Missing moment #4:

From CSI S15E5: Girls Gone Wilder

Continuation from the previous chapter.

Morgan walked back to her shared office with Greg after the talk with her father. She didn't share much about what had transpired, only reassuring her father that she was fine. Despite Conrad's reservations, Morgan insisted on continuing her shift.

"We need all the help we can get Dad. Besides, I got a new technology from one of the CSIs that could help us ID the shooter." She had reasoned.

On the way back to the office, Morgan was stopped by D.B.

"I'm glad you're okay Morgan." The man who was like a father to her was clearly happy that Morgan had escaped unharmed. Physically unharmed that is. The emotion trauma and the memories were thankfully like scars, they would fade in time.

"Thanks for getting Greg to pick me up D.B." She replied, smiling slightly. "Any news from Finn?" D.B sighed and shook his head. "The electricians will not be able to fix the lift until the shooters have been removed from the building."

Morgan said a quick prayer for Finn and her friend. "Anyway, Greg told me you obtained a new technology from the convention?" The blonde CSI nodded and gave a brief explanation to her superior on what the technology would do. D.B nodded curtly in understanding.

"I've just received the video files from the CSIs that were present at the convention. Take five minutes to recover Morgan, I'll send the video files to Hodges first." Morgan sent D.B a grateful look. Truthfully, while she was physically okay, she was emotionally drained. She didn't think she'll be able to handle any more surprises.

A short rest, even if it would only be five minutes, would be nice. Morgan sighed and trudged towards her office. She couldn't believe just how much the day had taken a turn for the worse. Just this morning, Sara, Finn and herself were still talking about going to the bar for some tequila and also chatting about Finn's love life! Everyone at the convention were enjoying themselves. Now, there were almost twenty deaths at the convention, twenty innocent lives taken because of some sick in the mind shooter. Not to mention many more injured, and countless scarred from the experience.

A shiver went down Morgan's spine. This was the first time she had been so close to death since her kidnapping. And it was bringing up a wave of unpleasant memories. Morgan sighed and forced herself to stop thinking about it. She had to be at the top of her game to help ID the shooter.

Morgan stepped into her shared office with Greg, finding it empty. However, a pleasing scent immediately waffled up her nose. Her eyes lit up in glee when she spotted her mug on her desk. Walking towards it, she made a soft noise in appreciation when she saw the drink. Hot chocolate with two marshmallows on the top, just how I like it.

Morgan plopped down on her comfortable chair, moulding her body into the backrest. She picked up the drink and took a whiff. The powerful scent of chocolate evaded her senses and immediately made her feel much better. A sincere smile spread on her face. Taking a small delicate sip of the hot drink, she sighed in appreciation and closed her eyes. It tasted heavenly, thick and not too sweet, just how she liked her drink. There was another underlying taste that intensified the taste of the cocoa too, and Morgan took another sip. Cinnamon perhaps?

It had to be Greg. Few knew that she liked to drink hot chocolate whenever she felt stressed or upset. And to know HOW she liked her drink was another level altogether. It couldn't be her father or D.B, she was with them moments before, and the drink was still hot. Her best bet would be Greg, Finn or Sara. But since the latter two weren't here right now, it had to be Greg.

Morgan sighed at Greg's sweetness, sipping her mug of hot chocolate. The drink was working miracles. She was already feeling so much better, and the headache that was there before was slowly reducing to a mere dull throb. She grabbed one of the marshmallows with her teeth and sunk into it, relishing its gooeyness.

Greg is certainly something. Any woman that he dates will be lucky. She mused, her mind venturing deeper into the thought. Morgan had certainly toyed with the idea about dating Greg before. She felt a pull and a connection to him since day one. They had enough similarities to keep the relationship stable, but also sufficient difference to keep the relationship interesting.

However, while they had something like a flirtation-ship, Greg hadn't shown signs of wanting to take what they had one step further. In addition, she was also hesitant about dating someone in the same office as her. What if things didn't work out? Would it affect their friendship and professional relationship?

Every time she thought about it, she always came to the same conclusion: that it was better for them to stay friends.

Morgan shook herself out of her thoughts and quickly finished her drink. It wasn't the right time now to think about these things. Her complicated relationship with Greg had to wait. She had a shooter to identify.

The rest of the day breezed by quickly. The CSI team was able to ID the shooter and the squad team had gunned him down. When the news came in that there had been two shooting incidents occurring at the same time, the CSIs came to the horrifying conclusion that there were two shooters. It was a scurry for time to find shooter number two. The team worked hard, and another emotional curveball came when they uncovered the motive behind the second shooter. Sara's life was in danger.

In the moments where D.B contacted Sara, Morgan wished that she had convinced Sara to come back to the lab with her. Then her ebony haired friend would be standing next to her and not being a potential target. She hoped fervently that Sara would make it out fine.

At the end of the day, Sara had managed to escape the clutches of the second shooter. She had been seconds from death. Had squad team not find her, things would have been different. Finn and her friend Mark had also been rescued from the elevator that they were trapped in as well. Mark was sent to the hospital and was going to be okay.

Overall, things turned out right in the end. Morgan reflected. Her shift had ended, and she was sitting in the locker room alone processing her thoughts about the day. To her, today had been the longest day ever, and Morgan was relieved that everything was over. This was another of those cases that reminded Morgan how volatile life could be, and how she ought to cherish whatever she had.

At that moment, there were two soft raps on the door of the locker room. Morgan's head snapped up and she smiled at Sara.

"Hey." The older CSI said.

"Hey." Morgan replied.

"Finn just called. She said that she still had the bookings for the bar tonight." Sara put forth what she wanted to say tentatively, watching Morgan's reaction.

"So what do you say? Does tequila tonight sound good?" Sara asked. D.B had given the three ladies the next night shift off so that they could recuperate from the shootings, on the condition that they finished their reports before leaving tonight.

Morgan beamed. "Definitely. Tequila sounds great." She agreed. After all that she had been through today, she could use some alcohol. Soon after, Morgan left with Sara.

True to their word, the evening found the three CSI ladies in the bar, drinks in hand. They had somewhat talked out what had transpired during the day of the shooting. Perhaps it was due to the fact they had experience the same thing, so they were more comfortable talking about it with one another. Although, there were some thoughts that each preferred the others not know.

"Enough of the depressing talk." Finn decided after sometime. "What's over is over. We can't change what happen." She added, giving Morgan a meaningful glance.

"The shooters have been caught, justice has been served." Sara agreed, reaching over to pat Morgan on the back. Morgan smiled weakly. "I know…Thanks girls." She was trying to pull herself together once more. Although a part of her still felt guilty about Vicky's death, capturing the shooters had eased her trouble mind.

"Well. At least one good thing came out of this. Right Finn?" Sara changed the subject skilfully, winking at the older blonde CSI. Morgan straightened up and propped her head up with a hand.

"Yes Finn. Sara and I are curious to know about you and Mark." Morgan quipped, emphasizing on the man's name, and sending Finn a smug look.

"It's nothing." Finn tried to brush it off but Morgan wouldn't have it.

"It isn't nothing Finn. Not from what I heard from Sara. I hear he agreed to a date with you?"

"Yes, he did. But still…"

"Oh, come on Finn! That man protected you! He shielded you from the shooter! If that is not enough for you then I don't know what is." Sara added on, a teasing glint in her eyes. Finn lowered her gaze to her drink and kept quiet, although a small smile was plastered on her face. Sara and Morgan traded amused looks. It was so rare to see such a shy side to the otherwise confident Finn.

"Does he fit the bill for your ideal guy?" Sara prompted.

"Actually…More or less he does…." Finn admitted after a while, and proceeded to list out what she was looking for in an ideal partner.

But Morgan had stopped listening. She didn't mean to, but when Sara mentioned the word 'ideal guy', an image of Greg popped up in her mind. And she got lost in the image.

Sweet, handsome, charming, smart, and endearing Greg. Morgan couldn't help but smile. Greg had always been there for her, through her good times and the bad. He was a dependable shoulder she could lean on, and he was funny, charming, and sweet.

He had done so much for her, but what had she given in return for his unwavering support? A week of lunches, video calls, and all that she had done seemed to pale in comparison to what Greg did for her. Greg had even taken the effort convince D.B to allow him to drive down to the convention to get her! Morgan had overheard a conversation between D.B and her father by accident and was astonished when she knew. Greg had comforted her at her worse, and had even gone out of his way to make her a cup of hot chocolate to cheer her up!

Suddenly, Morgan realised with a start that she had yet to thank Greg for making her the delicious hot chocolate. She hadn't seen Greg the whole of yesterday after he took her back to the lab. He was probably busy with the case as well, and their paths just hadn't cross afterwards. Besides, she had been too preoccupied with the case too and it had slipped off her mind.

What a good friend I have been. Morgan thought to herself wryly. Greg must think I'm such an unappreciative person.

"That is so sweet! Right Morgan?" Sara said, expecting Morgan to agree. When Morgan didn't reply, Sara turned her head to the younger blonde, frowning slightly when she saw Morgan wasn't listening. Her eyes were unfocused and she was lost in her musings.

"Morgan!" Finn called out, reaching over to tap her fellow CSI on the shoulder. Morgan jolted and her eyes went wide, looking at her friends in turn.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Finn asked with a smile.

Morgan shook her head. "Sorry girls, I guess I'm just tired, that's all." She said her excuse smoothly.

"Tired? The night is young Morgan!" Sara cried out, raising her glass for a toast. Morgan laughed and reached for her drink as well.

I'm going to have to find a way to thank Greg for his hot chocolate drink, and everything else he has done. She decided.

Greg always had the habit of clocking in at least fifteen minutes before his shift started. It gave him ample time to sieve through the paperwork on his desk, plan his time, as well as get a nice mug of coffee ready for the night. Normally, Greg would be alone in his shared office with Morgan during those fifteen minutes.

That was why he was extremely surprised to see Morgan already in her seat when he clocked in two evenings after the shooting. He raised his eyebrows, watching Morgan for a moment as she read her report.

"Hey Morgan. You're early." He finally broke the silence and entered the room.

"Hey Greg." Morgan raised her head quickly and gave the other CSI a smile before going back to her report.

Greg walked to his desk, pausing in mid-stride when he saw there was an envelope with his name on sitting innocently on his desk. He picked it up, confusion written on his face. The handwriting on the envelope was clearly Morgan's. Why would she write me a letter when I'm right across the room? Greg quickly glanced at Morgan, before pealing open the envelope.

Hey Greg!

I was reflecting about things yesterday when I realised that I never actually thanked you properly for what you did for me on the day of the shooting. I thought about how I could thank you for your thoughtfulness and your sweet actions, and I finally decided on writing you a letter. Handwritten notes just aren't that common any longer, and I think you deserve one. You deserve to know how great of a person you are.

Thank you so much for being there for me on the day of the convention. I was emotionally traumatised and scarred by what I had witnessed, and it was comforting to know that you have my back. Thank you for volunteering to pick me up (I overheard a conversation between my father and D.B), and for lending me your shoulder to cry on. Thank you for your silent comfort and concern during the car ride back, and for making me that mug of hot chocolate. (Yes, I know it was you.) That hot chocolate was really what I needed to calm me down so I could focus on solving the case. I can truly say that it was one of the sweetest things anyone has done for me, so thank you so much for that. Thank you for always being willing to help others without expecting any repayment. But most of all, thank you for being you.

Know that I appreciate you, and I'm always happy to return the favour when you need me.

Always,

Morgan.

Greg's face lit up brighter than a Christmas tree as he read Morgan's letter. He never expected Morgan to find out some of the things he did for her, yet she had found out nonetheless. He also never expected any thanks or repayment in any way from Morgan, but she had done it in such an endearing manner.

Morgan on the other hand, was pretending to read the report, while stealing glances at Greg, watching his reaction to her letter. She had spent the entire night pondering on how she could show her appreciation to Greg in a not so conventional way, finally settling on writing him a short letter. Before Greg had come, she was anxious, wondering how he would react to her letter. Was this too little? Should she have done a little more? But now, watching Greg break out in a sincere grin, his eyes still on the letter, Morgan was glad that she chose to write it out.

Just then, he raised his head, and their eyes locked. Morgan was the first to look away, slightly embarrassed for being caught observing him. Greg walked over to her table, the letter still his hand.

"You don't have to thank me Morgan." He began, scratching the back of his neck. "But thank you for the letter, I appreciate it." He smiled.

"You're welcome…. I mean what I said though Greg. Thank you." Morgan said.

Greg was about to reply when there was a rap on the office door. Nick stuck his head in and gave the pair a grin. "Meeting in five minutes." He announced, before leaving, presumably to inform the rest of the CSI crew. The moment broken, Greg awkwardly walked back to his table, quickly keeping away the letter.

Morgan stood up, tidying the things on her table before making her way to Greg's. She smiled shyly at him. Before she lost her nerve, Morgan reached up and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "Thank you, Greg." She said once more, before disappearing out of the office.

Greg stood there stunned for a bit, before grinning like a Cheshire cat. That smile never left his face as he picked up his documents and headed for the meeting room.

Hope you guys liked it. Thank you so much for your constant reviews!

Best wishes,

TrixieNancy.