A/N: Hey everyone! I know I said a few days not a few weeks, but hey, I have a life too. LOL Not that I want to do anything else anyway. Hehe. And here it is! I hope everyone enjoys it!

"Grissom. I need to talk to you."

"Not now Nick."

"No now. This can't wait." Nick said as he followed Grissom into his office.

"What's up Nick?"

"Sara, that's what."

"Look Nick, I asked her if she could make it through the shift and she told me she would be fine."

"And you're trying to tell me you didn't see that coming?"

"Nick you know that if I thought for a second that she couldn't do it I would've sent her home."

"Oh that is such bull! I know you talk to her, but you walked your way around it so she wouldn't go home."

"That is not true Nick! Sara is my friend. I know you care about her, but I'm her friend and I care about her too!"

"Then try showing it! She would come in off of her death bed for you if you told her you needed her! She tries to impress you and get your attention and you don't even acknowledge her! If you don't want to be with her just say it so she can get on with her life! If you cared about her at all or had any decency you would do that much." Nick said as others started gathering around the office.

"Nick I care about her more than you know. She has been my friend since she was in college, and I have always cared about her."

"Yeah? Well try showing it."

"I do Nick. That is why I want Sara to stay here. She told me she can do it, and I told her to stay."

"I don't believe this." Nick said as he distantly heard Catherine's voice.

"Sara?" Catherine yelled after Sara who was running to the bathroom.

"Sara?" Nick said turning to leave Grissom's office. "This isn't over." He said running behind Catherine.

Sara had barely made it to the trash can outside of the bathroom by the time Nick caught up. His heart broke when he saw her face. She looked so pale. And she was so weak she could hardly stand up. Grissom showed up behind them and a guilty look came to his face.

"That's it. I'm taking her home now." Nick said as he walked in front of Catherine. "Sara? Can you keep your balance long enough to get to my car?"

"I think I'm fine Nick." Sara said trying to walk, but fell forward and caught herself on the edge of the trash can.

"No you're not. Come on." He said picking her up. "Catherine could you bring her things outside please?"

"Sure. I'll be back." Catherine said as she disappeared down the hallway.

"What can I do?" Grissom said as Nick started to walk away.

"You've done enough." Nick said coldly as he took Sara outside. Grissom just watched them walk away, and slowly walked back to his office.

Catherine came back into the building after giving Sara her things. She walked into Grissom's office and sat down in front of him.

"Is she okay?" Grissom asked looking up for a second.

"She'll be fine once she get's some rest." She said taking the case file from his hands. "Gil, what were you thinking? Calling her into work in her condition. If she stayed here any longer she might have passed out."

"I know! I know." He said getting up and pacing his office. "I just wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. Catherine does it really seem like I don't care about her?"

"Look Gil, I've known you a lot longer than most of the other people around here, so that means I know how you act. Other people like Nick haven't known you as long, so they don't know that you care for people differently. I remember when I was pregnant with Lindsey, you knew Eddie wasn't helping me so you had me around here until a month before she was born. I knew you were trying to take care of me. But I wasn't walking around dead on my feet either."

"I know Catherine. God, I feel so bad. What can I do?" Grissom said, his blue eyes glazed, but not letting the tears come.

"Talk to her and talk to Nick. That is the best you can do right now." Catherine answered giving him a look of understanding. "But I suggest you wait a while. At least until she is feeling a little better." She said as she watched him pick up his phone.

"Okay. I guess that would be best." He said sadly hanging up the phone.

"Come on Gil. Let's go get something to eat."

"Okay, you can drive."
Nick pulled into the parking lot of Sara's apartment building. He looked over to her, she had fallen asleep on the way. She looked so peaceful, he didn't want to disturb her. He looked at the key chain hanging out of her pocket. He ran through his mind how awkward it would be for her to wake up when he grabbed her keys. He slowly reached over and carefully pulled on the keys. Sara stirred a little when they came out of her pocket. Nick sighed in relief when he sat back. He carried her upstairs to her apartment an set her on the couch. He was about to get a drink when the phone rang. 'Oh crap. What do I do now? I can't answer it, but what if it is important?' He heard the machine pick up.

"Hey you've reached Sara, I'm not here but I'll call you back when I can. Bye." Click. "Nick? Pick up it's Catherine." Nick ran to find the phone.

"Catherine? What's up?"

"Nothing I just wanted to make sure you got in okay. Where is Sara?"

"She's sleeping."

"Good. That's what she should be doing."

"Where is Grissom?"

"He's with me. He is wants to talk to you and Sara when she get's better. He doesn't know I called you. I just wanted to check up on Sara."

"She's okay. How's the case going?"

"Well, the police think they have found something. The last I heard they came up with a search area for the girl. But don't worry about work. I want you to take care of Sara okay."

"Okay Catherine."

"Do you need anything?"

"No I think we have everything covered."

"Okay. Nick, I hope the three of you can talk this through. Grissom feels terrible."

"Well, I didn't mean to make him feel bad. But he shouldn't have done what he did."

"Nick I know how you feel about this situation. And it's complicated."

"I know. But like I said before, Grissom is a great guy, but she deserves better. Sara is a beautiful, amazing, intelligent woman who needs someone who can take care of her. And I personally don't think he is right for her. She just deserves so much better." He said softly trying not to wake her as he walked into the kitchen.

"You mean you?" Catherine said as a smile formed on her face.

"I...I don't know Catherine. Look I have to go before Sara wakes up."

"Okay, give her my best."

"Okay, I need to make sleeping beauty some soup for when she wakes up."

"Alright Nick. I'll talk to you later. Bye."

"Bye Cath." Nick said turning around. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Sara standing behind him.

"Hey."

"Man Sara, you can't do that! You scared me!"

"Well, I try."

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough to hear you call me sleeping beauty and mention soup. Where is it, I'm hungry?"

"I have to make it. By the way Catherine sends her best."

"Okay, what about Grissom?"

"I didn't talk to him. But he was with Catherine. I'm sure he says the same."

"Okay. Man, my head is killing me."

"Here take some of this." Nick said tossing her a bottle of cherry Robitussin cough syrup.

"Nick this is cough syrup. What is it going to do about my headache."

"Hold on I'm getting there." He said digging in his pocket. "Okay. Take these for you headache." He said handing her a bent box of Tylenol PM.

"Isn't this stuff supposed to make me tired?"

"Yes, you need to rest. I'll have your soup done in a minute, and you Miss Sidle are going to bed." He said taking out a bowl and a can of soup.

"Only one bowl? Aren't you going to eat anything? You can help yourself you know."

"No it's alright. You come first. I came here to take care of you, not eat your food. But I am taking a soda though." Nick answered blushing lightly.

"Go right ahead." She said popping two Tylenol and making a face as she swallowed the cough syrup. Nick couldn't help but smile.

"Okay, you couch now."

"Yes sir." Sara said almost tripping over herself.

"Graceful." He said with a smirk.

"Ha ha, very funny." Sara said sitting on the couch.

"Okay, soup for you my lady." He said smiling as he set the tray in front of her.

"Thank you Nick." She said taking a spoonful and tasting it. "This is good. I really appreciate this Nick."

"I'm glad you like it. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"No Nick, I'm fine. Really, you can go."

"No way. You're my friend Sara, and I'm not leaving yet. You can hardly stand up."

"Really I'll be fine."

"Nope. Not leaving." Nick said stubbornly as he gave her a glass of water.

"Thanks Nick. It's nice to know somebody cares."

"What, you didn't know that?" Nick said as Sara stared at the couch. "Sara, you're my friend. I care about you so much. You should know that."

"I do, it's just..."

"It's Grissom isn't it?" "Maybe. But let's not talk about him."

"I know what has been happening between the two of you lately."

"Oh that. I think I'm starting to get over that."

"Really? When did that start?"

"Recently."

"Okay. You know what, let's talk about something else."

"Good idea. How is the case going?"

"Well Catherine said something about a search area that a team was going to look at, but don't worry about work. You need to focus on getting better."

"Okay. Nick I can't thank you enough for all of this. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you."

"Don't worry. Just think about that the next time I get sick."

"Okay. You have a deal. I have an idea. Since you made it clear that you aren't leaving, I'll move all of this into my room, and you can have the couch."

"Sure. I think I'll go home to get some clothes a little later."

"Okay. You know you don't need to stay."

"I know. I want to."

"Okay, then I'll let you. I'm gonna go try to sleep, feel free to watch some TV, and help yourself to any food. After you get your clothes, you can take a shower too if you want." She said leaving him on the couch.

"Okay. Sweet dreams sleeping beauty." He said smiling at her as she turned and gave him a friendly glare.

Nick watched TV for an hour when he got bored. He checked on Sara to see if she was asleep. He left to get his clothes and came back in less than 15 minutes. Sara was still sleeping. There was still nothing on TV, so he decided to pick up a little bit for Sara. He took her tray and washed her dishes. He decided after cleaning the kitchen that he would take a shower before Sara woke up.

Sara woke up after a few hours of sleeping. Her medicine was starting to wear off. She could hear the TV, but she couldn't see Nick on the couch. The she heard the water running. Then her stomach started to hurt. She could feel it coming. 'Oh god!' She thought as she ran for the bathroom praying he hadn't locked it. Nick jumped as he heard the door hit the wall. He turned off the shower and reached for his towel.

"Sara? Are you alright?" He said putting a hand on her back. She was about to answer when she leaned over the toilet again. He stroked her back lightly as everything she had in her stomach came out. He gave her a wet washcloth for her forehead and went into her bedroom to change. "Hey. How you feeling?"

"Well, my landlord is going to kill me."

"What?" Nick asked as Sara pointed to the hole in the wall from the doorknob. Nick chuckled lightly as he sat on the floor with her. She leaned he head against his chest. He put one arm around her shoulders and used the other to reach over and flush the toilet.

"Thanks Nick. I guess I'm glad you stayed."

"Yeah so am I."

"Nick? What is that smell?"

"Oh that's probably from the cleaner."

"Cleaner?"

"Yeah. I cleaned up for you a little bit."

"Wow. You cook, clean, and you're a great care giver. It's a wonder you're still single."

"Well, I guess I'm just that kind of guy. Now come on you. Back to bed."

"No argument from me." She said as he followed her into the bedroom.

"Okay. I'm going to get you a glass of water and some more medicine." He said tucking her in like a child. She liked it. It felt good knowing he cared so much.

"Thanks Nick."

"No problem. I'll be right back." He said leaving to get her medicine. He was gone for two minutes and he came back and Sara was dosing off. "Oh no you don't, you have to take your medicine first sleeping beauty."

"Okay." She said again making a face as she swallowed the nasty red liquid. "Nick, why do you always call me sleeping beauty?"

"Why do you want to know?" He said flashing his breath-taking grin.

"I don't know. I was just curious. That's all." She said smiling. "I'm gonna try to get some sleep okay?"

"Sure. I guess I should get out of here then huh?"

"You don't have to, but that would help."

"Oh alright. I'll be in the livingroom if you need me." he said walking out and closing the door.

Nick sat on the couch and started to watch the Discovery channel. First it was a program about wild cats in Africa. Then it was a program on different real life forensic investigations that he thought was pretty interesting. After that it was something he wasn't really sure what to make of. After channel surfing for a while he stopped at CMT to watch some new music videos. He was in the middle of watching Gretchen Wilson Singing 'Redneck Woman' when his eyelids became heavy. And it was'nt a slow song, so he knew he was really tired. After a few moments, sleep overcame him. He felt something cover him and figured Sara had given him a blanket so he didn't bother moving.

After a while, he felt something heavy leaning against him. He opened his eyes and saw Sara with her arms around his waist, sleeping. He couldn't get over how beautiful she was, even when she was sleeping. He didn't want to wake her, so he just grabbed the remote and flipped though the channel once again. After a half an hour, he started to wish he didn't drink those two sodas. He felt bad, but he had to move her. He gently picked her head up and moved her arm and set her on the pillow after he moved. He went to the bathroom and when he came out, Sara was sitting up watching TV.

"Hey sleeping beauty. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay, for now."

"You had me a little worried when I found you practically stuck to me." Nick said smiling.

"Well, I gave you a blanket then I wanted to give you a small friendly hug without waking you and I got so comfortable, I fell asleep." Sara said looking at the pillow in her hands and playing with the tassels at the end.

"Are you sure?" He said raising an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah. I'm fine."

"Sara. Come on now. I know you better. Are you sure nothing is wrong?"

"No. No I'm not sure. I just have a lot on my mind."

"Does it have anything to do with Grissom?"

"Kind of. It is more about you though."

"Sara, talk to me. What is it?"

"I just...I have a confession to make. When you were on the phone with Catherine earlier, I heard more than I said I did. I heard what you said about me and what you said about Grissom."

"Sara, I'm so sorry. If I had known you were standing there I wouldn't have- "

"Please, don't. I know you wouldn't have said anything. You were just upset."

"I still feel bad. I just shouldn't have said it at all."

"Did you mean it?" Sara asked softly. Nick just looked down at the floor. "Never mind Nick. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Don't be sorry, I'm the one who opened my big mouth." Nick looked at Sara and saw the pain in her eyes.

"I didn't mean to sound so harsh toward Grissom, but what I said about you, I meant every word." He said as her head shot up in his direction. After a few seconds, a little grin formed on her face.

"What did you say about me? My...uh, medicine head is affecting my memory."

"Really?" He asked as she nodded. "Well, I simply said that you were a beautiful, amazing, intelligent woman who needed more attention than you were getting. And I said that Grissom isn't right for you. But I know that was none of my business."

"No, I'm glad you said it. All of it. No one has ever said anything like that about me before."

"Really? Those things were the first things I noticed when I met you."

"Really? The first time I met you, I thought you were cute, but I thought you looked, I don't know, a little self-centered."

"Wow, well there goes my self esteem for the day." He said looking down sadly.

"But then I got to know you better. And I realized that you were this sweet, caring man with the best southern manners, I have ever met." Sara said smiling at him. "I realized after a while how much you cared about everyone. Any girl with a fully-functional brain would jump at a guy like you."

"Why didn't you?"

"Because I was scared. I didn't want to go out with you and find I was wrong. I'm not saying I am, but... I just... I just thought I didn't deserve someone like you. That's all."

"What? Sara that is ridiculous. You are the nicest person I know. I mean you have your flaws, but heck, I have them too. We all do. Nobody is perfect."

"You are." She said as his gaze met hers.

"No I'm not Sara. I'm not perfect, you're not perfect, and Grissom isn't perfect."

"You are to me. Nick you're my best friend."

"Well how come you never came to me and told me how you felt? If not about that, then when this whole thing with Grissom started?"

"I don't know Nick. I know I was wrong and blind. God I was so blind. I actually thought Grissom had feelings for me. I was so wrapped up in him, I never saw what was right in front of me. Oh Nick, I'm so sorry." She said as tears ran down her face.

"Hey, don't cry." He said quickly wiping the tears from her face. "Sara, I love you, even if you don't love me back. I didn't mean to sound so hurtful when I was talking about Grissom, it's just I want you to be happy. I don't ever want you to get hurt."

"Nick, you have no idea how much I care about you. That is partially because I'm not good at showing it. At first I thought you didn't like me. All of the flirting and everything. So I just moved on. But you were always there for me. Even when I found out about Hank. You still took care of me. And I was too stupid to see it. Instead I was chasing who didn't really care."

"Hey. Don't get me wrong okay. Grissom does care about you. But not enough. You need more than he can offer."

"Nick, I'm sorry for putting you through this. If I had known that you had feelings for me, Lord knows I would've tried it in a heartbeat."

"Well... now that you know. Are you still interested?" Nick asked hopefully.

"Well, considering my options. I would say that is a possibility." She said grinning at him widely. Nick just looked into her eyes. "Nick? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I just can't believe this is actually happening. I can't believe how beautiful you are." He said tucking a few stray hairs behind her ear.

"Nick that is very sweet of you. But I know I look like crap." She said laughing. She looked at Nick, but he had a serious look on his face.

"Not to me. To me, you are beautiful no matter what."

"Really? Wow, nobody has ever said anything like that about me before."

"Well, it is the truth. You are the most beautiful woman in the world to me." Nick said cupping her cheek with his hand. Sara slowly leaned in and kissed him. Nick wrapped his hands around her waist and deepened the kiss. Sara leaned her forehead against his and he quickly looked up. He reached up and put his and on her head. "Sara, you're burning up. You really should get back to bed." He said holding one of her hands.

"If you want me to." She said slowly getting up and making her way into the bedroom.

"I don't want you to, but if it will make you better, then, okay yeah I want you to." He said as she turned around and sent him a friendly glare.

"Nick, I just wanted to thank you for everything."

"Sara, I already told you, it isn't a problem."

"No, you didn't have to do any of this, and I'm grateful."

"Now that you know how much I care about you, and now I intend on showing you everyday, in every way possible." Nick said glad to see the beautiful smile he loved so much. "Now you, sleep. I'm going to go to the store to get you some more medicine. I'll be back in a while."

"Okay. Thank you Nick. I'm glad we talked about this. God, I feel so much better."

"No problem. You know you can talk to me anytime about anything."

"I know that now. You go. I'm gonna try to get some sleep."

"Okay. I'll be back sleeping beauty." He said grinning. And turning to leave.

"Hey Nick. You never answered me earlier."

"About what?"

"About why you call me sleeping beauty."

"Isn't it obvious? You look beautiful when you sleep."

"Yeah, but this is the only time you have ever seen me sleep, but you've been calling me that for a while."

"Well, you only think that this is the only time I've seen you sleep." Nick said smiling mischievously. "Do you remember the case a few years back, about the missing ex-showgirl and that weird brother-sister couple?"

"I try not to, why?"

"Well that was the shift when you came in, tired as heck."

"Oh yeah."

"Yeah well, when you fell asleep in the break room I saw you. And you looked beautiful."

"Wow. I didn't realize I had even fallen asleep. Anyway, if you don't go to the store, I am never going to get my medicine or my beauty rest. So shoo."

"Okay, I'll let you get your beauty rest. Not like you need it."

"Such a charmer. Now go!" Sara said throwing a pillow at him.

"Okay okay! I'm going!" Nick said running out of the room. He came back after about ten minutes and put the medicine on the counter. He walked into Sara's room and saw that she was still sleeping. He sat in the chair close to the bed and just watched her sleep. She was finally his. And they were both happy. After years of waiting, Nick had his sleeping beauty.

A/N: So? Too much? Hurry! I need opinions! Okay everyone... listen carefully!!! THERE IS ONE CHAPTER LEFT!! THIS IS NOT THE END!!! I just thought you would like yo know. LOL that wasn't too loud was it? The next chapter will be a little humorous. But I'm not sure if I should have Sara confront Grissom or not. Please let me know.

-Sweet Jorja