TITLE: Its Gonna Be Love 1/6

AUTHOR: VanillaBug

RATING: NC-17/M for later chapters!

CATEGORY: Catherine/Sara Romance. Nothing but Fluff!

DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything!

SPOILERS: Nothing really

ARCHIVE: Only with Authors Permission: Catherine witnesses an event in her office that will forever change her relationship with Sara……………for the better!

Its Gonna Be Love 1/6

Sara Sidle dragged her exhausted body into the Crime Lab locker room. She had been working on a domestic violence case for the last 39 hours, stopping only for the occasional cup of coffee. After she confronted the husband with the indisputable evidence, he had no choice but to confess to the murder of his wife. Now, all Sara wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep for the next 2 days.

She grabbed her purse from her locker and headed to the door. For some unknown reason, she took a quick glance in the mirror before she headed out. Big mistake. She sighed as she came face to face with herself. Dark circles under her bloodshot eyes, messy hair and ghostly white face. Good God she need rest!

She headed out the locker room doors, passing by Catherine's office. Sara glanced through the windows and saw Lindsey sitting inside on the couch looking quite bored. At first, she was unsure whether or not to say something to the littlest Willow's. But noticing Lindsey's pouty mood, she decided it would be best to see what was going on.

"Hey Lindsey" Sara said sticking her head in the office.

"Hi Sara," she smiled weakly.

"Whatcha doing?" she asked walking into the office closing the door behind her.

"Waiting for Mom. She said give her a half hour, but that was four hours ago!"

"She's probably almost done. Don't worry about it," she said sitting down next to Lindsey.

"Yeah, I know. It's just boring! But, the cool thing is, Mom is taking my friend Shayla and I swimming tomorrow at the pool at the Palms! That is, if she ever gets out of here," Lindsey sighed

"Sounds like fun. The Palms pool is my favorite."

"Yeah," Lindsey replied rolling her eyes.

Even though Sara could barely keep her eyes open, she wanted to try and make Lindsey a little happier.

"Linds, I kinda got a huge favor to ask ya?" Sara said trying her best not to let her exhaustion show.

"Me?"

"Yeah, you goofball! Do you see any other Lindsey's in here?" she said rubbing Lindsey's head, scuffing her hair.

"But I'm 8! You sure I can help you?"

"Well, I was just wondering if I could hang out with you for awhile? I'm not really all that tired and I kinda don't wanna be alone. Is that cool?"

"HECK YEAH! Mom rented 'From Justin to Kelly' for me before we came here. You know the American Idol movie? She said she'd watch it with me, but we can watch it if you want."

Sara tried to hide her disgust at the movie Lindsey rented, and sound as excited as possible.

"I would love to!" she sighed forcing a smile.

Lindsey ran to her backpack, pulled out the DVD and skipped to the DVD player to put it in. Once the movie menu came up, she moved to sit next to Sara. She handed Sara the remote and she reluctantly pushed play.

A Little Over an Hour Later………..

Catherine Willows walked down the hall to her office after an incredibly long shift. She took Lindsey to rent a movie before she came, and had only meant to stay a half an hour, maybe hour tops. But that hour turned into six. Usually she didn't mind the over time, but she had Lindsey with her this time around. Greg check on her a little over and hour ago and said she was bored, but still alive.

Catherine was even temped to ask Sara to stay and help her with the case she was working on. But then she actually saw Sara. The brunette was walking out of one of the labs, looking like she hadn't slept in days. She was not about to ask her to stay after seeing her appearance. She loved her to much to do that.

She giggled at that last thought as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Over the past few months, she had said that statement to herself more and more frequently. To Catherine's surprise, Sara Sidle had gotten under her skin. She had let happen what she vowed never would. She fell in love with a co-worker. A straight, female co-worker to be exact. She was so stupid.

She pushed those thoughts out of her head as she opened the door to her office. She gasped and brought her hands to cover her mouth at the sight before her.

Sara was on the couch laying on her side facing the portable TV. Lindsey was snuggled with her back against Sara's chest. Sara's arm was wrapped protectively around Lindsey's waist, with her chin resting on top of Lindsey's head. Catherine stood there smiling at the two of them together. The two girls she loved. Catherine felt tears building in her eyes as she walked quietly over to the couch.

She knelt down in front of the couch, and placed a kiss on Lindsey's forehead. Lindsey stirred slightly but remain asleep. When Lindsey moved however, Catherine noticed that Sara's arm tightened around her daughters waist.

Catherine brushed the hair away from Sara's face. Staring at her beautiful sleeping form, at that moment, she realized that she wanted Sara in her life. In her daughters life. In their life.

She took a chance and leaned forward, resting her cheek on top of Sara's. She placed a kiss just in front of her ear and whispered,

"You are an amazing woman Sara Sidle."

She felt Sara's face move slightly, so Catherine pulled back so she was face to face with Sara as her brown eyes fluttered open.

"Good Morning sunshine," Catherine whispered, careful not to wake Lindsey.

"Catherine, hey," she yawned.

"I thought you went home hours ago?"

"I was on my way out and then I saw Lindsey. I just didn't want her to be alone," Sara replied kissing the top of Lindsey's head.

Sara looked back at Catherine as a tear fell from her eye.

"Catherine, I'm sorry, I know she's you daughter I have no right to ... " Sara started.

Catherine put a finger to Sara's lips to silence her.

"Shhhhhhh. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. Inside and out. I don't know anyone who would do something like that for my daughter. Thank you."

Sara looked into Catherine's eyes and saw something she had never seen before. Love. Not a friendly love, but a romantic love shared between two souls. No, she must be misreading something. Catherine didn't feel that way about her. Sara was just wishful thinking, or was she?

Catherine saw the look in Sara's eyes and realized her secret was out. But to Catherine's surprise, the look in Sara's eyes mirrored her own. There was no mistaking it, Sara had feelings for her too. It was then that Catherine let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.

She brought a hand to the side of Sara's cheek and brushed her hair back continually with her fingers. She leaned forward and placed a long kiss on Sara's cheek. Catherine pulled away slightly and rested her forehead against Sara's. She nuzzled Sara's nose, noticing the rapid breathing coming from Sara.

"Catherine?" she said barely above a whisper.

"Hmm"

"Kiss me," she whispered, her breath hitting Catherine's lips.

Catherine lifted her forehead from Sara's, and forced herself to open her eyes. She looked down at Sara, making sure she wasn't dreaming. Sara removed her hand out from under her head and placed it on the back of Catherine's neck.

"Kiss me," she repeated.

Catherine smiled and leaned down to Sara, their lips mere millimeters apart.

"Mommy?" Lindsey's voice interrupted.

Both woman sighed in disappointment as Catherine pulled her head away from Sara.

"Hey baby," she said kissing Lindsey's forehead.

"Sara stayed with me and kept me company. We watched 'From Justin to Kelly'," she said with a still sleepy voice.

Catherine smiled at the thought of Sara watching the cheesy movie with Lindsey.

"She did?" she questioned, looking into Sara's eyes, her thumb moving softly across Sara's face.

"Yeah, it was a lot of fun," Lindsey yawned," But we didn't finish the movie, did we Sara?" she asked turning herself over so she was facing Sara.

"No, we didn't. I'm sorry honey, I guess we must have been tired," Sara said rubbing Lindsey's back.

Catherine smiled as she got up and grabbed the DVD from the player.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep," Lindsey whispered, afraid Sara would be upset.

"Oh honey, I fell asleep too. It's okay," she said stroking Lindsey's hair.

Lindsey's eyes shot open as she flew off the couch. She ran over to Catherine and pulled her down to her level, whispering something in her ear. Sara eyed Lindsey suspiciously as she moved into a sitting position on the couch.

Catherine giggled and stood straitening herself back up.

"I think that's a great idea Lindsey."

Lindsey skipped back over and stood in front of Sara.

"Sara………um………..I was wondering if maybe………um……….. 'member when I told you mom was taking me swimming tomorrow?………um……….well……….I wanted to know if you wanted to come? I mean, mom might want someone to hang out with……….and…….…..um maybe after we swim and stuff, we could all watch the movie with my friend Shayla……….I mean….………. that is if you want to."

Sara smiled at Lindsey's innocent nervousness. She glanced up at Catherine, who seemed more nervous than Lindsey.

"Well, that depends. Do I have to just hang out with your mom, or can I hang out with you too?"

"You wanna hang out with me too?"

"DUH!" Sara replied

"Awesome! Yeah! You can hang out with me! SO AWESOME!" she almost yelled.

Catherine and Sara giggled at the little girl's excitement.

"Come on Linds. It's almost midnight and Shayla's mom is dropping her off at 10am. And although you may have slept, Mommy is dead tired." Catherine said gathering up the rest of Lindsey's stuff.

"She said she would come Mom," Lindsey replied.

"I heard sweetie. Now, come on, grab the rest of your stuff," she said handing the bag to Lindsey so the little girl could finish packing up.

Sara gathered up her purse and walked up to Catherine.

"Catherine, I'm sorry about what happened earlier," she said.

Catherine's head snapped up, her eyes meeting Sara's with a look of fear and disappointment.

"No, not that way Catherine," she said taking Catherine's hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. She leaned into Catherine and whispered "Sorry we didn't get to finish what we started."

"I'm ready Mom!" Lindsey said opening the office door.

Catherine smiled at Sara as they walked out the door. When they were in the hallway, Lindsey grabbed a hold of Sara's hand. Remembering where they were, Sara gave Catherine's hand a squeeze and tried to release their joined hands.

Catherine just glanced at Sara and shook her head in defiance. She squeezed Sara's hand tighter, as her other hand crossed in front of her, and covered their joined hands. Catherine placed her head on Sara's shoulder as the threesome walked out the front doors of the crime lab.