Sara Meets The Stokes
Pairing: Nick and Sara
A few years after Nick met Sara, they are dating. Nick succeeded in getting vacation time for both him and Sara. They were going to Dallas so his family can finally meet the girl who has been the main topic of many of conversations. This story takes place mid-August 2003.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the CSI characters. I only own Nick's family.
Going To Dallas
"Mom, I am excited about coming home," Nick said. "I am surprised that Grissom approved my vacation request."
"I am glad that you are coming," Cynthia Stokes, Nick's mother, said. "I can easily tell that my bachelor son is visiting. Your sisters are itching to hook you up with any of their pretty young coworkers or friends."
"This time, things are going to be different," Nick said. "I am bringing my new girlfriend with me."
"Who is she?" Cynthia asked. "Is it that Sara Sidle girl you have talked about for almost three years?"
"Yeah, that's her," Nick smiled. "We've been dating for about three months now. I would like you to meet her in person."
"When does your flight leave Las Vegas and arrive at Dallas-Fort Worth?" she asked.
"It leaves at 6:30 AM and arrives at about 11:00 AM," Nick said looking at his itinerary. "Who is coming to pick us up at Dallas-Fort Worth?"
"Your brother has agreed to take the day off to pick up his kid brother and Sara," she said. "Have you packed your suitcase?"
"Yes, and I am ready to go," Nick said. "I am about to pick up Sara and take her to my place. I have arranged a ride to take us to McCarran. There's absolutely no way I am leaving my car at the airport for a week."
"Well, I better let you go," Cynthia said. "I know you have to pick up Sara and bring her to your place before going to the airport. I will see you in the afternoon."
"Later, mom!" Nick said. "I love you!"
"I love you, too, son," she said and they hung up.
Nick looked at the clock. It was one in the morning and he had to go pick up Sara. He hoped that she was all packed up and ready to go. He grabbed his jacket, went out the door and locked it. He entered his Tahoe and headed out to Sara's place. When he got to her complex, he parked the Tahoe closer to her apartment. He got out and went to her door. He rang the bell and waited.
"Nick, don't we have to be at the airport at about 5:00 in the morning?" Sara asked. "You are a little early."
"Sara, didn't we agree that I would swing by your place to pick you and your suitcase up and bring you to my place," Nick said. "Are you finished packing?"
"Yes, I just closed up my suitcase when you rang the bell," Sara said. "I am bringing it with me now. I'll be right back."
"No, allow me to take it," Nick said. "You just get into my car."
Sara smiled at him. She couldn't believe that she's dating a gentleman and handsome and charming one to boot. Of course, he is Nick Stokes, Texas born and bred. He was trained on how to properly treat a woman by his mother and sisters. That training has paid off and Sara is reaping the benefits.
"Sara, are you okay?" Nick asked.
"I am fine," she said. "I was just thinking about something."
"I am going to put your baggage in the back of my car," Nick said. "Just lock your door and meet me at the car."
About half an hour later, they were in Nick's place. He already put her suitcase inside the house.
"So, Cowboy, what are we going to do between now and 4:15?" Sara asked.
"We are going to have an early breakfast," Nick smiled. "While we eat, we'll watch some Animal Planet or Cartoon Network."
"Okay, Animal Planet I can understand," Sara laughed. "But why did you mention Cartoon Network?"
"Sara, I like other channels besides the Discovery channel family," Nick said. "I also like ESPN, Comedy Central, BBC America, Spikeand the Food Network. Let me fix breakfast."
"Are we having oatmeal or cold cereal?" Sara asked.
"No, I am making chocolate chip pancakes," Nick smiled. "You just sit on the couch and watch TV while I cook."
"We've been dating for several months and you are spoiling me, Stokes!" Sara said in a near protest.
Sara could hear Nick laugh as he made the pancakes. She turned on the television and flipped through the channels. They were showing a South Park marathon on Comedy Central and she decided to watch that. The smell of chocolate and vanilla flavored pancake batter permeated the place and it made Sara hungry. A few moments later, Nick brought two plates of the pancakes. He took several trips for the napkins, utensils, milk and orange juice.
"Oh good, they are showing an old episode of South Park," Nick said. "How do you think they will kill Kenny?"
"Nick, you are almost 32," Sara said. "Aren't you a little old for cartoons?"
"Sara, you won't be 32 until next month and you are watching South Park," Nick observed. "You are never too old for cartoons."
They ate their breakfast. Nick talked about how Sara will love his family, Dallas and how they will love her. He told her about the phone call he had with his mother and she is excited that he is bringing his girlfriend with him. Sara laughed and that got a look from him. She knew from his previous complaints about going home that his sisters wanted to set him up with a girl that he wasn't interested or not anything like Sara. She was glad to spare him from that.
At 4:04, the phone rang and Nick answered it. It was the car service telling him that their ride was pulling into their complex in about ten minutes and to wait outside. Nick thanked the caller and hung up.
"That was the car service," Nick said. "Our ride is coming to bring us to McCarran. You wait outside while I put away the dishes, unplug my stuff and bring out our luggage. It won't take me more than five minutes."
Sara nodded and went outside. Less than five minutes later, Nick emerged from his house with their suitcases and a tote bag. He gave Sara their tickets and she put them in her purse. Their ride arrived, the driver put their luggage in the trunk and the couple sat in the back. The ride was mostly silent. Nick fell asleep and Sara was staring out the window fighting the urge to sleep. When the driver arrived in the vicinity of the airport, he asked them which airline they were flying with and terminal. Sara gave him the information. Sara woke Nick and told him that they are already at the airport. Nick paid the driver and gave him a tip. The driver took out their suitcases and placed them on the curb. Sara and Nick thank the driver before they entered the terminal.
They didn't have a long time to wait to check in for their flight. Nick put both suitcases on the scale while Sara got their boarding passes. They went through security and were now waiting for their boarding call.
"Do you want to go to Starbucks?" Nick asked.
"Not right now," Sara said. "Maybe in about 10 minutes."
"Okay, we will go in ten minutes," Nick smiled. "But no more than that. Besides, I don't know how long that line will be. The boarding announcement will begin at about 6:00. We have first class seats."
The last thing Nick told Sara caused her to freeze.
"Nick, are you insane?" Sara asked. "Why are you doing this?"
"No, I am not insane," Nick beamed. "When I was promoted to CSI Level 3, I promised myself that when I had a steady girlfriend, I would take her with me to Dallas on first class. That girlfriend is you, Sara."
"Nicky, you are going to go broke treating me like a princess," Sara said gently smacking him in the arm.
"No, I won't," Nick smiled. "Let's get something to drink now."
They went to the Starbucks kiosk and ordered their drinks and a maple scone they would share. Nick had a grande latte with vanilla and Sara had a tall chai with organic milk. They slowly ate the scone and drank their beverages in silence. Sara looked at Nick and smiled. He smiled back at her.
A few moments later, the boarding announcement for their flight had commenced. Nick and Sara cleared off their table. They both knew that after families with small children boarded, first class passengers would be next. When it came their turn to board, they gave the attendant their boarding passes to process and got the stubs as a receipt.
An hour later, their flight was already in the air at a comfortable altitude. Nick and Sara had finished their light breakfast the flight attendant gave them. They had breakfast at Nick's house hours before and they were having another one. They drank some bottled water.
"Nick, what have you planned for us while we are in Dallas?" Sara asked.
"Well, I am going to introduce you to my family," Nick said. "I haven't gotten anything planned at the moment. It all depends upon what my parents and siblings want to do with us. One thing I know is that my birthday is coming up real soon and they will have a party for me. I can assure you that one night, we are going to a karaoke bar."
"Will there be an entire day that we will be alone?" Sara asked.
"Yes, there will be one," Nick smiled. "What we'll do that day will be a surprise!"
"I can't wait," Sara grinned and changed the subject. "Nick, refresh my memory. How many siblings you have?"
"I have five sisters and a brother," Nick said. "I am the baby of the family."
"Could you tell me their names?" Sara asked.
"I will tell you who they are in birth order, from oldest to youngest," Nick said. "They are Kathleen, Thomas, Jr. or Tom, Wendy, Sabrina, Heather and Marissa. All of them are married with kids of their own. My sisters have some sort of radar that goes off when I come home to visit. That is when the want to set up their bachelor brother on some blind date with a pretty young thing they know from work or their circle of friends."
"Well, you got this pretty young thing that they only know from your phone calls," Sara said pointing at herself.
"I know, Sara, I know," Nick said with a small smile.
They were in mid thought about what else to say and they fell asleep with an hour and fifteen minutes left of the flight.
TBC
