A/N: Another chapter up!

Thanks to: Isabell89, KittyDoggyLover, nickysbabygirl, Baby24-Misery, clarkson04, dark-girl-faith-sidle, LondonLass, MollyMKS, bene, Lexa-Gibbs, cowgirl.at.heart, Beauty in my Breakdown, BlueTigress, BeTrAyEd DaUgHtErS, Cheryl, JanuaryNineteen, Forensic Chick, Annie, Sausage in a pan, maricejayo, CalleighSaraCSI, wraiths-angel, ILoveGeorgeEads, Hollysgirl, jdcocoagirl, Nikky's girl, madpsychogirl, SeeingStars27, and RebelAtWork.

Your reviews made my day.

Anyway, on with the story...

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Nick awoke several hours later just as the sun was setting. Sara was still asleep, curled up at his side. The sight brought a smile to his lips. She looked so innocent while she slept. He glanced at his watch, and realized that he would have to leave her. She didn't have to go to work, but he did.

Unfortunately.

He would have liked nothing better then to lay here with Sara until the cows came home. But the world didn't work like that. He was her friend. That. Was. All. And most friends didn't lay in bed with each other.

Maneuvering himself out of the bed, he heard Sara give a soft whimper as she lost the heat of his body next to hers. Tucking her in again, he leant forward and pressed his lips to her forehead, feeling the now familiar tug of his heart. He really didn't want to leave her.

Closing the bedroom door behind him, he located a pen and paper and wrote her a quick note.

Sara,

Didn't want to wake you, but it was time for work.

I'll see you tomorrow for breakfast.

Nick.

Leaving it on the kitchen bench, he left her apartment, feeling an odd sense of loss. Stopping just outside his car, he hit himself in the head with the palm of his hand. He couldn't explain himself. What was going on? Leaning against the car as the moon came up, it took until the stars were just visible in the Las Vegas night sky to work it out.

He, Nicholas Stokes, was falling hard for Sara Sidle.

And there was nothing he could do about it.

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Work was particularly slow that night. Serious crime had taken a break in light of Sara's absence, leaving Nick with just a trick roll. He was back at the lab within the hour, had solved the case in the next hour, and was lounging in the break room the hour after that. He was practically counting down the hours until he could go back to see Sara. This week was going to be tough for her, and she needed his support.

Warrick came into the break room at that moment, giving Nick a nod of acknowledgement. Making himself a cup of coffee, he joined Nick on the couch. There was a moment of silence before Warrick gave a sigh.

"So, who is it?"

Nick looked at Warrick.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You're sweet on someone, aren't you?"

Nick gave him a look of disbelief. Was he that obvious?

Nick ran a hand through his hair, and pursed his lips.

"That obvious, eh?"

Warrick gave a laugh.

"You've got that dopey sort of look on your face that you get whenever you're thinking about a chick."

Nick narrowed his eyes at his good friend. Did he really get a dopey look?"

Warrick nodded.

"So who is it?"

Nick didn't know if he wanted to confide his newly discovered feelings with Warrick, but he knew Warrick would keep it to himself, no matter who it was.

He took a deep breath.

"Sara."

Warrick's eyebrows shot up.

"Sara?"

Nick nodded.

"You mean, Sara Sidle, Sara?"

Nick nodded again.

"You mean Sara-obsessed-with-Grissom-Sidle?"

Nick let his head fall. He'd once again forgotten that Sara had feelings for his boss. She would never have feelings for him when Grissom was around, no matter how much he had hurt her.

"Yeah."

Warrick let out a low whistle.

"When did this happen?"

"Just the other day."

Warrick nodded.

"So what are you going to do about it?"

Nick shook his head.

"Nothing. It's like you said; she likes Grissom."

"That's probably because he's safe."

Nick raised an eyebrow.

"He's safe?"

"Well I wouldn't put it like that exactly. Look, it doesn't take a scientist to understand that Sara's been hurt a lot by men. You have to question why someone as hot as her is single. She has no faith in them anymore. So maybe that's why she is so obsessive with Grissom. Maybe deep down she knows she can't be with him, and although sometimes he hurts her, it still probably beats being hurt by men she is actually with and trusts. Its safer."

Nick swallowed.

"I'd never hurt Sara."

Warrick nodded.

"I know you wouldn't. But she doesn't know that. She probably doesn't even know you are interested."

Nick shook his head.

"I think she has more important things on her mind right now. She's sick, really sick."

Warrick looked at him in alarm.

"Just keep it to yourself for now," Nick said hurriedly. Warrick nodded.

"Is she going to be alright?"

Nick shrugged.

"I don't know. The results of her test will be ready in a week."

He felt his heart tug painfully again at the thought of Sara's illness. He would give up everything he owned if it would mean she wouldn't be in pain anymore. It killed him to see her in pain.

"Poor girl," Warrick mumbled softly.

"You see why I can't say anything to her?"

"Tough situation." Warrick muttered, and Nick nodded his head in agreement. They sat there in silence for a few minutes before Warrick's pager went, leaving Nick alone once again with his thoughts.

He wanted to be with Sara. He wanted it more than anything, but he didn't want to hurt her. He'd die if he hurt her. He felt anger towards all the men that had ever hurt her. She deserved so much more, and he wanted to give her everything she deserved.

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Shift passed painfully slow for Nick, who worked on cold cases for the rest of the night, but eventually it did, and he left. He stopped briefly at the supermarket and picked up a few things for breakfast, then headed over to Sara's apartment.

She'd probably be awake by now, and knowing Sara, she probably wouldn't have eaten. She didn't take care of herself properly, and he made a vow to change that. Pulling up in front of her apartment, he made his way up, locating her spare key (Hidden under the fire hydrant) and opened the door.

The house was quiet, and he saw Sara curled up on the couch, asleep. Nick shook his head. Why wasn't she in bed?

Dropping the groceries onto the kitchen bench, he made his way over to Sara. To his horror, dried tears stained her beautiful face, and his heart broke. She was so miserable, and quite alone.

He sat on the coffee table, leaning forward to brush a strand of loose hair behind her ear. Her eyes fluttered open, exposing her beautiful chocolate eyes.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, I didn't mean to wake you," Nick apologized. She was drowsy, and sat up slowly.

"I came out to wait for you," she said softly, and Nick felt his heart jump at the realization that she wanted to see him. His fingers still lingered on her cheek, and he gently caressed her. Her eyes closed, reveling in the feel on his fingers on her face. Moving across, he sat down next to her, his hands moving down to her slim shoulders. She moaned in appreciation, leaning back into him.

He kneaded the skin of her neck, releasing the tension in her back. His thumb brushed the hair against the back of her neck, and she whimpered in pleasure, causing Nick's groin to erupt.

He quickly removed his hands, cursing his anatomy, which was straining against his jeans. She looked around at him, looking confused. Her face was so close to his, and he could feel her breath on his face.

"What's wrong?" she questioned him softly, her brown eyes curious.

"You're so beautiful," Nick found himself saying, lost in her eyes. She looked surprised, and blushed.

"Hardly," she mumbled back. Nick shook his head.

"Don't say that," he told her sternly, caressing her cheek again. "You're beautiful, and I mean that with every ounce of my being. If anyone has ever told you different, they are crazy."

She looked so doubtful, and it broke Nick's heart even more. Why didn't she have any faith in herself? Who had hurt her so badly that she didn't even believe him when he said that she was beautiful?

"You only see what your eyes want to see," Sara whispered sadly. Nick shook his head.

"No, Sara," he said, his hand shaking slightly as his thumb traveled over her lips. They were so soft. He looked into her eyes again, and saw a raw look of hunger. Hunger… for him?

He didn't wait to find out, and without a second thought, he brought his lips down upon hers, and kissed Sara, showing her just how beautiful he thought she was.

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What did you think? Spectacular or Craptacular? Fantastic or Craptastic?

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