Title: Alive Again
Summary: Sara and Warrick become closer after he saves her life.
A/N: I cleaned up the previous chapters a bit and changed some wording around. No huge changes just a few small details. Thanks for all of the reviews so far (even if for some reason none of them are showing up. I hope they are positive lol...).
I thought I should mention that this story will mostly be case file weak. I am trying to show that these people do have jobs though so will from time to time have them working on slightly different cases.
Spoilers: Possibly anything all the way up to Early Rollout.
Rating: PG13 for language and some adult situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of it. If I did I wouldn't be living in this shoddy little apartment dreaming about winning the lottery. :)
Chapter Five:
Two weeks later...
"Sara slow down. I can't believe I let you drive!" Warrick shouted while frantically trying to put his seatbelt on.
"Warrick calm down. I am a superb driver," she quipped confidently.
Warrick blanched as Sara weaved in and out of traffic lanes in order to get to their destination a few minutes sooner. Only ten minutes ago they had been enjoying a quiet meal at one of his favorite restaurants. One thing he learned early on in his career is that life as a CSI demands that you always be ready for the job. Grissom had given them each a call separately and told them to report to a crime scene.
Warrick forced his eyes off of the road and said a silent prayer that Sara wouldn't kill either of them before they reached their destination. Looking at Sara he smiled warmly. She cleaned up well. Very well. The skirt and blouse she had chosen to wear tonight were simple in design but appeared to be elegant on Sara's frame. He had always thought of Catherine as the 'major looker' at the lab. Sara always downplayed her looks with the clothing she chose and that scowl she wore when anyone tried to pay her a compliment. Staring at Sara now he realized how wrong he had been. While Catherine had a definite striking beauty about her looks, Sara possessed a more 'girl next door' type of beauty which was just as appealing to him.
"Want a picture?" she teased.
Warrick chuckled. "Well its either look at you or look at the road. Considering that I can hear all of the cars blaring their horns at you I am guessing that looking at you is safer for my sanity."
She smiled. "I am sorry our date was interrupted."
"I don't mind. We both work the same job and each of us knows and understands the demands that come with it. But I must ask, will you go out with me again?"
She didn't answer him for several seconds. "Warrick I am not sure if this is a good idea."
"Did you have a good time tonight?"
"Definitely. Most fun I've had in awhile in fact. The music in that place was amazing."
"Whats the problem then Sara? Are you worried about what our friends at work will say? I'm not. You know its been a few weeks since you agreed to go out with me. I know our schedules haven't really allowed it until tonight. Were you having second thoughts?"
She pursed her lips and continued to concentrate on the road. "No not really. Warrick you know how I applied for that promotion?"
"Yeah you and Nick both went for it. I was talking to Nick about it a few days ago. Apparently no decision has been made yet."
"Exactly. I really want this position. I've worked my ass off to get it. And I don't want to give Grissom any excuse not recommend me."
Warrick frowned slightly. "Sara what are you not telling me? And what does this have to do with our going out?"
Sara sighed. "Grissom has been really hard on me for awhile now. I think he would use any excuse not to promote me. An office romance would be that. Oh look we are here. Lets discuss this later ok?" she said as the car squealed to a stop.
"Hey wait a minute," Warrick replied firmly. "First of all Sara have you noticed how we are dressed and the fact that we are showing up together? People are going to talk. I don't care. I am interested in you and I refuse to run around pretending to be ashamed of it," he said while reaching for his kit.
"Warrick can we please save this discussion for later?" she pleaded.
He shook his head. "Yeah sure Sara. Lets get going. Luckily we brought our kits with us on the date."
"I brought a change of clothes too but we haven't had time and I sure as hell am not going to change here. Doesn't matter now." She grabbed her kit and stepped out of the vehicle.
Grissom greeted them with a mixed look of confusion and disapproval. "Where have you two been?" He paused for a moment as he gazed at their attire. "Did you come together?"
The question seemed like an accusation to Sara who racked her brain for a suitable explanation.
Warrick beat her to it. "We were having dinner when you called Griss. What have we got here?" he said without shame.
Grissom nodded at the younger man. "Multiple shooting here at this dance club. Three DBs. Catherine is questioning the witnesses now. Warrick you and I will assist her. Sara I want you to go help Nick process the crime scene." Grissom looked at Sara once more before walking away.
Sara inwardly groaned as she headed towards the crime scene. This is exactly what she had hoped to avoid. Nick spotted her and strutted up grinning from ear to ear.
"Nicky do I even want to know why you are smiling like that at me?" she asked suspiciously.
He clutched his hands over his heart and pretended to be wounded. "Oh come on. You aren't going to be a good sport and congratulate me?"
Sara frowned for a moment before grasping what he was talking about. Realization hit like a well aimed punch in the gut.
"I uh didn't know."
Nick visibly blushed. "Oh geez Sara I thought you knew. Carvallo talked to me this morning after shift and I had assumed he did the same with you. Damn I am so sorry."
Sara would have been more angry except for the worry and sincerity she heard in her friend's voice. Nick would never be malicious and had only hoped for her to be pleased for him. She forced a smile on her face and took his hands in hers.
"Nicky there is no one I would rather have lost the promotion too. However, if you ever try to boss me around I will castrate you."
He laughed. "No hard feelings Sara?"
"None. And I really am happy for you. Now lead me to my DBs."
"Sure thing. By the way you look nice tonight. Hot date interrupted?" he inquired.
"Nothing that amazing. I was just having dinner with Warrick."
"Ah he told me you guys were going to go out sometime. Its nice to see the two of you finally getting along. Here check this out," he said pointing to three bodies sprawled out on the ground.
"Wow these guys look like they were executed professionally. Check out the bullet wound between each of their eyebrows. Our guy is an amazing shot to have gotten all three like that. Were any of the witnesses able to give a description of the shooter?"
"Actually no. Apparently quite the rave was going on in here. Only one person saw these three get shot and he claims to not have gotten a good look at at the perp."
Sara frowned. "Do we know for sure that the shooter is a 'him'?"
Nick chuckled. "Sara where have your powers of observation gone to? This is a gay dance club. Or didn't you notice the 'Jocks and more Jocks' sign outside? I think a woman trying to get in here would have caused a commotion."
Sara blushed. "I was thinking about other things. Ok so we have a guy with a gun walk into this place, execute three patrons with only one person noticing, then he walks out as if nothing happened? How many people were here tonight? Looks like it has mostly been cleared out now."
Nick nodded. "Yeah the people still around are employees. There were thirty-three people here. Most of the patrons claimed to not have seen anything at all. Warrick, Cath and Griss are interviewing them now."
Sara glanced around. "You know its pretty dark in here. Do they have one of those fake smoke machines?"
"Oh you mean a fog machine? Yeah it was running when we got here. Griss had them turn it off so we could see."
She nodded. "Ok so between the dim lights and the fog machine its possible no one saw what happened. If he was using a silencer then its possible no one heard the shots over the loud music." She smirked at Nick who was squatting by one of the bodies. "This is going to be a fun one Nicky."
Several frustrating hours later Sara and Nick were both exhausted. He looked at her with disbelief while shaking his head.
"We have like at least three hundred prints here. Probably more," he groaned.
"Nick I think I have an idea. Do you know if this club has an entrance fee?"
Nick's eyes widened. "Sara! How would I know?"
Sara heard the insult in his voice and smiled lightly. "I didn't mean that you frequent this club silly. Come on lets go find the manager."
A few minutes later they were speaking to an older charismatic gentleman. "Hi there I am Art Yandich." He smiled at Sara and winked at Nick.
Sara couldn't help but grin when she noticed how uncomfortable Nick seemed. She shook Art's hand before introducing herself. "I am Sara Sidle and this is Nick Stokes. We are with the crime lab. Would you mind if we asked you some questions?"
The man smiled warmly. "Not at all. I told your Dr. Grissom everything I could which wasn't much. I kept getting the impression he wanted to get away from me as fast as possible. Shame that." He winked at Nick again.
Nick lowered his head and Sara openly grinned. "Mr. Yandich..."
"Hush now. Call me Art."
"Art then," she corrected herself. "Art could you tell me if there is an entrance fee for this establishment?"
"Sure there is. Only $7.00. Just enough to keep harassing patrons out."
Sara nodded understandingly. "You wouldn't happen to keep a log of who comes in and out?" she asked hopefully.
"Actually we do. Its not perfect mind you. When it gets busy in here its hard to get everyone's name. We keep the log 'cause we have nightly prize contests." He winked at Nick again.
Sara had to restrain herself from snickering. "Would you mind if we saw the log and if you could point us to the doorman who keeps the log that would be great."
"Sure I'll be glad to help in anyway possible. This is some nasty business that happened tonight." He turned around obviously looking for someone in the room. Finally he seemed to spot him and yelled, "Hey Mick come over here. These folks would like to talk to you."
The man he addressed walked over and nodded to both Nick and Sara before looking at his boss expectantly. Art patted him on the shoulder with affection.
"This is my nephew Micky. He works here a few nights a week to help out. Earns a little extra cash."
Micky nodded at each of them again.
"Micky I was wondering if you could show me your log books."
"Sure not a problem follow me." Sara and Nick thanked Art for his time and followed behind Mick to the front door. He pulled a few sheets of paper and handed them to Sara. "We check their IDs and then have them put their name on this paper and give them this little ticket on the end so that they can get back inside if they leave." He was pointing to to a perforated edge on the name list which held tickets with the club's logo and date.
Nick stared at the list in disbelief. "Sara you don't think..."
She smiled. "Probably not but if he had to sign in then maybe we will get lucky. I doubt our guy is that stupid though." She spent a few minutes looking at the names on the listed on the log. "Hmmm there are a few weird ones here. Lets just get this to Grissom so he can go over it."
Sara moved to walk out of the building however stopped when she realized that Nick wasn't following her. When she turned back around she found him tapping his foot and staring at her expectantly. She groaned inwardly. 'God I don't need this. I do not need this right now.'
"Are we all done here Nick?"
He grinned. "Your learning quickly Sara! Yeah sure we are done," he teased.
Sara turned and left quickly before she said something she knew she would regret. Nick was her best friend in Vegas and he honestly didn't mean any harm in his joking but she knew her temper would go over board if she had to listen to him much longer.
Catching up to her Nick grabbed her arm tightly. "Sara whats got into you? You know I was just kidding around with you. I would never hold my position above your head."
Sighing Sara said, "I know Nicky. I just am not feeling very jovial tonight. I'm sorry."
Still holding onto her arm Nick said, "Sara are you sure you are doing alright? Ever since Warrick got shot about a month ago you've seemed a little down. I thought after you were cleared of the shooting that you would lighten up a bit but honestly I just think that you've gotten more withdrawn."
"Its just...look Nicky don't worry about it. I am alright."
He growled. "That is total bullshit Sara. I am not sure why you continue to try and push me and everyone who cares about you away. Its not going to work."
Sara cocked her head to the side and regarded him. Nick Stokes rarely got angry. "Nick are you sure this conversation is appropriate for the workplace?"
Nick quickly looked around and was pleased to note that no one was paying them any attention. "Sara I don't know exactly what is wrong with you these days but I have a few ideas. I'll let you have your way and drop it for now. Besides your right, this probably isn't appropriate for the workplace. Lets go show Grissom this list."
Grissom looked up from something he was reading when he saw the two CSIs approaching. "Nick, Sara, what did you find?"
Nick held up an evidence bag. "More finger prints than we could possibly count and not much else. Sara did find the one piece of pay dirt though." Nick grinned at her.
"What did you find Sara?" Grissom asked impatiently.
She handed him the log and explained how each patron had to pay to get in the club and sign their names for a prize drawing.
Grissom smiled appreciatively. "Nice find Sara. I didn't even think to ask for something like this. Why don't you two head back to the lab. Warrick, Catherine and I will be following shortly. I don't think we will find anything else here tonight."
Nick turned to Sara. "Mind if I catch a ride with you? I rode in with Catherine cause my car is in the shop."
"Sure not a problem. Lets go."
They both hopped in her Tahoe. Nick quickly fastened his seatbelt. Having driven with Sara before he was prepared for the worst.
"Sara you think you could drive around the speed limit this time?"
She chuckled. "Yeah sure."
Nick breathed a sigh of relief. "So you and Warrick?"
She rolled her eyes. "We are friends. Just like you and me."
"Uh huh. How many dates is this now?"
"It wasn't a date and its the first one. We are just friends," she said firmly.
"You know Warrick is a nice guy. I think you two would make a nice couple."
"NICK!"
"Ok ok. You guys are just 'friends'.
"Exactly," she growled.
"Have you slept with him yet?" he teased.
"Nick have you forgotten that I carry a gun?" she asked dangerously.
"Nope I just wanted to see how far you would let me go before making that threat. I'll shut up now."
Sara heard the laughter in his voice and smiled. It wasn't possible to stay mad at Nick. She decided to wipe that stupid grin off of his face though.
"Nick I changed my mind about driving slowly."
"Oh shit."
*****
Sara sat in the lab alone attempting to avoid everyone. So far it was working. She kept thinking about her dinner earlier in the evening with Warrick and the fact that she really enjoyed herself. She wanted to spend more time with him. He clearly was interested in spending more time with her and she had to admit that she enjoyed being in his presence. 'It would never work out. I am in love with another man.'
"Sara I need to speak to you in my office."
"Sure thing Grissom. Be right there." 'Speak of the devil.'
A few minutes later Sara found herself at the entrance to Grissom's office. She leaned against the doorway casually.
"Hey whats up?"
"Come in and shut the door," he said plainly without looking up from what he was working on.
Sara raised her eyebrows but did what he said. 'This can't be good.'
After sitting down and occupying herself by looking at the multitude of odd looking bugs and other unidentifiable things frequenting her boss' office Grissom finally acknowledged her.
"Sara," he sighed. "Carvallo asked me to talk to you concerning the promotion you applied for."
Sara already knew the outcome but decided to let him talk.
"We feel that Nick Stokes is more qualified for this position at this time."
She nodded. "Ok on what basis? I have better evaluation scores and a better solve rate."
Grissom pursed his lips tightly. He decided not to mention that they weren't supposed to be sharing that information with each other. "Its not what you do have that is lacking Sara. Its what you don't have. People skills."
She snorted. "Your one to talk."
Grissom ignored her jab. "Sara your skills as a CSI are invaluable to this lab. Your work ethic and personal integrity probably outshines any other CSI we have. However," he said cryptically, " you still have room to grow. We feel that at this time Nick Stokes is a more complete CSI."
Sara sighed. She knew there was no point in arguing. "Ok are we done here?"
"No." Grissom leaned back in his chair and studied her for a moment. He seemed hesitant to broach his next subject.
"Sara are you and Warrick seeing each other outside of the lab?"
"What?"
"Its a simple enough question."
"Grissom I don't see how that would be your's or anyone else's business," she spat out.
"Anything that could cause 'issues' with my staff is my business."
She seemed flabbergasted. "I uh...we are friends."
"So you aren't dating?"
Sara glared at him. "Grissom I am not going to answer these questions. What I do in my free time is none of your concern. You made sure of that!"
He frowned. "So what you are doing is going from one guy to the next until someone says yes?"
Sara would swear later that she felt her jaw hit the floor. She stood up so quickly that the chair she was in slammed against the wall. "Grissom this isn't about Warrick and I is it? Its about me and you. You said 'no' Grissom or don't you remember? I am trying to move on." Sara cursed herself for the tears that welled up on her eyes. She shook her head at him as if still shocked that he would say such a thing to her.
"Let me go Grissom," she finally whispered before turning around and leaving him alone in the office.
Grissom lowered his head into his hands once she left. "I'm trying," he muttered softly.
To be continued....
