(I). Greg and Jack (Daniels)

It had been one month, one month to the date he got promoted to a CSI, one month since he slept with Nick. They were cordial at work, but Greg assumed Nick had already replaced him as best friend because Warrick now had the title of best man. No one questioned as to why the sudden change but their behavior said it all. Grissom even picked up on it pairing them together less and less which he was thankful for. He supposed if they wouldn't even speak to each other there was a minimal chance of solving the case efficiently. Sometimes he wished like hell he could take that night back, he could live with not knowing how Nick felt inside him, but he could not live without Nick's friendship. His best friend had become the bottle and he drank alone in the comfort of his home most every night. He was a good actor though and he hid his hangovers well, which was a feat in itself because CSIs were supposed to notice everything. He was really surprised Sara hadn't picked up on it, or if she did she wasn't saying anything yet. He had taken to carrying a small bottle of Jack to pour in his coffee while at work. He would surely be fired if he got caught, but at that point he really didn't give a damn. Lori had taken to coming into visit Nick more often and Greg wanted to gag every time he saw them.

"Who are you trying to fool Greg?" Sara asked as she sat down next to him.

"Don't know what you are talking about." He said as he took a large gulp of his coffee wincing as it traveled down his throat.

"From one alcoholic to another Greg."

"I'm not an alcoholic Sara."

"I wasn't either." She said in all seriousness. "I know that's just not cream in that coffee."

"I'm fine Sara, just need a little buzz."

"So you put liquor in your coffee while on the clock? I thought you were smarted than that Greg."

"I am, but you have hit a rough patch."

"Don't do this Greg please or I will be forced to go to Grissom."

"You wouldn't."

"I would if I had to Greg, but I don't want to."

"Just don't worry about me Sara."

"How can I not Greg? You are the closest thing to brother I have, so of course I am worried."

"Don't worry about me, I am fine." He said standing up with a slight sway. "Really I am." Sara closed her eyes as she watched him walk away; he wasn't fine no matter what he told her.

Greg was restless having finished all the beer he had in his house, now all he wanted to do was dance. He way too drunk to get to a club on his own and he knew Sara wouldn't tolerate him and probably drag him straight to an alcoholic's anonymous meeting so she was out. He'd have to call one of his friends outside of work; he really hadn't spent a lot of time with them since he got promoted anyway.

"Adam hey it's Greg, you going out tonight? Sweet yeah can you pick me up? Great see you in ten bye." This was just what he needed, he needed to live again he hadn't been out since that night and since he had the night off he was going to enjoy himself. He hadn't seen Adam in awhile, but when they got together it was party central and boy was he looking forward to it. He heard his phone ring but he didn't want to answer, he had a hunch on who it would it be.

"Hey you know what to do…"

"Greg its Sara please pick up Greg…fine call me back I guess." Greg would most certainly not be calling her back anytime soon; he had a date with party time.

"Greg you know I was surprised when you called."

"Yeah, I've been busy with the new promotion and all, but I needed some time for me." Greg said as he took a drink of his third jack and coke since getting to the bar.

"Dude why don't you slow down a bit on the drinks."

"Oh come on Adam live a little." Greg knew he was way gone, but he did not care drinking gave him comfort.

"Greg man, you've had too much."

"Now, I am feeling good and ready to dance." He swallowed the rest of his drink down in one gulp and pushed himself away from the bar and to the dance floor. He knew he was hot and he was hoping for a little action, he didn't need Nick Stokes that was for sure.

"Greg?" Greg looked up at the familiar voice and his smile grew wide.

"Bernard!" he exclaimed throwing himself at his ex boyfriend. "Wow, you look so hot."

"And so you do Greg, you were always hot."

"Don't I know it." Greg giggled, boy was he lit he was giggling like a school girl.

"So are you seeing anybody?"

"Nope, I am single."

"A guy as hot as you single?"

"Yep, what you looking to hook up Bernard?"

"Greg you don't even have to ask." Bernard said as he pulled Greg to him pushing their lips together. Greg remembered why he had liked Bernard so much; he was a damn good kisser. "Let's take this somewhere more private."

"Ok." Greg gasped breathily, sleeping with his ex may have not been the brightest idea but it was what he needed to forget.

Greg blinked his eyes blearily and rolled over smack into a warm body. Oh dear God please don't let it be Nick. The body moved and Greg caught a glimpse of his bed partner. Bernard. Bernard Shaw was his first serious relationship since Riley, well his first relationship while he was distracting himself from Nick. He felt like an asshole now because here he was using Bernard as a distraction again.

"Who's Nick?" the voice startled him and he noticed Bernard's eyes were wide open.

"What?"

"Who is Nick?"

"Uh, why?"

"Because it was his name you cried out last night." Greg paled and cursed his stupid mouth.

"He's…"

"He's the reason we broke up in the first place isn't it?"

"Bernard I..."

"No it's ok, I understand."

"No it's just…Nick is someone I work with we've only slept together once and that was because we were both trashed…"

"Greg he must mean something to you if you thought of him while we were fucking."

"No he doesn't mean anything…" Why was he even lying to himself?

"Greg you always were a horrible liar."

"I fell for him long ago." Greg sighed. " I couldn't help it, if you saw him you'd understand and I can't get him out of my head, but we do not even speak to each other anymore."

"You're only setting yourself up to get hurt Greg."

"Don't I know that, I am so fucked up I can't even make myself get over him."

"You're chasing a dream." Bernard said softly as he reached out to touch Greg's Cheek. "Chase something that is real." Greg closed his eyes, but all he could see was Nick and the tears fell to his cheeks.

"I can't."

(II). Nick and Lori

Nick knew the only way to get things (Greg) off his mind was to throw himself into the wedding, become so immersed that it was all he thought about.

"Lori, how about November?"

"November for what baby?"

"The wedding."

"You mean you finally want to pick a date?"

"Yep." He smiled.

"Oh I think it's perfect." She gushed coming over to wrap her arms around him. "Why November?"

"I dunno." He shrugged. "It'll give us some more time and I like November."

"Me too." She smiled snuggling into him. "So wedding party?"

"Well uh Warrick is the best man and my brother Todd and Kevin are the groomsmen and my oldest sister's youngest Alec is the ring bearer."

"Warrick? I thought Greg was."

"Oh I didn't tell you? Greg is uh going out town that weekend family business."

"Oh, well I always liked Warrick better anyway." Nick frowned at her. "Oh honey I didn't mean anything by it." She laughed.

"Ok, who are yours?"

"Well Catherine and Lindsey are bride's maids and my sister Casey is the made of honor and her little girl Nancy is the flower girl."

"Well it looks like it is coming together then."

"Oh Nick don't be silly we have so much more to do the flowers, the invitations, the reception, my dress, the girl's dresses, tuxes, the cake…"

"Ok, ok I get it don't say anymore."

"Oh it will all be fine Nick, you'll see." She said as she kissed him. "Now let's forget about the wedding for awhile."

"Ok." He breathed out as her lips met his.

Nick had become a master at avoidance; he and Greg managed to get out of working with each other since the night "it" happened. Sometimes though he found himself thinking about Greg, but then his mind would drift off to the way Greg had felt under him and the feel of his kiss and he didn't want that because Greg wasn't what he wanted. He still got the feeling that Greg and Sara were in some sort o relationship and it bothered him more than it should have. He had noticed things though, the way Greg's behavior had radically changed and the conversation he overheard wouldn't stop plaguing his mind. He hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but he was craving coffee and stopped short when her heard the familiar voices.

"From one alcoholic to another Greg."

"I am not an alcoholic Sara."

"I wasn't either; I know that is not cream in your coffee."

"I'm fine Sara, just need a little buzz."

"So you put liquor in your coffee while on the clock, I thought you were smarter than that Greg."

"I am, but I've hit a rough patch." Nick didn't want to hear anymore and he backed away from the break room. He did not want to believe Greg was drowning himself in alcohol because of hom.

"Nick?"

"Uh yeah Rick?"

"We got a case you coming?"

"Yeah." He said as he watched Greg stumble as he stood up. "Let's go."

Nick couldn't that image out of Greg out of his head and he paid more attention when he could without Greg noticing. He was slowly destroying himself over this and Nick felt responsible.

"There you are I was about to call you, we're late."

"Late? Late for what?"

"The meeting with the minister Nick."

"That was today?"

"Yes now come on." She grabbed his hand and yanked him out the door. Nick didn't even want to think about the meeting or the wedding because despite efforts not to dwell on Greg he couldn't stop thinking about him.

The church was beautiful in its own right big and glorious and not directly on the strip which was a good thing.

"Nick?"

"Huh what?"

"I thought Warrick was your best man?"
"He is."

"Then why did you write down Greg's name?" she said as she slid the piece of paper toward him.

"Oh, I don't know why. I'll fix it." He said as he scribbled out the name he hadn't realized he wrote down.

"Nick is there something you are not telling me?"

"No." He wondered he should be lying in church.

"I don't believe you in fact I don't think Greg has other plans because we just now picked the date and you already had changed to Warrick."

"Well we had a falling out and I just…we just aren't that close anymore."

"Oh Nicky." She soothed. "I'm sorry, you know I wasn't joking the other day when I said I liked Warrick better, I never liked Greg."

"Lori…"

"Don't defend Nick. You said yourself you're not friends anymore I think it's better for you." Nick didn't want to believe her, but maybe she was right. It was better when Greg wasn't around he wouldn't remember the feel of Greg's skin against his.

Later that night as he and Lori kissed he told himself as he did all the time now that this was what he needed what he wanted, the way Lori felt beneath was right. He liked her small slender figure and not the feel of Greg's abs or how soft his hair really was when he touched it.

"God Nicky you're an animal tonight." Lori moaned out, but as he came to kiss her again one thing was made clear in his mind, it was his thoughts of Greg that were making him hard. It was not sweet beautiful Lori who was currently moaning him name. As he pushed into her one last time he had to bite his lip as he came because he was sure it would be Greg's name he would be screaming out.