A/N: We've reached the end! I know this is short, but I didn't want to stretch it out. Thanks to everyone that has either read and/or reviewed, I appreciate it!


For several seconds, Sara stared at the door Grissom had just exited.

"You okay?"

Nick was approaching her cautiously, a concerned tone to his voice. Sara squeezed her eyes shut, and a few tears ran down her cheek. She opened her eyes, took a deep breath, and nodded. Nick's heart ached for her, and he acted on his urge to comfort her, resuming his position in her bed. She immediately moved closer to him, and he wrapped his arms all the way around her slim frame.

"Sara," he whispered into her hair. "It's okay to cry."

And that's exactly what she did. She cried into his chest as he said nothing, knowing she had to let it out. He stroked her hair and ran his hand up and down her arm, letting her know he wasn't going anywhere. When she had cried all she could, she pulled away a little, a shy, embarrassed look on her face.

"I'm sorry," she choked.

"Don't be," Nick said, running his finger lightly against her cheek.

"I'm such an unattractive crier."

Nick let himself laugh, thinking that everything about her was attractive. She took several deep breaths before lowering her head back onto his chest.

"Everything will be okay, Sara," Nick said. "You've got me now, and I'm not going to let anything hurt you."

"You think this'll work, Nick?"

Nick raised his eyebrow at her.

"You tryin' to get rid of me already, darlin'?"

Sara let out a laugh and squeezed his midsection.

"Never."

"Good, because it won't be that easy."

He twisted one of her curls around his finger, contemplating whether or not to continue.

"Look, Sara, I know you haven't had much in your past to make you believe in happy endings," he said. "But I promise you, this time will be different. I'm not going anywhere, and I love you."
He stopped playing with her hair and tilted her chin up to look into her eyes.

"I won't hurt you, Sara."

He watched her lips curl into a small smile.

"I know," she whispered.

He tucked her hair behind her ear and let his hand linger there. He held her head in his hand, cupping her chin and moving his thumb back and forth across her cheek. She let his fingers trace her features, by her earlobe, down her chin and across her lips. She looked at him with such trust and love, he couldn't take it. He lowered his head and reveled in the feeling of his lips on hers. She deepened the kiss, and he felt a deep ache low in his belly. He had never loved anyone like this before, and he knew that this was his purpose. To love Sara. To protect her. To be there for her in every trying time and to care for her with all his heart.

She began to plant soft kisses across his face and down his neck, before settling into that place on his chest where she fit so well. He rested his head atop hers as a great wave of satisfaction settled over him. This was how it was supposed to be. This was meant to be. It would be a different world from now on, a new chapter in both their lives, and he didn't know what it would bring. But as long as he had Sara, nothing else really mattered.

A/N: Take a second and hit that little review button to tell me what you think! I have a one-shot story that will be posted soon... it's a little different from this one, but keep an eye out for it! Thanks so much!