Chapter 1: The Wind In The Willows

"Attention Please. Flight 694A3 to Boston is now boarding at gate 5. Flight 694A3 to Boston boarding now," a voice over the intercom at McCarran International Airport announced.

"Damn. Where is she?" Sara cursed under her breath as she was waiting at the gate for Catherine to show up.

Grissom had asked the two of them to go to a conference at Harvard where they would give a lecture on processing desert scenes. Both of them were a bit reluctant to go, but in the end -when Grissom offered them a day off as soon as they would be back- at least Catherine wanted to go. An extra day off so she could spend it with Lindsey was more than welcome to her.

Since Catherine had decided to go Sara couldn't -or rather wouldn't- stay behind. Two days one-on-one with Catherine was something she had wanted for quite some time now, but simply asking her out wasn't an option for her.

So now she was waiting for the strawberry blonde. Just as she had reached for her cell phone and dialed Catherine's number she heard a voice coming closer.

"I'm here. I'm here. No need to call," Catherine puffed as she threw a suitcase on the ground and grasped for breath.

"Finally, let's go," the brunette said a bit irritated

"Well I'm sorry that I'm a whole 3 minutes late. I had to say goodbye to my daughter," Catherine snapped back.

"It's ok Catherine, at least you're here now. So, let's go." She flung her bag over her shoulder and reached for Catherine's suitcase.

About half an hour later both women finally were in their seats, Catherine at the window and Sara right next to her. After take off Sara decided to try and catch some sleep while Catherine was reading. The flight was going prosperous and Sara felt completely at ease. Flying together with Catherine made her feel comfortable -more than she had expected considering their work-relationship.

They had had a strained relation for years, but Sara was trying her hardest to change things between them. That's why she quickly agreed to go with Catherine to this conference even though she had been very reluctant before. Finally she would be able to spend time with the woman she had longed for for years.

An hour later Sara woke up, because her chair started shaking. First she didn't realize what was going on until the shaking became worse. Catherine -who had also fallen asleep- suddenly sat up straight clutching Sara's hand in a death-grip.

"Relax," Sara said. "It's just some turbulence." She locked eyes with Catherine and started to rub circles over the older woman's hand. The soothing gesture made Catherine's nerves go away in an instant, and the caring look she received from the brunette even relaxed her when another wave of turbulence hit the plane.

Minutes passed and Catherine was still holding Sara's hand leaning into the longer woman's body. Realizing this was the first time Sara was willing to let someone come into her personal space Catherine looked up into two brown eyes.

I've never seen her being so caring. That look in her eyes?is it only concern? Or is there something else?

Suddenly Catherine realized the last hit of turbulence had passed about 5 minutes ago, and she was still clinging onto Sara as if her life depended on it.

Embarrassed she pried her hand out of Sara's -who immediately missed the warmth of Catherine's hand. "Don't tell the guys I had you in such a death-grip. They wouldn't let me live it down."

"Don't worry about it. I'm sure I can think of some way you can make it up to me," Sara smiled, but as soon as she made eye contact with Catherine she realized how flirty that just had sounded. A blush spread over her face.

Is this the real Sara Sidle? Letting me inside her personal space? Flirting? was the thought that filled Catherine's mind, but as she noticed Sara was becoming a bit nervous she decided to ignore it. For this moment, that is, she added mentally.

"It's just that the turbulence makes me all-" Catherine started, but before she could finish Sara softly placed a finger on her lips, thus silencing her. She seemed to have found her equilibrium again -the tension replaced by a new found source of confidence.

"As I just said, don't worry about it. Try to get some more sleep. The turbulence seems to be over now. And in case it starts again?" she said as she picked up Catherine's hand again and gave it a little squeeze. "You can just reapply that death-grip." Which earned her a beautiful smile in return.

The rest of the flight was relatively peaceful, giving both women the opportunity to rethink all that had passed between them -during the years they had worked together, but also what had just happened during the plane ride.

For four years they had had arguments and fights -work-related, that also influenced their personal relationship. From day one Catherine had been standoffish and bitchy towards the younger woman, because she was afraid that she would lose her place in the team. She realized she hadn't been fair towards Sara, especially after Eddie's case.

Of course she knew Sara had done her best and also that the brunette still blamed herself for not being able to solve the case. And I had to screw up everything. Unconsciously she sighed heavily which caused Sara to look at her questioningly.

Catherine decided then and there that she would put more effort in her relationship with Sara on work-level, but also on the personal one. She hoped that after everything that had passed between them Sara would want to build up a friendship with her.

I wish there was an easy way to tell her how I feel about her, was the only thing that occupied Sara's mind -still reminiscing about how good it had felt to hold Catherine's hand.


***

Chapter 2: What Willows Wants

As they arrived at Logan International they collected all their baggage and went in search for a taxi. After a short ride they stood in front of a hotel. Grissom had made all the arrangements for them and the only thing they had to do was check-in.

After receiving their key they went up the elevator and entered their room. Expecting two separate beds both women were stunned to find only one king-size bed.

"I'll go back to the reception to sort this out," Sara said as she placed her baggage on the ground. Before Catherine could answer the brunette had already left.

Grissom had given Sara a note with all the arrangements that were made. The list included a hotel room with two separate sleeping accommodations.

Because of the conference the hotel was very crowded and after waiting for about ten minutes Sara finally spoke with the man at the reception.

"The person who made the arrangements asked for one room. There must have been a miscommunication about the bedrooms. I'm sorry ma'am, but there's no other room available."

With that said the man turned around and grabbed a phone that had started ringing while he had spoken to Sara. This left Sara in no position to give this man a piece of her mind. "Great, now what?" Sara muttered as she walked back to the elevator again. Pushing the button for the third floor she thought, I wouldn't mind sharing the bed, but I don't think Catherine would go for that option.

Sighing heavily she walked out of the elevator as it opened. "Guess I'll have to take the couch."

As she walked into the hotel room she didn't immediately see Catherine. As she walked towards the small balcony she saw the strawberry blonde who was admiring the view. I would never ever have to have a bed if I could just hold her in my arms right now.

"So are you going to fill me in on the bed-situation, or are you just going to stand there forever?" Catherine said, not even turning round to face Sara.

Of course she had heard the door, so she knew Sara was back in the room. She could also feel the brunette's eyes on her. It had given her a weird feeling inside. But a good weird, she added mentally.

Catherine's question shook Sara out of her reverie. "Apparently Grissom is the person to blame for this," Sara answered as she walk over to the balcony.

"Some kind of misunderstanding with the reservations. You can take the bed. I'll sleep on the couch."

"Oh?Okay," Catherine answered although she wasn't really sure that this was the solution she wanted.

"That is unless?" Sara started.

"Yes?" Catherine interrupted, hope filling her eyes as she turned her head so she was now facing Sara.

"I mean?I can try to get myself another room," Sara blushed and looked down suddenly very interested in her shoes.

She looks so beautiful when she's flustered, Catherine thought as she saw the brunette's embarrassed state. This made her realize friendship wasn't what she wanted, she wanted more. But how could she tell Sara?

She decided to go the bold way and just get it out in the open. Walking back inside the older woman said, "You know, we could just share the bed. I mean, it's big enough for the both of us. At least that way you'll be able to get some decent sleep."

Sara let out a deep breath. She wanted nothing more than to sleep in the same bed as Catherine, but she knew it wouldn't be the way she really wanted it to be. She wanted to sleep with Catherine, hold her in her arms and fall asleep with the strawberry blonde all snuggled up against her. However, it wouldn't be fair towards Catherine, so that's why Sara opted for the couch.

"Don't you want a bed of your own? As was promised to each of us by Grissom? I mean? I'm not a person that needs much sleep so the couch is good enough for me," Sara answered.

Not receiving an answer Sara went inside to see where Catherine had gone. She found her in the bedroom, seated on the bed.

Seeing the brunette in the doorway she knew she couldn't back out of her plan now -as far as you could call it a plan. She patted on the space next to her on the bed.

Sara looked at Catherine and saw two sparkling blue eyes focused on her which made her feel all warm inside. She walked over to the bed and sat down.

"A bed of my own, huh?" Catherine asked as she inched closer to Sara.

"Uhuh," was the only sound that left Sara's mouth as she noticed the closeness of the strawberry blonde.

"That's not what I want," Catherine stated seriously.

"I know what I want," she said as she placed a hand at the back of Sara's neck and gave a little tug.

"I want you."

And with that said she closed the remaining distance between them, engaging their lips in a soft kiss.


***

Chapter 3: Cashing In?Or Not

As the kiss ended Catherine carefully opened her eyes, hoping she hadn't offended Sara. But the way Sara had returned her kiss already told her all she needed to know.

"Wow," Sara said as she caught her breath. Backing up onto the bed she placed herself against the headboard motioning Catherine to snuggle close to her.

"If I had known you're such a good kisser I would have done this way sooner," Sara sighed as Catherine crawled into her embrace.

"So you have thought about this?About us, before?" Catherine, who had placed her head on the brunette's shoulder, looked up into two brown eyes.

"Hmmm?yeah I have. When we were in the plane, when you were holding my hand. But because of all that has passed between us, I never tho-" Before Sara could finish her lips were claimed by the strawberry blonde's.

"I apologize for all the things I have done to you," Catherine said looking straight into Sara's eyes, hoping to convey that she really was sorry about it.

"I know, and I accept your apologies, but for now let's not talk about it anymore," Sara placed a kiss on Catherine's forehead.

For minutes they stayed like that, silently lying in each other's arms, Sara stroking through blonde locks of hair, Catherine snuggling her face into Sara's neck. Suddenly Catherine spoke up, "Do you remember what you said to me in the airplane?"

"Huh?I think I'll need some help with that question?I seem to be?distracted," Sara answered before she once again kissed the older woman passionately.

"You said you'd find a way I could make it up to you, remember?" Catherine said as she pulled back a bit, her hands tracing lightly over Sara's lips.

"Oh yeah," Sara answered, a smile spreading across her face. "I do remember that."

"Well, how about I pay my debt now?" Catherine smirked

"Well, I'll have to think of something first," Sara said, trying not to show how much she liked this playfulness that was going on between them.

"Oh come on, as if you haven't thought about that," Catherine snorted.

"Ok," Sara blushed. "I did think of something already. But since we have to be at the conference in?" she takes Catherine's wrist in her hands and checks her watch, "less than an hour I suggest we'll save this for later."

Sitting up so she could get off the bed Sara gave one last fiery kiss before walking out of the bedroom leaving a flabbergasted Catherine behind.

((**********))

Forty minutes had passed, and Catherine had been in the bathroom for most of the time.

"You ready to go?" Sara called towards the bathroom. There were ten minutes left before the conference would begin. Fortunately they just had to walk a few minutes to reach the conference-building.

The door opened and out came Catherine wearing black pants and a blue, silk blouse that complemented her eyes. She had also curled her hair, a thing -not known to her- that Sara loved.

Sara had to swallow hard as she saw the beautiful woman in front of her. "And you think I will be able to keep focused on the conference when you're dressed like that?" Sara said as she gave Catherine the once-over.

Catherine walked over to Sara and wrapped her arms around the brunette's waist.

"Ah?forget about the conference," Sara said before she pulled Catherine closer and kissed her hard.

"Oh no you don't," Catherine said as Sara started to tug at the hem of her blouse. "You made it pretty clear we had to go, so now we're going."

Catherine -holding onto Sara's hand- turned around and started to walk towards the door, but was stopped by the resisting Sara who wouldn't move an inch. As she looked over at the brunette again her face grew into a big smile. Taking one step back into Sara's direction she said, "You look so sexy when you pout." This earned her a playful nudge on the shoulder which was quickly followed by lips claiming hers.

((**********))

Arriving at the conference only ten minutes late, Catherine and Sara took a seat at the back of the auditorium. Fortunately it was very busy, so them sneaking in at the back went unnoticed.

Although Sara knew she should pay attention to the speaker, she seemed to have a hard time focusing on any thing else than the blonde in the seat next her.

She could still feel Catherine's lips on hers, and what a great feeling that was. As she focused on the speaker again she suddenly felt a hand on her thigh stroking her lightly. Her body immediately responded to the touches of the other woman.

The hand of the blonde started to move up Sara's thigh, but before things would heat up too much she grabbed Catherine's hand, stilling her motion.

Oh man, how am I supposed to hang on for another hour, Sara thought as Catherine started to caress her hand.

Fortunately for the brunette a new speaker started to talk about new methods concerning blood spatter analysis, which seemed to distract Catherine.

((**********))

At 6 pm they walked out of the large building, and Sara slid her hand in Catherine's giving a little squeeze.

"Since you tortured me for, oh I don't know, the last sixty minutes you're taking me out for dinner," Sara grinned at Catherine who was a bit surprised by Sara's show of affection in public.

"Dinner?" she pouted. "I'm more ready for dessert."

"Well, you'll have to hold on a little longer. I'm starving, and I want a decent meal at a decent restaurant," Sara answered.

Sighing Catherine gave in and led the younger woman towards a taxi.


***

Chapter 4: The Taking Of Sidle 123

Their dinner had been great. Catherine had found a nice restaurant where they both enjoyed a tasty candle-lit dinner. Sitting opposite each other, both women lost themselves in the eyes that were in front of them.

Catherine reached over and placed her hand over Sara's. "I really like this. We should do this more often."

"I'm planning to," Sara said. "I'd love to take you out again. When we get back to Vegas, I mean."

Catherine looked surprised as she heard what Sara said.

Sara felt uneasy as she saw the look on Catherine's face and interpreted it the wrong way. "Unless you don't?" She looked down at their hands.

"Sara, stop! Of course I want us to?Continue to see each other. I just didn't expect that answer from you." The strawberry blonde saw Sara's uncertainty gradually disappeared, and was replaced by love, pure love.

After Catherine took care of the bill they decided to walk back to the hotel. It was now 10 pm, the temperature was noticeably colder and Catherine shivered.

Sara, who now seemed to be hyper aware of everything the blonde did, pulled her closer. Grateful for the warmth the younger woman gave her, Catherine gave the brunette a fiery kiss.
"I love you."

As those three words fully registered in Sara's mind she was completely I awe.

Maybe that was too soon, Catherine started to panic. Sara still hadn't said anything.

But before Catherine completely freaked out Sara encircled her waist, pulled her up and kissed her hard and deep. Pulling away she locked eyes with Catherine, making sure she had the blonde's full attention.

"I love you too."

Tears of relieve and happiness filled Catherine's eyes, and, as one found its way across her cheek, Sara kissed away the remnants.

Before either of them really noticed they were back at the hotel. The elevator ride up to their room had been filled with tension, and as they reached the door Sara started to fumble with the key. After the third try the door finally opened.

As Sara closed the door behind her she was pushed up against it. Her lips were immediately claimed by those delicate lips she had tasted before. Something she couldn't get enough of.

Licking across the other woman's bottom lip she sought entrance to deepen the kiss, which Catherine more than willingly allowed. Their touching tongues elicited a moan from Sara which made Catherine even more aroused than she already was.

Kissing each other and still entangled in each others arms they walked into the bedroom. As they reached the edge of the bed Sara carefully picked up Catherine and placed her onto the bed.

She straddled the strawberry blonde's legs and kissed her passionately, trying to put everything she felt for Catherine into it.

As she tried to unbutton the blouse her hands start to shake. Catherine, who was watching every move the brunette made, noticed and quickly covered Sara's hands with hers.

"It's ok, we don't have to do thi-" But before Catherine could finish her sentence she was silenced by the brunette's lips on hers once again.

Sara backed her face away mere inches, her lips almost touching the blonde's. Looking intently in the blue orbs in front of her she said "I want to?I've wanted it for so long?I just can't believe it is coming true. I'm waiting to wake up any moment soon?It's as if this all is a dream."

"This is no dream Sara, it's all real?I'm here?You're here," Catherine said. That was all Sara needed to hear?

The love they made that night was soft and loving, yet hard and demanding. When the first rays of sunshine peeked through the curtains both Sara and Catherine had still satisfied smiles plastered on their faces.


***

Continued in chapter 5