Title: Bye, Bye Baby
Author : slashxyouxup
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG
Summary: Eric’s not been sleeping right for almost a week. He wakes up every night from some horrific dream, screaming for his parents and shaking with fear.
Warnings: None.
Disclaimer: Writers lie – just like your parents.

Written for the ‘kid - bedtime’ prompt from my [info]schmoop_bingo card.

Eric Sanders-Stokes is thirteen months old. He’s got sandy hair and big brown eyes, which Greg says he gets from Nick, which is impossible because he shares not one single strand of DNA with either man. But Greg’s come to learn that parenthood isn’t just about matching genes, it’s so much more. It’s that constant warm hold around his heart, a small squeezing feeling with each beat because he’s not just Greg Sanders, long term partner of one Nick Stokes, anymore. No. He’s Greg Sanders, long term partner of one Nick Stokes and father to a beautiful baby boy.

Being back at work after six weeks paternity leave is a whole new ball game. Both Nick and Greg haven’t had so much time off in their life, not after the kidnapping, the explosion or the beating. Nick’s sisters had all teased him about lack of sleep, messy diapers and midnight scream fests – but both men were used to working long, hard shifts on practically no sleep and cleaning up substances far worse than a dirty nappies – so the joke’s on them Nick figures. Greg’s Blue Hawaiian coffee truly was a god send in this particular period of their lives, and Nick thinks is should be prescribed to all new parents.

They’ve practically got this parent/work ratio down to an art, and now that Eric’s a little older with a little more understanding, he knows that when daddies leave, they’re going to be back soon. It still hurts Greg a little though, kissing Eric’s forehead before laying his sleepy baby down in his crib and whispering, “I’ll see you soon, little man.” And then he’s off to face a day of death and devastation.

In the car, on the way to work, Greg crosses his arms over his chest and stares out the window at rainy Vegas. “Will it ever get easier?” he sighs. Nicks smiles weakly and squeezes Greg’s thigh, but he doesn’t answer.

-*-*-

Eric’s not been sleeping right for almost a week. He wakes up every night from some horrific dream, screaming for his parents and shaking with fear. This brings frantic calls back and forth between parents and babysitters, leaving Grissom with a not too pleased look as Greg walks away from talking to a witness with his phone practically plastered to the side of his head. Nick’s a little more discreet with taking calls, where as Greg just flat out does not care. His child’s needs reside high over his job, no matter what the need (or the job).

Nick finds Greg in the break room, snuggled in to the corner of the couch with his phone in his hand, singing his own lullaby rendition of a Black Flag song Nick barely recognises. He smiles warmly, leaning in the doorway until Greg blinks up at him and blushes. “I think he’s asleep now,” he whispers before flipping the phone closed. Nick strides over to the couch and flops down next to Greg, putting his arm around him and pulling him in to a hug. Greg sighs, resting his chin on Nick’s chest. “Y’think he’ll be ok?”

“Yeah,” Nick nods, rubbing Greg’s shoulder. “Kids have bad dreams all the time, G.”

There’s a bustle of noise as the rest of the team make their way in to the break room, not even stopping to glance at the entwined men apparently sharing a ‘moment’. After all these years, they’re pretty used to it. Greg glares in their direction and slides off of Nick, standing to slip his phone back in to his pocket before heading for the coffee pot.

“How’s Eric?” Catherine asks, taking up one of the chairs and directing the question to either parent. Nick shrugs.

“He’s asleep for now. Right, Greg?” Greg nods.

“Poor thing. Lindsey went through something similar when me and Eddie split up. I’m sure he’ll be fine, though. Have you tried those lullaby tapes?”

Warrick snorts. “We’re on CDs now, Cath.” She glares and throws a ball of paper in his direction, though he dodges it easily.

“He doesn’t need tapes or CDs. Not when he’s got his dad to sing him an old punk lullaby…” Nick answers, grinning over at Greg. Catherine smiles and coos.

“Y’know textbooks show that children with a high level on intelligence can suffer from sleep problems from a very early age is they don’t have enough brain stimulant,” Grissom says. “It could just be an over active imagination,” he continues, “but textbooks also show that-”

“Damnit, Grissom.” Grey interrupts, slamming down his coffee mug. “My child is not a textbook,” he heads for the door, pulling out his phone again and mumbling something about calling the sitter. Everyone stares after him, wide eyed and bemused. If there’s one thing they never thought they’d see in a million years, it’s Greg snapping at Grissom.

“Damn,” says Warrick. “Having a kid finally gave him some balls.” Nick reaches over to punch him in the shoulder.