Chapter Twenty-Five: Trouble Ahead

Greg was the last person he expected to see as he opened the door. The young man stood with his hands in his pockets, his head and clothes drenched from the rain. Vegas could be unforgiving when it came to storms, getting wet was only a slight part of it.

When the silence began to strain it was Greg who broke it first, his voice weak and scratchy, almost as if he had been yelling…or crying maybe. "I need to talk to Sara."

"You've already talked with her," Nick replied without missing a beat. Maybe he was being a little unreasonable, but he was tired of playing the games. Greg always wanted one thing or another, and for these past few months had tried to center everything around himself, lining up what was best for him. Nick had tried to put up with it, but sending Sara away after all she had done for him had been the final straw.

Greg continued to stand there staring at him, as if he had somehow missed what the Texan had said. Nick made no move to offer an invitation inside, and the younger man wasn't about to break the silence. He wasn't sure how far he could push the older man, and wasn't willing to try.

"It's okay Nicky," Sara's voice broke between them, the brunette coming up from behind. She was dressed in button up shirt that surely belonged to Nick, as if the faded football on the sleeve was any indication.

With a reluctant sigh the Texan pulled back, heading into the kitchen without another word. Once again it was Sara to his rescue. He felt sorry for her more than anything else. Everyone was able to see there was nothing left between them, everyone that was save for Sara. She still clung to that invisible thread, the one that had been broken months ago.

From his position, Nick could hear the conversation well, even though he tried his hardest not to eavesdrop. Greg was busy apologizing, telling her in his own words what had happened, why he had said the things that he had. Nick only huffed lightly as he poured the two cups with the steaming coco.

Greg could do whatever he wanted, say whatever he could; it wouldn't change what had happened. He hadn't been the one to find Sara on his doorstep, hadn't been the one to take her in without a single question. She had been shivering, drenched from the top of her head clear to her socks that were inside her shoes.

There were no questions, just a simple understanding; she hadn't needed to tell him anything that had happened. Silently taking in her appearance, he had ushered her in and set off to find some dry clothes. Likewise there was no need for her to ask to use the shower, and Nick had left everything outside the bathroom door before leaving to make something to warm her up once she was out.

It was here that the knock on the door had come, and for the life of him Nick wished that Sara had still been in the shower. He could easily say no, but Sara had her own faults, and weaknesses. Placing the freshly toasted bread on the tray next the warm cups of coco he let out a sigh. Everything was ready; all that was needed now was Greg's departure. He enjoyed the man's company at times, but three was a crowd, and his standings with the young CSI was little more than tolerable at the moment.

The conversation between the pair, if you could even call it that-seeing that Greg had done most of the talking-, was reaching new levels of opposition. Nick couldn't say exactly what the argument was about, but it was clear they were doing their best to keep their voices down, whether it be for the time of the night or the simple fact he stood a few measly steps away he wasn't sure. He did know one thing for certain, like it or not he had to intervene. And there was no better time than now.

Nick wasn't sure who looked more surprised as he came into the room, rambling off incessantly. One thing was for certain, it had indeed interrupted the ongoing conversation. Sara had her arms crossed in front of her chest, her back towards the wall as she faced Greg. The man had turned around to watch him, his drenched features only serving to make him seem more vulnerable than he was already.

"I'm not interrupting am I?" Nick asked a little coldly. He tried to stay upbeat, a smile on his face. The man was using the one and only thing he knew that would work; simply trying to stay close. It was the one thing Greg had shied away from, ever since the accident the CSI had drawn into himself, steering clear of any close contact.

"We'll talk later," Sara spoke up, catching Greg's attention as he turned back to her. The man nodded, returning something in a quiet tone. It went unheard by Nick, but it made the brunette smile, leaving the Texan to wonder if intruding on them had been the best of ideas.

Still as Greg turned Nick was quick to act upon it. "Leaving already?" he asked haughtily, raising an eyebrow. "Can I show you the door?"

"I know where it is," Greg replied, his tone of voice nearly matching the Texans. It was all he had said as he trudged by, a few seconds passed before the front door was opened and closed shortly after. Finally they were alone, and Nick turned, expecting to find the mild mannered Sara that had first shown up at his doorstep.

Therefore he was surprised to find that façade had dissipated, and an irate Sara standing in the same place. "You didn't have to do that."

"Sounded like you needed a hand," Nick replied, growing a tad angry that his efforts had been dismissed. He set the tray down on the coffee table, inviting Sara to have some.

The brunette came over, a little reluctantly at first, but managed to take a mug and a single slice of toast as she sat down on the couch. Nick was a bit slower, taking his time to study the woman in front of him. Her hair had fallen in front of her face, covering the worn expression.

"You want to talk?"

Sara shook her head even as she took another sip of the warm liquid. No, talking was the last thing she wanted to do. Her mind was set, she wanted nothing more than to curl up in ball and disappear. Her tired eyes met those of Nick's; the man was obviously worried so she let out a comforting smile. "I think I'm just going to get some sleep," she told him quietly. "If it's okay that I stay here for the night."

"Stay as long as you need," Nick nodded. "You okay with sleeping on the couch?"

"I've been these last few months," Sara replied dimly, "one more night isn't going to kill me."

"I thought that you and Greg were…"

Sara shook her head. "Sometimes at night, I would sneak in, even if it was for only a few short hours. Just to pretend that it was real…" she laughed, her hand against her head. "I'm rambling, I'm sorry."

"It's for the best," Nick told her standing up. He was collecting the items now as Sara watched him skeptically.

"What is?"

The Texan shrugged, "You and Greg…not living together anymore. I hate that it had to end this way, with Greg kicking you out and all…but things will get better. You'll be able to live your own life this way."

"My life?" Sara asked incredulous. "I have been living my own life, as depressing as it is. It's my business; you have no right to interfere."

"He kicked you out, Sara, and you came to me, that makes it my business."

"I left," she cut in. Her voice was rising again, laced with obvious anger. "I came here because I thought you would understand. Obviously I was wrong."

His brow furrowed in confusion as he watched her get up, stuffing her belongings back into her small bag. "What are you doing?"

"Leaving," she said simply, ignoring his curious look.

"No one is making you leave."

She glared at him, a cold icy stare but it didn't last for long as she turned away, "I made a mistake coming here," she responded.

"Where are you going to go?" Nick wondered, "It's miserable out there, and you're only half-dressed."

She didn't say anything in return, only finished zipping up her bag before leaving the room. Nick had half a mind to follow her, but was dissuaded as she returned a few short minutes later, now dressed in her semi-drenched clothes from before.

"Sara…"

He had called her name, but it hadn't stopped her as she gathered up her few belongings, moving towards the door. It didn't take long for him to catch up to her, one hand against the door as she tried to open it.

"Be reasonable," he tried to convince her. "Wait until morning, or at least until the storms over."

For a moment it seemed as though she was considering it, but shook her head shortly thereafter. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

It was the last thing that was said between them as she pushed past him, not even taking notice of the chill that was in the air. Nick watched her leave with bitter feelings, at the very moment hating the very person that had brought all of this about.

In all the years he had known Greg, there had been no problems in getting along with him. Now all that had changed, and not only was there a rift between them, but the man had somehow managed to steer Sara away as well.

He hadn't slept the night before, hadn't been able to, still feeling slightly sick from the previous evenings events. Sara had been in and out a few times, but they had never really talked. Greg still continued on just as silently, not even saying something as his supervisor passed out his next case. Or a continuation of an ongoing case.

"The car is in the garage; Nick should be in soon, you're working with him."

So maybe he should have voiced his concerns. Working with Nick certainly wouldn't be the best of ideas, seeing how the man had regarded him earlier. But then he couldn't find the courage to stand up to his supervisor and say something. After all, both he and Nick were grown men; surely they could work around their differences.

Without a second thought Greg changed into his jumpsuit before heading towards the garage. Nick should only be a few minutes behind if Grissom had been right, so he took his time walking through the hall. Even still, the other man could not be found once reaching his destination.

The car was a small Honda, blue in color and would have been in good condition…that was if it wasn't missing half the back side. The vehicle had been found dumped in a junkyard, and would have been junked the following day. Luck had been with the CSI team as one of the workers recognized from the news the previous day. The same car as their latest victim.

The body had been found nearly a week ago, but the car had virtually disappeared. The FBI had their hopes up that this would finally lead to a clue in catching their guy. Greg rubbed his forehead as he approached the car. Technically he wasn't supposed to work on anything unless someone was in the room with him. Even with as much as he had learned in the past few months he still had trouble remembering a few key things. But then again looking was one thing, touching was another.

There had been a hole left in the side near the rear of the vehicle from whatever accident it had been in. It was large enough to allow him a full view inside, but nothing stood out as significant. He wouldn't really be able to look until Nick showed up, speaking of which it was due time for him to show anyways.

Pulling back Greg wandered out of the room, searching the hallways for the lost man. The sooner they finished with work the sooner he could head back to home. Or at least the empty apartment. He regretted his decision some, but couldn't find the courage or motivation to ask for her to come back. For some reason he felt so strongly that having the extra time and space to himself would help. But in the end he realized it was all a mistake.

He barely heard his name as he passed by, pausing for a moment to see if it had actually been said. As Greg was about to continue on he heard the voice again, as well as his name. It was wrong to eavesdrop, but something seemed out of place as he moved closer to the partially open door.

"He can't do the work."

Greg frowned as he leaned against the door. At least he had found Nick, but what exactly was he doing in Ecklie's office…talking about him none-the-less.

"He passed his proficiency, and so far he's had no real problems. Greg is perfectly capable of handling the job."

Ecklie's voice was as monotonous as it was always, but Greg could sense a bit of respect from the man. Nick's voice however was bitter as the Texan continued to speak.

"When he's watched. I have too much to do to be babysitting him. I need someone reliable. All I'm asking is for you to switch him with someone else."

"There is no one else available," Ecklie reminded him. "Besides, shouldn't you be asking this question to Grissom? He's the one who paired you two in the first place."

Greg pulled away with a snort of dissatisfaction, both angered and hurt. Apparently he had not been doing as well as he thought.

TBC