Title: If I'm A Fool For Leaving
Author: Jaxson K.
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG
Summary: Greg tells Nick he's a fool, Nick begs to differ.

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Nick sat in the darkened living room, nursing a scotch on the rocks. He wasn't sure exactly how long he'd been sitting there, but he knew it had been quite a while. He was waiting for Greg to come home because he wanted to talk to him about their situation, but Greg had yet to show his face. Nick knew it would probably be very late when Greg did make it home, and he wouldn't be in much shape to discuss things with Nick. Nick got up, put his glass in the sink, and went to get ready for bed.

Nick had been in bed for a couple of hours when he heard the bedroom door open. He pretended to be asleep as Greg stumbled around trying to be quiet as he got undressed. Nick could hear him fumbling around in the bathroom as he got ready for bed, and when Greg finally finished what he was doing, he flung himself on the bed and started to reach for Nick. Nick turned his back to Greg hoping he would get the message. He did, and it wasn't long before Nick could hear Greg snoring.

The next morning, Nick got up and started his day. Greg staggered into the kitchen about an hour later, holding his head and moaning about Nick making too much noise. Nick just ignored Greg's comments and went about his business. Greg managed to drink a cup of coffee and was feeling a bit better. Greg asked Nick what he had planned for the day, and Nick replied that he intended to get some answers from Greg about his recent behavior. Greg rolled his eyes and braced himself for the worst.

Greg made his way into the living room where Nick was sitting in the recliner. He flopped down on the couch, and braced himself. Nick calmly stated that Greg's recent behavior was beginning to cause him concern. He went on to say that he was tired of Greg staying out until all hours of the night and coming in drunk, and ignoring him in favor of trying to climb into the bottom of a bottle.

Greg knew Nick was right to a degree. Greg had really let himself go, and he knew that he'd treated Nick like shit because of it. Nick had even offered to get Greg some professional help for his drinking, but Greg refused to acknowledge that he really had a problem. Greg knew he'd done wrong, he just didn't give a damn anymore. He wasn't sure how it started, he just knew he liked the feeling of being drunk.

Greg also knew that Nick had stood by him longer than anyone else would have. The problem was that Greg didn't even seem to care about Nick anymore. Once upon a time, Nick Stokes was Greg's whole world. Now, Nick was just somebody who just happened to be there. Greg just didn't care.

Nick knew Greg had tuned him out like he usually did. This time, though, Nick had a surprise that was sure to get Greg's attention......

"Greg, I wanted you to know that I'm leaving. I've done this as long as I can. You don't want to change and do better for yourself, and for me, so I think it's time for me to move on....."

"Nick, you're a stupid damn fool! I can fix this anytime I want to. I just don't want to fix it....."

Nick walked over to the front closet and retrieved the pack he's packed the night before. As he opened the front door, he turned back to Greg and said, "Greg, if I'm a fool for leaving, I'd be twice the fool to stay....."

With that, Nick walked out into the sunshine, got into his truck, and drove off in the hot morning sun.

END

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