Nick Meets the Sidles

Pairing: Sara and Nick (Snickers)

Nick and Sara go to Tamales Bay so he could meet her family. They also meet her parents' foul beaked parrot named Fowl Mouth and dog named Lazy Bum.

A/N: This story takes place about a month before the Epilogue chapter of 'Sara Meets the Stokes'.

A/N: Maverick is George's dog (of course you know that). Maggie was a sweet Rhodesian Ridgeback that belonged to a cousin of mine. Belen is an interesting and very sweet Irish setter that my dad's childhood friend's family has. .

Disclaimer: I don't own any CSI characters, only my original characters. I wouldn't mind owning Nick though!

The Flight to Insanity

Nick returned to his seat after using the bathroom. He was happy that he sat in the aisle seat so he didn't bother his girlfriend when he had to get up from his seat. However, he felt bad for her because she would bother him.

"Sara, I am not looking forward to meeting your family," Nick mumbled.

"I know," she said. "I met your family and it's only fair that you meet mine."

"I understand that," Nick said. "I just don't understand how a person like you could come from people like your parents. From what you have told me about them, I get the impression that we aren't in for a good time."

"We are going to San Francisco to visit the city," Sara told him. "I'll introduce you to some of my old colleagues at the SFPD. However, we are staying at the Bed and Breakfast in Tamales Bay."

"That's good to know," Nick sighed as he fastened his seat belt.

"I have to warn you that my parents acquired a parrot from a very eccentric relative," Sara mumbled. "This animal is not a very nice bird, he curses all the time."

"Sara, we curse, too," Nick gently reminded her. "Why should a parrot be any different?"

"I don't know, Nick," Sara shrugged. "When I was in junior high school, I overheard my brother tell a friend that he wanted to get a parrot and teach it to say all the curse words. Well, the moron got his wish, but he no longer lives in Tamales Bay to see his ideal present."

"Between crazy homicidal housewives and psycho stalking cable guys," Nick sighed. "I think I could handle a foul beaked parrot. What is his name?"

"Get this," Sara said. "His name is Fowl, that's F-O-W-L, Mouth."

"Sort of like that bird's personality," Nick smiled.

"My parents have a dog, a Great Dane they named 'Lazy Bum'," Sara said.

"Now, I would like to call the ASPCA on them for naming a pet that," Nick said. "If any member of my family gave any horse, dog or cat that, I would turn them in to animal cruelty authorities. What do they have against 'Maverick' or 'Maggie'? A friend of one of my sisters named her female Australian shepherd 'Belen'."

"I told you my parents are strange people," Sara said.

"Are we going to see Barry Bonds and the San Francisco Giants?" Nick asked giving her a pleading look he used as a kid to give to his parents and siblings to either get something he wanted or out of trouble. "What about the 49ers? Just as long as they don't play against any team from Texas or New England, I would go for that."

"Well Cowboy, I took care of that area," Sara said. "I bought tickets for the two of us to see two Giants games and a 49ers game. The Giants are playing against the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves. The 9ers are hosting the New York Jets."

"I never took you for a sports fan," Nick chuckled at his girlfriend's statement.

"Well, I have my boyfriend to thank for turning me into one," Sara winked as Nick blushed.

"Sir, Ma'am, I have your coffee," the flight attendant said. "Do you want cream and/or sugar?"

"I have both cream and sugar," Nick said.

"I'll have the same," Sara said.

"You get a snack," she said. "I have chocolate chip cookies, pretzels, tortilla chips, cheese doodles or hazelnut biscotti."

"I'll have a chocolate chip cookie," Sara said thankful that she and Nick had a hearty lunch at the airport before boarding.

"I'll have a hazelnut biscotti," Nick said.

They thank the flight attendant as she went to another row. The coffee was decent, but it wasn't Starbucks or Greg's famous Blue Hawaiian, but it was good. Sara's cookie and Nick's biscotti weren't the best they have ever eaten, but it had to do.

An hour later, they were about to arrive at San Francisco International Airport. The plane started to descend and the flight attendant announced that everyone should put their seats in the upright position and to stow the tray tables. Sara took out a pack of gum and offered a piece to Nick. He gladly accepted it and she took a piece for herself. They started chewing to remedy the plugged up ears caused by landing. Nick offered his hand and Sara gladly took it.

"Are your parents going to pick us up?" Nick asked breaking the silence and distracting Sara.

"No, I have a rented a Tahoe," she chuckled as Nick gave her a funny stare. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I can't believe you actually rented a Tahoe," Nick replied. "Don't you have one at home? I was hoping you would rent a smaller car."

"That is just in case we have to go somewhere with my brother and his crazy family," Sara said.

"Now I understand better," Nick smiled.

The plane finally landed and taxied the runway. The flight attendant gave that very familiar speech that started with welcoming the passengers to the city of arrival. She also told them to remain seated until the captain has turned off the seat belt sign and the plane has come to a complete stop. There was also an announcement of baggage claim area for those whose final destination is San Francisco. For those who were making connecting flights had to look at the monitors in the terminal for information of their next flight. She thanked the passengers for choosing her airline to fly with and told them to have a nice day.

Once Nick and Sara were at the airport, they went to baggage claim and picked up their suitcases. They went to the car rental area where Sara picked up the information and key to the rented Tahoe and signed the contract for it. When they found the Tahoe, Nick put the luggage in the back. After Sara and Nick were seated with their seatbelts on, they were on their way to Tamales Bay. Sara turned on the radio and tried to remember where her favorite station was and after a few moments found it.

"Nick, we were on a flight to insanity," Sara giggled. "Now, we are going on to insanity by Tahoe."

He laughed and turned up the volume slightly when 'Smoke Over Water' by Deep Purple started playing. Both he and Sara were singing along with the guitar riffs and the chorus. Led Zepplin's 'Kashmir' came on next and Sara turned it up. Nick was tapping his foot on the floor while he and Sara were humming to the music. They were having a little fun before meeting insanity.

TBC