Overheard

Chapter Four


Greg stepped out of the Tahoe, wondering if he was ever going to get
any sleep this night. Two murders in less than five hours must be a
new record for him.

He scanned his surroundings. It looked like the place where the
first body had been found. He followed Sara to where Brass stood
staring at the body on the ground. David knelt over the body, taking
notes.

"Is this where the first body was found?" Greg asked Brass.

"Looks like it, doesn't it?" Brass said with a smirk.

"Actually, we're not far from the first sight. About a half mile
away."

"Same as the first?" Sara asked as she knelt beside the body.

"Yes," David answered. "Killer didn't leave behind the wire, though."

"If not that, then something else," Sara remarked. She turned to
Brass. "Witness?"

"A woman was out jogging when she saw the victim lying on the ground.
She attempted to wake her when she found the blood. She used her cell
phone to call 911."

"Time of death was six this evening," David announced.

Greg took pictures, barely listening to what was being said. The
argument he had with Sara still played in his mind. He wished he
knew what went through her head, maybe then he could understand her.

He stopped taking pictures when something caught his attention. It
was on the victim's blouse, sticking out like a swore thumb.

"I found a hair," he said as he placed his camera down and went into
his kit. He brought out a pair of tweezers and plucked the hair. He
eyed it, seeing that it was short and blonde. He placed it in an
envelope, marked it and placed it in his kit.

"What kind of hair?" Sara asked, startling him. "Sorry."

Greg shrugged then glanced at her. She raised an eyebrow and he
sighed.

"Short blonde hair," he answered. "Could be the killer's."

"We'll find out back at the lab."

He nodded and stood. The body was taken away and he watched it go,
not wanting to look at Sara. He knew if he did, he would demand why
she said those things to Grissom. He knew whatever she would say
would hurt. He sighed and focused his attention on the ground,
hoping for a distraction. A piece of evidence, a rock to look under,
anything. There was nothing, not even a footprint.

"He wiped his footprints away as he left," Greg announced, his
flashlight sweeping the ground before him.

"Clever," Sara said beside him.

A tingle traveled through him at her nearness. The heat burned over
him, nearly consuming him. Needed to get away, He picked up his kit
and headed back to the SUV.

"You coming?" Greg called over his shoulder.

"Sure," Sara said, her feet catching up to him.


~*~

Greg dropped off the hair in DNA, wishing he had more evidence. All
they had was a footprint from the first crime, some skin from under
the first victim's nails and this hair.

He headed into the print lab and sat at the computer. He brought up
the print he had scanned earlier. He pressed "enter" and watched the
prints flash before him. He sighed and leaned back in his chair. He
ran a hand through his hair, feeling the fatigue catch up with him.

He found back a yawn to no avail and rubbed his eyes. He needed
sleep, but he wasn't going to. He didn't want Sara's words to invade
his dreams. He knew they would the moment he closed his eyes.

"Find anything?" Sara's voice interrupted his thoughts. He tensed
and sighed softly.

"Not yet," Greg answered as he stared at the screen.

Her presence caused his body to slowly burn. He could barely focus
on the screen, her nearness a distraction.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye and his heart pounded.
He wanted to forget the print, take her in his arms and kiss her
senseless. Sara's icy words from earlier, though forever ruined this
fantasy.

The computer beeped, causing him to jump. He stared at it as Sara
leaned in closer. The fire burned hotter and his breathing
increased. He focused his attention on their findings, hoping he
could keep himself under control.

"I'm going to narrow this down to the Las Vegas area," he said,
typing on the keyboard.

"After you're done, I want to talk to you," Sara's voice told him she
wasn't taking no for an answer.

Greg sighed and nodded. He should have known she wasn't going to let
their earlier argument drop. He imagined what she would say to him
and his heart sank.

"Where?" He asked, knowing a private place would be needed.

"Outside," he answered as the computer beeped. "I don't want someone
walking in on us."

Greg agreed. It would take only one person to walk in on them
arguing and the rumor mill would have a field day.

Lover's spat, he thought as he stared at the screen. The computer
narrowed down to four purchases of the shoes in Las Vegas. He
printed the results and followed Sara outside.

Sara spun around once they were away from the building. Her eyes
flashed and Greg braced himself.

"Talk to me, Greg," she said as she folded her arms across her
chest.

"What more do you want? We've been through this, Sara," he said as he
mimicked her posture. "I have feelings for you and you don't
care. `Nough said. Can I go now?"

Sara glared at him , but he didn't care. He knew how she felt and it
made him miserable. He leaned against the car as he waited for her
remarks.

"Not until we discuss this," she said. "I care about you…"

"You didn't say that to Grissom," he interrupted. "I'm not what you
need, remember?"

Sara was silent for a moment and Greg wondered if she would deny it
or not. She stared at him, her eyes filled with sadness.

"I shouldn't have said it," she said softly.

"But it's true or you wouldn't have said it."

"Greg…"

He shook his head as his stomach clinched. Tears formed in his eyes,
but he blinked them away. He knew this would happen, but it still
hurt.

"I should know better, but I can't help it," he said, his voice
catching.

Sara placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. He forced the tears
not to fall even as his heart broke. He closed his eyes and took a
deep breath.

"There you are," Nick's voice caught their attention. The two jumped
apart in surprise.

"What is it?" Sara asked, her voice sounded upset. From being
interrupted or from what he said, Greg didn't know.

"Mia's searching for you, said she has the results from that hair you
found."

"Good," she said. "We'll be in shortly."

Nick stared at them strangely, but nodded. He headed back inside,
leaving the two alone.

"We should go inside," Greg said softly, not wanting to continue the
conversation. As far as he was concerned, it was over. "Don't want
to keep Mia waiting."

"Greg," Sara said as she reached out to him.

He shook his head and kept walking. He knew what she would say and
he didn't want to hear it. He was in enough pain and didn't think he
could take anymore.