Title: Homecoming

Author: oceanwave

Rating: G Summary: Two people, a wedding and maybe some romance. N/S

Disclaimers: The creators/producers of CSI own the characters; I do not profit from them - I just borrowed them.

Author's Note: If you are a fan of the SCIENCE of CSI then I would suggest that you move on, only because this is a character development story, and not about a particular crime. After so much drama from the show, and a lot of angst from my last fic, I just wanted to have a totally quirky story. We all need to smile! Anyway, I am living proof that writing is addictive. I just finished Saving Sara, and I absolutely wanted to write something else. Well, I hope that you continue to read and review, and enjoy. :)

~*~

The restaurant was cloaked in a light chatter of the evening. A couple sat beside the terrace that overlooked the hotel lobby. The dim lights shadowed over their table, their meals placed nicely in front of them. For her, a tofu and mushroom pasta, and for him a perfectly spiced steak.

"She didn't kill her husband," Nick insisted.

"Yeah, says you and your raging hormones," Sara quipped back, a smile widening on her face. He smiled as well, knowing that she was partially right.

"Trust me; with that much money on the line, she would do a lot to keep all of it and avoid a messy divorce."

"Still," Nick weakly commented, wiping his mouth with the cloth napkin. She raised an eyebrow.

Tonight, both CSI's were having dinner after interviewing the hotel manager. Both hadn't planned on having dinner, but their stomachs suggested otherwise. As they continued with their usual banter, a woman, with dark brown hair, a slight tan, wearing casual pants and a light pink blouse swept onto the floor. She looked around, and finally spotted the person she was looking for.

"Boo," she whispered in his ear. He slightly flinched, but he turned to see who it was.

"Michelle?!" The tone of excitement and astonishment in Nick's voice.

"What are you doing here? Is everything alright?" he questioned, concerned.

"Everything's alright," she replied, hugging Nick tightly.

"Am I interrupting anything?" She wondered. Taking note of the woman who sat across from Nick.

"No, not at all. I'm Sara Sidle," Sara introduced herself. Michelle raised an eyebrow, a look that mirrored that of Nick's earlier.

"We work together," Nick finally articulated.

"Oh. And here I thought you were my baby brother's favor of the month," she jibed, extending her hand out for a handshake. She inspected Sara, noting that she wasn't Nick's "typical" girl. She was looked more put together, without looking like a fake, and well, she was actually wearing clothes.

Sara blushed, neither angry nor embarrassed, but rather, amused.

"Besides, I'm not Nick's type. For one thing, I'm not blonde, and I haven't really joined any beauty contests," Sara replied.

"Too bad. I was hoping that Vegas would change Nick's bachelor ways," she mocked.

"Sadly, no. I'm pretty sure he still enjoys a lot the life he lived back in Texas."

"Oh, and you definitely can't leave out that part that he loves having people talk about him like he wasn't there," Nick interjected. A crooked smile invading his face.

"Definitely can't" Sara responded. Michelle sat back and smiled.

"Nicky, I like her," she commented, looking at her brother. She noticed that he had lost weight, and looked overworked, he really needs a vacation. 'Aren't you glad you came to visit him' her mind inquired.

Sara sat there, silent.

"She's not too bad, is she," he questioned, winking at Sara. The pink color in her cheeks intensifying.

She blushed and sensed that this was a family moment; Sara excused herself from the table and headed over to the bar. Nick watched her, taking a long sip of the ice water in his hand.

"So, Michelle, tell me what are you doing here?" Questioned Nick, placing the glass on the table and turning his body towards his sister. 'What's going on Michelle?' He asked himself.

"I have some news, and I wanted to come and tell you in person," she paused. 'This doesn't sound good,' Nick thought. There was a pause, Nick inhaled and braced himself for the news.

"I'm getting married!" she squealed. He was surprised, he was overjoyed, and he was speechless.

"What? Who? When?" Nick uttered - sitting up from his seat.

"I'm getting married. Luke Watts. In a month." She answered excitedly.

"Oh my god. Congratulations," he managed to say. He hugged his older sister tightly, she deserved this.

"Surprised? I hope you can come to the wedding," she asked. "Mom, Dad…everyone misses you Nicky," she pleaded.

"Of course I'm going to come," he beamed.

"Great! Now the question is... who are you going to take?" She teased, motioning at Sara.

"Oh no, Sara, no. We work together and... no." He plainly stated. He shook his head and dismissed the issue.

"Uh huh," she responded skeptically, but didn't pursue the topic any longer. She sighted Sara as she made her way back towards the table; 'this was going to be interesting,' she thought.

*---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*

A/N - I just want to say that I have nothing against blondes. I just needed a contrast to Sara's appearance. You know what to do (click on the blue button below) - even if you don't like it.