Title: The Truth Finally Came Out
Author: Dearlylovedaimee
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Catherine and Sara
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters; all rights go to those who do. I am just using them.
Series: Hidden Truth Trilogy
Notes: This is the last story and then I'm back to my other one. Like always, any feedback would be appreciated!
Warning: This contains a little Sara obsessed with Grissom, but it is all about Sara and Catherine. So don't be discouraged as you read. I would never have them end up with anyone else but each other!

**********************************************************************

My stomach's doing that butterfly thing again. Why am I so damn
nervous? Well, maybe it's because I am about to tell my best
friend that I want her in ways that would turn a porn star on. I truly am a
dork.

But she loves that about me. She loves the fact that I could go on
forever about science, or that I have every chemical element
memorized. She even likes my gap in my teeth; the one I have spent
thirty-two years wishing I had gotten fixed. Just the other night she
told me it was one of the things that made me beautiful. Again, I
ask, why did I wait so long to come around?

It has nothing to do with what she is, it's who she is. So
she's a girl, big deal. Not like it hasn't been done before. It's all
because she loves me for me. She wouldn't fix me, make me a little more
social, make me a little smarter, and even make me a little less of a
nerd. She wants me for me.

It's a brand-new feeling; I never knew was in me until she came
along. It's so powerful that I never want it go away. There's
just one problem, how do I convince her I'm the one she should be
with. I already shot her down. But she understands me and so I shouldn't
have to worry about that. Oh, please don't make me worry about that.
Too late! Here come the butterflies again!

I just need to relax. I need to eat. Where the hell is she, anyway?
It's almost nine thirty and she still hasn't shown up. Now I
am getting a little worried. Does she want to give me a heart attack?

"Morning, Sara! Can I get you the usual?"

"Oh, hey Ruth! Coffee, black and keep um coming."

"Sure thing kiddo! Where's Catherine? Correct me if I'm
wrong, but don't you two usually eat together in the mornings?"

"That's a good question. I haven't seen her since seven
thirty this morning. She was supposed to meet another college in here at nine,
but things changed. I agreed to fill in as a substitute. But..."

"Looks like you got stood up girl. Why don't you order
something to go and investigate this case further?"

With a wink and a smile, Ruth took out her notepad, and without even
having to ask me, she wrote down our exact orders. I always have two
eggs over easy, hash browns, two pieces of wheat toast, and a large
glass of milk. Catherine on the other hand, likes her eggs scrambled,
hold the hash browns, and replace them with sausage links, two pieces
of white toast, and a glass of orange juice.

It's always the same, never changes no matter how often we come
here. And trust me we practically live here. We come to the same diner
every morning, and sure enough there Ruth is. She sits on the same
stool, writing down her midnight orders and balancing her register.
She's supposed to get off around eight thirty, but because she
loves Cat and I so much, she sticks around to wait on us. We appreciate how
wonderful she treats us and the gratitude is in our tip!

Not much time flies by before Ruth has my order cooked, boxed, and
ready to roll. I pay with a twenty and insist that she keeps the
change. She fights with me, claiming eight bucks is way too, but I
won't hear of it. She didn't have to stay and wait for me to
order, she could have picked up and left, but she didn't. She was again
one of the people in my life I could always count on to stay constant.
She works hard and deserves all the help she can get.

She is practically in love with me, and helps me carry things to my
car. She watches me as I pull the Tahoe out of the drive way and head
towards Catherine's place. She gives me a giant smile and wave
when I head down the street. I, of course, wave back, until I can no longer
see her.

I am speeding, going forty-five in a thirty mile zone. I am a law
enforcement agent and I can't even follow simple traffic laws.
That's why I always insist Cat drives; so the speed racer in me can't
take over. But today, that wasn't the case. It was more nerves, then
adrenaline. I haven't felt like this since well, last night I
guess. But this wasn't like what I was going through with Grissom, this
was different. This was real. I was actually concerned about what might
happen if it didn't work between us.

With Grissom I knew if things went sour, I could just turn the other
cheek and ignore him. There were ways I could avoid him because I
knew it didn't really matter. It was all a game, a way for me to
have something to fixate on and take my mind off of how truly miserable I
was being alone. But with Catherine, it was different.

She was the reason I was no longer alone. She was the reason I had
something more to look forward to at the end of the day. I shared
everything with her and if we couldn't make it work I would not
only be loosing a lover, I would be loosing a best friend. I had to make
this one count, if not for me, then for her.

The more I thought about how many things I had to lose, the more I
was beginning to think this wasn't such a hot idea. Sure she
meant the world to me, but I didn't want to risk our friendship.

Suddenly, before I knew it I was making an illegal U-turn and heading
back towards my place. I had completely convinced myself that this
wasn't going to work. I was a complete idiot to think I could
mess with fate. We were perfectly good as friends, why take the risk and
ruin it.

I was about to get my answer.

**********************************************************************

I arrived at my place right at ten thirty. It took me a while to head
up to my apartment and be truly satisfied with my decision not to go
to her house. And worst of all I had all this food and wasn't a
bit hungry.

As I approached my door I heard the phone ring off the hook. Only two
people call me on my home phone, Griss was one of them, and Catherine
was the other. I didn't quite make it in time, seeing as how my
keys decided to play hide and go seek. I searched both my pockets and then
finally my jacket. Sure enough, there they were! I jammed them into
the lock so fast, I thought I was going to break it. I arrived just
in time to hear the last part of the message.

"...I'm sorry I missed you at the diner. I got held up at
work, finishing up my filing; but I promise I'll hurry. I figure you
tried to catch me at home. Again, I'm sorry. I will be there ASAP! Keep
my breakfast warm till I get there!"

It was Catherine and worst of all, she was coming here! Oh, God this
place is a pit.

I scurried into my kitchen, placing the food in the microwave, ready
to be warmed. I almost tripped over the rug trying to get to the
coffee pot; but an agile save, kept me from a potential visit to the
ER.

After I got the food part taken care of, I decided clearing off a
place to sit was a good idea. I gathered all my dirty laundry I had
been meaning to do Thursday, but never quite got around to it; and
stuffed it back in my closet. Then I looked around and noticed it
looked like I was trying way too hard to impress.

Catherine had been here a million times before when I had my
unmentionables draped over the couch cushions. I knew she didn't
care. I actually think she enjoyed playing mom to me, seeing is how
whenever I turned my back, she was going around my apartment and
cleaning up. I know she can't stand a mess. Good thing, because
if she didn't do it, I didn't know who would!

The next thing that was bothering me was a not so pleasant smell
coming from the very place I was standing. Then I remembered I
hadn't had a bath in almost twelve hours. Put that at the top of the list!
If I didn't kill her with my news, I would certainly get her with
my bad breath and body odor. This having a crush thing is a lot harder
then it looks, might I add.

I took my time in the shower, making sure every part of me smelled of
sun ripened raspberries. I didn't bother to put my hair up,
because I knew she would think something was up. I didn't want to tip her
off. Got to have a little fun!

It took me around twenty minutes to accomplish all of this and I
still had time to get dressed. Maybe being a speedster wasn't
such a bad thing.

KNOCK, KNOCK.

Oh, no it's her. I'm so not ready to do this. Again I say,
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Just breathe Sara, breathe. You can do this! Just
act casual.

"Sara are you in there? Open up, it's me Catherine! Hurry up,
my arms are going to fall off!"

"Coming, coming, hold your horses!"

Just as I got the last part of that sentence out, I swung the door
open to reveal not only the women of my dreams, but two arms full of
paper sacks.

"Well, are you going to just stand there or are you going to help
me?"

I know that was a rhetorical question, but I can't resist.

"I'm thinking just standing here isn't so bad."

She isn't amused.

"Sara Sidle, I have just got off of a fourteen hour shift,
I'm tired, hungry, and I need a shower. Now, if you don't take these God
damn bags, I'll take the liberty of shoving them up your..."

"Okay, okay, grouchy. Jess, I was just teasing! Give me um."

What the hell did she have in here anyway?

"Oh Sara, get the milk and juice out of there and stick them in
the fridge."

"You went shopping for me?!"

"Damn straight! If I know you, as well as I think I know you, you
haven't gotten groceries since last Friday; and you should have a
pile of... aha, laundry in your closet."

Got to give the woman credit, she has my whole schedule figured out.

"Just let me take a quick shower and I'll start your laundry,
that way I can through my clothes in with yours."

"Thanks mom, but I am a big girl now, I can do my own laundry!
Besides, if you're here, then who's with Lindsey?"

"She's with my sister! I told her I needed a break from
motherhood for a while. She offered to relieve me for today. After all, it's
my day off and I wanted to spend it with you. You don't have plans
tonight, do you?"

"I guess I do, now!"

"Good, because I thought we could discuss the Grissom thing, and
ow... I brought Rush Hour 2!"

She finished putting the last of the groceries in the fridge, tossed
me the movie, and headed towards my bathroom, slamming the door
behind her.

**********************************************************************


"Thirty minutes later she emerged, her hair and body wrapped in
towels. It took all my might not to stare at her while she was
talking to me, but I couldn't help it. I was dieing to know what
was under that towel. I had dreamed about it, but something told me that
the real thing was much better.

"Can I borrow a shirt from you?"

She almost scared the living hell out of me; I didn't realize she
was so close.

"Hey you, are you alright? You're acting like I'm the
boogie man."

She came up behind me, throwing her around my neck and engaging in a
hug. Her smell was driving me crazy.

"I'm fine, I'm just exhausted, that's all."

"Okay, sweetie. Let me go start the laundry and then we can
talk."

She was out of the apartment for only few minutes and returned with a
disappointed look on her face.

"I just wasted a whole dollar on about six items of clothing, but
oh well. Let's chat. You supply the food, I'll supply the
questions!"

She collapsed onto the couch next to me and gave me this go ahead and
tell me look. I liked that look; it was adorable, yet sexy.

"Cat, Grissom can wait, I have something more important to
discuss with you."

She put her had over her heart and pretended she was going to fall on
to the floor. She was teasing me now, normally I would hate that, but
for some reason I was enjoying it!

"Be still my beating heart, she actually has something else to
fixate on that doesn't relate to Gil Grissom. Ladies and Gentleman we
are witnessing a first in history. Can we get AWWWW?"

"Oh, so you think that's funny, huh?"

"Yes, actually I am quite proud of myself. Seeing as how I am so
tired I can barely keep my head up, I think I managed to come up with
a pretty good come back."

"Just know, someday you will pay. I always remember this kind of
harsh treatment."

"I've got tears! Just get on with it."

"No, you see I don't think I can tell you now; the pain is
just too overwhelming. I couldn't possibly go on."

She didn't like me for that one. Her bottom lips was quivering in
a fake sad look, and she now had my hands in hers, begging me to tell
her.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry, I won't never, ever, ever tease
you again. I promise! Just tell me. Come on!"

She was now shaking my hands up and down. The laughter was filling
our bodies and the second time I refused to share, she was on me in a
second.

We were wrestling now, bad idea! I always win, after all I am bigger.

"Sara Sidle, you will tell me or I will tickle you. You make your
choice. You have exactly thirty seconds. One, two, three, ten,
fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, and too late, thirty. Here comes the
tickle monster!"

"Hey, so not fair!"

But my protest didn't come fast enough and before I knew it, I
was bursting out in laughter. She had me pretty good too. I was squirming
underneath her, trying to reverse our positions; and then finally she
let go of my right wrist just long enough for me to lift her up and
throw her beneath me.

"Now who's winning?"

"She was scared now; she knew I was a fierce tickler. I had every
spot that made her jolt memorized; and with one flick of my finger
she was mine.

"Sara don't...OH. MY GOD! Ha-ha-ha! Okay, I give up, I give
up! You win, let me go!"

Her pleads weren't enough to convince me. I kept going and with
every tiny movement of my hands, her face turned even redder.

She couldn't breathe now so I decided to be nice, and give her a
chance to escape. I held her hands down, tightly above her shoulders
and just stared at her. I gave her a chance to regain her composure
and then made my offer.

"Do you want me to let go, or do I need to kick your ass
again?"

"I give up, you have me a corner. What do I did need to do to get
myself out of this?"

"Hum...say Sara you are the most beautiful, funny, intelligent,
wonderful woman I have ever met; and I'd be in terrible pain if
you didn't accept my apologies for being such a meany."

I didn't think she would give in so easy, but as usual, I was
wrong. She raised her head, looked me square in the eyes, and said it!

"Sara you are the most beautiful, funny, intelligent, wonderful
woman I have ever met; and I'd be in terrible pain if you didn't
accept my apologies for being such a meany."

How about that, she didn't even bat an eye! She said it so
calmly. It was like she had been waiting to say it for a life time.

What possessed me to do this next part, I'll never know. Maybe it
was me getting caught up in the moment, or me just simply doing what I
felt. But I continued to stare her in the eyes, until I could tell
she was so embarrassed at what she said that she started to look away
and speak.

"Sara, I'm sorry I didn't mean to ..."

That's when I did it! I positioned her head so she was again,
looking me straight in the eyes and I leaned down, and placing a soft kiss on
her mouth.

I looked back up when I realized what I had done. I didn't mean
for it to come out this way, but the way she said those things to me was
so poetic. I knew she meant them. They came from a place in her
heart, where they had been hiding for so long, just waiting to come
out. Just like my kiss.

And before I knew it I was kissing her again. This time, it was a
little bit more intense. Our lips started to part, allowing our
tongues to further explore. I let go of her arms when I noticed I was
still holding onto them; and she responded by moving them up around
my neck and pulling me closer.

It became harder to control where my hands were roaming. I slid my
right hand slowly down her left thigh, and then back up under her
robe. She was so responsive to my touch and it excited me! She was
breathing so hard, gasping for air, and I was causing it. I wanted
her and now. I wanted her so bad that the strength of ten men took
over my body, and I lifter her off the couch and there we went,
tumbling down my hallway, towards my bedroom.

We slammed against the walls a couple of times, when trying to regain
balance, but we made it. Each time we shed another piece of clothing.
First my robe, and then her shirt; each time, kissing a newly exposed
part of the body. Her neck was my favorite spot to attack, because it
made her the weakest. She loved nipping at my ear, and the feel of
her hot breathe only made me want her even more.

We managed to finally reach the bedroom, fully naked and ready for
action. We wasted no time loosing ourselves in the mood. Our bodies
meshed perfectly together and our fingers fit well inside of one
another. It was the way we knew we weren't meant to be.

A slow and steady rhythm fell upon us. It was like we had been doing
this all the time, we never once had to question our motions or ask
the other one if it was okay. Our bodies told the whole story,
answered all the questions.

I knew she was about to cum, because I was almost there. I could
hardly stand it any more, I didn't know what I was doing asking
her to do this next part; but, it just felt so natural. I needed to see
her when she came, just to know it was real. To know I wasn't
dreaming any more

It took me a while to get her attention, considering she was lost in
the moment.

"Cat? Cat? Catherine, please open your eyes! I need to... oh ...
I need to see you..."

I couldn't get it all out, but she knew what I needed, because
all of the sudden she opened her eyes and fixed her stare directly on me.
And with one last motion of our bodies, we were let go. It was even
more intense and passionate then my dreams.

**********************************************************************

After that, we just laid in each other's arms, silently, taking
in the true depth and meaning of what we had just experienced. I
continued to rub my fingers through her blond hair, as she nuzzled
her nose into my neck.

She was the first one to finally break the awkward silence; un-
barring her head out of my neck and positioning it up underneath her
arm.

My full attention was immediately diverted to her and she began to
speak.

"So, was this what you wanted to talk to me about?"

"That would be correct. So..."

"So?"

"What do you say?"

"Say to what?"

"How about we see where this is going."

"Sara, do you know what you're getting yourself into?" I
have a nine year old daughter, the baggage of a dead, ex-husband, and a terrible
case of trust issues to deal with. What you see is what you get,
nothing more nothing less. If you decide you want to do this, truly
want to devote your time and energy to making this happen, then
you'd better be willing to work at it. I am not just some science
experiment you can investigate and then toss in the garbage when you
feel you're done. My feelings for you are real, I'm real. I
need to know that you understand and can handle that."

"Catherine, I have been debating this almost all day. At first I
wanted nothing more then to just be with you; then I wanted to run.
And then just when I thought the torment was over, I was back to
wanting you again. I haven't been able to concentrate or think
about anything else but you. I know what I am getting myself into;
don't you think I have weighted all of the pros and cons? And It just so
happens, that the pros won. I like you, a lot more then you think I
do! My full devotion is in this relationship."

That was apparently the response that she was looking for, because a
smile spread across her face and she was leaning in to kiss me.

"Oh and Catherine, it just so happens that trust isn't the
only issue you have to deal with. You also have this snoring problem that..."

"OH, WHY I OUGHTA ..."

I gave her one last smirk, before she raised her pillow to my face
and smacked me right in the head.

Most people can't remember the first time that they fell in love
with their partner. Mine, was that day, in bed, with her beating me
senselessly with the pillow. It was the moment of happiness for us;
because it was the day the truth finally came out.

~The End~!