Foretold by SLynn

Summary: A woman walks into the crime lab only to tell Greg Sanders about her murder, a murder he's going to solve. Is she just playing games or is it something more?

Spoilers: Through 'Gum Drops'

Rating: PG-13

Disclaimer: I'm just borrowing and will return them all when I'm done, virtually untouched.

Notes: Thank you Tripp3235 and RivenSky!

"A thing long expected takes the form of the unexpected when at last it comes."

Mark Twain

Chapter 16: Unexpected

"Are you even listening to me?"

Greg turned and looked at Nick who was staring at him with a somewhat amused expression on his face.

"Sorry," he offered up.

"I was saying," Nick began again, "that Warrick and I did a bit of digging this afternoon into Henry Baker. Did you know he was also charged with fraud?"

"Same as Ashley?"

"Almost identical. Took quite a bit of money from people, but he's either stopped since then or gotten better at it."

"How long ago was that?"

"At least fifteen years ago. Can't remember exactly. Quite a coincidence though, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Greg agreed, "it is."

But Greg wasn't just thinking about both father and daughter running the same scam. He was thinking more about the fact that fifteen years ago Lydia Juarez had disappeared. Could that also be a coincidence?

"Greg," Nick said loudly, once more calling his attention. "What's wrong with you tonight?"

"Huh?"

"I think you got that spot," Nick said, pointing to the desk Greg had been dusting for prints.

Greg looked down and grimaced.

"Well," he tried shrugging it of, "no prints there."

"No kidding," Nick returned, laughing at the only four square inches of surface covered with powder.

"I've kind of got a lot on my mind," Greg said in his defense.

"I can tell," Nick said, "but you shouldn't let this case eat at you. You're doing all you can. None of us are going to find answers overnight."

"It's not just the case," Greg blurted out before thinking.

It was true, but it wasn't something he wanted to talk about. He felt good, optimistic even, about his talk with Sara earlier, but it really was only that; just a talk.

Nick gave him a shrewd look but didn't question him about it.

"Whatever it is," he finally continued, "you can't let it distract you like this. Especially in the field. You never know…"

Nick and Greg both jumped at a loud crash from above.

The house they were in was old and thought to be deserted. For a vacant house, it was surprisingly clean, but still in use; probably by the homeless.

They'd received an anonymous call about the body, but by all indications it appeared to be a natural death. It wasn't a new occurrence. Still, they'd had to investigate until the coroner's official ruling.

The house was also supposed to have been cleared.

This had become a problem lately. Clark County was stretched thin and didn't have the manpower to always leave a cop on scene with an investigator. So, if the situation was deemed under control, the officer could be called away.

And tonight that is exactly what had happened.

Greg wasn't surprised to see Nick had already drawn his gun and was creeping towards the staircase.

Nick made a motion for Greg to where he was, if only because Greg didn't carry a gun. But once he'd gone up stairs, Greg couldn't help but climb the first two steps himself.

"It's okay," Nick called out a few moments later.

Curious now, Greg went up the remainder of the steps and found Nick in the first open bedroom.

"Bird must have flown in," Nick said, pointing out the open window. "I think it knocked that picture off the wall."

Greg didn't look; he was too busy staring at the biggest bird he'd ever seen up close.

"I think it's got a nest here," Nick continued. "Looks that way at least. What a mess."

But Greg was still looking at the bird that seemed to be looking back.

"Greg?" Nick asked, just as the bird let out a loud 'caw'.

Greg jumped back into the wall causing the mirror behind him to come down with a crash.

"Now you've done it," Nick said, trying to lighten the situation. "That's seven years bad luck."

Greg finally looked away from the bird, inexplicably shaken, and to Nick. He managed a faint laugh and cracked a lame joke about it. That worked for Nick, who seemed to think that Greg was back to normal. But he wasn't really.

None of this seemed very funny.

Greg and Sara had agreed to meet for breakfast that morning, but she still hadn't shown up.

Sure, she'd called. She'd called almost an hour ago saying she was just going to stop by her house and change first. Greg had laughed and asked 'how bad' to which she'd sighed, which was all the answer he'd needed. He knew how messy scenes could get, but still he hadn't expected her to take this long.

Finishing his fourth cup of coffee Greg's phone finally rang; it was her.

"Did you get lost?" he asked jokingly.

"Can you come over?"

"What's wrong," Greg shot back, automatically rising to his feet and fishing for his wallet.

"Can you just… can you?"

"Of course," Greg agreed, putting down enough money to cover his tab and heading out the door. "I'll be there as soon as I can."

He arrived not more than fifteen minutes after hanging up with her.

Sara was standing outside her condo, waiting for him on the sidewalk.

"What happened?" he asked, almost before he'd gotten completely out of the car.

"It's nothing…nothing really," she tried, downplaying it as best she could.

Greg wasn't convinced. Sara looked shaken even if her words said otherwise.

"What…"

Before he could ask anything else, Brass was coming out the front door towards them both.

"We're done in there," he said to Sara, giving Greg a cursory glance. "We'll need you to make up a list of anything missing, you know the drill. Change the locks, of course, and call me if you need anything."

"Thanks," she muttered, with a small nod of her head.

Jim gave her the best smile he could manage, considering, and patted her on the shoulder before heading towards the street.

"You were robbed?" Greg asked, following Sara into her place pas the last two remaining officers leaving.

"I came home this morning and the door was just open," Sara said stoically. "I thought at first, maybe I didn't lock it, but then…"

She stopped and waved a hand through the living room that was in utter disarray. Sighing, she placed one of her couch cushions back into place before sitting down.

"I don't even know where to begin," she said, sounding as lost as she looked.

"Okay," Greg began, checking the door. "Well, Brass was right; you are going to need a new lock. But the door is intact, so it shouldn't be too hard to replace. I can go down and buy you one…"

"No," she said hastily. "No, can you stay? It's stupid and everything, but I don't want to be…"

"Yeah," he agreed, "of course I can stay. How about I call Nick. He's usually up for a few hours. Have him stop and bring one by?"

Sara just nodded as she stood up and began to fidget about the room.

Greg got in touch with Nick on the fifth ring. After quickly explaining the situation Nick readily agreed to help out. By the time he'd arrived, Greg and Sara had cleaned up most of the mess and had begun to take an inventory.

"Hello," Nick called from the door.

"Thanks for doing this," Sara began to say but Nick quickly shut her down.

"It's no problem," he returned while already working on replacing the lock. "Hope they didn't get much. First year I was here they about robbed me blind."

"So far," she answered, leaning against the back of the couch, "nothing. At least nothing I can see."

"What about the television?" Nick asked, pointing across the living room.

"Can you believe she doesn't own one?" Greg returned, joining them from the other room.

"Really?" Nick asked surprised.

"It's not that strange," Sara shot back, feeling much better than she had. She knew Greg had a lot to do with that; he'd spent the whole morning trying to put her back at ease. "Lots of people don't watch T.V."

"And yet you're the only one I know," Greg said smilingly.

"Everything looks here," Sara continued, deciding to ignore them both. "Besides my stereo the only other really valuable thing I own is my computer…"

"So you do own a computer at least," Nick interrupted, as he and Greg both erupted into huge grins.

"Shut up," Sara shot back good naturedly, rolling her eyes for effect. "Of course I have a computer. Luckily I had my gun with me, so I don't know what they could have taken."

"Well," Nick said having finished, "you're all set here. Best lock I could find, so you shouldn't have any more trouble."

"Thanks Nick," Sara said, standing back up.

"You going to be okay here today?" he asked.

Sara hesitated, with half a glance towards Greg before answering, "I'll be fine."

"Good," Nick said with a smile. "If you do need anything else…"

"I'll call," she assured him. "Bye."

"Bye, Sara," he called out. "Bye, Greg."

"Bye, Nick," Greg said from his spot in the kitchen.

Sara shut the door behind him and tried the new lock before sitting on the couch.

"Are you going to be okay?" Greg asked, joining her. "Alone?"

"I was hoping you might stay."

Greg felt his heart hit his throat, but fought it down.

"Sure," he said, trying to sound that way. "You know, just give me a pillow and a blanket and I'll be set out here."

"I'm sorry I've kept you up all morning," she said, absently touching his cheek with the tips of her fingers. "You look tired."

"I've looked worse," he replied, involuntarily leaning into her touch.

"You don't look bad," she returned, playfully rubbing her thumb across his chin. "You do need to shave though."

"I usually just wait…" Greg stopped mid-sentence, not sure what he was saying.

It was hard for him to concentrate with Sara sitting there, stroking his cheek, and looking so perfect. Looking at him in a way he'd never dreamed possible.

Nearly certain that at best she'd stop him and at worst she'd slap him, Greg made up his mind. Locking eyes with her he slipped closer, feeling her hand move effortlessly into his hair as their lips met.

The kiss was both eager and intense, leaving them both slightly self-conscious at the sheer need of it all when they finally broke apart.

Sara was neither looking at him nor letting go; Greg was just as reluctant to move.

"You know," Greg whispered hoarsely, his mouth mere inches from hers, "I could get use to this."

"So could I," Sara returned, her eyes finally fixed back on his.

It was the only thing he'd ever wanted to hear.