Chapter 12

Nick woke slowly to someone gently shaking him. He blinked a couple of times disoriented as to where he was. The unsmiling face of Warrick greeted him. "We've got a problem." Warrick said quietly. Nick glanced down at a sleeping Sara in his lap. He ran his hand softly across her hair. He sighed with displeasure at the thought of waking her up. "Let her sleep," Warrick continued, "She doesn't need to hear this." Nick nodded and as gently as possible he removed Sara's head from his lap and stood up with a groan.

Nick followed Warrick to Grissom's office where Catherine, Brass, Greg and Grissom waited. He looked at all their solemn faces and braced himself for the news. Brass cleared his throat and said, "We found a listening device in the bouquet of flowers in Sara's apartment." "Shit," Nick swore. "It doesn't appear that anyone as been in the apartment though." Brass said.

Greg then spoke up and said, "It gets better." Nick turned and looked at him. " I traced the phone he was using when he called tonight. He was using the victim's cell phone." Greg said holding the said phone in his hand. "How did you get it?" Nick asked incredulously. "He was sitting outside in Sara's Denali when he called. We found the phone lying on her front seat."

Nick reeled back in shock. "Jesus Christ. The SOB was sitting right outside. He's god damn playing with us. Probably laughing his ass off. Jesus Christ! What the hell are we going to do? We need to get Sara some place safe, now!" he said, his voice becoming louder with each word.

"Nick," Grissom started, "We realize the seriousness of the situation. However I think it's best we keep Sara out where he can see her." Fury filled Nick's face as he growled, "Like hell it's best! You will not put Sara's life on the line to catch this maniac!"

"Nick," Grissom began before Nick cut him off. "No way man! End of discussion! Do you hear me Grissom. You will not put her in danger!" Nick roared. Catherine stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"What's going on?" a voice from the doorway asked. All heads turned to see a very exhausted Sara standing there. When no one answered her question she asked, "Put who in danger?" Silence filled the room as Sara's eyes found Nick's. "Nick?" she asked with a tense voice. "Sara," he said as he began walking towards her with pleading eyes.

"No Nick! You tell me now! What's happened?" When Nick didn't answer right away, her eyes traveled across her friends to land on Grissom. She met his blue eyes with a steely glare. "Well?" she demanded. He hesitated for just a second before answering.

"There was a listening device in your flowers. And…" He watched Sara's shoulders tense. "He used the victim's cell phone to call you. He was sitting out in the parking lot in your Denali when he called."

Grissom watched her face blanch as she grabbed onto the back of a chair in front of her. Nick was by her side in an instant. "Sara sit down please," he begged as she tried to escape his caring hands. "I'm fine," she said angrily but sat down never the less. Everyone quietly watched her for a moment. Unable to take the silence she asked, "So what's our plan?"

"What?' Nick practically shouted, "You're in too much danger. You need to stay out of sight for a few days." She turned her head and her livid eyes landed on him. "I will not hide from him! You already know that Nick." "Sara," he pleaded placing his hand on her shoulder. She stood up and rounded on him. Her eyes flared with passion as she spoke, "I will fight him. He will not beat me!" Nick could clearly see the meaning behind her words, though the others couldn't.

He ran his hand through his hair in exasperation. He eyes met her obstinate brown ones and he sighed. "Fine," he said. He stepped forward and cupped the side of her face with his hand and quietly said, "But I want you to know I don't like it at all!" She gave him a grateful smile and brought her hand up to cover his. She whispered, "Thank you."

Everyone watched their exchange in silence. Each happy that Nick and Sara had finally realized their feeling for one other but at the same time they felt bittersweet about the situation that had brought them together.

After a few moments Sara turned to Grissom and said, "So?" Grissom looked at her and then at Nick. Nick slowly nodded his head in concession. "Okay, I think we've learned his way of monitoring his victims movements- the listening device. I think it is a fair assumption to say that is what he was going back for when Sara interrupted him. I'm fairly certain he removed the device from the other victims' homes. Cath and Warrick I want you back at the first Vic's house. Find it. If need be we'll search the other residences too. Greg, I want to know where the listening device came from. Did he buy it locally? Did he make it? I want answers ASAP!"

Everyone headed out the door except Nick, Sara and Brass. Grissom turned to them and said, "I want you two to go with Brass. He's going to take you shopping and then to a safe house." Nick's shoulders sagged with relief and he gave Grissom a thankful look. Sara, however, flew into a rage. "What! she demanded. "I'm not going into hiding!"

Grissom shook his head. "I'm not asking you too. Both you and Nick are still hurt. You need to focus your energy on getting better. You will be no good to me or the team if you're not up to your full potential." He cut her off before she could argue. "Sara," he said gently placing his hands on her shoulders, "We're all worried about you. Whether you admit it or not, your life is in danger possibly Nick's too. You need to realize the seriousness of this situation. You need to be able to think clearly with your head. And your body needs to be able to defend itself if need be. Right now you're running on pure emotion. You need to find yourself Sara. Do you understand?"

Sara held his earnest blue eyes for a long moment. She sighed in frustration but slowly nodded her head in agreement. "I understand." she said softly. She felt Nick take her hand and she squeezed it affectionately. Grissom turned to Brass and said,"Everything's set?"Brass smiled and said, " Yeah I got them the honeymoon suite at the Mirage. Everything's paid for by the city of Vegas."

"What?' both Sara and Nick said in unison. "It's just one night so relax and enjoy." Brass said with a chuckle. He handed them a cell phone and said, "Use this one to check in with us. Grissom and I have the number. Alright you lucky newlyweds lets hit the road so you can enjoy that wonderful room." Sara's cheeks flamed red as she stuttered, " Nick and I aren't … I mean we won't … I mean well maybe…" she hesitated when she met Nick's amused eyes. She glanced at Brass and Grissom who were both trying to hide their smiles. "Men!' Sara fumed as she stormed out the door.

The 3 guys burst out laughing. "She's so damn cute when she gets embarrassed," Brass chuckled. "I know," said Nick with a goofy grin on his face. "Man you've got it bad, Stokes," Brass said with a grin. "I know man but I can't help it. She has absolutely no idea how irresistible she is." Nick turned to Grissom and said, "Sorry." "It's all right Nick. You will be able to give her something I never could." Nick looked at him expectantly. "Yourself. You're a good man Nick and she deserves to be happy and loved. You'll give her both." Nick looked surprised by Grissom's words. He held out his hand and Grissom took it. "Thanks. It means a lot that you are okay with us being together." Grissom smiled and said, "You better got find Miss Determined before she goes and takes over Greg's job." "Yeah you're right," Nick said as he hurried out the door.

Brass looked at Grissom for a moment and said, "That was very noble of you. You gave her up without a fight." Grissom sighed and turned away. He sat down at his desk and looked up at Brass and said, "It was time to let her go." "Nick will take good care of her Gil. He loves her." Brass said thoughtfully. "I know that's why it doesn't hurt some much." Brass gave him a sad smile and headed out the door. Grissom closed his eyes for a moment.

His cell phone rang and he flipped it open, "Grissom." " We found it," Catherine's happy voice sang through the phone. "Great job Cath. Bring it in. We've got a bastard to nail." He closed the phone and smiled. This SOB was going down, hard.

Not sure if I liked this chapter. I had a hard time deciding which way to make Grissom react but I think I stayed true to his character. Let me know what you think. Thanks! To Be Continued Soon!