Okay, so I know that I said this story was set somewhere in season 4ish but its more like that it's the same atmosphere that was in season 4, not the actual season. Like how close the team was and stuff, and also how young everyone was. For this story, Sara never left previously, Grissom did leave, and Warrick still died.

Sara had told someone. She had told Nick. Of all people, she had told Nick. And of course she knew that she would eventually, but she thought that perhaps she would have told Catherine first, or maybe Wendy. Not Nick. Regardless of the fact that he was her best friend. And well, the focus of her crush for the past few years. But she had never told him that, and as far as she knew, he had no idea that she even liked him. But she did.

They were at a scene together processing and collecting evidence from a triple homicide. Nick had told Sara, pleaded with her to take some time off, but she refused to listen. She was stubborn and he accepted that. But as long as someone was with her, he felt better. He knew she would be protected and that she wouldn't be left alone. And he was with her. He would protect her.

"You know, Sar . . ." Nick started in her direction as he popped up out of a squat and made his way over to her. " . . you don't have to be here. I can handle this. I'll call in Greggo." He told her for the fifth time.

Sara shook her head to refute any implications that he was making. "No" She told his politely yet curtly. "I have to do this. I can't hide away forever. And honestly . . ." She looked up right into Nick's eyes " . . . I feel better when I'm around people." She smiled at him and he smiled back.

He nodded understandingly and put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Alright, well if you need anything . . ." He trailed off as he started to walk backwards- still looking at Sara- to the area where he was taking pictures before.

Sara smiled again as she finished his sentence. "I know . . . you'll be there"

"You got it" Nick said as he turned around and finished taking pictures of the broken glass that lay all over the ground in front of him.

Just then Nick's phone rang. He picked it up after a quick glance at who it was. Greg.

"Hey Greggo, what's up?" Nick asked as he put some of his supplies back into his kit. He shifted his position to look at Sara, to check on her, and then focused back on his conversation with Greg.

"Hey" Greg began "I just finished my assault case and Catherine said to call you and see if you guys needed any help. I heard it's a triple"

"Yea it is" Nick started as he finished putting a few more things back into his metallic crime scene kit which was open on the ground next to him. "Thanks for the offer, Greggo, but we're just about finished here. Maybe just an hour or so more of work, and its like an hour drive out here as it is. Why don't you just go home early tonight, you deserve it. Tell Catherine I said hey."

"Sure thing." Greg said graciously, " . . . I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Tomorrow's our day off, Greg." Nick chuckled softly before continuing. "And it sounds to me like you really need it."

"You have no idea" Greg laughed back, and Nick could almost see his smile. "Alright, well then I'll see you guys in two days" Greg said emphasizing the two.

"Have a good day off, Greggo. Talk to you later, man." Nick said and with that he hung up. He walked over to Sara to tell her that Greg had called and that he had told him that they were almost done with their work.

"Who was that?" Sara asked as Nick approached her.

"Greg" Nick said as he finished making his way over to her. "I told him that we were almost done here."

"Good" Sara said with a nod, and just as Nick was about to turn around to go back to work, her phone rang.

She looked at it confused for a second before realizing who it was. Her face turned slightly red and Nick could tell she was getting embarrassed, so he stepped a few feet away. He took a few more pictures of various things as he waited for Sara to finish her call, and when she did she came over to him.

She continued to work as if she had never gotten a call at all, and after a few minutes Nick asked, "Who was that?"

Sara just shook he head at first but then realized that she didn't have to keep it a secret anymore. He already knew. "That was my ugh . . ." She hesitated for a second before continuing on. Whether he knew or not, the subject was still tough and embarrassing. " . . . that was my doctor's office."

Nick immediately jerked his head up and looked at her seriously and with an expression full of concern.

He felt like a complete ass for asking who had called on the phone so nonchalantly. He looked at her with eyes full of curiosity and bulging with comfort.

"Is everything alright?" He asked so quickly his words were almost merged together. He really cared for Sara and the thought of her being hurt really bothered him. It made him worried and he really just wanted to make sure she was okay.

"They actually called to tell me that they had an opening later today for an exam." Sara said slowly and unsurely. Nick understood what she meant, but she continued anyway. "You know, just to make sure everything is all right."

Nick just nodded his head up and down several times. He didn't really know what to say, but after a little bit he spoke anyway. "You want me to go with you?"

Sara jerked her head in Nick's direction. She shouldn't have been surprised. She knew how her friend was. He was the most caring, genuinely kind person she had probably ever met, and something like this was definitely not beyond his realms.

Now it was Sara who didn't know what to say. She just looked at Nick with wide eyes and he continued on. He put down his camera on the ground and walked over to Sara. "I know it's going to be hard, and I want to be there for you. I want to help you through this." He reached out gently and took hold of her right arm with his, giving her a soft and warm smile.

At this Sara almost burst into tears. Water started to build up in her eyes, but at that moment she didn't quite care. He was so nice. So unbelievably nice. Kind. Caring. Overall amazing. And not just because she had a major crush on the guy, but because it was true.

"I don't want to make you do that" Sara said with a shaky voice, knowing that she was going to start crying at any time.

"I want to." Nick said genuinely. He took another step forward and embraced her in a tight hug. "Alright?" He asked her. He knew that she wanted somebody there, that it was going to be extremely hard for her, and he wanted to do all that he could to help her no matter what.

Sara started to cry. "Okay" She said with her voice quivering. She cried into Nick's shoulder gently and he hugged her for a few minutes. "You really are the best friend anyone could ever have." Sara told him as she stepped back away from him, his arms still around her, hers still around his neck.

"Don't worry about it." Nick told her warmly as he gave her another, quick hug. "That's what friends are for."

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