TITLE: Greg Knows
Author: Faith Harris
Summary: Bit short for a summary...it's just how Greg and Nick come out to a co-worker. Or not.

Greg knows a lot about his boyfriend. He knows how Nick prefers to be the one to drive, and how if an activity it's fast or insane, Nick's probably done it, or wants to. He knows that Nick doesn't like to sleep by the phone, in case he accidentally answers Greg's phone when Grissom or some one else from the lab calls. He even did that once, accidentally answering the phone, "Stokes here". Fortunately, it had just been Greg's dad, and, while it embarrassed Nick, he already knew about his son's persuasions, and even demanded that Nick come with Greg next time he visited.

Greg Sanders knew that there was little to no chance that he'd ever meet the Stokes family, except for one of Nick's sisters. Nick didn't say straight out, but it was clear from his actions that his family wouldn't be very accepting of them.

He also knows that he's Nick's first boyfriend, and he knows that scares Nick. Usually, that's okay, though. Usually, Greg understands Nick's refusal to let anyone know, and just deals with it in what he hopes is a mature manner.

Usually, however, is not today. Today, Greg's pissed, and annoyed, and he hopes that Nick can tell and feels like crap about it.

Greg's fully aware of the rule that there just isn't relationship stuff at work. He even agrees with the rule. There shouldn't be anything that could jeopardize their jobs going on. He may love Nick, but his career was damned important to him. Same as Nick, which was why they decided that even when no one was around, they weren't going to do anything.boyfriendly for each other.

The problem starts when Greg starts to feel as if Nick's ashamed, instead of just being practical. Normally, when it's a slow night, and there are people around the lab talking, Greg enjoys Warrick and Nick's presence. They just chat, normally about Nick's newest video games, or movies, or something normal. Like three guys, just talking.

Warrick and Nick hang out outside of work, though. Warrick's not a moron, and Greg knows that. Nick knows that. So, no matter how careful Nick and Greg are, there's always something there for a fellow crime scene investigator to notice. Like how Greg left a shirt over at Nick's when he spilled salsa all over it.

Warrick's not homophobic. Greg knows this because they've had conversations about it before. Hell, Warrick even knew Greg's ex, and didn't have a problem with it ever. Since no one's made any gay comments about Greg yet, Greg was assuming that Warrick could keep a secret and hadn't told anyone yet.

So, when Warrick broaches the topic of Greg and Nick, Greg doesn't think that Nick should get scared and tense. In fact, in some ways, Greg's relieved to have someone who knows both of them know about the relationship. It gives Greg someone to talk to when Nick's being stubborn, or to ask for advice.

That's not how Nick sees it, though. Nick flat out denies it, and makes up some excuse like they were watching a basketball game together. Now, from anyone else that would be a fine excuse, except Nick can't tell a lie for his life, especially to people like Warrick, who actually know him pretty well, regardless of Nick's secret keeping.

Greg plays as if it doesn't hurt that Nick won't even admit it to someone as close as Warrick. He plays as if he's as confused as Nick is when Warrick suggests that they're seeing each other. As if he would never think of Nick in that way.

Except Nick doesn't know how much Warrick knows about Greg. So Greg lets something `slip'. He tells Warrick that `It's not like I'm gay. or even bi. I don't even like guys'. And then Warrick knows. He doesn't push it, but he knows, and Greg feels a little better. Warrick nods a little at him, and Greg doesn't respond.

Outloud.

Fin