Title: The Children of Eden
Chapter 1 – Nightmares
Rated R (story is rated higher due to subject content)
Series: CSI
Author: Andorian Ice Princess
Contact: jazzy_888

Summary: Nick and Sara frantically search for an elusive suspect abusing and murdering young boys. But when the case turns personal for Nick, can Sara save him in time or will she lose him forever? (Nick/Sara story)

Spoilers: This story happens before 'overload'. In this story Nick hasn't confided in anyone and his encounter with the babysitter happened more than once. If you don't agree—don't read!

Note: Reviews are the best way to tell an author you appreciate their hard work and their storytelling. I love the encouragement so the more I get the more I write! Thanks in advance. I love Nick and Sara! Hope you guys to also.

This is a piece of fan fiction. It is written for pleasure and not for profit. The characters of Gil Grissom, Catherine Willows, Sara Sidle, Warrick Brown, Nick Stokes, Jim Brass, Greg Saunders and Al Robertson all belong to CBS, Paramount & Jerry Bruckheimer and Anthony Zuiker. All other characters are my own.

"Please…don't…" the small voice begged between terrified sobs. "Please…"

"Hush now baby," the female voice said in a firm tone. "Time for some more fun."

The young boy started to yell but was quickly silenced and amidst his muffled screams an evil low laughter was heard and two rapidly beating hearts. A few hours later all that broke the silence was a sickening sound similar to the satisfied sound of lips being licked. Then darkness would envelop them once again and all was still.

********
TWO DAYS LATER

Nick stood in front of his mirror at home with a nervous grin on his handsome face, as he got ready for work. This week would be nice as Warrick was on holidays and Grissom and Catherine were heavily wrapped up in a State case, leaving him and Sara to handle whatever came in. "You have to ask her out," he told himself. "You know you want to…" he looked down at his hands and noticed them lightly trembling. "Oh for petes sake," he said angrily as he looked at up at his own reflection. "It's not like you haven't asked out girls before."

But as he turned and walked away the nervous feeling inside didn't lessen, in fact as he headed out the door and got inside his truck it got worse. "Nick you are pathetic," he told himself firmly. "Really sad."

He tried to think about the case they were finishing up but his thoughts drifted to Sara. "Will she say yes? I mean does she even like me?" He finally reached the lab and slowly got out of his truck and walked inside. About an hour later he headed into the area Sara was but noticed she didn't look up. I'll talk to her later, he told himself.

Sara headed into work early that morning, eager to get things finished up so they could be ready for their next case. She knew with the light staff she and Nick would be handling whatever came in on their own. I wonder if he's seeing anyone, she asked herself as she started to catalogue the last remaining bits of evidence. I wonder…oh Sara, she scolded herself, guys like that don't date women like you. He wants big boobs and a small IQ. She chuckled under that last remark and went back to her work. But she kept seeing his smiling face in her mind and by the time she knew it she had an audience but wasn't aware. An audience that didn't know they were the main focus of her thoughts and inward desires.

"Damn it!" Sara cursed loudly making Nick look up from the items he was working on.

"What's wrong?" Nick asked with a smile.

Sara looked up at him and slightly blushed. "I thought I was alone," she admitted sheepishly. "Sorry."

"No worries," he told her. "But seriously, what's wrong?"

"This analysis just isn't working," she moaned. "Grissom's new way is just…"she let her voice trail off she turned back to the paper before her.

Nick slowly pushed himself from his chair and walked over to her, his heart starting to beat faster.

Sara turned back to the work before her, feeling her cheeks flush slightly at Nick's smile. I can't believe I didn't notice he was here, she moaned inside. She was so caught up with her work that she didn't feel him behind her until his arm brushed against her and she slightly jumped.

"Sorry," Nick said with a frown. "You must have a lot on your mind."

"I guess I do," she sighed, knowing it was him. "D-did you want something?"

"Just to show you how to work his new technique," he said leaning over and quickly writing something on the paper she had been working on. He let the closeness of her body next to his and the faint scent of her perfume play little teasing games with his senses. He looked sideways at her and caught her smiling and smiled back, feeling the warmth starting to grow in his cheeks as he quickly turned back and finished writing. Why doesn't she like me, Nick wondered? I've kinda made passes…maybe I'm being too subtle? But if I ask her out and she says no…ah forget it, he sighed inwardly. She doesn't like guys like me.

Sara watched Nick's facial expressions and how his arms flexed when he bent over her desk and found herself captured, wondering what it would be like to be held in them. Stop it! She quickly scolded herself. He doesn't like brainy women. He's just friendly with me; those looks and the subtle flirting is how he treats everyone, she tried to convince herself. She had tried to deny her growing attraction over the past few weeks but every time she saw him or had to work on a case with him they'd come right back. Now with Warrick away and Grissom and Catherine involved in their own hot case anything new that came in would be theirs to work on together. That thought feared and excited her at the same time.

"Sara?" Nick asked softly.

"Uh? Oh sorry," she said quickly. "I was thinking about you…I mean your writing…I mean what you were writing," she quickly stammered. Why am I so nervous with him being this close?

"Okay," he said with a smile. Do I make her nervous? Is that a good thing? Probably not.

Sara looked down at the formula Nick had written for her and quickly applied it to her task and smiled when it worked. "Thanks," she said quickly. "It surprises me you are so math smart…" she stopped and looked up at him in horror. "Nick I um…I didn't mean it like that."

"That's okay," Nick said standing up briskly. "I guess I don't exactly come across as a really smart guy."

Sara heard the hurting tone in his voice and immediately cursed herself for being so stupid as she watched him walk away back to his desk and slump down in his chair. She stared at him in misery as she realized their few moments together were more than she enjoyed. She was about to say something to him to apologize when the phone rang and he quickly answered.

Nick walked back to his desk and sat down in a cloud of depression. Why am I so surprised she said that, he asked himself? I knew she didn't like me like that. She's friendly with everyone. Over the last few weeks he had hoped the little looks and smiles they traded would lead to something more. But with a few swift words she had made it clear that she didn't think of him in that way. I guess I'm just not smart enough. He was about to get up and leave the room when the phone rang.

"Hey Brass," Nick said firmly. "What's up?"

Sara heard him talking to Brass and wondered why his face had changed from a sad look to one of pure terror and shock. After he was done she watched him slam down the phone and then look up at her.

"Sorry," he said quickly. "We got a new case," he said as he got up and headed out of the room.

"Nick," Sara said as she got up off her chair and rushed after him. She caught up with him in the locker room as he was putting his bag of gear together. "What's the deal?"

"A child's body was found in a shallow grave just outside of town," he said sadly.

"Oh man," Sara said softly as Nick brushed past her and outside. She quickly packed her own bag and hurried after him. The ride to the site was pure misery for both of them as they sat in the truck in utter silence. "Nick I…" Sara started.

"Sara it's okay," Nick said with a forced smile.

Sara saw the look and knew he was just putting on a face for her, inside he was hurting and it was her fault. She felt her stomach tighten as the silence grew and swore to herself inside that she would make things right between them before the day was over. They finally arrived at the scene and Nick stopped the truck and quickly got out. Sara grabbed her bag and followed him as they headed for Jim Brass.

"Nicholas," a female voice purred as it watched from a hidden vantage point through a pair of binoculars. The two round telescopic lens's fixed themselves on the broad muscled chest of Nick Stokes and then up to his face. "My my what a handsome man you turned out to be," she said firmly. "Better than I hoped for."

She continued to watch and then put her binoculars down and headed back to her car and got in. She looked at the picture of Nick on the dashboard and smiled evilly. "Soon my handsome little boy…very soon you'll be with me again. And this time no one will take you away from me, because if they do…I'll kill them."

Nick looked around the area, almost getting the strange feeling that he was being watched. He pushed the silly notion away and turned back to Brass. "Where is the body?" Nick asked softly.

"A bum found it early this morning when he went to check the garbage. He noticed something in the ground beside the dumpster and went to look closer. Then he found it."

Nick looked in the direction of the taped off area and felt his stomach immediately tighten. He hated these kinds of cases; anything involving children really took their toll on him.

Sara slowly moved past him and headed for the site, donning her gloves in the process. She set her bag down just outside the taped area and looked up at Nick as he joined her. She reached for a brush and started to brush away the dirt from the boy's body. Nick felt his stomach lurch as he looked upon the young boy's body as it started to be uncovered.

Sara noticed the look on his face and frowned. "Nick? You okay?"

"Yeah," Nick said as he grabbed his own brush and bent down on the other side of her. He felt his stomach tighten even further as he brushed some dirt away from the child's face and stared in horror at the piece of duct tape still across his mouth and the look of torment in his still open eyes. He cursed under his breath and turned away. He turned back and found himself drawn back to the terror-filled look in the boy's dead eyes, unable to tear himself away the second time.

"Want me to finish up?" Sara asked softly.

"I'm not incompetent either!" Nick spat meanly. "I might look like I don't know anything but I'm not stupid!" Nick half yelled, drawing some attention to them.

Sara looked at him in surprise and then quickly down.

"Sara I'm sorry," Nick mumbled sadly.

"It's okay," she said not looking up.

Nick heard the sadness in her tone and felt guilt setting upon him. So far today was not going like he planned. Nick finished brushing away all the dirt from the boy's and neck and started on his chest. He felt himself cringe when he saw bluish marks on the boy's upper torso and arms. "Damn," Nick cursed again.

Sara heard Nick curse but didn't look up. For some reason cases regarding children, especially young boys, seemed to affect him more than others. Why is that Nick, she asked herself? What are you hiding from the rest of us? What is it that haunts you so? Sara continued to brush the dirt away from the boy's legs moving higher. When she got to just below the groin area she noticed he wasn't wearing anything, in fact the only thing that didn't belong on him was the piece of tape and all the dirt. Sara looked up just as Nick did and they locked eyes for a few seconds before Nick looked away. She could almost feel his pain resonating to her and wanted more than anything to make things right right now. But she had to be professional and wait for a time to tell him she was sorry. She turned back to the boy and continued to work, uncovering him from the dirt that was just shovelled over him to hide his dead body.

Nick looked at the body again and let out a heavy sigh. "Do you notice anything strange about the way the head is placed?" He asked softly.

Sara looked up from what she was doing and studied the area around the boy's head. She finally noticed what he was trying to draw her attention to. The dirt around his head was moved in such a way it suggested he was trying to turn it even after he was buried. "That's odd," she said softly. "It looks like he was moving it slowly sideways even after…"

"After he was buried," Nick finished in a dead whisper.

"But Nick the rest of his body was still. How is that possible?"

"Not sure," he frowned. "Maybe I did it."

Sara heard the disdain in his voice and cringed. She finished uncovering the boy's body with dirt and then started to take some pictures of the bruise marks, which they also noticed on his wrists and around his groin area. "The markings around the groin," she said softly as she slowly stood up.

"Might indicate sexual activity?" Nick said looking up. Sara slowly nodded her head and Nick looked back down. "Yeah that's what I thought too," he said softly. He bent close and examined the area around the piece of duct tape sill firmly applied over the boy's lips. "Strange," he said with a frown.

"What?" Sara asked gently bending down by him.

"Notice the edges of the tape," he said as he reached for a pair of tweezers and a small plastic bag.

"Looks like red…sweater hairs? Carpet?"

"Could be anything," Nick said softly as his mind flashed images of the terrified child rolling around on a thick red carpet, crying for help as his muffled cries fell on deaf ears. He tried to shake the images away but they still continued to torment his subconscious.

"Actually…" Sara said gently removing a piece from his hair just below his ear. "Here's another," she said placing it in another small bag and handing it to him. After they were sure they had gathered all the evidence they started to examine the surrounding area.

"Why here?" Sara asked regarding the ground. "Why not just dump the body in the garbage and be done with it?"

"No idea," Nick mused as he stared at the ground around him. "Why do it in the first place?" He asked, not expecting an answer.

"Odd shaped footprints," she said placing her foot beside it. "Looks almost like a woman's shoe print. Only with a strangely shaped boot. Wider in the front and very narrow in the middle."

"Or a small man," Nick suggested as he examined the area around the shallow grave. "Whoever did this tried to cover their tracks but…but for some reason missed the area by the dumpster. Why?"

"Something scared them away," Sara said firmly. "But…" she said turning around in her place and looking at the ground around them. "I don't see any other tracks or prints of any kind that would indicate they were close."

"A car driving by perhaps?"

"Who else uses this area?" Sara asked Brass.

"Just highway maintenance workers," Brass told them. "This area has been slated for re-development for some time, but until then the only thing out here is the dumpster and it's changed only once every two weeks."

"Who dumps it? The city or a private company?"

"I assumed the city, but I can check into that," Brass said firmly.

"Thanks," Nick said with a forced smile as he turned back to Sara who was examining the area the dumpster. She leaned in close and noticed two very black hairs caught in a piece of jagged paint. "Nick," she said calling out to him. "Look at this."

Nick looked at the hairs and frowned. "Look long enough to be a woman's."

"Or a man with a wig," Sara suggested.

Sara tried to place herself against the side of the dumpster as the person might have done that was hiding. Sure enough when she pressed herself up against it a few of her hairs got caught as well. "Damn it," she cursed as she quickly pulled her head away. "Good thing mine are lighter," she said quickly putting the two black hairs into a separate bag. "I wonder what she was hiding from?" She asked as she started to dust for prints. Sadly a whole mish-mash of prints turned up, not what she was hoping for. "They probably had gloves on them," she said sadly.

Nick scanned the parking area and then looked back at her. "Don't know what she might have been hiding from. Let's get this stuff back to the lab and get that body to Al," he said firmly as he walked back to his bag. "I want to get this thing started right away."

Sara heard Nick always use the word she, like he assumed it was naturally a woman who did this. Why Nick? What is it about this case that has affected you so fast? Sara finished packing all their stuff up and then went and joined Nick in front of the truck. They both stood in front of the truck in the warm Nevada sun and watched the Coroner's team carefully gather up the body to take to their lab for Al to work on. "Nick I'm sorry," Sara said quickly.

"Me too," Nick said softly. "A kid this young…"

"No about this morning…in the lab…what I said about you not being um…" she said looking at him with a pained expression. "I didn't mean it that way. I guess I was um…"

"Surprised?" Nick asked with a slight frown.

Sara turned away with a sigh. "Forget it," she said turning and walking away from him. Nick quickly grabbed her arm and stopped her. "I guess trying to make an apology is tough enough without me being a jerk about it."

"Nick you're not being a jerk. I'm sorry for what I said. I was a bit surprised, but not in a bad way," she said quickly. "I was happy you were able to help me and I guess…I…well I was a bit nervous," she finally admitted sheepishly.

"Nervous?" Nick asked quickly. "I make you nervous?"

"No," Sara said in horror. "Nervous no…never… you…" she stopped and frowned. "A bit, but not in a bad way…Do you want this day to start over as much as me?" She asked with a deep sigh.

"More than you know," he said looking past her as they zipped up the black bag that had the boy's body in it and wheeled it past them. Nick felt his heart race slightly as he pictured the boys haunting image in his mind, only when he closed his eyes it was his own face he saw looking back up at him with a dead expression. Nick felt himself jump when Sara gently touched his arm. "Time to go," he said firmly as he turned and headed for the drivers side of the truck.

Not exactly the way I pictured us starting our first solo case together, Sara said stonily as she headed for the passengers side and got in beside him. "Nick please talk to me," Sara said softly. "I need to explain that I am sorry."

"I know you are," he said looking at her with a forced smile.

"Then why do I have a hard time believing that smile is genuine?" She asked sadly.

"Look your comment took me by surprise but I understand you didn't mean it in a hurtful way and that's okay," he said firmly.

"I didn't mean it to hurt you in any way, especially your feelings," Sara said with a frown. Did that make sense?

"I know you didn't," he said looking at her sort of sideways. It just hurt to hear, he said inside.

Then why do I get the feeling there is still such tension between us, she asked herself? They neared the lab and she felt her heart start to beat a bit faster once again.

"I mean I know I'm not the type of guy you're interested in and you made that clear and that's fine," he stated firmly as he brought the truck to a halt. And before she could say another word he got out of the truck, grabbed his bag and headed inside, shoulders sagging in defeat.

"What?" Sara asked in shock as watched him disappear through the doors. "Not interested in you?" She quickly grabbed the remaining evidence bag and rushed into the building after him. They body had arrived at the same time they did and they had to make way for the runners to take it down to Al so he could start his autopsy.

Sara put her jacket away and took the pieces of evidence they bagged to Greg. "Can you put a rush on this?" She asked him.

"Hey wait a sec," Greg said as Sara turned to leave. "I have an extra ticket to tonight's comedy fest and…"

"Sorry Greg I'd love to go with you but I can't," Sara said quickly.

"No I have an extra ticket that I can't use. I um have a hot date," he said proudly.

"I see," Sara said firmly.

"I do," Greg insisted.

"Yeah," Sara said turning around.

"Look I just didn't want it to go to waste and…it's a great place to meet guys," Greg stammered.

Sara narrowed her eyes at him and huffed.

"I meant that in a good way," Greg said in defense.

Sara snatched the ticket out of his hand and turned on her heel and walked away.

"Just call me cupid," Greg laughed as he held up the other ticket in his hand and headed over to where Nick was unloading some evidence samples. "Nick my man…" Greg said happily.

"No way," Nick said quickly.

"What?" Greg asked in shock.

"What ever you need to borrow, you can forget about it. You still owe for last time."

"Which I intend to pay back," Greg said firmly.

"Sure you are," Nick smiled. "I need a rush on this," he said shoving the small bags into Greg's hands.

"On one condition," Greg said.

Nick looked at him in surprise. "One condition? Yeah right. No I need these ASAP."

"Look I have this lone ticket to tonight's comedy fest and I can't use it. Got myself a hot date!"

"Sure you do," Nick snided.

"Why does no one believe me? Shesh Sara didn't either," he huffed. "Look if you don't want the ticket then fine," Greg said turning away.

Nick thought back in his mind to when he saw Greg giving something to Sara. Is he up to what I think he is, Nick asked himself? "What's the catch?"

"Look use it, sell it, smoke it," Greg said slapping it into Nick's hand. "I don't care. I can't use it and thought you might want to go. It's a great place to meet girls."

"Meet girls," Nick echoed as he looked down at the ticket. "If I don't I'm going to personally kill you."

"Yeah like I haven't heard that before," Greg huffed as he rolled his eyes and walked away, the evidence bags in his hands. Just call me Mr. Cupid, Greg said proudly to himself.

Nick looked down at the ticket in his hands and smiled. But sadly his smiled quickly disappeared as he thought about his encounter with Sara. She's not interested, he told himself. Why even bother? But something inside of him just couldn't let it go, he had to try again and he knew it. Maybe in a social setting it might be a bit easier. He tucked the ticket into his shirt pocket and headed back to the lab studio he knew Sara would be working at. He saw her already seated at the desk working on their new case and took in a deep breath before heading into the silent room.

Sara heard a noise and looked up when Nick entered the room. "I'm just starting on the dirt samples I took from under the boy," she said softly.

"Okay," Nick replied. "I'll start on the red fibres I took from around the tape and the ones you found in his hair. Brass is going to do a search for any missing children fitting our John Doe's age and description and tell us what he finds."

Sara watched him walk to his table and sit down. She thought about the ticket in her pocket and sighed. Maybe I just need a break, she told herself. Besides it's not like I'm going to meet the man of my dreams tonight. I already met the man of my dreams, she said sadly. Only now he thinks I don't like him. Man life is unfair sometimes.

Lunch was already well over but both had stuff at their desk to eat. Nick picked at his although his stomach was more than upset and he knew it was a bad idea but finished it nonetheless.

"Autopsy of one John Doe, age 9…" Al's voice trailed off as he started his examination of the young body before him. He hated working on children the most, as they never would have a chance at a life. Sometimes he sadly knew they would be better off as the world they would grow up in was sometimes to ugly to deal with on a normal level. About an hour later he buzzed Nick's line and told him and Sara to come down to see him.

"What have you got?" Nick asked with a sad expression, his eyes transfixed on the half carved up body of the small boy on the table before them. He felt his stomach start to tighten but knew he couldn't show anything to the two people with him in the room.

"Well starting at the top," Al said softly. He held up the piece of tape for them to see. "The piece of tape that was over the boy's mouth had red carpet fibres on it, shag carpet about 10 years old. The carpet fibre's had some mildew residue on them suggesting the carpet is old and not cleaned on a regular basis."

"A renter," Nick said softly.

"Or a part of a house never used," Sara added.

"In either case from the marks around his mouth he was silenced for more than 24 hours. Duct tape leaves a different kind of film residue the longer it stays on something. Peeling it away from his lips and surrounding area showed he had been kept quiet for some time."

Nick looked at the piece of tape in Al's hands and cringed. His mind once again flashed images of a small child, gagged, rolling around on the carpet trying to get free.

"Plus the fact that the edges had the carpet on them suggested he was left tied up for some time and was struggling to get free. There is also considerable damage to his lungs and larynx, which suggests he was fully aware of what was going on and was screaming to for help but was not heard. The harder he screamed and cried the more damage he did inside until his voice box was ruined."

Sara watched Nick's face from across the table and noticed how it grew into a deeper haunted expression with each description Al told them. Why Nick? Why does this bother you more than other cases with bodies like this?

"The markings on his chest are from fingers being dragged down several times."

"Why are there no cuts marks?" Sara wondered.

"They were short nails," Al told them. "Notice they start at the neck and end just above the genitals. The marks around the genital area suggests that were sexual activity but it was more than likely forced. The marks around his wrists mean he was held down by hands and not tied down for most of the time he was being abused. There are mild rope marks, which would suggest to me that after the act itself he was tied up and left for a bit before he was taken and dumped. I found trace marks on his body and in the area around the genitals of the red fibres, which suggests he was kept naked the whole time."

With each terrifying word Nick felt his world slowly closing in on him more and more and knew he had to leave soon or he'd be in serious trouble.

"What killed him?" Nick asked softly.

"A number of things," Al said softly. "Notice the hand marks around his neck, which would suggest he was strangled. He also had traces of a strange chemical composite in his system, which seems to have turned his stomach a bluish tinge. I'll have to run a tox screen to be sure of what it was."

"So he was either poisoned or strangled," Sara mused.

"Or both," Nick said in disgust. "Are we done here?" He asked.

"For the most part," Al said softly.

Nick turned on his heel and quickly left the room.

"He okay?" Al asked in concern.

"Tough day," Sara said softly. "Anything else?"

"Just that this boy was terrified at time it was happening. The amount of pressure on his small chest cavity and the tension in his limbs from whatever happened really took their toll. There are signs of system failures."

"Who could do this to such a small innocent child?" Sara asked in horror.

"A monster," Al mumbled. "I'll submit my report in a few hours."

"Thanks," Sara said turning to leave. Her mind was still focused on the last look Nick gave her and she found herself worrying if he was okay. She hurried outside and headed for the lab hoping he was there. When he wasn't there she turned and raced for the locker room.

Nick felt his lunch starting to come up as he hurried out of Al's lab and straight for the locker room. The description of the boy being molested and then murdered was too much to handle for him. His mind kept showing him images of the small child begging for help through his gagged mouth while he was held down on the carpet while he was abused. He reached inside the room and rushed into a stall and as soon as he bent his head over the toilet his lunch came up. He felt himself wheezing for air and his eyes started to water.

Sara quietly entered the locker room and heard him throwing up in one of the stalls. She quickly turned and left and decided to give him a few minutes before she made her presence known.

Nick finished throwing up and slowly stood back up and walked to the sink. He splashed cold water on his face and looked at his reflection in the mirror. But instead of seeing his adult face looking back at him he saw himself as a boy begging for help as he was…

"Nick?" Sara's soft voice broke him from his tormented nightmare.

Nick looked at her with a sad expression. "I think I'm getting the flu," he said softly.

"Do you want me to work this one alone?" She asked, not fully understanding what was bothering him but knew it was something to do with their new case.

"No I'll be fine," he said softly. "I just want to stop her…"

"Her?" Sara asked quickly. "How do you know it's a woman? Did the hair samples show that?"

"They will," Nick said firmly as he went to move past her.

Sara stood before him, not letting him pass.

"Move," Nick said softly not wanting to look up and meet her gaze.

"Nick please tell me what's wrong?" Sara asked softly. "I heard you throw up."

"I said…"

"I don't mind doing this case alone."

"I'm fine," he said with the first genuine smile she had seen from him since their argument. "I guess I'm just tired or something."

"Nick I…" Sara started, feeling her heart start to race a bit. "What you said before…you know about me not being m interested in…"

"Sara it's okay," Nick said firmly. "I don't need to know the reason," he said pushing past her.

Why the hell is he so stubborn! She yelled inside her head as she turned and followed him back to their lab.

Nick sat in miserable silence as he studied the strand of hair. About half an hour later he looked at his findings, cursed and got up and left. He rushed into the locker room, grabbed his jacket and headed outside.

Sara looked up and watched him rush out. She walked over to his desk and peered into his microscope and then frowned. "Looks synthetic," she said carefully removing the strand and putting it in a safe place and walking it over to Greg. She gave it to him and then headed back to the locker room and sat down facing Nick's locker and sighed. "How can he think I not like him?" She asked herself. Sadly she realized her thoughtless words were more than enough to tell him what she knew wasn't the truth. She did like him, very much. "How can I make him see that?" She knew that to badger him anymore today would be a waste. So instead of going back to the lab she donned her coat and headed for the door.

Nick drove home in miserable silence, the events of the day taking their toll on every part of him. The day had started out with such promise. He was going to wait for the right time to ask Sara to go for supper with him, but instead had to face the rejection from her as she told him she thought he wasn't that smart. Then their new case. He thought of that and heaved a heavy sigh. He tried to shake the images from his head but every time he closed his eyes the boy's dead eyes came into his mind, terrifying him. He reached home and quickly let himself inside. He hurried to the bathroom but all that came up where dry heaves and some coughing. He drank some water and then slowly made his way into his bedroom and slumped down on his bed. He curled up on his side and closed his eyes. No sooner did he do that but he was taken back to when he was just a young boy, in his bedroom, with the last minute babysitter.

'You're a cutie Nicholas,' the young female voice cooed at him as she led him to the bed and sat him down on the carpet in front of it. 'Do you think I' m pretty?'

'Yes,' Nick said with a shy smile. 'Want to watch TV?'

'No,' she said quickly. 'I want to play something else.'

'Like what?' Nick asked eagerly.

'Well I think you might be a bit young,' she said with a fake frown, drawing him into her trap.

'I'm old enough,' Nick insisted.

'How old are you?'

'I'm almost 10,' Nick said proudly.

'Well you might be old enough,' she said with another frown. 'Take your shirt off.'

'What?' Nick asked in surprise.

'Well I can't tell if you're old enough to play if you don't take your shirt off.'

Nick looked at her in hesitation but found himself standing up and then pulling his sweatshirt over his head.

'I like the color of your skin Nicholas,' she said touching it with her hand, running her short but manicured nails over them. 'Not pasty white like some of the others.'

'So am I old enough?' Nick asked softly.

'I think so,' she smiled. 'Want me to take my shirt off?'

Nick looked at her in hesitation, not really knowing what to say. 'Will we get in trouble?'

'Nicholas this is going to be our secret, okay?'

'Okay,' he said in uncertainty.

'Great,' she said as she started to unbutton her blouse. 'Come and sit here beside me.'

'Okay,' Nick said sitting down beside her. She started to touch his bare chest again and slowly pushed him backwards onto the carpet and firmly wrapped one hand around his small wrist. She started to lightly kiss his exposed chest, making small goosebumps appear on his skin.

'Wh-what are you doing?' He asked softly.

'Playing a game,' she smiled. 'Now be quiet or I'll make you. Really Nicholas you don't want the other boys to know you aren't a big boy right?'

Nick looked at her in fear but said nothing. He continued to feel her kissing his chest and moving her hands all over his small frame. Finally her hand moved to his waist and started to unzip his jeans zipper. Nick looked up in horror but as he tried to say something he was quickly stopped by…

"NO!" Nick shouted as he quickly woke from his tormented nap. "Damn you!" He yelled in angry frustration. He pushed himself off his bed and hurried into his back weight room. He quickly donned a pair of punching gloves and started to hit the punching bag for all he was worth. With each hit, the young woman's sickening smile would come into view. He'd hit it and it would leave. He felt his eyes watering more as he remembered what she did to him that night. That night that seemed to last for a painful eternity. Sadly it happened more than once. Nick hit the bag again with all he had, yelling and cursing in frustration. By the time he looked up at the clock, a few hours had passed and it was well passed suppertime. He finally let himself stop his workout and headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Once under the hot water he tried to wash away the handprints that were still burned onto his skin so many years later. After his shower he quickly dried off and headed back into his bedroom and slumped down on his bed. His eyes travelled to the lone ticket sticking out of his pocket and he sighed. "What have I got to lose?" He asked himself as he stood up and headed for his closet. "At least it'll take my mind off things for a few hours."

Sara slowly paced her kitchen as she fixed herself a light snack. She looked at the single ticket on the counter and frowned. "If I go alone what is that saying?" She asked herself. "It says I'm a strong, independent woman," she tried to convince herself. "Who's as miserable as hell," she said stonily.

She slowly walked back into her bedroom and stared at her closet with a glum face. "How could he think I'm not interested? Doesn't he look in the mirror?" She smiled to herself when she remembered the closeness when he was helping her but it quickly dissipated as she remembered how the day ended. "I'll never be able to convince him I was…what? Why was I surprised?" She asked herself. "I mean I know he's a smart guy? Was I nervous? Well I was but…how can I make him see that I am interested? I could ask him out? No that's too forward, Nick likes women who are helpless and dainty."

She selected a fitted top that complimented the velvet like pants she had on and then grabbed her leather jacket and headed for the bathroom to put some makeup on. "Face it Sara," she told her reflection. "You lost your chance."

Sara drove to the comedy club hoping it would lift her spirits a little. However, when she arrived there she didn't realize that a set of eyes had seen her enter and was watching her intently. Sara chose a small table for two off to the side and sat down. She didn't dare look around for fear it would attract attention to herself. I wish Nick was here, she moaned inside. Man I wish I could have today back.

Nick sat by himself in the far corner, not wanting to be seen or talked to. He kept his eyes on his drink and would glance up occasionally as he heard the door open and then close. But his last time he let his eyes linger on the beautiful woman that entered.

Sara? He asked in surprise, feeling his heart start to beat a bit faster. And try as he might to deny it his body and mind told him that he was still very much attracted to her and wanted another chance. Chance at what? Being humiliated, he asked himself? She's not interested, he said firmly. He sat and watched her for ten very long minutes. Each one killing him that he was not beside her sharing in some sort of light conversation. I have to try again, he said firmly. He found himself slowly getting out of his chair with his drink in hand and walking over to her table.

"Is this seat taken?" He asked softly.

Sara heard the man's voice but didn't look up. "Yes," she said quickly.

"Okay," Nick said in hurt.

Sara looked upon hearing the familiarity in his voice and gasped. "Nick?" She said quickly. "I um…I didn't know it was you."

"Are you here alone?" Nick asked with a frown.

"Yes," she said sheepishly. "I just didn't want anyone to sit there but…well I want you to…please?" She half begged in a small voice.

Nick found himself smiling at her nervousness because inside it mirrored his own. Nick settled himself into the chair beside her and smiled. "Are you drinking?" He asked awkwardly. Man what a lameo I am, he said inside.

"Club soda," Sara smiled back. Do I sound nervous, she asked herself? I wonder if he is? They both sat looking at their drinks for a few seconds before Sara knew she had to break the ice once again. "Nick?" She said looking up at him.

"Yeah?" He said putting his drink down and looking at her seriously.

"What I said before…about being surprised and all…I was more surprised that…look I didn't mean it that way. I know you're a smart guy and…and I think that's great," she said with a nervous smile, her heart racing at top speed. "I'm sorry you came to the wrong conclusion about…"

"I guess that was uncalled for," he said with a frown. "Why are you here?" Nick asked suddenly.

"What?" Sara asked in surprise.

"Tonight? Why did you come?"

"I guess because I needed a laugh," she said with a sigh. "And because it was free," she admitted with a smile. "You?"

"I needed a laugh as well. Did Greg by any chance give you the ticket?"

"Yes he did," Sara said firmly. "I'm going to kill him."

"Don't," Nick said quickly, his heart racing at top speed, praying he wouldn't be shot down again. "I'm glad you're here."

"Y-you are?" Sara asked in shock. "But I thought…"

"Thought what?"

"You want to know the real reason I said what I did?" Sara asked sadly, looking down into the bubbles of her drink. "I was nervous."

"Nervous good? Or nervous bad?"

"Nervous good," she said looking back up.

"Nervous good?" Nick asked with a smile. "But I thought…"

"Nick I never thought you weren't smart. I think you're amazing. The things you see and can do…I mean it I think you're a pretty terrific guy."

Nick looked at her in surprise, feeling his cheeks flush slightly at her compliments. "Wow," he said softly. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," she said firmly. "Now I know you don't like forward women but I just had to say it."

"What gave you that idea?"

"Same thing that made you think I don't like you in…well in that way," she said quickly.

Nick looked at her for a few seconds before saying something. "I guess we have both been reading things the wrong way."

"I guess so," she said back. "So what do we do now?"

"Now?" He said with a smile. "Now we sit here and enjoy our first date together. That is if I'm allowed to call it that?" He asked quickly, not sure if he was being too forward.

"I don't mind," she said with a large smile. "But does this mean we have to give Greg credit?" She asked with a frown.

"Okay how's this," Nick said seriously. "Pretend this is a business meeting and I am going to go out on a limb and ask you if you'd like to have dinner with me tomorrow night?" Did I just ask her out? The two of us? Alone? Yes! His inner voice scolded. You wanted to now you did so take it like a man already! "If that's okay," he added noting her silence.

Sara looked at him in shock. Did he just ask me out? Dinner? Just the two of us? Yes! Her inner voice said firmly. So say yes already and end your misery! "Y-yes," Sara managed weakly. "Dinner…that would be great."

"Great," Nick said with a small sigh of relief. "Now that that's over…"

"I think we can both try to relax," Sara said as they noticed the stage lights flicker, signalling that the show was about to start. Sara wanted more than anything to ask him why this new case was bothering him so much but decided to let it wait. He just asked me out, she said inside. This day isn't so bad after all.

Nick looked sideways at Sara and noticed the large smile on her face. I can't believe she said yes, he said inside. I can't believe I actually asked her, especially after the lousy day we had. Maybe there is still hope, he said inside as he wanted that so badly. He settled into his chair and waited for the show to start. By the end of the first act they had both relaxed and were laughing and drinking and having a good time. So good in fact that Nick failed to notice the female figure in the back of the small cabaret with her eyes firmly fixed on his every move.

Nicholas, she said inside. Found a new love? Too bad it won't last, she said with an evil smile as she watched Nick put his arm around the back of Sara's chair. Soon you will belong only to me, but first I'm going to have some more fun. Catch me if you can! I look forward to the chase…

**Should I continue?**