Title: Return
By: Cosmorain
Pairing: Nick/Dave and *gasp* slight GSR
Spoilers: Leaving Las Vegas
Rating: PG-13
A/N: I have developed insomnia, which sucks. So instead of tossing and turning I decided to write. I hope you enjoy.

For David Hodges it had been a very long four weeks. The lab did not fall into chaos like David expected it to when Grissom left but it seemed unwelcoming even unfriendly at times to him. Catherine was as strict and abrupt as ever, Sara was moping, Greg was trying to settle his civil suit, Warrick was trying to hold it all together, and Kepler was on Crack. That was the only thing David could think of to describe the man's behavior. I mean really were they even doing company drug test anymore?

And Nick… well Nick was as clueless as ever. How the man couldn't see his unyielding crush on him he would never understand.

David missed Grissom. Like most of the employees of the lab Grissom was a mentor to him, someone who didn't sneer at his need to learn, to know the why of a case instead of just handing out results. It seemed that many believed he was just some wise cracking jackass, and while that may be true he was at heart a scientist. Maybe that's why he felt he didn't belong with the others. He had no connection to them, even some of the other techs that he considered his semi friends. He didn't just run trace all day and then head home and drink a beer and catch a game.

He lived science.

The truth of the matter is that at home he had a lab in his basement that could rival the one he worked in. Sure it had taken him almost fifteen years to assemble it but microscopes weren't cheap. He wondered if the CSIs would be surprised how valued he was in his field. Would they be amazed at the sheer amount of papers he published, the offers he had been made by not only the FBI but many prominent east coast universities.

Offers like the on he was currently staring at. A chance for a full time position at his old school as the head of the biochemistry research department. It was a coveted position and they were offering it to five other leading researchers.

David was the top contender of the five.

David was almost decided in his decision. He had sat down with Conrad and discussed what the procedure would be if he decided to leave. How much noticed he had to give, finding his replacement. Conrad had not been happy and had even offered David a raise, and from Conrad that was saying something, but was working in an environment were you were unwanted and hopelessly in love with a coworker worth it?

David was staring at the letter in the break room, surrounded by CSIs on their lunch break when a commotion caused him to look up.

Judy from reception came flying down the hall her blonde curls flopping against her forehead. She stopped at the open break room door and caught her breath.

"Guys." She gasped. "Grissom's back." David smiled a bit and watched her take off again to spread the news to the other employees. The others around David began an excited chatter. David was happy, at least he'd get to say goodbye to Grissom except this time it might be him going away.

David spotted Grissom marching down the hall, a stack of papers in hand and a frown on his face. Now, he thought who could make Grissom that mad in the five minutes he had been here. He stalked to the break room and strode in never glancing at any of the occupants in the room and marched right up to David. The others looked on in shock and he wondered what he did to make Grissom upset.

"Is this what I think this is?" Grissom asked shoving the papers at David. Ah David thought my resignation papers. He looked back up at Grissom.

"The answer is no David." Grissom said. David paused a moment and set the papers on the table beside him but said nothing.

"Is this about what we talked about before I left?" David nodded. He tried to speak really but he didn't know what to say.

"In part. It's just something I'm considering. How did you know about it anyway?" David asked.

"Conrad." Grissom said shortly. David rolled his eyes. "Is that the letter?" David sighed and handed to Grissom. He watched as Grissom unfolded it and the slight widening of his eyes at the contents.

"It's a good offer, but not guaranteed."

"I'm well aware of that." He paused. "This isn't something I wish to discuss where everyone can hear." Grissom nodded.

"Then come with me to my office. We have a lot to talk about." David stood and took the letter back from Grissom, and as if noticing the others for the first time Grissom turned and greeted them before heading out the door with David following behind.

Nick sat stunned and confused as he watched Hodges and Grissom leave.

"What was that about?" He heard Warrick ask. Catherine who was sitting next to him rolled her eyes.

"Who knows?" She rose from her chair. "Come on ‘rick let's get back to work." Warrick rose and followed Catherine out the door waving absently to Nick. Nick returned the wave his mind on what had just happened.

What stood out the most was how comfortable they both had seemed. How Hodges and Grissom talked in what seemed like their own secret code. He looked over to where David had been sitting and noticed the stack of papers he had left behind. He reached over and grabbed the stack. On top was a leave of absence form, filled out for David to go to Massachusetts. Nick paused; wait wasn't that just where Grissom was. The second sheet was actually several stabled together. They were resignation papers. Nick had filled out the same ones after his burial but in the end he couldn't go through with it. Why would Hodges want to leave? Did it have anything to do with Grissom? Grissom had called him David, and until he showed up today Nick had still doubted Grissom would return.

An unsettling thought formed in his head. He had been joking with Catherine about Grissom having a girlfriend for the most part, but what if it was a boyfriend instead. He had noticed Hodges and Grissom getting closer but thought nothing of it, and when Hodges had become more withdrawn after Grissom left, he had believed it was because of Kepler. He felt a flare of jealousy rise up in him. Were Hodges and Grissom a couple? Nick had admitted to himself a while back that he had fallen in love with the snarky trace tech but hadn't made a move. The way Hodges talked about women Nicky knew he didn't stand a chance. No. He thought if Hodges did indeed have something going on with Griss he was going to find out, especially if he was going to leave them. There was no way he was going to let them run off into the sunset; no way he was going to give David up without a fight.

~~~~X~xxxxxxxxx~X~~~

David sat across from Grissom waiting for the older man to speak.

"So." He began. "Did you miss me that much David?" Grissom asked with a smirk. David snorted.

"Please. Do I look like Sara?" Grissom winced and David smirked. "Yeah, you got some damage control there buddy." Grissom laughed a bit.

"I know." He paused. "What's this all about? I know you were unhappy at the lab, but I didn't think you wanted to leave." David sighed.

"It's not that I want to leave Grissom. I just…I feel like I don't belong here." Grissom sighed.

"You know David, I've learned quite a lot about you."

"You went to see Cookie, didn't you?" Grissom smiled.

"I did. Plus Dr. Langston was very interested in what you've been up to. He raved about the last three papers you published, said you were his favorite student." Grissom paused. "David why didn't you let us know about your research, your take on compound chemicals and their effects on emerging diseases was astonishing." David blushed.

"I'm just the trace guy around here. The others use science but they don't live it like I do." He paused. "Maybe that's it. Maybe I'm tired of being just the trace guy." Grissom nodded and sat back.

"It is true that you are over qualified for the position, but there must be some reason you choose this line of work. What was it?" David was quiet for a moment.

"I think it was for the people. After college I was isolated in my research, I rarely spoke to others. I had my own lab so I didn't need to interact with anyone other than to show my findings. I was lonely I guess. So I moved to LA and got a job at the crime lab, but it was horrible there. I was surrounded by people but utterly alone. Vegas was my last ditch attempt I guess."

"So why have you stayed this long?" Grissom asked.

"I…I guess some of it was out of respect for you. I know I act like a suck up some times but I really do admire you, and your approach to investigation. You respect the science, you love it and I feel the same. It was… nice to have someone around who felt like I did." Grissom smiled and David smiled back.

"Science seems to make hermits out of us all David." David laughed then bowed his head shyly.

"Yeah. Well since we're being honest here the other reason is..." Grissom cut him off.

"Nick." David's head shot up.

"How?" David asked. Grissom smiled.

"I know my team, and you are a part of my team." He shifted in his seat and leaned forward. "What do you feel for Nick?" David swallowed.

"I love him." David whispered. Grissom just nodded.

"I can't tell you how to live your life, or what to do about Nick, but I do know that I want you to stay. I enjoy having you around the lab, and now that I know what you're capable of maybe we can co author a paper together." David smiled bigger.

"Really?" Grissom nodded.

"Now the trace doesn't run itself, get back to work." David rose from his seat.

"Yes sir." David said turning to walk out.

"David." Grissom called.

"Call me Gil." David smiled, nodded, and then walked out the door.

Nick watched Hodges leave Grissom's and his jealously surged again giving him courage to march into Grissom's office. Grissom looked up as he heard he door shut.

"Is he leaving?" Nick asked harshly. Grissom was taken aback by Nick's tone.

"Who?" Nick folded his arms across his chest.

"David!" Nick exclaimed. Grissom leaned back in his chair and regarded Nick coolly.

"I'm not sure. He is undecided." Grissom paused. "He was given a very good offer you know." Nick snorted.

"What playing professors with you back east?" Grissom was startled a bit.

"Nick. Do you think David and I are…?" He trailed off. Nick fidgeted a bit.

"You're not?" Grissom shook his head.

"No Nicky."

"But… you're the only one he talks to, laughs with, and what about these papers?" Nick threw the papers on Grissom's desk. Grissom didn't take his eyes off Nick.

"David feels like he doesn't belong here, that no one cares." Nick flinched. "He's wrong though isn't he Nick. You care." Nick swallowed and nodded.

"I care." Grissom sighed.

"He's been offered a chance to head research at a very prominent institute."

"So what do I do?" Nick asked. Grissom shrugged.

"Make him a better offer."

~~~~X~xxxxxxxxx~X~~~

Nick paced nervously outside the lab. He had been waiting for David to come out of the building. He leaned against the wall beside the door and a few minutes later he caught David's tall lanky form emerging from the building.

"Hodges!" He called out. David turned startled and watched as Nick Stoked jogged up to him.

"Stokes." He said after his heart rate had calmed.

"Hodges, David. Can I talk to you?" Nick pleaded. David nodded stunned and could only follow when Nick led him by the arm around the side of the building away from prying eyes.

"Don't go." Nick said. David looked at him confused.

"Don't go where? Don't go home?" Nick shook his head.

"Don't go to Massachusetts." David could only stare. "Grissom told me that you got an offer, a really good one but David I can't let you go." David held his breath.

"What are you saying Nick." Nick was quiet then he leaned over a brushed his lips against David's. He pulled back for a moment.

"I need you David. Don't leave me." Nick leaned over and kissed David again.

David couldn't believe it, he was in heaven. He dropped his bag and wrapped his arms around Nick pulling him closer. Nick kissed him harder tugging David arms around his waist. They stayed wrapped in each other for a few long minutes. David pulled back.

"I should threaten to go away more often." Nick laughed his arms still around David.

"Will you stick around? I think I can make it worth it." David smiled.

"Sure."

From his office window above them Grissom watched the two walk off arm and arm and smiled.

"Ah." A voice from behind him said. "Nick finally made his move huh?" Grissom turned to find Sara behind him.

"Yeah." She moved to the window and watched the new couple walk off.

"At least Nick made a move in person." She paused and turned to face him. "I mean he didn't send Hodges an engagement ring in the mail." Grissom stared.

"It was first class UPS." He said. Sara smiled.

"Whatever." She moved to walk past him and he grabbed her hand to yank her back.

"I see that you are wearing said ring." They both glanced down at the diamond on her left hand.

"Yeah." She said softly. He pulled her close.

"So was that a yes?" Sara nodded.

"It's a yes." They embraced as the sun rose on a new day in the city of Vegas.

~~~~X~xxxxxxxxx~X~~~

Sorry about the GSR at the end but it begged for it. Ignore it if you don't like it.