This is more of a information chapter, not a lot of action, but there are some key points
Chapter 4- No Fun in the Games
XOXOXOXOXOXO
A month later…
Nick pulled into the parking lot as he changed the channel from a sappy Kenney Chesney love song to a hard rock station. He found himself doing that a lot lately. Well, since he had signed the papers to take the day shift position. He was happy that the change gave him a chance to have a social life. Kelly was happy too. She could see him whenever she pleased. Nick shut the truck off and rubbed his eyes. He was still adjusting to the time changes with his sleeping schedule. Dark and late went to bright and early. He propped his head up as he watched people coming from the building. He smirked when he saw Ric and Catherine. Ric had his arm wrapped around her tightly. They were supposed to get married next month. Nick knew it was inevitable. He sighed as he got out and shut the door. "Hey cowboy."
He looked back around at Catherine and Ric about to disperse to their separate cars.
"Hey ya'll."
He stepped closer and hugged Catherine, "We've missed ya Nicky."
"Yeah…apparently some more than others," Ric said as he eyed Catherine. Nick chuckled, "Guess I better get in there, Ecklie 'ill have my ass."
"I doubt it, considerin' Kelly already does." Nick grinned at Warrick's comment. He shook his head as he began to walk off. Ric laughed as Catherine said, "Ohhh, guess it's true."
"Whapish!" Ric said loudly as he opened Catherine's car door. Nick waved, "Bye guys."
"Bye!" They said simultaneously before locking lips once again.
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Nick opened the locker room door and walked in. He froze. Sara. She was sitting on the bench tying her shoes. He hadn't spoken to her very much, actually, try at all. She walked out of the conference room that day and he didn't go after her. He didn't explain, now…everything was a mess.
Sara looked up and her smile faded, "Stokes."
Nick felt his heart break a little. Stokes. She never did call him that unless she was ticked. She must have been pissed. Of course, he would too. "Sara," he croaked out.
She fidgeted with her shoes a little longer, "How are you?"
Nick looked shocked. This was the most she had said to him in a month, "Good, you?"
"Tom and I are fine. How's Kelly?"
Nick sighed silently as he moved toward his locker and opened it, "She's fine."
"When is the wedding?"
Nick felt his blood begin to boil. She was trying to make him angry. Sara had a way of pushing your buttons without even pushing them. That was Sara Sidle for you.
"Haven't decided. You?"
Sara looked up. She didn't know that Nick knew about she and Tom planning a wedding. She looked back down again as she grabbed her bad, "October."
He nodded slowly, "Six months. That's a…that's enough time to get things together. Ric's and Cath's is next month."
"Yeah, Maid-of-Honor."
Nick looked over at her from his locker, "Best Man."
They starred at each other. Sara wanted to apologize for being so rude to him, but she couldn't form the words. Nick opened his mouth and took a breath as Greg came in.
"Nicky!"
He slapped on a fake smile, "Greg, sup man."
Sara held her stare on Nick until he met her eyes. She gave a small smile, "See ya Stokes."
Nick watched her walk away again. The second time she had walked away. And yet another time he didn't follow her.
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Nick made his way down the hallway and stopped in front of Grissom's office. Grissom was talking on the phone. He was even laughing. He looked up and motioned for Nick to come in. Nick looked behind him where about twenty feet away Ecklie and Kelly were talking. He looked back at Grissom who was undoubtedly talking to Sophia. The word around the Lab was they were together. Nick thought it was an odd match, but everyone needs someone…no matter who it is. He stepped in Grissom's office, knowing that Ecklie and Kelly were watching, and then he closed the door.
Grissom's eyes followed Nick as he moved around his office. Grissom drew in a breath and said, "I'll have to call you back. Feel better hon."
Nick sat down in one of the chairs in front. Grissom folded his hands on top of the desk and watched him closely as he starred at his ID. Grissom waited to see if Nick was going to say anything. He didn't. Grissom sighed, "So, how's the new team working out?"
Nick bit his lip as he was thinking. He knew his answer, but he didn't want to give the 'I told you so attitude.'
"It's alright." Nick said as he looked around, "It's…different."
"You know Nick, we all miss you and your work here. And if you ever felt like coming back, there is a position open."
Nick nodded, "I…I honestly think Gris that I've screwed up enough to not fix it. Horatio Caine gave me a call a few weeks ago about an old case that I had worked on and we got to talkin'...they need a lab tech down their in Florida. They need a new lab tech."
"I don't think that's the answer." Grissom said as he leaned back in his seat. Nick finally stopped fiddling with his ID and started with the button on his shirt, "It seems to be."
"So," he sighed very which caused Nick to look up at him, "You're just going to leave everything here."
"No, of course, Kelly…"
Grissom interrupted him, "That's not who I'm talking about Nick."
Nick swallowed, "She has her own plans."
Grissom cleared his throat, "Well, you do what you feel is right Nick."
Nick nodded and glanced at the clock on the wall, "Guess I need to go to work. We have a big case going on right now…"
"Nick." Grissom interrupted, "You know sometimes it's best to please others and then sometimes it feels really good to just say 'screw you'."
Nick chuckled as he shook his head walking toward the closed door, "Sophia's gotta hold on you."
"I see the world in a bran-new prospective. I think you'd like it there."
Grissom grinned as he pushed his glasses back up on the bridge of his nose. Nick smirked as he nodded and walked out.
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Sorry, it's kinda short, I've got Final's next week. I hadn't had a lot of time nor brain energy! Anyways, love ya'lls comments always will! Keep'em comin'! - Andrea
