A/N: First I would like to give a special thanks to my wonderful beta, Camilla Sandman. Without your help, this would pretty much suck. Anyway, I am sorry that this took so long. I really had wanted to get it out sooner. Thanks for all of the wonderful reviews and thanks for continuing to read this. This chapter is mostly NS fluff so I hope all of you NS fans out there enjoy it. The next chapter will be back to the main story. Please read and review!

The morning came with blue skies and warm sun. Nick and Sara had just finished breakfast and left the diner, heading towards Nick's car. As they got into the Denali, Sara turned to Nick.

"You don't have to bring me all the way back to the lab to get my car. You can drop me off at my apartment and I'll take a cab to work tonight."

"Are you sure? Because I don't mind taking you back," Nick replied.

"Yeah. It will be easier. Plus I'm really tired and I am sure you are too. I just want to go home."

"Okay then. To your place it is." Smiling slightly, Nick started up the car and drove off. When they reached her building, he pulled into an empty space and put the car into park.

"Thanks for the ride," Sara said as she got out and walked around to the driver's window where Nick leaned his head out.

"You're welcome," he replied.

"Do you want to come up for a bit and watch some TV?" she asked.

"Yeah, all right," he replied, turning of the ignition and getting out of his car. "Did you have anything in mind?"

"No. We can check the TV Guide and see what's on." Sara took out her key and unlocked the door to her apartment, Nick following her in. "It should be right over there on the coffee table. You can pick something out and I'll get us something to drink. Do you want anything?"

"A glass of water would be good," Nick replied from the other room.

"Okay. I'll be right in," Sara told him.

A couple of minutes later Sara walked into the living room and stopped when she saw what he had chosen. "How did I know that you would pick Animal Planet?"

Nick turned to her and smiled, "There was nothing else good on and you can never go wrong with Animal Planet. They always have something interesting on."

Motioning him to make room, she headed over to the couches, glasses in hand. Looking more at the lions on the screen than her footing, she suddenly found herself tripping and falling. The water splashed from the glasses and onto Nick, managing to spray her lightly as well.

Reaching wildly for the falling glasses, Sara instead found herself falling on Nick. With soaked t-shirts, they found themselves face to face, her body pressing his into the couch. For a few seemingly everlasting moments, neither could move or speak, struck by a rush of emotions.

Sara was the first to break the silence. "Oh my God. Nick. I'm so sorry," she said as she pushed herself up off of Nick and sat next to him. She didn't want to break the contact but she didn't want to make Nick uncomfortable or scare him away either. "Look now. Your shirt's all wet."

"Yours is too." Nick let out a small laugh as he gestured towards her. He didn't mean to stare at her but the water had caused her shirt to become practically see through and he could now tell that she was wearing a red bra.

"Oh," Sara said, her cheeks flushed and she crossed her arms to cover herself. "I'm going to go change my shirt. Do you want me to throw yours in the dryer?"

"Don't worry about it," Nick said as he began to unbutton his shirt and took it off. "I will hang it up while you get changed."

Sara was staring at his muscular chest and hesitated before replying. "Okay. I'll be right back," she managed to say and getting up, headed to her bedroom. She hoped he hadn't noticed her staring at him but then she remembered he had stared at her too. Maybe there was a chance Nick felt that same spark of attraction she did. Maybe... Smiling to herself, she picked out a spaghetti strap tang top and light blue shorts to put on.

Meanwhile, Nick was hanging his shirt over the back of a chair and was wondering about the look he had seen in her eyes. She had definitely watched him for a moment. Did she feel something more than friendship between them?

He was still wondering a few minutes later when Sara emerged from her room, towel in hand. She walked over to the couch, stretching it out over the wet spots.

"I see how it is," Nick said, coming up behind her. She turned and he tried on his best fake pout. "You care more about the couch than me."

"No. Of course not," Sara replied as she playfully swat at his arm. "I just don't want to sit on a wet couch."

"You do realize there is still plenty of room left for the both of us to sit down. Come on," he insisted and patted the space next to him as he made himself comfortable.

"Do you want another glass of water?" Sara asked as she obliged and tried not to sit anywhere still wet.

"No. I'm good for now. Besides we don't need a repeat of what just happened or we might not have anywhere left to sit."

"Hey!" Sara exclaimed. "It is not like I did it on purpose, you know."

"Are you saying you didn't mean to soak my shirt so I would have to take it off and sit here topless?" Nick asked, grinning.

"Well, maybe I did and maybe I didn't," Sara replied flirtatiously as she smirked at him. "Why don't you use your great investigation skills, Mr. CSI-who-beat-me-out-of-that-almost-promotion, and figure it out yourself?"

"Are you ever going top let that go?" he asked. "Anyway, let's watch some TV." Lifting his right arm and putting it around Sara's shoulders, he pulled her towards him. She rested her head on his chest as they finally settled down to relax and watch some TV. Not before after they had drifted off to sleep.

A while later Nick stirred. As he woke, he became aware of a soft weight on his chest. Opening his eyes, he saw Sara's cheek resting against his chest, her right arm draped across his body, and her back against the couch. They must have fallen asleep while watching TV. He smiled to himself; she really looked beautiful while she slept. His watch told him they'd only been asleep for a few hours, so he reached for the remote with his free hand and switched the TV off, careful not to disturb her. He settled his arm about her, preparing to go back to sleep, but she woke, and her eyes met his.

"Hey," she whispered quietly.

"Hey," Nick whispered back. Neither one wanted to move. Both had sensed something was different between them. It was definitely a good something but neither one could say exactly what it was.

Sara decided to make a move now while she had the courage to do so.

She moved herself up a bit so her nose was almost touching Nick's. "Nick," she said. "I…" She was cut off by his lips capturing hers in a soft, tender kiss. Apparently he had the same idea as her. It lasted only a moment before she broke the kiss and pulled back so she could see his face, trying to gauge his reaction.

"Sara, you have no idea how long I have wanted to do that," he said a little breathlessly.

"Probably not as long as I have," she replied, smiling at his flustered expression.

"Wanna bet?" he joked, beaming back at her, happy that Sara clearly wanted what was happening as much as he did.

"No thanks," Sara replied, leaning down to kiss Nick again. Their second kiss was more intense than their first; Sara ran her tongue along Nick's upper lip, teasing him until he parted his lips and his mouth was warm against hers. As their tongues tangled, he wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her even closer. But still he desired more contact, and without breaking the kiss, he rolled them over and positioned himself on top. She sighed into his mouth, and sliding her hands up to the back of his head, she pulled him down to deepen the kiss even further. They only broke apart when they were both devoid of breath.

"Wow," he said, taking a deep, shuddering breath.

"Yeah. Wow," she echoed. Suddenly remembering they had fallen asleep, she realized she had no idea how long they had drifted off. "What time is it?"

"Almost noon." She could feel his chest rumble as he replied, his weight strangely comfortable on her.

"Do you want to go home so you can get some sleep before work?" Sara asked. She didn't want him to leave but knew he only had four hours before his shift started.

"I'm comfortable right where I am. Besides I have a change of clothes out in my car. And if you don't mind I'll use your bathroom to change and wash-up before I go in."

"Of course you can, Nick. You know you don't have to ask," Sara said, yawning. "But I'm ready to pass out."

"I'm still tired too. I could go for a few more hours of sleep. I'll stay out here on the couch if you want to go to your room," Nick said, silently hoping she wanted to stay right there with him. It felt warm and comfortable with her so close, but he didn't want her to feel rushed or pressured.

"You know, my bed is big enough for two," she said, but realizing how that sounded she quickly amended it. "For sleeping, I mean."

"Don't worry Sara," Nick replied, reading her facial expression. "I don't want to push you into doing anything you're not ready for. How about we take things nice and slow and let things happen when we're ready?"

"That sounds like a good plan to me," she said, smiling at him. They both got up and hand in hand headed towards Sara's bedroom. Sara set her alarm clock before they crawled into bed and snuggled up to each other, each feeling content with being in the other's arms. They quickly drifted off to sleep.

The alarm did its job waking them a few hours later and Sara reached over to turn it off. When she rolled back over to face Nick, he was looking back at her smiling.

"Did you sleep all right?" she asked.

"Of course I did. How could I not? I was in the same bed as the most beautiful woman I know." He had wanted to say with the woman he loved but he knew it was too soon to say that. He wanted to wait for the perfect moment to let her know how much he really loved and wanted to be with her. "How about you?"

"I slept great. The best sleep I've had in as long as I can remember," Sara told him. "You have to get up now. You only have 45 minutes before you have to be at the lab."

"I guess you're right," Nick replied. "I don't want to be late. But I think I have time for a few more kisses before I go."

"Oh, you do. I wouldn't let you go without them," Sara told him and moved up to kiss him. His lips were soft on hers, but she sternly reminded herself he couldn't stay. "You really need to get up now. I'll make you a cup of coffee while you get ready."

She tried to get up, but found herself unable to as he pulled her back down. "Nick…" she admonished, as his kiss stopped her mouth.

Breaking the kiss was hard. "I just need one more," he breathed against her cheek. Finally, they did get out of bed; Nick headed out to get his clothes and proceed to the bathroom while Sara went to the kitchen.

He came in ten minutes later, finding Sara standing by the counter with her back to him, the smell of coffee in the air. He walked up to her and snaked his arms around her waist. "Smells good."

She smiled as she turned. "It's not quite as good as Greg's Blue Hawaiian but it's the best I have been able to find."

"Thanks. I better get going," he replied, giving her a quick kiss before reaching for the mug of coffee.

Coffee in hand, he headed for the door with Sara in tow.

"Um, Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"What are we going to tell everyone at work… you know… about us?"

"Whatever you want to tell them."

"Do you mind if we keep it to ourselves for a while? I want to see where this is going before we tell anyone."

"That's fine," he replied, leaning back in to give her one last kiss. "I'll see you later."

"Okay. Let me know if there's anything new on the case or if there's any news about where Alex is."

"I'll give you a call if I find out anything. Bye!" he called as he headed towards where his car was parked.

"Bye!" she replied, and he could see her look after him as he drove away.

Traffic was light and he managed to reach the lab in good time. Car parked, he headed into the building and saw Warrick just ahead.

"Warrick!"

"Hey, Nick. What's the smile for?" Warrick asked as he noticed the smirk on Nick's face. "Look's like someone had a good night. What's her name?"

"Who said anything about a girl?"

"Come on, man. I know that look."

"Well, nothing happened and I'm not telling you her name."

"So there was someone then. I knew it!"

"You know nothing."

The friendly banter continued back and forth until they had got off the elevator and were walking down the hallway.

Warrick was the first one to notice the girl sitting in one of the chair's in the hallway. "I wonder who that is."

"Alex?" Nick asked. She looked familiar and he approached carefully. When she lifted her head to look at them, Nick saw that it was indeed Alex.

She hardly looked the same. The last time he had seen her had been at the crime scene when she was covered in dirt and blood. She was now wearing a dark blue UNLV hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers. Her hair hung down straight, several inches past her shoulders. Besides the few scrapes on her face, she looked unharmed.

Warrick leaned over and whispered to Nick, "Man, if I didn't know any better I would say that she looks just like…"

A/N: Sorry for the cliff hanger. I know how much they can drive people nuts but I thought it was a good place to end the chapter. Hope fully I will have the next chapter written and posted shortly.