Disclaimer: see chapter one
A/N: This story was meant purely as fiction—as is everything that I write and post here. That's why it's called fanfiction.
As such, writers like me, take certain liberties with story lines and characters.
If you're looking for something that (1) sticks to the characters as they are personified on the show, (2) doesn't stray from the storylines provided by the show, or (3) is strictly rooted in science and forensics, you should find someone else's stories to read.
You'll find some of that in each of my stories, but never all of it.
Meanwhile, in the locker room…
"I neither confirmed nor denied his suspicions. I basically said he was talking about shit he had no business talking about," the strawberry blonde said to the leggy woman sitting in front of her.
"It's just ridiculous that this is even a topic of conversation. I don't know why Sara just won't set them straight. Nick seems to be the only one who even cares one way or the other if Sara is gay or not."
"Well, from what I hear, you pretty much ripped him a new one at the PD. What was up with that?" Sofia couldn't help but notice the accusatory tone in Catherine's voice as she stood and backed the shorter woman against the lockers. Catherine's eyes immediately closed in anticipation of this sudden, but very welcome, closeness with Sofia.
"What was up with that?" she whispered in Catherine's ear. "I wouldn't want you to have to deal with that sort of attitude." Sofia gently sucked on Catherine's earlobe before pulling back and once again whispering, "Why would I find it acceptable for the guys to sit around and ponder about who Sara's sleeping with?"
As soon as Sofia had advanced on her, Catherine failed to keep up her end of the conversation. She was still trying to catch her breath when she realized that Sofia was no longer pinning her to the lockers.
Cath opened her eyes to see that Sofia crossed the room towards the exit, but not before turning around and adding, "Besides, I'd like to think that she would defend my honor—and even yours—if the shoe was on the other foot."
Having realized how right Sofia was on this particular topic, Catherine pushed herself off of the lockers and made her way out of the room, in search of the elusive Sara Sidle.
As Catherine rounded one of the many corners in the lab, she noticed Nick standing outside of Grissom's office. She stopped to watch him. Grissom's door was slightly ajar and Nick was quietly and surreptitiously observing whatever was going on inside before stepping inside.
After a moment or so, Sara exited Grissom's office, ducked her head and headed toward one of the numerous empty labs.
Against her better judgment, Catherine followed her.
There stood Sara with her back to the door. She was supporting herself with her palms on the evidence table.
"Sara, could we talk?"
Sara quickly spun at the sound of Catherine's voice. Her hands immediately went to her face and wiped at a stray tear that had begun to fall. "Sure, Catherine. Do you need help with something?"
Catherine closed some of the distance between herself and the younger woman. "Uh, no. There's nothing I need help with. I was just wondering if you need someone to talk to about whatever is obviously bothering you."
Defensively, Sara crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against the table. "What are you talking about, Catherine?"
"Hmmm….well, I sorta heard about what Nick and Warrick were talking about this morning. And then Sofia had a confrontation with Nick at the PD. I was just…"
"Wait a minute!" Her arms were suddenly uncrossed and she was advancing towards Catherine. One hand swiftly made itself at home on her hip while the other had a stern finger pointing in Catherine's direction. "Who told you about Nick and Warrick? And better yet, what did Sofia say to Nick? And how the hell do you know about Sofia saying anything to Nick?"
Catherine turned around and closed the door to the lab. She slowly turned around and said, "Sofia told me about Nick and Warrick. Sofia also told me about the run-in with Nick at the PD."
A smirk tugged at Sara's lips, "Since when are you and Sofia so tight?"
Catherine cocked her head to the side and said, "Since we started sleeping together." Catherine's voice was flat and emotionless. Despite the current rumors swirling around Sara, she was uncertain whether or not her younger coworker preferred the fairer sex. She was unsure whether outing not only herself, but Sofia would sit well with Sara.
"Really? I guess she could have done worse than you," Sara laughed at her own joke. She walked toward Catherine and put her hands on her arms in what was meant to be a comforting gesture. "I don't like to advertise who I'm sleeping with. My personal life is just that—personal. But since you went out on a limb and revealed something incredibly personal about you and Sofia, I'll share something with you. About what Nick and Warrick were talking about…"
Sara was cut off by the sound of her beeper going off. She dropped her hands from Catherine's arms and reached for her pager, but clumsily dropped it to the floor. She quickly fell to her knees looking for the pager.
Neither she nor Catherine noticed the position she was in and how it might appear to an outsider. At that very moment, Nick was standing outside the door. All he saw was Catherine's back and Sara on her knees in front of her, looking up at Catherine. He was about to knock and interrupt the two women when he heard Sara exclaim, "Got it!"
Nick shook his head and headed back towards the break room thinking to himself, she's not satisfied hooking up with some chick at a bar, now she has to hit on Catherine.