Disclaimer: I don't own them, I didn't create them, and I don't profit from the, but I'd love to buy George and Jorja a cup of coffee.
Author's Note: This idea wouldn't leave me alone, and I haven't abandoned my other fic, I just needed to get this one underway.
Sara couldn't remember the last time she'd been out to a club, but Nick and Warrick had insisted that she come with them and after a little finagling, she finally agreed. Partly because the club was owned by a friend of Warrick's and partly because she really wanted to blow off some steam after the case they'd all just worked and dancing just sounded like the way to do it. She had agreed to meet them at the club and as she sat perched on a barstool sipping a beer waiting for them to arrive, she wondered what in the hell was taking them both so long. She had simply gone home and quickly changed into a pair of low-rise jeans and a floral print spaghetti strapped top edged with lace before heading back out again.
Out of the corner of her eye, Sara saw an attractive blond man slide onto the stool next to her and she didn't give him another thought until she felt someone's warm breath tickle her ear.
"Hey, sexy, wanna dance?" The voice was attached to the man who had just sat down.
Sara immediately bristled, but then forced herself to relax, reasoning that this was typical of men who went clubbing, and as she turned to look at him, she liked what she saw, and since Nick and Warrick still hadn't arrived, she figured she might as well dance. A half smirk flitted across her face. "Sure."
She found her drink being pulled out of her hand and set on the bar as the man propelled them towards the dance floor as a fast techno number began to play. Over the din of the crowd she found out that his name was Brian and he was in town for the weekend. He seemed to be a good dancer and Sara found herself having a really good time. She didn't even notice when Nick and Warrick walked into the club.
It wasn't until the third song when Sara wanted to take a breather and check for the guys that Brian didn't seem to want to stop dancing. The song was considerably slower and he had grabbed Sara around the waist and pulled her a little closer. She didn't really think much of it and decided that he was just into the music, until he pulled her even closer and whispered in her ear.
"You're pretty hot, baby, what do you say we get out of here?" It was a command more than a question and his meaning became very clear as he ground into her with his pelvis as his hand grabbed her butt and pulled her close all the while moving towards the edge of the dance floor and the darkest part of the club.
Sara stiffened and pushed against his chest even as she felt a pair of lips on her neck. "Let go of me you asshole." She couldn't quite get away from him because her arms were pressed between her body and his chest and she felt a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach as she felt a hand go up the back of her shirt.
"You know you want it." Brian didn't seem at all concerned that Sara was doing her best to get away from him and he tried to slide his hand around from the back to the front of her shirt.
That was all it took for Sara to find room to bring her heel down hard on his instep.
Fire flashed in Brian's eyes and his fingers gripped her side hard, bruising her flesh. "Bitch."
Sara narrowed her eyes at him and gritted her teeth. "Let go of me you asshole."
"You heard the lady." Nick Stokes looked fit to be tied and ready to kick this guy's ass. "Let her go."
"She's with me cowboy, so why don't you just put your white hat back on, get on your horse and ride off into the sunset." Brian it seemed didn't realize when he was outmatched and as he dug his fingers harder into her flesh with one hand and reached for a fistful of Sara's blouse with the other to keep her in his control, a firm hand descended on his shoulder.
Warrick's voice sounded intimidating as he glared at Brian. "She is not with you, and if you don't let her go, you're going to find yourself in lockup."
"Mind your own business, buddy." Brian glared at Warrick and let his attention waver from Sara just a brief second, just enough time for her to bring her leg up and knee him in the groin. "Damn you, bitch." He doubled over, letting go of Sara in the process.
"You ok, Sar?" Nick sounded concerned as he saw her lower lip quiver and he quickly pulled her into his embrace hearing her stifle a sniffle in his ear as she relaxed against him.
"Sara, do you want to press charges?" Warrick had a firm grip on Brian's collar as he regarded her in Nick's protective embrace.
"I didn't do anything. She was coming on to me." Brian was lamely protesting Warrick's not so veiled accusation.
"Save it man." Warrick growled.
Nick whispered in Sara's ear. "What do you want us to do with this guy?" He was glaring at Brian who was now flanked by two bouncers in addition to Warrick.
"Just get him the hell out of here." She whispered back not wanting to leave Nick's arms.
"You gonna be ok?" Nick furrowed his brow. He had seen much of what had transpired on the dance floor and at first he was glad that Sara seemed to be having a good time, but then as he had watched Brian putting the moves on her, he had elbowed Warrick and they'd decided to step in.
"I think I just want to get out of here." She whispered back. "I'm sorry."
Nick glanced up and gestured to Warrick who was talking with one of the bouncers that he was going to leave with Sara. "Hey, I'll take you home."
"But my car..." Sara began to protest.
"I rode with Warrick. I'll drive you." Nick insisted.
"Ok." She pulled out of his embrace and smiled at him as she wiped at her eyes to remove any traces of the few tears that she had shed. The fact that she hadn't been able to hold her own without some help had left her feeling a bit shaken and vulnerable and she didn't protest when Nick slid a protective arm around her waist and led her out of the club and into the parking lot. As they approached her car, she fished her key out of the pocket of her jeans and handed it to Nick.
Nick gave her a concerned look as he unlocked the door. "I'm really sorry about that jerk." He hated it when guys acted like that; he'd run into plenty just like him in college too.
"It's not your fault." Sara replied softly looking into his eyes. "I'm a big girl; he was just a lot bigger." She sniffled again and let out an embarrassed chuckle as she climbed into the passenger seat of her compact car.
Nick made his way around to the driver's side of the vehicle and slid behind the wheel, wishing in the back of his mind that he'd knocked the guy upside the head for manhandling Sara. The drive to her apartment was made in a comfortable silence and as they pulled into her lot, Nick turned to look at her. "You want me to come in for a while, or should I call Warrick and have him come over and pick me up?"
She turned to face him, a look of vulnerability on her face. "Come in for a while."
"Ok." He smiled at her, hiding his concern because she really seemed to be shaken that she hadn't been able to take care of herself.
As they entered her apartment, Sara walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. "You want something to drink?"
"Sure." Nick watched her closely as she bent over and pulled out two beers. Her shirt rode up just slightly and he could see angry red marks on her skin where Brian had grabbed her. "Sara?" He couldn't hide the concern in his voice.
She straightened up, wincing slightly and set the beers on the counter as she closed the refrigerator with her foot. "What?"
"He hurt you." Nick tentatively stepped towards her and pulled the edge of her shirt up to show her what he had seen.
Sara closed her eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I know." The feel of Nick's fingers on her skin was so different than what Brian had felt like and she involuntarily sucked her breath in as he gently pulled the shirt up further to see how far the marks spread, being careful not to make her feel exposed.
"We can still have him arrested." Anger edged Nick's words.
"I know but it probably wouldn't stick, it would be a he said she said and I think its more trouble than it's worth. I really don't ever want to see the guy again." Sara knew that she probably could press charges, but she also knew how the legal system worked and realized that the odds that he would be convicted were minimal at best; still if he did it to her, he might do it to someone else.
Nick unconsciously continued to caress her skin. "I really am sorry that prick hurt you. Warrick and I should have gotten there sooner."
Sara furrowed her brow and slid her arms around his neck, enjoying the sensation his fingers were providing probably far too much. "It's not your fault." She rested her head on his shoulder.
"I still feel responsible because I care about you." Nick whispered.
"I care about you too." Sara whispered back and her voice sounded a bit husky; seeming to carry an extra meaning as her breath tickled Nick's neck.
Nick was suddenly aware of just how good it felt to hold Sara in his arms and just how soft her skin was under his touch. He considered that maybe they were crossing a line somewhere and wondered if that was a good idea, when he felt Sara's lips pressing against his neck.
He smelled so good, and he felt so strong, and the touch of his fingers on her skin was causing delicious sensations and before she could stop herself, she kissed his neck. When he didn't stiffen or pull away, she planted another one, and then another, slowly making her way toward his mouth.
As Sara's lips moved up his neck, Nick found his hand drifting further up her shirt and splaying out across her back. He finally dipped his head and stopped her quest by capturing her lips with his own.
They stood there in her kitchen for a long time like that, trading slow deep kisses, Nick's hand caressing the skin underneath the back of her shirt, neither one of them really seeming to care that they had definitely crossed the line of friendship.
The sound of someone knocking on the door finally caused them to step apart from each other; Sara's face registered uncertainty until an impish smile began to pull at Nick's lips. She cleared her throat and unconsciously smoothed her shirt down, gesturing towards the door. "I should get that." She began to walk towards the door and then suddenly stopped and turned back towards Nick with an incredulous expression on her face. "That was one hell of a kiss."