Overheard

Chapter Two

Sara found Greg in the morgue. She strode over to him, not noticing
how he tensed when she stood next to him. She gave her attention to
Dr. Robbins as he related what he found.

"Cause of death was strangulation. It was brutal. Her trachea was
broken and whatever weapon was used nearly severed her head."

"Whoever did this hated her," Sara remarked as she stared at the
body.

"Possibly. She put up a fight, though. Bruising on her wrists and
arms consist with a struggle."

Sara nodded and followed Greg out of the morgue. She was about to try
again to talk to him when Mia stopped them.

"I have those results for you," she said.

Sara and Greg followed her into the lab. She handed the results to
Greg as she reported.

"The DNA was male, but it didn't match your hiker."

"There goes one suspect," Greg said softly.

He left the room, leaving behind a confused Sara and Mia.

"What's with him?"

"I'm trying to figure that out," Sara answered. "He's avoiding me and
I don't know why."

"I haven't been here long, but even I can see he has a crush on you."

Sara felt her face flush, but she kept her gaze with Mia.

"I know that. He's had it for a long time."

"Have you ever thought of not playing hard to get?"

Sara stared at Mia, stunned. Was everyone playing match-maker today?

"I'm not playing hard to get. Not with him anyway."

Mia shook her head, but said nothing. Feeling dismissed, Sara left
and headed to the print room.

Greg stepped into the break room and poured himself a cup of coffee.
He took a sip and closed his eyes, letting the caffeine seep into his
system.

What is she getting at? Greg thought. First she doesn't want anything
to do with me next she wants to know what's wrong?

He shook his head, taking another drink. He didn't feel any better
and he sighed in despair.

"Is that Greg sitting there?" Nick asked, getting Greg's attention.

"Yes."

"You don't look like Greg. You look like someone ran over your dog."

Greg said nothing. He debated telling him, then decided against it.
Telling Nick would almost be like telling Sara. It would get back to
her eventually.

Nick sat across from him, but Greg didn't look up. He figured his
friend was waiting for him to spill, but he refused to. It hurt too
much.

"You can tell me, Greg," Nick pressed. "It can't be that bad."

"It's worse. I don't want to talk about it."

"Talk about what?" Grissom said as he entered the room.

"Greg's down in the dumps about something."

Greg kept his gaze on his coffee and wished the two would leave. He
knew Grissom wouldn't press him, but Nick would.

"You want to talk about it?"

Greg shook his head, still not looking up.

"Nothing could be that bad," Nick said, concern in his voice.

He looked up then, his emotions putting him on edge. He knew they
were only trying to help, but he wanted to be alone.

"It is," he said softly.

Nick looked at Grissom as if asking for advice. He then turned his
attention back to Greg, his eyes pleading with him.

Greg adverted his attention to his coffee wanting to avoid seeing
Nick's expression. He closed his eyes as Sara's words came back to
him.

"I want to be alone right now," he said, hoping his voice didn't
sound as bad as he felt.

"You need to talk about it sometime, Greg," Nick said. "I'll be here
when you're ready."

Greg heard the chair scrape across the floor as Nick stood. He only
heard one set of footsteps which told him Grissom was still in the
room. He sighed, knowing his supervisor wasn't going to leave any
time soon.

"Nick's right," Grissom said. "It'll only fester if you don't talk."

"I don't feel well right now."

"Then you should go home."

Greg looked up, not the least bit surprised. He sighed, knowing it
would probably come to this. It was the perfect place to be since he
wanted to be alone.

"You're right," he said, standing. "I'm no good to anyone like this."

"Can you at least tell me what's wrong? I've never seen you like
this."

Greg went over to the sink and dumped the remaining coffee. He faced
Grissom and shook his head.

"I can't," he answered, his voice breaking.

He left the room before Grissom could say another word. He headed for
the locker room and opened his locker. He changed his shirt and
shoes, not noticing Sara until she cleared her throat.

He jumped and stared at her in surprise. He tensed and stepped back.
Her words ran through his head, causing his stomach to clinch. Why
was she here? Hadn't she caused him enough pain?

"Where are you going?" Sara asked as she leaned against the
lockers. "We have a case."

"I don't feel well," he said as he closed his locker. "Grissom told
me to go home."

Sara stepped closer to him and placed a hand on his forehead. He
tensed, but her hand caused a flame to spark and travel through his
body. His breath caught and he closed his eyes. He wanted to lean
into her hand, but he prevented himself from doing so. It would only
lead to more pain.

"You don't feel like you have a fever," she remarked. "I can drive
you home if you want."

Greg found the strength to step away. He shook his head as his
breathing returned to normal.

"I can drive myself home. Thanks."

Sara nodded, the look in her eyes told him she didn't agree. He
didn't care. He wanted to get home and lock himself inside.

"I'll keep you informed on the case," she offered.

"Thanks," he said and headed for the exit. He had to get away before
he broke down in front of her.