She sits in the bar and thinks about why she is here, in this city, in this bar. She sees enough of the city's dark underside � the murders and drugs and corruption � in Las Vegas. She didn't need to come here to see even more. Still, Grissom has sent her on a forced vacation and New York is the city she's chosen to visit. She's not really sure why.

If she's honest, she'll admit that she's here to prove a point to Grissom. She wants to return and say, "See? I went to New York and I came back unscathed. I'm not rash. I don't take unnecessary risks. I'm completely in control. You don't know me."

But she's not honest. She tells herself that she is here for the shows, the culture, the adventure. She doesn't admit that she's lonely and bored.

A woman walks into the bar, sits down next to her and absentmindedly orders a whiskey sour. Her eyes are riveted to the television screen above the bar. Sara notices that the station is tuned to MSN and that they're playing a clip on Josh Lyman, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff. But despite his unique attractiveness, she wouldn't know who he was if it weren't for his name and title scrolling across the bottom of the screen.

She's intrigued by the blonde's intense interest in him and tired of her own company, so she strikes up a conversation. "You a political junkie?"

The blonde glances at her, distracted. "What?"

"You're really interested in that report they're playing about Josh Lyman. Are you one of those political junkies?" she asks again, gesturing to the television.

The blond smiles, embarrassed. "No. Yes. No. Actually, he's my boss," she sheepishly admits.

"Really? He's cute." She notices a blush forming on the other woman's cheeks. There's a story here and she's curious what it is.

"Yeah." The blush deepens.

The blonde introduces herself as Donna Moss. They make small talk, discussing the weather, the city, their reasons for being there. Sara doesn't tell Donna she was sent away by her boss, though. She simply says she is on a much-needed vacation.

Donna explains that she is in New York to attend an event on Women in the Media. She had been invited as the guest of a co-worker, but at the last minute, the co-worker had been forced to remain in Washington. Donna had decided to go anyway, simply to get away from work a while. She says that it's a nice break from the hectic pace of the White House, then laughs at the notion that New York can be considered anything but fast paced. Her bubbly laughter is infectious and the two women start to talk in earnest.

As the evening progresses and they imbibe more alcohol, Sara's tongue loosens and she starts to talk about Grissom, admits to the crush she has on him. Donna nods in understanding. She's in love with her boss, too, and she knows exactly how frustrating the situation can be. They console each other with the hope that their situations will soon change.

The conversation turns to a discussion of recent exes and Sara tells her about Hank. She says she hasn't really missed having a boyfriend as much as she's missed having someone in her bed at night. She doesn't care if it's a man or a woman, but she simply misses having someone hold her. Donna just gives her an enigmatic smile. Sara doesn't notice and continues to chatter on.

By the end of the evening, they're both a little drunk. They cling to each other as they stumble out of the bar. Sara is shocked when her new friend pulls her closer and kisses her passionately. Shocked and a little thrilled.

She draws back from the embrace, mumbling some inane excuse about returning to Las Vegas soon. Donna apologizes for her forwardness, says she thought Sara was interested because of her comment about wanting someone to hold her. If she's not, that's ok. They can still be friends.

"No, I� I am," she stutters without thinking. "Interested, that is. I was just� It surprised me, is all."

Donna smiles at her and presses a scrap of paper into her hand. She knows that Sara isn't ready for anything more tonight. "Call me if you're ever in DC."

She walks away, a seductive sway to her hips. Sara watches her as she disappears down the street. With trembling fingers, she looks at the White House card she is holding, flips it over to read the handwritten phone number and email on the back.

***

A few days later, Sara finds herself in Washington. She hadn't planned to visit this city any more than she had planned to visit New York. But something draws her here. Someone.

Nervously, she dials the number on the back of the business card that she's been carrying in her pocket since New York.

Donna answers on the second ring.

"Josh, I told you-"

"It's not Josh," Sara interrupts quickly. "It's Sara. Sara Sidle, from the other night? I'm not sure if you remember me."

Donna's voice immediately changes, takes on a vibrancy that wasn't there previously. "Sara! Of course I remember you! Josh has just been calling me non-stop today, and it's supposed to be my one Saturday off this month. I thought it was him again."

Sara hears the amusement in her voice and smiles. She's glad she decided to take the chance and call. Just hearing Donna's cheerful voice has reassured her. They talk for a few moments and Sara explains that she's in the area, wonders aloud if they could possibly meet somewhere. Donna agrees and they decide to meet at a piano bar later in the evening. Sara is nervous but also excited, full of expectations.

As soon as she walks into Wilson's, she spots Donna's bright hair. She's sitting in a comfortable chair near the back. Sara strides over to her, greets her with a kiss on the cheek. It's not something she would normally do, but it feels right with Donna. Donna's welcoming smile widens at the gesture and she takes Sara's hand in hers, holds it for a moment longer than necessary. Sara doesn't draw back this time.

They each order a drink and start talking at the same time. Abruptly, they both stop, and then they laugh at the silliness. The conversation between them flows as easily as it did on their first meeting. They talk about everything, but especially about their socially inept bosses.

Donna declares that she secretly enjoyed Josh calling her today; it proves how much he needs her, relies on her. But she's happy to have this break away from him, too. It's stressful to be so enamored of him, so close to him both physically and personally, but not have him notice her. Or maybe he has; she's not sure. All she knows is that forming any type of lasting relationship with someone else is difficult because she's always thinking about Josh.

Sara can�t help but be sympathetic. Even when she was dating Hank � steady, reliable, solid Hank, at least until he showed his duplicity � she couldn't help comparing him to Grissom and he always lost. No man will ever be able to measure up to Grissom in Sara's eyes.

They talk for hours, until the bartender announces last call. Sara has been enjoying this night � she enjoys Donna's company, the feel of her hand on her arm as she makes a point, the sparkle in her eye as she talks passionately about something. Impulsively, she suggests that Donna come up to her hotel room. She purposely does not think about what might happen once they're there, though she secretly hopes that they might continue what they started in New York.

Later, as she lies in bed, Donna's head pillowed on her stomach, she wonders what she's started. She's in love with Gil, so why is she here in bed with Donna? What has prompted her to take that one kiss and turn it into something more?

She decides not to dwell on the cause of this undeniable attraction, about what it means for her personally, for her and Grissom, for her and Donna. Tonight is just about pleasure, she decides - nothing else. She'll take what she can from this encounter and won�t question why it�s happening.

Her hand drifts to Donna's flaxen hair, strokes it back from her cheek. Donna's eyes flutter open and she smiles as she looks up into Sara's face. Sara smiles back and leans down to kiss her.

***

They begin to trade emails, almost daily, discussing everything from their work to their childhoods to their favorite types of music. The fledgling relationship they started in the city deepens, despite their physical distance.

One day, Sara receives an email from Donna telling her that she'll be in southern California the following weekend. She has a few meetings she needs to attend on behalf of the White House, but most of her nights will be free; Josh isn't coming. Can Sara meet her there? Sara checks her schedule, sees that she isn't on duty, and agrees to make the four hour drive. She doesn't stop to think whether it's wise to continue this liaison.

It's not until she arrives that she begins to have doubts. She's still in love with Grissom, and lately, it appears as if he might have feelings for her too. She wonders what effect this relationship might on have on that one if Grissom were ever to find out. He already thinks she's impulsive and reckless; her unexpected relationship with another woman would just confirm his suspicions that she acts before she thinks. But she pushes her worries aside; Grissom will never find out.

She broaches the subject of Grissom with Donna, and Donna assures her that there are no strings attached. Donna understands about Gil; she has her own issues with Josh. This is just for them. Why shouldn't they enjoy each other until the time when Josh and Gil can give them what they need? No one needs to know about it.

As they stroll arm in arm to Donna's room, Donna hugs her close and Sara feels electric sparks wherever their bodies brush. She gives in to her desire as they enter the room and they fall into bed, soft feminine flesh against soft feminine flesh.

***

Sara doesn't have a lot of female friends, so she is more than happy when, a few weeks after her trip to California, Donna takes a long weekend from work and comes to visit her in Las Vegas. They enjoy a quiet dinner out and gossip about all that has been happening in their lives before returning to Sara's home for the evening.

Once there, Sara leads Donna to the bedroom and begins to make love to her, this woman who has become so important in her life. Their lovemaking is slow and intense, more satisfying than ever before. Donna's heady scent fills Sara's nostrils as she licks at the warm, moist folds between Donna's thighs and feels Donna's body trembling in ecstasy.

As she kisses her way back up to Donna's mouth, she inhales her soft floral perfume. She never thought this would be something she craved, but as she kisses Donna boldly on the lips and her passionate kiss is returned, she begins to realize that this may be far more than the fling they both profess it to be. And she's not quite sure what it is or where Grissom fits into the picture, but she pushes her troublesome thoughts aside and snuggles closer to Donna's warm body.

The next day Sara has a scheduled shift at the lab, so she leaves Donna sleeping in her bed. She kisses Donna's forehead gently, brushes her hair back. Donna sleepily protests her desertion and Sara assures her that she'll be back later. Donna mumbles something else incoherent and then snuggles back into the blankets, drifts off to sleep once more. Sara thinks she hears her say Josh's name. She's startled by the twinge of jealousy she feels.

Once she gets to the lab, Sara becomes caught up in the case she's working on, a dessicated body found in the desert. There aren't a lot of clues and she and Warrick have been working on the case for two days already; the leads are getting cold. Still, she treks to the crime scene and scours the area for any evidence they might have missed. Her intense concentration makes her forget about her love life, at least momentarily.

After hours of long, difficult work, she returns to the lab empty handed; she hasn't found anything helpful in breaking the case and she feels dejected. Then Greg comes bounding up to her and tells her he's finally identified the sticky substance that was found on the victim's collar. Sara is elated; this is the break for which they've been looking.

She goes to Grissom's office and gives him an update about Greg's discovery. He congratulates her on the progress, then turns back to his computer. She can't help it: some of her joy dissipates at his dismissal.

She turns, about to leave, when Grissom calls her back. He cocks his head and just looks at her for a moment, considering something.

Then he surprises her, asking, "Would you like to come to my place for dinner sometime?"

She knows that it is Catherine who has planted this idea in his head. Catherine can penetrate his defenses far better than anyone else; she's an old friend and has influence on him. She must have provoked him into issuing this invitation.

But Sara doesn't care. She's been waiting for this for so long, and he's finally made an effort. She decides that they have to start somewhere and this is the ideal beginning.

She accepts his invitation.

He looks relieved. "Good. My house at seven tomorrow? I'll make my famous fettucine."

"Ok."

She walks away, smiling.

***

She's whistling as she unlocks the front door, but stops abruptly when she sees Donna sitting at her table, drinking coffee and flipping through a magazine. In her euphoria over the dinner invitation, she has forgotten all about her guest.

"Hey," Donna greets her. "Your in a good mood." She looks up, her smile turning to a frown of concern as she takes in Sara's panicked expression. "What's wrong?"

Sara stares at her, mortified at having forgotten about her entirely. She wonders what to say. She doesn't know how the upcoming date with Grissom will effect her relationship with Donna, and she's afraid of what will happen. Hesitantly, she begins, "I, uh� Grissom asked me over to his place for dinner."

"Oh." Donna's confusion quickly gives way to understanding. "Oh!"

And, swiftly as it began, it is over. They both knew this� thing� they had between them was only temporary, a distraction, a way to feel connected to someone while they waited for the ones they really wanted. And by accepting Grissom's invitation, Sara has severed her need for that connection. She never guessed that she would feel physical pain, that she would miss this relationship when it was over.

Donna collects her things from the bedroom and zips them into her overnight case. She kisses Sara softly on the cheek as she leaves, smiles at her. "Be happy."

But as Sara watches her go - this warm, intelligent, passionate woman who has become so important to her - she wonders if she can be.