A/N: You wanted more… So I decided to write more, though I intended it to be a one shot. Should I change the title now? Any ideas for a new idea? This now proceeds the next day… Please tell me what you think!
The next morning I woke peacefully in the arms of my still soundly sleeping lover. I cannot help but smile at how angel like he looks. Not moving I just watch him. These simple things are what I like most, just to watch, to be held, to know he'll be there for me when I need him. Not to mention that I too would always be there for him. Slowly I rise, careful not to wake Greg. Not that I want, I could lie there forever, but I have to get ready for work. Swing Shift is not that bad, but still I prefer Graveyard. Maybe because I'm used to it. Or the most obvious reason that at Graveyard I could spend more time with him.
Under the shower I muse about us. Half a year we've been together now, the best time in my life… It's clichéd, no way to deny it, but he's really the one for me. With every other person, be it man or woman, I've never felt like this before. I'm more than grateful to have found him. Never in my life have I imagined it would be a man like Greggo for me, that someone like him would fit in my life at all. Thinking back my life has been so organized, I can't believe it was me living it. Only after Greg had taught me how beautiful life could be I realized it. 'Does he know this?' I suddenly ask myself. I've never told him, though I'm positive he does anyway. After having dressed, I grab a pen writing a message for him.
G, love you more than I can say. See you soon! Love, Nicky xxx
Checking that I have my keys and my gun, I grin. Even Greg hasn't been able to break me of this double-checking. Stealing one last glance at my still sleeping love, I leave. He will wake soon, I know, he just needs a little more sleep than I do. Then he'll have a large breakfast reading the paper. I never could imagine him reading it, but he does, actually even thoroughly. After that he'll take a look at what things we need to buy and decides if he goes getting them or can stay and relax in his favourite armchair listening to Evanescence or some other band he likes.
Today, Catherine herself picks me to work with her on a double murder in a hotel room. The man lies on the bed, killed by a headshot, so you don't even get a look at his face. The woman though seems to have run for her life; she was on the ground directly behind the door, shot from behind. With one glance Cath and I settle who's doing what. Taking out my camera I start photographing the whole scene. The bodies, the entry and exit wounds, some fibers, the blood… David arrives, taking a look at the bodies. The TOD seemed to be 4 hours ago and the COD the obvious: The shots. Collecting the evidence, I find the purses of the victim. "Hey, Catherine!" "Yeah?" "Got their ID's. Alice and Marc Thompson." Two hours later, we pack up and drive back to the lab. Dropping the evidence off at the techs my mind is occupied with this case as always in this state of the investigation. Who? Why? A run the fingerprints through AFIS, but so far no luck. Of course this was the search for a needle in a haystack. God knows how many people had been in that hotel room over the years. Suddenly I begin to shiver, gasps escape my mouth. What the hell is this? After a few minutes, it gets better, but a feeling of unease never leaves me.
Twenty minutes later my cell rings. "Stokes" "Mr. Stokes, this is Palm Desert Hospital." My grip around the phone tightens, while I try to prepare myself for the news about to come. It can't be good… "Mr. Sanders…" Oh my god, not Greg, no! Closing my eyes I feel the fear taking over me. "Can you repeat it, please?" "Of course" the female says. "He has been shot… It doesn't look too good. He's in surgery now and you're the one to notify…" I don't let her finish. "I'll be there in 20 minutes" I choke out ending the call. 'Think' I order myself. 'Find Catherine to tell her and then you can go…' Catherine was likely to be in her office, so I go there mindlessly, my thoughts still occupied to digest the news I just received. Reaching her office she almost jumped when she saw me. "Jesus, Nick! What happened? You look like a ghost!" I pay no heed to that, just telling her what happened. Of course she wants to come with me, to work that case… All of us will, I know… Gris, Sara and Warrick too.
I can't remember much of the drive to the hospital. Once there I almost ran inside, Cath right behind me, desperate to find someone to tell me about Greg. Who could do such a thing to a so lovable guy? And why? A nurse finally tells us he's still in surgery and they can't say anything yet. Then she adds we should have a look at his clothes. Curiously I follow her to a quiet room where his clothes and a few others of his things lie. For one moment I just frown when I see so much blood on his clothes. I recognize that shirt… It's one of mine, a black one which normally snuggles against him perfectly, leaving very little to imagination. When I see the note, that's when I really lose control.
Nicky, Nicky, I thought I made it clear you belong to me… Your only friend
I fall to my knees, my head sinking to my chest. I want nothing more than to cry, to be allowed to give in to my pain, but I won't. I need to stay focused to find that son of a bitch who has dared to attack Greg… Because of me, I can't stop thinking. 'If you hadn't been so close to him, he wouldn't have been hurt…' His laughter penetrates my thoughts, his jokes… His pride as he made Level 1 CSI… I feel a hand on my back, rubbing circles to soothe me. Catherine. Fury blazing in her voice she says: "We'll get that asshole! He won't walk, Nick, I promise!" I'm close to saying "Don't promise something you can't keep", but I keep my mouth shut knowing she says that as much to calm her as to calm me. Greg promised something to me, too and heaven knows if he can keep it now! The promise that his heart wouldn't stop soon… Several minutes passed by seeming like an eternity to me before a doctor comes in. "Hi, I'm Paul Bolt." I got up, somehow managing introducing Catherine and myself, before I blurt out: "How is he?" I fear the answer. I still have to ask, aware that insecurity would be worse. He shifts uneasily averting our eyes. "I won't lie to you, his chance of surviving is 10 per cent at best…" With that he stops. I close my eyes, taking a few deep breathes. "Can we see him?" For a moment the doc remains silent, considering, then he answers: "Only one of you, but just for a few minutes…" I turn to Cath, ready to argue, but she just gives me a look saying "Go ahead!" Again facing Doc Bolt I nod. "I'll go." "Right. Follow me." Stopping in front of a door finally, he reminds me: "Only a few minutes". Again I nod, unable to answer. I open the door. I know I'm not prepared for this, but I'll never be. So I go in regardless of that.
I rush to his bed taking his hand. He looks so fragile lying there; pale face, eyes closed, tubes coming out everywhere… It breaks my heart to see him like that. With tears in my eyes I can't hold back I whisper: "I'm so sorry, G… But please keep your promise! You've never broken one before… I don't know what I would do if you don't keep this one…" With one hand I caress his cheek. The rest of my time I just sit there, staring at him. The doc comes in again motioning me to come out. Once again I nod. Taking one last look at Greg I whisper "I love you! Please fight for us!" and join Catherine again. .