Title: Underneath It All
Pairing: Greg/Nick
Category: First-time, light angst
Rating: R
Summary: Greg and Nick explore the possibilities of their friendship.
Author: Jacki (kbfan)
Feedback: always much appreciated (kbfan@msn.com)
Archive: WWOMB, Deep End, others please let me know first, thanks
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, except maybe my cat, but that's questionable too. I don't have any money now and I'm not making anything off this either. All rights to these characters belong to the creators and producers of CSI
Notes: This is going to be a multi-part fic...and Part 2 should be following soon, however, I have no idea how long it will turn out to be in the end -- the muses haven't let me in on that little tidbit just yet. I need to thank the muses for being there and Ana for the beta and the encouragement.

 

 

"Remind me why we're going to Clark's bachelor party again? We don't even like him."

Greg turned to look at Nick inside the limited confines of the elevator. "Free beer, free food. Oh and maybe because we work with him and we were the only two guys from the night shift that had off tonight."

"Oh, yeah, right," Nick mumbled, looking up and watching as the floors ticked by one by one. "Guess we might as well make the best of it then," Nick smiled.

"Exactly why we got a room for the night, my friend. I don't know about you, but I plan to get plastered," Greg said as the door to the elevator slid open revealing the brightly lit corridor of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

The two men had decided to share a room in the hotel for the night; it would save them some money and getting arrested for drunk driving wasn't looked upon kindly at the Las Vegas Police Department. They had checked in before coming upstairs to one of the hotel's Celebrity Suites for Andy Clark's bachelor party.

"Ok, the suite should be right down here," Nick pointed to the right and started making his way down the hall. "Ah ha! This must be it," he grinned triumphantly, knocking on the door.

Gary Baker, a guy they both recognized from the day shift, pulled the door open, a beer in his free hand.

"Welcome to Andy's night of debauchery!" he chuckled, ushering them inside.

The party was already in full swing and there were people everywhere; some were piled onto the semi-circular black couch that dominated the room, while others were lining up at the bar area waiting for another round. Greg and Nick immediately headed toward the bar area and grabbed a couple of beers. They joined the rest of the guests in gathering around the television.

"Time for some porn!" Gary yelled as he pushed a tape into the VCR. "This one is supposed to have a little of everything...everything that poor Andy will probably never get a chance to experience again once he shackles on the ball and chain," he laughed, flopping down into one of the cushioned chairs and propping his feet on the table in front of him.

Greg laughed along with everyone else, while Andy tossed an empty beer can in his tormentor's direction.

"Screw you, Gary," Andy said as he tossed another can, this one just missing Gary's head.

"Hey, buddy, it might be the last time you get screwed," Gary replied, jumping up to answer another knock at the door.

"Hey...Andy!" Gary called from the doorway. "I think we forgot to hang the `Do Not Disturb' sign on the door handle," he continued, stepping aside to reveal a tall, blonde dressed as a naughty maid. She handed a CD to Gary before stepping into the suite.

Gary crossed the room and slipped her CD into the state-of-the-art stereo system. He muted the TV and pressed play on the compact disc player. The room was suddenly filled with a thumping beat as the stripper led Andy to a chair in the center of the room.

"Woohoo!" came the calls of the crowd as she began to dance.

Greg cheered along with everyone else as the girl continued her performance. When he looked over to where Nick had been chatting with another colleague, he noticed that Nick didn't seem to be focused on the `live' entertainment. Instead, Greg realized that he was watching the television, his face lit with a mixture of intensity and interest. Curious, Greg turned to see what had caught Nick's attention so completely on the television. What he saw surprised him. There on the television were two men intimately engaged in one another. Greg looked at the screen and then looked back at Nick. The other man's expression had not changed--Nick still seemed fascinated with the scene.

Greg struggled to wrap his mind around this new facet of his friend; he had never thought Nick was interested in other men. That, as a matter of fact, was precisely the reason that Greg had kept his feelings for Nick to himself and had instead decided that having Nick as a friend was better than not knowing him at all. But now...now, maybe there was a chance.

***

Three hours passed before the party began to wind down; the groom-to- be eventually passed out and Nick helped Gary carry him into the bedroom. Greg helped clean up some of the mess while waiting for Nick to get back and one of the other guests offered him some of the leftover beer. Greg took the bag from him just as Nick returned to the main room.

"Ready, Greggo?" Nick asked.

"Yep. Thanks, Gary...you throw a great party," Greg called to their host as they moved toward the door.

"You know I do, Sanders," Gary replied.

Once out in the hall, Greg and Nick started back toward the elevator. Their room was a few floors down and neither man felt up to the challenge of the stairs. Nick pressed the down button and they stood waiting for the car to arrive.

"Marc gave me some beer for helping him straighten up while you were carrying the bridegroom to bed, so if you're awake, I am."

"Of course, I'm awake," Nick replied as the elevator arrived and they stepped inside. "I work night shift, I stay up half the night whether I'm on the job or not."

Greg smiled, "Well, then I guess he gave the alcohol to the right man."

Nick grinned in return. When the elevator reached the third floor, Nick and Greg stepped off. Nick pulled the card key out of his back pocket and slid it into the slot in their door. He pushed the heavy door open and held it as Greg walked into the room.

"I gotta piss," Nick said. "I'll be right out."

Greg carried the bag further into the room and stored the cans in the mini-bar's refrigerator. He kept one each for Nick and himself. Greg popped the tabs on the cans and carried them over to the bedside table. He leaned up against the headboard of one of the queen-sized beds, lost in thought as he sipped his beer.

Nick returned from the bathroom, his voice startling Greg out of his reverie.

"So, what did you think of the bachelor party?" Nick asked as he crossed to the other bed and flopped down. He grabbed the beer Greg had opened for him and took a long swallow.

"Baker sure did pull out all the stops, didn't he?" Greg laughed. "We need to get him to plan a party for Grissom some day....Can you imagine that?"

Nick covered his mouth to avoid spewing alcohol all over the bedspread. "Dammit Sanders," Nick spluttered as he regained his composure.

Greg had his opening now. He hoped he could allay his curiosity about Nick's interest in the video with his next question.

"Yeah, just imagine Gris watching that video. I mean, damn...there was a little bit of everything in there."

Greg watched his friend's face and was worried he had said too much when Nick's expression changed. His easy smile had fallen away and was now replaced with a look of serious contemplation. Greg was about to say something more, hoping to rectify his mistake, when he heard Nick begin speaking softly.

"Yeah," Nick started. "Did you see that one part? With those two guys?"

Greg tried to conceal his shock at Nick's questions. He had never thought Nick would be interested in...another guy. "They did things even I couldn't imagine," Greg answered.

"So you've thought about it?" Nick asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"About what?"

"Guys..." Nick replied his voice trailing off.

Greg wasn't sure if he should tell Nick the truth, but with the alcohol loosening his tongue, he couldn't stop himself. "Well, yeah, I guess so. Back in college there was this guy...my roommate actually...and we sort of messed around a little." Greg prepared himself for almost any reaction, but what happened next threw him off guard.

Nick stood up and moved the few feet to the other bed. He sat down next to Greg and looked him in the eye, his expression serious as he asked, "Did you like it?"

Greg was uncomfortable with this sudden closeness and the intensity in Nick's gaze. Instead of answering him, he started to get up off the bed. A strong hand on his forearm stopped him.

"Where are you going?" Nick asked softly.

Greg was just sitting there, staring at the firm hand that gripped his arm. The feel of Nick's rough fingers on his bare skin sent a shiver down his spine.

`Oh God,' Greg thought. `I hope he can't tell what kind of effect he's having on me right now.'

"Umm, nowhere, I guess," Greg finally squeezed the answer from his startlingly dry throat. `What the hell is going on? Nick still hadn't loosened his grip and it's taking all the willpower I can muster not to lean the short distance and...and what? Kiss him? Yeah, right, like that wouldn't end with a fist in my face,' Greg thought.

Nick looked from his friend's face down to where his fingers lay against Greg's skin. He noticed the subtle tightening of the muscles and tendons beneath his hand. Nick had a sudden urge to run his fingers up Greg's arm. He wanted to feel Greg's muscles expand and contract in response to his touch. `What am I thinking?' Nick asked himself silently. `But, I can't deny the fact that I want to touch him.'

For a moment, Nick and Greg just sat there, both staring at the place where their bodies touched. Finally, Nick looked up.

"Greg..." he began softly, causing the other man to raise his eyes. "Would you mind...ummm...if I...ummm...kissed you?" The words tumbled out of Nick's mouth as the look on Greg's face shifted from curiosity to shock.

"Nick..." Greg was fumbling for words. "You don't mean that. You can't..."

The rest of Greg's words were suffocated as Nick leaned his head forward and pressed his lips to Greg's. His tongue snaked out leisurely tracing the softness of Greg's mouth. A faint moan escaped Greg's lips and Nick took that as an invitation. He plunged his tongue into Greg's open mouth. The taste of Greg mixed with the alcohol only served to excite him and he craved even more.

Greg was unable to control his body's reaction and another low groan poured from his throat. He began to kiss Nick in response. Their tongues slid along one another, creating a friction that seemed to heat every cell in Greg's body.

Nick moved his hands up to Greg's face, cupping the other man's chin. He slid his fingers up Greg's cheek as his tongue plundered its way into the moist recesses of the other man's warm mouth. Again, a tiny moan formed at the back of Greg's throat. It mingled with Nick's own and created a gentle rumbling between them. Slowly, Nick pulled back to gaze into Greg's eyes. He saw the heat of desire there warring with confusion--and he knew the look was reflected in his own eyes.

Nick and Greg just sat there staring into each other's eyes, searching for something. Answers, encouragement, awkwardness, fear...maybe it was all of these. Nick moved his hand around to the back of Greg's neck. He could feel the other man's pulse pounding as his fingers swept past his throat. The short hair at the nape bristled against Nick's touch, sending a chill down his spine. Again, he leaned in and Greg's ragged breathing caressed his face. Their lips met again, slower this time, more exploration than raw hunger.

As their mouths continued their sensual fight, Greg finally, tentatively, moved his hands out of his lap. He slid his arms around Nick's waist, enveloping him in an embrace. Lightly, he began to stroke the other man's back; his hands skimmed softly, up and down, up and down. Nick's muscles reacted to the gentle ministrations and he curved himself into the feel of Greg's grasp.

Nick reluctantly pulled away from Greg's mouth, showering him with gentle kisses before separating completely. He ducked his head towards Greg's earlobe. Reaching his destination, Nick began to nibble tenderly. Unable to contain his response, a series of moans escaped Greg's lips as Nick's swirling tongue continued to caress his ear.

Greg's mind was racing. But even if his mind couldn't grasp it, his body was making up for it. Another low rumble slipped from Greg's throat as Nick's tongue traced the curve of his neck. Greg's hands, still lightly grazing Nick's back, began to tug at his shirt in earnest.

Nick raised his eyes and looked at Greg. He slid his hands around from the back of the other man's neck and began to fumble with the buttons on Greg's shirt. Nick watched the emotions flitter across his friend's face as he slipped the shirt off his shoulders. Greg was still pulling at his shirt; Nick obligingly raised his arms, allowing Greg to yank the shirt over his head.

`I don't know why...but nothing about this feels wrong,' Nick thought.

Greg lowered his head to Nick's chest, licking and nibbling on the already peaked nipples. Gliding his hands across the tight muscles of Nick's abdomen, Greg reveled in the feel of another man against his skin. Nick's breathing quickened as Greg continued to stroke and caress his torso. The attention Greg lavished upon him while exploring his upper body only served to heighten his arousal.

Nick cupped Greg's face in his hands, dragging him away from his chest. Looking into the other man's eyes, Nick saw a flash of anxiety.

"Did I do something wrong?" Greg wondered in a whisper, worry tingeing every syllable.

"No, not at all," Nick soothed, running the pads of his fingers down Greg's cheek. "I just thought we might want to move into a slightly more comfortable position."

A flush crept up onto Greg's cheeks as the implications of Nick's words hit him head-on. "Sure," Greg whispered, scooting further onto the bed and pulling Nick with him.

They adjusted position, never severing their skin to skin contact. Greg noticed Nick's arousal as he lay on the bed.

`I want to touch him there. I want to feel his cock react to my touch, my lips, the warmth of my mouth,' Greg thought.

Greg's desire pushed him forward and he lay his hand cautiously over the hard-on that was clearly evident through Nick's jeans. Nick's body involuntarily twitched as he felt the heat of Greg's palm on his hardness. Greg's hand began stroking him through the coarse denim; Nick's breath caught in his throat as the movement persisted. Greg looked into the face of his friend as he searched for encouragement. Nick's arms snaked around his body, pulling him into a passionate kiss.

As their lips crushed together, Nick began to mumble against Greg's mouth. "Don't worry, Greg. I want this...as much as you do."

The words were swallowed in their kiss, but Greg heard every word; his newfound knowledge pushed him to be more aggressive. He fumblingly began to unbutton Nick's jeans. He gripped the waistband and quickly pulled them from the other man's body. Greg gazed longingly at the bulge that threatened to free itself from the boxers that Nick still wore. No longer able to resist, Greg yanked the boxers off and tossed them to the floor. Nick lay, reclined, on the bed, his thoughts a mixture of passion and anticipation. Carefully, Greg positioned himself between his friend's legs.

Greg settled his hand on Nick's balls as he tenderly wrapped his lips tightly around the tip of his penis. He sucked hungrily on the head as he continued his caresses. Nick groaned in response to Greg's actions; his senses were sharpened as he felt the warmth that enveloped him.

Greg began to move his head, sliding Nick's cock into his mouth as far as possible. Greg moaned and the sensation of his vocalization sent a wave of pleasure throughout Nick's body. Greg smiled, reacting to Nick's response.

Teasing him, Greg lightly ran his teeth along Nick's shaft. He opened his eyes to look at Nick. On his face, Greg saw the rapture his actions had aroused. Closing his eyes again, he went back to the task at hand.

Nick's breathing quickened as Greg began to move faster over him. He knew that he was on the precipice of his orgasm.

"Faster..." he panted. "I'm going to cum..."

The words seemed to fade from his lips as his body tensed and he felt the sweet release; his aching cock pulsed in orgasm. Greg's mouth remained tightly fastened in place. He swallowed every drop of Nick's climax, savoring the bitter sweetness that was simply Nick. Pulling away, he drew his tongue from the base of the shaft to the still throbbing head, before sliding himself further up on the bed.

Nick pulled Greg closer to him, wrapping his arms around the man who had just given him so much pleasure. He planted a delicate kiss on Greg's lips, tasting his own essence as he did so. The two men lay entwined as their breathing gradually returned to normal. Eventually, they lay quietly, falling asleep still wrapped in one another.

***

Greg awoke, squinting against the sunlight that had slipped through the curtains covering the double doors to the balcony. He reached blindly across the bed, searching for Nick. Slowly, he was able to open his eyes completely and he realized he was in bed alone. Greg glanced quickly over to the other bed and still he saw no sign of Nick.

`I knew it had to be a dream,' he chided himself. `It was so real, and yet unreal at the same time. I knew that Nick wouldn't do that...it had to be wishful thinking.'

Disappointed, he slowly pulled himself out of the bed. Sleepily, he padded toward the bathroom and the sound of running water stopped him in his tracks. Greg's heart began to beat harder within his chest...maybe it hadn't been a dream after all. Tentatively, he crept closer to the bathroom door. Unable to stop himself, Greg knocked lightly on the door.

Nick opened the door, a toothbrush in his hand and a towel wrapped loosely about his waist.

"Just brushing my teeth," Nick offered, gesturing toward the sink. "I'm almost done. You need the bathroom?"

"Uh...no," Greg stammered. "I thought you had left."

Nick swished some mouthwash and spit it out before answering, "Of course not." He sat his toothbrush on the counter and took a step toward Greg. Taking the other man's face in his hands, he spoke quietly.

"Good morning," he whispered, before placing a light kiss on Greg's lips.

"Good morning to you, too," Greg replied breathlessly.

Nick POV

It had been a week since that night; the night that Nick had finally gotten up the courage to kiss Greg. Even if it was liquid courage, it was still an accomplishment. He had been attracted to Greg since the day they had met, but he had been flustered by his attraction and had settled on being the young lab tech's friend.

Nick had even tried to convince himself that his feelings were only an aberration. He had dated Kristy, after meeting her on a case, and when they were together it was nice; the spark he felt when he and Greg were in the same room wasn't there, but, still being with Kristy was...safe. Until she'd gotten herself murdered, of course. Everyone had supported him while he was being investigated, especially Greg, but he had just chalked that up to normal friend behavior. But now...now things were different.

Nick threw himself into every case he worked in the week after Clark's bachelor party. Concentrating on the job was his only way of keeping his mind off of Greg and most of the time it worked. At least until he had to go to the lab to drop off or pick up a piece of evidence Greg had processed for him. Nick tried not to change his usual demeanor during these interactions and they had both fallen back into their routine of friendly banter. Over the past few days, however, Nick wasn't sure how well his show of professionalism was working.

Nick had noticed that Greg seemed anxious more often when he entered the lab and he was convinced it was his fault. He knew things had changed between them and he didn't know how to fix it. Nick had thought about talking to Greg, every day, and about finding out how Greg felt about that night. Yet, every time he started to say something, to ask the question, they seemed to be interrupted-- colleagues, computers--they all seemed to be working against him.

On the drive to the crime scene tonight, Nick had tried to concentrate on the few sketchy details Grissom had given him before sending him out on the case. His mind, however, refused to cooperate and he found himself thinking about Greg as he navigated the vehicle through the cool, dark night.

The breeze that blew in through the open window was a direct dichotomy to the heat he recalled as he had kissed Greg. Nick could feel his skin flush as he remembered the warm, wetness of their encounter. He was so caught up in his memories that he almost missed the turn he needed. Tapping the brakes, he took the corner wide.

Nick knew he needed to stop this train of thought; he needed to focus on the case. He was supposed to meet Sara at the scene and it wouldn't do for her to notice his lack of attention. Purposefully, Nick started reciting all the particulars he knew thus far, aloud. He hoped this tactic would push thoughts of his night with Greg to the back of his mind. Even that trick didn't seem to help, however, and his brain rebelled. Nick believed he could almost feel Greg's lips on his own, his hands running over his body, the sensation of his heated mouth enveloping... "No," Nick chastised himself. This had to stop.

He turned up the radio and began to lose himself in the pounding beat as the images of Greg slowly began to fade.

Within ten minutes, Nick was pulling up to a house that was already surrounded by yellow crime scene tape. He took his equipment from the passenger seat and pushed the car door closed behind him. Determined to drown himself in the ordinariness of processing a crime scene, Nick started toward the house.

He had talked with Brass and some of the others at the scene as he waited for Sara to arrive. When she hadn't appeared by the time he finished questioning the victim's roommate, he decided to get started without her. It wasn't long before she made an entrance and Nick was glad to see her. He had evidence that needed to get back to the lab as soon as possible.

"Hey, Sara," he called, as she walked into the house.

"Nick," she started, coming towards him, "I'm sorry. It took me a little longer than I thought to get here."

"No problem, I was just getting started in here anyway. But I'd really appreciate it if you could run this back to Greg right now," he said, picking up a large evidence bag.

"What is it?" Sara asked, squinting as she tried to make out the contents in the dim light.

"Stomach contents."

Sara pulled a brown paper bag out of her kit. "Drop it in here," she said. "I'm really not in the mood to watch that sloshing around next to me on the way back to the lab."

"Suddenly squeamish, Sidle?"

"No, but I did just eat. And I'm really starting to wonder why I always end up carting this kind of stuff back to Greg. First the cheerleader case and now..."

Nick laughed quietly. "Tell Greg that I'll come by and get the results when we're done here."

"Sure," Sara replied as she took the bag and made her way back outside.

Nick had suddenly realized exactly what he needed to do; he had to talk to Greg. That was the only way his life and his sleep patterns would ever get back to normal. Nick decided, while he was asking Sara to run the evidence back to the lab, that if he really wanted to talk to Greg alone...all he had to do was ask.

Satisfied with his conclusion and motivated by his decided game plan, Nick eagerly set to work processing the rest of the crime scene.

 

Greg POV

It had been a week since that night; the night Greg had thrown all his common sense barreling over a jagged cliff. And even now he felt as if he were falling. When the inevitable landing happened, everything would be shattered into a million pieces.

Greg had tried not to get his hopes up, but he hadn't been able to stop himself from fantasizing about what it would be like to have Nick in his life as more than just a friend. But as the days wore on, even the faint flicker of hope had started to dim. Every day went by as if nothing had changed. Nick brought him evidence to process and they had exchanged their normal banter, but no mention was ever made of that night.

Greg wasn't sure he could stand another day of friendly professionalism; he had to do something. If Nick wanted to pretend that nothing had happened, Greg would be devastated; he could live with it, however, as long as he knew for sure. It was the idea of not knowing that was turning his stomach into a tangle of knots every time Nick walked into his lab. Greg didn't want to pressure his friend, but he knew at some point they needed to talk...seriously talk.

For the past seven days, Greg had been replaying everything that had happened. Examining the details was his job, however he didn't think the magnifying lens of the microscope or the DNA microwave spectrum analyzer were going to help with this one. Greg wished he could just take the information he had, run it through CODIS, and wait while the computer made its conclusions before giving him a print-out that would solve his dilemma. This time there would be no easy answers; this wasn't science, this was his life.

Greg sat at his desk. Luckily he wasn't busy tonight, and his mind wandered once more back to the hotel room.

After Greg had found Nick in the bathroom, everything had seemed wonderful. Nick had gotten dressed while Greg used the shower and when both men were ready, they had gone downstairs for breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Their conversation was light and neither man brought up the encounter from the night before. Greg had been positive that Nick would mention it, if just to tell him it was the effects of the alcohol and it would never happen again. However, Nick didn't say anything and Greg tried to take that as a good sign. A sign that their friendship hadn't been ruined.

They finished their breakfast and Nick had dropped Greg off outside his building. Before he could get out of the truck, Nick pulled him close and dropped a simple kiss on the edge of his mouth. It was both unexpected and perfect and Greg had smiled as he said goodbye.

Since that morning, however, Greg had noticed that whenever the two of them were in a room together Nick avoided physical contact. He had never done that before and Greg had started to get worried. Maybe Nick regretted everything, maybe he felt like Greg had taken advantage of him...he wasn't sure because Nick wasn't talking, at least not about that night.

Greg's musings were interrupted as Sara walked into the lab. Greg turned to look at her, plastering what he hoped was a sincere smile across his face. It wouldn't do for anyone to wonder why he wasn't his normal, cheerful self.

"Ah, Sara...what wonderful treat have you brought me tonight?" Greg asked, gesturing toward the brown paper bag Sara was holding in her outstretched hand.

Sara grimaced as she dropped the bag on the table. "Hope you haven't eaten recently."

"What is it?" Greg asked warily, raising his eyebrow.

"Stomach contents from what Nick told me," Sara replied. "I got to the crime scene and he asked me to run them back here ASAP."

He wasn't sure why Nick hadn't brought the evidence himself...maybe he was still busy at the scene, or maybe he just didn't want to see Greg. His expression almost faltered, but he caught himself just in time.

"He told me to let you know he'd be by for the results as soon as they finished up at the scene."

Greg smiled then, and this time he knew it was sincere. Nick wasn't avoiding him.

"Well, I suppose this goes to the top of the list then," he said.

"Yeah, you looked awfully busy when I walked in," Sara responded sarcastically as she turned to leave the room.

"You'll never understand how the mind of a genius works," he said, the subtle tease coming to him easily.

Sara just rolled her eyes as she walked back out into the hallway.

Greg smiled as he pulled the bag nearer to him. An idea had started to form in his mind and he finally felt some of the stress of the past week slip away. When Nick came in to get the results, Greg would casually suggest they get together for breakfast after the shift. Maybe if he could get Nick alone, away from the lab, he would be able to get some answers.

Even if they weren't the answers Greg wanted to hear, at least he would be able to get rid of the heavy ball of anxiety that had settled in his stomach. The last thing he wanted was to lose Nick as
his friend, so if he had to sacrifice anything else that could have developed between them he would live with it.

Satisfied with his conclusion and motivated by his decided game plan, Greg eagerly set to work processing the new evidence.

Greg had finished processing Nick's evidence and impatiently he waited for the CSI to return to the office. He immersed himself in work, trying not to compose the perfect speech in his mind. Greg knew, even if he wrote the words he wanted to say a thousand times, with Nick in such close proximity it was more likely to end up a garbled mumble.

Greg prepared a slide and was just about to examine it under the microscope when he was interrupted. He turned around at the sound of someone entering the lab.

"Hey, Greg," Nick said, smiling.

Surprised at Nick's sudden appearance, Greg hesitated before answering. "Nick," he finally managed. "Back from the front, eh?"

"Yeah, finished up at the crime scene about a half hour ago. Did you get that evidence processed?" he asked.

"Of course," Greg answered, trying to conceal the nervousness that had begun to bubble within him. "I'm offended that you would doubt me," he scowled teasingly, as he grabbed the results sheet.

Greg didn't realize that Nick had closed the space between them until he turned back around, intending to hand him the sheet of paper. The sudden closeness unnerved him and the thin sheet of paper fluttered to the floor.

"Shit," Greg mumbled, bending to retrieve the errant page. Rising, Greg held the sheet out to Nick.

Nick reached out towards the paper, but he didn't immediately take it from Greg's hand. Instead, Greg felt Nick's thumb skitter across his knuckles; a shiver ran up his spine as he felt the redness flooding his cheeks.

"Nick..."

"Greg..."

Both men spoke at once.

"No...no...you go ahead," Greg stammered uncertainly.

"Greg, ummm...do you...I mean..." Nick struggled with the words. "Damn," he muttered.

"What is it, Nick?" Greg asked, his stomach flip-flopping. He watched Nick's brow furrow as he tried to put the words together.

"Maybe we could go get some breakfast after the shift?" The words tumbled from Nick's mouth. "You know, if you want to and you're not busy or something." He took a breath. "I mean if you don't want to..."

Greg interrupted. "I want to," he answered quietly.

Now it was Nick's turn to blush and he lowered his head slightly. "Well, then...I, um, I guess I'll drop in when I'm done and...um...we can go," he fumbled with the words. "Yeah, ok, right," he added, nodding his head.

"Nick, are you..." Greg said.

"I should probably get back to work," Nick cut him off. "Right, breakfast," he mumbled, taking the sheet of results from Greg's hand. "See you later," he said, backing towards the doorway. "Oh, and, um, thanks," he added, waving the results as he turned and left the lab.

Greg could feel the silly grin that had spread across his face as he watched Nick walk off down the corridor. Nick had just asked him out...ok, so maybe it wasn't officially a date or anything...but it was something. And that *something* could be the thing that changed his life.

***

Greg had been counting the minutes for the past hour, waiting restlessly for the shift to end. He had finished all of his work at least twenty minutes ago and had been puttering around the lab cleaning. And that was a sure sign of his nervousness; cleaning was something he never did willingly.

Greg was stacking empty slides into a perfect tower, preparing to put them back into their box, when Nick's voice from the doorway startled him.

"Greg?"

The pile of slides clattered noisily across the desktop as he turned around. Nick was standing there, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, and Greg realized he wasn't the only nervous one this morning.

"Yeah," he answered, scrambling to gather the slides.

"Ummm, I'm going to go get my stuff together. You done for the day?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm done. Just have to put these slides away," he answered, dropping the slides haphazardly into the box.

"Oh, ummm, ok," Nick mumbled. "Meet me in the lot in about," he looked at his watch, "ten minutes then."

"Sure," Greg smiled. "Ten minutes."

"Right...good..." Nick said, as he started off down the hall towards the locker room.

Greg watched until he saw Nick disappear around the corner. He grabbed the box and shoved it crookedly back onto its shelf. Greg turned out the lights in his lab and headed out of the building; the butterflies in his stomach were having a field day and he wasn't sure he'd even be able to eat anything during breakfast.

***

Greg pulled into the space next to Nick at the coffee shop around the corner from his apartment building. They both got out at the same time and met in front of their vehicles. They looked at each other awkwardly. Greg started toward the restaurant and he could hear Nick's footsteps as the other man followed him toward the entrance.

The coffee shop was bustling. Greg and Nick threaded their way through the crowd toward the only open booth near the back. Slipping onto the red vinyl bench, Greg waited for Nick to sit down. The waitress immediately appeared with two glasses of ice water and she sat them in front of the two men.

"Menus?" she offered.

"Thanks," Greg said, taking them and passing one to Nick.

"Can I get you boys something to drink?"

"Umm, I think I'll have root beer," Greg told her. He smiled as he saw Nick look at him quizzically.

"How about you, hon?" the waitress addressed Nick.

"Coffee, please."

"Coming right up," she smiled brightly, as she worked her way to the counter to get their drinks.

"What?" Greg asked, responding to Nick's raised eyebrow.

"Root beer for breakfast?" he shook his head.

"Yeah, what's wrong with that? Root beer's the breakfast of champions," Greg teased.

Nick chuckled, "You're crazy, Sanders."

Greg just smiled, his attempt to break the uncomfortable silence that had surrounded them seemed to be working. Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.

However, the momentary lightness quickly vanished. Silence descended upon them once more. Greg pretended to be studying the menu as he watched Nick over the top of the card; Nick was gripping his water glass tightly as he raised it to his lips and took along swallow.

"Uh...Greg," he said, failing to make eye contact. "We need to talk...about...you know..."

Nick was interrupted as the waitress returned with their drink orders. Greg ordered quickly, impatient to hear what Nick had been about to say. He waited while Nick ordered something and then they were alone again. Greg looked at Nick expectantly.

"You were saying?" he asked, the tone of his voice masking the anxiety that was coursing through his veins.

"Right...ummm," Nick muttered. "We need to talk...about...the...ummm...other night."

Greg couldn't be sure whether Nick's apprehension stemmed from the fact that he was interested in pursuing this potential relationship, or if he was just trying to find the words to let him down gently. Greg decided that he would take matters into his own hands.

"Nick, you don't have to do this," Greg mumbled quickly. "Really don't worry about it. It'll never happen again, and we can just..."

"Greg, slow down," Nick cut him off. He looked over at the younger man; Greg was determinedly avoiding his eyes. "Greg..." he hesitated. "Please, man, look at me."

Cautiously, Greg raised his eyes to Nick's face.

"Greg, it's just that...um, I don't know how to say this. My thoughts are running laps around my mouth and I..."

"Really, we don't have to talk about it," Greg whispered. "We can forget it ever happened."

Nick was shaking his head. "No, Greg, we can't. *I* can't."

Greg was about to reply when the waitress arrived with their breakfast. He thanked her as she hurried off to another table. Greg looked down at his plate for a long moment; the thought of eating anything right now made his stomach twist.

"I'm listening," he said, finally. Greg pushed his food, idly, with the fork. Grateful to have something to do with hands.

"All right then, here goes nothing," Nick started. "Greg, I know you didn't expect what happened that night. Hell, I know I didn't expect it."

He paused and Greg started to say something.

"No, let me finish. If I don't say it now...well, you know. Anyway, I hope you don't regret it, Greg. Because I don't. I've known that I was," Nick lowered his voice just slightly, "attracted to you...for awhile. But...I wasn't sure how to..." he trailed off. "And then, that night, it just seemed like it was the right time. That video finally gave me an excuse to ask you...and then you told me you had experimented before," Nick sighed.

"Dammit, this isn't coming out right," Nick grumbled.

Greg watched as Nick looked away. Casually, he covered Nick's hand with his own; the touch was fleeting, but it got Nick's attention.

"It's fine, Nick," Greg soothed. "Go ahead."

Nick took a deep breath before speaking again. "I'm still not sure I understand everything that happened. I mean, it's a lot to wrap my mind around...but I know how it felt. And Greg," he closed his eyes for a moment. "It felt right, it felt...natural."

Greg smiled a little in encouragement.

"So, I guess what I'm trying to say is...if you regret it, please, tell me now. I mean I'm not sure where this might go, but I'd like to find out. And I don't want things to be weird between us if you disagree. So..." his voiced faded.

Greg looked wonderingly at the man across from him, not sure if he had heard the words correctly. "Nick, are you saying..."

"Yes, I want to give it a chance. See where it goes."

"Are you sure about this?" Greg asked.

"Yes," Nick assured him.

Greg could feel the relief sweep through his body as he struggled to grasp everything Nick had just said. After days of tormenting himself about that night, he couldn't help but smile.

"I can't believe you just said all that," Greg replied. "I've been going over it again and again since that night. It's the only thing I've thought about. I'm still surprised I got anything done in the lab," he laughed softly. "And I didn't even dare hope that it meant anything to you. I was prepared for you to tell me it was a mistake, or that it was the alcohol. And now, now I don't know what to say..."

"Say you don't regret it," Nick prompted.

"I don't regret it, not a minute of it," Greg whispered. "And as long as you're sure, I'd like to explore the possibilities."

"I am," Nick responded, sliding his hand across the table and brushing his thumb across Greg's fingertips.

Greg could feel his color rising. "Well, then," he grinned. "Now that that's settled, I think we should eat this breakfast." Greg was suddenly starving.

The rest of breakfast passed quickly. The awkwardness began to fall away and, gradually, Greg and Nick resumed their easy banter. They paid for their meals and walked out into the parking lot.

"So," Nick said, a little uncertainly, as they stood beside Greg's car. "What do we do now?"

"Well, buddy," Greg grinned. "I don't know about you, but I'm going to bed."

Nick's face was flushed, embarrassment reddening his complexion. His eyes opened wide as he stared with confusion at Greg.

Nick's reaction was palpable and Greg chuckled. "Don't look so shocked," he said, laying a hand casually on Nick's shoulder. "I meant, I'm going home to get some sleep. It's been a long night and an even longer morning."

"Oh, yeah. Right," Nick mumbled as Greg pulled his hand away.

"As far as what *we* do now, though," Greg spoke softly. "Normally, I'd suggest a date."

As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he could see Nick pale and his body tense.

"But..." Greg continued, aware of Nick's discomfort. "This isn't really a normal situation, with our working relationship and all. So, I guess I'm not really sure."

Greg noticed that Nick visibly relaxed with these words; he knew that Nick wouldn't want to jeopardize their careers. Greg knew that, at least until they figured out where this relationship was going, they wouldn't be advertising anything. And that was fine with him.

"Right," Nick agreed. "So..." he started when, unexpectedly, his face lit up. "Do you work tonight?" he asked.

"Ummm, no," Greg responded, not sure where this was going.

"Well, how do you feel about hiking?" Nick said with a disarming smile.

Greg's heart began to beat a little faster. Nick's smile had always done that to him, but now...now it was almost unbearable. "I could be convinced," he answered. "If I can cook you dinner afterwards, I think we have a deal."

Nick couldn't help but laugh. "Sanders, you cook? I'm not sure that's in my best interest."

"Try it and see," Greg replied boldly, sliding his hand slowly down Nick's forearm.

"Uh, yeah. I guess I can try it," Nick muttered, obviously unnerved by the feel of Greg's hand against his bare skin.

"You might like it," Greg whispered, his fingers lingering on the palm of Nick's hand. "So, now about this hiking thing..." he continued in a normal tone of voice, reluctantly pulling his hand away.

"Right, I'll...ummm...I'll pick you up around three. Is that all right?"

"Three's fine," he answered. He couldn't fool himself into believing he was going to get much sleep this morning anyway.

"Ok, I'll pick you up at three then," Nick repeated.

"Good. Now let me go home so I can get my beauty sleep," Greg teased.

"Right," Nick snickered. "There aren't enough hours in the day for that to help."

Playfully, Greg punched Nick in the shoulder as he began to walk around to his own vehicle. Nick pulled open the door of the large SUV.

He called to Greg over the hood. "See you later. And...uh...Greg, thanks."

"You're welcome," Greg responded automatically, although he wasn't entirely sure what Nick was thanking him for. "Later," he added, sliding into the front seat of his car and yanking the door shut.

Greg pulled out of the lot. A silly smile was plastered across his face as he drove the few short blocks home.

***

They had been hiking up the trail of Rattlesnake Canyon for over an hour. The path was dusty and thick plumes of dirt swirled around their feet with every step. Nick was ahead of him; Greg tromped past the thick scrub of sagebrush as he followed.

Greg smiled as he watched Nick picking his way along the trail in front of him. He could see Nick's skin glistening in the sun, shiny beads of sweat slid down his neck and collected on the back of his t-shirt. Greg loved watching Nick climb the hill, the way his muscles contracted beneath smooth tan skin with each step he took.

Nick stopped for a minute, turning to face him. "Once we get to the top, we'll be able to see down into Rainbow Canyon. It's really amazing."

Greg grinned. "Promises, promises," he said, continuing up the slope. Greg caught up with Nick beside a large tree.

Wickedly, Nick smirked. "You know I always keep my promises," he said quietly. The privacy of the trail making him more indiscreet with his intentions.

"So what are we waiting for?" Greg asked, suddenly energized. He hiked further up the path ahead of Nick. "Get moving!"

They continued the climb for a short distance, finally reaching the bluff that overlooked the canyon. The view was breathtaking. The sun was setting and the ravine floor was dappled with brilliant reds, golds and purples.

Greg stood at the edge of the bluff and stared out over the horizon. It was beautiful. He could hear Nick's footsteps as the other man approached him.

"Greg," Nick said softly, standing next to him.

Greg turned around and looked into Nick's eyes. Unable to stop himself, Greg leaned in and pressed his lips to Nick's mouth. The kiss was sweet and tender. He couldn't believe he was standing here with Nick...kissing Nick...and that Nick was kissing him back.

The sun beat down on them, but it wasn't the Nevada heat that warmed Greg to the tips of his toes. It was the feel of Nick's mouth against his own, their bodies pressed close as Greg wrapped his arms around Nick's neck. He carded his fingers through the short hair as the kiss intensified. After what felt like a lifetime, they parted; both men gulped at the fresh air as their breathing slowed.

"God," Nick sighed. "That was..." his voice trailed off.

"Amazing?" Greg smiled. "You were the one who promised me something amazing when I got up here."

Nick blushed, "Well, you're the amazing one."

"Oh yeah?" Greg asked, about to say something else. His words were cut off as Nick pulled him into another mind-altering kiss.

Everything around them dropped away as Nick's tongue darted into his mouth. The heat of their kiss surrounded them like a fog, swirling around them endlessly. Greg nibbled lightly on Nick's kiss-swollen bottom lip as he reluctantly pulled away.

"Well," he breathed, "you're pretty amazing yourself."

Nick grinned, his smile making Greg's knees wobble slightly. "Thanks," Nick mumbled. His eyes flickered out over the canyon. "So, what about the view?"

Not turning his head, Greg responded, "Looks good to me."

Gently, Nick placed his fingers under Greg's chin, turning his head toward the horizon. "This view," he chided, amused.

"Oh..." Greg muttered. "It's beautiful."

They both turned to look at the awesome sight before them. The sun had lowered even further and was just peeking out from behind the cliffs surrounding them. Nick had wrapped his arms around Greg, holding him tightly. Greg knew that right now, he could be looking out over an endless sea of nothingness and it wouldn't matter. The feel of Nick's arms encircling him was all the mattered.

Greg bounded up the three flights of stairs leading the way to his apartment; Nick followed, closely, behind him. Arriving at the slightly battered door, Greg dug in the pocket of his jeans for his keys. Triumphantly, he pulled them out and fiddled with the lock; finally, he turned the knob and the door swung inward.

"Welcome to Casa Sanders," Greg announced, waving Nick into his home.

Nick laughed as he crossed the threshold into the cluttered living room. Greg's apartment was filled with mismatched furniture that was scattered haphazardly around the room. A large projection television took up one wall and was obviously the focal point of the space.

"When did you get the big screen?" Nick asked, enviously.

"About a month ago," Greg beamed, proudly pointing out some of the features on the set.

"I'm jealous," Nick replied, stepping closer to examine the 60-inch screen.

"Well, maybe if you play your cards right, I'll let you come over and watch it sometime," Greg teased.

Nick smiled in response, turning to face him. Again, the other man's smile made Greg's knees weak. He knew he could stand there watching Nick smile at *him* for the rest of his life and it would always cause his heart to flutter. That thought sent crimson streaks shooting up his neck; Greg blushed.

"So," Nick's voice interrupted Greg's thoughts. "I seem to recall a promise of dinner."

"Right," Greg replied. "It'll take a little while," he continued, knowing that was probably an understatement since he had no idea what he was going to serve. "If you want to hop in the shower or wash up or something, I don't mind. Get some of the desert off, anyway."

"That sounds like a plan," Nick agreed. "I'll just run downstairs and grab my duffel from work. I think there's a change of clothes in there."

"Great," Greg said. "I'm going to jump in there real quick then, while you do that. I'll leave the door unlocked. Just come in and make yourself comfortable," he offered, gesturing toward the overstuffed couch.

"Will do," Nick replied, heading toward the door.

As soon as Nick left the apartment, Greg jogged back to his bedroom and grabbed some clean clothes. He went into the bathroom. Greg pulled the door shut as he turned on the shower. He stepped under the warm spray, the staccato beat of the water washing away the grime that stuck to his body. Gliding a bar of soap across his chest, his mind began to go through the dinner possibilities. Greg had offered to cook on a whim, in hopes of having a little more alone time with Nick, and now he was sure his culinary skills were lacking. What had he been thinking? The only things he could make with confidence were macaroni and cheese and canned pasta.

"I'll just order take out while Nick's showering," Greg muttered to himself as the liquid flow sent the soap suds streaming down the drain.

Greg shut the tap off and stepped out onto the cool tile floor. He hastily dried himself with an oversized towel. Wiping away the last of the wetness, Greg pulled on a fresh pair of faded jeans and one of his favorite Hawaiian shirts. He tossed his head, shaking some of the water free; Greg ruffled his fingers through his wet hair and looked in the semi-fogged mirror above the sink. Satisfied with his appearance, Greg dropped his dirty laundry into the hamper before he left the bathroom.

Greg walked, barefoot, back out into his living room; there, he found Nick stretched out on his couch. "Sportscenter" was blaring from the television.

"Shower's all yours," Greg advised. "I left a towel hanging on the door for you."

"Thanks," Nick answered. He leapt up from the couch and grabbed his bag.

"Take your time," Greg called as Nick disappeared into the bathroom.

Greg listened, waiting to hear the water running, before he picked up the phone. He dialed the number of one of his favorite Indian restaurants, India Oven. The phone on the other end rang at least four times before a woman with a heavy accent picked up. Greg placed his order and asked the woman if they could deliver as soon as possible. She assured him that it would be no more than twenty minutes before they disconnected their call.

Greg dropped onto the couch; he tried to concentrate on the story Chris Berman was reporting, but he couldn't. Not with Nick Stokes just down the hall, in his shower. That was one of those things Greg had fantasized about almost since the moment he had met Nick, although he had always expected it to stay that way -- a fantasy. But now, it had suddenly become all too real. Unconsciously, he smiled, his lips curled into a silly grin. Greg was so caught up in his thoughts, he didn't even notice when the shower quieted.

"Sanders?" Nick asked, his voice dragging Greg reluctantly back to the present.

Greg looked up at Nick, the other man had changed into a pair of worn jeans and a pale blue T-shirt that hugged his frame in all the right places. Greg couldn't suppress the breathy sigh that escaped his lips as he drank in the sight before him.

Finally, Greg found his voice. "Yeah," he muttered in response. Realizing, even as he spoke the word, just how lame he sounded.

"We are going to eat sometime tonight, right?" Nick asked as he crossed the short distance and sat next to Greg on the couch.

"Of course," Greg confirmed, just as a knock sounded on the outer door.

Grinning sheepishly, Greg got up to answer the knock. He pulled the door open and was greeted by a young delivery boy carrying two large bags of food. Greg paid the bill and tipped the teenager generously before turning to face Nick.

"Dinner's ready," Greg said, another blush creeping across his features.

"I thought you were cooking," Nick said, ribbing Greg mildly. He rose from his seat and took one of the bags from Greg's overflowing arms.

"Yeah, well, after I offered I realized macaroni and cheese wasn't very impressive."

Nick laughed. "You're something, Greg Sanders." Nick leaned forward and casually brushed a soft kiss across Greg's lips. "Let's eat," he added, carrying the parcel of food toward the cramped kitchen area.

For a minute, Greg just stood there. The simple, unexpected kiss had sent his head spinning and a shiver running like a lightening bolt down his spine. Greg didn't trust himself to walk even the few feet into the kitchen. He closed his eyes briefly, reliving the fleeting kiss until he was able to compose himself.

***

Dinner was done, the empty cartons littered recklessly upon the coffee table. They had sat on the floor to eat after determining that clearing off the dining room table was too daunting a task. The spicy scent of the Tandoori and Vindaloo had whet their appetites and both men were too hungry to think about cleaning. Greg relaxed, his back against the couch, as he stretched his legs out from beneath him.

"Let me clean this up," Nick offered, pilling the containers atop one another.

Greg smiled; he knew Nick could be almost obsessive sometimes in his need for cleanliness and order, a trait he had always found endearing. "No, no...I'll get it," he answered, reaching for the stack of cartons Nick had balanced on the surface of the table.

"You *made* me dinner," Nick joked. "The least I can do is pick up the mess." He stood up and bent to retrieve the trash.

"Really, I'll get it," Greg said, rising from his spot on the floor. "Make yourself at home. Turn on the game or something," he suggested, tossing the remote to Nick. Carefully, Greg lifted the empty cartons from the table.

"Ok," Nick finally agreed. He stepped back, his calves pressing into the edge of the couch, and allowed Greg to pass.

Greg steadied the precarious stack with one hand as he crossed the room. He dumped the remnants of their dinner into the built-in trash bin hidden beneath the counter.

"Hey man," he called to Nick. "You want another beer?"

"Sure," Nick replied, his strong voice carrying easily into the kitchen.

Greg pulled open the refrigerator door; an icy blast rushed past him as he reached in and pulled out two fresh bottles. He popped the caps off and dropped them into the sink with a clatter. Greg bumped the refrigerator door closed with his hip as he strode back out into the living room.

Greg looked over to his couch. He could see the back of Nick's head resting against the cushions, his feet propped up on the coffee table. Greg couldn't hide the smirk that spread across his face; he could get used to this.

Greg rounded the edge of the sofa and handed Nick one of the bottles. Tentatively, he sat down -- close to Nick, but not too close. Greg didn't want to chance crossing any invisible boundaries that might exist between them, at least not until he was more confident about where the relationship was going. He was willing to take it slow, determined not make Nick uncomfortable with this new change between them.

Nick had turned on a replay of one of Sunday's football games -- Dallas vs. Baltimore -- and Greg curled his legs beneath him as he settled in to watch. His focus on the game, however, was disrupted by Nick's presence next to him, not to mention the minimal distance dividing them. Greg wasn't entirely sure he could trust his rattled senses, but it seemed that every few minutes Nick was inching closer to him.

"Didn't you watch this on Sunday?" Greg asked, trying to distract himself from the fact that mere millimeters now separated him from Nick.

"Nah," Nick shook his head. "Got called in early on that case at the Luxor and I didn't get a chance to catch the whole game."

"Oh, right," Greg gulped as Nick's hand settled on his thigh. Nick's fingers traced a lazy pattern over Greg's denim-clad leg.

The soothing motion of Nick's hand calmed Greg's unusually raw nerves. The gentle movement relaxed him, quieting his worry-addled brain as he eased into Nick's touch. He knew that Nick initiating this intimate contact was important; every lingering doubt in his mind regarding Nick's intentions melted away like snow on a warm spring afternoon as Greg reveled in their unspoken connection.

A comfortable silence enveloped them as they sipped their beer and watched the game. Soon, the repetitive caresses lulled Greg into a half-sleep.

"Greg," Nick said, his voice sounding startled as he grabbed Greg's partially-filled bottle before it tipped over onto the floor.

Greg jerked awake. "Huh?" he mumbled.

"You're falling asleep," Nick told him, lightly placing Greg's bottle on the makeshift end table beside him. "Did you get any sleep this morning?" he asked, his deep brown eyes searching Greg's face for the answer.

"Well...umm..." Greg murmured sleepily. "Not really. Maybe an hour or so," he yawned.

"You should have told me," Nick admonished, tilting Greg's head towards him with the tips of his fingers. "We could have done this some other time."

"No...no..." Greg answered, still not fully alert, "...wanted to go...today."

"All right," Nick said warily. "But I should still probably get going now," he added. "You need to get some sleep."

"Don't go," Greg whispered, his fatigue evident. "I don't want you to go yet," he muttered softly.

Nick could hear the innocent honesty in Greg's voice, could see it written all over the younger man's face. "Ok, I won't go," he acquiesced, unable to deny the puppy dog expression shining from Greg's eyes. "But why don't you lay down, stretch out. Maybe catch a nap or something," he suggested.

"S'k," Greg mumbled, his eyelids beginning to droop once again. He shifted himself slightly, trying in vain to find a good position. Nick's sudden movement startled him.

Nick had scooted to the opposite end of the couch; he pulled one of the errant throw pillows onto his lap as he settled into the corner. Nick patted the upholstered fabric absently for a moment and then looked up at Greg.

"Here," he said, tapping the pillow. "Lay down here," he urged, clasping Greg's hand in one of his own and pulling him closer. "It'll be more comfortable," he added.

Greg smiled drowsily, leaning over as he lay his head on the soft cushion in Nick's lap. Nick's hand immediately found Greg's arm and he stroked it tenderly. A gentle shiver ran along the length of Greg's body as Nick caressed him. He could feel the other man bending lower, Nick's warm breath tickling his cheek as he placed a few wispy kisses along Greg's hairline and down to his temple. Reflexively, Greg sighed.

Although sleep had eluded him earlier in anticipation of his *date* with Nick, Greg was suddenly exhausted. Gradually, Greg's breathing fell into rhythm with Nick's and soon his eyelids slid shut.

It had been a long time since Greg had felt this close to anyone. He promised himself as he drifted off that he would do his best to never have to let go of this feeling of security, of safety, of peace of mind, of love. Greg knew it was too soon to be thinking in terms of love, but he couldn't help the emotions that had been brewing inside him for so long. If the feel of Nick's fingers carding through his hair effortlessly, his other hand mapping circles in the bend of his elbow, the heat of his body warming the back of Greg's neck were what it meant to be in love, then so be it.

All he really knew, as he floated off to sleep, was that he would do almost anything to stay like this forever. Forever...in Nick's arms...forever...kissing him...forever...

Finally, Greg's mind slipped from reality into the land of dreams. Dreams that might someday come true.


-END