No CSI affiliation.

Rated M for sexual overtones.

Chapter 25 : Time Off

Sunlight crept into the room this morning because for once the curtains hadn't been closed. Jules moved herself to her back and put her arm over her eyes hoping to fall back asleep. After lying like that for a few minutes she turned her head to look at the alarm clock and saw that it was already 9:30 and she should be getting up anyway. Looking over at Nick, who was sound asleep, she couldn't help but watch him. My God Nick was handsome. She wondered if he looked like his mom or his dad. In the pictures on his end tables, she thought he resembled his mother and oldest brother the most, but you could never be too sure in pictures, she thought. Jules wanted to reach out and touch his face; she wanted to drag her fingers over his perfect skin, his straight nose, his square jaw. She wouldn't dare though. He looked so peaceful sleeping, and she didn't want him disturbed because she was entranced by his extraordinary good looks. Instead, she quietly rolled out of the bed, grabbed a t-shirt from his drawer and slowly and gently closed the curtains for him. Throwing his shirt over her naked body, Jules crept out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom.

As she was brushing her teeth she realized she and Nick had finally slept normal hours. Instead of the usual Grave Shift time clock, where he would go to sleep in the morning and be up all night, they went to bed around 11:00 pm...of course that was after having amazingly wild sex on the floor in his entrance way. She closed her eyes and shuddered for a second just remembering how good it was. Oh, that man does things to her that sets her on fire. Shaking the images from her head she began thinking about how much she liked having Nicky home from work. She could definitely get used to this, but she knew it wouldn't last forever. He would have to go back to work sometime and she would have to get herself back to work soon too. But, rather than let those thoughts ruin the fun she was having now, she threw her toothbrush back in the cup and thought about what to make for breakfast instead.

Looking inside Nick's refrigerator, Jules groaned at the empty shelves. She decided she had to go food shopping today or it would be another round of fast food, diner food or take-out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. She also needed to go home and get clothes since she had been washing and wearing the same outfit for a few days now. She looked over at Nick's front door and laughed inwardly when she saw their clothes strewn across the floor in front of it; a trail leading all the way into the living room. They were animals she said to herself.

As Jules picked up her clothes and threw them on, she decided right then and there she would go home to get new clothing. Jules really liked clothes and wearing the same outfit over and over again wasn't her style. In fact, she thought, as nice as her outfit was, she thinks she might burn it just so she doesn't have to look at it again. Throwing an apple into her purse and heading for the door, she stopped and looked down the hallway. She thought about going to give Nick a kiss goodbye but was afraid she would wake him. So, instead, she scribbled on a piece of paper that she was headed home to get some of her things, and she made a point to write that she promised she would be back soon. She bit her bottom lip to hold back her smile as she wrote "I love you" at the bottom. Leaving the note on the kitchen counter where she knew he would find it, she closed the door tightly behind her.

It was almost 11:00 in the morning when Nick rolled over and reached for Jules. He squinted his eyes and noticed she wasn't there. Rubbing his eyes, and yawning loudly, he was very surprised that he slept that many hours. Stumbling out of bed he headed for the bathroom, he looked around for Jules before beginning his morning routine. Nick was about to jump in the shower but decided to see what Jules was up to first, so he sauntered into the kitchen finding her note. He smiled wide. He was not only happy to see that she wrote "I love you" but happy that she said she was grabbing some things and coming back soon. He hoped that meant she would stay for a while. He loved having her there and he dreaded the thought of her going back home. Nick continued to smile all the way back to the bathroom as he went to take a shower.

Jules grabbed the two coffees she had in her cup holder and slammed her car door with her hip. She walked into her house just as Warrick was coming down the stairs. They look at each other in silence for a few seconds before he gave her a smile.

"Morning, Baby Girl."

"Hey, good morning back," she smiled.

"What ya got there?" he asked looking at the coffees in her hand.

"Well, I couldn't get myself a coffee without grabbing a double espresso for you," she handed it to him and kissed him on the cheek.

"Thank you!" he was genuinely thrilled.

"Listen, I know you said you needed your space but I'm sorry, I have to get some clothes!" she looked down at her wrinkled outfit.

"Listen to me," he took her hand and led her to the couch.

"Warrick, it is too early in the morning to deal with the bullshit, I just want to tell you that right now," she told him sternly.

"No, no bullshit, Girl," he assured her. "I want to tell you I'm sorry for being such an asshole. I only meant to look out for you. But, I never stopped to see how sincere Nick was; I was too busy yelling and demanding my way," he looked at her as the two sat facing each other on the couch.

Jules didn't speak, she only took a sip of her coffee and listened. She was waiting for a "but" to come into the conversation but he didn't give her one. Instead he told her a little story about last night. He began explaining how he was at Delmonico's.

"Wait, you were at Delmonico's Steak House? Last night? At the bar? You were there?' she rattled off several questions at once making him smile.

"Yesss, that's what I said ain't it," he grumbled and continued to tell her about what he saw and how Nick looked at her and how he passed the test.

"You sent that chick over to us?" Jules could feel the fury building.

"NO, oh no, no, no!" he put his hands up in defense. "No, I just watched and thought for sure Nick's actions were gonna prove my case. Girl, that redhead was top on the favorites and I…"

Jules cut him off. "Oh thanks, Warrick. Just what I want to hear!" she shook her head and rolled her eyes before taking another sip of her coffee.

"Well, my point is that Nick didn't even flinch at the thought of giving her up. He never looked back. He didn't think twice. His eyes remained on you. I never saw him like this in all the years I have known him," he took a gulp of his own coffee. "Now," he continued, " the bad news?"

"Ugh, here we go…" she sighed.

"No, bad for me. The bad news is I just lost my partner in crime. No more trolling for the ladies now," he smiled at her.

"Annnnd, the good news?" she tilted her head waiting.

"The good news is maybe I can have that list of his and…"

Jules mouth opened and she punched him in the arm. Warrick laughs and gulps the rest of his coffee.

"No, no, I'm just fuckin' with ya! The good news is Nicky my boy passed the test which means he is seriously committed to you. And ya know what, Baby Girl? You were right. I was dead wrong. Nick is the real deal. I saw it first hand myself, and now I gotta swallow my pride and tell you…you couldn't have found a better guy. A tamed Nick is perfectly fine for my kid sister," he put his hand on her shoulder.

"Well, I am glad you approve but you realize you are never, NEVER to pull this crap with me again. And I want you to also know that you drove me to a point where I really don't give a shit whether he passed your test or not…he passed mine and that is what matters to me," she frowned at him.

"Ok, ok, I deserve that. You gonna forgive me or hate me forever?" he looked back at her actually a little worried.

"Oh please, I knew we would be fine once the dust settled. We can battle it out like the best of 'em," she laughed. "You don't scare me, jerk," she hit him in the arm again.

"You wanna go for breakfast?" he smiled.

"No, I left Nick sleeping and I just want to grab some stuff and then run errands," she said standing up and heading for the stairs she stops and looks back at her brother.

"You know, Warrick, it's your choice but I personally think you owe HIM an apology too," turning back she heads up the stairs. Warrick stood up and nodded. He agreed with her.

The thought of Jules packing her stuff to come back to his place made him think of her throwing clothes into a suitcase or a duffel bag. That thought carried him to the next thought….he wanted to take her away. He wanted to show her off to his parents. He wanted to take her to Texas and he hoped she would go with him. He had the time off, she had the time off and they really needed to take advantage of that. Nick really wanted to introduce the love of his life to his mom, too. He knew she would love Jules. He knew she would be thrilled to see him so happy. He had to take this trip. Parking himself in front of his computer, he went to see what flights were available. He needed to hurry before Jules came back; he wanted to surprise her. He wanted to make the reservations before she could over think it, get nervous, or try to pay for the trip. He knew her like a book already.

A little while later, Nick hit the print button and out came two round trip e-tickets to Dallas, Texas. He was beginning to get a little nervous; worried that maybe he shouldn't have made the decision for her. Well, it was ultimately her decision, he thought. If she didn't want to go then he could always just go alone. He really did want to see his family. Truthfully, that thought made him sick, but it could still be the reality. It would be her choice but he did hope she would go. "Well Nicky, what's done is done…you're going to Texas!" he said with a "hah hah" and threw an apple up in the air before catching it and taking a bite.

Nick walked over to his bookshelf and grabbed a book he had been wanting to look at. He sat on the couch shirtless, wearing only his jeans. He propped himself up on some pillows and began reading about DNA technology in forensic science. At that moment, Nick realized he was the happiest he has ever been in his life. He was madly in love with the girl of his dreams, he was going to see his family, and he was reading a great book without worrying about the time or if he would be late for work.

"Ahhh," he thought, "life is good." Suddenly Nick started to laugh out loud a little, and silently said to himself "and my girlfriend can give a blow job that I won't forget in this lifetime…what more can a man want?"