He was jarred from his thoughts as he slammed on the brakes to avoid a head-on collision with a Ford Mustang that was speeding out of the high school parking lot. He parked his Jetta and began his search for the gymnasium where he was to make his first appearance as a dance chaperone, since Catherine was preoccupied with Warrick investigating a multiple homicide and thus couldn't do the honors herself.
Why did he agree to this? He couldn't remember. But he figured it suited him better than Hodges who would have traumatized everyone in mere seconds.
"Hey Uncle Greg!"
He flashed his famous million-dollar grin at the group of giggling girls who were eyeing him, one of which he'd recognize anywhere.
"That's your uncle? No way! He's too hot."
"I bet he's gay. He has to be since all the hot single ones are."
When the music started, his mind drifted back to his current predicament and what do about it.
He didn't want to do the drive thru wedding either, which was pretty much the only option available in the Vegas city limits. Neither of them were religious so a church was out of the question. The courthouse was so cold and impersonal and would be like getting married at work. Well, it would be, come to think of it. So what did that leave? He seemed to recall something one of his cousins mentioned about having to plan everything two years in advance. Crazy. No wonder Vegas was home to drive thru weddings. He also didn't have the slightest notion how to propose to Sara either, which was his first and foremost dilemma. He figured it better to work these things out in order. Greg wanted the proposal to be something she'd never forget, but what would that be? Dinner under the stars? That sounded good to him but he didn't know of anywhere to do that.
"Hey sexy."
He felt a hot breath on his neck, which caused him to jump. Glancing over at the offender, he saw that it was one of Lindsey's friends he'd "met" earlier. A daring one at that.
"You know, I can have you arrested for propositioning a law enforcement official. Especially since you're underage."
"Ooh, kinky," she purred at him.
Greg rolled his eyes. Hodges would be getting this assignment next time, and everytime after that. Or he and Ecklie could take turns.
Shift hadn't officially started yet, and wouldn't for another ten minutes at least, so most everyone on the nightshift ventured in to steal a cup of his Blue Hawaiian coffee he had just brewed. Greg fidgeted on the couch in the breakroom, thumbing through a magazine he had found stuffed between the cushions.
He had asked Brass and Archie to make an appearance as assignments were handed out, hoping maybe they could help. He thanked his lucky stars that Sara was at a conference in California this particular weekend. That didn't quell his nerves however. And the coffee was making him even more hyper, if that was possible.
"Thanks, guys, for coming in. I have a problem I need your help with."
"What, you need a bodyguard to fend off the jailbait who find you so irresistable? Never thought I'd see the day."
The others couldn't control their laughter at the latest piece of gossip circulating the lab regarding last night's events. Grissom merely raised a brow.
"Very funny, Stokes. Seriously. I need your help. I want to propose to Sara but I don't know how to do that."
"You're on your own there, buddy," Warrick quipped. A glare from Greg silenced his chuckles.
"So it needs to romantic, special. It has to include moonlight. I don't know of anything that would fit that around here. Brass, I was thinking maybe you could arrange for the Christmas party to be held like out of town someplace and it could be done there."
His eyes shifted to each CSI as they grinned and exchanged glances amongst themselves. Why did he even bring this up? He knew they'd make fun of him for asking and they did. So why did he? Because he knew as well as anyone that his mouth ran when he got nervous and this was no exception.
"Here's the ring if you want to see it. If you think that will inspire you."
Greg pulled a black velvet box out of his pants pocket and thrust it nervously at the person closest to him, who happened to be Archie. Why he still had it in his pocket and not his locker, he didn't know. But he had purchased it on the way to work and he supposed he hadn't gotten around to doing so at the moment.
Archie carefully opened the box and let out a low whistle. "Blam..."
The box was passed around the circle, accompanied by whistles and congratulations from each of his coworkers. Resting on the black velvet pillow was a delicate platinum filigree ring that looked like an antique reproduction. In the center was princess-cut solitare diamond.
Grissom piped up with the first recommendation. "We could go to the planetarium. I don't know if they do parties though."
Catherine shook her head and laughed. "I've heard good things about that paddlewheel cruiseship out on Lake Mead. They do dinner under the stars. That remote enough for you?"
"Thanks, Cath. Anyone else?" Everyone exchanged glances, shrugging. "Cruiseship it is then. This should be interesting."
"Good luck, bro." Archie grinned and slapped Greg's back before returning to the A/V lab.
With that, Brass headed to his office to make a few calls involving a party that no one would be sure to forget anytime soon.