Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters except Samantha Carter. But of course if I had my own way, I would own Sara and Catherine and Lindsey and... and... LOL!!!
A/N: Okay is anyone ready to be confused? Even though I have posted five or six other stories, but this is actually my first fic. I started writing this about a year ago. I know, its kinda sad isn't it? LOL So please be as kind as you were with 'You Keep Moving On' please. ENJOY!!!
Nick Stokes walked into the Las Vegas Crime Lab looking for his friend and colleague Catherine Willows. But instead he ran into his other friend, Warrick Brown.
"Hey Warrick, have you seen Catherine anywhere?"
"No, she called me and told me that she and Grissom said they would be late for assignments."
"Man I need to talk to them about something and they're going to be late. That's just perfect!"
"Yeah well at least with Catherine around, we know when Griss will be late. Why what's up man?"
"I'm taking Sara out for her birthday and I want you guys to come but..." He was interrupted bu his friends' greetings.
"Hey guys what's going on?" Greg Sanders asked accompanied by the team's newest member and Greg's girlfriend Samantha Carter.
"Oh hey guys. Nick is taking Sara out for her birthday and is asking everyone to come."
"Thank you, Warrick." Nick said cautiously looking for Sara.
"Yeah. No problem man." He said giving a sarcastic grin.
"Keep it down. Sara doesn't exactly know yet."
"Why not? Is it a surprise party?" Greg asked getting excited.
"Yes it is. So watch what you say around her okay." Nick said as all glances went to Greg.
"What? Why are you looking at me for?" Greg asked looking confused.
"Oh nothing. I just remember what happened last year when we tried to throw Sara a surprise party."
"Yeah, so."
"Yeah so. YOU are the one who blew it! But if you screw this one up, I swear..."
"I hate to break up your little 'moment' but Sara is headed this way." Sam whispered as Sara walked toward them.
"Hey. What are you guys talking about over here?" Sara asked skeptically.
"Hey, there you are. Happy birthday." Nick said sheepishly as he hugged her lightly and kissed her cheek.
"Thanks, now what were you guys talking about?"
"Nothing. Warrick and I were just telling Sam about a case we had a few years ago."
"Oh yeah? Okay, which one?" Sara said grinning as the expression left Nick's face.
"It was the one with the drunk driver, where Nick and Warrick made a personal bet to see who's theory panned out." Sam chimed in to save their cover.
Sara looked at Sam then Greg and her face straightened. 'I was so sure they were planning something. Oh well, they probably learned their lesson last year. Besides, they wouldn't have told Greg anyway.' She thought to herself matter-of-factly.
"Okay" She said sarcastically.
"I swear!" Nick said in his defense.
"Right. I know you better than you think I do. And I know you're up to something Stokes."
"Now Sara, don't you think I am smart enough not to try the same thing two years in a row? I learned my lesson last year. Besides, why would I talk about something like that with Greg around?" Nick said passing Greg an 'I'm so sorry' look.
"Okay."
"I promise we were just..." A cheery voice came from behind them that could only belong to Catherine Willows who was accompanied by her fiancee' and team supervisor Gil Grissom.
Everyone gave their greetings and talked about Catherine's daughter Lindsey.
"Yeah she loves the day care program the school offers. I can come in earlier during the summer and she can spend time with me at night. You know...I think I'll transfer over to Days after the summer. You know, give Ecklie a run for his money." Catherine said grinning at Grissom playfully.
"Not while I'm still your supervisor." He said smiling and tickling her lightly.
"Really? How are you gonna stop me...Boss?"
"Like this!" He said grabbing her by the waist and kissing her cheek.
"Okay! Okay! You win!" Catherine said trying to catch her breath.
Meanwhile everyone started laughing at them playing around. None of them had seen Catherine and Grissom like that before they got engaged. Now that everyone was getting closer, they were more comfortable around each other.
"Oh Hey Sara. Happy Birthday." Catherine said followed by Grissom.
"Yeah, Happy Birthday."
"Thanks guys." Sara said returning their greetings.
"Grissom, can I talk to you and Catherine for a sec?" Nick asked.
"Uh, Sara can you give us a hand with these boxes for the lab? I think Greg is about to fall over." Sam said distracting Sara from Nick.
"Sure. I'll see you later." Sara said kissing Nick's cheek.
"Nick. Come into my office." Grissom said as Catherine followed them.
As they were discussing the party, Jim Brass walked in to give Grissom the assignments.
"Sorry. I hope I'm not interrupting anything." He said smiling.
"No, I was just going to come and find you next." Nick said getting up from the couch in the corner.
"Oh really. What's up?"
"I'm having a surprise party for Sara and I wanted to invite you."
"Yeah, so far everyone is going." Catherine said glancing over to Grissom.
"I don't know yet. We can talk about it later. Gil, you and you guys have a slow shift. The only case so far is a robbery at some gas station on the strip. No pressure. So I gave Al and David the night off."
"Okay thanks Jim."
"No problem." He said as he left.
"Well, I guess we had better get to work so we can get out of here. So Nick, we'll meet you at Georgiana's at 6:00?" Catherine asked as she handed Grissom the case folder.
"No, you should probably be there at 5:30 so you can get through the traffic and get there before we do."
"Oh okay 5:30. See you later Gil." She said walking with Nick top find Warrick.
"Sara's really nice, but it's not really my kind of thing. I mean I don't know her that well, only through Catherine. If it weren't for her I wouldn't even know you as well as I do." Sam said stocking the lab shelves with chemicals.
"I know but she's my friend and I do know her." Greg sighed. "Well, I guess we can pick something up and give it to her later." He said hopping off the counter where he was sitting.
"Thank you Greg." She said kissing his cheek. "Besides, Catherine probably needs someone to watch Lindsey since her sister is out of town." She said placing the last remaining items from the boxes into the cupboards.
Catherine and Lindsey were like family to Sam. She never knew kinder people. Catherine had given her a place to stay when she was having financial trouble. She wouldn't take any money in return, and Sam felt like a member of their family. Well, they were best friends after all. And Lindsey was just as caring and giving as Catherine, and becoming more like her mother every minute. She was a special child that had been through a lot. Also much like her mother. They were strong people, and they had over come every test life had thrown them. And she would never take them for granted.
"Is that everything?" Greg said pulling Sam from her thoughts.
"Yeah. I have to call Nick and Catherine about tonight and I'll let you know what we're doing."
"Okay, later."
"Bye." she said leaving him in the lab to finish his work.
Meanwhile Catherine, Nick, and Warrick were at the crime scene looking for evidence.
"Okay, so the store owner says he hit the suspect before he fled the scene. He also said the guys was bleeding, but no blood seems to be present." Catherine said crouching down on the floor with her flashlight.
"Yeah well I hope we find something. Then we can beat day shift's record time of solving a robbery. Wouldn't Grissom just LOVE to shove that in Ecklie's face?" Nick said sending the three into laughter.
"So, Nicky, what DID you get Sara for her birthday?"
"Well Ms. Willows, that is none of your business until tonight. And that is said with the utmost respect of course." Nick said grinning at her.
"Uh-huh, sure, you're just saying that so I don't go over there and hurt you." She said grinning back. "Well? Am I right Nicky?"
"No!" He quickly answered, blushing heavily.
"Yeah Cath, give me some of that!" Warrick said giving her a high five.
"Traitor!" Nick yelled jokingly.
"Hey man, what can I say? When she's right, she's right, and you know it. Besides, anyone who is smart, like me, knows not to go against Catherine when they know she's right."
"Okay, you caught me. Are you satisfied? Now can we get back to work please? This case isn't going to solve itself you know." Nick said getting embarrassed.
"Yeah yeah- oh hold on." Catherine said answering her cell phone. "Willows."
"Hey Cath, its Sam. How is your end of the case?"
"Well... we haven't really been focused, but I found some latent prints on the cash register. I just hope they aren't the store owner's."
"Yeah, me too. But, um is Nick there? Sara has his cell phone and I need to talk to him."
"Sure hold on. Nick, Sam needs to talk to you." She said tossing him the phone.
"Hey Sam. What's going on?"
"Hi Nick, uh, Greg and I won't be able to make it tonight. I hope you aren't too upset."
"No that's okay. But we'll miss you guys though."
"Yeah, I'll bet!" she said making them both laugh.
"No...seriously."
"I know. Hey can you put Catherine back on please?"
"Sure. Cath, here."
"Thanks. Hey, what's going on?"
"Greg and I aren't going tonight."
"Oh...okay."
"What?"
"Well, never mind."
"Okay- Anyway, I was wondering if you needed someone to watch Lindsey tonight."
"Sure. I hope you don't mind. I was going to ask you but, I wasn't sure if you would want to."
"Catherine, how long have we known each other?"
"Oh, only...forever."
"Exactly. When have I ever not wanted to spend time with Lindsey?"
"Never. But I thought that you and Greg would want a night alone. I mean you haven't been feeling well lately and I wasn't sure you were up to it."
"Catherine, you know as well as I do that I could never say no to you or Lindsey. Besides, remember we scheduled that doctor's appointment for tomorrow? I'm feeling much better anyway. I think it was just a stomach virus or something."
"Well we're still going to go just incase it is 'something'. But are you sure you don't want a night alone with Greg? I mean he has had to take care of you and it couldn't have been much fun for either of you."
"I'm fine! You and grissom are the ones who need a night out. So go have fun."
"Thank you so much Sammie. You're a life saver."
"Yeah I know. You guys should get back to work. I can pick Lindsey up from school if you want. And you can stop by to see her on your way to the party."
"Okay. That is probably good because it would be hectic to have her running around while we are trying to get ready. And we have to go to the store to get something for Sara too."
"Okay. Hey if you want, Lindsey can spend the night. You can bring her things when you stop by later. You guys can stay out as late as you want, and Lindsey can stay up as long as she wants." Sam said laughing.
"You think so huh? Well, that is a good idea though. Sam I really owe you one."
"No don't be crazy! You guys need a night out and we love spending time with Lindsey. I mean, come on. Who can say no to that face?"
"Yeah people can't resist her. Thanks Sammie. I'd better go so I can call the school and tell them that you and Greg are going to take Lindsey home. Then we need to get back to work so we can bust out of here early in time for the party. I'll see you later."
"Okay, bye Catherine."
"I'm sorry Nick. I just can't go. I don't have a date."
"Oh come on Jim, I know someone who would love to go with you."
"Oh yeah! Who?" He said expectantly.
"Jacqui, from the print lab. She's had her eye on you for a while."
"Really! I mean...yeah okay."
"Wait a minute! You like her? Man, go and talk to her. Please, I want this to be a real party." Nick said grinning.
"Okay! Fine, come on." Brass said grabbing Nick's sleeve.
"Hey man! What are you doing?"
"Oh you're coming with me. You started it, and you can watch me finish it."
"Owwww! Fine not so hard!"
"Greg that's none of your business. What do you care anyway? You aren't even going."
"Yeah, so. Then what will it hurt?"
"Okay, fine. You know Layah Daniels?"
"From day shift?"
"Yeah. We are good friends and she said she would go with me. Satisfied?"
"Cool. She's nice."
"Yeah you're tellin' me!" Warrick said making them both laugh.
"Well, I hope you guys have a good time."
"Yeah you too. Lindsey is a good kid. You should have fun."
"We will. I'll see you later Warrick."
"Bye Greggo." Warrick said as Greg left the break room and headed for his lab.
A/N: So? Will Brass get his date? What DID Nick get for Sara? And why am I asking you the questions? LOL I know that was REALLY long. But I have so much written down. If it is too boring, let me know so I can edit it okay? It will get better though, I promise. Just give me one or two...and a half chapters and it should begin to get better. But please let me know if it is as boring as I think you might think it is okay? Oh my goodness! Somebody hit me! I'm thinking!
Sweet Jorja