Chapter 7
Sara's Point of View
I was at the lab waiting on results from Hodges on a case when the idea occurred to me. I was from California too, more specifically San Francisco. In fact Greg and I met on the water; he cut me off in the middle of a huge swell. Needless to say I wasn't happy with him at first but the more we hung out the closer we became. I, of course ended up hearing about, then later meeting Teresa Goodman, so I knew how shook up Greg was going to be when Grissom told us about her death. She was a fun-loving person and matched Greg in personality. Maybe that's how they wound up best friends? On the other hand Greg and I are complete opposites; he's fun and easily excited, kind of like a puppy and I'm…well I'm not. Oh but I digress; back to my idea…which was about the competition. As I've said before Greg and I met on the water, which means that I know how to surf as well. Granted, I'm not the natural that Greg is but I can, on a good day, give him a run for his money.
Hodges's voice breaks me out of my thoughts and I turn to hear what he'd found. Paper in hand I marched to Grissom's office. Hodges findings on this case were important and I needed to get Grissom's advice on my idea. Wasting no time with knocking, I barged in and sat in the one chair in front of Grissom's desk. My sudden arrival startled him and he jerked his head up. "Ah Sara, to what do I owe this pleasure?" "Two things Grissom, one I have the results from Hodges and two…I have decided I'm going to enter the competition in order to keep Greg safe." I replied, flicking a piece of hair over my shoulder. Grissom raised one salt and pepper brow. "Can you surf Sara?" I snorted at this. "I grew up in California just like Greg did. In fact we met out on the water. He cut me off." I smirked at the memory as I watched my boss's reaction.
Grissom's face contorted into a series of facial expressions; humor, worry, and pride for a moment as he took in what I'd said. "Well if you re sure about this then I don't see a problem. Ask Greg about registering. So now what about this case?" For the next 30 minutes I sat in Grissom's office going over possible theories about the current case. My case, in relation to Warrick and Nick's was much less…trying emotionally. In my case I didn't know the victim, of course neither Warrick nor Nick knew Teresa but just Greg knowing her could make it hard to be objective. Finally I escaped Griss's office and began to look for Greg. After about 10 minutes of looking I found him in his old workstation. "Hey. So I'm entering the competition." I blurted out, in order to draw him out of his self-imposed silence. It worked because he snapped his head up and just stared at me for a few seconds. "Really? Well that means I'll actually have some competition. You can start training with me tomorrow after work if you want. I bet I'll still beat you." He grinned, the spark of a challenge in his brown eyes.
Never one to back down from a challenge, I smirked and tossed my head back. "You're on. The loser buys the winner's lunch. In fact why don't we invite the team to watch?" Greg's tan skin paled a bit but he swallowed and lifted his chin. "I accept those terms Ms. Sidle. Make sure you bring plenty of cash, I'll want a big lunch." I laughed at his retreating back and left myself to tell Grissom and Catherine about the race.
The minute I got off work the next day, I headed to the pool Greg said to meet him at. I had brought my swimsuit with me and was ready to kick some ex-lab rat butt. When I pulled up to the hotel I saw everyone's cars there. At first my stomach was filled with butterflies because of the fact I hadn't surfed in ages but I calmed down by imagining what kind of outrageous food I'd make Greg buy when I won. Swimsuit and towel in hand I opened my car door and, after getting out, closed it and walked to the part of the hotel where the pool was. Once inside I spotted Grissom sitting by Catherine and Warrick. Nick was leaning up against the wall and Greg was probably changing. Without saying hello I went to the women's changing room. Carefully I put all my clothes on the bench and donned my swimsuit. It was a one-piece that was made for racers rather than just recreational swimming. Grinning at my reflection I headed back to the pool. Greg was already there chatting with Nick and Warrick, grinning from ear to ear.
"Hey G-man, what do you say we put this to music?" I yelled to him. The look he gave me said it all. "Ladies and Gentlemen." We said at the same time. Everyone else looked at us funny but when Greg reached for his iPod they got it. A minute more and the sound of Saliva filled the room. The opening notes were our cue and we slid into the water. A silent count of '1, 2,3' and we shot off. Stroke after stroke we swam side by side until Greg dove under. Not to be outdone, I picked up the pace and followed him. The cheering was dimmed underwater and for that I was grateful. Looking beside me I noticed Greg was no longer there. Mentally swearing I sped up and surfaced. A little ahead of me I saw his telltale two-toned locks and I pushed even faster. My lungs burned as I took in large gulps of air. My fingers stretched as far as they could and I groaned when I saw Greg's touch the cool wall first. Mine touched the tile not a second later as I panted, clinging to the side of the pool. "That…was…close. Come the competition I'll be in top form and it won't be such an easy win." I said, somewhat breathless.
Greg's ringing laughter made me laugh as I lifted myself out of the pool. Greg was beside me in a minute, hugging me. "Great swim 'sis'. You gave me a run for my money a few times out there. What do you say we split the bill on lunch, huh?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with child-like joy. "Sure 'bro' that sounds great." I replied, linking my arm with his. Nick was the first to get a hug from the sopping wet winner. He took it like a man though, even wrapping his arms tight around his boyfriend and ruffling his hair. Warrick was next in line, quickly followed by Catherine. When he got to Grissom I watched in amazement as Greg managed to hug our curmudgeon boss. Of course immediately after said hug Grissom snatched a towel lying on the table to dry off with. Shaking my head I went and put a hand on Greg's shoulder. "I'm starved so how 'bout that lunch now?" Wrapping a towel firmly around his shoulders he nodded and went to change as I did the same. When we got back to the others were arguing on where to go. In the end the winner got to pick and much to everyone's surprised Greg choose the diner we eat at all the time. When Nick asked why he picked somewhere we always go he replied, "Well if I wasn't halving the bill I'd choose somewhere fancy." We laughed nad joked around as we headed out to eat.
AN: The idea of Sara signing up for the competition was given to me by one of my loyal reviewers, ShikamaruNaraChunin. Thank u for all your help with the dreaded writer's block. I hope y'all enjoy the chapter and don't forget to review, review, review! C-ya-GreeneyedAlice91
