Chapter 2- Partners in Crime

The door opens for the second time dead on 8:00 and Grissom enters. I'm grateful to have something else to focus on other than Nick.

"Good evening" he greets us.

Nick's still rubbing his ear where the ball hit him and Warrick's Grinning like an idiot.

Grissom picks up the first file he brought into the room and hands it to Catherine.

"419. Possibly a robbery gone wrong. Neighbours heard the commotion and called the cops. By the time they arrived it was too late. They found the body in the kitchen."

Catherine flicks through he near empty file.

"Warrick you can work with Catherine."

He picks up the other file.

"Nick, Sara, I'm pairing you two together on this one."

I sigh. So much for escaping Nick's charms.

"Apparently it's a 405, but a few details so far don't fit a suicide."

Catherine frowns, "Hey what about you?"

"Ahh," says Grissom, "I have to finish checking some bugs the day shift were kind enough to give me from one of their cases and then I have a paperwork mountain that's almost reached my ceiling to work through."

Nick smirks at him, "Hard luck!"

He stands up and offers me his hand. He puts on an extremely posh voice, "Would you care to accompany me Miss Sidle? I believe we have a case to solve."

He sounds so silly I can't help smiling. I take his hand. Imitating his posh voice I say, "Certainly Mr Stokes. I would be honoured." Laughing we leave the room.

I can't freeze him out. He makes me so happy. We can still be friends right I tell myself. It doesn't have to develop any further than that. I wonder if I'm strong enough to keep it as just friends. I trust Nick. He makes me feel safe. Maybe he won't hurt me. I close my eyes tight, screwing up my face. I can't even entertain the idea. I'm not ready to let him in yet. Maybe I'll never be ready.

I let Nick drive to the scene. I can't be bothered to fight for the privilege.

(Sorry. Its another short chapter. The next one is quite a bit longer. I promise.

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