Title: Car Washes and Deck Chairs
Author: Jedi Princess Clarrisani
Fandom: CSI: Vegas
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG
Warnings: N/A
Summary: Nick stepped out the front door and across the lawn, holding out a beer to the other before dropping into his deck chair. Drabble based on the events of csi_labs.
Spoilers: Only those at csi_labs, nothing else.
Authors Note: This fic was inspired by the goings on over at csi_labs, so I dedicated this fic to piratekitten and puppytraining: puppytraining, whose Nick sometimes assists in Brass' plotting, and piratekitten, whose Greg often ends up on the end of said plotting.

-----

Nick stepped out the front door and across the lawn, holding out a beer to the other before dropping into his deck chair. He opened his beer, taking a long drink before grinning, looking toward the other.

"So how are things, Jim?"

"So-so." Brass sipped from his own drink, sighing heavily. "Ex-wife is on my arse about Ellie, Ellie's on my arse because of Sofia, and Sofia is incommunicado."

Nick frowned, settling back and stretching his legs out in front of him. "Yeah, I noticed she wasn't around. Where is she?"

"I have no idea." Brass shrugged, gazing toward Nick's Denali. "I've left her a few messages, but she hasn't replied. I don't know, maybe I'm paranoid. It may have nothing to do with me at all."

"Mm-hm. I'm sure things will work out." Nick followed his gaze, falling into silence for a moment before looking to the side. "Hey Jim?"

"Yeah, Nicky?"

"What exactly was going on with Lady Heather?"

"Heather? Just coffee and cake between friends." Brass sipped from his beer. "You know, I should ask you what happened with that receptionist."

Nick frowned. "Receptionist?"

"The one with the thing for Greg."

"Oh. Her." Nick set his jaw, scowling. "I had nothing to do with her leaving."

"Never said you did."

"Yeah, but you were implying it."

"The girl was hitting on your guy, and the girl quit because of allegations made against her."

"I don't know who made those allegations, Jim." Nick sighed, setting his beer into the holder and unclipping his sunglasses from his pocket, putting them on. "I do kinda prefer the new receptionist though."

"Because she doesn't stalk your man?"

Nick laughed. "No… well, yeah. She's just easier to talk to. And she gets the work done."

"What she's there for." Brass smiled, winking at him before reaching for his own sunglasses. "So how is everything in the lab?"

"A lot quieter since you went back to work."

Brass looked at him, expression one of innocence. "You say that likes it's a good thing."

"The place is nuts. Worse since you and the Doc started conspiring."

Brass chuckled, taking a long drink from his beer. "You're just wishing I was there to handcuff Greg to the table again."

"That would be good. I'm going to have to get you to tell me how you did that."

Brass smirked. "Just need to know someone's weakness. Then you can get them to do anything you want."

"I see." Nick laughed, shaking his head as he looked back toward the Denali. "You just keep on surprising me."

"I'm a man of many talents. Just don't get to show them that often." Brass shifted in his seat, looking toward the SUV. "Got a good body, you know."

"Mm-hm. Eyes off, Jim."

"I know, I know. Yours. No harm in looking though."

Nick looked at him over the top of his glasses before turning back to the car. "Greg, you missed a spot!"

Over at the Denali, Greg turned to glare at him before picking up the sponge again and going over the area Nick pointed to. Brass and Nick exchanged a wry look before going back to their drinks, Brass leaning toward Nick.

"Admit it, you took it out on the desert and got it dirty on purpose."

"It's not a crime." Nick grinned. "He doesn't have to do it, you know."

"I've said it before, Nicky: your pet maniac is an exhibitionist." Brass smirked, sipping from his drink. "Besides, you'll probably have hot sex later."

"That's really none of your business, Jim."

"I'll take that as a yes."

At the SUV, Greg tossed down the sponge, turning to face them. "Are you guys going to help or what?"

"You're doing a good job on your own, G," Nick said.

"No, you should go help, Nicky." Brass smirked. "I'll sit back and judge the wet t-shirt contest."

Greg threw the sponge at him. "Fiend. How about next time you wash while we watch."

Brass tilted his sunglasses to look at him. "You sure you want me to do that?"

Nick chuckled nervously, shifting in his seat. "Just keep washing, Greggo. I'll make up for it later."

"You better," Greg picked up the hose, fiddling with the nozzle until the spray came on. Turning, he began washing off the soap, leaving Nick and Brass to watch him complete his chore.

Brass sighed, finishing his beer. "We'll have to do this again."

"I think Greg's worked out why you come on car wash days, Jim." Nick looked at him. "And while I admit Greg's hot in wet jeans and a t-shirt, I don't want him to start feeling like a sideshow."

"Mm-hm." Brass pushed his glasses back up his nose. "I have more pictures of Greg in the lab shower, only he's dropped a bar of soap."

Nick looked at him. "Before or after you broke the latch on the shower door?"

Brass smirked. "After."

"I really should be worried that you have so many pictures of my boyfriend naked." Nick set his jaw, turning back to watch Greg. "Drop them into the lab next shift and I'll take the car out into the desert next week. Deal?"

Brass smiled, settling back in his deck chair. "Deal."

END