Disclaimer: Unfortunately, none of it's mine.

Rating: Porbable M for the future

A/N: I'm so sorry for the lack of writing. My inspiartion has evaded me for so long now. I don't even know what's going to become of this story, so don't be surprised if it's nothing much. : P Dedicated to Ashley because it's simply better than writing nothing and because I heart you.

Beginner's Luck

The tension from the past ten hours had resonated in his shoulders and as he attempted to ease out the exhaustion, his efforts were futile and fruitless because he was very adept at massaging his own back with one hand. Defeated, he hung his head, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. His mind wandered off to his bed, imagining it warm and cozy, possibly with a woman in it waiting for him. Smiling, he grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled it over his head just as the door to the locker room opened.

Her eyes couldn't help but travel over the muscled planes of his back, the way the obeyed every command of his body. Blushing, she averted her eyes before he likely caught her, turning her attention to the combination of her new lock. Unbeknownst to her, Nick had faced her, slowly taking his time to button up his skirt while he watched her fiddle with her lock. After what had to be the fourth try, he smiled and chuckled when she slammed her fist against the locker out of frustration.

"Having some troubles, Sar?" he drawled, grinning wider when she huffed unceremoniously.

"No," she grumbled, trying unsuccessfully once more.

Stepping over the bench that separated them, Sara hardly anticipated the rush of heat that immediately washed over her back. He was standing close behind her, reaching out to take the lock in his hand.

"What's the combo?"

"Twenty, twelve, and forty-six."

With keen eyes, she observed how his thumb controlled the movement of the dial, smoothly operating under his barely there touch. It cracked a moment later, giving way to the tug of his hand. He unhooked it and opened the door for her.

"I always did have a knack for these," he commented lightly.

She didn't have to turn to know that there was a smirk on his face because she could hear plainly in his voice. However, she faced him anyways, nearly bumping into his chest.

"Thanks," she murmured, taking the lock that he handed her.

"Any time, Sar."

She nearly released a whimper when he stepped over the bench again to his locker. She chewed the inside of her cheek, trying to quell the thoughts and warm feelings coursing through her veins. It was funny, she mused, how many people thought that she had a thing for Grissom. It was hardly the case. It had always been Nick. Grissom was someone who she figured she was supposed to like, a man that would understand her and her needs but he wasn't as ideal as she had realized.

"Hey, Sar, what're you doing tonight?" Nick wondered, closing his locker soundly.

"Laundry and cleaning bathrooms. Why?" she replied, half turning to meet his gaze that she hadn't noticed were focused on her.

"There's a new Indian place by my house and I was wondering if you wanted to try it with me. You're the only other person I know who likes it."

"Yeah, that sounds good, Nick."

"Pick you up at seven?"

She nodded, smiling in spite of herself. She watched him leave and once she was sure that the door was firmly closed and that he should have been halfway down the hall, Sara let out a squeal of excitement before slamming her locker closed and grabbing her backpack, throwing it over her shoulder.

With her free hand that wasn't gripping the strap of her backpack, Sar pushed open the door and felt the weight of the door hit something very tall and solid.

"Ouch," drawled a voice.

"Oh, Nick!" Sara exclaimed, seeing who was revealed behind the door.

He was rubbing his forehead, looking up at her with a goofy grin on his lips.

"If you didn't want to go for Indian, you could have just said so," he jested, releasing his forehead.

She grabbed his head in between her hands and pulled him closer to her so she could inspect herself. Not that he minded of course because he was receiving an eyeful of her cleavage. The temptation to trace his tongue along the alabaster flesh in front of him was beginning to consume him. In a desperate attempt to oppress the urges clawing at his starved insides, Nick closed his eyes and tried not to focus on her warm, gentle hands, her fingers in his hair.

"It looks all right," she murmured, her brow furrowed.

"Of course I'm all right, Sar."

"Well, you're pretty stubborn. I had to make sure."

"Oh, you just wanted to touch me," he grinned, after she had let go and placed her hands on her hips, looking at him defiantly. Her eyes told him much differently.

"Don't be so cocky, Nicky."

"All you had to do was ask," he flirted shamelessly back, leaning into her.

"I didn't know that I needed permission."

"You don't. You're the exception."

"How many girls do you tell that to a night, cowboy?"

Shrugging nonchalantly, he replied, "Depends."

Rolling her eyes, she moved away from him only to find that he was quickly catching up to her.

"Don't forget, Sar: seven o'clock."

"I'm not going to forget," she said, glancing over her shoulder at him.

"Well, you have a tendency of neglecting to remember things."

"I do not."

"Yeah, you do."

He reached past her and grabbed the door handle before she could push it open. Again, he was invading her personal space and once more she found herself not minding at all.

"I'd hate to have bring some take-away."

"You won't."

"Promise?"

"Scouts' honor," she responded, pushing the door open.

From the doorway, Nick followed her to her car with his eyes, his arms folding over his chest as he watched with masculine approval at the way she moved, the simple little things about her that he was beginning to like a lot. Glancing at his watch, he saw that he had four hours to kill before he had to pick her up. Smirking, he went back into the lobby where he was waiting for Warrick.

"Ready to go, man?" Nick heard, seeing his friend rounding the corner.

"Yeah."

"Did you ask her?"

Nick made a sound of agreement.

"And?"

"Of course she said 'yes'."

Chuckling, Warrick withdrew his keys from his jacket pocket and pushed the button to unlock his car. He glanced at Nick as he opened the door, shaking his head at his ignorant friend.

"You better be careful, Nick. She's feisty."

"Don't I know it."