A/N-So this is my sequel to "Picking up the pieces". I had started this actually a couple months ago but was not sure at the time where I wanted to go with it. Now after I had some vacation time and could clear my head I came up with a direction so I have decided to post the first chapter. Postings of new chapters on this story will be a lot slower than PUTP was, as this is a work in progress and can only write when I have time. It's going to pick up a couple months after PUTP left off. This will still be dealing with the after effects of what happened to Greg. Hope you enjoy this one as much as the previous one. Thanks!

He woke up with a start, his eyes trying to focus on his surroundings. He was in his bed, safe in his home. "Hey, you okay?" he heard the sleepy voice of the man next to him ask. He hated when he woke him up due to one of his random nightmares. He rubbed his hands over his face as he sat up.

"Yea, sorry I woke you again. I'm going to get up and get some water," he replied as he put his bare feet down on the carpeted floor. He felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You don't have to apologize every time, I've told you that," his lover told him. He turned around and gave a small smile, knowing he couldn't really see it much in the darkness of the room.

"I know, it's just out of habit. I'll be back in a few. Why don't you go back to sleep? I'll be fine," he said to him. He leaned down and sought out the lips of his lover for a quick kiss. "I love you." He turned back around and stood up and started slowly making his way out of the room

"I love you too, G. Don't be long. You need your sleep too," Nick said as he left. Nick Stokes was used to being woken up in the middle of the night by Greg's nightmares. They didn't happen nightly anymore, which was a good thing. Actually he didn't remember Greg having one in the last few days. They seemed to come after he had a rough day at work. He could not help but worry some about him. It had about five months now since he was back in his life. The four months prior to those had been the worst in both of their lives, Greg's for sure. Greg had finally let him into his life completely, physically for about three months now. Things between them seemed to be slowly going back to normal with the exception of the occasional nightmares and therapy sessions they continued to attend with Dr. Melissa Warren.

Greg stood in front of the refrigerator door, feeling the cool air from it against his face. He had been feeling warm. He pulled out a half full bottle of water and uncapped it to take a swig. His throat always seemed to be dry after waking from a nightmare. His throat was a bit sore today too. He decided to take the bottle back with him into the bedroom. He shuffled in and sat down on his side of the bed, placing the bottle on his nightstand.

"What was it this time?" he heard Nick whisper to him. He sighed softly, reminding himself that he asked because he cared but sometimes he really didn't want to talk about them.

"The face I'll never know, again," he replied as he lay back down and then flipped to his side, away from Nick. He felt him shift and then felt his strong arms wrap around him. He sighed at the comfort his arms brought to him. He felt his warm breath on his neck.

"You know, I think I should have another talk with Rex. He has to know who that guy was," Nick said to him.

Greg pulled his arms around him tighter. He hated even hearing the name mentioned. "He wouldn't tell you even if he knew. He probably enjoys knowing the torture it puts me through."

Nick sighed, knowing Greg was probably right. He nuzzled against Greg's neck and then placed soft kisses along the scarring that remained there. "I think…we need…to sleep," he said between the kisses.

Greg moaned from the attention. "If you want me to sleep you should really stop that because you are turning me on."

Nick chuckled. "Okay, I'll stop but we'll continue this after we get some more sleep."

"Mmmm, ok. Sleep well, Nicky," Greg murmured before closing his eyes and being able to fall sleep with the safety of Nick's arms around him.

"Sleep well, Greggo."

Nick woke up and discovered the bed next to him empty. He didn't even realize Greg had gotten up. He must have been more tired than he thought. He sat up in bed and heard the shower start running, signaling to him that Greg had not been up that long. Typically he liked to get up and jump in the shower right away to wake up. He decided to get up and join him.

He walked up to the bathroom door and found it unlocked. He knew that Greg had stopped locking the door behind him only about a month ago. Until that point he was still too afraid to be in the bathroom alone without the door being locked behind him. He opened the door quietly and walked into the bathroom.

Greg immediately felt the presence of someone else and spun around to see the silhouette of a man outside the shower door. He backed into the corner of the shower stall. "Nick?" He asked, his voice betraying a bit of fear.

Nick knew he should have announced himself immediately. He missed the old days when he could just sneak up on him in the shower and take him right there. "Yeah, do you mind if I join you?"

Greg relaxed a little, knowing it was just Nick. He should have figured but since the day he walked into his own bedroom and saw Jasper Marks standing there with Nick tied up, he still worried, even if Jasper was dead. "Sure," he finally replied.

Nick smiled and stripped off his pajama bottoms. He opened the shower door and saw Greg standing under the shower head. He came over to him, turned him to face him and slid his arms around his waist. "Did you sleep okay after?"

Greg nodded his head. "Yes, I did. I gather you did too. I was surprised I was able to slip out of your arms like I did," he smirked. He pushed Nick against the wall and seized his lips with his as water sprayed against his back. He rubbed his growing erection against Nick's. He detached his lips long enough to tell Nick, "I want you."

Nick knew what he meant. "Then go ahead and fuck me," he smirked and let Greg turn him around so he faced the wall. Ever since they have become intimate again, it was mostly Greg topping Nick. Nick knew the change in their sexual relationship was due to the months that Greg had been submitted to sexual abuse. He couldn't hold it against him. When he did occasionally allow Nick to make love to him, it was just that, nice and slow.

Greg grabbed the waterproof lube from the shower corner and coated his fingers first, slowly inserting one into Nick's tight hole. "How's that feel?" he asked after he added another. Nick groaned in pleasure in response.

The first few times Greg had sex with Nick he had been a bit rough, knowing he was still dealing with his control issues. Since then he had learned to ask Nick to let him know if he was becoming too rough. He didn't want to hurt Nick because of his own problems. Nick had been too good to him to take it out on him. But Nick had grown to liking this newer side of Greg, he had to admit.

"Fuck me already, Greg!" Nick pushed back against his lover with his ass.

"Patience," he breathed heavily as he grabbed a condom and rolled it over his leaking cock. He wanted in Nick just as badly as Nick.

Nick felt him at his entrance and then being filled with his lover's girth. "God, yeah, feels so good, G," Nick panted as he placed his hands against the wall to brace himself as Greg started pounding into him. He suddenly felt Greg's hand grasp his own leaking cock and run his thumb over the slit. "Ahh, fuck me."

"I am," Greg grunted and then laughed as he worked his hand up and down Nick's shaft and continued thrusting into Nick, hitting his spot.

Nick loved to hear him laugh these days, even in a moment like this. It had been so long since he had. "I love you, so much," he yelled out before he sensed his own release coming. Only moments later he felt Greg's shaking release and the younger man lean against him for support as recovered.

Nick reached behind him and rubbed his hand up and down Greg's side. "You okay back there?"

Greg only nodded, forgetting Nick could not see him. He finally picked his weight off of Nick and slid out of him. He removed the condom and tossed it into the trash can outside the shower door before closing it back up. He stood facing Nick, who lovingly grabbed his face so he could kiss him. "You are so fucking hot!" Nick told him. Greg visibly blushed at the comment. He still had trouble finding himself attractive anymore. He grabbed the body wash and Nick took it from him. "Let me."

Nick knew that deep down Greg still held some ugly feelings about himself. He was not sure if he would ever be over those feelings, but any chance he had, he made sure to show Greg how beautiful he still thought he was, despite all his scars. "Turn around," Nick told him.

He did as told and Nick started with his shoulders, where tension always seemed to be. He messaged the soapy substance into his skin, kneading the knots in his shoulders and neck area. Greg loved it when he did this, it always relaxed him. He became putty in Nick's hands.

Nick worked the suds over the old scars from the explosion on his back and then down further, running his hands over the newer scars from burns and cuts. He looked down and saw the most horrid mark of all, the brand Jasper had burned into his skin with his initials. It still brought anger and sadness to him at the same time when he saw it. His hands ghosted over it as he washed. He felt the sensitive flinch from his partner. He knew it still bothered Greg even more so. He had to suffer from the pain and humiliation it brought. He knew he still suffered from it but hided it well.

"Nick," Greg said softly. He sensed him pausing, knowing why. He quickly turned around and grabbed the bottle from him. "Let me clean you up now," he said hastily, not wanting to dwell on the elephant in the room. Greg liked feeling Nick's firm muscles under his hands and he washed over his pecs and abs. He idly wondered how he deserved this Adonis before him. He knew better now than to say anything of his thoughts in front of Nick. Nick would just reverse it, saying he didn't deserve to be with him. Maybe once upon a time Greg might have felt that he was a prize to be won but those days were long gone. That was when he was much younger and naïve.

He was lost in his thoughts when he felt his chin being lifted. His eyes met the deep brown orbs of Nick's. "Stop thinking so loud," he was told. He was about to deny it when Nick shook his head. "Don't bother, I know you too well. I know when you mind goes into those dark places." Greg lowered his eyes. Sometimes he hated that Nick did know him so well.

Suddenly he felt hands in his hair, sudsing it up. "Enough with the bad thoughts okay. Let's just finish our shower so we can get ready for work. Remember we are short Ray for the next few days since he is attending that conference in DC. I guess after all the time we've had off lately, someone else was due to get away," Nick said to him as he ran his hands through Greg's hair, rinsing out the shampoo. He would never admit but he was slightly jealous of Greg's thick, curly hair and it was the one reason he loved that he had let it grow out a little more since he close cropped it after returning.

"I'm kind of glad Ray is away. I know you get along great with him but I'm just not sure he's really that comfortable around me since I returned. It's like he's afraid to get too close to me. I'm just glad Catherine does not pair me with him too often," he said as he grabbed the shower head and started rinsing them both off.

"Well he never got to know you that well in the first place and then all that happened. You can't really blame him," Nick said as he stepped out of the shower first and grabbed a towel and tossed it to Greg and then took one for himself.

"I suppose. I'm just saying it's nice for him not to be around for a little bit of time since I don't have to worry about him tip toeing around me. I get enough of Hodges looks as it is, like he's waiting for me to just suddenly break down at work," Greg groaned as he dried off and proceeded to walk into the bedroom.

Nick frowned. "Well you knew it wasn't going to be all roses, especially Hodges." He went into the bedroom and saw that Greg had already quickly put on his boxers and a t-shirt. He was always quick to not stay naked too long.

He went to the dresser and grabbed his own clothes to put on.

"Sure I knew but some days it gets to me more than others. I know it shouldn't but it does," Greg finally replied as he pulled on his jeans and grabbed his sneakers.

Nick decided to drop the subject, since it was a sore one. "What do you want to do for food?"

"I say we go out to eat before work since we obviously have not been grocery shopping in the last week. We need to buy some food. Maybe after shift we can get some, if the shift does not run too long," Greg suggested.

"Sure sounds like a plan."

A couple hours later they were driving together to the lab. Usually they always went in the same vehicle if they worked the same nights. It saved them money in the long run.

They headed into the locker room to change out of their regular jackets and put on their CSI ones. Catherine popped her head into the locker room. "Hey guys. I already have a case waiting. Sara and I are heading out for a 419 at the Bellagio and you all have a 420. Brass will meet you two out there. Here's the address," she said as she handed the paperwork to Nick.

"Okay, we'll get on it," Nick told her.

"See you later, boys," she said with a small wave and was out of their sight.

"Busy night it sounds like. I'll drive tonight, you had your turn last night," Nick told Greg as he handed him the piece of paper. They usually took turns, whoever was not driving was giving directions and radioing in.

Greg took it and looked at the address. "Oh Summerlin, looks to be in one of those expensive communities, The Players Club. I wonder what we'll find."

"Well we will find out soon enough," Nick said to him as they climbed into the Tahoe.

Greg had been right. It was a gated community. The guard at the gate had already been prepared for them to arrive. The house itself was huge. They pulled into the large semi-circular driveway. They saw Brass' mustang in the driveway along with a couple other patrol cars. "I've always wondered why people need such huge houses. Half the time only 2 people live in the whole house. Always seemed like a waste of money to me," Greg commented.

"Yeah, seriously. Who needs like 10 bedrooms," Nick said as he pulled his kit out of the back.

They saw Brass walk out of the massive front door. He sighed as he approached them. "Hey fellas, I want to give you a heads up before you go in. They were having a special kind of get together here tonight." He looked specifically at Greg. "It seems to be an S&M thing. Greg, I want to be sure you will be able to handle this."

Nick looked at his partner, wondering what his response would be. Being thrown into the world again that nearly destroyed him was not something he was sure he was ready to handle yet.

"What exactly do you mean by an S&M thing?" Greg asked cautiously. He was thinking about the one time Jasper had taken him to a private party when they were still together. It was the one where Jasper tried to get Greg to be with others.

"The murder victim was hogtied with leather bondage restraints and suffocated. This house has six bedrooms and in every bedroom some sort of sexual bondage was taking place. The owner, a Mr. John Jamison said he throws these parties for the S&M community since there are not many places they can go. The thing is, no one claims to know the murder victim," Brass told them.

Greg felt Nick's hand go to his shoulder and squeeze it. "You don't have to go in. I can take care of things," Nick volunteered. After hearing the details he knew it would be difficult for Greg to deal with.

Greg turned to Nick, knowing he would support him no matter what he decided. "I can't avoid things like this forever. I'll deal with it. We have a job to do." He turned to Brass next. "Show us the way."

Brass nodded and gave Nick a quick glance, letting him know to keep an eye on Greg before leading them into the mansion.

The atrium was huge and there was a dual staircase going up to the second floor. But what captured Greg's eyes were people gathered to the side in the living room. They were men and women on their hands and knees with collars around their necks, looking up affectionately at their owners. He couldn't help the shiver that rose up his spine. Some of the owners wore all leather in various degrees. One stood out to him, a man in a black leather mask covering everything but his eyes and mouth. He stared long at the man but nothing about his eyes looked familiar.

"Hey G, we need to go upstairs to the bedroom where the body is," he heard Nick say to him as he grabbed his arm a moment. Greg broke his gaze from the crowd and looked at Nick.

"Yeah, okay. Let's go."

They walked up the palatial staircase up to the second floor where most of the bedrooms were. They saw the patrol officers standing in front of a door with crime scene tape across it. "We have no ID on our victim," Brass told them.

Nick and Greg ducked under the crime scene tape and saw David Phillips, Assistant Corner for Clark County kneeling over the body. It was a man. He was dressed in nothing but leather pants. His hands and ankles were in front of him, hogtied with rope. Over his head was a plastic grocery store bag.

"Time of death was about two hours ago," David told them.

"A woman was looking for a new partner when she came into this room and saw him like this. She yelled and Mr. Jamison came up and saw him. He called 911," Brass told them. "The young woman is in the next room. She didn't have much else to offer but that she never saw this guy before. It seems nobody here knows who he is. Mr. Jamison thinks he was a party crasher. I'll leave you to collect evidence while I go back and conduct more interviews." He left Nick and Greg in the room with David and the body.

Greg looked around the room. The décor was very gothic like. The dark burgundy drapes matched the carpet and bedding. Greg's eyes fell on the four poster bed that had hand and ankle cuffs attached to each post. On the bed laid a wooden paddle and a ball gag. He could feel his heart quicken and his breathing becoming uneven as he recalled his own experience with similar items. He knew he was starting to have a panic attack and started trying to concentrate on his breathing.

Nick looked over at Greg and could see the telling signs of an oncoming attack. He didn't want to embarrass Greg in front of David, so he leaned over and whispered into his ear. "Slow easy breaths, Babe." He saw Greg give him a knowing glare. He decided to leave him be, seeing as he seemed to not be getting worse. He kneeled down next to David and the body.

"So anything else about his guy that you can tell so far?" He asked.

David pointed to his arms. "Looks like he is a user by these track marks on his arms." Nick saw the telltale signs of a heroin user.

"Seems like it. So this guy crashes the party and ends up getting killed for it, it seems," Nick guessed.

Greg managed his breathing and avoided a full blown panic attack. He was going to need to up his dose of Xanax if he was going to work this case. He went over to the nightstand and started taking pictures. On it was a simple clock and a condom wrapper. "Someone had sex in here recently," he commented as he looked into the trash can and saw a couple used condoms. "Perhaps our guy here got his kicks before he got killed." He took his tweezers to pick up the condoms and put them in a plastic evidence bag.

"Hopefully they are his and we can maybe find out who this guy is, since no one seems to know. Or maybe it will take us to who the killer is," Nick said to him. He was glad to see Greg had managed to get control over his emotions. He was so proud of him. He knew this couldn't be easy for him at all.

Nick took some photos of their victim before finally cutting the ropes off him. He placed all the items in brown paper evidence bags.

David and his assistant finally removed the body from the room and Greg and Nick continued to examine the room. Greg opened the top drawer to the night stand and felt his stomach quiver at the sight. Inside were numerous tools of S a few large dildos, a couple anal plugs, clamps, and a whip. He felt the panic attack coming on again. "Nick…I need to get some fresh air." He said rapidly before taking off out of the room.

Nick walked over to the drawer and saw what triggered the panic. He would give him a few minutes and if he didn't come back he would go after him. He had confidence he would be okay after he got the air he needed.

Greg ran down the stairs and out the front door. He stopped down by the Tahoe and placed his hands on the SUV for support. He knew he was breathing heavily and his heart was racing. He hated how he was so affected by the items he saw. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his bottle of pills. He opened the bottle and took one pill out and swallowed it without water. He couldn't let this keep happening. He had to get control over his reactions. People would talk and they would never let him on a case like this again. As much as he wanted to be away from something like this, he had the most knowledge of this world and his knowledge could benefit the case.

He gathered his wits again and headed back into the house. On his way back in, he glanced again at the group of people being held in the living room for questioning. No one had leather masks on anymore. Brass must have made them remove them. He felt a little calmer not seeing anyone in those masks. He climbed back up the stairs to their crime scene.

He saw the CSI run down the stairs and out the front door. He couldn't help but see out through the open window the man trying to gather his nerves outside. He witnessed him take some pill before heading back in. He lowered his head but could see the CSI come back in and look into their room again. He felt smug that the man he fucked a few times while being held by his friend Jasper Marks had no idea he was right there in his presence.