I do not own any of the CSI characters.
Chapter 1
Greg stumbled down the stairs in frenzy, hastily wiping the sleep out of his eyes. When his phone started ringing only a half hour ago he knew it couldn't be good. No good phone calls come at 3:30 in the morning. In fact the only phone calls that came that early were about the dead or injured. He almost didn't answer it in the hope of maybe delaying the inevitably bad news for a little while longer. Almost. When he heard Nick's voice on the other end it just confirmed what he already knew about early morning phone calls.
Greg arrived at the front door mere seconds after the doorbell went off and quickly yanked the door open before enveloping his best friend in a hug.
"Are you sure you're okay? Maybe we should take you to the hospital. I mean some people don't even know they have smoke inhalation until it's too late. Of course you know that, but it never hurts to make sure. Maybe we should just . . ."
"Greg, shut up. I'm fine. I wasn't even home. Now get off of me."
Greg quickly pulls away and steps out of the doorway gesturing Nick to follow him inside. "Sorry." He closes the door behind them. Well, I don't have a lot of extra room but I do have a couch." He fiddles with the side of the couch for a second until it opens up. "It's a pull-out. It's not much but . . ."
"It's great Greg. Thanks."
"Okay. I'll go get you some blankets and a pillow. I'll be right back."
Greg leaves and Nick sets his bags down before slowly lowering himself down onto the couch and settling in. Greg comes back into the room only moments later carrying a pile of blankets and a pillow. "Here you go. Nick?" When Nick doesn't answer Greg peers around the pile of blankets blocking his view to see Nick fast asleep on the couch. Greg gently sets the pile down next to the couch and quietly walks back up to his room turning the lights off as he leaves.