Chapter 2

Nick waited restlessly in a small cubicle in the ER. The doctor had examined him and said the wound looked good. There was no major muscle damage. He would have to keep his arm in a sling for a week and then start physical therapy when the wound was fully closed. The doctor gave him a prescription for a course of antibiotics and something for the pain. Nick was now waiting on his discharge paperwork. He had been here for almost 2 hours and had yet to see Sara.

After Nick had given his statement to Brass, Brass had told him that Sara had gone for x-rays on her ribs and the doctor wanted to observe her to make sure she didn't have a concussion because of the seriousness of her head wound. Brass filled him in on what Sara had told him. Nick grimaced when he realized how brutal the fight had been. He was glad she hadn't been hurt worse. Regardless of her ability to defend herself, he still worried.

After Brass had left, he had tried to sort out exactly what he was feeling. He knew he cared about Sara and he was definitely attracted to her. He enjoyed their flirty relationship but he knew she didn't see him as anything more then a friend. She liked Grissom, and he and Grissom were like night and day. Therefore he had never thought about pursuing her but tonight he had seen something in her eyes. When she had touched his cheek he had felt his whole body begin to heat. And when the cop was staring at her breasts he had felt a huge wave of jealousy roll through him. He had wanted to be the only man to see her like that. God she had looked good kneeling there taking care of him in just her sexy turquoise bra. What the hell was he going to do?

As he had lain there thinking, Grissom had come in. He filled his boss in on what had happened. Grissom then gathered what evidence he needed from him and his clothes and told Nick to take the next 4 nights off to recuperate. Grissom said he'd check in with him tomorrow and let him know how they were doing. Catherine and Warrick were on the scene collecting all the evidence. In a way that was solely unique to Grissom he clumsily told Nick he was glad he was all right. With that said he was out the door to find Sara.

After waiting another half hour a nurse finally came in with his paperwork, as quickly as possible he finished and headed out to find Sara. As he rounded a corner he stopped dead in his tracks. In the cubicle straight ahead of him he saw Grissom and Sara. He watched as Grissom took Sara's hand in his and he felt another wave of jealousy roll through him. He saw Sara smile at something Grissom said and then her beautiful brown eyes clouded over. She pulled her hand away from his and began to shake her head furiously. He watched as Grissom squared his shoulders and then he bent down and kissed Sara's forehead. He brusquely turned around and headed out the door. Nick had just enough time to jump around the corner before his boss saw him.

Nick stood there for a moment contemplating what he had just witnessed. He had never seen Grissom show any kind of affection toward any of them like that before. Obviously the boss did have feeling for Sara. "Christ," he thought, "What the hell I'm I suppose to do now?" He ran his hand over his face and sighed. He knew he wanted to more then just friends with her. But how the hell was he suppose to get her to see him when Grissom was blocking the way."

Nick peered around the corner to make sure Grissom was gone and frowned when he saw Sara crying. He hesitated a moment but his need to comfort her drove him forward. He stood outside her doorway and quietly said, "Hey." She looked up at him; startled that someone had caught her crying. She wiped frantically at her tears and managed a forced smile and said, "I was wondering what had happened to my rescuer."

Nick grinned and made his way to her bed. He sat down on the edge facing her. He reached up and wiped at a tear. "You okay?" he asked gently. She looked down at her hands and nodded slowly. "Hey," he said placing his finger under her chin and lifting her face, "It's me your own personal hero. What's wrong?"

" My hero huh?' she smiled. He smiled back at her. "I always wanted to be someone's hero and I couldn't have picked a more gorgeous, fair maiden to rescue." "Nick," she laughed as she playfully poked him with her finger. "Now there's that beautiful smile I love." He said with a grin.

Sara looked at him for a moment and realized he was serious. "Thank you," she said softly taking his hand. "Everything just catching up to me. You could have been killed tonight Nick." He stared at her in amazement. She was more worried about him even after what had almost happened to her. "Sara we're both okay and we're going to catch the guy that did this to us." She sighed and looked away for a moment before meeting his eyes. "I don't know Nick. He was wearing latex gloves and a full-face ski mask. I know I hit him hard enough to draw blood lets just hope Cath or Warrick find some." "Hey don't doubt the ability of our co-workers. They'll come through, okay Sara?" Nick squeezed her hand. "Yeah you're right." Sara said with a yawn.

"You must be exhausted. Why don't you lay down." Nick said. Sara groaned as she lay back on the bed. "How are your ribs?" Nick asked. "Bruised and sore as hell." she answered. Just then a nurse entered the room. "Miss Sidle how are you feeling?" "Like I just got hit with a bus." Sara replied. "You're going to be sore for a few more days. The doctor gave you a prescription for the pain. Take these now and they should help you get some sleep." The nurse said as she handed Sara 2 pills and a glass of water. "When can I leave?" Sara asked. "The doctor said if you had someone who could stay with you and watch you you'd be able to leave in the next couple of hours. Do you have anyone?" Sara started to shake her head no when Nick interceded. "Sara I could stay with you if you wanted? We could just stop at my place so I could grab some of my stuff. Plus I am going to need some help with bum shoulder. We could help each other," he said with a grin. Sara sat there staring at him and Nick began to think he had over stepped the bounds of there friendship.

Sara could see Nick's cheeks begin to turn pink. She stole a glance at the nurse who was looking at her like she was insane if she didn't say yes to the gorgeous man who asked if she wanted him to move in with her. Sara's eyes flew back to Nick's and she asked, "Are you sure? I mean you want to stay with me? You know how irritable and stubborn I am. Why would you want to subject yourself to that?" Nick started to laugh; relieved she hadn't given him a flat out no. "Sara you're not that bad. Besides I think it may be fun. It would give us a chance to get to know each other better." "I…" Sara started as she glanced back over at the nurse who was giving her a look of if you don't say yes then I'll take him home with me, even though she was at lest twice their age. "Ah sure why not. If you really don't mind." Nick began to grin and she heard the nurse sigh in relief. "Great! Let me go see if I can get us a ride. I'll be back in a few." Nick bent down and gave her a quick peck on the cheek and headed out the door.

Sara groaned. The nurse started to laugh. "Thank god you said yes honey. That man is absolutely gorgeous. What I wouldn't give to have him staying at my house. That fine body and the sexy smile, he's going to take care of you all right." the nurse finished with a wicked grin. "What? Sara exclaimed, "Oh no we're only friends. He doesn't see me that way." "Well you better look again honey, that boy has a major thing for you. Can't you tell by the way he looks at you?" the older woman asked. Sara shook her head no. "The question is honey how do you feel about him? Cause if I were you and 20 years younger I'd have the man in my bed as fast as possible." The nurse gave Sara a smile and turned to head out the door. "I'll get your discharge papers together. And Sara?" the nurse said over her shoulder. "Yeah?' Sara answered. "Just in case you hadn't realized it yet, you look at him the same way he looks at you. I'll be back." Sara sank back into the pillow, closed her eyes and groaned. What the hell had she gotten herself into? There was no way she was going to be able to live in her very small apartment with him in constant touching range. She would never be able to keep her hands off his incredibly fine body or not stare at his handsome face. What if the nurse was right and he had feelings for her too? God she had too much to think about without adding thoughts of a very naked Nick in her bed. What the hell was she going to do?

Please review and tell me what you think. Chapter 3 should be up soon. Thanks!