Headliner

Chapter 18

The sheet fell on the makeshift stage. All of the adults began to clap and cheer. Nick turned to Sara. "They do this all the time. Cousin Plays are the highlight of my trip when I come down here."

"That was funny. I tried to pick out Lexi amidst all of them, but I couldn't. Do you know which character she was?"

"Lexi hasn't performed yet. My guess is she's in the big closing."

"That wasn't the ending?"

"Oh no, they've got their finale left to do. It's usually a good one," Nick said. He pointed to the stage as the sheet was pulled up revealing three females standing in a kitchen scene. Two were standing in the middle while the third was off to the side holding a microphone.

"There she is!" Sara said.

"Yeah. The other two are Hutch and Ace. Ace is dressed as the boy. This ought to be interesting."

Music began to play as Ace danced around Hutch who sat down on a stool.

"It's all about you, it's all about you baby, it's all about you, it's all about you," sang Lexi while Ace mouthed the words. Sara's hands flew to her mouth. "Yesterday you asked me something I thought you knew. So I told you with a smile it's all about you. Then you whispered in my ear and you told me to say you make my life worthwhile it's all about you."

Ace danced around making actions that fit the words while Katie tapped her feet on the floor. "And I would answer all your wishes if you asked me to, but if you deny me one of your kisses, don't know what I'd do. So, hold me close and say three words like you used to do," at this, Katie jumped up and began to dance with Ace, "Dancing on the kitchen tiles, it's all about you, yeah."

Through the instrumental portion of the song, the three girls danced in circles. Lexi, pulled of the tie she had on and threw it into the crowd. It landed in her mother's lap. All of them then blew kisses to the audience. As the words began again, Lexi moved to the side and let Ace and Hutch continue to dance to the song, with Ace mouthing the words the entire time.

"And I would answer all your wishes if you asked me to, but if you deny me one of your kisses, don't know what I'd do. So hold me close and say three words like you used to do. Dancing on the kitchen tiles, yes you make my life worthwhile, so I told you with a smile, it's all about you. It's all about you baby, it's all about you, it's all about you baby. It's all about you, It's all about you baby. It's all about you, it's all about you. It's all about you." The girls finished and took a bow as the curtain closed. Lexi's smile lit up the room and Nick grinned at the thought that he always knew it would.

The adults all stood up and went to the back of the stage to hug their respective children. Sara felt a hand on her arm. It was Camille. "Sara, I just wanted to tell you that that's one talented kid you've got."

"Thanks. She loves performing. I've got tapes of her plays since she was in kindergarten. She's got one coming up before school starts. She's really excited."

"I'll bet. She really is good," Camille said and walked off to see her four kids.

Lexi ran up to Nick and Sara, still smiling. "Hey guys. Did you like it?"

Sara embraced her daughter. "Are you kidding? We loved it. You were great out there. How long did it take you all to come up with that?"

"We've been working on it all day."

"Did it take very long to convince Ace to draw on the mustache?" asked Nick.

"Nope. It took longer to get Katie into a dress, actually," Lexi said.

Nick laughed, "That doesn't surprise me. Come on, dinner's in the backyard."


Their flight was scheduled to leave at three that afternoon. The Stokes family had yet to have their second meeting, so Nick took Sara out to breakfast. The kids had all planned to spy again. This was the one that really counted. Lexi sat on the floor looking around at all her cousins. She really loved Texas. Here she felt like she fit in all the time. No one was hiding any huge secrets from anyone else. She did have to admit, though, that she missed her best friend greatly.

The ever-familiar group of the three Hutchins daughters and Alexis made their way down the stairs. They sat against the door and smiled as the meeting began.

"Okay, Lexi, Nick, and Sara go back to Las Vegas in eight hours, so let's make this quick," Jillian said, "Does anyone have anything to say?"

Leslie stood up, "I'll start. While I'm still not completely satisfied with the way she handled the situation," outside, Ace, Katie, and Lacey rolled their eyes, "I really do like Sara as a person. She's nice and smart and I think she'll keep Nick on his feet."

"That's true," said her husband Keith, "but he'll have a hard time roping that one in. She's got her own mind."

"I'm glad you two have finally come around," Jillian said and patted his knee, "but don't you worry. My Nicholas will figure out how to get her if he really wants her. I have a feeling Lexi would help the situation as well."

"Eric, do you have anything to say?" asked Camille.

"She's fine by me. She makes a really good salad, so I approve." Everyone laughed.

"I suppose it's my turn to assess the situation," came a gruff voice that the kids recognized as their grandfather, "After careful consideration, I too have decided that Sara Sidle is a worthwhile person. I do hope that she can convince her kid to become a Stokes though." More eye rolls followed outside the door. "Now, that we've all got that settled, I have one more order of business to take up with all of you." He walked over the side of the room and pulled open the large wooden door. In fell the four girls. They turned red and the adults laughed. "How on earth did we get caught?"

Nick and Sara came back to find the whole family in the sitting room. Bill called Nick over. "Nick, send Sara upstairs with Lexi to finish packing. I need to talk to you."

Nick told Sara and Lexi to finish packing and that he'd be right up. He noticed that Hailey, Justine, Tara, Shelbie, Katie, and Ace all joined them. Females and their social hours, he thought. He walked back over to his dad. "What do you need, Dad?"

"I'm sure you know we were having one of our discussions. You may not know that we all know that the kids eavesdrop on us. I saw a finger under the door partway through our conversation. They're busted, but then again, so are we. Anyway, I'd just like to tell you that our consensus is that Sara is a fine person and she's welcome here anytime."


Lexi walked down the line of people and gave each of them a hug. It was going to be sad, going back to Vegas, but because of the internet, she'd be able to keep in touch quite well. Nick also hugged his family and promised to call as soon as they arrived home. Sara thanked everyone for letting her stay and the three of them headed off toward security.


They piled their bags on the floor as soon as they entered their home. Lexi went straight to the phone to call Courtney and Nick reached for his cell to call his family. Sara picked up the suitcases and dragged them to their respective rooms. She then resolved to call Grissom and check up on how things were in the lab. He'd been curt with her since May, and it was already the first week of August. She was tired of his attitude and wanted him to realize that her having a life wasn't such a bad thing. How many times had he told her to get one?

"This is Grissom."

"Hey, Grissom, it's Sara. How're things?"

"Hi, Sara. Everything is fine. We've been busy, but we're getting through it. I think Catherine's about ready to collapse from a triple. How was your trip?"

"Oh it was great."

"That's good. When are you and Nick coming back to work?"

Sara was caught off guard by his lack of interest in her time away. "Oh, um, I guess tomorrow."

"Alright, I'll see you then." He clicked off the phone.

Sara stared at the phone for a moment before turning it off. What was his problem? True, he'd always been an introverted person, but usually he was good for at least a five minute conversation. At the lab there was one person who could get under his skin and make him spill. He'd even mentioned that person in their short conversation; it was Catherine. Sara dialed her number.

"Willows," she said obviously exhausted.

"Cath, it's Sara. I know you're tired, but can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure," Catherine answered, yawning.

"Sometime before work tomorrow night, could you talk to Grissom? I need you to ask him what his problem is. Ever since he found out about Alexis, he's been rude and will hardly talk to me. He doesn't seem to be bugged by Nick, but it's like I'm some disease."

"Okay, Sara, I'll talk to him. Believe me, by tomorrow night he'll be back to his regular self. You can trust me, but first, I've got to go home and get some sleep."

"Alright, thanks Catherine, really. It means a lot to me."

"Have a good night," said Catherine.

Sara hung up the phone and went to the kitchen where Nick had begun constructing a can pyramid, hoping that Catherine could really get through to Grissom.


A/N: This was the longest chapter I have written for this story. Go me. Well, please let me know what you thought. Oh yes, the song that Lexi sang was "All About You" by McFly.