~4~4~4~4~4~
When Nick woke up in the morning, he was thinking about Sara. She was acting weird last night. No doubt about it. She came onto his room wanting PB&J. Now Nick knew Sara, and she definitely was not the PB&J type, especially that early in the morning. When she came in there, she was acting...weird. There really was no other word for it. He had never seen her act like that. He thought for a second. Wait, he had seen her like that - when she was around Grissom. What did that mean though?
Sara had moved out of Grissom's house. He knew that. He was also one of the few people who knew they were engaged. They must have had a huge fight for her to move out and break up the engagement. After all, they were crazy about each other. But, being the gentleman that he was, Nick didn't ask why Sara had moved out. He was full of wonder, though. He was about ready to tie her down to a chair and demand what the hell was going on with her and his boss.
He thought more. She was available! He suddenly realized. He had held this major crush on her since the day she came to the lab. He could now make his move! Yes! He also had a good quality. He could give her what Grissom couldn't. After all, he was a lot younger than Grissom.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Today, Nick drove Sara to the lab in his pickup. He took his eyed from the read for just a second to look at Sara. She was cute. He couldn't deny it. When they got too the lab, Nick made Sara some coffee.
"Here you go," he said, handing her a Styrofoam cup with steaming hot coffee in it.
"Thanks," she said, taking the cup from Nick.
"No problem," he replied. He flashed her one of his dazzling smiles. Sara caught this and smiled back at him. "Nice smile you got there," he told her.
"You're full of shit," she said to Nick. "I could fit a quarter between my teeth when I was five. I hate my damn teeth."
"I like your teeth," he responded.
"You do?" asked Sara, turning to him.
"Yes."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Grissom walked along the hall. He was headed to the break room to get his experiment out of the refrigerator. Hopefully the results would help his case along. He arrived outside of the break room, but he stopped short in his tracks. The sight that met his eyes was a shock to him. Nick and Sara were being more that friendly to each other. Way more than friendly.
Was this how Sara considered him? Grissom was thinking. "Oh well, Grissom's gone, I might as well move on to Nick. "She better not have. She was better than that, and Grissom knew it. He took a breath and walked into the break room.
"Hi Sara. Hi Nick," he said very fast.
"Hi," they both said simultaneously as Grissom opened up the refrigerator door. He didn't reply, but rather got his experiment off of the top shelf. He walked out of the break room, leaving Sara and Nick together. He walked back down the hall to his office. He sat, or rather, threw his experiment on the desktop. Who really cared what cold temperatures did to an African violet? Surely not he. What Grissom needed right now was some expert advice. He left his office to seek Catherine. She was his only hope.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Catherine had pulled up a chair next to Greg while she waited for him. She was talking to him about her dancing days.
"Yes, Greg," she was saying, "I know it's hard to believe, but yes, I, Catherine Willows, did take it all off for strangers."
Greg tried to imagine Catherine as a stripper. He had gone to clubs and stuff.but Catherine? He was nevertheless intrigued as he analyzed the sample. "Nice. So, why'd you do it?"
"Don't get me wrong. The pay was great and it wasn't labor intensive. All I had to do was impress the guys there, and that wasn't very hard to do. And in a way, I guess, I liked the attention a bit."
"You did?" Greg asked. "Did you have a nice ass?" He paused. "Never mind, Never mind," he said very fast. He looked down at Catherine's DNA sample that he was still analyzing. "Well, that's interesting. What was it like from your dancer's point of view?"
"Well," Catherine began. "It was like..." She looked over her shoulder. Grissom was walking towards her. She immediately stopped talking to Greg.
"Why'd you stop? I was listening." He looked up at her. He saw that she was looking over his shoulder, not at him. Greg turned around and followed her eyes over to Grissom.
"Hi Catherine," he said as he reached her. "Come with me. I really need to talk to you."
Catherine got up and followed Grissom. "What is it?" she asked him.
"I really need help this time."
"Sara?"
"Yes."
"What's up now?"
"Well, she's, with, with Nick." They walked toward the break room. "Let me show you." They passed by, looking through the windows. Nick and Sara were still in there flirting.
When they were a safe distance away, Catherine spoke. "Oh my god. That isn't good."
"No it isn't." Grissom replied. He held his breath, waiting for Catherine to make everything right with the world. "What do I do?" he asked.
Catherine thought for a second. "I have Nick tonight. I'll talk to him. And," she thought a little more. "I can ask Sara to come over to my place tonight."
Grissom let out a rush of air. "Thanks Cath," he said, warmly and relieved. She was amazing. "Catherine, I cannot thank you enough."
"No problem." She replied. "Anyway, Nicky and I have to get going now."
"Okay. See you later."
Catherine walked away from Grissom and back to the break room. Nick had gotten Sara to sit on his lap. Catherine was glad that she had come when she did. "Come on Nick," she said to him. "We have a suspect to go to tonight."
"Can Sara come?" Nick asked. He was staring blankly at Catherine.
"For god's sake, no. She's Working with Warrick," Catherine Said with no emotion at all.
Nick grudgingly got Sara to get off his lap and stood up. "Okay." He said. "Let's do this so we can come back here." Nick was looking at Sara when he said this as he walked out the door with Catherine. They both walked outside to the Tahoe and got in. Catherine was driving. She backed the car up and pulled out into the night.
They car was very quiet as neither of them were talking. Catherine decided to break the silence. "So, Nicky," she said, trying to make conversation. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing," Nick replied wishing that if it was too quiet for her, she should have turned on the radio or something.
"Wonderful," said Catherine, unimpressed. She needed to talk to Nick about Sara, but not now. She needed to warm up to him first. "What are you going to do on your day off tomorrow?" she asked him.
"Sleep," he replied. He really felt like some music. "Hey Cath?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I turn on the radio?
"Sure," he said, wishing that he would at least have wanted to talk to her. Nick turned the dial on the dashboard until he found what he was looking for. He was considerate and didn't turn it up all the way how he liked it. They drove the rest of the way listening to the radio.
Catherine pulled in the suspect's driveway a little while later. She and Nick got out and Nick knocked on the door. It opened after Nick's second knock to reveal a tall, thin blonde guy.
"Hello," he said. "Can I help you?"
"Brian Spilner?" Nick asked.
"Yes," he said, mystified. "Do you want something?"
"Yeah," Catherine said. "In fact we do. I'm Willows, this is Stokes. We're from the Las Vegas Crime lab. Do you know a Jennifer Trenton?"
"Jennifer Trenton." he repeated in thought. "Umm, Yeah I know her. I was with her last night."
"She was murdered. And we found you DNA at the Crime scene."
A look of shock came over Brian's face. "She's...she's... DEAD?"
"Yes," Nick replied. "You said you were with her last night?"
"Yes," Brian said with obvious pain. "And I'll never get to see her again."
You'll have to come in for questioning at the station," Nick said. "Just procedure."
"Okay, That'd be fine," Brian replied. "But one thing."
"Yes?"
"Can I take my own car?"
"You sure?" Cath asked.
"Yeah."
"Okay then," Catherine sighed. "One of us should ride with you though."
"Nah, I got it."
"Okay then." They both went to their separate cars and got in. "Follow us," Nick yelled to Brian out the window of the Tahoe. Catherine pulled out of the driveway and out into the night.
Catherine and Nick sat for a minute or two in silence, thoughts to themselves. Then Nick voiced his. "That guy is a mess."
"Well, Nicky, you would be too if you just figured out that your girlfriend was murdered."
Yeah, well, I guess you're right. Kristy was a bit of a shock. But, that guy was way more messed up than I was. And I had to worry about going to jail!"
"Yeah, well, I saved your ass. Anyway, this guy still has to worry about jail."
"Oh yeah, that's right." He thought for a moment. "I would be like that guy though if Sara was murdered."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Well, I like her and she likes me. I-"
"NICK STOKES!" Catherine yelled, causing Nick to jump. "Sara is not yours! She is Grissom's! Do you not have eyes? Leave her alone! She still loves Grissom and you know it. I have been trying to show her that. You on her case isn't helping."
"But Catherine, I-"
"But nothing Nick. Please let me deal with her. She's a handful. Just trust me on this one." With that, Catherine was done. Nick seemed to get the point, and he Stayed quiet the rest of the way back to the lab.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Catherine finally managed to catch Sara that night, just as she was walking out. "Sara!" she called, half walking, half jogging. Heels weren't very good if you wanted to go fast. "Wait up! These heels are a bitch to walk in!" She caught up to Sara. "Hey, Come on! Let's go have a beer."
"No, thanks for the offer though. I'm beat."
"You sure? Because we can go somewhere relaxing then, how about a spa?"
"Hell no! There are way too many germs in those places!"
Catherine had to smile at this. But she was running out of ideas. What else would keep Sara away from Nick's place? "You hungry then? We could go for a burger."
Sara looked shocked. "I'm a vegetarian!" With this, she got in with Nick. "Goodbye," she said as she rolled the window up. Nick started the car and drove away.
"Shit. Wrong thing to say." Catherine walked back to her car.
~*~*~*~*~*~
When Sara got back to Nick's Place, she was ready to collapse on to the bed. She looked up at Nick. He looked so hot right there, just sitting on the couch. She was next to him. Nick had turned on the radio, and a song was playing in the background.
As I sit here and slowly close my eyes
I take another deep breath
And feel the wind pass through my body
I'm the one in your soul
Reflecting the light
Protect the ones who hold you
Cradling your inner child
It's serenity
In a place where I can hide
I need serenity
Nothing changes, days go by
Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when I thought mean nothing
And when will we learn to control
"I like this song," Sara told Nick.
"So do I."
Sara looked over at Nick. Who really cared anymore if it wasn't Grissom. She needed someone. The longing had become so strong. She grabbed Nick. "Come here you."
Nick had barely enough time for a conscious thought before he felt Sara's lips on his own. He pulled her to him. Sara's hands went everywhere, down his sides, under his shirt, caressing his chest. Nick pulled her closer and kissed her with a force he had never known. Her touch was soft and inviting.
She tried to remove his shirt, but she couldn't. Nick pulled away from her for just a second to rid himself of the offending piece of clothing. Hen then moved closer to Sara and took off her shirt as well. Nick pulled Sara back to him. Here was the girl he had his eye on for about two years now, Right here, with him. This was unexpected, but very welcome.
He gasped as he felt her long thin fingers pull down the zipper to his pants. Nick shifted position so he could kick them off. He cradled Sara. She was the only thing he was thinking about right now and the object of his affection. His fingers stroked her waist as he ripped her pants off. She had no reason to hide her beautiful body. His hands stroked her newly exposed flesh.
She pulled away from him. Nick watched her as she walked down the hall to his bedroom. She glanced seductively at him before disappearing into there. He quickly followed her, but not before stopping in the bathroom for a condom first.
To be continued...
_-_-_-_-_-_
AN: Sorry about that, but I have had that song stuck in my head for a while. It's Serenity by Godsmack. If you get a chance, listen to it, because it rocks.
Hey, I still have no idea whether this is going to be a G/S or a N/S! Help me out here, and please give me a better reason than "They belong together." That doesn't help much!
When Nick woke up in the morning, he was thinking about Sara. She was acting weird last night. No doubt about it. She came onto his room wanting PB&J. Now Nick knew Sara, and she definitely was not the PB&J type, especially that early in the morning. When she came in there, she was acting...weird. There really was no other word for it. He had never seen her act like that. He thought for a second. Wait, he had seen her like that - when she was around Grissom. What did that mean though?
Sara had moved out of Grissom's house. He knew that. He was also one of the few people who knew they were engaged. They must have had a huge fight for her to move out and break up the engagement. After all, they were crazy about each other. But, being the gentleman that he was, Nick didn't ask why Sara had moved out. He was full of wonder, though. He was about ready to tie her down to a chair and demand what the hell was going on with her and his boss.
He thought more. She was available! He suddenly realized. He had held this major crush on her since the day she came to the lab. He could now make his move! Yes! He also had a good quality. He could give her what Grissom couldn't. After all, he was a lot younger than Grissom.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Today, Nick drove Sara to the lab in his pickup. He took his eyed from the read for just a second to look at Sara. She was cute. He couldn't deny it. When they got too the lab, Nick made Sara some coffee.
"Here you go," he said, handing her a Styrofoam cup with steaming hot coffee in it.
"Thanks," she said, taking the cup from Nick.
"No problem," he replied. He flashed her one of his dazzling smiles. Sara caught this and smiled back at him. "Nice smile you got there," he told her.
"You're full of shit," she said to Nick. "I could fit a quarter between my teeth when I was five. I hate my damn teeth."
"I like your teeth," he responded.
"You do?" asked Sara, turning to him.
"Yes."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Grissom walked along the hall. He was headed to the break room to get his experiment out of the refrigerator. Hopefully the results would help his case along. He arrived outside of the break room, but he stopped short in his tracks. The sight that met his eyes was a shock to him. Nick and Sara were being more that friendly to each other. Way more than friendly.
Was this how Sara considered him? Grissom was thinking. "Oh well, Grissom's gone, I might as well move on to Nick. "She better not have. She was better than that, and Grissom knew it. He took a breath and walked into the break room.
"Hi Sara. Hi Nick," he said very fast.
"Hi," they both said simultaneously as Grissom opened up the refrigerator door. He didn't reply, but rather got his experiment off of the top shelf. He walked out of the break room, leaving Sara and Nick together. He walked back down the hall to his office. He sat, or rather, threw his experiment on the desktop. Who really cared what cold temperatures did to an African violet? Surely not he. What Grissom needed right now was some expert advice. He left his office to seek Catherine. She was his only hope.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Catherine had pulled up a chair next to Greg while she waited for him. She was talking to him about her dancing days.
"Yes, Greg," she was saying, "I know it's hard to believe, but yes, I, Catherine Willows, did take it all off for strangers."
Greg tried to imagine Catherine as a stripper. He had gone to clubs and stuff.but Catherine? He was nevertheless intrigued as he analyzed the sample. "Nice. So, why'd you do it?"
"Don't get me wrong. The pay was great and it wasn't labor intensive. All I had to do was impress the guys there, and that wasn't very hard to do. And in a way, I guess, I liked the attention a bit."
"You did?" Greg asked. "Did you have a nice ass?" He paused. "Never mind, Never mind," he said very fast. He looked down at Catherine's DNA sample that he was still analyzing. "Well, that's interesting. What was it like from your dancer's point of view?"
"Well," Catherine began. "It was like..." She looked over her shoulder. Grissom was walking towards her. She immediately stopped talking to Greg.
"Why'd you stop? I was listening." He looked up at her. He saw that she was looking over his shoulder, not at him. Greg turned around and followed her eyes over to Grissom.
"Hi Catherine," he said as he reached her. "Come with me. I really need to talk to you."
Catherine got up and followed Grissom. "What is it?" she asked him.
"I really need help this time."
"Sara?"
"Yes."
"What's up now?"
"Well, she's, with, with Nick." They walked toward the break room. "Let me show you." They passed by, looking through the windows. Nick and Sara were still in there flirting.
When they were a safe distance away, Catherine spoke. "Oh my god. That isn't good."
"No it isn't." Grissom replied. He held his breath, waiting for Catherine to make everything right with the world. "What do I do?" he asked.
Catherine thought for a second. "I have Nick tonight. I'll talk to him. And," she thought a little more. "I can ask Sara to come over to my place tonight."
Grissom let out a rush of air. "Thanks Cath," he said, warmly and relieved. She was amazing. "Catherine, I cannot thank you enough."
"No problem." She replied. "Anyway, Nicky and I have to get going now."
"Okay. See you later."
Catherine walked away from Grissom and back to the break room. Nick had gotten Sara to sit on his lap. Catherine was glad that she had come when she did. "Come on Nick," she said to him. "We have a suspect to go to tonight."
"Can Sara come?" Nick asked. He was staring blankly at Catherine.
"For god's sake, no. She's Working with Warrick," Catherine Said with no emotion at all.
Nick grudgingly got Sara to get off his lap and stood up. "Okay." He said. "Let's do this so we can come back here." Nick was looking at Sara when he said this as he walked out the door with Catherine. They both walked outside to the Tahoe and got in. Catherine was driving. She backed the car up and pulled out into the night.
They car was very quiet as neither of them were talking. Catherine decided to break the silence. "So, Nicky," she said, trying to make conversation. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing," Nick replied wishing that if it was too quiet for her, she should have turned on the radio or something.
"Wonderful," said Catherine, unimpressed. She needed to talk to Nick about Sara, but not now. She needed to warm up to him first. "What are you going to do on your day off tomorrow?" she asked him.
"Sleep," he replied. He really felt like some music. "Hey Cath?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I turn on the radio?
"Sure," he said, wishing that he would at least have wanted to talk to her. Nick turned the dial on the dashboard until he found what he was looking for. He was considerate and didn't turn it up all the way how he liked it. They drove the rest of the way listening to the radio.
Catherine pulled in the suspect's driveway a little while later. She and Nick got out and Nick knocked on the door. It opened after Nick's second knock to reveal a tall, thin blonde guy.
"Hello," he said. "Can I help you?"
"Brian Spilner?" Nick asked.
"Yes," he said, mystified. "Do you want something?"
"Yeah," Catherine said. "In fact we do. I'm Willows, this is Stokes. We're from the Las Vegas Crime lab. Do you know a Jennifer Trenton?"
"Jennifer Trenton." he repeated in thought. "Umm, Yeah I know her. I was with her last night."
"She was murdered. And we found you DNA at the Crime scene."
A look of shock came over Brian's face. "She's...she's... DEAD?"
"Yes," Nick replied. "You said you were with her last night?"
"Yes," Brian said with obvious pain. "And I'll never get to see her again."
You'll have to come in for questioning at the station," Nick said. "Just procedure."
"Okay, That'd be fine," Brian replied. "But one thing."
"Yes?"
"Can I take my own car?"
"You sure?" Cath asked.
"Yeah."
"Okay then," Catherine sighed. "One of us should ride with you though."
"Nah, I got it."
"Okay then." They both went to their separate cars and got in. "Follow us," Nick yelled to Brian out the window of the Tahoe. Catherine pulled out of the driveway and out into the night.
Catherine and Nick sat for a minute or two in silence, thoughts to themselves. Then Nick voiced his. "That guy is a mess."
"Well, Nicky, you would be too if you just figured out that your girlfriend was murdered."
Yeah, well, I guess you're right. Kristy was a bit of a shock. But, that guy was way more messed up than I was. And I had to worry about going to jail!"
"Yeah, well, I saved your ass. Anyway, this guy still has to worry about jail."
"Oh yeah, that's right." He thought for a moment. "I would be like that guy though if Sara was murdered."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Well, I like her and she likes me. I-"
"NICK STOKES!" Catherine yelled, causing Nick to jump. "Sara is not yours! She is Grissom's! Do you not have eyes? Leave her alone! She still loves Grissom and you know it. I have been trying to show her that. You on her case isn't helping."
"But Catherine, I-"
"But nothing Nick. Please let me deal with her. She's a handful. Just trust me on this one." With that, Catherine was done. Nick seemed to get the point, and he Stayed quiet the rest of the way back to the lab.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Catherine finally managed to catch Sara that night, just as she was walking out. "Sara!" she called, half walking, half jogging. Heels weren't very good if you wanted to go fast. "Wait up! These heels are a bitch to walk in!" She caught up to Sara. "Hey, Come on! Let's go have a beer."
"No, thanks for the offer though. I'm beat."
"You sure? Because we can go somewhere relaxing then, how about a spa?"
"Hell no! There are way too many germs in those places!"
Catherine had to smile at this. But she was running out of ideas. What else would keep Sara away from Nick's place? "You hungry then? We could go for a burger."
Sara looked shocked. "I'm a vegetarian!" With this, she got in with Nick. "Goodbye," she said as she rolled the window up. Nick started the car and drove away.
"Shit. Wrong thing to say." Catherine walked back to her car.
~*~*~*~*~*~
When Sara got back to Nick's Place, she was ready to collapse on to the bed. She looked up at Nick. He looked so hot right there, just sitting on the couch. She was next to him. Nick had turned on the radio, and a song was playing in the background.
As I sit here and slowly close my eyes
I take another deep breath
And feel the wind pass through my body
I'm the one in your soul
Reflecting the light
Protect the ones who hold you
Cradling your inner child
It's serenity
In a place where I can hide
I need serenity
Nothing changes, days go by
Where do we go when we just don't know
And how do we relight the flame when it's cold
Why do we dream when I thought mean nothing
And when will we learn to control
"I like this song," Sara told Nick.
"So do I."
Sara looked over at Nick. Who really cared anymore if it wasn't Grissom. She needed someone. The longing had become so strong. She grabbed Nick. "Come here you."
Nick had barely enough time for a conscious thought before he felt Sara's lips on his own. He pulled her to him. Sara's hands went everywhere, down his sides, under his shirt, caressing his chest. Nick pulled her closer and kissed her with a force he had never known. Her touch was soft and inviting.
She tried to remove his shirt, but she couldn't. Nick pulled away from her for just a second to rid himself of the offending piece of clothing. Hen then moved closer to Sara and took off her shirt as well. Nick pulled Sara back to him. Here was the girl he had his eye on for about two years now, Right here, with him. This was unexpected, but very welcome.
He gasped as he felt her long thin fingers pull down the zipper to his pants. Nick shifted position so he could kick them off. He cradled Sara. She was the only thing he was thinking about right now and the object of his affection. His fingers stroked her waist as he ripped her pants off. She had no reason to hide her beautiful body. His hands stroked her newly exposed flesh.
She pulled away from him. Nick watched her as she walked down the hall to his bedroom. She glanced seductively at him before disappearing into there. He quickly followed her, but not before stopping in the bathroom for a condom first.
To be continued...
_-_-_-_-_-_
AN: Sorry about that, but I have had that song stuck in my head for a while. It's Serenity by Godsmack. If you get a chance, listen to it, because it rocks.
Hey, I still have no idea whether this is going to be a G/S or a N/S! Help me out here, and please give me a better reason than "They belong together." That doesn't help much!
