Title: As Long As I Live
Author: Jaxson K.
Pairing: Nick/Gil
Rating: G
Disclaimer: "I own nothing, just visiting friends....."
Summary: Nick knows he will always love Gil...
A/N: This is the sequel to "Leaving Me For Her Again?".

Nick sat at the kitchen table waiting for the phone to ring.  He felt foolish for being so nervous, but the call he was waiting for was important for so many reasons.

When Gil left to be with Sara, Nick decided that this was the last time. No more second chances, no more "I'm sorry", no more lies.  This lasted for all of a few weeks.

Gil came to Nick one night at work and asked if they could go for coffee.  At first, Nick was hesitant, but felt his resolve start to crack as he looked into Gil's sad blue eyes.

They met at a coffee shop off the Strip. Gil tried for small talk, but Nick knew it was a stall tactic.  He went aheaad and asked why Gil wanted to have coffee with him. Gil was honest, and told him that he had been trying to work up the nerve to talk to him.

Gil then went on to say that so many things had changed and that there were things he wanted Nick to know. Nick couldn't hide the skeptical look on his face. He had heard these lines before and told Gil as much. As Nick rose to leave, Gil put his hand on his arm and asked him to please stay.

Nick sat back down, curious as to what was on Gil's mind. Gil seemed so sad, and Nick felt the old familiar tug on his heart strings. He couldn't help the fact that when it came to Gil, he would always care.

Gil proceeded to tell Nick that since they had been apart, he had been putting serious thought into what he had done, and what he had put Nick through. He said that things were over between he and Sara because Sara decided that she was no competition to Gil's memories of Nick and couldn't bear the thought of having to compete with a man for his affection.

Nick had to admit that this pleased him to no end. He did not let it show, but he was very pleased indeed. Gil went on to say that after she left, he slowly began to realize that Nick was who he really wanted to be with. Nick had questions, but felt that now was not the time. He somehow knew he would get a chance to find out later.

By this time, their coffee had grown cold and the coffee shop was getting crowded.  Not wanting to end their talk, Nick suggested they walk down to the park in the middle of the block. They found a picnic table and continued the coversation. Gil told Nick that he wanted to come back if Nick would have him. Nick told Gil that he would sleep on it, and that Gil should call him later. Gil agreed and they walked back the the parking lot to get their cars.

When Nick got home, he showered and went to bed. He didn't sleep very well because of his coversation with Gil. Luckily he had the next two days off, and would hopefully catch up on his missed sleep. He gave up trying to sleep sometime in the early afternoon and decided to do some chore around the house.

He got the chores done and ordered out for food. After he ate, he tried to concentrate on a ball game and then tried to watch some Animal Planet. All this helped to pass the time, but did nothing to take Nick's mind off of the impending phone call.

When the phone ran, Nick nearly jumped out of his skin. He looked at the Caller ID and smiled when he saw Gil's number on the display. His heart beat a little bit faster when he actually hear Gil's voice on the line.

They made small talk for a few minutes, and then Nick decided to put them both out of their misery by saying that he was ready to give Gil his answer. Gil waited anxiously to hear what Nick had to say.

Nick said, "I'll always forgive you. You know that I will. And just so you know, I'll love you for as long as I live. Come on home."