Chapter Four

"You're quitting on me?!" Greg's eyes widend and seemed to be filled with shock, sadness, and ... what was that? Heartbreak. His best friend was leaving him.

"No. I'm changing fields, Greg. I'm not quitting."

"You are! What am I supposed to do all day?! We've had good times, Stokes. Why would you wanna risk our friendship to be with dead bodies and stuck-up CSIs?!"

"I'm not risking our friendship, Sanders. We'll still be friends. I'll talk to you as much as possible, ok?"

"Mmm ..."

"I'll bring you coffee?"

"Good coffee?"

"Yeah."

"And chocolate?"

"... sure. Now, lay off?"

"... no."

"You're a stubborn ass."

"You love my ass."

Keady laughed. Over the years they had become very close, teasing each other, having fun. Greg eventually gave up on asking her out, and decided he'd settle for flirting with her whenever he could.

"I love kicking your ass."

It was Greg's turn to laugh. They were both going to miss this. They did have fun in the lab, listening to music, telling stories, playing games.

"Ok. I have to go, Greg." His eyes filled with sadness again and he stuck his bottom lip out in a pout. "I'm sorry! But ... I don't know." She turned when she reached the door. "Try not to blow anything up, ok?"

"You think I'll blow something up? I'm not that manic, Keady."

"Prove it."

"Greg? C'mon, Greggo..."

Greg opened his eyes and saw Keady standing in front of him with the warm smile he loved so much. "Hey."

"Hi. How ya doin'?"

"Ugh...fine, I s'pose."

Keady chuckled. He closed his eyes and thought about what had happened. Keady knew what happened. He blew up the lab.

"What did I tell you, Sanders? 'Try not to blow anything up.' Remember that?"

"I remember. I don't even know what happened. I was working ... then ..."

"Well, don't tell me. I'm not on the case."

"Yeah ... why?"

"Conflict of interest?"

"Which is ... ?"

"You? You're my best friend, Greg. I don't know, ask Grissom. All I know is that Catherine and Warrick are on it."

"Yeah ... ok." He was really tired, but he didn't want Keady to leave, but she'd already sensed it.

"I'll go, Greg. Get some sleep." She pressed a light kiss on his forehead.

"Alright." He closed his eyes and began to drift off.

"Later, Sanders."