A/N: This story has been difficult for me to write, for some reason. The basic plot is complete, it's the filler areas that stump me at times. Hopefully, this chapter flows better, a little wordy, though. Again, it's mostly set up. Hang in there, it will get better. This will be AU, since I'm not following any specific timeline from the show. Thanks for the faithful readers and reviews. Oh, and I don't own CSI.

My Best Enemy

Chapter Two

She was on his shit list - again.

Sara wondered what she did wrong this time as she sifted through the remains of a DB found expired in his hot tub. Apparently, the tub's automatic shut off malfunctioned and the poor guy had been soaking for days before a concerned neighbor came by to check on him.

She didn't understand what happened between her and Grissom. They had been working well together for the last several weeks. The negative strain seemed to have lessened, while the sexual tension kicked up a notch. Grissom had been warm, talkative and even flirty. Not to mention that there had been some major personal space violation between them.

It was like old times. Then yesterday, Grissom barely says two words to her and sends her out on a Trick Roll. Alone. And tonight, Soup Guy. Obviously she was being punished.

Why did she always fall for his temporary charm? Sara should have known better than to get her hopes up, thinking that Grissom had finally figured out what to do about them. But he started it! Smiling at her. Assigning them to work together. Grissom even took her hand in front of the guys. She'd hoped he decided that she was worth the risk after all. What was she supposed to think? God! The man was confusing. If she wasn't so use his drastic changes in behavior, Sara would think that he was on acid or some other hallucinogen.

Sara was still waging an inner war when Catherine walked up join her on the victims back patio.

"How's it going?" Catherine asked, wrinkling her nose in disgust.

Sara shrugged. "Fine. You're in the doghouse too?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Are you being punished? Is that why you are here?" Sara questioned while scooping out pieces of (…well you get the picture.) Normally, Sara would have kept her discontent to herself but if anyone knew what in the hell was wrong with Grissom, it was Catherine.

Catherine laughed out loud. "You think Grissom sent you here because he's pissed off at you?" Catherine stopped laughing when Sara did not respond. "Sara, it's just a case, somebody had to take it."

The older woman watched Sara continue to fill several containers, then donned on her own elbow high gloves and joined her.

"You know, Sara, we all heard about the other night." Catherine treaded carefully.

"What about the other night?" Sara asked but already knew what she was referring to.

"Grissom knows." Catherine emphasized, ignoring Sara's feigned oblivion. "What were you thinking, Sara? Hanging out with those guys? Bad news travels faster than the speed of light around here. New friends are great to have, but be careful."

"Dana has nothing to do with this. And what do you mean, 'what was I thinking?' I am a grown woman and I can go out with whomever I please. I don't need permission from you and certainly not from Grissom!" Sara shot back, not liking the disapproving tone in Catherine's voice.

"Okay, okay." Catherine held up her hands in mock surrender, ending the conversation.

Sara continued her work in silence and took the opportunity to reflect over that night.

Dana had finally convinced Sara to go out with her. They had been hanging together for several weeks, going to the movies or at their apartments, but never to a bar or club.

Dressed in black leather pants and matching leather crop top. Minus the whip, Sara felt like Lady Heather as she entered a club in the heart of the Strip. She wondered if Grissom would have appreciated her get up. But the night wasn't about Grissom, it was about living and having fun.

Ironically, it must have been 'Civil Service' night, because half of the police force, fire department and EMTs were present - including Hank. It took Dana pleading for ten minutes and a promise of unlimited free drinks to get Sara to stay. Thankfully, she successfully avoided Hank with the precision and skill of negotiating a mine field.

The attention she received from other patrons was weird and surprisingly nice but mainly made Sara feel uncomfortable. When she eventually gave in and accepted an offer to dance, the guy, Officer Hayden she remembered, was all over her. After his slimy hands snaked low beneath her waist for the third time, Sara shoved him hard and left the dance floor. Feed up, disgusted and ready to go, Sara searched the large club until she found Dana draped over some cop. Sara let her know that she was leaving and caught a cab home.

End of story.

By the time she made it in for her next shift, Sara had heard a hundred different versions of her night out. Figures, she concluded as they wrapped up their processing.

"Catherine?" Sara waited until she closed the hatch of the Tahoe before continuing. "Was he very…upset? I mean…nothing happened." Her voice petered off. Sara was irritated that she felt the need to explain herself and that she still cared what Grissom thought about her. Well, face it, she would always care what Grissom thought about her. More so, she wanted to know if he was jealous. If this was the reason he was pissed off with her, then that must at least mean that he had some feelings on the matter.

"You know Grissom. Didn't really say much, but from the amount of frost he's been throwing off, I'd say he was…upset. Don't worry, he'll get over it."

"Get over what, Catherine? That I was hanging out with the enemy? Brass is PD and Grissom is with him all the time."

"I think there's a difference. Grissom's not dating Brass."

"So, I went to club and danced with a cop, it was nothing. You act like it was a Roman orgy. I didn't even have fun. The place should be written up for poor air ventilation."

"Sara, maybe you two should try actually talking to one another. You'd be surprised what you can learn."

CSI Lab…The next evening…

Sara was finishing up the evidence logs for her case when Grissom stopped in the Layout Room doorway. He watched her for several minutes, chanting Catherine's words from earlier in his head. "Take a chance." She advised over a Southwestern omelet and highball at Grissom's place after shift. "Make sure you have a life to come home to when this job is over. I think you have a good shot…if you take the chance."

Though he and Catherine never directly spoke about Sara, Grissom knew that his long time friend was too observant to have not picked up on his feelings for Sara by now. This morning, Catherine had been purposefully cryptic and unusually vague during her pep talk. Obviously, she knew something. Had Sara confided in her? Maybe it wasn't too late? 'I think you have a shot' she'd said. Maybe he did.

"Big plans for the weekend?" Grissom asked after clearing his throat nervously.

Here we go. Sara wondered how long or if Grissom would ever discuss why he was angry with her. She had this speech all worked out. How it was none of his business what she did on her personal time and so on. However, her well thought out words dissolved when she turned to find Grissom mere inches away. When had he gotten so close? Damn, he was distracting.

"No. You?" Sara returned, cautiously.

"Not exactly. I was wondering if you-." The shrill beep of Sara's pager interrupted him.

Sara snatched the offensive item from her belt clip and quickly silenced it. "Just Greg. Go on…You were wondering?"

"Yes… I… would you, by chance, be interested in -." Sara's pager beeped again. "You better go and see what he wants." Grissom advised and vacated the office. Practically ran, as far as Sara was concerned.

"This better be good, Greg!" Sara muttered out loud. Damn, I think he was going to ask me out.

Sara's apartment…Several evenings later…

"So, what's the deal with you and Grissom?" Dana asked as she stuffed her mouth full of pizza.

"What do you mean?"

Dana shot Sara an irritated glance.

Sara sat back and sighed heavily. She knew what Dana meant. Hell, everybody wanted to know the same thing and never asked.

How could she answer that question when she had no clue herself what was going on? Grissom had been acting weird around her ever since he tried to ask her out. Or at least that's what Sara hoped he'd been trying to do. She could feel him staring all the time and he seemed to not mind when Sara moved in close to him. Grissom always looked like he was on the verge of saying something, but changed his mind at the last minute. Maybe Catherine spoke to him about the scene at the club? Still, he had yet to make a move.

Speaking of Catherine, she seemed to be hovering more than usual lately. She was up to something. Maybe she was influencing Grissom's moves lately? Hmmm.

Dana studied Sara, the inner debate evident on her face. "Okay," letting Sara off of the hook - somewhat. "So, you've got a thing for your boss. Nothing to be ashamed about."

"I'm not ashamed." Sara snapped. "I don't even know what you are talking about."

"Please, I see the way you ogle him."

"I do not ogle Grissom."

"Hey, I'm totally cool with it. I'm just saying. You need to be more aggressive if you want to get laid." Dana watched Sara digest her advice. "Hey Sara, you going to the Policeman's Ball?" Effectively changing the subject to Sara's relief.

"No. CSI doesn't attend those things."

"Why not?"

"Too much testosterone amongst those uniforms for us science geeks. You going?"

"I will if you go with me."

"No way. Uh-uh. I got nothing but grief after our last outing."

"Come one, it'll be fun. We'll get dressed up, make an appearance and the hit the Strip."

"Thanks, but no thanks."

"Sara, you can't sit at home forever waiting for Grissom to make a move on you. Be aggressive."

Sara tossed the idea around. She'd never been to any of the Vegas PD social events. "Maybe. If I do, I'm not staying."

"It's settled then. Yes!" Dana said pumping her arm up and down.

CSI…at few nights later…

"Sara! Tell me it's not true!" Greg whined as he entered the break room.

"What now, Greg?" Sara petted Greg's head as he sank onto the couch next to her.

"Tell me you re not attending the Policeman's Ball, Friday."

Nick, Warrick, Catherine and Grissom looked up in interest.

"Actually, I am. Dana and I are going for a minute, then head down to the Strip." Unsure of why she felt the need to explain.

"CSI doesn't go to those, Sara. First the club and now this, you've gone to the other side."

"Greg, the invitation is to all LVPD personnel. You are more than welcome to attend." Grissom stated. He was surprised that Sara was attending, but relieved that she was going with another female.

"You gonna wear a dress, Sara?" Nick wanted to know.

"More like a gown, right Sara." Catherine questioned hopefully. "You know, I could help you find the perfect gown."

"I just may take you up on that offer."

"You? In a dress? No way! Fifty bucks says you won't wear one!" Greg bet.

"You're on!" Sara accepted the wager.

"Count me in on that one." Warrick smiled lazily.

"You don't think I'll do it, Warrick?" Sara challenged.

"I know you better than that, Girl. I'll be taking Greg's money to teach him a lesson."

"Thanks."

"You'll have to come here and show us." Nick laid the ground rules.

"I will."

"What time?" Everyone turned to Grissom. It was the first interest he'd shown on the topic. He shifted nervously. "To make sure that we're not in the field."

Grissom knew his reasoning was lame but he'd be damned if Sara Sidle would wear a damn ball gown and he wouldn't be around to see it. Hell, if he didn't think he'd draw too much attention to himself, he would bring a camera and take pictures.

"Right." Catherine frowned, watching Grissom closely. His interest was obvious to her keen eye. Well, she would make damn sure Grissom got an eyeful.

"Eight o'clock." Sara decided.