A/N: So I was given a request to include a couple more episodes, and I decided that I would use the suggestion of season 3 episode 22, "Play with Fire". Thank you for the suggestions and keep them coming! 3

Chapter 16: Play with Fire Part 1 (five months later)

I was woken from my deep slumber when I felt Greg's lips make contact with the side of my neck. I let out a deep sigh before rolling over under the arm that was resting over my waist and smiling sleepily at the man beside me. "Morning," my voice was thick with sleep.

"It's evening, actually," he replied with the same sleepy voice. "And we are due at work in an hour."

I sighed again before answering, "I don't wanna."

He let out an airy chuckle before rolling onto his back, pulling me with him so I was resting on his chest. "You really are working yourself too hard, Mar. Yesterday was your third double this week. Please consider cutting back."

I propped myself up on my elbow with my head resting in one hand while I let the other one trace patterns on his chest. "I'm fine, really. I want to help people, and I want to give people closure."

"I get that, I do," he replied, sitting up slightly so his head was against the backboard of my bed. "But that doesn't mean you have to work yourself to death. I just worry, that's all."

I leaned up and placed a chaste kiss on his lips before replying, "You worry too much."

With that he rolled over so I was pinned underneath him, holding my wrists above my head with one hand while supporting his weight with his other arm. "And you," he kissed me again. "Don't worry enough."

I smiled softly at him before leaning in for a longer kiss. I tugged my hands that were still pinned above me, hoping he'd get the hint. Greg deepened the kiss before letting go of my wrists, which I immediately hooked around his neck and pulled him closer to me. The arm he had been supporting himself with shifted as he gently cupped my face, humming in content. The hand that had been holding my wrists fell to my hip as his fingers brushed over an exposed strip of skin, igniting a fire in my belly. My hands dropped from his neck and tugged at the shirt that covered his torso, communicating that I wanted the layer of cloth removed. With a sigh he pulled away and began to brush his thumb over my cheekbone, "If I don't stop now we will both be late." He spoke in a breathless tone and sparkling eyes.

"Fine," I huffed. I rolled out from under him and moved into the bathroom to take a quick shower before work.

Greg's POV:

I watched her figure disappear into the bathroom that was adjacent to the bedroom with a smile on my face. Leaning my head back against the headboard, I had to pinch myself to make sure this was really happening. Every day I did and every day the realization that this was indeed real made my smile grow wider. I was really here, waking up next to the girl of my dreams every day for the past five months. With a smile still etched onto my face I pulled myself out of bed and made my way into the kitchen to start the coffee.

Marilyn's POV:

After my quick shower I dressed in dark jeans and a light blue long-sleeved shirt before attempting to run a brush through my tangled hair. I hadn't had it cut in quite a while, so it fell to my waist and was a bitch to take care of. I had a few unsuccessful attempts at getting the brush through my hair before I gave up and threw it in a messy bun. The aroma of coffee wafted through the apartment as I exited the bathroom and padded my way into the kitchen, when I saw Greg sitting at my counter with two steaming cups in front of him. He pushed one towards me, which I gratefully accepted. We sat in silence for a while, communicating only with our eyes, before Greg spoke up. "I need a favor."

"Anything," I put my coffee down and gave him my full attention.

"I want you to ask Grissom if you could take a few days off next week," he said. I opened my mouth to protest before he continued. "I am giving you a mini vacation because you work too much and you're worrying me. I think it would be good if we took some days off, just you and me. Please?"

I contemplated the idea for a minute before answering, "Three days. I will ask for three days."

He grinned widely before coming around the counter and picking me up in a hug. "Thank you," he smiled down at me before pecking my lips. "I'll be in the car."

"Wait," I called as he pulled away and moved for the door. "Can you give me a second to get my shoes and walk down with me?"

He furrowed his eyebrows," What's wrong?"

"It's just…" I fumbled with my hands. "The guy at the front desk, Anthony… He gives me the creeps."

Greg's mouth set into a thin line and I could tell he was angry. Greg was never one to get mad, but when he did it was a complete one-eighty from the sweet, happy, always smiling guy I had grown to love. "I don't like you being here alone with him, especially if he scares you like this."

"Well I live here, and you have your own apartment. I don't expect you to be here all the time, and that's okay. I understand that you want to go home sometimes. I'll handle it, forget I mentioned it," I turned to go grab my shoes when I felt his arms wrap around my waist as he buried his face in the crook of my neck.

Planting a soft kiss on the skin he spoke, "I didn't mean it like that. I meant I wish I could be here all the time, with you. I want to keep you safe from everything, and it kills me when I can't." He paused for a minute before continuing, "We practically live together anyways…" He trailed off.

I turned my head so I was looking at him from my peripheral vision as I let what he said sink in. "What are you saying?"

He spun me around so I was facing him and pressed his forehead against mine. "What I'm asking is, would you consider moving in with me? Or me moving in here, whichever you prefer."

A grin broke out across my face as I answered, "I think that's a brilliant idea."

His grin matched mine as he pressed his lips to mine in a short kiss. "We can discuss the details later, but if we don't go now we are going to be late."

"Lead the way," I grinned as we gathered our things, he laced our fingers together and we headed off to the lab.

We entered the lab and parted ways with him giving me a kiss on the forehead and me promising to come see him soon. I made my way down the hall and almost ran right into Grissom, who looked me up and down before shaking his head. "Marilyn, how many doubles have you pulled this week?"

"Three," I sheepishly glanced down at my shoes before looking back at my boss. "But I'm okay, really."

"No, you're going to work yourself sick," Grissom chastised. "How about this, if you help Greg in the lab today, I'll stop bugging you about working too hard."

"So what you're really saying is, I'm helping Greg in the lab today and there is no point in arguing because you won't change your mind?"

He shot me a smile before patting me on the back. "Exactly. Now walk with me."

We wove around the people in the hall before coming to a stop in front of DNA. Grissom pulled open the door and gestured me in before he followed. My boyfriend's head popped up and his lips broke into a grin when he saw me. "Here so soon?"

Grissom nodded to the growing pile of DNA that was around the lab. "Marilyn here is taking a bit of a rest day. She'll be helping you process all of this. Do not let her out of here no matter what."

"Copy that Grissom," Greg saluted.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have a murder to get to." With that he left us alone in the lab.

I pulled on a lab coat and snapped on a pair of gloves, "Let's get to work."

It seemed that every time one of us cleared a small pile of evidence, an even bigger pile had taken its place. My head was swimming as we had been at this for hours. The printer beeped for the billionth time that night as Greg walked over and skimmed the results. "I have to get this to Grissom ASAP. You okay here?" His eyes filled with worry as he glanced over at me.

I shot him a reassuring smile, "I'm fine. Go talk to Grissom."

With that he bolted out the door and I turned back to the computer, watching the sample run through CODIS.

An hour or so later Grissom came back through the door and inquired about a pair of nail clippers. "Right over here," Greg's tired voice spoke as he reached for the evidence. "I figured it wasn't a high priority since I'd already I. the semen in the victim."

"That only indicates that they had sex. The nail clippers place him at the murder scene," Grissom said. "His nails, her DNA, traces of the booth, etcetera."

"Killer, victim, location," Greg and I spoke at the same time.

"Holy trinity, guys. I need that," Grissom said as he turned to leave.

I let out a sigh as Grissom walked across the hall where Archie and Nick were waiting for him. I slipped off my gloves as I moved behind my boyfriend, who was noticeably stressed out. Bringing my hands up to his shoulders, I began to lightly massage them, hoping to release some of the growing tension. After a few seconds I wrapped my arms around his waist, "He's just stressed. We all are. Don't overthink it, okay?"

He lifted his arm and I shuffled forward so he could wrap his arm around my shoulder. He placed a kiss on my temple before speaking. "Go get some coffee, I'll keep going here."

I looked up at him, worry creasing my eyebrows. "How about I bring you back some, then you take a break? You look so tired." I reached up and smoothed out the worry lines that were resting on his forehead. He smiled down at me before catching my wrist in his hand and pressing a kiss to my palm.

Shrugging off the lab coat I moved to the door and down the hall to the break room where I filled two cups with the caffeinated liquid. Finishing off my cup in seconds, I grabbed the other one and headed back to DNA. "Hey, Sara," I called as I caught up to the brunette. "What's wrong?"

She opened her mouth to speak but never got the chance as we were knocked off our feet as a deafening explosion sounded throughout the entire lab.