Title: Sometimes Bad Things Happen To Good People
By: wojo62
Rated: PG
Spoiler: Post-ep for Fannysmackin'
Summary: Nick comforts Greg in the hospital.
Disclaimer: Not mine, wish they were.
Self-Beta'd

Greg lay there in his hospital bed and cried softly to himself. The boy he had hit had died, and he was to blame. Even though in his mind he knew it was self defense, in his heart he could not help feel guilty. Slowly the door to his room opened, he turned to see Nick quietly slipping into his room. Nick made his way over to the bed and sat down next to Greg taking his hand. The sight of his lover's bruised and battered face nearly broke his heart and he wanted to cry, but he stayed strong for Greg who was already in tears.

"Greg baby, it's okay I'm here." Nick soothed him, looking into his one open eye. "I wish I could have gotten here sooner but I had to help process the scene."

"It's okay, I'm glad you're here now." Greg said weakly, tears streaming down his bruised face.

"Why are you crying? Are you in pain, do you need me to get the nurse?" Nick asked concerned.

"He's dead Nicky, I killed him" Greg cried.

"Hey, don't blame yourself G, you did what you had to do." Nick assured him.

"I...I'm not so sure." Greg answered sadly.

"I am sure, trust me." Nick said, caressing Greg's uninjured hand.

"Hold me." Greg's voice cracked with emotion as he reached out to Nick. His whole night had been a roller coaster ride and he was ready for it to end.

Nick leaned in and gently took Greg into his arms, Greg let out a soft moan. His whole body ached.

"Am I hurting you G?" Nick whispered.

"It's okay, I need to feel your arms around me. I need to feel safe again." Greg said softly, wrapping his arms around Nick as best he could.

"You are safe, sweet cheeks." Nick comforted him.

"Nick, could you lie down next to me?" Greg asked, feeling drained.

"Sure, Greg what ever you want." Nick answered, lifting the covers to slip in next to him, but Greg stopped him.

"No, Nicky. Other side, so I can see you." Greg pointed to the left side of the bed. Nick nodded and walked around to the opposite side of the bed and got under the covers next to Greg. Greg remained on his back unable to move, Nick lay on his side facing him. He slipped his arm over Greg's waist so he would not hurt his injured ribs, and lay his head on the pillow next to Greg.

"Is this okay? I'm not hurting you am I?" Nick asked concerned, the last thing he wanted was to cause him more pain.

"No, I'm fine." Greg said. "Can you do me a few favors Nicky?"

"Sure, what do you need me to do?" Nick asked, at this point he'd do anything for Greg.

"When you see Sara, tell her thanks for me." Greg said, his voice cracking again. "She was a great comfort to me at the scene." He remembered her comforting words and her touch, in a time he needed it most. He felt so alone lying on the pavement unable to see until she arrived.

"Okay G. I wish I would have been able to be there for you." Nick said fighting back his own tears.

"I think it was better that Sara was there, I wouldn't have wanted you to see me like that." Greg replied.

"I would have lost it." Nick said reaching out to caress Greg's ear.

"I know." Greg agreed, imagining just how Nick would have reacted to seeing him.

"What's the other favor?" Nick wanted to know.

"Call my Mom for me." Greg said choking back a sob.

"Alright, I will first thing in the morning. Are you finally going to tell her the truth?" Nick asked.

"Guess I have to." Greg sniffed. "Like I told Grissom, she's gonna freak."

"It will be okay Greg, really it will. You'll see." Nick reassured him.

Then Greg could not hold back any longer and he began to cry, his body shaking. He was moaning from the pain but he could not stop crying. Nick comforted him the best he could.

"Shhh don't cry, everything will be fine." Nick whispered, and gently kissed Greg's cheek.

"I was so scared Nicky!" Greg sobbed. "I thought they were going to kill me. The whole time I thought of you and that I might never see you again, I didn't want you to see my broken, bloody body. I didn't want to die that way. It hurt so bad...and then in the back of my mind I couldn't help but wonder if Grissom would be disappointed in me."

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that baby." Nick said, knowing how Greg felt, remembering he had felt the same way lying in his underground prison. "What did Grissom say?"

"He said my Mom would be proud, I got the impression he was speaking about himself as well. That he thought I was a hero." Greg said, calming down and holding Nick's hand.

"You are a hero Greg." Nick said, proud of his boyfriend.

"But I took a life." Greg argued, still feeling the guilt.

"To save another, remember he and his punk friends took a life too and he tried to take yours too." Nick reminded him. "If you hadn't stopped him someone else could have died."

"What did I do to deserve this Nicky?" Greg asked, crying again. "Today started off so well and ended so bad."

"Sometimes bad things happen to good people, it was nothing you did. I promise you that." Nick said.

"Guess, you should know." Greg said, remembering Nick's kidnapping not so long ago.

"You were there for me G, and now I'm here for you." Nick said, kissing his tear stained cheek.

"I love you Nicky." Greg whispered.

"Love you too, try and get some rest okay." Nick suggested, rubbing his hand with his thumb.

"Okay." Greg said, his body finally surrendering to much needed sleep. Nick knew just how close he came to losing Greg forever, this was the first time in twelve hours that he had been able to relax. Knowing Greg was safe in his arms again, Greg's soft snoring and steady breathing allowed Nick to drift off to sleep as well.

The End