Title: The Cold Hard Truth
Author: Jaxson K.
Rating: PG
Summary: Greg goes to see Nick with disastrous results.
Disclaimer: I own nothing.....
A/N: This ties up all the loose ends from "When The Blues Come In From The Rain" and "The Letter".


 

 

Greg had been thinking about Nick ever since he received Nick's letter. He had written Nick but had received no reply, and that puzzled him a bit. He was thinking about this when he got the bright idea to go to Idaho to see Nick in person. He made the flight arrangements, took a couple of days off, and left for Idaho. When he landed in Boise, he got directions to Sherman from the girl at the rental counter. He picked up his car and headed out.


 

When he got to Sherman, he stopped at the only gas station and asked directions to Nick's ranch. As he headed out of town he began to get nervous. He hadn't seen Nick in nearly three years, and he was wondering what to expect. He hoped that Nick would listen to what Greg had to say. Greg knew he had been wrong for doing things the way he had, and he hoped that enough time had passed that Nick might have forgiven him.


 

Nick was in the barn when he heard the car coming up the drive. He was curious because he hadn't invited anyone out, and wasn't expecting anyone. He stood in the doorway of the barn and watched the car pull up near the house. Dear God....it was Greg Sanders!!!!!


 

"Hello, Nick....."

"Greg....how are you?" The two men awkwardly shook hands.

"So what brings you to Sherman, Greg?"

"I wanted to see your place, and I wanted to see you, too."

"Okay.....let me put my tools away and I'll give you the tour."


 

Nick walked shakily back to the barn to put away his tools. What the hell was Greg doing here? Nick went and found Greg in the front yard and started showing him around. They toured the barn, Nick explained where his property boundaries were and they made their way back up to the house. Once Nick had shown Greg the house, they went into the kitchen for some coffee.....


 

"So, how are things in Vegas?"

"You know, same old same old. Catherine is driving me crazy with paperwork, and we are in the process of training new investigators, you know...the usual."

Nick laughed and rolled his eyes. Greg got that familiar little tingle in his stomach because that was the laugh Nick used to give him when things were good.....

"So tell me about Sherman..."

"Well, as you saw, there's not much to it. The biggest things here are agriculture and the factory where I work. That's really about it....."

"So what do you do for fun, Nick?"

"You see it! I spend all my time working on the ranch and fixing on the house. That's fun to me."

"So, are you seeing anyone?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but no, I'm not. I decided to give that a break....."

"Sorry, Nick, I didn't mean to upset you....."

"Didn't you? You know, I should have figured this out sooner. You didn't come here to see how I was doing, you came here to see if you still had a chance, didn't you?"


 

Greg couldn't say anything because he knew Nick was right, and had called him on it.


 

"Nick, I realized that I made a mistake, and when you wrote to me, I thought that the lines of communication were opening up between us again....."

"Greg, just because I wrote you one letter doesn't mean that I want you back. I only wrote that letter because I wanted to share the news of my good fortune....."

"Nick, I'm sorry that I misinterpreted what happened. I've regretted how things ended between us ever since it happened, and I was hoping to try and make things right....."

"Well, Greg, that's where you are wrong! You bailed on me when I needed you the most. I burned out as an investigator, and knew I had to get the hell out of Vegas. Hell, I even asked you to come with me. I tried to get you to to apply at other labs, but you wouldn't hear of it. I did what I had to because I was tired of trying to please everyone but me. There it is, Greg, the cold hard truth!"


 

Greg could tell he had crossed the line. He knew now that it was a mistake coming here, and that whatever chance he had with Nick had been ruined long ago.......


 

"Nick, I apologize for coming here today and upsetting you. It never should have happened. I think I'll go now....."

"Greg, I understand your reasons for coming here, but there's nothing left between us anymore. I hope you can understand and respect that."

"I realize that now, Nick. I just want you to know that I wish you good luck and happiness, and that I'm glad that we did have something once upon a time. You're a special man, Nick....."


 

Greg looked away because he didn't want Nick to see him crying. Greg stood up and went out the door. Nick heard the car start and head down the drive. He was a bit sad, but knew he had done the right thing. He hoped that given some time, Greg would be able to understand.


 

THE END!