Title: Stealing His Heart
By: glo-starz
pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG
Summary: A series of fluffy one shots of the boys doing soppy things for each other. What happens when you spend too many hours listening to Dashboard Confessional in one day.

Under normal circumstances he would have turned the radio off the second the DJ mentioned Dashboard Confessional. I mean, Dashboard Confessional? On his station? No way. But today was no normal day. He was feeling happy and mellow. He and Nicky had been for dinner and a movie on their day off and had had slow, lazy sex this morning. Work had been brilliant. A simple B and E in Henderson that had gone without a hitch and he and Catherine had wrapped it up with an hour of shift to go. Nicky was going to see Warrick after work to let him talk about Tina so he had time for a long, relaxing soak in the tub and to top it all his car was finally fixed and he was cruising along, the traffic lighter than usual. So he decided, as the day was unusual, he would give Dashboard Confessional a chance. As he listened something about the chorus caught his attention, one line repeated over and over. Greg smiled to himself knowing exactly what he needed to do. He pulled off at the next turn and headed back the way he had come.

An hour later he arrived home with three carrier bags He put them on the kitchen counter and went around tidying the house. He put away all the DVD’s that had become piled near the TV, all the books and CD’s back into their rightful places on the shelves, straightened up the lounge and even did the washing up. He smiled as he worked, knowing how surprised Nick would be. He wandered back into the kitchen and opened bag number one. Out came fresh pasta, carbonara sauce and a bottle of white wine. Dumping the pasta into a saucepan to cook he took more supplies from the bag. While the pasta was cooking he crushed some meringue and mixed it into some raspberry ripple ice cream to make Eton Mess, a dessert an English girl at Stanford had taught him. He put these in the fridge then continued with his preparations.

He opened bag number two, taking out candles and red chiffon scarves. The chiffon scarves he placed over the lamps as he closed the curtains and turned off the main lights. The final flourish was to place the brand new scented candles all around the room. Vanilla. Nicky’s favourite scent. He lit them all so the delicious fragrance would fill the house by the time Nicky arrived home. He took a bottle of massage oil from the bag and placed it on the living room table. He was just about done and his excitement was building. He sauntered back into the kitchen to check on the pasta, putting the carbonara sauce on the hob to heat up. After this he gets out dishes, cutlery and wine glasses, laying the table as quickly as he can. Buried at the back of the cupboard is the ice bucket, into which he tips as much ice as he can find and then places the wine bottle to cool. He steps back to admire his handiwork , smiling, happy with himself. Then he picks up the third bag and strides into the front room and over to the CD player.

Grabbing the remote he opens the tray. From his substantial collection he chooses an acoustic album and pops it into slot one. Into slot two he puts a swing album, one of Nicky’s favourites. Then he opens the third carrier bag, removes the brand new CD and places it carefully into the third and final slot. As he walks back to the kitchen he presses play and leaves the remote on the small table near the sofa for later.

In the kitchen he puts the finishing touches to his culinary masterpiece, draining the pasta then mixing it in with the sauce before dividing it between the two bowls. Just as he has finished he hears a key in the lock and Nicky walks in.

“Hey G. Missed me?” He stops and sniffs the air. “Vanilla?” Greg grins and motions to the table. “Wow Sunshine, what’s all this for?” Then he sits down at the table, Greg smiling happily at him.

“Well Nicky, it’s always you that does the romantic stuff. And it’s not that I don’t want to, it’s just I never know what to do or you do all the good things first. But I was driving home and, well, there was this song. It gave me a little help.” Greg blushes adorably and Nicky’s heart melts.

“Well, whatever it was we’re going to buy it tomorrow.”

They ate in comfortable silence, Nick opening the wine with the first course and finishing it with dessert. Greg puts the dishes in the kitchen then takes Nicky by the hand and leads him to the sofa, where he removes his shirt and lays him face down. “What’s . . .”

“No talking, just relax.” And Greg flicks to the second CD. He reaches over the table for the massage oil, pours some into his hands and rubs them together to warm it, then begins to rub his hands over Nicky’s back. He digs his thumbs into his shoulders, unwinding tension knots, and trails his fingers down his spine, dipping just below the waistband of his jeans. He smiles as Nicky moans softly, he breathing becoming gentle and rhythmic.

“Wow Sunshine, you’re good at this.” Greg just grins soppily and carries on, working further up his shoulders and to the top of his arms. As the CD comes to an end he pulls Nicky gently to his feet and to the middle of the room.

“There’s more?” Nicky questions.

Greg flips to slot three, the new CD, and skips forward to track four.

“Dance with me?” He asks. Nicky smiles softly and places his arms around Greg’s slim waist, pulling him as close as possible. Greg reaches up and loops his arms around Nicky’s neck, nuzzling into him and placing tiny kisses under his earlobe. The music starts and Nicky is confused. He has never heard this song before and it seems too soft to be one of Greg’s.

“What’s this?”

“The song that made me do all this.” And once again Greg blushes. “The song that says it all.” Greg pulls Nicky tighter and sings softly into his ear as the chorus starts. “You have stolen my heart.” Nick smiles against Greg’s neck, felling a thousand emotions course through his veins, love the most prominent of all. He lifts his head and looks into Greg’s eyes, seeing the love he feels for him returned.

“God I love you Greg.”

When the song finishes, both exhausted from their day, Nicky picks Greg up, cradling him in his arms and lays him on the sofa, wrapping himself around him and threading his fingers into his soft curls. Then he feels Greg relax completely and start to breath softly, gentle snores escaping his parted lips. Nicky smiles and follows him before he knows it.

Greg had had a bitch of a day. It had started the second he woke up and had just got worse. Nick tried to get him up nicely, he really did, but in the end he had lost his patience and tugged the covers off him. Greg opened his eyes and pain flared through his head. Great. Just great. So he was starting the day with a headache. He padded through to their bathroom and knocked back two painkillers with a glass of water then stepped into the warm spray of the shower to let them take effect. He had enjoyed the shower way too much and had lost all track of time.

“G, we have to leave in five minutes.”

“Fuck!” He’d shouted back, jumping out of the shower, drying himself roughly whilst brushing his teeth then running back to the bedroom and throwing on anything that came to hand. Perfect. No time to have coffee, breakfast or dry his hair. Could this day get any worse?

“I’m starting the car Greg.” He ran from the room, tugging on his Chuck Taylor’s and grabbing his bag as he went, only realising when he got outside that his right shoe was red and the left was green.

“Oh for Christ’s sake . . .” He muttered, throwing himself into the passenger seat and slamming the door. Nick just looked over at him and shook his head with a knowing smirk. Greg muttered under his breath, pulled his feet onto the seat and put his head on his knees. He didn’t say a word until they got to work.

“Nice shoes Sanders!” was the first thing anyone said to him. He whipped around, ready to shout at whoever it was, only to see Nick pull Warrick into a corner and say:

“Dude, not until he’s got a coffee in him.” Then burst out laughing.

“Go to hell.” Was the only thing he could think of to shout back. Great comeback there, Greg. Real slick. He slumped into the locker room, slammed a fist into his locker and sliced a knuckle open in the process. He looked down at it, slowly oozing blood. “Even my blood is against me.” He muttered, opening the locker and grabbing his vest. By this point he was well and truly pissed off. He ignored everyone on the way to the break room and went straight for the coffee. The City crap would have to do. He didn’t have the time or the energy to make his own. He was about to take a sip of the warm liquid when Hodges walked in behind him.

“You know, that stuff will kill you.” Greg jumped in surprise, spilling the coffee all over his shirt.

“Cram it Hodges.” He did the best job he could at cleaning up, then sat with the other CSI’s waiting for their assignments, a scowl on his face.

Assignments given out, he and Catherine got in the Denali and drove out to Henderson. It seemed that everyone in Vegas had decided to buy a gun and then go postal this week. Nothing but homicides everywhere. This one was a dead kid, killed by some gang banger. The second he got to the scene Greg wanted to curl up and cry. A kid for fuck sake. Not even a teenager or an adolescent but a kid. While processing the scene Greg dropped his camera, shattering the lens and Catherine went ballistic at him. She was upset too and was annoyed at Greg’s short fuse and clumsiness.

“Just go and sit in the car Greg. We’re pretty much done here.” So he had traipsed back to the Denali, remains of his camera in one hand and kit in the other, cursing under his breath and trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. On the drive back he sat in silence, his head resting on the window.

When they got back Catherine went straight to log in the evidence but Grissom caught Greg.

”Um, Greg, Mia has had to go home sick. We need you in DNA. I’m afraid there’s quite a backlog.” And he waltzed off, chewing an arm of his glasses, before Greg could get a word out. He let out a strangled scream and, head down, slunk to the lab, completely defeated.

The shift went slowly but Greg actually began to enjoy himself as he sped though the work and had soon caught up. Just when he thought it was safe to go and make himself some coffee Warrick and Nick appeared with armfuls of samples to be processed. He slumped back in his chair and groaned. No way would he make it out on time at the end of shift.

“What you doing in here G?” Nick asked, concern tingeing his voice.

“Mia went home sick.” He whispered, his voice tiny and hopelessly sad. Nick had already spoken to Catherine and knew what had happened at Greg’s crime scene and now, looking at the work he had just given him, he began to feel incredibly guilty. Back in the corridor he pulled Warrick to one side.

“Rick, we already know what happened, we just need the DNA samples to back it up. You got this?” Warrick looked at his friend seeing the concern in his eyes.

“He’s having the shift from hell aint he.” All Nick could do was nod. “Go on Nick, get your ass home and make him feel special.” And he laughed as he walked to the break room and Nick raced to the garage.

Greg got stuck in a traffic jam on his way home and the normally fifteen minute drive took forty five. He was already an hour and a half late leaving off. Nick was probably already in bed, fast asleep. Bastard. He pulled up outside their house, and sure enough there was Nick’s truck and every single light in the house was off. He sighed and trudged to the front door, letting himself in and throwing his bag on the sofa. He kicked off his shoes as hard as he could, not caring where they landed. He couldn’t be bothered to do anything, so he headed straight to the bedroom, wanting nothing more than to curl up in Nick’s arms and cry himself to sleep. When he reached the bedroom door he could see soft light spilling out from underneath and hear Sigur Ros playing in the background.

“Nick never sleeps with a light on. Or listens to Sigur Ros.” He said to himself, slightly confused and definitely curious. He carefully inched the door open then gasped with surprise at what he saw on the other side.

The bed was covered in rose petals, a bouquet of flowers was laying on his side of the bed, a note attached, and the ice bucket was standing on Nicks bedside table, a bottle of wine poking out and two glasses by it’s side. He stared at the bed, feeling the tears he had been fighting back all night spill over. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve and walked over to the flowers. He picked them up and buried his nose in them, breathing in their scent and smiled, his first proper smile all night. Then he opened the note.

“Even when the rest of the world is against you, I’m not.” It said. Greg felt like his heart was about to burst. The bathroom door creaked open and Greg turned around to see Nick smiling softly on the other side.

“Hey Sunshine.” He said, walking slowly over to him. He wrapped his arms tightly around Greg, and pulled him as close as he could, feeling him begin to sob into his shoulder. He carefully rubbed slow circles on his back, letting him cry and hiccup until he was done. When the tears finally stopped flowing he picked Greg up and laid him on the bed, sat beside him and uncorked the wine. He passed one glass to Greg and filled them both. They drank in silence for a few seconds, then Nick took Greg’s glass and put it down.

“Come with me.” He said, holding out a hand to Greg.

Nick took Greg into the bathroom.

“Oh Nicky, this is . . . This is so . . .” He stumbled for the right words, drawing a complete blank. “Thank you.” He breathed, turning around and kissing him softly on the lips. There were candles all around the room and the bath was full of strawberry scented bubbles. Sitting on the side were the two fluffiest towels they owned.

“Now stand still baby.” And Nick began to slowly undress Greg, then helped him into the bath. Greg closed his eyes and let out a satisfied sigh as he slipped into the warm, bubbly water. When he opened his eyes again Nick was back with the wine.

“Get in with me.” He said, and Nick didn’t need to be asked twice. He pulled off his clothes and then climbed in behind Greg, wrapping his arms around the chest of the man he loved so much. Greg leaned back into him and began to breath softly. “Thank you.” He said again, smiling, his eyes beginning to twinkle in the candle light.

They stayed in the bath until the water began to get cold, just holding each other and occasionally sipping their wine. When Nick’s toes began to get cold he extricated himself from Greg and got out, leaning over to the side to get the towels. He dried himself as quickly as he could then vanished into the bedroom. When he reappeared Greg was smiling contentedly, running his fingers over the bubbles.

“Come on Sunshine, you’re gonna go all wrinkly.” He helped a now very sleepy and dazed Greg out of the bath and began to dry him. Greg sighed happily and let Nick pick him up again and carry him back to the bedroom, his arms looped around his neck and his cheek on his shoulder. The bed was all ready just to sink into. Nick placed Greg carefully on the left side of the bed, then climbed into his side pulling Greg’s head onto his chest as Greg snuggled against him. “I love you Sunshine” Nick muttered, before sleep claimed him.

“Love you too.” Greg yawned back at him, before relaxing into a comfortable sleep.

Greg had been seeing Nick for three months now and it was the best three months of his life so far. He had never felt happier or been more contented. Not only was Nick gorgeous, but he was also kind, generous, protective and incredibly romantic. No matter what Greg was going through Nick was always there for him with cuddles, kisses and supportive words. Greg sometimes thought that Nick was too good for him, and he had been extremely surprised that Nick occasionally thought the same way about him. In his mind, and it would appear in Nick’s too, they were the perfect for each other.

To celebrate the three month mark tomorrow, Greg was determined to do something special for Nick. Something as romantic as all the things he had done for Greg. Clubbing or a bar was too first date. The cinema was too normal. A meal in a fancy restaurant was not special in the way Greg needed tomorrow to be special. He was rapidly running out of ideas. To find some inspiration he began to pace around his apartment, occasionally picking things up and then putting them down again. He was cycling through all the dates he had ever been on, looking for anything that seemed right, but nothing struck him as even half way near good enough for Nick. Then he saw it, sitting in the corner of the apartment by the television. He hadn’t used it since he came back from Norway. It was the last gift Papa Olaf had ever given to him and he hadn’t used it since he’d died. He kept it clean and safe, but he had always been afraid to use it in case he broke it and it was something he clung to when he needed Papa Olaf. It was perfect.

With his plan fully mapped out and everything he needed ready he called Nick to get the last part in motion. He pulled out his cell and called Nick.
“Hey Nicky.”

“Hey Sunshine. What time you coming over? I got something for you.”

“Really? Well, I’ve got something for you too. But I need you to come here in your truck first.”

“Oh. Okay. So you’re not coming here?”

“No Nicky, but trust me. What we’re going to do is so much better than me just driving over there.”

“Really? Well, if I leave now I can be with you in ten minutes.”

“What are you waiting for then? See you soon Nicky.” And Greg hung up. He carefully carried the present from Papa Olaf and his backpack into the driveway and put them down, sitting beside them and waiting for Nick, a bundle of nervous energy.

When Nick arrived and got out of the truck he jumped into his arms, smiling gleefully.

“Hey Nicky.” And he attacked him with his lips.

“Well, someone’s pleased to see me.”

“Too right! Um, can I have the keys to your truck?” Nick’s eyes nearly popped out of his head, but seeing the two large bags and the grin on Greg’s face he agreed and got into the passenger seat, a puzzled smile on his face.

“So, where we going G?”

“You’ll have to wait and see Cowboy. But trust me, it’s special. Really special.” Greg headed out of Vegas and drove out into the dessert, the place he was heading for familiar it was like he’d never been away. He turned right onto a small dirt track that seemed to lead nowhere, and parked near the edge of a ravine.

“So this is where you wanted to bring me, huh?”

“It sure is. Now, stay here until I call you.”

Greg dived out of the truck and to the back, pulling his two bags and the bag of Nick’s onto the floor. Then he carefully opened the first and took out a blanket, two pillows and a large box. He covered the floor of the truck with the blanket and then put the two pillows against the front of the truck. Then he took the second bag and began to assemble the present from Papa Olaf. When he was done he put this in the middle of the truck and turned to the box. He opened it, carefully turning it upside down and laying the things from the box on top of it. Greg hopped down and walked to the passenger window.

“Ok Nicky, you can come out now.” As Nick walked to the back of the truck he couldn’t help smiling.

“Oh G, this is brilliant!” Greg had set up a large telescope on a tripod in the middle of the trucks flatbed and had put a tub of pasta salad, some tiramisu and two cans of diet coke onto the box. Nick climbed into the truck and the put a hand out for Greg, pulling him up behind him “So how does this work?” Nick asked, pointing to the telescope.

“Well,” Greg began, “You look through the eyepiece there, and if you need to you can adjust the focus with this dial here. And it moves around in a circle if you want to change the direction you’re looking in.” Nick took his place at the telescope and looked around.

“Wow G, this is just beautiful! Look at all the stars!” All Greg could do was smile, knowing that this was a huge success. He had succeeded in giving Nick something special for their three month anniversary, and he thanked Papa Olaf for it.

They took turns looking through the telescope, Greg pointing out all the constellations he knew, and when their stomachs began to rumble Greg sat with his back against Nick’s chest and they ate happily, sharing the large bowl of pasta, Nick feeding Greg the tiramisu and then drinking their cokes.

“This was brilliant Sunshine. What on earth gave you the idea to do this? I had no idea you were into astronomy.”

“I’ve always loved the stars Nicky. When I first moved to Vegas I used to come here to watch them. And every time something has gone badly wrong I’ve come here to lay on a blanket and loose myself.”

“Is this where you used to vanish to after the explosion?” Greg just nodded his head and Nick hugged him just a little tighter. “So when did you buy the telescope? I’ve never seen it before.” Greg took a deep breath.

“Papa Olaf gave it to me, just before he died. I haven’t used it since.”

“And you let me use it? What if I’d broken it?”

“Way I see it, you’re willing to share your life with me, I’m willing to share my life, and everything in it, with you.” Greg said, a huge blush creeping over his face. Nick smiled down at Greg.

“You know, that’s the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to me.” Nick turned Greg’s head towards him and kissed him gently to begin with, then nudging Greg’s mouth open and letting their tongues play. They broke the kiss and Greg curled into Nick’s arms and closed his eyes, feeling safe and contented.

After a few minutes of contented snuggling Nick shook Greg gently by the shoulder.

“Hey, Sunshine.”

”Mmmmm?”

“Well, now you’ve given me your present, do I get to give you mine?” Greg began to bounce about in Nick’s lap.

”You didn’t have to get me anything Nicky.” Nick laughed and reached into his bag, handing Greg a small, flat box tied with a red ribbon. Greg looked at him puzzled, then shook the box and looked at it from all angles. He looked back at Nick, confusion in his eyes.

“Only one way to find out what it is Greggo. Open it.” He smiled at Nick and carefully removed the ribbon, tying it around his neck in a big bow. Then he held the box in his hand and, like it was about to explode, he took the lid of and placed it beside him on the floor. He looked inside and his mouth dropped open and his head jerked up to look at Nick, his eyes burning into his.

“But this is . . . “

“A key to my house.” Nick kissed him on the forehead. “Now you can come over any time you want.” Greg grinned the biggest smile he ever had done and clung to Nick, never wanting to let go.

“Oh my God, Nicky. Thank you so much!” He held the key in his hands, mesmerised.

“Well, how’s about we tidy up our little picnic and then we can drive home and try out your present?”

Greg didn’t need asking twice.
 
Moving Greg in with him had been the happiest day of Nick’s life. Until today. Today they moved into their new house to start married life in their own space. Greg had known nothing about it until the weekend, and Nick had been rewarded with amazing sex – the kind that involves melted chocolate, handcuffs and things that buzz – as a thank you. They had spent the rest of the weekend packing and throwing out all the things they didn’t want anymore. And today the moving van was coming for their stuff.

Greg had woken early and had been jumping around the house, singing, giggling and hugging Nick every five minutes. His eyes were so bright, shining with excitement. That had been until Nick’s cell rang just fifteen minutes before the movers were due to arrive.

“Stokes-Sanders.”

Greg’s head had whipped around at the sound of Nick’s official voice.

“What? . . . No but . . . But you know we move today . . . But Gris . . . Oh, ok. But you and Warrick owe me big.” He’d sighed and pressed end before slamming the phone onto the table.

“What’s going on?” Greg looked concerned, fear filling his eyes.

“Warrick’s ill. Gris just called me in. I’m so sorry Sunshine. Are you ok to sort the movers alone?”

Greg’s smile faded, “I guess, but it won’t be the same without you, getting to the house alone.”

“I know baby, but there’s really nothing I can do about it. I promise I’ll be as quick as I can. And maybe we can try out that bath when I get there?”

Greg’s eyes had come back to life and a mischievous smile lit up his face.
“Go. Shoo.” He giggled, and pushed Nick out the front door.

Nick had been distracted all shift, thinking about Greg getting to the house all alone. So when Grissom had let him go he had run to the car, picked up some wine along the way and made his way to their new home as fast as he could. When he opened the front door with his new key he had been shocked to see boxes still littering the floor. The house was quiet, not a sound anywhere.

“Greg?” All Nick heard was sniffling. “Baby?”

The noise continued and Nick managed to figure out it was coming from the sofa. “Baby, what’s wrong?”

Greg was sat on the sofa, knees pulled to his chest and arms wrapped around his legs. On seeing Nick he had immediately pulled him into a cuddle, rubbing his tear stained face against Nick’s chest. “What’s wrong?” Nick asked again as he rubbed small circles on his back.

“My board.” And Greg pointed to a surf board lying on the floor. It had been broken and it sat there in two pieces.

Nick knew this was bad. That board had meant so much to Greg. He had saved up to buy it by spending his summers tutoring. When Nick had first been to California with him it had been that board he had tried to teach him to surf on. When things had gone wrong for Greg it was always that board he turned to, the waves making him feel whole again. And after the explosion the first time he had bared his back to the world had been on that board. It meant so much to him and now it was sitting there, destroyed, and Greg was curled around him, distraught. Not knowing what else he could have done Nick carried Greg to their bedroom and held him until he cried himself to sleep.

Once Greg was dead to the world Nick went back to the front room and picked up the board, laid the pieces on the table and thought. Like a flashbulb switching on in his head he suddenly knew what to do. Four phone calls later he was ready.

The rest of the week had gone slowly. Greg had grieved for the board and Nick had been as understanding as he could, knowing that the solution would be there on Saturday. Friday night, once Greg was asleep, he had packed two suitcases and picked up a large envelope from his dresser. He laid some clothes out on the chair at the foot of Greg’s bed and had then got back in, curling Greg around him.

The alarm had gone off at a ridiculous time on Saturday morning. Greg had turned over, thumped it and then looked carefully at the red flashing numbers.

“What’s wrong with it? Six am? On a Saturday?” He turned over to moan to Nick only he wasn’t in the bed. Greg sniffed the air, he could smell his coffee and pancakes. Curiosity piqued he wandered from the bedroom down to the kitchen to find Nick fully dressed and cooking. On the table was a large envelope with his name on it. He went to pick it up.

“No way Sunshine. Shower and dressed first. Breakfast will be ready when you get back.” He had bounded up the stairs two at a time, alarm clock suddenly forgotten, showered and dressed in record time and run back down the stairs. He threw himself into his chair beaming his special smile at Nick.

While eating Nick had moved the suitcases to the front door. Greg had watched, thoroughly confused.

“What are you doing?”

“I think it’s time to open that envelope.” Greg picked it up, his hands trembling, and tore it open.

“Oh my god!” He shouted as the papers inside hit the table. He picked them up one at a time. Plane tickets to California, a check from the movers for the damage to his board and a brochure from the board shop where he had brought the now trashed board. He shot up from the chair and ran over to Nick, jumping into his arms and throwing his legs around his waist.

“Thank you . . . Thank you . . . Thank you!” Each word was punctuated with a kiss. “How did you know where the board came from?”

“I phoned your Mom. We’re staying with her. I also called in the favour Gris and ‘Rick owed me, so we have the whole weekend off. We’re going surfing.”

“We? You mean, you’re going to have another go?” Nick had just smiled and kissed him until he couldn’t speak any more.

“I’d do anything for you Sunshine.”

It was all his fault. Nigel Crane. Nigel fucking Crane. Greg hated him with a passion, more than he had ever hated anyone. The things he had done to Nick. It was just unforgivable. Those tapes. My God, those tapes. He knew Archie had had to watch them all and that was hideously embarrassing. Some of the things he and Nick had done that would be on them! And to make matters worse no one knew they were a couple yet. Ok, so he would love a copy for his own personal library, and he knew Archie wouldn’t tell anyone, it wasn’t like they hadn’t fooled around before he got with Nick. But To Nick the thought of anyone seeing their private moments, well, he was beginning to crack under the pressure and Greg really didn’t know what to do.

Still pondering the situation he headed to band practice. His band had always been his distraction and Nick always came to his gigs, loving to watch Greg perform. His clothes never lasted long when they got through the door after a gig. He loved to play his guitar, and singing had always come naturally to him. He was a born front man, but to him, his job, and more recently Nick, were more important than any record contract.

Greg was usually the last to make it to practice but today he was the first. Spencer was the next through the door and was surprised to see Greg already there.

“You’re early Greg. What’s up?”

“I wouldn’t know where to start Spence.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Not yet. I know you could probably help, but I just need to get my head around it all for now.”

“Ok. Sure.” Spencer dipped his hand into his bag and grinned. “Guess what?”

“Oh God, you found another one.” Greg rolled his eyes and giggled. Spencer had a rather disturbing obsession with bad English bands. He regularly brought new finds to practice and played them as they got tuned up. “So who are these then?” He asked as the new CD was dropped into the tray in the stereo.

“The Dum Dums.” Greg just shook his head at Spencer and listened. It was exactly what he had expected. Almost comically bad punk and very English.

Slowly the other band members trickled in, laughing at Spencer and his choice of music and passing out beers.

“Jesus Spence.” Morgan laughed. “These are god damn awful!”

“Where the hell did you find . . .” But Isaac didn’t get to finish his sentence as Greg was on his feet and running to the stereo.

“Shush!” He shouted, flicking the CD back one track. He listened in complete silence, the rest of the band sharing confused looks. Greg began to grin. “Spence, you’re a genius! You did it!” Spencer glanced at Greg, very confused, but grinning back at him.

“I have no clue what I did, but thanks.” Greg looked a whole lot happier than he had an hour ago.

Two days later Greg was on his way to their gig. Nick was driving in complete silence and Greg was increasingly worried. He really hoped what he had been planning was going to work. He was wearing Nick’s favourite stage outfit – tight, lace up leather pants and a skinny fit, red, sparkly t-shirt. He had painted his nails black and was wearing eyeliner. Nick loved him in eyeliner. But despite his best efforts Nick didn’t even seem to notice. Greg didn’t speak either; he knew Nick needed the silence right now.

When they arrived at Vintage, Greg turned to Nick.

“Nicky?”

“Yeah?”

“I love you so, so much. You know that don’t you.” Greg whispered.

“I love you too Sunshine.” Greg reached out and wrapped his hand around Nick’s.

“We’re going to get through this you know.” He leaned over and gently brushed his lips against Nick’s. “Together.” And he gave his hand another squeeze before jumping out of the truck.

The gang were already waiting inside and Nick walked in to the dark room, searching for them.

“Hey Nick. How’s it goin?” Warrick saw him and waved him over.

“Not bad ‘Rick. You?”

“Oh you know. Same old same old. Beer?” Warrick held out the proffered beer and Nick took it gratefully.

“Cheers man.” He took a huge swig and the house lights dimmed and a spot light began to travel over the stage.

Greg’s band walked out looking fantastic and despite himself Nick couldn’t help a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Greg really was just stunning. His hair spiky, dressed to kill, his clothes hugging that amazing body and the stage lights playing off him, accentuating delicious thighs and a devious grin.

“Hello everyone!” Greg purred into the mike. “We’re going to start with a few older ones tonight. Do any of you know the words?” And the music began. The crowd obviously did as they began to sing along in earnest.

Nick had never seen anything as sexy as Greg gyrating to the music, practically making love to his guitar, wearing those clothes that he couldn’t wait to tear off. Nick became lost in a reverie, just watching his lover’s agile body move and his nimble fingers pluck the strings of his guitar. He was so lost in the moment that he nearly missed Greg speaking again.

“Thank you. Well, this is the point where I get a little nervous.” He giggled into the mic. “I want to share a little something with you all.” The crowd were chanting Greg’s name over and over. “Recently my boyfriend has been feeling a little shitty.” The CSI’s all turned to each other, shocked, and mouthed ‘boyfriend?’. Nick blushed and refused to turn around. “So with the help of Spence’s latest find . . .” The crowd erupted into cheers, all too aware of Spencer and his musical habits. “I’d like to give him a little message.”

Greg picked up an acoustic guitar, closed his eyes and began to strum as his voice carried softly into the crowd.

“Look into these eyes of mine and take away my pain
Fall into my arms, tonight, let the world around us fade
The rain will fall, our hearts will break
But still I will be here beside you, right beside you...

When the world is against you
I will protect you
Darling we'll be an army of two
When your life's going wrong
Our love will be strong
Darling we'll be, an army of two

When the burdens of the world are on me
And people seem unkind
I just need to be beside you
You give me peace of mind
And when I fail to be everything
I tell you I will be
I know in your eyes I'll find
Forgiveness for me

The rain will fall, our hearts will break
But still I will be here beside you, right beside you...

When the world is against you
I will protect you
Darling we'll be an army of two
When your life's going wrong
Our love will be strong
Darling we'll be, an army of two

When the world is against you
I will protect you
Darling we'll be an army of two
When your life's going wrong
Our love will be strong
Darling we'll be, an army of two

Oh forgiveness and you give me completeness
In everything you do and I know when I'm lost in this desperate world, you're my refuge
I want to fall down at your feet
Walk beside you in the street, be proud that you
Are here with me, in front of everyone

When the world is against you
I will protect you
Darling we'll be an army of two
When your life's going wrong
Our love will be strong
Darling we'll be, an army of two”

Nick could only stand and stare, waves of love pulsed through him. He felt tears stinging his eyes. When Greg finished the song to massive applause he grinned at Nick, blushed bright red, and mouthed ‘I love you’. Nick smiled, really smiled for the first time in weeks, and mouthed the same back to Greg.

He realised how much Greg loved him, how much he cared, and with Greg fighting for him everything was going to be just fine.

Greg had been in a fantastic mood all day. It was his third day into his first week as a full-fledged CSI and he was loving it. The work was hard but he was enjoying it. He was working with the coolest people he knew and he got to see his own personal love slave of a Texan a lot more. Even the lab rats had been pleased for him. All except one. And that ‘one’ was currently making his life hell.

“You see Sanders, you think you’re the best when really, you’re nothing. Ok so you can process DNA ok but just because you’re a CSI now it doesn’t mean you’re special. You failed the first proficiency and messed up the second. In fact, you’re actually nothing.”

Greg hadn’t been ready for that when he walked into Hodges’ lab. Now he walked out dejected, feeling like his change in career may have been the wrong choice after all.

About half an hour later Nick strolled into the locker room and heard someone crying.

“Hello?” He called out. The sound immediately stopped and was replaced by sniffling. Nick recognised that sniffling. “Greg? What’s wrong?” He peeped around the back of the lockers to find him curled into a ball, rocking, tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Me.” Nick sat down beside him and pulled him into his arms.

“What do you mean?”

“I’m wrong. I shouldn’t be doing this. I’m not good enough to be a CSI.”

“Oh baby. Where’s this come from?” Nick ruffled Greg’s hair and kissed his forehead. “You were so happy this morning and everyone keeps telling me what a great job you’re doing. So why the tears?” Greg shuffled further into Nick’s arms and sobbed, rubbing his face against Nick’s chest.

“But I’m just me. I’m not special enough to be a CSI.”

“Oh honey. You have no idea how special you are.” He looked into Greg’s melted chocolate eyes as he spoke. “You worked so hard for this.”

“Yeah. I guess.” Greg climbed out of Nick’s arms and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. “See you after shift.” And he shuffled out of the locker room, hands in his pockets and looking at the floor.

For the rest of the shift all Nick could think about was Greg. He had flipped from ecstatic to depressed in the space of an hour. Why would he think he wasn’t special? He was so special. His smile, his determination, his will to carry on when the world kicked him in the ass – which it did much too frequently. He was so sexy, so full of life and my god did he always show Nick how much he loved him. He knew Greg’s self belief could sometimes be shaky but this was over the top. Someone must have said something. And although he would dearly love to know who, getting Greg back on his feet was his number one priority.

At the end of shift Greg was already waiting for him.

“Hey G.” Greg just nodded. Nick unlocked the truck and they climbed in. They drove for fifteen minutes in silence then instead of turning right at the top of their road Nick turned left.

“Nicky? Where are we going? We live the other way.”

“I know Sunshine, but we’re not going home.”

“Where are we going?”

“The park.” Greg’s head swung ‘round and gazed at Nick.

“Why are we going to the park?” Nick pulled the truck into the car park and killed the engine.

“I wanna show you something.” Nick stepped out of the truck, walked around to Greg’s side and opened the door. He held his hand out to Greg who took it and slowly climbed from the cab.

They walked hand in hand for about ten minutes and stopped when they reached the swings. Nick climbed in one and pulled Greg into his lap. He wrapped an arm around his waist, letting his fingers play on the small of his back, then began to swing them slowly.

“So why are we here?”

“Look around you Greg. What do you see?”

“Swings, sandbox, trees, grass, flowers, a slide. You. Your point is?”

“Do you know what I see when I look around?”

Greg sighed. “No Nicky. What do you see?”

“You.”

“Me?”

“Yes, Greg. You. You are so special. The most special thing to me in the whole world. You’re beautiful, funny, clever, sexy, happy, mischievous and to top it all the best lay I have ever had.”

“I am damn good in bed.” Greg grinned at Nick.

“That you are Greggo, that you are, But that’s not what makes you special.”

“It’s not?”

“Well, not entirely.” Nick laughed. “But that helps. What makes you special is that you are you.” Greg snorted and began to scuff the ground with the toe of his sneaker. “Seriously babe. You worked so hard to become a CSI. You’re damn good at your job and you were amazing in the lab. And no one puts a smile on my face the way you do.” Greg leaned his head on Nick’s shoulder. “You are so special Sunshine. And never let anyone make you believe any different.”

Greg kissed Nick’s neck softly and Nick felt him smile.

“Come on Sunshine.” And Nick stood up and they carried on walking through the park. When they reached the parking lot Nick suddenly stooped down and picked something up.

“You know, sometimes you just need something you can carry with you so when you forget how special you are you can hold it and remember how special you are to me.” Nick turned Greg’s hand over and pressed an object into it. “How ‘bout my heart. That do?” Greg looked at the object Nick had placed in his hand. It was a perfectly smooth heart shaped stone.

”Oh Nicky . . .” And Greg pushed Nick against the truck, their lips meeting in an intensely passionate kiss.

The next day Greg bumped into Hodges in the corridor.

”Sanders.” He sneered. “How’s daddy’s special little soldier today?” Greg was about to say something childish when he slipped a hand into his pocket and felt the slightly warm, smooth stone Nick had given him last night.

“You know what Hodges?” Hodges looked at him, a comeback already forming on his lips. “Whatever man.” He said, smiling and gripping the stone, feeling Nick’s love radiate off it. “It doesn’t matter what you think of me. All that matters is what I think of myself and what the man I love thinks of me.” And he walked off down the corridor, happier than he had been all week.

“Man?” Was Hodge’s weak reply.

Greg turned round and looked at the sofa where Nick was stretched out, fast asleep. He smiled and stroked his cheek tenderly. The bites had healed but the dreams still haunted him. He wouldn’t use the elevator to their apartment and he never closed the blackout curtains any more, desperate to see daylight, moonlight or at least the flickering lights of the Vegas skyline.

Greg understood. Knew what it was like to think your life was over, that you would never see your friends, family or the person you loved ever again. He knew how the dreams haunted you and that they never really stopped, just diminished in number over the years until you had almost forgotten until one somehow made its way back.

He knew Nick still had a lot of recovering to do, but they had each other and that was all that mattered. They got each other through.

But Greg was still worried. Nick had become...clingy was the only word he could think of. When he wasn’t with Greg he texted every hour or so, just to say hello and to get a reply to show that Greg was still there, thinking about him. When they were in the lab together, Nick made little excuses to see him as often as he could. And when they went out anywhere he would always hold Greg’s hand or be mere inches away. It didn’t bother Greg, but it worried him. It wasn’t Nick.

Greg sighed and stood up to turn off the DVD they had been attempting to watch before padding through to the kitchen to put on a pot of coffee.

He had to do something. Nick needed him around all the time, needed the comfort of knowing Greg loved him and would never go away, and with work and days off not always meeting that just wasn’t going to happen. Not to mention Greg wanting to see his friends and go out occasionally. He needed Nick to feel secure, to know Greg was with him, even when he wasn’t, in body at least.

He padded back to the front room and settled into his battered arm chair, flicking the TV to a music channel and turning the volume down. He watched Nick sleep, his body relaxed for once. He finished his coffee and walked over, pulling the blanket from the back of the sofa over Nick, rather leaving him to sleep than waking him. He didn’t get much undisturbed sleep these days. The he took another blanket from under the sofa, curled up in the armchair and wrapped himself up. He would be stiff in the morning, but he knew how much Nick needed to see him there when he woke up.

Greg awoke to the smell of waffles and coffee.

“Morning, Sunshine. Thought I’d make us waffles for breakfast. You hungry?”

Before Greg could answer his stomach growled.

“I guess so!” Greg replied, giggling. He kept the blanket wrapped around his shoulders as it was warm and comfortable, shuffled to the kitchen and dropped into a chair.

”Coffee?” Nick asked, handing him a mug. Greg nodded enthusiastically before taking the ‘my little pony’ mug from his hands and taking a big gulp. “So what’s the plan for today?”

“Um...” Greg mumbled, dreading what was coming next. “Griss wants me in later. Backlog from days again.” He watched as Nick’s face fell. “But I’m taking my mobile and I’m in DNA all day. Not in the field. So you can reach me easily.” Nick nodded and handed Greg a plate of waffles.

They ate in silence, occasionally looking up at each other, both forcing smiles.

“Nick, you know I’m not going anywhere, right? I’m never leaving you? I’m here whenever you need me?”

“Course I do, G.” Nick inhaled the last bite of his waffle. “Think I’ll have a shower.”

Greg wracked his mind for what to do. He needed to get ready for work, but Nick needed him too. He picked up his jeans from yesterday, emptied the pockets and dropped them into the wash. He picked out a clean pair from the closet and began to put things back into them. A pen, some coins, his wallet, a badge for some obscure metal band he’d seen recently, string and the obligatory sachet of lube. Finally he got to the heart shaped stone Nick had given him years ago.

Whenever he held that heart nothing mattered. It was Nick’s heart. Nick had given him his heart that night at the park and Greg carried it with him always. Whenever he felt shit or something upset him he just dropped his hand into his pocket and rubbed the stone. It never failed to take away the feelings that distressed him.

“That’s it!” Greg said. “He needs to carry me with him!”

He turned out the top drawer of his bedside unit, knowing the box he wanted was in there somewhere. He pushed aside purple panties, gig tickets, notebooks, cracked CD cases and the odd dildo before finding the small box buried under all his junk. He quickly threw the contents of the drawer back in and sat on the bed, waiting for Nick to appear from the shower.

Nick walked out of the bathroom with a large, white towel wrapped around his waist. Greg wolf whistled.

”Take it off cowboy.” Nick laughed and let the towel drop to the floor. Greg stood up and walked over to him. “Remember that night in the park?”

“Which one?” Greg took the stone from his pocket and held it up to Nick.

”This one.”

Nick looked surprised. “You still carry that with you?”

“Of course I do.” Greg put it back in his pocket and took Nick’s hand. “It’s your heart, remember? Whenever things go wrong, I just have to touch the part of you that you gave me and I know you’re with me, there for me, and nothing is as bad anymore because I have you.”

Nick blushed and rubbed the back of Greg’s hand with his thumb.

“I can’t give you my heart though, Nicky, as you already have it. So I wanted you to have this instead.” Greg slipped something onto the ring finger of Nick’s right hand.

“What’s this, G?” Nick said holding his hand up to look at the ring Greg had just placed on his finger.

”My Stanford graduation ring.” Greg smiled. “It’s a part of me that you can always carry with you. Every time you look at it you know that I’m with you, because you’re carrying a part of me with you too.”

Nick looked at Greg, tears spilling down his face.

“Oh, Greg...” Greg just pulled Nick towards him and onto the bed where he cradled him in his arms.

”I’m always with you, babe. Whether you know it or not,” Greg said, his own tears mixing with Nick’s on his pyjama clad chest.

Greg didn’t care if he was late for work. This moment was all that mattered. This moment, as he felt Nick shudder in his arms and just held him closer, happily giving his lover the security he craved, just for now. Greg knew that it might be a long time before Nick felt truly safe again, but they had made a start.

The road to recovery started with change, and Greg silently promised himself and Nick that one way or another, he would be there every step of the way.