Just a short chapter this time, but I promise the next one will be longer.


Part Two

Picking up my keys I get out the door and head to the car before I have time to stop and think about what I'm about to do, or more accurately, talk myself out of it. Once I'm in the car I put the radio on in hopes of a distraction but no, just songs I don't like on every station. I decide to turn it up really loud anyway, so I can't hear myself think, that's a good thing right now, I don't want to think, thinking...bad, loud music...good.

The drive takes seems to take forever, all the lights are red and if the traffic was going any slower it would stop. After what seems like days, I arrive at the lab and stop the car, I'm shaking, why am I shaking? Damn, I hate her for having this affect on me, for making me feel like a hormonally charged teenager with a crush.

This is going well, I've been sitting in the car for about five minutes, should probably work on that. Getting out of the car would be good. Why the hell am I so nervous? She's my friend for God sake. My friend who I just happen to be head over heels in love with. The same friend who doesn't know I'm in love with her and could possibly freak when she finds out. Okay, not helping with the nervousness.

'Come on, get a grip' I say to myself. This seems to bring me to the realisation I'm being an ass. Thankfully this gives me a renewed sense of confidence. One I know will disappear as soon as I see her, but still, it gets me moving and on my way to her office which is a big improvement on sitting in the car like a fool.

"Sara, what are you doing here?" I hear as I walk past Grissom's office.

I stand by the door and hold my hands up. "Not work related, just wanted to see Catherine, I'll be gone in twenty minutes."

"Good, I'll see you next week then. Catherine's in her office." He says going right back to his work.

I reach her office and my stomach starts lurching. Her door is open and she's engrossed in some paperwork so she doesn't notice me.

The sane part of my mind is screaming at me to turn right back around and leave and I'm just about to obey it when she looks up at me. Shit.

"Sara? Hi, I thought you were off work." She has this look on her face that lets me know she doesn't want my reason for being here to be official; she's getting as bad as Grissom.

"Hey Cath, you can relax, this is strictly a social visit, I am off work." This earns me a smile.

"In that case, it's good to see you, because as of about five minutes ago, I'm off work myself. Tonight is my night off." There's that smile again and I can't help smile back.

"So what have you been doing with your time off?"

"The usual, catching up with friends, relaxing."

"In other words, you've been bored senseless." She says laughing.

I love to hear her laugh, it's contagious, so I laugh as well. "Oh yeah, I've been going crazy."

"That's the thing about having a daughter; you don't have time to get bored."

"How is Linds?"

"She great, away with my sister for the week, which she's loving."

"Good, glad to hear it."

My nervousness returns with a vengeance as I remember why I'm here.

Okay, time for me to get to business. I'm here for a reason, so I should get to it...I really should. She's looking at me quizzically, probably wondering why I'm looking at her like an idiot, but not actually talking. The attention makes me blush; I can't believe the affect she has on me.

"Sara, are you okay? You look a little flushed." She walks around her desk looking concerned and places her hand on my forehead to check my temperature; not realising having her so close to me will only serve to raise it.

"Oh yeah, I'm fine." Quick, think of something to say. "I just felt a little dizzy for a second, it's gone now." It's a lie of course, but it's not like I'm just going to blurt out the truth.

"Are you sure?" She doesn't look satisfied.

"Yeah, really, I'm good." She removes her hand and steps back a little, helping me regain some composure and I manage a smile, this seems to reassure her a little. "Well you look a little better so I'll take your word for it." Thank God for that.

"Anyway, now that I've finished almost passing out in your office, I'll get to the reason for my visit." Okay, I can't do this; I can't just march into her office and profess my love. Shit, what am I going to do now?

I can't tell her how I feel now, I'm too scared, but I still want see her. I may go insane if I don't see her again for another week.

"Well since I've been bored witless I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me sometime this week?" Nice save Sara.

She's looking at me funny. I have no idea what she thinking. Does she think I'm asking her on a date?

"You know, like a girl's night out or something." I clarify that before she gets the wrong idea, or in this case, the right one.

"Hmm, a girl's night out, now when was the last time I had one of those?"

She gets a faraway look on her face, no doubt remembering the last time she did have a girl's night out.

"You know what, I'd like that, and I can't remember the last time I got drunk." I bet she's adorable drunk

"Really?" I can't help the huge grin that plasters itself across my face at her acceptance.

"Yeah, why not? How about tonight? It is my night off after all."

"That sound like a plan to me. There's a club a few blocks from my apartment, I've never been, but I've heard good things."

I still have the huge grin on my face and I suspect that isn't going anywhere in a hurry.

"Okay, I'll be at your place about eight tonight. Now come on, you can buy me breakfast." She says as she's walking away from me, making her way out of the lab.

I'm right behind her. "Right, breakfast it is."


Thanks for reading.

I'd love some feedback.

Sam.

PS. Jellicos? Where's that 'Bugs' update?