Disclaimer: I am in no way making any money off any text in this story. All the characters in this story, except Janet who I made up, are owned by CBS.

AN: Here's the second one. Let me know what you think.

Chater 2

Ok, paperwork done, called Brass about that guy they arrested, and told Catherine 'bout the samples Greg gave. Now its time to try and NOT make a fool of myself while having breakfast with Greg.

This is so not gonna be fun. I can hardly keep from staring as it is, and I usually only see him for a few minutes at a time. How in the hell am I gonna get through the whole meal with him sitting right in front of me?

Unfortunately, the thing that is my downfall is also my reward. Haven't had breakfast, or any other meal, with Greg in a while. Haven't seen him outside work like ever. This is gonna be great!

I'm looking all right for working for twelve hours straight. This shirt doesn't really match these pants, but it's all I've got. Plus, Greg shouldn't care much with the way he dresses.

Told him I'd meet him the lobby and that I'd drive. It does seem that I'm trying to make this into a date. Oh well, I don't mind. He might, but I don't. I'll just keep the whole date thing under the radar.

Wow! Never seen him in a dress shirt before. Only those funky Hawaiian ones. Did he have that in his locker? Man, this might be harder than I thought. Something's gonna be hard at least.

Tan really brings out the brown in eyes. Beautiful. Breathtaking. Breathtakingly beautiful.

Ok, Nick! Focus on anything but Greg's eyes and maybe you'll get through this. Wait, don't look at his ass either and maybe, just maybe, you'll make it through this. Don't look at his arms either. Man, everything about him is sexy. Even his ears! This getting bad. I'm moving into obsessing now.

"Hey Nick. Your day go all right?" There's that damn smile again and I have to smile back.

"Yeah, it was all right. Long, but I think its gonna end well." Ok, that came out without any censorship. Why would I say something like that when I'm try not to let on that I'm in love with him?

"Why's that?"

"Nevermind." Oh yeah, that was a good recovery. Very convincing.

"So where we going to eat?" Breakfast in bed all right with you?

"IHOP, I guess. Unless you'd rather eat somewhere else. It'd be fine by me." Anything's fine as long I'm within arms reach of you.

"Yeah, that's fine. Let's go, I'm starved!" Can't have that now can we?

I get away with opening the building door for him. Think I can get away with opening the car door too? Probably not.

"Thanks for getting those DNA sample processed so quickly. They really helped Catherine and me out." Gotta find something to talk about.

"That's my job." Ugh, stop smiling at me! That Rascal Flats song 'Melt' seems very appropriate right now.

"So what are you doing for your Christmas vacation?" Christmas seems like a safe topic.

"Not much. My sisters flying to Canada with her new boyfriend so I'll probably just be hanging around here." Awww, that's sad. I guess I could invent him home with my, but then he might feel awkward. I can't say it wouldn't be a little weird having in my parent's house for Christmas, but Christmas is a time no one should spend alone.

"I'm goin' to Texas for a couple days. I guess the day before to the day after Christmas. Its nice to get a week and a half half off, though." Yes, after I come home from Texas I have very big plans of doing absolutely NOTHING! Well, unless Greg can think of something for me to do. Or someone. But like that's gonna happen.

"Very nice." I look at Greg while I stop at a stoplight and I swear I caught him staring or something. Cause as soon as I make eye contacts he turns his head away andI can see the blush on his cheek. That's encouraging.

What are you thinking, Nick? That's encouraging? Like hell Greg was checking you out.

Traffic's pretty light for a Friday morning. IHOP's not far, be there soon.

Gawd! I can't believe I get myself into these situations. Nothing good can come of this, nothing.  1. I could make a complete fool of myself in front of Greg. 2. I could accidentally do or say something to that will tip Greg off to why I really asked to breakfast (i.e. Trip over my own two feet while staring at his ass.) Or 3. in which everything goes fine with breakfast I go home to very large, very LONELY bed.

See, nothing good.

I guess there is the incredibly, and I stress that word, small chance Greg could feel the same way about me. But knowing Greg, if he did feel that way he would have done something to clue me in by now. So I'm not very confident in assuming that he would or even could feel that way.

The hostess shows us to our booth and we both thank her. Surprisinly, there aren't a lot of people in here this mornin'. Out of habit, I wait til Greg is seated before I seat. I don't think he noticed. At least, I hope he didn't notice.

"So, whatcha gettn'?" Ok, that came out a little more country than usual.

"Ah," He glances down at the menu for a few seconds. "Probably the blueberry pancakes. You?"

"Buttermilk pancakes, eggs, and bacon." Gotta love the eggs and bacon. "And orange juice. Can't bag the traditional american breakfast."

"No, I guess you can't." He says to me with a soft, low voice, and that smirk that tugging at the corner of his mouth is probably one of the sexiest things I've ever seen.

The waitress comes and takes our orders and we get our food pretty quickly. Greg's acting a little weirder than usual. Not really talking that much and that's strange considering he always has something to say about everything.

My knee keeps brushing against his and everytime it happens it sends a shock through my whole body. Damn, this booths are small.

Ok Greg, reaching the end of the meal here and you haven't said the things that you promised yourself you would. Time to face the music and get it over with. Yes, the faster the better that you can either be curled up with Nick in his huge bed, or what you hope is a huge bed, or all alone in your bed at home. So get to it Greg!

I have never been this nervous in my life. You would think I was about to to sing in front of thousands of people the way the butterflies are flocking in my stomach. And yes, I do mean flocking.

Here goes nothing.

Or everything.

"Nick?" I interupting him while he's in midsentence. He's been rammbling a lot this morning, something he doesn't usually do. As soon as say his name he shuts up and looks at me questioningly. I start softly, I don't really want anyone else to hear what I have to say.

"There's something I need to tell you." Ok, I can do this. "I've wanted to tell you for a while, but I've never been quite sure how to tell you. So, I have come to the conclusion that the best way is the most direct way." He's just sitting there waiting to hear what I have to say.

"I know that you're my best friend, probably the best friend I've ever had. And I would want to do anything to risk that friendship unless I didn't think it was worth it." Have to stop and take a breath.

"I think what I have to tell you is worth the risk, but I really hope that if you don't feel the same way I do that we can continue our friendship. And if you don't, we can forget that I ever said anything any of these and move on." I pause for second before I continue.

"Nick, I think I'm in love with you." There I said it. I got it out. "Wait, I'm sorry. I know that I'm in love with you. Known for while now, just didn't want to take the chance that you won't feel the same. And now I'm tired of being alone and I would rather know if you do feel the same than live the rest of my life thinking that you feel the same, but I missed my chance because I was to scared to say anything." Now I'm rammbling, sheesh!

Ok, I've said my peace now its time to see what Nick has to say, if anything. Oh please Lord, let him feel the same. Please let him love me back.

He's not saying anything and he has a look that's a mixture of shock, relief, and what looks like excitement. I got say the relief and excitement parts kinda bring me some relief. Well, and the fact that he didn't straight out punch me in the face and run out of here screaming is a good sign.

Well, we've been sitting for what feels like an eternity, but its only been like a mintue and a half. Man, I wish he'd say something, the silence is getting kinda eerie.

Let's pull it together, Nick. Maybe form a sentence of something. He did say exactly what you've been wanting, and waiting, to hear. So, it would be nice of you to respond.

"Um…" Wow! That was blindingly brillant.

"Um?"

Deep breath. Don't freak out and kiss him right here in IHOP.

"Yes, um."

"And?"

I gotta get him outta here so I can show and not just tell him how I feel. Well, I guess actaully telling might help.

Strangely, I'm not nervous about telling him at all. It seems right.

"I love you too, Greg. Now can we get out of here?" Think he'll let pick up the tab? I could always not give him a choice. I snatch the check out of his hand and head for the check-out counter before he has the time to notice I'm gone.

Check's paid and Greg is right behind me as I headed for the door. I hold the door open for and him give him the cheesiest smile I can muster. He smiles to and I think my grin gets a little bigger, if that's possible.

"My place or your's?"

"What?" He looks confused now.

"Do you want to go to my place or your's? We gotta go somewhere?" Suddenly, I don't feel as tired as I did before.

I think it finally registers what I asked.

"Who's place is closer?"

"Probably mine." Actually, its about the same, but my king sized bed has been begging for Greg for about a year now. So, I figure it should finally get it's wish.

"I'll just follow you then." He says.

"Yeah, ok." Neither one of us had stopped smiling since we go out here.

"Ok."

"Ok."

"I'll just follow you then."

"Yeah."

"Great."

"Ok, see you there."

"Right, see you there."

TBC