"And then did you see me almost hit that tree? Man, I thought I was a gonner!"

Sara was laughing excitedly as she went over the highlights of her first glide. Nick was grinning from ear to ear as he watched her animated diatribe.

"But I somehow managed to pull it around and then presto! Smooth sailing!"

Keith nodded, looking at Nick. "She's hooked."

Nick nodded back. "Oh yeah. Definitely."

He was still thinking back to when she'd finally landed and had come running across the field towards him, whooping and hollering. She'd jumped up and down a couple times before she'd wrapped her arms around him and squeezed for all she was worth. He'd been amazed and amused at how strong she was as she nearly cut off his air supply while they laughed, squashed together in her embrace.

Keith had stood a few feet away looking not entirely happy, and Nick felt a bit pleased with himself for a moment.

Yeah, take that buddy. You're not the only game in town.

Then he'd been confused.

Hold up, here. This is Sara I'm talking about.

He'd given himself a mental shake and tried to clear his mind of the crazy thoughts.

It's just the same old rivalry Keith and I had in college, that's all. It really has nothing to do with Sara.

But now, as he watched her continue to rave about her hand-gliding experiences, her hands fluttering around as she simulated parts of the adventure, he began to re-think this theory.

He was fairly certain he'd never seen her this excited about anything before, and for some reason it made him happy. Her face was lit up and she was smiling from ear to ear, seemingly unstoppable. Her hair was messed up, and she was wearing minimal make-up... And he couldn't deny she looked more beautiful than he'd ever seen her before. She was positively glowing.

I wonder if that's how she looks when she's...

He was thankful when Keith interrupted his thoughts, and shame washed over him as he realized where they'd been heading.

Damn, what's up with me today?

"Dude, your face is all red. Too much exercize for you, old man?" Keith was eyeing him with a superior look that he recognized all too well. The competition was apparently alive and well and his old frat buddy was getting ready for their usual game of one-upmanship.

"Whatever, man. I'm just overheating in this freakin' suit. I gotta get out of it."

Sara nodded. "I'm with you. These things are toasty."

They left their gliders where they were and made their way over to Keith's huge SUV. A couple guys from the rental office came out to sort them out.

"Good flights today, folks?"

Sara started to beam again and Nick grinned at her reply.

"It was the best!"

Nick nodded towards her, speaking to the rental guys. "Newbie."

"Hey!" She tried to look insulted, but she was just too happy to take anything seriously right now. Nick kept grinning at her and she laughed. "OK, maybe I'm a newbie, but not for long. I'm soooo coming back here. As soon as possible!"

Keith laughed too. "I'll bring you back anytime you want, Sara. Just let me know when."

Nick looked at the ground, smirking. The guy sure didn't let an opportunity go by, that was for sure.

They all started to strip out of their jumpsuits and Nick realized he was indeed roasting hot. His t-shirt was completely drenched with sweat. Sara looked at him with amusement. Then she looked at Keith to find he was similarly soaked.

"Man, you guys are disgusting. Ever hear of deoderant?"

Nick smirked at her as he pulled his shirt over his head. "Yeah well... Maybe some of us were just working harder then others out there."

Sara ducked when Nick feigned throwing his sweaty t-shirt at her and then she laughed.

"Don't even try it, pal. You'll live to regret it."

As Nick reached into his bag for his water bottle, Sara's eyes were drawn to the gleaming muscles on his back. She gulped heavily.

Man, does he seriously have muscles everywhere? Wow...

She turned away, unnerved by the direction her thoughts had taken.

Yikes. Think clean thoughts... Think clean thoughts... Think clean-

Keith was standing shirtless on her other side, playing with his belt.

And to the left we have a nice six pack of abs...

He started to look up and she knew she was blushing so she quickly glanced away again before he caught her ogling him. But Nick was suddenly standing in front of her, holding out his water bottle. Ironically, her mouth had just gone dry as a bone.

And now we have another washboard stomach over here...

"Want some water?"

She wanted to speak, but her tongue seemed to have swollen to the full size of her mouth, preventing her from saying a word.

Good God. I haven't had a date since Hank and suddenly it's raining men.

She nodded dazedly and Nick looked at her closely.

"Sara? You OK?"

She nodded and took a swig of his water. Her mouth seemed to be working again. "Um, mmm hmmm. Just thirsty... Very, um... dehydrated."

Keith looked up at the sky above them. "Damn it's getting hot out now. You guys want to go for a swim someplace?"

Sara started to worry about having to be seen in a bathing suit and immediately shook her head. "Um, I think I'll take a pass, but you guys go ahead witho-"

"No, no... We're a team now, Sara. All for one and one for all. Why don't we hit a patio somewhere? Have a few beers?"

He looked at the two of them hopefully, and Sara couldn't help but feel a little charmed by his smile.

"I could handle a few beers, I guess." Then she looked at Nick next to her. Maybe she was overstepping the bounds of her invitation today. "Unless you don't want to, Nick. It's up to you."

"C'mon, Stokes. You know you want a few brewskies." Keith encouraged.

Nick grinned. "Yeah, that sounds alright to me." He tossed his bag back into the Lincoln. "But I need to swing by my place and grab some clean clothes." He gave his friend the once over. "How 'bout you? You going with that look?"

Keith laughed and looked down at his own bare chest. "What? You don't think this works for me?" He looked at Sara in speculation. "What do you think, Sara?"

She laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck. "Uh... Sure. That'll do."

He snorted. "Hmmm. Not quite the enthusiasm I was hoping for, but I guess it'll have to do."

The three of them laughed and Keith grabbed a backpack out of the back of his SUV. "Fear not. I don't want to draw all the attention away from you Nick, so I'll throw on some clothes. Don't worry."

Nick shook his head, laughing. "Thanks, buddy. You're a true friend."


Sara sipped her Sol and watched the friendly interplay betwen the two men across the table from her. They'd had a lot of escapades during their university days, and she found herself laughing along with their stories as though she'd actually been there. And it seemed they'd had a few here in Vegas too.

Keith had actually been here longer than Nick, and he'd made his buddy feel right at home as soon as he'd hit town.

"Yeah, I showed him all the best all-you-can-eat buffets. The boy would've starved if it wasn't for me." Keith gave himself a pat on the back.

Nick smirked. "Yeah, whatever. I'll have you know I'm a pretty good cook." He looked at Sara suddenly and she laughed. She knew he was still a sucker for the occasioanl cheap buffet. She grinned back at the two men.

"Hey, don't look at me. My specialties are toast and microwave popcorn."

"Oh, Sara... That's a travesty. I'll have to take you out for a good meal sometime." Keith flashed his biggest smile.

Sara smiled back, but said nothing. Nick decided to hold his tongue, and sipped on his beer quietly. He really couldn't figure out if Sara was actually falling for all this crap...

"Well, I need to use the facilities, guys. I'll be right back." Sara stood up and made her way across the patio and inside the bar/restaurant.

Keith jumped on Nick right away.

"So, Nick... I know you said Sara was just a friend from work but... I don't know man. I'm getting a weird vibe from you."

Nick shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "Weird vibe? Dude, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"No? Well, it seems like you're squirming every time I flirt with the woman."

"It's probably because you're pulling out all the lameass stops. She's not dense you know; she's a crime scene alnalyst for chrissakes."

"Now, ya see... That's what I'm talking about, right there. Are you sure you're not into her?"

Nick laughed and rubbed his neck distractedly. "Yeah man, I'm sure. We're just friends." He smirked at his friend once more. "I guess it's just been a while since I've seen you in action. I forgot that subtlety wasn't your forté."

Keith pointedly ignored that last comment and smiled hopefully. "So you don't have a problem with me getting her number?"

Nick shrugged. "Go for it man. It's a free country."

Keith flashed him a winner's smile. "Your loss, man. Your loss. She's pretty damned cute."

Nick shook his head in amusement, but inwardly he felt unsettled. Despite what he'd said to Keith, he didn't feel as ambivalent as he'd let on. He couldn't figure out why the thought of Sara going out with his friend bothered him so much.

I mean, he's a great guy. He's not the type to jerk her around, and he's pretty responsible.

So what was the problem?

Sara returned just then and bowed off from another beer.

"I need to be able to drive home. I know my limits."

She smirked, knowing that it was all too true. Fortunately, her little brush with the other side of the law, and having had to get Grissom to come and take her home afterwards had been more than enough of an eye-opener to her burgeoning problem. And she hadn't drunk to excess since.

"Yeah, I'm thinking I could hit the hay sometime soon. I'm beat." Nick stretched his arms over his head.

Sara nodded. "Yeah, me too."

Keith drove them back to Nick's place, and they all stood chatting in his driveway before they went their separate ways.

"So... You guys working tonight?" The question was addressed to both of them, but Keith was looking directly at Sara, smiling. Nick replied first.

"Nope. I'm off. Why? You asking me on a date, buddy?" He put his hand over his heart. "I'm touched."

Keith snorted. "Nick, you're a handsome devil, I'll give you that... But you're not really my type." He winked at him and Nick couldn't help but chuckle. "But how about you, Sara? You working tonight?"

Sara caught herself grinning appreciatively at his smoothness. She nodded, smiling widely. "I'm off too, as a matter of fact."

Keith rubbed his hands together with glee. "Oh Ho... I feel a plan hatching." He grinned mischievously at the other two. "What do you say, guys? A night on the town?"

Nick grinned and looked at his feet. The two of them had more than a few of those under their belts already. "I don't know, man..."

"Oh come on, Stokes. It's been ages since we've gone out. Don't let me down now, after such an awesome day..." He stared at Sara. "You're up for it, aren't you Sara?"

She too looked at her feet uncertainly. Again, she didn't want Nick to feel like she was horning in on his friends. They'd already spent the better part of the day together, after all. She didn't want him to get sick of her already.

"Oh, I don't know, Keith. I'm not really a big nightclubber. And there are a couple things I should probably check up on at work..."

Nick looked up then, regarding Sara with interest. After all the fun they'd had today, it would be a shame to let her drift back into her old familiar habits again just because he was on edgeabout this attraction between her and Keith.

I mean, she's become like a sister to me really... I think I'm just being over-protective or something.

And he wasn't about to let it ruin Sara's chances for having a good night off.

"You know, it has been a while... Maybe I will go out tonight." He turned to Sara. "What do you say, Sidle? Up for another adventure?"

She felt a ripple of pleasure at being included in their plans, especially since Nick seemed to want her along after all. She couldn't stifle the excitement behindher grin.

"Uh, yeah... I... I'd love to, actually. If I won't get in the way of your picking up chicks or anything."

Nick laughed and Keith jumped in with a denial. "Sara, we're not a couple of young punkasses anymore. We don't go out to pick up girls these days."

Nick grinned like a cheshire cat. "No, now we go out to pick up women!"

Sara burst out laughing and Keith shook his head bemusedly. "C'mon now, man. You'll have her thinking we're a couple of playboys."

Sara grinned even wider. "Oh, it's OK. I already think of Nick that way."

Nick laughed, but secretly he was uncomfortable with the sudden re-emergence of his old reputation. He'd actually thought he'd shaken that image years ago. Apparently not.

Sara caught a hint of something behind Nick's eyes and frowned slightly. "Nick? You know I'm just joking, right?"

He nodded, laughing. "Don't worry, Sara. Sticks and stones..."

But Sara still felt some misgivings. After all he'd done for her in the last couple of days, the last thing she wanted to do was insult him.

It was true, they used to joke around about Nick's supposedly impressive sex life back in the early years, but she'd stopped looking at him like just another frat boy a long time ago. He was as reliable and dependable as anyone could hope to have in a colleague. And he was no southern hick, either. The guy was damned good at his job... something she'd grudgingly accepted when he'd beat her out for the 'theoretical' supervisor position last year.

He was smiling at her now, but she'd caught a glimpse of something just then and she couldn't figure out what it had been.

And I'm probably just over-reacting anyway.

She grinned back at him. "Well, listen guys... I need some sleep. Why don't you two make a game plan and I'll call you later to see what's happening?" She directed this last part at Nick and he nodded.

"Sounds good."

"And thanks for today, you guys. That was seriously one of the coolest things I've ever done. It was a blast!" She looked at Nick as she spoke, but Keith was the one to answer.

"Not a problem, Sara. And like I said, anytime you want to go up again, let me know."

She thanked him for the offer and then started to turn to go. Then she stopped and looked at Nick once again.

"Thanks again for today, Nick. I'm really glad you invited me. I'll call you later." She patted his arm lightly.

He smiled at her, shrugging. "No problem, Sidle. I'll see you later."

She climbed into her car and drove off. Nick watched her disappear from sight, wondering if he was making a mistake by basically encouraging her to hook up with Keith this way.

He snapped out of his reverie as Keith clapped him on the shoulder. "Get some rest buddy. You're going to need it!"

Nick laughed as he headed inside his house.

Man oh man... What have I gotten myself into? And more importantly, what am I getting Sara into?