Title: No Words Chapter 4

Time: Missing Scene from "After the Show"

Greg's world was expanding. He had begun his training to become a CSI. He still processed DNA in the lab, but he was starting to assist on cases as well. One was a high profile case involving the death of a model/wannabe showgirl. Much to Nick and Sara's chagrin, Grissom gave Catherine the lead on the case. Catherine decided to take Greg on as her partner, since Warrick was off. Sara complained about it to Nick, who commiserated because they were both up for a promotion, and this case would have shot either of them over the top. "I would rather have you and me over Catherine and Greg any day," Sara fumed. Nick was surprised at Sara's comment, knowing that the two of them were close friends. He reminded her that Greg was training to be a CSI and that this would be good experience for him.

Later that day, Greg approached Sara in the breakroom. "Sara, we need to talk," Greg said.

"What's up?" Sara asked.

"I could ask the same about you," Greg said, obviously irritated. "What do you have against me working with Catherine?"

"Nothing. I..." Sara started.

"That's a lie," Greg interrupted. "Nick said you'd take yourself and him over Catherine and me any day for this case."

"Greg, I didn't mean anything against you," she moved to touch him on the shoulder, but he backed away. She saw his hurt. "Honestly, I didn't. It's just that Nick and I are both up for this promotion, and this case would have gotten one of us there," Sara said.

"So your job is more important than our friendship, is that it?" Greg asked angrily.

"No that's not it. I shouldn't have said what I did. I'm sorry. I'm glad you're training to be a CSI. I told you before you'd be good at it," Sara said.

"Well now it appears you've changed your mind," Greg said, pushing past her to the coffee pot to retrieve his treasured Blue Hawaiian blend.

"That's not it at all. I was angry at Catherine, not you," Sara said. "Catherine has a way of exploiting situations to her benefit. And this case was no different. I wanted this case. I would have done a good job on this case. Even Nick would have done a good job on this case."

"But not me," Greg said.

"Greg, please," she walked over to him. He tried to move away from her but he was cornered against the coffee pot. She took his coffee cup from him and took his hands. He looked at the floor, not wanting to look at her. She reached up and lifted his chin, trying to get him to look into her eyes. She could see that he was tearing up. She lightly stroked his cheek.

"Greg, I truly am sorry," Sara said softly.

"I just don't understand..." Greg started, "...how one moment I'm good at what I do in your eyes and the next I'm not. You know how much I look up to you, how I..." he broke off, unable to continue. Sara gazed at him for a moment, then wrapped her arms around him. At first he resisted, but then he softened as tears began to flow.

"And deep down you know that I truly care about you, too," Sara said. "I've made a mistake and I'm sorry. The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt you." She squeezed him tightly and then took his face in her hands. "Listen to me, you are good at what you do. I have complete faith in you. I think I may have more faith in you than I have in myself, which is why I work so hard to prove myself."

"Is that the only reason?" Greg asked.

"What do you mean?" Sara asked.

"Sometimes I wonder if you're working so hard to prove yourself in order to impress Grissom," Greg said gravely.

"Now who's being unfair?" Sara asked.

"I don't think I'm being unfair, just observant," Greg said. Sara turned away from him and walked over to the soda machine. "And you know, Sara, he's not going to buy it. He's not impressed by people who try too hard to impress him. Ask Nick, he'll tell you. Heck, I could tell you that."

"You just did," Sara said sarcastically.

"I guess I did," Greg said. "I've got to wonder, how is trying to impress Grissom any different than Catherine's motives for what she does?"

"As if that's what I'm doing," Sara snapped.

"Isn't it?" Greg asked. Sara tried to storm out of the breakroom, but Greg stopped her. "Sara, answer my question," Greg demanded, taking her shoulders. Sara pushed him away and stormed down the hall. "Sara," Greg called after her, but she was long gone. Greg fetched his coffee cup from the counter and sat down at the table, burying his head in his hands.

Nick walked into the breakroom and saw Greg there, looking unhappy. He grabbed a cup of coffee and sat down next to his colleague.

"Hey, Sanders," Nick said. "Good job assisting Catherine on the case. She said you were a great help."

"Thanks," Greg said, trying to muster a smile.

"You don't seem convinced," Nick said, concerned.

"Oh, Sara and I were just talking. Looks like foot-in-mouth disease is going around," Greg joked.

"Said something you wish you hadn't?" Nick said.

"I confronted her about what you told me she said about me and Catherine working the case. And she tried to apologize, saying that you and she were up for a promotion, and that she really wanted this case because that would move one of you along," Greg said. "I dunno, it just sounded to me like her job means more to her than I do, and I was really hurt by that."

"Did you tell her that?" Nick asked.

"I tried. She said something about believing in me more than she did herself, and that's why she pushes so hard, but I told her I thought she did that for different reasons," Greg said.

"Like what?" Nick asked.

"Grissom," Greg said gravely, "like she's working hard trying to impress him."

"Well, we both know that will get her nowhere, and she'll find out soon enough," Nick said.

"I just don't want her to set herself up to get hurt," Greg said.

"Sounds like you really care about her," Nick smiled.

"Yeah, I guess I do," Greg said, swallowing a sip of coffee.

"Well, sometimes you have to let the people you care about have enough space to make their mistakes. Then when they fall on their face you can be there to help pick them up and dust them off," Nick said. "Just give her a little space, time to let this blow off. Like I said, she'll learn what trying to impress Grissom will get her. Then just be there for her when she needs to pick up the pieces."

"I guess you're right. Thanks, Nick," Greg said, mustering a smile.

"No problem, Bud," Nick said, standing up. "Don't drink too much of that stuff now, it makes you hyper."

Greg managed a laugh as his friend left the breakroom. Greg finished his coffee and went back to the lab. He took out a piece of paper and wrote Sara a note.

Sara, I'm sorry for what I said earlier about you trying to impress Grissom–I was out of line. I hope you can forgive me and that you feel you can still come to me if you need to talk about things. I also want you to know that I know you didn't mean to hurt my feelings. I understand how much this promotion means to you. I hope you get it, because I know you work really hard, and you are good at what you do. Just know that I'm here for you if you need anything.

Take Care,

Greg

He put the note in Sara's mailbox and went back to work. Sara walked by the mailbox and noticed there was a note for her. She opened the note and read it, and tears came to her eyes. She was just about to head down to the lab to find Greg when she looked up and saw him standing there. He walked over to her, his arms extended to her. "Truce?" he smiled. She smiled back. "Truce," she whispered, holding him tight.