Title – Keep Breathing

Category – Sara/Nick Romance, Thriller

Rating – PG

Disclaimer – I do not own CSI or any of its characters.

Author's notes – I haven't written any fanfic for years and have missed episodes of CSI so please excuse any mistakes regarding genuine storylines etc.

Sara Sidle sat in the break room with a large cup of extra strong coffee. Double shifts were easy when you were busy but when you were sitting around waiting for results to come through they really dragged. There was a big pile of paperwork that she could be getting on with but she just couldn't be bothered right now. She took a gulp of her coffee and gazed mindlessly at the TV. She knew what the problem was of course – it was her anniversary, or it should have been. It was not that she was upset as such, just that her mind seemed to be distracted by memories of Gil. She let out a long sigh just as Nick Stokes walked into the room.

"Hey, this should give you some energy," he said as he tossed a snickers in at her. He gave her a genuine smile as he sat down opposite her. "You ok?" Nick asked worriedly. He was well aware what today was but he didn't want to upset her.

"Just fed up," she smiled back. "Is it just me or has this case been a little too straight-forward?"

"I know what you mean," Nick chuckled. "How often do we have video evidence of a murder and no actual investing to do?"

"If all cases were like this I think that I would be seriously bored with our job," sighed Sara. She took her last gulp of coffee and stood to get a refill. "You want a coffee?" she asked already knowing the answer. She filled two mugs and handed one to Nick then broke the Snickers in two, handing half to her friend. "Nick, why have you stayed in Las Vegas?" she quizzed.

"Huh?" mumbled Nick with his mouth still full.

"I just wondered why you have never moved on, maybe back to Texas. You're a good CSI, you could be climbing up the career ladder. You've never mentioned going for any promotions?" She tilted her head to the left and looked intently into Nick's brown eyes.

"You trying to get rid of me Sidle?" he asked in his deep, Texan accent which Sara secretly loved listening to. He knew that there was more to Sara's question than wondering about his career aspirations.

"Of course not," she laughed, "but when I started here we were so full of plans. Remember when you, Warrick and I made our fifteen year plan, I don't remember us saying that we wanted to be in exactly the same place." Sara saw the familiar wave of sadness wash over Nick's face at the mention of Warrick. "God, I'm sorry Nick, I guess I'm just in a reflective mood tonight, it would be Grissom and mines anniversary today if…" she stopped herself there.

"I remembered," smiled Nick genuinely. He looked at his fellow CSI and felt an urge to give her a huge hug. He sensed that she didn't really want to discuss Grissom and turned the subject back to her initial question. "I don't know Sara, I guess nothing ever turns out like you plan it. If Warrick were here I'd like to think he would be where he had planned though."

Sara laughed, "He wanted to be Sheriff."

Nick couldn't help but chuckle. He missed Warrick everyday but he liked remembering him. Sara seemed to understand this, she talked about him a lot. He thought about what Sara had been asking and worried about what she was pondering. For some reason he was reluctant to ask her what was on her mind. "Are you thinking of moving on Sara?"

She looked down at her coffee and sighed. "I don't know, maybe. My old boss from San Francisco is hiring and wants me to interview. I guess I'm considering it, it would be more money and a real chance to further my career. I don't really have any ties to Vegas anymore so a part of me thinks why not."

Nick's heart sank, he selfishly did not want Sara to leave again. He had missed her terribly when she left before. He figured that it was because they were the only two original members of the team left. He was considering what he could say to make her change her mind when Greg bounced into the break room.

"Hey guys, your relief is here," he smiled. "DB called and asked if I'd come in to let you both go home. I'm not surprised, you both look like crap."

"Geez, thanks Greg," Sara and Nick said in unison. They didn't need to be told twice though, they quickly filled Greg in on the case then made a quick exit. Nick wasn't quite sure what to say to Sara, as he walked her to her car.

"Why don't we go and get something to eat?" he asked hopefully. He didn't think that she should be on her own tonight, not on her and Grissom's anniversary. He hoped that her sudden desire to leave Vegas had been brought on by the date and not because she genuinely wanted to go. She looked at him intently, smiled and gave him a quick hug.

"I'd like to Nick but I'm really tired, I think I'll just go home and jump into bed," Sara got into her car. "I'll see you tomorrow".

Nick watched her car until it was out of sight, he wished that she had come with him for food. He decided that he would make sure he would speak to her the next day and try to cheer her up, a few drinks after work would help her open up. He got into his car and decided that he would stop for some take-out on the way home.

While Nick was choosing what toppings he wanted on his pizza Sara just opened the door to her apartment. She turned on the lights, picked up her mail and headed straight for the fridge to pour herself a large glass of pinot. She sifted through bills and junk mail then suddenly a crisp white envelope caught her eye. The delivery details had been typed out but it wasn't this that had grabbed her attention, it was the name.

Star Sidle.

Sara heart raced and she felt a cold sweat cover her entire body. Nobody had called her that in twenty years. She opened the envelope with shaking hands willing it to be a mistake. It wasn't. What she read made her legs crumble beneath her and she hit the cold, tiled floor with a thud.

I'm back.