Taking charge

Sorry if short... please review.

I thought it was time someone spelled it out to Sara that she and Greg mean more to each other then just friends... and who better then Catherine.

promise more action coming up

Chapter nine

Sara winched when Lotte let out a 'oh' when another car paced their apartment. She had asked immediately where Greg was and Sara had to tell her that he went home. She didn't have the heart to tell her that she had sent him home because she was afraid of letting someone inside… of depending on someone else. When Sara had phoned both Greg at home and on his cell phone she had received no answer leaving messages apologising for disturbing and that Lotte wanted to see him.

After the first hour and half Lotte hadn't moved from beside the phone then when after two hours Greg hadn't phoned Lotte convinced herself that he was going to be driving in any minute.

Sara watched the girl willing her to do something else but not having the heart or voice to tell her. In fact Sara was still going over her mind why she had close off to him last night… she hadn't wanted to but it had come a response, autopilot that had been installed in her years ago.

She remembered his face when she had almost opened up to him but instead she closed off and turned away. She knew he was mad, she heard him stalk after her and for a moment her reserve faltered but he grabbed his bag from the bathroom and then stormed out of the apartment.

At first she was angry, at herself then at him. she wanted to go after him and demand to know who he thought he was, he didn't own her and she sure in hell didn't owe him anything to have him storm out after she choose not to talk anymore.

It wasn't like they were dating or even married she didn't have to explain everything to him. That had kept her awake for most of the night, what kept her awake the other half was the fact that even though she wanted to believe that she didn't owe him anything the truth was that she did. He had been there for the past three months… he had been more then a friend, and last night she had needed him and it had scared her.

Her feelings for Greg were confusing… she loved him and she was sure it was as a friend but the more she was around him the more convinced that she needed him more than just a friend… she needed him in her life as an equal.

Sara brushed a stray tear away when the young girl lowered her head disappointed once more and Sara looked at the phone. She would give it another hour and apologise, for her behaviour and…she would need to think about anything else she might tell Greg.

It was nearing Lotte's when the phone finally rung. Sara had put a random channel on but found herself watching Lotte, both jumped when the shrill of the phone echoed throughout the apartment again. Sara got up and headed for the phone; she answered and sighed when Greg's voice flittered through.

"Hey" he greeted pausing… Sara bit her lip wondering how awkward she had made things "I got you message… sorry but I realised thanks to Lotte I haven't had a chance to clean any of my clothes… the one clean outfit I did have and she got flour over it" Greg declared as Sara sighed and smiled at Lotte who was watching her eagerly "that's fine Greg… and to be honest it wasn't just Lotte" Sara stated as the young girl ran over to her at the mention of Greg's name. Sara relaxed when she heard Greg chuckle, things were ok between them.

"I know but I wanted to spare you the shame of knowing you made your friend choose between wearing a jumpsuit from work or a Hawaiian shirt and blue Speedos that I don't remember buying" Greg declared causing Sara to laugh out loud.

"Well I'm glad you find it amusing… I ended up wearing the shirt and jump suit, now if you wouldn't mind I would like to talk to someone who doesn't think it funny to laugh at my misfortunes" Sara still laughed as she handed the phone to Lotte, imagining the looks Greg must have received when he done his laundry. Sara watched with delight as Lotte lit up as she spoke to Greg laughing when he said something funny or scrunched up her face in both concentration and disgust when he said something she didn't understand fully.

After five minutes Lotte pouted and looked to Sara "Sara, uncle Greg wants to talk to you… he said it was my bed time tell I can say up a little while longer" Lotte pleaded as Sara shook her head and got to her feet "afraid not, uncle Greg is right you have to go to be" she ordered as Lotte groaned then nodded "night uncle Greg, promise your going to come by tomorrow. Sara isn't working and she said we were going to do something… I don't think she would mind if you came with us" Lotte declared before handing the phone to Sara and racing to her room. Sara grinned and held the phone to her ear "you don't mind do you… Lotte wants to see me" Greg declared as Sara sighed and lent against the kitchen counter "no, I don't… Greg" she started but found she didn't know what she wanted to say to him… at least not over the phone.

"I promise it won't be too early I know you girls need your beauty sleep… not that you two do but huh go figure" he joked before Sara sighed, what had she wanted to say to him. She didn't know and she wouldn't know until she at least saw him face to face.

"well goodnight Sara" he offered "yeah night Greg" she didn't want to hang and for a full minute they both held on to their end of the line not saying anything just hoping the other would say everything that needed to be said. However Lotte called for Sara and it was with some reluctance she hanged up and went in aid of Lotte.

Sara groaned as she was dragged out of her sleep by knocking at her door, she glanced at the clock and groaned when she saw it said ten in the morning. She grumbled something before sitting up. Lotte crept in and looked at Sara, obviously she had been up for a little while because the sound of cartoons filtered in from the living room "Sara I didn't want to answer it with out you" Lotte declared before Sara nodded and climbed out of the bed.

Sara yawned as she opened the door, she winched when bright lights hit her eyes and she a rather chipper looking Catherine Willows standing at her door "morning" she greeted as she flounced into the apartment. Lotte squealed and raced to Catherine throwing her arms around her. Catherine laughed and hugged the child tightly.

"Jeeze Catherine… it's ten o'clock" Sara grumbled as she closed her door and watched the two red heads "I know I'm sorry I know I said this afternoon but my wonderful daughter has decided that her day doesn't officially begin after noon" Catherine told causing Sara to frown, Catherine smiled and shook her head "remember the girly day… you said it was fine if Lotte came with us even if you were going to a boring missy" Catherine declared and Sara groaned as the memory hit her. Lotte jumped up and down at the thought of a girly day with Catherine "really… you mean it" she chirped as she looked to Sara. Sara bit her lip… recent events made her want to say no but she knew she couldn't keep the young girl locked up.

"yes… but you have to go get dressed now and get your school stuff ready, Lindsey's going to take you to school tomorrow" Sara told her and Lotte didn't take another second before she raced from the room leaving both women to laugh.

Sara moved over to her kettle and switched the on button "coffee" she questioned but Catherine shook her head "I've had about five cups already… anyway what are you going to do while we're enjoying ourselves" Catherine asked gaining a grin from the younger woman "tidy up… I didn't know kids could be such whirlwinds" Sara stated as Catherine nodded.

Sara smiled as she busied herself with her coffee, listening to Lotte scramble around her room. "Then I might just try and catch up on some reading…" she stopped when she remembered something.

"Oh crap" she groaned and Catherine frowned at her "what… wondering if you can read" Catherine joked but Sara looked at her "no, Greg was dropping in to see Lotte… I kinder wanted to speak to him face to face to apologise" Sara blushed when Catherine's eyebrows rose.

"Apologise for what exactly" Catherine asked with a devilish smile but Sara glared at her and pursed her lips "nothing… it was just, the other day when… well after what happened I kinder took his head off and closed myself off" Sara admitted not meeting the woman's gaze.

"he was trying to be my friend and… and I blew him off" Sara admitted but instead of hearing reassurance Catherine laughed and Sara looked at her "what" she questioned causing Catherine to give her a 'isn't obvious' look "come on Sara" she ordered but Sara still stared at her like she was mad "what… I don't get what's so funny" Sara declared as Catherine glanced over her shoulder towards Lotte's room before she walked over to Sara "Sara me and you both know that Greg acts more then a friend" Catherine stated causing Sara to gape at her.

Then she blinked rapidly…Catherine had to mean the way Greg doted on Lotte, she had to because no way she could have meant that Greg felt more.

"I know… he loves Lotte" and once again Catherine just laughed. Sara was becoming confused now and annoyed. Catherine must have read this in her face because she sighed and shook her head "yes he does… and he loves you too" Catherine declared.

Sara felt like she had been punched hard in the stomach… but Catherine only chuckled "like a friend" Catherine snorted and just stared at her friend "Sara… I'm his friend and he never flirted this much with me… he's never done half the stuff he's done for you for me" Catherine looked as though she was enjoying this.

Sara should have scolded her by now… but she was too shocked and she was hoping that Catherine was telling the truth.

"Look, it's clear how Greg feels… and by your reaction I'm guessing the feelings are returned. Why don't you two have a nice chat over dinner… see where it goes" Catherine offered causing Sara to think then nod but she said nothing. Catherine grinned before she turned just in time to see Lotte bounding out of the bedroom clutching her bags "whoa… excited are you" Catherine questioned as the girl beamed at them before she pouted at Sara "please will you come" Lotte pleaded but Sara shook her head still stunned "oh don't worry Lotte Sara has to do some grown up things… you know make decisions" Catherine declared as Lotte thought then beamed "like my birthday" she chirped as Catherine laughed and took the bags from Lotte "we'll see… speak to you later Sara" Catherine ordered before Lotte wrapped her arms around Sara and Sara embraced the child back.

Then she was alone with her thoughts… could Greg really be in love with her. Sara held a hand to her stomach as it fluttered, maybe talking to Greg wouldn't be so bad.