Chapter 1
Greg's Point of View
The water felt like it always had; cool and soothing to me as I paddled out to reach the beginning of a swell. The wind buffeted me slightly but as an experienced surfer I just went with it. I am, by the way Greg Sanders Las Vegas CSI, who is currently enjoying my vacation to my hometown of San Francisco, California. I'm an ex-lab rat turned CSI though my physique wouldn't tell you that. What it would tell you, if you cared to look close is just how long I've been a surfer; all my life. From the time I could walk one thing interested me; the water. Then as the years went by the love of science took its place which is how I wound up in Vegas. My boss, Gil Grissom doesn't allow for much time off but some things happened and he thought it best I take a break. One thing that happened was a lab explosion that left me with pretty bad scarring.
Another, more recent thing a shooting I was almost involved in back in May or so. I wasn't hit but it left me shaken enough it began to affect my cases and some personal relationships; one relationship in particular. You see, another thing you might not know about me is that I'm gay. My boyfriend, fellow CSI Nick Stokes urged me to take the time off that our boss offered and maybe go somewhere relaxing. This of course is why I'm in the middle of the ocean on a secluded beach in San Fran. I know soon enough I'll have to go back to Vegas and to Nick but right now I'm just one with the water. And deep down that's the way it'll always be.
Here I am back in Las Vegas and sorely missing the quiet of the waves lapping the shore. My first day back and I'm already missing surfing. Of course this 'hobby' of mine is one no one outside of California really knows about. That secret however would soon be out in the open. I never really noticed it but the more time surfing I spent, the leaner muscled I became. Normally when I shower I bring something to change into after toweling off but this time I didn't. The steam of the shower had fogged the room so that I thought no one would see me, even if I was in a towel. You see ever since the explosion I've become a very private person were my body is concerned. I didn't count on, however my boyfriend and his best friend Warrick to be in the vicinity of the showers when I got out. Sighing I stepped out and wrapped a towel around my waist before turning to my locker.
I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary as my mind was elsewhere, specifically the beach in Cali. I don't remember bumping into him but I must have. The next thing I know I'm on my ass on the cold tile and my sexy boyfriend is helping me up. "Ah hi babe, whatcha doing?" I asked, mentally cursing myself for such a stupid question. Nick shrugged it off and chuckled. "The better question is where were you just a minute ago? Off in la-la land, Greggo?" I half-smirked and muttered something that sounding like 'surfing' and turned to get my clothes. Nick and Warrick ambled off and I sighed in relief. I've had so many people make fun of me for being the geek that I just knew they'd pick at me for my favorite pastime. After getting my clothes on and headed to the break room to just chill for a while.
After my 3rd cup of Blue Hawaiian, I was feeling slightly more relaxed. That is till Hodges and Archie came in. "Hey Sanders heard from your little snuggle buddy that you've got nice abs. Mind if I have a peek?" he snorted and both lab rats walked off. My brow furrowed, what in the hell did he mean by that? I knew that surfing always kept me in good shape up last week was the first time in a while I'd been able to do it. Then a light bulb flipped on. Of course! Today outside the showers both Nick and Warrick had gotten more that a glimpse of my 'new' physique. I was banging my head on the table when everyone (Nick, Warrick, Catherine, Sara, and Grissom) came in. "What's up Greg?" Warrick asked. I jerked my head up and cocked my head to one side. 'AH nothing, just figured out something I should have known. So anything new going on that I missed?" I asked as a way to divert the topic.
"Yeah actually there was." Catherine said and proceeded to tell me about hers and Sara's new case. I nodded in the right places but my thoughts were miles away. That is until Grissom, of all people spoke up and said "So Greg you been working out?" I blinked a few times and said "Uh, nope, why do you ask?" Grissom and Warrick exchanged a look or two before Gris replied. "Ah no reason I was just curious. So how was San Francisco?" At this I had to grin. "Great, as always, it was nice to see my parents and go to some of my teenaged haunts." I laughed at the memory of spending the entire week out on the water. Teenaged haunts indeed. Everyone seemed pleased with this answer and the topic veered off again.
It wasn't until my phone rang that I knew the jig was up. I groaned once I saw the caller i.d. Knowing exactly why he was calling I answered the phone with a sharp 'Hello'; which in retrospect wasn't the best idea. "Hey G-man, heard you were in San Fran last week?" "Yeah I was, now tell me you didn't call to ask the same thing you do every year Chris." I heard a loud laugh on the other end and was vaguely aware of my co-workers staring at me. "Of course and this year you'll do it, right? And before you say no the prize is cash this year." My eyes lit up at the thought of cash and I knew I had to at least ask, "How much, C?" I could see him grin that sly grin of his as he whispered the amount. My eyes grew wide and I sputtered "Holy…sweet…that's a lot of money for a competition like this. Are you sure?" I asked. "Positive. So are you in?" I chewed on my bottom lip and sighed. "Alright just once more, okay? Never ask me again. If you do then you'll regret it." Chris knew my threat was empty, we both did.
All I heard before I hung up was a loud triumphant whoop and a voice screaming "G-man's back!" I laughed then groaned at realizing that everyone heard that conversation. "G-man, huh?" Warrick snorted at the same time Nick asked "What competition babe?" I sighed and rubbed the bridge of my nose wearily. "Okay everyone sit down and shut up and I'll tell you. I spent most of my time on my vacation surfing." I waited for the jeers but they never came. "Okay and what does this have to do with anything?" Grissom asked, clearly confused. "Well you see, in my high school and college years I was something of a San Fran legend. The G-man, the wave rider, Cali's hot shot…and many others I'm sure. Well everything was great until a guy named Mark 'King of the Surf' Thomas came to San Francisco to try and beat me."
My eyes glazed at the memory. "Needless to say he did beat 'the G-man' and managed to gain the favor of all my pervious fans. Plus he gave me this as a 'parting gift'." I walked around the table and lifted my pant leg on my right leg. There on my tan skin was a long smooth scar on my calf. "His board swiped mine, knocking me off and scraping my leg up. After that I admitted defeat and returned to the books; haven't ridden, in a competition since. This year, however the prize is cash; a nice chunk of it….so I'm gonna try my hand again." With that I sat back down and waited for their reactions. "Well how long 'til the race?" Sara asked. "At least two weeks; weather's an important factor." I looked at my Texan stud to see his reaction. "I think you should go reclaim your title, G-man." I grinned. He others nodded and I knew with them by me I could face even the 'King of the Surf'.
AN: So what do ya think so far? This plot came to me in psych class. Odd, huh? Anyhoo, please review or else you'll have to wait longer for the next chapter. C-ya.- GreeneyedAlice91.