Title: The Dragon 5
By: Tiffany F
Pairing: Gil/Nick & Jim/Warrick
Rating: AO
Series: part of The Dragon Chronicles
Summary: Yes Greg is still noticing the changes but what's going to happen when word gets out around the lab? And will they ever be able to tell Greg the truth? Warrick/Brass. I don't own anything CSI related and am only playing around.

Warrick was floating. He'd never felt so happy, so content and so totally satisfied in his life. He kept his eyes closed because he didn't want to dream to be over, to find out how messy his sheets were again and have to take an extra long hot shower before work. He didn't want to wake up alone again.

"Hey," Jim whispered softly, his voice lazy and sleepy. "I can feel your resignation over here; what's wrong?"

"I just don't want this to be a dream," Warrick replied.

"It's not, Rick," Jim said. He rolled over and settled his awakening body against his mate's. "Open your eyes and see for yourself."

The younger man slowly opened his eyes and found Jim sliming down at him, Jim's erection pressing into his own groin.

"It wasn't a dream?"

"Disappointed?"

"Hell no!" Warrick pulled Jim down for a deep kiss, running his hands along his dragon's back. "You planning on using that any time soon?"

Jim kissed Warrick again, craving his lover's unique taste. He shifted around and, with a little help from Warrick, pressed home. It was like nothing Jim had ever felt. Warrick's body just opened for him, holding his cock almost as if their bodies were a puzzle that was determined to put itself together. As his hips started to thrust, Jim wondered how he was supposed to get through the next twelve hours without being able to be with his mate. And then he just stopped thinking for a while to feel.
********************

Greg beat his head on the counter a few times and then just lay there for a moment wondering if there was any aspirin around the lab. He'd had his eyes checked the week before; they were perfect as expected, so he knew it wasn't the reason that both Jim Brass and Grissom looked younger. There was something going on and Greg wanted to know what it was. There was no logical reason for anyone like Brass or Gris to suddenly start looking younger; they just weren't the types to care about how they looked so what was the reason.
"Greg?" Grissom's soft voice broke into his thoughts. "Do you have those samples analyzed for me?"

The young man just waved a hand towards the printer where he knew the test results were waiting. "Is something wrong?" Grissom asked a moment later, stopping next to his young DNA analyst. "I may have some Tylenol in my office."

"Gris, what's going on?" Greg asked, looking up.

"Well it looks like I need to revisit my scene," Grissom replied. "And I think you were either abusing yourself or the counter, I haven't worked out which yet."

"No, Gris, why do you suddenly look at least ten years younger?" Greg exclaimed. "And Brass too? What's going on around here?"

"I'm on a diet," Gil replied smoothly. "My doctor told me to eat at home more than I was. I haven't seen Jim yet tonight so there's no evidence for me to follow there. Are you sure you're not seeing things?"

"A diet wouldn't make your gray hair vanish, your hair darker and thicker and curlier," Greg said. "It won't make your wrinkles vanish and help improve your eye sight. And Brass has looked younger every time I've seen him tonight. Have you discovered the lost fountain of youth or something?"

*Lots of sex, sleep, sex, turning into a dragon and sex* Gil thought, trying not to smile. "No, Greg, we haven't" he said aloud. "I wouldn't lie to you, you know this. If you want I'll give you a copy of my diet."

It was only the fact that Grissom was the boss that kept Greg from throwing a book at his head as he left the lab.
********************

"Albert, we have a small problem," Gil said into his cell phone and Nick drove him, Warrick and Brass back to the crime scene.

"What's wrong, Gil?"

"Our young Mr. Sanders is still pressing the point of my appearance," Gil replied. "And he's noticed Jim as well. He's going to keep pushing and I don't know how long he can be put off this time around. It's entirely possible someone at the lab will put two and two together."

"That's just kinky, Gil," Robbins laughed. "And I don't know that your young mates would agree."

Gil glanced into the back seat of the Tahoe. "Hey Jim, remind me to schedule an autopsy when we get back to the lab."

"Who for?"

"Albert Robbins if he doesn't get his mind out of the gutter and actually help us," Gil growled, eyes glowing.

Nick pulled off to the side of the road and took the cell phone. "Doc, you're really riled him up," Nick said. "Look, why don't you just sound Greg out? Could be he's a human mate and we need to start teaching him. Or he could be unchanged."

"Or just nosy," Jim muttered, the fingers of his right hand drawing abstract patterns on Warrick's palm.

"That too," Nick snorted. "The point is we need to figure out what's up with him before he blabs to the wrong person."

"You're right, Nick," Robbins said. "Tell Gil I'm sorry and I'll venture to DNA on my next break."

Nick smiled. "Cool, thanks Doc."

David Hodges looked around the DNA lab, only entering when he saw that Greg was alone. "Hey."

"What do you need, Hodges, I'm a little busy right now," Greg replied, not looking up from the test tube he was working with. "Not to mention I know that you've got work to do too."

"Yeah, I just wanted to ask you a question," Hodges said. "Is that a crime now?"

Greg sighed and put down the glass tube in his hand. He knew Hodges and knew that it would probably be at least five minutes before the man left his lab. "What?"

"I heard you talking with a couple different people about Grissom and Brass," Hodges said, lowering his voice and stepping in closer to the DNA analyst.

"What about it?"

"Are they really looking younger? I haven't noticed anything different about them."

"Hodges, what business is it of yours if they are?" Greg demanded. "They probably just got plastic surgery or something. It's not a big deal. Gris told me all about it tonight and I'm letting it drop."

"So what's his explanation?"

"He's on a diet," Greg said. "Trying to stay healthy so he can work. Now if you don't mind, I'm trying to work here."

"Oh sure, not a problem," Hodges said. "Not a problem at all."

Greg watched the other man slime out of the lab. "Now what was that all about?" he muttered to himself, going back to work.
********************

"Gil, how do you deal with it?" Brass asked quietly, looking around to make sure they were alone.

"What, Jim?"

"This constant aching need."

Grissom looked up from the desk he was examining and smiled. "Nick and I were lucky; I was on medical leave after my first change," he said. "So we didn't have to jump right back into work. I won't lie to you, Jim, there have been a few slips but mostly having Nicky near me, being able to feel him through our bond is enough. But I do remember how intense the need was the first couple of weeks."

"So what can I do?" Jim asked, shifting from one foot to the other. "I can feel Warrick upstairs with Nick and I know he's fine but there's this longing for him. Does he feel the same way?"

"From what Nick's told me it's less intense a need than ours is," Gil said. "But at the same time, yes, the human mate does feel the pull as well. I wish I could have given him the night off for the two of you to spend more time together and help the bond settle down, but we're just stretched too thin right now."

"I'm sure we can control it," Jim said. "I was just wondering what else I can do to lessen it a little."

"Lots and lots of sex," Gil smirked. "Trust me on that one. When is your next day off?"

"Day after tomorrow."

Gil sighed. "I'll put Warrick on call so you guys can have your time together," he said. "But if Sara's not back from her conference, he'll likely be called in."

"So are there any good spots hidden around the lab?" Jim asked a smile obvious in his voice.

"None that we've bothered to find," Gil said. "There are far too many cameras and people around, not to mention that being nosy is part of our job. Nicky and I just haven't wanted to risk it."

"What about those slips?"

"They were in Nick's Tahoe," Gil admitted, cheeks tingeing red. He looked back down at the desk.
Jim started laughing. "That's priceless," he gasped. "No wonder Nick's got such a strong air freshener in the car. Oh wait until I tell Warrick."

"You do that, Jim," Gil said. "And I'll be sure to tell him where he can get one of the air fresheners. His Tahoe is just as big as Nick's."
********************

Upstairs in the master bedroom Warrick snorted. "Jim's sure happy about something," he said. "Man this feels weird."

"What, knowing exactly what another person is feeling?" Nick asked. "Think of it this way, as the connection deepens you'll always know when he needs you. It makes the relationship a lot easier."

"No kidding, man, that coulda saved my ass a few times in other relationships," Warrick said. "I do wonder though, what could make him so happy at a crime scene?"

"The suspect showing up and confessing," Nick suggested, trying not to grin. He could feel Gil's embarrassment mixed with amusement and knew the two dragons were talking about something personal. "All the evidence being perfectly preserved and ready for us to collect...no, wait; that's Gil."

Warrick laughed. "We're in for a wild ride, aren't we?" he asked, looking over at his friend.

"We sure are," Nick agreed. "And it's going to be the best thing in our lives."
********************

All the cases wrapped up cleanly at the end of the night, meaning no overtime for any of the nightshift crew. Warrick ducked out of the locker room as fast as he could, muttering something about a breakfast date that had Nick almost rolling on the floor laughing. Gil, drawn by his mate's amusement, turned from his own locker and looked around. "Are you all right, Nick?" he asked mildly.

"Yeah, boss, I'm fine," Nick replied. "I just didn't know Warrick had a new girlfriend. I'm gonna have some fun with him next shift."

"Professional, Nick," Gil said, closing his locker gently. He started out of the room but bent down and whispered in Nick's ear, "just don't lay it on too thick or else no one will believe you."

"Right, Gris," Nick said. "I'll look into that before I leave."

"Thank you."

Nick shook his head, eyes following his dragon as the older man left the room. It had been a wild couple of days and he didn't think it would be ending any time soon. He finished packing his bag when the unmistakable sound of Doc Robbins' brace caught his ears. "What's up, Doc?"

"I bet you've been waiting your whole life to say that," Al scolded mildly. "You're much too young to remember Bugs Bunny."

"Nick toons," Nick said. "Besides, who doesn't know Bugs Bunny?"

"You've got a point," Doc conceded. "Is Gil still around? I needed to talk with him."

"He's taken off for the day, probably to see his books and bugs and maybe a crossword puzzle," Nick said, shutting his locker door. "Who knows what that man gets up to on his own time?"

Doc Robbins looked at Nick, a look that said quite plainly 'you do'. "Then I'll have to give him a call," Al said. "Are you off for the next couple of days, Nick?"

"No way, man, with Sara gone I'm pulling extra shifts to make sure we're covered. I've got a date with my bed for a few hours and will probably beat you back here."

"To be young again," Doc sighed. "Don't work too hard, Nicky; it's bad for your health. Take two apples and call me in the morning." He smiled and left with a small wave. Nick just shook his head and left, walking through the halls of the CSI with a slight spring in his step. He knew that his dragon was still in the parking lot, hiding in the Tahoe. Nick figured that most of the shift knew that he and Gil were carpooling on a regular basis and, as Gil never drove to crime scenes unless he absolutely had to, it wasn't a big problem. They were just waiting for someone to ask them about it.

"You shouldn't piss off the coroner," Gil commented softly as Nick was unlocking the door.

"Gris, don't sneak up on a person like that!" Nick gasped, dropping his keys. "I take it Doc Robbins found you?"

"He did and he had an interesting tale to tell," Gil said. He climbed into the passenger seat and leaned back with a small groan. "It seems our young Greg has finally learned discretion but it's come too late."

"How so?" Nick asked, starting the car, the cool air from the AC blowing over their heated skin. "And we need to swing by the store."

"Why?"

Nick grinned. "I want to get Doc a dozen apples," he said.

"Do I even want to know?"

"Probably not," Nick said. "So what's this about Greggo?"

"Al was on his way to speak with Greg when he noticed that Hodges was hanging around the DNA lab," Gil started. "Now that in and of itself isn't unusual, but Hodges was wanting to know about me and Brass."

"Why?"

"Al doesn't know," Gil sighed. "And after Greg told Hodges about the diet I'm supposedly on he left. Something tells me that we're going to have to keep an eye on him for a while."

"Why don't we invite Greg over to our place and sound him out?" Nick asked. "He's fiercely loyal to you, you know that. I think he'd do anything to keep you safe."

Gil sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. "I don't know that I really want to try and explain all this to Greg," he said. "Sheer stupidity of it aside, do you really think we could trust him to keep his mouth shut?"

"For something that's so important to you, yes," Nick said. "If it wasn't for the bond, I'd be a little concerned you know."

"Nicky."

"I know, Gil," Nick said. He pulled into a parking lot. "You coming in or do you want to just stay put?"

"I'll stay put; I feel a headache coming on," Gil replied. He leaned his seat back and shifted around a little.

The younger man leaned over and kissed Gil gently. "Rest, I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Hey Gil, we're home."

Grissom opened one eye and looked over at his mate. "Haven't you ever heard the expression 'don't poke a sleeping dragon'?" he asked, corners of his mouth twitching.

"Oh real funny," Nick said. "What's gotten into everyone today?" He climbed out of the Tahoe to collect the groceries he'd bought at the store and started towards the house. "Maybe it's something in the water. Or maybe the full moon, no wait, that was last week when those three gangs decided to have a knife war just off the strip."

"Or maybe it's the fact that you're so hot," Gil whispered, wrapping around Nick from behind, kicking the door shut behind them. "I'm going to bed, how long are you going to be?"

"Five minutes," Nick replied. "I just want to make sure the ice cream doesn't melt all over the floor, again."

"That was a little messy but I had more important things on my mind."

Nick laughed. "I know, I won't be long."

Gil pulled Nick back and ground his erection against his mate's ass. "I hope not," he growled, eyes glowing.

Nick was debating the pros and cons of just leaving the food in the hall when all the wonderful body heat behind him vanished and left him hard and alone. He shook his head and made his way to the kitchen.

When Nick finally got to the bedroom he found the bed turned down but empty. He frowned because he was sure Gil had said he was going to bed, he couldn't hear any water running in the shower and Nick could feel that Gil was close to him.

"I never said I was going to stay in bed," Gil whispered, wrapping around Nick from behind. "I want to see you in there, wanting me as much as I want you."

"Always, Gil," Nick replied, turning to face his dragon. "What brought this on?"

"Do I really need a reason to want you?"

Rather than answer, Nick took Gil's mouth in a soft kiss. He moved with his older lover towards their bed and stumbled when Gil broke away to push him back onto the mattress.

"Strip," Gil commanded softly, his eyes glowing. "From there, I don't want to see you move. I love the sight of you on our bed. If I could I would keep you there forever."

Nick unbuttoned his blue shirt and opened it, not exactly sure how he was supposed to get out of his clothes while lying down, but welcoming the challenge. He was a little surprised at how possessive Gil was acting all of a sudden but thought it probably had something to do with Jim changing. Gil was the alpha of the two and he might have some control issues until Jim was able to blend. As Nick unzipped his jeans, he silently thanked the magic that kept his body from harm; he knew Gil would never hurt him but a dragon that had an unblended male around could be extremely dominant and needier of their mate.

"Gil," Nick moaned, "when are you planning on joining me here? I've been dreaming about you all night, wanting to just wander off our crime scene to the Tahoe for an hour. I wanted to feel you with me so badly, have you over me, grounding me again. I love the way you feel through the bond and want to feel it again and again."

Grissom growled, the dragon more to the fore than the human and joined his mate on their bed, quickly claiming Nick's mouth in a brutal kiss. Nick's hands tangled in Gil's hair as the older man quickly worked his way down to his nipples, sucking surprisingly gently.

"Ignore it," Nick pleaded when Gil's cell phone rang. "Please Gil, I need you."

"I can't," Gil panted, trying to get the CSI mind to take control. He grabbed his phone from his belt and flipped it open. "Grissom." He listened for a few minutes. "All right, Al, call Jim and we'll be there as soon as we can."

"What?" Nick asked, his arousal weakening as he noticed how concerned Gil was. "Gil, talk to me, what's happened?"

"Al went to talk with Greg about what he's noticed and Hodges," Gil replied, standing up. He walked to the closet for fresh clothes for them both. "Greg's been kidnapped."
********************

"Gil, what the hells going on?" Jim asked, looking around the apartment. "I know that not even Greg would be this messy."

"He's gone, Jim," Gil replied, his eyes glowing briefly as the dragon came to the fore. "Someone dared to touch him."

"Hey," Nick said, putting his hand on Gil's shoulder. "We'll find him and he'll be okay, I promise. You need to stay focused. Now, what are you senses telling you?"

Gil took two deep breaths and tried to focus. He hadn't realized that he thought of the young man like a son until this had happened, until someone dared to come in and take him away.

There was no question that Greg hadn't gone willingly; the sofa and two chairs were overturned, one of the wooden kitchen chairs broken. Pictures had been knocked off the walls and most of Greg's books and movies were on the floor. Nick and Warrick were going through each room as quickly as they could for evidence. Gil was standing in the entry way trying to calm down enough to allow his new "dragon" senses to come to his aid. He'd be able to smell any trace of the people in the room, if only he could get his mind to focus.

"Jim, would you mind checking in with Al?" Gil asked after a moment. "See what else he knows."

"Sure, Gil," Jim said, shaking his head. "I guess it's true, huh?"

"What's that?"

"You don't know what they mean until they're gone."

Grissom snorted and turned his attention back to the apartment. It seemed that Jim agreed that Greg was like a son to them both. Now they just had to find him.
********************

"Where's Greg?"

"Go away, Hodges," Nick sighed, looking up from his microscope. "We don't have anything you can help with right now."

The oily man stepped into the lab and looked at Nick. "I didn't ask what was going on, I wanted to know where Greg was," he said. "I saw the DNA guy from swing in there and was worried."

"Sure, Hodges," Nick said.

Grissom brushed past the trace tech to hand Nick a folder when he froze. "Nick," Gil said. "I think we just found our first lead in the case."

"Where?"

"Right here," Gil said. "Isn't that right, Hodges?"

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Nick stood and moved towards the other man. "If you know where Greggo is then you'd better tell us now," he said. "Before I risk getting my ass fired for assaulting a coworker. Do you understand me, Hodges?"

The trace tech backed up until he bumped into Grissom. "I don't know what you're talking about," he babbled. "I just came in here to find out where Greg was. I don't know why everyone in this lab is always picking on me."

"But you do know, Hodges," Grissom said in a soft, almost deadly tone that surprised even Nick. "Because I picked up traces of your aftershave and trace chemicals in Greg's apartment. You must have gone there right after work if you didn't have time to shower. Now I'm only going to ask you once more, where is Greg Sanders?"

If the situation hadn't been so serious Nick would have laughed as Hodges jumped sideways and back, almost tripping over a stool to get away from Grissom. "I don't know"! Hodges yelled.

"Nick, call Jim," Gil said. "Let him take over this interrogation, we have work to do." He turned and looked at the man almost cowering by the counter. "Hodges, I know that you're lying to me," Gil continued, fighting to keep the dragon under control. He knew he wouldn't be able to blame the lights if his eyes started to glow. "I don't know what you've done with Greg, where you've taken him or what's going on but if he's been hurt in any way I will personally ensure that no one ever finds your corpse. Is that clear?"

"Nick, my office, please," Gil said as he strode down the halls.

"Better you than me," Warrick whispered, recognizing the tone in his boss's voice. "You'd better duck and cover."

"He's just upset about Greg," Nick replied. "We all are."

Nick followed Gil, admiring the view from his position, and he wasn't ready when Gil slammed the office door behind them and pushed Nick against it before claiming his mouth. Nick moaned as Gil's tongue forced its way past his lips, taking possession of him.

"What brought that on?" Nick gasped, trying to control his body's reaction.

"They took Greg because of us, Nick," Gil replied, pulling his bonded in for a hug. "Hodges knows about dragons, only it doesn't sound like anything you've told me about. All he can talk about is darkness and evil and hurting others. And these people have Greg."

"Do they think Greg's a dragon?"

"I don't know," Gil sighed. He pulled Nick over to his sofa and sat down, keeping them in as close contact as possible. "Come in, Jim."

Brass shut the door and locked it once he and Warrick were in the room. Jim didn't hesitate before he pulled Warrick to him for a passionate kiss. "What are we going to do, Gil?"

"I'm still in the dark," Warrick admitted, wrapping his arms around his dragon from behind.

Nick sighed. "There's some people who know about dragons and use their knowledge for evil," he said. "I didn't even think about it because there've been so few reports, the communities have been secure for so long that it slipped my mind until now."

"Will they hurt Greg?" Jim asked.

"Probably not, no more than they have to," Nick replied. "He's safe because he's bait. Hodges must have put all the clues together and gone to these dragon hunters for money. They pay really well for information on locations of dragons. To find two in the same place must have earned Hodges at least half a mil."

Gil and Jim growled. "He's lucky I didn't kill him in the interrogation room," Gil said. "I want to know where Greg is but I can't talk to Hodges without revealing myself. If we're going to survive we have to make it seem like Hodges is crazy."

"That shouldn't be too hard," Nick commented.

"But there's more," Jim said. "We need to find out where Greg is."

"Warrick and I'll get him back," Nick said firmly. "These guys, these hunters, want only one thing and that's to kill you and Gil. They sell your skin, blood, bones, hell your teeth to people who think it'll help them live longer."

"Faked homeopathic medicine," Gil said, suddenly understanding. "But if all four of us go they won't know who the dragon is and who the mate is."

"Yeah, they will," Nick said. "Remember what Doc told you about those little signs that dragons, changed and unchanged, will be able to recognize? These guys know 'em too and they'll know exactly who you are. They have trank guns that can shoot a dart through your scales. Please, Gil, believe me there is nothing you can do to help here. You have to trust Warrick and me to bring him home. I don't want to lose you."

Gil stood up and pulled Nick to his feet. "I could tie you to the desk and keep you here," he said. "I am not letting you walk into a dangerous situation like this without back-up."

"We'll take SWAT with us, Gil," Nick said. "I know your first instinct is to protect me and keep me safe but it's my turn. You're the one in danger here, not me. I won't let these bastards get you, Jim or Greg. Please, please Gil; trust me."

"Nicky."

"I'll tie you down," Nick growled, sounding an awful lot like Grissom when he was in full dragon mode. "You and Jim go and talk with Hodges while Warrick and I get ready. And I'll know if you follow us. Do you understand?"

"I don't like it," Gil said. "But yes, I do."
********************

"They're behind us, aren't they?" Warrick asked, glancing in the review mirror of Nick's Tahoe.

"I knew Gil wouldn't stay put even if I did tie him down," Nick replied. "But I hope he'll stay far enough back that these hunters won't have a shot at him; literally."

"Remind me to kill Hodges when we get back to the lab, will you?"

"You'll have to wait in line," Nick sighed. "I think Gil's got first dibs and you know that no one is going to find the body once he's done. We were talking, Gil and me, about Greg. It's weird that he picked up on these changes when no one else seemed to notice. Or, if they did, no one said anything."

Warrick nodded. "Our little lab rat's becoming a CSI," he said with a smile. "But do you think there's another reason for it?"

"Yeah, I think he's a human bond waiting for his dragon," Nick said. "I wouldn't think there'd be so many of us in one place but I guess that's the way it goes."

"So who's Greg's mystery man?"

"You've been reading, good," Nick said. "I don't think it's anyone in Vegas, or at least anyone close to him. This kind of situation would have forced the change real fast. I dunno, man, he may never find that missing part of himself. I just want to get him back safe and start teaching him because there's no way in hell we're going to be able to cover this one up."

"Not unless we leave the state and I think Greg'd follow us even then," Warrick laughed. "Seriously, you sure they're not going to hurt Greggo?"

Nick sighed. "I don't think so," he said. "But I've been wrong in the past."

The house that Hodges had described was on the edge of town, near the desert, but isolated. Warrick looked around with a wry smile. "What is it with these people and deserted houses?"

"I dunno, but I'm glad we've got the SWAT team here with us," Nick replied. "Because I don't like the idea of us going in there alone for any reason."

They ducked down behind the Tahoe as bullets thudded into the ground. Nick's gaze wandered up and he nudged Warrick; just crossing the moon high enough to be called birds unless anyone knew better were two dragons, circling the scene, watching. "I guess Gil figured out what those wings are for," Nick commented, drawing his gun. "Do you get the feeling this was a set up?"

"What was your first clue?" Warrick asked, looking around. About a third of the SWAT team was on the ground. "Something tells me these hunters are using their dragon ammo on our guys. They're sitting ducks out there."

"Nice; now what?"

Both men were knocked to the ground when Gil landed behind them, a man under each of his front feet. He growled at Nick and took to the air again, obviously wanting to stay out of the crossfire. Nick looked at the men behind him, dead; a couple ton dragon landing on your back is fairly fatal. They were scruffy and looked like they'd been to jail a couple of times; one had a prison tattoo in the back of his left hand.

"Looks like we've got aerial back-up," Warrick commented as Brass landed long enough to take out a couple more shooters. "I hope they know what they're doing."

"Do we?"

"Nope."

"Well, why don't we try and get closer to the house?" Nick asked. "I don't think the SWAT guys are paying us any attention. I have a hunch that the hunters are still in there and are going to try and make a run with Greg."

"Out the back?"

"Most likely," Nick sighed. "And I don't really think we want Jim and Gil to be the ones to take them out. I'd just prefer that Greg not know what this is about until we can get him home and talk to him. If he's going to be a part of the dragon world, this is not the introduction I'd have picked for him."
*********************

Up in the clouds, Jim and Gil found that they were free. Gravity seemed to ignore them as the soared around the crime scene, keen eyes picking out their mates, the SWAT members and the suspects. There were a couple of times that Gil and Jim noticed their mates were in danger and acted to protect them, always taking to the air again as soon as they could to avoid the scale piercing bullets that seemed to be flying below.

It was Gil that noticed the two men sneak out the rear of the structure with a third, smaller form carried between them. He knew that was Greg and his kidnappers, the hunters who wanted him and Jim and were willing to hurt others to get them. Gil called to Jim, explaining what he wanted to do. The silver dragon looked at him like he was mad but swooped around to follow the black dragon back to the earth.

Gil knew that both he and Jim were vulnerable in whichever form they chose for the evening so they had agreed to remain in dragon form. They hoped it would take longer for any drugs to work through their system and give them a better chance of surviving. Gil had commented they should make Kevlar vests for dragons. Jim had laughed and said he'd get to work on it if they both survived that night.

The hunters were obviously expecting the dragons to come from the ground. Neither of them looked up until it was too late and Gil and Jim landed on them, breaking their backs, killing them instantly. Gil picked Greg up gently in his mouth and took to the air again, willing the young man not to move. He sent a message to Nick, hoping their bond had deepened enough that his mate would understand and pull his team out of danger.
********************

"He's got him," Nick said. "Let's go; pull them out and lets get the hell out of here. This is one scene I really don't give a damn about right now."

"I don't think they're going to listen to me," Warrick said. But he pulled out his radio and called the head of the SWAT team and told him that Nick saw Greg escape into the desert and they needed to break off to search for their young friend. He rolled his eyes when he was told the CSIs could leave whenever they wanted but the SWAT team was going to try and take the men still in the building. "Told you."

"They're dedicated," Nick snorted. He looked at his Tahoe. "I don't think this is going anywhere; lets find Gil's and get the hell outta dodge."
********************

Doc Robbins was waiting at Gil and Nick's house when they got in with a still unconscious Greg. Gil was concerned that the young man hadn't woken up. "Can you tell what they drugged him with, Al?"

"Not without blood work," Robbins replied, recapping the syringe. "I think I know a lab that will run this for me."

"Tell Catherine it's Greg's and she'll probably try to do it herself," Gil said. "We'll keep Greg here until we're sure what his path is. I agree with Nicky; I think he's a human bond waiting for his mate."

"Then we'll just have to start teaching him along with Jim and Warrick," Al said. "Gil, I think he's waking up."

Nick and Warrick beat their dragons to the edge of the bed so they were the first things Greg saw when he opened his eyes. "Wha?"

"You were kidnapped, Greggo," Nick said. "How do you feel?"

"Sleep for a week," Greg muttered. "Wha happ'ned?"

"Greg, man, I don't think you'll believe us," Warrick smirked, just happy his young friend was safe and not harmed. "But we'll fill you in, as soon as you can stay awake for it."

Gil looked down at the young man. "You sleep, Greg," he said in his best boss voice. "You're safe here and I promise that there will be no more secrets from you. You're a member of our family now."

"Community," Nick corrected gently. "Groupings of dragons and their mates are called communities."

"Fine, Nicky," Gil smiled. "Is there somewhere we need to register this new community?"

"Nope," Nick said. "Anyone who belongs with us will find us. This is a strong one and it'll grow by leaps and bounds. And you, Gil, are the leader."

Grissom groaned and started laughing. Somehow he wasn't surprised.