A/N : This chapter was beta'd by the amazing AlexMorgan and the fantastic Shacky20. Thank you to you both!!

Chapter 2

Greg's sprained ankle healed with minimal fuss. Ice and keeping pressure off it, did the trick; but not all things could be mended so easily. It had been a week since that day on the staircase, and Greg couldn't help but be filled with guilt by his thoughtless words and actions. He had hurt Nick, the one person he never wanted to hurt.

So why could he not face Nick and apologize?

He knew why. He was afraid that if he opened up to Nick, and explained the justification behind his actions and words, that he will not be able to hold back his true feelings. Their friendship could not survive that much honesty. He gained no comfort and seriously doubted what he may or may not have seen in Nick's eyes before he turned and walked away. So he spent the past week avoiding Nick as much as possible.

"Stop thinking about Nick and focus on the crime scene," Greg berated himself as he squinted from the harsh Nevada sun as he wiped the sweat from his brow. He hated processing crime scenes out in the desert. It was too hot and too bright. He glanced over to Nick, who was processing the abandoned and blood-splattered car. It was the first time that they had been thrown together on a case; actually this was the longest period of time that they had been in each other's company since the incident on the staircase. Greg could not believe how much he missed Nick's presence. He didn't notice he was staring at Nick until Nick looked up from the backseat of the car and stared right back at him. Shit! Greg turned around quickly and pretended to be busy with his kit.

Nick let out a long sigh as he watched Greg turn around and pretend to ignore him. They had been equally avoiding each other and he wondered how long this would last. He missed Greg and longed to be close to him even if it meant just in the platonic sense. He felt guilty leaving Greg on the staircase. "You never leave a man behind", Nick thought, "even if the man he was trying to help was as stubborn as a mule", Nick added irritably. He knew he overreacted about Greg not accepting his help.

For the past six years, his feelings for Greg grew from friendship to something deeper and more meaningful. It was only in these past few months that Nick felt the pressure of keeping his feelings hidden too much to bear. He wanted to just tell Greg how he felt, and damn the consequences. But his sensible side kept him silent and instead he read into all Greg's actions and inactions to determine whether or not Greg felt the same way. Hell, he was not even sure if Greg was into men. His train of thought was interrupted when he heard his name called.

"Nick! Nick!" Greg called impatiently. Greg was irritable for being out in the sun so long; it felt like his Norwegian blood was boiling under this unrelenting heat. Unfortunately his irritability grew as he was unable to gain Nick's attention. "NICHOLAS!!" Greg shouted one more time. Nick looked up startled from the backseat, which Greg did not even register before he continued. "Sorry to interrupt your daydreaming," he said sarcastically, "but I found a blood trail leading away from the car , so I am going to follow it," Greg said as he turned around and walked away.

Nick was momentarily stunned by Greg's behavior. The anger that arose so quickly on the staircase returned. Greg was acting childishly. He knew Greg hated the desert sun and it always brought out the worst in him, but that was no reason to take it out on him. He watched Greg follow the blood trail and was about to call out to Greg to take an officer with him, it was procedure after all. But he thought better of it, if Greg wanted to do this on his own then he can go right ahead, Nick fumed as he watched Greg disappear from sight behind a thicket of desert bush.

How could he possibly be in love with such a stubborn and fickle man? Nick wondered as he returned to processing the car. Nick's train of thought was interrupted for the second time but unlike before, it was not by his name being called but by a scream of pain.

Nick's heart was gripped in fear. The scream belonged to Greg.

A/N: Feedback would be appreciated.