Title: A Post-Modern Love Affair
By: Rabidfan
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Nick's attempts at reassurance fall flat.

Greg was irreverent by nature. Some misunderstood his seemingly inappropriate humor at particularly gruesome crime scenes. Nick was not blind to their reactions. He had seen the widening of the eyes, the glares, and the looks of consternation when Greg would pop off with one of his patented riffs on decomp or spatter. He had had a heated exchange with Cavalier, by far the worst of the offended, on the subject just before they had left the lab tonight. He hoped it hadn't gotten back to Greg.

Nick knew that Greg in no way meant disrespect for those that had so horribly suffered and died. He only sought respite from the pain that lingered long after the dead were taken away. If Greg was aware of how some of the detectives reacted to his methods of coping, he never let on. So when Greg opened his mouth to comment on their most recent body dump, Nick braced himself for the inevitable fall-out.

"Will you hand me a bindle?" Nick quickly complied with the request, looking into Greg's eyes while he did so. Greg carefully placed the hair he held in tweezers into the small envelope. "Were you expecting something else, Nick?" Greg looked troubled, and a little angry.

"No, no. I was just waiting for you to say something about the smell. You surprised me."

Nick smiled. The smile died on his lips when Greg sighed and stood. "Yeah, I know. I heard all about your attempt to protect my honor with Chris earlier." He sighed again.

"I'm sorry you heard about it, Greg. It wasn't any big thing. Chris was just spouting off, you know how the guys get sometimes." Nick was growing uneasy. It wasn't at all like Greg to look so unhappy. "It wasn't any big deal. Really."

"Really." The unhappiness seemed to be fading, morphing more and more into anger. "You feel the need to defend me like I'm a teenaged girl, but I can take your word that it was no big deal." The last of the visible evidence was bagged and tagged. They stepped back to allow the coroner's team to remove the body.

"If you have a problem with me Nick, I wish you'd just say so." This was not the place or time for this conversation. Nick couldn't think of a place that was, off hand. "I don't have a problem with you or anyone else, Greg." The scowl only deepened on Greg's face. "Can we talk about this later? Some place not work related?" Greg's eyes snapped up to meet Nick's at the implied criticism. "Of course," was all he said. Now it was Nick's turn to sigh. They faced long hours ahead with the unknown victim, and now any hope for some peace at home was a remote possibility as well. He tried for a reassuring smile. "Okay, good. Let's get this sorted out, and then we'll talk."

Stony silence was his only answer.

The return ride to the lab was wrapped in the same cold silence the last hour at the crime scene had been. Nothing was said that didn't directly involve positioning of lights, or the gathering of evidence. Nick had made attempts to jolly Greg into some sort of conversation, but had met with failure every time. He tried another tack before shutting off the engine.

"I love you." Greg didn't even look at Nick, or acknowledge his declaration. He got out of the car and headed for the lab. "Greg?" Greg stopped, looking down at the pavement.

"Why?" was all he asked, still not looking up.

"Why?" Nick felt a headache coming on. Nothing about this night was going according to plan. Greg was supposed to smile, and say he loved Nick too. "Why do I love you? You know why, Greg." Didn't he?

"No, I really don't. I'd like to know, if I embarrass you so, why you love me." Greg no longer sounded angry, just sad and defeated in a way that made Nick's head hurt even more. "You know what, never mind. I forget…inappropriate places and all." Okay, he was still mad.

Nick sighed again. Greg didn't embarrass him. He didn't. How could such a good-intentioned deed turn into such a nightmare? Since when was Greg such a prickly bastard? Nick headed into the lab; already wishing the night would just swallow him whole and be done with him.



Greg turned back towards Nick at the door to the lab. "You coming in some time tonight, Nick?" Nick sighed again. All he'd thought of all night before this debacle was getting home, getting naked and getting Greg naked as quickly as possible. Now he'd be lucky if he saw skin by next week



"Coming."

It seemed to Nick that the hands on his watch were running backwards. It was the only explanation he had, since the night seemed never to end. Working with the nearly silent Greg should have been a blessing, considering his headache, but Nick would have given about anything to hear him make some noise.

By the time Nick locked their door behind them he was getting desperate for some response. "If I tell you why I love you, will you forgive me, and let this go?" That was either going to amuse and engage Greg, or completely piss him off, leading to Nick sleeping in the guest room. Nick held his breath.

"Sure." Not exactly the smile he's hoped for. Nick walked towards his still-scowling love and pulled him close.

"I love the way we fit together. Like we were made for each other. Don't you think so?" Nick flashed his most charming smile. No answer. The smile began to feel plastic. "Greg?"

"Let me see if I have this right. You love me because I'm thin and fit up against you in a way that pleases you." Not a smile in sight. "That's it?" Nick felt his smile cracking.

"No. Of course that's not all. I love you for lot's of reasons!" God, he felt like he was in junior high defending his first crush! "That's just one of the reasons." Dork, Nick cursed himself. Dork…he wants something. You'd better figure it out fast!

"Keep naming them. 'Cause that one, so not doing it for me." Greg crossed to the bedroom they had been sharing for only a few months. He turned back at the door. "I'm going to take a shower and go to bed." Nick couldn't help but feel a little burn of lustful hope. "I'm tired." Ah, bitter ashes. Nick was left staring at the door long after Greg had closed it behind him.

"How did this get so screwed up?" Nick flopped down on the couch. He didn't figure he would be getting to sleep any time soon.

Nick didn't remember falling asleep on the couch. He woke with a start, trying to orient himself in the dim room. He could hear noises from the kitchen, so Greg was up. Time to go see if sleep had settled the other man down.

Greg faced the stove, moving some thing around in one of his beloved skillets. Nick's stomach growled in anticipation. He slid his arms around Greg's waist, being careful not to disrupt his work.

"I love that you can cook." Yeah, appeal to one of his prideful points…couldn't hurt! "You're a great cook!" That was true. Greg liked to experiment, and those experiments were almost always delicious.

"I'm a chemist, Nick." Greg didn't seem particularly flattered. "Cooking is just chemistry that tastes good." He didn't pull away. Nick tightened his hold just a bit. Greg leaned his head against Nick's just for a moment. "Go sit down. This is done." Reluctantly, Nick released Greg and sat at the bar. Greg handed him an omelet and hash browns that would have made his mother envious. "You really are a great cook, G." He wasn't trying to flatter now, he was just telling the truth.

"Thanks." Nick sighed. Things were a little better, but nowhere near where he wanted them to be.

Going in to work on Greg's day off was always a little disorienting for Nick. He was so accustomed to seeing Greg pretty much twenty-four/seven that when he wasn't there it left a palpable hole. It didn't help that the majority of his shift was spent with Cavalier and Sara, trying to mop up the loose ends of last nights case.

"Nick, I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I didn't mean to go off on Sanders. I like Sanders," Chris looked surprised at that confession. "It's just, well…my kids look older than he does. I find I either want to slap his smart mouth, or send him home where it's safe. You know?"

Did he ever. It was easy to forgive Cavalier. The detective hadn't meant any harm, and Nick admired his willingness to be the first to apologize. He extended his hand for a shake.

Detective Cavalier grasped Nick's hand in relief. He didn't need more issues with the CSI's he worked with daily. "So, we're good?"

"Yeah. We're good." Nick smiled. The release of pressure was helping his headache fade. "He's got really great legs, too."

Sara and Chris gaped at Nick's comment. He looked at their confused faces and replayed what he'd just said. He could feel the heat of his embarrassment on his face. "Well, he does." That helped.

The other two just laughed. "Let's just finish up here, Stud." Sara so had to die. "We'd better try to get you home, it's pretty clear where your mind is!" Yeah, she needed to die. Nick could have made some Grissom related comment, but held back. He had enough trouble at home. He didn't need more at work.

Mercifully, Nick had managed not to blurt out any other details of Greg's anatomy through the remainder of his shift. Safe home again, he went in search of the one so occupying his mind.

"Greg?" he called. The house was quiet. Too quiet. "You home?"

Nick felt a building panic. "Greg? Where are you?"

The silent house didn't have an answer for him.

The sound of the key in the lock startled Nick out of is growing panic. He was here! Thank God!

"Hey, you're home early." Greg placed a plate of something on the table. "Dead at work today?" He headed into the room, still unaware of Nick's collapsing panic.

"Finished our case, so Grissom said I could leave a little early." He almost had his breathing under control. Keep it casual. "Where were you?" Breath.

"Feeding Mrs. Fiengold's cat. Remember? She asked us to while she was in Florida. She left us macaroons as a thank you." Greg was looking at him funny. "You okay? You look a little flushed."

The cat. Oh. Nick vaguely remembered the nice old lady next door arranging that with Greg last week. She loved Greg. Nick secretly thought the old dear liked Greg entirely too much, but he kept that to himself. She did make great macaroons.

"I'm fine. Fine." Nick decided he'd be much finer with at least a kiss. He reached for Greg, pulling him close. "Better now." He started kissing Greg in earnest, working his way down the side of Greg's jaw. He stopped to kiss the spot just under his ear.

"I love this. This right here." Kissing, nuzzling that one soft spot. "I can feel your pulse when I kiss you here." Kissing again. "I can feel it speed up." More soft, soft kisses. "Just like that. Yeah. I love that." Soft kisses grew into soft sucking. The pulse Nick loved to feel was certainly speeding up now.

"Uhm…I like that, too." Greg's face had an attractive flush, eyes wide and dark. "What else do you like?" Leave it to Greg to need conversation when Nick was trying to get him into bed.

"I love your smell." Greg pulled back just enough to look Nick in the eyes. "I mean the way your skin smells. It smells clean, like lemons." He trailed off with an embarrassed huff. "It just smells good, okay? It smells like home." That was certainly sweet, and it made Greg smile.

"I like being home for you, too." Still smiling, he asked "What else?"

Nick drew Greg flush up against his chest, bodies touching knee to shoulder, evidence of their mutual interest clear between them.

"That first time I saw you in the lab, your first day, I knew." Greg was watching Nick's mouth as he spoke, the tip of his tongue just showing between his lips. Nick found it distracting and unbelievably hot. "Right then at that moment, time stopped. Every thing that was, my whole life before, was over. It all started over, with you." Greg's eyes had moved up to look into Nick's. "Just you, Greg. Always, forever. Just you."

Greg was deeply moved. The past two days of awkwardness faded, leaving a tingling in his belly. He nuzzled into Nick's neck, deciding to see if he could reciprocate. "Me, too. You were in the hall with Grissom. He was pointing at me and you were looking. I couldn't help staring. I knew then you were the one." He was almost embarrassed to admit that. Why should he be embarrassed to tell Nick he'd been interested all along? "It was only you after that look," echoing Nick's words. "Just you." Greg was rewarded with the distinct rise in Nick's pulse. "I love you."

"You have great legs." Shit! He actually said that again! "I do, I know I do." Greg was laughing softly. "I have long, thin legs. Would you like to explore what I can do with these legs?" Oh, Nick wanted that very badly. He wasn't able to formulate words over the powerful swell of lust, just nod mutely.

"Good." Greg began backing Nick towards their bedroom. "That's really good. I'd really like to show you." Nick stopped walking so that Greg stepped right into him. Nick seized the opportunity to initiate another kiss. "Love you, love you, love you…" he couldn't stop the litany, murmured between soft, sucking kisses. "So much."

They managed to arrive at the bedside without permanent bodily injury. Nick was trying to work Greg's tee shirt over his head without breaking off kissing him. He'd already raised two large purple bruises on Greg's neck, and he knew before he was through with him there would be more. He simply couldn't bring himself to care. Greg was so hot, so beautiful…he had to press his mouth against that throat again.

They landed on the bed in a tangle of limbs, still kissing. Greg hadn't been this turned on since early on in their relationship. He tugged futilely at Nick's jeans. "Too many clothes, Nick…off."

Nick paused, bracing himself on his hands to look down into Greg's eyes. "I love this, too. Love just knowing I'm going to be inside you…feeling how tight, yeah…I love this." Greg's eyes were enormous, filled with love and lust. "Want you, Nicky. Want you so bad." He demonstrated how much by arching up against Nick. The pressure of hard cock to hard cock was almost enough to bring Greg over the edge. Almost.

Nick worked the buttons open on Greg's jeans and drew them down with soft sweeps of his hands. With each gentle caress, Greg twitched and moaned. Reluctantly, Nick pulled himself away from Greg so he could remove the last of his own clothes. Finally naked, he stretched back out on top of Greg.

"So beautiful. So, so beautiful." And he was. There was no other word to describe Greg for Nick. He was flushed red, legs spread, eager, wanton…indescribably beautiful. Nick reached between their bodies to stroke over Greg's leaking erection, and was rewarded with incoherent groans and sighs. He loved it when Greg was completely ready for him. Ready to be fucked hard. So ready, he was reduced to these wonderful keening groans. Nick pressed down to kiss them from Greg's lips. "Love you, babe. Let me. Now." Maybe Nick was a little incoherent himself, but Greg understood. He arched up for one last bruising kiss before turning over onto his stomach.

"Fuck me. Oh god, Nick, just fuck me!" He pushed his ass up towards Nick, as if by invitation. He bit down on his lip when lube-slicked fingers finally, finally breached him. He didn't want to wait to be stretched. Wanted Nick to just fuck him hard, wanted to feel it for days. "Now, now, now." Greg mewled and growled with frustration. "I'm ready, so ready. Now, please. Now." He pushed back against Nick's fingers, forcing them deeper into him, feeling the stretch and reveling in it.

"Don't want to hurt you." Nick's accent was as thick as honey when he was turned on. It was one of the things that Greg loved. Maybe he'd give Nick a list of those things the next time they fucked.

"You won't. Promise. Just. Fuck. Me." He felt Nick gently pull his fingers out. It seemed an eternity while Nick rolled on a condom and lubed himself. Greg almost laughed with relief when he finally felt the slick hardness begin pressing into him.

"Unn, oh god. Yeah. Oh, Nick." Maybe he wasn't quite as ready as he'd thought. "Love you." Nick pressed deeply into Greg's willing body, rested for a heartbeat then slowly pulled back. Almost all the way out, then a slow, sensuous slide back in. With each stroke, Nick altered positions just a little, searching for the right spot.

"Oh. Oh, there! Just…just. Ah." Yeah, Nick had found the spot he'd been searching for. Now he could speed the pace of his thrusts, each one rubbing over Greg's prostate. He reached around Greg's slender hip to stroke his cock in time to each thrust. He knew it wouldn't be long. Greg had been on edge all night. He wouldn't last. Just a few more hard thrusts. Nick grunted with each forceful press into Greg. Almost, almost.

"Gonna, oh, gonna…Nick, Nick, Nick…" Greg whole body went rigid, his internal muscles clamping down with astonishing strength around Nick. Hot cum coated Nick's hand as he gently goaded Greg through the last of his orgasm. Finally the hard clench of Greg's muscles relaxed enough for Nick to move again. Greg collapsed down onto his stomach, still trying to get his breathing under control. He was startled when Nick withdrew before coming himself.

"Nick?" Greg rolled back over to see what was wrong. "What is it?" Had he done something wrong?

"I want to see your face, Greg. Let me see you." Nick ran his hand down Greg's chest and stomach, making his flesh goose-bump. Nick's hands slid under Greg's hips, raising them, giving him access to what was his and his alone. Pressing back inside was like coming home. His. Always just his, as he was always just Greg's. Perfect.

"Love, love…" he wasn't able to formulate words anymore. Nick's thrusts came faster and faster, almost brutal in intensity, yet Greg rose to meet each one. "Come on, baby. Cum for me. Come on. Harder." Greg wrapped those phenomenal legs around Nick's waist, urging him with his heels to thrust harder, harder…deeper than he'd ever been.

Nick could feel the heat coiling in the base of his spine, knew he was close. He surged forward to claim Greg's mouth again. "Mine. Understand? Just mine." Close, so close.
One more wild thrust and Nick's vision went white. He pressed as deeply into the lithe body beneath him as he could. He bit down on Greg's throat one last time and came hard. Exhausted, Nick collapsed down on top of Greg, pinning him to the mattress. Nick struggled up onto his elbows.

"You okay?" Nick knew he'd been too rough. He'd known and been unable to stop. "I'm great! Fantastic! If I wasn't so sleepy I'd want to do that again!" Nick smiled down at him. "I'm too old to do that again any time soon." Greg moaned as Nick gently pulled out. He tossed the condom in the direction of the trashcan, not really caring where it landed.

Greg curled against Nick, his head on Nick's shoulder. "Love you," he mumbled sleepily. "Love you." Nick pressed a kiss into Greg's sweat-soaked hair. They should shower. They were going to be sticky and gross in the morning. Nick yawned. The hell with a shower. Greg's breathing was deep and even, proof that he'd already fallen asleep.

"I love this most of all," Nick whispered to the sleeping man. "That you're here, in my arms all night. Love that more than anything." His eyes were growing heavy. With a satisfied sigh, Nick settled closer to Greg. It had been a rough couple of days, and they both needed sleep. Just a few hours, then maybe, just maybe…yeah.

Theirs wasn't a traditional romance, and they still tended to butt heads and misunderstand each other. But no one doubted the love they had for each other, certainly not Nick. He hadn't exaggerated. Greg was the one for him, and he took pleasure in knowing he was the one for Greg. A post-modern romance is what they had, and it suited Nick just fine.