Title: Property Rights
By: wojo62
Rated: R
Pairings: Gil/Greg Nick/Greg
Warnings: Angst, BDSM, Violence, Cruelty, Dominance, Sexual content (consensual and non consensual)
Summary: AU - Greg has changed, Nick wants to know why. The truth he uncovers is worse than anything he could have imagined.
Disclaimer: Not mine, wish they were.
Beta'd with much thanks by Shacky20
Note: This is a very dark side of Gil Grissom, if this is problem for you, please skip this and read something else. you've been warned. Please keep in mind this is an AU fic.

Greg Sanders had changed, seemingly overnight. It began months ago, and continued to this day. His enthusiasm for his job, even his zest for life had disappeared. Replaced by a more sullen and subdued personality. He's become quiet and reserved, he keeps to himself, rarely talking to anyone, usually taking his breaks alone. Once there had been blaring, thumping music heard through Greg's lab, but that too was gone. Instead there was just the sounds of beeping and whirring of machines. He has even stopped styling his hair, and lost are the funky t-shirts as well. It was as if Greg Sanders had disappeared and replaced by a stranger.

Everyone noticed the changes and were becoming concerned. Even after several attempts to break through to him only, to be blown off or ignored, they all seemed to give up trying and went on with their own lives. Everyone but Nick that is, he was not ready to give up yet. No matter how many times Greg had turned away from him, and tonight would be no different.

Greg stood in his lab mixing components to prepare for the GCMS. He was somewhat backlogged tonight, with numerous cases requiring his attention. It was going to be a very long shift, and most likely he'd be pulling some overtime to catch up. It was then that Nick strode into his lab, his usual smiling self. At first he just stood next to Greg not saying a word, Nick was unnerved by the quiet, it felt so unnatural. Nick broke the silence when Greg did not acknowledge his presence.

"Hey, G, What's up?" Nick asked.

"Not much, just very busy." Greg answered, but not looking his way.

"Got my results yet?" Nick wanted to know, "and hopefully break the ice somewhat."

"Over there, in my new finished basket." Greg said pointing towards a wicker box on the end of his desk. Greg moved to the microscope and peered into it.

"Chalk." Nick read aloud. "The white powder on the vic's clothes was chalk?"

"Yep." Greg answered, not looking up.

"Makes sense I guess, the vic was a school teacher." Nick said matter of factly.

Greg nodded but said nothing more, just continued what he was doing as if nobody was there. This worried Nick more, "this was not the Greg Sanders he knew". Greg had not been acting like his normal self for a long time now, and even though it had been months since the two talked about anything that wasn't work related, because Greg would always turn away from that. This did not stop Nick from trying almost every night to converse with Greg, unsuccessfully, Greg had changed and he wanted to know why.

"Greg, is everything okay?" Nick inquired, like he did most nights. "You're always so quiet now."

"I'm fine." was Greg's standard answer.

"You're not pissed at me about something, are you?" Nick was determined to know the truth.

"Nope." Greg responded, still engrossed in his work. "Like I've said a thousand times already."

"I know, but look G, if something is bothering you, you know you can tell me." Nick pushed further.

"Everything is fine Nick." Greg tried to convince him, just like always. "Really."

"Okay, if you say so." Nick said suspiciously, still unconvinced.

"I do." Greg answered. "If you don't mind, I have a lot of work to do."

Greg moved to sit down to write some notes, and as he did so he winced as if in pain. This did not go unnoticed by Nick.

"Alright Greg, I saw that! You're obviously in pain, now I know there's something wrong. Did somebody hurt you? Tell me what's wrong, maybe I can help." Nick said concerned for his friend.

"Let it go Nick, I'm fine." Greg insisted. "I don't need any help."

"But," Nick was not giving up. "You're in pain Greg."

"You're in pain Greg?" Gil asked, startling both men who didn't realize he had come in.

Nick thought he saw a flash of fear in Greg's eyes when he looked at Grissom, but it was only fleeting so he dismissed it. Grissom just stood there staring down at Greg, waiting for an answer. Greg swallowed nervously.

"Like I told Nick, I'm fine. I... I just slipped on some stairs. B... bruised my tail bone." Greg stammered. "That's all."

"Very well." Gil said. "Do you have my results yet?"

"They're running through the GCMS now, should be done any minute Sir." Greg answered. "I'll page you."

Grissom turned to leave but Nick stopped him in the hall. He tried to speak to his supervisor in a tone low enough as to make sure no one else heard them, but not low enough because Greg still heard him and his eyes narrowed.

"I don't buy it Grissom, I think something is very wrong here, and has been for a long time, but he won't tell me what it is. It looks to me like someone might have hurt him. Maybe you can get to the bottom of it." Nick suggested. "He may need help."

"I said I'm fine!" Greg protested loudly, glaring at Nick.

"Greg, meet me in my office when you get a free moment." Gil ordered.

"Yes Sir." Greg sighed in defeat, throwing his pen onto the table.

Grissom turned and left, leaving the two of them behind. Greg was angry, and continued to glare at Nick. Then got up and poked his finger at Nick's chest.

"Thanks a lot Stokes." Greg said bitterly. "Now I'm probably in deep shit."

"Hey, I was only trying to help you Greg." Nick said defensively.

"Next time, mind your own fucking business." Greg snapped at him, then turned away in a dismissive manner and went and back to his work, ignoring the other man. Nick took the hint and walked away.

Greg entered Grissom's office a short time later, closing the door behind him. He held the results his boss asked for earlier in his shaking hands. Nervously he held out the paper for him to see, he swallowed and cleared his throat.

"I have your results." Greg began. "I told you it wouldn't be long."

Grissom got up and snatched the paper from Greg's hand, and slapped it down on his desk without even looking at it. There was something else that demanded his attention, and it was standing just a few feet away. Greg's eye's widened, knowing he was in trouble.

"You broke a major rule Greg." Gil said in anger. "You showed weakness in front of others, you know better than that."

"I'm sorry." Greg said weakly.

"I'm sorry what!" Gil barked pounding his fist on the desk, making Greg jump.

"I... I'm sorry, Master." Greg said lowering his eyes.

"That's better." Gil paused. "Now Nick is suspicious, he thinks something is wrong, that maybe you're being abused. We cannot have that, nor can we allow others to know of our agreement. It's a private matter between you, myself, and Lady Heather." Gil reminded him.

"Please Master, it was a momentary lapse of control, I promise it will never happen again. Please forgive me." Greg spoke softly in hopes of not angering Gil further.

"If we were at home or at the Dominion, I'd take the whip to you again." Gil threatened.

"Please Master, not the whip again." Greg pleaded. "My welts are not yet healed, please show mercy."

"Stop your whining boy!" Gil warned. "I will refrain from using the whip...this time. You still need to be punished though, so lock the door and draw the blinds, I know how you can make make amends for your mistake."

Greg nodded and did as he was told. Gil motioned for him to come over to his desk, he opened a drawer and retrieved a tube. Greg was sure it was lube and his boss was going to fuck him right here in his office.

"Take your pants down Greg, boxers too." Gil instructed.

Greg again did what he was told, he thought he knew what was coming next, but to his surprise and relief Grissom began gently rubbing ointment over the welts on Greg's buttocks. Showing his rarely seen gentle side.

"This will help relieve the pain." He said. "Also help in the healing process."

"Thank you, Master." Greg said meekly.

"Now pull your pants back up." Gil said sitting down, noticing Greg's look of surprise or confusion he added. "You thought I was going to fuck you, didn't you?"

Greg nodded and Gil laughed, then just a quickly became serious again. He pointed to the floor in front of him, without hesitation Greg dropped to his knees in front of him.

"Oh, I am going to fuck you boy, only it's your face I'm going to fuck. Not your ass, I'll give you a break and let it heal first, unless I change my mind." Gil growled. "So get on with it."

"Yes Master." Greg said as he reached to open his boss's pants. Sometimes he hated this, Grissom was rarely gentle but it was better than the whip. Greg lowered his face to Grissom's crotch.

"Open up, I want to feel the back of your throat, and you know what happens if you struggle." Before Greg could answer his hair was grabbed roughly and he was pulled him down forcefully onto Grissom's hard cock...

Meanwhile Nick met up with the others in the break room for lunch. The four of them sat together at the table, opening their takeout meals in silence. It had been a long night for each of them so far and they were all hungry. Nick broke the silence, still worried about Greg.

"Have you guys noticed, how strange Greg's been acting?" He asked.

"Greg has always acted strange." Warrick chimed in with his usual lightness.

"That's what I mean, he's different than his usual strange. He's quiet, he doesn't talk to anybody anymore unless they speak to him first." Nick tried to explain. "And he hasn't in along time."

"Yeah, and maybe your crush on him is clouding your mind." Warrick laughed.

"No, Rick I think he's right." Catherine said. "Greg doesn't play guessing games or ramble on like he used to, lately he just gets straight to the point. I asked him if he was okay, he just blew me off."

"That's true, I've tried to talk with him several times but he always says he's fine, and he hasn't flirted with me in a while either." Sara added. "At first I just assumed he had given up and moved on, but he's completely different now. He doesn't joke around anymore, and I can't remember the last time I heard him laugh. I think you're right Nick."

"Maybe he's just growing up?" Warrick suggested, shrugging his shoulders.

"No way, somethings not right. I wanna know why." Nick argued.

"So ask him to hang out." Catherine said. "Get him away from the lab to talk."

"Maybe tell him how you feel finally." Sara smirked.

"Or you could get him drunk, bet he'd talk then." Warrick joked.

"You guys might have a point, except for getting him drunk. Maybe if I get him away from here, I can get through to him. I guess It's about time he knows my feelings anyway." Nick agreed.

"Duh, yeah, You've only been in love with the guy two years!!" Warrick said sarcastically.

The others broke into laughter as Nick blushed deep red, and put his face in his hands. He made up his mind, he was going to talk to Greg about his feelings, about everything. He'd ask him out, and get him into a comfortable setting, so Greg would open up to him. Nick has been in love with the lab rat ever since he can remember. He'd kill two birds with one stone, tell Greg his feelings and try to get him to talk about what's bothering him. He would talk to him after shift.

Greg spent his break in the parking lot, sitting alone in his Jetta. Tears rolled down his cheeks, thinking about how much he wished things were different. How it was Nick he truly longed for, not this twisted affair he had with Grissom. How had things gotten so out of control in his life? Then he sobbed quietly into the nothingness that no one would hear but him.

The shift could not end fast enough for Nick as he headed into the locker room, hoping Greg would be there. He was nervous, his palms were sweaty, and he could almost feel himself shaking as he stepped inside, he had always been the shy one. That's why he waited so long to tell Greg how he felt. As he entered the locker room, Greg was there preparing to leave.

"Hey G, can we talk?" Nick asked.

"Look Nick, I'm fine, theres nothing more to say." Greg said annoyed.

"Not about that, I overreacted. I'm sorry. I really need to ask you about something else." Nick said nervously.

"Okay," Greg sighed, "but make it quick, I really have to get going."

"Seems like you always have to go, we never talk anymore." Nick complained.

"I've been busy." Greg explained.

"You've been saying that for months Greg, not just to me but everyone, I mean come on G, nobody can be that busy." Nick cleared his throat. "Why don't you come over to my place, and hang out? I got some new video games we could play, or we could watch a movie."

"Sorry, Nick. I can't." Greg said staring into his locker.

"We used to be friends G, we used to hang out all the time, but lately it seems you've been avoiding me. I miss it Greg, I miss our friendship." Nick said with sadness in his voice.

"Things are different now." Greg said.

"Different how?" Nick asked.

"I can't talk about this now, I've got things to do." Greg said trying to leave but Nick stepped in front of him, grabbing his arm, stopping him.

"Greg wait." Nick held his arm "I didn't want to bring this up here, but you leave me no choice, I...I have feelings for you G, I have for a long time." Nick took a breath. "I want us to go out, give us a chance to see where it leads."

"I can't." Greg pulled out of Nick's hold. 'God, why did he have to reveal this now? When it's too late.' Greg thought remorsefully.

"You don't feel the same way, do you?" Nick sighed. "I just thought...hoped, you did." Nick felt like he was kicked in the stomach.

"It's not that, I...I belong to someone else." Greg said shrugging his shoulders. "You're too late." Greg felt like dying inside. His dream of being with Nick has come true, but he can do nothing about it.

"It's never too late Greg, not if you share my feelings." Nick tried to persuade him.

"You wouldn't understand." Greg almost whispered. Wishing he could be honest with him, but knowing he couldn't. It was tearing him up inside.

"Try me, maybe I would." Nick said not ready to give up. He needed Greg, wanted him in his life again.

"Sorry man, I have to go."

Before Nick could say more or stop him Greg turned and left the locker room.

Nick was shocked and confused by what he had just heard, he just stood there and let Greg walk away, not knowing what to do. Greg was seeing someone else? Why did he wait so long to tell him how he felt? He felt lost and alone, and guilty. If he would have been honest with Greg a long time ago maybe things would be different, maybe Greg would not be in a relationship that Nick feared was unhealthy, he put his hands to his head in frustration. Just then Warrick came in and sat down in front of his locker.

"So Nick, did you talk to Greg?" He asked.

"Yeah, but..." Nick paused, feeling a heaviness in his heart.

"Yeah, but, what?" Warrick urged Nick on.

"He says he's seeing someone else." Nick said looking defeated.

"Sorry man, that's rough." Warrick sympathized.

"Yeah, I have a bad feeling about it though, if he's in a healthy loving relationship with someone, why would his whole personality change? It doesn't make since, I still think somethings wrong." Nick said.

"Well, unless he wants your help, there's nothing you can do." Warrick cautioned him.

"I still need to try." Nick protested.

"Good luck."

Nick left the locker room and headed out, more determined than ever to find out what's going on with Greg. Who he's been seeing, and if he's being hurt by this person. He didn't believe Greg was happy. Before he stepped outside, he was stopped by Grissom.

"Nick," Gil began. "I spoke with Greg, like you asked me to."

"Yeah, what he say? Did he tell you what's wrong?" Nick asked hopefully.

"He's having some personal problems, that's all. He's working them out."

"I really think there's more to it Gris." Nick said disbelieving that was all there was to it.

"Nick, he's assured me he has it under control, I think you should back off and let him handle it." Gil suggested.

"I don't know if I can do that." Nick continued his debate.

"And why can't you?" Gil asked becoming annoyed.

"Well, it's no secret but, I love Greg. I'll do whatever I can to help him." Nick confessed.

"I didn't realize that, are the two of you involved?" Gil inquired, fighting to keep his jealousy in control.

"No, he didn't even know until today, when I told him how I felt." Nick explained.

"What did he say?" Gil inquired further, wondering if Greg would dare see Nick behind his back.

"He said he was seeing someone, then he just walked away." Nick shrugged and flung his arms out.

"Well then there you have it, Give him some space Nicky." Gil said feeling triumphant, but giving him a stern look all the same, and walking away like that was the end of it. Nick just watched him go, shaking his head in disbelief, how could he be so smart and know so little about people? He couldn't just drop the whole thing and give him space, he was sure that was the last thing Greg needed. He decided he'd go to Greg's apartment, whether he was wanted there or not, and get the truth out of him. He ran out to the parking lot and drove off.

He arrived at Greg's apartment complex and slowly walked up the two flights of stairs to Greg's apartment, he knocked on the door. To his surprise a man he didn't recognize answered the door. Nick wondered if this was the man Greg has been seeing, but when a woman joined him at the door he wasn't sure what to think.

"Can we help you?" The man asked.

"Yeah, is Greg here, I need to speak with him." Nick asked.

"I'm sorry, there's no one here by that name." the man said.

"What? This is Greg Sanders apartment, he's lived here over two years!" Nick said confused.

"Sir," The woman began." My husband and I have been living here for the past five months. Are you sure you have he right apartment?"

"Yes, at least he did live here, that's strange. He never told me he moved." Nick shook his head."I'm sorry I bothered you."

Now Nick was even more confused and concerned for Greg, his heart pounded in his chest and his thoughts swam in a sea of confusion in his head, as he went downstairs and outside to the apartment manager's office. Maybe Greg left a forwarding address. He stepped into the office determined to find out.

"Hello, how can I help you?" The Manager asked.

"I'm looking for Greg Sanders, he used to live in apartment 203." Nick answered. "Did he switch apartments?"

"No, he left months ago." the manager stated.

"Well, did he leave a forwarding address? I need to contact him." Nick said flashing his badge.

"No, just took off without a word, if you find him, tell him he's not getting his security deposit back."

"I will, thank you for your time." Nick said as he left the office.

Nick drove home in shock, he didn't know what to make of this new information. This was not at all like the Greg he knew. Something was definitely off, now he was certain of it. Now he was really scared.

Meanwhile Grissom was agitated, his possessiveness getting the better of him. Nick's words playing back in his mind on his drive home."I love Greg". The thought of Nick wanting what was his made him feel like he was losing control. He wondered if Greg did something to make Nick want him, maybe this was all Greg's fault, maybe he needed to be punished and be reminded who's boss. He decided he needed to put Greg in his place before things progress further, he would not give Greg up to anyone, especially Nick. He returned home to find Greg waiting for him in his usual fashion, he was naked. It was something Grissom demanded of him, easier to get down to business that way. The sight of Greg naked calmed his nerves a bit and stirred his lust, but not enough to deter him from seeking the truth. Compare the facts, take both mens accounts and link them together, gather the evidence, it was the CSI in him.

The look in Grissom's eyes let Greg know he was in for a rough time, when he was angry there was hell to pay and Greg would be the one who paid. Greg swallowed nervously, he would try to appeal to Grissom's pride in an effort to calm him.

"Welcome home Master," Greg said with his best smile. "I missed you."

"Did you?" Gil asked suspiciously.

"Yes, like always. How may I please you, Sir?" Greg hoped his submissiveness would be enough. Although Greg is always submissive, it helps to reinforce that fact.

"I need to ask you a question," Gil began. "So, you can start by telling me the truth."

"I would never lie to you, Master." Greg tried to assure him.

"That's good, because you'd certainly regret it." Gil said stepping towards him. "I had a talk with Nick today."

Greg was even more nervous now, remembering his conversation with Nick, he knew how his boss could be when he's feeling possessive and jealous. This could end very badly for him and he was scared. He knew he had to say the right thing and remain calm or it could mean punishment.

"Nick informed me that he loves you." Gil laughed bitterly as he continued his advance towards Greg. "Do you know anything about that Greg?"

"I didn't until this morning Master, he told me he had feelings for me, he wanted me to go out with him." Greg said calmly.

"And what did you tell him?" Gil asked, he was now standing inches from Greg.

"I told him I belonged someone else." Greg said, his eyes downcast in submission.

Gil shoved Greg against the wall, and held him there by the throat. Greg's eyes grew wide, he was terrified that Gil would choke him into submission like he's done many times before, but he dare not struggle. Gil glared at him.

"Look me in the eyes Greg," Gil demanded. "So I can see if you're being truthful."

Greg did what he was told, lifting his eyes to meet Gil's. He did his best to remain calm, he pleaded with his eyes for Gil to believe him and not hurt him.

"Tell me again what you told him." Gil said staring into Greg's eyes.

"I told him I belonged someone else." Greg repeated.

"Did you do anything to lead him on Greg?" He sneered.

"No, I didn't do anything." Greg said hoping to be believed. "I swear, I didn't."

"You wouldn't lie to me would you Greg?" Gil asked, increasing his pressure on Greg's throat but not hard enough to cut off his air, just hard enough to let him know he was serious.

"No, Master, I would never lie to you, or betray you." Greg reassured him.

"Did you sleep with him?" Gil almost snarled, squeezing a bit harder.

"No, we were always just friends," Greg answered horsely. "I belong to you, only you."

"Very well then." Gil said removing his hand from his throat, his eyes trailed down Greg's naked body. "I can see why he wants you," Gil licked his lips and moved his fingers down Greg's body. "but he can't have you." He moved them down slowly, taking hold of Greg's penis. "You belong to me". Grissom became fully aroused, he only had one thing on his mind now.

"Yes, Master, I belong to you." Greg agreed, knowing what was coming next, by the look of lust in Gil's eyes, and the bulge in his pants.

"That's right, you're mine." Gil's eyes were dark with desire. "Right now, I want what's mine, get to the bedroom now!"

Once in the bedroom, Greg lay on his stomach, as instructed, with his arms forward. Grissom handcuffed his wrists to the headboard. Greg was pulled to his knees, he sucked in his breath and gritted his teeth, as he felt himself being entered roughly with no preparation or warning. He wanted to cry out from the sudden pain and burning, but he dare not do so. Grissom was taking what was his, and who was he to say otherwise.

"You...are mine...aren't you Greg?" Gil panted.

"I'm yours...all yours." Greg answered through gritted teeth.

"Don't you... ever forget...that." Gil growled as he slammed into him so hard the headboard hit the wall behind it.

"Yes..M..master." Greg said breathlessly, the pain lessening, replaced by pleasure. Gil's relentless pounding was striking his prostate and Gil was now fisting his cock as well, and he could not help but respond. He didn't want to enjoy it, but his body betrayed him, even though there was someone else he'd rather be with right now.

As Grissom pounded into him from behind, his thoughts wandered to Nick. He wished it was Nick's cock inside him, somehow he knew it would be different. Nick would take his time, he would not hurt him or make his feel used, he would not just fuck him. He would make love to him, tender and sweet. How he longed for that, he wished Nick would have revealed his feelings long ago, he would not be here now. He also knew it would never be, he would never have Nick. He belonged to Grissom now. He remembered the words his beloved Papa Olaf once said to him.

"som man reder sa ligger man." or "One must lie in the bed one has made."

He made his choice, now it was too late.

Another night, another shift later, and Nick stood in the hallway outside Greg's lab conversing with Catherine. Every so often he would glance into the DNA lab and watch him, Greg could feel Nick's stare on him, as usual he ignored it and continued working. After all it was because of Nick's love confession that Grissom had been so rough on him this morning. He wasn't blaming Nick, but he had a feeling that Grissom would be keeping a closer eye on him, and he thought it was best or safer, for both of them, to ignore him. He hoped that Nick would stay away, just so things would not be so tense with Grissom. Much to Greg's relief Catherine and Nick walked away.

Later that night, Nick entered the break room where he found Greg sitting at the table alone sipping his coffee.

"Hey G." Nick greeted him.

Greg acknowledged Nick's presence with a nod, but continued to drink his coffee in silence. Nick noticed Greg was still wearing his lab coat, which was unusual when he was on his break. Then as Greg lifted his cup to take another drink, Nick understood why. There was redness and bruising on the lab tech's wrists. Nick inwardly cringed and closed his eyes to keep control, he wanted to plead with Greg to talk to him, tell him what's happening, but he knew it would get him nowhere. Instead he helped himself to a cup of coffee and sat down across the room from Greg, and tried to compose himself. Grissom walked in a few moments later and Greg immediately tensed.

"I could use some coffee." Gil said. "Greg, did you brew some of your special blend?"

"Yes, Sir," Greg stood "let me get you a cup."

"No, need. I'll get it myself." Gil said moving to help himself to some.

Greg sat back down slowly, and resumed drinking his own. His hands shaking slightly as he raised the cup to his lips. Nick swallowed nervously as he watched Greg. He thought he lighten the mood. Remembering something he had seen on television. Hoping to hear Greg laugh again, maybe get him to talk to him.

"I saw on the news that some guy super glued his lips together." Nick laughed. "He tried to remove the cap with his teeth!"

"That's very amusing Nick." Gil chuckled. "Not a very bright idea obviously."

"I have to go back to work." Greg suddenly said. "I have a lot left to do."

With that Greg stood to his feet and abruptly left the break room, leaving the other two men to watch him leave.

"I thought he'd find that hysterical." Nick said disappointed. "He never even cracked a smile."

"He's been working hard, maybe he's just tired." Gil suggested. "He's very dedicated to his work."

"I guess, though I wonder if he's using it as an excuse to isolate himself." Nick wondered aloud.

"Doesn't look that way to me," Gil disagreed. "He's just busy, I'm sure he's fine."

"I hope so." Nick sighed, but knowing it wasn't the case.

With breaks over both men went their separate ways without another word. Grissom back to his office, and Nick to the print lab to join Catherine and Mandy. They had several fingerprints to run through AFIS, although Nick's thoughts were more on Greg, than the computer screen they'd been watching. He wanted to confront Greg with the information he'd learned, not to mention the recent bruising on his wrists, but he knew by now that Greg would not tell him anything. He came up with a plan, to follow Greg after shift and find out where he has been staying.

Greg had been grateful that Nick had stayed away, (with the exception of the break room) although part of him was disappointed as well. He knew in the long run it was better, Grissom would have been watching. When there was nothing to set him off and his boss was his normal self, it meant that things would go a lot easier for him. He left the lab in a more relaxed mood, unaware he was being followed.

Nick followed Greg, somehow the direction and surroundings seemed familiar, but he didn't put it all together until he found himself stopped near a row of townhouses, the same townhouses where he knew Grissom lived. Nick sat in his truck out of sight, as he watched the man he loves enter the one door he hoped he wouldn't, and his heart sank. He didn't know how much more shock his heart could take. He continued to sit there, just watching. He watched as Grissom returned home and entered the same door. Suddenly it all made sense! The nervousness Greg had around their boss, the look of fear in his eyes, the way Grissom instructed him to back off and let Greg work out his own problems. He was filled with sadness, despair, and anger, knowing that all along it was his own boss. A man he admired and respected, was the one that had been hurting Greg, and was the reason for Greg's change in personality. He broke down and cried.

Gil entered the townhouse, unaware of Nick's presence outside. Greg greeted him in his usual way, and Gil strongly suggested they take a shower. Greg washed his boss from head to toe, and then himself. Afterwards Greg was fucked against the shower wall, slow and gentle since Gil was in a good mood. Then Gil decided he wanted to go out.

"Get dressed Greg, we are going out." Gil announced.

"Yes, Master." Greg answered, knowing going out only meant one of two things, they were going to a club, or the Dominion. Greg hoped for the latter, he hated being put on display at the club. His earlier calmness was replaced by nervousness. "Have I displeased you Master?"

"Don't worry boy," Gil reassured him. "I am in the mood for some fun, we are paying The Dominion a visit."

"With no disrespect Master, you worked hard today," Greg began cautiously, daring to speak without being spoken to. "would you not care to rest first?"

"For what I have in mind, we'll be in need of rest afterwards." Gil said with sly smile. "Don't worry, you won't be made to suffer...much." Gil laughed. "You might even enjoy it."

Hearing this Greg just gulped in a breath, and went into the bedroom to dress himself into something he knew Gil would like. A pair a jeans so tight they looked painted on, and fishnet a tank top, topped off with a special leather collar, with a gold linked leash. Soon they were ready to leave and headed out to Gil's car.

Nick composed himself, he was torn between pounding on Grissom's door and facing them both head on, or just leaving to pull himself together and think things through. He decided on the second option for now, he was about to leave when he saw them emerge from the townhouse and enter Gil's car, he couldn't be sure but it looked as though Greg was on a leash! He decided some more following was in order. This time he hung back a few cars behind, so he wouldn't be seen. When Gil's car pulled into the Dominion's parking lot, Nick was no longer shocked or surprised. Nothing about this situation could shock him further, or so he thought.

Nick waited, (parked around the corner so he wouldn't be seen) for what he considered an appropriate amount of time before he ventured inside. He wasn't sure what he expected to accomplish, since Lady Heather would not divulge any information on her clients, especially Gil Grissom who was a personal friend of hers. He figured what did he have to lose in trying. This time however luck would be on his side. As he waited in the greeting area, he heard the usual screams he had heard on his last visit but thankfully none of the voices belonged to Greg. An unfamiliar voice came up behind him.

"Good day, my name is Faith. How may I help you?"

A beautiful young woman stood before him. She had long flowing dark hair and dark eyes. She was dressed in tight leather pants and a low cut suede tank top. She had a carefree air about her, which Nick found appealing.

"Yeah, hi. I'm Nick Stokes from the Las Vegas crime lab, may I speak with Lady Heather please?"

"Sorry, Lady Heather is back east visiting her daughter Zoe, at Harvard." Faith explained. "Perhaps I can be of assistance?"

"Perhaps you can," Nick said, seeing an opportunity. "I'm interested in any information you can give me concerning the couple who just arrived before me, Mr. Grissom and Mr. Sanders."

"I'm sorry but, our client files are confidential, privileged information between The Dominion and themselves, and of course Lady Heather. Our clients value their privacy and so do we." Faith pointed out.

"Well, let's just say I have a need to know." Nick said flashing his badge. "I can always come back with a warrant." Nick threatened, knowing it was an empty threat, but hoping it would work just the same.

"Very well then," Faith sighed. "follow me, I'll tell you what you need to know."

Fortunately for Nick, Faith was naive and inexperienced, he could not believe his luck. He was escorted into Lady Heather's office, where he would find out the truth behind Grissom and Greg's relationship. If all the things he had learned so far had been shocking, the truth will shock him more than anything else has in his entire life!

Meanwhile upstairs, Greg had been gagged, his wrists and ankles chained facing a wall, stripped naked except for his collar. Gil stood before him, paddle in hand. His pants were still on but his shirt had been removed. He was hard again, and ready for some play time with his boy toy.

"Are you ready for some fun Greg?" He asked breathlessly.

Greg nodded in acceptance, knowing he had no other choice.

Since Greg had been gagged, Nick was unable to hear his screams as the paddle connected with his ass over and over. Gil spanked him until he was satisfied Greg had had enough. Gil stood back and admired Greg's perfect round, and now red ass. He lay the paddle aside and came up behind his slave boy.

"Such a good boy." Gil whispered into Greg's ear, as he opened his pants. "My beautiful boy."

Greg felt hot breath on the back of his neck, fingers moved slowly down his back to his ass. He tried to relax as his cheeks were spread open, and Gil's cock pushed inside him.

Nick sat and waited rather impatiently while Faith pulled a file from a cabinet so large, it stretched across the entire length of the room. She took a seat at the desk and proceeded to open and skim through the file, all the while strumming her fingers on the desk top. Finding what she is looking for, she brings forth a numerous page document, goes through it, before returning her attention to Nick.

"Mr. Grissom and Mr. Sanders have signed a 'Right to Ownership' agreement." Faith revealed.

"What exactly does that mean?" Nick asked, raising his eyebrows.

Nick sat and waited for Faith to continue...

"Well," Faith began. "It's known as a Master/Slave agreement, similar to a dominate/submissive relationship, but with some differences. You see a slave signs away any and all rights to his master."

"What rights are we talking about here?" Nick asked nervously, licking his lips.

"All rights, ones identity you might say, free will. Why don't I just read through the highlights with you, answer any questions you have. Maybe then you will understand." She suggested.

Nick only nodded, as she continued to go over what the agreement entailed. What it meant for Grissom as a master, and for Greg as slave. She explained that since Greg agreed to sign away his rights, he became Grissom's property. Put simply, Grissom owns Greg.

Nick's eyes widened, and his jaw dropped.

Nick could not believe his own ears, Grissom owns Greg? He didn't believe such a thing was possible or even legal, he would soon find out differently. Faith went on telling Nick that the agreement states that Grissom oversees every aspect of Greg's life. This even went so far as his name, some master's strip their slave's identities completely, like giving a slave a pet name. But Gil opted for Greg to keep his, most likely due to his job. Plus the agreement extended to his job itself. Since both Grissom and Greg worked at the same lab, he was able to control his career, conversations must be work related and as brief as possible. Even Greg's wages are under Grissom's control.

"What, does that mean," Nick asked shocked. "they have joint bank accounts?"

"No," Faith answered. "The slaves earnings belong to his master. All of Greg's earnings are deposited directly into Mr. Grissom's account."

Nick dropped his head back, his head was spinning and he thought he might faint. He was rendered speechless at what he just heard, and it only got worse.

Also included was his appearance, from the way he dressed to the way he wore his hair, even what he eats and drinks, his social life, which included both family and friends. Greg cannot speak unless spoken to, he cannot even contact his family without permission! Most of all he could tell no one about it. Nick now understood the changes in Greg's behavior, and why they barely spoke anymore. He felt his stomach tighten in knots, as he learned more.

Faith went on to explain that the master decides the slave's reside. They require their slaves to live with them, so they can maintain control. 'That's why Greg moved without a word' Nick realized to himself. Most importantly the control was sexual, the slave will do anything the master wants, when, where, or however he wants it, without hesitation, which includes public displays in clubs or elsewhere. There were rules to be followed as well, failure to obey any and all commands or rules will result in punishment, of whatever form the master chooses.

Nick's eyes filled with tears, he felt sick and could feel the bile rising in the back of his throat. His face grew pale, and he was shaking.

"No way this is legal!" Nick protested. "We...I need to put a stop to this...insanity!"

"I'm afraid there is nothing you can do," Faith said. "and it is perfectly legal in Nevada. It is a legal binding document, signed by both parties and Lady Heather, and it's been notarized. It's more binding than a marriage."

"But gay marriage is not legal in Nevada!" Nick argued, trying to fight his tears.

"True, but, I didn't say it was a marriage, I simply said it is as legally binding as a marriage, but more so."

"So, then they can dissolve it like a marriage, like divorce. Right?" Nick asked hopefully.

"It's a bit more complex then that." Faith informed him.

She made it clear that Greg as a slave no longer has an option. He cannot choose to leave, nor can he ask to be set free, since he has no rights, his feelings are no longer relevant. Greg is nothing more than Grissom's property. Therefore it is up to Grissom to end their agreement.

"My God," Nick shook his head in disbelief. "So Grissom can put an end to this? Tell me how."

"Well, he has four options." Faith responded, as she flipped through the pages. "First option is, Private sale."

"Sale!!" Nick shouted. "He can just sell him?" The thought of Greg being sold to some stranger, nearly made him puke.

"Yes, he can sell him to another master, for any price he chooses." Faith said remaining calm despite Nick's anger.

"This is fucking nuts!!" Nick said angerly, gripping the arms of his chair so tight his knuckles turned white.

He listened in total bewilderment as she listed the other three options. He was feeling sicker and sicker as she went on to describe them. They included: Putting Greg up for auction, where other masters had a chance to offer the best price, or if he chooses Gil can trade him for another more desirable slave, and lastly he could set Greg free if he is no longer able to perform his duties as a slave, due to illness or permanent injury. Nick stood up and kicked his chair back, he had heard enough.

"How can you people condone slavery!" Nick punched the nearest wall. "This is disgusting!"

"Please understand Mr. Stokes, that Mr. Sanders was neither coerced or forced into this, if this is your concern. Both men were in agreement, and both signed willingly." She assured him.

"But... but why would Greg... or anyone be willing to sign their lives away...to become someone's slave?" Nick asked through his tears, which were flowing freely now. He could not understand how or why Greg would do such a thing. Being a free spirit, It just wasn't his nature.

"Everybody has their reasons, Mr. Stokes." Faith simply said, closing the file."Mr Sanders had his."

Nick left the building in tears. He ran to his truck and collapsed to his knees, nausea swept through him, and he vomited until there was nothing left in his stomach but acid, then vomited some more. He was sobbing, his whole body trembled. He felt his whole world come crashing down around him, helpless, and terrified for Greg and his whole situation. Somehow he would find a way to help him. If he even wanted help, after all Greg signed willingly, maybe this is how he wants to live his life. Nick could not allow himself to believe the latter was true.

The rest of the day was spent trying to sleep and not being able to get much, all he could think about was Greg. He didn't know if there was any way to help him, or if he even wanted help. He was so angry he thought about just confronting Grissom with what he knew and threaten to expose him, but before he would do anything that drastic he had to approach Greg first. Once Greg is aware that he knows the truth, he will have to talk about it. He needed to find out if Greg wanted out of this above anything else. His gut told him he did, but he needed to be sure. The problem was getting him alone and away from Grissom's watchful eyes.

Nick only managed a few hours of sleep before he had to go back to work, when he got there his mind was racing with idea's to get Greg alone long enough to discuss things. Like the supply closet, restroom, or parking lot, but any and all ideas he came up with he would end up shooting down because of Grissom always being in the lab. The last few months his supervisor rarely went into the field anymore, he chose to remain in the lab, allowing his CSI's to handle things on the outside. He told everyone it was his 'New hands off approach',but the truth was, he just wanted to stay close to Greg. Easier to maintain his control over the younger man.

Nick was at a loss, thinking the situation was hopeless, until something completely unexpected happened. It began with Catherine entering the locker room, looking for him.

"There you are Nicky," Catherine began. "Grissom has called a meeting, we are needed in his office."

Walking with Catherine to his boss's office, Nick briefly looked in Greg's lab. He noticed the lab tech's face looked strained, like he was trying hard to hide some pain. Nick bit his bottom lip and kept walking. A short time later they all gathered in there supervisor's office, Gil was in his usual place at his desk, Sara and Catherine occupied the chairs, while Warrick and Nick stood in the back. Nick had his hands in his pockets, clenched into fists. He was so furious at Gissom he could kill him right now, but he didn't show it, now was not the time.

"I'm sure you are all curious as to why I called this meeting." Gil said, removing his glasses.

"The thought did cross my mind." Warrick joked, sending the others into laughter, except for Nick.

"Very amusing." Gil chuckled. "Now, on with the reason I called you all here."

"Is there something wrong?" The ever optimistic Sara asked.

"Everything is fine." Gil assured her. "I've been asked to speak at a forensic conference in Pittsburgh, my plane leaves in four hours."

"How long will you be gone." Nick asked, trying not to sound so happy to be rid of him.

"Just two days, Catherine will be in charge while I'm gone." Gil answered. "Now if you'll excuse me I need to go and get my things together."

Nick wondered if one of his 'things' included Greg, he hoped not. This was his perfect opportunity, if Grissom leaves Greg behind. With the meeting over, Grissom left the office, leaving Catherine to hand out the assignments. Nick was paired with Sara, Catherine with Warrick.

As Sara rushed Nick through the hallway, eager to start processing the dead upstairs neighbor case, Nick again glanced towards the DNA lab. Grissom was in there having what looked like to Nick, a one sided conversation with Greg.

"I'd like to be able to take you along to service my needs," Gil said. "But the lab is so backlogged I can't afford to. This is one time when the needs of the lab outweigh my own."

Greg just nodded, looking down at the floor, as he listened to Gil's last minute instructions. Inside he was thrilled to death to have Gil away from him, even for just a few days. He hid his excitement, he's learned to hide his emotions very well.

"I'm giving you enough money for grocery shopping," Gil said handing him some cash. "Go directly there after your shift and get what you need to last for the next few days."

"Yes, Sir." Greg answered.

"You are not permitted to leave the townhouse for any reason other than work," Gil instructed. "You are not allowed visitors, no using the phone unless it's an emergency, and be sure my place is spotless when I return. Understand?"

"Yes, Sir. I understand." Greg said nodding (he was a pro at nodding by now), as Gil turned and left. A plan began to form in Greg's mind, one that could possibly set him free.

Nick could not believe his luck. With Grissom gone he would go to the townhouse and see Greg. Greg could not believe his luck either, two days of freedom, two days he would cherish, because it will never happen again, two days he wished he could spend with Nick.

Nick was relieved to to know that Faith had not disclosed their conversation to Grissom. If he had known, there would be no way he would leave town, and not take Greg with him. Like Nick's father once said to him, "when opportunity knocks, you had better answer the door." Nick intended to do just that.

For Greg his shift was finally over, he left the lab feeling calmer than he felt in a very long time. Nick wasn't so lucky, his case and Sara's zeal forced him into some unwanted overtime. Six hours later and he was free to go. Even though his body was exhausted, his mind was wide awake. Sleep could wait, Greg couldn't.

After a few hours of sleep, Greg awoke relieved that he was safe and alone, but he knew it was just temporary. He showered, had a bite to eat, and turned on the television. He could only watched a limited number of channels though, because Grissom blocked many of his favorites. He put on Animal Planet(Grissom's love for bugs kept this channel unblocked). Greg could not concentrate on the television, instead he thought about his life and what it has become. He felt hopelessly trapped, his life was a living hell, and always would be. Unless he did something about it. He opened a drawer in a cabinet across the room and looked inside and smiled knowing his freedom was inside that drawer, but a knock on the door made him nearly jumped out of his skin.

Since he was not 'allowed visitors', he thought it best to ignore it, hoping whoever it was would just go away. Nick didn't go away, instead he knocked louder. Greg reluctantly closed the drawer and went to answer the door, intent on telling whoever it was to leave. He opened the door slightly, not removing the chain lock, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw Nick standing outside his door.

"Greg, let me in, we need to talk." Nick said anxiously.

"Can't Nick, I'm very busy." Greg lied.

"Just open the door G," Nick insisted. "I'm not leaving."

"Please just go home Nick." Greg pleaded, and then closed the door.

"Greg listen," Nick said from behind the door. "I know about the 'Right to Ownership' agreement."

Greg froze at Nick's words, how could he know? His eyes widened and he began to panic, he couldn't catch his breath, he couldn't move, or speak, and he was shaking.

"Greg please, open the door." Nick pleaded. He reached for the knob and pushed it open as far as he could, he saw a very panic stricken Greg standing there and staring into space. He reached through the tight opening and grabbed Greg's arm, in an effort to snap him out of it. It seemed to be working, Greg's eyes met his.

"Greg, it's okay. Please let me in." Nick begged. He desperately needed to talk with him.

"I...can't," Greg found his voice again. "Grissom does not allow me... to have visitors."

"Grissom isn't here." Nick reminded him.

"But...he'll know." Greg said, his voice filled with sadness and fear.

"He won't know. Now open up or I'll force my way in!" Nick threatened in desperation.

"Okay fine." Greg relented, knowing Nick was not about to walk away. Inwardly he was relieved.

Nick backed off so Greg could release the chain and open the door. He entered the townhouse and immediately pulled Greg to him for a comforting hug, but Greg pushed him away.

"How...how do you know?" Greg almost whispered.

"I followed you." Nick explained, he told him how he found out he moved, that he followed him here, and to the Dominion. Where he discovered the truth by flashing his badge and threatening to get a warrant.

"You should not have done that." Greg warned, the fear evident in his still shaky voice.

"I was worried about you, and have been for a long time. I needed to know the truth." Nick told him.

"Congratulations." Greg said sarcastically. "Now that you know, you can go."Gesturing towards the door.

"I want to help." Nick said, his voice cracking with emotion. Praying that Greg would finally open up to him.

"There's nothing you can do," Greg said weakly. "It's better if you just walk away." He didn't want him to walk away though.

"If you can honestly tell me this is what you want, then I'll walk away." Nick promised, hoping beyond hope that this was not what he wanted.

Greg looked at Nick then, his eyes full of sadness and regret. A look that broke Nick's heart, and his own eyes filled with tears.

"It doesn't matter what I want." Greg insisted. "I did what I did, and I'm living with that."

"It matters to me." Nick said reaching out to rest his hands on Greg's shoulders. "Answer me, is this what you want?"

"I told you it doesn't matter. It's too late Nick. This is my life now." Greg thought it was hopeless, what could Nick do anyway?

"It does fucking matter, Greg!" Nick shook his shoulders, forcing the issue to try and get through to him to be honest. "Is this what YOU WANT ?!"

"NO DAMMIT!!" Greg screamed in frustration and tears spilled from his eyes, his knees buckled and he sank to the floor. "I don't want this...I don't...but it's too late Nick." Greg whole body shook with sobs. Nick pulled him into his arms, this time Greg did not pull away as he cried out months of pent up emotion, right there in the comfort of Nick's arms. Nick cried with him, and for him.

"Tell me what you DO want." Nick cried, gently rubbing the other man's back.

"I want...I want my life back, I want to be free...I want to be with you! Not him!" Greg continued to cry. Finally getting his feelings out to the man he truly loved and desired. It was like a weight being lifted from his shoulders.

"Then, you do love me, like I love you?" Nick asked through his sorrow. He was so thrilled to learn that Greg wanted him too.

"Yes, but...," Greg paused to catch his breath. "It's too late, I belong to him, we can never be together Nick. Nothing can change that." Greg's sobs coming under control.

"I'll find a way." Nick promised, he took Greg's tear stained face in his hands and brought their lips together in a gentle but passionate kiss. Greg responded to the kiss, his body felt like an electric current had been turned on, and flowing through him. He felt alive for the first time in months, but suddenly he pulled away. Leaving them both breathless.

"We can't." Greg cautioned. "He'll know."

"How could he?" Nick asked breathlessly, he's wanted Greg for so long, he wasn't thinking straight.

"He just will," Greg insisted with panic in his voice again. "He'll see it on my face, in my eyes! I don't know, maybe he'll smell it in the air or...or on my skin...I just know he'll know. If you love me Nick, you'll understand!" Greg pleaded with Nick to understand his fears. "He'll punish me...hurt me. He's already jealous of you, if he finds out we were together...I'm afraid of what he might do!"

"Shhh baby, calm down, it's okay. I do understand." Nick realized Greg may be right, he could not risk him getting hurt. He needed to know how this happened, and why Greg would agree to give up his life."But my God, Greg...how did this get so fucked up? How did this all happen?"

Greg stood up from the floor and walked on still shaky legs, over to the sofa. He motioned for Nick to take a seat in the chair next to his place on the sofa. Nick fell into the chair completely drained.

"It's a long story Nick," Greg said staring at the floor. "and not a happy one."

"We have plenty of time." Nick assured him. "Just start from the beginning..."

*The Right to Ownership Agreement is fictitious & slavery is not legal in Nevada. (love AU fics because anything is possible)

Nick and Greg sat together in the living room, the television on in the background. Greg began to tell Nick everything.

"It began that day he infected my feet with mildew." Greg began. "Remember that Nick?"

"I remember." Nick said nodding.

"That was almost seven months ago, but it feels like forever." Greg said, his eyes taking a faraway look as he told Nick his story.

Greg recalled how Grissom visited his apartment that afternoon, and invited him to dinner. It was his way of apologizing, or so he said. In truth, Grissom played him, made him feel like it meant something. Grissom never apologizes, because he usually does not realize he has too. After a very nice dinner and a heartfelt talk, Greg believed they had a connection, so when he was invited to go for a walk in the park, he accepted. It seemed they had a lot in common. Intelligence, they were both viewed as strange, and each had their hobbies to prove it. They were both considered the best in their field, they were alike in so many ways. Greg admired him, was enthralled by him. Grissom seduced him easily, by appealing to his ego and few gentle touches.

"Greg, you are one of the top DNA annalists in the country, not to mention the youngest. You should be proud of that, I know I'm proud to have you in my lab." Gil said looking right in Greg's eyes, with a certain amount of admiration in his own eyes.

"Thank you." Greg said shyly, his shyness only urged Gil on, made him want him more.

"I don't know what the lab would do without you, I don't know what I'd do without you." He reached out and touched Greg's face. Greg was not sure how to react to his confession, so Gil continued. "I find myself attracted to you Greg, I think there is something between us. Do you feel it too?"

"I think so." Greg answered, not sure what to do next.

Gil took his hand and soon Greg found himself in the park restroom, pulled into the nearest stall, and given a kiss that left him breathless. Eager hands caressed the front of his jeans. He could not help but respond, then before he knew it, his boss was on his knees with Greg's cock in his mouth. Greg became lost in the pleasure. It was the beginning of the end.

Nick let out a breath he'd been holding as he waited for Greg to continue.

As if coming out of a trance, Greg looked at Nick, but there was no life in his eyes anymore. There hadn't been for a long time, his life was over long ago. God, how Nick hated Grissom at that moment, hated him for taking Greg's very soul. Greg gave Nick a weak smile.

"I was in love with you back then." Greg confessed. "But I thought you were straight, and I was wasting my time, so I gave up on you that day. Grissom wanted me, so I let him have me."

"Oh fuck, this is all my fault!" Nick buried his face in his hands. "If only I had told you...you weren't wasting your time, I should have told you how I felt." Tears began to flow again. He felt guilty, for not being able to say the words before, he could not help but feel responsible.

Greg reached out and took Nick's hand. "Don't blame your self Nick." Greg consoled him. "You didn't know, I didn't tell you how I felt either. It's just as much my fault."

"But still I should have..." Nick protested, but Greg cut him off.

"Its water under the bridge Nick." Greg said with a shrug, like nothing mattered anymore. "Shall I go on?"

Nick nodded and Greg continued his story. He described how after that first encounter they got together three or four times a week. The sex was great at first, and Greg thought he was falling in love, thought they both were. It was just an act to win Greg's heart, and his trust. Things began to change when Grissom took him to The Dominion for the first time.

Gradually, Grissom reeled Greg into his world. At first it was just harmless bondage, with a few spanks thrown in for good measure. Greg got off on it because of his kinky nature, his curiosity, and his eagerness to try new things. That is what kept him coming back, he enjoyed being dominated, and soon he was introduced into the world of slavery. This all seemed like fun to him, as Grissom had Lady Heather train him for his new role. He couldn't have been more wrong.

Once Greg was sucked in, Grissom gave him an ultimatum. If their relationship was to continue, Greg had to sign the 'Right to Ownership' agreement, Greg agreed, because he loved the role playing games and he believed they shared something special, thought that Grissom loved him. That wasn't the case, Grissom wasn't interested in love, he was only interested in control. Greg found this out too late, it was not a game and he was trapped. Grissom was now his master, and disobeying his master meant sometimes harsh punishment, such as beatings with a whip, and other horrors. He was now a slave, and things got far worse than he could ever have imagined.

"I really thought of it as a game at first, like role playing, but the first time I disobeyed him he showed me the awful truth. He wasn't playing a game, this was real, he said it was a way of life." Greg thought back.

"What did he do to you?" Nick asked hesitantly.

"He tied me to the bed, spread eagle. Then he cursed at me, told me he was my master and I will do what he says from now on. Then he proceeded to hit me several times with his belt. I was crying and he got onto the bed and choked me until I almost passed out. All the while bellowing rules to me. I was so scared Nick," Greg was in tears then. "I thought he was going to kill me. Then he calmed down and laid down next to me, caressed my face and told me that he didn't want to hurt me, but he had to because I had to learn to obey him. He said to me:

"Are you going to be a good boy from now on, Greg?" His face was inches from mine.

"Yes." I said with a nod. It seemed I had no choice.

"Yes what?" He asked, giving me a stern look.

"Yes, Master." I answered, this is how I was told to address him after that.

Then he straddled my chest and pulled himself out of his pants, he said he had something I needed to take care of, then he shoved his dick into my mouth. All the while he would be saying stuff like," 'Oh yeah, thats good, just like that, that's my good boy.' "Then afterwards he got gentle again.

'Good boys get rewarded.' He said, then he kissed me and gave me a hand job.

"How he treated me after that depended on his moods, they were like night and day, mostly night."

"Oh God baby, I am so sorry you went through that." Nick's voice cracked with emotion. "If only I'd known sooner..."

"But you didn't, don't sweat it Nick. Things were okay after that, I liked being dominated, it was a turn on for awhile, but things went downhill slowly. I realized he was not the man I thought he was and this wasn't want I wanted anymore. By then it was too late." Greg continued his story. "A few months later he said he wanted to show me off. He referred to me as 'his prize possession,' he took me to a club called Hyenas."

Hyenas* was an underground gay sex club that lived up to it's name. It was a place full of predators, where master's put their slaves on display.

"We were forced to perform sexual acts on each others masters (or others if the master saw fit) in front of everyone, while being cheered on by the others." Greg said.

Masters also bought, sold, or swapped slaves. The place was dimly lit and lined with plush couches and chairs, there was a dance floor but it wasn't for dancing. In the center of it there was a platform complete with a mattress with large overstuffed pillows. It was an area where slaves were bound, gagged, and forced to endure as a line of men who paid handsomely or traded for the opportunity to take their turn at fucking a helpless slave.

"This was known as pulling a train." Greg explained. "I hated the club, every time I set foot in there I could feel their eyes on me, it scared me to death. I kept wondering when it would be my turn on the dance floor." Greg recalled, his eyes glistening.

Fortunately for Greg, his master did not like to share what was his. He only enjoyed watching the others, although Greg was required to blow him while he watched. That did not mean the others didn't try, after all Greg was a beautiful exotic creature in their lustful eyes. Grissom liked having what others wanted, it made him feel powerful and proud that he was the one who owned him. He was offered large amounts of money or the chance to swap slaves, they all wanted a chance to fuck Greg, but he always refused. Occasionally he would give in and force Greg to perform a blow job, for the right price, while he watched either masturbating or by trading for the other man's slave. He had strict rules though, no one was allowed to touch Greg, only enjoy being sucked. Nobody touched what was his. Sometimes he did not get off while watching, he waited until Greg was finished, then drag him out onto the dance floor and fuck him himself in front of everyone, so there would be no doubt who Greg belonged to.

"I hated sucking those others, it took all I had not to puke every time! Then God, all those horny men watching as Grissom fucked me, I was so scared these guys would just overpower Grissom and rape me anyway." Greg's eyes were wide, as if he was imagining just that. "It could have easily got out of control, thank God it didn't. They followed the rules."

Nick was crying openly listening to Greg's horrible tale, Greg moved and sat on Nick's lap, where they cried together once again in each other's arms. Nick didn't need to hear anymore, he knew that somehow he needed to save Greg, and then show him what a real loving relationship is.

"G, how did you endure all of it? Nick asked sadly. "I never could have handled that kind of treatment."

"It wasn't always bad, he wasn't always cruel. Only when he thought I deserved it. Sometimes I enjoyed the club, watching live sex can be pretty hot." Greg confessed.

"But watching someone being gang raped?" Nick asked horrified. He couldn't imagine being in that situation.

"No, that part I hated, but it wasn't always by force, some slaves loved the attention, made them feel wanted, I guess." Greg explained.

"It's still sick." Nick insisted.

"Yeah, it certainly had it's horrid moments." Greg recalled. "But sometimes after I blew him, he'd pull me into his lap and give me a hand job. He never blew me though because it was considered demeaning for a master to blow his slave."

"I still don't get how you lived that way, in his home." Nick said bewildered. "He made you parade around naked so he could fuck you easier, treated you like a piece of meat, that is what was demeaning Greg!"

"I know, but it wasn't always like that. We did normal things, like eat dinner together, watch television, we'd go see some shows on the strip, and sometimes he'd be gentle with me." Greg said. "Those moments I liked but there were few too many of them, he got off on control Nick, and he really hurt me sometimes. I just learned to deal."

"I'm going to confront him G, demand that he set you free." Nick said with determination. This frightened Greg to his very core.

"No...you can't! Please Nick," Greg begged. "Throwing demands at him will only make things worse. He can't know I talked to you!"

"But this is so wrong Greg, he can't be allowed to do this to you." Nick argued.

"You don't know what he'll do to me," Greg was crying again. "He has never made me pull a train but he has threatened it if I ever betray him. Please Nicky, I'm afraid he might kill me if I try to leave."

"He would never risk that Greg, he's not above the law." Nick assured him, not certain if it was true.

"You don't know that." Greg protested looking into Nick's eyes with uncertainty.

"I promise, I am going to get you out of this." Nick said, wiping Greg's tears with his finger.

"Don't make promises you might not be able to keep." Greg advised him.

"Look G, I'll try and reason with him, I won't tell him we talked." Nick said. "I'll do whatever it takes to get him to let you go."

"It won't work, he'll never let me go." Greg said defeated.

"Then we'll run away, I'll take you someplace safe." Nick made up his mind right then and there, he was willing to give up everything including his job, to save Greg. He loved him that much.

"You'd really do that for me?" Greg asked in disbelief. "Give up you job, your life here?"

"I have no life here without you in it G." Nick said as he kissed Greg softly.

"He has connections, he'll stop at nothing to find me." Greg said sadly, after pulling away.

"So does my father, he's a powerful judge." Nick reminded him. "He'll hide us someplace where he will never find us."

"I'm scared Nicky." Greg admitted.

"I know, me too." Nick said. "When he gets back I'll talk to him, if that doesn't work. We'll run...okay?"

"Okay." Greg said, but he was still unconvinced that things would change.

The next day and a half Nick stayed with Greg, they were not intimate though because that could wait until Greg was free, plus Greg was convinced Grissom would know.

Nick needed to use the bathroom, on his way back he happened to glance into the bedroom. There was a king size bed, complete with silk sheets, there were chains attached to each bed post and a coat rack on the wall with various belts, whips, gags, blindfolds, and keys. Disgusted, Nick looked around some more and noticed a large dog bed in the corner of the bedroom. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists, he knew Grissom had no dog. He called Greg to the bedroom.

"Please tell me, this isn't what it looks like G." Nick looked at him, a look of sadness and horror on his face. Greg just stared back at him, he didn't need to say anything, he already knew the answer. "He makes you sleep on a fucking dog bed!!" Nick said in disgust.

"Not always." Greg said softly. "Only when I deserved it."

"Nobody deserves that!!" Nick said in anger. "That's it! I'm taking you out of here now, get your stuff, we'll go to my house."

"NO!" Greg immediately panicked. "Please Nick, he'll find me, and when he does I'll be worse off then I am now." Greg was in tears again.

"I don't want to leave you here with him any longer." Nick protested.

"It's better this way, if we wait. He knows you've been sniffing around, he'll know where to find me. He could hurt you too! Please Nick." Greg pleaded for him to understand.

"Fine." Nick gave in. "I will get you out of this Greg, if it's the last thing I do."

This newest revelation led to more tears, more promises, and the two of the sleeping on the sofa. It was plush and fit them both comfortably. Greg was a basket case, constantly worried that Grissom would find out Nick had been there, if he would happen to return home early and catch him there, but mostly he was worried about the talk Nick planned to have with him.

Nick left hours before Grissom was due back, helping Greg remove any evidence if his presence. They had to work tonight and Nick needed a change of clothes, he already used the spare clothes from his locker this morning. Tonight Grissom would be back and he would pick his moment to confront him. Grissom returned home to find Greg waiting for him, he looked around and found everything was just like he left it. Greg had obeyed him in his absence, this left him very satisfied and very horny.

"Have you been a good boy?" Gil asked with that look in his eyes, as he began to undress.

"Yes, Master." Greg replied. He hoped this would be the last time, hoped Nick would save him.

"Good, now let's continue this in the bedroom..."

Things became a bit uncomfortable later at the lab when Grissom insisted Nick needed his help and everyone else was busy, Catherine and Warrick had a poisoning case, and Nick wasn't sure what Sara was doing. Grissom assigned himself to Nick's case. This was a rare moment since he usually stayed in the lab. Their case involved a woman's body found in a press box at a high school football field. She had been dead less than an hour, so they had to tent her body right then and there in an effort to lift any prints.

Hours later and they were back at the lab, all the evidence had been handed out to the appropriate lab techs. Nick was in the AV lab with Archie listening to some tapes the victim recorded. Grissom chose to make his rounds to check on the progress of each lab tech, including Greg. Unaware to him Sara was following him like a lost puppy, waiting for her moment. Since Nick told Greg his feelings, she figured she might as well tell him hers. She never got that chance.

Without warning all hell broke loose and a loud explosion ripped through the lab, knocking Sara into the wall. The DNA lab had blown up, leaving a horrible mess of debris and glass everywhere, and Greg lying injured in the hall amongst it all. Sprinklers went off, smoke was surrounding the halls, people were screaming, and running to get out for fear of another explosion. Nick saw Greg and wanted to rush to his aid but he was ushered out with the others, evacuating the building. Grissom stayed behind with Greg, until the paramedics took him outside to the waiting ambulance.

At the hospital Greg was taken to the burn unit for treatment. All the CSI's (except Sara who was being treated herself) waited to hear news of Greg's condition. Sara joined them a short time later with a few cuts to her face and a bandaged hand, she had received several stitches. After waiting what seemed like hours, the doctor finally came out to give them the news they've been waiting to hear.

"Mr. Sanders is going to be fine, except for some burns on his neck and back. He's stable now and we have him sedated." The doctor informed the group.

"How extensive are the burns?" Gil asked with no emotion.

"He has second and third degree burns to his neck, upper back and shoulder area. Most of it will heal fine but he will need some skin graphs for the remainder." He answered.

"So, will there be scarring?" Gil prodded further. Nick glared at him, unseen by the others.

"Yes," The Doctor replied. "I'm afraid he will be left with some scarring, some of it severe."

"Thank you, Doctor." Gil said as he turned and left.

Nick was pissed at Grissom's reaction, he didn't care about Greg. Why was he pretending he did? His own real concern for Greg was all that mattered to him at the moment though. He watched as Grissom walked down the hall and outside the hospital doors, before he turned to the doctor.

"When can I... we see him?" He asked.

"Well, he's sedated, so he'll be asleep for awhile, but if you want to sit in his room quietly, I have no problem with that. Only two at a time though." The doctor told him.

"Will he be in much pain, when he wakes up?" Catherine wanted to know.

"Some, but the medication will take care of most of it." The doctor answered with a nod.

Catherine thanked the doctor and she and Warrick said their goodbyes. They were heading the investigation of the lab explosion, and they needed to return to the lab. Sara joined Nick in Greg's room. She stayed a few hours, mostly to comfort Nick, then she too went back to the lab.

He stayed with Greg for hours, not caring about anything else. Grissom could finish the case on his own, Nick no longer cared, he even turned off his phone. Greg finally awoke, he was groggy and in some pain but the doctor had been right, the medication dulled most of it.

"Hey G, so glad your awake. How are you feeling?" Nick asked taking Greg's hand.

"I'm tired, and it hurts. Is everyone else okay?" Greg asked wearily.

"Everyone is fine, Sara cut her hand but it's nothing serious. You're going to be fine too." Nick assured him.

"Maybe it would have been better if I died." Greg whispered. "At least I'd be free."

"Don't talk like that Greg!" Nick pleaded. "I made you a promise. I intend to keep it."

"Okay, Nicky." Greg sighed.

Before Nick could say anything more, Catherine and Warrick entered the room. They needed to speak with Greg, ask him some questions. Nick reluctantly left them alone, he used the time to get himself some coffee and a snack from the vending machines. He waited until they left, when he returned Greg was asleep again. Nick was exhausted himself so he decided it was best to let Greg rest and get some himself. He went into the waiting area, it was empty so he laid down on the couch, before he knew it he was asleep. He only slept for about three hours though, he got up and began making his way back to Greg's room, when someone caught his eye. He stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of Lady Heather, standing at the nurses station. She turned and came his way.

"Hello, Mr. Stokes. Nice to see you again." She said casually.

"What the hell do you want?" Nick asked bitterly, getting right to the point.

"I've come to speak with Mr. Sanders." She answered calmly.

"Why?" Nick demanded to know.

"It's a private matter." Lady Heather informed him.

"Look, I know about that fucking slavery agreement," Nick said. "Greg doesn't need this shit right now."

"I know, Faith informed me of that. Right before I fired her, now please it's important that I discuss something with Greg." She said still speaking in that calm voice of hers.

"Alright fine, but I'm going in with you. I'm not leaving Greg alone with you, besides we no longer keep secrets from each other."

Lady Heather nodded and entered the room with Nick right behind her. Greg looked up and saw her, his eyes grew wide and began to panic.

"It's okay, G, I'm here too." Nick said, again taking Greg's hand.

Greg just stared at Lady Heather as she made her way to his bedside. He was scared to death, could not understand why she was there. He squeezed Nick's hand tighter as she stood before him.

"Mr. Sanders, I have something of importance to discuss with you. It concerns your agreement with Mr. Grissom."

"W...what about it?" Greg stammered. He was anxious and afraid at what she might say. he braced himself for the worst.

*I chose the name Hyena's for the club name for two reasons.
1)Eric Szmanda did a play by that name and I liked the sound of it.
2)Hyenas are predators who circle their pray biting at it until its too weak to go on, then they devour it. They bark as they do this, their barking sounds like laughing and they are sometimes known as laughing hyenas. So it seemed to fit.

Lady Heather stood at Greg's bedside. She had some news to share with him, but Nick was losing patience with her and the whole situation.

"Hasn't he been through enough? I don't want him to have to deal with this now! What is it this time, does Grissom want to know when he can be fucked again? Well you tell that son of a bitch to stay the hell away from him!!" Nick nearly shouted as Greg cried softly, he had enough of all the bullshit.

"You won't have to worry about that Mr. Stokes." She began. "The agreement states that if Greg becomes ill or permanently injured, Mr. Grissom is entitled to the end the agreement. He has chosen to do so."

Greg's jaw dropped in total shock, and Nick stared at her in disbelief before he was able to speak.

"You mean... your saying that the agreement is broken?" Nick's voice cracked with emotion. "Greg is no longer his slave?"

"That is correct." Lady Heather confirmed.

"I...I'm free?" Greg asked, unable to fully believe what he had just heard. "I'm really free?"

"Yes, Greg. You are free, I wish you the best of luck." She patted his shoulder and turned to leave.

"Why?" Nick wondered aloud. "Why he do it?"

"The accident will leave permanent scars. According to Mr. Grissom, Greg is no longer a desirable slave, and no longer suitable for his needs." She replied. " I must tell you, Greg. I am truly sorry for what you've gone through. I was not aware that you did not fully grasp the enormity of your agreement. If I had any idea I never would have allowed it." Lady Heather walked to the door and turned back on last time.

"Treat him well Nickolas, he deserves it." With that she was gone.

"I sure the hell will." Nick said as he watched her leave. He noticed Greg's suitcases piled up near the door, along with his dog bed, and he frowned. Had Grissom been here while he was sleeping? The thought made his blood run cold.

"I'm really free Nicky? Please tell me this is not a dream." Greg pleaded. Was this truly real? He was no longer under Grissom's control, he was free to be with Nick. Free to do as he wished.

"You're free, It's no dream. I'm going to take care of you now Greg, make you happy again." Nick was crying now too as he held Greg gently in his arms, careful not to hurt him. Greg's accident turned out to be nothing short than a miracle, to which they were both thankful. Now they could be together and go on with their lives, both finally happy. Nick would show Greg what it's like to be loved again, what a real relationship means.

"I'm free, Nicky. I'm free" Greg kept repeating over and over sobbing in sheer joy."Just like you promised, I'm free...he can't hurt me anymore...I'm free!" He was overcome by emotion.

"That's right G." Nick kissed him lightly, tears of joy falling from his eyes, "Your free baby, he can't hurt you anymore, I'll take care of you, Just like I promised." He continued holding him, comforting him with reassuring words until he fell back to sleep. Completely relaxed and happy, despite his pain, for the first time in such a long time.

Nick felt at ease now as well, so much so he was able to leave Greg at the hospital, knowing he would be okay. He threw the dog bed into the nearest dumpster in disgust and then drove home with the suitcases and left them at his house. Greg obviously had no place to live, so he would stay with Nick, if he wished to. Even though he had set Greg free, Nick still wanted to beat the shit out of Grissom for treating Greg so badly and then tossing him away like trash.

When he arrived at the crime lab it looked like total chaos, Catherine was franticly moving through the halls, with the Lab Director Covallo following her around shouting questions she did not have the answers to. Warrick was nowhere to be found, and Sara wouldn't stop crying. Nick wondered what the hell was going on. Catherine spotted him and made a beeline his way while Director Covallo gave up and went the opposite direction.

"Nick!" Catherine said excitedly. "Hows Greg? Thank God you're back! I need your help!!" She was overly excited, talking a mile a minute.

"Catherine, slow down what's going on?" He asked.

"Grissom's gone! I need you to help me pull things together! I can't find Warrick, and Sara won't stop crying!" Catherine sounded desperate.

"Relax Cath, what do you mean Grissom's gone?" Nick was confused.

"He quit Nick! He wrote a letter of resignation, stated he was the blame for the lab explosion and he resigned! Left me in charge, at the worst time, I'm short one CSI and one DNA tech!!"

"Grissom blew up the lab!!?" Nick asked bewildered.

"NO! I blew up the lab," Catherine said as if he should have known. "He just took the blame."

Before he could say more she grabbed his arm and pulled him down the hall to her new office. Explaining along the way why the lab blew up, how sorry she was, and how she was going to the hospital later to tell Greg herself.

"Greg is never going to forgive me." Catherine said with a tremble in her voice, not being able to look Nick in his eyes, and running her hands through her hair.

"Greg will forgive you Cath," Nick said turning her face so she had to look at him, "trust me on this."

Nick helped her put things together, going through Grissom's files, planning schedules, and finding a temporary replacement for Greg. Then he hunted down Warrick and got him to stop hiding from the chaos so he could help out as well. Next he found Sara, still in tears, and gave her a box of tissues. He sat her down and told her that Grissom was gay, and she never stood a chance with him, so she should just get over it and get back to work. Maybe Grissom should have left him in charge!

After things returned to normal, (or as normal as it could be under the circumstances) at the lab, and Catherine gutted Grissom's office to make it her own. Nick moved on from the Jason Kent case, since there was insufficient evidence and the DA would not press charges. Catherine appointed Nick her right hand because Warrick and Sara both bailed when she needed them most. Warrick didn't care, it meant less headaches for him, Sara though was her normal bitter self, and whined about it to whoever would listen.

Nick had to work a double, to help with the crisis and because he took on a new case, Nick only had the chance to call Greg for a few minuets now and then, but after thirty six hours he was finally able to go to the hospital. Greg jumped when he entered the room, he was like a nervous rabbit whenever his door opened for fear Grissom might change his mind and return. He was relieved and happy to see Nick again, now he felt safe.

"Nicky, I'm glad you're back. I missed you." Greg said smiling.

"Missed you too, feeling any better?" Nick asked returning Greg's smile.

"A little, still hurts but not as bad." Greg replied.

"Well you look a lot better." Nick kissed his cheek and sat down.

"Doc says I can go home soon, maybe even tomorrow." Greg said excitedly.

"That's good, all your stuff is at my place. I'll have it unpacked an waiting for you." Nick promised.

"I can stay with you?" Greg asked, he seemed surprised. He was so used to being discarded.

"Of course you are, I promised to take care of you and keep you safe." Nick said stoking his face softly with his fingertips.

"I know." Greg paused. "Doc also said I can return to work in a week or two." Nick noticed fear in Greg's eyes as he spoke.

"What's wrong, G?" Nick asked with concern.

"I'm scared to go back and face... him," Greg voice trembled. "I don't know If I can do it."

"You won't have too." Nick flashed him a big smile. "He's gone. Quit the day after the explosion. I'm sorry I didn't tell you until now, but I wanted to tell you in person." Nick apologized.

Greg once again cried with relief, he'd never have to see Gil Grissom again, for that he was ecstatic. He had been dreading going back to work and even considered quitting. Now he felt truly free. Nick explained that Catherine was the supervisor now, and that he was promoted to supervisor's assistant, a little more money, a lot more responsibility.

Nick had the night off so, he spent part of it visiting Greg and the rest getting the guest room ready. Just to be on the safe side he thought it was best for Greg to stay in his own space, so he unpacked his suitcases, put new linens on the bed, and other accessories he thought Greg would need. He wanted to take things slow with Greg as well, he needed time to both recover and adjust to his surroundings. They needed to get to know each other again. He also did some shopping, bought groceries, and some new CD's for Greg, since Grissom threw all his away. He'd take him back out for more once he was up to it.

Just like Greg said, he was released the next morning, Nick picked him up and drove him to his new home. He showed Greg his new bedroom, complete with a television, DVD player, stereo, and telephone. Greg looked around, he was pleasantly surprised.

"Is it okay Greg?" Nick asked. "Unless you don't want to stay alone."

"No, Nick. It's great." Greg reached out the best he could and hugged him."Thank you so much."

Nick hugged him back, keeping his hands away from Greg's injuries. "I just want you to be happy." Nick said cupping Greg's face in his hands.

"I am happy, but its all so overwhelming." Greg said softly. "Until a week ago I was miserable, scared, alone, used and abused. I thought it would never change." Greg hesitated. "Nick...before you knocked on my door...I was..." He couldn't finish.

"You were what Greg?" Nick urged him to continue.

"I was going...to kill myself." Greg whispered. "I had it all planned Nicky."

"Kill yourself?" Nick repeated. "God Greg, what, if I ...If I only knew."

"You couldn't have known Nick. When he told me he was going away for a few days I saw it as an opportunity. At first I thought, I'd just run, but I knew he'd find me and I'd be worse off than before." Greg swallowed a lump that was forming in his throat. "He told me before he left that his place better be spotless when he returned, so I came up with the ultimate plan to be free of him. But leave him one hell of a mess to clean up. You see Nicky, he didn't take his gun with him, I was about to take it out of the drawer he left it in when you knocked on the door. When he returned he'd discover his once nice clean walls, were spattered with my blood and brains. Then I'd be free."

"So, if I ...if I hadn't come... to see you." Nicks gulped and his eyes filled with tears. The sudden realization that he came so close to losing the man he loves hit him like a ton of bricks. Things were so bad that Greg was willing to die to get relief.

"I'd be dead."

The two just stood and held each other. They came so close to losing everything.

Nick stepped away from him, almost in a daze and sat on the bed. He sat there shaking his head, just one more in a long list of shocks to his system. Greg sat down beside him and took his hand.

"What are you thinking, Nicky?" Greg asked. "Are you disappointed in me?"

"No, never." Nick looked over to meet his eyes. "I just can't believe how close I came to losing you forever G."

"But you didn't lose me," Greg smiled at him. "You saved me."

"It should have never come to that, Grissom never should have..." Greg stopped him with a finger to his lips.

"It's over Nicky, what's done is done." Greg said casually. "I just want to move on."

Nick thought about this for a moment, Greg amazed him with his attitude. He knew he was right, what's done was done, you can't change the past, only live for the future. Then a thought occurred to him. If Greg had Grissom's gun, why didn't he plan to use it on him, rather than choosing to use it on himself?

"Can I ask you something Greg?"

"You want to know why I just didn't plan to kill him instead?" Greg said as if reading his mind.

"Yeah, why didn't you?" Nick asked.

Nick listened intently as Greg explained his reasons. He told Nick he believed he would have just ended up in prison, no doubt they would have loved his ass in there. It would have been the same story, just a different location. He would not have been free. He couldn't chance that, he was better off dead. Nick tried to convince him otherwise. When they found out how he was mistreated, they'd understand. Maybe the DA would have seen it as self defense, once Greg told them the truth.

"I didn't want anyone to know, I was ashamed. Besides no one would have believed me." Greg sighed.

"I knew the truth, I would have convinced them." Nick countered.

"I didn't know that then, at the time I thought it was my only choice. Until you showed up and gave me another one." Greg looked at him gratefully.

"Do you believe in fate Greg?" Nick asked thoughtfully.

"I don't know, I haven't believed in much of anything for a while." Greg said shrugging.

"I do, think about it. if I hadn't found out the truth, and if Grissom hadn't gone to that conference, I wouldn't have been able to come to see you that day. If the lab hadn't blown up, you wouldn't be free, we would not be together. This whole situation could have ended so differently."

"That's true, never thought about all that." Greg said with a yawn.

"Tired?" Nick asked.

"Yeah," Greg yawned again. "These pain pills knock me right out."

"Get some sleep, we'll talk later. Need help changing?" Nick said, since Greg was still dressed in his hospital garb.

"Yeah, it hurts to lift my arms." Greg answered sleepily.

Nick helped him get out of his hospital pajamas, and took off his shoes and socks. He gave Greg some new pajama's he bought for him, helped him dress, noting that button down shirts would be easier for him to get in and out of. Greg laid down in the bed, on his side and Nick pulled the covers over him, and kissed him on the forehead. He was asleep within moments.

Catherine had given Nick the week off with strict orders to 'take care of their Greg'. Not that he needed any orders, it was his pleasure. Greg had asked him to keep everything he knew about his situation with Grissom just between them, no one else must ever know. Nick agreed wholeheartedly. While Greg slept, he busied himself with some light housekeeping, doing laundry, checking email, and watching television. Suddenly he heard screams coming from Greg's room, he ran to his aide and found him in the middle of a very bad nightmare.

"NO!!" Greg screamed, thrashing about. "Please master, I'll be good! Don't hurt me!"

Nick ran to his side, grabbed his arms and shook him awake.

"Greg! Wake up!" Nick nearly shouted at him as his eyes fluttered open with a look of terror that ripped at Nick's heart, then the look was gone, replaced by recognition and relief. "You're okay."

"Nicky...I was so scared." Greg clung to him. "He was hurting me."

"It's alright baby, It was just a dream. He can't hurt you now, you're safe." Nick soothed him by gently stroking is sweat soaked hair. "Go back to sleep."

"Stay with me, hold me till I fall asleep." Greg pleaded, still unnerved by his dream.

Nick climbed into bed facing Greg, holding him close while whispering reassurances. Greg was whimpering lightly. "Shhh baby, sleep now, you're safe."

"I'm safe." Greg repeated silently as he drifted back to sleep. Nick soon did the same.

Nick woke up to the sound of Greg crying, at first he feared he was having another dream, until he realized he was awake.

"What's the matter, G?" Nick asked with concern.

"It hurts, Nicky. I need my meds." Greg weeped. "I didn't want to disturb you."

"G, I'm here to take care of you, don't worry about disturbing me. You should have woke me up."

"I know, I'm sorry. Can you do something else for me?" Greg asked.

"Anything, you need." Nick answered.

"Change my dressings for me too." Greg said wincing in pain.

Nick rose from the bed and made his way to the bathroom, where he kept both the medication and bandage supplies. He brought it all back into the bedroom and sat them down on the nightstand. Greg was now sitting up waiting for him, looking miserable. Nick handed him a few pills and a glass of water, Greg swallowed them down eagerly, wincing again with the movement.

"Do you want to wait for the pills to kick in before I change your dressings?" Nick asked.

"Doesn't matter, it's gonna hurt either way." Greg sighed as he looked at Nick with eyes full of sadness.

"We'll wait a few minutes." Nick said as he went back into the bathroom and washed his hands. He brought back a damp washcloth and a tube of salve he got from the hospital. He then slowly unbuttoned and removed Greg's pajama top, and set it aside. He moved so he was behind Greg on the bed.

"Ready?" He asked.

"As I'll ever be." Greg responded.

Nick carefully began to take off the old bandages. Greg sucked in his breath and closed his eyes tightly from the pain but tears still spilled from them. Nick cringed inwardly at his reaction, not wanting to hurt him.

"I'm sorry G, I'm trying to be gentle." Nick apologized.

"It's okay." Greg said weakly. "I'd rather endure a lifetime of this, than one more minute of my life with Grissom."

Nick just sighed but remained silent at Greg's words. He wanted to cry as he took down the bandages and saw Greg's burns for the first time. Ugly red, dark wrinkled skin, God how he must be suffering. Nick took the washcloth and gently wiped away the dried blood and seepage from the blisters. Greg cried out in pain, until Nick was finished. He was almost overcome by compassion as he took the salve and smeared it lightly over Greg's burns. Greg pulled away slightly at his touch.

"Sorry, I keep hurting you." Nick said, biting his bottom lip to control his emotions.

"No, it's just cold. It feels nice...soothing." Greg said blowing out a breath. "Keep doing it."

"That's good." Nick said relieved, as he continued covering the wounds.

"Does it look hideous Nick?" Greg asked suddenly, curious of his appearance.

"No, not hideous, I mean it's bad but It's not that bad. I'm sure they'll heal just fine." Nick said.

"It doesn't disgust you?" Greg wanted to know.

"Nothing about you could ever disgust me, I think you're gorgeous." Nick said blushing, and was glad Greg was not facing him to see it.

"Thank you." Greg smiled, knowing Nick thought of him as gorgeous. "Maybe I should be proud of my burns, and the scars they will leave."

"Whys that Greg?" Nick asked curiously.

"They symbolize my freedom." Greg said proudly, and a little sad as well.

"That's a wise way to look at it." Nick said as he replaced the dressings with fresh ones. Then helped Greg put his pajama top back on.

Greg barely answered as the pain medication began to kick in again, soon he was curled up on the bed and drifted back to sleep. For the next day and a half Greg mostly slept, he ate very little, usually just soup and crackers. The pain medication left him tired and with not much of an appetite. In between eating and sleeping Nick would change his dressings, and feel guilty when Greg cried from the pain. The nightmares continued as well, so sometimes Nick would stay with him. Lie with him and hold him, comforting him with whispered reassurances until he went back to sleep. Letting him know he was not alone and he was safe. No one would ever hurt him again.

After so much sleep and sweat soaked nightmares, Greg felt pretty raunchy. He first padded into Nick's room, but when he heard the soft snoring he turned and left. Not wanting to disturb Nick, he then shuffled to the bathroom by himself. He managed with minimal pain to remove his clothing, down to his boxers. He really wanted to take a shower but he was not supposed to get his burns wet. Plus reaching up to wash his hair would cause too much pain. He knew he couldn't do it alone, he needed help but was reluctant to wake Nick. He did not know what to do, he was so conditioned to wait and submit to Grissom's timetable, and he would have never dared wake his master. It would have resulted in punishment. In his heart he knew it was not that way with Nick but his mind was another story, he just couldn't shake that underlying fear. He just stood there pondering what he should do, torn between trying it himself, or going back to wake Nick. His decision was made for him when Nick suddenly appeared in the doorway, wearing only a pair of sweat shorts.

"Is everything alright G?" Nick yawned. "Do you need some help?"

"I stink," Greg said, lifting his good arm to sniff himself. "I could use a shower but I can't do it by myself. I didn't want to bother you."

"Greg, how many times do I need to remind you to just ask me when you need help?" Nick lifted his arms up in a questioning manner. "Even if you need to wake me. It's me, it's okay."

"Sorry Nick, guess I've gotten so use to having to wait for permission to do..." Nick interrupted him.

"Those days are over." Nick said. "You're needs come first now."

"Next time I'll ask for help." Greg said, looking away shyly. "I promise."

"Okay, you better." Nick jokingly warned, but with that crooked smile that made Greg's heart beat just a little faster. "I don't want you hurting yourself, and I like helping you. "

Greg watched as Nick prepared the bathtub, he had purchased a shower seat and replaced his stand alone shower head with a hand held one. Greg sheepishly removed his boxers, exposing his nakedness to Nick for the first time was a little embarrassing, since they had not yet been intimate. Nick felt a bit awkward himself but Greg needed his help, so he tried to push it from his thoughts. Although he did find the sight of a naked Greg quite appealing. Nick helped him step into the tub, and sat Greg down on the shower seat. He stepped inside as well, figuring it would be easier this way.

"Let's get your hair washed first." Nick suggested. "It might be easier if you could lean forward, so we can avoid getting your back wet, this might help too." Nick said placing a towel over Greg's shoulders.

He then removed the shower head and turned on the water, and adjusted it to the right temperature. Nick grabbed the shampoo and washed Greg's hair, then rinsed it. Nick spent a little more time than necessary massaging Greg's head, thinking he could use the relaxation, and the extra attention. He removed the towel from Greg's shoulders and fluffed up Greg's hair then he wrapped it around his head, to keep his wet hair from dripping down his back. Greg looked up at him and smiled.

"Thanks Nick, I feel better already."

"You're welcome, now let's get the rest of your stinky self washed!" Nick laughed.

Greg laughed back and smacked him in the arm. Nick just smirked at him as he grabbed the washcloth and soap. Greg just closed his eyes and relaxed as Nick moved the lathered washcloth in small circles over his body. He began with his shoulders, arms, chest, and legs from the knees down to his feet. Then rinsed him throughly. He re-lathered the cloth and helped Greg to his feet so he could wash the uninjured part of his back, he knelt down to wash his lower back and buttocks, and down the back of his legs, then again rinsed him off. Greg sat back down and waited. Nick swallowed nervously as he washed his inner thighs, then hesitated.

"Do you want to do the rest yourself, or do you want me to?" Nick did not want to touch Greg's privates without his permission, he didn't want to make him feel uncomfortable.

"It's okay if you do it." Greg said, looking away. "The nurses at Desert Palms did it for me."

"Wasn't that embarrassing?" Nick chuckled. "Or maybe you enjoyed it?"

"Honestly Nick, I was so doped up I didn't care." Greg laughed. "They did it as quickly as possible then got the hell out."

"Okay, I see." Nick laughed uneasily, as he once again lathered the wash cloth. He ran the cloth over Greg's genitals, starting with his balls then moving to his penis. Greg grew hard with his gentle caresses, at first Nick thought nothing of it, after all the male penis has a mind of it's own. He chose to ignore it, that is until Greg's hand took hold of his. He looked up into Greg's face.

"That feels so good Nicky. Don't stop." Greg's voice grew husky.

Nick swallowed hard, as he looked into Greg's eyes and saw desire looking back at him, he lowered his gaze to Greg's erection. He could not help but admire his perfect size and length, his own cock twitched with arousal as he quickly rinsed Greg off.

"God Greg, you take my breath away." Nick sighed as he looked up into Greg's face again, Greg's eyes met his. He cupped Greg's face between his hands, as he slowly leaned up towards him. "I've been dreaming of this moment for as long as I've known you Greg." Nick leaned in and gently touched Greg lips with his own. He wanted Greg to feel loved, wanted, worshiped, and he did. Greg felt all of the warmth of a lifetime in that one kiss as he slowly opened his mouth for Nick. He brought up his hands to feel the hard, warmth of Nick's back, and the burning kept building in him. Greg ran his tongue along Nick's mouth, he wanted to taste him, taste what love and passion felt like. Nick pulled away to look into Greg's eyes, to know what his heart desired. His question was answered as Greg's hand fell over his own.

Greg urged Nick on by moving their hands together, slowly stroking Greg's hard cock. The loud moan that escaped Greg's lips, nearly made him cum in his pants. Nick continued to stroke the length of Greg's erection, while Greg placed his hands on Nick's shoulders for support. He was panting and moaning his approval as Nick fisted him.

"Greg, can I taste you?" Nick wanted to feel him in his mouth. He wondered if he tasted as good as he had in his dreams.

Greg gave an eager nod of approval and Nick bent down and covered him with his warm, wet mouth, causing Greg to cry out with pleasure.

"Ohhhh Nicky! Oh God yessssss!" Greg hissed and squeezed Nick's shoulders.

Nick ran his tongue up and down the underside of Greg's hardened member, using the tip to dip into Greg's slit and lick the pre-cum that was collecting there, and Greg shook from the sensation.

"Ahhh...fuck yeah...Nicky...yeah."

He kissed and licked the head of Greg's penis, sending shock waves through his body. To Nick he tasted so perfect, just like he imagined he would. He wanted this for so long, he breathed in his scent before enveloping Greg's throbbing cock in his mouth again. He sucked him hard, hollowing his cheeks as he moved along the full length. Greg's nails were now digging into his shoulders, and he nearly screamed Nick's name in delight.

"Nicky!! Nicky! Oh Jesus...don't stop...so good...Nicky...please."

Nick didn't stop, instead he opened his throat and took Greg deep into it, grabbing Greg's ass to pull him in even further. By now Greg's fingernails dug so deeply, blood ran down Nick's back, but he didn't care, he only cared about Greg's pleasure. He quickened his effort and sucked him as hard and fast as possible. Greg's breathing was fast and shallow, and Nick knew he was getting close.

"Oh fuck!! Nicky...I'm gonna...c...cum..." Greg cried out Nick's name with a strangled scream as he came. "Oh God... Niiiiiiiiicky!!!"

Greg's release swept over him like a tidal wave, he emptied his juices deep into Nick's throat. Nick swallowed hungrily, enjoying the feel of Greg's pulsating cock, and the taste of his seed. Greg almost collapsed into his arms, Nick held him up until he came down from his orgasm. Nick then kissed him passionately for a moment, then pulled away. Greg looked at him, his eyes full of love and gratitude.

"Shall I return the favor Nicky?" Greg asked weakly reaching for the waistband of Nicks shorts.

"No need G, I came in my pants the moment I tasted you." Nick said breathlessly.

"That good huh?" Greg actually laughed out loud, he hadn't done that in so long.

"Delicious." Nick replied, licking his lips.

Nick kissed him once again before stepping them both out of the bathtub. He grabbed another towel and dried Greg off from head to toe. Nick went to Greg's room and got some fresh clothes for him to change into. First helping a smirking Greg put on his boxers and sweatpants, but that smirk disappeared when it came time to once again change Greg's dressings. Although the pain was less, and he needed to take less pills, he still has a hard time dealing with it being touched, but Nick has learned to get it over with quickly. He helped Greg put his pajama top on and moved on to blow dry his hair. Afterwards he ran a comb through it. Greg looked in the mirror and scoffed at his appearance.

"I miss my old spiky hair, that bastard threw out all my hair products." Greg frowned thinking of Grissom.

"We'll just have to go out and get you some more, make you look like your old self again." Nick said. "You'd like that wouldn't you?"

"Yeah, I would." Greg said. "He stole my identity and I want it back!!"

"I'll help you get it back, we'll go buy you more CD's too, and maybe some new clothes."

"That would be cool, I just wish things didn't get so fucked up." Greg said pouting.

"Not to worry, I'll do whatever I can to help," Nick said. "I'm here for you, all the way however you need me.

"Thanks Nicky but..." Greg hesitated. "I feel like such a burden."

"Well no need to feel that way." Nick reassured him. "I love taking care of you," stroking Greg's hand with his thumb.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." Greg choked back tears. "I love you Nicky."

"I love you too G." Nick said with a smile. "You mean the world to me. And don't worry, you won't have to be without me."

It had been a few more days and Greg was feeling much better; the pain was almost gone and his need for pain medication had decreased dramatically. Although his physical injuries were healing, his psychological injuries were a different matter entirely. Nightmares continued to plague him and he'd frequently wake up screaming and in a cold sweat. Nick always came running to his aid, offering comfort and safety, holding him while he cried.

Nick would comfort him in other ways, also, to take his mind off the horrors that played in his mind. A hand job with comforting words of love or a blow job now and then because Greg needed the stress release. Sometimes, he returned the favor, but Nick usually told him it was unnecessary, his own pleasure came second to Greg's comfort. Today, a caressing hand would do. He could use his mouth for comforting kisses and sweet words.

"Do you want me to help you forget, baby?" Nick whispered between kisses.

"Please," Greg answered back, pulling Nick closer. "I can't g...get it out...of my head," he stuttered, and his body trembled as he clung to Nick.

"Shhh... you're okay, just relax," Nick said softly as he reached between them and inside Greg's boxers to take his cock in his hand. Greg whimpered as Nick began to stoke his erection. Their lips found each other again, and they kissed until they were breathless.

"Let it go Greg. Focus on how good it feels," Nick whispered.

"It feels so good... Nicky... oh God, Nicky," Greg panted, the images soon forgotten as his pleasure mounted.

Greg buried his face into Nick's neck as the friction built and Nick's hand was soon joined by Greg's and they pumped together, bringing him to climax. Afterwards, they drifted back to sleep holding each other, a pleasant and peaceful sleep for now, but the dreams would come again another day.

His nightmares became more frequent and horrifying. Once in a while, he would dream about the explosion, replaying it over and over, but more often his dreams were about his life as a slave. If he wasn't reliving some punishment he had received, like a whipping, or being choked into submission, he would find himself naked and running through a dark tunnel, only to end up at Hyena's. He would try to turn and run, but hands would grab him and drag him to the dance floor where he'd be bound and gagged and countless men took turns violating him. One after the other, they would bury their cocks in his ass while the rest would cheer them on and laugh. He would raise his head and there would be Grissom, smiling evilly at him as he accepted handfuls of cash from an endless parade of men.

Other times, his dreams began as pleasant ones, walking hand in hand with Nick on a beach, watching the waves roll in. Then, without warning, the beach would turn to quicksand and Nick would be gone, replaced by Grissom who would reach out to him only to pull has hand away and laugh evilly as the sand swallowed him. Or, he and Nick would be together in a flowery meadow, lying on a blanket in each others arms, making out. Then, the sky would grow dark and when he opened his eyes, he was in a dark forest surrounded by dead trees and Nick would once again be gone with Grissom in his place. He would force Greg to his hands and knees to take what was his. 'You will never escape me, boy!' he would sneer as he fucked him.'You will always be mine!' Greg would wake up screaming in terror.

"Nicky!! Help me! Make him stop...he's hurting me!!"

In a flash, Nick would be at his side, shaking him awake, letting him know he was safe. Greg would cry in his arms, his body trembling from fear and cold sweat.

"Greg, I'm here baby," Nick would pull him close and say, almost in tears himself. "You're safe, I'm right here. Shhhh don't cry."

"Don't ever leave me, Nicky," Greg would sob. "Don't let him take me."

"He'll never hurt you again," Nick promised. "I'll always be here to protect you. I swear."

The next night, it was decided that Greg would move into Nick's room. This was better because Nick would always be a reach away when he needed him the most. Although, for now, Greg's belongings would stay in the guest room until Nick could make room for them. This did little to stop the nightmares; they actually seemed to be getting worse. He would dream about the explosion combined with the sex club and he would find himself blown out of the lab in a ball of fire, but instead of landing in the hallway, he would be blown onto Hyena's dance floor where he would lie helpless and bleeding while dozens of horny men surrounded him. The nightmares wouldn't cease, robbing them both of much needed rest and Greg of his mental well-being. So, Nick suggested therapy. At first, Greg was reluctant, not wanting to discuss his ordeal with a stranger. Nick insisted he needed help to cope with everything he went through. Greg gave in and agreed, knowing Nick was right.

Nick called Catherine, explained about Greg's mental state and his nightmares. He told her they were about the lab explosion, and was afraid he was suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). He requested that she grant him a leave of absence as he wanted Greg to see a therapist and preferred someone outside the department. Since Catherine felt guilty about causing the explosion in the first place, she readily agreed and gave both her permission and her blessing.

"Give Greg our love, Nicky," she said. "Tell him we miss him around here, and to get well."

"Will do Cath, and thanks," Nick said. "I'll be back to work in a few days." He needed to return to work and he and Greg talked it out and decided Greg would get back into his old schedule of staying up nights while Nick worked. They'd both sleep during the day so Greg would not be alone when he had a nightmare. In the afternoon, Nick would take him to see his therapist. It was the perfect solution.

Three weeks had passed and Greg was no longer in pain, although Nick continued applying the salve to his nearly healed scars every day to keep the elasticity in his skin. He still had nightmares, but they occurred less often. He also wanted to return to work. He looked forward to it because he was becoming restless and bored. A man can only play so many video games, surf the Internet, do so many crossword puzzles, watch so many movies and so much television before he starts climbing the walls.

Then, one lazy afternoon, they made out on the couch, just lying in one another's arms. Greg loved the way Nick kissed him, with such love and passion, but not bruising or harsh. It didn't leave him frightened for what was to come but made him want more. Intertwined in each other, Greg felt Nick's arousal against him and he knew Nick wanted him and he was ready to give Nick what he wanted, what they both wanted. He wanted to make love, be made love to. He wanted to feel alive again, to know that sex is more than just being used for a mindless fuck. He ghosted his fingers lightly over the bulge in Nick's jeans, and Nick hummed his pleasure as he nibbled on Greg's neck.

"Nicky," Greg whispered. "Make love to me." Nick raised his head from his assault on Greg's earlobe.

"Are you sure, Greg?" Nick asked, taken by surprise. "We don't need to rush, I can wait." Nick wanted it it as much, or more than, Greg did. He didn't really want to wait, but he was willing to wait for as long as it took Greg to be sure.

"I don't want to wait any longer," Greg said breathlessly. "I've never been so sure. I want this...need this, I need you."

"I want this too," Nick smiled at him. "We'll have more room in the bedroom." His dream was finally about to come true and he was both excited and nervous.

They walked hand in hand to the bedroom. Nick was going to take this slow, show Greg what it was like to love again, and help him gain back his self worth. Greg needed to be treated with respect and tenderness.

Slowly, they began to undressed one another, caressing and kissing exposed skin as they went. Clothes were discarded leisurely onto the floor. Soon they were both naked, skin on skin lying together on the bed. Hands explored as they kissed. Their kisses were passionate yet undemanding. As they kissed, Nick sucked on Greg's bottom lip, then moved his tongue along it and inside Greg's warm wet mouth. Their tongues caressed each other as the kiss deepened, then they broke for air, both panting and wanting more. Greg's whole body felt like it was on fire. He had never felt this way before with anyone. Nick's kisses traveled unhurried over Greg's body, savoring the taste of every inch of him. His fingertips caressed Greg delicately, raising goosebumps over his body. Greg closed his eyes, enjoying the sensations. It was how he imagined it would be, Nick taking his time, showering him with his love. Nick's gentle touches and feathery kisses made him quiver, his breathing increased, and his desire grew. He wanted him, wanted to feel Nick inside him.

"Nicky..." Greg panted. "I want you."

"I want you too, Greg," Nick sighed. "Wanted you for so long."

Nick moved up and took Greg's mouth again while he wrapped one hand around Greg's hard cock, pumping slowly. His other hand reached for the lube on the night stand. Greg moaned into the kiss and Nick pulled away for air. Lying on their sides, Nick instructed Greg to wrap his leg around his hip so he could prepare Greg so he'd feel no pain, only pleasure. He opened the lube and coated his fingers, first massaging Greg's entrance before gently pushing a finger inside, moving it in and out. Greg groaned as the finger found his prostate.

"Oh God! Nicky...yes... that's it...feels so good!"

So when he felt Greg was ready, Nick inserted a second finger and did the same, scissoring as he went, making Greg crazy with want. He was breathing hard, moaning in delight, his body trembling, demanding more.

"Ohhh yes!...Nicky...please I want more...want to feel...you...in me!"

"I'll give you what you want, darling." Nick was panting hard from just pleasuring Greg. "Love you..."

Nick then reached out and grabbed a condom from the nightstand, opening it and slipping it onto his throbbing cock. He rolled them over, pulling Greg on top of him, sensing Greg needed to be in control. He slicked himself up with lube as Greg straddled him.

"Whenever you're ready, G," Nick whispered, placing his hands on Greg's hips, allowing him to set the pace.

Greg lowered himself slowly onto Nick's erection and both men moaned in unison. Greg moved down, taking Nick deep inside him, then rose up slowly and down again. His angle was perfect, brushing against his sweet spot with every move, sending waves of pleasure though him. When Greg pushed down , Nick would thrust up to match his rhythm, and Greg's tight channel enveloped him as he felt himself pulled deeper into his lover.

"Oh Greg, you feel...so good, baby...yes...God yes!" Nick moaned

"Ahhh...Nicky..." Greg drove down harder. "Its so...good...love feeling...you... in me."

Nick held onto Greg's hips as he moved above him. He continued pushing down and raising back up again over and over, slow but deep. Greg stared down at him, raking his nails lightly over Nick's chest. Nick tightened his grip on his hips as sensations of pure bliss swept over his body. They were both breathless and panting.

"Oh Jesus...Nicky...Oh..." Greg began to cry, tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Greg? Baby...whats...wrong?" Nick attempted to stop him. "Are you in...pain, wanna stop?"

"No..no pain...I just...always knew it...would be like...this with you..." Greg cried with joy, his fantasy finally becoming a reality. This was what making love was supposed to be like.

Nick pulled Greg to him and kissed him breathless, his tears dripping onto Nick's face and neck. He knew, then, that Greg was ready to trust him completely, to allow Nick to take control. Nick rolled them over, not breaking the kiss, but deepening it instead. Greg clung to him, wrapping his legs around him to pull him closer, deeper. The need for air ended the kiss and they stared into each other's eyes as Nick thrust into him in a leisurely but steady pace.

"Nicky...tell me...you love me," Greg pleaded through the tears he still shed.

"I love you...baby...love you...so much," Nick panted.

"And you'll never...hurt me..." Greg looked at him, his eyes full of trust.

"Never G, I could...never hurt you...baby...love you so...much."

Nick thrust into him faster now, Greg responding with animal-like cries and moans. He writhed under him as their love making intensified. Nick reached between them and grasped Greg's cock, stroking him in time with his thrusting. Their bodies became soaked in sweat as they moved together as if one being, the pleasure building between them. They both enjoyed this moment, it was one that they had each longed to share for so very long. Greg finally felt loved, cherished, and worthy. Nick felt complete in the arms of the man he'd loved for so long.

"God, Greg...my love...oh yes...you're so...amazing."

"Love you...you make me...feel so good...God Nicky...I'm so close!" He felt that familiar sensation creeping up into his balls and spine.

"Let go Greg...want you...to cum...do it for me!!" Nick encouraged him, wanting him to feel the pleasure he so deserved.

"Yes! Yes! Nicky...I'm gonna..cum!" There was no holding back now.

Greg threw his head back and his eyes rolled back into his head. He tensed and shuddered as his orgasm overtook him, spilling his warm sticky seed between them. The intensity of his release and his pleasure-filled eyes sent Nick over the edge and he too came hard, moaning Greg's name.

They laid there in each others embrace for a long time, neither man wanting to break contact. Content, spent, and happy, they just held each other. Finally, Nick rolled off, removed the condom, and tossed it in the general direction of the trash can. Then, he turned to face Greg, reached out to caress his face, and they shared one more kiss. Greg smiled sweetly at his new lover.

"Thank you, Nicky," Greg said gratefully. "I don't remember the last time I felt that good, and safe."

"You're welcome G, but you made me feel just as good." Nick reached for a tissue and wiped the semen from Greg's stomach. Then tossed it away.

"I need to tell you something." Greg cleared his throat. "Sometimes, when I was with Grissom, I'd close my eyes and imagine I was with you instead. I'd come so hard thinking about you. He thought it was because of him, but it was all because of you."

"Wow," Nick said blushing. "I'm flattered, but Greg, how 'bout we not talk about Grissom anymore. Let's just focus on you and me. Okay?"

"Okay, Nicky, it's just you and me," Greg agreed, running a hand through Nick's hair.

"Let's just forget Grissom," Nick said.

"Grissom who?" Greg laughed hard, and Nick did too, and then smacked him playfully on the ass. Greg smacked him back without a second thought.

They were together, just the two of them, and that's all they needed.

An entire year has passed since Greg was given his freedom, and his life back. His temporary stay with Nick became permanent, the loving bond they shared grew stronger with the passing of time. They were partners, equal in every way. They belonged to each other mutually, out of love. Greg's back had completely healed and in the end, the scarring was minimal, he was lucky.

He had gone through a year of therapy, it has made a huge impact on his well being, self worth issues, and his sexuality. Thankfully he had been blessed with Dr. Drucilla Barns, a very patient and understanding therapist, who helped him work out his frustrations and fears by facing up to them instead of locking them away inside. She taught him how to take control and cope with his past and move on. In the beginning he went to see her two or three times per week, and now his visits were down to once a month, or as needed.

Greg was back to his old self again, his outgoing personality and sense of humor returned full force. He developed a new thirst for knowledge and experiencing new things, including going out into the field now and then to know what life is like as a CSI. He felt cramped in the lab now, life in the field appealed to him. His world feels so much bigger out there. He expressed his interest of possibly becoming a CSI to Nick, who encouraged him to speak with Catherine, so he had a brief chat with her in her office.

"Hey Catherine," Greg began. "I'd like to talk to you about something."

"Sure Greg, what's on your mind?" She asked.

Greg spoke to her about how much he had enjoyed his recent trips into the field, and how he feels confined in the lab. He had developed a taste for more, he wanted to train to become a CSI.

"You know Greg," Catherine reminded him "Going out in the field means a cut in pay."

"It's not about the money." He responded.

"That's good, I have no problem with it. If its what you really want." Catherine said.

"It is." He replied.

Greg was excited, he would have to work hard though. His time would be split between his lab duties, field training, as well as CSI training classes, but he was willing to do whatever it took to get there. After shift he could not wait to go home and tell Nick the good news (it was Nick's night off). He parked the car and then decided to get the mail, his self confidence was at an all time high. That was until he opened the mailbox and found an envelope inside that sent his heart racing, as he read the name on the senders label: Gilbert Grissom!

Greg stood frozen at the mailbox, unable to move as the panic seized him. He was shaking, unable to catch his breath. Nick heard the car pull in and wondered why Greg was taking so long to come in the house, so he stepped outside and noticed he was just standing at the mailbox, not moving. Nick called to him but he didn't answer, so he headed towards him knowing something must be wrong. As he got closer the look of terror on Greg's face was enough to send him running to him.

"Greg! What's wrong?" Nick asked worried, grabbing Greg's forearms.

"He's...coming after me." Greg's voice trembled. "I just know it!" His old fear returning in full force.

"G, who's coming?" Nick asked in confusion and fear. "What are you talking about?"

Greg showed him the envelope with shaking hands, Nick took it from him and frowned when he read who is was from. Then he became angry.

"Fuck this shit!" Nick said in contempt. "We'll just rip this up Greg, it's not worth your time." But before he could tear the letter up, Greg reached out and took his hands in his, stopping him.

"No, Nick," Greg said with a shaky voice. "I need to know what it says!" He was so sure that Grissom was coming after him, he needed to know what the letter said.

"Come on, Greg." Nick protested, believing Greg should not subject himself to this.

"Please Nick, I have to know if he's coming for me." Greg said on the verge of tears.

"Okay fine." Nick relented. "Let's get inside." He took Greg's hand and led him towards the house.

Once inside the house they sat together on the couch, Nick handed the envelope to Greg but he shook his head. He was afraid to read the words himself, yet he had to know what they said.

"Will you read it first?" Greg asked fearfully.

Nick nodded and tore it open, and removed the letter. He was pissed off that Grissom even had the nerve to write to Greg. He began reading it to himself, his jaw dropped in surprise. When he was finished reading he looked up at Greg, his mouth still hanging open.

"What's it say Nick? Read it to me." Greg urged, needing to know but not really wanting to.

"I think you need to read this your self." Nick suggested, handing the letter over. "You'll never believe it."

Greg took the letter in his still shaking hands and began to read it. His eyes widened.

Greg,
If you are reading this letter, you must be scared to death right now. Don't be. You have nothing to fear from me ever again. I give you my word.
Believe it or not I am writing to apologize for the harsh and inhumane treatment you suffered at my hands. I am not asking for forgiveness, I know I would never get that from you. I don't deserve it anyway. I needed to say it just the same.
I need you to know that in the past year I have undergone intensive therapy. I want to tell you something that I have never told anyone else besides my therapist. When I was a child I was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of an uncle. It began at age four until his death when I was seven. He would call me his good little boy as he molested me, but if I didn't cooperate he'd beat me with his belt, or choke me. Sound familiar? I know it is no excuse for my actions, I just wanted you to know. The therapy has helped me not only deal with that issue, but also my need for control issues, and my sexual deviance. I know it sounds hollow but I am a different person now.
I know you won't believe this Greg, but I truly did love you, I just was unable to express it in a healthy way. I have never been one to convey emotions very well, I admit I have a poor perception of peoples feelings. My lust for you and the need to dominate, combined with possessiveness and jealousy got way out of hand. To put it simple, it made me crazy.
Again Greg, I am truly sorry that I hurt you. I wish you and Nick all the happiness in the world, Lord knows you deserve it.
Sincerely
Gil Grissom

Greg stood up and paced the room, he was angry, and scared at the same time. Even after all this time he could still be thrown into a state of panic because of Grissom. It wasn't fair that his walls he worked so hard to build could fall down so easily. He felt like he was losing control, like the past year never happened, and he was back where he started. He shook the letter as he spoke.

"He's sorry my ass!!" Greg yelled in frustration. "Why Nick? Why does he still do this to me?"

"Don't let him Greg." Nick insisted. "You remember what Dr. Barns told you, take control."

"I don't know if I can. The old feelings are back, I can't shake them." Greg put his hands to his head.

"Yes you can, Greg. The power is in your mind, all you have to do is use it." Nick said "I know you can do it, take back your control. Don't let him win."

"I'm trying, b...but it's so hard." Greg near tears again, still pacing frantically.

"I'll help you." Nick said taking his hand and leading him into the bedroom. "You can take control through me, take out your frustrations." Nick offered himself to Greg.

"I don't know what you mean Nick." Greg looked confused.

Nick just smiled at him as he removed his clothes, tossing them on the floor. He stood there naked before him.

"Use me G, take control. You can even tie me up." Nick said reaching for a necktie and wrapping it around a wrist for emphasis.

"No Nick, I'm not like him!" Greg shook his head. "I can't hurt you, it's not me." Greg was scared he would sink to Grissom's level of madness.

"You wouldn't be hurting me Greg, it's not as if your forcing me. I want you to." Nick assured him that was not the case.

"I can't do that Nick, just let me get my head together my own way. I don't need..."

Greg stopped in mid sentence, because Nick had moved to the bed and was now on his knees facing him. His hand tugging at his own growing erection. He slowly sucked on his fingers and took them from his mouth making a slurping sound, and then he reached down and slipped one inside him, and groaned, the sight rushed blood straight to Greg's groin.

"Come on Greg, you know you want to." Nick said suggestively, as he shoved another finger inside and moaned. "Mmmm this feels so good G."

"Oh Jesus Nicky." Greg groaned, his jeans suddenly feeling a lot tighter. His earlier resistance quickly slipped away as desire took over.

"Come on G, take me." Nick was breathing hard. He turned around and wiggled his ass towards Greg in a playful manner. "My fingers feel good, but your dick would feel so much better."

"You are a fucking tease Stokes!" Greg growled, his eyes growing dark with desire.

"What are you gonna do about it?" Nick said, then let out a long purr-like moan.

Greg lost it then, the letter fell from his hand all but forgotten. He practically ripped his jeans off getting them down and lunged at Nick, grabbing his hips so hard he was sure there would be bruises later.

"I'll show you what I'm gonna fucking do about it!" Greg groaned and plunged his cock deep into Nick with one hard thrust.

"Yeah, thats it...take me...God yes!" Nick panted.

He slammed deep into him over and over, fast and hard. He groaned with pleasure as Nick's tightness surrounded him, pulling him in. Nick shoved back to meet his thrusts, while he fisted his own cock with one hand and gripped the sheets so hard his knuckles turned white with the other. Nick let loose wolf-like howls and moans, as Greg pounded into him, striking his sweet spot over and over, he was seeing stars. It wasn't going to last much longer, both men moving together, flesh against flesh, hot and sweaty. Heavy breathing and cries of pleasure filled the room.

"Oh God Greg! Oh fuck yeah...do it...fuck me...I'm almost there...oh fuuuuuuuck!!

"Nicky...Nicky...oh Christ...yeah...fuck, oh fuck... I'm coming...Niiiiiiiiiiiick!!!

Their releases hit hard, both together as one. Nick's body shook as he spurt his seed onto the bedspread. Greg came so forcefully he blacked out, his knees gave out and he fell to the floor, dropping onto his back. He lay spreadeagled on the bedroom floor, panting heavily. Nick panicked at seeing this, he leapt from the bed to Greg's side. He lightly slapped at his face.

"Greg!" He shouted. "Wake up, are you alright!?" Nick was worried. Then Greg eyes fluttered open.

"Hey Nicky." Greg said a little wearily.

"Thank God you're okay." Nick said in relief. "I was afraid I killed you."

"You can't get rid of me that easily." Greg laughed. "You were right Nick, I feel so much better now. I think that was the most intense orgasm I've ever had." Greg laid there bathing in the afterglow.

"Now, that's what I call taking control!" Nick chuckled, rubbing his somewhat sore ass.

"You didn't play fair Nick, you know what it does to me when you touch yourself like that!" Greg pouted.

"Of course I do! Why do you think I did it? Come on, let me help you up. You can use some sleep after that." Nick said helping him up.

Nick helped Greg to his feet, removed the soiled bedspread and they both slipped under the sheets, they were both asleep within minuets.

Six restful hours of sleep later and Greg woke up first, he gabbed the remote and turned on the television. A breaking news story was on about a fire that burnt a nightclub to the ground. Killing the owners. He shook Nick awake to see it for himself. Nick sat up and watched, wondering why Greg would wake him for a news report, But when he read the headline at the bottom of the screen he knew why: Gay night club Hyena's burns to the ground!

Greg looked at Nick and smiled. He could not help but be happy.

"You know what they say Nick."

"What?" Nick asked.

"What goes around comes around." Greg said, feeling a real sense of closure.

He was in control once again. He pulled Nick into a hug, with their eyes away from the television they missed the camera panning over the crowd of curious onlookers behind the yellow crime scene tape. In among the crowd stood Gil Grissom, a smile of satisfaction upon his face. Throughout their investigation, Sara and Catherine concluded it was arson, but there was never any evidence found to lead them to a suspect.

Life went on for Nick and Greg. Eventually Greg passed his final proficiency test and became a CSI.. Greg was a much stronger person now, and with Nick's love and support he was able to push forward and prove to himself, he was more than what Grissom thought of him. He was his own man.

The End - This fic has come to an end, I hope you all enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Writing the evil Gil Grissom was a lot of fun. I was unsure how people would respond to it and was glad that you all enjoyed it. I didn't expect that. Thanks for reading and reviewing.

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