Sara was woken the following morning by a warm body fidgeting in her arms. The events of the night before were fresh in her mind and the concern from the previous night immediately came flooding back, she wished she could do more to take away Catherine's fear. Not yet ready to let her sleeping partner know she was awake until she had gathered her wits about her she remained still and kept her eyes closed. The smaller figure in her arms was however very clearly awake, she could feel the stomach muscles twitching under her hand and she had just pushed her butt back into Sara's pelvis creating a delicious feeling to settle in her stomach. Had that been intentional? It certainly felt like it had but was Catherine even aware of whose bed she was sleeping in? Whose arms were wrapped around her? She had been in a bit of an emotional state the night before and Sara couldn't be sure that she recalled what had happened. Taking a chance she moved her hand slightly higher on the woman's torso until it was resting just under her left breast. She immediately felt the previously fidgeting body instantly stiffen and the other woman hold her breath. Still mimicking sleep Sara kept her hand in its place, she knew what she was doing was wrong but she desperately wanted to keep this moment in her mind forever. How many opportunities would she have to hold Catherine Willows in her arms? She couldn't imagine very many scenarios where such a thing would happen. Sara felt her heart leap as Catherine's fingers very lightly traced over the hand now resting on her chest very close to her breast. Now that was intentional. Perhaps her fantasies weren't so farfetched. Perhaps Catherine was more receptive to the idea of being romantically involved with a woman than Sara had previously thought.
Deciding that she could either live her life in love with a woman who never knew and have her heart broken every time she saw her with a new lover or take a chance and see what would happen, she leant forward and very lightly brushed her lips over the exposed skin of Catherine's shoulder. There was no mistaking the intimacy of the kiss. Friends didn't kiss like that, and especially not after waking up in bed together. But she'd done it, she had taken the leap and so far she hadn't crashed. Catherine hadn't moved or said a word but she hadn't lept out of bed screaming at her for pulling such a move. That had to be a good thing right?
She didn't know whether Catherine was pretending to be asleep or just didn't know how to respond so Sara, feeling that now she'd made the initial leap she may as well go all out, brushed her nose against the sensitive skin behind Catherine's ear and whispered. "I know you're awake."
The response was immediate, Catherine's hand that had stilled over Sara's the moment her lips had touched her skin moved away instantly and she pulled herself away to the other side of the small bed. Sara watched as Catherine scrambled out of bed and ran into the bathroom without even looking at her once, it seemed as if the sound of Sara's voice had broken whatever spell had been cast over them and Catherine had bolted.
Had she freaked her out? Perhaps the kiss had been a step too far. Lying back on the bed she blew out a breath and rested her hands over her face berating herself for being such an idiot. She had gone too far and had made Catherine feel uncomfortable. She'd just have to apologise and hope that Catherine would accept it and not report her to Ecklie or Grissom for inappropriate behaviour.
She was still lay in the same position when the bathroom door reopened and Catherine emerged, her gaze still avoiding Sara. Moving her hands from her face Sara watched as she moved to the drawers and grabbed some clean underwear and clothes before going back to the bathroom, pausing in the doorway briefly before shaking her head and going back in, once again closing the door. This was going to be incredibly awkward. How were they supposed to share a room for another 3 nights if Catherine couldn't even look at her?
When Catherine next emerged, freshly showered and fully dressed, Sara was sitting on the end of her bed waiting. Catherine's eyes briefly glanced at her before they moved away and she went to her side of the room and began drying her hair at the vanity. Sara, knowing it was a delay tactic to avoid talking to her decided she too could do with a few more minutes to gather what she was going to say to explain her behaviour. Standing from the bed she stretched her long body, cracking her back in the process, and once again cast her eyes to where Catherine was sat. She smiled slightly at the sight she was greeted with, Catherine's hand holding the hairdryer had stilled and was hovering somewhere between the vanity and her head while her eyes were glued to Sara's exposed stomach in the mirror. Sara smirked feeling happy that she had gotten hot in the small bed and had changed her baggy t-shirt to a sports bra in the middle of the night. Catherine certainly seemed to be enjoying what she was seeing so maybe, just maybe, she wasn't repulsed by Sara's earlier kiss but rather she was confused about how she felt. Feeling suddenly brave Sara dragged her hand over the place where Catherine's eyes were currently glued and let out a quiet groan. The response was immediate and Catherine's eyes flew up to meet hers, all wide and blue. Sara, not one to back down from anything, met her stare with her intense brown eyes and cocked her head to the side slightly with a smirk. Her smirk grew when she saw the pink tint slowly making its way over Catherine's cheeks at being busted ogling. Sara, feeling incredibly empowered with the knowledge Catherine was certainly interested even if she wouldn't admit it, winked at the blushing blonde and grabbed her own clothes before going into the bathroom. Oh yeah, she was definitely interested and Sara was going to milk it for all it was worth.
There hadn't been any time to talk after they had dressed, Greg had knocked on their door and reminded them that if they wanted to have breakfast before the seminars started they would have to hurry up. So they had left, had a quick breakfast and headed to the first seminar of the day. Sara, still on a high from catching Catherine admiring her body, took the seat beside Catherine's in the hall. Catherine, for her part, had made an admirable effort not to react to anything Sara had said or done since they left the hotel room. She had made a point of sitting beside Greg in the diner and had barely said anything unless something was directed at her. Even then her replies and been brief. So, settling in her seat, Sara flicked through the information booklet they had been given upon entering. Catherine was beside her doing the same.
"Did you like what you saw?" Sara's eyes were still glued to the booklet in front of her but unbeknownst to her companion her attention was fully on her.
Catherine's head snapped in her direction with a look of complete shock on her face. It only took her a second to compose herself and look at the booklet grasped tightly in her sweaty hands. "I don't know what you mean."
Mindful of the boys talking beside her Sara kept her voice low. "You can deny it all you want Cat, I saw you looking." She smirked and risked a quick glance at the woman sitting beside her. "Tell me, did you enjoy it?" She saw Catherine clench her jaw and her eyes dart around the room, possibly looking for a way to escape this conversation. Leaning towards her slightly Sara lowered her voice more. "I know I did." This time Catherine's gaze locked onto hers and seductive brown eyes met sparkling blue ones.
Taking another risk Sara lightly placed her hand beside her leg on the seat, between hers and Catherine's, and let her fingers brush against the outside of Catherine's thigh. She felt the leg beside her fingers twitch and noted the way Catherine's hands clenched the booklet, almost crumpling it.
"I don't know what game you're playing Sidle but you better stop it. Now." Catherine had clearly attempted to make her voice sound stern but Sara picked up on the undercurrent of nerves. Oh she definitely had some kind of interest in this.
"I'm not playing a game Catherine," she let her name roll off her tongue like liquid silk. "I'm very serious. Now, you haven't answered me. Did you enjoy what you saw?" Again her fingers brushed against her leg.
Before Catherine could respond Greg leaned over to their seats. "Hey, anyone need a drink? I'm going to grab a bottle of water before this thing starts." He looked from Sara to Catherine. "You alright Cath? You look like you've seen a ghost."
Sara smirked and turned to Greg. "She didn't sleep well." Lifting her hand she placed it fully on the blonde's thigh and gave a squeeze.
Greg accepting the answer simply nodded. "So, drinks?" Sara shook her head and held up her own bottle.
Catherine, too lost in her own head, stared straight ahead. After getting no response Sara squeezed her thigh getting her attention. "Do you want something wet?" Catherine's eyes widened as she looked at Sara, clearly not missing the undertone to Sara's voice. She shook her head quickly and shifted in her seat making Sara chuckle. After Greg had left Sara moved her lips to beside Catherine's ear. "You're cute when you blush like that."
Before she had a chance to continue Catherine was out of her seat and grabbing her bag, her eyes on Nick as she spoke. "You can fill me in later." And she was gone. Sara simply looked at Nick and shrugged as if she had no clue what was bothering the blonde.
The rest of the morning passed relatively slowly, Sara couldn't completely focus on what was being said but she did manage to take a few notes that had caught her interest. After the first lecture of the day was over she told the boys she was heading for a walk after being stuck inside all day and made her way towards the park over the road. As she walked she went over the day's events, she knew that she should maybe approach Catherine with a little more tact but she was having far too much fun seeing her squirm for once. And if she was honest it was incredibly liberating to be the one in charge. And despite Catherine leaving she had a distinct feeling that Catherine was liking it too, she just couldn't admit it. By the end of this week she would know for certain if Catherine was into this or not. She would make it her mission.
After her long walk she felt much better and headed to the next lecture with a much clearer head. When she entered the hall she smiled, Catherine was back but had seated herself between Greg and another woman leaving no room for Sara to sit near her. Taking the free seat beside Nick Sara took a sip of her drink and leant around Nick to look at Catherine.
"Are you feeling better?"
Catherine turned her intense blue eyes to her and offered the smallest of smiles. "Yes." Sara knew that was all she was going to get out of her and smiled as she sat back in her seat.
By the time they were done for the day everyone was tired and fed up of being stuck inside all day listening to someone drone on and on. The boys had asked if they had wanted to join them at the bar for a few drinks before going to dinner and then bed, Sara had readily agreed but Catherine had declined and said she was going to make use of the hotel spa and get a massage. Sara didn't let it show but she had been slightly disappointed that she wouldn't get to spend the evening in the blondes company, possibly teasing her some more.
The night went quickly and they ended up having more than a few beers and by the time Sara made it back to her room Catherine was in bed with her eyes closed. Quietly Sara approached the seemingly sleeping woman and brushed her fingers through her golden hair.
"Oh Cat, why can't you see how much you mean to me?" Her voice barely broke the silence in the room. Placing a quick kiss to the top of her golden hair Sara got ready for bed and switched off the light before climbing under the covers.
She was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow and missed Catherine opening her eyes and looking at her with blue eyes swimming with emotion.
