Summary: Nick's the ass this time around, but why?
Disclaimers: The only character in this story that is all mine is Monica.
Spoilers: Anything up through the season finale of the 3rd
season is fair game.
A/N: Thanks to everyone for all the great reviews! You all really know how to make a girl want to write more! J
Sara drove aimlessly through Las Vegas, not even paying attention to where she was going. Why was she so upset? It's not like this was going to affect her life in any way. "Of course it is!" She yelled at herself. "I just told him to go and get married to some chick he doesn't eve love!"
Sara reached down and turned on the radio to get her mind off Nick.
I don't want you to
give it all up
And leave your own life collecting dust
And I don't want you to feel sorry for me
You never gave us a chance to be
And I don't need you to be by my side
To tell me that everything's alright
I just wanted you to tell me the truth
You know I'd do that for you
So Why are you running away?
'He doesn't need me.' She thought to herself. "What if he does?" Sara decided to go back to her apartment, and call Nick. He was probably wondering why she had run out on him the way she did. She knew she should be there for him and support him in whatever he decided to do. That's what any good friend would do. And right now, she knew Nick needed a friend.
Sara headed for home as the rest of the song played out on the radio.
Why are you running away?
Cause I did enough to show you that I
Was willing to give and sacrifice
And I was the one who was lifting you up
When you thought your life had had enough
And when I get close, you turn away
There's nothing that I can do or say
So now I need you to tell me the truth
You know I'd do that for you
So why are you running away?
Why are you running away?
Is it me, is it you
Nothing that I can do
To make you change your mind
Is it me, is it you
Nothing that I can do
Is it a waste of time?
Is it me, is it you
Nothing that I can do
To make you change your mind
So why are you running away?
Why are you running away?
...What is it I've got to say...
So why are you running away?
...To make you admit you're afraid...
Why are you running away?
Sara pulled into the parking lot of her apartment complex. It was getting dark. For once, she was glad she didn't have to work. She loved her job, but sometimes, on rare occasion, she just needed a break.
Sara reached into her pocket for her key, and just as she was getting ready to put it in the lock, she felt a hand on her shoulder.
She spun around, catching her attacker right in the jaw with her fist.
"Ow! Damn!" She heard the male voice yell.
But she recognized this voice.
"Jesus, Sara!"
It was Nick.
Sara put her hand to her mouth. "Oh, God, Nick! I'm sorry! I thought you were… Here, come inside. Let me help you."
She quickly unlocked her door, and linked her arm through Nick's to help him inside.
"Here, come sit in the kitchen. I'll get you some ice."
Sara went to the freezer. "OK, maybe not. Some peas are gonna have to do."
She pulled out the back of frozen pees and sat down in the chair next to Nick. She lifted the bag up to his now bleeding bottom lip.
"Ow!" Nick cringed. "That's really cold."
"Well, it's gonna keep your whole face from swelling up."
"God. Where did you learn how to hit like that?" Nick asked.
Sara lifted the back of peas from his face, to check and make sure the bleeding was under control. "I took self defense classes for a few years."
Nick just nodded as she pressed the peas back on his jaw. He lifted his hand to put it on top of hers. Her skin was so soft to the touch. He caught her eye, but she didn't let him keep it for long.
Sara looked down at her other hand, and finally felt the pain from using it to hit Nick. He does have a nice strong jaw. "Oh man. I need some ice, too, I think." She went to get up, but Nick held onto her hand. "Nick?"
"Here." He took her sore hand in his, and held it. Then he took the frozen peas, and set them on top of her hand, holding them down with his other hand. "Better?"
Sara gulped down the lump that was forming in her throat. "Uh-huh"
Nick stared into her brown eyes. Sara tried to break away, but she couldn't. She felt his thumb caressing her hand, and she started to feel tingly. But then she realized that it was just because her hand was falling asleep.
Sara realized she was now staring at Nick. She turned her head away, and blinked a few times. "Uh… Nick?"
"Yeah?"
"Why are you here?"
Sara took the makeshift ice pack from him, and stood up. She walked over to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water. "You want anything?"
"No" Nick stood up, and walked over to where she was leaning up against the counter. "I wasn't done talking to you earlier. And I –"
"You what? You don't have to explain to me why you're going to do whatever it is you're going to do. You need to save that baby… Your baby. And you need to do whatever it takes. What else is there to say?" Sara asked
Nick moved a little closer to her. She could feel his warm breath on her face. "I need you." He said, barely above a whisper.
Sara dropped the peas she had been holding in her hand, but neither of them moved to pick the bag up.
Nick leaned in just a few more inches. He was so close to her face. Just another inch or so, and they would be touching.
"Nick, you're still bleeding." Sara spat out suddenly, breaking the moment.
She moved past him, and grabbed a damp washcloth. She lifted it to his lips, and gently dabbed at the blood.
Nick brought his hand up to her forearm. He slowly moved his hand, so it was in top of hers. He pulled her hand away from his face. "Its fine, Sara."
Sara suddenly realized that they were again standing in a very close proximity, and forgot how to speak. She swallowed, and then took a small breath. "You might wanna get it… looked at…. I didn't mean to…. You scared me…."
Nick brought his other hand up, and cupped her cheek. Tracing small circles with his thumb. "Its really fine. Doesn't even hurt."
"That's good, because I wouldn't want to hurt you…"
Nick cut her off, by placing two fingers on her lips. Then he brought both hands to her face, and pulled her towards him. Their lips met for a soft and brief kiss.
Sara took two quick steps backwards, breaking the kiss. "Nick, we can't… It's not right."
"Sara… I'm sorry… I – I – I'm sorry." Nick rushed past her and headed for the door. "I'm just gonna go."
"Nick. Wait."
Nick stood facing the door, his hand on the knob, ready to go.
Sara came up behind him, and asked in a soft voice, "What are you going to do about Monica… and….the baby?"
"I don't know." Nick turned to face Sara. "Did you… uh… feel anything….when I… uhhh….kissed you…at all?"
"Nick I –"
"Did you?"
"No" She lied. "I didn't."
Nick felt like the knife that was already in his heart had just been twisted a few times, and pushed in a little bit further.
In an emotionless voice, he said, "I will go find Monica. I'll do whatever it takes for her to keep this baby. I'll ask her to marry me if I have to, but I won't let her have the abortion."
Sara quickly swallowed the lump that had been forming in her throat. "Good."
Nick turned around and opened the door to leave. "I'll see ya at work then."
"Yeah." And with that Nick was gone.
Sara closed the door, and leaned up against it, letting her tears fall down her cheeks. She was so sick of crying. She slumped down on the floor, and curled up into a tiny ball, her body wracked with sobs.
Nick let himself into his house, and went over to his stereo, and flipped it on. Letting the music fill the room, he sunk down onto the couch, where he and Sara had been sitting just a little over an hour ago. He could sill smell her. He leaned back, and kicked off his shoes, listening to the lyrics that flowed out of the speakers.
A hundred days have made me older
Since the last time that I saw your pretty face
A thousand lies have made me colder
And I don't think I can look at this the same
All the miles that separate
Disappear now when I'm dreamin' of your face
I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight, there's only you and me.
The miles just keep rollin'
As the people leave their way to say hello
I've heard this life is overrated
But I hope that it gets better as we go.
I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl, there's only you and me.
Everything I know, and anywhere I go
It gets hard but it won't take away my love
And when the last one falls, when it's all said and done.
It gets hard but it won't take away my love
I'm here without you baby
But you're still on my lonely mind
I think about you baby and I dream about you all the time
I'm here without you baby
But you're still with me in my dreams
And tonight girl, there's only you and me
Nick felt the salty tears stinging his eyes, begging to run down his face as the words repeated over and over in his head. But he knew what he had to do, and no matter what, he was going to go find Monica.
TBC
A/N The first song was "Running Away" by Hoobastank, and the second was "Here Without You" by 3 Doors Down. Both are really good songs! Go listen to them if you can!