Title: Do What You Have To Do
By: little arsonist
Pairing: Cath/Sara
Rated: PG
Challenge: for the Sarah McLachlan title challenge
Disclaimer: not mine, and never claimed they were mine either.
Word Count: 165
Spoilers: Lady Heather's Box

***

Catherine keeps to herself for an entire week after the case is closed. Eddie's case. I did all I could but in the wake of her daughter's loss, and maybe even her own, I don't think I did enough.

She kissed me, pulling me in, two days before she plunged into deep water to save Lindsey. I could have lost Catherine and after the soft press of her lips against mine, losing her would be like suffocating.

Maybe I do know how she's feeling right now, but this is just how she deals with tragedy.

I don't want to push her.

This shift marks the eighth night of not hearing her laugh, not seeing her grin at me. Her kiss unleashed a flood of feelings I kept buried. My years of lust, and eventually love, weren't in vain.

She's talking to Nick when I enter the break room. She doesn't stop, so I continue to the fridge to find a bottle of water. I keep my back to them for a moment.

"Nick, could you excuse me? I need to see Sara outside."

Then her hand is on my shoulder and I can't ignore her.

The corners of her mouth lift, and she has a small smile for me. I'm not afraid of what's to come. I follow behind her.

We're barely out the door when I break our silence.

"Cat, I missed you."

She loops her arms around me, drawing me close. Her blue eyes well with tears, but these aren't tears of grief. Her smile stays as she tightens her hold on me.

"I'm so sorry I acted the way I did, especially after I asked you out. I was so worried about Lindsey and...."

"You don't have to explain. You handled what you were dealt in your own way. You coped."

When we discussed a possible relationship, we agreed to keep workplace physical contact at a minimum. Right now, that means nothing.

Her mouth is as sweet as the first time I tasted it. With all words said, the memories of last week settle in the back of my mind, making room for memories of my future with her.

***