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: NS What if Gina Toscano and Sara Sidle were the same persons? What if Gina couldn't deal with a shooting in Rosslyn and she quit, changing her life and name, becoming an CSI? What if the President comes to Las Vegas and asks Sara to watch Zoey for a weekend? How will Nick feel about Sara putting herself in danger? West wing/CSI crossover

Thanks to: saraluver ( i hope this makes your day, also), Jessica Summers, spikes-storm, BeTrAyEd DaUgHtErS (well, my biggest fan, here's a long chapter for you! Waiting for your comments), JennCorinthos, katie, firestorm13 (I promise to put Greg in the next chapter), Stahchild (thanks for a great review, and I hope you'll like the behavior of Nick in this chapter. I wanted to make things a lit light for this chapter), Angel (thanks for the compliment), angel-nat-nat (well, hope you'll be happy with the interaction), DestinyAiden (thanks for the advice-hope you'll like this chapter), Wahoo, Kelly368 (thanks! I'm so glad to see you thought the story was believable), Kim (glad you enjoyed it)

«I think we can manage without Gina for the weekend.» - Grissom purposely used Sara's other name. He knew the situation was confusing enough without bringing the whole changing the name thing and he didn't want to put her in a more uncomfortable place.

"Excellent. Well, Gina, your duties will start tomorrow morning. We're going to our room now. I'm pretty beat." – President smiled a little taking his wife's hand. – "Ready, dear?"

"What he meant to say is that we're both exhausted. Seriously, Jed, a man with your education should speak properly.

"Well, I'm too beat to speak properly." – The President snorted and rolled his eyes at his wife.

"And Gina, I hope we'll have more time to talk. I want to hear about your husband." – Mrs. Bartlett said, ignoring her husband. It was a woman's skill, after all.

"Husband?"

"Well, I can see that your last name is Sidle now."

Sara smiled, but she wasn't ready to talk about the situation. Naturally, she knew how that would bring a whole new conversation along, such as: why are you still single?

"Good night, Mam."

"I guess that's our cue to leave." – President smiled at the young woman and that turned towards Grissom. – "Never could've get a real answer from this one. And the way she can boss people around. Well, Mr. Grissom, I hope you're not having problems with her."

"No, sir." – Grissom answered quickly, causing a stare from both Nick and Sara, a move which was well noticed on Zoey's side. But, she decided to stay quiet. After all, she will have the opportunity to talk to Sara alone. She turned her attention back to her father, just in time to hear hi say:

"Ah, I know you're lying. She's a pain in the ass."

Nick couldn't help but chuckle at the comment. Sara was gaping even if she knew it was all a joke.

"Ah, young man, you find that amusing?" – President turned towards Nick, whos face got red instantly.

"Ahm…no, sir?"

"Relax. I'm just joking."

"Yeah, he always does that when he's beat. Honey, you're just not funny. Come on, let's go." – Mrs. Bartlett piped in and took her husband down the corridor. – "It was a pleasure. Gina, we'll see you later."

"Yes, Mam. Sir. Have a good night."

The whole group remained quiet as they watched the President and his wife go into the elevator. When they were out of site, Zoey grabbed Sara's hand.

"You know, you could've said no. You don't have to do this."

"I really do, Zoey."

Nick was throwing glances towards Sara, than Zoey, and finally his eyes fell on Grissom. He wanted to ask him what the hell was he thinking when he didn't even protest about placing Sara in a dangerous situation. But, he decided to wait, until they were alone. However, when he heard Sara say that she needs to do this, he couldn't stop himself.
"No, you don't. Why are you doing this?"

Sara looked over at him, surprised to see that much anger in his eyes. However, she was equally mad.

"This is none of your business, Nick."

"Really? And whos business is it? Grissom's? Obviously not, because he would've said something." – Nick saw the anger on Sara's face, and decided to calm down a bit as he spoke more gently. – "Sara, I'm not trying to put you down, but you haven't worked in that line of duty for years."

She saw concern in his eyes, and she wondered if this is how a person who cares about you should act. Grissom just stood there, and didn't say anything.

"Look, Nick, I'm thankful for your concern, but I think I can handle this. It's just for a few days."

He nodded realizing there was nothing he could say to change her mind. All he could do is to pray that everything will go fine. And that she will return from her assignment as the same Sara.

Charlie and Zoey watched their little conversation, but more than words they've noticed the looks in their eyes which spoke much more. They've exchanged their looks, as Charlie's grip on Zoey's arm tightened. Something about that scene reminded him of him and Zoey. They would always fight about her safety.

"You know, Nick. You shouldn't worry about Gina…ahm..Sara, that it. She can watch you and me both and we would be perfectly safe."

Nick's face got redder in a moment, and Sara's eyes widened. The sentence wasn't as accusatory as the tone of Zoey's voice.

"Oh…I know that she's strong…I'm just concerned." – Nick started to babble causing Grissom to raise his eyebrow. Was it possible he was missing something?

"Yeah, Charlie is the same." – Zoey smiled innocently, reaching for Charlie's hand and grasping it in hers. Nick continued to blush as Sara tried to look anywhere but at their boss's face. Even if she had nothing to hide. Well, except her face which was now the same color as Nick's. Thanfully, she noticed Ron enter the room. He noticed her, and approached them. Nothing on his face showed that he was surprised to see her.

"Gina."

"Hello, sir." – she shook his hand with a nod.

"I've been informed you've been assigned to Zoey's duty for this weekend."

"That's correct, sir."

"Very well. I already called in the headquarters, and they will send the documentation along with your badge and a gun. Zoey's current agent will lend you her clothes. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Both Nick and Grissom were surprised with this new Sara they were seeing. Especially Grissom who was her superior and she never treated him like that. He didn't want to be called sir, but it would be nice to have that kind of respect. Ron noticed the men, and he looked at Sara questionably.

"Oh, I'm sorry. This is my boss Gil Grissom, and my colleague Nick Stokes."

"Nice to meet you. You have an excellent worker here, Mr.Grissom."

"Yes. I know." – he simply responded observing the man ahead of him. Nick did the same and tried hard not to chuckle at the scene. Both of the men were looking at each other, and it was strange that Nick thought Ron was the emotionless one.

"Well, I have to go. Gina, see you tomorrow. Gentleman." – Ron excused himself and Zoey started to laugh.

"You know, I can never get tired of Ron. He's like a stone. It's entertaining to watch if he will break."

"Well, stones are breakable." – Grissom chipped in.

"Yeah, but it takes a LOT of effort. People usually stop trying after a while." – Zoey simply said not noticing the expression on all of their faces. Each of them had a similar thought on their mind; Grissom wondered if that time really came - the one Sara spoke about when she asked him out. Was it really too late? Did she stop trying to break a stone? Nick on the other hand wondered if that time will ever come. And Sara…she tried to remember when was it exactly that she stopped trying. And than her look fell on Nick, and although she couldn't remember the exact time, she knew the reason why she has stopped trying. Nick Stokes entered her mind and heart, and there was nothing she could do about that. She shook hear head like she was waking from a dream, and turned her head towards Zoey.

"Well, I guess it's time to go. I need to get some sleep before my shift tomorrow…" – than she remembered. – "It's OK that I go, right? I know I'm still on the clock, but…"

"Of course you can go. This case doesn't need all of us here." – Grissom interrupted her.

"Oh, I don't know, Gris." – Nick smirked. – "I mean, we're dealing with one body which disappeared. I don't know if the 4 of us will be enough to solve that without Sara's expertise."

"Funny, Nick. You're just happy that your case ended before you had to dust for prints."

"You think I'm kidding? I'm serious. I mean, a guy fainted in the lobby and people presumed he was dead. Now, he's body disappeared…I don't know…" – the sound of his voice however revealed that he was joking. Sara was smiling also, as she forgot about other three people standing there.

"You know, Nick, you can just say you're going to miss me."

"Well, yes, but that's beside the point." – he smiled back, his smile getting bigger as he saw her blush. She was obviously taken aback by his bluntness. Grissom raised his eyebrows realizing that his suspicions were correct. There was definitely something going on between Sara and Nick, even if they hid themselves behind playful banter. He glanced towards Zoey and saw that it was obvious even to her. And than he realized one other thing; the time came. Sara moved on.

Another voice called Zoey's name, and that brought back Nick and Sara from their stupor.

"Hey, Zoey, Charlie, what's going on here?"

Zoey turned around smiling at the man who walked in with his assistant.

"Josh, look, it's Gina. Or should I say, Sara."

Sara looked down, unable to meet Josh's look. The man ahead of her was shot twice because she hasn't reacted in time.

"Gina!" – Donna yelled giving Sara a quick hug. – "It's good to see you."

Sara was surprised by the welcome, and she looked up and saw that Josh was smiling also.

"Hi."

"Oh, let me make the introductions." – Zoey said. – "This is Josh Lyman and his assistant Donna Moss. This is Nick Stokes and Gil Grissom from Gina's new work."

"Nice to meet you." – Josh smiled as they exchanged a few nods.

"You know, we were very surprised when we heard you quit your job." – Donna said still holding Sara's hand. She was grateful that secret service prevented a bigger disaster. And that disaster involved even bigger chaos which would've prevented Toby to get to Josh in time.

"You see." – Zoey chipped in. – "Gina here thinks she's responsible for what happened in Rosslyn. Can the two of you please reassure her that she isn't?"

Josh was seriously surprised. If anything, he was thankful that Gina managed to identify the suspects.

"Take it from the guy who took two bullets there, there was nothing you could've done." – Josh said pointedly. – "Don't blame yourself."

Sara was obviously very thankful for his words. If anyone had the right to blame her, it was Josh. And, well, Donna…she almost lost the man she loved. Even if it wasn't public, Sara knew there was more between them that just boss-assistant relationship.

"Thank you." – she quietly said with a nod.

"No problem." – Josh smiled; his dimples in full force. – "Now what do you say we grab a bite to eat. I'm thinking a well-burned steak."

All the women present made the same face.

"I'm thinking you're delusional from the hunger. You're having a salad."

"Donna! I wanna steak."

"Well, I want a raise."

"How is that connected?" – Josh continued to whine receiving a few strange glances from the present crowd.

"Well, when I get a raise, you get a steak."

"You know, I'm sure that there isn't anything in your job description that can give you the right to order me what to eat."

"You're right. There isn't." – Donna sighed.

Josh smiled, trying hard not to do his victory dance.

"However…" – Donna continued, taking his smirk of his face. – "I can ask Mrs. Bartlett what she thinks about your eating habits, and she can tell the President to put that in my job description."

"You wouldn't!" – Josh exclaimed knowing the answer even before he finished the sentence. Donna had her: "Dare me" face and he knew there was nothing worse than Mrs. Bartlett giving him a lecture about his health. Well, there was; and that was The President giving him the lecture about his health. He shuddered at the thought.

"Salad it is." – he surrendered earning a chuckle from Charlie which was stopped with a glare.

"Good. Come on. It was nice to meet you all." – she smiled at the group and they left. However as they were going towards the elevators, the group still heard their banter.

"And don't even think to call room service. We have joined rooms. I will smell the steak."
"You're an evil woman, you know?"

"And proud to be."

Zoey smiled at the sight and turned her attention towards Sara.

"Like you see, they haven't changed."

"Yeah…I do." – she glanced at the two people waiting for the elevators, and thought about their relationship. Even if they had the boss/assistant relationship, they weren't hiding behind it. They just didn't know how to cross that line between friendship and love. And she knew that if Donna asked Josh to dinner, he wouldn't refuse. He wouldn't say that he doesn't know what to do about this. The elevator came and Catherine got out, but not before taking a good look of Josh. She obviously missed Zoey and Charlie's presence as she approached the group.

"Hey, wasn't that our Deputy chief of staff. For a guy working in politics, he's really good looking."

Nick started to laugh, and Sara was also having trouble at keeping the smirk off her face.

"Well, sorry to inform you, but he's already fixated with a certain blonde." – Zoey said finally catching Catherine's attention.

"Who are you?" - Cath bluntly asked.

"Catherine. This is Zoey Bartlett. And Charlie Young." – Sara made the introduction still smiling.

"And I'm an idiot. I'm sorry, miss Bartlett."

"No problem. And, a lot of women think Josh is handsome. Take Gina for example." Sara blushed in an instant, and both Nick and Grissom looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Gina?" – Catherine was confused as hell.

"Oh, sorry, Sara." – Zoey said and pointed her finger at Sara. - "You know, I think he wanted to ask you out once, but he chickened out when your team beat his in basketball."

"I missed something." – Catherine glanced at Grissom, obviously expecting an explanation.

"Well, our Sara has a bit of a past. She was working for secret service protecting miss Bartlett."

"Really?" – Catherine nodded approvingly.

"Yes. And she's going to be handling Zoey's security this weekend." – Nick added receiving a "don't go there" look from Sara.

"Well, I was gone for a bit, and a lot happened. You know, this is even more interesting that those 10 bodies up there."

Zoey stiffened in an instant.

"There are 10 bodies up there?"

"Yeah, but they all killed themselves. Don't worry about it." – Nick warmly smiled. Zoey relaxed immediately. There was something about the way Nick interacted with people. And she knew why Sara looked at him the way she did.

"Well, I guess we should let all of you get back to work. Come on, Charlie. See you tomorrow, Gina…excuse me, Sara."

"See you. Good night." – she smiled and watched the couple go. It was easier that looking back into her co-workers eyes.

"So, you had a crush on Josh Lyman?" – Nick smirked.

"No, it wasn't a crush. Zoey's just exaggerating."

"She said he wanted to ask you out." – Catherine added. – "By the way, I stand behind my statement – he's really good looking."

"You should see him in a tux." – Sara smiled.

"OK. I'm jealous." – Cath sighed.

"No need to be. He's already taken."

"Really, I thought he was single." – Catherine remembered the article from the other day.

"He is, but everyone knows he's in love with Donna. They're just too stubborn to actually do anything about that."

"Ah, Sara Sidle, the romantic soul. Who would've known?" – Nick chuckled earning himself a slap on the head. – "Well, that wasn't very nice."

"You deserved it."

"OK, children, let's go. Catherine you find Warrick and help him. I'm going back to the lab to file a report on this case. Nick, take Sara home, since her car is in the parking lot of the lab." – Grissom grabbed his kit from the floor and started to walk away. He deliberately avoided giving Nick another assignment. All the things he realized this evening got him to change his position about lot of things. Sara moved on, and he had to let her.

Although both Catherine and Grissom left, Sara remained staring at the floor, feeling Nick's eyes piercing her.

"What?" – she asked raising her head to meet his look.

"Nothing. I'm just surprised how many things I didn't know about you, that's all."

"Disappointed?"

"No." – he simply responded.

"What than?"

"I realized that you're the most amazing woman I know."

Her eyes widened and her breath accelerated as she searched his eyes to see what was behind them.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." – he kept staring at her, wondering if he should try again to stop her from taking this assignment. He didn't want her to get hurt. However, if he knew anything about Sara, that was to let her do what she needed to.

"Well, I guess we need to take you home. You've got a job to do tomorrow."

"Yeah, I do." – she nodded.

"Well, come on. You have the once in a lifetime opportunity to be driven around the town by yours truly." – he widely smiled making Sara squirm in place.

"So, you're going to be my chauffer?"

"Well, you're a big shot from Washington! I'll be happy to have that duty. It's no limo, but you can even sit in the back for a proper adventure." - he took her hand and linked their arms. – "Ready, mam?"

"Ready."

They started to walk to the front door, arms still linked. Sara glanced at the man next to her and smiled. The evening turned out better than she thought it would.

They reached Nick's car and he opened the back door for her. She shook her head and pointed to the passenger door.

"What happened to the proper adventure?"

"I want to sit next to you." – she gave him the seductive smile with a wink as she enter the vehicle. Nick stood in his place for a second trying to focus.

"Well, this is going to be some drive home." – he thought as he closed the door.

A/N – Well, sorry for the long wait, but I've been very busy. For those reading "He had a heart once", don't worry, you can expect a new chapter soon.

Well, this chapter is a bit longer and I hope you will like it! LET ME KNOW!