Together

"So I've been thinking."

"Always a dangerous thing."

Nick poked Warrick in the ribs and ordered, "Shut up and listen."

"I love it when you think you can boss me around," Warrick teased.

Looking at him pointedly, Nick asked, "Are you going to listen, or not?"

Warrick tugged him practically on top and answered, "Shoot."

Snuggling down on him, Nick sighed in contentment. "Grissom's birthday is on Friday and I thought we should do something for him. Make sure he doesn't spend it alone."

Warrick tensed beneath him and replied, "I'm sure he's got plans, Nick."

"Yeah. Catherine said he was going to dinner, alone, and then seeing a play, alone. That's no way to spend your birthday!" Nick exclaimed. "Come on, Warrick, it's just wrong!"

"Going to a play isn't wrong," Warrick protested.

"No, but doing it alone on your birthday is."

"Can't we just do a cake at the office like everyone else?"

Shifting onto his side, Nick frowned at him and questioned, "I know you like Grissom, so what's the problem?"

"He's got the hots for you!"

Nick paused in shock, then sat up altogether. "Excuse me?"

Sighing, Warrick sat up as well and replied, "Grissom wants you, Nick, probably loves you and he has for ages. I was just lucky enough to get to you first."

"You're joking," Nick announced, unsettled at the thought.

Warrick shook his head. "I wish."

"No, man, you're wrong."

"Nick, trust me on this, I'm right. I know what wanting and not having you looks like, and it's on Grissom's face a couple dozen times a day."

Astonished by the bald statement, Nick protested, "Grissom's not gay."

"He sure as hell is," Warrick countered.

"He visits Lady Heather's place."

"They've got guys there, too, you know."

Nick hadn't known, but wasn't about to admit it. The thought that Grissom wanted him was almost a foreign concept. It had taken a shitload of persuasion from Warrick for him to admit that it was even possible for his current lover to want him, and they'd already been spending most of their time together. It was only belief in Warrick's honesty that convinced him that it wasn't something the black man would mislead him on.

"That infamous lack of self-esteem strikes again," Warrick commented wryly. "Nick, baby, when are you going to get it through your head that you're hot? And you're nice. And you're kind. And you're honest. And you're unselfish. And you do things with your tongue that…"

"Enough already!" Nick interrupted, laughing, shoving his lover back onto the mattress. Straddling Warrick, he said, "I think your deranged, and I really want to do something for Grissom. You don't have to participate, but I at least want to take him out for a drink after work."

Warrick's hands settled on Nick's ass as he replied, "Oh you better believe I'm going to participate. Leave you alone with Grissom while you're drinking? Not a chance."

Eyes rolling, Nick said, "He's not going to jump me, Warrick. Geeze."

Warrick started pulling on Nick, who obliged by undulating against the hardening cock between his asscheeks. Warrick groaned, his head going back and Nick smiled, still thrilled by the responses he could get out of Warrick. They'd been lovers for almost a year, and things were as good as when they'd started. Not that they didn't still compete and have arguments at work, a few of them even doozies, but it never tied over to their home life.

Grinning wickedly, Nick informed him, "I'm still wet from when you spilled in me earlier. You could just slide right in, 'Rick. Just push your cock in my hole and shit!"

Warrick flipped them over unexpectedly and did just that, pushing into Nick's body in one short, hard thrust. Nick groaned in pleasure as the big cock filled him, his legs splaying open and his fingers clenching the sheets.

"God yeah, do it, do it hard!" he urged.

Starting a hard and fast rhythm, Warrick plundered Nick's body, his mouth devouring Nick's with just as much force. Nick moaned into it, aching for more, crying out in pleasure when his prostate was stimulated over and over. Warrick drove into his body as if he could climb right inside him by sheer force of will to possess him utterly.

It didn't take long for Nick to come, spilling between their bodies as his vision grayed out, though he didn't lose consciousness. He heard Warrick's shout of release and felt the wet heat coating him from inside and another, short spurt burst from his cock. Warrick collapsed on top of him and the only sound was that of their heavy breathing as hearts and respiration slowed.

Nick was glad they'd left the alarm on, because he damn sure had no energy to set it.

* * * *

Gil watched as Nick and Warrick argued over something with all apparent fierceness right in the middle of the hall. The voices were raised and Warrick loomed intimidatingly close to Nick, though the smaller man didn't back down. People were avoiding them, giving them both a wide berth as if afraid that one of them would take a swing at whoever interrupted.

Gil knew better.

He saw the body language that no one else did. The way Warrick's loom was more of a lean, the way Nick's legs were spread in a wide stance, in case the purported anger changed to another emotion, like passion. The slightly hunched posture Nick had, the submissive nature coming out to his lover as it didn't to anyone else. Or at least not in the same way. Whatever they were really arguing about, it wasn't their current case.

Sighing with envy, Gil gathered his composure like a shield and stepped into the hallway. "If the two of you don't take this outside, I'm going to have to do something drastic."

His quiet words immediately brought a halt to the argument and Nick turned to him with an almost grim smile. "Sorry. We're done here."

"No, we're not."

"Yes, we are. Grissom, can I talk to you?"

Nonplused by Nick's dismissal of Warrick, and noting the gathering storm clouds on the taller man's face, Gil was tempted to say no and order them to work it out. It wasn't, however, up to him to make those kinds of comments, so he nodded and allowed, "I have a few minutes."

"Good. See ya, Warrick," Nick said, glancing once at the other man before walking with Gil down the hall.

"Damn it!" Warrick snapped before heading in the other direction.

"So what was that really all about?" Gil asked when they were almost at the break room.

Nick arched an eyebrow at him and countered, "You sure you want to know?"

"Not if it's personal."

"Then you definitely don't want to know."

Offering a brief grimace of sympathy, Gil questioned, "So what can I do for you, Nicky?"

"You can let me take you out for your birthday tonight."

Gil was so surprised that he stopped walking. It took Nick a few paces to realize that and turn back to face him. Frowning, Gil repeated, "You want to take me out for my birthday?"

"Yep," Nick agreed complacently. "Just a beer, nothing major. I just hate the thought of you spending it alone."

Mystified, Gil asked, "Why?"

Looking a bit awkward, Nick explained, "No one should spend their birthday alone, especially not you."

Gil's tone was almost gentle as he said, "I do it every year, Nicky, it's not a big deal."

"It is for me," Nick replied. "Let me take you out, okay?"

"Not if it's going to cause problems between you and Warrick," Gil said firmly.

Nick waved it off. "The only problem Warrick has, is his head's up his ass about something unrelated."

Not quite believing it, Gil nonetheless wanted desperately to say yes. To spend time with Nick outside of work, or even at work, was something he lived for. Having those beautiful eyes on him, soaking up every word that he said, as though Gil really were some kind of genius, it was an incredible ego boost. Not to mention the joy Gil always found in Nick's presence. The younger man had a completely different way of looking at life and it was through his eyes that Gil had recouped some of life's simpler pleasures over the last few years.

"Come on, Gris, just a drink," Nick wheedled, as if he were ten.

The image of Nick as a boy made Gil smile and he knew that he was lost, as he always was when Nick truly wanted something.

Nick grinned broadly and exclaimed, "Awesome!"

Shaking his head, Gil wagged a finger at him and said, "Make up with Warrick first. I refuse to come between you two, however inadvertently."

Nick heaved a dramatic sigh, but nodded. "Yes, Dad, I will. I'll come by your office at end of shift."

"Okay," Gil agreed, feeling as though he'd just been hit by a mack truck.

Nick often had that effect on him.

* * * *

Sullen and aggravated, Warrick slammed his locker open and almost smashed his finger on its rebound. Nick just didn't get it, though of course he wouldn't, because he didn't understand what it was like to be on the outside looking in. What he was doing to Grissom wasn't a kindness, even though it might seem like it. It was rubbing the older man's face in what he couldn't ever have, not if Warrick had anything to say about it.

"Everything okay?" Catherine asked from behind.

Warrick shook his head and answered, "No. Everything is most definitely not okay. But I'd have to beat Nick's head in for him to understand what's really going on, so what's the point?"

Frowning, Catherine sat on the bench and said, "Talk to me. What's up?"

Not wanting to get into specifics, though he was sure Catherine would guess anyhow, Warrick answered, "Nick's a nice guy."

"Right."

"He doesn't get that people want him."

"Okay, I can see that."

"He doesn't get that, Catherine. He's completely clueless."

"And it bothers you."

"On a few levels, yeah, but the most pertinent one is the fact that because he doesn't get it, he and someone else could get hurt if things accidentally get out of control."

Catherine's lips pursed and she was silent for a long moment before saying, "Don't make the same mistake that a lot of other guys do, Warrick."

"What's that?" Warrick asked.

"Don't assume that Nick is automatically going to respond to someone who makes a pass at him," she answered. "You can't control what other people do, and neither can Nick. But you can trust that Nick will stop things before they get out of control. Especially because he loves you, as anyone with eyes can see. And he'll tell you what's going on. And he'll come back to you.

"If you get all bent out of shape every time you know someone's attracted to him and he doesn't, you're going to stifle him and lose him. Nick's a free spirit in the truest sense of the word, we both know that. He might stay in one place, but his heart is always given out to others, even when he's hurting. People are always going to be attracted to that and you'd better get a grip or you're in for a long, hard haul where you'll lose him in the end anyhow."

Sobered by the serious words, Warrick sighed and sat on the bench beside her. Scrubbing his fingers against his scalp, he asked plaintively, "Then what do I do?"

Gripping his arm, she smiled and replied, "Love him and trust him. Just because he loves other people doesn't mean that he loves you any less. He's got a big heart, Warrick, and a lot of it belongs to you. Cherish and respect that, and everything will work out."

"Yeah. I know you're right, Cath, I really do but…it's hard," Warrick admitted.

She grinned suddenly. "If it were easy, it wouldn't be Nick."

Laughing, Warrick nodded agreement. "True."

"Did I hear my name taken in vain?"

Warrick looked over at where Nick stood with a hesitant expression on the usually clear and open face. Knowing that he'd put it there sent a pang through him and Warrick smiled, waving him closer. "Catherine was just giving me some advice about how not to be such a shmuck."

Surprise flittered over Nick's face and he said, "Ah, okay?"

"My cue to leave. I'll see you guys tomorrow," Catherine announced, smiling as she left.

Nick took her place on the bench, but slid closer until their knees touched. "So what's going on?"

Even knowing they were alone, Warrick felt too exposed to take Nick in his arms as he wanted to do. "Go on and have your drink with Grissom. You're right, he shouldn't be alone on his birthday. No one should."

"Are you sure?" Nick questioned.

Nodding, Warrick said, "I'll have the bed warmed for you when you get home."

With a brilliant smile, Nick stood and replied, "You'd better! All right. I need to get going then. I'll see you later tonight."

Though he was still worried and unsure, that smile of gratitude and love went a long way to dispelling his doubts.

* * * *

"Grissom, the whole point of me taking you out for your birthday, was so you didn't have to pay, but I can't afford this place," Nick whispered, looking around the elegant restaurant.

Gil grinned and assured him, "I'll take care of it."

"But Gris…"

"No, I mean it," Gil interrupted firmly. "It's just enough that you're keeping me company. You don't know how much I appreciate that."

Nick looked uncomfortable, but then seemed to shrug it off. "Okay. But you'll have to order for me since the menu's in Italian."

Still grinning, Gil nodded. "I will, don't worry about it."

They were seated a few minutes later and after the wine order had been taken by a friendly waitress, Nick seemed to relax a little. Enough to say, "This is a nice place. Do you come here a lot?"

Gil shrugged and answered, "Often enough. I know the manager. Who is coming our way, actually. Alberto, hi."

The smiling Italian took Gil's hand in a strong shake and then turned to Nick with, "And who have we here? Someone special in your life to come on your birthday, yes?"

Nick flushed, but took the hand and introduced, "Nick Stokes, hi."

Interesting. Nick hadn't denied Alberto's claim.

"It is very good to see you not alone, Gil, you need someone to brighten you life," Alberto continued, practically beaming. "For this special occasion, there will be a wonderful meal, prepared by Allen himself."

"Tell Allen I said hello," Gil replied.

Alberto nodded and headed off, chattering happily to himself.

The wine arrived just then and, after breathing in the bouquet, Gil nodded for the waitress to pour. He went through the traditional taste, then nodded again in approval.

After she left, Nick picked up his glass and held it out. "Happy Birthday, Gil."

Gil smiled, unaccountably happy, and clinked the glasses together. "Thanks, Nicky."

They talked easily for the next half hour, filling their stomachs with bread and wine while waiting for the main course. He was a little surprised to find Nick so well versed in politics and art, but then realized that of course, coming from the family he did, the younger man would be. The meal was eaten in a comfortable silence with the occasional exclamation of pleasure, which Gil looked forward to, avidly. Nick would groan a little and close his eyes to savor the taste of whatever he was eating.

Gil dragged his eyes away and concentrated on his own food as he willed himself not to get hard; or at least, not harder.

By the time they'd finished dessert and after-dinner drinks, it was far too late for Gil to get to the play, but he didn't even care. The evening had been as near to perfect as a non-date could be, and he would be happy to count this among his best birthdays for a long time to come.

And then Nick surprised him by setting a small box on the table.

Startled, Gil asked, "What's this?"

"What do you think? It's a present," Nick answered, grinning. "Open it. Oh! Don't shake it!"

Gil had been about to do just that, but froze just in time. He opened it carefully and gasped in delight as he found a dragonfly perfectly captured in a chuck of amber.

"Gotcha!" Nick exclaimed, chuckling.

Smiling, Gil looked over at him and said, "Thank you, Nicky, this is so…it's perfect. I love you. It. I love it."

Nick froze.

Gil sighed. And the night had been going so well, too.

* * * *

Oh God. Warrick was right.

"Nick, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to let that slip out. Let's just blame the wine and the good atmosphere and my obviously troubled psyche and forget about it," Gil said hastily.

But it wasn't something that Nick could easily forget, if at all, which was doubtful. Taking the bull by the horns, as he'd always done, Nick leaned on the table and repeated, "You love me?"

Gil stared back at him for a long moment before he took a deep breath and exhaled a short, "Yes."

"How, how long?" Nick questioned.

Looking a bit pained, Gil answered, "Almost from the start."

"You never said anything."

"Aside from the fact that I thought you were straight, I didn't think you would welcome the advances of someone old enough to be your father."

The tone was both dry and self-castigating and Nick said sharply, "Don't do that."

Startled, Gil asked, "Do what?"

"Belittle yourself like that," Nick replied. "It's not right. So, okay. You've, ah, loved me for a few years and didn't make a move because you didn't think I'd want you back. And when you found out about me and Warrick?"

"It hurt," Gil admitted heavily, staring down at the chunk of amber between his fingers.

"Why didn't you say anything then?"

"Because you were happy. You are happy. And you deserve to be happy, Nicky, you truly do."

"So do you."

Gil shrugged. "I've had a few shots at happiness and they didn't work out. I have a good life, a satisfying one. Nothing to complain about."

"Except that you love me and that makes you unhappy," Nick said, unhappy himself at the situation.

"But it's something I can deal with, Nicky. I want you to be happy and that's with Warrick. Someone your own age, someone with similar interests, someone who can take care of you, like you deserve to be."

Something inside Nick ached badly at the wistful tone Gil was using. It was clear that Gil wanted that job with everything inside him. Nick would be lying if he didn't admit to the attraction he had for the other man. That he'd felt for a long time, but never acted on because he'd always thought Gil was way out of his league. Way, way out of his league.

And now he was with Warrick.

Sighing, Nick said, "I need to, to think about this."

Gil's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

"I said, I need to think about all of this. But before I do, let me ask you something."

"Anything."

"What kind of love are we talking about? Is this the kind that's going to pan out in a few years, the kind that you're not even sure will make it out of the bedroom, or the kind that means forever, if that's possible for anyone."

"I would die for you, Nicky, and I would kill to protect you."

Shaken by the simple, heartfelt statement, Nick was rooted to the chair. Life was the most precious thing to Gil. That, and protecting the innocence of children. It was the older man's cross to bear that in his work, he couldn't stop either one and came across both all the time.

"I um, yeah. I definitely need to think about this."

* * * *

Warrick wasn't sleeping when Nick got home. The other man moved quietly as he undressed and, a few minutes after he got there, Warrick announced, "I'm not sleeping."

"Jesus!" Nick exclaimed, jerking around towards the bed. "Don't scare me like that!"

Grinning a little, Warrick sat up and observed, "That was a lot longer than just drinks."

"Hold that thought," Nick ordered, moving to the bathroom.

Eyes rolling, Warrick waited as patiently as he could for the other man to return. Finally, Nick came back and crawled onto the bed with him, sliding under the covers and snuggling close. Wrapping his arms around Nick, he asked, "Have a good time?"

"For the most part," Nick answered honestly.

"What happened?"

"Well, we went for dinner instead of just drinks, since he had the reservation and all," Nick explained. "That's why I was out so late. It was nice. We just talked about little shit, you know? Nothing about work. And um, you were right, you know."

Warrick tensed a little. "About what?"

"He's in love with me. He let it slip after I gave him his present."

Warrick thought, angry and worried all at once. "So what did you say?"

Nick was silent for a long moment, then admitted, "That I needed to think about what he'd said."

"Excuse me?"

"C'mon man, it's Grissom. I couldn't just…reject him out of hand."

"Yes, you damn well could have!" Warrick exclaimed, letting go of him and getting out of the bed. Glaring at Nick in the half-light that always managed to get through the curtains, he snapped, "You're with me, Nick, just in case you forgot."

Nick groaned. "I knew you were going to react like this. I almost didn't tell you at all. Look, you weren't there. You didn't see the look on his face when he said the words. I couldn't hurt him like that."

"But you can hurt me instead, is that it?" Warrick demanded, arms tight across his chest. He couldn't believe this was happening. He'd known it, he'd known better than to let Nick do something like this, but hadn't listened to himself.

Sighing, Nick got out of bed too and walked over to him. "Warrick…"

Holding his hands up, Warrick said, "Just tell me you don't love him back, and I'm okay with this."

Silence and the miserable expression on Nick's face told Warrick everything he needed to know. "How long?"

Nick sighed heavily and answered, "Since before us. I didn't think I stood a chance with him, so I didn't do anything about it."

"So I'm a consolation prize?" Warrick exclaimed, indignant and hurt.

Groaning, Nick denied, "No, Warrick, I love you. I love you so much, but…I don't know. I don't know what to do here!"

"You slept with him, didn't you?"

Shock ripped across Nick's face and he shook his head fiercely, exclaiming, "No! Jesus, 'Rick, how can you even think that?"

"You just told me that you loved Grissom, why wouldn't I think that?" Warrick demanded.

"Because you should know me better than that!"

"I know you go with your heart."

Nick flinched and replied quietly, "I wouldn't cheat on you with anyone, Warrick, and if you don't know that much about me, then maybe you don't know me at all."

Seeing that he was fast painting himself into a corner, Warrick changed tactics and said, "If you love me, you can't love him, Nick. You can't have us both."

"You wouldn't even consider it, would you?" Nick asked, still quiet. "You know how alone Gil is, and you know that he deserves to be happy, but you wouldn't even think of trying to help that, would you?"

"Not like this."

"So it's either/or."

"Yes."

"Warrick, please."

Shaking his head, Warrick stepped away from Nick and moved to the dresser, pulling out clean clothes and getting dressed. "Him or me, Nick. You gotta choose."

Helpless, Nick answered, "What if I can't?"

Firm, Warrick repeated, "Him or me."

And despite the ache in his chest and the pounding of his head, Warrick left.

* * * *

There had to be something wrong with him. Nick knew that somewhere, on a fundamental level, there was something wrong with him. What made someone fall in love with two different people at the same time? He had a great thing with Warrick, why the hell had he messed it up just because he wanted Grissom too?

No, not just wanted…loved. The whole rest of the day, Nick stayed awake, thinking over the entire situation and unable to come to a conclusion. He'd loved Grissom forever, but never once felt as if the other man was attainable. He looked to Gil for leadership and friendship and caring in ways that he didn't get from anyone else. Gil…took care of him.

Warrick spoke to his heart just as loudly, but in a different way. It was only as Warrick's lover that Nick had slowly come out of his shell, believing that finally, someone loved him for who he was. Someone actually thought that he was worth sticking around for. Loving Warrick was as natural as breathing, and it was killing Nick to know that it was his own damn fault that he wasn't wrapped in his lover's arms right then and there.

It was wrong of him to even think that Warrick or Gil would agree to…to what? Share him? Love each other as much as they loved him? He knew both men, he knew how much pride they both had and he knew that there was no way that they'd be able to do either.

But Nick couldn't become a prize to one, and a heartache to the other. He couldn't cause pain to Gil, couldn't hurt the older man as Nick knew he'd been hurt before. He wasn't sure that Gil would recover from another blow like that. On the other hand, he couldn't leave Warrick for Gil, because it would be just as devastating to Warrick.

Maybe if I leave, they'll find solace in each other and then I won't have to worry. The two men I love more than life, will be happy.

The thought was passing and bitter, but Nick knew that there was something to it. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed the best solution. Leaving them would kill him, but it was the most fair thing that he could do. In choosing neither, he was protecting both. Without him around as a constant reminder, they could continue with their careers and find someone else to love.

Nick had no trouble believing that they would, either. Gil and Warrick were both incredible men and it wouldn't be long before someone caught their eye and they moved on. Gil would find some sophisticated woman who was his match, and finally settle down, and Warrick would be pursued by some hot guy with cash and flash, neither of which Nick had.

They'd be happy, they'd still have their jobs and life would go on status quo.

It took a long, long time before he could stop crying, but when he did, Nick moved to the computer and started typing up his resignation.

* * * *

"What's wrong with you?"

Warrick grimaced at Catherine's question and answered shortly, "Nothing."

"Now there's a load of bull," she stated, leaning against the locker beside his. "Give. You know you want to."

Sighing, Warrick knew she was right. Meeting the serious blue gaze, he admitted, "I screwed up with Nick. Big time."

"Did you cheat on him?" Catherine demanded.

Warrick shook his head. "No. I accused him of it, though."

She slapped him upside the back of the head. Hard. "You idiot!"

Wincing, Warrick rubbed his head and answered, "I know, I know! I just…I was so pissed with him that I couldn't even think straight."

"This is about the guy you said wanted Nick."

"Yeah."

"And you accused him of sleeping with that guy."

"Yeah."

"Warrick, there's only one thing you can do now."

"What's that?"

"Beg."

"Excuse me?"

Implacable, Catherine repeated, "Beg. Get down on your knees and apologize over and over for being an insecure jerk. And keep telling him how much you love him and how sorry you are."

"It's not that simple," Warrick protested.

She shrugged. "It never is. But it's a starting point."

"Hey guys. What's going on?" Sara asked as she joined them.

Warrick grimaced.

* * * *

Staring at his computer in shock, Gil wondered if he could possibly be more of an idiot than he had been, and knew the answer was no. By unloading his problems onto Nick, he'd apparently broken Nick and Warrick up, and now Nick was heading back to Texas. Gil picked up his phone and dialed Nick's home number.

Thankfully, Nick picked up with a worn-out, "Hello?"

"Nicky, please don't go," Gil replied. "Don't leave Warrick because I'm a fool."

There was a long pause before Nick answered, "I have to. I can't come between you guys like this, and if I stick around, that's what'll happen and you know it. Warrick's not going to let it go, so I need to."

"I'll talk to Warrick," Gil exclaimed.

"Won't do any good. I already did that."

"It will if I swear nothing will ever happen between us, Nicky. I promise I'll never touch you inappropriately, and you know I always keep my promises."

"But what if I want you to? I love you too, Gil. I'm so screwed in the head that I love both of you and it's killing me."

The heartbroken whisper went right to Gil's soul and he whispered back, "Oh, Nicky."

Clearing his throat, Nick continued, "I'm going home, Gil. I've got a flight booked for tomorrow and my folks are expecting me. There's a spot open in Houston for a CSI 3 and I'm going to interview for it next week. I already put the call in."

"Nicky please, don't leave."

"I have to."

Gil listened to the dial-tone for a long moment, then hung up, feeling sick. There had to be a way to fix this. There had to be.

* * * *

"Where's Nick?" Catherine asked curiously.

Warrick and Sara both looked over at Grissom, who answered, "Nick's home sick tonight. Sara, I've got a DB at the Paramount for you. Looks like a homicide."

"Sweet!" she exclaimed, taking the file from him.

"Catherine, how are you with locked door mysteries?" Grissom questioned, half-smiling.

Smiling, she took the file and answered, "Love 'em."

"Good. Because Brass is stumped and you know that he hates being stumped. Go on over and help him out."

"You don't want it?" she asked curiously.

"I have other things I need to do."

Warrick looked at Grissom and asked, "What about my assignment?"

"We need to talk," the other man answered. "My office, Warrick. Now."

Sara and Catherine exchanged a look, then took off without saying anything.

With everything going on, how the hell could Grissom still make him feel like a rowdy school kid in the wrong? Rebellious, Warrick was tempted to tell him to shove it, but they did still have to work together. He nodded and followed Grissom down to his office.

Once inside, Grissom ordered, "Shut the door and lock it."

Frowning, Warrick did so anyhow, then crossed his arms over his chest and demanded, "What the hell's going on, Grissom?"

"Nick emailed me his letter of resignation today."

Stunned, Warrick couldn't speak for a long moment. "What? Why?"

"It said, and I quote, "For personal reasons, I can no longer work as a functioning member of the team." It also says that it's closer to his family and he needs that right now in his life. He's transferring to CSI Houston."

Warrick didn't know what to say. It was classic Nick for him to feel like he was in the wrong, when Warrick had been the asshole. "Shit."

"Yes, exactly," Grissom agreed. "So what are we going to do about it?"

Warrick met the steady gaze and challenged, "What can we do?"

Leaning on his desk, Grissom replied, "The whole problem here, is that you don't think you can share Nick with me."

Anger rose and Warrick demanded, "And you could share him with me?"

"Yes."

The simple response threw Warrick for a loop. "Excuse me?"

Earnest, Grissom said, "That's the only way that either of us get him, Warrick. Don't you understand that? He's not going to choose one of us over the other. I don't think it's possible for him to do so, it's just not in his makeup. He loves you, and he loves me, and now he thinks that he's all kinds of wrong for it. But it's love, Warrick, how can it be wrong?"

"I spent a lot of years getting used to the fact that I like men, Grissom," Warrick began seriously. "It just ain't done with my people and you know it. My family just about disowned me, but they came around eventually. It's taken a lot for them to accept this part of me and that's important to me. If I were in a triad…that'd be the straw, man."

Grissom nodded, sympathetic. "And I can't really understand what you're going through, because my family isn't like yours, what's left of it. But you have to decide, Warrick, if their approval means more than having Nick's love. If it does, then you don't deserve him and I'll be going with Nick to Houston."

Denial rose inside and Warrick shook his head, saying, "It doesn't. But Grissom, I don't…I can't…it goes against everything I know. Relationships are monogamous. One on one. Man to man, woman to woman, man to woman, whatever, but one to one!"

"Relationships are whatever we make them," Grissom countered calmly. "Whatever makes the people involved happy, content, secure, and healthy."

Warrick snorted. "So what, you're advocating group sex now?"

Half-smiling, Grissom replied, "Not for myself, no, but then, I never do well in groups."

"That's what this would be."

"No, it's not. This is you, me, and Nick. Private. Together. Just the three of us," Grissom answered. "I love him, Warrick, and I'll do anything to keep him, but having you there won't exactly be a hardship. I like you, and you know that. I, I care for you, too. I know that you like me, even if you don't like me, but do you think you could down the line? For Nick?"

And suddenly, Warrick saw through the whole act. Grissom's calm was hiding a lot of fear and pain. The carefully casual, almost impartial, words belied the deeper emotions that the older man was so good at putting behind a smokescreen. Frowning, Warrick put the revelation aside for the moment and asked slowly, "So what are we talking about here? Sharing Nick every other week? Every other day?"

Grissom shook his head. "That wouldn't work, and I think you know it. If Nick had to go from one bed to another, he'd feel torn and guilty and we'd be right back to where we started in very short order. No, for this to work, we have to all three be together, at the same time."

Which was asking a lot and Grissom knew it. Warrick paced a short distance away, looking at one of Grissom's weird-assed jars with some creature pickled inside. Looked like a bat.

"Think about life without Nick. Am I so awful a choice, Warrick, that you'd do without him?"

This time, the pain was audible, a thin thread underlying the words, and Warrick turned back. There was nothing to see except a patient, neutral expression, though, so Grissom must've pulled himself together, as he always did.

The thing was, Grissom wasn't a bad choice at all. He was a fine looking man, especially with the beard, though Warrick didn't usually go for that. Grissom wasn't Warrick's type in a lot of ways, but that didn't mean he'd never thought about the two of them together, in that abstract, 'would I do my boss?' kind of way. The answer had always been yes.

No, the problem wasn't Grissom, it was the fact that it would be the three of them together. He didn't want to share Nick. He wanted his lover all to himself. All that love and need and passion, he wanted every bit of it for himself. It was also that, once Nick had Grissom, would there be enough leftover for Warrick? Would he need Warrick the way he did now? Because Warrick needed to be needed, as selfish as that sounded.

Finally, knowing that Grissom was waiting on his answer, Warrick sighed and said, "It's ain't you, Gris, it's not. I just…I don't want to share him with anyone. I want him all to myself. And if you're there…I don't think, I don't think he'll need me anymore."

Surprise chased away the neutral expression and Grissom exclaimed, "Of course he's going to need you, Warrick! Just like…"

Warrick quirked an eyebrow. "Just like…?"

Grissom took a breath and finished, "Just like I need you."

If there were any more revelations, Warrick was pretty sure that he'd be flat on the floor. "You…what?"

"Not in the same way I need Nick, obviously, but Warrick, you're a big part of my life, too," Grissom informed him quietly. "Everyone seems to know that you're my favorite CSI except for you. Why do you think Brass keeps hassling you? Because he thinks I go too easy on you. He thinks I'm soft in the head for letting you get away with half the stuff you pull, and he's right."

"Favorite CSI? But what about Nick?" Warrick demanded.

Grinning briefly, Grissom explained, "I love Nick. I would kill and die for him without question or hesitation. But you challenge me. You always have. You make me question my assumptions. I guess you could say that you keep me real."

"That…that sounds like love to me," Warrick observed slowly.

The defenses were up in less than a second. Grissom looked away and straightened a little as he replied, "I know you don't care for me, Warrick, and it's okay. I never expected you to, and this isn't about me anyhow. This is about Nick."

But the knowledge that Grissom loved him was still rocking Warrick to the core and he asked, honestly mystified, "How can you love both of us?"

Grissom sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I don't know, Warrick, I just do. I've spent most of my adult life alone and then suddenly, the two of you were here. You just pulled me into your ranks and gave me friendship without caring that I was your boss, or how smart I was. That affected me a lot. I'm not saying that I'm in love with you, because I'm not. But I do love you, and I care what happens to you. To be honest, if Nicky weren't involved, we would never have had this discussion."

"So, you're really okay with the triad thing?" Warrick questioned.

With a shrug, Grissom replied, "Like you, I'd much rather have Nick all to myself, but that's not an option. It's both of us, or neither of us, and as difficult a situation as this is to be in, Warrick, I think that you and I can get over the insecurities to love Nick the way he deserves to be loved. And maybe…maybe one day you'll care for me the way I care for you, even if it doesn't involve lightening bolts and an orchestra playing in your head."

The wry, self-deprecating smile was too much for Warrick. He abruptly closed the distance between them and put a hand on Grissom's shoulder. "Who hurt you that bad, Gris?"

Grissom's eyes flickered away as he answered, "It was a long time ago."

"Not long enough," Warrick commented. "Whoever he or she was, they did a real number on you. I bet that person's the reason you been alone all this time."

"Not completely alone," Grissom amended.

"Lady Heather don't count."

A genuine grin flashed across Grissom's face as he replied, "Don't let her hear you say that."

Warrick chuckled and agreed, "I won't. But what makes you think you don't deserve to be loved?"

The grin was gone instantly and Grissom looked away again. Warrick cupped Grissom's face with his free hand and tilted it back so he could look into the clouded, pained eyes. It occurred to him that Grissom was leaving himself wide open for a whole mess of hurt by doing this. Warrick had enough right then and there to take away his job and his professional standing, not to mention the personal pain that he'd go through just from Warrick's rejection. The rejection that he could see Grissom expected to get.

"Damn. Whoever hurt you like that needs to be horse-whipped twice," Warrick murmured before lowering his mouth to Grissom's.

It was just a little kiss, in the grand scheme of things, just the barest press of lips to lips, and over in a few seconds. But it was enough to break things even between them. Warrick felt the moment that his world shifted for good and then dove back in for more.

Unexpectedly, after the first few seconds of the second kiss, Grissom took control. One of his hands gripped the back of Warrick's neck and held him in place. The open mouth was now devouring his, despite the fact that Warrick was bent down to him, and heat flooded through Warrick at the command in Grissom's kiss. The way his mouth was possessed by the tongue thrusting between his lips and tracing the ridges of his palate.

He'd never bent over for anyone before, not even Nick, but Warrick could see himself bending over for Grissom and begging for more. The thought provoked a moan and he plastered himself to the older man, his hands gripping Grissom's shirt as they made out against his desk. When Grissom broke the kiss, Warrick was breathing hard and his heart beat fast. Resting his forehead on Grissom's shoulder, he muttered, "Damn."

Grissom offered a shaky chuckle. "I agree."

The warm, strong hands soothing up and down his back felt really good, and Warrick wondered what it would be like to be loved completely by this man, the way he loved Nick. Sighing deeply, trying to get hold of himself, Warrick said, "We need to get to Nick before he takes off."

"Mmm. Yes, we do," Grissom confirmed, not moving. "Just as soon as I can move without hurting something vital."

Warrick laughed out loud at that and pulled back. The humor shining back at him from Grissom's eyes told him that everything was going to work out. It would take a lot of groveling, and convincing, of course, but they'd show Nick that this was what they all needed.

And then they'd work on Grissom's unexpected lack of self-esteem.

* * * *

Nick was expecting the knock at his door, but he wasn't expecting Gil and Warrick to both be on the other side of it. He just stood there for a long moment, unable to move or speak.

"Can we come in, Nicky?" Gil asked softly.

The words startled Nick into action and he nodded, stepping back to let them inside. Both trooped past him into the living room, then faced him as he slowly joined them. It looked like they'd come to some kind of decision, and Nick hadn't been this terrified since Crane had held a gun to his head.

"First off, I'm an asshole," Warrick began. "The way I ran you down has no excuse, Nick, but I hope you can forgive me. I do know you better than that, I know you'd never cheat on me. I was stupid and insecure and upset and I'm sorry. I am so sorry, Nick."

Somehow, he'd never expected to get an apology for that, of all things. If anything, Nick was pretty sure it was him who should be apologizing. "It's fine, Warrick. Not like you didn't have cause."

Shaking his head, Warrick countered, "No, I didn't have cause. You were trying to tell me something, trying to be honest with me, and I just went off on you. That's no way to behave."

Wondering briefly where the real Warrick was, Nick said hesitantly, "I uh, I forgive you."

Relief spread over Warrick's face and he replied, "Thank you."

"So you two have, um, you've talked, I guess?" Nick questioned, fearing the answer.

Gil and Warrick exchanged a look and a smile that made Nick wary.

"We did," Gil confirmed. "Nicky, neither of us meant to put you in such a bad position. We both want you, and we both love you, and we know that you love both of us. So, if you're still willing, we'd like for all of us to be together."

Nick thought fuzzily as the world went gray around the edges.

"Oh shit, Gris, get his arm," Warrick exclaimed, rushing forward.

Between the two of them, they managed to get Nick to the sofa where Gil bent him gently down and ordered, "Just breathe, Nicky, it'll pass. Breathe easy."

After a few minutes, the lightheadedness and sick feeling in the pit of his stomach faded enough for Nick to sit up straight. Gil's hand was still on his back, and Warrick's was on his thigh. They were both looking very worried, so he assured them, "I'm fine. I'm confused as shit, but I'm fine. What the hell happened today that you're both willing to, ah, be a, a triad?"

Warrick scooted closer and rested his chin on Nick's shoulder. "Life without you doesn't bear thinking about, baby. Gris and I talked, a lot, and we cleared things up between us. There's caring between us, and some love, but you're the glue that'll hold us together."

Nodding, Gil added, "We can make it work, Nicky. With honesty and love, we will make it work. Don't leave us."

"Please don't leave us," Warrick whispered, kissing his throat.

Oh like he was going to say no to that?

Nick lunged forward, seizing Warrick's mouth in a desperate need to reconnect with his lover. Pushing back, Warrick took control of the kiss, sucking and biting at Nick's mouth. Groaning, Nick opened his mouth further to the onslaught, his hands gripping Warrick's shirt, front and back. He was abruptly aware of Gil surrounding him from the other side, his mouth wet and hot on Nick's throat, marking him fiercely, possessively, and rocking against him.

Shuddering, Nick broke the kiss and gasped, "Bedroom! Now! I don't think I'll be able to move after."

There was no argument, though actually getting to the bedroom took longer than usual, thanks to the fact that neither man would let go of him for very long. Being the center of attention like this was bewildering and incredibly erotic. They were starving for him, kissing and sucking and biting all over his body, his clothes yanked off and out of the way on the trip to the bedroom. By the time they got to the bed, he was nude and didn't really remember becoming so.

Held between them, Gil rubbing behind and Warrick attacking from in front, Nick gasped, "Clothes! Get them off!"

He got a brief breather while they shed their clothes, and he took it to bring himself back from the edge. Nick took his first look at Gil naked and his mouth dried up at the sight; strong and solid with some love handles and a patch of grayed chest hair leading down to a hard cock that was equally as endowed as Warrick. "God, Gil…"

The older man flushed, but half-smiled and said, "Little early to be saying that."

They surrounded him again, resuming their positions, and Nick was so much putty in their hands. Gil's hands roamed his back, squeezing and massaging him gently while Warrick played with his nipples. His head fell back and Warrick took advantage of it, kissing him deeply. Gil shifted and added his mouth to the kiss, still supporting Nick with an arm around his lower back.

The three-way kiss was the hottest thing Nick had ever experienced and he whimpered into it, knees buckling as sensation overwhelmed him.

"Bed," Gil ordered softly.

A few seconds later, he was prone on the bed, lying on his side as his two lovers resumed the incredible torture of his body. Warrick latched onto his nipples again, hands and mouth, and Gil was busy exploring every part of his backside, up and down. Nick writhed between them without shame, wanting only to feel all of them. He finally managed to form the words, "In me, please, both of you in me!"

There was a pause from both men and Warrick said, "Gil's going to take you this time, baby."

"Want your cock in my mouth," Nick demanded. "Gotta taste you, Warrick, gotta make you come."

With a deep chuckle, Warrick soothed his hand over Nick's chest and promised, "Don't you worry about that. This time's for you, baby boy, just relax and enjoy the ride."

Nick was going to protest, but Gil pushed two slick fingers into his hole and he gasped instead. Vaguely wondering if Warrick had literally given him the lay of the land, Nick pulled his right leg forward, opening himself for more. The long fingers moved in and out at an easy pace, stretching him, and he moaned, pushing back.

"Oh yeah, this ain't going to take long for any of us," Warrick muttered, his hand wrapping around Nick's shaft and squeezing tight.

Gasping at the edge of pain and pleasure, Nick reached for him, but Warrick just bestowed an evil grin and went down on him…at the same time that Gil found his prostate. Nick shouted, twisting in two directions at once.

"Nicky, I don't see any condoms," Gil whispered into his ear, three fingers now moving inside him.

Struggling to think, Nick answered, "Don't use them. We're clean."

"Is it…so am I, can I still…?"

"God, yes! Just do it, Gil, please!" Nick ground out, shoving back against the fingers.

Not two seconds later the fingers were replaced by Gil's cock. Nick moaned in pleasure as it slid inside him, pushing aside the muscles and owning him, just like Warrick. He'd never felt so perfect, so cherished and loved. One hand was buried in Warrick's hair and the other reached back to lock with Gil's. His body shook with the force of Gil's thrusts, the friction fast pushing him to the edge, orgasm skating along his spine. Hearing the wet sounds of Warrick's sucking and the meaty slap of Gil's balls against his ass was another kind of caress, adding to the sensual overload.

"Nicky, oh God, Nicky, you're so perfect, love you so much," Gil whispered, then groaned and slid home one last time before coming deep inside Nick's body.

Warrick moaned around Nick's cock, telling him that his other lover had come as well. The vibration pushed him over into orgasm and he jerked and spilled into Warrick's mouth. Nick's heart stuttered and his breath stopped and everything went dark.

* * * *

When Nick became aware of himself again, he was under the covers with Gil spooned up behind him and Warrick stretched out beside him. They were half-sitting up and kissing over him, a strong, deep kiss that set Nick's blood on fire, even if his body was in no shape to make good on the desire. Seeing it reassured him that they weren't doing this just for him. That there really was caring involved between them, and that eventually, love would follow.

"God, you two are hot together," he murmured.

They broke apart to smile down at him and Gil said, "Welcome back. We were afraid we'd broken you."

Chuckling, Nick shook his head and stretched luxuriously. "Nope. I'm going to feel it in the morning though."

"In the night," Warrick corrected, grinning.

"Whatever," Nick replied, sticking out his tongue.

Gil chuckled and asked, "So who gets what side of the bed?"

Smirking, Nick said, "I'm comfortable."

"That's 'cause you're monkey in the middle, baby boy," Warrick countered, tweaking a nipple. "You're on my side, Gil."

Gil made a show of getting comfortable as he said, "I like it here."

"Gris, c'mon, man, I can't sleep on this side!" Warrick protested.

Laughing softly, Gil climbed out of the bed and moved around it, while Warrick climbed over Nick and curled up behind him.

Nick relaxed into Warrick's arms and smiled when Gil lay on his side, facing him. He'd never seen him so relaxed and happy. Cupping the other's face, scratching his fingers lightly through the beard, he murmured, "Hi there."

"Hi," Gil whispered back, leaning in for a slow kiss that tickled a little with the unfamiliar facial hair. "Have I mentioned that I love you?"

Warm lips pressed to Nick's shoulder and Warrick echoed, "Me, too."

Drawing Gil in so they were flush, arms and legs all tangling and twining together, dark against light, Nick sighed deeply and rested his cheek against Gil's shoulder. "I love both of you. Night."

"Night, Nicky."

"Night, baby."

As their breathing slowed into that of sleep, two different sets of snores, Nick wasn't sure how he could get happier than this, but he was pretty sure he'd find out really damn fast. He was definitely looking forward to it.