Alex parked her car in the CSI lot and made her way towards the doors. She paused, nervous about how she was going to approach this question.

Stop being foolish. Just ask him what you said. It's probably no big deal in the end.

She took a big breath, but just as she reached for the door handle her cell phone chirped. She smiled at the display: Sir Cool.

"Hello there, handsome. What can I do for you?"

"Tell me you're not making out with some twenty-one year old right now."

She laughed. "OK. I'm not making out with a twenty-one year old right now. I think he's closer to twenty-four…"

"Ahhhh. My heart. Don't even joke with me about that sort of stuff."

"Sorry. It won't happen again."

She moved through the doors and smiled at the receptionist, who raised her eyes at Alex's clothing. Even if it was New Year's Eve, she was a little dressed up for the LVPD buildings. Alex stopped at the desk.

"Nick, can you hold on a minute?"

She told the woman who she was and got the OK to go back and surprise Nick.

"OK, I'm back. Sorry, what were you saying? You're still playing cards with Greg?"

She mouthed the words 'Happy New Year' to the receptionist before heading down the corridor towards the criminalist's staff room.

"Not at the moment. We're taking a break from our… break. It's crazy. Warrick had a call, but otherwise we've been quiet. I begged him to let me help out, but the selfish bastard blew me off."

She chuckled. "Well, maybe he wanted you to take a break after all your doubles lately. I'd say he's being a good friend."

He snorted. "Yeah, whatever. He's enjoying knowing that I'm suffering from boredom."

She rounded the corner and felt a shiver of excitment as she glimpsed the staffroom just ahead.

I can do this. It's just a simple question.

"Now, now, Nicholas. Don't be bitter. It's New Year's Eve. Time to start thinking about all the new positive attitudes you'll be adopting for this year."

Nick was now visible through the room windows and he sat with his back towards her. Greg was rifling through the fridge.

"Alex, I am the epitome of positive attitudes. You know that."

She grinned. "True enough." She gave an exaggerated sigh into her phone. "Hooooo...And you're sexy too. Especially in that brown turtleneck. You know I love that one."

Just then Greg turned around and his brows went up at the sight of Alex standing behind the glass. He smiled appreciatively, openly checking her out. She grinned back, embarrassed.

Nick frowned. "Hey, how did you know I changed into my-"

He'd started to turn to see what Greg was smiling at and stopped as he saw her, smiling at him through the window. He took a big breath and then his mouth slowly turned up in a huge smile, his eyes twinkling.

"Alex, I'm going to have to let you go. The sexiest woman I've ever seen just showed up at my door."

She laughed and shut down her phone as she moved towards the door. Nick had stood up and was making his way over to her. They met at the doorway and he pulled her immediately into his arms. He whispered into her ear as he held her close.

"Mmmm. This is a very nice surprise. Happy New Year, Alex."

She hugged him back. "Happy New Year. I couldn't seem to stop myself from coming here. My car was on auto-pilot or something."

He pulled away to look at her, shaking his head.

"You look unbelievably beautiful."

She smiled shyly and Greg chimed in behind them. "Hmmmm, I'll say."

Nick laughed. "Greg, can't you go somewhere and do… something? Like, right now?"

Greg sighed melodramatically as he moved past them and down the hallway. "Ah, always a bridesmaid, never a bride…"

Nick returned his attention to Alex. "Seriously, darlin', you look good enough to eat."

"Thank you." She leaned up to kiss him and he held her body close to his once more. The kiss deepened suddenly and then Alex pulled back, laughing as she touched her lips uncertainly.

"Um, we probably shouldn't do this here."

He nodded. "Yeah, probably not… but what the hell; it's New Year's."

He grabbed her again and resumed the kiss, his tongue playing temptingly with hers. She clutched at his sides and felt the old familiar tingles through her body. Once again, she pulled away.

"Uh, Nick… Unless there's a broom closet around here, we better stop. I'm feeling the urge to rip off your clothes."

He ran his fingers raggedly through his hair, watching her with amusement. "Hmmm. As much as I love you in that dress, I was having similar thoughts myself."

She smiled up at him and he felt his heart leap.

Damn, she looks so beautiful tonight.

They both started to speak at the same time, and then they both stopped, laughing.

"You go first." Nick grabbed her hand.

She swallowed deeply and smiled, but Nick could sense she was nervous about something. He squeezed her fingers lightly.

"Everything OK?" He frowned slightly.

She nodded, but still seemed a little jittery. Nick was reminded of how she'd been behaving that day in Vancouver... Jumpy.

"I'm fine. It's just... I..." She let out a little sigh of air. "There's something I need to ask you."

He was mildly surprised at her statement, especially in light of how unsettled she seemed.

"Sure...Uh, what is it?" He found that he was nervous now too.

"Well, I was wondering about something... Um... From when we were in Vancouver..." She started playing with his fingers absently.

Her pause seemed to stretch on, so he prompted her. "OK, so what-"

"Nick. I need you for a-" Brass paused as he noticed Alex standing on the other side of Nick.

"Oh, sorry Alex. I didn't see you there." He smiled at her. "And might I say that you are looking very fetching this evening? Happy New Year."

She smiled at the man, not certain if she was relieved or disappointed about the interruption. She'd gotten a sudden case of the nerves just before he'd arrived.

"Thank you. And Happy New Year to you, too."

"What's up, Jim?" Nick half-turned towards the man.

"I'm afraid we have a... A scene to check out. We need you and Greg ASAP." Brass decided not to mention a dead body in front of Alex, especially on New Year's Eve/Day.

Nick nodded. "OK, we're on it. I just need to talk to Alex for a sec-"

"No, Nick... That's OK. You better get going. It'll keep." She squeezed his hand in reassurance.

He frowned at her uncertainly. "You sure? I can take a second before-"

"No, really. You're working. I'll talk to you tomorrow." She smiled at him.

He was still curious about what she'd wanted to ask him, but realized he didn't have the time to pursue it right then. He nodded slowly.

"OK. I'll see you in the morning.."

As Brass headed towards the staffroom, she leaned in to kiss Nick softly. "Happy New Year, honey. I'll see you when you get home."

He squeezed her hand once more than headed towards the staffroom. He looked back over his shoulder at her with one eyebrow raised, but she pretended she didn't notice and turned around and headed back down the hallway.

Nick frowned to himself. He couldn't quell the nervous flutter in his stomach.

What was that all about?

Alex decided the feeling in her gut right now was disappointment.

She was no further ahead than she'd been before. She looked around the living room dejectedly. She wasn't even slightly tired, still riding on the nervous adrenalin from earlier.

Now what?

Not bothering to change, she sat down on the sofa and turned on the TV. She stopped channel surfing when she came across When Harry Met Sally.

Yeah, I could use a laugh right now...

Nick drove back to the labs and headed across the parking lot.

Greg had already returned with most of their evidence for analysis, but he still had a few things to go over himself. It was an unusual case:How often did you come across the body of someone in a dumpster who had all the characteristics of a homeless man... Except for the fact that he was wearing a new tuxedo that would have cost thousands of dollars?

As he entered the building, he suddenly pictured Alex in his mind from her earlier visit. A stupid grin crossed his face.

Man, she looked sexy.

Then he remembered how nervous she'd been about something and his smile slipped slightly.

What was that about, anyway?

She'd mentioned something that had happened while they were in Vancouver...

He was just starting to mentally scan through their holiday when he heard his name and turned to see Warrick walking down the corridor towards him. He was shaking his head in bemusement.

"See man? I was looking out for your best interests after all. I get stuck with a smash and grab and you guys score a D.B."

Nick laughed. "It's karma, man. Karma."

Warrick laughed, swearing under his breath. The two men made their way back towards the labs and Nick laughed at Warrick's mutterings about Texan Buddhists.

Alex yawned and hit the time button on the TV. It was almost 5 am.

Well, I've stayed up this long... Maybe I'll just stay up until Nick gets home.

Then she promptly fell asleep on the sofa.

Nick walked into the house and then stopped, smiling.

The TV was on and Alex was fast asleep on the sofa. Her back was towards him and he took a moment to appreciate the view of her backless dress.

He switched off the TV and sat on the edge of the coffee table beside her. He reached a hand out to gently massage her shoulder, and leaned in closer to her.

"Alex."

She stirred slightly but didn't wake. He moved over to the edge of the sofa and spoke softly in her ear, his hand stroking her back.

"Alex, honey... Wake up."

She stirred once more, and this time she rolled back towards him, her eyes fluttering open. She smiled when she caught sight of the handsome man leaning over her.

He stroked her cheek as she yawned. "Hi, beautiful."

She continued to smile. "Hi, handsome." She started to sit up. "What time is it?"

She leaned into his arms and he wrapped them instantly around her. She sighed contentedly as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"It's just past 8:30." He began to caress her back once more. "Mmmm. I really do love this dress."

She shivered under his touch, and he whispered into her ear. "Have you been out here all night?"

"Yeah, I guess I have..."

He picked her up in his arms and carried her back towards the bedroom. "Well, I think it may be time for bed, darlin'."

She smiled into his neck and tightened her arms around him. He drew in an aroused breath as she began to tease the soft place just behind his earlobe with her lips, her teeth...

Alex woke up just after lunch time, smiling at the feel of Nick's arms holding her from behind.

She could hear his soft, steady breathing and tried not to wake him as she slipped out of bed.

After a shower, she sat down at the computer desk and called her parents and Sam to wish them a Happy New Year. She pounced on Sam the minute he picked up the phone.

"Sam, I'm serious. You have to tell me what I said. I've been going slowly insane, and Maddie won't tell me either."

Sam laughed. "And I've told you three different times: You'll have to ask Nick."

She let out an exasperated groan. "Sam, this isn't fair. This is important, and you've had me stressed about it since I left. Try and act like an adult for a change and tell me what I said!"

She spoke in a harsh whisper, not wanting to wake Nick up.

"Alex, it's your turn to be the adult. Grow up and ask him what you said. Stop being such a baby."

"You're unbelievable, you know that? Why do you think I never tell you guys anything? Huh?" She paused while he contemplated it, and then continued. "This... This is why. You never take anything seriously. And you know what, Sam? This is serious for me. Nick means everything to me and if I've done something stupid without realizing it, I need to know! I mean, I was so drunk, I could have... Damn it, Sam! What did I say?"

She could hear him laughing softly and she began to lose her temper. She started to count to ten before she lost it completely, and Sam spoke up.

"Alex, you didn't say anything stupid, trust me..."

The rest of his words faded out as she caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye and turned to see Nick standing behind her, smiling. She gulped nervously, wondering just how long he'd been standing there. Sam continued to beat around the bush on the phone and she cut him off.

"Sam, I have to go. Thanks for nothing. Oh... And Happy New Year." She hung up the phone.

Nick continued to stand where he was, smiling at her enigmatically. She swallowed again and smiled back.

"Hi there. You're up."

"Yep."

"Yeah, um... How long have you been standing there?"

His smile didn't falter. "Not long. Why?"

She tried not to look guilty. "Uh, no reason."

She stood and moved towards him, her insides quivering.

Is he messing with me? Did he hear any of that?

She decided to sidestep the issue. "Did you sleep well?"

She leaned against him, her fingers playing absently with his bare chest as she looked up at him nervously.

He played with her hair. "Yep, I sure did. You?"

She nodded and put her arms around him, placing her cheek against the side of his neck. "Yeah. I always sleep better when I know you're beside me."

He hugged her tight. "Yeah, me too."

He smiled into her hair as it all became clear to him.

So that's what she was worried about.