Chapter Twenty One-History, Forgiving, and Troubles
Greg sighed.
"Guys, I'm gonna tell you why I was so hurt when I heard you guys dissing me. I mean, if it was anyone else, I wouldn't give a rat's ass about it, but it was you guys, so, I cared. Okay...when I was eight years old, my mom died in a car crash, that affected our entire family, especially my dad, and then he broke down, and started to drink. Now, I had a baby sister, a baby brother, a dog, and an older sister who was in school upstate. So, I had to smarten up, get tough, and teach myself how to cook, and how to take care of my entire family while also going to school at the same time.
"This went on for about three to four years (so Greg's 11 or 12 years old now), sometimes, my older sister would come to help me with stuff, but it was only for a few days. I didn't have any friends at school, everyone hated and insulted me, calling me a smart-ass and a freak, and some people even beat me up. Then, one day, I just got home from school, I opened my house door, and when I walk into the living room..." Greg sighed again as tears started to form in his eyes.
"Once I walked into the living room, I saw my kid brother and sister, dead on the ground, and...and then I felt pain in my back, and I...I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in a hospital, and later, I found out that I was stabbed in the back, but it wasn't that deep, no organs were damaged, so I just got some stitches...and...also, they told me that my dad, baby brother and baby sister was murdered...it was a robbery gone bad...I was almost sent to an orphanage too. But luckily, my older sister was able to take care of the both of us. So, my sister stopped going to school, and got a job as a...as a hooker and a strip-dancer...so we could get money...she never liked it, not at all...that's when she decided she couldn't take it anymore, and she committed suicide..." Greg's voice broke, and tears started to fall from his eyes.
"And I walked in on it...I was...I was only 13, damn it!" Greg whispered angrily, then he took a deep breath, and continued.
"Anyways, uh...then I got sent to an orphanage, but I still had to go to a regular high school...the orphanage..." Greg scoffed.
"Some orphanage...the place was filthy, the other orphans didn't seem sad at all, they were all bullies...every last one of 'em...they insulted and beat me up almost every day! If not, our so-called 'counselor' would beat me. He was our supposed psychiatrist, but I never spoke a word...maybe that's why they hated me so much. But anyway, when I turned 16, I went to a foster home, only the family didn't want a kid...they wanted a...plaything..." Greg choked back a sob.
"They beat me...raped me...and...I was with them for one entire month...God...I...I trusted them at first, they were so damn nice. Damn it! Then, 3 days later, they turned on me, and started their sick...games...bastards!" Greg started to break down and started sobbing. Catherine and Sara had tears of their own, Nick quietly swore, and Warrick and Grissom closed their eyes and shook their heads despairingly. They're hearts broke at the sight of Greg, he looked so weak and vulnerable, like a small child. A moment later, Greg sniffled and tried to calm himself to finish the story.
"A month later, I went back to the orphanage, back to the insults and beatings, my soul was dead...but I still had to go to school. The teachers there, they were suspicious of me, not because of my grades, but because of my welfare. Every time they saw me, there would be a bruise or a cut on my face, or my arms. Especially the gym teacher, one time, he unexpectedly came into the boy's change room, and saw all the marks on my body. But I didn't tell him about anything...I couldn't...later, my anger just grew more and more, and I wanted revenge...revenge on the people who murdered my family...one day, the psychiatrist was killed by three other guys who were living in the orphanage. I saw the forensics scientists do their work, I saw the Crime Scene Investigation officers, and I became interested in the job. So, in school, I worked and studied more in the Math, Science, and Law courses, and when I turned 19, I received a scholarship, and I was able to get into a real good university." Greg sighed again and smiled slightly.
"Those were the best years of my life...I didn't meet any friends, but no one insulted or beat me, they minded their own business, didn't even notice me, I guess. For once, I really felt freedom, later, I got a well-paid job, and two and a half years later, I was able to buy a small condo near the university...my grades were great, and I graduated with honours. A good year later, I turned 24, and I got a job here...well, in the Las Vegas Crime Lab as the lab tech...and I met you guys..." Greg whispered the last part.
"I didn't dare to trust you guys, but I didn't want to seem like an outsider, so I pretended to be outgoing, and well, silly. As time went by, I started to like my new personality, and got used to it pretty much. When I was with you guys and working, I was able to push back my past memories, and temporarily forget about them...then, I started to trust you guys more and more, I was pretty certain that you guys wouldn't hurt me...even thought we weren't real close buds, I still treated you guys like my friends...like my lost family..." Greg sighed. (Well, what can I say? Greg loves to sight! LOL!)
"Look, guys, even though maybe you guys didn't really 'love' me, it didn't matter, I would never have hesitated for a second to listen to your issues...I never had any reason to doubt any of you...until that night...I just...I forgive all of you for dissing me behind my back and, Nick, for shooting at me...I know now that non of you really meant that, and I'm relieved. And if you guys don't like my personality at all, I can just become past Greg again, only I won't be anywhere near as friendly or lively than before, y'know, I really can cha-"
"No! Greg, don't change, we love the way you are! You're a great guy, don't change, Greg..." Sara said.
"We didn't know how...horrid your past was...we would've never...we would've never even thought bad stuff about you..." Warrick said.
"No, no, no, yes, my past was bleak and nightmarish, but please, when we get back to work, just pretend that nothing happened! I don't want your pity! I don't want anyone's pity! It just...man, even I don't know what's gonna happen! But, first, let's keep my past between just the six of us...again, I forgive all of you, but I'm just not sure how I'm gonna trust you guys like I did before...it'll take time...but just know that right now, I forgive all of you." The CSIs sighed in relief.
"Great! Is there anything else you want, or to say?" Grissom asked softly.
"Uh...yea, guys, when you next decide to group together and insult me, make sure that I'm no where near any of you, okay? And Nick, don't shoot me again, okay? Oh, and thanks for the stuff, I really appreciate it." Greg motioned for the box beside him. The CSIs smiled brightly.
"Greg, we're not gonna insult you ever again, don't worry! And no problem, I won't even think about shooting you ever again! And you're welcome...we thought it was necessary. Just...get better soon." Nick said. Greg smiled.
"Done." Suddenly, Grissom's cell phone rang. Catherine eyed him suspiciously.
"Aren't you supposed to turn all of that stuff off in the hospital?" Catherine asked.
"Well, what can I say? I'm a CSI!" Grissom smiled and answered the phone.
"Grissom here."
"Hey, it's Brass, is Greg there with you?" Brass asked on the other line.
"Yea, we're all in the hospital, why?"
"Well, uh...someone bailed Johnson out."
"WHAT?!" Grissom yelled.
A/N: sorry for the delay everyone, I had to go on a trip again, but I'm back! So, here's another chapter! =D hope u enjoyed it! Review plz! U know wat the say, "The more reviews, the faster the chapter comes!" LOL! Thanx to everyone who reviewed the last few chapters! Greatly appreciate it! =D
Greg sighed.
"Guys, I'm gonna tell you why I was so hurt when I heard you guys dissing me. I mean, if it was anyone else, I wouldn't give a rat's ass about it, but it was you guys, so, I cared. Okay...when I was eight years old, my mom died in a car crash, that affected our entire family, especially my dad, and then he broke down, and started to drink. Now, I had a baby sister, a baby brother, a dog, and an older sister who was in school upstate. So, I had to smarten up, get tough, and teach myself how to cook, and how to take care of my entire family while also going to school at the same time.
"This went on for about three to four years (so Greg's 11 or 12 years old now), sometimes, my older sister would come to help me with stuff, but it was only for a few days. I didn't have any friends at school, everyone hated and insulted me, calling me a smart-ass and a freak, and some people even beat me up. Then, one day, I just got home from school, I opened my house door, and when I walk into the living room..." Greg sighed again as tears started to form in his eyes.
"Once I walked into the living room, I saw my kid brother and sister, dead on the ground, and...and then I felt pain in my back, and I...I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in a hospital, and later, I found out that I was stabbed in the back, but it wasn't that deep, no organs were damaged, so I just got some stitches...and...also, they told me that my dad, baby brother and baby sister was murdered...it was a robbery gone bad...I was almost sent to an orphanage too. But luckily, my older sister was able to take care of the both of us. So, my sister stopped going to school, and got a job as a...as a hooker and a strip-dancer...so we could get money...she never liked it, not at all...that's when she decided she couldn't take it anymore, and she committed suicide..." Greg's voice broke, and tears started to fall from his eyes.
"And I walked in on it...I was...I was only 13, damn it!" Greg whispered angrily, then he took a deep breath, and continued.
"Anyways, uh...then I got sent to an orphanage, but I still had to go to a regular high school...the orphanage..." Greg scoffed.
"Some orphanage...the place was filthy, the other orphans didn't seem sad at all, they were all bullies...every last one of 'em...they insulted and beat me up almost every day! If not, our so-called 'counselor' would beat me. He was our supposed psychiatrist, but I never spoke a word...maybe that's why they hated me so much. But anyway, when I turned 16, I went to a foster home, only the family didn't want a kid...they wanted a...plaything..." Greg choked back a sob.
"They beat me...raped me...and...I was with them for one entire month...God...I...I trusted them at first, they were so damn nice. Damn it! Then, 3 days later, they turned on me, and started their sick...games...bastards!" Greg started to break down and started sobbing. Catherine and Sara had tears of their own, Nick quietly swore, and Warrick and Grissom closed their eyes and shook their heads despairingly. They're hearts broke at the sight of Greg, he looked so weak and vulnerable, like a small child. A moment later, Greg sniffled and tried to calm himself to finish the story.
"A month later, I went back to the orphanage, back to the insults and beatings, my soul was dead...but I still had to go to school. The teachers there, they were suspicious of me, not because of my grades, but because of my welfare. Every time they saw me, there would be a bruise or a cut on my face, or my arms. Especially the gym teacher, one time, he unexpectedly came into the boy's change room, and saw all the marks on my body. But I didn't tell him about anything...I couldn't...later, my anger just grew more and more, and I wanted revenge...revenge on the people who murdered my family...one day, the psychiatrist was killed by three other guys who were living in the orphanage. I saw the forensics scientists do their work, I saw the Crime Scene Investigation officers, and I became interested in the job. So, in school, I worked and studied more in the Math, Science, and Law courses, and when I turned 19, I received a scholarship, and I was able to get into a real good university." Greg sighed again and smiled slightly.
"Those were the best years of my life...I didn't meet any friends, but no one insulted or beat me, they minded their own business, didn't even notice me, I guess. For once, I really felt freedom, later, I got a well-paid job, and two and a half years later, I was able to buy a small condo near the university...my grades were great, and I graduated with honours. A good year later, I turned 24, and I got a job here...well, in the Las Vegas Crime Lab as the lab tech...and I met you guys..." Greg whispered the last part.
"I didn't dare to trust you guys, but I didn't want to seem like an outsider, so I pretended to be outgoing, and well, silly. As time went by, I started to like my new personality, and got used to it pretty much. When I was with you guys and working, I was able to push back my past memories, and temporarily forget about them...then, I started to trust you guys more and more, I was pretty certain that you guys wouldn't hurt me...even thought we weren't real close buds, I still treated you guys like my friends...like my lost family..." Greg sighed. (Well, what can I say? Greg loves to sight! LOL!)
"Look, guys, even though maybe you guys didn't really 'love' me, it didn't matter, I would never have hesitated for a second to listen to your issues...I never had any reason to doubt any of you...until that night...I just...I forgive all of you for dissing me behind my back and, Nick, for shooting at me...I know now that non of you really meant that, and I'm relieved. And if you guys don't like my personality at all, I can just become past Greg again, only I won't be anywhere near as friendly or lively than before, y'know, I really can cha-"
"No! Greg, don't change, we love the way you are! You're a great guy, don't change, Greg..." Sara said.
"We didn't know how...horrid your past was...we would've never...we would've never even thought bad stuff about you..." Warrick said.
"No, no, no, yes, my past was bleak and nightmarish, but please, when we get back to work, just pretend that nothing happened! I don't want your pity! I don't want anyone's pity! It just...man, even I don't know what's gonna happen! But, first, let's keep my past between just the six of us...again, I forgive all of you, but I'm just not sure how I'm gonna trust you guys like I did before...it'll take time...but just know that right now, I forgive all of you." The CSIs sighed in relief.
"Great! Is there anything else you want, or to say?" Grissom asked softly.
"Uh...yea, guys, when you next decide to group together and insult me, make sure that I'm no where near any of you, okay? And Nick, don't shoot me again, okay? Oh, and thanks for the stuff, I really appreciate it." Greg motioned for the box beside him. The CSIs smiled brightly.
"Greg, we're not gonna insult you ever again, don't worry! And no problem, I won't even think about shooting you ever again! And you're welcome...we thought it was necessary. Just...get better soon." Nick said. Greg smiled.
"Done." Suddenly, Grissom's cell phone rang. Catherine eyed him suspiciously.
"Aren't you supposed to turn all of that stuff off in the hospital?" Catherine asked.
"Well, what can I say? I'm a CSI!" Grissom smiled and answered the phone.
"Grissom here."
"Hey, it's Brass, is Greg there with you?" Brass asked on the other line.
"Yea, we're all in the hospital, why?"
"Well, uh...someone bailed Johnson out."
"WHAT?!" Grissom yelled.
A/N: sorry for the delay everyone, I had to go on a trip again, but I'm back! So, here's another chapter! =D hope u enjoyed it! Review plz! U know wat the say, "The more reviews, the faster the chapter comes!" LOL! Thanx to everyone who reviewed the last few chapters! Greatly appreciate it! =D