Chapter 4 – Jealousy, Pasta, and Sleep.

The sun flowed in through the window. Greg rolled over and looked at the clock. It was almost four he'd have to be at work in three hours. He rolled back on his back and stared up at the ceiling. He smiled at the thought of their kiss the night before. Greg had really taken a leap of faith there, and he'd never been happier that it had worked.

Across town Melanie was already awake and getting ready. She was having one of those mornings where you have tons of clothes in your closet, but you can't find a single thing to wear. She didn't want to dress up too much, but she wanted to look well put together. I mean you could only dress up so much for testing body fluids before people got suspicious. She finally settled on a simple black skirt and a lavender top. She took the rollers out of her hair, grabbed a coffee, and sat down on the couch as time moved miserably slow.

Greg pulled up in front of Melanie's apartment about an hour before work. He had stopped and bought flowers on the way. He ran up the stairs to her apartment. He really hoped that she hadn't called a cab yet. He knocked on the door.

Melanie heard a knock on her door. She got up from the couch where she was reading, and opened the door. Greg was leaning against wall holding a bouquet of crimson tulips. He smiled and kissed her on the cheek. She breathed in his scent. It was like a mix of soap, detergent, and spicy cologne. He handed her the flowers as she walked to get a vase.

"I thought I might surprise you, and give you a ride to work." He looked around. There seemed to be a few more boxes unpacked, but there were still some here and there. There was a mug and a book on her coffee table. He guessed she had been reading before he came.

Melanie placed the vase on her kitchen table. "Wow, that's really sweet of you." Her stomach filled with butterflies at the thought that he had been thinking about her so much. Then she realized something. Everything seemed to moving so fast. They had really on been on one real date, and now he was bringing her surprise flowers.

Greg sat on the couch. Melanie walked over and sat down next to him. He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She looked beautiful today. He leaned over to kiss her of the lips, but she pulled away. He studied her quizzically.

Melanie took Greg's hand in hers. "Look Greg…this is amazing, but I think it's moving a little too fast. I mean we've only been on one real date and you're already coming to my apartment and surprising me with flowers. It's just a lot to take in. I do really love the gesture, but it's so so so soon to be doing that kind of stuff."

Greg was shocked. He wasn't used to women acting like this. "Wow…this is so unusual. I'm sorry if I came on a little strong, but that's just me. I feel like all women should be treated like princesses. I'll back off though." He stood up. "Well, we should go or we'll be late for work."

All the way to the station Melanie laughed at Greg's jokes. She held his hand on the center console. She had never met someone that it was so easy to connect with. She definitely wasn't used to it.

They pulled into the garage. Greg helped her carry her things inside, and then they headed off in separate directions.

Greg headed straight to the locker room after shift. He sighed and leaned his head against the cool steel. He had been dumpster diving all day, and now he was simply exhausted. He took a relaxing shower, glad he always kept a bag of fresh lemons in his locker. He got dressed in his spare clothes, and then headed for his car.

When Greg finished putting away his things he turned, and saw Melanie walking arm in arm with Henry. They were both laughing. Greg felt waves of jealousy pour over him. He started walking towards them with clenched fists.

Melanie was laughing so hard at the joke Henry had just told her. She saw Greg walking towards them. His eyes had a dark look in them. They met in the middle of the garage. She saw how his fists were clenched into tight balls. How could he have already forgotten everything she had told him this morning?

Greg stared Henry down. "Hi Henry. Hey Melanie." He smiled at her. "What are you guys doing?" He actually didn't care he just wanted Henry to leave. Henry gave him a strange look. "Ummm…walking?"

Melanie gave Greg a sharp look. "Henry and I had lunch together today. He was just telling me how you were his hero for becoming a CSI. Isn't that right Henry?" Henry's face flushed with color.

Greg felt really guilty for how he had just acted. "Really man? Wow, that's really something…thanks." Henry just nodded. "Well…er…I guess I'll see you guys tomorrow." With that Henry turned and walked to his car.

After he drove away, Melanie turned to face Greg. He gave her a meek smile. She scowled at him. "What the hell was that Greg?" She put her hands on her hips. "Did everything I told you this morning go in one ear and out the other? I can't believe you were jealous just now. You have no right to act like that. I mean am I just not going to be allowed to have any guy friends now?" She stared at him waiting for a response.

Greg averted his eyes. "I'm sorry…look all of this is very new to me. It will take some time for me to change my ways. Let's not fight ok? Come on we'll go get some dinner or something." He went over and opened the car door. "Your chariot awaits mademoiselle." He bowed.

She sighed, but walked over and got into his Tahoe anyway. She buckled her seatbelt as they backed out. He tried to take her hand, but she wasn't ready to kiss and make up just yet. "Greg, I'm really tired. Do you mind if we just go home?" He looked over at her. "Sure."

Well Greg's plan for a romantic dinner met an untimely death. He pulled to a stop in front her apartment building. He wasn't expecting her to invite him up, but she surprised him. He turned off the car and followed her up the stairs to her apartment.

Melanie unlocked the door to her apartment. She went to the kitchen and put a pot of water on the stove to boil. She pulled a box of pasta out of the cabinet, and grabbed a jar of sauce from the fridge. She then proceeded to make them dinner. She had gotten used to eating spaghetti. She hummed softly as she chopped the mushrooms for the sauce.

Greg watched her every move. She was so beautiful. He breathed in the mixture of scents that had started to fill the room, and listened to her humming. He ventured into the living to find something for them to watch. He looked over her shelves of DVD's. He pulled out the one that looked the most chick flickish, and popped it into the player.

Melanie brought out their plates along with two glasses of red wine. Greg was sitting on the couch staring at the menu screen of one of her favorite movies. She snuggled up next to him and pulled a blanket over their laps. Smiled up at him, and they watched and ate.

The pasta and wine were long gone by the time the credits started to roll. Greg looked down at Melanie. She was sound asleep on his shoulder. He gently picked up her limp body. He laid her down on the bed. He looked around the room for something to cover her up with. The room was well organized and filled with her scent. He took a blanket off the chair in the corner. He kissed her on the forehead. He was going to leave, but he didn't have any way to look her door. He went into the living room and laid down on the couch. He fell asleep quickly wrapped in a blanket that smelled just like her.

A/N Thanks for the reviews, keep them coming! :D