Title: A Nice Welcome Home
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Greg Sanders/Danny Nagano
Fandom: CSI: Vegas
Rating: PG-13
Table: 1drabble
Prompt: 27, Animal
Disclaimer: This is entirely a product of my own imagination, and I make no profit from it. I do not own the lovely Greg Sanders or Danny Nagano, unfortunately, just borrowing them for a while. Please do not sue.

***

"What are you doing here?" Greg could barely get the words out.

"Well, that's a nice welcome home!" Danny said with a soft laugh as he disengaged himself from Greg's arms and stepped into the apartment. "I wanted to surprise you."

"It's a surprise, all right," Greg said with a soft laugh and a grin. "A really good one! I didn't expect you home for another couple of days." He frowned suddenly, a thought occurring to him. "Did something happen? You're still on the tour, in the tournament, aren't you?"

Danny held up a hand, smiling. "Don't worry, Greg. I'm still on the tour, and I'm doing pretty well. I've already qualified for the Vegas tournament next month."

Greg heaved a sigh of relief, dropping onto the couch.

"Who's this?" Danny said with a laugh as he sat down beside Greg and spied a small puppy, asleep in her wicker basket near the couch. "Are you dog-sitting?"

Greg shook his head, laughing softly. "No, that's my new puppy!" he said, unable to keep the delight out of his voice. "Her name is Mitzi. I decided it was time that I had some company for when you're not here, so I got a dog. She's real sweetheart."

"She looks it," Danny said, leaning forward to pet the puppy's head. She opened large brown eyes, looking up at him and yapping softly. "What breed is she?"

"She a beagle and King Charles spaniel mix," Greg said proudly. "She's six months old, and she's already house-trained. She's a really friendly pup."

"She sure is!" Danny said with a laugh as Mitzi licked his hand, then stood up and stretched. She made her way out of her basket to sit in front of the two men on the couch, then with a sharp bark, jumped up to sit between the two of them, settling down with one paw protectively on Greg's leg.

"She knows who her daddy is!" Greg said with a soft laugh, turning to look at Danny. "It gets lonely when you aren't here. Mitzi's great company."

Danny nodded, a smile on his lips as he petted the puppy again.

"She's adorable, Greg," he said softly, his gaze meeting his boyfriend's. "And I don't blame you for needing some company. I think she'll be good for both of us."

"I think so, too," Greg said softly, unable to take his eyes from Danny's. Between them, the puppy yapped again, looking from one to the other of the young men as though she could sense that they would get up from the couch within a few moments.

As though on cue, Greg and Danny did just that, both of them turning to pet the little animal before the two of them headed down the hallway towards the bedroom.

With a last soft yap, the puppy closed her eyes, curled up on the couch, and fell asleep.

***