Title: Dirty Money
Author: Lora
Pairing: Cath/Sara
Challenge: Money
Rating: R
Word Count: 749

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Sara was still catching her breath from the intense orgasms the other woman had created when Catherine slipped out of bed and walked to the window, her gloriously naked body on show.

"I love your body Catherine, it feels good beneath me..."

"Yeah," Catherine didn't seem too interested. "Listen, I have to run."

"So soon?"

"So soon."

"Can't you stay a little longer and let me screw you like you did me?"

"No Sara, I can't." Sara's smile vanished at the harshness of Cath's voice.

Catherine sighed as she buttoned up her blouse. "Well Sara, it was fun. see you around."

She didn't wait for a reply and Sara shuddered as the front door slammed.

....

Sara walked into the break room unnoticed as Greg, Warrick and Nick were huddled together. She could see they were paying up for some bet, and she laughed quietly. They were always coming up with stupid bets against each other, she wondered what the subject was this time.

Hearing a familiar sultry laugh she immediately looked up again and saw that Catherine was amongst the group. They still hadn't noticed the 5th member enter the room.

"So Catherine, you actually pulled it off huh? Go you girlie, never thought you would have a taste for the other side. " Greg grinned at the thought.

"Yeah well, you know me guys. Try anything once. Now pay up losers."

Nick rubbed his jaw. "So, uh, what's she like in bed? I imagine she would be very domineering."

Sara couldn't stop the tears as she realised the bet had been her. She felt violated and dirty at the thought that Catherine, the woman she had secretly loved for all these years had only slept with her as a stupid bet.

Four solemn faces watched as the brunette ran from the break room, the money in Catherine's hands felt like it was dripping with Sara’s blood.

She threw the money on the table and followed Sara outside.

"Want one?" Catherine offered her pack of cigarettes.

"I thought you'd quit." Sara spat, taking one despite the anger she felt for Catherine.

"Yeah well, you know how it is. Life is too damned stressful."

Sara laughed bitterly.

They sat in silence, each focused intently on the burning sticks between their lips.

Finally Catherine broke the silence after standing on the butt.

"I'm sorry Sara."

"Save it for someone who gives a damn."

"Really, I can't tell you how sorry I am..."

"Well then don't. I thought your days of being payed for sex were over." Sara regretted her words as soon as they left her lips.

Catherine's instinct was to slap Sara, hard, but she restrained.

"I never sold my body Sara, and you know fine well I didn't. I danced, but I would never degrade myself that much."

"Yeah well, whatever."

"Sara, I admit we had a bet going to see who could break through your walls and get you into bed but I had my reasons for taking part."

"Well congratulations Catherine, you won. Are you happy?"

"I was... when you were beneath me I was on fire... I've wanted to feel that with you for so long."

Sara continued to stare at the floor, not knowing whether to believe her.

"You feel hurt, used... I understand that. It was never my intention, you have to believe me."

"Why? Why should I believe anything you say anymore?"

"Because I think I'm falling in love with you Sara. For years I've wanted you, but that was different, all I wanted was your sex but now... now it's different, I want more."

"What more is there?"

"Your heart, your memories, your dreams. I want to know your past, good and bad. When you smile I want to be the reason, I want to know each tear you wipe away, each nightmare, each fantasy."

Sara couldn't speak. She felt so consumed by confusion. Should she trust these words when she had been used? She took a risk.

"Got any plans after shift?"

Catherine looked up, a light glowing in her eyes. "No, you?"

"Well I know this great Italian place and I have a friend who is dying to take you on a date."

The blonde smiled widely, shifting closer to Sara on the wall.

"So this friend, what's her name?"

Sara leaned towards Catherine, shuddering at the feel of her hair on her cheek.

"Sara. Her name's Sara." She whispered, smiling as Catherine's hand slipped delicately into her own.

END

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