Leggo My Greggo

“Coulda Been a Rockstar I”


“I coulda been a rock star.” -Greg Sanders
“There's still time, Greg.” -Gil Grissom


And that's what inspired Greg. He was a genius in DNA, but his childhood talent; that he hadn't grown out of; was rock.

It started off as a weekend gig, then his band was spotted by a talent scout and they became an overnight sensation. And as much as Grissom and Catherine supported the DNA tech; they were sorta tired of Greg's avid fans showing up at the lab and trying to either catch a glimpse of Greg or hound Grissom or Catherine about information on Greg.

It was a hard decision but Greg was born to be in the spotlight. He thrived on attention and if anyone had any doubts, they could just watch him dance to loud music in his lab or listen to one of his long- winded explanations of their DNA results. He was just made to stand out and lab was merely smothering that wild spark.

So, as kindly as they could, Grissom and Catherine promptly kicked the best, and youngest, DNA tech they had ever had out “onto the street.” He only grinned, hugged them, and made them swear to come to a few concerts. That had been two years ago.

Greg came by every month to forcibly (at least on Gil's part) drag the two of them out to breakfast. But you could tell that their zany labtech wasn't an average person; not that he had ever been; any longer. He had fans, he had style; however haphazard as it was, and he had a charisma and confidence that came from someone who had gotten used to upscale living. But Greg was still Greg. He didn't dump his old mentors just because he was famous.

Those breakfasts came every month; sometimes twice a month on the dime and the last few times he had actually brought a friend. A female friend; which for Greg meant exactly that. A female friend.

Her name was Sara Sidle, she and Greg had met at a party, he had pulled her off of a guy that had dared to make a sexist comment. Greg had gained a shiner in the process and Sara had gained an avid and compassionate conversationalist and a best friend. They relied on each other in the heavy celebrity scene and so far they had come out stronger for it.

It was them that Grissom and Catherine were meeting for breakfast for the first time in a month and a half. They had barely taken a seat when Greg walked in. He was clad in his usual jeans that clung, but weren't tight, a cotton t- shirt that usually had a Marilyn Manson logo on it, but instead was just a “plain” neon pink, and faded, worn converse. He flashed them a warm smile as he slid into the circular booth and then chuckled when he took in their confused expressions.

“Sara... is outside,” He laughed as they smiled in relief. “Her Uncle insisted she get a bodyguard and she's trying to convince said bodyguard that he should actually come inside, sit down, and then eat with us. She says it'd be much more inconspicuous, he, of coarse, doesn't agree, but whatever... so how have you two been? How's the lab?”

Catherine laughed, glad for the reminder of Greg's quirky conversation.

“Lindsey's birthday is in a month, I was wondering if we could swap out a breakfast for a birthday party.” Greg grinned.

“Why swap? I have a opera version of Happy Birthday that I'd love to try out.” Then Greg looked up and winked at the “couple” that had approached their table. “So how'd it go; taming the wild beast?”

Sara crossed her arms as the tall African American man next to her snorted.

“He agreed to sit down, but refused to get 'distracted by food.'” Greg grinned at the sarcastic “air quotes”. As she slid in next to Greg, Sara kept muttering along the lines of, “Who even says that? Who the hell says food has to be distracting... I mean there's anorexia and then there's...”

Catherine and Greg had long since been stifling their laughter while Grissom had merely looked on amused before sticking out a hand to the bodyguard.

“Gil Grissom, Crime Scene Investigator.”

“Warrick Brown.” Catherine had enough composure collected to offer her hand also.

“Catherine Willows, CSI.”

Warrick took the offered hand with a polite, “It's a pleasure.”

Their meal continued in much the same atmosphere with laughter, sarcastic comments, and many a raised eyebrow.

~~~

It was only a week later when they saw Greg again; under slightly different conditions. Grissom and Catherine had been called out to a scene at a club that Greg regularly sang at. Brass waved them through the thick wave of reporters and fans before debriefing them as they walked inside.

“Our DNA genius is alright, but there were shots fired at him last night. The perp may have been one of the employees, but who knows.” Brass just shrugged when Grissom turned to him in confusion.

“And how did you come to that deduction?”

“The kid says the shot came from either backstage or one of the wings and since there were no backstage passes issued for last night, there's no way it could have been a fan; security's apparently pretty tight. But that's just what the kid said.” Brass said with somewhat of a fond smile on his face.

“Catherine! Gil!” The two CSIs turned to see Sara rushing over to them with Warrick following closely behind. With a respectful nod to the two of them, Warrick turned his sharp eyes to the people around them, his stance screaming a painful death to anyone who dare even approach his charge.

“Sara! Are you alright?” The brunette nodded and seemed to unconsciously lean back into Warrick just slightly.

“I'm fine, Greg's a little shaken up though.” She motioned to the stage, where Greg was sitting, looking somewhat high- strung, talking to someone on his cell.

“Did you see anything, Sara, Warrick?” Sara only shook her head, as Warrick wrapped a supportive arm around her shoulders and answered in that deep, quiet voice of his.

“We were getting drinks at the bar, when we heard the shots. They seemed loud though.” Grissom's brow furrowed.

“That's not unusual for a gunshot.” Sara started shaking her head before Grissom even finished.

“Over the music. They seemed loud even over the music. And Greg's music... leaves you deaf for days afterward.” Grissom nodded in understanding. Catherine gave Sara a brief hug before the two CSIs headed for their favorite quirky rock star. Greg looked up at their approach and flashed them a tight smile.

“Hey, Cath, Gris. And before you ask, I didn't see or hear anything. Not with the amps. In fact, the only reason I figured something wasn't right was because one of the amps got shot up. Sparks were flying everywhere.” Catherine nodded and scribbled something down.

“Greg, Brass said that you thought it came from backstage?” Greg nodded and pointed toward the amp and white pillar by the corner of the stage.

“The bullet pierced the back of the amp and this side of the column.”

“Nice eye, Greg.”

Greg gave a tired smile and a simple, “I try,” before he cleared his throat nervously. “I am also pretty sure that it wasn't a member of the band,” at their encouraging looks, Greg continued on, more sure, “They all know my choreography. They would have known that I step to the side and drop to my knees at that point in the song. The bullet struck where I was standing before.”

Taking in Grissom's proud expression and Catherine's grin, Greg gulped.

“...What?” Grissom turned to Catherine.

“Mark this day down, Catherine. I don't think we'll ever have another witness statement as reliable and accurate as this one.” In relief, Greg gave his old boss a small, relaxed smile.

“Well you better put a star next to it because I don't plan on doing it again.”

“--- I couldn't agree more.” Greg groaned when a small, petite woman in a business suit and pumps strode up to the stage.

“Mary, not now---” Greg began, but was swiftly cut off.

“Oh, I think now is the perfect time to discuss this. Your friends here, haven't caught the perp; which means that he's free to try again... you...” A sharp glare stopped Greg's eye- roll in mid- motion, “you are getting a bodyguard.”

Greg opened his mouth, but was once again cut off.

“I'm giving you a week to pick one yourself or I will. End of story.” With a quick nod to Grissom and Catherine, Mary Connelly marched back out. Catherine turned amused eyes back to Greg, who ad his face buried in his hands.

“Wow, I see she still runs a tight ship.” Greg just groaned.

~~~

Warrick was stopping in at the office on his day off after making sure that Sara would be staying in. He stopped in with the owner and switched all of his best friend's current clients to other members of the firm. So, Nick would be pissed at first, but after talking to Mary, Warrick knew that the amount that Greg's insurance company was willing to pay for security would more than double Nick's current rate. Plus, Nick was lonely, there was no denying it. A full- time, 24/7 job would do him good... Greg would do him good.

Warrick wanted nothing more than Nick to be happy and Warrick had become very fond of Greg, so the choice to guard the rock star was logical. Thankfully, the company didn't prevent guard/ client relations, but they would add another guard part- time to the client. That was exactly the reason that he hadn't told his boss about the progress in his and Sara's relationship. Eventually, he would, but he wasn't quite ready for another guy to be around the brunette 24 hours a day.

Truthfully, though, he was a it worried. Last night she had needed some comfort and Warrick had ended up holding her while she fell asleep. It hadn't taken long until he was asleep also. He was worried about letting his guard down and last night he had done so, big time. But there was also no way in hell he was going to pass up another chance to hold Sara Sidle.

No, Warrick wasn't going anywhere... except to the locker room where Nick was.