-- Chapter Four: The Gift --

Disclaimers: Refer to Chapter One: Breathe

Author's Note: This is a short chapter, but please read on and tell me what you think. Comment on what I have written so far… have fun!

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- Three Months Later -

"How's your case?"

"Huh?"

"Oh, good, good," Nick assured, looking up from the folder in his hand.

"Love to go home though," he half smiled. Dark circles had formed under his eyes, his face sullen and scruffy.

"You and Sara have plans for your birthday," Warrick asked.

"Nah, we're just staying home," Nick replied, he was exhausted.

The team had been working hard to meet a deadline, mainly a twice-postponed trial that needed to move forward. The lab's atmosphere was tense and under severe pressure, and it was a surprise that he was sitting here with Warrick, having coffee.

"Yeah, hey, how is your brand spanking new home," Warrick posed, pouring coffee into a large mug. He too looked exhausted; the wrinkles on his clothes didn't lie.

Nick scoffed. They purchased their first house a month prior and were now in the process of making it their 'home'. It was a modest sized home in Henderson, it had three bedrooms, two baths, a medium sized backyard, and most importantly, a safe and quiet neighborhood. The house was a steal at the price they paid; and the short drive to work was not bad either, they enjoyed driving into work together.

"What?" Warrick asked, alarmed.

"Sara's insane," Nick laughed. Warrick looked at his friend, confused at his friend's choice of words.

"She's been rearranging the furniture non-stop. Lord knows she's already feng shuied every room in the house." He took a sip of coffee.

"Feng what?" Warrick asked curiously, taking a seat across from Nick.

"Exactly what I said! But wait, let me phrase this correctly, according to Sara, it is the Chinese art of positioning objects - furniture," he paused, taking another sip of coffee.

"- based on the yin and yang and flow of chi," Nick answered, waving his hands in the air.

"Oh, yeah, thus creating harmony in the home and between its owners," Warrick added.

"I'll tell you what, it's driving me insane. She's gone off the deep end," he smiled while he stared at the dark pool of coffee in his mug.

"Who's gone off the deep end," Sara inquired. Warrick and Nick looked up at each other, then at Sara.

"What he meant was, I'd better be off to court, or the judge would go off the deep end," Warrick lied. 'Good luck,' he mouthed to Nick as he hurried past Sara.

"Men are such horrible liars," Sara exclaimed. She walked over to Nick and handed him a beautifully wrapped box, accompanied by a gentle kiss.

"Aw, honey, you remembered," Nick smiled; he turned around to face his wife. Sara grinned.

He moved to stare at the box, and took note of the card. He ripped the envelope open and took the card out,

'Happy Birthday! I hope you like your gift. Love, Sara'

"Sara," he smiled, turning around to his face his wife.

"Open the box," Sara smiled, leaning playfully on the counter. He did as he was told: slowly, he ripped the fancy paper away from the box, he gasped. 'Baby on board' a small sign read. Briskly, he turned around, speechless. He stared at his glowing wife, who at this point wore a wide and humorous smile.

"Yeeha" the whole lab heard.

Warrick stopped, just short of leaving the building. He turned and walked several steps away from the door to see the commotion in the lounge. It puzzled him.

Catherine and Grissom paused from their conference in the layout room. They both looked up from their files, 'yeeha?' Catherine asked herself.

Greg, despite his loud music, saw Nick jump up from his seat, climb over couch and passionately kiss his wife. He arched an eyebrow, 'she finally got him the new Palm Pilot,' he dismissed.

People from the lab were staring.

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A/N – Okay, about the 'yeeha' - before you search for objects to throw my way. I know, some people might be rolling their eyes, but can you think of another word that would communicate Nick's emotions? Yahoo? Aye? I tried my best. – oceanwave