Author's Note –

Hey sorry for that long wait.

If you had forgotten where we were, let me remind you….

Nick and Sara had eaten dinner and taken a hike up the hill side to this awesomely beautiful little place where the view was amazing. Nick asks Sara to lie down on the hammock with him, and she gets a little 'iffy'. He reassures her and tells her he loves her. She hasn't answered yet, and the chapter ends.

So that's where we are! I hope you enjoy!

Nick held me tight, and I felt emotion well deep inside me. I loved him so much, so incredibly much that I felt…overpowered. I couldn't think straight when I tried to sort it out in my head; there was no solution, no correct measure of what I felt. Words weren't doing a great job of explaining it either. I don't know how I understood it, I just did.

For a moment, I held onto him firmly, and then I pulled away. Our eyes locked as his hand brushed stray hair out of my face, and I was overcome with a feeling of peace. The love and need I saw reflected in Nick's eyes were assuring me that I was right, that this was right. I took Nick's hand and a sly smile crept up onto my face.

"Now about that hammock…" I inquired deviously, and a grin spread across his face. I led him over to it, and sat down, and he sat beside me. We both lay back, our legs hanging off as we lay sideways. Nick took my hand again, and I grinned.

"You want to get all the way on?" he asked me gently, and he allowed no trace of pressure into his voice. I nodded.

"Swing your legs around that way." He instructed, and I did what he told me. I picked up my head and lent back on my elbows in order to scoot up, and then set my head back down on…Nick's arm. Nick had wrapped his arm around me without me even knowing, and he was now caressing my arm gently. I leaned fully back on him, settling on his arm and letting our eyes connect. I turned my body toward his and put my head on his shoulder. He shifted to a more comfortable position and wrapped his arm around me, letting his hand rest on my hip.

I blushed and smiled shyly at our closeness; I could feel his breath on my cheek as I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes. I hugged him close, and let one arm cascade down is torso until my hand slipped up the front of his t-shirt. He half groaned, half cleared his throat as my fingers traced every rut and grove and trailed across the bare skin of his chest, and I giggled.

"You have no idea what you do to me Sidle." Was all he said and I curled closer to him, wanting to feel as if I was a part of him.

"I'd say I have a fair idea." I said, my eyes still closed and my lips formed into a smile. I could tell his eyes were closed too, and shivered when I felt his hand caress my side. His thumb even ventured to caress my breast; not in full, but pleasure still coursed through my body.

"Are you cold?" he asked, in reference to my shiver.

"Mmm mmm, I'm just the opposite…" I replied, not feeling like mustering the energy it required to form complete sentences. Nick just chuckled, and I sighed in contentment as I listened to his heart beat and his lungs fill and empty with air. We remained silent for a few minutes, just enjoying the sensuous feelings that were flying through our systems, leaving us in a dazed state.

"Hey Sara?" he called out, and I answered with a simple,

"Hmm?"

"I uhh…ummm…I jut wanted to say…." He tried, and I brought my hand gliding up his chest, propping myself up with it as I stared into his eyes. His hand stroked the small of my back lightly, and his eyes filled with that gentle, kindhearted glow.

His other hand came up to caress my face, his thumb sensuously tracing my cheek. I stared deep into his eyes, letting Nick surround my thoughts and engulf my senses.

"What Nick?" I asked gently, and he breathed in slowly before speaking.

"I just need you to know that I love you." He took a deep breath before continuing, "I mean, I know that everything must have been tough for you to decide to come on this trip, given the circumstances, and….well…thank you for coming. You've created something new in me, something I can't quite explain…I just know I've never been so happy in my life."

I smiled and blinked back a tear as he stroked my hair.

"And I know it's because of you, Sara."

Nick kissed the top of my head and I snuggled into his neck. I shook for a moment, overcome with emotion.

"Nicky…" I whispered, my hand caressing the other side of his neck as I remained nestled in to him.

"I feel the same way."

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Nick's Point Of View -

About an hour later, after the sun had set and the evening light was all that remained, I whispered to Sara.

"We better get going babe." I murmured into her ear, rousing her from a light sleep.

"Mmmm..." She groaned in protest, and I chuckled.

"C'mon, before I tip you."

She plopped herself on my chest, lent her head against her arm. I caught her eye and smiled, and she smiled shyly back before leaning in for a kiss.

I grinned and slid my hands up her sides, holding her firmly above me. Our proximity was making my mind race with thoughts I shouldn't be thinking, and I cut off the kiss.

Sara looked down at me with her head tilted, confused, and I smiled sheepishly.

"I uh….well, lets just say I wanted to be able to walk home fairly comfortably." She giggled at this, and slid slowly off the hammock. I followed, walking to where she now stood.

"Ready?" I whispered, and she nodded. She reached for my hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze when she found it. I smiled to myself and kissed the side of her head before setting off towards home.

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"Ah!" Sara moaned quietly for the fifth time as we made our descent down the hill.

"Sara Sidle what is it?" I asked, getting annoyed since she wouldn't tell me the first four times I asked her.

"Oh it's nothing, I just….these sandals are giving me huge blisters…" she complained, putting a hand on my shoulder to steady herself as she felt her feet in the near darkness.

I thought for a minute, wondering whether or not to propose the idea, but in the end, I just asked, "Would you like a ride?"

Sara snickered, replying, "What type of ride we talking here, cowboy?"

"Well, for your information, I was only offering a piggyback ride; I don't come on to women that obviously." I replied tartly. Sara blushed red at my suggestion, but slid her hands onto my shoulders as if to get onto my back and squeezed them.

"I know, I was just teasing." She said.

"Well, would you like one?" I whispered huskily, my hands coming to cup her butt from behind, "'Cause the offer still stands…"

Sara shrieked as my hands made contact, and jumped up onto my back. My hands slid under her knees, and I could feel her arms wrap around my neck. With everything situated, I set off.

As I walked along with Sara on my back, I wondered if she had any idea how much I was enjoying this. I could feel her warm breath swirl into my ear, her arms wrap firmly around my neck, her head on my shoulder, and no doubt the feel of her pressed tightly against me were all adding to the contentment and pleasure I was feeling right now.

Once we reached home, I walked up the hill to the stairs before dropping her to the ground. She laughed, embarrassed as she stood in front of me, and I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into a firm hug.

"Thanks Nick…" she murmured into my shoulder, "for everything you did today…and everything you said…it means so much to me."

I nodded, still trying to let the pleasurable haze she constantly puts over me fade.

Finally, she took a step back, holding my hand firmly. I touched my lips to hers, and she responded. As the kiss broke and we walked up the stairs, I whispered quietly, "To my room?"

Sara's breath caught in her throat, and I could see her face instantly register with shock. "Nick I…I-"

"You can't decide how long we should sleep tonight because we have to get up, catch our flight, and still see Kayla? I was having the same problem, but I know if we get a lot of rest tonight, that we'll be okay." I reassured her, not wanting to directly approach the idea, but needing her to know that she was thinking the total wrong thing.

"Umm…yeah, yeah that was the problem." She grinned, squeezing my hand.

"I'll see you in a minute." she asked as we reached our rooms, and I nodded. I tightened my grip on her hand a second before I let go, turning into my room with a smile pasted on my face.

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Sara's Point Of View -

Have I mentioned lately that that man amazes me? I couldn't imagine that I would ever be with someone this incredible, not even in my dreams. Yet here he was…

I walked over to my suit case and picked out a loose fitting tee shirt and a pair of women's boxers. I slid out of my pants and put on the boxers, rolling my eyes with a grin as I rolled them several times. I took off my shirt and my hands went to remove my bra when…I stopped. It wasn't that I didn't trust Nick, and I knew things weren't going that far tonight, but I guess it would make me feel more comfortable if I kept it on. Well, not really comfortable…the bra was a little itchy, but I paid it no mind and slipped my fresh tee shirt over my head.

I walked over and looked in the mirror. Ugh, I sighed as I wiped off the remnants of my make-up with a damp cloth. I took one last look at myself, drew a deep breath, and walked over to Nick's room.

I knocked softly on his door and entered when he called out to me.

"You don't have to knock you know, you could just come right in." he teased after I had made my way over to him.

I blushed, getting embarrassed. "I didn't want to catch you at a bad moment or anything…" I said as I felt my cheeks get red.

"That's just what I was counting on…" he groaned as he came up and wrapped his arms around my waist. I leaned in for a kiss, and he responded fervently. He moaned as my hand skimmed along the waistband of his boxers, and I grinned.

"Sara…careful…" he moaned huskily between kisses, and I understood his warning. I slowly let the kiss fade; looking up at him slyly after the kiss was through.

"Damn…Sara you just…set me on fire…I…I don't know what to say…" he managed hoarsely, and I knew he spoke the truth; I could see the fire ablaze in his eyes. I smiled broadly before nestling myself in the crook of his neck.

"I say we go to bed." I responded, and realized the way those words sounded a minute after they left my mouth.

"Oh really, well why didn't you-" he started to say, and I could hear the evident teasing in his voice.

"To sleep Nick Stokes!" I insisted, pretending to grow angry. He laughed as he turned off the overhead light, flipping on a bedside lamp.

"I know, I know…" he chuckled, trailing a hand to the small of my back as I led the way towards the bed. I picked up the covers as I crawled on top, Nick right behind me. I slipped under as he did, and we both curled up to one another. I sighed in contentment and as Nick's hands slipped under the back of my shirt to caress bare skin, I felt sleep slowly making its way towards me.

"Sara?" Nick asked suddenly; quietly, but suddenly.

"Hmm?" I answered, and one of his hands came to the back of my bra and began to trace the outline of it.

"What is this?" he asked, and I almost laughed at the question.

"It's a bra."

He laughed and shook his head. "Why is it still on?"

I was confused by his question, and took it as a come on. "Uh…Nick…"

Again, he was laughing, and I started getting frustrated. "No…Sara, I meant, I didn't think they're usually worn to bed. Must be uncomfortable, eh? I'm just wondering why you didn't…well there's no unawkward way to say this…why didn't you take it off?"

I frowned and hugged him closer. I didn't know the proper way to go about explaining it…it all made sense in my head, but I felt that when I tried to explain it to Nick that it would come out as offensive and hurtful.

"Well…I umm…Nick I don't want you to be mad or anything but…I don't know I just thought I'd be more at ease with the situation, more relaxed. Even if I had a shirt on, I would feel really exposed and almost naked if I didn't have a bra on in front of someone. It makes me self conscious…" I tried to put it into words. Nick nodded his head in understanding, and I smiled, relieved he wasn't mad.

"So was I right? Is it uncomfortable?" he whispered into my ear.

"To tell you the truth, it's pretty itchy, a little painful. It strains my ribs…" I complain quietly, not wanting to sound like a baby.

"Sara," he said in a dead whisper; I could feel his warm breath against my ear as he spoke, "I want you to know you can trust me. I won't take advantage of it or you in any way, or peek or…or any thing you wouldn't like. And I definitely not take your shirt off." This evoked a giggle from me.

"I just want you to be more comfortable. I love you, and I would never put us in jeopardy like that over something so stupid and uncalled for." He finishes, and I know he's being completely sincere. I squeeze my arms around his neck and speak softly.

"Oh Nick I love you too…I don't know what I was thinking; I must not have been…"

"Would you like to take it off?" he asks gently, allowing no hint of pressure into his tone of voice.

"Yeah." I answered, and moved my hands up to unclasp it, but I felt Nick's hands come and cover my own.

"Can I?"

I meet his eye and stare deep into the pure love, affection, and adoration I know lies there. He smiles at me when I nod my head, and slowly, ever so tenderly, his hands start to slide up my back. I feel them reach the back of my bra, find the clasp, and undo it. Gingerly, each hand takes a clasp and pulls toward him. His hands came up to slide the straps off my shoulders and I slipped my arms out. I suck in a breath as he takes hold of it and tosses it to the floor at the foot of the bed.

Now, slowly, his head begins to move downward. I watch as he dips down to nuzzle my breasts through the fabric of my tee shirt. I gasp in delight, pleasure coursing through my system at this simple, yet electrifying gesture. His hands move from the sides under my arms to my chest, and I can't suppress the guttural groan that escapes my throat as each hands come to fully cup my breasts over the shirt. I let my hands rest on his head, willing his face back to where he can touch the burning hot points that are my nipples. He kisses each one and rubs his cheek against it before finally coming up to meet me once again. I crushed my body to his, letting him feel the growing firmness of those centers and coming to understand his growing arousal. I could feel his nipples, rigid and firm, and the hardness of an erection growing beneath me. I trailed my pert breasts across his chest and let the two centers touch, as I placed my nipples directly on top of his. His hands slid up my shirt and took my hot mounds into his hands, massaging and rolling them with his fingers.

Nick groaned loudly against my lips as he felt my hand slide south. The white hot heat he was sending coursing through me was making me daring and I continued on my quest. I reached the waistband of his pants, and he ardently assaulted my mouth, letting our tongues dance wildly together. Deciding not to go in there yet, I bypassed the waistband and crept slowly towards my destination. Nick whimpered; I could feel him throbbing hard beneath me and I knew he would explode any minute.

Finally, the palm of my hand touched his tip. He sucked in a breath and I smiled against his lips; the anticipation was killing him too. My fingers slid down his shaft, and such a hoarse, throaty, guttural moan emitted from him as I have never heard. Finally, I cupped him in full, letting two fingers cascade down and dip onto the rest of him as my thumb and palm wrapped gently around the bulge. I squeezed tenderly, careful not to overdo it despite the adrenaline and estrogen flying through me.

"Sara!" he screamed in a stifled yell, and I planted my lips on his to silence him. He kissed hungrily, passionately, full of want and need. I squeezed again, and he ripped his lips from mine to groan in pleasure. I stroked him gently, squeezing softly to ease the built up testosterone. He rolled over so he was on top of me and started to slip down my shorts.

"Nick…" I moaned into his ear, and he paused, but didn't remove his hands.

"Please Sara…let me take you…I need you…" he begged, starting to kiss my neck.

"No…I…I can't…I…" I tried, not understanding myself or what was happening.

"Yes…you can…Sara please…c'mon…" he growled, and I was taken aback. I was starting to get scared, and I tried to push him off me so that I could roll on top of him, but he refused to budge. I grunted as I pushed again, but he pushed back, and easily overpowered me.

"Nick, you're scaring me!" I yelled, and instantly, he snapped back into reality. There was an instant appearance of sorrow in his eyes; he knew he had screwed up, and big time. I tried to avoid his eye as I spoke

"Nick…please…I'm sorry…please get off me…" I whimpered, tears welling up in my eyes. Nick did as I asked, and rolled over. I climbed up over him and off the bed, tears falling silently from my eyes as I headed for the door.

"Sara…?" he called out softly and I turned to look at him. Instantly I knew that expression would be forever engrained in my memory. His lips were parted as his mouth hung open, the shock of what he'd just done finally registering. His brow furrowed but tilted upward, relaying the sadness and little hope for forgiveness he felt. His eyes had turned a misty grey and were something I'd never seen before…dead. No sign of emotion, like he didn't care about anything in the world except for the sin he had sinned against me, and it left him dead inside.

Before giving him a chance, I turned and walked out of the room.

Authors Note –

Hey, well, I hope you liked this. I know it was long in coming, but hey, I can't help it. 'Sides, makes you want it more…

I don't know if you thought the whole bra thing was cheesy, but I don't really care. If you do, that's alright. Besides, bet you don't mind what it led up to, eh? -

I know, I know, I went into a problem/bad thing between everyone's favorite N..S. Sorry, I bet you all are so sick of reading about bad things and just want stuff to go right!

Oh well….that sucks! Lol…

Also, sorry if Nick sort of came off as tricky/cunning just to 'get some' in this chapter. As I read over it, I realized it sort of sounds like that and I didn't want that at all. After he makes the speech to Sara about how he won't do anything if he takes her bra off so she says yes then he immediately initiates that whole mess…what can he say, he's a guy. He has to have some faults…

Update should be coming soon.

The Notorious-For-Making-Finally-Perfect-Love-Situations-Go-Wrong-…-AGAIN Cat