Title: Conflict Resolution
By: dhvana
Pairing: gen
Rating: PG
Summary: Grissom makes amends.

Catching sight of Nick's hardening face as he walks towards me, I can't hold back my sigh. Enough is enough. I'm tired of this, of the dark looks and the near-silent treatment from him, of the accusatory glares and resentment from the rest of the staff just because their friend is angry with me and something about me makes it automatically my fault.

Which, granted, is often true, but it's almost never intentional.

Still, the time has come for this episode to end.

"Nick, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Nick's eyes narrow, but he walks stiffly over to where I am standing. "You wanted to see me, sir?"

I do my best not to roll my eyes at the 'sir', schooling my face to remain calm and a little regretful. "Nicky, I just wanted to say I'm sorry."

The chill fades from Nick's expression to be replaced by surprise. "What was that?"

Are my apologies truly so rare? From the stunned look on the Texan's congenial face, I'd have to say yes. Or maybe this one is just unexpected. Still, that's no reason to stop now. "I'm sorry. I was wrong, and I hope you can forgive me."

He shakes his head and now the regret is on his face. "Gris, look, I'm the one who's sorry. It was stupid little thing and I never should have gotten so upset over it."

"Don't even think about it. I'm the one who was wrong, and I apologize."

"You can't apologize without letting me apologize, too."

"Then I'll consider our apologies given and accepted."

He flashes me that infamous grin, and I know we're back to normal. Giving him a smile, I pause long enough to place my hand on his shoulder, then continue down the hall. I relax a little along the way, my own shoulders feeling as if a fifty pound weight has been lifted off of them. Nick's anger always weighs more than the others, probably because it comes so naturally to him when directed towards his cases, but is so unnatural when directed towards his friends.

Catherine is sitting at the table in the break room, perusing the newspaper with a half-eaten sandwich in front of her. She doesn't look up as I enter and pour myself a cup of coffee, but I can feel her gaze on me all the same.

"Catherine," I say in a way of greeting, offering her the opening she's waiting for.

"Grissom," she says turning the page, still not looking at me. "Get everything patched up with Nicky?"

"Yes."

"It's about time."

"I thought so."

"You still don't know why he was mad at you, do you?"

"Haven't a damn clue," I say, ignoring the smirk on her face as I leave the room and head back to my office.