LuvinNickyStokes:

That's one of the things I'm really trying to show, is that they aren't okay, aren't perfect. You'll see more of this as the story goes on. I'm surprised that she hasn't either, at least in the show –grins-

Ms. Elizabeth Granger

I thought that line worked fairly well. I'm glad you'll be along for the ride, but you'll prb see me keeping my distance, since I don't want to end up a Karate leftovers

And thanks to everyone else who reviewed. Onto chapter two.

Chapter Two: Leaving

Greg dug through the bag that sat on the table, checking his list one last time. An extra coat, a months worth of clothing, a good pair of hiking boots…he shook his head dropping the paper on the table. He rested his elbows on the table, groaning as he did so. He had to buy most of it earlier that day; after all it wasn't like he had a winter's wardrobe in his closet. It hadn't been easy to find either.

"So you got the call?" Warrick asked coming in.

Greg grinned at him, straightening up, "Lucky me huh?"

Warrick gave him a thumbs up as he pulled a soda out of the fridge. After taking a sip, he responded.

"It'll be good for you, they teach a lot of neat things there, very useful for newbies like you."

Greg nodded, going back through the list. "So, is that why Sara doesn't want to go?" he asked.

Warrick shrugged, leaning against the counter. "It'll be her third one," he said, taking another sip. "I've only been to one."

Greg laughed a little, "Poor Sara."

Warrick smiled at him, watching the young man zip close the suitcase in front of him. Greg had been hurt pretty bad half a year ago, being shot twice and taking a plunge down a cliff face that was nearly fifty feet high, it was a miracle that he had even lived. And that was only some of what he went through. Both Greg and Sara had been reluctant to talk about what had happened, which was the main reason why Grissom had gotten both of them into therapy.

Warrick had seen the surveillance footage, had been angered and sickened by it. And that was only inside the store. The rest of the team had no way of knowing what happened elsewhere.

Greg looked back up at him, realizing he was being watched, and raised a questioning eyebrow.

Warrick shook his head, "Nothing, never mind it," he told Greg, leaving the soda can on the counter. "Have fun," he patted his shoulder as he passed by him.

"Sure thing," he muttered, looking back up as Sara came into the room.

"Hey," he said, watching her, "you almost ready?"

Sara let out a sigh, turning to him. "I've been ready Greg," she said shortly.

Greg shrugged, glancing over the list once again. "Just because you're mad at Grissom doesn't mean you have to take it out on me."

"I'm not mad at Grissom," Sara snapped at him, grabbing up the soda can Warrick had left behind. "I'm so sick of people just leaving stuff like this around, and they don't even finish it, do you know how much of a waste that is?" she muttered, dumping the rest of the contents down the drain.

"Well," Greg started, "Maybe he wasn't done with it?"

"Of course he's not done with it, what a novel idea," Sara said sarcastically. "This isn't the first time it's happened Greg, he's finished. He just doesn't want to clean up the mess."

"You don't have to clean it up," Greg reminded her, but it only seemed to offend her.

"I can do what I want," she said slowly, refusing to look at him.

"Why are mad at me?" he asked suddenly, dropping his chin into his hands, leaning on the table.

"I'm not mad at you," Sara said, raising her voice some.

"Then why are you yelling at me?"

"I'm not yelling at you!" she yelled, turning towards him.

From across the hallway, Warrick shook his head as Grissom entered the room.

"You sure this is a good idea?" he asked him, pointing to the quarreling pair after Grissom gave him a questioning look.

"They'll be fine," Grissom stated, "Three weeks up in the mountains will be good for them; they'll have plenty of time to cool down."

Warrick raised an eyebrow, "It's the 20 hours in the car that I'm worried about. And that's only if they don't stop."

"They'll be fine," Grissom repeated, coming to read over his shoulder.

"If you say so, but if they kill each other," he was interrupted as Sara and Greg's voices grew louder, "I'm not covering for you," Warrick finished.

With and audible sigh, Grissom left him, striding into the other room quickly. "Both of you," he intervened quickly, "Enough."

The two grew quiet, their faces still red; Grissom was surprised that both of them were still in one piece.

"You're not in High School anymore," he started once he felt the tension die down some. "Whatever problems you have, I'm sure you can talk it out like reasonable adults. You have to be on the road in less than an hour, and I don't want you driving like this. If you two don't get along, I'll drive you all the way out there; both of you will sit in the back, and Hodges will be in the middle," he threatened.

No one said anything; both Sara and Greg were embarrassed, not so much from being caught fighting by their boss, but more for fighting without any real reason. "So whatever it is, let it go, and apologize to each other."

Grissom waited for a moment, but when it was clear neither of them were going to make a move, he brought the threat up again. "Now," he said, more sternly.

"Sorry," Sara finally muttered, turning back to the counters.

"Ditto," Greg said easily.

Grissom left the room after one final warning, shaking his head. That was the closest he was going to get the two to apologizing. He could only hope he was making the right choice. Sara and Greg had been at each other's throats for some time now, and he wasn't really sure what caused it or when it started. Other than that fact, he was looking forward to three weeks without any fights.

Grissom met them again in the parking lot, glad to see that the two were getting along. From what he could see, they were getting along. Greg had the SUV already loaded, and was closing the back door as he came up.

"Here's the company card," Grissom said, handing it to him. "This will pay for gas and meals on the way down. You have some allowance in case of emergencies, but don't over do it. Ecklie won't be happy if he has to cover for you."

Greg nodded, sticking the card in his wallet as Grissom continued. "We've already prepaid for your cabin and classes, you'll get the schedules when you arrive, and you have a 500 credit at the local store in the town there for anything you'll need. Anything else will need to be paid out of your own pockets."

Sara came along side them, rubbing the back of her head. "We need to get going," Sara said, watching them.

Grissom nodded, "Drive carefully," he told Greg, watching the younger man climb into the driver's seat.

Greg gave him the okay sign with his fingers as he closed the door. The SUV had already been topped off with gas, and checked over before the long trip, they were ready to go. Next to him, Sara reclined in the seat, placing a pillow up against the door and pulling her coat over her arms. They had agreed to drive in eight hour shifts, and if they planned it just right, they would arrive about two days early, giving them enough time to figure out where they were staying, and the layout of the town.

"Mind if I listen to some music?" Greg asked as he turned the car on.

"Whatever," Sara replied, not even opening her eyes, "wake me up at two."

With a shrug Greg switched on the radio, turning it down so he could barely hear it. He wanted it on mainly for background noise; complete silence was the last thing he wanted to hear for the next eight hours.

TBC