Thanks for your reviews and opinions! :) And of course for the sweet compliments. It means a lot to me, you guys know that!
I really hope you guys like my portrayal of Russell. It's never easy to write for a character I don't know too much about yet, but he's such a great, likable character, he makes it quite easy. Hope you're content! :)
Greg was sitting in the DNA lab, staring at some evidence he was supposed to process. He wasn't allowed to go out in the field yet. Plus, with Robin working day shift they needed the help at the lab. A lab tech on day shift had just quit and Robin got his spot, so the graveyard shift was shorthanded.
"Hey, you're back," Nick said in a good mood. He didn't think Greg was ready to come back, but learned over the years that it was better not to doubt him with decisions like that.
Greg smiled at him. "You got something for me?"
"Yeah, actually I do." Nick fumbled through the evidence bag he was carrying around and handed Greg some DNA samples. "So, back in the lab again, huh?"
Greg nodded as he grabbed the samples. "Better than just sitting around at home." The smile on his face faded. "...Nick, can I tell you something?"
"Sure. Anything." Nick grabbed a chair and sat down next to Greg.
"Russell said I'll have to testify in court. I'm the DA's only useful witness, he says."
Nick nodded. "Well that's no surprise, is it? You don't feel comfortable with that?"
Greg hastily shook his head. "It's not just that. I know it can take weeks or even months until I have to do this." He had a sad look on his face.
"Then what is it?"
It took him a few moments, but then he was able to say what was on his mind. "I'm not sure there's much I can tell them. I don't remember it all."
"What do you mean?"
"...I don't remember the guy's face."
Nick laughed a bit disbelieving. "What do you mean, you don't remember his face?"
"I mean that I can't tell you what he looks like. The color of his eyes, his nose, hair... I don't remember it."
Nick now had a serious and concerned look on his face. "You should've gone to the hospital, get checked out properly. Maybe it's because of the hits to the head you received. I could drive you over right now."
Greg shook his head again. "I don't think that's it. The psychiatrist Russell recommended, she... she thinks I have post traumatic stress disorder. It's common to forget certain things about the incident..."
"Is there anything else you don't remember?"
"Brass said I took the gun... my gun... from the guy. I don't remember that either."
"And the rest?"
He shrug his shoulder. "I think that's it."
"Well then... it's not a problem. When they ask you about it you just say how it is. Maybe it'll help the case if the jury knows how much it affects you." Nick tried to pat him on the shoulder, but Greg got off his seat.
"Maybe..." He grabbed the DNA sample and started processing it.
The end of Greg's shift arrived in half an hour. Right now it looked like he would be able to leave the lab on time, but it occasionally happened that even the lab techs had to do overtime. He was in the DNA lab, finishing some of Nick's samples off when Russell walked in. "Hey, you're done with your work yet?" he asked as he entered.
"Almost. Why, you got something for me?"
"No." Russell shook his head. "But you can leave when you're done."
Greg took a look at his watch. "It's another 35 minutes until my shift's over."
"I know." Russell smirked a bit. "But you can take your paperwork at home or do it tomorrow if you want."
"What's going on?" Greg raised an eyebrow. "Don't pamper me just because of what happened."
"I'm not..." He chuckled a bit. "It's just, Robin's day shift starts when your shift ends. I figured you would be uncomfortable seeing her today. You don't need to confront her at your first day back, right?"
Greg had a surprised look on his face. He never thought about that. He knew she was back at work, but he never thought that they could run into each other when they're not on the same shift. But then he remembered, when he was pulling a double he was often getting his DNA evidence processed by the day shift tech. "Oh right... I guess... I'll see her someday, so..."
"But this day doesn't have to be today. You can go home now and avoid that. Think about it, get used to that thought and do it when you're ready." He patted Greg on the back. "Alright? See you tomorrow." He walked out.
Nick walked in right after. He watched them from outside the whole time. "Hey. You okay?"
"Sure. Your results are ready, I just need to print it," he replied hastily. He printed it and handed it over.
"Why the hurry?" Nick asked confused.
"No hurry, I just... I gotta get home," he replied with a fake smile and left.