DISCLAIMER: I own nothing here. Please don't sue me. 'Nuff said.

Chapter 3:

Nick pulled into the club's parking lot just in time to spot Sara walking in. He smiled to himself; glad that she hadn't chickened out. He walked into the club, paid the $3 cover charge, and looked around for his coworkers. Seeing Sara sitting alone towards the back, Nick waved to her, and headed over.

"Hey!" He sat down at the table and held his hand up to alert the passing waiter of his need for libation.

"You made it. Ever hear him play before?" Sara asked as the waiter passed her a beer bottle, and took Nick's drink order.

"Nope. I saw him DJ once. I need to get some of that action. DJ's are chick magnets!" He laughed seeing Sara roll her eyes.

"I'm betting it depends on the DJ." She grinned then sipped her beer.

Nick chose to ignore the jab, and instead looked towards the small stage for Warrick. Warrick spotted him first, and walked over to the two of them.

"Glad you guys came. C'mon. I'll introduce you to the band." He practically pulled Sara along with him, and Nick followed close behind. Nick was almost tongue-tied by the beautiful, tall women standing before him with a bass guitar slung over her shoulder. She wore a black leather mini skirt, a rather revealing blouse, and a smile. It only went to confirm his view that chicks with guitars were hot!

"Hello! Nick Stokes. I work with Warrick. We go way back." Nick held out a hand, and Warrick shook his head and laughed.

"Down boy." Sara patted his shoulder, and grinned.

"Nick, Sara, this is Cherese Taulbee. She plays the bass guitar and lead vocals. Cherese, these are the two coworkers I told you about." She and Warrick exchanged a knowing grin, leaving Nick and Sara to wonder what exactly had been said on their behalf.

Warrick pointed them towards the stage to a small trio setting mic stands and instruments up.

"The short, bald guy's Mikey. He plays rhythm guitar." Mikey waved and went back to work. "The tall dude in dreads is my little cousin Steven, and this goon in the ballcap is Ted." The two smiled from the stage and nodded. "Steve plays the drums, and Ted plays saxophone and keyboards." Warrick walked them back over to their table in the corner.

"They seem like a nice bunch." Nick smiled, still ogling the bass player.

"She's not for you, Man." Warrick laughed.

"Why not? She married? Oh! You two have a thing?" Nick gave him a conspiratorial nudge.

"Uh, no. Not precisely. What I mean is you're not her type." Warrick smiled at Nick's wounded ego. "But don't worry, Man. I'm not her type either." Warrick pointed to Sara and Nick's eyebrows shot up in near shock.

"No way!"

Sara looked at Warrick defensively.

"What're you pointing at me for?!?" She looked at them questioningly.

"I'm just telling Nick that Cherese isn't his type." Warrick grinned evilly, and Nick looked bummed until his Neanderthal imagination kicked in bringing on a wide grin.

"Not that she's not gorgeous and all, but I just don't swing that way. You guys are hormonally challenged!" Sara smacked Warrick's arm, and took a long swig of her beer.

"I'm just playin' Sara. Speaking of which, I'd better get back up there, or I won't be playing anything."

After a few minutes, Cherese got up to the microphone to announce the band. Loud applause erupted through the club. Nick and Sara threw wolf whistles out, and screamed Warrick's name. Warrick smiled. Their first song was a torchy ballad, and Warrick played lead guitar, showing off his moves. He even had a quick improvised solo that brought another loud round of applause. For the third song, a soulful rendition of Soundgarden's "Fell on Black Days." Warrick sang it as a duet with Cherese. After about an hour of great music, the band took a break to unwind and re-tune.

"So! What'd you think?" Warrick came over carrying a round of beers.

"That was awesome!" Sara grabbed the beer and beamed at him. She was experiencing what felt like a slight case of hero worship mixed with envy.

"Yeah, Man. That was great! I wish I didn't have to go in tonight. I'd love to stay for the next set." Nick got up reluctantly.

"I'm glad you came by at all. Means a lot to me.I only wish Cath could've come along too, but she had plans with Lyndsey." Warrick sat down for a breather.

"I'll be sure and tell her what she missed." Nick waved, and left them to their beers.

"You sure worked over the new guitar." Sara smiled at him across the table.

"It felt good. Sounds even better than I'd hoped. You'll have to bring yours in some day for a jam."

"Not gonna happen, but thanks. I told you I'm not that good. I haven't even picked it up in months." She laughed and raised her beer to him in mock salute. " So. . . is there any money in this? I mean, are you guys gonna try to record anything?"

"I don't know, Sar." He felt reluctant to give out his dreams. "I love it though. Music's always been in my life. If something were to come of it, something legit, I think I could get used to that." He smiled, and looked back towards the stage. "Better get back. Wouldn't want to keep my groupies waiting." He winked, and walked back to the stage. Sara mulled over his words. The band was really good, and most of their stuff was original. Would he really leave police work to follow his music career. She couldn't blame him, but they would certainly miss him at the lab. She doubted anyone would be offering him a plant to stay though. She grimaced at the thought. She wondered if Grissom had any idea. It always felt to her like Warrick was his favorite. Over the past three years, she had truly grown fond of Warrick, but there was still that little hint of jealousy. At the number two ranked CSI lab in the country she was very good, but she was no longer Gil Grissom's star pupil. That honor seemed to land in the agile hands of Warrick Brown. Sara looked up at the stage with a mix of emotions.

TBC