DISCLAIMER : I don't own CSI nor it's characters. Everything belongs to the brains behind this wonderful show. Props go out to them. :D

AUTHOR'S NOTE : I used local songs on this chapter. If you want to listen to them, I've uploaded them to my server. You may download them if you wish, email me at if you want 'em.

'Till my heartaches end' – (sorry forgot who the artist was)

'Let the Pain Remain' by the Side A Band

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CHAPTER XII

Sara arrived a 20 minutes before she was going up on stage. Quickly stopping by the band to discuss the song she was singing tonight, she was approached by Bobby, one of the guys who sang in the bar, immediately as she entered backstage.

"Hi Sara." Bobby shyly said.

"Hey Bobby." Sara greeted him back, smiling, "How is everything?"

"Fine... ummm .. it's fine." Bobby said, his eyes moving about and he seemed to be nervous about something. "I .. I wanted to ask a small favor."

"Favor?" Sara asked, "What kind of favor exactly?"

"Well, I planned to sing this song," Bobby handed her a song sheet. Sara took a look at the sheet and recognized the song. She didn't really know who had sung it, but she was familiar with the lyrics and melody. "with Teresa tonight. The problem is she can't come in, she's got a family emergency and now I have no one to sing it with."

"So..." Sara guessed what Bobby was getting at and what he was nervous about. The people at the bar weren't exactly close to her. She sometimes thought that they were afraid of her. "You're asking me to sing this with you?"

"Yeah, umm... I know it's silly..." Bobby stammered, and then he sighed saying "know what... forget it.. I'm sorry for asking, I know I shouldn't bother you with this..."

"Bobby..." Sara interrupted. "Bobby! Don't worry, I'll do it."

"You will?" A huge smile immediately appeared on Bobby's face. "Really?"

"Yes, I will." Sara gave him a warm smile.

"Thanks Sara!" Bobby's hands flew up on the air. Sara was half afraid he was going to give her a hug, so she stepped slowly back. "This means a lot to me. So, ummm... We're on in 10, so if you'd like to read over the lyrics or something, we can go do that now."

Sara simply nodded and gestured for him to show her the way. She shook her head in amusement as she followed Bobby to wherever he was taking her.

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x

Arriving at Tikirocks using the directions Catherine gave him, Nick saw Sara's Denali at the parking space. Nick smiled thinking that at least he was safe from running into the Sara before he got the chance to duck into some dark corner of the bar.

Taking in the inside structure of the bar once inside, Nick easily located the bar and went to look for a place to sit. A seat where Sara wouldn't see him, not that she could probably see much with the spotlight on the stage. Nonetheless, Nick wanted to be on the safe side.

Turning around to face the bartender when he heard him ask what drink he wanted, Nick hesitated for a moment before saying, "You guys have iced tea?"

"This ain't a restaurant," the bartender raised his eyebrow. "But yeah, we do serve iced tea."

"Well, I'll have that." Nick smiled and then explained, "I'm on the clock and ..."

"Yeah, yeah," the bartender interrupted, "that's not the first time I've heard that." He abruptly turned and went to get Nick's order.

Nick didn't have enough time to ponder on what the bartender had said for he saw Sara go up on the somewhat smallish stage with a guy.

"Hmm... and this guy is who?" Nick wondered. This was one question he needed to ask Catherine and Warrick. They didn't mention anything about another guy. Had Grissom finally lost Sara? Nick didn't like this. Much as he hated seeing Sara hurting over Grissom, he still thought that somehow they'd pull away from all that and be really happy together.

"Nope," Nick mumbled, "I don't like this guy at all."

"Hey all!" the guy greeted the people in the bar. He got some enthusiastic replies and that's when Nick found out his name. There were a couple of "Go Bobby!"-ies that came from one table. Nick gave a short laugh thinking, "Probably a bunch of his friends."

"Good, good." Bobby continued and presented Sara to the audience saying, "you all know Sara, who graces us with her wonderful voice here at Tikirocks too ... " applause broke out from the meager audience. Sara gave a shy wave at the crowd and Nick gave another laugh. "Typical Sara," Nick thought.

"Anyway, I was supposed to sing a duet with Teresa, but she can't be here tonight so Sara is being the greatest and agreed to do it with me." Bobby proudly said and giving Sara a small bow.

The crowd settled down and became quiet as the song intro was played the band. Nick could clearly see that Sara was a bit nervous. He wasn't sure if it was the lights, the audience or the singing in public. Maybe it was mixture of all of these.

Nick saw Sara raise the microphone to her mouth. "She's singing first!" Nick's mind flashed. He didn't notice that he was holding his breath.

I recall, when you said that you would never leave me.

You told me more,

So much more like when the time you whispered in my ear.

There was heaven in my heart,

I remember, when you said that you'd be here forever.

Nick saw Sara lower her mic and he heard Bobby sing. Bobby's voice took Nick aback. The guy actually had a good singing voice!

Then you left, without even saying that you're leaving.

I was hurt, and it really won't be easy to forget yesterday.

And I pray that you would stay

But then you're gone and oh, so far away

Nick braced himself as Sara and Bobby sang together, Sara taking the higher note.

I was afraid this time would come,

I wasn't prepared to face this kind of hurting from within.

I have learned to live my life beside you.

Maybe I'll just dream of you tonight,

And if into my dreams you'll come and touch me once again.

I'll just keep on dreaming 'till my heartaches end.

Nick was in awe. He had never dreamt of ever seeing Sara this way, but here he was, witnessing Sara weave her emotions into the song. He knew Sara had a very deep capacity for caring, that was visible in how she did her work, and now, by just looking at her singing, but she often masked it her usual tough exterior. It was moments like this that Nick loved seeing. Sara was at her most beautiful when her emotions spoke for her.

And then, Sara sang again ...

... yesterday

And I pray that you would stay

But then you're gone and oh, so far away

I was afraid this time would come,

I wasn't prepared to face this kind of hurting from within.

I have learned to live my life beside you.

Maybe I'll just dream of you tonight,

And if into my dreams you'll come and touch me once again.

I'll just keep on dreaming 'till my heartaches end.

To say that Sara's voice was great was an understatement. Nick knew she was good, but he never imagined that she'd be this good. Nick felt the hair at the back of his neck stand when Sara sang the high notes. They were wonderful. Her voice never cracked once and Nick was now officially smiling like a fool. He was so proud of her. He couldn't understand why she made fun of her voice when he complimented her the last time.

As the song ended, Bobby and Sara's duet received the bar's full applause. Every single one of the people in there was clapping, that included the bartender!

Bobby once again gave Sara another bow and left the stage, still waving at the audience and thanking them. It was now Sara's turn to sing alone.

The band started playing, the audience became silent, and once again, Nick held his breath, ready to be swept away.

Love comes, love goes

But a certain feeling never lets me be.

Somehow, I know

Quite a part of me isn't changed since you've been gone.

Like a sturdy tree that's seen a thousand seasons.

I still shed my leaves in winter

To grow them back in spring

To welcome life again

To welcome you

Nick's breath, still caught up on his throat, came suddenly out. He took a sip of his iced tea, not noticing when the bartender has served it.

So goes, my life

Still believe in dreams of having you around

Too bad, memories feed the mind and not the heart

Where I want you to be,

So I ask myself what you've left behind for me

To go on each day and live as if

I have you once again

What else is there that's real

But all the pain that I feel,

So let the pain remain

Forever in my heart

For every throb it brings is one more moment

Spent with you,

I let the pain, bring on the rain

If that's the only way

If there's no other way

To be with you again

As she sang the chorus, Nick felt his fingers tighten around his iced tea glass. He began thinking that, now maybe he was wrong about Sara waiting for Grissom to come to his senses. He knew that if they ever got around to being together, there would be no two happier people in the world, but as things were, Grissom was only making things worse instead of better.

Yes, he'd heard about the dinner rejection; by now he wondered who has not heard it, and he mentally kicked Grissom for refusing such an offer. Things have been strange between those two afterwards. It seemed like they went to all lengths to avoid being in the same room. Listening to them converse would be like listening to ice melt.

Nick heaved a sigh. Well, he thought, if Grissom isn't going to do anything that will snap them out of this, I say more power to Sara getting over him.

Nick joined the rest of the people in the bar who stood up and gave Sara a loud applause when she finished singing.

Mentally congratulating Sara, Nick clapped even louder when he saw Sara give the audience a small sincere smile. And then he thought smiling, "You go, girl!"

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MORE NOTES : As I return to working mode tomorrow, the next chapter might take another day or two. Sorry, but well, we all know we need work. :D

Thanks for all the reviews!