A/N: Hey y'all! How is everyone? I'm great now that George and Jorja are back. I can breathe easier and sleep better at night. LOL Anywhoo, I hope you like this new chappy!
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It was 6:50 and Greg was outside Sara's apartment ready to knock. He couldn't believe what was happening. He was actually going out on a date with Sara Sidle. And she was the one who asked him. He pinched himself again for the hundredth time that night, to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
"Nope, I'm awake." He said to himself as he knocked on the door.
"Come in! It's open!" Sara yelled from inside.
"Hey Sara. I know I'm a couple of minutes early, but-"
"Oh no, don't worry about it. At least you're not late." She said smiling as she walked out of her bedroom to greet him. Greg just stared at her, trying to keep his mouth closed. Sara was wearing a tight black spaghetti strap dress.
"Wow, Sara you look amazing."
"Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself. I must admit, you clean up very nicely." Sara said smiling at him when she saw his suit. "I'll just be a minute. I want to take my hair down."
"No, it looks perfect."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, if you keep it up, everyone can see your whole face." Greg said smiling. Sara just stared at him wondering if this was the same man she worked with.
"Okay. I'll leave it up. Let's go, I don't know about you, but I'm getting hungry."
"Sure." Greg said offering his arm as they made their way to his car.
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"So Catherine, what do you say we go dancing after we eat dinner?" Grissom said smiling at her.
"I'd love to. But keep in mind, I told Hannah's father I would have her home by midnight."
"Okay. What do you want to eat?"
"Hmm. Oh that chicken Parmesan looks good."
"Yeah, and big. Why don't we share it?" Grissom said with a mischievous grin.
"Okay. And if we are still hungry, we can order something else."
"Alright then." Grissom said looking around the restaurant. "Hey Catherine, did Sara mention she was going on a date tonight?"
"Yeah she did. I don't know who with. Why?"
"Because she's here. But I don't see anyone with her."
"Me neither...oh wait, there he is. Oh my God, is that Greg?"
"Yeah, I think it is."
"Do you want to call them over?"
"Sure, if you want to. It's up to you."
"Sara! Greg! Over here!" Catherine yelled as Sara's head shot over to them. Sara grabbed Greg's arm as they walked over to the table.
"Hey guys, didn't expect to see you here." Greg said standing next to Sara.
"Oh, I can't wait to hear how this happened." Catherine said smiling at them.
"Oh Catherine, I'm being nice to Greg. I decided to have dinner with him after what happened the other day."
"Sara, Greg, please sit down." Grissom offered smiling.
"Are you sure? We don't want to intrude." Greg said looking at them.
"Is this the same Greg Sanders we work with? It's fine! Now sit." Catherine teased smiling. As Greg pulled a chair out for Sara.
"Thank you." Sara said sitting down and watching the blank expressions on their co-workers faces as a waitress walked to them.
"Good evening, are you ready to order? Or do you need a little more time?" Asked the young waitress who smiled although she looked dead tired.
"We are ready, Sara, Greg, do you guys need some time?"
"I don't, Sara?" Greg said turning to her.
"No, I know what I'll get. You guys first." Sara said looking at Catherine and Grissom.
"Okay. We are going to share a chicken Parmesan." Grissom said smiling as he handed the waitress the menu.
"Okay, and what would you guys like?"
"I'll have spaghetti, no meatballs, and no meat in the sauce please." Sara said to her as she turned to Greg who couldn't help but smile. "Greg?"
"Oh, uh, I'll have the same thing."
"Okay everything should be ready in a while. I'll be back with your bread sticks." The waitress said walking away. Greg watched the waitress over Catherine's shoulder and saw her trip as the heel of her shoe broke. He watched her curse as she dropped the empty plates she was carrying. He was feeling sorry for her, but he was quickly yanked into reality.
"Greg? Wake up!" Sara said waving a hand in front of his face. "What are you looking at?"
"Oh, nothing. Just zoned out."
"Okay. Now Greg, why don't you tell us all how you got your nickname 'Captain Genius'." Sara said smiling.
"Sara......" Greg said looking embarrassed.
"Whoa whoa, wait a minute. Where did you hear this?" Catherine said suddenly looking interested.
"Hannah."
"Ah, I figured that. Yes Greg, tell us."
"Fine..." Greg sighed.
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Meanwhile.............
:pop pop POP!:
Lindsey squealed as she jumped up and down on the bubble wrap. Hannah was next to her doing the same. They were singing Shania Twain while they jumped.
"Just like I should.....I'll get ya good!" They sang together. Once all of the bubbles on every sheet were popped, they plopped on the couch laughing.
"Hannah you were right, that was fun!" Lindsey said smiling.
"See, I told ya so!"
"What are we gonna do now?"
"Hmm I dunno....maybe make some cookies? We can save some for your mom."
"Yeah! Can we can we PLEASE?" Lindsey begged.
"Well I don't really know. All that bubble popping might have made our hands a little dirty. If you go wash up, we can make cookies."
"YAY!" Lindsey said leaping off the couch and running to the bathroom.
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"Well....where did you get the nickname?" Catherine asked excitedly.
"Geez Catherine. Calm down and I'll tell you." Greg said as Catherine rolled her eyes. "Okay, about 8 years ago, I helped a friend of mine with an experiment. Hannah was with us. So I mixed these two chemicals, I still don't know what the heck they were, and a cloud of smoke formed, and everything was bubbling. So some of it shot out pretty far and got my face and hands. It turned my skin a neon green color for three days. The first thing out of Hannah's mouth was 'way to go captain genius' and she has been calling me that ever since." Greg finished looking embarrassed. He looked at all of the blank faces. It took the everything they had, but after about 5 seconds, Catherine, Grissom, and Sara cracked up.
"Oh....Greg, that's so..."
"Stupid?" Greg finished Catherine's sentence.
"Hilarious!" Catherine said laughing.
"No, it isn't." Sara said.
"Okay Sara, what do you think?" Greg asked turning to her.
"I think it is cute." She said smiling.
"Cute? You think that is cute?"
"Yes, I think it is adorable. I can picture you doing something like that too."
"You would." Greg said smiling playfully.
"Hey! Be nice you."
"Okay, sorry." Greg said faking guilt.
"See, just as I said, cute." Sara said smiling as the waitress returned with their bread sticks and dipping sauce.
"Okay, here you go." She said leaning forward as she placed the bread on the table. One of the dishes with the sauce fell and spilled all over Grissom's shirt. The waitress panicked. "Oh my God! I am so sorry!" She said taking out a cloth to help him clean up.
"It's okay, accidents happen. No harm done." He said smiling to her. He noticed Greg was staring at her as well.
"No, Mr. Grissom I am really sorry. I just ruined your suit."
"Really it's fine and- wait, how did you know me?"
"I have seen you in the paper. All of you actually. I think you all do great work."
"Well, thanks. Now, stop worrying about my shirt. Please. It's okay."
"Okay. I'm really sorry. I'll um, get you some more sauce." She said walking away.
"Well, that was interesting." Catherine said breaking the silence.
"Yeah, she looks like she is having a rough night." Grissom said taking a drink of his water.
"Yeah, I think it is getting worse." Sara said looking past Grissom.
"What?"
"Look. I think her boss is chewing her out for getting that sauce on you." Sara said as the manager pointed to them. After what seemed to be a few harsh words from her manager, the waitress looked over to them with tears in her eyes. Greg stared at her and felt even more sympathy for her now than he did before. She walked into the kitchen as the manager approached them.
"Mr. Grissom, I would like to apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you. And I am terribly sorry about this incident. When you have the suit cleaned just bring me the bill and I will personally make sure it is payed."
"Look, as I told the waitress, it is no big deal. Accidents happen. She didn't mean to do it. You don't have to pay the bill. It was only an accident, so we don't have to go any further than this."
"Okay. Will you at least take a free dinner for the future for you and this lovely lady?" He said looking at Catherine as Grissom sighed.
"Sure. Thank you."
"No problem. And I can assure you that this problem has been taken care of and will not happen again." He said walking away.
"Wow, he didn't make a big deal out of it or anything." Catherine said sarcastically.
"Yeah. Man, I hope she didn't get into too much trouble."
"Yeah. Well, if you will excuse me, I need to use the bathroom." Catherine said standing up.
"Yeah, me too. Gentlemen behave." Sara said following Catherine. Grissom looked at Greg who was staring off into space.
"Hey Greg."
"Yes?"
"Let me give you some advice. When you are out on a date with someone you have been trying to get a date from for years, especially Sara, I wouldn't be checking out the waitress."
"What? I wasn't checking her out."
"Really? Then why were you staring at her this whole time?"
"Because I feel sorry for her. I'm not hitting on her or anything. I came with Sara and she is the only person I have any feelings for whatsoever. I just know how that waitress feels. Messing up on an off night."
"Believe it or not, but I do too." Grissom said looking down at the table. "I'm sorry Greg. I shouldn't have assumed anything."
"Hey, it's okay. It's my image."
"Well, I don't know about that but-"
"Hey guys, did you miss us?" Catherine said sitting down.
"Oh yeah." Grissom said kissing her.
"Alright you two. Save it for later. You're out in public." Sara said smiling at Greg.
"Wow Sara, I didn't know you were so funny." Catherine said sending her a friendly glare.
"Well, you know me, I don't like to brag or anything." She said smiling. "So it was so serious when we walked up, what were you guys talking about?" Sara asked looking from Grissom to Greg.
"Never mind. Guy stuff." Grissom said as Greg's head shot in his direction.
"Okay. Oh look. The food is here! Thank God, I'm starving." Sara said as the waitress gave them their plates. They ate and talked about work and other plans for the summer.
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"So? How did we do?" Hannah asked Lindsey smiling as she bit into one of their cookies.
"Yum! These are really good." Lindsey answered as some of the melted chocolate from the chocolate chips smeared on her mouth.
"Good. I'm glad you approve." Hannah said smiling. "How about a movie?"
"Sure, which one?"
"I don't know. Surprise me."
"Okay." Lindsey said running into the living room as Hannah cleaned up the kitchen. She heard the clicking of the intro to the movie and joined Lindsey as they watched Sleeping Beauty. "This is my favorite movie. I got to play Sleeping Beauty once before...before my dad died." Lindsey said staring at the floor. "But it is still my favorite." She said as the smile reappeared.
"This is one of my favorites too." Hannah said as Lindsey reached up to take another cookie. "Here, let me take a few of those for your mom and uncle Grissom so we don't finish them." She said smiling as she put a few of the cookies into a bag.
"Hannah! It's starting!" Lindsey yelled from the living room.
"Okay, I'm coming."
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"Well, that was the best chicken parmesan I have ever had." Catherine said as Grissom nodded in agreement, his mouth still full.
"Yeah, that spaghetti was fantastic. I'm full." Sara said looking at Greg.
"Well, I hope you ladies aren't too full." Grissom said smiling. "Catherine and I were planning to go dancing. You guys are welcome to come with us if you like."
"I don't know, Greg, did you have anything else planned for us to do?"
"Actually, they read my mind." Greg said smiling.
"Okay then, it's settled. Let's go. I'll pay for everything and I'll meet you outside." Grissom said standing and helping Catherine with her coat as Greg did the same for Sara.
"Okay, come on Greg. You can escort us out." Catherine said smiling.
"Wow, I have to pinch myself again to make sure I'm awake. Two beautiful women willingly on each arm? I must be dreaming." Greg said as Sara pinched him. "Ow! Man Sara, you pinch hard!"
"Well, I guess you're awake." She said smiling playfully as Grissom left them to pay the bill.
Grissom walked up to the desk to pay for his dinner. The manager was there to give him the certificate for his free dinner. He payed and turned around. As he was leaving, the young waitress walked up to him. She was carrying a little girl who he guessed was no older than two years old.
"Mr. Grissom? I just wanted to apologize again. And I wanted to tell you how nice it was to meet you."
"Thank you. And don't worry about my shirt. I have plenty more. Have a good night." Grissom said smiling.
"Thanks." She said walking past him to the manager. Grissom was only a few feet away when he heard them talking. He turned around for a second to see her telling the little girl to sit away from them. "Mr. Finelli please, I really need this job. I promise I won't mess up again. I was just having a bad night." She pleaded with him.
"Look Alison, I made my decision. I can't afford to have you here breaking my dishes and spilling food on my customers."
"Please, I'll work in the kitchen if I have to, please."
"I'm sorry kid. I am." He said straightening some papers on the desk. "I need you to bring your uniform back clean tomorrow. Your last check will be here."
"Yes sir." She said with tears in her eyes. She looked over to the little girl. "Mr. Finelli? I just wanted to apologize." She stuttered. "I uh, have to get going." She said walking to the little girl. "Come on Hope. We have to go home."
Grissom walked outside to his car where Catherine was waiting for him.
"Hey, what took you so long?"
"Nothing. Let's go before it gets too late." Grissom said starting the car and following Greg.
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"Wow, I can't believe what time it is. Linds, I think you have to go to bed. If you are too tired your mom will think we stayed up partying all night." Hannah said smiling to Lindsey.
"But Hannah, I'm not even tired!" Lindsey said letting out a big yawn. "Well, I'm not!"
"Come on. Let's go."
"Okay. Fine. But what are you gonna do?"
"I don't know. I bet I can think of something. Now upstairs, go!" Hannah smiled as Lindsey stomped up the stairs.
"Fine, just don't do anything fun without me okay. Goodnight."
"I promise. Goodnight Linds."
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"Wow, this place is great. I thought there would have been about twenty bar fights in a place like this by now." Sara said to Greg.
"Now Sara, if it was really like that around here, do you think I would have brought you and my boss here?"
"I guess not." She said smiling and staring into her drink. "Greg? I just want to say thank you."
"For what? What did I do right?" He said grinning.
"Everything. I'm having a good time. Something that hasn't happened to me in a long time."
"Well, I'm glad I could help."
"Really Greg. Before tonight I always thought 'why would I ever go out with Greg Sanders?'"
"Well, there goes my ego."
"But now, now I'm glad I did. Because I have seen a side of you that is invisible at work."
"Really? And what side would that be?"
"You are serious, sweet, and caring. At work you are funny, I'll give you that. But you are also not very serious at all, and I have to admit, sometimes you can get annoying."
"Oh is that all? I already knew that. Ecklie has been telling me that I'm annoying for years." Greg said smiling.
"Well, I'm not done yet. Away from work you are, let's see where did I leave off? Oh yeah, caring, you know how to treat a woman, and most of all, you look so cute when you get dressed up." Sara said cracking up.
"Wow, well that's nice to know. Maybe I should wear this more often." Greg said between laughs.
"No, I think at work you should remain mysterious to the rest of them." Sara said still laughing.
"Uh Sara, exactly how many drinks have you had?"
"One and a half. Why?"
"Just checking. I wanted to make sure you were relatively sober so you can remember what you are telling me."
"Funny." Sara said looking out to the dance floor. "Wow, they look like they're having such a good time." Sara said pointing to Catherine and Grissom.
"Yeah. They're really great together. Hey, what do you say we join the fun?"
"Sure let's go."
"Hey guys! Where have you been?" Catherine asked parting form Grissom for a moment.
"We were just talking."
"Oh okay. Hey Gil, what time is it?"
"Uh, 11:00. Don't worry, we still have some time." He said smiling at her.
"I know. I just wanted to check." Catherine said placing her head on his shoulder as a slow song started to play.
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Hannah was asleep on the couch when Lindsey tiptoed down the stairs and walked toward her.
"Hannah?" Lindsey said shaking her. "Hannah wake up."
"Linds? What is it?"
"Nothing. I had a bad dream and I came down to get a drink and I heard you crying. Did you have a bad dream too?"
"Yeah, I guess I did. Come on kiddo. Let's get a drink."
"What was it about?"
"Huh?"
"Your dream, what was it about? Mine was about my dad."
"I uh, don't really remember." Hannah said pouring them each a glass of milk. They finished drinking and Hannah washed out the glasses. "Hey Linds, do you want to sleep down here with me until your mom gets home? There is some room on the couch."
"Sure. I want to get something first."
"Okay." Hannah said as Lindsey ran back up the stairs. She came back down just as fast with a small dog in her hands.
"This is Tiger. She helps when I have a bad dream."
"Really? I used to have something like that."
"Here, you can use it."
"Okay, thanks."
"No problem." Lindsey said yawning.
"Come on kiddo, let's go back to sleep." Hannah said as they want into the living room and went to sleep again.
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"Wow, this is great. We all have to do this again." Sara said finishing her drink.
"Yeah, hey a lot of people are leaving." Catherine said looking around. "Uh, Gil? What time is it?"
"Oh my God, it's 1:30."
"Oh crap! I told Hannah's father I would have her home by midnight! Sara, Greg we have to go."
"Okay. See you tomorrow night guys." Sara said turning to Greg.
"Man, Hannah's dad is gonna be really upset."
"Well, once Catherine tells him they just lost track of time, he'll understand. Anyway, I think we should get going too."
"Yeah it is getting kinda late. Here is your coat."
"Thanks." She said following him outside.
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A/N: Okay, I know this is yet another bad place to end, but I didn't want to make it too long. Plus, I'm up really late writing this and I have to go to bed before mom gets mad. LOL Don't worry, I'll have the next chappy shortly. Please review! I would also like to mention a story called 'CSI: Road Rage' written by Redneck-Yankee which is the screen name for my friend and I. Can you guess who the Redneck is? LOL Anywhoo, If you like humor, video games, and a little bit of Greg/Sara fluff, please be our guest and check it out!
Sweet Jorja