Title: Remembrance
Author: Cathy
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Fandom: CSI
Rating: PG
Disclaimers: Characters not mine. Song lyrics not mine. Only plot of fic and choice of words to convey it mine. I’m broke, and will still be after you read this. I’m just having a good time.
Spoilers: None.
Summary: Greg and Nick remember September 11, 2001 with some good news on September 11, 2002.

***

Greg heard the beep behind him and was surprised. There was a match? He spun  his stool around and glanced at the screen. The Struver case. *Oh, my God.  I’ve got to let Nick know.* He pushed print and waited impatiently for the  results.

He grabbed the printout and stepped out into the hall. A woman walked past  and he smiled. He saw the pin on her jacket, a small American flag, and it  suddenly occurred to him. *Today is September 11th.* He checked the date on his watch to confirm. *Yes. How did I not realize that? Too caught up in work, I guess.* Then another thought occurred to him and he looked at the printout closer. Struver Family, case no 4571-812, mass murder, September 10, 2001. *Where _is_ Nick? Have to find him.*

He passed several more people wearing variations on the American flag: pins, ribbons, or tee shirts. He tried not to think about it; remembering the events brought a tear to his eye.

From down the hall he heard faint country music and headed towards it. That would be Nick in the Layout room, radio on in the background as he looked over his case.

Greg stopped in the doorway. The radio was loud enough now that he could distinguish the words and the first line of the next song he recognized. It was Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You.” Nick didn’t force him to listen to country (he knew better than that), but it didn’t matter; the song had even reached the pop radio stations. Greg saw Nick put down some photos and turn toward the radio.

Greg stood still for a moment, listening to the song. “Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke, rising against that blue sky?” He felt tears in his eyes and blinked rapidly, trying to will them away. He glanced over at Nick and saw the other man’s shoulders shaking silently.

Without really thinking about it, Greg folded the printout and stuck it in his pocket then crossed the room to Nick. He didn’t try to muffle his footsteps, but Nick didn’t turn around as he got closer. *Probably doesn’t want to show his tears.* Greg put his arms around Nick and pulled him close, Nick’s back against his chest.

Nick stiffened for a second, then recognized the arms around him and relaxed. He let the tears fall freely, comforted by Greg’s embrace. “Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor? In a crowded room did you feel alone?” Greg felt Nick nod slightly; the words triggered a memory for him as well and he held Nick tighter.

Nick wrapped his arms over Greg’s and squeezed gently. The song continued for a moment more, the two men listening silently. “Thank God you had somebody to love?”

*Last year I was alone, but this year I do have someone.* Greg whispered in Nick’s ear “I _do_ thank God that I’ve got you to love.”

Nick nodded again and leaned against Greg. He could feel Greg’s tears on the back of his neck, Greg’s forehead resting on his shoulder.

The song ended and Nick spoke quietly. “I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news last year.”

Greg lifted his head from Nick’s shoulder and Nick turned around. He leaned forward and kissed Greg lightly. “Do you remember?”

Greg nodded. “I was down the hall, running DNA samples.”

“I was working on a case. The Struver Family. I was in here, looking at photos, going over the evidence. But it didn’t matter.”

Greg met his gaze squarely. Both men still had tears in their eyes, but they no longer spilled over. “I found foreign DNA in that case.”

Nick nodded. “But you never matched it to anyone. I worked hard, trying to block out New York, the Pentagon. Found so much evidence, but it didn’t do any good.” He stopped and took a deep breath.

Greg shook his head. “I know. I did the same thing. Ran all the samples, made all the notes on the results. But you never found the guy.” He swallowed and paused for breath before continuing. “I found foreign DNA in the Molly Anders case too.”

Nick was puzzled. “The rape case that Catherine and Warrick are working on?”

Greg nodded and stepped back. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the printout, then unfolded it carefully and handed it to Nick.

Nick took the paper, wondering why Greg had brought it to him. Until he looked at the results. His eyes grew wide and he glanced at Greg, then back at the paper. “You’re kidding.”

Greg shook his head. “I thought you should know.”

Suddenly, Nick grinned. “Have you told Warrick or Catherine?”

Greg shook his head again, a grin spreading across his face as well. “No, I wanted to let you know first.”

Nick stepped forward and wrapped Greg in a bear hug. He was about to kiss him again when he saw Catherine and Warrick from the corner of his eye. Quickly, he let go of Greg and motioned them over. Puzzled, they joined him and Greg by the table.

Nick could barely contain his enthusiasm when he said, “This is fabulous. My man Greg here just brought me results from the DNA test in your rape case.” Greg felt a little thrill go through him at Nick’s words, even though he was the only one who knew he _was_ Nick’s man.

Catherine stepped closer and tried to see the printout. “Why do _you_ have it?” She shot a quick, accusatory glance at Greg, but he smiled and nodded towards Nick.

Nick held the printout just out of her reach and continued. “Remember the Struver case last year?” He looked at Catherine, then Warrick. He saw them nod and continued. “Same guy.”

Warrick and Catherine shared an incredulous look, then Catherine reached out and grabbed the printout from Nick’s hand. Warrick looked over her shoulder as she studied the results.

A moment later, Warrick looked up and smiled at Nick, then leaned over and clapped Greg on the back. “Great work, man!”

Greg smiled and ducked his head. “Just doing my job.”

Catherine winked and then leaned over and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “And what a good job it is, too.” She laughed at Greg’s sudden blush and turned to leave. “Come on Warrick, let’s get this info to Grissom. He’s gotta see this.”

Greg felt a twinge of jealously that he wasn’t going to be the one to tell Grissom, but then he felt a hand on his back. He turned to Nick with a smile.

Nick watched as Warrick left after Catherine, then leaned over and quickly kissed Greg on the lips. “I was going to do that before I saw them. Thank you.”

Greg blushed slightly again. “You’re welcome.”

Nick paused for a moment, taking the time to look at Greg. Then he said, “A lot has changed in the past year. Some of it because of September 11th, some of it independent of that. I’m not sure which category my falling in love with you fits into, but I don’t really care.”

Greg felt tears in his eyes again, but this time it wasn’t from a song on the radio. He swallowed. “I love you.”

Nick smiled and brushed a tear off Greg’s cheek. “I love you too.” He reached over and flipped off the radio, then put an arm around Greg’s shoulder. “Let’s get out of here.”

Greg nodded, a smile on his face, and let Nick lead him out of the room.


The End

****************************************

Words to: “Where Were You” by Alan Jackson

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
that September day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children;
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
that lost their dear loved ones?
Did you pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
and sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer?
And look at yourself for what really matters?

(Chorus)
I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children;
Driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
in a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that bible at home?

Did you open your eyes hope it never happened;
And close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages;
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow;
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

(Chorus)
I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.

I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.
And the greatest is Love.
And the greatest is Love.

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
that September day?

***