Title: Drinking to forget her
Summary: What if Grissom had been preoccupied at the end of shift in 'Bloodlines? And the only person there for Sara was a senior CSI? (F/F)
Spoiler: Set during blood lines with references to an earlier season 4 episode
Disclaimer: CSI is the respective property of CBS and Anthony E. Zuicker. None of the characters are mine, no matter how hard I wish.
Rating: PG-13
Note: This story contains Femslash. If you don't like it don't read it. I've given fair warning, so if you read it and suddenly realize that Catherine and Sara are acting unusual don't flame me. Constructive criticism is welcome.
Catherine sat in Grissom's office finishing paperwork before her shift ended. The younger CSI members had all ended the shift earlier and Grissom and Brass were working on a new case. She was just finishing the paper work on the 'Chimera' case when Grissom's phone rang.
"Hello? Is that Doctor Grissom?" A young man asked hesitantly.
"No. This is CSI Willows. Can I help you?" Catherine replied.
"I have a CSI Sidle here with me downstairs in the lobby. I pulled her over in her car, she was over the limit..."
"What?" Catherine shrieked.
"I...I need to inform her supervisor ma'am."
"I'm a senior CSI. I'll make sure Doctor Grissom finds out, I'll be down in just a sec."
Catherine ran from her office and into the elevator to go down to the lobby. When she walked up to Sara and the young officer she frowned. "How the hell could you be so stupid?" She was red in the face from anger and Sara couldn't look her in the eye.
"I'm letting her off with a warning...this time. They've just lowered the limit."
"Thank you officer." Catherine thanked him and then turned her attention to Sara when he left.
"Grissom gonna be pissed." She folded her arms over her chest as she stood over the younger brunette.
"Think he'll even notice?" Sara muttered bitterly. Catherine sighed and shook her head. "He notices you Sara. He's just too dumb to tell you. C'mon, I'll give you a ride home."
Sara trailed her feet as they walked to Catherine's car. She knew the senior CSI was disappointed in her. Then of course she was Sara Sidle; she was always letting herself down, never mind others. Everyone she knew could describe her in the same three words, perfectionist, workaholic and stubborn. No one thought of her as a human woman, she was just a work-obsessed perfectionist who had a crush on Gil Grissom. People really didn't know her, but then why would they? She never let anyone in close enough to find out who she was.
When Catherine drove passed the turn off for Sara's home she finally broke the uncomfortable silence that had filled the car. "You missed the turn." Catherine shook her head.
"I don't want you on your own tonight. You can stay over at my place." Sara was about to argue when Catherine shook her head.
"Sara, you may be stubborn, but I'm obstinate. So don't bother arguing." Sara closed her mouth and lay her head on the cool glass of the passenger window.
When they entered Catherine's house she explained that Lindsay was at a friends house for the night and then she ushered Sara into the living room while she made coffee. "Are you going to tell Grissom?" Sara asked meekly as she took her coffee from Catherine's hand.
"I have to Sara...Look, Brass told me something a while ago. It was when you were working on that case with the husband and wife lying on the drive of their home." Sara nodded. She knew Brass couldn't keep his mouth shut.
"I guess Jim's been telling tales." She muttered bitterly. "I explained it to him. I had a beer at breakfast to help me unwind and then I got called in. It was only one beer Catherine!"
"Maybe you should talk to someone. Like a councillor." Sara laughed and shook her head at the irony of her suggestion.
"I can't even talk to my colleagues, how the hell would I talk to a stranger?" She pouted and sunk back on Catherine's couch. Catherine placed a hand on her leg and squeezed it gently.
'We're more than colleagues Sara. We're friends. If you ever need to talk...I know Grissom ignoring you can be..." Sara shook her head and let tears roll down her cheeks.
"It hasn't been about Grissom in a long time." She avoided Catherine's gaze as she spoke and the older woman used her thumb to brush away the tears from Sara's cheeks.
"Talk to me Sara."
"I...I can't. You wouldn't understand."
"Sara, something you and Gil don't seem to realize is that you're both human, just like the rest of us. We all need a shoulder to cry on." Catherine embraced the younger woman as se burst into tears.
"I'm mhpin mhump mhhip mu." Sara murmured into Catherine's shoulder. She drew back with her arms still around Sara to hear what she had said.
"What was that?"
Sara dropped her gaze once more as she repeated the sentence. "I'm...in...love...with..."
"He'll notice you, Sara. He'd be a damn fool not to."
"This isn't about Grissom!" Sara shouted and then stopped as she realized what Catherine had said to her.
"You're beautiful and strong Sara, don't ever forget that." Her gaze was burning into Sara as she spoke.
Sara exploded inside. She was sick of everyone still thinking she was besotted with Grissom. She'd gotten over him a long time ago. Even when she'd heard him talking to Vincent Lurie she'd felt nothing. It wasn't Grissom she wanted. Leaning forward she captured Catherine's lips and sighed as she kissed her back.
"I said I'm in love with you." Sara mumbled as they broke for air. Catherine's eyes were aflame with emotion as Sara spoke the words she'd waited to hear for so long. Sara smiled as Catherine repeated the words. As they kissed for a second time Sara knew she'd finally found someone to let in and get to know the real Sara Sidle. The one who was in love with Catherine Willows and drank to forget that painful fact. Sara made a decision as Catherine's tongue gently caressed her own. She was going teetotal. She didn't need to drink anymore. She had something much better.
When Grissom returned to his office in the morning he noticed a young police officer standing outside. "Doctor Grissom? Uh, I forgot to give you CSI her badge back. I'm real sorry." Grissom raised his eyebrow at the young officer as he handed him Sara's badge. "I guess your colleague hasn't had a chance to tell you. I pulled her over last night for being a little over the limit...uh, a CSI Willows said she'd take care of her." Grissom nodded and thanked him politely.
As soon as Grissom was alone in his office he picked up the phone and dialled Catherine's house. Catherine picked up on the third ring.
"Why didn't you tell me Sara had been pulled over last night?"
"Morning to you too Grissom." Catherine's exhausted voice replied. "She had too much too drink. Don't worry. I took care of her. We'll talk when I get in later. Bye." When she hung up Sara wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close for a kiss.
"We've still got a while before work, if you want to take 'care' of me again." She wore a sly grin as she spoke and Catherine smiled.
"I think I couldn't manage. You know why?"
"Why?"
"Because I love you Sara."
Fin
