Disclaimer: Still don't own them. Just borrowing! I don't make money from this.

A/N: SO SO SO sorry. My beta's back in town. Expect updates regularly!

Chapter Six

When Greg started the car, Nick jumped at least six inches. Greg rushed to turn the radio down.

"Sorry," he murmured. "I like my music loud."

Nick knew this. It didn't make the sudden noise any less startling.

"You know I don't hold it against you, G." Greg pulled out of the parking lot. "The Nigel Crane thing, I mean." Greg glanced sideways at him.

"Thank you," he responded mechanically.

"If you hadn't distributed those fliers around the lab, no one would have recognized that I was his next…"

"Target?" finished Greg. Nick nodded.

Greg made no further attempt at talking until they were pulling into Pandora's parking lot. "It's looking pretty empty this morning," He stated. He wasn't speaking loudly but the noise still startled Nick.

"I don't see anyone else's car here."

"Catherine probably went home to change. Warrick too. Sara's probably still at the lab trying to talk Grissom into joining us." Nick chuckled in response. The two climbed out of Greg's Jetta and headed toward the bar.

"Hey Greg," called a familiar rough voice. Nick looked up. "Is he with you?" Greg shook his head.

"Not like you are hoping, Mario." Greg knows the bouncer? "He's a colleague of mine."

"I'll try not to give him too much trouble then." Mario waved them in free of charge.

The lighting was much different than any other time Nick had been in. It was well lit. The dance floor was almost completely abandoned and the table area was almost packed. Nick glanced between the two bars and saw a familiar face. He realized Greg was already headed over. He glanced around one last time before walking up to the bar.

The sound was different too, he realized as he approached his friends. He could hear what they were saying.

"He's really got it bad for this girl, huh?" he heard Greg ask.

"Greg, if you're holding out on him," warned Warrick.

Nick plopped onto the stool next to Greg. "I'm right here, you know?" The two boys started laughing. Nick wasn't entirely sure what was so funny.

"A whiskey sour like your lady friend, correct?" Nick looked up and smiled at Alyssa. She was wearing a red halter top and blue jeans. She barely looked like the same person at all.

"Yes, please."

Alyssa began making his drink. "I wasn't sure you'd come back," she commented. "You looked like a cop that first night you came in." Nick laughed. Warrick looked at Nick.

"You know this fine woman?" Nick smiled.

"Alyssa, my best friend and colleague, Warrick Brown." Alyssa set the drink in front of Nick. "Warrick, this is Alyssa. We met on Tuesday." Warrick offered a hand and Alyssa gently shook it.

Then she turned to Greg. "Your usual?" Greg looked pensive. "Of course it's your usual. You always think about it, and then say-"

"The usual. Shaken, not stirred," Greg tried out his best James bond voice. Nick laughed and pulled out his wallet.

"It's on the house honey," she answered for him. Warrick shook his head as Greg's drink was set in front of him as well.

"I almost didn't recognize you without the makeup," commented Nick.

"Oh? And which way do I look better?"

"With the makeup and that lacy black shirt you always wear," answered Greg. Nick couldn't help but laugh. Greg really did flirt with everyone.

"I bet you could make anything look good," added Warrick with a smirk. Nick looked sideways in time to see one very amused Catherine looking at Warrick.

"Hey Cath!" called Greg. Warrick turned around and his mouth opened but no sound came out. Catherine does look stunning tonight, thought Nick. But I don't think that's the only reason he's speechless.

Alyssa had a sideways smile on. "What can I get for you?"

"A man who actually tolerates my hours and the fact that I'm a single mom?" Boisterous laughter erupted from the other side of Nick. He turned to find Alyssa, Sara and Greg laughing.

"I wish I could find the first half of that," commented Sara.

"No kidding," muttered Greg.

"Sorry, fresh out," added Alyssa. "How about a cosmo?" Catherine looked hopeful.

"Well, if you can't have what you want, drink something fruity." Greg downed the rest of his drink and walked toward the dance floor dragging Sara with him.

"So tell me about this girl," Catherine started.

"I don't think I can take much more," groaned Warrick. "Wave me over in a few days when she's out of his head." With that, Warrick stood and headed toward a long legged blonde sitting at the other bar.

"She's perfect for me, Catherine."

A girly drink, umbrella and all appeared next to Catherine. She pulled out a credit card and slid it towards Alyssa. "Will you please start me a tab?" Alyssa nodded. Catherine turned her attention to Nick again. "What else?"

"Cath, she has these perfect long legs that go on forever, and she's so slender. She could be a supermodel if she wanted to. Problem is, she's mute. She doesn't talk at all, and I didn't catch her name or anything. I have only her looks to go on." Nick sighed and let his forehead rest against the bar. Catherine rubbed his shoulder with her free hand. "You know what caught my attention first? She had these magnificent brown eyes. They were sparkling, even though there was almost no light in here. And she had this million watt smile, like she could light up a room just by walking into it. She had dark hair pushed over in front of her eyes and her hips moved like magic, Catherine."

"You do know who you just described." Not a question, but a statement. Nick looked up. "You just described a female version of Greg." Nick's eyes widened at the thought.

"Wha- bu- wait- what..?" Nick stuttered.

"Greg Sanders," she clarified. It wasn't like Nick knew any other Gregs. "Large, brown sparkling eyes, tall and slender, million watt smile, quirky personality, hips that move like magic."

Nick almost choked. "Yes, but she is also a she," emphasized Nick. "And she doesn't speak at all." Nick glanced toward Greg. "He almost never shuts up."

Catherine laughed. "Just saying, Nicky," she answered. "I know you don't go for men." That isn't entirely true, thought Nick. I've gone for a couple men before, but I'm not gay like Greg is.

"She's here every Tuesday morning," chirped a voice. Nick turned and smiled at Alyssa. "Every Tuesday morning she comes in, hangs around until about seven or so."

Catherine grinned at Nick. "At least you know where you can find her again," she added.

Nick hung his head. But Tuesday is when they have goth night, he internally groaned. Maybe if I could get her to go on a date with me, this wouldn't be the only place I could see her. Yes! That's it! With a new plan in mind, Nick downed his whiskey sour and led Catherine to the dance floor.

xxx

Don't forget to Review! Thanks to all of my super cool fans!