CSI-fic: Objects in the rear view mirror (2/17)
Title: Objects in the rear view mirror
Author: TXLtoSFO
Fandom: CSI:LV
Pairing: Sara Sidle/Sofia Curits/OC Eli Trent
Rating: I give it an overall NC-17, cos I don't wanna rate each chapter individually.
Disclaimer: CSI, its characters, places, and situations are property of Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Alliance Atlantis and CBS Productions. This story was written for entertainment, not monetary purposes. Original characters, and this story are intellectual property of the author. Any similarities to existing characters, fictional or real, living or dead, are coincidental and no harm is intended.
Spoiler/Warnings: Character death
Summary/Note: This is a sequel to my story 'Mistakes', which you can find on my LJ or on ff.net, where I go by the name Foodwise. It is dark and ventures completely off canon, there's not much of CSI left you're going to recognise.
A life-changing event drives Eli away from Vegas. Set roughly three years after the events in 'Mistakes'. You will need to have read that one to understand what is happening here.
Notes: Happy Thanksgiving y'all...
The chapters are getting longer, promised. Flashbacks are in italics, same as it was in 'Mistakes'.
Objects in the rear view mirror
2. Family ties
"Sofia."
Captain Jim Brass was carefully approaching the slim figure that had been soaked to the bone by the rain, calling out to her tentatively to not startle her.
Sofia stood stock still in the parking lot, frozen to the spot even after Trent's car had been out of sight and earshot for minutes and the rain had subsided. She had wrapped her arms tightly around herself and was crying silently now, the cold tears of sorrow now mixed with hot ones of the anger and frustration and fears about the woman she'd called her best friend for the last two and a half years.
Who had denied Sofia to comfort her, had refused even the slightest touch and had almost run her over on her desperate way to get out of this place, away from her lover's body that lay lifeless on the operating table.
As if it wasn't hard enough having just lost one friend to the dangers of the job, seeing Eli like that, fractured, crumbling to pieces on the inside but her face a stoic mask that showed no emotion broke her heart all over again.
"Sophie, please, let me take you inside, you need to warm up."
Her mentor's much too thin voice still didn't prepare her for what she saw as she forced herself to turn and looked into his red-rimmed eyes. It was the desperation of someone who had just lost a close member of his family, someone he loved dearly and without restrictions. Jim Brass was heart-broken, too. Every line on his face seemed to have etched itself even deeper, his mouth a thin line, his suit wrinkled.
Still he held himself straight and the little warmth that was left in his grief-stricken blue eyes was all the comfort he could offer her right now, that she knew.
She gazed up into the sky, where the clouds just broke and on a newly revealed patch of dark blue sky a few stars appeared, visible despite the luminance that always hung over Vegas at night. Sofia Curtis wasn't a religious person, yet she couldn't help but send a quick prayer towards whatever heaven or deity there might be. And hoped that it indeed existed, that better place so many people believed in.
"Lieutenant, come here."
She exhaled, as Brass pulled her into his arms as she reached him. The contrast of addressing her so formally and then pulling her into a heart-felt, yet a little awkward embrace was so typical for him. That's why she was all the more surprised at his next words.
"Even if I might sound way too much like Gil, let travelers embark their journey, Sophie. I know you worry about her, I do, too, but I think Trent just needs a little space. She'll come back."
He brushed a streak of wet hair out of her contorted face in the most gentle gesture and her tears spilled over again, she'd never thought he'd even be capable of something like that. She closed her eyes and sobbed silently into Jim Brass shoulder, who squinted his eyes and looked to the side, losing the battle with his own tears that dared to fall. He cleared his throat and swallowed hard.
"Come on, let's go inside. You're drenched, I'll get you a hot coffee."
She let herself be dragged back inside, her heavy legs carrying her reluctantly over the wet pavement and her glance flickered back to the parking lot again and again.
She didn't want to go back inside. She didn't want to be confronted with more tear-stained faces, more questions, more mournful words, more pain and sadness.
Yet the following hours did go by in a blur of tears, questions, broken gazes and helpless looks. She had never seen the members of the grave shift so utterly united like in these hours. United by their loss. Sofia had always known that despite the often occurring conflicts, they understood each other as family. And now this family was one precious member short and it glued them even closer together and erased all recent animosities.
Ecklie had immediately let days and swing take over for at least that night. Even he didn't expect any one of them to work through this tragedy.
She just sat huddled in a corner, her LVPD sweater almost dried, her third terrible coffee from the vending machine around the corner in her hand, her split lip burning with every sip she took. The chatter and even laughter that reached her ear from the nurses desk annoyed her, it took her a lot of self restraint not to strut over to them and slam her hand down on their damn counter, reminding them of what had just taken place. She couldn't wait to get out of this place.
As her mobile vibrated against her leg she almost dropped the cup to the floor in the frantic effort to retrieve it in the quickest way, but instantly deflated as she noted that it wasn't Eli's number that blinked insistently on the touch screen.
Her anger increased even more and for a second she felt compelled just to throw the offending and not cooperating object against the wall and watch it shatter to pieces.
But instead her shoulders sagged in defeat and she picked up.
"Curtis." She flatly spoke.
"Hello Sofia, I am sorry to bother you, but I just got the voicemail Catherine has left me." His voice quivered and he sounded just as hopeless as she felt.
"And now I can't reach her, she doesn't answer her cell."
He left the ultimate question unspoken.
"Catherine is here, Leonard, as are all the guys and Brass. And yes, she died on the operating table about three hours ago."
It was the first time she had said the words aloud. She'd forever be grateful to Cath that she'd done the talking to the boys, since Grissom was still in the ER, getting an MRI for his concussion and his arm and side patched up where some of the many bullets had grazed him as well.
"Leonard?" He hadn't spoken and Sofia wondered if he'd hung up on her.
"Yeah, I'm still here." His voice cracked and Sofia could tell he was crying. It was a strange image, thinking of the man who always appeared happy, who always had a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, now in tears and his voice strained and sorrowful.
Images whirred through her mind, pictures only a few weeks old.
Leonard in a creme-coloured tailcoat, a big fat smile plastered on his face, Eli at his side in a light brown, form-fitting three piece suit, looking oddly proud at her best friend while she turned the little black satin box in her hands nervously again and again.
She had been sitting in the front row beside Sara, who couldn't seem to take her eyes off her girlfriend for even a second. As her gaze met Eli's she unconsciously fiddled with a ring on her right ring finger that Sofia hadn't noticed before. It was a simple greyish band, she suspected platinum with an inlayed diamond. She took a closer look and found that Eli wore the same ring, hers was a little wider and she couldn't see a stone, but it was obvious what must have had taken place not very long ago, since she couldn't recall having seen either Sara or Eli wear rings before.
She grinned to herself and just then, the string quartet picked up their bows and softly started playing.
The first to walk down the aisle was Lindsey, in a beautiful shoulder-free dress matching the colour of Eli's suit. She carried the bridal bouquet and another velvet box similar to the one in Eli's hands.
Taking her place at the other side in front of the minister after pecking Leonard on the cheek and giving Eli a short warm hug, she looked so proud and content and amazingly mature.
Then all heads turned to the back of the chapel, waiting for Catherine to make her entrance.
Sofia inhaled sharply and heard Sara do the same beside her as Catherine came into view.
Arm in arm with Grissom, admittedly looking the most handsome she'd ever seen him in his tuxedo that again had the same light brown tone as the bridesmaid's dress and 'man' of honour's suit, Catherine was simply stunningly beautiful.
Ohs and Aws were muttered all around.
Catherine wore a pastel-peach coloured wedding gown with a short trail, knee long at the front, strapless in a kind of corset style, tight around her upper body, and flowing from her waist down. A silk and lace dream, understated and simple enough, yet unique with the flower embroidery on the front and the fluffy material of the tail. Her hair lay in ringlets, she wore pearl earrings and not too high heels the same colour as her dress and already seemed to have a hard time holding back some tears.
She could see how hard Leonard clenched his jaw and as Grissom put Catherine's hand in his with an assuring and pleased smile before he stepped aside and took a place next to Lindsey, Len mouthed what looked like 'You're so beautiful' to Cath and the love that oozed from them easily spread through the whole room.
Lost in her memories of that day, Sofia had almost forgotten about Leonard on the other end of the line and flinched as he suddenly spoke again.
"How is Eli holding up? Are you taking care of her, Sofia? She needs someone she trusts. Someone who knows her. She needs you to make it through this."
This time it was her turn to answer with silence.
"Sofia?" Leonard's voice was dangerously close to sobbing now and a hint of fear and suspicion swung in it.
"Please tell me that Eli is safe."
The additional desperation in his tone tore at what little composure Sofia had just managed to rebuilt. Her eyes watered up again and she rubbed her free palm vigorously over sore eyes.
"I can't, Leonard. I tried, believe me, I did, but she just left. Took off without even so much as a word, a tear, any kind of reaction. I'm sorry..."
"Aw, fuck!" He cursed into the line.
"I'm coming back. I'll take the next flight out in the morning."
"No, please stay in Frisco in case she's headed there."
"But Cath..."
"The guys, her and me will take care of each other. No one is going to be alone in this. Please, wait at least until we hear anything from her. I just hope she doesn't wind herself around a tree. I don't think she was in any kind of state to drive at all."
Leonard groaned at all the images that flooded his brain. Oh God, please, let her be safe, let her be careful, don't let her do something stupid or reckless.
"Okay, I'll stay put. Just tell Cath to call me as soon as she finds the time. And Sofia?"
"Yeah?"
"You take care, okay?"
"I will."
"I'll call you if I hear anything."
"I'll do that, too."
"Good. Good-bye, Lieutenant."
Open-mouthed, Sofia let out a long and shaky breath.
When did she become the one who was supposed to take care of Eli in Leonard's eyes? She knew that it wasn't just because he wasn't present, it was because Eli and Leonard had had a fall-out a couple of months ago and were still not on the best of terms, despite their almost a decade long deep and trusting friendship.
She would never forget the hard look that crossed Eli's face again and again, surely without her permission but she seemed she simply couldn't help it, as she tried to fill her role as best man at Catherine's and Leonard's wedding in the best fashion she could muster. She remembered that Eli had danced with the bride, but not with the groom. She remembered how she had dragged Eli off to the dancefloor after overhearing how Leonard said to Catherine he didn't even know why he'd asked her to do him that honour in the first place to stop Eli knocking back Bourbon after Bourbon. Sara had had the bad luck to be on call for the night along with Nick, and both had been called in right after the ceremony, so it was up to her to take care of her friend.
A grim expression settled on her face as she recalled what had happened as she had taken a Eli that had drunken herself almost delirious home later that night. She'd caught a glimpse of how Eli must've behaved when she was young. They had to walk down the strip a couple of blocks to fetch a taxi that was free and Eli wolf-whistled after good-looking women, flirted with the girl behind the counter in the shop where Sofia had bought aspirin and some water, had almost gotten into a fight with a man who wasn't very amused about her come-on's towards his girlfriend and had even tried flirting with Sofia herself all the way home in the cab.
But the moment Sara had opened their door, she'd been back already and Sofia was more than grateful for her unexpected presence, Eli had softened instantly, had all but fallen into her love's arms and sobbed like a child while Sara held her and whispered soothing words into her ear. Over Eli's shoulder she had thanked Sofia with a glance that left no room for misinterpretation.
She had left stunned and in awe of the connection the two women shared. Amazed at what just one look from Sara could do to Eli. Confirming her suspicions that despite how it appeared from the outside, it wasn't Eli who was the stronger one. It was Sara.
A soft touch to her shoulder took her out of her reverie. Catherine glanced down at her, her eyes bloodshot and swollen, her body language conveying that the adrenaline that must have kept her up and running and made her seem like the most collected of all of them over the last couple of hours after the initial shock was slowly wearing off.
"Sofia, we're about to leave. They set Grissom up in a private room for observation for another day, his concussion is quite severe and he's lost quite some blood from the through and through to his arm. The guys crave a drink but I just want to go home. I don't want you to be alone tonight and frankly, I don't think I'd be able to sleep no matter how exhausted I'm feeling right now. Would you like to come over, I'd make us some real coffee. I know you won't sleep until you hear from Eli."
It was strange how their relationship had changed over the past years. After their teaming up to bring Eli and Sara closer together again, they'd had a short phase when they avoided each other like the plague, but since Catherine was with Leonard and Sofia had truly become close friends with Eli and bit by bit with Sara, they'd spent countless evenings together as a circle of friends, along with Greg most of the time. BBQ'ing and swimming in Catherine's backyard, dinner's at Eli and Sara's, little trips out to Lake Meade with Lindsey in the summer.
What had Eli said? 'We're a large, slightly dysfunctional yet loving and caring patchwork family. Everyone has their purpose.'
Taking one last longing look at her cell and knowing that Catherine was right, she wouldn't be able to close even half an eye until she could be sure Eli was at least somewhere safe, she shrugged and agreed to keep Catherine company. And if she was being honest, she couldn't really stand the thought of being alone right now, too.
Author: TXLtoSFO
Fandom: CSI:LV
Pairing: Sara Sidle/Sofia Curits/OC Eli Trent
Rating: I give it an overall NC-17, cos I don't wanna rate each chapter individually.
Disclaimer: CSI, its characters, places, and situations are property of Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Alliance Atlantis and CBS Productions. This story was written for entertainment, not monetary purposes. Original characters, and this story are intellectual property of the author. Any similarities to existing characters, fictional or real, living or dead, are coincidental and no harm is intended.
Spoiler/Warnings: Character death
Summary/Note: This is a sequel to my story 'Mistakes', which you can find on my LJ or on ff.net, where I go by the name Foodwise. It is dark and ventures completely off canon, there's not much of CSI left you're going to recognise.
A life-changing event drives Eli away from Vegas. Set roughly three years after the events in 'Mistakes'. You will need to have read that one to understand what is happening here.
Notes: Happy Thanksgiving y'all...
The chapters are getting longer, promised. Flashbacks are in italics, same as it was in 'Mistakes'.
Objects in the rear view mirror
2. Family ties
"Sofia."
Captain Jim Brass was carefully approaching the slim figure that had been soaked to the bone by the rain, calling out to her tentatively to not startle her.
Sofia stood stock still in the parking lot, frozen to the spot even after Trent's car had been out of sight and earshot for minutes and the rain had subsided. She had wrapped her arms tightly around herself and was crying silently now, the cold tears of sorrow now mixed with hot ones of the anger and frustration and fears about the woman she'd called her best friend for the last two and a half years.
Who had denied Sofia to comfort her, had refused even the slightest touch and had almost run her over on her desperate way to get out of this place, away from her lover's body that lay lifeless on the operating table.
As if it wasn't hard enough having just lost one friend to the dangers of the job, seeing Eli like that, fractured, crumbling to pieces on the inside but her face a stoic mask that showed no emotion broke her heart all over again.
"Sophie, please, let me take you inside, you need to warm up."
Her mentor's much too thin voice still didn't prepare her for what she saw as she forced herself to turn and looked into his red-rimmed eyes. It was the desperation of someone who had just lost a close member of his family, someone he loved dearly and without restrictions. Jim Brass was heart-broken, too. Every line on his face seemed to have etched itself even deeper, his mouth a thin line, his suit wrinkled.
Still he held himself straight and the little warmth that was left in his grief-stricken blue eyes was all the comfort he could offer her right now, that she knew.
She gazed up into the sky, where the clouds just broke and on a newly revealed patch of dark blue sky a few stars appeared, visible despite the luminance that always hung over Vegas at night. Sofia Curtis wasn't a religious person, yet she couldn't help but send a quick prayer towards whatever heaven or deity there might be. And hoped that it indeed existed, that better place so many people believed in.
"Lieutenant, come here."
She exhaled, as Brass pulled her into his arms as she reached him. The contrast of addressing her so formally and then pulling her into a heart-felt, yet a little awkward embrace was so typical for him. That's why she was all the more surprised at his next words.
"Even if I might sound way too much like Gil, let travelers embark their journey, Sophie. I know you worry about her, I do, too, but I think Trent just needs a little space. She'll come back."
He brushed a streak of wet hair out of her contorted face in the most gentle gesture and her tears spilled over again, she'd never thought he'd even be capable of something like that. She closed her eyes and sobbed silently into Jim Brass shoulder, who squinted his eyes and looked to the side, losing the battle with his own tears that dared to fall. He cleared his throat and swallowed hard.
"Come on, let's go inside. You're drenched, I'll get you a hot coffee."
She let herself be dragged back inside, her heavy legs carrying her reluctantly over the wet pavement and her glance flickered back to the parking lot again and again.
She didn't want to go back inside. She didn't want to be confronted with more tear-stained faces, more questions, more mournful words, more pain and sadness.
Yet the following hours did go by in a blur of tears, questions, broken gazes and helpless looks. She had never seen the members of the grave shift so utterly united like in these hours. United by their loss. Sofia had always known that despite the often occurring conflicts, they understood each other as family. And now this family was one precious member short and it glued them even closer together and erased all recent animosities.
Ecklie had immediately let days and swing take over for at least that night. Even he didn't expect any one of them to work through this tragedy.
She just sat huddled in a corner, her LVPD sweater almost dried, her third terrible coffee from the vending machine around the corner in her hand, her split lip burning with every sip she took. The chatter and even laughter that reached her ear from the nurses desk annoyed her, it took her a lot of self restraint not to strut over to them and slam her hand down on their damn counter, reminding them of what had just taken place. She couldn't wait to get out of this place.
As her mobile vibrated against her leg she almost dropped the cup to the floor in the frantic effort to retrieve it in the quickest way, but instantly deflated as she noted that it wasn't Eli's number that blinked insistently on the touch screen.
Her anger increased even more and for a second she felt compelled just to throw the offending and not cooperating object against the wall and watch it shatter to pieces.
But instead her shoulders sagged in defeat and she picked up.
"Curtis." She flatly spoke.
"Hello Sofia, I am sorry to bother you, but I just got the voicemail Catherine has left me." His voice quivered and he sounded just as hopeless as she felt.
"And now I can't reach her, she doesn't answer her cell."
He left the ultimate question unspoken.
"Catherine is here, Leonard, as are all the guys and Brass. And yes, she died on the operating table about three hours ago."
It was the first time she had said the words aloud. She'd forever be grateful to Cath that she'd done the talking to the boys, since Grissom was still in the ER, getting an MRI for his concussion and his arm and side patched up where some of the many bullets had grazed him as well.
"Leonard?" He hadn't spoken and Sofia wondered if he'd hung up on her.
"Yeah, I'm still here." His voice cracked and Sofia could tell he was crying. It was a strange image, thinking of the man who always appeared happy, who always had a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, now in tears and his voice strained and sorrowful.
Images whirred through her mind, pictures only a few weeks old.
Leonard in a creme-coloured tailcoat, a big fat smile plastered on his face, Eli at his side in a light brown, form-fitting three piece suit, looking oddly proud at her best friend while she turned the little black satin box in her hands nervously again and again.
She had been sitting in the front row beside Sara, who couldn't seem to take her eyes off her girlfriend for even a second. As her gaze met Eli's she unconsciously fiddled with a ring on her right ring finger that Sofia hadn't noticed before. It was a simple greyish band, she suspected platinum with an inlayed diamond. She took a closer look and found that Eli wore the same ring, hers was a little wider and she couldn't see a stone, but it was obvious what must have had taken place not very long ago, since she couldn't recall having seen either Sara or Eli wear rings before.
She grinned to herself and just then, the string quartet picked up their bows and softly started playing.
The first to walk down the aisle was Lindsey, in a beautiful shoulder-free dress matching the colour of Eli's suit. She carried the bridal bouquet and another velvet box similar to the one in Eli's hands.
Taking her place at the other side in front of the minister after pecking Leonard on the cheek and giving Eli a short warm hug, she looked so proud and content and amazingly mature.
Then all heads turned to the back of the chapel, waiting for Catherine to make her entrance.
Sofia inhaled sharply and heard Sara do the same beside her as Catherine came into view.
Arm in arm with Grissom, admittedly looking the most handsome she'd ever seen him in his tuxedo that again had the same light brown tone as the bridesmaid's dress and 'man' of honour's suit, Catherine was simply stunningly beautiful.
Ohs and Aws were muttered all around.
Catherine wore a pastel-peach coloured wedding gown with a short trail, knee long at the front, strapless in a kind of corset style, tight around her upper body, and flowing from her waist down. A silk and lace dream, understated and simple enough, yet unique with the flower embroidery on the front and the fluffy material of the tail. Her hair lay in ringlets, she wore pearl earrings and not too high heels the same colour as her dress and already seemed to have a hard time holding back some tears.
She could see how hard Leonard clenched his jaw and as Grissom put Catherine's hand in his with an assuring and pleased smile before he stepped aside and took a place next to Lindsey, Len mouthed what looked like 'You're so beautiful' to Cath and the love that oozed from them easily spread through the whole room.
Lost in her memories of that day, Sofia had almost forgotten about Leonard on the other end of the line and flinched as he suddenly spoke again.
"How is Eli holding up? Are you taking care of her, Sofia? She needs someone she trusts. Someone who knows her. She needs you to make it through this."
This time it was her turn to answer with silence.
"Sofia?" Leonard's voice was dangerously close to sobbing now and a hint of fear and suspicion swung in it.
"Please tell me that Eli is safe."
The additional desperation in his tone tore at what little composure Sofia had just managed to rebuilt. Her eyes watered up again and she rubbed her free palm vigorously over sore eyes.
"I can't, Leonard. I tried, believe me, I did, but she just left. Took off without even so much as a word, a tear, any kind of reaction. I'm sorry..."
"Aw, fuck!" He cursed into the line.
"I'm coming back. I'll take the next flight out in the morning."
"No, please stay in Frisco in case she's headed there."
"But Cath..."
"The guys, her and me will take care of each other. No one is going to be alone in this. Please, wait at least until we hear anything from her. I just hope she doesn't wind herself around a tree. I don't think she was in any kind of state to drive at all."
Leonard groaned at all the images that flooded his brain. Oh God, please, let her be safe, let her be careful, don't let her do something stupid or reckless.
"Okay, I'll stay put. Just tell Cath to call me as soon as she finds the time. And Sofia?"
"Yeah?"
"You take care, okay?"
"I will."
"I'll call you if I hear anything."
"I'll do that, too."
"Good. Good-bye, Lieutenant."
Open-mouthed, Sofia let out a long and shaky breath.
When did she become the one who was supposed to take care of Eli in Leonard's eyes? She knew that it wasn't just because he wasn't present, it was because Eli and Leonard had had a fall-out a couple of months ago and were still not on the best of terms, despite their almost a decade long deep and trusting friendship.
She would never forget the hard look that crossed Eli's face again and again, surely without her permission but she seemed she simply couldn't help it, as she tried to fill her role as best man at Catherine's and Leonard's wedding in the best fashion she could muster. She remembered that Eli had danced with the bride, but not with the groom. She remembered how she had dragged Eli off to the dancefloor after overhearing how Leonard said to Catherine he didn't even know why he'd asked her to do him that honour in the first place to stop Eli knocking back Bourbon after Bourbon. Sara had had the bad luck to be on call for the night along with Nick, and both had been called in right after the ceremony, so it was up to her to take care of her friend.
A grim expression settled on her face as she recalled what had happened as she had taken a Eli that had drunken herself almost delirious home later that night. She'd caught a glimpse of how Eli must've behaved when she was young. They had to walk down the strip a couple of blocks to fetch a taxi that was free and Eli wolf-whistled after good-looking women, flirted with the girl behind the counter in the shop where Sofia had bought aspirin and some water, had almost gotten into a fight with a man who wasn't very amused about her come-on's towards his girlfriend and had even tried flirting with Sofia herself all the way home in the cab.
But the moment Sara had opened their door, she'd been back already and Sofia was more than grateful for her unexpected presence, Eli had softened instantly, had all but fallen into her love's arms and sobbed like a child while Sara held her and whispered soothing words into her ear. Over Eli's shoulder she had thanked Sofia with a glance that left no room for misinterpretation.
She had left stunned and in awe of the connection the two women shared. Amazed at what just one look from Sara could do to Eli. Confirming her suspicions that despite how it appeared from the outside, it wasn't Eli who was the stronger one. It was Sara.
A soft touch to her shoulder took her out of her reverie. Catherine glanced down at her, her eyes bloodshot and swollen, her body language conveying that the adrenaline that must have kept her up and running and made her seem like the most collected of all of them over the last couple of hours after the initial shock was slowly wearing off.
"Sofia, we're about to leave. They set Grissom up in a private room for observation for another day, his concussion is quite severe and he's lost quite some blood from the through and through to his arm. The guys crave a drink but I just want to go home. I don't want you to be alone tonight and frankly, I don't think I'd be able to sleep no matter how exhausted I'm feeling right now. Would you like to come over, I'd make us some real coffee. I know you won't sleep until you hear from Eli."
It was strange how their relationship had changed over the past years. After their teaming up to bring Eli and Sara closer together again, they'd had a short phase when they avoided each other like the plague, but since Catherine was with Leonard and Sofia had truly become close friends with Eli and bit by bit with Sara, they'd spent countless evenings together as a circle of friends, along with Greg most of the time. BBQ'ing and swimming in Catherine's backyard, dinner's at Eli and Sara's, little trips out to Lake Meade with Lindsey in the summer.
What had Eli said? 'We're a large, slightly dysfunctional yet loving and caring patchwork family. Everyone has their purpose.'
Taking one last longing look at her cell and knowing that Catherine was right, she wouldn't be able to close even half an eye until she could be sure Eli was at least somewhere safe, she shrugged and agreed to keep Catherine company. And if she was being honest, she couldn't really stand the thought of being alone right now, too.