Part Four: Green Eyes

A few evenings later, pink roses are delivered to the Trace Lab for Molly, and she beams from ear to ear.

Sara smiles at Nick when they see Molly walk past the break room with the vase. "You did a good thing. Maybe they'll name a kid after you or something," Sara says, rubbing the bruise on her shin thoughtfully.

Things haven't been quite the same between Nick and Sara since that morning a few days ago; when Nick was doing pushups and Sara sat cross-legged on his back, telling him the story of the fight she had with Cory. Granted, Nick already knew what had happened, but to hear her tell the story was another thing entirely. He feels at fault, even though he knows that Sara is angry with Cory. Even though he knows that she's better off without him.

Sara knows about the guilt and Nick guesses this is the reason for her incessant chattering about everything and nothing at all. She's trying to cheer him up. Or possibly annoy him so much that he'll forget about feeling guilty.

What she doesn't know is that he's also angry. After their fight, Sara still wants Cory back. Does she think she deserves that treatment? Does she think that he's The One?

Nick doesn't dare say anything. Sara Sidle is nothing if not stubborn, and he knows better than to tell her what she should be doing. He'd be no better than Cory is, in her eyes.

So he puts on a sweet face wills all of his anger to drain out of his face, and assures her that Cory will call, and if he doesn't call, then he's an idiot and she's better off without him.

But she's still a little sad, which angers him even more.

Time passes. Nick's anger fades away, as does Sara's disappointment. Cory is just a memory that they try hard not to remember. The morning breakfasts are now a four-person affair, with David and Molly joining them at every opportunity. Nick watches them with wistful eyes, because even though Sara is alone again too, he still feels lonely. After the gym, he always goes home and watches television or plays video games or surfs the Internet.

Now instead of being jealous of Sara's happiness, he merely transferred his feelings to David, the unsuspecting coroner, and Molly, the dog loving Trace tech.

It's not fair; he knows it.

He tries to bring it up to Sara every now and again. She's always urging him to discuss his feelings, after all. He tells her about how he feels jealous of David and Molly and how happy they are.

Sara just watches him; eyes filled with words that she refuses to say.