Title: Slow Down
By: chocolatekiller
Pairing: gen
Rating: G
Summary: Nick visits Warrick's grave.

***

"You should have seen it, it was hilarious," Nick said softly. But there was no humour in his voice, only moroseness, sadness and melancholy. It was true, oh, it was so true; Warrick should have seen it. He should have been there, should have joined him in his jokes. They would have laughed together, and together, they would have reminded Greg of that moment for weeks. But Warrick wasn't there; he hadn't seen it, wouldn't make jokes, and when Nick did it alone, it always felt empty, somehow, as if something was missing. Of course that was because something was actually missing, but he preferred not to think about it too often. He was a professional in his job.

People died. They knew that better than most everyone; daily they came into contact with people who had died, who had lost someone. The end of life was always with them. They were almost used to it, as used as anyone could get to death.

But knowing that didn't make it any easier, any better.

He sighed and bent to softly touch the cool stone that had Warrick's name and the dates inscribed.

***