Song: Mercy

Artist: Dave Matthews Band

Characters: Nick Stokes/Sara Sidle

Mercy will we overcome this

Oh one by one could we turn it around

Maybe carry on just a little bit longer

And I try to give you what you need

Of The Heart

Smoke curled around her like clouds as she took another steady drag of her cigarette watching the lights of the city glow around her. Sara let her head rest against the brick wall and drew in a steady breath, letting the fresh air cleanse her lungs the sound of footsteps approaching causing her to squeeze her eyes shut. She wanted to be alone, not wanting the pity of others or the lecture telling her that everything would be alright because in a way that wasn't true.

Eventually everything would be alright for her, but for others it would be the beginning of a nightmare or the end of a life. Some would never find the solace that she desperately wanted, and the realization caused an ache in her gut and tears to burn the back of her eyes. A soft touch brought her back to reality and she looked up meeting Nick's concerned brown eyes.

She tried her best to put a smile on her face, but it was too forced and he saw through her as if she was made of glass. Sighing in defeat she let her head fall onto his shoulder letting him take the cigarette from her and stomping it out with the heel of his work boot.

"Why so glum sugar plum?" the sound of his thick Texas accent cut through the tension in the air and a genuine smile passed across her face this time.

"I don't know Nicky, I just feel so useless. I mean, all we do is chase the bad guy, and even when we catch him there's always someone else.." she lets her cheek rest against the soft fabric of his black t-shirt, tears slipping past her eyelashes and staining her skin. Nick pursed his lips and buried his face in her ink black curls, the scent of lavender filling his senses and making him smile.

"You know Sar, it's not always easy for us. But you do this because it's what you love and it's what you want to do and as long as you're helping someone you know what you're doing is worth it." He paused and let out a breath and Sara shivered as the warmth coated her skin.

"You're the strongest person I know Sara, you're not gonna let this get to you." Wiping the tears from her eyes she lifted her head and met his eyes, seeing so much emotion and affection reflecting in them she wasn't sure what to say. In place of her words she let her lips gently brush his, testing the water before she allowed herself to dive in, hungrily kissing him with all the passion she could muster.

His hands rested on her hips, holding her close as her teeth ground against his bottom lip, chills creeping up his spine. When they finally separated his hands lingered on her body, unwilling to let her slip away as he savored the warmth and the moment they had created.

For cinderella9056, hope you enjoyed!