Sara walked around the deck, beer in hand looking over the railing at the twinkling lights of Downtown Las Vegas. Her mind was a million miles away so she wasn't aware of anyone closely watching her in the growing darkness. Gil stood back, hands tucked into the pockets of his tux and was about to walk up to her when Conrad Ecklie grabbed him by the arm "Grissom, come the Mayor is looking for you" he tried to lead the older man away but Grissom stopped "Ecklie, kissing ass it your department, mine is the Crime Lab, can't you do enough smoozing for the both of us?" his tone was level but Ecklie turned to look toward where Sara was still blissfully unaware of their presence. "Now Gil, the Mayor wants to introduce you to some very important people…" he coughed lightly and Grissom had the urge to swat him on the back "you know, the new budget comes out in only three months and it could mean the difference between some new badly needed equipment or simply slogging by on some of the antiquated things that really have seen better days" Gil shook his head "We're the number two crime lab in the country, I think that says a lot for the equipment" he found himself moving in step with Ecklie "And the people" Ecklie threw in for good measure "Yes, and the people" he quickly agreed and I for one would like to see my people who earn promotions not get passed over because someone higher up thinks we can use another gadget for the lab" Ecklie nodded in agreement but Grissom wondered if he even heard him. "Yes, I fully agree but you know Gil" he tried to look apologetic "Sometimes difficult decisions have to be made, you as well as I know that" he kept nodding and Grissom was reminded of one of those dogs in the back window of some 69 Cadillac
Nick was leaning against the bar already on his second scotch when Warrick walked up to him "Hey, going solo all night?" he leaned against the hand rubbed oak and motioned to the bartender "I'll have what he's having" Tina who tagged closely behind gave him a cutting glance "and get the lady whatever she wants" he acted like Tina was just an afterthought. Nick didn't miss the coldness that seemed to settle between them. "I've been looking for Sara but she seems to have done a vanishing act" he sipped at the amber liquid "At least they didn't water down the scotch" he laughed and Ric joined him "Yeah but this is little shindig is gonna cost someone a promotion" he winced as the words left his mouth "Hey, it's okay like I told Sara at it was an honor simply being nominated for the position" Tina took that moment to slide in between Nick and Warrick "Are you two planning on talking shop all evening?" Ric held his tongue but took a larger gulp of his drink "That's what happens at these parties Honey!" he looked over her head toward the doorway "that and a lot of ass kissing" he nodded toward where Ecklie and Grissom had just made their appearance. "Ya got that right" Nick laughed.
Catherine was walking into the ballroom and saw Grissom being strong armed into meeting with the Mayor and his cronies., she thought better and turned to make her escape then spied Sara standing along at the railing "Hey" she waved slightly then walked over to her co-worker "How's it going?" Sara took a swig of her beer and smiled "Great if you like these kinds of things" she seemed in a queer mood and Catherine wondered if she'd seen Grissom walking back from the deck "Why not try to have some fun tonight, it's on the taxpayers" she laughed as the evening breeze gently caressed her hair. "Yeah, make the best out of a bad situation?" she chuckles "Hey, you got one sexy guy in there, waiting for a dance" Catherine leaned her back against the railing "Come on Catherine, Grissom dance?" Catherine shook her head "Wasn't talking about Gil" she saw the shocked look on Sara's face "Nick?" Cath nodded "Yeah, Nick" she was surprised that Sara was oblivious to the fact that everyone else seemed to notice the crush he had on her. "Why would Nick want to dance with me?" she turned, finished the beer and balanced it on the railing "does everyone know something I don't?" Greg picked that very moment to join the conversation "A blind man would know Sara" he laughed as Sara looked from him to Catherine "You're kidding right?" none of them noticed anyone coming upon them "Nick and …" She looked up and caught a glimpse of black/brown eyes staring at her over Catherine's shoulder "Nick and who?" he looked between the three of them waiting for an answer. "Gotta get a drink" Greg looked really guilty "I'll join you, Grissom should be free by now" Catherine laced her arm thru Greg's and the two hurried away "Nick and who?" he turned, hands in pockets then turned back to Sara "How about you, planning on making a hasty retreat?" he was beginning to wonder if they hadn't been talking about his kidnapping. "No…I'm not going anywhere" she leaned back against the railing and felt his gaze boring into her "So….who they fixing me up with this week?" he leaned a hip against the railing but moved closer to her "Funny thing" she muttered "They seem to think, you and" she looked up and wondered why she never realized how truly handsome he really was. Lines that would have marred another man's face only made his smile so much more appealing, the dimples, the mega watt smile and those incredible piercing eyes "Who Sara?" his voice came out a mere whisper "You and me?" she stopped to gauge his reaction then slowly nodded "Yeah kind of funny isn't it?" Nick took a deep breath "Would it be?" he waited for the question to sink in. "No…come to think of it, no it wouldn't be funny" she turned to face him as he took one more step forward "Would it be awkward?" she smelled his aftershave and breath mint "A little…" he moved closer and gently touched her cheek "I've wanted to do this for a long time" he gently dipped his head and ever so slightly brushed his lips against hers then looked into her eyes waiting for some sign to progress or step back "How long?" she blinked then brought her lips to his "Since the first time you flirted with me, your second day in Vegas" her eyes shot open "I did not flirt with you!" she pouted and he leaned in and kissed her "Yes you did" he shot back "No I did…….." but his mouth covered hers and she was forced into silence………