Disclaimer: CSI belongs to CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer.
Author's Note: Thank you all for reviewing! Now, on with the show...
"I need to tell you something else first." The brunette said, taking her eyes from Catherine's.
Part 7
"You're not regretting this, us, are you?" Catherine asked, suddenly –irrationally– fear took over.
"No." Sara said, immediately locking her eyes with Catherine's. "How could I regret what we have." To emphasize her words she pulled the strawberry blonde's head towards her, and captured her lips in a fierce kiss.
As the brunette's lips left those of Catherine, the older woman realized what was on Sara's mind, and that she would be included in an important part of Sara's life.
----
Catherine was seated against the headboard, stroking through the brunette's locks. Silently, she listened to Sara unravelling her past.
Hearing all the horror that had happened to Sara as a child, ending in the murder of her father –and her mother being the killer, caused the strawberry blonde's eyes to brim with tears
Catherine tugged at Sara's shoulders, causing the younger woman to turn around and face her. Placing her palms on both sides of the brunette's face she looked into the hazel eyes in front of her.
"I'm so sorry, Sara." Catherine said. She could see a change in Sara's eyes. The brunette wanted to speak up, but was silenced by Catherine's finger touching her lips.
"I know you don't want anyone's pity, and I'm not saying this out of pity. I'm sorry you had to go through all this all alone. But you're not alone anymore. You've got friends, Lindsey still worships you…and you're definitely stuck with me."
Sara was touched by Catherine's words, and made her feel good –at the least better than minutes before. Leaning up, she captured the strawberry blonde's lips in a desperate kiss –needing to be that bit closer to the other woman.
As their lips parted, Catherine spoke up again.
"You've become a strong, independent woman. You're compassionate, you're one of the top CSIs in the US. And now you've let me in on your past…I'm so proud of you."
"Well," Sara started, avoiding Catherine's eyes as she thought back at her almost-lapse.
"I wanted so much to drown it all, make it go away. I walked through the kitchen, beer in my hand, but then I saw Lindsey's drawing, and it all came flooded back. All those years ago I made myself the promise that I'd never turn into them…but I almost did." Sara started sobbing again.
"If it hadn't been for that drawing…I…I would've…"
Catherine noticed Sara's exhausted state, not only mentally, but also physically, for the sobs wrecking through the brunette's body were hurting her still tender ribs.
"Shhh, I'm here babe." Catherine let her lips graze along Sara's before continuing. "I love you, and I'll always be there for you. Now, let's sleep some more before the sun decides it's time to get up."
The strawberry blonde knew Sara still hadn't told her about the disturbing dream she had had, but that had to wait –the younger woman needed to rest.
----
A few hours later the sun indeed showed his face, announcing the arrival of a new day.
Sara was the first to wake up, still held in the safe embrace of Catherine. As her mind cleared of the last remnants of sleep, the brunette noticed her lover was still in the same clothes she had on as she worn to work that evening.
She felt so relieved she had finally let Catherine in on her past, and was glad for the support she got from her lover –enabling her to momentarily forget about her dream and the decision she had made regarding her mother's parole hearing.
Sara leaned up and let her lips softly graze along the strawberry blonde's –careful not to wake her.
After extricating herself from the older woman's arms, Sara made her way over to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast.
About five minutes after Sara left the bed, Catherine awoke, sensing that the brunette no longer was near.
As she heard noise coming from the kitchen she stretched and yawned once before climbing out of bed and heading over to her lover.
The smell of scrambled eggs, fresh coffee, and toast filled her nostrils as she took the last steps over to Sara, snaking her arms around the younger woman's waist before kissing her neck.
"Hmmm, this smells nice." Catherine said as she squeezed Sara even closer to her body before releasing her grip.
"Thought we deserved a good breakfast." Was the brunette's answer as she filled two mugs with steaming coffee.
Sara handed the mugs to Catherine, grabbed the two plates from the counter, and guided them to the kitchen table.
Breakfast was eaten in silence, but after they were finished Sara gathered all her courage knowing she still had to talk about her mother's parole hearing.
"Last night I called DA Muller." She started.
Catherine looked into Sara's eyes, nodding once and urging the brunette to continue.
"I told him I'd go to San Francisco…to talk to the parole board. And I…I want…" Sara averted her eyes, picking at the piece of toast left on her plate before continuing. "Will you please come with me?"
The strawberry blonde reached for her hand and entwined her fingers. "Sara, please look at me."
Tear-filled, hazel eyes locked with sparkling blue ones.
"I'm glad you've made a decision, and of course I'll go with you. I will be there to support you." She leaned over and gave the brunette a kiss, emphasizing her words.
As she sat back, Catherine spoke up once again. "When's the hearing?"
"Monday, but Muller wanted me to be there on Friday already, to talk things through." Sara said, feeling more and more relaxed as Catherine's thumb was caressing her hand.
"I'm sure I'll be able to make arrangements with the team, and Linds can stay at Nancy's."
The younger woman nodded.
"Now," Catherine said as she gathered the plates, "don't you have a check-up at the hospital today?"
"Yes." Sara answered after gulping down the last of her coffee. "Got to be there in an hour and a half."
"Well, let's take a shower, go to the hospital, and afterwards we can stop at the CSI HQ to make arrangements for the coming weekend." Catherine said as she walked to her lover, offered her hand, and pulled her along.