Title: Colorado
Pairing: N/S
Rating: PG 13 – but there may be an "R" chapter or two
Summary: Nick and Sara taking that trip to Colorado. Sequel to 'Getting to Know You'
Author's Notes: I just wanted to thank everyone who reviewed 'Getting to Know You'. It was really a fun piece to write. This is dedicated to my Snickers, especially the Golden Girls – as Emily calls them. ;-)
Warning: As in the prequel to this story, the characters may not seem the same way as they are written on the show. So you don't need to point that out to me in your reviews. Also, I realize 'Getting to Know You' was in the Humor category, but this story is not.
Disclaimer: I don't own CSI, but if George, Gary, or Eric ever wanted to come visit me for a very long time, I wouldn't be opposed.
~~$~@~$~~
"Are we there yet?"
"No"
"Are we there yet?"
"No"
"Are we there yet?"
"Sara!"
Sara looked over at Nick with an innocent look on her face. "Yes?" she asked sweetly.
"We just got into Colorado, hon. We won't be to Estes Park for another few hours"
Sara let out a sigh and leaned back in her chair, flipping on the portable CD player that rested in her lap. She pulled the headphones up so they covered her ears, and closed her eyes.
Hey there boy did ya happen to know
Wherever you go I'll follow
Ooh babe you're like a cool breeze
On a summer day
When you're near me
I don't know what to do
I feel like a fool
Like a school girl
True blue girl
Who wants to know
Can you come out and play
You make me feel the way
A woman is supposed to feel
Let me show you
Show you that my love's for real
Sara sang softly along with the lyrics of the Christina Aguilera song "Love for All Seasons" as Nick weaved in and out of the light traffic on I-70.
It had been only a month since the night shift played that little game of 'Getting to Know You'. It had been an eye-opening experience for all of them. And Nick had to admit, it was a great idea, and he felt a little closer to his co-workers. He had already been close to them, but it was nice to just sit around and joke with all of them-including Grissom.
Nick spotted a sign for a rest area not too far away and decided to pull off since this was probably the last one before they got off of the main highway and made their way into the mountains.
Sara was still lying in the seat beside him with her eyes closed, singing quietly. He could never argue about her voice. She was talented. He often wondered if she and Warrick would get together to write a song together.
I'll be the rain in your summer
The chill in your fall
I'll be watcha want
Anything at all
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time
I'll be the fire in your winter
The sun in your spring
I'll do what you want
Give ya everything
I've got a love for all seasons
A love for all time
"Sara" Nick tried getting her attention, placing his hand on top of hers.
"Yeah?" she asked, groggily.
"There's a rest area coming up in a mile. I'm going to go ahead and stop."
Sara pulled her head phones off. "Do you need me to drive?"
Nick shook his head. "No. Once we get off 70, it's only another hour and a half or so. I'll be fine."
"All right" Sara placed her headphones back over her ears and continued to sing.
I'll be there for you
Keepin you warm
Through the storm
I'll guide you
Stand by you until the stars
Fall from the sky
When you call me
I never hesitate
Makin you wait for my love
Never lie love
It's something that I just can't deny
I'll read your each and every feelin
When you need me to
So now I gotta let you know
This love's for you
"Sara?"
"Yeah, Nick?"
"I love you"
Sara smiled, and intertwined her fingers with his. "I love you, too."
Nick spotted the exit for the rest area and pulled off the highway and into the parking lot of the dimly lit rest area. The sun had set a little less than an hour ago, and they weren't near a major city, so the only light came from the parking lot of the run-down rest area.
Once Nick turned the ignition off, Sara unbuckled her seat belt, turned off the CD player, set it aside, and hopped out of the car; eager to stretch her legs.
Nick quickly followed suit and joined her in front of his brand new GMC Denali. He looked around the parking lot and then turned to Sara. "There's no one else here"
Sara stood up straight, and stretched her arms above her head. "I know. Kinda creepy, huh?"
Nick nodded in agreement.
"Well, I'm gonna go use the little girls' room. I'll be right back." Sara began walking towards the small brick building.
"Sara" Nick called after her, jogging to close the distance between them.
"What, Nick? I have to pee"
"Just go fast. I don't like this place at all. I'll wait for you outside of the ladies room when I'm done"
Sara leaned over and kissed Nick on the lips. "Don't worry."
"Sara-"
"Nick, if I don't get in there soon, we're going to have more than just this scary place to worry about"
Nick smiled in spite of himself. "Okay. Go fast"
"I will"
Sara turned and headed into the women's restroom, while Nick quickly went into the men's.
You don't have to search no more
Baby you don't have to dream
Cause what I've got inside for you
It's all that you'll ever need
Nick finished his business as fast as he could and went and stood outside of the women's restroom. He found the map that says 'You Are Here' and began calculating exactly how long it would take them to get to Estes Park.
He hadn't been standing there long when he heard Sara's petrified screams.
"Sara!" He yelled before rushing into the ladies' room.
"Nick!"
She was standing at the far wall of the bathroom, with a ghostly expression on her face.
"Sara, what's wrong?" He asked as he reached her and wrapped his placed his hands on her shoulders protectively.
Sara immediately buried her face in Nick's chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Sara, honey, what happened? You're scaring me" Nick said as he rubbed her back soothingly.
Sara lifted her head up and looked around the small bathroom. "There was a man…"
"In here?" Nick asked.
She nodded in response.
"Are you sure? There wasn't a single vehicle outside"
Sara stepped out of his embrace and walked around the bathroom, checking each of the 8 stalls. "I could have sworn…"
"Maybe you're just tired. Or it could have been a shadow. Or maybe you're mind is just playing tricks on you."
Sara looked at him skeptically.
"Hey, it could happen. When I was younger I was at the grocery store and I could have sworn I saw a little girl sitting in the middle of one of the aisles playing with a doll, but when I took a second look she was gone"
Sara turned back to face Nick, and shook her head. "I don't know, Nick. Let's just get out of here, okay?"
"Yeah, sure"
Nick took Sara by the hand and led her out to his Denali. He knew Sara wasn't one for getting spooked easily, but he didn't want to question it, for fear of upsetting her further. This was definitely something he'd keep an eye on, though.
As soon as Sara got back in the SUV, she put her headphones on and hit the 'power' button her CD player. She closed her eyes, and soon drifted off to sleep without another word about the mysterious man in the bathroom.
You don't have to search no more
My heart is yours
For real for sure
You don't have to wonder why
I'll never leave
I'll never lie
~~$~@~$~~
TBC
~~$~@~$~~
Well, what do you think? I know it's kinda off the wall and totally different than the prequel, but it's just what I felt like writing. So please review!