"Sanders!" Greg cringed as he walked past Ecklie's office. He had been hoping to sneak by unnoticed, but he had to face the sheriff sooner or later. Guess it was going to be sooner rather than later.
"Yes sir?" he answered back.
"Come in here," Ecklie barked. Greg sighed. His shift had just started, but he could already tell it was going to be a long day.
Greg walked into the sheriff's office and sat in the chair opposite of Ecklie's desk. For a moment, neither of them spoke as Ecklie tapped his pencil on the desk, studying Greg.
"I spoke with Morgan this morning. She explained how you were doing her a favor and helping her out. I'm sorry if I jumped to conclusions and lost my temper. She is my only child, so you know how that goes. On the other hand, I may be a little over protective, but I'm not oblivious, Sanders," Ecklie said, staring Greg down.
"Sir?" Greg drew in a deep breath, dreading whatever was coming next.
"I'm a trained observer and a man. I see the way you look at Morgan. I know what that is all about." Greg shifted nervously in his seat. Ecklie gave him a thin smile. "Hell, I'd be lying if I said I haven't been that way myself with a woman. A few women actually. Look, Greg, I know you care about her, but I want you to think long and hard before you go there. And not just because I'm her father, although that is something to consider." Ecklie narrowed his stare as he continued. "This job really does a number on romantic relationships. You only need to look around to see that. I myself have been divorced three times and counting. And it only gets worse as you move up." Ecklie paused to hand Greg a large manilla envelope.
"What's this?" Greg asked taking it.
"Your contract for your new position as supervisor. You start your new schedule in two weeks. Congratulations." Greg stared at him dumbfounded.
"Seriously? You're giving me the job?" he asked.
"Yeah, I am. Don't make me regret it. Now get out of here and get to work." Ecklie dismissed him with a shake of the hand. Greg gave him a nod and a grin while heading towards the exit. "Sanders," Greg paused at the door and turned to Ecklie. "Think about what I said." His smile faded as he quickly backed out of the door.
"I hear congratulations are in order," Sara Sidle said walking into the lab. Greg smiled looking up at her and then around to see if anyone else was listening.
"Thanks, but keep it on the down low. I don't want the news getting to everyone just yet." He set the case file he had been perusing on the table in front of him. "Can I ask you something and it not be weird?"
"I don't know, Greg. Can you?" Sara eyed him as she picked up the discard file, opening it and flipping through its contents.
"You and Grissom, when you two, you know, started dating in secret," Greg spoke without meeting her gaze, "how did you transition from working together to more without it being awkward here at the office?" He could sense the half smirk on her face without even looking up. "Just humor me, okay?"
"Why ever do you ask, Greg? Are you and Henry planning a romantic rendezvous later?" She teased watching Greg's face flush red.
"Just forget I said anything," He took the file from her hands and started to leave.
"Wait, Greg," she grabbed his arm, stopping him. "I'm sorry, but you have to admit, you walked into that one. Does this have something to do with you and Morgan?" Greg put his hand on her mouth to quiet her as he glanced around to make sure nobody had heard.
"Maybe," he whispered, pulling back his hand. "But that's not really public knowledge either."
"Do that again, and you will lose a finger," Sara warned. Greg backed away raising his hands in surrender. "Okay, then. Look, every relationship is different. You two have to do what's right for you. Whatever happens outside the lab will take its own course with the relationship. As far as the office goes, both of you already have the awkward tension there that makes everyone think you are together anyway so just keep doing that."
Greg rolled his eyes. "Thanks," he said, hesitating."You ever regret it? You and Grissom, I mean?" He gauged her reaction.
She gave a sad smile. "Everyone has regrets, Greg. But Grissom and I? It was worth every moment." She paused contemplating. "I'm happy for you. You deserve to be happy, Greg. Plus, I win that bet I had with Nick, so we're all winners here." She patted him on the back stealing the file again and ignoring the confused expression he had on his face as she walked out of the room.
Greg had managed to keep the news about his promotion under wraps long enough to make it to the weekend. He knew he had to tell Morgan eventually, but he didn't want anything to spoil their first official date. The past couple of days had been amazing even if they had done nothing more than the same flirtatious dance they had managed to perfect over the years during their normal work routine. They both knew everything was leading up to tonight, and the anticipation made everything feel different and new.
Greg found himself once again waiting outside of Morgan's place, but excitement replaced the anxiety had felt the last time. She opened the door, stunning in a blue satin dress.
"Wow! You know you're not suppose to upstage the bride, right? Because, wow!" He exclaimed taking her hand. She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." She winked and then brushed past him as she strolled to the car, glancing back to give him a seductive smile.
"What? That's all I get. This is Armani," he called out as he caught up to her, wrapping his arm around her.
"I'm sorry. You look incredibly handsome. Armani, huh? You really do have expensive taste," she said running her fingers down the front of his jacket as he opened the door for her.
He leaned into her, soaking in the moment before he kissed her. "I just know what I like," he said as his lips grazed hers, kissing her softly.
"Good to know," she said as they broke apart. Greg went to the driver's side, getting in and starting the car. "Alright Sanders," Morgan continued as they began moving down the road, "Give me the 411 on the wedding party. What do I need to prepare myself for?"
"Well, Rick and Stacy are the couple getting married. I've known Rick for years, all the way back to when I was just a lab rat. We worked together in the crime lab then, but he does lab work for a corporate company now. We used to go out and pick up chicks together. Well, before he met Stacy. She's real nice. You'll like her. Um, let's see…who else? There's the best man. Simon. He's an okay guy. Don't listen to a word he says though."
"Why? He likes to stretch the truth?" Morgan asked.
"No, not exactly. After a few cocktails, he tends to tell my dates more about my embarrassing past than I'm comfortable with," Greg said, glancing briefly at Morgan.
"Really? Well, I'll be sure to save a seat next to him at the bar," she teased. "I think it's only fair to have some interesting dirt on you after everything my mother told you the other night." She winced just thinking about the ill fated dinner.
"What? I thought those stories were cute. I especially loved the one about how you mooned everyone at your kindergarten graduation. I think it was my favorite." Greg smirked as Morgan let out a groan.
"Just wait. There will be payback," she said, blushing.
"I think breakfast with your family the other day was payback enough." Greg laughed.
"Okay, you've made your point. Anything else I should know?" Morgan watched him as he squirmed in his seat.
"No," he said forcing a smile. "Not yet anyway," he added under his breath.
"This place is pretty fancy," Morgan whispered to Greg as they took their seats for the ceremony. The chapel had a cathedral arch made of dark varnished wood that ended at the altar with high paned beautifully pieced stained glass windows. The marbled floor and detailed floral arrangements finished off the elegant decor.
"Looks like I'm not the only one with expensive taste," Greg replied, shifting his gaze around the place.
"Sanders? Hey man, I thought that was you. Good to see you." A short man with a dark beard and balding head sat down next to Greg in the plush-lined pew.
"Reggie, man. Long time, no see," Greg said shaking the man's hand. He motioned to Morgan. "Reggie, meet my girlfriend, Morgan Brody. Morgan, this is Reggie Howard. He worked with me and Rick in the lab back in the day."
"Nice to meet you," Morgan extended her own hand and a smile. Greg turned his attention back to Reggie.
"Man, how long has it been?What are you doing now?"
"Wow, it's been a least ten years. I'm a professor over at the university now. Married myself with two kids," Reggie opened his wallet to show them pictures of his family. "You still at the lab?" he asked Greg.
"Yeah, but I'm in the field now. CSI. I can't believe it's been over ten years," Greg responded.
"Hey, I heard a rumor that Ecklie is the new sheriff. Is that true? Man, we hated that guy. Remember that time we saran wrapped his Mercedes, and it took him like an hour to get in." Greg laughed nervously, watching Morgan out of the corner of his eye. "He was so pissed. Thank God he never figured out it was us."
"Yeah, good times." Greg watched as a sly smirk spread across Morgan's face.
"Anyway, it was good to see you and meet you, Morgan. I got to go find the wife," Reggie said leaving as they said goodbye.
"Yeah, it would be great if you could pretend you didn't hear any of that," Greg said to Morgan. Holding her devious smile, she interlaced her fingers with his and whispered in his ear.
"Oh, tonight is going to be so much fun. You better be on your best behavior, Sanders, because blackmail can be a bitch."
"God, you're sexy." He gave her a kiss. "But seriously, let's adopt the good old Las Vegas motto on this one. Whatever happens on date night, stays on date night. Otherwise, some people might hear about you flashing your cute butt to a bunch of five year olds."
She gave him a gentle nudge with her shoulder. "Hey, I was five myself."
He gave her a smirk of his own. "You're not the only one who can fight dirty."
"Touché," she relented, just as the ceremony was starting.
At the reception, Greg took the pleasure of introducing Morgan to all his old friends. They found their seats at one of the dinner tables. They had began making small talk with a couple sitting next to them, when Greg felt someone slap his back. He turned around to see Simon, the best man who couldn't mind his own business.
"Sanders, what is this beautiful woman doing with you? Doesn't she know better?" Simon grinned at Morgan. Greg shot Morgan a hesitant look.
"Morgan, this is Simon. Simon meet Morgan." Greg sighed as he began to reconsider the bright idea of bringing Morgan there in the first place. "I see you already started celebrated," he said waving away the wafting smell of alcohol from Simon's breath.
"Dude, you know I drink when I'm nervous. Hey, Morgan, did this guy ever tell you about the time we got so wasted we ended up streaking through the casino at Diamond Jacks?" Simon laughed, patting Greg on the shoulder. "Remember that. Good times, man. Good times." Greg gave a small tightlipped smile and then turned to Morgan.
"Hey, care to dance?" He stood up taking her hand and quickly pulled her away to the dance floor. "Sorry about that," he said wrapping his arms around her waist as they started moving to the music. "I was afraid of where that was going. The streaking story usually doesn't make it out until at least thirty minutes in."
Morgan laughed. "God, Greg, you were a regular juvenile delinquent."
"Yeah, except I was in my twenties. Let's just forget about it." He moved in closer as the song slowed down. "Besides, this is nice."
Everything else seemed to fall away as they enjoyed the moment, until another couple bumped into them. As they were sharing apologies, Greg realized he recognized the woman.
"Wendy? What are you doing here?" he asked.
"Oh my God! Greg!" Wendy hugged him. "I work with Stacy. What are you doing here?"
"I'm friends with Rick. This is Morgan by the way," he said introducing the women. "Wendy used to work in the lab with Henry and Hodges."
"Speaking of that, I ran into Sara yesterday. She told me how you and Nick were moving on up in the world, with him becoming a lab director and you a supervisor. Congratulations! That's awesome."
"What? You got the job?" Greg closed his eyes not wanting to face Morgan. But he knew he had to.
"Yeah, I was going to tell you later tonight." He said hoping to soften the glare she was giving him. Wendy looked between both of them, sensing she had inadvertently started something. She said goodbye easing away from the now disgruntled couple.
Morgan scoffed as she stormed out of the ballroom and into the hall, Greg following in pursuit. He ran ahead of her blocking her path.
"How could you not tell me? I mean, what was all that the other night then? That I don't need a promotion if I have you crap. Is that why you took the job so you wouldn't have to see me when you break up with me?" Hurt edged out the anger from her voice.
"Morgan, listen to me. If anyone is going to break hearts in this relationship, it's going to be you. You already stole mine a long time ago." Greg pulled her into a hug, holding her tight as he continued speaking."Yes, it was wrong of me not to tell you, but truth be told, I've been dreading it. I hate that I won't see you at work every day, but this what we are doing here means so much more to me. I want what's best for us in the long run, and I think this new work situation is it. Please don't be mad at me, Morgan."
"Damn it! I want to be mad at you, but then you say stuff like that and I can't be." She laughed wiping away the tears forming in the corner of her eyes. "You still have a ways to go to make up for your sneakiness though. I expect full retribution."
Greg leaned his forehead against her cheek kissing away the remnants of the remaining tears. "Anything. Name your price. You want to hear some more humiliating Sanders stories?"
She smiled. "That might work. What have you got?"
"Well, if you want the really good stuff, you have to go to the source. I have a few days off before I start my new position in another week. How about you come with me to the family home in California and meet my folks?" he asked.
"Meet your parents? I thought this punishment was suppose to be for you." she retorted.
"Oh trust me, it will be. My mother will embarrass the hell out of me. You wouldn't want to miss that, right? Plus, I can show you all the sights. It could be our first getaway together." He nuzzled his face against hers. "What do you say?"
"I say you should have gone into sales. You're quite the negotiator. Let's do it," she said.
"Great," Greg looked around. "Say how about you and me get out of here, go back to your place, and maybe have a little fun." He wagged his eyebrows.
"Not so fast, Sanders. I'm not the kind of girl to put out on the first date. I think you're just going to have to wait until our little getaway. Consider it part of your punishment. Now, come on. You still owe me a dance." She took his hand leading him back inside to the ballroom.
"Technically, it's our third date," Greg reasoned.
"Nice try, but no dice. You just going to have to wait," she smirked caressing the nape of his neck as they started dancing again.
"God, this is going to be torture,"Greg said responding to her touch.
"Good," she whispered.
Thanks for all the reviews and support. I think I'm going to continue the story showing the progression of their relationship. If you have ideas or something you want to see, throw them at me. I'd love to hear them. Thanks for reading.