Disclaimer:  Nope, don't own them.  I mean, honestly, do you really think I ever did?

Author's Note: Wow, I can't believe it took me this long to add a new chapter.  Sorry guys!  Who would've thought Human Biology would be so darn time consuming? Yuck. Anyways, thank you so much to everyone who replied on the reviews…you already know how much I love ya!  Honorable Mentions: drvvh, chimaera-104, Jen, MsCassy, Lynn, *MissyJane*, adpi24, A Bloom, SAR, =), hi?, Moose, cRaZyPiXiE, pdhtgal, Fallen-Angel.  You all are superb beings, you know that?  Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know what you think.  It is *greatly* appreciated!

Dealing: Chapter Eight

**********

            Nick stared at her peaceful face one last time before giving her a brief peck on her forehead.

            "I'll call you later, Sara."  He whispered, almost inaudibly, before standing up from the couch Sara was sleeping soundly on.  He was sure she didn't hear him, however, he wasn't about to wake her up just to announce his departure. 

            So much had taken place within the last twenty four hours that Nick's mind was still reeling from the unexpected events. 

            The rain.  Sara.  Sara's deep hazel eyes.  The way she'd looked at him before he kissed her.  Kissing her…

            Nick smiled and bit his lip.  At the mere thought of it, high wattage bolts shot straight down his spine, leaving him with tingles in his fingertips.

            They had stayed up most of the night, talking and laughing.  After their initial kiss they just sat there on the floor, holding each other, appreciating each other's presence.  Then they talked for hours, whispering fears and confessing thoughts they hadn't told anyone before.  It wasn't until dawn that Sara finally fell asleep.  Nick watched her for awhile before finding himself dozing off, his back against the wall adjacent to the couch.  

            Nick considered for a moment the potential complicacy with this new situation.  Questions invaded his thoughts:  How will this affect work?  What if it doesn't work out? Does she feel as strongly for me as I do for her?   Will this ruin the friendship?  What will people say? 

Nick knew he was already in deep.  He had never felt this way before about anyone.  He didn't have all the answers, and frankly, he didn't have to.  She was right for him; of that he was certain. 

Upon entering his Tahoe, Nick's eyes caught on his cell phone, which had been left in the car overnight.  A green light blinked to let him know he had a voicemail.  He immediately remembered the phone call from the interview with McMaster's old roommate the day before and guessed the voicemail was left then. 

He held the cell up to his ear while driving, and heard an automated voice tell him he had one new voice message received yesterday at five-forty p.m. 

"Hey Nicky, it's Heather.  I'm on my way to Vegas right now as I speak.  I told you a few months back that I was looking into that Vegas firm and, guess what, I have an interview with them Monday!  I really lucked out…we'll see what happens with that.  I might be moving to your city!  Anyways, I'll be down for a few days and am counting on seeing you…It's just been too long.  I don't care how busy your schedule is—no excuses!  Alright, so call me back on my cell or you can reach me at the Stratford Hotel—I'll be in tonight by eight. Talk to you soon." 

            "End of new messages."

            Nick stared at the cell phone in thought.

            Heather Baleigh.  Nick's high school buddy turned two year romance.  It ended nastily a year into college, which is why Nick was so surprised that Heather seemed adamant on continuing their correspondence, whether it be through e-mail or phone, throughout the years.  She still lived back in Texas, yet never let more than a few months go by without calling or e-mailing him to update him on all the latest with her.  She was lawyer, a very successful one at that, who prided herself on her winning streak with her cases.  She was independent, very opinionated, stubborn, and a get-what-I-want type woman.  She had a way about her.  It was hard for Nick to put his finger on exactly what it was that was so intriguing about Heather…which was probably why she was never single; men love mysterious women. 

            The last time Nick saw her was four years back at a Christmas party in his hometown while visiting for the holidays.  She was very drunk and very flirtaceous with all the testosterone surrounding her at the party.

            "You," Nick recalled Heather's slurred voice, as she pointed at him. "You have turned into a swan." 

Nick grinned as he drove, remembering the words that she had spoke to him after seeing him for the first time since college.  When she initially said that to him, Nick took it as an insult, considering that in order for him to have "turned into a swan," he must first have been an ugly duckling.  However, looking back now, the statement just made Nick laugh.  He could care less if Heather thought she was dating an ugly duckling back in high school.  Besides, they were the words spoken from a confused, drunken woman.  What did she know anyway?   

            Dialing her cell phone number, Nick debated what would be the best way to let her down.  He just didn't have the time for a visit from Heather, and considering their history, didn't think it would be the best idea.

********

            Sara had always heard the cliché, "floating on a cloud."  She had never really considered its true meaning, however, until now.  Sara was indeed floating on a cloud. 

            More like dancing on a cloud, she giggled to herself as she stepped out of her apartment.  The night before was…amazing.  Absolute bliss.  She was completely giddy with emotion.  Although she couldn't quite pinpoint what exactly was going to happen with her and Nick, where exactly it would go from there, she knew something incredible, indescribable, had occurred between them.  She wanted to box up the memory of the night, save it forever.  Sure, unanswered questions tugged at her mind, but Sara knew one thing for certain.  She had never slept better than she had last night in the presence of Nick. 

            She strolled to her car, keys jingling at her side, humming a mindless song.  The sun shone magnificently; the grass couldn't have been greener.  Water puddled in areas of the parking lot, remnants of the previous day's storm, sparkling blue sky reflecting off of them.  Sara considered jumping on one, however, she held herself back, not exactly wanting to soak her jeans and also remembering that she wasn't in third grade anymore.

            Sara entered her vehicle and pulled her dark hair into an elastic band.  She caught a glimpse of herself in her rearview mirror, and brought her fingers up to her lips, tracing them back and forth, remembering the sensation of last night's kiss. 

            "Sara, Sara, Sara.  What have you gotten yourself into?"  She spoke to herself in the mirror and then smiled with delight. 

            Whatever this was, Sara thought, she had never experienced it with Hank and as far as she knew, not with Grissom. 

            Nope, this was something she was sure not many people had ever experienced.

            So with all the excitement and new found motivation, why in the wee corner of her mind, did all this scare her so?

********

            "Hi, my name is Sara."  She smiled as she slowly took a seat on the tight blue carpet.  Charlie Trevorson was sprawled out on the floor, stomach down, elbows holding himself up, feet bouncing up and down off the floor.  He was making siren noises as he played intently with a large, flashy, plastic fire truck.  Claire, the older of the two, probably around seven years old, Sara presumed, was also sitting on the floor.  Unlike her young brother Charlie, however, Claire was fully aware that Sara was attempting to talk to her, which was why her eyes were focused solely on her hands in her lap. 

            Sara had been planning on visiting them ever since she saw Claire the night of her mother's murder.  Sara in her experience as a CSI had always been exposed to tragic cases, more so than she had ever wanted to see in her lifetime, yet this one was somehow different.  The case lingered over her head at all times, begging for her attention.  And the poor children, she thought.  They were innocent, precious bystanders who were involved in something so horrifying that Sara felt it would've been a crime not to be there for them.  Despite Nick's concerned caution about not getting too involved, Sara drove the thirty minutes to the children's "safe house," a very temporary foster home used in situations like this, to visit with them.  It was something that she felt compelled to do, something that she needed to do.  Yet, now, actually sitting down in the presence of them, she was at a loss of what to say exactly. 

            "I like your shoes," Sara spoke to Claire, motioning towards her sparkling pink, princess sandals.  "I wish I had a pair like that."  Sara enthused.  The girl's head hung down.  Then Sara watched as the shy girl's eyes slowly traveled to Sara's boots and then back to her own jeweled shoes.  "What's your name?"  Sara spoke softly, wishing the girl would respond to the question Sara already knew the answer to.

            "Her name is Tinkerbell!"  Charlie rang in loudly, and then, continued to happily smash his fire truck into the carpet.

            The poor kid, Sara thought.  He was so content laying there, absorbedly playing with his toys.  Too young to even comprehend what had just happened a week beforehand that will dramatically affect the rest of his life.  Sara's heart ached for him.

            "Tinkerbell, eh?"  Sara responded, eyebrows raised.

            "My name's Claire."  She quietly reacted.  "Only mom called me Tinkerbell."

            "Tinkerbell, Tinkerbell."  Charlie sang in the corner, oblivious. 

            "Oh."  Sara nodded.  "I love the name Claire.  I named one of my horses Claire when I was younger."

            The young girl looked up at Sara.  "You had a horse?"  She asked, surprisingly curious.  Sara muffled a laugh.

            "Well, not a real horse.  It was about this big," Sara sized up the horse's length with her hands.  "My Barbies' rode on it."

            "I love horses."  Claire stated.

            "Well, then, I'll have to bring you Claire the Horse someday.  Will that be alright with you?" 

            The girl nodded. 

            Silence.

            "Are you here to take me to my daddy's?"  The girl finally spoke up.  Sara wondered briefly how much longer the children would have to stay fostered for.  The chances of the department returning the kids to their father's house while he still remained a suspect were slim.

            "No, I'm afraid not.  He misses you, though.  He told me to tell you that he loves you."  Sara said.  The young girl looked very sad, and began playing with her hands again.  

            "Claire, do you like cookies?"  She asked, hating the sadness displayed on Claire's face, attempting to get her mind on something else.  Claire failed to say anything.  She sat there expressionless.

            "Hey, Charlie.  Does Claire like cookies?" 

            Charlie's head sprang up in attention.

            "Oh, she loooooves cookies."  He slowly inched his way over to Sara, driving the fire truck along with his hand.  "So do I."  He shook his head eagerly.

            "Really?  Hmmm…what kind do you two like?"  Sara pulled her bookbag out from behind her.  Claire's eyes flicked up, watching Sara rummage through her things.

            "We loooooove chocolate chip.  And sugar cookies.  With sprinkles!"  Charlie sang.

            Sara fake gasped with surprise. "No way!  That's just what I've got here!"  She pulled out a box of assorted fresh cookies from a local bakery.  Charlie's eyes flashed with excitement and he clapped his hands.  She opened the box and Charlie instantly dug in.  "Do you want one?"  Sara held up a cookie in front of Claire.  Claire shrugged.  And then nodded immediately after.  As Claire munched on her cookie she looked up at Sara and smiled.

            Cookies.  Sara knew the key to a child's heart; she was no dummy.

********

            "So….how's your cappuccino?" 

            "Delicious, thanks."  Heather smiled up at Nick after taking a sip and resting the large mug back on the small table before them.

            After fully intending on turning down a visit from Heather, somehow she had managed to sway Nick into meeting her at a popular café in the city.  It's not like she twisted your arm or anything, Nick reminded himself.  He figured a short visit at a public place was as innocent as they come, and at her suggestion, Nick had already been craving a tall mocha.  Nothing wrong with catching up with old friends, he told himself on the way there.

            It was ironic though, he considered, how his initial intention was to decline the offer for meeting up with her.  She always did manage to get what she wanted…

            "Wilkins says hi.  I saw him at a party last week and told him I'd be seeing you this weekend."

            "Chopper?!  Man, its been forever since I've seen him."  Nick laughed as he recalled his old high school buddy, Wilkins, aka "Chopper."  All three of them were inseparable back in their sophomore year. 

            "Its been forever since you've seen anyone."  Heather retorted, pulling off her business jacket to reveal a cream colored sleeveless top.  She sat the jacket on the back of her chair and then returned to her drink.  "It's just not the same without you, Nicky."  She spoke in that familiar southern twang. 

            "Tell me, does anyone actually take you seriously in the courtroom with that drawl of yours?"  Nick teased, taking a sip of his mocha. 

            She chuckled.  "You'd be surprised.  Besides, look who's talking." 

            "Nah, mine has softened.  Yours is still fresh out of Texas." 

            She playfully rolled her eyes.

            "So, you still party it up, huh?"  Nick recalled her previous statement.

            "Eh, here and there.  I manage to have fun in my spare time…which, I might add, is very little."  She tucked her blond curls behind her ears.  "Boy, do you look different."  She eyed him.  Nick squirmed a little in his chair. 

            "I guess I'm not a swan anymore, huh?"  Nick smiled, his eyes on his cup.

            "A swan?"  She narrowed her eyes in confusion.  As if a light bulb just then clicked on in her head, she gasped.  "Oh my goodness!  I can't believe you actually remember that remark.  Wow."  More laughing. 

            "I'm surprised you remember that remark.  You weren't exactly Miss Coherent that night." 

            "Oh jeez.  I wasn't that bad."  She retorted.  "A girl can hold her liquor, ya know."

            Yeah, right, Nick thought.  He looked back up at her and caught her staring at him, biting her lip.

            "Congratulations on the interview, Heather."  He quickly brought up another topic.

            "I haven't gotten the job yet."

            "Well, from what I hear it's a pretty big deal just to get an interview with them.  It's quite the well known law firm."  Nick added, yet as he looked at her, wondered if she even heard what he had just said.  She was gazing down at her mug intently.  He rolled his shoulders back, uncomfortably, and sighed.  He was all of a sudden very uneasy sitting there with her.  It was just not a natural thing to meet up with someone you haven't seen in so long and expect everything to be just as easygoing as it had been before.  Was it ever easygoing with her?  He wondered.

            She sighed and smiled at Nick.  "I've really missed you, Nick."  She finally spoke.

            He cleared his throat.  "Well, yeah, uh, I've missed you too."

************

            Sara sang along to the radio as she headed back home on her day off.  The visit with the children had gone better than expected and she was so glad the images of their grief stricken faces that had been haunting her throughout the week could finally be replaced with joyous smiles from when she just was with them. 

            Sara leaned forward to peer up at the blue sky while she drove.   

            "What an amazing day."  She smiled to herself.

            A sudden craving to see Nick, to be in his presence, to tell him all about her morning, spiraled through Sara and without hesitation she began driving in the direction of Nick's home. 

            Sara grabbed a separate box of cookies she had bought solely for Nick earlier that day out of the backseat of her car before treading up the walkway to Nick's front door. 

            She rapped with her knuckles and waited.

            Waited.

            And waited…

            After knocking several times without receiving a response, Sara finally acknowledged that he wasn't home.  She bit her lip for a moment in contemplation as she looked down at the box full of cookies.  Should she leave them for him? 

            He probably won't be out much longer…

            Sara jogged to her car to retrieve a piece of paper and grabbed a pen out of her purse as she headed back up to Nick's front door.  She set the box down as she held the paper up to the door and began scribbling a message.

            Sorry I missed you.  Thought you'd be home.  Here's a little something to let you know I've been thinking about you.  Call me when you get home!  I've got so much to tell you.  –Sara

            She positioned the note under the bow she had asked the bakery lady to place on the box and then set it on a chair right outside his front door. 

            Sara smiled one last time, glancing back at the box, before heading back to her car.

            Nothing says "welcome home" like a box of chocolate chip peanut butter cookies, she thought.

            Sara planned on searching through the yellow pages when she arrived back at her apartment.  Nick had gently told her how helpless it made him feel that she wasn't able to get over these "recurring nightmares and haunting images."  He told her that it scared him to know she was being plagued by things he couldn't control. He explained that in most cases, time would heal the wound, but strongly suggested that she talk to someone, someone who might know why she couldn't escape these chronic nightmares.  Sara rejected the idea at first.  What sane person needs to talk to a psychiatrist?  She had wondered.  Yet she reconsidered his suggestion, knowing that although the nightmares did not come when Nick was with her the previous night, there was no guarantee that they wouldn't creep back into her life.  I'll look for a number to call.  Just in case they come back. Just in case. 

            Because Sara knew that although Nick had seemed to be the perfect prescription to her night terrors, she wasn't about to ask him to be there for her every night.  That was definitely not something she was ready to ask of him.

            "Well, looky here…" Sara murmured slowing her vehicle at the sight of Nick's Tahoe parked outside a busy café.  Perfect, Sara considered pulling into the parking lot, we can talk over a cup of coffee.  She beamed, feeling lucky to have spotted his car from the road.  She pulled up in the space next to his car just as her heart started racing, anxious to be near him again. 

**********

            "No, Nick, I mean I've really missed you."  Heather leaned closer to him, setting her mug aside.  She gazed into his eyes.

            "Uh, I don't quite think we're on the same page here…" Nick reacted by quickly picking up his cup and holding it near his face. 

            "Nick…no one has ever held a candle to you.  Ever."  Her voice was firm, yet eerily seductive.  She smoothly clasped Nick's hand and gently guided the cup back to the table.  "Ever."  She whispered again, and then pulled his face to hers, kissing him with all her might. 

            Clang.

            The bell jingled as Sara pushed open the door to the café and searched the building.

            Her eyes immediately caught on Nick.  Long, blond, perfect curls curtained his face, as he was locked in a kiss with a young woman.

            Sara let out a just audible gasp of air as her jaw fell, eyes open in disbelief.

            "Oh my gosh."  She barely choked out.  Sara's heart seemingly ceased to beat.

            She turned her head sideways, unwilling to see anymore, and brought her hand up to her mouth, covering it in absolute revulsion. Feeling as if she were going to physically be sick, Sara quickly turned around and bolted out of the café as fast as her feet would take her.

            Clang.

Author's Note:  Ahhh, you all hate me!!!!! Oh people, come down…just trust that I know what I'm doing…hehehe.  I'll try and be back with the next chapter as *soon as possible*!  Oh, yeah, can you let me know what you thought?  There's a tiny lil' blue button with the word "GO" on it at the bottom on the screen…yeah!  That one!  Go for it! Give it a click!  I want to hear from you!  Give me your thoughts…please?  More to come…