6.

"Wow, I can see a wonderful smile on your face, there have to be good news. Did you close the case?" Doug asked Sara, when he came into the room, she worked on evidence.

"No, I didn't close the case, do you have news from San Francisco?"

"Joseph is still in San Francisco, I wonder when he comes over. We checked on all passengers, playing with the idea, one of them might have caused the crash."

"And?"

"No evidence about it. I talked to the guy from Texas, the bodies were found all over the place, it not possible to tell, who was where."

"At the moment."

"What does that mean? Do you have an idea how to place people in the plane?"

"I can try, with the seats, look for traces. The problem is, due to the fire and the water of the firefighters, most of the evidence is gone, but we might get lucky."

"Getting lucky is always good." He smirked.

"You're in Vegas, I'm sure you'll find a way to get lucky, Doug."

"Working on that."

"Shouldn't you been working on the case?"

"I'm a talented man, I can do more than one thing. You know about my talents."

"Forgot all about them, prove them again, show me how you can close cases fast."

"Why fast? Want me gone soon?"

"Yes." Actually she didn't, but he didn't deserve the truth. Not now, not after he acted like this.

"Liar, liar pants on fire. I can tell when you lie like I can tell you're happy today. Means, your husband called. Is he on his way back to Vegas?"

"Doug, this is our work place, not a café. Go back to your work and let me work on my evidence."

"He is on his way, good for you. I hope it doesn't mean we won't have dinner together anymore."

"Doug, work." Sara rolled her eyes.

"Right, close the case so there's more time for Mister Grissom."

"Doctor Grissom."

"Of course, Doctor Grissom. You were always attracted by knowledge. It's why you fell for me." He smirked and left the room before she had the chance to say another word or comment on his statement. Not that she had to say anything to it, he was right, she was attracted to him because he was smart. And sexy. He had the looks and the brain, which was a very dangerous combination.

Dinner with Doug. Did she want dinner with her ex? Her first intention was to decline it, the more she thought about it, lunch had been nice, he was funny and she enjoyed talking with him about their past. He had always have the ability to make her happy, enthusiastic and get her mind off work. Dinner with him, after they closed the case would be nice. He could meet Grissom and understand, why she married him, despite the long distance relationship they had.


"Are we going to a geek café or why do we ignore all the beautiful cafés around us?" Doug asked. He talked Sara into meeting him for a coffee before work and so it came they met at six in the evening.

"Very geek. Or the only one with a more than decent latte macchiato."

"They have decent latte macchiato in Vegas? Seriously?"

"Yes."

"I don't complain, just get us to this place. Do they also have decent black coffee?"

"What do you think?" She shot back dryly.

"I think, you still love very good black coffee, still drink it before you go to work and wherever we'll go, there'll be very good black coffee."

"There's your answer." While she was still wondering why she did all these things. Why did she go out with him? They worked for a while together on some evidence, made some good progress and now here she was, next to him, walking through Las Vegas. Why did she agree? She should be home, wait for Grissom, he could call any time, tell her when he was back, needed her to pick him up from the airport. Instead she spend time with her ex. Not was a good wife should do, right?

"What are you doing on your days off?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Your days off, when you don't work. What are you doing then?" Doug asked.

"Catch up on sleep, relax, drive to Lake Mead. Why?"

"How about coming over to San Francisco when you have two days off? There are a few people, who miss you and it would be nice to catch up with the old team. We had a great time and deserve a reunion, don't you think? At least one for one evening."

"Pretend for one night everything is like it was thirteen or fourteen years ago?"

"For example. One more time twenty-five. The good old days."

Twenty-five, the time when they were more than colleagues. Was he talking about this or about the work? She wasn't quite sure right now. The smile he sent her was…she could read a lot of things in it. And she had the feeling he didn't mind going back in time in all details. He flirted with her, made it obvious, he was interested in her. The question was, did she do anything to support this? Or did she enjoy the attention too much? Because, when she was honest with herself, she did enjoy it.

"The good old days are over."

"They are, but we can get them back for a day, what do you think?"

"I think…" Sara stopped. While they walked through the street, she let her eyes ran over people sitting in cafés and bistros, watching them. But what she saw now had to be mistake of her eyes. It couldn't be real.

"You think what, Sara?"

"Can you see the man over there? With the dark haired woman?"

"Yeah, sure. Looks like they're deep in a conversation, lost in their own world. Why? Do you know them? One of them?"

"I do."

"Shall we go over and say hello?"

"No. You said it yourself, they're lost in their own world." Her eyes stayed there until she shook her head to get her attention away. "Come on, we're almost there."

"Are you all right? You're pale?"

"I need caffeine and some sugar, skipped breakfast. Or lunch."

Doug wanted to say, he could see she lied, but swallowed the words and followed her. Sara's steps weren't as stable as before, to him, it looked like she was running away. Something had to be wrong with her and he was sure, it had to do with the man and the woman.