Nick's mind was not on work. He was having a hard time concentrating. The
clock seemed to tick slower with each passing moment. All he could think
about was Sara and wanting to be alone with her somewhere that they
wouldn't be interrupted. And her invitation for breakfast, he had to
wonder if that's all the invitation was for, heaven knew he hoped it was
more, a lot more than breakfast.
"Hey, did you hear me, man?" Warrick's voice finally penetrated Nick's thoughts.
Nick looked up at him with an expression that said that he clearly did not hear a word Warrick just said. "Sorry, I was concentrating."
"On what? The new lab tech?" Warrick chuckled, he knew that when Nick was distracted it was rarely about work.
Nick shook his head. "You mean the one that glared at me earlier tonight because I needed to ask Sara something about our case."
"Speaking of Sara, did you apologize to her for pissing her off?" Warrick had an older brother tone in his voice. He was a bit protective of Sara, as was Nick after what they now referred to as 'The Hank Incident'.
"I told you, I didn't do anything." Nick tried to hide his amusement. If Warrick only knew why she wanted Nick to stay away from her while they were in the building, he might be in for the shock of his life.
"I still think you need to apologize." Warrick pressed him.
Nick raised an eyebrow figuring it was easier to agree with Warrick than to continue the conversation, especially if he started to ask more probing questions. "I'll think about it."
"So you admit, you did something." Warrick chuckled with satisfaction.
Nick shook his head. "Didn't you come in here to ask me something?"
"Oh, yeah, the gal in Trace wanted me to let you know that the analysis came back on your fiber." Warrick explained.
Nick wrinkled his brow. "She couldn't just page me?"
Warrick chuckled. "Maybe she's afraid of you, I mean Sara did tell you to stay away from her."
Nick rolled his eyes. "Very funny." He got up from his workstation and headed down the hall toward the Trace Lab. As he entered, the lab tech looked up.
She looked flustered. "Nick Stokes?"
He nodded and extended his hand. "I don't think we've met. Clarice isn't it?"
She regarded his hand for a moment before taking it warily. "Charise actually."
"Sorry." Nick flashed her a grin. "Warrick Brown said the analysis was back on those fibers."
She nodded. "Here is the report. They are chemically identical in make up, of course, that only proves they were made out of the same material, not that they are from the same source."
Nick raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Uh, thanks, Charise." He shook his head as he walked out of the lab and wandered down the hall studying the report.
He nearly collided with Catherine. "Hey, watch where you're going, Nicky."
He looked at her with a sheepish expression. "Sorry, Cath." He held up the lab report as explanation.
She chuckled at him. "Tip for the day, don't walk and chew gum."
He grinned at her and turned to continue down the hall, when Catherine stopped him by placing her hand on his arm. He glanced at her curiously.
"Uh, Nick, did you apologize to Sara? In the interest of team dynamics, you might want to talk to her if you haven't already." Catherine's expression was measured.
Nick chuckled softly. "Like I said before, I didn't do anything, but if it will make everyone feel better, I'll talk to her."
Catherine flashed him a grin. "Thanks, Nicky." She turned to walk away and then turned around quickly. "Oh, one more thing, Nick."
He glanced back at her.
"Lindsey's birthday is Sunday. I'm having a barbecue and a pool party." Her smile was wide and inviting.
"What time? I've got a softball game at noon." Nick replied.
"Four." Catherine replied.
Nick flashed her a grin. "I'll be there." He continued down the hallway and walked into the break room hoping that somehow, shift was over. He glanced at the clock. Twenty-six minutes to go. He poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip. He immediately spit it back into his cup. Whoever had made coffee had forgotten to use a filter.
Grissom entered the room and made his way over to the coffee machine.
Nick stopped him. "Uh, you might not want to do that. Someone forgot to use a filter when they made this last batch."
Grissom looked mildly amused. "Better you than me."
Nick chuckled as he dumped out his cup of coffee and then the entire pot. "Save someone else from scraping this crap out of their teeth." Nick began making a fresh pot of coffee and filled a cup with water so he could rinse out his mouth.
"Nicky?" Grissom began in a fatherly tone.
Nick glance up at him as he spit the coffee grounds into the sink. "Yeah, Gris?"
"Did you do something to upset Sara?" Everyone knew how protective Grissom was of his protégé.
"Why do you ask?" Nick was pretty certain that the loose lips around the lab had reported to Grissom the comment that Sara had tossed over her shoulder at him as they had entered the building.
"Uh, Greg informs me that she asked you to stay away from her. Rather loudly, I might add." Grissom regarded Nick over the rim of his glasses.
Nick pressed the brew button on the coffee machine. "Gris, I did not piss Sara off. But if it will make you, Greg, Warrick, and Catherine all feel better I will talk to her. But seriously, I didn't do anything."
"Then why did she yell at you?" Grissom pressed him.
Just then, Sara entered the break room.
Nick and Grissom glanced up at her.
"Why do I feel like you've been talking about me?" Sara smiled a bit self consciously.
Grissom gave her a serious expression. "Uh, I was just asking Nick what he did to upset you. Greg informed me that you yelled at Nick to stay away from you."
Sara couldn't restrain the grin that spread across her face as she let out a chuckle. "He didn't do anything, Gris. We're both trying to break this case. I simply told him he'd better stay on the other side of the lab so I could break it first."
Grissom shook his head and glanced at Nick and then Sara. "You're supposed to be working together. This isn't a competition." He glanced at Nick. "Usually, I only have to deal with you and Warrick doing this."
Nick chuckled and glanced at Sara who winked at him while Grissom's attention was on Nick. It was all he could do to not smile. Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, Gris. Won't happen again, right, Sara?"
Grissom glanced over at Sara and she nodded as Nick winked at her and then waggled his eyebrows. Grissom headed toward the door of the break room.
Sara narrowed her gaze at Nick. "That is so unfair."
Nick chuckled and pour himself a cup of fresh coffee. "Life's not fair, Sara."
She smirked. "You know what I mean, Stokes."
He just grinned. "Just returning the favor."
She chuckled. "We still on for later?"
"Want me to bring anything?" He regarded her curiously.
She grinned. "Just your good looks and charm."
"How much of my charm should I bring?" He took another sip of his coffee and studied her. His question was loaded with an underlying meaning.
She considered his question for a minute and then softly replied, biting her lip nervously as she looked at him. "Can we play it by ear?"
He chuckled and nodded. "Of course."
"Give me an hour, I have to make a quick stop on the way home." Sara smiled as she turned to leave.
Nick groaned inwardly, he wondered if she knew what that smile did to him. He finished his cup of coffee and headed to the locker room. Shift wasn't over for another few minutes and frankly he didn't care, he just wanted to get out of the building. Another forty-seven minutes and he could go over to Sara's. He thought he'd have enough time to swing home, grab a very cold shower and change his clothes.
Exactly fifty-nine minutes after Sara had left him in the break room, he stood in front of her door. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a blue polo shirt embroidered with the logo of the Texas Rangers. He raised his hand and knocked softly on the door.
A few moments later, Sara opened the door wide. She too, had showered and changed her clothes. She wore a well worn pair of faded Levi button fly jeans and a snug fitting red V-neck ribbed T-shirt. Sara's mouth curled up in a smile. "I hope you like pancakes."
Nick chuckled and grinned at her. "I happen to love pancakes."
"Good, because you have flipping duty." She flashed him a smug smile. "Do you like blueberries?"
He nodded and smiled. "As a matter of fact, I do."
"Good, because we're having blueberry pancakes." She walked into the kitchen with Nick on her heels.
Sara put Nick in charge of flipping the pancakes while she strategically placed the blueberries into the batter of each individual pancake.
Nick tried to restrain his laughter. "Uh, I think this one only has six blueberries."
She crossed her arms in front of her body and tilted her head. "Are you mocking me, Nick?"
He chuckled. "Uh, yes, I am."
"I happen to like my blueberries spread out evenly. I learned that trick watching Martha Stewart." She informed him as she reached for another handful of blueberries.
Nick's eyebrows shot up in amusement. "You watch Martha Stewart? Now that's something I would never have guess about you."
She restrained a quip and studied him for a second. "There's a lot about me you don't know."
He grinned at her. "I'm sure there is." He reached over and stole a blueberry, popping it into his mouth.
A faint blush colored her face. "Hey, I think we've got enough to get started." She grabbed the plate of pancakes and carried them over to the table.
Nick watched her with a amusement. He turned off the burner and followed her over to the table. They made small talk as they ate. Nick couldn't hide his open stares at her as he watched her eat.
It just made Sara laugh self consciously. "Would you stop staring. You make me feel like I've got something on my face."
Nick chuckled. "Uh, actually you do." He reached over and brushed a stray drop of syrup from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.
Sara froze for a moment and then grinned at him. "So, did I have something on my face every other time you stared at me during shift?"
Nick shook his head. "No, I was just staring because you're beautiful."
They finished eating and carried the dishes into the kitchen.
"Hey, let me wash the dishes." Nick volunteered.
Sara grinned and stepped aside. "I'm not going to argue with a man who wants to do housework." She hoisted herself up on the counter next to the sink so she could continue talking to Nick as he washed the dishes.
He rinsed off the last dish and put it in her dish rack. He leaned his hip against the counter and placed his hand on her thigh. "Thanks for breakfast. You make a mean pancake, Sidle."
She grinned at him. "You flipped them."
He chuckled softly, his hand began to caress her thigh through the fabric of her jeans.
Sara reached over and traced Nick's lips with her fingers.
He pulled away from the counter to stand directly in front of her, positioned between her parted legs, a hand on either of her thighs.
Sara looked into his eyes and traced his brows, leaning closer to his face until her lips were just inches from his. Her eyes fluttered closed.
Nick closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against hers in a soft sensuous kiss. She tasted faintly of blueberries and syrup.
They shared soft deep kisses for quite a while, content to savor the feel and taste of each others lips.
Sara rested her arms on Nick's shoulders and parted her lips slightly allowing Nick's tongue to move past hers as the kiss intensified.
Nick continued caressing her thighs with his hands, pulling her slightly closer to him as he leaned against the counter.
Their kisses were slow and deep, not frenzied as they had been earlier when the possibility of being interrupted was present.
Nick's hands slid up Sara's thighs to cup her butt and she started to giggle. He broke the kiss and looked at her quizzically as he tried to catch his breath. "You find that funny?"
She shook her head as she looked into his eyes and brushed her thumb over his lower lip. "No, I like having your hands on my ass."
Nick raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Then what's so funny?" He tried to grab her thumb with his teeth, but Sara pulled her hand away just in time.
"I'm getting a kink in my neck." She grinned at him. "Maybe we should move."
Nick chuckled and stepped back slightly, his hands firmly on her butt as he pulled her off the counter. As she slid down his body, and pressed herself against him, Nick had to stifle a groan. He gently pinned her against the counter with his body, pressing his lips to hers again.
Sara murmured against his mouth. "We didn't get very far."
Nick broke the kiss and began to press his lips against her neck. "What did you have in mind?" He continued to nibble at her neck, soothing it with kisses.
"Mmmn. I can't remember." Sara murmured, her mind becoming a bit foggy.
Nick pressed his knee between Sara's legs and gradually pulled her onto his thigh as he gripped her butt. His lips returned to hers in a deep and probing kiss.
Sara whimpered into Nick's mouth as he pulled her against him, causing her to grind against his thigh. She clung to Nick's shoulders at the sensations of pleasure coursing through her body as she rocked her hips against him.
One of Nick's hands edged up her back and slid under her shirt. His fingers lightly caressing the skin on her back.
Sara groaned and broke the kiss, trying to catch her breath. "Nick." She felt unable to move as she clung to him, her legs reduced to jello.
Nick whispered against her ear. "Yeah, Sar?" He was beginning to feel very aroused.
"I need to sit down." She was still trying to catch her breath.
He chuckled softly and stepped away from her, immediately moving back in to grab her waist as her legs gave way. "Nice to know I've got that effect on you, Sar."
"If it wasn't true, I'm sure I'd have something sharp and witty to respond with." Sara giggled.
Nick scooped her up and carried her over to the couch, sitting down and pulling her into his lap. He grinned at her as his arms held her around her waist. "Is that better, Ms. Sidle?"
She nodded. "I think so." She studied him for a moment and wrinkled her brow slightly.
Nick noticed her expression. "What's going on? Is something wrong?"
Sara traced his jaw line with her fingers. "Is this going to mess up our friendship? Are we going to be able to work together if things don't work out?"
Nick regarded her seriously for a moment. "I don't want it to mess up either of those things. Have we figured out what this is yet? We haven't really talked about it."
She bit her lip nervously. "What do you want, Nick?"
Nick caressed her waist with his fingers. "I really care about you, Sara. I can't stop thinking about you. I'm seriously attracted to you. I'd really like to date you, but I also don't want to push you into something if you're not ready for it?"
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to you, because I am. I can't stop thinking about you either. " She smiled at him, studying his features. "As for dating you, wouldn't all your other girlfriends get jealous." She raised an amused eyebrow to tease him.
"I am popular among the ladies." He chuckled and dodged her fingers as she tried to poke him. As he grabbed her hands, he smiled. "But I'm only interested in being popular with you, Sar."
"I really like the sound of that." She leaned down and kissed him softly. She grinned as she pulled away, whispering inches from his lips. "So, does that make me your girlfriend?"
He chuckled. "I think it does." He leaned up and kissed her.
She broke the kiss and searched his eyes. "Can we keep it a secret a while longer?"
He nodded and grinned. "It could be more fun that way."
She giggled and leaned in to kiss him again. As she pulled away she looked at him with a serious expression.
He raised a quizzical eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I don't think I'm ready to go where this is going if we keep this up much longer." She nibbled at her lower lip.
Nick leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. "It's ok. But you're right, if we keep this up, it's going to be very hard to stop. I'd better go home."
Sara pulled herself off of Nick's lap and straightened her shirt. Nick stood up next to her and walked toward the door pausing to turn around as Sara followed him. She leaned up and kissed him softly. "I'll see you tonight." She grinned at him.
Nick grinned at her in return as he turned and headed out the door. As he climbed into his Denali he decided that the first thing he was going to do when he got home was take a very cold shower.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Let me just answer a few comments in a couple of the reviews. The first season, the CSIs drove Jeep Cherokees, then switched to driving Tahoes. This season, they are all driving Denalis, check the side of the vehicle. Just trying to be current.
Secondly, while I am not going to dispute Nick and Sara's professionalism on the job, I would dispute that people that attracted to each other may in fact, make out at work regardless. Having worked in the real world, I've seen this happen between coworkers who think no one else has a clue, so it does happen. In fact it happens on other TV series where people are supposed to be professional: ER, The Guardian, etc.
Thanks to everyone who is reading and reviewing, specific comments help a great deal, whether or not I agree with them, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read my ramblings.
"Hey, did you hear me, man?" Warrick's voice finally penetrated Nick's thoughts.
Nick looked up at him with an expression that said that he clearly did not hear a word Warrick just said. "Sorry, I was concentrating."
"On what? The new lab tech?" Warrick chuckled, he knew that when Nick was distracted it was rarely about work.
Nick shook his head. "You mean the one that glared at me earlier tonight because I needed to ask Sara something about our case."
"Speaking of Sara, did you apologize to her for pissing her off?" Warrick had an older brother tone in his voice. He was a bit protective of Sara, as was Nick after what they now referred to as 'The Hank Incident'.
"I told you, I didn't do anything." Nick tried to hide his amusement. If Warrick only knew why she wanted Nick to stay away from her while they were in the building, he might be in for the shock of his life.
"I still think you need to apologize." Warrick pressed him.
Nick raised an eyebrow figuring it was easier to agree with Warrick than to continue the conversation, especially if he started to ask more probing questions. "I'll think about it."
"So you admit, you did something." Warrick chuckled with satisfaction.
Nick shook his head. "Didn't you come in here to ask me something?"
"Oh, yeah, the gal in Trace wanted me to let you know that the analysis came back on your fiber." Warrick explained.
Nick wrinkled his brow. "She couldn't just page me?"
Warrick chuckled. "Maybe she's afraid of you, I mean Sara did tell you to stay away from her."
Nick rolled his eyes. "Very funny." He got up from his workstation and headed down the hall toward the Trace Lab. As he entered, the lab tech looked up.
She looked flustered. "Nick Stokes?"
He nodded and extended his hand. "I don't think we've met. Clarice isn't it?"
She regarded his hand for a moment before taking it warily. "Charise actually."
"Sorry." Nick flashed her a grin. "Warrick Brown said the analysis was back on those fibers."
She nodded. "Here is the report. They are chemically identical in make up, of course, that only proves they were made out of the same material, not that they are from the same source."
Nick raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Uh, thanks, Charise." He shook his head as he walked out of the lab and wandered down the hall studying the report.
He nearly collided with Catherine. "Hey, watch where you're going, Nicky."
He looked at her with a sheepish expression. "Sorry, Cath." He held up the lab report as explanation.
She chuckled at him. "Tip for the day, don't walk and chew gum."
He grinned at her and turned to continue down the hall, when Catherine stopped him by placing her hand on his arm. He glanced at her curiously.
"Uh, Nick, did you apologize to Sara? In the interest of team dynamics, you might want to talk to her if you haven't already." Catherine's expression was measured.
Nick chuckled softly. "Like I said before, I didn't do anything, but if it will make everyone feel better, I'll talk to her."
Catherine flashed him a grin. "Thanks, Nicky." She turned to walk away and then turned around quickly. "Oh, one more thing, Nick."
He glanced back at her.
"Lindsey's birthday is Sunday. I'm having a barbecue and a pool party." Her smile was wide and inviting.
"What time? I've got a softball game at noon." Nick replied.
"Four." Catherine replied.
Nick flashed her a grin. "I'll be there." He continued down the hallway and walked into the break room hoping that somehow, shift was over. He glanced at the clock. Twenty-six minutes to go. He poured himself a cup of coffee and took a sip. He immediately spit it back into his cup. Whoever had made coffee had forgotten to use a filter.
Grissom entered the room and made his way over to the coffee machine.
Nick stopped him. "Uh, you might not want to do that. Someone forgot to use a filter when they made this last batch."
Grissom looked mildly amused. "Better you than me."
Nick chuckled as he dumped out his cup of coffee and then the entire pot. "Save someone else from scraping this crap out of their teeth." Nick began making a fresh pot of coffee and filled a cup with water so he could rinse out his mouth.
"Nicky?" Grissom began in a fatherly tone.
Nick glance up at him as he spit the coffee grounds into the sink. "Yeah, Gris?"
"Did you do something to upset Sara?" Everyone knew how protective Grissom was of his protégé.
"Why do you ask?" Nick was pretty certain that the loose lips around the lab had reported to Grissom the comment that Sara had tossed over her shoulder at him as they had entered the building.
"Uh, Greg informs me that she asked you to stay away from her. Rather loudly, I might add." Grissom regarded Nick over the rim of his glasses.
Nick pressed the brew button on the coffee machine. "Gris, I did not piss Sara off. But if it will make you, Greg, Warrick, and Catherine all feel better I will talk to her. But seriously, I didn't do anything."
"Then why did she yell at you?" Grissom pressed him.
Just then, Sara entered the break room.
Nick and Grissom glanced up at her.
"Why do I feel like you've been talking about me?" Sara smiled a bit self consciously.
Grissom gave her a serious expression. "Uh, I was just asking Nick what he did to upset you. Greg informed me that you yelled at Nick to stay away from you."
Sara couldn't restrain the grin that spread across her face as she let out a chuckle. "He didn't do anything, Gris. We're both trying to break this case. I simply told him he'd better stay on the other side of the lab so I could break it first."
Grissom shook his head and glanced at Nick and then Sara. "You're supposed to be working together. This isn't a competition." He glanced at Nick. "Usually, I only have to deal with you and Warrick doing this."
Nick chuckled and glanced at Sara who winked at him while Grissom's attention was on Nick. It was all he could do to not smile. Nick shrugged his shoulders. "Sorry, Gris. Won't happen again, right, Sara?"
Grissom glanced over at Sara and she nodded as Nick winked at her and then waggled his eyebrows. Grissom headed toward the door of the break room.
Sara narrowed her gaze at Nick. "That is so unfair."
Nick chuckled and pour himself a cup of fresh coffee. "Life's not fair, Sara."
She smirked. "You know what I mean, Stokes."
He just grinned. "Just returning the favor."
She chuckled. "We still on for later?"
"Want me to bring anything?" He regarded her curiously.
She grinned. "Just your good looks and charm."
"How much of my charm should I bring?" He took another sip of his coffee and studied her. His question was loaded with an underlying meaning.
She considered his question for a minute and then softly replied, biting her lip nervously as she looked at him. "Can we play it by ear?"
He chuckled and nodded. "Of course."
"Give me an hour, I have to make a quick stop on the way home." Sara smiled as she turned to leave.
Nick groaned inwardly, he wondered if she knew what that smile did to him. He finished his cup of coffee and headed to the locker room. Shift wasn't over for another few minutes and frankly he didn't care, he just wanted to get out of the building. Another forty-seven minutes and he could go over to Sara's. He thought he'd have enough time to swing home, grab a very cold shower and change his clothes.
Exactly fifty-nine minutes after Sara had left him in the break room, he stood in front of her door. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a blue polo shirt embroidered with the logo of the Texas Rangers. He raised his hand and knocked softly on the door.
A few moments later, Sara opened the door wide. She too, had showered and changed her clothes. She wore a well worn pair of faded Levi button fly jeans and a snug fitting red V-neck ribbed T-shirt. Sara's mouth curled up in a smile. "I hope you like pancakes."
Nick chuckled and grinned at her. "I happen to love pancakes."
"Good, because you have flipping duty." She flashed him a smug smile. "Do you like blueberries?"
He nodded and smiled. "As a matter of fact, I do."
"Good, because we're having blueberry pancakes." She walked into the kitchen with Nick on her heels.
Sara put Nick in charge of flipping the pancakes while she strategically placed the blueberries into the batter of each individual pancake.
Nick tried to restrain his laughter. "Uh, I think this one only has six blueberries."
She crossed her arms in front of her body and tilted her head. "Are you mocking me, Nick?"
He chuckled. "Uh, yes, I am."
"I happen to like my blueberries spread out evenly. I learned that trick watching Martha Stewart." She informed him as she reached for another handful of blueberries.
Nick's eyebrows shot up in amusement. "You watch Martha Stewart? Now that's something I would never have guess about you."
She restrained a quip and studied him for a second. "There's a lot about me you don't know."
He grinned at her. "I'm sure there is." He reached over and stole a blueberry, popping it into his mouth.
A faint blush colored her face. "Hey, I think we've got enough to get started." She grabbed the plate of pancakes and carried them over to the table.
Nick watched her with a amusement. He turned off the burner and followed her over to the table. They made small talk as they ate. Nick couldn't hide his open stares at her as he watched her eat.
It just made Sara laugh self consciously. "Would you stop staring. You make me feel like I've got something on my face."
Nick chuckled. "Uh, actually you do." He reached over and brushed a stray drop of syrup from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.
Sara froze for a moment and then grinned at him. "So, did I have something on my face every other time you stared at me during shift?"
Nick shook his head. "No, I was just staring because you're beautiful."
They finished eating and carried the dishes into the kitchen.
"Hey, let me wash the dishes." Nick volunteered.
Sara grinned and stepped aside. "I'm not going to argue with a man who wants to do housework." She hoisted herself up on the counter next to the sink so she could continue talking to Nick as he washed the dishes.
He rinsed off the last dish and put it in her dish rack. He leaned his hip against the counter and placed his hand on her thigh. "Thanks for breakfast. You make a mean pancake, Sidle."
She grinned at him. "You flipped them."
He chuckled softly, his hand began to caress her thigh through the fabric of her jeans.
Sara reached over and traced Nick's lips with her fingers.
He pulled away from the counter to stand directly in front of her, positioned between her parted legs, a hand on either of her thighs.
Sara looked into his eyes and traced his brows, leaning closer to his face until her lips were just inches from his. Her eyes fluttered closed.
Nick closed the distance between them and pressed his lips against hers in a soft sensuous kiss. She tasted faintly of blueberries and syrup.
They shared soft deep kisses for quite a while, content to savor the feel and taste of each others lips.
Sara rested her arms on Nick's shoulders and parted her lips slightly allowing Nick's tongue to move past hers as the kiss intensified.
Nick continued caressing her thighs with his hands, pulling her slightly closer to him as he leaned against the counter.
Their kisses were slow and deep, not frenzied as they had been earlier when the possibility of being interrupted was present.
Nick's hands slid up Sara's thighs to cup her butt and she started to giggle. He broke the kiss and looked at her quizzically as he tried to catch his breath. "You find that funny?"
She shook her head as she looked into his eyes and brushed her thumb over his lower lip. "No, I like having your hands on my ass."
Nick raised an eyebrow in amusement. "Then what's so funny?" He tried to grab her thumb with his teeth, but Sara pulled her hand away just in time.
"I'm getting a kink in my neck." She grinned at him. "Maybe we should move."
Nick chuckled and stepped back slightly, his hands firmly on her butt as he pulled her off the counter. As she slid down his body, and pressed herself against him, Nick had to stifle a groan. He gently pinned her against the counter with his body, pressing his lips to hers again.
Sara murmured against his mouth. "We didn't get very far."
Nick broke the kiss and began to press his lips against her neck. "What did you have in mind?" He continued to nibble at her neck, soothing it with kisses.
"Mmmn. I can't remember." Sara murmured, her mind becoming a bit foggy.
Nick pressed his knee between Sara's legs and gradually pulled her onto his thigh as he gripped her butt. His lips returned to hers in a deep and probing kiss.
Sara whimpered into Nick's mouth as he pulled her against him, causing her to grind against his thigh. She clung to Nick's shoulders at the sensations of pleasure coursing through her body as she rocked her hips against him.
One of Nick's hands edged up her back and slid under her shirt. His fingers lightly caressing the skin on her back.
Sara groaned and broke the kiss, trying to catch her breath. "Nick." She felt unable to move as she clung to him, her legs reduced to jello.
Nick whispered against her ear. "Yeah, Sar?" He was beginning to feel very aroused.
"I need to sit down." She was still trying to catch her breath.
He chuckled softly and stepped away from her, immediately moving back in to grab her waist as her legs gave way. "Nice to know I've got that effect on you, Sar."
"If it wasn't true, I'm sure I'd have something sharp and witty to respond with." Sara giggled.
Nick scooped her up and carried her over to the couch, sitting down and pulling her into his lap. He grinned at her as his arms held her around her waist. "Is that better, Ms. Sidle?"
She nodded. "I think so." She studied him for a moment and wrinkled her brow slightly.
Nick noticed her expression. "What's going on? Is something wrong?"
Sara traced his jaw line with her fingers. "Is this going to mess up our friendship? Are we going to be able to work together if things don't work out?"
Nick regarded her seriously for a moment. "I don't want it to mess up either of those things. Have we figured out what this is yet? We haven't really talked about it."
She bit her lip nervously. "What do you want, Nick?"
Nick caressed her waist with his fingers. "I really care about you, Sara. I can't stop thinking about you. I'm seriously attracted to you. I'd really like to date you, but I also don't want to push you into something if you're not ready for it?"
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't attracted to you, because I am. I can't stop thinking about you either. " She smiled at him, studying his features. "As for dating you, wouldn't all your other girlfriends get jealous." She raised an amused eyebrow to tease him.
"I am popular among the ladies." He chuckled and dodged her fingers as she tried to poke him. As he grabbed her hands, he smiled. "But I'm only interested in being popular with you, Sar."
"I really like the sound of that." She leaned down and kissed him softly. She grinned as she pulled away, whispering inches from his lips. "So, does that make me your girlfriend?"
He chuckled. "I think it does." He leaned up and kissed her.
She broke the kiss and searched his eyes. "Can we keep it a secret a while longer?"
He nodded and grinned. "It could be more fun that way."
She giggled and leaned in to kiss him again. As she pulled away she looked at him with a serious expression.
He raised a quizzical eyebrow. "What is it?"
"I don't think I'm ready to go where this is going if we keep this up much longer." She nibbled at her lower lip.
Nick leaned in and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. "It's ok. But you're right, if we keep this up, it's going to be very hard to stop. I'd better go home."
Sara pulled herself off of Nick's lap and straightened her shirt. Nick stood up next to her and walked toward the door pausing to turn around as Sara followed him. She leaned up and kissed him softly. "I'll see you tonight." She grinned at him.
Nick grinned at her in return as he turned and headed out the door. As he climbed into his Denali he decided that the first thing he was going to do when he got home was take a very cold shower.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: Let me just answer a few comments in a couple of the reviews. The first season, the CSIs drove Jeep Cherokees, then switched to driving Tahoes. This season, they are all driving Denalis, check the side of the vehicle. Just trying to be current.
Secondly, while I am not going to dispute Nick and Sara's professionalism on the job, I would dispute that people that attracted to each other may in fact, make out at work regardless. Having worked in the real world, I've seen this happen between coworkers who think no one else has a clue, so it does happen. In fact it happens on other TV series where people are supposed to be professional: ER, The Guardian, etc.
Thanks to everyone who is reading and reviewing, specific comments help a great deal, whether or not I agree with them, I appreciate you taking the time out of your day to read my ramblings.