Nightmares

Greg gripped the edges of the restroom sink, his eyes closed tightly. He needed to get himself under control before he went back out there.

He turned on the faucet and splashed cool water on his face. He looked at himself in the mirror and winced. He looked exactly how he felt.

He turned off the water, pulled a paper towel from the dispenser and dried his face. He threw the towel away and sighed.

What am I going to do? Greg thought as he ran a hand through his hair.

He shook his head, knowing he needed to get back to work. Maybe if he focused on the case the pain he felt would go away. At least until he went home.

Greg sighed and left the restroom. He strode down the hall, wondering about the unknown print and how he could make it known.

“Greg.”

Greg stopped and turned to see Catherine walking toward him. He raised an eyebrow at her, wondering if she found something.

“What?” He asked as he folded his arms across his chest. He pushed his despair to the back of his mind as he focused on what Catherine had to say.

“We found the murder weapon,” she said, her voice full of excitement.

“Where?” Greg asked, the excitement contagious. This was the break in the case they needed.

“Kid found it in the bushes outside the Tangiers. Brass brought it in a few minutes ago.”

“Great, maybe there’s something helpful on it,” he said, smiling slightly.

“Let’s hope,” Catherine said, smiling. “I gave it to Jacqui to fume and print.”

Greg nodded, glad to hear some good news.

“Are you all right, Greg?” Catherine asked, concerned. “You don’t look well.”

Greg offered her a slight smile, not in the mood to be mothered.

“I’m fine. I didn’t sleep well last night.”

“Sara’s nightmares?”

Greg nodded and sighed. He looked at the ground, closing his eyes against the flow of emotions. He didn’t want to talk about this now, least of all with Catherine. He wanted to forget about how he felt for a few hours at least.

“Maybe I should have a talk with her,” she offered.

Greg stared at her in surprise. Images of Catherine and Sara yelling about him flashed into his mind. That was all he needed. He shook his head.

“No, it’s all right,” he said as he backed away from her.

“Greg…”

He shook his head and hurried down the hall. The last thing he wanted was someone to know Sara didn’t love him.

Was everything a lie? Greg thought as he entered the evidence room. Did she ever love me?

He brought down a box and opened it. He pulled out the blouse Audra had been found in then spread out the photos of the scene on the table. He glanced at the pictures, hoping they had missed something.

Did anyone see another guy enter the room? Greg thought.

Several minutes later, movement from the doorway caught his attention. He looked up and saw Catherine enter the room. She came to stand beside him, glancing at the pictures before them.

“I think we should go back,” he said softly. “Question the witnesses again. See if anyone saw another man go up to the room.”

“The fingerprint on the knife matched your unknown print,” she mentioned. “The knife was sent to DNA.”

“Any trace?” Greg asked, his gaze focused on the photos.

“No, but we’re closer to nabbing this guy,” she said as she clapped him on the back. “Don’t give up.”

Greg offered her a smile and she returned it.

“I’m not about to,” he said.

“Good,” Catherine said as she left the room.

He sighed and turned his attention to the blouse. He turned off the light then turned on the ALS. He scanned the blouse and found blood. It was near the neckline, obviously from the victim. He moved the light down the blouse, but found nothing else.

Sighing, he turned the ALS off, took off the glasses and turned the overhead light on.

Maybe Mia will be able to find something on the knife, he thought.

Greg looked back at the photos, but his thoughts went back to Sara. He closed his eyes as Sara’s hesitation came back to him. He tried to force the image from his mind as his stomach clinched. It remained, though bringing agony with it.

He opened his eyes and placed the evidence back in the box. He couldn’t concentrate now as the pain of Sara’s rejection washed over him. He placed the box back on the shelf and turned to leave the room.

Greg froze as Sara stood in the doorway. He stared at her, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. What did she want now?

“Sara,” Greg said, hoping his voice sounded normal.

“Greg, I’m sorry,” she said, stepping toward him.

“So am I,” he said as he walked around her.

He left the room before she could say anything. He continued down the hall, needing to get away from her. Needing to clear his head. He was being torn apart inside and he didn’t think it would ever stop.

“Greg,” Grissom’s voice stopped him.

He hadn’t realized where he had been going, he had been so involved in his thoughts. He looked at his supervisor as if he had been brought out of a deep sleep.

“Yes?”

“How’s the case coming?” Grissom asked, his glasses in his hand.

Greg shrugged, not really caring about the case. That was how much pain he was in.

“We found the murder weapon,” he answered. “It’s a knife. The fingerprints match the unknown we found. Course, it’s still unknown at this time.”

Grissom nodded thoughtfully. He then narrowed his eyes, giving Greg a closer look. Greg felt like one of Grissom’s bugs at the moment. He shuffled his feet and looked around.

“Are you all right, Greg? You don’t look well.”

“So I’ve been told,” Greg answered a bit irritated. “I’m fine.”

“Go home, Greg. Get some sleep. Come back tomorrow.”

Greg sighed, knowing Grissom was right. He needed sleep and he needed to get away from Sara. Maybe some time away from her would ease the pain he felt.

“Sure,” he said as he turned and headed for the locker room.


~*~

Greg unlocked the door and stepped inside. He shut the door as he glanced around the living room. Memories came back to him and his heart clenched. He shook his head, pushing the memories away. They only caused him more misery.

She doesn’t love me, he thought as he made his way to the bedroom. I can’t stay here knowing that.

He opened the closet and pulled down a suitcase. He tossed it on the bed and opened it. He went back to the closet and took out as many clothes as he could carry. He shoved them into the suitcase then headed into the bathroom.

Greg caught his reflection in the mirror. He stared into his own lifeless eyes as despair flowed through him. He couldn’t’ believe what was happening, but he had to do it.

He sighed and grabbed some toiletries and dumped them in the suitcase. He piled some underwear on top of it all and closed the lid.

Greg picked up the case and headed for the door. He took a final look around, the memories tearing into him. He closed his eyes, Sara’s face appearing before him.

He opened the door when the phone rang. He stared at it, wondering who it was. He debated on answering it.

He shook his head and turned. He walked out the door, closing it behind him.