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Chapter Four: A Friend in Need

He knew he shouldn't be here; if anything he should be home, getting his rest. At first it was what he attempted, but the restless tossing and turning wasn't getting him anywhere, he was normally awake at this hour. Finally he gave up, slipping quickly into some daywear, and headed out the door.

He took a taxi, no reason to bother driving a car, or even try. The night was cool, a warm wind blowing. Even still Greg had pulled on a coat, taking care to even zip it up. It had been three months now, since he learned of his condition. Even so, he still didn't feel much different, save for the sleepless nights, and his weight loss.

It was easier for him to notice than the others, for which he was thankful. Grissom pressed him often; the others deserved an explanation, instead of being led on. Greg knew he was right, and though he had tried several times, he had never been able to follow through. After all, how did you tell someone you were dying?

Grissom had handled the news fairly well, taking his own time to check in on Greg without tipping off the others. He had even invented excuses to why Greg had been taking off so much time, stating it was some sort of policy the lab held. Greg only agreed, knowing that he couldn't come up with anything on his own.

He spent that night wondering, as he walked along the streets, lost in a sea of people touring the city. Somehow he had to let the others know, sometime soon. It wasn't fair for them if he kept his condition a secret…was it? After all, he couldn't keep the charade up much longer.

Sara had called him last night, after he had gone home, inquiring if he was alright. Greg laughed, even though he desperately wanted to cry, and reassured her through clenched teeth that everything was okay. Not only that, but several days before Warrick had asked the same question. Even Hodges had made a mention of his absence from the lab, noting Greg's quiet demeanor.

Surely someone had to suspect by now, and Greg partially wished they did. If they assumed, it would be far easier nodding in answer rather than diving into a full explanation.

He came to a stop in front of a local club, one he visited often when he was younger. He and several friends would drive up to Vegas every so often, a prime spot for them as they passed around drinks and eyed young women, sharing jokes between them. Greg smiled at the memory, knowing that as time went by, there would be less and less of those.

In the crowd he saw a face, a flash of blonde; he couldn't be certain but it sounded as though his name had been called. As soon as he saw it though, it was gone, and he shook his head, about to move on when it came again. This time he was sure, getting a good glimpse of blonde, dressed in a sleek black dress that settled around her ankles. Smiling he nodded, indicating to Catherine that he did see her, the woman moving closer to him.

As she reached him, he made a move to say hello, but never got the chance as she grasped his arm, pulling herself close to his ear. "We're dating," she whispered fiercely, turning to glance over her shoulder.

Greg's brow furled in confusion, trying to follow her gaze into the crowd. A man pressed his way through, calling out to them as he hurried along. "Just say it," Catherine pleaded again. She turned quickly wrapping an arm around his shoulder as the man approached.

"Hey baby," he cleared his throat, and Greg felt Catherine dig her fingers into his shoulder in slight indication.

"We're dating," Greg stuttered quickly, pushing Catherine's hand off his shoulder. Her fingers wrapped around his as she gave him a soft smile, her follower taking a step back.

"I told you I was busy, James" Catherine chimed, sweetly smiling at him. Greg managed to crack one as well, despite how uncomfortable the situation felt. His heart was racing as he tried to keep his breathing steady. Hopefully she knew what she was doing, the man entitled as James was a head taller than he was, and most likely just as strong. It was also a fair guess that he was drunk as well. A not so perfect combination.

"You said you were single," James slurred, rubbing the back of his neck with a hand as he studied the pair. "You two sure don't look like a couple."

"I said I wasn't single," Catherine informed him, ignoring his last comment. "Men just never listen."

"Hey," Greg commented, turning to glance at her quickly, offended by her statement.

"Except for you sweetheart," Catherine laid it on thick, running a hand through his spiked hair to add to the effect. "Where are we going?"

"Going…?" Greg raised and eyebrow, coughing quickly to cover his words, "oh…going…we're uh…going this way." He nodded, pointing with a thumb over his shoulder.

James didn't seem convinced, but Catherine didn't wait around to see. Instead she wrapped an arm around his waist, leading him through the maze of people. It wasn't long before they lost him; even still Catherine was determined to put as much distance between them and the drunk civilian.

"Wait a minute," Greg complained lightly, moving quickly in order to just keep up with her. "Why are we dating?"

"Because the guy's an ass and can't take a hint," Catherine commented wryly, turning to glance over her shoulder. "I think we've lost him."

"If we keep going at this rate we'll lose all of Vegas as well," Greg pointed out, grateful when she slowed down. Catherine let go of him, once giving him a quick hug.

"Thanks," she breathed, swinging her purse over her other shoulder. "I really owe you one, I don't know what I would have done if you didn't show up."

Greg rubbed his wrist, keeping stride with her easily now. Although he hated to admit it, their short sprint had left him fatigued. Instead of answering he just nodded, working on slowing his heavy breaths, only grateful that noise of the city concealed his breathing.

They came to a stop in front of the Bellagio, Catherine leaning over the railing. The wind was carrying a light sheen of mist off the water, coating their skin. It was refreshing to get a break from the nighttime heat. Greg leaned up against the railing next to her, staying in a quiet demeanor. He didn't mind the company, but wasn't so sure of what to say. Surely Catherine had more interesting places to be, rather than hang out with an ex-lab rat, a rookie in the field.

"I don't know what to do anymore Greg," she mentioned quietly, the tone of her voice catching his attention quickly. "My life's a complete failure…"

"Surely it can't be any worse than mine," Greg suggested with a shrug, but it didn't detour her.

"I'm a failure a mother, I hardly ever see Lindsey, and God forbid if I even know what she wants or where she is half the time. I'm a failure as a wife and a girlfriend, nothing worked out with Eddie and all the guys I meet now are goons. I just…sometimes I wish I could go back, and start all over, you know. Maybe I could have done something different, made things work with Eddie, maybe then Lindsey wouldn't be so angry all the time."

"I doubt it," Greg told her, "Eddie was…just Eddie. Nothing you could have done would have changed him."

"That's what Grissom says," Catherine remarked coldly. "I loved him once…I guess. I've tried after that, so many times now, and have come up with nothing. I guess that's why I'm so desperate that I'd go out with anyone, even that jerk back there…"

"What about Warrick?"

She glanced at him wryly, one hand on her chin, the other extended over the railing. "What about him?"

"Well…" Greg cleared his throat, giving her a small shrug. "He's nice…and he seems to like you."

"I like him too…" Catherine mentioned quietly, shaking her head quickly. "What am I saying? It would never work."

"Why is that?"

"Just because…" she was at a loss for words, "I mean, you just don't waltz up to your coworker and say 'hey I think you're cute, date me will ya?'"

Laughing Greg folded his arms as he supported his weight on the railing. "It's not going to happen unless you try something."

"And you know this how?" she wondered curiously. "Are you and Sara dating yet?"

It was Greg's turn to blush, as he looked away quickly. "Well…no, but that doesn't count."

Catherine laughed, nudging him with her elbow. "I'll make you a deal. They day you start dating Sara is the day I ask Warrick out."

"Is that a promise?" Greg wondered, giving her one of his famous grins.

She nodded, with a laugh, falling silent as the time passed by. "So…why are you out here?" she wondered, "I mean…Grissom said you were taking tonight off, I thought maybe you weren't feeling well or something."

"I feel okay," Greg nodded, fumbling in the darkness of his mind for an answer. "It's just…I'm good, yeah, I'm good."

Catherine frowned as she straightened up, noting how nervous he seemed. "Are you sure?"

He took a deep breath, steadying himself. It was now or never…

"I've been busy…I uh…I had an appointment today, over at Desert Palms."

Catherine nodded, still watching him. "Okay…"

"I uh…they don't know for certain but…" he wiped his brow with the palm of his hand, pausing for a moment. He couldn't help it then, his shoulder shaking as he held his breath. His hand was now a shield, covering his face as he began to cry, trying to block out the sight of his tears, and the sound of his sobs.

At first Catherine wasn't sure what was happening, worried that he was having another attack, about to move to call for help. It was then she noticed he was crying, and her worry dissipated, for only a moment. She had seen many grown men cry; fathers, sons, uncles and nephews…but none of them had been her friend, none of them she cared about.

"Greg?" she reached out shakily, placing a hand on his back.

He didn't pull away, but did wipe his face clean of the tears, drawing in his first full breath of air. "I'm dying Cath, I'm dying, and there's nothing they can do…"

There was no answer; she couldn't come up with one. His words had faded soon after he had first announced what was going on. For a while now she had her suspicions, thinking that Greg either had something going on that he was taking care of, or that perhaps he was transferring, just some explanation to why he had been missing so much work lately.

But this…this was beyond comprehension. She watched him now, as he desperately tried to regain control his shuddering body, unable to believe anything he had just said. He looked healthy…from a glance. Now that she looked closer she could see his face was drawn, his eyes filled with despondency, through all the unshed tears.

"What?" she shook herself out of the trance quickly, her hand still resting on his back. "I don't understand…how…why?

"My heart…" he stammered quietly, choking over his own tears. He took another breath, his head hanging low. "My heart's no good…it's giving out."

Catherine stood their numbly, waiting for Greg to pull out of this spell, to shout out that it was all some sick joke. Yet the more she watched him, the more she knew, and understood that he was serious. This…this was really happening.

"They couldn't give me a reason," Greg muttered through his teeth, wiping his face once more.

"How long…?" Catherine asked the dreaded question, knowing she wouldn't like then answer.

Greg shook his head, the tears starting to flow once more. "Months…" he whispered, another sob breaking through. "A year, if I'm lucky."

He was crying again, leaving Catherine standing there, feeling sick to her stomach. She couldn't even comfort Lindsey, her own daughter, for trifle matters. How was she supposed to comfort a friend, a friend who desperately needed it?

"What about a transplant?" she breathed quickly, although knowing it wasn't an option. The cost alone was one thing, but it often took years to even be approved to be on a transplant list, let alone find a match.

Greg shook his head, "Not enough time," he wheezed quietly.

There was nothing else she could say; instead she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him into an embrace. She could feel him lean into her, as he continued to cry, his sobs pulling at her own heart. Part of her wished desperately that this was just some sort of bad dream…any minute she would wake up, rush down to the lab and see the happy, vibrant man she knew. This…this person here couldn't be…wasn't the friend she knew.

TBC