Chapter 19
Coming Clean
"Sara," Catherine whined as the brunette pulled into a parking space at the lab, "Do we really have to do this?"
"Cat, we talked about this. You agreed last night that this has to be done. It's been nine months, and they deserve to know about us."
"Why don't we wait a little longer?"
"It's a miracle we were able to last this long. We work with CSI's, Catherine, how much longer do you think this will stay a secret?"
"It'll stay a secret a damn sight longer if we don't tell them."
Sara rolled her eyes, "Catherine, you're being ridiculous and childish."
"No I'm not!"
"You are! Being with you is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me, why wouldn't I want to share that news?" Sara's hand reached for Catherine's and entwined their fingers, "They're like our family, and we can't just leave them in the dark forever."
"What if they don't take the news well? What if they freak out?"
"They won't. They might need time to come around to the idea, but they won't burn us at the stake. I'm so happy that I'm with you, and as long as you're happy being with me…"
"Of course I am Sar."
"Then there's no problem. Besides, Greggo took it just fine and he was in love with me." Sara smirked evilly.
Catherine slapped Sara's arm lightly, "He also has crazy lesbian fantasies…no doubt with the two of us now in starring roles."
"Yeah, but that's Greg for you. Seriously Cath, it'll be fine." Sara gave a soft smile.
"I really don't know how you can be so calm about all this."
"Easy. I know that no matter what happens at the end of the day I'll still be with you…and to be honest, that's all I care about."
"You're a big softy, Sara Sidle" Catherine grinned at the brunette.
"Shhh, don't tell anyone, you'll ruin my tough image."
* * *
Catherine and Sara walked into the break room, greeting all the boys as they entered. Catherine settled herself at the table, while Sara got each of them a cup of coffee. Carrying the coffee over to Catherine, Sara addressed everyone in the room.
"Guys, Catherine and I were hoping we could all meet up after shift, is that alright with everyone?"
"What's up Sara?" Greg asked from his place beside Nick and Warrick on the couch.
"I just have something I wanted to tell you all, that's all" Sara answered with a pointed look at Greg.
"Oh, ok. I'll be there Sara." Greg replied.
"I'll be there, can we grab some breakfast as well?" Warrick asked.
"Sounds like a plan to me, you in Nick?" Sara asked.
"Sure. So long as food's on offer I'm in" The Texan said with a grin.
"Great guys, we'll meet you here after shift, right Catherine?"
"Uh yeah, sure." Catherine replied. "Oh, and if you see Brass or Sofia, invite them along. I'll be in my office if anyone needs me." Catherine finished as she breezed out of the break room.
"What's her problem?" Warrick asked.
"Who's problem?" Grissom asked as he strode into the room.
"Catherine, she just practically ran out of the break room."
"She looked alright to me."
Sara rolled her eyes, "Grissom, we're all going to meet up here and then head out for breakfast, would you join us?"
"I do have some…"
"Please, Grissom."
"Alright Sara. After shift then. But now it's time for work…Nick and Warrick, 419 at the Sphere. Greg we're a man down in the lab, you want to help out?"
"Sure Grissom."
"And Sara…uh, you and Catherine are on paperwork."
"Again!? Grissom, all Catherine and I have been doing is paperwork."
"We're gonna head out, see ya guys." Nick said as he and Warrick waved and walked out of the break room with Greg close behind. They did not want to watch Sara ream Grissom a new one.
"Sara, there's no other cases." Grissom sighed heavily, "If you'd rather clean the lab, or check the instruments we use, that's fine, otherwise there's nothing else for you to do."
Sara groaned "Whatever, the next case is mine though, got it?"
"Sure. I'm off though…I have bugs that need to be identified and classed."
"Sounds like fun." Sara said sarcastically.
"Did you want to come along? An extra set of eyes never hurt."
"Uh, no. I think I'll just get this paperwork done."
"Maybe you should team up with Catherine, many hands make light work."
"Thanks Griss." Sara threw back over her shoulder as she left the room.
* * *
"Come in" Catherine said as she heard the light knocking at her door.
"You ok?" Sara poked her head in the door, coming in and shutting the door gently behind her.
"Hey Sara, yeah, I'm alright. I'm still just nervous about all this, I guess."
"Hey…" Sara said as she came around the desk and sat on it in front of Catherine who was still sitting in her desk chair "It's all going to be ok, I promise."
"I know, and I believe you Sar."
"Then what's the problem, babe?"
"What happens if someone doesn't like us being together, and causes a scene? Or does something?"
"Then I'll take them outside and politely remind them to pull their head in."
"Would you really?"
"I'll drag all their sorry arses out into the desert if I have to Catherine. You really don't get it, do you?" Catherine looked puzzled, and Sara continued, "I love you so much Catherine, and I can't bear to think about being away from you. Not even for a second. And I want everyone to know that. I want them to know that you're mine."
"Sara, I'm just worried, that's all."
"I know that, babe. And I wish I could ease those fears, but the longer we wait, the worse this is going to be. I'd rather tell them, than have them find out for themselves…or catch us the way Greg did." She said with a grin.
"Making out in front of them would certainly be easier and much less nerve-racking than actually telling them."
"I've always loved the way your mind works, Willows" Sara said with a smile. "But I think words are our best bet here, don't you?"
"Mmm, I suppose so. Would you mind doing the talking though, Sar?"
"Sure, I think I can handle that." Sara grinned, "So, you want a hand with all this paperwork of yours?"
Catherine raised an eyebrow, "You mean you want sex, and you want to push all of my paperwork on the floor."
"You read my mind."
"Nice try, Sidle. But I have work to do, and you have a speech to prepare."
"A speech?"
"Yes, a speech. How else do you expect to tell them the news?"
"I was just going to say it…" Sara let the thought linger.
"Well in that case you're all set, but I'm sure there's work you could be doing."
"I'd rather work on you" Sara replied with a wicked grin.
"How sweet of you" Catherine rolled her eyes, "Now…out!"
"Fine, I know when I'm beaten. I'll meet you here just before the end of shift and we can head to the break room together, ok?"
"Sure. Bye Sara."
"Bye." And with that Sara was out the door.
* * *
Catherine heard her office door open and close quickly and looked up to see Sara standing in the middle of her office.
"I thought I told you to go and do some work for a change." Catherine said.
"Uh, I did…Catherine it's almost the end of shift, that's why I'm here." Sara said with a grin.
"Is it really?" Catherine glanced down at her watch, "It is too. Time flies when you're…"
"Bored shitless doing paperwork?"
"Something like that Sara." Catherine said with a laugh. "Are they all in the break room, yet?"
"I just walked past there and only Sofia was missing. I gave her a call and she said just give her five minutes and she'd be right over."
"Ok."
"You holding up alright?"
"Yeah Sar, I'll be fine."
"Come here" Sara said, and Catherine stood up and walked over to Sara. As soon as Catherine was within reach Sara grabbed her and pulled her into a bear hug. "It'll be fine," Sara whispered into the blonde's ear.
"I know," Catherine said as she pulled back slightly, "that's because I've got you to look out for me" she said as she placed a kiss on Sara's lips.
"We'd better get to the break room or else they'll leave without us. You got everything?"
"Yeah, let's go."
* * *
Catherine and Sara walked into the break room a few minutes later and looked around. Sara glanced around the room and then spoke,
"Where's Sofia?"
"She's right here" The blonde detective said as she strode through the door, "Didn't miss anything, did I?"
"You're just in time."
"Perfect, scoot over Greggo give a girl some room." Sofia replied as she squished onto the couch next to Greg.
"Ok, now that everyone's here…" Sara paused for a moment, "Before we head out to breakfast I'd just like to say something." Sara took a deep breath "Ok, Catherine and I…well, we're…um…"
"Sara and I are dating." Catherine said quickly. Sara's head turned to look at the blonde.
"What?" Grissom asked, from his seat beside Brass at the table.
Catherine sighed and reached for Sara's hand entwining their fingers, "Sara and I are dating. We have been for about nine months, right under your noses."
"Congrats guys," Greg said as he stood up and walked over to the couple, giving each of the women a hug.
"Some CSI's we are," Warrick said with a grin to Nick as they stood and congratulated both women, hugging each of them in turn.
"Way to go, Sidle." Sofia said with a cocky smirk, "Nice catch you got in that one. Surprised it took you two this long to work out all the tension. Bet you've got a better release now too." Sara blushed at Sofia's words, as the detective hugged her, and then hugged Catherine, placing a kiss on the older woman's cheek "Congratulations, both of you."
"Keep your lips off my woman, Curtis." Sara said with a smile, receiving a grin back from Sofia.
"Congrats, ladies" Brass said with a smile "You'd think being a detective I would've noticed, but I'm glad you're both happy. Is this to remain a secret or…"
"It's fine now Jim," Catherine smiled at the detective, "We both know the lab gossip will go haywire, and that's fine."
All eyes turned to Grissom who sat stoically in his seat, not having moved since Catherine had explained the situation. Brass nudged the scientists shoulder, "Huh? Oh, right…" Grissom cleared his throat and looked around the room, "Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better."
"Is that your weird way of saying you're happy for us?" Catherine asked puzzled.
"It's Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night', right?" Sara asked with a smile.
"It is indeed." Grissom smiled at the brunette woman. "Congratulations you two, I truly hope you find your happiness with each other."
"Thanks Gil" Catherine said with a smile, "All the happiness I'll ever need is right here," She said tugging on the brunette's hand.
"I say we celebrate!" Greg cheered. "Let's party!"
"I'm down with that man, I'll drive." Warrick said.
"I'll ride with you up front," Nick said. "The love birds can ride in the back."
Sara looked to Catherine who gave her a quick nod, "We're in… What about you the rest of you."
"I won't be staying very long, Grissom answered."
"I'll come along, but I'll probably leave reasonably early. The rest of you can ride with me." Brass said. Greg, Sofia and Grissom all nodded their agreement. The group headed out of the break room towards the parking lot, and headed for a club.
* * *
"First round's on the two love birds" Greg yelled over the music in the club as he ducked out of Sara's reach and sat down.
"Think again Greg! I think you're buying the first round." Sara grinned as she too sat down, "we're celebrating remember, and this was your idea, therefore, it's your treat."
"But Sara"
"I'm resistant to that tone now, Greggo. Not even Lindsey can win me over with it."
"Sweetheart, that's not true." Catherine said with a smile as she sat down beside Sara and rubbed a hand lightly on her thigh. "I watched Lindsey pull that tone on you last night, and you caved in."
Greg grinned triumphantly, "Now you're definitely buying the first round."
"Whatever" Sara replied as she stood up and squeezed back past Catherine heading towards the bar.
Catherine watched as her girlfriend sauntered towards the bar, catching the attention of the girl behind the bar. Sara spoke animatedly to the girl, before gesturing towards the group, and handing over money to the girl. With a smile, Sara turned and headed back towards the table where the group were seated carrying a tray of drinks.
"Hope you all like beer" Sara said as she set the tray down and everyone grabbed a drink, murmuring their thanks.
"A toast to the happy couple," Greg said as he raised his beer, "here's to happiness, love…and hot lady loving." He said with a grin, and every clinked their bottles together in agreement.
"You honestly want me to kill you, don't you Greg?"
"Settle down Sara," Catherine said with a smile. The blonde leant in close to Sara's ear and whispered "unless you want the lady loving to stop…"
"I'm all good." Sara smiled. The group had gone back to talking amongst themselves, or else were trying their luck on the dance floor.
Catherine turned her attention to the brunette beside her. "What were you and the bar girl getting so chummy about?"
"Huh?"
"You and the girl at the bar…it seemed like you were having quite the conversation."
"Nah, not really. Just had a brief chat to her while she got the drinks, that's all."
"What were you talking about?"
A smile slowly covered Sara's face "I get it…you're jealous."
"Don't be ridiculous, Sidle. I am not jealous!"
"Then why do you care what I said to some girl at a bar?" Sara said with a grin.
"I was merely asking, and making conversation. But if that's too much for you…"
"Too bad you're not jealous then."
"Why's that?" Catherine asked, raising her eyebrow.
"I would just find it extremely attractive that's all. That way I'd really know that you're in love with me."
"You find jealously attractive?"
"Only on you" Sara replied with a wink. "Who would've thought…the great Catherine Willows gets jealous."
"I don't, and I'm not."
"Sure babe." Sara said before leaning over and placing a light kiss on Catherine's lips "I love you whether you're jealous or not."
"I love you too."
"Oh, and just so you know, that girl at the bar…she was just asking who I was with. I said I was with the strawberry blonde, and she told me I was a very lucky lady. And you know, I tend to think she's right." Sara said as she again locked lips with the blonde beside her. "Then she wanted to know who was single…"
"What kind of date was she looking for?"
Sara turned her head and looked towards the bar before turning back and smiling at Catherine "have a look for yourself."
Catherine turned around, and saw a familiar figure at the bar "Sofia?"
Sara laughed, "yeah, and Sofia seems to have no qualms about it."
"Well, I always kinda figured…Sofia's a bit like you, only a lot more assertive when it comes to her sexuality."
"She's a cocky detective, what do you expect?"
Catherine laughed at Sara's choice of words, "I don't think there's much cock involved with Sofia Curtis." Catherine turned serious for a moment, "Did you ever date her?"
"Who, Sofia?" Sara saw the nod of Catherine's head. "No, I didn't. She did ask me out though…I told her I had eyes for someone else, so the relationship would be very one-sided and I didn't want to do that to her."
Catherine smiled softly at the younger woman "This someone else, do I know them?"
"You might know her…she's actually my gorgeous girlfriend at the moment. In fact, I'm hoping one day she might be more than that. Do you think she'd like that?"
Catherine smiled brightly, "Oh Sara, I think she'd like that more than anything else in the world." Catherine crashed her lips against the brunette's, kissing passionately until the need for air became too much. "I love you so much Sara, you drive me wild."
"I'm not even going to start the list of the things you do to me, Willows."
"What do you say we go home and you show me all the things I do to you?" Catherine said with a smile.
"Leave our own celebration party?"
"I'm sure the guys would understand, and I know there are much better ways for us to celebrate…with just the two of us."
"Mmm…you're on," Sara said as she grabbed Catherine's hand and entwined their fingers. Sara pulled Catherine to her feet and spoke to those who were still at the table "thanks for everything guys…Catherine and I are going to head home now."
"You want me to drive you two home?" Brass asked.
"No thanks, we'll just catch a cab home it's not too far. Make sure the rest of this lot get home safe though, ok?"
"Sure. See you ladies tomorrow and congratulations again." Brass said with a smile as the two women left the club, ready to head home for a night of love and devotion to one another.
A/N – Ok, so I really hope that more than four people read my last chapter. Alas, there were only four reviews. But I'll say it again…please review! I really want to know what you guys think. So…review, review, review! PLEASE!!!