Grissom entered his office whistling. No fighting CSIs, no frustrating cases – yeah tonight was going well. He checked his watch. 5AM. A few hours more and he could go home with Sara. A smile crept across his face at that thought.

He jumped nearly a foot in the air and dropped the file folder he was carrying when Sara's voice came from the corner. "Nice to see you smiling, Gris, but aren't you going to say hello?"

Trying to slow his pounding heart, bent to gather the papers that had flown out of his grasp. "Geez, Sara, how many times have I told you not to sneak up on me and my old heart like that?" Picking up the last sheet and sticking it back into the folder, he slapped the pile down on his desk.

"Who's sneaking? I was just standing here." She stepped out of the shadows. "And having a talk with Fluffy." To Grissom's shock, the tarantula was perched on her hand. "I was asking her why her knees are orange, but she didn't seem inclined to answer."

He was speechless. Was this the same Sara who had curled up into the fetal position at them mention of a spider just a few days ago?

Enjoying the look on his face, she asked, "You didn't think I stayed afraid of things once I realize they won't hurt me? Fluffy's just a pussycat." She shrugged. "Besides, I had to occupy myself somehow while I waited for you."

"And why are you waiting for me, then?" He reached out to allow the spider to move onto his own hand.

Still holding Fluffy, Sara quickly pulled her hand away. "Oh, just wanted to have a talk with you about pets."

Pets? Was this some strange way of asking him to buy her a dog or something? "Uh, pets? As in, dogs and cats?"

She smiled and lowered Fluffy back into her tank, closing the lid gently. "Well, no, actually. More like Warricks and Saras."

Grissom blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Word on the street," she said, coming toward him, "is that I'm not the only teacher's pet on the block." She cocked her head at him. "And you know, I just think that's unfair, since I do more, uh, favors for the teacher than he does."

Watching her advance toward him, he stuttered, "Um. What? Warrick? Favors?"

Sara took his hand gently. "Yeah. Favors. Pets." She smiled dangerously. "I demand fair treatment."

Finally recovering his wits, Grissom took back his hand. "Now wait, Sara. What do you mean, 'teacher's pets'? I treat all my CSIs the same way." She continued stalking him, and Grissom took another step back. "Sara . . ."

She shook her head, finally close enough to reach him. "I guess I might just have to do even more favors for teacher."

"Sara . . ." he tried again, holding out a comforting hand.

She reached out suddenly, pushing him back against the wall with an audible "thump." As she leaned toward him, the predatory look in her eyes caught his attention. "Yeah . . . more favors," she breathed.

Coming down the hall, Catherine heard a thud coming from Grissom's office. Hoping he hadn't tripped over the piles of old journals on the floor, she hurried toward the door. Pushing it open carefully, she stuck her head in and almost fell over in shock. She cleared her throat.

Hearing the noise, Grissom and Sara jumped apart. There was a snap as what must have been Sara's bra strap flew back into place, followed by an outraged "ow!" Sara stood with her hand on her hips, glaring at him. "Don't you know you're not supposed to snap a girl's . . ."

She was interrupted as Grissom leaned toward her and growled, in a voice clearly audible to Catherine, "Didn't I tell you to make sure the door was locked?"

Sara frowned and opened her mouth to make a retort but was cut off by Catherine's bark of laughter. "Damn, Gil, now that's what I call setting a goal and following through!" Still laughing, she reached into her pocket, pulled out a quarter, and flipped it to him. "Told you I'd pay to see that!" She looked at Sara, who had snagged the quarter before Grissom could get to it. "Good for you. Hope you showed him who the real pet is?"

Grinning, Sara nodded. "Yeah, I think he knows who does better favors now."

Utterly flummoxed, Grissom looked from one woman to the other.