Disclaimer: CSI belongs to CBS and Jerry Bruckheimer.
Author's Note: And I'm back all energized! (Pfew, what a break can do for you;) Anyway, sorry for the long wait on an update for this story, I'll try to update this one more often. Enjoy reading, and please let me know what you think of it. Thanks!
Part 5
After a few hours Sara was the first to wake up. Turning around in the safe embrace of her lover she noticed the concerned look on Catherine's face. The brunette could feel a knot forming in her stomach as she realized she was the one who caused that look on her lovers face –Catherine had been through enough the last few weeks and now this.
Despite the fact Catherine had said she would be there for her, Sara wasn't ready to fill her in on all the facts she had tried so hard to forget for years. But at the same time she felt like betraying Catherine's trust by not letting her in on all that had passed.
Catherine awoke, sensing Sara's internal turmoil. Pulling the taller woman closer to her own body, Catherine placed a soft kiss on the brunette's cheek.
"Penny for your thoughts." she said as she reached for Sara's hand and entwined their fingers –an action they had shared quite often the last few days, molding their hands together, strengthening the bond that was already there.
"I just…well…" Sara tried, but she couldn't. Tears started to fill her eyes as she felt frustrated because she wasn't able to talk to her lover.
One look in the brunette's hazel eyes was enough for the strawberry blonde to know what was bothering Sara.
"Shhh. It's ok my love, take your time. Tell me once you're ready." Catherine said before claiming Sara's lips in a fierce kiss –trying to chase all the bad thoughts away.
As the kiss ended Sara let out a sigh. She was so glad Catherine understood, and any feeling of betrayal started to dissolve after feeling the older woman's lips on hers.
"Thank you, Catherine. I don't know what I did to deserve you." the brunette stated.
"Well, I do. You saved my life." Catherine said, locking eyes with Sara.
The younger woman raised an eyebrow at hearing that statement.
"You did." Catherine continued. "You saved my daughter, hence, my life. But that's not why I'm here. I'm here because I want to. I'm here because I love you and I want you to be a part of my life, of Lindsey's life."
Catherine reached up to wipe away a tear that had found its way across Sara's cheek. The brunette closed her eyes and leaned in to the soft touch of the older woman's hand.
Seeing how Sara longed for her touch, Catherine once again was surprised by the change in the taller woman's behavior. Months ago she never would have thought Sara could be craving for such contact with her –physically, but also emotionally. Before the strawberry blonde spoke up again she gave a little tug on Sara's chin.
"Sara, please look at me."
She needed to see the hazel eyes of her lover –the dark eyes that spoke to her without uttering one syllable- to know if her words reached their goal, to know if Sara shared the same feeling.
"And I hope you want us to become a part of your life as well."
"You already are. I can't even imagine a life without you in it. Both of you." Sara let her gaze drop, avoiding the blue pools in front of her as she spoke up again. "I'm sorry, Catherine, but I'm not ready to tell…"
But before Sara could continue Catherine silenced her by kissing the brunette's lips once again. "Please, Sara, don't ever apologize for that. I already told you, and I'll tell you once more, take your time. Tell me when you feel you're up to it."
Getting out of bed she held her hand out for Sara to take.
"Now, come on, let's shower and get dressed. Linds'll be done for today in about an hour, and I think she'll be delighted to see us both standing there to pick her up."
Seeing the look of love directed at her, Sara let her mind rest, all thoughts about what had happened all those years ago –along with the feeling of betrayal- had fled her mind.
Gratefully taking the offered hand, the brunette got out of bed and let her lover guide her towards the bathroom. Catherine opened the shower cabin and let Sara enter first. Turing on the water, both women let the stream cascade down their bodies.
As Sara tried to reach for the shampoo, pain shot through her side –her hands frantically grabbing at the offended spot. This reminded her once again that her body wasn't back at full strength yet, and she hated this feeling of being so vulnerable.
"Here, let me do that." Catherine said as she reached for the bottle and started to lather Sara's hair. She knew Sara was having a hard time –her body still recuperating, and not allowing her to be the independent woman she had always been.
Massaging the brunette's skull earned her more than a few groans of appreciation. It seemed that the action of Catherine's hands completely dispelled the previous feeling that had filled Sara's body, and replaced it by a much more comfortable tingling inside.
After Sara's hair was done, the rest of her tall body was next. Catherine didn't leave a single inch of skin untouched –not in a lust filled way, but only in a loving and caring way.
As the two women entered the bedroom again, they had only twenty minutes left to get to Lindsey's school. So, after quickly pulling on some clothes they headed out.
The drive over to Lindsey's school was done in silence –a comfortable silence though. Sara was watching out of the passenger's window, her hand resting on Catherine's thigh –circling motions caressing the strawberry blonde.
Sara's mind was finally at peace –even if it was just for a few hours- and she was looking forward to seeing the younger Willows woman again. The thoughts that now filled her head were of Catherine and Lindsey –thoughts of the love she felt for both of them.
"Honey, we're here" Catherine said as she placed her own hand on top of Sara's, stilling her caress, and entwining their fingers.
This action caused Sara to turn round and lock eyes with the beautiful woman sitting next to her. A sincere smile graced her face as she felt Catherine squeeze her hand. Leaning forward she quickly closed the distance between their lips and kissed the older woman.
The kiss was both fierce and soft at the same time, and Sara was once again amazed at the feeling that stirred up inside her as her lips touched the luscious ones of her lover.
Leaving the strawberry blonde breathless, Sara started to open the car door. "Come on, Lindsey'll be here any minute. She'll be so glad to see you."
Catherine reached for Sara's shoulder, turning the brunette round to face her. "Us. She'll be glad to see us…well, considering the hero-worshipping she's still got going," Catherine smirked, "my guess is she'll be glad to see you, and totally forget about me."
A little smile formed on Sara's face as she gave Catherine's words some consideration.
School doors opening and children running out shook both of the women out of their thoughts, and they quickly left the car.
True to Catherine's words, the little Willows woman soon spotted Sara and completely forgot about her mother.
"SARA!" Lindsey screamed as she ran towards the brunette, and lunged herself at the tall woman.
The brunette took a few steps into Lindsey's direction while Catherine stayed behind –giving her the chance to look at her child and lover interacting.
As Sara noticed what Lindsey's intentions were –jumping into her arms- she braced herself for the impact. Her body still not completely recovered made frolics like these pretty painful, but this time prepared for the little girl Sara opened her arms and gave the little blonde a big hug –fighting the stinging pain in her ribs.
"Hey Lindsey. How was your day?" Sara asked as she put her back on the ground.
"It was ok I guess. I missed you though." She said as she took the tall woman's hand.
"You didn't miss your mom?" Sara queried as they started walking towards Catherine.
Sending Sara a look that can only be described as 'Duh' Lindsey looked up into Sara's eyes. "Of course I missed her too, but I missed you most" Lindsey answered as she tugged the brunette's arms.
"Well, I missed you too." Sara ruffled Lindsey's hair before continuing. "Now, go to your mom. She missed you as well."
Catherine, who had watched it all, was glad to see how easily Lindsey and Sara were getting along. She realized that, even though Lindsey would never have her father around, Sara would be the best person to play a big part in her daughter's life.
"Mom!"
This time it was Catherine's turn to be engulfed by the little blonde tornado.
"Hey sweety." Catherine said before kissing her girl on her forehead.
"Mom, Jenny invited me for a sleepover. Can I go? Can I…can I?" She asked, while tugging at her mother's arm, and displaying her sweetest look.
Sara –who was walking towards the Willows women- noticed how Lindsey worked her charm on her mother, and knew she'd get what she wanted. 'Just like her mother' Sara thought, a smile coming onto her face.
As her eyes locked with those sparkling blue pools of her lover, the smile transformed into a full-blown gap-toothed grin. Reaching Catherine and Lindsey, Sara overheard an "I'll think about it", and realized Lindsey had reached her goal.
"Let's go home." Catherine said, and only after the words had left her mouth she realized what she had just said –she had called Sara's place their 'home'.
Sara noticed the change in Catherine's eyes, and before the blonde would become more distressed she walked over, took her hand, and entwined their fingers.
"Home it is" she said before closing the gap between her and Catherine, giving her a chaste kiss.
Half an hour later the three women reached Sara's place, now baptized as 'home'.
Since Catherine had to go to work that evening they decided Lindsey could go to the sleepover –after being given certain ground-rules by her mother.
"Don't worry mom. I'll be fine. I promise I'll get enough sleep and stay out of trouble." Lindsey sighed, getting a bit bored by her mother's extensive list of 'do's & don't s'.
After dinner, while Lindsey was packing her stuff, Sara and Catherine were seated on the living room couch, talking things through for the rest of the evening to come.
"So, no matter what, call, ok?" Catherine said, her hands absentmindedly stroking through Sara's dark hair –fingers massaging the nape of the brunette's neck. "Even if the only thing you need is to hear my voice."
"Hmm" Sara purred, enjoying the strawberry blonde's caresses. "I will."
Lifting her head from Catherine's shoulder, Sara locked eyes with the older woman, and inched closer. But instead of kissing Catherine's lips, Sara took a detour along the strawberry blonde's entire jaw –placing butterfly kisses all the way- before finally planting her lips on Catherine's.
Slightly suckling on the older woman's lower lip, Sara searched for entrance to the sweetness known to her as Catherine. Soon after, tongues were dueling, touching, exploring –but the sound of footsteps kept them from getting too involved.
"I'm ready" Lindsey said as she placed her bag at the door and grabbed her coat.
Catherine and Sara were still enjoying the closeness of each other's body –the remnants of the feel of their lips still lingering in their minds- and didn't immediately respond to the little blonde's words.
"Tick tock, let's go mom, or else you'll be late for work."
"And here I thought I was the parent." Catherine laughed before giving Sara one last peck on her lips, and leaving the couch.
"Have fun Lindsey." Sara said as she walked over to her.
"Thanks Sara, and don't worry. I'll be back before you know." The little girl beamed at her guardian angel.
"That's good to know." Sara smiled before she placed a kiss on Lindsey's forehead.
Lindsey grabbed her bag and headed for the door while Catherine quickly grabbed Sara's hand and pulled it to her lips –placing a soft kiss on the brunette's long fingers.
"Call me…anytime you need me" Catherine reminded Sara who merely nodded –mesmerized by the strawberry blonde beauty standing in front of her.
Once again Lindsey reminded her mother it was time to go, so Catherine let go of her lover and headed out.
While closing the door, the strawberry blonde mouthed 'I love you' –leaving Sara standing in the hall, smiling brightly.
But that smile was soon gone as she reached for the card in her back pocket and grabbed the phone from its cradle. After only a few rings the phone was answered.
"DA Muller?"