Title: Territory
By: kennedy
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG
Note: Beta'd by the indispensable Catlover2x.
Summary: Who is that mystery blonde with Greg Sanders? Written for the LJ 25fluffyfics challenge, prompt #17 (Jealousy).

***

Nick Stokes' eyes narrowed as he watched Greg Sanders lead the attractive blonde woman through the labyrinthine hallways of the lab. Greg's hand rested on the small of her back as he directed her into Toxicology and introduced her to the tech within. Greg's hand dropped away again, but he hovered close to the newbie, whom he was obviously hoping would replace him and allow him to get out into the field full-time.

She said something to Greg, and he threw his head back and roared. Well, it looked like a roar. Nick couldn't hear them through the glass, and he found himself wondering what had been said and if it truly was that funny. Greg was in full Sanders Charm Mode, his cheeks flushed and his eyes bright. The way that he had always been when he was trying to charm Nick, the spider to his fly, in the early days of their ‘courtship'.

Not that he had stopped turning on the charm with Nick now. It was just that it was usually to get out of doing the dishes or wrest control of their SUV away from Nick so he could get behind the driver's seat for once. But it didn't mean that Nick couldn't be nostalgic for those ‘good old days' every once in a while.

Although he really wouldn't want to go back to them. After all, he didn't actually have Greg then. Life was infinitesimally better the way it was now.

If Blondie would just get back to work.

He knew that he trusted Greg. Even though it made him feel slightly egotistical to admit, he could see the love in Greg's eyes whenever he looked at him, and Nick knew that his own eyes would reflect the same feeling back. But it was only natural for feelings of jealousy to arise now and then. Humans were animals just like any other, with territorial instincts that demanded to be heard. He tried to concentrate once more on the bloody hoodie laid out on the table before him, attempting to determine the pattern of the splatter. He was distracted by a knock on the door.

Greg was in the doorway with Blondie. "Hey, Stokes, mind if we interrupt?"

He tried to keep his tone level. "Sure thing, Greggo." Greggo. Code for My Greg.

Greg's eyes grew a little brighter as he tried not to laugh. "This is Ann LaGrette. She works days, but she's thinking of switching to nights. Maybe taking my place."

Nick nodded at her. "Hey. Big shoes to fill."

The compliment wasn't lost on either of the lab techs. Ann grinned. "So everybody's been telling me."

"I'm sure Sanders here has been telling you that the most frequently."

"You're not wrong," she admitted.

Greg didn't have the audacity to attempt to look shame-faced. "What can I say? She's got to know what she's letting herself in for."

"What goes around comes around. You're going to have some pretty big shoes to fill as a CSI."

Ann repressed a smile.

Greg turned to her. "Well, Nicky here is one of the best. Level Three CSI, has a number of community awards, and is highly referenced by his supervisor. Oh, and he makes toys for charity in his spare time."

Ann raised an eyebrow. "That is impressive."

Greg cupped his hand over his mouth and said in an exaggerated whisper, "He's also the love of my life, so hands off."

This time, Ann couldn't hold in her laugh. Especially at the look on Nick's face. The man actually blushed. So she decided to make herself scarce for his benefit.

Alone in the exam room, Greg couldn't help but take pleasure in how cute his partner looked when he was both embarrassed and complimented. "Just had to defend my territory," he explained. "I was talking you up too much."

"You did a good job of it." Nick smoothed out the wrinkles in the hoodie again, and looked up. "Defending your territory, I mean."

"Well, it must be all those hours of Animal Planet you make me watch."

"Make you watch? Who has Animal Detectives on a Tivo subscription?"

Greg leaned down and rubbed his thumb over the back of Nick's hand. "Do you have time for a break in about ten minutes?"

Nick nodded. "I can make time."

"Good. I'll foist Ann off onto Jacqui, and then meet you in the break room."

"Will you put on a pot of your coffee?"

Greg paused in the door on his way out, and turned back. "For you, I will."

Nick smiled, and watched him leave.

***