Author's Note: I'm BACK! Junior year has been much more time consuming than I had anticipated...but I cranked out the first chapter of my sequel...and they're going to keep on coming!Chapter one'spretty short, but I'm going to get chap two out by next week at the latest. Read and most definitely review, I want to know what you guys think! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or any characters and ideas associated with CSI..too bad.
Brrrrrrrrrring! The alarm clock chirped and clanged melodically. Sara bolted upright and pulled the sheets to her chest. "Nick!" she shrieked, "We're late!" She tugged on the sheets again. With a thump, Nick rolled onto the floor. He stood up and rubbed his eyes blearily. "Time for work already?" Nick yawned for emphasis. Impatient, Sara sprang up and grabbed her pants from a nearby chair. "You set the alarm too late again!" She tried to frown reproachfully at him. Nick grabbed her hand and waggled his eyebrows, "You didn't seem to mind a couple of hours ago..." Sara's frown melted away and shegrinned, blushing a little. "Always the gentlemen aren't you?"
"Always."
"Then you won't mind if I take the shower first." Sara pecked Nick on the cheek and scurried into the bathroom. Making sure Sara was out of the room, Nick tip toed to the dresser and opened his sock drawer. After rummaging around for a few minutes, he found what he was looking for; a little black, velvet box. Still glancing toward the door with a guilty expression on his face, he slid the box into his jacket pocket. Nick had spent a whole week trying to the select the perfect ring. Price wasn't a problem, finding a ring worthy of Sara however, was unbelievably hard.
After scouring jewelry store after jewelry store, he finally found the perfect ring. A two carat diamond solitaire, with a special engraving that Sara would never see, unless Nick told her where to look. Nick's current problem was figuring out when, where, and how to pop that all important question. It was no secret that Sara was just a tad insecure...naturally Nick was nervous as hell. He'd actually gone as far as to get a reservation at Fortuna, the little restaurant next to the Tangiers where Warrick, Catherine, Greg, and Grissom had arranged their first "date". Nick felt that a romantic dinner there would be the right moment to ask Sara to marry him...well, at least he hoped so. The reservation was for that very night, and he still hadn't told Sara. Nick jumped when footsteps drew closer to the bedroom door. Sara sauntered in, toweling her hair. "Ok, shower's yours Nick." She walked closer and twined her arms around his neck, "I love you Nick Stokes." She leaned in for a kiss. Nick's hands rested firmly on her hips, it's now or never he thought to himself.
"Sara Sidle, how does a romantic dinner for two sound to you?" Nick whispered in her ear. Sara's eyes widened and she actually squealed in excitement.
"Really? What's the occasion?"
"Just because I love you and we get off shift early tonight...so..."
"I have a dress that's perfect. But the case files are piling up, we shoul-" Nick leaned in and murmured,
"Relax Sara, we deserve a break...and afterward, we can..." Sara giggled into Nick's shoulder and nodded her head. "Fine... alright... that sounds amazing Nick!" Nick smiled and slung a towel over his shoulder. Tonight was the night, and Nick certainly hoped that luck would be on his side.
Shift seemed to pass infinitely slowly, or maybe that was just Nick's nerves acting up. When shift finally ended, Nick and Sara piled into Nick's Tahoe and drove back to his apartment. Sara chattered about her latest case, but Nick was only half listening. He'd never felt as nervous or scared in his entire life. Everything depended on her answer tonight... What if she says no? The very thought made his heart ache with anxiety. Nick drummed his fingers on the steering wheel and tried to stay cool, no use making Sara suspicious.
It was starting to rain outside when Nick finally parked the car. Nick and Sara sprinted for the entrance with a battered umbrella held between them. After drying off a bit, Sara disappeared into the bedroom and locked the door, apparently her dress was a big surprise. Personally, Nick thought she looked like a goddess regardless of what she wore. Even a burlap sack would look gorgeous on her. He managed to get ready fairly quickly, a crisp blue shirt that set off his broad shoulders and tailored black pants completed his ensemble. All he could do now was sit on the couch and fiddle with the tiny box in. He practiced his lines:
Sara, I feel that we've really gotten to know one another...no, too corny
Sara Sidle, I love you, Will you marry...Bleh, no good.
I would be honored if you would be my wif...argh.
Hey Sara! Wanna marry me and have a coupla kids?...this is hopeless.
Another fifteen minutes ticked by until Sara finally emerged from the bedroom. Nick looked up and was rendered temporarily speechless. He stood up abruptly and grinned. "You look fantastic, as usual." Sara twirled around and glanced in the hall mirror self consciously. "Believe me." Nick reassured her. Her hair glittered with an ornate silver comb fastened in an elegant knot at the nape of her neck. Sara's slim figure was encased in a simple white dress that stopped neatly two inches below her knees. Silver filigree earrings sparkled at her ears. Nick held out his elbow. "Shall we?"
Sara slipped her arm into his and they proceeded out the door and toward the parking lot. Sara's high heels clacked on the pavement in time with his racing pulse.Ever the southern gentleman, Nick handed the umbrella to Sara and opened the car door for her with a flourish. She climbed in and Nick jogged to the drivers side. His heart was still thumping madly and his fingers never strayed from the ring box in his pocket.
TBC... And there it is folks! Any good? Tell me about it, by clicking on that little purple button...
