Title: Bad Day
By: Ciara
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Disclaimer: I don't own CSI….yet.
Rated: G
Series: 1) Dance, 2) Feel Good Inc.
Spoilers: Takes place after 'Too Tough To Die'.
Note: Song by Daniel Powter.
Summary: Wherein Greg and Nick dance with Sara.

***

Nick Stokes jumped back as he opened his locker and something suddenly fell out, startling him. He took a second to catch his breath, and picked up the small object. It was a colorful box, and Nick noted the handle on the side. 'It's a bloody Jack-in-the-Box,' he though incredulously. He debated with himself for a moment, and then began to turn the crank. The familiar tune played out and Nick found himself humming along with it. It popped suddenly, startling Nick again. He looked at it and laughed. Strapped to Jack's face was a picture of a goofy looking Greg Sanders with the words "We're going out tonight!" written in bold red ink underneath. He smiled. After a day like today, he could really use it.

His thoughts were interrupted by Sara walking briskly into the room, her eyes red, cheeks stained with tears. She didn't seem to notice him, lost in her own world. He watched her as she began to toss her things into a bag dejectedly.

"Sara," He made his presence known. She jumped, placing a hand on her chest.

"Nick," she sniffled, "I didn't see you there." She turned away, trying to hide the tears on her face. She'd just finished her conversation with Grissom, they'd been discussing Pamela Alder, who was probably now being moved to Haven View Center. She'd said some things to Grissom she knew she was probably going to regret later. Right now she didn't care though.

Nick approached her. He'd worked on the case with her too, warned her even, about getting too close. Now she was suffering for it.

"Hey Sar, about this case…" he started but she cut him off.

"I know Nick. I just got the lecture from Grissom. "Don't get emotionally involved" I know the whole spew Nick, so just save it," she snapped. Nick was taken aback for a moment.

"Sara. That's not what I was going to say," he said, a little stung by her words, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. About Mrs. Adler. I know you got involved, but I just…sometimes it's good to be involved. Makes you remember that you're still human." She stopped and turned to face Nick, her eyes filling with tears once again.

"It's just…it's not fair," she said, but choked on her next words. Nick nodded in understanding, pulling her into an embrace. She tensed for a moment, and then relaxed into his hug. A minute later she was sobbing into his shirt. He held her gently, rubbing slow soothing circles on her back.

Over her shoulder, he saw Greg enter the room. He stopped short and cocked his head to the side.

"Sara? Are you okay?" he asked. Sara let go of Nick and sat down on the bench, her head hanging down. Greg instantly moved to sit beside her.

"I'm alright Greg. At least...I will be," she said softly. Greg patted her gently on the back.

"Come on," he said, "We're taking you out." She shook her head.

"No, Greg. I don't think I can,"

"Sara…come on. We've been working together for a long time now; I think it's time we all evolved in our relationship and hang out. Outside of work, for once," Sara looked at him.

"Relationship?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"Friendship, I mean. Nick and I still have a lot of work to do on our love life," He laughed. Sara's jaw dropped and she looked up at Nick, shocked.

"You mean…you and Greg…?"

"Oh god, he's just kidding. Greg and I aren't together," Nick said, his face turning a new shade of red.

"Yet," Greg said, laughing as he grabbed his and Sara's bag and took off.

Greg drove them to a small pub. It looked classic, almost. Red and green tinted windows gave it a nice accent. Greg parked the car outside and locked in, and they all headed in. Sara seemed to be feeling a little better.

It was practically deserted inside, save for the bartender and a few patrons who were probably just getting off the nightshift themselves. Greg grinned at the bartender as they approached. He was a stocky man of about 40.

"Hey Del," he called, "How's business?" The bartender chuckled.

"Greg Sanders. Haven't seen you 'round here for awhile, how's work been treating ya?" he said, setting a few beers down in front of the three.

"It's been great, Del. Busy, but good. In fact, these are two of my co-workers. This is Sara Sidle and Nick Stokes. They're criminalists," Del shook hands with the two of them.

"Heard a lot about you from ol' Greggo here," Del said, "Cheers. I gotta do some cleaning up in the back; I'll catch y'all in a bit. Hey Greggo, why don't ya liven this place up a bit? Got the karaoke machine fixed finally." Greg whooped as he walked away.

"I was bugging him to get that thing fixed for awhile. Karaoke nights used to bring him a lot of business until some schmuck decided to smash up the thing in a drunken rage. Didn't like how much attention it brought his wife," Greg explained to the other two. "Sara, why don't you do a number? I'm sure those construction guys over there would love it." Sara didn't say anything; she just stared into her drink glumly.

"I think we could sure use some music around here," Nick said, making eye contact with Greg over Sara's head. Greg nodded. Nick left his barstool and went to examine the karaoke machine. Greg decided to distract Sara for a minute.

"Nick told me he heard you singing in the lab," he said. Sara looked up.

"Sometimes I just do it on impulse when I'm working," she said.

"I do it too, it gets boring in my lab," he said.

Suddenly a light piano-y tune rang out. Greg and Sara turned around to see Nick standing across the room, grinning like a Cheshire cat, a microphone in hand.

"This one's for you, Sar," he said and began to sing:

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on


You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces every time
And I don't need no carryin' on

Greg grabbed Sara by the hand, pulling her to the middle of the room. She protested and tried to pull away but Greg wouldn't let her. He slipped his arms around his waist and began to sway gently to the music. Surprisingly enough, she didn't resist then.

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on

The other few patrons of the bar cheered the two on, holding up their beers in mock celebration. Sara and Greg continued to dance, a slow smile creeping up on Sara's face.

You had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day

Oh... Holiday...

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong

And I'm not wrong

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost

Greg twirled Sara around in his arms. Nick couldn't fight the smile off his face. It was a beautiful sight before him. Del had come around from the back and was watching from behind the bar, a smile slashed across his own face. Nick stepped down from the small stage, still singing. He approached Sara from behind, wrapping an arm around her waist so the three were locked in a slow dance. Greg looked happily at Nick.

Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
You've seen what you like
And how does it feel for one more time
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Had a bad day

Had a bad day

Had a bad day

Had a bad day

Had a bad day

The three danced still as the song faded.

***