Chapter Eight: One Word

He was home now, a place where he should have felt safe, protected, confident that he was out of harms way. This wasn't the case, not this time; Greg had never been more agitated. The CSI had spent a rough average of ten minutes in the locker room before he was noticed, or more so the blood that covered not only the floor, but him as well.

Greg barely noticed the pain, his quiet excuse was that it was an accident, and he hadn't even noticed it. Nick had barely believed him, but had promised to keep quiet about it once Greg had confessed to losing his anger. He knew the Texan was only watching out for him, the man had been a friend for so long that Greg felt guilty in not confiding in him. It was a risk he couldn't take, not until he got his head on straight.

He could work through this; at least that was what he kept repeating in his mind. Driving home he had half a mind of swinging by her place, and nearly had. She wouldn't be there, but at least he could wait until she did return. But after thinking it over Greg realized that the tables had turned on him once again.

Sara still had a second shift to work through, and once learning that Greg had been sent home early, she would more in likely stop by his place to check in on him. It was how he ended up here, sitting nervously in the dark, cell phone clutched in one hand, his cordless house phone in the other.

He could call; he knew her number by heart. But what would come of it? Sara would worry, Nick would worry, and they would force him to tell, and Sara would then be in danger…and it would all be his fault. All of it…the bitter taste returned to his mouth as he shifted, stretching out a little more. If he was going to wait he may as well be comfortable.

His hand hurt some, now that time had passed and the heated feelings had left. The burning jealously had gone only to be replaced by raging anger that faded away to a bitter illness he couldn't shake. Greg crossed his arms over his chest, still holding both the phones as he rested there, resisting the urge to check the clock. It would only be five minutes later than the last time he had checked.

Maybe he should go back in, catch up with Sara before she left. It certainly would give him something to do, rather than just sit here in the darkness by himself. Then again the first time Nick caught him in he would be sent straight back home.

When the knock came on his door he was surprised, a frown creasing his face as he got up slowly. It was even more surprising to find that it was Sara at the door. He had been expecting a call, mostly because it was too early for her to be off work just yet. Raising an eyebrow he leaned against the frame as the door swung open, relief flowing through him at the knowledge she was okay.

"What are you doing here?"

"I heard you went home early," she told him with a bit of a worried smile. "Wanted to make sure you were feeling okay…you know, after everything."

Greg nodded grimly. Yes he remembered, how could he forget? "It's a bit early for you," he pointed out.

"I'm on my break," she explained.

"Exactly how many breaks do you have in a day?"

"I'm a level three Greg," Sara laughed briefly as pushed her way in. "You keep forgetting that."

Rolling his eyes he shut the door, following her into the room. Sara made herself comfortable on the couch, pushing aside the two phones. "Expecting someone to call?"

"I was hoping to hear from you," Greg admitted as he sat down next to her.

"Really?"

He was blushing now, even as he turned away, trying to come up with an answer. It was then she noticed the bandage, indicating to his hand. "What happened?"

"It was an accident," Greg shrugged it off.

"Strange…Nick didn't say anything about you getting hurt, just that you left early…"

"Sara?" Greg cut her off, anything to steer away from the current conversation. "Will you marry me?"

She wasn't able to finish her sentence, her mouth hanging open. Greg held his hands up in apology, clearing his throat as he corrected himself.

"Sorry…that one may have been too far. Would you go out with me?"

She laughed, shaking her head as processed his words. "Go out…like a date?"

Greg shrugged, unable to come up with a vocal response as he looked away, his cheeks tinged with embarrassment. So this wasn't going exactly as planned…then again he didn't have anything planned.

"I would love to."

He looked up quickly, meeting her gaze with surprise. "Really?"

"A date sounds like a nice idea."

"What about that guy?" Greg asked suddenly. He had that bone crunching feeling again, sinking to the pit of his stomach. He didn't want to hear what she had to say, but at the same time he had to know.

"It's nothing," Sara convinced him. "He's an okay guy, but I don't know…something's just not there. We're going to just be friends."

"You weren't kissing like friends," Greg reminded her, the feelings of bitter hatred returning. The simple thought that he would do that against her will upset him.

"It was only the second time," Sara nodded towards him. "And I also told him that if he tried it again he'd be sorry."

"Sorry how?"

She smiled, even as she stood. "I'll leave you to think up that one. I need to be getting back, before anyone notices I'm gone."

"I thought you were on break."

Her only response was a smile as she leaned over, planting a small kiss on his forehead. But even before pulling away she paused, moving lower to capture his lips. Greg wasn't sure if he should be thrilled or startled, ending up settling for somewhere in the middle as she pulled away, watching dumbfounded as she gave a small wave, leaving the room.

The moisture still rested on his lips as his fingers touched them gingerly, his eyes trailing to where she had been standing just a moment ago. Everything seemed too real, too perfect to have actually happened. Had he just asked Sara out? And even more importantly, had she actually said yes?

Greg let out a silent yes, throwing both hands in the air as he let himself fall back onto the couch, a slight groan escaping his lips as his head came in contact with one on the phones. Obviously it hadn't been the best idea to leave them there. Rubbing his head tenderly he closed his eyes, the last scene replaying over and over in his head as what could very well be the most wonderful moment in his life.

TBC