Title: Paint The Rain
Author: Jaxson K.
Pairing: Nick/Gil
Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Nick made his way into the house and collapsed on the sofa, drenched to the skin. He was hoping the funeral would be over and he would make it home before the rain hit, but no such luck. It started to rain as everyone was making their way to their cars , and Nick got it double on the quick jog from his truck to the front porch.

He got up and made his way to the bedroom to get out of the wet clothes and to take a quick shower. After he showered, he went to the kitchen for a quick snack, He didn't want anything heavy because Gil was taking him out for dinner, and he didn't want to spoil it. As he ate, Nick reflected on the funeral he had attended, and wondered what would happen if he were put in that same position.

Nick had known the deceased from an old case from when he was a CSI Level 1. Rob had lived next door to the victim, and Nick had asked him a few questions regarding what had happened. Rob had called Nick after the case was finished and asked him out for a drink. Nick declined at first, but eventually gave in. Nothing happened between the two, and they became good friends.

When Rob told Nick about his new friend, Nick was curious to meet him. He wanted to see who had captured the heart of his friend. Rob introduced Dennis, and Nick understood why Rob was crazy about him. Dennis was a really nice guy who seemed to find the positive in just about everything. When Nick and Gil had finally gotten together, Nick introduced Gil to the pair. Although they didn't go out on double dates, they often went to Lake Mead for the day, or they came to Nick and Gil's for Nick's bar-b-que.

Nick was saddened when he received the call from Dennis that Rob was dead. They hadn't had much of a chance to talk lately because Nick and Gil were busy with work, and it was much the same situation with Rob and Dennis. Nick got the details of the funeral, but Gil couldn't make it. Ecklie had reared his ugly little bald head and insisted on a series of meetings that Gil couldn't get out of. That's why Nick had gone by himself.

After Nick finished eating, he made his way into the living room and sat down in Gil's chair. He was thinking about his friend Dennis, and how he was going to handle being without Rob. Nick didn't even want to try and think about trying to live without Gil. The mere thought nearly sent him into a panic because he had wasted so much time before he finally told Gil how he felt. He didn't want to contemplate Gil not being there.

While he sat there waiting for Gil to come home, Nick came to a conclusion about the whole thing. He hoped that Dennis would be okay, but he knew that trying to live without Gil would be like trying to paint the rain.....

END