XXI - FRIENDS AND LOVERS
As Grissom and Catherine exited the building to go grab a bite to eat, they passed Greg's friend Ray, and another young man with a Mohawk.
"Hey Mr. Grissom, Ms. Willows." Ray greeted
"Good evening Ray." Grissom politely acknowledged the young man. "You looking for Greg?"
"Yeah. He called Dave earlier, and asked if he would swing. He's the bass player for Let's Get Grumpy. I thought I would come along."
Catherine smiled at the young man. He grinned back. "Well, Greg is in the lab with Warrick. Make sure you get a visitors pass before you head down there."
The two young men said their goodbyes, and Grissom turned to Catherine. "I think I'm starting to get used to today's odd hairstyles - I didn't even blink at the Mohawk." They continued walking towards the Tahoe, and Grissom smiled when he felt Catherine's hand slip into his.
"I really am sorry Gil."
Grissom smiled and squeezed her hand back. "I am too. Shall we grab some Chinese?"
* * * * *
Nick and Warrick looked up from the fingerprints they were running Ray and Dave walked into the lab.
"Hey man, what's up?" Dave asked, looking around the lab in awe. "Cool man. Look at all this stuff."
"Dave! Thanks for coming. Hi, Ray." Greg walked over to his friends, and quickly introduced Warrick. "I was wondering if I could ask you some questions." Greg smiled at his friend, before looking at Ray. "But, I need to talk to you in private - so Ray, do you mind?"
Ray grinned and shrugged. "No, man. Go ahead. Y'already talked to me yesterday. But I'm Dave's ride, so where do you want me to wait?"
* * * * *
Ray was sitting in the break room, drinking coffee and chatting with Nick and Sara, as Greg and Warrick followed Dave into interview room one.
"So, what's up, man. What do you need?"
Greg looked at Dave and smiled. "I need to ask you some questions about someone, but it has to be totally on the QT. You can't tell anyone we were talking, okay?"
Dave shuddered dramatically. "Ooh. Sounds serious. Is it about the murders?"
Warrick nodded. "We can't go into any detail, but yeah. Not necessarily about the murderer though."
Dave sighed. "Okay, I get it. Just answer questions, but don't ask any." He looked at Greg. "Shoot."
"What can you tell me about Oscar Fennil?"
"Oscar? He's a dink. You know that."
"Yeah. I remember what he was like when he played with you guys. But I need to know, what was he like outside of the band? You know what I mean? Who does he hang with - did he ever do weird things when he was in your band? What are his interests?"
Dave shrugged. "He hangs with the other guys in Killjoy. He and Edd seem pretty tight. He's really conceited - you remember that. Thinks he's the best drummer in the world." Dave grinned. "He's not a big fan of yours, because he knows you're better. He's a smart guy, though. Almost as smart as you. Remember the crazy ideas he used to come up with when we would talk about offing your boss?"
Warrick looked at Greg, startled. Greg smiled at him weakly. "It was nothing. Just, sometimes - when Grissom would piss me off, Dave and I would try to think off the perfect way to get him. I meant nothing by it."
Warrick grinned. "Let's hope Grissom never learns about it - you'll be back doing just lab work so fast your head will spin."
Greg sighed and nodded, before turning to Dave again. "I don't really remember Oscar participating in any of those conversations."
"Sure you do - he'd ask you questions about DNA tracing and stuff like that, and then say things like 'Wear a full length raincoat so he can't scratch you!' - stuff like that."
Greg was thoughtful, nodding. "Yeah. Actually, I do remember that. And he started reading all those true crime novels, and suggesting ways to improve on the murders in them. It was creepy."
"One of the reasons we kicked him out. He was crazy. He almost killed a guy at one of our shows once, remember? We had asked you to come up and drum on a couple of songs with us, which he wasn't happy about, and then when you left and Oscar came back the guy started hollering to bring back the better drummer. I thought he was going to ram his drumsticks through the guys' eye socket."
Greg grinned. "Right. He was pissed off at that guy and at me."
Warrick was looking thoughtful. "Do you know if he has any experience with guns?"
Dave looked at him, nodding. "He works at a shooting range during the day - Ridge Rifle Range."
Warrick and Greg smiled at each other, and Greg turned to Dave. "I never knew that. Is there anything else you can think off?"
Dave shrugged. "He was upset when they couldn't compete in the Battle of the Bands. That's about it though." He looked at Greg thoughtfully, before adding, "They were talking about putting together a private CD - they were trying to negotiate a deal with Murdoch - you know, session work for him for free studio time. Murdoch wasn't buying it."
* * * * *
"Did you mean what you said, back in the lounge." Catherine asked Grissom, between bites of lemon chicken.
"What? About me being an asshole?" Grissom responded softly, "or about me loving you?"
"Both."
Grissom smiled. "Yeah, I meant it. I'm just surprised. I'm sorry about what I asked you - I didn't mean it to come out like it did. I was just - I don't understand why you would want me, of all people. We're nothing alike, and you - Catherine. You're so beautiful. You could have any one you wanted."
"I've come to realize that you're the one I want, Gil." Catherine's voice was soft, her smile tremulous. "I was just worried that once you had time to think about it, you would retreat and I would end up hurt, and so I reacted badly to your questions. This - us - it's a big step. And I don't want to lose you."
"Do you think we could muddle through it together?" Grissom's voice was gentle. "I don't want to lose you, either. Especially now that I know what I've been missing." He flushed as Catherine shot him an amused look. "I didn't mean *that*. I meant -"
Catherine laughed softly. "I know what you meant, Gil. So, are we still friends?"
Grissom nodded. "Always friends."
Catherine smiled at him. "Friends and lovers."
* * * * *
Greg and Warrick were back in the break room, chatting with Sara and Nick. "Do you think we would be able to get a warrant of some kind for the shooting range? Our murder weapon could be there."
Sara bit her lip, contemplating. "I don't know if we have enough evidence to actually get a warrant issued. All we have are fingerprints on a letter we cannot link to him through writing analysis, and the fact he works at a shooting range."
"Can't we use his participation in conversations regarding committing a crime, avoiding DNA tracing etc. - can't we use that against him?" Nick asked.
"Not unless you're going to use it against me too." Greg interjected. "Just because someone talks about committing a crime doesn't mean they're going too." He sighed. "I wish I'd never even talked about it."
Warrick grinned at him. "Just remind me never to piss you off, Greg. I'd hate to think of the many ways you could come up with killing me!"
"Why would Greg want to kill you, Warrick?" Grissom's voice made everyone jump. He walked into the lounge smiling, following Catherine. Nick grinned when he saw Grissom's hand at the small of Catherine's back.
"Hey Grissom, Greg and Warrick have some interesting news."
Grissom cocked an eyebrow, sliding into an empty seat at the table. "Oh? Do tell."
Greg and Warrick quickly filled Grissom in on their conversation with Dave, Greg haltingly admitting that they had had a conversation once about the best way to get rid of an annoying boss, and Oscar's questions about DNA. Grissom smiled at Greg's obvious discomfort, but didn't say anything until the two men had finished.
He looked at Greg thoughtfully. "So, interested in hiding DNA and works at a shooting range. Fingerprints linking him to the letter. Anger at not being allowed to compete. Maybe we can get a warrant - Brass is really pushing to get this solved so I'll ask him to pull some favors for us." He smiled at Greg. "After we close this case, maybe you and I should get together and talk. I'm always interested in studying how the criminal mind works - and I might get some good ideas from you in case Mobley gets to be too much around here."
It took a few seconds for everyone to realize Grissom was teasing Greg. It was so unexpected, they sat at the table silently for a few moments, gaping at each other in shock. Grissom was the first to start laughing.
* * * * *
"I can't believe Grissom didn't freak out about the whole 'kill your boss' thing." Greg was still expressing his surprise a couple hours later, as he and Nick parked at the mall. "I felt like taking his temperature and asking him who he was and what he had done with the real Grissom!"
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "And not only that, he still offered to take us all out to dinner before shift starts this evening to celebrate your promotion. He's definitely mellowing."
The two younger CSIs had left work less than 20 minutes ago, Nick living up to his promise to take Greg to buy a field kit. He was surprised that he had even offered - less than three months ago, he probably wouldn't have. But Sara seemed to enjoy spending time with Greg, and as Nick had gotten to know him better he realized that he really liked the young lab tech.
"I thought we would hit McCurdy Hunting first. That's were I got my big field kit - it's actually a heavy duty tackle box, but you can move around the compartments and adjust the size. Most of the items you'll need to fill it with you can get back at the lab - swabs, containers, baggies - that sort of thing. But you will need to pick up scissors, tweezers - I'll make you a list."
"I really appreciate you're doing this, Nick. I'm still sort of blown away by everything, and I wouldn't know where to start."
Nick grinned. "No problem. I needed to come to the mall anyway - I want to get Sara a present, and I didn't want her around when I bought it."
"A present? Like what - a ring or something?"
Nick's loud snort of laughter made Greg jump. "No - we haven't even been seeing each other for two weeks yet. If I did something like that, Sara would think I was crazy!"
"But you want to, right? Buy her a ring, I mean." Greg's statement was serious. He looked at Nick and grinned when he squirmed.
Nick sighed. "Maybe, eventually. For me, this is the real deal. But Sara - she's different. She never really had much of a family. She has no brothers or sisters. She never had pets. I think I have to take things slowly with her, let her get used to the idea of living together before I spring anything like marriage and kids on her."
Greg rolled his eyes. "Well, since it took two years for you to get up the nerve to tell her how you felt, I suppose that means I can expect a wedding invitation in another couple of years or so. Or do you plan on taking things more slowly this time?" His tone was teasing, and he grinned when Nick blushed.
"You are so - annoying sometimes." Nick grumbled, but he was smiling. "Did I tell you she agreed to move in with me? We're going to start moving her stuff on Saturday."
"Well, that's a good start." They walked into McCurdy's, and started inspecting the tackle boxes. "So, I can just imagine what a kid of yours would be like - obsessed with bones and football. Hopefully, they'd have Sara's brains."
Nick punched Greg in the shoulder. "Don't be saying stuff like that to Sara. You'll freak her out."
Greg just grinned. "And normally, it's the guy that gets all nervous when you start talking marriage and children. That's a real traditional relationship you've got going there, Nick." Greg paused and picked up a good sized tackle box in a thick translucent apple green. "I think I like this one."
Nick looked at it dubiously. "Wouldn't you rather go with the standard black? Like everyone else has?"
"No way, Nick. Why be like everyone else, when you can be different?" Laughing, he took the box to the cashier and quickly paid for it. "I think I'll get Dave to paint some eyeballs on it for me - he's very artistic. So, where to next, Nick?"
* * * * *
The two men sat in the food court, Greg eating an A&W Breakfast of eggs and hash browns. He stared in disgust as Nick liberally doctored his breakfast with several packets of cayenne pepper.
"I can't believe you're gonna eat those."
"What?" Nick looked down at the big plate of French fries in front of him. They were smothered in extra hot chili with generous dollops of sour cream and cheese right in the middle. "Texas Fries - they're awesome."
"They'll kill you."
Nick just laughed. "I was raised on these things." He ate half of his plate before he looked at Greg again. Greg was just finishing his breakfast as well.
"So Greg. I have to ask. I've known you for 2 years now, and I realized the other day I don't know anything about you. Tell me something about yourself."
"Not much to tell, Nick. What you see is what you get." Greg shrugged.
"No - c'mon. You know about me - I've told you about my family, stuff like that. But I didn't even know you were a musician until like - two days ago? Three days ago? Does your family live in Las Vegas?"
Greg shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I never knew my family." He tried not to look at Nick as he dropped this bomb shell.
"What?"
"I grew up in foster homes. I was taken away from my mother when I was two because she was a drug addict. She died when I was nine of an overdose, and I just stayed in the system. I went to court and became legally emancipated from my last set of foster parents and from the foster system when I was 16. I convinced the court to declare me a legal adult."
Nick looked at Greg in shock. "You've been on your own since you were sixteen? What about your dad - or your grandparents?"
Greg shrugged again. "What about them? I have no idea who my dad is - there's no name on the birth certificate. And my mother was a runaway - turned to drugs and hooking to stay alive. I have no idea where she was from."
Nick sighed. "Geez, Greg. That's rough."
"Now you see why I don't talk about it much." He looked at Nick and smiled. "Listen, Nick. Don't look so upset. I'm doing okay, and I feel like you guys - you and Sara, Warrick, Catherine - even Grissom - I sort of consider you like my family."
Nick looked at Greg and smiled shakily. "I'm really sorry Greg." Nick was looking at the younger man intently, a million thoughts running through his head. The foremost emotion he felt was one of great respect - he realized that Greg, despite his slight frame, was emotionally very strong. He would have to be to have come out of the foster system relatively unscathed and so successful - especially considering he'd been on his own for so long. Nick couldn't imagine what it would be like to grow up with no family - no brothers, no sisters. He didn't know if he himself would have been able to do it.
"So, if you think of us as a surrogate family, does this mean I finally get to be someone's big brother?" Nick's tone was teasing, and he smiled when Greg smiled back.
"I always wanted a brother. I just never imagined he'd have a Texas accent." He loaded up his tray. "If you're finished eating that slop, let's finish shopping. I have to get home and catch some sleep before we have to go back to work."
______
Author's note: Okay - this was a really long chapter. Please R&R I'm really enjoying the vibe I'm getting from Nick and Greg. And for all you Nick and Sara worshippers out there - don't worry - there's more coming up. And of course - on with the case.
As Grissom and Catherine exited the building to go grab a bite to eat, they passed Greg's friend Ray, and another young man with a Mohawk.
"Hey Mr. Grissom, Ms. Willows." Ray greeted
"Good evening Ray." Grissom politely acknowledged the young man. "You looking for Greg?"
"Yeah. He called Dave earlier, and asked if he would swing. He's the bass player for Let's Get Grumpy. I thought I would come along."
Catherine smiled at the young man. He grinned back. "Well, Greg is in the lab with Warrick. Make sure you get a visitors pass before you head down there."
The two young men said their goodbyes, and Grissom turned to Catherine. "I think I'm starting to get used to today's odd hairstyles - I didn't even blink at the Mohawk." They continued walking towards the Tahoe, and Grissom smiled when he felt Catherine's hand slip into his.
"I really am sorry Gil."
Grissom smiled and squeezed her hand back. "I am too. Shall we grab some Chinese?"
* * * * *
Nick and Warrick looked up from the fingerprints they were running Ray and Dave walked into the lab.
"Hey man, what's up?" Dave asked, looking around the lab in awe. "Cool man. Look at all this stuff."
"Dave! Thanks for coming. Hi, Ray." Greg walked over to his friends, and quickly introduced Warrick. "I was wondering if I could ask you some questions." Greg smiled at his friend, before looking at Ray. "But, I need to talk to you in private - so Ray, do you mind?"
Ray grinned and shrugged. "No, man. Go ahead. Y'already talked to me yesterday. But I'm Dave's ride, so where do you want me to wait?"
* * * * *
Ray was sitting in the break room, drinking coffee and chatting with Nick and Sara, as Greg and Warrick followed Dave into interview room one.
"So, what's up, man. What do you need?"
Greg looked at Dave and smiled. "I need to ask you some questions about someone, but it has to be totally on the QT. You can't tell anyone we were talking, okay?"
Dave shuddered dramatically. "Ooh. Sounds serious. Is it about the murders?"
Warrick nodded. "We can't go into any detail, but yeah. Not necessarily about the murderer though."
Dave sighed. "Okay, I get it. Just answer questions, but don't ask any." He looked at Greg. "Shoot."
"What can you tell me about Oscar Fennil?"
"Oscar? He's a dink. You know that."
"Yeah. I remember what he was like when he played with you guys. But I need to know, what was he like outside of the band? You know what I mean? Who does he hang with - did he ever do weird things when he was in your band? What are his interests?"
Dave shrugged. "He hangs with the other guys in Killjoy. He and Edd seem pretty tight. He's really conceited - you remember that. Thinks he's the best drummer in the world." Dave grinned. "He's not a big fan of yours, because he knows you're better. He's a smart guy, though. Almost as smart as you. Remember the crazy ideas he used to come up with when we would talk about offing your boss?"
Warrick looked at Greg, startled. Greg smiled at him weakly. "It was nothing. Just, sometimes - when Grissom would piss me off, Dave and I would try to think off the perfect way to get him. I meant nothing by it."
Warrick grinned. "Let's hope Grissom never learns about it - you'll be back doing just lab work so fast your head will spin."
Greg sighed and nodded, before turning to Dave again. "I don't really remember Oscar participating in any of those conversations."
"Sure you do - he'd ask you questions about DNA tracing and stuff like that, and then say things like 'Wear a full length raincoat so he can't scratch you!' - stuff like that."
Greg was thoughtful, nodding. "Yeah. Actually, I do remember that. And he started reading all those true crime novels, and suggesting ways to improve on the murders in them. It was creepy."
"One of the reasons we kicked him out. He was crazy. He almost killed a guy at one of our shows once, remember? We had asked you to come up and drum on a couple of songs with us, which he wasn't happy about, and then when you left and Oscar came back the guy started hollering to bring back the better drummer. I thought he was going to ram his drumsticks through the guys' eye socket."
Greg grinned. "Right. He was pissed off at that guy and at me."
Warrick was looking thoughtful. "Do you know if he has any experience with guns?"
Dave looked at him, nodding. "He works at a shooting range during the day - Ridge Rifle Range."
Warrick and Greg smiled at each other, and Greg turned to Dave. "I never knew that. Is there anything else you can think off?"
Dave shrugged. "He was upset when they couldn't compete in the Battle of the Bands. That's about it though." He looked at Greg thoughtfully, before adding, "They were talking about putting together a private CD - they were trying to negotiate a deal with Murdoch - you know, session work for him for free studio time. Murdoch wasn't buying it."
* * * * *
"Did you mean what you said, back in the lounge." Catherine asked Grissom, between bites of lemon chicken.
"What? About me being an asshole?" Grissom responded softly, "or about me loving you?"
"Both."
Grissom smiled. "Yeah, I meant it. I'm just surprised. I'm sorry about what I asked you - I didn't mean it to come out like it did. I was just - I don't understand why you would want me, of all people. We're nothing alike, and you - Catherine. You're so beautiful. You could have any one you wanted."
"I've come to realize that you're the one I want, Gil." Catherine's voice was soft, her smile tremulous. "I was just worried that once you had time to think about it, you would retreat and I would end up hurt, and so I reacted badly to your questions. This - us - it's a big step. And I don't want to lose you."
"Do you think we could muddle through it together?" Grissom's voice was gentle. "I don't want to lose you, either. Especially now that I know what I've been missing." He flushed as Catherine shot him an amused look. "I didn't mean *that*. I meant -"
Catherine laughed softly. "I know what you meant, Gil. So, are we still friends?"
Grissom nodded. "Always friends."
Catherine smiled at him. "Friends and lovers."
* * * * *
Greg and Warrick were back in the break room, chatting with Sara and Nick. "Do you think we would be able to get a warrant of some kind for the shooting range? Our murder weapon could be there."
Sara bit her lip, contemplating. "I don't know if we have enough evidence to actually get a warrant issued. All we have are fingerprints on a letter we cannot link to him through writing analysis, and the fact he works at a shooting range."
"Can't we use his participation in conversations regarding committing a crime, avoiding DNA tracing etc. - can't we use that against him?" Nick asked.
"Not unless you're going to use it against me too." Greg interjected. "Just because someone talks about committing a crime doesn't mean they're going too." He sighed. "I wish I'd never even talked about it."
Warrick grinned at him. "Just remind me never to piss you off, Greg. I'd hate to think of the many ways you could come up with killing me!"
"Why would Greg want to kill you, Warrick?" Grissom's voice made everyone jump. He walked into the lounge smiling, following Catherine. Nick grinned when he saw Grissom's hand at the small of Catherine's back.
"Hey Grissom, Greg and Warrick have some interesting news."
Grissom cocked an eyebrow, sliding into an empty seat at the table. "Oh? Do tell."
Greg and Warrick quickly filled Grissom in on their conversation with Dave, Greg haltingly admitting that they had had a conversation once about the best way to get rid of an annoying boss, and Oscar's questions about DNA. Grissom smiled at Greg's obvious discomfort, but didn't say anything until the two men had finished.
He looked at Greg thoughtfully. "So, interested in hiding DNA and works at a shooting range. Fingerprints linking him to the letter. Anger at not being allowed to compete. Maybe we can get a warrant - Brass is really pushing to get this solved so I'll ask him to pull some favors for us." He smiled at Greg. "After we close this case, maybe you and I should get together and talk. I'm always interested in studying how the criminal mind works - and I might get some good ideas from you in case Mobley gets to be too much around here."
It took a few seconds for everyone to realize Grissom was teasing Greg. It was so unexpected, they sat at the table silently for a few moments, gaping at each other in shock. Grissom was the first to start laughing.
* * * * *
"I can't believe Grissom didn't freak out about the whole 'kill your boss' thing." Greg was still expressing his surprise a couple hours later, as he and Nick parked at the mall. "I felt like taking his temperature and asking him who he was and what he had done with the real Grissom!"
Nick laughed, shaking his head. "And not only that, he still offered to take us all out to dinner before shift starts this evening to celebrate your promotion. He's definitely mellowing."
The two younger CSIs had left work less than 20 minutes ago, Nick living up to his promise to take Greg to buy a field kit. He was surprised that he had even offered - less than three months ago, he probably wouldn't have. But Sara seemed to enjoy spending time with Greg, and as Nick had gotten to know him better he realized that he really liked the young lab tech.
"I thought we would hit McCurdy Hunting first. That's were I got my big field kit - it's actually a heavy duty tackle box, but you can move around the compartments and adjust the size. Most of the items you'll need to fill it with you can get back at the lab - swabs, containers, baggies - that sort of thing. But you will need to pick up scissors, tweezers - I'll make you a list."
"I really appreciate you're doing this, Nick. I'm still sort of blown away by everything, and I wouldn't know where to start."
Nick grinned. "No problem. I needed to come to the mall anyway - I want to get Sara a present, and I didn't want her around when I bought it."
"A present? Like what - a ring or something?"
Nick's loud snort of laughter made Greg jump. "No - we haven't even been seeing each other for two weeks yet. If I did something like that, Sara would think I was crazy!"
"But you want to, right? Buy her a ring, I mean." Greg's statement was serious. He looked at Nick and grinned when he squirmed.
Nick sighed. "Maybe, eventually. For me, this is the real deal. But Sara - she's different. She never really had much of a family. She has no brothers or sisters. She never had pets. I think I have to take things slowly with her, let her get used to the idea of living together before I spring anything like marriage and kids on her."
Greg rolled his eyes. "Well, since it took two years for you to get up the nerve to tell her how you felt, I suppose that means I can expect a wedding invitation in another couple of years or so. Or do you plan on taking things more slowly this time?" His tone was teasing, and he grinned when Nick blushed.
"You are so - annoying sometimes." Nick grumbled, but he was smiling. "Did I tell you she agreed to move in with me? We're going to start moving her stuff on Saturday."
"Well, that's a good start." They walked into McCurdy's, and started inspecting the tackle boxes. "So, I can just imagine what a kid of yours would be like - obsessed with bones and football. Hopefully, they'd have Sara's brains."
Nick punched Greg in the shoulder. "Don't be saying stuff like that to Sara. You'll freak her out."
Greg just grinned. "And normally, it's the guy that gets all nervous when you start talking marriage and children. That's a real traditional relationship you've got going there, Nick." Greg paused and picked up a good sized tackle box in a thick translucent apple green. "I think I like this one."
Nick looked at it dubiously. "Wouldn't you rather go with the standard black? Like everyone else has?"
"No way, Nick. Why be like everyone else, when you can be different?" Laughing, he took the box to the cashier and quickly paid for it. "I think I'll get Dave to paint some eyeballs on it for me - he's very artistic. So, where to next, Nick?"
* * * * *
The two men sat in the food court, Greg eating an A&W Breakfast of eggs and hash browns. He stared in disgust as Nick liberally doctored his breakfast with several packets of cayenne pepper.
"I can't believe you're gonna eat those."
"What?" Nick looked down at the big plate of French fries in front of him. They were smothered in extra hot chili with generous dollops of sour cream and cheese right in the middle. "Texas Fries - they're awesome."
"They'll kill you."
Nick just laughed. "I was raised on these things." He ate half of his plate before he looked at Greg again. Greg was just finishing his breakfast as well.
"So Greg. I have to ask. I've known you for 2 years now, and I realized the other day I don't know anything about you. Tell me something about yourself."
"Not much to tell, Nick. What you see is what you get." Greg shrugged.
"No - c'mon. You know about me - I've told you about my family, stuff like that. But I didn't even know you were a musician until like - two days ago? Three days ago? Does your family live in Las Vegas?"
Greg shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I never knew my family." He tried not to look at Nick as he dropped this bomb shell.
"What?"
"I grew up in foster homes. I was taken away from my mother when I was two because she was a drug addict. She died when I was nine of an overdose, and I just stayed in the system. I went to court and became legally emancipated from my last set of foster parents and from the foster system when I was 16. I convinced the court to declare me a legal adult."
Nick looked at Greg in shock. "You've been on your own since you were sixteen? What about your dad - or your grandparents?"
Greg shrugged again. "What about them? I have no idea who my dad is - there's no name on the birth certificate. And my mother was a runaway - turned to drugs and hooking to stay alive. I have no idea where she was from."
Nick sighed. "Geez, Greg. That's rough."
"Now you see why I don't talk about it much." He looked at Nick and smiled. "Listen, Nick. Don't look so upset. I'm doing okay, and I feel like you guys - you and Sara, Warrick, Catherine - even Grissom - I sort of consider you like my family."
Nick looked at Greg and smiled shakily. "I'm really sorry Greg." Nick was looking at the younger man intently, a million thoughts running through his head. The foremost emotion he felt was one of great respect - he realized that Greg, despite his slight frame, was emotionally very strong. He would have to be to have come out of the foster system relatively unscathed and so successful - especially considering he'd been on his own for so long. Nick couldn't imagine what it would be like to grow up with no family - no brothers, no sisters. He didn't know if he himself would have been able to do it.
"So, if you think of us as a surrogate family, does this mean I finally get to be someone's big brother?" Nick's tone was teasing, and he smiled when Greg smiled back.
"I always wanted a brother. I just never imagined he'd have a Texas accent." He loaded up his tray. "If you're finished eating that slop, let's finish shopping. I have to get home and catch some sleep before we have to go back to work."
______
Author's note: Okay - this was a really long chapter. Please R&R I'm really enjoying the vibe I'm getting from Nick and Greg. And for all you Nick and Sara worshippers out there - don't worry - there's more coming up. And of course - on with the case.