Disclaimer: I own nothing so please don't sue.My car needs gas and the way things are going I'm already going to owe the oil company my first born.

Rating: K -for this part, probably not for the next

Pairing: Nick/Sara friendship-could become more

A/N: Ok, here's the deal. I'm not a writer. I would never claim to be a writer. I even managed to get through an Arts degree without taking an English class - booyah ! LOL I just had an idea and it isn't perfect but I did work hard on it. So please, be gentle.

Hope you enjoy !

Nick was in the locker room. He and Warrick had just finished processing a DB in a hot, sticky warehouse and he was feeling less than comfortable in his sweat-soaked T-shirt. Just as he was pulling a fresh shirt over his head, a locker door opened behind him. He turned to see Sara sit down on the bench, her gaze fixated on the back wall of her locker.

"Hey Sara, how are ya?" he asked while buttoning up his blue shirt. When she didn't answer, he turned back to see her pulling out her jacket. "A little early to be heading home isn't it?" He watched as she let out a heavy sigh.

"I guess", she answered quietly. Apparently Nick hadn't noticed that she had been at the lab for almost twenty four hours. She was going to say something but thought better of it. Nick was just being Nick. There was no need for her to take her anger out on him. Anger, frustration, sadness; those were in the forefront of her mind. Fatigue was one that was striving for top spot as well. She squeezed her eyes shut in an attempt to ward off the impending headache. It wasn't so much that Grissom had commented that she needed a break, because she was indeed tired, it was the fact that he had made the decision for her. She was a grown woman, capable of taking care of herself. Even though she had been doing a piss poor job of it lately.

She was startled from her thoughts by a warm hand on her shoulder and looked up to meet a set of concerned brown eyes.

"Take it easy, okay Sar?"

She managed a fake smile, hoping it would fool not only Nick, but herself as well.

"Hey Nick, we gotta head out with Catherine." Warrick informed his colleague from the doorway. "Hey Sara."

Sara looked up briefly. "Hey Warrick."

"I'll meet you outside okay Nick? I need some supplies for my kit," he said while pushing off the doorframe and backing up.

"Uh, yea, actually I'm getting low on some stuff too, I'll come with you." Nick closed his locker and started to head out of the room. "I'll see you tomorrow Sara, try to get some rest."

Sara looked up from her lap and rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Nick. Really, I am." Her voice was tinged with annoyance.

Nick held his hands up in defense. "Ok, ok"

He grabbed his jacket off of the bench and started out the doorthenstopped and turned back, staying just outside the doorway. Sara's shoulders had slumped forwardand she was studying her fingers intently.

Warrick watched his friend enter the room. He looked deep in thought.

"You alright?"

Nick glanced over as he packed some swabs in his kit.

"Wha-yea, yea, I'm alright."

Warrick was skeptical but decided not to pry. He gathered some new print powder and placed it in his kit.

"Hey War, do you know how long Sara's been working on her case?"

Warrick flicked the latches on his kit, effectively locking it then let his hands rest on top. "Oh, I'd say it's been awhile. That call came in about mid-shift yesterday. I highly doubt she's been home."

Nick nodded as he closed his kit.

Sensing this wasn't the answer that Nick was hoping for Warrick added, "You know how focused Sara gets, she'll be alright. She's just in the zone."

"Yea, I guess so," Nick replied. Yet, the image of Sara sitting on the bench, her defeated posture was still fresh in his mind.

"Hey we better haul ass, Cath's been waitin' and I see no need to provoke her tonight." Warrick grinned and slapped a hand on Nick's back.

Nick managed a small smile. "Nor do I my friend, nor do I."

He tried to suppress his concern for Sara in order to focus on the task at hand but it proved to be easier said than done.

The refrigerator and the bedroom closet had been cleaned out. The bathroom had never been so spotless and Sara was no closer to sleep than she had been when she gotten home. She had to keep her mind occupied otherwise it would wander back to the cases she'd worked lately. It seemed that nobody wanted to steal cars or rob convenience stores anymore. No, people would rather beat their spouses and children and rape women both young and old. With one last look at the nowsparkling kitchen floor and a heavy sigh, she threw the rag in the bucket and threw said bucket into the closet. She then got into her most comfortable pajamas, made herself a cup of chamomile tea and climbed into her bed. The tea had a somewhat relaxing effect and eventually Sara slept- for three hours. After throwing her pillow across the room she got up and showered, had a very strong cup of coffee and then, seeing as how everything in her apartment wasglowing with cleanliness, she went back to work. Grissom wouldn't be there so she would be able to work in peace for a couple hours at least.
As he walked down the hall, Nick couldn't help but feel good. He was confident that the evidence he had just dropped off at DNA would solidify his already strong case; plus, his paperwork was all caught up from his last couple of cases and that makes anyone feel good. However, the good feeling was short-lived as he opened the door to the locker room and his eyes fell upon one, Sara Sidle. He stood at the door for a moment, but when Sara didn't acknowledge his presence he continued to his locker. He glanced over his shoulder as he dug through his locker.

"Rough case, huh?"

"Yea, I guess you could say that."

"Wanna talk about it?"

She inhaled deeply. "No, Nick, I'm fine."

Nick sensed that Sara might want to be left alone. She was probably just collecting herself when when I came in here. He looked at her again, an unsettling feeling growing in his gut. He debated whether to risk facing her wrath by questioning her again. It was the veil of sadness that seemed to be hanging over her that decided for him.

"Hey, have you eaten anything today?"

Sara closed her eyes. Don't do this, Nick, please. "Uh, yea, I had some . . . " She searched her brain for something that would satisfy his curiosity. Her mind was on hyper drive and her emotions had begun to overwhelm her. She was having trouble putting a coherent sentence together and she just wanted Nick to go away.

The corner of Nick's mouth curled just a little. "That's what I thought. Here... ," he handed her a rather large blueberry muffin, "...it'll take the edge off until you can get a good meal into you."

Sara stared at the muffin for a few moments. Nick watched, a little puzzled, as her hand slowly reached out toward his offering. It was then that he noticed she was trembling.

"Sara?"

He studied her face as he set the muffin down on the bench. Her unblinking eyes never strayed from the homemade treat. He knelt down beside her and resteda hand on her knee.

"Sar?"

His concern grew with each second that Sara stayed quiet. Nick dipped his head a little and looked into her eyes.They were filled to the brim with tears threatening to fall at any second.

"Hey", he said softly.

Sara closed her eyes and as she turned her head towards Nick, the tears fell. One splashedonto the bench and another landed on the hand covering her knee. She hated that Nick was seeing her like this. She worked so hardtoalways remain professionalwhile at work and at this moment she was failing miserably. She felt extremely weak and humiliated.

"What's wrong?"

Sara met his eyes and held his gaze for a moment. As the corners of his mouth turned up ever so slightly, she couldn't hold back anymore. She let one sob out and then another. Oh, God. She had never broken down like this at work. It was always when she was in the secure privacy of her apartment that she allowed her emotions to surface. I can't do this here, not in front of Nick.

"Sara."

She couldn't say anything as another sob escaped.

"Sar, how 'bout I take you home?"

Nick's voice was soothing and her fatigued mind and body urged her to accept his offer while her stubborn and angry side fought to block out his kindness. She opened her eyes and met his gaze again.

Nick spoke once more, his voice even softer than before.

"Please, Sara?"

The part of her that was so insistent on being independent finally relented once she saw the sincerity in Nick's eyes. She gave a slight nod as more tears cascaded over her wet cheeks.

Nick nodded and stood up to grab Sara's jacket and bag out of her locker. He clicked it closed and turned back to his distraught friend. Her eyes had shifted and were now focused on the muffin sitting in front of her. He sat down and enveloped her shaking hand in his. She turned slightly and gave a gentle squeeze before she stood up and wiped the unshed tears from her eyes. Without another word, they headed towards the parking lot.

She had mumbled a quiet thanks as he opened the passenger door of his Denali. The rest of the drive was silent. Occasionally, Nick would glance to his right trying to assess how she was doing. Sara kept her head turned; her eyes watching the passing lights. She wasn't sure exactly how she was feeling. It was all too much. The case, her encounter with Grissom and then Nick. She wondered briefly what Nick was thinking. He had never seen her cry. No one except Grissom had seen her cry and she wanted to keep the number of people that did to a bare minimum. That night had been so humiliating.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the Denali slowed to a stop in front of her apartment. Sara got out and shut the door as Nick came around to meet her. She wouldn't look him in the eye.

"Well, I suppose you should get back to work then."

"Yea, I suppose I should."

"I, uh, I really appreciate you driving me home. You didn't have to do that."

"I really didn't mind, Sara."

Nick didn't want to force her to confide in him but there was obviously something seriously bothering her. She had stopped crying but her eyes were still so full of despair. Nick had a feeling that whatever had gone on before he found her in the locker room would be rehashed and analysed until exhaustion forced her into a restless sleep.

He didn't know what case she had been working on but he suspected it had involved either rape or domestic abuse. He also suspected that Grissom was involved because, well, let's face it, he usually was. And finally, he had noticed that Sara was wearing the same clothes she had on early yesterday morning. After giving her another once over, Nick realized that the clothes she had on were her spare set from her locker which meant that she had been there longer than he had first thought.

"Well," he began, seeing Sara begin to grow more and more uncomfortable under his gaze, "I was heading out for coffee earlier, maybe you could save me a trip to Starbucks?"

It wasn't a lie, he was going for coffee when he found Sara in the locker room. He knew that she wouldn't ask him to stay, she probably already felt that she had been a burden to him. Of course that wasn't the case but she wouldn't be convinced of that. Seeing Sara in such an emotional and vulnerable state had shaken him and he needed to see for himself that she was alright and hopefully see to it that she get some rest. However, if she really wanted to be alone, he would respect her decision. But he'd give her the option of some company.

"Of course, Nick, come on up."

I would love to know what you thought ! P.S. Have a rockin' good day !