Author's note: I really like this chapter! Read and enjoy!

Chapter 20 – Crying in the Rain

Nick stared after her with wide eyes. He put down the shoe he was holding and took off at a jog after her. She was speed walking and he saw her turn into lobby and he ran after her. When he got there he couldn't see her but he assumed she had gone outside. He took a few strides and pushed open the glass doors. When he got outside he looked around. At first it looked like she had just vanished but Nick wasn't going to let her get away that easily. He ran out into the parking lot, not caring that the rain was still coming down. He looked around and noticed her car was still in its usual place, so she couldn't have gone far. He went around to the side of the building and immediately saw her there.

She was sitting against the wall with her knees tucked up against her body. She was hugging them and she had buried her face in them and her shoulders were heaving up and down so Nick knew she was crying. There was an overhang on the roof so she was staying dry. He slowly made his way over to her, not wanting to scare her. When he reached her he kneeled down in front of her knees and rested his hands on her knees. Her head shot up, not expecting his touch. But when she saw it was him she closed her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" she asked quietly. The rain was pounding on the roof and the ground so it was hard to hear, but Nick made it out.

"Come to see if you were ok," he answered. He looked into her red eyes. He could see she was trying to fight them, but tears continued their path down her cheeks anyway. She closed her eyes and let a tiny sob out.

"Oh, Sara," Nick whispered, rubbing Sara's leg to comfort her. She let her head fall back into her knees. "What happened?" he asked again.

"I told him about when you came over and he got all…jealous. Then he yelled and I yelled and he got really angry. I don't know…I never saw that side of him and he just went…he went berserk." She ran her shaking fingers through her hair. Nick continued rubbing her leg and he urged her to continue with his eyes.

"He…he pinned me against the wall and yelled at me to stop yelling. I...he really scared me. And…" Sara let out another sob as she remembered the look on Charlotte's face when she had seen Sara pinned up on the wall.

"Charlotte walked in. She…she was terrified and he yelled at her and then….and then…" She reached up and touched the bruise on her cheek, feeling the tears go over her fingers. She looked down, not wanting to look at Nick.

"He punched you?" Nick asked.

Sara nodded. She closed her eyes and another sob escaped her. Nick shook his head and let out a breath. He knew he didn't like that guy for a reason. He looked up at the shaking woman in front of him. He felt so much compassion for her and wanted to help. He wanted to take the pain away. He wanted to go and hunt this Jeff guy down. Make his life a living hell, for making hers so. But right now, he needed to stop her tears. he needed to make her feel better. He reached over and touched the cheek opposite to the bruise. He slid his fingers underneath her ear, around her neck, and used his thumb to brush away the tears, softly and slowly, one by one.

Sara opened her eyes and looked into his. He looked like a little puppy, understanding that his master was upset, trying to make her feel better. She sniffed and leaned her head into his hand, closing their eyes again, letting out a shaky sob. Tears continued down her cheeks and he brushed every single one away, the entire time whispering, "It's going to be ok…it'll all be aright."

Eventually she did stop crying but she kept her eyes closed. She took a deep breath in through her nose and let out a shaky sigh.

"Feel better now?" Nick asked with a little sigh. She looked up and moved her head out of his hands, letting out a little laugh.

"Yes," she said with one nod. She took another breath and added, "Thank you."

"It's no problem, Sara. You know that." His hand slid down her arm and, even though it was chilly outside, she felt like her skin might melt right off. He went right down to her hand and squeezed it.

"Do you want to go back inside now? It's pretty cold." She nodded and he stood first, helping her up as he went. She let go of his hand and brushed herself off. Sara wiped her eyes before starting her way back into the lab.

"Ah, man. I am a mess," she mumbled as she walked with Nick into the lab. It was very dark outside and Sara had to wait a second for her eyes to get used to the change in the light. When they did, however, her jaw dropped. She felt anger, fear, and panic all rise in her stomach as the man in the chair saw her come in through the doors. Nick saw him too and Sara felt him tense up beside her.

"Sara!" Jeff almost yelled as he got up from his chair and ran over to her. As he got closer she took a step back, backing into the glass doors.