Nick comes home

Nick placed the last bag in his truck and turned to look back. This had been his home for almost twenty years. He'd grown from a kid, just wanting to live up to Grissom and to grow his own wings, to know that Grissom wasn't as important as being his own man, that family was even more than he'd ever dreamed, and to use those wings. He was glad that he hadn't been able to find a buyer for his house yet, even if it would make money tight for a while. It was still his house as he saw it decrease in the rearview mirror. Sara sniffled as he left, not wanting him to go but not wanting him unhappy. He went the long way out of town, past the casino that Catherine still owned, past the diner where Warrick had been killed, past the condo Grissom had lived in for years, to the lab. He parked in the parking lot, knowing he didn't have the time for this, but he remembered every hurt, every blessing in the past. He'd talked to Sara, to Greg, to Catherine, Russell, his parents, even Finn although he wasn't sure she followed anything he said. This opportunity was too good to miss. He'd be a fool not to take it. He started driving again, finally out of town. He felt something pulling him back to town, but he couldn't understand it. He couldn't explain it. He pulled out his cell phone, pulling off the road.

"Hello?"

"It's me."

"You okay?"

"Tell me this is crazy. This is what I've wanted for years, to have my own team."

"You don't want to go?"

"I'd be stupid not to."

"So what's the problem?"

"How's Sara?"

"She's okay," lied Greg. Sara had asked him not to say anything.

"I've been your best friend for years, Greg. You don't think I know when you're lying?"

"She doesn't want to stop you."

"Not what I asked."

"She's sad."

"I don't think I can leave her, Greg."

"You aren't. You're having a long distance relationship."

"She's had that before, Greg. Even before he was such an idiot, divorcing her over phone, he broke her heart because he wasn't here. I don't want that for her, not again."

"I don't think she's worried about that."

"I can't explain it, Greg, but I don't think it's right."

"So, you're going to break up?"

"I've got to go. Hey, Greg? Don't tell Sara I called, okay?"

"Okay."

He hung up, finding a place to turn around, calling San Diego on the way.
*************
Sara walked out of the lab, sad that she hadn't been able to say goodbye to Nick.

"Sara, do you want to come with us?" Morgan offered, hurting for her friend.

"Where?" asked Sara. She had planned on going home to sit by the phone until Nick called to say he had gotten to San Diego.

Morgan looked at Greg. She obviously hadn't thought it through, just didn't want Sara going home alone.

"How about we go get some breakfast?" suggested Greg.

"No thank you. I'm not really that hungry," replied Sara. She didn't move though, not actually wanting to be alone.

"What if I go home with you? We can watch ______," she said, naming Sara's favorite movie.

"Uh, yeah, okay." Sara smiled. "Thank you."

Morgan kissed Greg's cheek and walked out with Sara. Sara let Morgan drive, her mind elsewhere. She was going to keep her phone next to her, waiting for the phone call.

Nick had parked down the street so that Sara wouldn't see him. He'd bought her favorite breakfast, flowers, and a present he was nervous about. He left the box near her glass and hid, wanting to see her reaction first. Sara didn't notice the extra car on the street as they drove past. Her attention was focused inward, on her emotions. She just wanted to see Nick one last time. So when she walked into her apartment, she was worried. Something was odd, and she didn't know what.

"Sar?" Morgan called, seeing the breakfast, glass of juice, and small square box with letter at her place at her table.

"Yeah?"

"You've gottta see this..."

Sara walked into the kitchen, and her face lit up. "He's still here!" she said, going through her apartment, looking for him.

"There's a note..."

"I can't find him Morgan. Who would do this? I miss him as it is!"

"Sara." Morgan tried to get her to calm down and read the note. The box could only be two things and she couldn't see Nick giving her earrings.

"What?" Sara took the paper and read it.

Nick had poured out everything he'd been thinking on the way out, but the underlying current of the letter was that he loved her and he wanted to marry her. Sara put the paper down and reached for the box. She opened it cautiously, but her face said it all. She looked at Morgan, holding out the box, as if asking for confirmation that she was seeing what she thought she was.

"It's beautiful, Sara," Morgan said softly.

"I'm not imagining this, am I?"

She shook her head. "And my guess is he had a little help. How did he know that you wouldn't go out with us? Or to see Finn?" Her underlying theory was that Nick was hiding, waiting to see her answer, not wanting to embarrass any of them if it was no.

"I miss him so much. If I say yes, will he stay with me?"