Title: First Time
Author: Daniela
Fandom: CSI: Vegas
Pairing: Greg/Grissom
Rating: G
Category: Humor
Series/Sequel: Breaking the Ice
Disclaimers: CSI and its characters belong to Anthony Zuiker and CBS broadcasting company. The author makes no profit and no infringement is intended.
Summary: Grissom thinks Greg has made a mistake at work.
Warnings: None, maybe a few spoilers
Feedback: Yes, please. It´s the icing on my cake.
Email: daniforblue@yahoo.de
Released: May 2003
Beta: Anomaly, Monika

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Greg!"
"GREG!!!"
"SANDERS!!!"

Finally, the young chemist looked at his shouting boss.

"Turn that music off!" Grissom demanded, impatiently.

"Yes, of course."

Grissom threw a thick envelope on the desk. "Test these samples as soon as possible. It's very important." Short and brisk. Like always. Nice words seemed superfluous to this man.

"Yes sir." Greg tried to look very eager.

But Grissom was already leaving.

Greg sighed. Once again, he had made a poor impression on his boss. For sure, Grissom thought he was lazy and negligent. Ever since Greg had begun working here he had hoped for the esteem and recognition of his boss. He admired the man very much. Obviously, Grissom knew everything. He never made a mistake. Greg always tried to be as good, but Grissom didn´t seem to notice his efforts. Praise was almost a miracle. Greg sighed a second time. He was wasting precious time with pointless brooding. Certainly Grissom wouldn't be enthusiastic about that. He fetched the samples from the envelope and started to test them quickly. Perhaps he would be lucky today and find something to impress the big boss after all. At this thought, he smiled blissfully.

Two hours later, he paged Grissom, who read Greg's notes two minutes after he had gotten the message. Suddenly, he looked puzzled. "Where are the results of the fifth sample?"

Greg winced. "Fifth? What fifth sample? There were only four samples."

Grissom's voice grew a little louder: "You lost evidence in a murder case?"

Greg's nonchalance was gone. "No! I swear, only four samples were in the envelope. You have to believe me!"

Grissom became angry. "Sara personally handed these samples over to me. You allege we made a mistake?"

Now, Greg was desperate. "Sir, please, I ...."

Grissom interrupted him furiously. "Don't call me sir, Sanders. You know I don't like it."

"But si...but Grissom, there were only four samples." Greg was pleading now.

Grissom looked very serious. "At the moment, I don't know what to say." Suddenly, he seemed to think of something. "Wait here!" he called and was out of the lab in a rush.

Greg was very upset. He didn't know what to do. He had never before messed anything up at work. He was so sure it had been four samples.

What would Grissom do? Never entrust him again with important samples? Perhaps even fire him? He couldn't bear this.

In no time, Grissom was back with a sheepish look on his face. "I am so sorry, Greg. I asked Sara and she has confirmed that she put four samples in the envelope. I must have misunderstood her. I am very sorry indeed. It was my fault."

Greg was extremely relieved. "It's okay, Grissom. I am so glad I didn´t do anything wrong. I can live with knowing that you don't particularly appreciate my work, but a mistake like this on my part...."

Grissom didn't let him finish. "That isn't true, Greg. You are a good chemist. Even extraordinary. I appreciate your work very much."

Greg´s tentative smile broadened into a happy grin. "Thanks Grissom, that means a lot to me. Especially from you."

Astonishingly, Grissom smiled back. "You're welcome, Greggo."

It baffled and delighted Greg when he heard his nickname from his boss.

For a few seconds, they looked at each other, then Grissom turned around and went to his office.

Greg was very happy and kept on smiling for a long time. Though he wondered how Grissom could misunderstand Sara. Nothing like that had ever happened before. Strange. But it really didn't matter. It probably meant nothing at all. After all these years, he had learned that Grissom thought of him as a good chemist. Even an extraordinary one. Besides, Grissom had apologized to him.

A miracle had truly happened today.