A/N: I apologize to all my readers for taking so long to update. My computer at home is having some "issues". Anyway, two chapters for the price of one, mea culpa.

Setting the Scene

"What's with you today?" Catherine fell into step beside Sara, grinning broadly.

"What do you mean?" Sara slowed and looked curiously at Catherine causing a harried lab tech to almost bump into her, the man stepped around Sara with an audible huff and peevish frown. Catherine took her arm and steered her out of the path of traffic.

"Well, don't take this the wrong way, but you've just been acting all sunshine and lollipops today."

"Thanks Cath." Sara said sarcastically. "Can I be in a good mood without people wondering if I'm okay?'

"Of course you can, but you have to admit, it's a bit…odd for you. I mean you were singing to yourself just then."

Sara wasn't aware she'd been singing, again. Nick had caught her earlier in the shift too. Dammit, she was going to have to tone it down. It was hard, there was a sizzling little bubble of nerves and excitement welling up inside her, tonight was the night! And she'd been running on adrenaline and anticipation all shift.

"So…" Catherine leaned in and dropped her voice to a whisper, "who's the lucky guy?"

"What!" Sara blanched and almost dropped the case file she was holding. "There's no guy!"

Catherine looked at her skeptically "C'mon Sara, I know hot date vibes when I see them."

"Honestly, there's no guy." Sara forced hearty confidence into her voice denying the prickle of sweat just starting on her forehead. "I'm just in a good mood, it's a beautiful day, the sun is shining—"

"It's Vegas, the sun is always shining."

"Well there you go. All that sunshine must be good for me then." Sara started to edge away. "Yay for Vitamin D!"

"Mmm-hmm. Riiight." Catherine watched her make her escape, hands on her hips.

Sara backed away, grinning nervously until she bumped into another lab technician, muttering hasty apologies she turned and disappeared around a corner.

"Sunshine my ass." Catherine said suspiciously, "That girl is getting laid tonight." Her brow furrowed a moment, "Lucky her." She sighed and headed down the hall.

Sara ducked into the first empty lab she found. She really must come up with some better excuses, Vitamin D? How dumb, good thing she was a cop because she'd make a lousy criminal; she had no skill at lying. Just then her pager thrummed against her hip. Sara checked the display.

"Coffee or Breakfast"

Sara smiled. It was from Greg, the page was a code they used when they hadn't firmed up their plans for after shift. Breakfast meant they were heading to her place, coffee meant his.

She sent back: "Groceries" with a smile.

A few minutes later she got a call on her cell.

"Sidle."

"Hey it's me." Greg on the line, voice a little faint and tinny, he was out in Henderson with Grissom.

"Hey."

"Are you busy?" His voice grew even quieter, she imagined him at the scene finding a spare moment to call her. They'd gotten pretty good at having seemingly innocuous conversations in front of the others.

"It's okay I can talk, for a minute. Can you?"

"Sorry can't help you there." Someone must be in the vicinity.

"Right. So what can I help you with?"

"Regarding that earlier information you sent me?"

"Yep?"

"Can you just clarify that for me?"

"Groceries, means groceries, Greg. I have some errands to run and may actually be able to get out of here on time for a change. But later on after you're done, drop by for breakfast if you like…" Sara knew that Greg wouldn't be finished for a few hours yet, with luck that should give her just enough time. She had waited until they both had a night off that fell one after the other, and then she'd switched her shift with Sofia, claiming a doctor's appointment she couldn't reschedule. Greg still thought she was working tomorrow. Sara caught a glimpse of her face in the glass window of the lab, she looked quite devious, maybe a career in crime was within reach after all. She turned her back on her expression and went with her wicked impulses.

"I know you were hoping groceries maybe meant kinky games with food…maybe I'll pick up a can of whipped cream at the store just for you, would you like that?" She made sure she used her very best phone sex voice, rich and throaty.

A strangled noise on the other end then,

"Yes. That would be an affirmative. What an unusual development in…that case...we were discussing."

"See you later, freak." Sara chuckled and hung up the phone. She checked her watch; if she applied herself to those shell casings she could get out of here and start getting ready for Greg. She picked up her case file and headed for Ballistics, wholly unaware she'd started singing under her breath again.

Next: Sara ventures into "hostile" territory...