Disclaimer: It's not mine, I just enjoy messing with their lives!
A/N: Hello everyone, thanks for the reviews! I'm glad you're enjoying it, cause I'm having a blast writing it. And just to re-cap; I know I've taken author's liberties with things like Greg coming from a wealthy family, what his family's like, what Sara's family's like, where Greg lives, and their pets. Secondly, I know one or two people commented that Sara wouldn't be so open about her family, but I'm going to say that with counseling, she's learning to be more open. I also know that how they'll be acting in this chapter and some of the things they're doing aren't really in character for them. There's a part later on that talks a little bit about that. Also, one of the reasons I'm writing this is simply for fun, for me, not because I'm dying to write the perfect, most in-character, CSI fanfic.
A/N 2: This chapter is dedicated to ScarletRose4 for correcting me last chapter. I said the "Love" verses were from 1 Corinthians, 1: 1-13. They're really from 1 Corinthians, 13: 4-7, plus some other, non-bible verses added on to the end. So thanks again ScarletRose4. Anyways, thanks for reading these author notes, now onto the chapter!
A Marriage of Convenience?
Chapter Three
"Good job Greg," Sara complimented him on the case they had just wrapped up as they climbed into his car to drive home.
"You too, vennen min," he complimented right back, the endearment slipping out before he could stop it.
"Vennen min, what's that?" Sara questioned.
"Darling, more or less," Greg said, fighting a blush. "It's a term of endearment pretty much."
"Darling, hmm?" Sara looked at him curiously.
"Ah well, you know," was all Greg said, and Sara decided to stop tormenting him.
"So, I'll see you tomorrow morning, around nine?" Sara asked as he pulled up in front of her apartment complex.
"Yeah," Greg nodded. "Hey, do you want me to come over later to help you box anything up?"
"Uh sure, if you want," Sara shrugged. "Come over about five. I'll order pizza."
"Okay, see you then."
"Bye," Sara started to get out of the car, but was stopped by Greg.
"Hey!" He called, indignation in his voice.
"What?"
"Where's my good-bye kiss, oh lovely wife of mine?" Greg put on an innocent face. Truth be told, he was taking advantage of the fact that they were married, and abusing it all he could.
"Sorry kjære," Sara smirked, and leaned in to give a quick peck on the lips to a surprised Greg. He didn't think she'd actually do it. "See ya tonight."
"See ya," he said, overcoming his surprise as he watched her walk away, then thought of something. "How'd she know 'dear' in Norwegian?"
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"So where should I start?" Greg questioned after they finished the veggie lover's pizza.
"If you'll work on the living room here, I think I'll get started in my bedroom," Sara suggested, pointing to some boxes. "Books and journals, the knick-knacks on the shelves, those sort of things."
"Sounds good," Greg took a box and walked over to the bookcase and began filling it up.
"Hey, is there going to be room for all my stuff, or do I need to separate some to go into storage?" Sara questioned.
"My townhouse is a fairly large one, as townhouses go. I've got one room that's pretty empty on the main floor we can convert into a library. Then there's the guest bedroom and your bedroom to also put things in. And if you there's not enough room, my attic has space."
"My bedroom?"
"Yeah. I figured you'd want your own bedroom," Greg shrugged. "We're married, but only in the most technical sense you know? I didn't want you to feel like you had to sleep with me. Not that we'd be sleeping together, but we'd be asleep in the same bed together…and I sound like an idiot, so I'm gonna shut up before my mouth gets me into more trouble."
"Good idea Gregers," Sara said with raised eyebrows.
"You're like a dog with a bone about that name," he grumbled as Sara turned to go.
"Hey, can we get one?" Sara asked suddenly, turning around.
"Get one what?" Greg looked at her confused.
"A dog. I've always wanted one, but my apartment complex didn't allow them."
"What about Belladonna?"
"Oh she'll adjust," Sara said dismissively. "So can we?"
"Uh sure," Greg shrugged, moving onto another box.
"Awesome!" Sara smiled brightly, and finally went into her room.
They worked for several hours, stopping about midnight. Greg had finished the living room and had started on the kitchen, packing up the cookware and pots and pans and utensils. He also packed up the dishes, silverware, and cups, promising to take Sara out for breakfast so she wouldn't have to worry about using paper plates or anything like that. Sara had packed her clothes away into suitcases so they'd be easily un-packable later on. She also boxed up the various knick-knacks in her room, like pictures of her family and friends and her jewelry box. She also went through the linen closet, tossing out old towels and sheets and things, only packing up the ones she really liked. She and Greg had decided to go shopping for a lot of things to make the house comfortable for both of them.
"I think that's a good start," Sara commented, surveying the much barer apartment. "Tomorrow I'll pack up the bathroom stuff and any other last minute things. I'm glad I don't have to worry about furniture and all. That would make this take even longer."
"And then we'll move it over to my place," Greg looked around too. His house already had furnishings, and he had said if she didn't like anything, they could just buy some new stuff.
So with a quick good-bye, Greg left for his townhouse and fell into bed exhausted. Sara, back at her apartment, did the same thing. A quarter to nine, Greg arrived back at Sara's and they went out for coffee and pastries at a little breakfast café Sara knew, and then back to her house to load up boxes into their SUV's. It took them quite a few trips to take all the boxes over to Greg's house and inside.
"How about a tour?" Greg suggested as they took the last load of boxes inside to the living room.
"Sure."
"Okay. Obviously, this is the living room, now library. The other room to the right of the front door is the kitchen. There's a half bathroom, and the door next to it leads to the basement which I've converted into a home theatre. It's got a widescreen TV, video game systems and games, and a stereo and all my c.d.'s and stuff. And that over there is the dining room," Greg pointed out the rooms before they went upstairs. "On to the these rooms. This is my bedroom, with a full bathroom. Your room is next to mine, with another full bath across the hall. Next to the bath is the guest room, and there's a really big closet where I keep all the extra linens and towels and things. That door at the end of the hallways leads up to the attic."
"Cool."
"So do you want to un-pack, or do you want to go get lunch and check at the SPCA?" Greg asked, and before Sara could answer, her stomach gave a rumble.
"Food and the dog, definitely," Sara blushed, slightly ashamed.
"All right, works for me," Greg skipped back out to his car, Sara following calmly behind.
"So what type of dog should we get? And do we want a puppy or an adult?" Sara asked once they were seated in a booth at McDonalds. They had decided to just junk it for lunch.
"Puppies take a lot of work, so I don't think that'd be a good idea with our schedules and all," Greg thought about it. "And I don't want a dog that's really old, so maybe a one or two year old dog."
"That's what I was thinking. Now what type of dog do we want to get? Big or small?"
"I think I'd be happy with whatever, but smaller dogs seem to be yappier to me, so I'd like a bigger one. What about you?"
"Big!" Sara said so enthusiastically that Greg almost shot soda out of his nose. "I always wanted a big dog growing up. One of those that I could rough house with and hug, and not worry about hurting."
"Well, let's go see what the SPCA has," Greg said as they threw away their trash and climbed back into the car, Sara driving this time. "And hey, we don't have to get a dog today. We can always check back in a few weeks and look then."
"I know," Sara said as she pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road.
"Hey Sara," Greg said after a few minutes of silence, except for the radio.
"Yeah?"
"You know that black and white policeman's ball coming up?"
"Yeah," she nodded.
"Two questions," Greg started. "Number one, do you wanna go with me, and number two, what the heck is a black and white ball?"
"Yes I'd be happy to go with you," Sara laughed. "And I'm surprised you don't know, since your parents were important officials. Anyways, at a black and white ball, you can only wear black and white. For men, that typically means a tux, and for us ladies, we get to find horrendous dresses in black, white, or black and white."
"Well I've already got a tuxedo. Will it matter if it's a really expensive Armani one?"
"No, you'll put everyone to shame with it. Most guys just rent them," Sara glanced over, impressed.
"Okay. Hey! Does this mean you're going to wear a really, really, really sexy dress!" Greg asked excitedly.
"I'll be wearing a formal gown yes, but I don't know about sexy," Sara rolled her eyes as she pulled into the lot of the SPCA. "I have to go buy a dress."
"Can I come?"
"No," Sara said with her signature smile. "It has to be a surprise."
"Damn," he pouted, but quickly smiled as they entered the air-conditioned building.
"Hello, may I help you?" a bubbly older woman greeted them.
"Yes, my husband and I would like to adopt a dog," Sara replied, surprising herself with how…right…it felt to say 'husband' out loud.
"Well come right this way!" The woman led them through a door, down a hallway, and into a large room with kennels around the edge of the room and two rows down the middle. "Look around. On each cage is a card that tells a little about the dog. If you have any questions, or would like to see a dog, I'll be waiting right here."
"Okay, thanks," Greg nodded, and he and Sara headed to the right and began looking at the dogs. "What about that one?"
"No way, it looks like a mop!" Sara said with a very un-Sara like giggle. They passed a few more cages. "How about that one?"
"Nah, it reminds me of Warrick's hair," Greg said, looking at the poodle. They continued to walk, now in between the two inner rows. "Maybe that one?"
"Definitely not, just look at that hair! We'd be brushing it everyday for hours," Sara shook her head as they continued walking.
"That one," Greg said pointing, his eyes lighting up at the big dog. It was a 103 pound, male, chocolate Labradoodle according to the sign. His name was Duke, and he had just turned one, coincidentally, on November 14th, their wedding day. Another note on the card informed them that since he was part poodle, he wouldn't shed, and that he had also been house-trained.
"He's perfect," Sara finished. "Excuse me, ma'am?"
"Yes?" the woman named Elsie walked down to where they were.
"Is there is dog run where we can take him and play with him, get to know him a little better?" Sara asked.
"Of course," Elsie replied, grabbing a leash and hooking it onto the dog's collar. "Right this way."
"Look at him go," Greg laughed as he threw a ball for Duke. Elsie had gone back to wait by the entrance to the dog run to give them privacy to talk.
"He keeps tripping over his paws," Sara joined in laughing as Duke came running back at her, falling into her legs.
"Oops, careful there vennen min," Greg snaked his arms around her waist, keeping her upright while she regained her footing.
"Thanks," Sara gave him an awkward smile as he threw the ball again. "Does this seem weird at all to you?"
"What?" Greg turned to look at her.
"The fact that two days ago we got married, today we moved in together, and now we are considering buying a dog together?" Sara wondered. "And the fact that it feels so comfortable? Not at all awkward like I thought it would be?"
"Nope," Greg turned back to the dog, not looking at her. "Well, I guess, yeah it's a little weird, considering how fast it all happened, and the fact that we never dated, fell in love, had an engagement period, and whatever. But if you take that out of the picture, this is always how I pictured my marriage to be. Happy and comfortable. So I guess I just don't want to analyze any of this. I just want to enjoy it for now, and see where it goes. Cause even though we're not a typical married couple, we are married. So I don't see anything wrong with how everything's going."
"Oh," Sara thought about what he said, crouching down to rub the dog's silky, wavy fur.
"And you know," Greg spoke up again, sounding so serious that Sara looked back up at him. "Maybe this is a sign, I mean, we've had a lot of 'em it seems. First me and my mother, than you and your brother. Isn't it convenient how we both needed this to get us out of a tricky situation? You don't know this, but when I bought our rings, they were already the perfect size, no adjustments needed. And how about when we kissed? I know I wasn't the only one who felt sparks at that. And like you just stated, about the fact that moving in together and buying this dog seems so right. Maybe someone or something up above is trying to help us see what we've been too blind to."
"Maybe so," was all Sara would say, but Greg could see that his words had made her think.
"Have you made a decision?" Elsie came over a few minutes later. Greg and Sara looked at each other and nodded.
"We'll take him!" Sara announced happily.
They went back inside and Duke was taken by an employee to get cleaned up while Sara and Greg filled out paperwork for the dog. Sara felt a thrill at signing her name 'Sara Sanders' for the first time. They were given a booklet on how to care for a dog, and a rope to use for a leash until they bought one. Conveniently, there was a Petsmart just down the road, and once they had loaded Duke into the back of the Tahoe, that's where they went.
Inside the store, the first thing Greg and Sara did was to pick out a collar and a leash. Greg managed convinced Sara that a lime green collar with spaceships on it and matching leash were perfect for Duke, saying that the dog was out of this world. They also put in an order for a dog tag with his name on it. They decided to keep his name as Duke, so as not confuse him by changing it. After getting the collar and leash, they spent the next hour wandering around picking out toys, dishes, food, and a few other accessories for the dog before checking out and heading home.
"Let me find Belladonna and introduce them to each other," Sara said upon arrival back at the house.
"Should I just hold him, or let him go?" Greg asked once she returned back with the cat in her arms.
"Hold him for now, at least until we see how they get along," Sara set her cat down, and moved back.
Belladonna stared at Duke, who cocked his head to the side before giving a single bark and wagging his tail. Belladonna moved closer and began to sniff at his feet, while Duke sniffed her all over. When he sniffed her tail though, she promptly smacked his nose with a paw before twisting through his front legs, purring.
"Well I guess they're going to be friends," Greg said with a relieved smile.
"You know what I realized?" Sara commented after they showed Duke around the house, more specifically his dog bed which would be in the living room corner.
"What?" Greg said with a smile as they watched Duke plop unceremoniously onto the bed and for all appearances go to sleep. Belladonna came over and curled up next to his stomach.
"I need to fill out a change of name and change of address form at work."
"Yeah, you're not a Sidle anymore," realization dawned on Greg. "You've joined the illustrious Sanders family!"
"Poor me," Sara said teasingly.
"More like poor me," Greg teased back, and received a punch to the shoulder. "Ouch, not nice."
"Oh I didn't hurt you."
"No, but my pride is," Greg put on a pitiful pout.
"Well I'm sure it'll be fine after some sleep. Don't forget, we have work tonight," Sara pointed out as she started to leave the room, but something on the wall caught her eye. "Hey Greg?"
"Yeah."
"What's that?" Sara pointed to a framed certificate on the wall.
"My diploma for my Ph. D. in Molecular Biology from UNLV," he said. "I finished it up taking classes part time, a few months ago in May."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?"
"Didn't think it mattered," Greg shrugged. "I mean, I don't think it's that big of a deal, and I'm kinda private about stuff like that. I mean, would you tell anyone if you got one?"
"You're right, I didn't," Sara admitted. "I got mine in Physics from UNLV too, last year."
"Hee hee, cool," Greg laughed. "We're both Dr. Sanders."
"Very observant Greg," Sara rolled her eyes, and turned toward the steps, but before she could, there was a knock on the door.
"Good afternoon Dr. Sanders," the elderly woman standing on the other side greeted Greg. Sara smiled at her heavy southern accent.
"Good afternoon Ms. Wilkinson," Greg opened the door wider and motioned for her to come inside. "How are you doing today?"
"Fair middlin' and yourself boy?"
"I'm doing great. Was there something you needed Ms. Wilkinson?"
"Just to meet this lovely young creature here," she pointed at Sara with her cane tip. "She's new, and so's the dog."
"Ms. Wilkinson, this is my wife, Dr. Sara Sanders, and our dog Duke," Greg introduced her. "Sara, this is our neighbor to the right, Eliza Wilkinson."
"Hi," Sara said, smiling a little awkwardly. "It's nice to meet you Ms. Wilkinson."
"She's a keeper," Eliza said conspiratorially to Greg as she squinted at Sara. "She won't take none of your sass."
"Trust me, I'm already well aware of that," Greg laughed, kissing the woman's offered cheek.
"Well congratulations you two," she turned to the door, calling over her shoulder. "Pleasant making your acquaintance Mrs. Sanders!"
"You too!" Sara called back as Greg closed the door behind her.
"She's taken it upon herself even since I moved in to look after me. She's also the East Water's community gossip queen. By this time tomorrow, the whole neighborhood will know about us."
"Great."
"Sorry, but she's harmless really. She's just lonely since her husband died a few years back. Hey, maybe we can just take her over to the crime lab and have her tell the guys!"
"Funny kjære, but really, we've got to get some sleep or even your coffee won't help us stay awake tonight."
"I know," Greg sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. "Do you need some help making up your bed?"
"It's all right," Sara declined. "You go ahead to bed, it'll only take me a minute."
"All righty then, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite," Greg leaned forward and pecked her on the cheek before dashing upstairs, taking them two at a time.
Sara shook her head, thinking she had married a boy instead of a man. Walking upstairs, she went into her bedroom, which was located next to Greg's, and quickly found the box with her sheets. Opening it, she made up her bed, threw on some pajamas, and climbed in, setting her alarm clock to go off at seven o'clock so she'd have enough time to get up, shower, get dressed, eat, and get to work by her usual nine p.m.
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"Hey guys," Greg greeted, waltzing into the break room with about twenty minutes to spare. He promptly sat himself on the couch next to Sara and turned so his head was in her lap.
"Comfortable Greg?" Catherine watched, amused.
"Very much so," he replied. "Hey Sara."
"What Greg?" She looked down at him with an indulgent smile on her face.
"I was just wondering, are you tired, cause you've been running through my mind all day!" Greg smiled sweetly up at her, and she smiled right back, just as sweetly, before shoving him off her lap.
"That was beyond cheesy man," Nick shook his head as he walked in, Warrick right behind him.
"Yeah, you need to learn to be smooth with the women," Warrick said, seating himself next to Catherine.
"Hey, no women can resist my charms!" Greg protested, pushing himself into a one-kneed position before Sara. "Watch this."
"Okay Romeo, give it your best shot," Sara rolled her eyes, as did Catherine while Warrick and Nick were fighting back laughs.
"You want Romeo, I can give you that," his eyes lit up as he began to recite. "O she doth teach the torches to burn bright! It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night, like a rich jewel in a Ethiop's ear; beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear! So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, as yonder lady o'er her fellows shows. The measure done, I'll watch her place of stand, hand, and touching hers, make blessed my rude. Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night. My Juliet, I beg of you to accept my invitation to the forthcoming black and white ball."
"Okay," Sara laughed when she saw Nick and Warrick suddenly sober up.
"What? You're actually going to go with him?" Nick asked, surprised.
"Can you blame me? He was Romeo," Sara pretended to sigh as if she were hopelessly in love. "Besides, now I won't get stuck going by myself."
"Maybe Shakespeare knew what he was doing after all, huh guys?" Greg stood up and strutted around the room, chest puffed out.
"Shakespeare is a man of incomparable stature," Grissom stated, walking into the room. "Only one assignment, everyone's on it. Looks like a burglary turned homicide/suicide. Two victims; one adult and one teen. House near Lake Mead. Let's go."
"You gonna be all right?" Sara asked Greg, knowing he didn't like seeing kids or teens as the victims. Especially since that one case they did with the emaciated kids locked in that basement.
"Yeah," he nodded, but still looked uneasy.
"Well, come ride with me anyways," Sara insisted as they exited the building.
"All right," Greg agreed. He knew Sara was doing it because he'd probably let himself get too emotionally evolved. He knew that she was doing it because he'd probably become upset and too unsettled to drive safely too. He knew she was doing it to protect him, and while he hated the fact that everyone did it cause he was the rookie, he could handle it from her. And the thought that she might be doing it because she cared, well, that only made him feel less anxious about the impending scene.
A/N: Hey everyone. There's chapter three. I thought it was fun, what with the cute 'pet names' for each other, all the moving, the dog, and the dance invitation using Shakespeare. I love Shakespeare! And before anyone comments that a cat and dog would never get along immediately like that, mine did. That's where I'm basing that off of. As always, reviews are appreciated and the next chapter will be up in a week or so.