Always Here

Alternate ending for 'Primum Non Nocere'.

Summary: Warrick resists the urge, thanks to a friend. Implied WarrickSara.

A.N.: This story is dedicated to lemonjelly, Megara1, csi-ds9, Saz3 and MissyJane - basically those who read 'Love Only Grows' and were so kind).

((This is short because it's just a different version of the ending to 'Primum Non Nocere'. I do have a post-ep fiction story in my head, which I will be writing whilst I watch E.R. tonight, but it's a NickWarrick story, so…without much further ado…Always Here.))

Takes place after Warrick walks away from Lillie.

Warrick stood outside the Monaco Casino, debating whether to walk away or give in to the aching need in the pit of his stomach.

It had been over a year since his last bit, and the last time had been a minor slip-up. But Grams had got him through it. She'd forced him to move in until the niggling in the back of his head had gone and even now, after a year, she watched him like a hawk.

Several women eyed him up as they walked by him, but he wasn't interested, not right now, especially not right now.

Warrick knew he wasn't going to go in; he'd promised Grams, Grissom, Catherine and, more importantly, himself that he'd never go down that road again.

But Warrick couldn't tear himself away from that spot. The bright lights, casino noises, hordes of people entering and leaving the casino; it was all so enticing, so moving; he was dazzled. But he knew of one person who could tear him away; who could help him forget the last week by only being in the same room as him, which is why he reached for his cell phone and dialled the number from memory. He'd phoned the same number so many times over the past year that it was burned in the front of his eyes.

Numerous rings later, the phone was picked up.

"Hey," Warrick greeted softly, "Did I wake you? ...I'm sorry sweetie …Nick told you, huh? ...yeah, it's been a tough few days …" something in his voice must have given him away because he was immediately invited over "…Are you sure baby? …Okay, I'll see you in ten minutes."

Warrick hung up the cell phone and turned his back on the casino. He took a steady step forward and looked back over his shoulder, before walking away completely.

.-.-.-.

Warrick walked up a driveway and tried to stifle a yawn as he got to the door. He didn't have to knock before the door was opened.

"I'm sorry about this. I didn't know who else to call," Warrick explained, messing with the keys in his hand.

"It's okay. I'm glad you did. I was starting to worry when Nick said you'd disappeared after shift." She stepped aside to let Warrick in.

He stood to the side as the door was shut behind him. She stood in front of him, looking up at him with adoration in her eyes.

Warrick didn't resist the urge to kiss her forehead and hug her to him, and she didn't push him away when he did; she just held onto him tightly.

"Thank you Sara," Warrick said, kissing the top of her head.

"Anytime Warrick," Sara replied, looking straight at him unblinkingly. "Anytime."

end - sequel to 'Love Only Grows' has been started. :D