Distractions

by Amy Jo

Disclaimer: "The Division", "CSI: Crime Scene Investigators," "Birds of Prey," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," the characters, and situations depicted are respectively the property of Lifetime Television, Kedzie Productions, Viacom Productions, and Paramount [The Division]; Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Alliance Atlantis, and CBS Productions [CSI: Crime Scene Investigators]; Tollin/Robbins, DC Comics, and Time/Warner via the WB [Birds of Prey]; and Wolf Films, Universal Network Television, and NBC [Law & Order: SVU]. This piece of fan fiction was created for entertainment not monetary purposes and no infringement on copyrights or trademarks was intended. Previously unrecognised characters and places, and this story, are copyrighted to the author. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author. This site is in no way affiliated with "The Division", "CSI: Crime Scene Investigators," "Birds of Prey," "Law & Order: SVU," Lifetime Television, CBS, the WB, NBC, or any representatives of the actors.

[Please do not fold, spindle, or mutilate. Thank you. Shatterpath]

Author's Disclaimer: CBS and their affiliates own the characters and the show. I wish I did, but that does not change anything.

Title: Distractions
Author: Amy Jo
Rating: PG-13 to NC-17, if you can't handle it, don't read it.
Pairing: C/S
Archiving: Ask and ye shall receive.
Feedback: Gratefully accepted at js1n2001@yahoo.com
Spoilers: Light spoilers for anything up to the end of Season 3. Nothing major.
Summary: This is Sara's POV before and during Bad Thoughts. It will help if you read that story. (Shameless plug)
A/N: So I wrote the original story and then wondered what it would be like to experience that through the characters. I’m still experimenting with my own style and how I prefer to write so bear with me. It’s not perfect, but it’s not horrible either.

It all started out when I came to Vegas. Grissom asked me to look into an employee of his. He wanted an impartial investigator to work the case, and he didn’t want Internal Affairs involved. And this was a pretty close group. They had a great camaraderie going. They were all highly intelligent and they worked great together. I was the untrustworthy outsider that was trying to break up the gang.

This is so not what I wanted. I could investigate and be impartial, but I did not like being on the receiving end of everyone’s anger simply because I was there. I was simply here to find out why Warrick Brown left Holly Gribbs alone at a scene. Simple enough. At least that’s what I thought.

And, you know, the question was pretty simple to answer. But when I came to Vegas my life got a lot more complicated. I will admit that it was honestly a welcome complication, but complicated nonetheless.

Ever since I had known Grissom, I had feelings for him. And now I worked for him. He has no interest in me, other than one science nerd befriending another, so that was easy to deal with. Sure I still pined for him to someday notice me, but I was honest with myself in realizing that it wouldn’t happen. So I dated other people. Not many other people, but life in Vegas is not like life in San Francisco.

In San Francisco I knew people. I had friends there. Despite what my coworkers here may think they know about me, I’m actually pretty social. It just has to be the right scene. Working the night shift in Vegas left me little time to get to know anyone. Let’s face it even in a city that doesn’t sleep, you don’t always meet the best kinds of people when you hit the bars at 9:00 a.m. It’s also hard to do regular date-type things. Like catch a movie, or go out to dinner.

The dates I have had have been slightly awkward. Some have thought my job was ‘neat’ and others couldn’t figure out why I want to do what I do. And then when I think they have it all figured out, they always wonder why I don’t just work ‘normal’ hours. I know that my night shift leaves me little time to be social with people who work ‘normal’ hours. But really, who wants to work normal hours on a job like mine anyway. I love my job and I know that it’s actually more fun to work the night shift.

And the people have grown on me too. Warrick is still a little cold with me, but I can tell he at least respects me as person and a coworker. I can’t expect him to try to be my friend after my report got him fired. Just because he was only fired for like two minutes, doesn’t mean that my report didn’t recommend it. Nick has warmed up as well. But he’s the all-American nice guy. Texas born and bred with a slight accent and all the good manners to make mom proud.

I know that Greg has a crush on me. By now he knows I won’t go out with him, so it has instead turned into an easy friendship with lots of flirting. Just because I won’t date him doesn’t mean I have to stop flirting with him. Besides its fun. Catherine was the last hold out. I wanted her to like me. She’s the only other woman on the night shift and I want her respect. She’s knows that I am a good CSI, but she took a long time to come around.

I knew she didn’t like me right from the start when I asked her where I could find Catherine Willows and she told me that she was out in the field. She knew I knew who she was. She just didn’t want anything to do with me. I didn’t want her case, I was just there to investigate Warrick. But she didn’t like that about me either. So we definitely got off on the wrong foot.

I tried for so long to get her to warm up to me. Part of me just wanted to be her friend, someone she could talk to. Or, at the very least someone she would talk to without dripping venom from her voice. The other part of me just plain wanted her. I worked hard at not letting that part of me show. The last thing I needed was for her to freak out because I liked girls. And not only that, but that I was attracted to her.

She’s hard not to like though. She’s beautiful, graceful intelligent, quick-witted and all the other things I love in another person. She’s also straight. And she has a child. Two things I try to never get involved with. But she has something that I wanted more than anything else. I couldn’t figure it out. I thought I just wanted to be with her. But it turned out to be love. I never would have thought I’d fall in love with her.

But gradually I began to realize that is what it was. Love. I have never felt anything like it before. I looked to her for approval and assurance that I was doing the right thing. I had always been a solitary kind of person and never wanted any of these things from others. Not even Grissom. I wanted her acceptance. These were things I could never have. Not in the way I really wanted them anyway. So I settled for longing glances and her friendship, which came at long last.

I thought she’d never speak to me again when I failed to find her ex’s killer. I have never in my life wanted to solve a case more than I wanted to solve that one. I failed her and I failed Lindsey. I was miserable for weeks. I knew that I could not bring closure to that part of her life, and it pained me.

I chose distractions. I dated more. I even started dating someone that the other CSI’s knew. Hank. Yet another monumental mistake in my life. To be honest, I figured if I dated someone they knew that maybe they’d get off my case to get a life. I have one, I just don’t share it with them, that’s all.

So Hank turns out to be a cheating asshole. Not a big surprise in the grand scheme of things, but I certainly did not expect to find out about it while working a case. I guess I’m not all that surprised. I mean, I was kind of using him in the first place. So his using me isn’t that big of a shock. But he probably never guessed why I was using him.

I needed him to take my thoughts off of Catherine. She had become a fixture in my brain. She was always there. Awake or asleep. At work or at home. Thoughts of her dominated my days and nights. And the dreams. My god, the things we’ve done in my dreams. I needed the distraction. I used Hank. I’m pretty sure he didn’t mind though. That is if he knew.

But once I find out he’s cheating on me, I can’t just let it slide.  We are done. I know immediately that I will need a new distraction of some kind. Something to keep my mind off of her. Work only does that part of the time. And even then, it’s hard because I work with her.

She knew he cheated on me. She probably figured it out right away. I probably could have too, if I really cared that much. But seeing his picture at her place sealed it. No turning back now. Hank and I have a little chat and I walked out the door.

To my surprise Catherine was standing right there. She looked right at me and asked me if wanted to grab a drink. Now this was definitely not part of the plan. Work with her okay. Spend a little time with her after hours, okay. But at no time did I ever think I’d end up drinking with her. I know that I will definitely have to watch myself very closely if I’m to get drunk with her. I can’t have her finding out. But I desperately want to spend this time with her, so I agree.

I know that being drunk has quite the effect on my libido. Hell, that’s why I spent so much time in bars in San Francisco. Always out on the prowl I guess. Not only does it increase my libido, but I’ve got to admit, I gives me quite the self-esteem boost as well. Now I’ve had plenty of people tell me I’m pretty and beautiful and all those other things, but I never believed them. Until you hear it from the right person, it always just sounds like yet another line. 

Here I am at some anonymous bar with Catherine. There’s a band playing in the back and plenty of people around. I wonder how I never found this bar before? When I first got to Vegas, I looked for a place just like this and never found it. A person who works third sift and wants to get wasted after work, which is usually around 8 or 9:00 a.m., doesn’t have many choices. Not that many bars have a jumping place at this hour. I will definitely have to remember to ask Catherine where we are. I wasn’t entirely paying attention on the drive over.

Even now, as I get up to retrieve our third or fourth pitcher and it stretches towards 10:00 a.m., the place is packed. After I order my pitcher, a young, and I’ll admit, incredibly sexy red head is suddenly whispering naughty things in my ear. Oh, that sounds like fun. I laugh at what she’s suggesting and point in Catherine’s direction to let her know that I have a date for the night. Or I guess morning. Whatever.

All right, so Catherine’s not really my date, but hey, this girl doesn’t know that. And much as I’d like to try out a few of the things she suggested, I’d rather be with Catherine today. She has listened to my drunken ramblings and it seems to me that she might actually care.  As I head back to our booth, I notice that Catherine had apparently been watching the exchange. I am drunk by now, but nonetheless I swear I saw her grin as I returned to the table and as I looked into her eyes I’m pretty sure I saw desire.

Being drunk as I was, I couldn’t muster the courage to make my move. First time for everything, I guess. Usually in this situation the alcohol makes me bolder, more confident. But with her everything is different. I really want to kiss her, but my fears of her rejection hold me back. The night, or rather morning, winds down and we return to soberness. As we part ways, I can’t help but wonder if I really should have made my move. At least if it was rejected, I could have blamed it on the alcohol.

Part 2

The next few weeks were agonizing for me. I pulled away even farther from the group. I assume everyone thought it was because of Hank. But really it was just getting harder to hide my attraction to Catherine. I have crushed on people before, but never have I felt this way. I can’t even look at her sometimes for fear that my emotions will be written all over my face.

I continued to work as usual, most times staying after shift to get things done. Mostly it was because going home came with the realization that I would be going home alone. And much as I needed the distraction of other company, I don’t want it anymore. I have resigned myself to the hell of unrequited love. I know that it is her I love and that if I were to be with anyone else, it just wouldn’t be fair for them. Or for me.

She is already changing my life. Before now, I never thought twice about involving myself with someone, even if my heart wasn’t in it. But somehow she’s gotten into my head and I know that she would disapprove. And I don’t want to disappoint her. So I refrain from dating. I try to go out occasionally after work, but my heart is not in it anymore. I know what I want, and as soon as I get the courage, I’m going to figure out how to get her.

Today had started out better than yesterday, so I guess that’s a good sign. Today was the first time since I went out drinking with Catherine that I had finally been able to get her out of my mind for more than thirty minutes. I focus strictly on work and my police scanner has once again become an important part of my life.

I am once again at work early and Grissom sends me straight out on a 419. No one else has arrived, so for now I’m on my own. Secretly, I hope he sends Warrick to work with me. I know that Warrick has no interest in conversation with me, so I can focus easier on work. Nick always tries to chat, and I appreciate knowing he wants to be my friend, but I just don’t feel like talking. And there’s no way I’m going to be able to work with Catherine.

I talk with Brass and the neighbor who found the body for long enough to figure out the basics. I cross under the tape and I see another CSI Tahoe pull up. And out steps Catherine. Shit. I take a lingering look over her curves. Double shit. I just love that shirt of hers. The way it moves up on her. I can see her stomach, and when she ducks under the tape, I get a look at the muscles on her back. Shit, shit, shit. Sometimes I think Grissom knows my desire for her and purposely sends her out to work with me just when I get it all back under control.

We start processing the scene, and I can hardly keep my eyes off of her. I wonder if she has any idea of the things that go through my head. Good lord, I certainly hope not. I try to busy myself gathering fibers, taking pictures and fingerprints. By the time we head back to the lab, I know that today is different from all the days before now. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know today will change things.

I get samples to Greg, and head into a conference room with Catherine to discuss everything we have so far with Grissom. Catherine focuses on the folder she got from Brass with his notes on the neighbor as Grissom and I go over the basics. It almost looks as if she’s avoiding me. But, that’s probably just my imagination.

Brass’ report details the family life of our vic. I know he got his information from the neighbor, and I can’t help but wonder if my neighbors ever knew this much about me. I mean, this lady seems to know a lot about our vic’s family life. My beeper brings me back to reality with a page from Greg. I wander off to his lab to see what he has for me. Nothing useful, go figure. I tell him to run it through CODIS just for fun.

I pass by the conference room Catherine is in on my way to my office. I notice that once again, she simply looks beautiful. I retreat to my office with my lustful thoughts and dive head first into some paperwork that I let accumulate. I have never liked this part of the job. Give me some action, or some science and I love what I do. I loathe paperwork. Form after form after form. I’m surprised I don’t have to fill out a form just to use the restroom around this place.

Catherine finds me in my office and we head out to interview our vic’s ex-husband. Catherine drives as I stare at the window. I watch her reflection in the glass. I can sense everything about her. I can smell the most wonderful scent, it’s a mixture of lavender and cinnamon. It’s a strange combination, but I love it. I can feel her as she looks at me. I know she is concerned. I haven’t been very talkative today. Not that I usually am, but today I’m even quieter than usual.

I see a struggle behind her eyes and wonder what she is thinking. Ah. Shit. She really is concerned. Tells me I look like I’m in pain. She wants to figure out what’s wrong with me. She invites me to breakfast. Damn it. Not only do I have to work with her, now I have to spend time outside work with her. Not today. I don’t want to do this today. What am I going to tell her? Oh, I can blame it on all Hank. I wonder if she’ll believe me.

Catherine and I begin to interview Mr. Freese and I use the excuse of wanting a drink to get access to his kitchen. It only breaks the rules if I snoop. Just taking a look is okay. I notice right away that his knives are conveniently in plain sight. And one of them is missing.

I return to the interview just as Catherine finds out that Scott is gay. Oh boy, this should be fun. If his son found out, I can just imagine the response. Some people just can’t handle alternative lifestyles. And in my experience, men are the least understanding. He tells us about his marriage and his divorce. He thinks he has a good relationship with his kids, but then he tells us that his kids are unaware of his sexuality. Okay, the twins I understand, they’re only twelve, they might not be able to cope. But his older son is 19. He should know by now.

Jesus. This is one screwed up family. Dad’s gay, mom’s bisexual. No one knows. It makes me appreciate the fact that I had the guts to tell my family. I mean at least it won’t be one big surprise to them when I die. So they don’t talk to me, hopefully someday they’ll get over it. Hopefully.

This whole time I’m thinking it was the son. Something in my gut tells me I’m right. The kid’s parents had both been lying to him his entire life. That can be pretty upsetting. And if he’s not in the right mood when he finds out about everything. Well, let’s just say disaster.

We get all the contact information from him that we will need in order to talk with everyone else in the family and head back to the lab. We pull in and I can feel Catherine’s eyes on me once again. I know that I’ve been avoiding contact with her tonight, be she just doesn’t realize what’s going through my head and if she did, she’d probably never speak to me again.

Hold on a minute. She just said date. To me. Earlier she said she wanted to take me to breakfast and figure out what was bothering me. Now she calls it a date. I think my heart stopped and I nearly fell over. Date. Can’t be a date. Catherine doesn’t date. I mean she doesn’t date women. Oh hell. I’m in trouble. What if she has noticed me looking at her?

Catherine checks in with Doc and I run off to find Greg. He tells me we got a hit on CODIS. Yes! I knew there would be something there. I just knew it. I am almost giddy with his news and Catherine’s ‘date’ reference. If I smile any bigger, someone around here is going to start thinking something is wrong with me.

Either I took too long talking with Greg, or Catherine’s visit with Doc was all to short, because I leave Greg’s lab and there she is. I tell her my results from CODIS and she fills me in Doc’s prelim. She wants to go talk with Jonathan and I offer to go with her, but she tells me to stay behind and check the evidence. I know she’s right. One of us should stay behind before Grissom starts thinking we forgot what our jobs were.

I need some time to myself. I check my office to see if Processing has my pictures done. Must have been a slow night for them, because they are waiting for me on top of a brand new stack of paperwork.

I grab the pictures and head towards my lab. Well, it’s not my lab, but it’s my favorite lab room. This one has a lot of table space and the lighting is more than excellent. I’m lucky that Nick and Warrick seem to be out in the field working on their case and the room is empty. Good. I don’t need people around right now to notice the huge grin on my face. No matter how hard I try, I can’t get this silly smile to go away.

I get wrapped up in my work and don’t even notice that nearly two hours has gone by. Grissom comes by looking for Catherine, who has not yet returned. He calls her and doesn’t get an answer. Damn. I knew I shouldn’t have let her go out there alone. I knew it. God Catherine, you’d better be okay. Brass and I head out to the kid’s apartment to check on her.

Part 3

When we get to his apartment, the first thing I see is Catherine lying on his floor. I motion for Brass to check out the rest of the place while I check on Catherine. Come on, Catherine. Nap time is over.  Brass clears the apartment and heads outside to put out an APB on the kid, and order an ambulance for Cath. As he is gone, Catherine finally comes to. Thank God.

She whispers to me that I am her angel. My heart flutters. She is okay. She called me angel. I pretend to not hear her and ask her to say it again. She does, but this time she tilts her head up and gently brushes her lips against mine sending bolts of electricity throughout every nerve of my body. I am euphoric. I have never felt so good. Brass comes back into the apartment and I gently pull Catherine up off of the floor. Once she is on her feet, I give her arms a slight tug and wrap her up in a hug. I am so glad she is okay.

I must have held on for an instant too long because I hear Brass quietly clearing his throat, reminding us that he is there. We head out of the apartment to get Catherine checked out by an EMT. She has a rather large bruise on her face, and a small cut that starting to bleed, but I think she’ll be okay. She talks with the paramedics while I talk with Brass.

Brass leaves, and I tell Catherine that she is not to drive back to the CSI building, that we will leave a vehicle here, and I will take her back. She heads back up to the apartment to leave the keys to her truck with the officer standing guard. By the time she returns, I’ve decided to give it a shot. I open her door for her, but instead of helping her into the truck, I pull her into my arms. She feels so good here. She is surprised when I press my lips against hers. I hear her gasp. Then I hear her moan. Oh god, I was right. I might be the angel she thinks I am, because she has me walking on clouds.

My heart beats faster and faster in my chest, and I feel my temperature rising. I am aware that my hands are rubbing her sides, and they finally settle on the curves of her hips. I feel my tongue brush against the softness of her lips. She tastes better than I ever dreamed. A flavor I can’t pinpoint, but it’s her and it’s great. I start to pull away from her, I got the taste I wanted, when I feel her lips part and her tongue brushes mine. Oh god. She certainly knows what she’s doing as I groan and tighten my grip on her. For a fleeting moment, my lips are open and her tongue is now in my mouth. I lose the ability to focus on anything but her. My grip on her tightens even more as I slowly realize that my legs aren’t working anymore. As my grip tightens again and I pull her even closer to me, I hear and feel her body respond. She moans, It’s a deep and low sound. One that I know I want to hear again and again. I pull away from her as I realize that if we do not stop now, there will be no stopping. She has set my body on fire with desire for her and if I’m not more careful, we’re going to end up having sex right here.

Back to work. Have to get back to work. I feel my libido protest and it tells me take her right here and now. I know that as much as I want her, we can’t have the rest of CSI out looking for us only to find us here like this. I can hardly breathe, and my concentration is shot to hell. No matter what work I pretend to do when we get back, it will be just that. Pretending.

Catherine avoids looking at me the entire drive back. I can’t help but wonder if I’ve done something wrong. I know she responded to our kiss, but maybe I fucked up. There is no turning back from a kiss like that. It’s not like we can say ‘oh it was nothing, forget about it.’ It was everything and more than I ever wanted. I suppose if I did screw up, I can always remember that one kiss.

When we get back to work, I help her out of the truck, telling her I don’t want her to hurt herself again in case she’s still dizzy. I wanted to touch her again. I wanted to kiss her again, but I know that I cannot, not here. I wanted to know it was real. And Catherine confirms as she reminds me that we still have breakfast to look forward to.

She goes inside to tell Grissom about her exploits and fill out the paperwork he no doubt has waiting for her. I head back to the lab I was working in earlier. I can’t even think about the evidence. I am way too distracted. I remember the taste of her lips and the feel of her tongue. My skin is flushed with heat and I can only think of her.

I’m not sure how long I stayed in the lab pretending to examine evidence, but now Catherine is beside me and it is time to go home. I clean up my lab in record time and am outside in minutes. Catherine is leaning against her car, and the bruise on her face is large. And she still looks amazing. I am nervous. I feel my heartbeat increase as she suggests going home, instead of out. I agree to go to her place. The whole drive over, I try to convince myself that it’s only breakfast, while I know that it is so much more.

As I pull up to Catherine’s house I see her standing on the porch fumbling in her purse. I’m not sure what she’s doing, but she must be stalling. If she expects me to believe she’s looking for her keys, she is mistaken. I mean, she did need them to drive and I know Catherine would keep them in her hands and not put them back in her purse. Nonetheless I go along with it and by the time I’m on her porch she utters a small sound of victory and pulls her keys out. She opens the door and motions for me to cross in front of her to go inside.

Once inside, I’m not sure where to go, so I stay in the foyer and wait for Catherine. It’s not a long wait. She closes the door and turns around to face me. For a brief second I get the chance to look into her eyes and see something dangerous there. But then her arms are pushing me into the wall behind me and her lips are on mine.

Oh god. I so want this. I have wanted this all night. Here I am pinned by Catherine who has her tongue in my mouth. And I have never felt anything so good. I want her. I feel the pull of desire in my loins that tells me that this is going to happen. I melt into the kiss. She gasps just a little as her tongue discovers my tongue ring. We kiss for long moments as I wrestle my tongue with hers so that I may explore her mouth.

I am a breathless quivering mass of desire when she pulls away. Wow. This is now on the top of my list of fun things to do in Vegas. She whispers her surprise at my tongue ring while she leans into me and gently starts sucking on my ear. Oh. My. God. Goosebumps run up and down my body. I can barely concentrate enough to explain that I can’t wear my tongue ring at work. Only off duty. She hums a response in my ear and my legs almost give out. Between the sucking and the gentle vibrations, I am amazed to still be standing. Catherine is the only thing holding me up.

Catherine’s hands are all over me as I try to figure out what is going on. I figured out the good parts. I’m pinned to Catherine’s wall and she is turning me on more and more each second with her hands and her lips and her tongue. We can’t do this here. Especially not if Lindsey is around. Can’t get busted by the daughter. Oh. She’s not here. Thank you god.

Knowing that Lindsey isn’t here has broken the last of the slim barriers of control I had. I firmly grab Catherine’s ass and pull her even closer into me. I turn my head from her neck and wrap my lips around the bottom of her ear. I know she will like this. And like it she definitely does. Every sound this woman makes drives me closer to madness. If I don’t get her to a bed soon, we’ll be having sex right here on the floor. And the bed can be so much more comfortable.

I lose my thoughts once again as Catherine has begun unbuttoning my top. She kisses and caresses the skin underneath and I am lost in feeling. As soon as she brushes her thumb across my hard nipple I scream. That’s it. I need to find a bed now. I want her. But I don’t want it to be awkward or uncomfortable. I want it to be great. And if she’s as turned on as I am, it’s going to be fantastic.

We make it upstairs and I now have had enough time for my breath to catch up with me. I slow things down a little and take my time removing her clothes. I kiss and suck on every inch of her flesh that I can get my lips on. She tastes fabulous. Sugar and spice and everything nice. Her body is overheating and her skin is flushed and covered in a fine sheen of sweat. I enjoy feeling her muscles quiver under my tongue as I listen to her moan my name. She screams my name loudly as I take one of her nipples into my mouth.

I love the sounds she makes when she is lost in desire. Just knowing that I am the one causing her desire sends thrills through my body. As much as I want this to be slow so I can show her the depths of my emotions, her need is aching to be taken care of. In seconds I have removed the rest of Catherine’s clothing and I move up to kiss her. Lips together, she moves us to the bed and pushes me down.

I am dizzy with my desire and do not notice that I am now almost entirely naked. She has left my bra on, and removed everything else. I feel her mouth on my breast through the silk. God. That feels good. I lose all concentration as our naked skin connects and suddenly I feel her finger inside me and I want more. She is incredibly wet and sliding up and down my leg. I push harder into her and she inserts another finger. I am lost in feeling and I grab Catherine and push against her wetness hard with my leg as she rubs a thumb over my clit and I come hard.

Part 4

After I come back to my senses, I realize that I am in fact, naked and in Catherine’s bed. I can still feel her inside me and I know that I did not dream what has happened between us.  She curls up next to me and puts her fingers in her mouth, licking and sucking them clean of my wetness. My god. I feel new desire for her replacing what has faded. She tells me she likes it. Oh man. I nearly whimper at all the bad thoughts running through my head at that moment.

She moves her hand to trace circles on my abdomen, occasionally sliding them across a spot that is ticklish. Her beautiful blue eyes light up in a playful way, and when I can’t take it anymore, I grab a hold of her hand. I try to get her to believe that I’m not ticklish, but she doesn’t go for it. She relents only because I still have a fierce hold on her hand. We ease into a slight silence and I am immediately nervous.

Usually this is when I grab my clothes and head out the door. Usually my companions don’t mind, since fun was had. But I want to stay with Catherine. I want her to want me to stay. God, I sound like a child. I voice my fears and she is there to soothe me. She does want me to stay. I am ecstatic to hear this. I lean over and kiss her slowly. She takes away my fears in that kiss. I know that we will be okay. No matter what my silly fears, we will make this work.

I see Catherine’s eyes glaze over as we pull apart. Not only does she not want me to leaver her house, she doesn’t want me to leave her bed. As much as I agree with that, if we’re going to be active all day, I’m going to need food. I tell her as much, and though I see a glint of disappointment in her eyes, I also see that she understands. I roll off the bed and ask where the bathroom is. It hits me that I’ve never really been to Catherine’s house before. At least, not for long enough to find out where things are.

I close the door to the bathroom and look at myself in the mirror. I am naked. In Catherine’s house. We just had sex. Good sex. Great sex. Oh my god, I had sex with Catherine. All these years I’ve waited. She never once hinted at interest. There’s that damn smile again. People are seriously going to think something is wrong with me.

I grab the robe off the door and wrap myself up in its satiny fabric. Catherine has left the bedroom and I can hear her downstairs. I pick up the room a little and join her. She is staring at the cabinets, looking for something but I’m not sure she knows what exactly it is that she is looking for. I wrap my arms around her and place gentle kisses on the back of her neck. I ask what’s for breakfast as I pull an earlobe into my mouth to suck on gently. I know she likes this. She kids with me and tells me that I am what’s for breakfast. Mmm. That sounds like fun.

But I need food. I will never make it through the sex if I don’t get some food. I spot a box of pancake mix and ask for waffles. So it’s decided. Waffles. I ask if she needs help, and she says no. I grab a glass of juice and go to the door to get the paper. On my way through the living room, I put in a CD and turn towards the bar separating Catherine’s kitchen from her dining room just as the sounds begin to fill the room.

When I’ve finished with the paper, I notice that Catherine has finished with breakfast. There is plenty of juice, waffles and bacon. She must think I really worked up an appetite. Or maybe she did. I’ve just begun eating meat again, and I can’t believe how much I missed bacon. I think I can do without the rest, but I’ve found a new appreciation for bacon. Which is really odd when I think about why I stopped eating meat in the first place. Oh well. I think too much anyway.

Catherine still wants to know why I was acting odd at work. She figured it out. I shouldn’t have to tell her. I mean, we fixed the problem. But she wants me to say it. I tell her its Catherine frustration. A mix between sexual frustration and lack of sex with her. She smiled a little at that. Truth be told, I’ve been able to handle the sexual frustration part before. But lately, I’ve really felt the need to be with her. And not just sexually, but to spend time with her. Listen to her laugh, hold her when she cries. Tell her everything will be okay. Somewhere along the line my feelings turned from lust to love. And that changed things. I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I’m glad I didn’t.

Catherine and I both notice the sound of the door opening and seconds later there is Lindsey, followed by Catherine’s sister Nancy. Oh man. I knew it was too good to be true. Busted. Lindsey says something about a math book and runs upstairs. I notice that Nancy is kind of staring at me. I turn slightly and stare at my plate. I think Nancy notices my embarrassment. She asks me if I’m Sara and I can barely find my voice for long enough to confirm that I am indeed Sara. The few times I stayed for the ‘morning after’ as it were, I’ve never once been busted by the family. No kids, no siblings, no husbands or wives. Now I remember why it became habit not to stick around. I am so uncomfortable.

Lindsey comes back down and gives her mom a hug before asking something about ice cream. I still seem to be fascinated with my empty plate. Lindsey grabs my attention when she asks if I can go to. I’m nearly ready to run out the door, even if I’m only in a robe. I’m embarrassed, and now Catherine’s daughter is calmly asking me if I would like to get ice cream with her. Like she comes home everyday to find someone else sitting in her house with her mother’s robe one. I almost don’t answer at all, but then I look at her face and I know that she has won my heart too. So much like Catherine. I can’t refuse her. But I don’t know what Catherine’s plans are for the day so I leave it up to her. Looks to me like I’m going for ice cream. My heart melts when Lindsey leans over and gives me hug before leaving the house.

I suddenly realize that now I have two women in my life. Okay, so Lindsey is still a child. But I instantly know that I will do anything for her. She accepted me with great ease. I need to ask Catherine about that. How is Lindsey so mature for someone who is only nine?

Catherine has begun cleaning up our breakfast dishes, and I stop her. She made breakfast. The least I can do is clean it up. She looks reluctant but agrees. I shoo her off to the shower and take care of the dishes and cleaning up. As I stand in front of the sink I have time to get over my embarrassment and Lindsey’s arrival. And standing here, I can hear the shower running upstairs. I can’t help but think about her. In the shower. Naked. I am suddenly burning with a desire to touch her again. I hurry through the rest of the clean up and practically run upstairs to her.

I reach the bathroom just as she was stepping out and grabbing a towel to dry herself. I don’t want to let her. I want to do that for her. I tease a little and tell her I won’t need the robe anymore. She doesn’t catch on right away and thinks I’m leaving. I tell her that is not why I don’t need the robe and then I see the recognition flash in her eyes before they darken slightly in desire. I grab the towel from her and use it to dry her off while I kiss her. It doesn’t take long before my touches change in intent and I feel her heartbeat increase under my hands.

I wrap my arms around her and stoop down to pick her up. She is not resistant, but she still questions what I am doing. As brilliant as Catherine is, sometimes she just doesn’t catch on. I want to take her to new heights. I want her to experience pleasure like never before. And as fun as it would be to try that in the bathroom, I get the feeling she will be more comfortable in the bed. I carry her into the bedroom. I can see by the look in her eyes that she is surprised I can carry her so easily. It feels good to know I can surprise her with something so simple.

I have already discovered that I love the feel of her skin pressed against mine, so after I place her on the bed I crawl on top of her and press our bodies together. I know that I am going to take my time and I begin with a simple kiss. I take my time and enjoy our kiss while I let one hand roam free across her body sometimes lightly caressing her skin, sometimes gently massaging. Catherine moans into our kiss and I know that I’m on the right track.

I slowly move down her body, kissing and licking and sucking on every bit of her. Catherine is already begging for release. I feel as if I am in heaven. Her soft smooth skin under my lips and her lusty moans in my ears have even taken me to a new place of desire. I know there is no turning back from this. She is my only. Nothing I have ever dreamed or fantasized about compares to the feel of her underneath me.

Temporarily, though I know she wants it, I avoid her center. I want her to be on the edge before I touch her need. I gently twirl my fingers in her blonde curls tickling the skin underneath as my mouth wanders away. I know that she wants those fingers inside her, but I continue to let them play with her as I work my way down her legs. I massage and caress every inch of her skin. When I have finished my gentle explorations I turn my attention to Catherine’s swollen and throbbing core. I feel her writhing in anticipation on the bed as I slowly inhale her scent. She is magnificent.

I feel how close she is and a surge of desire runs through my body and I suddenly realize that she is not the only one dripping wet. I have never been this excited just to be with someone. All these years I missed out on this one moment. The anticipation of what’s to come has Catherine moaning steadily and my heart is thudding through my chest. Fantasy mixes with reality as I brush my tongue lightly up the skin of her outer folds. I want this. And after this slight taste, I know that neither she nor I will last much longer.

I slip my finger into her opening, gathering up some of her wetness. I lick my finger clean tasting everything that is Catherine. And now there is no more time to waste. With one taste my brain is locked on havng more and giving her everything I can. I open her again, this time with my tongue and as I thrust my tongue inside her folds, I hear her scream my name. God, yes. That is what I wanted. All I’ve ever wanted. To hear my name coming from her lips in a moment just like this. I use my hand to open more of her up to me. I lick and suck every part of her as she screams my name over and over. I occasionally thrust my tongue inside her and marvel at how fantastic she tastes. She nears release and I enter her with my fingers and suck lightly on her clit. I feel her orgasm shake through her like an earthquake. But I am not finished. I continue to manipulate her flesh until her feel her come a second and a third time.

I work my way back up her body, placing light kisses on already over-stimulated flesh. I feel her rapid heart beat and know instinctively that she is slipping into the dreamworld. I curl up next to her and wrap my arms around her. When I know that she has fallen asleep, I quietly whisper my love for into her ear. I love her. I know this is love because it feels like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It’s hard to describe, but in my heart I know what it is. I just don’t want her to be frightened off by my admission, so I just whisper it when I know she can’t hear me. All the same, it feels great to say it out loud. I drift into a light sleep as well.

Time passes, though I’m not sure how much, and I am awakened by the glorious feel of Catherine’s tongue between my legs. My God. Catherine. I began moaning her name as she continues to lick. Before I even notice she has moved her lips, she is sucking on my hard clit while two of her fingers explore the source of my wetness. Waves of pleasure rush through me as my orgasm sends my still sleepy mind reeling.

Catherine wastes no time in moving her mouth from my happily swollen clit to the wet folds of my sex. She replaces her fingers with her tongue and before I can even think another orgasm crashes through my body. The combination of sleepiness and post-orgasm euphoria has my mind seeing stars until I can regain control of breathing. I can’t explain how she does it, but she knows exactly what to say to get me out of my mind with desire again. She lays down next to me and tells me how good I taste. And then she shares it with me. Listening to these words come out of her mouth, and then the brief kiss she shares with me, sets my body on fire again.

Unfortunately the next words out of her mouth are about her sister coming over. Soon. I wanted to spend more time with her like this, but it sounds like its time to have the family talk. The few, and I mean very few, times I talked with the family of my lovers were beyond horrible. My family never really accepted me and coming out of the closet, even as a bisexual, pretty much alienated me. I’ve never been a people person, and some distant part of brain shuts down when it comes to talking about personal issues. Which is inevitably what the family wants to know.

I will admit to not being quite prepared for this so soon. I mean Catherine and I are still exploring this thing we have together. I am positive about how I feel, but despite my best efforts, I can’t figure her out. It helps that she calls me her girlfriend. At least I know for sure that she didn’t just want a fling. That probably would have broken my heart. Part of me knows that she loves me, but the part of me that’s been beaten down my entire life will always question her love.

I head off to Catherine’s bathroom for a shower pondering my low opinion of myself. I have been told time and time again that I am loved. But then that person always breaks my heart. If it happens enough, it tends to wear down a person. I lived through enough pain and sorrow to know that what I have with Catherine is different, but this is something she will have to help me with. I know she can help fix this about me, it’s just something about her. I think it’s part of what attracts me to her. Knowing that she can break down the walls I’ve built around myself. But it scares me too. All I’ve known my entire life is mistrust and deception. Hurt and heartbreak.

I try not to dwell on it too much as I clean up. I am aware that I’m in Catherine’s shower and that for the rest of the day, I will smell like her. Using her shampoo and soap I am surrounded by the familiar smell of Catherine. I love this smell. I grin at the thought of smelling like her all day. As I finish in the bathroom, I make sure everything is cleaned up and I head into the bedroom. Catherine has cleaned and my clothes are now on the edge of the bed. I dress, neglecting to put my underwear back on, after all I’m clean now and they aren’t. I kind of like the feel of my slacks against my bare skin anyway. If I listen hard enough, I can hear the sounds of conversation coming from downstairs. Here goes nothing.

Part 5

“What do you tell Sara about what” I ask as I head over to where Catherine has sat down next to her sister. She is embarrassed and her face is red. Really red. This can’t be good. But she is so cute sitting there like that. All embarrassed. I can’t resist a small kiss, and am then surprised at my own actions. I have never before shown affection like this to my lover in front of their family. A day of new beginnings I guess.

Holy mother of god. She was here the whole time we were upstairs. I know why Catherine was so embarrassed. I feel the heat rise in my cheeks and am now sure that my face is bright red. Suddenly I decide that Catherine’s floor is incredibly interesting. I can’t bring myself to look at Catherine or Nancy. In all my previous relationships, in all my previous chats with family, nothing like this has ever happened.

I continue to stare at the floor, effectively ignoring both Catherine and Nancy until I hear my name repeated again and again. Nancy wants to know if I’m dating her sister. Of course I am. Oh wait. I don’t know what Catherine wants. I decide that now is the time to lay it all out on the table. Despite my embarrassment and the fact that Nancy is still here, when normally I would wait until Catherine and I were alone, I decide that I will expose myself to this hurt right now. No sense in waiting. If I’m not what she wants, it’s better to know now than later.

My courage is rewarded. She loves me! One minute I’m completely embarrassed, the next utterly ecstatic. With these words she has changed my life. I believe that Nancy must be a lot like Catherine. She has threatened my life if hurt either Catherine or Lindsey. I try to explain that I love the both of them and never plan to hurt either. I’m not sure I can find words to express the depth of my emotions, because I’m not sure that I understand them myself. Nancy seems to see my struggle and acknowledges my love for her family.

The conversation lightens and I feel much better about revealing myself to these women. I can sense a deep bond between the two of them and it reminds me of everything I missed out on when my family gave up on me. I was too different for them. I see so many similarities in Catherine and Nancy.

Soon, it is time for Nancy to leave and not long after I realize that I too must go. I realize that now that I have a relationship with Catherine, she may end up at my place sometime, and I don’t want her to see the way it looks now. It’s not that it’s dirty really, just kind of neglected. The cabinets are bare, there are forensic magazines everywhere, and I really need to do some laundry. Catherine, however, has different ideas. I can tell by the way she pulls me into her arms as kisses me. She’s definitely not thinking I should go. We get slightly carried away, before I remember that another one of the things I need to do is sleep. I know she does too. After more kisses, I finally get a chance to go. I know that if I stay here, I will not be sleeping.

There really isn’t much work to be done at my apartment, but I know that there is laundry and grocery shopping to be done. My place has a pretty open floor plan with the living area, dining area and kitchen all open. Only the bedroom and bathroom are separate. I have one of the few apartments in town with its own hook-ups for laundry. And thank god for that. The last thing I want to do is spend time at a laundromat. I quickly pick up the living room and start my laundry. My bedroom and bathroom really don’t need any cleaning so I head out to the grocery store to pick up some necessities. I don’t need Catherine to think I’m incapable of taking care of myself. Plus I was out of Ben & Jerry’s anyway.

Back at home, I find sleep to be evasive. I keep thinking about how different today turned out. I finally stop thinking about Catherine all the time, only to end up kissing her. And then there was the fantastic sex. I try to sleep, but my mind is too busy analyzing everything that has happened between us. When I finally do drift off, it feels like only minutes before my alarm screams that it’s time to get up. It’s a good thing I don’t normally sleep much anyway.

So now comes another test for me. I drive over to Catherine’s place and worry about Lindsey. She seemed pretty cool with everything this morning, but what about now that she’s spent the whole day at school? I want her to know that I love her too, but how do I explain that to her? I’ve never been good with children. My maternal instincts went on hiatus and never bothered coming back. Truth be told, children scare me a little. So innocent and fragile. And they look to us to set them examples. My life has not been anything I would want for a child, so I’m never sure how to act around them.

I’m hoping that Lindsey can help me out here. If she’s at all like Catherine, and I know she is, then she already has my love. But does she want it? And how am I going to explain my presence in her life. I know that she knows everyone Catherine works with, but I’m going to be spending a considerable amount of time with Catherine. Much more than the rest of the guys from work. She’s only nine, I can’t expect her to understand.

Catherine answered the door before I even had a chance to knock. She pulls me into a hug and I tell her I missed her. More accurately, I missed the feel of her in my arms. She missed me to. As payback for her incredibly good kiss before I left earlier, I lean in and kiss her slowly. Once I know that she is desperate for more, I pull my lips away from her.

She mopes about the position I have left her in. She is so cute I almost give in. But Lindsey is waiting and we promised. Across from Lindsey’s school is a park with a small swing set. Catherine and I get the same idea and we both head for the sings and relive this small part of childhood. Soon Lindsey is running up to us and Catherine picks her up and swings her around in her arms. These little moments that I see between Catherine and Lindsey reaffirm my thoughts that I want to be a part of this family. Lindsey brightens up Catherine’s day, and I think it’s about the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.

The drive to the ice cream parlor is filled with talk of Lindsey’s day and school and typical girl gossip. Catherine leaves Lindsey and I alone in a booth as she goes off to order our ice cream. Lindsey leaves me speechless. She is nine years old and asking me if I’m her mother’s new girlfriend. Dear lord. When I was nine I never could have been this blunt. Or this observant, either. Catherine returns and notices my shock. She explains everything to Lindsey and they share giggles at my expense.

Lindsey is far more knowledgeable than I was at her age. She understands her mother’s life way more than I would be able to. She knows that mom fights the bad guys, and sometimes mom gets hurt, like she is today. She even understands the complicated things in life like love. And it doesn’t seem to bother her that mom is in love with a woman. Every minute I spend with Lindsey, the more she amazes me.

We finish our ice cream and head to Catherine’s for dinner. This is the same way I usually eat, dessert first, then dinner. I help Lindsey with her homework even though she doesn’t need it. Remembering that Catherine told me Lindsey constantly watches the Cartoon Network, I turn on the TV when we’re finished and I head into the kitchen to steal some kisses.

I never thought anyone could make me feel so domesticated. In one day I have become a part of Catherine’s family. Her sister and her daughter both accept me, which is way more than I ever got from my family. And now I’m doing things like helping Lindsey with her homework. I can be happy for the rest of my life doing little things just like this.

Lindsey walks in on us making out in the kitchen. Busted. I begin to wonder how many times in one day I can be embarrassed. Looking at Lindsey across the table all through dinner, I am still embarrassed. Catherine clears the table and I use this as a chance to chat with Lindsey. She really is an amazing child. I think she gets it from Catherine. She is not at all embarrassed or irritated to have found her mom and I locking lips in the kitchen. I have got to admit, Lindsey is a lot cooler than I was as a kid. I would have freaked. But all she wants to do is finish watching her movie.

Soon after the movie is over Nancy arrives to pick up Lindsey. Everyone agrees that it would probably best if there were no side trips back home in the morning, and I see Catherine double check everything Lindsey takes with her just to be sure. Once they are gone Catherine returns to the living room and lays her head in my lap. I know the look in her eyes and can tell from our heated kisses earlier what it is Catherine is thinking.

I need something else from her though. I’m not sure if she’ll understand, but I want to sleep with her in my arms and wake up knowing she is still there. That somehow what’s happened hasn’t been a dream. Catherine pouts a little but she agrees, and I see in her eyes that she does understand my fears. I am so lucky to have this woman in my life.

At some point we fall asleep and when I wake up, she is still there in my arms. Reality hits like a two ton truck, and I am the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. Here in this place there is nothing but safety and peace. There is no hatred, no fear, no prejudices. Just me and Catherine. And I love it.

I couldn’t resist one last lingering kiss before we parted for work. It was probably a mistake, actually it was a mistake, because it got my quiet hormones raging once again. With one kiss my legs are jelly and my entire body burns with desire. She has an effect on me like no one else. I drive to work quietly contemplating our kiss and exactly how it is that I’m going to work all night without so much as touching her.

I head straight for the coffee. Greg says he doesn’t want us to drink his coffee, but I started slipping him twenties to shut up and let us drink. It’s just too good to pass up. I think he caved mostly because of his crush on me. Nick is in the break room reading the sports pages. I know he’s waiting for an assignment so I test a theory of mine on him. I think the son killed his mother because she revealed the family’s dirty laundry to him. Nick provides me with an objective male point of view.

For the next couple of hours I am running between lab rooms and interview rooms. Examine the evidence and collect a little too. The missing girlfriend shares plenty of family information with us. I can’t believe how screwed up these people really are. Mom and Dad in a loveless marriage, both dating other people. Mom and Dad both in the closet about their own sexualities. Plus, Dad becomes abusive when Mom leaves. Jonathan picks up the habit and beats on his girlfriend, and he’s only nineteen and fast on his way to being an alcoholic. I bet these people are real fun at Christmas.

I speak with Catherine and our main suspect for a few minutes. These few minutes with her have re-ignited my fire. Before I leave the room I whisper in her ear where I am next headed. I can see that our suspect is intently staring at the table and I know that my next move won’t be noticed. My tongue flicks out of my mouth and runs along the edge of her ear. She is irresistible and I am powerless.

Part 6

Greg’s information is only halfway useful and I head back towards the interview rooms. I spot Catherine headed into her office and detour from my path to fill her in on what Greg tells me. She seems uninterested. I look into her eyes and see the now familiar desire just beneath the surface. I squirm a little in my chair wondering just what it is that Catherine expects from me. I know what she wants, but we are at work. And it would be beyond inappropriate. It’s also high on the list of my favorite fantasies.

Catherine pouts that my behavior in the interview wasn’t nice. I pretend to not know what she’s talking about and look at her with my best confused expression. She elaborates for me and I stand up and wrap her in my arms and tell her she is irresistible. Behind me, the door is closed and I take advantage of this opportunity and lean in for a quick kiss. Catherine wants more. She licks and pulls at my lower lip and I only whimper in response before opening my mouth to her.

I know that what we are doing is wrong. No sex in the workplace. It’s a cardinal rule at every job. But she slips her hand under my shirt and starts sucking on the skin at my neck. Despite the feelings she is arousing in me, I warn her that we are at work and this is not the place to do this. There is no conviction in my voice at all. I want this just as bad as she does. And then she whispers the most amazing thing in my ear. She tells me she wants me. She needs me. She’s wet for me. That’s all it takes. A little bit of dirty talk from her and I feel a rush of my own wetness. My control is shattered.

I get to work unbuttoning her shirt, wishing we were anyplace other than here so I could take my time with this. I love to see her naked. I understand why she made so much money as a dancer. She has a fantastic body. She is breathing lightly in my ear sending shivers down my spine. I open her shirt and unclasp her bra. When I gently cup the weight of one breast in my hand, Catherine throws her head back and moans my name. I love it when she does that. But here we must be quiet. I cover her mouth with my lips and kiss her slow and deep. I continue to kiss Catherine as my hands massage both of her breasts. As I run my fingers over her nipples, she moans into my mouth. It’s an incredibly sexy sound.

I adjust my position so that I am straddling her leg as she is gently pushed against the edge of her desk. I leave one hand to play with her nipple and my other roams down her stomach toward the button on her slacks. Catherine’s mind catches up with my hands and she begs me to provide her with release. Once more I feel my desire for her increase. As I open Catherine’s slacks, she roughly grabs my hips and pulls me hard onto her thigh. The rough barrier of clothes between our skin rubs against my sensitive clit and I groan in response. Who would have thought sex with clothes still on could be so exciting?

I slip two fingers inside Catherine’s panties and discover that she indeed wet. Incredibly wet. This only spurs me on. I know that we are at work and there is a need to be quick. Catherine buries her head in my neck as I slip two fingers inside her. She is moaning into my neck and this sound causes me to grind harder against her and move my fingers faster inside of her. She definitely agrees with the increased tempo, because I realize suddenly that she bit down on my shoulder in an attempt to stifle her scream as she comes. As she bites down, she pulls me harder against her and the friction combined with the pain in my shoulder, brings me my own release.

I can’t help but tease her just a little more and when I remove my hand from her panties I make a big display of licking my hand clean. I look her right in the eye, and now that I have indeed sparked a new interest in her. That familiar look of desire is returning to her eyes. God I want her. Instead of acting on my feelings again, I reach around her and hook her bra back in place. I then button her shirt and close her pants. I need to remember just how much fun it can be to have sex in the workplace. I decide that this is something I would really like to again. And again and again. Fantasy does not compare to reality and even in my wildest dreams, it never felt this good.

Now that it is time to go back to work, Catherine gives me one last lingering kiss and makes her way out of the office leaving me standing there with yet another grin on my face. I will never be able to look at her office the same again. I like that.

I don’t know how I’m going to face anyone tonight. The minute Grissom sees me he’s going to know that something is wrong. Okay, well not wrong, but there is definitely something different about me today. And it’s not like I can tell him about having hot sex while I’m at work. And I certainly can’t tell him that the hot sex was with Catherine. Not that I wouldn’t enjoy the look on his face, it’s just that he would most likely explode after that.

My mind wanders from topic to topic, not really thinking about the case. I grab a kit from a lab room and head into the interview room where Catherine is still trying to talk with Jonathan. It takes some needling, but we get him to give us fingerprint and saliva samples.  I hand off the saliva to Greg, and head into a lab to check the prints. I know that I can enter them into AFIS and have a match, or not, in minutes, but I still take a bit of pride in doing it myself.

I am finishing up my comparison when a hand brushes some stray hair behind my ear and a tongue licks up and down my ear. Oh god. If only she knew that I still wanted her. Maybe she does and that’s why she’s here. Then she does it again. I feel my desire flame up and settle in the pit of my stomach. I’m not sure if I can wait the few remaining hours until our shift is over. I know for sure I’m not waiting if she does that even one more time. The touch is velvet soft and sends shivers down my spine. She feels exquisite.

While my mind settles in the gutter, she pulls me back to work by telling me she has my DNA results. Damn. I was seriously hoping for another office consultation. We share test results and she tells me she has talked with Scott again, but that he is waiting for his lawyer. So now we have some time to kill before we can get his samples. I remember the photos I have strewn across the table. I know that Catherine likes puzzles and I drop a few hints for her and tell her to figure it out.

I head into the break room for more coffee. I can’t explain how, but Greg can make an excellent pot of coffee. And it’s not just the expensive coffee he buys, there’s something else that makes it great. I need to ask him sometime about that. I think the only reason I drink so much coffee at work is because it’s so good.

I grab one of the latest journals, this one is forensic anthropology and it’s actually quite interesting. It helps me understand a little more about Grissom’s thing for Teri Miller. If I wasn’t hung up on a certain someone, that might be avenue worth traveling. She is mentioned a lot in the many articles of this journal. She must be fascinating to talk with.

Catherine rushes into the break room and interrupts me from my reading. She has it all figured out she says. I make a bet with her. I know she’ll take me up on my offer, and as soon as I suggest we bet breakfast on the outcome, I see her eyes twinkle and I know that I was right. She agrees to take my bet and as far as I’m concerned she has just agreed to a wild morning of unforgettable sex. My mind appears to still be in the gutter, even after I tried to pry it out of there by reading that journal.

As we talk, Catherine notices that Scott’s lawyer has shown up and we head in to take his samples. Being near her seems to both slow time and speed it up. It feels like in a matter of seconds we’ve got the samples and we’re both out of the room to get the tests done. But every second I’m near her part of my brain can think of nothing but her. And how long it is until we’re alone again, without the scrutiny of being at work.

What seems like hours later, I have the print results. Glancing at a clock, I notice it’s only been ten minutes. Damn. The rest of this shift is going excruciatingly slow. Catherine meets up with me and we decide to divide and conquer. She goes off to have Jonathan arrested, and I go to speak with Scott. We’ve found his fingerprints on the murder weapon and I think I’ve figured out a way to get him to fess up.

I go in the room with a swagger in my step and a smirk on my face. I want him to know that I control what happens in this room. I think I have him pegged, and it’s all a ploy to get the information out of him. I tell him about his prints, and he protests that he didn’t kill his wife. I neglect to tell him that Jonathan’s prints were on the murder weapon too, and that Jonathan is being arrested right now. Instead I tell him it doesn’t look good for him.

He protests some more, but I can see his face turn red and anger dances just below the surface of his skin. Pulling my last trick, I invite in the female officer standing outside the room. I tell him that she will arrest him and escort him to booking. He thinks he’s being arrested for murder and he is livid. Damn, it feels good to be right. He spills the beans right then and there. I knew that he didn’t kill her, and from the looks of it, his attorney knew that I was playing his client. But Scott is so angry now that he doesn’t listen to anyone and fills me in on the details.

I meet Catherine in the hall and she tells me that Jonathan confessed. He is being hauled off by Brass, and he’s crying like a baby. I’ve got to admit I love my job. On one hand, it’s really shitty. I mean I meet people under the worst circumstances and I’ve seen and done things that would make a normal person’s skin crawl. But in the end, the satisfaction I feel just from closing a case and catching the bad guy is such an adrenaline rush that I know I wouldn’t give this up for anything.

I remind Catherine about breakfast as I grin and walk away. From the rush I’m on now and the fact that even thinking about ‘breakfast’ with Catherine is making my nerves dance with anticipation, I know that this morning is definitely going to be a wild ride. I only hope Catherine is ready.