Title: The Dragon 3
By: Tiffany F
Pairing: Gil/Nick
Rating: AO
Series: part of The Dragon Chronicles
Summary: So are there more people who know about dragons out there or even more dragons themselves? I don't own anything CSI related and am just playing.

Jim Brass was a man who watched people. He once quipped that he could sling scum all day long and that was true; he probably was one of the most dedicated and toughest detectives the Vegas police department had. But he also knew when something was wrong or had changed. And he was positive his friend, Gil Grissom, wasn't telling him something.

Grissom had interested Brass from the moment they first met, years ago, and he wasn't even sure why. The other man was a conundrum confounded by an enigma wrapped up in a mystery but Brass sensed that Gil worked to be like that. And he also thought, of all the people they worked with, he knew Gil the best.

Until the day that Grissom came to work with a new, something, about him. Brass had watched him through the shift while they worked the crime scene and interviewed the suspect and Brass still couldn't put a finger on what it was.

"You've noticed too," a soft voice said to Brass' right; a smart place to sneak up on him because it meant a cross-draw.

"Sanders, what are you doing sneaking around like that?" Jim demanded, trying not to show how flustered he actually was. "Don't you have something better to be doing rather than sneaking up on people?"

"Not really, it's been a slow night," Greg replied, his eyes sparkling. "You've noticed that there's something different about Grissom haven't you?"

"What are you talking about, Sanders?"

"Grissom," Greg said. "He's changing; he's younger than he was and more energetic. I've been trying to figure out what's happened but no one will listen to me."

Brass thought about it for a minute and all the puzzle pieces started falling into place for him. "Sanders," he said seriously. "You're meddling in things you don't understand and it's better if you just leave them alone."

"You know something; why don't you tell me?" Greg asked. He hated mysteries and everyone seemed to know the answers but him and it was driving him crazy. "Why doesn't anyone want to tell me about this or listen to me?"

"Greg," Jim said, putting a hand on the younger man's shoulder, "it's not a conspiracy theory or anything you need to worry about. This is something that Gil won't ever be able to talk about with anyone and you're just adding undo stress to his life. Please, just leave it be."

"Jim," a voice said behind them, "were you looking for me?"

"Hey Gil," Jim replied. "No, I was just passing through. I'll talk to you later."
********************

It was rare that Nick and Gil got a day off together as Grissom usually had to go in and deal with paperwork or, if it was a really bad day, Ecklie. But it had finally happened and, against his better judgment, Gil agreed to go out into the desert and attempt a controlled transformation.

Gil was nervous; he'd only changed once and that was when his true mate, Nick, was in danger. He didn't recall anything about it and that, more than anything, scared him.

"Hey," Nick said, joining Gil in their bed. "I could feel you all the way across the house; what's wrong?"

"I'm just feeling apprehensive about tonight," Gil admitted, pulling Nick in against him. "Somehow, I'm not sure exactly how, it scares me."

Nick pulled back and rolled them so he could look down into his partner's blue eyes. "Have you done all your reading?" he asked, referring to the books and journals Nick had brought along when he moved in.

"Yes," Gil replied, his eyes glowing a little as the dragon inside him came to the fore. "I won't deny I'm not excited to try but I still feel separate. The books say that the human and dragon should merge and it hasn't happened yet."

"It will," Nick said. "I've sensed you fighting with the dragon and that might have something to do with it. You need to just let go and let this happen. Its part of you and it won't hurt you."

"I'm scared, Nicky," Gil said. "What if something happens at work and I can't control the transformation? What will happen then?"

Nick sighed; of the two he was the one who knew the most about dragons. Nick had studied them for years and hoped but never expected to become the bonded mate to one. He also understood Gil's fears but knew they were unfounded. One or two practice transformations would give Gil all the control he needed.

"Gil, you'll have to change a few times to gain your control," Nick said softly, pressing kisses to his dragon's face. "None of this is instinctive; it's all learned and that's why there are books and human bonds. Trust me to take care of you."

"I do, Nicky," Gil said softly. "But I can think of one thing that's instinctive."

Nick grinned, he could sense what Gil was feeling and, because their bodies were in such close contact, almost what he was thinking. He knew that as time passed and their bond increased they'd be able to know what the other was thinking.

"What did you have in mind, Gil?" Nick asked as innocently as he could.

Gil pulled Nick over him so their bodies lined up. "I want you," he whispered, pulling his mate in close against his body. "I need you."

It was one thing not mentioned in the books and journals Nick had studied; how intense and frequent the sexual need was for both the dragon and the human. They'd only just managed to keep their hands to themselves at work with one lapse in the back of Nick's Tahoe on the way to a remote crime scene. But Nick figured one day soon they'd end up on the sofa in Gil's office. He just hoped it was on a busy night so there was less chance of them being caught.

"Let me move," Nick whispered. He kissed Gil and pulled back so he was sitting up, legs straddling Gil's hips. "Like this?" he asked, eyes darkening. Nick shifted around and slowly settled back until Gil was buried in him, the magic stretching Nick's body and keeping him from harm.

"Nicky," Grissom moaned, "how close can we get? How deep can this connection run?"

"Through our souls and time," Nick replied, starting to move. "Forever."
********************

There were a number of different if rather poetic ways to describe the desert at night but Jim Brass was more interested in cursing. He wasn't sure exactly what he was doing tailing his friend out to the middle of nowhere but he had to know the truth.

Brass found shelter behind some rocks near Gil's Tahoe and settled in to watch. He had to restrain a gasp of shock and surprise when Nick climbed out of the passenger side and joined Gil.

"You know what to do," Nick was saying. "You'll be about twenty feet long not counting your wings; can you estimate it so you won't hit the rig?"

"Yeah," Grissom replied. He pulled Nick to him and, even from his vantage point, Brass could tell Gil was possessing Nick with a single kiss. "I'm still nervous, Nicky, but I'll try."

"I can't wait to see you," Nick said. "Good luck."

Nick and, still hidden, Brass watched Grissom walked away over the sand, dark clothes blending into the night until he vanished completely. It had been a long time since Brass had given any thought to the strange books in his grandmother's house. At the time he'd thought they were pieces of fiction but now he was starting to wonder. Was it possible that there really were dragons in the world and Gil Grissom was one? He hated to think about it but Brass was probably going to have to figure out a way to move closer.
********************

Gil knew he and Nick weren't alone but kept quiet because he recognized the scent and knew, of all the people to find out, his friend wasn't a concern. But Nick picked up on his dragon's amusement and the eye flick to the rocks.

Once Grissom vanished into the night Nick went over to the rocks and sat down. "He knows you're here," said Nick conversationally, "So why don't you come join me? It's going to be a while and you don't seem that comfortable."

"So it's true then?" Jim asked, trying to hide his disgust at being caught out.

"What, Jim?" Nick asked, his eyes still fixed on the distance.

"Dragons," Brass aid, feeling his face heat up a little. "They're real aren't they?"

"Why do you think that?"

"Oh come on Nick, you're nit Gil and I'm not some suspect you're interrogating," Brass exclaimed. "Look, my grandma had all these old books when I was a kid. I have no clue what happened to them but they talked about humans and dragons."

Nick's eyebrows rose. "So you know the history," he said, obviously impressed. "But did you ever have a teacher?"

"What?"

"I guess not," Nick sighed. "Look, Jim, you're caught up in something that you seem to understand on the surface but never had a chance to really learn. I'm bonded but I'm also human and can't teach. Let's just get through tonight and I'll see if I can help you find someone to instruct you."

Now Jim was really confused. "Nicky, why the hell are you and Gil out here in the middle of the desert in the middle of the night?"

"Because Gil needs the space," Nick replied. "And this isn't something he can do in....oh, he's done it!" He jumped up and ran off in the direction Grissom had vanished in.

Jim shook his head and followed at a more sedate
pace. When his eyes readjusted he was stunned at the sight in front of him. There was a large shape that slowly, like a cloud shifting, changed into a dragon. A large black dragon that was staring at him with very familiar bright blue eyes.

"Gil, I'm so proud of you," Nick was saying as he rubbed the black scaled neck. "Not only did you manage this but I can hear you; you managed to let go enough to blend."

"That's Gil!" Jim exclaimed.

The large dragon started to shimmer, much like a mirage, and its shape shifted until Gil Grissom stood there, looking amused. "Jim," he said softly. He pulled Nick in close to him. "You were right, Nicky; I feel better and more balanced."

Nick kissed Gil and snuggled in next to him. "You've always been an over-achiever," he said softly. "You would have to do it in one transformation."

"So, how much do you know, Jim?" Grissom asked, turning towards his friend. "You're not panicking so you must have some idea what's going on."

"He's untutored," Nick said. "I told him we'd help."

"It's a little hard to believe," Jim finally managed to say.

Nick and Gil smiled at each other. "Which part?" Nick asked. "The dragon or Gil showing anyone affection?"

"All of it."

"Gil, Jim's read some of the histories but was never Taught," Nick continued. "I thought we could check the books and see what needs to be done."

"I have an idea," Grissom said. "Jim, will you follow us back to our home? I believe I know just the person to help you out."
********************

"This place finally looks normal," Jim said from his seat at the breakfast bar.

Grissom looked up from the cutting board, an eyebrow raised. "I could take offense," he said mildly.

"But you won't," Jim said, smiling. "Because you don't give a damn what anyone thinks about you or your obsessions."

"True," Gil agreed. "So tell me, why did you follow Nicky and me tonight? It had to be more than simple curiosity."

Brass broke eye contact and looked down at his hands. "Sanders asked me what I'd noticed about you," he finally said. "I guess I just managed to put everything together and realized a possible truth. But I also knew I couldn't ask you about it because, if I was wrong....."

"You were afraid I'd stop being your friend," Gil said softly, finishing the sentence. "When Nick first told me everything I didn't want to believe him. People seem to think I don't believe in anything science hasn't proved and they're mostly right. But how could I believe something like this? Nick managed to convince me though."

"I don't even want to know how," Brass grumbled.

"Probably not," Gil agreed. He put the chicken in the oven. "But he also let me read his books and the journals his teacher left him. The knowledge helped and we're currently writing our own to help others."

"So what is this, exactly, Gil?" Jim asked. "I mean all of a sudden you can turn into a dragon? That's not something that happens every day."

"No, it's not," Gil said. "Nicky was in danger and I changed to save him."

Brass jumped when someone knocked at the front door. "You're feeling downright social tonight aren't you?" Jim asked, trying not to roll his eyes.

"That would be your teacher," Grissom replied. He raised his voice a little. "Nicky, can you come watch the pasta, please?"

"Sure!"

There were a few moments of not uncomfortable silence broken only but the soft murmuring from the front door.

"Any idea who he's talking to?" Nick asked, spooning one of the shells from the boiling water and popping it in his mouth.

"No," Brass said. "I'm as in the dark as you are."

"Hello Nick, Jim," Dr. Al Robbins said as he made his way into the kitchen. "I hope I'm not too late for supper."

Nick recovered from his surprise first, aided by the amusement he could feel radiating from Gil. "Hey Doc," he said, smiling. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"Just water, Nick; I've got to go back to work," Robbins said. He sat down next to Jim. "I understand you're in need of a teacher, Jim."

"You, Al?" Jim asked, shocked.

Robbins laughed. "I'm unchanged," he replied, as easy going as ever. "Gil and I had a long talk not long after his first change. I'm not surprised he thought of me tonight and called. I am willing to teach, Jim, if you're willing to learn."