We'd been dancing around each other for months. When it came to her, I was like a moth to a light – I smashed again and again against the glass of my own fears.

A tap at my door made me lift my head reluctantly from the manila folder it was buried in. Dark hair peered round the frame and chocolate eyes regarded me seriously:

"Cath, are you okay? I walked past and saw you looking a bit lost..."

Sara trailed off, biting her lip. I sighed inwardly at her kindness. Damn it, why couldn't one damn thing about her put me off? Pulling myself together, I smiled shyly back at her and shook my head ruefully.

"Hi, Sar. Yeah, just a rough day! Snowed under with paperwork, you know?"

She nodded, and nudged the door a little. I smiled at her. "Come in? I could use some human conversation!"

That made her laugh. Goodness, how I loved her smile! "Any human conversation, hey? I'm a bit offended now!"

"Of course not, silly. I mean, you were bottom of the list, but seeing as you're here..."

That earned me a mock-growl and a swat with the rolled up paper she was carrying. Sitting back, I regarded her happily. Irrespective of how much I felt for her, just having her around made the day better. Especially with that top on... Damn. She was talking. Time to listen now, Willows!

"... so what do you think I should do? I mean, it's a great job offer. And I love it here, but I'm not sure being in Vegas forever is top of my to-do list. You know?"

My heart tumbled off whatever hopeful perch it had been on since Sara walked into my office. I'd heard news about Sara's job offer from the boys, but hadn't allowed myself to really think about it. And now here she was, looking at me carefully with those big brown eyes, asking me to help decide. I carefully tried to formulate an answer, trying to ignore the hot pricking in my eyes.

"Cath? I mean, I think I'm going to take it."

Damn it, Willows, say something!

"Unless... you have a better idea?"

All or nothing now, Catherine. She's leaving anyway. Say it, say it, say it, say it...

"Youcouldstayherewithme."

Oh God. Did I just say that?! Sara is visibly shocked. I don't even want to meet her eyes. Fix this!

"I mean, you could stay here in Vegas, we all lo... like you, it's a good job, if you're not sure about leaving, maybe you shouldn't leave?"

I'm babbling. But that was more like what I meant to say! I finally look up, pleased with my save. But Sara has this amused half-smile on her face that sets the butterflies going in my stomach, and I doubt it has anything to do with my revised suggestion. Oh dear. I'm in trouble.

"Cath, if I don't take the job, I have a suggestion. I'll take some days off, you take some of those leave days you've been hoarding, and we'll have breakfast. And maybe dinner. Perhaps even take Lyndsey to the zoo."

Those brown eyes are alight with gentle amusement now. I can feel the heat in my cheeks, and I wonder vaguely if I look as flustered as I feel. Can she possibly mean what I think she does? I swallow, trying to find the words to reply.

"Um, Sar. Do you..."

Nope, I've run out. I blink rapidly, looking everywhere but at her. I don't ever remember feeling this nervous! Suddenly, she moves. Sara's hand rests gently on mine, and I look up to find her perched on the edge of my desk, worried eyes trying vainly to catch my gaze.

"If I've said too much..."

"No, Sar!" I finally find some eloquence. "I mean, if you mean what I think you do, I would... I would love that."

Something melts in those brown eyes. A full smile is gracing her face now and she looks beautiful. I smile back, still shy, but feeling happier than I have in months. She's standing, and I watch her hips move gracefully towards the doorway, a slightly bemused expression on my face. I think she understands, because when she looks back, the corner of her mouth twitches up and she clarifies our position slightly:

"If you're wondering where I'm going, it's to see Grissom. I need to tell him I'm turning the job down."

Oh. Hooray! I feel like dancing. But I content myself with a silly grin.

"And Cath, after shift, we're going for dinner. Me and you. So cancel your plans."

The ghost of a wink, and she's gone. I'm still smiling stupidly at the manila folder on my desk, the same one that had my forehead pounding against it only 10 minutes previously. A tap on my door has me looking up again, and I'm drowning in warm brown eyes again.

"Just a quick clarification – I am staying here with you. Not with the lab, not with the LVPD, with you. Okay?"

I can't contain the absolute sense of joy that spreads through me.

"That's much more than okay, Sara. Much more than okay."