Disclaimer:  I am in no way affiliated with CSI or its creators.  I just love to write…no harm in that!

Author's Note:  I just wanted to thank you all once again for taking time to read my fiction…I enjoy writing it so much and look forward to what you all have to say regarding my latest chapters.  Every comment is well appreciated and treasured.  Thank you so much!

Dealing: Chapter Thirteen

*********

Nick threw his hands up in the air in fit of aggravation, allowing her reaction to jolt him up from the couch.  Standing upright, looking down at Sara, he was anything but calm.  "So, that's how it's going to be, huh?"

Sara looked away, stubbornly not meeting his stare.

"You know, just when I think I've begun to understand you, you throw me a curve ball.  It's like you run hot and cold, Sara, and that's just not fair to me."

"You don't know what you're talking about."  Sara replied coolly.

"I don't?  It's quite simple really.  You give out, you pull back, you give out, and you pull back again.  It's this sadistic cycle you've grown so accustomed to and it's making it really hard to work civilly with you."

Sara flinched at the words, feeling their sting, yet knowing deep down the truthfulness they contained. "Well, if that's how you feel…"  Her voice was dry and indifferent.  Nick's eyes flashed with anger and he threw his hands up a second time, only to begin walking towards her front door.

"Unbelievable."  He muttered and then swung open the door.  "See you tomorrow night, Sara."  His voice dripped with heated sarcasm.

The door slammed with a loud bang, prompting Sara to pick up a nearby coaster, hurling it towards a wall in anger.

After starting the engine, Nick pulled away without looking back.

***********

The man sat in his car with his engine and lights off, careful not to make noise or draw suspicious attention to his 78' Cadillac Seville, tucked carefully behind the tall brush in the shadowy night.  He lit another cigarette, and took a satisfying deep drag before exhaling a billowing cloud of smoke which seeped through the small crack in the windows.  Closer now, he leaned forwards, his eyes focused, peering towards the small quaint house, attempting to spot the source of the muffled laughter he recognized ever so easily.  Every so often, he caught a glimpse of the small shadow move past the curtained windows, smiling to himself, cocking his head sideways.  Sweat trickled down the side of his face, the oppressive humidity of the night even more overwhelmingly without air conditioning, yet he made no move to stop it, to wipe it away. 

Finally, after getting his fix for the night, he started up his engine and slowly drove off, the already barely perceptible giggles becoming even more inaudible the further he drove away. 

He had waited long enough, knowing the time had come to move in, to accomplish what he'd been hanging around for this past week. 

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

It was late afternoon, and Sara knew she had more than a few hours until she had to be at the lab for her night shift.  Vowing not to think about the whole Nick incident from the night before, she pushed the painful episode to the back of her mind.

During her brief drive to the safe house, the sky had grown darker, the wafting gray clouds hinting at rain, shifting in clumps as they passed overhead. 

Sara took a swig of her bottled water after locking her car door and began heading towards the front entrance.  She was planning on visiting the children again, planning on making their day a little brighter with small games and fun company.  She also intended to visit with the headmaster of the safe house, hoping to gain details about the children's newly scheduled foster residence, along with the address and contact information.

As she played with Charlie and Claire, Sara didn't give one thought to the rocky night ahead of her.

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

Nick put on his jacket, bustled down his front steps, and hurried his way to his car.  Rain had already begun its misty descent on the city, and Nick feared that any minute the clouds would open up and it would pour. 

He arrived at the lab twenty minutes late, and headed to the locker room to drop off a few of his belongings.  On his way, he ran into Catherine, who seemed to be heading in his direction as well.

"Hey Cath."  He met her stride and they entered the locker room together.  "Just got here too?"

She nodded, seemingly out of breath, as if she had run to the building. "Another five minutes, and we'd both be drowned rats."  She began pulling off her jacket.  "Can you believe this weather we are having?"

"Unfortunately it looks as if we might have to get used to it.  The weatherman reports a soggy weekend."

Catherine groaned, tossing her bag into her locker.  "Well, you're no ray of sunshine."

He held his hands up.  "Just the messenger here."  He joked defensively.

"Soooo," Catherine angled her head sideways, shooting Nick a mischievous eye.  "How's your case coming with Sara?"

Nick hesitated slightly, fidgeting with his bag.  "Uh…pretty well."  Feeling the sensation of being watched, he glanced up only to find Catherine studying him.

"What?"  Nick raised his eyebrows.

"What's going on with you two?"  Catherine asked suspiciously.  She was no fool; she saw the looks they gave each other, the subtle affection they attempted to stifle around others.  Catherine had an eye for things like that; it was her sixth sense.

"With who?"

Catherine tilted her head and lowered her eyes at Nick, an expression that read, 'You know exactly who I'm talking about.'

"What?"  Nick's voice all of a sudden feigned innocence, like that of a young boy.  "I don't know what you're talking about."  He grabbed a file out of his locker before slamming it shut and strutting out of the room.  Catherine rolled her eyes before hanging her rain jacket in her locker and then hurried to catch up with Nick. 

"I know its none of my business, but—,"

"You're right," Nick turned to her.  "It isn't any of your business."  With that he gave her a toothy grin, and she playfully shoved him in the shoulder.

"Fine.  Forget I ever brought it up.  But don't go running to me when you need any love advice."

"Ha.  Trust me, if I ever needed love advice, you'd be the last person I'd run to."  He scrunched his nose teasingly and held the door open to the break room for Catherine who was laughing under her breath. 

"Well, if it isn't my two favorite CSIs."  Greg spoke jubilantly, standing near the coffee maker, no doubt waiting for a pot to brew.  Catherine walked right over to him and searched for a cup while Nick exhaustingly plopped down on one of the many metal chairs surrounding a large table.

"Why are you so extraordinarily cheerful tonight?"  Catherine questioned, raising an eyebrow at Greg.

"No particular reason."  He replied, finally being able to pour himself  his fix of caffeine for the night.

"No new love interest in your life by any chance?"  Catherine pried, elbowing Greg's arm as he stirred in his sugars. 

"No, and I wouldn't tell you if there was." 

"Uh, yeah you would."  Nick piped in.  Greg twitched a half smirk.

"Very funny.  Actually, because you insist on being so nosy," Greg walked over to the table and sat beside Nick before continuing.  "Grissom paged me and asked me to meet him here.  He wants me to accompany you guys on the field tonight." He added, waggling his eyebrows with a proud grin.

"Us guys?"  Nick asked.

"Yeah, double homicide about a mile east of Lake Mead.  Apparently it's a big one…and they need all the help they can get.  He said he's using all you guys tonight." 

"Joy."  Catherine muttered into her cup before taking a slow sip.

As if on cue, Grissom burst into the break room, looking harried, and eyed each one of them.

"Where's Sara?"  He asked, removing his glasses momentarily.

Nick shrugged.  "I thought she might be here already."

"She's not.  I told Janice to inform her to meet here as soon as she arrives at the lab."  Grissom replied and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

Catherine glanced over at Nick, whose expression was semi readable.  His eyes revealed concern.

"Well, we need to get a move on.  We got a double homicide call about fifteen minutes ago.  Police just finished taping off the area and we need to get there before any of the physical evidence has a chance of getting tampered with by anyone who's not from the lab.  Warrick is already on his way over with the supplies."  Grissom stood still for a moment as if in thought.  "Nick and Greg, you ride with me.  Catherine…"  He turned to her and she raised her eyebrows.  "Wait for Sara and then take her with you.  If she's not here in fifteen, then go ahead and head over.  Got it?"

"Got it, boss."  She gave one swift nod, inwardly wincing at his order.  Well, at least I'll be able to finish my coffee, she thought, while tilting her cup to peer at the steaming liquid.

"Alright, let's move out." 

********

Catherine checked her watch one last time before standing up and pulling her arms through her forensics jacket.  It had only been about ten minutes since Grissom left yet she knew as much as Grissom did that if Sara was coming to work then she'd have been there by now.  Sara was never late.

Just as she was tossing her cup in the trash the break room door flung open, revealing a soaked Sara standing in the entrance way, her breathing short and ragged.  Drowned rat, Catherine recalled, eyeing her.  Despite the warm smile Catherine greeted her with, Sara seemed a bit uncomfortable, even nervous.

"Where is everybody?"  Sara huffed.

"Gone," Catherine replied, grabbing a handful of paper towels and then heading towards Sara.  "Double homicide near Lake Mead.  Grissom wants everyone there…including us." 

Sara nodded, graciously accepting the towels and wiping her arms.

"Is Nick already there?"  Sara asked, keeping her eyes preoccupied. 

"Yes."  Catherine said slowly while studying her co-worker.  "He drove with Grissom and Greg."

"Huh…," Sara mumbled, and she seemed lost in thought again.

"We really should be there right now."  Catherine added and nodded her head towards the building's exit.  "Let's get going."

"Yeah."  Sara turned her body, still busy drying herself, despite the fact that she'd be right back in the rain within minutes.  Catherine reached for Sara's arm. 

"You okay, Sara?  You seem a little…off."

Sara blinked.  "Oh?  No, no, I'm fine.  I just…I guess I just didn't realize how late I'd be."

"And that's all?"  Catherine questioned, eyebrow arched.   

Sara hesitated, but only slightly.  Then she gave her best attempt at a smile, hoping her face wouldn't betray her.  "That's all.  Let's go."

*********

Within minutes they pulled up to a somewhat chaotic crime scene, police cars strewn around, their red and blue lights whirling crazily, strobing the open area.  Sara stared distractedly at the number of police and homicide team workers, some in uniform, some not, busily doing their jobs.  Several talked into walkie-talkies.  Many were taking photographs.  Some were adding extra police tape.  Whatever the task, every single person on the field was busy.  With so many people assembled at the scene already, they knew it was going to be a big case.

"This is gonna suck."  Catherine groaned before opening her car door and exiting.

Sara grabbed her gear and slung the crime kit bag over her shoulder before stepping outside the Tahoe.  The minute Sara's foot touched the ground it sank into the black sludge.  It was a musty and rainy out, the perfect combination for a miserable night. It wasn't a hard rain, just heavy enough to possibly wash away potentially usable evidence and make Sara's job a whole lot harder.  The humidity only made working outside next to unbearable. 

Heading towards the yellow tape, it didn't take long for Sara to spot Nick.  He was crouching beside Brass next to one of the bodies, holding a camera with a gloved hand, focused on his present task.  As if he sensed her nearby presence he suddenly looked up and his gaze fell right on her.  Sara glanced away, then found her eyes drawn to him again. 

There was a tension, a heaviness lingering, filling the space between them.  His expression was straight mouthed and serious, intently staring at her as she moved past him. 

Then Sara watched as he became distracted as Catherine and a detective approached his area.

She carefully lifted the yellow crime tape and bent under it, heading towards Warrick and the other body, about seventy feet from the first.  At the site of the sheet covered corpse, Sara wiped her rain beaded forehead and knelt down.

"What've we got?"  She looked up at Warrick, squinting through the rain drops. 

"Go ahead and pull back the cover.  I've already bagged as much evidence as possible from the body.  Photographs have been taken as well."  He replied. 

Sara drew back the sheet.  What she saw gave her pause, and she instinctively drew back.  A pale, blank face stared back at her, expressionless.  A small, neat hole, punctuated the victim's forehead. 

Warrick bent down beside her.  "We removed a small caliber bullet from the entrance wound.  It's a .22." 

At that time, Brass approached the two, and Sara turned her attention to him.  Brass had a look on his face that could have been easily mistaken by others as boredom, yet Sara knew he was simply worn and tired.  He scratched the back of his head before speaking.

"The other vic has identical fatal wounds...one bullet hole smack-bang in the center of his forehead.  Our killer's got a good shot." 

Sara nodded and turned her head back to the victim before Brass continued. "We also found traces of marijuana around.  Looks like a possible drug fallout." 

Sara swallowed hard, the humidity making it hard for her to breathe.  She needed a cool drink, something to ease her sudden nausea.  "I'll be back in a minute…gonna go get some water."  She cocked her thumb over her shoulder in the direction of the supply van.  "Need anything?"  She slowly rose.

"Nah.  I'm gonna start packing up.  Grissom wants most of this out of here before the media arrive."  Warrick answered.

"Alright."  She rubbed her wet hands on her jeans and began walking away. Weaving through the narrow space between two parked police cars, she headed towards the van, occasionally using her arm to wipe the rain off her face.  Just several feet away now her stride slowed as she spotted Nick standing by himself, his back turned to her.

"Hey."  She reached him, acknowledging him with a grim nod. 

Nick turned.  "Hi." 

Sara casually reached across Nick for a water bottle, feeling anything but casual. 

Silence.

"So why were you late?"  Nick asked, his tone dry yet curious.

"It doesn't matter."

"Grissom noticed."

"Yeah, well, that's because you have a big mouth." 

Nick's jaw clenched involuntarily.  "I didn't say anything, Sara.  He noticed on his own."  Nick let out a sharp breath, water droplets flinging from his lips.  "He's worried about you…and frankly, so am I." 

"Like I said, it doesn't matter.  So stop it…I don't need you feeling sorry for me."

Nick bit his tongue and shook his head angrily.  Then without another word, he turned and stomped off. 

Sara cringed at her own reckless words while speaking to Nick, wondering what it was that made her want to lash out at everyone around her, especially when it was blatantly obvious that they weren't try to pick a fight with her.  Nothing about her made sense anymore, even to herself.  Disheartened and confused, she let her back rest against the side of the van and slowly sank down until she was crouching close to the muddy ground.  She allowed her head to rest in her hands as she thought about the recent episode.

"Sara?" 

She lifted her head quickly at the sound of Grissom's voice, caught off guard. 

"You alright?"  He asked, his brow furrowed. 

Sara rose to her feet, embarrassed that he had caught her at such a vulnerable moment, and nodded.  "Yeah, I'm fine."  She sniffed, and then began walking away. 

"Sara, we need to talk."  He called out, his voice hard and serious.  Sara cringed at the sound of it, dreading what was about to follow.

She turned to meet his unblinking stare, squaring her shoulders and standing upright.  "So talk." 

Grissom placed his hands on his hips.  "I have to be quite honest with you, Sara.  I'm a little concerned at your behavior in the lab recently.  Ever since the explosion you've been different…distracted."

Sara was silent, turning her head, stubbornly not meeting his glare.

"The last thing I need is you endangering your case because of some emotional diversion in your life."

"Grissom—I," She began, attempting to reason.

"Sara, you've got some things that you need to deal with before you come back to work."

Sara's head snapped up.  "Wait…what are you—" Her voice trailed off, her eyes squinting through the rain to see Grissom's face.

"You're not on the case anymore.  Your leave starts now." 

Sara's throat constricted at his words and she blinked.  "I'm sorry, what?"  She asked incredulously.

"Personal leave, Sara.  You heard me." 

 "Wait, Grissom, we've already come so far in this case.  You can't just kick me off it just like that."  She argued, her voice rising with anger.  "Grissom," She pleaded.  "Don't do this."

"I just did."  His voice was firm, steel-like.  "Do I make myself clear?  This is not optional, Sara.  And if you want to avoid suspension along with your personal leave, then I suggest you leave now."  He paused.  "Don't elevate the situation here.  You are off the clock, Sara.  Go home."  Grissom shot her one last glare making clear his seriousness before turning around and heading back to the crime scene.

For a long moment, Sara stood frozen in place in a state of disbelief.  A rush of hurt overcame her, and she felt a balance between wanting to scream and cry all at the same time.  She didn't have the energy to separate her emotions; instead, they were all jumbled together inside her. She wanted to plead more with Grissom, tell him how ridiculous this whole thing was.  But instead of going after Grissom, she turned and headed towards her Tahoe, shaking off the temptation to fight more, to argue her case.  Sara knew with a sinking certainty that nothing she said would change Grissom's mind.  She could tell by the way he spoke, by the firm set in his eyes.  It had been made up before she had even arrived at the scene.

So as Sara slowly headed towards her Tahoe, she pulled the hood of her jacket carefully over her already damp hair for the first time that night, and then gradually zipped it up.  She crossed her arms over her chest, her mind swirling with confusing emotion, the world becoming numb around her.

She knew she'd go home to an empty apartment, to no one.  She would have nothing to do, no one to talk to.  And at that moment, she needed someone to talk to, someone who would be able to help her make sense of all this.

She inserted her key into the car door's lock and then glanced behind her shoulder to look at the crime scene one last time.  Everyone was still busy with their work, everyone except for Nick.  He was knelt down near other homicide detectives, yet he wasn't centered on what was before him like the others were.  His eyes were focused on Sara, staring at her through the streaking rain. 

She turned away ashamed, entering her vehicle.  It was at that moment that she realized that the one person who she needed to talk to the most, was the one person who she had pushed the furthest away.

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

A/N:  To clear up any potential confusion, the crime scene detailed in this chapter has nothing to do with the current case Sara and Nick are assigned to.  They are just assisting and this particular crime will not be mentioned again on further chapters.  Just to let you all know in case you were wondering!  More chapters to come!  Keep the comments coming!

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