Short update, but I am having some problems with story. A quick note here, this story will have some Nick/Sara in it, as well as Sara/Greg. You've been warned.

Chapter Three: Where to Stand

Nick had an area already set out for her by the time they arrived at his place. She thanked him kindly, easing herself down on the makeshift bed. Nick lingered in the doorway, watching her as she settled in.

"Can I get you anything?" he asked as she leaned her head back against the pillow.

Sara shook her head, bringing a single hand up to her face. "No…I'll be fine. Thanks anyways."

Nick nodded, reaching over to turn the light off. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," he reminded her, closing the door.

Sara watched him go, blinking in the darkness as the dust settled around her. Her head was pounding, and she could feel the blood on her forehead. She ran her fingers over the cut, wincing as she did so.

Somewhere around her she could hear Greg's voice; he was talking quietly. So quietly that Sara missed half of what he had said. It was then she could see the faint beam of a flashlight, dancing around her.

Sitting up, wary of the table over her this time, she scooted over as far as she dared, answering Greg's calls. She felt relieved as the light fell onto her face, and in the faint light she could barely make his frame out as he crawled towards her.

He seemed to be okay; at least he was alive, and moving on his own. Greg came to rest only a few feet away from her, resting against a fallen board, breathing heavily as he shifted, bringing the light back up.

"Are you okay?" he asked, coughing at the same time.

Sara nodded, resting her own hands against the heavy boards that crossed just in front of the table. She could hear the metal above her groan from the added weight; there was no way to tell how long it would hold. One thing for certain, was that they needed to get out of there, and soon.

The lights flickered on then, and Sara blinked, groaning at the sudden brightness. Nick came in to the room, kneeling next to her. Glancing at the clock she could see that it was only eleven in the morning, indicating that she had been sleeping for only a few hours.

"Catherine's called me in, we're backlogged, so I won't be home for a while," he whispered, "Will you be okay here? By yourself, I mean?"

Sara nodded quietly, fighting off a yawn as she closed her eyes again. She sighed as she felt Nick's fingers against her face, brushing her hair away from her eyes. "Your medicine is on the counter, and help yourself to anything you want, if you need something, give me a call."

She opened her eyes a crack, her gaze resting on him. "Why are you whispering?" she wondered dully, unable to help but smile.

Nick shrugged, sitting back on his heels. "I didn't want to wake you I guess," he admitted, laughing softly at the idea.

"Well," she pointed out, "I'm already awake."

"I know," Nick said, leaning forward. He gave her a small kiss on the forehead, hesitating a moment before capturing her lips in his own. Sara returned the kiss, wrapping one arm around his shoulders.

Nick pulled away, moving to kiss her neck, but she pushed him away, shaking her head. "No," she told him, looking up at him. "I can't, this isn't right."

"Sara," he said hesitantly. "I love you…I can't help it."

"It's not right," she muttered quietly. "After everything that's happened…"

Nick nodded in understanding, pulling away completely. He muttered a short goodbye before leaving the room. Sara let out a long sigh, closing her eyes. There was so much going on, so much confusion. She hadn't wanted him to stop; more than anything she wanted to be held, to be loved. Loved as if there was no tomorrow. Which in her case, had almost been.

Was it so wrong to want to be held so close? Sara rolled onto her side, staring doubtfully at the clock, watching as the second hand continued to move around in one large circle. She felt so lost, and ashamed. Greg was in the hospital, and all she could think of was her own needs. How selfish was she?

Burying her head into the pillow, she cried softly, wishing away the pain that was building up inside. There was a time, when she was younger, everyone told her what to do, and what not to do. Now she had to figure everything out on her own, and she was at a complete loss.

He had never felt like more of an idiot. Sara was hurt, vulnerable, and he had used that to move on her. How could he be so inconsiderate? Monstrous was more like it. Still, the feeling he had gotten deep in the pit of his stomach when the call came it had unnerved him.

Was it his fault that he loved her? Several times he had tried to approach her, tried to talk with her. Yet he could never find the right words to say. After the team was split up, he began to see less and less of her. All the while he watched Greg take over his place, watched him become closer to the woman he loved.

One could say that he had resented Greg for that matter. Sure, who didn't like him? Greg had a charm all of his own, he had a knack for making others laugh, for lightening the mood, no matter how dull or dreary. He had seen them work together, they did so well. He had never seen her happier than when she worked with Greg.

Now Greg was I the hospital, classified as serious. There was no say in when he would be out, or where he would be when he did. He had been there with Sara when it had all happened. He had been the one who found them. He had known that there wasn't much time.

TBC…