Appreciation by SLynn

Summary: An art heist, an arsonist and a lot of angst. Takes place approximately four months after the end of 'Precious Things' This is the fifth in a series. Greg/Sara and Nick/OC

Spoilers: Up to 'Nesting Dolls'

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing and will return them all when I'm done, virtually untouched.

I think it's getting to the point
Where I can be myself again
I think it's getting to the point
Where we have almost made amends
I think it's the getting to the point
That is the hardest part.

'Call and Answer' by the Barenaked Ladies

Chapter 9: To the Point

Nick and Warrick had to do a double take.

They'd just come back from interviewing Stephanie Winger, the woman whose painting was stolen, and decided to stop and grab a bite to eat at the diner down the street from the lab.

In the back corner sat Sara and Greg. Alone. Talking. Seemingly enjoying themselves.

Before either of them could decide if they should approach the table or just pretend they hadn't seen anything, Greg spotted them. He said something to Sara who turned around, smiled, and waved them over.

Warrick and Nick looked at each other once before heading to them.

"Are they back together?" Warrick asked under his breath.

"News to me," Nick answered in the same manner.

Greg and Sara both smiled at them when they finally arrived.

"Hey guys, have a seat," Greg said making room on his side of the booth, Sara doing the same. "The waitress just took our orders but she should be back."

"Ecklie call you in too?" Sara asked Warrick who had sat down next to her.

"No," he answered, "Brass. We interviewed a suspect in the painting heist."

"Already?" Greg asked surprised.

"Well," Nick said shaking his head, "Potential suspect. We got to find something linking her to the scene but right now it looks like Stephanie Winger stole her own art."

"You're kidding," Sara said with a smile.

"No," Warrick said feeling a bit more at ease. He hadn't been comfortable around Greg and Sara together in while; it was a nice change. "Seems like since her painting was stolen, sales have gone through the roof."

"But nothing solid yet," Nick added, "We're getting a warrant to compel fingerprints. Grissom lifted two on the makeshift bomb. Video surveillance shows a woman dropped it off, so it may be her."

"What about in the gallery?" Greg questioned.

"A man," Warrick confirmed, "So she had help. We get her prints and she'll roll on her accomplice."

"How's that arson case going?" Nick asked now.

"Not bad," Greg said, "Nothing new."

"Ecklie called us in for an electrical fire today as some kind of sick joke," Sara added. "But we haven't gotten anything new."

The waitress came back and took Warrick and Nick's orders and soon they all had their meals. The conversation shifted from work to more general topics like books, movies and sports. It had been a long time since the four of them had sat down and talked like this, without reserve or tension.

Nick was the first to leave. Amy still wasn't feeling well and he didn't want to be gone from her long. Greg expressed concern at this but Nick told him she was alright, just a little under the weather. However, he doubted she'd be in that night. Amy was thinking she'd caught the flu and a full nights rest might just be the thing needed.

Warrick excused himself next. He had to get some sleep before coming back in that night. That and really hoping Greg and Sara might be reconciling, he thought it best to leave them alone.

Greg smiled at Sara once they were alone.

"That wasn't exactly what I had in mind when I suggested lunch."

"I kind of figured," Sara answered smiling and looking down at the table.

"So," he started lamely, "how do we do this?"

"Well," Sara said sitting back, "this wasn't a bad start. We got through a meal together."

"Yeah thanks to Nick and Warrick."

Sara shrugged. It was true. They hadn't even had a chance to talk when they'd arrived. And now that they were gone, the tension was back.

"Still," she finished.

"What do you want?" Greg asked, deciding on the direct approach. "What do you want to happen here?"

"I don't think that's my decision to make."

Greg nodded and understood. He'd called things off; he'd have to decide the terms, if there were terms. It was just all so confusing.

"Sara," he started, "I miss you. I really do but I don't know…I don't know if I could do it again."

She nodded and said nothing.

"I know we both were to blame. That I should have tried harder…"

Greg stopped and took in a shaky breath, running a hand across his forehead and looking out the window.

"No," Sara said firmly, not able to look at him either, "This was my fault. I wasn't honest with you. I should have told you before, told you at least when you asked. I'm sorry."

"No," Greg said this time, "It's not… I understand why you couldn't alright? I didn't always, but I do now. At least better then before. I don't think that's what really got to me. I don't think that was the real problem."

They were briefly interrupted by the waitress asking them if they'd like refills. Sara nodded politely and by the time she'd turned her eyes back to the table Greg had taken hold of her hand.

"What was then?" Sara asked softly, not able to look away from the sight of his fingers intertwined with hers.

"I was jealous," he answered just as softly, a blush creeping across his face, "I am jealous."

"Jealous?" she returned in disbelief, looking up to his face, to his eyes. "Why? I don't…"

They locked eyes momentarily and it dawned on her what he meant, who he meant.

"Of Grissom?" she asked leaning in.

"Who else?" he shot back because it should be obvious.

"I told you that nothing happened," she said feeling her anger rise within, "We've been over this."

"I know what you said but what am I supposed to think? What would you think if someone I said I didn't have a relationship with knew more about me then you did?"

"That's not the point," Sara said, recoiling in her seat and from his touch.

"It is," Greg countered, moving back now himself, "I had to keep hearing from him these things I should have heard from you. Why is it that he knows so much?"

Sara faltered but only momentarily.

"I'll admit that there was a time when he was who I wanted. I've known him longer then I have you Greg. When I told him about what happened when I was growing up it wasn't because I was interested in him. That I still wanted him. I had you. You were…"

"I want to believe you."

"Then believe me," she said but without pleading.

"I don't know if this was such a good idea," Greg said with a nervous laugh. "Maybe I should just go."

"No," she said catching his hand again before he could remove it from the table, "Greg, please. You were right. We need to work this out. I don't know if we can ever…that it… I want us to at least be friends again."

"Sara," he said gently squeezing her hand, "I don't think I can just be friends with you. Not after all this."

Sara shut her eyes tightly, not wanting to believe it. She'd been preaching indifference but without wanting to hear what was said. She'd known that the damage, no matter who was to blame, was extensive. That this was the only outcome but it was the first time it had sunk in.

"But I'll try."

Sara opened her eyes not sure he'd actually spoken.

"You're too important to me to just give up on," he continued looking her in the eyes. "This is too important. I can't promise you anything. I can't even promise that we can stay friends, but I can try. That I can promise."

Sara nodded and blinked back the tears that had begun to threaten her eyes.

He was right: it was a start.

Nick had driven home and had expected to find Amy sleeping. Instead he found her on the couch in front of the television staring blankly at the screen.

He came over and sat down beside her and she rested her head on his shoulder.

"I love this movie."

"Amy," he questioned, "are you okay?"

"I'm feeling better," she said with a sigh. "Whatever it was I think it's finally passing."

Nick nodded and slid down further into the couch. As he did Amy leaned on him further, nestling down into his arms. He absentmindedly began to run his hand through her hair which was rarely down like she had it now.

"What is this?" he asked after watching for a few minutes in silence.

"Pride and Prejudice."

"Good," Nick said with a short nod, "I needed to get some sleep."

Amy turned her face to him and caught his smile before lightly tapping him on the chest.

"You never like my movies."

"That's because I watch movies for entertainment, as an escape. You watch them for…"

"The storylines?" she questioned with an arched smile.

Nick laughed and shrugged his shoulders before squeezing her gently.

"You really feeling better?" he asked after another pause.

"Yeah," she said with a nod. "I was thinking we could get a late dinner before we went in to work."

Nick nodded and rested his head on hers. Content for the time being to watch her movie.

"So how long is this?" he asked after half an hour of rolling English countryside and women talking about men they pretended not to be interested in.

"Five hours."

"No seriously," Nick said with a laugh.

Amy just tilted her head up and gave him a look that said she was serious.

"Five hours?"

"Yeah," she said looking back at the screen.

Nick sighed and settled back in beside her.

It looked like he was going to get that nap after all.