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MID AFTERNOON:
Nick grudgingly opened his eyes, yawning and groaning. After making his shopping list he'd chosen a book from Greg's shelves that looked fairly interesting and lay down on the couch to read, but he barely managed five pages before he was asleep and the book had dropped to the floor.
Twisting and reaching out to pick up the paperback, he paused, blinking at the nearby recliner where Greg was curled up and lightly snoring, a blanket haphazardly pulled over him.
"What the..."
As quietly as he could, Nick rose and carefully began to rearrange the blanket so that it covered the younger man more fully. He did all he could not to disturb his friend, but Greg wasn't as deeply asleep as he seemed. A moment or two later, Nick found himself staring into half-aware brown eyes. Greg signed a greeting, having learned through painful experience that his voice was at its most fragile when he first woke up.
HEY
"Hey. What're you doin' out here, man?" Nick asked gently, crouching beside the chair in order to drop himself to Greg's level and take any potential intimidation factor out of play.
Greg shrugged, uncurled and stretched. "Too long a story to spell. I get it. One more cup of tea comin' up. You hungry yet?"
NO. TOO SOON.
"Okay. You'll tell me when you're ready, I guess." He conceded, gripping Greg's hand briefly. "I made a grocery list. Just basics like bread and milk..."
Greg's eyes widened and Nick rushed to ease his mind. "Hey, hey... calm down. I'm not gonna go out. I said I wouldn't, didn't I? I figured I'd call Cath an' ask her if she has the time to pick up the stuff for us. Okay?"
OK. SORRY. .
"No. Don't you apologize. I told you I understand. Right now... the whole world feels like it's upside down an' backwards, an' it's gotta be scarin' the hell outta you... but I swear it'll get better. You just gotta give it time."
Greg smiled faintly, nodded and dropped the recliner's footrest down. When Nick returned with the tea, he sat on the floor in front of the chair with his and waited patiently until Greg was ready to speak.
"I tried to rest... but being alone... made me edgy. It felt better... being out here. When I could see you... I could sleep."
"Wow. Okay... we can work with that. I'll take the chair and you take the couch, though. Your neck's been through enough. Can't have you twistin' it into a pretzel every time you need to get some sleep."
"Every night?"
"Naps too. If that's what you need, that's what's gonna happen."
But... you'll be the pretzel."
"Trust me, I can handle it. More tea?"
"Please. Any soup?"
"Yeah, actually. That's one thing you're pretty well stocked up on."
"Mushroom?"
"I saw a couple cans I think. That what you're in the mood for?"
Greg hesitated then nodded, his smile brightening a little.
"One bowl."
"No crackers yet?"
"No. Just soup."
"You got it. It'll just take a few minutes to heat up."
"Not too hot..."
"Doctor's orders, I remember. No boilin' hot or spicy an' no ice cold for two weeks." Nick recited, rising easily to his feet. "I'll be careful."
In about twenty minutes, Nick was back with a tray. He reclaimed a seat on the couch and got back into the book he'd abandoned while Greg sipped his way slowly through his soup and another cup of tea. The Texan made sure to sneak occasional glances at the younger man so he'd know the minute he was done.
"All set?"
"Yeah. I'm stuffed." Greg sighed, collapsing into the comfort of the chair as Nick took the tray.
"Good. So... you think soup'll be a good first step for the next day or two?"
"Very good."
"There's only one more can of mushroom... I'll add it to the list."
As Nick moved toward the kitchen, Greg spoke up with another thought.
"Apple sauce... for breakfast."
"Good idea."
"Juice?"
Nick laughed, set the dishes in the sink and grabbed the list, taking it back to the living room.
"Here. You write what you want, okay?"
Greg's expression suddenly darkened and he looked away.
"No. You do it."
"What is it? What's goin' on?"
"I... I can't write yet."
"Why?"
His face radiating anger and shame, Greg held his hands out palm up. Nick took a deep breath, shocked that he hadn't noticed the ugly bruises before. Dropping to his knees, he took the other man's hands in his own. "Greg... damn, buddy. What'd the doc say?"
"No permanent damage. Maybe tendonitis... in a few years. Maybe not."
"Why didn't you say anything?"
This time there was no response. Hating the nausea it caused, Nick let his mind slip back to the day he had walked in on Steve Cimino strangling Greg. Freezing the memory and focusing on the smaller details instead of the whole picture, he suddenly realized the rapist had been kneeling on Greg's hands so that the young man couldn't fight back. "God... the son of a bitch..." Nick murmured, looking back up and meeting Greg's eyes. "I'm so sorry. If I'd been there..."
The younger man gently touched Nick's cheek with his fingertips then pulled back, his uncertain, almost fearful expression at odds with his words.
"You were. You... saved my life. I'm still here... and he's locked up. That's all that matters. I don't. wanna talk... or think about it... anymore. Please?"
"Yeah. It's a deal."
"Good. Now... can you take dictation?"
"Can you read my handwritin'?"
"I can try."
-
9:30
Greg was already out for the night and Nick was ready to sack out himself when the phone rang. Even though Greg didn't seem to have been disturbed by it, the other man picked it up immediately to avoid a repeat of the noise and took it into the bathroom, closing the door softly.
"Hello?"
"Hi. How's everything going?"
"Pretty good, Cath. He's still shaky... but he'll get there."
"Is he eating?"
"Mushroom soup. And I'm learnin' to like tea."
"Better for you than coffee." She told him, chuckling.
"Man, you can't stop bein' a mom, can you?" He joked back.
"He brings it out in me. You know... he hasn't said anything about his parents."
"Huh. He never talks much about 'em. Every other member of his family, yeah..."
"I'll check his personnel file for emergency contacts and family information."
"Good idea, but call back before you actually do anything, okay? Gimme time to feel him out on the subject first. Oh, an' do you think you'd have time to pick up a few groceries? His fridge was a science fair experiment..."
"Sure. I'll stop by in the morning before I head home."
"Great. I've got a list written up. It's not too long. Not much he can handle yet. I'd go, but..."
"He doesn't want you out of his sight?" she intuited.
"I'm sleepin' in the recliner, he's on the couch." Nick replied with good humor. "I don't mind. Whatever he needs to feel okay... I'm ready, willin' an able."
"And you accuse me of playing substitute parent?" she teased.
"Yeah, yeah... "
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TBC...