A/N: Kinda a follow on from my story 'Calling For A Friend', but it can be read on it's own. I don't judge. Altered Storyline though. Pls R&R. Not Beta read.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Story Notes: Riley is back on the team and Greg finds out on his first day back following his holiday. Set a little earlier, S11.

/ CSI /

"Riley, you have the case file right?" Nick asked the blonde as she was sat in the rec room watching the tv screen. "Yeah." She picked it up off the table and handed it to CSI Stokes. He thanked her and headed off to PD. Him and Brass had an interrogation to do.

The blonde then continued to watch the press conference on the TV, sipping her cup of Blue Hawaiian coffee with not a single regret. She'd finished up the double homicide case she'd been working through her double shift and wasn't specifically tied to any cases at the moment which is why she was hanging out in the rec room with nothing better to do. "Why do I smell that coffee Greg would always brew?"

"Because I made coffee, Hodges."

"Nuh-uh! Not Blue Hawaiian."

Adams shrugged, a smirk forming on her face as she drank her coffee with no such shame. It was fair to say she missed Greg. Things did get a little dull without him and his humour. That was one of the things that made them the type of pairing that was either very effective or incredibly distracting. She understood his humour. "Hey, Adams, you up to run Ballistics? Jones isn't in."

Riley grabbed her coffee, stood up and tiredly smiled. "Yeah. I'll be there in five."

The CSI was happy to be back in her happy place. Firearms was her specialty after all. She drank the rest of her coffee before putting the cup in the bin and making her way over to Ballistics. Riley put on her latex gloves and lab coat, immediately getting to work as soon as she hit the Ballistics lab.

She had to test fire the glock Sara collected and compare it to the bullet found in the victim. Riley put on her safety goggles and ear plugs, before she picked up the gun and loaded it. 'Test 1' she thought to herself, firing a shot from the glock.

BANG!

The blonde then collected the bullet and put it under the microscope to check for comparisons. Striations were a match. She paged Sara about her results and waited for the brunette to get the results. In the meantime, she could tidy up the lab a bit as it was a little messy. So that's what she did.

Riley organized other case results, putting them in a neat pile on the counter and resealed any evidence that had been left unsealed. She wasn't taking any chances on this again.

"Hey Jones, you got the results on the revolver- you're not Jones."

"You're right. I'm not. I'm just another Ballistics expert doing my part for the team."

Greg pursed his lips, in attempt to find something valuable to say but just didn't know what he could say. She looked quite different with a fringe but he still knew it was her. He could tell by her stance, attitude and her eyes. "Riles, you don't happen to have the results on a revolver, do you?" Riley shrugged. "Maybe," She skimmed over the files she'd stacked until she found the one for a classic revolver.

"..And it appears I do." Adams handed the file over to Greg, feeling a little anxious around him but confident she'd made the right decision.

"Thank you Adams. Care to explain why there's Blue Hawaiian coffee in the rec room?"

Damn you, David Hodges. "Honestly?" "Honestly." He confirmed, shuffling his feet as he awaited an answer. "I missed you. And I hate that you've made me miss you."

Greg smiled. "Suppose I've changed you, Adams?"

"Maybe you have."

Riley took off her safety goggles and put them on the counter as Greg neared closer. Even a little too close. "If I were correct, I'd say that you like me." "I don't." She said, handing Sara her results as she came into the Ballistics lab. "Results on the glock. That's your murder weapon."

Sara nodded. "Alright, this is great, thanks."

As much as Sara wanted to drag Greg along with her and give him something to do other than stand around talking, it was clear he had some unfinished business with the ballistics expert to sort out. So she would give him time. For their sake. And that didn't happen very often. She supposed it was because she felt bad for Greg's unlucky record with love.

Riley then took off her lab coat as Jones came in and they swapped places, her then leaving with Greg. The other expert came around right at the right time. Before something happened this they'd both regret.

They got back to the rec room and Adams poured him a cup of Blue Hawaiian, handing it to him. "I didn't know you were going to be in today but there's nothing wrong with seeing you." "I'm glad you're not mad at me."

"How could I be? I was the one that left in the first place. I hurt you.. and I'm sorry."

Greg looked over his shoulder. She still looked as beautiful as ever with her tight ponytail and color arranged clothing. "You only hurt me because I had feelings for you." He said quietly. Riley's expression changed as soon as she heard those words. He liked her? She had no idea that he'd even consider trying to love her. But truthfully, she loved him. Always had. And had been tried to run away from her feelings until now. "I liked you too... too bad it's probably a little too late now."

Sanders put down his coffee cup. He didn't want it to be too late. They didn't have to be that way. She was right there and so was he. That was lucky enough for both of them. Riley watched as he turned to her, his eyes filled with emotion. "Greg.." The blonde whispered as he drew closer. His hand grazed her cheek, brushing her hair out of her face. Riley knew she didn't want to miss out again. Especially now she was ready for this.

"I like what you've done with you hair, hair puller."

He rolled his eyes, leaning in and kissing her. It just felt right. Riley hadn't expected him to kiss her as quickly as he did. Maybe it was a lot more serious than either could've ever imagined. Her arms wrapped around his neck as his snaked around her waist. "Don't leave me again, Ri. I need you." He whispered as their lips parted. "I won't. I promise you that."

Greg beamed, pulling her into a meaningful embrace afterwards. "I like the fringe, Riles. Suits you." Sanders said into her ear. Riley inwardly chuckled as she just enjoyed being in his comforting embrace for the first time in almost two years.

"I told you Greg was in love with her." Hodges said to Nick, who rolled his eyes and handed the trace lab tech a fifty dollar bill. "You say a lot of things, Hodges."

"That's the problem, Nick. You think a lot of things instead of saying them."

"Yeah, whatever.."