Title: Death After Life
By: wojo62
Rating PG-13
Warning: Character death (sorta)

The city of Las Vegas has been plagued by mysterious deaths for the past few weeks, the M.O. Was the same. Puncture wounds on the victim's neck at the jugular and the body drained of blood. Now this killer had claimed another victim but this time it hit home, this time it was one of their own.

Nick Stokes lies before Doc Robbins in the morgue, his lifeless body like the others. Doc finished his exam and slid Nick's body into it's cold drawer with tears in his eyes.He then went to his office and sat down staring at the paperwork he needed to fill out and sign before Nick's parents arrived to claim their son's body, they planned to return him to Texas for a proper funeral.

Since they had discovered Nick was dead, Greg had been inconsolable, he had cried non stop for hours until he became exhausted. Now he was silent and withdrawn from everything and everyone around him. The team were all so scared that he might hurt himself that they all insisted and Grissom agreed that they take turns staying with Greg to keep and eye on him. He was not to be left alone.

Warrick was the first one on watch so he drove Greg home, tucked him into the bed he and Nick once shared.

"Greg, try and get some rest, I'll be here if you need me."

Warrick said as he sat in the recliner in the corner of the bedroom. Greg starred at the ceiling in silence.

Hours later Nick's parents arrived wanting to see their son's body for themselves. Doc Robbins greeted them, gave is condolences and let them over to the drawer where Nick's body was being kept. When Doc pulled the drawer open all that was left was a sheet. Nick was gone.

Greg had finally fallen asleep a few hours ago, so Warrick headed into the living room and turned on the TV but he could only flip through channels mindlessly as he thought about loosing his best friend and co-worker. He lied down on the couch as his tears began to flow. Moments later he was startled by the sound of Greg screaming Nick's name. He jumped to his feet and ran to the bedroom, where he found Greg stepping out the sliding glass doors to the balcony outside the bedroom calling for Nick.

"Greg, what is it, what are you doing out here?"

Warrick asked as he joined him outside.

"He was here, Rick," Greg answered.

"Who was here?" He asked him.

Greg turned to him with eyes filled with tears.

"Nick," he cried "He was here, I saw him. He was calling to me."

"Greggo c'mom he could not have been here, he's gone. It was only a dream, let's get you back to bed," Warrick said trying to console him.

"No, it was real," Greg insisted. "I know it was real, it had to be." Then Greg cried out Nick's name in desperation. "Nicky come back please! I can't live without you, come back!! Please Nick, I need you!" He then fell to his knees and brought his hands to his face and began to sob uncontrollably.

Warrick fighting back his own tears gently pulled Greg to his feet and let him back inside.

"I'm so sorry Greggo," he managed to say. "I wish he could come back too but he can't, Nick is dead."

He tucked a crying Greg back into bed and sat with him as he cried in his arms."

"I...miss...him...so..much," Greg cried between sobs.

"Me too," Warrick said, as he held Greg close, trying to comfort him.

Nick stood watching in the shadows as he thought to himself and smiled. "My G can't live without me." Just the words he wanted to hear.

After Doc informed Grissom of Nick's vanishing act, a meeting took place in Doc's office with Nick's parents. Grissom apologized and assured his parents that everything was being done to get to the bottom of this unfortunate situation. He also requested that for now this information be kept among the four of them, there was no need to create panic or undue stress in the lab. His parents reluctantly agreed and returned to their hotel to wait for any news.

Later Grissom lifted two sets of prints from the drawer handle and processed them. The first set belonging to Doc Robbins which was no surprise but what was a surprise is what he discovered about the second set of prints. They belonged to Nick!!

Greg finally cried himself to sleep and Warrick went to the kitchen to get a much needed glass of water. Moments later there was a knock at the door and he answered it. Sara had arrived to relieve him.

"How's he doing?" She asked.

"Not good, he's having nightmares and thinks he saw Nick outside his room." He answered with a sigh.

"That's terrible, poor Greg," Sara said shaking her head.

"Tell me about it, well at least he's asleep now." Warrick wished her luck, patted her shoulder, and left the house. It was her turn now, Sara went into the bedroom and Greg was still sleeping. She sat in the recliner to keep an eye on him, she wanted to be there for him in case he had another nightmare. She didn't want him to wake up alone, he looked so tired and stressed.

She felt so bad for him because he was taking this so hard, she understood the pain he must be going through. Loosing someone you love is never an easy thing to deal with and she should know. Sara saw movement out of the corner of her eye, the last thing she remembered was Nick staring at her through the balcony doors. Then everything went black.

Greg awoke to the sound of some one whispering his name, he opened his eyes and sat up when he noticed Sara sleeping in the recliner across from him. She appeared strange, almost trance-like. "Obviously she didn't call me but who did", he thought to himself. He called out her name. "Sara!" But there was no response. "Sara , wake up" but still she did not respond. He was about to try again when suddenly Nick appeared between them.

"She won't awake, not until I am gone" Nick said matter-of-factly. Greg sat back in disbelief. Was this for real or just another dream.

"Nick, Is it really you?" He asked with eyes filled with hope. "Or am I dreaming."

"It's really me Greg, your not dreaming." Nick answered moving to sit next to him on the bed. "I came back for you."

"But they found you dead! How can you be alive now?" Greg asked in confusion.

"I not alive G, not really because I have no soul." He began to explain.

"I don't understand," Greg interrupted. "How is this possible? It can't be real."

"It is real, I will try to make you understand," Nick said as he took Greg's hand in his. Greg's mouth fell open as he felt the coldness of Nick's hand, and he knew then it was real. Nick wasn't alive but he was there with him anyway. Greg closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath as Nick continued to explain.

"The one who killed me was a vampire, and he made me one too. I am a vampire G. and even though I have no soul I still hold my love for you in my heart. That is the reason I am here and also why you [and Sara] are still alive. I wasn't given a choice but I am giving you one because I love you. however, I cannot resist my need much longer."

"What choice Nicky?" Greg whispered already sure he knew the answer.

Nick went on. "You can choose to go on with your life without me in it and I will make you forget you saw me here tonight and I will disappear and never return. In time the pain of my death will fade and you can move on. Or you can choose to become like me and we will be together forever, just the two of us. That means no contact with family or friends ever."

"Why Nicky, why do I have to choose, can't we just be together the way we are?" Greg asked.

"I'm sorry Greg but it can't work that way because my desire for you and my thirst are one in the same. I cannot be with you without hurting you, and I don't want to take you against your will, so you have to choose and you have to do it now before I loose control."

The sound of Greg's heartbeat echoing in his ears nearly driving him insane with need as he waited for Greg to answer. Greg looked at Nick , his big brown eyes filled up with tears and he swallowed hard as he answered.

"I don't want to die Nicky...But if I have to live without you I may as well be dead already. I will die for you Nicky so we can be together forever". He threw his arms around Nick and held him. There lips met in a desperate kiss, tongues exploring while hands quickly removed unwanted clothing, their bodies pressing together. Nick's coldness against Greg's warmth. He pushed Greg into the mattress still kissing him passionately, his hard cock grinding against his lover. Greg broke the kiss for air and moaned with pleasure as Nick continued to grind against him. Panting heavily, Greg begged. "Make love to me Nicky, I need you inside me so bad."

He put his arms around Nick hugging him tight and wrapped his legs around him, thrusting his hips upwards to urge Nick on. He entered him with no preparation but Greg didn't care because he wanted him so badly. The pain was fleeting as Nick's cock brushed against his pleasure zone, and he cried out to his lover.

"Oh God, Nicky yes! It feels so good, harder please. I love feeling you inside me, Oh please don't stop Nicky,Yessssss!"

Nick quickened his pace and Greg threw his head back and continued to moan loudly. Nick focused on his lover's neck, his jugular pulsating under his skin.

"Not yet," Nick thought to himself and he closed his eyes briefly to gain control, he then reached between them and took Greg's cock in his hand and began to stroke as he thrust into him. Greg was panting and writhing beneath him and Nick could tell he was getting close.

"Oh fuck Nick, Oh God, I'm gonna cum!" Greg cried between moans.

"Yes, Greg, I need you to cum for me." Nick urged him.

That was all Greg needed to let go and his eyes rolled back in his head as he came hard into his lover's hand. That's when Nick took him, sinking his fangs into Greg's neck.

Greg gasped but felt little pain and he continued to hold Nick tight as the life was sucked from his body. Nick still trusting into Greg as he drank. He could hear Greg's heartbeat slowing and his grip was loosening, Nick bit into his bottom lip drawing his own blood to mix with Greg's in order to make him become like him, and as Greg's heart beat it's last and his arms fell away from him, Nick came harder than he ever had before and collapsed onto his lover's dead body.

Moments later he dressed and slipped into the night to wait for the transformation to be complete and Greg would know where to find him and come and join him forever.

Sara slowly opened her eyes everything seemed blurry, she felt a bit confused because didn't remember falling asleep. She rubbed her eyes and finally everything came into focus. That's when she noticed Greg lying on the bed naked. "That's strange," she thought she was sure he was dressed when she arrived. Curiosity moved her closer to the bed, she discovered how pale he looked and to her horror there were puncture marks on his neck. "Oh God." She said to herself. "Not Greg too, what the hell is happening and how could this have happened while I was right here watching him!" She reached out and felt for a pulse but did not find one. Nothing made sense to her and she wondered why she was left unharmed. She sat on the bed and put her face in her hands and began to cry. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned around to face Greg sitting up and staring at her strangely.

"Greg!!" She cried hugging him to her. "My God, I thought you were dead!"

"I am," he whispered as he sank his fangs into her jugular.

Sara lay on the bed, her dead body drained and pale. Greg dressed quickly and looking outside he realized the sun will be rising soon and if he was going to meet up with Nick he had better do so now. He swiftly left the house. Nick stood at the entrance of the cave, the same bat cave he and Grissom once explored looking for a lost minor a few years ago. He remembered how his stomach churned at the thought of bats and the smell of their guano. He waited for Greg knowing the sun would be rising within the hour and he was edgy. Would Greg make it there in time? He began to pace growing more agitated. Moments later Greg arrived and seeing Nick he threw his arms around his neck and playfully planted a kiss on his cheek. Nick grabbed him and shoved him hard against the cave wall pinning him.

"Miss me?" Greg asked laughing but Nick was not amused.

"Dammit G, the sun is almost up! You cut it too close, you shouldn't have risked it". Nick said angrily continuing to hold him against the wall.

"Ok fine, so I'm a bad boy, whatcha gonna do about it?" Greg asked sarcastically.

"I'll show you!" Nick almost shouted grabbing his arm and holding it out by the wrist and pinned against the wall towards the cave entrance. The sun was rising and moving closer and closer to them. Greg struggled but Nick was stronger and held him fast.

"Nick!" Greg yelled at him "What the fuck are you doing?!"

"Showing you why you can't risk being out when the sun comes up you little shit!" Nick answered as he watched the sun creep closer.

"No!" Greg pleaded "Stop!, I know why so let go of me Stokes!". Nick didn't budge.

The sun inched closer and Greg tried again to break free but couldn't and he watched in horror as the sun's rays reached his fingertips, they began to smolder and Greg cried out in pain and terror. Suddenly Nick grabbed him and dragged him deeper into the cave before any damage was done.

"You got it now Greg?" Nick's voice lowering.

"Yeah, I got it you fucking bastard!" Greg screamed and smacked Nick across the face with all his strength almost knocking him off his feet. Nick again shoved him against the nearest cave wall and pinned him.

"I had to show you G, I'm sorry but I just can't stand the thought of losing you. I love you so damn much." He sobbed holding Greg close. Greg held him back and gave him him a quick but hungry kiss. He could feel Nick's erection hard against him.

"I'm so sorry Nicky, I was hungry," Greg said also becoming aroused and he ground into Nick and smiled that smile Nick loved so much.

Nick smiled back and raised an eyebrow. "And?" He asked grinding back. Getting a soft moan from Greg for his effort.

"And, I had Sara for breakfast." He answered smirking. Nick's eyes grew wide.

"You didn't turn her, did you Greg?" asked Nick concerned.

"Don't worry Nicky, I didn't. Could you imagine Sara as a vampire? Besides she's a vegetarian." He said laughing. "So I did her a favor by not turning her, she was miserable in life and she'd be more so in death. She's better off." Greg tried to convince Nick of this fact by sucking on his earlobe the way he knew Nick loved it causing him to moan and he reached around and grabbed Nick's ass trying to pull him even closer and Nick grunted with pleasure.

"Not cool man, Grissom will stop at nothing to find her killer, now we might have to leave Vegas sooner than we planned." Nick whispered into Greg's ear, his excitement growing stronger as they moved together against the wall. He put his hands under Greg's t-shirt and caressed his bare chest. God, how he loved touching him and knowing how much it turned Greg on to have his hands on his body made him quiver with lust.

"I couldn't help it Nick" Greg said in between soft kisses down his lover's neck. "She was hugging me and the sound of her heartbeat, the smell of her blood, I just couldn't control myself." He looked into Nick's eyes and pouted. Pouting always worked when he wanted Nick's forgiveness or anything else for that matter, he knew it was irresistible.

"It's OK. I'll get it Greg, but we have to be careful".

Nick said as he moved one hand down to cup Greg's erection through his jeans causing a growl deep in Greg's throat. Nick's eyes grew dark with desire as he opened his lover's pants and put his hand inside grasping his cock and stroking it slowly, knowing how to drive Greg crazy. Greg's growling and moans became louder and more frequent as his desire grew, and he returned the favor as he kissed Nick hard, tongue exploring his lover's mouth. They both moaned into the kiss as they stroked each other faster and harder until they both came crying each other's names.

Later that morning Catherine arrived at the house intending to relieve Sara, she knocked on the door but got no answer. She knocked several more times and then tried the door, it was unlocked so she went inside.

"Sara!" She called out but got no answer."Greg! Sara!, are you here?"

When she still received no reply she pulled her gun taking no chances and searched every room finding no one until she made her way into the bedroom and stopped dead throwing her hand over her mouth and gasping at the site before her.

Sara was lying on the bed, obviously dead, puncture wounds on her neck like the others and she wondered why Greg was gone. She fought back her tears and composed herself as she put her gun away and retrieved her cell phone and dialed a familiar number.

"Grissom." He answered on the other end of the line.

"Gil." She began "I have disturbing news".

Grissom could not bring himself to go to the crime scene. Normally unemotional, all the feelings he bottled up and denied for Sara had come to the surface. He locked his office, dropped his head down on his desk and weeped.

Catherine processed the scene while fighting to keep her emotions in check. She did it for Sara. She took photos, she swabbed Sara's neck wounds for saliva and possible DNA, she checked the bed and found semen, she collected a sample. Then she waited for David to arrive and remove Sara's body.

Afterwards she returned to the lab and gave the samples to Mia. "Find me" was all she was able to say before she left the DNA lab. Since Grissom's office was locked she went into the break room. She tried to call Warrick several times but he didn't answer, he was not aware of recent events and she wanted him to know and could use his help, but it was his day off.

Deep inside their cave Nick and Greg lay together naked on the sleeping bag Nick thought to bring when he last left the house, he also brought along his laptop and a bottle of lube. It was daylight so they couldn't go out so, they formed a plan to return to the crime lab when the sun went down, take Nick's truck and leave Vegas for good. Meanwhile they would pass the time the best way they knew how.

"I'm sorry I hurt you earlier Greg, I lost control and overreacted, won't happen again. I promise." Nick said as he held Greg close.

"It's OK baby, you're forgiven. Why don't you use those lips for something other than talking," Greg said smiling.

There lips met and they kissed deeply as their tongues probed each other's mouths hungrily. The kiss continued and Greg decided that being a vampire had it's advantages because they could kiss as long as they wanted, never having to come up for air.

Their arms and legs tangled together while hands roamed each other's bodies. Greg took control and he rolled on top of Nick, their erections brushed together and they moaned in unison at the sensation. His mouth left Nick's and traveled down his jawline to his neck, kissing and licking slowly.

Working his way down to Nick's chest, he flicked his tongue over each nipple cause the nubs to rise. Moving down further, he raked his fangs over his lover's washboard abs causing a shiver to run through Nick's body and another moan to escape his lips. Yes, being a vampire definitely has it's advantages. Greg looked up, locking eyes with Nick for a moment then moving downward he licked a line up from the base of Nick's shaft to the head, dipping his tongue into the slit and licking the pre-cum that collected there. Nick groaned loudly and clawed at the sleeping bag, thrusting upwards for more contact.

"Greg, please." He begged.

"Please what?" Greg asked smirking.

"Just do it please, stop teasing and suck me...I need your mouth on me," Nick begged again.

Greg smiled broadly. "I'm gonna make you feel so good baby" Greg promised as he moved his mouth over Nick taking him all in, giving him what he wanted. Greg sucked him hard, his tongue doing things that made Nick crazy.

Greg reached for the lube and coated his fingers and he slowly penetrated Nick's tight hole. He sucked his lover's length as he prepared him with his fingers, causing Nick to moan even louder.

"Oh God!" Nick cried "Oh Greg...yes...so good...more please!"

Greg raised his head and once again locked eyes with Nick.

"Do you want to be fucked Nicky?" Shoving his fingers in harder making Nick thrust upwards.

"Yes, do it...fuck me now...want you...need you inside me...please Greg," Nick pleaded.

Greg wasted no time, he took hold of Nick's ankles and lifted them up towards his head where Nick took them in his own hands, spreading himself open for his lover. Greg lubed himself up and positioned himself at Nick's opening and pushed inside him, slowly at first. He gripped Nick's hips as he buried himself deep inside. Nick cried out with pleasure.

"God yes...Harder, please!"

Greg began to slam into him harder and faster driving them both mad with desire. The sound of their bodies slapping together and their moans where the only thing heard throughout the cave. It echoed in their ears only building their excitement.

"On Nicky...oh fuck...so tight...so good...oh yes...love being in you," Greg moaned as he continued ramming into Nick hard. He reached over and wrapped his hand around Nick's throbbing member and stroked as he fucked him. Nick threw his head back, he couldn't hold back any longer and came first, screaming Greg's name. His cum spilling over Greg's hand. Feeling Nick clench around him Greg lost control and came hard as he too moaned his lover's name. He collapsed over him, they just held each other.

"I love you G."

"I love you too Nicky."

Waiting for the sun to set, they drifted off to sleep still tangled in each other's arms.

Grissom once again in control emotionally unlocked his office, Catherine walked in a moment later. She notice his eyes were red rimmed but kept it to herself knowing he wouldn't talk about it.

"What do we know?" He asked

"Nothing yet, I'm still waiting for the DNA results," she answered. And I still haven't heard from Warrick. I hope he's OK."

Grissom raised his hands to his forehead.

"My God, Catherine half of my CSI's are either dead, missing, or both and I don't know why." He said feeling defeated.

"Look Gil, I'm sure Warrick's fine. It's his day off, he's probably just spending some quality time with his wife," she said trying to reassure him (and herself) and we don't know for sure Greg has been harmed, he could be just fine."

Grissom only sighed in response. Just then Mia entered the office. "I have your DNA results and I have to warn you, the results are shocking". She took deep breath and continued. "The sample recovered from Sara's wounds are a match to Greg Sanders." Grissom's jaw dropped in surprise and Catherine sucked in her breath.

"Shocking is an understatement," she said in disbelief.

"Believe it or not," Mia continued. "That's not the shocking part. The semen contained two donors, the first also matched Greg. The other is a match to." She paused a moment.

"To Nick Stokes." Grissom's eyes widened.

"Well, it has to be an old sample." Grissom said.

"No, they were both fresh, six hours old at the most," Mia insisted.

"But that's not possible!" Catherine protested "Nick has been dead over 24 hours! There has to be a mistake."

"I checked the results several times, I couldn't believe it myself but there is no mistake," Mia answered.

"Then what the hell does this mean?!" Catherine asked throwing up her hands. Mia just shrugged and left the office leaving the two of them alone.

"What never lies?" Grissom asked her.

"The evidence." She answered.

"It goes against my beliefs as a scientist but with all that's happened the evidence points to only one conclusion". Grissom stated.

"What conclusion is that?" Catherine asked exasperated.

"Vampires," Grissom said simply. Catherine nodded in agreement.

That evening Nick and Greg gathered their belongings and left the cave. Hand in hand they walked back to the crime lab, stopping along the way only long enough for each to grab a snack, which consisted of a homeless man Nick spotted in an alley sitting alone on a piece of cardboard. Greg watched unseen as Nick approached the man and said to him. "You shouldn't be out here all alone, it's very dangerous, let me help you find someplace warm and safe, I'll pay, my treat." He held his hand down to the man who hesitated at first and then took hold of the hand offered to him. Nick pulled him to his feet and before the man knew what hit him Nick was on him in an instant biting into his neck. Afterwards Nick let the man drop back down to the cardboard and rejoined Greg. Greg kissed him and tasting the blood he pulled back.

"I need some Nicky," he said.

"Ok," Nick replied. "We'll find you someone". They walked on until Greg eyed a prostitute hanging out on a corner.

"Her," Greg said. "I want her."

He walked over to her as Nick watched. "Hi, How much for a suck?" Greg asked her. Nick laughed to himself, Greg was so damn funny!

"50 bucks," she answered him and ushered him into the dark where the streetlight was out.

"Drop the pants honey." She instructed.

"You misunderstood," Greg said. "You're not sucking me, I'm sucking you." Before she could respond Greg's teeth were buried into her neck. She too was left dead on the ground as he went back to Nick. Killing those that won't be missed was Nick's idea of being careful and they continued on their way. "That was fun," Greg said as they walked on.

Once they reached the lab's parking lot they stayed in the shadows as much as possible to avoid detection. When they reached Nick's truck, Warrick's car was pulling in and Nick quickly ducked down and remained hidden but Greg had already been seen.

Luckily Warrick didn't know about Sara's death yet, he spent his day off at the lake with Tina. He got out of his car and was shocked to see Greg at work.

"Hey Greggo, I'm surprised to see you here, feeling better?" He asked.

"A little," Greg answered.

"Don't tell me your back at work this soon." Warrick said with concern.

"No, I'm not coming back to work. I'm leaving Vegas, I told Grissom I quit," Greg lied. "Too many memories, I just can't deal."

"Sorry to hear that Greg." He began "Maybe you should give that some thought, give yourself some time you..."

"No," Greg cut him off eager to leave. "Minds made up, I can't stay."

"Well then good luck" Warrick hugged him briefly "I'll miss you around here".

"Me too" Greg said as he got into the truck. Warrick waved, turned and walked off. They watched as he disappeared into the building. Nick got into the truck and they drove off.

As they drove Greg pulled open the laptop and typed a letter to Grissom, after he was finished he e-mailed it to his boss.

Grissom seeing there was a message in his in box opened his email. There was one message and he noticed the sender address: CSIsanders1@lvpd.com. Grissom began to read.

Grissom,
You are a smart man and I know you have figured all this out by now, I've always admired that about you.
Nick and I have left Vegas and will never come back, so don't try to find us...please.
I am sorry about Sara, she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. She was my friend but I could not control what happened. Don't worry, she won't become a vampire. I could not do that to her. Thank you for everything and for believing in me. I didn't mean to let you down but I did not have the strength to go on living with out Nick. I am sorry, Greg

"Nick, where do we go from here?" Asked Greg after putting the laptop away.

"I figured maybe Mexico." Nick answered."It will be easier to hide there".

"Sounds like a plan" Greg said and he reached out and held Nick's hand as they drove. He knew somehow they would enjoy their death after life, just the two of them forever.

THE END