A/N: I'm sorry for the long break between chapters... there's been a lot going on right now, and writing hasn't been something I've been able to do. See the first chapter for the disclaimer. I hope you enjoy this chapter, and please review!

Chapter 14: Grimm Reaper Calling Collect, Part 2

Greg always hated when his phone chimed in the middle of the shift.

He was in the middle of a scene when it happened, that annoying little text chime he had on his phone. He'd grown to dread it over the years, knowing that the chime usually came with some difficult news. He snuck the phone out of his pocket to glance at it.

Dude.

Greg shook his head. He'd come to know over the years that one-word texts from Adam were usually followed by long discussions when things weren't right. Adam usually called, though. This time… this was slightly different.

And Greg couldn't be sure why.

He excused himself to Morgan before stepping into another previously processed room in the house to call Adam back.

"I'm sorry," Adam answered.

"Why?" Greg asked, furrowing his brow.

"I know you're at work, but… it… I just…"

"Adam, slow down," Greg said, moving slowly around the room. "Tell me what happened."

"We got a call… there's this girl… she was… she's dead."

Greg nodded slowly. "And judging by your reaction, I'm assuming you knew this girl?"

"She was a friend of mine. Jess. She was a fellow lab rat… worked overnights."

Greg closed his eyes.

"She was a really nice girl," Adam continued. "We talked a lot. She was trying to become a criminalist, like me, and get to go out into the field at times. I used to tease her about stealing my job…" Adam's voice trailed off into tears, and Greg found himself standing in the middle of a room in a victim's house, fighting back the lump in his throat.

"I'm so sorry, man," Greg said softly, looking at his feet as he ran his hand through his hair.

"Me too," Adam whispered through the tears Greg knew was falling.

He didn't have to be in front of Adam to know how Adam was doing. The tone in his voice was enough for Greg to know how much his best friend was hurting. "What can I do?" Greg asked as D.B. appeared in the doorway.

"M'not sure if there's anything you can do, Greg," Adam replied.

"Do you want me to fly out there?"

"No, I couldn't ask you to do that. You have the kids to worry about."

"You and I both know that I'd be able to get a babysitter without a problem."

"Yeah, I know." Adam sighed heavily. "No, I'll be okay."

"Okay. Well, if that changes, let me know."

"If that changes, you'll see me out there first," Adam said.

Greg smiled slightly. "Good. You need a vacation."

"Yeah, so do you."

Greg looked over and finally noticed D.B. standing in the doorway. D.B. arched his eyebrows, and Greg shrugged.

"Anyway, I know you're working, and we're working this case, so I'll let you go," Adam said quickly.

"You gonna be okay?" Greg asked as he watched D.B. watch him.

"We'll talk later, when we get off shift."

Greg nodded with a sad smile. "Yeah."

"Be safe tonight, alright?"

"Yeah, Adam. You too."

Greg hung up the phone, looking at D.B. "Everything alright?" his supervisor asked.

Greg shook his head. "New York Crime Lab just lost a lab tech," he replied. "Her name was Jessica."

D.B. nodded sadly. "We'll send them something later."

"Yeah."

"Let's get back to work, though. Yeah?"

Greg nodded, walking back into the other room.

A/N: Episode is "Flash Pop" (CSI:NY).