Disclaimer: I do not own anything, although I do with I owned CSI, because then things would have turned out a lot differently. Oh, and I wouldn't mind owning George Eads either. =)
A Change Of Heart - Chapter 1
"I want a change in shift."
Grissom looked up from his paperwork to see a very irritated Sara Sidle standing in his office. Adjusting his glasses, Grissom sat up a little straighter before responding to Sara.
" Can I ask why?"
Sara folded her arms over her chest and just stared at her supervisor. " I'm not really sure that's any of your business." Grissom leaned forward in his chair, putting his hands up into the air. " I'm afraid I can't authorize a change in shift unless you give me a reason." Without warning, Sara placed her hands on Grissom's desk and leaned forward. Grissom seemed to be unfazed, although he was quite certain he had never seen Sara Sidle looking as ferocious as she did now.
" Grissom, I need you to trust me on this one."
Grissom looked at Sara, almost trying to read past her anger. If he expected Sara to give him some kind of help, Sara certainly hadn't gotten the memo. " I'll consider it." Sara moved her hands off of Grissom's desk and took a few steps back before uttering a reply.
" That's all I'm asking for Griss."
SNICKERS*SNICKERS*SNICKERS*SNICKERS*SNICKERS
Sara left her supervisor's office and headed in the direction of the break room. If it had been anyone but socially inept Grissom, they may have understood the current predicament she found herself in. It wasn't that she wanted to leave the Graveyard Shift; she actually considered them all to be like her family. Catherine and she had gotten over their differences and had formed an unbreakable bond. Warrick was like an older brother who was constantly on the lookout for her best interests while Greg was perfect for a laugh when she was having a particularly hard day. HE was the problem. Nick Stokes with his charming smile and his good looks and radiant personality. He was her best friend, sure enough. So what exactly was the problem? Well, for one thing, the feelings she now held for him were not the way one should feel towards their best friend. If she was willing to be honest with herself, she was in love with that man. Only problem was she knew for certain that Nick did not feel the same way. It was no secret to anyone in the lab about the Texan's womanizing nature. Being Nick's best fried, it wasn't uncommon for Sara to hear about the latest fling of the month. Unbeknownst to Nick, every time he chatted with her about his new girl, Sara's heart broke a little. She was so tired of coming to work in a good mood only to have her smile falter when she sees him in the hall with the new DNA tech or the receptionist.
As she approached the break room, she was relieved to discover Catherine with the latest issue of Cosmo in her hand and a cup of Greg's Blue Hawaiian to her lips. Sara entered the break room causing Catherine to look up from her magazine.
"Hey Sara."
Sara offered a quick reply back before moving over to the coffee machine and pouring herself her own cup of coffee. She heard Catherine set her coffee cup on the table as well as what she presumed was her magazine.
"I saw you head into Grissom's office earlier. Anything I should know about?"
Sara had to let out a small smile before she turned around to face her co-worker, nestling her coffee cup in her hands. " I hope you aren't implying what I think you are implying." Catherine gave her friend a smile as Sara took the seat across from her at the table. " Just wondering if I have any competition." Sara took a sip of her coffee then proceeded to shake her head at Catherine. " He's all yours Cath. You've got nothing to worry about." Catherine smiled before readjusting herself in her to chair to face Sara fully. " How are things going with…"
" The same as usual. He's been seeing Nora, a cocktail waitress at the Tangiers," Sara cut Catherine off before she could even finish her question. Catherine made a face before picking up her magazine again. " So what does this Nora girl have that you don't?" Sara sighed before looking into her coffee cup. " She's incredibly tall, blonde, beautiful…and has the brain the size of a peanut." Catherine moved her magazine so she could see Sara fully. " You've got to be kidding me." Sara looked back up at Catherine with a sad smile plastered on her face. " I wish I was." Catherine rolled her eyes before pulling her magazine back up. " Sounds like Nicky has really lowered his standards." Sara scoffed before she replied. " Nick has always kept his standards low. I don't think he knows that he deserves so much better."
"He'll open his eyes one of these days and see what's been right in front of him all along," Catherine stated, taking another sip of her coffee. "About that Cath, I actually…"
" Good evening ladies," Warrick said as he walked into the break room. " Hey Warrick." Warrick began to fill his coffee when he noticed that both women had stopped talking. " Was I interrupting something?" Catherine opened her mouth to speak, but Sara beat her to it. " Don't worry about it. It's nothing we can't finish later." Catherine raised an eyebrow at Sara who simply proceeded to shrug her shoulders in return. Moments later, Grissom entered the room with slips of papers in his hand. " Assignments," he started looking around the room. A confused look crossed his face as he looked at the rest of his team. " Where is Nick?"
Just as Grissom finished talking, Nick skidded into the room looking rather unkempt. " Sorry Griss, overslept." Catherine rolled her eyes before leaning across the table to Sara. " I'll bet that wasn't all he was doing." Sara gave Catherine a weak smile before everyone turned their attention back to Grissom.
" Nice of you to join us Nick."
Nick gave a sheepish look before filling up his coffee cup and taking the seat next to Sara. " I just had the most incredible night!" Sara gave him an irritated look that didn't go unnoticed by Nick. " I can see that." Sara then turned her attention back to their supervisor.
"Catherine, you and I have a DB out in Henderson. Warrick, you need to finish up your hit and run case from last night. Nick and Sara, you also have a DB at the Tangiers. Brass is already there waiting for you." As the rest of the team exited the room, Sara slouched down farther into her seat. Not only would she have to work with Nick tonight but she would have to see him flirt shamelessly with the flavor of the week since the body was located at her place of employment. Nick gave Sara a small nudge with his elbow before getting out of his seat.
" Looks like its you and me, Sunshine. I'm driving."
Sara slowly moved out of her seat, cursing the fact that she hadn't forced Grissom to change her shift on the spot.