Chapter 28 – Sleepover

Nick had to be processed and questioned before he could go home. Sara insisted she stay with him. At about 2:30 she got a call from Grissom saying that George was out of surgery and would probably live. They would talk to him when he was awake.

It was 5 before Nick was allowed to go home. Sara drove him home only to see that the Crime Scene tape was still around his door. Sara called Brass and found out that Nick shouldn't be going into his house just yet. Sara told him this.

"But, Nick, you are welcome to stay with me…if you want to that is," she looked down at her hands as she spoke.

Nick was unusually calm again. He had been ever since they had found him in that basement. He smiled at Sara. "I would love to stay with you and Charlotte."

Sara smiled at him. She looked at him a minute before starting the car and driving to her place.

It was almost dinnertime and Sara hadn't been home in nearly 24 hours. When she did get home she greeted Charlotte with a big hug. No matter how much she loved her job, she always missed her daughter when she was gone. When Charlotte saw Nick she got very excited.

"What's Nick doing here?!" she asked excitedly.

"He's going to stay over tonight."

"Like on a sleepover?" Charlotte asked excited.

"Yeah. Like a sleepover," Sara said with a smile.

Charlotte was very excited and let out a squeal, giving Nick a hug. Sara loved how much Charlotte loved Nick. Sara made dinner while Charlotte showed Nick Chester's boo-boo. She had tripped at school and gotten a band-aid so she thought Chester should have one too.

After Dinner the three sat on the couch and watched a movie. Charlotte wanted to sit beside both of them so she sat in the middle, holding both their hands. She fell asleep very soon and was rested up against Nick. Sara didn't notice for a little while but by that time Nick was asleep too. She smiled at the pair cuddled up on the couch. She tried to pick Charlotte up without waking Nick too but that didn't work. She had Charlotte almost up and Nick woke with a start.

She adjusted Charlotte in her arms and said, "I'm sorry I woke you. I wanted to bring her upstairs."

Nick rubbed his eyes and sat up. "That's ok. I should probably go to bed too." He stood as Sara brought her daughter up to her bedroom. She was already in her pajamas so Sara just laid her in the bed. She kissed the child's forehead and turned around, seeing Nick in the doorway.

"Hey," she whispered with a smile.

"Where am I sleeping?" he asked.

"Wherever you want to," Sara answered.

Nick pretended to think it over for a second. "Your bedroom?" he asked.

Sara smiled. She walked up to him and took him by the hand. The walked into Sara's room and got ready for bed. By the time Sara slipped into bed Nick was already asleep on his side. He had had a really hard day and Sara couldn't blame him. She turned off her light and rested her head on the pillow and closed her eyes, listening to Nick's breathing. When he spoke he startled her.

"Thanks," he whispered.

"For what?" she asked.

"Staying with me today. I couldn't have done it if you weren't there." It was dark but Sara could see he was smiling at her. She smiled back and rested her hand on the one he had on his pillow.

"I wanted to be there. Nick," she said softly.

"But you didn't have to be. It…it was really nice," he said, his voice getting a little shaky.

"Nick. Do you know how much you mean to me?" she asked. "You…you're my favorite person in this whole world and I love you."