Disclaimer: I don't own CSI. Good grief. I'm sick of saying that.
AN: Major apologies for the long wait. I don't really like working on this when I'm sick, and once I figured out I wasn't getting much better, I couldn't write anything I was happy with. Major, major apologies.
I shrug my jacket on and sigh. I need to talk to Grissom at the start of next shift. Any more shifts of paperwork, and I'll go insane. Especially if Greg isn't around to annoy me. Catherine recruited him a few hours ago. She didn't look at me when she dragged him away, but she did blush a bit.
"Wow, you're actually leaving on time?"
Wow, she's actually talking to me. Still not looking at me, though. And she's blushing again. I don't think I've seen her blush before this shift. It's cute. Really, really cute.
"Yeah. Sticking around just to do paperwork didn't really appeal to me."
She nods distractedly, still not meeting my eyes. I start to feel a little guilty. Catherine's obviously uncomfortable around me, and as cute as an uncomfortable Catherine Willows is…
I shift my stance awkwardly. A few tense moments pass with neither of us moving. Catherine opens her mouth to say something, but before she can I make my way out of the room. I still plan on letting her think I don't remember, and if she asks me about it, I'll have to tell her the truth.
On my way out of the locker room, I nearly run into Greg. He swerves to avoid me, which causes him to trip over his own feet. I manage to get a hand on his shoulder just before he falls flat on his face.
"Easy, Greg. You aren't going to have much luck romancing your neighbor if you ruin your smile."
He grins up at me, completely ignoring my statement. "Ah, Sara! Just the person I wanted to see- I need your help."
I raise an eyebrow. "With what?"
"Well… You see, Claire has to go to work early today, so I was wondering if you could drop by my apartment and play with Hobbes until I get there. I promised the FBI agent to help her with something, so I can't leave right now. It wouldn't be for very long- just an hour- maybe two. Pleeease?"
I have to laugh at the hopeful expression on his face. I think he's only a few seconds away from getting down on his knees and begging.
"C'mon, Sar! I won't be able to concentrate if I keep imagining his cute little face at home alone! Please?"
I roll my eyes and smile at him. "Fine. But only because you look so pathetic."
He glares at me and sticks out his tongue. "Well it got you to help me out, didn't it?"
I shake my head and turn to leave. Taking care of Hobbes sounds a whole lot better than going home and attempting to sleep.
The second I walk into Greg's apartment, a golden ball of fluff begins attacking my shoes. I kneel down so that Hobbes can greet me more easily. He goes after the opportunity enthusiastically, licking every inch of my face.
After a few minutes of that treatment, he trots over to his bed and picks up one of his many toys. On the way back, he nearly trips over his own feet, and I bite my lip to keep from laughing. Hobbes is more than smart enough to feel embarrassed.
Once he gets back over, he drops the toy at my feet and wags his tail eagerly. I pick it up and squeak it, causing his entire body to shake with joy. A second after I throw it, someone knocks on the door.
Hobbes loses all interest in his toy and runs towards the door. He tries to bark a few times, it come out sounding more like a yip, so he settles for scratching at the door and trying to look intimidating.
I walk over and pick him up before looking through the peephole.
Catherine.
What is Catherine doing here? She has to know that Greg's still at work-
Ah. Great.
With a sigh I open the door. The second I do, Hobbes squirms in my arms, trying to jump down and greet her. I readjust my grip and force a smile.
"Hey, Cath. What can I do for you?"
She's fidgeting. And she's blushing again. As if my self-control isn't already strained around her.
More guilt springs up. I really don't think I've ever seen her this nervous about anything. The puppy struggling in my arms gives me an idea.
"Uh, did Greg tell you about Hobbes yet?"
That gets her to look at me. Good. I don't want to have this conversation with her looking at Greg's wall. Though I have to admit that it's a good thing she's stopped blushing. If she met my eyes then…
"The tiger?" Confusion is evident in her voice, and I realize that she hasn't noticed the bundle of fluff in my arms.
"The puppy." I readjust my grip on him again and lift him up so that Catherine gets a clear view of him.
She smiles and moves to pet his head, but the hand she reaches out with is attacked by Hobbes' tongue.
"Greg's birthday present."
She nods and her hands stiffens. Her blush returns, and I realize that she knows that I kissed her right after Greg's party.
I watch her wrestle with her thoughts for a moment or two before turning my attention to Hobbes, whose new trick is to chew through my arm to escape.
"Was there, uh… Did you guys drink much?"
I look back into Catherine's eyes and smile at the nervousness and determination there.
"I guess you could say that. I had to all but carry Greg up to his apartment. Why?"
Her blush gets a little darker. "Well, it was just that, uh…" She sighs and shakes her head, still blushing. "Actually, you know what? It doesn't matter. I'm… I'm just gonna go."
She turns to leave and my heart aches. I really didn't mean to embarrass her this much.
"Wait- Cath – " she turns back to look at me " – we're friends, right?" She nods hesitantly. "Well, look, uh… It's just that… it doesn't have to be… I mean… Greg and I are best friends." Good Lord, I'm an idiot.
But I must have said something right, because she's smiling at me. She walks forward a few steps and kisses my cheek, sending my heart rate up to unhealthy levels. She steps back, still smiling.
"Yeah, the two of you get along wonderfully." We continue to stare at each other, and some of the earlier tension returns. Catherine awkwardly breaks the silence. "Look, I should really get home. See you at work tonight?"
I nod quickly. "Of course."
"Of course," she mimics, attempting to lighten the atmosphere somewhat. I smile at her and say goodbye before going back inside Greg's apartment.
I slide down the door and sigh. Hobbes crawls up and licks my face. I subconsciously move to protect the spot Catherine's lips touched.
Well that was fun.