Title: What Happens in Mexico, Stays in Mexico
By: sillygirl8406
Pairing: GilNick
Rating: R
Summary: Gil wakes up in Mexico City with no memory. He needs to find the only person that can help him, Nick.

***

Dry heaving is the least of his worries. When he woke up he was hot, sweaty, and nauseated. He was lying on a carpeted floor staring under a bed; a bathroom is just on the other side. In the midst of trying to get up he felt his stomach turn so he shot up and bolted for the toilet. Now, he's spitting out the remains left in his mouth. He leans back against the wall, closes his eyes, and breathes in gulps of air. When he opens his eyes, he panics at what he sees.

His body tries to resists the urge to panic, to think clearly and rationalize, but it's no use, his mind can't remember that he used to be in control. That he used to be calm, cool, and collected; the human robot. No, now his mind doesn't remember that, he doesn't remember Vegas, the lab, his bugs. So, when he opened his eyes to see a dead body, male, laying in the bath tub and blood splatter all over the walls he doesn't think to collect evidence or to not disturb anything.

He franticly searches his surroundings, trying to make sense of where he is, why, how, all of it. He stands and balances his body, getting his equilibrium set right. He leaves the bathroom and goes back into the room; it's a hotel room. He tries to think, to remember whose hotel room it is, why he's here, who's the dead guy in the tub, but most importantly who he is.

Okay, calm down. He sits on the edge of the bed, thinking to himself. Get a hold of yourself, this has to be a dream, a bad fucking nightmare.

He finds the hotel key in his pocket and a wallet. He opens it. Grissom, Gil. This is me. Gil Grissom, Las Vegas, Nevada. I don't remember...I don't remember me.

He looks around the room. No baggage, clothes, anything. Why is he here? There has to be something. He goes through the wallet, no cash, no pictures, just a driver's license and a scrap piece of paper. He reads it, 'Meet me at the Emporio Hotel, Mexico City. Nick.'

"Mexico City? Nick?"

He immediately faces the bathroom. He gets up and walks hesitantly to the door and looks in at the dead body in the tub. White male, late 40's maybe, short brown hair, black suit. He tries to fight down the nerves and he swallows the solid lump in his throat. He doesn't want to touch a dead man, but he knows he has to see if the guy has any identification. He needs to know if this is Nick.
What if it is Nick? What if...I killed him?

He stops halfway to the body, fear taking over his body movements. What if I killed a man?

He notices his hands shaking tremendously; he has to get out of the room. He sits back down on the bed and tries to steady himself. The nausea is returning and he can't keep his self under control, but now looking straight at a gun under the table he is frozen with fear, confusion, helplessness.

"What have I done?" Confusion and anxiety prevailing in his mind. He takes the gun and stares at it before he puts it under his shirt. He has to get out of here; if he did just kill a man he doesn't want to be around to get arrested, and if he didn't...how is he going to explain this.

The lock clicks behind him. Room 510, 5th floor. He leans back against the door for a second to get under control before someone sees him, he knows he can't look good. Probably pale faced, shaking, bulge under his shirt, looking like he just found out he might have killed someone, yeah, no one needs to see him like this, whoever this Gil Grissom guy is.

He makes it down to the lobby without any problems, but he sees a security man just as he steps out of the elevator and the guy is walking his way. He keeps walking like he doesn't notice the man coming and continues out the elevator and straight to the hotel bar. Why not? I definitely need a drink.

He sits down at the bar and makes sure the security man wasn't following him. He let out a breath and sighed. What am I going to do?

"Hey señor? You want a drink?" The bartender asks him.

"Uh, yeah, umm, something fuerte, really fuerte."

"Sí señor, I got the strongest tequila just for you, Mexico's best."

"Gracias." At least he knows Spanish, how, he wishes he knew.

After three shots of the worst tequila, but strongest that he thinks he ever had, he finally gets enough courage to go back up to that room again. He hasn't heard any yelling or sirens, so that must be good, no one knows but him that there's a dead man on the 5th floor except him. He goes to pay the bartender when he remembers that he has no money. He looks for a credit card but finds none. Shit.
 

He must have voiced his frustrations out loud too because the bartender walks up to him lowering his voice and head level with his.

"¿Hey señor, usted está permaneciendo aquí?
 

Am I staying here? I have the room key."Sí."
 

"¿Entonces yo pondrá su lengüeta en su cuenta, es eso aceptable?"

He's going to put it on my bill.

"¿Nombre?"

Name? I can't give him my real name, can I? "Nick."

"Nick?"

"Yes. Room 510."

"Gracias. Do you need assistance back to your room, Señor Nick?"

"No...I'm fine. Gracias."

He can't believe he's here again. In this dead man's room, but he has to know, he has to know if Nick is dead or if he can find Nick and ask him what the hell is going on.

He closes his eyes and steps into the bathroom once again. He tries to think of other things besides the blood, the cold body, the smell. Keeping control of the three shots in his stomach and the growing ache in his head he manages to search the body for any identification. At last he finds the wallet and he's immediately out the door and onto the bed gasping for air and trying to keep from vomiting.

With shaking hands he opens the wallet and looks at the man's identification, this is who his is. He lets out a breath, it isn't Nick. Thank god.
 

Why he thinks that, he doesn't know. All he knows is that this Nick guy told him to meet him here for some reason. To set me up? To help me?
 

He leaves the room for the last time, making sure it locks behind him. He heads to the lobby of the Hotel, then out the front doors. I need to find Nick.

***

Grissom goes into a cafe that is just down the street from the hotel and goes right to the back to the men's restroom. He examines himself in the mirror. He looks different from the picture, instead of the graying curls and smooth face; he has darker hair and a beard. But his main concern is the bruise forming over his left temple and the gash in the back of his head. No wonder the bartender took sympathy on me, I look like shit.

He takes out the wallet he took off the dead man. He finds money, barely over 50 dollars, a business card, a key, and an ID.

"Juan Hernandez, Calle Bravo 423, Mexico City, Mexico."

He puts the ID and key in his pocket along with the money, then he washes his faces and tries his best to tend to the gash before he goes back out into the cafe. He sits down at a small table near the counter; an American waiter comes up and asks for his order.

"You have water right?"

"Yes sir."

"Okay, I'll just have a glass of water then, thank you."

Moments later the waiter comes up and gives him his water, "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Yes actually, where is 423 Calle Bravo?"

"That's 4 miles east of here."

"4 miles?"

"Yeah, is that it?"

"Yes. Thank you."

He leans back in his seat and wipes his hand over his face. The heat is starting to all ready get to him. He gulps the water down, which he hopes will help with the headache he's starting to get. The buzz he was having from the tequila is finally wearing off. He asks for another water and waits.

He looks outside the cafe and notices the security guard that he saw in the hotel is standing by the cafe. The guard is talking in a cell phone and staring right at him. He immediately taps the gun that's under his shirt making sure that it's still there.

He downs the glass of water as soon as the waiter puts it down. Then he stands and leaves the cafe. He starts walking in the opposite direction from the guard. He glances over his shoulder and notices that the guard is following him. Damn it! I have to lose him...have to.

He ducks into a store around the corner and heads straight for the back to find an exit. A police cruiser pulls up in front and two officers get out and rush in after him. The guard stays outside to see if Grissom comes out of the back exit. Only seconds pass before the guard sees him coming out of the exit and sprinting down the alleyway. He darts across the street in front of traffic then down the opposite sidewalk. The guard is only a few yards away from him.

"Hey stop! Stop right now if you want to see Nick again Mr. Grissom!"

He stops dead in his tracks and turns around. The guard slows down as well, almost to a complete stop; he is about 20 yards from Grissom.

"If you want to see your friend again, alive, I suggest you come with me now."

He stays facing the guard and breathing hard from the run. Just beyond the guard he sees the other officers trying to make their way across the street and a cab a block away, heading his way.

"Who are you?"

"You know who I am Mr. Grissom and you know that Juan has Nick, so stop playing games! Or I'll just kill you now." He doesn't know that Juan's dead, that I killed him.

The cab is just about to pass the guard. He licks his lips and says, "Good answer."

He raises his hand for the cab and it comes to a stop next to him. He jumps in and the cab speeds away before the guard has time to get out his gun.

 

The cab comes to a stop in front of 432 Calle Bravo. It's an apartment building in the part of the city called "Old Mexico". The place looks run down and it has hardly any paint left on it. He goes into the building and looks over the mailboxes. Hernandez, Hernandez. Here we go, apartment 18.

After searching the bottom floor but only finding it has only 1-10, he runs up the stairs to the second floor. He stops at the 4th door on the right. Apartment 18...here we go.

He takes out the key from his pocket and puts it into the keyhole. The lock clicks. He pulls out the gun and takes a deep breath. He turns the knob and the door cracks open as he steps inside the apartment.

He checks around the living room and dining/kitchen first then moves to the back of the apartment to the bedroom. He opens the bedroom door and comes face-to-face with a man, tied to a chair with his tape over his mouth, with short dark hair and brown eyes.

"Jesus." This is Nick. Has to be. He lowers his gun and puts it away as he kneels down and starts to untie the man. He then rips the tape off of the guy's mouth.

Nick's words comes out a mile a minute, "Grissom thank god you're alive I thought you were dead!"

Nick stands up and wraps his arms around him. Grissom freezes and waits for Nick to release his death grip on him. Nick pulls away and sees the confused look on Grissom's face.

"What's wrong? Jesus Grissom, are you okay? You look like hell."

"I feel like it." He takes a pause then says, "Are...are you Nick?"

Nick stops from his inspection of Grissom's face. "What? What do you mean?"

Grissom takes a step back then leans against the wall. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath and lets it out.

"Grissom? Gris, man, this isn't funny. What do you mean?"

"I mean," he opens his eyes, "are you Nick? And if you are, can I trust you?" Of course I can trust him.

"Yes I'm Nick! Who else could I be? I mean, damn, what's going on? Why do you have to even ask who I am?"

"I...can't, I don't remember you! I don't remember anything, okay." He pushes himself off the wall and goes into the living room.

Nick is just a few steps behind him, practically walking on his heels. "Your head! What--"

"I don't know. I think that could be the reason why I have no memory, I don't know." He stops walking once he gets to the window and turns around and looks at Nick who's right in front of him.

"You mean you don't remember anything about Mexico? About what happened to you?"

"No Nick. I don't remember...well, I didn't know my own name until I looked at my license. I have no memory, none."

"Not of Vegas, Catherine,...not even your cockroaches?"

"I have cockroaches?"

"Yeah, and you race them."

"What? What kind of person races roaches?"

"An entomologist Grissom. That's who."

Grissom stares at Nick in confusion, but most of all anger, because he doesn't remember...he doesn't remember who he is.

"That...that doesn't mean anything to me Nick. I don't know what you're talking about," he says in defeat.

Nick gives him a worried look, "Damn it. I knew I should have stayed with you. That was stupid of me to come back here and not just go with you but--"

"Nick. You can tell me everything later, but right now I think we need to get the hell out of here. It won't take long before that guard finds out that that guy Juan is dead."

"What? Wait, Juan's dead? How--"

"Later Nicky, lets go."

Nick gives him a smirk.

"What?"

 

"You called me Nicky."

"I did? Oh, is that--"

"Okay? It's perfect; you call me that you know. Kind of like a nickname."

"Oh, I didn't even realize that I said it. Maybe...maybe I still have my instincts working huh?"

"Yeah, that's a very good thing Gris...very good."

 

They walk several blocks away and sit down at a table in a near by park. Nick is still studying Grissom and his behavior, very un-Grissom like behavior. Nick doesn't think he'd ever seen Grissom nervous before or paranoid. The whole time they were walking he'd been looking over his shoulder and being cautious of everyone, even a lady and her child.

"So," Grissom says once they sit down, "what's going on?"

"Gris, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. I just need to know why I'm running for my life."

Nick lets out a sigh. "Well. We came to Mexico to do a conference--"

"Here as in Mexico City?"

"No. Here as in Cancun."

"Cancun! How did we get here then?"

"I'm getting to that." He takes a breath then proceeds, "We took two weeks off work to come down here. You had your presentation this week and I don't have mine until next week. So we decide that we wanted to explore more of Mexico. We jumped on the first flight to Mexico City. Everything was going great until..."

"Until what?"

"Until we ran across a guy being gunned down. It was a drug deal gone wrong...it wasn't just a small time thing though. It was Cain Hernandez, Juan's father."

"Who's Cain Hernandez?"

"You really don't remember, do you?"

He shakes his head no.

"Cain is the biggest drug dealer in Mexico. This guy has people in very high places working for him, cops, lawyers, pilots, you name the profession and he has someone that does it working for him."

He shakes his head, "The security guard at the hotel." He puts his head in his hands, "Damn it Nicky. I killed Cain's son."

"Are you sure you killed him?"

"Of course, I mean, who else could have? I was the only one there."

Nick reaches across the table and grabs his arm. "Grissom. You don't know that. Someone else could have been there."

Grissom stands up from the table, pacing back and forth. "It doesn't matter. The guard knows I was there. Even if someone else was there and killed Juan, do you think that Cain's going to believe that? And if he does it doesn't change the fact that we witnessed him killing a man. He's already out to kill us already, this just makes him more determined."

Nick stands and walks over to him. "Grissom calm down, please. All we need to do is get back to Cancun and get the hell out of here. Once in Vegas we can get the feds on the guy."

"We didn't bring anything with us?"

"No. Just the money in our wallets. That's all we thought we'd need...Grissom, that was two days ago. We were supposed to be here for just one day and then back on the flight back by eleven."

"Two days...and your presentation is when?"

Nick swallows the lump in his throat. "Next Friday, that's nine days away."

He looks into Nick's eyes and nods, "We have nine days before anyone knows that we're missing." He takes a breath, "It's what? Almost 800 miles from here to Cancun."

Nick shakes his head, "I don't know. That sounds about right."

"And we can't trust the police?"

Nick shrugs his shoulders. "I wouldn't."

Grissom laughs a little, "Yeah, me neither." He pulls out the money from his pocket. "I took Juan's wallet, he had some cash in it. 54 bucks," he hands it to Nick, "that's it."

 

"Grissom. Grissom. Gil!" Nick stops walking and leans against a light post.

Grissom stops and turns around. They'd been walking for three hours straight since they left the park.

"You doing okay Nick?" He walks back to the younger man, who's still leaning against the pole.

"No. I'm tired and hungry. Not to mention thirsty and I think the heat is getting to me. I've been feeling sick."

Grissom bits his lower lip and stares down at Nick. Nick looks up at him and groans. He raises his eyebrow in question.

Nick laughs. "You really shouldn't do that."

He gets a confused look, "What?"

"That, the look. It's distracting."

"It distracts you?"

Nick laughs again, "Yeah, it does so stop it."

He lets a small smile spread over his face, "I'm sorry that I distract you, I'll try to stop."

"Good. So, can we stop for the day. It'll be dark soon and we don't want to be wondering around Mexico at night Gris."

"Okay. I saw a small motel back the other way. Come on."

"A motel. I didn't see a motel." Nick follows next to Grissom.

"That's because you were too busy looking at me."

Nick stops in his tracks, "No I wasn't," he says defensively but failing miserably because his whole face is going red.

"Yes you were. I saw you."

"Well, I was just making sure you didn't pass out on me, that's all." Regaining his composer back he walks by Grissom and continues down the street.

 

They check into the motel, only 5 bucks a person per night, not bad at all. Nick and Grissom both sit down and start undressing. Neither one of them cares about there being one bed in the room, they just need rest.

"So," Nick says as he folds his clothes and places them on the floor, "do you think that once the swelling goes down that you'll have your memory back?"

Grissom faces him, he is already laying in the bed with the covers only coming up to his waist. Nick immediately regrets looking over at the older man. He wills his feelings down and tries to focus on what Grissom is saying.

"I hope so. I was thinking that it could be due to emotional stress but usually something familiar, like seeing someone you know, brings you out of it. I ruled that out once I found you because nothing clicked."

"You called me Nicky. Doesn't that count?" Nick lays down in the bed next to him and pulls the covers over him.

"I think I just still have gut instincts working. Well, about you anyway."

Nick glances over at him, "What do you mean?"

Grissom continues to look at the ceiling, thinking. "Well, when I first woke up in the hotel and saw Juan dead, I panicked. I didn't have any instincts about being calm and preserving evidence. It's like all my instincts about being a CSI are gone, but, when I found out that Juan wasn't you, my instincts told me that was good, more than good. And you didn't even have to tell me back at the apartment that I should trust you because I already knew I could. It's like, every thing about my life is gone...except for what I feel for you." He looks over at Nick, "Is that crazy?"

Nick, who'd been listening to Grissom the whole time is speechless, confused, and excited. "All--" he stops and then tries to speak again, "All you have left is...me?" He barely gets the words out before his voice cracks.

Grissom stares at Nick for a few moments and nods. "I guess so."

Nick lets out a strangled breath and tries to calm himself. Here is his boss, who has no memory at all, confessing to him that the only thing that he has left is...is him. This is crazy, he thinks to himself.

For years he has been trying to hide his feeling for his boss, let Grissom write it off as just hero worship, but the truth was it was more than that. He had hoped that being on this two week trip with Grissom that he could see if the older man felt the same way, but this isn't the time for that. He doesn't know if that is just the scared part of Grissom that needs something to hang on to right now as he tries to figure out himself, or if this is some deep feeling that he has always had for him.

Nick turns to Grissom to voice his thoughts only to see him asleep. Nick sighs to himself and turns over on his side and tries to go to sleep.

***

Nick's eyes flutter open in the sunlight. He pulls the covers over his head and sighs, then stretches. His arms fall on the bed, his right one hitting something next to him. He fills around the bed and notices that it's Grissom, but that's not his face. Fabric and... bare chest.

"Nick."

"Oh shit." Nick nearly jumps out of the bed upon hearing Grissom's voice. He lands on the edge of the bed and catches himself before he falls over. Grissom is sitting on the bed, leaning against the wall with his legs stretched out wearing nothing but his pants. "Grissom. I'm sorry, I was still half-asleep and confused. I didn't mean--"

"Nick. It's okay. I woke up with my arm around you."

Nick blinks; did Grissom just say that? "Oh. You did?"

Grissom chuckles at the disbelief on Nick's face. "It's natural to take comfort in your sleep with the person next to you."

"It is?"

"I don't know. I just thought it'd be a good excuse."

"Oh." Nick gets a smile on his face and starts laughing at himself. "You know that the old you would have never told me that."

"Really. Why?"

"You were always...reserved. Never letting anyone in." Nick stands up and starts picking through his clothes.

Grissom keeps watching him. He bits his bottom lip in thought then stands and grabs his shirt and puts it on. "Do you want me to be like that?" He doesn't look up at Nick.

Nick slides his jeans up and then pulls on his shirt. "No... I guess I'm just used to you like that. That's all."

"But you want me to be more open." He locks eyes on Nick, waiting for an answer.

"Yeah, but only if you feel comfortable with it. This is just too weird for me. You don't remember who you are and you're being the most honest with me that you've ever been."

Grissom nods his head in understanding. "I understand, but I have to be open now. I need to understand what I'm thinking and why, about things I feel and dream to know what's real. To know if I'm remembering the past or just nonsense."

Nick stares at him in confusion. "What dreams?"

Grissom looks down shaking his head. "It's nothing just a dream. It can't be real anyway; it's too...crazy. Forget about it."

"Hang on. You just said you need to be open but now you're shutting down."

"I'm...I'm afraid, okay. It involved you and it hurt too much just dreaming about it. What if I don't want to know if it really happened?"

Nick opens his mouth to say something but closes it. The pain in Grissom's eyes makes his heart break. He shakes his head and looks at the floor. He finally gets the courage enough to look Grissom back in the eyes. "Why? Why does it hurt so badly?"

Grissom picks up the gun he still has and puts it back under his shirt. Nick noticed it before but he doesn't need to ask about it. "Because...you almost died and it was my fault."

"What was the dream Grissom?" Nick says forcefully. He has a pretty good idea what it was and he needs to let Grissom know what happened.

"You were buried alive with ants...fire ants and they were killing you. You were dying and I couldn't find you."

Nick takes a breath and looks at the man in front of him. "A dad who wanted pay back for us putting his daughter in prison took me. I thought I was going to die but then you were there with the rest of the team. You saved me. You figured out the ants, Gris. You risked your own life to find me...and you did. I didn't die."

Grissom nods his head and wills away the lump forming in the back of his throat along with some tears. "Okay. So, umm, that really happened?"

Nick walks over to him. "Yes, but I didn't die, because of you I'm here now to save your ass and help you get your memory back."

Grissom laughs. "What a way to repay a debt huh?"

Nick looks right into Grissom's eyes. Staring into them to let Grissom know that he's not joking around. "This is no debt."

Grissom stares back into Nick's keeping the same intensity for a second, he then looks away. "Are you hungry or thirsty? Let's get out of here and get some food." He turns away and goes to the door. Nick is still standing, staring after the man who just walked out the door.

 

They make their way down the street to an old Mexican bar. They both get a glass of water, even though the bartender is giving them an angry stare.

"I would suggest that we order a beer to not piss off the guy but we don't have the money." Nick says as they sit down.

"No, we don't. We have 44 dollars left. After we buy food and water to take with us, that'll probably leave us somewhere between 30 to 35." Grissom takes a sip of his water and looks around the bar. He spots a man, apparently deaf, signing to the bartender.

"What's the plan of getting out of here?" Nick downs half his water.

Grissom snaps his head back to Nick. "I was thinking about hitchhiking."

"Are you serious?"

Grissom shrugs. "If you have a better idea I'm all ears."

Nick frowns. "I was actually thinking the same thing; I was just hoping you had a better idea then me. I was thinking that we should head to the coast. It's due east of here and we can follow that to Cancun."

"That seems like the best thing to do. We need to save money for only food, water, and what ever shelter we find."

"Yeah, we need to avoid the Rule of Three's."

Grissom arches his eyebrow. "The Rule of Three's?"

"Three minutes without air, three days without water, three weeks without food."

"Oh, well, that's good to know."

"Hey it better be. I heard it from you." Nick gives Grissom his best smile since he found him.

Grissom stares at him in astonishment. Oh, wow. Have I always thought he looked amazing when he smiles like that? He clears his throat and downs the rest of his water. "I think it's time to get the hell out of Dodge."

"Don't you mean Mexico?" Nick drinks the rest of his too and they both stand up and leave.

 

They make a stop at a store and buy a small bag, food that doesn't need refrigeration, bottle water, matches, and a map of Mexico. With only 32 dollars left they start their way towards the coastal line. A half-hour into their walk Grissom turns to Nick.

"How do I know sign language?"

"I haven't got a clue. I know that you know sign language, but how you know it...I never found out."

"I never told you?"

"Nope. I think you told Catherine but she won't tell me."

"Catherine? Is she my..."

Nick looks over at Grissom, "Hell no man. You guys are like, I don't know, family I guess. Best friends with no obligation. You guys have known each other for years and you talk about everything, well, almost everything. You still keep a lot of secrets."

They keep walking for several more minutes without one of them saying a word. Nick hands off the bag for Grissom to carry now.

"Have we ever talked?" Grissom asks once he takes the bag from Nick.

"Not much."

"Why?"

Nick glances over to Grissom, "I don't know, we just never did. Nothing personal anyway, we've had our small talk and everyday chitchat, but nothing besides that."

"Do you want to?"

"Now."

"Sure."

Nick laughs to himself. "It's no use when you can't return the same information." Nick looks behind him. He sees a truck heading their way. "Well, look here. I bet he stops for us." Nick holds out his arms and waves the guy down. The truck stops in front of them.

 

"Well, I never thought I'd ever be riding in the back of a truck filled with crates of tomatoes." Nick says as he leans back against the side of the truck.

Grissom's been very amused by watching Nick try to find a comfortable sitting position in the back of the truck for ten minutes now. "Could you sit still and just relax. It'll be awhile before we get to the coast."

"I know. It's just...packed back here. Why couldn't we sit in the front?"

"Because the front smells like whiskey and if the guy passes out and wrecks I'd rather be able to jump to safety then to be trapped in the front seat."

"Good thinking."

Grissom grins, "I thought so." They sit in silence for over an hour before Grissom speaks again. "I...I like your smile."

Nick had been dosing off until he hears Grissom's remark. "You like my smile?"

"It's something personal. Now, you tell me something personal."

Nick blinks; he thinks for a minute. "What kind of personal information?"

Grissom shrugs. "What ever you want me to know."

"Okay. I like your smile too." Nick says with a smile and laugh.

Grissom's taken back, "That wasn't exactly what I was hoping for."

"Sorry, but I feel weird telling you really personal stuff when you're not fully you yet."

"Then I'll hold you to it."

"To what?"

"When I get my memory back, you tell me everything I want to know about you."

Nick smirks. "Really? And in return?"

"I'll tell you everything you want to know about me."

Nick slides down the side a little, getting back into a more laying down position. He doesn't realize that he'd fallen asleep until the slowing of the truck makes him wake up. He checks his watch; they've been in the back of this truck for a little over three hours now. He glances up at Grissom who is just now starting to close his eyes.

"Do you remember why you went to the hotel?"

Grissom blinks awake and looks down at Nick, who's staring up at him. "I don't remember, but you should know, you left me the note."

Nick sits up and looks at him in confusion. "I didn't leave you a note."

"Yeah you did."

"Grissom, I never left you a note. I left you at the airport."

"Why did you leave me? What the hell happened?"

"We found out that Hernandez was the guy we saw killing that man while we were waiting to get back on the plane. You wanted to stay but I wanted to get the evidence against him and take it to the police. I talked you into going but you wanted to call police first to have them meet us there. I took off without you because I knew that it'd probably be dangerous and I didn't want you to get hurt."

"Nick. That was completely--"

"Stupid of me. Yeah, I know that Gris, but it's the truth, and besides, I thought that the police were going be there. They never showed up. Juan was already there when I showed up. He was putting the body in the back of a van, probably to dump it somewhere. I followed him to his apartment and that's when he attacked me."

"You followed him. Why?"

"I don't know, I just did. I had to find out who he was I guess." He shakes his head. "I never left you a note."

Grissom looks confused and worried. "Then, how did I get a note from you saying to meet you at that hotel?"

"They must have seen us and followed us to the airport. Once they saw that I left they must have written that note for you."

"They couldn't have done anything at the airport because it was too crowded."

"So they took their opportunity when I left. Made you think I'll meet you there once I got done."

"But why didn't they kill us already. Juan had his chance when he got you at the apartment. Then at the hotel, he probably could have killed me once I walked in the front door."

They both stare at one another for a second, both unsure as what to say or do.

"Nick?" Grissom says after a minute.

"What?"

 

"They could still be following us. You said it yourself, Cain has a lot of people working for him. The motel manager, the bartender, the store clerk, hell, even this truck driver could be working for him. If he wanted us dead we'll be dead by now. I think he might want something from us."

Nick nods. "I think we should get out of this truck."

"Yeah."

At the next turn, the truck slows down a little to make the sharp turn and Nick and Grissom jump out of the truck. They make their way right of the truck and into the forest that is off to the side of the road.

 "Do you know where we are?" Nick puts the bag down and pulls out the map.

"I saw a sign not too far back that said Poza Rica is 10 miles away."

Nick sits down and examines the map. "Shit. He lead us off Grissom, look."

Grissom kneels down and studies the map. "Weren't we supposed to be heading to Cordoba?"

"Yes. That's what? 200 miles south of here."

"Well, we are still close to the coast, even though we are off track by 200 miles. We can probably follow this river here to the gulf. Then just head south."

"Yeah, but let's hope these guys don't find us first."

"If we stay in the forest and hike along that river we should be good. It'd take them some time to find us, if they do."

Nick stays studying the map while Grissom gets up and watches the highway, making sure the truck doesn't come back. "Grissom. You're estimate was wrong."

Grissom turns around and looks down at Nick, "What estimate?"

"From Mexico City to Cancun, you did a straight shot, didn't you?"

"Yeah, I think I did."

"Well, taking in the fact that you can't go from Mexico City to Cancun in a straight line, add about 400 miles, give or take. Now, placing us in Poza Rica, that is...over 1,000 miles. We're back were we started from...well, miles wise. That three hours did nothing for us."

"So, what 1,000 miles is roughly...20 hours."

"Yeah, and that's if you're driving. Walking on the other hand."

Grissom rubs his face, trying to think, but the beginning of a migraine is forming in his temples. He closes his eyes and presses his hands against his temples.

"Are you okay?"

Grissom opens his eyes and Nick is standing just inches from him, he looks worried. "Yeah, just a headache."

Nick frowns. "If you start experiencing anything else like blurryness or nausea, let me know okay? You have a history of migraines."

Grissom nods. "Okay. Thanks for telling me."

"No problem." He picks up the bag and starts walking into the forest. "Come on. The rivers this way."

***

In exactly 2 hours they reached the river and they begin to head east to the coast.

"How long did it take us to reach the river?" Grissom asks as they start to follow the river.

"Uh, 2 hours. Why?"

"And how many miles was that?"

"7 miles give or take."

"Okay, it took 2 hours to walk 7 miles and once we get to the coast it's about a thousand to Cancun right?"

"I believe so."

Grissom goes over the figures in his head, "It'll take us 12 or so days to walk that. That's not counting the time it'll take us to walk to the coast, or the time we take to stop to eat or rest. So at most it'd take us over two weeks."

Nick looks over at his once supervisor, "What are you suggesting?"

"That the U.S. border seems to be closer Nicky. I think we should just start heading north, through the forest for get about the coast. Hell, I don't know, these are just rough estimates we've got, but the U.S. is closer. Probably by five hundred miles. That's a 6 day walk, half the time. And walking all the way to the coast first is taking up time. It was a good plan when we were heading to Cancun, but not for the border. Plus, they'll have border guards and it'll be easier to get protection there."

"I thought about that too, but we are two Americans lost in Mexico Gris. Cain's probably thinking that the first thing we'll do is head for home. I wouldn't be surprised if he had every road and entrance into the U.S. guarded or being watched."

Grissom stops and turns to Nick. "Don't you think he'll have people at Cancun too? Nick he knows who we are. By now he probably knows where we were staying. There could be someone ready to kill us as soon as we step foot in our rooms! It doesn't matter where we go, either way, there will be someone waiting for us."

"Yes. I've thought about that Grissom, but I can't just give up and say 'Oh well, either way I'm a dead man!' I have to believe that I can make it out of here alive with you with me. Okay!"

Nick starts walking again and stares straight ahead, angry that they're even in this situation. Grissom is right, it doesn't matter where we go, we'll get caught, sooner or later, and then we'll be killed. We're just walking toward our deaths.

 

They both don't speak again until the sun starts it's descent behind them. They come upon a clearing by the river and Grissom stops and looks around. Nick kneels down by the river and scoops up a handful of water and rubs it on his face and the back of his neck.

"Are we stopping here?" He asks as he gets up.

Grissom nods. "Pretty soon it'll be dark. I think we should get a fire going before that happens."

"I agree." He looks around, "Okay; we'll split up to look for some wood. I'll go this way and you go that way."

Grissom starts walking but suddenly he gets dizzy. He staggers and leans against a tree and rubs his head. Nick is by his side in a second.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Grissom shakes his head. "No. I'm dizzy and my head is pounding." He rubs his eyes with his palms and looks at Nick. "I think I'm getting sick."

"It's your migraine. Here, sit down and rest, I'll go get some wood."

 

By the time the sun descended Nick had a fire going and a pile of wood for the night. Grissom had been lying down most of the time. Getting up occasionally to help Nick with the fire. They've been sitting in silence for a while then Nick clears his throat.

"I'm sorry."

Grissom lifts his head. "About what?"

"Getting angry back there."

Grissom laughs a little. "I'm the one who needs to apologize, Nick. You were right; we can't just give up and not do anything."

"You were right too. It'd probably be better if we head for the border."

They both look at each other and smile. Nick turns back to looking at the fire while Grissom keeps looking at him. Nick realizes that Grissom is still staring at him so he looks back over at him.

"What?"

Grissom thinks, You're so beautiful. He shakes his head and looks back at the fire, laughing at himself. He shrugs, "I'm starting to remember things."

"Oh, what?"

Grissom glances back at Nick, "I remember how I know sign language." He turns his full attention on Nick. "My mother's deaf. She taught me."

Nick smiles. "Figured as much, but it wouldn't have surprised me if you learned it on your own. Anything else?"

"Bugs."

"Bugs." Nick laughs. "I should have known that you would remember what kind of spider was what before you remembered where you live."

Grissom laughs. "Yeah, well, it seems to me that seeing or feeling certain things is what's bringing my memory back. I guess when I get to Vegas and actually see where I live I'll remember it."

Nick gets up and adds more wood to the fire. He stays standing looking down at the flames. Grissom lies down on his back, putting his hands behind his head and looks up at the sky. Nick glances down at him; he looks absolutely sexy like that. "You feel better?"

Grissom frowns. "No, not really. The sun was bothering me, a lot, but since it's night my head doesn't hurt as much. I still feel sick though, the water helped a little."

"Do you think you can eat?"

Grissom looks over at him. "No, not really. Just the thought of food right now makes my stomach turn. Maybe tomorrow." Grissom yawns and closes his eyes.

"Do you want to take turns keeping watch? I know from experience that we can function pretty well on just 4-5 hours sleep."

Grissom still has his eyes closed. "That's fine. Just wake me up when it's my turn." Within seconds he's sound asleep. Nick stays standing at the fire, keeping watch.

 

"I can not believe that it's raining." Nick says as they walk down the river's edge looking for an easy way to get across.

Grissom didn't have to wake Nick up in the morning; the sudden down pour did that for him. He looks back at Nick whose 20 yards behind him. He has to yell because the rain is so loud. "It doesn't matter anyway! It looks like we have to swim for it!"

Nick stops in his tracks. "What!? You want to swim across, are you nuts!?"

"Probably!" He looks down stream, the water is pretty still at this part of the river but further ahead it's getting rougher. The only thing is that they have to climb down a slope, swim across and then climb back up another slope. They've been trying to find a street or highway, but no such luck. He looks back down to Nick who is walking closer, with his shirt stuck to him, Grissom has to look away before he gets excited and makes a fool of himself. Nick stops next to Grissom, who's dripping wet also.

"Gris--"

"Do you ever call me Gil?"

The question makes Nick stop mid-sentence. "Not usually, no."

"Well, call me Gil. I'm getting sick of this last name thing when I call you by your first...I don't even remember your last name."

"It's Stokes Gr...Gil."

"Stokes, Stokes...Nick Stokes. Okay, that sounds right." He takes a breath then looks back at Nick. "Ready to make a swim for it."

Nick looks at the water. "No, not really."

"Well, this would be easy if we didn't have to deal with a slope on both sides. But it should be easy to climb up over there then anywhere else that I've seen and the water gets rougher ahead." He looks at Nick. "You first."

Nick's head snaps up. "What? Why me first?"

"Because I'm old! You have to help me up that thing. Once you climb up you pull me up, simple, easy, no problem. Now come on we don't have all day."

Nick signs and shrugs. "Okay, fine." He wraps the bag around his left hand and he slowly climbs down to the water.

 

They make their way across the river, Nick first with Grissom right behind him. The river isn't as deep as they thought it would be. They both can touch the bottom without the water coming up to their necks...well, until the water starts to rise.

"Gil?"

"Yeah."

"Does Mexico have flash floods?"

"I'm not sure. Why?"

"Because this water is, uh, rising awfully fast."

Grissom looks upstream just in time to see the strong waves heading their way. "Oh fuck. Nick, hurry!"

Nick looks left to see the water suddenly coming fast at them. "Shit!" He swims fast to the opposite side and grabs an exposed tree truck sticking through the ground and he pulls himself up onto the ground. He tosses the bag and turns around to get Grissom, who is trying to climb up.

"Grissom! Grab my hand, come on!"

Grissom grabs his hand as soon as the water pounds into him. The force pulls Nick back into the river with Grissom. He slams into the water and is immediately being swept down the river. Grissom is still above the water heading down the river as well, but he can't see Nick. "Nick! Nick!" He tries to see what's in back of him in the river but the water is rushing over him too fast and the rain is getting thicker.

"Nick!"

He looks ahead just in time to get a glimpse of a log right in front of him, but it's too late to avoid it. He hits it hard and lets out a cry before he blacks out.

 

I'm dead. I'm fucking dead.

"Grissom wake up man! Grissom! Come on wake up!" Nick yells at Grissom. He is holding him as tightly as he can against him with his left arm while his right one is wrapped tightly around the log. The river is calming down but Nick can't pull himself and Grissom out of the water.

Grissom's eyes blink open. "Nick?"

"Oh, thank you. Yes, it's me. Are you okay? Can you move?"

Grissom feels the log behind him so he reaches around and grabs hold. "Yeah, I can move. Are you okay?"

"Fine. Never better, besides the fact that I almost drowned then when I surfaced I saw you take a hit to the head. Don't you ever do that again!"

"Believe me Nicky that's the last thing I want to do again." He turns around and lets go of Nick and he wraps his other arm around the wood. He lets out a sigh. "It stopped raining."

"Left as quickly as it came. Come on; let's get to dry land."

 

They've made it to higher ground, then they both collapsed to the ground, drained and soaked.

"I hope we don't catch pneumonia." Nick lets out a cough as he leans back against a tree trunk.

Grissom is next to him, nursing his head with his sleeve. "Am I bleeding? I can't tell."

Nick looks at his head. "No, just a scratch, but you'll have one hell of a bruise to match the one that's finally fading on your eye."

He looks weary at Nick. "Yeah, well, I'll have one hell of a story to tell Jim." As soon as the words escape his mouth he looks at Nick, who's already staring at him. He smiles and smirks. "Well, if one good thing came out of this, it's that I got my memory back."

"Yeah, it took a hit to the back of your head to lose it and a hit to the front to get it back."

"Law of physics I guess." Grissom says with a wink. They both let out a laugh. "It could have also been the trauma though. Usually a seriously traumatic experience can cause someone with amnesia to regain his or her memory back, and the thought of losing you was definitely traumatic."

"Good to know I'm valued." Nick says as he stands up. "Come on. Lets go find the desert and get dry."

Grissom pushes himself off the ground. "I always value you, Nicky." He gives Nick his best smile and then they start walking. "We are on the north shore aren't we?" He says as they start walking.

"Oh, yeah. We aren't crossing that river ever again. I lost the bag so we now have nothing. I think the river ate it and there's no way I'm going in to retrieving it. So, what do you say, east or northwest, coastal heat or desert heat?"

"How about no more water for a few days."

"Sounds good to me Gris."

"It's Gil. I'll still like for you to call me Gil."

Nick looks over at him with a smile. "Okay, Gil, desert it is."

 

The sun is pounding down on them as they make their way through the forest towards the desert. They come upon a clearing. The land has a few houses on it and a lot of fields.

"Farmland?" Grissom raises an eyebrow.

"Better than no land." Nick continues walking. "Want to see if anyone could spare some food?"

"Forget food. See if they have a vehicle that we can take off their hands...Do you still have your wallet?"

Nick reaches into his pocket. "Yeah."

"Good, glad one of us does."

Nick looks at him. "You don't have yours?"

"No, it's probably at the Gulf by now, along with the gun." He falls in step behind Nick.

"Maybe, we could buy some food and water off them if they won't give it to us." Nick looks back at Grissom. "What do you think?"

"I think I need to sit down before I pass out. The sun is getting to me again and the throbbing pain in head is getting worse."

"Is the nausea back?" He stops and lefts his hand up to Grissom's forehead.

Grissom stops, almost frozen from Nick's touch. He swallows hard. "Is it a fever?" God, if he doesn't remove his hand soon...

Nick smirks. "No. It could be just a head cold, with a migraine."

They continue their walk to the houses. Nick goes up to the first one and knocks on the door. After a minute he knocks again, still no answer.

"No one's here Gil."

Grissom points down the street. "Lets try those two...someone has to be home."

They walk to the next two houses and the same outcome, no one is home.

"Well, this just sucks." Nick sits down on the porch steps. "What now?"

Grissom sits next to him. "Continue heading north. There has to be hundreds of towns on the way that we'll run into."

Nick stands and nods. "Yeah, but you need something now."

"Don't worry about me, okay. I'll be fine."

Nick stares down at him. "I can't help but worry Gil. You're obviously in pain. We both need some food and water, not to mention sleep--"

"What do you suggest?"

"I don't know. We need to get to the next town fast. Stay there for the rest of the day to get you feeling better, if we keep pushing this something might happen."

Grissom tightens his lips. "Fine."

"That's it, fine?"

"Of course." He stands up. "You're right. I'm in no condition to be walking around in this heat all day. You do realize this is putting us back another day?"

"I don't care. As long as you're safe, I don't care if we're here for a month."

Grissom smiles, I could kiss you right now. "Well, lets hope it doesn't come to that. So, how do we get to a town fast?"

"I don't know if I want to try hitchhiking again, well, unless it is with a tourist group or something."

Grissom chuckles. "I agree. We could, uh, you know..."

Nick narrows his eyes, "What?"

"Well, we are in a foreign land trying to survive."

"You, Gil Grissom, are suggesting stealing?"

"Why not? This is a matter of life and death Nick. Besides, that truck over there doesn't look like anyone would care if it was stolen." Grissom walks past him to the truck that is parked beside the house.

Nick follows him, "I can't believe we're doing this. We don't even know if it works or has gas in it."

"We soon will, and if it doesn't, then there's nothing to worry about." Grissom opens the driver's side door and climbs in.

Nick goes around to the passenger side door and leans on it. "And if it does?"

Grissom looks up at him. "Then we'll deal with that when, and if, it happens."

Grissom messes with the wires under the steering wheel for a minute, then the sound of the engine roars. Grissom looks up at Nick and smiles. "See it works, and" he looks at the gas gauge, "half tank of gas." He looks over at Nick. "Are you coming?"

Nick opens the door and gets in. "How do you know how to hot wire a truck?"

"My mother." He looks at Nick and laughs. "Just kidding. I taught myself during a case. You know me; I have to know exactly how something works." He starts to put the truck in gear until Nick stops him.

"Should you be driving? What if you get dizzy again or blurry vision?"

"Nick, I'm fine. I can drive."

"No." He gets out of the truck and walks around. "Come on, move over I'm driving."

"Nick--"

"Gil I'm not letting you drive in your condition, now move."

The look on Nick's face is telling him that he is not backing down from this. "Fine." He moves over and Nick gets in the driver's seat.

 

They find the main highway and start heading north, looking for a nearby town. Within ten minutes Nick finally looks over at Grissom.

"Want to talk?"

Grissom sighs and glances over in Nicks direction. "What about? Personal information?"

Nick smiles. "No, not really. I just thought that since you have your memory back you'll like to tell me what exactly happened at the hotel."

Grissom shakes his head. "Nothing really happened..."

Nick looks at Grissom then back at the road. "No way. You are not doing this--"

"Nick." Came Grissom's stern voice.

"No. You said when you get your memory back you'll answer anything I want to know. And now, you're turning off, aren't you? Hiding away again. Well, I'm not having that, you're goin' to tell me Gil! Now! What happened?" Nick looks back at Grissom, who has a completely stunned look on his face.

Grissom swallows and closes his eyes, Man, that man is so sexy when he's mad. He opens his eyes and rubs his head. "I was waiting for you to get there. I saw Juan come in and go to the elevators, I followed him, he attacked me once I got off the elevator, then, hell, I don't know Nick, the next thing I know I shot him...then I woke up with no memory." He takes a wary glance over at Nick, "That's it."

Nick shakes his head. "That's not it. I know you're not telling me something. What else?"

"It doesn't matter, it's over, done with. Juan's dead, I killed him, end of story." He looks back out the window.

"Gil--"

"Nick." He looks over at the younger man. "This is over, okay."

"Okay, fine."

Grissom lets out a sigh of relief. "Give me your wallet."

"Why?"

"The money needs to get dried out."

"Oh, yeah." Nick hands him his wallet.

Grissom pulls the money out and lays them in between him and Nick. "I think we should just get some food and stuff then fill up on gas and just head for the border and forget about staying."

Nick nods. "I was thinking the same." Nick looks at Grissom, who is looking through Nick's wallet, he has a frown. "What?"

He keeps looking through the wallet, "All your pictures are ruined."

Nick laughs. "Oh, that's okay. I have plenty at home."

"Are these your family members?"

"Yeah, most of them are. Sisters, brother, nieces and nephews, some are friends I've known for years and there kids." He looks at Grissom. "Do you have family, I mean like, brothers and sisters?"

Grissom shakes his head. "No, I'm the only child."

"Man, I couldn't even imagine that."

Grissom chuckles, "Yeah, well, I couldn't imagine having any siblings. It's always been just me, well, and my mom, but she was deaf so it was really quiet most of the time. I was the only one making noise in the house."

"Sounds pretty, dull."

"I kept myself entertained. Read a lot, collected bugs, and then later dead animals, and you know, blowing up chemistry sets."

Nick laughs. "Yeah, I forgot about that. How in the hell did you manage to blow up a kids chemistry set? All it ever did for me was change colors and foam."

He shuts the wallet and hands it back to Nick. "Well, I got sick of it just changing colors and foaming, so I used my own chemicals...then I guess I mixed the wrong stuff together--"

"Then the house went up in flames?"

"No, just my bedroom carpet."

They both start laughing. "Man," Nick says in between laughs, "I bet your mom wanted to kill you."

"She probably did. I was grounded for a month though. Had to sleep in the guest room until the floor was redone."

Nick keeps laughing. "You trouble maker."

Grissom laughs. "Well, not as bad as you guys I would imagine. All those kids running around, I bet you were more trouble then I ever was."

Nick smiles over at Grissom, "Of course I was. I'm the baby after all, I got away with everything. By the time I came along, my parents were just like, 'Let the boy do whatever.' My older sisters were actually the ones that raised me. My mom and dad worked, so the older siblings took care of the younger ones. Unfortunately for me that meant my sisters were in charge. I had so many makeovers that some people would come over and actually think I was a girl."

Grissom can't hide his laughter and the huge smile on his face. "I bet you were adorable."

Nick looks over at him. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up Mr. I'm the only child. It was painful having to sit through tea parties and have people stop by the house and see me and say, 'What a pretty little girl you have there. I thought you had another son?'"

Grissom lets out another laugh. "I'm sorry, but that's too funny Nicky."

Nick smiles and laughs too, mostly at the way Grissom is being, he'd never seen him laugh as much or have a smile as big as he does right now. "Yeah, it is funny, still painful, but funny. I'm glad you're enjoying this."

Grissom looks over at him, "What's not to enjoy? Well, beside the obvious, but I'm enjoying this, being with you and...talking. So, did you ever do anything to really upset your parents. I think the chemistry set was mine, I never really did anything that went against my mom."

Nick looks over at him, in disbelief. "Never."

Grissom shakes his head. "Well, there was the leaving the Catholic church thing. She was upset about that, but I'm a man of science, and the science kept getting in the way of what the church was trying to teach me."

Nick nods. "I understand that. We grow up Catholic too, and I still believe and everything, it's just that I don't believe in organized religion anymore. There always seemed to be too much....violence towards those who were different then you and that's not right, no matter what religion you're a part of."

Grissom smiles. "I agree. So, how are you different?"

Nick glances at Grissom. "Well," he shifts in his seat, "it's the same thing that I did that really upset my parents. I, uh, I brought my boyfriend home to meet them." Nick looks over at Grissom.

He looks at Nick in shock, "You brought your boyfriend home to meet them. Jesus Nicky," he starts laughing, "I bet they hit the roof."

Nick smiles. "Yeah, well, my dad did threaten to shot the guy. He thought that Ryan, that's his name, corrupted me; I was the one that came on to him."

"How long ago was that?"

"It was in college. We dated for a few years then went our separate ways after we graduated."

A sigh of relief came over Grissom and he stares at Nick, "So, you're bisexual?"

Nick nods. "Yep. Is that okay with you?" He looks at Grissom, with a hint of worry in his eyes.

Grissom's smile gets bigger. "That's fine. At least now I know I'm not the only one."

Nick swears his jaw hit the floor at that. "You're bi? I've only seen you get all...flustered over women."

"I've never seen you with a guy but that doesn't mean you haven't been."

"Have you been with a guy? I mean, uh, sexually?" He turns back towards the road and sees an exit, but he keeps going. He's already passed up several exits but he doesn't care.

Grissom tightens his lips. "No, actually."

"No. Wow, why not?"

He shrugs. "Never happened I guess. To busy all the time."

"Not even in college?"

"No, it never progressed passed the first date." He takes a look at Nick, "I don't put out on the first date."

Nick laughs. "I never would have thought. So, are you waiting for something or someone?"

Grissom bits his lip, Yeah, you. He clears his throat. "Don't you think we should stop somewhere soon. You keep passing up exits."

Nick turns to him. "I'll take the next one I see. Now, answer the question."

He lets out a breath. "Yes, I guess you could say that. I mean, I've found men attracting, but never thought to do anything but look, besides, like I said, I hardly make it pass the first date. I've been lucky with women, but men, I guess I'm too...weird."

"You're not weird, just, extremely interesting."

"Nick."

"What? I'm serious. If I went out on a date with you, there would unquestionably be a second one, and a third--"

He quarks an eyebrow, "If you went on a date with me?"

Nick smiles. "Yeah. If, as in, might, or better yet...when you get the courage to ask me and I say yes."

Grissom's face tightens as he thinks, Is he serious? He wants to go out with me. What if he wants a relationship, with me? Can I give him that?

"Gil? Are you okay?"

He looks back at Nick, "Uh, yeah, why?"

"You were off in your own world there for a minute."

"Sorry, that just...caught me off guard." He points to the upcoming turn off. "Here's an exit."

 

Nick pulls the truck into the gas station. Grissom hands him the dried money.

"Go in and pay and get whatever we might need. I'll fill it up."

Nick grabs the money and gets out of the truck. "Got it."

Grissom gets out and goes around to the other side of the truck and starts putting the gas in the tank.

Nick goes into the gas station and walk to the back where the water is. He grabs a gallon of water, some bread, and other food. He places the stuff on the counter and get the money out to pay for it.

"Is this all for you, senor?"

Nick nods, "Yep, just this and the gas, oh, and a map."

"You're American, right?"

Nick looks up at the clerk, smiling and nods, "Yep. Heading home."

The clerk smiles and nods. "So, where is exactly home, Nick?"

Suddenly the smile is off Nick's face. "How do you--"

"There's a reward out for you and your friend, Grissom I think his name is, issued by Cain Hernandez."

Nick swallows hard as the clerk pulls out a shotgun from under his counter. The clerk motions for him to move to the back of the store with him. Nick reluctantly follows the man.

Grissom gets done filling the truck up and waits for Nick. After several minutes he gets frustrated, and worried, and goes inside the gas station. He looks around and doesn't see anyone. "Nick."

Suddenly the clerk comes back out from the back. "May I help you?"

Grissom walks over to the counter, being cautious of the clerk. "A man came in here just a few minutes ago--"

"He's in the bathroom." The clerks says with a smile.

"Oh. Okay. I'll wait." He glances at the counter and notices the food and stuff sitting on it. He gets a puzzled look on his face. "I, uh, I'll just wait outside." He makes his way towards the door but before he gets out he hears a gun being cocked. He slowly turns and sees the clerk pointing a shotgun at him.

"I think you should stay, Grissom."

Grissom nods. "Okay. Where's Nick."

He man smiles, "I said he's in the bathroom. Why don't you go join him?"

Grissom nods and starts to walk towards the back, the man never takes the gun off of him. He goes down the small hall to the door on the right that says restroom and opens it up. Nick is laying on the floor unconscious. "Nick!"

He turns just in time to see the gun coming down; it closes his eyes and barely gets his arms up before the butt of the gun hits him across the side of his head, then everything goes black.

***

He wakes up to black, pitch black. He sighs and tries to move but realizes that his hands and legs are bound. He tries to roll over on his back; he rubs against something and freezes. He opens his mouth but his cut off by Nick's voice.

"Grissom is that you?" He tries to turn his head to look over his shoulder, not that it'll do any good since he can't see an inch in front of him.

"Yeah, it's me Nicky. Are you okay?" He barely gets the words out because his throat is so dry and it hurts just to talk.

"No. My head hurts and I think I'm bleeding. You sound horrible...you ok? How are you feeling?"

Grissom lays his head back on the floor, it's ground, dirt. His head starts to spin and he closes his eyes to try to focus his balance, but it doesn't work. He feels something wet trickle down his forehead. "I think I'm bleeding too." He lets out a fit of strangled dry coughs. Then turns to face Nick. "My head is killing me and I think that if I take one more blow to the head I'm going to have brain damage."

"How's your equilibrium?"

"It's way off, and when I open my eyes I see dots, lots and lots of dots."

"You have a concussion. Don't go back to sleep anytime soon."

"I plan not to...Do you know who has us?"

"Yeah, Cain. He issued a reward for our capture."

"Nick?"

"Yeah?"

Before Grissom got his question out the door opens and light shines through onto them. They both close their eyes against the invading light. Two men walk into the room and grab them up, pushing them out the door and down a hallway. From the looks of it, they're in an old farmhouse, with no floor and no glass on the windows. They are shoved into a room with a table and three chairs, one on one side, and two on the other. There, they are forced into the chairs, and then the two men leave the room shutting the door behind them.

Nick turns to Grissom. "What the hell?"

Grissom shrugs. "I think we have to wait."

He studies Nick appearance, dirty clothes, busted lip, and a cut to the top of his forehead, just where skin meets hair.

Nick glances at Grissom. "What? That bad huh, well, you don't look to good either. That guy made your scratch into a huge gash man." He squints his eyes. "You're going to need stitches."

Grissom turns and looks at the table. "I need aspirin. Wait, forget aspirin, I need morphine, it's a hell of a lot stronger than aspirin."

Nick chuckles. "Same here. Think they'll let us see a doctor before we die."

"That can be arranged."

The sound of Cain's voice causes them both to jump. They turn to see a tall man, about 50, in a suit come into the room along with his guards. Cain walks around the table and sits down. Grissom glances around at the guards that are walking around the table, one of them catches his eye. I've seen him before.

Nick stiffens in his seat; he tightens his jaw and looks at Cain. Grissom leans back, face utterly expressionless.

Cain smiles at the two men. "If you want, I can let a doctor tend to your wounds. Here shortly I will give you back your bags, the ones you left at the hotel, and Mr. Grissom can care to his migraine."

Nick flinches. "You have our bags?"

"Of course. I wasn't just going to leave them at the hotel in Cancun when you two will be needing them here."

Grissom remains emotionless, well, on the outside. "What exactly do you want from us?"

"Yeah. We know that if you don't just want to kill us, or else we'll be dead by now."

Cain nods. "You're right Mr. Stokes. I want you two alive so Mr. Grissom here can repay me."

Grissom frowns in confusion. "Repay you?"

"Yes. The death of my son has caused me nothing but great stress and my business havoc. You see, Juan was supposed to get past the U.S. border and make a delivery to a very wealthy and powerful man in Texas. This man supplies a lot of services and financial investment for me, but now with the death of my son, we had no way to get past the guards."

"You had no way...but now you do?"

Cain's smile gets bigger. "I have two ways now. You and Mr. Stokes here are going to smuggle drugs over the border for me."

Grissom looks at Nick while Nick's jaw clenches more. He turns back to Cain.

"What makes you think we'll ever do that? You're going to kill us anyway--"

"Mr. Grissom, I know you and...What does he call you, Nicky? I know where you're from who's your family, friends. Do you think that if Nicky here thought that his family, his six siblings, could be killed because of him, that he wouldn't do it? Of course he would, and he will do it and so will you or your mother will get a visit from me personally."

"You bastard--"

"Nick."

"Grissom he's making us smuggle drugs into America! No. I'd rather be killed, right here, right now!"

A guard, the one Grissom noticed earlier, comes around and pushes Nick back down in the chair. Grissom looks up at the guard and the man catches Grissom's eyes for a second then he walks back to where he was standing.

Where have I seen him? Grissom turns back and faces Cain. He closes his eyes trying to think, but the pain is too much and that only makes him dizzier. When he opens them again he takes one last look at the guard, then just like that, he recognizes him, but instead of showing it, he looks back at Cain.

"How will you know that we'll deliver it to this man?"

"Because, me and my men will be riding with you."

Grissom bits his bottom lip, then he nods in defeat. "Okay. We'll do it."

Nick snaps his head up at Grissom. "What! You can't be serious?"

Grissom keeps his eyes focused on Cain. "Nick. We don't have a choice. I don't want innocent people to be killed for this, especially our family and friends. If I die, I die, but not them, not this way!" He looks at Nick finally. His eyes are sharp and stern. "Do you understand?"

Nick goes to protest but he stops himself. He stares at Grissom like he's never seen him before. He shakes his head and looks at the table. "Fine."

Grissom turns back towards Cain. "When can I see your doctor?"

 

Hours later they are brought back to the room they woke up in. They both have been seen by a doctor and are feeling better, except for Nick who's still furious at Grissom. Once the door closes behind them he turns to face Grissom.

"What in the hell was that all about Gil?!"

"Nic--"

"Don't Nicky me! In less than 10 hours we are going to be crossing the U.S. border with cocaine, smuggling it into Texas, and you want me to be okay with this?!"

"I didn't say you had to be okay with it! Will you stop yelling at me so I can talk to you, please."

"No, I don't want to talk to you. I don't even know you."

"Nick."

Nick turns around and walks to the back wall, "I'm not listening to you." He sits down hard on the floor.

Grissom stays standing and goes to the opposite wall and sits down, staring at Nick. "You have every right to be angry with me. Hell, I'm angry with myself, but if I didn't think there might be a way out of this, I would have never agreed to do it."

Nick's eyes lock on his. "What are you talking about?"

Grissom gets up and walks over to Nick and sits down next to him. He speaks barely in a whisper. "The guard, the one that grabbed you and pushed you down, didn't he look familiar to you?"

Nick stares into Grissom's eyes. "No."

"He's F.B.I."

Nick's eyes widen. "How do you know?"

"He was in Vegas during the strip stranger case; he was part of Culpepper's team."

Nick lets out a breath. He's never been happier to hear Culpepper's name. "Jesus Gil...do you think they'll take them down when we get to the border?"

"I think so. Once they step foot on U.S. soil, the F.B.I has them."

Nick nods. "Okay."

"I'm sorry for getting you into this. If I hadn't--"

"It doesn't matter, you had no other choice."

Grissom looks away, letting out a sigh. "Yeah, I did."

Nick stares at him, completely dumbfounded. "What?"

"I had his gun, he was unarmed."

"Why did you shoot him then, was he trying to attack you?"

"No. He told me you were dead, and if I wanted to stay alive myself and be able to send your body back to the U.S. then I should go with him." He turns to looks at Nick. "I could have left him there, I could have gone with him to get you but all I could think about was that you were dead and he was the one that killed you. I let my emotions get the better of me...After I killed him, it was like I was dead, knowing that I would never see you again, that's when I blacked out. I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything before."

Nick keeps staring at him, repaying what he just heard in his head. "You killed him because you thought he killed me?" Grissom's words from earlier comes to his mind, I value you Nicky.

Grissom nods. "Yeah. It was wrong I know that--"

"Wrong! You think you were wrong?"

"I let my emotions get the better of me. I should have realized--"

"That he was lying? How could you have known that? Besides, what you did...I can't even believe how grateful I am. Gris, Gil, whatever, he would have killed us both after he got you. You found me and now here we are--"

"Yeah. Here we are." He looks at the floor.

Nick reaches out that touches his face, lifting his chin. "Here we are closer than we have ever been in our friendship, pretty soon, hopefully rescued and back to Vegas, and I couldn't be any happier."

"You're happy."

"Ecstatic, scared shitless too, but also happy as hell, because if I do die today, I'll die knowing just how much you love me."

Grissom stares at Nick, unblinking. Did he just say that? He swallows the lump forming in his throat. "I, uh,..."

Just then the door lock clicks and he looks up to see the door opening.

Nick drops his hand. "Will finish this later."

Grissom just nods as two guards come in and takes them out of the room.

 

They are taken to a room that has a bath, a sink, and both of their bags. They are to get cleaned up and be ready to leave in 10 minutes. They both take turns using the bath and cleaning up. Once they are dressed the 10 minutes is up and right on time the door flies open and they are escorted outside to an R.V. There vehicle to use to smuggle into the U.S., four crates of cocaine which are stored under the vehicle.

Grissom searches around the area and he spots the guard that's an undercover agent. He then finds Cain, who is overseeing his men putting the last crate into the hidden compartment under the vehicle. He motions for Nick to follow him and they climb into the R.V. Nick takes the driver's seat.

"How are we suppose to convince the border guards to let us in without searching us?" Nick asks Grissom as they get themselves adjusted.

"I don't know. You can have the most influence though. You still have your Las Vegas ID, and your parents are well known in Texas. High political figures in the Justice department, you can use that to your benefit."

"Speaking of your ID..."Cain comes into the vehicle and hands Grissom his wallet. "here. One of my men found that by a tree when he was tracking you. You have got to be careful Mr. Grissom, someone could have stolen it."

Cain and his men, 4 in all, and the undercover guard all go to the back of the R.V. They've took out the bed unit that should be in the back and they put in a table and chairs with a sliding door to block it off. The guard comes back and hands them earpieces and small microphones.

"Here take these. Cain wants to be able to talk to you two and hear what's going on when we get to the border." They take them. "Now, just go out here, find the main highway, then take that all the way to Laredo. That's a town just on the border where the entrance to the U.S. is at, got it?"

They both nod. "Good." He then whispers to them before he goes back to the back. "Good luck, and don't worry, once we get to the border this will be all over with." He suddenly turns and goes back to the back and shuts the sliding door.

Nick and Grissom both look at each other. Nick starts up the engine and lets out a breath.

"Here we go."

***

They've been on the highway for hours. Grissom tried turning on the air conditioning every ten minutes to no avail. His migraine has returned and the heat and the pounding sunlight isn't doing him any good; plus, he's tired, dead tired, but he can't go to sleep because of his concussion. He glances at Nick whose been driving, his focus is intent on the road, but he's been thinking, mostly about worse case scenarios that can happen between now and the border, all the what if's. Grissom never came up in his scenarios, he was always safe, in his head.

"Nicky." Came Grissom's hoarse voice. Pain shot through his throat just from the one word, but he is out before he hears the reply.

Nick blinks, coming out of his thoughts; he takes a quick look at Grissom. "Yeah."

When Grissom doesn't answer he turns his head to him, panic showing through his voice. "Gil? Grissom?"

He reaches over and feels for a pulse; it's there but slow. "Grissom?!"

"What's going on here?" Cain calls from just behind Nick.

"He passed out. He can't fall asleep, he has a concussion." Nick says over his shoulder while he tries to steer with his left hand and wake Grissom up with his right. "Gris, Grissom come on, wake up!"

"He's not responding."

"I know that!" Nick's voice a little higher than usual. "We have to pull over."

"We can't, we have a deadline Mr. Stokes. Leave him be."

Nick looks up at Cain in anger. "If you won't let me help him then I'm not going to do this!"

Cain looks back and forth between Nick and Grissom. "Fine. I'll drive."

Nick pulls over and lets Cain into the driver's seat. Nick pulls Grissom out of the passenger seat and lays him on the small couch up against the side wall while Cain continues the drive to the border. Nick feels for a pulse again, it's still very slow. He reaches into the small fridge and pulls out a bottle of water that they packed. He looks up at the guards in the back.

"Do any of you have a cloth or something?"

They all look at each other then back at Nick shrugging. Nick takes a glance at the undercover agent. He nods and takes out a rag from his back pocket and hands it to Nick.

"Thanks." He dumps some water on the rag; he rubs his face gently with the cold rag and then lays it on his forehead. He lifts Grissom's eyelids and look at his pupils.

"Damn it. His pupils are dilated."

"Hurry up, we're almost to the border!" Cain calls over his shoulder. He turns the wheel and stops on the side of the road. He goes back to Nick. "Come on. You have to drive now."

Nick grabs the undercover agent and pulls him over. "Here." He places his hand on the rag. "Keep this on him and keep trying to wake him up."

He stands and faces Cain. "If something happens to him, I will kill you." The look in his eyes surprise Cain, he's certain that Nick will.

"I believe you, but if you don't get us over that border I won't give you a chance." He goes back to the back and closes the door.

Nick takes one last look at Grissom and the agent and then goes back to driving.
 

Ten minutes later they arrive at the border. The traffic is backed up at least a mile. Nick sighs and leans his head back against the seat. The traffic finally starts to move and he inches closer every few minutes. He finally comes to a stop next to a guard.

"Hello." Nick says as causally as he can without sounding too fake.

"License please."

"Sure thing. Here you go." Nick hands him his wallet.

The guard checks it out. "Las Vegas." He looks up at Nick. "Why are you coming to Texas?"

"I'm from here. Thought I'll come up through here first before I head back to Vegas. See family."

The guard looks at his ID again. "Stokes, any relation to Judge Stokes?"

Nick smiles his best smile. "Yeah man. That's my dad."

"Oh yeah. I just saw him not two days ago. He didn't tell me that you were coming up through here."

Nick laughs a little. "Yeah, well, it's a surprise. My friends and me are going to surprise the folks."

The guard looks in through the window and spots Grissom and the agent on the couch. "What's wrong with your friend?"

"He hit his head pretty hard. I'm just trying to get him to a hospital." Nick tries not to sound to terrified and panicky, but the guard hears it in his voice.

"I'll need to see their ID too?"

Nick nods. "Hang on."

He gets up and gets Grissom's wallet out of his pocket. He whispers to the agent. "When are the F.B.I. going to show up?"

"They should be in position now. Just keep the guy talking some more."

Nick stands up. "Do you have any ID?"

"No."

Nick gulps and turns back to the front and seats back down. "Here's Grissom's wallet. He's from Vegas too. He used to be my boss actually--"

"Where's the other guys?"

Nick blinks at him. "Um...he said he couldn't find it right now. He must have missed placed it or something..."

"I'm not going to be able--"

Nick interrupts the guard. "Look man. My friend is in serious condition back here. Now I need to get him to a hospital."

"Sorry sir, but I need to make sure that everyone in the vehicle is an U.S. citizen. I know you understand that."

"Nick looks at the guard almost pleading with his eyes. "Please. He might be dying!"

The guard doesn't get a chance to respond as a gun is fired and his body flies back onto the ground. Nick jumps back into the vehicle and stares. He turns and sees Cain kneeling by the side window with his gun out. He walks up to Nick.

"You failed."

"Fuck you!"

Cain smiles. "Too bad those will be your last words."

Cain raises his gun just as loud sirens scream from outside of the window. He looks out the window and sees the F.B.I. pulling up and jumping out of their cars with their guns drawn. A man's vice then fills the air.

"This is the F.B.I! We've got you surround--"

The man's vice is interrupted by loud gunfire in the vehicle. Nick hits the floor as the agent raises his gun and shoots the other guards. Cain turns and fires at the agent, killing him instantly. He grabs Nick off of the ground and pulls him up.

"Looks like we're the only one's left."

"It doesn't matter. We're dead in here."

"Maybe so, but I'll get the pleasure of killing you two first before they do." He pushes the gun into Nick's stomach.

"No." Comes an horse voice.

Cain turns just in time to see Grissom storming at him. He is pushed into the wall as the gun goes off. Grissom is still to out of it to hear Nick's scream in pain as the bullet hits him in the leg and he falls to the floor. Grissom struggles with Cain to get the gun out of his hand. He lands hit after hit to Cain's face then chest several times before he loosens his grip on the gun and it falls to the floor. Nick grabs the gun and points it at Cain.

"Grissom move!"

Grissom moves away from Cain just when he is pulling another gun from his ankle holster. Nick already has the gun fixed on Cain and he pulls the trigger.

Grissom silently watches as Cain's body slides to the floor; the gun drops to the floor as he lands on the floor, lifeless.

Grissom looks at Nick, in shock. Nick sits up and starts to move for the door.

"We have to get out of here."

Grissom nods and starts to help Nick up when he convulses and collapses into Nick's arms. Nick catches him and tries to hold him still while he stands. He limps to the door with Grissom in tow. He stumbles out of the door and he falls to the ground with Grissom. He looks up and someone is standing over him with a gun.

"F.B.I! Hands on the ground."

Nick obeys as the agent checks him for a weapon. "Hey man, my friend needs help! He convulseing. He notices someone checking out Grissom. Nick swallows hard. "I'm Nick Stokes. I'm with the Las Vegas Crime--"

"Nick? Grissom?"

Nick hears someone say. He looks up and sees Special Agent Rick Culpepper coming up to the agent that had checked him.

"Agent Culpepper...Grissom has a concussion, needs medical--"

Culpepper notices that they both need help. "Agent Thomas get the EMT's over here now."

Agent Thomas takes off towards the ambulance. Nick rests on the ground, facing Grissom who's still unconscious. The EMT's arrive and start working on both of them. Nick closes his eyes and falls asleep.
 

Nick limps down the hospital hallway with a cane. A nurse is beside him pushing a wheelchair. It's been almost a week since they were rescued and now it was time to get out of Texas and back home to Vegas. Nick comes to the recovery room that Grissom's in and slowly opens the door. Grissom is sitting on the bed tying his shoe. He looks up at Nick and smiles. Nick crosses the room and stops in front of Grissom.

"Hey. You ready?"

"Yeah." He stares at the wheelchair. "You know I don't need that."

"No arguments Gil. The doctor said that it's still possible that you'll experience aftereffects from the concussion. I don't want you to get dizzy and fall or something."

"Nick--"

"This isn't an negotiation." Nick says sternly.

Grissom stares at the man in front of him. He smirks and nods. "Fine, just...get me out of here already."

"Gladly."

Nick helps him up off the bed and into the wheelchair. Before long they are out of the hospital and heading to Nick's sister's car. Nick smiles at his sister and they embrace.

"Hey sis. Thanks for picking us up."

"No problem little brother. Anything to help."

Grissom studies the ground and then tries to stand up. Nick sees him out of the corner of his eye.

"Hey easy Gil. You don't want to fall."

"Nick. I think I can handle it." He grabs the hood of the car, steadying himself. He catches Nick's sister's eyes and smile.

"Hi. I'm Gil Grissom." He shakes her hand.

"Emily Stokes, call me Em."

"Okay, Em, call me Gil if you want." He looks back at Nick. "Shall we." He motions for the car.

"Yep."

Nick helps Grissom into the backseat then he gets in the passenger seat while Em starts her car.

Grissom lets out a groan as his head starts to spin already from the movement. He rubs his head then remembers something. He taps Nick on the shoulder. "The doctor said that I shouldn't be on any planes anytime soon so how do we get back to Vegas?"

"Well that's what Em's for. She's going to drive us. She was wanting to come visit me anyway."

Grissom sits back and closes his eyes. His migraine is starting in again and the Texas heat isn't helping. He hears the air conditioning click on and he smiles. He opens his eyes to see a cup of coffee being offered to him. He takes in out of Nick's hands.

"Thought you might need this. And here," He hands him some pain pills. "Em picked up our pain meds for us. This should help that migraine until we get home."

"Thanks Nicky, Em."

He swallows the pills with the coffee and looks out the window. Home, home sounds really good right about now. He turns his attention to the easy conversation between Nick and Em. He smiles then focuses intently on Nick. I can't believe he loves me. I'm so...different from him. Could we really work out, last forever? Or would he realize that he doesn't want to be with me and leave? He frowns at that thought. No, this is Nick. My Nicky. God, I love him.

He clears his throat. "Nicky?"

Nick turns in his seat. "Yeah."

"When we get back to Vegas, I'll take you up on your offer."

Nick stares at him. "Really? You're not lying to me are you?"

Grissom blinks in disbelief. "I'll never lie to you."

Nick smiles and nods. "Okay, then...it's a date."

Grissom smirks. "Yes it is." He closes his eyes.

Nick turns back and starts talking to Em again. Grissom opens his eyes. The pills are finally taking affect as he turns his attention back to listening to the two in front of him.

***

He wakes to see lights all around him. He yawns and stretches out his legs hitting something in front of him. Nick is lying back in the front passenger seat, fast asleep. Em looks into the rearview mirror.

"You're awake. Nick's been out for just as long, don't blame you guys."

He notices that the lights are coming from the strip, they are in Vegas. Thank God. It's over. We're back home.

Nick lets out a yawn from the front and stretches while scratching his stomach. Grissom watches him from the back seat in amazement that that simple act can excite so much in him. He hopes he can get to wake up with Nick and see that again.

Nick looks back at him and smiles. "Good evening sunshine." Then smiles his best smile. "I called the lab before I nodded off. They can handle things for a few days more. So, don't think about going in tonight."

Grissom quirks an eyebrow at that, "Wasn't planning on it, actually. I have things I got to do before I go back to work."

Nick brings the seat back up from its lying position. "Good, I have some plans too."



The drive to Grissom's townhouse was quite after that. The car pulls up to the curb. He gets out and grabs his things out of the trunk. As he eases the trunk hood down he sees Nick standing by the side of the car. He never heard him get out of the car.

Nick reaches and grabs the bag of his hand. "I'll take that. You're still a little off. I don't want you getting hurt while walking to the door." He said as he ushers Grissom up the walk.

"I got the door." Grissom pulls his keys out and unlocks the door.

He reaches around the quickly punches in the numbers for the alarm system. Nick walks by him and places the bag next to the couch.

"Are you going to be good here alone?" Nick is still standing and looking around.

Grissom huffs out a laugh and goes into the kitchen and resets the coffee timer. "I'm sure I'll be fine, Nicky. And I'm sure you're sister didn't drive all this way to visit your empty house, but thanks anyway."

Nick smiles a little and nods. "Okay. If you need anything call me...deal?"

"Of course."

Nick makes his way to the door and turns around before he opens it. "You're not going to back out on me, are you?"

The concern and fear isn't lost on Grissom. He slowly shakes his head. "No. I was just thinking, you and Em, if you want, can come by later and have breakfast."

He can see the relief overcome Nick the moment the words were out of his mouth. Before he knew it Nick is at his side and giving him a hug that nearly broke him in two.

"Absolutely. Thanks Gil...we'll be here. What time?"

Grissom can only bring his arms up and hug the other man back. "Whenever...I guess. Just call." He feels Nick nod in his shoulder.

"Kay." Nick pulls away and gives Grissom a long stare. Then he smiles again. "We like everything...except for bugs. So," he shrugs.

Grissom laughs. "I promise I won't put any bugs on anything."

"Good." With that Nick pats him on the back then goes to the door. "And try to get some more sleep, you still look kind of drained."

Grissom barely catches that as the door closes behind Nick. He lets out a breath of relief as he looks around his house. He checks his refrigerator then grabs a notepad and pen, he has to do some shopping.


When he gets back from the store the coffee is already brewed and his answering machine is flashing. He set the bags down and quickly hits the 'play" button. Three messages where waiting for him. Catherine's voice came on, telling him to call her at the lab. Then she yelled into the phone about Culpepper calling her and what the hell happened in Mexico.

He cringes at that as he stocks his fridge. Next it's Ecklie whose just confirming his ask of leave that Nick put in for both of them. He has to call him back. Then, the last message was from the FBI office in Texas. He nearly drops the milk as he hears the words 'meeting' and 'testify'. I told them everything in Texas, what else do they want from me? Everyone is dead; who do I need to testify against?



He is just stepping out of the shower when he hears the phone ring. Picking it up he sees that it's Nick.

"Nick?"

"Hey Gil. Just seeing if now's a good time to come over?"

Nick's Texas draw is back in full force, Grissom notes. Must be Em's influence. "Yeah, I was just showering and about to start cooking. Omelets and ham okay?"

"Mmm, that sounds really good. Oh, and Em won't be joining us. Just so happens he has a "friend" out here. I don't know why he's trying to hide the fact that they're dating," he laughs, "it's not like I'm against gays."

Grissom laughs into the phone. "Maybe she doesn't remember. Or she doesn't want anyone to know."

"Maybe, I do have a history of telling my parents who's dating who...except for me of course. It's a sibling thing I guess."

"So," Grissom clears his throat, "just, uh, me and you? That's good, right. We can talk without someone else..." He swears he can feel the smile on the other end of the phone line.

"Yep. Hey, you have beer right."

"Yeah, you drink at this time in the morning?"

Nick laughs over the phone. "I just don't want to drink too much coffee. I'm already on my third cup here."

Grissom finishes dressing and walks to the kitchen. "Alright, so I should be expecting you...?"

"Twenty minutes good?"

"Perfect."

***

Grissom is pacing in front of the stove, watching the ham sizzle in the skillet, but his thoughts are elsewhere. Despite the fact that he and Nick made it out of Mexico alive, and Nick is actually willing to give them a shot, he's having doubts.

A hundred possibilities run through his head as to what can happen. Nick might leave him, he might not be what Nick really wanted, he can't open up and that might drive Nick away, or maybe this all might be some kind of Stockholm syndrome or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The door bell rings making him jump. He has to take a few breaths to calm down. As he walks to the door, he's still doubting that this is going to work out.

He opens the door and stares at the younger man on his door step. Nick's wear a pair of his tightest blue jeans and a black, skin fit, silk button down shirt. Grissom tries to swallow but his throat went dry. Nick in that outfit should be illegal.

Nick looks up at him through his long lashes and grins from ear-to-ear. "Well, are you going to let me in?"

He shuffles to the side and lets Nick in. It takes all his control to not jump the younger man.

Upon entering Nick smells the food cooking in the kitchen. He smiles towards Grissom and continues to walk into the open living room.

"Smells good." Nick sits down and frowns a little when he sees Grissom still standing by the door. "Everything okay?"

Grissom eyes refocus as he looks in on Nick sitting on his sofa. He had been trying to keep himself from acting rashly to the point that he forgot to pay attention to want was actually happening. He nods his head and walks slowly into the middle of the room. He's not use to having people in his house, yet alone someone who just moments ago had visualized what they would look like without clothes on.

"Do you, um...what something?" Grissom points to the kitchen and begins to walk into the small area.

Nicks' smile is back as he stands and follows Grissom into the kitchen. "Yeah, I'll get it. You need to pay attention and not burn your house down."

Grissom frowns and looks toward the stove. He quickly turns it off and removes the skillet. He slightly blushes from embarrassment. Never since Nick has known him had he seen him completely out of focus.

Nick takes a sip out of the bottle and hands one to Grissom. "Here."

Grissom takes it and leans back against the counter. He takes a few sips while watching Nick move back to the sofa and sit down. Nick kicks off his shoes and leans back against the back of the sofa while propping his feet up on the coffee table.

Nick hesitantly looks over at Grissom, "Do you mind?"

"No, make yourself at home. I'll just...start on the omelets."

"You don't have too. Unless you're hungry. I'm actually pretty good." Nick takes another sip and looks around the room.

The last time Nick had been there was during the Strip Strangler case. The place hasn't changed a bit. He finally comes to rest on Grissom who's still looking at him, beer untouched since he gave it to him. Nick wonders what the older man is thinking, so he swallows the rest of the beer in his mouth.

"Are you going to tell me what's on your mind?" Nick stands up and slowly makes his way over the kitchen island.

Grissom blinks a few times. His forehead wrinkles as he realizes Nick just said something. "Pardon, what?"

Nick huffs out a laugh as he leans against the island. "Figured you weren't paying attention. What were you thinking about?"

Grissom takes a long pull from the bottle and takes his time swallowing it. He can't believe that Nick is actually there, wearing that outfit that screams 'take me', and blushing profoundly like he's the one who was caught daydreaming about the things he can do to that body.

"I...I, uh," Oh god. Come on Gil, pull it together, "was just thinking about how good you'd look sprawled naked on my bed." Did he just say that?

Nick nearly chokes on his beer. His face grows redder as he tries to caught his breath. "Jeez, Gil," he wheezes out, "Tell me what you really think." He jokes and moves around the island and stands next to Grissom.

Grissom can feel, smell, and even taste, the lust and energy coming off Nick as he steps closer to him. He can feel himself getting hard in his slacks. For a second he wonders if Nick is hard too, until he feel the harden cock rub up against him as Nick steps even closer.

Nick leans over, whispering in his ear, "Why don't we go find out?"

Grissom shivers as Nicks' tongue traces his ear. He's sure he got out a 'yes' before he grabs Nick by the shoulders and pull him back with him to the hallway. His mouth finds Nick's as he reaches back to catch himself from running into the shelf.

Nick wastes no time, or opportunity, as he presses Grissom against the shelf and deepens the kiss. Grissom instantly parts his mouth as Nick slips his tongue in, drawing a moan out of the both of them.

Grissom stills and tries to move back as Nicks' cock rubs against his. Nick stops kissing him and pulls away.

"Something wrong?" Nick searches Grissom's eyes for a moment. When he doesn't get an answer he steps further back, placing his hands on his hips, shaking his head. "It was too fast wasn't it?"

Grissom finally gets his voice back and shakes his head. "No, well, kind of, but..." he takes a breath and grabs Nick's arms and pulls him toward him. "I'm not used to being the one who's...pursued."

Nick realizes what Grissom's implying and nods. "Oh. I should have known that. You've never been with a man before sexually and you want to be in control you're first time...right?"

Grissom relaxes a little, a smile spreading slowly over his face in the semi-dark hallway. "Right. Lets start again, shall we?" He doesn't give Nick time to answer before he closes his lips over Nick's and turns him toward the direction of the door.

Nick presses his lips back harder, wrapping his arms around Grissom's neck. He runs his hand through the graying curls as Grissom pushes him back against the bed. Nick releases Grissom's mouth as they stumble back, falling on the bed.

Grissom quickly puts his arms out to stop himself from falling on Nick. He stares into brown, dilated eyes as he pushes forward rubbing his own hard cock against Nick's and watches as Nick bucks up and rolls his head back. He takes advantage and starts kissing his neck, running his tongue over the smooth skin.

Nick wraps his arms back around Grissom's neck, encouraging him with strokes and soft whispers. He lets his hands run up and down Grissom's back, occasionally tangling them in graying hair, before descending again. Reaching down he grabs handfuls of soft ass through cotton pants. Grissom stops his attack on his neck and hisses in a breath.

Grissom leans forward and captures Nicks' mouth in his, sliding his tongue in and beginning a long, torturous attack on the inside of Nicks' mouth. He doesn't realize that his shirt is being undone and taken off of him until he feels Nicks' hands on his bare back. He moves closer to Nick, grinding his cock down into Nicks'. Both men freeze at the sensation.

Nick pulls back far enough to talk. "Pants...off."

Grissom is already sitting up stripping Nick of his shirt, pants, and boxers before Nick can finish talking. He waits a few moments to take the sight of Nick naked, lying below him, before he reaches down and removes his own pants, pushing them down to his knees. Nick reaches up and yanks his boxers down exposing the hard, thick cock.

Nick swallows as he stares that the member before he looks up at Grissom. "I want you in me."

A moan escapes Grissom's lips as he settles back down and gives Nick a deep, passionate kiss. "I want you Nick...so much." He whispered between kisses.

Grissom breaks the kiss suddenly and gets out of bed. Nick moans in disappointment and eyes Grissom.

"Not having second thoughts?

Grissom kicks his pants and boxers off, shaking his head 'no', and then he disappears into the bathroom off his room. He returns in seconds with a box and a bottle. "Condoms and" he looks at the bottle, "water soluble lotion and personal lubricant." He places them on the nightstand next to Nick then settles back on the bed.

Nick watches as Grissom settles back on his heels and looks him over like he's a bug under a microscope. A minute ticks by before Nick can't take it any longer and speaks up. "Are you okay?"

Grissom nods and leans down and kisses Nick right below his belly button. He takes in a strangled breath. How did he know that that was his spot? Nick doesn't think on it too long as Grissom starts to lick and kiss his spot below the belly button.

Grissom takes turns sucking, licking, biting and kissing the area, once in a while, dipping his tongue into the belly button drawing a deep growl from Nick. He slowly makes his way down the hair line to the tip of Nicks' cock. He breathes in his scent before taking his first lick of the aching member. Nick shouts out something and Grissom chuckles before he licks it again.

Nick's breaths are getting shorter and faster as Grissom continues to explore his body, mostly his cock and balls. "Damn it, Gil. Please..." He barely gets the words out.

Grissom glances up at the brown eyes before he takes an experimental lick at the hole of Nick's ass. Nick bucks up and pushes back.

"Yes...Gil." Nick bits his lip as he feels a slick finger enter him.

Nick doesn't bother to think when Grissom got the lubricant. He doesn't care, not with Grissom's finger teasing his prostate like that. "God..." was the last coherent word he remembers saying.

Grissom reaches down and squeezes his own aching cock as he watches Nick buck under him. He inserts a second, then third finger. He asks Nick if that's enough, only getting more mumbled words in return. The last thing he wants to do is hurt the man he loved, but he pulls out his fingers, puts on a condom, slicks it up just in case, and then rolls Nick over onto his stomach without getting more than a "yes" and "please", from him.

Grissom settles himself over the smooth back he can't wait to stroke when this is all done with, and slowly pushes the tip of his cock into Nicks' tight hole. He freezes for a moment when Nick stiffens up before trying to slide in more. His hands tighten on Nicks' hips easing the man back and him forward.

For a brief second he thinks that this isn't going to work. That thick cock in a tight ass is not going to work, it's only going to cause pain, hurt, and...

"Fuck," he breathes out as Nick slides all the way to his stomach. His cock completely in Nick.

"Feels...so...good." Nick shakes the words out of his mouth.

Grissom grits his jaw tight as he slowly pulls out almost to the tip then pushes right back in. He knows that he's suppose to hit the prostate, but when does he know that he has hit it. He thrusts slowly two more times before Nick screams into the pillow and violently pushes back against him.

His breath catches in his throat at the feel of Nick squeezing around him. A scream wants to escape, but his throat's too tight to get anything out. Pulling back faster then slamming in quicker in the same angle, Nick screams again and bucks back into him.

Nick's so hot and tight around him, Grissom has to grab the headboard and completely concentrate so not to come before he brings Nick off. He finds a fast, steady rhythm as he slams into Nick over and over again.

Sweat slips down his face and drips down to Nick's back as he gains speed. He manages to get his hand away from Nicks' hip and to his rock solid cock. He grabs hold and strokes him to the rhythm of his pounding. He hears Nick suck in a strangled breath.

Nick grips the sheets tight as he stiffens and comes, spilling cum all over Grissom's hand and bed.

Grissom suddenly stops his strokes as Nicks' cum sprays onto his hand. He grips the headboard when tight muscles clench around his still pounding cock. A breath gets stuck in his throat as his body freezes as his cock releases cum into Nicks' ass. He leans his head against the back headboard so not to fall on Nick.

After several minutes, he lays next to Nick, pulling the blanket over the two of them. He thinks about getting up to clean he and Nick off, but before he can move Nick rolls over and lays partly on top of him. Nick mumbles something incoherent before relaxing completely into him as he strokes his back.



The alarm sounds and he reaches over and turns it off. He settles back down and rest against the back of Nick. He has been laying awake for the last twenty minutes just taking in the feel of the younger man spooned against him. The bathroom is calling him but his legs are tangled with Nick's and he doesn't want to wake the other man. So, he breathes Nicks' scent instead and focuses on mapping the younger mans' back.

Nick shifts back against him. "I can feel your eyes on me."

Grissom chuckles and tightens his arms around the perfect body in front of him. "Sleep well?"

"Best sleep I've had in a long time." Nick rolls in his arms and looks up at him. "You haven't been up all day have you?"

"No." Grissom leans down and kisses him gently on the lips. "Excuse me while I go to the bathroom."

"Flattery will get you nowhere." Nick smiles and laughs at the inquiring expression on Grissom's face.

Grissom gets up and hurries to the bathroom. He's about to shut the door when Nick calls from the other room.

"Don't have to do that. Unless you feel uncomfortable?"

He leaves the door open as he relieves himself. After washing his hands and other parts of his body, he warms up the washcloth and grabs a towel then goes back into the bedroom.

Halfway through cleaning what he can of Nick he frowns down at him. "Sorry I didn't do this earlier."

"No problem. I wouldn't have done it either, too tired. Plus, I can always take a shower." Nick takes in a breath as he sees Grissom stiffen. "Gil?"

Grissom looks up into Nicks' eyes. "You're going to have to go home because we start shift in a few hours, and you don't have clothes here."

Nick nods. "Are you afraid I won't come back?" Getting silence in return, Nick wraps his arms around Grissom and pulls him down. "I'm not leaving you unless you force me, which will take cheating, dishonesty, and punches, all of which I know you are incapable of. So, I'm never going to walk out on you. I'll shower here before I leave to go home. I will be back after work. I promise." He emphasizes the words by bringing Grissom's right hand up and placing his left hand in it.

Grissom sighs in relief and relaxes. He pulls Nick into a hug. Pulling away he looks Nick in the eyes. "I don't know how to be...emotional."

"I over react to just about everything."

"I sometimes prefer silence over talking." Grissom states back.

"I don't know one damn thing about bugs." Nick returns with a heartwarming smile.

"I ride roller coasters as a distraction."

"I make toys or go bird watching."

Grissom purses his lips together. "I'll want sex from you every day."

Nick laughs. "I'll want to give you sex every day."

Grissom quirks an eyebrow. "Really?"

Nick smiles as he leans over and kisses him while moving his leg between Grissom's rubbing against his half hard cock. Moans escape both of them as they continue to kiss and rub against each other. Nick is the first to come, spilling his cum over Grissom's stomach. Grissom arches into Nick as he stills and follows Nick to completion.



It doesn't take long before they are up out of bed. Grissom starts breakfast while Nick showers. He's half way done with the omelets he was supposed to make earlier when he hears a knock on the door. As he walks to the door only two people come to mind that can be knocking at his door.

He's not surprised when he opens the door to find Catherine staring back at him.

"Does it kill you to answer your phone?" She says as why of greeting and walks in.

He closes the door and turns to find her in the kitchen fixing a plate. "What are you doing?"

"Eating, I missed lunch." She sits down on a stool and starts eating. "Anyway, why is Agent Culpepper calling for you about Mexico?"

He opens the refrigerator and starts making another omelet as he answers her. "That is none of your concern. Things...happened in Mexico, and I'm not at liberty to discuss it." He fills the skillet with the egg mixer then turns and faces Catherine who's staring at him.

"Who else are you cooking for?" She asks taking a sip of Grissom's coffee on the island top.

He breathes out a breath and makes another cup of coffee just as Nick walks into the room in the clothes he had on earlier.

"Hey Catherine," Nick says as he walks over to Grissom and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

Catherine nearly drops the cup at the sight of the other two men. Grissom smiles at Nick and hands him the cup he made before making another one. Nick sits down across from Catherine and arches a brow at the stunned look on her face.

"Something the matter, Cath?" Nick takes a sip of the coffee.

Grissom places a plate in front of him and returns Nicks' kiss with one of his own to the back of Nicks' neck causing a gasp to escape the younger man. He normally wouldn't openly kiss someone in front of another person, but Catherine isn't just some other person, and he doesn't mind her knowing. Plus, after Nick kissed him first, he had to get him back.

Grissom takes the third plate of food and sits down next to Nick. He looks up at Catherine who now has an amused look in her eyes.

"Things...happened, huh?" She inquires as she takes a drink.

Grissom shrugs as an answer while Nick smiles behind the brim of his coffee mug.

"Yep," Nick says after he takes a drink, "things happened."

Catherine shakes her head at the two men as they both laugh.

Grissom will tell her sometime. As for now, no one needs to know except for him, Nick, and the Texas F.B.I field office.

The End

***

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