An Apple A Day
It really wasn't surprising that Nick liked apples so much, thought Greg to himself as he watched the CSI bite into the shiny red fruit. The man was almost disgustingly healthy and wholesome...
Though... apples had other connotations. The apple in the garden of Eden, the forbidden fruit, for examp... no, it wasn't an apple, apples came from Asia and hadn't been discovered yet when Genesis was written. It was probably a fig, or a date, something native to the Middle East... not that it really mattered, there was something irresistible about thinking of an apple as the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. After all, an apple was basically a meal in itself, a treasure trove of goodness. Iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc; vitamins A and C and B1 and B2 and B5 and B6 – all those wonderful, cancer-fighting antioxidents... admittedly apples tasted better in a pie with cream and sugar, in Greg's humble opinion, but the way Nick ate them... he could be tempted...
He shook himself mentally and watched as Nick took another bite, strong, incredibly white teeth incising through the juice-slicked skin and into the creamy white flesh underneath, powerful jaws chewing, eyes narrowed as he relished the taste, tongue flicking out to lick an errant drop of sweetness from firm lips quirked in that half-smile that always made Greg's stomach flutter oddly, though he could never tell if it was from nerves or something less... admittable. If there was such a word. There should be, he thought absently, as Nick tossed the apple a quarter-turn and bit down again with a satisfying crunch, strong fingers almost caressing the fruit.
There ought to be a law against looking so... so... good while eating.
Then Nick noticed him watching and grinned and held out the half-eaten apple.
"Want a bite?"
And Greg flushed almost as red as the fruit, and managed to mumble a breathless "no" while fleeting and should-be-prohibited images danced around his head. Nick grinned and thrust it forward.
"G'wan. It's good."
Greg hesitantly took the fruit, swallowing as his fingers brushed against Nick's, and took a tentative bite, slurping inelegantly as the juice dribbled over his lips. Nick chuckled, and Greg managed a smile.
"It's very good."
"Keeps the doctor away, too. But you'd know all about that."
Just as long as it didn't keep the Texan away. He held it out to Nick.
"Thanks, man."
Nick pulled his hand back.
"Naw, you finish it. Your need's greater 'n mine." He turned to Catherine, who had appeared at the break-room door, frowning impatiently. "Sorry. Didn't have time for breakfast. I'm coming now." He grinned back over his shoulder at Greg as he left the room. "Later, G."
Oh, if only... Greg shook himself, and bit once more into the forbidden fruit. It wasn't enough, but for now it would have to do.