The trip back to the lab replayed again and again in Nick's mind. Greg, who was never quiet, had been mostly silent the entire trip, only speaking twice. Once was to ask Nick to pull over so that he could get sick in the bushes alongside the road. Other than that, he only made a phone call, which Nick was certain was against all kinds of regulations, but he wasn't going to deny his friend any sort of comfort. Whoever he had called didn't answer their phone anyway. After a pause, Greg left a voicemail. The words didn't matter, it was just a message saying that something terrible had happened and asked for a call back. His voice held the real message. It was shaky, fragile. Nick had never heard his friend like that before, and if he had his way, he would never hear it again.

Nick had known for years that Greg was special, not just because of how smart he was or how funny he could be. There was something special just to Nick, but the Texan didn't like to talk about that. He had never thought of himself as gay, rather he thought of Greg as irresistible. He had gotten very good at not questioning his sexuality back in high school. There had always been a couple of "irresistible" men around him, in high school, college, and now in the work force, but he always managed to resist them. Years of practice made controlling himself easier, but he never paused to consider why he needed that strict control, or why he wanted to get rid of that control now.

His mind wandered back through all of the cases that he had worked on with Greg, how he couldn't manage to keep all of his attention on his work because Greg was with him, looking so tempting. His interest had started back when Greg was in the lab. He would always volunteer to take the samples to DNA or to retrieve the results, anything just to see the crazy lab rat. He had come close to exposing his secrets many times, particularly after the explosion, even more so after his own 'incident' involving a box, but he had kept his secrets to himself.

Once again, he wanted to throw out that control, the one thing that had been a constant in his life. He wanted to burst into that interrogation room and comfort Greg. The man was sitting in the chair, looking as lost and confused as he had when Nick had first spotted him at the crime scene. As soon as Grissom had gotten wind of what had happened, he had pulled Nick and Catherine from the case, claiming that if Greg was involved in any way then they could not be. After identifying the DB as his good friend, Jesse Cunningham, Greg was involved.

"I finally get a day off and look what happens!" Nick heard someone mutter as they walked towards the interrogation room. He peered out of the observation area to see a man just a little older than himself opening the door and stepping inside. He was of average build with short dark hair. His clothes looked like they had just been thrown on shortly before running out the door. Nick recognized the look, it was the official called-in-on-my-day-off look that had been very popular with the crime lab lately. Returning into the observation room, Nick watched the man pull up a chair, sitting down across from Greg.

"Hello, I am CSI Davin," The man introduced himself. Nick remembered that name, he was a recent transfer from some other lab, though he couldn't recall which city. He hadn't even been around long enough to build a reputation, which he knew from experience only took a matter of hours in this lab. Obviously he had been put on the case because he couldn't possibly know anything about Greg.

"CSI Sanders," Greg responded automatically. His voice was stronger than it was in the car, but not by much, "I want to get this over with."

"Okay, how do you know Jessie Cunningham?"

"We met in college, Freshman year, I tutored him in chemistry. We were roommates for sophomore, junior, and senior year. We've kept in touch since then." Greg explained, looking at the one way mirror instead of at CSI Davin. If Nick had not double checked that the lights were off behind him, he could have sworn that Greg was actually looking right at him. His eyes seemed to be locked on Nick. It sent shivers up and down his spine, though he couldn't explain why.

"What was he doing at your apartment,"

"He was staying over until things got better."

"Got better?" Davin eyed him suspiciously, although Greg didn't notice.

"Jesse lived in New York City, he was an actor on Broadway, well sometimes he was. About a year and a half ago he met someone, says he fell in love. Said, not says. His…date was a drug dealer, got Jesse hooked on stuff, but I don't know what. He realized that he had to get out and he spent the last six months rehab. He made a couple of mistakes, but he graduated from it last week. He couldn't stay in New York, he knew he'd just end up in the same trouble again, so he came to stay with me until he got back on his feet."

"Where were you earlier tonight?" Davin probed. Something about the way the man spoke made Nick want to jump through the glass and punch the man.

"I went out, I was stupid and not thinking with the brain in my head. Jesse begged me not to, said that he didn't feel safe, didn't want to be alone, but I had a date. Emlyn, and don't even bother asking me for a last name or a phone number because things didn't go that well. We met at a coffee shop before going to a late dinner. We were supposed to go to a movie, but I skipped out because I felt bad about leaving Jesse alone, I couldn't stop thinking about it all night long, he looked so sad when I left. I stopped by the store on the way back, picked up some ice cream, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, everything needed for some sundaes. Jesse loved ice cream, and I felt bad, wanted to make it up to him. The receipts are in my wallet, both for dinner and the ice cream."

Nick breathed an inward sigh of relief, Greg had an alibi, complete with documentation. It sickened Nick to think that he had suspected his friend for even a moment. While his heart had always insisted that Greg was innocent, he knew from experience how blind a heart could be. His logical mind had realized right away that Greg would be labeled the prime suspect, at least at first.

"I see that." Davin leafed through some of the documents in the file, "Can you think of anyone who might have had it out for Jesse?"

"Maybe the drug dealer, I don't know. I don't think he's talked to hardly anyone since he got here, I'm pretty sure he hasn't even left my apartment. He got a call yesterday on his cell, he was crying by the end of it he was so scared. Before that he was okay with staying in the apartment alone, like when I went to work. I don't know who called him." Greg's eyes were permanently attached themselves to the table as he spoke, if Nick had been watching someone question anyone else he would have been overjoyed. Davin was getting close to something uncomfortable, which normally led to the suspect slipping up, but Greg was not a suspect and he did not want him to be uncomfortable.

"Normally it's the girl who gets stalked at the end of a relationship, not the man." Davin noted, leaning in. He looked like a vulture eyeing his prey and waiting for the last signs of life to fade away.

"There was no girl. Jesse is…was gay, the drug dealer was a guy. There is a picture of the two of them together, it should be in the trash. I found it in Jesse's wallet and I stole it, I didn't want him to see it and think about his old life again, I didn't want him to slip up."

"You mentioned a phone call that scared him…"

"It was yesterday, a couple of hours before I left. Jesse and I were watching a movie, his cell phone rang and he went into my room to take the call. I paused the movie and made some popcorn. When he came back from my room his hands were shaking. I tried to get him to tell me what was wrong, but he wouldn't say anything. We forgot about the movie and I…I comforted him for a while."

Nick noticed the pause, knew that something else had happened, but Greg was reluctant to reveal it. For him to try to hide something he must have had a good reason. Nick knew that Davin had noticed it as well, he would have had to have been deaf and dumb to have missed it. He mentally prayed that he let it slide, that he didn't press any further, but he would have lost all respect for Davin as a CSI if he didn't.

"Comforted?"

"Yes, I comforted him." Greg's eyes darted over to the one way mirror again, looking right at where Nick was standing, "Can I go now?"

"You're a CSI, you know how this works. If there is any information that you are hiding, and I suspect that there is, the evidence will tell us. So, come on, tell us what we are looking for."

"My best friend is dead, I'm tired and scared and I just want to get out of this room," Greg pleaded, "Just let me out."

"You aren't being charged with anything so far, you may go," Davin sighed, closing the folder.

Greg practically leaped out of the chair, he was out the door in no time flat. Nick wanted to chase him down and talk to him, but he also wanted to give him a chance to recover from the interrogation a bit first. He let out a big breath of air and turned to Catherine.

"What do you think?" He asked, acknowledging her presence for the first time.

"He has an alibi, no motive, I wouldn't worry about it, cowboy," Catherine rested a hand on his shoulder, "I know he's not telling us everything yet, but he'll get to it."

"Greg never keeps secrets," Nick insisted. Greg had always been the most open person in the entire group.

"When did he tell you a friend from college would be staying with him?" Catherine asked. When Nick stared blankly back at her she continued his questioning, "He's been keeping his personal life quiet recently. I haven't heard about one of his dates in forever. I hate to say it, but I think he's been shutting us out lately."

Nick nodded, not sure what else to do. He had noticed the lack of stories about Greg's crazy dates, he had even enjoyed not hearing about them. Every time he heard about one of them his stomach would knot with jealousy, even though he knew that he had nothing to be jealous of. Most of the dates that they heard about were simple one night stands, some of them hadn't even lasted that long. To his knowledge, Greg hadn't been in a serious relationship in years, and he should know. It wasn't as if he was keeping tabs on the youngest CSI, but he did keep an ear open for rumors of romance.

Still, he reminded himself, is hapless crush would remain just that, a crush. He would never, under pain of death, admit his interest for men. His reluctance went double for Greg. Even if he had a shot, which he was certain that he didn't, he worked with Greg. Office romances never ended well, he refused to destroy his friendship for a brief fling. Besides, Greg was straight anyway.

These thoughts swam around in his head as he made his way to the break room. His shift had ended an hour ago, so he didn't have anywhere to be, and he wanted to make sure that Greg was alright before he headed home. He couldn't say why, but he just knew that he would be in the break room. Even though it was not the room's original purpose, it had long ago become the one safe haven in the lab.

Nick paused outside of the break room, looking through the glass of the door. Greg was sitting on the couch with his cup of cold coffee, but he was not alone with his beverage. A large man was sitting next to him, maybe six foot six, but he couldn't tell for sure because he was sitting down. The man had a muscular build that reminded Nick of a gym teacher that he had hated in high school. He had a warm smile on his face and one arm thrown around Greg's shoulders. The young CSI seemed better than he had in the interrogation room only minutes before, but that was to be expected. Nick couldn't help it when a bit of jealousy flared up in his gut as Greg rested his head on the man's shoulder.

"Hey, Griss," Nick motioned for his superior when he caught a glimpse of him out of the corner of his eye, "I didn't know visitors were allowed in the break room."

"They aren't," Grissom assured him.

"Then what's he's doing there?" Nick motioned to the man in the break room.

"That's Theodore Finn, and he isn't there."

Nick nodded, understanding exactly what his supervisor was trying to get across. This, he realized, must have been the person that Greg had called from the car. He wanted to go in, make sure that Greg was alright, but he wasn't certain that he would be welcome. The two were looking overly comfortable, Greg snuggled against Finn like that. He allowed himself to entertain the idea that Greg could be gay. Just how naturally he leaned against Finn could even serve as evidence that they were together, but the wedding band on Finn's finger told a different story. He was just about to leave when Greg spotted him and motioned him in.

As soon as Nick came in the room, Greg pulled away from Finn. The man didn't seem the least bit upset about the loss of contact, which both overjoyed and disappointed Nick. On one hand, he was thrilled because Greg and Finn were most likely not together, but also saddened because he no longer had any reason to question his coworker's sexuality. He mentally slapped himself for that last bit, it didn't matter if Greg was gay or not because nothing could happen between them.

"Nick, this is Ted Finn. Ted, this is Nick," Greg offered up the introductions, "Ted and I were also roommate's in college, we had an apartment together with Jesse and a few other people."

"Nice to meet you," Nick lied.

"I've heard a lot about you," Ted reached out and shook Nick's hand firmly. Nick couldn't tell if the man's friendly demeanor was a good thing or a bad thing. It was clearly good for Greg to have someone so good so close to him, but it made hating him a whole lot harder.

"I wish I could say the same, Greg and I don't get a chance to talk about something other than evidence too often," Nick smiled, feeling embarrassed that he had never heard of either Finn or Jesse until that evening.

"Work keeps us busy," Greg nodded, pulling farther out of Finn's embrace.

"You never mentioned that he was from Texas," Ted said, sounding as if he were accusing Greg of something, though Nick was unsure why.

"It doesn't matter," Greg insisted.

"He has the accent," Finn pressed.

"It doesn't matter," Greg's voice was firmer this time. Apparently Ted decided to cut his losses and give up. Nick couldn't tell what his birthplace or his accent had to do with anything. He was tempted to bring it up, but he let it go. He could always ask Greg about it later, and it was probably some long joke between two great friend who knew more about each other than Nick could ever hope to know about either of them. It hurt, but Nick hid it well.

"Do you have somewhere to sleep tonight?" Nick asked. The question was mostly directed at Greg, but he didn't try to exclude Ted.

"I have a hotel room for the night," Ted put his hand back on Greg's shoulder, "You staying with me?"

Greg nodded, leaning back into his friend's shoulder. Nick tried to smile, but he hated this Theodore Finn. He knew that it was childish, but he wanted to be the one Greg leaned on, he wanted to comfort him. He mentally kicked himself yet again. Greg needed someone to be there for him, not a competition for his attention. As he stood up, he placed a hand firmly on Greg's free shoulder, earning him some eye contact.

"Greggo, you need anything at all, you just ask me, okay?"

Greg nodded, pulling away from Ted's body. A bit of joy flared through Nick's gut, but he tried to suppress it. Greg was in good hands, Nick shouldn't want to take him away from that.

"Can I cash in on that right now?" Greg asked, his voice sounding stronger each time he talked, "I have some spare clothes in my locker…"

Nick eyed his friend, not noticing until that moment the state of his shirt. It held a stain from dinner, a few more stains from loosing dinner. He actually had not noticed the smell right up until that moment.

"I'll be right back," Nick smiled, glad to feel at least a little useful, "And I'll grab some of the lab's coffee. It might not be Blue Hawaiian, but someone has been buying something better than this sludge."

He could see Greg smile as he left the room. A warm feeling was slowly flooding through his heart. That smile was for him, and it had been real. He wasn't sure why that one smile made him so happy, or why it was so important that it had been for him. If he had ever counted, he would have found that most of Greg's smiles were for him, and he was proud that he could make his friend so happy. It wasn't always enough though, sometimes he wanted more.

Thank you very much to everyone who read this chapter and who reviewed the first chapter. Your kind words of encouragement were…encouraging. I thought about putting a different adjective in there, but I decided against it at the last moment. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter and I really appreciate reviews.