Disclaimer: It's not mine, I just enjoy messing with underpants…I mean, lives! I mean I enjoy messing with their lives. Hee hee, slip up!

A/N: Hello again to all you lovely little CSI fanfic obsessed computer zombies! How's it going? Good, good, glad to hear it. Anywho, thanks as always for the reviews! For those who asked, you'll find out about Sara's Norwegian knowledge in this chapter (I took liberties, again), and in this chapter I use a little bit of Norwegian (with English translations after). I do not claim to know Norwegian, I used a translator, so the syntax probably isn't correct. Anyone who does speak it, and would like to correct me, please do!

A/N 2: Here's a poll: Do you want the team to find out about their marriage sooner (like the next chapter or two), or later (like after Thanksgiving or Christmas)? And I welcome any input as to when or how they find out. I've got a couple of ideas, but it's always nice to see if anyone has similar thoughts. So let me know in a review or e-mail what you think. Now that that's done, on to the chapter!

A Marriage of Convenience?

Chapter Four

"What do we got Jim?" Grissom asked as he and his team arrived at the crime scene and got out of their Tahoe's.

"Neighbor called it in, heard shots," Brass began walking to the house. "One Mary Beth Watson, age seventy four. Shot once in the chest. Other vic was Carly Black, gunshot to the temple. Next to her was a bag filled with some silver pieces, some c.d.'s and some DVD's. Best guess? Girl was robbing the place, Watson heard her and came downstairs. She was probably startled and shot her, then felt guilty and shot herself."

"Time of death?" Nick asked, seeing David waiting near the coroner's van for them to process the body.

"David said about three hours," Brass said after flipping through his notes.

"Okay, where are the neighbors?" Warrick asked.

"Kevin Marsh lives to the right of the victim, he was the one to call it in," Brass gestured to where a middle-aged, balding, gentleman was leaning against the hood of a police car, being questioned. He then shifted and pointed to where another officer was standing with a young couple. "The neighbors on the left are over there. They just got back from vacation an hour ago."

"All right, Catherine, you've got the neighbors," Grissom began assigning them their individual tasks. "Nick, you've got the outside. Warrick, you take the teen. Greg, work with Warrick. Sara, you're with me on the woman, now let's go."

"I'll take pictures?" Sara questioned as they entered the house.

"Sure," Grissom agreed, immediately taking in the scene visually, along with everyone else.

The small entryway they were in merged with what one would call a living room. Along the right wall was a rather large fireplace, with a couch and two chairs framing it. Along the left wall was a staircase, with the older woman lying in front of it. The other body was to the right, near the couch, a pillowcase near the vic's hand with c.d.'s spilling out. Warrick and Greg head over to the younger girl, while Grissom and Sara headed to the older woman.

"Oh God," Greg gasped, as he moved around to take pictures of the front of the girl.

"What's wrong?" Warrick asked as Greg paled.

"If you're gonna be sick, get out of the house!" Grissom yelled, not unkindly, and Greg ran out not a split second later.

"Greg!" Sara called, running out after him. She caught up to him across the street, where he was emptying his stomach. "Hey, are you okay kjære?"

"That girl," Greg replied, trembling, wiping off his mouth. "She looked just like Kelly did at that age."

"Hey man, you okay?" Nick came over, followed by Catherine, Grissom, and Warrick, all who were looking worried about him.

"Hei. Jeg er Sara, Greg's kone," Sara spoke into her cellphone, and Greg looked up, startled. "Er Kelly der, behage?" (Hi, I'm Sara, Greg's wife. Is Kelly there, please?)

"Takk skal du ha, vennen min," Greg smiled up at her gratefully as she handed the phone over to him a moment later. (Thank you, darling.)

"Is he okay?" Nick repeated, this time to Sara. Greg had taken the phone and sat down on the curb a few meters away.

"The girl in there looked like his sister did at that age," Sara answered, watching Greg. "It scared him."

"Okay," Catherine understood that. Everyone did, they all had cases where victims reminded them of someone they knew. "Who were you talking to on the phone, and what language were you speaking?"

"I called his family so he could talk to his sister, and I was speaking Norwegian."

"Thanks," Greg repeated as he came to stand next to Sara, who squeezed his shoulder comfortingly. "Sorry about that Grissom."

"It's all right Greg, are you okay?" Grissom asked.

"Yeah, I think so," he nodded. "Talking to my sister helped."

"That's good. I think we can cover things if you want to head back to the lab," Grissom suggested.

"Nah, I'll stay."

"Okay, then why don't you work with Sara on the old woman, and I'll work with Warrick, is that's all right?"

"Sure, thanks Grissom," Greg nodded gratefully.

"C'mon kjære, let's get processing," Sara nudged him as the other began going back to their respective tasks.

"How'd you know my family's number?" Greg asked. "And how do you know Norwegian?"

"I went through your cell the other day and put the number into my cell in case there was ever an emergency," Sara smiled sheepishly. "When you said that girl looked like Kelly, I thought you'd want to talk to her, just to reassure yourself that it wasn't. And after my mom killed my dad, I went into foster care as you know. Well, one of them was with this older woman who was Norwegian. From the time I was fourteen till I left for Harvard I stayed with her, and she taught me."

"Now we've got our own language that they can't understand," said Greg with a mischievous grin. He then turned serious, and suddenly stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her tightly, burying his face in her shoulder. "Thank you so much, for calling Kelly. I really needed that."

Sara brought her arms up; one to the back of his head, and the other to his back. Moving her hand slowly, she rubbed his back in what she hoped was a comforting manner. She didn't say anything though, knowing the last bit of shock of seeing that girl was wearing off. She was a little surprised at how he turned to her for comfort, and not someone like Catherine who was "the mom," but she didn't question it. Holding him like this, and being the one he turned too struck a chord inside of her, and stirred an emotion she couldn't place.

Across the street, the others had stopped to look back and see what they were doing when they didn't hear them following. They watched the tender moment between Greg and Sara in a surprised silence. None of them had seen Greg almost break down like that, or Sara act that nurturing.

"Maybe Hodges was right," said Warrick absent-mindedly.

"About what?" Catherine turned to look at him.

"That there's something going on between them," Warrick replied.

"We dropped off some evidence for him to process, and he said he walked in on them dancing and kissing," Nick clarified. "Although he said they denied dating."

"Whether they are or not, it isn't our business," Grissom interjected. "And even if they are, they have continued to prove to be professional while working."

"Oh come on," Catherine rolled her eyes. "You can't tell me that you aren't the least bit curious."

"Again, whether I am or not, it's none of our business," Grissom gave his typical, infuriating, all-knowing smile, and disappeared into the house.

"Well, we'll just have to ask them about it over breakfast," Catherine decided, and Nick and Warrick nodded, before they all turned back to their tasks at hand.

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"Okay, what is up with you three?" said Sara in exasperation after taking another bite of food.

"Yeah, you've been staring at us since we've gotten here," Greg chimed in.

"What's the deal between you two?" Catherine pointed back and forth between them. "You're acting all tight with each other."

"Tight?" Nick looked at her oddly.

"Lindsay used it the other day," Catherine explained, then turned back to Sara and Greg.

"We're friends, is there something wrong with that?" Sara said defensively.

"No, but you guys don't usually talk all that much," Warrick took a sip of coffee. "And the other day Hodges said that you two were dancing and then kissed in front of him."

"Yeah," Greg nodded. "We were waiting for some results and I was bored while listening to this c.d. mix my sister sent, so I made Sara dance with me. The kiss was simply to annoy Hodges."

"Okay, I'll buy that," Nick nodded slowly. "But why are you two going to the ball together then? You're not dating are you?"

"No, I can honestly say we're not dating," Greg assured him, fighting to keep from laughing. It was true they weren't dating; they were married. Big difference, but he wasn't about to correct Nick.

"And didn't I already tell you we're going to the ball together so I wouldn't get stuck going by myself?" Sara rolled her eyes. "Besides, having a date gives me an excuse to buy a fancy dress since I don't own any. It's probably a good idea to have one for occasions like this in the future."

"You don't have a dress?" Catherine repeated, a glint coming into her eyes.

"No," Sara said slowly, not liking the look in her eyes.

"All right guys, we'll see you later!" Catherine said jubilantly standing up, grabbing Sara out of her seat also. "I've got to get Cinderella a dress for the ball."

"Help!" Sara mouthed to the guys, who of course didn't do anything but wave, cracking up with laughter as Sara was dragged out of the diner.

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"So where are you taking me?" Sara smiled, having resigned herself to accept the situation.

"An old friend of mine opened a shop a few years ago," Catherine explained as they were driving. "She carries lots of the types of clothes that exotic dancers need, but she also has a good selection of sexy evening gowns. Some leave very little to the imagination, but most are just gorgeous! And with your figure, you'll have no trouble finding something to make the kiddy's mouths water."

"Oh well good, that's just what I wanted," Sara replied sarcastically, although she couldn't help but think, "I want to look like that for Greg."

"Here we are," Catherine announced as they pulled into a parking space in front of a rather seedy looking shop.

"Cocoa's Loco Fashions," Sara read the neon pink sign flickering over the doorway.

"Don't let the name or the appearance fool you, it's a great place," Catherine said pulling open the door. "I always buy my gowns here."

"Catty, is that you!" An excited squeal came from behind the counter.

"You know it!" Catherine ran over to hug the very buxom brunette who had seen better days. "Cocoa, this is one of my co-workers, Sara Sidle. Sara, this is one of my old friends Cocoa."

"Hi," Sara held out her hand, but it was knocked aside as Cocoa pulled her into a hug, kissing the air by her cheek.

"Well aren't you a pretty one," Cocoa looked her up and down. "So what can I do for you sweetie?"

"I need an evening gown, for a black and white ball," Sara replied, an amused smile on her face.

"Well the gowns are along that section, so get looking. If you two need anything, I'll be over by the counter doing inventory," Cocoa winked at Catherine and Sara.

"Catty?" Sara looked over at Catherine as they began to look through the gowns.

"My old nickname around the other pole girls," she explained. "All right, I think I've found a few, so I'm going to try them on."

"Yeah, I think I've found one or two that might work," Sara said, adding silently. "One or two that actually covers some skin."

Several dresses later, Catherine finally found one she liked. Her gown of choice was a black strapless, floor-length gown with groups of sparkles interspersed on it. The gown was clingy in all the right spots, emphasizing her bust and hips. The gown also sported a slit up to mid-thigh, and came with above-the-elbow gloves. It looked fabulous on her, simply put.

"Hey Cath, how's this look?" Sara stepped out several minutes later with yet another gown. She thought this was the one for her, but wanted to get Catherine's opinion.

"Oh…my…god….Sara, they're going to die!" Catherine said looking her over.

"Spin around," Cocoa said as she came over. "Very sexy sweetie. You'll have your man doing whatever you want all night long."

Sara turned around and appraised herself in the mirror. She was getting tired after having looked for nearly two hours, and she happily decided that this one was perfect for her. It wasn't something that she would typically pick out, but she had decided to try it on a whim, thinking Greg would appreciate it. The sleeveless black gown was form fitting, with a high straight neckline across her collarbone. The dress was backless, almost to the point of indecency, going very low on her back. The skirt of the gown hugged her hips, but flared out towards the bottom, with a small train in back. (A/N: Think like the dress Hilary Swank wore at the Oscars, except with no sleeves)

"All right, let's pay for this," Sara smiled, coming back out a minute later, redressed in her jeans and shirt.

"Discounts for both of you," Cocoa said with a smile as she rang up the dresses. "For you Catty cause you're an old friend, and for you Sweetie cause you just looked so sexy you'll knock the socks off your fellow."

"You really think I looked that good?" Sara asked hesitantly.

"Are you kidding?" Catherine looked at her incredulously.

"Very sexy, and just think," Cocoa pointed out. "You'll look twice as good once you get yourself all dolled up with accessories, and with your hair done and make-up on that pretty face of yours."

Sara just blushed, and gave a small smile. She was a little flustered at the compliments, and the sincerity both women showed when giving them. She had always been so self critical of her figure and her appearance, it was a little difficult for her to really believe that she looked good.

"Hey, Catherine?"

"Yeah?" Catherine turned to look at her as they walked back out to the car.

"Thanks, that was fun," Sara smiled. "Although Cocoa was…interesting, to say the least."

"Yeah, she's one in a million. Something I think the world is grateful for, as we probably couldn't handle another like her," she laughed as they began driving.

"Hey Cath, you need to turn around and head back the other way."

"Why?" Catherine looked at Sara as if she were crazy. "Your apartment's this way."

"Yeah, but I have a pest problem, so I'm staying with Greg until they get it fixed," Sara lied smoothly. She thought that when they did tell everyone about them, she and Greg should do it together.

"Oh, so that's one of the reasons you two have gotten closer," Catherine commented, making a U-turn at the next light.

"Yeah. It's kinda hard to not learn anything about anyone when you're occupying the same house as them," Sara said sarcastically. "But seriously, we've become pretty good friends."

"I know, the evidence never lies, remember?" Catherine imitated Grissom before laughing. "Well I for one am glad you two are. Now don't get mad at me for saying this, but I think you two tend to be too independent. I know everyone is always telling you as a CSI that you have to have an outlet, and I don't think you do."

"I didn't use to, but I'm working on that," Sara sighed, knowing Catherine was right.

"Greg," Catherine stated.

"He's part of it anyways. He's…fun…for lack of a better word, I guess. He's helping me loosen up," Sara shook her head to clear her mind as they pulled into the driveway of the townhouse. "You want to come in for a cup of coffee?"

"Sure. Lindsay's going to a friend's after school, so I'm free for the day," Catherine shrugged, turning the car off and climbing out.

"Greg?" Sara called out. "You here?"

"In the kitchen," Greg called out. "Oh, I just made some coffee too."

"Hey Greggo," Catherine ruffled his hair as she walked into the kitchen to see Greg brushing a dog. "Who's this fella?"

"That's Duke," Sara introduced as she walked into the room, having had to put her gown away. "We got him yesterday."

"Cool," Catherine leaned down to rub Duke's belly, apparently not noticing the 'we' pronoun. "He's a cutie."

"You like it black, right Cath?" Sara asked, pouring some coffee into a mug.

"Right now it could be pink and blue polka dotted and I probably wouldn't care, but yeah, black is great," Catherine smiled gratefully, taking the coffee cup and going into the living room to look at something that had caught her eye.

"Hey Sara," Greg whispered conspiratorially once Catherine left the room.

"Yeah Greg?"

"Look what Pastor Fanning sent in the mail," Greg handed her some pictures. "Lillian took them."
Sara sat down before flipping through the photos. There were three of them. The first showed Sara and Greg sitting next to each other on the pew while waiting, their hands touching as Greg made sure Sara was okay with what they had been about to do. The next was of them, Sara and Greg, standing next to Pastor Fanning. The last though, was the one that Sara stared at the longest. It was of her and Greg sharing their first kiss; she hadn't even seen the camera flash, due to all the fireworks in her mind.

"Hey, I've got a question for you two," Catherine came back into the room, and Sara quickly slid the photos under some papers on the table.

"Shoot," Greg mimicked a gun with his hand before hopping up on the counter.

"Why is there a framed Ph. D. diploma on the wall, and a framed Ph. D. diploma on the desk?" Catherine asked. "With your names on them?"

"Well, I got mine in May, and Sara got hers last year," Greg answered.

"And I hadn't bothered to buy a frame for it yet, and Greggo here happened to have an extra one, so I brought it over," Sara quickly improvised once again.

"Okay, but why didn't you tell us?" Catherine looked at them incredulously. "Do you know how great it is for the lab to have three doctoral degree holding CSI's on staff?"

"I don't know," Greg shrugged. "I guess it just never came up."

"Well, you're going to tell everyone at work tonight, or I will," Catherine said determinedly, finishing off the last sip of her coffee.

"All right, we will," Greg rolled his eyes at her, and received a smack upside the head. "Ow! No hitting, only Sara has abusing privileges."

"You keep telling yourself that," Catherine put her cup in the sink. "Well I'm going to go get some beauty sleep, so I'll see you later."

"Bye Catty," Sara called with a laugh as she showed Catherine out.

"Bye Sweetie," Catherine fluttered her fingers at her before climbing in the tahoe.

"Sweetie?" Greg questioned, coming up behind Sara as she closed the door. "Should I be worried?"

"Hardly kjære. It's just what Catherine's old friend Cocoa kept calling me at the store."

"All right, whatever you say vennen min," Greg smiled. "Whatever you say."

"Well it's about time you learned that," Sara laughed as they headed upstairs. "Now, since it's such a beautiful day and I'm hyped up on coffee, we're going to give Duke a bath."

"Aw man, this means I'm gonna get wet, doesn't it?" Greg whined from in his room.

"Yup, so get on some old clothes, grab the dog, and meet me out back," Sara said with another laugh as she headed into the small backyard.

She grabbed a couple of buckets and filled them up with water, and threw in a sponge. Grabbing the bottle of anti-flea and tick shampoo they had bought the other day, she set it near the towels as she waited for Greg. He came out a minute later dressed in a pair of tattered-hem jean shorts, and no shirt. Sara had to keep herself from staring at him. He wasn't as muscled as Nick or Warrick maybe, but his six-pack and muscles were still impressive. It made her wonder why he always wore such loose clothes.

Greg meanwhile was having the same staring problem. Sara was wearing a pair of shorts that showed off her long legs, paired with an old, stained, midriff showing tank-top. Nothing spectacular, but for some reason, he just wanted to pull her to him and kiss her senseless.

"All right, let's hose him down and then get this shampoo on him," Sara suggested, and with Greg holding Duke in place, she carefully began spraying the dog down.

"Shampoo?" Greg motioned to the bottle and old rags.

They squirted the shampoo on liberally, and worked it into Duke's wavy hair, with him wagging his tail all along in enjoyment. Soon Duke was covered in bubble suds, and of course it was at that moment that he saw a squirrel in the corner of the yard, and took off after it.

"Oof," Greg grunted as Sara fell forward onto him, as she had been leaning against Duke while changing her footing. "I know I'm gorgeous, but the whole women falling for me thing is getting old."

"Ha ha very funny," retorted Sara, but she couldn't help but laugh.

"You've got some bubbles on your nose," Greg said, his hands still resting on her waist while hers were flat against his chest, keeping her from completely leaning on him.

"I do?" Sara reached a hand up and felt her nose. "No I don't."

"You do now," Greg reached a hand up and swiped a finger over her nose, leaving a trail of suds.

"Hey!" Sara moved a hand to wipe some suds on his face, but he grabbed both her hands in his, causing her to fall firmly against him.

Greg and Sara struggled, laughing all the while. Sara desperately tried to get her hands free so she could retaliate. Greg however, was stronger than he looked, and didn't plan on letting her go any time soon it seemed. So Sara went to plan B. Stopping her struggling, she looked into his eyes right before capturing his lips in a kiss. He let go of her hands almost immediately and moved his hands to her back, running them over her smooth, wet skin. Sara pulled back for a minute, and just as Greg leaned his head up to kiss her again, her hand came into view, holding the hose, and began spraying him.

"Ahh, no fair!" He yelled, scrambling to get away. "Your kisses should only be used for good, not evil!"

"All's fair in love and war," Sara laughed, continuing to bombard him with a steady stream of water. At least until he found the faucet and turned off the water. "All right, I surrender."

"Yay!" Greg began jumping around, doing a happy dance. "So what do I win?"

"The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity today to help me rinse and dry our dog," Sara smiled while pointing to where Duke was rolling around on the grass, legs spread out, bubble suds still clinging to his fur.

"Awesome!" Greg pumped his fist. "Just what I always wanted, sweet man!"

They finished washing Duke off, and rubbed him dry till his fur was glistening in the sunlight. After drying themselves off, they all went back into the house. Duke promptly went to his bed in the living room and flopped down on it. He was asleep within minutes.

"He's got the right idea," said Greg, stifling a yawn.

"We're gonna be toast tonight, but it was fun," Sara agreed, leaning against him sleepily.

"C'mon vennen min, up to bed for a few hours anyways."

"I think I'm too tired to move."

"You're just lazy," Greg stated before he promptly turned and scooped her up in his arms.

"Greg, you're going to hurt yourself," Sara protested, sliding her arms around his neck as he carried her upstairs and into her bedroom.

"Sleep well," he smiled, and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

"You too," she mumbled back sleepily, and was out like a light a minute later.

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"So, did you tell them?" Was the first thing out of Catherine's mouth as she walked into the break room where everyone was gathered, waiting for shift to start.

"Did who tell us what?" Grissom looked at her.

"No, we didn't," said Greg sheepishly, holding up his hands as if to ward off her glare.

"Didn't what?" Warrick looked from him to Catherine.

"Don't look at us like that Cath, we forgot," Sara snapped in irritation.

"Hello?" Nick interjected. "Someone want to clue the rest of us in?"

"These two apparently neglected to mention the fact that they obtained their doctoral degree in Molecular Biology and Physics, respectively," Catherine announced, pointing a finger first at Greg, then Sara.

"Hey, that's awesome!" Warrick exclaimed with a smile.

"Yeah, way to go you guys," Nick gave Sara a hug, then clapped Greg on the back.

"Congratulations," Grissom smiled before turning business-like. "As for assignments, there's nothing new. We just need to wrap up the ends of the case last night. Then you all can finish up any necessary paperwork and hang around in case something shows up."

"You got anything to do?" Greg looked over at Sara as the others filed out to do their paperwork.

"I finished up the last of my paperwork the other day, you?" She asked back.

"Same, and Hodges and Mia are both in the lab, so I think a nap sounds good right about now," Greg stood up and went over to the couch where Sara was sitting and lied down on it, pulling her with him.

"We can't take a nap, and not together," Sara protested, but if was only half-heartedly as she was still very tired from not getting enough sleep earlier.

"We don't have anything to do, and they'll wake us if something comes up," Greg mumbled with his eyes already closed, and since she was feeling too tired to argue, she uncharacteristically gave in.

And it wasn't till nearly an hour later, that someone discovered them.

A/N: Mwa Ha Ha! I'm evil; I left y'all with a cliffie. Anyone want to venture a guess as to who finds them? I'll give you a hint- a reviewer mentioned that it'd be funny if kept seeing them, and no one believed . Next chapter up in a week or so, and review if you want, it's cool if you don't. I just hope you enjoyed the story!