Disclaimer: You know...the usual. Don't own CSI or associated characters...pooh.

Author's Note: And here is the second Chapter!

A Special Thanks to Space-Case7029: Audra! Thanks so much for all of your helpful reviews, you were the first on the scene for Car Trouble and the first for Try Again, uber thanks for sticking with me and for all of your feedback. : )


Nick's sweaty hands were clammy against the cold surface of the steering wheel. He tugged uncomfortably at the collar of his shirt and looked anxiously over at Sara. She hadn't noticed his apparent unease and was still talking away, looking absolutely beautiful. After about ten more minutes of collar tugging and cold sweat, Nick pulled into the parking lot of Fortuna. Sara eyes lit up with surprise and delight. "Nick! I can't believe it! This is so romantic..." Sara bounced in her seat and gave Nick a hearty kiss on the mouth. Nick chuckled and helped her out of the car. He was starting to feel much more relaxed.

They entered the restaurant hand in hand, and many a head turned; they made a striking couple. The maitre d' hustled over. "Stokes, table for two I presume?" Nick nodded and they were lead to a quiet table toward the back of the room. A narrow shelf next to the table was decked with sweetly scented candles. There was a bottle of freshly chilled champagne nestled in a shining ice bucket gleaming with condensation. A thoroughly romantic setting. Sara had a huge smile plastered on her face, she kissed Nick again and giggled when he flushed. They seated themselves and Nick opened the bottle of champagne. The cork slipped out with a happy "pop" and he poured the bubbly liquid into two glasses. They sipped in silence for a while, Sara clasping Nick's hand across the table. Work had been rough for the past week, and both saw this quiet dinner as a blessed respite from the arduous work of catching criminals. Nick was as happy as could be, just seeing Sara smile like this was worth all the effort.

"Nick, I'm really glad you decided to do this..."

"You deserve a break, and you know how much I love you...you're my world Sara Sidle."

"You're such a charmer."

"And don't you forget it."

"Believe me, I won't."

The main courses came right on schedule, and Sara happily fed Nick bites of pasta from her fork. She loved doing things like that when she was around him, and Nick loved every minute of it. When the dishes were cleared away and desserts and coffee were ordered, Nick gathered up his courage. He was going to do it...now. His hand clutched the velvet ring box for support and he swallowed nervously. "Sara..?" He began shakily. Sara looked at him curiously.

"Hmm?" She inquired. Nick's voice strengthened and he continued.

"Well, I have something really important to say..." Sara looked at him expectantly and squeezed his hand. She was just about to speak and then- - Brrrring! Sara glanced down at her purse and pulled out her cell phone. "Grissom" she muttered under her breath. Nick slumped down into his seat and released his hold on the ring box. He was fuming. Interrupted! Of all the times Grissom could call... - Brrrring! Nick's cell phone went off as well. "Stokes."

"Hi, it's um, Dave."

"Is something wrong?" Nick's voice sounded decidedly menacing over the phone. Dave gulped silently.

"We uh, have a DB here, and um, it's all hands on deck. Grissom told me to call you."

"'Course he did...I'll be there in half an hour."

"Great." Nick hung up with a resigned sigh. Sara had a similar expression on her face. She held out her hand apologetically. "I guess we have to cut this short tonight Nick. Oh, I'm so sorry! You went through all this trouble..." Nick cut her off with a kiss.

"Don't worry we'll continue this when we get home...you can show me how grateful you are..." He raised an eyebrow suggestively. Sara playfully smacked him and stood up.

"We better go get changed..." Nick got up and guided Sara around the tables.

"I'll be just a sec, I need to get the check. You can wait out by the car if you want."

"Okay." Sara walked towarrd the door and Nick approached the Maitre D'. He smiled and handed him his credit card. "Thanks for everything Rupert, tell Reggie I say thanks." Rupert the Maitre D' leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, "Did...everything go as planned?" Nick sighed and shook his head. "No...I didn't get to ask her." Rupert gave him a sympathetic smile and patted him on the back. "It will work out eventually, you'll see. If at first you don't succeed, try try again" Nick mustered a half hearted grin, grabbed his credit card, and walked out the door to Sara.


The drive back to the apartment was hurried, with Sara calling curses down upon Grissom. Nick chuckled, he really did love Sara's fiery temper, unless it was directed at him of course. They bolted up the stairs to the apartment two at a time. Nick grabbed a shirt lying on the arm of the couch and found a pair of pants behind the TV. The whole livingroom was strewn with clothing from some of their more...vigorous activities. Nick almost blushed when he thought about it. Glancing around, he saw Sara on the rug rummagin gunder the sofa. Lightening fast, he slipped into the bedroom and shoved the ring box back into his sock drawer. He checked to see if Sara saw him, but she was frantically searching for her pants, and finally located them under the sofa cushions. They both changed in record time and once again bolted out the door into Nick's car. Sara had taken to driving with Nick to work now. Driving alone was so lonely.

They arrived on the scene and parked in front of a fairly new apartment complex. Grissom walked up the car and gestured toward the building. "There were neighbors complaining of a nasty smell coming from the apartment room next to theirs. Brass is on his way, they have to clear the room first." Just as he finished speaking, Jim Brass arrived on the scene. He had on his characteristic wry grin. He drew his gun and proceeded inside. Nick, Sara, and Grissom followed behind them. As they walked through the winding hallways the stench of decaying human flesh got stronger and stronger. Brass wrinkled his nose in disgust. Sara glanced over at Nick and mouthed the word "lemons" to him. Nick laughed and winked. Brass stopped in front of room 56C and motioned for the three CSIs to stand back. "LVPD, open up!" No response. Brass nodded for the two officers to break the door down. A well placed kick splintered the hinges and a crack formed through the middle of the door. That was when sand began pouring through the gaps in the wood. Grissom hurriedly moved out of the way. "Get back!" He shouted. The door collapsed into a pile of wood chips as a deluge of sand gushed out of the room and into the hallway. Sara was enveloped by the sand almost immediately and Nick was knocked off his feet. He recovered and frantically dug through the sand to grab Sara's arm. He hauled her upright and glanced around. Grissom, genuinely shocked, was shaking sand from his shoes. Brass stood off to one side, scowling, with sand covering him from head to toe, looking like an irate, brown snowman. Sara was sputtering and cursing under her breath, but her dunk under the sand didn't seem to injure her in any way. Nick was the first to speak. "What the hell is going on here?" Just then, Catherine, Warrick, Greg and David arrived in the crowded hallway.

"Sorry we're late Grissom, traffic was terri- What the...!" They gaped in confusion and shock; the hallway in front of room 56C was now covered in a layer of sand two feet deep, and there was even more still piled up in the room itself. "What the hell is going on here?" Catherine echoed. Grissom waded through the sand pile and pointed to a withered human hand sticking up from the mini desert. "Looks like our killer likes to play in the sand."


TBC... Whoo, another chapter done. Pretty interesting huh? And poor Nick, that's interruption number 1! How many more until Sara says yes? More angst and hilarity to come...stay tuned folks.

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