TITLE: CSI: Is This Desert Hot or What?
AUTHOR: D M Harper.
SUMMARY: The lives of four professional women intersect at a crime scene one rainy night in Las Vegas.
RATING: M for mature readers.
DISCLAIMER: This story is simply for the entertainment of those of us who like to dabble in subtext. There is no intent to infringe on the copyright of CBS Paramount, creators Ann Donahue, Anthony E. Zuiker and Jerry Bruckheimer. No profit is gained from this hobby. This entertainment does feature consensual sexual interaction between two females, so if you are underage or unable to view due to restrictions in your part of the world, be gone with you and take my sympathy with you. If you find such material offensive, too bad, so sad, you chose to enter this web site of your own free will; hence you have no one to whine to except yourself - now bugger off!
Chapter 4
Danni had prepared a casserole for the McIntosh clan and she profusely apologised for leaving them, but they had insisted she keep her previous dinner arrangement.
After showering and dressing in denim jeans, biker boots, white dress shirt and leather jacket, she headed to Grace Curtis' house on her bike.
Her boss greeted her at the door wearing a pale blue sundress and open toe sandals.
The older blonde hugged Danni and said, "Glad you could make it. How are you doing?"
Stepping back, Danni replied, "I'm okay, just doing it day to day."
"Good to hear and it's such a pleasant night, I thought we'd eat out on the patio."
"Sounds like an excellent idea."
Danni followed the other woman into the kitchen and asked for bottled water when offered a drink.
"Sofia was telling me you have house guests."
"Yes, Erin's family wanted to stay at her house, but it's still a mess."
"I met her mother a few years back, lovely woman."
"They're a great family and Erin deserved better. Her mom told me Erin had a lot of respect for you."
"She was a good officer and yes, she did warrant a better ending. I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to forego our discussion on work. I have invited another to join us."
"That's fine by me."
Danni was about to inquire about the other guest when she heard a familiar voice in the hallway.
"Hey mom, where are you?"
"We're in the kitchen honey."
Sofia appeared wearing beige cotton slacks and a loose fitting blue dress shirt. She hugged her mother, "How's it going mom?"
"Good, I believe you know Danni?"
Releasing her grip, Sofia turned to Danni, "That I do, nice to see you again."
"Likewise Sofia, twice in one day is something I could get used to."
Grace looked to her daughter and smirked, "You can take the plates outside."
Once she had gone, Danni winked at her boss, "Sofia's been keeping an eye on me and I made her breakfast the last two mornings."
"Well you appear to have made an impression on her, I've not seen her so talkative for some time."
"And now would be a good time to stop talking about me," remarked Sofia as she rejoined them.
The other women laughed and the tone for the evening was set.
Sofia had seriously thought about inviting Danni out to the club, but knew she had guests waiting at home so instead she bid her goodnight and met up with Catherine and Sara.
Her night finally finished around three twenty on Catherine's couch.
-o-
Danni's weekend commenced with an early morning jog with Richard followed by grocery shopping. She stayed close to home and found comfort with the McIntosh family.
Sofia had no communication with Danni until she called Monday morning after finishing her shift. She had phoned to check on Danni and the pair spoke for over an hour before Sofia grew tired.
Tuesday morning arrived and Danni faced the day with a heavy heart. Sleep had not come to her during the night and she was worn out from tossing and turning.
By nine o'clock she was attired in her dress uniform and ready to leave for the church. A limo had been organised by the funeral home to transport the McIntosh family and had only left two minutes earlier.
The trip to the church was slow and emotional for Danni, but once she pulled into the adjacent parking lot, her spirits soared. The sidewalk was a sea of uniformed officers, work colleagues, relatives and friends. Despite her ill-fated faithlessness, Erin had been a loving daughter, sister and friend. That was reflected by those who attended her service.
Danni had discussed seating arrangements with Mia over the weekend and it was decided by Danni that she would remain in the back row. Mia had understood her decision and Danni was grateful to be kept out of the limelight and be allowed to grieve alone.
At the grave site, Danni was able to view those who had come to pay their respects more clearly and was delighted to see the entire graveyard shift of the Crime Lab standing beside Captains Brass and Curtis. Sofia was amongst them wearing a black suit and her aviation sunglasses.
When Mia was presented with a flag and Erin's peaked cap, Danni fell apart. Her knees buckled and she was surprised to feel a strong arm wrap around her waist.
"I've got you," Sofia said quietly. "You don't have to be strong anymore today, let it go."
Danni grasped the hand that was pressed against her stomach and wept openly.
Sofia tightened her grip and stayed in that position until the majority of the mourners had paid their respects to the family and moved onto the wake being held at a nearby bar.
Danni composed herself and along with Sofia approached the McIntosh family.
More tears were shed before the small group made their way to the wake.
-o-
Danni was standing by the bar counter nursing a club soda when Sara joined her.
"How you holding up?" inquired the brunette.
"I'm doing okay and thank you for attending."
"You're welcome Danni. Listen, Catherine is coming over to my place Friday night for dinner and we'd like to invite you."
"Thanks Sara, I'd like to spend some time with you ladies."
"Cool, I'll call you during the week with details."
"I look forward to your call Sara."
Sofia approached and announced, "Hey ladies, just making my farewell. I'm on duty tonight and need to get some sleep."
"I'll see you later Curtis," responded Sara before moving away.
"Thank you for all you did today Sofia," said Danni.
"No worries, if you need to talk later, give me a call."
Danni hugged the other woman, "I'll keep that in mind."
"Any time is fine," uttered Sofia. "Talk to you soon."
The older blonde watched the detective leave before checking on Mia.
-o-
Sofia was finishing off her latest case file when her cell phone sounded with Danni's number. "Hello Danni is everything okay?" she answered.
"I'm having trouble sleeping, am I interrupting?"
"No, your timing is impeccable. I have just closed off the last of my paperwork, so you are a nice distraction."
Danni giggled, "Oh, you're good for the soul Sofia."
"Well, I don't want to brag, but I have been told that before."
There was another giggle on the other end before Danni quipped, "Modesty becomes you."
Sofia's pager went off, interrupting the conversation, "Sorry Danni, but I've got a job to attend. I'll call you in the morning."
"How about you drop in for breakfast instead?" suggested Danni.
"Deal, I'll see you then."
-o-
Sofia had breakfast with Danni and the McIntosh family for the next three mornings and tagged along for the ride to the airport Friday.
She stood by as Danni made her teary goodbyes then slowly walked her back to the car park.
"When are you due back on duty?" she asked once they had left the airport.
"I've taken a further two weeks leave. I thought I'd get my shit together before returning."
"Do you have any other plans?"
"I'm going to go on a bike ride in an attempt to clear my head. You know, lay all my ghosts to rest and move on?"
"That sounds like a definite plan."
"I'll be leaving in the morning."
"If I didn't already have a dinner date, I would have asked you out."
A smile broke out on Danni's face, "I have plans myself. I was invited to Sara's."
"I was too."
The couple fell into comfortable silence until they reached Danni's. Sofia was fast asleep and needed to be roused from her slumber.
"Sofia, wake up," urged Danni.
The blonde fluttered her eyelids and groaned, "Just five more minutes."
"Come on inside, you can sleep here," offered Danni with a smirk.
Sofia's eyes opened, "Thanks, I don't think I can drive." She undid her seat belt and followed Danni into the house.
"You can take a shower and I'll lend you some sleepwear."
"Thanks again," Sofia replied sleepily.
"You're welcome."
Danni ducked into her bedroom to retrieve a pair of blue and white checked boxers and a white tee shirt.
Sofia was already in the shower when Danni knocked on the door.
"Here are your clothes," she announced while avoiding looking at the naked form behind the frosted glass.
"Thanks."
Before she knew it, Danni offered, "You can use my bed, saves me having to make up one of the other beds with fresh linen."
"Okay."
Danni exited to her bedroom and set the alarm for five; that would give Sofia plenty of time to go home and change. The pair weren't due at Sara's until seven.
"I really appreciate this," said Sofia as she entered the room.
"Sleep well."
Danni departed, but stopped in the doorway and looked back at Sofia climbing into her bed. "Shit, that woman is gorgeous," she said to herself before walking to the living room.
She checked on Sofia thirty minutes later and jumped when Sofia groggily said, "Your bed is very comfortable and I'm a light sleeper. If you are tired, you can join me."
Her offer went unanswered until Danni returned wearing an oversized tee shirt.
She slipped in under the sheet and draped an arm across Sofia's hip unconsciously. "Now go to sleep," she ordered.
"Mmm okay Miss Bossy Boots."
Within minutes, both women were asleep.
-0-
Sofia prised open her eyes and took in her surroundings. It took her a moment to remember she was at Danni's and in her bed. The hand splayed across her stomach was another gentle reminder. She smiled at her predicament and thoroughly enjoyed the contact.
"Go back to sleep," said an awake Danni.
"I don't think I can."
"I bet I can put you back to sleep," suggested Danni in a gentle tone.
Sofia was hit with a wave of pleasurable arousal, "I'm sure you could."
Danni slowly drew circles over the ridges of Sofia's well defined tummy, "It's an old trick my mother used to employ when I was a child."
"It's very relaxing," responded a drowsy Sofia. Her last conscious thought was it was the first time Danni had mentioned a parent.
-o-
"Sofia, time to get up," whispered Danni into the detective's perfectly shaped ear.
"Uhm, okay."
Running fingers through her still damp hair, Danni straightened up and glanced down at the long haired beauty in her bed. She felt a knot in her stomach as Sofia stretched and pulled back the sheet, "Good god, you're beautiful."
Sofia turned her head and locked onto blue eyes and grinned devilishly, "So are you Danni."
Danni blushed bright red with the realisation she had spoken out aloud. She turned and fled the room, waring with her emotions.
She was leaning up against the kitchen counter when Sofia joined her moments later.
The shorter woman approached her with a sullen look on her face, "Danni, I know you are struggling emotionally at the moment and the last thing I want to do is confuse or hurt you, so I'll just lay it on the line."
Danni nodded then proceeded to hold her breath.
"I like you and I've done enough flirting as to make that obvious, but it isn't the best of times for you right now and it's silly of me to be acting like some love starved teenager."
Danni exhaled, "It is okay Sofia and I like you too."
The smile on Sofia's face widened, "In fact, I am very attracted to you and when you return from your trip, I'd like to take you out to dinner."
"I'd like that too and I'd like to thank you for all you have done for me, it has been greatly appreciated Sofia."
Sofia moved in closer and wrapped her arms around Danni's shoulders, "I'll be waiting for you when you are ready."
Overcome with the meaning of the words, Danni let go of her heartache and wept.
Sofia allowed her to shed tears in silence and rubbed her back in comfort.
Minutes passed by before Danni collected herself and stopped crying.
Sofia leaned back and looked at her, "It was you that Erin cheated on, wasn't it?"
Gulping down the hurt, Danni nodded, "Yes, we had been together for over two years before Hall started his crap. Stupid me was about to ask Erin to marry me. I'd bought a ring and planned a romantic dinner when she got up from the table and rushed into the bathroom to throw up. Of course I followed her and she made her confession about the affair with Hall and the pregnancy."
"Jesus Danni, I'm so sorry."
Danni pressed on, needing to get the truth out, "I took the ring out of my pocket and threw it at her. I walked out of my own house, hopped on my bike and rode for two days. When I returned, I found a note from Erin. I never read it, there was no excuse for what had happened and I closed myself off emotionally. When she lost the baby I went to visit her in hospital and she broke my heart all over again when I walked in to find Hall sitting by her bed with her family."
Sofia's heart was aching, "Oh Danni."
"Mia came to see me the following day and asked for an explanation. She knew nothing about Hall or the baby until the day before. She was shattered by the truth and fully understood my position. I hadn't spoken to Erin until she called begging for help the other night. I never forgave her Sofia and now I have to live with that."
"Danni, you didn't do anything wrong and I doubt anyone else in that situation would have acted any differently. Erin made her choice and unfortunately, it cost her dearly."
"I don't understand why she let him into her house. She should have grabbed her off-duty weapon and armed herself."
"Honey, she wouldn't have expected the man who claimed to love her to harm her, let alone kill her. Considering where she was found and the skin under her nails, she was trying to get away," reasoned Sofia.
"When she called me, she was so scared. I told her to fetch her gun. Why didn't she just shoot the bastard?"
Sofia grimaced, "Hall had her weapon when we found him."
Danni pulled out of the embrace and the expression of abject horror on her face tore at Sofia's heart, "For fuck's sake, please don't tell me the prick used her gun to kill himself."
"I'm sorry Danni," apologised an upset detective.
Anger hit Danni hard, "Sorry? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"I didn't want you hurt any more than you already were. Hall used the car as a backup plan in case the gun didn't do the job. I thought it best if you just assumed he'd asphyxiated on carbon monoxide."
Seeing the look of anguish on Sofia's face, broke Danni out of her self imposed pity, "Oh shit, I'm so sorry Sofia. I shouldn't be mad at you. You were only trying to protect me and I am grateful."
Sofia moved forward and sighed heavily, "I agonised over telling you the truth."
Reaching out, Danni cupped Sofia's strong jawbone, "I would be a total non-functioning mess if it wasn't for you, so thank you."
Not wishing to make a complete idiot of herself by saying something inappropriate, Sofia grinned, "I'm just sorry you've had to go through it Danni. I better get a move on."
Danni's eyes softened, "You are a good person Sofia and how about I pick you up and drive to Sara's?"
With a racing heartbeat, the younger blonde nodded, "It's a date, see you soon."
Leaning in, Danni kissed Sofia gently on the forehead and lingered for a brief second, "Drive safe."
Once Sofia's heart rate slowed and her stomach stopped performing back flips, she made for the door.
Danni went into her bedroom and packed her saddle bags for her bike before attending to housework.
As she tidied and cleaned, her thoughts continually returned the taste of Sofia's skin under her lips.
By the time she was done, she was exhausted, but content with the knowledge she rather enjoyed kissing Detective Curtis.
-o-