Hey people! Michelaski here with chapter 9 of Hidden Cry in tow. This chapter is a little wierd I believe...but that's really up to you guys. Anyway, before proceeding to the chappie...I would like to thank saraandgreg4ever (the original idea came from another CSI Greg/OC fic I was thinking off in which the main character is a latina, more specifically a Puerto Rican, just like Adri here. I started out with a ton of what if's and thus, Hidden Cry was born. The reason I decided to make Adri a Boricua(same thing as Puerto Rican) was that I'm one myself and sometimes I stick with what I know and besides there aren't any Greg/OC fics involving latinas...well...at least, that's what I've seen anyway. And for the compliments a big thank you!), CatherineLouise (yeah...that was an intense chapter...wonder how this one looks for you...) and csi-sam-sanders (Yeah! Adri did let go...but there's more in store...I'm not going to give anything else away...) for reviewing.

Same disclaimer as always...

Chapter 9
Battle of the Techies
Adriana

I just loved toying with Greg's head. I mean, the look on his face when he got confused, priceless. Those eyes of his, looking at me, nearly begging for an answer adorable in every way...but I shouldn't bother telling him that...it'd just inflate his ego which is already pretty big on its own. Regardless of that, he's been so sweet by listening to me...I mean, for most of my life, I just listen and barely get a say and yet, with Greg, it's balanced and he changes subject when he notices the change in my tone...others keep pressuring me to talk. Although I still have my doubts about Greg's concern...

"Hey Dri!" Greg said as he came out into the backyard. He'd gotten the habit of occasionally calling me that and I don't mind...as long as he doesn't start slipping in pet names every now and then...I still wonder what he thought when I called him papi...I mean, that's a pet name Spanish speaking girls occasionally use. He was wearing a Tshirt and his swimming turnks.

"Take it off man!" I cried from the chair I was sitting in.

"You too!" he cried. At that, I remembered that I was still using the towel.

"Fine!" I cried as I got up. "I'll go first...just because you're going to argue with me about it," I said as I took off the towel and threw it to the chair. Greg's eyes widened as he quickly came over, whistling and hooting. I was wearing a decent two piece, my midriff exposed more than usual.

"Damn...sexy..." he said softly as he stood before me. He kept his eyes in my abdomen, looking for something. "Can I just check for something on your stomach?" he asked as he looked into my eyes.

"I got no bruises if that's what you're worried about..." I said softly, smiling at his thoughtfulness.

"It's not that..." he began. I gave him a decent yet killing look and he got the point. "Okay...maybe that was one reason but I also wanted to..."

"I get it," I interjected. "The glass went through here," I said as I grabbed his wrist and placed his hand on the left side of my stomach. "The cut was about this long," I said as I moved his hand downward slightly, his touch gentler than what I had thought I'd cause with my leading his hand. "Then at the back, it was slightly smaller," I said as I turned around and let go of his hand.

"Yeah..." Greg said softly as his hand landed on the faint scar on my back. "You can barely see it..." he whispered as he traced the scar. I felt chills run through me at the touch, which I don't think he noticed. "There are some on your shoulders too..." he said as he moved my hair over to one side and took a closer look. "But these look recent...did he do these?" he asked as he turned me around, his hands on my shoulders.

"Yeah...last week..." I said softly. "I didn't tell anyone and you should understand why..."

"I do..." he said as he pulled me into another embrace. "Next time, please tell me..." he whispered.

"No problem..." I said in response.

"I think I should return the favor," he said as he pulled away. "You allowed me to see your scars and I believe it would be fair for you to see mine," he finished saying as he turned around and took off his shirt. There were traces of large and small cuts on most of it. I thought of reaching out to touch them but thought against it. "Go ahead..." he said, interrupting my thoughts.

"You broke the glass when you flew..." I said as I traced some of the faintscars.

"How'd you know?"

"They tell the story..." I said softly. "There seem to be more on your left side...you were sideways when it happened..."(A/N: they showed "Playing with Fire" on Spike last Friday...I still wonder if I've got the right side...)

"Seriously, I think you'd do better as a CSI than a techie..." Greg said while turning around, enabling me to see that he was fit, strong and basically, someone very attractive...Crap! I can't think that, not now...

"I'll keep that in mind..." I said with a smile and a blush, I was nearly caught...

"So...who's going in first?" Greg asked. Opportunity...

"That would be you Greg!" I said as I mustered up the strength to push him in. I would have succeded if weren't for the fact that he grabbed my wrist and took me in with him. We surfaced, his hand still holding my wrist. He laughed victoriously and held our hands up.

"Haha! Beat you to it!" he said as he finally let go.

"Hey at least I tried...you didn't..." I said as I swam over to the shallow end, enjoying the feeling of being in the water. I surfaced at the other end of the pool to see Greg's form underwater, catching up. He surfaced, a grin on his face.

"Blue looks good on you," he commented, complimenting the suit I was wearing.

"Yeah and if weren't for the fact that I think you're adorable, I would've inflicted bodily harm already..." I said as I got out of the water and headed for the diving board. I couldn't believe I said that...

"You think I'm adorable?" he asked from the shallow end after the shock of my words.

"That's not the only thing I've thought about you," I said as I jumped and excecuted an excellent dive. When I surfaced, Greg was right in front of me, barring my path. "What?"

"Oh nothing..." he said as he picked me up and pulled me out of the water.

"Put me down!" I cried, slightly angry and worried yet at the same time, I felt like laughing. I don't get it...is this what it's supposed to feel like?

"Hey! You dumped a glass of water on me when I complimented you so I should do something in return after what you said..." he said as he lifted me over his head without a problem.

"But this is different!" I cried.

"How so?" he asked.

"I'm ticklish at the waist!"

"Oh really?" he asked slyly. I just know he's smirking. He then set me down again on the water and proceeded to tickle my waist.

"Stop!" I cried between bursts of laughter. I didn't mind him at all...I was actually enjoying the whole body contact thing. After a while I managed to retaliate and our tickle fight began across the entire pool. Exahusted, I stood against the pool wall, Greg standing in front of me, his hands on either side of me, making sure I wouldn't swim away. Gasping for breath, I managed a full blown smile, remembering what had occurred moments before. I looked up, meeting Greg's eyes. He started to laugh and so did I for a while until we made eye contact again...we didn't move from where we stood at all. Suddenly, my cell phone's alarm beeped, I snapped out of whatever it was that froze me and so did Greg. "We should be uh...getting ready..." I said after a while.

"Right," Greg said as he got out. I did the same and we both went inside to go to our respective rooms and shower.

Greg

I stopped in front of my door and looked at the direction Adri's room was, she had just reached the door when I looked away, smiling to myself. Today she opened up to me and finally came clean and I couldn't be happier that I know what happened before. I just hope we catch the guy before he reaches her again and does even worse damage. She's been so good to me and took me in without a fuss. I guess she realized that she had to talk to some one who already trusted her. I took one last look at her and smiled, noticing that she had been looking at me and was blushing. I smiled again and went into my temporary room to get ready.

Adri

Once I reached the door to my room, I glanced in Greg's direction to see half a smile gracing his lips. I just don't get it...is this how it feels? It's different...but soothing in a way...I don't understand...I'm so confused...

After I was done with my shower, I put one one of my most comfortable outfits and slipped on my sneakers. Catherine said that sometimes I reminded her of Greg when he worked DNA due to my attitude when I delivered results. I just shrugged it off for the most part. Once I was dressed, I made my way downstairs to find Greg at the kitchen, cooking. "Thought I'd return the favor since you've been cooking a lot for the past week."

"Thanks..." I began. After dinner, I cleaned up and this time, we took Greg's car to the lab. We usually took one car since we usually left at about the same time anyway. He pulled over and I got out and clocked in before him and went to the locker room to get my coat. Catherine was in there and so was her daughter. "Hey Cath," I said as I greeted the elder female and opened my locker. "How are you Linds?" I said as I smiled at her daughter.

"I'm good," Lindsay said smiling. "Mom said you could teach me!" she said happily.

"Awesome!" I said with another big smile. "I'll arrange a time and day later with your mom...no problem with that Cath?"

"No," she said, smiling at me. "I think that it would be great but could I ask you a favor?"

"Need me to watch her in DNA?" I said before Catherine could ask. She nodded and I looked over to Lindsay. "I have no problem with that...come on Linds..." I said as I made my way out of the locker room and onto DNA. "So...what do you want to do?"

"Can I play games on your computer?" she asked.

"Just for a while..." I said as I began to work on various DNA samples from Grissom's case.

"Thanks..." Lindsay said as she began to play something and I turned on the radio for a while to prep my voice. I sang softly and stopped at the sound of someone knocking at the window before me. I looked up to meet Nick's eyes as he pointed to the printer. I signaled him to come in and he did as asked, turning off my music.

"Your results should be out soon," I said as I finished up with the last of the priority DNA samples.

"Nick," Grissom said as he came in. "The relative finally came in for questioning, Sara's already there..."

"I'll give you the results as soon as you get back..." I said as I looked around for something. Nick nodded and left the room. I kept busy doing some other things until the clock marked half past eleven. "Hey Lindsay...wanna come with me to the breakroom? It's battle of the techies night..."

"What's that?" Lindsay asked while looking up from the Teen People magazine I gave her to read.

"It's something me and Archie organized...it's a kareoke contest...sorta..."

"Cool!" Lindsay cried as she placed the magazine on the table. "Let's go!" she said as she ran out of the DNA lab and made her way to the break room. I made sure that there was nobody around and followed suit. Once in the room, everyone that wanted to be there, was there. Well, except Hodges. But he really didn't want to be a part of this...either he's tone deaf, which really doesn't matter in kareoke...or it just isn't his thing.

"All right!" Archie cried. "The grand master is here!"

"Actually," Sophia corrected. "It's mistress..."

"Haha, she's right Arch..." I said in agreement with Sophia.

"Anyway, you should go first...not only to break the ice but just because you gave me the idea..." Archie said with a smile as he handed me the microphone. Everyone cheered and though I hesitated, agreed.

"Do your worst Arch..." I said smirking as he looked around the CD case, looking for a song. I played around with the mic while Archie looked through the case for a second time. "I don't have all night Arch..."

"Neither do we..." Jaqui said as Archie finally picked out a CD.

"Got it!" he said as he placed the CD on the radio. Soon the opening notes of 'First' by Lindsay Lohan played and I just stared at him. "Hey...this is just for fun..."

"True..." I said as I signaled him to start the song again. I started slightly quiet, not sure of myself, as always, but a nudge from Lindsay caused me to finally give in. The volume of my singing increased and I frankly, lost it. I acted like the clichés...thought that I was the only one there and gave it everything. Once done, the sound of the techies clapping brought me back from my world.

"I was right!" Archie cried. "You are good! My ears weren't decieving me last week," he said smiling while I just blushed and looked away. I swear that Greg had been at the hall...I mean, at least...that was him...I couldn't see well...he just hid when I looked up.

"Fine...as payback, you have to sing Usher's 'Throwback," I said as I looked for the CD and once I did, repleced it with the one on the radio and hit play. After the first chorus...I was surprised...he wasn't bad...

Greg

I had just gotten back from a scene whichCatherine andWarrick had decided to stay behind in when I heard signing coming from the break room. I made my way carefully, trying to make sure that nobody saw me. I then noticed that all of the labs were empty with the exception of trace...guess Hodges wasn't into whatever the thing that was causing the singing. I finally reached the area near the breakroom and noticed that the one who was singing was Adri. She had her eyes closed and was lost in her own little world, one that I would like to be a part off in the future. She's such a great person inside and out...

After a few of the other techs went, they huddled up and talked a little before finally departing the room, Adri taking her CD case and Archie taking the kareoke system. Her smile was wide and Lindsay was congratulating her on her song. Adri hugged Lindsay and thanked her while they made their way to DNA. I left my hiding place and made my way over as well, wondering what the laughing was about.

"Hey you two," I said as I stepped into the lab.

"Hey!" Lindsay cried happily. Adri turned around and gave me a small smile as a greeting.

"What's up?" I asked, wondering what their answer could be.

"Coming back from break..." Adri said as she reached into a cabinet and pulled out something. "Hey Linds...get the ice cream and spoons..."

"You know you're not supposed to eat in here..." I began as Lindsay smiled at Adri and ran off to get what was asked.

"I've got nothing else to do..." she replied as she pulled out a few small books...I think.

"Greg used to hide things around here too..." Nick's voice commented from behind me as he came in.

"That would explain it..." Adri said, smirking.

"Explain what?" Sara's voice asked as she joined the crowd.

"The porn and stale Blue Hawaiian I found here last week..." Adri said while smirking once again. I hid my face in shame but she just laughed. I could hear Nick and Sara laughing as well...I haven't been this embarrased in a long time. "They're safe Greg if that's what's on your mind..." Adri said jokingly as she placed a hand on my shoulder. She then tilted my chin up so we met eye to eye. "And I'm sorry for making fun of you..." she said sincerely. I could hear fading footsteps as Nick and Sara walked away.

"It's okay...I guess I've done that to you one to many times anyway..." I said while shrugging.

"Yeah...but we're even now..." Adri said as she removed her hand from my shoulder.

"Guess we are..." I said in agreement and Lindsay stepped in.

"Now if you'll excuse us...it's girl's only hour..." Adri said as she pushed me out of DNA and closed the door. I watched her pull up a chair and sit down across from Lindsay and grabbing a spoon. She then gave Cath's daughter a book that to my understanding, was printed wrong. Adri looked around and our eyes met again. After waving me away with a flick of the wrist, I walked off as requested, still mistified by the things she did.

Okay...now that that's done...why not review? And if anyone's interested in hearing about my other Greg/OC fic, feel free to write to my email address on my profile! Okay...until next time!

Up next: Reunion and How to Live with Temptation