XV - THE BEST OF TIMES
"What the hell do you mean Earl is her father?" Brass glared at Grissom. They were sitting in Grissom's office, and Brass was having a hard time absorbing all that his friend was telling him.
"Greg found it, but the clues were there in the case file. We need to get more information from Michigan. I think it might be an idea to tell the sheriff there what's going on. I want him onboard when we make an arrest. Since the physical and sexual abuse didn't occur in Nevada, we really can't hold him. I want to make sure this guy gets prosecuted when he returns home. And I also want him charged in connection with Nancy's mother." Grissom looked at Brass and sighed in disgust. "Also, I want to have him fax to us - if he can send it - the entire case-file on Nancy's mother, Emily Elizabeth Watson. Her death was ruled a suicide, but I want to see the entire coroners report to make sure that's the case."
"Geez, this guy is a real piece of work." Brass sighed in disgust. "I've met some scumbags in my time, but if half of what you're telling me is true, this guy takes the cake. What are we going to do about the girl?"
"I have her in a holding cell right now. We're going to have to arrest her for the murder of her child." Grissom took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He could feel a migraine headache coming on. "Doesn't the DA owe you a favor?"
At Brass' nod, Grissom continued. "Could we see if we could get some type of deal for her? The girl obviously has mental problems, and who can blame her? Nick wants to set her up with a good lawyer, and see if we can get her someplace where she can be helped."
"I'll see what I can do. I've arranged for Earl and Becky to come by later this afternoon to talk with us, fill out paperwork, that kind of thing." Brass looked at his watch, and headed out the door. "Listen, its 7:00 am. You guys have been at this case all night, and I have a feeling you'll all want to be here when Earl comes in at 4:00. Why don't you send everyone home for a few hours? I'll call Michigan, see what I can get from the sheriff there, and we can all reconvene around 1:30? That should give everyone time to de-stress a little and catch their breath. And, since I know you won't go home, why don't you come down to my office and crash out on the couch there. I can use the phone at the front desk."
* * * * *
Sara noted with concern the tension in Grissom's face as he walked into the lounge. He looked like he was getting a headache, and Sara hoped it wouldn't turn into a full-blown migraine on him.
"Hey Gris!" she greeted him. "You getting a headache?"
Grissom merely grunted. "Yeah. I was just coming down here to tell you guys to leave. Brass is working on some things for me, and Earl won't be showing up here until later this afternoon. Brass suggested you all go home, get some rest, and meet back here at 1:30 this afternoon. That is, assuming, you want to be here when Earl shows up."
"Oh yeah. I want to be here." Nick stood and stretched. "There's nothing I want more."
Warwick nodded in agreement. "I want to see the look on his face when we tell him what we know. As a matter of fact, I think I'll enjoy it." He unfolded his lanky frame from the small stool he had been sitting on, and headed out the door. "I'll go tell Catherine. She went down to make sure that Nancy was settling in comfortably in her holding cell." He smiled at the irony of trying to make a woman who had murdered her child comfortable. "You know her - not happy unless she's mothering someone. See ya!"
Sara was still looking at Grissom in concern. "Grissom - you have your headache medicine here?"
"Yeah. Top left hand desk drawer in my office."
"Nicky, would you go get it for him? Here Grissom - sit down." She indicated the chair she had just vacated, and Grissom sank into it gratefully. As he had suspected, his headache was quickly becoming a full- blown migraine. It felt like someone was trying to drive an anvil through his head.
Sara grabbed Grissom's hand, and immediately began applying pressure to the fleshy part of his hand, between the thumb and index finger. "Tell me if this hurts."
"What are you doing, Sara?" Grissom's voice was low.
"I read the other day that the human hand, just like feet, is full of pressure points. Apparently, applying the proper amount of pressure to certain areas of the hand can help relieve different ailments. The part that I'm applying pressure on here," she squeezed the area tightly to demonstrate, "can help relieve migraines."
"So, it works along the same lines as acupuncture."
"Exactly!" Sara smiled. "Feel any better?"
Grissom smiled at her weakly. "A little, believe it or not." Sara continued rubbing hand, and rub leaned his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes. The pain in his head was actually receding somewhat, and whether this was due to Sara's pressure point massage or her soothing presence, Grissom had no idea.
When Nick returned to the lounge moments later with Grissom's medicine, he was sleeping like a baby. He tried to school his face into one of supreme non-concern when he saw Sara holding Grissom's hand.
"I'm back."
Sara turned towards Nick and smiled her thanks when he handed her Grissom's pills. Gently, she placed Grissom's hand down on his lap, before opening the bottle up and shaking two out.
"Grissom. Grissom. Nick's back with your pills. C'mon, you have to have them."
Grissom opened his eyes slowly. "Okay."
"I don't think you should be driving like this. You want Nicky and I to take you home?"
"No - Brass offered me the sofa in his office. Something might come up, and I want to be here."
Sara sighed, knowing it was no use arguing with him. "Okay, than. We'll see you later. Try to get some rest." She turned to Nick, smiling. "We still on for breakfast?"
"Your place, or mine?" Nick responded, as he followed Sara out the doorway.
Watching them leave together, Grissom felt his migraine return full force.
* * * * *
They ended up at Nick's house. Nick had made the call, because he was pretty sure he had used up the last of Sara's eggs that morning. Well he was cooking, Sara had asked if she could put on some music, and was busy scanning his CDs. After a few minutes, Nick heard his CD player open up, and Styx's 'Mr. Roboto' began playing.
"Styx okay?" Sara asked, popping into the kitchen. "I've got it going on random." She listened for a few minutes, and did a quick little robot dance across the kitchen floor, laughing at Nick's amused grin. "What? That was cool in the '80s!"
Sara quickly set his kitchen table, peppering him with questions. "Where's the sugar? "Where's the butter? Where're the plates?"
Finally, breakfast was ready, and Sara eagerly dug into her food. "Just as good as I remembered." She smiled at Nick, and patted her stomach. "I could get used to this."
Nick just smiled back. "The way to a woman's heart.and all that."
They sat in companionable silence, Sara's shoulders moving to the sound of the music as she ate. Finally, she spoke up.
"I was really proud of you today, Nicky."
"Yeah? How come?"
"I never realized before how compassionate you are. After Nancy admitted she killed her son, I thought that would be that. But you kept your eyes focused on the big picture - the whole of Timmy's case - the abuse and everything else, and you saw something there that no one else saw." Sara glanced at Nick, and saw that he was listening to her intently, the expression on his face both pleased and embarrassed.
"Yeah, and what was that?"
"You saw a mother who loved her son. And you didn't judge her for doing the only thing she thought she could to prevent him from being hurt some more." Sara's eyes suddenly filled with tears, and she looked down at the kitchen table. "You're a good man, Nicky."
Nick quickly moved to her side, putting his hand under her chin and gently lifting it until he was looking into her eyes. With his other hand, he reached out and gently brushed away her tears. "And you are crying why?" he whispered softly.
"I think it's just tension. A release of tension." She smiled at him through her tears. "Bet you're gonna say: 'There's better ways of relieving tension Sara!'" She drawled in a deep Texas accent, and waggled her eyebrows at him.
Her unexpected teasing caught Nick completely off guard. At the surprised look on his face, she burst into laughter, and pretty soon Nick joined her. They laughed until their sides hurt, hugging each other in mirth. When their laughter finally subsided, Nick poured two cups of coffee and headed into his living room, plopping himself down on the sofa, and patting the empty space beside him.
"Ooh. My sides hurt." Sara complained, smiling at Nick.
Nick nodded in agreement. "I haven't laughed that hard in years. It feels good."
They sipped their coffee in silence. Sara had twisted sideways, and was studying Nick intently as she drank. She always had the best time when she was with him. Throughout her life, people had accused her of being cold and stand-offish, but she wasn't really. She just wasn't comfortable around others because most people just didn't seem to get her.
With Nick, she felt completely at ease - even more comfortable than she felt with Grissom, whom she had known for years. However, with Grissom, she had always been aware of her infatuation with him, and never could fully relax because she was afraid he would find out. Her gaze was drawn to Nick's lips as he sipped coffee from his mug, before trailing down to his strong hands. She didn't know when it had happened, or how it had happened, but Sara realized that she was attracted to Nicky.
Nick could feel Sara's eyes looking at him, and pretended not to notice. He was afraid if he turned to look at her, everything he was feeling at the moment would be plainly visible on his face. Sara completed him at an elemental level he couldn't even begin to comprehend. When he was with her, he felt whole. When he made her smile and laugh, he felt like the most brilliant man on earth.
For two years, he had tried to ignore what he felt for her, because he was so sure that she and Grissom would eventually act on their attraction, but it had never happened. He took a sip of his coffee, and watched in his peripheral vision as Sara's eyes followed his movements. His heart was pounding so hard, he thought it was going to burst.
In the background, he heard Dennis DeYoung singing about the best of times. He reached over and put his coffee mug on the end table. "Sara? Would you like to dance with me?"
Sara slowly mimicked his movements, placing her mug down, and slowly standing. "I'd love to dance with you Nicky."
~ I know you feel these are the worst of times. I do believe it's true. When people lock their doors, and hide inside, rumor has it it's the end of paradise. But I know, if the world if the world just passed us by, baby I know, I wouldn't have to cry.
The best of times, are when I'm alone with you. Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two. Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime, we'll take the best forget the rest and some day we'll find these are the best of times, these are the best of times.
The headlines read 'These Are the Worst of Times'; I do believe it's true. I feel so helpless like a boat against the tide. I wish the summer winds could bring back paradise. But I know, if the world turned upside down, baby I know you'd always be around
The best of times are when I'm alone with you. Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two. Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime, we'll take the best forget the rest and some day we'll find these are the best of times; these are the best of times.
When I'm alone with you, you brighten up the night, when I'm alone with you.~
The snick of the CD player changing tunes was the only sound in the room. The sweet strains of "Come Sail Away" filled the silence, and Nick and Sara continued dancing. Nick had his arms around Sara, one strong hand splayed across her back, the other caressing the base of her head. Sara's arms dangled over Nick's shoulders, and her head was tucked securely under his chin. Their movement was languorous and slow, their legs rubbing together as the swayed to the music.
"These are, you know." Sara's voice was muffled against his chest. Nick could feel her breath through his t-shirt. It made his heard pound.
"What are?"
"These are the best of times. I like being alone with you Nick." Sara pushed her head away from his chest and smiled at him. Nick smiled back.
"I like being alone with you too, Sara." They were still swaying together, but neither was paying attention to the music anymore.
"Nicky?"
"Yes, Sara?"
"Are you going to kiss me again? Like you did today in the lounge room?"
Nick's eyes drifted to her lips, and he leaned forward, gently touching his mouth to hers. "Like that?" He leaned in for another kiss, this one harder, more passionate. "Or like that?"
"I don't know." Sara teased. "Try again - I'll have to study the evidence before I tell you which one is better."
Nick laughed, dipping his head in for another kiss. Sara tasted like coffee and crepes. Nick groaned as her tongue traced the ridge of his lips, and he felt her fingers weave through his hair pulling him closer. They stood there like that for several minutes, teasing and tasting each other, hands exploring, before Sara pulled away from Nicky and smiled.
"Say it Nick!" she demanded.
Nick looked at her and waggled his eyebrows. "There are better ways of relieving tension, Sara!" He leaned in for another quick kiss, before whispering, "Wanna try them?"
Sara's smile was blinding, as she slid her hands up underneath his shirt, running her hands over the firm muscles on his chest. "Yes, Nicky."
________
Author's note: For those of you who don't own a Styx album, I suggest starting with their Greatest Hits. It's great stuff. For those of you who were pushing for a Grissom/ Sara 'ship here, sorry - no can do. This is too much Nicky's story.
"What the hell do you mean Earl is her father?" Brass glared at Grissom. They were sitting in Grissom's office, and Brass was having a hard time absorbing all that his friend was telling him.
"Greg found it, but the clues were there in the case file. We need to get more information from Michigan. I think it might be an idea to tell the sheriff there what's going on. I want him onboard when we make an arrest. Since the physical and sexual abuse didn't occur in Nevada, we really can't hold him. I want to make sure this guy gets prosecuted when he returns home. And I also want him charged in connection with Nancy's mother." Grissom looked at Brass and sighed in disgust. "Also, I want to have him fax to us - if he can send it - the entire case-file on Nancy's mother, Emily Elizabeth Watson. Her death was ruled a suicide, but I want to see the entire coroners report to make sure that's the case."
"Geez, this guy is a real piece of work." Brass sighed in disgust. "I've met some scumbags in my time, but if half of what you're telling me is true, this guy takes the cake. What are we going to do about the girl?"
"I have her in a holding cell right now. We're going to have to arrest her for the murder of her child." Grissom took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He could feel a migraine headache coming on. "Doesn't the DA owe you a favor?"
At Brass' nod, Grissom continued. "Could we see if we could get some type of deal for her? The girl obviously has mental problems, and who can blame her? Nick wants to set her up with a good lawyer, and see if we can get her someplace where she can be helped."
"I'll see what I can do. I've arranged for Earl and Becky to come by later this afternoon to talk with us, fill out paperwork, that kind of thing." Brass looked at his watch, and headed out the door. "Listen, its 7:00 am. You guys have been at this case all night, and I have a feeling you'll all want to be here when Earl comes in at 4:00. Why don't you send everyone home for a few hours? I'll call Michigan, see what I can get from the sheriff there, and we can all reconvene around 1:30? That should give everyone time to de-stress a little and catch their breath. And, since I know you won't go home, why don't you come down to my office and crash out on the couch there. I can use the phone at the front desk."
* * * * *
Sara noted with concern the tension in Grissom's face as he walked into the lounge. He looked like he was getting a headache, and Sara hoped it wouldn't turn into a full-blown migraine on him.
"Hey Gris!" she greeted him. "You getting a headache?"
Grissom merely grunted. "Yeah. I was just coming down here to tell you guys to leave. Brass is working on some things for me, and Earl won't be showing up here until later this afternoon. Brass suggested you all go home, get some rest, and meet back here at 1:30 this afternoon. That is, assuming, you want to be here when Earl shows up."
"Oh yeah. I want to be here." Nick stood and stretched. "There's nothing I want more."
Warwick nodded in agreement. "I want to see the look on his face when we tell him what we know. As a matter of fact, I think I'll enjoy it." He unfolded his lanky frame from the small stool he had been sitting on, and headed out the door. "I'll go tell Catherine. She went down to make sure that Nancy was settling in comfortably in her holding cell." He smiled at the irony of trying to make a woman who had murdered her child comfortable. "You know her - not happy unless she's mothering someone. See ya!"
Sara was still looking at Grissom in concern. "Grissom - you have your headache medicine here?"
"Yeah. Top left hand desk drawer in my office."
"Nicky, would you go get it for him? Here Grissom - sit down." She indicated the chair she had just vacated, and Grissom sank into it gratefully. As he had suspected, his headache was quickly becoming a full- blown migraine. It felt like someone was trying to drive an anvil through his head.
Sara grabbed Grissom's hand, and immediately began applying pressure to the fleshy part of his hand, between the thumb and index finger. "Tell me if this hurts."
"What are you doing, Sara?" Grissom's voice was low.
"I read the other day that the human hand, just like feet, is full of pressure points. Apparently, applying the proper amount of pressure to certain areas of the hand can help relieve different ailments. The part that I'm applying pressure on here," she squeezed the area tightly to demonstrate, "can help relieve migraines."
"So, it works along the same lines as acupuncture."
"Exactly!" Sara smiled. "Feel any better?"
Grissom smiled at her weakly. "A little, believe it or not." Sara continued rubbing hand, and rub leaned his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes. The pain in his head was actually receding somewhat, and whether this was due to Sara's pressure point massage or her soothing presence, Grissom had no idea.
When Nick returned to the lounge moments later with Grissom's medicine, he was sleeping like a baby. He tried to school his face into one of supreme non-concern when he saw Sara holding Grissom's hand.
"I'm back."
Sara turned towards Nick and smiled her thanks when he handed her Grissom's pills. Gently, she placed Grissom's hand down on his lap, before opening the bottle up and shaking two out.
"Grissom. Grissom. Nick's back with your pills. C'mon, you have to have them."
Grissom opened his eyes slowly. "Okay."
"I don't think you should be driving like this. You want Nicky and I to take you home?"
"No - Brass offered me the sofa in his office. Something might come up, and I want to be here."
Sara sighed, knowing it was no use arguing with him. "Okay, than. We'll see you later. Try to get some rest." She turned to Nick, smiling. "We still on for breakfast?"
"Your place, or mine?" Nick responded, as he followed Sara out the doorway.
Watching them leave together, Grissom felt his migraine return full force.
* * * * *
They ended up at Nick's house. Nick had made the call, because he was pretty sure he had used up the last of Sara's eggs that morning. Well he was cooking, Sara had asked if she could put on some music, and was busy scanning his CDs. After a few minutes, Nick heard his CD player open up, and Styx's 'Mr. Roboto' began playing.
"Styx okay?" Sara asked, popping into the kitchen. "I've got it going on random." She listened for a few minutes, and did a quick little robot dance across the kitchen floor, laughing at Nick's amused grin. "What? That was cool in the '80s!"
Sara quickly set his kitchen table, peppering him with questions. "Where's the sugar? "Where's the butter? Where're the plates?"
Finally, breakfast was ready, and Sara eagerly dug into her food. "Just as good as I remembered." She smiled at Nick, and patted her stomach. "I could get used to this."
Nick just smiled back. "The way to a woman's heart.and all that."
They sat in companionable silence, Sara's shoulders moving to the sound of the music as she ate. Finally, she spoke up.
"I was really proud of you today, Nicky."
"Yeah? How come?"
"I never realized before how compassionate you are. After Nancy admitted she killed her son, I thought that would be that. But you kept your eyes focused on the big picture - the whole of Timmy's case - the abuse and everything else, and you saw something there that no one else saw." Sara glanced at Nick, and saw that he was listening to her intently, the expression on his face both pleased and embarrassed.
"Yeah, and what was that?"
"You saw a mother who loved her son. And you didn't judge her for doing the only thing she thought she could to prevent him from being hurt some more." Sara's eyes suddenly filled with tears, and she looked down at the kitchen table. "You're a good man, Nicky."
Nick quickly moved to her side, putting his hand under her chin and gently lifting it until he was looking into her eyes. With his other hand, he reached out and gently brushed away her tears. "And you are crying why?" he whispered softly.
"I think it's just tension. A release of tension." She smiled at him through her tears. "Bet you're gonna say: 'There's better ways of relieving tension Sara!'" She drawled in a deep Texas accent, and waggled her eyebrows at him.
Her unexpected teasing caught Nick completely off guard. At the surprised look on his face, she burst into laughter, and pretty soon Nick joined her. They laughed until their sides hurt, hugging each other in mirth. When their laughter finally subsided, Nick poured two cups of coffee and headed into his living room, plopping himself down on the sofa, and patting the empty space beside him.
"Ooh. My sides hurt." Sara complained, smiling at Nick.
Nick nodded in agreement. "I haven't laughed that hard in years. It feels good."
They sipped their coffee in silence. Sara had twisted sideways, and was studying Nick intently as she drank. She always had the best time when she was with him. Throughout her life, people had accused her of being cold and stand-offish, but she wasn't really. She just wasn't comfortable around others because most people just didn't seem to get her.
With Nick, she felt completely at ease - even more comfortable than she felt with Grissom, whom she had known for years. However, with Grissom, she had always been aware of her infatuation with him, and never could fully relax because she was afraid he would find out. Her gaze was drawn to Nick's lips as he sipped coffee from his mug, before trailing down to his strong hands. She didn't know when it had happened, or how it had happened, but Sara realized that she was attracted to Nicky.
Nick could feel Sara's eyes looking at him, and pretended not to notice. He was afraid if he turned to look at her, everything he was feeling at the moment would be plainly visible on his face. Sara completed him at an elemental level he couldn't even begin to comprehend. When he was with her, he felt whole. When he made her smile and laugh, he felt like the most brilliant man on earth.
For two years, he had tried to ignore what he felt for her, because he was so sure that she and Grissom would eventually act on their attraction, but it had never happened. He took a sip of his coffee, and watched in his peripheral vision as Sara's eyes followed his movements. His heart was pounding so hard, he thought it was going to burst.
In the background, he heard Dennis DeYoung singing about the best of times. He reached over and put his coffee mug on the end table. "Sara? Would you like to dance with me?"
Sara slowly mimicked his movements, placing her mug down, and slowly standing. "I'd love to dance with you Nicky."
~ I know you feel these are the worst of times. I do believe it's true. When people lock their doors, and hide inside, rumor has it it's the end of paradise. But I know, if the world if the world just passed us by, baby I know, I wouldn't have to cry.
The best of times, are when I'm alone with you. Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two. Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime, we'll take the best forget the rest and some day we'll find these are the best of times, these are the best of times.
The headlines read 'These Are the Worst of Times'; I do believe it's true. I feel so helpless like a boat against the tide. I wish the summer winds could bring back paradise. But I know, if the world turned upside down, baby I know you'd always be around
The best of times are when I'm alone with you. Some rain some shine, we'll make this a world for two. Our memories of yesterday will last a lifetime, we'll take the best forget the rest and some day we'll find these are the best of times; these are the best of times.
When I'm alone with you, you brighten up the night, when I'm alone with you.~
The snick of the CD player changing tunes was the only sound in the room. The sweet strains of "Come Sail Away" filled the silence, and Nick and Sara continued dancing. Nick had his arms around Sara, one strong hand splayed across her back, the other caressing the base of her head. Sara's arms dangled over Nick's shoulders, and her head was tucked securely under his chin. Their movement was languorous and slow, their legs rubbing together as the swayed to the music.
"These are, you know." Sara's voice was muffled against his chest. Nick could feel her breath through his t-shirt. It made his heard pound.
"What are?"
"These are the best of times. I like being alone with you Nick." Sara pushed her head away from his chest and smiled at him. Nick smiled back.
"I like being alone with you too, Sara." They were still swaying together, but neither was paying attention to the music anymore.
"Nicky?"
"Yes, Sara?"
"Are you going to kiss me again? Like you did today in the lounge room?"
Nick's eyes drifted to her lips, and he leaned forward, gently touching his mouth to hers. "Like that?" He leaned in for another kiss, this one harder, more passionate. "Or like that?"
"I don't know." Sara teased. "Try again - I'll have to study the evidence before I tell you which one is better."
Nick laughed, dipping his head in for another kiss. Sara tasted like coffee and crepes. Nick groaned as her tongue traced the ridge of his lips, and he felt her fingers weave through his hair pulling him closer. They stood there like that for several minutes, teasing and tasting each other, hands exploring, before Sara pulled away from Nicky and smiled.
"Say it Nick!" she demanded.
Nick looked at her and waggled his eyebrows. "There are better ways of relieving tension, Sara!" He leaned in for another quick kiss, before whispering, "Wanna try them?"
Sara's smile was blinding, as she slid her hands up underneath his shirt, running her hands over the firm muscles on his chest. "Yes, Nicky."
________
Author's note: For those of you who don't own a Styx album, I suggest starting with their Greatest Hits. It's great stuff. For those of you who were pushing for a Grissom/ Sara 'ship here, sorry - no can do. This is too much Nicky's story.
