Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or characters associated with it, but I've still got that bumper sticker.

Author's Note: It's a bit short, but the next chapter will be longer,I didn't have a whole lot of time today. But hardcore CSI fans make time for their stories, and that's what I'll do! Heehee.


Car Trouble?

Sara had been astonished to see Nick bounding toward her car. She slammed on the brakes and rolled down her window. Sara was even more surprised to learn of his apparent flat tire, she could see the deflated wheel even from her position. Weird. She thought. Guess Nick and I are just having bad luck today. Naturally, she agreed to give Nick a ride, and he gratefully climbed into her car. Sara felt a little thrill of excitement that Nick was sitting so close to her. Their legs were mere inches apart. She drove off with shaky hands. Sara blamed it on the cold weather, but she knew that the person sitting next to her had something to do with it.

Nick was slouched in his seat, debating with himself. His heart and his brain were having a furious argument and Nick was caught in the middle.

"Reveal your newfound romantic feelings!" cried his heart.

"No, it'll scare her off!" countered his brain.

"Ask her out!"

"No! Don't!" Nick was going crazy. He struggled to keep his composure, not knowing that Sara was having her own internal battle. He looks so cute when he's deep in thought. Sara blinked rapidly and almost smacked herself. Wait, what! She thought he was cute? This was certainly a new development. Unconsciously she rattled off her favorite of his attributes. Nice smile, nice muscles, great personality... She moaned inwardly. It sounds like one of those online dating ads! A blush was creeping onto her face. She mustered all her strength and willed her treacherous body to remain calm. She couldn't wait until they got to Nick's house, she needed some distance from him.

After what seemed like hours, they finally arrived at Nick's apartment complex, she almost gasped in relief, but managed to restrain herself. Nick hopped out and flashed Sara a wide grin, waving good-bye as she pealed out of his driveway. Sara was ready to go home, she had a lot of thinking to do.


Meanwhile, Warrick and Catherine were nearly cackling with glee as they drove together to the closest bar. They had to plan the next course of action. Stealing Sara's keys had been relatively simple. Catherine had staged a longish conversation with Sara in the locker room. Warrick, who had been hiding in the shadows, crept up and snatched the keys directly out of Sara's open locker and retreated into a storage closet. Catherine had barely been able to keep a straight face, finally running out of the locker room claiming she was having a coughing fit. Sara had been extremely bewildered and just a bit suspicious. During break, Catherine crept out to the parking lot andunlocked Sara's car. She stuck the keys in the ignition and shut the door,whichlocked with a satisfiying clack. Mission accomplished. Looking very much like a child with their hand caught in the cookie jar, she had glanced around nervously for signs ofSara and ran back into the lab.

Nick's "flat" had been harder to plan. They both knew that Sara would be working with Grissom that day. Thankfully, she would be riding in Grissom's car. Nick however, still needed transportation to his crime scenes. After much discussion, they finally agreed to take a risk. The puncture would be made while Nick was helping Sara with her car. That gave Warrick and Catherine a good five minutes to flatten Nick's front tire. With the help of two very sharp box cutters, and two pairs of eager hands, the plan went off without a hitch. The air whooshed out of the tire while Warrick and Catherine dashed into a clump of nearby trees to observe the results of their handiwork.

Catherine and Warrick strode into the bar, jubilant with their success. They seated themselves and couldn't resist another high five. Catherine was the first to speak.

"My God, that was so perfect!" Warrick laughed and nodded in agreement.

"Good thing Nick had that hanger! I only remembered at the last minute that he wouldn't be able to get into Sara's car either. That would've sucked." Catherine smirked, looking extremely smug.

"Oh, I took care of that! Warrick raised an inquiring eyebrow in surprise.

"You did?"

"Uh, huh. I slipped a wire coat hanger into Nick's suit bag. Switched it with the wooden one. I heard him bragging about how he could open a car door in under one minute with one of those things, so I remembered."

"Aw Cath! Smooth!" Warrick gushed appreciatively.

"Damn straight! How about getting me a beer?" Warrick gave her a mock bow and returned shortly with two bottles of Budweiser. They toasted each other and laughed uproariously.

"Sooooo..." Catherine began, "Now what do we do?" Warrick grinned and leaned over, whispering into her ear. Catherine's eyed widened.

"Oooooo! That's good! Very, very good!" Warrick beamed, but then looked hesitant.

"Well, to pull it off, I think we're gonna need..."


Please review, can't improve if I don't get feedback!