Sara was hunched over the fabric from the parachute that she and Nick had
found in the desert. Their assumption that there would be no evidence left
on the fabric because of the storm had proven mostly true. Other than the
pieces of line that had appeared to have been cut, nothing to indicate that
it had been part of this particular crime was present. Still, Sara poured
over it looking for traces of anything that might reveal a little bit more
of the story.
She wrinkled her brow, how had this played out, was the chute really part of the crime they were investigating, or was it just a coincidental find in the desert? She let out a deep breath and then sensed that she was being watched. She glanced up and tried to restrain the smile that threatened to break out across her face.
Nick had an expression on his face that reflected that he'd been caught staring at her. "Uh, find anything?"
She shook her head, slightly amused at him, slightly annoyed at the fact that there indeed wasn't anything on the fabric. "You find anything?"
He nodded. "The cut ends match the cut lines from the vic's harness."
Her eyebrows shot up.
"We still don't have the who, but at least we have part of the how." Nick's mind drifted as he observed her slowly, his eyes unconsciously taking in the line of her body.
"Nick?" Sara tried to swallow an amused smile.
Nick blushed slightly knowing he'd been caught staring at her again in less than five minutes time. "Yeah?"
"Just checking to see if you're listening." She smirked at him and turned back to the parachute.
A confused expression crossed Nick's face. He hadn't heard a word she'd said, at least he didn't think he'd heard her say anything. He stepped toward the layout table, stopping next to her. He studied the fabric for a moment and leaned over toward it. He was just inches from Sara's side and he glanced at her, his voice a whisper. "Did you say something a minute ago? I was a little distracted."
She chuckled softly. "I could tell." She didn't answer his question and she didn't look at him. She was trying not to be distracted herself.
"You could, I mean, did you say something?" Nick asked again, letting his elbow barely touch hers.
She glanced at him. "I'm trying to work here, Stokes." She had a smile playing at her lips, and she was trying desperately to restrain it.
Nick raised his eyebrows in a teasing manner. "You didn't answer my question, Sara."
Sara grinned. "I asked you how your ass was feeling." She was amused at the expression that crossed Nick's face.
He looked somewhat embarrassed. "Uh, the Vaseline is doing wonders. How about yours?"
She giggled. "Improving." There was a faint blush to her cheeks.
Nick studied her for a moment. Her lips looked tantalizingly soft and he remembered in great detail how they felt against his.
Sara could feel him watching her. "Nick, I'm trying to work." She didn't want to meet his gaze because she knew at this proximity she'd be tempted to kiss him.
"Oh." He watched her a few moments longer.
Sara giggled. "Stokes, you're not helping here."
Nick reached over and trailed a finger down her arm. "You haven't found anything on that chute have you?"
She shook her head and bit her lip.
"Knowing you, you've been over it at least two or three times by now, am I right?" Nick continued with a grin on his face.
She nodded and finally looked at him and laughed. "You're really not helping here."
Nick tilted his head slightly. "I'm not?"
She looked away. "No, you're distracting me."
Nick laughed. "I thought so."
"Did you have a point to coming in here beyond staring at me?" Sara blushed and tried to give the impression she was looking at the fabric on the table.
"Just to update you on what I found." Nick grinned. He stood up and started toward the door before calling over his shoulder. "Oh, that and shift was over fifteen minutes ago. We're all going to the diner for breakfast. You in?"
She glanced at him over her shoulder and chuckled. "Are you going to behave?"
Nick waggled his eyebrows at her. "Maybe." With that he turned and walked down the hall.
Sara straightened up and let out a deep breath. She wondered if he knew what kind of effect he had on her. She grinned, knowing Nick Stokes, he probably did. She headed out of the layout room toward the locker room to stow her things and to meet up with the rest of the crew. When she entered, the only one there was Nick. She raised her eyebrows quizzically. "Where is everyone?"
He glanced up at her and grinned. "They left already, I told them to put our orders in."
She smiled at him. "I suppose it pays to be predictable."
Nick chuckled. "Yeah, Catherine is the only one who ever orders anything different. One of these days I may just order a vegetarian omelet."
Sara giggled. "Really? Isn't that some sort of crime?"
Nick looked a bit perplexed. "You eat them."
"That's not what I meant. Don't you have to take some sort of oath to promise to eat meat all the days of your life when you're from Texas?" Sara teased as she pulled her jacket out of her locker.
Nick stepped closer to her, both eyebrows raised, with his hands on his hips. "That's a state secret. How did you get that information?"
Sara closed her locker laughing and poked his chest, tilting her head to the side. "I have an inside source."
"Oh, really." Nick stepped even closer.
Sara nodded as she backed against her locker.
Nick hovered just inches from her. His hands left his hips and one rested on her side while the other traced the outline of her cheek.
Sara rested her hands against his chest and just watched his eyes.
Nick leaned a little closer as his hand slid into her hair.
Sara's eyes fluttered closed and she could feel his warm breath on her cheek as his lips neared hers.
Nick's lips gently touched hers and as Sara began to respond, they heard the door of the locker room creak open. They jumped apart and tried to act natural.
Greg poked his head in. "There you are, Catherine said I could catch a ride with one of you, I had a test I had to finish up."
"Sure, Greg, we're just about to head out of here." Nick ran his fingers through his hair and did his best to not look at Sara.
Sara bit her lips, savoring the remaining taste of Nick's lips as she tried to get her heart rate under control. "I'm ready to head out. I'll meet you guys in the parking lot, ok?" She didn't look at Nick as she sauntered out of the locker room.
Greg watched Sara with interest. It was no secret that the brilliant lab tech had nursed a crush on her since the day he'd met her. It was also no secret that Sara didn't return his feelings. Greg glanced at Nick who had noticed Greg watching Sara. "Think Sara might go out with me?"
Nick chuckled softly. "We've been over this man. Sara just doesn't think you're her type. We'll find you a nice girl."
"What if I'm not into nice." Greg waggled his eyebrows.
Nick laughed at his friend. "Greg, my man, there are all kinds in Vegas." The two friends headed out of the locker room and down the hall.
They found Sara standing next to her Denali grinning. "I'm driving."
"Shotgun!" Greg called out and clamored for the front passenger seat.
Nick tried to stifle a grin. He knew that Sara knew this would happen. The last thing they needed was for Greg to catch wind of chemistry between the two of them.
She glanced at him as he climbed into the back seat and smirked.
He raised a single eyebrow in response and grinned.
Greg talked non-stop on the way to the diner, which was about a half of a mile from the lab.
As the trio entered, Warrick, Catherine, and Grissom waved them over.
"We already ordered for you." Catherine indicated as Nick slid in next to her.
Sara slid in across from him next to Warrick and Grissom.
Greg slid in next to Nick.
Catherine wore a wry smile. "So, Nicky, how are you feeling today?"
Sara tried to stifle a chuckle as she noticed the color rise in Nick's face.
The rest of the crew looked at him a bit curiously. Grissom glanced at him. "I didn't know you were ill, Nicky."
Nick shook his head. "I'm doing much better, thank you."
"I mean, I know that can be painful. At least I can imagine that it would be painful." Catherine continued, thoroughly enjoying torturing Nick with her little bit of knowledge.
Sara couldn't contain herself any longer and started laughing.
Nick raised an eyebrow at her, but the color remained in his face. He turned toward Catherine. "You are a very evil woman, Catherine Willows."
She chuckled. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Warrick studied Nick for a moment, noticed Sara trying to stop laughing, and Catherine's smug expression. "What's the story?"
"My curiosity is piqued as well." Grissom added with a half smile on his face.
Greg just looked a bit confused. "I thought you were hiking. You were sick?"
Sara dissolved into another fit of laughter.
Nick gave her a warning look.
Sara bit her lip.
Catherine spilled the beans. "Nicky's got a bit of chaffed ass."
Warrick busted out laughing.
Greg joined in.
Grissom looked at the table and couldn't help but laugh.
Nick looked at Sara who was still laughing. "So does Sara."
The rest of the table directed their attention toward her as the color started to rise in her face as her laughter subsided.
"Nick, can I have a word with you?" Sara moved out of the booth and stood up, motioning for him to follow her. Her expression appeared to be one of annoyance.
Nick lifted both of his hand and gestured toward Catherine on one side and Greg on the other. "I'm trapped at the moment."
Greg quickly stood up. "There you go, Nick." He had an exaggerated grin on his face as he looked at Nick who was still sitting down. Greg glanced at Sara and winked.
Sara raised an eyebrow at Nick and crossed her arms in front of her body.
"Nick, man, she looks like she means business." Warrick quipped as he continued laughing.
Nick stood up and followed Sara who made her way out of the diner. He called over his shoulder. "If I don't come back in a few minutes, you might have a crime scene to process."
"We'll keep that in mind, Nicky." Grissom called out with an amused expression on his face.
As Nick walked outside, he found Sara on the far side of her Denali, out of the line of sight of the rest of the team. "I'm sorry, Sara, I didn't mean to embarrass you."
She looked up at him and grinned. "Oh, I didn't bring you out here to yell at you, Nick."
He raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
She nodded and motioned for him to come stand next to her. "Yeah."
He looked at her quizzically as he stopped next to her. "What then?"
She leaned her shoulder against the Denali and tilted her head, her hand reached out and touched his arm. "Before Greg walked in, I believe we were in the middle of something."
Nick chuckled and reached for her waist. "Don't you think they're going to get suspicious?"
"Shut up and kiss me, Nick." She grinned at him, leaning toward him. "You can't just tease me like that and leave me hanging."
He leaned down and kissed her softly, tasting her lips thoroughly. A few moments later he broke the kiss. "Is that better?" He looked at her mischievously.
She raised an eyebrow. "It'll do for now." A smile played at her lips.
He laughed deeply. "Sara, Sara, Sara."
She poked him in the chest and raised both of her eyebrows. "If we don't go back in now, they will get suspicious."
He nodded; an amused expression on his face. "After you."
They walked back into the diner and resumed their seats. The rest of the group glanced at them curiously. Finally, Catherine broke the silence. "Everything ok?"
Nick grinned as he looked at Sara. "Uh, huh. Sara just wanted a little advice about how to treat the aforementioned ass chaffing."
Sara shot him a look that told him he'd pay for that comment later.
He just grinned. He was pretty sure he was going to enjoy it.
She wrinkled her brow, how had this played out, was the chute really part of the crime they were investigating, or was it just a coincidental find in the desert? She let out a deep breath and then sensed that she was being watched. She glanced up and tried to restrain the smile that threatened to break out across her face.
Nick had an expression on his face that reflected that he'd been caught staring at her. "Uh, find anything?"
She shook her head, slightly amused at him, slightly annoyed at the fact that there indeed wasn't anything on the fabric. "You find anything?"
He nodded. "The cut ends match the cut lines from the vic's harness."
Her eyebrows shot up.
"We still don't have the who, but at least we have part of the how." Nick's mind drifted as he observed her slowly, his eyes unconsciously taking in the line of her body.
"Nick?" Sara tried to swallow an amused smile.
Nick blushed slightly knowing he'd been caught staring at her again in less than five minutes time. "Yeah?"
"Just checking to see if you're listening." She smirked at him and turned back to the parachute.
A confused expression crossed Nick's face. He hadn't heard a word she'd said, at least he didn't think he'd heard her say anything. He stepped toward the layout table, stopping next to her. He studied the fabric for a moment and leaned over toward it. He was just inches from Sara's side and he glanced at her, his voice a whisper. "Did you say something a minute ago? I was a little distracted."
She chuckled softly. "I could tell." She didn't answer his question and she didn't look at him. She was trying not to be distracted herself.
"You could, I mean, did you say something?" Nick asked again, letting his elbow barely touch hers.
She glanced at him. "I'm trying to work here, Stokes." She had a smile playing at her lips, and she was trying desperately to restrain it.
Nick raised his eyebrows in a teasing manner. "You didn't answer my question, Sara."
Sara grinned. "I asked you how your ass was feeling." She was amused at the expression that crossed Nick's face.
He looked somewhat embarrassed. "Uh, the Vaseline is doing wonders. How about yours?"
She giggled. "Improving." There was a faint blush to her cheeks.
Nick studied her for a moment. Her lips looked tantalizingly soft and he remembered in great detail how they felt against his.
Sara could feel him watching her. "Nick, I'm trying to work." She didn't want to meet his gaze because she knew at this proximity she'd be tempted to kiss him.
"Oh." He watched her a few moments longer.
Sara giggled. "Stokes, you're not helping here."
Nick reached over and trailed a finger down her arm. "You haven't found anything on that chute have you?"
She shook her head and bit her lip.
"Knowing you, you've been over it at least two or three times by now, am I right?" Nick continued with a grin on his face.
She nodded and finally looked at him and laughed. "You're really not helping here."
Nick tilted his head slightly. "I'm not?"
She looked away. "No, you're distracting me."
Nick laughed. "I thought so."
"Did you have a point to coming in here beyond staring at me?" Sara blushed and tried to give the impression she was looking at the fabric on the table.
"Just to update you on what I found." Nick grinned. He stood up and started toward the door before calling over his shoulder. "Oh, that and shift was over fifteen minutes ago. We're all going to the diner for breakfast. You in?"
She glanced at him over her shoulder and chuckled. "Are you going to behave?"
Nick waggled his eyebrows at her. "Maybe." With that he turned and walked down the hall.
Sara straightened up and let out a deep breath. She wondered if he knew what kind of effect he had on her. She grinned, knowing Nick Stokes, he probably did. She headed out of the layout room toward the locker room to stow her things and to meet up with the rest of the crew. When she entered, the only one there was Nick. She raised her eyebrows quizzically. "Where is everyone?"
He glanced up at her and grinned. "They left already, I told them to put our orders in."
She smiled at him. "I suppose it pays to be predictable."
Nick chuckled. "Yeah, Catherine is the only one who ever orders anything different. One of these days I may just order a vegetarian omelet."
Sara giggled. "Really? Isn't that some sort of crime?"
Nick looked a bit perplexed. "You eat them."
"That's not what I meant. Don't you have to take some sort of oath to promise to eat meat all the days of your life when you're from Texas?" Sara teased as she pulled her jacket out of her locker.
Nick stepped closer to her, both eyebrows raised, with his hands on his hips. "That's a state secret. How did you get that information?"
Sara closed her locker laughing and poked his chest, tilting her head to the side. "I have an inside source."
"Oh, really." Nick stepped even closer.
Sara nodded as she backed against her locker.
Nick hovered just inches from her. His hands left his hips and one rested on her side while the other traced the outline of her cheek.
Sara rested her hands against his chest and just watched his eyes.
Nick leaned a little closer as his hand slid into her hair.
Sara's eyes fluttered closed and she could feel his warm breath on her cheek as his lips neared hers.
Nick's lips gently touched hers and as Sara began to respond, they heard the door of the locker room creak open. They jumped apart and tried to act natural.
Greg poked his head in. "There you are, Catherine said I could catch a ride with one of you, I had a test I had to finish up."
"Sure, Greg, we're just about to head out of here." Nick ran his fingers through his hair and did his best to not look at Sara.
Sara bit her lips, savoring the remaining taste of Nick's lips as she tried to get her heart rate under control. "I'm ready to head out. I'll meet you guys in the parking lot, ok?" She didn't look at Nick as she sauntered out of the locker room.
Greg watched Sara with interest. It was no secret that the brilliant lab tech had nursed a crush on her since the day he'd met her. It was also no secret that Sara didn't return his feelings. Greg glanced at Nick who had noticed Greg watching Sara. "Think Sara might go out with me?"
Nick chuckled softly. "We've been over this man. Sara just doesn't think you're her type. We'll find you a nice girl."
"What if I'm not into nice." Greg waggled his eyebrows.
Nick laughed at his friend. "Greg, my man, there are all kinds in Vegas." The two friends headed out of the locker room and down the hall.
They found Sara standing next to her Denali grinning. "I'm driving."
"Shotgun!" Greg called out and clamored for the front passenger seat.
Nick tried to stifle a grin. He knew that Sara knew this would happen. The last thing they needed was for Greg to catch wind of chemistry between the two of them.
She glanced at him as he climbed into the back seat and smirked.
He raised a single eyebrow in response and grinned.
Greg talked non-stop on the way to the diner, which was about a half of a mile from the lab.
As the trio entered, Warrick, Catherine, and Grissom waved them over.
"We already ordered for you." Catherine indicated as Nick slid in next to her.
Sara slid in across from him next to Warrick and Grissom.
Greg slid in next to Nick.
Catherine wore a wry smile. "So, Nicky, how are you feeling today?"
Sara tried to stifle a chuckle as she noticed the color rise in Nick's face.
The rest of the crew looked at him a bit curiously. Grissom glanced at him. "I didn't know you were ill, Nicky."
Nick shook his head. "I'm doing much better, thank you."
"I mean, I know that can be painful. At least I can imagine that it would be painful." Catherine continued, thoroughly enjoying torturing Nick with her little bit of knowledge.
Sara couldn't contain herself any longer and started laughing.
Nick raised an eyebrow at her, but the color remained in his face. He turned toward Catherine. "You are a very evil woman, Catherine Willows."
She chuckled. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."
Warrick studied Nick for a moment, noticed Sara trying to stop laughing, and Catherine's smug expression. "What's the story?"
"My curiosity is piqued as well." Grissom added with a half smile on his face.
Greg just looked a bit confused. "I thought you were hiking. You were sick?"
Sara dissolved into another fit of laughter.
Nick gave her a warning look.
Sara bit her lip.
Catherine spilled the beans. "Nicky's got a bit of chaffed ass."
Warrick busted out laughing.
Greg joined in.
Grissom looked at the table and couldn't help but laugh.
Nick looked at Sara who was still laughing. "So does Sara."
The rest of the table directed their attention toward her as the color started to rise in her face as her laughter subsided.
"Nick, can I have a word with you?" Sara moved out of the booth and stood up, motioning for him to follow her. Her expression appeared to be one of annoyance.
Nick lifted both of his hand and gestured toward Catherine on one side and Greg on the other. "I'm trapped at the moment."
Greg quickly stood up. "There you go, Nick." He had an exaggerated grin on his face as he looked at Nick who was still sitting down. Greg glanced at Sara and winked.
Sara raised an eyebrow at Nick and crossed her arms in front of her body.
"Nick, man, she looks like she means business." Warrick quipped as he continued laughing.
Nick stood up and followed Sara who made her way out of the diner. He called over his shoulder. "If I don't come back in a few minutes, you might have a crime scene to process."
"We'll keep that in mind, Nicky." Grissom called out with an amused expression on his face.
As Nick walked outside, he found Sara on the far side of her Denali, out of the line of sight of the rest of the team. "I'm sorry, Sara, I didn't mean to embarrass you."
She looked up at him and grinned. "Oh, I didn't bring you out here to yell at you, Nick."
He raised a curious eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
She nodded and motioned for him to come stand next to her. "Yeah."
He looked at her quizzically as he stopped next to her. "What then?"
She leaned her shoulder against the Denali and tilted her head, her hand reached out and touched his arm. "Before Greg walked in, I believe we were in the middle of something."
Nick chuckled and reached for her waist. "Don't you think they're going to get suspicious?"
"Shut up and kiss me, Nick." She grinned at him, leaning toward him. "You can't just tease me like that and leave me hanging."
He leaned down and kissed her softly, tasting her lips thoroughly. A few moments later he broke the kiss. "Is that better?" He looked at her mischievously.
She raised an eyebrow. "It'll do for now." A smile played at her lips.
He laughed deeply. "Sara, Sara, Sara."
She poked him in the chest and raised both of her eyebrows. "If we don't go back in now, they will get suspicious."
He nodded; an amused expression on his face. "After you."
They walked back into the diner and resumed their seats. The rest of the group glanced at them curiously. Finally, Catherine broke the silence. "Everything ok?"
Nick grinned as he looked at Sara. "Uh, huh. Sara just wanted a little advice about how to treat the aforementioned ass chaffing."
Sara shot him a look that told him he'd pay for that comment later.
He just grinned. He was pretty sure he was going to enjoy it.