Writing on a Blank Slate
Disclaimer: CSI isn't mine, blah, blah, blah
Rating: M
Chapter 18: "I'll have to enter a monastery"
Nick's cell-phone rang while they were lying half asleep together mid-afternoon, Nick having managed to get the t-shirt off her a second time. He rolled over and answered the call, his other arm still under Sara's head.
"Yeah? Oh, hi Warrick. Yeah, it's a good time. No, we're not driving. Still in Canada. Yeah, she's fine. She's right here. Sure."
He passed the phone to Sara.
"Hey Warrick."
"Hey girl, how are you?"
"Pretty good actually."
"You and Nick having fun?"
She could feel herself blush as she answered. "Uh, yeah," she stammered, hating the sound of her own voice. "We're having a great time."
Warrick chuckled. "Is that a fact?"
Nick took the phone from her hands. "Are you harassing my girlfriend?" he asked.
"Girlfriend?" Warrick chuckled again, as did Nick.
"Yeah, it's official."
"About time man. Now you treat her good or I'll track you down and bust your kneecaps. Hey Greg," he called, "you owe me $10, man."
Nick heard Greg swear in the background, then the youngest CSI came on the line.
"Nick, is Sara there?"
He stifled his laughter and handed the phone back to Sara, mouthing 'Greg' as he did so.
"Sara! Say it ain't so!" Greg cried dramatically, and she grinned.
"Sorry Greggo. Like Nick says, it's official."
"You realize I may never recover from this? I'll have to enter a monastery or something."
"Or something. I can't see you as a monk, Greg." This earned her a puzzled glance from Nick, who mouthed 'what?' at her. "So, not that I'm complaining, but why did you guys call us?"
"Oh, Warrick and I've been packing up Nick's house. We wanted to let him know and see how you were doing."
"We're doing great," Sara assured him. "How's life in Vegas?"
"Well, let's see," Greg considered. "There's been a lot of fuss about you leaving. Catherine and Grissom both had to talk to an enquiry panel."
"Enquiry panel?"
"Yeah. Like I said there's been a lot of fuss. We've got this guy from days working with us at the moment. He's okay, but I miss you." In spite of his earlier joking, there was a note of sincerity in Greg's voice. Sara smiled sadly.
"We miss you guys too."
"I think that's about it, except Warrick's getting married, but he might have decided that before you left. I can't remember. He hasn't said whether I'm invited to the wedding, so see if you can convince him-"
He broke off abruptly, and Warrick came back on the line.
"Feel free to ignore him. I think losing you has affected his brain."
"So he is invited to the wedding?"
"Hell no. We're planning a real quiet one." There was a pause in which Sara imagined Greg giving Warrick pleading looks. "Oh, alright, fine, I'll talk to Tina." Happy noises from Greg. "Can you put Nick back on? I want to talk to him about his stuff."
"Sure." She passed the phone back, mouthing Warrick's name as she did so.
"So, Nick, about your stuff…"