Disclaimer - see part 1



Sara didn't want to leave. She felt safe, secure, and extremely comfortable in Catherine's slightly too-warm bed. She relaxed, listening to the easy, slow breathing beside her. She hadn't moved since she'd woken up, not wanting to disturb her bedmate, and revelling in the feel of Catherine's smooth, warm stomach against her hand. Sara still couldn't believe someone wanting to hurt this amazing woman, someone she had only realised she cared so much about in the last 24 hours.



*Jeez, whats wrong with you, Sidle? Its like you're in love with her or something.*



Then again, that was a distinct possibility; the thought that she loved her colleague had stuck firmly in her subconscious most of the night, resulting in Catherine being in many of her quite pleasant dreams.



She was interrupted from her reverie by Catherine stirring.



"Morning, sleeping beauty," she whispered, half-joking, half-loving. She hoped Catherine didn't notice the slight husky tone in her voice. The pang she felt when Catherine opened her eyes confirmed her suspicions: she was in love.



"Hey," grumbled Catherine, still sounding weary but better for the long rest she had had.



"What time is it?" she asked, looking for her watch but not seeing it.



"2:30," replied Sara, looking at her battered Baby-G. She noticed that Catherine was not in the least concerned about moving, even though she was pressed flush against Sara's breasts, and Sara had a leg in between hers. Sara put this down to caution: she probably didn't want to jar her wounds.



"How are you feeling?" she asked, looking for any signs of distress.



"Actually, a whole lot better, thanks to you," said Catherine, a light smile gracing her features and making the previous night seem ages away.

Sara had to smile in reply; Catherine's cheerful demeanor always managed to make her happy, especially now that everything seemed to be okay. They were still talking in hushed tones, but neither knew why.

It seemed like an eternity before either spoke or broke eye contact.



"I need to get Lindsey," Catherine stated, not looking like she was going to move; looking like she needed to say something to fill the silence. "Shes still at Rachel's house."

Sara was still gazing into her eyes when it finally registered that Catherine had said something.



"Oh, right," she said, jolting herself back to reality. *Never in a thousand years* she thought, before making a move to disentangle herself. "I'll go get her."

Before she could get far, a hand rested on her arm and gently held her back.



"I want to say thank you for everything, Sara," said Catherine, looking Sara straight in the eye with something her friend couldn't quite place. "I really mean it."



She pulled Sara into as tight an embrace as she could manage, and kissed her cheek before reluctantly pulling away. Sara thought she could see something of her own lust reflected in those fantastic blue orbs, and returned Catherine's kiss with one on the lips. She was glad when Catherine didn't pull away, and instead returned the kiss, starting to take it further. Sara moaned at the feeling of Catherine's lips against hers, reveling in the intensity of their shared kiss and shared love.

*Why didn't I do this earlier?*

However, as Catherine tried to move, she had to pull away with a gasp as she pressed against forgotten bruises and scrapes.



"I'm sorry," said Sara, immediately concerned.



"For what?" asked Catherine, a devilish smile appearing through a haze of pain. "In a way, I'm glad this happened."



Sara could only nod her head mutely in agreement, before placing one last kiss on Catherine's forehead, tucking her quickly tiring friend -*even girlfriend*- into bed.



"I'll be back soon," she promised, sweeping an errant strand of strawberry-blonde hair from Catherine's face. Oh, how she loved this woman!

But Catherine was already dozing by the time she had got the address, and fast asleep by the time she reached the door.

On to Chapter 5...