Sorry for the delay in posting last week. With Thanksgiving and all it just kinda slipped through the cracks. Thanks for the reviews and you patience.
Show Me 5/?
"You look really pretty Mommy," Lindsey replied from the passenger's seat as she and her mother drove down the road to the restaurant.
"Well, thank you sweetheart. You look really pretty too," Catherine smile at her daughter.
"Sara's really gonna like it," the youngest Willows replied casually.
"Oh, I hope so. I couldn't get my hair to … wait … what did you just say?" Catherine asked as Lindsey giggled.
"I knew it!' The little blonde laughed.
"You knew what?" Her mother continued to question.
"That you liked Sara." Lindsey stated simply.
"Well, of course I like Sara. She … " Catherine started.
"No mom, you like her, like her," Lindsey grinned.
"Now, what would make you say that?" The oldest Willows questioned.
"Oh, please mom," Lindsey sighed "It's so obvious," she finished rolling her eyes.
"What is so obvious?" Catherine continued.
"That you're in love with Sara…duh," Lindsey stated.
"Honey, I don't … how did you … " The oldest Willows stuttered as they pulled into the parking lot of the restaurant.
"I can totally tell you like her mom, You act like all the girls in the movies do around the boy they like," Lindsey replied as Catherine put the car in park. "Except, well, Sara is a girl."
"Does it matter to you that Sara is a girl?" Catherine asked her daughter seriously.
"No, Sara is the coolest girl ever!' The littlest Willows exclaimed.
"She is pretty cool," Catherine sighed.
"So, you do like her!" Lindsey replied excitedly.
"Linds, just because I might like Sara, doesn't mean that she likes me," The strawberry blonde tried to reason with her daughter.
"Think about it mom. If she's not with you at work, she's with us right? You don't spend all your time with someone if you don't like them," Lindsey stated opening her door.
"We're friends Lindsey," Catherine responded. Lindsey turned in her seat to face her mother, giving her a disbelieving look.
"Whatever you say mom. But, I really wish Sara was your girlfriend. That would be beyond cool," The youngest Willows smiled before getting out of the car.
"Me too Linds. Me too," Catherine said to herself before she stepped out of the car.
"I don't see Sara's car," Lindsey commented as she looked around the parking lot.
"I don't either honey," her mother agreed walking to meet Lindsey on the other side of the car. "Let's go inside," she decided taking Lindsey's hand as they walked to the door of the restaurant.
"Stop right there Lindsey Lou Who!" Greg shouted as he and Sara came around the corner of the restaurant.
"Uncle Greggo!" Lindsey shouted taking off towards Greg and Sara.
"Be careful Lindsey!" Catherine yelled as her daughter ran the short distance into Greg's arms.
"Hey there kiddo! Oh, I missed ya so much," the lab tech replied hugging the little blonde.
"Me too Uncle Greggo." Lindsey said pulling away from him. "Hey Sara!" she continued moving to hug the brunette.
"Well, don't you look pretty," Sara replied taking Lindsey's hand and spinning her around.
"Not as pretty as mommy," the little Willows replied as Catherine walked up to the group.
"Aw, thank you Lindsey," Catherine replied.
"I beg to differ Linds. I think you look better than your mom does," Greg smiled at the young girl causing her to giggle.
"Come on Greg, lets go inside I'm hungry," Lindsey smiled taking the lab tech's hand leading him to the door of the restaurant, leaving Catherine and Sara alone.
"You…you really do look beautiful Cath," Sara stated softly taking the older CSI in. Dressed in a simple knee length black skirt, hunter green v-neck sweater, with her strawberry blonde hair slightly curled. Sara was finding it hard to form words.
"Thank you, Sara." Catherine replied stepping towards the brunette. "You don't look so bad yourself," she continued wrapping her arms around Sara's neck in a hug. The brunette let out a small sigh as her arms made their way around Catherine's waist.
"Thank you guys for coming," Sara's voice whispered in Catherine's ear. "I don't think I can handle any more time with Greg," the brunette laughed softly.
"Oh," Catherine replied pulling away from Sara, "So, that's the only reason you invited me huh? To baby-sit Greg?" the strawberry blonde questioned, eyeing Sara with her hands on her hips.
"Of course not Catherine," Sara replied, "That's why I invited Lindsey," she smiled as Catherine began to laugh at her answer.
"Sara, hurry up!" Greg whined at the front door of the restaurant.
"Yeah mom, come on!" Lindsey added.
"I think our dates are getting impatient," Catherine smiled turning herself around moving back towards the restaurant.
"Can you blame them?" Sara replied catching up to Catherine.
"Why do you say that?" She asked sweetly smiling at Sara.
"Well, when I have the opportunity to spend time with you, I don't want to waste a minute of it," the brunette replied softly.
Catherine stopped suddenly, slightly shocked at Sara's words. Noticing that Catherine was no longer by her side Sara turned around.
"Are you okay Cath," Sara asked taking note of Catherine's surprised expression.
"Hmm?" Catherine finally stated in a daze.
"Is something wrong?" Sara asked a little concerned.
"No…no…not at all Sara. Everything is perfect," the older CSI smiled walking to where Sara was standing. "Perfect" she repeated, blue eyes meeting brown.
"Mom, Sara, hurry up" Lindsey whined from the door.
"Shall we?" The brunette asked, offering her arm to Catherine.
"Indeed we shall," Catherine smiled looping her arm through Sara's, holding the brunette's elbow as the pair followed Greg and Lindsey into the restaurant.
As the foursome reached the hostess, Sara moved herself and Catherine in front of Greg and Lindsey.
"Hi, welcome to….SARA!" the short black haired hostess exclaimed.
"Hey Shannon," Sara replied, shifting at Catherine's side.
"I was wondering if the Sidle was you," the girl continued.
"The one and only," Sara replied growing embarrassed.
"I wanna sit next to Sara and Greg," Lindsey stated marching to the front of the group.
"Watch your manners young lady," Catherine warned her daughter.
"Well, you are a lucky young lady," Shannon replied, bending down to Lindsey's level. "You see that corner booth over there?" the hostess asked as she pointed to the back of the restaurant.
"Yeah?" The youngest Willows replied intrigued.
"Your friend Sara got that just for you guys. We only have two like that in the whole restaurant. We only let very special, very important people sit there."
"Really?" Lindsey questioned.
"Well, you seem special and oh so important, so the booth is all yours," Shannon smiled standing back up, "You can sit by whoever you want."
"Sara and Greg!" The little blonde replied excitedly.
"I'm sitting by Lindsey!" Greg yelled giving Lindsey a high five.
"Remind me again how old are you Greg?" Catherine stated rolling her eyes.
"You're just jealous cause no one wants to sit next to you," the lab tech replied grinning.
"Yeah mom!" Lindsey added, sticking her tongue out at her mother.
"Right this way guys," the hostess interrupted leading them to the booth.
"I'll sit next to you," Sara offered softly turning to Catherine.
"Thanks a lot, seeing as how my own daughter won't sit next to me," the strawberry blonde spoke up causing Lindsey to turn around and smile brightly assuring Catherine she was joking.
"Well," Sara started, gently grabbing Catherine's wrist, "I always want to be next to you," the brunette replied causing Catherine's head to snap up in response. "I just mean…um…" Sara stuttered trying to cover up what she had said, "I'll always sit next to you, I mean … um if you want or need me to." Before Catherine could respond, Sara let go of her wrist and followed the group towards the booth, leaving Catherine paused in place.
"Mom!" Lindsey shouted already inside the booth, "Come on," she continued, waving Catherine over.
Catherine glanced up at the booth seeing Greg, Lindsey and Sara where already seated in a circle. The strawberry blonde smiled noticing Sara was softly patting the spot right next to her.
"Saved you a seat," the brunette said as Catherine approached the booth.
"Thanks," she smiled sliding into the booth.
"So, you know the hostess?" Catherine asked opening her menu.
"Yeah, she also works at the coffee house I always stop at after work. Haven't seen her in forever though…I've been having my coffee at a much better house lately," the brunette smiled at Catherine.
The strawberry blonde closed her menu and met Sara's gaze.
"You're such an amazing person Sara. You know that? I couldn't ask for a better friend," Catherine said smiling.
Sara faked a smile turning her head back to her menu, hoping Catherine didn't see the hurt on her face. A friend was all Catherine thought when she thought of Sara. It hurt the brunette but it wasn't something that was unexpected. She was just fooling herself that Catherine would think of her as anything other than that.
"Can I get you guys something to drink?" The waiter said suddenly, pulling Sara from her thoughts.
"Shirley Temple!" Lindsey smiled.
"Same for me," Greg added.
"Um…water is fine with me," Sara replied sadly.
"Water sounds good," Catherine stated looking back at Sara as the waiter left. Puzzled by Sara's sudden change in attitude. "Sara?"
"Yeah," she said looking up from the menu.
"Did I say something to…" the strawberry blonde began.
"No, of course not, you're a great friend too Cath," Sara replied forcing a smile, returning to her menu. Catherine gave Sara a confused look before returning to her menu.
x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o x o
The foursome ordered their dinner and continued the rest of the evening with idle chat. As Lindsey chatted through dinner with Greg, Sara and Catherine ate their meal in almost silence, except for the occasional sentence letting Lindsey know they were paying attention to her stories. Catherine couldn't shake the feeling that she had done something to upset Sara. After they had all finished and Greg paid the bill they all began to walk outside into the parking lot..
"Do you guys wanna come over and watch a movie tonight?" Lindsey asked as the group walked into the night air.
"Aw next time kiddo. Sara and I have kind of an early flight tomorrow morning," Greg answered.
"But, Mommy's plane doesn't leave until tomorrow night. How come you leave so early?" The little blonde questioned.
"You want the truth, your mom, she didn't want to take the same flight as me. She thinks I smell," Greg joked, not wanting Lindsey to know the reason for Catherine's late flight was the fact no one could watch the little Willows until later that evening.
"Yeah, you are kinda stinky," Lindsey replied smiling brightly at Greg. Sara's laughter filled the air as Lindsey took off towards the Willow's car.
"I'm gonna get you for that Linds!" Greg exclaimed chasing after the giggling blonde.
"Be careful Linds!" Catherine shouted after her daughter before turning to the brunette at her side. "I missed that laugh of yours tonight. You were awfully quiet during dinner." she commented.
"I'm sorry, I guess I'm just kinda tired," the brunette answered forcing a smile.
"Sara Sidle admitting she is tired…that's a first." The older woman joked.
"In my defense, I did spend the afternoon with Greg," Sara smiled.
"Don't I know it. I had an interesting conversation with him," Catherine replied, remembering the phone call from earlier.
"I am so sorry about that Catherine. I almost killed him if that make you feel any better," the brunette smiled shaking her head.
"Oh, come on, it was kinda funny," Catherine stated as she began walking to her car.
"No, it wasn't," the younger woman replied seriously walking alongside Catherine. There was a silence between the two women before Sara let out a sigh.
"Is there something wrong? Did I say something to upset you?" She questioned softly.
"No, of course not Catherine," Sara replied almost immediately. "Why would you even think that?"
"I don't know, I mean, before we sat down, I don't know, it just seemed like…"
"I'm sorry Cath. I just feel kind of out of it. You didn't say anything to upset me. It's just been a long day," The brunette smiled.
"You sure?" Catherine stilled questioned.
"Yeah…yeah…everything is fine," Sara replied.
"Okay," the blonde replied, still not convinced but decided to drop the subject.
"Hey mom, Greg said he would bring me back something cool from California," Lindsey said as Catherine and Sara reached the car.
"Oh, did he now? Cause I was gonna bring you something cool back," Sara replied, bending down to Lindsey's level.
"Well, you can buy me something too," the little girl smiled.
"Lindsey Marie Willows! You don't ask people to buy you gifts!" Her mother stated, horrified by her daughter's behavior.
"I didn't ask mom, they offered," Lindsey shrugged. Catherine simply shook her head and sighed.
"Forget about your mom," Sara started, "She is just jealous cause we aren't gonna buy her anything," the brunette smiled, "Now give me a hug kiddo and it better be a good one cause I won't see you for a week."
"You're the best Sara!" The little Willows said as she embraced the younger CSI.
"So I have been told," Sara laughed.
"Thanks for dinner Greg," Catherine stated smiling at the young lab tech.
"There's nothing I would rather spend my paycheck on than three beautiful ladies," Greg smiled.
"You never stop do you?" Catherine laughed at Greg's attempt of flirting.
"Never give up on you Cath," the lab tech leered as Catherine rolled her eyes.
"And to think for the next week we get him 24 hours a day," Sara added in mock excitement.
"You know you love me," Greg replied putting his arm around Sara's shoulders, pulling her into his side.
"Oh yeah…more than words can say" the brunette forced herself to say.
"Hey, where's my hug kiddo?" Greg asked directing himself towards Lindsey.
Lindsey smiled and ran into Gregs arms.
"Well, thanks for inviting us to dinner tonight," Catherine said turning to the brunette.
"Anytime Catherine," The brunette smiled at her colleague.
"You sure everything is okay?" The strawberry blonde asked stepping closer to Sara.
"Yeah, I'm just tired. I promise, everything is fine," Sara answered trying to sound believable. "Just a long day" she smiled turning towards Greg. "We really should get going. I think it is past your bed time," Sara commented.
"No way Sara! I stay up was later than this!" Lindsey argued.
"Oh, I wasn't talking about you sweetness. You are a lot older than Greg is," the brunette joked.
"HEY!" Greg replied causing both Willows women to laugh.
"You are so funny Sara," Lindsey said hugging the brunette.
"Glad someone thinks so," Sara replied releasing Lindsey from their hug.
"Ha, ha, ha," Greg mocked, "I guess I'll see ya later Cath," he stated hugging the blonde. "Bye Linds," he waved beginning to walk where he and Sara were parked.
"Bye Greg!" Lindsey shouted after him.
"I'll see ya soon kiddo," Sara grinned, messing up the little ones blonde hair. "And I guess I'll see you tomorrow," she stated turning back to Catherine.
"No, I'll see you Monday actually," Catherine teased. A moment of confusion crossed Sara's face before she fully understood the Catherine's statement.
"That's right," Sara laughed, "I guess I'll see you Monday. Have a good night Catherine," she replied giving her friend a quick hug.
"You too Sara," Catherine said as the brunette pulled away far to quickly from the hug. "Goodnight."
"Night Cath," Sara answered forcing a smile as she jogged to catch up to Greg.
"Alright, so, what's up with you?" Greg asked once they were out of earshot.
"What do you mean?" Sara replied.
"You were so quiet during dinner. And just now, you treated Catherine like she was the plague." Greg commented. "That's no way to treat the woman you love."
"Friends Greg. I'm such a good friend," Sara stated.
"Huh?" Greg asked still confused.
"I am in so much trouble Greg," Sara sighed.
"Why? What happened?" the lab tech asked concerned.
"Catherine Willows. Catherine Willows is what happened," Sara sighed as they reached the car. The lab tech simply laughed at the brunette.
"It's going to be so much fun watching you for the next 7 days." Greg smiled.
"Shut up and get in the car," Sara grumbled opening her door as Greg's hysterical laughter filled the night air.
To Be Continued...