Chapter 1

"Hey, Cath!!" An excited Greg Sanders stumbled through the doorway of his Supervisor's office. "Did you hear?"

"Greg. Calm down." Catherine took off her reading glasses and sighed. "What is it now, Greg?"

"Sara's back!" His smile spread from ear to ear and his demeanor could only be described as "bouncy".

"She's with Jim talking to Ecklie!"

"What? How do you know?" She was stunned.

"Well, I just saw her. Talked to her. Gave her a bear hug!" He winked at Catherine.

"I wonder why?" Catherine was at a loss. She was happy, relieved, frustrated and angry all at the same time. Only Sara Sidle could make her feel this way. "Is Gil with her?"

"No. I guess he's leading some bug research team in South America for a few months and Sara needed a break." Greg explained.

"Oh." Catherine couldn't think of anything else to say.

"Well, I for one am happy to see her again. I say we all go out later!" Greg ran out the office door then quickly turned back to Catherine. "I'll let you know where." He was gone before she could even respond.

Catherine sat back in her chair. This was the last thing she had expected. She thought if Sara ever stepped foot inside the crime lab, it would be with Grissom, if at all. Why the sudden need to return to Vegas when she left so abruptly from it not once, but twice! Now Catherine faced a dilemma. "Do I keep my promise to myself or not?" She shook her head, breaking herself out of her thoughts.

"Work. You have work to do." She mumbled to herself. Catherine tried to concentrate on the paperwork in front of her, but it was no use. She had to see Sara Sidle.

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Sara stood next to Jim in Ecklie's office. After a few formal greetings and pleasantries, Conrad got to the point.

"You are probably wondering why I would call on you for this position."

"Well, Yes. But It is something I am interested in pursuing." Sara smiled at him. "You know I am capable and qualified. I have the experience and training. It only makes sense. Plus, it's a short-term position, which is perfect for me right now."

"So you agree to lead the training for our Detectives?" Jim smiled hopefully.

"I'm in." Sara smiled at Jim and laughed.

"GREAT!" Jim nearly jumped up in excitement.

"Well, then there are some things we need to discuss." Ecklie indicated for her to take a seat. "Jim, you can stay if you want, but I think we can handle it from here."

"Oh, sure. Sure." He watched Sara as she took a seat in front of Ecklie's desk. "I'll catch up with you in a bit. I'm sure Greg has informed the entire night shift you are here."

"Ok. Tell him he owes me a cup of his coffee when I get done here." She winked at Jim as he exited the office.

"So. Here's the contract. Look it over. Sign where indicated." Ecklie was all business.

Sara couldn't keep the smile off of her face. She was happy. Her life finally making some sort of sense, but she felt the need to give Vegas one more chance. She just hoped coming back , even if temporary, wasn't going to be the biggest mistake of her life.

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Catherine impatiently leaned against the hallway wall near Conrad Ecklie's office. She could hear talking, but the words were unclear. She heard Sara laugh and smiled to herself. She missed hearing that laugh. GOD! She jumped when the door opened and started to walk down the hall but turned back to see Jim exiting the office.

"Hey! What brings you down here?" Jim asked then realized the answer to his own question. "Oh, right." He smiled at Catherine.

"Yeah, uh, Greg said she was talking to Ecklie. I just wanted a chance to talk to her before Greg hogged all her time." Catherine crossed her arms over her chest and fidgeted from foot to foot.

"You ok?" Concerned showed on Jim's face. He watched her for a few more moments.

"Are you nervous?" He chuckled.

"NO!" Catherine put her hands in her pants pockets now and leaned back against the wall. "Why would you even ask that, Jim?"

Jim mimicked her earlier actions, crossing and uncrossing his arms, shifting from foot to foot. "Gee....I don't know where I got that idea!"

"Sarcasm is ugly on you." Catherine commented flatly. And let out a huff putting her hands on her hips. "Why does everyone always have to be so damn sarcastic?"

"Because it just comes natural, Cat." A voice from behind her replied. Catherine's eyes got wide and she swung around to see a smiling Sara Sidle standing just a few feet away from her. Sara stepped forward, her arms spread out in invitation to Catherine and embraced her in a warm hug. "I've missed you." Sara whispered into Cath's ear.

"Me too." Catherine choked out, trying to not let the tears spill over.

The hug was over but the two women stood only a foot apart smiling at one another. Jim furrowed his brow, trying to figure out why they were just staring at one another. He cleared his throat, earning a glance and smirk from Sara.

"Oh. Well, Greg mentioned you were here. So, I had to be sure he wasn't pulling a prank on me." Catherine chuckled nervously and stepped back to stand next to Jim. "I think he wants us all to go out after shift. You know, catch up."

"That sounds like a great idea." Jim chimed in.

"Yeah. Sounds great!" Sara smiled at her former co-workers. "I've really missed you." She looked directly at Catherine. "ALL of you!" She smiled at Jim. "Let's go see if Greg has coffee brewing. I could use a cup."

"Yeah. Sure. I always like stealing some of Greg's good coffee." Jim chuckled to himself.

When they arrived in the breakroom, it was empty. Jim went off to find Greg while Catherine opened a cupboard and reached up to the top shelf, shoving some containers out of the way, searching for something.

"I'm pretty sure Greg hid his bag up here." Catherine reached up as far as she could, fishing around with no luck. She let out a frustrated groan then felt Sara lean against her back and reach up from behind her, pulling out the bag from the top shelf.

"Here it is." She smiled at Catherine as she placed it in her hands. "I could see it from back there." She explained.

"Oh. Thanks." Catherine nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked down at the bag of coffee. "I'll uh, get this going."

Sara nodded and smiled at her as she turned to make the coffee. Catherine nervously measured out the grounds as Sara stood leaning against the counter watching her every move. Catherine kept stealing glances at a Sara, wondering why she was watching her so intently.

"So, uh, does it feel weird being back?" Catherine tried to think of things to say.

"Well, yeah. I never thought I'd be back here. But it is good to see everyone." She watched as people went about their day out in the hallway and the labs in the glass walls beyond. "I missed you." She stated flatly.

Catherine stopped pouring the water into the coffee machine for a moment. Did she just say what I thought she said? She continued to pour the water and turned the machine on. She leaned back against the counter and shook her head.

"What? You didn't think I'd miss you?" Sara questioned her with a huge grin on her face.

"No." Catherine fidgeted nervously once again. "Well, yes." She looked up to see Sara standing in front of her.

"I know we have had our differences, but Cat, you are the person I have missed the most." Sara let out a sigh.

"Yeah, with all the competition and arguing. What's not to miss?" Catherine stated playfully.

"You do have passion!" Sara grinned and stepped closer. Before she new what was happening, Catherine was once again being pulled into an embrace by Sara. "I still can't believe I'm here." She whispered into her ear. "I'm glad I came back."

"HEY! It is true!!!" Mandy and Wendy entered the break room and nearly pulled Sara off of Catherine to wrap her into their own warm embraces. "I didn't believe Greg when he told us!" Mandy smiled at Sara.

"Yup! I'm here! In the flesh!" Sara was beaming as she greeted some more lab techs that entered the room. "Hey, Henry! Hodges!"

Catherine sat down at the table as Sara caught up with the lab rats. She was entranced by the glow that was radiating off from Sara. She was different. She had changed. She was happy. But what had made her so happy? Her time away from the lab? Traveling? Gil?

"I'm going to be leading a training series for the detectives in PD." Sara was explaining her reason for her extended stay. Catherine listened with intrigue. "Its only for 6 weeks. But that works out perfectly. Gil is going to be done by then, so he's going to meet me here before we head back to do some more research."

"Wow!" Wendy commented. "You two seem to have figured it out."

"Yeah." Sara sounded unconvinced, Catherine noted.

"Well, we have to get back to work, ladies. I'm sure our Supervisor here doesn't appreciate us taking up lab time to gossip." Hodges smiled a fake smile at Catherine as he turned to leave.

"Stop being such a kiss ass, David." Catherine yelled out to him as he led the women back to their respective labs. Henry chuckled and followed after his co-workers.

"Well, he hasn't changed." Sara stated about Hodges.

"I don't think he CAN change." They laughed as Sara poured herself a cup of the now freshly brewed coffee and took a seat next to Catherine at the table. Catherine did the same, taking her place back at the table next toSara.

"Mmmm. So good!" Sara stated rather seductively, Catherine thought. She took a sip of her coffee, watching Sara.

"We sold the townhouse." Sara stated. "I can stay there until Friday when we close, but I guess I will have to find some temporary housing after that. Do you know anyone who rents short term? I don't want to stay at a hotel. The cost would be outrageous."

"Uh, well, not really." Catherine's mind was reeling. "What uh, did you do with all your things?"

"Oh, we sold a lot of it, but you know us science Geeks. Can't get rid of all those books." Sara chuckled. "I'm having stuff moved to a storage unit on Friday."

"Oh." They sipped their coffee in silence, each deep in thought. "You know," Catherine was the first to speak. "You could just stay with me. Lindsey is working at a summer camp as a Junior Counselor for the next four weeks, plus I have a comfy couch." She smiled at Sara.

"Oh, uh. Wow. Let me think about that." Sara stared out into the hall. "If nothing else pans out, I might just take you up on that offer." I'm not sure that is a good idea, Sidle!

"Sara Sidle! Get over here!" Nick stood inside the doorway and held out his arms. Sara smiled and got up to accept the offered hug. Nick chuckled and picked her up in his arms, spinning her around. "God! It is so good to see you, Sar! How's Grissom?"

"He's good, Nicky! He's out in the jungle playing with bugs."

"So, he's in heaven." Nick grinned at her.

"Exactly!" Sara hugged him once again. "I still can't believe I'm here!"

"Well, I for one, am absolutely thrilled to see you, darlin'." Nick drawled as he grinned wide.

"YOU? I'm MORE thrilled!" A voice from the doorway interjected. Sara braced herself for another one of Greg's bear hugs.

"I don't think I have ever been hugged so many times in one day!" Sara squeaked out from behind Greg's tight embrace.

"Awww. You know you love it!" Nick smiled at her.

Greg reluctantly let go of Sara and suddenly sniffed the air. "Hey! Who found my stash?"

A/N: when I heard Jorja was coming back........I was inspired to write my first femslash story. Please leave reviews! Its very encouraging!!! I hope you enjoy! This will be a multiple chapter story filled with flirting, fun and ladyluvin!! So, as you read, please review or give your input. I adore it!!! Any mistakes made.....too bad! I don't use a Beta. Wendy