Disclaimer: Don't own 'em.

Raining Goodbyes

Sara Sidle woke up suddenly. As her back creaked, cursing her for falling asleep on the couch again, she realized what had woken her up. Someone was pounding on her front door. She stood, stretched, and walked over to it. She slid the chain lock and opened the door.

It was raining outside, giving the afternoon the same look as late in the evening. She looked at the person standing in front of her, he was soaked.

"Greg, hi." Sara said.

"Hey, Sara." Greg replied. There was an awkward silence until Sara remembered her manners.

"Uhh, it's raining." She scolded herself silently for sounding so stupid. "Did you wanna come in?"

"Sure. I'll only be a second." Sara opened the door wider, and he stepped inside.

"So, what's up?" She shut the door behind him, taking note of the grim expression on his boyishly handsome face.

Greg answered with no preamble. "I'm leaving."

"What?" Sara stared at him.

"I'm leaving Las Vegas."

She felt as if someone had punched her in the stomach, and sat down on the couch. "Why?"

"I…" Greg looked as if he were choosing his words carefully. "I guess I just needed a change."

Sara replied with a small "Oh". The silence was deafening as her eyes fixed on her hands. "When? Where?" She asked suddenly, looking up.

"I'm leaving for Salt Lake City now."

"Oh."

"Their crime lab is one of the top five in the country."

"Ours is one of the top two." Her voice came out sharper then she'd meant it to.

Greg looked away. "I know. I just want a change of scenery."

"Utah and Nevada are almost the same, scenery-wise."

A smile formed on Greg's lips. "If I didn't know any better, I would think you wanted me to stick around."

"Or course I do!" Sara answered a little too quickly. "I mean, you're a good CSI. You're part of our team." She paused. "By they way, do they know?"

"Grissom recommended me for the job." She felt every ounce of affection she'd ever felt for Gil evaporate. "I told everybody else last night."

"Of course. The first night I take off in three months, and we lose someone."

Greg moved as if to stroke Sara's face, then stopped. "You aren't losing me."

"Ya? Then what do you call it?" Again, her voice was sharp.

"It's just a change, Sara." Greg said soothingly.

"But is it for better or worse?" She retorted, then scolded herself again for her choice of words.

"I don't know." Greg cleared his throat. "Well, I guess I should get going."

"Ya…" Sara stood up and smoothed her jeans unnecessarily. Before she knew what was happening, Greg had pulled her into a hug. Sara hugged back, willing the tears not to form in her eyes. "I'll miss you." She whispered into his shoulder. Before he pulled away, she committed his scent to memory. The hair gel, aftershave, the Bounce dryer sheet on his clothes, even the slightly damp smell of him, from being outside in the rain.

Greg pulled away. "I'll miss you too, Sar." He kissed her forehead, then headed towards her door. His hand was on the doorknob.

"Keep in touch." Sara said, trying to stall his departure.

Greg turned around. "I will." He smiled and Sara felt her heart melt.

As he opened the door and went out, Sara followed behind him. He was halfway to the road, and she was in the doorway.

"Greg!" He turned to look at her. His image was hazy, and weather it was the rain or the tears in her eyes, Sara couldn't tell. "I…" I love you was on the tip of her tongue, but it stayed there. "Drive safe."

Greg nodded. He walked the rest of the way to his car, got in, and drove off. And Sara, collapsed against her doorframe, crying silently, watched him drive away.

A/N: So, whatdya, think? Good? Bad? Don't care? I can't decide if I should write another chappy or two, or leave it as is. Telepathic cake if you review!

-C