TITLE: Wrong Again 1?

AUTHOR: VanillaBug

RATING: NC-17/M for future chapters

CATEGORY: Catherine/Sara Romance

DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything!

SPOILERS: Takes place right where 'Play with Fire' ended

ARCHIVE: With Authors Permission

SUMMARY: After Grissom rejects Sara's invitation she takes some days off. With Catherine still suspended the two woman decide to work on their friendship but getting alot more FEMMESLASH CATHERINESARA ROMANCE YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED

Wrong Again 1?

Sara took a deep breath as she exited the doors of the Las Vegas Crime Lab. She brushed her hand through her hair as she walked to her car. She couldn't believe that he actually said no. She was sure that he felt something for her as well. They had known each other for years ... how could he not? She needed to clear her head. The leggy brunette got in her car and drove to the hospital to visit Greg.

As Sara drove down the strip, she contemplated her life in Vegas. Had it been a mistake to come here? All she had experienced since she had been here was heartache and pain. Grissom constantly pushing her away; her so called 'relationship' with Hank, and most recently, her feelings of failure to her colleague Catherine staring her in the face. But, more importantly, her failure to Lindsey.

Since Eddie's death, Sara's relationship with Catherine was getting better. Sara hung out with Lindsey more, and Catherine mentioned to Sara that she was one of the few people that could get Lindsey to smile these days. The real turning point was when Catherine took Sara out after her breakup with Hank. It was one of the first times since she came to Vegas that Catherine and herself had gone out by themselves. It was a nice change to have a woman to talk to, especially about matters of the heart.

Sara pulled into the hospital parking lot and let her head rest on the steering wheel for a few minutes. She collected her thoughts and made a major decision. She dialed a number she knew by heart, and lucky for her, it went straight to his voicemail.

"Hey Grissom it's Sara. Look, I think I need to take some personal time. I'm taking five vacation days effective immediately. Sorry this is such short notice, but all the pressure of the day is catching up with me. The lab explosion, the incident with Brass, like you said, I need the time off. I'll talk to ya later."

Sara hung up the phone and sighed deeply, knowing that the real reason she was taking time off was because of him. She turned off her phone and walked through the doors of Desert Palm Hospital. Warrick had told her what room Greg was in before she went to Grissom's office at the end of her shift. She rounded the corner and saw Catherine sitting in the corner of Greg's room with her head in her hands. Sara knocked softly on the door before opening it.

"Hey Catherine," She said softly noticing Greg was sleeping.

"Hi Sara," Catherine replied looking up.

"How is he?" Sara questioned as she walked into the room.

"He's doing okay. Getting released tomorrow actually," The older CSI answered with sadness evident in her voice

"That's great."

"Yeah ... great," Catherine replied trying to mask her pain

"What's wrong?" Sara asked as she approached the strawberry blonde.

"I almost killed him," She replied shaking her head back and forth.

"It wasn't your fault Catherine. You didn't know that burner was on. Everyone knows un-logged evidence goes under the fume hood," Sara tried to reassure her colleague.

"I should have checked Sara. I mean, I have been doing this for how many years now? How could I have been so careless?" Catherine confessed, tears beginning to form in her eyes

Sara dropped down onto her knees in front of Catherine. She took Catherine's hand in her own, forcing the older woman to look at her.

"I almost killed him," Catherine repeated, disgusted with herself

"No, you didn't," Sara whispered.

"I almost killed you," The blonde stated as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Sara squeezed Catherine's hands and shook her head in defiance offering her colleague a smile.

"Catherine, Greg is okay, I'm okay. Everyone is okay."

Catherine looked down at Sara's hands holding her own. This was a moment that she had dreamed of for such a long time. She had to remind herself that this was a gesture of comfort, not of the love she longed for.

"Besides," Sara continued, "think of how un-dramatic the lab would be if I would have died," She joked, chuckling softy.

Catherine's head snapped up and she looked at Sara in complete shock.

"Don't you ever say that again, Sara ... ever." Catherine stated forcefully, as her eyes welled with fresh tears.

"I second that!" Greg's voice added.

Sara looked at Catherine and noticed something different in her blue eyes. It was something she hadn't seen in a while, concern and love. Catherine actually did care about her. She gave Catherine a slightly puzzled look as she stood turning around to face Greg.

"Playing possum huh?" She asked.

"That way I get to hear all the good stuff," He smiled shifting on the stiff bed.

"Hear anything good?" Sara asked, glancing back to see Catherine drying her tears.

"Actually ... no. You know damn well Sara that people care about you," He lectured.

"Come on guys it was a joke," The brunette said, trying to make light of the situation.

"Wasn't very funny," Greg mumbled eyeing her protectively.

"Look, it's been a rough day for everyone. I'm sorry, it was my bad attempt at humor. I've just been thinking to much."

"I don't ever want you thinking thoughts like that okay?" Greg pleaded.

"Okay."

"Promise?"

"I promise," She said kissing his cheek.

"Suddenly, I feel so much better," He said, fluttering his eyes at Sara.

"Oh, I'll bet," Sara smiled punching him lightly in the arm, "I'm gonna grab a cup of coffee. Catherine you want one?" Sara offered, turning to the quiet blonde

"Please."

"What about me?" Greg pouted.

"You don't need the caffeine my dear boy. You need as much rest as you can. I'll be right back," She announced leaving the room.

"You okay Catherine?" Greg struggled, as he turned in his hospital bed.

"Um, yeah ... I'm okay, I just can't ... " Catherine mumbled trying to find her words

"Catherine, it's okay. Sara's right, it wasn't your fault. I don't blame you."

"This whole thing puts stuff in perspective," Catherine sighed.

"Are you ever gonna tell her?" Greg asked, smiling at the blonde

"Tell who, what?"

"Tell Sara you have feelings for her."

"She knows I care about her," Catherine shifted in her seat, unable to look Greg in the eyes.

"No, when are you gonna tell her, that she means more to you than a friend."

Catherine looked at him startled. Greg just sat up slightly and smiled.

"I knew it!" He smiled triumphantly

"How did you ... "

"Come on, you guys have got this love hate thing going on. I saw the way you looked at her, the way you always look at her. The tone in your voice gives it everything away."

"Greg please don't ..." She started.

"Give me a little credit Catherine. But, you really should tell her. What's the worst that can happen?"

"Things could be more awkward than they already are," She sighed brushing her hands through her hair.

"But, what if she feels it too?"

"She doesn't, everyone knows about the force that is Grissom and Sara." Catherine answered in disgust.

Greg could hear Sara coming back down the hall.

"What can I tell ya Catherine? If she says no, then you two can go back to hating each other," He finished as the subject in question entered the room

"Hating who?" Sara asked, handing Catherine her coffee.

"Ecklie," Greg responded.

"Little worm," Sara groaned sipping her coffee.

Catherine silently thanked Greg for his silence over her coffee cup as a nurse walked in the room.

"I'm sorry guys but we need to take Mr. Sanders here for a head CT, just to make sure there's no damage."

"Oh, there's damage alright," Sara smiled at him.

"Cute, Sara," Greg replied rolling his eyes

"Greg, I'll stop by tomorrow after Lindsey's off to school and keep you company okay?"

"What about work?" He asked.

"Well, I told you I had time on my hands. I got suspended for five days."

"No way! That's not fair!" Greg almost shouted

"I know, I deserve more," Catherine replied looking at her feet.

"No, you don't Catherine. This wasn't your fault. It was the idiot who left the hot plate on. Catherine, I'm so sorry," Greg offered, feeling partly to blame.

"I'm sorry, but I have to get him going," The nurse said, wheeling him out of the room.

"He's right Cath," Sara added, trying to get the blonde to face her.

"Whatever," Catherine mumbled taking another sip of her coffee.

"You know what?" Sara challenged taking their cups and throwing them in the trash, "We need something stronger than this crap. How about an adult beverage?" The brunette asked.

"Sara, I really don't think that's a good idea."

"Please Catherine, I would really like someone to talk to," Sara leaned down to Catherine's ear and whispered, "I think you need someone to talk to, too."

Sara's breath sent shivers down Catherine's spine, and goose bumps up her arms.

"Okay," Catherine managed to say, remembering she knew how to speak.

"Good answer," The younger CSI said placing her hand on Catherine's arm.

Sara felt the bumps on her own skin as brown eyes met blue. They held the gaze for a moment until Catherine looked away and shifted uncomfortably away from the brunette.

"I'll drive and I can drop you back here on my way home, okay Catherine?"

"Um, yeah ... that's fine Sara," Catherine replied, barely above a whisper meeting her gaze again.

It was going to be an interesting day.

TO BE CONTINUED