TUESDAY

(A week in Greg's life)

It's Saturday, and Greg looks back on certain events.It all started on the previous Monday, and then it started to getcomplicated on Tuesday…

TUESDAY (flashback)

After a strenuous shift, Greg went home for some rest. He was starting to fall asleep when the phone rang.

"If it's Chip, I'll kill him when I see him," Greg muttered as he reached for the phone. "Hello." He said curtly.

"Sanders?" amale voice said, "Is that you?"

Greg's eyes opened wide. This sounded like yet another voice from the past –a more recent past, that is.

"Professor Vauchss?" he asked in disbelief.

The man chuckled.

"Yes." He said, "Good ear, Sanders. How are you?"

"Fine," Greg said, and he sat up just as if the man had just entered his room, "Oh, wow, sir, this is a surprise-"

It was. Vauchss had been a favorite teacher in college –a real mentor. It was Vauchss' work in law enforcement that had helped Greg decide what to do after College.

Forgetting his exhaustion, Greg started asking question after question about Vauchss' recent work, until he practically overwhelmed the older man.

"Slow down, Sanders!" he said, good-naturedly. "I can only answer one question at a time, you know."

"Uh, sorry -"

"But we will have a chance to talk very soon, Sanders." he said, "I'm coming to Las Vegas for the Desert Relay Race.My team is representingWashington this year."

"Great!" Greg said enthusiastically, "Then we'll have a chance to catch up-"

"Exactly," Vauchss said, "That's what I have in mind.But there is something I need to discuss with you before I get there, Sanders." He paused, "I'll get straight to the point," he said, "I'm having trouble with some of my people, and I was wondering if you could help."

"Sure." Greg said. "What can I do for you?"

"I need you to run with my team."

Greg gaped. He assumed his old professor was going to ask him to book his people at some gymor something like that.

This was completely unexpected.

"I know," Professor Vauchss said when Greg failed to respond, "It's an unusual request -"

To say the least.

"Well?" Vauchss asked, "What do you say?"

"Well, sir…" Greg started, "I… hum, wish I could help, but hum... I'm running with the CSI team this year, and-"

"I know you are," Vauchss interrupted, "I've been following your career, Sanders."

"You have?"

"I always keep an eye on my best students." He said, "That's one of the things I want to discuss with you, but not now;I plan to stay in Vegas for a few days after the race; we'll talk then. Right now my concern is for the competition. As you know, I like to win."

Greg knew, indeed.

Professor Vauchss was no ordinary lab rat. Unlike most of his colleagues, Vauchss was a devoted athlete -an obsessive athlete, according to some; one that excelled mostly in individual competitions.

Greg could well imagine how difficult it was for the professor to depend on others for success.

"People have told me great things about you, Sanders." Vauchss said then.

"Really, sir?" Greg asked, wondering which of his cases had stood out lately.

"Yes," The professor said, "They tell me you've been training hard for the race, and that you've been improving your time."

Oh.

Greg didn't comment.

"It seems you're among the top-rated runners this year." Vauchss added. When Greg didn't respond, he continued, "Listen. If you're concerned about any impropriety, then you can relax. The rules clearly state that teams can exchange up to two members, as long as they belong in the same category. You're still registered as a DNA technician, aren't you?"

"Yes, but-"

"Then you can run with us." He stated, taking for granted that Greg would say yes. When the young man didn't, Vauchss changed his tone. He actually sounded humble as he added, "Sanders, I have a good team -a great team, actually. But this matters little when you don't have people you can actually trust. I need someone I can trust beside me, and you're it."

He paused. "So, what do you say?" he asked meekly, "Would you help an old college professor?" And before Greg could answer, he added, "Will you think about it, at least?"

Greg couldn't say no to that.

"All right," he said, "I will, sir."

"Meanwhile, let me tell you about the team…"

Saturday:

Greg had told himself (and anyone who asked), that he was running with Vauchss' team solely to aid an old friend in need; but deep down he knew that was not the case.

Yes, he wanted to help his old professor, and yes, he was flattered that Vauchss had called him. But the truth was…He just wanted a chance to do what he had dreamed of countless of times: Face Chip Barnes as an equal.

Frankly, Greg would run with the devil if it gave him a chance to defeat Chip Barnes and the Oregon Team. But of course,this was not what Greg toldGrissom when they talked on Wednesday.

TBC

Coming soon… Wednesday.