Merge Into You
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Rating: PG-13/T
Spoilers: Grave Danger mostly and bits.
Summary: This is the sequel to "Love Is Not A Crime". I would advise reading that prior to this. This story takes place one month after Grave Danger. Nick and Greg move on past the events of Nick's kidnapping with a few setbacks and more lab drama will ensue!
Chapter One: Moving Forward
Date: June 30, 2005
You're not alone
Together we stand
I'll be by your side
You know I'll take your hand
When it gets cold
And it feels like the end
There's no place to go you know I won't give in
Avril Lavigne, "Keep Holding On"
The sun was up for maybe an hour when Greg returned to his home. He dragged his feet as he opened the door to his and Nick's house that connected the garage to an inside hallway next to the kitchen.
Greg just got done working a double shift which resulted in no answers. Grissom sent him home because he was tired and worried. He was worried about his boyfriend. He knew he had nothing to worry about, after all Nick was strong and in therapy but it was the fact that Judge and Mrs. Stokes were staying with him until they deemed it necessary for Nick to be alone without them. Little did they know that Greg was ready for them to leave?
He passed through the kitchen where the early morning light peaked through the window. He threw his jacket; ID badge and a case file down on the table. He let out a strong yawn and headed towards the stairs.
There home was simple. Not over the top but not white trash. He was so happy that Nick had splurged on this home. It was everything he could ever imagine. A two car garage, a kitchen, living room, an office, a dining room, a bathroom and a walk in pantry all on the first floor, it was spectacular. Upstairs was nice too. The master bedroom with two walk in closets, and a private bathroom. Two guest bedrooms and another bathroom. It was what he was looking for in his life with Nick.
Greg continued down the hall of the second floor towards his bedroom. He past the guest room where Judge and Mrs. Stokes were sleeping. Greg pressed his ear to the door and listened quietly. He could hear the faint snoring of Nick's father. One eye roll and small snicker later, he was in his bedroom.
Nick was curled up in the middle of the queen bed, his faint snores invading Greg's eardrums. He noticed the lamp on Nick's nightstand was still on. Undoubtedly, Nick was afraid to sleep alone in the dark again. Greg walked over and turned the lamp off and turned the blinds opened just a little bit. A few beams of light peaked through giving enough light to keep Nick safe. He looked down and saw Nick's nightstand. It was always neat. The lamp in the upper left corner, a coaster with a half full glass of water in the upper right corner. On the far left side was a novel he was reading: "Profiles in Courage" by the late John F. Kennedy Sr. Nick had read that book three times since they got together over a year ago but Greg understood that it was an important glimpse into courage that perhaps would help Nick move on. There was also a photograph of the two in Texas framed. Also lay there was his watch, cell phone and the remote for the television. And the worst thing of all: his gun. Greg picked the gun up and took the bullet out of the barrel and reloaded it back into the magazine before switching the safety on and placing it into Nick's nightstand drawer next to the Bible, a box of condoms and his checkbook.
Nick was topless underneath their white sheets. His face buried into his pillow. Their blue comforter was in a tangled mess at the foot of their bed. Greg stepped over it and went to his side of the room. His nightstand was not as organized as Nicky's was. It was covered in forensic journals, two empty water glasses, an actual alarm clock with red numbers they had to buy that one because the old one had green numbers, and a picture of the two of them at Sara's wedding. He reached into his nightstand drawer, which was a FEMA sized disaster and pulled out his pack of cigarettes. He grabbed one and put the pack back and headed into their bathroom.
A crying fit and a cigarette later, he unbuttoned his white oxford shirt and threw it on the love seat that was in front of their picture window in the room which faced the street. He then continued to throw his tee shirt and pants over there as well. He set the alarm clock and climbed into the warm bed.
Greg gently curled up next to Nick and kissed his boyfriend on the forehead before nestling himself comfortably under the sheet and along side his boyfriend's backside. Placing his left arm over Nick's waist, he gently swept off into a deep sleep.
Greg jolted awake at the sound of his alarm clock at six that night. He sat up in the bed and looked around. Nick was not in bed. The skies outside were already dark and the night light was on. Greg let out an aggravated yawn and climbed out of bed. He looked at the loveseat and saw that his clothes from the night before were folded neatly. He let out a small smile and walked over to his closet and walked in.
He was not the most organized person in the world but with a closet this big it was hard not to keep everything organized. The right side was tee shirts and work shirts on hangers. The other side was jeans, khakis and suits. The back wall was shoes. He pulled out a Marilyn Manson tee shirt off a hanger and a pair of loose jeans. He would shower and dress more appropriately for work later on that night.
Ten minutes later, Greg entered the kitchen to see Nick standing over the stove. He was shower, shaved, and was wearing his glasses. Something was up.
"Hey." Greg said to Nick's back.
The Texan turned around and looked at Greg, "Good night."
"Funny." Greg smirked and the two kissed.
"Why are you all dressed?" the younger man asked.
"I'm going to work." Nick said as he stirred boiling water that had pasta in it.
"Merritt cleared you for work?" Greg asked sitting on a stool at the breakfast bar.
"No." Nick said as he added salt to the water.
"So you're basically just showing up?"
"Yeah." Nick said.
"Nicky, Grissom will not let you into the field until Addison clears you."
"I know that." Nick said sarcastically.
"Alright." Greg said rolling his eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes." Nick said his back still to Greg.
"Where are your parents?" Greg asked switching subjects.
"They went out to catch dinner and a show. It's their anniversary today."
"I didn't know that." Greg said, "I would have gotten them something."
"And they would have given back, trust me. It's best if we don't make a fuss about it, not to mention our phone has been ringing off the hook today." Nick said putting the pasta in a skillet of meat sauce.
"Who called?"
"All of my siblings." Nick laughed.
"Look at you, cooking. It's rather sexy." Greg smiled.
Nick laughed. They had not been intimate in over month.
"It's been thirty-three days." Greg smiled sexily.
'You kept track?" Nick asked as he put the pot of pasta on their kitchen table.
"The last time was the night that you know." Greg said feeling stupid. Neither was able to put words to the situation.
"I know. I thought about it while I was down there."
"I love Nicholas Jasper Stoke!" Greg said lovingly.
"You did not just use my middle name!" Nick said playfully.
"Oh, I do believe I did!" Greg said, knowing exactly what the wanted to happen was going to.
"You're dead!" Nick smiled as he went over and grabbed Greg.
At the Lab
"Hey, Gil! How's Elliot?" Catherine asked excitedly as she joined Grissom and Warrick in the break room.
"Everything is great. He's a real crier." Gil laughed as he sat down in between the pair.
"How's Sara enjoying maternity leave?" Warrick asked with a smile.
"Eh, let's just say I've thought about sedating her."
"Figured as much." Catherine said as she reached forward and received a ten dollar bill from Warrick.
"Does this lab bet on everything?" Grissom asked in amazement.
"Not the lab, just our shift." Catherine said with a wide smile.
"Whoa! Look what the cat dragged in!" Warrick exclaimed out of nowhere.
Catherine and Grissom looked behind them and saw Greg and Nick walking into the break room. "And look at those glasses!" Catherine snickered.
"Nice to see you to, Catherine." Nick let out a snicker himself.
It was always weird to see Nick in glasses. Since childhood he has been self conscious about them, but since being buried alive and having had his contacts in the entire time down there, the pain was too much so he decided to stick with his glasses at least for a little while.
"Nicky, you know you can't work in the field just yet." Grissom pointed out, shaking his hand.
"I know, but I was hoping maybe I can help in the lab? I miss work so much, and it's my parent's anniversary tonight, so yeah." Nick smirked.
"Gross." Warrick and Greg said in unison. Nick shot them both the "I'll kick your ass look".
"That's fine, Nick. You could help Wendy in DNA."
"Sure thing, boss man." Nick smiled a genuine smile.
And for the first time in a month, everything seemed to be looking up.
There's the first chapter! I hope you all liked it and will continue!! Thank you and REVIEW!!! Damien455.