Ovarian Grievance

Pairing: Sara and Nick

A/N: This is based loosely on what happened to me the past nine months now.

Sara rests and recovers at home from her surgery. She returns to work.

A/N2: I apologize for not getting this chapter posted sooner. I think I have been somewhat negligent with my other stories. This can be explained. Back in November, I entered a contest that Court TV was having with some book publisher. Don't worry, I entered my original work (a synopsis and a few sample cleaned up chapters of a manuscript I completed a few years ago). I checked back to see if I was one of the five finalists selected to be voted by the public. Unfortunately, my name wasn't there. I am a little disappointed, but at the same time, I'm proud of myself. I am still cleaning up the manuscript, but I am finding time for fan fiction work.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sara, Nick or any other CSI character. If I did own the show, the final scene from 'Way to Go' wouldn't exist and the show would have beaten 'Gray's Anatomy'. I only own my original characters and this story plot.

Recovery and Return to Work

The Recovery

Sara spent the next two weeks at home resting. Nick and his parents cared for and comforted her. Jillian would help Sara with the shower and dressing up. Sphinx and Nefertiti would provide feline companionship when Sara needed it.

The first two or three days, Sara had taken naps on the couch or bed. Those naps were accompanied by some bizarre dreams. One of those dreams had a naked Ecklie running around the Crime Lab whacking Hodges in the ass with a big lollipop. (A/N: Please don't flame me about this weird dream. I had some bizarre dreams a few days after I got out of the hospital. Fortunately, Ecklie wasn't in any of them.)

When she had the urge to pick up something heavy, Nick would intervene and pick it up for her. In any other circumstance, she would give him her trademark glare. She smiled and gave him copious kisses on the cheek. Every other day, he would give her a shoulder massage.

Bill left for Austin two weeks after Sara had her surgery. Jillian stayed another week before returning to Dallas. Sara was grateful for their assistance as well as Nick's.

One Day Before Sara's Return to the Lab

Nick and Sara were sitting on the couch watching The New Detectives. Sara rested her head on Nick's chest and he stroked her hair. The kittens were napping on the sofa and were oblivious to what their humans were doing.

"Sara, do you remember when we first met?" Nick asked when the commercials came.

"How could I forget?" Sara chuckled. "You had some sort of dust on your clothes."

Flashback – October 2000

"How's the girl?" Sara Sidle asked.

"She's in surgery and not doing well," Gil Grissom replied. "Sara, there are so many unanswered questions."

"I am here to try to answer one question," she added. "Why did Warrick Brown leave Holly Gribbs alone at that crime scene?"

Nick had just left the roof after his demonstration with the dummies. Once he exited the hotel, he approached Grissom and noticed the young brunette with him.

"Nicky my boy, I would like you to meet my friend Sara Sidle," Grissom said. "Sara Sidle, this is Nick Stokes."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Nick," Sara smiled.

"Very pleased to meet you, Sara," Nick grinned. "Grissom, you didn't tell me she's beautiful. When I heard she was a friend and former colleague, I assumed she was about your age."

"Come on, Nicky," Grissom hissed. "We need to get back to the crime lab. Sara, you can follow us there. Look for Catherine Willows when you arrive."

"Is Sara Sidle going to be here permanently?" Nick asked giving Grissom a look that resembled a begging puppy.

"I don't know," Grissom responded. "If she is, you have to debunk that myth that you are a ladies' man."

End Flashback

"I remember you gave me a tour of Vegas," Sara smiled.

"Upon learning that you were offered a job with the lab," Nick grinned. "I took you to the DVM to get your Nevada driver's license and helped you find a place to live."

"Do you recall our first case together?" she asked as she put her head on his chest.

"When Grissom, you and I were investigating the kidnapping of a young rich woman," he chuckled. "We accused each other of standing on each other crime scenes. I told you that I outranked you."

"I countered by asking you who Grissom hand picked to be on his team," she sighed.

"What about when we were about to go to that fraternity house?" he asked. "Warrick and I were in the locker room changing. You came in and complimented both his suit and my bare chest."

"You complained that it was harassment," she chuckled.

"Well, I thought it was," he growled as he stroked her hair.

"Mr. Stokes, you do have a fine chest," she purred.

"Thanks," he beamed. "Let's watch the show in silence."

The Next Day

Nick and Sara were in the break room waiting for the rest of shift to arrive. Grissom was still in a meeting with the Sheriff, Ecklie and the other shift supervisors. There wasn't any coffee worth drinking, meaning Greg hadn't arrived yet. So, the couple sat at the couch in slightly irritated silence until Hodges came in.

"She's back," Hodges approached Sara. "How are you feeling?"

"I am doing a lot better," she smiled. "The soreness is still there, but it's not as bad as it was before."

"Will Grissom let you go back to fieldwork?" he asked.

"I'll be confined to the lab until I see my doctor," she answered.

Hodges wanted to interrogate Sara further, but Greg arrived carrying a bag of his famous Blue Hawaiian. The newest CSI noticed the slight scorns of his favorite couple and started to make the coffee. As the coffee brewed, Greg approached Nick and Sara.

"Sara, welcome back," Greg embraced Sara.

"Hey, who took more than two weeks off to help care for her?" Nick glared at Greg.

"Welcome back, Nick," Greg smiled as he gave Nick a high five.

"Look at the couple of the hour!" Warrick said as he and Catherine entered the room.

"Sara, how are you feeling?" Catherine asked.

"I'm feeling great, but I still have some pain," Sara replied.

"Hodges, get back to work," Grissom appeared out of nowhere. "Sara, glad to see you are back."

A minute later, Hodges left the break room and returned to his lab.

"I have your assignments," Grissom announced. "Catherine, you are with Greg on a 419 at Caesar's Palace. Vartann will meet you there. Warrick, you are with me on a 404. Brass is waiting for us. Sara, you are on lab and desk duty. Nick, go with Sara to help and make she doesn't wring Hodges' neck."

"Sara, it can't be that bad," Nick put his arm around her shoulder. "I will be here working with you. We'll help Bobby, Mandy, Wendy and Hodges. Besides, I have a few things up my sleeve when it comes to Hodges."

She smiled while he chuckled. Everyone else left for their assignments. Nick and Sara helped each other with paperwork. They helped the techs whenever assistance was needed. When they were with Hodges, Nick had to gently scold Sara as patience wore thin.

Her first day back at work was slight slow, but she couldn't wait until she returned to fieldwork.

TBC