Chapter 2

(a/n- alot of this chapter was written when I was supposed to be working on a project. And sorry for the delay. I've had writers block. Gah. Plus, with recent updates, there are a couple of sort of obvious hints about later plot things. I love suspense even if I can't write it. And if anyone would like to be a beta-reader, some one who checks for mistakes and reviews the chapter, please contacts me via email which is in my info. thanks and hope you enjoy!)

Greg led Ahmaryllis inside. She took a long look at his home and decided that she liked it. Posters were tacked in the walls haphazardly and everything was, for lack of better words, everywhere. It was rather disorganized, much like Greg himself. She swore that she saw a sock on the ceiling fan, but didn't bother to check it out. Ahmaryllis was very much reminded of her own room when she had it her way. Her mother would inadvertly freak and spend five hours trying to clean the place up. The memory of her mother brought stinging tears to Ahmaryllis' eyes, but she wouldn't let them fall. No, for the sake of herself and for the man who was taking care of her, she wouldn't.

"Well, it's not much, but it's my place. I don't suppose you have any clothes so you can go raid my closet and find some. I think my shirts will fit, but I think you should get a belt." Ahmaryllis nodded and went down the hall. She went left and a minute later came back and went right towards Greg's room. Greg watched her with interest and then began thinking about how he was going to take care of her.

I wonder what I should do with her tomorrow. Grissom sadi that he would call and when he does, I'll ask what I should do with her. Actually, that's not a bad idea. But on another note, Nick said she won't respond to her name. I'll ask her what she wants to be called for now and then I'll make dinner. The last thought was off beat, but all conversation is better on a full stomach.

Greg walked into the kitchen and contemplated on what he was going to make. There wasn't much food, with the exception of half a carton of eggs, some red juice, lots of coffee, carrots and the all-important coco-puffs. Ah yes, Greg thought with a smile, coco-puffs. A staple for any diet. He was glad that no one at the lab knew about his secret addiction or he would be teased mercilessly. Given his social status at the moment, that would not be a good thing. He grabbed for a box of coco-puffs and two sets of bowls and spoons. No sooner had he finished making 'dinner' did Ahmaryllis appear. She had changed into a long grey t-shirt and another, cleaner, pair of sweat pants.

Dinner passed in a comfortable silence. Ahmaryllis ate 5 bowls of cereal, coming close Gregs's personal record. He was clearing off the table when the phone rang.

"Greg Sanders speaking."

"Greg, it's Grissom. I'm calling about Ahmaryllis."

"Ok, what do you want to know? I'm not exactly the expert on her, but she does have a good taste in food. Hasn't spoken a word since we arrived."

"Lovely, Greg, but is she doing alright? Also, we were wondering what she would liked to be called. I'm not a person buff, but it isn't nice to call someone 'you' or touch them on the shoulder to get their attention. Especially in her case."

Greg nodded and chewed on his finger nail. "I'll ask her. Hold on a sec." He put the phone on the table and went over to Ahmaryllis. "Hey, we- the people at the lab and I- were wondering what you would like to be called. As in what name you would like to be known by." Ahmaryllis nodded and thought for a second.

"Katya." she said. Greg nodded and went back to the phone.

"Katya." he said to Grissom.

"Katya? That sounds...nice."

"Yep. And I think she's doing alright. Eating alot and not hiding in a corner. After all, I'm only a lab techie. Not an expert on people. Anything else you want to know?"

"One more thing. Can you bring her to the lab tomorrow? The CSI's want to meet her and it would be better if she's around people."

"Ok. Let me ask." he covered the mouth piece and half-hollered, "Katya, do you want to go to the lab tomorrow with me? You can do what ever you want. You'll find it interesting."

"Ok. Can I stay with you?"

"Sure kid, whatever you want." Greg uncovered the reciever. "She said yes, and a whole sentence. Is that good?"

"I think it is. Good night Greg."

"Oh, and one more thing. didn't you say that non CSI personnel weren't permitted to be inside the lab?"

"Remember what I said earlier, Greg. Special cases have special circumstances."

"Oh, ok. Good night Grissom." Greg hung up and turned to Ahmaryllis. "That was my boss. You saw him earlier. Now, what are we going to do with you?"

"Bed?" Ahmaryllis asked inquisitively. Greg snapped his fingers. That's what he had forgotten to do. Now he would would have to find somewhere for her to sleep.

"Ok, um, you can sleep in my room and I could crash on the couch or you could sleep on the couch and I can have my room or you can sleep on the floor. I don't have a cot although my friends have commented that the bathtub is also good for sleeping in." The last comment was dry but it brought the corners of Ahmaryllis' mouth up. Greg had still to see her real smile, but he suspected that it was stunning.

"I'll sleep on the couch." Ahmaryllis said quietly. She was still nervous about talking and was even more nervous about the next day where there would be all those people...but that was tomorrow.

Greg smiled and went to one of the closets. Blankets...towels...soap...shoes...shampoo...where where those pillows? He wondered as he kept searchingA jacket...a box of cookies that expired a couple months ago, still good. Greg noted their existence for later when he would get hungry. A sock...and he finally found a couple of pillows at the back hidden under some ugly blanket. He brought them to Ahmaryllis who began setting her makeshift bed up. He watched her for a second then turned and went to bed.

He lay there and stared at the far wall. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't fall asleep. To make matters worse, his thoughts kept turning back to Ahmaryllis. No matter what, she stayed on his mind.

She's such a nice kid...at least what I've seen of her...pretty...has nice name...amaryllis' are flowers...I like that name...the 'h' makes it more nice...still doesn't look twenty...likes coco-puffs....I think I like her...as in like her...won't tell Grissom...he yells at CSIs for getting involved with victims...getting emotionally attached to them...having empathy...not good for me...want to be CSI...wonder if Ahmaryllis would like to be one...show her all the lab equipment tomorrow...hopefully the others like her...I like her...maybe she'll want to be a lab technician like me...would be nice...me and her in the lab...she likes my music...we could play loud music...dance around the place...find out DNA...go out on cases together...would be nice...very nice... something's not right though....the case is wierd...maybe we're missing information...or maybe someone's hiding something....hiding...hiding...and Greg drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Outside on the couch Ahmaryllis had difficulty keeping calm. She would toss and turn and worry about the next day. Eventually, she stared at the ceiling and let random thoughts drift through her mind.

I like Greg. He'll probably actually call me Katya. I wonder where that name come from. It doesn't matter since I've always liked it. But back to Greg. He's really cute. Cuter than those 'popular' guys at school who think they're really macho. Dumb macho freaks. They aren't smart like Greg. They've been hit in the head with too many footballs. Why are popular guys always on the football team? It's wierd. Then the girls who hang out with them are cheerleaders. And they're blond. Glad I'm not a blond or I'd probably be a cheerleader right now. Eww. I find girls are really into stereotypes or whatever they're called. That's why my friends are guys, even though they're all off at college where I should be. Hm, wonder what tomorrow's going to be like. Hope scary people don't ask me wierd questions or prod me with instruments. Or make me take medical tests. I hope they don't find out about...No, that would not be good. I just Ahmaryllis lingered on the thought of coco-puffs and passed into the warm embrace of blackness.