Beyond Friendship: Chapter 2
Disclaimer I don't own anything to do with the CSI franchise, and the characters used are copyright of CBS.
Nick and Sara stood in the Locker room completely lost in each others kiss. Sara thought this moment should never end, she felt so safe in his muscle bound grip. She felt whole when she was with him, she had never felt like that before. And she never thought she would be falling in love with Nick, but things change.
Sara pulled away from Nicks lips, she had regretted her movement but it had to be done if she hadn't of pulled away then God knows how long they would have been there, in the same position.
"Why did you have to go and ruin something that felt so right?" asked a confused Nick.
"Nick, its nothing personal you know that, but if I hadn't pulled away we would be here all day, and as much as I would love that, other people need to use the Locker room as well!" Sara closed her open Locker she didn't really want to let Nick see into her world of horrors. There were some things in there that a man doesn't want to see.
Nick unlocked the Locker room door, but didn't open it.
Just as Nick walked away from the door Greg walked in with a sulky look on his face.
"What's up Greggo?" asked Nick.
"What do you reckon? I am stuck working with Grissom. By this time Greg was sat on the bench, head in his hands.
"Don't get me wrong I love the guy, but my God what has happened to him?"
Sara was trying her hardest not to join in the conversation, the subject of Grissom, was a no go area for her. She had just found happiness with Nick she didn't want old feelings for Grissom resurfacing, although she knew that there was no problem of that happening, after the way he had treated her.
Nick turned to Sara he knew about her feelings for Grissom before anyone else, and h had been the one she had turned to when Grissom hurt her. He was worried about the same thing. Was Sara still in love with Grissom?
"Greg you know that Grissom has had a hard time of it lately, cut him some slack."
Sara couldn't hold her breath anymore she had to have her input.
"Well he should care about other peoples feelings before he acts, that's what he always tells us. But he doesn't act upon his own advice, how hypocritical is that!" Sara was still facing her Locker, unbeknown to her Grissom had walked into the Locker room, and had heard everything that she just said. His face said it all. Nick and Greg were shocked by what Sara had said. Now Nick was more worried than ever that Sara was harbouring feelings for Grissom.
"Is that what you really think Sara?" asked Grissom.
Sara tuned around with shock, she knew now she couldn't back down. Now seemed like more than the right time to tell Grissom exactly what she thought of his recent behaviour.
"Yes it is Grissom. You have changed, and not for the better. If that could ever happen."
Nick, Greg and Grissom weren't expecting Sara to retaliate, they thought that she would have dropped it, but they were obviously wrong.
"What do you mean by that Sara, is this because I didn't choose you over Sophia?"
Nick was shell shocked, he couldn't believe that Grissom could go that low, no-one else knew about Sara and Grissom, and he had said it so coldly as though she meant nothing to him. Nick couldn't take it anymore. He could see the hurt in Sara's eyes, that had hit her hard, he knew he had changed, but he didn't think he had changed that much. The old Grissom would have never said those things, but the new one obviously could.
"How dare you bring that up, that was between me and you not Nick and Greg, and to think I loved you once, if you were to ask who I loved my answer wouldn't be you."
Grissom was about to retaliate to Sara's comment, when Nick stood up and stood between Sara and Grissom.
"Look Griss, I think you should leave, before you say something you regret." Said Nick calmly.
"Don't you think that you think that I should have a say back? Would you let Sara get away with those comments if you were in my position?"
Nick looked at Grissom dead in the eyes.
"Yes Griss I would, do you want to know why? She is telling me the truth, Griss you have changed and everyone on the shift agrees, and unless you start showing us the respect you did, we WILL take matters higher."
Grissom looked at Sara Nick and Greg.
"Have I changed that much?"
"Yes" said Sara coldly.
Grissom looked away from Sara's gaze.
"Can I speak to you in my office now please, Sara?" asked Grissom calmly/
"Fine, Nick I will meet you at your Tahoe in 10 minutes okay, this shouldn't take long."
"Greg if you make your way to the crime scene Brass is already there and he is waiting tell him I will be there soon, thank you."
Grissom walked out of the Locker room. Followed shortly by Greg. Nick and Sara were once again alone in the Locker room. They were silent.
"Hey Nick I am sorry about my outburst. Thanks for sticking up for me, I appreciate it, really I do. Maybe I can make it up to you later?"
Nick looked away from Sara he knew that if he didn't ask her he would regret it but it could also ruin their blossoming relationship.
"Sara, is this what you want?"
"What do you mean Nick?"
Nick took hold of Sara's hands.
"This, us, me and you, Sara I really like and I mean really like you. I want to make a go of it. but I need to know that you feel the same way?"
Sara looked at Nick.
"Nick, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I want it to stay that way. Grissom is in the past, Nick you're my future, if that's okay with you?"
Nick paced his arms around Sara's waist, hugged her and kissed her on the forehead, Sara complied.
"Its more than okay with me. This me and you is all I want!"
Nick and Sara kissed passionately for a second time in the last 10 minutes. Nick left the embrace, and walked out of the Locker room, smiling back to Sara who was standing in the Locker room alone. It was when she was alone, where she, composed herself, and exited the Locker room. She headed down the hallway towards Grissom's office.