kick off my shoes and stretch out on the couch. Not even ten minutes have gone by when there's a knock on the door. I ignore it. If it's important, they'll come back later. But they knock again, and I get up, cursing whoever is on the other side of the door. Sara stands there, her expression unreadable. Before she can say anything, I've slammed the door.

"Catherine, please can we talk? I owe you an explanation. I can talk to you from here, but I'd rather talk face to face."

I open the door.

"Did I not make myself clear earlier? There's nothing to say. You got what you wanted, I don't see what the problem is."

"But that's the point, I-"

"We fucked Sara, that's all. We both just needed a release, you said so yourself."

She looks hurt, not that she has any reason to. I'm the one who thought too much of it. To her it was just sex.

"Do you really believe that Catherine? Do you really believe it was just a release?"

For you, yes. For me no. I fight the urge to cry. I'm already humiliated as it is.

"Yes Sara, I do."

Her expression is unreadable again.

"Fine then."

She turns around and walks away.

I close the door and return to the couch, choking back tears. I'm strong, I've always been strong. I am not going to cry.

Why did she have to turn up here? Why does she have to rub salt into my wounds? I expect she wants to apologise and ask if we can be friends. Maybe she wants a fuck. I don't know. I don't care. Well, I do care, but that doesn't matter. I won't be screwed over. I won't be used. I won't be hurt.

Three weeks go by, and we don't talk, other than to make the occasional dig at each other. Rather, I make comments and she walks away, looking resigned. I know it's petty of me, but what she did still stings. Tonight though, Grissom decides to assign us both to a case. I start to protest, but Grissom just ignores me and continues with the assignments.

"I'm driving," I say shortly as we walk out the lab. She just nods.

We arrive at the crime scene, and slip under the yellow tape. I stop short once I see the body. Grissom didn't give us details about it, just told us the body of a young female had been discovered in an alley. He didn't say how young though. The body of a child who looks no older than thirteen lies before us. She's face up, her blonde hair fanning out around her head, her legs and her arms stretched out. Her eyes are closed and her face is devoid of expression. And she looks remarkably like Lindsey. Although I know it isn't her, I still freeze for a moment. Sara senses my discomfort and reaches out to put a hand on my shoulder, but I jerk away.

"I'm fine," I snap, before stepping forward to examine the scene.

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