Note: Thanks to everyone who has graciously read and review this story. I appreciate it and I hope this chapter lives up to all expectations. Enjoy:)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything relating to CSI or it's affiliates. I am merely a fan whose would like to take already established characters into a story of my own rendering.

Releases

Chapter 2

OK, so this is going to be interesting. Sara thought as she made her way towards Nicks apartment after the end of her shift. Because of her current case, she had been tempted to just call and postpone her meeting with him but unfortunately the inquisitive nature of her being got the better of her and she decided to obey the overtime rules for once and left right at clock-out time.

She eased her Denali into the visitor's parking lot at Nick apartment complex as she had done many times before. Only she had never felt nervous then. It was always pizza and video games with the guys or files and crime photos.

Today it was just Sara and Nick.

Nick and Sara.

Alone.

Together.

With nothing or no one from work with them.

Interesting.

A small smile crept on her face as she got out of the large SUV and made her way up the stairs that led to Nick's apartment. Regaining her composure, Sara stopped at Nick's door and took a deep breath. This is just Nick. Not Grissom. It's always been easier to be near Nick. He was her best friend. Nothing more. He was helping her as a friend.

Knock knock.

After waiting what couldn't have been any more than three seconds, Nick quickly appeared at the door, dressed in a form-fitting black t-shirt and blue jeans. His tightly shaved head was slightly wet and he smelled of soap.

Sara turned a slight shade of red after thinking of Nick Stokes in a shower. "I didn't interrupt you, did I?" Was all she was able to get out, trying unsuccessfully to sound normal.

Nick just smiled. He couldn't help but enjoy the sight of Sara Sidle standing at his front door in a v-neck purple t-shirt and tight-fitting blue jeans. Her hair was pulled back in a loose ponytail that allowed for little ringlets of hair to fall around her face. He was glad she decided not to work overtime. She was beautiful to look so tired.

Nick gestured her inside, "Naw, you didn't interrupt. I overslept." He watched as Sara sat on his couch and noticed a few grocery bags on the counter in the kitchen. He noticed her gaze and his smile became brighter. "I really didn't think you were going to come over so I might not have bought enough."

"Enough of what?" Sara asked, dying to know what was in the paper bags. So much so that she got up off the couch and made her way towards them.

Nick beat her there. He continued, "Enough ingredients to make lasagna."

Sara stared at Nick in disbelief. He wanted to teach her to cook. Did he know how to cook? He'd never cooked before. It was always take out. She couldn't cook. Was there any meat in the bags. She was a vegetarian now. Nick knew that. But would he want to teach her with meat.

Nick watched her confused face for a moment. This is going to be perfect. Let Operation: Sara begin. "Before you run out of the house, let me explain. I remember a few years back you had a case about a woman who always ordered take out and shopped from catalogs and ended up dead with not much to show for it. Well, I noticed you started to get out more, but all you ever bring to work for your lunch is a sandwich or a salad, which tells me you may have gone back to your take out ways. So I'm going to help you learn to cook. It'll get you where you want to be and cooking can be a perfect release.

Sara's confused face turned quizzical. "Since when did you learn to cook?"

"Since my mamma taught me when I was a kid."

"I've never seen you cook when I've been here before."

"It's hard to cook for everyone when lots of people are here. Too many different tastes. When it's been just you and me, we were more focused on the case rather than food. Besides, it's hard to cook for a veggie lover when you're a meat lover!" His last statement got him a jab on the shoulder.

Sara was still concerned. "So are we having meat lasagna?"

Nick's smile broaden. "Well, normally that's what I cook. You've probably smelled it in the break room before. It's a good next day meal." Suddenly his smile, which Sara was unsure could get any bigger, softened. "But tonight, I bought everything to make a veggie lasagna. I just didn't buy too many veggies because, again, I didn't think you were really going to come over."

Sara turned her gaze from Nick to the contents of the two grocery bags. Inside were plenty of vegetables. Even enough to make a salad as a side dish. Including her favorite salad dressing. It was obvious Nick had put some thought into what to buy.

She looked back at her coworker with a devilish gleam in her eyes, "So, Chef Nicholas, where do we start?"

"By unpacking the groceries for starters. Then we'll sort everything out and get started.

An hour and a half later, Sara had made her first homemade veggie lasagna with a side salad and garlic bread. The small table Nick owned was set with two plated and had just enough room for all the dished to fit between them.

After filling their plates, Nick allowed Sara to take the first bite. "After all, it's your creation."

"You told me what to do." Sara replied, her face embarrassed and her tone modest.

Nick was just purely happy. "Ah but that the thing about cooking. Anyone can follow a recipe and have a decent meal. But a cook can follow a recipe and make it their own.

Deciding it was now or never, Sara cut a small portion of the lasagna off of her plate and heaved the fork into her mouth so quickly that Nick was sure she'd swallowed it. After a few cycles of chewing, Sara swallowed the processed food and smiled. "Wow! It's good! It's really good!"

Taking a bite himself, Nick had to admit, for a lasagna that didn't have any meat in it, it was really good. Both pleased with the food before them, they ate in a happy silence for a while, enjoying the food and reflecting on the fun they'd had preparing it.

After Nick finished what was on his plate, he decided to get some a second helping. Sara looked up from her nearly finished food and was happy to see him going for seconds.

Until doubt crossed her mind, "You're not just doing that because I cooked it are you?" The hopefulness in her voice made Nick feel very powerful. If it was bad, he had the power to tell her no, it was a delicious meal. But since the food was already delicious, he had the power to take the meal a step further.

Not tonight.

Nick merely responded while paying attention to the food he was scooping into his plate, "To be honest, the sauce is better than my mom makes. Or me." He looked up and met Sara's eyes in a serious gaze and Sara suddenly felt very calm and humble.

"I didn't do anything different." She said, looking at her food again in order to finish what was on her plate.

Nick continued to look at her as he ate some more, "You must have." He said between bites, "Because it really is better. But that's what I'm talking about. Taking a recipe and making it your own. That's what you did. You cook a perfect meal and you had fun doing it. Do you feel released from the burden our job puts on us yet?"

Sara had to admit that she felt better. But not released. "I feel better. I really do. But it's just one meal. I don't think that one meal is going to be my release."

"That's OK. It's a start. Next week, we'll try something different. Maybe even get a little meat in your diet again."

"I don't think so."

"We'll see."

After dinner, Nick proudly continued to show his domestic side by hand washing the dishes while Sara put the leftovers in Tupperware that Nick had also bought. After everything was put away and the kitchen and table were both clean, Nick showed Sara back into the living room and allowed her to pick out a movie.

James Bond. Live and Let Die. A classic.

"OK, so I know he's sexy and all but I watch James Bond for the action." Nick replied to a comment from Sara regarding how Roger Moore was the best James Bond in regards to acting, but Sean Connery was the best in regards to looks.

"OK, so maybe guys don't care, but you have to admit, the good-looking people. Both men and women. The sex is steamy and the action is intense. It's a perfect date movie. Oh!" Sara wished she hadn't said that last comment. Nick was staring at her.

Time for damage control. "So I guess that's what you watch with all your boyfriends?" Nick smiled. Operation: Sara might be a success. But one step at a time. Tonight was cooking only.

Sara relaxed slightly. Hopefully that last comment got past him. "No, I was purely making an observation." She looked at her watch. It was getting late. "Another observation would be that I have to work tonight and I haven't gotten any sleep."

Nick looked at his watch too, "I thought you had the night off?"

"I did, but Grissom called while you were in the bathroom and asked me if I could come in tonight. Apparently, there's been a break in my case and I'm needed."

"Oh. Well, you should have said something. You need sleep."

"I'll get at least four good hours. Besides, I was having fun. That doesn't happen much for me."

Operation: Sara, Phase: One was a success. "Well, I'm glad. Perhaps this is what you need."

Sara gathered up her things and Nick gave her the Tupperware filled with leftovers so she could have a quality dinner tonight. A quick hug and a kiss on the cheek and Sara was out the door leaving Nick both happy and disappointed. He had hoped for a little more time and perhaps another lesson. He'd chosen today because they both were off.

He'd make sure they'd both be off next week too. Phase: Two was about to begin.

Sara walked to her SUV in a happy silence. She couldn't believe she'd had so much fun cooking with Nick. Was it cooking or spending time with Nick that was really the source of her fun though?

Cooking. It has to be cooking. I'm not ready for anything else. Grissom's wounded me and it's deep. Besides, Nicky's just helping a friend.

But the looks, the touches. She and Nick had always flirted. Since day one. But tonight seemed so intimate. It had to be because no one else was around. It's easy to think simple flirting can be perceived as more when you're alone with the person you flirt with. Especially in their own home.

But it was just a part of the evening. Part of helping Sara feel at ease. Part of her release. Nothing more. Nick was just helping her get a life outside of work. Not a date with him.

Pulling up to her apartment, she allowed herself to be nothing more than grateful for a good dinner.

For now.