For all disclaimers see Chapter 1

Spoilers: Season 1, episode 2 and a reference to Season 1 episode 3

Kira699 I'm glad that I'm not the only one who noticed. I thought there was something about Catherine's reaction to Sara's name in the first place struck me, she didn't look confused the way Warrick did, just pissed.

Jits Thank you. And thank you for reading/replying.

GSRCSILVR25 Thanks. And thanks for reading.

Chapter 2(of 3)

Sara

Sometims I wonder if I'm a glutton for punishment. If I don't willingly set myself up in impossible situations and then beat myself up when I fail. And then there are other times, times like this when I know for a fact that I am.

I can't help but wonder what the hell I was thinking when I agreed to come out here and run this investigation for Grissom. Yes, he's a good friend and it will be nice to actually get to spend some time with him after so many years of emails and sporatic phone calls but I could have just taken a flight out here and come for a visit. Maybe I just wanted the chance to impress my quasi-mentor with the skills I've gained over the last few years. But am I really going to impress him by coming out here to investigate a member of his team, someone he works with and interacts with on a daily basis. Yes, he said he trusted me and my instincts but how much is he going to trust me if I find Warrick Brown even marginally responsible for the death of Holly Gribbs?

It's an impossible situation. And yet here I am, wandering the halls of the Las Vegas crime lab looking for the first person I'm supposed to interview. The girl at the desk said she was in one of the evidence rooms and when I approach the door to the first one in the hallway I see a woman working on a laptop inside.

She looks over at me as I open the door, just a quick glance but I can feel the heat of her gaze in that brief moment before she turns her attention back to her computer screen.

She is tense, I can see that even from across the room. Her hands are poised over the keyboard but I doubt she is actually typing anything, it's just an excuse to avoid me. As if she thinks that if she looks busy I will leave her alone.

"Do you know where I can find Catherine Willows?"

Her posture does not relax at my question. In fact, if possible she seems to grow stiffer, the muscles in her forearm standing out in stark relief as her arms tense.

"She's out in the field," she answers, without even looking up, her tone clipped.

Funny that, I was told that she'd be in here. I glance down at the papers in my hand and then back to the woman at the computer, wondering once again why I am here. It's not like I had expected to be welcomed with open arms or anything but I hadn't expected to be blatantly lied to either.

I'm not sure what to do next. Give me fingerprints or fibers and I can work magic but people aren't exaclty my strong suit. Especially not uncooperative ones.

"Let me guess..." she let out a soft sigh. "Sara Sidle."

I have a feeling that's not what she wanted to say but it's apparently what she chose to go with.

"I know who I am. I think you're a little confused." I try for a little levity but the joke falls flat as she turns to me, her look pure hostility.

" If you think you're taking my case ... forget it."

I sigh and shut the door behind me then take a few steps into the room."Look, we can stand here and argue or we can get out there and find out who did this to Holly Gribbs." She appears unmoved by my words. "Two sharp women are better than one. "

Catherine eyes me apraisingly and appears to consider my words. Afer a moment she turns, grabs the evidence bag next to her and holds it up "Pager."

I let out a soft sigh and close the distance between us. It's not exactly a warm welcome but at the moment I'll take it. Anything to move this investigation forward.

Catherine

I see her approach the door in the corner of my eye and I tense, steeling myself for what it is going to be a very awkward, very uncomfortble conversation. I've been trying to prepare myself for it all day and I'm still not ready.

I've worked hard to keep certain aspects of my past, of my life, away from the job. And I resent that one night, one mistake from years ago is going to upset that balance now, when things have finally gotten good.

The door opens and I glance over, taking in the woman stepping into the room. She hasn't changed much in the intervening years. Her hairs a little shorter but she looks the same, carries herself the same. My pulse starts to race as memories come flooding back and I desperately hope that I'm not blushing. I avert my gaze, feigning interest in the computer screen in front of me.

"Do you know where I can find Catherine Willows?"

A shiver runs through me at her voice, soft and throaty, a bedroom voice even in the middle of the crime lab. God, I'd forgotten what her voice could do to me.

And then her words register. She's asking after me as if she has no idea who I am.

"She's out in the field."

It's a stupid lie and I don't know why I say it but I'm hoping it'll be enough to get her out of here because I need a moment to gather myself.

But she sees right through it. I can tell by the awkward shift of her body and the way she doesn't retreat but remains in the doorway uncertainly.

"Let me guess..."I begin but trail off not sure how to word what I want to say. Somehow I don't think, 'you were too drunk to remember' is really going to help the situation. "Sara Sidle."

"I know who I am. I think you're a little confused."

I should be happy about this. If she can't remember our night together then I've dodged a bullet here. I should be and yet I'm not. All I feel is pissed. She really doesn't remember?

I glance over, looking for some sign of recognition. For some indication that she's aware of exaclty who I am but is just pushing through with professionalism. But there is nothing.

" If you think you're taking my case ... forget it." It's weak but it's the only thing I can think of at the moment to explain the tension I know is radiating off me.