OMG Everyone! I'm so, so so sorry. I really am. I was sick with a stupid flu and then I was suffering from a major writer's block, the biggest I've ever had. I just wrote a few paragraphs and when I read through them again, I was horrified – it was just awful. So once again, apologize to everyone and here's the next chapter.
Disclaimer: I'm not really in mood to think up some witty-wanna-be disclaimer today just to tell you I don't own anything except Sam
(General P.O.V)
During next month, Greg and Samantha got even closer, if it was even possible to get closer and still not cross the line of friendship. They were best friends and they knew exactly what to say to make the other feel better. However, although they knew almost everything about each other, Sam still hadn't told him some parts of her life. But nevertheless Greg knew her like no one did, except for her siblings. He knew that her most favourite colour was yellow, that she was an asthmatic and that she liked to sleep in. He knew all phases of her mood. He could tell just by seeing her enter the door what mood was she in. When she was cheerful, she had this fresh bounce in her pace and the music from her iPod could be heard even from ten meters. He knew that in the morning she got grumpy and didn't like to talk; at most she responded in monosyllabic sentences until she got some coffee, which always untied her tongue. The problem was when she didn't get coffee in the morning. Usually he could recognize because she didn't talk to Judy at the reception and he knew that was the high time to make a cup of coffee. And the worst option was when he saw her bringing a chocolate pudding. Of course, it could just mean that she hadn't had enough time to eat breakfast but in that case she would have been late anyway, wouldn't she?. So if she was in time and still with a pudding it could mean only one thing – she was depressed. In days like this, he always made sure he at least a little improved her mood by his endless ramble, which always, no matter the occassion, conjured up a smile on her face.
He also knew that she had a panic fear of sneaks and that she never got thirsty. Only about her past he didn't know much and truth to be told, it was bugging him a little. Sure, she'd told him about her father and she'd told him endless stories about her siblings but she'd actually never said anything about her own past. Greg really didn't want to push her but on the other hand, he was a little hurt that she didn't trust him enough when he was feeling that she wasn't just another girl in his life. She was more, although he was a little affraid to admit it to himself.
In reality, Sam was really considering telling him about some aspects of her past because he was her best friend and he deserved to know. But she just couldn't bring herself to talk to him about it. She never talked about it. Altough she was sure he would be supporting, he always was but still, Sam was affraid that he would freak out if she told him, that he wouldn't see her like he did now anymore or that he would judge her and that would break her heart. After a mere month she couldn't even imagine what she would do without him. She never had anyone like Greg in her life before and she couldn't lose him. At first, she had problems to recognize what the feeling she got when seeing Greg was but after some time she finally admited that she's slowly falling in love with him.
They spent a lot of time together and not only their free time but also at work, because Grissom found out that they were the best duo, although a little bit immature sometimes - he still had in mind one of the lab conferences.
FLASHBACK
It was Monday afternoon, more than three hours was left to the shift and still, the whole lab was gathered in a conference room. There was CSI's, lab rats and even a few of police officers. In the front, Conrad Ecklie was circuitously and endlessly talking about the lab's budget and everyone was bored out of their mind. Warrick had been looking at the same spot on the table for twenty minutes, Sara was hardly trying to look like she was listening but after a while she gave up and rather watched everyone else in the room. Catherine just sat there with a head propped against her hand and she was constantly looking at her watch while Nick stared at the board, where Ecklie put various graphs, with an absent look.
Sam sighed and shifted in her seat. Not only it was ridiculously boring but in the conference room there was also sweltering heat and she could feel her head throbbing. Next to her, Greg was constantly pumping his leg and Sam could tell he was as bored as she was. As she stiffed a yawn, a small paper appeared on the table in front of her. She curiously read it and immediately she recognized Greg's handwriting.
'Bored?' he wrote. Sam immediately took her pen and inconspicuously wrote the answer.
'You have no idea' she wrote and sent it back to Greg. Then she looked up and saw a look of Doc Robbins and was actually surprised when he gave her a warm smile. She smiled back and looked down at the response she got.
'I think I do. What about a movie tonight?'
'Sounds good as long as I choose this time.'
'I can live with that' he wrote but that was an end to their small conversation because there was no paper left. Sam sighed again. Then she fixed her eyes on Nick, who was sitting oposite of her. She just had to smile at his absent expression. Greg gave her a curious glance 'what are you smiling about?'he mouthed and Sam just nodded in direction of their friend. Greg looked at him as well and snickered quietly. Suddenly, his face lit up and Sam knew he'd got an idea. And sure enough, Greg took a small piece of paper and crumpled it up to the ball and when Ecklie wasn't looking in their direction, he threw it at Nick. Perfect shot, it hit Nick right to his cheek. Both Sam and Greg immediately fixed their gazes at the board and played innocent. In the corner of their eyes they just saw him slightly shook his head and turn his gaze back to the board. But in a second, another paper ball hit him to his head. Again, Greg and Sam played not to even be there. Just like this it went for two minutes than Nick threw one of the ball back and it actually hit Greg to his chest. Sam was desperately trying to stiffle her laugh. Although it wasn't THAT funny to throw paper balls at your colleague, it seemed to be just hillarious in this room. But when Sam threw her ball as well, suddenly she met a look of Grissom and she cringed at his frowning penetrating gaze. His eyes were so intimidating that she rather sank back to her seat. Greg noticed this as well and innocently shrugged at his boss, who didn't give him any respond, he just turned his look back to Ecklie. Through the rest of the conference Sam literally suffered, she was feeling like she was fifteen again and was in English classes, bored beyond reason, and she more like felt than saw that Greg was no better. Finally, after excruciating hour and half, the conference was over. Sam quickly gathered her things and looked up just in time to see Nick giving her an amused look.
„You think this was funny, huh?" he said amusedly and threw at her one paper ball which left on his side of the table. Sam just chuckled
„Sorry, Nicky, we were just trying to keep ourself occupied" she explained innocently. „It was Greg's idea, though"
„I must say I'm not surprised" Nick said as he turned his intent look to Greg who cringed.
„Nicky, you have to understand, man has to do what he has to, to keep the girl amused" Greg defended. Nick wanted to answer something but in that while the last people left the conference room and only the three of them and Grissom left in the room.
„Greg, what was it supposed to mean?" he asked his former lab rat and Greg chuckled nervoulsy
„Oh, Grissom…I-I don't know what you're talking about"
„Well maybe this might give you a hint" Grissom said sarcastically and threw him another ball, which Greg nervously caught.
„Oh, this, this was just a…"
„Greg, we're trying to get on well with Conrad Ecklie. I don't have to remind you that he can make a hell for all of us"
„Yeah, I know" Greg said a bit intimidated and Sam felt guilty because she had a big share on it as well and also Nick seemed to feel bad for Greggo.
„Come on, Griss, all Ecklie had in his mind was that budget of his" Nick said in his Texan drawl.
„Yeah, he haven't even noticed it, Grissom" Sam chimed in
„Alright you all, you had your fun and now get back to work. And for the next conference, I don't want anyone of you sitting in a near proximity of each other, understand? I feel like I have kids here, not CSI's" he scolded them and they all felt like that too. They all left like a puppies that had just been caught peeing on the carpet.
END OF FLASHBACK
Almost every Friday evening, Sam and Greg went out for a drink, although Samantha never drank more than two glasses. She had too hard childhood, seeing her mother being high and drunk all the time, to become like her. Sometimes even the rest of team joined them. Slowly and surely Sam was beginning to fit in. Nick was her good friend, maybe not as good as Greg, but friend anyway. He always was very protective of her. Warrick finally stopped ignoring her and they were on good terms. With Catherine Sam always chatted like with her sister. Catherine was a motherly person to her, always had an advice when Sam needed one. The only problem was with Sara. Sam didn't know why, they just couldn't get along. On the other hand when they were forced to work together, they were strictly professional. Sam was now helpless. She'd tried very hard to be friends with Sara, she didn't like to have problems with someone but one day, Samantha was looking for Nick, as they were supossed to go for a meal, because they had just closed another case, when she heard a piece of conversation between Sara and Greg. Sam didn't like to pry but when she heard her name she couldn't help but listen for a while.
„What the hell is she thinking of herself? That when she's new here she can do everything she wants?" Sara grumbled. Greg, who was sitting in the examination room, processing some part of clothes, didn't respond. Sam quickly thought what had she done wrong this time while Sara continued in her ramble.
„Come on, Sara, she just asked Hodges if she could have the results quickly, that's all" Greg said finally and Sam got it. It was about the case she had been doing with Nick. They'd needed the results quickly because there had been a possibility there had been another victim which was still alive. So she'd told Hodges, using all her wits, that it had been urgent and that she had been in need of the results immediately. So her results had moved before the results of Sara and Greg. But Sara was obviously pissed about it.
„But how could she be so sure her case is more important than the others?! She thinks she can do as she pleases and Grissom's only supporting her. Even Hodges's kind to her, I don't know what's with all of you, you see a new girl and you all go crazy"
„Hey stop it. She's the sweetest girl I've seen and you're just jealous" Greg said.
„The sweetest girl?!" Sara repeated in disbelief of hearing such words from Greg „Wau, it looks you have a thing for her"
„So what if I do?" Greg said without looking up from the evidence. Sara just stared at him for a while.
„I thought you're into models?" She asked then. Ouch, that hurt. Although that Sam had already come to terms with her not-so-attractive looks, she didn't need anyone reminding it to her. With the last Sara's remark Greg's shoulders tensed and he finally looked up at Sara. But she froze a bit when she saw his look. It wasn't the warm look of their always-cheerful Greggo, this look was cold, warning.
„Could you just stop it? I don't want to hear you say anything like that again. She's my best friend and if I have a thing for her and WHY is none of your business" Greg said with a death serious voice and Sara seemed to be taken aback.
„Ok" she said then and they both got back to work.
After that, Sam was walking through hallways like in dreams. All the time she liked Greg and maybe more than just as a friend and now she found out that he had a thing for her. She didn't even mind Sara's attitude towards her, in her head was only Greg. She couldn't believe that someone like him could like her. Sure, they were friends but she had been thinking that was all from his part. For the whole rest of the day, she was on the cloud nine.
(Sam's P.O.V) Two weeks later
Finally, finally it was Friday. I was having the worst week ever. Catherine had to go to New York for a conference of some sort so we were one CSI short. That ment only one thing for us – working doubles. And more, we had a multiple homicide in shopping mall so that ment that sometimes from doubles became triples. I was tired but mostly mentally tired. We all had been so busy that I hadn't even had time to talk to Greg for more than two minutes straight because while I was working with Grissom and Sara, Greg and Nick worked on a domestic abuse and Warrick had two solos. I couldn't even wait for weekend, especially on Friday. Today, me, Nick and Greg were supposed to go for a few drinks, to wash away the stress of the week but instead, I was sitting on my couch, mindlessly watching TV. Nick had excussed himself because he was made to stay at work for double and I felt more than sorry for him. But I couldn't say the same thing about Greg.
(Flashback)
In the morning I was walking through a hallway in our lab, manila folder in hand and I was looking for Grissom since we'd finally got some clues. But on my way, I bumped into Greg. He was obviously in a good mood as he hummed while reading some results.
„Hey Greggo" I stopped him by touching his arm
„Oh, hey Sam, what can I do for you?" he said and smiled genuinely
„I just wanted to ask you if we're still on today" I returned his smile but it eventually froze with Greg's answer.
„Well, I sorta wanted to talk with you about it. I have something on this evening. I-I have a…a meeting with this girl I met yesterday. I'm sorry I'll make it up to you, I promise" he stummered nervously and my world spinned.
„Oh, ok, that's cool" I said nonchalantly although I felt like crying. Why everytime I found a guy who I liked he chose another one? But I was determined not to lose it in front of him. „Don't worry about it" I forced a smile
„Are you sure it's ok?" he asked again. No, of course it wasn't ok.
„Yeah, Greggo, don't worry" I smiled at him again „so…I really have to bring that to Grissom so I guess I'll see you around" I said and disappeared before he even managed to respond. Childish, I know.
(End of Flashback)
I'd managed to make it through the day at work without loosing it, only once I'd snapped at Hodges. I had been feeling a bit guilty about it but that feeling vanished immediately when Hodges stated pointedly that my foul mood has something to do with Greg and his date. I almost threw at him something what was in my reach, which ,by the way, was a piece of rock which was being processed, but I stopped myself in time for it was our evidence. To make my day even more bitter, the door of my locker had got stuck and I wasn't able to close them, so I'd left for the weekend with my locker wide opened.
I finaly made it home and plopped down on the couch. One while I played with a thought to call Marisol but I decided against it. I'd told her about Greg and she was happy for me and I was sure she would ask me today about him as well and I wouldn't be able to bear it today. And then, recently both Eric and Marisol had been acting a little weird. They didn't say anything to me but I still had this feeling that something is off, ever since that phone call with Eric. I'd grilled him about that later but he simply changed topic. I have to say I felt a little left out. When I'd lived in Miami, I knew about everything what was happening. I lived with Marisol and I'd been seeing Eric three times a week at least. But now, we communicated only through cell phones or e-mails and if they wanted to hide something from me, they just wouldn't tell me.
I sighed and made my way to the fridge. I was depressed and there was only one thing that could make it better – a chocolate pudding. I rummaged through the fridge but you can only imagine what my frustration was when I found no chocolate pudding. I considered it for a while – I could be lazy but depressed or I could just go to the shop to buy some. I decided for the latter option. I took my jacket, some money and definitely my asthma inhalator and headed out. It was a beautiful early evening, the sun was just setting. I entered the supermarket and bought some groceries, although originally I'd come here just for the pudding. I headed to the cashier and pulled out some money when I just coincidentally glanced into the mirror above the counter. But what I spotted there made my breath hitch in my throat. In one aisle there were two men, preparing guns. Now they were heading our direction.
„Get down!" I shouted at the cashier and until now I don't know how I managed but somehow I jumped behind the counter and knocked the cashier down, just in time before the shots flew above us. We both ducked under the counter and I could only hope other people were lucky enough not to get shot. The shooting didn't seem to stop so I quickly pulled out my cell phone and called for back up. Unfortunately, I wasn't armed, on the other hand even if I were, I'm not sure I would use the gun since I'd never shot at anyone before. Suddenly, just as I managed to tell the officer the adress the shooting subsided. Both me and the cashier, just a kid about eighteen, looked up to see one of the men aiming his gun at us. He had his face covered but still I recognized he was just a kid as well, he couldn't be above twenty.
„Get up!" he shouted so both we and the boy got up with raised hands. That guy snatched my cell phone and threw it away. „You! Get all money here!" he shouted at the kid and threw him a bag where the kid with shaky hands immediately began putting the money and when I looked into the barrel of the gun which was aiming into my face my eyes began to water but I immediately forced the tears away. While the one of the robbers was still aiming at me or the boy, the other went through my pockets. In that while I remembered I left my badge in my jacket, THIS jacket! And sure enough…
„Hey, look what we have here. The little girl's a cop" he laughed. „Maybe we could have some fun" he suggested and I shuddered. It was all me – I had to bring a badge. He came in front of me and tried to kiss me, although he still kept his gun aimed at me. I managed to punch him but duh, I was a girl. He just wiped his mouth and returned me the punch, only much more stronger. It came so quickly that in one while it seemed I was standing and just than I was lying on the floor. But he shouldn't do that; when I get angry, I can do things I wouldn't be able to do any other time. So now, I got up and when he chuckled at me teasingly, I just kicked him to his stomach. Then I managed to snatch his gun and aimed it at him. They both seemed to be taken aback for a while but the problem was that I was nervous. I felt my hand with the gun shaking and the tears pricking in my eyes again and they must have notice it as well because one of them was approaching me.
„Stay where you are!" I yelled at him although my voice was shaky „Lay down on the floor!" I ordered but he didn't obeyed, he just kept approaching me. „I mean it, don't move!" I yelled again but he was already in front of me. I guess I will have to work on my authority. But for now I had another problem. When he came to me me I felt just another strong punch and then all my world went black.
So, how was it? Good? Bad? Still awful? Personally, I know this is not my finest chapter but apparently, the writer's block haven't gone without consequences.
