Title: Drinks
Author: Jennie
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: Teen
Category: First time
Archive: If you wish
Feedback: badly needed on this, my first try at G/N
Authors Web Site: http://www.fhsarchive.com/jennie/
Series/Sequel: First in a series as yet unnamed
Disclaimers: Not my characters, no copyright infringement intended
Authors Notes: No beta - just an idea that hit me this morning and demanded to be started. If it sucks, please tell me!
Spoilers: None so far
Summary: Greg gets outed.
Warnings: none

It had seemed to be a great idea. Really, it had. Drinks with "the boys" after work. How often had I watched Nick and Warrick agree to hit a bar at the end of a shift? And, how often had I wanted to be asked to join him...them... him?

Yes, I'm pathetic. You wanna make something of it?

This morning Nick had casually asked me to tag along. *Finally*. Naturally, I jumped at the opportunity. Not only did it seem an excellent way to solidify my new standing as a CSI, it was chance to be around Nick away from work. Because, yeah, I have a thing for him. A really *big* thing. (Pun intended)

And it started out well. Three guys downing a pitcher of beer, gossiping about coworkers (yes, people, men gossip), talking sports (I know damn all about sports, but I can bullshit with the best of 'em), and leering at women. Now, women aren't my first choice in sex partners, but I can sure as hell appreciate beauty when I see it no matter the gender.

Things were going well. Bonding. Male bonding. Yessir. Not the kind of bonding I prefer, but, hey, beggars can't be choosers, right?

Then, praise the lord, Rick wandered off to try his luck with a woman we'd all agreed was outstandingly... um... outstanding. I was thanking every god I'd ever heard of when *it* happened.

It being the unfortunate entrance of a guy I'd fucked sometime last summer. Nick gave me an odd look when I suddenly slumped in my seat and started studying the tabletop with absolute fascination.

"Greg?"

"Yeah, Nick?" I mumbled, never raising my eyes.

"Something wrong?"

"Nope. Not a thing. Why do you ask?"

"Well, there's the fact that you just shrank a foot or so, not to mention the way you're studying the table with such concentration."

I shrugged. "Must be tired."

"Uh huh." Skepticism, thy name is Nick.

Going for the save, I yawned mightily. "Really, Nick. I didn't sleep very well yesterday. Guess it just caught up with me all of the sudden. You know, relaxing and drinking... I, uh, I'm just tired."

Head tilted to one side, Nick studied my expression. "You don't look tired, G. You look... scared."

"That's my sleepy look."

"Rii-ight." And he started scanning the room, presumably looking for whatever had *scared* me.

Damned if the guy... Jason? No, Jacob, appeared at my side, seating himself next to me and throwing a casual arm over my shoulders. "Greg!" he greeted me with delight. "Long time, man. Thought you'd dropped out of the scene."

Nick cleared his throat and Jacob glanced over at him. And whistled in appreciation. "He the reason you haven't been to the clubs lately?"

Oh fuck. Ohhhh *fuck*!

Frantically, I shook my head. "No! I... it... he... works with me."

"Damn! You're one lucky guy, Greg. If I had scenery like him at work, I'd never leave."

I wished for a black hole to appear and just suck me right in. Because, godfuckingdammit, There was no way Nick could miss the implications of *this*.

"Would you excuse us, sir?" Nick asked in a tight voice. "Greg and I have some things to discuss. Privately."

"Far be it from me to interfere in a relationship," Jacob said jovially. "I'll just go and mingle."

A deafening silence fell as Jacob squeezed my shoulders, then rose and sauntered off.

"So," I said weakly. "Who do you like for the Superbowl this year?"

Silence. So not good. I chanced a look at Nick, lowering my eyes quickly at the sight of his clenched jaw and heightened color.

"The Stanley Cup?"

Nothing.

"Ummm... Wimbledon?"

"Greg." Ah ha, it speaks.

"Yeah, Nick?"

"You want to explain what he was talking about?"

"Not really."

He sat back and crossed his arms on his chest. "Tough. I want an explanation and I want it now."

Doomed. I was definitely doomed.

***