Yes, another story, I couldn't help myself, blame the plot bunnies. Though if my keyboard won't stop wigging out on me, posts may be a bit slow. Here's another chapter for all my reviewers!
Chapter Two: Favor
The next week was one of the slowest weeks Greg could ever remember. Being restricted from work, he spent most of time sleeping, and when he was awake, musing on what he could possibly do.
He had already called the lab several times in the last few days, dialing Grissom's office extension number that he knew by heart now, only to find half his calls ignored. When Grissom did pick up, Greg found himself querying almost immediately if there was to be any needed help. He did this for several days until Grissom more or less ordered him not to call again.
Still, Greg was at a loss of what to do. Not wanting to have his work schedule messed up, he continued sleeping during the day, and spent his nights awake, or tried to do so anyhow. He found himself more and more tired with each passing day, even though he was doing less and less.
He ignored the phone calls that came in, and the messages left on his machine. Greg knew it was his doctor, trying to reach him. He hadn't shown up for his last appointment, Greg had missed it on purpose, though he would never admit it to her. He wasn't ready to face any facts, not just yet. If he could pretend that nothing was wrong for only a little while longer, than he would.
That night found he found himself sitting on the couch, zoning out in front of the television when a knock on the door brought him from his thoughts. Somewhat surprised, Greg sat up, glancing over his shoulder at the door with a frown. "Who's there?" he called, not getting up quite yet.
"It's me, Sara, can I come in?"
He had doubted that he could have been more surprised, but a second later he shook off the feeling, standing quickly. A little too quickly perhaps, because he had to sit back down and wait for the room to stop spinning before he tried again.
Moving more slowly, Greg made his way to the bathroom, calling over his shoulder, "Just a minute," before leaving the room.
Grabbing the small jar of foundation off of the counter, he applied some to his face before quickly before hiding it under the sink. He had been using it for the last few weeks now, in order to hide his paleness. He didn't enjoy it, but it saved him from having to answer any unwanted questions. Still, if anyone found out he was using it…he shook his head.
Making his way back out towards the front door, Greg grabbed a long sleeved shirt from his dresser drawer, one that was long enough to cover the belt he now used to hold his pants up. He had lost more weight than he had thought, and was beginning to notice that most of his clothes were becoming a bit too big on him.
Sara was leaning against the outside wall by the time he finally answered the door. She smiled at him, shaking her head. "What took you so long?" she asked as he invited her in.
"Sorry," Greg apologized, "had to change into something a little more decent," he told her. It was only somewhat of a lie. After all, he had changed, well, putting a shirt on wasn't technically changing, but still.
Sara observed him as she sat down on the chair, raising an eyebrow as she took in his appearance. A pair of blue jeans, and a multi colored long sleeve shirt that went past his waist that had to be at least two sizes to big for him. "That's decent?" she inquired.
Greg shrugged, sitting back down on the couch, a sheepish grin on his face. "For me, pretty much yeah."
Sara laughed, shaking her head, "I'm afraid to ask what you were in before." His wide grin caused her to laugh again. "Point taken, I won't ask."
"So," Greg asked, clasping his hands, "What are you doing here?"
Sara rolled her eyes as she leaned back in the chair. "What, am I not allowed to stop by and say hi anymore?"
"Well," Greg started, "For one, I didn't even know you knew where I lived."
"Greg, I've dropped you off enough times to know where you live," Sara pointed out, causing him to laugh slightly.
"True, but you just drop me off at the front of the building; you've never actually seen me all the way to my door."
"I don't leave until you're inside Greg; I've seen you walk through your own front door enough times too."
"You actually wait until I'm inside before leaving? How sweet, I'm touched," Greg joked, provoking a laugh from both of them.
It was then the phone rang, and Greg picked it up without thinking. When the voice of his doctor picked up on the other end, Greg mentally cursed himself as she asked for a Greg Sanders.
"This is he," Greg answered, still mad at himself for picking the phone up. He had almost become used to not answering the calls that came in.
"Mr. Sanders, this is Dr. Mannon," his doctor continued, "I'm sorry, I didn't recognize your voice."
"That's alright," he told her, fiddling with the phone cord. If he pulled it out, accidentally, then he wouldn't have to finish the call. But then he would be left explaining to Sara why he had yanked the cord free from the phone, and he wasn't willing to do that.
"I recommend that you come in for an appointment, since you were unable to make it to your last one. Just to stay on the safe side, you understand."
Greg nodded, but didn't say anything.
Given the silence, she continued. "How is tomorrow, at three in the afternoon, that is before you start work right?"
"Yeah, that's fine," he said quickly. He didn't have any work tomorrow, but she didn't need to know that.
"Okay then, I'll see you at three then," she told him, saying her goodbyes. Greg hung up, a little disheartened. That was why he had been trying to avoid the phone the last few weeks. But his doctor was a little persistent.
"What was that all about?" Sara asked, watching him.
"Nothing" Greg answered, shrugging it off. "Just a confirmation for an appointment that's all."
"What type of appointment?"
"Just a check-up," he found himself explaining, "Just a cold I can't shake. Thought since I have the week off, may as well get checked while I can. Won't hurt any."
Sara nodded, "I've heard that stuff's been going around pretty badly," she told him.
Greg nodded in return, switching topics quickly. "So, what are you doing here, really?" He highly doubted Sara had come all this way just to talk with him on her night off. Not that the idea wouldn't impress him, he just knew Sara too well.
"Well," Sara leaned forward, closer to him as she took in a deep breath. "As you know it is my night off, and well…"
He nodded, indicating that she should finish. She bit her lip before she did though. "Okay, here it is, Hank's asked me out for the night, he had a dinner and some sort of theater show planned, but," she took another breath, "I promised Grissom that I would finish all my paperwork tonight, I'm behind, really far too," she grimaced.
Greg nodded, "And you were wondering if I could do the paperwork for you so that you could see Hank, because you hardly get to see him anymore and he went through a lot to plan everything?"
Sara let out a sigh, standing up. "I know, it's ridiculous, I shouldn't have asked, I'm sorry."
Greg shook his head, "I don't mind," he told her; the expression she gave him caused him to smile.
"Really?" Sara asked, sitting back down. Greg nodded. "Really, really?" she asked again quickly. Greg nodded again, this time much slower, a grin spreading across his face.
"Go on, I don't mind. It'll give me something to do other than stare at that," he laughed, pointing towards the television.
"You take vacation and stay home and do nothing?" Sara asked him, bewildered.
"Well," Greg explained, "It was sort of a last minute," he drew in a breath, "really now, go have fun. I'll have it done tonight," he promised.
Sara smiled, leaning over and giving him a small kiss on the cheek. "I really owe you one," she told him.
"I think that'll do for now," Greg joked, standing up with her.
"Thanks so much" she handed him the papers she had dug out of the bag she was carrying. "You don't know how much this means too me."
Greg only nodded as he saw her out the door, flipping through the papers she had handed him. It wasn't the most exotic thing he had ever done before, but it would keep him busy, for tonight at least.
TBC
