Previous part of Lost and Found

***

It was seven thirty Texas time when he called because he was getting really tired and needed to go to bed.
 
"Nick, honey."  His Mom answered the phone promptly.  "I'm just reading your e-mail.  You had a good time then?"
 
"The best, Mom."
 
"You loved Paris?"
 
"Yeah, it was okay."
 
"Don't get carried away with your praise.  I take it you were more concerned about seeing Gil than Paris?"
 
"Yeah, you got that right."
 
"So did he miss you, too?"
 
"Of course."  Nick missed a beat but before his mother could speak again h'd recovered.  "He proposed and I accepted."
 
"Oh.  That's quick."
 
"No, it isn't I've known him for twelve, thirteen years.  So we only got together at Christmas but it feels like forever, and it feels...right."  Nick hated having to defend himself and Gil, especially after what his parents did and then he hated himself for thinking about that.
 
"Then I'm very happy for you."
 
"Great.  Look, w're doing it in Vancouver on my fortieth.  I know it won't mean anything stateside, but it'll mean everything to us.  It's going to be a very small affair so...would like you to come and be my witness and Gil's going to have his Mom."  He hoped anyway.
 
"Just me?  You don't want your father?"  His Mom sounded shocked.
 
"Of course Dad as well.  But we only need two witnesses and we thought our two Moms."
 
"I see.  Then we will have to come.  I wouldn't want to miss the marriage of my youngest son...you're the last one and it's has taken you a long time."
 
"I had issues, you know."  As soon as he said it Nick could have bitten his tongue.
 
"I know honey, I didn't mean it like that, I promise."
 
"I know you didn't, I'm sorry."
 
"You don't have to be.  Now let me think when is it your birthday..."  She always did this with her seven, or six given that two were twins, birthdays and it was a family joke that she couldn't remember whose birthday was which.
 
"August..."
 
"...the eighteenth."  She said triumphantly.
 
"Yeah.  Right.  But we need to fly out on the sixteenth because it's Gil's birthday on the seventeenth and I thought we could have a meal for him and then get married.  W're going off on our honeymoon from there...not decided exactly where yet...but that doesn't matter."
 
"Does Gil's mother live in Vegas?"
 
"Yes, why?"
 
"We could fly in the day before and meet up and then all go together."
 
"That, Mom, is a helluva good idea."
 
"I'm full of them.  Full of something, your father always says."
 
"Oh, you had a fight?"
 
"Not really.  I would like him to cut down a bit...and me...so we could travel and see something before we get too old."
 
"That's a good idea."
 
"Isn't it?  Try telling your father."
 
"I will.  Look got to go to bed, I working tonight...don't get carried away and book anything until I confirm the dates with Vancouver; I don't want to book flights and then find we can't get married on that date.  I'll do it Monday."
 
"I will wait for your signal.  I won't ask your father, I'll tell him."  Nick smiled...his Mom always referred to him as their 'father' when she was annoyed with him.
 
"Okay.  See you soon then..."
 
"...oh, honey, are you and Gil still coming for July fourth?"
 
"If I can get the time off, we will.  I might have to negotiate with Catherine and Ecklie since I will really need the August dates."
 
"Let me know before I issue invitations out to all and sundry.  If the family aren't going to the wedding w'll have to celebrate it early"
 
"Will do.  Bye Mom, love you."
 
"I love you too, son.  You take care an' all."
 
Nick smiled as he put the phone down.  They were coming...there was no way his father would or could refuse...not when his Mom made a decision like that!
 
All he had to was hope that he could get the leave...but he could pull the marriage card.  Hope he could get the date anyway in Vancouver.  Hope that Gil's mother could make it and hope it would all come together!  Before he went up to bed, he texted Gil.
 
'My mom and dad are coming. Mom wants to make July 4 a wedding celebration since no more family will be going to the wedding.  Good idea I think but I don't know whether Catherine will let me have leave in July and August.  I'll speak to you later going to bed now.  Ily N xox.'
 
Gil texted back. 'Sounds like a plan. You are very good at plans. Not drunk. Just started watching the film. Sweet dreams. Ily G xxx'
 
Nick smiled that Gil wasn't drunk. 'Night sweetheart. Enjoy the film. Ily N xox'
 
He slept well since his sleep pattern was pretty fucked up anyway and he woke to his alarm and an e-mail from Gil that made him laugh but Gil would be in bed now so h'd reply later.  He was fresh and enthusiastic when he got to work early to find Catherine already there and feeling the strain. She called him into her office straight away and set into Nick without pausing for breath.
 
"Ray Langston will be the death of me.  I know h's a doctor and I know h's very knowledgeable but he thinks he knows everything about forensics.  And If I see him brooding about Nate Haskell one more time, I tell you Nicky..."
 
"...thanks for asking, Catherine, I had a great va-kay!"
 
"Ooooh, Nick, I'm so sorry.  I'm stressed without you being here having to do all my own paperwork and Ray to deal with.  So how was Paris and how was Gil?
 
"Paris was French and Gil...great.  Absolutely.  Great."  He grinned.  Maybe he shouldn't ask about his leave now.  No, fuck Ray, he was going to ask.  "I need some leave in August, Catherine, urgently."
 
"Nick."  She whined.  "August is always a bad month, you know that."
 
"I know.  But this is special...very special.  I'm forty August eighteenth.  And I'm getting married..."
 
"No!  Really?  To Gil?"
 
"Of course to Gil, who else would it be?"
 
"I thought he would be back from France by then?"
 
"He will be, h's back at the end of May.  But w're going up to Canada...it won't be recognised here in Nevada or many other places for that matter but it's something we want to do.  But I need the leave."  He was looking serious now since he wanted to give the impression to Catherine that he was serious about the wedding and the vacation time.
 
"How long?"
 
"Well from the sixteenth for at least a week. We want to honeymoon up there...but it's the wedding that really important, family are going to fly up."  He really fucking hoped now that he could get the date in Vancouver, he look an idiot if he had to come back and change the dates.
 
"I'm going to have to say 'yes' aren't I?  I should work on your co-workers and make sure none of them want leave...although August is free I think.  So I'll put you in the book for the sixteenth for two weeks.
 
"Well if no one has put any dates down and I'm the first...well I have to take leave sometime so it might as well be August and I'm senior after you.  Did you want August?"
 
"No...actually I want some time in September...maybe three weeks.  I have a lot of leave accrued."
 
"Go for it...put it down and I'll cover.  A deal?"
 
"A deal.  But I wanted to come to your wedding."  She added petulantly.
 
"It's going to be my Mom and Dad and Betty...Gil's Mom." 
 
"Do you get on well with her?"
 
"Yes, I do, sh's giving me signing lessons."
 
"Sara couldn't stand her..."
 
"...I think the feeling was mutual."  They laughed.
 
"You are going to tell Sara aren't you?"
 
"Yeah, of course, I'm telling everyone eventually...just picking the right time to do it...it'll happen when it happens."
 
"Well while you're doing that please try to curb Ray's enthusiasm.  Or obsession would be a better description."
 
"I'll try but you know what h's like."
 
"Only too well.  I have a feeling, Nicky, a really bad feeling about how this is all going to end up.
 
Nick didn't offer any opinion but thought she was probably right.

***

Gil walked home from Marie-August's as fast as his legs would carry him...and that was pretty fast.  It was still bitterly cold and he felt it more keenly because Nick wasn't there to walk with him to keep him warmer and to keep him company.  He was wearing his beanie though and had reason to thank Nick for buying it for him since it was the warmest hat h'd ever worn.
 
The film was excellent and he was surprised h'd never bothered to see it before and Marie was really just what the doctor ordered.  Sh'd fed and watered him and didn't allow him to become morose.  Nick had texted him and sh'd paused the film and looked at him indulgently as h'd replied. 
 
Did women like gay men?  Did they think they were non-threatening and made good friends?  Gil was sure h'd read that somewhere and it certainly applied to Marie who seemed friendlier than before; she was definitely a good friend.  Gil would miss her when he left Paris...maybe he would invite her to visit Las Vegas.  H'd see what Nick thought about that.  He smiled to himself as he thought he could share something like that with Nick and Nick would understand completely and think about it and offer exactly the right advice.  He wished he could call him as soon as he got in but he would still be asleep and he didn't need disturbing.
 
When Gil got in he was hot.  His fast walk and his apartment's central heating conspired against him.  But he knew if he turned down the heating he would regret it later, so he just sat in his pyjamas and stared at his computer.  He wanted to e-mail Heather but he still had class work to complete.  But there was really no contest.  Heather won without knowing she was even trying.
 
He wrote his e-mail.
 
My dear Heather
 
I am so sorry for not getting back to you sooner, please forgive me but you know very well that I have an excellent excuse for my tardiness.  Nick has been here for a week and left yesterday morning to fly back to LV.  We had the most wonderful time and enjoyed every minute.  Nearly every minute.
 
When he arrived he was sick, just some bug but it was wonderful just to care for him and he was an excellent patient unlike me who would have moaned and groaned and made his life as miserable as I felt.  Nick just doesn't do that and that, unfortunately, is how he managed to hide his pain from the rest of the world for so long.  But no longer; he is a changed man and that in part is due to your help and encouragement.
 
We did get into a fight though.  Our first and Nick said, very sensibly, that we are likely to have a few more as we grow old together.  What a prospect!  I never thought I would fall in love so easily and so finally after all these years, and that, Heather, is where the problem lies.  The fight came about because I keep having these moments when I think it is all 'too good to be tru'.  Even though I know Nick loves me as much as I love him I still have an icy hand grip my innards and I think he will come to his senses and leave me.
 
Nick got very angry with me and said hadn't he showed how much he loved me and that he wasn't going to leave me.  Of course he has with every breath he takes but my mistake was voicing my fears to him.  Of course I apologised unreservedly and I know very well than I could actually send him away with my own petty behaviour and believe me, that is the last thing I want to do.  So I said I was going to give positive thinking a go.  Every so often, when I think about it (and it is fairly often!) I say this little mantra to myself.  'I love Nick.  Nick loves me.  He is not going to leave me.' 
 
Nick suggested that I consult you, in your professional capacity, to see if you think some therapy for me would help.  But I do have to tell you that I do feel better already, even after a few days.  I think I am convincing myself that he is not going to leave.  Does positivity really work?  I hope so.
 
This was only a minor setback and we have made some spectacular plans (I think they are) for the future.  The 'not too distant' future.  We hope to marry in August on Nick's 40th birthday!  What do you think about that?  No more insecurities.  Nick is already working on the plans for it.  Vancouver if we can get the date.
 
This is all about me, and Nick!  So sorry.  How are you?  You will be able to resume your Cirque de Soliel shows and after show meals with Nick, although h's working graveyard until next Sunday I believe.  I know he really enjoys your company as much as I do.
 
Take care and speak soon.
 
Gil.
 
Gil was totally unprepared for Heather's almost immediate response.
 
Dearest Gil
 
What wonderful news about your wedding!  I had better get an invite; it has been many, many years since I last attended a wedding and I am already getting carried away with the thought of a new outfit for August in Vancouver.
 
I will consider the other information you have given me about your 'insecurities' and get back to you.
 
It really was wonderful to hear from you.
 
Kind regards
 
Heather x
 
Gil read it once and then read it again and had only one word. 'Shit'.  He leaned back in his chair and thought about it, he couldn't remember which one of them had said it should be a small affair...but it didn't matter.  He would have to tell Nick and he would have to invite Heather.  He was a little nonplussed by it all; it was so out of Heather's character to invite herself.  But there again sh'd been out and about with Nick and maybe sh'd rediscovered the social life sh'd buried very deeply following Zo's death....or even before when she ran the Dominion.
 
He'd have to text Nick and let him know, he checked his watch, Nick would still be in bed.   He thought about it and composed an e-mail that Nick would pick up on his iPhone.
 
Darling Nick.
 
Made a bit of a faux pas.  (Again!)  I e-mailed Heather about our impending nuptials (among other things) and she e-mailed me back immediately and invited herself to the wedding.
I had no idea she would do something like that.  It is so out of character I am really surprised but sweetheart, we cannot exclude her can we?  I would be loathe to hurt her feelings when sh's been such a good friend to us both.  What do you think?
 
All my love and I am sorry for speaking out of turn.  Have a good shift and I miss you.
 
Gil xxx
 
Nick went to his office after Catherin's crisis meeting and saw immediately that she had already piled high his in-tray with files.  He shook his head and sat down and sighed; h'd spend the next few minutes replying to Gil.
 
Babe
 
You get yourself into some tight spots without me there to protect you!  Luckily, I would love H to come, so please don't worry about it. We get on great and it will even the numbers out.  You and me, Mom and Dad, Betty and Heather. The perfect party.  While sh's at it H can analyse Mom and Dad!
 
At work now and C's v.stressed about Dr R and his nemesis - NH.  Says he is obsessive.  He is.  Hasn't stopped her leaving a huge pile of paperwork in my in-tray.  I have only been gone nine days and I doubt she has done any herself.
 
Better start the stack now.
 
Love you and miss you
 
Nick xoxoxoxox Hugs and kisses!
 
He just started work on the files when Sara came into his office.
 
"Hi."
 
"Hey there, you okay?"
 
"Fine. How was Gil?"
 
"Good.  No.  Very good."  Nick smiled at her.
 
"Did you give him my letter?"
 
"Yes, I did.  He was very impressed with your honesty.  How are you doing?"
 
"Good, yeah.  Good.  Haven't got a therapist but, you know, thinking about it."
 
"You do that, Sara."
 
"I'm going to move out soon, shall I give the keys to you?"
 
"Well, yeah, if you want to.  W're going to sell both places."
 
"Makes sense.  A fresh start."
 
"Yeah.  That's what we thought."  Nick thought for a moment or too and then decided to do it; he took a deep breath.  "W're going to get married."
 
"That's good.   Not in Nevada? "
 
"Canada."  He wasn't going to be too specific.
 
"That would be good, yeah. I hope..."  She stopped.  "I hope you will be happy together."
 
"Yeah, I think we will."
 
"I think...  I know you will.  Got to go, Catherin's handing out assignments.  I see sh's left you all her work."
 
Nick chuckled and shrugged and Sara smiled and left the office.
 
The deed was done.  It'd gone well, fat better than he ever anticipated, he thought that maybe she had turned a corner after all.

***

Nick slipped July fourth onto the vacation rota without telling Catherine.  There was no name beside the date so h'd act dumb and play the, 'Gil's got to meet my family before we get married,' card.  He thought by that time the whole world would know about Gil and him...including Hodges.  H'd only put three days down.  Fly out, have the party, fly back.  That would be more than sufficient time for Gil's first exposure to his family.  H'd book the flights too, so he could say h'd lose them if he had to cancel.
 
He double checked hat his August vacation was written in and it was and still no one had put any dates down except Catherine and the way he saw it...Catherine was senior and he was next.  He hated pulling rank...well, no he didn't if it meant getting what he wanted.  He was from a big family.  Doing anything underhand when he was a kid was considered fair game...only because he was usually the butt of everybody els's plots and schemes.
 
When he told Gil even he was impressed with his fortitude since he thought the entire lab considered Nick a bit of a pushover and easy target.  But that was mainly because before there was no pressing reason for Nick to dig in his heels...
 
On the Tuesday evening before work he went for his tea and signing lesson with Betty who greeted him as usual with a big hug.  Since h'd got back h'd devoted extra time to his homework to help with his laziness in Paris.  He greeted her with some simply signs and she was delighted.  And she noticed immediately as Nick had hoped she would.
 
"Oh, look at that!"  She spoke as she took hold of his right hand and looked at the signet ring on his ring finger.  "Gilbert never wore it, said his fingers were too big, and they are, but he could have had it fixed but he didn't.  When he asked if he could give it you I said of course he could but you must wear it and here is.  It looks so good.  I bought it for Gil's father for out tenth wedding anniversary...he was only able to wear it for two years.  It does look good on your hand, Nick.  You will wear it won't you?"
 
"That's what I was going to ask you.  Gil said I should and I want to...but I thought it should really be your decision to make, not ours."
 
Betty smiled and put her hand on his cheek.  "You are such a good boy, Nick.  Your parents should be very proud of you.  I know that you will take care of Gil and I know that he loves you very much.  Now; that's as much as I'm going to say on the matter."  Betty finished all matter-of-factly.  "I've made sandwiches and ther's enough for you to take to work, too."  She smiled and went off into her living room and Nick followed.
 
He glanced at his ring and wondered if any of his crack team of CSI's would notice that his frat ring had been replaced.  Then he remembered the other part of his mission tonight.  Betty had bought two plates of sandwiches into the room and placed them on the coffee table.  There was enough for tonight and several shifts.
 
He caught her eye and signed.  'I tell have you question.'  She laughed at his attempt.  This, of course, didn't match his spoken.  " I have something to tell you and another question for you."
 
"Go on."  She signed and spoke.
 
"Gil has asked me to marry him."  She looked shocked.
 
"But you cannot marry here in Nevada."
 
"No.  We are going up to Canada in August for my fortieth birthday and doing it then."
 
"Ah.  Good idea to have your marriage on your birthday it will make it easier for him to remember.  But don't hold any high hopes h's very bad at dates."  They both laughed.
 
"Betty, I would, we would, love you to come up with us and be our witness...I've also asked my Mom.  Please?  Will you come with us?"
 
She nodded and smiled, almost shyly.  "I would love to come."
 
Nick threw his arms up and shouted, 'great', and then held Betty in a bear hug and lifted her up of the floor.  He could feel her laughing through his body and suddenly realised that that was what she could feel too.
 
"Put these dates in your diary then.  The sixteenth.  My Mom and Dad are flying into Vegas and we can have a get together before we go Vancouver.  Seventeenth, we all fly out.  Eighteenth, we get married.  We hope to go on honeymoon from Vancouver but nothing's been sorted out yet.  In fact I haven't booked a thing yet, we were waiting for your go-ahead so I'll try and get the dates for the wedding and then everything will all follow through.  What do you think?"
 
"You were waiting for me before you booked anything?"
 
"Of course, you had to come, it's Gil's wedding."
 
"I wasn't invited to his last one."
 
"No.  But then it wasn't a wedding was it?"
 
"What do you mean?"
 
Nick was astounded.  "Don't you know?"
 
"Know what?"
 
"That it wasn't a wedding ceremony at all.  It was a betrothal ceremony and meant nothing."
 
"He never tells me anything.  Half the time I think he just forgets.  When did he find this out?"
 
Nick was pissed at Gil; the least he could have done was tell his mother the most important fact of all.  "About a month ago, five weeks maybe.  But don't you worry, Betty, I'll tell him."
 
She laughed.  "H's always been the same, make sure you go into this with your eyes open, he will forget your birthday and anniversary."
 
"Oh no, he won't, because I'll remind him well in advance and keep reminding him."
 
"Good for you, Nick.  Good for you.  I've had so much excitement tonight I think I'll have a gin and tonic.  I don't suppose you can have a drink?"  As an afterthought she added.  "Nick, your Mom and Dad aren't going on your honeymoon are they?"
 
Nick laughed hard but shook his head.  "They'll liberal but that would a step too far!  Why do you ask?"
 
"Because I wouldn't go on your honeymoon even if you did ask me."  She looked quite stern. 
 
"They're not.  I know what you mean, honeymoons are private affairs.  Oh, sorry, but you're right I can't have a drink, not this close to my shift.  I'll have a soda and some sandwiches though."
 
"Of course you must and a lesson."
 
An hour later with three times more sandwiches that he would eat but with a blueberry muffin that he would, he was on his way to work.  Wearing the ring. He tried to think who would notice and wondered what h'd say.  Maybe h'd play it by ear.
 
But before he got out of his truck at in the car lot at the lab he texted Gil.
 
'YOU didn't tell your Mom you were never married to Sara. Very bad.  E-mail her asap and apologise. And don't even think of forgetting my birthday and our anniversary. Ily (still) N xox. P.S. Betty coming to Vancouver will hopefully book it tomorrow morning. Really love you (still) N xox ' 
 
 
He laughed as he pressed send.  He felt good about just about everything.  As soon as he got home tomorrow morning h'd be on the phone to Vancouver and set the ball rolling.  He hoped he was going to get home early and he hoped the date was free. He did remember that he hadn't told Betty about Heather and she would need to be included in all the celebration too.

***

As Nick walked through the corridor to his office he was smiling and happy.  He stopped by the break room and put all the sandwiches in the fridge.  In his office he admired his in-tray since the pile was reduced to about six files.  He hoped to be able to reduce them even further during the shift, but he bet there were some outstanding files that would find their way in there before morning, via Catherin's own in or pending trays.  He didn't care, he was too happy to be bothered by any work it was no problem at all.
 
Catherine handed out assignments and it wasn't too busy so he did do some paperwork.  Catherine came into see him after about two hours, bringing several more files as h'd predicted.  His hands were resting on the desk and as she sat down he linked them together to listen to her.
 
"Nick, you know that Smithson..."  She stopped and peered at his hands.  "That a new ring?"
 
 "No, as a matter of fact it's getting on for fifty years old."
 
"Really?  And..."  She raised her eyebrows at him expecting the story.
 
"It's was Gil's father's signet ring.  Betty gave it to Gil when he was eighteen.  H's never worn it claiming it didn't fit...but he gave it to me...and it fits."
 
"He could have had it re-sized."
 
"Yeah, but he never did."
 
"Does Betty know?"
 
"She does and is very happy for me to have it and to wear it.  I checked tonight."
 
"You've been with Betty Grissom?"
 
"I try to go every week...she's trying to teach me ASL."
 
"Nicky Stokes!  I bet that's more visiting than Gil's ever done."
 
"Maybe.  But that will change.  Family is family and sh's all h's got."
 
Catherine laughed.  "I bet Gil has no idea what h's letting himself in for."
 
"I hope not.  I want to get married first."  Nick kept a straight face.
 
"You're joking aren't you?"
 
He laughed.  "Yeah.  Gotcha though!"
 
"You did.  Actually, I think you'll make an ideal couple, you complement each other."
 
"I think so.  Oh, and Sara knows about the wedding and is okay."
 
"You know, I think sh's been a bit better these last few weeks...either that or Ray is so bad he makes her look good."  She sniggered at her pronouncement.
 
"I'm going out to see how Greg's doing.  Nothing serious going on tonight...yet anyway.  Should have kept my mouth shut."
 
Nick nodded.  Catherine shrugged and then left Nick to his paperwork.  He chuckled to himself but put his head down to work when his cell buzzed.  Gil had got his text and was responding.  He smiled in anticipation.
 
'I have e-mailed Mom and apologised, as instructed. I realise that she has been telling you things about me. How about I get a tattoo of the date of your birthday and our marriage, on my wrist, for example; it would be difficult for me, but not impossible I have to say, to forget? Your ever loving future husband despite you being bossy. Ily (forever) G xxx'
 
Nick laughed and thought for a moment or two...  'Tattoo good idea. What about your ass? I learn more about you each time I see Betty; be afraid.  Be very afraid. Ily (very much) N xox'
 
A couple of minutes later Gil replied.  'Ass no good (for tattoo anyway). Would have to remember to look in the mirror and it would have to be tattooed in reverse to see it. Not afraid at all. Love you too much.  G xxx.'
 
Nick replied immediately.  'I like the idea of a reversed tattoo on your ass. I would be able to remind you when I saw it - except that it wouldn't need to be reversed in that case.  I see what you mean.  Maybe I will just remind you every day as we approach the joint celebration.  Btw, Betty says for me to wear the ring.  She loves it. Says it was right for you to give it to me and Cath noticed it: I wonder if anyone else will.  Told Sara about us too. Should be emailing this it would be cheaper than texting!  But you are worth it.  Ily N xox.  Must do some work speak later. x.'
 
Gil texted back. 'Take care. Ily G xxx'
 
Nick put his head down and did another couple of hours work, interspersed with a couple of coffees, a piss and avoiding Hodges.  Everyone arrived back at virtually the same time and Catherine came to his office and said they were going to have a break together.  A rare occasion when they were all able to have their refreshments together at the lab.
 
Nick retrieved the sandwiches and muffin from the fridge and got a bottle of water.
 
"Hungry, Nick?"  Ray wanted to know.
 
"I went out to tea and these were left over and I couldn't refuse them.  Help yourself...I'm keeping the muffin though.  They're all cold cuts with salad."  Ray and Catherine each took a sandwich.  Sara, of course, was a vegetarian.
 
Greg came in a few minutes later and looked at the sandwiches. "You didn't make these did you, Nick?  They're differently cut from the way you do them."
 
"True, help yourself.
 
"But not the muffin."  Ray and Sara said at the same time.
 
"So who made you sandwiches?  Hey, and that's a new ring."
 
Nick took a deep breath.  "Betty...Grissom made the sandwiches and my fiancé gave me the ring."
 
"Holyyyy sh..."  Greg started but didn't finish and changed tack immediately.  "Who's your fiancé...do I know...him?"  He looked around cautiously at Catherine, Ray and stared at Sara for an extra-long moment but instantly realised that they knew that he was gay and Sara knew about Mrs Grissom.
 
"Well, if you must know, it's Gil."
 
"Gil?"  Greg looked perplexed.  "Gil...who...no way...I don't believe it."
 
Nick chuckled and nodded and Sara even smiled.
 
"That's unexpected, Nick."  Ray said to Nick but looked at Sara.
 
"W're divorced."  She said.  "It didn't work out.  I mean, Gil is...gay."
 
"I see." Ray kept his face completely straight; if he was surprised he didn't show it.
 
Greg, on the other hand, was almost struck dumb. "I.  I.  I mean never in a million years..."
 
"Here Greg, sit down and have a sandwich.  Betty makes three or four times more than I can eat, must think I look starved."
 
"Is that why Gil...you know carries a little extra weight."
 
Nick raised his eyebrows at Greg.  "As a matter of fact, Greggo, Gil has been on a diet and exercise regime since he met this fit young Texan."
 
"Who's that then?"  Greg asked very innocently.  "Oh, you mean you!  Ha!  Young."  He laughed and everyone else did too.
 
Nick was more than happy.  Everyone knew...everyone that mattered anyway.  It would be around the lab in milliseconds Greg would see to that.  He picked up his muffin.  "Man, I'm going to enjoy this."
 
But Greg hadn't finished.  "You said 'fiancé', so when are you getting married and are we all invited?"
 
"August eighteenth and no, sorry.  Just four guests.  Family."
 
"Isn't that your fortieth?"  Sara remembered.
 
"It is.  Apparently Gil is so bad at remembering dates I thought it best to combine my birthday and wedding anniversary on the same date.  Narrows down the chances of confusion."
 
"Of him forgetting, you mean."  Catherine laughed.
 
"Yeah.  Betty thinks it's probably a good idea and Gil has offered to get a tattoo of the date..."
 
"Can I just confirm, this is Gil Grissom you're talking about."  Greg was still having some difficulty getting his head around the information.
 
"Ahhh, the great man himself.  When are we going to get to see him again?"  Hodges walked through the door at that exact moment and addressed his question to Sara.
 
"You'd better ask Nick"  She replied with a smirk.
 
Hodges frowned.  "Nick?"
 
"Yes, Nick.  They're engaged to be married."  It was Ray who broke the news with some relish.
 
It was a sight to behold.  The confusion. The incomprehension.  The difficulty in believing his new hero regarding his old hero.  He swallowed and they all heard.
 
"Nick is marrying Gil...Grissom?"
 
"You heard right."  Greg said.
 
"W're divorced."  Sara added.
 
"H's gay and so am I."  Nick smiled at Hodges evident confusion.
 
"They're getting married in August.  Man, you'd better have a party."  Greg suddenly thought about that.  "If w're missing the wedding w'll be missing your big birthday."
 
"True.  Yeah, we will I'm sure...just have to break it gently to Gil."
 
"You can't get married."  Hodges suddenly blurted out.
 
"I beg your pardon?"  Catherine was quite sharp with Hodges.
 
"I mean here in Las Vegas, or Nevada.  It's illegal."
 
"I know.  W're going to Canada.  It'll be recognised as a civil union for legal purpose here.  But that's not our concern we just want to do it."
 
"Hold on.  I've just remembered something."  Greg started and then thought a moment before continuing.  "I've got about three hundred bucks locked in my drawer.  To see if Grissom slept with Lady Heather?   Sorry Sara, it's from three or four years ago...and you placed a bet, Nick."
 
"I know, on them doing the deed."
 
"He said they didn't."  Sara was checking up.
 
Nick nodded.  "He didn't.  I know that.  So who won?"
 
"I think it was Wendy.  I'll double check but I'll have to mail her a cheque."
 
"I am at work, aren't I?"  Hodges looked around bewildered.  "I'm not sleepwalking am I?  This isn't a dream?"
 
They all looked at him and there was silence for a moment as they looked at his sad and utterly confused face and then they all burst out laughing at the same time.

***

The shift got lucky; all of them were able to leave the lab only minutes after their official finishing time.  It was deemed a miracle.  Nick went straight to the gym since it was too early to start calling Vancouver and he needed to get in good shape...after all he was getting married in the summer.  It seemed to Nick that he was walking, driving, working and probably sleeping with this inane little smile of his face.  He could not believe his luck; unlike Gil he knew Gil was a keeper and that he was too.  There was no way h'd let him get away...however hard he tried.
 
A couple of hours later he was home; muscles aching and tired enough to fall asleep there and then, but he had work to do.  He got out the notes h'd made of the telephone numbers and passport numbers and he called Vancouver office for wedding commissioners.  To his delight there were available commissioners to marry on that day so he decided to go for midday and by the time h'd finished giving out his, and Gil's, details he was very excited.  He had to make a payment for the wedding over the phone with his credit card and Gil and him had to visit the office the day before their wedding to confirm the details and take their passports and birth certificates with them.  They would, in turn send him details about what he had to do could do and suggestions about where to get married.  They would be married by a woman called Eloise Van der Valk.
 
He found a website that dealt with gay weddings in Vancouver and he looked at the list and his heart sank.  H'd been carried away with just the wedding itself but this listed things like photographer, hotels, the cake, the rings...h'd thought about rings but quite suddenly the enormity of the planning hit him.
 
But he sat up straighter at his computer.  H'd do it; all it would mean is a list if things that were imperative.  Like flights and hotels.  Once they were booked maybe he could speak to the hotel and see if they could recommend anywhere for their wedding and the meal...feast, he supposed it was, afterwards.  They could probably make a cake.  He could contact a photographer and book him, or her.
 
Their wedding suits and their rings would be bought in Vegas when Gil got back home.  It would be easy.  Once he had the details he could go ahead and start booking things.  He chuckled to himself; then thought h'd better call Gil and tell him.
 
He called him up on Skype and he answered immediately.
 
"Sweetheart?  Your shift finished early."
 
"On time.  All of us, never been known.  I've been at the gym for a couple of hours and I've got news."
 
"News?"
 
"Good news.  The wedding is booked for midday on August eighteenth, so don't be late."
 
"You've done it already?"  Gil sounded shocked.
 
"Yeah, why?   You changed your mind?"
 
"No.  No!  I'm excited, really excited."
 
"I was..."
 
"...but you're not now?"
 
"I am about us.  But there is a lot to do.  Flights.  Co-ordinating Mom and Dad and Betty and Heather.  Which hotel?  Photographer.  A meal afterwards.  A cake; you do want a cake don't you?"
 
"I do indeed...it's a wedding, you need cake.  And Nick I've been thinking about the cost.  I have plenty of savings..."
 
"...so have I..."
 
"...I know...but what I was going to say we should have the best hotel and pay for the flights and the hotel for our guests, w'll only be getting married once."
 
"Yeah, I thought that.  But how long for...if w're going off on honeymoon shall we book them for a week?"
 
"Why not ask them, Nick?  See how long they want to stay?"
 
"Wow, man, that's a really good idea."  Nick laughed.
 
"I'm full of them."
 
"Yeah, you are.  I thought we could get our suits and rings when you get back to Vegas.  W'll have plenty of time."
 
"Okay."
 
"I told Betty that'd w'd probably fly out on the seventeenth, but thinking about it, it would be better to go out on the sixteenth and have your birthday free and check-up that everything has been done.  This site I found was advertising wedding planners but we don't need..."
 
"...a wedding planner?  Actually, Nick, that's a good idea.  Why not have one on the ground in Vancouver to do all the work for you?  Save you getting swallowed up with all the planning.   Any problems and he...or she, would be on there to sort it out.  It can't be that expensive w're only having a small wedding."
 
"Have you seen the film, 'Father of the Brid'?"
 
"With Spencer Tracey?"
 
"Spencer...no, Steve Martin."
 
"That's a film.  This is real life.  Get one."
 
"I suppose I could.  Really?"
 
"Yes.  I like the idea of someone doing the work for us...keep you stress free Nicky, and that's in my interest."
 
"Are you calling me..."
 
"...the most wonderful man in the world?  Yes."
 
"Huh.  Trying to sweet talk me Grissom, it doesn't suit you."
 
Gil laughed.  "I don't know, I quite like it."
 
"Well I'll have a look around and see if there are any recommendations and see how much they cost."
 
"Nick?"
 
"What?
 
"Fuck the cost, it's our wedding."
 
"Yeah, it is, isn't it?"
 
 "I love you, did I tell you that today?"
 
"I don't know did you?"
 
"I think I did in a text or mail.  Well I do."
 
"I believe you."
 
"How's your work going, are you catching up?"
 
"Slowly.  It's the one-to-ones that are the most trouble.  I have one young man and ther's something wrong.  How he managed to get into the university is beyond me.  We speak through an interpreter but h's rude to him and me and he has yet to finish any project I've set him.  H's definitely going to fail; he just hasn't got enough time to redeem himself.  I told him that this afternoon and he flew into a rage ranting at the interpreter accusing him of not interpreting properly.  I'm going to see the department head tomorrow and ask for him to be removed from my class.  I don't think I've ever had a failure as bad as him, he just hasn't tried."
 
"Shit, babe.  Are you okay?"
 
"Perfectly okay; his anger was actually directed to the bearer of the bad news, the interpreter, and not me, which perhaps says it all.  Oh, Nick?"
 
"Yeah?"
 
"I had a thought while I was swimming this morning.  Tom."
 
"Tom?  What about him?"
 
"Will he invite himself to the wedding, too?"
 
"I won't give him the chance.  Hey, I'm okay with Heather you know.  Sh's a great friend of mine now."
 
"I know.  I knew you would be, but I cannot believe she did it...it's so out of character. The only thing I can think of is that by taking her out to shows and for meals you have made her relax and move forward with her life.  I imagine as a young woman she was a...a little minx."
 
"Whoa...what's this?  You fancy her?"
 
"No.  Is she you?"
 
"No."
 
"Then you have your answer."
 
"I wonder what would have happened if you had run off and married her and not Sara."
 
"It wouldn't have happened.  Heather knew I was gay.  She told me I would be a fool to consider Sara even when I wasn't considering Sara.  She guessed and warned me."
 
"You didn't marry Sara did you?"
 
"No, but I'm marrying you."
 
"Hell, Gil!" Nick almost shouted.
 
"What?  What is it?"
 
"I was so carried away with booking the wedding that I forgot to tell you.  I texted you that Sara knows but the whole shift knows and by now I bet the whole lab knows."
 
"It went well then.  No problems."
 
"None at all.  Sara was really okay...she seemed quite relaxed and oh, she said she was going to give me your keys when she moves out.  But she says that sh's divorced because you're gay...not that you were never married."
 
"That doesn't matter...semantics.  Let her have her get out of jail free card.  But it's great.  Do you think w'd better leave selling the house until the wedding is over."
 
"Maybe, but if we do get a planner I will have less work to do and we could test the water with your house and then do mine...but will you need to go through it?"
 
"I pretty much catalogued everything before I went away.  I don't know, I'll leave it up to you.  If you feel you want to do it, put it up and specify that they can't move in until say, the end of June, to give me time to sort through all my stuff.  Providing we can sell it anyway.  What do you think?"
 
"I'll give it some thought."  Just then Nick yawned.
"You need to go to bed.  The jet lag will be catching up with you."
 
"I do.  I'll mail everyone tonight about the plans.  It's going to happen."
 
"I know.  I feel so lucky to have you Nick.  I am so looking forward to getting home and living with you."
 
"Me too...must go, really tired now.  It's a good job shift didn't run over, I'd be asleep up a corner somewhere."
 
"Go to bed and sleep well. Dream of me."
 
"I'll probably be dreaming of wedding cakes collapsing or something..."
 
"...get a wedding planner.  I think it's imperative."
 
"Yeah, okay.  Night, babe.  Love you.
 
"Good night my love."

***

Nick's jet lag had truly caught up with him and he slept for eight and a half hours and only woke because his bladder demanded it.  He had a juice and then went for a short run, to get his body moving again.  When he came back he decided he was very hungry so found one if his lasagnes in the freezer and prepared a salad to go with it...and also made his sandwiches for work while he was at it.  While he was waiting for it to cook he e-mailed his Mom and Gil's Mom with the details.  Then he phoned Heather.
 
"Hi Heather, I'm back and I hear you're going to be a wedding guest."
 
"Am I?   Are you sure, I was only joking with Gil but he has obviously taken it seriously since he did not get back to me but spoke to you instead.  Am I really invited?"
 
"You are indeed.  We would both love you to be there as our closest friend.  It's going to be on the eighteenth of August and my parents, Gil's Mom and you will be the guests.  W'll be paying for your flight and hotel so no worries about that but we hope to all fly out together on the sixteenth.  How does that sound?"
 
"Oh, Nick, are you sure about paying...I can afford..."
 
"...don't argue.  It's final."  Just then his oven's buzzer sounded.  "Must go, that's dinner...or breakfast.  Think of which Cirque show you want to see next, or any other show you'd like to see, you know I'm game.  Oh, and Heather?"
 
"Yes?"
 
"I did it!"
 
"You did?  That's wonderful, Nick."
 
"Hurt like hell though...only the once...so far."
 
She laughed.  "I believe it does, the first time."
 
"Got to go, speak soon."
 
"Bye Nick, take care.  Oh, one more thing, Nick, quickly."
 
"Go on."  H'd walked into the kitchen to turn off the stove as she spoke.
 
"Do you think Gil needs therapy?"
 
"Therapy?  Nah...probably not, I scared him, is all...and he realised the error of his ways."  He laughed along with Heather.
 
"You two were made for one another.  I said you were and you are."
 
"You did."
 
"Now go and enjoy your meal whatever it is.  Bye."
 
"Bye."
 
Nick retrieved his lasagne and put it on the plate with his salad and his mouth watered at the smell.  He ate it then had a coffee afterwards and remembered his coffee and brandy at the swanky place in Paris...musty have cost Gil an arm and leg.  He smiled and corrected himself.  Both arms, both legs and half his torso.  He tidied everything away and went up for his shower and jerked off for the first time since h'd been home.  He was at work twenty-five minutes early and there was already a stack of work waiting for all of them.  It was no easy night for any of them that night.
 
In fact it was a good job h'd slept well because it was fifteen hours before he got home again.  He slept, jogged and ate and was back at work.  Another long shift and so it went on for the entire time he worked the night shift.  Not much paperwork got done by anyone but he was happy for the overtime money and the fact that time was moving fast...and he never got around to putting Gil's house up for sale after Sara had moved out.  He didn't even have that much time to spend talking to Gil via Skype but managed mails and texts whenever he could.  Gil was very busy too; they'd got rid of the student but it was all paperwork and form filling and meetings...and Gil still hated that aspect of any job.  They needed to cover their backs since the student's father was very influential.  But it transpired this wasn't the first time h'd had trouble with his classes or his lecturer.
 
Nick also had an e-mail back from his Mom and she said there was ten thousand dollars on his way to him...they'd given this to all the children when they married.  Gil's Mom was really pleased and it looked as if they would stay a week in Vancouver and make it a vacation for all of them even after Nick and Gil had departed for their honeymoon.  Heather also said she would stay on, too.  Gil had decided that they should take a cruise for a week starting on the nineteenth.  He reasoned that they lived in a desert and didn't get much opportunity to sail the seas...and Nick agreed it was a good choice.
 
Nick did eventually contact a wedding planning service.  '2 Dears and a Queer'.  He was a little apprehensive since Gil and him weren't flamboyant gays like Tom was and the name sounded...well, very gay.  But they had the best testimonials and when he called he was assured that their service was tailored to each individual couple.  Nick had to prepare an e-mail with what he (and Gil) wanted and they would give him an approximate price.  Gil was pretty easy and said he would love whatever Nick chose, although Nick did call him on that by saying that that was because he didn't want to be involved in the planning.
 
'But you do it so well. Nick'.  Gil had replied and chuckled.  'Or the wedding planner will...'
 
There were worries at work for Nick.  Ray's obsession with Nate was increasing and Nat's continued evasion of law enforcement worried them all.  Catherine and Nick were losing control of Ray who was and becoming and insulated force on his own.  He heeded Nick's pep talks and then did the opposite.  He was good at his job, there was no denying that, but at what price?  His antics were often a topic of conversation between Nick and Gil with Gil warning Nick repeatedly to take care because he believed that Ray was just as dangerous as Nate...his obsession could be the death of him and if Nick was close at the time Nick would undoubtedly be caught in the crossfire.
 
Nick always denied it to Gil but he knew that it could well be the case.  But he didn't have Warrick's back when he needed him most and Ray wasn't a murderer...Nate Haskell was.  But Nick would be careful he knew that he had everything to live for and he wasn't about to do anything needlessly heroic...
 
Before he knew it, Easter was approaching and New York.  He was so excited again to be able to be with Gil once more but there was a problem.
 
Three days before he was due to leave for New York, Catherine suddenly questioned his need for the vacation when it was Easter and bound to be busy. He had booked a vacation for August and Gil would be back in Vegas in May.  Luckily for Nick she questioned his leave at assignments and without waiting for Nick to speak, Ray spoke up.
 
"I'll work extra to cover; I've made no plans."
 
"Me too.  It's no problem."  Greg backed up Ray.
 
And then Sara spoke.  "He booked it well in advance and it's unreasonable to block it at this late stage.  I can also work any extra hours that might be needed."
 
Nick was astounded.  Not only Ray and Greg, but Sara.  Sara Sidle; who was supposed to have been married to his lover.
 
Catherine smiled quite sweetly, obviously out-gunned.  "Seems they've all got your back, Nicky.  So your vacation in New York is on..."
 
"Yeah.  Thanks guys.  I owe you."
 
"I think it's safe to say, Nick, that we all owe you quite a lot more than that."  Ray spoke up and smiled at him.  Out of the corner of his eye he saw Catherine almost grimacing.  More work for him to do, he thought.
Later that night he caught her in the break room.  "Hey, Catherine, what was all that about my vacation?"
 
"Oh, I was only making sure they all knew I wasn't doing you any favours...you know giving you extra time off."
 
"Right.  These are my vacation days that I've accrued and when I put the dates down no one had chosen those dates.  I thought it was first come first served?"
 
"Yes, it is, but I didn't want anyone to think I'm favouring you...you know, because of Gil."  She was squirming now and she knew that he knew.
 
"Well just in case you haven't checked I've put three days down for July fourth...I'm going to Texas, with Gil.  No on's put anything in the book since me."  H'd checked that as soon as h'd left the assignments earlier.
 
"Oh.  Okay."  Obviously she didn't know, but she did now.
 
On his last day she did gave him more paperwork so he stayed in to do it so as not to become embroiled in any long case.  He was flying out red-eye on Friday night and coming back on Monday evening.  He was working early shift Tuesday.  In fact Monday and Tuesday were his normal days off so he was only using two leave days and an early day off.
 
When he arrived at McCarran he was tired out but so happy to be going into the arms of his lover again.  Gil's flight was due in at ten in the morning four hours after Nick's.  Nick said h'd wait at the airport since they couldn't get into their room until two in the afternoon.
 
Just as Nick was about to disembark at Kennedy Airport he had a text from Gil.
 
'Plane had to turn back with a fault. Got to wait at C de G for another plane to fly in from US. Will be about 9/10 hours late, unless I can get onto another airline flight.  Do not wait at the airport go to the hotel and pay for another day if necessary. I am really pissed. I miss you so much and I am so disappointed.  Will keep you updated. Ily G xxx'

***

Nick was bitterly disappointed because he had a couple of special surprises, one of for that night in New York, and he was sure Gil would be over the moon, but if he didn't get there in time it would be lost...  He got a taxi and went to the hotel.  It was hard going with the clerk because the room was booked in Gil's name...in the end he booked a room for one night and said he would move into Gil's room when he arrived and they would have to clean a room unnecessarily.  That swayed the clerk and the manager who'd got involved and he eventually got the original room but was truly exhausted from the hassle, from the lack of sleep and the bad news from Gil.
 
When he got to the room he unpacked...he had some special items to prepare; he decided to get some sleep and took a shower and when he emerged h'd had a text from Gil.
 
 'They have conjured up an aircraft out of thin air and w're boarding now.  I should be at the hotel in 7/8 hours. Ily G xxx'
 
Nick texted back. 'Got room after a lot of hassle as it was in your name but will have a sleep.  Please text when you arrive.  Miss you. Ily N xox'
 
They was no reply so Nick hoped that he was already on his way...h'd taken a long shower, savouring the unlimited hot water.  He set his alarm for six hours and that would then give him time to get ready...for the first of Gil's surprises.   He slept the moment his head hit the pillow, his first proper sleep for getting on for thirty hours.
 
When he awoke to the alarm he could have very easily turned over and slept some more, but he wanted to be able to sleep that night so they could sleep together properly.  They would only have Saturday evening, and that was booked, all of Sunday and Monday during the day and then they were due to fly to their respective homes...but for Gil it would be the very last time leaving him to go back to France.
 
Nick prepared his gear for when Gil was on his way...and watched some TV.  He ordered some sandwiches for the room and ate them as he watched a game.
 
It was less than half an hour later when his cell rang.
 
"Hey, you're here?  Nick answered.
 
"I am...just going through immigration but I only had carry on so I'll be straight out for a cab.  We had strong tail winds and the pilot stepped on the gas."
 
"Can they do that?  Flying?"
 
"I think they can fly faster the higher they are but there are rules and regulations about flight l think.  No matter, I'm here.  Have you slept?"
 
"Yeah, about six hours...I feel a lot better than when I arrived.  When you get in the taxi let me know, will you?"
 
"Yesss.  Is that for a reason?"
 
"Might be.  Hey, I love you."
 
"Thank goodness for that; I was worried."  But the tone of his voice indicated that he wasn't in the least worried.
 
"So you reckon about an hour?"
 
"I don't think it'll be any less but I'll keep my fingers crossed...I can't wait to see you, to touch you."
 
"I know...it some ways it's worse seeing you and not being able to touch, but there again it would be terrible if I couldn't see you."
 
"It would...oh, movement here, got to go."
 
"See you very soon, babe."
 
"Very soon."
 
Nick sprang into action.  He wanted to be ready early just in case; and they had to watch the time because of their outing tonight.
 
Not fifteen minutes later Gil rang from the back of a taxi; Nick said that he should call again immediately before he took the elevator up to their room.
 
"Why?"  Gil asked.
 
"That's for me to know and you to find out.  Just do it."
 
"Yes, boss."
 
"Just remember that."
 
"Oh, I do, Nicky, I do."
 
 And then Nick got into the shower and washed himself thoroughly.
 
Gil did as he we was told and called again.  "I'm waiting for the elevator."
 
"Okay.  Come straight in, the door will be propped open...just a bit..."
 
"...really?  This is intriguing."
 
"It is isn't it..."  And Nick rang off.
 
Gil made his way to the room.  Room eighteen sixteen was near the end of a corridor and he could see the door open just a few inches.  He pushed it open and walked into the room, the door closed by itself behind him.  He stood and stared.  He found the presence of mind to dump his duffel bag and his computer bag and still just stood there...staring.
 
"Cat got your tongue?"  Nick drawled.
 
Gil nodded; he didn't think he could speak.   He swallowed and cleared his throat and tried once to speak without success and then tried again.
 
"You look..."
 
"I look?"
 
"There are no words..."
 
"You usually find some."
 
"Not this time."
 
Nick grinned.  "Missed ya, babe."
 
"Nick.  I do not know what I have done to deserve you.  But you're mine, all mine."  He strode over to Nick, finally coming to his senses, and pulled Nick up from the chair he was sitting on and kissed him and kissed him and kissed him...
 
As h'd walked into the room the sight that had met him was Nick, sitting on a hard backed chair with one foot up on a coffee table in front of him.  He was wearing nothing...except a cowboy hat, a blue bandanna around his neck and a pair of cowboy boots...that was it.  They'd never got round to having Skype sex...there was always too much to talk about so this was the first time Gil had seen the...ensemble...
 
Gil ran his hands down Nick's back and onto his ass. "I have missed you and you look...well, I have no words but I've never seen anyone so sexy, so great, so wonderful, so..."
 
"Found your tongue then?"
 
"Yes."  He proceeded to suck on Nick's tongue and use his own to thoroughly inspect Nick's mouth.  He pulled back again.
 
"I'm overdressed.  I need to shower...can I fuck you...do you want to fuck me?  I'll do whatever you want, Nick.  Whatever you want."
 
"Hey...calm down; I want you to make love to me.  I've been practising very regularly with my dildo and I want you...  But, we also have to be out by seven I've got tickets for a surprise.  I think you'll like it."
 
"I'm sure I will; whatever it is.  I'll shower now and I'll make love to you.  I can't wait."  He started taking off his clothes and dropping them on the floor as he walked to the bathroom.  And then he stopped and turned around.
 
"Oh.  My.  God!  Call myself a CSI?  When did you...how?"  He stared at Nick.
 
"I wondered when you'd notice."  He held his dick and pumped it a little.
 
"I just took in the overall spectacle...you looked, look, so great...but I must have seen it.  How did you do it?"
 
"I used one of those creams women use...actually, to be honest, I don't think I'll do it again...it stung like hell and I have a bit of a rash, here, look..."  He grasped his dick and balls and pulled them aside while Gil bent down to look.  Nick had a little rash in the crease of his leg and groin from where h'd used a depilatory cream to take off all his pubic hair.
 
As he looked Gil started shaking.  "What's wrong?"  Nick wanted to know.
 
Gil looked up and was trying to suck in his cheeks to stop himself laughing but he couldn't and his eyes were tearing up with his suppressed laughter.
 
"Man, you're laughing at me?"  But Nick was grinning.  "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
 
When he could speak Gil hugged Nick.  "Sweetheart, I love you.  I wasn't laughing at your plight but at the fact that I was bending down inspecting your rash...and you were holding your balls.  It was funny.  I've never had so much fun.  Never.  But I bet it will itch like hell when it grows back."
 
"You could be right.  You didn't notice the ring either."
 
"Oh, God.  Let me see...oh, Nick, it's perfect for you.  Absolutely perfect.  I'm so proud of you."
 
"It does look good doesn't it?  Your Mom loves it too.  Why didn't you ever get it re-sized to fit you?"
 
"I don't know the answer to that.  It didn't seem right to change it but I guessed it would fit you...it looks great."
 
"I love it.  Thank you."
 
"You're welcome, my love.  Very, very welcome."
 
"Shower?"
 
"Just going.  Have I missed anything else?"
 
"Nope.  You're good to go."
 
After his shower they made love.  Nick took off his hat and boots but kept the bandanna on.  Gil explored every nook and cranny of his body, kissing and licking him, teething and stroking him; letting his fingers stroke the bare skin of his groin and balls.  Getting to know the body of his lover once more.  Both men's dicks were leaking hard before Gil was ready to enter Nick.  There was lube everywhere, including in and on Nick's ass.  Nick was so much more practised and relaxed and it was a wonderful feeling.  He was used to fingering his own ass and the thought of it and the feel of it held no fright or bad memories now...only the good memories of Gil entering him.
 
He was tight but there was no major pain or difficulty despite Gil being a lot bigger and longer than the dildo.  Gil tried his best to hold on but he was so excited, so overjoyed to be with his lover than he couldn't hold back and after only about half a dozen thrusts he was coming but he had managed to stroke Nick's prostate to give him the ultimate pleasure and Nick finished himself off with just a couple of pumps of his swollen dick as Gil lay spent beside him, trying to keep breathing.
 
"So sorry."  He gasped.
 
"Nothing...to be sorry about; it was great and you're here.  I love you."
 
"Nick."  That was all Gil could manage.
 
"You rest up, I'll go and shower. Are you hungry?  Need something to eat before we go to the..."
 
"The?"
 
"Ha-ha!  Wait and see."  Before Nick could get out of bed Gil lunged at him and pinned him down to kiss him once more.
 
"I have missed you, sweetheart."
 
"And the next time you'll be home for good."
 
"I can't wait."
 
"I've got to shower, it's six and we need to eat before we go to..."
 
"...enough with the teasing.  Go shower."
 
When they had both showered and dressed it was twenty to seven.
 
"W've only got time for a snack because w've got to get over to the Lincoln Centre."  Nick grinned.
 
"The Lincoln Centre?  The Lincoln...the Met?  You've got..."
 
"Yeah.  Tickets for the opera."
 
"But you don't like opera."
 
"I've never seen one so I might as well see what I've been missing."
 
"What is it?"
 
"Verdi's 'Il Trovator'.  I could only get seats in the back...the best seats all go to subscribers she said."
 
"I think you're lucky to get two.  Come on let's go, we don't want to be late now do we?"
 
Nick rolled his eyes at Gil's new found enthusiasm, but he was ready so he opened the door but Gil pushed it closed again so that he could kiss Nick once more before they left.
 
They ate a sandwich in the bar at the theatre and each drank a beer.  Gil had been to the opera house before, but not for many years.  But what Nick liked most was Gil's attentiveness.  As in Paris he was happy to hold his hand, to slip his arm around his waist...to show him affection.  H'd missed him so much and Gil was trying not to show it but he was very excited about seeing an opera, which made Nick very happy since h'd bought the tickets without telling him.
 
Nick actually quite enjoyed the opera; it was easy to follow with the words to the songs, arias, on a little screen on the back of the seat in front of him.  Gil switched off his screen since he knew what they were on about, but Nick knew what was going on and he even recognised some of the tunes...he had no idea from where...he reckoned it could have been commercials on TV but didn't mention that to Gil.  There was some excitement at the end of the first act when the tenor retired sick but the understudy was excellent...Gil said he was, Nick really couldn't tell any difference.
 
When they got back to the hotel, Gil was very tired but very happy; they had a nightcap in the bar and then went to bed.  They both slept very well, spooning as they usually did.  They'd made no plans for Sunday; they said they would see how they felt when they woke up.  There was always something to do in New York, even if it was just hanging in the park. 
 
Just as Nick was falling asleep he remembered when he was here at new year and going to the museum and seeing an exhibition advertised that he thought would be interesting; 'The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City'.  He smiled to himself as he remembered exactly what the exhibition was and he snuggled closer to Gil.  H'd mention it in the morning.

***

The next morning they had sex in the shower as they got ready...nothing fancy...although Nick did say there was no chance of the water going cold. They found a diner near the hotel and ate a big breakfast since they'd existed on sandwiches the day before.  They discussed everything and anything.
 
The wedding planner was the best thing Nick had ever done...he reckoned, although Gil raised his eyebrows at Nick's pronouncement.  He was the one, after all, that had persuaded Nick to hire one.  There was no stress in the planning at all.  The flights, the hotel, the wedding venue, the meal – food included – all decided and booked.  A cake, a photographer.  Flowers.  A hundred other things all taken care of and all Nick and Gil had to do was choose rings and wedding outfits and they could do that as soon as Gil got home.  And then show up on the day before the wedding in Vancouver on the seventeenth.  Although it had all been arranged for the wedding party to fly out on the sixteenth.
 
They decided that Nick would put Gil's house up for sale and if they were lucky enough to sell it then specify a date they could have it in mid-June, to give Gil time to sort through what was there and sell it, dump it, or move it to Nick's or to storage.  They would wait until that house was sold before doing anything about buying another and selling Nick's. It would almost certainly be after their wedding.
 
Gil told Nick something h'd been doing, behind the scenes.  Job hunting.  There was an idea being floated around LVPD about extending their training facilities.  All very much in the talking about it stage...but it was something that Gil could do, but more importantly, would want to do and it would be in Vegas.  Nick was so excited about the prospect that Gil had to calm him down.
 
"Nick, they're just talking about it.  But we pay to send staff elsewhere to be trained to facilities that aren't as good as ours, so they're thinking that we could train our own staff and then get paid for training everyone else.  But it still costs money to set up and wouldn't be making money for a couple of years so the problem is financial...everyon's feeling the squeeze.  They may also be some opposition since we could be taking business from other labs.  But w'll see.  I can still write articles and do consultations and I have enough savings and my pension..."
 
"...and I make good money."
 
"I don't want to have to rely on your money."
 
"Why not?  That's what married couples do isn't it?"
 
Gil thought about it and then smiled.  "Yes.  That is what married couples do."
 
"There you go.  Are you having that piece of toast?"
 
"No.  You can have it, I'm on a diet."
 
"You look great.  How much have you lost now?
 
"Twenty-six pounds.  Four to go and I want them off before I get back so I'll look good in my wedding suit...I have a young fiancé so I need to be at my best."
 
"That's true.  I need to make sure I'm in good condition 'cause I'm marrying me a doctor."
 
Gil laughed.  "You make it sound like you're a dog...got to get your coat it good condition."
 
"And have my nails clipped. Teeth cleaned.  Full service."  They laughed.  "Man, I'm so looking forward to it."
 
"Me too.  Me too."  Gil held Nick's hand across the table.
 
"And today, Dr Grissom, I want to go to the Metropolitan museum and see an exhibition there...'The Emperor's Private Paradise: Treasures from the Forbidden City', I saw it advertised when I came here for my family's new year.  Never thought back then that I would be back here with my future husband."
 
"There was something...the exhibition sounds great, let's go...I was thinking about.  What we call each other after w're married.  Husband and husband?"
 
"I guess.  Just so you know I ain't going to be a wife..."  Nick laughed.
 
"...nor would I expect you to be...if I'd wanted a wife...well, let's not go there, shall we?"
 
"Good decision.  Come on, we can get a taxi to the museum."
 
They thoroughly enjoyed the exhibition showing how an Emperor of China lived the life of a god.  They were both fascinated and spent nearly five hours slowly taking in the spectacle and the talks and the virtual tours that were offered.  When they finally emerged it had gone colder and was raining.
 
"I didn't bring my beanie."
 
"Nor me.  Taxi?"
 
"Taxi."
 
Back at hotel they went to bed.  Nick decided he should enter Gil...but he had a problem, whether it was psychological because Gil mentioned it, or real, but his pubic area was itching like mad...especially in the crease of his groin.  An inspection, by both men, revealed that there was some more sensitivity, redness and rash.
 
With Nick protesting not to bother about it, Gil got dressed again and went down to the hotel store to see if they had any cream that would help. It was not a pharmacy but they had some lotions.  Gil decided on a baby lotion for diaper rash and as he caught the elevator back to the room he was chuckling at his purchase.
 
"I don't believe it."
 
"There was nothing else that applied.  After all is in the diaper area."  Gil was trying to be supportive but his chuckle was threatening to become a laugh.  "I can apply it now and I bet you have some instant relief."
 
"I don't know."
 
"Go on...let me.  Do you remember..."
 
"...don't you dare say it...Daddy!"  Nick laughed because they were both remembering the trip to the adult baby store, all those years ago, when the assistant had assumed that Gil was Nick's Daddy!
 
"I think I can assure you, Nicky, baby, that I have no desire to see you in diapers."
 
"I've just had a thought.  If the assistant who sold you this lotion sees us together what are they going to think?"
 
"That I'm a lucky guy to have such a handsome baby boy?"
 
It was at that stage Nick threw a pillow at Gil.
 
The cream certainly did take the sting out the itch and later Gil decided that he had to go to a Cheesecake Factory before going back to Paris.  The nearest one was out at White Plains.  A chat with the doorman revealed they could get there on the Metro in under an hour.  So that's what they did...and it was a great treat since the meal was so loaded with fat and calories that neither man would visit a Factory very often...
 
They talked about Nick's work and Ray's obsession with Nate Haskell.  Gil was very concerned that h'd persuaded Ray to join the team and now he was turning out to be a huge liability.  Though he thought that Catherine, as his supervisor, should try harder to rein him in and that if she couldn't do it then get Ecklie to do the dirty for her.  Nick knew she would never get a handle on Ray any more than he could or even Ecklie.  Catherine would not go to Ecklie and admit defeat, but at the same time Ecklie must have known what was happening.  He was supposed to have him finger on the pulse...Gil was being ironic but Nick took him literally.
 
"I'm not so sure.  I think Conrad is as bamboozled as Catherine at Ray's qualifications and undoubted skills as a psychologist reading the minds of the perps. But ther's something not quite right and that's for sure.  But remember, Gil, that Catherin's been my supervisor before...and well, all she did then was try and divide and conquer Warrick and me.  I know you had your detractors...especially Ecklie, for your supervisory manner but it worked a hell of a lot better than Catherin's ever did...or ever will."
 
Gil shrugged. "With the benefit of hindsight I let Catherine, everyone, get away with a lot.  I always hoped that you would learn for your mistakes and move on...you know what?"
 
"What's that?"
 
"You're the only one that did."
 
"I know."  Nick chuckled but it wasn't funny.
 
"I know what you're thinking."
 
"I bet you do."
 
"I chose everyone else over you...I did, I admit it and it if I could right that wrong I would..."
 
"I think you did, man, I think you did...eventually."  Nick smiled.
 
"Yeah, eventually.  I know how lucky I am, sweetheart."
 
"Just keep that thought and when we get back to the room I'll let you apply more lotion to my diaper rash..."  As he said diaper rash, he lowered his voice and leaned across the table in the crowded restaurant.
 
"It's a deal.  You going to pick up the tab?"  Gil grinned at Nick.
 
"Still paying off your debt for that fancy Parisienne place?"  Nick sniggered.
 
"Something like that. Nick, may I have one last word about your work?"
 
"You will anyway even if I say 'no'."  Nick smiled.
 
"True.  Watch your back, sweetheart.  Ray is on a mission and you could be caught up it, unintentionally...or knowing you, Nick?  Intentionally.  And Catherine.  Well, sh's a red-head and that old saying, 'hell hath no fury...' applies in bucket loads to her."
 
"You sound as if you're speaking from experience."
 
"I am."
 
"Then I promise to be careful, but Gil, I'm not going to abandon my colleagues, whatever happens, I'll always have their backs."
 
"I know you will, Nicky, I know, because that's who you are but please be careful, you have me now."
 
"I do, don't I?  Come on let's get that train back to the metropolis."
 
"After you, Robin."
 
"Ha!  You think you're so funny."
 
"I do, don't I?"  That earned Gil a goosed ass.

***

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