TITLE: Show Me

AUTHOR: VanillaBug

RATING: NC-17/M

CATEGORY: Catherine/Sara Romance

DISCLAIMER: Don't own anything!

SPOILERS: Anything up to "Crash and Burn" is fair game.

ARCHIVE: With Authors Permission

SUMMARY: Catherine and Sara, along with Greg and Nick attend the Annual Pacific Coast Conference in San Francisco. How long can Catherine and Sara keep denying that they are nothing more than friends? CATHERINE/SARA PAIRING (will be rated M in later chapters)

Authors Notes: Fic title comes from a Martina McBride song of the same name "Show Me". I started writing this 4 years ago, but I lost my passion for the show I once had. That feeling is returning and so is my muse for this ship. The first few chapters were written years ago so hang in there. I know Catherine and Sara are not like this, but that's why it's called fiction right? I read so many deep emotional drama stories I just wanted something fun, light and at times cheesy. All mistakes are mine.

Show Me

Catherine Willows had been in her office for the past three hours trying to catch up on the back logged paperwork from her current cases. It was one of the few slow nights for crime in the city of Las Vegas. The only new case of the evening Grissom assigned to Warrick, leaving Nick to join Sara who was already out in the field. Which left the strawberry blonde on standby if any of her colleagues needed her help. But, judging by the summary of the cases, it was highly doubtful that Warrick, Nick, and especially Sara would need her help. As thoughts of her leggy brunette colleague crossed her mind, Catherine couldn't contain the smile that came across her lips.

Catherine had no doubt in her mind that Sara had arrived well before the start for her shift and asked Grissom for an assignment early. The younger woman was almost a non-stop whirlwind and that was just one of the things that Catherine loved about Sara Sidle. Sara's strong determination for justice was just one of the things that Catherine admired most about her colleague. Sara's strong will, intelligence, relentlessness, and not to mention the tall brunette's gorgeous body and perfect frame were attributes that Catherine quickly found herself falling in love with.

It had been a little over a month since Sara found out about Hank's real girlfriend, and ever since the two CSI's shared drinks together, the strawberry blonde's feelings for her colleague grew from friendship, to wanting to spend every minute of everyday with the brunette. As Catherine's emotions for her colleague intensified, she couldn't help but wonder what Sara thought of their new found relationship.

The young CSI spent almost all of her free time with Catherine and Lindsey over the past few weeks, and the strawberry blonde didn't mind in the slightest. The trio went to the movies, the mall, the zoo, but they spent most of their time together either at Sara's apartment or Catherine's house. Usually, doing nothing more than spending a quiet day or night together. But to top it all off, since Sara was spending so much time with the Willows women, Lindsey's attitude had changed completely and the younger Willows was excelling in school. At this point, Catherine knew she was in big trouble because she had come to realize she was in love with her straight, female coworker.

The strawberry blonde took a deep breath and sighed, realizing she was daydreaming again. She looked down at her desk and let out an exhausted laugh. Surprisingly, she had made quite a bit of progress in her paperwork, there was still a long way to go. Catherine took her recent Sara daydream as a sign that a longer break was surely needed. She stepped out from behind her desk and stretched out on the sofa in her office. She had finally reached a comfortable position and closed her eyes when there was a knock at her office door. Catherine decided against answering it, hoping the uninvited guest would go away.

"Hey, Catherine?" Sara stated softly as she opened the door. The older CSI was about to open her eyes and respond, but opted to remain "asleep".

"Oh," the brunette whispered when she laid eyes on what seemed like Catherine sleeping peacefully on the couch. Sara walked over to the strawberry blonde's desk and placed a file on top of her other paperwork.

Catherine laid perfectly still and attempted to even her breathing as she heard Sara walk towards the couch. The older woman tried not crack a smile when she felt Sara standing next to her. The brunette knelt down and tucked a strand of strawberry blonde hair behind Catherine's ear.

"Sleeping beauty," Sara whispered, her fingers tracing down Catherine's cheek to her jaw line. "What I wouldn't give," the brunette sighed as she stood up and made her way out the door.

As Catherine heard the door close, she laid on the couch stunned speechless at the brunette's words. She traced the path of Sara's touch with her own hand and shut her eyes confusion from Sara's words living inside her head.

Meanwhile….

"I can't believe I just did that," Sara muttered to herself walking back to the layout room, "What if she woke up?"

The young CSI had been fighting her feelings for Catherine as long as she could remember. Unfortunately, within the last month, those feelings were doing nothing but getting stronger. Sara was getting to the point that she couldn't go a day without seeing or talking to Catherine and her daughter. The brunette was afraid that the Willow's women were getting sick of her always hanging around but, luckily neither one had mentioned anything to her yet.

Sara sighed as she entered the layout room, making her way to the table of evidence she had just collected. Sifting through someone else's trash was never her favorite task, especially since the suspect already confessed. The young CSI snapped on a pair of gloves and began the tedious task of cataloging all the items into the evidence log. Just as she began bagging and labeling her first bag, Greg popped his head inside the layout room.

"My lady love," the lab tech beamed, walking inside standing next to Sara.

"Hey, Greg, what's up?" Sara smiled, turning to face him.

"Grissom wants you, Catherine, Nick and myself in his office in ten minutes," Greg said, leaning on the table taking a look at all the un-logged evidence.

"Why?" The female CSI questioned.

"I was kind of hoping you would know," The lab tech shrugged.

"No clue," Sara replied taking off her gloves.

"I asked Nick and Catherine, but, they have no idea either," Greg added still puzzled.

"You … you already told Catherine?" The brunette asked fumbling at the mention of the strawberry blonde's name.

"Yeah, I caught Nick on his way to the break room, and Catherine's office was on the way back, so, I stopped in and told her about the meeting. I don't know if she heard me though," Greg smiled.

"Why do you say that?" Sara asked, curiosity in her voice.

"Well, when I went into her office, she was sitting on her couch and … I don't know. She just seemed kind of lost in her own world," the lab tech said as he recalled what he saw.

A look of panic crossed the brunette's face, concerned that Catherine overheard what she said a few moments before.

"But, it must have been a good world cause she had a huge smile on her face," Greg added.

"She what?" Sara asked softly.

"It was weird. Almost like she was in some sort of love struck daze. Come to think of it, I did see Warrick walking out of her office right before I went in there. Hey! Maybe he finally made his move and asked her out," Greg suggested, wagging his eyebrows.

"You think Warrick asking her out would make Catherine happy?" Sara asked, disappointment evident in her voice.

"Oh yeah! You've seen the way they are around each other. It's only a matter of time before one of them admits the attraction," Greg smiled.

"Yeah … I guess you're right. Um … I'm going to head to the break room and grab some coffee real quick. You want anything?" The brunette asked, looking for any excuse to escape the current conversation.

"No, I'm good. You okay Sar?" The lab tech questioned, curious about his friends sudden change in attitude.

"I'm fine, Greg," Sara replied walking past him, "I'll see you in a few," she stated, forcing a smile.

As Sara walked out of the layout room, she took a deep breath and sighed. The rumors and speculations about Warrick and Catherine's relationship had always been a topic of conversation at the lab. Sara always chose to ignore the things she heard, but recently she became more and more interested in all things Catherine Willows. Which happened to include who the strawberry blonde may or may not be interested in. Sara admitted, as she looked back over the years in which she had known the two CSI's, she couldn't help but notice that there was a certain spark between her crush and their male colleague.

Making her way down the hall to the break room, Sara ran her hands through her hair trying to get a hold of the thoughts spinning in her head. The brunette was both a little relieved and disappointed that apparently she wasn't the reason for Catherine's good mood.

A small part of Sara had hoped that Catherine did overhear her words earlier, forcing her feelings out in the open once and for all. The brunette would finally get rejected and then attempt to move on. But, there were also times in the past month when the brunette swore Catherine felt something more than friendship as well. Although, the more the young CSI thought about it, the idea seemed ludicrous. Catherine Willows was straight and Sara had to face the fact that she was just lucky her strawberry blonde colleague was tolerating her as a friend.

As Sara reached the break room, she poured herself a cup of coffee and a smile came across her face thinking back over the last few weeks. The meals she had shared with Catherine, the time spent with Lindsey, the treasured late night conversations the two women had after Lindsey had gone to bed. There were even times when the older woman had fallen asleep using some part of Sara's body as a pillow. The brunette giggled at the memories as she grabbed her coffee and made her way to Grissom's office.

"You got it bad, Sara," the young CSI mumbled to herself as she walked down the hall.

"Well, then you should just give into your desires and let me take you on that date you have been wanting since we met," Greg grinned, putting his arm around Sara's shoulders.

"You heard that?" Sara asked surprised anyone had heard her soft voice.

"I make it a point to hear everything you say darling," the lab tech smiled as they reached Grissom's door.

"Is that so?" The brunette teased back at Greg.

"Of course sweetheart," Greg replied opening the door. "The sound of your voice is like hearing the angels sing," The lab tech cooed leaning into the female CSI.

"Oh shut up!" Sara sighed, playfully pushing him away as they walked through the door.

Nick was leaning against a filing cabinet and Catherine was seated on the couch when the both heard Sara and Greg as they walked in.

"Don't try and deny it. I heard you. You've got it bad. I was the only one around you at the time, so, you HAD to be talking about me," Greg swooned.

"Oh my God," The brunette replied rolling her eyes, "Someone get him away from me," she sighed shaking her head at Greg's antics.

"What's going on?" Nick asked amused.

"Oh, nothing. Sara just admitted she's got it bad for me," Greg grinned.

"What?" Catherine replied, her head snapping up from her coffee cup.

"Sara is in love with me," The lab tech simply stated, putting his hand on Sara's back.

"Move your hand or lose it Greg," Sara warned moving to sit down next to Catherine on the couch.

"Whenever you're ready to stop denying it ... I'm right here," he winked as he took the empty seat in front of Grissom's desk.

"Yeah, you just go and hold your breath," The brunette smiled as she sat down.

"What's going on?" The strawberry blonde CSI asked, puzzled by the current conversation.

"Oh, nothing, Greg just found out I'm in love with him," Sara sighed taking a sip of her coffee. "He overheard me say something and is jumping to conclusions."

"Is that so?" Catherine asked only slightly serious.

"Oh absolutely. When I'm around Greg, I just can't contain myself," the brunette replied rolling her eyes. Catherine let out a sigh of relief when she realized that Sara was joking. The younger female CSI was just about to explain her conversation with Greg when Grissom walked in the door.

"Hey everybody. Sorry to take you away from your current cases but this kind of came up all of a sudden, and I'm trying to give you as much time as I can to prepare," their supervisor said shutting the door to his office.

"What's going on Griss?" The Texan asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, the four of you are going to be going on a little vacation … together," Grissom stated moving to his desk.

"AWESOME!" Greg exclaimed.

"Wait … what?" Sara interrupted confused.

"There is a forensics conference in San Francisco next week and you four are going." The supervisor said taking a seat behind his desk.

"Whoa, wait a minute, is this the Annual Pacific Coast Forensics Conference?" Nick asked.

"Yes it is," Grissom confirmed.

"How long are we supposed to be going for?" The Texan asked.

"You are all leaving on Sunday morning and you'll come back the following Saturday afternoon," Their supervisor stated simply.

"Sunday!? Grissom it's Friday,! And by the time shift is over its going to be Saturday morning!" Catherine exclaimed.

"I know that it is a little short notice …" Grissom started.

"SHORT NOTICE?! Grissom, what am I supposed to do about Lindsey? I'm not sure Nancy or my mom can watch her," The strawberry blonde almost shouted at the graveyard supervisor. Sara placed a hand on Catherine's knee providing an almost immediate calming affect that surprised even Catherine.

"I'm not saying that I am the only one with plans next week," Catherine continued but with a softer tone, "It's just, with my situation it's a little more complicated," she sighed.

"I understand Catherine and I sympathize with you, but the lab needs you there," Grissom replied.

"Don't worry, I'll help you figure something out," Sara smiled sweetly squeezing the strawberry blonde's knee. Catherine turned her head and gave the brunette an understanding smile. When Greg began to speak again, Catherine's smile got bigger as Sara kept her hand on top of the strawberry blonde's knee.

"Wait a minute. I thought Liz, Maggie, Tarrah and Jason were picked to go to San Francisco?" Greg questioned.

"You really do know everything that goes on in this lab don't you?" Nick laughed.

"Well, Tarrah's doctor doesn't want her flying cause she is so close to her due date. And her husband Jason refused to go because he doesn't want to take the chance of his wife going into labor without him," Grissom explained, putting his glasses on. "And as you may have heard this morning, days got hammered with that triple in Henderson and the hotel fire, so they really can't afford to lose people to a conference right now." The supervisor finished.

"We have cases too you know. Why doesn't Ecklie have us help days? It makes more sense than having to rearrange a whole conference agenda?" Catherine spoke up.

"Probably afraid we'll it screw up," Sara mumbled, earning a laugh from Greg.

"Or get it done right and faster than his beloved day's crew," The strawberry blonde muttered causing the entire room to smile.

"Either way," Grissom interrupted, getting them back on conversation, "I am sending you guys cause you're the best I've got in the same fields. Catherine you and Liz match up on blood spatter analysis. Nick, you're always making bets with Jason on who can analysis fiber and hair faster. And Sara, your stats on element and material analysis are one of the highest in the country and I wanted them to send you to begin with but Ecklie … well … was Ecklie and wanted Tarrah to go instead." The supervisor stated.

"And me? Maggie is an audio visual specialist. I mean, I may play a lot of video games, but, I really don't have a clue about all that stuff," Greg added a little confused.

"You're right. You really have no reason … yet. You want to be a CSI, well, here is where you continue learning. I want you to attend the lectures given by others there, and I expect you to help Catherine, Sara and Nick with their presentations," Grissom said looking over his glasses at the young lab tech.

"You're serious Grissom? You really want me out in the field?" Greg questioned getting excited.

"You have to start somewhere Greg, that's why I picked you to go. And yes, if it all works out and you find a proper replacement in the lab, I'd like to have you in the field with us," The supervisor smiled.

"YES!" The lab tech exclaimed.

"Congratulations Greggo" Sara smiled, her hand still resting on Catherine's knee.

"Like I said," Grissom continued, "You need to find a suitable replacement and until that time, you are still officially in the lab."

"Understood Grissom. Thank you," Greg replied still beaming.

"Alright guys conference details …" Grissom began as Sara leaned over into Catherine slightly.

"Don't worry, we'll figure something out for Lindsey, I promise okay?" The brunette whispered into Catherine's ear. The older woman turned her head, giving Sara a smile and nodding her head in agreement.

"Breakfast after shift?" Sara asked softly squeezing the strawberry blonde's knee.

"Of course," The older CSI whispered back, earning an even bigger smile from the brunette.

Sara pulled back away from Catherine and removed her hand from the strawberry blonde's knee. Catherine couldn't help the sigh that escaped her lips at the loss of contact from Sara. The brunette turned her head and gave her friend a puzzled look as the older woman pretended to listen intently to what Grissom was saying. Catherine glanced back at Sara and mirrored her colleague's puzzled expression.

"What?" The strawberry blonde mouthed, acting as if nothing was wrong.

"Nothing," Sara mouthed back, shaking her head convinced she imagined Catherine's disappointed reaction.

Both women turned their attention back to Grissom, willing themselves to think about anything but each other.

To Be Continued ......