Title: Homecoming (Last Chance Part 2)

Pairing: Greg/Nick

Rating: NC-17

Word Count: ~3300

Summary: What will it take for Greg to reach his limit - or for Nick to free himself from the chains of his fear? (AU) Genre: Angst, Romance

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue. Just for fun.

AN: So, this was supposed to be a one-shot - something to feed my addiction to a N/G slash cliche. After it was done, I found myself needing to know more. I had questions about my Last Chance versions of Nick and Greg - so the following chapters are my answers. Again - I'm writing these more for myself than anything else. These are just more overdone angsty, fluffy, H/C moments between the boys - but I just needed it, so I wrote it and thought I would share for those of you who share my insatiable appetite for this particular formula. So I will look at what happens when they get home from the hospital, what happens when Nick meets Greg's family and vice versa, what everyday life becomes for them after Nick's epiphany, and how Nick's family resolves their issues with him. It looks like this will end up being six chapters in all. Enjoy!

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Nick tossed his keys into the giant cobalt glass dish on the small table to the left of the doorframe. It was filled with spare change and other random remnants of many pockets being emptied upon entry over many years. "Thanks for getting us home, Sara."

Sara looked a little closer at the dish. It was obvious that Greg shared this homey ritual, as the bowl contained several half-empty packs of Juicy Fruit gum and an old inhaler. Nick neither liked Juicy Fruit nor did need occasional assistance with inflamed bronchioles.

Those were definitely Greg's.

"I'll make a list of things you guys need and make a quick trip to the store." Sara offered as she dropped her small backpack onto the dining room table before walking into the kitchen.

Greg followed closely behind. "That's not necessary, Sara. I'm sure we can make due with what's on hand."

Nick noticed his lover's limp and the gingerly way he moved his hips. "Actually, that would be really appreciated. I think we could use some milk and O.J. - and eggs..." Nick tried to think of easy stuff for them to prepare. "...tomato soup, stuff to make grilled cheese's." He looked at his battered boyfriend and asked, "You need some Coco Puffs?"

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Greg asked Sara instead of answering his unusually attentive boyfriend.

"Not at all, Greg." Sara answered sincerely. "Let me do this for you."

"Okay then...Lucky Charms, no Coco Puffs." Greg grinned at Nick. "And Nicky needs some Fiber One and half-and-half."

Nick smiled. "And Sierra Mist."

Sara left with her list after Nick gave her a key so she could let herself in if they were already asleep when she returned. He could see how tired Greg was and he himself felt exhausted from the events of the previous 24-hours. Once they were safely locked inside, he made his way to their bedroom and found Greg sitting on the side of their bed staring into space.

Nick kneeled in front of him, his knees popping as he went. He lifted Greg's chin enough to focus on his eyes. "Hey."

Greg's face was clouded with doubt. "I'm not sure what to do now."

It felt like a Gorilla had just pounced on Nick's chest as he heard the simple statement spoken in Greg's quiet, sad voice. Greg didn't need to explain - Nick knew exactly what was troubling him. Seven years - countless close calls for both of them - and this was the first time they had been together for the immediate aftermath. It wasn't lost on Nick that it was either irony or fate that they were both in need of care-taking simultaneously this time around. "You don't have to do anything, Baby."

"I'm so tired." Greg sighed. "And I feel so gross."

Nick pushed himself up with his hands on his on his knees and took Greg by the hand. "Well then, first we clean you up - then we put you to bed."

"Can't." Greg pointed to his head. "Stitches."

"Trust me, G." Nick led his limping lover into the bathroom. He turned the water on and tested it with his fingers until it was the perfect temperature. Once he had plugged the drain he turned toward the bruised man leaning against the sink. "Naked works better for bath time, Baby."

With a little help from his boyfriend, Greg managed to get his borrowed hospital scrubs off and Nick helped him ease himself into the soothing water. "This feels nice."

"I knew it would." Nick cooed while he gently swiped Greg's cheek with his fingertips before he leaned across the tub to turn off the water. "Be right back."

"You're not getting in with me?" Greg almost whined.

"Can't" Nick rubbed his ribcage gingerly. "Not supposed to unwrap 'til tomorrow."

Greg watched Nick disappear through the door. "Not so fun in here without you." He said loud enough for Nick to hear. He could hear Nick chuckling from somewhere near the kitchen.

"It's not supposed to be fun." Nick said as he walked back into the steamy room carrying a large plastic Spiderman tumbler. He was only wearing grey boxer-briefs and the tight wrap around his torso. He slipped his feet into the warm water before sitting on the side of the tub facing Greg's reclined body. "It's supposed to feel soothing and relax you, so you can get some rest."

Greg looked unconvinced. "What'reyoudoin?"

"Getting that mop of yours cleaned up." Nick smirked before he scooped up a cup full of water. "Can you lean your head forward a little?"

By the time Nick was done, Greg was almost in tears from the overwhelming emotion. Nick had been so careful and gentle. He had skillfully maneuvered the cup to avoid getting the stitched areas too wet. He had gently massaged shampoo into his scalp without getting any of the substance near the places that would sting. By the time Nick was finished, there was no trace of blood or grime left in his hair or anywhere else on his battered body. Once the washing was done, Nick carefully rinsed every part of Greg with clean water before he helped him to his feet and dried him with a big, soft towel.

When Nick was satisfied that Greg was free from any trace of bath water, he wrapped him up in soft towel and warm, strong arms and nuzzled affectionately into his neck.

It felt so good.

For both of them.

Greg had never felt closer to Nick. "Thanks." It was really all he could say without sounding like a crybaby.

Nick's response was a brief, soft kiss. "Do you want to wear anything to bed?"

"Do I ever?"

"Then let's get you settled in." Nick spun Greg around and pushed him toward the bed. Once Greg managed to get himself comfortable, which took a few test positions and two pillows crammed strategically around his hips and knees, he was covered with a soft top sheet and light summer weight blanket. Nick leaned into Greg and kissed him a little more intently than he did in the bathroom. "I'm going to clean myself up a little."

Nick was halfway there when he heard Greg huff in frustration. "Shit. I forgot to brush my teeth."

Nick knew how picky Greg was about his teeth. He also knew that they would never get Greg in the same, comfortable position if he got out of bed. He rummaged through the small drawer next to the sink and brought Greg a long piece of dental floss. "Floss while I get cleaned up."

Greg was so unaccustomed to this kind of attention from his long-time love that he seriously considered that this was all just a dream. He took the offered string and started his flossing ritual without moving from the comfort of his propped, cushioned position.

He glanced into the bathroom every once in a while to watch Nick carefully clean himself with a sink full of soapy, warm water and a wash cloth. Greg was especially intrigued by watching his gorgeous boyfriend thoroughly give his manly bits a once over. "You missed a spot." Greg giggled from their bed.

Nick shook his head while he chuckled softly. "When we're both feeling better you'll have to show me how to do it properly." He walked back to his lover with a toothbrush - fully loaded - a Spiderman cup full of water, and an empty, small plastic garbage pail. He handed Greg the tooth brush before he sat on the bed next to him holding the cup and pail. "Brush, rinse, and spit."

Once he was sure Greg had squeaky clean teeth, Nick carded his fingers carefully through Greg's soft hair until his lover was contently sleeping, Nick cleaned up the portable tooth brushing station and went to the kitchen to grab their pain meds and two glasses of water. He was surprised to find a note from Sara on the counter. She must have come in while we were in the bathroom. He picked up the note and smiled while he read it.

Nick and Greg,

I tried to put everything away. If you can't find something give me a call and I'll point you in the right direction. I took liberties and got you a few oranges and a couple of prepared salads. Just give me a call if you need anything. I mean it!

Take care of each other.

Sara

Nick couldn't help smiling. He once again was reminded that he had been an insensitive, ungrateful, unappreciative, complete idiot for putting Greg through so many years of hiding - consistently ignoring the man at the times they needed each other the most. All for the sake of appearances - putting his unfounded fears before the needs of a man who always put Nick first. And so far - no one seemed to give a damn if Nick was a homo - they only seemed to care that he and Greg were happy and cared for. He sighed inwardly before he picked up the pill bottles and water glasses and walked back to their bedroom. Greg was sound asleep and making adorable little growly noises each time he inhaled. Nick took a Percacet and left the bottle on the side table for Greg if - no when - he woke up in pain.

He carefully reclined next to his boyfriend and molded himself around Greg's oddly positioned body so he could touch as much of his man as possible without disturbing his comfort. When he closed his eyes he took a deep breath of Greg's scent and thought about what his world would be like without it. He didn't like the image.

With a series of grateful kisses to the back of Greg's neck and a quietly whispered 'I love you,' Nick soon added his own rumbled snoring to their symphony of slumber.

Greg woke up hours later to the distinct sensation of a jack-hammer drilling its way into his skull. His body throbbed all over with pain - timed to the beating of his heart. He leaned back into Nick's warm body and realized that the only thing behind him was a pillow and air. Of course it was just a dream! Greg chastised himself for being dumb enough to believe his Nick could ever be like Dream-Nick. Impossible.

He opened his eyes slowly, blinking a few times to adjust to the light filtering through the half-open blinds. He expected to see the dingy white ceiling of the bare bedroom in the empty apartment he kept for the sake of appearances, but instead found himself looking at the light taupe shade they had painted the ceiling of the bedroom he shared with Nick.

He slowly and carefully turned his head and saw a glass of water and an open pill bottle sitting on the side table next to the empty side of the bed usually occupied by Nick. There was a bright pink Post It note stuck to the pill bottle that said 'Swallow Me' in Nick's perfect penmanship.

Greg smiled and did just that.

He took his time shuffling to the bathroom and was shocked by what he saw in the mirror. Yikes. He gingerly touched one of the stitched wounds on his head and silently thanked whoever worked on him for not using staples.

After emptying his bladder he made his way toward the chest-of-drawers where he kept his comfortable hanging-out-at-home sweatpants but was distracted halfway there by the sound of Nick's voice floating through the bedroom door. He followed the velvety sound until he was right outside of the kitchen. He realized that Nick was talking on the phone and the conversation he was having stopped Greg in his tracks.

"It's been about seven years." Nick said nervously. There was a long pause before Nick continued. "Well, actually, this is exactly why I never told you."

Greg wondered who Nick was talking to and then he got his answer.

"It's not like that, Mom. I love him." Nick said with clear conviction.

Greg immediately felt his chest clench. He didn't think Nick would follow-through with it. He just figured the high emotions of the latest close call would fade and it would be back to business as usual. Greg was feeling satisfied with his few hours with Dream-Nick - he never expected this.

"Yes. It is." Nick insisted. "No, Mom. You're wrong. It is possible to love a man like this. I want to spend my life with him, Mom. I would like it if I could bring him home - complete my family."

Greg's eyes were welling from both joy and agony. He hated hearing the pain in Nick's voice.

"I understand. " Nick conceded. "No, I really do. Take your time and call me when you're ready. But, Mom, nothing will change on my end. Greg is it for me. He's my forever."

That one almost caused Greg to forget to breathe.

"I love you too, Mom. I'll talk to you soon." Once Nick disconnected the call he leaned against the stove and tilted his head back with his eyes closed to collected himself.

"That was really your Mom?" Greg asked.

The sound of Greg's voice startled him from his thoughts. He looked toward the sound and smiled when he saw his slender boyfriend standing at the kitchen doorway. "Mornin' G."

"You just came out to your mom?" He asked with a hint of awe and a fair amount of disbelief.

"Yeah, G. I came out to my mom." Nick said as if he sincerely felt like it was long overdue. "You do know you're naked, right?"

Greg nodded and looked a little stunned.

Nick thought he looked adorable. He stepped up to his confused lover and carefully pulled him into a loose embrace. He gently ran his hands from shoulder to butt along the familiar landscape of Greg's back before settling gently on his bruised hips. Every inch of Greg's backside was bruised to the point of dark-purple and NIck made sure to keep his touch light and tender. "You feeling okay, Baby."

Greg nodded.

"Are you naked because it hurts to wear clothes or are you naked because you're trying to get lucky?" Nick teased.

"I..." Greg tried to put his thoughts together but, "...you just came out to your mom!"

Nick gently squeezed Greg's hips. "We've already established that, G."

Greg slowly smiled as he realized this wasn't just some weird artifact of a lingering head wound. "Who the hell are you and what did you do with my closet-case of a boyfriend?"

Nick chuckled before he kissed Greg with all the passion of true, grateful, whole-hearted love.

"Okay - you kiss like my boyfriend..." Greg talked with his eyes still closed. "...but you could still be a pod-person or something."

Nick replied with another searing kiss.

Greg finally caught his breath and opened his eyes to get a gauge on how Nick was feeling about his conversation with his mother. "What'd she say?" He asked cautiously.

Nick gave Greg's hips a final squeeze before he let go. "Tell you what - you get dressed and I'll get the table set up for some cereal. I'll fill you in while we eat breakfast."

"Coffee?"

Nick turned Greg around and pushed him toward the bedroom. "Of course, G. I would never forget your coffee."

By the time they were halfway through their first bowls of cereal, Greg couldn't wait any longer. "So what'd you say? The what'd she say? Then what'd you say?" Greg rambled wide-eyed before nervously adding, "And so on."

Nick swallowed his mouthful of All Bran. "I told her I wanted to bring someone home with me this summer for the 4th of July family reunion. Then she kinda squealed. She said she was thrilled that I have finally found love. She said she knew it must be love if I'm bringing you home. I never brought anyone home with me before."

"Ever?" Greg asked.

"Nope." Nick confirmed. "Not since I moved to Vegas."

"So then what..." Greg waved his hands to indicate that Nick should continue.

"I told her that I found love a long time ago. She wanted to know why I never said anything about it before. I told her that's the reason I called her." Nick tired to relay every detail. "Then I told her."

"What did you tell her? How did you break the news? Did you just come out and say 'I'm really, really gay, Mom,' or did you ease into it by describing my winning personality and sparkly white smile without mentioning my rather amazing and substantial penis?"

"I never mentioned your penis, but I did tell her how amazing and substantial you are to me." Nick smiled. "What threw her off was when I mentioned that you're the man of my dreams."

"From what I heard while I wasn't eaves-dropping, she didn't take it so well." Greg prodded.

"She can't understand how I can love man...romantically. She said it wasn't natural and therefore it wasn't possible." Nick tried to mask the pain he felt as he heard his mother's voice in his head. "She said she needed to think about whether or not you'll be welcomed in her home."

"Oh, Nick." Greg felt terrible. "I'm so sorry. It'll be okay - we'll work it out. I just want to spend some holidays with you, it doesn't have to be every holiday."

"You're not getting it, G." Nick's hand covered Greg's on top of the table. "It's not a negotiation. We're a package deal now."

"But..."

"No, G. No buts." Nick insisted. "Besides, I know my mom. She'll come around. I can't say the same for my dad...or most of my siblings...but I know my mom. Eventually, she'll get everyone on the same page. I just need to give her a little time to get her head around it."

"You sound so confident, so why didn't..." Greg thought better of it and stopped himself from asking the question. He didn't want to end the fantasy he was currently experiencing with this new-improved Nick Stokes. "You know what? I'm really proud of you."

"Oh no, Greggo. You're not getting out of it that easy." Nick squeezed Greg's hand. "What were you going to ask."

"Nothing."

"It looked like something to me." Nick argued. "So ask."

Greg hesitated for a long minute before he swallowed hard and asked, "If you're so confident that your mom will come around and pull the rest of the clan kicking and screaming behind her...then why didn't you tell her before?"

Nick brought Greg's hand to his lips and kissed his palm. "I'm sorry."

"Seven years, Nick." Greg said with tears welling in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry." Nick gently pulled Greg from his chair, moving himself to give Greg room to straddle his lap. "Come here."

Greg could only obey. He loved this man so much, despite the years of seemly unnecessary turmoil. He settled himself onto Nick's lap after wincing a little when the angle of his legs pulled on an already strained muscle.

"This okay, Baby?" Nick's concern was genuine.

"Yeah - just a little pull, but it's fine now." Greg reassured his boyfriend. He gently palmed Nick's wrapped torso. "You okay?"

"Not too bad." Nick smiled before pulling Greg into a kiss. "I really am so sorry, Greg."

Greg draped his arms over Nick's shoulders and took a pause to look into shimmering, dark orbs before saying, "You are. I can see it in your eyes."

Nick cocked his head with a hint of a smirk. "You can?"

"MmmHmm" Greg nodded while he kissed the smirk right off his face.

It was the kind of kiss that left them both feeling hopeful, which they both expressed simultaneously between kisses with a breathlessly whispered, "I love you."

TBC