TITLE: Nick Stokes, Lab Rat Extraordinaire
AUTHOR: Clockstopper
RATING: NC-17 (over all)
PAIRING: Nick/Greg
DISTRIBUTION: Currently playing on 'What Makes a Desert Beautiful: Nick/Greg archive'. You want just ask! Tell me where my baby's going though.
DISCLAIMER: Not mine
SPOILERS: Not really

*******

Nick Stokes liked the silence of the lab. As a kid his life had been loud. He had been surrounded by his sisters his whole life as a child. They were loud and they were obnoxious and they always liked to pinch his cheeks or say how cute he was. Nick had hated it growing up and he hated it now.

He had decided early on in his life that he wanted to do something that could leave him in total isolation if he chose it. This left out becoming a lawyer like his parents had wanted. It was his way of acting out from being in a big family and being the baby. Science had always fascinated him as a kid so it made perfect sense that he do something involving science.

The whole law thing had come from his parents. He had felt that it was his obligation to at least do something that had to do with law. He had been a lab tech in a research lab before he realized how utterly boring it was and decided to try his hand at working in a crime lab. He found it was something he enjoyed.

Moving to Las Vegas had upset his parents terribly as well as many of his siblings. He knew that they'd get over it, but it was still a shock for them to digest. Nick thought it was for the best though.

When he got the job he couldn't have been more satisfied with himself. He'd been a little intimated by Brass. The man reminded him of his oldest sister's husband, Dan who was a cop. He wasn't a big muscular man, but his whole demeanor just screamed 'don't even try to lie to me'.

His boss, Gil Grissom, seemed very odd. If Nick hadn't worked in a research lab for as long as he did he might have been nervous around the stoic man. Grissom rarely talked during his interview and when he did it was a few words at a time.

He knew all about Dr. Grissom though. He had a good reputation and was very knowledgeable. It was easy for Nick to feel ill at ease around the other man.

Grissom had introduced Nick to the whole lab that night and the CSIs that worked there. All the lab techs were very friendly and eccentric in their own way, but Nick felt he'd fit right in with all of them. It was the CSIs he felt a little edgy around.

The first one he had met was Catherine Willows. She seemed really nice a little motherly but also worldly like she had seen a lot in her time. She was somewhat of a contradiction on herself.

She was cynical, but held hope for all the victims. She was nice to Nick and she flirted with him the first time they met. That had made Nick blush and stutter and all she did was smile and flip her red hair as she walked away.

The next person he met on his first night there was Warrick Brown. Warrick didn't give him even the time of day at first clearly viewing Nick as nothing but another lab rat.

The other man was tall and secretive and Nick just knew there was a tortured past behind those gray blue eyes. He had merely shook Nick's hand said his name and was off again to process more information.

Finally there was Greg. Nick smiled at the memory of the first time he met Greg. Nick had taken a break and was sitting peacefully in the break room sipping coffee. He hadn't seen Greg at all the night.

He had heard the name and Grissom had said that he worked there, but he hadn't seen him yet. Greg had come into the break room not even registering that Nick was there, poured himself a cup of coffee and then stared at it for a few moments.

When he looked up he smiled. Nick smiled back. He had never seen a CSI quite like him. They all looked professional in suit shirts and comfortable pants.

Greg didn't fit the bill. He wore a loud green shirt and tight jeans. His hair was cut at odd angles and stuck up weirdly as though he hadn't even tried to brush it flat. He wore Converse high tops and wrist bracelets.

Nick couldn't help but stare at him. He wasn't afraid to just be himself in a world where everyone else conformed.

"Hey, I'm Greg Sanders. You must be the new DNA tech." Greg said as pleasantly as he could, but Nick could see the dark circles around his eyes.

"Yeah, Nicholas Stokes." Nick said holding out his hand. Greg took it and gave it a slight shake.

"How you settling in?" Greg asked. It was the first time that night anyone had asked.

"Um... yeah good I guess. All the other lab techs are really nice."

"And the CSIs?" Greg asked. Nick blushed a little and sipped at his coffee.

"Well, they're... most are nice." Nick said.

"I'm assuming you've met Warrick. Don't worry about him. He doesn't know what it's like to be the new guy or a lab tech. Trust me everyone will appreciate you if you can do your job." Greg said.

"I'm sure as heck gonna try." Nick said with a bright smile on his face.

"That's the attitude. Now look I gotta go. The case calls, but I'll see you later. I'm sure someone had to have left skin tags on something." Greg said.

"Sure. I'll see you later." Nick said, but Greg had already breezed out of the door.

Nick had seen Greg later that night. He'd been a little stressed out about his case, but Greg had put on a nice smile for him. Nick had found out that Greg had been a lab tech in San Francisco for awhile, but had become a CSI not to long after that. Nick almost envied Greg. He had thought about becoming a CSI, but he didn't think he could do it. He liked the isolation the lab had to offer him.

"Hey Nicky. Slow night?"

Nick looked up to see Greg standing in front of his desk. Nick smiled. Greg had changed some since their first meeting. His hair was bleached blond and he had left the loud and rocker clothes for the suit shirts, but they were still colorful and his jeans were still tight. Nick had thought more then once that Greg was hot.

He never said anything though. Greg was hip and current. He went out to clubs and knew about liquid latex. He surfed and scuba dived and dated pretty blondes and sultry brunettes. There was no way he would go for Nick.

Nick, who wore glasses and baggy jeans and sweaters.

Nick who's idea of a good time was sitting in front of his TV in sweats eating ice cream while watching nature shows.

Nick who didn't care about his looks one bit and listened to country music way too much.

Nick who's hair was in his face because he hadn't cut it yet and couldn't be bothered to try and manage it.

Nick who surrounded himself in lab stuff and rarely talked to anyone except Greg and the occasional conversation with Catherine or Grissom.

Greg was too out there and Nick was too much of a recluse. Forget the fact that Greg seemed for all intents and purposes straight. There was no way Greg would ever fall for him.

"Yeah. Not too much stuff coming my way. Sara... she likes processing her own stuff." Nick said.

"Yeah, well Sara's the type to have no life whatsoever. If she wants to overwork herself that's not your problem." Greg said as he took a seat across from Nick.

"I guess. Still I feel a little... useless."

"Oh, you're never useless, Nicky. I could drudge up some stuff for you to process." Nick smiled at Greg.

"That's okay. Warrick thinks he's some big shot though... just cause he got that promotion. Comes in here and demands that I process his evidence first." Nick said.

"You don't have to listen to him. You know that. You gotta learn how to stick up for yourself, Nicky. You can't let them push you around for evidence." Greg said.

"Yeah I know... I put his evidence last." Nick said with a smile on his face.

"You're not processing... oh I get it. And here I thought you were all sweet and innocent. Got a mean streak on you, don't you." Greg said.

Nick just smiled and continued to read whatever magazine was on hand.

"You know you should come out to breakfast with us one time. I mean it's not like you aren't a part of the group." Greg said distractedly. Nick tensed at the thought of going out to breakfast with his coworkers.

"I don't think that would be such a good idea." Nick said as he shifted in his seat.

"Oh come on Nicky. When was the last time you went out anywhere?" Greg said. Nicky... Greg always called him Nicky.

Never Nick like everyone else. He had taken to calling him Nicky after Nick's first night.

"I... um... define out." Nick said hesitantly. He really wished he had something to do so he could avoid Greg's gaze.

"Out as in with friends or to a club or even to a diner. I mean how old are you... thirty maybe." Greg said.

"I'm thirty-one, Greg. Don't act like you didn't know that." Nick said slightly irritated.

"So what I'm getting at is you're young. You should be living life. What's with the hair and the clothes?"

"What's wrong with my hair and clothes?"

"It's like you're trying to hide something. Like you're trying to blend into the shadows." Greg said.

"I'm not exactly young, Greg. I'm not you. You're still in your twenties." Nick said.

"You act as if you were forty. If you were Grissom then I would say all hope was lost, but you're not. You're Nicky."

"And that means what Greg?" Nick asked his voice going back to the Texas drawl he wanted to get rid of.

"It means that I know you can be a looker if you tried. If you got rid of all these layers and stopped trying to hide yourself." Greg said.

"I happen to like the layers."

"We live in a desert, Nicky. I'm surprised you haven't spontaneously combusted yet. Just listen to me when I say that you can't keep hiding yourself from the world." Greg said.

"I'm not hiding. I'm just... I'm not putting myself out there." Nick said as he went to processing Warrick's evidence. Anything to avoid looking at Greg.

"Well I guess the world is just going to have to get used to being deprived of your presence. Course that makes me very lucky doesn't it." Greg said with a smile and Nick just knew he was blushing. Greg had the ability to turn him tomato red in a matter of seconds.

"I don't know how lucky you can be." Nick muttered.

"You really don't know do you?" Nick looked up at Greg who seemed shocked. That puzzled Nick. Greg could be the most random person at times.

"Know what?"

"Know how goddamn special you are. I mean I thought you were just doing the 'aww shucks' routine because it was a cover. I didn't know you were really so..."

"So what Greg?" Nick said a little affronted.

"So oblivious. I mean... Nicky you're one of a kind you know that. You actually don't really know that do you?"

Nick felt very nervous being around Greg when he was talking like this. He never had before and he didn't know what to do. He was saved from having to say anything when Greg's pager beeped.

"I gotta go. It's Bobby with a bullet from my crime scene. Look why don't you and me go out to breakfast? I'll pay."

"Greg..."

"I'm serious. I'm not taking no for an answer." Greg said as he walked away.

Nick tried his hardest not to vomit.

Greg could have patted himself on the back for solving the case although he had help. He and Warrick had worked the case. It wasn't too hard. Just a gunshot victim, but the story went way deeper than he thought it would.

It went all the way to a hired gunman that had killed the wrong mark. Greg had solved the case and stopped another one from happening and that made him feel... great.

"What are you smiling about?" Warrick asked. Greg hadn't realized he had probably been smiling all night.

"No reason. I wonder if Grissom will let me leave early." Greg said. Warrick looked at him weirdly.

"You want to go home early. You're usually worse then Sara. Why would you want to go home early?" Warrick asked.

"Because... I sort of have a date." Greg said. Warrick leaned against the lockers looking at Greg like he was an alien.

"You still don't go home early. I've never seen you go home early just cause you have a date. Must be something special about this one." Warrick said.

"I've been waiting years for this one. Trust me I'm going to make the most of this one." Greg said as he pulled out something from his locker.

"Years? I didn't know you had that kind of restraint." Warrick said smug smirk on his face. Greg rolled his eyes.

"Well, I do. This one's different from all the other ones. I can just feel it."

"Man, never heard you talk about someone like this. Must be serious." Warrick said losing the smirk and standing up straight. He had known Greg for a long time now and though they weren't the best of friends he had gotten to know things about Greg that other people didn't.

It was unusual for Greg to talk about commitment like he was. Greg was the type to go from girl to girl and not think anything of it. He had a free spirit and it was understandable considering he was still in his twenties. Warrick would be him too had been him at that age, but Greg showed no signs of slowing down.

"So, what makes this one special?" Warrick asked. Greg smiled a secretive smile as though he knew something that everyone should know.

"I don't know." He said honestly looking up at Warrick with that same small smile.

"There's just... something you know. I've never met anyone so... there's just no one like... it's hard to explain." Greg said.

"Better not tell Stokes about it." Warrick said.

"What?" Greg said.

"Come on man. You can't tell me you don't notice the way he looks at you. Big doe eyes behind those owl glasses. He's digged you since he first started here."

"Okay, so I've noticed."

"And you've never done anything to dissuade his interest. In fact... you've been giving off signals." Warrick said as though he were just figuring it all out.

"For a CSI, Warrick, you're a bit slow." Greg said teasingly.

"Nick Stokes, huh. He's... well he could do with a hair cut." Warrick said.

"Oh come on... he's totally... he's just..."

"He's plain Greg. Way plain. I mean I knew you... went that way, but... Nick?" Warrick said.

"Yeah, okay so maybe Nicky isn't the social butterfly, but he's just... he's special and he doesn't even know how special he is. That makes him even more special."

"Ah, the whole innocent thing. I can dig that. He does seem a little shy."

"He's just nervous around you. Maybe if you didn't act like you ran the show..."

"Hey, I'm sorry, but some times the job can get intense."

"Just remember that without the lab techs things would go a lot slower. Anyway I better go." Greg said.

"Yeah maybe you can actually bring the guy out of his shell." Warrick said.

Greg just smiled as he made his way out of the locker room and to the DNA lab. Nick was processing something or another Hodges standing next to him.

"Hey, Nicky. You almost done here?" Greg asked. Hodges was looking at Greg weirdly, but Greg could care less. He had a date with Nick.

"Um... yeah. There was a flood of new evidence from Catherine's case, but I'm almost done. David and I were just talking about some nature show we both saw yesterday." Nick said as he squirted something into a test tube.

"Oh, sounds... interesting." Greg said. Hodges snorted and Greg tried not to glare at him.

"Yeah, it was pretty cool. I mean I never knew that..." Nick stopped short as he looked at something that had just come out of the printer. It must have been results to something.

"That can't be right." Nick muttered.

"What is it?" Hodges asked.

"I don't know. Seems there had to have been a mix up... or something. This can't be right. Shit, Catherine's gonna be pissed." Nick said.

"It can't be that bad, Nicky." Greg said.

"It is... I think some samples got contaminated." Nick said his voice barely above a whisper.

"That doesn't mean it was your fault. I mean the samples could have been contaminated when she brought them in. Why don't you just ask her to come down and talk? I'm sure you'll clear everything up." Greg said reassuringly.

Nick smiled a small smile. Hodges had already slipped out of the lab and had gone back to his own domain. Nick had paged Catherine. It was a long talk, in which Greg sat in the background listening to Catherine try and sooth Nick's worries that he had contaminated the evidence chipping in when he could.

Catherine checked and checked again and it seemed the evidence had been contaminated at the scene. She and Sara had gone back to collect something new leaving Nick to sit and wait in the lab. Greg sighed as plans for breakfast seemed to be slipping further away from him.

If he believed in signs he would have thought that someone was trying to tell him something. He had decided to stay in the break room hoping that Nick would make it out before both of them had to go to sleep to be rested for the next night. He must have fallen asleep on the break room couch because the next thing he knew Nick was shaking him awake.

"Hey, how come you didn't go home?" Nick asked.

"I was waiting for you. What time is it?" Greg asked sleepily.

"Um... close to ten in the morning." Nick said sheepishly.

"Really... that's not that late. We could still get some breakfast. How's Catherine's case going?"

"Oh... we don't have to go to breakfast still... I mean I am kind of tired and you look really tired so you should..."

"Nicky, don't even try to finagle your way out of it. We're going to breakfast." Greg said as he got up from the break room couch. He straightened out his clothes and stretched his arms out a bit.

"So again I ask, how's Catherine's case going?"

"Um... seems things were all around contaminated. They have little to no leads and both Sara and Catherine seem exhausted. I was just glad they didn't get mad at me." Nick said as he and Greg headed out of the crime lab and into the parking lot.

"Why would they get mad at you if the case was a bust?"

"Well... it's just... sometimes the CSIs take things a little too... I don't know personally and they get mad when they don't get what the want. It's just the way things are some times." Nick said his head down slightly.

"Oh... I've never done that have I? I mean sometimes cases hit me a little hard too and I know I can get a little... edgy."

"Oh, no. You've never yelled at me... you do seem to yell at David though."

"David... I've never yelled at... oh you mean Hodges. Well, he is one royal pain in my ass."

"He's really not that bad. I mean sure he does seem to think that he's the best, but... he is a really good lab tech."

"Yeah, but I bet he wishes the best. No one can compare to you Nicky." Greg said when the reached the parking lot. He turned towards Nick just in time to see him turn a bright shade of red. Greg's smiled sweetly at him and motioned to his Jetta.

"That's my car. Why don't you follow me to the dinner in your car?" Greg said.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather go home and sleep?" Nick asked.

"Of course not. I promised you breakfast and I plan to deliver. So get in your car and let's go." Greg said smile widening as he took out his keys and unlocked his car.

He waited before pulling out to see that Nick didn't bail on him. He didn't think Nick would, but he had been waiting a long time for this moment and wasn't about to let Nick slip away that easily. He saw Nick get into his Chevy truck and listened as the engine started before starting his own little car and pulling out.

Greg started driving to the diner that he knew that he was pretty sure would be devoid of anybody from work. He would look behind him occasionally to make sure that Nick was behind him. He trusted Nick, but he wasn't so sure Nick wouldn't bolt. It seemed like he liked to be more private, more recluse.

Greg wasn't lying when he said Nick was the best lab tech in the lab. Everyone knew that. Even the guys on dayshift knew it and they always claimed to be the best. Greg knew for a fact that Ecklie sometimes used Nick's too eager to please attitude to get his samples done from him and there was no way that Ecklie could stop being Ecklie for one second to keeping from being condescending to Nick.

Greg told Nick a million times that he had to stand up for himself and stop being so trusting and passive. He didn't want Nick yelling at people back, but the least he could do was demand a little space. There wasn't any need for him to do "favors" for the dayshift or take crap from Warrick or Sara.

He just had to do his job and be good at it, which he was. There was no need for him to be the crime lab's doormat. Of course Greg figured there was no way around it. Nick was just one that liked pleasing people. That didn't mean Greg couldn't try and change his way of thinking.

As he pulled into the diner parking lot, pulling on a pair of his favorite highway cop looking sunglasses he smiled as Nick pulled into the spot right next to him on the passengers side. Nick quickly turned off his truck and got out his car eye blinking to adjust to the sunlight. He looked over at Greg and smiled.

"So this is your diner? It's... pretty far away from the lab." Nick said.

"Only a fifteen minute drive." Greg said nonchalantly.

"Yeah, but... there isn't one closer." Nick asked as he walked over to Greg.

"Well, yeah there is, but this one is pretty close to my house. The other one that everyone always goes to is five minutes the other way."

"Oh, well my place isn't actually too far away from here either." Nick said smiling a bit wider. Greg couldn't help smiling back. He grabbed Nick's hand and dragged him into the diner.

It was pretty much deserted except for the waitresses. Nick guessed that everyone was already at work by this time. He allowed Greg to pull him into a booth at the back of the diner. He wasn't sure what he would have done if Greg had made him sit on the same side as him, but he didn't have to think about it as Greg made him sit on one side while he settled in on the other. Greg picked up a menu and handed it to him.

"You're not going to look at it?" Nick said.

"Nah, I already know what I want. Ham and cheese omelet." Greg said with a smile.

"Oh, well I guess I should look." Nick said opening the menu. He looked over the options and sighed as he saw a few that he would like to try. He had it narrowed down to two when he heard Greg laughing.

"What? Do I have something on my face or something?" Nick said jokingly.

"No... it's just that..." Greg tried to choke out between giggles. Nick started to get self-conscious at Greg's laughing.

"It's just that... only you would look like you were dissecting atoms or something when you're trying to decide what to eat." Nick scowled.

"I happen to think it's a big decision. I mean I've never eaten here and you have so I can't exactly have a favorite." Nick said defensively.

"Nicky, don't get all upset. I actually think it's cute." Greg said.

Nick felt himself blushing at Greg's words and was saved from having to say anything when the waitress came over. She was twenty something looking with long blonde hair that was pulled back in a ponytail and light blue eyes. She was pretty and Nick wondered what she was doing working in a diner.

"Hey, Greg, long time no see." She said in a sweet voice as she chewed her gum.

"Yeah, well you know, the job. Life of a CSI can be pretty hectic." Greg said. She smiled at him and Nick had the irrational urge to smack her because of it. He curbed this urge by playing with the packets of sugar on the table.

"Well, that still doesn't excuse you from breakfast. A man has to eat sometime right?" She said batting her eyelashes at him and Nick was going to need a lot more than packets of sugar to keep from ripping her head off.

She was clearly flirting with Greg. Nick would have much rather preferred to not be witness to this. At least in the lab he didn't have to see people actually flirting with Greg. He knew that people probably did, but seeing it in action was just not something that sat well with his stomach.

"Frozen meals. Every guy's best friend. Anyway, Melinda, I was just trying to get my friend Nicky here out more. He's a bit of a shut-in." Greg said.

"Oh, well, hi." She said looking in Nick's direction. He knew she was taking in his appearance and probably wondering why Greg would even be friends with someone so old and so geeky looking.

"Hi." Nick said shyly. She gave him a tense smile and Nick really wished she wouldn't try at all.

"So Greg, the usually." She said turning back to Greg bright flirtatious smile back in place.

"Sure and of course whatever Nicky's having." Greg said motioning to Nick.

"Oh, right. So what'll be?" She asked.

"Um... I guess I'll have the... uh... French toast with strawberries... that doesn't come with whip cream does it?" Nick asked.

"Um, yeah it does. We can take the whip cream off it ya like." Melinda said pleasantly enough. Nick knew she probably just wanted to flirt some more with Greg.

"Yeah that would be great." Nick said as politely as he could manage.

"And to drink?"

"Um, glass of milk." Nick said.

"Alrighty then I'll be back with your orders in a minute." She said giving Greg another bright smile and a wink. Nick put the menu back behind the napkin holder and folded his hands into his lap.

"Milk... no coffee?" Greg asked.

"If I have some I'll be up until shift starts. Did you get coffee? I thought you didn't like anything but your special blend. Hawaiian Blue or something like that."

"Blue Hawaiian. Yeah, well I ordered a Sprite. Once you've had Blue Hawaiian you're taste buds shut off to any other coffee." Greg said.

"Having tasted your coffee, man, I can honestly say I agree."

"That the reason you ordered milk."

"I have to sleep, G." Nick said. Greg smiled and reached over to Nick pulling off his glasses. Nick protested a bit, but Greg just batted his hands away.

"Ever think about contacts? You would look really good without these huge things taking up your whole face."

"I don't like poking things into my eyes. Give 'em back, Greg." Nick said leaning his hand over to Greg.

"Nope." Greg said as he put the glasses on.

"Wow, someone's as blind as a bat." Greg said as he plucked the glasses off of his face. He blinked several times before his eyesight was re-adjusted.

"Can you give them back please. Now that you're done playing with them." Nick said clearly irritated.

"Answer me one question first. How did I look with them on." Greg said flashing Nick that smile that made Nick's insides do funny things.

"You looked fine." Nick muttered.

"How long have you been wearing glasses?"

"I thought you said you just had one question?"

"Well, I lied. Now, answer the question."

"Fine," Nick said sighing a bit.

"Since the first grade."

"Wow, that a long time. They always been this ugly?"

"They're not ugly. It's just... when you have a thick lenses you need a thick frame."

"So you can't see at all. You can't see me."

"I can see you, but... you're blurry." Nick said squinting to get a somewhat clearer look of Greg sitting in front of him.

"Hmmm." Greg said. Nick watched as a blurry Greg leaned in towards him.

Nick wasn't sure what Greg wasn't going to do. He certainly didn't think Greg was going to lean in and place a chaste kiss on his lips. Greg slowly pulled away and Nick thought he could see a smirk on Greg's face. Nick could feel his lips tingling from the kiss.

"So did you see that?" Greg asked. Nick coughed clearing his throat a bit.

"Yeah, yea... I saw that." Nick said in a somewhat raspy voice. He couldn't believe that a simple kiss was effecting him so much, but then again it was a kiss from Greg.

"Oh look our food's here."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick had been nervous throughout the whole time they were eating. He wasn't sure how to act around Greg and that made him lose his appetite somewhat. Greg just ate and chatted happily about work and such clearly not caring about Nick's nervous state.

It didn't go unnoticed by Nick the way waitress Melinda was giving him the evil eye. She had clearly seen the little kiss that Nick and Greg had shared. Nick was practically a nervous wreck by the time they were done with their meals and heading out to their cars.

"So, I'm gonna give you this card. It's my business card. It's got the number to my cell phone on it and on the back it's got my home phone number on it." Greg said as he stood in front of Nick who's back was against his driver seat door. The room between him and Greg was almost unbearably small due to how close their cars were parked.

"Greg, I already have both your house and you cell number." Nick said playing with the card that Greg had forced into his hand.

"Yeah, but it's the principal of the thing. I was thinking that maybe I could take you out again some time. Maybe for a haircut." Greg said his finger briefly carding through Nick's long hair.

Nick felt himself blush a bit, but cleared his throat to speak.

"Yeah, it's gotten a little outta control, I guess. Would really want to go with me to get my haircut?"

"I'd go with you anywhere." Greg said his voice honest sounding.

"Greg..." Nick stopped talking as Greg leaned in and kissed him for the second time.

Nick wasn't sure if he moaned or not when Greg's soft lips touched his own. Lips that looked like he took care of them while Nick's were a bit chapped. He certainly didn't hesitate to open his mouth when he felt Greg's warm moist tongue started tracing his bottom lip.

It had been a long time since anyway had kissed him. It had been a long time since he had kissed someone. Nick hadn't really realized how much time and energy he spent on his little crush on Greg, but now that Greg was kissing him, tongue clashing with his own teeth nibbling a bit on his bottom lip as Greg's hips grinded into his into his own and Greg had him pinned against his truck door hands placed on either side of Nick the sensory overload was too much.

All Nick could do was kiss back hands pulling Greg as close as he could get. Endless moments had passed before Greg pulled away just a little bit to gather air his breath coming in pants. His eyes were heavy lidded and half way closed and Nick knew he probably didn't look any different.

"Does that answer your question?"

"What question?" Nick asked a little breathy and he really hated that Greg could be so composed in a situation like this. He could see Greg smirking and letting out a little chuckle.

"The one you never got around to asking... well you sort of asked it, but not really."

"Quit with the mind games."

"Oh, and little Nicky gets a tad bit bossy. Who knew? Anyway the question you were thinking is why would I want to spend time with you. Well it's really easy here, Nicky. I'm sure a little genius lab rat as yourself could figure it out." Nick could feel himself scowling a little pout forming on his lips and Greg was laughing at him again.

"Sorry, babe, you're just so easy to tease. And look you're even cuter when you pout." Greg said his voice soft and teasing eyes sparkling a bit with mischief. Nick smiled at him.

"So you're just teasing me?"

"Oh, no, see I had this whole plan of seduction mapped out. This is our first official date. You have the first kiss on the first official date. Then the second date is just a filler date to get to the third."

"And what's so special about the third date?"

"Oh come on, Nicky. Everybody knows you're supposed to have sex on the third date." Greg said as innocently as he could manage which sounded pretty innocent on Greg despite the conversation topic. Nick always wondered how he could do that. Make something as kinky as liquid latex sound like he was teaching Nick basic geometry.

"Must be outta practice."

"Or maybe it was different back in your day."

"Greg, watch it..."

"Sorry couldn't help the teasing. You're just..."

"I know, I know, I'm easy... to tease I mean." Nick said blushing a bit more at having caught his almost innuendo.

"You know, if you were so inclined, we could skip the whole three dates thing and I could just follow you home right now." Greg said his voice a little hopeful and that sent a surge through Nick's body.

Having Greg pressed up against him like he was had to be the most intoxicating thing Nick had felt in a good long while. He knew he was hard and he knew if he pressed up a little against Greg he'd find an equal hardness against him.

His hands were still clutched in Greg's clothes and Greg's hands were casually stroking Nick's sides and he wanted to give in. He wanted to tell Greg to follow him, but he still wasn't quite sure what Greg could possibly see in him and he was going to try and milk it for whatever it was worth. He'd rather take his two dates and then see where it led him then get it over with quickly.

"Sorry, G, not easy." Nick whispered. Greg smiled at him.

"It's okay, I can wait. So when's your next day off?"

"Thursday."

"Hmm... it'll take some doing... but I'm sure I can convince Grissom to give me Thursday off. How about I pick you up at your place at say... two and we go out and get you that haircut."

"What if you don't get the day off?"

"I will, don't worry about that. So... is that a yes?"

"Yeah, yeah it's a yes." Greg smiled again and Nick's stomach did that weird flip-flop thing. Greg leaned up a bit and kissed Nick on the nose.

"Great. I'll see you then."

Greg skipped into work that night. There was a bounce in his step as he walked along humming a tune he couldn't recognize. He betted it was sappy or something. It was like he was walking on air. His date with Nick went better than he could have ever expected.

He knew the whole lab was probably buzzing about it. At the very least they were wondering why he was so happy. And he had told Warrick. It wasn't as bad as telling Sara or Catherine, but Warrick could be a gossip when he wanted to be.

He made his way towards the break room to make his coffee. Selected few could drink his coffee. Nick, Grissom, Catherine, Sara sometimes when she was being nice to him and himself. Warrick seemed like a weird mutant when it came to coffee.

He only drank it when it was completely necessary to keep him going therefore he wasn't interested in Greg's Blue Hawaiian. The other lab techs had never tasted Greg's coffee partly because it was all gone when they went to get some.

When he entered the break room Jacqui, Archie, Bobby and Nick were sitting at the break table talking animatedly. Well Jacqui and Bobby were talking mostly. Archie seemed to be adding in every once in awhile, but Nick had this glazed over look in his eyes.

"Hey guys." Greg said. Jacqui and Bobby barely looked up to acknowledge him they were so heated in their argument. Nick, however, looked up at him shyly before looking back at his magazine.

"Oh, hey Greg." He said with a soft smile. Greg couldn't help but smile back. Nick started to blush.

Jacqui and Bobby stopped talking long enough to look over at Greg weirdly.

"You're in early." Jacqui said.

"Was hoping to talk to Grissom." Greg answered.

"Really... what about?" Jacqui said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Well that's private stuff, Jacqui." Greg said with a smile on his face. Jacqui rolled her eyes.

"Right, so where were we?" She asked.

"You were demoralizing the male species." Bobby said.

"Right. So I go on this date with this guy and I swear if he wasn't staring at my breasts the whole time my name isn't Jacqui Franco." Jacqui whined.

Bobby rolled his eyes and sighed as he took a sip of his coffee.

"Not all guys are like that, Jac. I mean there are good guys out there." Bobby said.

"Yeah, you're just down because you had a bad experience." Archie said.

"Easy for you guys to say. Married and dating a steady girlfriend. You have no idea what it's like to be dating loser after loser, it's been too long. It's not just one bad experience. The whole thing is a bad experience. I just wish Mister Right would turn up already. All this dating is starting to make me feel old." Jacqui said.

"It seems tough now, but trust me it'll be all worth it." Bobby said with confidence.

"You're probably right... so, Nick, you've been pretty quiet on the subject." Jacqui said turning to Nick.

"Um... not much to say." Nick said burrowing his nose deeper into his magazine.

"You haven't dated... at all." Jacqui asked.

"No, I've dated... just not recently. It's been awhile." Nick said.

"Huh." Jacqui said taking a sip from her coffee.

"Well we don't really need to ask if you've been dating. Your stories circulate around the office daily." Jacqui said looking at Greg.

"Moi, what have the nasty rumors been saying about little ole me." Greg said pouring his coffee into a mug.

"Oh just that you're a womanizer. Lady's man you know. Oh and that you swing both ways." Jacqui said as if she were stating the sky was blue. Greg gave her an odd look before taking a sip of his coffee.

"Hmm, rumor mills getting better. Well as long as you guys are talking about something other than the ever present Grissom/Sara/Catherine/Warrick circle I guess I can stand being the center of attention." Greg said.

"Mandy, you know the old nightshift fingerprint tech who now works days heard Warrick tell Catherine that you were going on a date with and I quote 'someone special'." Bobby said.

Greg chanced a look at Nick who had his magazine covering his face. Greg just knew he was probably blushing like a mad man and Greg just couldn't help but smile at that.

"Well, someone special... I don't know about that... more like someone I could imagine spending the rest of my life with." Greg said taking another sip from his coffee.

"Wow, you're serious here. Tell us about her." Archie said.

"Now, who said it was a her."

"See, all the good guys are either taken or gay. I'm telling you there's no hope for the female race." Jacqui said. Greg smiled at her as he grabbed two plastic cups and filled them up with coffee.

"Sorry, Jacqui. I can't speak for the entire male race, but I can say that any guy should get down on his knees and thank God for the pleasure of taking you out on a date." Greg said.

"Oh easy for you to say that now. You're dating some fabulous." Jacqui said. Greg smiled.

"Yup, very fabulous. Now if you'll excuse me I have to go talk to the boss. Nicky." Greg said handing Nick one of the cups of coffee. Nick smiled up at him and accepted the coffee.

"Thanks Greg." Nick said taking the coffee. Greg gave him one more smile before leaving with his mug and a cup of coffee in hand to find Grissom.

"Well, I guess your hopes are dashed, huh Nick." Nick looked over to see Jacqui, Bobby and Archie looking at him like he was a ticking time bomb ready to explode.

"What are you talking about?" Nick said pushing his slipping glasses up.

"Your little crush on Greg. I mean come on, Nick everyone knows you've had it bad for him ever since you saw him." Archie said.

"Yeah, now he walks in here all happy like he's floatin' on air and you gotta be feeling a little down." Bobby said.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about. I gotta go, Warrick needs me to get him those samples." Nick said getting up from his seat and rushing out of the room.

"Poor kid, he seems devastated." Jacqui said before going back to her conversation with Bobby.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Greg walked into Grissom's office or as he liked to call it the other little shop of horrors. He saw Grissom looking over paperwork, frown on his face and Greg was starting to rethink asking him at this moment.

"Um, Grissom, can... can I have a word with you." Greg said slightly nervous.

He couldn't really help it. He just got nervous around Grissom. He was a fully capable fully qualified CSI and he still couldn't stand up to his boss.

This is for Nicky though Greg thought as he cleared his throat and waited for Grissom's answer.

"Sure, sit down. What's on your mind, Greg." Grissom asked. Sure he seemed friendly, but Greg could still feel himself shaking a bit.

"I brought you some coffee." Greg said setting the plastic cup down on Grissom's desk. Grissom gave a knowing look before picking up the coffee and taking a sip.

"What's on your mind Greg?" Grissom asked again.

"Um, well you know I have Wednesday off, right. Well I was hoping you could give me Thursday off instead." Grissom looked at him, Greg still couldn't quite figure out what that look meant, but he guessed it had something to do with trying to read Greg's expression.

"You know, Sara has Thursday off. The only way I could give you Thursday off is if she agreed to switch days with you." Grissom said.

"Oh, really, well, if I got her to agree... to switch days I mean, could I have Thursday off?" Greg asked.

"I suppose. I don't see the harm in switching days. I mean if it's for someone special." Grissom said and Greg wasn't sure when Grissom learned how to smirk, but that was what he was doing.

Grissom was smirking in a self-assured I know something I'm not supposed to know, but I know it anyway kind of way. Greg squirmed in his seat.

"My personal life's the new office gossip I guess."

"According to the desk secretary you're planning to propose." Grissom said still smirking and that was really starting to freak Greg out.

"Wow, got blown a little out of proportion. I just went on my first date with Nic... yeah, um, don't know where she could have gotten propose from." Greg said shifting even more in his seat. Grissom's gaze had intensified and his smirk had gotten even more self-assured.

"I imagined you wouldn't be. You're here almost as much as Sara is. Couldn't imagine when you'd find time to date. Of course if you see this person everyday day in and day out perhaps it wouldn't seem like such of a stretch."

"What if it was someone I worked with?" Greg asked.

"Well, if it's one of the lab techs, and I'm assuming when I saw this... I don't see what the problem is. You're a CSI level two Greg. It'd be wrong if you were dating your boss, but you're not. I don't see any problems with it." Grissom said.

"I didn't think there would be. Just wanted to cover my bases."

"So long as it doesn't affect your work, I don't see a problem with it."

"Great. That's... great." Greg said as he got up to walk away.

"Oh, Greg. You're working a B and E with Sara. Her case with Catherine came to another dead end. I'm keeping Catherine on it."

"Did you tell Sara this? You know she's going to be mad that you took her off a case."

"Yeah, well I'm the boss, no." Grissom said as he looked back down at his paperwork. Greg sighed. It was going to be fairly hard to convince Sara know especially if she was mad.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick carefully brushed a strand of hair out of his face as he tried to process the evidence found at Warrick's crime scene. It didn't help that Warrick was standing off to the side staring at him like he was some side show freak.

He'd been trying to avoid everyone in the crime lab all day. Most had no clue that he and Greg had been on a date and were trying to console him now that the news that Greg had 'someone special'.

They all thought Nick would be devastated because apparently he hadn't kept his little- fine huge elephant size- crush on Greg secret. And he thought he had hid it so well.

More like someone I could imagine spending the rest of my life with Greg's words flew through Nick's head.

He couldn't have meant them. He was probably just trying to give the rest of the lab techs something to talk about. That's what the lab techs did. The gossiped about the CSI and other lab techs as a form of entertainment.

At least he didn't have to hear about how Sara loves Grissom, but Grissom loves Catherine, but Catherine loves Warrick and who knows who Warrick loves. Sometimes it was Grissom loves Sara and Sara loves Grissom, but Catherine also loves Grissom.

Sometimes it was visa versa with Grissom loving Catherine and Catherine loving him and Sara not being able to but out. Other times it was Warrick and Catherine loving each other and Grissom not being able to but out. It definitely gave Nick a headache.

"Didn't I say I'd page you when I had the results?" Nick said.

"I don't mind waiting. I'm actually supposed to be on break right now." Warrick said leaning against one of Nick's counters.

Nick sighed and grumbled something before going back to the task at hand. He really hated it when they crowded around him like this. It was very distracting.

He turned up his music, some country he usually turned down when Greg showed up because of the other man's total hatred for the genre. Greg was the one who told him about using music to soothe his nerves.

"So how was your date earlier?" Nick looked over at Warrick, eyes filled with panic.

He didn't know why he panicked. It was obvious that Warrick knew something. Bobby had even said that Warrick had told Catherine about Greg going on a date. Nick wasn't a betting man like Warrick, but he'd put money on the fact that Greg must have told Warrick about his plans.

"It... it was fine." Nick said as he cut off the piece of the swab that had the blood on it and dropped it into a solution.

"Greg seemed to be walking on air today. At first I didn't get what he was so happy about..." Nick scowled at him having enough sense to feel offended.

"I didn't mean it like that. I mean I didn't even notice that he was interested. I mean I knew you were interested..."

"What did the crime lab send out a bulletin or something?"

"No you're just really obvious. I mean really obvious, man. And Greg... well Greg flirted, but Greg flirts with everyone so I didn't think much of it." Nick turned to study Warrick's face.

He wasn't entirely sure what Warrick was getting at, but it had to be something. Nick wasn't entirely sure how close Warrick and Greg were, but he knew it was close enough for the occasional breakfast or game at the other's house.

They talked about their dating habits and stuff like that. Warrick may have been a total jerk to him, but Greg thought he was an okay guy.

"Are you just trying to get more gossip for the rumor mill?" Nick asked.

Warrick laughed, really laughed, and Nick looked at him with a confused expression. He didn't know what was so funny about that question. It was a known fact that the crime lab had ears, lots of ears.

"Sorry, man, but... I can gossip with the best of them, but that's not why I'm here. I'm just... I'm trying to see what he sees." Now Nick was thoroughly confused.

"What?"

"It's just... Greg's been out with some pretty hot girls you know. Beautiful blondes, leggy brunettes, curvy red heads, you know."

"Yeah and your point?"

"Well, I knew he liked guys too and I've seen some of the guys that he's gone out with and they're... built, you know. Bulging muscles and whatnot. You don't fit into that category."

Nick went back to scowling at him. As if he didn't know he wasn't anywhere near to the perfect people Greg dated. He knew this. He didn't need Warrick telling him that he wasn't good enough for Greg. He already knew this.

"What's your point?"

"My point is I've known Greg a little longer than you have and he's always been a bit... shallow. I mean he's smart... super scary Grissom smart and he devotes most of his life to his work, but when it comes to dating. Well, you know its girl after girl or guy after guy. You're different. He really likes you... more than I think he's ever liked anyone in his life."

"Are you sizing me up to see if I'm good enough?"

"No, I'm just trying to see it from his point of view. I mean I'm looking at the guy that's turning Greg Sanders into mush as we speak." Warrick said.

Nick blushed.

"I don't think... I mean he seems to like me. I just... I don't really know why, but I'm happy that he does." Nick said.

"Ah, that's it. That's it in a nutshell."

"What's it in a nutshell?" Nick said. He really didn't like being this confused so many times in one conversation.

"The insecure thing. Greg really loves that. Now I get it." Warrick said.

"Could you maybe explain it to me, because I'm still having a hard time figuring it out." Warrick just laughed at him again and Nick tried to keep himself from looking even more confused.

"Just believe Greg when he says he likes you. Greg never lies." Warrick said as he pushed himself away from Nick's counter.

"I'll just wait for your page in the break room. Give you a little breathing room." Warrick said on his way out.

"Sure, thanks." Nick said still not quite sure what just happened.

"Oh, and Nick," Nick looked up at the sound of Warrick's voice.

"Yeah."

"Sorry for being an asshole and any other time I'll be any asshole." Warrick said as he exited Nick's lab.

"Thanks... I think."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Come on Sara, please! Please I'll get down on my knees and beg. I will! I'm not above begging. In fact, begging is my area of expertise. Please, please, PLEASE!" Greg whined as he headed in for the night. He and Sara had just finished up their case and Sara seemed really angry the entire time.

"No, Greg, I like having Thursdays off." She said in an annoyed tone.

Greg had been begging her to switch days off for the last half hour and it was getting on her nerves.

"It wouldn't be every Thursday. Just this Thursday." Greg said.

"Yes, but I rarely get Thursdays off to begin with." Sara said.

"But, Sara, you don't understand. My future happiness could rest on me getting this Thursday off. Everything that I've been so carefully planning for the last few years rest on me having this Thursday off. My life rests on me having this Thursday off." Greg said a little melodramatically.

Yes he knew he could be a bit of a drama queen. It wasn't something he was entirely proud of, but sometimes it worked to his advantage.

"No." Clearly this wasn't one of those times.

"Give me one good reason as to why you can't switch nights with me." Greg said.

"I don't have to. It's my night off." Sara said as she pulled out her jacket from her locker.

"Sara, don't you care at all that I could fall into a pit of despair if this Thursday doesn't go exactly as planned."

"Greg, you're being over dramatic. What could possibly be so important that you would actually stoop to begging me to have this Thursday off?" Sara asked.

Greg gave her a weird look. Could she really be that out of touch with her coworkers that she hadn't heard the latest gossip the rumor mill was dishing out? It sure seemed like she was.

To think she'd spent the whole night with him, Greg who was either receiving glares or suggestive looks. Greg wasn't too sure where the glares were coming from, but he didn't say anything.

He just went about his work as usual even when Jacqui was being oddly curt with him. Jacqui who earlier had been praising him on his romanticism. Greg figured there must have been something weird in the water.

"Okay Sara, I didn't want to have to do this. You know I hate the guilt trip, but... I have a date with Nicky Thursday." Greg said.

Sara's eyes widened in surprise as she digested the new information.

"You mean Nick Stokes the guy you've been secretly in love with since the day he started working here."

"Yes, one in the same. Now please... do you know how long it took me for him to even realize that I liked him? He still can't fully grasp it."

"I can't still fully grasp it Greg." Sara said shaking her head.

Greg rolled his eyes at her. She had said that the first time he told her that he had a crush on Nick. She was the first one in the lab to know he liked guys just as much, if not more than, he liked girls.

She hadn't been too surprised. In fact she acted as if she already knew. She had been surprised when he told her that he had his eyes on one Nicholas Stokes.

"Yeah, yeah, I know so are you going to switch days with me or what." Greg asked.

Sara was quiet for a few moments and Greg had a sinking feeling she was still going to say no. She sighed and rolled her eyes and then opened her mouth.

"Well, I'd hate to stand in the way of your future happiness. I'll got tell Grissom that I'll switch days with you." Sara said in a defeated tone.

"YES! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Did I ever tell you just how much I love you! God you ROCK!" Greg said pulling Sara into a big bone-crushing hug.

"Greg, let go of me. People are going to get ideas." Sara said.

"Sorry, just... I'm so happy. Thanks again, Sara." Greg said as he walked out of the locker room to Nick's lab.

If he was lucky he'd be able to catch Nick before he left to go home.

Just as he thought Nick was still processing something from someone's case. Greg stepped inside his lab, big smile firmly in place.

"Hey Nicky." He said.

Nick looked up and smiled at him.

"Hey."

"So how was your day?"

"A little boring. Warrick came in... apologized for being an asshole and any future times he might be an asshole. Hodges came in to talk about a nature show. And everyone seems to think that I'm heartbroken over you dating 'someone special'." Nick said with a big smile on his face.

"If they only knew. Well, I got Thursday off, just like I said I would. So I guess we're still on."

"Of course!... I mean, yeah sure." Nick said blushing a little bit.

Greg just smiled at him walking over to where Nick was standing. Greg stood in front him, grabbing his hand in his own to play with Nick's fingers. Greg pushed up a bit on his toes and kissed Nick's nose.

"I'll see you Thursday than." Greg said.

"Yeah, Thursday."

Nick was nervous. Nick never remembered being this nervous in all of his life. Not even when he had to read a poem he wrote to the whole fourth grade. He never really forgave his teacher for making him do that. She thought he was an oddball, always sitting alone never really talking to anyone except for his older sister, Tina who was in the sixth grade.

The only thing Little Nicky seemed to be interested in was science and sometimes math when it had to do with science. For some reason Mrs. Terry found that extremely weird. She wanted Nick to be more social around the other kids and, in an effort to boost his confidence, she made him read his well written poem to the class. Nick threw up all over Tracy Whitmore and was nicknamed 'pukey' until he left high school.

Greg was supposed to be at his house in less than fifteen minutes and Nick still had no idea what he was supposed to wear. All he had were big baggy shirts and big baggy pants, all plain and all ugly. Nothing compared to the nice shirts and tight jeans that Greg wore so often. He was going to look like he didn't belong and he just knew it.

Nick hadn't been on a date in what felt like years. It had to have been before he'd moved to Las Vegas. That was at least four years ago. Nick just never had time for it. He never had time to go out and look for someone to have good time with. Besides he wasn't into one night stands.

He looked himself over in the mirror one more time. Baggy khaki colored pants, his cleanest and his best fitting, baggy blue long sleeved shirt and a pair of regular comfortable shoes. His hair, being that it was the longest he'd ever had it in his entire life, feel into his eyes.

He would have tried to do something with it, but it was just too wild and Nick didn't even know what to do with it. He couldn't get rid of the glasses though he really wanted to. Six other siblings and he was the only one with bad eyesight. It was like the universe was trying to tell him something.

Nick wasn't one to obsess about how he looked. He ate healthy, that was a given by anyone who knew him. He tried to keep his meals well balanced and his sugar intake low. He ran in the morning before he went to sleep. He tried to keep in shape, but that was more so he was healthy and less to look good.

It wasn't like he felt in the mood to even try and look good. He had a demanding job. He wasn't putting on airs for anyone. No one expected him to go to work in a suit. They didn't say anything if he was in sweats. He did his job. That was all they cared about.

Letting out a sigh, Nick stepped away from the mirror in front of him. He walked over to the couch and sat waiting for Greg to knock on his door. He didn't have to wait very long, which was a good thing because he was liable to puke if he did. There were three short knocks on his door and Nick got up, smoothing out his clothes as he did so, and ran to the door.

The sight that greeted him was Greg wearing a gray suit jacket with light blue pin-stripes, a blue shirt underneath it the same blue as the pin-stripes and gray colored jeans with red tinted sunglasses hanging on his nose. His hair was brushed in that messy fashion that he perfected so well. He looked really good, in Nick's opinion.

"Hey Nicky." Greg said smile on his face.

"Um... hey." Nick said a bit shyly.

"So, you ready to go?" Greg asked.

"Sure."

"Well, I figured we'd take my car. I know you think it's small, but well, I just want to be able to spend all the time with you that I can. That and you don't know where we're going so it has practical applications too."

"Okay." Greg smiled nervously at Nick.

"I tend to over talk when I'm nervous. Babble really. I've tried to work on it, but as you can see I'm not doing such a good job." Greg said. Nick smiled at him.

"I under talk... when I'm nervous." Nick said.

"Well, then that's perfect."

"Yeah." Nick said.

They stood smiling at each other for a few seconds before Greg grabbed Nick's hand and pulled him out of his house. Nick smiled and closed and locked his door then followed Greg to his car.

When they started to drive, Nick began to look around. He didn't know where they were going. Greg had mentioned something about a hair cut and shopping, but Nick usually went to the little barbershop down the street from his house. He figured they weren't going there especially since Greg didn't know where that was.

"So, where are we going?" Nick asked.

"Well, as much as I love this mop you have on your head, you can't really see your eyes... which are really hidden behind those glasses. Are you sure you don't have contacts?"

"I... I do, but I don't usually wear them... they're... I don't like touching my eyes." Nick said.

"Well, anyway, I thought I'd take you to my hair cutting place. It's very exclusive and whatnot, but I'm friends with someone who works there so I usually get the friend discount. Called him and he said no problem." Greg said.

Nick frowned a bit. He didn't mean for the spark of jealous to flare like it did, but it did and there was really no helping it. Greg probably had lots of friends. Greg probably had lots of guy friends. Just because Nick didn't have many friends didn't mean Greg didn't have hordes. It didn't mean anything.

"So you're gonna take me to some upscale hair cutting place wearing this?" Nick said gesturing to his clothes. Greg looked over at him and frowned a bit.

"What's wrong with how you're dressed?"

"Well, for starters, I look kind of... homely looking. Won't all the high paying customers shriek?" Greg quirked his lips into a smile.

"Perhaps, but that'll be their problem. There's nothing wrong with the way you're dressed. You're dressed like Nicky."

"Yeah, I know, because I am Nicky, Greg, but I guess I just don't get why you'd..."

"Oh, look we're here." Greg said parking the car into a spot.

He quickly turned it off and walked out. Nick sighed. He knew Greg was trying to change the conversation, but that didn't mean he wasn't thinking about it in his head.

He slowly made his way out of Greg's car and walked over to where Greg was standing.

"Alright so here's Cheveux." Greg said pointing to the building. Nick gave him a questioning look.

"Huh?"

"It's French for hair. I know extremely original in a not kind of way, but it's a really cool place. Come one we're going to be late for your appointment." Greg said dragging Nick by the arm into the building.

"Hi, we have an appointment. Greg Sanders for Josh Bell." Greg said in his most charming voice to the receptionist.

"Hey Greg, back so soon. The color still looks good so you can't be here for a touch up." She said in a flirty voice. Nick felt his jaw twitch.

"No, I'm not. I asked Josh for a favor." Greg said.

"What kind of 'favor'." The girl said in a conspiratorially tone. Nick's jaw was definitely twitching now.

"The kind that involves him cutting my new boyfriend's hair." Greg said.

Nick saw the girl look shocked. Nick was shocked too. Greg just kept on surprising him.

"Well, poor Josh probably didn't take that well."

"Lisa, how many times do I have to tell you that Josh just cuts and colors my hair. There's never been anything between us." Greg said in an almost exasperated tone.

"Doesn't mean he doesn't look at your ass."

"Please, Lisa lots of people look at my ass. I happen to have a very nice ass." Greg said.

Lisa smiled sweetly to that and turned to a girl standing next to her. She whispered something in her ear and the girl left.

"I can't argue that you have a nice ass, Sanders." Lisa said. Greg smiled and pushed his sunglasses to rest on the top of his head.

"Thanks." Greg said.

A few moments later a tall man, very tall, taller than both Nick and Greg and probably even taller than Warrick. He was skinny and lanky with dirty blonde hair and piercing green eyes.

He was wearing tight blue jeans with green stitching, a light blue button up with different shades of green stripes, a light blue sweater vest on top of the button up and a dark blue suit jacket. He had a pleasant smile on his face.

"Gregory Sanders. Well aren't you just oozing cool today." The man said. Greg smiled at him.

"Josh, as hip as ever. How're doing?" Greg asked.

"Can't complain. I'm making pretty good dough with this job. How's you're life going?"

"Pretty good. Work keeps me busy, but I love it."

"So, where's the patient." Josh asked. Greg grabbed Nick's shirt sleeve and pulled him in front of him.

"Oh dear, Greg it's a train wreck." Josh said putting a hand in front of his mouth. Nick scowled at him.

"He's not a train wreck... granted he's a little... unkempt, but definitely not a train wreck." Greg said.

"Well, babe to each his own. So what do you want me to do with this one? You want me to dye his hair some outrageous color? Perhaps you want me to cut it in some sort of weird pattern. He's got a great head of hair. I could do so much with it."

"Josh, just cut his hair and then style it. That's all I'm asking of you." Greg said.

"Okay, okay." Josh said grabbing Nick's shirt as well. He pulled Nick to the shampoo chairs and made him lay down.

"Take off those ugly glasses please." Josh said. Nick complied, handing them to Greg who took them without much thought.

"Are you sure you wouldn't want just a little dye?" Josh asked as he began to wet Nick's hair. Seeing the look of horror on Nick's face, Greg laughed and shook his head.

"It's taking everything I've got to convince him to cut his hair, let alone dye it. Nope, you better just work your scissor magic and be done with it." Greg said.

Josh pouted, but continued to wash Nick's hair thoroughly. When he was done, he began to dry off Nick's hair. Nick had never been to a saloon before. His barber never shampooed his hair before cutting it. Sure the guy wet it down some, but he never gave Nick a head massage.

Nick really wasn't used to the fancy treatment. He followed as Josh guided him to a chair and sat down. Josh threw a poncho over him and started to look at his hair in concentration. Nick would have asked for his glasses back, but Josh took out a pair of scissors and began to cut.

"So, where'd you find this one, Greg. If you don't mind me asking." Josh said.

"I work with him." Greg said.

Nick began to scowl. He hated it when people talked about him like he wasn't in the room. His parents used to do it all the time when he was a kid.

"Well, maybe when I get this hair out of his face he'll be a prince. Ever think about not wearing the glasses. You have such a great face and all you're doing is hiding it." Josh said.

"I don't like wearing contacts." Nick said a bit petulantly.

"Still, if the glasses are the only thing wrong than that's okay, but the clothes... do you want people to think you just got out of a garbage can." Josh said humming as he cut more pieces of Nick's hair. Josh was really starting to get on Nick's nerves.

"I happen to think he looks cute." Greg said smiling at the mirror reflection of Nick.

"You would, Sanders. You know sometimes I don't know about you. Can't figure you out." Josh said looking back at Greg.

"I like being mysterious." Greg said.

Josh continued to cut and didn't say anything more. Nick sat letting the man do his job. He wasn't sure what he'd look like. He'd seen Greg come in with some rather wacky haircuts.

That could have just been Greg, but what if it was really this guy. What if he actually cut Greg's hair weird and, being that he was a friend, Greg never said anything. Not that it made that much of a difference. Greg was good looking even if his hair was a little odd.

Nick still couldn't help the antsy feeling though. Nick was a creature of habit and as such he didn't like that much change in his life. Sure some change was necessary, but this was a big change.

He was allowing someone else besides Carl the barber to cut his hair. His hair was on top of his head noticeable to anyone who looked. Hair was a big deal. Sure he could wear a hat, but Grissom would probably tell him to take it off. He would just end up drawing more attention to himself.

Lost in his paranoia, Nick didn't even notice when Josh put down the scissors and product and stared at him eyes opened pretty wide.

"I stand corrected. Definitely a god from the head up now anyway." Josh said staring at Nick appreciatively.

"Huh?"

"You, babe. Just look at you. All that long nasty hair was hiding something alright. I'm almost pressed to let you just walk out of here free of charge." Josh said.

"Well, if you want to..."

"Nice try, Sanders. I'll give him a little more discount than I would you only because I just got to ogle your little friend here, but I'm stilling getting paid." Josh said. Greg sighed and pulled out his wallet.

"Here, that should cover it." Greg said handing Josh a few bills. Nick couldn't see exactly how much it was, which bothered him.

"It sure is. You're free to go. Get this man some decent clothes." Josh said walking away.

"I was real tempted to punch him you know." Nick said.

"I know. He can be an arrogant little asshole, but he cuts good hair. Which gotta say, he did a pretty good job with you." Greg said.

"It's just hair Greg."

"No, it's not just hair. Hair is an expression of how you are. The way you have your hair tells the world who you are. Not to mention the fact that you get to see your face. I always knew you were hot, but damn Nicky. There's no reason to hide that face." Greg said.

Nick could feel himself blushing under Greg's intense scrutiny. Usually, under these circumstances, he'd turn away from Greg and hide, but there really wasn't anywhere to turn away.

"And it's going to be crap to have to put these glasses back on your face, but we have to go buy you some new clothes and get something to eat."

Nick frowned a little. It wasn't exactly the traditional idea of a date, but it was time with Greg. Time with Greg was always good, but the questions still lingered in his head.

"Would... would you still date me if I was in these clothes, with my old hair and my... 'ugly' glasses?" Nick asked. Greg looked surprised by the question.

"Of course, Nicky. I'd date you if you were three hundred pounds and had bad teeth."

"Bad teeth?"

"I have this thing with teeth. I spent so much time making mine perfect that everyone else's have to be perfect too. You have perfect teeth... but as I was saying you could be the ugliest thing in the world and I'd still date you because it's not about what you look like. It's about what's in here," Greg said pointing to Nick's chest where his heart was.

"And here," Greg said pointing to Nick's brain.

"That's what's important to me."

Nick smiled. "Now that had to be a line."

"A line? Moi, use a line? I thinking my winning good looks would be enough for me not to have to stoop to using a line." Greg said smiling.

"Oh, it was a line, but it was a pretty good line so I'll just let it go." Greg leaned down and placed a small kiss on Nick's lips.

"One of these days I'm going to convince you that you're special. Until then I'm going to bask in the glow that is your presence."

All Nick could do was smile nervously.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Greg, there's no way I'm gonna wear that." Nick said sighing for what seemed like the millionth time.

They had done some pretty good shopping and for the most part Nick was happy with the clothes they'd bought. Greg had stayed true to Nick's usually style only going as far as to make the clothes more fitting than the baggy stuff Nick usually wore.

Greg was now trying to convince Nick to get a more modern style. This included preppy shirts and tighter jeans. Nick had let him go for the jeans, but he stopped where the shirts were concerned. Who wore more than one shirt?

"Oh come one. You'd be hip." Greg said.

"I don't wanna be hip, Greg. I wanna be me." Nick said.

"Yeah, okay, okay. I'm forcing too much of me on you, but you gotta admit the style nowadays... I was so made for it." Greg said as he practically drooled over a leather jacket in front of him.

"Nick..."

"No."

"Oh come on. Everyone has a leather jacket. Even people who don't like leather have a leather jacket. It goes with everything." Greg said grabbing the jacket despite Nick's protests. He started moving around the store, grabbing button up shirt after button up shirt.

"Greg what are you doing?" Nick asked.

"I let you get all those black short sleeve shirts and baseball shirts. Now you have to let me have my fill of stuff to get for you." Greg said as he put a red shirt next to a pair of black pants. He nodded his head and held on to the clothes.

"You're serious... why do I need all this stuff anyway?"

"Well, the shirts make you look more professional. Not that I don't like coming into the lab seeing you with long hair, big glasses and an A&M sweatshirt that could fit two people, but these'll accentuate what you got."

"And what exactly is it that I've got?" Greg looked at him, eyebrow cocked as though saying 'You're really serious about that question'. Nick just continued to stare at him waiting for an answer.

"Trust me, Nicky you've got it and you're not showing it off. Just let me do a little shopping of my own for you and you'll see." Greg said kissing Nick lightly on the cheek.

Nick watched as Greg zoomed in and out of aisle of clothing occasionally stopping to look at something before moving on. Nick was almost afraid of what Greg would come up with. His style had always been a bit different.

Even his new work friendly clothes still had a little zing that was Greg to them. Nick remembered back to when he first started working at the crime lab and Greg had actually come to work in a Marilyn Manson concert T-shirt. He remembered the look Warrick gave him, but Warrick had said nothing.

Grissom had said something though. Greg merely through a button up and a suit jacket over it and went back to work, but you could still see Marilyn peeking out from behind the layers.

Greg had style, that much was evident, but he was still young therefore he could get away with the things he wore. Nick wasn't a kid anymore. He knew sooner or later all his runs and healthy food wouldn't be enough and he'd get old. He wasn't exactly sure he could hack tight shirts and tight pants.

"Okay, try this on." Greg said as he walked back to Nick.

He was holding out a white button up shirt with subtle black pinstripes and a pair of khaki colored pants. Nick grabbed the clothes and looked at them.

"Well, go. We don't got all day." Greg said ushering him into the changing room.

Nick made quick work of putting on the clothes. He was glad Greg hadn't tried to squeeze him into some tight tiny shirt.

This one actually fit pretty good, though it was much tighter than anything he'd ever worn before. He put on the pants. Again they were tighter than ones he's worn before, but not excruciatingly tight.

They fit perfectly. He noted that Greg had also handed him a belt and some shoes. He quick put the belt on and pulled on the shoes. He looked himself over once more.

It was something he'd even think about wearing and his hair was definitely not like he would have kept it even at that length. He could pass for an average guy, but his glasses really did have to go in order to pull everything off.

He took a deep breath before opening the changing room door. Greg was leaning against the wall idly playing with his fingers.

"Okay, now, it was a good try, but there's a few things wrong." Greg said. He moved to Nick and unbuttoned two of the top buttons. He opened the cuff buttons too and tried to pull out Nick's tucked shirt.

"Greg, what are you doing?"

"The shirt doesn't tuck, Nicky."

"Like hell it doesn't. You have to tuck in your shirts."

"No, Nicky, tucking in shirts died a long and painful death. Shirts are supposed to be left untucked now."

"Then why did you give me a belt?"

"Because the belt isn't really there for anything. It's just there for you to know it's there. Maybe I should undo another one of those buttons."

"Are you kidding me? My chest is already over exposed as it is." Nick said in a whiny tone. He was too busy looking at his shirt cuffs that he almost missed Greg openly staring at his chest.

"There's nothing wrong with that chest." Greg said licking his lips. Nick gulped and blushed feeling the warmth spread through his whole body.

"Greg..." Before Nick could say anything more Greg was pulling him into a kiss.

Greg had been kissing him all day. There were soft pecks on the lips, quick cheek kisses, soft lips pressed against his palm. Greg had been kissing him all day, but those were like the kiss in the diner. This was like the kiss in the parking lot.

Filled with fire and passion as tongues caressed tongues and lips touched lips. Greg's hands came up to Nick's neck and played with the short hairs at the base while Nick grabbed onto Greg, arms pulling him close and meeting behind Greg's back. Greg may have initiated the kiss, but Nick was an eager participate.

There was just something so addictive about the way Greg kissed. Like he put his whole being into just that one kiss. Like he could just get lost in kissing for hours and not even notice.

Nick wasn't like that. Things were calculated for Nick right down to the last second, but when he was around Greg, things got a little dizzy and out of proportion and Nick never thought letting himself go would feel this good, but here it was.

He and Greg were making out in the changing room of a clothing story and Greg didn't even care enough to lower his moans and hums. His hands were moving everywhere on Nick and Nick just couldn't get himself to care.

Even when Greg's hands were pulling his shirt out of his pants. Even when Greg's hands began to play with the hem of Nick's shirt. Especially when Greg's hands slid under Nick's shirt and began to touch and knead the skin underneath.

Greg's hands caressed Nick's sides and his back and pulled his hips closer to his own and Nick let out a needy little moan as his hips started to ground against Greg's.

Of course Greg didn't seem to mind considering he was grinding his own hips against Nick's with just as much force and Greg's back was against the wall, but nothing was registering in their minds except for their kissing and Greg's hands on Nick's skin.

"Ah hem!" Nick pulled away slightly from Greg who just tried to pull him closer.

"Greg." Nick whispered.

Greg opened his eyes slowly the lids feeling way too heavy.

"Wha?"

"Greg, there's a saleslady standing right there looking very pissed." Nick whispered into Greg's ear.

Suddenly Greg was alert. He looked over at the lady in a work suit her light red hair pulled back in a tight bun a stern look on her face. She was tapping her foot on the ground and her arms were folded across her chest.

"Oh." Greg said.

"We do not allow that kind of behavior in our changing rooms. Now I suggest you hurry and pay for the items that you want and leave the store premise." She said curtly before walking away.

"Shit." Nick said. Greg started giggling and Nick turned a sharp glare at him.

"What are you laughing at?"

"Oh, nothing. Just I don't think I've ever heard you curse before." Greg said bright smile still on his face.

"Greg how could you be laughing when we just got caught... I've never... I mean..."

"Hey, let it go. That lady was a bitch. She was probably just mad because she saw you and got all jealous."

"Greg..."

"Come on, let's go before that scary saleslady comes back."

"What about the other stuff?"

"Well, if these fit than I know everything else will. I'll pay for them and then we can go back to your place and you can put on a little fashion show for me." Greg said placing a small kiss on Nick's nose.

"Greg you don't have to pay for this stuff. I mean I make..."

"Come on, I just wanna do something nice for you. Now hurry I think I hear cheap Jimmy Choo knock offs coming this way." Nick rolled his eyes.

"What if she was coming back? What would you do?"

"Well I'd defend your honor, duh."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"That... was... exhausting." Nick said laying down on his bed.

Greg had made him try on everything. Every last thing they had bought that day. He'd even had to try on some things twice to see how they would look with other things.

They'd spent a good hour doing that before Greg went on his search from Nick's elusive contacts. Nick hadn't been much help merely stating that they were in the bathroom somewhere... he thought. Greg was currently rummaging through Nick's medicine cabinets in his search.

"Sorry, just wanted to see how everything looked on you. I think you looked great. You're going to wear that outfit to work Friday right?" Greg asked from the bathroom.

Nick lifted his head to look at the outfit hanging on a hook on his door. It was the outfit he'd been wearing at the store. Nick smiled softly.

"Yeah, I guess. If you're going to make me." Greg came out of the bathroom contacts in hand.

"Don't think for one second I want come here and dress you for work Friday night. I will."

"Yeah, I know you're evil like that."

"Yes I am." Greg said. He sat down next to where Nick was lying on the bed.

"So, do you know how to put these in?" Greg asked.

"Hmm... yeah, I do. My mom got them for me when I moved out here. I used to wear contacts... my sister forced me saying she didn't want me to look like such a dork. I just never liked them." Nick said looking down at his hands. He heard Greg sigh next to him.

"I'm not trying to change you Nicky. I like the way you look just fine. You don't have to wear any of the new clothes I bought or the contacts. It's fine, but couldn't you just do it one time... for me." Greg said puppy dog eyes in place along with the cute little hopeful smile. Nick felt himself melt inside.

"Okay, I'll do it... but I want you to know that you're evil."

"Duly noted. Well, I guess I should head out." Greg said.

"Um... yeah... sure." Nick said.

Greg was about to get up from the bed when he felt Nick's hand pull him back down. Greg landed with a grunt on top of Nick. He looked down into Nick's eyes and saw conflict in the deep chocolate orbs.

"I... um..." Greg didn't let him finish.

He knew what Nick wanted. He wanted it just as bad. He leaned down and kissed Nick again, his mouth and tongue and teeth basically forcing Nick to open up to him.

Nick didn't complain at all as he let Greg kiss him, let Greg's tongue explore every crevice of his mouth. Nick could detect the slight change in this kiss. All the others had been slow and passionate, the fire there and burning bright, but never threatening to consume.

This kiss, this fire was burning them both alive. Greg pulled away and Nick could hear himself whimper just as little. Greg seemed to register the noise, but couldn't help it as his hands pulled Nick's shirt off of him.

Nick felt the cold air hit his chest, but the cold was soon replaced with Greg's warmth as Greg leaned down to kiss and suck and lick and nibble at his neck. Nick, involuntarily, pushed his hips up against Greg's and felt Greg's hard cock through the fabric of Greg's jeans. He let out a sharp gasp, hearing Greg's answering growl, as Greg's hands opened his pants.

"Greg... oh fuck, Greg..." Nick said when he felt soft warm fingers wrap around his hard cock.

Nick fought to keep his eyes from rolling into the back of his head as Greg's fingers slowly stroked him, thumb sliding across the head of his cock.

"Greg..." He moaned.

Nick wanted this to last, but he couldn't. He couldn't just let himself feel Greg's hands on him. Couldn't let himself give in so easily. Besides Greg had promised him three dates.

"Greg... wait... stop." Greg lifted his head sharply at hearing Nick's voice.

"Wha?"

"We can't do this... not yet." Nick said his tone breathless. Greg looked confused for a second before he shook his head.

"Huh?"

"I mean... I want to, but... it's just..." Nick's breath was coming in short pants. Greg's hand was still on his cock and it was making it very hard for him to think or speak properly.

"I just... I think that maybe we should..."

"Shh, it's okay. Really I'll just go, okay. We don't have to do anything right now." Greg said. His hand left Nick's pants.

"Thanks. I mean some people wouldn't have been so..."

"Nicky, you don't gotta say anything, baby. I'm fine, you're fine. I'll see you ate work tomorrow... and we have Saturday off. How about we go to the movies." Greg said.

"You're really okay with this?" Nick asked.

"Of course I'm okay with this. If you don't want to, then I don't want to."

"Good, because I like you... a lot, but I don't know if I'm ready... yet."

"It's fine, Nicky. You don't gotta explain yourself. So, what do you say to the movies? We'll get dinner and everything."

"That'll be our third date." Nick said.

"We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. I swear. We could just go to the movies and dinner."

"That sounds great."

"Okay than. I'll see you later." Greg said kissing Nick's nose before he got up and walked out of Nick's room.

It took a few moments before Nick heard his front door click and close softly. It took him a few more moments before he was really starting to regret turning Greg away. Nick could feel his control slipping.

He would have let Greg fuck him right then and there. More like demanded it and that kind of loss of control was just something that didn't sit well with Nick. Not so soon when he still wasn't quite sure that Greg really wanted him.

It was stupid. Greg had spent all day with him, touching him and kissing him and hugging him. Telling Nick how hot he was or how beautiful or how special. Nick couldn't remember a time when he received more attention.

He groaned as he pulled off his pants. The front of his boxers were already sticky with pre-cum, but Nick didn't want to move. It probably would have been painful to move.

Nick couldn't remember a time when he was this hard, his body aching for release. Sighing, he pulled down his boxers and wrapped his hand around his cock the slight sensation making him shiver just a bit. His eyes closed he began to see images of Greg behind his eyelids.

Greg's face when he laughed, Greg's smile, and the look Greg got when he was kissing Nick the lust so clear and evident in his eyes. Images of Greg kissing him with such passion and fire popped up into his mind as he stroked himself.

He could vividly imagine what it would be like to have sex with Greg. He knew, just knew with a certainty that Greg would be loud and vocal. Maybe he'd even say some things in Norwegian.

Greg could probably walk around a department store naked and not feel any shame. That's just how he was. Nick pressed his eyes closed tight, biting his lip to keep from crying out as a fantasy played out in his head.

One where he and Greg were lying naked in his bed and Greg was teasing him paying attention to every part of his body with his mouth and his lips and his tongue. He was picking up right where he left off before Nick had asked him to leave.

Greg would be so fucking gentle that Nick would be begging for it. Nick knew Greg would take his time, make him suffer a bit before finally giving in and fucking him. And that's what Greg would do to.

He'd fuck him hard. So hard all Nick would be able to do was hold on tight and bite his lip to keep from screaming.

And he'd love every second of it. Nick could see it so clearly in his mind the image playing out for him as he stroked himself harder, feeling himself tense orgasm flooding through his body threatening to shut down higher brain functions.

Nick thought he almost passed out from the intensity of it, but his brain floated in a dizzy trance like state. He couldn't really move a muscle though he could feel his cum drying on his stomach and hands.

It was really all Greg's fault for being so... Greg.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Greg had wanted to protest. He had wanted to cajole and convince Nick to let him stay. They were so close to. Greg could still feel Nick's cock in his hand. He could still hear the noise Nick made as Greg stroked him.

Perhaps all it would have taken were a few well-spoken dirty words and he'd still be in Nick's house Nick's legs wrapped around his waist as he pounded into him. Greg could do it too. It wouldn't have been too hard. Nick seemed a little far gone as well, but it wasn't like that with Nick.

It was about Nick trusting Greg enough to let him in. All Greg wanted was to be apart of Nick's life. The sex didn't matter. Sure, it would have been great. Greg could already tell Nick would be great, that they'd 'e great together. After their brief encounters, Greg knew Nick was fairly responsive to him. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't responsive to Nick.

Greg walked to his car and opened the driver's door and got in. The intense throbbing from between his legs was threatening to make him pass out. Greg groaned. He'd have to take care of that now or risk getting into a car accident. He looked around Nick's neighborhood.

There weren't any people out and about, not that Greg was in a situation to be secretive even if there were. He needed a release and if it wasn't going to come in the form of Nicky Stokes than he'd just have to say hello to Mister Right hand.

Greg wasn't above masturbating. He did it on a regular basis mostly with Nick's smiling face in his head, but now he had a few new images to add to his fantasies. Nick's naked chest, who knew he was hiding that under all those shapeless clothes.

Nick's flushed skin when he was heated with desire. The noises Nick made. The way he bit his lip to keep from moaning aloud. The way his cock felt in Greg's hand. Greg hurriedly opened his pants pushing them down along with his boxers just enough to take out his hard cock as though images swirled to the front of his brain.

He could almost imagine what Nick would look like when he came as he stroked himself hard. There wasn't any time to really drag this out. He could if he wanted to, but right now was about getting off as quickly as possible.

He tried to imagine what it would be like to fuck Nick. What noises he'd make, what expressions would cloud his face. He wanted Nick to talk, he'd make it his personal goal to get Nick to talk dirty to him. He'd definitely talk dirty to Nick.

"Fuck... Nicky." Greg moaned as he stroked himself imagining that his fist was Nick.

He wanted to know what it would feel like to be surrounded by Nick. Nick's hands on his back, Nick's legs wrapped around his waist, Nick's tight heat wrapped around his cock. Just kissing Nick made Greg want to explode.

Greg moaned as he felt himself cum, spurts of white cum hitting his hand and the steering wheel, none quite reaching the dashboard. Greg's breaths were coming in short pants as he tried to calm himself down enough to clean himself up and drive. His brain was hazy and he was thankful that his place wasn't too far from Nick's.

He opened the glove compartment and grabbed a few tissues. He cleaned himself up as best he could still feeling sticky as he tucked himself into his pants. He wiped the steering wheel and threw the tissues in the passengers seat hoping he'd remember to take them out.

He put his keys in the ignition and started his car waiting awhile before the engine warmed up. His brain was still hazy and his hands felt a little heavy and he briefly wondered if he was going to make it home alright.

It really was all Nick's fault for being so... Nick.

Nick was nervous as he stepped out of his car on Friday night. He was wearing the clothes Greg had picked out for him and the contacts, he'd even gone as far as styling his hair the way Josh had done it.

He still wasn't sure what he was supposed to look like. He looked liked himself, just better dressed and without any of his messy hair in his face. He sighed as he walked inside the lab trying to make his way to his locker.

He saw the stares. He could feel them as he walked to his locker. He could hear the whispers too. People were talking about him and that made Nick extremely nervous. What could they possibly be saying?

Nick hastily made his way to the locker room and opened his locker. He pulled out his lab coat and put it on. It was only now that his clothes fit that he realized just how big his lab coat really was. It was at least two sizes too large.

"So, I hear Greg played dress up with you?" Nick looked up to see Hodges standing in the doorway leaning against the doorframe.

Nick smiled.

"Be honest with me David, do I look okay?" Nick said running his finger through his hair.

Hodges gave him a critical look taking in Nick's new appearance.

"Well, it's not as if I like guys, but you look better than you usually do." Hodges said.

"Really... people were staring." Nick said.

"Well, yeah it's not everyday you see Nick Stokes harmless little lab rat looks like and this is a direct quote from Jacqui 'Hot Texan Goodness'." Nick felt himself blush a bit.

"She really said that?"

"Yes and then she started to complain about how it's not fair that all the good ones are gay. You know she does a lot of complaining about her love life."

"Yeah, she was complaining Tuesday night about it. So you really think I look okay."

"Yeah, I do. But then again what do I know? I'm not some little 'fashionista' like Sanders. And I'm betting he's the one that dressed you so I'd just go with that."

"How do you know he's the one that dressed me?"

"Oh please everyone else may think that Sanders has some little big chested brunette on his arm, but I'm not stupid, Nick. The way you two flirt and the way he looks at you... surprised he hasn't thrown you on the break room table and had his way with you."

Nick felt himself blush even deeper. He obviously knew he was being pretty obvious about liking Greg, but Hodges didn't need to put it like that.

"It's not like that... well okay we're dating, but we haven't... you know." Nick said closing his locker door. He looked down at his lab coat... it really was way too big.

"Oh, so you and Sanders haven't done the nasty yet. The gossip mill will be so pleased to know that." Hodges said with a sarcastic smile on his face.

"What does the gossip mill know about it. I thought they thought Greg had some big chested brunette." Nick asked.

"Some do, mostly the ones that don't know anything. Sara knows, but she's keeping her mouth shut. Warrick knows and I heard Catherine trying to weasel it out of him. And of course Grissom isn't saying anything. People aren't stupid though Nick, despite what I think. They'll figure it out."

"I know. I'm not afraid or anything. I am a little for Greg. I mean I know how some of the cops can be. What if they give him a hard time about it?" Nick said.

"Nick, now you know I don't like... people. You being probably the only exception to that, but if there's one thing I have to say Sanders has, and I begrudgingly admire, it's his ability to win over people and not give a damn about what they think if he can't convince them he's right.

"Kid's not afraid of anything... that could be because he's a kid, but he marches to the beat of his own drum. Grissom wouldn't let anything bad happen to him." Hodges said.

"You're probably right."

"I don't know why you have to disagree with me in the first place. You know I'm always right." Nick smiled as he began to walk out of the locker room. Hodges fell into step next to him.

"Hey, Nick, you're looking... nice today." Catherine said.

Nick smiled at her and watched as Hodges made his way to the break room. He was always doing that when people started to come around. He just disappeared as if he weren't there. One day Nick was going to be talking to him and he'd be gone and people would look at him weirdly.

"Um, thanks. I'm trying something new."

"Well my compliments to trying something new. Definitely... suits you." Catherine said her voice taking on a husky quality Nick remembered from when she hit on him on his first day.

Nick couldn't remember blushing this much in one day, but he knew if the comments he was already receiving were any indication he was going to be doing a whole lot of blushing today.

"So, did you need something?" Nick asked. Catherine blinked a bit before letting a huge smile grace her face.

"Well, just so happens I have a screwdriver for you to analyze. Grissom and I think it was used to kill some guy at the movie theaters." Catherine said.

"A screwdriver? That's definitely a weird murder weapon."

"Yeah, well, still a weapon. Anyway..." "You want me to analyze the blood found on it to see if it belongs to your victim."

"Precisely. It's already with Jacqui. She's fingerprinting it as we speak. Just get it from her."

"Will do." Nick said nodding to Catherine as he started to leave to his lab.

"Oh, Nick." Nick turned around to see Catherine smiling at him. He knew that smile. It was her 'I'm trying to charm information out of you, but I'm hot so you're going to tell me' smile.

"Yeah."

"Just, out of curiosity, where'd you get the clothes?" Catherine asked.

"Um... some place called... Vintage or Classic or something like that. It was in the mall." Nick said nodding.

"Huh, you mean... Retro?"

"Yeah, I think that was the place."

"You know, Greg shops there. Swears by the clothes. Says they have all the most up to date things." Catherine said her smile widening.

"Really... I didn't know that." Nick said.

It was true. Greg had never said anything like that when they had entered the story. He had only said he liked the place and then dragged Nick in. Nick, being close to Greg and not really caring where they were, just followed like a last puppy.

"Yeah, and you know he was talking about these pants he saw there yesterday that he just had to buy." Catherine said walking back to where Nick was standing.

Nick felt glued to the ground. He gulped nervously as Catherine's mind worked a mile a minute.

"And you know, yesterday was Thursday, day of the big date according to Sara. That's all she said about it. So why would he take his date to a clothing store."

"He's nutty." Nick said with a smile, but Catherine really wasn't listening to him. She was on the trail and boy was she liked a blood hound when she got a whiff of the scent of something going on right under her nose.

"Then you come in, wearing clothes from Retro and your day off happened to be yesterday... I think I'm starting to see an interesting pattern here." Catherine said with a smile.

"Fine, you want to know. Fine, Greg and I went on a date yesterday. There are you happy." Nick grumbled. Catherine's eyes shone with glee and she bounced a bit at hearing Nick's confirmation.

"Yes, I was right. I thought I was right. I mean Warrick wasn't saying anything, but come on. You've been in love with him since you saw him and he's been smitten just as long. I just knew it." Catherine said.

"Well good for you. You went and figured out something that wasn't that secret." Nick grumbled.

"Oh, Nick, don't be so down on yourself."

"I'm not down on myself... I mean... am I really that obvious." Nick asked.

Catherine looked shocked for a minute, but then adopted her motherly look that Nick knew so well.

"Oh, honey, you couldn't have been more obvious if you were walking around with an 'I Love Greg Sanders' sign on your chest. But don't fear. Greg was just as obvious."

"He was."

"Well yeah. He'd never let any of us go to you to get things processed. He was always stopping at your lab at all times of the night for no reason. You guys should get matching signs. You know for you 'I Love Greg Sanders' and another for Greg that says 'I Love Nick Stokes'. That way you guys won't get your wires mixed anymore."

Nick rolled his eyes at her and smiled.

"I just... he's Greg. I don't quite believe..."

"Oh, you better believe it. Have you looked in the mirror today? Man if you weren't in love with another guy..."

"What?" Nick asked. Catherine adopted her sultry look and tapped him lightly on the chest.

"Let's just say I'd want to test out just how sturdy those lab tables are." Catherine said winking at Nick.

"Thanks Cath."

"Anytime, babe, anytime." Catherine said walking away.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So your boys the talk of the lab. Just so you know." Warrick said.

They were heading back from the very grueling scene he, Greg and Sara had just processed. The place had been riddled with bullets, 109 to be exact. It took them hours to process everything and now they were headed back to the lab to have things processed.

"I didn't get to see him before Grissom gave me the assignment. He look good?" Greg asked.

Warrick looked at him with his 'You can't be seriously asking me that question' look. Greg rolled his eyes.

"I didn't mean it as an offence to your manhood. Just, you know, a casual observation maybe." Greg said.

"He looked hot, Greg. He looked very hot. You work miracles." Sara said in a deadpan voice as she put the stuff in her kit away.

"Really. Like super hot you'd date him or he was hot I'd definitely give him a once over and maybe a ride?" Greg asked. Sara gave him a grossed out look.

"Well considering he's your boyfriend I think the whole ride thing is irrelevant. But he was definitely something to look at." Sara said.

"You might have just given yourself competition." Warrick said.

"Please, Warrick. Greg may have dressed him up all pretty, but this is still Nick Stokes were talking about. I'm surprised he doesn't have a stutter with how shy he is." Sara said.

"You don't really think I made a bad move by showing him off a bit?" Greg asked.

"No, not a bad move at all. Hopefully it'll boost his confidence. He's not a bad guy." Sara said.

"Yeah, what she said. Guy only sees you. I don't see it being too much of a problem." Warrick said.

"Great. That's great. So... when we get back to the lab... I get to take the beer bottles to DNA." Greg said with a big smile on his face.

"Greg... isn't that how it always is."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So the blood on the screwdriver is a match to the victims." Nick said. Grissom nodded his head.

"Thanks Nick." He said grabbing the print out from Nick's hands.

Jacqui had already gone through her song and dance telling Grissom and Catherine that the killer wore gloves. They both smiled at the lab techs and went on their way.

"So is this like a change of life thing. Greg gets a new... whatever it is that he has and you decide to make yourself look all hot." Jacqui asked. Nick smiled at her.

"Jacqui, you need to lay off the gossip mills... or perhaps listen to them a little more. You might find you'll get all the answers if you just listen." Nick said.

"You know every time I've ever heard you talk it's to spout of some sort of wisdom. You're like... Silent Bob... only good looking." Jacqui said.

"Well I make it my job to inform. That's why I'm a lab tech."

"Yeah I know. You're the best lab tech we've got. You're probably the best in the whole crime lab. Maybe one of the best in the country."

"I sense a but coming."

"Oh there's a but. A big huge elephant size but. Do you actually... do anything when you're not at work."

"Of course I do. What you think I just sit at home and watch nature shows all day." Nick said a bit nervously. Mostly because all he did do was sit at home and watch nature shows.

"I don't know. I haven't been able to figure you out. You're an all around nice guy. I mean you're friends with Hodges and that's not an east feat. You're polite. You don't mind putting in for over time. You never back talk to the CSIs even if they're being assholes. I don't know about you man." Jacqui said as she looked down at her work area.

"I just like being a nice guy. Is that so bad?"

"It is when Ecklie stomps all over you. I mean he has his own day techs." Jacqui said.

"I know that. It's nice to be appreciated is all." Nick said as he looked out of the lab area.

Two girls, Nick guessed they were techs, passed by and started giggling and pouting at Nick. Of course Nick's first reaction was to tense up and wonder if they were pointing at him because he had something on his face or something equally embarrassing.

"You know you're going to have to let them down gently. I think half the girls in the lab have noticed you. They're going to be twirling their hair and flashing their boobs to you in know time."

"Whatever happened to professionalism?"

"It died right around the time chivalry did." Jacqui said in a dead-pan voice. Nick rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Hey, Nicky there you are. I've been looking all over for you. I've got some stuff for you to process. Very important stuff." Greg said as he walked into Jacqui's fingerprint lab.

"Oh really. Important you say." Nick said teasingly.

"The most important. So drop everything you're doing and get your butt into you nice little DNA lab of yours and process my evidence." Greg said with a smile on his face.

"A little demanding aren't you. You didn't even compliment Nick on his new clothes and hair and the no glasses." Jacqui said slightly miffed.

Greg smiled at Nick who rolled his eyes in a defeated manner.

"Well I've already complimented him on his clothes seeing as I bought them for him. And the hair was on me to. Isn't that right, baby." Greg said in an overly sweet tone.

Jacqui blanched.

"Wait... you... then... but... how could I not have seen this." She asked.

"I don't know. Maybe you were looking hard enough." Greg said his arm snaking around Nick's waist. Nick squirmed a bit, but Greg held him close.

"So, Nick's your special someone. The person you were talking all that lovey dovey crap was Nick?" Jacqui asked.

"Yup. And don't sound like that. Who wouldn't absolutely fall head over heels for him." Greg said as he kissed Nick softly on the lips.

Nick felt himself blushing so much he knew he had to be tomato red. He pushed Greg away and ran out of Jacqui's lab leaving a puzzled Greg and Jacqui in his dust.

"What's the matter with him?" Jacqui asked.

"I don't know."

"Well, don't sit around her talking to me. Go see what's wrong with your boyfriend." Jacqui said with a small smile on her face.

Greg returned it and walked out of her lab. He made his way to Nick's lab. Nick was currently un-bagging the bottles Greg had found at his crime scene his face clearly showing that he was pissed off. Greg decided to proceed with caution.

"Nicky, babe, what's wrong." Greg asked.

"You! You're what's wrong! Greg, you can't just... we can't just... I mean that stuff's for private." Nick said his tone irritated.

"Nicky, it was just a little kiss."

"Just a little kiss! Greg we can't be kissing in the crime lab."

"Are you... I mean do you not want people to know about us. Because I really like you... I mean REALLY REALLY like you, but you know it's not my style to hide..."

"God, Greg that's not it at all. I just... I have to work here, you know. I have to keep things... professional. My personal life... no one needs to know about that stuff. It's my business, not anyone elses." Nick said clearly angered by the whole situation.

"Nicky, look, I'm sorry okay. I didn't think it would..."

"No you didn't! You were just being you! Well maybe you should tone the you down a bit!" Nick said a little louder than intended.

Greg's eyes widened in shock.

"Wait I mean... I didn't mean it like that... what I meant..."

"Don't Nick. It's okay if you're angry... in fact... I kinda like you... angry. It's a different side of you. Definitely... hot."

It was Nick's turned to look shocked. He had just yelled at Greg and told him to stop being him and Greg was... happy about it. Well turned on was more like it. Nick had seen that gleam in his eyes before and he knew exactly what it meant.

"You're nuts. Completely nuts you know that." Nick said.

"Well, yeah, but it's just who I am. Now, let's settle this like adults. Clearly something about public displays of affection in the work place disturbs you. Why?"

"Greg, did you just hear yourself. Public displays in the work place. There's a reason it's the work place. We're supposed to work here."

"But dressing rooms in mall stores are okay." Nick glared at him.

"Okay, okay, I get it. You're just trying to be professional."

"You said Grissom said we could do this if we kept it from affecting work. I like my job, Greg."

"And I like mine. So, okay, I've got it. You're skittish about being public. I'll remember that. I'll just have to curb my urges to throw you down on your lab desk and have my way with you." Greg said wagging his eyebrows.

Nick rolled his eyes though he couldn't say Greg wasn't having an affect on him whatsoever.

"Look, it's not that I don't like you. And it's not that I don't want this. I do. Apparently everybody here knows it. And I know it's not going to stop any office gossip if we keep things cool here.

"They'll already know or makeup things if we don't tell them, but... I like to keep things private. I grew up with siblings all around me. It didn't help that I was the baby. I just... I want to be able to say that I have one thing that's just mine and nobody knows anything about."

"Oh you mean like a nice little secret."

"Not a secret. Everybody knows... just you know something only I'm allowed to fully appreciate." Nick said.

Greg smiled at him. He could be Nick's thing to fully appreciate. He had no problems with that.

"You know I'd do whatever you want. I'm fucking crazy about you." Greg said. Nick smiled.

"I know. You've said that before. I'm actually starting to believe it."

"Good. Because it's true you know. So, okay, I can be professional. Professional Greg stepping into the room." Greg said as he waved his right hand over his face.

One minute he was smiling and the next he had a stern look on his face.

"Nicky... okay I can't really be too professional and say Nicky at the same time, but bare with me... Nicky I need you to swap the rims of these bottles and compare the saliva you find on them to the victim. Bloods in one of those bags." Greg said.

Nick couldn't help but laugh a bit at Greg's attempt to be professional. Greg took his job seriously, sure that was a given, but Greg wasn't exactly professional.

"I can do that for you Mister Sanders." Nick said.

Greg shuddered at the 'Mister Sanders' part.

"I better get out of here before I really do end up throwing you on that table. You really just have no idea..." Greg said as he began to walk out of the lab.

Nick caught his hand and Nick looked up. Nick was feeling particularly bold at the moment, his thumb caressing Greg's palm.

"We're still on for Saturday... right." Nick said in an unsure voice.

"Wild horses couldn't drag me away. I'll pick you up at six okay. We can get some dinner and catch a late movie."

"Sounds great. Okay back to being professional." Nick said with a smile.

"Yes, back to being professional."

Nick was nervous. Very nervous. He was extremely nervous. He was so nervous he almost didn't get any sleep. Friday night had been great. He'd had to fend off a few admirers, but for the most part the night was great. He really never felt that confident before.

People kept hitting on him and asking him for help with things and generally paying attention to him. Not that Nick had an attention problem. He had been perfectly content with having no spotlight on him.

He'd be perfectly happy with no spotlight... and well Greg's attention. Not that Greg hadn't been paying attention to him before they started dating. He had been paying attention, but now he liked Greg's boyfriend attention. He liked kissing Greg. He liked touching Greg. He liked being around Greg. He liked Greg.

And really, he was thirty-four years old. Sex was no big deal. He'd had sex before... a few times. It wasn't like he was a virgin on prom night or anything. He'd had sex before. Granted some of that sex had been less than stellar and one had been with a girl.

Becky Wilson. She had been a friend of his sister's and, as a favor to Tina, she'd came on to poor unsuspecting Nick. Before Nick knew what was happening they were having sex and, being that he was sixteen and it was his first time, it hadn't been all the great. Course that could've had something to do with the fact that boobs just didn't do it for him. Neither did black hair or girl parts. No, Nick was very much happier when he finally did realize he was gay.

Thomas Kingston. He'd had sex with him just once, but he was just so... yeah, Nick wasn't going to think about it. Whatever Thomas was it was nothing compared to Greg. Thomas had worked with Nick on a lab during college. Nick knew the score. Nick knew Thomas was a player, but at least he had some experience and really Nick just wanted to get the experiment over with and figure out if he was gay or not. Boy, was he gay.

There had been a few strings of relationships after that, but most of Nick's sexual encounters had been one-time deals he'd rather forget about.

It couldn't be like that with Greg. It had to be special with Greg and he knew how corny and girly that sounded, but it was the truth. He cared about Greg too much for it to be anything less. It had to be just perfect.

Part of him protested that it didn't matter. It would be perfect even if it wasn't the best sex he'd ever had, which he strongly doubted. Very strongly doubted. This was Greg. Anything they did together would be special because it was Greg.

He'd waited so long for Greg and he wasn't going to let a little thing like sex- okay so it was sometimes a big huge elephant size thing- get in the way of his happiness with Greg.

Nick nervously looked in the mirror. He'd gone with a nice maroon button up shirt and black jeans that were a little tighter than he usually liked. He looked wearily over at the leather jacket laying on his bed. He'd tried it on. It was comfortable. It was unbelievably comfortable.

Seriously, it was the best jacket he'd ever worn in his life. He knew Greg had liked it. He'd remembered when they were purchasing all the clothes and the saleslady had been eyeing them wearily. He put the jacket up first stating that if they were going to get kicked out he wanted to buy the one thing that really mattered. Sighing, Nick grabbed the jacket from his bed and put it on.

He looked nice. He'd managed to finally style his hair the way Josh had had it. He'd put in his contacts tonight and really he couldn't have been more please with the way he looked. Now if Greg would just get there already and they could start their date.

Nick hated being nervous. He was rarely nervous. There was really nothing for him to be nervous about. He led a pretty simple existence. He slept, went to work, had a few conversations at work, came home, watched boring tv and then slept again the meals mixed in there. There was no reason for him to feel the least bit nervous about anything.

But this was out of his relative scope of things. This was dating Greg.

Nick jumped a bit when he heard his doorbell ring. He took a deep breath and walked out of his bedroom, into the living room, past his kitchen and to the front door. He took another deep breath before opening the door. He's greeted with the sight of a slightly unkempt Greg.

He's wearing jeans, a pretty baggy pair for Greg, a white shirt with some weird design on it that Nick can't see very well and a hooded jacket. His hair is in a state of disarray and not in the usual Greg way. Nick could tell there was no product in it whatsoever. He's got what looks like the makings of stubble on his face and big awkward looking sunglasses, though they're only awkward because the sun's pretty much down.

"Greg." Nick said.

"Hey, sorry I'm a bit late Nicky. Grissom almost didn't let me leave today." Greg said leaning in for a kiss.

He got a small peck considering Nick looked pretty concerned.

"Greg, have you slept... at all." Nick asked.

"Yeah, yeah. I caught some catnaps while waiting for samples to be processed by the dayshift." Greg said.

"I thought you were working that shooting with Sara and Warrick."

"I was, but Grissom, being that he wants me to succeed in becoming a CSI 3 put me on this different case. It's no big deal. I've gone longer without sleep." Greg said.

"I don't know. Maybe we should just re-schedule..."

"Nicky, you took all this time getting ready and you look amazing. You're wearing the jacket I bought you."

"Yeah, it's pretty comfortable. Greg are you sure..."

"Yes, let's just go okay. I'll be fine. I swear." Greg said. For some reason Nick just didn't believe him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dinner had been excellent. There was no reason for them to stand on airs. It had been the best dinner date that Nick had ever been on and he knew that had something to do with already knowing a lot about Greg's life. Conversation was easy and light and Nick made sure to not bring up whatever case Greg was working on.

It was clear that whatever the case was, it was affecting Greg deeply. Sure Greg was known to be just as bad as Sara some times when it came to pulling over time, but Nick had a feeling that he would have at least stopped to sleep a bit knowing that he'd be going out with Nick the next night.

Greg claimed he was fine, downing coffee after coffee in an effort to stay awake. He'd close his eyes every once in awhile for a little bit before opening them to smile at something Nick said.

Only Greg could be exhausted and still pay attention to whatever it was Nick was saying. Not that Nick was complaining. It was nice to know that now matter how tired Greg was he'd still pay attention to Nick's inane chatter.

After dinner they made their way over to the movie theater. They had parked Greg's car and were walking down the street to where the theater was. Greg had said he wanted to see some sort of action flick that Warrick had told him about and Nick said he didn't care either way.

"So, get any compliments on how you were dressed at work on Friday?" Greg asked. Nick smiled.

"Yeah, quite a few actually. You'd think I'd had drastic plastic surgery or something. Just a hair cut, some contacts and new clothes and people are pawing all over me." Greg frowned at that.

"Pawing, that doesn't sound good. Am I gonna have to defend someone's honor here."

"Oh, the pawing was just Catherine. Everyone else was a little more subtle about it."

"That hussy... am I gonna have to tell her something. Like why it would be bad for her health to be touching my guy." Despite the teasing tone, Nick detected that some part of Greg was being very truthful about what he was saying.

"I don't think you need to worry about Catherine, Greg. She's in love with Warrick or quite possibly Grissom. I have yet to form an opinion on that one. Besides she said that I was totally in love with you and couldn't be more obvious if I had a sign around my neck saying so. She actually said we should get matching signs." Nick said with a smile.

"Hmm, signs might interfere with my work... might interfere with yours. We could get shirts." Greg said. Nick smiled at him.

"It was really funny. Jacqui got so tired of seeing all these girls all over me and called a lab tech meeting."

"You lab rats have meetings?"

Nick rolled his eyes at him.

"Yes, we do. We all take our breaks at the same time and have meetings. Usually it's just to discuss our lives or the lives of the CSIs."

"Ah the great Catherine/Grissom/Warrick/Sara debate. Can't believe you guys actually sit down to discuss that stuff."

"It's Jacqui's idea... and Bobby's... and Archie really goes along with it."

"And you?"

"You've met Jacqui right. You've seen how scary she can be."

"Right so she called one of these meetings of the minds to discuss..."

"Well me... and you. God it was so embarrassing. She's all like 'Nick and Greg are practically married so all you other little techs that think you stand a chance... push off'. I let her have her little meeting before a I yelled at her." Nick said.

"Really and what was her reaction to that?" Greg asked.

"She rolled her eyes! Seriously she just sat there and rolled her eyes and said whatever. Told me she was doing me a favor. Something about jealous boyfriends. Anyway, Bobby and Archie looked scared. David just looked amused."

"You guys are like the major techs, huh. Heads of the lab."

"Well I guess. Jacqui pretty much runs things... and Bobby. Those two are like a team. Archie really just goes along with everything. I like to stay low key and David likes to stay even lower key." Nick said.

"Yeah Hodges seems like the loner type to me."

"You know you're going to have to be nice to him... if only for me." Nick said with a pout on his face. Greg licked him lips and cleared his throat.

"Nicky if you knew the magnitude of things I'd be willing to do for you, you wouldn't even say that."

Nick felt himself blush. Greg was always saying things like that. Always sweet talking and laying on the charm, but Nick knew, he just knew, that this wasn't about charming him. Greg was being a hundred percent truthful. Greg had always been the one to start their kisses. Nick never felt comfortable enough to, but right at that moment he wanted nothing more than to kiss Greg.

He leaned in and kissed Greg's soft lips, his hands at Greg's waist pulling him closer. He had intended for it to be a quick small kiss, but nothing was ever quick and small when Greg was involved. No, Nick was pulled into it, Greg's hands holding Nick's head in place as the kissed. He felt Greg's fingers run throw the small hairs at the base of his neck.

Nick broke away from the kiss, not moving too far away from Greg. Their foreheads were still touching and their lips were merely inches away from each other.

"Greg... how badly do you want to see that movie?" Nick asked his voice raspy.

Greg felt himself shiver at Nick's raspy Texan drawl.

"Well, Warrick said it was pretty cool. The graphics are supposed to be really killer..."

"Greg, fuck the movie."

"Well, I'd much rather fuck you." Greg said seductively. Nick moaned.

"Who's place is closer?" Nick asked.

"I believe yours is. Still, this wasn't really much of a date. I mean sure I took you to dinner, but I promised you dinner and a movie."

"Well, you can make it up to me in other ways." Nick said. Greg smiled at him.

"If I must. Come on lets get back to my car." Greg said grabbing Nick's hand to drag him back to the car.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

By the time they had made it back to Nick's, Nick had lost his confidence. Before it had been sort of an in the moment thing, but he'd had a ten minute car ride to think about it his little insecurities were threatening to rear their ugly heads.

"Nicky, we don't got to do anything you don't want to do. Remember." Greg said.

They were sitting on the couch quietly absorbing each others company. Nick was currently lying comfortably between Greg's legs, his back pressed against Greg's chest. From the moment they stepped inside his house, Nick had started feeling nervous again.

He hurriedly took off his jacket and placed it on coat rack, Greg following suit and looked around his place. He mumbled and he babbled and he offered drinks. Greg didn't want one and he told Nick that he wanted to sit down. So they sat down, Greg practically pulling Nick onto his lap.

"I know. You said that. It's not that I don't want to, Greg, but..."

"You're nervous. What do you think I'm just here for the sex? I would have stopped after the first breakfast date."

"I know you're not here for sex. I mean you've made that abundantly obvious, but... sex is a big deal in a relationship."

"Well, it's not everything, but I guess it is pretty important."

"And, well, I've never had a real... relationship you know. And it's been awhile since..."

"Hey, it's okay. I'm not just gonna throw you down on the bed and ram into you." Greg said in a teasing tone.

He was trying to lighten the mood. Nick knew this and it actually helped a bit.

"You get one chance with this Greg. It's like the first kiss."

"You gotta admit our first kiss was spectacular." Nick blushed a bit.

"Yeah it was. I'm just... I'm letting nerves get the best of me."

"Don't worry about it. Nicky I... this thing with us can't be wrong."

"I know. Just... just kiss me." Nick said a little shocked at his boldness.

"Now how could I turn down an invitation like that." Greg said smiling.

Nick turned so he was straddling Greg's legs. Greg pulled his head close to his own and started to kiss him. The sensation of kissing Greg always made Nick forget where he was and just feel.

He couldn't help it that Greg brought out a side of him he'd never thought anyone could bring out. In fact, Nick didn't even know about this side. Nick didn't even realize when Greg had pushed him down on his back, Greg's weight settling down on top of him never once breaking their kiss.

He was thrilled that he had decided to wear a button up shirt. Greg didn't have to pull away at all as he unbutton Nick shirt and pushed it aside, Greg's hands roaming at his sides skin touching skin. It had been so long since anyone had touched Nick like that. Nick tried to protest when Greg broke their kiss, but he couldn't.

Greg's lips were elsewhere now, nibbling at his neck, sucking on the skin on his chest, licking at his nipples. It felt like Greg was everywhere at once and all Nick could do was shift where Greg was paying attention to and moan and groan and mewl as Greg tortured him.

He felt Greg's hands at his pants. Felt as Greg undid them and slowly, with practiced ease, pulled them off of Nick. Felt as Greg did the same for his boxers. He watched as Greg's eyes glazed over, a hungry look in them. Watched as they took on a desperate look. Watched as Greg hurriedly took of his own clothes, yanking his shirt off and tugging his pants off.

Nick was pleasantly surprised to see that Greg wasn't wearing any underwear and he groaned as he thought of Greg walking around during their date without any on. Greg draped himself over Nick again, lips barely grazing Nick's, his hand going straight for Nick's cock stroking it lightly. Nick gasped sharply and Greg smiled.

"Like that, huh."

"Fuck."

"Ooh... sweet innocent little Nicky cursed again." Greg said in a low voice sexy smile on his face.

"Guess you just bring it out in me." Nick replied.

Nick was very well aware of the fact that they were still on his couch. That they were still on his couch, very naked Greg's hand lazily stroking his cock. He wanted to speak. He wanted to tell Greg that they should go to his room, but his brain was currently turned to goo. He could hear Greg saying something. He knew Greg would be a talker. He just knew it.

"Nicky, baby, were gonna have to move." Greg whispered into his ear.

"Don't wanna move... can't move." Nick gritted out.

Did Greg really think he could have a coherent conversation when he giving him a hand job? If he did than Greg was crazier than he thought. Just the thought of Greg's warm hand on his cock sent Nick haywire.

"Baby, I refuse to fuck you for the first time on your couch." Greg said letting out a little laugh.

Nick groaned, his hips thrusting up more in Greg's hand.

"Greg..."

"Come on... it won't take too much to make it to your room." Greg said.

Nick very much doubted that, but didn't have a chance to protest, both the loss of Greg's hand and moving, as Greg stood up and practically hauled him off the couch, urgency back with a vengeance. Nick though if Greg could he probably would have thrown Nick over his shoulder and ran to his room.

They made it to Nick's bedroom, Nick stumbling a bit as they walked and Greg practically threw him on the bed. Greg followed draping himself on top of Nick settling between his open legs. He began to kiss Nick again, the kiss passionate and desperate and needy and filled with lust. Nick couldn't help the small whimper when Greg pulled away.

"Condoms... lube..." Greg whispered his lips on Nick's.

Nick racked his brain trying to figure out if he had these items. Sure he had lube. He was pretty sure it was in the nightstand. He wasn't so sure about the condoms. He hadn't had sex in two years. He new he really should have been prepared for this, but he wasn't. He was tempted to just let Greg fuck him anyway even if they didn't have condoms.

"Nightstand." Nick whispered.

Greg pulled away and started looking for the items he'd asked for. He found the lube right away and kept searching for condoms, his efforts coming up empty. "Shit, there aren't any condoms in there." Greg said.

"Fuck... I didn't think so. I... I don't think..."

"I've got one in my wallet... in the living room."

"I told you it wasn't a good idea to move from the couch." Nick said pouting.

"Fuck, Nick don't... don't pout like that. I'll be right back. Don't go anywhere." Greg said kissing his forehead.

"Well where the hell I'm gonna go like this." Nick asked clearly frustrated.

He was hard, very hard and Greg was right there and they were so close.

All Greg did was smile as he practically ran out into the living room. It took a few minutes before he was running back, foil wrapper in hand. He got back to the position he was in before he left and put the condom next to the lube on the bed. Greg leaned down to kiss Nick again, but Nick stopped him.

"Enough with the fucking foreplay. Just fuck me already would you." Nick said his voice low and husky his accent more pronounced.

He'd have blushed at hearing himself say that, but the blood was currently flowing to other regions. He never remembered being the turned on in his life and he just need Greg inside him already.

Greg smiled.

"Someone's a little impatient." Greg said uncapping the lube.

He squirted some onto his fingers Nick watched intently as Greg's finger went down and disappeared. Seconds later Nick could feel it gently pushing inside him and he let out a sharp gasp as it slid in with some resistance.

"Bet you were thinking about this all day. I know I was. I was thinking about even while I was on that case. Thinking about how I was going to take you out and then take you back home and fuck you. Even had to jerk off in the shower I took before I got here? Were you thinking about this all day." Nick nodded his head.

"I bet you were nervous. Bet you were fidgeting in that fucking cute way of yours. Did you have to jerk off because you were thinking about how I was going to fuck you tonight?" Greg said as he pulled out his finger and added another one, his fingers pushing in and out making little scissoring motions.

Greg knew now that Nick had wanted it. Knew that he was going to say no this time. He'd known it from the way Nick had been nervous energy all night. He just knew Nick wasn't going to turn him away tonight.

"I jack off all the time thinking about you fucking me." Nick said.

"Hmmm, that right. What am I doing to you? Am I fucking you hard... from behind... face to face? Fucking you on your bed... on your couch.."

"Everywhere. I think... I think about you fucking me everywhere."

"You want me to fuck you right now. How bad do you want it, Nicky? Come on, tell me how much you want it, baby."

"Fuck, so much Greg. Never wanted anyone as much as I want you. I fucking need you. Please Greg... want you so bad... please fuck me." Greg let out a grunt and pulled out his fingers.

Nick whimpered at the loss, but watched with heavy lidded eyes as Greg tore open the condom wrapper and rolled the condom onto his cock. He hurriedly added some lube before pushing against Nick's entrance.

"Please... Greg... please I want you... I need you."

"Fuck, Nicky you're so fucking gorgeous like this. So fucking hot, begging for my cock."

"Please, Greg."

"Shh, baby I'm right here. I'm gonna fuck you so hard you're not gonna be able to move. You want that."

"Yes, fuck yes. I want it, Greg." Slowly Greg pushed past the initial resistance and was inside Nick.

Greg was inside of him. Fully and completely inside of him and Nick's brain was turning into a pile of mush. He looked up to see Greg, eyes wide but more than likely unseeing, his mouth slackly open as he panted for breath. He wasn't moving. He was so still and Nick knew that was for his benefit.

Because it had been so long and sure it hurt when Greg was pushing in to begin with, but now it just felt good. Really good. Greg's skin was on him. Greg's breath and face close to his own. Greg's hands on his waist Greg nestled in the spot between Nick's legs, while Nick's legs were wrapped around his waist. Greg's cock buried deep inside him and it was the best thing Nick ever felt in his life.

And then Greg was moving, one slow slightly unsteady thrust as though Greg wasn't sure it was okay to move and wasn't really ready to move all at the same time, and Nick knew that that was the best thing he'd ever felt in his life.

"Fuck, Nicky... so tight... feels so good. Wanted this for so long." Greg moaned as he thrust again.

"You know what I want. I want you to fuck me harder." Nick said.

He saw the predatory glance in Greg's eyes. He heard the small growl Greg let out. He felt the hands on his waist tighten in their grip. He moaned when Greg's thrust became harder, faster, switching angles as Greg pounded into him mercilessly.

This was the way Nick had imagined it. Greg going wild and just pounding into him Nick's hands clawing at Greg's back as he did so.

Nick knew he'd be sore in the morning. Knew he'd probably have bruises on his hips, but he didn't care. Not when he saw Greg's face. Not when he heard Greg's voice talking deliciously dirty words to him.

"Holy Shit Nick... ah... fuck... so good... so fucking good." Nick couldn't help it especially when Greg's cock pounded against his prostate.

"Yes... FUCK, Greg, right there... shit harder, Greg, please fuck me harder. Please Greg don't stop... fuck don't ever stop."

Greg kept thrusting hard, pounding against Nick's prostate. Greg's hand began to stroke Nick's cock and Nick felt zings of electric pleasure rush through him. He was already so hard before Greg started fucking him and now it was near the point of painful.

"Greg, I'm gonna..."

"That's it. Come on baby... come for me."

Greg kept thrusting into him, his hand moving in time with his thrusts and Nick wasn't sure he could take it. Knew he couldn't last much longer, but the erratic thrusts and Greg's hard breathing... Nick knew Greg wasn't too far behind.

Nick felt himself tense. Felt his orgasm overwhelm his sense.

"GREG!" He yelled as he came spurts of milky white cum jetting out of his cock coating his stomach and Greg's hand. Greg was still thrusting his eyes shut tightly closed his teeth grinding. Nick panted, his brain still hazy in that after orgasm way. His harsh breathing met with Greg's even harsher breathing.

"Shit... Nicky, fuck... baby... not gonna... gonna cum..."

"Do it, Greg. Let go. Come on, baby... come for me." Nick said through his haze. Greg let out a choked off sob. He screamed Nick's name as he came, hips still thrusting a bit as he did.

Greg collapsed on Nick after his body stopped shaking. He was still breathing harshly just as harsh as Nick was. It took him a few minutes before he rolled off of Nick onto the bed. His eyes were still closed and Nick smiled.

"We should really get cleaned up." Greg whispered.

"I can't move." Nick said.

Greg smiled softly, his eyes still closed.

"I've rendered you incapable of movement. Score one for me."

Nick lightly, with as much strength as he could muster, smacked Greg.

"There should be some tissues on the nightstand." Nick said.

Greg cocked an eyebrow, but didn't say anything as he leaned over to grab some tissues. He turned to Nick and started to clean him up, Nick's eyes closed as he felt himself become tired.

Greg finished cleaning him up and threw the tissues in the wastebasket along with the used condom.

"So those for when you jack off thinking about me fucking you from behind?" Greg asked. Nick attempted to roll his eyes, but it took too much effort.

"You're not going to let me live that down. It was in the heat of the moment."

"Hey, I told you I jack off thinking about the same things. Could probably do it just thinking about you smiling at me." Nick was glad he was already flushed because he knew he would have been blushing at Greg's words.

"Well guess we don't have to fantasize anymore."

"On the contrary, I think it would be very good to fantasize. Think of things we could do to each. Definitely gonna have to watch you jack off one of these days."

Nick was almost certain he was blushing now, but his mind was so hazy that he couldn't really care. He felt like he was fitting sleep and wasn't sure why.

"Hmm... but that conversation is for another day. You're obviously tired."

"And you're not." Nick said sleepily, turning to rest his head on Greg's chest. Greg's arm wrapped around Nick's back meeting the other at Nick's waist.

"Never said that. I'm actually very sleepy."

"Hmmm, yeah sleep's good."

"Go to sleep. I'll still be here when you wake up." Greg said lightly kissing Nick's forehead. He felt sleep pulling him as well.

"Hmm kay." Nick said letting sleep take over him. Greg wasn't far behind.

Greg was shaken awake by some weird dream that he couldn't even remember. He sighed and looked over at the clock. A little after ten o'clock. He looked down to see Nick still nestled close to him.

He looked so cute when he slept. He couldn't feel too good sleeping with his contacts though. Greg knew the hazards of keeping your contacts on over night. They could attach to his eye.

Greg laughed. He was worried about Nick's health. He was worried about Nick. He never wanted anything bad to happen to Nick... ever.

He didn't know what he would do if something bad like that happened. Of course he knew he was probably overreacting to things, but he couldn't help it.

He heard his phone ring and sighed. It was more than likely work and that meant he was going to have to kill Grissom. It was his day off and he had just pulled a double. He hadn't even slept much.

He disentangled himself from Nick, who was very reluctant to let him go, and walked into the living room searching for his pants. He found them in a heap on the floor and took out his cell phone and answered it.

"Sanders."

"Greg, I need you at a crime scene." Greg sighed.

Oh yeah Grissom was definitely going to die.

"Gris, you do realize that it's my day off and I just pulled a double. Why can't you have Catherine or Sara or Warrick work it with you?"

"Because, from the files I looked over, it looks like it could be from the same guy that killed your vic."

Greg rubbed his temples and took in a deep breath.

"Gris... please, man I'm begging you. I haven't gotten much sleep today and I'm really tired. Can't you just put someone else on it."

"Greg, this is your case. Now look the crime scene isn't that far away from your place. Maybe a five minute drive."

"Grissom, I'm not at my place."

There was a stilled silence from the other line. Greg knew Grissom was probably thinking over this new piece of information and viewing it with every possible explanation.

"So it's about a twenty minute drive from Nick's. Either way I expect you here soon."

"Well I kind of have to get dressed and take a shower... I mean don't want to go in smelling weird." Greg smiled. If he was going to work, he was going to make it as hard on Grissom as he possibly could.

"Just get here Greg." Grissom said in that tone that meant he'd heard way too much and wanted to pretend like he hadn't.

Greg sighed.

"You have to work?"

Greg turned around to see Nick standing in the doorway of the hall that led to his bedroom. He had a sheet wrapped around his shoulders covering up most of himself from Greg's view.

"Yeah. Gris thinks this body they found may relate to my case. He wants me down there ASAP." Greg said grabbing his pants and shirt.

"Oh. You're not... gonna take a shower?" Nick asked.

"Can't. Gotta get down there."

"But you just said..."

"That was only to make Grissom feel uncomfortable. Seriously, you think I'm going to shower?" Greg said. He lifted up his arm and smelled himself.

"Hmmm... maybe I should." Nick smiled.

"You probably smell a little. I don't think Grissom would appreciate you walking into a crime scene smelling the way you do."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I'll take a quick shower. You on tomorrow night?"

"Yes, actually I am. You think Grissom's gonna keep you working that long?"

"He might. Depends on if I can finish the case. If I get out early... I'm welcome back here... right?" Greg said feeling a little nervous. He'd done one night stands that had ended like this and he didn't want that with Nick.

"Of course you're welcome back here. Why wouldn't you be?" Nick asked.

Greg smiled as he walked over to Nick. He placed a small kiss on Nick's nose and smiled.

"Good. Now, you look tired. Get some sleep. If I don't see you before you go to work tonight, I'll definitely see you later." Greg said.

Nick just smiled as Greg ushered him off to his bedroom.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Greg walked onto the scene, hair wet and dripping clothes a little damp considering he'd thrown them on when he was still a little wet. His left shoe was untied and practically falling off as he ran to the crime scene.

A house.

A nice looking house.

A house that looked like it was fit for suburban living.

Nothing like the other place Greg had processed. A bachelor pad apartment that looked like it hadn't been cleaned in decades. This place looked immaculate. This place looked stunning.

This place looked like it couldn't possibly be related to his other crime scene. If it wasn't Greg was going to physically injury Grissom. And he was going to make it hurt. He was going to make it hurt really bad.

He walked inside to the house. There was evidence of a struggle. There had been evidence of a struggle at the other place. The cops were looking at him strangely. Greg guessed it had something to do with his appearance. He didn't look like his usual self. When he got to Grissom and Brass, Brass was smirking at him.

"Hot date, Greg." He asked.

"And what, Jim, would make you ask that question?" Greg asked.

"You're hair's not done. Doesn't matter if you're sleeping or not you're hair is always done. That and you have a hickey on your neck." Brass said smirking widening.

Greg's hand instantly went up to his neck feeling around for marks. Sure he and Nick had gotten a little... yeah, but hickeys. He didn't remember Nick kissing his neck. Though it was somewhat of a blur... a nice blur, a very good blur, the best blur of his life.

"Calm down champ. It's not that noticeable." Brass said. Something in his tone made Greg think different.

"There's no way I have a hickey. I'd remember a hickey." Greg said, his hand still covering his neck.

"Well maybe you just got caught up in the passion."

Brass giggled. He actually giggled. Greg scowled at him.

"I swear there's no way I got a hickey."

"So you didn't have a hot date? Because the way Grissom was talking it sounded like you did. Perhaps nabbed yourself a certain lab tech you've been... swooning- for lack of a better word- over for, oh I don't know, years."

Greg's scowl deepened.

"How is it that you knew this? Does anyone else know this?" Greg asked.

"Well Nick's not to good at keeping his emotions hidden, but you... well I had too look a little deeper for you. Saw it eventually." Brass said.

"Yes, well if you must know about my personal life... I went on a date with Nicky, but I swear I don't know how that hickey got there. I don't... I don't remember him..."

"That good huh?" Greg didn't blush. He did however glare at Brass.

"That good what?" Greg turned around to see Grissom standing behind him.

His hand was still covering most of his neck. He smiled nervously at Grissom. He turned to see that Brass was still smiling and giggling under his breath.

"Nothing, Gris, let's just work the crime scene." Greg muttered his hand still on his neck.

"Greg, you're gonna have to move your hand from you neck." Grissom said.

"I will... as soon was we get started." Greg said trying to get away from Grissom.

"Is there something you don't want me to see."

"No, I just..."

"Did you hurt yourself? Do you have a rash? You better let me take a look at it."

Brass began to laugh, loudly. He couldn't stop himself. He doubled over laughing. Grissom quirked an eyebrow and Greg looked even more nervous.

"Something I should know, Greg?" Greg sighed and removed his hand from his neck. He bit his lip as he wondered what Grissom was thinking.

"That's a nasty bruise Greg." Grissom said in a deadpan voice.

"It's... it's not exactly a bruise. It's more of a... hickey." Greg said.

"Hmmm... yes I figured that much. Considering you were on a date and it's on your neck." Grissom said.

Greg wished a hole would open up and swallow him wide. This was all Grissom's fault. Soon this would make the new rotation at work and Nick would be so upset.

He really liked his privacy. Though it wasn't really Greg's fault that Nick gave him the hickey in the first place. He sure as heck didn't give it to himself.

"Oh, well then... can we get to work."

"Greg... I'd appreciate it if... you didn't come to work with... love bites on your neck." Grissom said.

Okay, now Greg was pissed off. If he had had it his way he wouldn't be at work. Granted even if he had waited it would still be there, but at least he would have had time to try and cover it up.

"You're the one who called me in. I didn't even know it was there until Brass here informed me."

"It's a good thing he did. Now you'll have a chance to cover it up. It looks unprofessional."

Now Greg was bordering on appalled. Grissom was actually calling him unprofessional. Greg, the man who came to work in wrist cuffs and Marilyn Manson concert tees.

Any other time, Greg might have gone along with it. Sure he usually came to work dressed unprofessionally and basically looking unprofessional, but he didn't even want to be at work. Grissom and called him.

"Would it matter if I didn't cover it up?" Greg asked.

Grissom seemed to be thinking this over and Greg's anger was steadily increasing. He was probably trying to find cool calculated words that had some hidden Zen meaning to them. Greg hadn't it when he got cryptic.

"Let's just work the crime scene." Grissom said.

Greg sighed. He wasn't going to get anything out of Grissom, though the other man would probably look at him funny if he walked around with an uncovered hickey. And really, Greg didn't want to call that kind of attention.

He followed Grissom to the body and took out his camera. Grissom knelt down and began to look for evidence around the victim. David was going about his business. Greg sighed again and began to take pictures.

"Is there something bothering you, Greg?" Grissom asked.

"Oh, hey, Greg. Thought it was your day off. Heard that you had a big date with..." from Grissom's questioning look and Greg's glare, David knew to shut up.

"Well, I'm done. I'll just..." He said scampering off into the other direction.

"Well." Grissom asked.

"Well, what?" Greg said a tad bit petulantly. He knew it probably wasn't the healthiest career move in his life, but Greg wasn't in the mood.

"Greg, you're obviously mad about something."

"Yeah, I mad about having to come in on my day off when I just pulled a double. A double on my own thank you very much. Everyone else is laying asleep at home having a nice boring time and I'm here at a crime scene when I can be somewhere else.

"Somewhere much better than with the body of a dead guy in some suburban hell hole and you'd think that you'd be considerate enough to understand that, but apparently you're not." Greg said in a huff.

"I'm sorry that I interrupted your date, but you have work to do."

"You didn't pull a double today."

"No, but you've pulled doubles before."

"Yeah, but not on my day off. And this counts as a triple technically."

"Greg, I know that you're young. And I know that you're prone to do things that... well just look at that thing on your neck, but the crime scene comes first."

Greg growled at him. What was it his business. If Greg decided to wear tutus and walk around like Madame Whatever in his home, it would be his own doing. His private life was his and his alone.

"Just cause all of us don't spend our time looking at bugs and racing cockroaches." Greg grumbled.

Grissom's head sprung up and the older man rolled his eyes.

"Greg I'm very happy that you and Nick are... copulating... but the crime scene comes first." Grissom said as he swabbed the ground around the victim.

Oh yeah, Grissom was definitely on Greg's hit list.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So, Jacqui thinks that you and Greg have done it. Like several times. In fact she thinks you go at it like animals." Hodges said.

Nick sighed. He was drinking his coffee in the break room. It tasted awful. He was getting a little too spoiled on Greg's coffee. Greg hadn't shown up again.

Nick assumed he was still working the crime scene, but that didn't mean he couldn't worry. Greg had had a grand total of three hours of sleep give or take. He had looked exhausted when he had gotten to Nick's place.

"I wouldn't say that." Nick said.

Hodges rolled his eyes.

"Well I figured you two... you know... but I didn't want to know... you know." Hodges said.

Nick rolled his eyes.

"I wouldn't want to tell anyone anyway. That stuff's private." Nick said.

"Nick, you tell your friends that stuff. If you and Greg are... you know..."

"David you can't even say it. Can we just focus on this new case? It's complicated." Nick said.

"Yeah, sure, so trace on the inside of a water bottle. Not much to go on."

"Hey guys, discussing the case." Nick and Hodges looked up to see Warrick standing in the doorway.

"Yeah. It's pretty interesting actually. I'd like to know how they got the poison into the water." Nick said. Hodges shifted from side to side. Nick could tell he was already trying to plan an escape.

"Yeah, I'm sure everything will unfold with time. You seen Greg?" Warrick asked.

Nick frowned. Warrick had gotten in before Nick had and Nick hadn't seen Greg all night. In fact it was getting close to the end of shift and he hadn't once brought in evidence for Nick to process.

"No, I haven't seen him all night." Nick said.

"He never gave you anything to process?" Warrick asked as he took a seat in the break room.

He seemed concerned. Nick decided to drop his unfazed act as well. If Warrick was concerned he could be concerned too.

"No, I told you I haven't seen him all night. Well I saw him earlier, but..." Nick trailed off.

He could feel himself start to blush and he knew Warrick would probably know later when Greg talked to him, but Nick and Warrick still weren't on great terms. They worked together. That was basically it.

"You know, Archie said he saw him earlier. So did Jacqui. I think the word they used to describe him was 'frazzled'. Though I could be wrong." Hodges said in that tone that said he knew he was right.

"Frazzled. I still can't believe Grissom gave him this case to work. I don't think it's doing him any good."

"Well, he didn't sleep much. He said he worked late yesterday and then... yeah he didn't sleep much." Nick said.

Hodges rolled his eyes.

"If you're so concerned, why don't you find his bleached blonde ass."

"Well, Hodges, I didn't know you cared." Greg said as he walked into the break room.

He went straight to the coffee maker and began to make his coffee. When he was down putting his beans into the maker he turned and leaned against the counter closing his eyes as he did.

He was wearing a sweater, a pretty baggy one. Nick thought it might actually be his. He usually left a turtleneck in his locker just in case. He was wearing baggy pants and his hair was falling in his face. He looked oddly familiar.

"Taking a page out of Nick's old book, are we." Hodges said.

Greg didn't even bother to open his eyes. He just calm stood waiting for the coffee to be done.

"Greg, man, you okay. I know that case..."

"I finished the case. Just arrested the suspect right now. Grissom gave me Monday off." Greg said taking a few deep breaths.

"Oh, well that was the least he could do after interrupting your original day off in the first place." Nick said.

Greg opened one eye and smiled. He walked over to Nick and grabbed his coffee. He walked back over to the sink and poured in out and rinsed it a bit. Warrick, Nick and Hodges sat in silence as Greg grabbed Nick's hand and pulled him out of his seat. Nick didn't think to say anything. He just let himself be pulled into whatever direction Greg wanted.

They ended up in the parking lot next to Greg's car. Nick was about to tell Greg that his break was almost over when Greg pushed him against the car and started kissing him. Nick couldn't honestly say that he was protesting. Greg's kisses... they were the best kisses in the world and just being that close Greg was making him a little dizzy.

Visions of Saturday night fled through his head as Greg's tongue pushed into his mouth and Greg explored every crevice of his mouth. He'd been really worried about Greg. Genuinely worried. He couldn't push Greg off of him. Not even because his break was over. Not even because they were in the parking lot of the crime lab and anyone could see them. He just pulled Greg closer and continued to kiss him.

After minutes that seemed like hours Greg pulled away. He rested his on Nick's forehead and took a deep breath.

"I thought you wanted to remain professional." Greg said.

"Well, you basically dragged me out of there. I mean could you be anymore caveman Greg?"

"Yeah sorry about that. I just... I needed... Tell me why I do this job?"

"What?"

"Just, give me the reasons as to why I do this job. Are there even any?" Nick let a worried look cross over his features.

"Greg, you do this job because you love it. You always tell me that you love it. That you get a rush from solving a crime. That you like helping people and stuff like that. What... what happened on this case?"

Greg sighed.

"It doesn't matter..."

"It does if it has you questioning your life. Greg you were questioning whether or not your job was worth it. You love your job."

"I know... I just needed some reassurance that I'm doing it right."

"Greg, you're the best CSI the lab has."

"No, Sara is the best CSI the lab has. Grissom is the best CSI. Hell Catherine and Warrick are before me."

"Aren't you always telling me that I'm the best. In a lab filled with great lab techs, each great at their own field, you always say I'm the best. So why can't you believe me when I say that you're the best?" Nick asked.

Greg smiled.

"You know the right things to say to cheer me up. You're really good at that. It was just a hard... case. When I get some sleep my head will be clear."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, though Grissom might still be a little angry at me."

Nick scowled. "Why?"

"Well you noticed that this is your turtleneck. A bit big on me if I do say so myself. Anyway, I borrowed it- I hope you don't mind- because of your little love bites." Greg said with a smirk on his face.

"What?" Nick said in a confused tone.

"Your love bites... well it was just the one. You gave me a hickey... Nicky." Greg said laughing a bit.

"What!?... No I didn't. I... I would remember... I don't remember sucking on your neck."

"I'm thinking it was in the shower. See I told you that us taking a shower together would have been bad, but then you had to go all 'aww shucks' on me blushing by just merely mentioning the thought of us showering together and I just had to jump on the idea. Don't remember much accept for the hand job. You know you're just full of surprises, Nicky." Greg said.

Nick was blushing. He couldn't help it.

He remembered the shower. He remembered asking Greg if he wanted Nick to scrub his back. Greg had graciously accepted and they had ended up showering together. It was more kissing and heavy petting than actual showering and Greg had gotten hard. To be honest, Nick had gotten pretty hard himself, but Greg had to leave so Nick wrapped his hand around Greg's cock and pumped it until Greg was screaming and coming.

"I still don't remember giving you a hickey. I bet you're..." Nick stopped when Greg pulled down his turtleneck and showed Nick the hickey. It was a little purple with mostly red surrounding it.

"Oh... yeah okay I guess... I still don't..."

"Nicky, I think I'm going to take Brass's word and say that us not really remembering when it got on my neck means that it was really good." Greg said.

"Brass knows?"

"He pointed it out. He knew it was you."

"So, the PD doesn't... the don't..."

"Nick, they all pretty much like me over at the PD. I don't think us being together will be too much of a problem. And I'd like to see them try and talk about it."

"You like being all macho man don't you?"

"Just a little bit. Anyway, I should probably get home and take a shower. You probably have to get back to work. That comedian's death looks interesting." Greg said taking a deep breath.

"It is. And I do... have to work, but..."

"Yes?"

"Do you really have to go home? I mean we wear the same size and all and... well I'd kind of like to get home and have you there." Nick said in a nervous tone. Greg rolled his eyes and sighed.

"You swear to me that that's not a routine. That you're actually this shy and nervous." Greg asked. Nick blushed.

"Sorry, if you don't want..."

"Of course I want! Why in the hell wouldn't I want? You're bed is way my comfortable than mine. And it smells like you... and I like your house better than mine. Besides, I want to be there to live out all your little fantasies."

"Greg."

"Okay, okay, I shouldn't get you all hot and bothered when you have to go back to work. That wouldn't be right."

"Yeah, you're right. It wouldn't be right. You get to go home and I have to go back to the lab and work."

"Oh poor little Nicky. All hold up in the lab when he has better things he'd rather do." Nick smiled and Greg kissed him on his nose.

"You like doing that."

"Doing what?"

"Kissing me on my nose."

"Oh, well, yeah."

"I like it. It... I don't know some how it's more intimate than... anything else." Greg kissed him on the nose again and Nick's smile widened.

"Seriously though. I should go. I'll see you when you get home... where's your extra..."

"It's in my car. Here," Nick said as he pulled a key off of his key chain. "Take these. I'll use the ones in my car. So... see you later."

"Yeah, later. Get back to work." Greg said as he moved away from Nick.

He walked to his driver door and took one last look at Nick before getting in. Nick moved away from the car and watched as Greg pulled out of his parking spot and pulled out of the parking garage. Nick sighed and looked at his watch. There was only... three more hours until the shift ended. Nick sighed again.

It was going to be a long three hours.

Nick walked into his home after shift was done. He'd been sitting in his lab for the most part staring at the clock and wondering when shift would be over. After the visit from Greg, Nick had been jumpy all throughout the rest of the shift.

Every time brain started to think about Greg, which it often did, Nick would look around to see if anyone was watching. Before it had been easy to hide his hard on when Greg breezed through the door. They were his big sweaters and his big pants and his big lab coat which all helped him hide, but in his new tight clothes with his new lab coat- Jacqui had insisted on one that fit properly- there was no hiding.

Nick had been glad that it was close to the end of the shift otherwise he might have some explaining to do. No body really gave him much to do at the end of the shift.

This was either because they were still out collecting new evidence to back up the evidence he'd already processed or because it was the end of the shift and it would be somewhat cruel to give him evidence right before than.

His house was dark when he entered. Not a sound to be heard. Greg was probably asleep on his bed so Nick headed over to his bedroom.

He was stopped by a hand that grabbed his wrist. The same hand silently pulled him onto the couch. That same hand was soon joined by a body that draped itself over Nick and started nibbling at Nick's neck.

"Greg?" Nick said.

"Well, Nicky I'm hoping you thought it was me because if you thought it was anyone else and you just let them molest you like this we might have a problem." Greg whispered against Nick's throat.

Nick couldn't help but moan. Greg was on top of him. Greg was kissing his neck. Greg's hands were running up and down his sides. Greg was surrounding him.

"Greg... oh god... what..."

"You know I've been thinking about you all night. Couldn't think of anything else. You were haunting my dreams, you know that Nicky." Greg said his hands going to unbutton Nick's shirt.

"Sorry..." Nick groaned out.

"Sorry? Nicky that's a good thing. Means I can't go an hour without thinking about you." Greg said as he unbutton the last button of Nick's shirt.

He moved the shirt around so Nick's chest was exposed and went to town. Lips placed sloppy kisses on his chest. His tongue lapped at Nick's nipples. Teeth nibbled lightly at Nick's skin. Nick began to pant. Greg was trying to torture him.

In Nick's blissed out state of mind Nick could figure it out easily that Greg was trying to torture him for whatever Mind Nick was doing in those dreams. The could be the only reason as to why Greg was spending what felt like an eternity just kissing and playing with Nick's chest.

"Greg..."

"Would you like to know exactly what you were doing? You know... in those dreams." Greg said as his hands went to Nick's pants.

He slowly unbuttoned them and even slowly still pulled Nick's pants and underwear of in on clean motion. A choked off gurgling noise came out of Nick's mouth. He was naked.

He was naked and Greg was fully dressed and not really on top of him anymore. Greg's knees were trapping Nick's legs and he was staring down at Nick, eyes glazed over with lust. The look seemed almost predatory.

"So is that a yes or a no?" Greg asked.

Nick didn't really trust his voice- mainly because he couldn't really form words at the moment. He merely nodded his head. Anything to get Greg to do something. Hell, anything to get Greg to talk.

"Hmmm... remember when I told you I'd love to see you jack yourself off?" Nick nodded again.

"Well you were doing that... and I of course was watching. Call it a little voyeuristic kink I picked up, but just the thought of you touching yourself and thinking about me... just gets me all hot and bothered." Greg said.

Greg wasn't even really doing anything. He was talking. He wasn't even touching Nick anymore. He was just talking and Nick couldn't help but squirm and moan.

"Would you do it for me. Would you touch yourself for me so I could watch?" Greg asked taking Nick's hand in his own. He gently kissed each finger on Nick's hand and then the palm.

"Would you?" Greg asked again. Nick nodded.

"Hmmm... good." Greg said letting go of Nick's hand.

Nick took a deep breath. His eyes were getting heavy and it was hard to keep them open fully. Greg was watching him. Greg was watching him and Nick never thought that Greg watching him could be hot, but then again Greg being Greg was hot so why wouldn't it be hot to have Greg's eyes on him.

Nick couldn't believe he was doing this. He couldn't believe that he was about to jack himself off in front of Greg, but it's what Greg wanted and it seemed that Nick was doing all sorts of out-of-character things when he was around Greg.

He closed his eyes and took another deep breath before wrapping his hand around his cock. At the first touch of something on his sensitive skin, Nick had to moan. He'd been half-hard throughout the whole shift and now here he was with Greg on top of him and his cock in hand. He needed to take a few calming breaths before he started to stroke himself. He heard Greg moan as he watched Nick. He heard Greg suck in a breath.

"Tell me what you're thinking about." Greg said.

Did he really have to ask? Greg was featured in all Nick's fantasies to various degrees. Did Greg really expect him to talk when he was demanding that Nick touch himself? If he did, then Greg was crazy.

"Come on, baby, tell me what you're thinking." Greg said his voice breathy and husky.

"I'm thinking about you Greg. I'm always thinking about you." Nick said.

"That right. And what am I doing? Anything fun?" Greg said.

He began shuffling around as though he were looking for something. Nick tried to answer, but he was too absorbed in what he was doing.

His eyes were closed as he imagined this little scene playing out a little differently. He imagined coming home and seeing Greg in his bed, stripped down. He imagined walking to the bed as quietly as he could, but Greg would wake up anyway. There would be kissing and cuddling and touching and licking and nibbling.

Greg would talk because Greg was a talker. He'd be so hard that he wouldn't waste too much time on foreplay and Nick wouldn't care because he'd been thinking about him all night anyway and he was more than ready for Greg to just fuck him. He'd take a little time to prepare Nick before he pushed inside of him, but for the most part Greg would be in a hurry to get to the good part because Greg wanted Nick that much.

"Greg..."

"You gonna tell me what we're doing in that head of yours Nick. Bet it's something fun, huh. Maybe something like this."

Nick knew Greg was trying to torture him now. Knew it when he felt Greg move his legs apart. Knew it when he felt Greg's very lubed up finger push inside of him and what little Nick could see of Greg's face told him that Greg was smirking.

"Greg... shit... what're you trying to do to me."

"Well I thought that was evident. Seriously Nicky it's a good thing you're not a CSI if you can't figure out what it is I'm doing to you." Greg said as he moved his finger inside Nick.

"Urgh... shit... oh fuck... Greg..."

"Come on, Nicky. You fantasize about me... us... doing things together. You gotta tell me what they are otherwise how am I ever gonna be able to fulfill all of them."

"You're fucking me." Nick said.

His eyes were rolling into the back of his head and his breathing had increased. His head was all dizzy and hazy and he could feel Greg's finger moving inside of him. Greg was expecting him to be coherent and that just wasn't possible.

"That's it? We're just fucking. Nothing inventive. We're not playing some dirty kinky game or anything." Greg said.

He took out his finger and Nick whimpered a bit before feeling another one join the first. Nick gasped.

"We don't... we don't have to play... games... I just... I just want you... I just... I just need you." Nick gasped out.

His hand was moving faster as Greg's fingers moved inside of him. When Greg's fingers brushed across Nick's prostate, Nick felt like he was gonna explode.

"Oh... God... Fuck... Greg... Shit... oh that... feels so good... so fucking good." Nick muttered.

"That's it, baby. Come on. Cum for me." Greg said his fingers moving a little faster inside Nick brushing against Nick's prostate.

Nick's hand sped up. He could hear Greg telling him to cum. He could feel Greg around him and Nick knew it wasn't close enough. Greg would never be close enough. Nick would always want him closer.

"Greg... Greg... Greg... I'm gonna."

"Come on Nicky. Just let it go." Greg said.

Perhaps it was Greg's voice so close to him, but Nick felt himself tense and then cum, his cum covering his hand. His breathing was hard and he couldn't exactly open his eyes.

"Do you have any idea how hot that was? Watching you stroke yourself. Listening to you moan. Do you know how fucking hot you are?" Greg whispered.

Nick could still feel Greg's fingers inside him. He watched as Greg took his hand and sucked the fingers into his mouth, cum an all. Nick couldn't help, but moan at the sight of Greg licking his cum off of his hand.

He knew Greg had said something around his fingers because he could feel the vibrations. When Greg lapped up all the cum on Nick's hand he put Nick's hand down and smiled.

"Do you have any idea how much I wish you would just shut up and fuck me?" Greg laughed.

"You know every time we get hot and heavy I get to see you all footloose and fancy free. I get to see naughty Nicky."

"I know what I want. That a bad thing?" Nick asked his brain still a little hazy.

He was surprised at his behavior, but he could blame it all on Greg. And Greg didn't seem to care. In fact, if Nick was reading him right and Nick was very sure he was reading Greg right, Greg liked it.

"Not a bad thing at all. I'd say it's a very good thing." Greg said moving up to drape himself over Nick.

He began to kiss Nick lightly on the lips. Nick's hands went down to Greg's shirt and began to yank it off.

"So you were serious about getting down to business." Greg said in a teasing tone as Nick pulled his shirt off.

"You think I was joking?" Nick said throwing Greg's shirt to the ground. His hands went to Greg's pants and Greg chuckled.

"I got those." Greg said.

He didn't really want to move away from Nick, but it was a little hard to take off his pants while he was lying down on Nick. He stood up and hurriedly shucked off his pants before returning to lie on top of Nick between his legs.

"Fixed the problem we had last night." Greg said reaching over to the coffee table. He had a box of condoms in his hand and a devilish grin on his face.

"Certainly came prepared to get me in this position."

"Hmmm... like a boy scout." Greg said opening the box and pulling out a condom. Nick took it from him.

"Let me do it." Nick said as he opened the condom with his teeth.

Greg watched as Nick took the condom and unrolled it onto Greg's had cock. Greg's eyes rolled into the back of his head.

"Lube?" Nick asked. Greg gulped and fumbled around for the tube of lube he had been using earlier.

He handed it to Nick who took it and squeezed some lube into his hand. He carefully started to stroke the lube onto Greg's cock. Greg moaned at the feel of Nick hand on his hard cock.

Nick was trying to get him back for earlier and Greg knew it. Greg would have let Nick continue stroking him if it wasn't for the fact that he really needed to be inside Nick when he came. He put his hand on Nick's wrist and stopped him from moving his hand.

"You keep doing that and I won't be able to fuck you."

"Hmmm... fine. All done. Now come on, Greg. Fuck me."

"Well since you ask so nicely." Greg said as he lined his cock up to Nick's entrance.

Greg would have drawn it out, pushed in inch by inch, but Greg suspected that neither of them wanted that.

He pounded right into Nick, Nick letting out a little scream when he did. Greg needed a minute before he started moving. Being inside Nick was like nothing he ever experienced before. It was the best experience in the world in Greg's opinion. He felt Nick wrap his legs around Greg's waist. He felt Nick nibbling on Greg's neck.

"You gonna give me another hickey?" Greg asked.

"Won't be noticeable this time. Promise. You gonna move?"

"Think I might make you beg a little more. I just love it when you beg."

"You want me to beg you to fuck me? What you can't just do it on your own? Want me to say things like 'I want you so bad Greg, oh please, please, please fuck me. I need it. I need you so bad, just please fuck me."

"See now you're just taunting me and all those naughty words coming out of your mouth. Definitely enough to tempt me. So you want it like this?" Greg said pulling out of Nick all the way before pounding back inside him.

Nick let out a choked sob. Greg kept pounding into Nick, angling his thrusts and Nick couldn't help but moan and groan and mewl.

"Yeah... Greg, that's it... oh fuck... harder please... Greg... please fuck me harder."

This time there wasn't any teasing tone in Nick's voice.

"Harder huh. You love it when I fuck you don't you. Never felt anything this good. So fucking tight and perfect and fucking gorgeous. Never felt anything this good."

Greg continued to pound into Nick, Nick's legs wrapped tightly around his waist, hands and nails clinging to Greg's back. When Greg's cock brushed against Nick's prostate, Nick's nails dug deeper and he let out a small scream.

"FUCK!... Greg, right there... Oh fuck... oh God."

"You like that baby? That feel good?" Greg said looking down at Nick's eyes.

They were glazed over again wide and most likely unseeing. Greg could stare at that face for the rest of his life. He could stare at Nick for the rest of his life. Greg committed to memory how Nick looked at that exact moment.

How his mouth was open emitting the most delicious sounds. How his big brown eyes were wide open. How his skin was lightly flushed and a thin sheet of sweat had gathered on his forehead. All of it went into his memory bank as he continued to pound into Nick as hard and as fast as he could.

He could hear Nick talking, but I was like he couldn't talk anymore. He could only stare at Nick withering and moaning and moving beneath him, against him. Everything else paled in comparison to that moment.

He wanted nothing more than to make Nick come again. He didn't care if he didn't cum. Hell, he'd love to just keep pounding into Nick until the end of forever. Greg's hand made it's way to Nick's cock. It was hard again and Greg smiled as he began to stroke Nick.

"Shit... Greg... I'm gonna... I need to..."

Greg couldn't talk. He couldn't say anything. He just kept staring into Nick's eyes. It was too much sensations all at once. He wasn't sure that he was gonna be able to hold off long enough for Nick to cum first. Nick was everywhere. He was surrounded by Nick.

"Nicky... baby... I'm..." Greg wasn't able to finish his sentence as he tensed and came into the condom thrusting a little more to milk himself.

In his blissed out state he was vaguely aware of the liquid coating his hand and the scream that sounded like his name. He collapsed onto Nick, head resting in the crook of Nick's neck and tried to calm his breathing. They lay there for a few moments both trying to catch their breaths.

"Well, that was definitely a great way to come home." Nick muttered.

"Sorry, couldn't help myself. Been thinking about you ever since I left you at the lab."

"I'm not complaining. It's gonna be hard for me to get up later. You did this on purpose. You knew I had to work tonight and I know you don't have to work tonight. Trying to get me so tired that I have to call in sick or something."

"Hmm... you know I've got a lot more condoms in that box. Could really tire you out. Get you all fatigued and you'd have to tell Grissom that you couldn't come in. Then it wouldn't be just me dealing with him." Greg said.

"Maybe this ain't the best time to tell you that I think I left another hickey on your neck." Nick said lazy smile on his face. Greg groaned.

"You know I had to break into your locker today to get a sweater big enough to hide the one you gave me before and now I'm gonna have to walk in with another Nicky hickey on my neck. You could show a little more self control." Nick pouted.

"I thought you liked it when I lost control."

Greg groaned and pulled his head up to kiss Nick on the nose. He underestimated the strength it would take to do this action and missed kissing the corner of Nick's mouth before his head fell back down to Nick's neck.

"I do like it when you lost control. I like that I'm the only one that gets to see you like that. Just caught some heat from Grissom and Brass about it, but it's fine."

"Well, I guess I could... you know... curb that if it's gonna get you in trouble with the boss."

"Nah, I like it. I like that I get you so out of control you don't know what you're doing. I think I might have some scratches on my back know that I think about it, but it doesn't matter. I'll take all the heat in the world for you Nicky." Greg said.

"Anyone ever tell you that you're a real smooth talker."

"I think people might have mentioned it once or twice. I guess we should move and get cleaned up."

"Greg, you couldn't even move your head. You really think we're going to be able to move to anywhere where we could get cleaned up."

"No, I guess not. You're so smart Nicky. I guess we should just lay here for a bit."

"Don't see the harm in that." Nick said.

They lay there quietly for a few moments before Nick spoke.

"I thought you said you never fuck me on my couch." Greg was practically asleep when he heard Nick's voice and turned his head.

"I never said that. I said that I wouldn't fuck you for the first time on the couch. This is definitely our second time. And you know you started it with saying that you fantasize about me fucking you everywhere."

"Oh, so you're aiming to make my fantasies become reality."

"Yup, only a million more places to go. I think we could manage."

"Yeah, or die trying."

"Hmmm... gotta so that would be my preferred way to go."

Jacqui was a woman on a mission. No one knew more office gossip than she did, but it just so happened that she was working a million prints when the little scene between Nick and Greg transpired. She hadn't found out until some little blonde morgue attendant yammered on and on about how cute Nick and Greg were.

Jacqui was pissed, to say the very least, that Bobby or Archie hadn't informed her about this, but they were overloaded with work as well. Bobby seemed a little ticked that he didn't know as well. Nothing went on in the lab without Jacqui or Bobby knowing and Archie by default because he was in the circle after all.

But then again there was someone else in the circle. There were two someone else's that were in the circle. Jacqui didn't like Hodges that much. Sure he was an okay guy when he wasn't being too snarky or sarcastic, but that was usually slim to none.

He did his work though and he was pretty good at it so Jacqui couldn't find too much fault in him. He had a great work ethic, but a lousy personality. Jacqui sometimes wondered how Nick could stay friends with him for so long without strangling the little weasel. Yet here they were, months later still telling each other everything.

Jacqui thought she once saw them gossiping and giggling like little school girls. She wasn't entirely certain how Greg would take Nick and Hodges being so close. He hadn't said anything yet.

The problem with the circle was that one person in the circle was a grumpy puss and refused to gossip. Nick gossiped. He gossiped a lot more than he'd let on, but Hodges didn't have a taste for it. In fact, if truth be told, he hated it. He wanted nothing to do with all of it.

The circle only worked if everyone in the circle was willing to cooperate. All Jacqui asked was to be told when things happened around the lab. She'd even sat Hodges down and told him the codes they came up with so that they could get the information across the lab in record speed without anyone knowing.

Nick obeyed the codes, Hodges didn't and so Jacqui was left out of the loop on the juiciest thing to hit the lab since that whole Holly Gribbs thing and Sara came to town and Warrick's gambling problem was revealed to the world. Or since Greg's little stalker incident.

Sure things happened in the lab. Guesses were made as to what was going on in the CSIs lives, but nothing ever really interesting happened on a day to day basis. Jacqui was supposed to know when it did.

Things weren't supposed to change without her knowing. She felt like and idiot that she had to hear this news from someone like a morgue attendant. It was her lab. She was supposed to know what happened in it.

"So you guys didn't see anything?" Jacqui asked. Archie and Bobby sighed.

"That's what we said, Jac. We didn't see anything. Though after what you said about Nick not liking being kissed in the lab I highly doubt that he let Greg practically molest him on the break room table." Bobby said.

"Well, who was in the break room?" Jacqui asked.

"According to Stacy, she works in one of the labs, it was Hodges and Warrick. Just those to. Though she also said that Nick and Greg had some sort of argument and than Greg dragged Nick off." Archie said.

"Where the hell did she get her information?" Jacqui asked.

"Chris... he works in the handwriting analysis lab... but he also works swing and was filling in for the usual guy." Archie said.

"That doesn't sound like Nick and Greg. I mean I know they're a couple and everything, but they don't seem like the arguing type. Even if they are a couple." Bobby said.

"Oh come on. There wasn't an argument. Nick and Greg don't argue. I've never seen them argue. No, an argument didn't happen, but something sure did." Jacqui said.

"We could just ask Nick. I mean, we don't have to ask him deep dark personal questions. We can be subtle about it." Archie said.

He didn't necessarily like the look in Jacqui's eye. It spelt trouble. Archie had seen here get that look numerous times. He looked over to Bobby for some help. Bobby looked just as disturbed.

"Archie's got a point. Why don't we just ask Nick what happened. I'm sure he'd tell us. We are his friends." Bobby said.

"He would never tell us. And, if the rumors are true, Greg's got the night off so there's no way we can bug him about it. We have to get to someone who's gonna tell us everything we want to know without too much trouble." Jacqui said.

"Well, we could ask Warrick, but I don't think he'd tell us." Archie said taking a sip from his coffee.

"I wasn't thinking Warrick. I was thinking more along the lines of a snarky pessimistic Trace lab tech." Jacqui said as she stood up.

She walked over to the coffeepot and powered herself some more coffee. She had that wicked gleam in here eye. Archie and Bobby were officially scared.

"Hodges's is never going to tell us anything and you know it. He's liable to go crazy even if we just ask." Archie said.

"Yeah, but does he scare you more than I scare you?" Jacqui asked glaring.

Archie gulped. Bobby looked upwards. Neither was willing to answer that question. Both were equally scary. Bobby had even asked Archie once who he thought would win in a fight and Archie couldn't honestly answer.

Both agreed it would be a hell of a battle. Jacqui was definitely the original scary lady though. She had been in the lab the longest next to Nick. She decided who was in the circle and who wasn't in the circle.

Bobby liked being in the circle and Archie didn't even know there was a circle. He just knew not to piss off Jacqui.

"So the way I figure it is we get Hodges cornered and we make him talk." Jacqui said.

"Do you think that'll work. I mean he might get upset if we corner him. Maybe we should find a less evasive way to do this." Archie said.

"No, we've got corner him." Jacqui said.

"Corner who?"

Archie and Bobby looked behind them to see Hodges standing in the doorway. He had that overly fake smile on his face. They turned back to Jacqui. Her eyes went wide for about two seconds before a sly smirk unfolded on her face.

"No one. We were just talking. Lab stuff you know." Jacqui said in a nonchalant tone.

Her arms clenched onto the counter as she spoke. Hodges's folded his arms across his chest fake smile still on his face.

"Talking about cornering someone and this has what to do with the lab exactly?" Hodges asked.

He leaned against the break room door. He looked way too smug. A smug Hodges could never be a good thing.

"Well, when you listen to the conversation in context it'll make sense to you." Jacqui said her tone cool.

"Really." Hodges said his voice sounding overly sarcastic.

"Yeah." Jacqui said tilting her head.

"It's a standoff." Bobby whispered to Archie who nodded his head.

"You know everyone's been asking me about Nick and Greg and that little event that happened yesterday. It's the strangest thing. I said to go to the resident gossip Queen of the lab. They all said you didn't have any information. That's what... a first right, Jac." Hodges said as he moved over to the coffeepot.

Jacqui was literally sneering at him. Her hands clenched tighter to the break room counter.

"Yeah, I was busy with Sara and Warrick's case at the time. Didn't get a chance to see what happened. Maybe you could clue us all in here?"

Hodges's fake smile turned into a real one as he finished pouring in cream to his coffee. He looked up and shook his head at Jacqui sighing as he did so.

"You know, Jacqui, I thought you had a little more tact than that. You even brought out the whole circle. I'm impressed. Though it is just Archie and Bobby. What are you hoping to accomplish here?"

"I just want to know the truth. I mean I can't have the CSIs knowing more than I do."

"The CSIs wouldn't know more than you do about what's going on in here if they were hit over the head with it. If it's not a crime scene they clearly don't care."

"You know what I mean, Hodges. I've got morgue attendants knowing more than me. Morgue attendants! What's next the paramedics telling me Grissom and Catherine did the wild thing." Jacqui said.

Hodges sighed and rolled his eyes.

"Look, even if I wanted to tell you, which I don't because I really could careless about the comings and goings of the people in this lab, I wouldn't because Nick wouldn't like it. Nick's my friend okay.

"Probably the only friend who doesn't care that I'm a dick so I'm not gonna betray him like that. Why don't you ask Warrick? He was there." Hodges said.

"There's a certain order to things, Hodges. You know something you tell the rest of the circle."

"Do you realize how cultish you sound. Next you're going to tell me to drink the Kool-Aid."

"Just tell us why Greg dragged Nick out of her. I'm not asking for intimate details of their sex life."

"Good because there would be no way in hell that I would know those details."

"Hodges, why don't you just tell her? She's just gonna keep bugging you until you do." Bobby said.

"I have my reasons. Besides does she need to know everything that goes on in the lab?" Hodges said.

"Yes." Jacqui said standing in front of Hodges to keep him from moving.

"Look, don't think you're..."

"Bobby get the duct tape. Archie..."

"You think you can intimidate..."

"Get the glue. We're gonna make you talk Hodges. Just wait and see." Hodges had the good sense to look a tad bit frightened.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oh fuck... Greg... harder..." Nick screamed as Greg continued to pound into him his hand stroking Nick's cock as he did so.

Nick wasn't sure how many times they'd had sex in the few hours. He knew he was going to be way to tired before worked started, but Greg just kept touching him and teasing him and Nick was loathe to push him away.

Nick guessed they were on about round three, but it felt like much, much more especially since there had been a blow job or two thrown in there. It wasn't fair. Greg was young.

Greg could do the all night thing and still have energy to burn, but Nick was getting tired. Way tired, but that didn't mean he wanted Greg to stop.

He looked up and stared into Greg's eyes. Greg looked like he was starting to get tired as well.

"You want it harder. I'll give it to you harder." Greg said as he kept thrusting. He was biting his bottom lip as he did so.

"Urgh... fuck... oh... so good... so good..."

"Yeah, baby, you like that."

Nick made a mewling noise. No matter how tired he was, he just couldn't stop. He couldn't get enough of Greg. He couldn't stay away from Greg. Everything about Greg was just too intoxicating to let go of.

"Greg... I'm gonna..."

"Come on... cum for me Nicky."

Nick did just that, cum spurting onto Greg's hand and Nick felt like he was going to pass out.

His mind drifted in that hazy place right between sleep and wakefulness. He could feel Greg still pounding into him, thrusts hitting Nick's prostate. He could hear Greg shouting. Nick was right about Greg sometimes screaming in Norwegian.

Nick wasn't even sure when Greg had cum, but he knew he had to have because Greg limply rolled off of him his harsh breath loud in the room that was now quiet. Nick's own breathing and evened out as he listened to Greg move and shift and breath.

"What was that? Three? I can't remember much after the couch." Greg said.

Nick grunted. He was way too tired to be answering Greg's questions.

"Course after the couch there was that little debacle on the hallway floor... hope your knees aren't rug burned."

Nick grunted again.

"And now this little romp on your bed. Yup... I think three is right."

Nick didn't bother to grunt this time. He didn't have the strength to do so.

"Did I wear you out? Sorry, it's just it didn't seem like you minded. I mean what with the screaming and the blow job."

Nick limply raised his hand and waved it a bit before letting it fall back down at his side.

"Well I guess you didn't say anything at the time. Sex is always good." Greg said as he moved himself to cuddle against Nick's side.

He laid his head down on Nick's chest and let his fingers roam around Nick's torso. Nick tried to get him to stop, but he didn't have much strength to move.

"You know you're going to have to go into work soon."

Nick moaned at that. He didn't want to go to work. He didn't want to do anything that required moving. He just wanted to lay on the bed and do nothing all day.

"I could call Grissom. Tell him you're sick. He wouldn't believe me, but he kind of does owe me one."

"No, no, I'll go in. How much time do I have?" Nick said in a croaky voice. He could feel Greg smiling against his skin.

"Hmmm... about thirty minutes." Greg said. Nick groaned.

"That's not much time. I don't think I can move. I need at least ten minutes to be able to move."

"Like I said I could call..."

"No, I'll just be late."

"You don't want to spend the day with me."

"If this day included more sex, much as I love it I don't think I could have anymore."

"Oh, little Nicky's all sore. You know... you wouldn't have to be on the receiving end all the time. I could..."

"Greg, don't finish that sentence." Nick said.

"Why not? You wouldn't want to fuck me."

"You like torturing me don't you?"

"Oh come on Nick. You'd want to, wouldn't you. I mean it's not a dirty thing to say. You say you want me to fuck you. All you have to do is say the words baby and I would definitely do whatever you want."

Nick knew Greg was trying to torture him now. Or at the very least make him play hookie. As much as the idea was enticing Nick couldn't do it. If he didn't show up to work people would start to talk if they weren't already talking. Nick liked gossip just as much as the next person, but not when it was about him.

"Greg, please, I'm begging you, just let me go to work. I'll be back soon and then we can start this whole thing all over again."

"I'll stop if you tell me one thing... do you want to fuck me?"

"What kind of question is that?"

"The one I'm asking."

"Well of course I would, but could you ask me when I can actually move?" Nick asked.

He rolled Greg away from him and made an attempt to get up. His first one failed as did his second, but he got it right on the third and stretched a bit before standing up and off the bed.

He looked over at Greg who seemed to be thinking about something intently. This was never a good sign.

"What's going on in that head of yours?"

"Oh, I'm just thinking of a new way to great you when you get home today." Greg said stretching out on the bed. He curled up on his side and pulled up the sheet.

"You know I think your ways of greeting me when I get home might give me a heart attack." Nick said.

"Nicky, you're not that old to be having to worry about that stuff." Greg said his eyes shutting closed.

"Finally getting tired I see."

"Yup." Greg said yawning a bit.

"Yeah well, I'm going to be dead on my feet today thank you."

"You know you love it. Go on then. Go leave me here and go to work. I'll just take a little nap until you get home." Greg said.

"You'll be here when I get back?" Nick asked. Greg opened one eye and looked at him curiously.

"You don't think I'm going to drudge up the strength to move so that I can drive back home and then drive back here. Nope, not gonna happen. I'm staying right here. You're bed's more comfortable than mine anyway." Greg said closing his eyes again.

"Oh, well, I guess I'll see you when I get back." Nick said a smile appearing on his face.

"Of course you will. Now, go. The sooner you leave the sooner you get back." Greg said.

Nick shook his head and smiled as he walked to the bathroom to start getting ready to leave.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick practically ran into the locker room. He was about twenty minutes late to work and it was all Greg's fault. He didn't really feel his best either. Damn Greg and his wily ways.

Who seriously thought it was a good idea to have a sex fest right before one of the participants in said sex fest had to go to work. Nick didn't that was for sure. He was slowed down by the fact that he felt sore everywhere.

Maybe he should have let Greg just call him in sick, but Nick didn't like lying where work was concerned. He would just go the eight hours, pray that Grissom didn't make him work overtime and then go home where he would try to fend off a sex hungry Greg... though that was easier said then done.

In his limping run to the locker room, Nick bumped into Sara who was walking along, apple in hand. He didn't bump her too hard, but it was enough to make her stop and for Nick to help her straighten out.

"Whoa, easier there, why are you in such a hurry?" Sara asked. "I'm late. I'm really late." Nick said.

"I'll say, shift started like a half hour ago. I've already been to my crime scene and back." Sara said.

"Yes, I know I'm late."

"And you're looking a bit disheveled. If you didn't want people to talk about your absence the least you could do was appear well groomed. There still going to talk you know."

"They wouldn't do it with me here... would they?"

"I once walked in on Jacqui telling Archie that I should just throw Grissom down on his desk and have my way with him." Sara said in a deadpan voice.

Nick blanched and frowned.

"But... but Jacqui likes me. She does... I'm in the circle." Nick said.

"You guys have a circle?" Sara asked.

"No! No what would make you think that." Nick said in a defensive tone. Sara raised her hands in surrender.

"Look all I'm saying is that everyone in the lab already knows that you're dating Greg and everyone in the lab knows that Greg's... well Greg. I personally know he's a little freak, but that's just what I know. It's not what everyone else knows. And after what happened yesterday..."

"What happened yesterday?"

"Greg dragging you out of the lab. People saw that Nick. They're all talking. I'm surprised Jacqui hasn't ambushed you yet. She seemed pretty pissed that she didn't know this knowledge before everyone else." Sara said.

"Thanks... for telling me I mean. She'll probably come and ambush me later." Nick said in a defeated tone.

Jacqui would find out, but there really wasn't anything to find out. Nothing had happened when Greg dragged him out of the lab.

"Just out of curiosity... why did Greg drag you out of the lab like that?" Sara asked.

"He had a tough case. Wouldn't tell me what it was about. He just wanted to know why he should still do his job." Nick said.

"Damn, I mean... I knew it was a hard case for him. I offered to switch, but Greg said he had to take that one. Said Grissom gave it to him and he had to see it through." Sara said.

"What was it... I mean what was the case about. I didn't work his evidence so I don't know."

"Maybe you should ask him. I don't want to interfere in an couple stuff." Sara said.

"Sara..."

"Seriously Nick. Just ask him. Maybe now that he's had time to calm down he'll tell you."

"If you say so. I should get my lab coat on, grab some coffee and get to work. Man I don't know how I'm gonna make it through these eight hours." Nick said.

"He wore you out, huh?"

"He wore himself out too. He's... well you said you know him. He's Greg."

"Yikes... he didn't use any of his... toys did he?"

"Toys?!"

"Hmmm... I guess not. Good luck with him, Nick." Sara said patting Nick on the chest before making her way to wherever lab she had originally set off to.

Nick stood in the hallway for a second trying to absorb what Sara had just said before remembering he was late to work. He hurriedly went to the locker room, opened his locker, threw on his lab coat and made his way to the break room.

When he entered the break room, he was greeted by the most unusual sight. Hodges was bound to a chair, duct tape covering his mouth. Bobby was standing behind him, arms crossed over his chest just staring at Hodges.

Archie sat in a chair diagonally across from Hodges. Jacqui had a pairing tweezers pointed at Hodges and she was shaking them at him. Nick sighed.

"Jacqui I thought David already passed the lab tech hazing ritual." Nick said as he made his way over to the coffeepot.

"Nick, what a surprise. We didn't expect to see you here." Jacqui said hiding the tweezers behind her back as through Nick hadn't seen them. He rolled his eyes.

"I work here Jacqui. I may be a little late, but I still work here." Nick said.

"But... we just... you know when you didn't come in early we figured you might be... sick or something." Archie said.

Nick cocked and eyebrow at them and frowned.

"I can come in late sometimes. I just overslept." He said.

"Nick, you never oversleep. I mean you're always in here first and out last. You're the most dedicated tech in the lab." Bobby said.

"Thanks Bobby, but I was tired last night."

"Any particular reason you were so tired last night?" Jacqui asked.

"Way to be subtle there, Jacqui." Bobby said.

"What, he ain't talking..."

"Oh my god! You tied David to a chair and threaten him with tweezers to get information on my private life! That's... that's... that's so... untie him." Nick said.

"Jacqui I think we should just untie him." Archie said noting the very angry look on Nick's face.

Jacqui, who's eyes had gone considerably wide, hurriedly untied Hodges from the seat and ripped the duct tape off of his face.

"Thank you. And you know that was even less intimidating the second time around." Hodges said.

Jacqui waved the tweezers at him and it was hard for Hodges not to flinch.

"Yeah not intimidating at all." Jacqui said in a sarcastic tone.

"I cannot believe you guys. torturing someone to get information about my personal life. You could have just asked." Nick said.

"See... didn't I say ask." Archie said.

"Shut up Archie." Jacqui and Nick said.

Archie shrank in his seat.

"No, guys, don't be mean at Archie here. He did say we should just ask you, Nick. We just didn't think you'd tell us anything. Now that that's settled we can talk about this like mature adults." Bobby said.

"There's really nothing to talk about." Nick said.

"Like hell there isn't. Why did Greg drag you out of here last night?" Jacqui asked.

"You certainly don't waste any time." Hodges said.

Jacqui glared at him.

"It was nothing. He had a tough case and he wanted to talk. Talking is all we did. There was nothing else involved." Nick said.

"You two having sex?" Jacqui asked.

Archie and Bobby waited intently for the answer. They were both pretty sure Nick wasn't going to answer, but then that would be an answer by omission. Anything to get Jacqui out of scary mode. Hodges looked like he would rather be anywhere, but where he was.

"Jacqui, we're dating. We're two adults and we're dating. What do you think?" Nick said grabbing his cup of coffee as he stormed out of the break room.

He started walking to his lab trying to think up a story for when Grissom came over to ask. He would just go with the overslept thing. He might have to work later, but that would be all okay.

When he was halfway to his lab, Nick decided to turn around and just tell Grissom before Grissom came to him. It would be easier that way. He'd be able to work without fearing that Grissom was going to come up to him at any moment.

The door to his office was closed, which was weird, but Nick didn't think anything of it as he barged in. After seeing the sight that greeted him he really wished he had knocked.

Catherine and Grissom... were making out. Catherine was sitting on Grissom's desk, legs wrapped around Grissom's waist, her hands wrapped around Grissom's neck. Grissom's hands were under Catherine's shirt, pulling her closer to him. Their clothes were a bit tangled around them.

"Oh my god! Shit... I'm sorry... I'll just..."

Nick hurriedly closed the door not bothering to look back. He hurriedly ran to his lab and closed his eyes trying to forget he just saw his boss making out with someone in his office where anyone could find them.

This was not good. He wasn't the kind of person who should know these things. He didn't want to know these things.

He briefly wondered how long it was going to get Catherine and Grissom to straighten up and get over to Nick's lab. Nick hoped it was a long time as he started to process whatever was in the fridge or on his desk. He didn't even notice it when Catherine and Grissom did finally manage to wonder into his lab.

"Nick, put the stuff down. We've come here to talk." Catherine said. Nick looked up at her with that deer caught in the headlights look.

"What... we need to talk. About what?" Nick said as he continued to work.

Catherine gave him her 'Are you for real look' and snorted.

"About what you saw in Grissom's office." Catherine said.

Nick looked up to see Catherine standing there looking slightly agitated and Grissom had his hands folded across his chest.

"Um... I don't know..."

"Look I've been under a lot of stress lately what with Eddie dying and Lindsey not being able to cope with that. So I get a little comfort from my friend. Is that a big deal."

"No, no I didn't say that. I didn't even see anything. Saw nothing. I swear." Nick said. He didn't want to incur the wrath of Catherine. She could be scary than Jacqui.

"Oh, well... then... that's good." Catherine said.

She began to walk away, but Grissom stood staring at Nick not really sure what to say. Nick smiled at him and Grissom gave him a questioning look.

"But, let's say... I did... you know see something. I might... you know tell someone... because I'm so tired." Nick said.

He wasn't exactly sure why he was committing career suicide, but it seemed like a good idea while he was doing it. Maybe he was taking a leaf out of Grissom's book. Catherine turned around and glared at him.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you know Greg wasn't feeling so good after that case you made him work." Nick said to Grissom.

"So he needed to be... comforted." Catherine smirked at him and then went back to glaring.

"I'm thinking a couple days off for the both of us and I can forget this ever happened." Nick said.

He was being bold. He was being very bold. He was being so bold that, if they could see his hands, they would know that they were shaking.

"You trying to bribe us, Nick."

"Not bribe. More like blackmail." Nick said in a steady voice.

He didn't even think he could talk at this moment. He was blackmailing his boss and one of the people he liked most in the lab for some much needed vacation time. Grissom had remained stoically silent. He could probably see the pleading looks Catherine was giving him.

"You must really, really want this badly if you're willing to put your job on the line for it." Grissom said.

"You could say that." Nick said.

"And you and Greg do work very hard. And you haven't had a vacation in awhile. I suppose... I could give you three days off." Grissom said. Nick held his breath.

"Go home Nick. I'll see you on Thursday." Grissom said leaving Nick's lab.

Nick let out the breath that he had been holding. Catherine turned back to him.

"I'm impressed. I didn't think you had it in you." She said.

"I knew if I just asked, he would be hesitant. This way I figure he can feel better about himself because it wasn't entirely his fault that he's giving me and Greg the days off." Nick said shrugging.

He took off his lab coat and threw it over his arm.

"Don't you mean you wouldn't feel guilty about taking the time off?" Catherine said. Nick smiled and blushed.

"Well maybe a little of that too."

Catherine smirked at him as she made her way out of the lab.

All Nick could do was smile as he tried to not think about how close he came to losing his job.

Nick entered his house as quietly as he could. He was more than sure that Greg was still asleep. Nick had only been gone a grand total of forty-five minutes and Greg had been all but unconscious by that time. Nick smiled at the thought of surprising Greg. He had had some time to calm down during his drive back to his house.

He couldn't believe he had done that. He couldn't believe he had blackmailed Grissom. He had left the crime lab without a word to anyone and walked straight to his car. He sat in his driver seat, hyperventilating and a little bit panicked. He couldn't start the car for a good ten minutes afterwards.

When he did finally start his car, he drove straight to his house and walked straight into his house and now he was standing in the doorway of his room watching a sleeping Greg. He was naked safe for the sheet tangled around him.

He was cuddling Nick's pillow in a rather unmanly way. Nick smiled and took off his clothes. He didn't want to have to explain to Greg why he was home or how he'd gotten them three days off. He just wanted to strip down and get into bed next to Greg and sleep. He didn't get nearly enough sleep when Greg was around.

At least that was the plan until he heard it. A low moan and it was coming from Greg's direction. Nick stopped in his tracks and cocked any eyebrow. Greg was squirming around in bed a little.

Nick watched him and heard another moan come from him. He was definitely moving around. His eyes were fluttering underneath his eyelids and moans were elicited from his mouth. Nick wanted to know why. He wanted to know what Greg was thinking about.

"Nick..." Greg said in a breathy sleepy voice.

No matter how much he seemed to shift on the bed, there was no right place. Nick took a deep breath. Greg was dreaming about him. Sure Greg had told him that he wanted him, but he'd never really believed it. Nick liked to let his insecurities get the best of him.

"Nick." Greg whispered his name again and Nick couldn't help a little moan of his own.

He started to move, his feet taking him to his bed without any prior knowledge of how he got there. He laid himself down next to Greg and watched Greg as whatever dream was running through his mind played out.

Greg shifted on the bed again and brushed against Nick. His eyes fluttered a bit and he frowned. He tried opening his eyes, it was a little hard considering he was still pretty much asleep.

When he was finally able to open his eyes, he smiled.

"I must still be dreaming." He muttered.

"You're not." Nick leaned over to whisper in Greg's ear.

"But you left for work. You made a big stink about going... I didn't sleep that long did I?" Greg asked.

"Hmmm... nope. I was only gone about an hour."

"So how come your back. Nothing bad happened at the lab right. I mean there wasn't a fire or some sort of nuclear crisis was there." Greg asked as he leaned into Nick.

"No, nothing bad happened at the lab. You gonna tell me what you were dreaming about?" Greg smirked.

"You gonna tell me why you're home so early?"

"I believe I asked my question first." Greg stretched a bit a moaned.

"Hmmm, yeah I guess you did. Well I was dreaming about you, silly. Not that my dreams only consist of you.

"I mean there was this one time I had this dream that I was I turned into a fish and Grissom thought I'd gone missing and he called a missing persons task force and they came and it turned out to be those people from the tv show. You know which ones I'm talking about. From that new tv show. The one with the hot Cuban guy. I tried to tell everyone, but I was just a fish." Greg babbled and Nick would have been bothered by it if he wasn't so amused.

"But what exactly were you dreaming about when I came home? I mean it sounded like a pretty good dream you were having." Nick asked.

"Hmm, any dream with you in it is a good dream, Nicky. This one was just better because I've got the actual experience to go along with it."

"So you were having a sex dream about me."

"No, we were putting together a bookshelf. Of course we I was having a sex dream about you. Usually I wake up and have to run to the bathroom, but you know you're here..."

"You're seriously thinking about going again? I don't know if I could." Nick protested.

"Oh come on Nick if you really got in the mood I bet you could go another round."

"Well, yeah, for you I feel like... I don't know... I've never felt anything like the feelings I feel for you. It's a little scary." Nick said.

"Don't worry, baby, I'm right there with you. I... I get what you're saying." Greg said as he cuddled closer to Nick's side. Nick held him close and sighed.

"You know... there is one thing that... I mean it's a little... if you don't want to that's..."

"Nicky, spill it out."

"I... um... well... just lay on your back and close your eyes."

Greg obliged readily rolling onto his back as he squeezed his eyes shut. Nick smiled a bit as he opened his dresser drawer. Greg was so trusting. He lay there naked and exposed in front of Nick and he wasn't at all embarrassed by it.

"You want me to spread my legs?" Greg asked saucy smile on his face.

Nick chuckled a bit.

"No, and hush. No talking." Nick said as he looked around his bedroom.

The condoms and lube had to be around the room somewhere. Nick just knew that had to be. He shifted around a bit before finding the discarded items on the floor next to the bed. He smiled triumphantly before picking them up. He uncapped the lube and spread some on his fingers.

"Why don't you tell me what exactly went on in that dream of yours. Since all your other ones sound so... vivid." Greg frowned and opened his eyes.

"Why..."

"Hey, close your eyes. You don't get to open your eyes." Nick said. Greg quickly shut them.

"Come on just tell me." Nick said. Greg took a deep breath and sighed.

"Well besides the obvious... we were having sex."

"Ain't that the obvious, G?" Nick asked. If Greg's eyes were opened Nick would bet even money that he would have rolled them.

"Well, yeah okay I guess that's the obvious part." Greg grumbled.

"Where? What exactly were we doing?" Nick asked.

It was taking him a lot of courage to do this. He'd never been the one to initiate the sex between him and Greg.

That was Greg's job, but Nick was feeling bold. Shifting till he found the best angle, Nick pushed a lubed soaked finger into himself. It didn't hurt much at all considering he had just had sex about an hour ago. He had to bit his lip to keep from moaning though.

"We were here. In your bed." Greg said as he shifted a bit.

Nick could see that he was very hard from whatever dream he had been having.

"Seems kinda tame for you, Greg." Nick choked out as he moved his finger a bit more.

He was so afraid that Greg was going to open his eyes and figure him out, but Greg kept his eyes closed.

"Yeah, but I didn't say we were having your regular old vanilla white lace sex."

"Oh really. So what were we doing?" Nick said removing one finger and sticking in two he let out a little sigh, but only because he couldn't hold it in.

"Well, I had you tied down to this bed of yours. Your skin was all flushed and red and you were panting. You were a little sweaty to. A sweaty Nicky... now that's definitely a sight to behold. Anyway, I was playing with you a bit, I guess. Licking you all over, playing with your nipples, sucked your cock a bit.

"I was just torturing you a bit and soon you were begging for me to fuck you. Saying things like 'You love it when I fuck you' and 'No ones ever fucked you as good as I do'. And you know how I can't deny you anything so I just pounded into you. You were screaming for it and everything." Greg said letting out a few little moans and groans.

Nick couldn't help but groan himself and the picture Greg was painting in his mind. Nick never pegged himself for the kinky type. Getting tied down or sex toys never really inspired anything in him, but really anything went when it came to Greg.

Nick had a feeling he'd even find himself with his pants down in a crowded alleyway just begging for Greg to take him. He carefully ripped open one of the condoms in his hands and straddled Greg's hips. He could see Greg forcibly trying to keep his eyes closed. He was a CSI therefore curious but nature, but he trusted Nick and for some reason that turned Nick on more than Greg's raspy spoken words.

Nick slowly unrolled the condom down Greg's cock and spread a little lube on. Greg made a keening sound from the back of his throat and Nick couldn't help the little grin that spread across his face at the fact that Greg still had his eyes closed. He grabbed Greg's cock, positioning it at his entrance and sank down his and Greg's screams intermingling.

Nick wasn't entirely sure when his eyes closed, but when he opened them Greg was looking up at him, some kind of wonder in his dark brown eyes.

"Sorry, couldn't keep them closed any longer." Greg whispered as he gulped.

"S'okay." Nick gasped out.

"So, this was your idea huh. Gotta say it's a good one. Course you could have just told me what that devious mind of yours was planning."

"Not telling you... was half the fun." Nick said his words punctuated by Nick thrusting a bit. Greg let out a long moan.

"That's it baby. Ride me." Greg said pushing his hips up a bit to meet Nick's thrusts. His hands moved to Nick's waist, hands moving with Nick's thrusts.

"So fucking good... every time... just too fucking good." Greg babbled.

His eyes stared at Nick who was so wantonly fucking himself on Greg's cock and Greg couldn't remember when he looked more gorgeous. His skin flushed red, tiny little sweat beads dripping down his face. Eyes opened wide and glazed over as he concentrated on finding just the right angle, finding just the right rhythm and speed.

He was saying something, Greg knew he had to be saying something because his mouth was moving in the way it would if words were forming, not just meaningless noise. Of course Nick could be speaking in tongues and it would never be meaningless noise to Greg.

Some part of Greg wanted to say he knew it was going to be like this. That Nick was going to be open once Greg gave it a little push, but Greg didn't count on Nick taking initiative like this.

Didn't count on Nick coming home way early and basically throwing himself on Greg's cock. Not like it matter what Greg counted on though because here he was with Nick who was basically getting himself off, Greg's thrust meeting Nick's just barely. Nick was being frantic and it was something Greg liked, wished he could see more of.

"Fuck... oh fuck... augh... I love it when you're inside of me. Oh fuck... so fucking good... too good."

If Greg could just sit back and watch Nick, we would. He knew this would probably be playing through his mind as number one fantasy of all time.

"Do you know how fucking gorgeous you are Nicky. Riding my cock like that." Greg whispered his hand going to Nick's cock.

Nick was hard and just the mere touch of Greg's hand on his over sensitive flesh made Nick scream, his thrusts becoming more erratic. Greg could tell that he was close and Greg wasn't too far off himself especially with Nick squeezing his muscles the way he was.

If Greg was coherent enough he could have sworn Nick was doing it on purpose. He probably was, but Greg couldn't really be bothered to care at that point.

All he could feel was Nick. All he could see was Nick and it didn't come as a surprise to him when he felt himself cum into the condom, Nick not so far behind, cum spurting onto his hand as he continued to stroke Nick's cock. It took a few seconds for the both of them to come down, their breathing heavy and loud in the stillness of Nick's bedroom.

Nick practically collapsed on top of Greg pulling Greg's cock out of him. Nick quickly discarded the condom and collapsed right back on top of Greg. He was slightly heavy, but Greg really couldn't care less. He was just happy to be right where he was.

"So you gonna tell me why you're home so early. Not that I'm complaining of course." Nick groaned.

"Can't you be happy with knowing that I'm home early and we have three days off." Nick mumbled into Greg's chest.

"We have three days off! How did you manage that?" Greg asked. Nick groaned again.

"Well, I'm not really supposed to talk about it..."

"You do know that because you started your sentence out like that you HAVE to tell me, right?" Nick rolled his eyes.

"I guess Catherine and Grissom won't care. I found them making out in Grissom's office."

"No. And here I thought Grissom had a thing for Sara and Catherine had a thing for Warrick." Greg said.

"I kind of got the feeling it was just a friend thing. Because you know Catherine's been going through all that shit lately. What with Eddie dying and all. Anyway I found them making out and I... sort of blackmailed them into giving me and you three days off." Nick mumbled into Greg's chest.

Greg's eyes widen at Nick's admission and he smirked.

"Well, you are just full of surprises. You know every time I think you can't surprise me you do." Greg said.

"Well, I figured... I mean Jacqui threatened David with tweezers. Do you know what it's like to be threatened with tweezers... by Jacqui?" Nick asked. Greg cocked an eyebrow.

"I'm guessing it's not something good." Greg said. Nick sighed and rolled off of Greg who was a little sad from the loss.

"No, it's not. That's something she does for initiation into 'the circle'. And man she knows how to wield those tweezers." Greg would have laughed if he hadn't sensed the serious tone in Nick's voice.

He'd, of course, heard of 'the circle' and its supposed existence. Archie would some times get pages and leave him with evidence claiming it had something to do with TC stuff. Greg had also heard the other techs talk about 'the circle'. Greg found it thoroughly amusing.

"So you took time off because Jacqui pulled out the tweezers?"

"They were talking about my life, trying to weasel information out of David about my life. Let her stew for a little bit." Nick said defiantly.

"Really, you're going to let her stew. I guess she deserves it."

"And it wasn't just to get back at Jacqui. I figured you could use the time off. Maybe... tell me about that case you were working." Nick said.

Greg blinked. He hadn't expected Nick to ask about it again, but he guessed he couldn't just not ask.

"I'll tell you all about it once I've gotten some sleep."

"Okay... no pressure though. If you don't want to tell me than that's fine."

"It's not that I don't want to tell you. Everyone's got cases that bug them, Nicky, and this one just happened to be one of mine. I'll be okay though and you want to know why." Greg asked.

"Why?" Nick asked as he cuddled close to Greg, head resting on Greg's shoulder.

"Cause I've got you. Nothing else matters if I've got you by my side Nicky, so don't worry about cases okay." Nick nodded not really trusting himself to speak.

"So, you gonna tell me why you didn't... you know... fuck me?" Greg asked. Nick felt himself blush and Greg's blunt words.

"I just didn't feel like it." "You didn't feel like it? You seemed pretty hopped up on the idea when you left for work earlier."

"I know, but... I just... I'm not kinky Greg." Nick said and he couldn't believe he was having this conversation.

"Not kinky. What does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, I was talking with Sara and she said that you... well she kind of just implied that..."

"What did she imply?"

"She said you have toys. You know... she implied you were... kinky." Nick said and he wanted the world to open up and swallow him whole.

There was no way he was having this conversation with Greg.

"And?"

"Well, I mean I don't have much experience the other way around. I mean I've had sex with girls, but that was like once and I don't really remember it and it's kind of different you know. So I've never really... fucked another guy before. I mean there was one time, but you know I've never really had much sex before now and I just wasn't sure if I was going to you know match up to all the sex that you've probably had. Not that I think you're a slut or anything I just know that you're a bit more experienced with things than I am and I know that sounds ridiculous considering I'm thirty four and you're twenty-seven, but I just..."

"Nicky, you need to calm down and breathe." Greg said.

Nick took a deep breath and frowned.

"I just... I still don't really know what you see in me. I know it sounds kind of... insecure, but it's just the way I feel. So... I didn't."

Greg was quiet for a long time and Nick was starting to think he'd said the wrong thing.

"You've really never fucked another guy before?" Greg asked. Nick shook his head.

"I did... once, but I was really drunk and... well I can't remember it too much."

"But... I mean... never."

"Greg..."

"Sorry, baby. I think it's cute I really do. I mean... it's just a shock is all."

"The first guy I was with... well he fucked me and I really liked that and I just never... I didn't like it when I had sex with a girl so I just kept getting fucked instead of doing the fucking." Nick said.

"Well, we're gonna have to change that. This is about equality. Besides it's gonna be fun corrupting you... thought you're blackmailing people and pouncing on me... don't think you need that many more lessons."

"You don't care if it's not... exciting?"

"Baby, it's with you. What's not exciting about that?" Nick smiled yet he could feel something nagging in the back of his mind.

"What about what Sara said? About the toys. I know you and her are pretty close." Nick said.

"Sara exaggerates." Greg said.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Oh... okay... then... I guess I'll just... you know wait for the right time." Nick said.

"Whenever you're comfortable. And it's not like I expect you to know the whole Kama Sutra front and back. I like the fact that you're so... innocent about some things."

"You don't find it pathetic?"

"You're not pathetic, baby. You're one of a kind."

Nick snorted.

"You are so cheesy some times you do realize that."

"Well, yeah, but its all part of my charm."

Nick smiled. He closed his eyes and sighed. He was kind of tired after spending so much time with Greg. He wouldn't have been surprised if he slept for two of their three days off. He could feel Greg slowly drifting off into dream land as well.

"Greg?"

"Hmmm."

"What kind of toys do you own?"

Nick woke up to the smell of something cooking in his kitchen. He wasn't entirely sure what was cooking in his kitchen, he so rarely used it Nick thought it a miracle that the stove even worked. He shifted around and came in contact with slightly cooling sheets. He frowned a bit.

Greg wasn't there... he was up cooking? Nick didn't even know Greg could cook. Greg ate Ramen noodles and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. He ran on Blue Hawaiian coffee. Nick had never seen him eat anything else.

His curiosity peeked, Nick got out of bed and walked into the living room. He could see Greg, back turned to him wearing one of Nick's oversized white shirts and a pair of boxers.

Nick cocked an eyebrow and walked over to where Greg was standing.

"Greg." He said.

When Greg didn't turn around, Nick got more confused. He lightly tapped Greg on the shoulder and, startled, Greg jumped a bit before turning around to face Nick.

"Nicky, don't sneak up on a person like that." Greg said.

"This from the CSI level two." Nick said rolling his eyes.

"I'll have you know I was listening to my iPod. Can't hear a thing over my headphones." Nick frowned.

"When did you get your iPod? Was it in your car?"

"Nope, got up about an hour ago and made a quick stop to my apartment. We've got three days off and I fully intend on spending them with you, but a person needs a few comforts from home every once in awhile." Greg said.

"You mean you've been up for an hour and you didn't wake me?"

"You looked tired. I thought it would be better to let you sleep. Do you know how cute you look when you're sleeping?"

"Did you know it's not good to call a man cute?" Nick said pulling a face.

"Oh poor Nicky. I called him cute. Would it be better if I called you fucking gorgeous." Greg said with a smirk on his face.

Nick smiled and felt himself blush just a little bit.

"See, you're blushing and I happen to think that is just the cute... I mean hottest thing I've ever seen." Greg said.

"You know you can stop laying it on thick, G. I get it."

"I'm not sure you do. See you're the hottest person I've ever laid eyes on and I just want you to know that."

"Well you're always telling me. I think I got the message loud and clear. So what do you do with one of those things? I mean it's so small..." Nick said as he started to play with Greg's iPod.

"No! Nick stop you're going to get it all greasy and dirty." Greg said.

Nick looked at him as if he just sprouted two extra heads. He slowly backed away from Greg and his iPod confused look on his face.

"Greg, it's just an iPod."

"I know that. Look I've just kept it in mint condition since I bought it and I don't want it to get scratched or anything."

"You're not even going to let me touch it." Nick said pouting a bit.

Greg put down his iPod and walked over to Nick, his arms going to wrap around Nick's waist. He placed a small kiss on Nick lips and rested his head on Nick's shoulder.

"It's not like it's anything important."

"Then why won't you let me touch it?"

"Oh is my baby getting all jealous over an iPod." Greg asked teasingly. Nick scowled.

"I'm sorry. It's just that I wanted to splurge on myself and an iPod... that's top of the line stuff there Nicky."

"You're very weird, Greg."

"Yes, I am. And I'm sorry I'm not going to let you play with my iPod... you can play with something else though." Greg said with a suggestive smirk on his face. Nick rolled his eyes.

"I'm still a little tuckered out. Besides it smells like you're making something good." Nick commented.

"Pancakes, eggs, bacon and some hash browns." Greg said. Nick made a face.

"It's not exactly morning yet, Greg."

"I know that, but really pancakes are good any time. And it was kind of the only food you had in your cupboards."

"This from the man who eats college cuisine."

"Don't make noodles, Nicky. They're portable. Besides I wanted to treat you to a big breakfast in bed."

"Really? That's... that's kind of romantic." "Well what can I say. I'm a romantic kind of guy."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Mmm... that was really yummy." Nick said patting his stomach.

True to his word Greg had cooked a big breakfast in bed. He'd even forced Nick to go back to bed. He then proceeded to bring in a tray complete with four plates of various food and a flower in a mini vase and placed it right in front of Nick.

Where Greg had gotten the tray was anyone's guess, but Nick couldn't help but smiling slightly at the thought. Greg had left the room after he gave Nick his food and came back with a tray from himself and they ate in mostly silence a few things thrown about here and there just to keep the mood flowing.

Nick couldn't help the sated feeling that flowed through his veins when he and Greg were sitting happily together like they were. He'd been completely honest when he told Greg that he'd never felt as strongly about someone as he did about Greg.

There were just no words to describe the completely... right feeling he felt when he was around Greg. He'd been waiting for this moment for such a long time he couldn't remember a time when he wasn't waiting for it. When he didn't want Greg.

He couldn't believe it was happening so fast though. It almost seemed like they had been dating the whole time. Maybe they had been and neither one knew about it.

Greg had been at Nick's house a lot before they started dating and Nick had been out with Greg quite a few times before they started dating. They had been great friends. Nick considered Greg his best friend. And the way they had just fallen into being a couple so easily had to mean something.

"Glad you liked it. It's been awhile since I've cooked anything. Been living on take-out and noodles lately. Sara would be so proud."

"That you cooked something."

"That I'm living on take-out. You know ever since that thing with Hank happened... she was going towards not being a hermit, but you know, assholes tend to make you change your mind about certain things."

"You seem to care a lot about her."

"Well, yeah in the begrudging younger brother cares about his older sister kind of way. You know we're a family down at the crime lab. The lab rats have there... circle I think you called it and we have being a family."

"Yeah I guess. The circle's really more a Mafia like thing though. I mean only certain people are allowed in. Jacqui doesn't open it up to all the lab techs." Nick said.

Greg nodded as he moved the breakfast trays away from them and onto the floor.

"Hmmm... yeah I guess you're right. It is kind of like a Mafia. So how come you got so lucky as to be part of the circle?"

"Well I've been there the longest... well no Jacqui's been there the longest, but I've been there the second longest. I guess I'm the co-founder of the circle, but I didn't know about it. Then Bobby came in and Jacqui thought he was pretty trustworthy.

"Archie was just so clueless and yet he seemed to gather the best information. Then they let David in, but only because I made them. I'm sure they didn't like that, but I am technically the co-founder of the circle so they... acquiesced." Nick said.

"Hmmm, my guys got power. Nice."

"Well, it's not that much. I mean if you wanted I could get all the people in the lab to process your evidence priority."

"Holy shit you can do that?"

"It's not that big of a deal."

"Are you kidding? Nick you do realize that the techs keep the lab running. If they decide to screw us over that's it. There's nothing we can do about it besides process our own evidence." Nick smiled.

"Yeah I'd pay to see the CSIs process all of their own evidence."

"You'd be evil enough to do that to one of us wouldn't you?" Greg said a smirk on his face.

He wrapped himself around Nick, his head resting on Nick's shoulder leg thrown over Nick's. Nick's arm curled around Greg's back and rested lightly on his hip.

"No, I like my job. I like processing evidence. It has somewhat of a calming effect on me. I mean even with you CSIs you guys have to have all sorts of conjecture and stuff. Processing is much easier than that.

"You get the results you're going to get and, barring contamination, it's always going to be right. It's never going to be wrong. I like that certainty." Nick said.

"Like the certainty in life where there's no certainties. Okay I get it, but science isn't perfect, Nicky. Sometimes it's wrong."

"Well nothing's perfect, Greg."

"No, that's not true. what we have together... that's perfect." Greg whispered into Nick's ear.

"Greg... the cheesy lines."

"Okay, I'm trying to work on it. Jeez you think you'd appreciate me declaring my feelings all the time."

"I do. Trust me I do. Like I said... I'm a bit insecure about all this. I just... I feel bad. I'm not as good with words as you are. I stumble over them."

"You say the ones that matter, Nicky." Nick smiled down at Greg and sighed.

"Greg... you said you'd tell me... about the case that you were working. I don't want to push, but... it bugged you a lot. I just want to know you're okay." Nick said. Greg let out a deep sigh.

"It was nothing. I'm sort of over it now, but..."

"It hurt you at the time. I've seen cases get to you. Not many, but there have been a few."

"You're right. I don't usually let them affect me. Years of working in the crime lab... you sort of get used to brushing off the hard ones when you go home. It's okay to get attached to a few, but getting attached to all of them will definitely screw you over."

"So what was different about this one?"

Greg was quite for a few moments before he started speaking.

"I was about fourteen when I realized I was into guys too. I didn't do anything about it... well unless you count the harmless kisses with a friend of mine. Anyway I was about seventeen when I decided to... experiment a little more.

"So I went to this bar that my friend Richard, the one I shared the kisses with, went. I met this guy. Seemed like a nice guy and it wasn't like I was looking for commitment. I was just looking for a good time."

"Why are you telling me this?" Nick said. He was trying to keep quiet, but he had a feeling that this wasn't going to be a very nice story.

"I didn't even see it coming. Guy just started wailing on me. Got me to get out of the bar and just started kicking the crap out of me. I couldn't go home because I'd been drinking. My parents would have flipped. I wasn't about to go to the police.

"There would just be too many questions. So I went to Richard's and just stayed there. I told my parents that I had gotten into a fight the next day when I came home. The believed me. Why wouldn't they? They didn't know yet. I told them. They were really cool with it, not surprisingly."

"The reason I'm telling you this Nicky is because that case, the guys that were killed. They were killed by someone pretending to be interested in them so he could kill them.

"Because he was a sick homophobic fuck and those guys thought that they were getting some fucking prince charming. Guy was a total loon. Completely out of his mind and it took me everything I had not to kick his ass right there in the station." Greg said.

Nick's eyes went wide. He felt his blood boil at the thought of someone hurting Greg, of Greg being in pain.

"I... I have to take a shower." Greg said practically shooting off of the bed as he ran towards the bathroom.

Nick heard him throw up and he still lay there on the bed not sure of what to do.

He couldn't process what Greg had told him. He'd never encountered anything like that and he was gay. The few guys he'd been with hadn't been violent or anything with him. He wondered why Greg would still date guys after what happened to him.

Why Greg would still date him after something like that.

Nick knew the answer. Greg didn't let circumstances change who he was. He was stronger than that. If he wanted to date guys even after getting the shit kicked out of him then he would. He wouldn't let one incident with an ignorant piece of shit who Nick really hoped was in jail getting a taste of his own medicine because if Nick knew one thing after working with CSIs it was that people like that don't stop with one incident.

Nick heard the shower go on and he got up and made his way over to the bathroom. He could see Greg through the shower door just standing in front of the shower not really moving or doing anything.

Nick pulled off his clothes and opened the door. Greg looked up at him a pained expression on his face. He couldn't move. Nick came behind him and wrapped his arms around Greg's waist.

"It's... it's gonna be okay Greg. It's over. You caught the bad guy remember." Nick said. Greg sighed.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm really doing anything when there seems to be a million bad guys."

"Of course you're doing something. Those guys... their families are gonna be happy that you brought them closure. I know it's hard for you, but it's gonna be okay."

"My parents wanted me to work in a research lab. I didn't want to. Some times I wish I had." Greg said. Nick frowned.

"But... but then you wouldn't have met... then when we wouldn't have met. I don't... I don't think I could..." Nick sighed. He couldn't exactly articulate what he was trying to say.

"My life wouldn't be as good without you in it, Greg." Nick said softly, directly into Greg's ear.

He started to get nervous when Greg didn't answer back. He merely burrowed deeper, his back against Nick's front and sighed. It was awhile before either talked.

"And I'm the sweet talker. I think you've got a bit of sweet talking in you as well." Greg said. Nick smiled as he squeezed Greg tighter.

"Well what can I say baby, maybe you're rubbing off on me." Nick said, his voice low and accent more prominent.

He remembered this one guy telling him he'd bend over backwards to please Nick if he just used the accent for a few words. It seemed to have the same affect on Greg who shivered and moaned at Nick's voice.

"You're so good to me, you know that." Greg said.

"Says the man who woke up this morning to make me breakfast in bed."

"I'm serious, Nicky. You don't even know how much you mean to me... how much you effect my life. How much I need you to be around in order to survive."

"You're gonna be fine Greg, with or without me. You're strong enough to last through anything." Nick whispered.

Greg moaned as he pushed back against Nick his ass coming in contact with Nick's cock, Nick's answering moaning echoing through the shower.

"I'd rather go through life with you if that's okay." Greg said in a low raspy voice.

"Got no arguments from me, G." Nick said his hands creeping up Greg's sides.

Greg still kept pushing against Nick's cock, which hardened at the stimulation.

Something broke inside of Nick, something primal and hungry and all Nick wanted to do at that very moment was take Greg. Bend him over, push him against the wall, he just wanted to fuck Greg so hard, harder than anyone had ever fucked him in his whole life.

His lips moved to Greg's shoulders. His hands roamed down and over Greg's body. His hips moving against Greg when Greg pushed against him.

"God, Greg... I want to fuck... shit I need it. Wanna fuck you so hard you forget your name. Wanna fuck you so hard you feel it for days... swear that my cock's still pounding into your ass."

"I want you to fuck me, Nicky. Please I need you too..." Greg whispered over the stream of water.

"I don't got... the lube..."

"There should be some in the sink drawer." Nick doesn't even question why Greg knows that there's lube in the sink drawer.

Nick didn't even know there was lube in the sink drawer. He opened the door to the shower and reached over to the drawer. He rooted through it for a bit before his hand came in contact with the tube of lube. He quickly uncapped it and spread some on his fingers.

Nick thought his first time, for lack of better words, on top would be slow and sweet and tender. It was turning out to be anything but. He couldn't stop the lust running through his veins.

Couldn't help the fact that Greg kept pressing against him in such a delightful way that it was making him lose his head. Couldn't help the fact that his fingers were moving on their own accord, pushing past the tight ring of muscle at Greg's entrance and he couldn't help that it was a little less then gentle.

Not that Greg seemed to mind. He whispered his praises and encouragement and urged Nick to move faster, harder, more and Nick couldn't help it that it just fueled the burning fire inside him.

So he moved faster, harder and put more fingers in, twisting to hit Greg's prostate and Greg was screaming and that was something that could be heard over the shower. Nick was pressed into him as he moved his fingers and his breathing was getting harsh and he wasn't entirely sure he was going to make it through this without losing a few brain cells.

"Oh fuck, Nicky do it... just do it please." Greg's voice could barely be heard over the steady stream of the warm water close by them.

Nick knew what Greg was asking for. He knew that Greg wasn't about to make Nick stop and go get a condom. He wanted it now and if Nick was being perfectly honest he wanted it now to.

He wanted it with Greg pushed up against the white tile of his shower Greg's back facing Nick. Perhaps Nick was going to have to rethink his whole not being kinky thing.

He used his knee to push Greg's legs apart a bit more before spreading some of the left over lube that was on his fingers onto his cock. He wasn't sure that this was going to be too comfortable for Greg, but Greg was the one making those delicious noises and asking for more.

Begging for Nick's cock like he needed it to live. Nick didn't know he could be turned on by just a voice, but this was Greg's voice and damn it if Greg just wasn't the exception to everyone of Nick's rules.

Nick lined himself up to Greg's entrance and pushed, one hard thrust because he'd gone into the shower hard and Greg's roaming hands and wandering lips hadn't helped his situation. Greg let out a sharp scream that ended with a grunt and Nick wasn't sure he could move. It was so tight and hot and Greg and he was afraid he was about to cum just from the sensation.

"Come on Nicky, baby move please. I need you to move. I want you so bad."

Nick took in a deep breath and began to move, slowly and Nick just knew that wasn't going to be enough. He just knew he was going to be pounding into Greg so hard by the time this whole experience was over.

"Oh shit... feels so fucking good. Come on baby fuck me harder. Please fuck me harder."

"Like this." Nick said as he began to thrust harder, hips angling a bit trying to find that sweet spot inside Greg and he knew he hit it when Greg let out a deep groan and started cursing.

"Oh fuck... shit... aurgh... that's it baby... oh so fucking good. Love your cock inside of me... feels so good."

"Yeah... you like that huh. You like me fucking you."

"Yes... oh fuck yes... fucking love you fucking me... never felt anything better."

"Begged for it enough."

"I'd always beg for you."

Nick kept thrusting, features tightly squeezed, hands gripping on Greg's hips hard enough to leave bruises. Nick's lips traced patterns on the skin on Greg's neck and he wished he could see the look on Greg's face.

Wished he hadn't been so consumed by lust that he had to fuck Greg right in the shower, but he couldn't help it. He didn't want to help it and he'd bet lots of money that Greg didn't want to help it either.

Nick's hand went to Greg's cock, fingers wrapping firmly around it as Nick stroked in time with his erratic thrusts.

"So fucking close... gonna... shit Nicky I'm gonna..."

"That's it baby. Just let go. Come on... cum for me."

Greg let out a choked sound from the back of his throat. Cum spurted on to the bathroom wall washing away as quickly as it fell from the spraying water. Nick wasn't too far behind the sensations he was feeling from being inside Greg too much for him to handle. He came Greg's name falling from his lips.

He slumped against Greg's back, breathing barely heard over the loud shower head. Nick was loath to pull away from Greg, but he knew Greg couldn't be too comfortable pressed against the wall like that. He moved away from Greg, turning him so that his back was against the wall.

"Not kinky my ass." Greg whispered soft smile playing on his lips. Nick felt himself blush.

"I guess the whole 'sex in the shower' thing is kind of kinky. I just... you seemed so sad and... I couldn't help myself."

"Do you hear me complaining? No complaints whatsoever. I enjoyed that thoroughly. Been awhile since anyone's fucked me up against a wall... in a shower no less." Greg said closing his eyes. He made a humming noise and stood still.

"Sleepy?" Nick asked.

"Just a little. I should really take a shower though. I feel all sticky." Greg said.

"Here. Let me." Nick said as he picked up the bottle of shampoo. He poured some into his hand and began to run it through Greg's hair.

Greg tilted his head back allowing Nick to clean his hair. Nick paid careful attention to Greg's scalp as he worked the shampoo through the bleached blond highlighted mass. When he was down, he gently rinsed out the shampoo, warning Greg to keep his eyes closed as he did so.

Nick took the soap and a washcloth and began to clean Greg's body, paying special attention to every piece of skin and flesh available. Greg made a few appreciative noises, his eyes staying closed as Nick went about cleaning him.

When he was done, he took the shower head and lightly rinsed off the soap from Greg's body. He quickly washed himself up, running some shampoo through his hair before rinsing off as well and turning off the shower. He pulled Greg out of the shower and dried the both of them off.

He pulled Greg back into his bedroom and pulled out some shirts and boxers from them to put on. Greg was practically all the way asleep by the time Nick had tucked him into the bed. He made a few noises that Nick couldn't make out properly before rolling onto his side and rested his head on Nick's chest.

Nick ran his fingers through Greg's rapidly drying hair before falling asleep himself.

"Absolutely not." Nick said in a vehement tone.

He shook his head for further emphasis. He wasn't about to give in. Even if Greg was pouting at him. Nick could be strong. Nicholas Daniel Stokes did not cave under pressure.

"But Nicky." Greg whined.

He could whine with the best of them. Nick thought he was the best at it. And if there first two days had taught Nick anything it was that Greg like to get what he wanted and he could easily manipulate it out of Nick.

A few well placed touches, some words spoken in that gravely sexy voice, and a kiss or two and Nick would gladly and, even more scary, willingly do anything Greg asked.

"Come on... it's our last day of vacation. We have to start work again tonight. And we've spent all our time in this house." Greg said. Nick rolled his eyes.

"You're not happy that we spent most of our time here?"

"Of course not. I mean it's been great. I mean really really great, but is it such a big deal that I want to actually go out and have some fun."

"Greg I refuse to go to some club with you. The club scene... it just isn't me."

"Okay so we don't have to go to a club. We can just go out somewhere. How about a movie... or maybe to the park or something." Greg said.

Nick took in their appearances. Greg's hair had taken a permanent bed head look. He was wearing one of Nick's sweaters and a pair of Nick's sweats. For some reason, even though Greg had gone to his own apartment to get clothes, Greg liked dressing in Nick's clothes.

Nick was currently in a white T-shirt and boxers. They had just woken up a few hours ago when Greg got the idea that they should spend their last day of vacation outside in the real world.

"Don't you think I'm tired? Aren't you tired?" Nick asked.

"Hmmm... yeah I guess I'm a little tired, but we can't hold up in here like two little hermit crabs. We gotta go out on our fourth date you know." Greg said with a grin on his face.

Nick laughed at that and watched as Greg walked over to where Nick was sprawled out on the couch. He crawled into Nick's lap, placed a small kiss on his nose and curled into Nick.

"I didn't even realize that we hadn't gone out on our fourth date yet. Just seems like we've been doing this..."

"Forever, yeah I know what you mean. It's great that we're so comfortable with each other, but we don't want to be one of those couples that never goes out and never has any fun."

"You call lots of sex no fun?"

"You know what I mean. The sex is great. Hell we've done it like... everywhere in your humble little abode. And I do mean everywhere. In your bedroom, in your spare bedroom, your shower, your kitchen, this here couch, on the floor. You name it we've probably christened it."

Nick grinned again. They'd gone a little wild during their time off. Sure most of their time was spent in Nick's bed fucking each other's brains out, but there was something to be said for variety. Nick found he just couldn't keep his hands off of Greg no matter where they were.

"I guess you're right. I just... I like it when it's just the two of us."

"It can be just the two of us anywhere." Greg said.

"Do you even have anymore clothes? I mean I know you went to your apartment... once, but do you have anymore clothes?" Nick asked.

Greg's eyebrows furrowed as he thought of the answer to that question.

"No... no I don't have any more clean clothes." Greg said a confused look on his face.

"So how are we going to go out if you don't even have any clean clothes." Nick asked.

"That doesn't seem right. I know I packed enough to stay here. And it's not like we wore clothes that much. How could I not have any clean clothes?" Greg asked.

"I don't know. That's your mystery. That still doesn't solve our problem though."

"I could always wear some of your clothes."

"Most of what I have to wear is way too big on you and the stuff that isn't I need to keep clean because I can't even remember the last time I did laundry." Nick said.

"Well, we'll just have to stop by my place and pick some clothes up. I'll just wear your stuff while we go there."

Nick realized Greg clearly wasn't going to give up on this issue. They would have to go to Greg's sooner or later to get him some clothes. Seemed like the might as well go right now and get it over with. And Nick could make Greg happy by actually going out with him somewhere.

"Fine. Just let me get dressed." Greg merely smiled at him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick wasn't exactly sure how Greg had talked him into taking Greg's car. It wasn't that Nick didn't like Greg's car. It was a nice car. It was completely different to the cars the other CSIs had. They all had big hulking SUVs, but Greg stuck with his good old VW Jetta.

Nick had a big car too. He just liked the feel of a big car. He was currently leaning against the passenger door waiting for Greg to come down from his apartment. He hadn't been gone long, but Nick didn't really like how claustrophobic Greg's car made him feel.

Maybe it was because it had been such a long time since he'd been out of his house, but Nick was enjoying taking in the sun's rays and the fresh air. He was actually kind of glad that Greg talked him into coming outside of the house. It was quite a nice day outside.

"I see you're enjoying the sunshine." Nick opened his eyes.

He didn't even realize they were closed. Greg was standing in front on him in a comfortable pair of jeans and a plain black T-shirt. He gone to the trouble of trying to make his hair look like it usually did.

Nick hadn't seen him like this in three days and he had to admit that Greg, though he looked great in Nick's clothes, looked even better in his own. Course nothing trumped a naked Greg, but Nick wasn't going to let his thoughts go there. Those thought's could lead to badness.

"Yeah. It's a nice day out today. Really... not too hot, but not cold. Just a perfect blend of right in the middle." Nick said.

"Definitely nice out. Good for a day at the park." Greg said walking over to where Nick was standing.

He put his hands on Nick's hips and placed a small kiss on his lips. Nick couldn't help it that his hands pulled Greg closer, arms wrapping possessively around Greg's waist.

"I was beginning to think we'd turned into vampires." Greg said.

"Well, looks like you were wrong. Here we are out in the sun and we haven't exploded or anything."

"Yeah, you're right. So is it very wrong that I just want to go back to your place and throw you down on the bed?"

"Hmmm... it was your idea to go out. If I had had it my way, we'd still be at my place."

"Yeah, okay I made a very bad decision. I admit the error of my ways." Greg said, mouth latching on to Nick's neck.

This was a very bad idea. This was like changing room bad idea. They were going to get caught. It was just the way of the universe. It liked to screw with Nick. They were so going to get caught by the wrong people and they were going to get in trouble.

Of course Nick didn't try telling Greg any of this because Greg was currently busy sucking on his neck, hands moving up and down Nick's body through the material of Nick's shirt. And Nick hands were cupping Greg's ass pulling Greg as close as possible.

Nick didn't even notice when he pulled Greg's mouth away from his neck and to his own mouth. Hot wet mouths colliding together, tongues clashing against each other. Nick certainly didn't notice when he flipped their positions, pinning Greg against the car, but Greg didn't seem to mind so Nick took that as his cue to continued kissing Greg like his life depended on it.

Soon hips were grinding against hips. Hardness grinding against hardness and Nick would have screamed out if it weren't for the fact that his mouth was occupied with Greg's tongue. As it was he was moaning into their kiss and so was Greg.

Greg pulled away and Nick tried to catch him lips again, but Greg didn't let him.

"Nicky..."

Nick followed Greg's eyes. They were looking at Greg's backseat. Nick's eyes widened when he put two and two together.

"We are not having sex in your car. Can't we just go up to your..."

"It's too far. I need you right now. Please Nicky, I'll beg for it. I know you like it when I beg for it." Greg whispered pushing his hips against Nick.

Greg was evil. Nick had just taken the survey and the results were in and they said that Greg was the evilest person Nick would ever met in his life. He wasn't going to stop until Nick was willing to do it on stage in front of hundreds of people. He wasn't going to stop until Nick was totally one hundred percent debauched.

And the way things were going, Nick wasn't having the slightest problem with it.

"Get in the fucking car, Greg." He said in a low raspy voice.

Greg's eyes went wide, but he obeyed quickly opening the rear passenger door and scrambled inside. Nick took a deep breath and followed. He closed the door behind him when he was inside. He looked over at Greg who was already lying down in on the backseat and saw the lust burning bright in his eyes.

He really didn't stand any chance against a horny Greg, but that was okay. Because a horny Greg usually lead to a horny Nick and that led to Nick lowering his resistance a bit... or well a lot.

"I can't believe I'm about to fuck you in the backseat of your car." Nick whispered into Greg's ear.

"I can't believe you aren't already fucking me in the backseat of my car." Greg whispered back.

Nick let out a growl. His hands immediately went to Greg's pants. He hurriedly pulled them off, getting slightly frustrated when they got caught on Greg's shoes.

Luckily Greg had forgone the big complicated to get off if you were so horny and hard that you felt like exploding right then and there boots and decided to go with some easier slip off vans. Nick threw them in the direction of the front seat along with Greg's jeans.

Greg had also thought it imperative to forget the underwear as well and Nick's brain decided that just the sight of Greg, lying on his backseat, harder than Nick had ever seen him before, was enough to cause a melt down.

"Fuck... you got any..."

"Place where the CDs are in that middle thingie." Greg said his eyes clouded over with lust.

Nick opened the 'middle thingie' as Greg had put it and looked for the lube. Under various Marilyn Manson CDs Nick found the tube he was looking for. He quickly opened it and coated some lube onto his fingers.

"Just lube up your cock and fuck me already, Nicky." Greg growled.

"So fucking impatient. You want it so bad, I'll give it you." Nick said.

His hands went to his cock, spreading some lube on it. Nick had to put some pressure on the base to keep from coming. Greg wrapped his legs around his waist and he could hear Greg saying something, but couldn't exactly make it out.

So he did the only thing he knew Greg wanted for sure. Lined himself up with Greg's entrance and pushed in, one long hard stroke pounding into Greg as hard as he could and he heard Greg's scream.

"That's what you wanted, right baby. Wanted me to hurry up and fuck you. Well guess what... I'm fucking you now." Nick said pulling out a little before pounding right back into Greg.

"Please, Nicky, baby, come on move..."

"I am moving Greg. That's me moving inside of you... fucking you."

"Augh... harder... please... fuck I need you so much."

"Oh fuck... Greg... so fucking good and hot and tight... nothing better in this world..."

"Nicky... fuck... want you so much... only you, only you... need you so much, always need you."

Nick could feel Greg's breath, so close to his neck and ear. Could hear Greg's voice repeating words over and over again. Greg's hands were on his back, scratching new marks down his spine. Nick thought he'd be lucky to go into work tonight without any hickeys. Greg was meeting his thrusts, pushing his hips back whenever Nick pushed forward.

"That right... is only for me too?" Nick asked his hand reaching down to Greg's hard cock giving it a little stroke to emphasis his words.

Greg let out a little yelp.

"FUCK... Nicky... oh shit..."

"I'll... take that... as a... yes." Nick said angling his hips a little as he continued to thrust into Greg.

"Oh shit... right there Nicky... please fuck me right there... oh shit I'm gonna... fuck."

"Come on... cum for me Greg..."

It only took a few more well placed thrust and Greg came into his hand Nick's name falling from Greg's lips. Nick wasn't too far behind. He could feel his orgasm building. Could hear Greg whispering words of encouragement into his ear. It wasn't long before he felt himself explode too, a litany of fucks and Greg coming from his mouth as he did so.

Greg had had a little while to come down when Nick collapsed on top of him. The only sound inside the car was their harsh breathing as they tried to calm down before doing whatever it was they were going to do after the spectacular fucking session in the back of Greg's car. Nick was never going to be able to look at Greg's car the same way.

"Is it me or do you keep pushing the envelope, Mr. Stokes." Greg said in a teasing tone.

Nick rolled his eyes.

"If I do it's your fault. You're the reason were back here."

"Oh yes I'm very evil. Like you didn't want it just as much as I did."

"That's not the point. The point is that..."

Nick was cut off by a knocking on the rear driver door window. Nick looked up and froze. Seeing the look on his face Greg looked up as well.

"Oh fuck."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You mind telling me what exactly you to were doing in that car earlier?" the cop asked.

Nick could feel the heat in his face rising. He took a nervous swallow and looked over at Greg who was trying to look indifferent, but seemed to have a nervousness about him that Nick had never seen before.

"Thought that was kind of obvious." Greg mumbled.

The cop must have heard because he glared at Greg. Nick's eyes went wide. If he could smack Greg he would. He would smack him so hard Greg wouldn't wake up. Then he'd feel really bad about it.

"You know it's against the law to have sex in a car in a public place." The cop said his eyes taking on a certain glint.

"It's my car. That's not really public now is it." Greg said in a smart assed tone.

"Greg... please... look officer we're really..."

"No, Nicky, it wasn't like we were going at it in front of kids or anything."

"You were in a residential neighborhood."

"Yeah, but..."

"Greg, just let it go. We'll take the fine and..."

Nick was caught off by the sound of the interrogation room door opening. Nick looked up and saw who it was. He wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole.

"Hello guys." Grissom said in an all too cheery voice.

He was smirking and Nick could feel himself blush even more. Brass was standing right behind him, smirk on his face and it sounded like he was giggling, but Nick knew Brass and there was no way Brass could be giggling.

"Detective Brass... Mr. Grissom." The cop said standing up as if to be formal.

"Office Johnston. So what exactly are the guys in here for?" Brass asked.

Nick let his head droop and used his hand to cover his face. This couldn't be happening. He was going to kill Greg for this. He could make it so they couldn't find any DNA evidence to identify the body as Greg. It would just be so easy.

"Indecent exposure." Officer Johnston said as though he regurgitating something from a textbook.

Brass and Grissom looked over at Nick and Greg and smirked almost simultaneously. Nick was really wishing that hole would open up any time in the near future.

"It's not our fault. What's a cop doing going up and down a residential neighborhood anyway." Greg asked.

"I was just doing my job. There have been a number of break-ins reported in that neighborhood." Officer Johnston said.

Nick looked over at Greg who just rolled his eyes. Greg never mentioned anything about there being a crime rate in his neighborhood. Of course the whole thing could be so new that Greg didn't know about it considering he'd spent the better part of five days at Nick's place.

"Oh, now isn't that exciting. But what I don't get is why you're holding them. They aren't under arrest are they?" Brass asked.

This seemed to make Greg go into shock and for good reason. If you got arrested as a CSI it was an immediate dismissal. Greg liked his job, he loved it. He wasn't willing to risk his job for something as stupid as sex in a car.

"I was just gonna fine them, when that one started pulling lip." The officer said pointing to Greg. "He said he works at the crime lab, but he didn't have an id."

"I can assure you, officer, that both of them work in the crime lab. I'm sorry for Greg's... bad mouthing, but I'm sure he didn't mean anything by it." Grissom said.

"You know I could arrest the both of them. He'd lose his job." The officer said.

Greg went even paler and Nick scowled at the guy. He may have wanted to smack Greg, but that didn't mean he wanted some cop to ruin his life just because Greg didn't know when to shut up.

"Now, now, Officer Johnston. Would that really be necessary? I'm sure CSI Sanders here is very sorry for whatever lip he gave you. Come on. Kids get pulled over for this kind of thing all the time. We don't ever arrest them. We give them a warning." Brass said.

"Yeah, but those are kids. These two should know better if they work in the crime lab." Officer Johnston said.

"Can't we just settle this like adults." Brass said.

Officer Johnston looked wearily over at Nick and Greg. He let out a sigh and rolled his eyes.

"I supposed I could let them off with a warning and a fine, but I won't do this the next time. Maybe you should work on your attitude if you want to stay employed." Officer Johnston said looking directly at Greg.

Greg nodded and Officer Johnston gave him a 'Yeah right' look before leaving the interrogation room. Now to face Brass and Grissom.

"You know, I'm all for young love, but do you think you guys could dial it down a bit. It looks like neither of you got any sleep during your little vacation." Brass said.

Nick groaned.

"Please, I'd rather you take me out back and shoot me than ever mention this again." Nick said though it was muffled because of his hands.

"Oh I don't know if it will never be heard again. The PD's a small place, Nicky my boy. News travels pretty fast." Brass said.

"Isn't there a way you could... I don't know... make it not travel at all?" Greg asked.

Brass was giggling again and this time Nick could see it clear as day. Yup Brass was definitely giggling. For some reason Greg didn't seem disturbed by this.

"I don't hold that much clout with everyone here." Brass said.

"But you could. I mean it would be easy to just make this whole thing go away." Nick said.

"Honestly I think this whole thing is a little too funny to make it just disappear like it was never there." Brass said.

"Grissom... could you please talk some sense into him. Imagine how bad this is gonna look for the crime lab." Greg said.

"You're thinking about the crime lab now, but you sure as heck weren't thinking about the crime lab when you and Nick had sex in Nick's car in front of Nick's house." Grissom said.

It was very clear that he was irritated with the whole thing or at least it was to Nick. If this got out, things could get ugly. Just because they hadn't been arrested didn't mean that still couldn't lose his job. His behavior was fairly unprofessional and even though they hadn't been a work at the time it didn't mean that the higher ups couldn't find someway to make him pay for it.

"But you weren't exactly thinking of the crime lab either now were you?" Nick whispered.

"What?" Brass said.

Grissom seemed to have heard him and raised an eyebrow.

"I thought we agreed you were going to forget about that."

"I could easily just as well remember it. I mean it's not like you can't pull some strings, Grissom. You've done it before. And Greg's never gotten in trouble before." Nick said.

That sick feeling was forming in the pit of his stomach again. He couldn't believe that he was blackmailing his boss yet again. It was almost like he was making a habit out of it.

"You know, Nick, I've always liked you." Grissom said with a grin. "Not one who's afraid to commit career suicide for a good cause. Jim... make sure this goes away. Greg, Nick... I hope to see you two in the lab tonight." He said as he walked out of the interrogation room.

"Well... that was different." Brass said.

Nick let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. It had worked. He never in a million years thought it was going to work, but it had worked.

"Yeah... um... well... I guess we should be going. We should probably get some sleep before coming in tonight." Nick said grabbing Greg's hand.

He pulled him out of the interrogation room, not one look to a totally confused Brass, and out of the police department. Nick looked around for a few seconds before realizing they didn't have a car to get back to his place. He sighed.

"Did you just blackmail Grissom?" Greg asked after a few moments of silence spent in front of the Las Vegas Police Department.

"Yes, yes I did." Nick answered.

"And did he just... say he liked you because of it?"

"Yes... I think he did."

"Okay I was just checking."

Nick nodded as he took out his cell phone. He'd have to call a cab to take him and Greg home.

"Okay... that was... am I the only one here who's..."

Nick rolled his eyes and grabbed Greg by the waist. He looked into Greg's eyes before kissing him, tongue and lips clashing together and Greg basically surrendered into the kiss. When Nick pulled away Greg's eyes were closed, his mouth slack open.

"Next time... listen to me when I saw let's stay home."

"So how was your vacation?"

Was the first thing Nick heard when he entered his lab station that night. Jacqui was wringing her hands in a nervous manner like she was anxious about something. Nick rolled his eyes.

"It wasn't really a vacation. It's not like we went anywhere." Nick said.

"So you guys just stayed at home?"

"You're awfully interested in my life."

"Look, I know David is like your best friend and all, but remember when it was just the two of us? We'd tell each other everything and gossip." Jacqui said with an earnest smile on her face. Nick smiled a little.

"Yeah okay. We used to be really good friends."

"I thought we still are?"

"We are."

"So... spill." Jacqui said. Nick rolled his eyes

"You know the reason David is my best friend is because he doesn't demand knowledge on my life." Nick said.

"I know you don't like talking about those things, but come on you gotta give me something. All those times we'd sit here and talk about your little crush on Greg. I let you gush Nick. Gush.

"I don't even let Archie gush about Star whatever like I let you gush about Greg. Or well how you used to gush. You get what you want and suddenly the gushing stops. Come on Nick you owe me details."

Nick lowered his head and sighed. Jacqui wasn't going to give up any time soon.

"Fine, what details do you want?" Nick asked in an exasperated tone.

"The obvious. What did you and Greg do with your time off? Did he take you anywhere special?" Jacqui asked. Nick smiled.

"We didn't go anywhere. We stayed at my place." Jacqui frowned.

"You didn't go anywhere?"

"Nope. We stayed in. Greg cooked."

"Greg can cook!"

"Yup. Really well too. Cooked me breakfast in bed." Nick said with a smile on his face. Jacqui sighed.

"Now how come I can't find me a guy like that. I mean seriously."

"He is great isn't he." Nick said bright smile on his face.

"Oh see now you're gushing. You're big time gushing. As long as you don't do a happy dance though I guess I'm okay. Completely one hundred percent jealous, but okay." Jacqui said.

"I can't help it. Every time I think about Greg... does it sound girly to say I get butterflies in my stomach?"

"Yes, Nick, it's very girly, but very sweet at the same time. So... any exchange of I love yous yet?" Jacqui asked. Nick frowned.

"Jacqui it's only been four dates."

"And you two have been dancing around each other for like forever. Now I may have been blind to Greg, but not you, babe. I know you're in love with him." Nick felt like biting his fingernails, which wouldn't have been good considering he was wearing latex gloves.

He wasn't entirely sure that he was in love with Greg. The thought had crossed his mind a few times, but he was never really sure. He hadn't ever really been in love like that, sad and pathetic as it may seem. Things with Greg... they were right. They fit. Everything just seemed so perfect and Nick was just a little scared that it was going to turn out wrong.

"Can't I just enjoy the fact that we're together without getting all heavy about it?" Nick asked.

"Sure, of course, but you know... you and I both know that this is the real thing. Don't waste time just because of nerves or something even more ridiculous." Jacqui said.

Nick nodded. Jacqui could be wise when she wanted to be. Nick knew she was more than likely right about what she was saying, but he couldn't seem to get passed the fact that the whole thing, as right and good as it felt, was still pretty brand new.

"You're right. And I won't. I just wanna be sure that we're both ready for something like that."

"Uh huh. No I get it. Make sure everything's right and perfect. Makes total sense."

"Good. Anyway I better get back to work. My break ended like five minutes ago." Jacqui said.

"Mmm... kay see you later."

"You too." Jacqui said.

"And Nick."

Nick looked up from his work. Jacqui stood in the doorway, soft smile on her face.

"Yeah."

"Don't wait too long."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So did you break out the toys?" Sara asked grin on her face as the processed the car.

"A gentleman doesn't kiss and tell." Greg said bemused look on his face.

"Oh you so broke out the toys." Sara said with a snicker.

"As a matter of fact, I didn't. We were at Nicky's house the entire time therefore I didn't really have any toys to break out."

"But if there were toys to break out..."

"Nicky's not ready for that kind of stuff yet. I'm trying to ease him into the hard stuff."

"But he's worth it apparently."

"Not everyone I've dated was into the hard stuff, Sara. Yeah sure I've had a few wild experience, but just because I've had a few doesn't mean they're all wild."

"Right. That's why you have a whole drawer filled with sex toys. Because you're not wild." Sara said rolling her eyes.

"Sara, do you really think this is something we should be discussing at a crime scene."

"It's not like the cops care who you're dating. And I sure as heck don't. Doesn't make a lot of sense to tiptoe around it." Sara said.

"I guess you're right. Still..."

"Bet you're just pissed off because you had to work a double your first day back and Grissom hasn't allowed you to take evidence back to your boyfriend." Sara said. Greg rolled his eyes at her.

"Well, it is kind of sadistic of him, but I'm dealing really. I mean it's not like I have to see Nicky every minute of every day." Greg said though he wasn't exactly sure that was true.

Nick had entered his mind more than once since he and Sara started processing Alison Carpenter's rental car. He'd had Nick on the brain ever since they parted ways at Nick's house.

They'd gotten a little more sleep, both of them barely being able to keep their hands off of each other despite getting caught by the cops. He didn't want to go back to work. He didn't want to do much of anything besides lie around with Nick, but he knew that that dream was impossible.

"No, but it's definitely nice that you can go back to the lab after a brutal crime scene and see someone that'll make you smile."

"Ah, Sara you underestimate yourself. You make me smile." Sara rolled her eyes.

"You know you're in a relationship now Greg. The incessant flirting... it should stop soon."

"I know, but sometimes I forget. I guess you're right though. But it's not much different from before Nick and I were Nick and I."

"You got that right. I think you showed lots of restraint holding yourself back from throwing him over a desk or something."

"There were times when Grissom's desk did look mighty good." Greg said with a smirk.

Sara laughed and shook her head.

"You're crazy you do know this right."

"Yeah, well I make no apologies for it."

"I'm sure Grissom will let you give Nick evidence to process... that sounded kind of dirty." Sara said scrunching up her nose.

"Yeah. It really did."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So then Grissom tells me to just wait for Greg and Sara. Like he's immune to my ass kissing." David said in an exasperated tone.

"Well you sure do a lot of ass kissing, David. I mean sometimes people just... tune it out." Nick said.

He was way to busy processing evidence. He was working on the semen found in Greg, Grissom and Sara's case. He had hoped that Greg would bring it to him, but Grissom showed up.

Not that Nick wasn't happy to see his boss, but he wondered if Grissom had forgiven him for the blackmail earlier. Despite Grissom saying that he liked Nick because of his bold behavior, Nick wasn't going to take any chances.

"Yeah, but I was laying it on thick."

"You're always laying it on thick. You're only not laying it on thick when you don't think the person is worthy of your ass kissing."

"Hmmm... okay you're probably right, but he could have at least acknowledged the great work."

"Why? They never acknowledge are work as great unless it breaks the case. You're expecting Grissom to fall for it... that's asking a bit much. Even Ecklie doesn't go for that brown-nosing routine." Nick said. He pressed a few buttons on his computer to run his results through CODIS.

"Yeah okay. I don't understand why though."

"Because that's just the way it is." Nick said. He sat patiently waiting for his results.

When the machine beeped, he printed out his results. He looked at them and frowned.

"What?"

"Well, looks like I've got a hit. Jason Kent. 1987 'The Circle Killer'."

"You're knowledge about these things is outstanding." Hodges said in a dull tone. Nick rolled his eyes.

"Seriously though. This is important. This is a lucky break. I gotta get these to Grissom."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Greg was way too pleased with himself. He couldn't believe that there case was going so well. And Grissom had let him take a break knowing full well he was going to go bug Nick. Greg wasn't sure when he gotten to the point where he needed to see Nick all the time day in and day out, but he was there and he wasn't about to complain.

Nick was letting him see him day in and day out. Letting him be close and Greg couldn't ask for more.

"Hey, you busy." Greg watched as Nick looked up from his work, bright smile illuminating his face. Greg couldn't help but smile back.

"Not really I guess. I could always take a break." "So take a break. I wanna talk to you."

"Not about anything bad I hope?" Nick said in an uneasy tone.

"Of course not, Nicky. Why would me wanting to talk to you be bad? I just... I haven't seen you in awhile and I know it sounds completely sappy, but I can't help it. Warrick would so tease me until forever if he just heard that." Nick laughed at that statement.

"You don't want it getting out that you're sappy. You're gonna have to talk to Jacqui about that one." Nick said as he shook his head.

"Oh so you talked to Jacqui about us. Miss Queen of the Lab. Thought you wouldn't talk to anyone about our personal lives."

"I never said that. I mean I have to talk to my friends."

"Can I assume that Hodges knows everything about our relationship too." Greg said in a teasing tone.

"No, David doesn't know much. Just that we're dating. He seems to have it in his mind that I can do better." Nick said in a nonchalant tone. Greg looked affronted.

"And..."

"And I told him that if he couldn't say anything nice than don't say anything at all. Besides he may be okay with the fact that I'm... you know... gay, but that doesn't mean he wants details. Jacqui on the other hand..."

"How much did you tell her?"

"Well I didn't tell her the positions or where if that's what you're asking." Nick said rolling his eyes.

"I didn't think you did. And of course that car thing..."

"Greg mentioning it isn't going to help Grissom keep it quiet. The lab has ears you know." Nick said shaking his head.

"Yeah I know. Still... got admit... it was pretty..."

"Yeah okay. It was pretty..."

"Of course it's always like that with us." Greg said with a smile.

"You won't hear any contradictions from me." Nick said his smile matching Greg's.

"People are gonna start talking if we keep smiling at each other like this. Thought you wanted to remain professional."

"People are already talking. And you kind of blew that whole professional thing when you tempted me into the backseat of your car."

"Oh so that was all my fault. None of the blame falls on you."

"Well I blame myself for not being able to resist you better. Maybe if I had been more of a grown up that wouldn't have happened."

"You're not going to lord it over me for the rest of our existence... are you?" Greg asked.

"Well I think it deserves a good amount of lording for the time being, but not for the rest of our existence. It'll all be forgotten in the future." Nick said.

"Yeah you say that now, but I've seen you in action, Nicky. I know you can be evil when you want to be."

"Me evil? No, I think you've got the evil on the wrong shoe here. You're the one who's evil."

"Moi, I'm evil. No see, I didn't blackmail my boss."

"Yes, but I'm not the one that seduced me into the back of a car for sex. If you hadn't done that then I wouldn't have had to blackmail Grissom... again."

"But you blackmailed him in the first place."

"Yeah, but... that was for a good cause." Nick said weakly.

"Us having three uninterrupted days of fucking is a good cause."

"Greg!"

"What? I thought you said our professionalism is out the window. Besides it's not like they don't all already know. Hell Sara even asked if I used some of my toys." Greg said shrugging his shoulders.

"Still... all professionalism may be gone, but we could at least not be blatant about it."

"Fine we're being subtle. If I can be professional, I can be subtle. I most really love you or something." Greg muttered from his chair.

Nick's head snapped up, his eyes went wide and his mouth opened.

"What?" He asked.

"What, what?"

"Did... I mean did you just say that... you loved me?" Nick asked. Greg's eyebrows furrowed and he bit his lip. He shrugged his shoulders and sighed.

"Yeah I guess."

"You guess? You guess you said you loved me? Greg... do you even realize how big something like that is? You can't just throw that out there like you were commenting on the weather." Nick said.

"I thought you knew that I loved you. I mean... I thought it was pretty obvious." Greg said shrugging his shoulder again.

Nick was really getting sick of him shrugging his shoulders.

"Have you ever said it? I mean... Greg we've only been dating for a few days. Love?"

"What you don't love me?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying, but..."

"Look the way I see it Nicky... we've been wasting time. Lots of time. Had we both been honest with each other from the start we'd be at this point already. I know I've been in love with you for the longest time. I think you feel the same way about me." Greg said.

Some time during the conversation he'd ended up very close to Nick. They were merely inches away and Nick wasn't sure that was good if he was barely noticing something like that. It was probably really bad.

Greg had taken Nick's hand and was playing with his fingers and Nick couldn't help but melt just a little bit because he did love Greg. He loved Greg a lot. He loved Greg more than he thought he could ever love anybody in the whole world.

"You have the shittiest timing... not to mention the fact that you just blurted it out like it was no big thing."

"It isn't. I mean it's just something that is."

"No, Greg, it's special. You don't just... okay I'm going to sound like a girl when I say this, but when you say I love you for the first time it's gotta be special and romantic and there should be a date or something involved." Nick said fidgeting a little bit.

Greg might laugh at him, but that was just the way he felt.

"Oh, um... well... I've never done the I love you thing before, but technically I didn't say I love you. I said I must really love you or something. So technically I didn't blow it." Greg said. Nick laughed.

"You logic is astounding you do realize that right."

"So, I get a chance to do this right, right? Flowers, chocolate, fancy restaurant, nice clothes, back to your place for I love yous and making love." Greg said.

"You know I don't think you're supposed to plan out when you say I love you." Nick said.

"Sure you do. Or at least one party does. And I'm sure Sara plans it out to the tee, not even caring what the other guy says." Greg said.

"It's not right to make fun of your friends."

"Oh she loves me. She wouldn't care. I'm like the annoying little brother she never had." Greg said.

They stood there smiling at each other for an endless amount of minutes, which was really only three, before Greg's beeper started going off. Greg took it out from his pocket and looked at it.

"Archie's beeping me. Looks like he's ready to start going over those tapes. So I'll see you later." Greg said eyes a bit pleading. Nick bit his bottom lip and shook his head.

"Of course."

"Good. I swear I'll make up for being... well me."

"It's okay Greg. You're just you."

"But you still want the extravagant?" Nick shook his head yes.

"Well than what am I to do but give it to you." Greg said placing a small kiss on Nick's nose.

"You better go." Nick said when Greg pulled away.

"Yeah, Archie gets kind of grumpy when you don't immediately return his page."

"Yeah, the only thing he's really serious about." Nick said as Greg walked out the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So, you paged, Archie." Greg said flopping into the seat next to Archie.

"Yes, I did. I just got finished with some back log from dayshift and I'm ready to go over those tapes you found in Alison Carpenter's motel room." Archie said slight smile on his face.

"Day shift's always backlogging. You'd think, what with their supposed better than us status they'd be able to get their things done." Greg said.

"Well you don't have to talk to me about that. I mean I've had their backlog tons of times to know that there's nothing remotely superior about them." Archie said.

"Must just be Ecklie spreading some more wild rumors."

"Well at least he hasn't gotten word of you and Nick. I think he'd have a conniption."

"Not his place to have a conniption. No where does it say that interoffice relationships aren't allowed."

"That's true, but anything that's remotely bad looking for the lab, Ecklie gets on. Now I like you and I like Nick and I think whatever you to do on your own time is great, but Ecklie... he's a stickler for all things confirmatory." Archie said as he grabbed a few things and took out a few tapes.

"Not to mention he's always having Nicky do things for him just because." Greg said.

"Yeah, if it were me I'd tell him to have his own techs process things. But you know Nick is the best and being that Nick is the best Ecklie just loves to abuse the fact that Nick can't really say no to anyone."

"Yeah, I'm trying to work on that."

"Good, because I may just be a lower rung of 'The Circle', but I know that Nick's just letting Ecklie walk over him too much." Archie said shaking his head.

"Thought you were allowed to talk about 'The Circle'?"

"Well, I'm not, but I figure Nick's probably already talked to you about 'The Circle'. Besides I don't think Jacqui would mind. Other lab techs know about it, but if the CSIs every really figured it out..."

"Let me guess... it would be total and complete chaos." Greg said. Archie smiled.

"Yeah, something like that." Archie said as he put a tape into the player.

"Now let's get..."

Archie was cut off by a loud bang coming from inside the lab. The whole place shook hard as though there had been an earthquake. None of Archie's equipment fell, but it did move out of its place.

Both Archie and Greg had to hold onto something as the whole crime lab shook and then settled. The smell of smoke and burning chemicals filled the air. Screams and cries could be heard from outside of the A/V lab.

"What the hell was that?" Archie asked.

"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Greg said as he walked out of the A/V lab.

He knew Archie was probably following behind him. Greg was practically running through the other labs. People were pushing past him to the exit, but Greg kept walking to the area of whatever had happened. He heard the words 'explosion' and 'broken glass', but it was only when he heard the words 'DNA lab' that his eyes went wide with fear and his heart started to beat faster. He pushed past all the people as hard as he could, fear and bile rising in his throat.

He wasn't sure what he expected to find when he got to the blast area. Pieces of ceiling were hanging out of place, glass crunched beneath his feet. Smoke rose from the destroyed area.

The DNA lab was definitely the focal point of the blast, whatever the blast was, and it was in ruins. All of Nick's fancy equipment was destroyed, not to mention whatever evidence he hadn't processed yet. Smoke irritated Greg's eyes and made him cough, but he pushed forward.

When he saw him, just lying on the ground on his stomach not really moving, Greg panicked. He wasn't sure if he had screamed or not. He probably had, but he couldn't remember. He knelled down on the ground, not even noticing the bits of glass that tore into his clothes and hands.

He didn't even care that the smoke was burning his lungs and he might pass out from all the fumes. Nick wasn't moving and his mind was screaming, not letting him think one single thought for more than a few seconds. He knew he must have called Nick's name, but he couldn't hear his voice over the noise of everything going on.

Nick was unconscious and injured and Greg just couldn't move away from him.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick remembered the smell of burning plastic. He had had the goofiest grin on his face when Greg walked out of his lab. He got back to work, Grissom stopping by to ask him a few questions before passing by again. Nick had been working on Grissom's fingernail scrapings when he smelt it.

The smell was something he'd never smelt in his lab before. He turned away from his work to try and figure out where it was coming from when it happened. He couldn't even clearly remember the blast, just that it had happened and he flew through the glass walls that surrounded his lab.

He was lying on the ground, glass cutting through everywhere, his back so hot he didn't think he could stand it. He could feel his skin sizzling. He could feel the blood flowing from the cuts on his face and back and hands. Everything around him was hot and sticky and loud around him.

He could hear screaming and yelling and harsh footsteps on the ground. People were running out of the lab. People were leaving him lying on the ground. He wanted to scream, but hit voice didn't seem to come out. He wanted to hold himself up, but his arms were so weak and his body was so tired from his injuries. He looked forward and let himself fall to the ground.

The last thing he remembered before his eyes closed was Greg yelling his name.

Greg could feel the heat rising in the lab. The smoke was burning his eyes, but he could really care less. Nick had stopped moving and his breathing was slightly shallow. Panic had set in and Greg knew his screams could probably be heard from a very far distance. He could feel Archie's hands on his shoulders. Archie was screaming for someone to come and find them, but Greg could really care less. All he cared about was Nick and the fact that Nick wasn't moving.

It didn't take very long for the paramedics to show up to where they were. Archie had gone over to Sara to see if she was okay. He was holding her up as the paramedics asked her simple questions. Greg could hear her belligerent answers. She was saying she was fine, but Greg knew better. No one got caught in a lab explosion and was fine.

"Sir, you're going to have to step out of the way. We need to help this man."

Greg heard the paramedics. He knew they were talking to him, but they expected him to move away from Nick and Greg didn't think that was humanly possible.

"Sir, you need to move away from this man." The paramedic stated again.

"Come on, Greg. Let the paramedics take care of Nick."

He heard Archie's voice whisper over the loud fire. Archie was pulling him away from Nick and Greg was trying to not let him.

"Sir if you don't move away on your own we're going to have to forcibly remove you. The longer we stand here talking to you the less time we have to take of your friend." The paramedic said.

Greg nodded, not trusting his voice to speak, and allowed Archie to pull him away.

"We're going to have to escort you out of the lab and to safety. Out there the paramedics will be able to take care of you."

Greg didn't say anything as one of the paramedics led him and Archie out of the destroyed crime lab. Greg kept his eyes on Nick as long as possible before it was too hard to stay looking.

The feel outside the crime lab was panic. Greg saw as all the other lab techs scurried around trying to figure out what to do. He saw Jacqui looking around frantically. He even heard her say Nick's name. Bobby and Hodges were next to her trying to calm her down. It was clear that all three were worried about Nick and Greg wished he could make himself go over there and comfort them.

They were Nick's friends. He knew as much. He liked all three of them very much... well he liked Bobby and Jacqui. He didn't particularly like Hodges, but he was willing to give him a chance. He'd voiced as much to Nick. Nick who was currently lying on the floor of the crime lab unconscious and bleeding and burnt.

Greg pulled away from Archie and leaned forward. He felt dizzy and nauseous and he could feel the bile rising in his throat. Before he knew what was happening he was throwing up, chunks of the breakfast he had with Nick landing on his shoes. His head felt like it was going to explode and he could feel the paramedics and Archie trying to keep him upright. The dragged him to one of the ambulance trucks where the paramedics proceeded to check him out for signs that he wasn't okay.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Get away from me." Greg said as he struggled to get away from them.

"Greg you have to let them check you out." Archie said.

"I said I was fine, now back off." Greg said as he wiped his mouth the sleeve of his shirt.

He could taste that disgusting throw-up after taste and he wanted to vomit all over again. He looked over the various heads that were crowding him and saw the paramedics pulling Nick out of the crime lab. He was on his sighed and strapped down to a medical board. Greg pushed away everyone that was in front of him and ran as fast as his feet could carry him.

"Nicky, Nick, baby are you okay? Is he okay?" Greg said.

"Please, sir, you have to move out of the way. This man needs to be taken to the hospital." One of the paramedics said.

It wasn't the same guy that had forced Greg to get out of the crime lab, but he was still tall and stern looking.

"Is he okay?" Greg asked again.

"He's going to be as soon as we get him to a hospital." The man said.

"Greg..."

Greg looked down. Nick's eyes were slightly open and it was clear he was awake, but probably not coherent. Greg wanted to grab his hand or something, but he didn't want to put Nick in anymore pain than he was already in. Greg followed the paramedics until they loaded Nick up into the ambulance. Grissom had come up behind him but he barely noticed.

"We need to get him to the burn unit. There's full thickness burns on his neck and back."

"His vitals are stable. We need to move now."

"I wanna go with you." Greg said.

The paramedics looked at him like he was crazy.

"If you go with us, you're only going to get in the way. It would be better if you just met us at the hospital."

"No I want to go with you." Greg said in an adamant voice.

"Greg, maybe it would be best if you got checked out first before you went to see Nick. He's going to need you all together." Grissom said.

Greg sighed. Grissom was right. Greg could feel himself ready to lose it at any moment.

"Alright... just... take care of him." Greg said to the paramedic.

The guy looked at him with wide eyes that seemed to soften a bit at the tone in Greg's voice. He gave what Greg assumed was supposed to be a caring smile and sighed.

"That's our job sir."

He closed the door to the ambulance and the car drove off. Greg stood there watching it. He could feel something huge knotting up in his stomach. His eyes were stinging and he felt like he was going to cry, but he couldn't because he knew if he started crying now he wasn't going to stop so easily. He turned around. Grissom had gone over to Sara, but the rest of The Circle was staring at him intently causing a certain barrier between him and the rest of the lab.

Jacqui was crying. She had a cut on her head. Her lab was closest to the explosion Greg thought. Something must have fallen on her or something. Bobby looked relatively unscathed seeing as ballistics was farther away from DNA than the A/V lab. His eyes were slightly watery though. Archie looked lost. Really lost like he wasn't sure what to do or say. Hodges looked pissed. He kept clenching and unclenching his fists like he wanted to hit something.

Greg looked down at his hands. There was blood all over them. Blood and cuts and bruises. His clothes had blood on them as well. Blood and vomit. Greg felt himself become dizzy again and he knew if he didn't sit down he was going to fall down. The most of seen it coming because Archie and Bobby and Jacqui were on him slowly lowering him to the ground and Greg could feel those tears that were stinging his eyes fall down his cheeks.

He let out a choked off sob and they started to flow freely. He felt Jacqui pull him into a tight embrace and whisper comforting words. He could hear Hodges yelling at people, who and why Greg didn't know, but he was using a lethal amount of snark to do it. Greg just kept crying and he couldn't stop.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick's been up for a few minutes now and he can't help but feel like the painkillers aren't working at all. His back still burns as does his hands and neck and everything on him. He wondered where Greg was. He knew that Greg was trying to go with him in the ambulance. He remembered asking for Greg on the ride there, but the paramedic merely put an oxygen mask on his face and told him that everything would be alright.

Nick had expected to see Greg there first, instead he got Catherine and Warrick. A Catherine and Warrick that looked stressed out and frightened. They looked at Nick with warm eyes and soft smiles and Nick always liked them, but he wanted to see his friends. He wanted to see Greg.

"Where's Greg." Nick asked when he saw them standing there.

They didn't look affronted and Nick guessed they would have asked similar questions in his state. Catherine would probably have been crying for Lindsey or maybe even Grissom given the new current information. Nick didn't know much about Warrick, but he figured it would have been the same. They had to have known Nick was going to ask.

"He had to get checked out by the doctors. He inhaled to much smoke and it made him sick." Catherine said softly.

Nick nodded as best as he could give that he couldn't move much.

"What did they do to me?" Nick asked.

They looked at each other both apprehensive and Nick knew they weren't sure how to answer that question.

"Well... you had a few operations. We don't know the details. You had some pretty bad burns on your back and neck and a few cuts on your face. They stitched you up, bandaged up the burns. I expect they're probably gonna wanna do some grafts later on when you're feeling up to it." Warrick said.

Nick made a noise of acknowledgement.

"Nick, I know you're tired and that we're probably the last people you want to see right now, but if you could answer a few..."

"So Grissom put you two on the case." Nick said not caring that he was being a little rude to Catherine.

He did after all just get blown up in a lab explosion. Course it wasn't totally blown up to pieces, but it still hurt and with the new information that Greg had gotten caught in the blast and was sick... Nick really didn't want to answer their questions.

"Yeah, Nick, so if you could..."

"Look I don't really remember much." Nick said cutting Warrick off.

"Anything you can remember would be helpful. Could you tell us what you were doing at the time? That could help us determine what exactly happened." Catherine said.

Her tone was motherly. Nick could tell she was trying to be very patient with him like she would with Lindsey. He tried to smile at her.

"I was working. I... I don't remember whose case. I think it was backlog from dayshift or swing. I was just mixing solvents." Nick said.

His head hurt as he tried to recall the exact events. He couldn't remember much beyond the smell of burning plastic and then being thrown out of the glass walls that encased his lab.

"Did you notice anything prior to the explosion? A power surge, a spark, a smell?" Catherine asked.

"Yeah... yeah... plastic. It was like... burning plastic." Nick said.

Images flashed through his mind. He remembered turning away. He remembered seeing Sara and wanting to smile at her. She had been following Grissom around and Nick remembered feeling sad for her because she seemed to genuinely care for Grissom. He remembered almost turning back, but then something exploded and he was being thrown through glass and the glass was digging into his skin on his back and his arms and his neck. He could remember the smell of something burning and the way it left a bad taste in his mouth and the way it burned his eyes.

"I... I don't really... I can't remember anything after that." Nick said voice breaking just a little bit.

"Nicky."

Nick lifted his head as much as he could to see Greg standing in the doorway. It was clear he hadn't changed out of the clothes he'd been wearing when the explosion happened. They were dirty and torn and there was blood spattered in odd places. His hair seemed to be dirtied too. Didn't stand up on edge.

He rushed over to Nick, not caring that Catherine and Warrick were in the room or that Nick couldn't exactly hug him or touch him or anything. He collapsed in the chair next to Nick's bed and leaned down to kiss Nick on the lips. Nick sighed. This is what he wanted right now.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't be here sooner. Those damn doctors. The insisted that I get everything wrapped up before he let me go. Had to sneak away from one of the nurses." Greg said his voice a little shaky.

Nick noticed the bandages wrapped tightly around Greg's hands and how his shirt sleeves looked wrinkled like they had been rolled up.

"Greg... if you need to still be under doctor supervision..."

"No!"

At the startled look Nick gave him, Greg softened. He grabbed hold of Nick's hand, the one that wasn't squished under him and squeezed.

"What would make me feel better is if I could stay here with you, okay. So don't worry. Shouldn't you be resting?" Greg asked.

"Hmmm... Catherine and Warrick were asking me questions." Nick said motioning as best he could to Catherine and Warrick who were standing idly by.

"Oh, look guys... I know you have a job to do, but..."

"Say no more. We're out of your hair. I think we have everything we need." Catherine said softly.

"Yeah, get some rest okay." Warrick said.

Nick wasn't sure who he was saying it too, but he smiled at Warrick anyway. He watched as they silently left his room and turned back to Greg.

"You should be sleeping." Greg said softly.

"So should you."

"I'm not the one with third degree burns on my back." Greg said a little harshly.

"Greg, please don't right now okay. I'm still alive. That's gotta count for something." Nick said adding on a little self-deprecating smile.

Greg's eyes were wide and he took a deep breath.

"I know. I'm sorry, Nicky. It's just that... I'm a little... I'm a little on edge right now is all. I just... I want you to be absolutely one hundred percent okay."

"Greg, I'm in the hospital. The chances of me being one hundred percent okay are slim."

"Yeah, but you don't have to be aggravated in here. Look why don't you get some rest and we can talk about this more when you're feeling better."

Greg was clearly upset. Not that Nick didn't know why he was upset. It was plain to see anyway. If he'd been in Greg's position he wouldn't know what to do or say.

"All rest if you rest." Nick said.

"Hospital chairs aren't exactly the best place for resting, Nicky."

"Just promise me you aren't going into work tonight."

"Nicky..."

"No, Greg I'm serious."

"I wasn't hurt that badly. Besides we just got off of vacation. They need me back in the lab."

"I need you here." Nick said.

Greg's mouth opened wide. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

"Okay. Then I'm here. And I'm not going anywhere."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So then they come in and start blaming me for the explosion. Like I could be stupid enough to just leave a fume hood on. I told them that it wasn't me. You know that thing turns on all on it's own sometimes."

Greg woke up to the sound of David Hodges's voice. Why David Hodges's voice was something he was waking up too, he didn't know, but that's what he was waking up to. A cranky David Hodges at that.

"So then I told them that they couldn't just pin that stuff on me like that without me thinking I needed to get a little legal help. Then you know what Warrick tells me. He tells me to start dialing. If they try to pin this on me..."

"David, they're not going to pin anything on anybody without the evidence to back it up. They're going to find out who did this and then everything's going to be settled."

"Yeah, but they sounded mighty convinced. Wouldn't be surprised if they just happened to end the investigation right now."

"Seriously, Hodges, Nicky gets blown up in a lab explosion and the biggest thing you can bitch about is the fact that you may get fired." Greg said his voice testy and sleep filled.

He cracked open his eyes to see Hodges giving him a sarcastic smirk.

"You missed the portion of the visit where I bitched about unsafe materials and workman's comp." He said in the too sweet voice.

Greg just rolled his eyes.

"Way to show you care." Greg mumbled taking what looked like his jacket off of himself.

"Nick made me drape that over you. I protested vehemently, but I figured it was the least I could do considering he's in a hospital bed." Hodges said.

"Well thank you. How long have a I been out?" Greg asked to no one in particular.

"I don't know. An hour or two. I'm not sure. They kept waking me up to give me sleeping medicine." Nick grumbled.

"Sorry I wasn't awake to make them go away."

"What were you going to do flash them your scary face?" Hodges asked.

Greg sneered at him.

"Guys, what was that little thing you were discussing about actually getting along. You know you could at least try for my sake. Especially since I'm kind of in a hospital bed." Nick grumbled.

"Sorry, baby, look I'll be nice to Hodges if that's what you want." Greg said putting on his concerned face.

Nick and Greg looked over to Hodges who had his arms crossed over his chest.

"I make no promises." Hodges said.

Nick and Greg both rolled their eyes.

"I should go anyway. Don't wanna be here for any icky public displays of affection and technically I'm still on the clock. Just thought I'd see how you were doing." Hodges said.

"They sent you didn't they. Haven't seen hide nor tail of them all day." Nick said.

"Yeah, well some of them are wimps and some of them actually have to work. They care Nick, but they do have to work. We're pulling extras to try and recover the stuff we lost. Don't think you're off the hook though. Jacqui's planning a big get well soon basket. I'm talking huge here." Hodges said as he walked out of the door.

Nick let a smile play over his features.

"I can't believe that's your best friend. Seriously Nick you could do a lot better than him." Greg said.

"Hey, what happened to the truce?"

"Oh, I only thought that was for when he was in the room."

Nick rolled his eyes.

"So, how's that pain medication doing?"

"It's going pretty well actually. I can't really feel much of anything."

Greg nodded and sat up. He walked over to the side of Nick's bed and just looked down at him. There was something so intense about his eyes that Nick couldn't look away. He began to run his fingers through Nick's hair.

"Can you feel that?" Greg asked.

Nick arched up into the fingers as much as he could without hurting himself. Having Greg's hands on him, even if it was only in his hair... it was too good a feeling.

"Yes." Nick moaned.

Greg leaned down and kissed Nick on the lips. The kiss was soft and sweet, not demanding or unyielding. Just a sweet brush of lips and Nick just loved kissing Greg.

"Can you feel that?" Greg asked when he moved away.

"Yes."

"Oh dear... I didn't mean to walk in on... I'm sorry."

Greg pulled away and stood up straight. He looked over at Nick who's eyes were wide and he had the dear in the headlights look on his face. Greg looked back over at the man, tall and intimidating looking, and the woman, beautiful with an elegant air to her. The woman looked embarrassed and the man look clearly uncomfortable.

"Mom, dad, hi."

"Oh, Nick, we... the doctor said you had visitors, but we just assumed... I mean I remember when your father had that operation a while back and they wouldn't let me see him for hours. I guess we just assumed that they wouldn't let anybody... stay." Mrs. Stokes said.

She was a pretty woman, short brown hair cut to her shoulders, green eyes wide with embarrassment. She looked like the kind of woman that was beautiful back in her day and had aged with elegance. She stood in a navy blue work suit that was crisp and sharp. She clutched a purse in front of her and stood up as tall as she could. With heels on, Greg guessed she came up to about his nose.

"No, it's okay. Why don't you come in." Nick said fake smile practically plastered to his face.

Greg could tell that he was way nervous and probably a little embarrassed as well.

"Oh, of course... how are you doing sweetie. Are you feeling okay? Can you feel pain? Does it hurt at all?" Mrs. Stokes said as she ran to Nick's bedside.

The concern was very evident on her face. It was like in ten seconds flat she had slipped into nurturing mother mode. Of course Greg figured his mother would have done the same thing if the roles were reversed.

"I'm okay. They got me on some pretty heavy stuff some I'm kind of floating right now, but other than that I'm fine." Nick said honestly.

"I don't call getting blown up in a lab explosion fine. I mean you hear about these things in shady places, but not crime labs. I have half a mind to sue them for a hazardous work environment. Honestly." Mrs. Stokes said as she began to fluff Nick's pillows.

Nick looked thoroughly embarrassed.

Greg smiled as he turned away from Nick and his mother to Nick's dad who was still lingering in the doorway. Mr. Stokes had his hips leaned against the doorframe, his arms folded across his chest. He was wearing jeans. Greg thought it was a little weird that a Judge was wearing jeans, but the thought was only fleeting. He also had on some cool cowboy boots. His suit jacket covered up a black shirt.

He was tall, probably taller than Greg could ever hope to be. He had a slight build, but considering his age it wasn't a wonder that he didn't have bulging muscles. He had soft brown eyes that looked exactly like Nick's and graying hair. Greg could see that Nick looked more like his father than he did his mother.

Mr. Stokes walked in silently and sat down in a chair farthest away from Nick and Greg and Nick's mother who couldn't stop asking motherly questions.

"Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend, Nicholas." Mr. Stokes said accent very noticeable.

Sure Nick's accent was noticeable, but not as much. It was like his words just oozed with Texas drawl.

Nick went beet red at his father's words.

"Um... mom, dad... this is Greg. He's... well he's kind of..."

"Oh, we could tell that he's your boyfriend, Nick. It's not a problem. Of course it would be nice if you could introduce people properly."

Nick sighed.

"Right, this is Greg Sanders. Greg, these are my parents." Nick said.

Greg gave them his most charming smile and held out his hand.

"Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Stokes, Mr. Stokes." Greg said as Nick's mom shook his hand.

"Please call me Jillian." Jillian said with a smile.

Greg turned to Nick's father and held out his hand. Mr. Stokes looked at it for a minute as though it were going to bite him before he shook it. When he was done shaking he merely disengaged his hand from Greg's and went back to staring at Nick.

"Maybe I should go." Greg said voice a low whisper as he turned to Nick.

"Now, that's nonsense. You and Nick have a relationship. You belong here as much as we do." Jillian said.

"I just... I mean you... you deserve to visit with your son without me being here and things being..."

"Being what?" Mr. Stokes said in the same drawl.

Greg thought that he was going to jump every time he heard that voice. It was intimidating and Greg wasn't entirely sure it was supposed to be. Of course Greg was kind of dating his youngest son. That could have been upsetting him.

"Weird?" Greg said as though he were asking.

"Now, what would give you the impression that things were weird." Mr. Stokes said raising an eyebrow at him.

Greg wondered if his face was turning red. It wasn't that he wanted to leave Nick alone or anything. Hell, he couldn't stand being as far away from him as he was, but it wasn't exactly the way he had wanted to meet Nick's parents. He was thinking that Nick would gently break it to them and then they'd show up for an awkward Thanksgiving with all of Nick's siblings and Nick's parents.

This definitely wasn't the ideal situation. Greg was wearing clothes covered in blood and he smelt funny from the puke and he looked like he'd be thrown through the ringer. You could only make a first impression once.

"Just that... I mean this most be a shock. I mean first your son is blown up in a lab explosion and then you find out he has a boyfriend... maybe it's just too much to take in all at once." Greg said trying to find anyway out of the current situation.

He didn't even want to look over at Nick who was probably pleading with his eyes for Greg to stay. Mr. Stokes just kept looking at him.

"I..." Greg was saved from babbling when his cell phone started to ring. He hurriedly answered it and sighed.

"Hello?"

"So were you just going to let us sit here and worry about you or were you going to call at some point?"

Great, Greg had left one awkward conversation with parents for another.

"What are you talking about?" Greg asked as innocently as he could.

There was no way that news of the lab explosion could have gotten all the way to San Francisco.

"I was just sitting down getting ready for work when I turn on the television to the news channel and it says that the crime lab in Vegas got blown up. I figured they would have called us if you had been hurt, but then again this is my wayward son we're talking about."

"Mom, look nothing happened. A few lab techs got hurt, but nothing..."

"Nothing happened! Well of all the stupid idiotic things you could say to me Gregory Hojem Sanders, this one really takes the cake. Your place of employment BLEW UP!"

Erika Christin Sanders was not a woman you wanted to piss off most of the time. Greg should have known this considering she was his mother. He gently pulled the phone away from his ear as she began to berate him in Norwegian using some very colorful phrases.

He tried moving as far away from Nick and his parents as possible who were staring at him with sudden interest. Greg hated being watched like a caged animal.

"Mom... mom... calm down... mom will you let me get a word in edgewise?" Greg said.

"Are you going to explain yourself? I knew you should have been a researcher, but no... and this is your father's fault. He encouraged all this nonsense. Not to mention you're grandfathers..."

"Could we leave Papa Olaf and my career choices out of this. Look I'm kind of busy right now..."

"What are you clearing up the wreckage?"

"No, I'm here at the hospital with a... with my..."

"Well spit it out already."

Greg sighed and rubbed his forehead. This was clearly not his day as evidence of everything stressful that had been happening. He just wanted to go over to Nick's house and collapse with Nick running his fingers through Greg's hair. Of course Nick was in a hospital bed so that didn't seem likely.

"I'm at the hospital with my boyfriend and his parents." Greg said.

The line went silent for a few moments. He could hear his mom's breathing as what he said processed in her head. She was not going to be happy.

"Well how long has this been going on? I mean were you ever going to tell me?"

"Do I have to tell you everything?"

"It must be serious if you're going to the hospital with him and his parents. And why are you in a hospital anyway?"

"It is serious and we're in the hospital because he was caught in the explosion."

"So you're dating someone you work with. You're not afraid..."

"No, mom, I'm not. Look I appreciate the concern, but I'm kind of busy here. Besides you're not allowed to use cell phones in a hospital so I should really go."

"Fine, but you're not getting off that easily. I want to meet this... man. I'm sure your father would feel the same way and so would your sister and your grandfather and the rest of the family."

"Sure whatever you say mom. Love you."

"Love you too, sweetie." Was the last thing she said before the line went dead.

Greg turned around to see Nick and his parents still staring at him. He gave them a nervous grin and shrugged his shoulders.

"Sorry about that. She worries too much sometimes." Greg said.

"Oh that's not bad. It's what a mother is supposed to do." Jillian said.

"Yeah, I know. She can keep me on the phone for hours if I let her." Greg said with a laugh.

"Well, my husband has informed me that he would like a minute with Nick alone." Jillian said.

"Oh... oh well I guess I should... I should go anyway. It's only a matter of time before Grissom calls up asking me to go into work..."

"You said you weren't going in." Nick said with a frown.

Greg looked over at Nick lying on his side in the hospital bed and his face softened.

"If Grissom asks me to come in, I think I should. I mean you heard what Hodges said about people having to pull doubles to make up for the fact that the lab blew up. Seriously it's not like I'm bleeding internally or anything."

"But you promised me you weren't going to go in."

Greg walked over to Nick's bed. He hesitated for a second before picking up Nick's hand and taking it in his own. He gave it a light squeeze before smiling at him.

"Greg, why don't you come down to the cafeteria with me and the girls." Jillian said.

"Wait, mom, you didn't say they were here." Nick said eyes widening a bit.

"Well, when I told them what happened, all your sister decided to pack up what they were doing and come here. Your brother will be in by tomorrow." Jillian said.

Nick pouted.

"Oh don't be like that, Nick. Your sisters just wanted to be sure that you were doing okay."

"Maybe you should go in instead." Nick said looking up at Greg.

Greg smiled.

"Don't want me to meet the family?"

"It's not that... they're crazy."

"Now, Nick don't talk about your sister like that. Jill, take Greg here with you to the cafeteria. I gotta talk to my son."

Greg was going to protest, but the look in Bill Stokes eyes said there was no room for argument. He let Jillian usher him out of Nick's hospital room as he spared one last look to Nick.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"So..."

"So." Bill said.

Nick felt like he was six years old being questioned by his dad about the missing cookies in the cookie jar. Nick knew his father was waiting for him to say something before he continued.

"Um... I..."

"Are you in any pain?" Bill asked.

Nick shook his head as best he could.

"I'm not going to say anything about how this wouldn't have happened if you had become a lawyer like me and your mother wanted you to be."

Nick wished he could roll his eyes. If that was his father's way of not mentioning it, it wasn't really affective.

"I..."

"I know you like you're job Nick. You come home every Christmas and I see the way you talk about it. You love it."

"I do."

Bill smiled and nodded his head.

"I always thought it was weird, the way you took to science and all. Can't remember anyone in my family that actually liked science. I hated it in school. But from the moment you first got your little chemistry set thing... I knew. I knew it was gonna be your passion."

"It wasn't that I didn't want to become a lawyer. I did... at first. I just... I couldn't understand... I just couldn't understand it I guess."

"You're not the only one. Your sister Carly couldn't understand it either. I admire the fact that you felt you have to go off and do something that you liked... that you were passionate about. Hell I was even okay that you had to move to Vegas because of it."

"The research labs were too boring. I couldn't stay there."

"No, I get it. I understand. A man needs to move out on his own and find himself."

"So... why did you want to speak to me alone? This isn't about Greg, is it? Because I told you a long time ago that..."

"I know, I know. And it took me a long time to get used to the fact that you were... gay. But I did... course your mother was very persuasive with that. I don't have anything against this... Greg."

"Well you could stop being so intimidating towards him."

"I'm just acting like my normal self. Though I have to admit that he certainly isn't what I expected from you."

Nick frowned. It was bad enough that it had taken a few years for his dad to come to terms with the fact that Nick wasn't ever going to settle down and get married to a nice girl and pop out grandchildren, but Nick wasn't sure what to make of the fact that his dad had been thinking of the sort of guy Nick would fall for. It just seemed kind of... wrong.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Well, I thought... now I'm not the best at this. I've certainly thought about what kind of men your sisters would bring home. It's taken me a bit longer to get used to the fact that my youngest boy would be bringing home a guy as well, but in all honesty I thought it would be someone more... bookish."

"Greg's smart. He really is."

"He works with you."

"He's a CSI level 2. He was a lab technician for a little while in San Francisco, but he didn't like it. He's not... I mean he can be... bookish when he wants to be, but not usually."

"He's younger than you."

Nick was always amazed how his dad never really asked questions. He just assumed that his answers were correct. Nick equated it to him being a lawyer.

"Yeah."

"By a lot."

"It's not that much."

Bill Stokes quirked an eyebrow.

"Seven years isn't that long."

"He's only twenty-seven. He must be pretty smart to be done with school and working already."

"I think he skipped a few years in high school."

"You think."

Even know was he was asking a total question it really wasn't a question at all.

"How long have you two been dating?"

"We've been working together for almost four years."

"That's not what I asked Nicholas."

"Honestly... a week or so."

"So we shouldn't be angry that you didn't tell us about him."

"We've been really busy lately. And... honestly... it doesn't feel like it's only been a week. Feels like it's been longer than that."

"You love him."

"Yeah... I do."

Bill Stokes was quiet for some time. He looked as though he were thinking about something. It was some time before he spoke again.

"Good."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Greg was surrounded by six woman, all of whom sounded like they belonged in a tear-jerker chick flick featuring Julia Roberts as the rambled on and on. Sure Greg knew they were nervous about their brother, hell Greg was nervous about their brother, but the sheer volume of conversation was getting to be too much.

And they took a special interest in Greg. If they weren't glaring at him they were staring at him with interest. One even went so far as to poke him. She looked like she might be the oldest of the bunch and she looked the most like Jillian. She seemed to the ring-leader too. She kept pushing Greg for answer to the questions she was asking. It wasn't like Greg knew much about Nick's condition.

He only knew what the nurses were willing to tell him. Had he been up to the challenge he might have tried to get one to tell him everything, but his main concern had been Nick first and foremost. Just seeing Nick had been the first thing on his mind.

"So, you're dating my brother." The older one asked.

It was clear she hadn't spent much time anywhere but Texas. Sure Nick still had his accent, but Nick's was muted compared to all of theirs. They all had that Southern belle thing that was making Greg's brain hurt.

"Yes."

"For how long exactly?"

"Christina... really is it necessary to question Greg right now. He's been through a lot." Jillian said.

Christina rolled her eyes at her mother. Greg thought it was funny that a forty something year old was rolling her eyes at her mother like a child would.

"We just wanna make sure this is the best guy for Nick is all, momma." Christina said.

It was Greg's turn to roll his eyes. They'd been sitting in the cafeteria for at least twenty minutes now. They had gotten done with the questions involving Nick's help. Jillian had had more information then Greg so he just sat back and let her handle it. A few of Nick's sisters got teary eyed at the account.

Then Jillian had introduced Greg and the girls had exploded into a flurry of questions and words that didn't make any sense to Greg. He sat and listened until Christina stopped the noise to interrogate him personally.

"Look I really don't wanna answer these questions right now... I'm kind of tired." Greg said.

"Oh no, you can't pull the tired card." Christina said.

"You're better off to just answer her questions, Greg." Melinda said.

She was Nick's sister and she was two years younger than Christina. Greg was going to have to come up with a system to remember all their names. He was never any good with names.

"Seriously though. I think I should head back to my place and rest..."

"So you'd just leave Nick here in the hospital all by himself. That doesn't scream good first impression." Christina said eyes turning a little cold. She was definitely scary.

Greg was very tempted to roll his eyes at her.

"Aw, no Chrissy. I think we should leave the poor guy alone. He was in an explosion after all, same as Nick. And he does look a little frayed around the edges. I mean look at his hair." Tina said.

She was older than Nick by two years. Greg had seen various pictures of her. She and Nick seemed really close. Nick had warned him that, though all his sisters liked to mess with his head, she was the worst at it. She looked the most like Nick and their father.

"What about my hair?" Greg as very tempted to reach up a hand to try and fix it, but he didn't want to appear vain in front of Nick's family.

"Oh nothing. Just wondering if it's always supposed to be like that." Tina said.

"Oh, pay no mind to Tina here. She just loves messing with peoples heads. Even people she just met for the first time." Carly said.

Carly was the middle of the girls. She looked the most like Jillian Stokes. Greg knew she was a school teacher. She seemed nice enough. She and Nick's sister, Maryann, who seemed to be the meekest wallflower Greg had ever laid eyes on save Nick before the 'radical' transformation, were the only two not interrogating him.

Maryann stood idly by messing with her glasses and smiling softly at Greg. If Greg hadn't known better he would have guessed she was around his age the way she was acting and all. She was a fair mixture of both of Jillian and Bill Stokes. She was a lawyer too. Greg wondered how she could possibly be a lawyer with such a shy exterior.

"Well, as much fun as I'm having with all of you, I really think that..."

"GREG!"

Greg looked over his shoulder to see Jacqui standing with the biggest basket of cookies he'd ever seen in his whole life. Archie and Bobby were standing next to her. The were absent one Hodges, but Greg guessed that was because Hodges had just gotten back to the lab.

"Excuse me for a second, will you."

Greg didn't even stay around to listen to Christina's protests. He got up hurriedly and walked over to where Jacqui, Bobby and Archie were standing.

"Hey, I thought you guys had to work?" Greg said.

"Yeah, well Jacqui got time off for being injured and we had just come out on break. Figured that we'd go after Hodges and all." Bobby said.

"Hope we're not interrupting anything." Archie said.

"Who cares if we are? I want to see Nick. Damn bastards just let me outta the hospital not too long ago and do you know how long it took me to find a basket of cookies this big? And look at you. You look terrible, Greg. Why is it the doctors kept me forever when all I had were scrapes and you look like you've got some actual wounds here and you're all up and walking around. You should be laying down in a bed." Jacqui said.

Greg had never personally seen Jacqui's mothering hen act, but he'd heard Nick talk about it plenty of times. Most of those times, when Nick was very sick and being stubborn, he'd agree with her. Now that the shoe was on the other foot Greg could see why it would irritate a stubborn person.

"I snuck out." Greg said un-apologetically.

"Dude aren't afraid one of them doctors is going to try and get you into a bed?" Archie asked.

"No, I'm a grown adult. Anyway how are things at the crime lab?" Greg asked.

"How are things at the crime lab!? How are things at the crime lab he asks? You're boyfriend was just in a major explosion and you're thinking about the crime lab?! Maybe I didn't give you the whole neck break speech, but that doesn't mean I still can't give it Mister because if you think for one second that..."

"Jacqui calm down. Look... I just need to keep busy is all. If... if I sit down... and I think... if I think about what happened I'm gonna..."

Jacqui's face softened as Greg's voice became more broken.

"Oh honey. Archie take these cookies." She said handing Archie the basket.

Archie took it without complaint, his face looking a bit sad as well. Jacqui grabbed Greg and pulled him into a tight hug.

"I just don't know what to do, Jacqui. I mean... I wanna be there for him, but every time I look at him... I've been keeping it together for him, but I can't... I don't know if I can..."

"Of course you can. And you wanna know why, because we're all here for you. The whole Circle is here for you." Jacqui whispered into his ear. Greg let out a choked laugh.

"So, what I'm an honorary member now?"

"Something like that. Look Nick doesn't expect you to be perfect. Hell her already thinks you can't do no wrong. He loves you so much... he just wants you to be there for him." Jacqui said.

"It's a little hard with his family around. I'm trying to charm them, keep Nick happy and keep myself from falling apart... it's a lot to deal with."

"And it doesn't help that it looks like you haven't gotten a moments rest. You've lost some blood and energy Greg. You really should take a break."

"I can't take a break. Nick needs me here."

"What Nick needs is for you to be healthy. Look just trust us Circle members to take good care of him. And Hodges is coming round after he gets off shift. Annoying as that man can be, he does have a way with Nick. I'll get Archie to drive you home so you can rest and you can come back in the morning."

"You know I told him I loved him today. And don't' forget to mention it was in the must screwed up way possible... but I said it. Told him I'd make up for flubbing it. Doesn't seem real that all that just happened this afternoon."

"I know, but it did and you know you still got a chance to make this up. Besides you can't be perfect at every little thing."

Jacqui and Greg laughed at this. Laughter is good, Greg thought. Laughter would keep the tears at bay.

"Now, like I said. Archie'll take you home. You need some rest. I'll tell Nick you went back to your place." Jacqui said grabbing the basket from Archie.

Bobby decided to take it from her though and she smiled graciously at him. Archie grabbed Greg by the wrist. It was clear that even if Greg tried to protest they wouldn't listen to him. It wasn't like he had energy to spare by arguing with someone like Jacqui so he let himself be pulled away by Archie.

"Jacqui." Greg called when he and Archie were almost to the exit of the cafeteria.

"Yeah?"

"Don't tell Nick I went back to my place... tell him I went home." Greg said.

Jacqui looked confused for a second, but then seemed to catch the meaning of Greg's words. She shook her head and Greg shook his as he continued to walk with Archie.

"So where's your place man?" Archie asked.

"You know where Nick lives?"

"Yeah been there a few times, but I thought you said you wanted to go home?"

"That is home."

Greg walked around acutely aware that Archie's eyes were still on him. He wasn't sure what to say to Archie to make him go away, but he figured Archie would leave when he was satisfied that Greg was okay or at least as close to okay as one could be in a situation like the one Greg was in.

Archie had driven Greg here remaining calm, eyes on the road as he tried to get Greg into a conversation. He was the best drive Greg knew. Followed all the rules and never lost his temper. Archie was the most laid back person Greg knew, but Greg thought that went without saying to anyone who knew Archie.

"You can stop watching me like that. I'm not going to do anything drastic." Greg said deciding to flop down on the couch.

His hand moved to his head slowly massaging his temples to keep the pounding at bay. He didn't even need to look to see Archie shrug and look nonplussed.

"Sorry, habit of the job. You know I gotta sit in my lab for hours on end watching for the smallest piece of evidence. It's a good thing I don't take after my mom's side of the family. All of them have the heaviest prescriptions for glasses. Blind as bats." Archie said in his light conversational voice.

Greg was beginning to think he didn't have any other kind of voice.

"Yeah, I guess... you need good eyes for your job."

"You need even better ears for the audio part. Not that you CSI don't just love to handle that sort of evidence on your own, but you know sometimes it's a treasure to work with it."

"That's mostly Sara you know."

"Yeah, if she could do everything, she would. Scares me sometimes."

Greg nodded in agreement. Sara did let the job draw her in sometimes. Too much so that it was her whole life. Didn't help that when she did try to make outside connections, most of the time they blew up in her face as evidence by the whole Hank fiasco.

"Are you going to be alright... you know with me leaving you here. It's just that... I don't really want to... leave you here that is and I just... Jacqui would kill me if I left you here and you actually weren't feeling all that great with being alone." Archie babbled.

Greg smiled. Figured that Jacqui would have her people scared out of their wits at the mere thought that they'd disappoint her.

"I'm fine. I just... I need to get clean. And may try and sleep some."

"There's nothing I can get you?"

"No... not really. I just... I need some time to process all of this."

"I know you skipped out against doctor's orders so I'm not going to pretend like you've been medically cleared. You and I both know what happened in there." Archie said. Greg knew he was referring to the lab.

"So I'm not going to pretend that you can't be seriously hurt. You inhaled some pretty heavy chemicals and got cut up pretty bad. You feel the slightest bit wrong you call one of us or Jacqui really is going to have to give you the neck break speech and possibly pull out some tweezers." Archie finished.

Greg turned around to look at him and smiled slightly.

"I'm fine. If I feel like I'm not doing so hot I'll call one of you. The numbers are on Nick's fridge." Greg said.

"Good, now if you'll excuse me. My break isn't really that long and I want to at least see Nick before I have to go back into the hornets nest." Archie said.

Greg nodded and watched as he hesitantly walked out of the door. Greg let out a big sigh and closed his eyes. He wanted to sleep, but he smelled way beyond funky and his clothes were really starting to irritate him.

He slowly got up from the couch and made his way to the bathroom. He saw his reflection in the mirror, face pale, dark circles under his eyes. He looked like the walking dead. Some how his hair had managed to stay perfectly styled and that made Greg let out a little hysterical giggle before he took a deep breath and went about taking off his clothes.

It was made a bit more difficult by the fact that he had bandages wrapped around his arms and legs where he had to have stitches. The doctors had informed him to try and not get them wet the first day, but Greg didn't really see that as an option. He was sure Nick probably had gauze bandages lying around somewhere. He was prepared like that.

His back was killing him and he really wished he had taken that prescription that the doctor had tried to give him. Seemed that the pain killers they had given him on arrival to the hospital were slowly fading out of his system. He was acutely aware of how irritated his cuts were starting to get. Just the mere thought of them were making them itchy.

Greg turned on the shower spray as low and as hot as possible. He needed to wash away the dirt and grime and dust and blood he could feel on his skin and the best way to do that was to make the shower hot. He stepped in under the spray and let the water cascade down his skin. It felt good, soothing.

He closed his eyes and let the sound of the water lull him. He couldn't quite understand what had happened. The day seemed like a blur. He could feel more sobs wracking through his body, but he took a few deep breaths and they passed. He quickly himself, not stopping to savor the water again.

When he was done he quickly dried himself and walked into Nick's bedroom. He didn't have any clothes there that were clean so he threw on some of Nick's old sweats before flopping as gently down on the bed as possible.

The bed still smelled faintly of Nick and the things he and Greg had done in it not only a few hours ago. Greg buried his nose into a pillow and inhaled the sweet scent of Nick. It lulled him to sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

In reality, Nick knew this was coming. Hodges had warned him that this was coming. And this was Jacqui they were talking about. Of course this was coming. Nick just didn't expect this to be coming in the large form of a basket of cookies. The biggest basket of cookies Nick had ever laid eyes on.

"I hope your family doesn't mind us barging in like this." Bobby said belatedly.

It wasn't like Jacqui hadn't already kicked them out. His parents had been a little miffed. He could hear his sisters screeching in the hallway.

"No, I think they're fine. They're just glad I've got friends like you guys to take care of me." Nick said, eyes focused on the door.

"Nick, I already told you I sent him home. He isn't going to come barging through that door so just stop staring at it." Jacqui said as she went about checking everything out in the hospital room.

"I know. He needed some sleep and to get cleaned up and I know that, but he's stubborn. If no ones watching him and Grissom calls him in... he'll go. I just don't think he's up to working right now." Nick said.

"If he does come in, we'll make sure we kick his ass straight back home." Jacqui said with a smile.

Nick smiled back at her. It was easy to forget he was in a hospital room lying on his side, drowsy from the millions of drugs and painkillers running through his system, when he had friends like these to cheer him up. He just wished Greg was with them.

"He'll listen to me if he's here." Nick said.

"Yeah, well, he smelt. I'm not gonna lie to you Nick he smelt something fierce. I mean I ain't never smelt anything quite as bad as how he smelt." Bobby said crinkling up his nose as if he could smell it just by thinking about it.

"I know. He said that the doctors hadn't even given him the okay yet. I guess I'm just scared that there was something wrong with him and he's not telling me." Nick said.

"Nick, he's not the one in need of surgery." Jacqui said.

"I don't even know what I'm in need off. I mean the doctors haven't told me anything. They come in here and all they do is hem and ha about things and then tell the nurses to give me more drugs. Like they don't think I know something. I'm the best DNA tech in one of the best crime labs in the country." Nick said with a pout.

Bobby and Jacqui quirked their eyebrows at him.

"Channeling your inner Hodges there, Nick." Jacqui asked.

"And a little bit of Greg." Nick said with a shy smile.

"Well, ain't like it ain't the truth. I mean you are the best DNA tech in the whole lab. Just thought you didn't know that." Bobby said.

"I'm starting to realize it. Now all I need to do is get back into the swing of things and I'll be fine." Nick said.

"Don't strain yourself too hard. From what I read on the file you've got some third degree burns. Most are second, but it's going to take awhile before everything is perfectly fine." Jacqui said as she took a seat next to Bobby. Nick was glad she stopped moving around.

"You looked at my file?" Nick asked.

"Well they just leave it hanging at the edge of the bed like that for everyone to see. What they don't expect me to take a peek at it." Jacqui said.

"That's classified stuff, Jac." Bobby said.

"Nick's our friend. It's not like he wouldn't tell us if we asked so there's no reason to keep it a secret." Jacqui said.

"So I'm going to be in here for awhile?" Nick asked.

"Seems like. Probably a week. That's not so bad. They'll keep you here, give you some medications, send you on your way." Jacqui said.

"Only think of it as a little more seriously than Jacqui's flippant attitude is leading you to believe." Bobby said.

"Still... I'm gonna miss time from work. I just took vacation time too." Nick said.

"Well this shouldn't eat into your vacation time. They're mandated to give you this time off... and whatever cash you can squeeze out of them." Jacqui said.

"It's not about the money. I just want to be able to do my job again." Nick said.

"You will. Remember you're the best DNA tech in the second best crime lab in the country. That says something. You'll get better and we'll but this whole mess behind us." Jacqui said.

Nick nodded as much as he could. He didn't tell them that the doctor had come by and was checking his vitals along with his extremity movement. Didn't tell them that he could barely keep his hands from shaking.

The doctor hadn't seemed to shocked by it. He had said that it would go away eventually. His body was still in shock and the fact that his hands were shaking was just a physical manifest of that shock. He seemed more surprised that Nick wasn't puking up bile. Apparently that was a good sign and his hands shaking was a good sign.

Nick didn't know all that much about medicine, but he knew about the human body considering he was a DNA tech. You didn't get that title without knowing some biology. And to Nick shaking hands weren't a good sign.

They were a very bad sign.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Greg wasn't sure why he was in a drug dealer's house shaking him down for information. Grissom had called, as predicted, but not to order Greg into work. No he had wanted to see if he was alright and Greg had just slipped it in that he wanted to work. Grissom protested, but Greg protested louder. With a sigh, Grissom had let him come back for a shift.

So he had went to the apartment of one Miguel Durado where Sara and Brass were going over the crime scene. Apparently Mr. Durado had some ties to what happened in their rape/homicide case and Greg's presence was needed there.

"You... you look like shit." Greg turned to see Brass staring at him.

Greg causally took of his sunglasses and perched them on the top of his head. He let out a deep sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm fine." Greg said.

He'd gotten ready in a hurry. No time to style his hair just right or put on anything other than some dirty clothes he had lying around and Nick's, black pants and a black shirt. He'd left as quickly as possible.

"Because you look fine. How bad did you get banged up?" Brass asked.

Greg was grateful he'd grabbed a long sleeve shirt. His arms were practically wrapped in white gauze some of which had thin lines of red blood staring through. Greg shook his head.

"Not too bad. A few stitches here and there." Greg said.

"Well you CSI just think you're superheroes now, don't you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about Sidle barging in without a weapon and taking down a suspect. I'm talking about you walking around in black clothes with let's face it crappy hair and thinking your fine. You know your place of employment just blew up with you in it. If it were me, I'd be taking days off on the city. And if I were you I'd be at the hospital." Brass said.

"Are you done? Or do you have more of that fatherly wisdom to disperse, because if you do I'm really hoping you can find someone who gives a shit." Greg said testily.

"Don't get pissed off a me Sanders. If I had a say in the matter you all would be at home. Not like my detectives can't do a little detective work now and again."

Greg sighed. He hadn't really meant to get mad at Brass. He liked the guy. He really did. He remembered playing conflict mediator between him and Warrick a few times in the past. He just didn't want to hear that he shouldn't be doing his job for the thousandth time.

"Look, I appreciate the concern. I do. I'm glad I got people caring for me, but if I sit in that hospital room or in Nick's house for one more second I'm going to go insane." Greg said.

Brass nodded.

"Just because I understand what you're saying doesn't mean I approve. And if you ask me Nick's going to be pretty upset that you were working."

"How do you know?"

Brass smiled, eyes twinkling a bit.

"I was married before kid. Got hurt on the job loads of times and bounced back like I thought I was Superman. My wife got pretty pissed." He said with a smile.

Greg smiled back.

"Guess I'll just have to cross that bridge when I get to it." Greg said.

"Sure, you do that. Better go in there and help Sidle before she tries to cure cancer or something." Brass said.

Greg nodded and walked into the apartment. The suspected was apprehended and in police arms. Greg noticed Sara intently ignoring everything and working. It was a little innerving how she could throw herself into her job like that.

"So should I call you Superwoman now. Maybe by you a cape."

Sara looked up at him, confusion clear in her eyes.

"What are you talking about?"

"Brass told me an interesting story about you storming in confronting suspects without weapons and all that. You got a protective force field I know nothing about. Cause really I'd like to sign up for one of those."

"It wasn't like that. And it's not like we didn't get the guy. We did."

"Yeah at the risk of you life."

"I'm fine." Sara said eyes wide, jaw set.

"Yeah, I've heard that line before. Look were all still reeling from what happened in the lab, but..."

"I'm fine. I got one cut. You got injured more than I did. You shouldn't be here."

"I shouldn't be here... you shouldn't be here."

"Why aren't you with Nick?"

"Because Nick doesn't need me right now."

"That's bull shit and you know it."

"I'm just saying if you wanna feel your mortality, do it in a less life threatening way." Greg said.

Sara stared at him with a puzzled look on her face.

"Wait..."

"That didn't make any sense Greg."

"I know."

"There's no way you can actually feel your mortality without their being life threatening circumstances."

"I know."

"So it didn't..."

"Yeah I got that Sara. Look you know what I'm saying." Greg said shaking his hands in the air.

Sara let out a small smile and a choked off laugh. She placed her hand in front of her mouth to keep the giggles from escaping, but was unsuccessful. She started to giggled and Greg joined her, even if the detectives were giving them weird looks and muttering things about crazy CSIs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick woke up in stages. It didn't help that all the pain medication he was been given kept him practically half asleep all the time. He was drowsy and it was hard to keep his eyes opened. When he finally did manage to open them, he saw Greg sitting silently across from him, eyes opened and hands folded in his lap.

"Hey sleep head." Greg said.

Nick moaned a little. He tried to shift around, but remember his back. He really hated sleeping on his side.

"Hi."

"So I cam over as soon as I was rested."

"Liar."

"What?"

"You went into work."

"How... did someone tell you that?"

"No, I can see it written all over your face. It's amazing how you suck at the cool nonchalant trying to lie thing." Nick said with a yawn.

"I only went in for a little while."

"After you promised you weren't going to."

"I know, but... don't you get it... I have to keep busy or I'm going to go crazy. Simple as that." Greg said.

Nick squinted at him and rolled his eyes.

"I know it's scary... this whole thing is scaring the crap out of me, but I need you here Greg. I think about you going into work and I've never really dwelled on all the bad stuff that could happen, but now..."

"Did Hodges come here and tell you everything that went on in the lab tonight?" Greg asked.

"He told me some things. About how Sara almost got herself shot. She's okay right?" Nick asked.

"She's fine. We... I don't know if you can necessarily call it talk, but we definitely had words."

"That's nice."

"What did you and Hodges talk about?"

"He was just keeping me in on the investigation. He hasn't heard anything new, but apparently it wasn't his fault. Not that I would blame him if it did turn out to be that heater, but he just seemed so... upset about it. And he doesn't really let his emotions show very often."

"Try not at all."

"He's been burned a few times. It's a thing, Greg. Besides he's my friend and I get him... strangely enough."

"Did he get along with your parents?"

Nick smiled slightly.

"They think he's too arrogant. Course this is David we're talking about. Worse things have been said... by you half the time."

"Ah, he knows it's just jokes. How did your sisters take to him?"

"Actually I think Maryann liked him. They started talking about something for a little while before he left. The others... well it's hard to get them to like anyone. That's just the way they are. If it makes you feel better most of them like you."

"Let me guess... Christina is the one that thinks I'm not good enough for you."

"She's my older sister Greg."

"I know. I'm the oldest in my family so I know how that goes. Doesn't stop her from being scary as hell though." Greg said.

"Yeah, she's got that affect on people. She means well though. I just feel sorry for all the boyfriends and girlfriends her kids are going to bring home." Nick said.

Greg smiled and moved his chair closer to Nick. He took Nick's hand in his own and started to stroke it. Nick noticed it was probably the only time the whole day his hand hadn't been shaking. He smiled softly at Greg and closed his eyes.

"It doesn't hurt as much anymore. Guess that could be the drugs talking. They got me on so much stuff that I can't even stay awake half the time."

"They just want you to get better."

"I know, but I hate not being able to move around or move much of anything. My body's never felt this tired before."

"It'll get better. Trust me they're doing everything they can for you and if they're not I'm going to make them do everything they can for you."

"Yeah, I know."

They were silent for a little while before they heard a soft knock on the door. Greg looked up to see Catherine standing in the door way, posture screaming uneasy.

"Hi Greg, Nick. I was wondering if I could talk to Nick alone for a second." She said.

"If it's about the case, Greg can be here too Catherine. In face I'd rather have him here than anywhere else." Nick said.

Greg watched as Catherine took a deep breath and shook her head.

"Okay, well..."

Greg sat uncomfortably between Christina Miller formerly Stokes and Maryann Stokes formerly Rice on Nick's couch. Nick had been let out of the hospital not too long ago, a few days tops. Greg had requested some more time off for which Grissom cleared claiming that Greg had been hurt in the explosion. So many people had been that the city didn't bat an eyelash at it.

He'd spent most of his time at the hospital with Nick, helping Nick get better and face his family. There really hadn't been much time for anything else. He'd go home and change and sleep for a little while before heading back to the hospital.

There was one time Warrick had invited him out for drinks and Greg had turned him down. Nick had found out and told him to go, but Greg insisted on staying by Nick's side. After a few hours of arguing, Nick had given up, but Greg guessed that was more to do with the medication they had him on then Nick just giving up.

In the span of the week and a half that Greg had taken off to care for Nick he'd gotten to know Nick's sisters. He got along well with most of them. Chrissy still didn't seem to trust him, but he was doing well with the other five. Tina definitely liked him the best.

Carly had to go back to work after a few days. She taught at an elementary school and it was only so long before that cut into her paycheck. She had been disappointed that she couldn't take off more time, but gave Nick the biggest hug that she could and left.

Melinda had not been for behind her. She worked as a judge's clerk and could only take so much time off as well before things went really bad for her boss, Judge Stevens who while a fair and excellent judge could not manage the place by himself. She'd been sad to go as well, but Nick assured her that he was just fine and she left, tears slightly feeling her eyes.

Bill also left though he was very opposed to it. Apparently a case he had been sitting in on had gotten a new break and the prosecutor had wanted to move the court date up. Another judge had sat in his place, but Bill was called in and grudgingly left his son to go do his job.

Then another member of the Stokes family stopped by. Mitch Stokes, Nick's older brother came by with his two sons, Eric and Dylan Stokes, and his wife Jeannie for a quick visit. He'd been busy with all sorts of cases and couldn't take any time off before that and he'd only been allowed a day.

He'd made the most of it, staying in Nick's room all day and joking around like brother's do. Nick had once told Greg that it was always a little awkward being around his brother because he was so much older than Nick was. By the time Mitch was in high school and interested in girls and cars, Nick was ten. There was a six-year age difference between them.

Nick had always thought his older brother was cool, from what Greg could gather. They talked about things that they used to do before Mitch was too cool to hang out with his younger brother and Greg listened to it as though it were background noise as he read through one of the various crime scene books he'd gotten through lecture and conference circuits on procedure.

Mitch had given Greg a small interview and Greg guess he' passed because Mitch had smiled, pulled Greg into a one armed hug and declared that he liked Greg. Nick had laughed at Greg's situation from his bed and Greg had pouted and glared at him.

When Mitch left, Tina announced that she had to be leaving too something she definitely didn't want to do. She blamed it on her husband and three kids and her job, but in the end she too left before Nick was out of the hospital.

Christina stayed because she hadn't had a job in a very long while, save for looking after her kids and husband. Maryann had recently quit her job after her recent divorce and didn't have any kids something she always kind of regretted and didn't have any problems talking about.

Which Greg listened to, as intently as he could possibly listen to something he had no interest in whatsoever. Nick often took pity on his situation and asked to be alone with Greg when Maryann started to get too long winded. And Greg had thought she was meek in the beginning.

So here he sat between the two sisters that didn't really like him all that much just yet as Nick's mom cooked something in the kitchen. It was to be their last night in Vegas. Both Jill and Bill needed to get back to work as soon as possible and Nick was starting back on the job in about three days. Apparently they trusted Greg to take care of Nick for that long a period without being supervised.

Of course they didn't know that Greg was starting back up sooner than that. As in the next evening, but Nick had told Greg not to tell them that. They'd never be able to get rid of them if he did. Greg had agreed, the prospect of it just being him and Nick again appealing to him greatly.

There were still things that Nick couldn't do. He was limited from very strenuous work or anything that would have him stretch his back too far considering the skin there was still fresh and liable to crack under pressure. The burns hadn't been that bad and it didn't look like the scars were going to be that bad either or at least what the doctors kept saying.

But there'd be scars. It was the one guarantee from the whole experience. There was no getting away from that fact.

"Momma, you almost done with that food. I mean I don't know why you don't just let me help you." Chrissy screamed from the couch.

"Because I'm capable of cooking a dinner without your help. I was doing it since before you were born." Jill screamed back at her.

Greg looked over at Nick who was sitting in the recliner closest to the television. He smiled at Nick who was busy rolling his eyes at his family's antics.

"Well, it's not like I'm going to ruin it if I help." Chrissy said in a huffy tone.

Greg wasn't so sure that Jill had heard her. If she had, Jill didn't answer her back. She just continued to flutter around the kitchen cooking whatever it was she was cooking. Greg suspected it was very meat orientated.

Chrissy huffed some more before looking back at the television screen. Her nose scrunched up and Greg knew why. Nick insisted on watching nature shows or something informative like that and right at the moment that Chrissy started watching a deer was being ripped apart by a lion.

"Nick, do we have to watch this before dinner?" She asked.

"Yes, I don't know when it's gonna be on next." Nick said sighing.

"You've got tivo. Just... record it or something."

"I don't want to record it. I don't tell you what to do in your house, Chrissy." Nick said a bit testily.

Chrissy huffed again and stared anywhere but the television. It seemed weird to Greg that they were adults and they still acted like children. Greg wasn't like that with his sister. She was about seven years younger than Greg though, almost the same age difference between Nick and Chrissy.

Nick had told Greg that by the time Nick was born Chrissy was already ten. She was out of the house by the time Nick was eight and he never really got to know her that well. She got married two years after she moved out and never really had any time for her brother after that.

"Greg."

"Huh?"

"Greg do you got any siblings?" Chrissy asked.

"Um, yeah I have a sister."

"And if your sister came to your apartment and she didn't want to watch what you were watching... would you change it. I mean she is a guest after all." Chrissy said.

Greg watched as Nick's jaw tightened and his jaw itched. Greg guess it was a common occurrence for Chrissy to act this stuck up.

"Um... well... my sister hasn't come to visit me in a really long time. Last time she did, she was still into cartoons." Greg said.

It wasn't entirely true. The last time Anna had come to visit him she had been seventeen and had headphones permanently attached to her head.

"Did you let her watch the cartoons?" Chrissy asked, eyebrow arched at Greg questioningly.

"I wasn't ever really home. I mean when I was home I was asleep. Spent most of the time working so she got to watch whatever she wanted. Unless of course I was up and there was something I wanted to watch." Greg said.

Chrissy made a hmm noise, looked Greg over and shook her head. Greg wasn't sure what to do with that. He was definitely having a hard time convincing Chrissy that he was a good guy. Not that he really cared. It was nice to have the family like you, but it didn't necessarily mean they had to.

Greg's cell phone started to ring. He fished around in his pockets thanking whatever entity that there was enough room to move around on the couch without elbowing one of Nick's sisters.

"Hello?" Greg said when he answered the phone.

"Oh, hello. Is that what I get from you, Mister Says He's Going to Call Back but Never Does."

"Hey, mom." Greg said a little uneasy.

"Don't you 'Hey Mom' me, Mister. I've been worried sick about you. I finally have to call your boss and he tells me you're on leave. I thought you said you didn't get hurt?"

"I didn't. Look can I call..."

"Oh no you don't. You're not going to say you're going to call me back and then not call me for a whole week. Besides we're here."

"What?" Greg said.

He could feel the bottom of his stomach literally plummeting.

"I said we're here."

"And by we're you mean..."

"I mean me, your father, your sister and Papa Olaf. You didn't just expect us not to be worried out of our minds did you."

Greg let out a long sigh. He noticed Nick looking at him intently. He placed his hand over his phone and looked at Nick.

"My family is here." He said.

"And?" Nick asked.

"And... um... they're here." Greg said.

"Why don't you invite them to dinner?" Maryann suggested.

"Yeah invite them over." Chrissy said.

Greg looked a bit panicked. If his parents came over then it wouldn't be too bad. He wasn't ashamed of them or anything. But they'd want to stay and Greg was dead set on going back into work the next night.

"Mom, I'm actually going back to work tomorrow, so it would really be a waste to come here." Greg said in Norwegian.

He could feel Nick's sister and Nick staring at him.

"Gregory is there any reason why you're speaking in Norwegian? And maybe I didn't make myself clear, but we're already here."

"Where is here exactly?" Greg asked slipping back into English.

"In front of your apartment building."

Greg let out another sigh.

"Okay, well I'm at my boyfriends. Here's how you get here..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Erika Sanders was very proud about being a mother. She'd been a young mother, eighteen when she had Greg and she'd made the most of it. She'd married Greg's father, Charles, and started a life for herself determined not to let something as silly as youth and being a mother get in the way of her achieving her dreams.

When her father had gotten her mother pregnant with her older brother, Christoffer, they'd moved to England for most of Erika's life. That was where she had met Charles and developed a love for human anatomy. She wanted to be a doctor more than anything else in her life, but she got pregnant at just the time that a person would start working toward becoming a doctor.

Not that she didn't love her son with everything she had. She did and she wouldn't give up Greg for anything in the world. Charles, who was a good six years older than she was, decided to move them to the states. He promised Erika that once he got a job, she would be able to go to school. All she had to do was watch Greg for a few years.

So she did it and she had a blasted at home with Greg, taking him to school the first day, watching him grow from a baby to a little boy. She knew he was smart. It was definitely good genes. Charles had spent most of his life wishing to be a surgeon and Erika wanted basically the same thing.

When she did start school, Greg was five and starting first grade. The teachers thought he was smart enough to just skip kindergarten all together. Erika had argued with Charles about it. She didn't want Greg to become totally socially inept because he was with kids older than him and wouldn't make friends.

Charles argued that it was best for him and Erika eventually caved. They were living a pretty good life when Erika started school so she couldn't complain. Occasionally she would miss her family, her mother and father and two brothers, but she liked the life they had started despite all that.

When her mother died, she had insisted that her father come live with them. Greg had been sixteen at the time and was a senior in high school. He'd skipped a year or two here and there and was looking for colleges. Her daughter, Anna was nine and pretty much self-reliant. They all agreed that it would be best if Papa Olaf came to live with them. Greg loved his grandfather immensely.

And even though Greg hadn't taken the career path that she would have chosen for him, he was good at what he did and he loved it. She could tell every time he talked about it. She really couldn't complain if her son was happy.

"So Greg's got himself a boyfriend. I wonder if he's older or younger." Anna said.

She looked like her father, light brown hair and grey eyes. She was pretty tall too. Charles was about six feet tall. He and Greg stood shoulder to shoulder. Anna wasn't towering, but she wasn't small like Erika was. Her hair, though naturally light brown was dyed some weird color. Erika guessed that was just a thing with her children. They just loved to dye their hair outrageous colors. Greg had been doing it when he was sixteen.

"Every indication would say he's older, Anniken." Charles said.

Erika smiled. Charles hadn't been the least bit put out that his son was gay. In fact he hadn't said anything much about it when Greg had told them. Of course gay hadn't been the word Greg had used. He'd said that he'd figured out he was a three on the Kinsey scale or something like that. Charles just said 'That's nice son' and had gone back to reading his paper.

"Yup, Greg does like older guys. So is anyone going to knock?" Anna asked.

Erika looked at Charles who looked at Papa Olaf who looked at Anna who let out a sigh and leaned forward to knock on the door.

"Seriously it's not that big a deal. Greg's brought plenty of people home." Anna said.

"He sounded serious about this one." Erika said.

"Great so maybe he'll give you grandkids and you can get over it." Anna said rolling her eyes.

"Anna, be polite." Charles said.

Anna huffed and rolled her eyes again. She started saying something in Norwegian to which Papa Olaf laughed and hushed her at the same time. Erika rolled her eyes.

It took a few seconds before someone opened the door. It was a woman, early fifties maybe with short brown hair and bright green eyes. She had a pleasant smile on her face and greeted them warmly.

"You must be Greg's family. I didn't know that you'd be dropping by until last minute. I'm not sure if there's enough food left. I'm sorry that we ate already, but everyone was starving and I'd been cooking all day. They were a little over anxious." The woman said.

"Please come in. I'm Jillian Stokes. I'm Nick's mother." Jillian said as she moved aside to let Erika and her family inside.

"My husband Bill had to go back home early. Right now it's just my two daughters Christina and Maryann with Nick and Greg, but we're actually leaving tonight." Jillian said.

"Oh, well we aren't going to stay long either. We just wanted to make sure that everything was alright with Greg. You know how children are. They don't call or write or anything and expect you to know that they're fine." Erika said eyeing Greg.

He was sitting on the couch looking very uncomfortable between two women who Erika could only assume were Jillian's daughters. It was a little surprising to see that they didn't look that much younger than Erika herself.

She looked over and saw another man, Erika guessed that was Nick and Greg's boyfriend. He was looking a little shy, bandages covering whatever part of his neck was showing through his shirt and a little bit of his cheek. His eyes looked glossy and he looked a bit anemic, but Erika guessed that what with the trauma of things that was normal.

He was very handsome too. Even though he was wearing sweats, Erika could tell he was probably pretty muscular. He had a charming sort of face and Erika could see what attracted her son to him.

"Oh, yes, I know. Had we not been notified by the city I don't think Nick would have even bothered to tell us about the explosion." Jillian said.

"I know exactly what you mean." Erika said laughingly.

"Oh now, mom, I was planning on telling you..." Greg said standing up from his seat on the couch.

"Save it, Mister. You know I had to find out about him getting lost and stranded while skiing in Canada from his friend's mother. He'd been in and out of the hospital, hypothermia and everything and he didn't even bother to call." Erika said.

"I didn't want to bother you." Greg said looking a little embarrassed.

"Well, that's boys for you... I'm sorry I didn't catch your name." Jillian said.

"Oh, it's Erika. And this is my husband, Charles, and my daughter Anna and my father." Erika said.

"Oh well it's nice to meet you all." Jillian said.

"Nice to met you too." Erika said.

Erika watched as Anna pulled Greg into a hug and Greg gave his father a handshake. Anna than proceeded to babble on and on in Norwegian, Greg joining occasionally and her father spurting words as well. It was hard to get the three of them into a room and not hear a bunch of Norwegian.

"Nick." Greg said.

Nick looked up. Erika watched in amusement as Nick's eyes widened in surprise.

"Papa Olaf would like to talk to you privately." Greg said.

"What... but I thought..."

"Oh the old man can speak English, Nick. He just doesn't like too." Charles said with a laugh.

"He's not going to bite you, Nick." Greg said.

"Oh... okay." Nick said trying to get up from his seat.

Greg rushed over to him to help. Erika could see the love shining through Greg's eyes as he helped Nick and the same love shining through Nick's. Nick got to his feet and Greg helped him walk over to Papa Olaf.

Papa Olaf took Nick's hand and started guiding him through the hallway.

"So... how about we get to know each other."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick knew exactly how Greg felt now. Being ambushed by family members was not fun. Greg talked about Papa Olaf a lot. It seemed that Papa Olaf was Greg's favorite person in the world and what he said seemed to matter in Greg's opinion.

Papa Olaf had been very supportive of Greg doing whatever he wanted according to Greg. He'd fought really hard and had convinced Greg's dad to let Greg do whatever he wanted. Greg's mom had been harder.

Nick had been pulled into his spare bedroom and Papa Olaf moved around him in circles like he was some sort of creature in a zoo. Nick was beginning to feel nervous when Papa Olaf started to speak.

"Greg... he is my favorite grandson... favorite grandchild really." Papa Olaf said in what Nick guessed was a Norwegian accent. Sounded a little off then how Nick pictured.

"Oh, he talks about you a lot." Nick said feeling utterly lame.

"He does. He's a good boy. Didn't listen to Erika when she was trying to decide his life for him. I liked that. All my other grandkids... they all did what they're parents wanted, but not Greg. He did what he wanted." Papa Olaf said.

"He's a really great CSI."

"Yes, he talks about his job often... and you."

"He talked about me?"

"Yes, he would... what is the word I'm looking for... he would gush. He said that 'Nicky Stokes is the best DNA tech ever. I wish I were as half as good at my job as he is at his.'"

"He did?" Nick said feeling himself blush uncontrollably.

"Yes, he did. He speaks very highly of you. I could tell he was in love with you before I found out that you two were dating. I must say it was a bit slower than I was used to Greg going, but I've noticed that with Gregory... he takes time with the things he wants the most."

"So you don't care that we're dating."

Papa Olaf looked as though he were in deep thought.

"Would it matter if I did care?"

"Honestly?"

"Honestly."

"No." Nick said.

Papa Olaf smiled.

"Then you're just prefect."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Now you call me if you feel like you need someone. Don't you hesitate, Nicholas. Anything at all." Jillian said pulling her son into another hug careful of his injuries.

Nick looked over at Greg who seemed to be getting the same treatment from his mother and father only Nick couldn't really tell because they were speaking in Norwegian. It was pretty late now. Nick's mother and sisters were catching the latest flight possible and it seemed Greg's family was also heading back to San Francisco.

When Nick had asked how they could afford to just come for a few hours, they just shrugged and Greg told him not to ask again. Nick nodded and they talked about something else. Nick had truly liked Greg's parents and Papa Olaf who hadn't talked much after talking to Nick in the spare bedroom.

"I'll call, but I don't think I'm gonna need to, mom." Nick said.

"I just want you to promise that you'll call. You don't need to actually call." She said.

"Alright, I promise."

"Good. Now let Greg take good care of you. He really is a nice boy... man."

"So you're okay with the whole thing?"

"Of course I'm okay with the whole thing. There's no reason why I wouldn't be. And Christina is okay with it too... she just shows it differently." Jillian said.

"You know I wouldn't care if you weren't. He's really special to me mom." Nick said.

"I can see that honey. Trust me we're okay with it."

She moved away so Christina and Maryann could say bye. Maryann gave him a quick kiss before getting into the rent-a-car and Christina stared at him wearily for a second.

"You know his sister is as old as your nephew." She said in an accusatory tone.

"Yes I know Anna is as old as Albert." Nick said shaking his head.

"And his mother is only a year older than I am."

"Yes I knew that."

"And he's still really young. You don't know if..."

"Chrissy... trust me on this one okay. Greg and I... I think it's going for the long haul." Nick said.

"Really?" Chrissy asked in a confused tone.

"Yes, really. It's better that you just accept it and move on."

"Well, I guess I could have a worse brother in law... hell I've had a worse brother in law. I just... I don't..."

Nick stepped forward and pulled her into a hug. They stood there for a few moments before Nick let go.

"I get it, Chris. Really I do. I know you feel bad about not being around when I was a kid, but you gotta lighten up on this big sister act. I'm thirty-four years old. I think I can make my decisions without your help."

"I know, Nicky. I know. Just... be careful okay."

"Yeah okay. I'll be good."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Okay, how does that feel?"

Nick moaned as Greg's hands spread some sort of salve on his burns. It felt so good.

"Feels... better. What is that stuff?"

"Some of the good stuff my mom and dad brought. After they heard about you being in the hospital and assumed that you probably got burned they... took some stuff from their work. Said it was better then whatever stuff the hospital would give you." Greg explained.

"I'll have to send them a thank you letter."

"Yeah, you do just that. They liked you. Said you were the best relationship choice I've ever made. Wish I could say the same thing in regards to me and your family."

"They like you Greg. There's just more of them to please then your family."

"Well Papa Olaf decreed that everyone like you and when he says something people usually listen."

"That's good to know... although your sister threatened me with bodily harm if I ever hurt you."

"That's a sister thing." Greg said continuing to work the salve into Nick's burns.

They itched. Nick hated that they itched, but he figured that it was better than if they were numb. He didn't like that feeling.

"Hey, why don't you get your pills from the bedside table. I'll go get you some water." Greg said.

Nick sighed and nodded his head. He felt as the weight in the bed shifted and Greg went into the kitchen. Nick sat up and grabbed the pills on the besides table. His hands shook and the pills made a rattling noise as he tried to open them.

His hands hadn't stopped shaking since he was in the hospital. The doctors were still hopeful that the shaking would stop. Now they said it was cause from stress. That Nick was under an extreme amount of stress due to his injuries. They were hopeful.

"You need some help with those?"

Nick looked up to see Greg standing in the doorway. He had a glass of water in his hand as he leaned against it for support.

"Yeah, that would be nice."

Greg walked over to the bed, placed the glass down on the bedside table and took the bottle of pills away from Nick. He opened them and pulled out two pills. Nick bunched his hands up into fists and then shook them out. They were still shaking.

"You didn't tell your mom about that I take it." Greg said pointing to Nick's hands.

"What makes you say that?" Nick said looking over at Greg.

"Well she would have insisted on staying if she knew your hands were shaking. She would have also insisted that you not go back to work in three days. Which I'd have to agree with her on. It's a little soon, Nicky."

"It's not soon. It's a day after the doctors said it was okay. Besides you're going back to work tomorrow."

"I'm not the one with third degree burns."

"Can you just give me the pills and the water now." Nick said testily.

Greg sighed and handed over both to Nick who hurriedly put the pills in his mouth and swallowed some water before he could drop the glass.

"Still don't know how you hid that from your mom."

"I willed them to stay still."

"Why aren't you willing them now?"

"I am. It's just... it doesn't always work like that."

"Maybe you should tell Grissom..."

"No... okay no. I'm gonna be fine. I'm gonna go into work and I'm gonna do my job better than anyone else can." Nick said.

Greg was quiet for a few minutes before putting his arm over Nick's shoulders. Nick buried his head in Greg's chest and sighed.

"It's gonna be okay. They'll stop shaking soon I promise." He whispered to Nick.

"I know... I know."

Nick woke up to the sound of somebody riffling through his drawers. He slowly opened both eyes to see Greg, half dressed, looking for pants most likely considering he didn't have any on. Nick groaned. Greg was getting ready to leave for work. Nick looked over at the clock on his bedside and noted that it was still daytime. Greg was getting ready to pull a double. Nick wondered when the night shift was going to stick to just being the night shift.

"Where are you going?" Nick asked, his voice filled with sleepy.

He blinked his eyes blearily noticing that the black out curtains were still up.

"Oh, Nicky, I didn't mean to wake you."

"Where are you going?" Nick repeated.

"Oh, that. Gris called. I'm needed down at some bank. Apparently there was some big bank robbery." Greg said not looking over to Nick as he searched for pants.

"Why isn't the day shift handling it?"

"They're all backed up so lucky us."

Nick noticed the distant tone in Greg's voiced. Noticed the jerky movements and the way Greg wasn't looking at him.

"Greg... what's wrong."

Greg stood straight up. Nick watched as the muscles in his back tensed. Greg took a few deep breaths and turned around. He had a bright fake smile on his face.

"Nothing, babe, why would you think there was anything wrong?" Greg said evenly.

Nick cocked an eyebrow.

"Please don't act like I'm stupid, Greg. There's something wrong and I know it. It'd be better if you just told me."

Greg sighed. He walked over to the bed and sat next to Nick. He took another deep breath before opening his mouth to speak.

"Lockwood was shot in the robbery. He's dead."

It took Nick a few moments to figure out who Lockwood was. He didn't have much contact with the police in his job, but he'd seen the other man around. Greg had mentioned him a few times over the years.

"Detective Lockwood?" Nick asked.

"Yeah. Guess the LVPD can't catch a break. First it's crime lab blows up and then one of its detectives gets killed trying to save a kid while he's off duty." Greg said voice filled with barely restrained anger.

"I'm... I... I don't know what to say. I didn't even know him that well, but..."

"It's always bad when one of the cops dies."

"You've been around for more than one?"

"Saw it a few times when I was working with SFPD. Saw about two more when I came to Vegas. There hasn't been a cop killing in awhile."

Nick nodded. He didn't remember one in the four years he'd been working in the crime lab.

"Did... did you know him well?" Nick asked.

"I knew him well enough. I mean we'd get drinks after cases some times. It's a hazard of the job you know. You were around for Holly Gribbs." Greg said.

"Yeah, I was."

Greg sat quietly next to Nick for a few moments before taking a few more deep breaths and standing up. He walked over to Nick's closet and picked out a pair of pants. Nick watched as he slid them on and smoothed down his shirt.

"I gotta go. Gris'll kill me if I don't get there soon. You know how it's all about the job for him." Greg said.

"Tonight's my first night back." Nick whispered.

Greg's eyes went wide and he sighed.

"Shit, that's right. I was going to drive you."

"I can drive myself Greg. It's not big deal. They doctor's say I'm as good as new. You know except for some scars."

"I know, but..."

"But nothing. Look, I'm going to be fine. It's just one quick car ride to the lab. I don't need you to be there." Nick said.

"But I want to be there."

Nick smiled at Greg. He thought it was kind of cute that Greg got that helpless little boy voice when things weren't going the way he wanted them to.

"Well, it's the thought that counts."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick was greeted with cheers and happiness. Everyone wanted to ask him questions about how he was doing and wish him well. It was slightly unnerving. He just wanted to do his job.

He was lucky to have Jacqui around. She could just sense that he was a little overwhelmed with the attention and she, Bobby, and Archie made sure that everyone left Nick's lab while Hodges carefully looked him over in his not so subtle manner. They then proceeded to make sure he got settled in.

"It's a little different in here. Hell of a way to get a new makeover to your lab there, Nick. Drastic if you ask me." Hodges said.

Nick smiled. It was nice to have the joking. Joking was good. He could deal with joking.

"Yeah, well, I'm a drastic kind of guy." Nick said with a smile.

"We tried to put it exactly the way you had it before, but it was a little difficult considering we didn't pay that much attention to the way you had things before." Jacqui said.

"I tried pulling old surveillance feed, but it didn't help much." Archie said.

"Guys, really it's not that big of a deal. It's just my lab area." Nick said.

"Nick, you're meticulous about your lab area." Bobby said.

Nick frowned at that. He wasn't meticulous about his lab area. Sure he liked things organized in a certain way, but that was just the way anyone would feel. It was easier to keep things that you used all the time in an open area that was easy to grab at. The CSIs could be really demanding some times.

"I'm not meticulous. Just orderly." Nick said a bit glumly.

All four of his friends rolled their eyes.

"So, you got to sit in on the big CSI pow wow. They come up with anything useful on this case yet?" Hodges asked.

"Grissom looked like he might have had something." Nick said.

Nick himself had checked over the DNA samples given to him and came up with nothing.

"They gave me a fingerprint to match up. I think I might have gotten an ID on one of the guys involved." Jacqui said.

"Yeah, well there wasn't much to do with the video feed. In fact Warrick and Grissom did most of the work." Archie said.

He sounded a bit glum about it and Nick could understand why. Sometimes it got on his nerves when the CSIs thought they could do their job and the lab tech's jobs as well. And it wasn't even like they had meant to do it. They usually did it completely by accident, but it still got on your nerves as a tech.

"Well I looked over all the bullets. Might have helped out a bit." Bobby said.

"And of course they haven't brought anything to me yet and I have totally no idea what is happening." Hodges said a little pissy.

Nick smiled.

"I'm sure they'll have something for you to do soon enough and then you'll be griping about how much work you have to do." Nick said.

"Please, Nick, he'd be griping even if he didn't have anything to do at all. That's just Hodges for you." Jacqui said.

Everyone laughed at that statement. Even Hodges let out a small smile.

"Nick..."

Nick looked up to see Catherine standing in the doorway.

"Hey Catherine." Nick said pleasantly.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Fine, although I wish people would stop asking me that. It's getting annoying having to tell everyone that I'm fine."

"Sorry, it's just a reaction."

Nick nodded.

"Look, I was wondering, if maybe I talk with you... privately." She said looking meaningfully at the other lab techs.

They all seemed to catch the hint and piled out of the room, all muttering get well wishes and promises for breakfasts. When they left, Nick faced Catherine. Her shoulders seemed a bit tense and her posture screamed nervous.

"What can I do for you, Catherine?" Nick asked.

"I know you can be trusted with a secret. Look how well you kept that thing about me and... well you know what I'm talking about. Anyway, you know what off the record is...right?" Catherine asked.

Nick frowned slightly and shook his head.

"Good. I need you to do something for me."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"If it's one thing I can't stand on the job, it's dead cops." Warrick said disgust evident in his tone.

"Tell me about it. Guys risk their lives all the time to keep people safe and they get gunned down for it." Greg said.

"Yeah some justice system we've got going on." Warrick muttered.

They were on break for the time being, both not wanting to be on break, but not having anything to do. They watched as the news rolled the same story over again for people who hadn't seen in. Cyrus Lockwood, decorated detective gunned down during bank robbery. They even showed his picture a few times.

"Shouldn't you be with Nick." Warrick asked.

Greg frowned and shook his head.

"Contrary to popular belief, I don't spend my every waking moment with Nicky. Besides I think he's working." Greg said.

"Really, could have fooled me."

"This is about going out last week. Look things are going to be a little different now that me and Nicky are together you do realize that right. I can't exactly be your wingman anymore."

"Man, it's cool and all. He was injured and thought I don't get the appeal with Nick, I do get the appeal to play doctor-patient." Warrick said, smirk on his face.

Greg rolled his eyes.

"Not that it's any of your business, but we haven't done anything dirty."

Warrick gave Greg a questioning look.

"Okay, we've done dirty things, but not since he was hurt. I don't think now's really the right time for that kind of stuff."

"Really."

"Yeah he was just in a lab explosion, Warrick. And even if we wanted to, his family was kind of camping out at our... they were camping out." Greg said.

He hoped Warrick hadn't caught on to the little slip, but that was really wishful thinking. He was talking to a CSI after all.

"Did you ever go home, Greg?" Warrick asked.

"I just ran over there to get some clothes and stuff. Nick needed me to be there with him."

"Dude, I think you've entered the realm into very serious. Just like you to do it in under two months."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that you and Nick might as well get matching rings and tuxes and make it official."

"You don't think it's too soon?" Greg asked.

Warrick rested his chin on his hand, elbow balancing on the break room table. He looked to be in deep thought. He stared at Greg intently, eyes roaming over Greg and Greg felt just a little ill at ease at the attention. He fidgeted in his seat slightly before Warrick took a drink of his coffee and cleared his throat.

"Way I see it, and this is just from my observations, you really love Nick. And Nick's been in love with you since the moment he saw you. It was kind of freaky how he'd stare at you through the glass thinking no one was watching. I had half a mind to hit you over the head cause you were being so oblivious."

Greg blushed a little. He hadn't really noticed that Nick had been staring when he thought no one was looking because Greg had been to busy doing the exact same thing.

"So, too soon, maybe by any other standards I say yes, but when it comes to you Sanders, you and Stokes, well those ain't regular standards." Warrick said.

Greg smiled.

"Well, good. I was afraid I was moving too fast."

"Yeah, well, you're not. And I don't think you need anyone to tell you that you're moving at just a fine pace. I don't think you'd listen even if someone tried to tell you otherwise."

"Yeah, you're probably right." Greg said laughing slightly.

"Course I'm going to have to find another wingman."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine on your own."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was when the case started to get really hot that Nick noticed it. When he'd first stepped into the lab that evening they'd been fine. In fact he drove to the lab without a single shake. He almost let out a triumphant wail at that fact.

He'd settled down and started working. At first they'd had him doing easy things, things he could do in his sleep if he really focused hard enough. His hands hadn't shaken once. He'd even sat down and had dinner with the team, Greg fussing over him a bit before letting him eat in peace.

No one had stared at his gauze covered neck or the big Band-Aid on his cheek. They'd treated him just like they'd always treated him, no awkward silences or distressing questions. It was nice to just be able to work and he was glad all the well-wishers had gotten it out of their systems so he could work in peace.

But then he'd discovered something big. Something that might have impacted the case and give them more evidence against their only suspect, Sam Braun. He'd tried to remain calm. He'd tried to get them to stop shaking, but it was almost near impossible to get them to stop when they started.

"Nick, your hands are shaking." Grissom said.

He'd said it like someone would say the sky is blue or the clouds are white. Nick shook his head and sighed.

"No, they aren't."

Deniability would only work for so long, but if he could get them to stop shaking at that very second, maybe Grissom would leave him alone.

"Yes, they are."

Again it was stated like a fact. Nick shook his head again and clenched his hands into fists.

"The doctor's said it was because of the shock. You know from the explosion. Said that it was actually a good thing. That it meant my body was healing itself or adjusting or something. He didn't quite say how long it would take to go away, but he made it sound like it should have already gone away by now."

Grissom nodded.

"Is it affecting your work?"

"No, not really. I mean... I'm dealing with it."

Grissom shook his head and sighed.

"If you ever feel like talking, Nick, I'm here for you."

It had been generous of him to say that. It had been thoughtful and kind and nice of him to say that. Nick nodded again and went back to his business, not stopping to do much except go to the bathroom once and when the end of shift came and he looked around for Greg and didn't find him, Nick went to the bathroom again. Only this time, this time Nick put his hands under the freezing cold spray of the sink, hands shaking and he tried to make them stop.

"They'll stop shaking."

Nick heard a voice behind him and didn't need to turn around to see who it was, he didn't need to look up into the mirror. He felt strong arms wrap around his waist and squeeze him.

"How'd you know I was in here?"

"Heard through the grapevine that Grissom caught you with your hands shaking."

"That still doesn't explain why you would know I was in here."

"I took a wild guess. What do you think freezing your hands is going to do anyway."

"Nothing, anything, I don't know."

"Nicky, they're going to stop shaking."

"But what if they don't." Nick asked, voice barely above a whisper and he sounded helpless to his own ears.

He heard Greg sigh, hands stroking Nick's stomach lightly. Nick still hadn't looked up to face him.

"They will." Greg said insistently, his voice right in Nick's ear.

"But what if they..."

"They will, okay. They're going to stop. You just have to give it some time."

Nick looked up, his eyes locking with the mirrored image of Greg behind him. He could feel tears stinging in his eyes and he didn't want to cry in front of his mom, but his mom wasn't there anymore. He mom was gone and it was just him and Greg and he never felt as safe with anyone as he did with Greg.

He wanted to lean back and push his back against Greg's chest, but he didn't think his back could take it.

"I've given it time and they haven't stopped. I'm sick of them shaking, Greg. After Grissom found out... they were shaking so bad I could barely hold my tools. I told him that I could do my job and I can't."

"So, maybe you should take a few more days off. I don't think anyone would mind."

"I can't, Greg."

"You can, you're just too stubborn to see it."

"No, I can't... I just wish they would stop shaking." Nick said.

He felt a single tear start to roll down his cheek. He felt Greg's finger wipe it away. He took in a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He didn't want to cry at the crime lab. If he was going to cry, he was going to cry in private.

"Come on, baby, let's go home."

"Okay."

A Month Later

Greg liked to think that things between him and Nick were going spectacularly. In fact, things were progressing in just the right manner if Greg could say so himself. The shaking hands had stopped, but it had taken a lot of discipline and patience on Nick's part and some understanding on Greg's. Nick could get snarky when he wanted, though Greg wasn't surprised considering the insane amount of time Nick liked to spend with Hodges.

All in all that obstacle had been defeated and Nick was back to being the best lab tech in the second best lab in the country, a little more confident then he had been prior to the explosion. It helped that Greg had loved to flourish him with compliments whenever Greg deemed it necessary and although some of those times Nick had been a little embarrassed by the public setting, Greg knew he secretly loved it. And it wasn't exactly a hardship for Greg.

They'd been keeping it simple for the most part. They rarely went out, but that was more a hazard of their jobs than their own desires. Greg would have liked to eat out at fancy restaurants and maybe pretend to be a tourist every now and again, but any chance Nick could get to throw on a pair of sweatpants and baggy shirt he would take.

Greg thought it was cute and endearing. He thought that Nick's natural homebody state was actually nice. He knew Nick always felt a little guilty about it. Nick thought that Greg was young enough to be going to clubs and having an actual life, but Greg would have none of that. If Nick didn't want to do something, then they wouldn't do it.

Not to say that Greg's whole life revolved around Nick. On the contrary, he still had his friends. He still went out for beers with Warrick and watched as he flawlessly picked up unknowing girl after unknowing girl. They all thought that Warrick being a CSI was just so cool, never fully understanding how much work and self went into the job, just knowing that Warrick got to carry a gun. Apparently a lot of woman thought guns were sexy.

Just to be funny, Greg would mention how Nick hated guns, putting on his best besotted face and watched as the girl that Warrick was attempting to woo would coo over Greg's head over heels behavior. But then Warrick would glare at him and Greg would find some funny, witty, smart and clever way to turn the conversation back to Warrick. It was the price of being a wingman.

And there were times when Sara would call him up, frantic and on the verge of a nervous breakdown and he would run to her apartment, Baskin Robbins quarts of whatever ice cream on hand. It was either about the job or about her lack of a life, but then again that stemmed from the job, so really it was all about the job.

Greg would comfort her as well as he could. He'd been her once, though with more of a life, having nothing but his job to keep him surfaced. Sara didn't have a special someone and she wasn't a guy, no matter how hard she tried to hold her wait in a male dominant profession. Catherine had Lindsey to ground her, but Sara had take-out menus. It was easy for anyone to crack under that kind of pressure.

Nick would understand when he said he had to run to Sara's for a little bit. It had only happened twice in the two months since they'd been dating, both times after the explosion, and Nick had told him to scram. His friend needed him and Greg had an obligation to go make sure she was okay. Greg guessed it was his years of dealing with Jacqui that made him so understanding. Because Nick had little Circle meetings that, though Greg was an honorary Circle member, he was never allowed to attend. Nick got a huge kick out of these meetings and would always come home extra snuggly thought Greg never knew why exactly.

Work had been relatively light or at least had been light where regular days were concerned. They hadn't had a huge case in quite awhile and Greg was perfectly content to work simple homicides that weren't always so highly covered. It helped him do his job. Helped him stay focused and they were much easier to forget when he came home in the morning or whatever hour he managed to make it home.

Perhaps it was the fact that he'd noticed this nice lull that had jinxed it. The next shift after he'd made this nice discovery, they had a huge case. Double homicide at some big casino/hotel and the nightshift were the lead CSIs on the case. Greg had dusted for prints and inspected for DNA evidence and had found the second body in their little double treat all in the span of an hour. He knew the day was going to be long.

And it was made even longer by the fact that he had, on accident he was positive it was an accident, leaked information concerning the case that would definitely make the killers think twice before killing again. As in they would most likely change their MO a bit because that's what all the smart ones did.

He'd been right to think that and the next bodies they had found weren't in a swanky hotel room, but a somewhat crappy motel were people went when they could only afford mediocre or had a prostitute. Greg took his lumps like a good CSI and Grissom had pushed him back to video detail. At that moment Greg made a promise with himself that he would never talk to old college buddies he didn't remember ever again. He didn't care how persistent they were.

Eventually, and with a stroke of genius on his part and Catherine's understanding and helpful nature, Greg was back on the case and working doubles and triples and he couldn't even remember the last time he'd seen Nick let alone talked to him. It felt strange after the past two months of living somewhat dazedly in a little dream world he and Nick had sort of built around themselves. It felt to reminiscent of the old days when Greg only cared about the job. That just wasn't him anymore.

"Dude, Sanders, what are you still doing here? The case is over remember." Warrick said.

Greg was sitting in front of his opened locker staring dazedly into space. He looked over at Warrick's voice spotting him and Sara standing not to far away.

"I know that. I was just packing up to leave. How'd your case wrap up, Sara?" Greg asked.

"Pretty good. We caught the guy responsible, but I'm not sure there's much we can do. He just punched the guy. How was he to know that that would kill him?" Sara said.

"Don't you just hate cases like that. They don't feel like they've... ended." Greg said.

"Yeah well on this job you can't always expect full satisfaction. You know that, Sanders." Warrick said.

"Yeah... yeah I know that." Greg said somewhat dazedly.

Greg noted that Warrick and Sara passed worried glances between them.

"You know, I would have thought you'd have been delighted to wrap up that case. When was the last time you saw Nick anyway?" Warrick asked.

Greg rubbed his palms against his eyes and tried to think past the fatigue that was starting to set in. Fatigue always set in after big cases like the one he'd just worked.

"I don't know... I think I may have delivered him some evidence, but I can't be too sure."

"Then what are you still doing here. I mean it's understandable for me and Warrick." Sara said.

"Yeah I don't have a girlfriend and Sara's practically married to her job." Warrick said.

Sara had the decency to glare at him just a little bit. Greg let a little smile play on his face at that.

"Yeah, I know. Like I said I was getting ready to leave, but you guys stopped to ask questions." Greg said as he closed the door to his locker.

He waved at them as he left the room, jacket and car keys in hand. There was no doubt in his mind that if we were to go over to Nick's, Nick would be asleep. It was morning after all. Nick had been off shift for a little while now and, though he tried to wait for Greg a lot of the time, Greg was absolutely sure that Nick was sleeping at that moment.

Greg sighed realizing that it would probably just be best to go back to his place and sleep before shift started that evening. As it was he didn't have very many clean close left at Nick's. But then again when he thought about it, he didn't have very many clean close at his own place. In fact Greg could hardly remember when he'd been to his place last.

It didn't necessarily puzzle him. Nick's place felt more like home to Greg than any other place Greg could remember living in. The thing was Grissom was getting a little weary of it. He assumed that Greg would be at his listed address and called him with just enough time to get from his place to the crime scene.

It wasn't Grissom's fault. Greg could easily just turn in a change of address sheet, but he hadn't exactly talked it over with Nick. Spending all his time there was one thing, but knowing that he could never have anywhere else to go was another.

With a sigh, Greg found himself in front of Grissom's office. Grissom looked up at Greg when he realized he was standing there and beckoned him to come inside.

"I hope I'm not bothering you or anything." Greg said as he took a seat in the chair across from Grissom's desk.

"Not at all Greg. What's on your mind?" Grissom asked.

"It's about me and Nicky." Greg said.

Grissom raised an eyebrow and nodded.

"What about you and Nick?"

"It's just... I know you were pissed last week when I showed up to the crime scene late and that was because I was over at Nick's and I know I should be at the place listed on my information, but..."

"Greg... I was young once. I get how it all works." Grissom said.

"Me and Nicky are really serious, Gris." Greg said in a strong tone.

Grissom smiled at him, his mysterious smile that Greg could never really figure out, but knew meant Grissom was thinking about something.

"I wouldn't expect anything else from you two." Grissom said.

Greg smiled and nodded.

"I just wanted you to know that." Greg said.

"That's all?" Grissom asked.

Greg looked around nervously. Grissom was good at reading people. He probably sense the real reason Greg was there.

"Well, no, but I'll let you know when there is something more to add."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick hadn't seen Greg all day and it was getting pretty close to the end of his shift. The double-double homicide case had taken a weird turn when the suspected killers were found murdered in their own home. From that moment on, Nick hardly saw the backside of Greg's head.

"He's busy, Nick. I mean lately it's been nice that the CSIs haven't been overworked and he's been able to spend time with you in the lab, but he does still have to work." Jacqui said, trying to cheer Nick up.

"I know. It's just... it was nice that he'd make time to stop by and see how I was doing is all." Nick said.

The Circle had all decided to take a break at the same time and were currently lounging in the break room waiting for one anxious CSI or another to come and try and rouse them for evidence. They'd all made it to ten minutes so for without interruption.

"It's the problems of dating someone you work with. You end up expecting them to say hi to you all the time." Bobby said.

"Oh what would you know about it. Your wife's a librarian." Hodges said.

Bobby merely shook his head and took a sip of his coffee.

"I'm just saying that when you get involved with someone you work with it's different then being involved with someone you don't work with." Bobby said.

"Gee, did you figure that out all by yourself, Bobby." Hodges said.

"Now, now, David, be nice to poor Bobby." Jacqui said noticing Bobby's glare.

"Personally I think you guys are doing just fine. I mean I think it's actually easier. I know my girlfriend some times comes down on me because I'm not around as often as I should be. It's the demands of the job, man." Archie said.

"Yes, yes being a lab tech in the CSI crime lab definitely sucks out all personal priorities. I think we all knew that going into this job." Hodges said.

"I still hold out hope that my Prince Charming is out there." Jacqui said.

"Give it a few years." Hodges said bitterly.

Jacqui glared at him and tossed her hair a bit.

"David, I'm a year older than you." Jacqui said.

Hodges merely shrugged his shoulders at that. He may have only been a few years older then Nick, but he acted like he was the oldest man in the lab.

"You guys are right. I'm probably worrying over nothing. It's just that... ever since the explosion the lab has been pretty quiet. I mean you know excluding the whole Sam Braun Lockwood case. It's his first big case back." Nick said.

"It's cute that you worry. Really it is. Not nauseating at all." Hodges said, tone so overly sarcastic that you'd have to be deaf not to hear it.

Nick merely rolled his eyes. His friends had been supportive about his relationship with Greg. In fact they'd been rooting for it to all turn out alright. Even Hodges who seemed to despise Greg for some reason or another. They all just wanted him to be happy.

"So are we at the ring buying stage yet? There going to be some nifty commitment ceremony?" Jacqui asked.

Nick pulled a face and sighed.

"No, nothing like that. That's just too..."

"Corny, cliched, Vegas." Hodges offered helpfully.

"One of those words. No, I think me and Greg are just happy being me and Greg. We don't need some fancy party to make it official or anything. And besides all that we've only been dating for two months." Nick said.

"But you're practically living together right?" Jacqui asked.

"Well, yeah I guess."

"Nick, you might as well be married. Trust me on this one, you and Greg already act like an old married couple. Always have now that I think about it." Bobby said.

"Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just want you to be happy, remember." Archie said.

Nick smiled at him.

"I know, Archie." Nick said.

"So, if you're practically living together why don't you just..."

At that moment Catherine walked in and looked directly at Nick. He tried to think about what she could possibly want him for. Her case was already pretty much solved and he'd barely had to do any work on it. It was close to the end of the shift anyway.

"Nick, I was hoping you were still here. Listen... I need to talk to you. How about you and me grab a coffee at the local diner?" Catherine said.

"Um... yeah okay. I was... well I was going to go home after shift, but I guess I can... go out for coffee I mean." Nick said.

"Great... I'll see you there in five."

"Sure." Nick said and watched as Catherine walked off.

"What was all that about?" Hodges asked.

Nick could feel the rest of his friends looking at him weirdly and he shrugged his shoulders.

"I have no idea."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Nick arrived to the diner in question, Catherine was already sitting in a both staring down at her first coffee or at least what Nick assumed was her first coffee. He wasn't that late getting to the diner. He had to clean his things up and swear to his friends that he had no idea why Catherine wanted to speak with him before he could get out. He looked around for Greg, but when he couldn't find him, Nick decided to leave.

He sat in the booth across from Catherine and smiled at her when she looked up. She took a deep sigh and closed her eyes for a little while before opening to stare at Nick.

"They found out." Catherine said.

"Who found out what?" Nick asked.

"Remember a little while back. The Sam Braun case. I asked you to do something for me off the record." Catherine prodded.

"Oh... they found out. And they think you may have tampered with evidence."

"I don't think it'll affect you. At least I really hope it doesn't. I think I've caused you enough emotional scaring for the next decade or so." Catherine said.

Nick smiled shyly at her.

"You know the lab wasn't totally your fault. Faulty procedures and bad equipment..."

"Yeah along with my ineptitude. You don't have to be nice and say it wasn't my fault. I know that it was."

"It could have happened to anyone, Catherine. And Warrick was there with you. Trust me I'm not harboring any ill will toward you."

Catherine pfft and let out that little slightly cynical laugh of hers and brushed back her hair. Nick still smiled shyly at her.

"You know, Greg did for a little while there. The funny thing was he acted like he didn't want to. I mean I can understand hating someone that hurt the one you love. I don't know what I would have done in his situation. Hell, no, I do know what I would have done and I can tell you it wouldn't have been pretty." Catherine said.

"Greg really likes you. He speaks really highly of you... of everyone really. I just think he was... thrown. Because it was something that could have happened to anyone and he just... he didn't know how to deal with that." Nick said.

"Still didn't make him any less angry."

"No, it wouldn't, but like you said if it had happened to you it wouldn't have been pretty. I know if something like what happened to me happened to Greg... I don't know what I would do."

Catherine studied him up and down and smiled.

"You'd be strong. I know you would."

Nick blushed at bit and sighed.

"I like to think I would be. I mean I know that his job isn't as dangerous as like being a cop or anything, but there's still risks involved. There's risks involved with any job though."

"Everyone can tell that you two love each other very much. I think we'd all understand if one of you went hysterical cause of an accident like that." Catherine said.

Nick smiled somewhat nervously and sighed. Catherine looked at him weirdly and Nick closed his eyes.

"Nick... something bothering you?"

"What, no, nothing."

"You're not a really good liar, Nick."

"Yeah I know. Lots of people tell me that. Seriously, it's nothing."

"It's something."

"I don't want to unload on you."

"I'm asking you to."

"Really, Catherine it's not that big of a deal..."

"I think you're protesting just a little too much."

"Catherine."

"Nick."

They engaged in a staring contest. Nick stared into her eyes, worry and concern and confusion clear in them and Nick sighed.

"It's just... I mean I know he loves me. He's said it. Just... not since the explosion. He's been so focused on taking care of me... you know the doctor's said..."

"The doctor's said what Nick."

"It's kind of embarrassing." Nick said squirming a little.

Catherine smirked at him.

"Does it have anything to do with... sex?" Catherine asked.

Nick didn't even have to answer her, his blush was enough.

"You haven't had any since the accident."

"I don't know why it bothers me so much. I mean I didn't have much sex before the accident and Greg, but..."

"Nick, people are sexual beings. It's totally healthy for you to want to have sex with your boyfriend. I mean you're not dead."

"Yeah, but he's just trying to be... cautious."

"To hell with being cautious. You really want him, just throw him down. I think he'll get the picture." Catherine said taking a sip from her drink.

Nick noticed how relaxed she was becoming. She'd had a hard couple of months and seemed on edge a lot of the time. If Nick could help her relax in a way that was totally different from the way Grissom was helping her relax- if that was still going on- and it was just as good then Nick figured why not. It wasn't like he could really talk about this to Jacqui or Hodges without barfing at least once.

"I don't know."

"Trust me, Nick. Greg's a sweetie and he wants to take good care of you because he loves you, but he's still just a guy. And, honey if it's one thing that guy's always have on the brain it's sex." Catherine said.

Nick smiled at her.

"I just don't want him to think that it's all about sex."

"Have you been having sex in the last month and half?"

"Um... no."

"Well then I'm sure he knows that it isn't just about sex."

"You're sure?" Nick asked feeling less uneasy about the subject then he was before.

"Positive. Now, if you don't mind me asking, why are you talking to me about this? You've got friends at the lab. Why not talk to them?"

Nick coughed a bit to clear his throat and looked at Catherine.

"I just... I love the guys at the lab. I mean they're my best friends, but sometimes you just need someone who... I mean you just need to talk to someone who's going to give it to you straight and you want feel like barfing just by the thought of bringing the subject up." Nick said.

Catherine nodded.

"Did that make sense?"

"Perfect sense. Now, what are you doing sitting around this old diner talking to me for when you've got a boyfriend that needs jumping?"

Nick smiled and got up from his seat. He didn't need to be told twice.

Greg was a man on a mission. He knew they had better pancake mix in one of the drawers somewhere. He knew this because he'd actually gone out and bought the stuff himself. Nick kept things in weird places though and the only way for Greg to find out where said pancake mix was to call Nick up and that would ruin the surprise.

He would just have to make do with the omelets and potato wedges with bacon. If Nick was feeling particularly bread happy than Greg would make toast because at the age of thirty-four, as sad as it was, Nick couldn't even be trusted to microwave something properly. His fridge reminded Greg of Sara's, take-out posted on its available surface.

Greg was a little surprised that he didn't come home to find Nick in front of the couch, passed out in his baggy sweats. He thought about calling to see if he was alright, but figured that he must have gotten caught up in something Circle related. And it gave him the perfect opportunity to get his planning rolling.

He was in the middle of putting the plates down when he heard the front door creak open. He didn't even have to look to see that it was Nick. Greg put the biggest smile on his face and watched as Nick made his way to the kitchen, nose sniffing out potential food.

Nick smiled back at him when he reached the kitchen.

"What's all this?" Nick asked.

Greg looked around the kitchen. There were candles set in various places and the room was pretty clean.

"What I can't do something nice for you every once in awhile?" Greg asked.

"You're always doing nice things for me. I thought you'd be asleep. It's pretty late considering." Nick said taking a seat in front of one of the plates of food.

Greg sat down on the opposite side and shrugged.

"I thought the same thing before I got home. Guess we were both wrong. Go ahead and eat." Greg said.

Nick nodded and started to dig in. They ate in mostly silence, only talking about the case and how the day went and a few other weird topics like the weather and the traffic. When they were done, Greg took their plates to the sink and Nick stayed in his seat.

Greg could tell that there was something on Nick's mind, but he was too busy with what he was thinking about to ask.

"So I have something to tell you." They both said at the same time.

Greg smiled and Nick let out a small laugh.

"Well, you go first." Greg said.

"No, that's okay, you go first." Nick said.

Greg sighed and shook his head.

"Why don't we tell each other at the same time." Greg said, the whole thing starting to get a lot cornier than he had anticipated.

As it was there was a single rose in a vase on the middle of the table with candles and Greg's best attempt at cooking to date. If that didn't scream romantic then Greg didn't know what did.

"Okay, that seems fair."

"Right, okay so… here we go."

They both remained silent for a few seconds before Nick smiled.

"Maybe we should countdown or something."

"That's so cliched."

"I don't think we're going to get it out otherwise."

"You're probably right. Okay, 1…"

"2…"

"3… I want us to move in together."

"I want us to have sex." Nick said at the same time that Greg did.

Both stared at each other weirdly before they spoke.

"Wait, what?" Nick said.

"Yeah, what?" Greg said.

Nick felt himself blush.

"Nothing, what did you say."

"Nah uh, Nicky, tell me what you said."

"It's not important."

"Somehow I think it is important otherwise you wouldn't have tried to tell me right now. I'm thinking you said you want us to have sex." Greg said.

Nick's blush was all the answer that Greg needed.

"But… we've had sex." Greg said looking a bit confused.

"I know we have, but we haven't since the… well since the explosion." Nick said.

"Oh." Greg said.

"Yeah."

Nick was careful to avoid eye contact with Greg as he shifted around in his seat.

"I just… I don't want… we shouldn't move too fast where this is concerned you know. I don't want you hurting yourself or anything."

"It's been a month or so. The doctor said I was fine to go back to work. Why wouldn't it be okay for us to… you know."

Greg sat back in his seat. He looked like he was thinking it over and he folded his hands together.

"The doctor didn't say anything about this though." Greg said.

"Well, no, but I would think that if I was okay to go back to work, I'd be okay to do other things. Work's a lot more stressful than sex."

"Sex isn't supposed to be stressful."

"Exactly, so what's the problem."

"It's physical, Nicky. You're still healing."

"I know I'm still healing, but…"

"But what Nicky." Greg asked.

Nick let out a frustrated sigh and ran his fingers through his hair making it mussed. He closed his eyes and tried to clear his brain of all the thoughts that were floating around in it. There was just so much noise going on in his head that he couldn't think properly.

He looked over at Greg who was sitting on the other end of the table looking at Nick expectantly. Nick wasn't sure what to say exactly. It had been much easier to talk to Catherine about the whole thing than it was to even try and explain to Greg what he was thinking, which Nick thought was a bit ridiculous. He and Greg were grown men and it wasn't like they hadn't had sex before.

"I just… I want…"

Nick stumbled over his words, but it didn't seem to matter because at that moment Greg was getting out of his seat and walking over to Nick's side. He knelt down on his knees between the open space of Nick's legs and sighed.

Greg rested his hands on Nick's knees and leaned forward to place a small kiss on Nick's lips.

"It's not that I don't want to… because I do… want to that is. It's just… I'm a little afraid."

"Of what?" Nick said in a confused tone.

"Of everything going back to being perfect and then something… bad happening again." Greg said.

Nick's eyes widened as he heard Greg's statement.

"But… I mean just because we have sex that doesn't mean something bad is going to happen. I mean, we're happy right now right?" Nick asked.

"Of course we're happy right now. This is the happiest I've ever been in my whole entire life. I've never felt this way about anyone, Nicky. I promise you that much. I'm just so afraid of screwing everything up or everything getting screwed up…"

"The world isn't gonna end if we have sex, Greg. One unfortunate incident doesn't mean there's a curse on us or anything."

Greg smiled up at Nick and kissed him again.

"I know you're right and I know I'm being ridiculous, but I just can't help it. I think about you getting hurt and what happened that day and I just… I panic. I think about a million things that can go wrong. I think about everything that could happen and I start calling it doomsday before anything ever even happens." Greg said.

Nick nodded. He had a lot of trauma from the explosion and not all of it was physical. He sometimes got a little jumpy in the lab. He never told Greg about it, but maybe it was something that they should discuss.

"I'm not gonna go anywhere, Greg. Not if I can help it."

"I wanna protect you, but I can't always do that."

"And what, you don't think I feel the same way. Your job is a lot more dangerous then mine, Greg. Just look at how many times you've had guns pulled on you or that whole stalker thing. It goes along with being in a relationship."

Greg nodded.

"And just because something did happen… it doesn't mean it's gonna happen again." Nick said.

"You're right… it doesn't. I just… I don't like feeling that helpless. There wasn't anything I could do for you."

"You don't get it."

Greg gave Nick a perplexed look and Nick sighed. He pulled Greg close and kissed him, hands bunching up the material of his shirt that covered his shoulders. Greg kissed him back, lips and tongues and the occasional clash of teeth and Nick felt like he could just melt into the kiss. Felt like her really was going to when Greg pulled back a little, breath coming in harsh pants.

Nick looked down at him through his eyelashes. Greg was looking up at him, eyes slightly clouded and lips wet and shiny from their kissing. Nick sighed and rest his forehead against Greg's.

"Everything that you've been doing for me… taking care of me… that's all you need to do Greg." Nick said.

He could feel Greg shaking slightly beneath his hands and his breaths becoming more like gulps as he tried to control himself.

"I was just so scared." Greg said.

Nick shut his eyes tight and took a deep breath.

"Please don't cry Greg."

It was a selfish request on Nick's part and he knew it. He hadn't seen Greg cry throughout the whole ordeal. He'd been calm and composed and he'd been there for all of Nick's little breakdowns, but Nick didn't think he was strong enough to watch Greg break down.

"I… I just…" Greg's voice stuttered and Nick knew that there were a few tears rolling down his cheek.

"It's okay… it's going to be okay. I'm fine. I'm fine." Nick said.

Greg's body stopped shaking after a few minutes and he rose to his feet. He pulled Nick out of the chair and on to his feet. Greg placed a kiss on Nick's nose and grabbed his hand in his own. Nick knew Greg was pulling him to the bedroom and part of him was happy with that.

It was what he had been waiting for, what he'd asked for just a few seconds earlier, but it didn't mean that he couldn't be a little nervous about the whole thing. It'd been awhile and although he could never really forget how it was when he was with Greg, it had still been awhile.

It was more anticipation waning on his nerves than anything else, Nick guessed and when they made it to the bedroom, Greg lightly pushing him onto the bed as he started to take off his clothes right in front of Nick like a private little show only Nick got to see, Nick had almost calmed down the part of him that was nervous.

Greg stripped himself and then took careful slow time to strip Nick, every once in awhile peppering a certain area of Nick's exposed skin with kisses. Nick let him, more because he wasn't exactly sure what he should do then because he didn't want to participate. Something about what was happening made Nick feel like Greg needed to take control of the situation.

"Lay on your side. It'll be easier on your back." Greg whispered against Nick's lips.

Nick nodded and obeyed, laying on his side like he'd been doing for the past month or so when he went to sleep. Greg hummed slightly and Nick watched as he scooted down the bed till his face was right next to Nick's cock, intent look marring his features.

It only took a couple of seconds of hesitation before Greg's mouth was on him and Nick let out a choked sob, body shuddering at the feel of the wet heat that was Greg's mouth and tongue swirling around the head of his cock.

Nick could only vaguely remember the last time he felt this good, of course that time being with Greg as well, and that just seemed like a shame because the feeling of Greg's warm, wet mouth engulfing his cock as Greg sucked him and the added feeling of Greg's fingers pushing into him at such an odd angle had to be one of the best things that Nick had ever experienced in his thirty four years of living.

Each stroke of Greg's fingers hit his prostate and Nick had to fight to keep from thrusting his hips too much into Greg's mouth. Greg was so very good at the whole blow job thing. It was something that Nick just couldn't get the hang of entirely, but Greg had gotten it down to an art, his tongue swirling around the veins, the light sucking, the way he took practically all of Nick into his mouth, the way he used his free hand to stroke the small part of Nick's cock at the base that he couldn't take into his mouth.

All of it was just too good and too much for Nick to handle. With a straggled sound he came, cum spurting into Greg's mouth and Greg swallowed all of it, cheeks hollowing slightly at the effort all the while his fingers still pushed into Nick and Nick wasn't sure he was going to ever stop coming.

When Greg pulled away, mouth leaving Nick's spent cock, Nick felt himself more than heard himself whimper. He watched in glazed post-coital fascination as Greg moved behind him, spooning his chest to Nick's back. He let his fingers glide across the scars there and Nick felt himself shiver at the light wispy touch. He shivered even more when he felt Greg's lips kissing the areas that seemed to be the most affected by the explosion and couldn't hold back the moan when he felt Greg's tongue lave at the scars.

He barely even noticed Greg lifting his leg slightly and placing it around his waist. He almost missed Greg pushing into him, blunt cock head slowly pushing against Nick's tight ring of muscle before Greg was inside and still pushing in slow, like he thought Nick was made of fine China or something. Nick's breath hitched when Greg was buried all the way inside of him and it didn't seem like he had any thoughts about moving.

He just stayed there, cock buried deep inside Nick, chin resting lightly on Nick's shoulder and Nick really wished he would move because the feeling was getting to be a little too much.

"Are you gonna move?" He whispered to Greg.

"I was thinking about it." Greg said in a playful tone.

"Well, as much as I like the idea of you staying there forever… you're going to have to move sometime, Greg." Nick said.

He felt the hand on his hip tighten a bit and felt even more the light thrust of Greg's cock inside of him, just barely grazing his prostate. Nick let out a shuddered sigh and let his head lull back slightly till his cheek was pressed against Greg's. He tried kissing Greg's mouth, but couldn't reach.

Greg seemed intent on not paying attention to Nick's mouth, his concentration set on the slow, even shallow thrusts into Nick's body. Nick moaned every time Greg moved and that seemed to make Greg concentrate more.

"This what you want. You want me inside you, moving, slowly fucking you. This what you been thinking about in that head of yours."

"Yes."

"Did you think I didn't want this… didn't want you?" Greg whispered the question against the skin of Nick's cheek and Nick gulped.

He let out a shuddery breath and shook his head.

"How could you even think I didn't want you… want this. God, Nicky, baby I want you all the time. Can never get enough of you."

"Me too, Greg… want you so bad… all the time… never enough."

Greg's thrust sped up a bit and his hand came to stroke Nick's cock lightly.

"You're trying to kill me aren't you?" Nick whispered.

He felt Greg laugh, his body shaking against Nick's.

"Not quite." Greg whispered back.

"God… Greg… nothing's ever felt this good… fuck… feels so good."

"Feels fucking great… oh fuck… oh… Nicky…"

Greg's thrust started to increase in speed, each push brushing against Nick's prostate and it made Nick push back and see stars. He moaned and mewled and felt Greg's hand lightly stroking his cock and he could feel himself getting hard again.

He just fell into it, the rhythmic push of Greg's hips, his cock thrusting in deeper with each move. Greg's hand on his cock stroking him hard and long and just right and it was better than Nick remembered.

"Oh… Greg… fuck… so good, so good…"

And Greg was still thrusting and his lips were kissing and licking Nick's neck and ear and he was moaning and Nick was moaning back and it was all so good.

"I love you… God I love you so much… never loved anyone like I love you… fuck… Nick…"

It was probably the words that did him in, though Nick never remembered coming before just because someone whispered something in his ear, but the way Greg said them, the total tone of reverence in his voice like Nick was something to be cherished and Greg couldn't believe he got to cherish Nick… well that certainly helped.

"Oh… Greg… I love you… love you… love you…"

Nick came, Greg's name falling from his lips as he did so. He felt Greg thrust inside him a few more times before coming as well, his body shuddering for long seconds afterward. His lips still traced patterns on Nick's skin as he came down from his orgasm.

"So… that was fantastic." Greg whispered.

"Yeah, it was." Nick said a little sleepy.

"Everything you were waiting for?" Greg asked.

Nick thought his tone would have been teasing if he weren't so dazed.

"It always is with you, Greg."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Nick woke up feeling hazy, but also pleasantly satisfied. He looked over at the clock and noticed that it was close to four in the afternoon. Nick knew he was working that night, but he wasn't sure if Greg was. He'd pulled doubles and Grissom was known to put the CSIs on call if they'd pulled more than their fair share. It really messed with the days off schedule.

There was still sometime before Nick had to be at work so he stretched a bit and settled back into a comfortable position, back resting comfortably against Greg's chest. Greg moaned slightly in his sleep and tightened his grip around Nick's waist. Nick smiled at that. He closed his eyes and was going to go back to sleep when he remembered something Greg had said earlier.

"Greg, Greg wake up." Nick said pushing back against Greg, his arm reaching over and behind to shake him.

Greg groaned in his sleep and opened his eyes blearily.

"What?" He asked.

"Did you say that you wanted us to move in together?" Nick asked.

"Yeah." Greg said yawning slightly, his eyes still halfway closed with sleep.

"Seriously?" Nick asked.

He heard Greg sigh and turned around in Greg's arms the task made a little more difficult with his back in the shape it was. When he looked at Greg's face, his eyes were still slightly closed with sleep and Nick shook him again.

"Greg stay up."

"Nick, we've gotta be at work in a few hours and I haven't gotten that much sleep. Also, the sex, that kind of wore me out a little more than I was already worn out." Greg said.

"Greg this is important. This is life-altering." Nick said.

"Nicky, baby, it really isn't."

"Yes it is. This is us talking about moving in together. That's a big step."

"That we've already kind of taken." Greg pointed out.

Nick opened his mouth to say something, but frowned when he realized Greg was pretty much right. It was rare for Greg to even go home. A lot of his clothes were at Nick's. A good portion of hair products, both for shower use and out of shower use, were in located in Nick's bathroom as well as an extra toothbrush, tongue scraper, generic mouth wash, two packages of floss and a water pick. Greg was really bad when it came to his teeth and hair.

But besides that stuff, Greg had books and CDs and movies and all sorts of different things scattered around Nick's house. It was like they were already living together only they just hadn't said anything. It was like a mutual understanding that they would just sort of live together. Neither had said anything. It was unspoken.

"I guess you're right, but then, why bring it up?" Nick asked.

"Well, I couldn't very well just give up the lease on my apartment and move everything in here, change my address at work and on my license and all that crap without at least saying something to you about it first." Greg said.

Nick shook his head.

"I guess you're right."

"So not a big deal anymore. I can go back to sleep?" Greg asked in a hopeful tone.

Nick rolled his eyes and sighed.

"No, it's big deal Greg. You must have thought it was otherwise you wouldn't have made the whole breakfast thing." Nick said.

Greg blushed a little and smiled.

"Well, I was planning on telling you I loved you, but the plans kinda got changed in that aspect. It was going to be a whole speech where I was going to say that we should move in together and then I was going to say that we should because I love you and I've never loved anyone in my life and I know that because I've never felt half of what I feel for you with them so I know that it couldn't have been love because with you it's real and I just know that I want to spend the rest of my life being in love with you.

"Just… you know being in love with you is better than anything I've ever done in my life and the whole being with you thing is the best thing I've ever done and I was hoping that because I loved you that you could possibly love me back."

Nick felt his throat constrict and his eyes get a little watery. It was such a girl response but he couldn't really help it when Greg started talking like that.

"Then I was going to go into this whole thing that us moving in together and just me trying to make you half as happy as you make me. It was a speech I'll tell you that. Filled with various declarations. I was gonna have you crying." Greg said with a smirk.

Nick sniffled at bit at that and Greg's eyes widened slightly.

"Well I wasn't really expecting you to cry. Geez, Nick please don't cry." Greg said tightening his grip around Nick's waist.

Nick let his forehead fall on Greg's shoulder and took in a shuddery breath.

"It's just… I mean you've got all the words for everything you're feeling and I'm not really good at… I mean this is the first real relationship I've ever really been in. But I do love you Greg. I love you so much." Nick said.

"Hey, I know that. We're good here. I think we've been in love with each for a really long time and we just never really noticed it. Kind of funny when you thinking about it."

"Yeah real funny."

"You don't think that's funny? I think it's hilarious. I mean all this time… but I guess we've still got time to make up for it." Greg said leaning down to kiss Nick's nose.

Nick smiled and let out a little laugh.

"Yeah. You're probably right." Nick said as he snuggled closer to Greg.

"Of course I'm right. From here it's all technicalities. Course I'm going to have to try and talk Warrick into helping me move my stuff." Greg said.

"Greg, my place is big, but I don't think the amount of stuff you have can fit in here."

"Well, my furniture will definitely go into storage… if I don't sell it."

"You'd sell it?"

"It's not like I'd need it anymore." Greg said.

They'd been talking about love and moving in together, but somehow the mention of Greg selling his furniture made the whole thing more real. Nick's eyes widened a bit as he realized that the whole thing was going to happen and it was going to mean that he and Greg would be together for a long time.

"It's just… you know… maybe you'd want to keep it… just in case…"

"Just in case what? Come on, Nicky, you and I both know that this is the forever kind of deal here. Keeping my furniture would just take up a lot of money in storage."

"I know, but… how are you so sure about this?" Nick asked.

Greg seemed to think about it for a second and then shrugged his shoulders as best as he could.

"Because it's you and me." Greg said simply.

And for Nick… it was enough.

Next story in series - Greg Sanders, Crime Scene Investigator.

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