Title: Hospital Visits
Author: Rpgirl
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG
Summary: When the team visits Greg in the hospital. Post-Fannysmackin'.

***

Nick got into the car with Sara, a deep sigh coming from him.

"Nick, you okay?" Sara asked, then almost smacked herself, "Stupid question. Of course you're not."

"Sara, when I punched that guy...in the back of my head I knew something was wrong."

"What do you mean?"

"That guy was there before Warrick and I showed up. He was grinning at the whole fucking thing." Nick said, "I didn't even think about what the consequences were if I hit him."

"Well it was a good thing Warrick was there to have your back." Sara said, "If it was Grissom, then you know you're ass would be grass."

"I know that." Nick snapped, "How does he look Sara?"

"Who? Greg? He....I'm not going to lie, he looks terrible." Sara said, "He can only open his left eye."

Nick hit his head on the back of the chair.

"Nick, he's going to have really low self-esteem right now."

"I know that."

"So reassure him that you're not going to leave him, because some jackasses decided to beat up nice people."

"Sara, he shouldn't have tried to save them! He could've been killed."

"Well he did, you have to get over that Nick! You would've done the exact same thing!" Sara yelled at him, "And don't pull the macho 'I could've defended myself' bullshit with me. Greg's taking lots of defense classes, and he couldn't protect himself. It was at least twelve against one."

"I wasn't going to pull the macho shit." Nick said, "My parents aren't going to like this when I call them."

"How do you think Greg's mom is going to act? I can tell you this, that woman is almost as protective of Greg as you are." Sara said, "Which is saying a lot."

"Is Grissom going to call her today?"

"I don't know. I really and truly don't." Sara said, "Does his parents know about you?"

"Yeah...we sort of broke it to both our parents at the same time." Nick said, as they pulled up to Desert Palms.

"Nick, it will be fine. He's going to heal."

"I just want five minutes alone with Cole." Nick hissed, "Only five, let's see how he'd like it."

"Nick! Calm down, I'm not letting you near Greg until you calm the fuck down." Sara said, stomping her foot as the others pulled up.

"I'm calm, cool, and collected." Nick said, as Catherine and Warrick came up to them.

"Why haven't you guys gone in yet?" Warrick asked.

"Just waiting for the cavalry." Nick said, grinning.

Catherine rolled her eyes.

"Come on." She said, leading them in.

"Yes Mom." Sara and Nick chorused.

Catherine didn't know whether to roll her eyes or not.

"So what room is Greg in?" Catherine asked.

"Room 301." Sara recited.

"I...hate...elevators." Warrick said, as they all climbed into one.

"Why?" Catherine asked.

"They play cheesy music, they break down all the time, and if that's not enough when there are a bunch of people in one, you can smell if their musty or not." Warrick said, "None of you are though. So we can thank the lord for that."

Nick snickered with Sara, as Catherine smiled.

"Smooth save." Sara commented.

"I know." Warrick said, grinning.

Nick walked out of the elevator, and looked down the hall.

"Okay which way's which?"

"301 is down here." Sara said, going left.

"Oh no! Sara's taking charge!" Warrick teased, as Catherine elbowed him.

"Shut up."

Nick walked in step with Sara, eager to see his boyfriend. He'd prepared himself for the worst, but still held Sara's hand when they walked in.

Greg was lying down, looking like he was asleep.

"Greggo?" Nick asked, as he watched one eye crack open.

"Hey...guys." Greg said slowly, his mouth moving a little.

"Hey sweetie. How are you feeling?" Catherine asked, sitting down in a chair.

"...sore." Greg said.

"We wrapped up the case. Caught all of them." Warrick said, grinning at Greg.

"That's....awesome." Greg mumbled.

"Yeah it is. Greg we are so proud of you." Catherine said, "At least I am. That was a brave thing you did. So don't let anyone tell you different. If they try, tell them Catherine Willows is going to be after their ass."

Greg let out a soft laugh, but then scrunched his eyes up.

"Don't...make...me...laugh." Greg said slowly.

"Oh I'm sorry!" Catherine said, as Greg shook his head slowly.

"It's okay. I can walk around and everything it's just that it hurts to laugh when your jaw is sore." Greg said, sitting up.

"So Grissom is going to call your parents, are you excited to see them?" Warrick asked.

"Yes and No." Greg said, "I'd rather not talk about it."

Warrick nodded, and backed off. They stuck around for another half hour, before Warrick and Catherine left.

"Greg, you better get well soon. We need you back at work." Sara said, playing with his hair.

"Do...you think I'll get into trouble about hitting that...guy?" Greg asked.

"I don't think you will. It was self defense." Nick said, startling Sara.

"Nice to know...you can still talk Nicky." Greg said, as Nick laughed.

"Of course I can." Nick said, sitting down in one of the chairs.

"Well I'm going to go get some sleep." Sara said, kissing the top of Greg's forehead, "I'll come by later."

"Bye...Sara." Greg said, watching her leave.

Silence was stretched between the two men, before Greg sighed.

"Nick, will you..please say something?" Greg asked.

"What do you want me to say?" Nick questioned.

"I don't know. Anything! You know I hate silence." Greg said, "It's okay...you know."

"What's okay?" Nick asked, confused.

"Nick I know I'm not the prettiest thing...ever...right now."

Nick raised a brow.

"What?" Nick asked, "Greg that's just not true."

Greg let out a soft scoff.

"I know I look horrible. You don't have to lie Nick."

"If you're saying what I think you're saying, then maybe they hit your head a little bit too hard." Nick said, as Greg glared with one eye.

"I..."

"Greg, did I leave you after the lab exploded?"

"N-no."

"Did you leave me after Nigel Crane? Or when I was buried alive?"

"No..."

"Then why the fuck would I leave you now?" Nick said, "I'm like electricity, you can't get rid of me."

Nick noticed that Greg had started to cry.

"Greg, we've been through so much together. I'm in this for the long run. I think you look so beautiful right now." Nick said, sitting on the bed.

"B-But..."

"No! No buts. Greg, I agree with Catherine, that was the bravest thing ever. You saved a man's life, you need to be proud of that. Not upset. How you look right now just shows me one thing."

"What?"

"That my boyfriend is a strong, brave, and beautiful man." Nick said, "I love you so much."

Nick kissed Greg lightly, and gingerly wiped his tears away.

"So no more tears, when you get out of here we're going to do something fun. I don't know what. We can take time off, go to California so you can go surfing. Buy you some more quarters. I don't know, but something." Nick promised.

"I love you too Nick." Greg said, his bottom lip trembling.

"So no more tears. You need to get some sleep before both of our parents come."

"W-why are yours coming?" Greg questioned.

"Because Greg, contrary to popular belief, you're their kid too now."

Greg laid back down, and sighed.

"Will you still be here when I wake up?" Greg asked.

"You bet your ass I will be." Nick said, as Greg closed his eyes.

And every day for the rest of our natural born lives, Nick thought.

***