Disclaimer: see chapter one
As Catherine sidled up next to her wife, Sofia joined the group.
"Hey baby! Where you been?" Nick asked his wife after giving her a peck on the cheek. She didn't bother answering.
Catherine had her arm around Sara's waist but her eyes were on Sofia. "Sweetie, would you mind getting me another punch. And make sure it's not spiked. I did see Greg running around here and I don't put anything past him," Sara asked her wife.
"Sure babe, I'll be right back. Nick, Sofia—do you guys want anything?" Catherine asked them.
"Nah, I'm alright. Thanks anyway," Nick said putting his hand up to motion that he was okay.
"I think I'll join you. It kills me to just stand around. As long as I'm moving around, I'm fine," Sofia said as she turned to follow Catherine. She threw over her shoulder to Nick as she walked away, "Be right back, hun."
She caught up with Catherine half-way across the room and put her hand on the small of her back as they kept walking toward the refreshments. This gesture did not go unnoticed by Sara who was watching her wife intently. Nick had joined a conversation with one of the dayshift CSIs so Sara had turned her full attention to the two women at the refreshment table.
They were standing too close for Sara's comfort. They were obviously talking, but there was too much touching. It was casual, yet familiar. She watched the contact between the two women for a moment or so. She felt her blood rising as Sofia leaned in and whispered something in Catherine's ear.
This all looked too familiar for Sara. She remembered all too well how Catherine had placed her hand on the small of her back at functions to usher her through the room. She remembered the animated banter and discrete touches they would share. She remembered leaning in and whispering in her ear just like Sofia had done.
Confusion was setting in. Suddenly Catherine turned around and waved at Sara. She returned it with a slight smile and small wave. Is something going on between Catherine and Sofia? Or am I just imagining all of this? We've only been married a year and half. Sofia's been married to Nick for six months. They cannot be having an affair already. It's just hormones.
"What's that about hormones?" Catherine said as she handed Sara a cup of punch.
"Nothing. I was just thinking out loud," she answered behind a fake smile. "Are you about ready to go home? I'm really tired."
"Sure, Sar. Why don't you go ahead and head out to the car. I need to tell Gil something and then I'll be right out."
Sara bid her friends and former coworkers farewell as she left the building. She made it all the way to the car before she remembered that she had left her coat inside.
She headed back inside. Nick asked her, "Forget something?"
"Yeah, my coat. I'll just grab it and then head back out and wait for Cath," she said as she headed down the hall to the room their host had put their coats in.
Standing outside the door, she could hear giggling. Jeez, you'd think that people could wait until they get home to fool around she thought to herself as she slowly opened the door. She didn't want to embarrass anyone or be embarrassed herself by what she might see and hoped that she could quickly steal inside and grab her coat unnoticed. Instead, she was met by the sight of her wife and Sofia in a heated kiss. She fought every instinct in her body to say something—to announce her presence—to break them apart—to hurt them. She left the door ajar and turned as quickly as she could and fled the building, bumping into Nick and several others as she did.
"Sar, you okay?" he called after her. She just ignored him and walked with her head down towards the car.
A few minutes later, Catherine joined her in the car. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. You know how the Sheriff is once he starts talking."
"I thought you were talking to Gil?"
"I couldn't find him, so I talked to the Sheriff instead."
"Yeah, let's just get home, okay?"
"Sure babe," Cath said as she went to take Sara's hand in hers. Sara pulled her hand away and just crossed her arms over her chest. "You okay?"
"No, I'm feeling sick."
"Are you coming down with something sweetie? You know the doctor said you needed to be really careful and take care of yourself. You're a high-risk pregnancy," Catherine reminded her.
"I'm not coming down with anything. Just the events of the evening—a little too much excitement."