He Noticed Part 1 - This is a Nick/Greg Slash piece, so if it isn't your thing, don't read it. Please read and review good or bad, I'm a big girl, I can take it. Takes place anytime after 'Mea Culpa'.
Disclaimer: They aren't mine obviously or Nick and Greg would definately be having more scens together in season 5!
Not like this, is wasn't supposed to be like this. He had worked too long for this, for months, no years of proving himself to them all. Doing his job as he always had, plus the extra CSI training classes, and pulling double duty doing his job as the DNA Lab Tech, and trying to get into the field as often as possible. He had worked too hard and too long for it to be like this now.
But he had done it, proved he could to everyone, especially himself. They all thought he just was the "CSI Wannabe" when he knew better. Nothing got in his way. Not the two years it took to convince Grissom to put him in the field. Not the extra work trying to be both a trainee and tech. Not even being blown through the lab by someone else's careless mistake. The mistake that almost cost him his life, his career, everything, but he even pulled himself through that, and somehow it drove him harder, to prove to himself and them all that he was capable. But that one careless mistake also became his greatest blessing. It showed him that he was human, and that life was short and not to be taken for granted, so when Nick offered to let him stay at his place while he recovered, he took the chance, and he was grateful for the friendship that was offered. At least someone noticed how hard he was trying, at least he felt somewhere in this desert that had somehow become his home there was someone who noticed. There was always Nick, when everyone else looked at him like he didn't belong, or was a little to eccentric for a place like the DNA Lab for the Las Vegas Police Department. The way Nick always treated him made the desert feel like home, like that is where he belonged. Never judging the loud music, the wild clothes, the hair style of the month, but always there if needed, letting him know there was someone there who noticed HIM, for more than just the outside.
It all started out innocently enough, one friend helping the other in need. Through the long painful nights when he could never sleep because he hurt too much to lay down, his friend would stay up with him, not for pity, but to remind him that someone noticed. Helping him change his clothes when he hurt too much to change his clothes by himself, or do the simple tasks like trying to do his hair just right. Who would have ever guessed that Nick already knew just how Greg liked it? Who would have guessed that Nick knew just what Greg liked for breakfast, or in some cases lunch, when he arrived back at his place after a late shift, or a class. Who would have known that Nick knew just what kind of ice cream Greg liked when he was having a late night craving on those rare nights off? Who would have known that Nick already knew when to leave Greg alone when he was having a hard time dealing with it all, or when he needed a friend to listen to him say how difficult is was seeing all of those things in the field that he only saw in envelopes or on swabs. But one day Greg realized something that part of him knew all along, Nick always noticed.
After that blessed mistake, Greg slowly made himself a new home at Nick's. He hadn't meant to, but the day he decided it was time to go home, Nick gently reached behind his newly healed neck, and said "Please don't go, I know now." It started out as a couple of shirts here, and his CD's slowly made there way over also. But ever so slowly. A gentle brush of their hands here, then an arm around the other man's shoulders there, but ever so slowly. Their times off together now where spent at home, and their cases at work seemed more exciting. He was getting close, so close, he was being noticed. They couldn't help but notice, all of them. He loved his work, he was in the field full time now that he had found a suitable replacement, and then there was Nick, his beautiful Nick. As much as he loved his work, he loved going home even more. Whether it was falling into bed with his lover from complete exhaustion and waking up in his arms, or taking slow leisurely showers together after long difficult shifts, trying to scrub the dirt and stench of death off of each other. This was it, all he had ever worked for, and he had ever wanted, he hadn't realized how bad he wanted it until it had happened. Everyone now noticed the spring in his step, the smile on his face, the pride and sense of accomplishment, plus the love in his heart, and devotion from that man with whom he not only shared his home, but a life now. More than he ever dared dream possible when all of this began with a trip in the field which had gone terribly wrong, but had now led him to this moment in his life.
But all of that had changed now, and it wasn't supposed to be this way. He should have known, nothing this good could last forever. The different hours were starting to take their toll on their relationship. The long hours now overlapped, and he hated waking up alone in their bed because Nick had already gone to work hours earlier. No more working side by side, no more in depths discussions about absolutely nothing while waiting for evidence to process. No more flirting with each other that no one really noticed, only the one person which ever did notice was no longer there, so it didn't really matter anymore.
All of those years, he had come so far and accomplished so much, they had finally come so far, he thought as he walked into the locker room where he saw his lover packing up to go home for the night, only his night was just beginning.
"Hey Nicky, how was shift? Nothing too exciting I hope." Greg was secretly wishing.
"Hey G, nope, saving the good stuff for you. Just got a 419 over at the Palms, looks like it could be another long one for you guys tonight."
This wasn't how it was supposed it be, they were supposed to be working side by side like the always had. Even when he wasn't in the field, even when we was just the Lab Rat, Nick noticed. They were supposed to be going home together and washing the smell off of each other and then falling in bed for a long morning of love making before sleep, then waking up for a little food and then start all over again. Partners in everything, they had worked too hard for it to be like this now, just slowly slipping away. It made him almost long for the days of Lab Work and barely there flirting only they seemed to notice. It was easier than watching his lover walk out of the locker on his way home, to their home, alone.
"Have a good night Nick, I'll uh, I'll see you when I get home."
"OK Greg, I'll see you later.", as Nick patted him on the back as he left Greg standing there.
This wasn't how it was supposed to be,
"Damn You Ecklie."