Chapter 7
The party was over. Most of the streamers had either fallen or been pulled down by those that had become slightly tipsy (or full-out drunk, in some cases). They lay on the floor, ripped and shredded, similar to her torn-up and broken heart. Mandy had, without a lot of enthusiasm, elected to aid Catherine in the massive job of cleaning up. She hadn't even wanted to when she'd agreed, but she especially didn't want to now. All she wanted to do was crawl home, slide into her bed and sob into her pillow. As she picked up the streamers and dumped them into a garbage can, watching as they went from festive decorations to just another piece of trash, in about five seconds.
Her high-heels had been discarded at the door for later retrieval, for her feet had begun to ache as much as her heart. Sighing, she bent and scooped up another piece of decoration, barely even glancing at it before tossing it into the black garbage bag she was lugging around after her. Catherine was over in the other corner, and Warrick was hovering by her, chatting with her. Both had sensed that Mandy wanted to be alone, and the news about Trent had slowly drifted through the group. It was generally agreed upon that he was not going to get a very pleasant welcome at work on Monday.
Unbeknownst to anyone but herself was that this was obviously not what Mandy was even upset about. Mandy had only been upset that Trent had not bothered to inform her that he was leaving. It hurt to be treated so nastily, but she had no feelings for him, she got over it. But nothing could bring back the shattered pieces of her heart, with the memory of Sara and Greg under the mistletoe still leering at her in her mind. As if wanting to stab at her one last time, the next item she picked up was a sprig of mistletoe, possibly the same one that Sara and Greg had been under only about half an hour beforehand. Staring at the green against her pale hand, her eyes swam with tears and she clenched her fist, crushing the leaves between her fingers before violently flinging it into the trash bag.
She should have been happy. She had succeeded, with all her advice, into giving Greg the perfect mask of maturity and charm that Sara had wanted. She had succeeded in making two people fall in love and live happily ever after. Yet every thought was tinged with jealousy and heartbreak. For she had fallen in love, with not the mask that Greg would wear with Sara, but the immature, silly, loveable Greg that she had first met. And Sara hadn't. So why was Sara having the love and the happiness, while she floundered in the shadows, heartbroken and unable to find anyone else? Why?
No answers came to her as she dumped her garbage bag by Catherine, a muttered 'see you Monday' emerging from her lips before she turned and moped her way across the floor. As she stooped to retrieve her shoes, then headed towards the doors, she paused, hearing voices from just outside the ajar front doors.
"Hey Sar, I think I might be a bit too…intoxicated to pass a test if a cop should pull me over. I don't think you're sober either…hey! Griss! Do you think you could give Sara a ride home? I'm going inside to see if I can mooch a ride off of Warrick. I'll get my car in the morning." Recognising Greg's voice with a sickening feeling in her stomach, she couldn't help, however, listening in as Sara responded.
"Alright, Greggy, if you're sure…" Greggy? What the heck is with that? Mandy thought to herself, wanting to gag. Sara sounded like she'd had too much punch, some of her words slurred together, and it was probably a good idea that Greg send her home with someone. Greggy…ugh…turning her attention to the conversation that continued on just beyond the doors in front of her, she heard Grissom agreeing to take Sara home, and Sara thanking him, a bit drunkenly. She didn't sound full-out drunk yet. Just tipsy. Shaking her head, she heard Greg say goodnight and retreated back a little so that it didn't look as if she'd been listening to his conversation when he entered. Greg seemed to visibly relax as he entered, and Mandy knew he was shedding his layers of charm and maturity that she had laid on for him. When he saw her, a small smile lit upon his face, which quickly turned into a frown as he saw the deep frown lines creased into her forehead.
Suddenly, without any provocation, he wanted more than anything in the entire world to make her smile. To make her laugh, to hear the happy voice he'd become used to hearing around the lab every night, telling jokes, giving him advice he never would have thought he would need, all to help him. Immediately following this need to make her happy came the need to hold her in his arms, and comfort her, and wipe away all her tears. Restraining himself from suddenly flinging his arms around her, he gently draped his arm over her shoulders, seeing how she accepted the display of comfort wordlessly. For a few seconds, words were lost on him, although usually he would have at least been babbling something generic and Hallmark-like to comfort his…your friend. Nothing more.
"Life's tough sometimes, huh?" It was the worse expression of comfort he had ever come up with, but Mandy seemed to appreciate the effort, for a small smile graced her lips. They exited the doors, Mandy with her shoes in her hands, too tired to bother putting them on. Her normal clothes were already in her car, along with her normal running shoes. Greg was still desperate to put a smile back on her face, and suddenly he spotted the DJ, almost ready to leave, and he had a sudden inspiration. "Mandy, wait right here, okay? Don't leave!" Then, leaving her blown over, he dashed off full-speed towards the DJ. After a few hurried words, and a quick exchange of cash that Greg fumbled out of his pocket, he was running back with a CD clutched in his hand. Mandy was just getting into her car, too depressed to even hope.
"Hold on, don't leave yet! Here, play this CD, and put it on number 8, then get out of the car, please?" When Mandy hesitated, her tired eyes looking at him sceptically, he leaned down so that his face was level with hers. "Please?"
His eyes were sweet and considerate, and she, as usual, could not resist their charm. Sighing, she took the CD, and slid it in, flipping until it got to number 8, then getting out and leaning against the car, wondering what on earth he could want. To her surprise, a slow song came on, which she vaguely recognised as having played earlier that night. Greg smiled a happy-go-lucky, goofy grin at her, and held out his hand to her.
"You didn't dance for the last dance. That's bad luck, you know." Of course, he had just made that up on the spot. It probably was bad luck in some obscure culture, but for the moment, he was content when he saw a small smile slide onto her lips. She was obviously wondering if maybe he was crazy, or just incredibly sweet. After a few seconds of indecision, she reached forward, taking his hand, and he pulled her out away from her car a bit, putting his hand lightly on her waist.
They were alone in the parking lot, which was good, for anyone watching them sway to the music would have sensed more than music on the air. Greg was wondering if he'd lost his marbles, and Mandy was trying to keep her hope under control. He was taken. There was no way he was feeling anything but friendship and sympathy for her. Even so, as his grip on her waist tightened, and the music seemed to stretch and last for so very long, she couldn't help but let a little bit of hope come out. And a wide smile was on her face.
Greg had never felt such happiness as when he saw that smile across her face, but it was tampered by the tiny voice in the back of his mind that was reminding him that Sara was his girlfriend, not Mandy. So why…why did he suddenly have this want to hold her tightly?
These wounds won't seem to
heal.
This pain is just too real.
There's just so much that
time cannot erase.
When you cried, I'd wipe away all of your
tears…
When you'd scream, I'd fight away all of your
fears.
And I held your hand through all of these years…
But
you still have…all of me…
As Mandy listened to the words in the song that played, she could sympathise with the singer. Even though Greg was taken, and there was no way…that he would ever love her. He had all her heart locked up in his pocket, even if he didn't realise it. As the music slowly wound its way to a close, she pulled away, looking at Greg with a small smile.
I've tried so hard to tell myself that you're goneBut though you're still with me
I've been alone all along
Greg thought he could see sadness reflected in those eyes that held him so captive at times, but before he could ask what was wrong, she was turning away, and her finger was turning off the music. "Thanks Greg." With those two words, she had climbed into her car, and was turning on the engine.
"Wait!" He ran to her window, and leaned on it, to keep her from leaving, only to realise that he didn't know what he'd stopped her for. And she was watching him, waiting to see what he wanted, her heart pumping against her neck. "Uh…can I get a ride home? I'm afraid that if I'm pulled over, I can't pass a breathalyser test…"
Mandy nodded after a moment's hesitation, opening the door for him on the other side as he jumped across her hood and jumped in. "Where to?" Greg gave her the address, and she nodded, turning and heading towards where he directed.
For what seemed like a long time, silence filled the car. Finally, Greg broke it, looking at her. "I'm really sorry…about Trent…I'm serious, he's going to have a few surprises waiting for him on Monday." When she didn't respond, he reached over and gently lay his hand on hers. "Hey…look at me for a second." They were at a red light and she looked over unwillingly. "Somebody out there loves you. Just keep remembering that."
Mandy's heart jumped into her throat, reading implications and unsaid emotions in his eyes, and she quickly turned her eyes back to the road before she lost herself in his eyes. "Thanks…I bet you're glad you've got Sara, eh? I saw you two under the mistletoe tonight. I'm glad you took my advice…" Mandy said all of this in a rush, afraid to look to see his reaction.
"Oh yeah. That was great. So, for next ti –" Greg started, but stopped as Mandy shook her head. "What?" After a few seconds silence, she turned to him, her eyes hollow. They were in his driveway now, and it was time to tell him.
"I can't keep helping you. You have to figure it out on your own from now on." Mandy said, looking at him with a face that belied her words. She wanted to help him, but she couldn't do this to herself. Not anymore. Greg seemed to sense that something was hurting her about helping him. But what…she couldn't…no, that was to much to hope for. HOPE for? What are you talking about? You're taken, man, don't forget that.
"I…Okay. I guess I can muddle through on my own." Leaning forward suddenly, he paused, looking at her, then gently kissed her on the cheek. "Goodnight. See you Monday. Take care of yourself." Getting out, he walked up to his house, and waved as she disappeared down the street, wondering whether it would be easy to just clone himself. That way he wouldn't be being pulled in two ways at once.
Mandy had to stop the car once she was out of sight from Greg's house, and her hand went to her cheek. Oh no...she was lost forever. She couldn't go back, couldn't go forward without hurting Sara...couldn't just disappear. With a sad sigh, she headed towards home and bed. Maybe...somehow...she could work this out.
((I'm sorry it took so long to update guys. I actually wasn't going to update at all, but I decided that I might as well…so yeah, not a lot happened in this chapter, but I felt like…blah. I will hopefully think of something else to write soon. Sorry if it gets kind of bad near the end, I was tired. ))
