Previous part of Rejection.

***

Regret: A feeling or expression of sorrow and guilt for a past action or event that you now wish had not happened. Greg thought about driving home, but quickly decided not to. He drove to his friend's house, sighing when he turned off the car. He walked up the few stairs that led to his apartment. A man with long blonde hair, and hazel eyes answered the door.

"Greg?" the blonde boy asked.

"Hey Jacob." Greg said, as the boy stepped aside.

"You look like shit...no wait...shit looks better than you right now. Damn, when was the last time you ate? No, when was the last time you slept? Fuck that, when's the last time you actually took care of yourself?" Jacob asked, as Greg plopped down on his couch.

"A few minutes ago, last week, and I don't know." Greg said, in order.

"Before that when was the last time you ate?"

"Thirty minutes."

"Before that?"

"...maybe a month?"

"MAYBE! Greg, damnit." Jacob yelled, "Why haven't you been doing anything?"

Greg shrugged.

"Shrugging isn't good enough! Greg..." Jacob trailed off when he saw Greg's eyes water.

"Nick kissed me."

"That's great!" Jacob said, "Why aren't you two bumping uglies?"

"I-I think he did it out of pity." Greg said, "I'm not sure..."

Jacob watched Greg grip his hair tightly. He sighed audibly, and sat down next to him.

"I thought you said Nick Stokes wasn't one to do something out of pity. That Nick was so great, and kind." Jacob teased, pushing Greg a little.

"I...thought he was. Jacob I'm so fucking confused right now. I really am...I think Sara told him, but she didn't have time to." Greg said, "I think I might be...."

"Over reacting, over dramatizing things, over doing it a bit, over--" Jacob stopped when Greg glared at him.

"Yes, one of those." Greg said, "I think I might need to go apologize."

"I think that would be a smart thing to do." Jacob said, "He might love you Greg. Which is what you've been waiting for. Now, you need to eat something...and I mean now, not later."

Greg laughed as Jacob ran into the kitchen.

"I had an apple and some soup. I'm fine."

"I don't care. You're eating something, and calling Nick. He can come over here, or you can go over there...preferably over there. I don't want to see you guys screw each other senseless. Sorry, not my idea of a good time. Not into voyeurism, not one of my kinks." Jacob said, coming in with a platter of sandwiches.

"If you think I can eat all of those, you are sadly mistaken."

"Eat as many as you can." Jacob said, as Greg starting eating some.

He only ate a few, before calling that quits.

"Now, for the easy part."

"That was the easy part? Have you tasted your food?" Greg asked, making Jacob glare.

"You are going up to Nick, and I don't know...throw him up against the wall or something...do something you haven't done in a while."

"That's a wide range of things."

"What do you mean?"

"I've kind of been like a robot in the past month." Greg said, making Jacob smack his own head.

"Then do something that they know you for doing. Like something outgoing, or just plan fucking nuts." Jacob said, "I don't care, just go and apologize. If you don't get him then I'm going to make sure next Christmas is hell."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me. Go on and try me. I'm like Tickle Me Elmo, I won't DIE."

Greg twitched at the name.

"Thank you for bringing up bad memories."

"It's not my fault that your cousin had a thing for pushing the Tickle Me Elmo doll until we finally had to take....drastic...measures."

"Drastic measures meaning I had to throw the fucking thing in the fireplace. Oh that was the only time I loved it."

"That was WAY off subject, now go and be merry...uh...go get laid...uhm...go find love." Jacob was having a hard time with his words.

Greg nodded, standing up from the couch.

"I understand." Greg said, opening the door.

Jacob watched as Greg...came back in.

"I can't do this. I made a total fool out of myself. What if he doesn't love me anymore, what if he thinks I'm a total douche bag?" Greg said, hurriedly.

Jacob mentally throttled Greg, before grabbing onto the now pacing man.

"Greg! You can't just fall out of love like that, you were just scared, AND you aren't a fucking douche bag. Douche bags are the scum you put away. Now listen up, because I'm only saying this ONCE. You won't get rejected, I've said that ever since you started talking about Nick, now if you don't do something now, I'm going to murder the both of you, and put myself out of my own misery." Jacob said, making Greg stop.

"Sorry."

"It's fine, now go." Jacob said, pushing Greg to the door.

"Wish me luck."

"You don't need it." Jacob said, watching Greg's retreating back.

Greg drove to his apartment, already seeing Nick's truck. He took a deep breath and got out of his car. He also saw another car, vaguely remembering it. He walked up the stairs, to hear screaming and yelling. He saw Nick and his ex. He almost flinched when they both saw him.

"Greg, who the fuck is this?" Stephen asked.

"This is Nick Stokes, I work with him at the lab. What're you doing here?" Greg asked, feeling Nick's glare on him.

"I've been waiting for you. I wanted to see if you wanted to get back together."

"I've told you a million times, and it's still the same answer, no." Greg said, making the other glare.

Out of the corner of Greg's eye he saw Nick smiling.

"Fine, whatever." Stephen said.

"Could you please go. I have to talk to Nick."

"Nick, is it. Watch out for this one. He can say he loves you a million times over, and still be a little bitch and dump you." Stephen warned, bumping into Greg harshly when he walked away.

"Hey Greggo." Nick said, as Greg threw him a half smile.

"Sorry about that...he comes by every other week...it's getting to be quite annoying."

"Where'd you go? I've been waiting here for thirty minutes."

"I had to clear my head...went to my friend Jacob's. He sort of drilled something into my head." Greg said, sighing.

"Look Greg, the way I went about telling--"

"I over reacted. I've been doing that a lot lately." Greg said, "I was just scared about you actually loving me...it sounded insane for a while."

"I don't want this to sound like a cheesy line or anything but I really do love you Greg. I always have...I was just to scared to tell you." Nick said, making Greg laugh.

"Same here." Greg said, as Nick stepped closer.

"Greg, would you like to have dinner with me?" Nick asked, making Greg smile.

"I'd love that actually." Greg said.

Nick grinned widely at him.

"Great...so...do you want to tonight?" Nick asked.

"Sure." Greg said, "Any time sounds fine."

Both didn't realize the pair of eyes glaring at them from the stairs.

***

Jealousy: feeling bitter and unhappy because of another's advantage, or luck in a certain thing. Nick had felt that right outside Greg's door. He'd felt it when he'd talked about women, but never as strong as that moment. He'd left Greg's apartment complex, feeling joyous. It was a grand feeling, and he was walking to his car.

They'd decided on going at seven. It'd give them both two hours to get ready, which they both needed. Nick was so happy he thought that everyone could feel it from a thirty mile radius.

He got into his car, and drove to his apartment. He had no idea what he was going to wear. The drive to his apartment was a long one, but he didn't really care at the moment.

His phone rang at that time, as he answered it.

"Stokes." Nick said.

"Hey Nicky, can you hang out tonight?" Warrick asked.

"I've got a date."

"With who?" Warrick asked.

"Someone special." Nick said.

"Does the someone special have a name?"

"Yes, but I'm not ready to tell you." Nick said, hearing a laugh.

"Alright whatever. You have fun, and remember to not get so drunk that you can't drive home."

"Shut up War." Nick said.

"What? It's the truth."

"This isn't just a random fuck Warrick."

"Wait...is it the crush that you dare not speak it's name because you're embarrassed?"

"The one and only."

"Finally! It only took you six years to say something to the person."

"Yeah and I had horrible timing when I told said person."

"That sounds rough."

"Yeah but he undesto---." Nick trailed off.

"Wait...he?" Warrick said.

'Strike one.' Nick thought.

"Yeah...um...I'm kind of bisexual man."

"How can you be kind of bisexual? You either are or you aren't." Warrick said.

"Then I am."

"Nick you should know I don't care if you're gay or not."

"I know that. It's just that you'll flip when you hear who he is."

"Do we work with him?"

"Yeah."

"Is it Grissom?" Warrick asked.

Nick started laughing.

"No! He's with Sara remember."

"...I know it's not me, because you would've asked me out already."

"Warrick, I love you man, but you aren't my type."

"Thank God for that."

"Oh shut up."

"Wait...is it Greg?"

"...Yeah."

"Well damn, congratulations Nick." Warrick said.

"Wait...why are you so cool about it being Greg?"

"Maybe because you two deserve a tiny bit of happiness, even if it means being together."

"Thanks War."

"No problem Nick." Warrick said, "Look I've got to go. Call you later."

They both hung up as Nick got to his place. He parked the car, and got out.

There was a guy leaning up against Nick's door, smiling at him.

"Who are you?" Nick asked, then recognized him as Stephen.

"He's a whore you know. Slept with about everyone in sight for a long time. It's only a matter of time before he drops you to the ground, and kicks you aside." Stephen said.

"Liar." Nick said, "Now move, I need to get into my place."

"I'm just trying to warn you Mr. Stokes that Greg is a jerk." Stephen said, moving away.

"Yeah well tell it to someone who's gullible enough to believe it." Nick snapped, opening the door.

"Just think about what I said, and how he acts." Stephen said, as Nick slammed the door in his face.

He heard Stephen laughing, then a car starting.

'What the fuck is that guy's problem?' Nick asked himself.

Nick set down his keys and went to his bedroom. He picked out some clothes that would look good on him, and smiled at himself.

"I can't believe he said yes to dinner...well I can...but wow." Nick said to himself, shaking his head.

He needed to stay focused, and not go into la la land. He took a quick shower, and shaved any kind of scruff he had. He remembered one day Greg had made fun of his mustache, calling it a pornstache. He'd shaved it that night, just because Greg didn't like it.

Nick smiled at the memory, and put on his clothes.

The quicker he got back to Greg, the happier both would be, right?

***

Disdain: Extreme contempt or disgust for something or someone. Greg had felt that kind of feeling when he first heard about Kristi. That was years ago however, and Nick hadn't really dated anyone else.

But now....Nick and he were going on a date. Greg didn't know whether to jump up and down, or to cry in relief. He didn't even know what to wear. He had to many clothes, and few hours until said date. He picked out a plain blue shirt and threw it behind his shoulder.

Greg decided that the things that he didn't like anymore, he'd give to good will or something. He finally decided on some blue jeans, and a black shirt with a logo saying, 'We do not jump in front of a gun, for fucking bad things come out of the fucking barrel.' Greg thought someone had wanted to use the word fuck in the same sentence twice. But he loved this shirt the most. Some black Chuck Taylor's, and Greg was ready. Only he wasn't, he was already biting his nails.

Greg hadn't bitten his nails in years, so he glared at the offending finger, and sat on the couch. He was slightly bouncing, but who doesn't bounce before going out with a Texan God? He meant Nick, that's what he meant. Not the former, but the latter.

He smacked his head, knowing he was going to screw this up somehow. He heard a knock on the door, and looked through the peep hole. He opened it up, as Stephen slid in like a serpent.

"Hey Greg." Stephen said, smiling.

"No. Stephen, leave!" Greg said, opening the door wider, "I'm not dealing with your getting back together bullshit right now."

"Why not? Is it because Nick finally got up enough balls to ask you out?"

"There's that, and the fact that I'd rather sleep with a sheep than you." Greg said, smirking.

Stephen glared at him.

"That's not very nice to say."

"Well I'm not nice to people who are jerks. Now will you please leave." Greg asked, following the door back when Stephen stepped closer.

"Or what? What are you going to do?" Stephen asked, as Greg pushed the door into his face.

Stephen yelped, as Greg pushed him out of the door.

"Don't come back." Greg said, trying to shut the door.

Stephen's foot was already there, Greg tried to slam it on his foot. Hoping that Stephen couldn't do with the pain. Stephen pushed the door open, sending Greg back.

"Okay you are putting a whole new label on breaking and entering." Greg said, glaring at him.

"I just want to talk."

"Well I'm about to leave. Also, that's why we have phones. You know those things that you use to call people." Greg said, as Stephen took a bigger step towards him.

"Look, someone's about to be here. So there's really nothing you can do." Greg told Stephen logically.

"I already know that your new toy is coming." Stephen said, "He's not like the others. He doesn't scare easily."

Stephen grabbed Greg's upper arms.

"Well when you get a stalker, then get buried alive. A little punk like you isn't really that threatening." Greg said, pushing Stephen away.

"Oh so he's fucked in the head."

"No! No he isn't! He's not fucked up, he's pushed all that aside." Greg snapped, making Stephen laugh.

"Yeah right." Stephen said, glaring when Greg mocked him.

"Do us all a favor and go fuck yourself." Greg said, "Now leave! Before I call the cops."

Stephen didn't know whether to stand his ground, or to leave. He knew getting back together with Greg was not going to happen. He rolled his eyes noticeably.

"Whatever, you're not even that cute anyways."

Stephen left, and Greg slammed the door. He wanted to laugh at the lame come back, but took a deep breath.

Nick was going to be here any minute, and the nervousness had come back. Greg shook his head to get rid of the nervousness, but just decided to jump up and down.

Getting rid of it was going to be a big problem. Then realization dawned on Greg's face. It wasn't only him being nervous, he was also hungry.

'That's what happens when you forget to eat.' Greg thought, mentally smacking himself.

When another knock came from the door, Greg got ready to snap at the person. When he saw it was Nick, he just smiled.

"Hey you." Greg said, as Nick grinned.

"You look nice."

"Thanks." Greg said, "You do too."

'Lame! Lame! Oh so lame.' Greg thought in his head.

"So are you ready?" Nick asked, as Greg nodded.

"Yeah, let's go." Greg said, slightly bouncing into the little loop Nick made for his arm.

Nick laughed at the hyper man, and led the way to his car.

Hopefully Greg wouldn't make a complete idiot of himself during dinner.

***

Love: an intense feeling of tender affection and compassion. A passionate feeling of romantic desire and sexual attraction. Nick knew this feeling very well. He'd had this feeling for a long time. He now knew that Greg did too.

Greg smiled at Nick, as they entered the restaurant. They were both laughing about a joke Nick told.

"Greg, I'm so sorry it took me so long to ask you out."

"Well I didn't exactly get up and ask you either Nick."

"I know, but still..." Nick said, "Are you feeling okay?"

Greg almost laughed at that.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." Greg said, smiling widely.

"You just look like you're sick."

"Not eating in a while does that to you." Greg told him, making Nick frown.

"I---"

"Please don't say you're sorry. It's fine." Greg said, "I just wasn't paying a lot of attention to anything at the time."

Nick nodded, and they waited for their waiter. Greg told Nick about the case he's had previously, and how Warrick almost walked into a door.

Their waiter came, and took their orders. He came back five minutes later with some coke, and salad for them.

"So Greg, when did you realize you liked me?" Nick asked him, making the younger man tilt his head down.

"That's a very difficult question."

"No it's not." Nick said.

"See I don't really know when I did."

"You can't just say it happened."

"I know I can't, it's just that....I didn't realize I liked you. All I knew was that when you were around I'd get really happy." Greg explained.

Nick made an 'o' with his mouth.

"It got really confusing, but then I realized a few days before the lab explosion that I did like you." Greg told him, "Same question."

"The second week I worked in the lab." Nick said, not missing a beat.

Greg laughed at him.

"You were ready for that question." He accused.

"Yes I did. You're just becoming way too predictable." Nick said, sighing.

Greg flicked some salad at Nick, who dodged it.

"Rykk." Greg muttered, making Nick look up.

"What?"

"What?" Greg echoed.

"What'd you just call me?"

"Nothing. Nothing, so is your salad good?" Greg asked.

Nick gave Greg a look, and continued with their conversation.

The dinner they ordered came, and they both started laughing.

"So G, why did you never tell me?"

"Well I thought you were straight, and I don't take well to rejection."

"I was in denial most of the time." Nick confessed.

"I thought you would be disgusted that one of your friends was in love with you."

"I wouldn't. Jesus, we're both really stupid." Nick said, making Greg laugh.

"Only a little bit. We're both CSIs, but we managed to miss something as big as this."

"Guess we aren't that good."

"No we are, we both thought it was to good to be true." Greg said.

"When'd you get so smart?"

"I've always been smart Nick." Greg said, glaring slightly.

"Well yeah you have, but you've been hanging out with Grissom to much. I'm cutting you off."

Greg snorted.

"That's not Grissom, that's me. Remember, I've been avoiding everyone."

Nick nodded his head.

"Greg, you don't realize how worried we were about you. Grissom thought you decided to just become anorexic. Warrick, Sara, and I had to actually think of a plan to talk to you."

"If I had known I wasn't eating that much, I would have eaten. I just....forgot. It happens to the best of us." Greg said.

"So now what?"

Greg shrugged.

"I was hoping for another date." Greg said, looking into Nick's eyes.

"I think another date would be great."

Greg started laughing lightly, then grinned.

"What?" Nick asked.

"I haven't had fun in a while." Greg said, "Feels kind of weird."

Nick's mouth closed when the waiter handed him the check.

"Well if I have it my way, which I will...."

"Like you always do...."

"I hope to have that smile on your face back 24/7."

"That's a pretty hopeful thing." Greg said, "What if it doesn't work out between us."

"It will, we'll make it work. Because sorry Greggo, but I've waited for a long time to have this and I'm not letting it go."

Greg's smile widened, as Nick paid the bill. Greg argued that he should pay half of it, but Nick refused. Giving the corny line that seeing Greg happy was payment enough.

Greg gave him a look, and realized that he couldn't be happier right now.

Now if they could just make it to the bedroom.......

A/N: Yep, that's the end. *smirks* Sorry I had to leave it at such an evil place. But I just had to do it.

***