Appetizer Sampler

I don't think Grissom had been gone an hour before the fury set in. The fury, and the humiliation.

Every time I replayed our goodbye in my head, my cheeks started to burn in shame. The memory of his face, bemused and nonchalant as he left, just fed the anger. I'd spent years wanting to know his exact feelings about me. Well, now it was all too crystal-clear.

Stomping into the break room, I sat down on the couch, still hurt and seething. An old crossword puzzle of Grissom's lay on the table, and I debated ripping it up. Feeling the slow shredding of the paper between my fingertips. The urge was barely curbed when Greg walked into the room.

"Hey," he grinned, plopping down beside me on the couch. "You see Grissom before he left?"

"Yup," I replied, trying to keep the bitterness out of my tone.

I must have failed, because he cocked his head at me pensively. "You're off tonight, right?" he asked finally.

"Yeah."

"Any plans?"

Sitting at home and ruing the day I met Gil Grissom. "Nope."

"Good. We're going out. You and me."

"Greg, I can't," I protested, shaking my head.

"Why not? You said you're not doing anything."

"Yeah, but-"

"But what?" His eyes watched me far too keenly. "If you're going to spend another night hoping Grissom will call and ask you to dinner, I can save you the suspense. He won't."

My mouth dropped open to scoff at him, but nothing came out.

To be honest, I never suspected he had a clue I even liked Grissom.

"Okay," I said finally. "Okay."

He picked me up at my apartment around seven, and we went to some bar on the outskirts of town. Greg greeted a few patrons by name, and I realized there was a lot I didn't know about him.

"It's a little rundown," he said apologetically as we sat down in a booth. "But they have great cheese fries, and cheap beer."

"It's fine," I nodded. Except for a couple of guys sitting at the bar, the place was empty. Which made me relax a little. Some part of me didn't want anyone seeing me out with Greg, and telling Grissom.

A waiter appeared, setting a pitcher of beer and a couple of mugs on the table. "Hey, Greg."

"Hey," Greg nodded, shifting a little uneasily.

"Cheese fries? Extra ketchup?"

"Yeah."

I busied myself by pouring the beers and pretending not to eavesdrop on their conversation. The waiter glanced around, then lowered his voice. "Meal's on me, man. I still feel bad about last time-"

"Dude, it's fine," Greg interrupted. "Don't worry about it."

"Still, food's on me," the waiter insisted, disappearing into the kitchen.

I cocked an eyebrow at Greg, waiting for an explanation as I sipped my beer. Finally he sighed.

"That's Steve. He approached me last week, asked if I'd be interested in a threesome with him and his girlfriend."

I sputtered into my mug, unable to contain my laughter. "What'd you say?"

"What do you think I said?" He sat up straight and struck an effeminate pose, lisping, "I don't swing that way, Steve." He took a big gulp of beer, rolling his eyes when I continued chuckling.

"He's not the only one to make that mistake," I smirked. "Half the lab thinks-"

"Hey, enough stalling," he cut me off, leaning forward. "Let's come up with a plan to get you over Grissom."

Thankfully, Steve returned just then with a huge platter of steak fries, smothered with liquid cheese.

"You've got to be kidding me." It looked like a heart attack on a plate.

"Don't knock 'em till you've tried 'em," Greg replied, his mouth already full of cheese fries.

I took a fry dubiously, dunking it in ketchup and popping it in my mouth.

"So?" he asked with a knowing grin.

"This stuff'll kill you," I said, then grabbed another fry. "But good lord, what a way to go."

For a while, we didn't say anything, just slurped our beers and shoveled greasy cheese fries into our mouths. It was only when he refilled my beer that I realized I was having a good time. He wasn't being zany lab tech Greg. This was a different guy, one who was secure in his own skin and knew exactly what he wanted out of life. Good company and a hot meal. Who could fault him?

"So you like this place?" he prodded, as we sat back to digest the food.

"Yeah."

"Good," he grinned. "I thought it would be a good place for a low-key first date."

I froze. "First what?"

"You thought you and Griss had a connection. And I think you and I do." He wiped his hands on a napkin, not breaking eye contact. "I think it's worth a try."

It had never occurred to me that this had been anything other than two friends out having fun. Greg was. Greg. He was young, and kind of immature... I'd always had a thing for older, calmer men. Ones with a quiet way about them. But this new Greg did have a quiet way about him, and he was a hell of a lot calmer than normal.

What could it hurt? Grissom was gone, the beer was giving me a pleasant buzz, and I was getting hit on by a cute guy. There are harder decisions in life.

We got into his car, and he drove to his apartment without asking. It was awkward and comfortable all at once. When he put his key in the lock, I blurted out, "You really think Grissom and I wouldn't work?"

He pushed open the door, shrugging. "Catherine's buzzing in everyone's ears that she thinks he's got a girlfriend. But sometimes I wonder if he's just not cut out for romance."

His apartment was decorated with old movie posters and black leather couches. It was nicer than I expected, and I almost didn't notice when he leaned forward to kiss my neck.

"Greg-"

"Ssh," he whispered, placing soft kisses on my jawline. I couldn't help the shiver of arousal that tickled its way down my spine.

Pulling back, he locked his gaze on me. "I love your eyes," he murmured, before brushing his lips against mine. "They're the first thing I noticed when I met you. Big, brown, beautiful eyes."

His kisses tasted like beer and promises. "Greg-"

He stopped reluctantly. "Yeah?"

His expression was a cross between hopeful and resigned. He planned this, I realized. He waited till Grissom left to take me out to his favorite bar and open himself up to me.

"I think." I was momentarily distracted when I noticed for the first time that he has pretty eyes too. "I think Grissom's dating Sara."

"I think so too."

My arms crept up his waist, squeezing gently. "And I'm. not sure I care."

He grinned like a fool, kissing me deeply and stroking my tongue into his mouth. "Nick?" he whispered.

"Yeah?"

"Take off your pants."