Rated: Old rating would have been NC-17 for content but now… MA for content!

Summary: Someone from Sara's life comes to Vegas and Sara must fight her attraction for a colleague.

AN: I own all non-CSI related characters and I took the liberty of changing a few details about Sara's past. Only small minor ones I promise! Oh and this is my universe so the split never happened but Greg did become a CSI level 1 and Mia is the DNA tech. I kinda wrote this before I saw the episode about Sara's past of abuse so I incorporated that in into later chapters. The -----'s indicate a jump in the time line.

Cold Case:

Sara woke up in a hot sweat not really knowing what had her so worked up and why she had had a dream about something that happened in the past. Instead of settling back down into the bed she decided it was best if she just got up. Not really minding due to the fact that she only had a few hours until she had to be at work anyway. Walking into the bathroom she passed her dresser, one solitary item caught her line of sight. Picking up the small band that was on a thin silver chain she put it around her neck and smiled remembering the day that she had been given the ring.

Arriving at work an hour or so early wasn't really that unusual for Sara and any of the staff from the other shift weren't all that surprised to see her there. She walked into the locker room and stored her jacket and bag and got anything that she needed. As she walked down the corridors she started remembering parts of her dream. It started as a dream but quickly turned into a nightmare. As she was getting to the point of her memories where the dream turned she was pulled out of her thoughts by someone calling her name.

"Sara… Sara… SARA… hey SIDLE" That one worked.

"What" Sara snapped not really looking forward to hearing whatever insult Catherine had come up with this time. Although over the last few years their relations had gotten less hostile she still got insulted on a daily basis.

"Hey I just wanted to know what's wrong. You're walking around here with a wounded look on your face"

"Sorry. I didn't get much sleep"

"Not unusual" Catherine was looking really concerned Sara noted. Then Catherine noticed the chain and the ring that was on it. "That's new." Catherine said out loud.

"What's new?" Sara looked genuinely puzzled.

"The necklace, I don't' think I've ever seen you wear it."

"That would be because I haven't worn it in 5 and a half years. I used to wear it all the time back home."

"So who was the guy that gave it to you?"

"It wasn't a guy!" At Catherine's very stunned look she asked "what you didn't think my thing for Grissom was that genuine did you?"

"Is Sara Sidle actually telling me something really personal like that maybe she's…"

"What gay? Yes Catherine Sara Sidle is telling you she's gay! In fact this ring was given to me by the woman I loved just before she couldn't handle her confusing emotions any longer and left me but that is a very touchy subject so let me tell you this. You know I hate rape cases right, (Catherine nodded) well it has to do with the reasons behind afore mentioned woman I loved leaving me"

"Wow. Sara, are you telling me that whatever her name was, was raped and that afterwards because she couldn't handle it left you?"

"Yes that's what I'm saying and by the way her name is Jet"

"Jet? Unusual name" Catherine muttered to Sara's retreating back.

Sara walked all the way to her favourite place to work and sat down at the table in the middle of the room and put her head in her hands. She couldn't understand why she had meant to reveal that amount of information to anyone let alone Catherine Willows. The memories that just talking about it had brought up were overwhelming.

Jetaiha Seminirez had been her girlfriend for four years prior to the rape that had destroyed their relationship. The relationship was serious in Sara's opinion so she thought that the relationship would surpass the stress and trauma of the rape. Jet had worked as a cop in San Francisco while she worked as a CSI, they had met at a crime scene while Jet wasn't on duty, she had simply been walking by the apartment to get to her own when the CSI caught her attention.

A few days later they had met in the PD building and Sara had asked Jet if she wanted to go get something to eat or something. Jet had accepted and they had spent a few hours just talking. Sara had told Jet more in those few hours than she had ever told anyone in her entire life.

The day of the rape had started out as any normal day for the couple. Sara got up and went to work leaving Jet home for the time being. There were a few hours difference between the start of their respective shifts. Jet had decided to sleep a little bit longer as she had at least an hour before she had to get ready for work. They had promised to meet for their lunch breaks but when Jet was late she assumed Jet was on a job and had dismissed it knowing that Jet would have called her if she could to tell her she was going to be late. Just as she was about to call Jet she received a phone call from the PD asking her if something had happened to Jet because she hadn't shown up for her duty shift. So Sara being Sara went to check it out. She called home and got no answer. She called Jet's cell and got no answer.

When she arrived at their apartment two things caught her attention, the first being that the door was slightly ajar and the second was that all of Jet's work gear was still near the door. Being a CSI she knew the protocol and called the PD to send over a couple of officers that didn't work with Jet. When the officer's arrived they checked the apartment, when they reached the bedroom they called out for Sara. When Sara reached the bedroom she found Jet sitting in the bed with the sheet around her tightly whilst slowly rocking back and forth. That was the last time they had seen each other because after Jet was taken to the hospital she refused to let Sara see her and had gone to stay with a friend. A couple of days later when Grissom had called and asked her to investigate Holly's death she hadn't thought twice about it.

Realising that the time had come for assignment handout she walked to the break room doing her hardest to wipe away the few tears that had slid down her cheeks. When she reached the break room the only member of the team that was there was Catherine, not really caring if Catherine seeing her in a moment of weakness would bring about more teasing from the blonde, Sara walked into the room.

"Hey you okay there?" Catherine was doing her best to keep the concern in her voice when she looked a little closer she didn't need to try. "Sara what's wrong? I know that it must hurt but tell me please"

"Telling you… was probably… more than… I've told anyone… in the last five years." Sara said through hiccups. Catherine not really knowing what to do reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. Sara took a deep breath and continued "I'm okay I just, telling you brought all the memories to the surface. The uniforms that found her called me into the bedroom and I saw her sitting there. She was twenty-eight yet at that very moment she looked like she was eight and had found out her parent's had been injured in a serious car accident"

"Hey, you can tell me you know. Okay I know we aren't the best of friends but you can talk to me anytime you need to"

"Funny that"

"What?"

"It always takes an event like this to make someone talk to you, especially if that person is the one person you'd least expect to show any concern"

"I'm not a total cold hearted bitch Sara, I'm just ME but I do have a softer side!"

"Thanks Catherine" Just as she said that the rest of the team walked in and received their assignments. Sara and Catherine were working together and as they were about to exit the building the secretary called Sara over.

"Ms Sidle you have a visitor, right over there"

"Thanks, Cath I'll meet you out there" She walked over to where the secretary had pointed to and froze. "J…J…Jet?"

"Hey Sara"

Sara turned and ran out of the building not really knowing what to do. When she got to the car Catherine looked at her worried. "Cath did you see that woman back there?"

"Yes" At the look on Sara's face she said "that's her isn't it"

Sara could only nod, she was too stunned to say anything. Meanwhile inside the building Jet just sat in the reception area trying to calm down. She had expected Sara to be stunned but didn't quite expect that reaction. Jet decided to just sit and wait for Sara to return so they could talk.

Sara returned to the crime lab to find Jet reclining in the position that she had been in when she'd left. As she approached Jet she turned and looked at Catherine who just smiled and walked off. Sara sat down next to the slumbering form of her ex and gently tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, unconsciously, the way she used to. "Jet… wake up. You can't sleep in an uncomfortable crime lab chair"

"I can sure try if it means talking to you" Jet smiled sweetly. "You know why I'm here don't you"

"No Jet I don't. Why are you here?"

"They're re-opening it. Recent attacks on women near where our apartment was, has sparked a re-examination of my case. Sara I need you, I don't mean physically or anything I mean I need you emotionally. I didn't let you in then, and I know I didn't give you an explanation then but I couldn't let you be with me…"

"I would have been there for you, you know that"

Jet noticed the necklace "I see you still wear it"

"No. This is the first time since I came here that I've worn it. Jetaiha I loved you and I would have helped you through it, I understand why you would have been hesitant but what I don't understand is why you're here now."

"I am here because I need you Sar. I need my emotional blanket. I made detective yet this one simple thing has me running back to you"

"It's not entirely an un-welcome marathon either. I had a dream last night that quickly turned into a nightmare and I've been thinking about you and the case ever since. I even got emotional. Catherine, the woman that was with me, actually knows what happened well kind of. I told her why I was upset…"

"Wow Sara Sidle cried for me (Sara nodded) I'm flattered. Sara I know I hurt you but please I need you to help me through this."

"You didn't need me then Jet" Sara reminded Jet not so delicately "you think you need me now but what makes now any different than five years ago?"

"What makes it different is that I finally came to my senses and realised I need you" Jet said quietly but practically whispered the next part "I loved no I love you and if you have someone else I understand the reluctance to help me but just tell me, be honest with me"

"You are the only one!"

"But…"

"But I don't think I can help you out. Jet you hurt me a lot when you refused to see me and then I didn't hear from you. I got worried. I'm in a bit of a frenzy here. Do I take you back into my life and help you out or do I stick around here and stick with my unrequited feelings for a woman who despises me?"

"Logic would have you stuck here with your unrequited feelings. No wait that would be the brains choice. What does the heart tell you to do"

"My heart tells me that I miss the way you used to be. My brain tells me it isn't such a good idea…"

"Tell me when you ran out of here what was that? Heart or brain"

"Brain definitely, my heart was screaming for me to hug you tell you everything that's happened in the last five years but I know it isn't going to be that easy. Jet how did this happen?"

"It happened because I was stupid and wouldn't let the woman I loved see me after an extremely traumatic experience when I knew she would stick by me through anything. I'm sorry Sara, I really am and I hope someday you'll be able to forgive me for that. So this woman you have unrequited feelings for it wouldn't happen to be that really hot blonde would it?"

"That really hot blonde is a woman who made my life a living hell for at least my first year here." Just as Sara was about to say more Grissom walked around the corner and spotted them talking.

"Sara, I'm sorry but you're needed in the layout room, we're working the one case it seems" when Sara made to get up he saw who she had been talking to. "Jet Seminirez"

"Hello Mr Grissom"

"I was a follower of your case, I know Sara that was insensitive of me, but it's true. I'm sorry"

"Thank you. Sara you'd better get back to work. I'm staying with Del, you still know her number right?"

"Yeah I've caught up with her a few times since I've been here"

"I know, she's the one that told me where you worked now-a-days. Call me when you're free, we have a lot to talk about" She turned to Grissom "nice to finally meet the man I'd heard so much about."

"Before you go how did you recognise me?"

"Well we all know what a science geek she is..." she pointed at Sara "I'd been hearing about you for a long time. That and your pretty famous at the SFPD for all that you've accomplished on cases"

"I'll ah see you when I finish if I don't have to pull an unexpected double" Sara gave Jet an awkward hug not really knowing if it would be accepted. Sara followed Grissom to the layout lab. After they'd discussed the particulars of the case Catherine pulled Sara aside.

"So what'd she want?"

"I can't say Catherine. I can't break confidentiality. All I can say is that she's here to visit and it won't be for long." Sara was very reluctant to tell Catherine the real reason Jet was there.

"What do you mean it wont be for long... surely if she's here to beg you to take her back she'd be here a while."

"She needs help on a case, that's all I can say."

"But she can't get outside help if it's a case she's working."

"I never said it was a case she was working." At that Sara walked out of the layout lab to the locker room leaving a stunned Catherine behind.

At the end of her shift Sara drove to her friend Del's apartment intending to talk to Jet. Once she reached the apartment building Del answered the buzzer and allowed Sara to enter. On her way up the stairs Sara ran into Del.

"I'm going out. Give you two some time to talk to each other without me interfering"

"Thanks Del" Once Sara had arrived at the door it opened. "Hey Jet"

"Sar. C'mon in. I didn't think you'd come. I'm really thankful you did though"

"Yeah well I never could resist you, you know that, I see you still wear yours" Sara said motioning to the identical necklace around Jets neck.

"I took a leaf out of your book and pulled it out and put it on."

"You took it off?" Sara asked accusingly

"So did you" Jet retorted.

"Touché. I'm sorry. The last thing I wanted to do right now was argue."

"I think I've earned the anger Sar. I shouldn't have shut you out. Even if I didn't I wouldn't have let you touch me or be one of those partners who fuss. Sar you're not like that and I wouldn't have tolerated it. I know about your history and I know you would have helped me but that didn't go through my head right then and all it would let me think about was that you'd think I was a whore or something. I know you never ever thought that but you kind of assume the worst you know."

"Yeah I know Jet. I was really hurt though. The woman I loved had just been through an incredibly traumatic time and all I wanted to do was hold you and tell you everything was going to be fine but you didn't want that and it hurt to know that. Captain Mahoney told me you didn't even want the squad investigating it."

"Funny that she wants me working it now. Well she wants me working those cases. I mean I'm not allowed to do any field work and stuff but I look at the photo's and the big evidence but otherwise that's all I'm allowed to do. I thought about calling you after I came back to myself and I did but I got no answer I thought you were working a really big case or something but when I tried to call the crime lab after a week of not seeing you or getting an answer but they wouldn't tell me anything and I gave up. Mahoney's my Captain now and wants me to at least compare the cases."

"You work for Mahoney? That makes a big difference. Let me guess when you stopped focusing she gave you time off and you came looking for me."

"Sar I'm not just here for you. I'm here because the LVPD wants my guidance. Apparently he's been visiting Vegas... they've got cases at the PD that at the moment match the cases in San Francisco..."

"Wait, the case we're working on is a multiple rape. Two victims..." Sara was interrupted by her cell phone ringing... "Sidle"

"Sara it's Cath. We need you. We've got another vic"

"Alright, Cath. I'll meet you at the lab."

"Alright."

Sara hung up the phone and turned to Jet. "Make that three and I'm sorry but I gotta go."

"Go do what you do best Sidle. I'll still be here till tonight then I gotta go into the PD"

"I'll come by and pick you up..."

"No you wont you'll be working. Do it Sara... Find the son of a bitch that's raping women in Vegas. Besides I got someone coming to pick me up."

With that Sara walked out the door and drove toward the lab ready to swallow her past and the memories of Jet in order to investigate yet another rape.

Later that night the CSI's were all back at the lab awaiting the arrival of Jim Brass the lead Detective on the case. While they waited they discussed the similarities between their three cases and how the perp was starting to get sloppy. They had recovered DNA evidence this time, which was still being processed, unlike the previous cases. They had also recovered a bloody finger print but were, as yet, unable to find a match in the database.

"Hey everyone."

"Hey Jim. We've got some leads. DNA and a finger print, no hit though" Catherine informed him.

"DNA? There wasn't anything like that with the other vics right."

"Nope" They all replied at the same time.

At that moment Mia the DNA tech came through the door. "Ah I got a hit off the DNA. Came back to an unknown donor but it was found in a cold case about five years ago. It was the Seminirez case in San Francisco."

Sara gasped and Cath turned to look at her while Grissom just muttered an "interesting"

Jim was the first to speak. "Mia got a first name on that Seminirez? Was it by any chance Jet?"

Sara answered before Mia. "Yeah Jim. Jet Seminirez raped five years ago. Girlfriend got a phone call from Seminirez's boss and went to see if she was at home. When she got there Seminirez's stuff was by the door where it always was apparently and the door was slightly ajar. She called the cops and they searched the place. The officers on the scene found her in the bedroom and called out for the girlfriend."

"You work the case?"

"No" Sara fled the room at that moment too upset to answer any more

"Well then how'd she know?"

Both Grissom and Catherine answered at the same time "She was the girlfriend" then looked at each other.

"Well anyway I got Seminirez coming in to take a look at the photo's and stuff 'cause she's kinda comparing the scene photos to her attack. San Francisco sent her."

Catherine got up when Jim finished speaking and went in search of Sara. She eventually found her in the locker room. "Sara you okay?"

"Knowing the semen sample was linked makes it hard. Knowing that she should be dead makes it even harder."

"Maybe she was his first and decided he couldn't risk these women calling the cops too. In any way you look at it, Sara she's lucky and she's coming in to review our evidence."

"I know. She told me the LVPD had some cases they wanted her input on. After hearing that, I put it all together. I gotta go find Grissom... tell him I can't work the case anymore..."

"He knows."

"What?" Sara asked surprised.

"Gil knows. Jim asked us how you knew and both he and I replied. Gil knows and so do the boys. They won't say anything Sara you know that."

"One hell of a way to come out."

"You wanna get some breakfast after shift?" Cath stopped Sara from exiting the locker room.

"I'll see how I feel thanks Cath." Cath nodded and Sara turned and left the locker room only to run into Grissom.

"You want to be off this case?" Grissom asked knowing she would have come to him eventually.

"Actually no but I'm still too close to it. Do you really want to get the case thrown out on the grounds of conflict of interest?"

"Your right... hang around and if a case comes in I'll give it to you." Grissom said knowing that she was right. This case was too important to get it thrown out of court on the grounds of Sara's conflict of interest.

"Okay. I'll be in a lab; can you give me a call when Jim brings Jet in?" Grissom looked puzzled "Cath told me. I want to see her after she looks at the photos and stuff."

"Alright, I'll even tell her to stick around."

"Thanks."

Sara was out on a B&E when Jet was brought in but Grissom kept his word and called but said that Jet was going to be there a while so she didn't need to rush her case, not that Sara would do that. When she was done at the crime scene Detective Vega told her that the guy standing by the car was the perp so she fingerprinted him and left. When she got back to the lab she had Jacqui compare the prints and went to process the other evidence.

That's how Cath and Jet found her an hour later. Jet had been there for four hours comparing evidence and filling in the CSI's on her case. She told them how they had recovered DNA evidence from both her bed and her but they hadn't found any on the victims since. Grissom suggested that that could be because he was letting them know it was indeed him and not a copy cat.

"Sara... Sara... SARA... hey SIDLE. Hmmm deja vu"

"What?" Sara replied not knowing what Catherine was talking about.

"I'm seem to remember having to do that last night. Only for a different reason. Grissom paged you to tell you we were done but after the fourth he gave up and told me to find you" she motioned for Jet to move into the room "I believe you wanted to see her."

"Yeah thanks Cath. Ah guess you two have been introduced so I don't have to do it."

Catherine shook her head and left. Jet broke the steady silence that had fallen when Catherine left. "Your unrequited love is a very nice woman when you get past those walls."

"Okay I know I always underestimated your observation skills but no need to rub it in. Jet you have to know though it is totally unrequited."

"Why though I mean she seems to care for you Sar." Jet walked around behind Sara to see what she was doing. "I don't know if she returns your feelings but she does care."

"She has only started being nice since last night after I told her about you."

"Sara I love you and all but sometimes you are just blind girl. She cares and that is not something that happens over night. No girl, this has been developing for a while."

"I don't know if I truly love her. Not like I did you."

"You're not supposed to love her like you loved me. Love is an individual thing."

"Well I do know that I don't love her because she reminds me of you at least, she is the exact opposite of you. When we met you were nice and actually spoke to me. When Catherine and I met she was hostile and nasty and made my life around here hell."

"Maybe she only did that because she was either attracted to you or afraid..."

Sara cut her off. "Afraid of what?"

Jet frowned. "That you'd take over her case or that you'd take her spot as the top woman around here, I don't know. There could be a totally different reason like that you were sent to investigate a friend of hers." Jet said innocently.

"You know about that?"

"I know there's a reason behind the hostility. She told me while we were looking for you. Really Sara she's not the cold hearted bitch you believe her to be."

"Okay when I wanted to talk to you Catherine Willows was not what I had in mind. Are you okay? I mean after seeing those crime scene photo's and the evidence."

"I'm okay. I have to go find Brass; do you want to get breakfast if you finish on time?"

"Sure, mind if Catherine comes though? She asked me to breakfast before you got here."

"Yeah sure. I'll meet you in the break-room." Jet said before walking off.

At the end of the graveyard shift Jet walked into the break-room to find Catherine, Warrick and Nick sitting at the table. Catherine, however, was the one to notice her arrival. "Hi Jet"

"Hey, do you guys know if Sara is still around?"

Sara came up behind Jet before Catherine could answer. "Right behind you 'taiha, Cath are you coming?"

"Yeah just let me grab a few things out of my locker and I'll meet you out front." She answered as she got up from the table and exited the room.

"So what're you doin'?" Warrick asked once Cath had left.

"Breakfast, why you wanna join us? Could get boring with us talking about girl stuff."

"Actually we'd love to join you." Warrick answered.

"Yeah this is the first chance we've had to get to know the real Sara Sidle" Nick joined in.

Just then Catherine came around the corner and saw Sara standing in the break-room still. "I'm ready."

Sara turned and looked at her. "The guys kind of insist on joining us now."

"Well since I picked Warrick up for work last night I'll take them" Catherine said. Everyone walked out toward the parking lot.

They all arrived at the diner at the same time. Sara eyed a booth in the back and walked toward it. Warrick and Nick sat next to the window, Jet sat between Nick and Sara and Cath sat opposite Sara. After they had ordered Nick prodded Jet for the story of how her and Sara met. Jet filled him and Warrick in, Catherine just sat and listened while watching Sara for some kind of reaction.

Sara was actually comfortable with this much of her life being discussed though she was aware of Catherine's eyes on her. About half way through Jet's story Grissom entered the diner and walked over to them. Catherine slid across to allow Grissom to sit. As he sat Catherine grasped his hand under the table, an action that went unnoticed by everyone but Sara. Unbeknownst to the other CSI's Gil and Catherine had been in a relationship since he came back after his operation.

Jet gave them a few more stories before Sara begged for a change of topic. Jet decided to ask a question that had been sitting in her mind. "Mr. Grissom, you said yesterday you'd been following my case, why?"

Grissom appeared to think about it for a moment. "I like keep up on cold case especially rape ones; you never know when they'll turn up here."

"As recent events have proven." She was interrupted by Sara yawning rather soundly "Sara Sidle is actually yawning, ladies and gentlemen call 'Guinness World Records' or something!"

Sara slapped her playfully on the shoulder. "Very funny Seminirez, if you don't mind I'd like to get some sleep. Come on you I'll drive you back to Del's, not that you deserve it."

Jet stayed silent until they reached the car. "That hurt didn't it? Seeing the movement of Catherine grabbing Gil's hand."

"You noticed that too? I didn't expect it. Please tell me you didn't know before then!" Sara replied, hurt seeping into her voice.

"I didn't know before then! Honestly she didn't say or do anything to indicate that she was in a relationship."

"I've got something rather big to ask you. Would you like to stay with me for the duration of your stay? It would be easier, I work nights so you wouldn't be disturbing me at odd hours and I could drive you to the lab." Sara reasoned timidly.

"Sara? Baby, look at me." She paused to make Sara look at her. "Do you think we're ready for something like that? I mean just yesterday I walked back into your life after five years of nothing and then you weren't even thinking about forgiving me."

Instead of answering, Sara unlocked the car and got in. When they were both in the car Sara reached over and turned Jet's face to her and leant in to kiss her. Jet, after a moment, reciprocated. The kiss was like the first time they'd kissed each other, soft, sweet and full of longing. Sara pulled away first. "I think I just confirmed something to myself. I do still love you Jet and I know for sure that we need to talk so please, stay with me"

"I'll stay with you" Jet agreed "but on the couch and yes we definitely need to talk. Go by Del's and I'll pick up my things." Sara nodded and pulled out of the parking lot and drove off in the direction of Del's.

Delilah Thomson had been a mutual friend of theirs in San Francisco and kept in touch with both, even after she moved to Las Vegas. When Jet had called and mentioned that she was going to be helping the LVPD with a case, Del had readily welcomed her.

Sara pulled up at the building Del lived in a few minutes later. After being buzzed in they walked up the stairs to the right apartment. When Jet told Del that she was going to go and stay with Sara, Del wasn't at all surprised and had to admit that the reason Sara and Jet had come up with was imaginative and quite convincing too.

As they were walking out of the apartment Sara's cell rang. "What is it with Del's apartment? Sidle"

"Hey it's Catherine, we need Jet. I was wondering if you could get in touch with her to tell her."

"Actually she's right here. I'll bring her in and disappear."

"Alright, tell her I'll see her when she gets here." Catherine ended the call.

"You're needed at the lab. I'll drop you off and go to the store before going home." Jet nodded in agreement. Sara gave Jet her cell number. "Call me when you want me to pick you up if you don't I'll assume you're staying at the lab and I'll see you later."

"Yes ma'am" Jet mock saluted. "I'll be fine Sara, really"