Make the Pain Stop

Disclaimer: I think we all know I don't own them and the reasons why. They are owned by various executives, producers, writers and studios that have more lawyers than I want to mess with. I'm not making any money just borrowing them for a bit and promise to return them

Eric watched as Speed became quieter, more withdrawn. The bags under his eyes were becoming more prominent, the scruffy look was now a full grown beard, and Eric swore the clothes he was wearing were the same ones for the past two days. The Cuban actually wondered if Speed had even gone home.

He knew if he didn't do something now, it would only get worse. Speed kept a brave face at work, but the moment he was alone the mask would drop. Eric knew he just had to wait for that moment, so he watched and waited.

Eric sighed as he walked down the hallway towards the locker room. There were some cases that just get to you; physically, emotionally, and mentally. This had been one of those cases. There were very few people around. The day shift had mostly gone home, and the night shift was out on their own cases. He paused and looked into the Trace lab. Speed was slumped over his workbench. He looked like he was at the end of his rope.

Eric watched as the New York native stood up slowly, his face haggard and full of pain. Speed set aside the last of his reports and hung his lab coat up on one of the hooks. The younger man slipped into the shadows as Speed walked by.

Speed looked into the bathroom mirror. The man looking back at him was someone he didn't recognize. He was tired, in pain, and nothing was helping. He just couldn't take it anymore.

He opened the medicine cabinet and reached for the pills. A warm hand enclosed over his. Speed looked over his shoulder to see Eric.

"It has to be bad enough for you to actually reach for the pain pills. I know how much you hate taking them," Eric said. "Why didn't you just tell me you were in pain?"

Eric sighed in frustration. "No one is questioning if you can do your job, but damn it, Speed, you were shot and your shoulder is still healing."

Speed walked out of the bathroom. "I already get people looking at me…" He cringed as pain sliced down his arm.

Eric maneuvered his stubborn lover towards the bedroom. "Speed, the firing pin jammed; it wasn't your fault. Calleigh practically took a billboard ad out to say your gun was perfectly clean."

Eric pulled his lover into his arms. "No ones waiting for you to screw up. They are watching to make sure you're okay."

"I think I wrenched it when we were searching through the dumpster," Speed admitted quietly.

Eric's hand soothed over the red and irritated flesh. "Speed, you did more than wrench it, this looks torn."

"Do I need to remind you that you were voluntarily reaching for your pain pills? The same ones I had to hide in your food to get you to take when you were recovering." Eric glared at him.

"Get comfortable." Eric pointed to the bed. "If you're good and take your pills, rest and take tomorrow off, I won't tell Alexx."

Speed grumbled as he got into the bed and lay on his stomach. "Well if you wanted me in bed so badly…."

"Hold that thought." Eric grinned as he quickly went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water. He took one pill out of the bottle and put it back inside cabinet in the bathroom on his way back to the bedroom.

Speed was sitting up on the bed when Eric walked back in. He took the pill and downed it with the water without complaint, which should how much pain he really was in. The New York native snaked his good arm around Eric's waist and pulled him close. The kiss was tender and full of love.

"Lay down let me give you a massage." Eric ran his hands through the dark hair. "By that time the pill should take affect."

"You won't leave?" Speed asked as he lay back down. "You know what those pills do to me."

Eric slipped off his own shirt and shoes and straddled his lover's hips. "I'll be right here the whole night."

He warmed the oil in his hands before he began to slide them over the tense back. He slowly kneaded the tight muscles getting them to relax under his ministrations. As he worked over the strong back, he could feel Speed relaxing.

Eric still marveled at the trust his lover gave him. Speed didn't give his trust out easily; as far as Eric knew only a select few had it, and he was blessed to be one of them.

After the shooting, Eric had planted himself at Speed's side, helping him through the initial healing, physical therapy, and Speed's own fears. The nights Speed would wake up from nightmares the two would talk about life, the past, and the future. Slowly their relationship changed, and one day Eric looked into dark brown eyes and saw something. He had leaned over and took Speed’s soft lips into a deep kiss.

Eric leaned forward and kissed the scar on the back of Speed's shoulder. He eased off the sleeping man and off the bed. He put away the oil and wiped his hands and Speed's back. Gently he got his lover out of his jeans and pulled up the blankets to cover him up. Eric took a quick shower and then climbed into bed. He wrapped his arms around his lover and held him close as he drifted off to sleep.