It hadn't quite registered yet. Lindsey seemed to think that she had been returned home, and while the selfish part of Cathy wished that it wasn't the case, she couldn't ignore the fact that the blonde lawyer was likely happier there. But Elle had been a wonderful friend to her, and if the younger girl she had taken under her wing--the assistant--needed a shoulder, Cathy felt a sense of duty to her friend to step in and be that person. Her conversation with Sharpay over the boards had been brief, but that much was evident.
For the first time, she stepped into the building without notifying Lindsey first. A nice thing about being the C.E.O's girlfriend was the building access he could grant to her, and in times like these, it certainly came in handy.
She gently pushed open the door to Elle's office in time to catch sight of the younger girl berating her legs for something that was entirely in the Universe's control. Or, more accurately, the control of the Senior Partners and/or The Powers That Be. The expression reminded her vividly of several moments that had come over her upon her return from the dead--the feeling of utter loss of control, pain, vulnerability.
Hovering awkwardly on the spot, she bit her lip as she watched the stranger for a moment, unsure of what on earth to do or say. The last thing she wanted was to frighten or upset the girl further--and she was certain that she would probably manage it--and yet, she couldn't walk away. So, Cathy crossed to quietly sit down next to her, drawing her own knees to her chest and simply laying a consoling hand against the younger girl's back.