Author's Note: Okay, so this is written for the Defining Moments of the Love wiki. It's my take on how their relationship could become canon. This scene takes place at the end of an imaginary episode, so don't worry if you don't know what they're talking about in the introduction. Oh, and if it feels a little off--not as good as my usual writing--it's 'cause I wrote it as a script before the estimable happyharper13 reminded me it was illegal. It was much better as a script, and I'll post it as such on Defining Moments of the Love/What Makes the Desert Beautiful when I can. Reviews are the fingerprint to my AFIS.
Catherine, Riley, and Greg were in the layout room, wrapping up a long and difficult case. Greg gripped the edge of the table until his knuckles turned white, gritting his teeth.
"So that's it? He killed his wife and his unborn kid because he couldn't deal with her mood swings?"
Catherine nodded sadly. "I'm afraid so."
Riley sighed, looking at a picture of the girl's bloody body. "It's cases like these that really get to me, you know?"
"Tell me about it." Greg walked out abruptly, running a hand through his hair. Riley and Catherine exchanged a look in his absence. Greg wasn't know for his outbursts.
Nick was sitting on a bench in the locker, surrounded by the light gold of sunrise. He was organizing things in his locker when Greg entered noisily. He glanced over and saw Greg's bad mood hanging in the air like a thunderstorm.
"Hey, G."
Greg grunted noncommittally.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Greg said petulantly. He unlocked his locker and paused, sighing. "Rough case, that's all. You?"
Nick shrugged. "Murder and arson. Not that bad, though. Ray and I found the guy pretty quick."
Greg didn't respond. Nick looked over at him and saw Greg staring at his locker. He looked so… sad. So disappointed. He couldn't shake the image of Greg as a sad little puppy, so he turned back and tried to think more serious, less childish thoughts. He buttoned up his shirt very casually, and spoke very casually.
"Catherine told me about your case."
"What'd she say?"
"Not much. But I heard it was a bad day, and you did good anyway."
"Whatever. I just want to go home and start over tomorrow, you know?" He sounded exhausted.
"Yeah." He shut his locker and stood, totally ready to go home. "See you."
Nick was walking out when he paused. It had to happen some day… why not today? "Hey, Greg… You wanna, um--go get breakfast or something?"
For the first time since entering the locker room, Greg looked up, surprised. "Sure." Then his voice gained confidence. "Yeah, that'd do me some good. We should wait around a few minutes though; I left Riley with all the paperwork, she probably wasn't happy about that. This can be my peace offering."
Nick cleared his throat awkwardly. That hadn't exactly been what he meant… His voice was firm when he rectified the mistake. "I meant just you and me."
"Oh." Greg was silent for a moment, clearly thinking. A slow smile spread over his face. "Yeah, that'd be cool. I'll be right there."
Nick smiled warmly at Greg, and exited.
Greg turned back to his locker, smiling to himself. The day was looking up.