After the kiss, Wendy turned and headed out of Hodges' lab. The kiss did something to him, something that he had not felt in a very long time. It was then that he knew he was head-over-heels in love with her and couldn't stop his heart from palpitating hard. The last time he had this feeling was in high school when his prom date kissed him good night. But this was different. He was an awkward teenager then but now he was an adult. Yes he was a socially inept geek who constantly says the wrong thing around the woman of his dreams. (and sometimes quite literally his dreams…)

Hodges finally regained normal breathing. What now? He thought. She kissed me and walked away, what the hell do I do now. Go after her or stand here like a moron? He sighed and decided to ask one of his colleagues for advice. He knew that Nick was still out in the field tending to his case as was Catherine. Langston was in a meeting with Ecklie over something so that left Greg Sanders. Hodges never in his life thought he'd go to Greg for advice. Greg Sanders, the former DNA tech who was once a rival for the affections for Mia. (the DNA tech after Greg)

Hodges caught up with Greg in the breakroom, Greg was thumbing through a magazine and eating a sandwich.

"Greg, um… can I have a word with you?" he said sincerely.

Greg eyed the abrasive Trace tech. "Why? What are you going to accuse me of now?"

Hodges sighed. "It is nothing like that. I-um need your advice … " he said.

Greg raised an eyebrow and the older man. "YOU are asking ME for advice? What brings this on?"

"Um… I …" Hodges stopped. He was still fumbling with words and couldn't spit it out. Why am I doing this to myself? I am asking Greg Sanders for advice on women? Oh god I don't want to do this!"

Greg took pity on him. "Does this have anything to do with the almost-date between Wendy and Henry or the kiss between you and Wendy?" he asked trying to get Hodges to open up.

Hodges blushed. "Yes. Um the kiss between me and Wendy… " he said looking away.

"You are asking me about romance aren't you?" Greg said in a loud whisper.

"This is embarrassing enough Greg, please keep your voice down!" Hodges said through clenched teeth.

Greg couldn't help teasing him. "You are actually coming to me for woman advice."

"Greg!"

"Ok sorry. What do you want to know?"

Hodges sighed. "Well – I – uh it's been a while and I need some moves, lines whatever…" he said.

"Dry spells aren't good.. believe me."

"Greg – this is about me." Hodges said.

"Sorry."

"Ok, you want to go to her and ask her out to somewhere local, nice but not too fancy for a first date. I heard about where Henry was going to take Wendy on their first date, a little too flashy in my opinion."

Hodges nodded making mental notes. "Ok… got it."

"Make sure your car is clean, no girl likes to get into a messy vehicle."

"My car is always immaculate." Hodges replied. "I vacuum it and clean it of trash and stuff every week"

"That's a little obsessive, but .. if it works good for you."

"Now – do you expect anything on a first date?"

Hodges blushed. "Of course not, but um we've known each other for so long that – if it so happens we do take it to a new level…"

"Make sure you are prepared." Greg said. "there is nothing like being ready for a home-run and not being prepared with the proper gloves."

Hodges gave him a funny look.

"It's an analogy Hodges wake up! My God have you EVER had sex?"

Hodges didn't reply to that question.

"What about the 'ask' I don't want to sound like a lame-ass teenager. That would be horrid. I mean I'm quite a bit older than a damn teenager."

"Everyone gets nervous asking a woman out Hodges, you just have to be confidence in the matter."

Hodges sighed. "That is the thing. I don't have the confidence Greg. After the stupid stuff I did around her I feel like a fool if I mess up."

Greg looked at him. "David, from one man to another you need to forget the past, forget the stupid things you did to Wendy and swallow it and go to her and ask her out. It is not a marriage proposal, it's a date. A first date albeit but take that first step and things will fall into place."

Hodges looked at his former rival and nodded. "Just be myself right, take that deep breath and be confident, try not to have a voice waver ... "

"We do want you to be happy Hodges, we don't want you to go back to your surly self. When you're around Wendy you seem to enjoy life a lot better."

"Thank you Greg," He said. "Wish me luck."

"You don't need luck David – just be confident."

TBC – next chapter "Asking her out…"