hey sorry i haven't updated in so long! well like a week or something like that... I was writing Their High School Days and I was EXHAUSTED from soccer thing. (it gets you back and shape and kills your abs lol) so here's the fourth chap finally! lol

After the shift ended and Marissa's shift at the grocery store finished, Sara picked her niece up. As the Tahoe pulled up beside the store's doors, Marissa grinned and ran out to it.

"Thanks!" she said as she climbed into the passenger seat. Sara smiled, pulling out of the parking lot.

"Grissom gave us some news today," Sara said quietly. She was still hurt that Marissa hadn't shared her wishes on becoming a CSI. She would have been proud of the girl. Sara had been the only one in her family to have a powerful interest in science, and now she wasn't alone.

"What's the news?" Marissa asked.

"Oh, he uh, he found out about you wanting to become a CSI. So," Sara smiled. "He's started a college fund for you." Marissa blushed.

"Really?" she smiled. "That's amazing!... I'm sorry I didn't tell you." She added, sensing Sara's feelings.

"It's fine," Sara said, turning her mind on driving. "So, do you want to get some lunch to celebrate?" Marissa frowned.

"Oh," she said dully. "I'm so sorry! Greg asked me to go to some café place with him." Sara's heart fell. She felt betrayed. By Greg and Marissa. Greg was her friend! And now he was going out with her niece, who first of all was way too young for him and he'd met her just four days ago. And Marissa was continuing to tell other people about things but not Sara!

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sara asked sharply.

"Well… Greg's a nice guy, right?" Marissa asked slowly. Sara nodded, knowing it was true.

"Marissa," she said. "He's a lot older than you. He was in high school when you were in third grade. And he's still practically a stranger. I just think you'd better settle in before you get in to anything." Marissa glared at her.

"I'm not a minor Sara! I'm an adult. I can think for myself," she shot angrily. "I know you were upset when I came to Vegas and when I didn't tell you about becoming a CSI." She sighed, calming herself down. "I've felt like you haven't really wanted me here. But you can't treat me like I'm my mother!"

Sara stopped at a red light, and stared at Marissa. "I'm not holding anything against you!"

"Are you sure? Because after my first night, you haven't smiled when I'm around until today. Stop sulking about your brother! He was a druggie, face it!" Marissa glared even more coldly. They were silent even when they reached Sara's house. Marissa jumped out as soon as the car slowed, and walked angrily into the house. Sara, still fuming, followed her.

Sara spent most of the afternoon in her room. She was hurt. Sara was the first person to find out her brother was a drug addict. He went to jail and her mom stabbed her father and Sara was put into foster care. And now, for the first time in a long time, she had family. But she'd already screwed that up.

She wasn't blaming Marissa for what her mother did. But Sara didn't know how to feel about the teen. She reached for the phone and without thinking, dialed a number.

It rang twice before someone answered. "Stokes," it was Nick. Sara hadn't realized what number she dialed, so shocked, she said nothing. "Hello?" Nick asked, confused.

"I'm sorry Nick. I-I didn't… I'm sorry," Sara squeaked. She felt the tears coming.

"Sara? Are you alright?" Nick asked worriedly. "What's wrong?"

"Oh Nicky!" Sara sobbed, hugging her knees with her free arm. "I don't know what to do!"

Nick was silent for a moment. Then he asked, "Is this about Marissa?" She could tell he was nervous. She hadn't really talked about personal stuff with anyone but Grissom. Nick was probably overwhelmed.

"She says I'm blaming her for what happened to my brother. And the thing is… I-I think she's right," there, she'd admitted it. The flow of tears increased and she found herself trying to dry her slick face.

"Do you want me to come over?" Nick said, almost hesitating.

"B-but I think Marissa's still here." Sara peaked into the living room. It was empty, but there was a note on the kitchen counter:

I'll be out with Greg until seven. –Marissa

Sara finished reading it. "Actually, she's not. She's out." She paused waiting for Nick to say something, anything.

"I'm coming over now. It'll be fine Sar, I'll be there in a sec." He said and they hung up.

When she opened the door to let Nick in, Sara smiled at him through the tears that were streaming down her face. "Thanks." She said quietly. Nick smiled at her and led her to the sofa to sit down. Sara smiled back at him weakly.

"I-I'm s-sorry. I just don't know what to do… or think." She whispered. She was so exhausted emotionally, it was hard to speak. She started shaking and sobbed even harder.

Nick put his arms around her, "Shh. It's okay, it's gonna be okay Sara." She laid her head on his shoulder, her tears falling on his shirt. The warmth of his body calmed her. The remained like that for a long moment. After a while, Sara lifted her head slowly, looking into Nick's dark eyes.

"Thank you," she whispered hoarsely. She blinked, a tear sparkling like a diamond from the light of the lamp on the coffee table, dropping form her eyelashes. Everything seemed to slow down. Sara leaned towards Nick, their lips touching softly.

Realizing what she was doing, Sara broke away, blushing violently. "I'm sorry!" she cried. Nick looked down for a bit, trying to mask his feelings. Knowing he couldn't, he looked back up at his friend.

He didn't speak, but he pulled her close to him, his head resting on hers. Sara was still crying, but less now. Her worry over what happened with Marissa disappeared slightly.

"Just let it go," Nick said softly. She knew he was talking about her brother and Marissa's mother, Amy.

"I can't," she answered.

"You have to," Nick kissed the top of her head. She nodded, sinking into the warmth of his arms.

Author's note: okay, hope you liked the chap. There will be atleast one more chapter. thanks for reading!