Title: Heaven, Hell and Purgatory
Author: Mara
Pairing: Gil/Warrick
Rating: FRM-Language, M/M Sex and Angst
Note: Rejection, Temptation and Jealousy (Part 1 of a 3 part trilogy)
Outrage, Resistance and Reunion (Part 3 of a 3 part trilogy)
Spoilers: None
Summary: Gil & Warrick become a couple. Jim's hurt and depressed. Warrick feels bad for him.
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. The names of all characters contained here in are the property of Jerry Bruckheimer and CBS. No infringements of these copyrights are intended, and are used here without permission.

Heaven:

Gil thought that this was going to be the fight of a lifetime. He had been so stupid -- to have denied Warrick his love. Gil had never been very convincing, when it came to professing his love for someone. This time, however, was different. He begged and pleaded and begged and pleaded some more until he managed to convince Warrick that he truly did love him. It took about a month of dates, flowers and cards until Warrick finally came around. The hardest part was overcoming Warrick's guilt about Jim, but he eventually realized that it was Gil he wanted -- had to have, no matter what.

Gil rolled over and smiled. He wondered how he had ended up Fortune's Fool. He was still having trouble believing that Warrick was really his, but he wasn't about to argue the point. Beautiful green eyes fluttered open and gentle brown fingers traced a pattern across Gil's chest. Strong arms reached out to hold him and sensuous full lips skated over Gil's tingling flesh. Heaven -- Gil had died and gone to heaven. He never wanted to get out of bed anymore. All Gil wanted to do was to stay snuggled in Warrick's arms forever.

Life was good. Four months had passed and Gil and Warrick decided to move in together. Every moment Gil spent with Warrick was like a gift from God. They hadn't told people about their relationship, except for Jim and Catherine. In the beginning, when he and Gil first got together, Warrick had tried to make Jim understand. Warrick felt really bad about hurting him. Jim took it well. At least he seemed to. Jim said he knew from the start that Warrick loved Gil and he was happy for them. Gil told Catherine because he knew she'd figure it out anyway. She always did. Catherine was ecstatic for them. She said she had never seen Gil so happy.

The adjustment period wasn't as bad as Gil had initially feared. He and Warrick settled into domestic bliss pretty quickly and the time in-between shifts were what Gil lived for. Warrick was an incredible lover, passionate, creative and spontaneous. Every time he slid inside Gil, it set off a nuclear explosion. In the few months spent together, they had explored every inch of their sexuality and discovered exactly what they could do to each other. It was truly awe-inspiring.

Gil slid his generously lubricated fingers inside his lover while sucking on the head of his cock. Warrick was making those little mewling sounds. The ones that always made Gil crazy. "Oh God. Gil, that feels so good! Oh baby, yes, yes! Take me now, Gil. Take me hard. Make me come for you. Fuck me, Gil. Fuck me now!" Gil was panting hard, his breath coming in gasps as he removed his fingers and penetrated Warrick in one long slow stroke. "Oh yeah. That's it, baby. Ride me hard!" Gil did exactly that. He rode Warrick for all he was worth. "Gil, Gil, Gil." The sound of Warrick screaming his name sent shivers up and down his spine and made his every stroke a force to be reckoned with.

"You like that, don't ya, babe? You like the way my cock feels pounding inside you. You are so fucking hot. Come for me, babe! Come for me!"

"Oh God! Oh fuck! Gil!" Warrick came thrashing and screaming. He tightened his legs around Gil's waist -- pulling him deeper inside and sending Gil over the edge. Gil collapsed on top of Warrick in a state of satiated ecstasy.

"Ah Gil, that was incredible! You are so amazing. You make me crazy with want!"

"I make you crazy? I've never felt this kind of passion before, not until you. You have no idea what you do to me."

"Well if it's anything like what you do to me, then I'd say we're even. What do ya say we call in sick and do this again and again and again?"

"That's very tempting and I'd love to, but Catherine would come looking for you. I really don't want her breaking down the door and dragging your ass out of bed. Do you?"

"Hell no! I guess I'd better grab a shower and get dressed. I really don't want to. It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it."

"You'll survive, honey, and it will give us something to look forward to later."

"Oh yeah. You coming home to me every morning--is a dream come true."

"You're not moving, babe."

"I'm contemplating it."

"You're gonna be late."

"I'm moving, really."

"Uh huh."

"Ok, I'm going. Go back to sleep, sweetheart. You've got a long night ahead of you."

"Whatever you say. Be careful, ok. I love you."

"I'll be careful and I love you too."

"Try and keep Cath out of trouble."

"Ha."

Warrick showered, dressed and kissed a soundly sleeping Gil on the forehead before he left. Leaving his lover sucked big-time. When he arrived at work Catherine was waiting for him. "It's going to be a busy night. Nick's already out on a call. A female db was found strangled in her bed and we've got a shooting. There are two dead, shot in a convenience store parking lot. Brass is waiting for us and by the way, you're positively glowing."

"Oh, shut up and let's go."

"I wonder what Gil looks like right now?"

"Well, if you must know like sleeping beauty."

"You two are so cute."

"And you are so stupid." Warrick rolled his eyes at her and took off down the hall.

When they reached the crime scene, Brass gave them the rundown. They could tell almost immediately that the shooting was gang related. There were no witnesses and not much evidence. They realized that this case would probably never see the light of day inside a courtroom.

Brass didn't hang around long. As time passed Jim had begun to avoid Warrick more and more. A few weeks ago he started calling Warrick, Warrick again which hurt the younger man to the core. He knew he was solely responsible for causing the breach in their friendship. He had never wanted to cause Jim pain and he didn't know how to repair the damage. He tried several times to talk to Jim, but he always cut Warrick off with one excuse after another until Warrick finally stopped trying. However, Jim wasn't the only one hurting. Warrick cared for Jim. Jim had been there for him when he needed comfort. Jim had seen him through some dark days and Warrick was tearing himself up inside with guilt. Warrick tried to put it out of his mind. He told himself that Jim would get over it eventually, but the question was would Warrick?

Life for Warrick and Gil proceeded on course as the void between Warrick and Jim became wider and wider. Gil and Jim's relationship also suffered. They didn't have their long meaningful talks and Jim didn't seek Gil out anymore. The jokes and laughter between them became non-existent. Gil felt bad. He missed his old friend, but having Warrick near helped ease some of the pain. He just wished he could do something to make Jim feel better, but he knew heartbreak could only be healed by time.

Hell:

In the next few weeks an odd string of events occurred that made Gil seriously rethink his whole relationship with Warrick. Jim took several days vacation and left town. When he came back, he was in a mood straight out of hell. He was distant with everyone and snappy. He looked tired and stressed and Warrick suspected that he had been drinking too much. Warrick decided to try and get through to Jim one more time. So when he entered Jim's office near the end of his shift, it was with nervous trepidation.

"Jim, are you all right?"

"Don't you know how to knock?"

"I'm sorry but I didn't think you'd let me in if you knew it was me."

"You give yourself too much credit. Do you really think my life revolves around you?"

"Of course not. Damn it, Jim. I've been worried about you. You look terrible and you've been so stressed out. Please, tell me what's wrong? Is Ellie ok?"

"Yeah, she's just great. I had to go to L.A. and bail her out of jail. She was arrested for drug possession and prostitution. You know what thanks I got for my efforts? She told me to get out of her life and never come back. She said she didn't need my help. So I left. I called her mother, which was a waste of time. She doesn't give a shit about Ellie and she never did."

"Jim, I'm so sorry. You don't deserve to be treated like this. You've done everything you possibly can to help Ellie. She should be grateful after all the trouble she's been in that you still care. You're a good father, Jim. Please, believe me.

"Right. Now that you know all my business -- you can get out of my office. I'll be just fine."

"Don't be that way. I consider you a friend and I don't like to see you in pain. I'm just trying to help."

"You want to help me? Leave me alone. Go find Gil. He's probably searching the corridors for you as we speak." Jim pushed away from his desk then went and opened the door to show Warrick out. Warrick gently took Jim by the arm and looked him in the eyes. "Whether you believe me or not -- I care what happens to you and I always will."

Jim slammed the door shut and locked it. He grabbed Warrick by the shoulders and attacked his mouth. It was a kiss that spoke volumes of unrequited love and pent up passion. It spoke of hunger, frustration and desire. The kiss rattled Warrick to his foundation and it was a few seconds before Warrick could think clearly enough to push Jim off of him. " Jim, I'm sorry. I can't. You know that."

"That's what I thought. Now get the hell out!"

Jim opened the door and almost shoved Warrick through it. Warrick's mind was reeling as he tried to make it down the hallway without shaking. Gil saw him coming and was instantly taken aback by the distraught look on his face. Gil grabbed hold of him and ushered Warrick into his office. He sat him down and put his arms around him to try and stop the shaking. Warrick was close to tears and he was hanging onto Gil for dear life.

"Sweetheart, what's the matter? What happened? Talk to me, please."

"I'm all right, Gil. I'm ok. I had a fight with Jim -- if that's what you want to call it. I've been worried about his behavior lately and I just thought I'd try and talk to him. He had to go to L.A. and bail Ellie out of jail. Then she kicked him in the teeth for it. He's in bad shape. I was just trying to help, honestly."

"What happened? Tell me everything."

"He told me to get out. He said he wanted to be left alone. I told him that I cared about him and that I always would. Then he … ah… kissed me. I told him to stop and he threw me out of his office. He was so angry, Gil. I didn't mean any harm. This has gotten way out of hand. I don't know what to do anymore."

"Damn it, Warrick. You should have stayed away from him. You know he's hopelessly in love with you. You're just adding insult to injury. What were you thinking? He might've hurt you in his present state of mind."

"Jim would never hurt me. He's just upset over Ellie and he took it out on me because I was there. I think he's been drinking and obsessing over her and I can't say that I blame him. He has no one to talk to, but you're right -- I shouldn't have been the one to try. I'm sorry. I won't make that mistake again. Don't be mad."

"I'm not mad. I was just worried about you. Look, I'll try and talk to Jim after he's had a chance to calm down. I don't think I'll have any better luck, but I'll do what I can. He and I haven't exactly been on friendly terms lately, but I still care what happens to him. Go home and get some rest, babe. I love you. It's going to be ok."

"I love you too. Wake me when you get home."

"Are you sure? You've had a rough night."

"It'll be a lot rougher if you don't wake me."

"Anything you say, babe. I'll see you when I get home and don't worry yourself sick."

"I'll try not to. See ya later."

Gil was still angry about the way Jim had treated Warrick and he was seething over the kiss, but he was going to keep his vow and try and talk to Jim. Gil was willing to write Jim's outburst off as stress related -- this time. He knew Jim needed help, but Gil was never good at showing empathy and he was hard pressed to believe that Jim would listen to him anyway. Gil decided to put off any talk with Jim until tomorrow night. He wanted to give Jim plenty of time to calm down. As evening turned to morning Gil's thoughts turned back to the gift he had waiting at home and he breathed a sigh of relief that his shift was almost over.

Another week had passed and Gil still hadn't had a chance to talk to Jim. Gil seemed to keep missing him, but he was going to keep trying. Warrick was better but Gil didn't think he had gotten over it completely. Warrick just wasn't as exuberant as he normally was. Warrick had steered clear of Jim since their disastrous encounter. He definitely didn't want to risk a repeat performance. Gil had just arrived at the lab when Catherine grabbed him and pulled him aside. "We've got a problem. We're working a double shift. There's been a shootout at a local restaurant. Jim's been shot!"

"Oh God! How bad is it?"

"We don't have all the details yet. Warrick is on his way to the hospital. Nick and I are on our way to the scene. You better grab your team and join us."

"I'll page them and we'll be right behind you."

Gil paged his guys and then called Warrick on his cell phone. He tried to keep the fear from coming through in his voice, but it was difficult.

"Warrick Brown."

"Warrick, I saw Catherine. She told me what happened. Where are you?"

"I'm at Dessert Palms. I just got here a few minutes ago. I haven't been given any information yet, but I'll call you as soon as I hear something. Where -- are you?"

"I'm on my way to the scene. Both teams are on it. Do you know if they got the suspect?"

"Yeah, they've got him in custody. He used to work for the restaurant. They fired him, so he decided to go on a shooting spree. Apparently, Jim got hit by a ricochet, but there were so many bullets flying it was hard to tell."

"Honey, are you sure you should be at the hospital? I know you're worried, but Jim might not want you there."

"I know. I know, but I'm not leaving until I find out his condition. Then I'll leave and meet you guys at the scene. I promise. I won't try to see him, ok?"

"Ok. I'll see you when you get here and I really hope Jim's all right."

"Yeah, me too. I'll see ya soon."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
When Gil arrived at the scene he tried hard to concentrate on the evidence, but he was worried out of his mind about Jim and even more worried about Warrick. What would Warrick do if Jim died? Gil shuddered to think. Gil had begun to realize that Warrick's feelings for Jim ran deeper that he let on. This was getting complicated and Gil just didn't know how to deal with it. Gil thought that maybe he should give Warrick up, but he knew he never could. He loved him too much and Warrick said he loved him too. Gil was going to do everything in his power to save the relationship -- no matter what it took.

Purgatory:

Warrick sat in the emergency room waiting area, for what seemed like forever. He finally decided to check at the desk one more time. Someone should know something by now. As he approached he saw Jim coming down the hall with his arm in a sling. He seemed to be arguing with the doctor. Warrick tried to get out of Jim's line of sight, but it was too late. Jim spotted him immediately and he did not look pleased to see him.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"I came to see if you were all right. No one knew what your condition was."

"And you're the only person they could send?"

"I'm sorry."

"Well, you can tell everyone I'm ok. It's just a flesh wound. The bullet only grazed my shoulder. You can go now!"

"What did the doctor say?"

"He said to take it easy for a week or so. I guess I'll be on desk duty next week."

"You should take a few days off."

"I don't need your advice."

"Fine, but how are you getting home?"

"I'll take a cab."

"Why don't you let me drive you?"

"You've already driven me insane. Thanks, but no thanks."

"Jim, please. There's no need to take a cab when I can drive you home. Don't be like this. You said you understood about Gil and me. I can't help the way I feel about him. It doesn't mean that I don't care about you."

"Yeah well, I can't help the way I feel about you either."

"I never meant to hurt you." Warrick reached out his hand and touched him on his good arm. Jim tensed and pulled away. He turned his back on Warrick and took out his cell phone and dialed the number for the cab. When Jim turned back Warrick was gone and Jim was eternally grateful. He just couldn't deal with Warrick right now.

When Warrick reached his Tahoe he pulled out his cell and called Gil. Warrick was close to tears. It seemed like all he'd done lately was cry. This shit had to stop. Gil could hear the pain in Warrick's voice and he knew things had not gone well.

"Are you all right, baby?"

"Yeah, I ‘m fine. Jim's ok. It's just a flesh wound. He's going to be on desk duty for a week. Ah, he saw me before I could get out of there."

"How'd he react?"

"Not good! I tried to get him to let me take him home, but he wouldn't. He called a cab instead. I don't think he's going to get over this, Gil. We can't keep on this way. He's going to end up exploding and we're going to get caught in the crossfire."

"I know and as soon as I finish up here, I'll go see him. We're almost done. So you go home and get some rest. It's four in the morning and you don't need to come to the scene. We've got it covered. I'll see you at home."

"Ok, but try not to make him mad. He's been through a lot tonight and he's not in the best of moods."

"I'll handle him with kid gloves. I promise -- love you."

"Love you to."

When Gil finished at the scene he sent everything back to the lab with Sara and Greg. He told them he was going to go see how Jim was doing. They said to say hi for them and tell him they hoped he was doing better. Gil said he would and that he was going straight home afterwards. Gil made one last call to Catherine to let her know Jim's condition. She had left for home before Warrick's call, so she didn't know Jim was ok.

On the way to Jim's, Gil tried to form some sort plan of attack in his head. He had no idea what he was going to say to him, but he had to come up with something and fast. Gil didn't think Jim would react quite as badly to him as he had to Warrick. After all, Gil wasn't the object of Jim's affections, but it could go either way. Gil's mind had been coming up with some bizarre solutions to the situation over the past couple of weeks. He'd been considering things that were so far out in left field it made him wonder where they were coming from. Gil had always looked at things in a logical, scientific manner but all that changed when he fell in love with Warrick. Love defied logic and for the first time in his life -- Gil preferred love to logic.

When Gil arrived at Jim's he saw the lights were on, so he knew Jim was still up. The knot in his stomach tightened somewhat as he rang the doorbell and braced for the explosion.

"What do you want?"

"Ah, hello to you to. I wanted to see for myself that you were ok."

"Ok, you've seen. Now go."

"May I come in?"

"What for? Did your boyfriend call you? Well, I don't need your sympathy. I'm doing just fine."

"Can I please come in? It's been a long night and I really need to sit down."

"Suit yourself."

Jim moved aside and let Gil in. He plopped himself down on the couch in front of the TV and proceeded to ignore Gil. Gil sat down in the chair across from him and watched Jim pretend to watch TV for a while.

"How long are you going to keep this up?"

"For as long as it takes you to leave."

"I'm not leaving. We need to talk. I miss our friendship. I don't want it to be like this. You won't talk to me anymore. Please, can't we fix this? You know Warrick's out of his mind with worry over you and so am I."

"I don't need you or Warrick worrying about me. I'm a big boy and can take care of myself."

Jim took a deep breath to calm himself. The stress of the past few months came crashing in on him. He realized he'd been a first class prick. He remembered the hurt he had seen in Warrick's eyes at the hospital and now guilt was over-taking his anger. With a heavy sigh he said, "Look, Gil--just relax. I'm sorry I've been such an asshole lately, but things have been pretty crazy. I know you and Warrick are deeply in love and I'm not trying to cause problems, but I just can't get over the way I feel about him. I've tried and seeing him everyday doesn't help. I'll admit it. I'm jealous. You have everything I've ever wanted. I'll try to be more civil on one condition -- that you keep Warrick away from me as much as possible. Deal?"

"Jim, I don't think that's going to work, besides I have no control over Warrick and I know about the problems you've been having with Ellie. They're not your fault."

"I see Warrick's been spreading my business around."

"He only told me out of concern and it was right after that episode in your office."

"Oh right, how could I forget that."

"Jim, have you ever wondered why Warrick is always checking to make sure you're all right?"

"What kind of a question is that? I just figured he was trying to make my life miserable."

"Warrick wouldn't do that and you know it."

"Is there a point to this?"

"I think he loves you. I think Warrick is in love with both of us."

"Have you lost your mind? You've got to be nuts! Warrick is not in love with me and he never will be."

"I think you're wrong and we're going to work this out -- whether you like it or not. I need to talk to Warrick first, though."

"Talk to him about what?"

"Just give me a few days and I'll get back to you. Can I ask you something?"

"What?"

"How do you feel about me, really? Did you ever consider me attractive?"

"Huh? Where are you going with this?"

"Please, indulge me, just this once?"

"Ah, I don't know. I guess so. You're attractive enough. Why?"

Gil moved over onto the couch next to Jim. He leaned in and brushed Jim's lips lightly with his own. Jim looked at Gil dubiously and raised an eyebrow. "Gil, you need to go home to Warrick"

"That's where I'm headed. I was just testing a theory. Was it repulsive?"

"Ah no, but it was surprising. This is one of your twisted experiments--isn't it?"

"No it's not. I'm serious. I think we can make this work with a little cooperation."

"Gil, you've lost me. I'm totally confused. Make what work?"

"I've got to go. I'll talk to you soon. Take it easy and don't over do. Sara and Greg wanted me tell you they're thinking about you and Catherine said if you need anything to just give her a call. I'll see ya."

"Ok."

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That was very strange. Jim was more than a little confused. He knew Gil was up to something. The kiss--if nothing else proved that. ‘Make what work‘? Jim was too tired to think anymore, so he decided to pop a pain pill and go to bed. Maybe he'd figure it out after he got some sleep and then again -- maybe not.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

After arriving home and taking a shower, Gil climbed into bed next to his lover. Even in sleep Warrick looked distressed. Gil snuggled up close to Warrick and gently nuzzled his neck. Warrick sighed and pulled Gil, into a tight embrace. Gil moved his hands up and down Warrick's back, kneading the flesh -- trying to sooth some of the tension he felt there. Warrick slowly opened his eyes and smiled at Gil, tenderly. Warrick's smile always made Gil melt.

"Hey, babe."

"Shush honey, go back to sleep. It's still early."

"Did you see Jim?"

"Yes. He's fine. He talked to me a little. We'll discuss it later. Go to sleep, love. I think I have a solution to all our problems."

"What?"

"Later, babe"

Gil hugged Warrick to him and watched his lover drift back to sleep. Gil didn't know what Warrick would think of his grand plan, but he was going to give it his best sales pitch. Something had to be done and this was the only plausible solution Gil could come up with.

End