Thanks for the great reviews. I didn't expect to get so many for a Warrick and Sara story.

The story continues…

Chapter 2

Sara watched Warrick out of the corner of her eye has they headed down the highway. She could see the slight upturn of his lips as he hummed along to a Billy Joel song on the radio. She couldn't help but grin. She rarely saw him this relaxed. She had to admit it looked good on him. His good mood seemed to be contagious and before she knew it she began quietly singing along with the song.

Warrick heard her soft voice and turned to smile at her. As the song continued, she relaxed a bit more and her voice grew louder and stronger. He had heard her sing quietly before on their way to and from crime scenes. He had always enjoyed her voice but today it seemed even more beautiful. "You sing that song well," he said as he pulled into a small bakery parking lot. She turned and gave him an embarrassed smile. "Thanks," she shyly said.

"I'll just be a minute," he said with a grin as he hopped out of the SUV. She watched him as he held the door open for a little old lady carrying a bag. She let out a laugh as the woman motioned for Warrick to bend down and when he did she gave him a pat on the cheek. Warrick stood up and gave the woman a gorgeous smile and then disappeared inside.

Sara sighed to herself and thought that it was so typical of Warrick to help someone in need. It was one of the things she admired about him most. She jumped when she heard a tapping on her window. She looked out and saw the little old lady. Sara rolled down her window and smiled. "Is that your man?" the woman asked.

Sara felt her cheeks flame red as she stammered, " Ah we're just friends." " Too bad for you honey." the lady said. Sara blinked in surprise and the woman continued, "Cause if you haven't noticed that man is a hunk. Plus he's a real gentleman. Don't think you could find yourself one better then him. If you don't mind me saying dear, if I were you I'd give that boy a big smooch and let him know you're interested."

Sara let out a laugh and said, "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks for the advice." "You're welcome dear. Good luck." Sara watched as the woman rambled over to her car. She closed her eyes and tried to picture Warrick's reaction if she suddenly gave him a big smooch and declared she wanted to be more then just good friends. She shook her head and started to laugh. Warrick would probably keel over in shock.

She jumped again when Warrick opened his door. She held her hand up to her chest and said, "God you scared me." "Sorry," he said with a sheepish grin, "What were you laughing at?" She smiled at him and glanced down at what he was holding. She eyes widen in surprise. It was a picnic basket. "Oh no I'm not telling you anything. It's part of the surprise," he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

"Warrick," she groaned. "All in good time Sara. I know patience is not one of your virtues." He watched her as she tried to pout but she couldn't seem to pull it off. So instead she whacked him in the arm. "Hey girl, I can't help it that I made you smile."

Sara looked out the window embarrassed as he started the SUV. His words ringing more true then he realized. She took a deep breath and turned to look over at him as she quietly said, "You do make me smile." He looked over at her and their eyes locked for a moment. He felt something begin to stir deep in his chest. Her chocolate brown eyes seemed to be saying so much more then her words.

She watched his beautiful eyes search hers and she felt her stomach knot up. It was like he understood the real meaning of her words. She felt her face flush with color, mortified that she had given her true feelings away. She looked away unable to face his sure to come rejection. Instead she felt him reach across the seat and place his hand on top of hers. He gave it a gentle squeeze and softly said, " You make me smile too."

Sara's head turned quickly back to face him and Warrick watched as a genuine smile slowly spread across her lovely face. Lately very few people had been blessed with a true Sara Sidle smile and he was glad he was the reason behind it. He gave her hand one more squeeze and then pulled the SUV back out onto the road.

They sat in comfortable silence for a while as Sara tried to figure out where they were going. They had left the city limits and were headed out toward the desert. She stole a look at his handsome profile and had to agree with the old woman, Warrick was a hunk. He glanced over at her and caught her smiling. "Smiling again Sara. I must be better then I thought."

Sara laughed and said, "No Mr. Smug, I was just thinking about what the old lady from the bakery said to me." Warrick shot her a questioning look. "She came over and asked me if you were my man. I told her we were just friends. She then proceeded to tell me what a hunky gentleman you were." She had to laugh when she watched him puff out his chest in mock pride. "And did you agree with her?" Warrick asked with a sly grin. "Oh I didn't get a chance. She then told me I'd never find a man like you and that I should do something to catch you're attention."

Warrick waited a moment for her to finish and when she didn't he turned to look at her. Her cheeks were flushed a pretty pink color and she was staring down at her hands as if she were deciding whether to tell him the rest of it or not. He reluctantly pulled his eyes from her blushing face back to the road. But they quickly swung back to her when he heard her say; "She told me I should give you a big smooch on the lips."

Warrick deep rich laugh filled the cab of the SUV and Sara couldn't help but laugh along with him. "And what did you say to that?" he asked still chuckling. "I told her I'd keep it in mind." He held her gaze for a moment watching her eyes dance in amusement. "Why Ms. Sidle are you hitting on me?" he asked playfully. "Maybe," she answered with a huge grin. Warrick let out another laugh and said, "We're here."

Sara looked out the window and let out a small gasp. She had been so busy trying to calm her nerves as she attempted to flirt with him that she hadn't paid any attention to where they had driven. Before her sat a field of hot air balloons. There had to be at least 30 of them. She looked over at him with wide eyes. "I hope you're not afraid of heights?" he asked. She shook her head no. "Good and I hope you've never had breakfast in the sky before?" She glanced down at the picnic basket and then back up at his grinning face, as she shook her head no again. "Great!" he said as he hopped out, grabbed the basket and shut the door. She watched still in shock as he walked over and opened her door for her.

"Warrick," she breathed looking at him in astonishment. "Hey it's no big deal. My buddy flies one and he asked me if I wanted to take a ride this morning. I called and asked if he minded if I brought a friend. I just thought it might cheer you up. Plus you could practice flirting with me." She heard the gentle teasing in his tone and gave him a smile. "Oh I think this has major possibilities of cheering me up. I've always wanted to fly in one. And as for flirting I think you need the practice more then I do." "What are you talking about? I'm smooth." He said trying to sound offended. "Oh you're smooth alright. Smooth with the over 60 crowd." Sara said with a laugh.

Warrick looked at her a moment and then started to laugh. "Yeah I guess I am. Women today are way to aggressive and that's a major turn off. I prefer to be the one to make the moves in the beginning. I guess I was born in the wrong era." He said with a regretful smile. Sara studied his reflective face and wondered if he thought that she was one of those women.

Warrick read her eyes and knew immediately what she was thinking. "Now you Sara are a contradiction of sorts. You are extremely aggressive at your work but in a good way. You fight for the truth. But with men you are the exact opposite. You are a true feminine woman at heart and that's very appealing." She looked at him a moment, digesting his words, and then she smiled. "Now that was smooth Mr. Brown, very smooth."

Warrick realized that she thought he was teasing her when in fact he was speaking the truth. He smiled any way and held out his hand to help her out of the SUV. She took it willingly. She stood there and gazed out at the brightly colored field of balloons as he locked the door. He turned and watched her for a moment not sure what to do about the jumble of feelings racing through his body. Part of him wanted to yell "Hell yeah I find you appealing in fact way to damn much. But the other part of him didn't want to ruin their friendship. So instead he compromised. He took her hand and said, " Let's go put that beautiful smile on your face."

Sara was surprised when he took her hand and even more surprised when he used the word beautiful again. She resisted the urge to pull her hand out of his and ask him what he was doing. Instead she enjoyed the warm sensation of his large hand encircling hers. No matter how hard she tried, she could not get the smile to leave her face. Warrick was holding her hand and he was taking her to breakfast in a hot air balloon. It felt so right and she felt absolutely wonderful.

TBC! Please review. It definitely motivates me. Thanks!