"I'll go wake her." Was all Greg said before he stepped back from the door allowing him to enter the apartment.
Greg gestured toward the couch seeming to indicate that Greg was giving him permission to sit. Greg obviously felt he had the authority to grant permission for things in Sara's apartment. He couldn't force his eyes off of Greg's retreating form.
This must be some horrible nightmare that he would soon wake from. Only it just kept getting worse. When Greg got to Sara's closed bedroom door he opened it without hesitation and firmly closed it behind him. Greg entered as if he belonged in there. As if it where perfectly normal for him to enter Sara's closed bedroom without invitation or notice.
He had to force himself to take a deep breath; to shove down his rage and bitter disappointment deep within himself. If he was going to handle this situation without going berserk and mutilating Greg's scrawny body he needed to be calm. He needed more information.
He forced his eyes to critically scan the room. Staying detached he aloud the room to answer the question that were eating at him. The colorful patchwork pillows that lined the back of Sara's brown leather couch were perfectly straight and unwrinkled. Bending he placed one hand on the leather, it was cool to the touch. The rest of the room contained no blankets or pillows.
It was obvious that no one had been sleeping in this room. Greg had clearly been asleep before he arrived; he hadn't however been asleep in this room. That left only one other place in this tiny apartment he could have been asleep. So Greg had been asleep in Sara's bed. His mind wandered back to the image of Greg's askew boxers. Greg had been asleep naked in Sara's bed. Platonic male and female friends might in theory innocently share a bed. Platonic male and female friends did not share a bed naked.
He began searching for changes to the apartment since the last time he been here. Framed band poster now lined her deep purple walls. They were in shiny black frames with lavender mounting promoting such things as Marylyn Manson, Smashing Pumpkins, and Garbage. Sara's old television was gone and in its place was a forty inch flat screen model. Several gaming system were attached. A second desk had been added to the room. On it sat a desktop computer. Years ago Sara told him she only bought laptops.
The bedroom door clicked open and Greg came strolling out. Still bare foot and shirtless, he had thrown on a pair blue flannel pajama bottoms. Gritting his teeth, he wondered why the young man hadn't deemed a visit from his boss important enough to warrant at least donning a shirt.
"She'll be out in a few minutes. She's not her best first thing in the morning. I mean she always the best but…"
"Greg you're rambling." Grissom interrupted when it became obvious to him that Greg was so nervous he would probably never going to stop speaking.
"Yeah I do that when I fear for my life." Greg muttered under his breath. "Sorry." He projected out.
Grissom watched Greg walk to the kitchen and hit a button on a chrome coffee maker. He noted it was another new addition to Sara's apartment. The machine made a grinding noise. He raised his brow in question.
"Oh it has a built in grinder. Sara even installed a water line from the filter. She thinks leaving water sitting in the machine overnight is a bacterial infection waiting to happen."
Even in his current mood Grissom had to smile. The interesting dichotomy between Sara eagerness to handle even the most contaminated scene at work and her refusal in her private life to expose herself even to the most minimal amount of germs was a part of her lure.
"Yeah well it's a good thing she's hot."
"Greg I was just noticing Sara's new artwork." The statement was a direct challenge. He wanted to know if Greg would outright lie to him. He wanted him to squirm. To suffer, like he was.
"Sara hates it when a couple's home doesn't reflect both their personalities."
Grissom flinched. He hadn't been prepared for that much honesty. Hearing Greg confirm they where living together made it real. It was a million times worse than just suspecting it.
Sara chooses that moment to amble forth from the bedroom. She wore black leggings and a grey Stanford t-shirt. She might as well have printed Greg's property across her chest. It was juvenile really.
Greg walked over to place a steaming mug of coffee into her hands. Silently she mouthed thank you and they shared a smile.
Grissom growled he was not ready to view their intimate rituals. He would never be ready.
"Morning Griss."
He loved hearing his name on her lips while her voice was still husky from sleep. It spoke of intimacy. Of course it had been years since they were intimate. His eyes shot back to Greg. Greg, who had been intimate with Sara, his Sara. He refused to think about that.
"I've been called out of town for a case I need you testify for me tomorrow on the Collins case."
"Okay." Was all she said but her tone and facial expression enquired as to why this was so urgent he'd felt the need to invade her personal space. Something he seldom did.
"Cell service is out and your land line says it's been disconnected." Were the words that came out of his mouth but he knew she would understand what he was really asking. So you're living with Greg?
"I changed the number we've been getting a lot of hang-ups." Yeah. She couldn't quite meet his gaze.
"You need to update your contact information." You should have told me.
"First thing." I know.
"I brought the Collins file. We should review it before I leave."
They moved toward the sofa.
'
"I'll be in the bedroom" interrupted Greg. He stopped first however, to hand him a cup of coffee. His first impulse had been to refuse. He didn't want anything from Greg. The more practical part of him realized he was very tired and Greg's coffee was probably going to be the only good part of his day.
"Thanks Greg." Sara said Grissom couldn't bring himself to thank the little rat.
Sara and he sat discussing the case as if on automatic pilot. The elephant in the room loomed large.
Mid sentence she stopped turning to meet his eyes for the first time. "I never meant for you to find out like this."
"Greg, Sara, Greg? He couldn't keep the incredulous from his voice. Seeing her with anyone would hurt. Her with Greg he couldn't fathom. Greg of the goofy hair and ear piercing rock. Greg.
"He's a good man Grissom."
"Greg?" Greg a man?
"He makes me happy."
He shot to his feet. "I should go." He wasn't ready for this. He wanted her to happy. Really he did. He just wanted her to be happy and single.
"Okay."
She sounded hurt. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her. He couldn't however, bring himself to say he was happy she was with Greg. Honestly he'd never be happy she was with another man. He admitted it was petty and selfish. Everyone had to have flaws. "I have to get to the case."
When he left they'd be alone. Sara and Greg alone in her apartment. Sara and Greg alone in her bed. While he processed a scene hundreds of miles away Greg would be alone in bed with Sara. "GREG."
Greg came stumbling from the bedroom. "Pack a bag you're coming with me."
He visibly swallowed. "Me and you alone in the desert?'
"Yes Greg." He had been wrong earlier, watching Greg stunned panic was the best thing that would happen today. Greg just stood there frozen with his jaw hanging open. "Greg go pack." He still didn't move "Greg now."
Finally Greg stepped back into the bedroom.
Sara stared at him for a moment. "Grissom whatever you're up to remember one thing."
"What's that Sara?" He smiled she didn't seem surprised he was taking Greg.
"You can't hurt him he's an only child." Having said that she moved toward the bedroom without a glance she gently closed the door behind her.