Essay Credentials

by: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters

Ch. 8: Loving the Pain Away

Sara woke just before ten, kissing Catherine.

Catherine gave a soft smile, kissing back gently. "Morning..."

"Morning," Sara said.

"Sleep ok?"

"After a while."

Catherine nodded. "We can leave after breakfast?"

"Go where?"

"A hotel in Vegas."

Sara nodded. "I didn't pack anything."

"Is there stuff you need? Otherwise we can start over."

"I'm not sure..."

"Have a think and let me know."

Sara nodded. "Ok."

Catherine kissed Sara's cheek. "Feel up to eating anything?"

Sara shook her head. "I'm just sore."

Catherine nodded. "We can just stay here all day if you'd feel more comfortable?"

Sara sat up. "Do you have any painkillers?"

Catherine nodded, retrieving some from the bathroom cabinet, handing Sara a glass of water.

Sara smiled gratefully, taking the medication. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Catherine smiled, touching Sara's cheek.

Sara smiled.

"I'll be right back," the older woman smiled, going to the kitchen to fill the kettle. As it boiled, she called the head of the college, informing him of her immediate resignation and the reason why.

Sara cuddled into the covers.

Catherine returned a few minutes later, coffee in hand, placing one of Sara's side, then one on her own. She got in behind the brunette, carefully wrapping an arm around her.

Sara smiled. "I love you."

"I love you too, Sara," Catherine said softly.

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry."

"Sorry, why?"

"That this happened. For the way I was at the hospital."

"But this wasn't your fault," Sara said.

"I still feel guilty. I um... I should have a house for us in a few days."

"Ok. I'm still sleepy."

"Then sleep. We don't have anywhere to be."

Sara smiled, lying back.

Catherine held Sara, making sure she was ok as she slept.

By the following afternoon, they'd arrived in Vegas and were settling into their room for the night. Catherine had stayed close to Sara since their visit to the hospital, always there if the younger woman needed anything at all. Now, she smiled softly across the room at the brunette.

"What?"

"Nothing. Just thinking."

"About what?"

"You. Us. How I ever found someone so loving and beautiful."

Sara smiled. "I love you."

Catherine smiled, wrapping her arms around Sara's waist. "I love you too. I don't know where I'd be without you."

Sara kissed her softly.

Catherine kissed back gently.

Sara kept the same pressure, moving into her arms.

Catherine held her close, continuing the long, soft kiss.

"Mmm," she moaned very softly.

Catherine smiled, pulling away to sit on the nearby armchair, moving Sara into her lap.

Sara smiled. "Go slowly.."

Catherine smiled, resting her forehead against Sara's, brushing her lips against the brunette's.

Sara moaned softly.

Catherine proceeded, kissing her softly, wrapping her arms around Sara securely.

Sara leaned into her, pulling away and burying her head in her neck.

Catherine smiled, stroking her hair. "If you could see me in any career, what would it be?" she asked quietly.

"Hmm. I don't know."

"I think I need a change."

"What do you like?"

"Science type stuff."

"Forensics?"

"Yeah, maybe."

Sara smiled. "Hey Cath? Have you resigned?"

"Yes. Why?"

"What did they say?"

"They weren't very impressed at the short notice, but understood when I explained why."

"What did you tell them?" Sara asked.

"The truth."

"Everything?"

"Yes. Why lie when it was going to come out anyway? Might as well admit it before it comes out as gossip."

"True... Hey, uh..I was wondering if we could go out sometime?"

"Sure. Anywhere specific?"

"Don't know, but...can we just cuddle in bed..naked? I-I want to be close to you without the sexual aspect. I know it sounds weird, but..."

"Whatever you want is ok by me, baby," Catherine smiled, kissing her forehead.

"It just seems really soon, but I want to be with you."

"We take everything at your pace. I'll go with whatever makes you comfortable."

Sara nodded, walking back to the bedroom, sitting on the bed.

Catherine followed, slowly stripping before getting into bed.

Sara slowly stripped, trying not to look at the marks and bruises as she got in beside her.

Catherine opened her arms, allowing the brunette to lay close. "You look beautiful," she whispered, kissing Sara's forehead.

"Really? But I'm all bruised."

"You still look amazing to me."

Sara smiled, snuggling into her.

"Sara, can I ask something?"

"Sure."

"I... were you ever scared I wouldn't believe you?"

"Well, maybe a little, but I knew how it would look too..."

Catherine nodded. "I trust you, ok? More than I've trusted anyone my entire life. I know you'd never hurt me like that."

Sara nodded.

"Sleep if you're tired."

"Ok.. You're warm..."

Catherine smiled. "I usually am. Hey... you think since I've already got a degree in science I could do a forensics masters? I'd be qualified in no time."

"You could..."

Catherine gave Sara a gentle kiss.

Sara smiled. "No more talking..."

Catherine smiling as she tightened her grip, closing her eyes as she relaxed.

Sara woke in the middle of the night, going into the bathroom and splashing her face with cold water. She was hoping she wouldn't have these nightmares. She was unconscious for most of it, but it was as if her body remembered every detail in sequence. Punches, kicks... Everything. She shook as she held onto the sink, sobbing.

Noticing the shift in the bed when Sara stood, Catherine frowned when she'd been longer than a couple of minutes. She could have sworn she could hear her crying. Standing, she made her way to the bathroom, knocking gently on the door. "Sara?"

Sara couldn't answer, sliding to the floor, curling into a ball.

Catherine pushed the door open, rushing to Sara. "It's ok honey, I'm here. I've got you," she whispered, pulling the brunette close.

Sara wanted to pull away, thinking Catherine was only there out of pity, but she didn't have the strength.

"Shh..." she said, rocking her gently, "I won't let anyone hurt you."

Sara shook her head. "Too late..."

Catherine's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry."

The brunette turned into Catherine, burying her face in her neck, as she cried. "D-d-don't be... I-I don't w-want y-y-you with m-me out of p-pity. I-I know you w-would've d-done m-more to h-help..."

"I'd never be here out of pity, Sara. I promise you that. I'm here because I love you, and I want to be with you, good times and bad."

"Why now? What good am I now? I-I can't even s-sleep!"

"I want to get you through this because I can't live without you, Sara."

Sara looked up at her, tears gleaming. "R-really?"

"Yes," Catherine replied genuinely.

Sara wrapped her arms around Catherine's neck.

Catherine pulled Sara into her lap. "I got a text. Our house is ready," she whispered.

"Really? Where is it?"

"Not far from this hotel, actually."

"Really?"

Catherine nodded. "If you'd be happy with that?"

Sara nodded. "Will you...rock me to sleep in bed?" she asked, blushing.

Catherine kissed her gently. "Absolutely."

"Carry me?"

Catherine smiled, standing. She slowly picked Sara up, carrying her to bed. Laying her gently in the centre of the bed, Catherine crept in beside her, wrapping her arms around Sara. Slowly, she rocked her, kissing her forehead.

"No, I-I...like sitting up?"

Catherine smiled, sitting up to adjust the pillows. "Sit in my lap?"

Sara smiled a little, sitting in her lap.

Catherine held her tightly, securing the covers around them, rocking gently.

Sara smiled. "Does this...make you feel better?"

"Anytime I'm close to you makes everything better."

Sara sighed, cuddling into her. "Maybe...someday...we could have a baby," she said, drifting off to sleep.

Catherine smiled, falling asleep a few minutes later.

Sara slept peacefully without nightmares.

Catherine woke mid-morning, smiling when she saw Sara still asleep in her arms. Gently, she captured Sara's lips.

Sara kissed softly, waking up.

"I love you," Catherine whispered.

"I love you too," Sara said, opening her eyes.

"You feel so perfect here in my arms."

"I feel safe..."

"So do I."

Sara smiled. "Can we eat?"

Catherine nodded. "Then shopping?"

"Sure..." she said, a little scared of how she looked.

"Actually, we're going to have enough to do getting adjusted to our new house, maybe we should do it online later. I just hope you like our place."

"Please? I just...the way I look to others..."

"You mean you don't want to offend others with your beauty? I totally get that," Catherine smiled.

Sara sighed, getting up and going into the bathroom.

Catherine sighed. She was trying to make the brunette feel better, but clearly she was failing. She didn't know what to do.

Sara walked back in a few minutes later, dressing. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but, right now, I just can't see it. I'm so black and blue and... overall scared."

Catherine nodded. "I just wish I could take all your pain away."

Sara turned. "I know and, believe me, I wish you could."

Catherine smiled. "Did... did you mean what you said before you fell asleep last night? About a baby?"

"Well, yeah. Someday..."

"When we're older."

Sara smiled. "How much older? How about when we're settled and ready?"

Catherine stood, wrapping her arms around Sara. "Sounds good to me."

"Me too, but I'm just not ready for anything yet..."

"We'll know when the time is right," Catherine smiled. "If I'm going to do this course, I'd want to do it and get some work in first anyway."

"What do you mean?"

"Just that if I decide to do forensics, it would probably be hard to study, or be the new girl, and raise a baby.

"Yeah, true."

Catherine kissed her gently. "What would you like to eat?"

"What do you want to eat?"

"Toast, eggs, bacon, hash browns... I'm quite hungry this morning."

"All that sounds great."

"Shall I order enough to share?"

"Yes please."

Catherine nodded, pulling away to order before dressing. When she was done, she made a call. "Hey, it's Cath. Can we have a car for about an hour's time, please? Thanks," she said, before hanging up.

"Who are you talking to?"

"Just ordering us a car."

"How do they know you?" Sara asked.

Catherine sat down. She didn't think she'd have to approach this subject yet. "My... my father."

Sara nodded, patting her hand. "When you're ready."

"He... helped get the house."

Sara wrapped her arm around her. "How?"

"He bought it. I said I'd pay him back, but he told me not to bother."

"That's nice of him."

Catherine nodded. "He owns The Rampart..." she confessed.

"That huge casino? No wonder he was able to pay for it," Sara said.

"And several others. He's... loaded."

Sara nodded. "You don't have to say everything now."

Catherine nodded, kissing her cheek. "Thanks."

"Can we still get a pet?"

"How about a puppy?"

Sara nodded. "Pleeeeeeaaaaaaase?"

Catherine nodded. "We get our bearings, make the place puppy safe and then look together."

Sara smiled, kissing her softly.

Catherine kissed her gently. "I love you."

"I love you too."

An hour and a half later, with the keys in hand, they unlocked the door to with house. "Shall I carry you over the threshold?"

Sara smiled. "Please."

Catherine nodded, picking Sara up, carrying her inside. "Home sweet home," she smiled, kissing her softly.

Sara smiled.

"Shall we explore?"

"Please."

Catherine took Sara's hand. "Wow, marble topped counters..."

Sara smiled. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah, so spacious, the living room is huge too. We have a massive couch and a couple of armchairs."

"So..do we really need to buy any furniture?"

"Doesn't look like it. Though we could get some soft cushions?"

Sara nodded, going and sitting on the couch.

"You ok?" Catherine asked.

Sara looked back, smiling at her.

Catherine smiled, moving to sit beside her. "I can't believe this is ours."

Sara nodded, sitting in her lap.

Catherine held her close. "It's joint names on the deeds."

Sara smiled. "I'm still a little tired."

"We could check out the bedroom? You could sleep a while."

"Ok," she said, standing up.

Catherine picked Sara up again, smirking as she carried her down the hall, locating the master bedroom. "Wow..."

Sara smiled. The bedroom was huge, with a king-sized bed in the middle. The carpet was a lush red, a bathroom off to the side.

"That comforter looks so fluffy and warm."

"We should try it out."

Catherine nodded, placing Sara down beside the bed before pulling back the comforter. "After you."

Sara smiled, climbing over the top and sliding in.

Catherine got in beside her. "It's so soft."

Sara snuggled closer.

"I love you, Sara."

"I love you too."

"Sleep if you're tired."

The brunette nodded.

Catherine kissed her forehead gently.

Sara smiled, snuggling into her as she fell asleep.

Catherine was ten minutes behind the brunette before falling into a restful sleep.

"Love you."

"Love you too."

Reviews: helly1bradleywyatt & katvrah