"You paged me?" Nick asked as he walked into Jacqui's lab.
"Yeah I got a match on the prints from the daycare center. A Ronnie Simons apparently he's a father of one of the children and he and his ex wife are going through a bitter custody battle," Jacqui explained.
"Thanks a lot I'll go call Brass," Nick said as he headed for the door pulling out his cell phone as he went. An hour later Ronnie Simons was being lead away in handcuffs and Nick was preparing to clock out. He smiled as he saw Dacia standing in front of her locker with her purse in her hand.
"How's it going?" Nick asked.
"I'm ok, kind of tired, but not ready to be alone. You wanna come over for breakfast and a movie?" Daish asked tentatively.
"Sure I'd love to. I'll follow you over," Nick offered. Daish nodded as she headed out of the lab ready for some much needed down time.
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"Is there anything I can do?" Nick asked as he got himself settled on the couch.
"No just relax I'll be there in a minute," Daish answered. A few minutes later they each had a plate of eggs, bacon and toast and were watching The Princess Bride.
"I never picked you for a fan of the Princess Bride?" Daish said as she laughed.
"Well with five sisters I grew to like it. Especially 'cause' I watched it about a hundred times," Nick defended. Daish tossed her head back and laughed. If she had told any of their friends that this macho Texan liked The Princess Bride they would have laughed in her face. "C'mon you gotta admit that Buttercup and Wesley make a cute couple," Nick challenged.
"Yeah I suppose they do," Dacia agreed. Nick stood up to carry his dishes into the kitchen and placed them in the sink. Daish followed behind him surreptitiously checking him out. /Stop it before you get caught./ Daish scolded herself. After she placed her dishes in the sink she turned to head back to the living room, but tripped over her own two feet and felt herself falling. Without thinking she reached out her arms for something to hold on to. Instinctively she grabbed on to Nick. Nick wrapped his arms around her to steady her. As soon as she felt his arms around her she lifted her head and made eye contact with him. There eyes locked on each other and she got lost in those beautiful brown eyes. Before she realized what was happening she was leaning into him. Nick reached a hand up and cupped her cheek. Daish smiled at the touch of his hand on her cheek, and leaned into it. Their faces were mere inches apart. She could feel his breath on her lips. She closed the distance and pressed her lips to his. Nick was shocked for a moment, but quickly responded to the kiss pulling her closer and sliding the hand from her cheek to the back of her neck. His other hand found it's way to her hip. When it became necessary to breathe they pulled back, but Nick refused to release his hold on her.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have done that," Daish whispered.
"Don't be, I'm glad you did," Nick admitted just as softly. Daish looked up in surprise.
"You are?" she asked incredulously.
"Yes I've been wanting to do that since you took care of my hand the first night you were here," Nick answered. Dacia blushed at the memory.
"So what is this?" Daish asked.
"Well I like you, and if that kiss is any indication you like me too," Nick said with a happy smile. "So how about we give this a try. Will you be my girlfriend, Dacia Diane Luck?" Nick asked as he flashed her a brilliant smile.
"Yes I will, Nicky," Daish answered as she leaned in and claimed his lips once more.
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The next night Nick and Dacia walked into the lab hand in hand. They had decided not to come right out and tell their friends they knew the investigators would eventually figure it out. Sara was the first one to spot the couple. She beamed at them as she caught sight of their joined hands.
"It's about damn time congratulations you guys," Sara said triumphantly as she hugged each of them.
"What do you mean it's about time?" Nick asked.
"Oh c'mon, Nicky everyone saw the chemistry between the two of you," Sara argued back. Nick just laughed as Daish blushed. Once Sara had figured it out news spread like wild fire.
"Nicky, Daish could I see both of you in my office, please?" Grissom asked walking over to them. Nick and Dacia traded anxious glances as they headed for Grissom's office.
"Sure thing, Griss," Daish answered for the two of them. Grissom sat down behind his desk, and indicated that the two of them should sit in the chairs in front of the desk.
"Is it true that you two are dating?" Grissom asked with a smile curling up his lips.
"Yes it is," Dacia replied.
"Well first of all congratulations it's about time," Grissom said with a chuckle. Nick's eyes widened even Grissom noticed.
"What is it, Nicky? Surprised that I figured it out?" Grissom asked cheekily.
"Well, uh, maybe?" Nick stammered. Grissom just smiled and continued his speech.
"Secondly as long as your relationship doesn't interfear with your work it's fine with me," Grissom finished.
"Thanks, Griss," Nick said as he gave his boss a relieved look.
"I'm just glad that Nicky has someone to keep him on his toes," Grissom declared.
"You bet I will," Dacia answered as she elbowed Nick in the ribs. Nick gave her a mock affronted look which only succeeded in making her laugh.
"Ok well get back to work you two," Grissom said motioning them out of his office.
"You got it, Boss," Nick said giving him a mock salute.. Grissom just laughed at the younger man as the door to his office closed.
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Four months had past and Nick and Dacia's relationship was going great. "So everything's a go?" Catherine asked as she sat around the break room with the rest of the team accept Dacia who was in the morgue.
"Yeah Nicky your getting her to come to the break roome at the end of shift, right?" Warrick asked.
"Yeah," Nick replied as he kept glancing towards the door looking for the woman they were talking about.
"Do you think she suspects anything?" Greg asked.
"No I don't think so it's been a busy coupla weeks," Sara answered.
"Here she comes," Nick said as he saw his girlfriend walking down the hall. Everyone reached for the paperwork that they were working on. They couldn't wait for the party to celebrate Dacia being at the crime lab for six months. Nick smiled he was really glad that Grissom had hired the wonderful and energetic blonde young woman. Nick looked at his watch it was finally time to get Dacia for the party. Nick packed up his paperwork and headed for the lab Dacia had shut herself in.
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"Knock, knock," Nick said as he knocked on the door of the lab where Dacia was working.
"Hey you What's up Cowboy?" Dacia asked flashing him a sweet smile.
"Didn't you get the page?" Nick asked feigning looking at his pager. Daish looked down bewildered at her pager.
"No who paged me?" Daish asked.
"Grissom he paged all of us he wants us to meet in the break room," Nick answered.
"But there's only ten minutes left on shift," Daish whined.
"I know, but lets see what he's got maybe we have another case," Nick replied. Daish just sighed as she nodded.
"Okay, lets go," Daish answered standing and putting her paperwork away to return to at a later time.
"Ladies first," Nick said as he held open the door for her. Daish smiled Nick was such a gentlemen and it wasn't just an act to impress her that was truly who Nick was.
"I wonder why none of the techs are in their labs," Daish commented.
"Hmm, maybe Griss paged them to," Nick suggested. Daish just shrugged as she reached the break room. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of the banner that stretched the length of the break room that said Happy sixth month anniversary at the crime lab Daish. Her hand flew to her mouth as she stared awe struck at the group of people standing in the room.
"Surprise!' they all cried.
"Wow, you guys. I can't believe you did this," Daish said as she made her way into the room with Nick's hand at the small of her back.
"Well why wouldn't we?" Greg asked as he swept the young woman into a hug. Everyone else hugged her and told her they were glad that she was there. The party was in full swing when Ecklie poked his head in.
"Don't you guys have work to do?" Ecklie asked acidly.
"Actually, no, we don't," Grissom said.
"Our shift ended fifteen minutes ago," Catherine explained. Ecklie just turned and walked off in a huff.
"Well I'm glad he didn't stay and put a damper on the party," Daish said cheekily.
"You got it, girl," Warrick agreed.
"So what are you guys doing for Christmas Daish?" Catherine asked as she looked at the young couple doing her best not to give away the fact that she knew more than she was letting on.
"Well Nicky's coming home with me for Christmas and I'm going to Texas as soon as we can get some vacation time," Dacia explained.
"Meeting the parents sounds serious," Sara said. Nick blushed but smiled. He thought of the Christmas present he had in his dresser and couldn't wait to give it to Daish.
"I can't believe that Christmas is in three weeks," Greg exclaimed.
"Me neither, Greggo," Daish agreed as she yawned. Her hand came up to cover her mouth and she blushed.
"Sorry guys," Dacia said sheepishly.
"Don't worry about it. It's been a busy couple of weeks, go on home and we'll see you tonight," Grissom said.
"Ok see you guys tonight," Dacia called as she turned and headed for the door of the break room.
"You comin' Nicky?" Daish asked.
"Yeah I'll be there in a minute," Nick answered.
"Okay see you in a minute," Dacia agreed as she walked into the hall and headed to the locker room to get her coat and purse. It had been a long shift and she was definitely ready to go home and sleep.
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Nick waited until Dacia was out of earshot before addressing the remaining team members.
"Were you able to get the time off for everyone, Griss?" Nick asked.
"Yes Ecklie wasn't happy about it, but I argued that it was either give all of us the vacation or risk burn out. Besides we usually get stuck covering for the day shift so they can have the vacation. I figured we were due for one," Grissom pointed out.
"Well I've arranged the hotel for all of you. Your getting there on Christmas Eve right?" Nick asked.
"Yeah in the morning," Catherine supplied.
"Your sure about this, aren't you moving kinda fast, Bro?" Warrick asked with a slight bit of concern in his voice.
"I know it's fast, but she's the one for me, man. I can feel it," Nick defended.
"Okay I just want you to be happy," Warrick argued.
"I know you do, Rick, and, trust me I am," Nick replied with a big smile.
"Well with that grin that's the size of Texas I'd say that you most definitely are," Sara said. Everyone just laughed as Nick blushed.
"Well I gotta get goin' but I'll see you tomorrow since it's my night off," Nick said as he headed out the door. Just before he could leave the break room though, Jacquie called his name.
"Nicky you gotta see this c'mon," Jacquie called as she walked towards the locker room. Nick just nodded as he followed her, but what he really wanted to do was go home and get some much needed sleep. The rest of the team followed just as curious as Nick to see what had brought such a tender smile to Jacquie's face. Nick chuckled at the sight that met him when he walked into the locker room.
"What is it?" Greg asked the lab tech. Jacquie shushed him and pointed her finger straight ahead.
"Awww, isn't that cute," Catherine cooed. Dacia was half sitting, half laying on the bench and sleeping against her locker. Nick chuckled as he walked over and gently lifted the sleeping young woman into his arms, careful not to wake her.
"C'mon you can't be comfortable sleeping like that. Lets get you home, sweetheart. You need sleep," Nick soothed as he guided Dacia's head to his shoulder. Nick reached in his pocket and got out his keys.
"Hey Greggo, go unlock my Tahoe will you? I wanna get her home," Nick requested, tossing him the keys.
"Sure but what about her car?" Greg asked.
"It should be ok for today," Nick replied.
"I'll make sure it gets to her place," Sara offered.
"Thanks," Nick whispered as he adjusted his sleeping girlfriend. Dacia didn't wake up, just snuggled deeper into Nick's embrace and mumbled something incoherent. Nick followed Greg out and got Dacia settled in the passenger seat.
"See you tomorrow, Greggo," Nick said.
"Yep see you then," Greg called back as he shut the passenger side door and headed for his own Tahoe. Nick stood there lost in thought until a car honking jolted him back to reality and he climbed into the Tahoe and slid the key into the ignition and pulled out of the parking lot after looking over at his sleeping love.
TBC?