"Why am I doing this?" Sara asked while getting into her car.

"Well, he is your boss." Greg smiled as he buckled his seat belt. He knew Sara didn't exactly like socialising with more than two people at a time. Much less with three people she didn't know very well. And to top it off, Grissom was making her do it. How cool of an uncle was he for that? "I don't know why you won't let me drive. It wouldn't be good to let you drive when you're upset. I'm trying to be a good citizen, here." And protect everyone else on the road, he silently added.

"It's kind of too late to start, isn't it?" Sara closed her door, catching a glimpse of Greg's extending arm in her peripheral vision. "No."

Greg looked at Sara, his face an expression of perplexity. At least that's what he tried to convey. "I'm not doing anything."

"I'm not driving you there and listening to Tears for Fears."

"You have a prejudice for eighties music." Greg almost pouted as he removed the cassette and put it back in his pocket.

"I know I don't want to listen to Shout for a whole twenty minutes. That's the only song you have on that tape."

"You'll only hear the song three times. The tape has to rewind, too."

"Driver picks music and I don't want any, right now." She sighed as she put the key in the ignition. "I still can't believe Grissom is making me do this."

"You're too upset." Greg put on his mask of false assurance. He didn't get a chance to use that one as much with her, which was a shame. He would get to put his hand on Sara's shoulder more often in some gesture of assurance, even if it was to mock her. "Let me, help you."

"I don't want to work with new people." Sara was too anxious to pay attention to Greg's hand on her shoulder. Because any other time, she would have knocked it off. So she accepted the comfort, even though she knew it was to patronise her social skills or lack thereof.

She knew he was laughing at her expense.

If that annoying smile had anything to do with it.

"I don't think you get a choice."

Sara really didn't like when Greg pointed out the obvious. It made him seem somewhat mature. Which he normally wasn't. "You're being a liability, again."

"And you're going to be defective if you don't go along with this." He removed his hand as Sara glared at him. His back pressing to the window as he tried to distance himself from an irate Sara. But there was only so much you could do in the passenger's seat. "It's not that bad, Negative Nelly."

"Yeah, right. You're just happy because you get to see Nick."

Greg didn't disagree with Sara. He did have it bad for Nick Stokes. And if Sara didn't have it so bad herself, he was sure her eyes would have been on Nick Stokes, too. But it's good that she has it bad for someone else because if she liked Nick, then that wouldn't be cool. "And you're just upset that Grissom's not coming."

"You know what? I don't need this." Sara pointed at Greg with a finger, her other hand firmly gripping the steering wheel and her eyes still on the road. "Especially from you."

"But you can't leave me alone with three strangers." Greg added in a singsong voice as Sara turned a corner. "Grissom wouldn't want you to leave his favourite nephew all alone and unprotected."

"You're his only nephew. And technically, you know all three of these people, so it'd be okay."

"I don't think my mom would agree with that." Greg shook his head in disappointment. "And to think you used to be my babysitter."

"Don't worry Greg…I still am."

Greg didn't know whether to take her seriously or not. It would explain why she was there. But he knew most it had to do with Grissom. And even if she wouldn't admit it, she liked Greg, too. Just not for babysitting alone.

At least that's what he told himself.

"Look, there's Catherine." Greg waved energetically through the open passenger window at the blonde going into the restaurant. "She didn't see me. I'm going to get her."

"Stay." Sara said, stopping Greg from unbuckling his seatbelt. "We're going in to see her, anyway. And I'm not going in there with no backup...Even if it is you."

"Gee, thanks Sara." He rolled his eyes. "But you're already parked. I'll even lock my door before I go, this time."

"I know this was your idea and I'm not going in there by myself."

"Grissom says you sound like me when you whine."

Sara turned to Greg sharply, grabbing his arm. "No, he doesn't." She peered at him through her sunglasses, her voice becoming unsure. "Does he?"

Game. Set. But not quite match. Greg was going to enjoy this. "Listen, I'll make you a deal."

Sara knew better than to actually pay attention when Greg rubbed his hands together like some kind of crazed maniac. But she was stuck between conversing with three people she didn't know alone and conversing with three people she didn't know with Greg on her side. She was never going to make Grissom coffee, again. That'll be Greg's new job. "I'm listening…"

"You don't embarrass me and I don't embarrass you. Keyword there is you." He looked at her hand, which still held his arm, grateful when she removed it. Because her grip was cutting off the circulation.

"You don't need my help for the first part. You can do it on your own."

"You see? See? That's where it starts, Sara." It was always Sara's fault that they couldn't been seen together in public. "It's a never ending cycle." He said with a dramatic flair. "But someone has to stop it. Someone has to put an end to this madness."

"Then why can't you stop it, genius?"

"Because out of the two of us." He motioned between Sara and himself. "I'm not the adult."

"Thanks for offering to come with me, man." Nick wasn't sure he could face Greg alone. Never mind the fact that he'd only see him once and other people were going to be there, too.

But Nick had a feeling that there was something about Greg. Not dissimilar to the same feeling he felt many times before. But Greg was different.

And Nick had to convince himself it wasn't because Greg was a minor.

"Sure…" Warrick looked warily at his friend. He was becoming more nervous as he knew they were less than five minutes away from the restaurant. He lived only a couple of blocks away from the restaurant, but he still wasn't going to leave Nick alone with Greg. "No problem...But I was going to come with you anyway."

"No...Really?" Nick tilted his head as he walked beside Warrick. "Wait. This doesn't have to do with Greg, does it? Do I look like I want to go to jail to you?" Nick didn't want to go to jail, even if it was for Greg. Because he knew long distance relationships didn't really work out.

Warrick took a deep breath, hoping for the strength to get him through the day. He hadn't even mentioned Greg, but Nick was fast to bring him up. No, Nick didn't look like he wanted to go to the slammer.

He was begging for it.

"Remember when I talked about moving here…To San Francisco?" Warrick decided to change the subject. He still had to come up with a plan for keeping Nick as far away as possible from Greg. Without looking suspicious.

"No." Nick manoeuvred around someone running past them. "I only seem to recall something about a summer place here."

"Yeah, about that…I'm moving here to work for Grissom."

Nick paused on the sidewalk, in front of window displaying a 'no soliciting' sign. "What?" Motioned forward when Warrick pushed him toward the restaurant, now within sight.

"Yeah, I've been thinking about going into law enforcement since my second car was stolen..."

Nick snorted, remembering that day Warrick called him two years ago. Ranting, raving, and mourning the loss of his "baby"…At least Warrick didn't name the second one. "Not waiting for the third time?"

"I'm being serious." Because he appreciated working alongside Grissom and how hands-on the older man was. He really inspired Warrick in that short amount of time.

"You want to be a detective now or something?" Nick couldn't wrap his head around it. Sure, he believed his friend when he said Grissom was good. But Warrick could be a cop or something. Like Nick wanted to be. Unless you already had a good reputation, the detective thing was kind of iffy. "Man, I don't know about-"

"I just graduated college, Nick." Warrick paused, standing outside of the restaurant. "And I'm twenty-one. I think I found what I want to do."

"What about the music thing?" Nick held the door open for the other man. "I know you wanted to do that and I've listened to your songs. They're pretty good."

"And what's that supposed to mean to me, country boy?"

"Am I supposed to smile, now?" Sara asked as she took a seat at the circular table, across from Catherine.

Greg looked warily at her. Almost afraid of the forced turning up of her lips…Was she constipated or something? And trying to hide it? "Yeah, you're doing…Fine." He whispered as he sat beside Sara.

"You've gotten taller since the last time I've seen you."

"I'm still growing, too." He smiled in remembrance of the kiss Catherine gave him when he and Sara first entered the restaurant. Even if the kiss was on the cheek, it was still a kiss. Sara only got a hug. Beat that Sara Sidle. "Sara used to make of fun of me for being short and skinny."

"You're still skinny, Greg."

Greg spared a glance at Sara. They made a deal in her car, a place of sacredness. And she was not complying. Then again, she never did agree to anything. "I'll be buff, soon. My hormones are just beginning to kick in."

"I think that's where they end, too."

"I still have a couple of years in me, Sara."

"Maybe a few more inches, but other than that…No."

"Two years and you guys haven't changed at all." Catherine smiled at the expression on Greg's face. Her head resting on one hand and her elbows supported by the table. "How's Grissom? He wants me for the job, but of course doesn't come to see me himself."

"Oh…He's fine." Sara hadn't exactly known Catherine that well. She knew the older woman and Grissom had a kind of relationship. It didn't necessarily irk her. Catherine and Grissom's closeness, that is. She was mature enough to handle the fact that Grissom knew other people…Females besides her.

She wasn't Greg.

"Yeah, he's still…Grissom." Greg smiled at Catherine as he felt Sara tense beside him. She was overanalysing things again…And he'd made so much progress with her, too. She was reverting back to her old ways. "If that makes any sense. But you know how – Warrick." Greg removed himself from his seat, ready to greet the other man. "Mr. Stokes…" Sitting back down when he saw Nick following behind him.

Sara had to force herself to remain at the table. Greg wasn't any use to her, right now. Too caught up with admiring Nick if his fidgeting was any indication. At this rate, she would have to initiate conversation.

But wait, Catherine was still there.

Sara still had hope.

And Sara had never been happier for Grissom's other female friend as Catherine greeted the two men as they approached the table. Because as boisterous and outgoing as Greg normally was, he was behaving worse than Sara on a bad day.

Something she could admit to…In her head.

Catherine tried to conceal her amusement when Greg didn't immediately move to greet the two men. One of whom looked familiar. She turned to the taller man, her hair following her quick movement. "You're from-"

"The plane." Warrick finished, knowing he had seen her before. They were on the same flight to San Francisco. What were the odds? She must have been the other person Grissom was talking about.

Looks like his luck followed him from Vegas.

Not counting having two cars stolen.

"I'm Warrick." He reached out, waiting to shake her hand. Forgetting that he was supposed to be separating Nick from Greg. Because Nick was walking away while he was preoccupied.

"Catherine Willows." She took his hand, shaking it firmly while she let her eyes appraise his form. "Nice to meet you."

"Same here." Warrick replied, his gaze likewise appreciating Catherine's figure.

Nick shook his head, taking a seat next to Greg while he greeted the only other attentive people at the table. Repaying Greg by whispering in his ear about Warrick being too obvious in his flirting. Not bothering to hide his smile as Greg stiffened. The other male's breathing hitching at Nick's close proximity.

Yep.

Greg was definitely different.

If Sara could hear Greg's wistful sigh, she knew the whole restaurant could. Not to mention Nick, too, because he sat next to Greg. She could practically feel the heat from Greg's face. She could see his blush travelling to the tips of his ears.

Sara barely resisted the urge to bang her head on the table.

Tomorrow couldn't start soon enough.

"Are you sure you don't want to play, Ryan? Donkey Kong is everything they said." Greg didn't pause as his fingers pressed buttons on the controller. "And then some." He was surprised Ryan didn't want to play because the game really was that good. Except that Diddy Kong could be annoying, sometimes.

Something about that red hat.

"Yeah…I get more enjoyment out of watching you play the birthday gift you gave me."

"I knew there was a reason that I liked you."

"Sarcasm?" Ryan crossed his arms as he leaned against his bed, sitting on the floor with Greg. Who was a little too close to the television for Ryan's comfort.

"Like I said, I knew there was a reason I liked you."

"Obviously, you don't get it."

"I still haven't seen your mom." Greg remarked while playing the game. He was proud of the fact that he could multitask. And it wasn't just limited to talking while playing video games. Even though he was proud of that, too because not many people could do it. Ryan, for instance, would kill Mario every time Greg tried to start a conversation. It was a shame, really. "Is she avoiding me or something?"

"No." Ryan shook his head despite the fact that Greg couldn't see it. "She went to Miami to see my uncle Ron."

"Really…Why didn't you go?"

"He's planning another wedding – which one will this be?"

"Third."

"Yeah, he's planning his third wedding. And mom was nice enough not to make me go." Not to mention the fact that Ryan really didn't want to go.

"How come she'll let you stay by yourself? My parents would never do that. I tried to convince them that they give me freedom in a cage, which isn't really freedom at all. But my dad says it's better than a leash."

"It's only for this weekend and she'll be back by Monday." Ryan looked at Greg on the floor, laying with his arms out and his feet up, moving his legs up and down. A bowl of popcorn on his right, and popcorn kernels scattered on his left. A soda can in front of him that Ryan was waiting for Greg to spill. There was a piece of chocolate fudge on a plate, set on top of and crushing the spilled popcorn on Greg's left.

And the pile of napkins Ryan gave him that was much closer to Ryan than Greg, who could actually benefit from them.

Out of sight and out of mind.

But unfortunately not Ryan's.

"There's a reason why they won't let you stay by yourself, Greg." If he didn't already know it would end up in disaster, Ryan would have forced Greg to scrub the carpet until it was cleaner than when his mom first had it installed.

Greg wasn't a messy person, per se. He just waited to clean up his messes, instead of cleaning them as he went along. Something that irked Ryan, but he had somehow managed to deal with it.

Because eventually, Greg would clean up his mess.

And sometimes without that extra nudge from Ryan.

"I still don't get it." Greg spoke as his eyes were still on the game. Throwing a barrel at that annoying crocodile soldier thingie. Greg couldn't remember what they were called and definitely didn't feel like looking at the game manual. That was something Ryan would do. "They think I'm a kid or something. And I'm not talking about being their child."

Ryan groaned as he took another look at Greg, surrounded by junk food and neglected napkins as he lay on the carpet. He was somewhat concerned that Greg had yet to make the connection between his actions and how people perceived him.

It was times like these when Ryan couldn't help himself. When he started imagining Greg on his hands and knees, making those panting noises that were so Greg. Perspiration trickling on Greg's forehead and running down his neck. Greg's body rocking back and forth on the carpet as Ryan was bent over him.

The smell of cleaner in the air tickling Ryan's nostrils as he watched Greg scrub the carpet. The evil cackle was bubbling inside him when Ryan thought of pointing out invisible stains Greg missed. Then Greg would finally understand how Ryan felt.

He sighed in disappointment, knowing that day would never come.

And he was the one who let Greg eat in his room.

"Ryan." Greg's voice broke Ryan's musing. "You're not having that fantasy, again are you?"

"And what if I am?" He didn't care anymore. Somehow Greg knew. Maybe it was the pitch of the sigh. Greg said it was like a high whine or something. Which in this case, would be completely appropriate.

"Because I'm on the carpet and you're making that high pitched whine." Greg sat up, pausing the game and putting the controller down. Sitting with his legs crossed as he faced Ryan. "It better not be the one with the blue apron."

"No apron this time."

"Good. Because it's disturbing that you fantasise about me cleaning things." It really was. And it only became more so because Greg found out about it when Ryan was talking in his sleep. Telling "Dream Greg" he didn't sweep the floor or a plate wasn't dried.

"Where are you going?" Ryan asked as he watched Greg stand up, the food still on the floor.

"Bathroom?"

"What about the food?" Lifting himself from the floor, Ryan motioned to mess Greg left on the floor. "Are you going to leave it like that?"

"Ryan." Greg couldn't believe the nerve of his friend. Accusing him of something like that. He knew Ryan could be a little tedious when it came to cleaning, but he'd move it…Eventually.

"No, you're going to try sneak out, again."

"Come on, let's put that behind us. It was so-"

"You did it yesterday, Greg."

But for once, Greg wasn't trying get out of cleaning. Although he did like to see Ryan worked up over something small, he really did have to go to the bathroom. "Fine, I'll take it with me. Just to make you happy." Greg bent down to retrieve the snacks on the floor. "Happy?"

"Very…And take it downstairs. Not in the bathroom."

"Yes, mom."

Ryan crossed his arms as Greg left the room. Maybe Greg did actually mean to go to the bathroom. Regardless, Greg was a lost cause, but one Ryan found himself attached to.

Ten years is a long time to get to know someone.

"You're back already?" Ryan asked dubiously as Greg came in the room. Downstairs, upstairs and the bathroom. Ryan almost wanted to ask if he washed his hands, but knew Greg had a kind of OCD in his own right. Not that Ryan would admit to Greg that he may be a little obsessive sometimes, but Greg was adamant when it came to germs.

Must have been Sara's influence.

And speaking of Sara. "How'd it go today?"

"How'd what go?" This time, Greg could say he knew exactly what Ryan was talking about. Not like with Sara. She could be sly, sometimes. But he kept talking about it yesterday with Ryan. He was only surprised his friend didn't bring it up sooner.

"The thing at the restaurant…With the case? I had to listen to you go on and on, last night."

"I don't go on and on." Greg took a seat on the floor, next to Ryan, who was now sitting on the bed. He was preparing for the inevitable. Because no matter how hard he tried to hide something from his friend, Ryan's curiosity could always get it out of him. "I guess it was okay."

"That's it?" Ryan wouldn't let Greg shrug this one off. The way Greg kept going on about it last night, Ryan almost thought it was something big and important.

Like he found some way for Greg and him to see Silence of the Lambs.

Because Ryan wasn't stooping to fake id cards.

"At first it was uncomfortable. Because Sara was with me, and you know how she is. But I couldn't go without her…Grissom actually said so."

Ryan braced himself. Greg was starting to ramble. And he only did that when he was nervous or had to say something that was potentially life-changing. Or life-threatening on occasion.

"But after that, dude, it was so much fun. And when Nick-"

"Nick." Ryan looked questionably down at Greg. "Who's uh…Who's Nick?" Biting his lip anxiously.

"Nicky Stokes?" Greg peered at Ryan curiously. His friend was the one who kept up with the news and who was who. Mundane stuff like that.

But Ryan was too preoccupied to call upon his repertoire of sometimes useless information. Repeating the name silently, his mouth slowing opening and closing as he wondered how Greg became so familiar with this Nick person. Going so far as to refer to him as Nicky.

No. The name wasn't ringing any bells.

"Bill Stokes' youngest son." Greg made sure to stress the youngest part. Because age was still a factor in this. And he was trying to build up to what Sara incorrectly dubbed, his first crush. So Ryan wouldn't go off the handle. His friend worried too much.

Really.

"So your first case is his case?" Ryan asked, his mind now moving in a more rational direction. He couldn't believe that someone like Nick Stokes would want help from Grissom. Even if Greg's uncle was pretty famous. Still. "Wait a minute, how come – I don't know – the cops aren't doing something?"

"People like your mom can't have all the fun, you know."

"Well, what's it about, then? Why's he going to your uncle?"

"I'm going to tell Grissom you're implying something through libel."

"I'm not, and even if it was, it's called slander, not libel…Wait, you're trying to distract me, aren't you." Ryan didn't buy the innocent look. He knew that Greg knew the difference between slander and libel. "You are."

"Well…I can't disclose this kind of information."

"But-"

"He signed a contract that legally binds us together. And under pseudo-employment and because I don't get paid-"

"You get free room and board."

"True." Greg nodded his head in agreement. "But as a pseudo-employee, I am not allowed to discuss such classified information with you."

"Spill it." Ryan urged, knowing Greg was just trying to wind him up. But he had the leverage, this time. The Super Nintendo.

"Okay." Greg began eagerly. He trusted Ryan as far as he could throw his friend, which didn't get past the picking up part, but the point was that Ryan was trustworthy. And he was going to talk regardless. "See, Nick thinks there's someone trying to steal his identity. Or at least someone applying for credit cards in his name."

"You sure this isn't some kind of call for attention?" Rich boy. Youngest son. Ryan's reason made more sense than identity theft. To Ryan, anyway. Then again, Nick Stokes was quickly becoming a person he disliked. It didn't matter if he hadn't even met the man. Rumours were good enough to try to keep him away from Greg.

Because…That's what a best friend would do.

Yeah…Friends did those kind of things for each other.

"Everything looks legit. Grissom even gave the okay and I've already done the research. Besides, he's Warrick's friend."

"He was with you, too, right?" Ryan was a little alleviated at the thought of Nick being Warrick's friend. Maybe Nick could learn a thing or two.

"Yeah…But I think his mind was on Catherine." Greg smirked at the memory. Now, if only Grissom came…

"What about afterwards?" Ryan said quickly, not liking the look on Greg's face. He was scheming again. "It doesn't take five hours for lunch."

"I took Nick to see the sights. You already know the stuff around here. But when Nick-"

"Why didn't Warrick," Ryan interjected, not appreciating Greg smiling every time he said Nick's name. "If Nick is Warrick's friend?"

"Warrick doesn't really spend time here often. Besides, he, Catherine, and Sara were having adult conversation."

"Where was Nick, again?" Ryan couldn't believe Sara would let Greg walk off with some strange guy. Even if he was Warrick's friend. And wasn't Nick an adult, too?

"With me." Greg raised his eyebrows in confusion because he already told Ryan. It was the highlight of his day. Alongside seeing Sara squirm and playing Donkey Kong. Which reminded him of something very important.

And maybe even life-threatening.

But only if they weren't careful.

"Ryan…"

Ryan looked at his friend warily. Greg was giving him that look, again. Where he peered through his eyelashes. The one Greg knew Ryan couldn't resist.

"You're my best friend, right?"

"What do you want?" Ryan asked in what he hoped was a flat tone, thankful when Greg got rid of the eyes. He was not going to cave in this time.

"What makes you think I want something from you?"

"Because you always do. You're like a leech or some kind of parasite."

"But I'm a good looking leech or some kind of parasite."

Ryan didn't disagree. Because he did agree. Just not out loud where Greg could hear him. Because his friend didn't need anymore ego stroking.

"I don't know where you get those kinds of ideas." Greg scoffed. "Between you, Sara, Wendy, Henry, Archie, Bobby-"

"You going to keep going?"

"No…Because I'm not going to prove you right. Even if you are right about the leech slash parasite thing." He sighed, trying to look defeated. "Do you want to hang out tomorrow?"

"That's it?" Ryan was somewhat disappointed. He expected something more…Insane from Greg. But he wouldn't mind if they went to the beach or something. Where Greg could put on sunscreen because even though he grew up in California, Greg didn't tan, well.

Not at all really.

And despite his gangly form, Greg always needed help putting sunscreen on his back.

Which is where Ryan would conveniently come in. Because he tanned pretty well and didn't worry about sunscreen if they were going in the water.

"Yeah." Greg's voice relayed his confusion as he raised his eyebrows. "You want to do something crazy?"

"I'm just worried for my mental sanity and whether hell has frozen over or not."

"Laugh it up now, but you know you like spending time with me. Ever since you moved here, we don't get to hang out as much."

"I know…"

"So," Greg leaned on bed, looking up at Ryan with wide eyes. Ryan was a sucker for his pleading face. Even Sara couldn't deny him…Sometimes. Occasionally.

Not really, but it did cause her to at least pretend to think about whatever decision she was going to make.

"Want to have fun, tomorrow?"

Yes, I intentionally set out to make this a chaptered crack!fic. I'm almost ashamed of what I'm doing because it's become longer than I expected.

The Tears for Fears bit is for the Psych season premiere. I can't get enough of Shawn and Gus (Carly, Jules, Buzz, and Chief, too). And I need to make a Gus icon...Because the end was...Wow.

Of course, thank you for reading and thank you to Shizmoo and silverrayne666 for reviewing.