Title: Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)
Author: ng2008
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: G
Warnings: songfic, OC death
A/N: The song is "Godspeed (Sweet Dreams)" by the Dixie Chicks. (Yes, another one of theirs.) Told from Catherine's POV, just to be different. Takes place at the funeral.
Summary: Sad, sad fic. Nick and Greg deal with the unthinkable.

***

It started out small. Seth would get nosebleeds, or would be just sick all the time. The doctors said it wasn't serious-that his immune system just hadn't quite caught up yet, but he'd grow out of it.

Dragon tales and the "water is wide"
Pirate's sail and lost boys fly
Fish bite moonbeams every night
And I love you

I've only seen Nick cry twice; the first time when he was kidnapped, and the second time when Warrick died two years ago. I've never seen Greg cry, not once. They're both strong men, and have been through so much together. It isn't fair that the best thing to happen to them both is lying there cold.

Such a sweet, happy boy. God, he's only five. Why does anyone have to go through this?

Nick is holding Greg's hand so tight I'm afraid that he's going to break something-either his finger's or his partner's.

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

Nick's parents came and stayed as soon as they were told what was really wrong with their youngest grandchild. Greg's were there within a few hours after Jillian and Bill arrived.

The rocket racer's all tuckered out
Superman's in pajamas on the couch
Goodnight moon, will find the mouse
And I love you

Leukemia-it was fast and aggressive. The treatments didn't even get a chance to start working, just like he didn't get a chance to become a man, no, not even a man. Just a happy, healthy child.

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

Warrick never got to meet their son. He would have loved Seth, and I know Seth would have loved him. The favorite uncle, just like he was to Lindsey. She is...was...is Seth's favorite babysitter, and she loved watching him. Seth was oddly drawn to Gil, though. They seemed to fascinate each other; Gil with his bugs, and Seth with his unbelievable curiosity. Greg calls...called him the "little lab tech." Nick said he'd be a CSI, and a level three within a year.

Personally, I'd hoped he'd become something that didn't involve all the death and destruction we deal with at night.

God bless mommy and match box cars
God bless dad and thanks for the stars
God hears "Amen," wherever we are
And I love you

Seth had the strangest influence on the two men. One morning they came home from work and the first thing they were asked was, "Who is God?" Nick comes from a Baptist background and Greg...well, I'm not sure what Greg's religious background is. At any rate, Seth got them to take him to church. It was surprising how grounding he is...was...is for them. Always a challenge of some kind, either by asking a question or by doing. Never anything bad, but never anything less than brilliant and insightful.

Godspeed, little man
Sweet dreams, little man
Oh my love will fly to you each night on angels wings
Godspeed
Godspeed
Godspeed
Sweet dreams

The song's over. I used to love it-it's sad, but carries so much weight. Like a prayer is supposed to. Now it's nothing but heartbreaking. I don't think I could ever listen to it again without breaking down.

I know my mascara is running as they lower his little body into the ground while the whole team watches, but I don't care. Sara came back a couple of weeks ago to be there for them. For someone so broken, she's been their greatest source of strength. Ironic. Gil hasn't said a word in hours, and neither has Brass. Jim Brass has surprised me most of all in this; he managed to talk the chief of the LVPD into giving Seth an honorary patrolmen's funeral, just because he knew this little boy would have labeled it 'cool.'

I'm not sure when everyone else walked away to go to the wake, but Lindsey's been pulling on my hand for about five minutes now.

"What, honey?"

"Nick called Mom. He's asking for you."

"Where are they?"

"Home."

I nod and I take her hand. "I love you, Linds."

"I love you too, Mom. We'd better go...he sounded terrible."

"Yeah." I turn to look at the grave once more. "Sweet dreams, little man."

***