A/N: I'm too depressed to write more. I programmed my VCR to tape the season finale of CSI and Without a Trace. I double checked forty times, then finally went to sleep (I work nights and sleep in the evenings.) I woke up and everything was blinking! The power went off at some point because of a storm. I'm devastated! Forgive me, if there are too many errors. Barely holding it together here.

My Best Enemy

Chapter Seven

CSI Lab…

"You look like shit. What in the hell happened to your hand?" Catherine demanded as Sara entered the break room for assignments.

"Nothing."

"That looks like more than nothing, Sara." She motioned to the well bandaged hand.

Great. The last thing Sara needed was Catherine's nose in her business tonight. "It's just a few cuts, if you must know."

"Well, I should know, being that this is Grissom's off night and I'll be assigning the cases tonight. Obviously, you aren't going to be much use in the field, which could be a problem since it's Warrick's night off also."

Shit! Sara had forgotten that Grissom was off tonight. She never forgot his work schedule. And, she hadn't even thought about needing her hand before she put it through the mirror. She was losing it.

Several hours later…

Thankfully, it was a slow night in Vegas. Sara got stuck with logging in evidence, restocking supplies and completing purchase orders. Putting all that Harvard education to use. On the hand, it helped her avoid Catherine's prying and gave her time to think.

There were two things she knew with certainty, she concluded. One was that she fucked up big time with Dana.

Her friend had been right accusing Sara of leading her. She knew that she did not want a relationship with Dana, other than friendship. But, the flirting was fun and supposedly harmless. Although, Dana kept things light, Sara knew that she was courting her - and allowed it. Silence is a sign of acceptance. It was hurtful and selfish.

Sara could not help herself; no one had ever paid much attention paid to her in the past. So she let it continue.

Dana had been attentive, thoughtful and not afraid to be affectionate in public. Finally, someone was looking at her the way men always look at Catherine. Sara felt …attractive. Dana noticed everything about her, like if she trimmed her hair or if she wore a new blouse. The little things.

Dana was clear in her intentions - the complete opposite of Grissom.

Grissom.

The only other certainty was that she loved Grissom. God help her. She just didn't know what to do about it anymore. The close encounter with Dana left her shaken and unsure of her capacity to commit. She wasn't sure a relationship with Grissom wouldn't wind up another failed statistic.

Contemplating her ability to remain monogamous while labeling the evidence strewn across the trace table, she felt a presence.

"You're not supposed to be in here." Sara pointed a gloved finger in irritation.

"My apologies." Officer Hayden backed up to the doorway. "Will you step out for a minute? It'll only take a few minutes, tops."

"All right, but make it quick." Sara warned as she carefully removed her latex gloves and tossed them into the trash.

"I uh…think we got off to a bad start."

"You think?"

"Look, I'm sorry I offended you that night. I got carried away."

"I'll say. You morphed into a damned octopus. Your hands were everywhere."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry." She eyed him warily; he could tell she was not convinced. "I really am sorry." He added.

"Okay. Apology accepted."

"I appreciate it. I I-uh, it's just that you make me nervous and I sort of had to find my courage to approach you in a bottle. I guess I took it too far. Yeah, I took it too far."

She raised an eyebrow in interest, feeling slightly guilty and oddly flattered when Tim's head went down in embarrassment. "Anything else?"

"Would you uh, would you like to go out with me? Like have dinner or something?"

"Huh?" Totally caught off guard by the invitation, Sara stumbled.

"Sara, you are beautiful, dedicated to the job and totally intimidating..."

"Umm…Thanks? Look, Officer Hayden-."

"Tim."

"Tim, thank you, but I'm kinda seeing someone right now." Saying the first thing that came to mind.

"So, you are a lesbian?" His raised voiced sounded incredibly loud in the quiet hallways.

"Keep your voice down and that's none of your dammed business!" She snapped.

"So, you're really dating Karlin?" He went from polite to angry in seconds.

This was a switch, forever; people thought she didn't date because she was screwing the boss- if only! Now, it was because she was seeing Dana. Which she wasn't …until last night. Sadly, he latter was a more realistic possibility than being with Grissom.

"Again, none of you're business. If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

"If you're a dike just say so and -" Grabbing Sara's arm to stop her movement.

"Don't touch me!" Her own voice loud enough to draw attention now. "Doesn't matter, anyway, I wouldn't be caught dead with you!" Pulling her arm free. She knew there would be a bruise there tomorrow.

Tim opened his mouth to speak but suddenly lurched forward. "Shit! Watch where the fuck you are going!" He yelled as metal supply cart came in sharp contact with his shin.

"Dude, I didn't even see you." Greg offered as an apology.

"Watch where you the hell you're going, Sanders! Fucking nerds!" He threw a disgusted glance at both Greg and Sara before limping away.

"Nice save, Greggo. My hero!" Batting her eyelashes.

"Aw, shucks, it was nothing ma'am." The lab tech slurred in a Southern drawl. "What was with him anyway? Doesn't he know that lesbians are hot?"

"Ugh! I take it all back."

"Just kidding -well, kind of. He was pretty pissed."

"It was nothing. He asked me out," Greg's eyes bugged. "An invitation that I not so gracefully declined. End of story." Trying not to be irritated that Greg was surprised that someone asked her out.

"Okay. Any way, be careful Sara, I hear he's got a temper."

"No kidding." Sara rubbed her arm. "Everything's fine, Greg. Go find someone else to assault with your cart." Happy that the scene was over. Thank God, Grissom was off tonight.

Greg smiled in response and headed off, bouncing down the hall.

By the time Sara was ready to clock out, she'd reached some resolution. She would fix things with Dana. Her friendship with the cop was one of the bright spots in her life these days. Sara would also slow down her pursuit of Grissom. She needed to be absolutely sure her attraction would never waiver once they committed. She knew this was Grissom's greatest fear, she would never purposefully betray him.

Dana's Apartment…

Sara knocked on the metal door and second time, wondering if Dana would answer.

"What's up?" Dana kept her face expressionless, making it impossible for Sara to gauge whether or not her visit was welcome.

"I -uh…I brought breakfast." Sara held up a six pack of beer and a pizza.

Dana studied Sara several minutes before moving to a side to allow Sara to enter. "It's nine o'clock in the morning. Where in the hell did you find a pizza shop open this early?"

Sara smiled in relief. Everything would be okay. "You're not the only one with connections."