Friends: New & Old
Chapter 2 - Reunions
11:32a.m. Saturday May 11
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
"Sara?" Nick said catching up to her.
"Yeah Nick?" She replied turning around to face him.
"Do you have all your bags?"
"Yeah. You?"
"Yeah. OK, let's go. I have already spoken to the rental place and they have our car ready."
"A car?" She asked with an emphasis on car.
"I don't know what exactly it is, just that it's ready. So let's go."
"I'm coming," She said.
Sara followed him to the front of the building where their car was suppose to be waiting for them. Once they got there, they saw a lot of police vehicles and other vehicles with lights. All were waiting out front as about ten law enforcement agents walking to the waiting vehicles, escorting men in handcuffs. They stopped and waited for the area to clear out before they continued in search of their rental. Nick thought he recognized one of the cops. He had to took a double take. Upon further investigation he figured out that his original suspicions were right. 'Is that really her? I haven't seen her for years!' he thought. But just to make sure it was, "SYDNEY?!?!"
Sara didn't know what happened but all of a sudden Nick yelled out a name and a short woman with long black hair spun around and faced them. 'Who is that?'
"NICHOLAS?!?!" The woman asked seeming genuinely surprised.
"Yeah." Nick told the lady. The girl that Nick called Sydney turned back around and said something to a tall blond guy beside her. She then practically ran over to where Sara and Nick were at. She through her arms around Nick and he spun her around in a circle a couple of times before setting her back down to the ground and pulling slightly away from her. He held her at arm's length.
Sara had a look on her face and thought, 'Who the heck is that woman and why is she acting like that with Nick? Wait it couldn't be a girlfriend or something. Could it? No. But a hug like that is not for just a friend.' The jealousy boiling up inside of her. 'Why am I jealous? This is Nick we are talking about. I shouldn't care about how he is looking at her right now. Right?'
"Sydney," Nick started, his Texan accent coming out more than ever, "I haven't seen you in forever. It's been what six, seven years?"
"Yeah, about seven," Sydney replied.
'WOW! His accent . . .' Sara thought as she was afraid she would go literally weak at the knees, rather than just figuratively like now.
"What are you doing here? Last l heard you were still in Houston."
"I moved, and I should be asking you the same thing. Why are you in Dallas? When I came back to Dallas, I tried looking you up but your old boss said you had moved away."
"Yeah I am in Las Vegas now."
"Really?"
"Yeah, you know I changed to being a CSI. Now I work for the second best lab in the country. I am here to speak at a function this week."
"Oh yeah, I heard about that. A bunch of lab geeks getting together," Sydney said with a slight grin.
"I am NOT a lab geek," Nick retorted but then something caught his eye. "Sydney, what's that?" He asked her pointing to a metal star inside a circle. It was pinned on her shirt.
"My badge."
"What? That means you're a . . ."
"Yep, a Texas Ranger."
"I knew this was going to happen sooner or later."
"Yeah I always could kick your butt."
"You were older, and besides when I finally did start to catch up to you, you moved."
"Yeah well," She said looking down.
"So how long have you been a ranger?"
"A little over six years."
"Wow. I really should keep in touch better."
"Yes you should. But you are here now we should get together sometime before you leave."
"Yeah that would be great," Nick said then he heard someone clearing their throat. He turned and saw Sara. "Oh, sorry," He said dropping his hands off of Sydney's upper arms and walking her towards Sara. "Sydney, this is Sara Sidle. We work together and she has to speak this weekend also. Sara, Sydney Cooke," Nick said then lowered his voice so only Sara could hear him, "Jeremey's brother."
"Oh, it's nice to meet you," Sara said. 'YES! She's practically a sister! ' She thought as a smile came to her lips and extending her right hand. 'Wait . . . what am I thinking?'
"You too," Sydney replied taking Sara's hand and shaking it. Suddenly the tall blonde guy from earlier ran up to where the three of them were standing.
"Syd, the perps are being taken in for questioning. Walker said they would be ready for us in about a hour. Is anything wrong?" The guy asked looking at Nick and Sara.
"Thanks, and nothing is wrong. Gage I would you to meet a very old friend of mine, Nicholas Stokes."
"Hi Nicholas," The guy now know as Gage said a bit hesitantly.
"It's Nick and nice to meet you," Nick replied shaking Gage's hand.
"Nicholas and I grew up together," Sydney explained to Gage.
"Oh, right," Gage responded.
"Nick, Gage is my partner," Sydney said turning to Nick.
"Oh, OK. So Sydney what do you say to tonight we get together? We can catch up on the last seven years," Nick said.
"Oh, I'm sorry Nicholas. It's Saturday, and every Saturday, Gage and I eat, talk about the week, and watch a movie," Sydney replied.
"That's OK no problem. If you give me your number I will call you later and figure out a time where I don't have to lecture and we can talk then," Nick told her.
"Syd, it's OK. Go out with him we can do that next Saturday night," Gage informed Sydney.
"Thanks Gage. Wait, I have an idea. Nicholas why don't you join Gage and I," Sydney asked.
"Thanks but I don't want to feel like the third wheel. Seriously we can get together another night. I'll be here till the fifteenth," Nick responded.
"Are you sure? I mean it wouldn't be a big deal if you did join us. A couple of years ago they opened a new restaurant in town. I'm serious, it has the best Mexican food I have ever had. Being in Vegas you can't tell me that you get good Mexican food there" Sydney questioned.
"You're right. But . . ." Nick replied.
"Nicholas do you want me to kick your butt? Ask Gage, or even those guys we just arrested. I could still beat you up if I had to," Sydney informed him.
"No demonstration is necessary, I assure you and I believe you," Nick said turning slightly and caught a glimpse of Sara out of the corner of his eye. 'She looks a little left out,' He thought. Then he had an idea. "OK, I'll go; but Sara is coming also. OK?" He turned toward Sara.
"That's fine," Sydney said.
"It's OK Nick, go on, I'll be fine," Sara told him.
"No, I don't want you in a hotel room all night. Besides you'll get bored and since your books are at home, I don't want to have to buy you more. Those things don't come cheep. Sheesh!" Nick said throwing his hands in the air and giving her a big smile.
"OK," Sara agreed, knowing full well that he had his mind made up and he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"All right Sydney, when and where?" Nick asked turning back towards Sydney.
"'Pasados'. How does seven o'clock sound?" Sydney asked speaking to Gage and Nick.
"Fine," Gage replied.
"Great," Nick said. "Wait, do they have anything the does not have any form of meat in it?"
"What do you mean?" Sydney asked.
"You know, vegetarian," Nick replied.
"Don't tell me that a man from Texas doesn't eat meat. I remember every meal your mother ever made had at least one form of meat in it."
"No, no. I still enjoy a nice steak. It's Sara. Ever since a certain case, she hasn't been able to eat meat."
"Oh, I see. Sure, there's is a few things she could eat. Nicholas, here is the office number," Sydney said to Nick writing down the number on a small sheet of paper that she had got from here pocket. "Call me for the details." Handing him the paper she continued, "I will make the reservations when I get back to the office and I will see you at seven."
"OK, see you then," Nick told Sydney.
Turning back towards Gage she said, "Come on, we have got several interrogations to do." She turned back toward Nick and gave him another hug. "Bye. See you later."
"Bye," Nick said. Then Sydney and Gage turned and left. "Man, was it good to see her!" Nick told no one in particular. "Sara, are you ready to go?"
"Yeah," she told him.
"OK," He replied. Together they walked outside and found their rental.
"Yes!" Sara exclaimed when she saw they had rented a SUV. "I hate small cars."
"Well I am glad you are happy. Now are you ready? Do you want to drive?" Nick asked.
"Only if you don't. You don't mind do you? I have never been in Dallas before so I am pretty sure I would get lost in less than a minute."
"No, it's fine, really."
"OK." They got in the SUV and headed to the hotel.
12:05p.m. Saturday May 11
The Hotel
"Welcome. How may I be of service to you today?" The front clerk asked as Sara and Nick enter the fancy hotel with all their luggage.
"We should have reservations. My name is Nick Stokes and this is Sara Sidle," Nick told the clerk and pointed at Sara.
The clerk typed something on his computer then said, "Ah, yes. Mr. Stokes your room is 254. If you will please sign here we will get you settled." He gave Nick a paper and pen. After Nick signed it he hit a bell in front of him a high school age looking boy came up to the desk. The clerk continued, "This is Mr. Stokes, please take him to room 254 and make sure he is comfortable."
"Yes Sir," The boy said then picked up Nick's bags. "If you will please follow me." He then began to walk off.
Nick caught up to him and said, "Wait a minute for my friend, I want to know where she will be." The boy just nodded. By now Sara had gone through the same procedures that Nick had and was walking with another boy, who had her bags, up to Nick. "Everything OK?" He asked.
"Just fine, let's go." All together the four made their way to the elevators and went up to their rooms.
Once they got to Nick's room and dropped off his stuff he tipped both the boys. "Thank you, I got it from here, good bye." They then left. "Sara what room are you in?"
"256," She told him.
"OK, it's right here then." He said as he pointed to the room directly beside his. "Let me get your stuff for you."
Sara unlocked and opened the door and let Nick go in first, she then followed him. She got a look at the extravagantly, lavish room. She just stood there in shock with her mouth slightly open. 'Wow!' was the only thought she had.
"Sara?" Nick asked waving his hand in front of her face.
That's all it took to shake her out of her hypnotic state. "What?"
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, it is just . . . just . . ."
"Yes."
"I have seen places like this but I have never thought I would be staying in a place like this, much less that the department would spend the money to put the two of us up in this. I mean, did you?"
"Well according to Grissom, all those who speak are required to stay here. That, and the people who organized the conference paid for us to stay here. Anyway, I think it is to much for me, but then again I have stayed in fancier places."
"Well I have never have."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
"I would have thought someone like you would have stayed in places a whole lot better than this."
"What do you mean someone like me?"
'Oh, boy, why did I have to open my big mouth? I mean sure she is beautiful and smart and fun to be around, but she doesn't want my compliments. She thinks of me like I am her brother. I can't help it if I don't fell the same way about her, but I don't have to act on it.' Nick thought.
"Nick?" Sara asked with a hint of anger in her voice.
"What? Oh, never mind. It was nothing bad I promise, just a compliment."
'What the heck did he mean by that. Wait . . . Nick complimenting me?' Sara thought.
"Well, anyway why don't you get settled in. Try and get some sleep. You also got a certain speech to write for tomorrow. According to a schedule Grissom gave me, we both speak right after lunch tomorrow."
"OK, thanks. But first I want to see your room."
"Why, nosy?"
"I just do all right."
"Fine, come on. Wait, I wonder . . ." He said turning to look at a door on the wall that connected their rooms.
"What? Nick, what?" She asked walking toward him.
"There." Nick said as he opened a door the led into his room.
"Oh."
"I guess we have connecting rooms."
"Yeah," She said as she entered his room. "Wow, your room is bigger than mine, and it has a Jacuzzi," she stated as she entered the bathroom.
"You can have this room if you want it. I already told you this place is too fancy for my liking."
"No, that's all right. I was just stating facts. I don't want your room," She said as she came back out and sat down in a chair.
"You sure? I don't mind a bit. Like I said this room really is too much."
"Nick, I don't want your room. Now if you will excuse me I am going to write a little of my speech then I am going to bed," She stated then got up and headed out the door connecting their rooms.
"All right. I will see you at six. Night," He replied the headed into his bathroom.
"Good night," Sara responded as she walked out the door and set to work in her room unpacking.
3:09p.m. Saturday May 11
Nick walked out of the bathroom after taking a very relaxing shower. He was wide awake even though he had only gotten a couple of hours of sleep before his shower. He sat down on his bed with a pen and a legal pad.
It was then that he notice the conjoining room door was wide open. 'Sara must have forgotten to shut it when she went back to her room,' He thought. Nick got up and went to go shut the door. Once he got there he looked into Sara's room and saw that she was slouched in a chair with a pen in one hand and her head on her shoulder.
"Oh Sara," Nick said as he entered her room. Very carefully so as not to wake her, he took the pen from her hand and the notebook in her lap and laid them on the floor. He then went to her bed and folded the covers down. He went back to her and put one hand under her knees and one behind her neck. He effortlessly picked her up and placed her in her bed. He was glad she was not wearing shoes because for him to take them off would of woken her up and that would of made for an awkward situation. He just stood there for a minute watching her sleep. He went to leave but he just couldn't resist himself. He just had to. Nick leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Mmm . . . ," Sara moaned still asleep.
'Oh, man.' Quickly and quietly Nick walked out of her room and closed the door. As he came back in his room he knew he had to sit down and write out his lecture but he just couldn't concentrate. Then he had an idea. He went and got the number Sydney had given him earlier that day. Nick then went to his bed and sat down on the edge. He reached over and grabbed the phone off the night stand and dialed the number. After two rings, someone picked up.
"Ranger Walker. How can I help you?" The man on the other end of the line said.
Nick thought for just a minute, 'Ranger Walker . . . Walker . . . That's . . . '
"Hello?" Walker asked. This brought Nick out of his daydream.
"Oh, sorry. Could I please speak with Sydney? Um . . . sorry . . . Ranger Cooke," Nick said.
"I'm sorry but she is currently out of the office. Would you like to leave you name and number? I can have her call you back when she gets in," Walker replied.
"Yes please," Nick told him as he gave his name and number.
"I will have her call you back as soon as she gets in."
"Thanks." Just then a light bulb went off in Nick's head. "Ranger Walker?"
"Yes?"
"My name is Nick . . ."
"Yes, you told me that."
"My name is Nick, Nicholas Stokes. You may or may not remember, but about seven years ago I worked for the DPD and during that time you kind of became my mentor. You are then one who help me decide to switch from being a cop to a CSI. About a year after that I left."
"I actually do remember that. So Nick are you still a CSI?"
"Yeah, but I am in Vegas now."
"You know Sydney?"
"Yeah, small world, we grew up together. Her brother was my best friend. I saw her at the airport today after my flight got in and she had some guy in cuffs."
"Fortunately we got a big break in the case today so we had a huge bust."
"Anyway, I saw her and Sydney, her partner . . ."
"Gage," Walker supplied.
"Yeah. Sydney, Gage, a co-worker of mine, and I are going out tonight a some restaurant called 'Pasados'."
"I've eaten there. It's great."
"Well that is good to know. So Walker, what is up in your life?"
"I am got married about two years ago to Alex."
"Alex . . . ?"
"Well she was ADA Alex Cahill. Now she is DA Alex Cahill-Walker."
"IT'S ABOUT TIME! Anybody could tell by the way you two looked at each other that it was only a matter of time before you got married. I just thought it wouldn't take, what eight years since you met her?"
"Seven years and yeah that's what everyone said. Trivette most of all."
"Trivette? Is he still around there?"
"Usually yes, but right now he is on his honeymoon."
"Anyone I know?"
"No, but her name Erica Carter, well Erica Trivette now. "
"I'm glad he found someone. So, anything else going on in your life, Walker?"
"My daughter, Angela, will be one year old in a couple weeks."
"Well it finally happened. The best Ranger in all of Texas is a family man."
"Yeah well since I have become a 'family man' no one has yet to take me down or beat any of my records."
"Good to hear it. Well I better let you go. I'm sure I will see you around before I leave town."
"OK, good bye Nick. It was good talking to you again."
"You too. Bye Walker," Nick said then he hung up the phone. 'Now to write a speech on hairs and fibers.' he thought and he began to write.
To Be Continued . . .