A/N: This chapter is in response to LJ's fivebyfiction writer's choice word, relief.
The next day Catherine was examining evidence in a new investigation when her phone rang. "Willows," she stated automatically.
"Hey, uh, Catherine, it's Sofia. I thought I could do this alone, but I'm going to go in there in a couple of minutes and I don't think…"
She didn't even let Sofia finish her sentence. "I'll be right there." She closed her phone and took off her gloves and lab coat. "I'll be back soon," she said to the lab tech.
"Where are you going?"
"Important business." She made it to the station just seconds before Sofia went in. She caught the detective's eye and flashed a thumbs-up sign and an encouraging smile, and then took a seat in one of the chairs in the hallway.
A few minutes later, Sofia slowly walked out of the office, shoulders slumped and her arms wrapped around her waist. She looked up, her face red and her eyes glistening with tears. Catherine stood and walked towards her, her heart pounding.
Sofia shook her head and the tears cascaded down her cheeks. A tiny sob escaped as she whispered, "It wasn't me." She covered her face with her hands as Catherine pulled her into a hug. After several seconds Sofia returned the hug.
After a few minutes, Catherine pushed her away, still holding onto her arms. "Are you okay?"
Sofia wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I will be." She looked around and sighed. "I should probably get back to work then."
"No, no. Take the rest of the day off. You deserve it." Catherine didn't want to add that the detective looked ready to collapse. "I think they can manage without you for one more day."
Sofia started to protest but was suddenly hit with a wave of exhaustion. "Yeah. Officer Bell's wake is later today. I should probably go home and iron my uniform."
"Or rest," Catherine said pointedly.
"Or rest." Sofia agreed, and managed a real smile. Catherine patted her on the shoulder as she headed back to the lab. As relieved as Sophia was about the results, she still felt in some way responsible. Even though she had been cleared, her credibility with her co-workers had been severely damaged. It was one of those stigmas associated with partners. She wasn't looking forward to rebuilding her credibility. It was going to be difficult, but she felt like she had been given a second chance and she wasn't going to waste it.
A/N: That's it! I hope you enjoyed it!