Disclaimer: Mwahahahahaha! I finally have my master plan to steal the rights...but for now, I'll just continue to say: No, I don't own them. (deceptively innocent look)
Chapter 11
Nick was treated to the grand tour, but he could barely focus on anything other than Alex. For politeness' sake, he made an effort, but not much stayed in his mind.
Terry finally stopped, giving him a strange look as he led Nick downstairs to the living room.
"Sit," he offered. It sounded more like an order, though, so Nick sat.
"Hey guys," a young blonde came cheerfully into the room, a tray in her hands. "Want some lemonade?"
Nick thanked her as she handed him a glass. Terry downed one in a single gulp, leaving Nick wondering vaguely if it was a family trait since Alex did the same thing with her piping hot coffee.
"Thanks, Brianna," Terry said, eyeing the third glass on the tray greedily. Brianna shook her head, laughing.
"Pig," she accused fondly. "You and my husband are just the same."
"She married my brother Jim," Terry explained for Nick's benefit. "Jim's about the same age as Alex, with ten months difference between them."
"Terry likes to say it was because our parents didn't watch enough TV," offered another voice as a dark-haired young man entered. From the way he hugged Brianna, Nick deduced this was Jim.
Another hour went by, and Nick met Thomas James, or TJ, and Trevor and Max, along with Mrs Kane herself. He noted right away that Alex took after her mother, with the pretty Chinese features. Of course, the Chinese heritage was softer in Alex, but it was there.
Nick found himself tuning everyone out as they surrounded him with friendly conversation, blocking out everything but Alex…
He closed his eyes. Inside, he knew he was ready. It was time to come to terms with how he felt…about Alex.
Alex had wormed her way into his life an heart since she had first come to work at the lab about a year ago. The Texan had formed a close friendship with the young woman, and they had shared a year's worth of experiences together. She had…filled him, Nick realized, filled his life and heart with her smile and laugh, and her very presence…it made his heart sing.
Nick knew right then and there that he loved Alex. That she was "it" for him. And no matter what she wasn't telling him, he was ready to start a life with her, till death do them part and all…maybe even build a new family with her.
"Nick?" Terry's voice cut into his consciousness, and he looked up to see Dr Kane smiling at him. "This is my dad, the last of the Kane-Shan clan."
Nick automatically got up to shake the offered hand. "Hello, sir," he greeted, feeling nervous.
"It's Adam," the man laughed. "Dr Kane makes me sound…smart."
Nick raised an eyebrow, but nodded. Adam grinned at him. "Alex is fine. Do you want to see her?"
Did he want to see her? Did night follow day? Did cows give milk? Could Spiderman kick Batman's ass?
Okay, so forget that. "Yes, please," Nick said, feeling like a little kid who'd been asked if he wanted a cookie.
Adam led him to the eastern wing of the house, to a sunny little room where the early morning sunlight was just filtering in through the windows. Nick looked in to see Alex sleeping peacefully in her bed.
Turning to Adam, he realized he had some questions. "Uh," he began.
Adam cut him off gently, steering him towards a chair beside the bed. "All your questions will be answered," he assured Nick, eyes serious as they looked into the CSI's.
Nick nodded, unable to speak. Adam smiled again, as though he knew a secret Nick didn't.
After Adam left, it didn't take very long before Nick found himself lying down next to Alex in her bed. Gently, he slidhis arms around her, holding her close, and planted a soft kiss to her forehead.
Alex was okay, he was tired, and now…
Sleep claimed the exhausted young man, and Terry smiled to himself as he peeked in, before closing the door on them quietly.
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Phew, another chappie done. I'm working hard on the next one, it has an important part to play in my evil plan...uh, forget I said that. You aren't supposed to know.
(changes subject)
Shout-outs!
SpectralLady - You can stop waiting now...or can you? The fic ain't over yet! >:) Glad you like my fic, so...keep reading and reviewing! I like your reviews! I'm a review addict, I live for reviews!
DCHeesegirl who is too lazy to sign in - :p So long as you review, I don't really care if you sign in or not. And I thought you knew how Alex felt, didn't I say she loved him a few chapters back? Anyhow, keep reading!
love N/S - Thanks for trying to give me the link. Try typing the link with spaces in between, like: http :www . link . com. If not, my e-mail is in my profile. ;) Just e-mail me with the words fanfiction . net inthe subject.
Thanks to all my reviewers...and DCheesegirl and love N/S get special chocolate covered Nick plushies for sticking with me and reviewing faithfully all this while! Yay!
