Not in this life
Disclaimer: We own nothing. The title of this story is a song by Natalie Merchant, no infringement intended, this story is for entertainment purposes only.
Summary: Nick's upset and takes it out on Sara.
AN: Sorry for the wait! Thanks to all those who reviewed!
Authors: bloodredcherry and raven
Sara walked in through the main door of the crime lab. She clutched her keys tightly in her right hand. She'd spent most of the night before tossing and turning, it was well after a reasonable hour before she finally fell asleep.
Nick… she was at a loss for words. Being a friend she was worried, Nick had been so abrupt so angry.
She sighed and brushed her hair back from her face. She was so unsure about how the day would progress. Sara took a deep breath and forced herself forward, entering Grissom's office where Nick was sitting with his back to the door.
Grissom was engrossed in the paper work that littered his desk, tapping his pencil against his chin in concentration, he didn't notice her.
Standing still in the doorway she gripped her keys even tighter, their jagged edges biting into her palm.
"Gris?" Nick stiffened and Sara sighed dejectedly. She slowly moved closer to the desk—nearer to Nick. "Grissom," Sara repeated, more loudly this time.
Grissom started and looked up at Sara.
Grissom slowly put down the pencil and leaned back in his chair. "Sit down Sara." he motioned to the chair beside Nick. Slowly sitting down she looked at her feet.
"I'm sorry I'm late." She glanced over at Nick, it was at that moment that she wished that she was miles away from Nevada... away from him
"It won't happen again, I had a long night"
A small smile came to his face, it was an understanding smile—he really wasn't that mad. Sara felt relief wash over her, that was the last thing she needed.
"That's all right. We both just got here anyways."
Looking up, she directed her attention forward. It took all her will power to ignore the tension that sparked and echoed around the small room.
Her eyes remained to the left of Gris face, Sara wanted to evaporate... she felt like one of the dead bugs pinned against its will on Grissom's office wall.
It didn't help that Nick was doing his best to act like she wasn't there. There was no explanation for the night before. She needed... wanted some comfort, something more than silence.
Nick was being an ass and she wanted nothing more than to tell him that.
"I got your call," she said slowly. "I have an idea why you wanted to see us."
Gris raised an eye brow, "you do?"
The tension mounted, the air grew stale.
"I'm sorry for leaving the crime scene without checking back, something... "
"Sara," Nick said, "wasn't feeling very well" he ran a hand through his hair. Nicks eyes were fixated on Grissom's name plate
Her face flushed and she turned towards the man sitting next to her.
Silent with disbelief she wanted to scream, she wanted to refute everything, she was as much to blame as he was... why was he covering her ass?
Grissom sat watching the exchange he paused before speaking.
"I want both of you to take a few days off. Warrick and Cath will take over from here."
Sara sat up straight, "Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
He looked at her pointedly
"Is there any reason for this?"
"Take it as a grain of salt Sara, don't question a good thing."
Nick crumbled in his chair, rubbing his hands over his face.
The meeting was dismissed, they both left and before Nick had a chance to run away Sara grabbed Nick's arm.
They stood face to face in the busy hallway.
Sara prayed for the courage to say what she wanted to say, she knew this was exactly the most tactful place to have this conversation but she didn't want to loose her never, couldn't loose her nerve.
She felt like she was eighteen again, "What happened last night, Nick?"
"I don't know"
"Of course you know," Sara took a deep breath and lowered her voice. "You came to my apartment last night and we kissed. It came out of no where—"
"So it was a mistake?"
"I didn't say that" People were staring, they quickly looked away when Sara glared at them.
"Then what did you mean?"
"Nick... this is the wrong place to be talking about this."
"What's wrong with now?"
"We're. At. Work, people are watching" she said the first words slowly emphasizing them.
"Fine, enjoy your holiday Sara, I've gotta go."
"Nick," It wasn't supposed to be like this, "wait—"
"Bye" Clenching his teeth he turned on his heels and left.
Tears burned her eyes and she blinked. She was so frustrated... what did she do wrong? What pained him enough to cause him to treat her like shit?
Giving a defeated sigh she walked for the front door ignoring the stares that followed her.
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