Brass had located the homeowners. The victim was a Western LVU Grad student that they had hired to house sit. Her name was Donna Flemming, and to their knowledge she didn't have any family in the area. After further investigation, Brass had learned that Donna worked as an assistant to the head of the Biology department, Dr. Ronald Karl. After filling Nick and Sara in on the details, they headed over to Western LVU to question Dr. Karl.

On the drive over, Nick kept stealing glances at Sara.

She caught him, "What?"

Nick chuckled, "Nothing. I just can't believe you let me kiss you."

Sara grinned, "You can't believe I let you kiss me? I can't believe you kissed me."

"Ok, so it's safe to say we were both wrong." Nick observed.

"Wrong about what?" Sara replied curiously.

"Each other." Nick explained grinning.

Sara smiled, "Ok, so I never thought I'd be your type."

"And I never thought you'd go out with me." Nick grinned.

"You haven't actually asked me you know." Sara quipped.

Nick chuckled, "A minor oversight. Sara, would you go out with me?"

Sara couldn't contain her grin, "Yeah."

The pair continued the drive in silence, wide grins etched on their faces. As they pulled into the parking lot nearest the Science Department of Western LVU where Brass was waiting for them. They slowly made their way with Brass to the offices of Professor Karl.

"Dr. Ronald Karl?" Brass queried at the doorway to the biology professor's office.

Dr. Karl was a man in his mid-forties. His hairline was beginning to recede and it was peppered with bits of gray in his otherwise dark brown hair. He looked up from his cluttered desk through his aviator framed glasses, "Yes, and you are?"

Brass flashed his badge, "Detective Jim Brass, Homicide. This is Nick Stokes and Sara Sidle from Criminalistics."

Dr. Karl's brow furrowed, "What can I do for you detective?"

"Dr. Karl, do you know a Donna Flemming?" Brass inquired.

Dr. Karl nodded in response, a worried expression crossing his face, "Yes, she's my teaching assistant."

"When was the last time you saw Ms. Flemming?" Brass continued.

"A couple of days ago. I was supposed to have a meeting with her this morning, but she hasn't shown up yet." Dr. Karl replied.

Nick and Sara exchanged a glance.

"Dr. Karl, I hate to be the one to break this to you, but Donna Flemming was killed yesterday." Brass informed.

The color seemed to drain out of Dr. Karl's face, "Oh, no."

"Were you and Ms. Flemming close?" Brass continued.

Dr. Karl nodded. "Yes, Donna doesn't have family around here. My wife Emily and I had her over for dinner on a regular basis."

Nick interjected, "Dr. Karl, did Donna have a boyfriend?"

"My nephew, Sean. Emily and I set them up on a blind date. They seemed to hit it off right away. I'm pretty sure things are getting serious between them." Dr. Karl continued.

"We're going to need to know how to get in contact with him." Sara interjected.

Dr. Karl nodded numbly. The poor man looked shell shocked.

"Can you think of anyone that would have wanted to harm Donna?" Sara continued.

Dr. Karl shook his head. "Everyone loves Donna. That's why she's such a great teaching assistant, she gets along with all the students."

"Dr. Karl, what was Donna's thesis on?" Sara queried.

Dr. Karl raised a curious eyebrow, "The Pacific Madrona. She's trying to find a way for successful transplantation here in Las Vegas."

"Has she had any success?" Nick queried.

"She was supposed to be transplanting some over this past weekend." Dr. Karl replied.

Brass interjected, "Did she have anyone helping her?"

"Yeah. I've got a list here somewhere. I was offering extra credit to students who wanted to participate." He rummaged around on his desk until he found what he was looking for. "Here it is." He handed the list over to Brass.

"Thank you for your time, Dr. Karl. We may have more questions later." Brass concluded the interview.

As the trio walked out to the parking lot, Brass made an observation, "It's a good thing you two got a sample of Madrona bark." Brass cast a glance at Sara's crutches. "Shouldn't you be elevating that ankle, Sidle?"

Nick chuckled, "That's what I keep telling her."

Sara tried to restrain a smile, "Yeah, I'm on my way to elevate it now. Seeing as how shift is officially over."

"Ok, I'll start trying to contact the names on the list and I'll page you if I find anything interesting." Brass opened the door to his non-descript Taurus.

Nick helped Sara into the Tahoe and the drove back to his house. As they entered, Nick queried, "Hey, Sar, are you hungry?"

She glanced at his lips with a mischievous smile, "Yeah, but I'll settle for breakfast for now."

Nick chuckled and walked over to her, putting his arms around her waist and pulling her close, "How about I give you a little taste for later."

Sara giggled and slid her arms around his neck, letting her crutches drop to the floor.

Nick leaned down and kissed her, letting his lips linger on hers. They became lost in each other for a few moments, finally breaking apart. "Hey, why don't you sit on the couch and I'll make us something to eat."

Sara nodded, "Ok, but I seem to have dropped my crutches." She smiled.

"No problem." Nick put an arm under her knees and picked her up, depositing her on the couch.

"You sure know how to sweep a girl off her feet, Stokes." Sara teased.

Nick winked at her, "I try."