Disclaimer: I don't own CSI. But as an evil genius in training...rest assured I have an evil plan in the works to steal...I mean, "borrow" the rights. Any plotholes you see, or think you see, are purely imaginery.

Notes: Thanks again to Impulse for betaing, and hope everyone enjoys this cliffhanger...

Chapter 4

It was the start of yet another shift, and Alex found herself staggering into work again after another night volunteering at Desert Palm hospital. Somehow, her inner self managed to get her safely to the break room, where she gratefully accepted a cup of coffee from Catherine.

"Thanks," she managed to croak, before downing the steaming cup in one gulp.

Glancing around, she noticed all of the night shift CSIs had gathered in the break room, apparently waiting for Grissom and their assignments. Warrick was stretched out on the sofa, Catherine had claimed a seat at the table, Sara was trying to find Greg's private stash of Blue Hawaiian coffee, while Greg himself stood nearby, smirking at her efforts.

And Nick – Nick was staring directly at her, maybe even past her, with a funny expression on his face. Alex squirmed a little, feeling slightly uncomfortable with his scrutiny.

"What?" she asked him. "Do I have tomato sauce on my blouse? Is there a rat building a nest in my hair?"

Nick started, and replied quickly, "No, no…just thinking. I wasn't looking at you, I swear!"

Slight hesitation while Alex waited, staring patiently at him. She knew the moment he cracked.

"Okay, so I'd like to have a word with you about something…can you meet me after shift?" asked Nick.

Alex stared at him, then said slowly, "After shift? I suppose so…at Rosa's? We can eat while we talk."

Nick nodded, that unreadable mask appearing on his face again. Alex felt a moment of anguish, she and Nick had grown close since she had started work at the LVCL a year ago. It wasn't like him, to be this…distant.

Shrugging it off, Alex nodded to everyone, and said to Nick, "Okay, see you after shift then."

Nodding, he stared down at the floor and didn't reply.

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Alex checked her watch and uttered a curse. She was late to meet with Nick, but she had been processing some last minute evidence for Grissom. Wondering what he wanted to talk with her about, she headed down the hallway.

"Alex!" Alex stopped at the sound of Catherine's voice. Groaning inwardly, Alex turned to apologize, and found Catherine offering her a sandwich.

"Want one?" she asked. "It's been a long shift."

Alex noted the peanut butter and brightened. She loved peanut butter, maybe a quick sandwich wouldn't hurt?

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Nick eyed the familiar surroundings of Rosa's, a little restaurant the team often stopped at for breakfast after shift. Alex was late, but he had seen Grissom headed her way with some evidence for processing, so he didn't hold it against her.

Suddenly, unbidden, the image of a peanut butter sandwich entered his mind. It was so real, he could almost smell the peanut butter, almost taste it.

Nick gagged. He hated peanut butter, had hated it since he was a child and had almost choked on it.

So why the hell was he visualizing a huge PB&J sandwich now?

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Alex finished her sandwich, and grinned at Catherine. "Thanks, Cath. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches."

"No problem," said the older woman. "Now, go have fun on your date with Nick."

Alex almost gagged at that. "It's not a date," she said calmly. "He just wants to talk to me about something, that's all."

Catherine winked at her. "Yeah," she grinned, "Sure."

Alex shook her head and rose to leave, smiling, wondering vaguely why the words 'date with Nick' had made a small part of her heart leap with joy.

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Alex finally entered Rosa's, and spotted Nick within fives minutes, sitting at a table, nursing a cup of coffee in his hands.

"Hey, stranger," she greeted, moving to his table. "This seat taken?"

Nick glanced up at her, and offered a smile. "Yeah – by my invisible friend. But don't worry, you can sit in his lap."

Alex snorted, but sat down across from her friend. "So," she asked as Nick signaled the waitress to bring some coffee for her. "What exactly did you want to talk to me about?"

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Read, review, and Gary Dourdan shall be sent to you! Hey, that rhymes!

Shout-outs:

The Converter - Oh, I've noticed, but I'm afraid the only G/S I support is Greg/Sara. I always seem to pick the pairing that goes extinct after a few seasons...except in my heart. You'll notice the majority of Mutant X fans are Brennan/Shalimar fans...(shudders). Me, I'm a die-hard Jesse/Shal fan. As for more people reading it if it were a GS fic...if that's the case, i don't care if no one reads my fic. I'm not going to sacrifice my opinions and values just so people will read my fic. No, if GS fans don't want to read just because I don't agree with the GSR ship, they don't have to. Life goes on.

Im Stoked - Gosh, that does look like a plothole, doesn't it. Kudos for noticing, but if you'll remember, neither Nick nor Alex remember anything that happened to them. Well, Alex remembers but she's not saying. So even if someone did ask, Nick would say, "I don't remember how I tore my shirt. I don't remember if I shot that guy or not." and etc... Gary Dourdan should arrive soon, but Malaysian post is so unreliable...

franny - Thanks for your kind comments. As for no romance...Well. I don't know about that, but I'm not going to let the cat out of the bag just yet. You'll have to read and see. ;)

love N/S - You like my profile? (faints in happiness) She likes my profile! Glad you like my profile, but what about the story?

DCHeesegirl - Eric Szmanda is on his way, but like I said, Malaysian post can be so untrustworthy...glad you liked the story, keep reading! Oh, and I often wish I had powers too, any powers....and I do, in my dreams.

Colleen - Four reviews? Yippee! Just for that, I'll lend you George Eads for a week, then you have to send him back...and I'll throw in a box of chocolates too, for free! Thanks so much, hope you enjoy thischappie!

Okay, shout-outs done...people, read, and press the purple button! Let your inner child be attracted into pressing the shiny purple button!