1A/N: Here's another chapter for everyone!! This chapter is kinda off the story line and more into Nick and Sara's relationship.

Disclaimer: Don't own CSI. If I did, Warrick and Sara would be back until the series finale, which I hope isn't soon, Nick would realize that he has feelings for Sara, and Greg gets a girl named Kristen.

Rating: T

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Sara changed her shirt in the locker room. It smelled like gun fire and fear to her. She was so close to being killed . It seemed that danger always followed her: Adam Trent holding her hostage, being left to die under a car, and now this. She sighed and pulled on a red bell sleeved sweater, then tying her brown hair into a ponytail.

"Hey," Nick stated, seeing her standing there.

"Hey. You guys gotta a lead on the Drive Byers?"

Nick answered, "Not yet. . . . hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, of course I am," Sara answered," Why wouldn't I be? I mean, I know I'm a woman and usually in these types of situations, a normal woman would be scared to death and wouldn't even dare to-to actually go on with her work, but if none of you guys have noticed, I'm not a normal woman, okay? I'm a strong, smart, independent woman who can handle danger by herself, and-and I don't need someone to ask me if I'm alright every-every ti-"

"Sara. Sara," Nick grabbed her arm and turn her toward him, "it's okay to be scared sometimes. It's okay to cry. If you bottle it up all the time, one day it will explode out of you and that's not good."

Sara sighed and Nick asked, "Why do you bottle it up all the time?"

"Because I'm afraid if I get all soft and shit, I'll let my guard down. . . ."

"...And let someone in? Let someone be there to protect you? Sara, sometime's having someone there for you is a good thing."

Sara looked into his eyes and calmed down.

"Yeah, you're right."

Nick nodded and hugged her.

"Now, why are you hugging me?"

Nick stated, "It suppose to be reassuring."

"Okay," She mumbled against his chest, causing Nick to smile.

They stayed like that for a while.

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

Nick unlocked his front door and walked into his house.

He took off his jacket and hung it on the coat rack.

"Hello, Nick."

Nick turned, just as the gun fired and went into his chest.

The shooter quickly wiped down the gun and left, leaving Nick to bleed.

Xoxoxoxoxoxo

TBC