Title: Temper, Temper
By: Fran Holland
Pairing: Gil/Nick

36 hours. That's how long Nick had been on duty. Catherine had been on vacation and Sara had been out with a bad case of stomach flu, but both were due back tomorrow. Nick, Greg, Warrick and Grissom had been working almost around the clock.

Nick had just gotten back to the lab after working a hit and run scene, and he was dirty and almost punch drunk with fatigue. He put his evidence in the evidence locker until he could shower some of the grime off, hoping a cold shower would wake him up a bit.

He was right in the middle of shampooing his hair when Greg came into the showers. "Nick, Doc Robbins wants you down in autopsy right now. Doc Robbins has your case on the table and things are backing up."

"I'll be there in a few minutes." Nick said, as he rinsed the shampoo out of his hair.

"Okay, but you better hurry." Greg said over his shoulder on his way out of the showers.

"Yeah, yeah." Nick muttered. He picked up his soap and finished his shower; wrapping a towel around his waist, he went into the locker room and opened his locker. He had put on his boxers, jeans and socks, when the locker room door slammed open.

"Nick, didn't Greg tell you that you were needed in autopsy?" Grissom said angrily.

"Hey, I'll be there in a minute. I needed a shower first." Nick said back, not looking up as he tied his shoes.

"Shower? Did you think to ask about your victim's line number in autopsy before you decided to wash your hair?" Grissom snapped.

"Give me a break, man. I logged in my evidence. I was dirty and tired and need a shower, five minutes wouldn't make a big difference." Nick stood and grabbed a clean shirt out of his locker.

"We're all tired, Nick. And since it has been almost twenty minutes since you got back to the lab, it's made a hell of a difference." Grissom turned and stormed off.

Nick slammed his locker and walked down to autopsy. Doc Robbins gave him an irritated look when he came in. "Bout time."

"Can everyone just give me a break?"

"Nick, we are eight bodies behind here. I don't have time to wait while you primp." Doc Robbins said with sarcasm.

"Just get off my fucking case, okay." Nick snapped.

"Nick, that's enough. My office. Now!" Grissom had pushed open the swinging door of the autopsy room to hear Nick's last comment.

"Just do the autopsy without him, Al. I'll be back later to get the results." Grissom told the older pathologist as he rounded on Nick.

"Move it, Nick." Grissom followed the angry Texan through the doors and down the hall.

Nick's fists were clinched at his side and he almost hummed with tension.

Nick got to Grissom's office and stood in the middle of the room. Grissom went around and sat behind his desk. "Sit."

"I'd rather stand." Nick said between clinched teeth.

"I said sit." Grissom said and the tone of his voice made Nick sit quickly.

"I never want to hear you talk to Al, or anyone else on this staff like that again. Do I make myself clear." Grissom asked. "You don't get special treatment, because your tired, we're all tired."

"Everyone is on my fucking case tonight." Nick stood and paced.

"Watch the language, Nick." Grissom said quietly.

"What, are you my Dad now?" Nick said snidely.

Grissom stood and put both hands flat on his desk and leaned over towards Nick. "One week's suspension, starting now."

"What?" Nick was furious. He couldn't believe Grissom would do this to him.

"You heard me. I want you to go home and I don't want you back in this lab for the next seven days." Grissom said pointing to the door. "Now."

"Fuck you." Nick said, turning on his heel.

Nick didn't know how he did it, but Grissom beat him to the door. Grissom pushed him with both hands, shoving Nick back a few feet. Then he got right up in Nick's face and through clinched teeth, the growled softly, "Is that what you want, Nicky? You've been sniffing around me from day one, all this hero worship really gets old. If you want to fuck, you should just be a man." With a final shove, Grissom pushed past Nick and out into the hall.

When Nick exited Grissom's office, he was visibly shaken, but when he saw all the lab rats standing around watching him, he got angry again. He stormed into the locker room and grabbed his car keys. He avoided the stares and questioning looks as he left the building. He was pretty sure everyone heard him say 'fuck you' to his boss, he was also sure that no one could have heard Grissom's response.

He got in his truck and sat in the parking lot. He sat there for a long time, just thinking. What had happened tonight, one minute he was doing his job, the next he was suspended and all the crap in between was like a bad dream.

Nick knew procedure, he know when a body was involved in a case, you always checked with autopsy to see where your case was in line. He was just so tired, all he could focus on was a shower. He had screwed up, but Grissom didn't have to make that comment about his hair, and Robbins didn't have to add the primping comment. They treated him like he was some prima donna.

Nick started his ignition and drove home. He would probably sleep for twenty-four hours, he thought, as he pulled into his driveway.

As the shift ended, gossip was running rampant through the crime lab. Warrick had heard about ten different stories. The one that bothered him the most was that Grissom had fired Nick. The one thing that all the stories had in common was the fact that Nick and Grissom had a heated argument and Nick had cursed at his boss and then Grissom and got right in Nick's face. Any way you slice it, it wasn't good. Warrick wanted to call Nick, but he wanted his friend to calm down first, so he went to the source.

"Griss, can I talk to you, man?" Warrick stood hesitantly at the door of Grissom's office.

"If this is about Nick, I don't want to hear it." Grissom said, without looking up from his paperwork.

"Griss, look, I just gotta know. Did you fire Nick?" Warrick asked.

"What?" Grissom looked up.

"Hey, I just heard you fired Nick because he....ah....he said...he yelled...." Warrick's voice trailed off.

"Do you think I would fire one of my team for losing his temper? God, Warrick, what do you guys really think of me?" Grissom was saddened to think that his team thought he would turn on one of them like that, especially Nicky.

"So, it's okay. I mean...Nick still works here?" Warrick looked at Grissom questioningly.

"Yes, Warrick. Nick still has a job. He's just on suspension for a week. He needed to sleep and cool down." Grissom said to an obviously relieved Warrick.

After Warrick left, Grissom put his head in his hands. Sure, Nick still had a job, but after what Grissom had said to the younger man, it might not want to come back. Grissom could have kicked himself after his outburst. He blamed it on 36 hours without sleep. It was blatant sexual harassment on a subordinate. He could lose his job, and worse, he could lose Nick.

Nick didn't sleep, he was too keyed up. He prowled his house like a caged tiger. He kept replaying his conversation with Grissom over and over. Finally, he couldn't keep his eyes open any longer and passed out, fully clothes across his bed.

When Gil got home, he couldn't sleep. He had gotten into a pair of comfortable flannel sleep pants and knowing sleep wouldn't come anytime soon, sat down at his computer. He checked his personal email, he didn't have a lot of friends, so usually all he had in his mailbox was spam. It had been some time since he had checked his emails and after he had deleted all the spam, he realized there were only three that he wanted to read. The first two were from people he knew on the lecture circuit with requests for information and schedules of upcoming conventions. The last one was from Nick. It was dated about a week ago. The subject line was simply 'thought you'd be interested'. God, if he only knew how much he was interested.

He clicked the 'open' icon and read:

Gris,

I recorded a great documentary on the migration patterns of certain birds in relation to insect species that was on Discovery. Maybe you'd like to come watch it. Let me know.

Nick

Since it had been sent a week ago, Nick had probably thought that Gil was just ignoring him. He had cultivated his precarious friendship with Nick for seven years. Never letting the younger man too close for fear to doing or saying something to clue Nick in on his lustful thoughts, but they sometimes went out to breakfast and once, they had even gone to an old movie together.

Perhaps apologizing to Nick would be easier by email. He sat back and steepled his fingers together as he thought of what to say. After about five minutes of silent contemplation, he started to type. The subject line said 'eating crow'.

Nick,

I need to apologize for what I said to you last night. You were tired and angry and even though you should not have mouthed off at me like you did, I understand. My reaction was uncalled for and I hope you can forgive me. You have every right to go above my head with this to Ecklie and I will take full responsibility.

I hope it does not come to that, but I will not begrudge you if you think you need to report it. I care about you a great deal and would like it if we could put this behind us and pretend that whole unfortunate incident did not happen.

If you do decide to forgive me, and you still have the recording of the documentary on the migration patterns of certain birds in relation to insect species, I would love to see it. I could bring beer.

Gil

Gil read it again and taking a deep breath, hit the send button. He went upstairs and crawled into bed after setting his alarm for 5:00. He still hadn't eaten, but he really needed to sleep. Five minutes later, he was snoring softly.

Nick woke before his alarm and he padded into the kitchen for a Coke. He stuck his head in the freezer looking for something he could eat for dinner. He frowned at the slim pickings and made a mental note to go grocery shopping in the next few days. Finally, he settled on a frozen burrito. It wasn't much but he figured he could snack later.

Once the microwave buzzer went off, he went to the dining room table with his plate and Coke. He opened his laptop and checked his email while he ate. The majority were from his various sisters, one from his father and two from his older brother. The one that got his attention was from Grissom. He stared at the screen for a few seconds and then read the family's emails. He replied to all of them. Finally, the only one left was Grissom's. He opened it and began to read. When he was done, he hit the reply button.

Griss,

Apology accepted. I blame my behavior on being tired. I would never talk to Ecklie about anything you said to me. It was personal, between us.

This will not affect our working relationship.

I do still have the documentary. Would you like to come over tonight?

Nick

Before he could add anything else that might embarrass himself or Gil, he hit the send button.

Gil woke up to his alarm and took his shower. Wearing only his boxers, he went downstairs and made himself a turkey sandwich and poured himself some orange juice. He took them over to his computer and sat down. He noticed the icon for new emails was on the toolbar, so he clicked on it. It was from Nick. Without any hesitation, he opened it.

He breathed a sigh of relief at Nick's words. Nick had forgiven him. Nick also wanted him to come over tonight. Should he? He'd think about it. He ate his sandwich while watching CNN. Afterwards, he typed his reply.

Nick,

I would love to come over tonight. What time?

Gil

Nick had showered, shaved and pulled on some jeans. His laptop chimed, letting him know he had mail. He sat down and was excited to see that it was from Gil. He answered right away.

Griss,

Come over around 6:30. Is pizza okay, or would you rather have Chinese?

Nick

PS: Since I forgave you, does this mean my suspension is null and void? LOL

Gil was still sitting at the computer waiting for Nick's supply, so as soon as it chimed, he couldn't open it fast enough.

Nick,

I'd rather have Chinese. I want Cashew Chicken with white rice and an eggroll.

Gil

PS: Don't push it.

Nick laughed as he read Grissom's reply. He liked talking to Grissom this way. It seemed easier somehow. Perhaps he could....no, he really shouldn't. But, he rationalized, Grissom was the one who had opened up that can of worms.

Griss,

Chinese it is.

Getting back to our 'conversation' in your office, what if I were to answer your question with a 'yes', what would you say?

Nick

Gil read the email and read it again. He remembered what he had said verbatim. Nick had said 'fuck you' and Gil has asked if that's what he wanted. What if he answered 'yes'? Oh my God. Gil closed his eyes and rubbed his face. Was Nick teasing him? Nick wouldn't joke about this, would he?

Nick,

If you remember the conversation so well, you'll remember I told you 'if you want to fuck, be a man'.

Gil

Gil hit the send button and gasped. My God, what had he done? Now Nick had written evidence on sexual harassment. Jesus, he was such a fucking idiot. He ran his hands through his graying hair and stood up to pace the room.

Nick read Gil's reply. "Holy shit!" He said aloud. His fingers began typing.

Griss,

Can I call you Gil?

Can't wait for 6:30, because I plan on showing you how much of a man I am.

Nick

Gil jumped out of his skin when his computer chimed. He stared at the thing like he was expecting it to explode any minute. Slowly, he walked over to it and sat down.

After reading Nick's words, a small smile played on Gil's mouth. So, Nick wanted to play. Things could get very interesting tonight.

Nick,

Under the circumstances, I believe you can call me Gil.

I believe you are very much a man from just what I've seen in the locker room.

Top or bottom?

Gil

Nick moaned out loud when he read Gil's reply. His fingers hit the keyboard.

Gil,

So, you've been checking me out in the locker room, what about the showers? I saw you once, you've got a very nice ass.

Top tonight, but after that, it's negotiable.

Do you swallow?

Nick

Gil stared at the screen in shock, and then he laughed.

Nick,

Thanks for the compliment. I have noticed yours also. And I have to say, as your supervisor, if your jeans get any tighter, I'm going to have Brass arrest you for indecent exposure.

Negotiable, huh? Works for me. Will you be gentle? It's been a long time.

Yes. Do you?

Gil

Nick laughed as he typed his response. He glanced at his watch before hitting send. He added a postscript.

Gil,

Brass might put me in handcuffs, how would you handle that? Because if I saw you in a pair of handcuffs, it would just make me incredibly horny.

I'll be very gentle. How long has it been?

I do.

Nick

PS: It's 6:00, shouldn't you be getting your hot little ass over here?

Gil read Nick's response and had the mental picture of Nick in handcuffs, tied to his bed. That was something they might have to explore.

Nick,

You've given me some food for thought. I don't want Brass or anyone else to see you in handcuffs except me.

About eleven years.

I'll be leaving in about five minutes, so this will be my last response.

See you soon.

Gil

Nick read the email and had the mental picture of him handcuffed to his bed with Gil over him, touching him, sucking his cock. His hand reached down to rub his hard cock through his suddenly way to tight jeans.

He stood up and looked around his living room. CDs, books and a few dirty clothes were strewn around the room and for the next ten minutes, he went on a cleaning frenzy. Then he splashed on some aftershave, put on a shirt, brushed his teeth again, and sat down to wait. He stood up again. He was suddenly very nervous. It had been so easy to flirt via email, but this was real life. What was he going to do?

Gil ran upstairs to dress, brushed his teeth and he even trimmed his beard. He grabbed his wallet and keys and was in his car heading towards Nick's house before he had his attack of nerves. Was this just fun and games for Nick? Gil wanted to explore a relationship with the younger man, he didn't want to be anyone's fuckbuddy. Who was he kidding, he'd take what he could get from Nick.

When he pulled up in front of Nick's house, he just sat there. He could see the lights on and Nick had turned on his porch light.

Nick had seen the car pull up, mainly because he knew Gil was nothing if not prompt and he had been standing by the window watching. He watched as Gil just sat there. Was he as nervous as Nick?

Nick gave himself a mental shake. Okay, this was how it was going to be. He told Gil he was topping tonight, so he would be the aggressor. It would be easy. Yeah, right, he thought as he opened the door.

Gil saw the door open and blinked at Nick. Nick had leaned his powerful frame against the doorframe and had his arms crossed. He motioned his head for Gil to come to him.

Gil took a deep breath and got out of the car. Halfway up the sidewalk, Nick spoke.

"I love a man who's prompt."

Gil raised his eyebrows and smiled a crooked smile. "I love a man who swallows."

Nick proceeded to have a coughing fit as Gil chuckled.

THE END