Title: All Bets Are Off
By: reversedsam
Pairing: Cath/Sara
Fandom: CSI: Vegas
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimers: They're not mine, but I promise I'll have them back by midnight.
A/N: All mistakes and British spellings are mine.
Summary: Catherine makes a stupid bet.

***

I'm sitting in our usual diner with Warrick, Nick and Greg, We're waiting for Gil and Sara before we order, they're twenty minutes late, but then they're the workaholics, so nobody is surprised.

"Which one was it?" Asks Nick, he's referring to the boy who asked me out on my way back from the ladies a minute ago.

"The one sitting at the counter in blue, he was sweet."

"He looks crushed. Cath you're just plain evil." We all laugh at Warrick's comments.

"I'm sure he's not crushed, but it is nice to know I still got it." I say smiling and it is, I think I'd let the incident with Chris affect me more than I care to admit, even though he was a boy and I'd never even consider it, it's flattering nonetheless.

"That's a bold statement to make Catherine, are we to assume you think you could get just about anyone?"

Only Greg would ask that. "No Greg, not at all, just that it's flattering to be asked out by someone half my age."

"Well damn, can't you be a little less modest?"

"Why Greggo, what you up to?" Nick asks.

"I was just going to see if Catherine here was interested in a bet."

"What type of bet?" I know I shouldn't encourage him, but still, we're bored.

"Next person to walk through that door, you have to get a date with or at least their number."

"What if it's a woman?" Nick asks looking at me.

"Fine with me." I say earning myself mildly shocked looks from everyone but Warrick.

"What, never heard of bisexual?" Nick shoots Warrick his 'why didn't you tell me' look and earns himself a shrug. Greg's over his momentary shock and ready to continue.

"I didn't deliberately not tell you, just never came up till now." I say in total honesty.

There's none of the awkwardness usually associated with moments like this, which I'm grateful of.

"So, do you accept my bet? The next person through that door. Man or woman?" Greg says, effectively killing that conversation.

"Well, how about you tell me what I get when I win?" I reply.

"Me, as your personal slave for the whole day." He grins; we chuckle at him, only Greg would pick something like that.

"That sounds like fun Greg, but if I lose theirs no way I'm being your personal anything."

He looks a little disappointed. "I somehow knew you'd say that, but that's okay, you can give me your night off this week if you lose, you cover for me in the lab and I get to stay home."

"That sounds fair Cath, what do you say?"

Nick and Greg are looking at me excitedly and I can't help smile.

"Oh what the hell, you're on Greg." I lean across the table to shake his hand.

The subject changes as we all keep an eye on the door.

About ten minutes later Greg draws our attention to the parking lot outside, Gil and Sara are making their way over.

Greg laughs. "I wonder who will be through the door first." He can't be serious.

"Man are you serious?" Warrick asks.

"Totally, a bet's a bet, and the bet was the next person through that door, I was hoping it would be Griss, this should be funny."

Okay, I can do that, Gil is ahead of Sara anyway, so I tell him about the bet, we go to dinner, pretend it's a date, problem solved.

They're reaching the door and Gil is still in front of Sara. I bet they're wondering why all three of us are staring at them.

I sit and watch my chances of winning this bet dissolve as Gil opens the door, then steps aside to let Sara in. Why in hell does he have to be such a gentleman?

The guys look at me, not sure what to say.

"Okay, so maybe we shouldn't ..."

"A bet's a bet Greg." I can't just give up now I have to at least try. Damn my competitive nature to hell.

"Rule change, I get two weeks." Why am I doing this? Why don't I just back out now? There's no way she'll agree to go out with me.

"Erm, okay, sure." Greg says, he was sure it was going to be Gil in first, that's why he made this stupid bet.

I leave everyone talking as I sit and contemplate. What the hell have I got myself into? I glance at Sara a few times, the impossibility of my task setting in.

Sometimes I get the impression she can't stand me, not that I'm bothered, I've lost no sleep over it; still, I wonder why occasionally. A lot actually. I know everyone thinks I dislike her, but that's never been the case. We work well together, okay so we argue, but I've had blow-outs with everyone here at some point, so why is attention always drawn to the ones I have with her?

I remain quiet for pretty much the rest of the time we're here, lost in my own thoughts. What the hell have I got myself into? And why? I could have backed out, said I'd wait for the next person to come in after them, so why didn't I? It's Sara for Christ's sake, I'm never going to ask her out in a million years, and even if I did she'd laugh hysterically at me before saying no, so why did I agree?

***

By the time I get to work, I've decided to tell Greg the bets off, having had time to think more I realise what a seriously stupid idea this whole thing is.

I'm on my way to see Greg when I pass an extremely pissed off looking Sara heading to the locker room, almost removing the door from its hinges on her way in.

I ponder ignoring what I've just seen for a second, then feel like a total ass for even considering it, so I follow her, opening the door just in time to see her punch her locker, leaving a dent.

"Ouch." I say, purely on reflex. She turns to me, looking at me as if I'm next. I hold my hands up as I speak. "I come in peace; I just wanted to make sure you're okay."

The anger seems to slip away from her as she slumps onto the bench in front of the lockers. I walk over and sit next to her.

"Want to talk about it?"

She looks up at me a little confused, I know she's not used to me doing this but surely she doesn't think I'm that much of a bitch.

Her confusion disappearing as she looks away again.

"Case I'm on, domestic violence."

Ah, that explains a lot. I'm not sure why these type of cases get to her so much, but I know they always do. I'd ask her why, but I think of all the people she works with, I'm the last person she'd confide in.

"Is he going to get away with it?"

"Hell no, not if I have anything to do with it."

"Then I have no doubt the bastard concerned is going to be getting everything he deserves." And I don't, once determined about something; very few things get in her way.

"Thanks." She says, but it's obvious she doesn't fully believe me, not that I blame her.

From the corner of my eye I notice her hand, it looks sore.

"Let me take a look at that." I say, reaching for her hand.

"No, its okay." She pulls her hand back before I get there.

"Sara, just let me look." I give her the mothers 'now' look and she seems to relent, offering her hand for my inspection.

I take it gently with mine, stand and lead us to the sinks, the lights better here.

"So that's how you get Lindsey to do as she's told." She laughs "That look is deadly."

I laugh with her. "It does come in handy from time to time."

Her hand doesn't actually look to bad close up, just a little red, but I bathe it with warm water anyway, hopefully taking away some of the stinging.

I'm amazed at the way she's allowing me to do this, she looks so vulnerable right now, I've never seen her like this before and I'm overcome with the urge to comfort her.

I don't though; just finish with her hand. "Should be a nice bruise there tomorrow."

"Yeah, probably. Thank you for this by the way, you didn't have to."

"I know, I wanted to, I'm happy to help, I'm not a bitch all the time you know."

There's that shocked expression again, it surprises me this time, I was always under the impression that's what she thought.

"I never once thought you were." She didn't? Well she could have fooled me. "What do you say to me buying you breakfast after shift, if you're not busy. As a thanks for this." She waves her hand at me.

"You don't need to do that, I told you I was happy to, but breakfast sounds nice."

"Great, I'll meet you in the break room after shift." She smiles at me, a full-blown smile and I find myself smiling with her, she looks so different when she lets her guard down.

"See you then." She smiles at me once more before turning and leaving.

I sit down again for a minute, okay, so that was different, an actual conversation with Sara, no coldness, no pointless hostility, just a normal conversation.

One conversation and she asks me to join her for breakfast, that's all it took. I ponder why I've spent so long being annoyed by her, why she always seems so judgmental of me. Why we're not friends.

As I leave the locker room I remember I had been heading to see Greg beforehand. I think for a second of telling him we have a breakfast date, that I did it, I won, but I don't want to do that. She'd find out and think I only went because of that, but if I call the bet of, she'll find out anyway, and think exactly the same thing.

Okay so I'll just keep it shut, not say anything. Greg will think the bets still on and keep his mouth shut, and I'll just deal with that later, explain it to Sara when I'm sure she won't automatically jump to the wrong conclusion.

I don't even know why I care so much, yesterday I couldn't have cared less how many conclusions she jumped to, wrong or not. But she made an effort before, that can't have been easy for her, not with me anyway. So I figure the least I can do is return the favour.

I arrive in the break room ten minutes after shift ends and find Sara waiting for me.

"Hey, you look better."

"I feel it, case is wrapped up, and he'll be in prison for a very long time." She practically beams as she says this.

"Excellent, I knew you'd get him. Shall we go? I'm starved."

"Let's, anywhere in particular you want to go?" She says as we head out towards the parking lot.

"Nope, I'll leave it up to you."

"Okay, well there's a little place a few blocks from my apartment, I've been there a few times, and the waffles are fantastic."

"Great, you lead the way; I'll follow in my car."

"Okay, see you in a few."

Ten minutes later we're tucked into a booth, happily sipping coffee and waiting for our waffles to arrive.

"How does your hand feel?"

She lifts it to show me, the redness is gone and it looks like the bruise won't be as bad as I thought.

"Its fine thanks, sorry about that by the way, it's either the locker or the suspect and I'm fond of my job; so the poor locker gets it every time."

"No need for apologies, we've all been there, what I don't understand is why Gil puts you on cases like that." She looks at me and I can see she's taken that the wrong way; I raise a hand when she goes to say something. "Please let me finish. I wasn't implying that you couldn't handle it, you're an amazing CSI, I just wondered why Gil would put you on a case he knows is going to upset you, as if the job isn't hard enough."

Her expression changes, thankfully she didn't misunderstand me then. "You know what he's like, he probably thinks it's character building or something, that I should learn to deal with it and not let my emotions cloud my judgement."

"Yeah well, Gil can be an ass sometimes." We both laugh. "He usually means well, but his way is definitely not always the right way."

I wonder when she stopped thinking Grissom was the best thing since sliced bread.

"So tell me about you and Gil, what happened there?"

She looks a little hesitant, maybe I've gotten a little to personal.

"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have asked that, it's really none of my business."

"No that's okay; it's just that nobody's ever asked before, just assumed they already knew."

Nobody has asked, I'm shocked; the amount of crap flying around the office I figured at least one person would have tried quizzing her about it.

"I asked him out, after the lab explosion."

I cringe as she says that, I still feel immensely guilty about that.

"You're not to blame, shit happens." I smile at her thoughtfulness.

"So anyway, he told me he didn't know what to do about it, what kind of stupid answer is that?"

She's right, that's stupid, even for him.

"So, there never was anything, I tried, he was Grissom like about it, I got over it. Now, in all honesty, the thought makes me cringe."

I laugh at that, I agree with her though, I never saw them together.

"He's an idiot, seriously, like he's flooded with offers from intelligent, talented, gorgeous women who will understand his job obsession and put up with his annoying quirks." Gorgeous? Where did that come from?

"Thank you." She blushes.

Our food arrives, killing that subject.

We spend the rest of breakfast just chatting, talking about everything and nothing, and by the time we leave my opinion of her has changed somewhat. She's different away from work, lighter, a lot more talkative and funny, something I'd probably have known years ago had I taken the time, the guys did. So what took me so long?

We say our goodbyes in the parking lot and head to our cars.

"Hey Sara." I shout just as she's about to get into her car.

"Yeah."

"Wanna do this again tomorrow? Same time, same place?" I shout.

"Sure, I'll be here, see you at work."

So we've had breakfast together every day this week, the reality of her is so much different to the version of her I had in my head.

I thought her cold, unemotional, judgmental, and arrogant even, but she isn't any of those things. The wall she puts up at work is just that, a wall, a facade. Take her out of that situation and it drops. She's pretty much the opposite of every misconception I had.

She told me the same is true for me that I come across a lot bitchier in work and now I think of it I guess that's true. Still, we seem to be getting past this, finally.

I still haven't told her about the bet, just never found the right time. I haven't spoken to Greg either, I know he won't keep it shut, not with Sara; he drools whenever she enters the room still. So I know he'd tell her and I don't want to end up back at square one with her, I like where we are now.

"Hey Cat." I hear as I enter the parking lot, I look up to see Warrick standing by the car waiting.

"Hi Warrick."

We have a case together, I tell him to drive as I jump in the passenger seat. He doesn't leave right away, turning to face me first.

"So about this bet..."

"I know, I know, seriously stupid idea, one which I'm not planning on making good on. I just need to find the right way out of it, without Sara getting the wrong impression."

"What wrong impression? There's a right impression here?"

"Of course there is, we've had breakfast every day this week and I don't want her thinking it's only because of that."

"You mean it's not? And since when did you care what she thinks."

"No it's not, and I care since I actually took the time to get to know her."

"Seriously? I'm a little shocked."

"Why?" Jesus why is this so hard? No one questioned him when he became friends with Sara, and he had more reason than anyone not to.

"You two just seem so different."

"We're not that different, besides, differences aside, I like her, and I like the not arguing as well."

"You sure you're not looking for that date after all Cath." He jokes.

"Oh you're a funny one, now drive will you, there's work to be done."

***

I feel a hand slide gently down my naked back, across my hip to my equally naked stomach, making lazy circles as it goes. Soft lips start kissing across my shoulders to the back of my neck making me sigh in contentment. I love being woken up like this.

The hand on my stomach makes its way upward to my breasts as the gentle kissing turns into gentle sucking, I roll back a little, giving my lover better access to my willing body. The gentle sucking moving to the front of my neck, in accordance with my new position.

The teasing hand finally slides downward to where I need it to be, leaving me groaning in ecstasy as my body responds to the firm stroking.

My lips are seized in a searing kiss as my body reaches its climax, my lover swallowing my moans as I shudder in release.

"Mmm, I love waking you up like that."

"God Sara that was amazing."

My eyes fly open and I immediately look to the other side of the bed, half expecting to see Sara there.

Okay so where did that come from? Boy that was some dream. For a second I curse my habit of having vivid dreams. More so when my body lets me know it very much liked the images my subconscious mind was giving it.

I can't believe I just dreamt of Sara like that, god it was hot though, the way I felt in the dream momentarily washing over me, causing an involuntary shudder.

Well that was interesting I tell myself as I get out of bed and head for the shower. It's still early but I can't sleep now.

I arrive at work a few minutes early today, my dream all but forgotten about.

I bump into Gil on my way to the break room.

"Hi Gil."

"Catherine, good you're here, I left your assignment with Sara, she's in the break room waiting for you, Nick and Warrick are with me tonight."

He turns and leaves, offering me a good luck over his shoulder, I laugh a little and promise myself I'll drag him out to dinner at some point soon, we haven't caught up in a while.

I walk past Greg's lab on my way to meet Sara and he calls me in.

"What's on your mind Greggo." I ask, as if I don't already know.

"Oh not much, just pondering how to spend my time off. So how's our little bet going? You get a date with her yet?"

"Not yet, keep it shut though okay." I decide there and then to tell her today, I'm sure she'll understand now, Greg will have his night off and normal services can resume.

"My lips are sealed."

"Good." I say on my way out the lab.

I find Sara making coffee when I get to the break room.

"Enough for two there."

She turns at me and smiles; okay, never felt that when Sara has smiled at me before. I think as my stomach does a mini summersault. Strange.

"I'm officially screwed." I say to Warrick, handing him a drink.

I asked him to come over for an hour before Lindsey gets home from school, after today I need someone to talk to, and we've always been great friends, besides, Gil might have a kitten with this one.

"Why what's up." He looks concerned.

"Remembered your joke about me being after that date with Sara after all? Well I'm not finding it so funny now."

"WHAT! Oh tell me you aren't serious Cath."

"I wish I could."

"So how did this happen?"

"Well, I had a dream about her before work last night."

"A dream?"

"MM hmm, a very vivid dream."

"Oh, that kind of dream." Realisation dawn on his face. "Well that doesn't mean much, it was a dream."

"That's what I thought, till I saw her and my stomach did summersaults, and about a million butterflies took up residence."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, we worked a case together and I could hardly keep my eyes of her, every time she did that little thing with her mouth, you know what I'm talking about right?"

"Oh yeah, we've all noticed that, and if we didn't, Greg pointed it out."

"Well that, every time she did that I had to fight the urge to kiss her."

He's looking at me like I have two heads, not that I blame him, this is shocking me too.

"And whenever she bent over to look into the microscope her top would ride up a little and I'd want to reach out and touch her lower back. Her smile just blows me away, and god Warrick have you seen her legs? They go on for days."

I think I'll shut up now; he seems to have got the message.

"Wow Cath I'm shocked, I never would have thought in a million years...wow."

"I know, I mean, I'd always thought she was easy on the eyes, any fool can see that, but before it was always just that, same as I think of about a million other women but now..."

"Now that's changed."

"Just a little." I laugh at the absurdity of this situation. "She's gone from being just Sara to being 'really, really hot' Sara in a day and I don't know how to handle it, I have no idea how to deal with this."

"You shouldn't worry about it, maybe it's just the after-effects of the dream, and once you get it out of your system you'll be fine."

"Maybe, but how exactly do I get it out of my system without...well...you know"

"OH, I see your point."

God this is all so messed up.

"Cath."

"Yeah."

"You're officially screwed."

***

Heading to work the next day I remember I didn't tell Sara about the bet yesterday, but then I was a little distracted, so I can forgive myself.

I get to work a little late tonight, traffic was a bitch. I'm still working the same case as yesterday so I know I'll be with Sara again tonight. I can't decide if I'm happy about that or not. The sane part of me is telling me to take a sick day or something, anything to keep me away from her, to go away and sort my head out.

Of course the crazy part of me that seems to like complications and just loves to watch me mess up is telling me I really want to see her. That I secretly enjoy the butterflies and confusion I know I'll get.

I've been so lost in thought while making my way to the break room I failed to notice Warrick until I turn around with the coffee I've just poured myself.

"Oh, hey Warrick, sorry I didn't notice you there."

"I figured." He smiles at me. "So any interesting dreams?" He asks grinning.

"Let's not go there, let's talk about anything at all but that."

"Okay, this is really getting to you isn't it?" See, this qualifies as talking about it.

I just nod in response.

"Well, you know I'm here if you need to talk."

"Thanks."

We sit in comfortable silence for a few minutes until Sara walks in, capturing both our attention.

"Hey you two."

"Hey." Warrick replies, his eyes moving to me, waiting for my reaction.

I just offer her a smile; the butterflies are back in full force.

"I just came to grab a coffee, I know we got stuff to process, so I've made a start, just come find me when you're ready Cat, no rush though." She offers me a smile and she's gone. I watch her till she's out of sight.

"God she's got a great ass." I look around at a mildly amused Warrick.

"I said that out loud didn't I?"

"Mm hmm."

What is happening to me, in just over a week I've gone from my normal in control self to a confused, gibbering idiot who can't even control what comes out of her mouth; fantastic.

"God I wish I'd never made this stupid, utterly ridiculous bet. If I hadn't I would never have even thought of spending time with her, my opinion of her would never have changed and I wouldn't be in this predicament." Okay so I was actually going to tell Greg to sod off when all this started but that's not the point, I need someone to blame right now and he'll do nicely.

"If I kill Greg, you'll help me cover it up right?"

He laughs at me before standing to leave. "I gotta go, I'll catch you later, and don't worry too much, it'll be okay."

Easy for him to say

I sit in the break room sipping my coffee, I should get to work, and I will in a second.

Come on Cath, get it together, you've always been the confident one, so enough with this shit, so you're attracted to Sara, so what? Deal with it, stop acting like an idiot. Okay, now I'll go to work.

I find Sara in a small room behind Greg's lab, diligently inspecting the pants our vic was found in.

"Hey, how's it going?"

"Hey Cat, not much to report, strange green sticky substance around one ankle, I've already sent it to trace; that's about it. I left the shirt for you, figured you'd want a look at the blood spatter on it."

"Thanks, I'll get to it then."

"You wanna grab breakfast after shift?"

"Count me in, where do you fancy going today, anywhere in particular?" I don't know why I agree, I should be staying away from her but the opportunity to spend time with her is too good to pass up.

"Nope, figured we'd just decide later."

"Okay."

I look at my watch and realise shift is almost over.

Sara and I are still processing the evidence from yesterday, it seems to be taking longer than usual, but then I don't usually feel the need to ogle Sara every five minutes.

I found her hands particularly distracting tonight. I've always loved women's hands and hers are no exception. Strong and soft at the same time, watching them move as she carefully examined the evidence mesmerised me. I couldn't help but wonder when they would feel like on my skin. Would they be just as confident as they are now? Or would they tremble as they swept across my body? Would they hold the same passion and intensity they do when she's working? Needless to say, I didn't get half as much work done as I normally do.

"So you ready to go?" I'm broken from my thoughts of Sara by the woman herself.

"Sure, just let me finish up here; I'll meet you outside in ten."

"Okay." She offers and once again I'm left alone with my thoughts.

Not for long though as Greg walks in just after she leaves.

"Ah Catherine, just the woman I was looking for." I really don't need this right now.

"So, the two weeks almost up and I hear no talk of a date."

"Well it ain't over yet Greg." I have to tell Sara at breakfast today, then I won't have to worry about her getting the wrong impression from Greg.

"True, but you know you don't stand a chance, so why not give up now."

"Well, that wouldn't be very much like me now wouldn't it Greg? I'll see you tomorrow." I say on my way out. Sara's waiting for me and I know which of those two I'd rather spend my time with.

I find Sara standing by my car.

"Hey, so where do you fancy going today?"

"You decide. I'm happy with anything."

She looks at me strangely for a second. "You okay? You've seemed distracted all night."

It's you; you've been driving me to distraction all night, with your mere presence. That's what I want to say, but I actually say. "Yeah, I'm just a little tired; maybe I'm coming down with something."

She steps forward, invading my personal space, bringing her hand up to my forehead.

"You do feel a little hot. Come on, let's get you home, I'll cook you something then you can get some sleep."

I can't believe the sweetness of this, she's taking care of me, I almost wish I did feel sick, then I wouldn't feel bad about making that up.

She ushers me into my car, taking the keys from me.

Within minutes of arriving at my house I have a cup of tea and am standing in my kitchen watching her make me breakfast.

I move and sit on the counter top next to her; watching her work, that and I really just wanted to be close to her.

"You don't have to do this."

"Nonsense, you'd do it for me, besides, the quicker you eat the quicker you can get some sleep, hopefully you'll feel better then."

Truth is I'm not even tired, although I can think of one or two ways she could help me out with that. Okay, bad thoughts, especially when she's standing a few inches away from me.

"Thank you anyway." She looks at me and smiles.

Me sitting on the counter and her standing makes us pretty much the same height, I like that. I can look right into her gorgeous brown eyes without having to look up.

If she was standing in front of me I would be able to wrap my legs around her waist, pulling her close to me, burying my hands in her hair so I could pull that delicious mouth to mine. AAGGHH for Christ's sake Catherine get your head out of the gutter.

I return from my little mind trip to find her standing in front of me looking worried.

"Are you okay? You zoned out for a minute."

Okay, time to put some distance between myself and temptation. I slide off the counter putting myself squarely in her personal space. I try to move to the side away but her hand comes up to my hip, stopping me.

"Hey, you're worrying me now, you look flushed, maybe I should just take you to bed."

Oh lord, images of her taking me to bed, flash through my mind, or more accurately images of Sara taking me on the bed. Those coupled with her nearness is truly driving me crazy.

I turn my head to look up at her, and all I can focus on is her mouth. Before I even realise what I'm doing I feel myself leaning in to kiss her, it feels like I'm watching someone else lean in, that is until my lips finally make contact with hers.

***

As soon as my lips touch hers reality screeches into place. I'm kissing Sara, all my attention is focused on her mouth, how soft her lips feel, how fantastic it feels to have her mouth pressing against mine.

I pull back from the kiss, my eyes still closed, I don't want to face the shock I'm sure will be on her face, and I'm in no hurry to have the 'I'm flattered but no thanks' conversation.

I just want to revel in the fact that I've just kissed Sara for as long as I can.

"Catherine."

Her voice is giving nothing away and I still haven't opened my eyes. So I have no idea what she's thinking. She hasn't run away screaming though, so it's going better than I thought.

"Catherine please look at me."

Okay, here goes.

I slowly open my eyes and lift my head to meet her gaze, she has a look on her face that I've never seen before, god I wish she'd say something.

Her hand comes up and she cups my face, I automatically lean in to her touch.

She still hasn't said anything and I'm getting a little anxious.

"Sara...I..."

I have no idea what to say; I look at her pleadingly, trying to convey my feelings. Then I stand there motionless as the hand she has holding my face moves to the base of my skull, tangling in my hair. Her eyes darken and she pulls me in for another kiss.

This is nothing like the almost chaste kiss I gave her. She latches on to my bottom lip, nibbling it and licking it until I grant her tongue entrance to my mouth, her tongue teases me until I can't take it any more. Sinking my hands into her silky hair, pulling, wanting to deepen our kiss further.

The way she's kissing me is driving me wild, the initial intensity replaced by a slow sensual dance, she lazily swirls her tongue around mine, god this is fantastic.

When oxygen becomes an issue I pull back, not wanting to lose contact with her gorgeous mouth just yet; I give her little kisses between ragged breaths.

"Well, that's never happened before."

She's panting too, and I smile at the thought that I caused that.

I finally open my eyes to see her smiling at me.

"Mmm hmm, that's was definitely new."

Coherent thought is still a bit of a problem it seems.

"Good new or bad new?" I hear the concern in her voice, the fact she's worried after that is mildly amusing.

"Oh, very good new, so good in fact I think you should do it again."

She smiles at me, moving her free hand to my hip, pulling me flush against her.

I can't stop thinking about how good a kisser she is, my eyes have been firmly planted on her mouth since I opened them, watching every tiny movement. Now I know how it feels, how am I supposed to be around her and not be kissing her?

"I think we need to talk."

She's right, I know she is; but damn I wanted to continue with the kissing.

"Come on." She says, taking my hand and leading me into the living room. We sit on the sofa, facing each other and I lean in to capture her lips once more, I get within a hairs breadth of my target and she pulls back, chuckling.

"There will be no talking if that happens."

Again, she's right, but I pout a little just the same. She moves back from me, but taking the hand she's still holding with her, so there's still some contact.

I settle back into the sofa getting comfortable.

"I don't know where to start." I offer.

"Firstly, are you still feeling sick? If you are, we should do this another time."

I'd forgotten about that. "I wasn't feeling sick, it was you."

"Me?" I can tell she has no idea what I mean.

"I had noticed you all shift, you've been distracting me all night, so it's no wonder I was a little hot when you stepped close to me."

"Wow, I had that affect on you? Is it wrong that I feel proud of that?" She grins. "But seriously, I'm shocked; I didn't have you down as being so easily distracted."

"I'm not usually; then again, I've never worked with anyone I was attracted to until you, so it's never been an issue before. And besides, I still wouldn't consider myself easily distracted, you just have no idea the affect you have on people."

She laughs at my statement. "You have to be kidding, me having no idea? I suppose you're fully aware of almost the entire lab drooling over you?" What's she talking about? It's her they drool after. "I can't count the amount of times I've heard people saying how hot you are; I even caught Grissom checking out your ass once."

"That's just disturbing."

"I agree; that's what I told him."

I lean in and kiss her lightly. "Thank you." It's adorable that she did that. "I'd love to have seen his face."

"It did amuse, but I have to admit that I only noticed because I was doing the same." She grins at me, blushing a little.

I shift myself closer to her, simply because I can, placing my hand on the leg she has tucked under herself.

"I've been attracted to you since the moment I set eyes on you; lust at first sight." She laughs. "But that was it, that was all it was. Since we've been spending time together though, that's changed. I'm not sure what it's changed to, but it's changed, there's more there now, and I'd very much like to see what it could be."

Her honesty makes me smile; I lean in for another quick kiss. "I haven't had as long to get used to the idea. In fact until three days ago I didn't see you as anyone but a work colleague." She looks a little disappointed.

"So what changed?" She asks.

"Well, I loved that we were getting closer, finally becoming friends, it seems however my subconscious wanted a lot more."

"Your subconscious?" She looks confused, and it's so adorable.

"Mmm hmm, I erm, had a dream about you." I blush, both at the embarrassment I feel and the memory of the dream.

She leans in, giving me a slow kiss, taking my breath away. I think I like this talking stuff.

"Tell me about it." She whispers when she pulls back. That's not a good idea, but who am I to refuse her?

"Well, we were in my bed, I was asleep." Her hand is making lazy circles up the outside of my thigh making it very hard to concentrate. "I felt your hand slide down my back, across my hip onto my stomach, your fingers making random patterns. You started kissing your way across my shoulder to the back of my neck." Her hand is sliding higher up my thigh, moving to the inside, she's moves so she's impossibly close to me now, I think I should shut up.

"We were naked?" She asks, her mouth right next to my ear.

"Yeah." I whisper, my voice doesn't seem to work right now.

She whimpers, oh god that's sexy. "So we must have already..."

"Oh god." The thought alone making me shiver.

"I think you need to move away a little, and your hand definitely needs to stop doing that to my thigh, that is unless you've decided this talking thing is overrated?"

"Sorry, it's just...well..."

"I know, and apologies are unnecessary." I place my hand over hers, stilling its movement as she moves back a little bit.

"I think maybe you should tell me about that dream, in great detail, another time."

I can't help laughing, I have to agree but my body is every inch the traitor right now.

"Right, anyway, I didn't think too much of it, until I saw you at work that night."

"Why, what happened?"

"Oh not much, just a million butterflies settling in my stomach all because you smiled at me." She smiles at me, and the same thing happens again.

"Followed by three days of not being able to take my eyes of you, very distracting you'll understand."

"So we're pretty much in the same boat, the big question being, is this just a physical attraction for you? Or more?"

"I think it's more, I definitely want to find out where this is going."

"Good, me too, that said, I was wondering if you'd like to go on a date with me?"

"I'd absolutely love to." YES! I'm ecstatic at the prospect; Sara's just asked me out, yay.

"Excellent, we can sort out the details later, right now I believe you've persuaded me, talking is overrated, wanna make out?"

We both laugh, how cute is she.

I don't reply with words, my mouth is otherwise engaged. Damn she's good at this.

***

I practically bounce into work tonight. Still high from my morning with Sara. We talked some more and kissed a lot more, nothing heavy, it's too early for that, but damn she can kiss. And I can't remember the last time I just kissed someone without it leading to sex.

She left after a few hours, we both needed sleep. So I spent the rest of the day getting a little shut-eye and spending time with my daughter.

"Hey Cath." I walk into the break room to find Warrick waiting for Nick. "How are you today?"

"I am excellent today, how about you?"

"I'm good." He eyes me sceptically. "You seem in a better mood today, what's happened."

"I do? I hadn't noticed." I say, practically beaming at him.

"Come on; spill it, what's happened?" He smiles.

"Oh nothing much, I imagine spending most of the morning kissing Sara would put anyone in a good mood."

"WHAT? Now you gotta give me details."

"Not to many details to be had, we spoke some, kissed some, spoke some more, kissed some more." I blush at the memory; I am seriously happy right now.

"So you spoke to her, I'm shocked, never would have thought it."

"I know. Me either, but now it has happened I don't know why I left it so long, why I didn't want it to happen before."

"Well you won your bet, just."

"Oh shit, I forgot about that, this has nothing to do with that Warrick, nothing at all, I gotta find Sara."

I make my way to the door before Warrick stops me.

"Too late, she's on a case with Grissom and Greg, Grissom's testing him, wanted Sara to help out."

"But we haven't finished our case."

"Griss said you can handle it yourself today."

"So Sara is with Greg, I swear if he says anything I'll kill him. You don't think he'll say anything do you? She'll think this only happened because of the bet, and I swear that had nothing to do with it. Oh god Warrick, this is Greg, obviously he'll say something, I've got to tell her before he does."

Okay I'm in full-blown panic mode now, pacing up and down the break room.

"Do you know where they are?"

"Sorry, no idea." He looks at me apologetically

I reach for my cell phone, dialling Sara's number. "Shit. Her phone is off"

"Hey come on, calm down." Warrick stands in front of me, stopping my pacing.

"I'm sure Greg will keep it shut, at least until the two weeks is up."

"Which will be after shift tonight."

"Right and he'll be nervous because of his test, so it'll be the last thing on his mind."

What the hell is with me, I'm totally overreacting here, and since when did I start acting like this?

"You're right, I'm overreacting aren't I?"

"Yeah, don't worry so much/ Jesus you must really like her to be worried this much."

As soon as he says it, I know it's true, I didn't realise just how much I do like her, I most definitely don't want this over before it's even started.

"I do, more than I realised."

"So you tell her. After shift, take your woman home and tell her how you feel." My woman, that makes me smile, I like that. "Sort things out with Greg when they get back, and there you go, problem solved"

"Yeah, you're right, I'm going to get to work, thanks Rick."

"No worries, come on, I'll give you a hand till Nick shows his face."

I manage to get some work done, between worrying and calling Sara's phone, I have about a million scenarios running through my mind, none of which are good, when in reality they're probably just somewhere with no reception.

Shift is almost over so I can stop worrying soon.

"Catherine, sorry to leave you short-handed today, but I needed Sara's help."

I look up at Grissom; I don't think I've ever been happier to see him.

"Where's Sara, she did come back with you right?'

"Yes, she's just gone to get coffee with Greg; they should be in the break room, or his lab, something happen with the case?"

"No, nothing like that, I just need to talk to her."

I practically run to the break room, leaving behind a very confused looking Grissom.

"Hey Warrick, Nick, you seen Sara?"

Warrick looks up at me; worry written all over his face.

"Erm, she was in the lab with Greg, then she left, looks like she was in a hurry." He looks at me apologetically.

"Yeah, she looked kinda upset." Nick adds.

"Oh shit, he didn't."

A sinking feeling settles in the pit of my stomach, I turn and make my way to find Greg, Warrick follows me, Greg best pray to god he hasn't told her.

"Ah, Catherine, Tuesday is my new night off right?"

"Sure Greg, whatever, where's Sara?"

"She just left, didn't seem too happy, wasn't very amused about our bet, she'll probably have a cob on with you, but no change there eh?"

Oh god, he told her, I am going to kill him.

"Hey Cath, come on, you don't know what she's thinking, you need to go talk to her" I hear Warrick over my shoulder.

"Oh, I know what she's thinking, she said, and I quote 'I can't believe she did that, I mean, I knew she was a bitch, but to do this?' Then she pretty much stormed out. I was shocked; I didn't think she'd laugh about it but no harm done right? I don't get what she's so upset about."

I think I'm in shock. "Do you ever think before you open your mouth Greg? I mean Jesus fucking Christ could you not have just stayed out of it?"

He looks confused, and I understand why, but I was way past caring. "I swear Greg if I can't make this right with her, if this is messed up because of you..."

"If what's messed up? Hey, what's the problem? Why the freak out? It was a bet, you both need to calm down, and I if I'm not mistaken you agreed to it as well."

That's it. I'm going to kill him. I move towards him ready to well and truly blow a gasket but Warrick steps in front of me. "Don't you have some place you need to be right now, like looking for Sara, fixing this?"

I look at him, he's right I shouldn't be wasting my time here, but what do I say when I find her. "I don't know what I can say to her, I don't even know if she'll talk to me." I think I can count on one hand the amount of times I've felt this helpless in my whole life.

"Find her, make her listen and all you can do is tell her the truth, it's not that bad when you think about it."

"I know, and if it was anyone else, I'd agree. But this is Sara we're talking about. You know how hard it is for her to let someone in. So if she thinks this has all been some big joke, she's not likely to listen to me again now is she? If she thinks I didn't mean any of it."

"Mean any of what? Does anyone wanna fill me in on what I've done wrong?"

"Go." Warrick says to me, I nod my head in agreement, turning and making my way out the door, heading straight for the parking lot.

I'll go to her place and wait if she's not in, I don't care how long this takes, I have to make this right.

But what if she won't let me try? I think to myself as I break the speed limit on my way to Sara's.

***

I get to Sara's apartment in no time at all, thankfully I didn't get myself arrested, although the speed I was going I'm not sure how.

I jump out of the car and practically run up the stairs to her apartment. Reaching her door I come to a screeching halt; I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to say to her. I walk a few feet away from her door, trying to get my thoughts together. I should do as Warrick said, tell her the truth and if I just knew where to start, I'd feel a whole lot better.

Right, standing here will get me nowhere. I can't remember the last time I felt this nervous, my hand is shaking as I bring it up. I take a huge breath in an attempt to calm myself. I knock on the door in front of me, as soon as my hand makes contact I want to run, hide and hope this whole stupid mess will disappear.

I hear movement on the other side of the door and release the breath I didn't know I was holding.

A second or so later the door opens, the instant I see her I want to cry, the look of hurt I see cross her face breaking my heart. It's only there for a second before an indifferent, cold look takes its place.

She's waiting for me to say something and I'm just standing here like an idiot. Okay Cath, come on say something.

"Can I come in?" She immediately steps back, opening the door for me, I feel a tiny bit of hope at her gesture, maybe this isn't as bad as I thought.

The feeling lasts for the three seconds it takes me to enter her apartment and she says. "Why not, not as if what I feel about it would mean shit to you."

Ouch, okay so she's pissed, god I hope she gives me the chance to explain.

She moves and leans back against her sofa, looking at me again, waiting for me to talk.

"Can we talk?"

"Go ahead." She sounds so cold, even before she was never cold towards me.

I should have gone home and sorted my head out before coming here, figured out what I was going to say then maybe I would be talking, as opposed to standing here staring at her like a fool.

"Well, that was informative Catherine, thanks, now if you don't mind I have some stuff I want to get done, close the door behind you when you leave."

She just turns and walks into the kitchen, leaving me standing there. Watching her walk away from me seems to snap me out of my stupor. I follow her into the kitchen.

"I want to explain."

"Explain what exactly?" She walks past me back into the living room, drink in hand. "The way I see it Greg explained just fine, you made a bet, you spin me a line or two and I'm eating out of your hand in no time."

"Sara, it wasn't like that..."

"Wasn't like what? You didn't make a bet with Greg?"

"Yes but..."

"So it was exactly like that."

How am I meant to explain when she won't let me finish a sentence? She's getting angrier by the second and I have no clue what to do; so much for your great people skills Cath.

"What I don't get is why me? You could have just waited for the next person? I knew we didn't get along, but you must hate me to do this. And you'll go to some lengths to win a bet. Actually kissing me, I can't believe I thought the things you said to me were true. Or you could have just told me, I'd have found it funny; we could have had fun winding Greg up with it. Did you have to make me believe you felt something for me; that we could actually have something?"

"Sara please just listen to me." I plead.

"I think I've listened to you for long enough. I bet you thought it was funny as well, how I fell for it hook, line and sinker, yeah you probably had a good laugh about that didn't you?"

I knew she'd be angry, but I wasn't expecting this level of anger. She's positively seething and seeing as how she won't even listen to me I can do nothing but stand here and hope she calms down enough to let me tell my side of the story.

"So was it worth it? What did you win anyway? I hope it was worth everything you went through."

"I didn't win, I..."

"What, you didn't win? I thought you only had to get a date with me? Well you got that, and then some. Was that not enough? There's more? Is that why you're here? Figured maybe you might still be able to win."

"For Christ sake will you listen to me?"

She completely ignores me and continues talking.

"So let's see, I made a total fool of myself telling you how I felt, then there was kissing, then I asked you out." A look of realisation crosses her face as she makes eye contact with me for the first time since she started talking.

"Were you meant to get me into bed? Did we have to fuck for you to win?"

I can't believe she thinks I'd do that for a bet.

"You really think I'd do that."

"Why the hell not." She shrugs. "You used to take your clothes of for cash." That hurt; that really hurt, I feel the tears well up in my eyes but I try with all the energy I've got left to fight them. The way she's thinking right now, she'd probably see it as an act; think I was putting it on.

"So is that it? Because if it means that much to you, and it seems as though it does, seeing as how you made a total fool out of me to win. If it really means that much let's fuck, lord knows I could use some tension release right about now, then you'd win your bet and everyone's happy."

I look at her in total shock as she starts to unbutton the shirt she's wearing. Thankfully she has a tank top on under it; she throws the shirt across the room and walks towards me.

"So you wanna go on the sofa? The floor? Or you wanna take this to the bedroom? Pretend like it means something."

I take a step back for every step she takes towards me, until my back hits the wall; I'm still speechless, looking at her as if she's got two heads. I need to get a grip on this situation, and fast.

She laughs as she reaches me. "Against a wall, very fitting under the circumstances, good choice."

Her hands go to the hem of her top, pulling it up, my hands shoot out to stop her, there is no fucking way we're going there.

"No Sara." She looks at me and shrugs.

"You wanna go first? I can do that."

I want to leave, there's no way she's going to listen to me right now, plus I need to get away from her before I start crying.

She grabs my hips, shoving me against the wall, immediately attaching her mouth to my neck, sucking hard.

This feels so wrong, nothing like the burning kisses she gave me yesterday, the ones that took my breath away.

"Sara, stop, now"

She pulls her head back immediately, her hands leave my hips but she doesn't move away from me.

"You don't want that?"

"No, not like this."

"Well I didn't want my feelings messed with, didn't want to have my mind constantly filled with thoughts of you, but you didn't seem to care while you were making sure both of those happened did you? So excuse me if I don't give a flying fuck what you want. Seems like I do heartless bitch quite well myself, doesn't it? But then, I did learn from the best."

She walks away from me and I can't hold in the tears any more, I feel hollow, numb even and I just really need her to listen to me.

"Sara please." She looks at me, her look changes slightly when she sees I'm crying.

"Just go, I don't even know why I let you in in the first place."

The hurt in her face breaking my heart all over again.

"Are you deaf as well? Leave, go, get out." She walks to the door and holds it open for me. I don't want to leave but I don't have the energy to fight her right now. She hasn't even let me try to explain, I've barely got a word out but I feel emotionally exhausted. Her anger overwhelming me. I need to get away from her, get my head together so I do the only thing I can; I turn and leave. The tears falling freely as I hear the door slam behind me.

***

Next part of All Bets Are Off.