Title: Thicker Skin
By: amyvand25
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Challenge: DNA
Rating: PG-13
Warnings/Spoilers: Grave Danger
Summary: Nicky can't sleep
A/N: I hope the DNA part comes through. *shrugs* Betaed by my chica redlight25.

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I turn over and notice that Nick is not beside me in bed since I can't feel his skin against mine, but I think I know where he is. Ever since that horrible night underground, I don't think he's slept a full night. It doesn't matter if I'm with him, the lights are on, or he takes some medication, it's never enough to let him relax and get much needed rest.

Getting up, I shuffle over to the window where he's watching the kids playing. Wrapping him in my arms with my face on his shoulder, I hold him without saying a word. Just this touch, the two of us sharing those epithelials we work so hard to collect on the job, hopefully shows him how much I love him. Placing his arms on top of mine, he squeezes both pairs to his stomach. So softly, I hear his voice over his shoulder.

"I'm not sure how much more I can take G. I've had so much happen to me in the last few years, every so often I wonder what I did to deserve this." I kiss his back, and lie my head against him again.

"Nicky...I know it's been tough for you...Kristy, Nigel, the box....but I think you can overcome this." He turns in my arms, looking at me like I'm making light of his pain.

"What?" I can see the tears in the corners of his eyes, and I need him to know that I really do understand and I'm there for him. Placing my hand on the side of his face, I kiss him gently.

"What I mean is that yes, there have been things that have happened in your life and you've been hurt; but you also have a wonderful family and friends that love you very much and are here for you." I can tell he's chewing this over in his mind, then lets out a huge sigh before taking me in his arms again.

"Maybe I need to go see that shrink...just talk about it with someone." Stepping back, I lay my hand over his bare chest where his heart is.

"You can always talk to me. I like to think I'm fairly high on that list of people who love you." Chuckling softly, my handsome boyfriend brushes his palm over my cheek and kisses my lips.

"Oh, you're pretty much at the top of that list, love. I think I know what might help me..." Nick pulls me with him to the bed, he gets comfy, then I slide in next to him. Scooting over to slip his arm around my body, I hold him as well, brushing my fingers through that thick dark hair that is finally starting to grow to a nice length again. "Just stay with me...maybe before I go home at night, we can have some time to talk in the break room; or if we have a night off together, we open a bottle of wine and sit on the couch in the living room." He gazes up at me, and gives me a hopeful smile. Pressing my mouth against his forehead, I tighten my grip on him.

"I think that's a great idea, Nicky; and if you think you need to see someone else, I'll be behind you...we're a team now." He rubs my chest, then takes my nipple in between his lips and teasing it with his tongue. "Nicky...what are you doing?" Moving up so our noses are touching, he gives me that Stokes smirk that has some lust mixed in with the love.

"I want to make love to you...if you want me to. I might not have done anything to deserve the bad, but I'm sure I did something to deserve you. Something really really good."

"I think we both have, baby...we have both gotten what we so richly deserve."

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