Title: Help Is on the Way
By: angstytimelord
Pairing: Greg Sanders/Nick Stokes
Fandom: CSI: Vegas
Series: 1) The Word Is Out, 2) In the Light of Day, 3) Property, 4) Flames of Hell, 5) Bottles and Broomsticks, 6) At the Killing Edge, 7) Into Your Arms, 8) Uncharted Territory, 9) Kiss Your Tears Away, 10) Security Blanket
Author's Note: Mentions of rape/torture.
Rating: R
Disclaimer: This is entirely a product of my own imagination, and I make no profit from it. I do not own the lovely Greg Sanders or Nick Stokes, unfortunately, just borrowing them for a while. Please do not sue.

***

"Nicky, I .... I need your help with something."

Nick looked up from his seat on the couch, where he'd been idly looking at a magazine. The tone of Greg's voice was apologetic, as though he didn't really want to ask for Nick's help but felt that he needed to. That alone made Nick want to help him in any way possible.

"Sure, baby, what is it? Just ask, and help is on the way." He couldn't help noticing that Greg looked embarrassed; he had no idea what his boyfriend could be asking for, but whatever it was, Greg was obviously having a hard time putting the request into words.

"Ever since I got out of the hospital, I haven't been able to wash my hair," Greg told him, his gaze not meeting Nick's. "I couldn't even wash it then. And I can't move around well enough yet to raise my arms up over my head to do it. I need your help with that."

Nick nodded, wondering why Greg looked so embarrassed and reluctant to ask for help. "No problem, Greg. I don't mind helping you out with that. Hey, it's not an unusual position for somebody to be in, okay? People with a broken arm can't wash their hair by themselves, either."

"I --" Greg broke off, swallowing hard. "I-I haven't even been able to take a real shower. I'm not supposed to get the burn dressings wet, and I can't do much more than bathe just enough to keep clean. I feel filthy, Nick. I-I need to take a shower."

Nick nodded again, his heart going out to Greg. "That's not a problem either, baby. Greg, what's the matter? You don't have to be embarrassed about this, y'know." He wasn't sure why Greg was so bothered, but he thought there was something more behind the young man's embarrassment.

"I just .... didn't know how you'd feel about being in the shower with me," Greg mumbled, a pink flush rising to his cheeks. "I don't want you to be uncomfortable. You don't have to if you don't want to, Nicky. If you've got a hand-held shower head, that'll work."

"I do -- but I'm not going to let you try to shower all by yourself when I know you're still having a hard time moving around," Nick said softly, getting up and crossing the room to where Greg stood in the doorway. He wrapped his arms around the young man's waist, whispering into Greg's ear.

"I'd love to take a shower with you, baby," he murmured, nipping gently at Greg's earlobe. "There's nothing embarrassing about it at all. I"ll help you wash your hair -- and the rest of you, too. Don't be so nervous, okay? I'm looking forward to this."

He could feel Greg relax in his arms as he spoke; the young man leaned against Nick, closing his eyes and sighing softly. "Thanks, Nicky. I've been feeling like a pig lately because I haven't been able to get in the shower and literally scrub myself. I appreciate this."

"Come on, let's get your dirty self into the shower," Nick said with a laugh, stepping away from Greg and taking his hand to lead him down the hallways towards the bathroom. "After this, I"m going to get in the shower with you every day."

Greg laughed, obviously relieved by Nick's words. "Are you sure that you won't want to shower alone once in a while?" he asked, his tone teasing. "Two might be company, but privacy can be good, too." He sounded happy, more relaxed, as though he was finally at ease.

"I can't think of anything I'd like more than to shower with you every day," Nick said softly, turning to pull Greg into his arms again. "Yeah, I might take a shower by myself too, but twice a day isn't uncalled for, considering the messes we have to deal with at work sometimes."

Greg nodded, looking thoughtful. "If you're sure it won't be too much trouble," he murmured, looking down again. Nick could see the blush mounting in his cheeks; he thought it was adorable that despite his seeming worldliness, Greg could still blush like that.

'It's no trouble, baby," he repeated, his tone soft and gentle. "Get undressed while I turn on the water and get some towels." He turned towards the linen closet, opening the door and pulling out several large, fluffy towels for them to dry off with when they were done.

He couldn't wait to wrap Greg in one of these and carry him to bed, Nick thought with a smile.

When he turned back around, Greg was slowly getting out of his clothes, and not having an easy time of it. Nick wanted to kick himself for forgetting that the burns across his upper back and shoulders were still healing; of course Greg was going to have a hard time moving around a lot.

"Here, sweetheart, let me help," he told Greg, taking the hem of the young man's t-shirt and pulling it up and over Greg's head. It only took him a few minutes to have the button and zipper undone on Greg's jeans, sliding the fabric down his legs to pool on the floor around his ankles.

Greg was blushing more furiously than ever now; Nick could tell that he was having a hard time trying not to cross his arms over the front of his body to cover himself. That was going to stop right now, he thought as he captured Greg's hands in his own.

"Hey, there's nothing you need to hide," he said softly, his gaze meeting Greg's. "You might have some bruises now, but they'll fade away, baby. So will the burns. And I hope the bad memories will, too. That'll give us a chance to make some good ones to replace them."

Greg nodded, still not lifting his head to meet Nick's gaze, looking down at his feet.

"Greg, what's wrong?" Nick asked softly, reaching out to curl his fingers under the young man's chin and lift Greg's face to his. "And don't tell me that it's nothing. I can tell when something's bothering you. I know you a lot better than you might think I do."

Greg sighed, swallowing hard again before he answered. "I-I just don't want you to look at the b-burns. I hate them, Nicky. And I keep feeling like they're g-going to be a part of me f-f-forever." He was sniffling now, almost in tears as he finished speaking and fell silent.

"Now, what have I already told you?" Nick said softly, shaking his head. "Greg, it doesn't matter if those burns don't ever go away completely. Any scars they leave will be part of you, and I love you exactly the way you are. Those burns don't matter."

"B-but they look so awful!" Greg wailed, burying his face against Nick's shoulder. "I've seen them in the mirror at the h-hospital. I know how bad they are, Nicky. Even if they fade, you deerve better than a guy who's carrying around those kinds of scars for life."

Nick had the feeling that Greg wasn't just referring to the possible scarring that the burns could leave on his body -- but also to the scars that he carried on his soul. Those would be more permanent, even though Nick was confident that they, too, would fade in time.

"No matter what scars you have, they're still a part of who you are," Nick whispered, wrapping his arms around Greg's waist and holding him close, letting the younger man cry into his shoulder. "And I'll still love you, Greg. Scars or not. I always have, and I always will."

He pressed a gentle kiss against Greg's cheek, slowly disentangling himself from the young man's arms and moving to turn on the water in the shower. He then bent to adjust the water temperature before he straightened up and began to remove his own clothes.

He could hear the other man's sharply indrawn breath; Nick glanced up to see that Greg was looking down, steadfastly keeping his eyes fixed anywhere but on Nick's body. He couldn't blame Greg for that; after what he'd been through, being close to a naked man might be traumatic.

But Greg hadn't seemed to have any problems with them sleeping in the same bed, a small voice in the back of his mind piped up. Still, they'd both been wearing pajamas, so that had been completely different. This was skin to skin, with no barriers between them.

It cut into Nick's heart to think that Greg could be afraid of him, that he could think he would be like Shane in any way. He'd just have to take things slowly with Greg, prove to him that he could be trusted. It might take a while, but he knew the value of being patient in this situation.

Picking up the hand-held shower head from its usual place on the countertop of the sink, he got into the shower, fixing it into place and then turning to Greg. The young man was still trying not to look at him; Nick almost wanted to smile at Greg's sudden attack of shyness.

"Turn around, baby," he said softly, hoping that Greg wouldn't feel intimidated now that there were no physical barriers between their bodies. "I'll wash your back. Don't worry, I'm not going to get the burns wet. I'll take care of those once we're out of the shower."

Obediently, Greg turned around, presenting Nick with a view that took his breath away. He had carefully kept his gaze from moving down the front of Greg's body to stare at his cock, but he was unable to keep his eyes from focusing on the young man's perfectly rounded ass.

He'd seen Greg naked before, but never like this. Never standing in front of him, completely vulnerable and needing his help. The one time he'd seen Greg's nude body, he hadn't been in any state to incite lust -- he had been a victim who needed help and Nick had barely noticed his body.

What he would give to be inside that slender body, making love to Greg, holding him, taking him. Nick tried to force the thought out of his mind; that was the last thing he should be thinking right now. He had to concentrate on what he was doing, not on his own sexual fantasies.

Slowly, he began to spray the warm water down Greg's back, smiling as the young man moaned softly and leaned against the cool tiles. He was going to enjoy doing this -- and he was going to try his best to make it just as much of a pleasure for Greg.

***

Next story in series - Walls Break Down.