Author: CSI_Nightowl
Pairing: David/Nick
Rating: PG
Warning: slash
Spoilers: none
Summary: David is worried that Nick will react badly to his question.
Disclaimer: I don't own CSI or its characters. If I did there'd be much more Nick, David and Greg screen time.
A/N: This is a (very) late Hanukkah present for pabzi *buries head in hands in shame*. This started out a short story but um, it didn't stay that way. The request was for "just something cute about david worrying about nick about something". Hope this is what you had in mind, Pabzi.
This was such a stupid idea David though as he stared down at the rings in his hand. It really didn't mean anything, hell it isn't even legal. Then why did he want Nick to say yes so bad? He started pacing back and forth. Nick would probably say no. He should just take the rings back and forget the whole damn thing. His phone started ringing. He picked it up and glanced at the caller id.
"Hey Nicky."
"Hey Dave." Nick yawned.
"Nice to hear you're excited to talk to me."
"Sorry. I've just finished an eighteen hour shift."
"Are you still at the lab?" David could hear noises in the background.
"Yeah, that's why I'm calling. I was wondering if you could come and get me. I'm afraid if I drive I may fall asleep at the wheel."
"Sure, I'll be right there."
"If it's a problem, I can drive."
"Oh no you won't, I'm on my way and you'd better wait for me."
"Okay. Bye"
"Bye." David was almost to his car when he realized he still had the rings. He could take them back in and hide them but that would take time and he wanted to get to the lab before Nick decided he could drive himself. He looked at the rings one last time before snapping the lid shut and shoving the box into his pocket.
David had expected to see Nick waiting for him in front of the lab but he was nowhere to be seen. He pulled in the parking lot and sighed. If he went in to get him Grissom would probably grab him to work even though he had the next two days off. He was about to call Nick's cell when he seen Bobby walking to his truck.
"Bobby." David called as he got out of his car.
"Hey David. I thought it was your day off."
"It is. I'm here to pick up Nick. Have you seen him?"
Bobby laughed. "Yeah, he's asleep in the break room."
"Shit." David knew he was going to have to go in. "I don't suppose I could persuade you to go get him for me?"
Bobby shook his head. "After what happened to Warrick last time, um, no way."
"Chicken."
"Do you think it's wise to call someone that who handles guns all day names?"
"Fine. I'll do it myself but if they put me to work you will pay Dawson."
"I'm shaking with fear." Bobby yelled as he drove away.
David had one more idea. He knew calling Nick's cell would be useless. For some reason when he slept in the lab he was dead to the world. So David called the break room, hoping someone was in there besides the Texan.
"Las Vegas Crime Lab." Catherine said.
"Catherine, it's David. I'm here to pick up Nick."
"He's asleep."
"Could you wake him for me?"
"You must be joking."
"Is there anyone there that will?"
"Hang on." She laughed. "Does anyone want to wake Nick up?"
David frowned as he heard a chorus of nos.
"Sorry, David."
David groaned. "Some friends you are."
*******
David glared at the room full of people. "One of you could have done this, you know."
"After what he did last time?" Sara grinned. "He's all yours."
"You all are such babies. It was just a little kiss."
"A little kiss? The man practically molested me." Warrick frowned.
David rolled his eyes then turned to Nick. He sat down on the edge of the couch and gently shook Nick's shoulder. "Nick, wake up."
Nick mumbled something then reached out to pull David down but he moved out of his reach.
"Dave. Come here." Nick demanded without opening his eyes.
"Nick, we're at work." David said.
"Huh?" Nick opened his eyes. "Oh."
"Yeah, oh."
"I thought you were off tonight?"
"You called me to come get you, remember?"
"Oh yeah. Why didn't you have somebody wake me?"
"Gee, I don't know."
"Sorry." Nick blushed as he remembered Warrick trying to wake him a couple of weeks ago. He had thought it was David and pulled him down on top of him and started kissing him. He turned even redder when he realized the room was full of people, laughing people at that.
"Come on. Let's go home." David helped him up.
"You two kids have fun." Catherine giggled, earning her a glare from both men.
"I'm never going to live that down, am I?" Nick asked as they headed to the car.
"I doubt it. However, on the plus side, I know it's not going to happen again cause no one will go near you when you're sleeping now."
"Sorry you had to come in."
"Don't worry about it." David glanced at the other man. "I'm just glad you called and didn't try to drive home."
Nick nodded. "Thanks for picking me up."
"You can thank me later." David wagged his eyebrows, making Nick laugh.
****
Nick crawled into the bed and frowned. "David."
"You bellowed?" David poked his head into the room.
"Aren't you coming to bed?"
"I've got some things to do first."
"But I can't sleep without you."
"You don't seem to have that problem at the lab."
"That's different." Nick pouted. "Please."
David was hoping to put the rings back in their hiding place when Nick went to sleep but he'd never been able to refuse the Texan so he got into the bed. He would hide the rings tomorrow while Nick was in the shower.
Nick snuggled up to David. "I love you."
David kissed his forehead. "I love you too."
David rolled over and reached for Nick only to find the other side of the bed empty. He opened his eyes and scanned the room. That's when he saw the note laying on the nightstand. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes he picked it up and read it.
Dave,
Gone to get us some breakfast. Borrowed your car since mine's at work. Oh, I must have left my keys in my lockers so I took yours.
Love you,
Nicky
David yawned and started to go back to sleep. Suddenly his eyes popped open. "My keys? Shit!" David jumped up and grabbed his pants off the floor. "Oh please, be in the other pocket." His search of his pants pockets came up empty as did his shirt pocket. "Shit, shit, shit!" He knew the box had been in his pocket. He buried his face in his hands. Nick must have found it. What will he think? "Oh god David, you're so stupid!"
He heard the key turning in the lock. He practically ran into the bathroom and locked the door. He felt like he was nine again, hiding in the closet because he'd broken his mom's favorite figurine. He knew he was being ridiculous. He couldn't stay in the bathroom forever but he also couldn't bring himself to face Nick. What had he thought when he found the rings? Would he think it was stupid? Would he be mad? Would he laugh? David groaned. Would they break up over it?
"Hey, sleepy head. I've got breakfast." Nick said as he entered the bedroom. "David?"
"I-I'm in here."
"Well hurry up, you don't want it to get cold."
David swallowed hard and opened the door.
"Morning." Nick smiled.
"Morning." David mumbled as he headed for the kitchen.
"What, I don't get a kiss?"
David reluctantly turned back and kissed him, avoiding actually looking at him.
"Wow, some kiss." Nick commented sarcastically. David's lips had barely touched his.
"Can we eat now?"
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Nick studied him as they sat down at the table. "Don't give me that. I can see something is bothering you. Are you mad because you had to come pick me up?"
"Of course not."
"David, you haven't looked at me since you came out of the bathroom."
"Sorry." David busied himself getting the food out of the bags.
Nick reached across the table and took David's hand. "Baby, tell me what's wrong."
"I'm just hungry."
They ate in silence. When they were finished Nick led David to the couch and started kissing him but it was obvious the other man's mind was elsewhere.
"Why are you so tense?" Nick asked frustrated.
"Sorry."
"Stop saying you're sorry and talk to me."
David had spent days planning how and when he would propose but all those plans were shot to hell now that he'd been stupid enough to let Nick find the rings. He finally mustard up enough courage to look into the other's eyes. He expected to find ridicule or anger in those eyes but instead all he saw was love and concern. In that instant he realized Nick hadn't found the rings.
"Well, at least you're looking at me." Nick smiled faintly. "Now tell me what I've done to upset you."
"You haven't done anything."
"Right."
"Honest." David smiled. "Now where were we?"
Nick wasn't sure what had just happened but David seemed to be back to his old self. "I'll never understand you."
David tilted his head. "I'm not that complicated."
Nick laughed till there were tears running down his face.
*******
David was frantically searching the house, desperately trying to find the rings before Nick came back from his run. He'd already been through the car twice and this was his third search of the house. He finally gave up. The only other place they could be was the lab. Just fucking great. If anybody finds them it will be all over the lab and how many people would be carrying around a set of men's wedding bands. He knew he had to relax. Nick was already suspicious. He jumped as the door opened.
"Didn't mean to startle you." Nick stood just inside the door.
"Good run?"
"It was okay. Wish you would have gone with me."
"Sorry, I didn't feel like it." David lied.
"Yeah, so you said."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Nick held up his hands in surrender. "David, I don't want to fight. I'm going to go take a shower.
"Good cause you stink." David said angrily.
"Not complicated, my ass." Nick muttered as he slammed the bathroom door.
David sighed. What the hell was wrong with him? He'd gotten angry at Nick because he knew he was lying. How dumb was that? If he didn't pull it together he was going to destroy everything.
******
Nick stood at the kitchen door watching David wash the dishes. He picked up a dish towel and started drying.
"Thanks." David muttered.
"What are boyfriends for?"
David smiled. "Yeah, drying the dishes is definitely at the top of the list. I mean, really, who needs love, companionship or great sex as long as you can dry the dishes."
"Great sex?" Nick looked offended.
"That was a compliment."
"Oh well, there's your problem."
David flicked soap suds at him. "Okay, hotshot, what should I have said?"
"Incredible sex."
David laughed. "I guess I can't argue with that."
"You guess?"
"Nick, I'm sorry about earlier. I know I've been a real jerk."
"If you were a woman I would have thought you were pmsing." Nick smirked.
"You're lucky I'm not. You'd be on the floor for that comment."
"I have five sisters; do you really think I'd be stupid enough to say that to a woman?"
"Good point."
"David." Nick moved behind him and put his arms around his waist. "Whatever's bothering you just know that I'll always be here for you."
"I hope so."
"Hey" Nick turned him around. "I love you. Nothing will ever change that."
David nodded but Nick could see he needed more reassurance. "Never." He whispered as he lowered them both to the floor.
"I just mopped in here." David frowned.
Nick stared down at him. "You are not serious?"
"I was merely pointing out that you'll have to mop it again later."
"Fine but much, much later." Nick grinned.
"Was it worth it?" David watched as Nick mopped the floor.
"What do you think?" Nick grinned. "Is that the mail?" he asked when he noticed the envelopes in the other man's hand.
"Yes. What a crackerjack CSI you are."
"Anything important?"
"Let's see" David flipped through the pile. "Water bill, credit card bill, junk, junk, oh look, an invitation. Which one of your brood is getting hitched now?"
"Nobody that I know of."
"Hmm." David tore open the envelope. This can't be happening, he thought as he read the invitation. This has to be some cosmic joke.
"David, what is it?"
"It's a wedding invitation."
"For who?" Nick moved closer.
"Joe and Keith." Great, now when he proposed Nick would think he'd gotten the idea from them.
"You're kidding?" Nick took the invitation from David. "Can you believe it? What's the point? It's doesn't mean anything. They won't be anymore legal than you and I are. You got to wonder about people sometimes."
David felt like he was being punched with every word Nick uttered. He turned away to hide his pain.
"You agree, don't you?"
"Yeah, it's stupid." David lied. "Come on, let's watch the movie."
They managed to sit through a whole ten minutes of the movie before Nick realized something was wrong. "You alright?"
"I don't feel so great. I think I'll go to bed."
"Oh, uh, okay." Nick watched in confusion as David went into the bedroom and shut the door.
David resisted the urge to slam the door as he closed it. He felt angry, hurt and damn it, like a fool. He crawled into bed and turned away from the door and his side of the bed. He heard the door open.
"Dave, you need anything?"
"No."
He heard Nick sigh and shut the door. He thought he'd gone till he felt the bed dip and an arm go around his waist.
"What are you doing?"
"Holding you."
"Why?"
"I though it might make you feel better."
"It won't."
"It might."
"Nick, don't you want to finish watching the movie?"
"Not without you."
"I'm sure you could find something more important to do."
"Nothing's more important to me than you."
The lump in David's throat made it impossible for him to protest anymore. Nick was right. What they had was wonderful; they didn't need some stupid ceremony to prove they were committed to each other.
Tomorrow he'd go to work a little early and search for those rings. He had to find them because if Nick ever found out, well, he wasn't sure how he'd react but he was sure it wouldn't be good.
So tomorrow he'd find the rings, take them back to the jeweler's, cancel the plans he'd made for Friday and Nick would never be the wiser. He hoped.
David's plan was simple, arrive at the lab early, retrace his steps and find those damn rings. Of course, he realized it wasn't going to be that easy. Odds were that he's dropped them in the break room and that place was rarely empty, especially between shifts. So as he walked through the hallway he prayed for two miracles, one that the room would be empty and two that no one had found the rings.
He couldn't believe his luck. There wasn't a soul in the break room. Yes! Finally something was going right. He searched the whole room even removing the cushions from the couch. They weren't anywhere in the room. He decided to search under the couch one more time. He was lying on his stomach, blindly feeling around when he heard someone giggling.
"Looking for these?"
He stood up looking as dignified as someone on the floor groping under furniture could look. He stared at the outstretched hand holding the opened box of rings. "You found them! Thank you, thank you!"
Catherine laughed again. "You were searching in the right place; they were halfway under there when I saw them."
"You haven't showed anyone these, have you?"
"Of course not. I figured they were a surprise so I thought I'd wait and see who was looking for them."
David nodded. "Thanks."
"I have to admit, I thought the rings were Nick's."
"No chance of that." David mumbled.
"So when are you going to pop the question?"
"I'm not."
"Uh, okay. Why did you buy the rings then?"
David wondered how much to tell her. He wanted to talk to someone but Catherine really wasn't that someone. He had three people that he was comfortable talking too, Nick, who wasn't an option for obvious reasons, Jacqui, who, no matter how much she promised not to, would give Nick a piece of her mind and most likely hurt him and then there was Bobby, who, because he'd been married to his partner for nine years, might find Nick's remarks hurtful. Good lord, when did he start worrying about people's feelings? David took a deep breath and decided he had to tell Catherine something unless he wanted it blabbed all over the place. He motioned for her to sit down and then he started telling her everything from losing the rings to Nick's reaction to the wedding invitation.
"That doesn't sound like something Nick would say."
"Well, I was there and he did say it." David huffed.
"I wasn't implying that you were making it up, it's just that it sound more like something you would say."
"I didn't." He started to get up but she put a hand on his arm.
"Just hear me out for a second."
"I'm listening."
"David, do you know that it took him six weeks from the time he decided to ask you to move in until he actually asked?"
"And your point?"
"He knew you were wary of commitment and he was scared of you bolting if he asked."
"But he did ask eventually so I don't see what that has to do with this."
"Don't you? David, maybe he said what he thought you wanted to hear."
"That wasn't what I wanted to hear."
"You and I know that but maybe Nick doesn't. I'll bet you fifty bucks if you ask he'll say yes."
"But what if you're wrong and he really does feel that way? I could lose him."
Catherine shook her head. "He loves you. He's not going to leave you over this."
"Maybe you're right." David slowly smiled. "It really doesn't sound like something he'd say, does it?"
"No."
"You won't tell anybody about this, will you?"
"As long as I get invited to the wedding." she winked.
He nodded just as his phone rang.
"Hodges."
"David, where the hell are you?" Nick practically shouted.
"At the lab."
"The lab?"
"Yeah."
"Thanks for nothing, asshole!"
"What the fuck?" David stared at the phone.
"Problems?" Catherine asked.
"He hung up on me. You don't think he knows, do you?"
"How could he?"
"I don't know but he's pissed about something."
********
David sat in the locker room, waiting for Nick to arrive. He had been racking his brain trying to figure out what he'd done to make the other man angry. He had left when Nick was in the shower but he told him he was leaving. Hmm. He couldn't remember if he'd answered. Maybe he hadn't heard over the water but still he wouldn't get so upset over something like that. David checked his watch. It was getting dangerously close to shift. Where the hell was he? As if in answer, the door was shoved open and a very angry Nick Stokes entered. He glared at David before turning to open his locker.
"Nick…"
"Don't even talk to me right now."
"Why the hell are you mad at me?"
The look Nick gave him was one he'd only seen once before when the Texan had punched his brother-in-law out after he spewed his homophobic garbage at David.
"Nicky…" he tried once more.
"I told you not to talk to me." Nick said through clenched teeth as he slammed his locker shut.
Before David could reply Greg came waltzing in the room. "Uh… sorry guys."
"You didn't interrupt, I was just leaving." Nick started to leave but turned back. "Thanks Greg."
"What the hell is wrong with him and what is he thanking you for?" David watched Nick disappear down the hall.
Greg looked at him as if to say you can't be that stupid.
"Sanders, I swear if you don't tell me I'll take all your precious hair products and replace them with my own chemical concoctions."
"Chill man. He was thanking me for giving him a ride."
"A ride? Why did he need… Oh shit!" How could he have forgotten Nick left his truck at the lab? No wonder he's mad.
"I'd stay away from him for awhile if I were you."
"Sanders, if you were me I'd shoot myself."
David left the locker room in search of Nick. He found him in the break room, eating an apple.
"Nick, I'm sorry."
Nick didn't answer, just continued eating.
"Did you hear me? I said I was sorry."
Nick stood up, threw the rest of his apple away and finally looked at him. "And I guess that makes everything alright?"
"Nick…"
"Do you know how humiating it was to have to ask Greg to pick me up? To have to tell him you left without me. How could you do it David?"
"I'm sorry, I forgot. I was in a hurry."
"Why David? What was your hurry?"
"I—I um…"
"Forget it. I don't want to know. And you can stop lying, I'm not stupid. You left me on purpose."
"I'm not lying. I really forgot your truck was here."
Nick laughed bitterly. "Right and just where did you think it was?"
"I wasn't thinking, I guess."
"Whatever. I got to get my assignment." Nick pushed past him.
"I can't believe you think I did this on purpose."
"We'll discuss this at home unless you're not coming home."
"Why wouldn't I?"
Nick shrugged. "I don't know why you've been doing at lot of things lately."
David grimaced. Things were going from bad to worse. He wished to god he'd never bought those stupid rings.
*****
David stared blankly at the results, thoughts of the past two days occupying his mind. He realized Nick was hurt but really, wasn't he overreacting just a bit? He'd been sleeping in their guest room and only speaking to David when he had too.
"Are those Nick's results?" Greg asked, startling David out of his thoughts.
"Don't sneak up on me like that."
"I wasn't." Greg looked uncomfortable. "Are those the results?"
David frowned. "You aren't working this case.
"Well, I was coming this way and Nick asked if I'd get them."
"Asked? You mean told, right?"
"Can I just have them?"
David handed the paper over. This was the third time Greg had been in for Nick. Clearly he wasn't happy about it but being the newest CSI he would do what he was told and Nick was taking advantage of that fact.
David watched Greg through the glass walls as he gave the results to Nick. He waited till the former labrat left before he went into the layout room and confronted the Texan.
"I thought we agreed when we started dating that we wouldn't let it effect work?"
"It's not."
"Like hell it's not! Greg's not on this case. It's not right to use him like that."
"Since when have you gave a damn about Greg?"
David shook his head in disgust. "How long are you going to act like this?"
"Excuse me?"
"I know I made a mistake and I'm sorry. I don't know what else you want from me."
"I want you to be honest."
Before David could reply Sara poked her head in the room. "Nick, Brass has located Dillion's wife."
"I'll be there in a second." Nick told Sara.
She nodded and left the two men alone.
"That's all I want, Dave. No matter how bad it is I want to know what's really going on."
David frowned as Nick left. He had wanted it to be romantic and special when he proposed. He had it all planned out, not an easy task considering he wasn't the romantic type. Of course, he realized that getting Nick to go anywhere with him at the moment was practically impossible. He was going to have to explain everything when they got home. Even if he could get Nick to go tomorrow night, he couldn't put it off. He knew Nick hadn't been sleeping well and he was worried about him being in the field. If anything happened to him because of this, David shook his head; he pushed that thought away and went back to work.
******
"David."
He looked up from the microscope to see Nick standing in the doorway. He started to make a sarcastic comment about the man gracing his lab with his presence but stopped himself before any words came out. No use in making things worse.
"I'm an idiot." Nick said as he moved closer to the tech.
"Not that I'm arguing but why do you think so?" David smirked.
"I just spent the last hour interviewing Dillion's wife. Seems the two of them had an argument two weeks ago and had barely spoken since. She kept talking about how now she'd never get the chance to tell him she loved him." Nick put his hand on David's. "All I could think about was us. If something happened to you I'd never forgive myself for wasting a minute of the time we had. You apologized; I should have accepted and moved on."
"Shh, Nicky, it's okay." David put his other hand on the side of the Texan's face.
"No, it's not."
"Yes, it is. I hurt and embarrassed you. You had every right to be angry."
Nick leaned his forehead against David's. "I've missed you."
"Me too." David barely got it out before the man's lips were pressed against his. They both forget where they were until they broke for air and heard thundering applause and various whistles and shouts of yeah, thank god and it's about time.
"Hmm, you'd think we'd been difficulty to work with lately."
"Who us? Never." Nick smiled and kissed him again, ignoring the noise coming from outside the trace lab.
David drove home contemplating exactly what to say to Nick. He wasn't fooling himself into believing that just because they had made up he could get out of explaining his recent behavior.
He pulled in the driveway, relieved he had arrived there first. When he entered the house he went straight to the bedroom. He had hidden the rings in his dresser drawer and was about to retrieve them when he heard the front door open.
"Hey babe, I'm home." Nick yelled out.
David shut the drawer just as he came into the room. "What took you so long?"
"I drove the speed limit." Nick grinned.
"Well, that would be a first."
"So what are you doing?" Nick raised an eyebrow as he moved to stand in front of the suspicious looking man.
"I was looking for something." It wasn't totally a lie, David reasoned. "But now that you're here, I'll look for it later."
He had expected Nick to ask him what it was but instead he reached out and took him into his arms.
"Nicky, about the way I've been acting…"
"Not now, Dave."
"But you said you wanted me to tell you."
"Right now I only want you."
"But don't you think…"
"David, shut up." Nick insisted as he maneuvered them to the bed.
"Shutting up." David grinned.
***********
As David rolled over he realized he was alone in the bed. He frowned. Maybe it had all been a dream and Nick was still sleeping in the guest room. He sat up and glanced around the room. He slowly smiled as he took in the clothes scattered all over the floor. He got up and went into the living room. Nick was on the couch, reading the sports section.
"Hey." David plopped down beside him.
"Hey, baby." Nick put the paper down and kissed him.
"I was expecting that in bed. How come you're up?"
"Oh sorry, babe. I woke up hungry. Want me to fix you something?"
"Nah, I'm good."
"You certainly are."
"Oh brother." David rolled his eyes. "I'm going to shower."
"Need any help?"
"I've been bathing myself since I was seven years old, I think I can manage." David stated dryly.
"Oh, okay." Nick muttered disappointedly.
"Of course, there's always water conservation to consider."
Nick practically jumped off the couch. "That's right; we have to think about the environment."
"Yeah, I'm sure that's what you're thinking about." David laughed.
*******
"Didn't your mom teach you not to stand with the refrigerator door open?"
Nick shut the door. "For your information I was trying to decide what to fix for dinner."
"Why don't we go out?" David tried to sound nonchalant.
"Wouldn't you rather stay home?"
"Come on, let me take you out."
"Okay, where did you have in mind, the diner?"
"I was thinking Maurice's." David was prepared for the reaction he got.
"Maurice's? You've got to be kidding! You hate that place."
"Hate's a strong word, Nicky."
"As I recall you said it was too fancy, too expensive and worst of all, too romantic."
"I'm in the mood for fancy, expensive and romantic."
"Since when?"
"Jesus Nick, I'm offering to take you out for a nice dinner. Can't you just accept gracefully?"
Nick shook his head. "Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why do you want to go to Maurice's?"
David sighed. "Must I have a reason?"
"Yes."
"Look, these past few days have been difficult and I want to make up for it." David wondered if Nick was buying it.
"The point is moot anyway. There's no way we can get reservations."
"I already made them."
"You already… how?"
"I have connections." David answered in his best self important voice.
"Dave, let's stay here. We can order in and watch a movie or something."
"Nick, I really want to do this. I need to do this."
"You know I can never say no to you." Nick relented.
"Great. Let's get ready."
Nick followed him into the bedroom with a look of resignation on his face.
*******
Nick whistled at David. "Damn, you look hot in a suit."
"You're not to shabby yourself." David grinned.
"You sure you want to go out?"
"I didn't get dressed like this to stay here."
"Fine." Nick sulked. "Let's go then."
David couldn't believe his plan was going to work. He was certain he'd have to explain everything before tonight ever got here. Instead, it was as if Nick didn't want to know anymore. He should probably be worried about the change in attitude but the butterflies dancing in his stomach made it hard to think clearly.
******
If Nick was interrupting him every time he tried to say something, if he was asking him to dance to keep him from talking, if he was holding him tighter than usual, David didn't notice. Blame it on nerves or just enjoying the night but he was clueless about what was going on inside Nick's head.
"I didn't know you could be so romantic." Nick said as he breathed a sigh of relief as David reviewed the bill.
"Yeah well don't get use to it." David handed the waiter his credit card. When the Texan didn't laugh or come back with something sarcastic he looked up. The sadness in his lover's eyes stunned him. "Nick?"
"David, don't."
"Don't what?"
"I know what tonight is about."
"You do? How?" David frowned. "Did Catherine tell you? Damn it, she promised she wouldn't!
"Catherine? Catherine knows?"
"You could say she caught me in the break room."
"In the break room? My god it's somebody in the lab!"
"Huh?" asked a suddenly confused David.
"Don't tell me. I don't need to know who he is."
The reality of what Nick was accusing him of finally sank in. "You think I'm having an affair!"
Nick shrugged. "You've been running hot and cold lately. Hell, you have a hard time just looking at me sometimes."
"Nick, we work together, we live together, when the hell would I have time?" David asked, trying to stay calm. He couldn't believe he thought he was cheating.
"When you leave early for work."
"When I… wait that's why you … shit." Nick's reaction to him forgetting him made more sense now.
"Can I get you anything else, sir?" the waiter asked as he laid David's card on the table.
"No, thank you." David replied automatically. He signed his name to the receipt then got up to leave.
As they left the restaurant, Nick was well aware that while David had seemed incensed by the accusation he hadn't denied it. Mentally he started to make a list of men from the lab. Someone was going to pay, David was his and everybody knew it.
"Whatever you're thinking, stop." David ordered.
"What gives you the right to police my thoughts?"
"You're being an idiot, that's what."
"You're going to turn this around on me?" Nick couldn't believe it. "You're the one that's cheating."
David threw his hands in the air and headed towards his car.
"Admit it!" Nick demanded as he grabbed his arm.
"Get your damn hands off me!" David was furious. "You think so little of me? You think I went from our bed straight to another's? What kind of person do you think I am?"
"I haven't heard you deny it!" Nick glared.
As David reached into his pocket for his keys, his fingertips brushed the velvet box reminding him everything was ruined now. How could he possible ask someone that didn't trust him to marry him? He glared back at Nick then slammed the keys down on the hood. "Take the car." he said as he started walking in the opposite direction.
"Where the hell are you going?"
"Away from you!" David kept walking, all the while wondering how a simple proposal had turned into this mess.
David walked the short distance to the park, the park where he had planned on asking Nick to marry him. He sighed deeply as he sat down on their favorite bench. It was where they had their first kiss,where they first said I love you, where they decided to move in together. He closed his eyes, trying to figure out what to do now. Trust had been an issue in the beginning but it had always been his issue not Nick's. Now, he thought David was cheating. Where did that leave them? He took out his phone and called the one person he could talk to about this.
"Willows."
"Catherine, it's Hodges."
"Hey! Well, what did he say?"
"I didn't ask him."
"You didn't… why?"
"He thinks I'm having an affair."
"You're kidding? Did you tell him you're not?"
"I shouldn't have to tell him, he should know!"
"I'll take that as a no." He could practically hear her rolling her eyes. "David, the man is not a mind reader. You need to talk to him."
"He doesn't trust me. How can we get past that?"
"You're right." she agreed. "You should just throw it all away."
"You don't have to be sarcastic." he snapped
"I'm not. Look it's obvious neither of you have faith in your relationship. So, why stay in it?"
"Wait, he's the one who doesn't have faith in me."
"Yeah, well who was the one that thought a mere marriage proposal would destroy the relationship?"
"That's different."
"How so?"
"It just is!"
She laughed. "The two of you are good at making problems where there are none. Talk to him. Straighten all this out."
"And say what? Nick I know you think I'm lying, cheating scum but wanna get married?"
"I'm not saying propose; just let him know he's the only one. He is the only one, right?"
"Catherine!"
"Just checking. Come on David, what's more important, your pride or your relationship?"
"Trust is important and obviously he doesn't have any in me."
Catherine sighed. She could tell the stubborn man was close to doing something stupid. "David, try to calm down and think, seriously think about what you are going to do. I know the two of you love each other. Promise me you'll remember that."
"Okay" David promised. "Thanks for listening."
"No problem."
As he hung up he wondered if Nick was as miserable as he was.
******
"I figured I'd find you here."
"I thought you went home." David didn't even look up.
"I couldn't leave you." Nick said as he sat down.
David wondered if he meant ever or just tonight.
"Don't you think it's time we got it all out in the open?" Nick asked as he sat down.
"You think I'm a liar and a cheater. What else is there to say?"
Nick sighed then asked the question he'd been dying to know. "Was it a one time thing?"
"No."
"Oh." Nick's voice cracked. "Do you… do you love him?"
David stared angrily at him until he saw the tear running down his check. Damn that wasn't fair. He reached up and brushed the tear away. Guilt started gnawing at him. Nick was in pain and it was his fault. His behavior had been suspicious and maybe if the roles were reversed, he would have come to the same conclusion."Don't cry, Nicky." he whispered
"David…"
David placed his finger on Nick's lips. "You want to know who I love?"
Nick stared down at the ground and slowly nodded his head.
"I love you, Nick, only you. There is no one else."
Nick looked up. "You're not having an affair?"
"No, I'm not. Nick, why didn't you just come out and ask me if there was someone else?"
Nick shrugged. "I'd been waiting all night; I just couldn't take it anymore."
"Whoa! Wait a minute. You thought I took you out to dump you?"
"So I won't make a scene."
"You honestly think I'd take you to the place we had our first date to do that?"
"You aren't exactly known for doing things the regular way, David."
"Really? Well, I may be socially inept but even I know how cruel that would be."
"The way you've been acting, distant, distracted and lying to me, I didn't know what else to think."
David stood up and started pacing back and forth. "I know that a lot of this is my fault but I can't get past the fact you don't trust me."
"I do trust you. If you say you're not cheating then I believe you."
"Just like that, huh?" David asked skeptically.
"Yes." Nick grabbed David's hand. "I love you."
David allowed himself to be pulled into a hug. "Nick."
"Tell me what's going on, Dave. Please."
David sighed. "There's something I want to ask you but I'm afraid if I do I'll lose you."
"Ask me? What the hell could you ask that would be so bad?"
"Um, well I don't think now is really the time to discuss it."
"No way, pal." Nick shook his head. "You are going to tell me. This has gone on long enough."
"Excuse me?" David glared."You are not telling me what to do, are you?"
Nick resisted rolling his eyes. "Dave, please. I don't know how much more of this I can take."
"But everything's different now. We should just go." David tried to stand up but Nick wouldn't let him.
"I'm sorry I accused you of having an affair." Nick said softly. "Please tell me so we can go back to being the insanely happy couple we were."
"Insane is right."
"Please baby?" Nick gave him his best puppy dog look.
David opened his mouth to say no but instead he nodded. "Okay."
Nick grinned. "Thanks babe."
"You might want to hold on to that thanks." David suggested. "Close your eyes."
"Huh? Um, Dave…"
"You trust me, don't you?"
"Yeah." Nick answered warily. "I swear if you do anything weird, I will hurt you."
"Just close your eyes and hold out your hand."
Nick raised his eyebrows, frowned slightly and shut his eyes.
David stood there, panic slowly taken over. He couldn't remember what he was going to say. What if Nick said no? Should he get on bended knee? Should he really do this?
"Um, Dave? Anytime today would be fine."
"Sorry." David's hands shook as he opened the velvet box and placed it in the outstretched hand. "You can open them now."
Nick opened his eyes and stared at the box then at David, who was on bended knee.
"I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Nicholas Stokes, will you marry me?" David blurted out.
The stunned Texan shifted his glance from the man in front of him to the box in his hand. "David… I … I … yes."
Suddenly David grabbed the box, snapped it shut and resumed pacing. "I know. I'm sorry. God, I should never listen to Catherine. I should have taken the rings back and forgot the whole thing but no I had to listen to her. How stupid was that? Let's pretend this night never happened... go back to what we were like before…"
"David stop!" Nick grabbed him by the shoulders. "I said yes."
"I know. Don't be mad, I promise I'll never bring it up again." David knew he was rambling but he couldn't stop.
"Baby." This time Nick placed his hands on both sides of his face, forcing the man to really look at him. "I said yes." he repeated.
"You... you said yes?"
"Yes! Yes, I will marry you." Nick smiled brightly. "I love you."
Still too shocked to form coherent words, David started laughing as he hugged him.
"I can't believe you really asked me." Nick hugged him tighter. "You don't know how much I've wanted this."
"What?!" David scowled as he pulled away. "What about all that crap you said?"
"What did I say?" Nick was bewildered. Surely David wasn't taking about the affair thing again.
"What did you say! What did you say! You're kidding, right? Let's see, ‘What's the point? It's doesn't mean anything. They won't be any more legal than you and I are. You got to wonder about people sometimes.' Remember now? Cause I sure as hell haven't forgotten."
"Oh." He had said that, hadn't he? "Dave, you've been acting weird lately."
"We've established that already." David interrupted.
"Yeah, well, you should have seen the look of horror on your face when you read that invitation. I thought you were afraid I'd decide to ask you so I said those things to make you feel better."
"Well, you didn't."
"I'm sorry, baby. I thought you already had a foot out the door."
"We're idiots, aren't we?"
"We might need to work on our communication skills a tiny bit." Nick chuckled.
David smiled. "To be clear, I'm not ever leaving."
"Glad to hear it."
"Who else would put up with me?"
"That's true."
"Hey!" David smacked his shoulder. "You weren't supposed to agree with me, doofus."
Nick shook his head. "Only you would propose to someone and not ten minutes later call him a doofus."
"Sorry." David looked uncertain, as if Nick was going to take back his yes.
"I'm not going to change my mind, Dave." Nick assured him.
"Now you can read my mind!"
Nick laughed. "Babe?"
"Yeah"
"Can I see those rings again? You grabbed them before I got a good look at them."
"Oh, yeah sorry.
"You picked these out? Nick inquired as he sat back down. He was having a hard time wrapping his mind around David going into a jewelry store and dealing with a pushy salesperson. He would have thought the man would get himself tossed out within the first five minutes.
"Yes… if you don't like them, she said we could bring them back." As David sat down he tried to take the box but this time Nick jerked it away.
"You're not getting these back."
"But if you don't like…"
Nick sighed. He could tell David was getting geared up to start rambling again. "Did I say I didn't like them?"
"Well, not exactly."
"I think they are perfect." Nick leaned into David. "Just like our love."
"Oh, please." David feigned disgust.
"Tell me about them."
"Huh?"
"Come on, the design of the ring means something. I'm sure the saleslady told you all about it."
"Is that what she was babbling about?"
"David."
"The design is something called braiding. It's supposed to look like two wedding bands joined together as one."
"Like our hearts." Nick grinned.
"Whatever."
"It's beautiful." Nick said then he frowned. "You had this wonderfully romantic night planned for us and I went and screwed it all up. I'm so sorry."
"I know you are."
"I should never have doubted you."
"True but you've more than made up for it."
"How?" Nick looked doubtful.
"By saying yes." David smiled.
"Like I'd say anything else."
"Like I'd cheat on you." David countered. "How long are you going to stare at those?"
"Until it sinks in that I'm not dreaming, that you really did this."
David ran his hand halfway down Nick's arm and pinched him.
"Ow! What the hell did you do that for?"
"To proof you weren't dreaming. You don't have to thank me."
"That really hurt, man." Nick rubbed his arm.
"Aw, my poor baby" David said as if he was talking to a child. "Want Davy to kiss it and make it better?"
"Davy better stay away if he doesn't want to get hurt." Nick warned.
David responded by scooting closer and putting his head on the Texan's shoulder.
"I see you're really scared, huh?"
"Nah, you wouldn't hurt your fiancé."
Fiancé, Nick liked the sound of that. "Okay, fiancé let's put these rings on."
David sat up. "What? I figured we'd have a ceremony or something."
"We will but we should try them on."
"Absolutely not."
"Dave, I want to see what…"
"No." David took the box from Nick.
"Why not?"
"We are not tempting fate. These rings will go on our fingers during the ceremony and not before." David stated firmly.
"But what if they don't fit?"
"They will."
"Alright, I don't want to argue."
David shot him a suspicious look. "Nick, if you put this ring on, I swear I will take them back and get the cheapest, ugliest bands they have. And believe me, they had some hideous ones."
"You would, wouldn't you?"
"Damn right."
"Fine, we'll do it your way, as usual." Nick pouted.
"That's cause I'm always right." David said smugly.
Nick rolled his eyes. "Okay, Mr. Modesty, what have you got planned for us now?
"Planned? Oh… well, I don't really… I mean, I thought you'd say no. Hell, if it wasn't for Catherine, I wouldn't have even gone through with it."
"Remind me to send her flowers to thank her."
"Hey, what about me? I am the one that proposed."
"Oh, I'm going to show you my gratitude when we get home."
"Then what the hell are we still doing here?" David stated to get up but Nick stopped him.
"On the way home will you explain to me why you left the house without me and how Catherine became your newest confidant?"
"I'll explain everything." David thought for a moment. "Well, everything about this. With my knowledge it would take years to explain everything to you. For example, did you know that…"
Sighing slightly, Nick did the one thing that he knew would shut David up. He kissed him.
"I was talking." David said breathlessly as they broke the kiss.
"This is a much better way to occupy that talented mouth of yours."
"I think I should be insulted." David huffed.
"You know you loved it." Nick smirked
"A little overconfident there, aren't you?"
"The pot's calling the kettle black?"
"Oh shut up."
"Gladly." Nick leaned in for another kiss.
t>
