Who Are You 4/?
Rating: Possible R
Disclaimer: I only own what CSI and Jerry Bruckheimer don't.
Summary: Greg's been keeping a secret. But no one knows what it is.
It took nearly a month before she could get in contact with someone in the Norwegian government, to request an interview with Jorgen, well Greg, Sander. She wasn't sure what it was, but she couldn't get him out of her head… and beyond that she had so many questions that it was making her head spin.
So after nearly chickening out three times, Sara stood in front of Gil Grissom, a fully filled out leave of absence form pushed into his hand. "What's this?"
Swallowing deeply, she sighed. "I'm taking some time."
"It doesn't say how much." Grissom replied curtly, rubbing his nose tiredly.
Looking behind him, Sara bit her lip. "I haven't decided yet."
After a few minutes of stony silence, Grissom cleared his throat. "Does this have anything to do with Greg?"
Twisting her fingers nervously, Sara nodded. "Yes."
Her words alarmed him slightly. The outcome of her leave could be anywhere from a few weeks to permanent. "And I can't talk you out of this?"
"No."
The seriousness in her tone was hard to handle. "Ok… then when you figure out how long, will you please let me know."
"Of course."
"If you are able to see him… let him know he's missed here."
"Was planning on it." Before she stepped out, she added. "Would you mind telling the guys? My flight leaves tomorrow, and I still have a lot to do."
"Alright." After that they parted, Grissom went to his office and Sara home.
After squaring away her apartment, Sara took a cab to McCarran international, silencing her phone as she received another text. She didn't need to open her phone to know it was Nick. Grissom had obviously not wasted any time in telling the guys.
Letting out a breath, she checked in, she didn't have long before her flight was set to board. She'd never been on such a long flight before either. 15 hours. 15 hours to see a man she hadn't seen in over a year. Hell, she wasn't even sure if they'd grant her the 'interview.'
"Flight 1540 to Oslo, Norway now boarding at gate 7B."
Taking a deep breath, she headed to the gate.
Nearly 16 hours later, Sara stepped from the doors of Oslo Lufthavn, Oslo's main airport. Yawning tiredly, she tried waving down a cab, after a few minutes thankfully one did. "Grand Hotel please?" Sara asked politely, not surprised at receiving just a nod from the driver before they pulled away from the curb.
By the time she got to her room she felt out of place and exhausted. When her phone rang, she nearly jumped answering it. "Sidle."
"Ms. Sidle…I am Aksel Nilsen, Mr. Sander personal security. We have your meeting set for the day after tomorrow at 9 am. Please be here by 8:30 for your security check."
Taking in the information Sara nodded, yawning. "I'll be there."
"See you then."
"Yes." If she hadn't been so exhausted, she would've freaked upon hanging up the phone, but the jet lag was wearing her worse than a double shift with a floater.
Laying against the pillows she fell into a deep sleep, exhaustion taking her instantly.
Dream
"Greg, I swear if you're taking me some place, I won't be like I won't be happy." Sara said in a mock serious tone, a light smile on her lips.
Flashing her a bright smile, he turned back to the dark road before them. "I can't promise anything."
Shaking her head, Sara continued to follow the darkened landscape. She had agreed to go on a date with Greg after he had helped her with a case. She had given him a peck on the lips as a thank you but before she could escape to close her case, he pulled her back, sheepishly asking if he could take her out.
Normally she would have teased him before scampering off but for some reason she found herself nodding in agreement. That's what brought them here now…wherever this here actually was.
When the car stopped Sara was jolted out of her reverie. It looked much the same as the rest of the drive. "Where are we?"
He flashed her another adorable smile. he nodded toward the window. "Come on."
Once she stepped outside, he popped the trunk hatch, coming over to her side of the car. Offering her his hand he led her to the back of the Denali.
Sara couldn't tell what stunned her more. The blanket laid out across the trunk, a picnic basket sitting off to the side waiting for them, or the view opposite their picnic. He had driven them to Lake Mead, parking in a semi secluded area, the nearly full moon beaming across the lake, the light sounds of the water lapping against the bank bringing a look of amazement to her face. "Greg…this is beautiful."
Blushing bashfully, he pulled her into a sitting position on the trunk floor. "I thought you'd like it."
She did. "I don't recognize this place…I mean I know its Lake Mead, but I don't think I've ever been here."
Nodding, he turned back to the landscape. "Yeah, not a lot of people come out here…I found it after…"
When his voice drifted Sara turned to him, her hand resting on his knee. Squeezing it, she offered sadly. "The lab explosion?"
Nodding, his fingers traced across the hand that was on his knee. "Yeah."
His contact on her hand sent a shiver down her spine. "Do you still think about it?"
After a beat, he turned to her, catching her eye. "Hard to forget."
Taking a breath at the intensity of the moment Sara stuttered. "So…umm I hear you want to actually join us out in the field."
"Yeah." He smiled, his mind mulling over his next words. "Its scary, especially since I was looking to get a house."
"Wow, that's pretty permanent." She said it with a jovial undertone but was once again shocked into silence by his words.
"That's what you need if you're looking to settle down." When she didn't respond, he placed a hand to her knee, giving it a gentle squeeze. "You want to go for a walk?"
"Sure."
After a few minutes of walking along the edge of the lake, Greg slipped his hand into hers, giving it a squeeze. "Did that scare you?"
"Its just…not something I'd ever thought you'd say."
"Well sometimes you have to change…grow up."
Stopping, they listened to the water lapping against the bank, the moon echoing against the two figures.
Smiling Sara gazed at the younger man, amazed to find out he was everything she thought he wasn't. Amazed by the atmosphere and amazed by this evening.
Before she could stop herself, Sara pulled their joined hands behind her back, her other hand moving up his chest, her fingers gripping his shirt pulling him to her, her lips pressing into his in a thick deliberate kiss.
Pulling back a few minutes later, Greg's eyes remain glued to her lips, afraid to look elsewhere as both their chests heaved for breath. His eyes finally met hers before he spoke. "What was that?"
Giggling nervously Sara bit her lip, grabbing his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "You're nothing like I thought you were. At work your like a silly goofball…but bringing me here. You've shown me a sweet serious side…that I didn't expect."
Squeezing her hand back, he turned back to her fully. "One thing I've always enjoyed is being around you and talking to you. You've always listened to me no matter how crazy I may have sounded. I cant open up to anyone like I can you…"
"Not even Nick?"
Greg shook his head sadly, his eyes moved across the landscape. "Even trying to move in the field he doesn't take me seriously…I don't even know if Grissom takes me seriously."
"That's horrible."
"Its to be expected…" At his words Sara cringed, pulling him into a tight embrace. How could their coworkers think so little of him? Pulling back, she gave him a smile, before leaning in to brush her lips with his. Before their lips could touch once more, Greg's phone came to life, Johnny Cash's soulful words pulling them apart.
"Sorry…let me get this." Stepping over a few feet, he watched Sara climb back onto the trunk floor, her hands dipping into the picnic basket he brought. "Sanders."
"Jorgen, du trenger det med en gang her, faren din er syk." (Jorgen, you are needed back here immediately, your father is ill.) The voice over the phone demanded.
Turning toward the lake, Greg's voice dropped an octave. "Mamma, jeg kan ikke bare dra, jeg har et liv her." (Mom, I can't just leave, I have a life here.)
"Jorgen, det er ingen diskusjon. Kom hit med en gang." (Jorgen, there is no discussion. Get here immediately.) The phone went dead before he could respond. Rubbing his eyes Greg turned back to the trunk, he offered a slight smile, which she returned before he sat back next to her in the trunk. If Sara noticed his shift in mood, she didn't say but they stayed by the lake, enjoying each other's company for another hour before he drove her home.
They had shared a soft kiss outside her door, a cute smile on her lips as she slipped inside her apartment. He sat outside her place for a short time, wishing he didn't have to do what he was born to do. Pulling away from her apartment he headed to the airport…he headed home.
End of dream
When Sara awoke next, it was dark, the sun had gone down hours ago. Reliving her dream, the last time she had seen Greg, the signs started to trickle in, like finding evidence before her eyes. The phone call, his demeanor after that call and the kiss, it was his goodbye, she thought sadly.
Hopefully that would change. She could change it. Tomorrow.
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