-1Chapter 3

4:00 am, and finally at their destination, Nick turned the Tahoe into the hotel parking lot. Sleep finally taking a tole on him, he decides to check in and get a good rest before starting the case and getting, if lucky, power naps in between DNA tests.

Nick looked over at Miss-Sleeping-Beauty. She looked to peaceful, gorgeous laying there. He didn't want to wake her up, but, of course, didn't want to just leave her there either.

"Sar," Nick whispered to her softly, "sweetie... we're here."

Sara didn't budge. Stubborn awake, stubborn asleep.

"Sar, come on. We're at the hotel."

Realizing Sara was probably deep in her dreams, and knowing how irritated it was when people woke him up from his amazing Sara-dreams, Nick decided to carry her into the hotel. Stepping out of his door and walking around to unbuckle Sara, he couldn't wait to have her in his arms. After the unbuckling-seatbelt task was done, he tucked one arm under Sara's legs and the other on her back. He gently moved her out of her seat and into his arms, closing the door with his hip. Sara seemed to cuddle closer to his chest, making Nick very tempted to kiss her glimmering lips.

He finally made it inside the hotel, Sara still sound asleep in his arms. He turned and saw a petite brunette behind the large front desk, clearly amused with the smile on her face.

Nick flashed a smile back, "Hello."

"Hi," the woman said, "do you... need a hand?"

Noticing the little joke tied in the question, Nick let out a small chuckle, "Um.. I think I got this," motioning his eyes to the angel in his arms, "but, I won't mind you getting a room out, Miss..."

"Amy Haulburg," the young woman said, smiling, "a suite for you and your wife..."

Nick's eyes bulleted up to the woman, "Wife? No, we're not together..."

Amy nodded, turning her face to the computer monitor and saying under her breath, "not yet."

The two words didn't go unnoticed by Nick, causing his face to lighten, smile to excel and mind to wonder.

"Ok, so do you want two rooms, one bed in each; or one room, two beds?" Amy asked, looking back up at Nick and the sleeping Sara.

Nick knew what he wanted. Heck, Amy knew what he wanted. He just didn't know what Sara would want. Should he take a chance?

"Um... what's... what's the cheapest?" Nick asked, knowing the answer already.

Amy smiled, "one room."

Nick looked down at Sara, "one room ok with you, Sar?" smiling, he turned his attention back to Amy, "could you show us there?"

Amy nodded, grabbing the room key-card and walking out from behind the desk, motioning for Nick to follow her to his room.

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Finally, letting Sara out of his embrace, he gently lied her down on one of the beds in the room. She looked so beautiful, lying there. How nick wished he could fall asleep next to her every night, feel her warm body flush against his bare skin, knowing that in the morning, he'll wake up to her by his side, giving her a kiss on the cheek to showing how he loves her. No matter what the case, no matter what the crime, he could always hug her and feel secure, safe.

Nick walked over to his bed and ripped off the covers. Laying the blanket on top of Sara, he tucked some stray hairs behind her ear. Did she have any idea what she was doing to him?

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After grabbing the bags from the car and finding another blanket, Nick finally decided to get some much needed sleep. Pulling his shirt over his head, he crawled into his bed, quickly looking over at Sara before tuning off his light and letting his dreams take him over.

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Light peeked through the curtains of the hotel room. Turning over on her side, Sara saw that the clock said 7:00. How long had she been asleep?

Arms stretched, Sara looked over at the other bed, containing a shirtless Nicky. His tanned chest, sleeping muscles, dreaming eyes. Talk about a good morning.

One room? Sara thought. At first, she thought they'd each get their own rooms. Guess Nick had other plans; not that she minded. Who wouldn't want to share a room with Nick Stokes? Waking up to him half naked every morning. Having the thought that he's changing in the next room. Dream come true really.

"Good morning," Nick said, smiling as he noticed Sara was staring at his chest.

Sara came out of her haze and looked up into Nick's brown eyes, "Good morning."

"Good sleep?" nick asked, completely aware of Sara checking out his arms.
"Yeah. How long did I sleep for?" Sara asked, bring her eyes back up to his.

"Since... 12? I carried you in. Hope you don't mind that we share the same room. It was much cheaper," Nick replied, hoping Sara didn't see the little lie tucked in there.

"No, no," Sara quickly said, "You're fine.. I mean," Sara smiled, pink filling up her cheeks, "it's fine. Doesn't matter to me," she paused for a second, a smiled crossed her face, "you carried me in?"

Nick let a smile break out across his tired lips, "You looked so peaceful. Didn't want to wake you. Besides, if I can carry that body-bag," Nick said, motioning with his eyes toward Sara's suitcase, "I can easily carry you."

Sara smiled as she stood up and let out a snicker, "Well, thank you Mr. Stokes."

"Anytime Miss Sidle," Nick replied, letting his eyes wander all over her morning skin. The morning sun made her arms glow. He face lit up, smile and eyes. He wants her; he needs her... he loves her.

Sara laced her fingers through her hair, "Well, we should probably be getting ready. We should of been at the crime scene last night."

Nick stepped out from under the covers and walked toward Sara, "Yeah, we'll just say we had... car troubles. They'll believe us."

Sara nodded in agreement. Detectives could usually fall for any excuse the CSIs gave them. Funny the way that worked, they're not supposed to believe someone, mostly a suspect, without sufficient evidence. Sara turned around and practically ran into Nick's bare chest. His manly scent, soft skin. The idea of running her hands down his body was becoming quite tempting. Looking up into Nick's brown eyes, she suddenly had the state of mind to say something.

"Well," Sara said, swallowing and taking a deep breath as she bent down to grab some clothes from her bag, "I'm gonna go take a shower."

Nick smiled. Fully naked Sara in the next room, "Not if I beat you there," Nick said, flashing a teasing smile before bursting toward the bathroom.

"Nick!" Sara yelled, running after him.

Before Nick could open the bathroom door, Sara pounced on his back, wrapping her arms around his neck and putting her legs around his waist. Laughing and tugging, she attempting to take him down but not succeeding.

"Sar!" Nick laughed, hands pressed against the door, "get off!"

"No!" Sara said, trying even harder to bring him to the ground.

"Sara..." Nick laughed even more, "you're not gonna be able to take me down. I'm stronger."

Sara ignored that as she made Nick move closer to her bed. As soon as they were close, she pushed Nick onto the bed, falling down on top of him afterward. Bodies flush against each other, they started to feel awkward, but Sara still feeling confident, "I get the bathroom first," she said, smile spreading across her face in victory.

Nick smiled, "Fine, you win."

Sara smiled as she ruffled her hands through Nick's hair. Moving her hands back to his chest, she pressed down on him and pushed herself off. Nick let out a chuckle. This was going to be an interesting few days. Hopefully they could wake up and do this every morning.