Title: Fifteen Days
Author: Jaxson K.
Pairing: Gil/Nick
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I own nothing.....

***

Gil felt like he was going to lose his mind. Things had progressed from bad to worse in the space of a couple of days, and he didn't know exactly what to do to make things right again. Some of the things, like Ecklie, the lab, and things of that sort could be dealt with swiftly and immediately. The most important thing bothering him was the way things were with Nick before Nick left. That he didn't have a quick fix for.


 

Nick had to go back to Texas to deal with a death in his family, and had taken some of his vacation time to do so. Since things were slow at the lab, Conrad had approved Nick's leave. A few days before Nick got the news and had to leave, Gil had gathered his courage to reveal his feelings to Nick. They had gone out for coffee one morning after shift, and Gil had spilled his guts.


 

Nick had looked a bit uncomfortable at first, and Gil had mistaken that for rejection. He apologized to Nick, and tried to make light of the situation. Nick explained to Gil that he needed some time to think about Gil's revelation, and Gil agreed to give him some time although it hurt him to do so. Nick must have seen the look that crossed Gil's face because he told Gil that he would not leave him hanging, and that he would let him know one way or the other.


 

Gil knew not to press the issue. Even though Nick's answer was not the one he was hoping for, he felt that it was better than being rejected immediately. Nick was off the next night, so Gil didn't see him at the lab. Gil was more introverted that usual that night preferring to stay in his office for most of the shift thinking about Nick and what the possible outcome would be. This stayed on his mind the entire shift, and when he got home the next morning, he fell into bed , exhausted form worrying.


 

When Gil arrived at the lab the next evening, he went to the break room earlier than usual to wait for the team to gather so he could hand out assignments. He was secretly hoping to catch a glimpse of Nick when he arrived at the lab. He hated himself for feeling like a school girl, but Nick had that effect on him at times. The other member began to trickle in and still no Nick. Once everybody was assembled, Gil asked if anyone knew where Nick was. Catherine explained that he had called in because of a family emergency and would be gone for a while.


 

Gil felt his heart drop into his stomach like a stone. He just knew that it was his fault Nick didn't show up. He felt that his confession to Nick had driven the other man away. It wasn't until Conrad Ecklie came to his office for him to sign the forms approving Nick's leave that Gil began to think differently. After Conrad left, Gil began to worry all over again. While he was concerned about Nick's situation in Texas, he was still worried about where things stood between them. He knew it was selfish, but he was worried that Nick would forget his promise to give Gil an answer.


 

The next few days were brutal for Gil. He wandered around in a fog not knowing which end was up. He performed his work, and was able to function with the other members of his team, but his heart really wasn't in it. No one had heard anything from Nick, and Gil was getting antsy. He thought about calling Nick himself, but didn't know what to say. A couple of days after that, Gil gave in and called. Nick's phone went to voice mail, and Gil was relieved. He left a short message expressing his condolences, and told Nick that the team was thinking of him. He kept it short, and hoped for the best.


 

When Gil got home that morning, he was surprised to see the light blinking on his answering machine. He pressed the playback button and instantly went weak in the knees at the sound of Nick's voice. Nick thanked Gil for calling and apologized for not being in touch sooner. He went on to say that he was okay, and that he would try to call again soon. When Gil played the message back again, he heard strain in Nick's voice that he didn't hear before. Gil decided then and there that he should not have called.


 

Gil took a shower and got ready for bed. As he lay there, the tears he had been fighting since Nick had left began to fall. Gil supposed that it was hearing Nick's voice that brought this on. He also knew that it wasn't just hearing Nick's voice. He was crying for himself, also. He didn't like not knowing where he stood, but he also knew that he couldn't press Nick because it just wouldn't be the right thing to do now. He cried himself to sleep not knowing what to do.


 

The next night at the lab was hell for Gil. He ran non-stop all night. They caught two cases back to back, and it was all they could do to try and keep up. He had Warrick and Sara working the first case while he and Catherine worked the second. Greg had borrowed one of the DNA techs from days to help him try and keep up with the backlog in the lab. By the time Gil left the next day, he was so exhausted that he went straight home and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.


 

Gil groaned when the alarm went off. He reached over to silence the offending clock, but realized that it was his cell phone beeping. He groped around , found the phone, and answered. He sat straight up in the bed when he heard Nick say his name. Nick asked how things were going at the lab and Gil told him about the night they'd had, and then asked Nick how things were in Texas. They made small talk about everything and nothing at all. Nick never mentioned their conversation that had taken place before he left, and although Gil wanted to, he didn't mention it either.


 

After Gil got off the phone, he started to cry. Everything he felt for Nick was right at the surface, and his emotions were beyond raw. He wanted Nick to hold him and tell him everything was alright, but that was nothing new. He had wanted the same thing for a long time now, and was no closer to having it than he ever was.....

***

Nick was thinking he had made a mistake in calling Gil. He had really just wanted to hear Gil's voice. He really didn't like the way Gil sounded, and he knew he had no one to blame but himself.


 

When Gil confessed his feelings, it had come as a shock to Nick. He had no idea that Grissom felt the same way he did. Nick had been in love with Grissom for a long time, but he had kept his feelings hidden because he didn't think Gil would be interested. Like a fool, Nick had said that he needed time to think, and that he wouldn't leave Gil hanging. Before he could tell Gil anything, he'd been called home because his Uncle Cyrus had passed away, and he needed to be there for the funeral and everything else that came after.


 

After talking to Gil on the phone, Nick realized that he needed to get back to Vegas. He couldn't stand the fact that Gil was probably tying himself up in knots over their conversation and wondering what the outcome would be. Gil probably thought Nick didn't want him. Sure, Nick knew Gil understood about the funeral and all, but he knew that he needed to make things right regarding the matter of them.


 

The next morning, Nick showered, dressed, and finished packing. He took his bags downstairs and went in search of his parents. He explained to them that he had spoken with Gil the night before, and that Gil had told him that he was needed back in Vegas. He apologized for not being able to stay for the reading of his uncle's will, and promised to call when he got back to Las Vegas.


 

While waiting for the flight to board, Nick thought about calling Gil. He decided against it because he wanted to surprise Gil. When he got back to Vegas, Nick took a cab home. He called his parents, unpacked, ordered some take-out, and settled in to figure out how to apologize to Gil.


 

At that same moment, in a townhouse across town, Gil Grissom was sitting on the side of his bed. He'd had a dream about Nick, and he woke up feeling sad. He wanted to talk to Nick, but was trying to be respectful and not push the issue. He went back to sleep just as confused as ever. When Gil woke up, he felt different. He didn't feel quite as confused and anxious. He went about his routine at the lab with a lighter heart, and more focus. He didn't question it too much because he wanted the feeling to last.


 

As he made his way home the next morning, he decided that he was going to cal Nick. He at least wanted to open the lines of communication to maybe try and get some idea of what Nick was thinking. As he turned onto his street, he noticed a strange truck parked near his townhouse. That wasn't a big deal, maybe one of his neighbors had company. He wasn't prepared for the sight that greeted him as he pulled into his driveway. Nick Stokes was sitting on his front steps! Gil's heart began to pound and he could seem to get out of the car fast enough.


 

“Nick??”

“Hey, Grissom.....”

“When did you get back?”

“I got in yesterday afternoon.”

“Is everything okay in Texas?”

“Yeah, everything's fine. I just couldn't stand waiting around for things to get settled when I had more pressing business back here in Vegas.”

“Oh?”

“Come on, Gil! Surely you remember the conversation we had before I had to go home to Texas...”

Gil remembered all too well. That conversation had tortured him the whole time Nick had been gone.

“Yes, Nick, I remember...”

“Well, let me say that I really am sorry I didn't get back to you sooner.....”

“Nick, I understand. You had an emergency situation that had to be taken care of. It was something that couldn't be helped.”

“That's true, Gil, and I appreciate the fact that you understood. But what I'm trying to say is that I could have saved you a lot of worry.....”

Gil began to panic. This was the moment he had been dreading, but wanting at the same time. He braced himself for what Nick was about to say, and was confused when Nick asked if they could go inside.


 

Gil let them in and asked Nick if he wanted anything. Nick asked for a coffee and Gil went to the kitchen to make some. Nick sat down at the kitchen table. While they waited for the coffee to get ready, Nick continued their conversation.....

“Gil, when you told me how you felt, I was shocked. I had no idea you felt that way about me. I never dreamed that you would ever voice the feelings I had been carrying around for you.....”

“Wait a minute! Nick, are you saying that you share my feelings and that you want to be with me?”

“Gil, that's exactly what I'm saying.....”

Gil felt relief surge through him. He never thought he's ever hear Nick Stokes say that he wanted him, and now he was hearing that very thing. Unbelievable!

“I don't know what to say....I've waited so long to hear you say those words.”

“I have a pretty good idea, Gil. I was so glad to hear you say you wanted me that day.....”

“I had no idea because you sure didn't let it show.....”

Nick laughed, and it was music to Gil's ears. Gil couldn't believe his good fortune. All that worrying for nothing. Nick actually wanted him. As the full understanding hit him, tears filled his eyes, and he turned away from Nick. Nick got up and went over to where Gil was standing. He took Gil in his arms and started wiping away the older man's tears.....


 

“Hey, what's with the waterworks?”

“I'm sorry, Nick, it's just that I'm happy to know that I might actually have a chance with you, and I'm happy to know that you actually want me, too.”

“Awwww, Peanut! Sure you got a chance with me.....”

“I've waited a long time to hear you say that, Nick.”

“A pretty long time, huh?”

“15 days.....”

“Huh?”

“15 days. I put myself through 360 hours of self-doubt and loneliness. 21,600 minutes that seemed like years. I know because I added it all up tear by tear. That how long it's been since we talked about this the first time.....”

“Gil, I'm so sorry.....”

“Hey, you're here now, and we've got time to figure this all out now. That's all that matters.....”


 

THE END