Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. I just like to write about them.

This story is reedited and reposted in honor of the season premiere. I know this story would never happen only in my wishful mind. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!

Taking Chances

He left her standing there in the doorway. She could feel the sob rolling its way slowly through her body, readying itself to escape from her mouth. But she willed it back down, not ready for it to break free.

He had told her to take the next two weeks off, that he didn't want her at the lab. He said he'd call her tomorrow that he didn't think she was in any condition to talk right now. They would discuss what happened when she was in a better state of mind. And then he just left. She watched as his taillights left the parking lot. There was no hesitation in his departure. He was gone and she was alone again.

What had she expected from him? He would never take the risk. No matter how much she hoped and wished, she would never reach him. Tonight was the so-called shutting of the door literally and figuratively. It was time to pick up what was left of her dejected life.

She thought about how foolishly expectant she had been when he had taken her hand at the police station. She thought he was there for her, he had finally seen her. But she had been wrong. All she saw in his eyes were disappointment and sadness. God she was an idiot. She closed the door and let the tears come. She slowly slid to the floor totally consumed with despair and anguish. Her shoulders shook with loud gasping sobs. She knew she couldn't deal with this alone, not anymore. She was gradually and surely loosing herself.

She pulled out her cell phone and held it a moment trying to get her crying back under control. She desperately wanted to call him and hear his voice. He was the one person she could truly call her friend. She valued their friendship immensely and she knew he would always be there for her. But he was also the one man she had been trying to escape from since she arrived in Vegas. He had been the only man who had ever made her want more: a life, a family, and unconditional love. She knew he would never look at her as anything other than a friend. So she had put up a wall guarding her heart and those silly romantic feelings that he easily invoked in her. She took what he offered and closed the rest of her self off.

She had spent the last few years trying to find someone to make her forget. But her choices had been huge mistakes, the last one her biggest of all. She had created a fantasy and tried to fit Grissom into it. But reality always found a way to slap her in the face.

She wasn't even sure when she started drinking. It became her escape from the pain and humiliation. She thought back to all the catalysts: Hank, the lab explosion, Grissom turning her down for dinner, the photographer saying, "I want the pretty one.", Grissom's confession, and Nick's almost promotion, the promotion being the final trigger. She was happy for Nick, truly. But suddenly she felt like the rug had been pulled out from underneath her. She had always been the smart one never the pretty one. She had heavily relied on her smartness, but Grissom had taken that away from her. She wasn't the best anymore. So what was she exactly? : Only good enough to be the other woman, not the pretty one, not the smartest, and not even worth the risk.

Another small sob tore its way from her mouth. She was so lonely and she was tired of it. She craved to feel the comfort of someone's arms. She knew that if she called him, he'd come. He would be there for her if she'd let him. It was time to let him. She knew she needed to lower her walls. She had to let someone in before she lost herself. It was time to take a chance, a chance on him. She would offer him her hand and hope that he would take it.

She dialed his number and waited while it rang. She heard a sleepy hello. "Nick" she said tentatively. "Sara?" "Nick do you think you could come over now?" she asked quietly. "Sara are you all right?" She was silent for a moment before she replied, "No."

"I'll be there in fifteen minutes. Promise." She hung up the phone and picked herself up off the floor. She went into the bathroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She looked awful. She turned the cold water on and splashed her face. Glancing back in the mirror she groaned.

She headed into her bedroom and removed her clothes throwing on a pair of boxers and a top tank. She looked around the room in disgust. When was the last time she cleaned? She could feel the tears threatening to spill again as the weight of hopeless consumed her again. She heard the doorbell and dragged herself to the door.

She opened the door and saw him standing there, his handsome face so full of concern. "Sara" he said, his voice full of worry. Her bottom lip began to tremble and the tears began to fell mercilessly down her face. He reached for her and pulled her into his arms. She felt his hand caressing her hair and him quietly saying, "It's all right Sara. I've got you." She wrapped her arms tightly around him and let out everything she had been holding inside.

She felt him guide her to the couch and sit them down. He lifted her up and placed her smoothly in his lap. He cupped her face with his hands and tenderly wiped at her tears with his thumbs. She gazed into his face almost sighing at how handsome he was. His gentle brown eyes searched hers. "Sara," he said softly.

She took her hand and placed it on his cheek. Her fingertips glided slowly across his skin as she felt the slight roughness of stubble on his face. She smiled through her tears as his eyes clouded in confusion. Their faces were inches apart, his hands still cupping her face. "Nick," she whispered. 'You're my best friend. Did you know that?" He smiled and shook his head no. "Well you are. I don't have anyone else. There's no one I trust like I do you." she said as she caressed his cheek. "I've made some mistakes lately. Huge mistakes." He looked at her not understanding what she meant, his hands still gently holding her face. "My feelings for Grissom and my job. I've let them consume me, but their just facades that I have been hiding behind. I've been running from my true feeling for a long time. I've been scared to take a chance. But I can't do it anymore. I don't want to be alone. I want to love and be loved. I just want to be happy." She took her finger and slowly outlined his lips. She watched as a spark of desire danced across his eyes. Here was her chance at last. She took a deep breath and whispered, "You make me happy Nick."

She felt his hands tighten on her face and his eyes widened in surprise. "Sara" he hissed. She placed her finger on his lips silencing his words. She leaned in and softly touched her lips to his. She slowly pulled away, searching his eyes for some sign of hope. She watched as a spark seemed to jump from one eye to the other and then his handsome face lit up with a smile. "Sara" he said again this time his voice sounding husky. He grasped her face and brought her lips to his. This kiss was not tender or gentle. It was full of desire and promises. He pulled away unhurriedly and said, "You make me happy too Sara." Sara smiled her first real happy smile in quite a long time. She wrapped herself up in his arms and knew her chance was finally here.

Please read Part 2 from Nick's point of view. Thanks!