A/N: I'm back! Sorry no updates for a couple days, I hate doing that to you! But Saturday was busy with birthday-celebrating, and Sunday with birthday-recovering... anyway, this chapter might be a little short, but I wanted to get ya something today! Hopefully it was worth the wait :)
__________________________________________________________
Shift was nearly over, and still Catherine had heard nothing from Sara. Focusing on the job had proved just short of impossible, as her anticipation grew with each passing minute. As time went on, anticipation began for morph into disappointment.
She probably just hasn't been to her car yet, Catherine thought, trying to stay positive, pushing the disappointment down. On the other hand, it was entirely possible that Sara had received the message, and disregarded it as she had Catherine's words. She prayed that wasn't the case. She just needed Sara to let her in a little bit, just open the door a crack. Catherine was sure she could find her way in from there.
When did this happen? She wondered. When did I becoming the one pinning for Sara? She had never considered the possibility of a relationship with Sara, not until yesterday, when she kissed her in the locker room. Though that had happened not 24 hours ago, once the thought had entered her mind, it felt as though it had been there all along. Somewhere between the time when Sara left Vegas and the time she came home, Catherine had begun to see her as more than a friend. But, as she had been vehemently denying every emotion that flashed across her mind throughout those months, it was rather difficult to say exactly when that had happened. I guess absence really does make the heart grow fonder.
Now, it was time to go home. Catherine fought the urge to cry as disappointment and frustration rushed to the surface. Crying wasn't going to solve anything. Dabbing at the tears that threatened to fall with her sleeve, she rose from her desk, sighing heavily as she composed herself. Turning to leave, she was certain she felt her heart stop, as she saw Sara watching her from the doorway.
"How long have you been standing there?" Catherine asked shakily, composure faltering once again.
"What is this, Catherine?" came Sara's quiet voice as she held up the envelope Catherine had left her. Her face was full of confusion, but her eyes showed a glimpse of hopefulness.
"It's… yours. Your name tag…" Catherine stuttered.
"I know that," Sara replied, smiling a little at Catherine's sheepishness. "it's just that… I mean… Cat, have you had this the whole time?"
Catherine nodded.
"Why?" Sara asked, taking a step into the room.
"I found it…" Catherine turned her gaze to the floor, suddenly feeling a little silly. She had been so confident in her plan, but having Sara here in front of her was a whole different ball game.
"… and you saved it," Sara finished for her. Again, Catherine only nodded. Sara looked again at the envelope in her hands, reading the message again before she spoke.
"Catherine? What chance weren't you ready for?" Sara asked cautiously. Catherine returned her eyes to Sara, seeing the confusion beginning to melt away as the light went on in her head.
"You, Sara!" Catherine cried, as the tears and the words simultaneously came pouring out. "When I heard what you said to Grissom, I was shocked. I had never thought about you, not in that way… but then you were gone, before I could even wrap my mind around everything, you were just gone. And I couldn't miss you, I tried so hard not to miss you, Sara. But I did. And then you were here, and everything felt like it could be ok again…" she finally paused to take a breath, then gestured towards the item in Sara's hand. "I save it, because I couldn't let go. Even if I wouldn't admit it."
"I don't know, Cath," Sara shook her head, her own face streaked with tears as well, "I leave, and your feelings for me are nothing more than platonic. Then, almost a year later, I come back, and suddenly you want to be with me?"
Catherine could sense Sara giving in, despite her hesitation. It was that little opening she needed to get in.
"I know, Sara. I couldn't have given you what you wanted from me, not then. But if you give me another chance, I promise you, I can."
Catherine waited nervously, as Sara sat studying her. Catherine shifted uncomfortably as tension mounted in the silence, until Sara nodded, her quiet voice finally finding Catherine's ears.
"Ok."
