Disclaimer: This piece is a sequel to my first story "To fall below adversity" so I suggest if you haven't already, to read that one first. Further warning, this is also going to be angsty and somewhat dark and depressing story at times; like my first one. I don't own CSI or anything relating to them, I'm just borrowing them to satisfy my stupid brain. Any references to real life events; anything I may have read, seen or heard are completely unintentional and coincidental. I gain nothing from this other than to finally get this idea to stop repeating in my head. So please don't sue me or threaten to kill me. If this offends you in any way or it just plain sucks, I apologize that you've wasted several minutes of your life you'll never get back. Just pretend you never saw this, know for future reference to avoid it at all costs should you ever see the title again, and go on with your life. Any and all mistakes are mine. Also, any names, places or references are purely fictional!

A/N: Hello all! Thank you so much DustyMonkey, mikkir and quietmusician for the reviews!!! Sorry I was later than planned for this update. Life threw some unexpected challenges at me...celebrating life and mourning death. Hopefully I won't be as long with the next update, but things are still off kilter. I really appreciate the feedback, you guys keep me motivated! Thanks everyone for reading and I hope you enjoy the story. Be well and take care everyone!

"Oh come on Sara, it's not going to be that bad...get your pretty butt in motion already!" Catherine yells over at the defiant lump occupying the living room sofa.

"Look, I hate the dentist too, but you don't see me cowering in the corner! My God woman, you've had tubes the size of a slushy straw shoved between your ribs into your chest...not to mention during your follow-up appointments where you are transformed into the human equivalent of a pin cushion and you don't even bat an eyelash!" Catherine continues as Sara refuses to move or comment.

"Really Sara, you cancelled your last appointment because you said you had the runs! What, did you think they were going to examine your teeth through your A...."

"Alright! Alright! I'm coming!" I cut Cath off. "Smartass!"

"What was that?" Catherine says while charging towards the sofa and sitting on Sara before she had a chance to move, effectively pinning her in place.

"I said I love you Catherine Willows!" I say muffled under the redheaded owner of my heart.

"Good, let's get going, we are both late already. We're lucky as it is that they fit you in with my appointment today. Let's try to at least have one office not despise us...we already had to switch family doctors last month since someone mouthed off at the receptionist in front of everyone." Catherine says exasperated as Sara silently points to herself looking innocent.

"Yes you Sara Sidle! Let me do the talking this time okay?" Catherine says smiling as Sara kisses the back of her head while Cath stands and gets up off her lap.

"That receptionist more than deserved it...and by the way, you ARE a smartass!" I say grabbing the car keys and running out the front door as one of the couch pillows whizzes by my head.

God I love that woman! She can drive me insane, but I love her so much! I don't want to even think about what I would have done if she hadn't made it. It's unbelievable how well she's recovered. She hardly slurs or stutters her words anymore too. Only when she's really tired, stressed or angry does the stutter return.

That's why we have a new family doctor actually. Sara was really anxious and concerned because I needed to make a follow-up appointment for a breast exam because there was a small lump on my breast, and while talking to the receptionist she started to stutter quite bad and the stupid woman made a sarcastic comment about it...Sara was right, the lady deserved the response Sara gave, but we were escorted out nonetheless. As it turned out, the lump was just a swollen lymph node and it resolved itself without a problem; but it was an ordeal with much unneeded stress.

Still, to this day Sara beats herself up too much. When she's really depressed she'll ask why I stay with someone who's literally and figuratively brain damaged. I tell her the truth, I need her way more then she needs me; I would have died long ago if not for my love for her.

My loving musings are cut short as the shrill beeping of the car horn reverberates through the house.

Smartass!

"For the record I would like to note that us being late is not going to be my fault...I was in the car before you and this stupid traffic topped us off." I say while smugly smiling over at my love who has both hands firmly grasping the steering wheel.

"What is wrong with people! Why must every other street have to have massive construction...on a Sunday to boot! We are so going to have to look for a new dentist now too." Catherine says defeated.

"Well, we could just forget the whole dentist bullshit altogether and..." I start before something catches my eye and my ranting abruptly cuts off.

"C-Cath! Fuck!"

Without any further time for warning or contemplation I instinctively brace my body and close my eyes until the sickening thump, crunching metal, breaking glass and skidding tires fade into a deafening silence.

"C-Cath, a-are you o-okay love?" I manage to stutter out while opening my eyes and looking toward the driver's side.

"Fuck, that asshole ran the red! I'm okay I think, but my left leg is stuck. Are you okay Sara?" Catherine responds as I try to judge if she's really okay; adrenaline and shock can numb you into thinking your okay before the pain has time to set in.

The other car hit us near the hood on the driver's side while we were going through the green and the force almost spun us all the way around. Cath's side definitely took more damage. Although, I think my forehead is bleeding...I must have smacked in on the window when we were spinning.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine. I'm m-more worried about your leg." I say while wiping my head and taking off my seatbelt to get closer to Catherine.

Poor Cath is still gripping the steering wheel and I pry her hands away before trying to reach over and see if anymore of the twisted metal has hurt my love. My hands are shaking so bad they are barely any use.

"Yeah, okay...my leg is broken. It's hitting me now. Shit! You have GOT to be kidding me!" Catherine yells frustrated while her face begins to contort in pain.

I can hear people yelling and see a crowd gathering outside as I unbuckle Cath's seatbelt. I can already hear sirens in the distant background and can't help but hesitate for a second wondering how much time has passed.

"Take d-deep breaths love, help is on the w-way. You're going to be okay babe. Are you sure n-nothing else hurts? Is your c-chest okay? Oh God Cath...this can't b-be happening." I say while holding Catherine's head in my hands and kissing her forehead.

"I'm okay, really. Is your head okay? I guess you were right about the dentist being evil though. I'll believe this excuse for not making the appointment." Catherine says smiling a cringing smile.

Tears spring to my eyes and the only response I can make is to kiss her again. It kills me to see her in pain...and trying to hide it to protect me.

As I lean back again to look her over I'm startled by a firefighter tapping on my window. We are both inspected to insure we are medically stable before one of the men leave to grab equipment so they can cut Cath out of the tangled car. Her leg is definitely broken and slightly pinned.

"O-oh C-Cath, please be o-okay babe. I love you s-so much." I say while fighting back more tears. I close my eyes and lean my head back for a second as my head begins to pound in rebellion.

"I'll be okay love. It's okay, we'll get through this babe. We are both tougher than this. You know that." Catherine says to try and reassure me.

It's strange, suddenly I don't feel so good...my head really isn't happy right now. I don't think I've been this stressed since...yeah, I don't want to go there.

Feeling progressively more confused and trying not to panic about it, I watch in awkward fascination as the firemen prepare the equipment to help free my love of the car.

I wonder if the other driver is okay...he must be drunk or something. I saw him coming but there was nothing we could do but brace for impact. I'm going to have nightmares of that image for sure.

"Everything is going to be okay Sara. I promise. I love you." Catherine says in a pain filled voice.

"I l-love you too." I answer smiling before I frown in confusion. "C-Cath, check the kitchen, there's something b-burning. The toast is burning."

"What?" Catherine chuckles in confusion before looking over at Sara and seeing her eyes begin to roll back into her head. "Sara! Sara! Look at me babe! Oh God!"

Despite her pinned broken leg, Catherine begins to pull and struggle against her bonds and starts to pound on the remaining glass of the window.

"Somebody help! I need a medic now! Oh please God, not again! Sara! Somebody help me!"