"Love Is Not A Crime"

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Chapter Twenty-One: Breakfast with Catherine

Date: November 13, 2004

Love is passion. Obsession. Someone you can't live without. Someone you fall head over heels for. Find someone you can love like crazy, and will love you the same way back. Listen to your heart. No sense in life without this. To make the journey without falling deeply in love, you haven't lived a life at all. You have to try, because if you haven't tried, then you haven't lived.

-Meet Joe Black

Nick drove along the strip. The radio blasting country music. Tears silently streaming down his face. What was he going to do without his lover for a week? He had grown so accustomed to waking up with Greg next to him. Waking up to coffee brewing and the newspaper divided between the two of them. Breakfast all set on the table, with a glass of orange juice. Although those moments were few and far between, he missed them and loved them all at the same time.

He silently sang along to the Toby Keith song on the radio. He glanced at the time on the dashboard. 1:05. He reached into this pocket and pulled out his cell phone and scrolled for Catherine's number. He pressed the green phone symbolizing send and it was dialing. Ring, Ring, Ring, and finally the blonde answered.

"Catherine, it's me." Nick spoke into the phone.

"Hey, why aren't you sleeping?" she asked groggily. Nick knew he had woken her up. He sighed and took a deep breathe and explained everything. "Meet me at the dinner in twenty minutes." Was all she said before hanging up.

A sigh of relief, Nick pulled the car around and headed towards the dinner.

Twenty-five minutes later, the two were settled in a booth in the back of the dinner. Catherine was wearing a large hoodie and sweatpants. Her designer bag of the week placed on the table between them.

"How are you holding up?" she started the conversation.

"Like crap. I feel so useless. He obviously needs me, but I can not get the time off to be with him. If only I had not gone to my sister's wedding." Nick blamed himself.

"I know it sucks, but like he said, it was something he needed to do alone. I know that hurts because you and he are like inseparable. You know him, he doesn't ask for help when he needs it most. He's independent, and I know you try to be the nice guy and always dependable, which don't get me wrong is an excellent quality and I admire that, but he needs to be by himself for now. And when the time is right, you'll know when to step back in. You know?"

"I know. He has been through so much. He puts up with me and the whole hiding what we are until I'm ready, but I want him to know he's not in this alone. He doesn't need to be alone because I love him and I'm here for him."

"Trust me, he knows. Nicky, Greg knows you better than you think. I knows what you are trying to do, but at the same time, he wants to be independent. He doesn't want to you to burden yourself with his problems."

"That is the thing, though; he's not a burden to me. He never has been. Remember the time with the bus accident, where he 'froze' in the field?" she nodded her remembrance. "He apologized to me a thousand times because he thought that he was a burden because he was stuck with me all night long."

"That's just who he is. His father died. I didn't know he was close to his father, but apparently he was. And we, as his friends, need to give him space right now. I know that is especially hard for you because you are more than a friend. You are his boyfriend and roommate all at the same time. Have you ever gone through something and just need space from everyone?"

"Of course, I have. I remember when I was nine and after that whole thing with the babysitter, I wanted to be alone and away from my family as much as possible, but this is different. I was alone back then, he's not alone though, and it stresses me out that he thinks that."

"Nicky, did you ever think that maybe his dad had a place in his heart that was not touched by you? I mean, I love so many people, hell, I still love Eddie, god rest his soul. Our hearts are so capable of love, that there are people that can't be touched by the love we make. This love I have for you and Greg, can't touch the love I have for Eddie because one, I haven't slept with you, not that I haven't thought about what it would like, but because Eddie meant something to me in a different way than you do."

"So, you're saying that you've always wondered what it would be like to sleep with me?"

"Stay on the subject, Nicky. Greg's love for his dad can't be touched by your love because it's different. Greg needs to be alone right now to sort this all out. He'll be back in a week and everything will be just fine. He needs time."

"Where would be without you?" Nick smiled to his friend.

"Lost completely and forever."

"I love you, Catherine." Nick smiled as he placed his hand in hers. She smiled.

"I love you too, you big ogre. Now how about we order some breakfast, and maybe you can help me with my problem."

Nick smiled. Maybe being without Greg wouldn't be that bad. Bad, but not completely unbearable.

Here is chapter twenty-one. I know it's really short. This was just a chapter to introduce the next chapter, which is all about Greg and his week in Los Angeles. Update to come sooner, hopefully in the next week. Thank you to all the reviewers! Love, Damien455