Present season. Gil living "abroad." Whatever that means…This idea just came to me. It seems to be the frequent topic of stories of mine, but nonetheless I couldn't help myself. I have another part written for this. Let me know what you think Do not own CSI.

"What Friends Are For"

"Ok guys, good luck. Keep in touch." DB finished giving out assignment slips to his team. He turned and faced Nick. "Let me know when Sara gets in. I want to know that she's ok and knows what she's doing."

"Will do. It's very unlike her to be late. Something must've come up."

"Thanks, Nick."

"No problem, boss." Nick gave a reassuring smile and took a seat. Where are you Sara?

No sooner had Nick sat down Sara came running into the room. "I'm sorry I'm late!" Sara said a bit out of breath.

"Hey, Sar. It's ok. Every workaholic is entitled to be late every once in awhile."

Sara stuck out her tongue and leaned against the break room table. "Was DB mad?" She wiped her forehead. Her face seemed flushed.

"No, no. He just told me to fill you in and let him know you're all right."

"Ok, good. What do we have?" Again, she brushed her hand against her forehead.

"We have a 419. Are you ok? You look flushed."

"Oh yea, I'm fine."

Yea right. "If you say so. I'll meet you at the car?"

"Sure. I just need to get my kit."

As soon as she got to the locker room she sat down. She was sick. For once her gut was telling her to go home, but once again her head was telling her to suck it up. It couldn't be more than a bug.

She inhaled deeply and stood up. After opening her locker she looked in the mirror. "I am flushed. God, it's so obvious." She could only nod her head in disgust. While attempting to bend down for her work boots she felt out of sorts. The room started to spin. Quickly she grabbed her head and used her other hand to steady herself against the locker.

"Sara! Are you ok?"

That sounded like Nick's voice. "Nicky?" She opened her eyes and saw Nick kneeling in front of her. He must've sat her down.

"I'm right here. You almost collapsed! I caught you and set you down. What's going on?"

"I..I don't know. One minute I was reaching for my boots and the next minute the room was spinning. Thanks uh for catching me." She scrunched her forehead. "Wait, you were supposed to be at the car."

"I know, but you were taking longer than usual. I wanted to make sure you were ok. You didn't look well back there."

"Oh well thanks. I guess."

"I'm worried about you, Sara. Everything that happened indicates you're sick. I think I should take you home."

"God no! I said I'm fine. Besides, why would I want to go home to an empty house?"

There was an awkward pause.

"Are things...is everything ok with you and Grissom?"

Sara huffed. "If you consider seeing your spouse once or twice a month sufficient." He looked at her with sad eyes. She held her hands up in surrender. "We're doing great with this long distance thing. We talk to each other multiple times a day. And when we see each other we savor every second. It's always extra special."

Nick breathed out. "That's wonderful. Exactly what I needed to hear. You must be sick then. A virus or something?"

"I don't know. It must be. I woke up nauseous and got sick, but then I was fine. It wasn't until I got to work that I started to feel weird."

"You got sick but still came to work? Sara, you know better! You're health is most important. Plus it could've contaminated a scene."

"Right. You're absolutely right, but-"

"But what?"

"I was fine the previous shifts." His eyes narrowed. He opened his mouth when she continued. "I was sick the past couple of nights. I shrugged it off as a bug-"

"Sara, you don't think you're..."

"What, Nick?"

"Pregnant?"

Sara instantly stiffened. Pregnant? With her head shaking she reasoned, "No. Nope. I'm not pregnant. Like I said, we see each other once or twice a month. We don't spend the whole day or two doing it if that's what you guys think when I'm off. Pervs."

Nick looked away to hide the grin. Once he regained composure he faced her. Pretending to clear his throat, "Eh hem. No of course not. We are CSIs, not Pervs."

Sara gave a small smile. "I think maybe I should go home."

That surprised me. "Sure, I'll give you a lift on my way to the scene. I can pick you up tomorrow."

"Ok."

No hesitation. "Look, Sara." He took her hand. "You know I'm always here for you."

"Thanks, Nick. I know...and I appreciate that."

"Let's get you home."

The car ride was abnormally quiet. Aside from the radio playing some country tune, all was silence. Out of the corner of his eye he could see Sara staring straight ahead.

"Everything ok over there? You've been awfully quiet since the locker room."

"I'm fine."

I'll let it go. She's obviously going through something. Though I'm not sure what you would call this. Confusion? Denial?

"No...actually I'm not."

Within a second Nick pulled onto the side of the road. He faced Sara. She was now staring at her fingers which were nervously twiddling in her lap. He left the floor to her-not wanting to pressure her into talking.

"What if I am...?"

"Then this is wonderful news! There's nothing to worry about. I can stay with you-"

"Thanks Nick, I really appreciate it. Really I do, but I'd like some time. Time to sort this all out. I don't really know what I'm doing."

Nick chuckled. "If you're certain. Remember, I'll only be a phone call away. No scene will ever be as important as you." He patted her knee and waited for a nod of approval. With that, he set off to what could be her future.

With a deep breath Sara was ready to endure the ride home. Only half the battle, clearly she would have to fight the other half in 20 minutes.