"Oh my goodness, Dr Grissom, I'd be honoured to interview you."
"When Ecklie sprung it on me, your name immediately popped into my mind."
If there had been a time in Nick's life when there'd been a stranger car trip, he couldn't think of it. Right now, he was driving in his Denali and after much debate over who'd get shotgun– his boss or his girlfriend – Renee had taken away the decision from him when she merely hopped in the backseat beside her luggage. Nick no longer tried to hide the grin as he had at the lab. He'd finally become comfortable enough with his boss outside of work that he didn't let something as simple as being excited over seeing his girlfriend embarrass him. Instead, Nick flicked a glance at his rear view mirror where Renee was all but gyrating in her seat. When their eyes connected, Nick just shook his head. It amazed him that he could read her so well, and she him, after just two weeks together.
"Don't look at me; I'm just as surprised as you are."
Renee leaned forward, slightly swatting Nick on the arm. "Do you realize I'm going to have a definitive paper in forensic psychology? Your boss is one of the most respected criminalists in the entire country. To shadow him on his job is like a shrink's wet dream." Then she lowered her eyes, realizing that while she was on vacation, the rest of the world was not. Murder still happened, so consequently, Grissom might not be available. This time when she spoke it was with a more subdued and professional tone. "If you're not available this week, I can rearrange my schedule so that I can make it out again sometime later…" she trailed off, nervously twisting her trio of necklaces around her fingers.
"Renee, my job on Monday and Tuesday is to help you do your job. Ecklie arranged a temporary pass so you can access to the lab and shadow me for observation."
Renee grinned, then leaned back against the seat. The week had been absolute hell for her, she hadn't gone to bed between Sunday and Wednesday, cramming as much work into those days as she possibly could so she could afford a full weekend off to visit Nick. When she saw him as she walked through the gate, as she felt those strong well muscled arms scoop her up and hold her close, she knew every gritty-eyed minute had been worth it. A serene smile spread over her face as she watched the lights of the brightest town in the United States whip past her window.
"It'll be a nice change of pace compared to last week. I'm definitely looking forward to a day or two off, and getting horizontal for a good chunk of that time."
Grissom shot a darting glance at Nick, wondering if he realized that he'd said nearly the exact same thing back at the lab.
"You can just drop me off at the lab, Nick, I'm sure you two have got…plans."
Renee bit her lip to keep from laughing as Grissom emphasized 'plans'. Obviously, given what Greg had not so kindly blurted out two weeks before to the graveyard shift CSIs, everyone knew pretty much what the first thing was on Nick's agenda when he and Renee arrived at home. Still, none of them knew the patience and caring Nick had with her. As much as she knew he'd be teased about thinking with his Southern Brain, Renee knew it was as much about passion and intimacy as much as it was satisfying that primal itch they felt around each other.
By the time they'd dropped Grissom off at the lab and headed to West Desert Drive, Nick could literally feel his fingers tingling with the thought of getting his hands on Renee again. He had always considered himself a healthily active young man, but when she flashed that smile, his thighs seemed to go to gelatine and all blood seemed to drain out of his head and concentrate below his belt. When they finally arrived home, he watched her drag a large luggage on wheels suitcase up the pathway to the front door, which he unlocked.
"You know," she grunted, the grin never leaving her face, "you could be a gentleman and help me with this."
"Are you kidding? That thing weighs like a yard of wet cement, and besides, I know you still jazzed about the interview; you need something to hang onto so you don't float away on cloud nine."
Tossing his keys aside, Nick took his jacket off, looked around his kitchen and living room space. He'd rearranged his furniture the previous weekend. "So, ah…" He took a few seconds to get his thoughts together, hoping it wasn't obvious what was at the forefront of his mind. "You hungry? I know plane-food kinda sucks. Anything you feel like having?" He turned back to face Renee.
"Oh yeah." In the blink of an eye, Renee had jumped into his arms and planted a whopping kiss on his open mouth, feasting like a starved woman. His arms wrapped around her first out of reaction. Her sudden movement had thrown him off balance so that they were now falling over the back of the couch, kissing passionately. When Renee stopped only for a moment, Nick lost all the spit in his mouth as he saw the gleam in her eye as she arched an auburn eyebrow at him.
"You."