CSI-fic: Mistakes (27/35)
Title: Mistakes
Author: TXLtoSFO
Fandom: CSI:LV
Pairing: Sara Sidle/OC
Rating: PG to NC-17 (NC-17-rated chapters will be noted in the cut)
Disclaimer: CSI, its characters, places, and situations are property of Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Alliance Atlantis and CBS Productions. This story was written for entertainment, not monetary purposes. Original characters, and this story are intellectual property of the author. Any similarities to existing characters, fictional or real, living or dead, are coincidental and no harm is intended.
Spoiler/Warnings: None
Summary: Someone from Sara's past shows up in an unexpected position in Vegas and quite a drama ensues. Sara thinks some mistakes can't be forgive and forgotten but Catherine is convinced that everyone deserves a second chance and tries her best to get Sara to the point of forgiveness.
Notes: The night in the desert is almost over, but what will come after it?
Mistakes
27. CH-Ch-Changes
"What are we doing, Sar?"
Eli whispered into brown hair and still held Sara close.
"Not denying anymore what we feel when we keep spending time together."
Sara sighed, lifted her head a bit, gently kissed Eli's neck, then stood tall and gazed smilingly into Eli's eyes. She brought her hands up to cup the other woman's face, growing earnest seeing still a bit disbelief but also quiet contentment and affirmation.
"Eli, there is no way we can argue that all we want from one another is friendship. I can't deny it anymore, not this time around. There's so much more. And we'll figure it out, in time. I don't want to rush anything, I just wanted to tell you that I'm in a similar place you are."
She looked serious enough that Eli's concern wavered. Sara saw the comprehension settle in Eli's eyes and smiled. She caressed her face and ran one hand through short, soft hair. Eli closed her eyes and reveled in the touch. The effect was amazing, it soothed her soul, warmed her heart, dazed and confused her. She could happily stay like this forever. She lowly hummed a tune that had sneaked its way into her thoughts.
Sara watched, enthralled.
"What was that? I know that song."
Eyes still closed in complete, comforting trust, Eli quietly sang:
"I need to know that you will always be
the same old someone that I knew.
Ah, what will it take 'til you believe in me
the way that I believe in you."
She opened her eyes to find Sara staring open-mouthed at her. Then she slowly shook her head and smiled.
"I believe in you." Sara mouthed and leaned in slowly. She captured Eli's lips a bit more audaciously now, reinforcing her words. It was a short, heated kiss. It took their all not to keep going, but it wasn't the time yet.
"I really thought you'd find the singing annoyingly corny!" Eli smirked as they parted and Sara still smiled.
"Well, it was somehow, but just corny, not annoying. I should have known you're a sucker for the showing off just about any talent you have."
Sara ducked away a bit, smirking, and took a step backwards, but let her hand slide down Eli's arm and caught her hand again.
Eli growled good-naturedly.
"Don't mock me."
"Never." Sara shivered a bit.
"Ah, damn, I forgot to think about the temperatures out here at night."
Eli slapped the flat of her hand to her forehead.
"I'm sorry, Sar. I might have a blanket in my trunk, man, it was supposed to be perfect. Let me see..."
But Sara tugged at the hand she was holding.
"Hey, it was, it is perfect. Let me take one last look and then we can head back to the city."
She let go of Eli's hand and turned around again and as if taking mental pictures of the sight, she drank in the scenery Eli had created once again.
"What's going to happen with all this?" She asked a bit melancholically.
"Most of it was rented. I make a phone call and the guys I hired come and remove it. I thought about keeping the tea table though. It's a piece of art."
"Such a shame. If I had a house I'd want to have it set up in my backyard."
"Yeah, that'd be nice." Eli agreed.
Sara turned and once again hand in hand they started walking towards the car, but not without looking back once or twice along the way.
"Wait." Sara looked at Eli pleadingly.
"Can I keep something, too?"
Eli grinned and rose her eyebrows. Sara, sentimental?
"Whatever you like."
Sara gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and walked back to the tent. Carefully she took the wind chime off its hook.
Back at Eli's side she let it swing in the air.
"I like its sound. I don't have a balcony but I'll hang it up somewhere."
"You'll find the right place."
They got into the car and Eli drove at a leisurely place, not really wanting to put an end to this night. Headlights came and passed them, the engine rumbled evenly and they were both quiet, but looked at each other every so often. As they reached the parking lot of Sara's apartment building and Eli switched off the ignition, both sighed simultaneously, looked at each other and broke out in laughter.
"I should-" Sara started.
"Yes, I know. Unfortunately." Eli nodded.
Sara hesitated for a moment.
"Do you want to come up?" She asked, not ready yet to let Eli drive away, home. She just wanted to spent a little more time with her.
"We could watch a movie, have a glass of wine. Talk."
Eli didn't need to lean over much, the coupe was quite small, and Sara met her halfway, almost desperate for another reassuring kiss. But she came to a halt, hovering a mere inch before Sara's mouth.
"Not today. This night was unbelievable. You made it unforgettable. Let's sleep on all this, shall we?"
And she closed the last distance and delivered a searing kiss to Sara's waiting lips. As much as she longed to taste more than just those, devour the woman beside her, she held back and ignored the tempting invitation as Sara slightly parted her lips and exhaled with a barely audible, tiny low moan that sent jolts of electricity and almost untamable need through Eli's body. The small sound set her on fire.
Sara fought a struggle of her own. Their first kiss had opened a floodgate and she found it increasingly difficult to brace herself. From the moment on she had been honest to herself about what she felt about Eli, every glance, every touch they'd shared made her skin tingle, her pulse race and her palms unusually sweaty. And the way Eli looked at her the second before they kissed again had torn her to pieces. She had never understood herself as a particularly sensual person, but under Eli's stare she felt like under a magnifying glass. She'd never been so aware of her own body and the way it reacted, was drawn to this woman. And how good it felt to be wanted by someone. And want them all the same.
She gambled as she ran her tongue along Eli's lower lip and was delighted at the incredibly sexy little groan that escaped Eli, though she pulled back, trying to catch her breath.
"Sweet Jesus!" Eli gasped.
That was her cue to better get out of the car quickly.
"Good night, Eli. See you at work, tomorrow?"
Eli licked her lips and smiled, understanding.
"Yeah, for sure. Sleep tight, Waves."
Sara caught her bottom lip between her teeth, shot Eli one last glance and got out of the car.
Eli waited until the entrance door closed and Sara was out of sight. Then she punched the steering wheel hard and yelled, throwing her head back against the seat.
"OH MY GOD!"
*******
Leonard absent-mindedly stirred his soggy turning cereals, reading highly concentrated the first draft of the potential new contract with his Vegas client as the front door opened to reveal a tired looking, but beaming Eli. He immediately put the paperwork down and smiled questioningly.
With a few long strides Eli crossed the distance and flung her arms around Leonard's neck, all but straddling him in the process.
"I take it everything went well?" He stated laughingly, trying to not let them fall over backwards together.
Eli leaned back, grabbing his shoulders tightly, the biggest smile plastered on her face.
"Better than well then?" he chuckled, astounded by Eli's speechlessness.
"I love her, Len. I'm madly, hopelessly in love with her." She finally uttered.
"I know, precious. Something happened tonight, didn't it?" he grinned smugly enough to make Eli punch him lightly.
"We kissed. It was so unexpected. I just wanted to apologize. I just wanted her back in my life and she kissed me." She wanted to say so much more, but words simply failed her and they looked at each other, conveying with their eyes what the other needed to know.
Leonard's hug almost crushed Eli.
"Lenny, we finally got our chances. At something big, something we almost stopped believing would ever happen."
And if it was even possible, Leonard's smile widened even more.
"Catherine." He just said.
Eli just kept on laughing at his glazed over expression.
"Did the cat get your tongue? All you can do is exclaim her name like a mantra?"
"Oh, she got all 6'3'' of me, inside and out. It is serious, Eli, for both of us. This isn't just a fling. We'll use the next few days to plan how to make it work. God, I might even meet her daughter before I fly back to Frisco. This is crazy, precious. How is she going to react? Will she hate me, see me as invader into her and her mother's life? What will her sister say? I'm a tad younger than her. I don't even live in the same city, will she even take me seriously?"
"Goodness, Len, you're younger than her, so what? Lindsey might be a bit defensive in the beginning, but once she gets to know you and feels that you're serious about her mom and learns what kind of guy you are, she'll love you. So will Nancy. Yes, she is very protective of her sister, but that's because Cath has made some bad choices concerning her lovers in the past. You're the complete contrary. She will see that. And you will figure out what to do about the long-distance relationship. So it's official then, she's your girlfriend."
"Oh yeah, she's my woman now. And can I add something without you feeling awkward?"
"Let me guess, she's a wildfire in bed?"
Leonard groaned and rubbed his back.
"You wonder who actually is older, me or her. Boy, this woman has got some moves... And I used to sleep with you, so I don't blush easily. Actually, I suppose I have to thank you. You taught me some things that might come in very handy."
Now it was Eli's turn to groan.
"Oh, shut it! Don't make me think about sex right now. Just kissing Sara, and we didn't even, you know, we kept it quite tame, reduced me to complete incoherence. But we won't rush anything. We have to get to know each other again first. But I already know it'll be hard to keep our hands off each other. I need a cold shower and I'm exhausted."
She shrugged her jacket off and flung it over the back of a chair.
"Len, I could just explode right now, I'm so happy. For you, too."
"Me too... Go sleep. I have to finish reading this, I have a meeting at noon. Meet up for breakfast after your next shift?"
"That'll be great. With Catherine?"
"With Sara?" Leonard countered.
"Gosh, I completely forgot to tell her about you and Cath. I'll tell her tomorrow. Maybe she'll come."
"I'd like that. She has really grown on me." He mused.
"She must have. First Frisco, now here? I guess it was you who opened some doors for me."
Leonard just smiled secretively and shoved Eli towards the bathroom.
"Maybe... Go to sleep, precious."
In response, Eli yawned noisily
"Will do... Call you about breakfast."
As Eli trotted into the bathroom, Leonard attended to his papers again, but the smile didn't vanish from his face.
*******
The tow truck arrived late the next afternoon at a "Fix it yourself"-garage where Eli had just rented a permanent spot.
She ran her hand over the fading paint on the fender and opened the door which obliged, but only with a screeching sound. The leather on the seats was ripped and the velour carpet stained. Eli placed a carefully wrapped package on the driver's seat and closed the door again with a loud thud. She was bruised and battered, but she still was a beauty. Eli couldn't wait to see the look Sara's face when she'd introduce them.
*******
Sara just sipped on her first cup of the day as her doorbell rang. Still sleepy, she lifted the handset to her ear.
"Yeah?"
"Hey, Sara, it's me. Would you mind if I came up?"
She didn't bother answering and just pressed the buzzer, leaving her apartment door ajar.
Taking a quick look into the mirror beside her coat rack, she tried to tame her bedhair and rubbed her eyes in a vain attempt to not look as if she'd just climbed out of her sheets. Though the faded SFPD shirt and the boxers she wore gave her away anyhow.
Eli knocked politely despite the open door.
"Come in if you're prepared for the sight." Sara sighed grouchily. As excited as she was to see Eli again that soon, she would have preferred different circumstances.
Eli sneaked a peek around the door and smiled.
"I see you're still quite the charmer when you've just woken up. Some things never change, do they?"
"Oh, shut up!"
Eli walked over to where Sara stood in her kitchenette and Sara was almost relieved that Eli herself wore just jeans and a t-shirt and her hair lay in uncontrolled curls. The rugged look suited Eli just as much as her usual appearance.
"Am I allowed to say you look hot in your equivalent of PJs, sleepyhead?" Eli reached out to tuck a few stray hairs behind Sara's ear.
Sara smiled and caught Eli's hand in the air, pulling the woman who smelled like sandalwood and curiously- motor oil, into an embrace.
"You are. Though it sounds crazily strange to hear you say that to me. And you, you smell good. Morning." She mumbled as their gazes locked and they basked in the warmth of each other's bodies. Then Eli's eyes flickered from her eyes to her mouth and back.
"I like this." Eli said under her breath. Sara looked inquiringly, but amused.
"That I'm holding you while you're still in your sleepwear. That I'm allowed to be here, in your apartment. That we're about to kiss."
"Are we?" Sara asked cockily.
"Oh yes, we are." Eli hummed as she closed the last distance. Their lips met in a soft, slow kiss. Eli couldn't believe that all that separated her hands from touching Sara's skin was one thin layer of fabric.
Sara was glad that she leaned on the counter. Having Eli this close, almost pressed into her, feeling her warm hands on her back, her upper body against her own, took her breath away and made her knees grow just the tiniest bit weak. She leaned a bit back and broke the kiss.
"You want some coffee?" That came out a bit breathless.
Eli dipped her head down and nipped on Sara's neck.
"Not yet." Eli replied, kissing her way up Sara's jaw line. "Or do you want me to stop?"
But Sara turned her head to give Eli more access.
"Not yet." Sara was still breathing heavily. She knew she should stop Eli, but her bodies reaction to Eli's wandering mouth betrayed all rational thought.
Eli was in heaven. Sara tasted slightly salty, completely natural and smelled faintly of fabric softener. Yes, they had agreed not to rush things, but this was just too tempting. No, she shouldn't allow herself to get carried away like that. She tore herself away from the inviting expanse of skin on Sara's neck and straightened again.
"I honestly don't want to stop kissing you right now, but we said slow." She brought out huskily. "Can we define slow? Can you tell me what is too much for a beginning of sorts? Please, Sara, where do we draw a line that shouldn't be crossed yet?"
They gazed into each other's eyes again.
"I don't know, Eli. It's like since yesterday none of the usual rules apply anymore. Suddenly I can't even think of you anymore without wanting you close to me. I don't really want you to stop, I don't want to stop myself, I want to keep kissing you. God, woman, I could eat you alive. What are you doing to me?"
Eli blushed furiously and ran her hands up Sara's back, her stomach tightening as Sara instantly closed her eyes and a tremble went through her body.
"I don't know, you have to tell me Sara. I've been in love with you for a very long time. I know that you started falling for me once before. What is this now? Honestly, Sar, I need to know that this is for real."
Sara stared at her.
"Come here."
She wrapped her hand tighter around Eli's neck and pulled her down, since she was barefoot and Eli in sneakers she was about an inch shorter.
Their mouths were so close that their short, excited breaths mingled.
"Sara..." Eli warned, but Sara had none of it. Onto Eli's lips she whispered:
"I'll show you."
And their lips met. Soft flesh, one tasting of coffee and toothpaste, the other of cigarettes and cinnamon gum. Sara sucked in Eli's bottom lip and as she ran her tongue over it, Eli's breath hitched and she pressed closer, pushing Sara's back hard into the kitchen counter. They finally opened their mouths at the same time, and almost timidly the tips of their tongues met, probing, brushing until they gave up on shyness and kissed harder, deeper, exploring every inch of each other's mouths. Eli's hands found the hem of Sara's shirt and she slipped under it and ran them over the naked length of Sara's back, who moaned loudly into the kiss and used her free hand to grab Eli's backside and crush their bodies even closer together. Eli fought for dominance over the kiss, but Sara's motions were deliberately raw and needy. Hungrily they kissed as passionately as possible, shortly coming up for air and little bites into lips.
They broke apart panting and wide-eyed. Every touch electric and every glance speaking of more than simple attraction but of desire.
For seemingly endless seconds no one spoke, but their hands continued wandering, above clothes now, anticipating paths that might soon be traveled again without hindering fabric obscuring what lay underneath.
Eli kissed Sara lightly on the lips once more.
"Wow...!"
"You could say that!"
Both chuckled and loosened their grip on each other a bit.
"Sara, how, when?"
"I'm not sure. I guess there was a moment when I couldn't convince myself anymore that I wasn't attracted to you, even more than I had been at college. I couldn't keep believing you hadn't changed. I used your mistakes, your faults as an excuse for my hatred, but not just for you, but also for myself because I couldn't stop myself from wanting you back in my life, as more than just a friend. I couldn't cope with that, but somewhere along the line I accepted that this is the real you. And the more I knew about your perspective, how you tormented yourself over everything, the more I was drawn to you. This is real."
"You want me in your life, as what, your partner?" Eli swallowed and squinted her eyes.
Sara moved closer and they kissed again.
"Yes. As my friend and as my partner. I want a relationship with you and I know we can make it work."
Eli hugged Sara fiercely and beamed, lifted her up and kissed her while she let her hover above the ground in her arms.
"We will!"
She set Sara back down and then smiled mysteriously.
"Speaking of making relationships work, guess whom I found having sex in my very own apartment? Leonard and Catherine."
Sara's jaw dropped.
"You're kidding me!"
"No! They met last time Len was here and flirted from the very first moment. They are in love, I tell you, it's so great to see it. By the way, I was supposed to ask you if you would like to join them and me for breakfast after next shift. I mean, I told Leonard what happened last night and he said he'd love to see you again. But we could give Cath quite a shock if we play it right and Len hasn't told her yet, which I know he wouldn't until both of us gave him permission."
"That won't work, she'll know as soon as we show up together."
Eli rolled her eyes.
"Yep, that's probably right. I mean, it is Cath we're talking about. But wait, show up together, does that mean you're coming?"
"Why shouldn't I? Leonard is like your family and I really like him. Without him, well, I wouldn't have understood some things."
"I figured he'd talked to you. Anyway, there actually was a reason apart from simply wanting to see you and kiss you again for me to come here. I want to show you something."
Sara cocked her head and scrutinized Eli, who grinned broadly.
"You'll like it, promise. Come on, get dressed."
"O-kay..."
While Sara disappeared into her bedroom to change, Eli helped herself to some coffee and wandered around Sara's flat. It was small, but cozy, the colours dark and velvety. A couch and a worn out leather armchair dominated the room, there were bookshelves filled with textbooks and a few classic novels and a desk with Sara's lap top on it. Convenient, but comfortable. Very Sara. That hadn't changed, as hadn't Sara's interest in music judging by her huge collection of CD's.
"Are you done snooping around?" Came a voice from behind her.
"Huh? I wasn't snooping, I just took a look around. You don't mind, do you?"
"No, I don't as long as I get a chance to do the same at your place. I still remember your flat in Frisco but I'd say your style has changed more profoundly than mine."
"You're right about that. Are you ready?"
"Ya. Where are you taking me?"
"Patience, Sidle, patience."
They climbed down the stairs and got into Eli's car, who headed out of the lot and into the busy evening traffic.
"Do you still have that place? I mean, you've lived in San Francisco ever since you dropped out of Harvard, didn't you?"
Eli laughed and shifted up.
"No way. That was like a bachelor pad. Gross. I didn't want to remember some of the things that had taken place there. No, I sold it and bought a house just off Highway No. 1, close to the sea. Cost me a bloody fortune, but it was worth it."
"Wow, you really settled down." Sara was really affected. She tried to imagine the Eli she'd known mowing a lawn. No, this really wasn't the same woman, as much as she still somehow was.
"Tell me about. I wanna know who you've become."
Eli gazed over to the passenger seat and smiled quietly.
"It's a relatively modern two story house, lots of huge windows and a two-car garage. There's a backyard with some fruit trees and as long as I lived there, I grew lots of herbs and vegetables. I used to read in the hammock and I have a large patio. The ground floor is practically one big room, combining living room and kitchen and a small guest room with bathroom. On the first floor there are three rooms, the master bedroom with bath and walk-in closet, a smaller room I used as a kind of office and a third room that I didn't really use at all, I just threw in all the stuff I don't really use very often. Call it storage room. The house has a basement, which is rare, there's the laundry room and a little work shop."
"I'm impressed. Who domesticated you?"
"You did, Sara. Where here."
"A fix-it-yourself garage?" Sara asked irritated as she looked around.
"Yep!"
They got out of the car and walked up to one garage door and Eli opened it. Sara just stood there, rooted to the spot, her eyes big, eyebrows shot up, slack-jawed.
"That's-"
"A '67 Chevrolet Impala SS. Big block engine, V8, 350 horsepower. A childhood dream, I bought it a couple of years back, but never had the time nor the knowledge to restore it. But I know you do and you used to love those kinds of cars. Open the door, there's something on the seat for you."
Sara blinked and walked once around the car, inspecting it thoroughly before she opened the driver side door and took the package out to open it.
"I know I only said that yesterday, but you are crazy, you know that?" She took out the black coverall which nametag said Waves. She looked at Eli, then back to the rusty black beauty.
Eli walked over to Sara, smiling because of her speechlessness and embraced her from behind.
"I got the same coverall. And I've rented this space kinda indefinitely. I'd like you to teach me how to do this. We won't have to do all the work ourselves, there's a body shop just around the corner who'll supply all the parts, do the complicated stuff and the paint job. Are you up to it?"
Sara turned in her arms.
"Absolutely! I mean it's an amazing car. How could I say no. I-"
But she didn't get any further as she got caught up in the feeling of Eli's lips on hers, kissing her hard and with joy radiating from her. Boy, she was in for a lot of surprises with this woman.
Author: TXLtoSFO
Fandom: CSI:LV
Pairing: Sara Sidle/OC
Rating: PG to NC-17 (NC-17-rated chapters will be noted in the cut)
Disclaimer: CSI, its characters, places, and situations are property of Jerry Bruckheimer Television, Alliance Atlantis and CBS Productions. This story was written for entertainment, not monetary purposes. Original characters, and this story are intellectual property of the author. Any similarities to existing characters, fictional or real, living or dead, are coincidental and no harm is intended.
Spoiler/Warnings: None
Summary: Someone from Sara's past shows up in an unexpected position in Vegas and quite a drama ensues. Sara thinks some mistakes can't be forgive and forgotten but Catherine is convinced that everyone deserves a second chance and tries her best to get Sara to the point of forgiveness.
Notes: The night in the desert is almost over, but what will come after it?
Mistakes
27. CH-Ch-Changes
"What are we doing, Sar?"
Eli whispered into brown hair and still held Sara close.
"Not denying anymore what we feel when we keep spending time together."
Sara sighed, lifted her head a bit, gently kissed Eli's neck, then stood tall and gazed smilingly into Eli's eyes. She brought her hands up to cup the other woman's face, growing earnest seeing still a bit disbelief but also quiet contentment and affirmation.
"Eli, there is no way we can argue that all we want from one another is friendship. I can't deny it anymore, not this time around. There's so much more. And we'll figure it out, in time. I don't want to rush anything, I just wanted to tell you that I'm in a similar place you are."
She looked serious enough that Eli's concern wavered. Sara saw the comprehension settle in Eli's eyes and smiled. She caressed her face and ran one hand through short, soft hair. Eli closed her eyes and reveled in the touch. The effect was amazing, it soothed her soul, warmed her heart, dazed and confused her. She could happily stay like this forever. She lowly hummed a tune that had sneaked its way into her thoughts.
Sara watched, enthralled.
"What was that? I know that song."
Eyes still closed in complete, comforting trust, Eli quietly sang:
"I need to know that you will always be
the same old someone that I knew.
Ah, what will it take 'til you believe in me
the way that I believe in you."
She opened her eyes to find Sara staring open-mouthed at her. Then she slowly shook her head and smiled.
"I believe in you." Sara mouthed and leaned in slowly. She captured Eli's lips a bit more audaciously now, reinforcing her words. It was a short, heated kiss. It took their all not to keep going, but it wasn't the time yet.
"I really thought you'd find the singing annoyingly corny!" Eli smirked as they parted and Sara still smiled.
"Well, it was somehow, but just corny, not annoying. I should have known you're a sucker for the showing off just about any talent you have."
Sara ducked away a bit, smirking, and took a step backwards, but let her hand slide down Eli's arm and caught her hand again.
Eli growled good-naturedly.
"Don't mock me."
"Never." Sara shivered a bit.
"Ah, damn, I forgot to think about the temperatures out here at night."
Eli slapped the flat of her hand to her forehead.
"I'm sorry, Sar. I might have a blanket in my trunk, man, it was supposed to be perfect. Let me see..."
But Sara tugged at the hand she was holding.
"Hey, it was, it is perfect. Let me take one last look and then we can head back to the city."
She let go of Eli's hand and turned around again and as if taking mental pictures of the sight, she drank in the scenery Eli had created once again.
"What's going to happen with all this?" She asked a bit melancholically.
"Most of it was rented. I make a phone call and the guys I hired come and remove it. I thought about keeping the tea table though. It's a piece of art."
"Such a shame. If I had a house I'd want to have it set up in my backyard."
"Yeah, that'd be nice." Eli agreed.
Sara turned and once again hand in hand they started walking towards the car, but not without looking back once or twice along the way.
"Wait." Sara looked at Eli pleadingly.
"Can I keep something, too?"
Eli grinned and rose her eyebrows. Sara, sentimental?
"Whatever you like."
Sara gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and walked back to the tent. Carefully she took the wind chime off its hook.
Back at Eli's side she let it swing in the air.
"I like its sound. I don't have a balcony but I'll hang it up somewhere."
"You'll find the right place."
They got into the car and Eli drove at a leisurely place, not really wanting to put an end to this night. Headlights came and passed them, the engine rumbled evenly and they were both quiet, but looked at each other every so often. As they reached the parking lot of Sara's apartment building and Eli switched off the ignition, both sighed simultaneously, looked at each other and broke out in laughter.
"I should-" Sara started.
"Yes, I know. Unfortunately." Eli nodded.
Sara hesitated for a moment.
"Do you want to come up?" She asked, not ready yet to let Eli drive away, home. She just wanted to spent a little more time with her.
"We could watch a movie, have a glass of wine. Talk."
Eli didn't need to lean over much, the coupe was quite small, and Sara met her halfway, almost desperate for another reassuring kiss. But she came to a halt, hovering a mere inch before Sara's mouth.
"Not today. This night was unbelievable. You made it unforgettable. Let's sleep on all this, shall we?"
And she closed the last distance and delivered a searing kiss to Sara's waiting lips. As much as she longed to taste more than just those, devour the woman beside her, she held back and ignored the tempting invitation as Sara slightly parted her lips and exhaled with a barely audible, tiny low moan that sent jolts of electricity and almost untamable need through Eli's body. The small sound set her on fire.
Sara fought a struggle of her own. Their first kiss had opened a floodgate and she found it increasingly difficult to brace herself. From the moment on she had been honest to herself about what she felt about Eli, every glance, every touch they'd shared made her skin tingle, her pulse race and her palms unusually sweaty. And the way Eli looked at her the second before they kissed again had torn her to pieces. She had never understood herself as a particularly sensual person, but under Eli's stare she felt like under a magnifying glass. She'd never been so aware of her own body and the way it reacted, was drawn to this woman. And how good it felt to be wanted by someone. And want them all the same.
She gambled as she ran her tongue along Eli's lower lip and was delighted at the incredibly sexy little groan that escaped Eli, though she pulled back, trying to catch her breath.
"Sweet Jesus!" Eli gasped.
That was her cue to better get out of the car quickly.
"Good night, Eli. See you at work, tomorrow?"
Eli licked her lips and smiled, understanding.
"Yeah, for sure. Sleep tight, Waves."
Sara caught her bottom lip between her teeth, shot Eli one last glance and got out of the car.
Eli waited until the entrance door closed and Sara was out of sight. Then she punched the steering wheel hard and yelled, throwing her head back against the seat.
"OH MY GOD!"
*******
Leonard absent-mindedly stirred his soggy turning cereals, reading highly concentrated the first draft of the potential new contract with his Vegas client as the front door opened to reveal a tired looking, but beaming Eli. He immediately put the paperwork down and smiled questioningly.
With a few long strides Eli crossed the distance and flung her arms around Leonard's neck, all but straddling him in the process.
"I take it everything went well?" He stated laughingly, trying to not let them fall over backwards together.
Eli leaned back, grabbing his shoulders tightly, the biggest smile plastered on her face.
"Better than well then?" he chuckled, astounded by Eli's speechlessness.
"I love her, Len. I'm madly, hopelessly in love with her." She finally uttered.
"I know, precious. Something happened tonight, didn't it?" he grinned smugly enough to make Eli punch him lightly.
"We kissed. It was so unexpected. I just wanted to apologize. I just wanted her back in my life and she kissed me." She wanted to say so much more, but words simply failed her and they looked at each other, conveying with their eyes what the other needed to know.
Leonard's hug almost crushed Eli.
"Lenny, we finally got our chances. At something big, something we almost stopped believing would ever happen."
And if it was even possible, Leonard's smile widened even more.
"Catherine." He just said.
Eli just kept on laughing at his glazed over expression.
"Did the cat get your tongue? All you can do is exclaim her name like a mantra?"
"Oh, she got all 6'3'' of me, inside and out. It is serious, Eli, for both of us. This isn't just a fling. We'll use the next few days to plan how to make it work. God, I might even meet her daughter before I fly back to Frisco. This is crazy, precious. How is she going to react? Will she hate me, see me as invader into her and her mother's life? What will her sister say? I'm a tad younger than her. I don't even live in the same city, will she even take me seriously?"
"Goodness, Len, you're younger than her, so what? Lindsey might be a bit defensive in the beginning, but once she gets to know you and feels that you're serious about her mom and learns what kind of guy you are, she'll love you. So will Nancy. Yes, she is very protective of her sister, but that's because Cath has made some bad choices concerning her lovers in the past. You're the complete contrary. She will see that. And you will figure out what to do about the long-distance relationship. So it's official then, she's your girlfriend."
"Oh yeah, she's my woman now. And can I add something without you feeling awkward?"
"Let me guess, she's a wildfire in bed?"
Leonard groaned and rubbed his back.
"You wonder who actually is older, me or her. Boy, this woman has got some moves... And I used to sleep with you, so I don't blush easily. Actually, I suppose I have to thank you. You taught me some things that might come in very handy."
Now it was Eli's turn to groan.
"Oh, shut it! Don't make me think about sex right now. Just kissing Sara, and we didn't even, you know, we kept it quite tame, reduced me to complete incoherence. But we won't rush anything. We have to get to know each other again first. But I already know it'll be hard to keep our hands off each other. I need a cold shower and I'm exhausted."
She shrugged her jacket off and flung it over the back of a chair.
"Len, I could just explode right now, I'm so happy. For you, too."
"Me too... Go sleep. I have to finish reading this, I have a meeting at noon. Meet up for breakfast after your next shift?"
"That'll be great. With Catherine?"
"With Sara?" Leonard countered.
"Gosh, I completely forgot to tell her about you and Cath. I'll tell her tomorrow. Maybe she'll come."
"I'd like that. She has really grown on me." He mused.
"She must have. First Frisco, now here? I guess it was you who opened some doors for me."
Leonard just smiled secretively and shoved Eli towards the bathroom.
"Maybe... Go to sleep, precious."
In response, Eli yawned noisily
"Will do... Call you about breakfast."
As Eli trotted into the bathroom, Leonard attended to his papers again, but the smile didn't vanish from his face.
*******
The tow truck arrived late the next afternoon at a "Fix it yourself"-garage where Eli had just rented a permanent spot.
She ran her hand over the fading paint on the fender and opened the door which obliged, but only with a screeching sound. The leather on the seats was ripped and the velour carpet stained. Eli placed a carefully wrapped package on the driver's seat and closed the door again with a loud thud. She was bruised and battered, but she still was a beauty. Eli couldn't wait to see the look Sara's face when she'd introduce them.
*******
Sara just sipped on her first cup of the day as her doorbell rang. Still sleepy, she lifted the handset to her ear.
"Yeah?"
"Hey, Sara, it's me. Would you mind if I came up?"
She didn't bother answering and just pressed the buzzer, leaving her apartment door ajar.
Taking a quick look into the mirror beside her coat rack, she tried to tame her bedhair and rubbed her eyes in a vain attempt to not look as if she'd just climbed out of her sheets. Though the faded SFPD shirt and the boxers she wore gave her away anyhow.
Eli knocked politely despite the open door.
"Come in if you're prepared for the sight." Sara sighed grouchily. As excited as she was to see Eli again that soon, she would have preferred different circumstances.
Eli sneaked a peek around the door and smiled.
"I see you're still quite the charmer when you've just woken up. Some things never change, do they?"
"Oh, shut up!"
Eli walked over to where Sara stood in her kitchenette and Sara was almost relieved that Eli herself wore just jeans and a t-shirt and her hair lay in uncontrolled curls. The rugged look suited Eli just as much as her usual appearance.
"Am I allowed to say you look hot in your equivalent of PJs, sleepyhead?" Eli reached out to tuck a few stray hairs behind Sara's ear.
Sara smiled and caught Eli's hand in the air, pulling the woman who smelled like sandalwood and curiously- motor oil, into an embrace.
"You are. Though it sounds crazily strange to hear you say that to me. And you, you smell good. Morning." She mumbled as their gazes locked and they basked in the warmth of each other's bodies. Then Eli's eyes flickered from her eyes to her mouth and back.
"I like this." Eli said under her breath. Sara looked inquiringly, but amused.
"That I'm holding you while you're still in your sleepwear. That I'm allowed to be here, in your apartment. That we're about to kiss."
"Are we?" Sara asked cockily.
"Oh yes, we are." Eli hummed as she closed the last distance. Their lips met in a soft, slow kiss. Eli couldn't believe that all that separated her hands from touching Sara's skin was one thin layer of fabric.
Sara was glad that she leaned on the counter. Having Eli this close, almost pressed into her, feeling her warm hands on her back, her upper body against her own, took her breath away and made her knees grow just the tiniest bit weak. She leaned a bit back and broke the kiss.
"You want some coffee?" That came out a bit breathless.
Eli dipped her head down and nipped on Sara's neck.
"Not yet." Eli replied, kissing her way up Sara's jaw line. "Or do you want me to stop?"
But Sara turned her head to give Eli more access.
"Not yet." Sara was still breathing heavily. She knew she should stop Eli, but her bodies reaction to Eli's wandering mouth betrayed all rational thought.
Eli was in heaven. Sara tasted slightly salty, completely natural and smelled faintly of fabric softener. Yes, they had agreed not to rush things, but this was just too tempting. No, she shouldn't allow herself to get carried away like that. She tore herself away from the inviting expanse of skin on Sara's neck and straightened again.
"I honestly don't want to stop kissing you right now, but we said slow." She brought out huskily. "Can we define slow? Can you tell me what is too much for a beginning of sorts? Please, Sara, where do we draw a line that shouldn't be crossed yet?"
They gazed into each other's eyes again.
"I don't know, Eli. It's like since yesterday none of the usual rules apply anymore. Suddenly I can't even think of you anymore without wanting you close to me. I don't really want you to stop, I don't want to stop myself, I want to keep kissing you. God, woman, I could eat you alive. What are you doing to me?"
Eli blushed furiously and ran her hands up Sara's back, her stomach tightening as Sara instantly closed her eyes and a tremble went through her body.
"I don't know, you have to tell me Sara. I've been in love with you for a very long time. I know that you started falling for me once before. What is this now? Honestly, Sar, I need to know that this is for real."
Sara stared at her.
"Come here."
She wrapped her hand tighter around Eli's neck and pulled her down, since she was barefoot and Eli in sneakers she was about an inch shorter.
Their mouths were so close that their short, excited breaths mingled.
"Sara..." Eli warned, but Sara had none of it. Onto Eli's lips she whispered:
"I'll show you."
And their lips met. Soft flesh, one tasting of coffee and toothpaste, the other of cigarettes and cinnamon gum. Sara sucked in Eli's bottom lip and as she ran her tongue over it, Eli's breath hitched and she pressed closer, pushing Sara's back hard into the kitchen counter. They finally opened their mouths at the same time, and almost timidly the tips of their tongues met, probing, brushing until they gave up on shyness and kissed harder, deeper, exploring every inch of each other's mouths. Eli's hands found the hem of Sara's shirt and she slipped under it and ran them over the naked length of Sara's back, who moaned loudly into the kiss and used her free hand to grab Eli's backside and crush their bodies even closer together. Eli fought for dominance over the kiss, but Sara's motions were deliberately raw and needy. Hungrily they kissed as passionately as possible, shortly coming up for air and little bites into lips.
They broke apart panting and wide-eyed. Every touch electric and every glance speaking of more than simple attraction but of desire.
For seemingly endless seconds no one spoke, but their hands continued wandering, above clothes now, anticipating paths that might soon be traveled again without hindering fabric obscuring what lay underneath.
Eli kissed Sara lightly on the lips once more.
"Wow...!"
"You could say that!"
Both chuckled and loosened their grip on each other a bit.
"Sara, how, when?"
"I'm not sure. I guess there was a moment when I couldn't convince myself anymore that I wasn't attracted to you, even more than I had been at college. I couldn't keep believing you hadn't changed. I used your mistakes, your faults as an excuse for my hatred, but not just for you, but also for myself because I couldn't stop myself from wanting you back in my life, as more than just a friend. I couldn't cope with that, but somewhere along the line I accepted that this is the real you. And the more I knew about your perspective, how you tormented yourself over everything, the more I was drawn to you. This is real."
"You want me in your life, as what, your partner?" Eli swallowed and squinted her eyes.
Sara moved closer and they kissed again.
"Yes. As my friend and as my partner. I want a relationship with you and I know we can make it work."
Eli hugged Sara fiercely and beamed, lifted her up and kissed her while she let her hover above the ground in her arms.
"We will!"
She set Sara back down and then smiled mysteriously.
"Speaking of making relationships work, guess whom I found having sex in my very own apartment? Leonard and Catherine."
Sara's jaw dropped.
"You're kidding me!"
"No! They met last time Len was here and flirted from the very first moment. They are in love, I tell you, it's so great to see it. By the way, I was supposed to ask you if you would like to join them and me for breakfast after next shift. I mean, I told Leonard what happened last night and he said he'd love to see you again. But we could give Cath quite a shock if we play it right and Len hasn't told her yet, which I know he wouldn't until both of us gave him permission."
"That won't work, she'll know as soon as we show up together."
Eli rolled her eyes.
"Yep, that's probably right. I mean, it is Cath we're talking about. But wait, show up together, does that mean you're coming?"
"Why shouldn't I? Leonard is like your family and I really like him. Without him, well, I wouldn't have understood some things."
"I figured he'd talked to you. Anyway, there actually was a reason apart from simply wanting to see you and kiss you again for me to come here. I want to show you something."
Sara cocked her head and scrutinized Eli, who grinned broadly.
"You'll like it, promise. Come on, get dressed."
"O-kay..."
While Sara disappeared into her bedroom to change, Eli helped herself to some coffee and wandered around Sara's flat. It was small, but cozy, the colours dark and velvety. A couch and a worn out leather armchair dominated the room, there were bookshelves filled with textbooks and a few classic novels and a desk with Sara's lap top on it. Convenient, but comfortable. Very Sara. That hadn't changed, as hadn't Sara's interest in music judging by her huge collection of CD's.
"Are you done snooping around?" Came a voice from behind her.
"Huh? I wasn't snooping, I just took a look around. You don't mind, do you?"
"No, I don't as long as I get a chance to do the same at your place. I still remember your flat in Frisco but I'd say your style has changed more profoundly than mine."
"You're right about that. Are you ready?"
"Ya. Where are you taking me?"
"Patience, Sidle, patience."
They climbed down the stairs and got into Eli's car, who headed out of the lot and into the busy evening traffic.
"Do you still have that place? I mean, you've lived in San Francisco ever since you dropped out of Harvard, didn't you?"
Eli laughed and shifted up.
"No way. That was like a bachelor pad. Gross. I didn't want to remember some of the things that had taken place there. No, I sold it and bought a house just off Highway No. 1, close to the sea. Cost me a bloody fortune, but it was worth it."
"Wow, you really settled down." Sara was really affected. She tried to imagine the Eli she'd known mowing a lawn. No, this really wasn't the same woman, as much as she still somehow was.
"Tell me about. I wanna know who you've become."
Eli gazed over to the passenger seat and smiled quietly.
"It's a relatively modern two story house, lots of huge windows and a two-car garage. There's a backyard with some fruit trees and as long as I lived there, I grew lots of herbs and vegetables. I used to read in the hammock and I have a large patio. The ground floor is practically one big room, combining living room and kitchen and a small guest room with bathroom. On the first floor there are three rooms, the master bedroom with bath and walk-in closet, a smaller room I used as a kind of office and a third room that I didn't really use at all, I just threw in all the stuff I don't really use very often. Call it storage room. The house has a basement, which is rare, there's the laundry room and a little work shop."
"I'm impressed. Who domesticated you?"
"You did, Sara. Where here."
"A fix-it-yourself garage?" Sara asked irritated as she looked around.
"Yep!"
They got out of the car and walked up to one garage door and Eli opened it. Sara just stood there, rooted to the spot, her eyes big, eyebrows shot up, slack-jawed.
"That's-"
"A '67 Chevrolet Impala SS. Big block engine, V8, 350 horsepower. A childhood dream, I bought it a couple of years back, but never had the time nor the knowledge to restore it. But I know you do and you used to love those kinds of cars. Open the door, there's something on the seat for you."
Sara blinked and walked once around the car, inspecting it thoroughly before she opened the driver side door and took the package out to open it.
"I know I only said that yesterday, but you are crazy, you know that?" She took out the black coverall which nametag said Waves. She looked at Eli, then back to the rusty black beauty.
Eli walked over to Sara, smiling because of her speechlessness and embraced her from behind.
"I got the same coverall. And I've rented this space kinda indefinitely. I'd like you to teach me how to do this. We won't have to do all the work ourselves, there's a body shop just around the corner who'll supply all the parts, do the complicated stuff and the paint job. Are you up to it?"
Sara turned in her arms.
"Absolutely! I mean it's an amazing car. How could I say no. I-"
But she didn't get any further as she got caught up in the feeling of Eli's lips on hers, kissing her hard and with joy radiating from her. Boy, she was in for a lot of surprises with this woman.