Chapter 4: Greg Sanders
~~~~~~~~GREG'S POV~~~~~~~~
"Since we no longer have an order to follow," Grissom began. "I want to go first."
Oh great. What a way to start off my part of the game. With the man with no emotion asking the questions. I can only imagine what he has in store for me.
"I bet you're thinking you should have kept your mouth shut buddy." Nick clapped me roughly on the back. If you only knew Nick.
But I straightened my shoulders and stood tall. Grissom always had a way of making me feel small but not this time. And if he does serve me up on a platter I always have my turn when I ask the questions. Catherine is right, payback is a bitch. "Go Grissom."
"What the hell do you do to your hair?"
Just as I was about to ask 'What kind of question is that?' Sara laughed so hard at Grissom question she was choking on her coffee.
"You okay Sara?" Warrick said hitting her back.
"Fine. Went down the wrong pipe." She grabbed her throat. "Go...ahead Greg. Sorry for the interruption."
I smiled for one reason only: Grissom will pay for making Sara laugh at me. I looked at Sara. "I could never be interrupted by you Sara."
I saw that Grissom actually did the eye roll this time. Oh he is so toast. "My question Greg. Now."
His bitterness cut through my fun. As usual. "What's wrong with my hair?"
"Everything." Grissom said dryly. "Do you do it on purpose or is your barber drunk when he cuts it?"
His words weren't hurtful, they were really a good sign that he was lightening up a bit. So I played along. I touched my hair as if to fix it. "As a matter-of-fact I get it done this way. I never knew my hair bothered you Gris."
"A lot of things about you bother me Greg."
His words again rolled off my back. Typical Grissom answer. I will have the last laugh. "Hair is personality Grissom. You see," I started to wave my hands as if explaining a simple concept to a child. "I can deduce that you are neat because your hair is kept neat. My good friend Nick has styled hair so it can be assumed that he is vain."
"Hey I am not vain!" Nick yelled but I chose ignored him.
"Warrick is a carefree soul and it shows, Catherine on the other hand is classy so her hair is stylish and nice."
"What about me?" Sara asked a little hurt. Ah Sara. Don't fret my pet.
"I thought I had you figured out Sara. See your hair is stylish but it is clear that you don't spend as much time in front of the mirror as Catherine. I thought it was because you were too involved in your work to care but then you threw a curve ball and started to grow it longer and do more with it. Suggesting there is man in your life. Am I right?"
"Sorry Greg but no that's not right. The only reason I started to style my hair was because I haven't been able to get it cut. Its getting too long for me to just do nothing with it."
"Oh." Then added. "But I like it longer."
She gave me a big smile. "Thanks Greg."
"You're welcome." I got all the energy back and started to rock on my heels. "Next please."
"My turn Greggo." Nick said. "When was the last time you got laid?"
I was mortified. I could feel the blush creeping up my collar. What kind of question was that?!
Catherine laughed at my reaction. "He's got you there sugar."
"Yeah anyone who can find so much in a haircut, hasn't been laid in awhile." Warrick sat down across from Grissom at the table where Catherine joined him. There's something going on between those two for sure, I thought. Just like I can't deny that Sara and Grissom would jump each other right there if given the opportunity. You know that's probably why I drive Grissom crazy, I openly flirt with his woman. Of course its all fun and nothing serious and Sara knows this.
"See he can't even defend himself." Nick laughed, breaking my thoughts.
"For all of your information it hasn't been that long." I said coming back to reality.
"Then when Greg?" Nick asked.
I decided to exaggerate just a little. "If you must know it was roughly two weeks ago." Okay I exaggerated a lot.
"You liar!" Nick poked Sara in the side. "He's lying."
"Its true. Ginger Sweets." A very fine lady to boot I thought. God she was gorgeous. I really can't wait to see her again. Even though nothing happened between us for the first few dates doesn't mean that something couldn't happen.
"Ginger Sweets?" Sara teased. "How much did you pay her?"
Nick sent out a howl. "Busted Greg! Sara got you!"
I frowned a Nick and turned to Sara. "She was not a prostitute Sara. She is an old friend. We are meeting again tonight actually."
"I'll believe it when I see it." Nick mumbled.
"Yes you will." I couldn't want to see her either. She was really nice to have around, of course any woman was nice to have around.
"Okay leave poor Greg alone." Catherine said. "Its my turn. Tell me Greg, leather or lace?"
I laughed and again blushed. Normally I don't blush but those words coming from Catherine made all the blood rush to my face in embarrassment. I hung my head. "Anything would look good on you." I looked up at her and snapped my teeth.
She laughed. "Down boy. I'm way too old for you, besides your Sara's lap dog."
Sara snickered. "No he's not. You can have him Catherine."
Oh I love this. "Ladies don't fight over me. There is plenty Greg to go around. And since you asked, you should be wearing leather tonight Catherine and swing by and pick up Sara in lace."
The room went into howls and cheers from the only guys in the room, well except Grissom but that was because I mentioned Sara.
"Okay Greg I think its time for the next question." Grissom said warning everyone.
"Just playing the game Gris." I said innocently. "Sara you haven't gone yet so stick it to me."
She smiled. "I wouldn't give you the pleasure. No my question is a serious one. Do you want to become a CSI?"
I had to blink hard. I told Sara awhile ago that I always was interested in becoming one and she told me to go for it. I said to drop it and I thought she was nice enough to forget it. I swallowed. She was feeding me to the sharks. "Maybe I should take the challenge."
"Come on Greg just answer the question. Its fair." She said. Her words were friendly and I knew she was only trying to help. Sara after all would never do anything to hurt me but gauging everyone's reaction there was no turning back.
"Yes it has crossed my mind. I always wanted to be out in the field but I never took it that far."
"We never knew that Greg." Catherine said fully focused on the topic at hand. I sent a smile to Sara who was nodding for me to continue but when I didn't she pushed me.
"So why didn't you go the limit Greg?" Sara asked.
Damn it Sara stop. "My first field experience at the bus crash was a disaster and I've reconsidered ever since. I don't know if I could handle it." When I finished no one was arguing about my decision, so I was seriously considering quitting this stupid game.
"Well Greg I think you would make a great CSI. You should at least give it another try." Sara said to me. "How about it Grissom, can Greg come with us on a case? Let him feel himself out?"
I looked at Grissom who wore a mask of impatience and disgust. I was again reminded that he scared the shit out of me.
"We'll see. If you want to that is." He said to me.
I released the breath I didn't know I was holding. I never thought I would hear those words from Gil Grissom. "Thanks Grissom. I won't let you down."
"Relax Greg we don't even have a case yet and it would have to be approved. But when the time comes, Sara you're with me and Greg. He is your responsibility." He said pointing to Sara. "I don't want him to mess up a crime scene."
"He's a big boy and believe it or not Grissom he knows a lot more about crime scene procedures than you think. I am sure he'll do fine." Sara winked at me.
If it weren't for Grissom's cold glare, I would have smiled back at Sara. She really was a good friend. I was going to return the favor somehow.
"We'll see Sara." Grissom said.
I melted as my dream was becoming a reality. Oh yes. Greg is da man! And thank you Sara! "Okay then its settled. Warrick you're the last one." I felt like I could run over and hug ever last person in that room, even Grissom!
"What was college like for you?" Warrick asked me.
"Nice question. Very deep. Okay let me think." I drummed my fingers on my chin. "Chemistry major, I won a scholarship after my freshman year that lasted through the next three years. I was always the go to guy. The guy you called for a lift when you were wasted. I hung out with all types of people. We went to wild parties but I was never a Greek. Met a few girls, never anything serious though. I had a blast. College was great to say the least."
"Somehow it all fits you Greg." Warrick commented. "Cool. Now I know who I call when me and Nick get trashed."
"As long as I'm not with you. I'll give you a lift."
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tbc...