This was a challenge sent to me by my wonderful friend Brianna! Thank you so much for everything!!!
Title: All it Took Was a Phone Call
Disclaimer: I own nothing dealing with CSI.
Spoilers: You've Got Male
Pairings: N/S
This story is in Sara's POV. Enjoy.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Sara's POV
I walked in my apartment and closed the door. I automatically place my keys on the counter and set my bag down. While taking off my jacket my mind plays out my earlier conversation with Nick.
"Hey Sara, how's your case going?" He asked me.
"You ever try to print a radiator cap? Smudge city."
I grab the trashcan and make my way to the fridge. I open it and begin tossing all the take-out boxes into the trashcan. My mind is still focusing on our conversation.
"Yeah. Yeah I know, it's impossible. But it's just a radiator cap so give yourself a break."
"Thank you."
I close the fridge door and began taking down all the menus off and tossing them as well. I grab my magazines and throw them away also. I glance over at my answering machine. What a surprise, no messages.
"Hey Sara, you gotta get out more." Nick's voice enters my head. So before my brain can stop me, I reach for the phone and dial the familiar number.
Before he can say hello I'm already talking. "Hey, it's Sara. I was, uh, thinking you want to go out somewhere?" There I've made that scary first step. As I wait for the answer my brain is telling me I need to run. Hang the phone up and hide.
"Sure." I release the breath I didn't realize I was holding. 'He said yes.' I thought to myself. 'Say something.'
"Great. Um, what would you like to do?" I nervously bite my lower lip. It's a bad habit and sometimes I don't even acknowledge doing it.
"Have you eaten yet?" He asks.
"No."
"Okay, would you like to go have dinner?"
"Sounds good." I make arrangements with and tell him I'll pick him up in an hour. That should give us both time to shower and change clothes. I told him bye and hung up the phone. I walk in my bedroom and open the door of my closet. I scan my clothes trying to find something that would look descent enough to go out to dinner with Nick. Finally I settle on a black spaghetti strap shirt and a pair of dark low-rise jeans. I walk into the bathroom and take my shower. After the shower, I quickly towel dry my hair and pull it back into a twist. I don't have time to straighten it. I apply a small amount of make-up. I got dressed and glanced at myself in the mirror. I'm not sure if I like the person staring back at me. The workaholic woman who could end up just like Donna Marks. That really scares me. I never really considered my life as lonely; of course I'm always trying to do stuff so that I won't have to think about it. But thanks to this case and thanks to Nick pointing out I need a life; my mind is slowly starting to understand how horrible loneliness can be. I watched as a tear made its way down my cheek. I wipe it away and grab my purse.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I pulled up in Nick's driveway and step out of the car. The air is starting to get a bit chilly. 'Great, I forgot a jacket.' I thought to myself. I walk up to Nick's door and knock. I don't have to wait long before he opens it. He smiles at me and I can't help but smile back. Nick has one of those amazing smiles in which it makes you happy no matter what you were feeling moments before.
"Hey Sara." He greets me and moves aside so I can come in. "You look great."
"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." He was wearing a simple gray shirt with jeans. His shirt showed off his toned and well-defined chest. The results of working out with Warrick after work. He walked over and grabbed his keys off the counter.
"You ready?" He asks me.
"Whenever you are." I respond. He nods and leads me back out of his apartment. He locks his door and then we make our way back to my Tahoe. I got in on the driver's side and put my seatbelt on. I glance over at him. "So, where to?"
"What are you in the mood for?"
"I don't know. Is there somewhere you wanted to go?"
"We could always try that new place close to the lake. I've heard it was really good."
"We have a plan." I stated and backed out of the driveway. The ride to the restaurant was quiet. The radio was playing softly in the background. I had been depressed earlier and my C.D. choice displayed my feelings. Nick's eyes seemed to spot the CDs and he reached for them.
I tried to pay attention to the road and not his reaction to seeing my musical selection. He flipped past Moby, Radiohead and Soul Asylum. "I'm sensing a theme here." He replied.
"What are you talking about?" I asked not taking my eyes off the road.
"These are pretty slow songs. Most of them are depressing." He shifted in his seat and I could feel him staring at me. "What's wrong?"
I turned to look at him. "Nothing. Why?"
"Sara, you're a horrible liar."
"I'm not lying."
"Again with the terrible lying." Before he could say anything else I turned the radio up. It was playing Going Under by Evanescence. I began singing the lyrics out loud trying desperately to keep from thinking about how bad my life was and how I wish things could be different.
Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies
So I don't know what's real and what's not
Always confusing the thoughts in my head
So I can't trust myself anymore
I'm dying again
I'm going under
Drowning in you
I'm falling forever
I've got to break through.
I tried desperately not to break down and cry in front of Nick. I don't need him worrying about me. I silently thanked the heavens that I was wearing sunglasses. Nick wouldn't be able to tell if my eyes began to water. We finally arrived at the restaurant and I got out quickly. Nick followed my lead and we walked inside without saying a word. I pulled my sunglasses on top of my head and gave the hostess my name. She told us it would be a few minutes. Nick and I sat down in the vacant chairs. He immediately turned to me.
"Sara, what's going on?"
I glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
"You called me and asked me to dinner and you've been quiet the entire time. You have depressing music in your car. That alone tells me something isn't right." He reached over and took my hand in his. "Please let me in."
I stared down at our now joined hands. I couldn't suppress the tears that were now cascading down my cheeks. Nick slid closer to me and pulled me into a hug. I buried my face against his chest. I barely heard the hostess call my name. I pulled away from Nick and he cupped my face with his hands. "You still want to eat?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm hungry and I'm sure you are."
He nodded and pulled his hands away. My face was still warm where he touched me. I missed his touch and his warmth and he was right there in front of me. 'How pathetic am I?' I thought. We turned and followed the hostess to our seats. Nick, being the gentleman he was, pulled my chair out for me. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." He replied and then sat down across from me. Our hostess gave us our menus and walked away. I glanced down and noticed that there weren't a lot of veggie friendly meals. Nick must have noticed it as well because he placed his menu down and reached for my hand. "Let's get out here."
I wasn't about to let Nick walk out of here without eating. I mean this was my idea. "Nick, we don't have to leave. Besides you're hungry."
"So are you and about everything here contains meat."
"It doesn't matter. I can get a salad or some pasta." I really didn't want to leave because that meant taking Nick home and I would be alone, again.
"Sara, that's not enough and you know it."
"That's more than enough. A salad with pasta will fill me up trust me."
"I do, trust you that is." He replied and squeezed my hand. I had temporally forgotten that he was still holing it.
"Good. Now let's order some food." He released his hand and we placed our order when our waitress came. After taking our order, and giving us our drinks, Nick and I were once again alone. I took a sip of my tea and glanced over at Nick. "So, I heard through rumors that you and Warrick were going to a ball game."
"Yeah, he won tickets at the gym and invited me to go along."
"You were standing there when he won, weren't you?"
"What are you implying?" He asked grinning.
"Nothing." I reply innocently. Nick let it slide and took a drink of his tea. We continued talking about causal stuff until our food came. We finished our dinner and I was about to get a to-go box, but I remembered what my fridge looked like earlier. I didn't want that to happen again. So, I left my half eaten salad and pasta on the table and paid for our meal. Nick was reaching in his wallet but I stopped him. "This was my idea. I'm buying."
"Okay, but I'm paying the next time." He informed me. 'The next time?' My brain thought. 'Was there really going to be a next time? I hope so.' We walked back outside and made our way to my Tahoe. I climbed in the driver's seat and waited until Nick was buckled in before I started the car.
"So, was there anything else you wanted to do?" I asked.
"We could go to the lake and walk around." He suggested. The lake wasn't far and to my surprise it wasn't crowded. We hopped out of the Tahoe and walked down toward the pier. Nick reached for my hand and led me down to the docks. "Come on."
The only thought that was going through my mind was that Nick was holding my hand. I know that sounds all school girlish, but I didn't care. We walked to edge and sat down. Our legs sung under the dock and we watched as boats slowly made their way across the water. Nick squeezed my hand and then turned to face me.
"What's going on Sara?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is this about what I said earlier about you getting out more?"
I stared back at the water and watched as the waves came crashing in. "I don't want to end up like Donna Marks." I finally tell him.
He released my hand and put his arm around my shoulders. "You won't."
I looked at him and searched his brown eyes. "How do you know?"
"Because I won't let you."
I smiled and leaned into his embrace. We continued to watch the waves enjoying each other's company. I lost track of time somewhere in the comfort of his arms. I watched the waves and the boats and felt the sun against my face. Slowly, I closed my eyes. I didn't want this moment to end. I could feel myself start to drift off and Nick must have noticed that my breathing had slowed down.
"Maybe we should head back." He suggested.
I pulled away from him and nodded. "Yeah, we both have to work tonight."
He stood up and helped me to my feet. We walked back to my vehicle and Nick opened the driver's side door. "Give me your keys, I'll drive us back."
"I'm fine, besides I'll have to drive anyway when we drop you off."
He shook his head no. "You're half asleep. I'll drop you off at your house and come back and get you tonight."
I knew better to stand there and argue with him. He had his mind made up already and they call me stubborn. "Fine." I reach in my pocket and pull out my set of keys and hand them over. He took them and smiled.
"Thanks."
I returned his smile and went around the car and hopped in on the passenger side. I put my seatbelt on and leaned my head back. I closed my eyes and the last thing I heard was Nick changing the radio to a country station.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Well, there's chapter one!!! Please read and review!!! Thanks!!!
Missy
Title: All it Took Was a Phone Call
Disclaimer: I own nothing dealing with CSI.
Spoilers: You've Got Male
Pairings: N/S
This story is in Sara's POV. Enjoy.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Sara's POV
I walked in my apartment and closed the door. I automatically place my keys on the counter and set my bag down. While taking off my jacket my mind plays out my earlier conversation with Nick.
"Hey Sara, how's your case going?" He asked me.
"You ever try to print a radiator cap? Smudge city."
I grab the trashcan and make my way to the fridge. I open it and begin tossing all the take-out boxes into the trashcan. My mind is still focusing on our conversation.
"Yeah. Yeah I know, it's impossible. But it's just a radiator cap so give yourself a break."
"Thank you."
I close the fridge door and began taking down all the menus off and tossing them as well. I grab my magazines and throw them away also. I glance over at my answering machine. What a surprise, no messages.
"Hey Sara, you gotta get out more." Nick's voice enters my head. So before my brain can stop me, I reach for the phone and dial the familiar number.
Before he can say hello I'm already talking. "Hey, it's Sara. I was, uh, thinking you want to go out somewhere?" There I've made that scary first step. As I wait for the answer my brain is telling me I need to run. Hang the phone up and hide.
"Sure." I release the breath I didn't realize I was holding. 'He said yes.' I thought to myself. 'Say something.'
"Great. Um, what would you like to do?" I nervously bite my lower lip. It's a bad habit and sometimes I don't even acknowledge doing it.
"Have you eaten yet?" He asks.
"No."
"Okay, would you like to go have dinner?"
"Sounds good." I make arrangements with and tell him I'll pick him up in an hour. That should give us both time to shower and change clothes. I told him bye and hung up the phone. I walk in my bedroom and open the door of my closet. I scan my clothes trying to find something that would look descent enough to go out to dinner with Nick. Finally I settle on a black spaghetti strap shirt and a pair of dark low-rise jeans. I walk into the bathroom and take my shower. After the shower, I quickly towel dry my hair and pull it back into a twist. I don't have time to straighten it. I apply a small amount of make-up. I got dressed and glanced at myself in the mirror. I'm not sure if I like the person staring back at me. The workaholic woman who could end up just like Donna Marks. That really scares me. I never really considered my life as lonely; of course I'm always trying to do stuff so that I won't have to think about it. But thanks to this case and thanks to Nick pointing out I need a life; my mind is slowly starting to understand how horrible loneliness can be. I watched as a tear made its way down my cheek. I wipe it away and grab my purse.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
I pulled up in Nick's driveway and step out of the car. The air is starting to get a bit chilly. 'Great, I forgot a jacket.' I thought to myself. I walk up to Nick's door and knock. I don't have to wait long before he opens it. He smiles at me and I can't help but smile back. Nick has one of those amazing smiles in which it makes you happy no matter what you were feeling moments before.
"Hey Sara." He greets me and moves aside so I can come in. "You look great."
"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." He was wearing a simple gray shirt with jeans. His shirt showed off his toned and well-defined chest. The results of working out with Warrick after work. He walked over and grabbed his keys off the counter.
"You ready?" He asks me.
"Whenever you are." I respond. He nods and leads me back out of his apartment. He locks his door and then we make our way back to my Tahoe. I got in on the driver's side and put my seatbelt on. I glance over at him. "So, where to?"
"What are you in the mood for?"
"I don't know. Is there somewhere you wanted to go?"
"We could always try that new place close to the lake. I've heard it was really good."
"We have a plan." I stated and backed out of the driveway. The ride to the restaurant was quiet. The radio was playing softly in the background. I had been depressed earlier and my C.D. choice displayed my feelings. Nick's eyes seemed to spot the CDs and he reached for them.
I tried to pay attention to the road and not his reaction to seeing my musical selection. He flipped past Moby, Radiohead and Soul Asylum. "I'm sensing a theme here." He replied.
"What are you talking about?" I asked not taking my eyes off the road.
"These are pretty slow songs. Most of them are depressing." He shifted in his seat and I could feel him staring at me. "What's wrong?"
I turned to look at him. "Nothing. Why?"
"Sara, you're a horrible liar."
"I'm not lying."
"Again with the terrible lying." Before he could say anything else I turned the radio up. It was playing Going Under by Evanescence. I began singing the lyrics out loud trying desperately to keep from thinking about how bad my life was and how I wish things could be different.
Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies
So I don't know what's real and what's not
Always confusing the thoughts in my head
So I can't trust myself anymore
I'm dying again
I'm going under
Drowning in you
I'm falling forever
I've got to break through.
I tried desperately not to break down and cry in front of Nick. I don't need him worrying about me. I silently thanked the heavens that I was wearing sunglasses. Nick wouldn't be able to tell if my eyes began to water. We finally arrived at the restaurant and I got out quickly. Nick followed my lead and we walked inside without saying a word. I pulled my sunglasses on top of my head and gave the hostess my name. She told us it would be a few minutes. Nick and I sat down in the vacant chairs. He immediately turned to me.
"Sara, what's going on?"
I glanced at him. "What do you mean?"
"You called me and asked me to dinner and you've been quiet the entire time. You have depressing music in your car. That alone tells me something isn't right." He reached over and took my hand in his. "Please let me in."
I stared down at our now joined hands. I couldn't suppress the tears that were now cascading down my cheeks. Nick slid closer to me and pulled me into a hug. I buried my face against his chest. I barely heard the hostess call my name. I pulled away from Nick and he cupped my face with his hands. "You still want to eat?" He asked.
"Yeah, I'm hungry and I'm sure you are."
He nodded and pulled his hands away. My face was still warm where he touched me. I missed his touch and his warmth and he was right there in front of me. 'How pathetic am I?' I thought. We turned and followed the hostess to our seats. Nick, being the gentleman he was, pulled my chair out for me. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." He replied and then sat down across from me. Our hostess gave us our menus and walked away. I glanced down and noticed that there weren't a lot of veggie friendly meals. Nick must have noticed it as well because he placed his menu down and reached for my hand. "Let's get out here."
I wasn't about to let Nick walk out of here without eating. I mean this was my idea. "Nick, we don't have to leave. Besides you're hungry."
"So are you and about everything here contains meat."
"It doesn't matter. I can get a salad or some pasta." I really didn't want to leave because that meant taking Nick home and I would be alone, again.
"Sara, that's not enough and you know it."
"That's more than enough. A salad with pasta will fill me up trust me."
"I do, trust you that is." He replied and squeezed my hand. I had temporally forgotten that he was still holing it.
"Good. Now let's order some food." He released his hand and we placed our order when our waitress came. After taking our order, and giving us our drinks, Nick and I were once again alone. I took a sip of my tea and glanced over at Nick. "So, I heard through rumors that you and Warrick were going to a ball game."
"Yeah, he won tickets at the gym and invited me to go along."
"You were standing there when he won, weren't you?"
"What are you implying?" He asked grinning.
"Nothing." I reply innocently. Nick let it slide and took a drink of his tea. We continued talking about causal stuff until our food came. We finished our dinner and I was about to get a to-go box, but I remembered what my fridge looked like earlier. I didn't want that to happen again. So, I left my half eaten salad and pasta on the table and paid for our meal. Nick was reaching in his wallet but I stopped him. "This was my idea. I'm buying."
"Okay, but I'm paying the next time." He informed me. 'The next time?' My brain thought. 'Was there really going to be a next time? I hope so.' We walked back outside and made our way to my Tahoe. I climbed in the driver's seat and waited until Nick was buckled in before I started the car.
"So, was there anything else you wanted to do?" I asked.
"We could go to the lake and walk around." He suggested. The lake wasn't far and to my surprise it wasn't crowded. We hopped out of the Tahoe and walked down toward the pier. Nick reached for my hand and led me down to the docks. "Come on."
The only thought that was going through my mind was that Nick was holding my hand. I know that sounds all school girlish, but I didn't care. We walked to edge and sat down. Our legs sung under the dock and we watched as boats slowly made their way across the water. Nick squeezed my hand and then turned to face me.
"What's going on Sara?"
"What do you mean?"
"Is this about what I said earlier about you getting out more?"
I stared back at the water and watched as the waves came crashing in. "I don't want to end up like Donna Marks." I finally tell him.
He released my hand and put his arm around my shoulders. "You won't."
I looked at him and searched his brown eyes. "How do you know?"
"Because I won't let you."
I smiled and leaned into his embrace. We continued to watch the waves enjoying each other's company. I lost track of time somewhere in the comfort of his arms. I watched the waves and the boats and felt the sun against my face. Slowly, I closed my eyes. I didn't want this moment to end. I could feel myself start to drift off and Nick must have noticed that my breathing had slowed down.
"Maybe we should head back." He suggested.
I pulled away from him and nodded. "Yeah, we both have to work tonight."
He stood up and helped me to my feet. We walked back to my vehicle and Nick opened the driver's side door. "Give me your keys, I'll drive us back."
"I'm fine, besides I'll have to drive anyway when we drop you off."
He shook his head no. "You're half asleep. I'll drop you off at your house and come back and get you tonight."
I knew better to stand there and argue with him. He had his mind made up already and they call me stubborn. "Fine." I reach in my pocket and pull out my set of keys and hand them over. He took them and smiled.
"Thanks."
I returned his smile and went around the car and hopped in on the passenger side. I put my seatbelt on and leaned my head back. I closed my eyes and the last thing I heard was Nick changing the radio to a country station.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Well, there's chapter one!!! Please read and review!!! Thanks!!!
Missy