Office Romances
Maggie gazed up at the forensics building and bit her bottom lip. She dreaded entering that building, and had even considered calling in sick. She had been an emotional train wreck the night before, and she did not look forward to doing anything that would put her in contact with the cause of her sorrow.
No matter how irresistable he was.
After seriously considering playing sick, Maggie realized that that wouldn't work. Her father would only become suspicious. That was the trouble with having a C.S.I. as a relative. They were always suspicious.
And they were usually right.
Not to mention the fact that playing hookey would only cause Catherine and the others to feel sorry for Maggie, and the young lab tech valued her pride too much to let that happen.
Maggie also had to admit that she was looking forward to seeing Greg, even if she was incredibly angry at him. She was curious to see how he would react when she entered the D.N.A. lab with her head held high. Would he be baffled? Hurt? Angry? Would he embrace her in a warm hug and apologize for the cruel things he'd said to her? Would he beg her to take him back?
That was another question Maggie wanted an answer to. Would she take him back?
To tell the truth, she was still recovering from their last fight. Did she want to reunite with someone who would hurt her that badly?
Then again, she missed Greg. She missed the way he'd smile at her when he was telling her about his latest forensic discovery. The way he could cause her to go weak in the knees with just one look. She even missed their bickering sessions.
Life just wasn't the same without Greg Sanders.
Catherine's heart sank when she saw the person standing near the window of the D.N.A. lab.
"How long have you been standing there?" she asked Maggie, placing a sympathetic hand on her shoulder.
Maggie shrugged. "Ten, fifteen minutes."
"How are you doing?" Willows closed her eyes, realizing just how stupid that question was, when the answer was so obvious.
Looking at Catherine, Maggie responded, "Honestly? I feel like I've been torn in two."
"I know exactly how you feel. I cried for three days straight when my divorce was finalized." Catherine indicated Sanders with a nod of her head. "Have you managed to talk to him?"
Maggie shook her head. "No. Every time I work up enough courage to enter that lab, I remember all the horrible things we said to each other."
"He'll forgive you, you know."
"I'm not worried about him forgiving me. The question is, will I be able to forgive him? I'm still angry, Catherine. I just can't understand why he would say those things."
"He's frustrated, Maggie. He's like a wild animal that's been cornered. They tend to lash out at people without even thinking about the consequences. You want my advice?" Maggie nodded. "Talk to him. Lock that door, and argue. Don't leave until everything's settled."
"You make it sound so simple."
"Believe me, it's far from simple."
After her conversation with Catherine, Maggie had finally convinced herself to enter the D.N.A. lab. She was not going to let her failed relationship affect her work, and she was determined to get through the day without thinking about Greg Sanders.
They had sat in relative silence for several moments, only speaking to each other when they had to. The other lab techs were doing their best to avoid the feuding couple, which was not easy. Ellie, the red-haired technician with the glasses, had said something about going to the diner across the street for lunch, and the other two lab techs -- Andy and Marcus -- decided to join her.
This left Greg and Maggie alone.
Greg was the first to break the silence. "I missed you," he said, avoiding Maggie's eyes.
Maggie smiled. "I missed you, too."
Finally, some progress!
"I waited for your call," Greg said.
"Why did I have to call?"
"Well, after a break-up, it's customary for the guilty party to contact the innocent party and apologize!"
Maggie's eyes narrowed. "I'm the guilty party?"
"That's what I said!"
"But you're the one who started the fight!"
"Because you betrayed my trust!" Greg said.
"I was trying to help you. If I had known that you were going to be such a baby--"
"I'm the baby?!"
"If the lab coat fits!"
Greg stood, his emotions boiling over. "You know, I can't believe I was even considering forgiving you! As far as I'm concerned, this relationship is definitely over!"
It was Greg's turn to storm out of the room.
Gil Grissom was surprised when entered the D.N.A. lab and found only Maggie. "Where's Sanders? I need you two to process this evidence."
Maggie winced inwardly when her father mentioned Greg's name. "Don't know. Can rot in Hell for all I care."
"Maggie?" Grissom asked, concerned.
The young blonde looked up and smiled bravely. "I'm fine. Really. Whatcha got?"
"Something that can wait. What's going on?" Gil inquired.
Maggie sighed. "Greg and I broke up. We fought yesterday and this morning, and we broke up." Gil opened his mouth to say something, but he was cut off. "And please, don't give me the famous 'office romances never last' speech. I really don't want to hear it."
"You hungry?"
Maggie thought for a second, then realized that she had had only a piece of toast for breakfast. "Yeah."
Greg was furious. Not only had Maggie started another fight with him, but she had also managed to scare away the other lab techs, leaving Greg to do the dirty work.
Greg was amazed by the fact that Maggie could annoy him, even when she wasn't in the room.
"Lemme guess. You and Maggie had another fight?" Nick asked, sneaking up on his best friend.
Greg jumped, startled. "Jeez!"
"Sorry. So, where is the little harpy?"
Greg felt the urge to defend Maggie, but he pushed that aside. "Don't know, and I honestly don't care."
"You don't mean that."
"Yes, I do. Gris was right. It was a bad idea for Maggie and I to get together. It's bad enough we have to work in the same room."
"But I thought you two would've patched things up by now. I mean, the Process--"
Nick was startled when Greg suddenly spun around on his heels, pointing a permanent marker at him. "You and your stupid Process!"
"Huh? What?"
"If it wasn't for your Process theory, Maggie and I would be sipping Merlot right now! But nooo. I had to listen to you!"
"She didn't call?" Nick asked, utterly confused.
"No! She didn't! In fact, she waited for me to call her!"
"Whoa. Whoa. Volume! Volume!" When Greg seemed to calm down a bit, Nick asked, "Why didn't you call her?"
"Because I didn't want to interfere with the stupid Process!" Greg replied.
"Look, screw the Process, all right? You love her?"
"Well, it's hard to love someone who's a pain in the--"
"Just answer my question. Do you...love her?"
Greg sighed. "Yes," he said, quietly.
"Then tell her that, Greg. And if she doesn't listen -- which is very likely -- make her listen."
"How?"
Nick shrugged. "Dunno. You have to be the one to figure that out. But don't wait too long. I made that mistake once, and I've always regretted it."
Greg nodded in understanding. "Kristy."
"Kristy," Nick echoed.