A/N: I'm terribly sorry I kept you waiting that long! The only excuse I have is school, it ends in a few weeks and till then almost every teacher had to write a test! Thanks to all of my reviewers, especially SpiritedEstel, for your advice! I tried and I hope you like it!
The nurse rushes into the room. "Mr. Stokes, we have a call for you. Would you follow me please?" "Sure." Who the hell would call me? Who knows I'm here? And why? "Stokes" "Nick, it's Brass…" Somehow I know this isn't good… Not at all. As if confirming my suspicions he makes no small talk, just comes straight to the point: "That son of a bitch Crane… He broke out!" "What? How? When?" I choke out. "He escaped by killing one of the guards 15 minutes ago… Catherine and Grissom are on their way. You want to come, too?" Without even thinking, I answer: "No! I'm not leaving Greg alone. I was almost too late once, I won't risk it again." In my mind I can see Brass smiling: "Figured that. Already spoke to Grissom, you're on paid leave Greg gets out of the hospital. I also sent a deputy, he'll be there in a few minutes, okay?" Having voiced my thanks, I say goodbye and hang off. I have to force myself not to race back into G's room. I know Crane can't be here already, from the prison to this hospital you need at least an hour. Closing the door I see Greg's awake looking at me. "What?" He asks with a low voice. It is incredible how much he can read me, sometimes I think he's a mind-reader. But on the other hand he's like an open book to me, too. He seems to calm for somehow who's just been attacked and almost killed… I sit down in the chair next to his bed and reach for his hand before I answer. The possibility of denying something's wrong never even enters my thoughts. "You know it was Crane who… who attacked you?" He nods silently waiting for me to continue. "I caught him here and Brass arrested him, but he broke out…" Greg's shaking now, his eyes wide. "I won't let him come her you again, I promise you that!" I say with what I hope is a firm voice trying to calm him. Leaning down I give him the long kiss I longed for. In his ear I whisper: "I'm not going to leave you alone, I'm on paid leave till you get out of here and there's a deputy outside." Now he visibly relaxes. I mean what I said. I would do anything to keep him out of harms way. He must have seen the guilty look on my face, for he asks: "Crane wants to kill me because of you, right?" That's not that difficult to figure out… I avoid his eyes while answering. "Yes… He knows how much I love you, that he stands no chance against you and being the lunatic he is, he thinks if… if… then I'll turn to him…" After a short silence, G suddenly says: "It's not your fault you know that, don't you?" I can only smile. Like I said he knows me so well… Indeed I had a deep feeling that it has been my fault, but hearing him now that he doesn't blame me makes it easy to battle it. That was exactly what I needed to hear… "Thanks, G…" "Anytime for you, Nicky."
A week later I can finally take him home. His wounds have healed fairly well, though it will be at least another two weeks till he'll be able to return to work. Crane hasn't been caught yet, although he's hunted by the whole police.
I have no words to say how good it is to have him back. He's almost his old self again, but I know he's still scared. I have to admit I am, too. I promised to practise shooting with him, because he's not that well trained yet and from my experience in Dallas as a cop, I'm pretty good. Our weapons won't be out of reach again. I know Crane doesn't want to hurt me, only Greg, still I feel safer having my gun nearby.
"Welcome home!" I set the bag with his things down and embrace him, careful not to hold too tight, so I won't cause him any pain. It's been far too long since we've been that close… His eyes shut and he breathes deeply inhaling my scent, his hands playing with my hair. My hands slide under his shirt caressing his spine. His hot breath tickles my cheeks and when I can't take it anymore I lean in for a passionate kiss. Our tongues dance, tease till we have to break it for air.