Title: You Hold Me Together

Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or any of the characters along with it. Please don't sue me! I'm a poor college student.

Ch.1 --"What's His Name"

Nick sat down hard on the bench in the locker room and sighed heavily. Warrick nodded as he opened his locker to stow his things, "Yep...me too."

Catherine had been out all week long since she and Lindsey both had the flu. Sara was on vacation, which was very odd for her. So, in the process, Nick and Warrick pulled a double to cover a huge case that had come through. Nick rubbed his eyes as he stood, "I don't think I've ever been this tired before."

Warrick agreed as he shut his locker door, "I hear ya. Did you talk to Sara?"

Nick shook his head, "Not for a few days."

Nick and Sara had become really good friends over the past six months. Ever since Grissom decided to turn her down for dinner along with many other things, she'd been really depressed, "She said she was having fun with...what's his name and she be back Thursday night."

Warrick eyed him, "Are you jealous?"

Nick's head shot up, "What...me? No." He looked back into his locker and starred at it blankly. Jealous. He'd never thought of it like that. Warrick chuckled a little and Nick gave him a look. Warrick grinned tiredly, "Alright...I'll leave you alone. See you later."

"Yeah...," Nick huffed he pulled out his jacket.

Warrick leaned back in the door way, "Nicky..."

Nick looked over at Warrick. Warrick grinned devilishly, "His name's Brad."

Nick rolled his eyes at Warrick's laughter as he left. Nick shook his head as he closed his locker door, "Brad..."

Next Shift.

Sara sat in the break room sipping her coffee slowly, smiling. She had just spent an amazing week with Bradley Conner, her boyfriend. Boyfriend. She was happy for once in her life. Of course, she thought she was happy with Hank. She was wrong. She wasn't wrong about Brad though. No, she couldn't be. They had been dating officially for almost two months. She smiled broadly, 'He could be the one.'

"Someone looks happy."

She looked up at Warrick as he poured more coffee in his coffee cup and joined her on the couch. She gave a little laugh, "I...had a great vacation."

"You look like it. How's Brad?"

"He's good...He doesn't have to work until tomorrow...I unfortunately do."

Nick walked in, "Unfortunately? That doesn't sound like you."

Sara grinned at him. He smiled, "Did you and Brian have fun?"

"His name's Brad and yes we did."

Nick stiffened his jaw, 'Brad...yes that's his name. Big freakin yah!'

"Alright," Grissom came in looking grim as ever, "Sara and Nick, 419. Warrick, you and I are going to finish the Williams Case."

Nick took the slip of paper and motioned to Sara, "After you."

"Thank you. Hey Gris," she smiled as she walked past him followed by Nick.

Grissom watched her walk down the hall with Nick laughing and he looked at Warrick. Warrick smiled sheepishly, "She had a good vacation."

"Right...with Ben."

Warrick shook his head, "Brad."

"Right." They stood there in silence for a second then finally moved toward the evidence room.

Nick smiled politely as he listened to Sara talk about her amazing week with...Brad Conner. Nick sighed silently; he wished it was him taking her out, making her laugh, and making her smile. Sara studied him quietly. He was still nodding. She had finished talking almost two minutes ago.

"Nick?"

He looked at her and then at the road, "Yeah, I am glad you had a good time."

"You said that already. I stopped talking a few minutes ago. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Just...thinking about some things."

"Thinking about some girl, huh?" Sara said playfully. She knew well he hadn't seen anyone in almost eight months. It was almost unheard of for a man as handsome and sweet as Nick. Nick gave her a weak smile, if she only knew the girl.

"Something like that."

Nick pulled the Tahoe into the driveway of the apartment complex. Sara got out grabbing her kit. Brass was waiting for them a couple yards away. Nick slowly got out taking his case with him. Sara was smiling. It was obvious that Brad had a good affect on her. He shook his head at the thought of the sandy blonde blue haired detective she'd had fallen head over heals for. Thanks to Brass. The almighty matchmaker.

"Hey guys. Sara, how was your vacation with Bradley?"

Nick rolled his eyes as he looked down at the ground aimlessly. He was tired of hearing about wonder boy.

"It was great." Brass smiled gingerly, "Well...just for a warning. He got called in with me, so..."

Sara turned a little red, "I...understand."

Nick cleared his throat reminding them they were at a crime scene. Brass nodded, "This way."

Sara and Nick followed Brass. Sara roamed her eyes across all the faces searching for Brad while Nick tried to ignore the fact he was here. "Neighbor found her this evening while taking out the trash. Debbie Castle, 31, according to David cause was strangulation and TOD was about two hours ago."

"Thanks Brass," Nick said as he knelt down beside the body, "Sorry we missed David. I missed the turn off the interstate."

"It can be a little tricky getting out here." Nick and Sara looked up. Brad. Nick sighed inwardly as Brad winked at Sara.

"Don't think I've met you yet...," Brad said as he knelt down across from Nick. Nick smiled politely, "Nick Stokes...forgive me if I don't shake hands."

He said as he slid his hands into his latex gloves. Brad nodded, "I've heard about you. A lot about you."

Nick looked at Sara then quickly at Brad, "Really?"

Brad nodded, "Well, I've got work to do. Bye Cupcake."

Nick looked over at Sara who was blushing a little, "Cupcake?"

"Don't ask."

"I won't...cupcake..." Nick grinned as he heard her sigh with frustration, "Alright...I'll take the perimeter. You can have the body."

She watched him walk away before returning her gaze to the half naked body, "You and me, cupcake."

Greg stomped out of the lab frustrated running into Nick. Nick was knocked back, "Whoa...where's the fire Greggo?"

Greg shook his head as he kept going. Nick watched him go until he rounded the corner. He walked slowly into the lab. Grissom...he had been a little touchy lately. Actually, a lot touchy. He had been getting into arguments with people. Nick had managed to stay away from him until now, "Hey Gris."

Grissom didn't even look up from the microscope. He didn't even acknowledge his presence. Nick nodded slightly, "What's up with Greg? He just almost pile-drived me to get out of this place."

"Yeah." Grissom shifted on the stool as he looked at his paper. He didn't say anymore and Nick knew he wouldn't get anymore out of him. Nick walked out of the lab area and past Sara.

"Sara..." She turned to Nick. Nick noticed the frustration and distress on her face.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing...," she put on a fake smile that Nick knew was definitely fake. He knew everyone of Sara's facial expressions. He wasn't sure if it was obsession, infatuation, or love.

"Okay...I wouldn't go in there. Grissom's kinda...Grissom right now."

Sara became fidgety with the file she held. Nick shook his head as he crossed his arms, "Sara, you tell me anything. You know that right?"

She looked down at the ground as she stepped closer to him. She spoke low, "He's angry with me."

Nick inhaled slowly, "But Gre..."

"No..." she whispered, "I told Grissom something and he got a little upset with me. Greg came in saying something about how he wanted to take the proficient test and he snapped on him. It's my fault."

Nick gestured her to the side of the hall as he lowered his voice, "What did you say to him?"

Sara looked down, "That I transferring."

Nick felt like he had been hit with a sledge hammer. Transferring. Why? Didn't she like it here? Yes she did, she told him she did. Maybe he was wrong, "Why? Sara...You said you loved it here......where are you going?"

"New York."

Nick nodded faintly. He was loosing his Sara. He looked down at her hands as her fingers rubbed the file nervously, "So...you're not happy here."

She bit her lip. Why can't she just say it? Its life, this kind of stuff happens all the time. She felt sad, leaving her best friend here.

"Brad asked me to go with him. (Nick looked up at her. She didn't meet his eyes.) He asked me to marry him."

Chapter 2 coming Soon