Title: Getting to Know the New Lab Tech By: Rhardin
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Note: AU
Summary: Nick is a wild, crazy, partying kinda guy. So why is he so interested in getting to know the new lab tech. He's shy and quiet. But maybe that's it.
Beta'd by El-Gilliath and Catriona

Nick couldn't help but watch him. There was something about him, he just seemed so shy and quiet. There was something that drove Nick crazy, something that he couldn't put his finger on. Greg had worked in the lab for 2 months now and Nick only knew his name. The most he'd ever heard Greg say was "Hello", "yes sir" and "here's your results." It really did bother Nick that he didn't know him better, but things had been crazy. He just got promoted to Night Supervisor when Greg was hired. Gil had taken over Ecklie's job, Ecklie left to go to Kansas, wanting something slower. When Gil asked Nick if he wanted the job, Nick could not say no, he had to take some extra classes and training and had been so busy tiring to fit everything in.

Now things where slowing down a bit. He'd taken all the classes he needed and the rest of the training would be done onsite by Gil or Cath.

It was a slow night, Warrick and Gil where the only ones working on a cases. Gil said he was going to be a hands on boss and would take a case now and then. Nick was glad Gil took a case tonight and of course had Cath working it with him. Nick had a plan, he was going to get to know the new lab tech.

Nick was sure he was in his late 20s. He was a bit too skinny, and Nick couldn't remember seeing Greg eat anything. In fact he wasn't even sure if he'd seem him outside of the lab. He had to leave sometime, Greg was pulling doubles and he would have to at least leave to go to the restroom. Nick wanted to learn, if and when he did leave the lab, what he did on his break and what kind of food he did eat. He had kind of long brown hair, it looked like it should be spiked up but Greg did nothing with it. He always wore long sleeved T-shirts, dark jeans and converse shoes. But the thing that Nick liked most about him were his eyes. They would tell you everything if you took the time. Nick made a note that he was going to take the time and look to see what was there.

"Don't do it Nick" Sara said. Nick blinked hearing her voice.

"What?"

"You've been watching him for a while now and I know you."

"Now, now, Sara, I'm just doing my job and I've been so busy with training, I haven't gotten to know him at all."

"Nick, come on, I know you better than that. You think he's... wait, why are you watching him? He's not your type" Sara said.

"My type, I have a type?" Nick said now looking at Sara.

"Yeah you do, you are a wild gay guy, you party, you go to clubs, you're Nick and he's, well ,Greg," Sara said worried now about Nick's new interest. "I bet he doesn't even go out. He just sits at home and reads. Why...?"

"Sara, come on now, I just want to talk to him." Nick was very good at reading people and it bugged him that he couldn't read Greg. He was sure it was because he'd barely even talked to him.

Sara looked at him, "Just be careful Nick"

"Yeah, yeah I know, I don't want to date him." That was a lie but Nick kept talking. "Just want to get to know him. What do you know about him?"

"I… he… well." She said, now seeing that Nick was right.

See, maybe that's all he needs. It's not easy to be the new guy and you have to admit we are kind of a tight group around here.

Sara nodded.

"So relax, I'll be good."

"Promise?" she asked

"Scout's honour" Nick said smiling.

Greg looked up and noticed that Sara and Nick were both looking at him. "What did I do now?" he worried.

"Where the hell are my results?" Warrick shouted.

Greg jumped and fell out of his Chair. He got up to his feet and looked down at the floor.

"I....I.. I.. haven't g.. g.. gotten to them y y yet. G.. G.. Gil said his s..s...stuff was to be d.. d.. done first." Greg stuttered.

"Man" Warrick said. "I told you it was to be done right away. I don't have all night." Warrick shouted.

"I.. I.. I. I..... G.. G.. G.." Greg tried to make the words come out but couldn't. He was shaking now too.

"Just page me when they're done," Warrick snapped slamming the door. Greg again jumped.

"Warrick what are you doing?" Nick said.

"Man I gave him my stuff like two hours ago and he still hasn't gotten to it yet." Warrick said hatefully.

"You've only been back like 20 minutes," Sara said.

"Whatever. He can't even get a sentence out, where in the hell did they find him? I mean don't they even care?" Warrick said and walked down to the locker room.

Sara looked at Nick.

I know, I'll talk to him, but I'll wait until he calms down." Nick said again watching Greg.

Greg took a deep breath. He jumped when the printed kicked in. He shook his head and walked over and removed the paper from the printer. He noticed that Nick was still watching him. He wished there was some kind of blind or something that he could pull down.

"Why is he just standing there?" Greg thought.

He put the results in an envelope and paged Gil. He then walked over to the pile Warrick had given him. It was a rape case. He hated doing them. It was too painful. But it was part of the job. He also hated the fact that the CSIs would keep coming in and asking for their results. He knew why, most of the time it was a young girl or child and they just wanted to catch him that much faster. But Greg always paged them as soon as he got the results. He checked in Warricks swabs. He washed his hands three times and put on two pair of Gloves and went to work on them.

"Nick I think we should go stand somewhere else," Sara said. "He's looked up a few times and I'm sure he's freaking out. The poor kid just washed his hand like 3 times" Sara said again trying to pull Nick down the hall.

"Yeah, yeah" Nick said and he went into the lab. Sara sighed and went down the hall to the break room. She was hoping a case would come in so Nick would have to go out.

Greg looked up as Nick walked in.

"You really should take a break" Nick said. "You've been in hear a while now."

" I.. I... I.. just need t... t... to finish Warrick's s.. s.. s.. stuff."

He put the swabs in and waited for the print out. Nick had never noticed that Greg stuttered so much.

"It's cool, I'll get it to him" Nick said.

"N.. N ..No...he'll g..g..g.. get mad if I.. I.. I... don't don't g.. gg give it t.. t.. to him first." Greg said looking at the floor.

"He won't get mad, I'm his boss, so go take a break " Nick said.

Greg shifted his weight back and forth.

"Greg, it's OK; I'll get them to him right away." Nick said.

Greg looked up and back down. He nodded and walked out of the lab.

Greg went down the hallway and into the restroom. He looked around checking to see he was the only one in there. He went into the end stall and threw up what little food he had eaten that day. He leaned his head on the wall. He was shaking from head to toe. He took in a few beep breaths and again threw up. He flushed the toilet and walked out. He slowly made his way to the sink to wash his hands. Greg turned on the water and reached for the soap. He worked the soap all over his hands and his wrists, getting between his finger and under his nails. He slowly rinsed them off. He got a paper towel and used it to turn off the water. He dried his hands and again used the paper towel to open the door. He tossed the paper in the trash.

He walked out of the restroom and headed back to the lab but Nick was still in there. He stopped, not wanting to go in there. Nick was sitting at his desk; he was talking on the phone to someone. Greg blinked a few times hoping Nick would get up and leave. But Nick didn't. Greg looked down at the floor. He backed up and leaned on the wall. He'd just wait for Nick to leave or at least get off the phone. He didn't want to go in there while he was talking. He'd mostly likely get mad at him. Greg looked up hearing voices. Gil and Warrick had entered the lab.

"Oh shit" Greg thought and rushed in the lab.

"Here are your results boys" Nick said handing each man an envelope.

Gil just nodded and walked out. Warrick looked over at Greg.

"Why are you doing his job?" Warrick said staring at him. Greg took a step back.

"I told him to take a break and that I would wait for your stuff to print out. I said I'd page you when it was ready." Nick said.

"Hmm" Warrick said still looking at the once again shaking lab tech. He turned and walked out of the room slamming the door.

Greg jumped. Nick looked over at him.

"Why was the kid so jumpy?" Nick wondering adding another thing to his list.

"Greg don't let him get to you, he just acts like an asshole but he's a nice guy once you get to know him." Nick said standing up.

"Now I believe I told you to take a break."

"Y..Y..You did, I just d..d.." Greg stopped.

Nick walked towards Greg. Greg took a step back and Nick stopped.

"I..I..need need to to g..g.. something out of my d...d..desk" Greg said looking down.

"That's cool, meet me in the break room" Nick said smiling.

Greg shifted uneasily and nodded to Nick. Nick walked out of the lab. Greg walked over to his desk, opened the top drawer and started to reach for something.

"You stupid little shit!" Warrick shouted as he rushed in. He grabbed Greg by the shirt and pushed him into the wall. Greg body went limp. His head hit the wall hard.

"You cross contaminated my stuff with Gil's stuff" Warrick screamed pushing Greg into the wall again.

"Warrick get your hands off him" Nick shouted, rushing into the lab and pulling Warrick's arm back making him let go of Greg. He pushed Warrick back into Greg's desk.

Warrick glared at Greg as he fell to the floor. He pulled his legs close to his chest and wrapped his arms around them.

"My office now!" Nick shouted.

"No, he messed up, he ruined my case, he got Gil's DNA on mine" Warrick said.

"Now, Warrick" Nick ordered.

Warrick crossed his arms over his chest. "No, I want to hear why the little fuck messed up my shit. This guy could walk free now Nick. It was all I had and he..."

"Warrick" everyone looked up seeing Gil. "I think you need to go home."

"What, he messed up and now I'm the one getting in trouble?" Warrick said he again looked at Greg. Greg buried his face with his hands and rested them on his knees.

"Did you ever stop and think that the case could be related. My time of death was 24 hours ago and yours?" Gil asked.

Warrick didn't answer.

"Six hours ago." Gil said no one in the room has every heard him sound so mad. "Both rape cases, both young girls. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out that they could be related."

Warrick looked over at Nick. Nick gave him that 'Sorry I can't help you look.'

"Go to my office and we will talk about his." Gil said walking over to Greg. He was still curled up and shaking.

Warrick stormed out of the room making Greg jump. He looked up seeing Gil bent down next to him. Greg pulled his legs even closer.

"Nick you need to get better control of your team" Gil said then turned to Greg. "Are you OK?" He asked his, voice much softer.

Greg nodded. He felt like he was going to get sick again but there wasn't anything left in his stomach.

"Gil, I can't control Warrick, you couldn't either" Nick said moving closer to them. Greg started to breathe harder as Nick got closer.

"I know Nick, I'm sorry, it's just, I was hoping he'd calm down a bit if you where his boss." Gil said looking at Nick. He should have been watching Greg. He was now rocking back and forth every slowly.

"I..I...I..C..c..can't b..b...breathe" Greg whispered.

Nick took a step back. Greg was very pale. Gil also backed away from him.

"Get him some water" Gil said. Nick walked over to the fridge and got out a bottle of water. He walked back over to Greg and handed it to him.

Greg looked at the bottle then at Nick.

"It's OK Greg" Nick said softly. Nick was sure that he saw fear in his eyes. Why would he be afraid to take the bottle of water? Greg reached up and took the bottle. He opened it and took a long drink.

"Greg, I'm sorry Warrick did that. It won't happen again" Gil said. "If you'd like you can go home, take the rest of the night off."

"T..T..thanks but I'm I'm I'm OK" Greg said after take another drink.

"I get Doc in here and make sure you didn't hurt your head or anything."

Greg shook his head. "I'm..I'm..I'm OK r..r..really, thank you." he said standing up. The other men backed up giving Greg some room.

"Ok, just relax for a while then" Gil said. "I'm going to talk to Warrick. Nick keep an eye on Greg." Gil said softer so Greg couldn't hear him. Gil walked out of the room.

"Come on, let's go in the break room, I'll get you a pop" Nick said.

Greg looked down and nodded. Nick again thought he was fear. Greg couldn't be afraid of him. Why would he be?

"I..I.." Greg started. He looked up at Nick. "I..I.. just need need s..s..something from my my my d..d..desk. " he said looking up just for a second.

"Ok, cool, I'll meet you in there." Nick said and walked out. He stopped and looked in the window. Greg reached into his drawer that he opened earlier. He looked around the room almost expecting Warrick to come back in there. He took out a small pill bottle and opened it and removed a pill. He closed the lid and put it back. He took the pill and chased it with the rest of the water. He checked his watch and slowly walked out of the lab. He walked down to the break room. He stood in front of the door for a while before putting his hand on it. He held the handle in his hand.

"It's called a door. Now you just have to pull it forward" Cath said.

Greg jumped hearing her voice.

"Wow, kid you need to chill out, just wanna go inside." Cath said.

Greg looked down and moved out of the way. He looked inside as Cath went in. The room was full of people. Greg took a few steps back. He turned and went down to the restroom. He went over to the sink and splashed cold water on his face. He again checked his watch.

Maybe he should go home he thought as Nick walked in the restroom and held out a pop for Greg.

"Sara said she thought you drink Diet so that's what I got you." Nick said. He was sure something had happened to him. Something horrible. Something to make it almost impossible for him to relax and trust people. He now felt very strongly about getting to know Greg and getting him the help he needed.

Nick held out the can.

"It's OK," he said." Really."

Greg slowly reached for the can.
Nick sat down of the bathroom floor.

Greg did the same.
Nick opened his can.
Greg did the same.
Nick took a long drink.
Greg did the same.
Nick looked over at Greg.
Greg did the same.

Warrick glared at the hall. He clenched his fist together and punched it. He wasn't sure who he was madder at. Him self for slamming that nerdy tech into the wall or himself for making Nick look bad in front of Gil. Either way when it can down to it Warrick was pissed at himself.

"Warrick" Gil said.

"I don't know what came over me." Warrick said he knew he was most likely going to get suspended. "It's just that kid, he drives me nut. I..i..G..g..need need need. I don't have time for that. I have better things to do them listen to that for 10 minutes."

"Well I'm sorry you feel that way Warrick but remember no one is prefect. We all have our problems and some times we just have to deal with them at work."

"Yeah but Gil, it's fast paced here. We need results fast. Who has time to deal with that?" Warrick said knowing it wasn't going to do any good.

"Greg was been here a few months now and no one else has had a problem with his speech. In fact, I've noted he stutters worse when he's nervous. I think you make him very uncomfortable." Warrick turned away. He knew Gil may be right. Since Greg started he'd always barked orders at him and yelled at him if the results took longer them he thought they should. He also yelled at him when the results where not he wanted, screaming at the scared tech to run it again. Come to think of it Warrick couldn't think of a time was he hadn't yelled at him. He wasn't even sure if he ever told Greg his name.

"I've noticed that Greg runs you stuff three or four times, Warrick. Why do you think that is?" Gil said trying to make Warrick see what he was doing." He only runs my stuff twice and I don't think he even double checks Nick's stuff unless he asks him to."

"I just" Warrick stopped. "You're right."

"I can't have this in my lad. And you're not helping Nick either. It makes him look a bad leader. Nick is your friend right. So you need to find a way to work with Greg with out scaring the poor kid to death. I'm not going to suspend you, don't make regret this."

You won't Gil, It won't happen again" Warrick said walking out of the office. He walked down the hallway to the lab. He looked inside and didn't see Greg.

"He's in the restroom with Nick" Sara said giving him a cold look.

"Don't start with me Sara, everyone messes up. I lost my cool; I thought he messed up my case." Warrick said glaring back at her.

"Look, if you can't stand him just give me your stuff and I will take it to him" Sara said.

"Yeah, well I may just take you up on that. I just can't handle that stuttering. And he looks down at the floor when you talk to him. Hell half the time I wonder if he's even listen to you."

"Warrick if you stop and think, use your CSI skills, you see it." Sara said. Warrick looked at her clueless.

"See what" he said pushing his hands into his pockets.

"No, you're a CSI, you can solve the case." She said and walked down to the break room.

What the hell was Sara talking about? He didn't have time to wonder why some tech had a stuttering problem or why he never looked anyone in the eyes. He really didn't care either. He had cases to solve. If Nick and Sara wanted to play doctor with the kid, fine by him, one less thing for him to deal with. Warrick walked into the break room.

Their eyes meet for a few seconds until Greg looked down at the floor.

"Hey the roach coach will be here, I'm starving" Nick said watching the young tech very closely. Greg nodded and Nick slowly stood up. Greg did the same. Nick led the way out of the restroom and to the parking lot. Nick looked around and spotted the food truck they all called the roach coach. He walked over to it and Greg followed.

"I've got kick ass tacos and beans tonight," the driver said.

Nick smiled at the driver as he looked over the choices.

"I wouldn't get the tacos" he whispered to Greg. Greg looked away from Nick, he wrapped his arms around his chest like he was cold, but it was a very warm night.

"I'd go with the pizza" Nick said. "I'll take 3 slices of combo" The driver nodded and looked at Greg.

Greg looked at Nick almost like he was waiting for Nick to order for him.

"Uh 3" Greg eyes widen "eh 2 slices of cheese, and 2 large coffees" Nick said now looking at the driver.

"Man, your loss, I made the best tacos and beans" the driver said as he got their orders.

"Ok, for you Nicky my boy and your new boyfriend I will give you a deal, 7 dollars" the driver said.

Nick reached for his wallet and pulled out a ten.

He leaned close to the guy. "He's not my boyfriend…" Nick paused "…yet…keep the change" He said taking the box of pizza.

Greg had his back to them.

"Greg" Nick said hoping not to make him jump but failed "Sorry man, could you carry the coffee?" Nick asked.

Greg nodded and took the cups from the driver then they walked back to across the street.

"You didn't get the tacos?" Sara asked.

"No way, we went with Pizza" Nick said. Sara looked at Nick. He smiled at her.

"Let's eat in my office" he said to Greg. Greg nodded and followed Nick down the hallway. Nick opened the door and they walked inside. Greg's shoe caught the carpet and he fell forward just enough to drop the coffees. They fell to the floor and broke open, spilling all over the ground.

Nick lay the pizza box on his desk.

Greg went pale white and started to shake. He backed away from the Nick.

"I…I…I…I'm….I'm….I'm...m…m…m" Greg tried to get out.

"It's ok" Nick said.

Greg fell to his knees. He ran his hand over the spot on the floor like he was trying to clean it up. Nick walked over to him.

"Hey, Greg it's ok" Nick said.

Greg put his hands over his face and flinched as if he thought Nick was going to hit him. He closed his eyes waiting for the painful blow. Nick backed away from him.

"It's just coffee, Greg, no big deal. It will come right up" Nick said in a tone that you would use for a small child.

"I'm s….s….s…sorry" Greg said he lowered his hands away from his face.

"No big deal" Nick said. "I'll call house cleaning; they'll clean it up in no time."

"I…I…I…"Greg tried to make the words come out of his mouth but they wouldn't. He looked up seeing Nick holding out his hand.

"Pizza's getting cold" Nick said softly. Greg put his hand in Nick and him slow help Greg to his feet.

"Have a seat" Nick said pointing to a chair. Greg did as he asked. Nick removed some paper plates from his desk and opened the pizza box. He put Greg's on a plate and handed it to him.

"T...t…t...t...hanks" Greg said, still looking very pale and unsure. Nick watched as Greg held the plate of pizza. Nick took a bite of his and Greg did the same. Each time Nick took a bit Greg did the same.

Nick's phone rang and Greg jumped, almost falling out of the chair.

"Stokes" Yeah, yeah. No, I'm not going to blow you guys off. I will be there, No, I swear. Right after work, well, I have to go home and change but I will be there.

Greg looked down as Nick talked. He didn't want him to think he was listening to his phone call. He was sure he had gotten lucky about the coffee and didn't want to make Nick mad at him.

"Ok, I'll see you tonight. Yes you will, yes you will!" He said and hung up the phone.

Nick looked up at Greg. His mind was made up. Someone had hurt this kid badly. He was pretty sure that he'd only recently gotten away from whoever did this to him. And hadn't gotten the help he needed.

Nick smiled at Greg. "Do you like football?" he asked. He was pretty sure he'd seen Greg in a Colts sweatshirt a few days ago.

"I... I…t..t…yeah" Greg said giving up on making the words come out.

"Well, I just got that NFL package. I wanna test it out. What team do you like?" Nick said.

"C...C…Colts" Greg said.

"If you're not doing anything, come over to my place, I just got a 51 inch flat screen, we'll get some wings or something."

"I...I...I...Ok" Greg said he was looking at the floor.

"Cool" Nick said smiling. Greg again jumped as the phone rang.

"Stokes, yeah, ok, I'll tell him." Nick hung up the phone.

"Gil needs you in the lab. He's got something for you to run."

"Ok, Thanks... for …the… pizza" Greg said slowly. He stood up and walked out of Nick's office.

Nick smiled and stood up. Wow his shift was over and for the first time in weeks he was getting off on time. But tonight he didn't want to leave. But he knew his friends would kill him. He turned off his computer and headed to the door. He looked at the spilled coffee, shook his head and walked back to his desk. He called house keeping. He didn't want that spot to be there when Greg can back in the office. He was hoping he'd get the shy tech back in his office tomorrow.

Greg walked into the lab.

"Are you sure you ok?" Gil asked.

"Yeah" Greg said. "What do…do you have for me?"

"Blood, lots of it. Can you work a bit late tonight?" Gil asked

Greg nodded. He went over to the sink and washed his hands.

"Thanks" Gil said "I owe you"

"C…c...can I have S…S…Sunday off?" Greg asked.

Gil stopped surprised the young tech had asked for a day off.

"Yeah sure, no problem, Head home once you're done" Gil said.

"See you all tomorrow" Nick said.

Sara nodded and looked at Nick. "I know that look Nick" she said

"I'm going out with my friends tonight" he said.

She nodded.

"Don't worry Sara; I don't want to hurt him. I know what I'm doing" Nick said.

Again Sara just nodded.

Nick walked out and headed to his car. He noticed Greg's car was parked next to his. It was a Ford escort. Nick glanced inside. He blinked his eyes a few times seeing a toddler car set in the back.

Greg slowly made his way up the steps to unlock the door. The walked inside slowly hanging his keys on the key ring.

"You've late tonight Greg" a sweet voice with a strong French accent said. Greg jumped hearing her.

"Oh Greg I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She said with a warm smile.

"It... it's ok" he said.

"Would you like something to eat, I can make ham and mashed potatoes" she said following him as he walked in to the living room.

"It's 3 a.m." Greg said. "I'm I'm fine." he added sitting on the couch.

"It's no big deal, I love to cook and I don't sleep just like you." She said with that warm smile.

"Really, I'm g.. good" he said stretching.

"Ok, them I will make you and the little on breakfast" she said "Get some rest" she added and walked out of the room.

Greg stood up and walked down the hallway and went into the last bedroom. He slowly made his way to the bed. There sound a sleep, was a little girl. Greg kissed her on the check. The little girl opened her eyes.

"Daddy" she said reaching up and hugging him. He smiled and pulled her close.

"I didn't mean to to wake you up" he said laying her back down.

"Yes you did, you always wake me up when you get home" she said pulling the blankets back over her.

"G..Guilty" he and said kissed her again. "Now go go back to sleep" he said tucking her in.

"I love you daddy" she said yawning.

"I love you too S…Sammy" he said. "Now let's try to s…sleep in ok, Daddy just g…got home."

"I will daddy, Night" she pushed her head deep into the pillow. Greg made his way into in to the living room. He shock his head seeing a ham and cheese sandwich and mashed potatoes on the table.

He picked up the plate and walked into the kitchen and wrapped it with foil, placing it back in the fridge.

He got a glass and filled it with water and went back into the living room. He placed the water on the table and reached under the couch and pulled out a blanket and pillow. He took off his shoes and socks and them slide his jeans off. He again reached under the couch and pulled out a pair of sweat pants. He smiled as a note fell to the floor.

He slide the pants on and sat down reaching for the paper. It was a man, a very old looking woman and a little girl holding hands.

Written in four year old little girl writing were the words "My Daddy, me and Miss Smith, my best family" Greg smiled. He placed the paper on the table. He grabbed the pillow and placed it at the end of the couch. He them pulled the blanket over him.

***********************************************************************

Greg pulled his legs close to his chest. He could hear voices.

"Greg was very sweet. Didn't have to get on to him once all night" said the young teen.

"That's our boy" Greg head his mother say. He pulled his legs tighter to his chest. He wanted to hide. He wanted get under the bed but he knew that would make it worse.

"Have a good night" he heard. Then he heard footsteps coming down the hallway. He hoped and prayed they would not stop at his door. He held his breath. He was shacking now. They did stop. He heard the knob on his door turn slowly. The light poured in and he could see his parents walking to in his room.

His mother walked over to him and lifted his head and kissed him. He could feel his father pull his pants down and take him in his hand. His mother pulled off her pants and sat on his chest. She lifted herself right about her son's mouth.

"Be a good boy Greg" she said lifting her sons chin. His father sat on his legs taking him in his mouth.

************************************************************************

Greg gasped for air sitting up. He was covered sweat and shacking all over. He looked around the room. Unsure where he was. He put his hands over his mouth and tried to get out of bed. He tripped over the blankets and fell to the floor. He couldn't stop himself and he threw up. He did it again. He pulled the blanket off and pulled his legs close to his chest. He rested his head on his knees and started to cry.

Miss Smith stood in the doorway. She waited for him to stop crying before she walked into the room. He looked up seeing her.

"I'm s…s…sorry" he said starting to stand up.

"Sit and relax Greg, I will clean it up." she said placing her and on his shoulder. He flinched and she looked down at him with sad eyes.

"What was it about this time" She said sadly.

"It..it..it was my my my p…" He stopped.

She reached for the glass of water and handed it to him.

"Rest and I will clean" she said. He nodded and took the water.

He slowly got up and went into the restroom. He got his toothbrush and ran it under cold water. He them add toothpaste started to brush it teeth.

"Daddy did you have another bad dream?" Sammy asked walking over to him and hugging his legs.

"Y…y…yeah" he said he spit out the toothpaste and rinsed off the brush and his mouth. He turned the water off. He them picked up the little girl. She rested her head on his chest.

"You can lay with me" she said in a sleepy voice.

Greg shakes his head.

"Daddy, you can talk to me. I don't care that you stutter. You've my best daddy." she said looking at him.

"H..h..honey If I..I..have another b..b..bad dream I..I..may hurt y…you " he said

"No you won't daddy, you always say that but you never do, come to lie down with me. You'll feel better and you won't stutter so bad when you wake up. She said taking her dad's checks in her hands.

Greg nodded. He could never tell her no. He carried the tired little girl into her bed room and laid her down. He laid down next to her. She pulled the blanket up to her chest.

"Daddy, I'm sorry your mommy and daddy where mean to you" she said putting her head on his chest. "I'm glad you're my daddy now and I know you won't hurt me.. Not like they did you. You're my best daddy!"

Greg kissed her on the forehead. "I love you" she said.

"I love you too" he whispered back, trying to fright back tears.

"Daddy, you can cry if you want to" she said "it's ok. He held her tight and started to cry.

"It's ok daddy" she said. "I'll keep you safe."

Nick made his way into his house. He tripped over a pile of something, he wasn't sure what. He caught his leg on the coffee table.

"Damnit" he called out in pain, wondering whose bright idea it was to put the light switch across the room.

"Shit" he said tripping on something else, he made a note to himself to put a flashlight by the door, since picking up the piles he was tripping over would be way too much work. He made it to the light switch and turned on the light. He rubbed his now sore leg and made his way to the bathroom.

"You have got to clean this place up" he thought since he'd asked Greg to come over on Sunday.

But it was a Friday night and he'd gotten off work on time for the first time in months. If he didn't go to the club with his friend, he'd mostly have to find new ones.

He hopped in the shower, washing away the stress of the day and drying himself off. He felt very proud; he had just taken a record shower. He limped into the bed room.

"Fuckin' table" he said aloud. He looked around his room. Now where were the pants he wanted to wear?

He dug though the pile of his cool clothes on the floor but didn't find what he was looking for.

"Hmm" He thought, then looked up. He smiled and pulled his leather pants down off the ceiling fan.

"How in the hell did they get up there?" he thought and put them on, not putting on any underwear. He knew he'd never find a pair of those.

"Now where is my shirt?" he again looked around. He looked up and sighed, it wasn't up there. He looked under the bed and pulled out a half eaten piece of pizza. He made a face and slid it back under his bed.

"Son of a Bitch" he said and went into the restroom. He dug through that pile of clothes, still not finding the shirt he was looking for. That was a pile of his work clothes. He walked back into his room and ran his hand through his still wet hair.

He tossed the clothes that were on his bed onto the floor.

He sighed again and walked over to his closet.

He looked oddly at his shirt hanging there on a hanger. He grabbed it and put it on and went back into the bathroom.

It took almost an hour to do his hair. Getting it to look just so. He also added a bit of eye liner. His friend Kelly told him it made him look hot. She should know, so he thought he'd give it a try. She told him to add a bit of blush to but even he had his limits. He took a step back and smiled at what he saw.

His shirt was skin tight, showing of his flat stomach and six pack-he forced himself to find the extra time to work out each day to kept fit. The shirt was black and had flames on the sleeves. Kelly had gotten it for him last month. She was going out with them, so he wanted her to see him wear it for the first time. His leather pants where also skin tight. Hugging him in all the right places, and the fact that he didn't have on any underwear just made them look that much better. He added a black belt and went to find his shoes. They ended up being in the kitchen sink. He put them on, making sure they were dry first and headed out to the club. He was again very proud of himself. It was only 1:30 am. He had gotten ready setting another Nick record.

"See I told you I could come tonight" Nick said walking up to his friends. Kelly handed him a beer.

"Holy shit Nick, are you trying to get all the guys tonight?" Kevin said putting his arm around his hot friend.

"Nope, I've got my eye on someone at work" Nick said. "I need to dance." He didn't want to hear his friend 20 questions that he knew would follow after that statement. He grabbed Kelly and pulled her up.

"Dance with me, my dear" he said and led her out on the floor.

"I can't save you forever Nicky" she said and he wrapped his arms around her hips.

"What?" he said smiling He let his body flow with the music.

"You heard me" She said wishing that her best friend wasn't gay. God, he felt so hot dancing next to her. She'd gotten over that a long time ago. Well mostly, god why did he have to dress that way? And why was he so sweet? The song ended and Nick was grabbed and turned around.

"Who do you think you are, saying you are in love and leaving us hanging like that? I should bitch slap you into next week. Dish boy, or I'll hump you with your clothes on." Matt said

Nick took a step away from Kelly and crossed his arms.

"Fine Nicky my boy, you asked for it" Matt said. He walked over to Nick and wrapped his arms around him. He pulled Nick close to him. He put his hand on the back of Nick's tight leather pants. He leaned next to him. He pushed his hips forward into Nick's and started moving them back and forth. Nick tried to hide his smile.

Matt moved faster holding Nick's backside even tighter in his hands. Nick licked his lips. Nick then grabbed Matt's hips and held them still. He was much stronger than Matt and held him still very easily. He leaned his lips next to Matt's ears. His hot breath sent a chill down him and made him hot somewhere else. Nick leaded him back in his arms. His lips just a blink from Matt's.

"Matt" Nick said his voice sounding very hot.

"Yeah?" Matt said his voice trying to match Nick's.

Nick looked up, almost everyone in the club was now watching him.

"Matt" he said again. "I wouldn't let you hump me with Ben Affleck's clothes on" Nick said dropping him to the ground.

"Damn Nicky" Kevin shouted.

"Oh Nick, why do you do me like that in front of all our friends?" Matt said rubbing his hands over himself.

Nick took Kevin's hand and led him to the dance floor.

"Now Kevin, you could hump me with Matt's clothes on if you wanted to" Nick said and started dancing.

"You just got told" Kelly said. Matt got up to his feet and walked off.

"So who's the guy?" Kevin asked. "And did I tell you that you look way too fucking hot?"

"Hmm, He's the new lab tech." Nick said

"You can't date him, you're his boss." Kevin said.

"Nope, Gil is. I already checked into all that" Nick said

"He's very cute, a bit to skinny, and he's very shy." Wow that was the understatement of the year but why tell Kevin everything. He was sure that he and Greg would never meet.

"So how long was it been?" Kevin asked.

"What?" Nick said a bit shocked.

"Come on Nick, you work all the time, you stopped coming over" Kevin said. "I worry about you"

"Look, Kevin, I'm fine, I'm just tired of that stuff, you know, I want to find someone I can be with, spend the rest of my life with. And I'm not going to find that here." Nick said.

"Oh come on Nick, what's wrong with the people here?" Kevin said.

Nick looked over at Matt who as again rubbing himself in from of another young man.

"Ok, Matt doesn't count." Kevin said he stopped dancing.

Nick sighed. "It's just not as fun anymore. I guess I'm getting older. I don't know. But I'm here to have fun; I really don't wanna talk about his now."

"Fine" Kevin said.

"What are you mad at me now?" Nick said turning to his friend.

"We'll you just pretty much said, you where tired of us."

"NO this, not us, this, why do we always come here to this club? Why do we all do to your place and drink more and them why do we all sleep together?" Nick said.

"Why can't we do something else, go to a movie, a concert, the strip, go fishing? I don't know. Just something where we could meet…" Nick stopped.

Kevin looked mad. "If it ain't broke don't fix it."

Nick looked away from Kevin he took a step back.

"It's broke and I need to fix it" Nick said

"You'll miss us" Kevin said and grabbed Nick he pushed their lips together hard and grabbed Nick. Nick wanted to kiss him back but didn't. He pushed Kevin away.

"No I won't" he said he turned and walked off.

"Nick, where are you going?" Kelly asked following him out to his car.

"Kelly, aren't you tired of this?" he asked stopping and turning to face her.

"It's all I know" she said looking away from Nick.

"Yeah well, I know there's more out there. You'll never find a good guy in there. All Kevin and his gang want to do is drink, and fuck." Nick said digging for his keys.

"I did found a good guy, just my luck he's gay" Kelly said. Nick looked up at her. He walked over and pulled her close.

"I'm sorry" he whispered "I never wanted..."

"Nick stop, it's ok, I'll deal, I always do" she said pulling away from him.

"Call me, Okay? And don't say ok and never do it. I mean it, please?" Nick said in a soft voice.

She looked up at him and smiled. He kissed him on the cheek.

"See you around" she said and walked back inside.

Nick watched her go inside; he pulled out his keys and got inside his car.

"No you won't" he said in a whisper.

Nick wasn't sure why he didn't feel worse about ending a 10 year friendship with his so called friends.

But oddly he felt very good about it. He walked inside, this time he had his flash light. He missed all the piles of junk and turned on the light. He smiled like he'd just outsmarted someone. He tossed his keys on the couch and made his way to the fridge. He opened it, and then backed away. Something was spoiled in there. He'd look for it tomorrow he thought and grabbed a can of beer. He opened it and took off his shirt. It fell on the dining room table and he did the same with his shoes and pants.

He walked into the restroom and chugged down most of the beer before getting into the shower. He turned on the water, hot, steaming up the bathroom. He rested his head on the wall.

"How long had it been?" he thought.

"Hmm, he was with Kevin and them, wow, five months ago. Well Kevin was right about one thing-he worked too much. But at least at work he got to see Greg."

Nick looked around as if to see if anyone was in his own restroom. He leaned back into the hot water and ran his fingers down his chest. He took his cock in his hand and moved it up and down. He cock sprung to life at his touch. He closed his eyes and moved his hands a bit faster. He moved his hips as well. He ran his hand over the head of his now rock hard cock and ached back with each stroke.

He then ran his hand up and down the length again, squeezing when he reached the head. He moved faster now. He bit his bottom lip; then as if to tease himself he almost stopped.

"Oh fuck" he thought as he moved even slower. It'd been a while and he didn't want to end just yet. He reached his free hand behind his backside and entered himself with one finger. He moved his hands at the same time. Going slow at first, then faster. He added a second finger now. He arched his back and moaned softly. He again slowed down, now trying to drive himself crazy.

He once again sped up, this time he wasn't planning on slowing down or stopping. Now he couldn't take it anymore. He moved faster up and down and in and out. This time, when he stopped, it was because he had finished. He tried to catch his breath and rested his head on the wall. He rinsed his hand off them grabbed the soap to wash himself off. He finished his shower and dried off.

He walked into his room and got into bed. He looked at his ceiling fan. There was a pair of underwear up there.

"Cool" he thought. "I don't have to commando tomorrow."

Nick was a desperate man. He knew he was in big trouble. Greg was going to come over tomorrow and his place, well, trashed seemed a bit to much. Ok yeah it was trashed.

"Please Sara" Nick bagged. "You have to help me" he added. He was on his knees holding her hand.

"My god Nick, get up. Someone may see you and think you are asking me to marry you" She said trying to pull her hand away.

"Please, please, please, I'll do anything" he asked kissing her hand.

"For starters, get up and No Nick. I don't even like the idea of you having him over. So if I don't help you, you can't have him over." Sara said pulling her hand free.

"I'll pay you" Nick said. "Oh Sara, Please" Nick whined.

"Nick, I said no. Didn't anyone ever tell you have no means no?" She said.

Nick stuck out his bottom lip and gave her a sad look.

"That won't work on me. I'm a bitch remember?" She said not looking at him.

"I never said you where a bitch. I love you." He grabbed her hand again and kissed it.

"Ok, fine, I'll help you. But I won't like it. I don't like what your doing" Nick jumped up and hugged Sara. Sara tried to pull away.

"Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you" he said. "I owe you big time" he let her go.

"I'll see you after work" Sara said wondering why he could always talk her into anything.

She still didn't think it was a good idea for Nick to go after Greg. Even thought Nick was a great guy, Sara worried.

**********************************************************************

"Daddy, it's time for you to go to work." Sammy said. "Get out of the shower."

Greg kept running the wash cloth over his body. He looked up hearing Sammy.

"Al...m...most done" he said washing himself one last time. He rinsed off the wash cloth and hung it up. He turned off the hot water then turned the cold on and off. He reached for the towel. He ran it all over his body. He didn't look in the mirror. He couldn't stand what he saw. Too many marks, too many scars, too many painful memories. He ran the towel over again and once more just to make sure he was dry. He wrapped the towel around his hips.

"Daddy, I have to go potty" Sammy yelled.

Greg walked out of the restroom.

"It's about time daddy" she said and run inside.

Miss Smith looked at Greg with sad eyes. He had fresh burn marks on his shoulders, chest and back.

"Greg" she said, he always did this after a bad night. "When are you going to get help?"

"One m...m...more m…m...month." he said "T...T…that's when my my my insurance s...s...starts."

"You need help now, you're getting worse, look you hurt yourself again." She said softly.

"I I I just needed to be c...c...c.clean" he said looking down.

"I can help you pay until your insurance starts" She said very motherly.

"No no no, you do do too m...much already" he said. "I'll be f...f... ok" he said.

Miss Smith sighed. She watched as Greg got his suitcase from the closet. She watched him lay it on the floor and remove his clothes one piece at a time setting them on the floor. He then zipped the suit case up and put it away.

Sammy ran out of the restroom and back into her room. Greg picked up his clothes and walked into the restroom. Miss Smith sighed and followed Sammy to her room. Greg again felt like he was going to throw up but he hadn't eating anything since he had pizza and that was lost many hours ago. He slid on his underwear and then his jeans. Next he put on his left sock. He looked around for his shoes. They were not in the restroom. He pulled his sock off and went back into the living room.

"Daddy, Miss Smith rented Nemo" Sammy said jumping up and down. She stopped jumping seeing the new burns on him. "What happened Daddy?" she asked walking up to him.

"Daddy, j...j...ust had a b...b...bad n...night" he said finding his shoes. Sammy frowned at him.

"I'm sorry daddy" she said.

"Sammy your daddy has a surprise for you in the freezer." Miss Smith called out.

Greg looked at Sammy and smiled.

"You didn't?" she asked.

Greg nodded.

"I love you Daddy" she said as she ran into the kitchen. She hopped up in a chair as Miss Smith got her a huge bowl of ice cream.

Greg made his way back into the rest room. He again put on his left sock and then his shoe, followed by the right sock then shoe. He put on his sweatshirt. He reached for his toothbrush. He added toothpaste then ran it under the water, he brushed his teeth, then rinsed off his toothbrush. He got a cup and filled it with water and then rinsed his mouth. He tossed the cup and washed his hands, making sure they where spotless. He grabbed a towel and dried them off and turned the water off with the towel. He hung the towel up and walked down the hall and into the kitchen.

"S...s...see you t...t...tonight" He said kissing Sammy on the check. "Be a g...good girl"

"She always is" Miss Smith said.

"Oh c...c...could you watch her for a bit on s...s...Sunday?" Greg asked looking down.

"Why daddy?" Sammy said.

"I'm I'm going to a f...f... a c..c...coworker asked me o...o...over to watch the g...g…game" he said.

"Yes I will take the little one shopping" Miss Smith said smiling. She looked at Sammy how was smiling too, between bits of her ice cream.

"T...t...thanks" Greg said and he grabbed his keys and walked out the door. He walked to his car and unlocked it and got in. He checked his mirrors twice and then put on his seat belt.

Greg was very glad that it was a slow night. Nick was in training with Gil and Warrick was out on the only case. Greg sat at his desk. He had straightened it up for the 4th no 5th time tonight, hoping it would keep his mind from wandering. Why in the hell did he tell Nick he'd come over? And worse Miss Smith said she could watch Sammy. That was going to be his out. But she said yes. Greg sighed, not seeing a way out of his without lying and that he wouldn't do. He just knew that Nick would some how find out that he lied and would yell at him. No he'd some how just have to make it thought the game and make a fast get away. Lucky he had some Busapar that Miss Smith had given him. So he'd take one before he went. They helped a little just barely taking the edge off the fear he felt.

"It's time for a break" Greg jumped and turned seeing Nick standing there.

"Ok" Greg wasn't sure why he kept saying yes to Nick.

"Good, follow me" Nick said. Greg got up and followed Nick. They walked down the hall way and then outside.

"It's a nice night, we could walk to the diner and get a quick bite. I don't think anyone will know we're gone" Nick said.

Greg only nodded. Eating was something he did not enjoy doing. Mostly because the food never stayed in his stomach. But it wasn't like he could go with out eating. So when they sat down and the waitress handed him a menu he just sat there, not opening it. He looked up at Nick; he was not sure what to do next. He knew at one time. He tried to remember what he was like before. Just after he moved away from home, before he started college. But he was too afraid. Afraid to let that person back out. He didn't even know if he could. It'd been so long ago. He use to fight but now he couldn't, wouldn't, he wasn't sure which one it was. So when the waitress asked for his order he just sat there looking down.

Nick looked up at her.

"Give us a few" Nick said.

"What? No!" Greg thought. He needed to order for him then order Greg something. Greg hand's clenched the menu.

"Unless you have x-ray vision, you have to open it." Nick said in a joking voice.

Greg held his breath. "This is wrong" he thought.

"I...I...I... W..w...w..." Greg stopped; nothing would come out of his mouth.

Nick looked at him and nodded.

The waitress returned and Nick ordered two cheeseburgers and fries with a coke and a diet to drink.

Greg let out a long breath. Ok that was more like it he thought.

Greg was surprised that Nick cleaned his plate and finished Greg's as well. He only ate about half his burger and even less fries.

The waitress returned with the ticket and placed it in the middle of the table.

"What a good night" Nick said. He wondered what Greg would do then.

The bill was just sitting there. Nick sipped on his coke and waited.

Greg sipped on his diet. He didn't care for diet much but was always told to drink it.

Nick picked up the ticket and pulled out his wallet. He place a few twenty's on the table. "Well I think we should get back" He said putting his wallet back in his pocket.

Greg jumped just a bit when Nick said that. He nodded and waited. Nick stood up and Greg also stood up. He walked out of the small diner and Greg followed him close behind.

"So, you still coming over tomorrow?" Nick asked.

Greg nodded now knowing for sure he couldn't get out of it. They walked back inside.

"Nick you're late" Gil said.

Nick rolled his eye. "See you around" he said to Greg and followed Gil into his office.

Greg walked back into the lab, and washed his hands before sitting down.

Nick handed Sara a beer. He sat down next to her and let out a long sigh. He smiled at her but she did not return the smile.

"You worry too much" He said.

"Nick, do you know what you're getting into?" She asked looking over the 5 bags of trash she had spent hours helping Nick remove from his house.

"Not really" he said "but I went to help him, and yeah I think he's cute. Ok he's hot; he's got a fine ass. Too skinny but man his eyes are so..." Nick stopped seeing the look Sara was giving him.

"Nick you're breaking one of the rules" She said.

"What one? You have too many" he said taking a drink from his beer.

"I am ok with the fact that you're gay but please, please don't talk about guys like that around me, I don't wanna know what turns you on. Plus it's Greg" she said.

Nick nodded. "You didn't see that look in his eye, we went out to eat and he just sat there- he was so afraid; he wouldn't even open the menu. I just want to get him help, get him to open up." Nick said softly.

Sara nodded and looked at Nick. "Just be careful Nick, I can tell he's been thought a lot and I know you mean well and all, but sometimes, it might be better if you don't do anything at all. He'll just end up getting hurt." She said, knowing she might upset Nick but had to risk it.

"I know what I'm doing" Nick said standing up. "Thanks again for helping me. So we‘re done now, yeah?" He said and reached for his wallet. He tried to hide the hurt look in his eyes but didn't.

Sara looked down. "Nick I don't want your money" Sara said. "Nick"

"I said I'd pay you" He said handing her the money.

He opened the door.

"Nick don't do this" Sara said now feeling bad. She tried to give the money back but he kept his hand on the door. That last part wasn't supposed to said out loud. "I didn't mean it like that."

Nick looked at her. "Why would you think I'd hurt him?" He paused for a bit. "Just leave, I'll see you Monday."

"Nick I'm sorry really." She said walking out the door. She turned to say something else but Nick slammed the door in her face. Sara knocked a few times.

"Nick come on" she said. She waited but the door never opened. She sighed and left.

Sammy sat up in bed. "Oh No" she thought. She jumped up and ran into the bathroom, but she didn't make it.

"Oh No!"

"Miss Smith I didn't make it to the bathroom. I need your help" Sammy called out.

"Miss Smith could you please help me, my daddy isn't home yet? I peed on my nightdress" Sammy walked down to Miss Smith's room. The older lady was in bed but didn't move when Sammy called her name.

"Miss Smith wake up" Sammy said slowly walking over to the bed. "Please get up" Sammy said as tears filled her eyes. Sammy touched her face but she didn't move.

"No, No, Not again, No Miss Smith" Sammy screamed running out of the room. She grabbed the phone and dialled 911.

"911 what is your emergency?"

"Miss Smith, She fell asleep and now she won't wake up. I peed on myself and I need her to get up but she won't."

"Honey, how old are you?"

"I'm 4 almost 5" Sammy said wiping her eyes.

"Is there anyone else there?"

"No, my daddy is at work, we live with Miss Smith, She takes care of me when my daddy works, please help her" Sammy said sitting on the floor. She pulled her legs close to her chest.

"How old is Miss Smith?"

"I don't know, she's like a grandma I think. Why won't she wake up? I'm getting cold" Sammy whispered.

"What is your name?"

"Sammy" She said trying hard not to cry.

"Sammy there will be someone coming to help you. They should be there any time now. Can you let them inside when they knock?"

"My daddy says I'm not supposed to open door for strangers" She said.

"It will be ok, they will help you."

Sammy nodded. She heard a knock on the door.

"They are here" Sammy said and hung up the phone. She walked over to the door, unlocked it and watched as the firemen rushed inside, almost knocking her over. She watched them run down the hallway and enter Miss Smith's room.

"She's been dead for at least 2 hours" Sammy heard.

Sammy walked into the bedroom. She looked at the fireman.

"You need to make her wake up. I'm wet and I need her to help me" Sammy said weakly.

"I'm very sorry little one but she's not going to wake up."

"Why not?" Sammy said climbing on the bed.

"She was very old, honey, her heart just stopped."

"But she takes care of me when my daddy is at work. We were going to go shopping tomorrow." Sammy cried. Her eyes filled with tears. "Please, make her wake up."

"I can't sweetheart, I'm sorry."

Sammy moved up to the old lady's face. She wiped her eyes. She leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead and ran her fingers through her hair. She pulled the blanket up to her chest.

"She's cold" Sammy said to the fireman. "She likes the blanket up around her shoulders."

"Don't worry Miss Smith, I will take care of him now" she said in a small voice that only she could hear. "I love you, thanks for taking care of me. Now that you're in heaven if you see my momma tell her I will take care of him now." She kissed her again and laid her head on her chest. She wrapped her small fingers around the older lady's hand.

Greg parked the car in the driveway. His eyes opened wide seeing a fire truck, an ambulance and a few cars he'd never seen before. He jumped out of his car, not even shutting the door. He ran up the steps taking them 2 or 3 at a time.

"S..s..s.sammy, Miss S..s..smith??" he shouted making is way into the house. He stopped, seeing 2 women sitting on the couch. Sammy came running out from her room.

"Daddy" she said and jumped into his arms. He pulled her close and closed his eyes. He felt like he was going to get sick.

"You must be Greg" One of the ladies said, "I'm Rhonda, and this is Heather. We're Miss Smith's daughters. I meet you once before, when you first moved him."

Greg nodded. He was shaking now and he knew the ladies could tell. He swallowed hard and pulled Sammy closer to him.

"Greg, I'm sorry but our mother passed away in her sleep. They think she had a heart attack." Rhonda said softly. All Greg could do was nod. "They don't think she felt any pain."

"Tell him now" Heather said pushing her sister.

"Heather, give the guy a minute" She said, but Heather butted in anyway.

"Look Greg, my mother left me this house in her will and my family is going to move into it. I need you out of the house tonight" she said in a cold voice.

Greg looked over at her.

"But this is our home" Sammy cried.

"Not anymore. I already packed Sammy's things, not that she had much to pack. I looked for your stuff but I couldn't find anything." She said now standing up. "Where are your things?"

"They are in the closet" Sammy said "Please let us stay. I won't be any trouble. I'm a good girl, I don't eat much. I can help clean. You won‘t even know I‘m here."

"I'm sure you are, but this is my house now. I've waited a long time to get this house." She walked over to the closet and pulled out Greg's suitcase and brought it over to the door.

"Heather, you said you'd let them stay the night" Rhonda snapped to her older sister.

"We'll I changed my mind. If you don't mind. Look at him, I can‘t believe our mother let someone like him live here" she said pointing to the door.

"We have our toothbrushes in the restroom" Sammy said thinking fast.

"Do you even talk?" Heather said looking at Greg. Greg looked down at the floor. He shifted his weight a bit. He knew nothing would come out. He'd only stutter. There was no point in trying. Heather rolled her eyes.

Sammy got down from Greg's arm and ran into the bathroom. She pulled the stepping stool up to the sink and opened the medicine cabinet. She found the bottle of pills that Miss Smith gave her daddy. She lifted her shirt and hid them in her underpants. She grabbed the toothbrushes and walked back into the living room.

"I can't believe that Miss Smith could have such a mean daughter like you" Sammy said taking Greg's hand. She led him to the bags and he picked them up. He walked out to the car, she followed him close behind. She watched as he put their things in the back of the car and he opened the door and put her in the car seat.

"You're a little brat!" Heather shouted.

Greg put his keys in the car and started it. His hands where shaking so bad he wasn't sure he could drive. He backed out of the drive way. He didn't make it do the road very far before pulling over. He jumped out of the car and barely made it to the side of the road before losing the dinner he'd eaten. He fell to his knees getting sick again, and put his trembling hands over his face and then grabbed his hair. He rocked back and forth.

Sammy undid her car seat and got down and climbed out of the car. She walked over to her daddy. She placed her small hands on is shoulder trying to rub them like she'd seen grown ups do to each other when they got upset. She tried to rub his neck like she'd seen her mamma do when he got upset.

"Daddy, it will be ok" She said in his ear. "We have each other, that's all we need". She wrapped her small arms around him as far as she could. She pushed her head on his back and started to cry too. Greg pulled her around and held her tight. He sat on the ground and Sammy sat in his lap. He rocked her slowly running his finger thought her long hair. She looked up at him.

"Oh I took these." She said and pulled the bottle out from its hiding place. Greg took the bottle of pills and held them tightly in his hand.

"T..t..Thanks" he said his voice very shaky. His mind raced. He didn't know where to go. He slowly stood up and carried Sammy to the car.

"Daddy, where are we going to sleep tonight? I'm still wet." she said.

Greg didn't answer. He got back in the car and started it. He drove for a while then parked. He got Sammy out of the car seat and walked up to the door, but stood for a while before finally knocking.

Nick turned over in bed. His clock read 3:30 am. He rubbed his eyes hearing the knocking again. He got up and walked to the door and opened it. He looked up sleepily.

"Greg what's wrong?" he said. "Come in" Nick added taking the sleeping girl out of his arms.

Greg stood in the doorway. He was pale and shaking.

"Greg what's wrong?" Nick asked again. He laid the little girl on his couch. She curled up in a little ball as Nick placed a blanket over her.

" I…I…I" Greg tried to get out. He clenched his teeth together. He wanted to scream. He again tried to make the words come out of his mouth but nothing would. He tightened his fists together. He head was pounding now. He relaxed his body and turned away from Nick and put his hands over his face and started crying. He fell to his knees, then down to the floor.

Nick took a deep breath. He was not sure if he should go over to Greg. He'd seen him flinch before when someone got to close to him. He knelt down next to Greg and slowly put his hand on his shoulder. Greg jumped and covered his face. Nick didn't move his hand. Greg looked up at him. His lips where trembling. He was waiting for the pain blow. But Nick just rested his hand on him and didn't move. He swallowed hard still waiting.

"Greg I'm not going to hurt you" Nick said softly. Greg was breathing hard, short breaths now. His eyes where locked on Nick, then he looked down at the floor again. Nick sat down next to Greg still keeping his hand on his shoulder. Greg tightened his body and slowly sat up. Nick moved his hand now as Greg pulled his legs into his chest. He rested his head on his knees.

"I have a spare room" Nick said softly. "If you need a place to stay you can sleep there." Greg shook his head. He looked at Sammy. "You want her in the spare room?" Nick asked. Greg nodded. Nick slowly got up and walked over to the little girl. He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. He pulled the covers back and put her in the bed. She opened her eyes and looked at Nick.

"Where's my daddy?" She asked in a small voice.

"He's in the other room" Nick said sitting next to her. "What happened? Why is your daddy so upset?"

"Miss Smith died. We lived with her. She was my momma's friend. Her daughter kicked us out and now we have no home." Sammy said. "And I peed on myself and now I'm getting your bed dirty."

"Oh that's ok, I will wash the sheets tomorrow" he said smiling at her.

"Who are you?" Sammy asked.

"My name is Nick. I'm your daddy's friend, I work with him" Nick said tucking the covers around her.

"I'm Sammy" she said yawning.

"Nice to meet you" he said "you look tired, get some rest."

"My daddy needs me" she said with another yawn.

"Don't worry, about your daddy, he'll be fine. I will help him."

"Are you a bad man? My daddy lived with a bad man for a long time. He was very mean to him" she said looking closely at Nick.

"No, I'm not mean," he said. "I wouldn't hurt him." He softly touched her face.

"Can you tell me a story?" Sammy asked barely able to keep her eyes opened.

Nick thought for a moment and nodded. "I know the three little pigs" he said.

Sammy nodded. She looked up and listened as Nick told her the story. He stopped half way in the story. She was sound asleep. He pulled the cover up over her shoulders and walked out of the room. He made his way back into the living room.

Greg was still sitting on the floor. He was rocking back and forth. Nick could smell the vomit. He walked over to him again, placing his hand on his shoulder.

Greg closed his eyes. He was waiting for Nick to hit him.

"Why won't he hit me?" he thought. Greg looked up at Nick. He pulled away from him and stood up.

Greg looked down at the floor, then at Nick.

"It's no big deal" Nick said standing up as well. "I've got a carpet cleaner. It'll come right up."

Greg looked at Nick again. His eyes filled with tears and he shook his head. He launched forward at Nick and hit him in the chest. He took his other hand and hit him again. Nick stood there looking at Greg. Greg pushed him back but Nick barely moved. Greg stared at him, the tears falling faster now.

Was Greg trying to make him mad and hit him?

Greg clenched his fist and again hit Nick. He blow was very weak. Nick just stood there. Greg looked at him before raising his arm again and moved it forward. Nick caught his wrist and held it. He looked into Greg's eyes. He took his free hand and reached for his face. Greg closed his eyes. He felt Nick's fingers on his face. It ran down his check wiping away his tears. Then moved down Greg's neck and stopped on his shoulder. The hold on his arm was released. Greg was shaking again, even worse than before. He put his head on Nick's chest and Nick pulled him closer hugging the him. Greg started crying again, he couldn't remember the last time someone held him with out hurting him. It felt so nice. Nick didn't say anything. He felt Greg's body relax just a bit. He wasn't sure how long they stood there before Greg slowly pulled away. Nick took a step back. He reached for Greg's hand. This time Greg didn't flinch. Greg placed his hand in Nick's. He led Greg to the couch and sat them both down.

"He didn't hit me?" Greg mind raced. "I did everything to make him hit me and he didn't. Why didn‘t he hit me?" Greg looked at Nick and he smiled back at him.

Nick reached for the remote and turned on the TV. He did something that no one had done in years. He handed Greg the remote. Greg took the it in his hand looking at like he'd never seen one before.

Nick stood up and walked down the hallway. He leaned up against the hall and sighed. He could tell that the fear was gone from Greg's eyes. He still looked unsure but the fear wasn't there. Nick was sure he'd taken a huge step in getting him to trust him. He walked to the closet and got out some blankets and pillows, then went back into the living room, not surprised to see the TV still on ESPN. Greg held the remote and watched. Nick looked at the TV-they were talking about the Colts.

"I wonder if they will go 16-0" Nick said setting the bedding down on the table.

Greg looked up at Nick.

"I'm s..s..sorry" he made the words come out of his mouth.

"It's ok Greg. You and Sammy can stay here as long as you like." Nick said. He felt very tired all of a sudden. He only fell asleep about an hour before Greg had knocked on his door.

"You can sleep in my bed if you'd like. You look like you need a good night's sleep."

Greg was unsure if he should say no or not. But Nick wasn't like Keith. Still he wasn't sure. Keith had started out as a nice guy too. Then one day he hit him. And next thing Greg knew he was fighting for his life trying to get away. After four years of hell Greg wasn't sure of anything anymore.

"Or the couch is fine" Nick said.

Greg nodded and reached for the blanket. Nick turned away.

"I'm going to bed. Make you self at home." He said and walked to his room. He laid down placing his arm behind his pillow. He couldn't help but smile. He had gotten thought to him. He just knew it. It was going to take some time but it was a start.

Greg turned off the TV off and pulled the blanket over him. He was still trembling as he tried to fall asleep. 'The couch was very soft,' he thought, as he finally closed his eyes.

Greg tried to hide. He knew he shouldn't but he didn't want his parents to come in his room tonight. He was still very sore from the night before. But then he heard his mother's voice.

"My son is very good at what he does," she said. "…even better than his father."

"Well he gives head much better then you do as well" That was his father voice, he'd know it a mile off.

Greg pulled the pile of clothes over him trying to hide. He heard the door open.

"Greg?" His father said, voice ice cold. The sound of it made Greg sick to his stomach. He stopped breathing and prayed.

"Greg, you don't want to do this…" it was his mother. "…it will be much better if you just come out. Don't make us have to find you!" Her voice was softer than his father's and Greg slowly came out from his hiding place. He walked over to his bed and turned, looking at his parents and another couple he'd never seen before.

Greg never knew their names. They never said anything to him. They would have their way with him. Touching him, kissing him, sucking on him and having sex with him. His parents always made sure they used a condom. They would watch it all, and when the couple was done, they'd lead them out and then go back into his room. Starting the whole thing over again night after night. Once in a while they would bring two couples into his room. He hated that the most. He'd have a cock in his ass and one his mouth and he had to have his finger inside one of the ladies while he was inside the other one. They would each take turns. And occasionally his parents would join in as well. Sometimes it was just one other person. Greg never knew until they were in his room.

"He's a bit younger then I thought" the woman said.

"Oh don't worry. He's been doing this since he was 4. He's very good."

"And we can do what ever he want with him?" the man asked.

"Yeah, we just want to watch" Greg's father said.

"So we can fuck him?." the man said.

"He's good at that too" his father said, almost sounding proud.

Greg looked at his parents and tried hard not to cry. He would have to pay for that later if he did. He lay down on the bed and waited for the couple to come over to him. He swallowed hard as they pulled his clothes off.

"Are you sure he's ok? He's shaking like a leaf." the woman said.

"Yeah, he always does that. He's fine." His mother replied, sitting on a chair.

Greg tried to breathe. He lay still as the man turned him over. He touched Greg's butt asking him to lift it up. Greg clenched his teeth as the man entered him unprepared. The women walked over to him, putting her right in his face. She touched his mouth with her fingers and Greg went to work only stopping when the pain from the older man was too much to bear. He felt the woman reach for him.

"He's big for a child" she said running her hand up and down. He was hard now and she smiled. Greg felt the man pull out.

"I know" his mother said, "wait until you have sex with him. He's perfect."

Now it was her turn. She put a condom on him and laid him down on his back. Greg bit his bottom lip as she sat on top of him. He closed his eyes as she moved up and down on him. He felt someone touch his face. He opened his eyes seeing the man's cock right next to his mouth. Greg opened his mouth and took the older man.

After the two left his room, he curled up and started to cry. He stopped crying and held his breath when he heard the door shut and his parents return. They entered the room. His father pulled his pants down and again turned Greg over. He entered his son raw, then raised Greg up to his knees. Greg mother moved in front of him. She put her hands on his shoulder and touched him. His cock came to life.

"If you didn't enjoy this, you wouldn't get hard honey" she said putting him inside her.

After his parents left his room, Greg ran to the bathroom. He threw up and then got in the shower. He turned on the hot water and ran his hands over himself digging his nails in as he went. He wanted to feel clean. He water burned and the scratches started to bleed, but he didn't stop. He kept running his hand over himself and letting the water burn him.

Greg tossed and turned. He moaned in his sleep on the couch, but couldn't wake up.

Keith slammed the door.

"What the fuck did you do?" he screamed.

Greg curled up in the corner. The broken glass sat a few feet in front of him. Coffee was all over the floor. Keith walked over and grabbed him up by his hair. He threw Greg down into the glass. Greg felt it cut his hands Keith walked over and pushed Greg's head down on the floor.

"See what you've done" he yelled. "Clean it up now" He again pulled him up by his hair and pushed into the other room. Greg fell hard into the wall, it knocked the breath out of him. He gasped for air and lowered himself down. Keith stalked over to him. He placed his hand on his shoulder them smacked him across the face.

"You know you are nothing, you are a waste of air. No one would even notice if I killed you right now." He grabbed Greg by the neck and lifted him off the ground. He smiled as Greg gasped trying to get air into his lungs. He slammed him into the wall again and Greg almost blacked out. He let go and punched him in the stomach. Greg went down hard holding his midsection, trying to get precious air into his body.

"The only reason, I let you live is so you can get me a good grade in college. But we only have one year left. Then I'm gonna kill you. Now get up and clean that fucking mess." Keith roared and tore out of the room. Greg tried to stand up but was in too much pain. He crawled on his hands and knees into the kitchen and started to pick up the glass, not caring that it was cutting him. He threw the glass away and then got a wash cloth and cleaned up the coffee. He was breathing in short hard gasps as he worked.

Keith came back into the room.

"Oh Greg, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it." He pushed Greg into the bed room.

"Here let me make it up to you." He pulled Greg's pants down and sat on his knees. He took Greg in his hand and squeezed hard. Greg bit his own hand and Keith did the same to his balls.

He then took Greg in his mouth and ran his teeth up and down him biting as he went. Greg bit his own hand even harder. If he made one sound Keith would make it worse. He held his balls tightly in his hand. He then took his fingers and pushed inside Greg. Greg lifted up and a sound slipped out.

Keith stopped and looked at him.

"You shouldn't have done that" he said quietly "Turn over" Greg did as he was told. He felt Keith run his nails along Greg's butt. Then there was only one hand. Keith was reaching for something. He pushed his head down on the bed as Keith rammed something into Greg. He couldn't breathe now. The pain was too much. He jumped as Keith pushed it in deeper.

"When are you going to learn?" He said pushing again. Greg eyes burned and he felt light-headed. He knew he was going to pass out. He tried to breathe, he just couldn't pass out. He felt Keith pull up and Greg forced his body up to his hands and knees. Keith rolled under him and rolled on to his back. He grabbed him again and held him tight in his hands. Greg could barely feel it. The room was spinning and he was sure he was now bleeding. His eyes tried to roll back in his head but Greg took another breath. Keith was biting his balls and pulling down on them. Keith reached out and again pushed the object into him. He pushed harder and pulled on Greg balls, then bit him. Greg was shaking now. He couldn't see anything and his body fell on top of Keith's.

When he woke up he was still on the bed. He head hurt for some reason and whatever Keith had put inside him was still there. He took a breath and his ribs hurt like hell. He was going to get sick, but his body couldn't move. Keith would kill him if he got sick on their bed. He some how made his way to the restroom and got sick over and over. He tried to stand up straight but the pain was too much. He looked in the mirror. His eyes were swollen and his lip was bleeding. His hand shook as he touched the cut on his forehead. His legs felt like Jell-O and he wasn't sure if they could hold him up much longer. He could feel something running down his legs. He looked down seeing blood. He felt light-headed again and braced himself on the sink. He reached behind him and tried to get the object out of his body. He clenched his teeth and tears ran down his face. He stopped and got sick again.

He heard someone laughing, he turned seeing Keith in the doorway. Keith walked up behind him and pulled it out. He put his hand over his mouth but he couldn't stop from crying out in pain. Keith looked at Greg and shook his head. He turned and walked out of the room. Greg heard the door open and shut. He again got sick but his stomach was empty and nothing would come out. He slowly got in the shower and turned on the hot water. It burned as it washed away the blood. He ran his nails over his body. He just needed to feel clean.

Greg sat up on the couch. He looked around the room. Then he jumped up and ran to the restroom.

Greg ran into the restroom. He wanted to throw up, he needed to throw up, but nothing would come up. He dry heaved a few times, his body shaking. His breathing was hard and fast and he felt like he wasn't getting enough air.

"Here, this will help"

Greg turned seeing Nick holding a bottle of water. He lowered himself to the ground. Nick sat down close to him. Greg reached his unsteady hand out for the bottle but couldn't get a grip on it.

Without saying a word Nick held the bottle up to Greg's mouth and helped him take a drink. Greg nodded and Nick pulled the bottle away. Nick was worried Greg was going to hyperventilate if he didn't slow his breathing down. Greg pulled his legs close to his chest and slowly rocked back and forth.

Nick slowly moved behind Greg and carefully placed his hands on his shoulder. He gently pushed down on the hoping it would get Greg to breathe with his stomach and not raise his shoulders. Greg flinched as Nick did this but didn't pull away. He listened as Nick counted slowly telling him to breathe. Nick's voice was very soft. He could barely hear him. He did what Nick told him to do. It didn't take the young man long to calm his breathing down. Only then Nick moved his hands off Greg.

Greg was still rocking a bit faster now. He looked down at the floor. Part of him was waiting for Nick to hit him or yell at him but a small part told him that he could trust Nick. He swallowed hard then glanced at the shower.

"C..c..can I t..t..take a shower?" Greg somehow made the words come out of him mouth.

"Yeah, sure, everything you need is in there. I'll go get you a towel. Do you want something to change into?" Nick said, noticing that his clothes where soaked with sweat.

"My suitcase is is the c..c…car" Greg whispered.

"I've got some stuff you can wear, they might be a bit baggy" Nick said and stood up. He walked down the hallway. He was so pissed he wanted to scream and hit the wall. But he somehow found a way to keep his cool. How could he have not taken the time before-5 minutes with him was all it would have taken and Nick would have helped him. Being busy wasn't a good enough reason. He was the boss and he felt he'd let Greg down. Really Gil was Greg's boss, but he didn't seem to notice either so they were both to blame. Nick pulled a towel from the closet and went into his now spotless room. That would take some getting used to. He grabbed a pair of sweatpants and a sweat shirt and returned to the restroom. Greg was still breathing hard but his shoulders here not rising.

"Here you go" Nick said and walked out of the room. Greg looked up. He slowly got to his feet. He stood there and waited, then looked down the hallway still waiting. He then shut the door and walked to the tub. He pulled his shirt off over his head and slid his pants off. He stepped out of them and removed his underwear. He folded them and sat them on the floor. He looked at the clothes Nick had brought and sat out for him. He looked around and picked them up, folding them neatly and then sat them back on the toilet. He turned on the hot water and slowly stepped under it. He closed his eyes as the water stung the burns on his shoulders and back. He reached for Nick's body wash and opened the lid. He closed it and opened it once again then poured some into his hands. He replaced the bottle and ran his hands over his body. His nails digging into the same places. He closed his eyes and held his breath, barely able to stand the pain. He felt too dirty, he just needed to be clean.

Nick sat on the couch. He looked at the clock. 6:15 am. He sighed and leaned his head back. He was so tired he could hardly stay awake. He closed his eyes for what he thought was just a few seconds but when he looked up at the clock it read 6:53. He looked around. He could still hear the shower running. He got up and walked down the hallway.

"Greg?" He said, knocking on the door.

Greg jumped hearing the knock and lost his footing. He slipped and fell.

Nick pushed the door open hearing Greg fall. Nick ran to the tub.

"Greg man I'm sorry are ….you ….ok?" Nick could feel himself staring at the burns on his shoulders and back. Greg had blood running down his sides. He had countless scars covering most of his body. Greg pulled his legs close to him and looked down.

Nick reached for the towel. He turned off the hot water and reached for the cold but the water stopped.

"Come on let's get you out of there" Nick said holding his hand out to Greg. Greg looked up and slowly placed his trembling hand in Nick's strong grasp. Nick easily lifted the smaller man up and wrapped the towel around him. Greg stepped out of the tub. He turned seeing Nick was gone. He was trembling all over now. He pulled the towel closer to him and walked out of the restroom and into the living room.

"Greg?" Nick said standing up.

"I was... And y…y…..you didn't" Greg tried to say. He walked to Nick and stopped a few feet away.

"That's not going to happen to you anymore" Nick said softly. Trying to hold back his own tears.

"I will never hurt you, and I won't let anyone hurt you ever again" Now he couldn't stop them. Greg reached up his shaking hand and wiped Nicks tears away just like he had done with him. Greg moved closer to Nick and laid his head on his chest. Nick carefully placed his hands around Greg's slender body. He wasn't sure how long they stood there before Greg slowly pulled away.

"Will you help me?" he asked is voice sounding scared and weak.

"Of course I will" Nick said.

Greg turned and walked back into the restroom. He shut the door and leaned against it. His heart raced and he felt almost light-headed. He grabbed the water bottle and finished it off. He placed the lid back on it and tossed it in the trash. He reached for the pants and pulled them on. Then picked up the shirt and slowly put it on. He clenched his teeth as the cloth touched the burns on his shoulders. He turned and walked back into the living room and sat next to Nick.

Nick smiled at him. He wondered if he should take Greg to the ER. He had seen his share of burns and he guessed the were close to 2nd degree. Greg smiled back at Nick and curled up on the couch. Nick decided to wait, but make a note to himself to get some burn cream for Greg. Nick leaned back. He tried to think, was that the first time he'd seem Greg smile.

He turned and looked at Greg, who was now snoring softly. Nick wanted to join him in sleeping but since he had no food in the house and 2 guests to feed, he figured he better go to the store. He slowly pulled himself off the couch and walked back to his room. He changed into a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. He ran his fingers though his hair and then put on his shoes. He grabbed his keys and walked out to his car. He yawned as he got in it and headed to the store.

He couldn't believe how many kinds of kids' cereal there were. He stared at all the different brands and grabbed a couple that he had heard Cath said her kid liked. He tossed them in the cart. Then he grabbed some cookies, cupcakes. He couldn't just get sweets so he got a few boxes of mac and cheese, hamburger helper, bread, milk, meat, cheese and a bunch of frozen dinners. He'd have to ask Cath to teach him how to cook a few meals that kids would like. He also got some burn cream and a first aid kit. He guessed this wouldn't be the only time Greg would hurt himself in the shower. He made a note to turn the hot water heater down.

He then grabbed some chips and dip and got some hot wings and beer. How could anyone watch the game without that stuff? He got a carton of ice cream and paid at the check out. He was shocked at the cost but knew he needed it. Why in the world did a box of kids' cereal cost 4.50? He loaded the bags into the car and head home.

He started to unpack them.

"Hi, Miss Nick" Sammy said.

"Hello, you don't have call me Miss you know, just Nick" He said.

"I'm sorry" She said and looked down. Her black hair covered her green eyes. "I didn't mean to do it."

"What?" Nick asked walking to the little girl.

"I peed the bed again. I so sorry please don't make us leave again." She cried out.

"Oh no no honey, I'm not mad. You don't have to go anywhere. It's no big deal. I got lots of spare sheets" He said kneeling down next to her.

Sammy looked at Nick.

"I've got some cereal" Nick said. He held up the box. Sammy smiled.

"I like that kind" She said. "But I need to clean up. I'm all wet."

"Ok" Nick said and led her to the restroom.

"Do you need any help?"

"You have to run the water so I don't make it to hot like my daddy does" she said pulling off her clothes.

"Ok" Nick said. He started the water and tested it. "There that's good" he said as she hopped in.

"You have to stay close so I don't drown" She added.

Nick nodded and turned away, waiting for Sammy to finish.

"All clean" She said.

"Hold on there" Nick said. "You still have soap in your hair. Is it ok if I help you?" He asked

"Yes please" Sammy said. She closed her eyes and Nick ran the water down her long hair.

"Ok you're good" He said and handed her a towel. Sammy hopped out of the tub and wrapped her towel around her.

"My stuff's in daddy's car." She said.

"Alright wait here and I'll go get it" Nick said and made his way out to Greg's car. He grabbed their bags and walked back inside.

Nick placed Greg's bag next to the couch. He placed a blanket over him and carried Sammy's suitcase into the restroom.

"Thank you so much" Sammy said and took the suitcase from him. Nick walked back down the hall. He thought about going to bed but his stomach had other ideas. He walked into the kitchen. He wanted eggs but that would take too long to cook. He grabbed a box of cereal and opened it. He reached his hand in and pulled out a bit and dropped a few in his mouth.

"Not bad" he thought and got another handful out.

Sammy walked into the kitchen. She looked at Nick, watching him eat from the box.

"Want some?" He asked.

She nodded and sat down at the table. Nick got out two bowls and filled them up. He sat them down.

Sammy looked at him.

"We need milk silly" She said laughing.

"Oh yeah, Sorry" he got up and grabbed the milk them remembered to get spoons too.

He filled her bowl up then his. She smiled and started eating. Nick watched her as she ate. She hummed to her self and swung her feet back and forth. She looked up at him.

"Should we wake up daddy, he got sick a lot yesterday? He may be hungry" She said between bites.

"No we should let him sleep. He had a bad day." Nick said. He wanted to ask her so many different things. But he wasn't sure how to go about it. Questioning an adult was one thing, but this was a little girl. And worse it was Greg's little girl. Oh it was killing him. He wanted to know everything. But he was afraid to ask her. The last thing he wanted to do was scare her or upset her. If he did that he knew Greg would leave.

Sammy pushed the bowl away.

"Thanks" She said and hopped out of the chair. "Can I watch cartoons?"

"Yeah you can go in my room" Nick said since he hadn't changed the sheets in the spare room yet. Sammy seemed to skip down the hallway as she followed Nick. She seemed like a very happy little girl.

She jumped up on the bed as Nick turned on the TV. She laid down near the edge of the bed. Nick flipped thought the channels. He had no idea what channel had cartoons on it.

"Oh there!" Sammy said almost in a squeal. "That's my favourite."

Nick looked at the TV. "What is that?" he asked seeing a yellow square wearing a tie.

"That's Spongebob!" Sammy said laughing.

"What's a Spongebob?" Nick asked.

"Not what, he's a boy and he lives in a pineapple under the sea with Gary" She said not looking away from the screen.

"Oh ok" Nick said not a bit clearer than he was before he asked. He got up and walked out of the room. He walked into the spare room and pulled the sheets off the bed. He took them to the washer and pushed then in and added soap. He started it up. He got clean sheets out of the closet and went back into the room. He put the sheets on and then a new blanket. He yawned. Wow did the bed look good.

"Miss, oh sorry Nick come watch, it's the best one" Sammy said running into the room. She took his head and led him back to the room. She jumped on the bed.

"Come on get up here" She said. "You have to see, it so funny"

"Ok" Nick said getting on the bed. He slid his shoes off and moved down by Sammy. He fought to keep his eyes open. They would pop open whenever Sammy would laugh. He looked at his clock 9:15. He could get a few hours of sleep before the games started. He looked at Sammy guessing a few hours of sleep wouldn't happen. She would squeal and jump up and down when ever something funny would happen. Nick's eyes closed again and this time he couldn't open them. He could hear Sammy laughing. He could feel the bed move when she jumped up and down.

"Miss-oh sorry! Nick" Sammy said shacking him. "Your phone is ringing"

Nick opened his eyes and reached for his cell.

"Stokes" He said sitting up. "No, call Warrick he's on call not me" Nick said and hung up the phone.

Sammy looked at him.

"Do you have to leave?" She asked.

"Nope" he said and laid back down. "I never work on Sundays"

"Do you like football?" She asked

"Yeah do you?"

"We like the colts." Sammy said. "I like 18 he's the best, my daddy likes him too."

Nick nodded

"What about you, who do you like?" She asked.

"The colts" he said watching Sammy's face turn into a huge smile.

"Are we going to watch them on your big TV in the living room?" She asked.

"Yeah" Nick said and Sammy started jumping up and down cheering. He smiled and sat up. He knew he hasn't going to get any sleep today.

He looked up seeing Greg in the doorway.

"Daddy!" Sammy yelled. She jumped into his arms and hugged him a tight as she could.

"Miss-oh shit! Ooopps" Sammy said

Greg looked at her, surprised.

"Sorry daddy, but guess what?" She said hoping he wouldn't notice the bad word.

"Hmm" he said giving her that look.

"Miss Nick he likes the colts too. We get to watch the game on his huge TV." She said.

Greg nodded and walked over to the bed. He sat Sammy down.

"Thanks f…f…f" he paused "You didn't have to get our stuff" he said kinda slowly.

Nick was surprised that he didn't stutter. "Sammy took a bath and my stuff won't fit her" Nick said.

Sammy laughed. They watched a few other weird cartoons that once again Sammy had to explain to Nick.

"I wouldn't even t…try" Greg said.

"Oh look" Sammy shouted making both men jump. "It's time for the game" She said softer. She took both their hands and led them into the living room.

"Miss Nick turn it on please" She said sitting on the couch. Nick shook his head and turned on the TV.

"Wow that's really huge" Sammy said she pulled her dad down next to her. Nick sat down beside them.

Sammy and Nick cheered for every play. Sammy seemed to mock what Nick did. She got in trouble once when the tight end dropped the ball and Nick said a few grown up words that Sammy repeated.

"Sorry man, it's my fault. I just get into the games" Nick said hoping Greg wouldn't be too hard on her. He put her in timeout for like 15 seconds them let her up. Nick shook his head and turned back to the game.

He got up after the first quarter and got the snacks and put them on a platter then preheated the oven for the wings. He ordered a pizza and carried the platter into the living room.

"Thanks Miss Nick" Sammy said she grabbed a handful of chips and hopped down on the floor. Greg looked at the food. His stomach was giving him a strong reminder that he was very hungry.

"You don't have to wait for me" Nick said and nodded towards the chips. Greg looked down. He slowly reached for a nacho chip. Nick really wanted some of the wings. He went back into the kitchen and put then in the oven. He got out two cokes and a diet and returned to the living room. He passed them out and sat down.

"I love coke, Thanks Miss Nick" Sammy said opening the can.

Greg looked at the diet sitting in front of him. Oh how he missed the taste of real soda but Keith wouldn't let him have it. He swallowed hard.

"I..I..I." he stopped. Nick looked over at him. Greg picked up the can and opened it and took a drink.

"Thanks" he said and grabbed another chip. This time he added dip. Greg jumped when the timer went off.

"Now we're talking" Nick said and rushed into the kitchen. He returned with a plate full of wings and ranch dressing.

"I love those to Miss Nick" Sammy said and grabbed one. Greg shook his head. He was pretty sure Sammy had never had a wing before but didn't say anything. He looked at Nick then at the wings. He grabbed one and dipped it into the dressing. The pizza arrived right at half time. Greg jumped hearing the door bell.

"Miss Nick you got a lot of pizza" Sammy said.

"Like I said, I don't eat breakfast food" he said smiling. He got out some paper plates

"Only the best for you" He said hitting Sammy on the head with the plate. He then handed it to her.

Sammy hit him back with it and placed a piece on her plate.

"Daddy" She called out. Greg walked into the kitchen. He looked at the three kinds of pizza. Greg took the plate in his hand. He took a beep breath. Nick and Sammy left the room hearing the game had restarted. Greg just stood there, looking.

"He won't pick it" Sammy said, "You have to pick for him." Nick looked into the kitchen then at the snacks. He noticed there was only one kind of chip out there. He only had one choice. Nick got up and walked into the kitchen.

"What kind do you like?" Nick asked.

"I..I..I. Don't know" Greg said weakly.

"Ok, then try one of each" Nick said placing the pizza on his plate. Greg nodded and followed Nick back into the living room. He slowly ate his pizza taking a bit when Sammy or Nick did. He again looked at the diet soda, then the coke in front of Sammy

"Nick" he said. Nick looked over at him. "I..I. Don't l..l…l…like diet." He said not sure if any sounds can out. Something must have because Nick smiled as he walked into the kitchen and returned with a coke.

"Good neither do I"

Nick pushed his plate away, "I don't think I could eat another bite." He looked over at his guests. Sammy was curled up on Greg fast asleep. He was playing with a lock of her hair, curling it around his fingers. Nick turned the TV down.

"There is another game on; do you wanna watch it or something else?" Nick asked not sure Greg would answer him.

"Whatever you want is f...f...f… ok with me" he said, still looking at Sammy. Nick nodded and turned to the game. He was glad The Colts had won-this could be their year. He leaned his head back and his eyes started to shut.

"I had to adopt her, but she really is my daughter..." Greg said softly, Nick sat up and looked at him, "…just before I c…came here."

Greg looked at Nick. He had tears in his eyes.

"I…I... was f...f...f" Greg stopped

"Friends?" Nick said. Greg nodded.

"With her mom. She helped me…me a lot. When I was in school, I was with a bad person. I'm s…sure you guess he…he hit me. After he he would l…leave she would c...c...come over and m..m..make sure I was ok. Help c..c..clean my cuts and burns. Make sure I h..h..had something to e..eat or drink." He wiped his eyes.

"He hit her t...too. But n...not as much." He stopped and wiped his eyes again. He could stop the tears now. "There was this one night he made the three of us s...sleep together. She was h..his sister. He n..n..never touched her. Only me. And then s…s...she had the Sammy." He looked down at her still playing with her hair. "He s...s…said he was the f..f.f." He stopped. "Dad and I..I..I never saw them again. He'd spend the days w...w...with me and the nights with them. He'd tie me up to the bed so I couldn‘t get away." Greg closed his eyes. He was shaking now, and looked very pale. He slowly opened his eyes. "One day, I w...w…was studying and she came up to see me. She looked very sick. I...I...I never f..f..f" He looked down. "She never told me w...w...what was wrong. C...cancer I think. She s...s...said I had to get away. I had to take Sammy. She had the p..p..papers there-told me to sign them. She was not going to leave her with him. S..s..so I did. She said s..she didn't have much time and I..I..I had to do it soon." Greg stopped he put his hand over his face and pulled Sammy next to him. He couldn't stop crying now. Greg took his other hand from Sammy's hair and put it over his face.

Nick looked down. He had no clue what to say or do next.

‘Don't just sit here you stupid ass' Nick thought. He stood up and picked up Sammy. Nick laid her down on the other end of the couch. He sat next to Greg, who looked up at him. Greg reached his hand out and Nick took it. Greg pulled him close. He wanted Nick to hold him like he did before. He wanted to feel safe again. Nick got the hint and pulled Greg's trembling body close to his. Greg rested his head on Nick's shoulder. He just couldn't stop crying now.

Nick was rocking him back and forth. He ran his finger through his hair.

"That will never happen to you again. I won't let that ever happen to you again" Nick said softy in his ear. "I will keep you safe, no matter what."

"I'm not worth it…" Greg said so softly Nick would barely here him, "…I'm nothing."

"You're a father…" Nick said. "…that's something." Nick couldn't stop his own tears now.

Greg pulled away just a bit.

"Why are you w..wasting your t..tears on me?" He asked.

"Because I care about you. I don't like to see you hurting, hurting yourself. I don't like to see you so sad" Nick said wiping his face.

Greg shook his head. "I don't even k..know who I am anymore" Greg said putting his head back on Nick's shoulders.

"We'll find out together" Nick whispered back.

Greg stared to cry again. Nick pulled his closer. He felt like someone had punched him in the gut.

"You'd d..d..do that?" Greg asked.

"Greg I will do whatever it takes to help you find yourself and be happy" Nick said.

"But n..n..no one was…" Nick placed his finger on his mouth.

"I'm not like them Greg" he said "I'm here now". Greg closed his eyes. He liked the way Nick felt when he held him. He arms felt so strong around him. He felt so safe. Like no one could hurt him.

Sammy sat up. She rubbed her eyes and looked at the two men. She got up and curled between them. Greg pulled her close and Nick started to let him go. Greg shook his head.

"Please don't let me go" he said softly

"I won't" Nick said and pulled him closer again. Sammy wrapped her arms around Greg's back. She looked up at Nick, then her daddy. She smiled and closed her eyes.

Nick arms were starting to hurt. Sammy had gotten down a while ago and went back into his room to watch more cartoons. He could tell Greg was asleep but was afraid to let him go. He couldn't hold him up any longer so he carefully laid him down on the couch. He shook his arms a few times and got up walked into the kitchen. He really needed a beer.

"Hi Miss Nick can I have another soda?" Sammy asked

"Yeah" he said getting out his beer and a coke for her. He handed her the can. He noticed she had a photo in her hand.

"What's that?" he asked sitting down at the table.

"It's my favourite photo of my daddy" she said showing Nick.

He looked at it. He couldn't believe that was Greg. He looked so happy in the photo. His hair was spiked up and highlighted. He had on a tight black shirt that was kinda see-through and was wearing a tight fitting pair of leather pants. He had his hand up and looked to be waving. He was smiling and his eyes looked happy.

"You can keep that one, I have another." Sammy said. "Are you my dad's boyfriend?"

Nick looked at her surprised.

"Why would you ask that?" he said.

"You were hugging him, and my momma says my daddy likes boys and…" she paused blushing a bit "…you're cute!" she covered her face and laughed.

Nick smiled. "I don't know, I just wanna help your daddy right now, help him see what kind of person he can be."

Sammy nodded and looked at Nick. Nick smiled at her. "Can I ask you something?"

"What happened to your mom?" Nick asked hoping he wouldn't upset her.

"She had cancer, that's why she's in heaven with Miss Smith. Miss Smith loved my mom. She was one of her teachers for a long time. But she had to move here, so when my daddy and I left we came to her. He wouldn't take her to the doctor and I couldn't do it. We didn't have a phone. He wouldn't let us. He locked us in the house." She cried softly.

"You don't have to talk about" Nick said. "I don't want to make you upset."

Sammy nodded and wiped her eyes.

"I'm ok" she said. "I wanted to help my momma, but I'm just a little kid. I didn't know what to do. She told me she was going to go to heaven and that I had to take care of him. But I had to help her too, so I broke the window and climbed out of the house. I hurt my leg when I fell. I ran next door. I told them my momma was sick and that she needed a doctor. They had to break the door down. She was already gone up there. They took me away from him and after my daddy got out of the hospital, he showed them the papers. They did some test and said he was my daddy. I knew that, my momma talked about him all the time. She told me that some day I'd be with him and I'd be happy again. We left and came here. My momma said Miss Smith was waiting for us. And now we are going to be happy just like my momma said" Sammy said as she wiped her face on her shirt.

Nick looked away from her. He clenched his fist.

"Miss Nick, thank you for letting us stay here" Sammy said.

"I'm glad you're here" he said. "Did that man hurt you?" He asked.

Sammy nodded. "You said you'd keep my daddy safe, will you keep me safe too?" she whispered.

"No one will ever hurt you again. I swear to you" Nick said again starting to cry.

Sammy jumped up into Nick's lap and hugged him. She held him as tight was her tiny arms could.

"Thanks Miss Nick" Sammy said. She jumped down and ran out of the room. Nick got up and followed her, placing the photo in his pocket. He smiled; she was back in room singing to that sponge yellow guy again.

Nick head was starting to hurt now, most likely from the lack of sleep. He looked at the clock-7:30 pm. He knew there was no chance of falling asleep now. He'd messed his sleep schedule up enough today so somehow he'd have to try and stay up until much later tonight. He went into the restroom and got a few pain killers.

He walked back into the living room and sat down. He turned the TV to ESPN. He looked over at Greg. Greg moved over to Nick and rested his head on his lap. Nick took his hand. He made a note to himself. Find the fucking asshole who did this to them and put him behind bars.

Nick stood back and watched as Greg got Sammy ready for bed. He watched as he brushed her long black hair. He seemed to be counting each stroke he made. He watched as he helped her brush her teeth. He again seemed to be counting as she brushed one side of her mouth.

He smiled as Sammy tried to put her toothbrush in Greg's mouth. And how he playful pushed her little hand away. As Greg picked up the little girl and tickled her in the sides acting like he was going to drop her. She would scream and grab him tightly waiting for him to do it again.

"Can I have a drink?" she asked as they reached her room.

"You've already h...had one" Greg said.

Sammy stuck out her bottom lip and gave him sad eyes.

"But daddy I'm dying of thirst" She said grabbing her throat. She fell weakly to the bed.

Greg leaned close to her and whispered something. Sammy nodded and got under the sheets.

"I want a story daddy" she said and Greg tucked the blankets around her.

Greg climbed into bed next to her. "What would you like to h...hear?" he asked.

"The three little pigs but you should get Miss Nick in here, he doesn't know the words very well. I acted like I feel asleep so he could stop." Sammy said.

"See if I ever tell you a story again!" Nick said trying to sound more hurt than he really was.

He walked into the room and sat on the far end of the bed.

Sammy listened as Greg told the story the right way. She didn't take her eyes off him except to look at Nick as if to say that is the part you messed up. Greg played with a bit of her hair as he told the story.

"Good night daddy" she said "I love you" she reached up and give him a hug and then he kissed her on the cheek.

"I love you too" he said tucking her in one last time. He leaned down and again whispered something in her ear. She nodded and closed her eyes.

"Oh good night Miss Nick" she said.

"Night" he said and followed Greg out of the room.

Greg shut the door and stopped in the hallway. Nick walked past him and Greg started walking again. Nick knew he was following him. He made his way to the couch and sat down. Greg sat next to him.

"I d…don't know what I'm going to do" Greg said softly. "Miss S..Smith watched Sammy" He could feel a headache coming on.

"I have an idea!" Nick said he got up and walked into the kitchen and got the phone.

"My kid sister broke her leg pretty bad a few months ago. The cast is off and it's almost healed but she had to miss a semester of class. I could call and see if she'd like to come down for a while until you can find someone" Nick said sitting next to Greg.

Greg nodded and Nick started to dial. "She's going to school to be a teacher"

"Hey Tiff what's up. No not much going on here. Look I need a favour. I was wondering if you'd come down here for a few weeks?"

Greg turned away from Nick-he didn't want him to think he was listening. He looked down at the floor and rubbed his hands together. His head was starting to really hurt now.

"Hey good I'll get you a ticket and I'll call you with the flight info. I can't wait to see you either. I love you too sis." Nick hung up the phone. "It's all good" he said. He walked over to the computer and turned it on. He sat down.

"I..I..will pay for her ticket" Greg said walking over to Nick.

"Oh, I always fly her down around the holidays. It's her Christmas gift. Don't worry about it."

"I always get good deals, I dated a guy who worked in tickets. I know his password and stuff."

Greg nodded and shifted his weight from side to side. He rubbed his arms up and down.

"Are you cold?" Nick asked.

Greg shook his head. "Habit, I have lots of them" he said. It felt like someone was pounding inside his head now.

Nick nodded. "Nice dumb ass" He thought to himself. Nick found the prefect deal and called his sister back.

"She's going to stay for two weeks. That will give you some time to find someone; we should ask around at work first, see if anyone knows someone." Nick knew this was going to be very hard for Greg. After all they had been through.

"Thanks" Greg said sounding a bit unsure. He pulled his arms close to him again and looked down. It hurt his head to talk.

He started to say don't worry but stopped him. He'd be worried right now if he was in Greg's shoes.

Nick got up and walked back into the living room. He sat down and Greg sat next to him. A bit closer this time.

"I know this is a stupid question but are you ok, I mean you look in pain?" Nick said.

"My head hurts. I get migraines when I get stressed out." He said.

"I've got some Excedrin migraine pills" Nick said standing up. Greg nodded and Nick left the room. He returned with a few pill and a bottle of water. He turned off the light and walked over to Greg. He handed him the pills and Greg took them. He them took the water. His hands here shaking but he was able to hold the bottle on his own.

"You know, my sister, she'd always rub my temples when I got a migraine." Nick said moving closer to Greg. "It always worked for me" he said. Greg nodded. And Nick moved behind him. He placed his hands on the sides of Greg's head and found the right spot. He moved his hands gently and very slowly. Greg closed his eyes. Nick could tell his body was very tense. He kept moving his hands over his temples. Greg slowly let his body relax just a little. Nick's hands felt so good. He did this for about 20 minutes.

"Wow" Greg said. "It's gone. T...t...thanks!" he said very surprised.

Nick moved out from behind him and sat down next to him. He glanced at the clock-12:30 now.

"I'm going to bed" Nick said he couldn't remember the last time he was this tired. "Do you need anything?"

Greg shook his head as Nick stood up. He reached for the blanket.

"Like I said make yourself at home" Nick said and walked back to his room. He stopped at the closet that held the hot water heater and turned it down some. He walked into his room and didn't even take his clothes off. He didn't pull the covers down. He just lay down on top of his bedding. He was asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Greg made his way into the bathroom. He brushed his teeth and washed his head twice before going back into the living room. Greg pulled the blanket close to him. He looked the ceiling.

"This is too good to be true. Why is he being so nice to you? Does he really care about you?" His mind raced and could feel his headache coming back. He closed his eyes and tried to keep his mind from wandering.

Greg woke up in a cold sweat. He jumped off the couch and ran into the bathroom. He lost all the pizza and other snacks he'd eaten that day. He was shaking and was very pale. His breaths were hard and short.

Nick walked into the bathroom.

"I'm s...s…s...sorry" Greg said.

"It's ok" Nick said "We will get through this together." He walked behind Greg and just like before held him to calm his breathing down. He kept his hands on Greg shoulders rubbing them to help hide the fact that he was holding them down.

"In this together" Greg thought. No one had ever said that to him. No one had cared enough to help him after a bad dream. He was use to getting smacked around after a bad night and called useless, worthless. He looked at Nick.

"I'm ok" Greg said barely making any sound. "I just need a shower."

Nick nodded. He walked out of the room and sat on the couch. He put his hand on his face trying to wake himself up. The clock seemed to tease him saying it was only 2:45. He wasn't going to fall asleep this time. He wanted to make sure Greg didn't hurt himself again.

2:55. He walked to the bathroom door.

"Greg?" he said.

Greg looked up. He blinked a few times and turned the water off. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off. He walked out into the living room. Nick went in to check for signs of blood. He didn't see any. He went into the living room.

"I've got some cream for your burns" Nick said.

Greg held his shirt in his hand. Nick got the cream and sat behind him. He carefully rubbed it over his shoulder and back. Greg jumped a few times, clenching his teeth. Nick stopped and waited for him to tell him to go on.

"T…t…thanks" Greg said and put on his shirt. Nick looked down at his wrist. There where three long scars going across this left wrist. Nick looked at Greg as he pulled his sleeve down to cover it. He looked down at the floor.

"Whenever you're ready" Nick said. He stood up and walked back to him room. He again lay down.

This time he removed his pants and covered up. He closed his eyes and again fell asleep.

"Miss Nick I'm hungry" Sammy said.

Nick somehow made his eyes open-6:45.

"What?" he said.

"I need something to eat" she said jumping on his bed.

"Where's your daddy?" he asked.

"I don't know" Sammy said.

Nick sat up and made his way into the other room. Greg's bedding was folded and placed under the couch. Nick looked around. The back door was open. He walked out onto his deck. Greg was sitting on the ground, rocking back and forth.

He looked up at Nick.

"I'm sorry" he said.

Nick sat down next to Greg.

"Why are you sorry?" he asked placing his hand on Greg's back.

"I don't k…know, I c…couldn't sleep. I just n...needed some f…f…f air" he said weakly.

Sammy walked outside.

"Will someone please feed me?" she said putting her hands on her hips.

"I got it" Nick said. "You just relax" he got up and went inside.

"Miss Nick I want eggs" she said.

Nick sighed and glanced at the clock. 7:00. He'd have to go pick is sister up at the airport at 11:00.

"No more sleep for me" he thought and opened fridge. He got out the eggs and milk.

"I make the best eggs you've ever tasted little one" Nick said sitting the eggs and milk down. He started some coffee.

"Can I help?" she asked.

"Yeah sure" he said and lifted Sammy up on the counter.

"Ok, this is how you crack an egg" Nick said. Sammy watched Nick.

"Now you try" he said handing her an egg.

Sammy took the egg in her hand. She tapped the egg on the side of the counter just like Nick showed her. She stuck her finger in the crack and then moved her hand over the bowl. She pulled the shell apart and watched as the egg yoke fell into the bowl.

"I did it" she squealed. Nick handed her another egg and he got out the rest of the things he wanted to add to the eggs. He again watched as Sammy mastered egg breaking. She was concentrating so hard she had her tongue sticking out just a little. Nick looked over at the door. Greg was standing there watching. He smiled at Nick and went back outside.

"I did them all" She said "Now what?"

Nick showed her how to add milk, onions, pepper and hamburger to the eggs. She mixed it up and Nick got out a pan to cook them in.

"Sorry little one, this is where I take over" he lowering her down to the floor.

"Thanks Miss Nick" Sammy said and ran to the table.

"Any time" he said as he cooked the eggs. "Can you get the cheese out?"

Sammy jumped up and opened the fridge and got out a bag of grated cheese and took it over to Nick.

"Hi Daddy" she said and ran over and hugged him.

Greg patted her on the head and sat down at the table.

"Daddy, who's going to watch me while you and Miss Nick go to work today?" she asked.

"N...Nick's sister is c...coming f…f....f…for a while." he said as Nick handed him a cup of coffee. "Thanks"

"She's a lot of fun" Nick said, "You'll like her."

Sammy nodded. Nick placed a plate in front of her and Greg. He then sat down. Sammy took a bit and smiled.

"Wow, I want these every day" she said pushing more food into her mouth.

"Slow down" Greg said then he took a bit.

"Can I go with you Miss Nick to get your sister" Sammy asked.

Nick looked at Greg. Greg nodded.

"We can all go" Nick said.

"We forgot juice" Sammy said she jumped up and got the juice out.

"Daddy I can't reach the cups" she said trying to reach the cabinet that was at least three feet taller than her. She jumped a few times. Greg got up. He got three glasses and sat down. He took the juice from Sammy and filled the cups.

"Does your sister have a name Miss Nick?" Sammy asked.

"Yeah Tiffany" he said getting up to get more eggs and coffee. He sat down.

"I'm all done, can I got watch cartoons?"

Greg shook his head. "I want y..y..you to make your b…bed before you do anything else" he said looking down at his coffee.

"You're no fun!" she said and ran out of the kitchen.

"I mean it Sammy" Greg said turning to the door. He took a few more bites and pushed the plate away.

"I'm sorry she woke you up" Greg said very slowly.

"I need to get up anyway. I have to get ready to pick up my sister" Nick said.

Greg stood up. He picked up his plate hit his glass of juice. It tipped over and fell to the floor, breaking into lots of pieces. Greg eyes widened.

"Oh god" He fell to his knees and started to pick up the pieces of glass. Blood ran down his hand as he piled more pieces into his hand.

"Greg, what are you doing, man?" Nick said he got up and grabbed his arm stopping him from getting more glass.

"I'm I'm I'm c..c..cleaning up" he said in a scared voice.

"Hey, it's ok, it's just a glass," Nick remembered when he spilled the coffee in his office. "I got a broom and dust pan."

Greg dropped the glass to the ground. He put his hands over his face. Nick pulled his hand away and pulled him to his feet. He turned Greg's hands over seeing cuts over the hidden scars. Nick led him to the bathroom. He got a wash cloth and ran it under cold water. He used it to wipe the blood of Greg hands.

"Remember Greg, you are safe in my house. I will never do anything to hurt you. I'm not like that. No matter what." Nick said in a very soft tone.

Greg nodded as tears ran down his face washing away a bit of the blood. Nick wrapped Greg hand around the wash cloth.

"Just hold it tight" he said getting another towel. He used warm water his time and ran it over the blood and tears on Greg's pale face. Greg swallowed hard and looked down at the floor.

"He'd get m...m...mad if I broke s..s..something" he whispered.

"I'm not him" Nick said lifting Greg chin. Greg again nodded.

"I made the bed, can I please watch cartoons?" Sammy shouted.

Greg turned towards Sammy voice.

"Yeah" he said. Sammy stopped and ran into the bathroom.

"What happened Daddy, what‘s wrong?" she said. She looked at Nick, then her daddy's hand.

"I dropped a glass" Greg said. Sammy looked at Greg and Nick. She smiled and walked out back into the living room.

"She's very sweet" Nick said still holding Greg's hand to make sure the bleeding stopped.

"I don't k..k..know how, she's b..been through a l..l..lot" Greg said.

Nick nodded. He slowly stood up. Greg stood up as well. Greg pulled Nick close to him and rested his head on his chest. His heart was pounding right now. He was shaking. Nick wrapped his arms around him. Greg pulled away a bit and looked at Nick. He leaned forward and kissed him. Nick closed his eyes as they kissed. Greg pulled away and placed his head on Nick's chest again. Nick slowly opened his eyes. He held Greg even tighter.

Greg slowly pulled away. He looked down then up at Nick. Nick smiled at him and Greg let out the breath he'd been holding since they kissed.

Nick touched his face.

"I'm scared" Greg said.

"Me too" Nick said "But I'm not going anywhere. No matter what it takes, how long it takes. I will be here for you."

"Promise?" Greg said sounding very unsure.

Nick nodded and rested his forehead on Greg's. He put his hands on Greg hips. Greg closed his eyes.

"Miss Nick your phone is ringing" Sammy yelled. Nick didn't move, neither did Greg.

"It's ringing again" Nick slowly pulled away from Greg but kept a hold of his hand. They walked into the living room. Nick let Greg's hand go so he could pick up his phone. He checked the caller id.

"Son of a b…" he stopped looking at Sammy and walked out of the room. Greg looked up. He wanted to follow to make sure everything was ok but didn't. He kept telling himself it would be ok, Nick wouldn't mind but he couldn't make his legs move. He'd just wait until Nick came back in.

"Yeah, I forgot about the meeting, no Gil, I know it's important, but so is this. It's Greg. No he's ok, kinda; he got kicked out of his place. He's got no place to go. I need to get my sister. She's flying in to watch Sammy. His daughter. Yeah he does. I didn't know either. She's sweet. I know, I know. Thanks so much."

Nick hung up the phone, got some more coffee and went back into the living room. He sat next to Greg. Greg looked at him then looked away.

"I forgot about a stupid meeting today" Nick said "Gil's pissed at me."

Greg nodded.

"No big deal, I'm going to take a shower" Nick said. He walked out of the room and went into his bedroom. He picked out what he wanted to wear and went into his restroom. He turned on the shower and took off his clothes. He stepped under the warm water and closed his eyes. He couldn't believe that Greg kissed him. He smiled as he thought about it. He washed himself off and got out of the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist. Nick got dressed and went back into the living room. Sammy was sitting on the couch but Greg wasn't in the room. He walked over to Sammy and patted her on the head.

"What is that?" Nick asked staring at

"It's cat-dog" Sammy said as Greg returned holding 2 cans of pop.

"Whatever happened to the cute little cartoons from when I was a kid?" Nick said.

"That was a long long time ago Miss Nick" Sammy said. Greg gave her a playful push

"Oh I'm so hurt" Nick said he walked back into his bathroom. He went to work on his hair. There was no way he was going to let his kid sister see him looking like he just got out of the shower.

Greg walked into Nick's bathroom. He was still holding the washcloth tightly. Greg looked at the hair gel, hair spray and other products Nick had sitting out. He used to use that stuff. A long time ago.

Nick looked in the mirror. He nodded happy with the way it turned out. Greg turned around.

"Do you want to use something?" Nick asked.

Greg turned around. He nodded.

"Have a seat" Nick said. "I like to do hair, don't let anyone at work know, they already think I'm gay enough!"

Greg smiled and closed his eyes and Nick went to work.

"Nothing too crazy" Nick told him self. He wanted to do it just like the photo Sammy gave him but thought better of it.

"You could use a hair cut" Nick said "It's getting a bit long" He smiled at his work. He spiked it up just a bit so it didn't just sit there.

Greg opened his eyes and looked in the mirror. He looked at his reflection for a long time. Nick started to worry.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

Greg nodded and touched it, " I j..j..just haven't done a..a..anything with it in a while" he said. "T..t..thanks"

"Well we better go get my kid sister" Nick said.

Greg was still looking in the mirror. Nick touched him on the shoulder. Greg jumped and looked away from the mirror. Nick took his hand and pulled him up.

"It looks very good" he said now glad he didn't do it too crazy.

"Oh shit" Greg said and walked out of the restroom. Nick followed after him quickly but slowed down when he heard him telling Sammy to get dressed. Sammy wouldn't stop talking the whole way to the airport. She was asking Nick everything she could think of about his sister.

"Tiff this is Sammy" Nick said.

"Wow, Nick said you were pretty" Sammy said

"Oh yeah I like you" tiffany said.

"This is Greg" Nick said.

"Hello" Greg said shaking her hand. Nick picked up her suitcases and they walked back to his car.

"Do you know who Spongebob is?" Sammy asked.

"Yeah, who doesn't?" Tiffany said.

"Miss Nick" Sammy said, laughing.

"Miss Nick???" Tiffany said.

"Don't ask" Nick said as he pulled into his driveway. He gave his younger sister that death look. He got out and grabbed her suitcase. He carried them inside.

"Well sis, Greg's got the couch, Sammy got the spare room. So it's the air mattress in my room.

"Oh god, I have to sleep in your room. No thanks." she said "He snores really loud."

"I do not!" Nick snapped.

"Do too!"

"Do not!"

"Too."

"Not."

"Yeah you do Miss Nick, you woke me up" Sammy said.

Nick tossed his hands up in the air and walked out of the room. He grabbed some bedding out of the closet and the air mattress. He tossed them into the living room and got out the air pump.

"I love the man who invented this thing" Nick said removing it from the box.

"How do you know it was a man, it may have been a woman" Tiffany said crossing her arms.

"Oh my god, can we go one day without fighting?" Nick said unfolding the mattress and plugging it into the air pump.

Tiffany rolled her eyes. Nick looked over at Greg. He was leaning against the wall, with his arms crossed. He was looking at the floor. Nick walked over to him. Greg looked up. He smiled at Nick. Then looked down at the floor again. Nick took his hand in his own. He pulled it up to his mouth and kissed it. Greg again smiled, this time he didn't look down. Nick squeezed it just a bit.

"You don't have to worry" Nick said.

Greg nodded, it was Nick's sister but he still felt scared. He'd never left Sammy with anyone but Miss Smith since he got her.

"See Sammy loves her." Sammy was already sitting on her lap talking about the latest sponge bob cartoon.

"She c..c..can see people" Greg said.

Greg took a beep breath.

"We have to go or we'll be late." Nick said kissing his hand again.

"Her bed t..t..time is 9:00 o'clock. No no drinks past 7:30." Greg said.

Tiffany nodded. "If s..s..she eats all her dinner she can have some ice cream."

Sammy jumped up and hugged her daddy.

"I need to talk to him alone Miss Nick" She said pulling Greg away.

"Daddy, don't worry about me. It will be ok. I know what to do." Sammy said "Miss Nick wouldn't let anyone hurt us" she kissed Greg on the cheek. "I love you" she said and hugged him. She turned his hand over and looked at the cuts. She again kissed his cheek. He pulled her up and carried her back into the living room.

"9:30 is ok" he said.

"See you later sis" Nick said. "Don't eat me out of house and home"

"Whatever" she said rolling her eyes. Nick took Greg's hand and led him out to the car. Greg stopped and looked at the house. Nick wonder how in the world would he find someone Greg didn't even know. They got into the car and Nick drove to work. Nick couldn't help but smile as he drove. Greg wasn't looking at the floor. He was looking out the window.

Greg and Nick parted ways. Nick headed down to his office and Greg made his way to the bathroom. He rushed into a stall, all most falling to his knee's and lost everything headed eaten that day. He slowly stood up and made his way to the sink.

"I have to see and smell that out of the field, it would be nice if I didn't have to deal with it here."

Greg jumped seeing Warrick.

"I'm I'm I'm s..s..s sorry" Greg reached to turn the water on.

"You know, I think it would be best if you didn't talk to me at all. I don't have time to listen to you dah dah dah all day." Warrick said.

Greg nodded his hands on the sink not yet turning the water on.

"In fact stutter boy, why don't you just stay away from me all together" Warrick said turning towards Greg. "I believe there is sink in the lad." Warrick added giving him a push backwards.

Greg turned and ran out. He bumped into Gil has he made his way to the lab. He pulled the door opened and again got sick in the sink. Gil opened the door.

"Greg are you ok" he said taking his glasses off and walking towards him.

Greg only nodded. He turned the water on and cleaned the sink out. He then started to wash his hands. Gil watched as the scared tech went to work. He seemed to count as he washed each finger, the nail, the front and back. Gil leaned in closer seeing the cuts on his left hand. Greg ran them under water and started over. One Greg's 3rd washing, Gil took a step back. Greg finally turned the water off and got a towel.

"What's wrong?" Gil asked, Greg dried his hand in the same manor he had washed them. He tossed the towel in the trash and got another and dried them again. Greg stepped around Gil and made his way to his desk. He pulled out a small bad that held a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Gil moved out of his way and he watched Greg brush his teeth 2 times as well. Greg placed his toothbrush back into the bag and placed it into his desk.

"J..j..j..just having a bad d…dd.day" he said sitting down. Gil nodded and sat in the chair across from Greg.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Gil asked putting his glasses back on.

"I'm f..f..f ok" he said looking down at his desk. Gil nodded and looked over at the window. He saw Warrick walking past.

"Ok, well so far it's been a slow night, no new cases." Gil said and walked out of the room. He went headed down to Nick office.

Greg looked up hearing his door open. Warrick crossed his arms and walked up to Greg's desk. He moved his arms and rested them on the edge of his desk.

"Did you go crying to Gil" Warrick said in a cold voice.

Greg looked away and shock his head. Warrick stepped around to Greg chair.

"Don't lie to me stutter boy" Warrick said he lifted Greg out of his chair and pushed him back into the wall. Greg let his body slid down the wall. He pulled his legs close to him.

Warrick laughed seeing Greg shacking now. "You are not even worth my time" He said and walked out.

Greg pulled his legs closer. He could stop the tears. He stood up and ran down the hallway. He ran into Nick office. Gil and Nick both looked up.

"Greg what's wrong?" Nick asked standing up. He walked towards him. Greg stopped and looked at Gil.

"I'll talk to you later Nick" Gil said walking out.

Greg looked at Nick, tears still running down his face. Nick took a step forward hoping Greg wouldn't back away. He didn't, instead he walked too Nick. He pushed his head into his chest and kept crying. Nick pulled him close and held his hand. He held him there until he stopped shacking. He was still crying when Nick pulled him away.

"What's wrong" Nick asked lifting his chin up.

"I j…j..just I d.d..don't" he stopped and put his head down.

"Warrick" was all Greg said. Nick nodded and wiped a few of Greg's tears away. Nick could smell the minty taste on his breath. Just sit down here and relax.

Greg shakes his head and pushed in beeper into Nick's chest. Nick moved his hands and rested them on Greg's shoulders. He slowly rubbed them hoping it would help him to relax. Greg slow did relax. He stopped shacking and pulled away from Nick. Nick still hand his hand. Greg swallowed and looked away.

"Don't worry I'll take care of Warrick" Nick whispered.

Greg looked up. "But h..h..he" Greg tried to say.

"It will be fine" Nick said pulling him back in. "Trust me, Just sit down and I will be back."

Nick led him to the couch. Greg sat down and pulled his legs close to his chest.

Nick took Greg's hand and kissed it. Greg looked up as Nick walked out of his office. He rested his head on his knees and closed his eyes.

Nick walked into the break room.

"What did that little shit say" Warrick said.

Nick walked to him and stopped a few inches from Warrick.

"Leave him alone. I mean it. If you go near him I will fire you." Nick said almost yelling.

"I was just fucking with him" Warrick snapped.

"I don't care what you where doing. If you go near him again, I will fire you." Nick said in a more calm voice. He turned and walked out.

Warrick sat down in his chair. He looked up everyone in the break room was staring at him. He picked up his coffee and walked outside.

"Nick" Gil said. "Is Greg ok?"

"Yeah, I took care if it. I'm putting a written warning in Warwick's file." Nick said.

"Do you" Gil started.

"I took care of it" Nick repeated.

Gil nodded. "Is there something going on with you and Greg?"

Nick turned and looked at Gil. Nick wondered if he should lie to Gil. It's not like they even went on a date yet but he did kiss him. And after him coming into the office Nick felt sure there was something going on.

"It's starting to." He said thinking that was the best way to answer.

Gil nodded. "Make sure you get him some help"

"I put a rush on his insurance, it will start next week" Nick said.

"Good" Gil said he turned and walked off.

"Nick we've got a break in" Jim said.

Nick nodded. "I'll be there in just a second. Just need to get my jacket"

"I'll be in the car" Jim said. Nick went to the pop machine and got a coke and made his way back to his office. Greg looked up as Nick walked in. Nick handed the coke to him.

"T..t..thanks" Greg said.

"I have a break in to check out. I'll be back. Stay in here as long as you like" Nick said. Greg nodded and stood up. He leaned forward and gives Nick a kiss. He sat back down. Nick made his way to Jim's police car and got in.

"Why are you smiling" Jim asked. Nick just smiled bigger and didn't answer.

"I'm sorry this happened miss" Nick said "But I can't let you in your house, it's a crime scene now."

"Oh I bet it was that little shit my mother let live here. I kicked him out and he did this to get back at me." Heather almost shouted.

Nick looked at her. "Do you mean Greg?" he asked.

"Yeah, he took drugs or something. I will never understand my mother. She always took in strays. Never could say anything with out stuttering and he shook all the time. I can't believe anyone would let him take care of a kid." She said.

Nick looked at her. He clenched his teeth to keep from saying anything.

"You need to check into him. I know he did this."

Jim looked at Nick.

"Ok, look, I need to get started." Nick walked inside the house very slowly. He turned on his flash light.

"What a mess" he thought, glad Greg had not be out of his sight since he moved in with him. Not that he thought Greg could or would do something like this. Nick could not help feeling a little glad this happened to her. Kick a person out in the middle of the night with a small child.

The TV was smashed and flipped over. The couch was cut open. Chairs and tables where broken. Nick yawned as he walked back into the kitchen. Plates, cups, spoons, knives and forks covered the floor. The fridge was turned over and food was everywhere. Nick made his way back to the bathroom. The tub was full of soaking wet blankets and towels. The toilet was ripped up and water was running everywhere. Nick turned the water line off. He headed to the bedroom. It looked just like the rest of the house. He went into the last room. It was full of turned over boxes. He yawned again and sighed. He did not want to do this case. He would be in here all night. He was hoping to hide in his office and take a nap. His eyes widen seeing paint on the hall.

"I will find you, you worthless little shit" Nick swallowed and walked closer to the paint. He touched it and felt a huge knot forming in his stomach.

Jim walked into the room. Nick turned.

"So who are you going to bump this on" he asked.

"Me" Nick said. Jim looked at the painted words.

"Did Greg live here?" Jim said.

Nick nodded still looking at the words in red paint. Nick headed back into the living room.

He pulled his cell phone out and called Sara.

"I need you to help me process a break in" Nick said.

"Ok, I'm on my way" Sara said and headed out. Sara seemed to take forever to get there. Nick heart was beating very fast.

"Oh god, you're still pissed at me" Sara said looking around.

"Yeah I am but that's not why you're here." Nick said picking up his case and camera. "Follow me". He led her to the back room and stopped looking the words. They seemed to be bigger this time.

"Greg used to live here, he was with an abusive man once. I think he's looking for him," Nick said almost in a whisper.

"Oh god" Sara said.

"I'll take this room," Nick said.

Sara nodded and started to walk out.

"Nick I really didn't mean to hurt you the other night" Sara said.

"We've got work to do" Nick said he got his camera. He started taking photos all around the room.

Sara looked down and walked back up front.

Nick made his way up front.

"I'm all done with the two bedrooms and the bathroom" he said.

"I'm... wait.... hold on. Ok all done up here" Sara said lifting one last print.

"Can you print the vic?" Nick said and walked out. Sara walked out after him.

"Nick, how long are you going to be mad with me?" She asked grabbing him from behind.

"Long enough, I've got to get back to the lab, print the vic and come back." he turned and walked back to Jim's car.

Oh my god, what was he going to do? It made sense that this man would look for Greg at Miss Smith's house. But did he know where Greg worked? He hoped and prayed he didn‘t. Would they be safe at his house? Nick didn't say one word to Jim as the drove back to the office.

"Look don't say anything to Greg," Nick said.

"I won't" Jim said as he parked the car. Nick head was starting to hurt as he made his way inside.

"Why didn't you dump the case on a rookie?" Gil asked.

"I need to talk to you," Nick said walking to Gil's office. He shut the door and sat down.

Greg looked out the window. He hated slow nights. He wished he had something to work on. He could only clean his desk so many times. He heard the door open. Greg stood up and backed into the wall. His eyes filled with tears. He felt weak all over and was sure he was going to pass out.

Greg tried to call out for help but nothing would come out of his mouth.

"You haven't changed a bit. Just a worthless piece of shit that no one cares about" Keith said moving even closer to Greg. Greg was shaking, tears running down his face as Keith touched his cheek.

"So you work in a crime lab now?" Keith said he pulled Greg close to him and placed his hands on the back of Greg's pants. He ran his hands up and down. He leaned in and kissed Greg's neck.

"So where is she?" He asked now placing his hand around Greg's neck. He tightened his grip around him. Greg eyes widened. He gasped for air.

"Where is my daughter? I miss her, I need her. She's what 5 now? Just the right age to start. Isn‘t that when your parents started with you?" Keith said, his mouth next to Greg's ear.

Greg could only gasp as Keith wrapped his other hand around his neck and now lifted him off the ground. Keith smiled watching him try to breathe, but couldn't. He slammed Greg into the wall then kicked him in the groin, then dropped him. Greg started coughing trying to get air inside him. Keith kicked him in the side over and over, then grabbed him by the hair and slammed his head into the wall a few times. He let Greg drop to the floor and he walked to the door.

"Don't leave town or I will find that little girl, and I will do to her like your fucking mom and dad did to you. Until next time." Keith turned and walked out. Warrick walked past the man and nodded at him. He looked in the window of the lab.

"Good fucking stutter boy's not in there." He said he placed his hand on the door and started to pull it open.

"Warrick, come check this out" Sara shouted. Warrick turned to find Sara.

Greg touched his head and felt the blood running down his head. He slowly got to his feet still trying to catch his breath. He leaned on the sink and turned the water on. He got a towel and got it wet. He tried placing it on the cut on his head but his hands where still unsteady. He placed his other hand on his side he closed his eyes from the pain of his own touch. He took a few steps away from the sink and stopped at his chair leaning on it will most of his weight. He pulled his hand away from the cut to help support himself. He couldn't hold himself up any longer and went down to the ground again. He couldn't seem to catch his breath. He gasped for air. He again pulled himself up to his desk. He reached for the phone and dialled Nick's pager. He put the lab number then 911. He hung the phone up.

Nick reached for his pager. Gil gave him a look.

"Nick we need to talk about this" Gil said. Nick nodded and pulled his pager out anyway. His eyes widened and he jumped up and ran out of Gil's office. He ran into the lab. He stopped for just a second then ran to Greg. Greg reached out for him and Nick pulled his close. Gil was a few steps behind Nick. He looked in the lab, seeing Greg.

"Doc we need you now" He shouted.

"Shh" Nick said holding him. "Breathe nice and slow" Nick said as Doc entered the room.

"What happened?" Gil asked once they moved Greg into the Doc's office.

Greg mouth moved but nothing would come out. He looked over at Nick and again reached out for him. Nick moved beside him and took his hand.

"He'll need a few stitches and I need to get his shirt off to check his ribs." Doc said softly.

"Who did this to you Greg?" Gil asked a bit loader.

Greg pushed his head into Nick chest.

"Gil, let me do this" Nick said looking at him.

Gil nodded surprised that he raised his voice.

"Nick can you get his shirt off?" Doc asked.

Nick nodded and help Greg remove his shirt. Gil and Doc just stood there.

"These burns are pretty bad." Doc said. He looked at the fresh cuts on Greg's sides. "Lean back Greg so I can check your side." Doc felt around. "Nothing seems to be broken but I'll do an x-ray just in case."

Greg seemed to be shivering now. His teeth where chattering. Nick held his hand tighter.

Gil looked a Nick then stood up. "I'll be right back, I'm going to look in the lab for any evidence."

Nick nodded and waited for Doc to set up the x-ray.

Gil walked into the lab. He knew Nick was with him when Greg got attacked but the cuts and burns? They looked only a few days old. Could Nick have done that to Greg? He tried to push the thought out of his head but it wouldn't go away. He found a few prints on the door.

"Nothing is broken." Doc said looking at the x-ray. "I'm going to get the supplies for the stitches."

Nick helped put Greg's shirt back on. Greg slowly stood up. He pulled Nick close to him and rested his head on his shoulders. Nick held him close.

"Did he do this?" Nick whispered. Nick felt Greg's body tense up. And that was the only answer he needed. Nick closed his eyes. He opened them quickly.

"The Girls" Nick said.

Greg looked at Nick and shook his head. "He won't go go go after them as l..l..long as he h…h…has me" Greg said sounding so weak and small. Nick pulled him towards him and kissed his forehead.

"He doesn't have you, I'll catch him. I will do everything in my power to put him where be belongs". Nick said.

"I know" Greg said trying to get even closer to Nick. Doc walked back in and stitched up Greg's cut.

"I think you should go home and rest" Gil said walking back in the room. "Nick we need to talk"

"I r..r..rode with Nick" Greg said sounded scared. He didn't want to let go of him. He didn't want to go home alone.

"Of course you did" Gil said looking at Nick, sounding almost mad.

"Nick, take him home" Gil turned a walked out.

"Greg I will be right back, Doc will stay in here with you." Nick said trying to pull away.

Greg sat back down on the bed. He looked at Nick.

"It will be ok" Nick said now not sure if he should leave him. "10 minutes is all it will take." He again kissed him on the forehead and turned.

"Gil it was his old boyfriend from college" Nick said. "I was going to talk to you about it" Nick stopped.

"What?" he asked.

Gil took a step back. "Nick how did he get the burns and cuts?" Gil said using a tone that Nick only heard him use when he was asking a suspect something.

"Hold on, he did it. He does it in the shower after he has a bad dream about his past" Nick said.

Gil nodded.

Nick's heart sank. Did Gil really think he did that to him?

"I'm just looking out for him" Gil said.

"Gil I didn't hurt him, why would he come to me if I did?" Nick almost shouted.

"It's the only thing he knows." Gil said in a harsh voice.

Nick stopped looking at Gil. He didn't know what to do or say next

"Just take him home and we'll talk more tomorrow."

Nick stood there almost in shock. This wasn't happening to him. It couldn't be. He slowly walked back to Doc's office. Doc looked up as Nick walked into the room.

"Can I talk to you?" he said.

Nick nodded.

"The burns are bad. Where did he get them?" Doc asked

"He does it in the shower after he has a nightmare" Nick said sounding almost sick.

Doc looked at him.

"Gil thinks I did that" Nick said he was now close to tears.

Doc nodded and looked at Greg.

"You need to get him help Nick, he can't go on doing this to himself."

"I put a rush on his insurance, it should start in a few days."

"Good, I get you a list of some good doctors, and Nick, I know you didn't do that to him." Doc said "But I mean it, get him help as soon as you can."

Nick nodded. "I'll talk to Gil, I'm sure he's just not using his head right now, take him home."

Nick looked at Doc and smiled.

"Are you ready to go home?" Nick asked walking over to Greg. Greg nodded and stood up.

"Just take it easy for a few, and take the pills every 4 to 6 hours if you are in any pain" Doc said.

Nick led Greg out to the car. He shouldn't worry. He knew the truth but it still hurt, maybe more than it should, that Gil would think he would do something like that. They drove home without talking much. Greg held Nick's hand as tight as he could. Nick parked the car and they walked up to the house. Nick felt his stomach tighten as they walked inside. He locked the door and for the first time he turned on his alarm system. He looked around as they went into the living room.

Tiffany was asleep on the couch with Sammy curled up next to her. Nick placed a blanket over them and turned off the TV.

"Guess you can sleep in the other room." Nick said.

Greg shook his head.

"Please c.c.can I sleep with y..y..you?" he whispered. Nick looked at him and nodded. He led Greg to his room. Greg lay on the bed and took his shoes off. Nick did the same then lay next to him. Greg moved close to Nick putting most of his upper body on the other man's chest. Nick wrapped his arms around him holding him as tight as he could.

Greg took Nick's hand in his own and closed his eyes. Nick looked at him, kissing his forehead once again.

Nick sat on the couch and watched Sammy play with Tiffany. He could barely keep his eyes open. It had been a long night filled with nightmare after nightmare for Greg. Nick was there for each one, helping him calm down, reminding him that he was safe here and nothing would happen. Of course it didn't help that Keith had gotten into the lab and gotten to Greg one more time. Nick knew it would be a long night. Greg had his head on his lap. Nick ran his finger over behind his ear and long his jaw bone. It seemed to help; Greg had been asleep for an hour now and hadn't had any more bad dreams. He kept repeating the same movement over and over. His eyes started to close and his hand stopped moving. He jumped hearing his sister and Sammy laughing. He closed his eyes again hoping to get a bit of sleep before he and Greg had to head back to work. He tried to talk Greg into staying home but he just shook his head. Nick gave up and hoped it would be a slow night. He again jumped hearing the girls.

"Hey could you please keep it down?" Nick said in a sleepy voice.

"Why don't you go in your room and leave us alone" Tiffany said.

"It's my house" Nick snapped. "Oh god I'm sorry" he said.

"You are one grumpy bear" Tiffany said.

Nick just nodded. He could tell Greg was dreaming again. He gently ran his finger along Greg's face just like he did before. Greg body relaxed and Nick guessed the dream was over or stopped. He again tried to get some sleep, his head was hurting again and he just felt like crap.

Nick's eyes popped open again this time because of Greg. Greg was starting now, he slowly opened his eyes and Nick smiled at him. Greg smiled back and sat up.

"You l..l..Look tired" Greg said softly knowing it was his fault.

"Just need some coffee" Nick said as his pager went off. Greg jumped and almost fell off the couch but Nick caught him. He pulled his pager out and looked at the number. He sighed seeing the lab.

"Sometimes I really hate being the boss" He slowly got up and got his phone. He walked out of the room to make the phone call then returned in a few minutes.

"We gotta go, there's been a, they need us at work" Nick said. Greg got up and they both went into his room. "There is like 6 cases that just came in, everyone is backed up."

He and Greg changed their clothes and went back into the living room.

"You be a good g..girl" Greg said and picked up Sammy and kissed her.

"I will daddy, go stop the bad guys" she said hugging him. Greg put her down and she ran over to Nick and hugged him.

"Be careful Miss Nick" She said and ran back over to Tiffany.

"Later sis" Nick said and they walked to the door. Nick again set the alarm and locked door once they where outside.

Nick walked into the break room.

"Ok, guys, this is a busy night."

"Warrick you get 2 DB in a house, Sarah you get 2 DB by or in the river, you should probably get going, Cath you get a break-in at a bank, Gil a BD in the park." Nick sat down trying to hide his yawn for the team.

"What are you going to do oh fearless leader?" Cath asked

"Me, I get a DB in a parking garage." Nick said yawning again, this time not hiding it as well.

"You ok boss?" Warrick asked.

"Yeah, just tired-long night" he said standing up.

"Looks like we are all in for long nights" Gil said "Let's all do this right."

Greg sat in the lab waiting, for what, he wasn't sure. Someone to come in with something for him to process or Keith. There was now a guard standing at the main door and one wandering the halls. He heard the door open which made him jump.

He stood up and turned towards Gil.

"Greg, I need to talk to you" he said. "Have a seat"

Greg did as Gil asked. He swallowed hard.

"It's going to be a long night I can tell, are you sure you are up for it?" He asked almost as if he was speaking to a child.

Greg nodded. "I'd r..r.rather be here, close to to Nick" he said looking down.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about, I noticed you had some pretty bad burns and cuts on you. They looked very fresh. What happened?"

Greg looked away from Gil.

"Look Greg I know some very bad things happened to you in your past but they don't need to keep happening. I can help you make it stop. No one should treat you badly" Gil said softly.

Greg looked up. " I d..d..did them." he said and looked back down.

"Why?" Gil asked

"I just w..w..ww. wanted to be...be...be...clean" He said pulling his arms closer to him.

"What made you feel dirty?" Gil asked. He leaned forward just a bit.

Greg looked down. He held his breath for a moment them let it out slowly.

"Did Nick make you feel this way?" Gil asked.

Greg looked up. "W..w..what no, why?" he said.

"Greg you can tell me the truth. I need to know what happened so I can help you" Gil said.

"Nick d..didn't do anything, I h..had a bad dream and did this in the s..s..shower" Greg said softly again he looked down.

"Well if you need any help, anything at all, don't be afraid to ask. You can tell me anything, and I'll get you the help you need." Gil said slowly standing up. He turned and walked out of the room.

Greg took a beep breath. He leaned back in his chair taking in another breath. It hurt to breath but pain was nothing new to him.

Cath has the first one back and dropped off her stuff to Greg. He started working on it, She walked back in.

" I j..j..just started" he said.

"I know, I got some stuff from Warrick" she said placing it on his desk. "Page me when you get mine and his done and I'll take it to him" Greg nodded and went back to work. After half an hour he paged Cath.

"Thanks so much, I don't know how we got along with out you" Cath said taking the stuff.

Greg looked down, "T..t..thanks" he said in a shy voice. She nodded as she left the lab.

"Here you go Warrick. He ran it twice so if you got a problem with it come to me" Cath said.

Warrick took the folder and rolled his eyes at her. He opened the folder and looked.

"What the fuck does this mean?" he said "Look he fucked up again. There is nothing on the 2nd symbol."

"Let me see" Cath said taking the piece of paper. "Hmm, it's blocked because it someone's DNA from the lab."

"Not this again" Warrick almost shouted.

"I go check and see whose it is" Cath said.

"What kind of case are you working?" she asked.

"A couple of guys where beaten, raped and choked to death" Warrick said. "I think they were gay."

She nodded and went into her office and shut the door. She typed in her code and sat back staring at the name. Greg Sanders.

Cath took in a beep breath. She played with the ring on her finger for a while then stood up. She walked past Warrick, not even hearing him ask her about the sample, then entered the lab. Greg stood up as she walked in. She turned and looked at him.

"What can you tell me about the second sample Warrick gave you?" She asked leaning on his desk.

"It was a h-h-hard one to do; i-it was pretty old. I'm guessing s-s-six to eight months? Hodges s-s-said I wouldn't be able to do do it," Greg said. "Did I do something w-w-wrong?" he added, sitting down on the edge of his chair.

Cath scared him, he wasn't sure why. Maybe it's because she was someone he wished he could be: a very strong person. Greg looked down.

"Greg, the DNA sample was yours," she said.

Greg looked up. He felt like he was going to get sick. "What? I-I-I don't…it…" Greg tried to say. He placed his hand on his face.

Cath sighed. It was easy to see why Warrick could not work with Greg.

"Relax Greg, I'm taking over the case, no one will know anything," she said and walked out.

"Warrick we are trading cases," Cath said to him: he was waiting outside the lab.

"What? Why?" he said.

"Because I out rank you and I want this case," she said, handing him the case she was working on. He glared at her.

"It's because of fucking stutter boy, isn't it?" Warrick said.

"No, it has nothing to do with him, I just want the case," she said, going back into her office.

Warrick looked in the window of the lab and glared at Greg, he looked down and closed his eyes, then Warrick punched the wall. He laughed seeing Greg jump, then he turned and walked down to the locker room.

Greg took a deep breath. He knew Keith was messing with him, trying to scare him...and it was working. He wondered how Keith found out where he was working. He guessed he followed him one day. His phone rang and he jumped and answered it.

"S-Sanders," he said, hoping it was Nick.

"So, did you like my surprise I left for your CSI friend?"

Greg went pale white and started shaking at the sound of the voice on the phone.

"Oh, Greg, you will never be anything. I don't even see why you are trying. You are nothing," Keith said. "But I see you have a new boyfriend. He's cute. Too cute for you. You have no chance of ever making him happy. He'll soon see that you are a nobody and get tired of you. He may even take to hitting you like I did. But he will leave you."

Greg shook his head and bit his bottom lip.

"But you know Greg, he looks a bit tired to me." Keith hung up the phone.

Greg eyes widened and he stood up. His hands where shaking so bad, he could barely dial Nick's cell phone number.

"Stokes. Leave a message."

Greg almost threw up hearing that: Nick's phone was always on. He dialled his pager number and entered the lab's number and 911. Greg hung the phone up and waited. He held his breath waiting for the phone to ring. Nothing. His whole body was shaking now. Still nothing. Greg tried it again, now having tears in his eyes. Nothing. He tried is phone and got the voice mail again. He closed his eyes. Still nothing.

Nick took a few more photos of the vic then stood up, yawning, before stretching his arms out above his head.

Another yawn followed and his pager went off. He looked down, seeing it was Greg and removed his cell phone from his pocket. He tried to turn it on, but it wouldn't work in the parking garage.

"Damit," he said as his pager went off again. He walked around, trying to find a spot where his phone would work, but nothing.

"Damit," he said again.

He walked out of the parking garage and stopped on the sidewalk. He pulled out his phone, when someone bumped into him, knocking him to the ground.

"Watch it asshole!" Nick snapped, turning towards the man that was now running away.

Nick dialled Greg.

"What's wrong Greg?" Nick asked.

"Are you okay?" Greg asked, relieved that Nick had answered the phone.

"No, I'm fine, the phone wouldn't work in the garage" Nick said. "Are you okay?"

Greg sat down. "I d-d-don't know. Keith c-c-called me and said t-t-that you looked tired," Greg said.

"I t-t-tried to call y-y-you, but your phone was s-s-switched off: I started to w-w-worry."

Nick looked around. "Greg, I'm okay, I'm on my way back. Try and relax, he's just messing with you," Nick said. "I'll see you in a bit."

Greg nodded and hung up the phone, then he rushed to the bathroom, vomiting into the toilet bowl.

Nick walked back inside the garage and looked around, but the officer was gone. He walked over to his car and bent down, noticing that his tyre was flat.

"Damit," he said, walking around to the back of the car and unlocking it.

He bent down, reaching for the spare tyre before the truck lid slammed down on him. Nick cried out in pain and pushed it back up. He pulled his gun out and looked around, but he didn't see anything.

He rubbed his back and took one more look around before pushing the truck open again, this time keeping a hand on it as he reached for the tyre and jack.

He changed the tyre and headed back to the lab, parking his car first before collecting his evidence together and walking inside.

Greg looked up seeing Nick and he ran out of the lab and grabbed Nick, pulling him close and laying his head on his chest.

"I missed you too," Nick said, lifting his head up.

"I'm sorry," Greg whispered.

"You don't have to be sorry Greg," Nick said as he slowly pulled away.

"He just s-s-scared me 'cause I thought he was g-going to hurt y-y-you," Greg whispered.

Nick touched his face and looked at him. He smiled.

"Don't worry, he won't hurt me," Nick said close to his ear.

"Nick, I need to talk to you," Cath said. Gil was standing next to her.

"I'll talk to you later," Nick said to Greg, before turning and following Gil and Cath: they lead him into Nick's office.

"Nick, we found Greg's DNA at a murder scene," Cath said.

"What? That's impossible! He's been with me the last few days," Nick said a bit louder than he should have.

"Nick, calm down, the sample was about six mouths old. Two young guys where killed. I think the killer changed their sheets with his own. I'm not sure why," Cath said. "I found some prints and they matched your break in from a few nights ago."

Nick swallowed hard.

"They also matched the prints I pulled off the door of the lab, the day Greg was attacked," Gil said.

Nick slowly sat down. "He's trying to scare him," Nick said. "He's playing with his head."

"Well, two people lost their lives because of this guy," Gil said. "We need Greg to tell us about him, what he looks like and things: we need to know everything we can."

"Gil, I don't think Greg can tell you, he can barely tell me about him," Nick said.

"That's why you are going to talk to him," Gil said. Nick started to object.

"You may know that too," Warrick said walking inside. "I say him. At the time I didn't think anything about it, but then I just added two and two together."

Gil nodded. "Come with me," he said, and Warrick followed him out of the room. Cath looked at Nick.

"Are you okay? You look like shit," she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just haven't slept much since Greg's been at my place. He's got a cute little girl. She's so sweet."

"Greg has a kid?" Cath asked in a surprised voice.

Nick nodded and leaned back in his chair. "She so sweet, she's got green eyes and black hair. Must take after her mom."

"How did he get a daughter?" she said.

"Trust me, you don't want to know," Nick said.

She nodded and looked at Nick. "You should really get some sleep."

"Hey, keep me up to date on this, okay? I want to make sure that he's safe," Nick said.

"I will, don't worry," she said, and left his office.

Nick picked up his phone and called home.

"Hey sis...nope, just checking in. How's Sammy?...Good, I'll talk to you later," Nick said, hanging up the phone.

Nick leaned back in his chair and looked over at the couch in his office: it looked very inviting, almost seemed to be calling his name. The more he thought about it the better it seemed, so he gave in, stood up and walked over to the couch. Juts then, his pager went off. He groaned as he looked at it, then pulled out his cell phone and called the number back.

"Sara, what's up?" Nick asked in an annoyed voice. He wanted her to know he was still very upset about what she had said.

"The officer is gone and my car tire is flat and I don't have a jack to change the tyre," she said. "Who in their right mind would take the jack out of the car?" she added.

Nick eyes widened and he forgot about being mad. "Where are you?" Nick asked, grabbing his keys and running out to his car.

"At River View Park," She said. "I was working the scene and noticed the officer left. I finished my work and headed back to my car and found out my tyre was flat," she said.

Nick drove to the car as fast as he could.

"Sara, look out, the same thing happened to me while I was working my scene. I got a flat and the officer was gone. I went to change the tire and the trunk can down on me. I think someone might be there."

Sara looked around and pulled out her gun. It was just starting to get dark, making it harder for her to see and much easier for someone to hide.

"I'll be there in five," Nick said, driving as fast as he could to get to the park.

"Nick, you're freaking me out," Sara said still looking around. She didn't see anything, but it didn't mean nothing was there.

"What's going on Nick?" Sara said, sounding scared. Nick had never heard her sound that way before.

He drove fast and even ran through a red light before turning onto the highway.

'Damit,' he thought, going even faster now.

Sara turned, hearing something moving in the bushes. She pointed her gun at the sound, trying to see, but it was getting darker and darker. She put the gun down as a cat ran out chasing a bird, then she turned and leaned on the car.

"Don't move, pretty lady."

Sara felt something sharp push into her side, which was being pulled back by her hair.

"What kind of CSI turns like that?" the voice whispered in her ear. She gasped for air.

"You are a stupid stupid one."

He took the phone out of her hand.

"Sara, are you there?" Nick almost shouted into the phone.

"Oh, she's here alright," the voice said. "And now I've got her." He hung up the phone.

"Sara!" Nick screamed.

He dialled the office and just as he started to talk to Jim, his car went crashing into the guard rail. Nick tried to turn the wheels, which resulted in his phone falling to the floor. The car slid back onto the road and Nick slammed his foot down on the breaks. His eyes widened as a truck came right for him: he braced himself for the impact.

The truck hit the car, knocking it back into the guard rail. The airbag slammed into Nicks face, knocking him out and the railing couldn't seem to hold the car, so it broke through and slid down the hill. The car rolled a few times and came to a stop on its' side.

The truck stopped and Keith slowly got out of it. He walked to the guard rail and looked down at the car. Other cars where stopping and he heard someone yelling, "Call 911!"

A few people started going down the hill.

He smiled and walked back to his truck, then got in it and tried to start it, but the keys were gone.

"Where the fuck do you think you're going?" Keith looked up, seeing a trucker standing next to his window. "I saw you run that car off the road." He held out the keys.

Keith grabbed the steering wheel as tight as he could and slowly looked up: there where a few others standing next to his truck. He rested his head on the wheel and closed his eyes.

"Didn't plan for this, did you?" The trucker said, still holding the keys out. He laughed and pushed the keys deep into his pocket.

Keith swallowed hard as a police car pulled up. He thought about making a run for it, but the number of people standing by his car were growing. He couldn't help but smile when he heard someone shouting, "I think the car is on fire!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sara again gasped for air. She could feel blood running down her side, but she tried to stay calm.

"Where is your camera?" he shouted.

She weakly pointed to the truck on her cars. She held her hand on her side and watched as he found the camera and ripped the back off, pulling the film out. He also took the bag she had put everything she'd found in: blood samples, finger prints, the bullets, everything. He sat a few feet in front of her and knelt down by it. He pulled out his lighter and burned it. She just sat there, watching it all go up in flames. He tossed the film in the flames and then turned and walked off.

Sara tired to get up but the pain was too much. It took her breath away and she felt like she was going to pass out, so she lowered herself to the ground giving up.

'Nick should be here any time,' She thought. She pulled her hand off her side and looked at the blood.

She knew it wouldn't take long for her to bleed out at this rate. She looked around for her cell phone.

She groaned, remembering he'd taken her phone, then pushed hard on her side again, hoping to slow the bleeding down. She would just have to hang on until Nick got there. She fought to keep her eyes open.

"Sara?" someone called out.

"Oh shit, Jim's going to kill me." The policeman ran over to her, dropping the sandwich he'd left to go.

He pulled out his radio.

"I need help ASAP. I've got a CSI that was been stabbed. We are at River View Park. She looks pretty bad. Please hurry." He turned off the radio.

"Oh, God, please don't die, I'm going to lose my job if you do."

Gil watched as they loaded Sara into the back of an ambulance.

"How did this happen?"

"I don't know. I was only gone for half an hour. She always takes too long, I hate working with her. Plus, I had to pee."

"She should have never been alone," Gil said looking at the officer. Some how he kept his voice calm.

"I don't know, I screwed up. I thought it would be okay, I just went to get something to eat," he said. "I'm going to get fired."

Gil looked at him.

"She could die and all you can think about is your job?" he turned and got in the ambulance.

The officer looked at Jim.

"Go home," he shouted, pushing the officer back. "Get the hell out of here and don't come back."

The officer turned and walked back to his car.

"She lost a lot of blood. The cut may have gotten to her lung. Give her oxygen right now."

Sara eyes where barely opened. She reached out for Gil's hand.

"Nick?" she said.

"No, honey, it's Gil," he said, rubbing her hand.

Sara shook her head. "No, I was on the phone with him." Someone tried to put a mask on her face, but she pushed it away.

"Sara, let them help you," Gil said taking her hand.

"Nick was on the phone, he was coming to the scene," she said. "Did he make it?"

"What? No, Nick never got here," Gil said looking at Sara. He pulled out his phone and called Nick's.

It went straight to voice mail.

"He was coming to help," Sara mouthed as they put the mask on her. Her eyes closed.

"Sara," Gil said.

"She's ok, we sedated her because we are going to have to tube her."

Gil nodded, not letting her hand go. He closed his eyes forgetting all about what Sara had said about Nick.

Nick slowly opened his eyes. He looked around. The car was on its side. The engine was still running. He lifted his left arm to turn it off. Pain shot thought it making it impossible to move. He reached with his right one and turned the car off.

He could hear people yelling. He undid his seat belt and his body fell. But it can to a painful stop. His ankle was pined by something. He pulled as hard as he could, letting out a painful scream. He felt someone grab him and start pulling. He screamed again and they let him go.

"My leg is stuck" He said through clinched teeth. He watched as someone reached down and tried to pull his foot lose. He screamed again.

"Let's untie his shoe and see if that helps."

Nick could only watch as people he didn't know tried to free him. He felt a bit light headed.

"Oh god the car is on fire" someone yelled. The pulling on his leg stopped and Nick couldn't see anyone.

"Get him out."

"Are you nuts, the car might blow up?"

Nick pulled his leg as hard as he could as panic ran throw his body. Smoke was now pouring into the car, making it hard to breath. It burned his eyes and nose. But he couldn't get his foot free.

He could feel the heat from the fire on his back. He pulled harder but had to stop before he passed out from the pain.

No he couldn't die like this. Burnt to death, trapped in his own car. He tried to pull free once more. But no matter how hard he pulled his foot wouldn't come free. He turned seeing that his seat was glowing form the heat of the fire. He was starting to cough now from the smoke.

"Please help me" he screamed out. No one came back. "Oh god" Nick cried out. The heat was starting to burn his back.

"Are you just going to let him die" someone yelled.

"Why don't you help him?"

Nick felt someone grab his foot again.

"Ok, I'm going to pull with you on 3."

Nick nodded. He could barely handle the pain from the fire now. The fire must be at the rear of the car.

"Ok, 1 2 3." Nick pulled again. His foot moved some but didn't come free.

"Oh fuck" he said the heat was getting unbearable. He could smell his own skin burning. The smoke not letting him breath.

"One more try and it should come free".

Nick again nodded. "Please hurry" he whispered between coughs.

"Ok 1 2 3" again they both pulled and Nick foot can free and he fell into the door of the car. As he fell the flames came over the seat of his car. He jumped up and was grabbed and pulled out of the car. He was dropped to the ground. He rolled over a few times and can to a stop trying to catch his breath. He gasped for air. He needed fresh air in his lungs. It took a few minutes but he finally stopped coughing.

He looked up at a young lady.

She smiled at him as he slowly sat up.

"Thank you so much" he said in a shaky voice.

"I couldn't stand there and let you burn" She said breathing hard herself.

Nick leaned back down to the ground. He was shacking all over. He looked up seeing someone trying to get a stretcher down to him. Two paramedics reached him. One placed an oxygen mask on his face and seemed to be checking his vitals.

"Looks like he's got a broken leg and maybe a broken arm. He's got some burns on his back. They don‘t look to bad." The other man said out loud.

"Does anyone have a phone" Nick asked his voice still shaky pulling the mask off.

"I need to call my boyfriend" he added

The paramedic looked down almost surprised he said something.

"A trucker got the guy who did this to you" the young lady said. "They've got him cuffed up there."

Nick nodded and reached for a phone. Taking it from her.

"Thanks again" Nick said.

He almost called Greg but thought better of it. So he called Cath phone.

"Willows" She said she sounded very stressed out.

"Cath, it's Nick" he couldn't hide the fear or the shakiness in his voice.

"Nick where are you, what's wrong." She said standing up.

"I got run off the road, I'm not sure where I am." he said.

"Oh god, not you too" Cath said putting her free hand over her face.

"Sara" Nick said.

"She got attacked at the scene. The fucking officer left to get a sandwich. She got stabbed in the side. Gil is with her but she lost a lot of blood. But are you ok." Cath said, as she was trying to fight back her tears.

"Yeah, they got me out. Just in time." Nick looked over watching a few fire-fighters trying to put his car out. "They are taking me to the hospital right now. I have a broken..." Nick stopped and let out a scream as one of the paramedics touched his leg.

"Leg" Nick said giving him a hatefully look. "My arm too. Look I need you to talk to Greg. He's really going to freak out. Let him know I'm ok" Nick again called out in pain as the medic touched his arm.

Cath pulled the phone away.

"Sorry" he said. "Cath, I think it was Keith who ran me off the road. They got him; you need to tell Greg that they got him"

"Sir, I'd like you to get off the phone you need some oxygen"

"I gotta go. Please tell him that, see if he can call my sister." Nick said breathing hard again.

"He's whizzing"

"Ok, I will, I'll bring him to the hospital" Cath said as Nick hung up the phone.

He helped get himself on the stretcher, placing the mask back on his face. He laid perfectly still as they made there way up the hill. Nick sat up seeing a man in hand cuffs.

Keith looked at Nick. His mouth dropped open seeing he was still alive.

Nick laid back down, still looking at him.

"You have to try harder them that" Nick said.

"Don't worry, I will" Keith said as they pushed him into the police car and Nick was put into the ambulance.

Cath walked into the lad. Greg was working on something. He turned towards her as she entered.

"Greg, I need to talk to you, please sit down" she said talking to him like she would her daughter.

He did as she asked, looking down.

"Nick was in a car accident. He's ok before you start to worry." Cath said seeing his whole body tense up

"He thinks it was Keith how ran him off the road but they got him"

Greg looked up.

"Yeah they got him Greg" she said even softer now.

Greg blinked a few times. He didn't know what to do.

"Can I..I..I go see Nick" he asked.

Cath nodded and they walked out to her car.

Greg stood at the window. He was looking out of it, but not really seeing anything. He felt very cold. He also felt relief: knowing that Keith was in jail and he couldn't hurt him anymore.

"How are you holding up?" Gil asked, making Greg jump.

He turned and looked at Gil. He just nodded. Words would be impossible right now.

"Have you gotten a hold of Nick's sister?" he asked.

Greg was still looking out of the window and only nodded.

"She's w-w-waiting for Sammy to w-w-wake up," he forced the words out.

"You can come and sit with us," Gil said, turning to the almost empty waiting room.

Greg turned and looked in the same direction. He saw Cath, Jim, Warrick and a few people that could have been from Sara's family. He shook his head and turned back towards the window. Gil nodded and walked over to Cath.

"He's afraid of all of us," Cath said. Gil nodded.

"I don't believe I've ever failed at something worse than this," Gil said.

Cath nodded. "We all missed it except Nick," she said.

"Do you think?" Gil stopped, looking at Greg once more.

"He has OCD and depression and God knows what else," she said. "And honestly Gil, I would hope you know Nicky better than that. Doc told me. Gil, would Nick have helped Greg remove his shirt in front of you if he had done that?"

Gil looked at Cath.

"You should have seen them Cath: he was covered in burns, scars and cuts. I just...I don't know," Gil said.

"You need to do your job better," Warrick said.

"Excuse me?" Gil asked.

"You really think that Nick of all people could hurt that little shit? Man, I really thought you were smarter than that," Warrick said. "You've worked with Nick for years," he added, shaking his head.

Gil looked at Warrick then at Greg.

"Think about it Gil, I slammed the fucker into the hall and he freaks out if I walk past the window of the lab: he's afraid of me," Warrick said.

"I yelled at him once because I thought he messed up something. He gets nervous around me too."

"So, if Nick was hurting him, he would do the same things to him," Warrick said. "Man, you really missed the ball on that one. I hate the kid, but I can tell he's got it bad for Nick."

Gil almost looked shocked. He again looked at Greg.

"Who's waiting for Nick Stokes?"

Everyone turned seeing an older looking lady standing in the door way.

Everyone stood up.

"We are," Cath said.

"Well all of you can't go in, there are only two allowed at a time, but he's in room 121 now. He was very lucky."

Greg walked forward.

"What about Sara?" Gil asked.

"She's still being operated on; I'll let you know as soon as I hear something."

Gil turned to say something to Greg, but he was already gone.

Greg almost ran down the hallway. He turned and ran into the room.

Nick looked up as Greg entered and then he stopped a few feet from the bed. Nick held his arms out and Greg walked forward. Nick pulled him close.

"I'm okay; it's not as bad as it looks. I didn't break my wrist, it's just sprained," Nick said. He could tell Greg was crying.

"I'm s-s-ssorry, it's a-a-all my f-f-f-f..." Greg stopped.

"It's not your fault, and now we've got him. He can't hurt you anymore. You're safe now," Nick said running his finger through his hair.

Gil stood in the doorway. He sighed: how could he think that Nick could ever hurt him? He was just looking out for Greg and wasn't thinking. He turned and made his way back to the waiting room.

He sat down away from Cath and Warrick.

"Gil, man, I'm sorry," Warrick said.

"No, you're right, I've trained myself to always find the bad in people, I treated Greg like a case and worse: I treat Nick like someone I didn't even know. If I had stopped and thought about it, I wouldn't have done that. I never would have said anything to Nick or Greg."

"You just got caught up in everything and I know you only wanted to help Greg," Cath said.

"I made an ass of myself with Nick," Gil said. "He most likely hates me."

"Nick's not like that," Cath said. "Just talk to him and he'll understand."

"Who is waiting for Sara?" the same doctor asked.

Again, Gil, Cath and Warrick stood up.

"Are you family?" she asked.

"No, I'm her boss and these are her co-workers," Gil said.

"Well, we only let family back in recovery," she said.

"We are the only one's here: I called her parents but they aren't here yet," Gil said. "They don't think they're coming," he added.

The older woman looked around: she saw a few other people in the room.

"They aren't waiting for her?" she asked.

Gil shook his head. "We are the next best thing," he said, hoping she'd let him in.

She nodded. "Follow me," she said and lead Gil back to Sara's room. Gil entered her room

"She pulled through just fine," the doctor said. "The knife barely got her lungs. We were able to repair everything. She should wake up soon. When she does, we'll take the tube out of her."

Gil nodded.

He walked over to the bed. She was pale, she had tubes everywhere. Gil moved a chair next to her bed. He wiped a tear away from his eyes. He took her hand and squeezed it. He couldn't stop the tears from coming now. He looked down feeling her squeeze his hand back. He took her hand with both of his now. He closed his eyes.

"You could have lost her. She almost died."

'What if...' he wondered. 'What if...'

He opened his eyes, seeing her looking at him. He reached his hand up and touched her face.

"Thank God you're ok. I was afraid I was going to lose you," he whispered. He let go of her hand and pushed the call button.

Greg pulled away. He leaned forward and kissed Nick. Not the small shy kisses that he'd given him before. No, this kiss was hot, almost a hard, desperate kiss. Nick didn't fight as Greg's tongue entered his mouth. Nick slowly pulled him away, only because he needed to breathe. And once he got a breath of air he pulled Greg back in for another kiss. Nick pulled Greg back and the two were lying on the bed. Greg pulled away this time. He was almost out of breath. He smiled, then rested his head on Nick's chest. He took Nick's hand and held it close to his chest.

"I'm s-s-scared," Greg said.

"It's okay," Nick said softly. He held him as tight as he could.

"Nick, I l-love you," Greg whispered.

Nick closed his eyes. "I love you too, Greg," he said.

Nick slowly opened his eyes, hearing someone clearing their throat. He looked over and saw his sister and Sammy in the door way. He smiled seeing them.

"Are you okay, Miss Nick?" Sammy asked in a quiet voice.

"I'm okay, just got a broken leg," he said. He tried to move his hand but Greg held it tightly in his own.

"Is my daddy okay?" she asked, taking a step forward.

Nick nodded. "Come on, there is plenty of room," he said.

That's all it took and the little girl ran to the bed and climbed in. She wrapped her arms around Nick and laid her head on his shoulder.

Tiffany walked up to the bed and moved a chair closer to her brother. She sat down and looked at the smaller man sleeping in Nick's arm. She looked at Nick and smiled.

"You scared my brother, your work wouldn't give me many details, just said you were in a car crash," she said. She wondered how her brother could be comfortable with Greg and Sammy both in the small bed.

"Yeah, well, you know, they tend to treat everything like a case. Don't give away too much even to a family member," Nick said. He gently removed his hand from the tight grip Greg had despite being a sleep: his hand had fallen a sleep.

The next twenty four hours went by pretty quickly. The nurse would come on every few hours to check on Nick and see if he was in any pain. Warrick stopped by for a bit, leaving when he thought Greg was waking up. Cath stopped by as well. Try as she might, she couldn't hide the sadness in her face seeing Nick in there. She waited until Greg was asleep to visit him.

"Oh, Nick I was so scared, I heard the car was on fire," she said.

Nick closed his eyes trying to forget how close he had come to being a case for them to work. He only nodded and Cath knew not to bring it up.

She suddenly smiled. "So, this looks pretty good," looking at Greg.

Nick smiled and pulled the sleeping tech closer to him. Sammy was sleeping at the end of the bed: a nurse had brought an extra pillow for her.

"Thing's are going good," Nick said. Cath looked down at the little girl.

"She's cute," she said "We should get them together. Lindsey would love to play with her."

Nick nodded. "Something tells me she wasn't played with many kids," he said.

Cath nodded again. She slowly stood up. "Speaking of Lindsey, I gotta get going."

"Thanks for stopping by," Nick said. "See you at work."

"You should take some time off Nick," Cath said, knowing it was pointless.

"It's just a broken leg. No big deal," he said.

Cath nodded before saying, "Okay, I give up. See you at work."

She turned and walked out of the room. Nick again closed his eyes. One would think being in a hospital he'd gotten some much needed sleep. But with all his co-workers, nurses and his family calling him, he still had not slept. Sleep was what he needed and that's what he was going to get. Greg, Tiff and Sammy where all asleep.

"Nick?" he heard. He slowly opened his eyes seeing Gil in the door way.

"May I come in?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure": sleep would just have to wait a bit longer.

"I'm so sorry Nicky, I just wasn't thinking."

"Gil, you where just doing your job," Nick said.

"Maybe, but I was wrong, very wrong about what I said," Gil said, now sitting in the other chair. He spoke very soft, not wanting to wake up the other three that were a sleep. "I just...the burns and the cuts. And we've seen so many cases like him," Gil stopped. "You are a good person, Nicky."

Nick nodded. "Thanks," he said.

Gil sighed. "You could have a great thing going on here. Fight for it. Don't let..." he stopped. "Don't be like me."

Nick nodded. "Is she okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, she was lucky, she's going to be just fine. She'll be out in a few days. And I'm sure I'll be fighting to keep her home," Gil said.

"Maybe this is your..." Nick started.

"No, it's not Nick, I had my chance, but I blew it. It's too late for me," Gil said almost sounding sick.

"Just remember Nick: no matter what happens, how hard it gets, no matter what others say, don't stop fighting, don't ever stop fighting."

"I won't," Nick said and with that Gil stood up and walked out of the room.

Nick looked down at Greg. He knew this wasn't going to be easy. Greg was going to need a lot of help. But he wasn't going to turn his back on him now. He'd never felt like this about anyone.

He glanced down at Sammy. His heart went out to her and he wanted to make sure she had a chance to be a kid. She already acted much older than an almost-five-year-old. No, his mind was made up: they both needed someone to fight for them. And he was going to be the one to do it. He kissed Greg on the cheek and pulled him closer. He closed his eyes and finally fell asleep.

"Nick, come on man, wake up," Tiffany said, louder this time.

"Miss Nicky, we want to go home, but we can't until you WAKE UP!" Sammy said, shouting the last part.

"He h-h-hasn't slept m-much in the l-l-last couples o-of days," Greg said to the doctor.

He nodded. "Well, let him sleep. He's been through a lot. Just push the call button when he wakes up," he said, and walked out of the room.

Sammy walked over to his bed.

"Let him sleep," Greg said.

"I know, we'll go shopping for a while and you can call me when he wakes up," Tiffany said.

"Oh, please daddy, can we? Oh, can we? Can I please go shopping? I'll be a good girl?"

Greg nodded. "H-h-have f..f..f a g-g-good t-time," he said and sat in the chair next to Nick‘s bed. He took his hand and held it tight.

Nick slept for another eight hours before waking up. He opened his eyes. His back felt like it was on fire. He slowly sat up. Greg let go of Nick's hand and pushed the call button.

"You were tired," he said, standing up.

Nick looked at the clock on the wall. "Wow," he said. "Oh, man I have to pee," he said. He slowly got out of bed, not putting any weight on his broken leg and grabbed his crutches. He made his way to the restroom.

The doctor walked into the room. He looked at Greg and he nodded his head towards the restroom.

Nick walked out of the restroom.

"How do you feel?"

"My back hurts pretty bad," Nick said.

"You got pretty bad burns on the centre of your back. It's pretty close to a third degree burn. I'm giving you a prescription for some burn cream and a pain killer."

"Just ibuprofen," Nick said.

"Are you sure? I can give you something stronger?" he asked, looking a bit surprised.

"Yeah, can't go back to work if I'm all doped up," Nick said.

"Work? Well, I'll write you one just in case you change your mind," he said. "The nurse will be in to show you how to take care of your burns. You'll need to come back in a few days for a wound check. Your wrist? Well, that's mostly up to you. Try and wear the splint for at least three weeks. I want to re-check your leg in six weeks. Don't put any weight on it even if there is no pain," he said. "Here are your discharge papers," he added and walked out of the room

Nick changed into his clothes and waited for the nurse. Greg called Tiffany to let her know they were ready to go. Greg listened closely as the nurse talked to Nick about his burns. He guessed he'd have to help Nick clean them and change the band-aids. He really didn't need to listen, he knew a lot about burns. He was almost a pro at caring for them.

Nick wasn't very happy about being pushed out in a wheelchair but didn't try and fight it to much.

"What time is it?" Nick asked.

"It's five o' clock," Tiffany said.

"No wonder I'm hungry," Nick said: he couldn't stand the food at the hospital.

"Good, I'm glad you hungry: Sammy and I have a surprise for you," Tiffany said, watching as Nick made his way into the car. He got in the front seat and Greg put his crutches in.

"Whose is this?" he asked: it was a rodeo.

Tiffany smiled. "Sammy and I went car shopping," she said.

"You bought this?" Nick said.

"Yeah, I needed a car, and I got a great deal on his one, thanks to Sammy."

Sammy smiled and got in the car. Greg got in next to her. He helped her in to her car seat.

Nick leaned back in his seat. He still felt very tired. He closed his eyes.

"Oh, no, not again," Nick heard.

"Just leave him in the car": that was Tiffany. Nick opened his eyes.

"I'm up," he said and opened the door. He got out and grabbed his crutches and made his way inside. The house smelled like Mexican food.

"Oh, sis, you didn't?" Nick said taking a beep breath.

She smiled and lead him into the kitchen.

"Burritos, just for you," she said. Nick sat down and grabbed a plate. Greg sat next to him. Nick loaded his plate up and started eating. He really needed to learn to cook. He was so tired of eating out all the time.

"I can't eat another bite," he said and pushed the plate away. He yawned and reached for his plate. Tiffany smacked his hand and took the plate. Nick shook his head and yawned again.

"You can't still be tired?" she said. "You slept the whole day away!"

Nick stood up. He placed the crutches under his arms and made his way to the couch. He laid them on the floor and then laid on the couch. He turned on the TV. Greg was quick to join him. They both fell asleep.

Nick came back to work the very next night. Everyone told him to go home and rest, but he didn't want to. He knew Keith would be there for questioning and wanted to make sure Greg was okay: it was 5:30pm and Keith would be there around eight o' clock.

Nick kept looking at the clock. Maybe he would take Greg out for lunch at eight to make sure he wouldn't be there when Keith turned up. Or maybe he'd send the tech home if he was all caught up. He again looked at the clock: 5:35. He rolled his eyes. Why couldn't be more like Gil and have a huge pile of cases to review? Even with him missing two nights of work there was nothing on his desk. He was going to go crazy.

He looked up and saw Gil in his door way.

"Nicky, go home, you shouldn't be here," Gil said.

"I'm fine, my leg doesn't hurt at all," Nick said, looking down at the green cast that stopped just below his knee. Sammy picked out the colour for him.

"What about the burns?" Gil asked, walking up to his desk.

Nick made a face. "Yeah, well, they hurt a bit, but Gil? I'd rather be here."

"Because of Keith?" Gil asked, sitting down. He paused then looked at Nick. "Do you think Greg can give a statement?"

Nick took a deep breath. "I don't know Gil, we have enough to lock him away for life without Greg's statement."

"Nicky, we found his DNA there. Someone is going to ask about it. We need to get something. Just a written statement. He won't have to testify." He again paused. "It could look like we are hiding something if we don't."

Nick nodded.

"Just something short about...erm...what he did and how Greg got away from him. I also sent Greg's DNA out to another lab to re-test it. Just to cover all the bases. The results, of course, were the same: six to eight months old. I can‘t believe he took his own sheets and never washed them," Gil said standing up.

Nick just nodded again. He stood up and took a step. His leg gave him a painful reminder to get his crutches. He saw the look that Gil gave him.

"Will you go home after we are done with Keith?" Gil asked as the two men made their way down to the lab.

"We'll see," Nick said as they stopped in front of the lab. Cath was standing in front of the window as well.

"Nicky, why is he wearing your sweatshirt?" she asked.

Nick nodded. "He doesn't have many clothes," Nick said, knowing that wasn't the reason. He knew Greg put it on because it made him feel safer...and it smelled like Nick as well.

Greg looked up from the blood sample and saw the three CSIs standing in the window. His hands started to shake and he dropped the test tube. Luckily, it didn't break.

"Okay guys, we don't need to stand here and stare," Nick said, and walked inside the lab.

"W-What did I do?" Greg asked. He picked up the test tube.

"Nothing. We just need you to do something for us," Nick said. He walked up to stand next to Greg. He took the tube out of his hand and placed it back into the holder.

Greg looked at Nick.

"Since we found your DNA at the scene..." Nick took his hand. "We need you to write something down about your...erm...you and Keith and how you got away. Don't worry, you won't need to testify. I won't let that happen. We just need to have it for the record," Nick said, watching panic come and then slowly disappear from his boyfriends face. "Can you do that?" Nick asked, pulling him close.

Greg pushed his head onto Nick's chest and nodded his head. Nick wrapped his arms around his waist and placed a soft kiss on Greg's neck. "You can go into my office if you want," Nick whispered.

Greg nodded and slowly pulled away from Nick.

"I h-have to f-f-f-f...one more t-thing to process," Greg said.

"I'll get Hodges to run it," Nick said, seeing Greg was very pale and now shaking a bit.

Greg nodded and took a very shaky breath. He followed Nick down the hall, but suddenly turned and ran into the rest room. Nick sighed and followed him in there. Nick waited for Greg to finish. He slowly walked out of the restroom stall and over to the sink. He turned on the water. Nick watched as Greg used his nails on his hands trying to remove what ever was there. His hands turned red from the heat of the water.

"Greg," Nick said in a soft voice.

Greg blinked and looked up. He turned the water off and dried his hands. He turned and looked at Nick. He again followed Nick down to his office. Greg opened the door and held it for Nick. He then went in.

"You can type it if you want," Nick said.

"Nicky, you can't be in here while he does it," Gil's voice made both men jump. "Greg, I just need something short and sweet. Just a brief description of your relationship with Keith and when you left him."

"Relationship? What the fuck?" Nick wanted to scream out.

Nick nodded, trying to hide the anger and watched as Greg sat down at his desk. Nick glanced at the clock: 5:50.

Greg looked up at the two men. He then looked at Nick.

"I'll be in the break room. Just page me if you need me," Nick said, not waiting to leave him alone. Did Gil really know how fucking hard this was going to be for him? Did he even have a clue what he was asking Greg to do? Just something short and sweet, to the point? Did he think it really was a relationship? How could, what ever Greg was going to write, be short and sweet? Nick clenched his fists together and he had to fight off the desire to punch Gil in the face. Nick glared at his boss.

Gil looked away from Nick. Maybe that...okay, he knew he hadn't worded that very well.

"Greg, I'm sorry that you have to do it. I know this is going to be very hard on you. So both you and Nicky can leave as soon as you're done," Gil said. Nick made his way over to Greg.

"You can do this, I know you can," Nick said kissing him.

Greg nodded. He watched as the two other men left the room.

"Nick, I'm sorry, that wasn't what I meant to say. I just was trying to make it easy for him."

Nick looked at Gil.

"You really need to work on your people skills," Nick said, and walked into the break room.

Greg stared at the blank screen. He closed his eyes feeling the warmth of his tears running down his face. He wanted...no...he needed to page Nick. He placed his shaking hand on the phone. He stopped.

"You can do this, I know you can." Nick's voice filled his thoughts. He pulled his hand off the phone and placed them on the keyboard. He held his breathe as he started to type.

Greg waited for the paper to print. He wiped the tears and sweat of his forehead and face. He removed the paper and put it in an envelope. He folded it and put it in his pocket. He took the other piles of paper and walked out of Nick's office. He headed down to the break room.

Nick looked up when the door opened. He stood up as Greg walked over to him. Greg fell into his arms and started crying. Nick pulled him close as Greg pushed his head onto Nick's chest. Greg dropped the papers on to the table and wrapped his arms around Nick's shoulders.

"It's over now, he can't hurt you anymore. Now you can start to heal," Nick whispered to him.

Greg didn't move for a long time. Nick just held him gently, rubbing his back, hoping to calm him down. Nick glanced at the clock. It was 8:15. He was sure Keith would be here now. He'd have to go to plan B: get Greg in his office so he wouldn't see Keith.

"I n-n-need you to to r-r-read s-s-something," Greg whispered, pulling away from Nick. He pulled the envelope out of his pocket and handed it to Nick.

Nick nodded. "Lets go in my office," he said. Greg, again, could only nod. He started to follow Nick, but stopped. "I h-have to g-g-get s-s-something f-f-from out of my desk," he said. He picked up the pile of paper he'd dropped.

"Is that for Gil?" Nick asked. Greg nodded.

"I'll give it to him" Nick said. Greg handed him the papers. He turned and walked down the hallway. Nick glanced at the papers then at the envelope. He took in a deep breath, not sure he wanted to read what Greg had written. The sooner they finished with Keith the better.

Greg almost ran into the lab. He ran over to his desk. He stopped and stared at it. Everything had been moved. He swallowed hard and slowly opened the top desk.

"It's not in there."

Greg froze. He couldn't move.

"You see? Your fucking boyfriend ruined everything. He got me caught and now I'm going to jail. Killing that cop in the other room won't help either, but I just needed to do one more thing before I get the chair," Keith said. He walked up behind Greg and pulled his body close to him.

"Is this what you wanted?" He held the bottle of piles in front of Greg's face.

"Buraspar. Hmm...I really thought you'd be on something a lot stronger my love."

"I'm not y-y-your love," Greg said, shocked to hear his own voice.

Keith graded his hair and pulled his head back. He placed his other hand on Greg's neck.

"What?" Keith said.

"I. Am. Not. Your. Love," Greg said again, slower this time so he would not stutter.

Keith slammed Greg's head down onto the desk. Greg fell to the ground. Keith stood over him.

"Oh, dear, this is too much. Did your little boyfriend teach to you stick up for your self? Wow. I didn't think you had it in you," Keith said. He placed his foot on Greg's stomach. Greg looked up at him. He could feel his body start to shake. He held his breath as Keith slammed his foot down onto his stomach. Greg bit his lip to keep any sound from coming out. He curled up into a ball on the ground. He couldn't breath. He couldn't move.

"You see, no one can help you, Greg; you are still a worthless piece of crap," Keith said. He knelt down next to him. "You will never be anything."

Greg slowly lifted his head. He spit in Keith's face then took in a deep breath. "I. Don't. Like. Diet. Pop," he said with his teeth clenched.

Keith looked down at him and slapped Greg across the face. He then reached up and wrapped his hands around Greg's neck.

"You fucking piece of shit," Keith shouted. He tightened his grip.

Greg gasped for air, but nothing happened. He placed his hands on Keith's arms and tried to pull them off. Keith couldn't believe he was trying to fight him off. He laughed at him. He kicked with his legs but couldn't reach him. His grip on Keith arms got weaker and weaker and Greg's eyes started to roll back.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nick sat down and opened the envelope.

Dear Nick,

I'm sorry to write you a note like this. But since I can't talk about this without stuttering, I thought it would save us both some time if I wrote it all down for you.

No, this is not what I'm giving Gil; I made that short and sweet. I thought you where going to hit him. But I'm glad you didn't.

Nick grinned a bit as he read that. He let out a slow breath as he started to read.

I know you've seen the scars on my wrist, but have never asked me about them. I'm sure you think that I gave up on life and that I couldn't handle it any more. Maybe you're afraid to ask because you think I could do it again.

But it's not what you think.

It was my only chance to get away from him. I truly wasn't trying to kill my self. But it was the only way.

It was my only chance to be free from him. I don't regret what I did. It got me here with Sammy and it lead me to you. So, this is what happened and why I did what I did.

I was sitting in the library trying to study; I already had my degree, but I had to keep going for him.

It wasn't easy. I was in so much pain. I was so tried. A lifetime of being raped and beaten was starting to wear me down.

Nick stopped reading. "A life time?" He started reading again.

I closed my eyes. I'm not sure for how long, when I heard a voice I hadn't heard in years.

I slowly opened my eyes, thinking I was hearing thing, but there she was, sitting across from me; she looked so sick, so tired.

I know I told you about her being sick and telling me about Sammy. So I won't go into that.

She told me to sign some papers and that I had to be at the hospital in two days to get Sammy. If not, I would lose her forever. She touched my hand and left. I knew I'd never see her again.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to rush that part, but I told you all about it.

Nick shook his head. Even in a letter he's saying he's sorry.

Anyway, getting away from him. I had tried a few times and failed. That's why he cuffed me to the bed when he went at night.

I just didn't think I could do it.

But I knew I had to. I had to get to the hospital for her plan to work. My mind raced. The only time I was ever alone was when I went to class. Or at night when he was with them, but I was cuffed to the bed.

He rarely went to class since I did all of his work. He'd go just enough so he wouldn't be dropped out.

Today was the day. It had to be now. That's when I had to make my move. I put my plan to work. It was now or never; I walked into the men's restroom. Slowly I pulled the knife out of my pocket. I think I stood in there for almost an hour, looking at the knife, then my wrist. At times, my hands where shaking so badly I didn't think I would be able to do it. I just couldn't do it. But I kept hearing her voice and there was the fear of what he would do to my daughter after she was gone which gave me the strength. I would not let him hurt her anymore. And there was no way in hell I was going to let him rape her. Not my child. I couldn't bear to let her go through the pain and hell I went through. I took a deep breath.

Nick swallowed hard. He never even thought about Greg's parents hurting him. He closed his eyes. He put the letter down, but then slowly picked it back up.

I ran the blade over my wrist once. I screamed out in pain. I did it again. Then once more. I dropped the knife and walked out of the stall. My plan wouldn't work if no one found me. I lowered my self to the ground and waited. I watched the life run out of my wrist. I got light headed and started to wonder if someone would come in time. I closed my eyes then I heard the door open.

"Oh, shit call 911."

I passed out after that and I woke up in the hospital. No one was in my room. I sat up. I looked at my chart. It said John Doe. They didn't know who I was. My pain was starting to fall into place. I carefully removed the I.V; I've had enough of them and seen them removed so many times I was almost easy. I put my clothes on and made my way out of the room; I was still very weak. I'm not sure how much blood I lost. Looking back, I should have only cut myself twice. I somehow made it to the waiting room where someone was waiting there. I'm not sure who she was; she never told me her name. She just handed me the papers and told me where to go to find Sammy. I didn't ask about her. I knew she was gone. I could tell with the look on her face. She also handed me a set of keys, told me there was a ford escort waiting outside for me and to get out of here after I got Sammy. She told me where to go to find Mr. Smith. She also gave me some money and a cell phone. She turned and walked out of the room.

So, that is it; that is how I got the cuts on my wrist and why I did what I did. I just wanted you to know so you wouldn't think any less of me. This is all so new to me. I'm so scared, but at the same time I feel so safe.

I love you Nick. Thanks for helping me and saving me.

Nick slowly stared at the paper in his hand. He took a weak breath. He laid it down on the table and wiped his eyes.

Wow; he never would have guessed that. He leaned back in his chair.

Where is he? He wondered. He picked up the letter and read it again.

Nick stood up. This was going to be much harder them he first thought. Years of abuse just turned into a life time of abuse. But he wasn't going to give up now. He grabbed his crutches and picked up the letter and the paper for Gil. Nick walked past the lad and looked in the window.

"I bet he's in the bathroom" Nick thought as he walked past.

"Oh did you see that your fucking hero just walked as and didn't even come to save you" Keith said.

Greg stopped fighting. He could barley keep his eyes open. He felt Keith lift him up a bit. He was right behind him. Greg let his head fall forward them slammed it back into Keith's face. Keith fell over in pain as he did he let go of Greg's neck. Greg gasped for air and moved away from Keith.

Keith held his hand on his nose. He pulled it away and looked at the blood.

"You fucking ass whole" Keith screamed. He stood up and walked over to Greg who was now backed into the corner. He was still trying to catch his breath.

"You just prolonged your death that's all" Keith said. "But I have to admit, you really took me off guard with that move. I didn't think you had any fight in you." He again grabbed Greg by his neck and lifted him up off the ground. Greg gasped again. Keith smiled and pulled Greg close. Greg brought his knee up right into Keith's groin. Again Keith dropped him and they both fell to the ground. Greg tried to stand up but felt Keith's hand pull his leg. He fell again. Keith jumped on top of him. He bent down and kissed him then again placed his hands on Greg's neck. This time Greg could not fight him off. Keith was much bigger them him and pinned him to the ground with ease. Keith watched as the colour left his face. He smiled as his eyes started to roll back into his head.

"Get off him or I will shot you"

Keith turned seeing Nick. He had his gun aimed at him.

"And risk shooting your little lover here" Keith said. He loosened his grip just enough that if Greg could get a bit of air.

"I'm a good shot, I won't miss" Nick said moving forward. Greg moved his foot just a bit letting Nick know he was still alive"

"You get off him and I won't shot you" Nick added.

"You don't have the guts. You have no reason to shot me."

"You tried to kill me, you ran my car off the road and now you're trying to kill my boyfriend" Nick said.

"No sorry, I killed your boyfriend" Keith said. He laughed but didn't move off Greg.

Nick nodded seeing Greg foot move again. He lowered his gun just a bit.

"Why don't you fight a real man" Nick said.

"For real man, please look at you, busted leg, busted wrist. I believe I did that to you" Keith said he again started to chock Greg.

"No no, I believe my car going off the road did this" Nick said.

Keith looked over and Nick. Nick didn't see Greg's foot moving.

"Get off him or I will shot you" Nick said raising his gun again. Keith didn't move. Either did Greg. Keith started laughing. "Your too later, He's dead" Nick pulled the trigger and ran forward. He pushed Keith's lifeless body off Greg.

"Greg" he shouted. Nothing. "Greg please" Nick shouted again. He tilted his head back and pinched his nose together, then gave him a short breathe. He counted to three and did the same thing. He then checked for a pulse. He felt one so again he gave him a breathe. Almost everyone was standing around the lad. The gun shot echoed threw the small building.

"I thought where was an officer with Keith" Warrick said watching Nick breath for the young tech.

"Oh my god," someone shouted seeing the dead officer in the other room. Over half the people ran to the other room.

"Come on Greg breathe, fight damit" Nick shouted as he again checked Greg pulse. Greg eyes opened and he gasped for air. He sat up and started coughing between gasps.

"That's it, just breathe, Nice and slow." Nick said he placed his hands on Greg's. "It's over now. He can't hurt you anymore." Greg looked over at the lifeless body in the corner.

"I'm g..g..gonna be s..s..sick" he said. Nick reached for the trash can just in time.

"Can someone get some water" Nick asked still not moving his hand off Greg's shoulders.

Warrick handed Nick the bottle of water. Greg jumped as Warrick got close to him. He sighed and stepped away.

Nick removed the lid and raised it to Greg's lips. He took a few sips and nodded to let Nick know he was done. He laid his head on Nick's shoulders. He could stop the tears now. Nick sat the water down and pulled him close.

"It's ok, it's over" Nick said again. Nick looked at the clock. 10:15. He and Greg had been sitting on the floor for over an hour now.

"Let's go home" Nick whispered to him. Greg nodded as Nick helped him to his feet. Nick got his crutches and they walked out to Greg's car.

"Thank you" Greg said softly.

"I'm just glad I got there when I did" Nick said as they both got into the car. Nick started the car "thank god" he said again. Greg nodded. Nick held his hand as he drove them home. Neither man spoke. They pulled up to the house and made there way inside. Tiffany and Sammy where asleep on the couch.

Greg again wanted to sleep with Nick.

Nick held him close. He was surprised that Greg fell asleep. He played with his hair and closed his eyes. Again thanking god he found them in time.

The next week flew by. Greg and Nick spent most of their time trying to find a nanny to watch Sammy while they were at work. Greg hated the whole idea of looking for someone in the newspaper, but none of their friends knew anyone. Greg was starting to worry since Tiffany was going to leave in a few days.

Nick also went to work, helping Greg to find the help he needed. It wasn't as easy as you would think; he first had to find a doctor and get a referral to see a psychiatrist. And even after they did all that Greg couldn't get in for three months.

Greg sat at his desk and looked at the paper. He sighed and sat the paper down on the table. He stood up, seeing Tiffany standing in front of him.

"Relax," she said. "Sammy's with Nick. I wanted to talk to you," she said. "Can I sit down?"

Greg nodded and sat back down.

"I've been doing a lot of thinking. I love it here. This town. Being so close to Nick, and I have to admit, I am in love with Sammy," she said.

Greg looked up at her. He swallowed softly.

"I want to be Sammy's nanny, if it's okay with you," she said. "You won't have to pay me since I'll be living rent free and I can go to school here, while you guys are home with her. If that's okay with you," she repeated.

Greg, again swallowed, harder this time.

"Please, Daddy! Can she stay?" Sammy asked, running into the room.

Greg looked at Nick. Nick smiled.

"Yeah," Greg said. "That would be great."

"Cool," Tiffany said, holding out her hand. " I guess you're my boss now." She took Greg's hand and shook it.

"I'd love to stay and chat, but Sammy and I have plans," she said, standing up.

"We are going to a movie!" Sammy said. "I've never been before."

Greg only nodded. He watched as the two ran out of the room. Nick walked over to him.

"Well, that solves one problem," he said, taking Greg's hand.

"I can pay her," he said.

"No, you don't need to. She'll be staying with us rent free," Nick said.

"But she'll n-n-need some s-s-spending money," Greg said, sounding a bit unsure.

"Okay, if you insist," Nick said, smiling. "You look good in my clothes. We just need to get some meat on you," Nick said, and kissed him.

"Hmm. They smile like you," Greg said, kissing Nick back.

They both looked up seeing Gil, Warrick, Sara and Cath standing in the doorway.

"What's up, guys?" Nick said, not sure what was going on.

"We're going out," Gil said. "I'm having a staff meeting. I need the both of you to come."

"Me? W-why?" Greg said.

"You're part of the team, Greg," Gil said. "Please, lets go out to the van."

"What? Why didn't you tell me about this?" Nick said as he followed everyone out to the van.

"Well, it's a surprise," Gil said as Nick and Greg got in the back.

"Are you sure we should do this?" Warrick said under this breath. "I mean, he looks happier."

"Warrick, he's not okay. He's wearing Nick's clothes, he follows him around. He's turned Nick into his safety net. Nick is so blinded by love he's not seeing what's right in front of him. No, this is the only way to help Greg. We have to do this."

Greg held Nick's hand as they sat in the back of the van. He rested his head on his shoulder.

Gil looked back at them.

This is the only way, he thought.

Warrick pulled the car to a stop.

Nick looked up. "What are we doing?" he said; they were in front of the hospital. Greg held Nick's hand tighter.

"Nick, we all want to help Greg," Gil said. "You know this is right. You can't help him on your own."

"Nick? W-what…where are we?" Greg asked, looking out of the window.

"No. I-I-I can't," Greg said.

"I'll be right back," he said to Greg, and got out of the van.

"What the fuck are you guys doing?" Nick almost shouted. "I'm not going to leave him here!"

"Nick, you're kidding yourself if you think you can do this without help," Gil said.

"I'm getting him help, But he can't get in right away," Nick said.

"He needs help now; he's still hurting himself. You just don't see it because of your feelings for him," Gil said.

"He's right, Nick," Cath said. "This way, you can get him the help he needs right away. He won't hurt himself anymore and you can come and see him anytime you like. This is a great place."

"Wait, no, I can't do this to him. He's just starting to trust me. I can't leave him," Nick said in shock.

"Nick, he needs to get through this on his own, you can't do it for him and that's what is happening. I mean, look, Nick. He wears your clothes, he follows you all the time, he's using you to get through this; it's not the right way. You are only holding him back, he won't be able to find out how he is if he tries to be just like you," Gil said.

Nick ran his hand through his hair, then looked into the van. Greg was rocking back and forth.

"Nick, if you want to help him, then you need to do this," Sara said softly.

Nick turned away.

"Nick, you know this is right. It has be done. It's the only way," Gil said.

Nick looked into the van. He reached his hand into Greg. Greg placed his hand in his and Nick pulled him out of the van.

"Nick?" Greg said.

Nick couldn't answer him. He followed the others inside. Greg followed him.

"N-N-Nick?" Greg said again.

"Hello, I'm Gil, we spoke on the phone?"

"Oh, yes, we've been excepting you, which one is he?"

Greg dropped Nicks' hand.

"You...s-s-said...this. Why?" Greg tried to put the words together, but couldn't.

"Hello, Greg, I'm Dr. Jones. You should feel very lucky that you have friends that care so much about you. Please say your goodbyes and follow me."

Greg took a step back.

"No. I-I-I d-d-don't...I...Nick, please!" Greg blurted out.

"Greg, it's for the best. Nick just wanted to get you the help you need," Gil said.

"No! I-I-I n-n-need Nick!" Greg said.

Nick put his hand over his face.

"I'm sorry, Greg, but you have to come with us," Dr. Jones said and reached for his arm.

Greg jumped back, then ran over to Nick. He wrapped his arms around him.

"No! Please, I-I-I-I n-n-need to b-b-be with you," Greg whispered in his ear.

Nick bit his bottom lip.

"This is all very normal," she said "Please, Greg, don't make this harder than it already is."

Greg held Nick even tighter. Nick watched as a few men in what looked like scrubs, came up front.

"I-I-I-I love you, N-N-Nick. Please d-d-don't make me g-g-go," Greg felt the man grab him by the arms and easily pull him off Nick.

Gil took Nick's arm and pulled him back.

"He'll be fine Nick, it's the best thing for him right now," Gil said

Nick watched and Greg fell to the floor and curled up.

"Nick, d-d-don't leave m-me, p-please," Greg cried out. He reached his hand out to him and the two men lifted Greg up.

Nick felt someone push him towards the door, but took a step back and stopped hearing a song playing.

Listen to your heart.....When he's calling for you..........Listen to your heart..... There is nothing else you can do. i don't know where you are going and I don't know why.. But Listen to your heart before you tell him goodbye..

"Oh, I'm so s-s-sorry, Nick. I didn't m-m-mean to make you mad. I w-w-won't do it a-again. P-please, I'm sorry," Greg shouted, trying this best to get away from the much stronger man.

"Nick, we have to go right now," Gil said, pushing Nick to the door.

"No, Nicky, I didn't m-m-mean to make you upset. P-p-please don't make me!" Greg cried out. The two men lifted Greg up and carried him towards the back door.

Nick pulled away from Gil's arm.

"No, this isn't right," he said

"Nick, do you want to help him?" Gil asked.

Nick nodded.

"Nick, I know you say you're in love and that he loves you, but Nicky, stop and think: you are the first person in his life that hasn't hurt him, you take care of him, you listen to him. It's easy to see why Greg thinks he's in love with you. He doesn't truly understand what he's feeling. He has to learn what his feelings are before this goes any further. It is for the best Nick. I know this is hard, but if you stop and look you will see what everyone else sees," Gil said

Listen to your heart, when he's calling for you, listen to your heart, there is nothing else you can do, I don't know where you're going and I don't know why, but listen to your heart, before you tell him goodbye...

Again Nick could hear the song playing. He stared at Gil, horrified at what he just said to him.

"Nick, let's go," Cath said.

Nick didn't move: he could still hear Greg's pleads. He couldn't see him anymore, but he could still hear him.

"I'm sorry, Nick. I won't do it again!"

Do what again? Greg thought he'd done something wrong and that's why Nick was making him leave.

Gil looked at Warrick. "Say something! You guys are best friends."

"I don't know, man," Warrick said. He stepped back. "I don't think this is right, it can't be." He turned to Nick. "Nick, don‘t do this. There must be another way."

Nick looked at Warrick, then at Gil.

"When I was in the hospital, you told me to fight for him. No matter what," Nick said.

"Nick, I know, but he needs this, this is where the fight is: you must leave him here, he's got so much to learn and he needs so much help...help that you can't give him. He doesn't know how to trust, to be happy or to love," Gil said softly.

"That's not true! He loves his little girl more than anything!" Nick said. "He almost died for her and he loves me."

"Nick, it's only been a few weeks. It can't be love: not yet. You are just acting on his feelings and like I said: he doesn't know what he is feeling. There is so much you two don't know yet. This is going too fast; it‘s getting out of control. You have to stop it before you both get hurt. Once he's learned what he's feeling, the maybe you two should give it a go, but not until then," Gil said.

Nick glared at Gil and clenched his fists together.

"I know what love is Gil, and so does he. Did you ever stop and think that maybe you are jealous? Maybe this is your way of making things right because you never had the guts to make a move on someone that you love," Nick snapped. "I am not you. I'm not going to sit back on my ass and wait and hope. You told me to fight for him and I'm going to."

Nick turned and ran towards Greg's voice. Pain shot up his leg with each stride, but he didn't stop. Nick ran around the corner.

"Let go of him!" Nick shouted. The two men let Greg's arm go and he ran to Nick. Greg pushed his head onto Nick's chest and Nick wrapped his arms around him, pulling him closer. Nick held him tightly and kissed the side of his neck.

"Oh, Greg. I'm so sorry," Nick said. "I'm here now."

"So, Mr. Sander's wont be staying?"

"No, he won't." Greg looked up at Nick.

"I d-d-don't have to s-s-stay?" he asked weakly.

"No, babe, you don't. I want you to know this wasn't my idea; I had no part of this," Nick said softly in his ear.

"I t-t-thought I m-made you mad," Greg said. He was shaking now. " I t-t-thought it was b-b-because of the letter I-I-I wrote, and t-t-that you w-w-wanted me to leave."

"No, you didn't do anything to make me mad. It wasn't the letter: I'm glad you wrote it. I can help you more because of it. God, Greg, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let this happen," Nick said. He lifted Greg's chin. "I know we need to get you help, but this is not the way; you need to be with Sammy."

"And you," Greg said, then placed a soft kiss on Nick lips. "Thank you," he said as the tears ran down his face.

"You should know that he will be leaving AMA. I think you are making a huge mistake," Dr. Jones said, crossing her arms. "I'd advise you to leave him here."

"I'd advise you to leave us the fuck alone," Nick said. "Let's go home Greg." Nick reached his hand out and Greg placed his hand in Nick's. Nick took a step back and his leg almost gave out on him. He clenched his teeth together.

"Nick, you're n-n-not using crutches," Greg said

Warrick cleared his throat, both men looked up. Warrick held them up. Greg held Nick's hand tighter.

"Thanks, man," Nick said, letting go of Greg's hand and taking the crutches.

Warrick looked at Greg and nodded at him.

Greg nodded back.

The three slowly made there way up front.

"Nick, you shouldn't do this," Gil said. "Greg, look, I know this is hard, but you need to get help. It's the only way."

Greg looked down as Gil talked.

"I n-n-need to be w-with Sammy and N-N-Nick," he said, barely loud enough for anyone to hear.

Gil sighed. "I think you're both making a huge mistake," Gil said. Nick took Greg's hand.

"This is not a mistake. You'll see," Nick said. He pulled out his cell phone and dialled a number.

"Yeah, sis, I need to you pick us up...No, everything's fine...We are at the hospital...Again? No, we're both fine, just come get us...You can see the late movie, it will be ok...Thanks, I love you too."

"Nick, you can ride back with us," Gil said.

"So you can set me up again? No, thank you," Nick snapped. He lead Greg outside; it was a bit chilly out.

"I'm glad you came back, but w-why did you?" Greg asked, moving closer to Nick.

"I listened to my heart," Nick said. Greg rested his head on Nick's chest as they waited for Tiffany and Sammy. Gil ran out and, again, pleaded with Nick and Greg to come back with them.

"I was just doing what I thought was best for him," Gil said. No one else said anything. Sara just walked slowly to the van: she was in too much pain herself to really think about Nick and Greg; she knew she'd come back too soon.

Cath walked by and patted Nick on the shoulder. She sighed and followed Sara to the van.

Warrick looked at Greg, and then at Nick. He turned and walked into the van.

Gil walked to the van, he stopped half-way and turned to them: Nick had Greg in his arms.

"I was just trying to help," he said. Neither Nick nor Greg looked at him.

"I'm sorry," Gil said and got in the van.

Nick kissed Greg's forehead, then ran his finger's through Greg's hair; this wasn't going to be easy, he was sure of that. But he knew one thing: he was going to be there for him every step of the way, holding his hand and helping him learn who he is, giving him a push when he needed one and knowing when to back of.

Learn his feelings. Please, he knew Greg knew what love was. He also knew how to love. He could see it in his eyes; when he looked at Sammy and even when he looked at Nick. He also knew what happiness was; he didn't need to learn how to feel. No, Greg needed to learn to let go of his fear of being himself: he needed to learn who he was. Once he learned that, everything else was going to be easy.

Nick again kissed his forehead. Tiffany pulled up and Greg and Nick slowly made their way to the car.

No, this wasn't going to be easy, but Nick was ready for the ride ahead; to see where the road was going to take them.

fin.

A/N. Wow I can't believe how much you guys liked this story. it's really and truly blew my mind. Really. Thanks so much for all your kind reviews and post. you made my day.

Don't worry, if you want ,there will be more to come. Just let me know.

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