New week, new story :)

Disclaimer: I don't own CSI, Color of Night (film) or any of the characters

After a brief hiatus, I am back on Cara fics :) This one may be a bit hard going for both Catherine and Sara at times but have faith in me ...

x x x x

"I haven't been handling things too well lately. For a while actually. It's like everything's spiralling out of control and I don't know what to do to stop it.

My friends are all so busy; I don't know how I could begin to talk to them. I don't even know what's bothering me so how can I explain it to them?

I tried talking to my family, but to be honest they're part of the problem:

X x x

"Lindsey, dinner's ready." She hollered up the stairs. "I won't tell you again."

"She's still upset with you." Lily commented dryly from the kitchen.

"Thanks for the update." Cath rolled her eyes. "Lindsey!"

"Yelling at her isn't going to help." Her mother tutted.

"Mom, please just …" whatever she was going to say died on her lips as the sound of someone deliberately crashing down the stairs cut her off. The young teenager stalked into the kitchen and threw herself into a chair. She glowered sullenly at Catherine as the CSI placed a plate in front of her and attempted to stroke her hair.

"I don't want it." She pouted, shoving it away.

"Linds." Cath rolled her eyes, dropping her hand and taking a seat between her mother and her daughter.

"I don't want it!" Lindsey snapped, pushing her chair away from the table.

"Hey, Lindsey!" Catherine jumped, instinctively reaching out to grab her wrist like she would have done when she was a child.

"No!" The young blonde pulled away violently. "You can't make me." With that she turned and ran back upstairs. They tracked her stomped footsteps across the landing, culminating in a loud slam.

"What the hell now?" Cath sighed, dropping her head into her hands.

"I told you, she's still upset with you for missing her dance rehearsal." Lily commented, taking Lindsey's plate and putting it in the oven to keep warm, on the off chance that hunger won over her stubbornness later. "You can't blame her."

"Don't start mom." Catherine pleaded weakly.

"You can't keep putting your work first, Catherine." Lily chastised. Cath pushed herself away from the table, in much the same fashion her daughter had, and stalked towards the door. "I'm just saying, she's not going to be this age forever."

Catherine stopped in the threshold and spun on her heel, glaring at the older woman.

"You know what; I don't need your opinion!" She spat, stalking upstairs to find her wayward daughter.

X x x

I know she's getting older but I never expected her to become a teenager overnight!

I was difficult growing up … but that's what's scaring me. I was difficult because I was always hiding something. I'm worried that she doesn't think she can talk to me. Although I wouldn't blame her to be honest; mom's right, I spend that much time at work that I barely ever see her. And when I do I don't have the time or energy to do anything with her.

Although recently I've been thinking … I'm not sure how much longer I can keep doing this job.

X x x

She knew he was staring at her without even having to look up; she could feel his blue eyes burning into her skin, like he was trying to see inside her.

"So, Mr Barlow..." Catherine began professionally, purposefully shuffling her notes in order to avoid his gaze for as long as possible.

"John." He said, his voice laced with slime; it made Catherine's skin crawl. She cleared her throat and continued as if he hadn't spoken, finally looking up.

"Mr Barlow." She saw the flick of discontent flash through his eyes and was suddenly very glad for Grissom and Brass behind the mirror. "Why don't you tell me what happened?" He sat forward, leaning across the table. He was suddenly so close that she could smell his breath and see the green flecks in his eyes.

"I have a better idea." He smarmed. "Why don't you tell me what you think happened?" An officer placed a firm hand on his shoulder and yanked him back non-to-softly. Cath flicked her eyes up to his, offering silent thanks. Taking a deep calming breath, Catherine rifled through her paperwork and finally produced a photograph of the victim.

"Recognise her?" She asked coldly, tossing it in front of him. His lips spread into a smirk and he offered an unconcerned shrug.

"Never seen her before."

"Well maybe you remember her better like that." Catherine tossed a second photo before him, this time showing the mangled remains of the young woman's body.

X x x

She had been so young. Barely out of her teens; a pretty brunette with a nice smile. Unfortunately that's what John Barlow looked for in his victims. I don't know; I guess something about this girl and the killer struck a nerve.

I love my work and I love my team. I just don't know if I can do this forever. Everything's getting to be too much of late.

And then there's Sara." She released a dry laugh, shaking her head in tired exasperation as if that summed it up.

Doctor Bill Capa sat back in his seat, eyeing his patient curiously. It was the first movement he'd made since the start of the session.

"Alright." He hummed, tapping a pen against his chin thoughtfully. "Tell me about Sara."

x x x x

Let me know what you think x