First of all I am so totally sorry I haven't updated in AGES! I know excuses are lame but I'll explain myself anyway ;-) Basically every ounce of my time, energy and imagination has been spent househunting, and though it has been exciting, it has also been stressful and exhusting. So although its lame its the main reason why I haven't even really logged on this site. But I've got alot of catching up to do on reading and can't wait! I'd like to thank all the people who have bothered to take time to read this story whilst I've been in hibernation. I really do appreiciate the adds, reviews etc. So cheers!

Sara couldn't sleep. The early morning events kept running through her mind like a silent snuff movie. Catherine on top of her. Catherine's hands roaming innocently across her bare skin. Catherine's lipstick left on her wine glass. The music. The candles. Catherine. Arrrgh! She squeezed her eyes shut trying to block out the sensation of Catherine's legs clenched tightly around her. A throbbing began to seer through her eyelids. She opened them to find the room a burnt out hue of white. Slowly her surroundings began to saturate with colour again and she glanced over at the blondes sleeping form. She observed the duvet gathered around her waist, her face was relaxed and the slow steady rise and fall of her vest clad breasts. The brunette quietly got out of bed and tiptoed to the bathroom, cringing at the small click the lock made as she shut the door behind her.

Catherine opened an eye. Peered towards Sara's bed. Where was she? The woman knew that the young lady was a fan of early morning jogs, but surely even Sara Sidle wouldn't brave these Alaskan temperatures. Both eyes open now she swung her legs over the edge of the bed and waited for her feet to make contact with the cold, hard floor. She shuddered. Pushing herself off the mattress, she walked over to where Sara had been sleeping and ran her hand over the sheets. They were still warm. Sara hadn't been gone long. She perched on the end of the other woman's bed near her pillow. She could still smell her. She could still smell her from last night. She hadn't showered after they're little massage session and could still feel Sara's skin all over her. She smiled slightly from the memory. Sara had acted so nervous. Miss in control. Miss emotionless. She remembered Sara's blush creeping over her body, the way the woman squirmed under her light touch. The way her muscles twitched under her soft, tanned skin. Standing up she started discarding her clothes as she made her way to the wardrobe. Her back to the bathroom door she rummaged, oblivious to the fact that Sara had just exited the washroom and was standing a gasp staring at her naked stretched form. She spun on her heel at the sound of a strangled squeaking sound behind her and came eye to eye with a stunned, frozen Sara. Both women stood gaping at each other for what felt like ages but was actually only a matter of seconds. Then things sped up. Almost skipping through realtime. Flustered, they both flew into action. Catherine jumped into the wardrobe slamming the door behind her as Sara ran back into the bathroom. For minutes neither of them spoke. Then Sara heard a voice. Her ear against the door she listened.

"Sara? Can you hear me?"

Shit. Catherine. Naked Catherine.

"Ummmmm….. yeah."

"We can't stay like this forever you know." The blonde sounded nervous.

"I know."

"It's just we have our induction at 8:30 and I'm starting to get claustrophobic."

Sara smirked. "I know." She repeated.

"And…. Well……I'm……" The blonde looked around her hiding place and picked up a pair of Sara's panties. "I just really think I should get out."

"I know."

"Will you stop saying 'I know', it's not helping."

"I kn……"

"Sara." Catherine grunted exasperated.

"What?" The younger woman couldn't help but giggle at their current situation.

"I really need to get changed."

The brunette smiled against the door. "Don't you think your in the perfect place for that?"

Catherine rolled her eyes. "What I mean is, you're not going to come barging in on me again are you?"

"No."

"Promise?"

"I think that was enough excitement for me to withstand for one day thanks Cath."

"Its not funny."

"You should have seen your face." The younger woman heard a creak.

Catherine, stepped out of the wardrobe and glanced at the bathroom door. "How'd you know what my face looked like, it looked to me your eyes were everywhere BUT my face." She pulled a top and jeans out of the cupboard and threw them on the bed.

"You decent yet?"

"No." She walked over to the draw by her bed and selected a red lacy bra and matching thong.

Sara stifled a snigger as she jiggled the door handle. The sound was followed by a bang and then an "oof". She burst out laughing. "Cath, you ok? Need some help?"

"Get bent Sara." The blonde said getting up off the floor and nursing her thigh.

"Touchy."

"Stop being so immature." She pulled the tight t shirt over her head and reached for her jeans.

"Can I come in now?"

"Yes, yes. You can come in now." She was doing he zipper up as Sara stepped bashfully back into the room, towel held tightly around her wet body.

"Cath now I feel underdressed. Trade places?"

"Well to make things even I should really sit here and watch you dress." The older woman said with a glint in her eye.

"It was an accident!" The brunette protested.

"Oh yeah sure, just like Bush was 'accidentally' elected and became president. I know your game Sidle, 2 truces and a bottle of syrup and suddenly you think you can treat me like a piece of meat." She pouted, and tipped her head to the side waiting for the indignant brunettes response.

"Cath, I'm a vegetarian!"

And there it was. Catherine smiled, Sara was getting flushed. "I'll be in the bathroom."

Sara, let the towel drop to the floor and walked over to the wardrobe that Catherine had been hiding in. She bent down and picked up a pair of her pants scrunched up on the floor. She closed her eyes and took a deep, calming breath. Forget it. It doesn't matter now. She tossed them on the bed and grabbed an oversized jumper and some brown cord flared trousers. Catherine stood against the bathroom door listening to Sara move around the room. She held her breath and jiggled the handle, the door swung open before she could retrieve her hand and came face to face with a grinning Sara. "Nice try Cath."

"Was I that predictable?"

"Just a little." She smirked turning around and throwing on her coat. "I don't know about you but I'm ravished. Breakfast?"

"Breakfast sounds good."

The two women walked out onto the concrete training field and joined the rest of the teams, awaiting the arrival of the course leader. Sara looked over at Catherine shivering and saw that yet again the older woman had not dressed for the weather. "You'll never learn will you?" She said as she shrugged off her jacket and wrapped it around the blonde.

"I'm fine. I don't need your jacket." She said stubbornly.

"Ok. Fine. Don't say I didn't at least try." Sara took the jacket back and buttoned up, shoving her hands deep in her pockets.

Catherine faced the scowling brunette and said "You'll never learn will you?"

Sara's brow creased in confusion, her cheeks pink from the cold. "What now?"

"When I rebuke your offers for help, I'm just being a stubborn old wretch and actually really appreciate your kind thoughts." She raised her eyebrows and smiled sweetly. "Sara, can I have your jacket….. I'm freezing my tits off here."

"I can see that." The brunette blushed at her comment and backtracked, "I mean you've got goose pimples."

"Yeah, two of them." The blonde laughed.

Sara blushed harder and helped Catherine into the jacket. She took one of her hands and rubbed it between her own. "Sorry, I had cold hands" her eyes twinkled.

"Oh nice Sidle, and there's me thinking you were being sweet and warming me up."

"You've got my jacket Willows, what more do you want? And I'm cold now." She faked a shiver and gave Catherine a doe eyed, forlorn expression.

The blonde reached over and rubbed the younger woman's arm unenthusiastically. "Better?"

"Oh yeah sure Willows. You're a scientist, do YOU think that you caused enough friction to generate heat?" She drawled with sarcasm, crossing her arms and turning away.

"Awwww Miss Grumpy is back, I've missed her." Catherine gave Sara's arm a light squeeze and whispered in her ear, "Thank you Sara."

Both women smiled at each other, enjoying the banter. They were standing much closer than all the other CSI's. Sara put a hand lightly on Catherine's back and steered her towards the growing crowd of people at the other end of the enclosure. A man was standing at the front of the group, wearing a massive ski jacket, over a militant suit. His face was aged by the harsh weather and his voice rose above the noise from the people surrounding him.

"Ladies, gentlemen. Today is the first official day of your survival course. You will be encouraged to work together, but obviously it is left down to you how you handle each individual challenge. The evenings will be your own to do with as you please, feel free to make good use of our on camp and off camp facilities, but be warned you will have some pretty early starts so I recommend not over doing it." He paused and scanned the group. "Some of you seem to be pretty geared up for these cold northern temperatures, others of you appear to need a nudge in the right direction. Today will be your first nudge. Most of you should already be partnered up, those who aren't see me after and I'll allocate you in pairs. Your first assignment today is simple. You will be given a choice of equipment, fabrics and boots and will be instructed to design and make a winter outfit for your buddy. Please take into consideration their size, shape, style and the conditions you will be working in. Those of you who are inexperienced in this area, or who just require help we will have a selection of talented officers who can assist you during the day. Any questions?" He was met with silence. "Ok then. Dismissed."

Catherine and Sara turned towards each other. They were about to get up close and VERY personal! This was not good.