Disclaimer: I got in trouble for the whole holding-the-CBS-execs-hostage thing, so, now I must admit that I don't own them- never have, never will. ::as parole officer looks over shoulder:: And I will never try anything like that again- I swear, never, never, never…::laughs when parole officer walks away and takes out her to do list:: First, steal characters of CSI- done. Next, world domination…::laughs menacingly::

Author's Note: I would really like to apologize for my severe lack of updating. I don't even want to THINK about how long its been since I last updated. So here is my top ten list of reasons why I haven't updated.

10. My dog ate my story
9. I'd fallen and couldn't get up
8. Munchkins from the Land of Oz kidnapped me and were holding me hostage
7. I had amnesia, and couldn't remember to write
6. A cult decided to use me as a human sacrifice, but thankfully I was saved, and they only had time to cut off my hands so I couldn't type.
5. Crazy midget clowns grabbed me and showed me into their car, and I was just freed today.
4. CSIADDICT-- after leaving me in suspense in 'The Burning Truth' she wrote more, and it would be unfair of me to ignore such a good story.
3. Trace-Element-- all those chapters of 'Independence Day' for me to read
2. Andorian Ice Princess- she just HAD to write another wonderful story
And the number ONE reason why I haven't updated?
1. I'm a lazy bum who doesn't deserve to live.

***

Lexi was very happy, Carrie could tell. She talked animatedly the whole ride home, about how much fun her daddy was, and how she couldn't wait to meet Lindsay, and how nice Sara was. It never ceased to amaze her how much a six year old could have to say. Ever since she said her first word, she would talk to anyone who would listen, chattering away about anything at all. While most mothers worried about their children starting kindergarten, Carrie had had no qualms about Lexi adjusting. Although Carrie loved her daughter's outgoing nature, it did cause some problems. When she started first grade, and received her first report card, the 'talks too much in class' box was checked off in red. Sometimes it made Carrie's head spin, but that was what made Lexi who she was, and she didn't think she could bear it if her daughter lost that quality. Lexi was a people-person if there ever was one.

That's why Carrie was so sure that things would be okay for Lexi once she was gone. Nick adored kids, and Lexi obviously adored Nick, so there was nothing to worry about. She could see that he was falling in love with Lexi already, which was a plus for Carrie. It would be hard for him to say no to her if he loved her. She smiled. Things would work out just as she planned.

"Did you know that, Mommy?"

"Oh, sorry sweetie, Mommy wasn't listening." Carrie felt guilty for ignoring her daughter, especially when she had so little time left with her.

"I said that Daddy is a vampire, just like on Buffy!"

Carrie groaned. "First of all, little miss, I told you that I don't want you watching Buffy. Second of all, what makes you think that Daddy's a vampire?"

"Daddy told me that he sleeps during the daytime and works at nighttime, so that means he's a vampire. And why can't I watch Buffy? Krista's mommy lets her watch Buffy," she complained.

"Krista's mommy lets her do a lot of things that I don't think are appropriate. And just because Daddy works at night doesn't mean that he's a vampire. You know that there's no such thing as vampires anyway."

"I know, but it's fun to pretend." She looked down at her hands, and then jumped up in her seat as a thought popped into her head. "Mommy?"

"Yeah, Lex?" She looked back at her daughter through the rearview mirror.

"Could I go to work with Daddy and Sara tomorrow? Daddy said it's okay if I come one day and meet everybody and I really, really want to go. Please Mommy, please, please, please can I go?" she whined.

Carrie chuckled. "How could I say no to that face?" Lexi giggled. "But I have to make sure its okay with Daddy and Sara first."

"Okay. Could I call and ask?"

"Sure. But not now. Wait till later-you have to give them some time to themselves."

"But they were by themselves all last night, and all morning," Lexi argued.

"Lex…"

"I know, I know-don't start," she said in resignation.

"You got it. So, what'll it be: McDonald's or Burger King?" Carrie asked as they pulled up to the food court.

"McDonald's!"

~*~*~

Sara looked over at Nick, who was seated across from her in the Tahoe. He was drumming on the steering wheel to the beat of the song on the radio, and smiling from ear to ear. She couldn't remember ever seeing him so happy. It was amazing the power one little girl held over somebody. Lexi already had Nick wrapped around her finger.

Sara laughed at that thought.

Nick looked over at her. "What's so funny?"

"You," she said simply, trying to suppress her grin.

"Me? What did I do?"

"You're just too damn handsome for your own good," she said, and leaned over to peck him on the cheek.

"Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."

"You're too much," she said, laughing.

Nick laughed with her, and took her hand in his. "Have I thanked you for coming today?"

"Yes, numerous times."

"Well, I'm saying it again: thank you. It really meant a lot to me." He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

"Nick, I'm not going over this again. We're in this together, right?"

"Right." He let go of her hand as they pulled into the parking lot, and stopped the car. He got out first and opened the door for Sara.

"Who says chivalry is dead?" she asked, as he helped her out of the truck.

They walked up to the door in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. They entered the apartment and Nick plopped down on the coach.

"I'm going to get something to drink, you want anything?" Sara asked Nick, who was now lying down on the couch with his eyes closed.

"A beer, thanks," he called to her.

"She's nice," Sara called from the kitchen.

"Lexi? Yeah, she's really sweet," he called back.

"No, I meant Carrie," Sara said, carrying the drinks into the living room. "Scoot."

He sat up so that Sara could sit down, and gladly accepted the offered drink. "Yeah, she's pretty nice. She can have her moments, though."

Sara took a sip of her lemonade, which she had chosen over a beer. "What do you mean?"

"It's just that sometimes she gets really weird, and freaks out over the smallest things," Nick said, taking a swig of the bottle.

"What, like when she gets stressed? Everybody gets like that sometimes, Nick," Sara said.

"No, I don't mean like that. I don't know. She just gets…weird."

"You said that already," she pointed out.

"I know. I just...don't know how to describe it. You know how I told you that our relationship was falling apart even before…that night?" Sara nodded. "Well, that was one of the reasons. She was really paranoid. My car broke down one day and I got a ride home from one of my female co-workers. Carrie flipped out. And it wasn't just once in a while. It was like she was just waiting for me to cheat on her. That's why it's ironic the way it ended."

"That's odd," Sara said, sliding over on the couch so she was cuddled up next to Nick. "But I can't say I'm sorry that you two broke up."

"Neither can I. We would have ended it anyway. And I can't imagine my life without you." He placed his drink on the coffee table and wrapped his arms around Sara. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.

She turned around in his embrace and kissed him softly. "I love you, too"

He smiled, and kissed her again. A few moments later, however, the couple was interrupted by the telephone ringing.

"I'll get it," Sara said, untangling herself from Nick's arms. "Try to rest--you look exhausted, and we have to be at work in a couple of hours."

"You're right, I am tired. I don't know why," he said.

"You've had a lot to digest these past few days. You have every right." She picked up the empty glass and Killian's bottle and walked into to the kitchen. "Go to sleep--and that's an order."

"Yes, ma'am," Nick drawled out, and, closing his eyes, he succumbed to his fatigue.

Laughing, Sara answered the phone on its final ring. "Hello?"

"Hi! Is my daddy there?" a little voice inquired.

"Lexi, is that you?"

"Yeah, who's this?"

Sara laughed. "This is Sara. Remember me?"

"Oh yeah!" Sara smiled. "You sound different on the phone. I had so much fun today, Sara. When we go back to the park with Lindsay, are you gonna come? I really, really want you to come, 'cuz you're really pretty and nice. And then you can meet my Nala, too."

Sara laughed again. She was still amazed at how enthusiastic kids could get over the simplest things. People could really take a few pointers from children. "Well, I really, really want to come, too."

"Cool!" After a short pause, she continued, "Is my daddy there?"

Sara looked over the counter at Nick, who was now fast asleep on the couch. "Actually, sweetie, he's here, but he's asleep."

"Oh." She sounded dismayed, but then perked up. "Well, I guess I can ask you, right?"

"Of course. What did you want to ask me?"

"My daddy told me that I could come to work with you guys some day to meet everybody, and Mommy has to go to the doctor tomorrow night, so she said that it was okay with her if it was okay with you so is it okay with you?"

"To come to work with us?" Sara clarified.

"Yeah.  Can I?  Pretty please, with sugar on top?" Lexi begged.

"I don't see why not," Sara answered, "Do you need us to pick you up?"  As she said it, she realized that she had no idea where Lexi and Carrie were staying.

"No, Mommy said she can drop me off.  My daddy gave her directions in case something happened." She paused. "Hold on, okay?"  After a moment of murmuring in the background, Sara heard Lexi's voice again.  "Mommy wants to talk to you."

Before Sara could say another word, Carrie was on the phone.  "Hi, Sara."

"Uh, hi Carrie.  What's up?"  Sara became a bit uncomfortable talking to Carrie.

"I just wanted to make sure that it's all right.  About taking Lexi to work with you, I mean."

"Of course.  We'd love to take her, and everyone there can't wait to meet her," Sara explained, picturing Catherine fawning over the little girl.

"Great.  Thank you so much, Sara.  It really means a lot to me."

"No problem.  Oh, and tell Lexi that she can bring her Nala."

~*~*~*~*~*~

A/N:  I really have to stop making promises.  I can never live up to them.  Even as I was writing this, I was planning on having Lexi meet everybody in this chapter.  But I'm just about to go out, and I know I won't be able to write anymore tonight, and probably not tomorrow (I'll be making PB&J sandwiches for the homeless all evening…seriously) so I decided to post what I had so far, and end the chapter there.  I realize that nothing really happened in this chapter, but I thought it was important to have everybody's thoughts.  If you hated this chapter, PLEASE TELL ME!  Then I won't write any more chapters like this.  Okay-- please review!

~Emily