Disclaimer: Don't own them, and I don't own the song "If I Should Lose You" either.

A/N: I know it's a couple of days late, but unfortunately real life interfered. I hope you find it worth the wait! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read and review this story so far! I never expected such a response. Here is the final chapter; it takes place New Year's Eve. Happy New Year!

Chapter 3 – New Year's Eve

Sara was ready to leave at exactly ten minutes to nine. She peered nervously out her living room window, looking for any sign of Nick. They had made plans to meet Warrick at a jazz club where he would be playing that night.

After Christmas, things had gotten hectic at the lab, and Sara and Nick had not had time to do anymore than take a few coffee breaks together. They had both handled several tough cases, and Sara had been looking forward to spending New Year's Eve with Nick all week. Part of her had hoped that they could spend a quiet evening in together, but Warrick had requested their presence at his performance, and she hadn't the heart to say no.

So now she was standing in the middle of her living room, wearing a knee length black strapless chiffon dress that had been stashed in the back of her closet for longer than she could remember. Even though it wasn't an officially declared "date," she had still taken great care with her makeup, and even unearthed her diffuser from a bathroom drawer for the occasion. The only jewelry she wore was the locket that Nick had given her for Christmas.

At exactly nine o'clock, a knock sounded at her door, signaling Nick's arrival. She opened the door with a bright smile, which she found reflected on his face.

"Well, you clean up pretty nice." And he did. The black suit paired with a blue French silk shirt did wonders for his already amazing good looks.

"Wow Sar. You look amazing. We definitely need to find more situations to get you to wear a dress."

Sara blushed at his praise and directed her gaze downward, where she finally noticed the single red rose clutched in his hand. He handed it to her with a smile, explaining, "It just seemed appropriate for the occasion."

After Sara found a vase stuffed in the back of a cupboard for her rose, and grabbed her purse, she and Nick were on their way to meet Warrick. They chatted idly in the car about work and the shift changes, exchanging soft smiles now and again, while Nick weaved through the New Year's Eve traffic along the Strip.

By the time Nick and Sara arrived at the club, they had to search through the crowd for Warrick. Sara smiled as Nick grasped her hand in an attempt not to lose her in the crowd. They fought their way towards the stage, and found Warrick sitting at a table off to the side in the front, sipping on a drink.

"I never thought I'd see you sitting alone in a club," Sara teased. Warrick looked up at the sound of her voice and whistled.

"Damn girl, look at you. Where have you been hiding that dress all these years?"

Sara blushed, but shot back, "Well I never thought the decomps would fully appreciate it."

Warrick laughed, and then raised his eyebrows. "So, uh, did you two decide to turn this into a date?" he asked, gesturing between them.

It was then that Sara realized they were still holding hands. Nick seemed to realize this at the same time, but instead of relinquishing his hold, he gave her hand a gentle squeeze.

He smiled at her, before replying, "Yeah, we did," and pulled a chair out for Sara. A grin spread across her face as the night officially turned into a declared date. Nick took the seat next to her, moving close enough for Sara to smell the lingering scent of his cologne.

"Well, it's good to see that the two of you have finally pulled your heads out of your asses," Warrick told them matter-of-factly as he signaled the waitress over to their table. Sara rolled her eyes at his choice of words, but secretly agreed with the sentiment.

"So where is Catherine?" she inquired after the waitress had taken their drink orders. She noticed Warrick's expression falter for a split second before recovering. Deciding to ask Nick about it later, she waited for his answer.

"She got called in to work. It's just Ecklie being an ass. Again."

"Well, he's had a lifetime to perfect it," Sara mused, "It's not like he spends his time trying to become a better CSI…"

"Amen to that," Warrick announced, as he downed the last of his drink and stood up, "But he's not going to ruin the rest of tonight. We've got drinks on the house, a night to celebrate, and you two are about to hear some of the best music in Vegas. Enjoy."

A half hour later, Warrick was up on stage, accompanying Isabel James. Sara had never heard Warrick on the piano before, and she was soon amazed by the talent that her friend possessed.

Nick grinned and took her hand in his. "Pretty good, huh?"

"I'd say so."

"You know, you two should team up. He could play, you could sing…"

Sara scoffed at the idea. "Yeah, sure, and right after that, I'll run off and marry Hodges."

"Naw, don't do that. He'll get pissed when I ask his wife out on another date."

Sara swatted at him with her free arm as he laughed, and tried to turn her attention back to the music, but her mind wouldn't let go of Nick's last statement. He wanted to go out on another date, and that could turn into dating, and even more serious steps along the way. Her mind raced with the possibilities, and she had to mentally pause. Slow down Sidle. Just enjoy tonight, there's no use in thinking about all of that now. Stop analyzing, and just have fun.

It took a few minutes, but soon Sara settled in, content to be close to Nick, hands entwined, and listen to Warrick pour his soul out over the piano.

An hour later, Warrick and Isabel took a break, to the dismay of the crowd. Warrick found his way back to Nick and Sara after grabbing a bottle of water from the bar.

"So what do you guys think?"

"You are amazing War, I never knew you could play like that." Sara beamed up at him, happy to see a grin appear on his face at her statement.

"So you guys are enjoying yourselves then? You seem pretty cozy; Am I interrupting?"

"Funny guy, and yes, we are enjoying ourselves," Nick replied, throwing his arm around Sara.

"I'm glad you're both having a good time, and it's about time that you finally got around to asking her out. I'm going to head backstage and find Isabel. I'll find you guys after midnight."

After Warrick sauntered away, the waitress came to check on them. Nick ordered two more iced teas for them, and Sara turned to him as she went to get their drinks.

"You know, just because I'm not drinking…it doesn't mean that you can't." Reflexively, her eyes shot downward. Nick and Warrick had shown up at her door when they didn't buy Grissom's story about Sara suddenly deciding to take some vacation time in May, worried that something was wrong. They had been nothing but supportive ever since, but sometimes she still felt a twinge of embarrassment when the subject came up.

"Hey," Nick answered firmly, using his index finger to lift her chin up, "I find my company to be sufficient without alcohol. Besides, I'd rather not be drunk, this is one New Year's Eve I think I'll want to remember."

Sara blushed at the sincerity in his eyes, and turned back to her iced tea. "So, uh, what's going on between Cath and Warrick?" she asked, trying to change the subject.

Nick rolled his eyes. "I doubt they even know. They've been dancing around each other for years."

"You mean they haven't pulled their heads out of their asses yet?" Sara queried with a laugh. Nick chuckled along with her.

"Yeah, something like that."

Silence descended over them, as Sara sipped on her iced tea and watched Warrick flirt with Isabel on stage before they started up the next set, comfortable to have Nick's arm around her. It wasn't until Nick spoke a few minutes later that she realized something was bothering him.

"Hey Sar…Is it okay…I mean, when I told Warrick…" he trailed off. Sara turned to him, amused at how flustered Nick seemed. Truthfully, it helped her to know that she had the same effect on him that he had been having on her recently. "When Warrick asked if it was a date, and I said yes…I realized that I never properly asked you. I mean, I considered it a date, but I don't know if you did…we never really talked about what's going on here, and I hope I didn't upset you…"

"Hey," she interrupted, "Do I look upset? I'm having a good time, and yeah, I wasn't sure if this was a date or not, but do you really think I would have worn this dress if I thought we were just going out as two friends?"

Sara was startled by her own honesty, not meaning to reveal so much at once. She relaxed a bit though, when she saw Nick's expression change from anxious to surprised, and then pleased.

"So we agree that something is happening here then? And it's okay with you?"

"Yeah it is. I'm not as scared as I think I should be…" she admitted.

"Me too. It's risky…but I'm willing to see what happens if you are."

Sara gave him a reply in the form of a smile. Nick returned her smile, and then abruptly pulled her out of her chair. "Come on, you didn't get all dressed up to sit at a table all night."

As Nick led her to a corner of the dance floor, Isabel announced from the stage that it was five minutes to midnight, and that she wanted to end the year with one of her favorites. Strains of "If I Should Lose You," began to play while Nick drew Sara into his arms.

If I should lose you
The stars would fall from the skies
If I should lose you
The leaves would wither and die

Nick pulled her in closer, wrapping one arm securely around her waist, using the other to clasp her hand in his against his chest. Sara sighed and rested her head against his shoulder as they swayed in time to the music. It had been far too long since the last time she had danced with Nick.

The birds in May time
Would sing a lonely refrain
And I would wander around
Hating the sound of rain

With every passing second, Sara could feel herself slipping a little bit further. The feelings creeping into her heart were scary, and new, and washing over her in waves that she hadn't felt in a very long time. And then it hit her: she was falling in love.

With you beside me
No wind in winter would blow
With you beside me
A rose would bloom in the snow

Nick guided Sara across the dance floor as she let this realization sink in. Piece by piece, she was slowly giving control of her heart to someone else. Normally, the reflex to run and forget that anything happened would have kicked in at this point, but Sara found herself surprisingly calm. Falling in love with Nick Stokes felt natural; she wanted nothing more than to stay in his arms forever. She could feel his heart beat steadily beneath their entwined hands, and she wondered if he was coming to the same realization.

I gave you my love
But I was living a dream
And living would seem in vain
If I lost you

As the song ended, Warrick announced that the new year would begin in one minute. As the crowd began to count down, Nick wrapped both arms around Sara and kissed the top of her head. When Sara looked up at him, she suddenly forgot to breathe. The look in his eyes told her that he had indeed come to the same realization.

The crowd cheered as the new year began. Nick leaned down and whispered, "Have a happy New Year Sara," into her ear, and then captured her lips with his own. As Sara lost herself in the mind numbing kiss, she knew she would.

One Year and 22 Hours Later

As the minister announced, "I now pronounce you husband, and wife," Sara couldn't take her eyes off of Nick. So much of their lives had changed in only a year. While they walked back up the aisle, Sara marveled at the ring gracing her finger. Nick grinned when she took his hand, and as they entered the lobby of the wedding chapel, he pulled her off to the side and kissed her thoroughly. Only when Warrick loudly cleared his throat did they pull apart.

"So can I assume that you two will be following my and Cath's lead pretty soon?" he teased.

"Maybe," Nick replied, grinning like a Cheshire cat, "And congratulations. You and Cath are going to be so happy together."

Warrick wrapped his arms around Catherine's waist as they both beamed. "Thanks man. And thanks for being our witnesses."

"Anything for you two," Sara answered, "But I'm sure you guys have better things to do than stand here and talk to Nick and me."

After the friends exchanged hugs, the newlyweds hurried to the honeymoon suite of the Tangiers, which Nick and Sara hastily reserved for them as a wedding gift.

"I can't believe they didn't notice," Nick announced incredulously as soon as they were alone.

"Well, they were a little distracted tonight," Sara pointed out, "Normally Catherine can spot a ring a mile away. I don't think she was counting on being proposed to herself at dinner tonight. I doubt I would have noticed Ecklie in hot pink lycra shorts myself last night. "

Nick shuddered at the mental image Sara had just provided, and then continued. "Yeah, that was one phone call I wasn't expecting tonight. And do you know how badly I wanted to laugh when Warrick asked if we were going to be next?"

Sara grinned and leaned into Nick as they approached the car. "They are going to be so pissed when they find out. Greg too; all the excitement happened while he was in California."

"Oh, I think they'll understand once I explain."

"And what are you going to tell them?" Sara quirked an eyebrow at Nick and leaned up against the grill of the Denali, waiting for his explanation. He chuckled and settled next to her.

"I'll tell them the truth. That I didn't want another year to end without being married to you. And that they were all working last night. I'm sure they'll see it my way. Now come on, I seem to recall my new wife promising to model her latest Victoria's Secret purchase for me…"

Sara pushed him playfully and got into the car. During the drive home, Sara twirled the diamond engagement ring Nick had surprised her with the night before, as well as the gold wedding band that followed only hours later. The previous year had been full of surprises, and as she glanced over at Nick, her husband, she was excited to see what the years ahead would bring.

FIN.

Hope you enjoyed! Please review!