Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters. CBS does.
Author's Note: I initially posted this over at my livejournal. Just thought I'd share it here as well. All titles are from the song "Street Map" by Athlete.All titles are from the song "Street Map" by Athlete.
"I'll just go to the bathroom." Without looking at anybody, Sara stood up and left the table. She was getting fed up by the way Nick's date had been acting. The girl had known him for like an hour and she was already calling him Nicky?
Sara had reached the hallway by the restrooms when a hand caught her wrist and spun her.
"What's going on?" Nick released her wrist.
"I don't know what you mean..."
"The hell you don't. Why'd you follow us here?"
Sara just shrugged and walked to the side and glanced at the couple of people passing through the hallway. She wasn't exactly sure how she got this crazy idea. When Grissom arrived at her place, he said it was her turn to pick where they would go. Andre's was the first thing that came to mind. She looked back at him as she rests her back on the wall. "I was just curious…"
"As to what?"
"Her… I didn't know you go for that type Nick."
"And what type is that? She's actually nice, Sara." Nick crossed his arms in front of him and leaned his shoulder on the wall beside her, his expression a little smug.
"You saying I'm not?"
He eyed her for a bit then grinned. "You're jealous," he concluded.
She was but she wasn't going to admit it. She just glared at him and ignored the comment. "Why are you making a big deal out of this? We're just sharing a table."
"I thought I made it clear I didn't want to see you with him."
"Ugh, grow up."
"And why would you parade yourself and him in front of me? Wearing this…" He flicks the strap of her dress and let his fingers linger there. He was leaning close enough that Sara could smell the hint of cologne on him. "You look gorgeous by the way," he said huskily.
Her face grew warm as he gazed at her intently, licking his lips a bit. She had a sudden urge to capture that tongue and kiss him senseless right there—in a public restaurant where she got another date, no less. She shook the thought off and blamed it on the dim lighting, the soft music, and the wine she had earlier.
"We should get back…" She held her breath as his finger left the strap and wandered along her collarbone.
"Yeah we should…" Nick drew his hand away and slowly stepped backwards from her, then turned around and sauntered back to their table.
Sara let out the breath she didn't notice she'd been holding. She could feel her heart still thumping wildly in her chest. She never had Nick look at her like that before, with so much intensity and longing. Things have definitely changed between them, and she wasn't sure what to make of it.
ooo
"In some species of praying mantis, the female begins to eat the male while they are still mating…" Grissom was speaking animatedly. Well he always does when it comes to his favorite topic.
Nick glanced at Sara and watched her cut her vegetables and put some in her mouth. She would nod politely once in a while as Grissom gave his speech. He smirked a little when he realized she wasn't really taking all those information in. She glanced at Nick and smiled when she caught him staring at her.
Nick didn't know what came over him earlier. He had never been that bold to Sara. He figured that she was pushing the right buttons and he gave in. Truthfully, she hadn't really left his mind ever since Grissom asked her out. Maybe it was the thought of losing her that was getting him worked up all of a sudden.
Whether he admits it or not, he'd been depending on Sara a lot these past few months. She was the only one who seemed to understand where he's coming from. She knew how to deal with the changes he'd been going through. And he'd like to think that he'd been helping her as well. They both had too much pain so it became natural for them to lean on one another.
Nick turned his head towards Gina when she lightly touched his arm and leaned in as if to whisper something. She was getting really close to him when he felt a foot lightly kick his shin.
"Oww!" He jerked suddenly, breaking the contact with Gina. He glared at Sara, who looked down and pursed her lips in an attempt to hide her smile.
"You okay?" Gina hovered closer to him and squeezed his arm. With a final glance at Sara, he turned his head back to his date and tried to concentrate on her.
"Yes. I .. uh ..think I got a cramp."
"Poor baby." She completely leaned this time and gave him a peck on the cheek before straightening up.
Nick anticipated the kick instantly, so when Sara raised her foot he caught it with his hand. He glanced at Sara triumphantly and saw her eyes go wide in panic. She didn't pull her foot away so Nick took it as a sign to continue. Silently thanking God for long tablecloths, he loosened his grip on her foot a little and lightly stroked her ankle with his thumb.
"… by the time she reaches his abdomen, mating is completed. Unintentionally the father becomes the supply of food for the bugs…" Grissom continued with his fun facts. Gina looked like she was enjoying it actually.
Nick slid closer to the table and kept his other hand on his glass. Sara swallowed hard and fiddled with her food.
"Aren't you hungry, Sara?" Grissom momentarily paused with his narration as he looked at Sara. He seemed genuinely concerned for her.
Nick pulled down the strap of her sandals and glided his fingers over the arc of her foot, then slides them up to her calf.
"Yesss…"
Nick grinned and kneaded her calf muscle gently.
"Uh..I mean no. I ate before you came to pick me up." Sara was looking a bit flustered.
Grissom raised an eyebrow and reached for her hand. Nick noted that Sara pulled her hand away a little too quickly. Satisfied with his effect on her, he placed the strap of her sandals back up and let go of her foot.
"You know, we should probably get back. Shift starts in a few hours." Sara turned to Grissom.
Grissom nodded and hollered for the bill. He also decided he'd pay for all of them. Nick let him, he's the boss anyways. And Nick wasn't really in the mood to argue. Gina wanted dessert so Nick motioned for the other two to go on without them. He sighed, the night was about to end finally.
"Nick, he left his wallet." Gina motioned towards the wallet lying on Grissom's side of the table.
Nick grabs it and stands abruptly. "I'll try to catch up with them… you gonna be fine here?"
He turned and hurried after them, then slowed his pace a little when he caught a sight of them on the street in front of the restaurant. Grissom hailed a cab and opened the door for her, then gave Sara a quick kiss before urging her inside the cab. Nick's heart stopped for a second. He blinked, and thought if he indeed saw what he just did. It was only when Grissom slammed the cab's door that Nick started to walk again.
"You left this." Nick almost shoved the wallet towards Grissom, then turned and walked away.
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