A/N This story is an entry to the May/June fanfiction challenge at GSRForeverOnline…it is the first time I am trying my hand at using someone else's prompt, so I'm excited to see how this story will play out…a few chapters are already written, so I expect to update every other day regularly… the prompt is about Sara returning to Harvard for a College Reunion, and taking Grissom along to smooth out some rough patches in their marriage…this one's full of angsty events, GSR-style…all mistakes are mine… hope that you will join me for an interesting ride…
Gre-e-e-eg! Please! He's only here for two more nights!"
Tessa Redwood was really pulling out all the stops.
With anyone else, her pleas would be considered whining.
But she had such an adorable pout that there was no doubt Greg was going to give in to whatever she wanted.
One of the new-hires in the print lab, the young twenty-something Tessa had only been working at CSI for the last six months.
And Greg Sanders had become smitten with her upon her arrival.
Sara chuckled softly to herself as she poured another cup of Greg's "secret blend" and moved to seat herself at the break room round table.
She absolutely loved having Tessa around; having found out the blonde lab tech's weakness for great coffee, Greg had lately taken upon himself to ensure everyone enjoyed his very best stash of Blue Hawaiian blend.
If she were to be honest with herself, it was more than that.
Having been the "science nerd" in both high school and college had put her off-limits to most sorority-minded or athletic-focused girls her age.
Most of the people Sara would meet in social gatherings were boys who either wanted to get into her pants or who wanted her to partner with them in lab classes to guarantee they would get an "A".
So it was – flattering – to have a young, pretty, energetic woman like Tessa interested in hanging around Sara for casual conversations on a scheduled coffee break, sometimes in the break room but usually in her office (although she secretly suspected that sharing an office with Greg may also have been a draw).
Sara was always sure to leave for "test results" when Greg appeared or if Tessa mentioned he was on his way.
Although she was used to years of his flirting with her, Sara was fascinated by watching her best friend blossom into an incurable romantic who would do anything to please the woman who had him wrapped around her little finger.
She wanted a ringside seat for this latest match, having no doubt as to which part of this duo would emerge victorious.
"But…Tess-aaahhh," Greg whined with a mock-pained expression, mimicking his love's tone.
This caused them both to laugh aloud, a sound Sara had noticed was more prevalent throughout the CSI halls now that Tessa and Greg were dating.
That thought brought Sara a small pang of – what? Sadness? Jealousy? Longing?
Shaking off the thoughts of the recent changes in her relationship with her husband, Sara smiled a bit too brightly and forced a friendly inquiry.
"Okay, you two…Tessa, what are you forcing poor Greg to do now?"
"See? See? Sara, you're my friend. Tell her she just can't do this to me. Tell her I'm not the "lecture circuit" kind-of-guy!" Greg made contact with his love's blue eyes, pleading with a giddy smirk as he leaned into the blonde's personal space.
Sara was amused and intrigued. "Lecture circuit?"
At this, Tess retrieved a thumb-worn paperback from her large lab coat pocket.
"Dr. Wilson. He's going to be speaking at UNLV tonight and tomorrow. I LOVE this man! He's so insightful, so intuitive – "
"WHAT makes you think he's not just some quack who has a ghost writer pen this trash!" countered Greg as he whipped the book from Tessa's hand.
"Greg Sanders!" Tessa whispered, as if horrified by even the suggestion that her hero would be party to such a thing.
"Wilson? PHILIP Wilson?" Sara asked as she reached out in silent request for the paperback.
"Dr. Philip Wilson," Tessa replied, glaring at Greg. "PhD in Human Relations from Berkley, undergrad degree from HARVARD," she emphasized as if to prove Greg's allegations absurd.
Sara's face relaxed into a lazy smile. "Philip Wilson," she spoke softly, her head shaking as a soft chuckle brushed over her gap-toothed front teeth as they bit into her bottom lip.
"Sara?" Greg frowned, moving closer to his friend, "you know this guy?"
"Huh?" the brunette looked up and had to blink before rejoining the present and locking eyes with her friend.
"Uh-huh," Sara answered as she sat back to look at the picture of the handsome lecturer poised for a backcover photo.
"Oooh, Sara," Tessa spoke frantically as she rounded the table and threw herself into the seat next to the CSI.
"PLEASE, Sara. Could you introduce me? Perhaps get him to sit with us for a coffee? Maybe get us some backstage passes, or , or, maybe go out for drinks? Or dinner? Please, Sara?" Tessa was rambling as the possibilities of meeting her idol paraded before her mind.
Sara's hand shot up forcefully, "Wait, hold on, don't – you misundersto- Tessa, I- " but her interruption fell on deaf ears as Tessa whipped her head around to Greg.
"Oh, Greg, please…Sara has to come with us…she just has to introduce us…please…"
"Sara, please, we both have tomorrow night off…please, come with us…" he began, and noticing that Tessa was concentrating on Sara's face, Greg sent an imploring glare directly into Sara's panicking gaze.
Sara was about to protest more, when you caught the longing in Greg's eyes to make Tessa happy by giving her what she wanted most.
Another pang shot across Sara's heart as she thought how lucky Tessa was to be the sole focus of someone's affections.
Sighing deeply, Sara tried again to explain her hesitancy.
"Tessa…it's been years…we haven't kept in touch…he probably wouldn't even remember –"
"Forget you? No way, Sara. Once you've been exposed to the "Sidle Spell" there's no losing that memory," Greg spoke so surely that it made his friend blush.
Sara took a deep swig of coffee, swallowing the caffeine goodness along with the lump that had formed in her throat.
"So…what'd ya say, Sara?...tomorrow night? UNLV? Philip Wilson?" Greg pushed again, knowing that he was being forward but still propelled by the excitement in Tessa's eyes.
Sara looked at her old friend for a moment. They had shared a unique bond, keeping no secrets during the good and bad times in their past.
Wish I could still share with you, Greg.
Smiling and shrugging her shoulders in defeat, Sara shook her head and sighed, "Fine! Fine! Tomorrow night – but you're buying dinner, Greg!"
Despite her misgivings, she could only laugh at Tessa's squeal of delight and at Greg's sigh of relief as he mouthed his thanks while he hugged his girlfriend in a happy embrace.
As they turned away from her, Sara's eyes spotted the clock above the open doorway.
Our schedule SKYPE time…
Standing with her unfinished coffee, Sara drained her mug and strode past the lovebirds making plans for their night out.
Stopping to stare for a moment at her office and the darkened monitor screen perched about her desk, she inhaled deeply and pivoted resolutely toward the Trace Lab to check on Hodges' progress on her evidence samples.