Title: Two O'Clock
By: Rapidfan
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG-13
Summary: An evening of beer and video games leads to a morning of regrets.

Waking up in somebody else's bed was always a disorienting experience for Nick. It took him some time, once he finally got his eyes to focus, to work out where he was. Greg's. He'd followed Greg home with the promise of video games and pizza. Too many beers later, the games had shifted to those more carnal in nature.

Greg had proved to be far more entertaining than Madden 2007. He was inventive in bed, and tireless. It had proved to be an exhilarating combination.

"I'm getting too old for this," Nick thought. He looked at the still-sleeping man next to him with a wary affection. It wouldn't do to let this be more than a beer-buzz induced buddy fuck. It was always messy dating a co-worker. It just couldn't end well.

Nick eased himself out of the bed, doing his best not to jostle Greg out of his well-earned slumber. He headed towards the bathroom, gathering his clothes on the way. Nick knew if he left without saying goodbye he would probably hurt Greg's feelings. But the desire to avoid the inevitable awkwardness was greater than his desire to be a nice guy. He'd gotten pretty good over the last year at not being so nice. Nick wasn't sure that was a good thing, but he couldn't waste the time now to ponder what it said about him.

Once he was washed and dressed, Nick exited the bathroom. A quick glance at the rumpled bed showed he wouldn't be avoiding that awkward moment after all. Greg was awake. And making coffee. Nick followed the aroma down the short hallway to Greg's kitchen.

"Hey." Greg didn't look up from his task, just fluttered a hand in Nick's direction. "This will be done in a minute, if you want some to go." Why did that sting? Nick had been intending to sneak out without so much as a 'thanks', but Greg's casual-sounding dismissal felt like a smack across his face. Not so nice, and a hypocrite. The day wasn't shaping up so good.

"Thanks. I miss your good coffee. Now that you're in the field we're back to city issued crap at work." He took an appreciative sip. Mmm. "Good."

Nick's happy noise made Greg smile. He finished stirring his own cup and turned. "I can't afford to feed the labs habit anymore. Pity is, it means I don't get the good stuff at work anymore, either." He so loved his coffee. "Are we going to talk about last night? Or are we going to pretend it didn't happen?" He watched Nick, waiting for his response.

"Nothing to talk about, Greg." Nick was determined to be firm on this. No matter how good it had been. No matter how intense. He shook off memories of Greg's long, supple legs encircling his waist. Of sweet, sweet kisses as Nick shook through his orgasm. "It was too many beers talking, man. Nothing more."

It was so much more. It was the culmination of years of pent-up longing. Years of flirting, of touching, of the promise of something really good.

"Nothing more, huh?" Greg heaved a shaky sigh. It stabbed Nick's heart, but he had to be firm. He had to, for both of their sake. "If that's how you want to play this out, then okay. Too many beers it is." Greg turned back to the counter, ostensibly to get more coffee. "I'm going to grab a shower. Help yourself to whatever." He gestured towards his pantry as he headed out of the room, still not looking at Nick. "Lock up on your way out, okay?" The bedroom door closed firmly.

Nick felt like shit for hurting Greg. For making him feel cheap and used. He fought the urge to knock on that accusing door and apologize. To touch that silky skin again. To taste the coffee off Greg's tongue.

Nick shook himself. "Forget it," he told himself fiercely. "You've done enough damage. Just get the hell out of here before you make it worse."

Swallowing the last of his coffee, Nick idly opened the pantry. The last thing he needed now was food, but he couldn't help looking. The sight made him smile. It was very Greg. All that stood on the shelves was a box of stale looking crackers and cheez whiz, two cases of ramen noodles, and a case of water.

Staring into the pantry, Nick struggled to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat. He couldn't do this. He wasn't the hard-ass he kept trying to be. He liked Greg, damn it! He'd liked him for years. More than liked, he could admit it. He needed to admit it. Not that he envisioned a trip down the aisle any time soon, or hiring a cheesy Elvis impersonator to officiate, but there was something there that was real…something to build on. If only Nick could find the courage to act. To act before it was too late.

Without realizing it, Nick had crossed over to the closed bedroom door. There was no sound of running water, so Greg wasn't in the shower yet. His hand trembled as he raised it to knock.

"Greg?" No response. He knocked again, a little firmer this time. "Greg, we need to talk. Please? Could you open the door?" He heard a sniff. Was Greg crying? God, had he made him cry? He hadn't thought he could feel worse. He'd been wrong.

"Please, Greg. I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." Nick wondered if he should try the door, maybe it wasn't locked. "It wasn't the beer. It wasn't just 'nothing'." Still no response. "It was everything. It was what I've wanted for a long time, but was too afraid to do anything about." He put his hand on the knob. Should he? He couldn't afford to make this worse. "I'll go if you want me to, Greg. But you're going to have to tell me."

Nick was startled when the door opened. Greg must have been standing right by it the whole time. His eyes were a little red, but he seemed in control of himself.

"What do you want from me, Nick?" He looked sad, and a little bit angry. It was a heady combination, and Nick felt his body reacting in a totally inappropriate way. He reached out, giving in to the urge to touch.

"I want to take the last hour back," Nick whispered. "I want to wake up with you all over again. This time I'd tell you how amazing last night was." Greg's skin under Nick's fingers was warm. He stroked over the stubble on Greg's jaw, ran a fingertip over the full lower lip. Greg's breath caught.

"I'd tell you how long I'd wanted to wake up like that. How long I'd fantasized about being in your bed." Greg's skin was flushed now, his eyes glazed. "I'd tell you how very much I want to be in your bed again…how much I want you."

"Okay," was all Greg said. He tugged Nick into his room, drawing him back to the bed. "Okay. Tell me all of those things." Nick's mouth went dry as Greg shimmied out of his tee shirt and boxers. He found himself nodding mutely, hands clumsy as he tried to remove his own clothes.

Greg smiled and reached over to help, pulling the last layers away from between them. He pulled back suddenly, looking squarely into Nick's eyes.

"Don't start this again if you don't want to hang around for the finish." Greg looked nervous. "I want you, Nick. I always have. I want more than to be fuck-buddies. I want it all." Nick reached out, drawing Greg back against him, soothing him without words. "Don't hurt me again, Nick. I can't take it." Greg's admission steeled Nick's resolve.

"Not going to, G. Never again." He meant it. He planned on spending a few hours convincing Greg of it. Later, someone had better do some shopping. They were going to need to keep their strength up, and it was going to take more than water and cheez whiz. But for now there was kissing. Touching. Hurts to soothe, and sensations to explore. They had time for everything else.