Nick glanced over at Sara as they drove back to his house after dropping Chelsea off at the airport. He was still concerned about her after last night and how upset she'd been about the case. "How are you doing this morning?"

A soft smile spread across Sara's face as she looked over at him. "I'm ok." She didn't sound as convincing as she looked.

"What are you going to tell Grissom?" He knew that she was going to have to explain why she'd left the crime scene.

Sara's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure."

Nick contemplated his words very carefully. "Sara, have you ever considered taking a leave of absence?" He hoped that she understood the intent behind his words.

Sara wasn't sure how to respond, she fumbled with her words for a moment. "Why would I do that?"

Nick's face was set in a serious expression as he glanced over at her. "I've never seen you cry."

Sara let out a deep breath and glanced out the window of the Denali. "Do you think I'm going crazy?"

Nick smiled. "Sara, you're not going crazy." He let out a deep breath before continuing. "I do think though that you're on the verge of burning out. Take some time off. Relax."

She glanced over at him. "And do what?"

He grinned. "Well for starters, you can come with me to Dallas or Chelsea will never let me hear the end of it. You can see just how crazy my family is and then maybe we can head down to the Gulf Coast for a few days."

"How long are you planning to take off?" Sara asked him curiously.

He shrugged his shoulders. "I guess it just depends on how much time Grissom will approve."

"He's going to read me the riot act for leaving the scene." Sara stared out the window.

Nick considered her words for a moment. "I don't think so, Sara. I think if you explain it to him, he'll understand. You and I both know that Grissom would rather you turn the scene over to someone else if you feel that you might compromise the scene."

She shot him an accusing look. "You think I'd compromise the scene?"

Nick smiled softly and shook his head. "I didn't say that. But you obviously weren't in a frame of mind to be able to work it last night either, and I think he'll understand that."

"I hope you're right. The last thing I need is to be put on suspension." Sara looked worried.

"I doubt he'll suspend you, he'll probably think the idea of you taking time off is a good idea." Nick tried to reassure her.

Sara pursed her lips and turned toward Nick. "How are we going to get him to let both of us have time off at the same time?"

Nick grinned. "We just ask."

Sara raised a doubtful eyebrow. "We ask."

"You never know until you ask." Nick continued to grin.

"You sound like Chelsea." Sara chuckled.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Grissom." Sara stood in the doorway of the nightshift supervisor's office.

Grissom looked at her over the rim of his glasses. "Sara. Come in. I need to talk to you."

Sara sat down in the chair in front of his desk. She knew that leaving the crime scene without telling anyone where she was going last night was breaking protocol. Grissom would be well within his rights to reprimand her or write her up.

Grissom studied her for a moment. He detected fatigue in the young woman sitting across from him and truth be told, he was worried about her. He knew the death of that young girl had really upset her. When she'd left the crime scene, he had expected that she would be back at the lab after he'd returned. When he returned she wasn't there and no one had seen her. He was worried. "Sara, about last night."

Sara interrupted. "Grissom, I think I need to take some time off."

Grissom was taken aback. He was prepared to suggest that she take a few days off, he wasn't prepared that she would suggest it herself. He nodded to her, knowing from the expression on her face that she had more to say.

"I'm sorry I left the scene last night. I know that wasn't very professional, I guess I just got too emotionally involved with the case and I couldn't handle it." She took a deep breath and continued. "I should have said something."

Grissom shook his head and looked her in the eye. "No, Sara, I knew this case was getting to you. I should have said something. None of us expected that kind of outcome." He looked a bit remorseful. He had a great deal of admiration for how Sara did her job; sometimes he forgot that she was a person with feelings.

Sara just nodded.

Nick paused in the doorway and knocked softly.

Grissom glanced up at him. "Nick."

"Hey, Gris." Nick acknowledged his boss and then glanced at Sara. "Did you tell him?"

"That's what I'm doing right now." She replied.

"Should I come back?" Nick looked at her quizzically.

She shook her head.

Grissom glanced at Nick and then back at Sara curiously.

Sara turned her attention back to Grissom, and Nick stepped into the office as she continued talking. "Grissom, when I left last night I went over and talked to Nick."

Grissom glanced up at Nick and then back at Sara. He was glad Sara had talked to someone and if his suspicions were correct, Nick had been the one to talk her in to taking time off.

"He suggested that I take some time off." Sara continued.

"I think it's a good idea." Grissom interjected.

"I also suggested that she take a vacation." Nick added.

"Nick invited me to come to Dallas." Sara explained.

Grissom raised an eyebrow at Nick. "Dallas."

"It's kind of a long story, but I invited Sara to come with me to Dallas, which means I need to take some time off too." Nick concluded.

Grissom looked a little confused. He glanced from Sara to Nick and back again. "Are you two dating?"

"No." Sara replied quickly.

"It's not like that." Nick didn't want Grissom to get the wrong idea.

Grissom studied the pair for a moment. "How much time did you want to take off?"

Nick answered for both of them. "Two weeks."

Sara glanced at him a little surprised that he'd ask for that much time.

Grissom let out a deep sigh and removed his glasses. "I'll see if I can get a couple of people from days to cover."

Nick glanced at Sara and smiled.