Disclaimer: All right everyone, sing along… "I don't own CSI, its characters, or anything associated with the show. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is the sole property of CBS and Alliance Atlantis." This document was written purely based on the fact that my muse will not stop nagging me. For the entertainment of you folks only.

Spoiler: Nesting Dolls, etc.

A/N: I need to move this story into Unbearable, so I'm posting multiple chapters to bring us there. The "dinner" (EW!) plot device actually works for the storyline, as this is an angst piece. I had originally had another plan, but when TPTB hand me lemons, I'm making lemonade.

Sara and Greg drove in silence back to the lab. They were both tired. No matter how long they both had worked the nightshift, their bodies still knew that being awake all night long was somehow wrong.

Grissom had dropped her off at least six hours ago, and she and Greg had processed the scene, finding little evidence other than a severed Master padlock and chain from the back gate, a few prints, and the tire tracks for each of the missing cars. They had all been driven out of the rear gate, and the anticipated footprints of the perps had been overridden by the tracks from the tires.

The perps were sneaky, too. They had deliberately driven over any prints that were visible in dusty spots on the asphalt.

The owner was gracious enough to meet with them around 4 a.m.; he was clearly concerned about the loss of the cars, and when things would finish so that he could process his insurance claim. He claimed that he didn't mind coming in so early; he normally arrived around 6 a.m.

Sara was a little suspicious during her conversation with Mr. James LeMeau, and she intended to examine the padlock closely, as well as the prints. She wondered if Mr. LeMeau was playing an insurance scam.

Greg interrupted her silent mental replay of her conversation with Mr. LeMeau.

"So, where'd you and Grissom go?"

Eeek. She should have known Greg would ask this.

"Grissom wanted to talk to me outside of the lab. He had to discipline me."

Oops, that came out wrong.

Greg didn't miss it, either. "WHAT?"

"Disciplinary action, Greg. He has to file disciplinary action against me for what happened."

"Oh. For a minute there, I thought…"

"Don't go there." Sara warned.

"Hey you know, you gotta give a guy credit for trying. You left yourself wide open with that one."

Sara reached over with her left hand and smacked him on his spiky-haired head.

"You're lucky I think you are cute, or else I'd really smack you around."

"So you're really into this 'disciplinary thing', huh? A guy might learn to enjoy that."

"GREG!"

He laughed as they pulled into the parking lot behind the lab. Greg dropped off Sara at the back door.

"I'm heading home," he said. "Shift's over. I'll see you tomorrow!"

"Have a good night, Greg."

"Unless of course, you wanna come over and we could work on that discipline thing…. I've got rulers at home, you know."

"Good-BYE, Greg."

Shift was over. Time to go face Grissom.

Sara opened the back door and followed the same route she took at the beginning of the shift, only this time, she was alone. She was sure this conversation was going to be awkward, and her heart started to pound faster in her chest.

Deep breaths. No big deal. Just talk. Be normal.

HA! Her conversations with Grissom could never be considered normal.

She stood at his open doorway, and he looked up at her, sensing she was there.

"Shift is over, Grissom. I'm here to discuss … my day, I guess."

"Come in. Close the door behind you and have a seat."

Sara did as he requested, and looked at him while he rummaged through paperwork on his desk.

He looks different now. His face is softer, more open. His lips part a little when he's thinking. And his hands pick up the paper rather gently. But if I look at him directly, he looks exactly the same.

He looked up at her, and she saw that he was back in his supervisor/employee mode.

"This is how I figured we would work this. You and I will meet after your shift. We can discuss any relevant information regarding cases, if we need to, or else we can just sit here and I can catch up on my paperwork."

"I need to have you in this office for one half-hour each day. My reports to Ecklie will be written to indicate that you are handling your cases professionally, and that you are giving the impression of a competent and sound CSI."

Sara's eyes narrowed.

Grissom smiled gently at her and said, "I know. But it is only for six weeks. Will it kill you that much to keep me company?"

Sara's annoyance melted. She couldn't help but smile back at him.

"I think I can manage. Paperwork, huh? Would you like any help?"

Grissom sighed and smiled at her. "I thought you'd never ask."