Soap Opera Ch. 3

I don't own the characters; ain't made no money off 'em. On to the story.

The next time Catherine and Nick saw Sara she was NOT a happy woman - in fact, she looked very much like she was going to cry. "Quiet night tonight, or so I've heard." Nick was munching on a bag of Doritos; he passed the bag to Sara, who silently took afew.

"Now if it would just stay that way." Catherine was sipping on hot chocolate; she'd made herself a cup before leaving for work.

"What time is it?" Sara swiped a few more chips as she spoke.

"Fifteen til."

Greg bounded in and flopped down next to Sara. "Hello." He addressed this to her.

"Hi." She studied his T-shirt and actually smiled just a tiny bit. " 'Here I am. What were your other wishes?' I like that."

He grinned broadly. "Why thank you."

Catherine and Nick exchanged a long look. "My next wish is that the people of Las Vegas would refrain from killing one another this evening. That would make me very happy." Nick shoved the Doritos toward Greg. "Dig in, Greggo. We got no cases, you got nothin' to analyze."

"Hello, Gil!" Catherine flashed a smile at Grissom, who was in the process of seating himself at the table.

"Hello, Catherine. Hello, everyone." He opened his notebook and raised his eyebrows. "We appear to be without any new cases tonight, though the night is young and that likely will not remain true for the entire shift. In the meanwhile, Mr. Sanders here has the very important task of going to the Krispy Kreme to get us donuts - my treat. Sara, you ride along; I don't want him getting lost. I am going to be in my office doing a little research. Catherine, until you get a case you're helping me."

"Where's Warrick?"

"He's running a little late. When he called I told him not to push it; there's no point in getting a speeding ticket to get to work to sit in the breakroom making paper airplanes."

"Ride along, my ass. I'm driving!"

Greg was too happy to argue, so he placidly climbed into her car. "We need to get three dozen. Eighteen glazed, we pick the rest."

"Chocolate dipped. We HAVE to get chocolate dipped."

"And jelly. We need to get jelly, too."

"And custard."

"Yeah. And sprinkles." Greg sighed. "I love donuts."

"We're all going to be floating around on a sugar high."

"I just hope Grissom isn't doing this because he's going to make us all donate again tonight. Last time he got food I got to give him a pint. He did say he was doing experiments."

"Yeah. But for Krispy Kreme, it's almost worth it."

Greg laughed. "I can't argue with that."

"And they have a drive through now." Sara pulled up to the window. "I need eighteen glazed, six chocolate dipped, six jelly, three custard. and three sprinkles."

"That'll be $22.28. please."

Sara handed her the money. A few minutes later, Greg's lap full of fragrant boxes, she pulled on out.

"Yeah, I have a feeling somebody's going to get tapped tonight." Greg chuckled. "And I'll probably be at the top of the list."

Greg was making coffee for everyone when Warrick walked in. "I am late, late, late."

"At least you picked the right night. We still don't have any cases. Grissom sent Greg and me on a donut run first thing."

"Sounds like he's having another blood drive." Warrick picked out a glazed donut and took a bite. "He isn't feeding us out of the goodness of his heart."

"Yes, and since you were late you're first." Grissom stood in the doorway. "My office, Warrick. You can bring your donut with you."

Warrick sighed and followed behind Grissom.

"Ha! I told you so." Greg smirked triumphantly.

Sara rolled her eyes. "Yeah, but notice he told Warrick he was first. That means he's out for more than one unit."

"Hey, as long as he's not asking for rectal swabs or semen samples I'm okay with it." He handed her a cup. "Here. This is the good stuff."

She smiled. "You always give me your special coffee. I feel special."

Greg blushed and looked down. "You ARE special."

"I'm glad somebody thinks so." She sighed.

Grissom's curly head appeared again at the door. "Oh Greggo. You're next."

"Be back in a few."

"I can't believe that shift is half over and we still don't have any cases." Nick was munching on his fourth donut.

"I can't believe Grissom made all of us donate." Warrick opened his newspaper as he spoke. "What in the hell does he need that much blood for?"

"You probably don't want to know." Sara was painting her toenails.

"I like that shade, and you're right, sometimes it's better not to know." Catherine was sipping at her fourth cup of coffee.

"At least we got donuts. Sometimes he takes your blood and tries to feed you bugs." Greg was making an origami crane out of a Bacardi ad from one of his magazines. He made the last fold, then handed it to Sara with a smile. "For you."

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

"This is boring." Nick pushed the box of donuts away.

"Take a nap."

"I can't sleep in here."

"Clean out your locker."

"My locker STAYS clean. Clean out YOUR locker, Greg."

"I'm not bored."

"But your locker needs cleaning."

"So? It's not hurting anything."

Grissom appeared at the door. "I need urine. Who has to pee?"