Title: Messages
Author: Bj Jones
Pairing: Gil/Speed
Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: I don't own them. They are owned by various executives, producers, writers and studios who have more lawyers on retainer than I want to mess with. I'm not making any money and promise to return them.
Claim: I may not own the characters or the show but I do own the concept, original characters, and story
Summary: The last of the three messages did him in.
Note: Takes place after 'Moving On'
Genre: Slash
Beta: Lynn (Janet)

~*~

Gil was busy at his desk, doing the dreaded paperwork that he hated beyond reason. He looked up when he heard a knock at his door. Slipping off his glasses, he motioned for Catherine to take a seat, she definitely had that ‘we need to talk’ look.

"Is there something you want to talk about, Cath?" he asked.

"You and Speed?" she got straight to the point.

"It's new and we're seeing how things go." Gil watched her closely. "Is there a problem?"

"No, I'm honestly happy for you." Catherine smiled at him. "Nick wouldn't have wanted you to go back to your reclusive grouchy self."

"Thanks," Gil slipped his glasses back on. "Anything else, I actually need to get this done."

"Well if you didn't wait until the last moment," she teased as she headed out of the office.

Grissom ignored her and went back to filling out the paperwork. When he looked up he was shocked to see that a few hours had gone by. Deciding to get some coffee, he headed towards the break room, and if he happened to walk by Trace and spot Tim it would just make the shift go by faster. He couldn't help but smiling as he walked down the hallway.

As the turned the corner, heading towards Trace he caught sight of his lover. Tim was upset and agitated. Coffee forgotten, he headed directly for the lab.

"Tim?" Gil asked softly.

Speed turned and looked at the older man, his brown eyes full of conflicting emotions. "Hey, I'm running that report..."

Grissom's eyebrow rose. "Not going to work. What's wrong?"

"Nothing..." He looked over at his lover, who frowned. "She's pregnant."

Gil sighed, wanting to reach out. He knew despite everything that had to hurt Tim deeply. "I'm sorry."

"I don't know why I'm upset," he shrugged. "I mean that's why he married her, to give her the life she wanted."

"It hurts because of what it represents, commitment, a family, something you wanted with him, but he got with someone else."

"Ever thought about it?" Tim asked.

"A family?" Gil clarified. "I have one." He looked around the hallway watching Greg talking with Sara. Catherine and Warrick chatting softly; it was good to see them healing their relationship. Losing Keppler had hurt Catherine, and Warrick was there by her side being the friend she needed.

Tim followed his gaze and gave him a small smile. "Well Greg is about as hyper as a two year old."

"This is true," he smiled at him. "Breakfast?"

"Sounds good." Tim handed him the folder he was holding. "I did the analysis, no GSR on the clothes."

"So who else wanted Miss Marks dead?" Gil asked thoughtfully.

"Let me pull out my list, she wasn't well liked," Speed shook his head.

~ At Home ~

Gil barely got the door open before Speed was on him kissing him deeply. Pulling back slightly, he grinned at his young lover. "I know you're tired and sore from leaning over that microscope; how about a hot bath before bed?"

Tim took a deep breath and exhaled. "Sounds heavenly."

As he walked towards the bedroom, he flipped on his answering machine.

"Tim, baby, it’s Alexx..." He stopped and stared at the machine. He could tell Alexx was upset. "I, God... Marisol's dead..." Gil looked over at his lover seeing him go white with shock. "The Mala Noche, they shot her...a warning to Horatio. He's losing it. I've never seen him like this Timmy. He's going over the edge...Call me please."

Speed was perfectly still staring at the machine when the other message came on. "Speed – it’s Eric. I know Alexx told you what happened and I know ... well we haven't spoken since you left, but buddy, I need you right now. H is losing it ... He's going to Brazil after Riaz. I can't stop him - something in him has snapped. I have no right to ask, considering, but you're the only I know who could talk to him...please Speed."

"Speed." The next voice shocked the hell out of Gil; his eyes left his lover as he stared at the machine. "I'm sure they've called you to tell you what has happened. I'm going to Brazil to make sure justice is served... I'm not sure what will happen and I just needed you to know just in case... I'm sorry for hurting you. Walking away that day was the hardest thing I have ever done, and not a moment goes by I don't think about it. You are and always will be in my heart. Goodbye."

Gil barely reached Tim before he collapsed, tears running down his face. Grissom had no doubt in his mind that Caine fully expected to die in Brazil; he was trying to make peace with his one regret. He got Speed off the floor and into the bed, cursing the man silently for doing this to his lover, but in an odd sense he understood why he did it. Gil looked over at the phone then back to Tim; there was really only one choice.

He picked up the phone.

'Delko.'

"Is this Eric?" Gil asked.

'Yes, who is this?' Eric asked suspiciously

"Gil Grissom, I work with Tim," he informed him.

'Speed?' the young man asked in shock. 'Where is he?'

"Dealing with the virtual suicide note Caine left on our machine," Gil snapped before calming himself down. "Where the hell are you two? So I can either fix this or help Tim put this all behind him."

Eric paused then quietly responded, 'Rio.'

"Thank you." Gil hung up and dialed a second number. "Paula, I need two tickets to Rio tonight." He looked up to see Tim looking at him. "I don't care, just book the seats, call me with a confirmation." He hung up and looked at his lover.

"We’re going to Rio?" Speed asked.

"You will never forgive yourself if you did nothing," Gil cupped his cheek. "Don't apologize or try to convince me or yourself you don't care because you do. I've always known a part of you will always love him, like a part of me will always love Nick."

"But Nick didn't leave..." He turned away. "I mean..."

"I know what you meant, but he did leave and it hurt. I can't do anything about it, but you can." Gil said simply.

"I love you," Speed whispered. "I don't want to hurt you in the process of saving Horatio."

Gil smiled at him and pulled him close, kissing him softly. "That's the first time you said that."

"Well I do," Tim buried his head into Gil's shoulder. "I don't know what to do."

"Trust me," Grissom kissed his cheek. "Trust me, knowing I love you too."

Speed pulled away, giving him a deep slow kiss. "I'll pack us a bag."

Gil watched him move towards the bedroom. He closed his eyes and sent up a small prayer, "Please Nick... help me out here." A sudden calmness settled over him, a feeling of peace and warmth swept through the room. "Thanks." Gil turned and followed Tim into the room more secure in his decisions and that it would all work out.

'I'm always here, Gil. Watching over you.'

Next story in series - Saving Love