Title: Home
By: Fran Holland
Pairing: Gil/Nick

"Take all the time you need, Nick."

Ecklie and Grissom had both said those words to Nick after he was released from the hospital. While he was in the hospital, all he thought about was getting back to work, but now that he was home, he just wanted to get away. His parents had stayed the entire time Nick was hospitalized, and were there when he came home.

He told them that he wanted to go home with them for a week, just to relax and be around his family. His mother helped him pack and he called Grissom and told him he'd be back in a week. He left Vegas with Grissom's blessing.

The first few days, he just lay around on the couch, watching movies on his parent's satellite dish. After that, he spent a lot of time in the pool and relaxing in the sun. The mixture of chlorine and hot, Texas sun did wonders for healing the remaining bites. Some morning, if he got up early enough, he would go for a ride with his father. They would head out at dawn and just let the horses roam for an hour or so. Sometimes he would talk to his father; sometimes they would ride in companionable silence.

His sisters had all visited at various times and his brother had taken him to a football game at their old high school. His family seemed to sense when he needed them and when he needed to be left alone.

On the day before he was to fly back to Vegas, he got up early and instead of riding with his father, he headed for the kitchen. He knew his mother and Maria, their housekeeper, would be in there having coffee and planning tonight's family dinner. When he walked in, Maria automatically fixed him a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns and homemade biscuits.

"I've gained ten pounds this week, all because of you." Nick teased the large, Mexican woman. Maria had been with the Stokes family since Nick was a very young boy. A few years ago, Mrs. Stokes had hired a younger girl to help Maria do the housework, but Maria still ruled in the kitchen.

"Hummm, you could stand to gain a few more. Now hush and eat." Maria treated all the Stokes siblings like they were her own. Nick still remembered her tanning his backside when he caught him smoking his first cigarette. He had been thirteen, but that had not stopped her.

Nick sat and ate and listened to his mother's soft, cultured voice discussing the menu with Maria. He knew that in a courtroom or when she was pissed at her kids, that voice could turn to steel.

"Mom?" Nick asked during a break in the conversation.

"What, Honey?" His mother was still an incredibly beautiful woman at the age of 61.

"I've decided to stay another week, if you'll have me."

"Oh, Nick, of course you can stay. Are you okay?" His mother gave him a worried frown. She had almost lost her youngest child; her baby boy and her mother's instincts were very strong. Something was really bothering her son, and he wasn't talking. He hadn't talked to any of his siblings either, she had cross-examined each and every one.

"I'm fine. I just don't want to go back to Vegas right now. Griss told me to take as much time as I need." Nick told her.

The one thing that she did notice in the week that he had been home was that every other sentence seemed to have Gil Grissom's name in it. She had known for a long time that Nick had an issue with his sexuality. Stephanie, his oldest sister, had used the term bi-sexual. And she was beginning to wonder what he really felt for his boss. Was it just admiration, or was it something else entirely?

Judge and Mrs. Stokes had met Gil Grissom during Nick's ordeal. She had really liked the older man. He had saved her son's life and she would never, ever forget that. But, if he broke her baby boy's heart, she'd scratch his eyes out.

Nick had several calls from his teammates at the crime lab. Greg had called once to tell him about a new video game. Sara had called to ask his opinion on a piece of trace evidence. Warrick had called to rub it in that he had tickets to the de la Hoya fight. Catherine had just called to tell him that she missed him and wanted him back home where he belonged. He hadn't expected a call from Grissom, and he didn't get one. He didn't want to dwell on that though.

After breakfast, Nick called Grissom and told him he needed another week. Grissom seemed okay with it. He had asked how Nick was doing and said that everything was running smoothly at the lab. He sounded busy, so Nick told him goodbye and hung up.

****

Back in Vegas, Grissom closed his cell phone and rested his head in his hands. He missed Nick and had been looking forward to having him back where he belonged.

During Nick's week away, Grissom had spent countless hours watching the video of Nick's entrapment. He had read Nick's lips over and over again. On Thursday, he had broken every rule in the book by checking out the boxes of evidence from the Nigel Crane case and removing them from the crime lab. He took them home and watched each of the video tapes that were filmed at Nick's house. Since there were weeks worth of tapes, Gil fast-forwarded through most until he came to the ones of Nick in bed. He knew, only because Catherine had told him, that there was one of a very private and personal nature. At the time, Gil had not wanted to see it, even though Catherine had told him he should. He couldn't understand why he wanted to see it now, but he had this need just to see Nick in private. He missed him, and he was trying to come to terms with his feelings.

His hands were damp with sweat as he hit the play button on his remote control. The screen showed Nick's empty bedroom. Gil fast-forwarded for a few seconds, until Nick appeared. He slowed the video. Nick came in and removed his wallet, keys and change from his pockets and put it all on his dresser. He pulled off his t-shirt and tossed it in the laundry hamper next to what Gil assumed to be Nick's closet. Nick disappeared into a room and turned on a light. From the angle of the camera, Gil made out a tile floor. Gil was glad that Crane had not had a camera in Nick's bathroom.

When Nick returned to his bedroom, wearing only a pair of dark boxer briefs, Gil felt his pants getting uncomfortable. Nick's body was incredible and he had the natural grace of an athlete. Nick pulled the shades to darken the room and got into bed. He reached over to set his alarm and lay back on his pillow.

Gil watched as he moved around to get comfortable. Gil watched in stunned silence as Nick fumbled around under the covers and tossed his underwear to the floor. Nick closed his eyes and Gil could tell by the way the blanket was moving that Nick was masturbating. His common sense told him to fast forward, but he was past caring about common sense. Nick finally kicked the covers back, revealing himself to Gil. Gil felt his own erection begin to ache. Gil was so busy watching Nick's hand pleasure himself that he missed Nick's mouth moving. Groaning, he rewound the tape. With great difficulty, he watched Nick's mouth. Lip reading was second nature to Gil, and Nick's words caused him to hold his breath and rewind the tape again.

"Gil, yes, yes, suck my cock. God, feels so good."

The first time, Gil thought he might have misunderstood the first word. After rewinding the tape eight more times, he knew he had not been mistaken. Nick had said his name.

He let the tape continue. He knew that Nick was close to his climax, his back was arched, his brow had developed a fine sheet of sweat and his hand was getting faster. His other hand reached down to squeeze his testicles and his semen spurted out onto his flat belly and chest.

Once again, Gil was not looking at Nick's face. At that important moment, Gil was watching Nick's cock. He rewound the tape. This time, he looked at Nick's mouth like he needed too.

'Fuckfuckfuck, Gil, Gil, fuck me."

Gil could not take anymore. He shut the tape and television off. He sat on his couch, breathing heavily. Finally, he stood up and went upstairs to clean up. He hadn't come in his pants since high school.

That night, after he handed out assignments, he called Conrad Ecklie at home.

"Conrad, it's Gil."

"You've never called me at home before. What's wrong?"

Gil sighed and wondered why the two of them could not get along. He did admit that since Nick's abduction, Conrad had gone out of his way to make his life and the life of his team easier.

"I need a favor."

"What?" Conrad sounded concerned. Gil didn't make a habit of asking things of him, so he knew this cost Gil.

"I want some time to go bring Nick back."

"If anyone can, it'd be you. I'll give you a week to bring him home."

"Conrad, thank you." Gil was actually touched by Conrad's words.

"Gil, I'm not doing this for you. Nick Stokes is a good CSI, a good man and an asset to our lab. Bring him home and I'll cover your shifts."

"Thank you again." Gil said and hung up the phone.

Thirty minutes later, he had his flight to Dallas-Ft Worth, he had a rental car waiting and he was headed home to pack.

His flight left Las Vegas at 9:02 a.m. and arrived into Dallas-Ft Worth at 10:08. Gil felt that all the planets were aligned because he had his bags loaded in his rental in less than twenty minutes. He laid the Mapquest directions on the passenger seat and pulled out of the parking lot.

Once he was on the road, he called Nick's cell phone to tell him he was dropping by for a visit. He'd find a hotel after he saw Nick. He really needed just to see him. He'd get into the reason for his visit later.

Nick's cell phone was ringing and since Nick was in the shower, and he had left it in the kitchen, his mother picked it up. She saw Grissom's name on the screen and decided to answer it.

"This is Pamela Stokes."

"Oh, I, uh, Mrs. Stokes. This is Gil Grissom. I was hoping to speak to Nick."

"Nick's in the shower. Could I give him a message?"

"Just tell him that I'm in Dallas and on my way to see him, if that's okay with you."

For a minute, Gil thought he had lost the connection.

"Mrs. Stokes?"

"Dr. Grissom, I would love for you to stop by, we'll hold lunch."

"Don't go to any trouble." Gil said politely.

"It's no trouble, we will see you shortly." She hung up, leaving Gil staring at his phone until he almost hit another car.

****

Nick was letting the hot water cascade down his back, when he heard the bathroom door open.

"Nick?"

"Jesus, Mom, I'm in the shower."

"Nicholas Stokes, do not let me hear you use the Lord's name in vain in the house again."

"Sorry, but Mom, I'd like a little privacy here."

"Oh, pooh, you're behind a shower curtain, besides I'm your mom, I changed your diapers."

"Mom, in case you didn't notice, I'm 40, I don't wear diapers anymore, catch me in another 40 years."

"You used to be such a polite child." His mother admonished. "Anyway, the reason I came in here was to tell you that Gil Grissom just called you and he will be joining us for lunch."

"What!?" Nick's voice was a cross between a squeak and a yelp. Mrs. Stokes smiled to herself.

"I said, that Dr. Grissom called and is on his way here. You should probably hurry, Honey. You'll want to dress in something a little nicer that your normal shorts and t-shirt."

Nick heard the door close and leaned his forehead on the cool tiles. Why had Gil come to Texas? And why did his mother care what he wore, it's not like he was getting ready for a date or anything. No, oh no, she wouldn't.... Nick shut the water off and raced to his room.

His room was the same as it was when he was in high school, sports trophies lined the shelves, sharing space with books about birds. He had been happy that his mother had moved out his single bed and replaced it with a double, so his long frame was a bit more comfortable.

Nick threw on a pair of jeans and grabbed a polo shirt. He was halfway down the stairs before he realized that he hadn't put on deodorant or brushed his teeth. He turned in mid-step and headed back up.

In the time that Nick was having his little panic attack, Pamela Stokes had been busy. She had got in touch with all of her other children except her oldest son and she had left him a voice mail. When she had told them all that Nick was having a visitor and she thought this one may be the one, all the girls had squealed and the plans had begun.

Nick rushed into the kitchen, only to find Maria chopping vegetables.

"Maria, where's Mom?" Nick was out of breath from running down the stairs.

"Nick, what is wrong with you, you haven't been running in this house, have you. I'll tan that hide, if I catch your running."

"Did everyone in this house forget that I'm forty years old?"

"You're never too old for me to tan that hide." Maria emphasized her threat with a wooden spoon shaken in his direction.

"Where's Mom?"

"I believe she is out by the pool, setting the table for lunch. She said something about having a guest and wanting it to be nice."

Nick groaned and raced out of the kitchen.

"Nicholas Stokes, quit running in this house." Maria chuckled to herself. Secretly, Nick had always been her favorite. He was so bright and sweet.

Nick skidded to a stop at the edge of the patio. His mother had cut some flowers and had been arranging them in a vase while her ear was pressed to her cell phone.

"Yes, that's right. I told Nick to wear something nice, but you know how he is..."

"Mom!" Nick exclaimed loudly.

"Sorry, Susan, gotta go." His mother had the grace to look guilty, but she covered it quickly.

"Nick, you're not going to wear that, are you? Don't you have a pair of khaki shorts clean? I'll get Maria to iron them for you."

"Mom, stop. Gil isn't....I'm not....He's probably here on business of some kind. Okay?" The last word came out as a plea.

"Nick, the man saved my son's life. I can never repay that debt, but I can serve him a nice lunch and welcome into our home. And you, young man, should dress just a little nicer, he's your boss, after all."

Nick groaned again. He knew that he wasn't going to win. He'd never won when up against his mother, she had spent too many years in the courtroom. But he'd be damned if he was going to change.

****

Gil looked at the address on the printout and at the one on the mailbox at the end of a long, paved driveway leading up to...well, it could only be described as a mansion. He was aware that Nick was from a family that was wealthy and affluent, but he hadn't expected this. There were red brick columns at the end of the driveway, holding up a tall set of wrought iron gates. As far as you could see, white rail fencing surrounded green grass. Horses grazed on one side of the driveway and on the other, was a small herd of red cattle with white faces, Gil assumed they were Herefords.

Since the gates stood open, Gil turned into the drive and followed it up to the house. He parked the rental in front of the house and got out. He stood there for a moment gazing at his surroundings. Finally, he took a deep breath and walked up the wide steps to the front door.

Nick heard the doorbell from the kitchen, where he had been watching Maria take a pan of his favorite brownies out of the oven. He took off for the front door. Maria headed for the back door to tell Mrs. Stokes that their guest was here.

Nick opened the door and the two men just stared at each other for a few seconds. Gil finally cleared his throat.

"Uhm, Nick. I was in town and thought I'd stop by and see you." Gil lied.

"Convention?" Nick asked.

"What?" Gil was momentarily confused.

"Are you in Dallas for a convention?"

"No, I mean yes." Gil mentally kicked himself. He should have planned this better, but when Nick had opened the door, all he could see in his mind was the picture of Nick lying on his bed, calling out his name as he came.

"Which is it?" Nick queried.

"Which is what?"

Gil was saved by the arrival of Mrs. Stokes.

"Nick, please let our guest past the threshold." To Gil she said, "You'd swear my children were raised in a barn."

Nick moved back a few steps, allowing Gil to enter. Gil looked ill at ease, Nick looked nervous and Mrs. Stokes looked very happy.

"Dr. Grissom, please come this way, I thought we'd have lunch by the pool since it's such a nice day."

"Please call me Gil." Gil said to her.

She lead the way through the nicely decorated house and out onto the back covered patio. Gil looked around and noticed that the backyard was well landscaped and there was a hot tub adjacent to the large, sparkling pool.

Nick tried his best to act normal, but there was nothing normal about having his boss in his parent's home. Not just his boss, he amended to himself, but the object of his desire, his secret crush.

Gil trade pleasantries with Nick's mother like it was an everyday occurrence for him to be sitting poolside at the home of one of the most powerful men in Texas while lusting after his son.

Pamela Stokes observed her son and Grissom. She hadn't gotten where she was today, by not being very observant. There was definitely something there and neither man wanted that something known.

"So, Gil, how long are you going to be in Dallas?" She asked between bites of her salad.

"I'm not really sure, at least a couple of days." Gil answered.

"Wonderful, you'll be staying here with us, there is no need to get a hotel when we have several empty bedrooms." She avoided Nick's look of panic and sipped her iced tea.

"I couldn't put you out." Gil was trying hard to maintain his composure.

"Mom, Gil probably needs to stay at the hotel that is sponsoring the convention." Nick said nervously.

"Don't be silly, Nick. Which hotel is holding the convention, Gil?" She looked him right in the eye and so help him, he could not lie to the woman.

"I'm actually not here for a convention." It was Gil's turned to avoid looking at Nick.

"Oh, well, is this just a social call?" She asked with obvious excitement.

Nick was watching them with growing confusion. What in the hell was Grissom doing in Dallas?

"Yes and no. I need to see Nick about an important matter and since he decided to stay here longer, I thought I would just come to him."

"So, it's business then?" Boy, she was ruthless, thought Gil.

"Mom, since we're done eating, why don't you excuse me and Griss." Nick needed to separate these two before his mother really embarrassed him.

"Of course, Honey. I'll just leave you two alone to catch up. Don't worry about the dishes, Nick. Maria and I will take care of them later." With that, she stood and gave Gil a pat on the shoulder and returned to the house.

"So, why are you here, Griss?" Nick crossed his arms and waited.

"I want you to come home, Nick."

Gil looked so sincere, that Nick didn't know what to say. His teeth nibbled on his lower lip as he thought about how he should respond.

Gil felt a shot of desire through him as he wished it were his teeth nibbling on Nick's lips.

"Griss, you and Ecklie told me that I could take as much time as I needed."

"Nicky, we meant that, but I...this isn't about work, the lab's covered...I..." Gil stood abruptly and faced the pool, turning his back to Nick.

Inside, Pamela and Maria had their noses pressed to an upstairs window, watching and wishing they could hear what was being said.

"Griss?" Nick asked softly, "What's going on?"

"I miss you, Goddamn it!" Gil's fists were clinched by his side. There, he'd said it. He had just risked everything and now he held his breath as he waited for Nick's response.

"I miss you too, Griss. I miss everyone." Nick said.

Gil wondered if Nick was deliberately being obtuse. "No, Nick, you don't get it. I can't concentrate when you aren't there. I know things can never be...well...closer...but at least you...." Gil stopped when he felt Nick's hand on his arm. Nick moved in front of him so they were face to face.

"Griss, what are you saying?" Nick knew he had to be absolutely sure about Gil's feelings before revealing his own. He was not going to risk his heart or his job by blurting out 'I love you' to his boss.

"Nicky, I...care about you. More than I should." Gil's blue eyes were filled with emotion.

At that pivotal moment, Judge Stokes came out the back door.

Dr. Grissom, no one told me you were here. What a surprise." He held out his hand to Gil, oblivious to the tension between the two men.

Upstairs, Pamela and Maria, both cursed the Judge's timing. "What is he doing home so early? I'm going to hurt him." Pamela said turning to go downstairs.

When she walked out to the patio, Gil and her husband we talking about the crime rate in Dallas and Nick was not in sight.

"There you are, Darling." Judge Stokes leaned in to kiss his wife. "Why didn't you call me and tell me Dr. Grissom was here? I would have been home earlier."

"You're home awfully early anyway." Pamela said.

"I had to get a haircut at lunch and decided to take the rest of the day off since it was Friday."

"Good. Where did Nick go?" Pamela asked her husband.

"He said he had to take care of something and he'd be back."

"Well, why don't you take Gil to the den and entertain him, while I find Nick." She hurried inside before Judge Stokes could comment on her strange behavior.

She hurried up the stairs and knocked on Nick's closed bedroom door.

"I'll be down in a minute." Nick's voice came from behind the door.

"Nick, I'm coming in." Pamela opened the door and saw her son, lying face down on his bed.

"Mom, not right now, okay?" Nick mumbled into the mattress.

"Nick, I'm so sorry your Dad interrupted you and Gil. I was hoping that you would have a chance to talk and when your father walked out and..."

"Whoa, you were watching?" Nick turned over and looked at his mother angrily.

Pamela took that as her cue to leave. "We'll be grilling steaks for dinner. Why don't you go down and rescue Gil from your father. Take him for a ride or something."

Nick snorted, "Right, I can see Gil Grissom on a horse." He was saying it to an empty room because his mother had turned tail and run before he could get an answer to his question.

Nick got off the bed and went into the bathroom to splash cold water on his face. He took his time going down the stairs and reluctantly opened the doors to the den. His father was standing by the bar holding a glass of amber liquid and Gil was seated in the chair nearest him. He noticed that Gil also had a drink.

"Good, you're back. Do you want a drink, Son?"

"I'll just get a Coke." Nick opened the mini-fridge behind the bar and pulled out a can of his favorite soft drink.

Nick let his father and Gil do all the talking; of course, Gil wasn't doing much of the talking. Nick silently observed Gil whenever he could.

The den door opened suddenly, causing the Judge to stop speaking and all eyes looked to see Nick's sister, Natalie enter the room.

"Daddy, Nick, hey. Mom invited us to dinner tonight. You must be Dr. Grissom." Gil took the hand that was offered and returned the handshake. "I'm Natalie, Nick's sister."

"Glad to meet you." Gil said politely.

"Where are my grandkids?" The judge asked, smiling at his daughter.

"Ben has them, he was stopping by the daycare to pick them up." Natalie kissed her father on his cheek. "I'll go and help Mom. See ya'll later.

Nick was curious; Mom had not mentioned Natalie and her family coming over. Sunday was the usual day for the family to get together. The chances of being alone with Gil to talk were getting slimmer.

"Nick, why don't you go show Gil the horses while I change into something I can grill in." Judge Stokes said as he drained his glass and sat it back on the bar.

"Sure." Nick was pleased, now he could be alone with Gil and figure out what was going on. Did Gil mean what Nick thought he meant, or was Nick reading more into it?

Nick and Gil had just made it out the back door when his sister, Susan and her three teenage daughters came around the corner of the house. The young girls had jeans and cowboy hats on.

"Nick, hey." She hugged her brother and looked curiously at Gil. "You must be Dr. Grissom. I'm Susan and these are my girls, Tabitha, Shelly and Melissa."

Gil greeted each of the three females and Susan said, "The girls are going to go riding. Were you going to the barn?"

"Yeah." Nick said, suddenly feeling that the world was closing in on him.

"Great, could you give the girls a ride down there?" Susan waved as she headed into the house.

****

By the time Judge Stokes started the grill for dinner, every one of the Stokes siblings was present, with their spouses and their collective children. Nick couldn't figure out what his mother was up too. She had acted like she wanted him and Gil to talk, but she'd invited the whole damn family. When he glanced over at Gil, who was at this very moment in a deep conversation with his youngest nephew, Jeremy, about insect larvae, he swore that Gil looked shell-shocked.

As Nick looked around the back yard, he could figure out why. There were nine Stokes, plus six spouses, plus twelve grandchildren ranging from Jeremy, at ten, up to Vanessa who was starting college this fall. It was a lot for one person, especially someone like Gil whose family had consisted of a single mother.

Gil found himself to be the center of attention. It seemed that every time he turned around, another Stokes was wanting to have a conversation. They all had asked him all kinds of questions about his background, his hobbies, with a few questions thrown in about working with Nick.

After a lively dinner of steaks, Gil was informed they came from one of the Judge's prizewinning cows, the men of the family decided on a game of football. Gil told them that he would watch and Judge Stokes made a big show about being entirely too old.

As Nick, his brother, his brothers-in-law and nephews took to the yard beyond the pool, Nick's sisters closed in on Gil.

They pulled their patio chairs closer to Gil and proceeded to tell him all about Nick's childhood and teen years. And then it seemed they forgot that he was there. He silently observed the five very beautiful women and thought to himself that the Stokes gene pool was incredible.

"Do you remember Jimmy Matthews?"

"Oh my God, he was so hot."

"You were so lucky. Did he kiss as good as he looked?"

"Better. Our first kiss was up in the hay loft."

"No way, that's were I had mine."

"Remember the blankets we kept up there for 'date' night?"

:Do you think Mom and Dad ever figured it out?"

"No way, besides neither one of them would ever go up there."

"I let Todd Daniels get to first base up there?"

"EWEEEE" There was a chorus from four of the five women.

"He wasn't that bad."

"I remember catching Nick up there naked with Danny Anderson." Suddenly there was silence as five pair of eyes turned to Gil.

"Sorry, we forgot you were there. You must be bored with all this 'girl talk'." Natalie said with a laugh.

"I'm fine." Gil said, but he wasn't. His sisters had just confirmed what he strongly suspected. And apparently, his family didn't seem to care. "But I think I'll just go get another drink."

After he had walked away, the sisters leaned in and began to talk quietly among themselves.

"I gave Ben several clean blankets, a box of condoms, and a bottle of wine to take to the loft."

"I thought I was supposed to get the condoms."

"Well, I brought the wine glasses and pillows."

"I found this fancy lubricant at the drug store that is supposed to get warm. I even bought an extra bottle for me."

"I think that's everything then."

"If Ben can get it all up into the loft without Mom and Dad noticing, we'll be in good shape."

"I'm not worried about Mom and Dad, what if Nick sees?"

"Have you bothered watching Nick tonight, he only has eyes for Gil."

"Gil has been staring lustfully at our baby brother too."

"This is so romantic."

"Okay, tell me the plan again. How are we going to get the two of them out there?

****

After everything was cleaned up, and all Nick's siblings had left, Judge Stokes announced the he and Pamela were going to bed. Without looking at Nick, Gil said that he was a bit tired himself. Nick had no choice but to follow the three of them up the stairs.

Gil entered the guest room and rummaged through his suitcase on the bed. He found his sleep pants and toiletries and headed for the bathroom that he was shown earlier that evening. There was a post-it note stuck on the mirror.

'Gil, meet me in the hayloft of the barn at 10:10.'

The note was signed with Nick's name. Gil smiled to himself, from what he had heard from Nick's sisters earlier, the hayloft was the family make-out spot. Did this mean that Nick wanted to...no, he would not get his hopes up. Nick probably just wanted a quiet place to talk. They really did have things to talk about.

Nick went to brush his teeth and found post-it note on his mirror. He sat heavily down on the toilet after he had read the words.

'Nick, meet me in the hayloft at 10:00.'

The note was signed with Gil's name. Nick smiled to himself. The hayloft was the spot where each of the Stokes kids had had their first sexual encounter, some as innocent as a kiss and in Susan's case, she had gone all the way with Todd Daniels. That was a fun fact that he knew and held over her head for the longest time. She cleaned his bedroom for a month just to keep his mouth shut. He brushed his teeth, gargled with mouthwash and went to his bedroom to wait for 10:00.

Gil brushed his teeth, used the mouthwash he found in the guest bathroom and sat down to wait for 10:10.

Nick quietly went down the stairs and out the back door. He thanked God that his parent's bedroom window was on the front of the house. Instead of taking the pick-up down to the barn like they normal did, since the barn was a good ways away from the house, Nick walked. The night was warm and the stars twinkled above.

I'm shameless, oh honey, I don't have a prayer
Every time I see you standing there
I go down upon my knees....

He was almost to the barn when he realized he was singing the Garth Brooks song. He sure had it bad.

He had just closed the door of the barn, when Gil left the house. He had been really quiet coming down the stairs. He walked along the dirt road that led down to the barn. He was amazed at all the stars in the sky. In Vegas, you really couldn't see the stars because of the bright lights. If this was any indication, Texas was a beautiful state. He slowly pulled open the door of the barn, and stepped into the dark interior.

It took a minute for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. The moonlight came through the open stall windows. Gil heard horses nicker softly and he smelled the warm scent of hay and animals. After his eyes adjusted, he saw the ladder leading up to the loft. He began to climb.

Nick had heard the barn door open and close, then silence except for the noises the horses made. He had opened the loft door, which faced away from the main house, to let in the moonlight. He had been surprised to find a basket sitting on top of a small pile of blankets and pillows. He was getting ready to look into the basket when he had heard the door. He sat down on a bale of hay to wait.

When Gil's head cleared the edge, Nick smiled.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself." Gil replied, pulling himself up so he was standing.

Nick stood and wiped his damp hands on his jeans. Gil thought he was the most gorgeous person he had ever seen, standing in the moonlight.

Someone moaned softly, Gil wasn't sure if it was him or Nick. They took a step towards each other and suddenly they were in each other's arms. Their first kiss sent shock waves through both men. Tongues entwined, teeth nipped, and there were small whimpers from both of them.

When they broke apart, both tried to talk at the same time.

"I've wanted this for so long."

"I've missed you so much."

Nick smiled shyly. "I'm glad you came."

"Me too." Gil said. He looked down and noticed the blankets and basket. "When did you have time to do this?"

"I didn't." Nick shrugged his shoulders.

Gil began to get the funny feeling that he had been set up.

"I got your note."

Nick looked perplexed, "What note? You wrote me a note."

"Nicky, I think your sisters have instigated this whole thing."

Nick felt crushed. Gil had not planned this. Gil must think that he's pretty desperate if his sisters have to set him up.

"Nick, I'm glad they helped. I don't think I would have had the courage to...."

Nick threw himself into Gil's arms again. It did not take long before Nick and Gil were shirtless and their hands explored greedily. The sound of their harsh breathing was loud in the silence of the barn.

"I want you, Nicky." Gil's words were whispered into Nick's neck between kisses.

Nick pulled back and his hands went to the snap of his jeans. His eyes never left Gil's face as he slowly unzipped them and pushed them and his boxers down his legs. He heard Gil's sudden intake of breath as he kicked them off.

"God, Nicky, you're so beautiful."

Nick grinned. "Hot or handsome, Gil. Beautiful is for girls."

Gil smiled back at him. "Sorry, Nick, but in my eyes, you passed handsome a long time ago. I will agree with hot though."

Gil was amazed that Nick was so comfortable with his body. He wasn't even self-conscious to be standing in front of Gil naked, his cock semi-hard.

"I think you need to get those pants off." Nick said, as he moved the basket to the side and began spreading the blankets.

When Nick bent over to toss the pillows down, Gil moaned. Nick's ass was within touching distance, and what a fine ass it was, thought Gil.

Nick turned back around. "You're still in your pants. Gil, we just can't have that." Nick took a step forward and put his hands on Gil's waistband. His nibble fingers began to unbutton and unzip. Gil couldn't move. He just watched Nick's hands as he undressed him. Nick pushed Gil's pants down and said, "Step out of them."

Gil did just what Nick asked. Nick looked Gil slowly up and down. Gil made a move to cover his erection, but Nick pushed his hands away. "No, I want to look."

Gil flushed. He didn't have the washboard abs that Nick had, his legs weren't as muscular and his chest wasn't as well developed. He was fifty-four years old. What did he think he was doing with someone fourteen years his junior?

"Gil, look at me." Gil's eyes went to Nick's. "Repeat after me, 'I'm thinking too much'."

Gil gave him a shy smile, "I'm thinking too much."

"Very good, now stop thinking and just feel." Nick traced his hand down Gil's chest, stopping briefly to tweak Gil's nipples. Gil sighed. Nick's hands moved to grip Gil's ass and pull their hips together, thus causing Nick's cock to rub up against Gil's. Gil moaned. Nick used one of his fingers to rub gently against Gil's tight opening. Gil whimpered.

Nick loved that sound and wanted to hear it again. He put his lips up to Gil's ear and whispered, "I'm going to make you come so many times, you won't be able to breath. I'm going to taste you. I'm going to suck your dick until you beg for mercy and then, you're going to slid your hard dick up inside me and it'll rock your world."

Gil whimpered again and allowed Nick to push him down onto the thick pile of blankets. Once they were horizontal, their touching and kissing became less frantic; they took their time to explore each other's body. Words of encouragement and compliments were whispered, and even though their movements were lazy, their pulse rate and breathing was rapid.

Nick had been with a few men in his life, but he had never slept with someone that he knew as well as he knew Gil Grissom. It was a heady experience for him. Knowing how his boss was at work, always in control, strong and so very smart, and seeing that same man lying beside him whimpering and moaning, begging to be touched.

Gil had been in few relationships in his entire life. He'd never had casual sex in his life, not even in college. The few people that he had had a sexual encounter with were men and women that he had known. Sometimes the sex ruined the relationship, sometimes not. Even as Nick's hands and mouth roamed his body, Gil wondered why he had been chosen and what would this do to their relationship at work.

"You're thinking again." Nick whispered. "I'm going to have to do something about that."

Nick took the base of Gil's cock into his hand and guided it into his mouth. Gil gasped as the wet heat from Nick's mouth engulfed him. All thoughts flew out of his mind and he only felt the sensations. The moistness, the heat, Nick's swirling tongue, the slight suction and Nick's fingers squeezing the base of his cock just enough to stop Gil from loosing it totally.

Nick was so aroused by the feel of Gil's cock in his mouth. He felt the velvety softness of the head, the hint of salty moisture at the slit, the slight pulsing of the veins just beneath the skin. And the sounds that Gil was making, they almost made Nick dizzy. Tiny moans, whimpers, and whispers telling Nick to please make him come.

The foreplay had lasted so long and Gil was in such a state of arousal that it didn't take Nick long to bring him right to the edge. Gil's hips were thrusting beneath him, sweat glistened on Gil's face and chest in the moonlight and his breathing was almost frantic.

"God, Baby...Gonna come...feels so...good...."

Gil's back arched and Nick greedily swallowed every drop of Gil's cum. Nick continued to lick and suckle Gil's softening cock until the aftershocks had passed. Only then did he slide up Gil's body to look into his eyes.

"Thank you, Nicky." Gil whispered.

"You are so freakin' hot when you come. I can't wait to make you do it again." Nick teased as he rained kisses along Gil's jawline.

Gil chuckled softly. "I'm fifty-four and my recovery time isn't what it used to be. I'll just have to take care of this while we wait." His fingers had wrapped around Nick's cock and he was lightly stroking him.

It was Nick's turn to moan. He fell back onto the pillow and reveled in the feel of Gil's hand on his cock. When the other cupped and squeezed his balls, he closed his eyes and whispered, "I've dreamed about your hands on my dick for so long."

Gil mind snapped back to the video tape and the look of rapture on Nick's face as he made himself come while thinking of Gil.

Gil leaned down and in a soft voice asked Nick, "What about my mouth?"

"Jesus, Gil. Don't tease."

"Oh, Sweetheart, I don't plan on teasing."

Gil shifted positions and took Nick into his mouth. Nick stared in wonder at Gil taking the entire length of him down his throat. Didn't the man have a gag reflex, he wondered just before all coherent thought left his brain. Eyelids half closed, he watched Gil's head moving up and down the length of his shaft. This was every fantasy come true. As Gil continued to give him the best blowjob he'd ever had, his eyes roamed over Gil's body.

Gil was on his hands and knees, so Nick was able to see his cock hardening. Nick smiled to himself. Sucking cock was giving Gil an erection, apparently his age didn't really matter.

Nick's hand came to rest on the back of Gil's head, lightly playing with his hair. As Nick came closer to orgasm, his breathing became more erratic and the hand on Gil's head increased its pressure, guiding Gil to go faster.

Gil had never let a man come in his mouth before, even the ones he'd known quite well. He knew that Nick had not hesitated before allowing Gil to do it, but for some reason he as scared. Was it a trust issue or was it just the idea of allowing someone's bodily fluids to mix with his?

Nick felt Gil slowing and pulling back a little. Even in this state of sexual excitement he read Gil correctly and panted out, "Gil, finish me with your hand, now, Baby."

Gil wrapped his hand around the base of Nick's cock and began to pump it faster and faster, as Nick bucked his hips and cried out as his orgasm racked his body. Gil watched in fascination as Nick's cum spurted hotly onto his hand and Nick's taunt stomach.

Gil looked into Nick's flushed face and smiled. He moved so he was lying next to Nick and put his arm around him until Nick's breathing returned to normal. They shared a gentle kiss and Nick let his hands roam down to Gil's semi-erect cock. He rubbed his thumb across the sensitive head and grinned when Gil moaned, "Nicky, give this old man a break."

"Gil, have you ever heard a song called 'Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy'?"

Gil's eyebrows rose, "No, but then, I don't listen to that stuff that you call music."

Nick leaned up on one elbow and said seductively, "See, it's like this, I'm from Texas. My parents own a ranch, and I ride horses. I own a pair of chaps, a cowboy hat and a nice pair of Tony Lama boots. That makes me a cowboy. Are you following me?"

Gil just stared at Nick's beautiful mouth and nodded his head.

"So, if you have any compassion towards those beautiful creatures in the stalls right below us, you'll ride me instead."

Gil swallowed hard. "Are you sure?"

Nick thrust his tongue in Gil's mouth possessively, when he released a panting Gil, he asked, "What does that tell you?"

It was at that moment that Nick leaned back and let out a frustrated moan.

"What's wrong?" Gil asked with concern.

"I didn't bring anything to...you know." Nick blushed. "I forgot condoms and...umm..."

Gil took pity on the embarrassed man and finished the sentence for him. "Lubricant?"

"Yeah, that's it. I just forgot."

"It's okay, we don't have to do everything tonight." Then Gil spied the basket that had been pushed aside. "Nick?"

"Yeah." Nick sounded so forlorn and Gil could resist giving him a hug.

"What's in the basket?"

"Huh?" Nick looked back at him in confusion.

"The basket over there." Gil pointed.

"Damned if I know and I really don't care unless it's packed with condoms and...uh...you know."

Gil sat up and reached over Nick to grab the handle of the basket. He brought it over to him and sat it down between his legs. A grin lit up his face.

"Remind me to send your sisters a thank you card."

Nick sat up quickly and peered into the basket and began to laugh. Gil chuckled as he unpacked. He sat the bottle of wine and wine glasses to the side. "Those are for later."

He picked up a box of condoms. "Ribbed for her pleasure." Nick snorted.

Gil pulled out the last item, and held it up for Nick to see. "Warming to the touch."

"Thank you card, hell. I'm going to send them flowers." Nick said with a grin.

The basket was tossed to the side as the men began to work themselves into a state of arousal again. Gil lay atop Nick, licking and nibbling on his nipples. He loved the way Nick made these little mewling sounds when his nipples were sucked.

"Gil, I want you...hurry." Nick took one of Gil's hands in his and pushed it down to his cock. Gil took Nick's cock in his fist and pumped it a few times before moving his hand lower, to the sensitive area under Nick's balls. Nick spread his legs wide and brought his knees up.

With his other hand, Gil picked up the bottle of lubricant and poured some straight onto Nick's exposed entrance. He gently began to massage the tight muscle with his fingers, watching Nick's face to gauge when he was ready. When he slid his finger in, Nick groaned and pushed back. He worked his finger in and out several times slowly until Nick cried out, "Gil, please...faster."

Gil increased his pace and soon added a second finger. He felt the muscle loosening and he reached deeper to find the place that would cause Nick intense pleasure. When his fingertips brushed it, Nick seemed to come unglued. He started to babble incoherently and his hand came up to stroke himself.

"Now, Gil...fuck me."

Gil picked up a foil packet and ripped it open with his teeth. One-handed, he rolled it down on his aching cock. He adjusted his body position so his knees were on each side of Nick's hips and pushed the head of his cock into Nick's tight ass. Once the head was inside, Gil stopped and waited for Nick's body to adjust.

Nick was whimpering and begging, "Fuckmefuck....me....please..."

Gil took a deep breath and pushed all the way inside. He closed his eyes as Nick's tight tunnel squeezed him. Gil began moving, almost pulling completely out before plunging up to the hilt again. Every time Gil would sink all the way in, Nick would stroke his cock. As Gil's rhythm increased, Nick's hand got faster. Gil's eyes went from Nick's beautiful cock to his flushed face and back again. Gil was getting close to climaxing and he wanted Nick with him.

"Nicky, Baby, I'm so...close...gonna come....with me?"

"Come inside me, Gil. God...yes...coming...." Nick's other hand cupped his balls and his hips rose off the bed as his come erupted from his cock. Jets of the thick, creamy semen landed on his belly and dripped down his sides.

Gil watched and the erotic sight along with the clinching of Nick's muscles sent him spiraling into his own mind-blowing orgasm. He felt lightheaded and thought he might pass out. His hands moved from Nick's thighs to the mattress. He couldn't breath and sweat dripped down his face and back.

When his equilibrium was back, he gently pulled out of Nick's puckered hole and removed the condom. He collapsed next to Nick and pulled him close. Both men fell into a deep sleep.

****

Nick was roused out of the deepest sleep he'd had since his close brush with death, by bright morning sunlight glaring onto his face. He turned away from it, only to come face to face with a still sleeping Gil Grissom. He closed his eyes and counted to ten. When he opened them, Gil was still there and he was just as naked as Nick. It wasn't a dream.

No, it definitely wasn't a dream because his ass was a bit sore and his back was killing him. The blankets did not add much padding to the hard wooden floor of the hayloft.

Oh fuck! He thought suddenly, it's morning. How were they going to sneak back in the house without anyone seeing them? He knew his mom approved of him and Gil, she'd almost said as much, but it was another thing to actually have sex with a man in their home. Technically, they weren't in their home, but still. God, his mother is going to kill him.

He shook Gil none to gently. "Gil, wake up. We've gotta get back to the house without being seen. Come on, wake up."

Gil opened one eye and Nick watched as first confusion and then realization registered on Gil's face. He inhaled sharply and struggled to sit up. They had both gotten their pants on, when the barn door opened somewhere below them.

Nick closed his eyes. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was his father getting ready for his morning ride. He put his finger to his lips and Gil froze.

Nick heard a stall door open and heard his father speaking softly to his favorite horse. Nick and Gil sat perfectly still as they waited for Judge Stokes to saddle his horse.

From below came his father's voice. "Nick, I believe your mother has fixed breakfast. I would suggest that you and your boyfriend not keep her waiting."

The barn door shut with a bang and Nick fell back on the blankets and groaned.

"Oh Jesus, I am so screwed."

Gil couldn't resist a chuckle. He felt like a teenager getting caught by parents, if it had happened to someone else, he'd be really laughing. Even though he was embarrassed, he could not resist replying to Nick's comment.

"You were screwed last night."

Nick tried to look angry and failed. "You just wait."

They finished dressing and climbed down the ladder. Nick couldn't postpone it anymore, so they pushed open the barn door and walked out into the daylight. Gil took Nick's hand and brushed his lips across it. "Don't worry, I'll be with you. I won't let your mom give you a spanking..." Gil kept as straight face for just a second before laughing.

"I'll remember that next time you want a blowjob." Nick knew his threat was empty, but he'd had to say something to make Gil stop laughing.

****

Up at the house, Maria had been watching the barn door ever since the Judge had headed off in that direction. Judge Stokes had discovered Nick missing this morning when he had poked his head in his son's room to ask about going for a ride. While Maria made him his coffee, Pamela had come downstairs and the three of them laughed at the fact that all the Stokes children had used the hayloft for their first kisses and they even thought that Natalie may have conceived her first child up there after her wedding. All the kids had thought their parents never knew a thing.

When Maria spotted the barn door open after the Judge had already ridden out, she called Pamela over. "Look, they are holding hands. Wait, now Mr. Grissom is laughing."

Pamela watched with interest as her son and his lover walked slowly up to the house.

When Nick opened the back door, his mother was seated at the kitchen table sipping on her coffee and reading the newspaper. Maria was at the stove, stacking pancakes on a plate.

"Morning Mom, Maria. Gil and I got up early to go for a walk. I wanted him to see a Texas sunrise." Nick lied, not meeting his mother's eyes.

"Really. That was nice of you Nick. I hope you're well rested because your father has some chores for you to do today. Gil can ride along with you. Here's the list." She pushed a handwritten list across the table.

Nick groaned. They hadn't got much sleep at all because they were having sex most of the night and he didn't know about Gil's back, but his was really sore from sleeping on hard wood.

Nick gazed down at the list and his eyes widened, he hadn't been asked to do this many chores since he was in high school. In his mother's nice handwriting, she wrote:

1. Feed the horses and let them out to pasture.
2. Make sure all water troughs are filled.
3. Ride fence out in the north pasture, your father thinks there is a small break.
4. Clean all the stalls, a new load of wood shaving is arriving today.
5. Clean up the equipment shed.

Then the very last item caused an intake of breath and his face to blush. He looked directly into eyes just as deep brown as his.

6. After you finished these, maybe you'll be too tired to have sex in the hayloft. You were raised better than that, Nicholas Stokes.

His mother's arms were crossed on the table and her lips were pursed in a disapproving manner.

"Mom, I'm..."

"Nick, you know better. I wouldn't tolerate it from your sisters and I won't tolerate it form you."

Then she rounded on Gil, who, at the look on her face, stepped back a step.

"And you Gilbert Grissom, I realize that marriage is impossible for you two, but you haven't even made a commitment to my son. I don't know your intensions, you are both grown men and I cannot tell you what you can and can't do once you leave this house and go back to Vegas. I'm not a prude and I do understand that things aren't the same as they were when I was growing up, but if you want to have a sexual relationship with my son, do it elsewhere. Do I make myself clear?"

Gil hung his head and mumbled, "Yes ma'am."

"Now, I would suggest you eat a good breakfast and get moving on that list." With that, she left the room.

Nick had forgotten that Maria was still cooking pancakes until he heard the scrap of the spatula on the pan. Her back was too him and if he didn't no any better, he would swear that her shoulders were shaking in laughter.

"Maria, are those ready?"

Maria turned and with a completely straight face, she sat the platter of pancakes on the table. She too left the room.

Gil and Nick sat down without making eye contact. Each helped themselves to a few pancakes and Nick grabbed the syrup first.

"I guess this means no blowjob tonight." Gil said in serious tone. Nick jerked his head up and saw the evil grin on Gil's face.

"Bastard." Nick said, but couldn't help but grin back.

****

Upstairs in her bedroom, Pamela was wiping the tears of laughter from her face. "Did you see the look on Gil's face? God, I wished I had a video camera."

Maria was sitting on the edge of the bed, using her apron to wipe her face. "It was so hard to keep a straight face."

THE END