A/N: I love you guys, so here it is. Please, please review. It gives me more stamina, and after this I need the boost. Intimacy on the way… I can't stand it anymore.
CSI-330
Sara opened her eyes and rolled onto her side. She felt completely drained. Looking to her bedside table, her eyes locked on her cell phone. She reached out, but her hand hesitated midway to the phone. Sighing, she rolled back over, turning her back to the phone and closing her eyes again.
Catherine woke up and inhaled deeply. As the previous night rushed back to her, she was overwhelmed with the desire to call Sara. No, when she's ready. It's not my call. Sighing, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and went to shower before picking Lindsey up from school.
Sara woke up again twenty minutes later. Quickly realizing that she was not going to fall asleep again, she got out of bed and stumbled to the shower.
"Hey Nance, is it OK if Lindsey stays over tonight? I have a friend that's sick and I'm semi on-call to help her out."
"Sure thing Sis, drop her off right now."
"Thanks, you're a lifesaver."
Hair still wet, Sara leaned against her kitchen counter drinking a cup of coffee. Taking a deep breath, she went back to the bedroom and grabbed her phone. Sitting on the bed, she dialled.
Catherine was just taking her things from the locker when her phone rang.
"CSI Willows"
"Hi," Sara whispered.
"Hey," Catherine whispered back, grinning, "How are you?"
"Grissom kicked me out of the lab for a day," Sara answered, darkly.
"Good," Catherine smiled again at the tone.
"Oh, um… I guess you're at work," Sara said, uncomfortably.
"I've been thinking about you since I woke up. Don't you dare end this call."
"Can you come over today?" Sara asked softly.
"Sure," Catherine silently breathed a sigh of relief, "Lindsey's with my sister. I'll come by after shift. I'll shower first."
"Thanks," Sara said. Catherine could hear the smile in her voice.
"I'll see you then," Catherine waited to hear the click as Sara hung up before closing her locker.
Nine hours later, Catherine was showered and standing in front of Sara's door. She knocked and Sara immediately opened the door.
I didn't even have to threaten this time. Catherine thought.
"Hey," Sara smiled.
"Hey yourself," Catherine smiled back.
"Come in," Sara said.
Once in the apartment, an awkward silence came over the two of them.
"Sara, we don't have to have a big conversation right now… I just want to be here with you," Catherine carefully took Sara's hand, "Have you eaten? Let's make pancakes or something."
Sara smiled and stepped closer to Catherine, "Chocolate chip?"
"Now I get why you and Lindsey get along so well," Catherine grinned, pulling away.
As they fell into a rhythm of cooking and eating, the awkwardness melted away. Catherine could see Sara growing comfortable again.
After the dishes were washed, the two sat back down on the couch.
"You're still here," Sara said.
"Mhmmm… starting to buy it yet?" Catherine joked, nudging Sara's shoulder, "And I just want to be here for a while, if that's OK?"
"Yeah," Sara smiled.
Catherine yawned.
"Oh god, you haven't slept yet," Sara realized, "You have to go! God, you must be exhausted."
"I'd like to stay," Catherine said, looking directly into Sara's face.
Sara nodded slowly, "Then come on."
Catherine walked down the hallway to Sara's bedroom. Catherine laid down and patted the bed next to her, grinning. Sara climbed in next to her and curled into her side with her head against Catherine's chest. Catherine felt her entire body react to Sara's proximity. Sara's body relaxed and it felt as if she melted a little closer to Catherine's.
We fit together so well. Catherine thought.
"Thank you," Sara said again.
"There's nothing to thank me for, I want to be here," Catherine reassured, stroking gently up and down Sara's arm.
Catherine rested her face on the top of Sara's head, breathing deeply.
"Still, thanks," Sara whispered again, but Catherine was already asleep.
When Sara woke up, Catherine was still asleep beside her. Rolling over, Sara propped herself up to look at the sleeping blonde. Her hair fanned out around her face over the pillow and one arm was still stretched out toward Sara.
She's still here. Sara thought.
Catherine sighed in her sleep and her mouth was pulled into a small pout.
And she's beautiful.
Feeling Sara move, Catherine stirred and moved closer to her. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at Sara.
"Hey," she mumbled, reaching up to touch Sara's cheek.
Don't kiss her. It's not the right time, Catherine thought, but I want to so much.
"I guess I have to go get ready for work, check in with Lindsey," Catherine smiled, sitting up.
"Can we talk today?" Sara asked.
"Yeah, I'd really like that. My place after shift?" Catherine asked.
"Sure, I'll see you then."
The next day, Catherine was pacing the living room, picking up clothes, books, magazines and papers that were scattered about. She'd been home for an hour and couldn't stop fidgeting. She jumped when the doorbell finally rang.
Catherine opened the door to a smiling Sara Sidle.
"Hey," she said softly.
"Come in Sara," Catherine moved aside.
Sitting on the couch, Sara picked up a pillow and sat forward.
"OK, Sara. So are we going to talk about us? I think you know where I stand," Catherine bit her lip and looked down, "And… I'm really sorry that I kissed you before… it wasn't the right time, but I couldn't help it."
"Couldn't help it?" Sara asked.
"I'm attracted to you, Sara. And it broke my heart to see you cry. So please, tell me… I need to know if you want to try anything or just stay friends."
"And what if I wanted to just stay friends?" Sara asked.
Catherine bit back a sob. "Then I'd say OK, because I'd rather have you in my life as a friend then nothing at all."
Sara saw her lip quiver. She moved forward, "And what if I want a relationship?"
Catherine breathed a sigh of relief, "Then I'd be happier then I've been in a long time."
"Listen Cat, I need to know… I just feel like… I have a lot of baggage, I guess. I never felt like I could ask somebody to deal with all of that."
"You're not asking me to deal with anything. I want you. I want all of you."
Catherine held her breath as Sara stayed silent. Suddenly, Sara looked up and met Catherine's eyes.
"Can I have another shot at a first kiss then?" Sara grinned briefly.
Catherine moved so she was sitting right next to Sara on the couch. She twisted so they were facing each other. Sara tossed the pillow she was hugging and cautiously reached for Catherine's hands. Catherine smiled as Sara stroked her thumbs across the back of her hands. Catherine slowly moved her face closer to Sara's. Sara shuddered slightly and Catherine smiled. Sara's eyes closed as she felt Catherine's slightly parted lips press against hers. Oh god, they're so soft, Sara thought. Catherine heard her breath catch and smiled against her lips. Briefly, the two pulled away to breathe and Catherine felt Sara's hand brush against her cheek and then tangle in the hair at the back of her head, gently pulling her back into the kiss. Catherine wrapped her arms around Sara's shoulders before pulling away and resting her forehead against Sara's. Eyes closed, the two paused, breathing and listening to the other breath until Sara gave a burst of laughter.
"What?" Catherine asked, once again holding Sara's hands and sitting back to look at her.
"I just… wow. Never thought I'd have all of the corny stuff, you know… making out on the couch … oh god, this is incredible."
Catherine smiled, "How about the gentle forehead kiss?" She lifted herself to her knees and kissed Sara's forehead. Sara giggled and Catherine smiled with relief.
"We should take this slowly, Cat."
"I agree, Sara I don't want to rush you or pressure you into anything… I want you to be comfortable. And we still need to tell Lindsey."
"Oh god."
"What? Sara, she probably has some idea already. And she loves you, it'll be OK. As long as you're really serious, Sar," Catherine's voice revealed a touch of self-doubt and Sara quickly interjected.
"Cat, of course I'm sure. I'm… I still can't believe it. But you're right, why don't we hold off telling Lindsey, just take it really slowly."
Catherine smiled gratefully, "O.K."
"Does that mean that we need to stop making out?" Sara asked.
"Oh hell no," Catherine said, pushing Sara back onto the couch.