Note: I do not own any of these characters or anything from CBS's show CSI. I am simply a fan writing for fun!

This is my first story, and it is half complete as of right now. Please R&R!


Prologue

She replayed the scene in her head as she drove to the restaurant:

"Hey Sara. That's a nice shirt you're wearing there," Greg stuttered.

"Thanks Greg. You know I've worn this many times before," Sara replied.

"Yes, but you look particularly stunning in it today. You are always stunning."

"Well, thank you."

Greg stood up from his seat in the break room, and stood in front of her

"Sara, can I ask you a question?"

"I think you just asked one." She was trying to break the tension that was thick in the air.

"You know what I mean. Sara, we've known each other for a while now, right?"

"Yes, Greg. I guess it's been about five or six years. Well, I might not call it 'knowing' you as much as 'putting up with' you." They both laughed. Greg seemed to relax.

"Well then, I was thinking that we could celebrate how long you've been 'putting up with' me over some excellent Italian food at Perrono's."

"Are you asking me out, Greg?"

"I think that is the question at hand here, yes."

She was silent for a minute, and noticed the look of discomfort and the anticipation in his eyes.

"Sure, I guess. Why not? Let's celebrate our friendship outside of the lab. Is Friday night good?"

"Friday night sounds great … I'll pick up at 8!" Greg was ecstatic, and he practically skipped out of the break room.

Sara Sidle couldn't believe that she had accepted Greg's offer. Her momentary lapse in judgment had come from her personal decision to be more friendly and social, especially at the office. Things had been kind of rough for the past two years or so, as she had to deal with her personal demons. But she had promised herself that she would open up and let people in. Letting Greg in had presented itself, so she had taken the opportunity. No big deal, Greg was a nice enough guy. How bad could it be to go out on one little date?


Very bad. Greg met Sara at Perrono's in an Einstein tie and wore sneakers with his suit. He spent the whole night complimenting every aspect of her – "You look great in that skirt," "Your hair looks nice tonight," "You have excellent Italian pronunciation skills, you are so multitalented!" She was so sick of it all by the end of the night, he was obviously trying too hard to impress her.

However, Sara could have written off Greg's excessive compliments as nervousness. What she couldn't overlook were the little things. Like how he didn't know which silverware to use, how he didn't open the door for her, how he brought up politics on the first date, and, worst of all, how he had the waiter split the bill!

"Am I being too picky?" she wondered, "Is Greg really a great guy and I'm just not letting myself have a good time?"

Her question was answered when Greg dropped her off at her house later that evening.

"Thank you for a fun evening, Greg. I had a great time."

"I did too. It was nice to see you outside of work. Do you want to go out again sometime?"

Sara thought. Did she want to go out with him again? Did Greg deserve another chance? Did she deserve another chance? She didn't know. She panicked. There he was, standing there, and she didn't know what to say. She didn't want to lie to him, but she didn't want to hurt his feelings. In her haste to find an answer, she did the only thing that came to mind.

She kissed him. Square on the lips, she pulled Greg to her and kissed him.

"Wow, Sara," Greg whispered. His face lit up. "Do you want to ask me upstairs? Maybe ask me in for a cup of coffee?" he asked, slyly.

Sara's mind snapped back to reality. This was the Greg she knew, and this was the Greg that she did not want to be in a relationship with.

"I don't think that's such a good idea. I have to get up early in the morning and get a head start on all the stuff I've got to do this weekend."

He looked disappointed. "Okay, well, I guess I'll see you at work on Monday, then?"

"Sure thing," she nodded, and watched him retreat to his car. She went inside and watched him drive off. She pressed her forehead against the door, and watched her breath make clouds on the glass as she breathed a sigh of relief. Never again would she endure an evening like that, not even for the sake of socialization. Greg Sanders was not the man for her.