Title: Not Prudent
By: lewis771750
Pairing: Cath/Sara
Challenge: Virtues
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, Jerry and the people at CBS would never be quite this twisted:) But it is all just for fun, honest.
Spoilers: none
Words: 397

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It hurts so much. It wasn't the smart thing to do, throw myself in front of the car to push Sara and Lindsey out of its path, but I didn't stop to think. What mother would? My daughter was about to be run over and, whatever the prudent response was, my maternal protective instinct overrode it. Sometimes a mother's love leads to lots of pain.

Now I've got to lie here and be brave. Sara can tell it hurts, she always could read my eyes too well for my comfort, but I have to try and sell Lindsey the line that mum is OK.

Fortunately, I will be OK. The broken bones will heal, the cuts and bruises too. In fairness to Sara she's been great. Lindsey loves her, nearly as much as I do, and is happy staying with her whilst I'm in hospital. I always thought Sara tolerated Lindsey but didn't really like her. She was 'the annoying appendage' rather than my beloved daughter. I guess she'll never be Sara's beloved daughter, but I don't think she's my annoying appendage either. However, I knew that Sara would step up to the plate if needed, and she has. It is nice to see my trust was justified.

Sara never appeared to be overflowing with the milk of human kindness, but I knew this was an act, a way to stop people taking advantage of her. Or at least, I thought I knew. It seems I still have that vision in me. I guess some barriers are still there between us. I don't think it's deliberate: Sara has protected herself by keeping secrets for so long she has hidden things from herself too. Maybe I just never noticed when she actually began to care for Lindsey in her own special way. I always knew she could look after Lindsey, I just never really believed she would. I should have trusted her more than that.

Perhaps, I will have to rethink their relationship when I get out of here. I'm realising that maybe I haven't been fair to my lover, that she has come to love Lindsey for her own sake. It doesn't make the pain I am trying to hide from Lindsey go away, but it helps dull the aches. It gives me hope for our future, the three of us together, just like in my dreams.

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