Title: Those Three Words
Author: Ann
Pairing: Sara/Sofia
Fandom: CSI: Las Veagas
Written for the passion_perfect Theme Challenge #2 – missed opportunities
Rating: NC-17 (nope, it's not a typo)
Disclaimer: CSI and its characters are the property of Jerry Bruckheimer and CBS.
AN: These Season 8 premiere promos have me worried... Not betaed.

***

After the Abduction...

A week had passed since Sara was pulled from underneath the mangled red Mustang. She’d fought with all her might to survive the numerous obstacles the elements had thrown her way, her body pushed to the limit, her mind nearly broken. The ordeal had almost been too much for her to bear, but she’d made it. Catherine had been right; Sara was, and still is, a survivor.

But, something significant had happened while Sara was stuck under the wreckage, something life changing. During her brief rests in her determined fight for survival, she’d used part of the time to think , and ultimately, she’d decided that she needed more in her life. I was certain that despite the obvious reasons, Grissom was wishing we’d found her much sooner, or at least before she’d had time to realize he wasn’t the person for her. I’ll never forget the expression on his face when she walked away from the hospital; he was so broken, standing just inside of the entrance in a dazed state, as if he no longer had a purpose. And, that was when I’d decided to reconsider approaching Sara with my feelings. I’d already missed too many opportunities as it was.

Every day for the past week, I’d driven by her apartment, not having the courage to walk up to the door. Even knowing she was alone hadn’t spurred me into action because when it got right down to it, I had no idea what I wanted to say. How could I just waltz up to her door and tell her I loved her? After all this time, how could I?

Right on cue, the lights went out in the apartment window, signaling Sara was retiring for the night. Ecklie had insisted that she take a few weeks off, and unbelievably, Sara had agreed. I’d thought she’d leave the city; that she’d want to get as far away from Vegas as possible, but each night she was still here. What did she do to occupy her time?

Sighing, I started the engine and took one last look at her apartment. Another wasted opportunity because I was just too damned scared.

“Sweet dreams, Sara.”

******

Three nights later, I found myself standing just outside her apartment. For some reason, I was drawn to the door, and for some other unknown reason, I reached for the knob, barely registering its coolness in my palm. The next thing I knew, I was standing inside with the door at my back.

The room was dark and deathly silent; Sara had already gone to bed. Cursing her for not locking the door, I turned to go, but a low moan caught my attention, causing me to pause. I squinted into the darkness and slowly moved towards the sound. What I found was definitely not what I expected.

I stood frozen in the doorway, staring at the moonlit bed, and more specifically, a naked Sara, lying atop the covers with one hand on her firm breast and the other between her milky white thighs. Her light complexion almost glowed against the dark sheets. I swallowed hard.

The vision before me was the most erotic thing I’d ever seen; I couldn’t have turned away if I’d wanted to, which was a good thing because it was the last thing I wanted to do. My body tingled from my head to my toes, my midpoint experiencing the greatest sensation, and just as I thought it couldn’t get any better, it did.

Sara moved her bare foot towards her and bent her knee, sliding her other leg towards the edge of the bed. Her fingers eased lower and lower as she pinched an erect nipple, both hands becoming active players in the highly erotic scene. My breath left my body when she slowly pushed two fingers inside and called out my name.

My name? Sara was calling my name; she was imagining it was my fingers on her and in her, manipulating her, making her emit those low, guttural moans. Oh God, I wasn’t the only one fantasizing about us.

I reacted the only way I could; I stripped out of my clothes and moved towards the bed, the copious wetness between my own legs matching that of Sara’s. Quietly, I kneeled down on the floor, next to the bed. She had no idea I was there so I took advantage of the situation, my eyes drinking in the beauty that was Sara.

She closed her eyelids more tightly as she increased the speed of her hand, her fingers sloshing through fluid that had begun to pool on the sheet below. The hand on her breast had changed its movement, alternating between two motions, rubbing and pinching the already abused nipple. When she moaned my name once again, I answered her back with her own, and then swooped down to capture her lips.

Her initial response was to fight me, but she slowly relaxed and opened her mouth, practically begging me to devour her. More than likely the invitation came so freely because I’d moved my hand down to join hers, adding friction to an already hot spot. Reluctantly, I released her intoxicating lips so that she could see it was me who was touching her, kissing her, loving her.

Recognition was immediate, and Sara smiled. “Sofia, it’s really you.” She eased her fingers free from their warm haven and allowed mine to take their place. There was no hesitation on my part to slide two digits deep inside her. Her response was instantaneous.

“Sofia...”

I hungrily recaptured her lips and crawled up on the bed next to her. Sara instinctively slid backwards, inviting me in while allowing me plenty of room to work. Adding a third finger, I pushed my tongue into her mouth; her reply was to suck it deeper inside. As I pressed firmly against her clit with my palm, she smoothly slid a slim leg between my own, applying just the right amount of pressure. I increased the pace of my hand and gripped her leg tightly, riding it like a rogue filly, coating the firm muscle with my wetness.

Twin groans filled the room in perfect unison, and we both gasped for breath, the need for oxygen winning out. Lips were released, and I struggled to keep contact with Sara, placing my forehead against hers as we fought for control. We were so close, each seemingly holding out for the other. When we did go over the edge, we went over together.

Present Day...

Sara goes back to work part-time today. She’s been seeing the department psychologist, and they both agreed it would be best if she eased back into her regular routine. I’m just worried about her first encounter with Grissom, but Sara assures me that everything will be fine. She’s spoken to him on the phone a few times, and he’s assured her he’s come to terms with her decision. I have to wonder how he’d feel if he knew she was sleeping with me now, but we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Just like we will when I finally tell Sara that I love her. My only hope is that it doesn’t scare her away.

The sound of Sara’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. “Hey, you ready to go?”

I look up to see her smiling face; I smile back. “Yep, just putting on my boots. Sara, you sure you’re ready to go back?”

“Sofia, I need to work; it’s my life; it’s what I love.” Oh, what I wouldn’t give to hear those last words directed at me.

“Okay, let me get my things, and I’ll follow you to the lab.”

Sara nods and starts for the door, turning at the last minute as if she’s forgotten something. “Hey, Sofia?”

“Yeah?” I grab my gun and shield from the bar, sliding the gold badge onto my belt.

“I love you.”

My head snaps up, but Sara’s already out the door. I can’t believe she said it first, but I’m certainly not going to miss the opportunity to reciprocate. Grinning like a fool, I hurry to catch up.

***