AN/ Wow, the wait was much longer than I anticipated. I'm sorry for such a delay. I've been out of town and I have this story on two different computers and figuring out what I have on one computer or the other has been such a hassel! But I finally got this written, so enjoy and Happy 2008!

Disclaimer: As much as I would love to own CBS and CSI and give the writers all the money their hearts could want to write me new episodes, I don't own anything. Sniff. Oh, and I know nothing about how to buy a house and the house market right now; I heard it was bad, that's it. So I apologize for any factual errors that more than likely exist.

It was a sunny afternoon, hot and bright, when Gil Grissom and Sara Sidle co-signed on a loan for a new house in a quiet suburb of Las Vegas. The couple had met up with a realtor the very afternoon Jessica went to Nick's. That same day, a house the Palm Place neighborhood popped up and without any second thoughts, they decided to buy it.

"Our insurance companies will be very surprised," Sara said handing the pen over to Gil.

"Well, my dear, circumstances change," he replied signing the papers.

They shook hands with the realtor, closing the deal. Sensing that the couple wished to be alone, he hastily departed and let the pair muse on the impromptu purchase. Geeze, with the way the market is right now, these guys must be crazy buying a house so suddenly, the realtor thought as he steeled himself for a call recanting the purchase.

Gil and Sara were left to ponder their new status as homeowners and homemakers.

He finally decided to abandon the sweatshirt. It was neither a convenient cover nor practical for the desert weather anymore. For now he'll blend in with the crowd; it would make a better disguise. Anyway, they had moved the stupid girl ; it would take a few days to track her down. He had tried to follow Mr. Muscle's car when he picked her up, but he had limited funds to dole out to a gypsy cab driver on a weave around the city.

He was slowly trudging back to the boyfriend's place. I guess I'll keep an eye on these two, for now… During his walks and stalks about the city, he became familiar with certain routes and areas of town. He knew the route from the two apartments to the lab like the back of his hand. Vegas was nice enough place, if that's what you liked; if only it wasn't so hot!

He rounded the corner and stopped still. The blazing afternoon sun was setting in the west, silhouetting the apartment building. He put up his hand to shield his eyes fromt he sun. Some of the people he had seen around the crime-scenes he had observed, including the boyfriend and aunt, were loading up boxes and furniture into a moving van.

A grinch-like smile crept up his face. So, I have shaken them up, haven't I… His smile of triumphed was short-lived, however. Great, now I need to find their new place…with no more taxi money that'll be hard…I wonder if Sandy could give me an advance…

He realized that he had been standing on the corner for a while lost in his thoughts. The past few months he had been trying to act unsuspiciously. This is no time to lose your cover! Get a grip, man, just act cool…he slowly sauntered by the moving van with open ears:

"So, Grissom and Sara…" a tall black man casually remarked to a youngish man with crazy hair.

"Yeah, so?" Crazy-hair replied, acting unconcerned.

"So? What do you mean 'so?' Didn't you have a thing for Sara?"

"Well, yeah, for a while, I guess. But she wasn't that into me…we're just good friends. She just couldn't handle the Gregonator!" Eye roll And he making muscles!

Chuckling the black man replied: "Yeah, just keep telling yourself that kid…"

Like that was helpful, he thought as he stalked away. He wandered into the nearby convenience store and bought his usual sunflower seeds and jug of water. He decided to take the same route back to see if he could catch anymore conversation bits.

The two men had gone back in for another piece of furniture. Now two women, a blonde (damn) and the brunette he recognized as the aunt, were loading some boxes into the truck.

"So," the blonde remarked, "You two bought a house together…pretty serious, huh?"

"Yeah, I guess so," the aunt replied sheepishly. "I mean, we have been living together for a few months, so...yeah..."

"About time I'd say. You may not believe it, but Gil has been pining for you ever since you came to Vegas. I've never seen him so happy." Not for long.

"I've never been so happy either," the aunt replied with a small smile as she leaned against the van. "I don't know how I could get through this without him. He's been my rock…" Yeah, yeah, cut the gooey crap! Where, damn it!

"Is this for real, then; is this it?"

"Yes, I really think so…"

"Well, Palm Place is a nice neighborhood to settle in and raise a family," the blonde remarked slyly; the aunt's eyes grew wide at the suggestion. "What, you never know; and you two aren't that old!"

With a smile, the aunt playfully hit the blonde at mock offence and they headed back into the building.

He stalked away with an unsuppressed smile. Palm Place is nice, eh? Not for long…

AN: Thank you all again for the reviews, Pretty please review and let me know how I'm doing: )