Disclaimer: I do not own CSI or characters associated with CSI. Wish I did though...

Author's Note: Hehe, so how about that last chapter huh? A new coupling perhaps? Warrick/Greg? Just kidding. Ok, so chapter 5, enjoy.


Sara shuffled to the kitchen in her fuzzy yellow slippers, hand still encircled by Nick's.

"What should I do?" She asked eagerly. Sara very rarely cooked, and preparing a meal with Nick seemed liked a very novel and fun idea.

"Well, I was thinking we'd have a salad, so you can cut up those tomatoes, and the head of lettuce, and I'll fry up the salmon." Nick finished, donning a frilly floral apron. Sara almost dropped the knife she was holding. She clutched at her stomach and chortled.

"Nice apron."

"My mom sent it, she knows I love to cook."

"Isn't it a little...pink?"

"I'm comfortable in my masculinity, and it's kinda sexy, don't you think?" He raised an eyebrow and clenched his biceps. Sara laughed even harder at their flirtatious banter. She reached out and tugged on a piece of lace.

"Yeah, real sexy..." They both smirked and returned to their tasks. Sara finished chopping in record time and turned to where Nick was positioned in front of the stove. He was expertly poking and flipping the tender fish steaks. She stepped next to him and asked eagerly, "Can I try it?" Nick flashed her a wide accomodating smile. He finished frying up the first steak and dropped it onto a plate.

"Here, you can do the next one." He went into a cupboard and drew out another apron for her. It was a bright orange and boasted the words "Kiss The Cook" Sara laughed when she saw it and good naturedly slipped it on. She approached the stove and waited for Nick's instructions.

"Ok Sara. First, pour in a bit of olive oil...yeah...that's enough, just right."

"Now I put in the fish right?"

"Yup, just slide it on the pan, don't drop it, or the oil's gonna fly everywhere."

"Ok."

"So now we wait a bit, until the bottom's crispy. Then we'll flip it."

"Alright." They waited in companionable silence, Sara occasionally prodding the fish with her spatula. Nick spoke up after about three minutes.

"Ok, now you can flip it."

"Uh...I think you can do this part Nicky."

"Naw, hold on, I'll help you a bit." He reached our and rested his hand on top of Sara's. Unconsciously, his body rested up against her backside. In almost a whisper, he told her to slide the spatula under very gently, and just tilt it so it turns over... He guided her with a gentle hand. Sara was hardly listening, she could feel Nick pressed up against her, and her face was suddenly getting very hot. She was thankful that the stove was there, that way she had a excuse as to why she was blushing so damn hard. His hand still grasped hers, even though the fish had been perfectly flipped. She turned around and faced him.

"Well, that wasn't so bad." Her voice was a tad husky. Nick braced his left hand against the counter top, his other had come to rest at the small of Sara's back. They were both a little out of breath, and it certainly wasn't from the cooking. Nick looked down at her and remarked,

"See what your apron says?" He smiled and pulled her a bit closer.

"Kiss The Cook...hmmm, sounds like an order to me. How are you at following orders Mr. Stokes?" Sara had let go of her inhibitions and welcomed her heart taking command. She gave herself over to the flirting and was ready to see where it all went. Plus, she really wanted Nick to kiss her.

"Pretty good." He murmured as he leaned in. Nick gazed at Sara's face; a little flushed, eyes shiny, lips so soft, and very, very close...

"Whoa! Fish on fire!" Sara shrieked. Nick's head snapped up.

"Huh?" Nick asked, releasing Sara.

"The fish is on fire!" Sara repeated with a frantic gesture to the salmon, which indeed, was on fire. Flames licked the surface of the now blackened salmon and scorched the edge of the cupboards.

"Crap." Nick mumbled, and grabbed a large metal pot lid. He slammed it on top of the frying pan, and the flames extinguished. However, their "moment" had also been effectively extinguished.

Sara looked a little sheepish, and moved away from Nick. The moment she stepped away, she missed his body heat. That was moving a bit fast. Her heart had already retreated into the innner recesses of her body, and her brain had regained control. Sara really wasn't sure anymore if she could handle a full blown relationship with Nick, of all people. Her friend and partner. It would be really awkward at work. Her brain reminded her. Insecurities flooded her mind. Why would he want me? I'm a workaholic, I'm not monumentally attractive, I have a bad temper, I have a bad past... Her self deprecating reverie was interrupted when Nick waved a hand in front of her face.

"Hello? Sara? You in there?" He teased. Sara shoved her ugly thoughts from her head and managed a smile. She reached for the plates and silverware and walked to the table.

"I'll set the table." She declared. Nick had been a little hurt by her sudden distance from him, but he reminded himself; not too fast with Sara, have to make sure she's comfortable. He strode to the fridge and pulled out another salmon steak.

"I'll fry this one up, it'll just take me a sec." Sara flashed him a weak grin and returned to her thoughts. Where are we going to go with this?


Warrick and Greg had refused to speak to each on the entire ride to the diner. Catherine was gushing about the success of their plan and hardly even noticed how they avoided each other's gaze. Both were still flushed a delicate pink. When they finally pulled into the parking lot of the diner, Warrick and Greg popped out of the car and stood far apart, waiting for Catherine. She eyed them shrewdly and remarked,

"You both are definitely idiots for locking yourself in that closet, but you have to admit, it was REALLY funny!" Greg scowled.

"Easy for you to say, you didn't get caught "having intimate relations" with Warrick by the janitor! I'm scarred for life!"

"What about me?" growled Warrick. "That was the most humiliating that has EVER happened to me." Catherine rolled her eyes.

"Get over it boys, we have more important things to dwell on." Warrick and Greg eyed each other warily, and then nodded to Catherine.

"Fine." said Greg, "But for the next plan, I'm either working solo, or with Cath." Warrick grinned.

"Amen."


Catherine threw her arms around the two disgruntled CSIs and walked into the diner. They sat down in a comfy booth and each ordered coffee; excitement and anticipation of events to come had dulled their appetites. Greg, completely over the episode with Warrick rubbed his hands excitedly.

"Now what?" He leaned in, staring at Warrick and Catherine expectantly. Catherine smirked.

"Well, Warrick came up with the first two steps of the plan, so now it's definitely my turn. And I've got the perfect idea." Greg was intrigued, feeling a bit mischievous he asked innocently,

"Does it involve Sara taking her clothes off?" Greg drew his hands to his face in defense as Warrick shook his fist at him. Catherine was laughing hard. Man, these two are a riot! Warrick glowered at him and turned to Catherine, curiosity overriding the urge to hit Greg. Catherine leaned forward.

"Ok, so the next part of the plan involves some investigative work from you two. I need you two to ask, subtly" she stared pointedly at Greg "How their relationship is progressing." Greg and Warrick nodded, motioning her to continue.

"I'm not really worried about Nick, he is totally hung up on Sara. But she can get a bit tricky, you know how insecure she is. So I want to make sure Sara is comfortable with Nick before we enact "The Big Plan". It's going to be awesome." Catherine finished with eyes sparkling. Greg bounced up and down on his seat.

"What's the Big Plan?" He inquired. Catherine put on a sly smile and said cooly,

"That's for me to know, and you to know once you've gotten me my information." Greg grinned enthusiastically, but then looked concerned.

"Wait Cath, wouldn't it make more sense for you to talk to Sara? I mean, Sara gets really annoyed by me sometimes...all the time, and you're like...a woman and everything."

"Great observation Greg, it's obvious that criminology is your calling." Warrick stated sarcastically. Greg narrowed his eyes at him.

"Haha, soooooo witty..." Catherine blew out a long breath and tried to ignore their bickering.

"Well Greggo, I think she's getting a little suspicious about me. I may have over did the questions at breakfast...I'm sure you'll find out something, even if she doesn't say anything, just look at her mood, her body language. It's easy, and no making out with Warrick necessary."

"Hey!" Warrick butted in. Greg gave Warrick a slow wink and slid an arm around him.

"Hey Brown Sugar." Greg purred "Do I turn you on?" Greg ducked as Warrick swatted him with a menu.

"You make me sick Sanders!"

"I knew you loved me Warrick." Greg teased, batting his eyelashes. Warrick mimed vomiting into his coffee cup, and chucked a creamer at him. Catherine snickered and stood up.

"Ok children, let's get to work."


TBC - What's the Big Plan? Even I don't know... :)