Addicted To You

A/N: So this story is slightly AU just in the fact that Nick is out and not hiding the fact that he is gay. It's also set sometime during season 6 so Sara and Sofia are both still there. Because of the holidays up-dates won't be as often as they were with my last story, sorry. Lot's of love goes to Jayceepat who is giving her time and energy to beta this for me, thanks. Hope you enjoy :)

Chapter 1: A day in the life of Nick Stokes

"Oh, fuck" Nick moaned as he ran his hands through Greg's hair. Nick was leaned up against the wall of his living room as Greg knelt in front of him putting his mouth to good use. "You are so great at this."

Nick was resisting the urge to fuck Greg's mouth with his cock and was grateful the younger man was pinning his hips to the wall with his slender but strong hands. Nick didn't think things could get any better than this but then Greg reached one of his hands down and fondled Nick's balls as he continued to suck him hard. Nick was sure his moaning was so loud that it was attracting the neighbor's attention but he didn't particularly care. All he cared about was the sweet lips that were encasing his dick, and the sinful tongue that was doing things that he had only dreamed about.

"I'm so close" Nick mumbled as he felt the familiar tingle in his stomach. He still couldn't believe how fast Greg could get him off with a blow job. With all his previous lovers it had taken at least 10 minutes but Greg some how managed to make him come in under two; he had great oral skills. "Fuck, I'm coming..." Nick grunted as he shot his load into Greg's waiting mouth. Nick loved the excited look in Greg's eyes as he swallowed every last drop of Nick's cum. Once Nick was done Greg released his cock from his mouth as he watched Nick recover.

Nick felt his body slip down until he was on the floor and breathing hard. Greg was still kneeling with a big grin on his face that could only be described as Greg. "We're going to be late."

"What?" Nick asked as he looked over at Greg.

"We're going to be late for work" Greg said with a small smile as he pointed at the clock that was hanging on Nick's wall.

"Right" Nick said as he looked at Greg's crotch and saw the obvious erection. "But I should take care of that first."

"Nah, there isn't enough time. I have to get home and get ready, but don't worry Nicky I'll be thinking of you while I'm in the shower" Greg said with a wink as he got up and headed towards the door. "You can fuck me later." And just like that he was gone.

Nick couldn't help but smile at the antics of his exuberant lover. Greg was like an energizer bunny on speed, he was always full of energy and ready to go. Nick found himself feeling younger just being around him, he was like a contagious disease but in a good way. Nick groaned as he looked up at the clock. He really wasn't in the mood to go to work now.

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"And then she had the nerve to tell me that I put my job before everything else in my life. I mean what does she expect, I have a demanding job but I'm doing a service for the community. The killers and rapist aren't going to put them selves in jail" Warrick explained to Nick while they waited for their crime scene to be cleared.

"That's the problem with women man. They think it should be about them all day, all the time" Nick said with a chuckle. "Why do you think I'm gay?"

"Even if being gay got me away from the constant nagging I don't think I could get over the whole my partner having a penis thing" Warrick told Nick.

"Which means my friend, you are' straight and will have to live with irritating women for the rest of your life so get used to it" Nick told him and they both laughed.

"Okay guys you're up" Brass told them as he walked out of the two story house.

"Thanks" Warrick said as he and Nick entered the house and looked around. There were three bodies in the living room; an older man and woman plus a young girl that couldn't have been more than seven or eight years old. It was obvious from the position of the bodies and the gun resting in the man's hand that it was a double homicide and suicide but they still needed to collect the evidence.

Nick hated cases like these, they seemed so pointless. The house was in a good neighborhood, there were photos of the family smiling happily all over the walls; they had nice furniture and a cute dog. Nick would never understand why a man felt the need to kill his wife and child and then himself when they had a pleasant life going for them. "Smell's bad, they must have been like this for a while."

"Judging from the smell and the weather over the last few days I'd say about a week but we won't know for sure until super Dave gets here" Warrick said as he pointed his camera at the bodies and began to take pictures.

"It just seems like such a waste" Nick said kneeling down to get a closer look at the floor around the bodies.

"Yeah" Warrick agreed as he froze for a second but immediately shook it off. "I don't think I'll ever get used to this."

"I know I won't" Nick replied with a frown.

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"You got something for me?" Bobby asked Nick when he walked into the gun lab later on that night.

"Yeah I need you to match this gun to these three bullets" Nick said as he placed the bagged gun and bullets onto the table.

"What's the case?" Bobby asked.

"Father killed his wife, his daughter and then himself, we're just tying up lose ends. Making sure we didn't miss anything" Nick told him.

"That's harsh" Bobby said with a sigh. "You know I was brought up right. You love and respect your family you don't go and shoot them."

"Yeah I know" Nick replied as he ran his hand through his short hair. This night seemed to be going on forever. He just wanted this case over and done with so that he could go home and sleep off his crappy mood.

"What are you going to do after work?" Bobby asked him wanting to change the subject.

"Sleep, sleep and then sleep" Nick told him with a dry laugh.

"Yeah sounds good, that's my plan as well" Bobby agreed. "Did you hear about Greg's hot date?"

"Yeah he mentioned it to me" Nick said trying to act cool. Greg had told Nick about his date and Nick had tried not to seem jealous; after all he and Greg weren't dating they were just fucking and those two things were completely different. Greg was a free man and could see who ever he wanted, but the thought of it drove Nick nuts. He didn't want to picture Greg's gorgeous mouth on some other guys cock sucking hard to drive them to the edge. He didn't want to picture Greg's sweet ass in the air as he bent over and begged to be filled the way he did with Nick. Nick didn't want to think about any of it, because the more he thought about it the more it drove him nuts.

"He seems excited" Bobby commented.

"It's Greg. He gets excited over carpet cleaner" Nick joked.

"That's true" Bobby agreed with a smile.

"Anyway man, I have to go over to trace but can you page me when you're done."

"Sure thing Nick" Bobby told him.

"Thanks" Nick said with a small nod.
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"No...What?... You know what, screw you!" Catherine shouted into her phone and she slammed it shut.

"Is everything all right?" Nick asked as he poured some coffee into his cup. Catherine was pacing around the break room like she was going to kill someone.

"Long and complicated story" Catherine told him. She sighed and then turned to face him, "How's your night been?"

"Not great. But by the looks of things I'll be getting out of here soon" Nick told her, the relief was evident in his voice. He took a sip of coffee and his face immediately screwed up with disgust. "That is if the coffee doesn't kill me."

"Hodges made it" Catherine told him.

"I understand now. I think he is trying to kill us all in hopes of becoming a CSI" Nick joked as Sara and Greg walked into the room. They were both laughing at something.

"You both seem to be in good spirits" Catherine commented.

"That's because we're done for the night. Case solved, paper work done and with time to spare" Greg said happily.

"Going home to get ready for your hot date?" Catherine asked with a smirk.

"I am indeed" Greg smiled and Nick noticed he hadn't looked in his direction once since entering the room.

"Got to get your best geek wear out" Sara laughed.

"Very funny Sidle" Greg replied with sarcasm. "At least I can get a date."

"Your having a breakfast date Greg, it's not exactly romantic" Sara replied.

"I work nights, when do you suggest I go on a date. Besides it's still better than no date" Greg shot back.

"You're so funny Greg. You should be a comedian" Sara replied with a sarcastic tone.

"As much as I love exchanging blows with you, I have to go" Greg said as he looked at his watch.

"Have fun" Sara replied with a genuine smile.

"I intend to" Greg replied "See you all later."

"Bye" Nick and Catherine both said at the same time. Sara looked over at Nick and he suddenly felt uncomfortable. She often gave him looks that make him feel weird, he sometimes found himself wondering if she knew about his and Greg's arrangement. He knew she and Greg were close and it wouldn't surprise him if she did.

"He seems excited" Catherine observed.

"So everyone keeps saying" Nick mumbled and both Sara and Catherine looked at him. "What?"

"That sounded like jealousy" Sara said.

"What, you're crazy" Nick said in a defensive tone.

"Then what was it? "Catherine asked.

"I was just making a comment. Christ isn't free speech allowed anymore" Nick said obviously annoyed as he tipped the coffee down the sink and walked out.
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Nick took off his shoes and placed them on the rack he had near his door. He placed his keys on their hook and made his way to his couch, immediately flopping down onto it and sighing with relief. He eyes felt heavy and he knew if he didn't get up he was going to end up falling asleep right there on there on the couch but he couldn't work up the energy to move or care. He felt his mind going foggy as he closed his eyes and gave into his exhaustion.

He wasn't sure how long he had been asleep when the loud knocking on his door began. He hazily opened his eyes and looked across at where the sound was coming from. He figured if he ignored the banging, who ever it was would get the picture and go away.

"Nick, are you home!" He heard Greg's voice call. Nick quickly got up and managed to make his way to the door without bumping into anything in his tired state. He swung open the door and saw Greg standing there looking dressed up with a sly grin across his face. "I was about to leave."

"Sorry, I was asleep" Nick told him. He couldn't help but look him up and down; he looked really good in a green shirt with black stripes across it and a pair of black jeans that were tighter than he normally wore.

"I'm sorry I can go" Greg said as he started to back away.

"No" Nick said as he grabbed him by the wrist to stop him from leaving.. "I'm awake now and happy to see you."

"Okay" Greg said with a small smile as Nick backed into the house and pulled Greg along with him.

"Shouldn't you be on your date?" Nick asked him, he was still leading Greg further into the house until they reached the couch Nick had just been sleeping on.

"I went, I saw, I was bored.. He kept going on about insurance and investment banking; like I care so I bailed and figured I would see what you were up to" Greg told him as he moved so close to Nick that their faces were only an inch apart.

"I'm glad you did" Nick smiled; "Besides I think I owe you something."

"I believe that is correct" Greg said before he moved his hand to Nick's crotch and rubbed lightly.

"No, no, no" Nick said as he moved Greg's hand away. "Don't be naughty."

"I thought you liked me naughty" Greg smirked.

"I like you naked" Nick replied as he un-buttoned Greg's shirt and then threw it across the room not caring where it ended up. He placed his hands palm down on Greg's chest and ran them down until he reached Greg's jeans; he popped the button open and un-did the zipper all the while looking Greg in the eyes. At the same time Greg had un-done Nick's shirt and pushed it so it was half way off Nick, the shoulder part of the shirt sitting on his elbows. Nick moved his arms so that his shirt would fall the rest of the way off. After a few more minutes of touching and un-dressing they were both standing in the middle of Nick's living room; completely naked.. "Put your hands on the armrest of the couch and bend over."

"Your wish is my command" Greg said with a shiver as he moved himself so that he was bent over the side of the couch.

Nick was glad he had put lube and condoms under his couch; it made the times that he and Greg were too impatient to go the bedroom much easier. He reached down and grabbed the bag and then stood back up so that he was standing right behind Greg. He ran his hands from Greg's neck, down his back, then across his butt and moved one hand to make its way around to tug on Greg's cock lightly. He loved the little moan he got in response; he loved the sounds that Greg made whenever they were intimate; Greg was the most responsive lover he had ever had.

"I've wanted to do this to you ever since last night" Nick whispered in his ear and picked up the lube. "Wanted to fuck you, make you scream." He poured the lube on his fingers and made sure they were coated thickly.

"Been wanting it as well" Greg said as Nick placed a finger at his entrance. "Been thinking about having you inside me all day. All I could think about on my date was your dick and how good it would feel."

Nick inserted his finger with little resistance from his lover. He waited until he saw Greg relax until he moved it and when he heard Greg breath heavily and lightly moan he inserted another, stretching Greg's asshole with them. His fingers brushed across the little bundle of nerves that made Greg go crazy and he was rewarded by Greg panting even louder and bucking his hips against Nick's fingers.

"Nick, just fuck me" Greg grunted. Nick smiled as he removed his fingers and ripped open the condom package before placing it's contents on his hard cock. He moved so that his dick was at Greg's entrance; he kept one hand on his dick to guide it and placed the other on Greg's hip to keep him still while he entered. "Fuck."

"Jesus" Nick said once he was all the way in. He placed his other hand so they were both on Greg's hips.

He waited a few seconds for Greg to adjust before he moved out halfway and then slowly moved all the way in again. "So fucking tight."

"Faster" Greg practically begged as he pushed himself back trying to meet Nick's thrusts.

Nick took this as the green light and tightened his hold on Greg's hips and he moved in and out faster and harder; getting lost in the feeling of being inside this beautiful man. The louder Greg's moans got, the more Nick pounded into him, Greg meeting his every move. Nick moved his hand so that he could stroke Greg's dick to the same pace of his thrusts. "You feel so good."

"Fuck" Greg moaned as he found himself moving back and forth into Nick's hand and onto Nick's cock. The moans he made just made Nick enter him harder; he knew Greg liked it hard and fast, a little rough even.

"Come for me baby" Nick said in the voice he knew drove Greg crazy. He could see Greg's arm shaking under his body and his hands gripped the couch so hard they were turning white.

"I love watching you."

"Oh fuck" Greg moaned as he shot his load onto Nick's hand and the couch. Nick thrust a few more times before coming as well. He got lost in the euphoric feeling of being inside Greg and having his release. He felt as though he might blackout it was so good.

They both slumped down; Nick was on top of Greg and Greg was half lying on the couch. Their sweaty bodies were stuck together and they were both breathing loudly. "That was great."

"Yes it was" Nick mumbled as he worked up the energy to move. He got off Greg and took the condom off before throwing it in the trash. He found his jeans and slid them back on while Greg did the same.

"Sorry about your couch" Greg said as he pointed to the stains that were now settled on the seat closest to the edge and also the armrest.

"Don't worry about it" Nick smiled. He figured the sex was worth the cleaning bill.

"I need to get home have a shower and get some sleep" Greg muttered as he put his shirt back on and started to button it up.

"You can have a shower here if you want" Nick offered as he watched Greg move around his house.

"It's cool" Greg said as he smiled at him. "I'll see you later."

"Yeah, see you later" Nick said as Greg gave him one last smile before walking out of the house and closing the door.

Nick wasn't really surprised, Greg almost always left after they fucked. Sometimes he would hang out for a while, maybe have something to eat or drink and watch a movie or something; but those times were rare. Nick found himself wishing Greg would stay, just once and sleep in the same bed as him. He wanted to know what it was like to wake up with Greg beside him, to feel his chest as he breathed slowly; to feel skin on skin first thing after waking up.

Nick was getting older now and the idea of a casual relationship was far less appealing than it used to be; he wanted a partner not a fuck buddy. But at the same time he wanted Greg and if sex and friendship was all he could have then that's what he would take; it wasn't everything but it was enough.

Chapter 2: A Day in the Life of Greg Sanders

"Greg, you were twenty minutes last to work. You almost didn't make it in time to come with me on this case and now you look dead on your feet and can barely keep your eyes open. What's wrong with you?" Sara asked him as she quickly glanced at him from the driver's seat as they made their way into the hot Nevada desert.

"Sorry Sara but I didn't get much sleep" Greg replied with a small yawn as he shifted uncomfortably in the passenger's seat. For once he was glad Sara didn't let him drive; he was sure he would accidentally fall asleep at the wheel or something equally stupid.

"So I'm guessing your date went well then" Sara commented as she watched the road carefully.

"My date was a boring investment banker who's obsessed with money" Greg said with a dry tone wanting to forget all about Brian and the date he wished had never happened; it was an hour of his life he would never get back.

"Then why are you so sleep-deprived?" Sara asked confusedly.

"No reason" Greg said as naturally as possible. He really didn't want get into a fight with Sara and he knew if this conversation continued a fight would be the end result.

"Let me guess. You went over to Nick's" Sara said sounding slightly peeved. Greg didn't know why she always got like this; it wasn't any of her business anyway.

"You guessed right" Greg replied as he rolled his eyes.

"Greg, why do you keep doing this?" Sara asked.

"Doing what Sara? It's just sex I don't see what the big deal is" Greg said as he looked over at her.

"The big deal is that Nick is using you and you deserve better than that" Sara said as she tightened her grip on the steering wheel and shifted to get more comfortable. Greg knew that meant she wanted to have the same conversation yet again. She was getting comfortable for her rant.

"For the hundredth time Sara, Nick is not using me. We both started this and we both knew what we were doing. I am an adult I can have a casual relationship" Greg told her. He really hated it when she got like this, she acted more like his mother than his friend and it drove him insane. He and Nick were consenting adults who were old enough to make decisions for themselves.

"Nick is known for sleeping around Greg, it's what he does. But that isn't you. You're sweet and young at heart and Nick is corrupting you" Sara told him.

"You're talking about me as if I was eight years old. Besides I'm not as sweet as you all think I am; I'm no angel Sara" Greg replied. No matter how hard he worked and how much he accomplished he couldn't seem to get his co-workers to realize that he was an adult and not some naive teen. At least Nick saw him in a sexual way which meant that he didn't think Greg was babyish.

"Greg be realistic here, you've told me before that you like commitment."

"Yeah I like it. The idea of two people in love and wanting to spend the rest of their lives together is nice. But that doesn't necessarily mean I'm ready for it or even want it yet" Greg told her.

"I just think you deserve better than casual sex Greg. It just doesn't seem to suit you" Sara replied.

"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think you do" Greg suggested.

"I know you Greg. I think you're just so star struck by Nick that you want to please him" Sara said and Greg whipped his head around to look at her. He couldn't believe she had just said that. He found it insulting that she thought he was just having sex with Nick to please him, like he was so desperate to fit in he would do anything.

"I'm not even sure if I should dignify that with a response" Greg said letting his annoyance be known.

"If that's not why you're doing it then tell me the real reason" Sara said to him.

"Because I'm attracted to Nick and he is attracted to me and we have great sex" Greg replied. Which was mostly true, sex with Nick was mind blowing. But Greg also felt more comfortable having sex with someone he knew. One night stands with complete strangers had never really appealed to him, it seemed so cold and you never really had a good time because you never learned what the other person liked and they never found out what you liked. Greg liked fucking Nick; they had been together enough times now that they had learned how to really get the other going.

"What if one of you starts seeing someone else?" Sara asked.

"Then it's over" Greg answered.

"Just like that you guys would end it. No hard feelings, nothing" Sara said, the disbelief evident in her voice.

"Yep" Greg simply answered hoping this conversation would be over soon. He really wished he had never told her about him and Nick.

"It can't be that simple Greg."

"Well it is that simple" Greg replied.

"Sex is never that simple" Sara told him.
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"Why are all the hot ones gay" Wendy said to Greg as Nick walked past the DNA lab. Greg looked at Nick and smiled a little as he turned to face Wendy again.

"Are you feeling sorry for yourself?" Greg asked her with a grin. He was waiting for a sample that he and Sara had retrieved from under the victim's finger nails. The man had been dumped in the dessert.

"Just a little but do you blame me" Wendy said as she pointed to the direction Nick had just walked in. "The man is fine."

"Another person fall's victim to Nick Stokes charm" Greg laughed. Wendy was an attractive woman and most men would kill to have a date with her. A lot of people who were attracted to Nick were gorgeous. Greg often found himself wondering why Nick was having sex with him when there were plenty of hotter people standing in line. Not that Greg though of himself as unattractive but compared to Nick he wasn't much. But what he felt he lacked in looks he more than made up for with skill and fake confidence. Something came over him when he was around Nick; he didn't feel like the awkward, geeky Greg. He felt sexual and acted like it. He just followed his desires and everything else seemed to follow. He figured he must be doing something right because Nick didn't seem to be complaining.

"Not his charm, his body. I'm telling you they make them good in Texas" Wendy said with a grin.

"Must be all that steak they eat" Greg joked. The truth was Greg knew the real attraction to Nick for most people wasn't just about his good looks; Nick was a nice guy which was a rare thing. He really cared about people and if you were his friend he would do anything for you. It was a quality Greg really admired.

Greg still remembered when he and Nick first started this thing between them. It wasn't long after Nick had left the hospital after the whole Walter Gordon matter. Nick was still recovering when a pipe had burst in Greg's apartment. He had called Nick automatically, knowing that Nick was always willing to help. He didn't want to bother Nick after everything that had happened to him but he had been the first person Greg had thought to call. Nick didn't mind at all and had come right over to help him. One thing led to another and some how they had ended up on Greg's floor half naked and sweating. Nick asked Greg if he had taken things too far and Greg told him he hadn't taken them far enough. They went to Greg's bedroom and fucked for what seemed like forever. Greg always figured that Nick had felt so alone in the box that he was probably desperate just to feel someone; even Greg.

Then the next day Greg found himself heading to Nick's for no reason at all. He had knocked on Nick's door nervously; not sure how the older man would react to seeing him. But when Nick opened the door he smiled at Greg and led him into his house. Once again they ended up in bed together. When it was over Greg wasn't sure what to do. He knew Nick was notorious for being a sex only kind of guy so he figured he should leave before Nick became uncomfortable. He had remembered Nick saying once when Greg had first started at the lab that there was nothing worse than sleeping with someone and then having them hang around at your house afterwards no matter how many hints you dropped that you wanted them to leave. Greg didn't want to be one of those annoying people so he had gotten up and got dressed. He turned around to say good-bye to Nick but he was already asleep.

Nothing had ever been firmly said between them about what type of relationship they were having. But Greg didn't see the need, he knew that Nick didn't do serious and in all honesty Greg wasn't sure if he wanted serious either. So what they have works for him. They are friends who fuck. No complications. No promises; just friendship and pleasure.

"Greg!" Wendy yelled as she waved her hand in-front of Greg's face.

"Yeah" Greg said as he looked at her.

"Are you okay? You completely zoned out on me there" Wendy said as she looked at Greg with concern in her face.

"I'm fine. Sorry, I just have a lot on my mind" Greg replied. He noticed she had a sheet of paper in her hands and realized his results were done he had just been too lost in his own thoughts to notice.

"As long as you're okay" Wendy said with a small smile.
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"Yeah, I'll meet you there" Greg said to Sara on his cell phone as he walked through the lab. They finally had a suspect and they were going to question him soon. Greg hung up his phone and saw Nick walking towards him. "Hey."

"Hey, how's your night going?" Nick asked him. Greg couldn't help but notice he was wearing his dark blue shirt with the long sleeves; he looked so good in that shirt.

"Long" Greg said with a sigh.

"You look tense" Nick told him.

"Trust me I feel it too" Greg told him.

"You could come over after work, I'll help you loosen up" Nick said with a grin that made Greg feel weak at the knees. But his tired mind told him this wasn't a good idea. He really needed to go home and sleep.

"I would Nick, but I'm really exhausted" Greg said.

"Oh, okay" Nick said and Greg swore he saw disappointment cross Nick's face for a second. Greg was about to suggest maybe that he could drop by before work the next day but his cell phone interrupted him.

"I'll bet that's Sara wondering where I am" Greg said before answering the phone, "Sanders."

"Hey Greg."

"Who is this?" Greg asked a little confused.

"Its Brian" He heard the male voice say.

"Oh, hey Brian" Greg said surprised. He really hadn't been expecting to hear from his boring date again. He looked up at Nick and saw him walking away. 'Fine, just walk away without saying anything' Greg thought to himself. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if we could go out again."

"What?" Greg asked with shock. Their date had been a disaster he had no idea why this guy wanted to go through that again. "I don't know."

"I had a great time" Brian said and Greg couldn't believe that he had thought that was a good time. Greg had a better time at Ecklie's staff meeting than he did on that date.

"Look Brian you seem like a really nice guy but I don't think we should go out again. We didn't really click."

"I though we clicked" Brian told him and again he was surprised.

"Look I have to get back to work, I'm sorry" Greg said as he ended the call and looked at his phone with disbelief. Not only had this guy enjoyed their date he had also stayed up until four in the morning to ring and ask for a second. "He must be nuts" Greg muttered to himself.
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Greg had intended to go straight home after work but curiosity had gotten the better of him, so instead he was standing in-front of Nick's door waiting for him to answer it.

"Greg" Nick said as the door opened. The heat in Vegas had been pretty bad over the last few days so Greg wasn't surprised to Nick in only a pair of boxers.

"Hi cowboy" Greg said with a smile. As usual his fake confidence appeared out of no where.

"I thought you were exhausted" Nick said as he ran his hand through his hair.

"I am. But we were talking and you walked off. I wanted to see if you were okay" Greg told him.

"I'm fine" Nick said. "Do you want to come in?"

"Yeah" Greg said as he walked into the house and followed Nick into the kitchen. Nick poured himself water.

"Do you want anything?"

"Water" Greg said as he watched Nick move around the kitchen. He really did have a great body. It was amazing that someone that handsome could have a great personality on top of everything.

"Sorry it's not cold" Nick told him as he placed the glass in front of Greg.

"It's all good" Greg told him with a smile.

"So what did Brian want?" Nick asked him. Greg noticed that Nick actually sounded a little jealous which stunned him. He didn't think Nick would even care about Brian.

"He wanted a second date which I politely declined, if I need help falling asleep I'll watch Titanic" Greg laughed.

"Oh" Nick simply replied and Greg was wondering what was going on. Nick really wasn't acting like himself right now.

"Why? Were you jealous?" Greg teased. He had only meant it as a joke but Nick didn't seem to take it that way.

"No" Nick said defensively, "Of course not."

"Relax there Nick I was just joking" Greg said.

"I'm not jealous" Nick told him in an annoyed tone.

"I believe you" Greg said but he wasn't sure if he actually believed him or not. This was a pretty strong reaction to a simple joke.

"Why do I need to be jealous?" Nick asked him as he stepped closer to Greg. "I have you right here and Brian is mostly likely at home making friends with his right hand."

Greg was about to say something but Nick leaned down and kissed him heatedly and all thoughts left Greg's brain; this was often a side affect of Nick's kisses. Greg wrapped his arms around Nick's neck and let himself get lost in the feeling of their mouths and tongues connecting sensuously.

Greg was sitting and Nick was standing which made their heavy kissing a little awkward. Greg moved his legs so that they were now wrapped around Nick's waist and he felt himself rise as Nick placed his hands on Greg's hips and lifted him up out of the chair he had just occupied. They continued to kiss as Nick moved down the hall until they reached his bedroom. He threw Greg onto the bed and Greg couldn't help but laugh as his body bounced lightly on the soft mattress.

Nick crawled on the bed and made his way over to Greg. He didn't say a word as he started to take off Greg's shirt. Greg shifted his body to make it easier to be undressed. He lifted his arms up so Nick could pull his t-shirt over his head. Instead of moving to Greg's jeans next, Nick leaned down and took Greg's right nipple into his mouth. Greg moaned lightly as he closed his eyes and just let himself enjoy the sensation of Nick's hot mouth sucking and biting lightly. Nick moved his fingers to the other nipple and pinched it until it was erect.

Nick then sat back and just looked at Greg with a strange expression. Greg found himself wondering what was going through his lovers mind right then but he never got the chance to put his thoughts into words because next thing he knew Nick was taking his jeans and boxers off at the same time; He also took his own boxers off and Greg looked at Nick's large erection with anticipation.

"Do you trust me?" Nick asked him with a serious look on his face.

"Of course" Greg said a little confused. Nick's behavior had been so erratic today that Greg wasn't sure what to expect next. He watched as Nick went to his bedside table and retrieved something out of the draw. Once Nick turned around to face Greg again he could see Nick was holding a pair of silver handcuffs.

Nick took Greg's wrists and moved them slowly to the metal frame of the bed; Nick looked at Greg the whole time. Greg figured he was moving slowly to give Greg a chance to say stop if he wanted to; but he didn't want to say stop, in fact he felt the ache in his groin get even worse the more he thought about it. Greg felt Nick put the handcuffs around his wrists and heard the soft clink of metal when Nick closed them.

"See Greg" Nick said as he moved down to suck on Greg's neck lightly before stopping and looking up at Greg with a smirk. "I don't need to be jealous because I've got you here tied to my bed and I am going to make you feel so fucking good."

"So make me feel good" Greg teased. He had no idea why Nick had become so possessive all of a sudden but he loved it. He was already rock hard and Nick hadn't even touched his cock yet.

Nick smiled as he leaned his head down and slowly kissed his way down Greg's chest. Greg watched him as he kissed his hips and then his thighs; the kisses were light and soft and Greg felt like he was going insane from anticipation. He bucked his hips in hopes of getting Nick to kiss somewhere else but Nick just ignored him and moved to the other thigh and kissed up it.

"Nick, please" Greg said but not in a begging tone. He wasn't ready to give Nick that satisfaction just yet.

"Please what?" Nick asked lifting his head as he looked at Greg with a calm face.

"Do something" Greg told him as he moved his hips again.

"What would you like me to do?" Nick asked him as he leaned down so that his lips were just inches away from Greg dick. He flicked his tongue out and let it lightly graze the tip of Greg's cock. Greg felt this breath hitch at the slight contact. "Tell me Greg."

"You know" Greg said as he tried to ignore the throbbing need he was experiencing. Nick had an evil smile across his face as he kissed the tip of Greg's dick but didn't go any further.

"You need to say it" Nick told him, he was still grinning. 'Evil bastard' Greg thought to himself. Nick let one finger slide up and down Greg length and the feeling was driving him wild. The slightest touch from Nick seemed to have a huge affect on him.

"Please Nick, suck me?" Greg said with a needy voice as the light touches made him crazy with desire, he was moving his hips slightly to try and get a little more pressure.

"All you had to do was ask" Nick said with a cheeky voice as he took Greg's aching cock into his mouth. Greg moaned and arched his body up as he felt Nick take him into his mouth all at once. He felt like he was going to explode already and Nick sucked him hard. When he felt Nick's hand on the base of his cock as he licked up the underside Greg was sure he was in heaven.

Greg felt Nick's finger tease the opening of his asshole while he sucked even harder on his cock. Greg could feel in muscle's tensing and knew that he was getting closer to his orgasm. He was panting heavily and mumbling incoherently about how much he loved Nick's mouth and how much he wanted him. He was starting to feel dizzy from the pleasure that Nick was giving him.

"I'm so close... I'm going to come" Greg mumbled, he than groaned with disappointment when Nick stopped his movements and sat back up.

"Can't have that" Nick smirked.

"What, you have to be kidding me" Greg said with frustration as he pulled on his restraints. Nick took one of the pillows and lifted Greg up so that he could place it under him, raising Greg's hips up a little. He took the lube and covered his fingers in it.

"Don't worry baby, you'll get what your after" Nick said in his smooth Texan accent. He pushed Greg's legs apart and teased Greg's opening again letting his finger move in small circles around the opening for a minute before finally entering a finger. Greg's breath hitched as he felt the finger invade him. It was good; not as good as Nick's cock would be but at this point Greg would take whatever he could get.

Nick made sure the wall was coated and than entered a second finger. Greg pushed his hips into them wanting to feel more, wanting to feel as much as he could. He needed more and Nick could tell. Greg felt him rub his prostate gently and Greg swore he could see bright white sparks in front of his eyes. Nick stretched his fingers out as he prepared Greg and Greg couldn't help but thank god for giving Nick the skills he had. He felt himself get lost in the feeling of Nick's fingers and an empty sensation hit him when he felt Nick remove the digits. He pulled on his restraints again even though he knew it wouldn't do any good.

He watched Nick slide a condom onto his hard length and move so that he was between Greg's legs; Greg automatically wrapped his long legs around Nick's waist wanting to pull the man as close as possible. Greg felt the head of Nick's dick at his opening as he lined himself up and Greg couldn't suppress his loud scream of pleasure when Nick entered him in one smooth thrust.

"Fuck" Nick grunted above him. After a few seconds of adjusting time he felt Nick withdraw completely out of him and then enter him again hard. Greg was in ecstasy as Nick did the same thing over and over. Entering him quickly and hard, his cock rubbing Greg's prostate every time.

"Oh fuckin... Jesus" Greg moaned as he felt Nick's hands grip tightly on his hips and his cock hitting the right spot every time it entered him. He loved it when Nick was like this, almost animalistic in the way he took him. His wrists were going to have bruises on them tomorrow because he couldn't stop pulling at his restraints, but he was in too much bliss to care.

"You are so fucking tight" He heard Nick grunt. "I love fucking you."

"Love... being... fucked" Greg managed to get out but he knew that it was the last articulate thing he would manage to say. He was moving his pelvis in time with Nick's thrust as he felt his stomach tighten and his orgasm approach. Greg felt his hot cum on his upper thighs and stomach as he moaned louder then he even thought possible. He wasn't sure if he had ever had such a strong orgasm in his whole life. He was actually seeing white and felt so close to passing out.

"So beautiful" Nick muttered; his own moans becoming louder as he plunged into Greg a few more times before his orgasm hit him. Greg felt him relax and slump across him. He was mumbling something that Greg couldn't quite hear.

They both laid there silently for what seemed like forever but if Greg had to take a guess he would say it had only been a few minutes. Nick moved himself and unlocked the handcuffs that had been holding Greg's arms up. "Your wrists are bruised."

"I got carried away" Greg smiled as he rubbed them a little.

"So I guess you have to get going" Nick said in a small voice. He wouldn't look over at Greg he just got up and threw the condom he had been wearing into the small bin that was in the room.

"Yeah" Greg said as he shifted uncomfortable and then scanned the room for his clothes. Normally he and Nick felt really comfortable around each other but today the tension in the room was almost suffocating. Greg watched Nick closely as he picked up a towel and some clean clothes.

"I'm going to take a shower. I guess I'll see you at work" He said to Greg. The fact that he still wouldn't look at him didn't go unnoticed by Greg either. He was tempted to spin Nick around and demand to know why he was in such a bad mood after incredible sex like that; but his own exhaustion stopped him from doing it. He would go home and get some sleep and figure out what was going on with Nick tomorrow.

"Yep" Greg said as got up and put his clothes back on. He took one last look at Nick before he walked out of the bedroom and into the hall. Nick was one of his closest friends and he hoped that nothing was seriously wrong. Greg cared about Nick more than anyone else in his life; Nick and he had been instant friends. He had to earn respect from everyone else that worked in the crime lab, but Nick had given it to him instantly. There had been something between them from the moment they met. Greg sometimes wondered if his feelings for Nick were more than just friendship and sex but pushed the thoughts out of his mind instantly. He didn't want to risk losing his friendship with Nick, it was too important to him and relationships were messy and rarely ended well.

But sometimes he got a strange feeling in his stomach when he saw Nick; excitement to be seeing the older man. He loved being around him and found he missed him deeply when they were too busy to see each other. Greg was smart enough to know that these weren't normal feelings to have about someone that you viewed as just a friend. But at this point he wasn't ready to face those feelings. So for now he pushed them deep down and hoped that he wasn't falling for Nick. Because falling for Nick was a complication he couldn't handle at the moment.

Chapter 3: Nick Stokes versus Sara Sidle

Nick watched his co-workers talk and couldn't help but feel like an outsider. Ever since his kidnapping he had felt different, almost as if he didn't belong any more. He knew he was being ridiculous, but the feelings wouldn't go away. People treated him like glass; they watched what they said around him afraid he would break down at any moment. They always smiled at him and tended to not tell him how they were really feeling; if he did something wrong he was able to get away with it if it wasn't really bad. Before the kidnapping he would have been yelled out accordingly or something similar.

It was Greg's night off so the younger man wasn't with the group and Nick wondered if maybe that was why he was feeling so detached from everything going on around him. Greg had this weird way of making Nick feel like his old self again. Greg never censored himself around Nick, he talked to him like the whole burial had never happened; he treated him the same way he always had just with some sex involved now.

"I just can't believe they raised their prices. It's already an expensive school and now they want an extra thousand dollars every semester." Catherine told them.

"Put her back in public school" Sara suggested as she sipped her coffee.

"No it wouldn't do her any good. She's been doing so well lately her whole attitude has changed for the better. I'll find the money for it, I always do" Catherine replied with a small sigh.

"You're a good mother Cath, I'm sure everything will work out" Warrick told her with a small smile.

"You've been pretty quiet over there Stokes" Catherine said as she looked at Nick. Nick looked up at her and gave her a smile.

"I'm sure he just has things on his mind" Sara said sounding a little off. Nick looked at her with confusion but she wasn't looking at him; her eyes were glued to the coffee cup sitting in front of her.

"I'm just tired" Nick told all of them in a soft voice.

"I bet" Sara replied snidely and the other three people in the room all looked at her with confused expressions. Nick had no idea what she was so pissed off about.

"What's up Sara?" Warrick asked her with one eyebrow raised.

"Nothing, nothing at all" Sara said as she placed a smile that Nick could tell was fake across her face. "Just thinking about some stuff."

"I guess we've all got things going on at the moment" Catherine commented.

"How are we all this evening?" Grissom asked as he walked into the room. He was looking over some sheets of paper as he stopped to stand at the head of the table where they were all sitting.

"Apparently we all have things going on" Warrick answered and Grissom just nodded as he continued to read.

"Warrick and Catherine; you guys have a 419 on the strip. Nick and Sara; you two are on a B and E in Henderson" Grissom told them as he placed some sheets of paper down and walked out of the room again.

"That was a little cold even for Grissom" Catherine commented.

"I guess he has stuff going on as well" Nick said as he looked at Sara with unease. He really wasn't in the mood to deal with one of her bad moods today; he had his own bad mood to deal with.

"Come on Nick we have a case to solve" Sara said as she got up and walked out of the room without saying anything else or even waiting for Nick to reply.

"Well... I guess I'm off" Nick said as he slowly got up and sighed; he had a feeling that this was going to be one long and exasperating night.

_______________________________________

"The home owners want to know if you guys can make this quick. Apparently Mr. Parker has a big day ahead of him tomorrow and needs to get to sleep" Detective Vartann told Sara and Nick.

"It'll take as long as it takes. This is the third break-in, in this suburb over the last week. I think it might be the same guys" Sara commented as she looked around the living room of the large house.

"They gained entry the same way" Nick said as he looked at the broken window. "And just like the other houses the home owners were out at the time of the robbery."

"Way to state the obvious" Sara told him with an annoyed tone. Nick just shook his head with disbelief as he raised his camera to take pictures of the broken window.

"You would think someone would notice someone breaking in through the front" Vartann observed.

"All three houses have big trees in the front yard obstructing the view of the neighbors. I don't think these guys are smart, I think they have just been lucky so far" Sara said and Nick resisted the urge to say something sarcastic like 'You noticed the big trees at the front of the house, good for you. Would you like a gold star now or maybe just a pat on the head from Grissom?' He knew that wasn't him but his bad mood on top of her snide attitude had him on edge.

"Someone here likes Black Flag" Sara said as she noticed the CD's on the coffee table. "I guess even rich people like punk."

"Greg would be so proud" Nick joked. He noticed the way Sara looked up at him with almost angry eyes. She obviously hadn't liked something he said.

"Just take some damn pictures Nick" Sara said with a bossy voice.

"Alright Sidle" Nick said as he walked over to her. "What is wrong with you tonight? Have I done something to offend you, because you have been giving me attitude all night and I'm getting a little sick of it."

"I'm sorry Stokes I'll try and be nicer" Sara said to him, her voice laced with sarcasm.

"That right there is what I'm talking about" Nick told her and he crossed his arms and waited for her reply. He wasn't in the mood to play 'lets act like four year olds'; he wanted to get this thing sorted and then go back to work.

"I have no idea what you're talking about" Sara said with a blank expression. "I'm going to go up-stairs."

Nick watched her go with a look of disbelief on his face. He tried to think of anything he had said or done to her in the past few days that would have caused her to act this way towards him but he couldn't think of anything. He couldn't help but wonder if this maybe had something to do with Greg. He had always had the feeling that she knew about them; but he had been feeling that way for a long time now and she had never acted like this before. He really couldn't work out what was going on.

"I have no idea what you did to piss her off, but let me know what it was so I can make sure to never do the same thing" Vartann said with a small smile as he walked to the front door and exited the house.

"I am so over this night" Nick whispered to himself.

________________________________________

Nick sat on the bench in the lab's locker room, yawning and rubbing his eyes as his exhaustion started to get the better of him. The case had been hard, but in the end they had caught the three college freshman that had been breaking into the homes of their parent's friends.

Things with Sara didn't improve as the night went on, the feelings she'd been sending Nick's way all night could only be described as hostile. Nick had tried many times to nicely find out what her problem was, but his efforts had been fruitless; Sara was pissed and wanted to stay that way.

"Sara what the hell was your problem tonight?" Nick asked her after she slammed her locker door shut.

"You Nick. At the moment you're my problem?" Sara answered.

"What on earth did I do to you?" Nick asked with confusion laced in his voice.

"It's not what you did to me Nick. It's what you're doing with Greg after work that has me mad" Sara told him with a slightly raised voice. Nick was taken aback; to think and to know were two different things and knowing that his suspicions were right; that this did have something to do with Greg, actually shocked Nick.

"That really isn't any of your business Sara" Nick said in a neutral tone. He didn't want her to know what he was really thinking; he was thinking what had he done with Greg that would make her so mad. What has Greg told her about them to cause this kind of attitude?

"Greg is my friend and so are you. That makes it my business."

"I don't understand why you are so upset about this Sara" Nick told her trying to stay calm and not get into a big fight.

"I'm upset because you have some how manipulated Greg into your bed!" Sara yelled at him.

"What!" Nick said with anger. "I did not nor do I manipulate Greg or anyone into my bed Sara. You have no idea what you're talking about."

"Greg never ran around having casual sex before this. He looks up to you Nick. He wants to be included in yours and Warrick's little boys club. He's eager to please and you're taking advantage of that" Sara said and Nick felt like he had been slapped in the face. He had always considered Sara and himself good friends. He thought that Sara knew him and would know that he would never do something like that.

"I am not taking advantage of Greg, or using his eagerness to get him to have sex with me Sara. Greg is not a 13 year old boy. He knows what he wants and can make decisions for himself" Nick told her. He resisted the urge to yell at her knowing that it wouldn't do any good.

"Things aren't that simple Nick and you know it. Greg's never liked casual sex, he told me that himself once. So I don't understand why all of a sudden he's doing it with you like a bunny and telling me that you two have a no strings attached arrangement going on. Why did he change his mind all of a sudden if you didn't change it for him?" Sara asked Nick.

"I don't know but casual sex was not my idea" Nick said slowly hoping Sara would start listening to what he was telling her.

Sara visibly scoffed at Nick as she rolled her eyes. "Right Greg came to you with the idea. I believe that."

"That isn't what I meant. I kissed him first, things moved quickly. But I thought something more was going on. I was very surprised when Greg disappeared every time we were together. I was surprised when he continued to go on dates and I was even more surprised when he told me he understood that I didn't want a real relationship" Nick said to her. He watched as emotions passed her eyes while she considered his words.

"Your telling me you wanted to date Greg" she said with a voice full of surprise and uncertainty.

"I have very deep feelings for Greg. I have for a long time now. But after everything that happened..." Nick stopped as he remembered the feeling of being buried alive. "Almost dying made me want to live. I decided to take a chance and finally go after what I wanted. So I did and things moved very quickly from there; before I knew it Greg decided that we were just fucking and that's what we both wanted. I was very saddened by this but after having a taste of what you want you don't want to give it up. So I went along with whatever Greg wanted, he took the reins without even knowing it. I know that my history with men hasn't been the best but you should know me well enough to know that I would never take advantage of anyone, especially someone like Greg" Nick said as he looked away. He didn't realize how much he cared about what Sara though of him; knowing that she was thinking those horrible things about him cut him deep.

"Oh" Sara said in a small voice, her rage gone and replaced with realization.

"I shouldn't have to explain myself to you anyway" Nick said as he got up, intending to walk away from this upsetting conversation.

"Nick wait!" Sara called before he could leave. Nick turned around to face her not sure if he wanted to hear what she had to say to him now. "Do you really have feelings for Greg?"

"I lov..." Nick almost said but stopped himself. "Yes I have feelings for Greg."

"Then you should tell him" Sara told him with a small smile. "He hasn't said anything to me but there's a look in his eyes when he talks about you or sees you. I think he feel's the same way and just doesn't want to admit it to himself."

"So now you approve" Nick said as he looked at her skeptically; never in his life had he met a person that went from one extreme to another so quickly.

"Look Nick, I'm sorry that I just assumed certain things. I'm fiercely protective of the people I care about and I care about both you and Greg... But Greg seems so innocent still and a part of me just wants to keep him that way. I know he's not a kid or anything, but he's sees things so differently from the rest of us. There's still a sparkle in his eye and I don't want to see him lose that. I know I was being a bitch but I really did have Greg's best interest at heart" Sara told him. Nick knew that must have been hard for her to say. Sara was not a person who liked to say sorry or admit when she was wrong.

"It's okay" Nick told her. "Just next time you have an issue with me can you please just talk to me about it?"

"I promise" Sara said with a slightly embarrassed smile. "So are you going to tell him?"

"I honestly don't know" Nick said as he looked at her one more time before leaving.

_______________________________________

Nick had been sitting at his kitchen table staring at his mobile phone for what seemed like forever. Greg had called him twice but both times he had let it ring out. He wasn't ready to talk to Greg, not after the night he'd experienced. Admitting to Sara that he had feelings for Greg made everything all the more real. He wasn't sure how much longer he could go on having sex with Greg when he wanted so much more. But on the other hand he could no longer imagine his life without having Greg in it.

He was scared that if he told Greg the way he felt Greg would end things completely between them; he was more scared that Greg wouldn't return his feeling and his hope of something more would die. The hope of a real relationship with Greg had become something Nick treasured deeply.

He needed to talk to someone about the way he was feeling and contemplated ringing Sara since she knew about the situation but quickly changed his mind. He loved Sara but she was a volatile person and Nick wasn't in the mood to deal with that at the moment.

He decided instead to call his sister Anna. Anna was the second youngest child in the Stokes clan, she was only a year and half older than Nick and was the sibling he related to most. He loved every member of his family deeply but Anna and him had similar mind sets. They both tended to do what they wanted and not what the family wanted for them, a fact that their parents eventually got used to. She had been the first one he told about being gay. She had smiled sweetly at him and told him she already knew but she was glad he told her. She encouraged him to tell the rest of the family insisting that the sky wouldn't fall just because he liked guys and much to his surprise she was right. His mother and siblings had been fine with it. His father had been a little bit uncomfortable but told him that he still loved him no matter what and he would try to be understanding and he kept to his words. That was all Nick could really ask for. But he wouldn't have told them if Anna hadn't convinced him and now he was in need of some of the motivation only she could give.

"Hey baby brother" She said when she answered the phone. He could just picture her sitting there with a shit eating smile across her face, most likely with a cigarette in her hand. She was the one and only smoker in their family.

"Hey Anna" He said happily, amazed at how only the sound of her voice could cheer him up.

"How are things in the city of sin?" She asked with a small laugh.

"Sinful" Nick laughed. "How are Johnny and Clarissa?"

"Johnny is a royal pain in my ass and Clarissa is an angel as always."

"She's only five, give her a few more years and you won't be saying that" Nick told her.

"Not true" Anna said with a giggle. "She'll always be my angel."

"Anna, I need some advice; the kind only you are good for."

"Please don't tell me you're straight. We've already shocked mom once, we don't want to give her a heart attack little bro" Anna said to him.

Nick laughed as he ran a hand through his hair; his sister really was a nut but he wouldn't have her any other way. "No, I'm still very much gay. In fact I need man advice."

"Swallow" Anna simply said with a laugh.

"Gross..." Nick said as he closed his eyes. He really didn't want to talk to her about blowjobs. "You're sick."

"That I am. Now what did you actually want to talk about?" she asked him with a serious voice.

"Do you remember me telling you about Greg?" Nick asked her.

"Yeah" She replied.

Nick then went on to tell her everything, from his wanting to live life, to the arrangement he didn't even realize he made, even his fight with Sara. Anna listened carefully and didn't interrupt him as he spilled his heart out to her.

"So I guess I want to know how to proceed" Nick ended. He actually felt lighter after telling her everything; like a huge weight had been lifted off him.

"If you care about him then you should tell him. I know its scary opening yourself up to someone you care about. And I know the hurt you would feel if he didn't return your feelings would be tough, but you're brave Nicky. And you deserve your chance at being happy. Don't let fear lead you to regret, cause I know if you don't say anything you'll always regret it" Anna told him.

"I know I would. But I don't want to lose him" Nick replied.

"If he is really as great as you say he is then you won't lose him. Even if he doesn't return your feelings, which he would be an idiot not to, he would still be your friend."

"I really want to believe that" Nick said to her as he looked at the photo on his mantel. It was a photo of the whole team from Warrick's birthday. Nick was standing beside Greg and they were both smiling happily. He didn't want to lose Greg's friendship, but he also knew that he needed to take a chance.

"Then believe it." Anna told him.

_______________________________________

Nick paced in front of Greg's door nervously as he tried to think of the right words to say when he did finally knock. He had run the conversation he wanted to have through his mind a million times but it never seemed to be the way he wanted it.

If Nick was going to do this then he wanted to do it right. He wanted to say the right things to make Greg understand what he was feeling. He didn't want any more miscommunication to take place between him and the younger man. He and Greg had been dancing around each other for too long now. It was time to put all his cards on the table and as his Australian frat brother used to say, hope the flop went his way.

He was concentrating so hard on coming up with the right words that he didn't even hear Greg open his apartment door. "Nick you've been pacing out here for over twenty minutes. Is everything okay?"

Nick looked at Greg with wide eyes. "Fine, everything is great" Nick said in a high pitched voice and he shuddered inwardly. He couldn't believe he had done that; he must have sounded like a nut.

"Are you sure?" Greg asked him as he eyed him carefully.

"Yes" Nick said as his normal voice returned to him. "Can I come in Greg? I need to talk to you about something?"

Chapter 4: Greg Sanders Big Mouth

"Can I come in Greg? I need to talk to you about something?"

Greg looked at Nick curiously. Nick was normally calm and laid back but that wasn't the case today. The Texan was shifting his feet nervously and couldn't stand still. He had a worried look on his face and Greg was sure something was really bothering him. "Sure Nick."

"Thanks" Nick said quietly as he walked through the door. Greg noticed that he looked a lot more casual than usual. He was wearing a red T-shirt and jeans; only Nick could make such simple clothes seem sexy as all hell. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No I was just reading" Greg told him as he pointed to the copy of forensics monthly that was sitting open on his coffee table.

"So we should sit" Nick said with a strange voice. Greg couldn't tell what it was but there was something going on and Greg felt his stomach knot up with nervousness.

"Alright" Greg answered as he sat on the couch and Nick sat beside him but not close. He took this as a bad sign.

"We've known each other for a long time now Greg. And through the years we've been many things to each other. As you know our relationship has changed a lot since we first met" Nick said. Greg really did not like the sound of this. Greg wasn't sure of a lot of things, he wasn't sure how he felt about Nick and what he really wanted; but one thing he did know was that he didn't want things between them to end.

"What are you trying to say?" Greg asked softly not really sure if he wanted to know the answer or not. Too scared that Nick would say something he really didn't want to hear.

"I guess I'm wondering if this arrangement of ours is still working for you," Nick said; again his voice was weird. Greg could tell he wasn't pleased with the way he was saying things; Nick always got this look on his face when he knew he could be doing a better job of things than he was, Greg had seen it often enough at work to recognize it.

"Well..." Greg stated but he was un-sure of how to respond. He knew he didn't want this to end but he didn't know how to say that to Nick without seeming like an idiot. His grandfather, Papa Olaf, had always told him that actions speak louder than words. So Greg decided to take that advice, moved closer to Nick and kissed him hard. He felt Nick stiffen for a few seconds before returning the action and kissing Greg back. Greg moved himself so that he was straddling the older mans hips and rubbing his covered cock against Nicks.

"... Greg wait" Nick said as he pulled his head back to look at him. "I came here to talk."

"We can talk later" Greg replied in his best sexy voice; he moved his hand so that it was rubbing Nick's bulge through his jeans. Nick threw his head back and Greg could feel him relax underneath him. Obviously Nick had decided that talking later was a good idea.

Greg wasn't going to let him change his mind either. He took the opportunity to slip down so that he was in between Nicks legs. He unzipped Nick's jeans, pushing them down as much as he could with Nick sitting and pulled at Nick's already hard dick and gave it a few light rubs with his hand. He looked up to see Nick looking down at him intensely; Greg kept eye contact as he lowered his mouth to the swollen organ, taking it into his mouth and deep-throating him immediately. Nick never took his eyes off Greg and he felt himself get harder under Nick's gaze.

Greg licked the vein that ran along the underside of Nick's long cock. He loved the way Nick flinched slightly from the change of contact. He went back to sucking hard and also fondled Nick's balls with one of his hands. He used the other to rub his own erection lightly; needing the contact. He loved how quickly he could turn Nick on and bring him off. Nick was so responsive to every little thing Greg did.

"I'm going to..." Nick mumbled as he moaned loudly and came into Greg's waiting mouth. Greg waited until he was sure that he had sucked and swallowed every last drop of Nick's essence before he moved back a little and then removed Nick's jeans. Nick lifted his hips so Greg could slide them and his boxer's off. Greg pulled his own clothes off and Nick removed his one last piece of clothing; his shirt.

"I'm going to fuck you" Greg told him as he took Nick's hand and led him to the bedroom. Greg was rarely the top in their relationship but he enjoyed it when he was. He loved the fact that he could get this older beautiful man to beg him for more, beg him to fuck him harder; it was quite a thrill. And if this was going to be their last time together then Greg was going to make the most of it. He was sure Nick was ending their sex-buddy relationship so he figured he would give Nick a fuck to remember him by.

Greg pushed Nick down so his back was flat against the mattress. He got the lube and a condom from his night stand and moved so that he was in between Nicks legs, he lifted them so that they were resting on his shoulders; he had been amazed the first time he'd done this, he hadn't thought Nick would be do flexible. Nick was still watching him intensely and Greg found it a little un-nerving and really enticing all at the same time.

He covered his fingers with the lubricant and placed one at Nick entrance. There was a little resistance when he pushed the digit in but not much. He moved his finger carefully, making sure to spread the lube thoroughly. Nick grunted with happiness when Greg's finger brushed the bundle of nerves that brought instant pleasure. Nick's mouth made an O shape when Greg added a second finger and stretched his hole, making sure to brush Nick's prostate.

"Stop being a tease and fuck me already" Nick said after a few minutes in a tight voice. Greg could tell he had Nick in a high state of arousal again. Nick's cock was hard and leaking, begging to be touched, his face was screwed up with need and his eyes were just begging for it. Greg contemplated teasing him a bit more but his own need was too much now. He slid the condom over his erection and placed it at Nick opening. He slid the tip in and then withdrew again, drawing a desperate sound from Nick. Greg repeated the process again and couldn't help but smile at the look Nick gave him; it was desperate and needy. He felt Nick buck his hips with impatience.

"What do you want Nick?" Greg asked him with an innocent look. The throbbing in his lower regions told him he couldn't keep this up much longer but he wanted to hear Nick beg for it.

"Greg, I want you to fuck me already. I need you in me" Nick said in a husky voice that was filled with urgency.

Greg smirked at Nick, "Whatever you want Nicky." He entered into Nick hard; he'd had enough of waiting and dove right in. He thrust in and out with such abandonment he was sure that Nick wouldn't be able to walk straight tomorrow. He felt Nick meeting his every move pushing himself further onto Greg's length. He wanted to go deeper, deeper than he ever had. He wanted to feel all of Nick.

The only sounds in the small bedroom were loud moans and grunts and the sound of skin hitting skin. Greg was sure he had never fucked anyone as hard as he was fucking Nick right now; but the look on the others mans face and the feel of his body responding told Greg that he liked it. That he liked being possessed by Greg in such an aggressive manner.

Greg placed his hand on Nick's large erection and rubbed it lightly in time with his thrusts. He wanted Nick to get off again; he wanted to watch Nick's face as he came. He wanted to memorize everything about the other man.

"Oh fuck" Nick said and Greg could feel Nick's heels dig into his shoulders. He watched as a look of bliss appeared on Nick's face and his cock shot its load onto Greg's stomach.

"Oh god" Greg grunted as he continued to pound into Nick. He was getting lost in the sensation of being inside Nick. "Jesus... Fuck... God I love you."

He continued to thrust wildly and he felt the familiar feeling of his orgasm take him over. He practically screamed with pleasure from it all. He slumped down onto Nick's chest. Nick unhooked his legs and placed his feet flat on the bed. Greg knew he was still lying on Nick and that he should probably move but he couldn't work up the energy. After a few minutes of laying there spent he moved himself so that he was lying beside Nick instead of on top of him, not wanting to invade his space any longer than need be.

"Umm Greg" Nick said and Greg turned to see Nick watching him closely.

"Yeah" Greg replied.

"When we were... When you..." Nick laughed nervously as he ran his hand through his hair. "You said something when you were... You know. Did you mean it?" Nick asked him softly.

"What?" Greg said confused as he tried to figure out what Nick was talking about. He was moaning and cussing as usual and then he... 'O MY GOD!' Greg screamed in his head. 'Holy crap, I said I love you. I told Nick that I love him' Greg thought to himself and he went over and over the words in his mind. He'd been so lost in the moment he didn't even realize what he had said until now. He couldn't believe that he had told Nick that he loved him while he was fucking him. He couldn't believe he had told Nick he loved him at all. He wasn't even sure if he loved Nick, he knew deep down he had always had feelings for the man that he was trying to deny; but love, that was such a strong and deep emotion.

"Greg" Nick said and Greg saw the concerned look in his eyes. Greg shot up at of the bed and grabbed the first clothes he saw.

"I should get going" Greg said nervously as he looked around for a shirt. He saw one sitting on the dresser and picked it up. He was still playing the whole thing over and over in his head trying to figure out why he had been so stupid and blurted those words out. It was like his mind was on loop and had instant replay.

"Greg" Nick said but Greg wasn't paying him any attention. He was now searching for some shoes. "Greg!"

"What" he said in response to Nick shouting his name.

"You live here" Nick reminded him. Greg looked around and realized that this was indeed his apartment; that's why he'd found some of his clothes in here even though he had undressed in the living room.

"I know that" Greg said in a voice that reminded him of a chipmunk. "I just remembered I was supposed to meet... Sara, for lunch."

"Do you want me to leave?" Nick asked in a soft voice. Greg could see that Nick was confused and un-sure of what to do or say. 'Good going Greg' he thought to himself.

"You can stay... I'm going to go" Greg told him as he looked for his wallet and keys before remembering that they were in his living room. "I have to meet..." he tried to remember who he had said, "Sara; I have to meet Sara for lunch."

"Could we talk Greg?" Nick asked him. Greg couldn't even look at him; he just turned his back towards Nick.

"Later, I promise."

"Greg" Nick said in a kind voice but Greg ignored him and headed for the door as fast as his legs would take him.
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Greg was sitting in a small coffee shop staring at the cup in front of him. He was still in a state of shock over the fact that he had blurted out that he loved Nick. He wasn't even sure if he loved Nick but his mouth seemed to have other ideas.

"I just said it in the heat of the moment, it doesn't really mean anything" Greg said to himself.

"What doesn't mean anything?" Sara asked as she sat in front of him. He had called Sara and asked her to meet him, in case Nick asked her about it later.

"Nothing" Greg said quickly. He knew he'd been acting like a freak ever since he had said those words but he couldn't seem to stop himself from behaving that way. Sara must have thought he was on speed or something because he had talked so quickly on the phone she needed him to repeat himself numerous times.

"Are you alright Greg?" Sara asked as she eyed him.

"No, yes... I don't know. I don't have a clue Sara. I feel all weird" Greg told her as he leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. "I've gone insane."

"Gone, I thought you've always been nuts" Sara said with a small laugh but stopped when she realized that Greg hadn't even cracked a smile. Greg watched her as she leaned closer to him. "What's wrong?"

"I've done something stupid" Greg told her. "Incredibly stupid. Stupid Greg, that's what they'll call me for now on. Stupid, stupid Greg."

"I don't think I have ever heard someone use the word stupid so many times in one sentence" Sara thought out loud.

"Fine then, they'll call me idiotic, foolish stupid Greg from now on" Greg replied. He pointed at his cup, "Not even coffee will fix this. And until now there was no problem that coffee could not fix."

"Greg you're ranting. Now tell me what happened" Sara said to him.

"Well it has to do with Nick so I'm not sure of you want to hear it" Greg told her.

"Oh no Greg. Don't tell me you blew him off? I know that you're all happy with this casual relationship thing and sex is all you want, but he wants a relationship with you. Is that so bad? I mean obviously you're attracted to him and you two are good friends so it seems to make sense to take it to the next level. I have no idea why you're so keen to have no emotional attachments at the moment. After talking with Nick I actually think you two would make a great couple and I'm sure if you actually gave it a chance, you would see that as well" Sara told him.

"What are you talking about?" Greg asked confused. Had Sara just said that Nick wanted a relationship with him, he wasn't sure if he had misheard or if he was going stark raving mad.

"About Nick and his feelings for you" Sara said as she looked at him also confused and then Greg saw a look of understanding cross her face. "And that's not what you're talking about. Just forget I said anything."

"I can't forget. What are you talking about?" Greg asked her again. Obviously she knew something he didn't. He wondered if it was possible that Nick had feelings for him, after all that's what Sara had said and Nick did get jealous over his crappy date with Brian.

"I really shouldn't have said anything" Sara said with obvious un-ease.

"Probably not but you have; so spill, Sidle" Greg told her.

"You tell me what you were talking about first" Sara insisted.

"No, you first" Greg replied.

"Greg, we're not two years old, just go first" Sara said in an annoyed tone.

"Fine; while we were fucking I told Nick that I love him. There, now it's your turn" Greg said quickly as he shifted slightly in his seat. He wanted to hear the full story about Sara and Nick's conversation.

"You what" Sara said surprised. "While you were having sex Greg, really, you couldn't think of a better time to say it."

"I didn't even know that I loved Nick. I didn't mean to say it. Now stop changing the subject" Greg replied.

"What did Nick say?" Sara asked him with interest. Greg could tell that he wasn't going to get anything out of her until he answered her questions. He sighed as he rubbed his forehead; he was getting a head ache.

"He asked me if I meant it. I had no idea what he was talking about I didn't even remember saying it until I thought about it" Greg told her.

"What did you say when he asked that?"

"I didn't say much of anything. I bolted as quickly as I as I could. I was embarrassed; I couldn't believe it had actually happened. I thought crap like that only happened in movies" Greg sighed. "We we're only meant to be having sex, I didn't want him to freak out on me."

"So instead you freaked out" Sara replied. "Great game plan there."

"Ha, very funny, I didn't have a game plan. As I've said I didn't even mean to say it." Greg said for what felt like the hundredth time.

"But you do don't you? You love Nick" Sara said as she looked at him. Greg was starting to wish that people would stop looking at him so intensely; he was feeling over whelmed as it was. He didn't need anything else to add to it.

"I don't know" Greg replied.

"That's a lie and we both know it. When you first started this thing I was scared for you because honestly I thought Nick would end up breaking your heart. I could see the love in your eyes when you looked at him; it was written across you face in big bold letters. So don't lie Greg and say you don't know, because we both know that you do and you're just to scared to admit it" Sara told him in what Greg could only call a stern motherly voice.

"Fine I won't lie anymore" Greg said softly. He knew that she was right, Sara was right often and he hated that about her. He was in love with Nick and just didn't want to admit it.

Chapter 5: Nick Stokes Makes His Move

Nick really wasn't sure how he was feeling at the moment. A part of him was beyond happy to hear words of love come out of Greg's sweet mouth; another part of him was angry that Greg had just left after that with no explanation or anything, he just ran away. Another part of Nick was confused as all hell, he had no idea where he stood with Greg now and he didn't like that feeling.

He had left Greg's apartment not long after the younger man had fled. He had contemplated sitting there and waiting for Greg to eventually return; he knew Greg would have to come back at some time it was after all his place. But he decided that might make him even more nervous and edgy, he didn't want to make the situation worse than it already was.

He had returned to his own home lost in thoughts of Greg. The sex had been amazing, the confession had made Nick's heart jump with happiness and the aftermath had wounded him deeply. He was worried that Greg's declaration had just been a sex induced mistake on the younger man's behalf. That those words had not been true at all and Nick was the only one with more intense feelings invested in this relationship.

Nick was beginning to wish that he had stopped the sex before it had happened and just talked to Greg like he had originally intended. He had known when Greg first laid his lips on him that he should stop what he knew was going to happen. He knew that sex wasn't what he had come around for. He knew that he needed to tell Greg the truth about what he wanted. But Greg was kissing him and Nick had felt himself melt; and there was no hope of him being able to muster up the will power to stop things. He did the stupid thing and let himself be led around by his cock instead of his brain, now things were a mess and Nick didn't know what he should do to fix them. Should he give Greg some space to sort himself out, or should he go to Greg and tell him how he feels.

"I need sleep" Nick muttered to himself as he ran his hands over his sleepy eyes. He was now in the locker room at the lab, with the same thoughts running over and over through his mind.

"You look like shit" Warrick told him before their shift started. Nick looked at him with a raised eye brow and then turned back to his locker. He was too tired to even respond and besides he knew it was most likely true.

"Hey" Catherine grunted as she walked in and headed to her locker. "You look tired Nicky."

"I couldn't sleep" Nick said as he held back a yawn. "It's too damn hot."

"That's Vegas baby" Catherine told him with a smile. Sara and Greg walked into the locker room at the same time and Nick couldn't help but look at Greg; he looked as tired as Nick felt.

"I want to go home" Greg whined as he sat down on the bench and rested his head in his hands. Nick wanted to talk to him, to get him and take him somewhere quiet where they could discuss everything that was going on between them. But he knew that work was not the place for it and he would have to be patient and wait until after their shifts were over.
________________________________________

"Hey Greg" Nick said as he walked into the break room later on that night. Greg was sitting down with his head resting on the table. Nick could see how exhausted he was, it worried Nick that Greg wasn't resting enough. The idea, about waiting until after their shift, was gone now that Nick had found Greg alone.

"Nick" Greg muttered softly, he hadn't lifted his head to look up and Nick wasn't sure if that was just from the fatigue or because Greg didn't want to look at him.

"Are you okay?" Nick asked with an un-sure voice. He didn't know what to expect from Greg after everything that happened.

"I'm just tired" Greg replied. He lifted himself up onto his feet and gave Nick a small smile. "I should get back to work."

"Can we talk quickly G, please?" Nick asked.

"Sure Nick. What do you want to talk about?" Greg asked him in a voice that sounded fake and foreign.

"I want to talk about what happened yesterday" Nick told him, keeping his voice quiet so that any one walking past wouldn't be able to hear their private conversation.

"There isn't really anything to talk about" Greg sounded uncomfortable.

"You know there is Greg. I need to know if you meant what you said to me" Nick told him not wanting to sound desperate but needing to know that truth.

"Look Nick, I was in a state of orgasmic bliss, anything I said can't be taken seriously" Greg replied in the quick voice he used whenever he was nervous.

"So you don't feel that way about me" Nick said with disappointment.

"I... I talked to Sara yesterday after all that happened and she told me that you two talked, and honestly Nick I'm feeling a little over whelmed right now. Besides this isn't really the best place to talk about this" Greg replied as he pointed to the people moving past the clear glass windows of the break room.

"You're right. Could I come over after work so we talk about this?" Nick asked.

"...Okay" Greg said as he smiled a little before leaving.

Nick sighed with relief as he sat down in the chair and rubbed his eyes. He just wasn't sure if Greg would agree to talk about their 'arrangement' but now that he knew he was willing to hear him out, he felt as though a huge weight had been lifted off him, at least he was going to get a chance.

He also found himself wondering what Sara had told Greg when they talked. He wondered if she told him about Nick's strong feeling or if she just hinted out it. Or if she only told him that she'd talked to him about their sexual relationship with each other.

All he did know, was that if their talk went according to his plan, everything would be out and in the open and they could both finally figure out where they stood.

________________________________________

Nick smiled at Greg as they both stood uncomfortably in the younger of the two's living room. Nick wasn't sure why he was feeling really anxious, on the drive to Greg's he had been oddly calm; even happy. He was finally going to get everything sorted out and that had filled him with a sense of happiness. But now as he and Greg stood there looking at each other Nick was un-sure of how to precede with things.

"Would you like something to drink?" Greg asked after what seemed like forever.

"Yeah" Nick said as he tried to keep his voice even.

"Water... Or I have juice, soda, or beer" Greg said quickly. Nick was still amazed at how fast Greg could talk when he was nervous.

"Water's good" Nick said as he tried to smile but knew it looked forced.

"Alright" Greg said before he rushed into the kitchen. Nick looked at the couch before taking a seat on it while he waited for Greg to return. "Sorry it's not colder."

"That's fine" Nick said as he took the glass from Greg and watched as he moved his way to the other end of the couch and sat down folding his legs up Indian style. "I'm surprised you find that comfortable."

"What can I say" Greg said with a small laugh. "I am a weird one."

"You're not weird to me" Nick replied in a soft sincere voice.

"Well... I think Hodges would disagree with you on that one."

"Now Hodges, he's weird" Nick said with a small grin.

"Nick did you really come over to talk about Hodges?" Greg said and Nick looked up into Greg's beautiful brown eyes.

"No I didn't. So I guess we should start" Nick said as he shifted his body to get more comfortable.

"Okay" Greg agreed. They both sat there silent for another few seconds. "I think actual words have to come out of our mouths for this to be considered a talk."

"Good point" Nick told him as he sighed inwardly not sure of what the starting point of this conversation should be. In the end he decided to just dive right in. "Look Greg, I like you. I mean really like you and all though what we have been doing lately is really, and I mean really enjoyable, I want more; I need more."

"Wow, way to ease into it Nick" Greg said sarcastically.

"Well I figured it was time to be up-front and honest. No more BS" Nick told him.

"So what are you saying? Are you saying that you want to date me, be in a relationship; be boyfriends. If we're going to be honest and cut the bullshit then you're going to have to be more specific" Greg said to him in what Nick thought was the most serious voice he had ever heard Greg use.

"I want a relationship with you Greg" Nick said in a soft tone. He almost felt like he was naked. It had always been hard for Nick to verbally express his feelings to other people. Coming from a large family like he did it was always hard to get a word in edge wise so Nick had learned to keep things to himself and it was a tough habit to break.

"Relationships are hard Nick. What makes you can think you can handle one now when you've been avoiding them for so many years?" Greg asked him and Nick felt like he had been punched in the face. He had never factored his previous commitment phobia in to the equation; he never thought that it would be an issue.

"That's low" Nick replied.

"It's a legitimate question Nick. I've seen you go from guy to guy since I first met you. Relationships are hard work and I'm not sure if you realize that" Greg told him.

"Of course I realize that Greg. It's not that I was avoiding a relationship; the problem was that I never wanted one with the people I was involved with. You're different, I have feelings for you that I want to explore" Nick told him and he watched as Greg considered his words for a few minutes before opening his mouth to speak but closing it again quickly. "Please say something Greg."

"I don't know if this is a good idea. I don't think it's a good idea to mix work with pleasure" Greg replied and Nick almost scoffed out loud.

"We've already mixed work with pleasure Greg. Every time we fucked, we were mixing work with pleasure. It's too late to use that as an excuse" Nick told him trying to stop himself from getting mad. He didn't understand why Greg was being so difficult about this. He had yet to tell Nick that he didn't have feelings for Nick and those were the only words that would get Nick to back down at this point.

"I just don't know Nick" Greg told him and Nick could hear the conflict in his voice.

"Do you have feelings for me?" Nick asked him in a stern voice. Greg was silent as he avoided Nick's gaze. "Greg! It's a simple question. Do you or do you not have feelings for me?"

"...Yes. But I'm not sure if that's enough" Greg replied quietly. Nick could tell he was upsetting him and that wasn't what he wanted but he could tell Greg needed to be pushed if this was ever going to get settled.

"Look Greg I don't know why you're so intent on us not happening, but if I Iike you and you like me then I don't understand why you can't just take a chance. We could have something great here; you just have to let it happen.

"Aren't you scared?" Greg asked him.

"Scared" Nick repeated his word.

"Yeah scared, scared that if this doesn't work we might end up hating each other. I consider you my best friend Nick and I don't want to end up hating you" Greg said in a voice that was barely above a whisper. Realization hit Nick like a brick wall, he had never really thought about what would happen if they didn't last. In his mind they were perfect for each other and he honestly didn't even consider the fact that they might not work out.

"Greg, your friendship means the world to me. But after what happened, when I was buried and thought I was going to die I had the chance to really think about things. You only live once and you have to go after the things you want. I know that I want you and if things ended it would be horrible, but if things go well and we end up sticking with each other, imagine how happy we could be. Sometime you have to make a decision and hope that it's the right one. I think we have a real shot and I don't want to live the rest of my life without at least trying."

"You seem pretty passionate about all this" Greg commented and Nick smiled at him.

"Well I guess you bring out the passion in me" Nick joked and was glad to see a small smile cross Greg's lips. "Come on Greg, please don't make me beg, because I would do it and it'd be really embarrassing."

"I think I've always wanted you Nick. Since I very first saw you; I remember being awe struck by how handsome you were, and how smart you were. But I never thought you would be interested so the possibility of something happening never really occurred to me. It was alright to be interested in you as long as the feelings weren't returned. Now that I know you are into me or whatever, I feel really unsettled and nervous; I don't like feeling like this. I've always known my whole life what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be and now all of sudden I don't know what the future holds. It's taking me a while to get used to that" Greg told me.

"Does that mean you don't want to continue this" Nick said sadly.

"No, it means that you're going to have to be patient with me and if I have a flip out please don't get mad at me" Greg told him and Nick couldn't help that smile that appeared on his face.

"So you're willing to give us a shot" He replied with joy in his voice.

"I guess I am" Greg said in a voice that made him sound a lot younger than he actually was.

Nick moved over on the couch so that he was sitting right beside Greg. He took his hands into his own and squeezed them reassuringly before he moved to kiss Greg lightly on the lips. He was pleased when he felt Greg kiss him back and increase the pressure. When they needed air they finally broke apart and Nick leaned his forehead against Greg's.

"I can make you happy, I promise" Nick whispered to him. Nick was sure he was dreaming now and that when he woke up he would be alone again. He had no idea how he convinced Greg to give them a shot but now that he had he wasn't going to blow it. He needed Greg to know that he was all in; that this was going to work. He would do whatever it took to make it work.

"You're making me happy right now" Greg smiled.

"I want to take you out" Nick said to him, he watched as Greg leaned back so that he could look Nick in the face.

"What do you mean?" Greg asked with a slightly confused look on his face.

"I want to take you out on a date. I want to do this right. I want to come to your door and pick you up, open up the car door for you and pull your chair out for you in a restaurant" Nick told him.

"I'm not a chick Nick" Greg laughed. "But the sentiment is appreciated."

"Okay so maybe I won't do all that but I do want to take you out" Nick told him.

"Sounds great" Greg replied and Nick could see that he had relaxed more now than when this conversation had first started.

"When's your next night off?" Nick asked him.

"Wednesday" Greg said.

"I'm working but I'm pretty sure either Catherine or Warrick said they had it off. I'll get which ever one it is to swap with me" Nick told him.

"Nick" Greg said.

"Yeah."

"I want you to know that even though I'm afraid, I'm also really thrilled. I want this as much as you do I'm just a little more apprehensive. I guess I just don't get what you see in me, why you would bother" Greg told him.

"I see all of you Greg and I love what I see" Nick replied as he kissed him again.

Chapter 6: Greg Sanders and His Issues

Greg Sanders was a mess. A part of him felt happier than he had been in a long time; the other part was scared shitless and trying to figure out a way to bolt before things got too serious. He knew he wanted Nick, more than he had ever wanted anyone or anything. But the problem with getting what he wanted was now he had something to lose.

The panic over a date with Nick was also making it hard for him to think straight. He had been trying on shirts for over an hour now; trying to find the best one for his date. He knew he was really stressing out when he realized he'd tried on the same green shirt with black stripes four times now.

Nick was going to be here any minute to pick him up and he wasn't even close to being ready. His hair was still damp from his shower and he hadn't found the time to style it yet. Almost every item of clothing he owned was now laid out across his bed as he tried to pick the perfect 'first date' attire. He had no idea where his wallet was and although he was pretty sure they would be taking Nick's car it worried him that he also had no idea where his car keys were.

"Why did I think this was a good idea?" Greg asked himself as he pulled on a pair of jeans, once his jeans were on and zipped, he turned again to look at his various shirts.

He'd never really noticed how many items of clothing he owned, but now that they all were lying on his bed, right there for him to look at he found himself wondering why he had so many shirts that were practically identical; he had seven black dress shirts that all looked exactly the same. 'I need to stop buying clothes' Greg thought to himself.

Greg was dragged out of his thoughts by the sound he had been dreading; a knock on his front door.

"It's open!" Greg yelled from his bedroom as he quickly gathered as many items of clothing as he could and threw them into his closet. He grabbed the first shirt he could reach out of the remaining items and hastily put it on. He couldn't help but laugh when he noticed he was now wearing the green shirt he tried on four times; and dismissed four times.

"Greg, working where we work you should know better than to just scream out 'it's open'. You shouldn't have your door unlocked to begin with" Nick said to Greg as he leaned against the doorframe. "You look nice, I like your hair like that."

Greg gave him the best smile he could muster up, "Wet."

"What?" Nick asked him with a slightly confused face.

"My hair is wet and free of product, I lost track of time" Greg told him as he nervously cracked his knuckles.

"It looks nice, which won't really matter if a serial killer walks in here and stabs you to death" Nick said in a voice that didn't sound slightly amused.

"How do you know the serial killer will stab me, the serial killer might shoot me" Greg offered with a small laugh trying to ease away the tension he was feeling.

"Home security isn't something to joke about" Nick told him.

"You sound like my mother Nick" Greg said with a small frown.

"You're right. I'm sorry" Nick told him. "I guess I'm just a little nervous."

"That makes two of us" Greg told him. "It's stupid really I mean we've fucked like there's no tomorrow, but one small date has us all jittery."

"It's all good, we'll find our groove" Nick told him in an optimistic voice.

"Yeah" Greg replied but he wasn't sure if he really believed it.
_______________________________________

"I've never even seen this place before" Greg commented as Nick led him through the door of a small Italian restaurant.

"It's good. I know you love Italian and this place is nice and quiet so I thought it would be a good place to go" Nick said and smiled in the way that always made Greg want to jump him on the spot.

"It's great" Greg said. He looked around the place and smiled at all the cute stuff that was on the shelves that lined the walls. There were kitten salt and pepper shakers and little figurines of things that had nothing to do with Italy or Italian food, nothing matched and the color scheme was all over the place; Greg liked it.

"Nick, how are you darling?" a short lady with curly brown hair said as she hugged Nick tightly; she looked as though she was in her early forties and had a face that seemed to be filled with love and wisdom.

"I'm real good" Nick said with a smile. "Greg this is Anita, Anita this is Greg."

"Well isn't he a darling?" Anita said with a wide smile that Greg returned.

"Hi" Greg replied.

"Is this your man friend that you have been telling me about?" Anita asked Nick and Greg almost laughed when he saw the older man blush.

"How bout you point us in the direction of our table" Nick changed the subject.

"I've embarrassed him now" She said to Greg with a small laugh.

"Table Anita" Nick interjected.

"I've got you over here" She said as she pointed to the table near the back of the restaurant. It had curtains near it and was angled so that it was fairly private.

"Thanks" Nick told her as he took Greg's hand and led him to the table.

"Does Anita own this place?" Greg asked as he took his seat while Nick did the same. The moment they were sitting Nick took Greg's hand into his own. Greg tried to ignore the giant butterflies that were causing havoc in his stomach.

"Yes. She's real nice. I've been coming here for years now. You'll think you've died and gone to heaven once you taste the food" Nick told him.

"I love food" Greg commented not sure of what to say. He didn't really know what to talk about which was weird because he and Nick had been friends for years and he'd never had a problem talking to him before.

"I know you do" Nick said with a grin. "Look Greg, I just want you to know how happy I am that we're doing this; that we're here and giving this a chance."

"Same" Greg replied in a small voice. He saw the weird look Nick gave him but ignored it as he took his hand out of Nick's and lifted the menu to read it. Nick didn't say anything but Greg was sure he was picking up on the strange signals he was sending him.

"Can I get you gentleman anything to drink, Anita says the drinks are on her" A blonde waitress said to them.

"Tell Anita thanks and I'll have a beer" Nick told her.

"I'll have a beer as well" Greg smiled. "Anita must really like you."

"I come here so often I probably put her youngest son through collage, of course she likes me" Nick laughed.

An hour later they were eating their food and talking, Nick seemed to be quite happy but Greg was still feeling un-sure of himself. He wasn't sure why, in bed he was completely confident; sex was something he knew he was good at, he'd had many partners tell him that in the past. But dating was never his strong point. He used to enjoy dating, talking to someone and getting to know them better. But the dating magic had been ruined for him when many of his ex's had some not-so-nice things to say about him.

"What are you thinking about?" Nick asked snapping Greg out of his thoughts.

"Just stuff" Greg told him. "How's your fettuccini?" Greg asked him.

"Really good" Nick said as he placed some on his fork and held it up to Greg. "Have some."

"Okay" Greg said as he leaned in and placed his mouth around the fork. Nick was right the food was great. "Yum, that's really good."

"Yeah" Nick said and Greg saw the lust in his eyes as he had watched him lick the sauce off the fork.

"So" Greg said as he moved his chair a little closer to Nicks. "How do you think the date is going?"

"I'd say well" Nick replied.

Greg placed his hand on Nick thigh and smiled at him. Sex was what he was good at so he figured he should just stick to that and all would be good. "I think I know what would make it better."

"What's that?" Nick asked him and Greg could tell Nick honestly had no idea what he was planning.

Greg just smiled as he moved his hand to Nick's crotch and started to massage him through his jeans. He could feel Nick's cock harden and smiled. "I guess you like that."

"Greg what are you doing?" Nick asked as he grabbed Greg's hand and lifted it back up onto the table.

"What does it look like" Greg asked as he placed his hand back down and started to rub Nick through his jeans again.

"Stop that" Nick said in a hushed voice as he took Greg's hand again and placed it on the table but this time he kept his own hand on top of it.

"You've never complained about me giving you a hand job before" Greg said slightly annoyed. He wasn't used to getting turned down.

"You've never tried to do it in a public place before" Nick told him. "It's illegal."

"You're telling me you've never done anything remotely sexual in a public place before?" Greg asked and he knew he would prove his point. He knew for a fact that Nick had done many sexual acts in all sorts of places, mainly when he was younger but still.

"Of course I have but not in a restaurant I eat at regularly and not for many years" Nick told him.

"I just don't see what the big deal is" Greg told him.

"The big deal is I don't want to have sex" Nick blurted it out and Greg was shocked. Nick didn't want to have sex with him. Why didn't he want to have sex with him?

Greg was feeling really confused now because up until this point he always thought Nick really enjoyed having sex with him.

"What?" Greg asked. "Why... What's wrong with... I don't even know what to say"

"Look Greg that came out wrong..." Nick started but Greg cut him off.

"I thought you liked having sex with me. I mean you always seemed to enjoy yourself. Is it the scars on my back 'cause I know that throws some guys off? But you've seen them heaps of times and they've never seemed to bother you. To be honest with you I always thought we had great sex so this is kind off throwing me through a loop right now. I just don't get it" Greg rambled, looking at Nick who seemed to be a little flustered. "You know what, this was a bad idea; I think I'm going to go."

"Don't go" Nick said quickly. "Besides I drove us here."

"I'll catch a cab" Greg said as he quickly got up and walked out of the restaurant, ignoring Nick asking him to stop and stay.
_______________________________________

"Greg!" He could hear Nick yelling from his front door. He sighed as he opened the door and watched as Nick just stood there looking at him. "What was that?"

"What was what?" Greg asked as he walked back into his house and grabbed a beer from his fridge. "Do you want one?"

"No I don't want a beer Greg, I want to talk about you leaving our date" Nick told him.

"Sorry about that" Greg said in a calm voice. He just wanted to pretend this whole thing had never happened in the first place.

"Greg when I said I didn't want to have sex, I didn't mean at all. I just meant not right away."

"Why don't you want to have sex right away?" Greg asked him as he sat down on the couch and Nick did the same.

"Because I want to do this right, I want to actually go out a few times before we start having sex; I want to have a real relationship with you" Nick told him and Greg couldn't believe the sincerity in his voice and face. Greg almost laughed out loud because of it, it seemed so corny but Nick was for real.

"Look Nick. I'm good at sex; sex is where I excel in relationships. I'm not sure if us dating is the best idea. Especially since you want a real relationship and I've never been very good at keeping someone in a real relationship."

"Greg, why are you doing this again?" Nick asked in a pleading voice.

"Trust me Nick, two hours spent with me AND not fucking, you're going to go insane. I have that effect on people, apparently I ramble too much" Greg told him.

"What are you talking about Greg?" Nick asked and Greg could tell that he was already getting frustrated. 'That didn't take long' Greg thought to himself.

"Look Nick I've never been with someone longer than a few months. Around the two month mark I get the speech, 'Greg you're great in bed, the sex is amazing but I don't really want a relationship with you, or you talk to much, or your working hours are to much to handle'. And this has happened time after time, so I've given up. I like relationships, hell I would love to be in one; but they never work out" Greg said as he looked at his beer bottle. "It's not that big of a deal anyway, with work and stuff I don't really have the time for much else."

"Any person who said anything like that to you doesn't deserve you Greg. I'm not going to lie, yes we have great sex together and I really love doing it; but my interest in you extends far beyond that and you already know that. I think you're trying to find a reason for this not to happen because you're scared" Nick told him. "There are plenty of things you're great at G. You're funny and intelligent and no matter what you think, I love talking to you, I always have. Why do you think I was constantly in DNA even when I didn't have a sample for you; I enjoyed being around you."

"I know" Greg whispered. He knew he was going to do this, be an idiot and make excuses when there really wasn't a reason to not be with Nick. But it was hard to stop freaking out long enough to actually think about things. But once his brain caught up he knew he was being stupid; he really wished he could stop being like this.

"But Greg I can't keep talking you into this. You have to be willing to do this or it won't work" Nick told him with a soft voice. Greg knew he was right, there were only so many times Nick could say 'come on, lets give this a shot before it would become too much. He knew Nick wasn't the type to force someone into something they didn't want. But the issue was Greg did want this, he wanted it so much that it was all he could think about.

"I'm willing. I swear I am and I'm going to try harder to not be a weirdo about everything" He promised Nick.

"Don't stop being a weirdo completely" Nick said with a smile as he took Greg's hand but unlike the first few times he had done it, Greg actually felt somewhat comfortable now. "That's one of the things I really like about you."

"Okay then, I'll try and find a balance with my weirdness" Greg laughed. "I'm sorry I ruined our date."

"It wasn't ruined. I would still count this as part of the date and I'd say things are looking up" Nick smiled.

"So what should we do now?" Greg asked him.

"I was thinking I might kiss you" Nick smirked as he leaned in and kissed Greg lightly.

"I think that was a great idea" Greg whispered. He pulled Nick closer to him and kissed him hard. He loved kissing Nick; he loved the way their lips connected perfectly, like they were meant for each other.

_______________________________________

"My fucking neck" Greg mumbled to himself as he woke up. He looked around and noticed that he had been sleeping in his living room on his couch and apparently on top of Nick. He shifted himself slowly off the older man not wanting to crush him.

"Greg" He heard Nick mumble in his sleepy state as his eyes slowly opened.

"Hey there" Greg smiled.

"Hi... I think my back is broken" Nick laughed.

"Yeah sorry, I kind of passed out on top of you last night" Greg said with a small chuckle.

"It was nice to sleep with someone" Nick commented as he grabbed Greg's hand and pulled him close. Greg smiled as Nick lightly kissed him on his face a few times.

"You're in a good mood" Greg said to him as he ran his hand lightly across Nick's back.

"I have every reason to be happy" Nick told him.

"I really am sorry about last night."

"Don't worry about it, it was my best first date ever" Nick replied in a gentle tone.

"You must have had some really bad dates in the past" Greg laughed. Nick must be insane if he thought that had been a good date.

"It was the best first date ever 'cause it was with you" Nick smiled at him.

"Oh dear lord Stokes, you are one corny guy" Greg smirked. "But I like it."
________________________________________

"So did you have fun last night?" Catherine asked Nick during their next shift. Nick, Catherine and Greg were all sitting in the break room at work.

"Yes I did" Nick said with a small smile that only Greg could see. Greg couldn't help but grin in return.

"You seemed so desperate to get the night off, he must be some thing special" Catherine said.

"He is" Nick replied as he opened the newspaper. Greg knew that Nick hated talking about his personal life and that was his way of telling Catherine that he didn't want to get into it anymore.

"Will you at least tell me his name?" Catherine asked.

"Someone special" Nick said with a smirk as he sipped his coffee. Greg watched Nick closely, wanting to see and memorize everything about him.

Greg had looked up to Nick from the moment he met him. Nick was confident, sexy, intelligent, and brave. Greg wished that he could be just like him. He often found himself feeling uncomfortable in his own skin, but Nick wasn't like that; he knew who he was and wouldn't change for anyone or anything.

Another thing Greg envied about Nick was the way he dealt with the whole Walter Gordon situation; or more so how he handled Kelly Gordon. Most people would have just wanted to forget about everything and try and move on. But as soon as Nick had recovered he went to see the daughter of the madman that buried him alive. Not to yell at her or place blame, but to tell her that he didn't hold her responsible and that she needed to let go of everything that had happened to her. Greg wouldn't have been able to do that if he'd been in Nick's position; it would have been too hard for him to deal with. In fact Greg knew that if it had been him he would have pulled the trigger, but Nick didn't. He was brave and courageous and Greg could only hope that one day he would be half the man that Nick was.

"Greg!" Catherine yelled and Greg snapped his head up to look at her.

"What."

"I was saying you need to help me get information out of Nick. He is being very tight lipped about this new man of his" Catherine told him.

"Nick what's your new man like?" Greg asked in a flat tone. He just wanted to get Catherine off his and Nick's backs.

"He's wonderful" was all Nick said in reply. "How's Lindsey?"

"You're changing the subject" Catherine replied.

"Yes I am" Nick told her as he continued to read his paper not even bothering to look up at her.
_______________________________________

"I thought she was never going to stop asking questions" Nick laughed. He and Greg were sitting in their regular booth at the diner where they and most of the other CSI's often ate breakfast.

"I never really noticed how nosey Catherine is until today" Greg replied before taking a sip of his coffee; it felt wonderful going down his throat and helped keep his eyes open after a long shift.

"The lab rats are worse" Nick commented.

"Hey leave my former comrades alone" Greg told him with a stern voice but he knew the smirk across his face would give him away.

"Sorry" Nick laughed as he held his hands up in mock surrender.

"While we're talking about the lab, when do you think we should go public?" Greg asked him. He knew that it was something they needed to talk about but he worried that he might be bringing it up too soon, after all they had only been on one official date so far. But Nick seemed intent on this working so Greg figured it was best to learn where they both stood on the subject.

"Whenever you would like" Nick told him. "I know that I'm in this for the long haul so I'm ready whenever you are."

"I think we should wait... Just for a little while; once we're comfortable in the relationship we'll... Well I'm not sure, but it won't be a secret anymore" Greg said nervously. He didn't want Nick to be upset or think that there was some weird reason to why he didn't want people to know about them just yet.

"That's fine; you just let me know when you're ready and we'll make it known to the people that matter like Warrick and Catherine... But I think we should tell Sara now, she is going to be wondering what is going on with us, after all she knows the basics already" Nick said.

"You're right" Greg agreed. "Besides she would beat it out of me if I didn't tell her."

"That seems like her" Nick chuckled.

"Oh you have no idea how scary she can be sometimes" Greg told him.

"Trust me I got a taste of that when she thought I was corrupting you" Nick replied with a sigh, "Not something I wish to repeat."

"Sometimes she takes the big sister act a little too far."

"I guess, but I think it's good that you two look out for each other" Nick said with a smile. "But she doesn't have to worry about you anymore because now I'm going to look after you."

"Again with the corniness Stokes, I can see we're going to have to get you some help" Greg laughed.

Chapter 7: Nick Stokes and his happiness

Nick smiled to himself as he realized today was his and Greg's three month anniversary. A part of him couldn't believe that it was three months ago that he and Greg had gone on their first actual date; it hadn't gone smoothly but Nick had loved it none the less.

"What's the big grin on your face about?" Warrick asked him. Nick looked over at him and smiled before turning back to the dirt he was processing.

"I'm just happy" Nick answered.

"Does this have to do with your mystery man?" Warrick asked. Nick and Greg still hadn't told anyone other than Sara that they were together so now Greg was known as the 'mystery man' to all the people they worked with.

"It might" Nick replied slyly.

"When do I get to meet this guy? I am after all your best friend, I have rights you know."

"When he's ready" Nick replied. Nick was ready for everyone to know. After all, they knew he was gay and they knew Greg was bi-sexual so he didn't think it was a big deal.
But he had told Greg they would wait till he wanted them to know and Greg seemed content with the way things were. Nick was beginning to think that Greg would never want anyone to know and that bothered Nick a little. They were happy with each other and everything was going great; so Nick didn't understand why he couldn't take Greg to the restaurant that Mandy recommended; Greg was worried that she might be there and see them and the gossip mill would start. Nick didn't know why when his co-workers wanted to know his boyfriends name he couldn't just say 'His name is Greg'.

"I don't get why you are being so secretive about this one" Warrick commented and Nick didn't really know how to reply.
________________________________________

"Catherine is so excited about her birthday she's even doing fancy invites for her party" Nick heard Greg say to him from the kitchen.

"Most women would be up-set about ageing" Nick replied.

"Yeah I know. Catherine is just comfortable I guess, besides she looks great" Greg said as he walked back into Nick's living room carrying two beers; he handed one to Nick as he sat down beside him.

"Are you going to go to the party?" Nick asked him.

"Of course, you know me I never pass up a chance to socialize" Greg said with a smile.

"Well I was thinking maybe we could go together" Nick said with a soft voice. He didn't want to cause a fight or make Greg up-set but he felt as though it was time to at least bring the subject up for discussion.

"Together like a couple" Greg clarified.

"Maybe, if you want" Nick told him.

"Well... I guess its something to think about" Greg answered. Nick decided that was good enough for now; it was a better answer than just a flat out no.

"No pressure I was just putting it out there" Nick told him with a fake grin.

"I know" Greg said. Nick couldn't help but smile when Greg took his hand into his own. It surprised him that after all this time just a simple gesture from Greg could still make his day.

"Did you know we have been together for three months now?" Nick asked him.

"Really three months" Greg replied.

"Yeah" Nick told him as he leaned over and lightly kissed him on the lips.

"Well they've been three really good months" Greg said with a grin

"I agree" Nick said with a smirk as he felt Greg's arm wrap around his neck and pull him closer.

"I think we should celebrate" Greg told him before kissing him hard and passionately.
________________________________________

Nick watched Greg through the glass walls of the lab. He often stared at Greg while at work; he was surprised that nobody noticed. He was so in love with Greg that when he saw him he just couldn't look away. Although Greg had told him he loved him once before when they were in the middle of having sex he had never said it again. And Nick was too scared to say it to Greg first. He was afraid that it would cause Greg to freak out on him and ruin the bliss they had been experiencing for the last three months.

"Nick, can I ask you something?" Wendy said pulling Nick out of the trance he was in.

"Sure" Nick answered as he focused on her instead of his gorgeous boyfriend.

"Why are you with 'mystery guy' when you are so obviously in love with Greg" Wendy said and Nick could feel himself blush. With all the CSI running around he found it rather odd that the DNA tech was the first one to notice.

"I don't really like talking about my private life" Nick told her.

"I know, it's just you're a nice guy Nick so I don't get why you would be with someone when you're into someone else. That's how hearts get broken" Wendy replied. Nick could see that she was conflicted and had been thinking about whether or not she should say something..

"Trust me Wendy, no body's heart will be getting broken by me" He told her as he gave her his best charming smile.

"It's your life Nick" Wendy told him.

"What's Nick's life?" Greg asked as he walked into the DNA lab.

"Nothing" Nick answered quickly and Greg shot him a strange look.

"We were just talking about Nick's mysterious and possible imaginary boyfriend" Wendy told Greg with a smirk.

"I'm sure Nick's man is real" Greg said as he smiled at Nick.

"He is very real and handsome and smart and everything I could want in a partner" Nick boasted and he smiled when he saw the small blush creep onto Greg's cheeks.

"Umm... Wendy can you please process these finger nails when you get a chance?" Greg asked her and Nick knew he was changing the subject because he was embarrassed slightly.

"Sure Greg" Wendy told him.

"Thanks, I'll see you both later" Greg said as he left the lab.

"I told you that you're madly in love with Greg, you were saying all those things to make him jealous" Wendy said to Nick.

"Sure Wendy, whatever you say" Nick said with a grin as he shook his head with disbelief.
________________________________________

"Did you know that I'm handsome" Greg said to Nick with a laugh later on that morning after their shift had ended.

"Yes Greg" Nick said with mock annoyance.

"And smart" Greg smiled.

"I was the one who said them, so yes I am aware that you have these qualities; pity being humble is not one of them" Nick replied.

Greg laughed and then moved so that he was straddling Nick. "I'm sorry I'll shut up now."

"Has anyone ever told you how cute and amazing you are" Nick said after a few minutes of silence. He brushed his fingers over Greg's cheek lightly while looking into his chocolate brown eyes.

"You have, a few times now" Greg told him softly.

"Well I mean it" Nick said with a smile. Greg leaned down to kiss him and Nick felt himself get lost in the feeling of the younger mans lips. "You taste good."

"So do you" Greg said as he ran his hand across Nick's thigh.

"I really love you Greg" Nick whispered the words afraid if he said them too loud something bad would happen.

"I love you too" Greg told him.

"Really" Nick said in a shocked voice.

"Don't sound so surprised Stokes" Greg laughed. "It's not like I haven't said it before."

"Well you said it during sex, that doesn't really count. Especially when you flee your own apartment afterwards" Nick said with a smirk, he knew that even after all this time Greg was still mortified over the fact that he fled his own home.

"I didn't 'flee'. I evacuated" Greg told him.

"What's the difference?" Nick asked him.

"I have no idea" Greg laughed. "But it sounds less girly."

"Hey, did you notice. You've been sitting on my lap for at least five minutes now and we're not having sex... That had to be some kind of record for us" Nick said with a grin as he pushed his hips up.

"It has to be a record, I usually hold myself back for about 30 seconds before the animal in me takes over" Greg told him.

"Maybe you're not as attracted to me as you used to be" Nick said to him with a fake frown. Greg took Nick's hand and placed it on his dick; Nick could feel how hard his boyfriend was.

"That's really not an issue" Greg told him in husky voice.
________________________________________

"So are you coming to my party?" Catherine asked Nick at work.

"I am" Nick told her.

"Good, and are you bringing your boyfriend so that we can all finally see the man that won your heart?"

"Maybe" Nick said as he chanced a look at Greg. The younger man was staring intently at the noodles he was eating.

"No more of this maybe, someday crap. We want to meet him" Warrick told Nick. Nick laughed nervously and tried to think of something to change the subject.

"Hodges!" Neck yelled excitedly when the lab tech walked into the break room.

"Contrary to what some might say I'm not gay Nick and besides, aren't you seeing someone?" Hodges replied.

"What! I wasn't hitting on you, all I said was your name" Nick said confused, he could see both Warrick and Greg snickering and Catherine had a huge grin across her face.

"It wasn't what you said, it was the way you said it" Hodges said in a snide tone.

"I swear to god I'm not interested in you" Nick told him.

"Are you saying that I'm unattractive" Hodges said and Nick was wondering how he got himself into this.

"Yeah Nick, is that what you're saying" Greg said with a laugh and Nick shot him a death glare.

"You're not my type" Nick told him.

"What does that mean?" Hodges asked him.

"You can't be serious Hodges; do you really want to have this kind of conversation?" Nick asked with an exasperated tone.

"Not particularly. I was just having fun watching you squirm" Hodges said with a satisfied voice, he nodded at the others before picking up his soda and leaving the room.

"You should have seen your face" Warrick laughed.

"It wasn't that funny" Nick said as he looked at his co-workers amused faces.

"It was pretty funny" Greg agreed with Warrick.

"Don't think this is getting you out of talking about your man" Catherine told him with a stern voice and Nick sighed.

"Please can't we just drop this" Nick pleaded with Warrick and Catherine. He noticed that Greg was staring at his noodles again with a look of concentration on his face.

"The chances of us doing that are slim to none" Warrick told him.

"I don't know what to say; things are complicated" Nick told him hoping they would hear the desperation in his voice and take pity on him.

"Why?" Catherine asked.

"Why what?" Nick asked.

""Why are things complicated?" Catherine clarified.

"Things are complicated because it's me. Me and Nick are together and have been for three months now, but with work and all we want to be careful" Greg said casually as though he was just telling someone the time. Nick couldn't help but stare at him with a shocked look on his face.

"What" Catherine said as she looked at both Nick and Greg. Nick didn't know what to say; he was just as confused as she was. He hadn't been expecting Greg to just come out and say it like that.

"Me, Nick... We're a couple" Greg told her.

"Wow, I wasn't expecting that" Nick managed to say.

"Felt like it was time" Greg smiled at him and Nick returned it with a smile of his own.

"Yeah; I think it was" Nick agreed happily.

Chapter 8: Greg Sanders taking the next step

"I just wasn't expecting that" Nick told Greg later on when they were at Nick's house alone. "Not that it isn't a good thing."

"So you're not mad" Greg wanted to clarify. He had been a little worried ever since he had blurted out his and Nick's private business without even clearing it with his boyfriend first.

"No not at all. Just surprised" Nick replied.

"Why?" Greg asked. Greg knew that Nick had wanted Catherine and Warrick to know about their relationship for some time now; and Greg wanted Nick happy so it made sense to finally come clean.

"Well you weren't even sure if we should be together three months ago and now you're telling people like it's no big deal while you eat chicken noodles" Nick laughed.

"Three months ago I was a nervous wreck Nick. Things have changed since then; I'm happy, I'm happy with you. I want our friends to know that" Greg told him with a smile.

"You're really happy?" Nick asked him.

"Of course and you should know that" Greg replied.

"I guess I've been tiptoeing around certain subjects not wanting to cause a fight or anything, it never occurred to me that your feelings had changed since we first got together. Plus when I brought up the idea of going to Catherine's party together you didn't seem all that keen" Nick said to him.

"Which to be honest I'm still not that keen on" Greg said and he could see the confused look that had settled on Nick's face. "I want our friends to know about us, I don't mind the people we work with knowing but I know what the lab rats are like. They are going to gossip about us like there's no more tomorrow and I don't really want what we have to be the joke of the lab."

"You really think they will make jokes about our relationship?" Nick asked him.

"Nick, I used to be a lab rat; I know they will. They don't intend for it to be mean, it's all just in good fun. But I know it's going to piss me off" Greg replied as he rolled his eyes at the thought of his comrades and their previous antics. But that wasn't the only thing that was bothering him; he was worried that all of them would think he wasn't good enough for Nick. He knew he was being stupid and that's why he held his tongue and didn't tell Nick what he was thinking.

"Most likely... Wait a second did you say going to piss you off? As in they will know" Nick asked. Greg could tell he was having trouble keeping with his weird ramblings.

"I said I wasn't keen on going together. I never said I wouldn't" Greg explained with a smile when he saw Nick's face light up.

"I don't get you sometimes."

"I like to be a man of mystery" Greg joked. "Seriously though, it seems to mean a lot to you which makes it mean a lot to me. I'd do anything to make you smile."

"Are you trying to steal my title as the corny one in this relationship G" Nick laughed.

"I thought I'd give it a try but don't worry baby, you're still the king of corny" Greg smirked as he grabbed Nick by his collar and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Now feed me before I die of starvation."

"I may be the king of corny but you're still the drama queen here" Nick grinned as he headed to the kitchen.
________________________________________

"I'm still shocked" Catherine said to Greg. They were in the locker room getting ready to head home.

"What's so shocking about me and Nick being together?" Greg asked slightly irritated. He understood that Nick was attractive and intelligent and many things that Greg wasn't but did his friends have to sound so surprised at the idea of them being together, it was a little rude.

"You and Nick being together isn't all that weird, after all we have all been waiting for it to happen for years. I'm just stunned that you guys kept it a secret" Catherine explained as she closed her locker. "Are you two coming to the party together?"

"We are" Greg answered and he knew immediately that his voice had sounded off.

"Okay... You don't sound very happy" Catherine commented.

"It's just complicated. I know that every one here thinks really highly of Nick and they think of me as a goof; they are all going to wonder why on earth he is with me" Greg told her and it felt good to give voice to his worries.

"Nobody would think that Greg. We've all been watching you and Nick stare at each other with dopey love filled eyes for years now; the only thing we're thinking is thank-god they finally got their act together. Besides we love you just as much as we love Nick; we don't think any higher of him than we do you" Catherine assured him as she placed her arm around his shoulder. "You're our Greggo and we wouldn't have you any other way."

"You know how to make me feel better" Greg smiled at her.
________________________________________

Greg watched Nick and Warrick play one of the various football games Nick owned from the kitchen. Nick had invited Warrick over for 'guy time'; Greg had offered to go back to his own home tonight and allow him and Warrick to have their quality time together but Nick had insisted that Greg join them.

"Are you coming back in here anytime soon!" Nick yelled from the couch.

"I'm just grabbing a beer; do you guys want one?" Greg asked them and he couldn't help but smile when he got back grunts in reply, the game was obviously heating up because both Nick and Warrick had their fight faces on and were hitting buttons on the controls with such force Greg was surprised they hadn't broken them yet. "I'll take that as a yes."

When Greg returned with three beers in his hand he was surprised to see the game on pause and Nick doing a little victory dance in his seat. "That goal was beautiful man, just beautiful."

"Just hit play on the game Stokes, I'm taking you down" Warrick shot back with an almost evil look on his face. Nick just poked his tongue at Warrick.

"Play nice now boys; It's just a game" Greg interjected.

"Just a game" Nick scoffed. "This is more than a game; this is a matter of pride."

"So sorry, please go on then" Greg said with a grin.

A few hours later Greg was having trouble keeping his eyes open. Nick and Warrick like to talk shit when they played and at first Greg had found it all amusing; but now he was just plain old tired and hoping Warrick would leave soon so he and Nick could go to sleep.

"Nick, I think Sander's is asleep" He heard Warrick say to Nick. Greg couldn't be bothered opening his eyes and correcting him.

"It is getting pretty late" Nick replied.

"Yeah I should get going, Tina will be wondering where I am."

"Cool, see you later man" Nick said. Greg heard feet moving and the door being closed. "Baby, are you asleep?"

"Sort of" Greg mumbled as he shifted himself to get more comfortable on the couch.

"How much is sort of?" Nick laughed as Greg felt Nick's body slide down next to his own. Nick wrapped his arms around Greg and he couldn't help but sigh from the contented feeling that washed over him.

"What?" Greg whispered. He could feel himself slowly drifting off. Heard Nick say something to him but couldn't quite understand it as he finally fell into the darkness of sleep.

Greg wasn't sure how long he had been asleep but when he woke up he was in Nick's bed and not on the couch. He smiled as he turned his body to see Nick sleeping peacefully beside him. He couldn't remember going into the bedroom so he figured Nick must have carried him in there or something; the thought of Nick scooping him up like a woman made Greg laugh out loud.

He felt Nick stir and then saw him open his sleepy eyes. "Good morning... Afternoon... whatever."

"Sorry I didn't mean to wake you" Greg told him.

"It's all good" Nick told him and Greg felt himself get pulled closer to the older man. Nick smiled as he kissed Greg lightly. "Catherine's party is in an hour."

"Really" Greg turned his head so he could see the alarm clock. Nick was right her party started in a little over an hour. "I have to have a shower and get my hair ready."

"Your hair looks fine" Nick smiled.

"No it doesn't; I have bed hair. I can't go to a party with bed hair" Greg grumbled as he tried to get out of Nicks embrace, but his struggling only caused Nick to tighten his hold on him.

"Bed hair is good; everybody will think I just fucked you senseless. Give them something to really talk about" Nick laughed.

"Nick!" Greg whined. "My hair must be perfect. Don't you want me to look good?"

"You always look good to me" Nick replied and Greg couldn't help but smile at the sweet comment. Greg's worries about Nick were slowly starting to fade away. Greg was beginning to realize that Nick loved him and that was all that matters; who cares what anyone else thinks about their relationship.

"And that is very cute my corny man, but I won't leave this house unless my hair is perfect" Greg told him with a light peck on the lips. "So are you going to let me up?"

"Fine" Nick grumbled and Greg felt the arms around his waist disappear.
________________________________________

"So" Greg said with an un-sure voice. They were standing in front of Catherine's door. Greg didn't know how Nick was feeling but he looked far more at ease than Greg was feeling.

"So... Are we going to go in?" Nick asked.

"In a minute" Greg answered quickly.

"Okay" Nick said and Greg could see him smiling. 'Great, he finds my discomfort amusing' Greg thought to himself.

"This isn't funny Nick" Greg said with his best 'I'm annoyed' tone.

"I didn't say anything" Nick replied.

"It's not about what you said, it's about that stupid look on your face" Greg told him.

'"What stupid look?" Nick asked with a frown.

"The one with the big shit eating grin across your face" Greg mumbled.

"What are you two doing standing out here?" Wendy asked as she pushed past them and knocked on the door. "Seriously you looked like an old married couple bickering."

"Hey guys" Catherine said with a big smile as she opened the door.

"Happy birthday" Wendy said as she hugged the older CSI.

"Thanks for coming" Catherine told her as she and Wendy started to head into the house.

"Are you two coming?" Wendy asked as she turned to look at them.

"In a minute" Greg snapped at her. He hadn't really meant to but he was sick of people trying to get him to move when he was perfectly happy where he was.

"Okay, someone needs to start drinking decaf" Wendy mumbled as she followed Catherine into the house.

"G... Why are we standing outside still?" Nick asked with a confused voice.

"I realized we don't have a game plan, we need a game plan Nick or there will be chaos" Greg rambled. He really wasn't sure what he was meant to do; were they meant to walk in side by side but not touching, were they meant to walk in with their arms wrapped around each other; he really didn't know.

"Greg, do you not want to be... a couple tonight" Nick said with a sad tone. "Only Warrick and Catherine know so we can just pretend to be friends."

"No Nick, I don't want to pretend that we are less to each other than we actually are. I just don't know how to go about it" Greg said quietly.

"We just do what we normally do, but with people around" Nick told him with a reassuring smile.

"You want us to get naked on the couch and rub against each other; well, if you insist" Greg joked.

"You're such a funny guy" Nick said sarcastically before holding out his hand. "Just take my hand, we'll walk in, get a drink and everything will be fine."

"Sounds like a plan" Greg smiled as he took Nick's hand and they walked into the house. He knew it was girly but he really enjoyed the simple act of just holding hands; it was a way to be affectionate without being too over the top.

Greg was surprised that they only received a few confused looks as they walked through the house, but most people just smiled and continued to mingle. They walked over to the bar area that Catherine had set up and got two beers.

"You two finally decided to come in I see" Catherine laughed as she hugged them both.

"Happy Birthday" They both told her at the same time.

"Thank-you" Catherine replied. She gestured to their hands and smiled. "That is nice to see."

"We're cute, we know" Greg laughed as he saw Wendy staring at them with wide eyes. She walked over towards them quickly.

"Nick, I hope you broke up with your boyfriend before this started" She said as she pointed at their joined hands.

"Wendy... Greg is my boyfriend. Has been for over three months now" Nick told her and Greg couldn't help but laugh at the look on her face.

"O my god, I can't believe I didn't put it together. I mean I knew you liked each other but I just didn't figure you would ever actually get together" Wendy told them. "I wonder who won the pool."

"The pool" Greg repeated confused.

"I think Bobby's guess would be the closest to when they actually got together" Catherine replied.

"Yeah I think you're right" Wendy said.

"Again, what pool?" Greg repeated himself but both women seemed to be ignoring him.

"Hey Bobby!" Wendy called out and also got the attention of everyone else in the room. Greg looked around and noticed everyone smiling at them with weird looks on their faces.

"Yeah" He replied as he walked over to them. He looked at Nick and Greg and smirked.

"You won the pool, they got together about three months ago" Wendy told him.

"Yes" Bobby said happily. Greg could hear some of the other lab members groan un-happily. A lot of people must have been on this.

"Wait a second. You guys were betting on when Nick and I would get together, how long has this been going on?" Greg asked trying to sound outraged but the truth was he found it quite funny. It was almost flattering that everyone if the lab thought they should be together. He looked at Nick and saw the older man smiling.

"Well, Jacqui started it about six months after you started at the lab Greg" Catherine told him. "People who joined the department later, added their bets after a week of watching you two make googly eyes at each other".

"That is so funny" Nick told them.

"I got knocked out two months after the pool started. I thought for sure you two would get together a lot quicker than you did" Catherine told them.

"Hey I was out after my first month in the lab" Wendy laughed.

"Well technically we were having sex back then" Greg said and then covered his mouth with his hand when he realized what he had said, his face was red with embarrassment. "Oh dear did I just say that out loud."

"Yeah Babe" Nick grinned and Greg could tell he was trying not to laugh.

"Wait does that still mean I win?" Bobby asked. Archie, Sara and Warrick were all standing with the group now and all looked ready to burst out laughing from Greg's previous comment.

"Well the pool was when they would become a couple" Sara added.

"So I do still win" Bobby clarified.

"I would say so" Warrick agreed.

"You people are all nuts" Greg mumbled under his breath.

"Well everyone knows" Nick whispered in Greg's ear.

"Yep" Greg replied with a smile.

"And the sky didn't fall" Nick added as he untangled their hands and wrapped his arm around Greg's waist.

"No it didn't; everything is where it should be" Greg replied as he listened to his friends talk and just let himself enjoy the feeling of being in Nick's arms.

Epilogue: Nick Stokes and Greg Sanders One Year Later

"I like it there" Greg told Nick with a satisfied smile on his face.

"Well... I like it here" Nick replied as he picked up the item and placed it on the shelf above the television.

"It's nice there, it really is. But I still think it looks better here" Greg said as he picked up the photo frame from where Nick had placed it and moved it back to the table against the wall on the left side of the living room.

"It's hard to see there, if we put here above the TV, we and others can actually see it" Nick told him.

"And if people want to see it that badly they can look over here and see it just fine" Greg said as he pointed to the area he had chosen for the photograph.

"You two are like an old married couple" Sara laughed. She was sitting on the couch watching the exchange between the two men.

"We just moved in with each other Sara, don't go jumping too far ahead" Greg said to her. While he was talking to her Nick grabbed the picture and moved it back to the shelf.

"Perfect" Nick mumbled to himself.

"Nick" Greg whined, "It really doesn't belong there."

"Why not?" Nick asked him.

"Because" Greg replied not wanting to put voice to his reasons.

"Because is not an answer Greg, I have a picture of every single niece and nephew I have up here, what do you have against Charlie?" Nick asked. His sister Larraine had just had a baby boy two weeks ago and he had, as with all his siblings children, gotten a picture of the new born and framed it.

"Nick, you know I love your family. All of them, especially the kids. But Charlie... That photo... He looks creepy; he's a creepy looking baby. I'm sorry but it's true" Greg said sounding embarrassed.

"What!" Nick said with surprise, he hadn't been expecting that. "He is not creepy, is he Sara?"

"Well..." Sara said as she looked at the photo. "He does look a little weird, sorry."

"Okay, so he isn't the nicest looking baby but he's my nephew and he should go on shelf just like all my other nephews." Nick replied as he also studied the photo of the young child. He really did have a creepy look on his face but that didn't matter because he is family; and family goes on the shelf.

"But every time I watch TV, or eat on the couch he's going to be looking at me" Greg said in a low voice.

"G, are you telling me you're scared of the baby photo" Nick said with a grin. He was trying his hardest to not laugh out loud.

"No" Greg replied and he saw the looks of disbelief that Nick and Sara both shot at him. "Okay, okay. I'm scared of the creepy baby photo; there I admit it. Does that mean you won't put it up there?"

"Having it up there means a lot to me but if it really bothers you that much then we don't have to" Nick said with disappointment evident in his voice.

"It's okay, we can have it up there. I'll get over the creepy baby fear" Greg said with a smile at Nick. "We'll leave him there with all his little cousins."

"Thank you" Nick said as he pulled Greg close and kissed him.

"And with that display of PDA I'm going to head off" Sara said to them. "The house looks great."

"Thanks" Nick and Greg both replied at the same time.

________________________________________

"So what are we having for dinner cowboy?" Greg yelled to Nick. Greg was on the couch watching a movie while Nick was in the kitchen cooking.

"Mexican!" Nick yelled back. After a few minutes he walked into the living room and smiled at Greg. "It'll be another twenty minutes."

"Can you believe that we own a house together?" Greg asked as he looked around their new home.

"Yes and no" Nick replied.

"What do you mean?"

"Well I can believe it because in a way I always thought we would eventually end up together, like fate or something. I always wanted to be with you and I hoped that you felt the same way; but at the same time when it looked like it was going to finally happen you freaked out so much" Nick told him; a grin across his face as he remembered their first date.

"I did freak out a fair bit didn't I" Greg said as his cheeks turned slightly red, "But in the end I was fine."

"Yeah but that first month of our relationship I had my doubts on whether or not I'd actually be able to keep you" Nick told him. "I'm so happy we ended up here."

"Yeah me too" Greg agreed.

"Now all I have to do is get you bare foot and pregnant and I'll be a happy man" Nick laughed.

"Hate to break it to you baby, but I don't have the right anatomy for that particular dream" Greg said also laughing.

"Hey science is advancing every day; you never know" Nick smiled.

"Quiet you before you witness another freak out" Greg replied. "Besides you're the maternal one here, you can have the babies."

"I really don't think we need to worry about that just yet" Nick smirked. "I should get back to the food."

"That's my little wife, you go and get my food ready woman" Greg joked and Nick just shot him a death glare before heading back into the kitchen.

Nick started to get the plates out of the cupboard and the cutlery out of the drawers. He was humming softly to himself as he finished getting the tacos and burritos set up when Greg ran into the kitchen and clung to him like his life depended on it. "Babe what's wrong?" He asked Greg with a concerned voice and he stretched himself so that he could look into the living room and see whatever had caused his boyfriend to plaster himself to Nick's body.

"The creepy baby is staring at me!"

The End

A/N: That's it... It's all over. Thanks again for reading :) I really hope you enjoyed this story.