title: Second Chance: Miracle
fandom: CSI: Vegas
pairing: Gil/Nick
rating: NC17
series: Second Chance
author: nancy
email: the_tenth_muse1@yahoo.com
feedback: yes, please!
archive: sure! just let me know!
summary: Nick dies...and then things get really wierd for Gil.
warnings: sort of a death fic, but not really since that's the beginning point of everything. some bad language, angst, and graphic m/m sex
disclaimers: not mine, never will be, not making any money from this.
notes: this was from a personal challenge from Rueful, more like a bribery attempt on my part for her to write something for me. and yes, I am shameless, why do you ask? *grin*

****

Doc Robbins and Gil stand over Nick's body which is naked and cold on a morgue slab. Both are in shock and stare at it as though such a thing were impossible, which in Gil's mind was exactly right. Nick wasn't supposed to be here, he was supposed to be at home, watching television or hanging out with Warrick or anything, just not here.

"Gil? Are you okay?" Al asked softly.

Dragging his eyes from Nick's body, still numb with shock, Gil shook his head and answered, "No."

"Why don't you..."

"No," Gil interrupted fiercely. "I want to know how the fuck this happened. There's not a mark on him, Al, nothing to the naked eye at least. Which rules out most forms of accidental death right off the bat."

"I will call you as soon as I find out, Gil. I really don't think you should be here for this," Al insisted, still quiet.

Gil looked back down at Nick and his throat closed. Putting his hand on Nick's cold, still chest, he whispered, "It's not right, Al, it's just not right!"

"I know," Al replied, his own voice thick with emotion. "And we'll find out who did it, but you can't be on the case, you know that Gil. You're too close."

"Much too close," Gil agreed, his hand sliding up the cool skin to cup Nick's face. Still young and handsome, perfect in Gil's eyes.

Nick's eyes shot open at the same time that his hand reached up and grabbed Gil's. Gasping in shock, Gil didn't move, couldn't move, the impossible slowing his reaction time to nothing. Al fainted, which was not a graceful thing, Gil was sure, but he didn't actually see it since his eyes were glued to Nick's, which were wild and unknowing.

Keeping his voice soft, trying not to wince at the incredible pressure being put on his wrist, Gil said, "Nicky? It's okay, you're fine now. Everything's going to be fine. Just calm down and please let go of me. Can you understand me, Nicky? Can you hear me?"

Some of the wildness left Nick's eyes as Gil continued to speak in that soft, gentle tone, and the grip loosened, but didn't release him. Mind racing, Gil knew that he had to get Nick out of there as soon as he could. It didn't matter what happened, or how, because as soon as people learned that Nick had come back from the dead after almost three hours, his life would be gone. And if this...wasn't permanent...then Gil didn't want Nick's time on earth, however long it was, to be filled with that kind of chaos.

"I want you to try and sit up, okay Nicky? Can you try to sit up for me?" Gil asked,

Nick frowned, as if translating the words into what they actually meant, which could very well be the case since the human brain wasn't meant to be resuscitated after more than 20 minutes and still work properly. A few seconds later, Nick did struggle to sit up and Gil put his hand under the younger man's back to help. It took them a couple of minutes, but during that time, Gil could feel the cold abating, that Nick's body was warming back to a regular temperature. Until then, his movements would be awkward and uncoordinated, Gil knew, maybe even after that, he didn't know. They were in completely uncharted territory.

Sitting up, his legs dangling off the edge of the table, Nick glanced around the room. Gil watched as horror lit up his face and comprehension dawned. The eyes were wild again as they looked at Gil and he struggled to speak, to make his vocal chords work.

Gil took the burden off and said, "Yes, Nicky, you were dead. I don't know what happened, but you have to trust me. You have to trust me to get you out of here before anyone knows that you're back, okay?"

Still trying to speak, the words that finally came out were, "Love you!"

Not sure if it was a misfire of a jumbled brain, Gil smiled and said, "It's okay, don't speak. I'm going to get you some clothes and a wheelchair so we can get out of here."

Shaking his head, his grip tightening again, Nick insisted, "Love. You!"

With the fear in Nick's eyes, Gil knew reassurances were in order. He turned to Nick and cupped his face, staring into those incredible eyes and said, "And I love you, Nicky, so much. But we have to get you out of here. You're going to have to let me go to do that."

Some of the fear left Nick's eyes and he nodded, though the hand was slow to be removed. As soon as it was, Gil rushed to the side of the room where Nick's personal effects were bagged and waiting to go to the lab to determine what could be determined. He brought the bag back to the table and set it beside Nick. "I'm going to help you get dressed, but we have to get you standing first, okay?"

Nick nodded and put his arm over Gil's shoulder. He nearly fell getting off the table, and Gil's back pulled painfully in several places, but they got him upright. It was agonizing for him to dress the other man, the skin smooth but still cool, like marble before the sun really warms it for the day. Nick barely had coordination of his body, just enough to help lift his leg or move an arm. They finished up just as Al groaned, coming around from his faint.

Wincing, knowing exactly what he had to do, Gil picked up one of the bone saws and walked over to Al, sprawled out on the floor. Kneeling beside his old friend, Gil smiled and asked, "Have a nice nap?"

Al blinked up at him in confusion. "What happened?"

"What do you remember happening?"

"I remember..." Al's eyes widened and he looked over at where Nick was now standing by the exam table, upright and dressed. "Holy God. Gil! This is incredible!"

And knowing Al so well is how Gil could determine in that one sentence that Al was happy for Nick to be alive, but much more interested in how it had happened. Sighing with regret, he apologized, "I'm sorry Al, but that was the wrong answer," and brought the blunt end of the saw over the place least likely to cause damage, but keep him out for a long time.

Gil knew that they didn't have a lot of time before someone else walked in. Warrick, Sara and Cat were all still upstairs grieving, but that could change to disbelief and a need to see Nick at any time. He knew his team and loved them all, but also didn't think this was something any of them should be involved in.

The less they knew, the better.

Decision made, Gil stood and got one of the wheelchairs in a nearby room, then returned to the morgue and Nick, who was in the same place as where he'd been left. Still alive, thankfully. That fluttery, panicky feeling that Nick would be dead even after only 3 minutes apart faded, just a little. He helped Nick into the wheelchair, but stopped when his hand was caught. Looking at Nick, he asked, "What?"

"W-w-why?" Nick stammered, glancing over at Al.

Kneeling in front of him, Gil explained, "No one can know, Nicky. You were clinically dead for almost three hours. Al's a friend, but he would have exposed you. I have to get you out of here before he comes out of it, or someone else sees you."

Dark eyes wide, Nick repeated, "Th-three hours?"

Gil nodded. "Three hours. You know what that means."

Pain and fear were rampant on Nick's face as he nodded, shivering. Gil leaned forward, kissing his forehead, and promised, "I'll keep you safe, Nicky, I swear."

As Nick settled back in the seat, Gil grabbed a blanket and tucked it around Nick. Then he said, "Keep your head down so the cameras get as little as possible."

Nick nodded and Gil took hold of the handles, mentally going over the best route to the parking lot that had the fewest cameras and least likely way to run into anyone they knew, who knew that Nick was, had been dead.

Taking a breath, he said, "Okay. Here we go," and pushed the wheelchair out of the morgue.

* * * *

They only met up with one other person on the way out and with the way she'd been giving them both grief about Nick's promotion, Gil wasn't too sorry to have to knock her out. He barely allowed Sara a shocked moment to take in that Nick was in the wheelchair before punching her in the temple. It was a telling blow and she went down like lead.

From there, Gil hurried to get Nick into his Tahoe before anyone else saw them. He drove to the bus station, looking at Nick's silent profile as often as traffic allowed.

When they arrived, Nick frowned and asked, "Bus?"

"Not exactly," Gil answered, smiling to reassure him. "Stay here. I'll be right back."

Though worried, Nick nodded and Gil left the SUV. He headed first for the back of the station, by the men's room where he knew an informant named Wink hung out. A skinny white man with poxed skin, Wink had a scar over one eye that gave him a perpetual winking look.

"Grissom! What can I do for you, man?" Wink asked, smirking.

"How much for my truck?"

Surprised, Wink straightened and observed, "Selling government property now, Gris?"

"Technically, I lease it from the state, so it's mine to sell," Gil answered. "I need cash, and I need it now, Wink. What can you give me for it?"

Thoughtful, Wink looked him over, answering promptly, "Five large."

Gil grimaced, but nodded. "Pink slip's in the glove box. I need to get some tickets. You'll have the cash when I get back?"

"Got it now," Wink answered, pulling a wad of cash out of his coat pocket.

Snorting, Gil took the cash, put it in his pocket, and handed him keys. "Enjoy."

"Thanks, man, I will. And, good luck! Hope whatever's going on turns out okay for you."

A little surprised by the sincerity, Gil smiled faintly and answered, "Thanks, Wink. I appreciate that."

They shook hands and he went to the ticket window and bought two tickets to Los Angeles on a bus that left in ten minutes. From there, he returned to the Tahoe and opened Nick's door. Despite the healthy color now on the other man's face, Gil's heart stuttered when he saw the eyes were closed. He gently shook Nick's shoulder and said, "Nick? Wake up, time to go."

Nick's eyes opened right away, though he was definitely still sluggish. They got him out of the vehicle, then over to the terminal where the bus waited.

"Gil, bus?"

"It's okay, Nicky, trust me," Gil assured him.

Nick sighed, but nodded and allowed Gil to shepherd him onto the bus, giving their tickets to the driver. Gil settled them in the front seat of a fairly empty bus. He waited until the bus was almost all the way out of Las Vegas before stepping up to the driver and saying, "I need you to stop the bus. My friend's going to be sick again."

The driver glanced over at Nick, who was looking good for someone recently dead, but pretty much still like death warmed over. He stopped the bus.

Gil helped Nick get off, got him settled against a car and returned to the bus. "I'm sorry, I don't think he's up for such a long trip. We'll catch the next one."

"You already paid for the trip, I can't give you a refund."

"That's okay, I understand," Gil said, putting some annoyance into his voice, but not too much. "Thanks anyhow."

The driver nodded and the bus went off into traffic.

Gil immediately returned to Nick and put his arm around the younger man's waist while Nick put his over Gil's shoulder.

"Now what?" Nick asked, making the words distinct.

"Now we really get the hell out of dodge," Gil replied.

* * * *

Nick was afraid to fall asleep, because the last time he had, he'd somehow died. Sitting on the rumpled hotel bed in a room with a flickering light was doing nothing for his peace of mind. He could think clearly, no problem about that, or, maybe that was the problem. He didn't remember dying. Didn't remember anything, and that was completely freaking him out. The only thing he remembered was waking up bitterly cold and not able to move or make out anything except Gil's voice, filled with anger and bitterness and loss.

The door opened and he flinched at the loud sound, the crack echoing through his head like a thunderclap. Gil came in the rest of the way and set some bags down on the floor before closing the door. Things were definitely not right with his body yet, but they were slowly getting better. For instance, he could ask, "Gil? Everything okay?"

"Everything's fine, Nicky," Gil answered, smiling at him.

Nick didn't think he'd ever get tired of Gil calling him that and smiled in return.

"How are you feeling?"

Nick thought about it then answered, "Better."

Sighing in relief, Gil's smile grew and he said, "Good. I want to look you over, if that's okay? Since we can't really call a doctor."

Nick nodded in reply, shy about it, but knowing that it was necessary.

As if sensing his reluctance, Gil sat on the bed and assured him, "Just checking your vitals and making sure everything sounds okay inside. Nothing extensive."

"It's okay," Nick countered, and it was. He trusted Gil to his bones, a little physical exam wasn't going to phase him.

Reaching over and snagging one of the bags, Gil pulled out a stethoscope and held it out. "See? Nothing serious."

Nick smiled and said, "I trust you."

That seemed to sober Gil, tingeing his smile with regret as he answered, "I wish you didn't have to, not like this."

Putting his hand on Gil's thigh, Nick said firmly, "Not your fault."

Gil sighed, but nodded. "I know. Come on, let's see what's going on with you."

Nick tried to unbutton his shirt, but his fingers weren't that coordinated and he sighed, frustrated. Gil's hands closed over his and Nick looked up, into his eyes.

"Give yourself a break, Nicky, you were dead not eight hours ago," Gil teased lightly.

A reluctant smile twitched his lips and Nick nodded, but Gil's hands didn't leave his, nor did his eyes. "Gil?"

Leaning in, Gil kissed him, slow and achingly desperate. Nick's mouth opened to it and Gil's tongue slipped inside, his lips insistent and hungry. Falling back on the bed, Nick kept his hands on Gil's and pulled him down. Settling half on his side, one of his legs over Nick's, Gil feasted on his mouth, devouring him. Nick moaned, his cock hardening in response to the need and love he felt from Gil, as well as the incredible kissing skills.

Gil broke the kiss off, breathing heavy, and rested his forehead on Nick's shoulder. "God, Nicky, I can't believe I have you back! Can't believe that you're alive and here and I can tell you everything that I never did before. I should have, should have said it when I first realized it, but it's hard for me, feelings, emotions, not my strong suit, you know that."

"It's okay," Nick promised, kissing him briefly. Meeting his eyes, Nick reminded, "Not like I mentioned anything from my end, either."

Snorting in dark amusement, Gil agreed, "True. But Nicky, I love you. I thought I was going to die when I got that phone call. I couldn't breathe, I really couldn't. Cat had to sit me down and make sure I didn't hyperventilate."

The pain in Gil's voice was nearly unbearable and Nick tugged him up into his arms, holding on tight as sobs wracked the older man's body. As bad as it was for Nick to know that he'd been dead, he realized that it really was worse for those left behind. For him, it had just been an empty sleep, or if there had been more, he didn't remember it. For Gil, there had been pain and devastation, the loss that had rendered him of his intellectual advantage and driven home just how human the other man was, to himself.

Eventually, the crying stopped and Gil fell into a restless sleep, his body heavy on Nick's, but not something he would change for the world. It had been a daydream for so long, holding Gil, even if the circumstances weren't anything like what he'd imagined. Sighing deeply, shaking a little with reaction to the intensity of Gil's.well. breakdown, Nick pressed his lips to Gil's temple and continued to hold on tight, even as exhaustion drew him down unwilling into sleep.

* * * *

Gil woke wrapped tight in something and for a long, confused moment he thought that maybe he'd had a hideous nightmare and was trapped in the sheets and blankets. That had happened more than once. But then a soft snore caught his attention and he remembered everything. Eyes snapping open, he was treated to an up close and personal view of a sleeping Nick, stubble and all, and drank in the sight. Best of all, Nick was still alive and warm and his heart beat steady under Gil's ear.

Smiling, he nuzzled Nick's throat and sucked lightly on the juncture of throat and jaw. Nick's breath hitched, even in sleep, and he stirred, mumbling. His fingers tightened on Gil's shoulder as he yawned and stretched, eyes still closed, and Gil sucked again on the same patch of skin.

Nick groaned and his hips moved lazily against Gil as he murmured, "Warrick."

Gil froze in shock.

"Gotcha."

"Nicky!"

Nick's eyes opened at that and he grinned, rolling them so he was on top and straddling Gil.

Surprised by the unexpected strength, not to mention the agility, Gil grinned up at him, a little breathless, and observed, "Looks like you slept well."

Undulating his ass over Gil`s groin, Nick nodded and leaned down to kiss him, lacing their fingers together. When he pulled back, he was still smiling as he said, "I feel great. It's weird, but I feel better than normal."

Gil frowned and asked, "Really?"

"Yeah. Oh, Gil, come on. No analyzing right now, okay?" Nick pleaded. "I just want to enjoy us for a little while, then you can examine me to your heart's content. I promise."

Though he was still worried, not knowing what, if anything, it might signify, Gil was willing to let it slide, at least temporarily.

Sensing his acceptance, Nick smiled broadly and ground down on Gil, eliciting a gasp as sensation zinged through his body in response. He hadn't had a lover since Lady Heather, and that was as different from this, as Night was from Day. Nick took his open mouth, demanding and eager, pushing his tongue inside to explore and taste.

Gil sighed happily, his hands roaming over Nick's body, making his own explorations over the muscled flesh. He pulled up Nick's shirt and caressed the warm, bare skin, fingers raking through the scant chest hair and tweaking nipples in turn. Nick actually twitched in response and moaned into his mouth.

*Sensitive nipples, check,* Gil thought in gleeful amusement.

The kiss was harder after that, filled with more intent, and Gil was happy to let Nick take the lead. Nick shifted down, kissing along Gil's jaw and nuzzling into his beard with a throaty chuckle before licking a swatch down his throat to nibble on the juncture of throat and shoulder. Gil shivered as strong hands rubbed hard over his chest, a continuous counterpoint to the teasing of Nick's tongue.

"We shouldn't do anything, ah, too intense, until, oh God, uh, until I can look you over," Gil gasped, arching into Nick's mouth as he sucked Gil's nipple through the fabric of his shirt.

"Whatever."

Gil laughed a little at the careless response and the intent look on Nick's face. The laugh changed to a gasp when Nick's fingers scraped down his chest, sensitizing him through the shirt. Nick tugged at the offending article and Gil lifted up to help pull it off. Instantly, Nick's mouth latched onto his chest, sucking almost painfully hard at his skin. Gil moaned and his hands convulsively gripped Nick's shoulders.

Tracing a wet path over Gil's chest, outlining ribs and sucking on his nipples until Gil thought he'd go crazy, Nick took his sweet time. It was as if, finally being given the option of having Gil, he was going to savor every taste. Gil twisted up just so his hands could hold onto something steady, like the headboard. Somehow, when he'd allowed himself to imagine it, Nick hadn't been the one in the lead, but in reality it felt great to let someone else do the driving.

And then Nick pulled his cock free of his pants and his heart stuttered when wet heat sucked around it. His mouth was open, but no sound escaped as he was expertly taken down Nick's throat. The suction stopped and he moaned a protest.

"Breathe, Gil, I don't want you havin' a heart attack, okay?" Nick ordered, grinning.

The air whooshed out of Gil and he put a leg over Nick's back to pin him in place, offering his own grin as he replied, "This kind of heart attack, I don't mind."

Nick snorted and returned to the hard, leaking cock in his hands. Instead of sucking on it again, though, his tongue started licking and his teeth gently grazed the sensitive skin. Gil collapsed back with a loud groan, fingers again clenching in the sheets. His balls were rolled in light fingers and joined by that talented tongue.

Then Nick pushed his leg aside and covered Gil's body with his own, returning to devour Gil's mouth and grind his cock into Gil's. Panting into Nick's mouth, Gil hooked a leg over his lover's hip and urged him faster with moans. His nails raked up Nick's back, provoking a hiss of pained-pleasure and Nick finally obeyed, humping against him so their cocks built friction.

It was over shortly after that, just after Nick grabbed his cock and added the pressure of his hand, jerking him off fast and hard. Gil cried out in pleasure as he came, arching and spilling between them. Nick moaned, long and loud into Gil's mouth, adding his own seed to the mess on Gil's abs and chest, and collapsed on top of him.

Panting, unable to stop the stupid grin he knew was plastered on his face, Gil wrapped his arms around Nick and chuckled weakly. "Maybe I should stock up on heart meds, just in case."

Nick laughed, nuzzling against his chest and then rolling them so Gil was tucked against his side. Once settled, he replied, "Might not be a bad idea."

Feeling more energized than tired, Gil knew he wasn't going to fall asleep, despite the comfortable position he was in. He laced their fingers together and brought them up so he could kiss the back of Nick's hand. They were silent for a long time after that and even though Gil knew they should be up and getting even further away from Las Vegas, he just couldn't make himself move.

As if reading his thoughts, Nick asked, "Where can we go?"

"I don't know," Gil admitted softly. "Somewhere no one knows either of us. I think we can risk one call to let those who love you know that you're okay, but that's it. After that, we're on our own, Nicky."

"What...what do you think happened to me?" Nick questioned hesitantly.

Gil sighed, again bringing Nick's hand up to kiss. "I don't know. I wish I did. I can't even form a hypothesis right now. I'd need a fully equipped lab to even begin figuring that out and that's not something we can afford. Do you remember anything?"

Nick was silent for so long that Gil thought he wasn't going to answer. But then, he said softly, "I don't remember much. There was...some kind of weird, sweet smell in the apartment. I remember thinking in a panic that the gas had somehow started leaking or I'd somehow gotten carbon monoxide poisoning. But then I heard footsteps, a lot of them, and even though I wanted to move, I couldn't. It was like being paralyzed. Then everything went dark. When I woke up, I was, I was in the, the morgue and could hear you, but still couldn't move. What do you know about what happened?"

"Not much," Gil reported, just as quiet. "I was worried when you didn't show up on time, but not too much. You have been known to run late, now and again."

Nick snorted at the not-so-subtle teasing.

"But then I got a call from Jim... He said a neighbor had reported smelling gas and on investigation, had ah, found you, your body. Things are kind of hazy for me after that. I remember Cat making sure I didn't pass out, or hyperventilate. And I remember Warrick was crying."

"Crying?" Nick exclaimed, shocked.

Gil nodded, curling even closer to Nick as he remembered the devastated expression on Warrick's face, silent tears spilling down the black man's cheeks. "So was Catherine, but she was at least upright and thinking clearly. It was another hour before Al called me to say that you'd been brought in. I went downstairs, but told everyone else to stay there. And the rest you know."

They were silent again, a long, heavy silence as both dealt with the new information.

"Do you think...I mean...am I really alive?" Nick asked, fear coloring his voice.

At that, Gil pushed onto his elbow and stated, "You are definitely alive. You have a pulse, you have a temperature, you're talking and interacting with me, and your love and laughter and tears prove that you're human and still have a soul."

Some kind of relief flashed across Nick's face and Gil realized that it had actually worried the younger man. Cupping Nick's face, Gil continued, "You're alive, Nicky. You're alive and I'm going to keep you that was as long as I possibly can."

"You're going to have to examine me first, though, to see what happened before," Nick said slowly.

Gil nodded. "Yeah, I am. It doesn't have to be right away, though. I think we should put some more distance between us and Las Vegas before we do anything else."

"Which leads right back to the question of where we're going."

"True. Okay. First things first. Let's shower and get some breakfast. We can talk about our destination once we have a full stomach."

Smiling at him, Nick replied, "Sounds like a plan to me."

Gil enjoyed the quick, but heartfelt kiss that Nick bestowed on him before his lover rolled out of bed. He didn't know how this miracle had happened, but he was infinitely grateful that it had. He had a second chance now, and he wasn't going to squander it.

That thought firmly in mind, Gil got out of bed and followed Nick to the bathroom.

Next part of the story - Second Chance: Breaking Away