Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters; don't sue me as I have nothing to give.

POV: For now, Sara's, although it may change as the story goes on.

Rating: M, for later parts of the story.

Pairing: C/S eventually (You know the drill; if you don't like it, don't read it.)

A/N: I haven't written in a while, so critique is gratefully received. Anyway, on with the story.

Chapter One - Sara's POV

I awake to the ringing of my cell phone and a hangover.

Last night we'd worked a pretty tough case, involving the death of a child. By the end of the shift, I was so sickened by it all; overtime hadn't even crossed my mind. I clocked out on time for once, and sought solace at the bottom of a bottle. Or eight bottles if I remember correctly.

My cell phone continues to ring, and with a groan I roll over and pick it up.

"Sidle."

Hell, my voice sounds croaky.

"Sara? It's Grissom."

"I gathered that."

I know I'm coming across as irritable, but I just don't have the patience to deal with him right now. He sighs, clearly picking up on my tone of voice, then continues.

"I know tonight is your night off, but as you clocked out on time at the end of last shift, I was wondering if you want to work tonight? We're short because Catherine's called in sick, so I was hoping-"

"No."

I cut him off. Normally I'd jump at the chance of extra work, but not tonight. I still feel too worked up about the current case, I'm hung over and just not in the mood to be around people.

"No?"

He sounds surprised.

"No. I'm sorry Grissom, but I'm not feeling up to it."

Before he can say anything else, I cut the call off. Ok, there's another reason I didn't want to go in tonight. If anyone else had called in sick, I may have considered going in, but as Catherine isn't going to be there, it just doesn't seem worth it.

I don't know what it about that woman. She aggravates me to the point where I could strangle her, but she also intrigues me. And, on top of that, she's stunning.

I lose myself in thoughts of Catherine for a few minutes, before dragging myself out of bed to make coffee.

I settle on the couch, my mind still on Catherine.

I don't know when I developed such a crush on her. I think the attraction was always there, from the moment I met her, but my crush on Grissom overruled it and it wasn't until Grissom turned me down that my thoughts turned to Catherine again. Not that anything would ever happen between me and her. For a start, she hates me. Well, maybe not hates me, but she definitely doesn't like me. There's also the fact that she's straight.

I don't know why she dislikes me so much. I suppose she felt threatened by me when I first joined the team, she was the only women before I came along and I guess she thought I was trying to replace her. I thought maybe she'd get over it with time, but she's never liked me.

I roll my eyes. I should be enjoying my night off, not sat around moping. Although I didn't want to be around people, I think I'll go out, hit the bars, have fun.

Take my mind off Catherine.

Feedback would be good.