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.
Chapter 10: Girl Talk
It was probably the best Sara had felt in a long time.
She went into work that night, if not really elated, as close as was possible given the circumstances. Greg wasn't just willing to try, he wanted to and that meant more to her then she thought it could. She was even smiling at techs and earning odd looks of suspicion in return.
She couldn't help it though.
Coming into the break room she immediately saw Amy and it was the first frown she'd worn in hours.
"I thought Nick said you were calling in sick," she asked putting her snack into the fridge.
"I should have," Amy said with her head resting in her hands, bent over on the couch. "I don't know what hit me. I was fine all day, through dinner and about twenty minutes ago it just hit me."
Sara saw how pale she'd gotten and was concerned.
"Where's Nick?" she asked.
"He and Warrick got called out."
Sara put her hand on the back of her neck.
"You don't have a fever."
"I know," Amy groaned, "I think it might be what I ate. We went out to dinner and I had fish and…"
She looked up sharply at Sara and literally turned green.
"Go," Sara said, helping her to her feet and following Amy as she ran down the hall.
Sara got there just after she did and missed her getting sick in the nearest available toilet.
"Oh God," Amy said obviously still feeling bad.
Sara went to the sink and wet several paper towels before joining her just outside the stall.
"I think you should go home."
Amy, still a bit unsteady, got to her feet and leaned into the wall and nodded her agreement.
"Nick didn't have the fish did he?"
"No," Amy answered taking the offered paper towels and wiping her face.
She was still too afraid of being sick again to move very far from the toilet.
"I don't think I'll ever eat again," Amy said after flushing the contents, making Sara chuckle.
"But this has been going on for few days' right?" Sara asked, "Could it be the flu?"
"I don't know what it is," Amy admitted.
"Maybe you're pregnant."
Amy and Sara both turned at the sound of a new voice joining their conversation.
"Jacqui?" Sara questioned, peering out and around the stall.
The toilet two stalls down flushed and Jacqui stepped out moments later, walking to the sink to wash her hands.
"Why would you say that?" Amy asked, moving out around Sara and sounding shocked.
"Because sweetie, you've been throwing up every night for a week."
"Really?" Sara questioned turning to her now.
"It's the flu," Amy said firmly.
"Or morning sickness," Jacqui returned.
"It's eleven o'clock at night," Amy tried.
"I thought I read you can get morning sickness at any time," Sara added.
"Who has morning sickness?" came a fourth voice from the door, Catherine.
"Oh God," Amy said, turning around and stepping back into the stall in an effort to hide.
"Amy does," Jacqui answered.
"Shut up," Amy said loudly, "I do not. I have the flu."
"Tired, nauseous, mood swings?" Catherine questioned, leaning against the sink near Jacqui.
"I don't have mood swings," Amy said, shaking her head. "Besides, we're careful. It's not like…"
Jacqui and Catherine were laughing now, causing her to stop.
"I got pregnant with Lindsey being 'careful'," Catherine said still chuckling.
"Nothing's one hundred percent but well, you know," Jacqui said, smiling as well. "And we pretty much know that, well, you know."
Sara was trying not to smile as she looked down, knowing without looking that Amy was beet red by now.
The door swung open again and the four of them grew quiet.
Gretchen.
She gave them all odd looks as if to question why they'd all be standing around in the ladies room before going to the mirror and fixing her hair. She did that at least four times a night.
Once she was done she turned back around and stood there, leaning back like Catherine and Jacqui were and looking at Sara. Amy had shut the door on her stall when she'd heard the main door open.
"What's going on?" she asked as casually as she could.
"Nothing," Jacqui said, turning back around and washing her hands again.
Catherine shook her head 'no' as well. Sara just looked away.
"Oh," Gretchen said, pushing off of the sink and moving towards the door, "I see. I thought you were talking about Sanders' new girlfriend but I guess I was wrong."
Sara fixed her with a glare that most people found intimidating but Gretchen didn't seem to mind.
"Greg doesn't have a new girlfriend," she said firmly.
"Sure he does," Gretchen said nonchalantly, "He's talking with her now in Grissom's office. Alone. I saw him sign her in. That doctor from the gallery right? Tall, blond, typical. Men are dogs and he's no exception."
"Alright ladies," Catherine said stepping between them as Sara had begun to step forward. "I think that's enough chit-chat before shift. We all have work to do."
Gretchen shrugged and was gone.
"You okay?" Catherine asked Sara directly.
"Yeah," she answered shaking her head. "I'm just…"
Sara turned away in time to see Amy swing the stall door back open.
Nick had told Amy about Sara and Greg's lunch that day. They'd both had hopes that things were working out between them.
Looking at Sara now it was easy to see how much Sara still cared. Amy saw the emotion on her face, how close it was to the surface and did what she did naturally. She went over and hugged her.
Sara was only momentarily surprised, laughed and cried at once but only briefly.
"See," Amy said over her shoulder at the other two women, "This is a mood swing."
All four of them laughed and the mood was effectively lightened.
Sara moved away from Amy, honestly not use to other people caring so much, and gave her a weak smile.
"Alright," Jacqui said patting Sara on the back, "I've got fingerprints to run. Amy take it easy. Sara, chin up. See you ladies later."
Catherine turned to them now, still concerned.
"Are you really okay?" she asked Sara again.
This time she just nodded and Catherine took it for what it was, smiling and moving away. She said goodbye to them both with some parting words in jest to Amy about folic acid.
Sara moved to the sink and washed her face. Amy did the same, rinsing her mouth as well.
"Gretchen is full of it," Amy said, leaning over the sink once more, a wave nausea sweeping back over her.
"I know," Sara said with an easy nod.
"I should get to work or home," Amy said moving uneasily back and forth.
"Are you going to take a test?" Sara questioned.
Amy shook her head, not as a negative but in sheer disbelief.
"I don't know," Amy finally said, "I mean…"
"Is it…I mean, you're not late are you?"
Amy stopped and gave her an odd smile.
"Are you?" Sara repeated in shock.
"Two weeks," Amy answered, "but it could be stress right? Or if I am sick…"
Amy trailed off knowing where it was heading too.
"What am I going to do?" she asked herself out loud.
"Find out first," Sara advised. "Talk to Nick. It'll be fine."
"Don't tell anyone about me being late, okay?" Amy pleaded, "I know Jacqui and Cath were teasing and they won't say anything but if they knew that, they might talk more freely and…"
"Don't worry," Sara said evenly. "I won't. But let me know how it turns out. If you need any help."
"Thanks," Amy said nodding.
"I've got to get to the staff meeting," Sara said, taking a deep breath. "Should I let Nick know you need a ride or…"
"No," Amy answered, "I think I'm better now. I'll be okay. Thanks."
Sara smiled and they both headed out the door together. They parted at the break room as Amy moved on to the lab. Sara was surprised to see she was the only one there.
"Sara," Warrick called from the door.
She looked up and held up her hands questioningly.
"We're in Grissom's office tonight."
Sara nodded and knew they wouldn't be alone.
Preparing herself for it, actually glad for once Gretchen had run her mouth, Sara followed Warrick down the hall.
She was ready.