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.

Notes: Thank you, thank you RivenSky and Tripp3235! I'll be thanking everyone later, but as a note for those who have asked, 'The Reaper' is on temporary hiatus. It's going to require some intense plotting and I'm working out the details. It's not abandoned by any stretch but don't expect a new chapter soon. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 15: Us

Greg was woken again by the sound of his phone. His cell phone. Ringing persistently.

Rolling off the couch Greg groaned and stretched. It was just after four in the afternoon.

"Sanders," he answered weakly, instantly wishing he hadn't.

"Hi Greg."

"Erika," he said tightly, shaking his head.

This wasn't happening.

"I'm sorry I caught you at a bad time last night, I thought now would be better."

"Uh huh," Greg yawned, moving into the kitchen and silently cursing the call out center. That's who had given her his number. He'd have to stop by today and remind them that this was his personal phone, not for business and not to be given away.

"I was hoping you'd reconsidered my offer. Friday night."

"No, I haven't. I'm not doing this again."

Greg opened the fridge and winced. Nothing. It was nearly bare except for some questionable milk and what he thought might have once been a pear.

"I'm not asking you to sleep with me, just come to the gallery as my guest. You always cleaned up nice. When's the last time you wore a suit?"

"Court. Three weeks ago."

"For fun, Greg. For fun."

"Wearing a suit is never fun."

"So, did you tell your parents I've moved?"

"Again, why would I?"

"I just thought…"

"If you're so concerned about them knowing, tell them yourself," Greg said with a sigh.

"Do you want me too?" she asked in such a way he could picture her smug smile.

It was a challenge. Greg's parents knew Erika, knew her well. Knew her ex-husband too. They just had no idea Greg and Erika were ever involved.

"Erika, I'm getting too old for this crap. You know, once I thought it was cute or even a little intriguing. Dangerous. Now, I don't have time. Tell them if you want. Tell them everything. I'll save you the time, I'll do it. Hell, I'll call up Josh and confess. Is that what you want? Do you want me to call up your ex and tell him about all the times he was out of town?"

"Does Sara know?"

Greg paused.

"Know what?" he asked.

"About us?"

"There is no us. And why do you care if she does?"

"She seemed…interested."

"Leave her out of this," Greg said firmly, "Leave me out of it too. I mean it. I'm not playing games with you anymore."

"You use to like playing games," Erika returned and Greg was honestly relieved to hear her angry. At least that meant he was getting through to her. "You use to be fun."

"I use to be a lot of things and then I grew up. One of us had too."

"She'll never make you happy," Erika spat out, "She can't. I know you…"

"You knew me," Greg corrected. "It's been a long time."

"Three years isn't that long."

Greg felt the moment drag out. Knew he had to speak, had to say something. If he didn't, in a weird way, she'd win.

"That was a mistake."

"I don't think so."

"It was," he said as serious as he could.

"Fine. Tell yourself what you have to, but I know the truth."

"Erika," he tried to interrupt but she wasn't having it.

"I know you'll be back and I can wait."

"Whatever," Greg said shaking his head.

"I'll see you around."

Greg didn't even say goodbye, or wait for her to, just hung up the phone and put it down on the counter.

How was he supposed to deal with this?

Amy had hardly slept. When Nick came home that morning she was wide awake in front of the computer. She'd spent the night doing research on everything from pregnancy to the effects of chemicals on the fetus.

He'd convinced her to go to sleep but she'd insisted on breakfast first. She'd been reading that the best cure for morning sickness was to eat six small meals a day. Well, it was one of the things. Most of the information she'd found also said that peppermint could help. Of course, nothing was guaranteed but she was willing to try it.

Nick got undressed as Amy crawled under the sheets. She'd been in her pajamas for hours unable to sleep. When he joined her they just lay there for a minute or two not sure what to say.

"I told Greg," Nick said rolling onto his side to face her.

Amy did the same but said nothing.

"What are you thinking?" he asked her quietly, rubbing her side with his free hand.

"That I'm terrified," she answered honestly, "That I don't know how I'm going to do this. Or tell my parents. That I know nothing about babies."

"We."

Amy raised her eyebrow at him, not sure what he meant.

"We're going to do this," he said, making her smile.

Amy settled in closer, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his chest.

"It's not the end of the world, is it?" she asked. The tone of her voice getting to him, she sounded so fragile.

"No," he returned firmly. "It's not. It's definitely not. Amy this could be a great thing."

"Will you be upset?"

"About what?"

"If I am."

"No, I'll be happy."

Amy looked up at him, daring it to be true.

"I will," he said, pulling her closer, kissing her forehead and making her smile.

"What if I'm not?"

"Then you're not," he said evenly.

"So I should just stop obsessing about it until I," she stopped and corrected herself, "Until we know, right?"

"Right."

Sara took the initiative and called Greg for dinner that night. He'd sounded a bit taken back but accepted without hesitation.

Once more he picked her up at her apartment, they still had plenty of time for dinner before heading home again to change.

Sara met him at the steps and they quickly decided on sushi.

That night they sat at the bar, the service was always a bit faster there, and each ordered a roll, green tea and a seaweed salad. She the salmon skin, he the spicy shrimp.

"So how is a fish not an animal?" he asked with a smile.

"We've been through this," she shrugging, "It's just not the same. I know it's still an animal, but it doesn't bleed the same. I don't know, it's really just meat I can't…"

Sara trailed off, pulling a face and making Greg laugh.

"It's greasy, it smells, it's just not good for you."

"I get it," Greg interrupted, still laughing.

"So, what did you do today?" Sara asked after he'd finally stopped.

"Not much. I slept. I've started my masters program back up."

"Really?"

"Yeah its correspondence and self paced…"

"So you're already done," she interrupted.

Greg shrugged and tilted his head to the side, unable to deny it.

"How many classes do you have left?"

"Five after this one," he said in between bites. "I might try two again next semester; I just want to get it done."

"And then it's on to your doctorate?" Sara asked with a grin.

"Maybe."

"Good," she said still smiling.

"Well, not soon but eventually."

They finished their meal in an easy silence, making occasional small talk. They both knew that as nice as it was that they'd have to start talking about real issues soon, it just wasn't going to be tonight. Neither of them wanted to risk the good vibe they'd created with the possibility of an argument.

After dinner Greg drove Sara back to her place. Once more she'd asked him to come inside and he'd once more declined. Instead they sat in his car talking. They didn't want to quite call it a night yet. And even though they'd been seeing each other again in a few hours, it wasn't easy to just say goodbye.

So when it was time to go Greg had kissed her again. It wasn't as chaste as the previous nights had been; it was definitely more intense but still partially restrained. Barely. And he had to admit, at the moment they'd finally moved away from each other, if Sara had asked him then to go upstairs with her, he'd of gone.