Disclaimer: CSI belongs to CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer.

Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! and sorry for the long wait...had to figure out where to take this story, and now I know...Enjoy!

Part 3

As Catherine woke up she felt a weight resting upon her shoulder and stomach. Looking down she saw Sara –still peacefully asleep– and placed a kiss on the brunette's head.

Mere seconds after Catherine's lips connected with the younger woman's head, Sara began to stir. Waking up completely, Sara started caressing the strawberry blonde's stomach.

Pushing herself upwards, Sara let her lips graze along the ones in front of her. "Hmmm…Good morning" She purred.

"Good morning to you too" Catherine answered as she looked into two dark eyes that were focusing on hers. "How are you feeling?" she asked, wiping a lock of hair out of Sara's face.

Before answering Sara stretched her body, feeling some parts of it still not completely willing to comply. However, sleeping with Catherine holding her had done her good. "I'm doing alright."

Placing butterfly kisses on the older woman's neck, she continued "Sleeping in your arms is the best medicine one can get."

As Sara tried to sit up against the headboard she could not hold up her bravado, and grunted out in pain, receiving a worried look from Catherine.

"I'm ok, just a little stiff." She quickly said as she reached for Catherine's hand and entwined their fingers. "I'm going to take a shower, wanna help the environment and save some water?"

"I'd love to," Catherine said before she placed a kiss on Sara's soft lips that almost seemed to beg her to be touched "but Nancy will soon be here to pick up Lindsey. It'll be her first day after…"

Before Catherine could continue, Sara claimed her lips in a searing kiss trying to clear the strawberry blonde's mind from any bad thought that haunted her. She knew Catherine still blamed herself for putting her and Lindsey in danger.

"Well then, let's get going" Sara said as she carefully got out of bed, and pulled Catherine along.

Just before their paths would part –Sara's to the bathroom, and Catherine's to the guestroom– Catherine snaked her arm around the taller woman's waist, and looked straight into the hazel eyes in front of her.

"Promise me you'll never leave me" Catherine said, her face now showing hints of fear. In her mind images of losing the younger woman kept replaying itself.

"I will never leave you," Sara started, and before she continued she grabbed hold of Catherine's hand and placed it over her heart "because you've got a place in my heart…and so does Lindsey"

A single tear escaped Catherine's eye, and as Sara wiped it away with her thumb, the older woman spoke up "You just know what to say to make me love you even more"

Carefully opening the door to the guest room Catherine saw that her little girl was still sound asleep. She walked over and sat down on the bed next to her daughter.

"Linds, baby, wake up…you need to go to school" she said with a soft voice. The little blonde stirred a little, but didn't wake up completely.

Placing her hand on Lindsey's shoulder, Catherine gave her a little nudge. "Come on sweety…it's time to get out of bed"

Finally she got some response from her daughter. "Ahhh mom, I'm still sleeping" Lindsey said as she grabbed the blanket and pulled it over her head.

A smile came onto Catherine's face. "Aha…interesting…if you're still sleeping, how come you're talking to me"

"This is Lindsey's subconscious speaking, Lindsey's actually still asleep"

"Haha nice try sweety, but you've got to get up now" Catherine said, pulling away the blanket and tickling the little Willows woman.

"Alright, alright I'm up." Lindsey giggled. "Good morning mom" she said as she embraced her mother.

"Morning Linds. Now, let's get going" she said, repeating the words that had been spoken to her by her lover just minutes before. And with that said, both of the Willows women headed off for the kitchen.

About half an hour later there was a knock on the front door.

As she opened the door she was greeted by Warrick and Nick. "Mornin' Catherine" Nick said, and as he held up a bag he continued "We brought fresh donuts, and were hoping to score some coffee here"

"Come on in" She answered as she stepped aside to let the two men enter. Although their colleagues still had to get used of the idea of Catherine and Sara being together as a couple, all of them were really supportive.

Warrick pulled the strawberry blonde into a friendly hug "Heya Cath, how's everybody doing?"

"We're ok, Linds still has nightmares from time to time, but she doing much better. Nancy just dropped by to pick her up for school. And Sara…is just Sara. She just can't stand the fact she has to sit still, and can't do a thing."

"Yeah well, you'd feel the same if you were in this situation" Came the voice of the brunette from behind.

"Sara. Good to see you up and about again" Nick said as he hugged her loosely. "We brought you some goodies…is that coffee that I smell?" he said, handing over the paper bag.

"Thanks Nick. I think the coffee's ready…help yourself" she gestured to the kitchen.

As the Texan disappeared towards the kitchen, Warrick walked over to Sara. "Hey Sara, how are you feeling today?"

"I'm ok Warrick. I'm feeling better every day." Sara said as she eyed the strawberry blonde standing behind the tall dark man –a beautiful smile gracing the older woman's lips.

Catherine noticed how Sara has changed ever since the accident. Seeing how the interaction between the brunette and their other colleagues had grown, Sara now allowing people to get closer to her –figuratively, and literally– made her feel proud of the younger woman.

"Come on let's get into the kitchen before Nick drinks all the coffee. I still need my fix for today" Sara said guiding Warrick to the kitchen.

Taking their coffees and donuts along, the four of them sat down in the living room. Catherine and Sara next to each other on the couch, Nick and Warrick each in separate chairs that stood opposite the couch.

As they sat there Catherine kept looking at Sara who was in a conversation with Nick she couldn't stop a full-blown smile from appearing on her face.

Warrick noticed Catherine's eye-lock on the brunette. Trying to get Catherine's attention he cleared his throat, and got a grin of his own plastered on his face as Catherine's noticed she was caught staring at Sara.

After an hour of talking, about Lindsey, about cases…about all sorts of things, the four of them walked to the front door of Sara's apartment.

"Well, take it easy huh." Nick said as he stepped outside.

"I will" Sara said as she grabbed Catherine's hand and held it in hers. "Thanks for coming by" the brunette said, her voice sincere, clearly showing she really appreciated seeing them.

"Sure, we'll see you soon" Warrick said as he walked off, following Nick.

"See you two tonight" Catherine said before she closed the door.

Walking over to the couch where Sara was seated Catherine had a smile on her face once more.

Looking up at the strawberry blonde that stopped in front of her, Sara said "What's so funny? You've been smiling the entire morning."

"I love you" Catherine said before she leaned down and kissed Sara, gently tugging on the brunette's lower lip begging for entrance.

"No no no, You're not getting away with it that easily. Now spill, why that grin on your face?" Sara asked as she pushed Catherine back a little.

But before Sara got her answer there was a knock at the door

"Pfew, saved by the bell…err knock." Catherine said as she quickly walked to the door leaving a frustrated Sara behind.

As Catherine opened the door, the smile on her face disappeared within seconds.

"Good morning. I'm looking for Sara Sidle"