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: GeorgeEadsLover (we'll see about the song. :)), MadGeorge (I wish you would write something with Save a horse...), icklebitodd, alwayswrite05, BeTrAyEd DaUgHtErS (again, LOVED you review – you really made my day! Hope you'll like this one), Shelbers, heartagram69, charmed1818, wow, saraluver (glad you love both of my stories!), Blondie (yeah, gotta love Lee Ann Womack), Space-Case7029, AnMaDeRoNi, Braelyn, Sahariah (glad you liked it:)), Me, Special Agent Bri (glad you joined), spooky-phoenix

Chapter 9 – She's everything

Nick didn't turn around when he heard Catherine's words. They were simple and he knew the answer to the question she's been asking. His eyes were still fixated on Sara who was obviously trying to look anywhere but at their group. Her breathing was accelerated and she was motioning to John that she's done for now. John thanked her again and started to prepare for their next song. The group was in a good mood after Sara's performance, so they decided to continue in the same rhythm.

Nick remained standing trying to follow Sara's moved as she got off the stage and back into the crowd. He needed to talk to her, needed to see her flushed face as he confronted her. There was no way that he would let this go. His plan wasn't to make her feel uncomfortable; he just needed to see emotions on her face. The one he knew she would never say out loud. That was the moment he decided to take Warrick's advice. He got a new shirt, now he had to get Sara. No more waiting.
This night will be the end of it.

Catherine on the other hand knew that the last thing Nick needed to do was to confront Sara.


"She's probably very nervous. Yeah, like someone could blame her. Thank God that these guys weren't present when I danced all those years ago…" - Catherine's thoughts terrified her, so she decided to do one thing that she tried to do the entire night; distract Nick, before he got some weird idea and decided to leave the table to find Sara.

"Hey, Nick! We were about to make a toast," - she smiled at his confused face.

"Shouldn't we wait for Sara to come back?"

"Come on, man, I seriously need a drink after this. I'm sure we'll be on our next round by the time she gets back. Seriously, I'm still waiting to wake up! And considering Greg's face, he's one step behind from fainting." - Warrick laughed at Greg who was gaping.

"Close your mouth, Greg, it's not attractive." - Catherine nudged Greg, but with no affect.

"OK, I have a question." - Grissom said announcing his presence. Apparently, Sara singing was enough to bring him back to reality. - "Was I the only one who had absolutely no idea what's going on?"

"Well, it wouldn't be that surprising if you were, but, no, Gris, this time you weren't. Sara was keeping this a secret." - Catherine chuckled seeing his raised eyebrows. She knew this was a big surprise for him. Well, for all of them. However he and Nick had other reasons to be surprised. Grissom thought that Sara was just like him; all work and no play, and Nick…well, he was a man in love.

"So, she didn't tell anyone?" - his question was answered with 4 people shaking their heads no. - "Why?"

"Maybe this was her rollercoaster." - Warrick just smiled knowingly at him. He was still having nightmares from the time Grissom took him on one of his rides.

Grissom thought about that for a second and nodded his head in approval.

"But!" - Warrick turned his attention towards Catherine. - "I think this pretty lady had some clue. Thanks for the drinks, by the way."

Catherine avoided Warrick's stare, while trying to keep the smirk off her own face.
"Come on, spill Catherine!"

"OK, I knew. But, I only found out about it yesterday. Sara needed someone to watch her back."

"Why didn't she ask me?" - the words left Nick' mouth before he knew it. He was somewhat hurt that Sara hid something like this from him. But, he was even more hurt that when she decided to finally tell someone, she chose Catherine over him. Suddenly, his paranoia entered his mind again and his doubts were reflecting on his face. Catherine noticed the look right away. She was used to it, also. There were a lot of nights when Nick had that face. Those nights were usually the one when Sara was working with Grissom. It was like he expected that they will announce their new relationship at the end of their shift. She leaned forward and touched his hand which was wrapped tightly around the beer bottle.

"She wanted this day to be all about you."

No one at the table heard what Catherine was saying, but it was obvious that it brought a smile to Nick's face. Suddenly the whole group was interrupted with the sound of Grissom's pager and the same thought crossed their minds. No one wanted this night to finish so soon, since it was getting more exited by the minute.

"Please, Gris, tell me we're not needed at work." - Catherine sighed.

"No. You're not. However, I am. Don't worry; I won't call you if it's not completely necessary."

Unfortunately, the world of crime wasn't aware that it was Nick's birthday.
Grissom stood up and shook Nick's hand once again.

"Nicky, sorry to leave so soon. Happy birthday, again."

"Thanks, man." - Nick returned the smile trying hard not to show how happy he actually was that Grissom was leaving. Not because he hated his company, just because the situation resembled like the one he had when he was a kid. He wanted to make a move on Sara tonight, and the last thing he needed was Grissom watching him. It was like when his parents attended his junior prom. The thought of it send a shiver down his spine. He watched his friends say goodbye, and after he left Warrick started to laugh.

"Seriously, Nick, you really need to work on your poker face. I mean, I've never seen someone saying goodbye with that kind of smile. "

"What are you talking about man?"

"Oh, you know what I'm talking about. You didn't want Grissom to be here. You know, if I didn't know you were sitting here the entire time, I would've thought you had something to do with that page."

Catherine burst into laughter causing Greg to look up.
"OK, I really feel left out. Care to fill me in?"

"Not really." - Nick quickly responded.

Warrick on the other hand smirked, deciding he needed to play with Nick a bit.
"You know, why not? It's not like it's secret, right, Cath?"

She glanced at him her smile becoming wider.

"Well, I don't think it's a secret. And Greggo here is a part of our group. He deserves to know."

It was obvious that the drinks were affecting both of them, but Nick never thought that Warrick will blab something like this to Greg. And besides that, Catherine had no idea. She made remarks about his feeling fro Sara, but nothing conclusive. It was than that he decided to kill Warrick. It was obvious that his friend can't keep his mouth shut.

"Look, Greg, they are just fooling with you. Really, there's nothing."

"Why don't I be the judge of that? Miss Willows, Mr. Brown, care to share?"

"Look, while you're sharing, although I don't know what, I'm going to stretch my legs." – Nick needed to get out of there.

"Tell Sara hi for us!" - Catherine said with a wink causing Warrick to spill his beer.

"I will." - Nick muttered and got up from the table.

"Oh, and ask if someone took any pictures of Sara! The lab deserves to see them as well." – Greg smiled, but he was still mad at himself for forgetting the camera.

Nick managed to smile bitterly, as he started his search. The place was getting more crowded with the minute, and he had problems figuring out where Sara was.
Finally his eyes found her. She was leaning on the counter talking to Janis. He saw Janis look up and smile.

"Well, here goes nothing."

Sara was feeling very relieved and very nervous at the same time. Relieved because she didn't have to worry about her friends finding out; and nervous, because she still had to confront them.

She thanked John and got off the stage. Janis was waiting for her with a big smile on her face.

"Well, that was something!"

"Yes, now you're here. No basement duties now?" – Sara was sarcastic but Janis didn't mind. She was actually having the time of her life.

"No. I was all free to enjoy the show!"

"Great." – Sara muttered.

"Hey, you don't look that good. Need to throw up?"

"I'm fine. I just need a few minutes to calm down."

"You should think twice about that." – Janis knowingly winked.

"About what?"

"Calming down. Because, your cowboy was seriously turned on."

"JANIS!" – Sara almost screamed. Normally she didn't mind Janis's bluntness, but she was a little wired up.

"I'm just saying…I threw a couple of glance towards him, and he was obviously very happy to watch you dance like that. You should really keep up with him."

"OK, I'm not talking to you any more."

"OK, but that means you'll have to go back." – Janis was calling her bluff.

Sara simply sighed. She wasn't mad at Janis, and she didn't want to go back to her table yet.

"I don't know what to do. Maybe I can bail through the back door." – she was thinking out loud.

"Come on, Sara, seriously, I don't know why you are so wired up. You were really good. And your friends thought that also. I'm sure they're waiting for you to go back. Well, all besides one, because the older one is leaving." – Janis saw Grissom leave.

"Grissom is leaving?" – Sara asked afraid to turn around. She was afraid that he left because of her. That he was disappointed to see her like that.

"Well, I don't know his name, but I can tell you your special friend doesn't mind."

"He's not my special friend! He's my…normal friend." – Sara muttered through her teeth.

"Yeah, what ever you say. Anyway, your group is smaller now. You can go back."

"I can't believe Grissom took off. I mean, who does he think I am? I just sang there! I deserve to have fun!" – she was getting angry now.

"I hear you, sister! But, I would get rid of those thoughts for now. Your Mr.Buckaroo is coming this way."

Sara stiffened.

"Stop calling him that."

"Why? You don't want anyone else to use your special nickname for him?"

"You're having way too much fun with this."

"Smile." – Janis whispered nudging Sara to turn around. And than she took off.

Sara took a deep breath as she turned around to meet with Nick's bright smile. Their looks were fixated on one another as Nick approached her. She felt her cheeks getting warmer and realized she was blushing. Nick finally made his way through and he leaned on the counter, smiling, but not saying a word, which was making Sara even more nervous.

"Well?" – she couldn't stand the staring and the silence anymore. Not that she mind the staring, because even she had to admit that Nick's eyes emitted something more than just friendship. She was taking in every inch of his face while her eyes were watching his smile disappear. He was just watching her with those brown eyes that always made her melt. Her heart was beating faster with every second that passed bye, without speaking. Just looking at her. Even if he had any idea what he wanted to say, about how beautiful she looked, or how she made him feel when she met his eyes when she was singing, it wouldn't be enough. She deserved more than just words. She heard enough of empty words, lies, betrayal. He listened to a soft tune that was playing, and he got one step closer. Again, without any words he took her hand and led her to the dance floor. Her hand was so warm and he didn't want to let her go. Even when they found a spot, his grip was still hard as he pressed their joined hands on his chest, while other hand found her hip.

Sara was feeling so much in that moment, and one of emotions was fear. She was a rationalist; she didn't like the guessing game. But, Nick didn't want to talk. He just brought her even closer until her head found his warm neck and he felt her breath against it.

"Nicky…?" – she whispered in his ear.

"Shhh."

He gently moved to the music taking her with him. It seemed like the entire room felt something magical in the air, and the only thing heard was a soft tune and John's voice singing:

She's a yellow pair of running shoes

A holey pair of jeans

She looks great in cheap sunglasses

She looks great in anything

She's I want a piece of chocolate

Take me to a movie

She's I can't find a thing to wear

Now and then she's moody

She's a Saturn with a sunroof

With her brown hair a-blowing

She's a soft place to land

And a good feeling knowing

She's a warm conversation

That I wouldn't miss for nothing

She's a fighter when she's mad

And she's a lover when she's loving

And she's everything I ever wanted

And everything I need

I talk about her, I go on and on and on

'Cause she's everything to me

Sara's fears were replaced with a feeling of love. She felt so warm in Nick's embrace, with her hand in his, just above his heart. Her other hand was making small circles on the back of his neck, causing his skin to burn. She wanted to look into his eyes; she needed to see his eyes to convince herself that what she saw behind them didn't disappear. She needed reassurance. Slowly, she lifted her head from his shoulder and Nick opened his eyes meeting her soft glare.

"Nicky…?"

Again he shushed her, bringing his lips to hers, closing the distance between them. Maybe it was all the beer, maybe it was the music, but both of them felt like they were spinning. He moved back a bit, wanting to see her reaction. Her eyes remained closed as she was breathing heavily.

"Open your eyes, beautiful. I want to see your eyes." – he whispered.

She obeyed him, and met his look.

A/N – It's snowing here today, and it made me a bit soft, hence the soft feelings in this chapter. :) Anyway, while I was thinking of a proper conversation between Nick and Sara, I decided to make a scene without them actually speaking. What can I say, blame it on a snow! It always makes me fuzzy.
Anyway, what did you think? I'm dying to know!