Set at the beginning of season 6, after 6.1. Another how Sara and Gil got together fic. Humour/Romance I'm going to try to keep it T but later chapters may be M This was inspired by the lack of surprise on Catherine's face when Gil revealed GSR to the team at the end of season 7 and by the fact that Ecklie doesn't fire Gil.
Catherine Willows was irritated. There were several reasons why she was quick to become irritable nowadays; her ongoing battles with her daughter, who at thirteen thought that she knew everything, her annoyance with Grissom, who seemed determined to ignore anything that wasn't directly related to work and, finally, the awkwardness in her relationship with Warrick caused by her inability to pretend that she thought his unannounced, rushed marriage was a great idea (and her admission that she fantasised about him probably hadn't helped). However, today Catherine had a good reason to be irritable. Quite by chance she had followed Sara into and out of the break room, the lab and the layout room and had overheard Nick trying to persuade Sara to go out with his friend, Mike, for about the hundredth time, followed by David Hodges and then Greg both trying to get her to go out with them. Sara had reacted patiently to Nick and deflected both Hodges and Greg with humour but Catherine could tell that Sara was starting to get annoyed. Hearing Greg say happily,
'One day you'll give in, I know it. I'm going to keep trying,'
Catherine knew that she had to take action. Sara should be able to do her job without being constantly harassed. Particularly since all of the men involved were supposed to be trained observers so really should have noticed that Sara was in love with Grissom. Normally, Catherine would have called all three of them into her office and given them a piece of her mind but Nick was still recovering from the trauma of being buried alive so Catherine would prefer not to shout at him. Thoughtfully, Catherine followed Sara towards the ballistics lab, speeding up so that she caught up and said,
'I was just going on break. Fancy a coffee at the new cafe? My treat.'
'Sure.'
They grabbed their coats and walked to the cafe. The coffee was a bit overpriced but it's proximity to the lab ensured a steady stream of customers, particularly as it was open 24 hours. At 3am there were several tables empty so Catherine was able to choose somewhere where they wouldn't be overheard. She waited until Sara had taken her first sip of coffee and had leaned back with a contented sigh before saying,
'How often is Greg asking you out?'
'Every day… But it's no big deal, I mean it's just Greg.'
'Hmm. And Hodges?'
'About once a week. He's a nice guy really… just not my type.'
'And how persistent is Nick being about trying to set you up.'
'Fairly… but he'll get bored soon, I just have to wait him out.'
'Sara, you shouldn't have to wait him out or put up with Hodges or Greg.'
'I know… but I don't know how to get them to stop without being…'
Sara paused, looking for a polite way to finish what she was saying.
'Without being a bitch?' suggested Catherine.
'Yes.'
'Sometimes being a bitch isn't a bad thing… but I understand why you don't want to. Do you want me to have a conversation with them or get Grissom to?'
'No… I mean, it's just a bit irritating, not anything else.'
'If you're sure?'
'I am.'
Catherine sat back and sipped her coffee, her irritation on Sara's behalf increased by talking to her rather than decreased. Nick, Hodges and Greg were all basically nice guys (even though Hodges could probably win prizes for smugness) who were just being asses at the moment. None of them deserved to get into any real trouble for it but Sara shouldn't have to put up with their nonsense either. Normally, she would have got Warrick to have a word with Nick while she explained to Hodges and Greg how much trouble they were going to be in if they didn't stop but she and Warrick were barely talking at the moment and Catherine didn't trust herself not to lose her temper with Hodges and Greg.
Tapping her fingers against her cup, Catherine tried to think of a solution. A memory from her younger days made her smirk. It was an immature idea, entirely inappropriate for someone in her position, but it would have the advantage of being able to be passed off as a prank when they were discovered. It would also be highly entertaining and Catherine really needed some entertainment in her life at the moment. Looking across at Sara, Catherine smiled wickedly and said,
'Want to mess with their heads? And get them to leave you alone at the same time?'
Intrigued, Sara said,
'What did you have in mind.'
Catherine's smile broadened and she checked to make sure that they weren't being overheard before starting to explain.
Sara had been hesitant at first, saying,
'I don't feel comfortable lying to the guys. Particularly not about this.'
'We're not going to lie to them. We're just going to let them make assumptions. And you know what happens when you assume?'
'You make an ass out of you and me.'
'Exactly.'
Sara still looked unsure so Catherine continued,
'They're all trained investigators; none of them should fall for it. In fact I'm prepared to bet that Grissom and Jim won't be fooled for a second.'
Catherine watched Sara relax at the idea that Grissom wouldn't be taken in and, with a wicked smile, added the coup de grace,
'And who knows, maybe Ecklie's head will explode.'
Sara sniggered and said,
'All right. What did you have in mind?'
Catherine sipped her coffee and explained what she had in mind. Sara listened thoughtfully, then made some suggestions of her own. By the time that they had left the cafe their plans were in place.