Title: Perfect Match.

Author: Corbeau's Alcove.

Email: persistance_is_futile@hotmail.com

Rating: NC-17

Fandom and Pairing: CSI; Catherine and Sara - first time.

Disclaimer: The cast and crew of Crime Scene Investigation belong to Jerry Bruckheimer and Co.  I am borrowing them and will wash, spin dry and hang up after use.

Spoilers: This story runs through season three but with no real specific references.

Archiving: Please just ask first before you submit my story for the Pulitzer.

Notes: Thanks to the gals at the catherineandsara yahoo group for giving me feedback from the beginning.  It gave me the confidence to post my fics elsewhere.   Please don't hesitate to send some feedback my way.  I encourage it actually.  Okay, so I might beg too.

PART ONE

Catherine stepped out of the Tahoe, black boots hitting the road with purpose.

"What have we got Brass?"

Brass waved her over to the front of the house swarming with police, medical staff and yellow tape; his tweed jacket blowing in the wind.

"Catherine, how are you this chilly evening?"

"Not really enjoying my clothing choice," Catherine replied smiling weakly. "So, you said something about a dead body?"

Brass smiled and thought to himself that Catherine's attire may just be warming up the majority of people on site. Her aqua button down shirt was the closet to sheer she could get without trying to look like she was dressed like the popular girl at school who wanted to show off her 'worth' to the Captain of the football team.

"Right, dead body, yes. A one Lauren Maines, 27 year old worked as a d.j. According to her flat mate she was a great mixer. Officer over there got the call, he didn't touch her before you ask. She's got a rope around her throat and I'm guessing it is not a new necklace. She's in bra and undies on what can only be described as a cold evening."

"So you're saying possible sexual assault and a strangulation?" Catherine asked smiling at Brass.

Brass returned the smile and replied, "I'd never make a guess Catherine, but if I were to ..." Brass was cut off by the shrill of a mobile phone.

Catherine looked down to the phone clipped to her belt.

"It's mine. Willows?"

"Catherine, Grissom. Nick and Sara about ten away and I'm off with Warrick to court. Can you take care of things while we're gone?"

"Gil, I think this dead body can do without your supreme expertise. We'll be fine."

"Make sure they follow your plays. Bye." With that Grissom hung up.

Catherine looked at her phone with some humor and stepped into the house. Her mind begun the routine she always had when first entering upon a crime scene; documenting the rooms in the hope to catch some clue. Her training kicked in and she went about determining the scene boundaries keeping the door open for the possibility of extending it if needs be.

On the bed was as Brass had described; female, dressed in bra and panties, a rope tied around her neck. The sheets were in a pile on the floor at the foot of the bed. Catherine put her case down and conducted a detailed search of the room searching for something out of place.

Nick, in the meantime, entered the room and whistled.

"Nice top Cath, hot date?"

Catherine turned and smiled. "You know me Nick, I love to dress up."

In truth, she had been out on a date and was almost praying for a call into work. Not that she was one to wish for a victim but the man she had been paired up with made Gil look interesting. If she heard him discuss the square root of whatever she was going to excuse herself to the ladies room and leave stage left.

One thing was certain, he wasn't getting any kind of square root from her.

"Hey Catherine, did you open this window?" Nick asked.

"No, and with the temperature I don't know if our vic would have either, unless she was born in Antarctica."

"I'll dust for prints."

Catherine nodded in agreement and continued studying the body.

She lifted two distinctly different hairs on the bed and bagged them. She continued pulling fibers from the body and surrounding area looking for anything out of the ordinary. As she was moving away from the bed she saw a used matchstick lying slightly under the bed.

Nick turned to Catherine.

"Oh and Brass said to let you know he will personally rush over the rape kit."

"Thanks Nick, last time there was a stuff up so he's being extra cautious."

Nick smiled knowing that Catherine had scared the officer who had left the kit in his car in the hot Vegas sun while he went to visit his lady friend. In fact, that story did the rounds of both the day and night shift for sometime. Truth be told, he thought some of the uniforms still cowered as she walked by.

Sara in the meantime was taking photographs of the body.

Catherine hadn't noticed Sara before then and wondered how she could have missed another body in the room, after all it wasn't a mansion.

"Sara, guess your other case is closed."

Sara's attention was momentarily diverted by Catherine's nipples piercing through the flimsy material.

"Oh uh yeah, all wrapped up."

"I wish I was," Catherine mumbled to no one in particular.

'Let me wrap you up in my arms' Sara thought. She pulled the camera over her head so it was resting like a necklace and took off her Forensic jacket.

"You look like you need this more than I do," Sara said, her eyes once again looking at Catherine's chest.

Catherine followed Sara's eye line and blushed yet still did not take the jacket. She was surprised to feel a little arrogant that Sara was looking at her breasts with such interest.

Sara smiled to cover up her overt ogling, the gap in her teeth showing.

"Please, I'd feel better if you took it."

Sara inwardly cringed at how that statement meant one thing to her and another to Catherine. 'Yeah I'd feel better alright, I wouldn't have to think about my sexual attraction to a co-worker. A straight woman with a daughter who wouldn't even consider me a friend.'

Catherine looked at the jacket held out in Sara's hand and as it looked like she was about to take it, Nick interrupted.

"Catherine, I found some fibers on the latch."

Catherine smiled at Sara and went over to the window.

"Excellent Nicky, bag it and check outside for footprints, any sign of ..."  Catherine stopped when she realized she was emulating Grissom's talent for stating the obvious to a trained CSI. She simply waved her hand and Nick nodded in understanding.

"I'm on it Cath."

Catherine suddenly remembered she had a lone matchstick to find a home for and walked out of the bedroom searching for Brass.

"Hey Brass, the flat mate still out here?"

Brass nodded, otherwise occupied in a discussion with a uniformed officer and pointed her out. She walked out into the kitchen and saw the flat mate sitting at the table, hands wrapped around a mug of something hot.

"Excuse me miss?"

"Sally Withers."

"Miss Withers, did Lauren use matches for anything? Cigarettes? Incense?"

Sally Withers shook her head. "She didn't smoke, I have asthma so she wouldn't burn incense, she's very thoughtful."

Catherine's mind was clicking over. "Do you know if her boyfriend was a smoker?"

Sally smiled slightly as she replied. "She didn't have a boyfriend, she's a lesbian."

PART TWO

Catherine nodded and rephrased the question, "Did any of her girlfriends smoke?"

Sally took a sip from her cup.

"She didn't really bring anyone home, she stopped after my ex boyfriend and her had a fight."

Brass who had appeared from behind Catherine interrupted the conversation.

"We have the particulars of this gentleman Catherine. Martin Mercer, 32 year old truck driver. We'll question him after the uniforms pick him up."

"Thanks Brass." Catherine smiled at Brass before turning her attention back to Sally. "Miss Winters, can you tell me the nature of the argument?"

"Usual macho crap, thought she was waiting for a man who could satisfy her and he offered his services." Miss Winters said shaking her head. "She cut him down and he spat at her calling her a useless dyke. I dumped him right after that."

"Would you consider him a violent man?" Catherine asked.

"He liked rough sex but he never struck me. He didn't take Lauren's rejection well though."

"Rough sex, did he ever tie a rope or some sort of material around your neck?" Brass inquired.

"He wanted to once but I refused. He told me it would be a great way to climax. When I said no he pressed me a few times but then dropped it."

"Okay Miss Winters, thank you for your help. I'm sorry for your loss." Catherine said placing her hand on Sally Winters shoulder in a moment of comfort.

Catherine re-entered the bedroom to see Sara standing at the foot of the bed looking at Lauren's prone body.

"See something Sara?" Catherine said.

Sara looked to the doorway where Catherine was with a frown, "It's just that she's still in her underwear. If this was a sexual attack why is she still wearing them?"

"Perhaps this was foreplay?"

"We'll know if there was any sexual activity after Doc takes a look." Sara said moving over Catherine.

"Did you get all the photos you needed?" Catherine asked.

Sara nodded. "Yep, just waiting on Nick."

"Like all ladies Sara. You only have to ask." Nick joked.

"Nicky, tell me about outside." Catherine said.

"No footprints but I found some cigarette ash on the stones near the pipe."

"According to Lauren's flat mate she wasn't a smoker and didn't have many visitors to her bedroom" said Catherine.

"Sounds like my love life" Nick said smiling.

"I thought you were a stud Nick?" Sara said teasing.

"I am Sara, just trying to find that right girl."

"Apparently so was Lauren." Catherine said.

Sara looked over to Catherine, "A lesbian?"

Catherine nodded. "Flat mate said she stopped having people over after a fight with an ex of her flat mate."

"We got his details?" Nick asked.

"Brass has the uniforms picking him up. Until then I say if we're all done for now we head back to the lab." Catherine said.

"We'll meet you back there Cath." Nick said.

Catherine allowed Nick to leave first. She had been so focused on the information Sally was giving her she forgot just how cold it was. She rubbed her arms in a futile attempt to warm up cursing whatever God had possessed her to forgo a jacket in the pursuit of showing a bit of flesh.

Sara had noticed the shiver that went through Catherine and walked up behind her. She took off her jacket for the second time that night and wrapped it around the woman in front of her. Her mind was screaming at her to lick the neck she was presented with. Catherine's close proximity was making her heart beat so fast she could have sworn her insides would explode.

"I told you Catherine, you need my jacket. I don't want to have you come down with the flu. You can't leave me on a case with Nick." She joked to cover up her instinct to accidentally brush her hands against Catherine's breasts.

Catherine's breath hitched when she realised Sara was almost pressed up against her back. For a moment she was tempted to lean against it. 'For the warmth,' she told herself but for some reason she wasn't convinced.

"Thank you Sara. Your consideration is duly noted even if you had a selfish ulterior motive." Catherine said turning to face Sara smiling back at her.

Sara blinked quickly, 'Surely she doesn't know I'm attracted to her' she thought worriedly. It took another second to realise Catherine had meant her joke about working with Nick.

"Ah, that's why you're the lead CSI Cath, I can't get anything past you." Sara smiled.

Catherine laughed as they exited the house and got in their respective cars for the drive back to work.

PART THREE

Catherine strode into the lab holding up her pager.

"Greg, what you got?"

"Just one minute Catherine, I'm about to ... wow," Greg had his back to Catherine but as he spun around in his chair to face her he noticed the top she was wearing. "You didn't have to dress up on my account Catherine, you know after Sara you'll always be my favourite."

Catherine pulled the front of Sara's jacket across her chest wondering why she hadn't changed before she was summoned by the one person in the lab who would voice his dorm room comments.

As Catherine zipped Sara's jacket up, thus preventing any further glaring from Greg, she realized that she had had ample time to get changed yet was hesitant to relinquish Sara's jacket. First the feeling of excitement when Sara looked a little uncomfortable when Catherine caught her looking at her top, then the increased heart rate when Sara was almost pressed up against her body...

"Hey hello?" Greg snapped Catherine out of her ponderings waving a piece of paper in her face. "Thinking about the man who made you put that top on?" Greg said smiling.

"Greg, just the results." Catherine said exasperated.

"Okay, okay. The two hair strands. One was from our vic, Lauren Maines. The other, unidentified white female I'd say she's 30, but when you find some suspects you know you can call me for a DNA match." Greg said smiling.

"Anything else?" Catherine asked sighing.

"Hey Catherine, I'm backed up and you did just get back so until I can perform the magic of Siegfried and Roy then you'll have to wait." Greg said.

"You're wrong about one thing Greg," Catherine said as she was leaving the room. "You're a master of illusion."

Greg watched Catherine's back trying to determine whether or not he'd just been insulted.

Sara was returning from visiting Doc Robbins in the morgue when she noticed Catherine entering the coffee room. She smiled with some satisfaction when she noticed Catherine still wore her jacket.

Catherine was pouring a cup of coffee when Sara entered. She leant against the door frame watching Catherine's movements. She looked smaller in the jacket that was rolled up at the wrist. On Sara it was long also, a one size fits all jacket handed out by the department heads but on Catherine it fell past her bottom covering up what Sara thought, was one of Catherine's best points. 'Not that she has any bad ones' Sara mused.

Suddenly Catherine yelped, shaking her hand and cursing.

"Bloody cup. Shit!"

Sara was over to Catherine in a matter of seconds.

"Cath? You okay?"

Catherine moved over to the sink to run her hand under the water.

"I wasn't paying enough attention obviously. Poured the coffee right onto my hand." Catherine said laughing ruefully.

Sara moved to Catherine's left rolling the sleeve jacket up further to survey the damage.

"Looks okay but I bet it stings," Sara said smiling.

Catherine laughed.

"Sara, you are the master of understatement," Catherine replied looking down to her hand. She noticed Sara was ever so softly running her thumb across her wrist.

Sara followed Catherine's gaze and realized she was stroking her wrist. She refused to look back up at Catherine for she knew it would be her undoing.

Catherine knew she should take her hand away from the water now but Sara's gentle to and fro was comforting her more than she cared to admit. She turned her hand over so her palm was showing and smiled when she noticed Sara simply switched her attention to her raging pulse. Catherine then moved her hand down so that her fingertips held Sara's thumb captive.

Sara gasped when she realized Catherine had shifted and tried to regain her composure when Catherine held hand still.

"Did I hurt you Cath?" Sara asked.

Catherine nodded no in reply and entwined her fingers with Sara's. Sara thought she would collapse on the spot.

"I'm fine Sara."

They both stood at the sink, tap still running, holding hands in the sink. If they weren't looking at each other they could have both found the positioning quite amusing.

However all Sara could think about was that Catherine was holding her hand. 'I could just lean over and kiss her,' Sara considered.

Catherine wasn't sure what possessed her to make the progression to hand holding but there was something in the way Sara had been so gentle that struck a cord with her.

"Thank you for your assistance," Catherine said moving her hand out of Sara's to turn the tap off.

As she leant over she berated herself. 'Assistance? Assistance? Catherine what is wrong with you?' Her inward cursing made her miss the look on Sara's face. Sara had been contemplating kissing this beautiful woman next to her and Catherine's brush off had been like a slap in the face.

"No problem Catherine, as I said earlier tonight, can't have you leaving me to work solely with Nick," Sara said trying to make light of the situation.

Sara moved to sit at the table, she had to get away from Catherine.

Catherine turned to see Sara sit at the table. Sara had chosen a seat far enough away from Catherine's folders to cause Catherine to worry if she had offended her.

"Sara, listen. I, ah want to thank you for taking care of me tonight. Your jacket came in handy not just to ward off the cold but also Greg's permanent stare at my chest. Then just now, well I just want to say thank you."

Sara smiled at the reference to Greg.

"I can imagine he had more than a scientific interest," Sara said causing Catherine to laugh.

Sara's insides melted at the sound of Catherine's laughter. She had made her laugh on several occasions this evening and was thriving in the knowledge that she could make the majestic redhead feel so relaxed.

"Yeah, although my top was a talking point he did manage to tell me that the hair strands belonged to Lauren and an unidentified female."

"So she had company but it doesn't necessarily mean murder on this woman's part." Sara mused aloud.

"I have to say, the flat mates ex-boyfriend sounds suspicious. Wanting Sally to perform a sexual act involving a rope and Lauren's strangulation ..." Catherine said leaving the sentence open ended.

"As Grissom would say, there are no coincidences." Sara said smiling.

"How was the autopsy?" Catherine asked.

"Doc's still going but he did tell me there was sexual activity. No visible sign of rape. I managed to get a few fibers from Lauren's neck from the rope. Looks like average rope, nothing special."

Sara was interrupted by Catherine's phone.

"Excuse me Sara," Catherine said before answering. "Willows? Hello Jarred. Can you hang on one moment?" Catherine turned to Sara and shrugged. "My date, wants to reschedule."

Sara's stomach dropped.

"Well you do have a case to solve first," Sara said with a little too much venom.

Catherine blinked in surprise at Sara's tone.

"Ah Jarred, look I just don't think I can give you an answer just now. I'm at work. I'm sorry. Dinner was nice yes," Catherine paused, looking over to Sara who was standing and walking to the doorway.

Sara refused to look back as she walked out on Catherine talking to the man who would be closer to Catherine than she ever would.

PART FOUR

Catherine ended the conversation with Jarred and stalked the halls in search of Sara. She was stopped by Nick running to catch up with her.

"Catherine! Got the fingerprint analysis from Greg. We had a few from Lauren's flat mate, Sally which I suppose is usual given two chicks living together."

Catherine smiled. "Nick, just because two girls live together doesn't mean they are having slumber parties like the ones you've probably got hundreds of video tapes of."

Nick returned her smile.

"I'll have you know I own a modest collection of fifty tapes. Anyway, the big news is we have prints lifted from the bedside table and lamp belonging to Martin Mercer. Turns out he's been arrested twice before. Drink driving conviction and one assault. A woman at a bar reported that he tried to force himself on her. Pressed her up against a wall and told her he wanted to have sex with her on the pool table. Was pulled off by a few blokes there and took a swing at them."

"He's a charmer. Okay Nicky, great work. I'll call Brass and let him know. Uniform were picking him up and Brass was going to ask him a few basic questions. We have a bit more to work on now." Catherine said reaching for her phone and hitting speed dial.

"I'm off to scourer through the sheets we got from the vic's bed." Nick said waving farewell.

"Brass, Catherine. Look we have prints in the vic's room that match your Martin Mercer. I'm on my way down so hold off asking him about it if you can."

With that Catherine hung up and went to the locker room. The lab was air conditioned so the jacket she had been wearing was causing her to become a little hot. She certainly did not want to be entering the interrogation room with her current outfit minus the jacket.

She turned the corner and saw that Sara was standing with her head in her locker.

"Sara."

Sara turned her head so sharply that it thudded against the locker door.

"Shit."

Catherine suppressed a giggle, now was not the time.

"I have to say something Sara and you need to hear me out." Catherine said moving closer to Sara.

Sara nodded yet made no attempt to make eye contact.

"I don't like being spoken too in the manner you did during our previous conversation. My personal life is my own and is not conflicting with this case. If you have a problem with something I've done in the past where my objectivity was somewhat clouded then fine, come to me with that. Don't you dare presume to tell me that I cannot date until I finish a case. I won't put my social life on hold like you." Catherine said.

Sara had been expecting Catherine to wonder why she had spoken as she did. However, hearing Catherine's angry rant was not exactly what she had predicted. Instead of Sara feeling embarrassed at her tone and then rushing out of the room while Catherine was on the phone, she felt her own anger rise.

"You don't need to tell me what happens when you lose your focus Catherine, I bore the physical and emotional scaring after the lab exploded. Greg did also. I'm not perfect either but don't act superior to me because you've worked here longer or because you have Grissom's ear. I work damn hard. I apologise for my tone, I was not inferring that you cannot do your job while you're thinking of the next man to bed."

Sara stopped when she felt her cheek stinging. When she realised that Catherine had slapped her she simply held a hand to her face and stared at her in stunned silence.

Catherine was fuming and responded, "Well that's what it all comes down too doesn't it Sara? My close relationship and your unhealthy obsession with Gil. Well I'm sorry if you can't get anywhere with him but don't blame the past. I'm on good terms with Gil because we respect each other. I thought we had that also Sara after a pretty unimpressive start. If you would prefer not working this case then you can go and make the coffee for us and keep Greg entertained."

When Catherine finished she saw Sara holding her cheek and saw the red mark beginning to appear. She then realised that she indeed did hit her. Then she continued talking! Catherine wasn't sure what had possessed her to physically hit Sara but as soon as she did it she regretted it. Sara had been out of line with her last comment but to reach out and slap her like that, well to say she was perplexed at her own behaviour would have been spot on.

"Oh shit. I'm sorry Sara. I shouldn't have hit you."

Sara had not spoken since Catherine had hit her. She had made no attempt to assure Catherine she wasn't after Grissom. She simply moved closer to Catherine holding her hands up in a show of defeat.

"No Cath, it's me who is sorry. I had no right talking about your date or your personal life like that. I'm not sure what got into me, I suppose I don't like being confronted and lashed out." Sara said.

Catherine shook her head confused at what had transpired between the two of them on this shift. 'It's almost as though we're wading through our own little piece of sexual tension,' she thought.

Catherine held her right hand out.

"Shall we start again?" She asked.

Sara looked down to Catherine's outstretched hand and considered holding it up to her mouth to kiss. Instead she firmly grasped it and smiled.

"Okay, so how about we get to solving this case before Grissom gets back?" Sara cringed at mentioning the man Catherine thought she was after.

"I'm off to meet with Brass," Catherine looked down at her shirt. "After I changed out of this top."

Sara smiled and turned to let Catherine have some privacy. She faced Catherine when she heard her laugh.

"What? Do I have something on my back? One of Greg's 'I love Greg Saunders' signs on there or something?" Sara asked.

"No, no rest easy. I was just wondering why you'd need to turn your back. I'm not stripping down nude and I was a dancer, many men and a few women have seen a lot more flesh than you're about to." Catherine said as she peeled her top off.

Sara was about to make a comment about, well she couldn't quite remember what she was about to say when she saw Catherine standing in front of her. Catherine's aqua bra was cut perfectly to show an adequate amount of cleavage to make you interested. The front clasp was gold in colour and seemed to be calling out to Sara. Sara's eyes traveled over Catherine's shoulders down to her perfect arms that were toned just enough that you could see an outline of muscle. As Sara's eyes traveled inward to see Catherine's stomach she felt as if Catherine's eyes were following her. She looked up to see Catherine with her head cocked to one side with a puzzled look on her face.

"Sara if you're going to stare that much you should really be putting dollar bills down my pants," she joked.

Sara felt as if she'd been slapped again. She blushed furiously and tried to get to the exit. Faced with wall and no way of leaving she tried to think of something to say.

"I was, that is, you're quite beautiful."

Sara felt like hitting her head against the wall.

Catherine moved into Sara's personal space, her bra almost touching Sara and leant into her. Sara was distracted by the overhead view she was getting of Catherine's cleavage that she almost missed the sensation of Catherine's lips against her cheek.

"You're very sweet Sara," Catherine commented turning back to her locker to put on a red sweater.

Sara touched the cheek that had been hit and then soothed with a kiss and smiled. Catherine had kissed her. 'Fair enough it was a friendly peck on the cheek but a girl has to start somewhere,' Sara thought.

She turned to say something to Catherine but she had gone.

Catherine made her way to the interrogation room her mind pre-occupied with Sara. It had been an interesting shift. No Grissom, her much talked about top and Sara. She had to admit she and Sara had made tentative steps toward a friendship of sorts. They worked well together, of that she knew. Sara was a hard one to break through to. Catherine had always been careful of being as hands on with her affection as opposed to Nick and Warrick. Even Greg to a certain extent. With Sara she thought that she wouldn't appreciate the gentle encouragement of a hand on the arm or a comforting hand on her shoulder.

That changed tonight with Sara making the move into Catherine's personal space. The feeling of excitement Catherine got from that, surely it was simply because she felt Sara warming up to her.

'Then why did you kiss her cheek or want to keep her jacket on longer than you needed? The fight had been electricity charged, more like a fight between lovers.' Her mind screamed at her.

She touched her lips and closed her eyes and whispered, "I'm attracted to Sara."

PART FIVE

Catherine entered the interrogation room with professional ease betraying nothing of her realization five minutes prior. She couldn't be distracted from this murder investigation. Sara had accused her, quite correctly, of doing so on a previous case A sin everyone had been guilty of without question. 'Bar Grissom,' Catherine mused.

She was about to give herself a pat on the back for not smiling when she thought of Sara when Martin Mercer glared at her and snapped, "What are you smiling at lady? Enjoy a man in handcuffs do you?"

"Shut up Mercer," Brass responded gruffly.

"Mr. Mercer, Catherine Willows from the Crime Lab. I need to ask you a few questions if that's alright."

Martin Mercer shifted his body in the chair he was handcuffed to.

"I didn't kill that dyke if that's what you're going to ask."

"I was going to start on a simpler question actually. Had you ever, in the time you were dating Sally Winters, enter Lauren's room?"

"That dumb dyke needed a good fu..."

"Okay Mr. Mercer, we know of your offer. If you would just answer the question," Catherine said speaking over the top of him.

"She wouldn't know what to do with a real piece of meat," Martin continued.

"I'm confused, are we talking about her diet now?" Brass asked sarcastically.

"I'll cut to the chase Mr. Mercer," Catherine said placing the DNA results on the table. "We have your fingerprints in her room."

Martin looked up at Brass.

"Woah, you ain't pinning no murder on me," Martin yelled trying to rise but was cut down by his inability to move due to the handcuffs.

"Oh we'll pin it on you Marty, if we find out you killed her during some kinky sex game," Brass retorted.

"Okay, look, I've been in her room but I only went through her drawers and stuff. She wasn't even there. I didn't kill her and I've never had sex with her."

Catherine got up from the chair opposite Martin and motioned to Brass.

"Look Jim, I think we should cut him loose for now." When Brass looked at her with an eyebrow raised in question she continued. "I'm not saying he isn't guilty but I didn't mention where we found the prints yet he told us the exact place we found them."

Brass nodded.

"We can keep him here longer, he assaulted one of my men so we'll nail him for that and it'll give us more time to find out if he did it or not."

"Good, I'm off to see how Nick's going. We need Sally Winters in for a few questions about Lauren's work and social life."

Catherine opened the door and turned when she heard Brass ask, "Catherine are you trying to play police officer and crime scene specialist all at once?"

Catherine winked at Brass and replied, "Well Jim, I have always wanted to use handcuffs."

The clerk who was turning the corner at the time dropped the folders he was carrying and stared at Catherine as she passed.

Catherine bent down to help him.

"Thank you ma'am" he stuttered out, his cheeks bright red.

Catherine decided to torture the clerk. As she handed him the folders she picked imaginary lint off his jacket and whispered, "Don't worry, I only use the handcuffs when the person is very, very, naughty."

The clerk's face exploded into such a lovely shade of red that it resembled a severe sunburn.

Catherine continued on her way to see how Nick was going. When she found him talking to Greg she decided to join them.

"Ah, Catherine, I was about to page you," Nick said smiling.

"Get something off the sheets?" Catherine asked.

"Yes and the DNA there matches the strand of hair tested earlier so this woman who was in her bed did indeed engage in sexual activity with our victim." Nick said showing Catherine the results.

"We need to find out who this woman is." Catherine said to no one in particular.

"The fiber I found on the window is cotton. It's pretty thick so I'd say it's from overalls or a jacket maybe." Nick said.

"Thanks Nicky. Where's Sara?" Catherine asked.

"Last time I saw her she was looking at the rope." Greg answered.

Nick smiled, "Why did I know that you'd be aware of where Sara is?"

Greg blushed.

"I'm just observant."

"Okay well, Nick take a look at the underwear now and I'll go see Sara. Then we'll come together. Say about half an hour?" Catherine said looking at her watch.

"Sure thing Cath."

Catherine took a deep breath and try to stop her accelerated heartbeat. 'Focus Catherine, focus,' she said continuously through her mind as she walked over to the office Sara was in.

When she got there her mantra failed her. Sara was placing the photographs she took at the scene on the huge board in front of her. She had her back to her which allowed Catherine to study her.

Catherine knew she shouldn't peruse Sara with such liberty but she couldn't help it. Since her little confession she hadn't been able to stop considering Sara in a completely different context. 'As a lover?' She asked herself. 'No, I'm straight. So is Sara, the same Sara who had been stalking our boss for many years now.'

Catherine was about to enter the room when her eyes traveled the length of Sara's legs. Sara was wearing black pants, not unusual for her. Catherine always knew Sara had a good figure but she'd always noticed it simply as one woman comparing her own body to another's. Today was different. Catherine noticed how her legs seemed to go on forever. Her backside was obviously a product of gym work. 'She's so toned,' Catherine thought. Through the tight white v-neck top Catherine could make out strong back muscles that moved when Sara placed another photo above her head. As she was doing this, Sara's upper arms flexed slightly showing Catherine more perfection. Sara had enough muscle to show people that she was a regular gym worker. 'I'd love to have the weight of that body pressed up against me, to feel her muscle, gauge her responses to my touch.'

Sara turned to pick up the next photo and noticed Catherine at the door.

"Cath, hi."

Catherine walked over to Sara hoping she wasn't breathing too quickly.

"Sara, any news?"

Sara turned to face Catherine and noticed she looked a little flushed. She motioned for Catherine to sit on the chair.

"You okay Catherine, you're not coming down with a cold are you?" Sara said as she touched Catherine's forehead.

Catherine took Sara's hand in hers for the second time in their shift. This time she simply grasped it tightly and smiled.

"I'm fine Sara, I've probably been rushing too much is all," Catherine replied.

Sara had to take a moment to reply, worried her voice wouldn't work. She had initiated contact but it had been Catherine who was now sustaining it. She wondered if Catherine was feeling okay, she had noticed a slight change in her since the crime scene and was concerned something was troubling her.

"You should take it easy for a moment, help me sort out these photographs." Sara said smiling and releasing her hand from Catherine's own and moving away from her.

Catherine frowned at Sara's sudden action and wondered if she had gone too far.

"Sara?"

Sara looked up from her desk and Catherine moved the chair closer to her left leg. She was afraid of leaning into her, the temptation to sit on Catherine's lap was becoming too much for her.

"I'm sorry if I offended you, I know you shy from physical contact." Catherine said wanting to reach out and wrap her arms around Sara's waist.

Sara tried to get her hormones under control as she felt Catherine inch closer.

"I'm just busy Catherine, that's all. We can't sit around holding hands. Imagine what Greg or Nick would think. It would be hours of material for their wet dreams." Sara said laughing.

Catherine laughed also, "I guess you're right there." She moved her chair back nonetheless, still not convinced Sara was being completely honest. "I came in to let you know we're meeting up in, well it's about twenty minutes from now."

"Okay Cath, I'll be there." Sara said returning to her photos.

Catherine knew she shouldn't press the issue but she asked Sara again, "Are you sure you're alright with this physical contact?"

Sara didn't know how else to show Catherine she was more than fine with her touching her so she leant down to Catherine and kissed her on the cheek. Catherine was turning in the chair to get up as Sara descended and as a result, Sara's kissed was misdirected to Catherine's mouth.

It was a fleeting touch but both Sara and Catherine jumped back as if they had been victims of an electric shot.

"Oh my God Cath, I'm so sorry."

"It's alright Sara, I moved on the chair, it's totally okay." Catherine licked her lips and smiled, "Strawberry lip balm? I would have taken you for vanilla."

"Why, because I'm plain and predictable?" Sara replied a little harshly.

Catherine wondered what it was she had said and tried to smooth it over before they entered into their second fight of the evening.

"Sara if there is one thing I can say about you with no doubt in my mind, you are not plain. In fact, you're a very attractive woman. Don't you know the boys all stare at you. Especially when you're wearing those tank tops." Catherine said, her face feeling like it was on fire.

Sara wasn't sure how to respond to that. She was still stuck at the part of the sentence where Catherine told her she was attractive.

Catherine bit her lip cursing herself for going too far. 'Attractive? Good one Cat, scare the poor thing. Could you have telegraphed the fact that you want to throw her on the desk and tear her clothes off with your bare hands with any more gusto?'

Sara tried to think of something to say but could only watch as Catherine bit her lip, her teeth showing ever so slightly as she did it.

"Ah, thank you." Was all Sara could muster.

Catherine nodded in acknowledgement and almost yelled in joy when her pager went off.

"It's Brass, mind if I call him here?" Catherine asked Sara.

"Hey, I don't pay for the phone calls, go right ahead."

Catherine leant across Sara knowing she was playing a dangerous game. She knew she should have left the room, the page was a perfect excuse, but for some reason she decided to stay near Sara.

As Catherine leant across to get the phone her jumper rode up exposing her lower back. Sara reached out and placed a light touch against Catherine's flesh. Catherine shot up, leaving the number half dialed, staring at Sara.

"Ah, your uh, jumper, it was, I was trying to pull it down." Sara stumbled through the sentence wondering if Catherine was about to yell at her.

Catherine felt the heat of Sara's hand before she even reached her skin. She knew she had to do something about this before her heart exploded.

"Sara, look at me."

Sara tried to run out of the lab but her legs wouldn't move. She silently berated them for betraying her. When she refused to look up, Catherine simply hugged her. She wrapped her arms around the waist she had become obsessed with and placed her head on Sara's shoulder.

Sara could do nothing but wrap her own arms around Catherine. One hand made its way up to Catherine's hair. It was curly today and Sara had always wondered what it was like to wrap her finger in one of the curls. Without even realising, Sara did just that. When Catherine let out a small sound she pushed herself away from her.

"Did I hurt you Cath?" Sara asked quite concerned.

Catherine didn't know why she had waited so long to hug Sara. She was a perfect fit. When Sara started playing with her hair Catherine thought she would die right on the spot. Having Sara explain that to Grissom would have been interesting.

"Sara," was all Catherine said before she was centimetres away from Sara's mouth. Sara could feel Catherine's breath. It was fast, it was irregular, and if she had been of sane mind at the time she would have realised she too was having the same reaction.

Catherine placed a closed mouth kiss on Sara's lips. It was slow and gentle. When she tried to move away to apologise she felt Sara tighten her grip around her waist and grab her head. She was perfectly still as Sara moved to her mouth. This kiss was anything but soft. Sara latched onto Catherine's bottom lip biting and then licking it.

Catherine was pushed against the board, photo's falling off as Sara stabbed her tongue into Catherine's mouth. They moaned simultaneously as both tongues massaged each other. Sara's hand traveled lower grabbing Catherine's backside. Catherine was worried the board wouldn't take much more so she pulled out of the kiss, placing a small peck on Sara's lips.

"Need firmer surface," was all Catherine could get out.

Sara let go of Catherine and put some distance between the two of them. She had just kissed Catherine and it wasn't a dream. She had tasted Catherine, a mixture of coffee and tic tacs. She had kissed Catherine. In her office.

"Oh my God," Sara said aloud.

Catherine had to touch Sara to anchor herself back down to the ground. She reached out to run her hand up Sara's arm. Sara shivered and stilled the hand before Catherine could do more.

"What is it?" Catherine asked.

"That was amazing. You are amazing." Sara said smiling.

Catherine returned the smile.

"It takes two honey."

"However, we are in my office and I think we should stop." Sara said pointing to the doorway.

Catherine laughed, "I should have pulled the blinds on the door."

Sara sat in the chair vacated by Catherine before the kiss. Her legs were jelly and if she stood there much longer she could have collapsed.

"So you had a pre-conceived plan to kiss me did you?" Sara asked, her heart rate increasing as Catherine leant against the desk and moved the chair and Sara to rest in between her legs.

"I was checking you out before you noticed I was in the doorway." Catherine replied. She almost hit herself in the head with the telephone after admitting that.

Sara smiled, her tone cocky, "So, you were planning it. Pretty sure that I'd reciprocate weren't you?"

Catherine kissed Sara once more, her tongue dueling with Sara's and winning. She pulled back, brushing Sara's hair away from her face.

"I've noticed you all shift. I can't explain it."

Sara kissed Catherine's hand and placed her own hands on Catherine's calves.

"Have dinner with me tonight."

"On one condition," Catherine replied.

Sara looked up concerned she had overstepped the mark.

"We treat it as our first date."

PART SIX

Sara was about to respond when Catherine's pager went off.

Catherine looked towards the phone to see her pager lying near it.

"Oh shit! Brass!" Catherine said frantically jumping to the phone.

Sara could do nothing but laugh as Catherine dialed the number.

"Brass, sorry. Yeah I know you paged my before. I was having a nap, I think I'm coming down with the flu," Catherine lied.

Sara took the opportunity to appreciate Catherine's figure with no secrecy needed. Even in clothes Sara could see that she would look phenomenal naked. 'Don't go there Sara, you'll never let her leave the room.' Instead she went about picking up the photos that fell when Catherine was backed up against the board.

"Yes Jim, I'll be there. No, I don't think I'll go home I don't have much longer in my shift but thank you for your concern. Ah, I'll bring Sara with me."

Sara looked up at mention of her name.

"Okay Jim, bye," with that Catherine hung up. She turned to Sara, "Brass talked with Sally Winters and she mentioned the club Lauren was a regular d.j. One of the fellow d.j's had a somewhat acrimonious relationship with her apparently."

"So we're off to the club then?" Sara asked.

"Let me just go tell Nicky and I'll meet you at the car park."

Catherine kissed Sara on the cheek before leaving. Anything more would have caused Brass to call in a search party.

Sara made her way out to the car with a huge grin on her face. She knew that she shouldn't be so happy when there was an unsolved murder to work on but she couldn't help it. She had now released some of the sexual tension she had been withholding for years. She had always considered Catherine as the one unattainable so she was content with her fantasies. Now that she had a chance to start something with her she was terrified. What if Catherine just wanted to indulge her? Catherine could get anyone she wanted. Even Warrick, who was guarded with his attractions was somewhat see-through whenever Catherine smiled one of those electric smiles or touched his arm.Sara shook her head to try and release the thoughts of doubt. It was an inbuilt characteristic she couldn't easily shake but she didn't want to risk alienating Catherine. She needed to give this a chance.

Catherine exited the building and scanned for Sara. She saw her leaning against the black Tahoe. "Hey there. I'm driving."

Sara sighed dramatically but made no attempt to move from the drivers door.

"Sara," Catherine warned.

Sara grabbed the collar of Catherine's jacket and smiled.

"Isn't this mine?" She said in reference to the large blue jacket.

Catherine blushed when replying, "Yes it is. I had it on before and I couldn't put down why I was so reluctant to part with it. Now I realise it's because it smells like you. I'm finding that incredibly..." Catherine stopped mid sentence trying to find the right word.

Sara let her hands drop to the bottom of Catherine's red sweater, "Sexy? Arousing?"

Catherine hit Sara's forearm, "Cheeky. I was going to say comforting."

Sara pouted.

"I think my choices were more romantic."

"Oh poor little Sara, would you like your jacket back?" Catherine asked.

"No, but I have to say, when I see you wearing it I feel somewhat envious. To know that it's my jacket hugging your body," Sara trailed off when Catherine looked at her bemused. "Okay so I'm not good at the romantic thing. Let's just go meet Brass."

Catherine unlocked the door and got in. She turned to see Sara get in the car. She refused to make eye contact, something Catherine noticed she did a fair bit.

"Sara honey, what's wrong?"

Sara reached across to grab Catherine's hand.

"I'm not sure. I think I'm over analyzing. I worry everytime I say something, like it will be the wrong thing."

"Oh hon, rest assured everything you've said and done has been more than alright," Catherine said kissing Sara's hand.

"I need to make a confession and I'm not sure if I should do it now or when the case is over."

Catherine glanced at Sara trying to figure out if this was when Sara tells her she really wants Grissom.

"Sara if this is about Gil I'm not sure I want to hear it when I'm just about to kiss you."

Sara turned to Catherine to tell her that wasn't it when she felt Catherine's lips against her own. She opened her mouth and allowed Catherine to take control of the kiss, Sara had better things to occupy herself having decided that it was about time she touched a few parts of Catherine that she'd been dying to touch for a long time.

Her hand started on Catherine's knee and as Catherine traced Sara's mouth like she was marking a crime scene Sara's hand moved slowly up her thigh. Catherine moaned into Sara's mouth, a sound which vibrated through her entire body.

When she reached close to Catherine's center she stopped and did the same with the other leg. Catherine tried moving her pelvis towards the wayward hand but Sara wanted to set her own pace. Sara was about to do more when she heard a horn blasting. She looked up and saw that they were making out like teenagers at the traffic lights.

"Ah I think we should cool down before we see Brass," Sara said reluctantly taking her hand away.

Catherine put her sunglasses back on and took a deep breath.

"Dear God Sara, where did you learn to kiss like that?"

Sara placed her hands on the dashboard in an attempt to keep them straying to the other side of the car.

"I think you were the one kissing me Catherine. Either way who cares, I love the feel of your mouth. Your tongue. I love the moan you make when I touch you."

Catherine leant over and placed a hand on Sara's thigh. She begun rubbing one finger up and down as she spoke, "I love how you feel under my touch and I hope to do more of it with you."

Sara placed her hand on top of Catherine's.

"Do you mean that?"

"Of course I do Sara. I don't usually throw myself at co-workers. I certainly wouldn't do anything to jeopardize our jobs or our friendship. Okay, so kissing you like a school girl in your office isn't a good example of the first one," Catherine said laughing. "I did have a very important point to make but all I can remember is kissing you."

Sara laughed, "Cat I have big insecurity issues and I have to deal with them everyday. Hell everyone thinks I have a think for Grissom. I'm sorry."

"Sara, don't apologise every second. We all have issues to deal with and I have insecurities too. Just remember that I was one of those who thought you had grand aspirations to bed Gil. Well until today. This thing between us is indescribable at the moment but I can tell you one thing with absolute certainly, I am attracted to you. Not just kissing you - although that is pretty damn fun - but the way your mind works." Catherine's phone rang as she was finishing her declaration and she sighed.

Sara answered it for her and was greeted by Nick.

"Sara hi. I thought we could have our catch-up over the phone if that's okay with Catherine."

"Hang on Nick, I'll ask her." Sara turned to Catherine and as she did so she brushed a strand of hair away from the front of her sunglasses. "Hey Cath, Nick wants to spill some facts on the case now, is that cool?"

Catherine could only nod as Sara ran that same hand down the length of her arm.

"I'll go first with the Doc's autopsy. Doc said it's easy to tell from the straight-line bruise that it's a ligature strangulation, no accident. He said that the face and neck are congested with blood thus becoming dark red. There was damage to both the interior and exterior structures of the neck and throat which is consistent with a struggle. No sign of rape but there was sexual activity. The swabs were given to Greg."

Catherine listened with interest realising that she had never heard that information. She was upset with herself, she was distracted from the facts of the case.

Sara listened to Nick's information promising to pass it on to Catherine. She knew Catherine was especially interested in the matchstick she had found. Greg had told Nick there were no prints but he was confident he could find the match from the matchbook.

She heard Greg in the background mimicking Grissom and laughed, "Hey Nick, tell Greg that if Grissom ever caught him doing that he'd be relegated to playing guinea pig to the black stuff in the back of the fridge," Sara said laughing as Greg nailed Grissom's 'I let the evidence talk to me' speech.

She hung up with Nick and saw that they were at the club. She smiled as she recognized the place, 'Perks and Mini.' She had been roped into it once by a visiting friend. Jessica had called it, 'the place where gay and gaiety are combined.' Sara knew she had read that right out of the brochure and couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"What is it Sara?" Catherine inquired as she saw Sara smiling and shaking her head.

"I know this place, a friend of mine dragged me to it a while back. The d.j was amazing. I wonder if Lauren was the d.j that evening."

Catherine felt an irrational streak of jealousy surge through her. 'A friend? Platonic or more? Was Sara a lesbian?' Catherine got out of the car determined to get her head back on the case.

Brass met them at the doorway. "Ah ladies, nice of you to join us. Catherine, how are you feeling?"

"You know Brass, a few pills and you try to move along." Catherine said regretting she had to lie.

Sara placed a hand on the small of Catherine's back as they made their way through the crowd. The staff was setting up for the evenings crowd. Sara noticed the bartender who had tried to proposition her last time she was there. She had a feeling however that Jessica had put the woman up to it with some sob story about how pathetic her love life was.

If the bartender recognized her she kept it to herself. Sara made eye contact and the woman winked. Oh yeah, the woman knew who she was. Suddenly Sara was a little apprehensive. What if the woman who watered down every bourbon she ordered that night would say something. When she noticed the woman cast an appreciative eye over Catherine she stood in her line of sight.

"You have an admirer," Sara whispered to Catherine.

"Other than you?" She replied smiling.

"Very funny. The bartender. I know her."

"Know her? In what capacity?" Catherine asked forcefully.

"Oh is that jealousy I hear? Calm down, she was after me but I turned her down. I was only ever interested in one lady at that time. You." Sara said zipping up the jacket in a covert attempt to simply touch her.

"We need to get out of here because I need to kiss you," Catherine growled.

"Catherine, over here. This was Lauren's biggest competition, Bobbie Messina. She said she has been here for two days. No alibi for the murder." Brass said waving her over to stand outside what looked to be a d.j booth. The woman standing with Brass wore a surly expression.

"Look Sir, I need to get my set together. The music doesn't play itself."

"Sure it does. Stick an album it in a player and you have at least forty minutes of music," Catherine said looking at the woman's clothing. She wore navy blue overalls and a white singlet.

"I'll need your overalls." Catherine said.

"Listen babe, I usually at least like the woman to buy me a drink first."

"Bobbie is it?"

"Yeah babe. What's your name? You are mighty fine."

"I'm from the crime lab and I need your clothes. Now." Catherine said holding out a brown paper bag.

"You must be very dominant in the bedroom," Bobbie said as she disrobed.

"I'll uh go wait over there," Brass said as Bobbie took her top off.

"Here you go. Next time you see me naked it'll be in my bed," Bobbie said to Catherine. She walked over to the stage naked and pulled out a change of clothes from her duffle bag.

"Sorry, I'm taken," Catherine said.

Bobbie laughed, "Oh let me tell you, once you've had me in bed you will want to be celibate. I'm the best."

"Is that what Lauren would say?" Sara said having come over when she heard the tail end of Bobbie's boast.

"Yeah I had sex with her, sure. It's not a crime," Bobbie said lighting a cigarette.

Sara and Catherine looked at each other as Bobbie ripped a match out of the matchbook.

"Oh I think it may just be a crime Ms. Messina." Catherine said. She wondered if this was their big break in the case. She called Brass over. "We'll need Ms. Messina to come back with us."

PART SEVEN

On the ride back to work Sara's mind was in overdrive. This trip to the club had proved fruitful but was Bobbie Messina the murderer? It looked good but in the back of her mind was Grissom's well worn line about finding the right pieces for the puzzle; killer, victim, location. Bobbie Messina was known to the victim. She had an intense rivalry and had been conducting in a sexual relationship with her. She was a smoker. Ash was found by Nick outside the opened window. She used matchsticks and Catherine had found one under the bed.

Bobbie was extremely cocky, her display at the club showed that. Sex seemed to be a game to her, but would strangulation fit into her sex games? Would she murder her competition to be rid of it?

Catherine looked over to Sara smiling as she saw Sara rubbing her forehead and sighing. She had seen this before and knew that Sara was trying to find the connection with all the evidence presented so far. She knew she should say something to break the frown beginning to appear but found that she was content to observe her.

Sara felt herself being watched and turned to a smiling Catherine. She returned the smile and reached over to touch Catherine's cheek. Catherine shivered as she touched her. She was amazed that a simple caress could make her so crazy. 'If Sara's hand on my face can elicit such a response I don't think I'm going to survive it if we take this further. To feel her touching my breasts or further down ...' Catherine shook her head causing Sara's hand to drop.

"You okay Cat?" A concerned Sara asked. She had tried to remain focused on the case but Catherine's gentle stare had brought out a sudden raw need to touch her.

"I was just thinking is all," Catherine replied. She wasn't ready to let Sara know exactly what she had been visualizing in the fear it would scare her.

"I was too. About Bobbie Messina." Sara said, locking her hands together and placing them on her lap. Talking about a murder case and touching Catherine was not a good mix.

Catherine thanked Sara's inquisitive mind for the distraction. If she had continued on the path she was just on she was sure she would have pulled the car over and ripped Sara's clothes off. Not an intelligent move when they had another suspect to quiz.

"Oh yes, just what is your wonderful mind telling you about her?" Catherine replied.

"I'm not wonderful Cath, I'm just trying to piece together all the evidence," Sara said shyly. She was used to people calling her smart but when Catherine said it she took it to heart.

"Sara, you have one of the greatest minds I've been proud to appreciate for some time now. The way you'll keep searching for the truth and the passion you bring to every case inspires me to do the same. I'm sorry if that causes you to be embarrassed but it's the truth and something I've wanted to say to you."

Sara was about to respond but found that nothing was coming out of her mouth. Catherine was right, she had trouble taking a compliment. She always thought that listening to praise made you sloppy. If she started to believe it then she'd become complacent and her judgment would slip, making her useless.

Catherine sensed her discomfort and wondered if she had given herself away. It was true, Sara was a very intelligent woman. Catherine had always enjoyed working a case with her and now she was just realising it was more than simply a professional interest. She wondered why she thought she could have fooled herself for so long.

As they pulled into the car park both women were silently musing the shift in their relationship. Sara was amazed that Catherine had noticed her and Catherine was inwardly kicking herself for being so blind to her feelings.

Brass was a saving light for them both. He saw them as they were walking away from the car and went out to meet them.

"Ah, the two CSI's I've been searching for. Miss Messina has been asking for the, and I quote, 'hot little red head' since we got here."

Sara looked to Catherine who simply shrugged her shoulders.

"I'm sure she just wants to make more innuendoes and act like she's the modern day Casanova." Catherine said.

"If she lays a hand on you I'm going to take her down," Sara said through clenched teeth.

Brass laughed, "Is it nice to have your own bodyguard Catherine?"

Catherine placed a comforting hand on Sara's arm.

"It'll be okay Sara."

Sara shook her head and replied, "I'm coming in there with you Cath."

"Sara, I need you to take her DNA sample to Greg and fill Nick in." When she saw Sara was reluctant to leave she was a little more forceful. "Sara, go. Brass will be there with me. She's been all talk I don't think she'll lash out violently."

Sara knew she was being irrational but she found she didn't care. She was sure Bobbie wouldn't attack anyone but there was something about the woman that worried her. She tried to say it wasn't because Bobbie had the charm she lacked but she couldn't. Would Catherine find this woman more appealing? Catherine had given no real indication she found Bobbie attractive but then Sara had been under the assumption that Catherine wouldn't find her attractive either.

She realised she had been silent for a moment and both Brass and Catherine were looking at her.

"Okay, I'll go." With that, Sara walked off. She couldn't stand to look back, afraid that Catherine had seen through her reason.

Catherine and Brass made their way to the interrogation room. Brass was convinced there was more behind that little display than both women were letting on but knew when to keep out of something.

"Miss Messina, you remember Catherine Willows." Brass said, standing behind a seated Catherine.

Bobbie smiled at Catherine. "Catherine, what a lovely name. What can I do for you?"

"Answer some questions for us Miss Messina. About your relationship with Lauren."

"She always tried to beat my d.j set at the club. You see, for years now I've been the best and she came along thinking it was easy to do. She was an average d.j but her looks got her further."

"Well you obviously fell for her looks. Was your sexual relationship one that lasted long?" Brass asked.

Bobbie refused to look at Brass and directed her answer to Catherine.

"Oh it lasted a long time if you know what I mean. If you mean how long were we lovers I'd have to say that she was merely a distraction at times. A source of tension release."

"So the night she died, where were you?" Catherine asked.

"Driving most probably."

"Driving? Alone?"

Bobbie leant across the table to expose her cleavage to Catherine. Catherine's eyes moved down to her chest for an instant but that was all Bobbie needed. She leant back and smiled at Catherine letting her know she'd seen it.

"I was alone. Sometimes, a girl just needs to get away."

"Can you show me your matchbook please, the one you used at the club earlier?" Catherine asked putting on a glove and taking out a plastic zip lock bag from her jacket.

"Honey you collect some weird things. First my clothes and now my matches?"

"Evidence Miss Messina."

Bobbie shrugged and held out her book to Catherine. When Catherine reached out Bobbie held onto her gloved hand. Catherine pulled away sharply.

"Sorry, I love latex on an attractive lady." Was all Bobbie said.

"Miss Messina you're not doing yourself any favors with your current performance. How about cutting the flirting and sexual innuendo and answers our questions. If you didn't kill Lauren why not make more of an attempt to strike yourself off our list of suspects." Brass said becoming frustrated with the situation.

Bobbie ran her fingers through her hair and rolled her eyes.

"Look, it wasn't me. I had sex with her yes. I've been quite forthcoming with my information, I've been nothing but accommodating even when you took my clothes. I was driving around for a while and it was on my own. I can't do anything about that now can I?"

"We'll need you to stay here while we test your clothes and DNA." Catherine said standing up.

Bobbie stood up so she was inches away from Catherine and said, "Listen Spitfire, if you can keep me entertained I'll stay here forever. I don't see myself getting bored with you anytime soon."

Brass pulled Catherine away and stood in-between the two women.

"Sit down or I'll handcuff you."

Bobbie laughed and peered over Brass to lock eyes with Catherine.

"Am I under arrest?"

Brass pulled his handcuffs out and waved them in Bobbie's face.

"No, but I'm sure we can arrange it."

Bobbie blew a kiss to Catherine and stared at Brass in defiance.

"You can't keep me here. I've admitted my involvement and unless you have something else then I'm out of here. If I'm lucky I can still make my shift."

Brass knew she was right. It was circumstantial until they had something more.

"Okay go. Just don't leave the state."

Bobbie smiled and brushed past Brass. She had her hand on the doorknob when she turned and kissed an extremely surprised Catherine.

Brass was frozen on the spot unable to help as Bobbie turned. Catherine, who was also momentarily stunned pulled away from Bobbie who was smiling down at her licking her lips.

"Little Spitfire, what a kiss."

With that Bobbie left Brass and Catherine alone.

Brass coughed to grab Catherine's attention. "Well, that was worth a months pay."

Catherine glared at Brass who looked to the ground.

"Okay, bad joke, sorry."

Catherine turned to leave the room and her stomach fell when she saw Sara standing a few meters away. She made the move towards her but Sara put her hand up and ran past her into the locker room.

Catherine watched her hasty retreat and knew she had to go in there right now. She was sure Sara would be upset but if she let her pace the room like she was sure she was doing; it would give her longer to think up worse case scenarios.

Brass had watched the entire scene unfold and muttered, "definitely something going on."

It took everything in Catherine not to run after Sara. Instead she walked at a brisk speed stopping at the doorway to take a deep breath. She considered knocking but knew Sara would not answer.

"Sara honey?"

"Go away Catherine." Was the muffled response.

"No. Where are you?"

Sara popped her head out of her hiding place. Catherine's heart almost broke when she saw Sara was crying.

On instinct, Catherine moved quickly to comfort her. She whispered "Oh baby," and held her arms out but stopped when Sara backed away.

"I came to tell you the matchstick matched as did the hair and cotton fiber. I knew you'd want to know right away. Imagine my surprise when I see you kissing her!" Sara yelled.

"Sara. Sara, look at me." When Sara didn't comply Catherine stayed where she was and lowered her voice. "Sara, she kissed me. Ask Jim. It was sudden and it was very unexpected. I didn't reciprocate and pulled away immediately."

"I saw your lips touching hers and whilst I haven't had many lovers I know a kiss when I see one. I just wish you could have done it elsewhere and not flaunt it in front of me." Sara said sniffing and wiping her eyes.

"Sara, listen to me. I have no intention of kissing Bobbie ever again. I admit I kissed her but it was purely one sided. She was after me. Through the entire interview she was making comments of a sexual nature. I was all business. She kissed me and I pulled away. There was contact but that is bound to happen when someone forces themselves on you."

"I should have known I wasn't enough for you. Now that you've had your taste of lesbianism you're ready to play the field."

Catherine knew Sara was angry and struggled to keep her own boiling anger under control when answering. "Sara, I am not interested in any other woman. I couldn't imagine ever finding someone more suited to me than you. You fight me, you challenge me, and you inspire me. I have found someone who is my equal. God knows didn't have that with Eddie and I married him!"

"You sure kept your attraction to me secret all this time Catherine, how do you expect me to believe I've made such a big impact on your life? There was a time not long ago where we were nothing more than co-workers. I'm supposed to take you at your word? I've heard that before Catherine and it's never been the truth."

Catherine took Sara's jacket off and threw it on the bench. She clenched her hands at her side and tried to calm herself.

"Sara, I can't help that you've been lied to before. I can't turn back the clock and start being nice to you from day one. I'm not going to pretend we've been best friends. All I can say to you is that I know you. I know how you like your coffee at the start of a shift and that a lot of your paperwork has coffee mug stains on it. I know that sometimes you have trouble with that one bit of your hair kicking out."

Sara took a tentative step towards Catherine as she spoke. Catherine noticed and closed the gap continuing, "I know that sometimes you say you've gone home, only you have stayed all night and showered in here, changing clothes to make Grissom think otherwise. I know that Greg makes you smile even when he's being his most chauvinistic. I know that finding a clue that we've all missed makes you feel like you're part of the group. I know that pulling cars apart and playing with power tools makes you smile."

"I know that you want to kiss me right now even though you're not sure I care about you like you care about me."

At that Sara stepped back and burst into tears once more. This time Catherine hugged her, rubbing her hands up and down Sara's back. She said nothing and simply held her.

Sara had never felt so self-conscious. She was amazed that Catherine hadn't run a mile with her erratic behaviour this shift. She had run the gauntlet of emotions and was somewhat scared that Catherine brought it out in her. She had revealed so much in one day, she was terrified that if she continued a relationship with Catherine she would break down all her barriers leaving her totally bare.

Catherine begun to move away from Sara so she could see into her eyes. They were red and puffy and filled with tears that had yet to drop. Catherine took the sleeve of her sweater and wiped Sara's face softly.

"Oh baby, my Sara."

Sara closed her eyes content to feel Catherine's touch. She was sure Catherine would be finished with her now. She was too unstable.

"I'll be okay, just get it over with fast." She said to Catherine who looked at her; puzzled. "Ending it with me, it's okay, I'll understand."

Catherine kissed Sara softly and hugged her. When she pulled back she smiled. "Sara, I'm sorry."

Sara knew where Catherine was going and stopped her. "It's okay Catherine, I can see why you'd want to flee."

Catherine stopped Sara from getting past her.

"Sara. Listen to me. I am not letting you go. You and I are going to clock out in ten minutes and then you're taking me on that date. Yes, we need to talk, but tonight I just want to go out with the most attractive person I know. I want to show her off. So I'm sorry Sara but you're just going to have to placate me."

Catherine smiled and ran her finger from Sara's collarbone down past her breasts, resting on her stomach. She could feel Sara's breathing quicken and took that as an invitation to slowly run her hand further down so she could put it under Sara's top.

When she reached her destination Sara gasped and grabbed Catherine's head kissing her forcefully. Catherine dueled with Sara's tongue as her hand rose up to touch Sara's bra. Sara bit Catherine's lip when she felt Catherine trace the outline of her very erect nipple.

"Cat, we need to stop." Sara said pulling away.

Catherine laughed a husky laugh and stilled her hand but made no attempt to move it. Sara tried to gain some space between them but was held a willing captive when she felt Catherine's hand slip under her bra.

"Cat, we're at work." Sara said yet offered no resistance.

Catherine pulled back, her eyes wide and mouth slightly open. She grabbed Sara by the hand and pulled her into the showers. She locked the door behind her and faced Sara.

"Come here," Catherine ordered.

Sara was hypnotized by Catherine's command and pressed her body against her. Catherine slid both hands under Sara's top and in a matter of seconds had unclasped her bra. Sara moaned, "Cat, oh God," and leant into Catherine as she felt her breasts being massaged. She yelped when Catherine pinched both nipples simultaneously.

Catherine eagerly accepted Sara's tongue and it explored her mouth. She felt Sara push her against the wall and Sara's knee slide in-between her own. She found that if she pinched Sara's nipple, Sara's knee would spasm, hitting Catherine's centre.

They continued like this for what seemed an eternity until Catherine bit Sara's neck and mumbled, "take your bloody top off." Sara laughed and ignored her. She was on a mission of her own. To see Catherine naked.

Getting Catherine's sweater off was harder than she'd always seen on television. In her haste she had forgotten Catherine's hands were underneath her own top. She heard Catherine giggle at her sigh of frustration and licked her earlobe as punishment. Catherine's groan resonated from her belly. It was a deep sensual sound that made Sara want to cry.

She finally managed to get Catherine's top off and took the opportunity to take her own top and bra off. Catherine's eyes and hands both mapped out the flesh being presented to them.

"My God Sara, you are a Goddess." Catherine whispered.

Sara blushed and ducked her head under Catherine's chin. Catherine pulled her head up and kissed her.

"Sara, don't be shy, you are a work of art." To demonstrate her meaning Catherine kissed both of Sara's breasts. "Amazing."

Sara needed to feel Catherine's flesh against her own. She laughed as she recalled drooling at the sight of Catherine's bra earlier. She also remembered the clasp was at the front and what she had wanted to do to that clasp. Now was her opportunity. She placed both palms flat on Catherine's breasts, her hands covering them. She moved them inward very slowly. When she reached the clasp she pressed Catherine's breasts together and kissed her cleavage. As she undid the bra she stared in stunned silence as Catherine's breasts were exposed to her. She smiled in satisfaction to see Catherine's nipples harden and took even greater pleasure when Catherine moaned as she took one of those nipples into her mouth.

"Catherine it is you who is the work of art." Sara said before taking her other nipple into her mouth. Catherine moaned once more and ran her hands along Sara's shoulders.

Sara stepped back and started undoing her own pants. She looked at Catherine as she unzipped them and pushed them down. Catherine was a wonderful sight in front of her. Nipples wet from Sara's kisses, lips swollen and eyes dark, Sara was afraid she would never want to have Catherine in any other state than what she was in now. She held eye contact until she heard the sound of Catherine's zipper being lowered. She knew that Catherine was following her lead and suddenly all thoughts of seductively teasing her were lost. Instead, Sara wanted to watch Catherine. To see and smell her. To taste her, to make her scream her name.

Catherine grinned as she saw Sara lick her lips. From her years as dancer she had seen lecherous men do the same, often yelling obscenities at her. This dance was different. Catherine wasn't doing it for money or for some perverse satisfaction that those men would never touch her. She was doing it to make Sara happy.

"Sara, I want you to sit down," Catherine said motioning to the bench nearby.

Sara simply nodded, captivated by the woman in front of her. As she sat she realised Catherine was about to perform for her. It excited her.

Catherine took a moment to try to reign in her breathing. She was about to be naked in front of a woman who had come to mean a great deal to her. She hadn't thought their first time to be in the bathroom of their workplace but she knew she couldn't have prevented it even if she wanted to. Instead, she concentrated on Sara. She lowered her pants very slowly, eyes on Sara the entire time. Once they reached her ankles she kicked them off, making sure her breasts moved around. She smiled when she saw Sara gasp and watch with avid fascination as they swayed. Catherine licked her two index fingers and twirled them around her nipples. Sara felt like she would orgasm right there. When Catherine trailed those two same fingers into her aqua underpants Sara was sure she had.

"Cat," was all Sara could get out before Catherine moved to straddle Sara. Their breasts were pressed against each other and causing a delicious sensation for both of them. Their mouths met in a passionate kiss that seemed to go on forever. Catherine pulled away to whisper in Sara's ear, "You make me so wet."

Sara was convinced her heart stopped beating at those words. She ran her trembling hands down Catherine's back and moaned when she felt Catherine's backside. She hadn't realised Catherine was wearing a thong.

Catherine licked, sucked and bit her way across Sara's neck as her hands reached Sara's red underpants. She let her finger lightly trace across the front of them feeling Sara buck off the bench. She stood up and removed her thong and pulled Sara up. She then knelt in front of her and slid Sara's one remaining article of clothing off.

"My Sara, you smell wonderful," said Catherine as she parted Sara's legs. Without warning Catherine licked Sara's outer lips. Sara screamed. It was unexpected but certainly not unwelcome.

"Need to sit," Sara panted.

Catherine pushed Sara onto the bench and resumed her position on her knees. She kissed up Sara's legs running her hands up her calves. When she reached Sara's inner thighs she stopped.

Sara sighed in frustration. "Cath, if you don't continue I'll do it myself."

Catherine laughed as she was kissing Sara's knee. "Honey I think that would arouse me more than it would help you." She knew she couldn't stay away from Sara's center, the need to touch her was so strong.

Catherine looked up at Sara as she returned to Sara's outer lips. Sara was a wonderful sight, watching as Catherine's finger teased her. When Catherine pushed one finger inside Sara, she found she had to push her down with her other hand as she almost jumped off the bench. She pulled her finger out and heard Sara whimper. Unable to tease her anymore she thrust the same finger back in, pulling it out and pushing it back in. Sara's hips dictated the pace as Catherine entered another finger. She smiled in satisfaction, loving the feel of Sara's inner walls and the sounds Sara was making.

"Come on baby," Catherine encouraged Sara to let go. "I'll catch you my love." She looked up and locked eyes once more with Sara. She hoped her eyes relayed the emotion she was feeling.

Catherine felt Sara nearing her climax and bent her head down to Sara's clit. As she touched it with her tongue Sara screamed her name and grabbed at her hair. She continued to play with it as Sara's body shook. Catherine stilled her fingers inside her enjoying the feel of her. She never thought this would feel so good. Sure, she'd explored her own body, but the response of Sara to her touch made her feel incredible. She continued to taste Sara, finding she could not get enough.

Sara's body continued to shake with small tremors. Catherine wanted to prolong Sara's pleasure but Sara pulled her up to kiss her. Catherine's hands moved up Sara's body to play with the breasts she had so rudely neglected. Sara pulled away smiling. "God Cat, no more, please."

Catherine smiled.

"Can't take anymore hey? I thought you young people had stamina." Sara kissed Catherine once more before replying.

"I have plenty of stamina and you've brought me to numerous wonderful orgasms but I'm aching to touch you."

Catherine laughed.

"We can do that after dinner. We should have left ages ago."

"I want my dessert first." Sara pouted.

Catherine was desperate for release also. Having seen Sara give herself like she had just made her more excited. When Sara started to move her hands down to Catherine's curls she knew that Sara would indeed, as she put it, have her dessert first.

"You know you can't deny me Catherine, I can feel and smell your arousal." Sara said easily slipping a finger into her.

Catherine gasped as Sara entered her. She pulled Sara down so they were kneeling in front of each other. Sara smiled and pulled her finger out so she could flick Catherine's clit. Catherine bit down on Sara's shoulder and Sara realised she liked being branded. She did it again and it elicited the same response.

"Catherine, you feel so wonderful," Sara said and she pushed two fingers into Catherine; hard and fast.

Catherine screamed as she ground her centre into Sara's hand, her juices flooding Sara's palm. Sara continued to stroke her gently then harder, creating a frenetic pace. To allow Catherine a full release, Sara found Catherine's swollen clit and pressed it with her thumb.

Catherine was on sensory overload as she had an orgasm over and over again. Sara held her as she came down, pulling her fingers out and placing Catherine on the floor. She grinned at Catherine and placed her head in-between her thighs grabbing Catherine's clit and sucking on it. Catherine began chanting Sara's name as Sara licked up all of Catherine's juices. When she was satisfied Catherine had had enough she kissed her stomach and rested beside her.

PART EIGHT

Sara was perfectly silent as she listened to Catherine's heartbeat. It was slightly fast but considering what had just transpired she wasn't surprised. This shift had not ended the way she had thought. Her routine was so entrenched in her psyche; coffee, shower, police scanner, fantasize about Catherine, more coffee and lots of overtime. If she was lucky she'd get some sleep that wasn't interrupted by the hollowness she felt in the early hours of the morning.

Now she was, once again, at work longer than her shift with one subtle difference. She wasn't showering to forestall the look of concern from her co-workers when she showed up in the same outfit, she was lying with her fantasy in her arms after having exhilarating sex.

She kissed Catherine's neck and wrapped her arm around her. Catherine had felt her movement and sat up bringing a naked Sara with her. "Hon, we need to get out of here," Catherine said.

"I'm quite happy to stay here," Sara replied letting her hand drop to Catherine's breast.

Catherine removed the hand that had brought her to numerous orgasms a while back, kissing it then using it to pull Sara up.

"Sara, as much as I want to stay here and ravish you once more we need to get out of here. I need to sleep, shower and pretty myself up. I have a date."

Sara smiled.

"A date? Anywhere special? You better demand it's somewhere swank."

Catherine kissed Sara, pulling away before she forgot about leaving.

"I don't care when or where I have my date, it's the person that counts. Just between you and me, my date is worth that and more. Now help me find my bra will you, I don't want to explain to Grissom why we were both here late," Catherine said searching for her clothes.

Sara had pulled her pants on and was standing in the room watching Catherine get dressed. Catherine looked over and smiled.

"See something you like?"

Sara simply smiled and finished getting changed. She walked over to Catherine and whispered in her ear, "I prefer seeing you take off your clothes." With that she pulled Catherine's sweater down and unlocked the door.

Catherine knew she had to compose herself before following Sara out. She couldn't wipe the smile off her face and knew that if anyone asked her where she was she would want to sit them down and give them a detailed description.

"Cath, you coming?" Sara said popping her head back.

Catherine smiled and nodded. Sara returned the smile and blew her a kiss. She motioned for Catherine to lead the way and almost laughed out loud when she saw Catherine's over exaggerated hip movements.

"Sara! Sara!" Greg yelled bounding after her like an excited pup.

Sara groaned, knowing Greg was about to bumble his was through a breakfast invitation.

"Yes Greg?" Sara asked hoping she sounded a little interested.

"I was wondering how things went with the hot d.j Brass brought in. I hear she locked lips with Catherine. I would have loved to see that interview!"

"Greg, I don't know how you get half your gossip but that woman forced herself upon Catherine and I really don't think she'd like you discussing her life like it's the latest hot piece of gossip," Sara said moving close to Greg in an aggressive move.

Greg had the good grace to look embarrassed and spoke, "Hey no harm meant by it."

Sara softened her tone when replying, "Greg, I think it would be best to put this latest bit of gossip to rest." Sara patted him on the back as she walked past him to where Catherine was waiting.

"Sara, I'm sorry. Please don't tell Catherine." Greg yelled.

Sara didn't turn to reply, she was already thinking of Catherine and where she wanted to take her on their first date.

Nick was exiting his office, duffel bag slung over his shoulder. He saw Sara heading to the exit and stopped her, "Sara, wait."

In her head, Sara screamed in frustration. She turned to face Nick not replying, hoping he was simply saying bye.

"Working late again?" Nick said putting his cap on.

"Actually I'm on my way out. Cath and I were working on the case and time got away from us so we're going to have breakfast."

Nick smiled.

"Excellent, mind if I come? We can talk particulars and who knows, maybe by next shift we'll have a tighter case. Grissom will be impressed."

"Ah, well we're not really talking about the case Nick, we're uh, just talking girls stuff." Sara said in the hope that Nick would back off.

Nick grinned and, slinging an arm around Sara's shoulders, "Since when do you not talk about work? Plus you and Catherine talking about broken hearts and all that, well you're not that close."

"We are getting there Nick, that's why this kind of thing is good for us. You know how hard it is for me to open up, I think having a good girly chat is good for me." Sara replied.

"Well I need to eat too so I'll come for some food and then make like the wind when the two of you start talking about tampons and who the cutest boy is," Nick said laughing.

Sara knew she wasn't going to shake Nick. He was incredibly persistent. She just hoped Catherine would understand.

Catherine was on the phone when both Sara and Nick came into view. When Nick saw Catherine he smiled and jogged over to her. He waited for her to hang up and then spoke, "Heya Cath, Sara invited me to breakfast."

Catherine's eyes darted up in surprise. She hoped this wasn't Sara's tactic to distance herself from her. When Sara saw the shock in Catherine's face she smiled softly before replying. "Nick invited himself. When I told him it was going to be you and I talking about make-up he simply had to join us to get some tips," Sara said playfully punching his arm.

Catherine smiled despite the situation and opened the car door.

"Okay kids, hop in."

Nick kissed Catherine's cheek as he got in the back seat.

Sara held her hand out to help Catherine into the car. A completely unnecessary gesture but Sara wanted to touch her. Catherine held her hand firmly making Sara look up.

"Sorry," was all Sara said.

Catherine winked and then said loudly, "okay I hope we are all ready. By the way Nick, you're buying us breakfast."

Before Nick could reply Catherine turned the radio on. Sara sat back, laughing. It turned out to be contagious and soon Nick and Catherine joined in.

When they pulled up at the cafe Nick was first out. He had promised to get the best table and order their first pot of coffee.

Sara was itching to touch Catherine and was impressed at her self control through the ride. Catherine reached to turn the radio off and found her hand trapped by Sara's.

"I've been dying to touch you," Sara said.

Catherine gasped when Sara placed their joined hands on Sara's centre. She felt like she had been burnt, Sara seemed to be generating such heat through her pants Catherine was almost afraid to find out just how hot Sara's flesh was.

"Sara, we need to get out of the car because I don't think explaining to Nick why I had my hand on the inside of your pants would be a very comfortable conversation."

Sara moaned when Catherine's hand begun to rub at her crotch.

"Let's just drive away," Sara suggested, her breathing becoming quite fast.

Catherine stilled her hand yet did not move it away.

"We can't Sara, we'll just go in there, eat very quickly so I can take you home and finish this."

Somehow both Catherine and Sara managed to get out of the car. Sara wondered if she was walking like her centre was on fire because she was sure it had burnt a hole right through the fabric.

"Cath, Sara, over here," Nick yelled waving his hand to get their attention.

"We have coffee, we eat and then we leave him here," Sara whispered.

Catherine couldn't contain the smile she had felt permanently plastered on her face since first kissing Sara.

"Nicky, thanks for the coffee. You know how Sara gets if she doesn't have that coffee flowing through her veins like artificial blood," Catherine said, joking. She used the friendly joke as a chance to place her hand on Sara's thigh. Sara almost chocked on her drink when she felt Catherine move her hand further up.

Nick handed Sara a glass of water in concern.

Once Sara stopped coughing she stood up, eyes watering, and motioned to the toilets. She needed a moment to compose herself and to get away from Catherine's teasing. She loved it of course but she knew her body's responses and if Catherine continued she was sure she'd climax right there in the booth.

As she sat on the toilet wiping her eyes she heard a knock on the door. 'Doesn't that woman see the engaged sign?'

"I'm in here," Sara said.

"I know, let me in Sara or I'm going to crawl under the door."

Sara's breath hitched. She wasn't sure if letting Catherine in was a good idea. Her throbbing centre won the battle over her rational mind and she unlocked the door. Catherine smiled a wicked grin and entered, locking the door behind her.

"Nick thought I should see how you are and I agreed, considering I made you choke."

Catherine let her hands creep under Sara's top to feel her breasts. She smiled when she felt Sara push herself into the gentle touch.

Sara pulled Catherine's face to hers and kissed her. Her tongue teased Catherine's lips trailing over the top and then the bottom. When Catherine tried to pull Sara's tongue into her mouth she pulled back. Catherine groaned in frustration and pinched her nipples harshly.

Sara hissed at the sensation feeling a pool of wetness filling her underpants. She knew Catherine could hold out longer and resisted the urge to further tease her. She plunged her tongue into Catherine's mouth. They began a delectable parrying and Sara was worried she would orgasm without Catherine attending to her throbbing centre.

Catherine pulled her hands away from Sara's breasts and began to undo her pants. Sara almost sighed in relief as she felt two fingers enter her. She was more than ready for the penetration and pushed down on them. Catherine wrapped her other arm around Sara to hold her up and they continued to kiss. Sara didn't take long to climax and when she did she bit down on Catherine's lower lip, blood flowing from the split.

Sara's breathing returned to normal and she moved her head away. Her desire for Catherine was momentarily distracted by the small amount of blood that was coming down Catherine's lip. Catherine licked at it tasting a metallic substance. With one hand still inside Sara she simply smiled and flicked Sara's clit. Sara yelled out, surprised at Catherine's move. She would have fallen had Catherine not been holding her up.

"Catherine, I'm not going to survive long if we continue like this," Sara said resting her head on Catherine's shoulder.

Catherine slowly extracted her fingers from Sara causing her to wobble on her legs once more. She brought the wet digits up to her mouth and licked them clean, wincing when she realised her lip was split.

Sara saw the look on her face and realised she had put it there. She felt incredibly bad. "Cat, I'm so sorry about that." Sara ripped a piece of toilet paper of to dab the wound. "It's still bleeding. Oh shit baby, I'm so sorry."

Catherine let Sara take care of her wound enjoying the look of tenderness of her face. She hated to admit it but she liked a rough Sara during sex. It would hurt for a while but she didn't care.

"Sara, it's fine. Really." Catherine said unlocking the door to look at the damage in the mirror. With any wound in that area it always looked worse than it was. She recalled a time when Lindsay ran up to her after falling over. The blood was coming from a small wound on the inside of her mouth but the blood was oozing out. Catherine had first thought she had bitten her tongue off. Dramatic yes, but damn it she was a mother and allowed a moment like that every now and then.

Sara wasn't sure what else to say so she wrapped her arms around Catherine from behind.

"How do we explain it to Nick?" Sara asked.

Catherine shrugged, "Tell him you hit me with the door?"

Sara kissed Catherine's neck and let her arms travel to cup Catherine's sex. Catherine's moan was swallowed by Sara's mouth as she gently kissed her.

Catherine broke away from the kiss and looked at their reflection. Sara was sucking her neck and undoing her pants. Catherine thought they looked beautiful, hair messed up, and Catherine's rocking motion moving them both as Sara slipped Catherine's pants down so she could access her easily.

Sara circled Catherine's clit before pressing down on it. Catherine grabbed Sara's hand and moved it to her opening. Together they felt how ready Catherine was. Sara took one of Catherine's fingers and pushed it into her own centre.

Catherine had never touched herself with a lover present. She found it was incredibly erotic. She increased the pace of her finger and moaned when Sara entered her with one finger of her own. She released her own finger and Sara took control pushing a second finger in, thrusting and twisting.

Catherine jumped in shock as Sara repeated the process until Catherine was sure she had imploded. She let her orgasm fill her and pulled Sara's head in for a searing kiss, her moan vibrating into Sara's mouth.

When they both regained some semblance of reality they checked each other for any tell tale songs of what they were doing in the toilets. Catherine's lip was swollen and Sara kissed it gently before pulling away. She was about to leave the toilet when Catherine called her back.

"Just wanted to tell you you're incredible sexy," and with that Catherine pinched her bottom and walked back to the booth. Nick was ordering for everyone when he noticed Catherine's lip.

"My God Catherine, what happened?"

"Oh it was nothing Nicky, had an argument with the door and it won."

"I was wondering what the two of you were doing, you women always take so long in the toilets. For a bloke it's simply piss, flush and wash."

Catherine smiled as Sara sat next to her. Turning to Nick she said, "like in everything Nicky us women like to take our time."

Catherine's cell begun to ring as she reached for her coffee. She answered it as the waitress was bringing over their food. "Willows? Hey sweetie. Yes I'm coming home soon. She did, okay then. Will her mother be there? Yes Linds I know, okay. Love you." She turned to Sara and said, "I'm going to have to dash. Lindsay is sleeping over at a friends and needs me to wash her favourite top."

Nick spoke with bacon in his mouth, "Cath go, Sara and I can call a cab. We'll get the waitress to put your food in a take-away bag."

Sara didn't want to stay there with Nick and Catherine knew it. She wasn't sure how she could get her out of there.

Sara got out of the booth so Catherine could slide out. As she was getting up she held her head and leant against the table. Nick was up in a shot to make sure Catherine didn't fall but couldn't get there before Sara.

"Cath, you okay?" Nick asked.

"I, phew, I got up and the room kind of spun." Catherine said enjoying being wrapped in Sara's arms.

"Well you can't drive like that, I'm going to drive you." Sara said taking Catherine's keys. She turned to Nick who waved her out.

"Go Sara, I'll be fine."

Sara smiled and wrapped one arm around Catherine's waist.

"Hang on Cat, I'll get you to your car."

Catherine snuggled into Sara's neck wanting desperately to kiss it.

"Bye Nick, sorry about this." Catherine said.

"You just take it easy Cath. Sara, you make sure she takes it easy." Nick said getting up to open the door for them.

Sara helped Catherine into the car and walked around to the drivers door.

"We'll see you at work Nick." Sara said over the rev of the engine.

As they drove out of the car park Sara turned to Catherine.

"Hey baby, you okay?"

Catherine laughed and Sara looked at her puzzled. "What is it Cat?"

"Sara, I'm fine. That dizzy spell was a ploy to get you out of there with me."

"What? I thought you were really ill. You had me worried."

Catherine felt bad for deceiving Sara and reached across to hold Sara's hand.

"I'm sorry baby, it was the only thing I could think of. Forgive me?" Catherine pleaded.

"Well I don't know, you may have to make it up to me." Sara said grinning.

"Oh honey, that won't be hard at all."

Sara sat at the entrance of the car park not sure which way to go. She thought it was somewhat amusing that she had shared this intense encounter with her yet had no idea where Catherine's house was.

"Ah Cat, I don't know how to get to your place."

Catherine laughed and proceeded to give her directions. Soon they were on the road and the enormity of the situation waiting for them at Catherine's set in.

"Cat."

"Sara."

They both laughed as they tried speaking at the same time. Catherine motioned for Sara to go first.

"Catherine, I'm not sure if I should come in with Lindsay there."

Catherine frowned at Sara's comment.

"Why not? She's seen my work mates before."

"I know that, but I was the one who worked the case with Eddie. I don't think she should have that dragged up again."

Catherine sighed. She knew that case would come up, she hadn't thought it would be so soon.

"Listen Sara, there are things about that case that we need to discuss but Lindsay seeing you is not going to cause her to relive that moment. Would it make you feel better to know she remembers that night all the time? Even the simplest thing can set her off. I can't even begin to tell you how bad it gets when it's raining out." Catherine said. She knew she had been less than supportive of Sara during that case. She also knew of the heartache she felt when Lindsay had called her. To think that her bastard ex-husband had managed to leave that lasting legacy ripped her apart.

Sara knew they were entering some serious territory. Did she really want to discuss her emotions on that case while they were on such a high?

"Catherine, I don't think I was thinking purely of Lindsay to be honest. I was thinking of my own failure to solve the case. I can still see the look of disgust you held for me. The way I wanted to hold you when you were suffering but knew that you'd accept help from anyone but me. It's the cases I can't solve that take a bit of me, that makes me the passionate and dedicated person you said you admired."

Catherine wanted to change the subject. She didn't want to be feeling low when she saw Lindsay. She had let her down the night of the case. To be comforted by her daughter and she lay sobbing on her bed made her feel inadequate as a parent.

"Sara, can we please talk about something else? I want you to come inside with me and I just want to leave it at that for now."

Sara wasn't sure what would be better for them but she agreed.

When they pulled into the driveway Catherine kissed Sara's cheek and whispered, "You're beautiful."

Sara blushed and came close to declaring her undying love for this woman but was distracted by the display of unbridled affection Catherine radiated when Lindsay ran to the car.

"Mom, we need to find my top. Angie said that she has to, has to, wear it tonight when we go bowling."

Catherine laughed and twirled Lindsay around.

"Don't I even get a hello?"

Lindsay sighed and kissed her mom on the cheek. "Hello mom. Now can we find my top?"

Sara sat in the car unwilling to interrupt the mother daughter interaction. Lindsay pulled at Catherine's hand and whispered, "Is Sara coming inside?"

Catherine looked at Sara and smiled.

"Only if she wants to," Catherine said making it known to Sara that it was her choice.

Sara knew this moment would be an important step in their relationship. She killed the engine and exited the car. She stuffed her hands in her pockets and smiled shyly. "Hi Lindsay."

"Hi." She turned her attention back to Catherine, "mom we need to find it now."

Catherine shrugged and followed the anxious Lindsay into the house with Sara trailing behind. She wasn't sure how to react but she was glad she had decided to follow Catherine and the little tornado formally known as Lindsay into the house.