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 everyone for the congrats! My family and I are very excited.
Chapter 22: Into the Night
Sara jolted awake and looked around the pitch black room.
"Go back to sleep," Greg mumbled, gently pulling her back into his arms. "I set the alarm."
"I'm just not used to being asleep this late," Sara said, still sounding on edge.
Greg laughed softly against her neck, arms wrapped around her waist.
"Why is that funny?" she asked, casting him a look over her shoulder.
"Because it's so you," he answered, pulling her closer and kissing the top of her spine. "You need to relax. We're not going to be late."
"I know," she protested, making him laugh again.
"Yeah, but you're thinking it right?"
Sara didn't answer him, just tried not to think about it. Her silence just provoked Greg further.
"Are you worried that we'll fall asleep again? Wondering if I set the alarm for a.m. or p.m.? That we'll end up four hours late and…"
Sara sat up and looked at the clock, unable to take it any more.
It was just after ten. They still had plenty of time before they had to be at the lab.
Greg sat up next to her and smiled.
"I told you," he said, kissing her on the cheek and lying back down.
"I can't help it," she commented, letting her head rest against his chest.
Greg said nothing, just enjoyed the sensation of being close to her.
"What time did you set it to go off for?" Sara asked after a pause.
"Ten-thirty," he answered, running a hand through her hair. "That gives us an hour to get ready and get going. Plenty of time."
Sara nodded gently and he smiled, finally feeling the tension leave her body as she sunk further into him.
"Um," Sara said after a pause, tentatively, "at the risk of sounding pathetic…what exactly does this mean?"
Greg tilted his head to look into her eyes with an inquisitive expression on his face.
"I mean," Sara clarified, "this…is this just…"
"No," Greg cut in, understanding what she was saying. "No Sara, it's not…it's not. I mean I know we still have some things to work out but I'm…I'm…I'm really fumbling horribly for words right now…"
Sara laughed and Greg gave her a weak smile.
"I think I understand."
"Good," he said, obviously relieved. "I just don't know if this is too soon or not soon enough."
"I think we're doing fine," Sara said, rubbing her hand across his chest.
"So if I asked you to move back in…"
"That might be rushing things."
"What if I asked you to spend every day and night with me?" Greg asked, not giving up that quickly.
Sara laughed softly.
"We can stay here or at your place," he continued.
Sara was still laughing. She knew he was being at least partially serious, but couldn't help it. He had a way of taking serious subjects and making them sound anything but.
"Okay, okay," he relented, "at least spend tomorrow with me."
"That sounds good," she said, leaning up and kissing him.
For a moment they just lay there in silence. Content to just be close to each other.
"Are we really okay?" Greg asked.
"Yeah," Sara answered. "I think so."
"Are you sure you don't want to move back in?"
Sara turned and propped herself up so that she could once more look in his eyes.
"I just," he continued, "I don't want to be apart from you anymore."
"Neither do I."
"Then move in," he said with a laugh, like it was the easiest thing in the world.
"I would," Sara said firmly, "I really would Greg but I'm just worried that…"
"That I'll change my mind?" he asked as a joke.
"Yes."
Greg stared at her in disbelief. He knew how hurt he'd been but he hadn't realized until now how hurt she'd been as well.
"I'm not going to change my mind."
Sara and Greg made it into work on time that night, driving in together in her car. They'd agreed to spend the next day at her place, so Greg had packed a bag to take with him.
They went straight to the break room only to find Amy on her cell phone sitting at the table, obviously not able to get a word in. Nick was directly across from her, holding her hand; it was the only support he could offer.
Greg and Sara sat down on the couch and continued to talk softly to each other, trying not to cause a disturbance.
After a few minutes Amy finally said she 'had to go' and hung up with a quick 'goodbye'. Sighing, she shut the phone and set it on the table.
"She's unbelievable," Amy finally said.
"She'll come around," Nick offered, squeezing her hand.
"I doubt it," Amy continued, looking down as she spoke. "She's just…I…I can't even…"
Amy trailed off and seemed to notice that they weren't alone any more. She gave Greg and Sara a weak smile and they each said hello in return.
"How are you feeling?" Greg asked.
"Better," Amy answered with a nod. "The vitamins help. They help a lot but I'm still dragging. And wearing that mask in the lab is driving me nuts."
Greg laughed, understanding. He'd hardly ever worn one inside the lab because it seemed to restrict his breathing and made him feel even more claustrophobic than before.
Grissom and Catherine made their way into the room and Amy excused herself to the lab. They had a new arson case. Grissom wanted Sara, Nick and Greg to go investigate it right away. This time the fire was at an abandoned house and had failed to start. The arsonist had fled the scene before the police could apprehend him, but because the building had not burned down this was going to be their best chance to collect evidence.
The three of them made their way to the locker room to gather their things, talking and laughing as they went.
Nick stopped to say goodbye to Amy while Greg stopped to get a new memory card for his camera. In the meantime Sara signed out a vehicle and headed to the garage. Nick and Greg soon joined her and, after stowing their things, got inside. Sara drove while Greg rode shotgun. Nick didn't complain, just got into the back seat behind Sara.
"I called Charlie," Greg said as soon as they'd pulled out of the garage. "He's still at the scene but most of the other officers have left now."
"Did he think this one was real?" Sara asked.
"Yeah," Greg answered. "He did an initial sweep. Said you can smell the kerosene and that there were newspapers left just like the last few."
"Maybe we'll get lucky this time and we'll get some prints," Nick offered.
"We're going to need more than luck," Sara returned.
"Can we stop for coffee?"
Sara and Nick both gave Greg a look to which he shrugged.
"What?" he questioned. "I'm thirsty and tired. I need coffee."
Sara smiled and shook her head.
"You should have stopped on the way in to work then," Nick said with a laugh.
"I wanted to but Sara…"
Greg stopped abruptly and looked out the passenger's side window, thinking he'd said too much. He'd talked to Nick before about the fact that he and Sara were fixing things between them, but he didn't really know how Sara felt about others knowing. Nick didn't say anything, just kept quiet, not wanting to embarrass either of them.
"If we'd have stopped we'd have been late," Sara said after a slight pause. "Plus you wanted to go to that coffee shop clear across town."
Greg turned and smiled at her.
"I like their coffee."
Sara smiled back at him.
"I know you do."
"Okay," Nick said after clearing his throat, "not to interrupt this moment you two are having, but Sara that light has been green for half a minute now."
Sara's face flushed in the darkness of the cab as she moved through the intersection. It wasn't long after that she felt Greg take hold of her free hand and squeeze it once before intertwining his fingers with hers. He didn't let go until she stopped the SUV for good. Nick, if he noticed, didn't say anything about it.
When they pulled up at the scene Charlie was alone.
"I didn't expect half the lab," he said upon seeing all three of them there.
"Well," Greg said with a smile, "it's your lucky night. Not only do you get half the lab, but you get the best half."
Charlie laughed and after they'd retrieved their cases began to relate the details of the case.
"Got a call tonight about a possible fire," he said. "By the time emergency personnel made it here it had burnt itself out. Neighbor called it in but didn't see anyone at the house. This place has been deserted for at least five or six years but is finally back on the market."
"Kind of secluded for a neighbor to see a fire," Nick questioned, "isn't it?"
"That's what I thought," Charlie said with a nod. "The neighbor, James Dirk, lives further down the road. He was on his way home at the time. He's worth looking into."
"So," Sara asked, "how do we want to do this?"
Greg and Nick looked once at each other and then back to her.
"I'll take the outside," Nick finally said. "If Charlie doesn't mind sticking around, he can give me a hand."
"That's why I'm here," he agreed with a nod.
"So that leaves you and me the inside," Sara said, turning to Greg.
They both looked up at the house. It was fairly big, two stories even, but completely rundown.
"I'm ready," Greg said.
With that and a reminder to stay in touch via cell phone, Sara and Greg said a quick 'goodbye' to Charlie and Nick and headed inside.
The night was going to be longer than any of them could imagine.