Since Nick's declaration of his personal status to Grissom, his appearance had been affected. He hadn't shaved in almost a week leaving with a hard-ass look. He hadn't been happy in fact, the last time he had given a 'true' smile was forgotten. In four days was scheduled to meet Horatio Caine in Miami, Florida for an introduction to his 'new' world. Ecklie was actually glad because Nick had broken things off with Kelly. She claimed her heart was broken, but Nick begged to differ that she even had a heart. Warrick had even mentioned that Kelly was hanging around Greg a lot lately. Nick was surprised to hear that Greg was blowing her off. Greg's excuse, he wanted a warm body to lie next to. Nick opened the door to the office building and then proceeded to the locker room with a smug look on his face, the same look he had held for almost three weeks now. He pushed the door open and then sighed heavily as he went to his locker. Sara was standing in front of hers pulling her jacket on. She glanced at Nick and saw the droplets of water on his jacket and that his short hair was wet.
Nick didn't even bother to say hi. She hadn't said a lot to him why should he her. Sara licked her lips and she breathed deeply, "Is it raining yet?"
Nick hung his jacket on the hook and pulled out his name tag, "Appears so."
He ran his hand through his hair a few times and then wiped his hand on the towel in his locker.
Sara nodded as she shut her locker door, "Are you still going to Ric and Cath's wedding?"
"It's on Saturday and I'm not leaving until Tuesday...so yeah."
Sara crossed her arms as she shook her head, "You are such a jerk."
Nick looked at her with a sarcastic smile, "Thank you Sara Sidle. I feel much better in knowing what I am now."
Sara gave a look of disgust, "What happened to you Nick?"
His head shot up to look at her again. She said Nick. She hadn't said his name in two months. He swallowed as he felt his face soften. Sara watched him closely, he automatically changed in front of her eyes. She leaned against the lockers as she stuck her hands in her pockets. Nick sighed,
"Things... (he sighed again as he rubbed the bridge of his nose)...things didn't go the way I wanted them to. It just kinda fell apart on me."
"Just because they fell apart doesn't mean you have to become a jerk."
Nick's face hardened again. He was expecting...more to come from her.
"Nevermind."
"Nick...I didn't mean it like that..."
"Sidle, I'm not in the mood for this."
"Right. You know Nick I was wrong about you. You're not a jerk, you're an asshole."
If Sara had been walking any faster, she could have run out of the locker room.
Nick's face turned red as he watched the door close. He slammed his locker door and punched it. He hit the door with enough force that it left a slight indent. He let out a hard sigh of frustration as he plopped down on the bench, then he felt the pain soaring through his right hand. He starred at his hand as it began to swell. He closed his eyes as his hand throbbed. He had to admit he had been a jerk. Well, maybe even an asshole. He stood up giving another glance at his dented locker. He would have to pay for that. He let his hand hang down to his side as it throbbed uncontrollably...he deserved the pain. And tonight was the rehearsal and the dinner, so, he would definitely feel it by the night's end.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Sara and Greg were standing at the front of the Catholic church talking with the priest who would be conducting the service. Grissom was supposed to be the one 'giving away' Catherine, but he couldn't make it tonight. Lindsey had been juggled from maid-of-honor to bridesmaid a few times. She claimed that since she was Catherine's daughter that she should be the honorable maid. Warrick then, enlisted Greg to be groomsmen. So far, Nick was still the Best Man. If he showed up.
Catherine and Warrick were out in the foyer of the church, "He better be here."
Warrick glanced out the door before walking back to Catherine, "He'll be here. You know how Nick's been these last few days."
"This is 'my' wedding Ric. If he screws it up..."
"You'll kill me," Nick said as he walked through the door. He gave a grin as Cath looked steamed. "I'm sorry I'm late ya'll...traffic."
He said as he held up his arm that revealed a splint-cast. Warrick shook his head, "What in the hell..."
"Hey..."Catherine said as she hit him gently, "We're in a church."
Nick smirked, "Oddest thing...I was just standing there and this locker door slammed into my fist."
Catherine nodded, "Damned lockers..."
Ric nudged her, "Church..."
"Shut-up." She said with a smile as she tilted her head back, which signified that Warrick was to give her a kiss. Which he did. Nick didn't feel like watching this loving display of affection any longer, "How 'bout that rehearsal, huh?"
Nick said as he breezed past them. Sara automatically stopped talking when she saw Nick. Sara wrinkled up her nose and was about to comment, but Lindsey came marching in.
"Nick."
Nick turned to the fourteen year old and gave a solid grin, "Hey."
She put her hands on her hips and gave a look that strongly resembled her mothers, "Where have you been, we've been waiting for almost an ho….what happened to your wrist?"
Lindsey finished as she reached out, Nick let her take his arm. He shrugged, "I let anger get the best of me."
She gave him a look, "Well, hopefully, you have learned something from all of this."
She let go of his arm and went back to Greg's side. He watched her and then chuckled a little. Sara was making her way toward him. He drew in a breath as she crossed her arms stopping in front of him.
"Hello."
Nick bit his tongue after hearing her cold greeting. He gave a little smile, "Hey."
Sara looked around at everyone watching them and then looked down, "I… (she paused, rethinking her words)…does it hurt?"
'Only all the time,' he thought. "Not really."
Sara swallowed, "Okay."
She turned slowly as she uncrossed her arms and walked back to Greg and Lindsey who were playing thumb war.
"Let's get started!" Ric shouted as he and Catherine came out of the foyer. 'Probably makin' out,' Nick thought as he moved to the side so they could pass.
Catherine kept walking toward the Priest and the wedding coordinator while Warrick stopped at Nick. They both watched as Catherine gave everyone orders.
Nick smiled, "Are you sure you wanna get married to that?"
Warrick chuckled, "Does you wrist hurt?"
Nick laughed to himself as he nodded his head, "It was worth it though..."
He glanced over at Sara who was locking arms with Greg. Warrick looked at Nick, "Maybe you should talk to her man."
"I know…she's just gives me the…Sara Sidle bad ass act every time I try to."
"Well, one way or another, you need to explain some stuff."
Nick watched as Warrick made his way to Catherine's side and she put her arms around him lovingly. Nick looked back at Sara, who was looking at him. He looked down, "Okay," he whispered.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Sorry if this was short guys...my grandmother passed away and the my final's week. I'm really kinda stressed out. BUT I did do well on final's, so it's not that bad...on the education side. lol. Anyways sorry about the delay. Reviews welcome. Later ya'll-----Andrea
