Disclaimer: I don't own anything here, just an idea, but trust me you can't get anything from that! Leave me to live in fiction

Summary: Sara's been going to a country bar to find her release, without anyone knowing. Now, it's Nick's birthday, and the group decided to take him there. Of course, Sara's not that crazy about the idea…Why? She's been known to sing a few songs there and she wants to keep that for herself. Of course, the stars are not on her side…

Thanks to: saeo, CherylSpace-Case7029, heartagram69, icklebitodd, Emowyen, BeTrAyEd DaUgHtErS, loose-cannon-with-a-gun ( I agree, they should share a screen more often), GeorgeEadsLover, Rock On or Rock Out

Chapter 4 – The present

Their shift went by quickly and Sara managed to avoid Nick altogether. So, now she was opening her front door feeling very tired. She dropped her things at the door and went straight to the fridge to pull out a bottle of water and went to sit on the couch. She put her feet on the coffee table in front of a TV, and closed her eyes for a second. The images of Nick holding her hand kept appearing before her eyes. And than she remembered a simple thing he did when he kissed her on a cheek. He gently ran his hand over the back of her neck. She felt warmer from that thought. Feeling her mind was playing tricks on her, she opened her eyes. Than she saw a flashing light on her answering machine. With a sigh she stood up and saw she had one message. She hit the play button and she heard Nick's voice.

"Hi, Sara, guess you still didn't arrive home…well, I wanted to tell you how Warrick had some plans for the two of us before the wild night starts, so I guess we'll meet you and the group there. Hope that's OK? I'm looking forward to it. I know you're not wild on the music, but I think you'll enjoy yourself. I'm making myself a personal goal to at least share one dance with you. No matter what you say. See you tomorrow. Now go rest!"

Again, she was grinning like an idiot. She picked up the phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Cath, it's Sara."

"What do you want?" – Sara realized that Catherine was already sleeping and she was in a bad mood like she always was when someone woke her up.
"I just wanted to tell you that Warrick and Nick will meet us there tonight. So, do you want to go together?"

"Sure, I'll come by your apartment first and than we'll go. Is that it?"

"Yeah, that's it. Now go rest." – she repeated Nick's words as she hung up. She removed her jacket and went to her bedroom. Slowly she picked up her homey clothes and went to the bathroom to take a shower. After it, she was so tired that she slipped into her pajama, and fell asleep right on the comforter.

She woke up later that day feeling very rested. Her clock informed her it was 5 PM, and she decided to get up and do something useful, like drink large amounts of coffee. While her coffee maker was making strange sounds, she turned on the TV and started going through channels.

"Great, nothing on."

Strange sounds ended telling her that her coffee was done. She chose a big cup like always. No need going to the kitchen twice. She remembered also that she didn't go through details with Catherine so she decided to call her who picked up the phone on the first beat.

"Hello!" – she sounded out of breath.

"Hi, Cath, it's Sara…hmm, everything alright? You sound a little breathless. I'm not disturbing, am I?" – Sara sounded so confused, that it made Cath chuckle.

"No, you're not disturbing. I'm just playing with Lindsey. What's up?"

"Well, I'm just calling to go through details with you. When are you coming over?"

Cath paused for a moment, obviously calculating something in her head.

"Well, Julia is coming around 8 to watch Lindsey, so I'll be by your place around 8:30 – 9. Is that OK?

"Perfect. So, have you decided if you're going to help me today?" - Catherine laughed causing Sara to roll her eyes. She asked for help, and obviously Catherine was enjoying herself way too much. – "So, that's a no?"

"No, no…I mean, you're so worked up about this! It's Friday night. I presume it's going to be crowded there. Maybe no one will notice."

"Yeah, fat chance" – Sara thought. – "Well, let's just think about the worst possible scenario. Can I count on you?"

"Sure. I got your back." – Catherine sighed. – "Can we talk about this later? I have to go pick something for Nick. Lindsey is going to help."

"Yeah, no problem. See you later." – she was about to hang up when she remembered something. – "Hey, Cath, still here?"

"Yeah. What?"

"Have you talked with Grissom or Greg? I completely forgot about them."

"Yes, Grissom said he'll come a little later. He needs to check into lab first. Considering we're all off tonight, he wants to make sure everything is in order. And Greg will come with Warrick and Nick. He also woke me up from my beauty sleep. Remind me to plug out every ringing device before going to bed from now on." – Catherine was worked up. She really hated not being well rested. Since she had small amount of time that she can spend with Lindsey, she wanted to use it.

"No, problem. See ya!"

Hanging up, Sara went back to her bedroom. Catherine reminded her of Nick's present. She bought hers a week ago after seeing it in the mall while working on a case with Nick. Of course, she didn't enter the store right than, but after seeing Nick staring at the store window she decided to go right after shift to pick it up. She walked over to her closet and picked up a guitar. It was very well preserved, but an antique guitar. It cost a lot of money, but since her life was her work, she had a fair amount of it in her account. And it was Nick, it was worth it. Considering the fact it was a big present she had to figure out how to pack it. After a half an hour of wondering through her apartment, she gave up and decided to just put a bow on it. While tying it, she remembered not buying a birthday card.

"Ah, hell" – she thought grabbing her jacket from the couch. Luckily there was a store that held birthday cards near her, so she only needed to pick the right one. And that wasn't the as easy as it sounded. There were a lot of card with hearts and kisses on it, and she was feeling very uncomfortable with those. With everyone there she didn't want to attract attention.

"Yes and the guitar won't attract attention at all. Good thinking, Sara!" – at the end she picked up one card which had a flower on it and the sign "Happy birthday" – "Well, good enough."

When she came home, she went online to find a suitable quote. The first page she hit had some really bad ones: "No wonder I'm unhappy - My twin forgot my birthday.»

"Well, this one is not good." - she read further: "The worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.»

«This is supposed to be funny?» - she questioned.

She decided to look more, but became frustrated.

"Nope, nope, nope, nope..." – she repeated while hitting the keyboard. And the minutes went by.

"What happened with all the good quotes!" – she wondered. Than she found one she even considered for a second. And although that was the one she wanted to use, she knew it would be a bad idea. Nevertheless she stared at the words: "Grow old with me, the best is yet to come." She sighed and closed that page. She browsed a few more until she found the perfect one; not too revealing, but still appropriately affectionate: "If I had one gift that I could give you, my friend, it would be the ability to see yourself as others see you, because only then would you know how extremely special you are."

"Perfect!" – she transcribed the quote into the card adding a Happy birthday in the end feeling very proud of herself. She glanced at the clock to check the time and chuckled. – "And it took me only 45 minutes! But it was worth it."

She attached the card to one of the ribbons smiling. It was long time ago since she felt excited about someone's birthday. And she was looking forward to see Nick's face when he sees the gift. Next few hours went by quickly with Sara reading some magazines she had. It was a good way of taking her mind of the night in front of her. She didn't want to appear too eager, so she decided to wait until Cath gets there to change. Not long after she heard a knock on her door. When she opened the door there was Catherine standing there with a smile. And she looked good all in black.

"Hey, everything OK with Lindsey?" – she asked letting her in.

"Yeah, she actually wanted to tag along. She personally picked up the gift and I had to swear I will emphasize that fact to Nick."

"So, what did you get him?" – Sara smiled.
"One of those chem. sets for children. It's in the car." – the women shared a smile before Catherine's was replaced with the smirk. – "So, what did you get him?"

Sara blushed instantly turning her look away.

"It's in my room. Come see."

Catherine followed her but stood in tracks seeing the guitar on Sara's bed. Her look shifted from Sara to guitar and back to Sara.

"Oh my…Sara, this is beautiful. It must've been expensive" – she entered the room admiring the gift.

"Well, I'm not the biggest spender in the world, so I decided to spend a little cash on a friend."

"Well, in that case I saw a beautiful necklace in the mall. You can remember that for my next birthday." – Catherine added sarcastically. – "Seriously, Sara, this is a great present. Can I read the card?" – she asked noticing it attached on the guitar.

"Ahm…sure." – Sara knew there was nothing embarrassing in it, but she was still a bit uncomfortable.

Catherine took the card and read it. Warm smile was on her face as she addressed Sara.
"Excellent choice, Sara. Perfect for Nicky."

Sara nodded.

"My thoughts exactly."

Seeing Catherine's look change from warm to suspicious she quickly changed the subject.

"Well, you look good. New shirt?"

"Ah, it was on sale. Lindsey picked it up. Speaking of wardrobe, tell me you're not going in your track suit."

Sara smiled walking towards her closet.

"No, I will change." – she picked up her jeans and a black top showing it to Catherine. – "See?"

"Nice belt!" – Catherine admired. – "So, you were really doing the whole thang?" – she tried to pull out an accent but failed miserably. Sara simply rolled her eyes pulling out the boots also.

"Oh, my God, you got the boots! I want them! Cool!" – Catherine screamed enthusiastically taking them from Sara's arms. – "Well, I guess we know who's going to be a queen of the ball. Now, go change and I'll call Grissom to see if everything is alright!"

Sara slowly walked into her bathroom finally realizing the time has come. She could only hope for the best. She ironed her hair quickly so it fell softly on her face. And she dressed herself. Like she did every time when she went to that bar. Only this time all of her colleagues will be there. She took one last breath and exited the bathroom. Catherine was browsing through one of the magazines and didn't even hear her coming out.

"Well, I'm ready." – she announced causing Catherine to look up. Her eyebrow went out as she bit her lip. That was certainly not the Sara Sidle she knew.

"You look great!"

"Thanks. So, have you talked to Grissom?" – She never felt comfortable when someone tried to compliment her.

"Yes, he said everything was in order. And he will meet us in time. I also called Nick to see if they are alright. He sounded happy."

Sudden anxiety went through Sara. Pictures of Warrick, Greg and Nick with some girls were going through her head. And of course, the only thing which concerned her was the part involving Nick. Catherine sensed the change and tried to explain.

"He said they were in Warrick's place playing some games. They will get on their way in a half an hour."

"Oh, OK." – anxiety was replaced with relief as Sara went back into the bathroom to put some makeup on.

Catherine followed her and leaned on the door frame.

"So, nervous?"

"No, why would I be?" – Sara asked while watching Catherine from the mirror who didn't say anything. But, it was obvious she wasn't buying it. – "OK, maybe a little."

Catherine smiled.

"Well, I got your back, I promise. It's Nick's birthday and we're going to celebrate it! No place for solicitude, got it?"

Sara only nodded as she decided that Catherine has a point. It was selfish of her to think only about herself. It was Nick's day and she should act appropriately.

"Good! But, I still have an idea how to do that and to keep your butt safe. Do you want to hear it?"

"Go ahead."

"Simple – we go now before anyone comes there and you can warn everyone you need to stay quiet for one evening. I'm sure they will understand."

That was actually a great plan. And she cursed herself for not thinking it before.

"Let's go." – she grabbed the jacket and headed toward the door.

"Wait." – Cath said. – "What about the guitar? We are going to bring it, right? "

"Oh, right." – Sara went in her room leaving Catherine smiling and shaking her head. Even the strong Sara Sidle couldn't hide her nervousness. – "Got it, let's go!"

"Lead the way." – Catherine motioned as the two women left the apartment heading toward the parking lot. They decided to take Catherine's Denai.

"Well, let the night begin." – Catherine said while starting the car.

"And let it end with me still sane." – Sara thought.

AN – OK, this chapter is a little longer, and I hope you'll like it. The night begins… Let me know what you think!