A/N: sorry for the late update. I've been really busy recently.
The song is "Chained and Bound" by Otis Redding.
this chapter is dedicated to my insparation and great friend, kicsibogar! Thanks for your encouragement, sweetie! hugs
CHAINED TO YOU --- CHAPTER 6
The last minutes of the shift are slowly ticking away, and Sara and Nick are more than glad to have this day behind and can hardly wait for leaving the Lab. Even Sara Sidle, who's known as a workaholic.
The two CSIs spent the afternoon with figuring out how to get rid off the cuffs that tied them to each other. Sara suggested to check the morgue, hoping that among the many tiny, slender, metal tools they might find something suitable to unlock the handcuffs. So they sneaked into the sterile, blue-lighted, cool temperatured room and searched through the whole place, but without success. None of the instuments met the requirements of the lock. Sara cursed and swore that she would never act spontaneuosly again, while Nick couldn't help but laughing at her grumbling, reminding her of the fact again that she had started this whole game. Sara gave him a reproachful and warning look, which made Nick laugh even more.
So they couldn't do anything else, then get back to work and wait for the end of the shift.
When the so much awaited clock-off time has finally come, Sara and Nick hurry into the locker room to grab their stuff.
"We must find something that could help us..." Nick says, rather in a self-convincing than hoping manner. "Even if it means to rummage through the whole house from the cellar to the attic," he murmurs with resolution, and shuts his locker.
Sara chuckles, grabbing her bag, "The attic? How do you think that would work at all? If you hadn't noticed this far, we can't get everywhere under these circumstances," she raises their hands.
Nick grimaces, "Does picking on my words really make you feel good?"
Heading towards the door, she snickers and pouts with amusement, "Hell, yeah."
Giving her a dirty look, he remarks, "Sidle, you'll pay for this..."
"Oh, I'm really scared," she laughs mockingly as they're exiting the room.
Nick is about to retort, when a familiar voice makes them stop.
"My two favourite co-workers," Warrick Brown's voice greets their ears as they are strolling down the corridor. The afro guy stands at the corner, smiling at them widely. "Of course beside you, Cath," he glances at the blonde woman next to him.
Catherine smiles and looks at the two young CSIs stopping in front of her.
Sara and Nick nervously return the smile. They are not much delighted about being stopped by their colleagues; getting out of this danger-zone called CSI HQ is all they want right now.
"Hey buddy, how was your date in the morgue?" trying to hide his frustration, Nick teases the other male-CSI.
Warrick chuckles, "Effective indeed. Cath and I have finally managed to identify our Jane Doe. I think we're close to solve the case. How'bout ya, man?"
"We're proceeding," Sara replies casually. "Though there are some unclear pieces yet."
"But if your reconstructions keep going on as well as I've heard, you'll close that case soon," Warrick chuckles.
Nick bites his lip with an embarrassed grin, "Mia, huh?"
"Yeah, man."
"Since it's Friday, what would you say if we went out for a drink together? Working so successful, we deserve some fun," Catherine suggests.
"That's a great idea," Warrick agrees enthusiastically.
Bowing his head with a regretful smile, Nick says, "I'd rather leave that out for now. I'm too tired for anything. All I need is a good sleep."
Warrick pouts with pity. I can imagine, he sneers in mind. With Sara, huh? He must gather every strength to hide his amusement.
"But you join us, won't you, Sara?" Catherine turns to CSI Sidle.
Nick almost lets out a chuckle. That'd be interesting, he notes.
Grimly, Sara sighs, "Sorry guys, but I'm also exhausted like hell. I even have a little headache. I think I go home and sleep."
Now it's Catherine's turn to pout.
"You can still take Warrick for a drink," Nick winks at her.
Catherine's eyes widen, she casts an embarrassed smile at Warrick, who chuckles at Nick's suggestion. Seeing his reaction, the blonde CSI grins, "Maybe that's not such a bad idea."
"Then have fun!" Nick smiles broadly and casually turns to Sara, "Shall I give you a ride?"
With a slight smile, she nods, "Thanks."
They say good-bye to their coworkers and head outside. Walking very closely to each other, hiding their cuffed hands under their jackets, they look as if they were holding hands.
"So what do you think?" Warrick asks Catherine as they are watching their colleagues leave.
"Well, you might have a point," she smirks. "I just wonder when will they fill us in."
After a short pause, she utters, "You know, Nick was right."
Warrick turns to her with an inquiring expression, "About?"
"Taking you for a drink," she smirks.
He gives her a surprised, yet delighted look.
"Well, then let's not waste time," he raises his brow suggestively.
Catherine's smile broadens.
"That was close," Nick lets out a relieved sigh as they are heading to his Denali. "I already thought that Warrick saw through us."
"That gives us even more grounds for finding a way to uncuff ourselves," Sara comments in a slightly impatient tone.
When Nick opens the trunk of his car and shoves their bags inside, a troubled light appears in Sara's eyes.
"Oh-oh, we might have a little problem," she notes misbodingly.
"What are you aming at?" Nick shoots her an inquiring glance as he shuts down the hood's door.
"I just wonder how are we getting in...," she doesn't take off her pondering gaze of the car. "And furthermore, how will you drive like this..." she glances at their tied hands.
He holds his gaze at her for a moment, as the meaning of her words sink in his mind, then replies with a smile, "Well, that will be definitely unusual, but..." he grins, "I'll manage."
She casts him an amused look and raises her brow in wonder.
Nick opens the passenger-door, "Okay, this is how we're gonna do it. I get in from here and move over to the driver-seat, while you climb in too."
Sara smirks curiously and nods, "Okay. So just right after you, Stokes."
Nick grins and carefully climbs into the car with Sara on his heels. Cautiously sliding behind the wheel, he gently pulls her in. Sara settles into her seat and closes the door.
"Well, I think it's worked," she grins victoriously.
"Yeah, we're good so far," Nick rewards her with a satisfied smile and turns the ignition key with his cuffed hand, which move entails pulling Sara's hand along. She lets her hand mirror his own move with an embarrassed look. She just realizes that she's definitely in a bondage to her coworker, just as he is to her. Whatever they do they have to do it together.
"Uhm, this drive will be a bit uncomfortable for you," Nick apologizes, "Sorry in advance."
"I'll survive," Sara smiles warmly at him.
"That's my Sidle," he looks into her eyes and smirks.
Pulling out of the CSI-parking lot, Nick turns the stereo on.
Darling now, you made me change my mind / Can go no further, because you got me chained and bound, oh /Taller than the tallest sky / Sweeter than a grape on a vine, now / Can go no further, because you got me chained and bound, right now, now --- the lines of the old song quietly fills the air.
Realizing that the lyrics are fitting the current situation, Nick's mouth twitches into a big grin.
Getting the hint, Sara's cheek slightly flushes, and she averts her look at the dashboard.
What kind of life is this kind I'm trying living / Oh Lord, what kind of love is she trying to give me / I feel like I'm standing up and telling the word / I'm chained to your love
Watching the road in silence, Nick's wondering about the lines, which he had listened to many times, but which with Sara sitting on his side, literrally chained to him, has gotten quite new meaning now. A definitely new one.
Darling, oh / Don't break this little heart of mine / There's no greater love than this love of yours and mine, oh / You walk with your head in the sky / Darling don't ever pass me by / I ain't going no further, because you got me chained and bound, oh now
"I just hope we won't be stopped by police officers," Nick notes, intending to avert her attention of the puzzling lyrics, "Don't know how could we explain this," he chuckles nervously, indicating the handcuffs.
So glad, I'm so glad, I'm so glad / Lord, I don't have to worry no more / She got me chained to her love, now I don't, I don't want to be taken away, baby / I'm chained, I'm chained and a little bound, now, now, now / I'm chained, I'm chained to your love / I don't, I don't know darling / I wanna to be taken away, now / Ou, just a little bit of soul / Just a little bit of soul, now...
Sara laughs and her cheek flushes slightly at the possible explanation that flashes through her mind. Most that she has also confusing thoughts on her mind about the song.
Getting to Nick's house eventually, the CSI is more than relieved to shut down the stereo. He can't help but being anxious about the other songs on his CD, which are also possible sources of embarrassment.
Stopping in front of his house, they repeat the same maneuver they did when getting in - only reversed this time. Sara climbs out first, pulling Nick after herself.
Nick just can't pretend not noticing his female coworker's nicely rounded ass, and his mind immediately wanders into forbidden places.
Damn, Stokes, she's your friend and colleague, you mustn't have such thoughts about her, he scoffs himself. There's no way that she might be interested in you, anyway.
Being too deep in thoughts he doesn't pay enough attention to his moves, so when she pulls him out of the car, he stumbles and dumps into her.
After the unexpected body-contact, their faces close to each other, both gasping, the two CSIs just stare into each other's eyes; neither of them seem to know what's going on between them in that single moment. After years of flirting, this is the first intimate moment between the two. There's something in the air, they both sense it, but don't know how to react - if they should at all.
"Thanks," Nick murmurs with a smile, breaking the silence.
"You're welcome," Sara mutters with embarrassment, their eyes still locked.
Finally Nick pulls away, the smile still on his face.
"So let's check out those tools," he says, breaking the gaze.
"Yeah," she nods and wonders if is this moment going to have any significance concerning the future.
TBC