Title: The Shadow of Two Gunmen
By: lewis771750
Pairing: Cath/Sara
Challenge: West Wing Titles
Rating: R
Disclaimer: Not mine, Jerry and the people at CBS would never be quite this twisted:) But it is all just for fun, honest.
Spoilers: none this time
AN: Thanks to mrswoman for her proof-reading and the extra paragraph she wrote for me - it makes it so much better.

***

We were pinned down. Sara and I had been investigating a rape/murder scene together when gunshots rang out. Rapes are usually done furtively, and this one was no exception. Although it was outside we were up an alley and there was a dumpster we could hide behind. When the first shot rang out we both looked around, confused. When the second struck the street between us my first thought was to grab Sara and get under cover. The breath was knocked out of her as she hit the wall and the pavement behind the dumpster with me landing on top of her, but at least we were both alive.

Her first reaction, once she drew breath was to shout at me: "What the hell are you doing?"

Another shot that ricocheted off the corner of the dumpster made her realise what was going on. While the appearance of a SWAT truck at the other end of the alley meant I really didn't have to answer.

The lieutenant checked we were both OK and told us to stay put. He had snipers at each end of the street looking for a shot at the gunman, but they couldn't see him.

We lay there together, hunched up close to each other. Sara was hating every minute of this, I could tell from the tension in her shoulders. I wasn't too happy about being shot at either, but being huddled up in close contact to her body was a fantasy come true. I just hoped that she wouldn't realise why my first thought had been to rescue her, and just how much I was enjoying being pressed against her, even if she had more clothes on than I would prefer.

There was a rattle of shots from the other side of the dumpster. We assumed, correctly, that SWAT had stormed the sniper from a different angle, but we stayed put until the lieutenant told us it was safe to move. As soon as we could get up we did, Sara almost pushing me off her in her haste to get away. I let her go, but was stunned when she turned around and offered me a hand up.

"Thank you for saving my life," was all she said. Then she stepped in and kissed me lightly on the lips. I was in seventh heaven. Now, I hope she'll do it again. Soon.

I didn't mean to shout out, "What the hell are you doing?" but my brain was in overload. The woman of my dreams had just wrestled me to the floor without any warning.

All the time we were hiding behind the dumpster I was terrified. It wasn't about being shot, although that scared me too, I was terrified that Catherine would realise how much I was revelling in the feel of her body pressed close against mine.

The feel of her pressed up against me was limiting my ability to speak and think rationally, and the memory of her body on top of mine, pressing me down, is one I will treasure forever.

It's sad I know, but I can't help this crush I have on her, even though I know it's hopeless. She's as straight as they come, mother, divorced, string of men friends and here I am trying desperately not to let her know how much I desire her in case it is another wedge between us.

I can cope with the sniping and the arguments, we're such different but strong personalities that they're inevitable. I think, we work well together and Catherine seems to respect at least some of the work I do, which is good for me. But if she found out I was gay, and that I fancy her, I just don't know how the dynamic between us would change. I might be a coward, but I'm happy with what I've got. It isn't as good as I hope it could be, but it's a lot better than the worst I fear.

When the shooter is taken down I immediately need to get away from her. I'm worried that she'll realise I'm flushed with desire not fear, that my nipples are still incredibly erect through lechery not distress. But my body just takes over, and I turn to her with a little token of thanks: a kiss, on the lips. But that's really a selfish act. I've felt her body, now I want to take the taste of her lips away with me too. As I pull back from the kiss there's an odd light in Catherine's eyes, something not expected. It isn't disgust, it's¡Ksuddenly my fantasies make me believe it's desire I'm seeing there. Even though I know I'm not really brave enough to act on it, I hope she'll do it again. Soon.

The memory of Sara's body against mine and the taste of her kiss lingered throughout the rest of the shift. Driving to pick Lindsey up a sudden realisation hit: Sara undoubtedly thought I was straight. She'd only ever seen me with men, why should she think I might be interested in her?

I hoped I wasn't reading too much into that kiss on the lips, but I was sure the look in her eyes had been closer to love than relief.

I decided that what I would do was invite Sara over for dinner on a night Lindsey was away at Nancy's. I'd lead on the seducing too, but make the invite seem less serious, just in case.

Plans laid I invited Sara and was delighted when she accepted straight away. I dressed carefully, something sexy but not too aggressive. When the doorbell rang I saw Sara had dressed for the occasion too. This was going to work.

Although I'd cooked, I don't remember what we ate, or what we said, it just wasn't as important as watching her lips, gazing at her fingers, looking at her body, catching every precise gesture she made. I don't think I got caught out, but I did catch Sara running her eyes over me.

At the end of the meal I was still gathering my courage to make the next move when Sara spilt her coffee. I was mopping up the spill when I noticed a splash on her blouse and, without thinking, moved to soak that up too. Sara didn't pull away; in fact she leaned towards the contact. The next second we were kissing, running our hands over each other and pulling each other in deeper and deeper.

When we broke our kiss for air I don't think either of us was really prepared for what we saw. I knew my eyes were full of lust, love, longing and hope. But in Sara's eyes there was a very similar mix of emotions. She opened her mouth and tried to speak but couldn't manage more than a croak. I just reached out and pulled her gently to her feet and towards my bedroom. Too much time had been wasted.

If it hadn't been for that gunman would we ever have kissed? I'd like to think so, but I wasn't going to let any more time slide by waiting to find out.

***