Disclaimer: It's not mine, I just enjoy messing with their lives!
A/N: Okay peoples, here ya go, lots of fun romanctic parts going on, cause the way I see it, now that Greg realizes Sara loves him too, he can show her that he loves her. Not to mention that I like writing romance, so I'm stepping it up a notch. Now without further ado, enjoy the new chappie!
A Marriage of Convenience
Chapter Nine
Sara woke up a few minutes before the alarm was set to go off, and found she couldn't move. Yawning, she blinked her eyes a couple of times to clear some of the sleep from them, and found herself looking into Greg's light brown, flecked with gold specks, eyes.
"Hey," she greeted, almost shyly. She had woken up next to a man before, but not one she was in love with, and the feeling she got was unbelievable.
"Hey."
"Were you watching me sleep?" she asked, and couldn't resist smiling when he nodded.
"Couldn't help it," he said, a faint blush rising over his cheeks. "You know, we need to tell everyone soon, cause being the intelligent investigators they are, they won't miss the fact that I can't take my eyes off of you."
"You're such a charmer kjære," Sara laughed, leaning in to give him a kiss, though she stopped before she actually did. "Oops, morning breath, sorry."
"I don't care," he murmured, playfully nipping at her neck.
"Oooh, that tickles," she gave a very un-Sara like giggle.
He smiled against her skin as he trailed his lips along her neck, placing feather light kisses along the smooth skin. He continued up her neck, around her ear, taking a moment to whisper, "I love you," making her shiver slightly. He moved on to place kisses along her jaw, before finally settling his lips on hers. The kisses were soft and quick, full of love and tenderness, teasing and testing, and he could already feel his restraint slipping away.
"Greg," Sara breathed, almost moaning. It was pure heaven to kiss him, even if he was being incredibly evil by teasing her and making her want him to an almost boiling point, but they had work.
"Hmm?" He moved down, dampening the skin along her collarbone with his fervent kisses.
Before she could respond though, his arms were around her, and in one swift move he had pulled her on top of him. He laughed against her shoulder at her gasp of surprise before fully claiming her lips with his. Her arms immediately came up to gather him closer. Funny, she thought to herself, how breathless his kisses could make her is such a short time. Usually it took several minutes of hard kissing to make her feel this way. There was just something about the texture of his lips, his warmth, the feel of his strong, lean body molded against hers, and above all, the skill he had using those lips. His left hand moved under her shirt, slowly running up and down her bare back in a slow and steady caress. Combined with the fierce kisses they were sharing, her senses were almost on overload. So it was with a huge amount of willpower that she pulled back once again.
"Greg, love," she panted slightly. "We really have to think about work, and I have to shower."
"Can I join you?" he smirked, his voice slightly husky as he let his head fall back against the pillow to better look her in the eyes.
"As much fun as I'm sure that would be, if this is any indication," Sara smiled, fighting back a laugh. "I'm afraid we'd never leave."
"Darn," he pouted, and this time Sara did laugh.
"We'll finish this another time," she planted a light kiss on his jaw before pushing off of him.
"Promise?" He hopefully called after her as she walked towards the bathroom. Her only answer was to close the bathroom door with a laugh.
He sat up and ran a hand through his hair, and was automatically reminded of the feel of her silky locks of hair, his hand tangled in them. Shaking his head with a smile, he turned and set his feet on the ground. Standing up, he stretched his arms up over his head before grabbing his robe and heading to the other bathroom to shower and shave off the scruff. He finished fairly quickly, and tying the robe sash around his waist, padded back into his, now their, bedroom.
He was standing in front of his closet, robe still on, debating what to wear, when a pair of arms enveloped him from behind. He closed his eyes a moment, savoring the moment before turning around in the embrace, and pulling her also robe-clad body against him. He marveled, not for the first time, how perfectly she fit against him. They stood there taking each other in, studying almost, before he leaned his head down and captured her mouth in a soft kiss.
"That's it, I promise I'll be good," he said. "I just can't seem to stop, cause I keep thinking this is all just a dream and that I'm gonna wake up, and you'll disappear."
"Not happening, cause I like this dream too much."
"Good. Now help me pick out what to wear today in our dream adventures."
"Clothes, preferably," she said with a smile. "I think you'll be fine. I've got to go get dressed too ya know."
"Fine," he pouted, but turned back to his closet and grabbed the first things that appeared to match.
"See, you didn't do too bad," Sara commented, walking back in a few minutes later dressed in dark jeans, a light green t-shirt, and sneakers, with her hair in a pony-tail.
"Thanks," he nodded, looking at himself. He had also thrown on jeans, a brightly colored, striped, button-up t-shirt, and spiked his hair crazily.
"I'm gonna go ahead and head over to the lab, so I see ya there."
"All righty then," he walked over and pressed a kiss to her forehead with a smile before letting her go.
OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO
"Hey Greggo, cutting it close tonight?" Nick commented, lazily spinning in his chair.
"Hey, better close then late," he panted slightly, looking up at the clock which showed only a few minutes till the start of shift.
"Where'd you go?" Sara asked, looking at him curiously.
"Who said I went anywhere?" He gave her a grin, sitting down next to Catherine.
"Yeah, Sara got here on time," Catherine commented.
"Well, I'm Greggo, aren't I? Not Sara," he gave a smirk, and set a newspaper on the table. "Anyways, I just got caught up reading this and lost track of time."
"Ooh, pass over the sports section," Warrick said, walking into the room with a pot of coffee in his hand, cups in the other.
"I think you'll be more interested in the style section," Greg opened the paper with a flourish.
There on the front page of the style section was a series of pictures. Several were of the mayor and other high city officials, however there were several of the night shift at various stages. One of them with the mayor when he called them up onstage to thank them. Another of Warrick and Mia, and Nick and Whitney dancing. One of Grissom, Catherine, and Ecklie talking with Brass and some of the other cops. And the last one of Sara and Greg as they were walking into the ballroom, hand in hand.
"Wow," Nick gave a whistle.
"Yeah, my thoughts exactly," Greg laughed.
"We look sharp," Warrick nodded. "I didn't even see photographers except at the door."
"They're sneaky devils," Catherine said, pulling the paper towards her and Sara for a closer look.
"That, or all the flashy diamonds those women were wearing caused camera flashes to pale in comparison," Sara said cynically.
"Do I detect a hint of jealousy?" Warrick said teasingly.
"Not really," she shrugged. "It just annoys me, that some people spend thousands of dollars on jewelry that don't wear more than once or twice, when it could be better used by others."
"You mean charities and things?" Nick questioned.
"That, or just organizations in general that help people, kids especially," she shrugged again. "Doesn't really matter to me."
"That's why you became a CSI, isn't it?" Greg looked at her appraisingly. "To help people."
"One of the reasons, probably the main one, yeah."
"Cool," Greg nodded, mulling that over. He had assumed that was why, as it was the reason for most of them, but it was nice having it confirmed.
"Uh, Sara, these are for you," Grissom said entering the room, a long white box in his hands. "They were delivered to reception, and Judy had me bring them down to you."
"Huh," Sara looked slightly confused as she took the box and opened it. "Oh wow."
Inside the box was 13 long stem roses, with a card nestled among the dew-drop covered stems. Sara pulled out the card and opened it, reading it over as everyone waited to see if she would read it aloud so they could hear.
"Who's it from Sara?" Catherine said curiously, although she had an idea.
"Yeah, and what's it say?" Nick added.
"Here," Sara handed him the card so he could read it out loud.
My dearest Sara,
The blue rose signifies my thoughts that you were unattainable to me. The orange, my fascination with you; your beauty, your personality, your heart. The lavender, my feelings of love at first sight for you. The coral, my desire for you; to be your friend, and everything else. The pale peach is a representation of the modesty you possess in all you do, and just one more thing I admire. The darker peach is to show my appreciation and gratitude for your gift of friendship. The yellow, our friendship, and the promise of a new beginning together. The light pink is a representation of the gentleness you show with those who need it. The dark burgundy, a representation of your unconscious beauty. The yellow with red tips, the time I found myself falling in love with you. The dark pink shows my admiration for the grace you have. The white, your innocence and humility. And finally, the red; to show my respect and sincere love for you. I can only hope that you feel the same, and are as excited as I am to begin our journey together.
All My Love,
S.
"Whoa, that's deep," Warrick grinned, looking down at the note.
"This guy must really like you," Nick agreed.
"Not just like, love," Grissom pointed out. "Red rose signifies deep eternal love."
While the boys were talking, they weren't paying attention to Sara. Catherine was however, and she saw Sara's eyes shoot up to meet Greg's. Catherine watched as Sara tilted her head in question, and Greg nod slightly, a goofy grin lighting up his features.
"I knew it!" Catherine thought triumphantly. "S. must stand for Sanders. Damn I'm good!"
"What's the whole part about beginning your journey together mean?" Nick asked.
"That's for me to know, and you to find out when I deem it the time to tell you," Sara took the card from them and tucked it back into the box. "Now, I believe we have assignments to go over, Griss?"
"Uh, yes," Grissom quickly picked up the slips after his mind registered the quick subject change. "Only one case, 419 at a strip club off the strip. Catherine, Sara, you're on it. The rest of you, finish up paperwork or prepare for any upcoming court cases you have. Greg, the lab might need some help if you don't mind. Day and swing shifts had several cases and it's Hodges' day off."
"Sure, I can do that," Greg nodded after a moment.
"All right, I'll meet you at the car in five minutes?" Catherine turned to Sara.
"Sounds great, I just have to grab something out of my locker," Sara nodded, and Catherine once again was the only one who didn't miss Sara sending Greg a message with her eyes.
Catherine finished up her cup of coffee before leaving the break room. Making sure that neither Warrick, Nick, or Grissom was following her, she headed in the direction of the locker room, intent on catching Sara and Greg in a hopefully compromising situation. However, just as she got to the door, Sara came out, cheeks red, with slightly swollen lips.
"Hey, you ready to go?" Sara asked before Catherine could say anything.
"Yeah, I was just coming to get you," she nodded, and with a smile, turned around and headed to the parking lot.
"Is there something on my face?" Sara asked a few minutes into the drive. "Because you keep looking over at me."
"Other than swollen lips, nope," Catherine smirked. "Now spill- I know something is going on between you and Sanders, and I know he sent you those flowers."
"Really? Well that's new. I presumed S. sent them, whoever that is. Could be Nicky for all you know, his last name is Stokes," Sara deflected, wishing they would hurry up and get to the damn scene.
"Yeah well, Nicky looks at you like a sister, not to mention he's happily dating Whitney."
"Of course, how could I forget," Sara said sarcastically, then brightened. "Oh look, we're here!"
And before the car had hardly come to a stop, Sara had hopped out of the car and grabbed her kit from the trunk. Catherine shook her head, giving up for the moment. She would find out though, some way or another. After all, Sara had to ride back to the lab with her, and Catherine was fully prepared to 'get stuck in traffic' to make more time to question Sara. Grabbing her kit and locking the car, she joined Sara who was being briefed by Detective Vega.
"Vic's 48 year old Carl Yates, found shot in his hotel room by maid service," Vega began as he led them to the elevator to head up to the penthouse. "He's in the penthouse because he just won a multi-million jackpot as some game in the casino, and this is one of the winner's benefits. Originally though, he checked in with his wife 49 year old Tyra Yates, who has yet to be seen."
"Husband wins money, kicks wife to curb so he can get a younger Barbie, wife in a rage kills husband," Catherine posed a likely theory.
Setting their kits down just inside the door, Sara grabbed her camera and began doing photos of the body and the rooms. Catherine went into the bathroom to process, taking pictures first, then dusting. Noticing the toilet hadn't been flushed, she went to push the lever. However, finding resistance, she lifted the lid off the tank.
"I've got possible murder weapon!" Catherine called out, snapping a quick picture before pulling on a glove to lift out the gun wrapped in a plastic bag.
"Ooh, and someone was kind enough to keep the fingerprints and blood preserved," Sara smiled, leaning over to get a better look at what appeared to traces of blood on the gun.
"You know, a longer chain works better because then you tuck your engagement ring in your bra so they won't fall out," Catherine said nonchalantly as the rings on the chain fell into view.
"Oh I know, but this was all I had-" Sara stopped and slowly straightened up. "Damn. Uh, I'm gonna go process the body."
"Stop right there Sara Sidle," Catherine said firmly. "You are going to turn around and explain why you have an engagement ring on a chain around your neck."
"One sec," Sara gave a sigh as she pulled out her cell-phone and quickly dialed a number, speaking in Norwegian so Catherine wouldn't understand. "Hey kjære, it's me…just processing the scene…yeah, listen, Cath's seen the rings, so I'm gonna tell her…Yeah, I don't want to lie to her…Thanks, and I love you too, bye."
OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO
Greg was in the break watching Warrick and Nick race on playstation, when his cell phone rang.
"Hey, what's up? …Cool…You okay with that? …Good luck, I love you," he said, pausing every now and then to listen.
"Greg man, you've been holding out on us!" Nick drawled.
"Yeah, why didn't you tell us about your new girl?" Warrick raised an eyebrow. Usually Greg was the first to boast about his 'conquests' when they were away from Grissom and the girls.
"I don't know," he shrugged, hoping they'd drop it.
"Aw, c'mon man," Nick grinned. "Usually you can hardly stop talking about your latest chick, what's up man?"
"She's different, okay?" He turned to face them, slightly angry. "She's the one. And I'm not gonna disrespect the woman I love by talking about her."
"Sorry Greg," Warrick apologized. "So what's her name anyways?"
"Uh, hold on a sec," he pulled out his cell phone and quickly dialed a number, and also began speaking in Norwegian so the guys wouldn't understand. "Hey vennen min…About that, well the guys and I were talking and bugging me about my new girl, so why don't we just finally tell everyone when we re-group later tonight…Yeah, like you, I don't want to lie…okay, I'll see you soon…you too, bye."
"Okay, so what's the verdict?" Nick asked.
"I'll tell you guys later, promise," he smiled briefly before heading to the lab to check on some samples he had run.
OooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooOooO
"Hey, I was just getting ready to tell Catherine about it…Are you sure? …okay then, we'll tell them once I get back. Cath and I should be done soon…all right, love ya…bye."
"Okay, now I'm waiting for my explanation about those rings around your neck," Catherine tapped a foot impatiently.
"I will tell you, I promise, but not right now," Sara looked at her. "Once we get back to the lab and we've gotten stuff put away. For now, we owe it to the victim to devote our full attention to the case."
"All right," Catherine replied slowly. "But I'm not going to forget."
They finished processing the scene, Catherine especially efficient as she was dying to know what Sara's secret was. Gathering everything together, it took them several trips to bring everything down to the tahoe. However, they finally finished, and about forty five minutes after Sara had gotten Greg's call, they were headed back to the lab. While in the car, Catherine looked over to see Sara taking the rings off and putting them on the ring finger of her left hand.
"Whoa, those are some expensive rings," Catherine grabbed Sara's hand as they came to a stop at a red light. "Sturdy platinum band, emerald cut diamonds, big one looks to be…oh, half a carat, and the baguettes look about a third each, am I right?"
"I don't know," Sara gave her an amazed look. "I'm sure you know more about rings than I do."
"Probably," Catherine agreed.
"Hey, do me a favor and swing by my house before we go back to the lab," Sara asked. "I've got something I need to pick up real quick."
Catherine nodded, and the drive to the townhouse was done in silence, except for the radio. Pulling up in front, Sara hopped out and ran inside. She grabbed the marriage license as proof, since she and Greg had framed it and hung it on the wall, along with a blown-up picture of them on their wedding day kissing. Finding the photos, Sara also grabbed them, putting everything inside an envelope. Running back out after a quick hello to Duke, Sara and Catherine arrived back at the lab a few minutes later.
"Hey, we're back," Sara said with a smile as she stuck her head in the lab.
"Okay, let's go round up people," Greg replied. "Hey Mia, head to the break room, I've got something to tell everyone."
"Sure," Mia nodded, although she looked a little confused.
"Where to next?" Greg asked as he left the lab with Sara.
"I'll get David, Doc Robbins, and Grissom, if you want to get Archie, Jacqui, and Bobby," Sara suggested. "Oh, and put your ring on, I've already put mine on."
"I'd love to, and sure, sounds like a plan," he agreed, slipping his ring on. "I'll meet you in the break room in a couple of minutes.
After making sure no one was watching, Greg leaned in and kissed her quickly. With a smile, he headed to round up his half of people while Sara did the same. A few minutes later, they met back up in the hall just outside of the break room. They could hear everyone inside talking and chatting, wondering what Greg and Sara wanted. Taking a deep breath, Sara took Greg's offered hand and intertwined their fingers. He gave her a reassuring smile before they entered, closing the door behind them.
"All right Greggo my man, what's the deal?" Archie questioned from where he was sitting on the counter.
"Sara and I have something we need to tell you guys," he started off, and was interrupted.
"You're dating, I knew it!" Nick exclaimed.
"No, we're not," Greg said firmly. "We told you already we weren't."
"Then what are you?" Warrick looked as confused.
"Engaged," Catherine smirked triumphantly, and everyone began shouting and exclaiming at once.
"Stop, STOP!" Sara had to yell to gather everyone's attention. "No we are not! If you'd listen, maybe you'd find out."
"Well then, tell us!" Nick said, slightly exasperated. "If you're not dating, and you're not engaged, what exactly are you two?"
A/N: Hee hee, a cliffie! I'm being evil, but y'all know you love me (or at least my story) anyways lol. Next chapter will be up Sunday May 1st, possibly a few days earlier, but it depends on how much time I get to write. Finals are coming up (I'm a freshman in college) and I have an unbelievable amount of assignments to do. So wish me luck. And to let y'all know, more reviews may encourage me to update faster (author smiles innocently) so review!