Time Heals All Wounds…And A Little Love
Summary: Greg remembers. Nick helps him forget. NickGreg.
Post: 'Spark of Life' with spoilers for 'Play With Fire'.
A.N.: Loved Greg in this episode. ((big hug))
Greg felt the familiar prickling of heat on his skin as he looked at his burn victim, Tara, through the only window to the room.
He'd left work an hour before shift had finished, after the explosion was replaying itself on loop in his mind. Even though it was two years ago, he could still remember it as if it was yesterday.
But one thing had improved; how he could cope with the feelings, emotions and memories of the incident and it was all down to one Nick Stokes.
The guy in question would probably be sitting at home in the living room; phone in one hand and keys in the other, either waiting for Greg to come home, or deciding whether or not to come out and find him.
Nick worried. He worried a whole lot about Greg. He had done ever since his explosion. His explosion.
He'd been calling it that all day, ever since Grissom had asked him if he could handle going to the hospital to get evidence off of the burn victim. And truthfully, it was his explosion…his accident.
It was the day Greg's world smashed, literally, as he was sent flying through a glass wall. It wasn't long after that when he started stressing an interest in getting out into the field, and out of his sudden claustrophobia in the lab.
So yeah, Nick worried. He had a right to worry.
Greg turned away from the window when he heard someone call from behind him. It was Nick.
"Greg?" he asked warily, coming to stand by his side now Greg had turned back to looking through the window.
Nick reached up and gently placed his hand on Greg's shoulder. When Greg felt Nick place his hand more heavily on his shoulder and start to rub it with his thumb, he abruptly turned and held onto Nick.
After the shock wore off, Nick put his hands on Greg's back and stroked softly. Greg pressed his face into the crook of Nick's neck and sighed.
"Its okay sweetie," Nick soothed, bringing one of his hands up from Greg's back to thread through his hair.
There was a slight ache in the small of Greg's back. Greg knew it wasn't physical pain though. Enough trips to the doctors with 'twinges' in his back, where he was eventually told it was all psychological, told him that.
Even so, he found himself reaching behind and pushing ob the ache. Nick, having seen him move his arm, pushed Greg's hand out of the way and put his own hand on Greg's back.
"Thanks," Greg whispered, inhaling deeply, kissing Nick's neck where his head was still buried.
"Come on." Nick kissed Greg's forehead when he pulled out and place both hands on Greg's jaw. "Let's get you home."
Greg took Nick's outstretched hand and let himself be led away from Tara but he looked back for as long as he could.
When they got to the parking lot, Nick strapped him in the passenger side and Greg leant down to kiss him soundly.
"I love you," he whispered as he rested his forehead against Nick's.
"I love you too," he replied, kissing Greg's forehead before shutting the door and walking around to the driver's side.
Greg smiled when Nick got in the vehicle and grasped his hand. His smile widened when he realised, miraculously, the pain was gone. And he knew it would never come back.
END
