Sara's Point Of View -

We stayed with Kayla for an hour or so, just talking leisurely and enjoying each other's company. She smiled, and somehow I just knew things were going to be okay for her. She'd get better, and I'd get better too. We were both healing, and there was definitely a broad, open horizon ready for the both of us.

A while later, we were about ready to take off and head home for dinner.

"You guys are leaving tomorrow, huh?" Kayla asked, and I gave her a sad smile.

"Yeah, but at two in the afternoon." Nick said.

"We'll definitely come see you before we leave." I added. Nick squeezed my sides as he stood, and I sat upright from where I had been leaning on him. I smiled as he hugged her. Their close relationship used to make me jealous and sad; thinking back to my own family and brother. But now, I realized, I had a family; several in fact.

"Okay." Kayla said as Nick released her, "I'll look forward to seeing you guys tomorrow." I lent down for a quick hug, and gave Kayla an extra tight squeeze.

"Okay. We'll see you later…" I said, offering her an easygoing smile as I felt Nick take my hand. I squeezed his hand and flicked my eyes to meet his for a second before returning my gaze to Kayla.

"Bye Kay, I love you." Nick said affectionately, and I smiled.

"Sleep well." I managed as Nick turned, pulling me out the door. She mouthed 'you too' and waggled her eyebrows at me. My jaw dropped, and the last thing I heard before the door closed was her giggling.

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Nick's Point Of View -

Fifteen minutes later, Sara and I walked through the garage door. Kicking off our shoes, we walked into the kitchen to the smell of excellently cooked food.

I inhaled deeply, and my stomach growled loudly. Sara laughed, and I shrugged with a sheepish grin.

"Hey you two." My mother walked back into the room. Sara smiled, and walked towards her a little.

"Hi Mrs. Stokes." Sara said, grinning at me, "What did you decide on for dinner?"

"Ah, some classic Texas food, Sara. Nothing beats the grill, so I figured we could have steak and chicken, with some grilled vegetables. Everything's out there searing up now, in fact I was just about to go take the vegetables off." She said, walking towards the cupboards and taking out a plate.

"Here Ma, I can take care of that." Nick said, taking the plate from her and heading out to get them.

"Don't forget to turn the meat!" she yelled, and he nodded before disappearing onto the porch.

I turned back to Mrs. Stokes.

"Let me help set the table." I said, and she smiled.

"Thank you dear, Lord only knows I have enough cooking going on." I grinned and took the plates from the cupboard. I listened to things sizzle and cook as I set the table, sometimes interrupting the serene quiet to ask where things were. I set the glasses, and after pouring Mrs. Stokes some milk upon her request, and getting a Coke for myself, I poked my head out the sliding screen door and called to Nick.

"Hey Nicky!" I called and he turned and smiled at me.

"Yea?" he answered, and I walked out to where he stood. As I reached him, my hand slipped down and cupped his butt for a second, and my lips met his in a tempting, torturous kiss.

"You know," I said, standing very close to him with my fingers splayed across his chest, "I was gonna ask you something, but after seeing that cute ass of yours I can't remember what it was."

He grinned. "Really? Now you know what effect your ass has on me…"

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Nick's Point Of View -

"This is really great Mrs. Stokes!" Sara said after we had finally sat down to eat. Her feet were covering mine, and her toes playing across my feet every now and then were not doing much to assist the straight face I was trying to keep on my face.

"Hey!" I insisted, pretending to be hurt, "Where's my credit? I was the one who cooked everything…"

"Relax Nicholas, she's just putting credit where credit's deserved…" my mother commented, and the two women snickered. I rolled my eyes and simply gave up, knowing there was nothing to be won here.

"Geez Sar, you're eating so slow…You're loosing your edge. Usually you're a human garbage disposal." I teased as I leaned back in my chair with my hands behind my head, careful to keep my feet still under Sara's.

"Well maybe I'm just enjoying it!" she insisted, and I smiled. The fire had returned to her eyes; the roaring flame that lets every human being feel happiness was fully within the grasp of Sara Sidle.

"You're enjoying something? Now you've lost it…" I said, and she frowned at me, trying her best to look mad yet still coming up short.

Meanwhile, my mother was watching all this, and she cleared her throat.

"I can clean up here; why don't you take Sara for a walk Nicky?" she smiled, and from the hint in her voice I knew precisely where my mom thought I should take her. I stood up and stretched, and Sara looked up at me.

"Thanks Mom, that sounds like a great idea. Would you like to go Sara?" I asked, and she smiled at me before turning to my mother.

"I'd love to. Thank you for dinner Mrs. Stokes, everything was excellent."

"Of course dear, you're welcome any time. Now you two go off and have fun; be young while you still can." She said, shooing us off as we laughed. I put on tennis shoes and Sara slipped on a pair of sandals, and we walked out onto the porch.

"Sorry, my mom can be-" I started, but Sara silenced my ranting with a gentle kiss.

"Don't be. It's nice to know your mom cares about you so much." She whispered, and although I could hear the slight amount of regret she felt for her relationship with her own mother, I knew she meant what she said.

My forehead touched hers, and I looked into her eyes.

"Ready?" I asked quietly, and she grinned and nodded a little. I kissed her quickly on the lips before backing away and gently slipping my hand around hers.

"Then off we go."

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Sara and I walked through the woods, up an old stone and dirt path that my siblings and I had each walked many times. Sara and I stopped many times for a quick kiss as we continued our ascent.

"Nicky, where are we going?" she asked, and I smiled and squeezed her hand.

"Someplace beautiful, someplace amazing. You'll love it, don't worry." I assured her, and she smiled.

"Okay…" she whispered, her voice trailing off as we fell into silence. We were fast approaching our destination, and it was a good thing I realized it. Sara was concentrating so hard on the path ahead of her, and seemed so lost in thought that she would've walked right on through.

"Hold on babe, we're here." I said, tugging gently on her hand.

Sara took a look around, and an awe-struck gasp overtook her features. She took a step back, right into me.

"Oh my God Nick…" she managed to whisper.

We were standing on a cliff, overlooking the river valley our ranch was near. An opening in the trees allowed us to see out as far as we wanted without getting too close to the edge, so when I was a kid we had hung a hammock up back here; it now swung lazily in the wind. I wrapped my arms around Sara from behind, and she grasped my forearms as her head rested on my shoulder.

"This is gorgeous…" she sighed, and I nodded.

"It's even more gorgeous from the hammock." I whispered lovingly in her ear, and I could feel her breath catch in her chest. Apparently she hadn't seen the hammock before, and I didn't know what she was thinking about lying in it with me.

"Nick, I…" she began as she turned in my arms, and I could see that fear and uncertainty pass through her eyes once again.

"Do you trust me?" I ask as our eyes locked, and she nodded as she answered.

"Of course."

"Then please, trust me right now." I asked, and she nodded, wrapping her arms around my neck and holding me close. I buried my face in her sweet smelling hair and kissed the tender spot behind her ear.

"Sara?" I called out gently.

"Hmm?"

"I love you." I told her, holding her closer. She kissed my neck gently, and I knew she understood how truly deep those feelings ran. I was shocked at my realizations over the past few days. I had never fully understood how pure love really was, but I knew now. I hadn't even experienced physical love with this woman, and yet I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I would give my life for her in a heartbeat, and suddenly, it occurred to me I couldn't picture a life without her. That's why I smiled when I heard what she had to say next.

"I love you too."

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Okay, I know this was a little short, but somehow, I decided this was a great ending for this chapter.

And a side note about chapters - don't count on too too many more. Probably not exceeding seventeen.

I know exactly where I want to go with at least the next chapter and a little of sixteen, so count on an update in the next two or three weeks. I've got a play going on right now, so it's been pretty hectic.

Well, that's about all, tell me your thoughts/where you think this should go/whatever else.

OH, be sure to include your answer to the following question –

Q – On the TV show, do you think the recent closeness of Sara and Grissom and the fact that Sara has spilled everything to Grissom indicate the fact that she's way into him, or the fact that she's finally over him, ready to move on, and just looking to rebuild that friendship?

So is there friction, or friendship?

Will it sink or float?

Only time will tell, and please don't include any spoilers if you know the outcome. I'm much obliged.

Love From

The Incessantly Notorious Cat