Tension Break

By: Liv-x-Case-Benson & dcmasters

Ch. 14: Seeking Solace

Catherine stayed close to Sara all shift, stealing kisses every opportunity she had.

Sara smiled. "Dinner tonight?" she asked once they were alone.

Catherine smiled. "That would be lovely."

Sara picked up a pick of cloth that had caught her eye across the room. "Cath, spatter over here under the shirt. Don't think it's exactly cast off..."

Catherine walked over. "Good spot," she smiled, examining the cloth, turning it over, "Ahh... a bloody fingerprint."

"Got tape?" she smirked as she felt a drop on her head, she looked up, gasping at the red goop dripping down. Feeling her hair, she got some on her fingers. "I think we've got another body..."

Catherine looked up and grimaced. This was going to be grim. "Can you photograph the ceiling and I'll check it out?"

Sara nodded, getting out of the range of spatter, pulling out her camera. "Be careful," she said, snapping shots.

Catherine smiled, kissing Sara's cheek as she ascended the staircase. She made a left turn into the next room which she figured was above the living room and pushed the door open the whole way with her foot.

Two bodies lay in a bath of blood. By the look of their injuries, the perp had drained the blood from their bodies and then lay them in the bath. One a man in his twenties, the other a teenage girl. The girl was the image of Lindsay. She felt bile rise and made it to the corridor just in time to be sick.

Sara ran up. "Catherine!"

"I'm alright," she insisted, wiping her mouth on her sleeve.

Sara nodded. "Do you want me to call someone else to help?"

Catherine shook her head. "Blood's my thing. I need to do this."

Sara held her hand tightly. "I'll go with you."

Catherine nodded, entering the bathroom once more. Instead of focusing on the bath, this time she took time to photograph the rest of the room.

Sara nodded. "Looks like multiple stab wounds."

Catherine nodded. "With cast offs around the bath. There's going to be both lots of DNA..."

Sara took to bagging the bloodstained clothes and trinkets.

Catherine finally brought herself to look at the victims. "Such a waste."

"Yeah, of life..." she said with a sigh.

Catherine stroked the hair of the young girl with a sigh.

"Hey, if you want to spend tonight with Lindsay, go ahead."

Catherine hesitated. "You could join us?"

"Really? How is that a good idea? We don't really do anything except..."

Catherine sighed. "I just thought it would be nice if I cooked."

Sara smiled. "Sure."

"Really?" Catherine smiled.

"Why not?"

Catherine kissed Sara gently. "Great!"

Sara smiled. "Are you sure you're ok?"

"I'll be fine. I just need to get out of here."

Sara nodded. "I'll finish taking pictures and collect obvious fibers. You can go see what's left downstairs, ok?"

Catherine nodded, kissing the brunette's cheek. "Thanks," she said softly as she left.

Sara finished photographing the bodies and bagging and capping the other small remnants.

Catherine double checked downstairs to make sure they hadn't missed anything, then waited for Sara at the base of the stairs.

Sara walked down a few minutes later, her kit and numerous bags in her hands. "Have you called them to come grab the bodies?"

"Yes, all sorted. You want a hand?"

"Sure, thanks," she said, handing her the bags.

Catherine smiled, taking them to the car with her kit. "You want to drive?" she asked. No one ever drove Cath's car.

"Uh, m-me?" she asked in surprise.

"Yes," the older CSI replied, holding the keys out to Sara, "I... I can't focus."

Sara nodded, taking the keys and hugging her gently. "You want to stop by and see her before we go back?"

"Is that ok?" Catherine sighed.

Sara smiled. "Sure. I'll just let him know," she said, texting Grissom that they were taking fifteen minutes before coming back in.

"Thank you," Catherine smiled.

Sara nodded, putting her kit in back before getting in.

Catherine sighed, getting in slowly.

Sara held her hand tightly. "It's going to be ok."

Catherine nodded, kissing Sara's hand.

Sara kissed her gently.

Catherine kissed back softly. "Let's go."

"I'll need directions..."

"Oh, yeah, sorry," Catherine smiled, before reeling off the directions.

Sara nodded, pulling up to the school a few minutes later. "Do you want to go alone?"

"You can join me if you want."

"Okay," Sara said, killing the engine and getting out.

Catherine got out and made her way to Lindsay's class, knocking on the door.

Sara stood behind her as the door opened. "Yes?" the teacher asked.

"May I see Lindsay for a moment?" Catherine asked.

The teacher smiled. "Lindsay, someone is here to see you."

When Lindsay stepped outside, Catherine pulled her into a tight hug.

"Hi Mom!" she said, hugging her tightly.

"Hey!" Catherine managed, kissing Lindsay's forehead. "I love you."

"I love you too," Lindsay said.

"How about I cook us a nice meal tonight? Sara can come too if you want?"

Lindsay smiled. "Sounds good." She looked to Sara. "You'll come too?"

Sara nodded. "Of course."

"Ok. I'd better get back."

Sara hugged her tightly. "See you tonight."

Lindsay nodded, heading back toward class before turning around. "Mom... you don't have to worry about me, I'm ok."

Sara smiled.

Catherine kissed Lindsay's cheek before watching her go back inside.

"We should get back," Sara said.

Catherine looked over at Sara and nodded. "Yes, let's."

Catherine had driven herself to pick Lindsay up, agreeing Sara would arrive later. She spent some time helping Lindsay with her homework before preparing dinner. "Do you need a hand with anything else?"

Lindsay shook her head. "No, it's all done now."

"Are you sure it's ok for Sara to join us?"

Lindsay nodded. "Yeah, she's really nice."

Catherine smiled. "Can you wash your hands then set the table please?"

Again, she nodded, going over to wash her hands.

Catherine watched her then exhaled loudly trying to rid herself of nerves. She had no idea why she was so nervous.

Sara knocked on the door ten minutes later.

Catherine quickly pulled the door open with a smile. "Hi, come in."

Sara smiled, stepping inside. "Hi."

"Dinner will be about ten minutes," Catherine said, her hand brushing Sara's hip.

Sara hugged her gently.

Catherine buried her head against Sara's neck for a moment with a soft sigh.

The brunette smiled.

"Come through," Catherine smiled, leading Sara through to the dining room where Lindsay was putting the last few pieces of cutlery on the table.

"Hi Sara," Lindsay smiled.

Sara smiled. "Hey sweetie! How was school?"

"It was ok," Lindsay replied as Catherine went back to the kitchen, "So... Mom's been weird today."

"Weird how?" Sara asked, taking a seat at the table.

"Really... clingy. More than usual."

"We just had a rough day."

"Ok," Lindsay replied with a nod as Catherine returned.

She placed a plate in front of each of them. "I think I remembered how you like your steak."

Sara cut into it, taking a bite, smiling. "Very good."

Catherine smiled, grabbing her own plate and sitting next to Sara. At various times during the meal, Catherine slipped her hand onto Sara's thigh as Lindsay told them more about her day.

Sara rested her free hand over Catherine's as she ate.

Catherine wanted so desperately to rest against her lover, still shaken from their earlier discovery.

"Sara, do you have a boyfriend?" the young girl asked.

Sara blushed a bit. "No, I don't. Do you?"

"Maybe," Lindsay replied as Catherine raised an eyebrow, "Why don't you?"

"We just work too much," Sara said, holding Catherine's hand tightly.

Catherine squeezed Sara's hand as she swallowed herd. "Linds, honey... Sara doesn't have a boyfriend because... well... because she has me..."

Sara, surprised by the declaration, blushed.

Lindsay choked on her drink as she tried to swallow. "Oh.. I... ok..."

Sara reached over and patted her back. "Are you ok?"

"Oh, yeah, I'm good. Mom tells me something that makes me choke on my drink at least twice a week. The woman has excellent timing."

Sara smiled. "Yeah, she usually does."

"Oh, so it's two against one now?" Catherine asked. She was surprised her daughter hadn't noticed Sara had moved in, then again the majority of the time when they had a chance to spend the day together, with them both being on night shift, Lindsay was at school and Sara seemed to spend the most of her time at work anyway, unable to break the habit.

But Catherine didn't mind. She had something she'd wanted for a long time. A companion. Soul mate. Someone to share her fears and worries with, and hold her when she was upset. Someone to celebrate the happiness in life with.

Sara wrapped an arm around Catherine. "Well, you do have good timing."

Catherine smiled, leaning into her. She went to speak as the phone rang. "I'll get it!" Lindsay insisted, keen to get away from their conversation as she ran toward the phone.

"Sorry if I was a bit... open. I know we hadn't discussed it, but..."

Sara smiled, pulling Catherine toward her. "It's ok."

Catherine took the opportunity to kiss Sara gently. "You sure?"

Sara kissed her back.

"I'll take that as a yes," Catherine smiled.

"Mom!" Lindsay called.

Sara pulled away.

"Can I stay at Rebecca's tonight?" Lindsay asked. "It is Friday. Pleeeeeease?!"

Sara nodded. "I don't see anything wrong with it. But it's your mom's call."

"Alright, but finish your dinner first, then you'll have to pack a bag."

Lindsay nodded, hugging her. "Yes! Thank you!"

"You're welcome, " Catherine smiled, watching Lindsay go back to the phone. "You know... it's my night off... I hope you're not planning on listening to your scanner tonight..."

Sara smirked. "Nah, might curl up with something," she said as Lindsay sat back down.

Catherine smirked a little as she went back to her dinner.

Lindsay seemed to finish hers quicker than normal and put her plate in the sink then went to pack her things.

"What exactly are you planning on curling up with?" The older woman asked, turning to Sara.

"Well, I was hoping it would be someone..."

"Anyone I know?"

"You should. I'm looking right at her."

Catherine blushed a little as she smiled, tucking some hair behind Sara's ear.

Sara smiled, kissing Catherine's cheek.

"Rebecca doesn't live far so I shouldn't be gone long."

"Just be careful. I'll be here no matter how long it takes you," Sara said.

"I'm always careful," Catherine smiled.

Sara kissed her gently.

Catherine deepened the kiss.

Sara ran a hand through Catherine's hair.

Catherine gave a soft moaned, moving closer to the brunette.

Sara wrapped her arms around her.

"That's disgusting! Can we go already?" Lindsay asked from the doorway.

Sara pulled away laughing a bit. "You may think differently one day."

"I won't. Kissing is yuck!" Lindsay exclaimed as Catherine stood.

"I'll see you soon," she smiled at Sara as she grabbed her keys. "Come on kiddo."

Sara smiled as the two left. She went to quickly shower and change into the red lace Catherine had given her a month prior, relaxing on the bed.

Twenty minutes later, Catherine stepped back into the house. "Sara?" she called when she found the living room empty.

"Back here!"

Catherine smiled, heading toward the bedroom. "Sorry I took so long, there was an accident along the..." she stopped when she reached the doorway, her eyes running over Sara slowly.

Sara smirked. "Hi."

"H-hi..." she managed, approaching the bed.

Sara stood up, slowly stripping Catherine's jacket, then pulled har close, kissing her.

Catherine ran her fingertips lightly down Sara's arms, returning the kiss.

Sara moaned deeply, slipping her tongue into Catherine's mouth.

Catherine moaned as her tongue danced with Sara's, inching closer to her.

Sara's hands ran up and down her back.

Catherine shivered. "You look beautiful," she whispered into their kiss with a deep moan.

"You're amazing..."

Catherine pulled her top over her head to increase their contact. She loved the feel of Sara's skin against hers .

Sara moaned, kissing her neck.

Catherine gasped at the unexpected move which was quickly followed by a soft sigh as the older woman tilted her neck, allowing Sara greater access.

Sara pulled up, hugging her close.

Catherine's arms snaked around Sara's waist, her hands brushing the small of the brunette's back.

Sara purred by her ear.

Catherine's hands moved upward to unclasp Sara's bra, moving to kiss her neck gently.

Sara moaned gently.

Catherine smirked, beginning to nip just behind Sara's ear, slipping off the brunette's bra.

Sara's hands groped Catherine's back.

Catherine's nips became rougher, moaning.

Sara moaned.

Catherine pushed Sara down to sit on the bed, straddling her as she continued, squeezing the younger woman's breasts.

"Ohh..."

"Mmm," Catherine moaned, pulling back to kiss her passionately.

Sara moaned, kissing her back.

"I love you," Catherine moaned.

"I love you too."

"I... want..you..." Catherine managed between kisses as she deepened their kiss.

"I..need..you..so..bad. Hard," she moaned.

Catherine's hands rested on Sara's shoulders for a moment before pushing the brunette back against the bed. She trailed kisses down Sara's middle then back up again before taking her right nipple in her mouth.

Sara moaned, her hands, raking through Catherine's hair.

Her tongue flicked gently over the nipple as she slowly removed Sara's underwear, her touch light.

Sara squirmed underneath her. "T-take me however you want...I'm yours." For some reason, she couldn't get the feeling of wanting to to be dominated out of her system. She wanted it. Hard. Fast. Now. "Now! Please!"

Catherine smirked, pulling away. "Pick what you want," she said, indicating to their drawer.

Sara mearly ripped the harness from the drawer, becoming almost rage-filled as she fumbled for a vibrator that would fit it.

"Here..." Catherine smiled, helping after stepping into the harness. She secured the toy in place, then leant down to kiss the brunette deeply, toy rubbing against her clit.

Sara moaned, wrapping her arms tightly around Catherine's neck, biting her lip. "Please baby!"

Without waiting another second, Catherine inched inside her. "Like this?" she smirked, "God, you're wet..."

"Ohhh! Yes! Yes Cath..." she moaned. "I need you to make me come. Fuck me!"

Catherine thrust all the way in before pulling nearly all the way out, repeating the action several times. "Like this?" she smirked.

Sara moaned loudly.

Catherine moved Sara's arms above her head, pinning her wrists as she moved harder against her.

"Oh! Mmmm...yes! God yes!"

Catherine bit Sara's shoulder, growling as she increased speed, going deeper.

Sara pushed her away, getting to her hands and knees.

"Mmm," Catherine smirked, moving behind her, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Ohh. Yes. Wh-what?"

"Have you been bad?" she asked, going harder.

"Yes, v-very..." she moaned.

Catherine nipped down Sara's spine. "Maybe you need punishing then..." she replied. She pulled back so she could go deeper, harder with every move as she reached around to pinch Sara's clit.

Sara gasped loudly, moving back against her, roughly.

Catherine groaned as she watched her, her free hand moving to Sara's hip forcing her back quickly. "Mmm, so sexy..."

Sara moaned. "Yeah...you are."

Catherine pinched again, moving more roughly as she thrust harder.

"Oh...God..." she panted.

Catherine repeated the action, only faster. "Mmm.. Come for me..." she moaned.

Sara moaned louder. "T-turn it..."

"Oh, you mean like this?" Catherine smirked, turning the switch to high. She'd been waiting for her to ask.

Sara's entire body bucked back into her hard. "OH GOD! C-CAAAAAAATH!" she screamed, coming hard.

Already worked up, and feeling the vibration against her clit, Catherine was seconds behind her. "Mmm... SARAAAAA!" she screamed as she came, then turned it off as she rested against her back.

Sara, clumsily, lowered herself flat onto the bed, still shaking. "..Wow..."

Catherine moved back, shedding the toy before laying down, pulling Sara into her arms. "Mmm... so hot..." she whispered by Sara's ear.

Sara snuggled against her. "Yes you are."

"Feeling better?" Catherine smirked, kissing the brunette's head.

She nodded. "Much."

Catherine pulled her closer, tightening her hold. "Good."

"Don't let go."

"I'm not planning to. I love you."

Sara kissed her softly. "I'm cold."

Catherine smiled, kissing back as she pulled the covers around them. "Stay right here and I'll keep you warm."

Sara smiled. "Okay..."

The older woman kissed Sara gently. "Thank you for today."

"Anytime, baby."

Catherine smiled, rubbing Sara's cold arm. "You mean that?"

Sara nodded, snuggling closer for warmth.

"Is there anything you've want to ask me but haven't?"

Sara thought a moment. "Do you want me to stay?"

"Stay where exactly?" Catherine asked.

"Here. With you and Lindsay. Forever."

"Absolutely," Catherine replied without a moment of hesitation.

"I just don't want to be a burden."

"How on earth would you ever be a burden?"

"I don't know."

"Sara, ever since we... became closer.. I haven't felt this happy, this grounded in a long time."

"So...it's not just because of the marathon sex sessions?"

"It's so much more than that. For me anyway."

Sara nodded. "I believe you, but why?"

"Why is it more than just sex?"

"Yeah."

"Because you just... get me. You're always there for me, you care. I feel like for the first time in my life someone understands me," Catherine said, rolling away onto her side, unable to detect Sara's mood, "but if it's just about sex for you, then I'll accept that."

Sara pulled her close. "No! I mean, the very first time in my office, I-I thought it was, but... it's not."

"Promise?" Catherine whispered.

Sara cuddled close again. "I promise."

Catherine sighed with relief, pulling Sara's arms more tightly around her.

"Are you scared?"

"Yes," the older woman admitted.

Sara gently laid on top of her. "Why?"

"She can be.. hard work sometimes."

Sara nodded. "I think it'll be okay though."

Catherine smiled, looking up at her. "I'm sorry. I'm fine at work then when I get home I doubt everything."

"It's a different atmosphere."

"Yeah. The real world sucks sometimes."

Sara nodded, kissing her gently. "I know, but I'm not going away."

"You'd better not," Catherine smiled, "Are you feeling warmer?"

"Mhm."

"I quite like having you on top of me," Catherine replied, blushing when she realized how it sounded.

Sara kissed her sweetly. "Hmm," she said, kissing her neck.

Catherine purred, running her hands over Sara's back.

Sara smiled at her, wrapping her arms around Catherine's neck, kissing her again.

"Mmm..." she moaned softly.

"I love you."

"I love you too baby."

"Should we sleep?"

Catherine nodded. "Today has really taken its toll."

Sara nodded. "I know.."

Catherine kissed Sara's cheek gently. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"I love you so much!"

"I love you so much too."

Sara smiled. "What should we do?"

"Whatever you want."

Review thanks to: Gardenia2, csifan2002