Hazy Nights

{Part 3}

"Sar? You alright darlin'?" Nick asked as he peaked his head inside thman'man's restroom.

The only sounds in the room were a soft drip of water from the facet and a hint of hiccupping sobs coming from one of the stalls. Assuring him self that it the restroom was void of women, he slowly pushed the door open. He walked down the row of stalls; his head tilted to the side to see which stall Sara was camped out in.

"Come on Sar, talk to me." He pleaded, standing right out side of the stall he knew she was in. He listened patiently as the soriesries that were echoing from under the door slowly stilled, followed by a the loud rush of water as she flushed the toilet.

He stood back as the door opened, a disheveled looking Sara emerging with red-rimmed eyes and moisture clinging to her cheeks.

"Its not that bad. We'll figure it out." He wiped the tears that were tracking down her face with his thumb.

"I know Nicky... I'm just so confused, and tired. How could I be so stupid?" She cursed to her self, pulling from his tender touch and walking over to the sink. She needed a little bit of distance from him. It was her mistake; she would deal with it. The last thing she wanted to do was to trap him into a situation.

She settled her hands on the counter, arching her back a little as she just stared at the leaking facet, watching drip after drip fall into the drain and then disappear. Nick's heart was breaking a little bit at a time, watching the emotions play over her face. She really did regret what had happened.

"Look we can go get the marriage annulled after shift if it makes you feel better. I'll be out of your hair and we can prd lid like it never happened if that's what you want, but please don't push me away." He stood right behind her, talking to her through the mirror, his eyes torn and starting to tear up. "I can't loose you Sara." He wouldn't loose her. The words he really wanted to say choked in the back of his throat. He wanted to tell her he didn't regret it, that he loved her, that he needed her.

Sara met his eyes in the reflection of the mirror, her head spinning and her stomach muscles clenching.

She suddenly turned into his arms, burying her face against his chest as she sobbed. He was knocked slightly off his balance at the strength of her gripping onto him. Her warm tears bled through his shirt, soaking into his skin as her whole body shook. He rubbed her back lightly, holding her as tightly as he coulis his head resting on top of hers. They held each other for a long minutes, just absorbing each other. Sara slowly pulled away, embarrassed at her break down.

How was she supposed to tell him that she loved him, and that she didn't exactly regret the night before?

"Sara its okay. We had a long night, neither of us got much sleep." He shushed her before she could ever whisper her apology.

Sara shook her head, her dried curls bouncing. "Nick... what Grissom said had me thinking. We didn't use any protection and I'm not on birth control. What I am going to do if I'm pregnant?"

Nick pulled her banto nto a hug, realizing why she was freaking out. "Its what WE are going to do Sara. I'll be here to support whatever decision you make, and if you are pregnant we'll get through it together. Would a little Stokes Jr. running around be such a bad thing?" He asked in half amusement, half seriousness as he pulled her body from his to look her in the eye.

Sara gave him a tired smile, "Thank you Nick."

A soft knock on the door pulled them apart, both heads looking at the door. Sara quickly wiped the rest of her tears from her face, turning to the mirror to try and straighten her self out a little bit. It would be okay, what ever happened they would deal with it together. Besides, if she was honest with her self, the idea that she could be carrying Nick's baby was making her heart pitter patter with excitement.

"Come in." Sara called out.

Catherine peaked her head, giving Nick an amused glare. "This is the woman's restroom right?"

Nick rolled his eyes at her, turning to Sara. "You gonna be okay?"

"I'll be fine, just give me a few minutes to freshen up, then I'll be right out." She gave him a reassuring smile, her lips parting slightly as she gave him a gentle shove towards the door.

"Hey careful with the merchandise." He called back laughing, giving Catherine a nod of his head in hello.

Catherine's inquisitive blue eyes passed back and forth from Sara to Nick, catching the bands on their fingers and the red track marks of tears littering Sara's f


"Are you really okay?" Catherine asked after the bathroom door shut, wetting a paper towel and handing it to Sara.

Sara nodded her head, pressing the cool cloth to her forehead, "Yeah. I'm just tired, hung over, confused."

Catherine couldn't help but smile a little, "So you guys had a wild night I take it?" She lifted an eyebrow, waiting for Sara tol hel her the details.

The brunette gave a nervous chuckle, wondering how Catherine knew what had happened. Did Grissom tell her?

Catherine gave out a whop of laughter, watching the wheels spinning in her head, "You don't remember calling us last night do you?"

Sara's expression turned from surprised to mortification with a groan. "Oh god... what did I say?"

*****

Nick walked into the brroomroom, slumping down in the chair, ignoring the emerald eyes that were following his every move. Nick laid his head face down on the table, his forehead resting on the hard object. Nick could feel Warrick watching him, waiting for him to say something.

"Just spit it out man." Nick groaned, knowing his friend all to well.

Warrick laughed, nodding his head. "So are congratulations in order or what?"

At that Nick shot his head up, how in the hell did he know? "How in the hell do you know what happened?"

"Well it was around 3 am when me and Catherine got these mysterious calls. Apparently some of our co-workers thought it would a great idea to go out and get hitched." Warrick's face was twisted with humor, his strong arms crossed over his chest as he leaned back in his chair. "Besides, Grissom's bellow was a dead give away and you have a ring on your finger."

Nick shook his head, oh yeah. Nick tried to keep the lazy smile from his face, but it was useless. He was married to Sara. Sara could be carrying hisst-bst-born child.

"So..." Warrick probed at the grin he saw spreading over Nicks face. Maybe things had gone better than he had expected.

"So?" Nick replied, getting up to get a cup of coffee ready for him and Sara.

"Oh come on man! Don't skimp me on the details... how was it? What was she like?" Warrick asked, genuinely curious. Him and Nick had had more than one conversation about Sara. Warrick had known for a while that Nick was in love with her, whether he wanted to admit it or not.

"No way." Nick replied from over his shoulder.

"You tell me about everyone else." Warrick suppressed the urge to whine.

"Well this is different, this is my wife we're talking about. Besides it's Sara, its just different man." Nick sat back down at thele, le, a wistful smile on his lips.

It was at that moment at a calm looking Grissom walking into the room, his face hiding the anger he felt under his skin. "I'm going to say this now. What you guys do in your personal life stays out of the office. Understand? I don't want to hear one word about this in the lab or in the locker rooms."

It was then that Catherine and Sara walked in, Sara feeling a tad bit better after talking to Catherine. She walked around Grissom, giving a wide birth as to not even come close to touching him. She sat down next to Nick, taking the cup of coffee he offered gratefully. Warrick and Catherine exchanged a grin before they all turned their eyes towards their leader for the briefing. They would do what ever it took to keep them together. They were both so obviously in love with each other, the only person who didn't seem to notice was Grissom, but she'd talk to him later.

******

They had arrived at work around 8 pm, by 9 somehow every one in the lab knew that they had spontaneously ran out and got married the night before. By 11 almost every one at the LVPD had heard about the marriage. By 12, Sara was sure everyone in Las Vegas knew what had happened. She was waiting for a phone call from her mother, chastising her about not calling and telling her the news first hand, why she had to hear from someone else.

Rumors were spreading like a wild fire in dry brush, greedy and consuming. It was said that Sara was three months pregnant with Nick's child. That maybe Sara was really three months pregnant with Grissom's baby, but he said he didn't anything to do with it so she turned to Nick. The alternative, Nick and Sara had been dating for the past three years, finally deciding to make it official. Whenever either one of them walked into a room, it suddenly became quiet and tense.

Sara had lost count at how many times she had been called Stokes, Mrs. Stokes, or Nick's old lady. She was gng dng dirty looks by most of the females in the lab, and she was getting the cold shoulder from half of the guys. Greg wouldn't even talk to her or Nick. She had been more than happy to sprint out the door when Grissom said they had a 419. He had looked at everyone bes Ses Sara, not able to meet her eyes. He had ignored her all night, if he needed something he would have someone else get it, if she asked him something he would mumble something under his breath and walk away.

Needless to say, she was the first waiting by the Tahoe when Nick, Catherine and Warrick came strolling out the building together, laughing about one of the more amusing rumors.

He only had to look at her face for a second to tell what was bothering her, besides everything else that they had going on. "He'll get over is Sar, just give him some time." Nick said softly, opening the passenger side of the door for her.

"He won't even look at me Nick..." Sara said sadly. She wasn't in love with Grissom, at least not any more, but that didn't mean she wanted him to hate her.

He said nothing, taking her hand in his and lightly kissing the back of it before he settled both of their hands on her leg.

They had decided to take to vehicles, just in case they had to run back to the lab to process evidence. Warrick and Catherine took off first, leaving Nick and Sara sitting in the parking lot for a few minutes before they headed towards the scene to meet Brass.

They pulled up the scene with flashing lights and a whirlwind of commotion.

She had not taken three steps out side of the SUV before she heard him speak, "So is it true?"

She looked towards the sound, the voice sounding familiar. Ah Hank. What was he doing, waiting for them to get there? He stalked over towards them, a cocky swagger in his step, as he looked her over appreciatively. Nick could feel his body tense at the other man's presence. Nick took a step closer towards Sara, slinging a possessive arm around her dainty shoulder.

"I don't see how that's your business Hank." Sara snapped back as they kept walking, keeping Nick's arm around her body.

It was what he said next that made her and Nickp dep dead in their tracks.

"Really Sara... If I knew it only took a few drinks to get you to spread your legs, I would have gotten you drunk a long time ago. I always did want to find out how you were in the sack, but I guess Stokes got there first."

Sara's mouth feel open, what in the hell did he just say to her?

Her dark eyes turned to the feel of Nick's body tensing beside her, his jaw clenching back and forth as he took one deep long breath. Nick slowly let his arm drop away from Sara, his fists balling at his sides. He mentally counted backwards from 10 in an attempt alm alm the raging torrents of anger he felt cursing through his veins. He was going to kill him, rip him apart limb by limb.

Hank had the nerve to smirk, standing obliviously in f of of a very angry Texan, arms crossed over his chest. He looked Sara up and down once more, his eyes slowly drinking in the sight of her, admiring the way her legs looked in the skirt, the way shirshirt hugged her breasts. Maybe it wasn't too late to take her for a spin.

Fuck it. Nick tired, he really did. He was tired, exhausted really, and still slightly hung over. He felt the heat of Sara's hand on his arm, her fingers digging into his bicep in an attempt to calm him. She could feel his muscles twitching below her hand as his face started to redden in anger.

It was far too late for him to calm down. He pulled his arm from her soft touch, taking just the few necessary steps towards Hank. He never knew what hit him. Nick's tightly balled fist collided with Hank's nose square on, bones crunching under his knuckles in a sickening crack. Sara gave a shriek, watching the immediate dribble of blood dripping from his red nose down the front of his crisp white EMT shirt.

Nick pulled his fist back with a curse of pain, clenching and unclenching his hand as he shook it rapidly in the air. Hank gave an even louder yelp, his hand automatically going up to his face to catch the waterfall of blood pouring from his broken nose. He let out a string of curses, blood dripping to the gray pavement below.

"You bastard! You just broke my fucking nose!" His voice was nasally, his head tipped back in an attempt to catch some of the blood.

Sara's shock turned to amusement. How long had she wanted to do that?

"Don't ever talk to her like that again. In fact, stay away from her, don't look at her, and don't touch her." Nick ground out, still feeling the adrenaline pumping inside of his veins. He could go a few rounds with the EMT and put him in his place.

"Your ass is so mine Stokes. Wait until I report you. I think you might have just compromised a crime scene." Hank's blue eyes were sparkling despite the pain that was pounding inside of his head. It was worth it if he could get the CSI fired. Nick had always been a pain in his ass.

Sara stepped in, hovering just an inch in front his face. "Say one word about this Hank and you're girlfriend will find out a lot more than she bargained for. I know I'm not tnly nly one you were seeing."

She watched him tighten the muscles on his face in anger, his eyes glazing over. There was nothing he could do and he knew it.

"Come on Stokes, we got a crime scene to process." Sara's tone was light, giddy even.

She linked her arm with Nick's, smiling as he took her hand in his, their shoulders pressing together as they walked in step. She ran her ers ers over the slightly swollen flesh of his hand, stopping in her tracks as she heard him suck in a breath of pain. They had stopped just to the side of the house, both of them seeing Warrick and Catherine busy talking to Brass. They had a few minutes to calm down.

"You didn't have to do that you know?" Sara said softly, bringing the hand closer to her face for inspection.

Her light touch just barely skidded over his hand, soothing the throbbing ache Nick felt in his bones. He gave her a tiny smile. Oh yes it was worth it.

"No one talks to my wife like that Sara. God that guy is an asshole; I've wanted to do that for a long time. You don't deserve to be treated like that. Not then, not noe nee never was good enough for you." Nick said softly, his good hand moving to cup her cheek in his hand.

She leaned into his touch, her cheek nuzzling against his palm as they just stared into each other's eyes. They stood there, hands intertwined, his thumb lightly caressing over her heated skin. They looked to everyone else around like a newlywed couple deeply in love.

They snapped apart as they heard a loud clearing of amused coughs behind them. "You love birds gonna stand there all night and make moon eyes, or are we gonna get this done?" Catherine quipped, her foot tapping the sidewalk.

Sara rolled her eyes, a blush of embarrassment starting to color her cheeks. Nick couldn't help but laugh, watching how adorable she was. "What can I say? We're still technically on our honeymoon, we just can't get enough of each other." He winked at Sara making her blush even more.

"Come on Stokes, your with me." Warrick laughed, nodding in Sara's direction. He kne was was a death wish on his part, but he couldn't get over the look of frustration that passed over her face anytime called her that.

"Warrick, don't call me that."

"What? Don't call you Stokes? Do you prefer Mrs. Stokes? Or how about Nick's wife." He offered as they walked towards the house, silver crime kits in their hands.

"Warrick I'm warning you." She gave him a look that would have most men weeping at that point.

Catherine and Nick burst into laughter, listen to Warrick and Sara as they argued all the way into the house, Sara's tone becoming more annoyed with each passing step they took.

"You love her don't you?" Catherine asked out of the blue. Her eyes passed from Nick towards Sara. Both sets of eyes fixed on Sara as she spoke to an office who was standing in front of the entrance to the house.

A lazy smile spread over his face, his eyes finally parting from Sara as he turned towards Catherine. "I do Cath, I really do. I know she regrets last night, but I don't." He sighed in desperation, glancing down towards the bruise that was already starting to form on his hand.

"You have to tell her Nicky. I think she feels the same way. She's just kind of confused. Give her some time to sort things out." The blonde soothed, laying a han hand on his broad shoulder. "Now tell me what happened to your hand?"

A large full watt smile spread over his face as Nick and Catherine fell into step. "Lets just say Hank won't be coming near Sara in the near future."

This earned a full throated laugh from Catherine, "Come on lover boy. We got work to do."

TBC...