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: Emowyen (love your reviews – keep it up!), Veronica10, icklebitodd, mudhousejunkie22, Space-Case7029, Beka Rhade, GeorgeEadsLover, Cheryl, saeo, charmed1818, AnMaDeRoNi (you'll just have to wait and see – but you will be happy), marie, Emma, csialltheway, BeTrAyEd DaUgHtErS, heartagram69, Hannah, Daisyangel, forensicsfan (I'm honored to get a good review from «the master» :)), Sugar-Coated-Goodbyes, Grace, Miki (thanks. It means a lot that you think I got the characters right), SARAnNICK4EVA, NickGilGreggonumber1fan, alwayswrite05

Chapter 6 – Happy birthday

"Nicky!" – Catherine yelled playing along. – "You just sat there not giving me a chance to give you a birthday kiss. Now stand up!"

Everyone laughed as Nick stood up so Catherine can lean forward to kiss him.

"Well, Nicky, I really wish you a happy birthday!" – she kissed him on his cheeks and squeezed his arm a little bit hard. – "And may this be the one you'll remember for some time."

Warrick chuckled at this, not so subtle move from Catherine. That was her way of telling Nick to move his ass. Sometimes she can be very forceful.

Sara felt everyone's eyes on her. It was obvious that it was expected that she kisses him too. Nick sat back down and turned towards her, grinning and waiting. Warrick looked down not been able to keep his smirk down, which caused Catherine to look at him warningly.

"No birthday kiss from you?" – Nick asked grinning.

Sara rolled her eyes as she leaned forward. She could feel his warm breath on her face as she placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. It was a very slow kiss and, although, a friendly one, it was still full of meaning.

"Happy birthday, Nicky." – she whispered in his ear. Nick lost his ability to speak and only nodded to her.

"So, when did you guys come here?" – Greg asked oblivious to what was going on.

"Oh, we decided to come a little early to check things out. But, not that long ago. By the way, Gris said he'll be on time, so I guess we should wait for him before Nicky opens his presents. His face lit up immediately.

"There are presents? I only see one." – he noticed a small package next to Catherine.

"Oh, we stashed Sara's gift in the back room. Don't worry."

"Well, I can't wait to see what it is." – he looked at her while she was sipping her beer refusing to catch his eyes. It appeared that every time she did, it made her feel like a teenage girl on a first date.

"So, when does a band starts to play here?" – Warrick asked.

"Not for another half an hour." – Sara responded casually.

"How would you know?" – Nick asked causing Sara to stiff. She completely forgot that she really needs to keep her guard up.

"Janis, the waitress, told us. We already asked." – Catherine quickly responded. The group accepted the answer and nodded. Janis approached the table smiling.
"Well, here you go your drinks. If I can do anything for you, just call." – she nudged at Sara. – "Miss, can you come with me to the back room?"

Sara nodded and stood up. This was the first time the boys got to see her whole appearance. Tight jeans were really working for her. They were working for Nick also, who shifted in his place a little. Even Warrick looked impressed. Greg was drooling, of course.

"It's probably about your gift. I'm going to get it." – she quickly turned around following Janis to the back room.

"What is it?"

"Nothing." – she smugly responded.

"Why did you call me here?"

"So, that birthday boy can see you standing up, of course!" – she laughed causing Sara to roll her eyes. – "I'm kidding. I just wanted you to know that I grabbed the guitar from Rob and it's here. So, anytime you want it, just ask me and I'll unlock the door for you."

"OK, thanks. So, are the guys here?" – she meant the band.

"Yap, I saw them pulling in the parking lot. They'll be up shortly." – Janis noticed Sara's worried look. – "Do you want to stay here for a minute? You look like you're going to faint."

Sara simply nodded leaning back on one of the closets.

"So, Cath, tell us, do we need to thank you for Sara's appereance?" – Greg asked still in shock.
"No, Greg, I had nothing to do with it. She's a big girl; she can dress herself."

"Not like that! I mean, she's gorgeous!"

Catherine noticed Nick's abstracted look and she wanted to wake him up a bit.

"Well, she had a good motivation."

Nick was being quiet, playing with the bottle, trying not to think about Sara's appearance too much, considering his current state. But Catherine's words caused him to look up. He thought she was referring to Grissom, who was a bit late. Sara always had a soft spot for their boss. Seeing that Nick was not responding, she decided to push a bit.

"I mean, we don't celebrate birthdays that often. Not like this, I mean. And Nicky's birthday is a perfect occasion to dress up a bit."

Nick looked up meeting Catherine's smile. Warrick was also grinning, while Greg was distracted again by some girl who walked by.

"Well, our boss is here." – he stopped the looks, as they all turned to see Grissom entering the place. He seemed very uncomfortable. Usually he was in this kind of places only after a crime has already been committed. He noticed his people and walked toward them.

"There you are. Nicky, happy birthday." – Grissom shook his hand and offering him a present.

"Well, now that we're all here, why don't you open your gifts, and I'll go help Sara with hers." – Catherine stood up and walked away. Grissom couldn't help but not to feel confused a little.

"Why would she need help with a gift?" – but Catherine was on her way already, while the rest of them just shrugged.

Nick opened Grissom's gift first. It was a book called "Forensic Insect Identification Cards - A Collection of Insects Associated With Crime Scenes»

Nick smiled knowing how this was a typical Grissom present. After that he opened Greg's gift. It was another book, this one called: "Forensics' for dummies".
"Thanks Greg." – Nick looked at Greg who was very proud of his choice. – "But, are you sure you're done with it already?"

"Very funny, Nick. Very, very funny."

Next present was Catherine's who was still in the back room with Sara, but he decided to open it anyway. When he saw a chem. set, he shook his head.

"Are all of mine gifts related to my job?"

Just than Warrick looked up and saw Sara and Catherine approaching.

"Ahm...not all of them." – he muttered making all of the guys look up. Nick's face immediately turned into a confused one.

"Oh…"

"I'll say…"

"Jesus.." – were the comments flying from their table. The women finally managed to get through the crowd and to their table.

"Jeez, this place is really getting crowded." – Catherine sighed as she sat back down.

Sara however remained standing as she offered Nick her gift.

"Well, here you go, happy birthday." – she said trying to sound as casual as possible. She could feel everyone's stare, but she couldn't care less. She was interested more on Nick's reaction. And, he was speechless. He took the guitar in his hands and Sara sat back down. He gently ran his hands over the beautiful instrument, not quite grasping the concept that he should say something.

"Well…do you like it?" – Sara asked quietly.

"Yeah, Nicky, come one, say something." – Catherine nudged Nick under the table causing his to jump.

"What?"

Warrick laughed at his friend knowing how confused he really is. He remembered the conversation where Nick was telling him about the most beautiful guitar he saw in the mall. He also said how much it costs…Warrick's eyes fell on Sara who was still waiting for Nick's reaction.

"Do.You.Like.It?" – Greg was also feeling desperate.

"Sara…" – he turned towards her. – "This is the guitar from the mall."

"Yes, it is. I remembered you drooling over it, so you made my job easier." – she smiled looking in his eyes which showed affection and something more. But, she couldn't force herself to think that way.

"Thank you so much." – Nick placed the guitar next to him and gave her a big hug. He buried his head in her hair and whispered again.

"Thank you."

"You're very well welcome." – she smiled back. The whole group was watching, and than Catherine remembered.
"There's a card attached to it."

Well, people, I want to thank all of you who reviewed! And I'm so happy you liked Janis's character, I kind of based her on a friend of mine who got me in awkward situations more than once. Here's another one, hope you like it! Next one will be up in two days, it's almost finished!