Situation Normal

Greg had chosen their destination since she had opted for the diner last time.

Knowing Greg, it would be unusual. The museum of numismatics certainly fit the bill. She knew he was a collector, but hadn't realized how much he truly enjoyed it.

Learn something new every day. Watching his face light up once they were in the exhibits was almost as entertaining as watching various frazzled parents corral their children.

"I hope you weren't too bored," he said afterwards, looking pleased when she took his hand in the parking lot.

"If I'd been bored, I would have been showing the security guards the flaws in their systems," she said pointedly. "Did I do that?"

"Not that I saw," he conceded. "Sara, I was wondering...I know it's July and all but...well, assuming we get there..."

"Spit it out, Greg." She was amused.

"Would you come home with me for Thanksgiving? Nana Olaf makes a mean vegetarian loaf..."

There was no mistaking the boyish anticipation on his face. She felt her heart contract.

"Go home with you as your what?"

They hadn't put a label on what they were, other than conceding that it was worthwhile to see where things were going.

Softer, "My Sara?" Seeing the stunned look on her face, "I'm pushing too fast. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to--"

And she smiled, leaning forward and effectively shutting him up.

"I'd love to," she said afterwards.

They had agreed on a small, out of the way diner that specialized in vegetarian cuisine. The atmosphere was relaxing, the food delicious, and the tension so thick it was surprising that no one tripped over it.

After the fourth time Greg tapped his fingers on the table, Sara sighed.

"Greg, this is stupid. We know each other. We're not strangers."

"This is true, Sara, but familiarity does not always help with nerves. And..."

"Greg." More firmly. "Am I running out the door?"

"No."

"Have I made any effort to leave here early?"

"No, but we took my car."

Unamused look. "What do you think cabs are for?"

"Point."

"Am I upset?"

"Not that I can see. It's just, I wanted, I mean..."

"You don't have to impress me now. You impressed me years ago."

Greg looked up, startled, meeting her eyes. "What? Then why...when I asked...Hank..."

"I was hung up on Grissom. Then I fell for Barry. Now...just call me a slow learner."

Their hands met reaching for the check.

"My slow learner," he said softly.

She smiled back. Equally soft. "My crazy CSI-punk."

"Yours."

"Yours."