Title: Good Enough

Chapter 20

Author's Notes: First of all, this is a short chapter, not much action. I needed to set this up to explain Nick's feelings, to bring Bobby in for later, and to set up the next chapter. Additionally, even though the scene where Bobby comes out was never shown on the air, I'm going to consider it canon that Bobby is gay. Cool?

Author's Notes: The Shabby Sequel: This is a repost. When I putting up chapter 21, I noticed that this chapter seemed to break off early. I never noticed that before, and none of you mentioned the abrupt end, so maybe this is a recent thing. Or maybe I need sleep. (shrugs)

Warnings: Slash, but if you haven't figured that out, you might want to take another look at the previous chapters.

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Bobby and I are sitting in the diner with David, working our way through pancakes and eggs. David's been gushing for twenty minutes about his girlfriend, Rachel. It sounds pretty serious. I'm happy for him, because he's a good guy who deserves to be happy. He does. But to be honest, just listening to him is making the gnawing pain in my stomach throb. All in all, though, I'm pretty relieved that David's with us. Right now, he's the only thing saving me from an awkward emotional thing with Bobby.

I'm still kind of stunned that Bobby overheard Greg and me fighting. All my talk about keeping a low profile, and I'm the one who blows our cover. As far as I know, Bobby is the only person who heard our fight, but who knows.

"Well, guys," David says, standing up, "I'd better get home."

"Scared of the little woman?" Bobby asks, a grins filling his face.

David smiles shyly. "She rented Love Story."

I can't help but smile at the thought of David trying not to cry over some sappy old movie. "Come on, SuperDave," I tease, "Be a man. Stay a while."

"I would," David says, turning bright red, "But she has this…romantic afternoon planned."

"Well, you have a good time," Bobby says, winking at David. "I got the check."

Nodding, a flustered-looking David stumbles to the door, waves awkwardly, and then disappears outside, leaving me alone with Bobby.

After a few seconds, Bobby pops a spoonful of eggs into his mouth. "So," he smiles pleasantly, "you want to talk about it?"

"You've been waiting all through breakfast to say that, haven't you?" I ask, glancing down at a piece of lint on my jeans.

Bobby nods. "Well, you look like you could use a talk. You took an emotional beating today."

Letting out a breath, I say, "Well, I gave one, too."

Bobby chuckles. "The nicest people can take the gloves off when they fight. The last big argument my partner and I got into—I don't even remember what it was about—but I thought he and I were done with. Some of the things I said…" He shakes his head and snatches the bill off the table.

I narrow my eyes. "Your partner? Partner in what?"

This time, Bobby laughs out loud. "My boyfriend, Nick. Although, we've been together a little too long and we're a little too old to call each other 'boyfriend.' Don't you think?"

The blood rushes to my cheeks, making them, I'm sure, a dark shade of scarlet. "I didn't know."

"That's all right," he says, not masking the amusement in his eyes, "I don't guess too many people do. I mean, I don't hide it, but I keep it to myself."

"Anyone at work know?"

Bobby nods. "Grissom. And Ecklie probably. I don't know. I told Grissom when I started because I wanted to make sure it wouldn't be a problem. He's been great about it, though. Archie and David know, too."

I sit back, reflecting on this new information. I guess it stands to reason that other people at the lab are gay or bi. It's not like Greg and I are the first men to discover an attraction to other men.

Taking a sip of apple juice, Bobby says, "I always told David you and Greg have a thing for each other."

"What?" I say, blinking.

Bobby grins. "It's pretty obvious." After a few seconds, Bobby reaches over and pats me on the shoulder. "Well, it's probably not obvious to everybody."

"It's pretty new," I say, shrugging, "Over and done with now, though, I suppose."

"Do you love him?" Bobby says seriously.

"Yeah, I do," I say.

"Then get your butt back there and apologize."

I shake my head. "No way. He gave me an ultimatum. That's not right."

Bobby points at me. "That's pride talking."

"Well, I'm from Texas," I say.

"Look, Nick," Bobby drawls, "Problem ain't going to fix itself."

"I know that," I say. I gulp some orange juice, and then lean forward. "Bobby, can I ask you something?"

Bobby nods. "Shoot." Bobby pauses a beat, and then grins, "No pun intended."

Licking my bottom lip, I ask, "Have you ever had any problems because of your…orientation?"

Leaning back, Bobby grabs a napkin off the table and starts to rip it into pieces. "I'm not going to lie to you, Nick. The last place I worked, there were comments. But nothing physical, if that's what you mean."

I shift in my seat. "Brass kind of told me things could get ugly if news about Greg and me gets out."

"You tell Grissom?"

"Oh, that'd make me popular," I half-laugh.

"Look," Bobby says, tossing the torn napkin onto the table, "Brass is old school. He was probably just talking."

"But he might have a point."

Bobby crosses his arms. "Was that the ultimatum? Greg wants out of the closet?"

"It's more than that," I say. Taking a breath, I continue, "I'm having some problems with my mom, right now, and since Greg and I are together, he thinks I should share everything with him."

"So, you don't want to emote and get touchy-feely."

I smile. "Not so much, no."

"That still sounds like the pride talking, Nick. Just think about it." Bobby stands up. "I'm going to take off, all right? I'll take care of the check." He regards me for a moment. "Call me at home if you want to talk some more."

I nod and watch as Bobby strolls up to the counter. Deep down, I know he's right. I'm being stubborn, proud, and silly. If I want to save this relationship, I need to drag myself back to the lab and grovel. But right now…I just can't let seem to my guard down.