Part 2
Warrick had seriously considered not going into work and calling in sick. It wouldn't be a complete lie, he did have a headache form the fact that he was over-thinking just about everything having to do with Nick. And though his back wasn't really in pain, he could fake that it was worse then it was but that might lead to some questions he would rather not answer. He eventually decided against calling in sick and got into his car to drive to work. He needed to talk to Nick. He needed to sort all this out.
Warrick walked into the break room hoping to find Nick in there; instead he found Catherine Willows and Gil Grissom talking.
"Did Nick come in yet?" Warrick asked, keeping his voice level.
Gil looked at Warrick and gave him a questioning look. Warrick shifted his weight a bit; he never was any good at hiding things form Grissom. He wouldn't be surprised is Grissom was able to guess what happened just by looking at him.
"No." Grissom said simply taking a sip of coffee. "He hasn't come in yet. Not to my knowledge, Catherine?"
"Uh-" Catherine thought for a second. "He should be in but I haven't seen him."
"Why, did you need something?" Grissom asked.
"No." Warrick said a little too quickly. Even Catherine gave him a curious look for that one. It was then that something caught Catherine's eye.
"Looks like you're finally getting over Tina." Catherine said with a sly smile.
Warrick started, about to ask the obvious question when she pointed just above the sternum. "The shirt doesn't really cover it."
Warrick hand automatically went up to his neck where Catherine was pointing. He felt silly as soon as he did so. It wasn't like he was going to be able to feel anything. Catherine gave a small smile and pulled out a small compact mirror from her jacket pocket. Warrick took with a nod of thanks and positioned it so that he could see his neck.
There was a mark. It was somewhat covered by his shirt but it was there. His fingers brushed over skin. 'Nick made that,' Warrick thought as his heart did a back flip. He handed the mirror back to Catherine and said as calmly as he could, "Didn't even know it was there."
"Umm," Catherine giving him a knowing smile. Warrick couldn't help but smile back; she didn't know the half of it.
"Nick's over there." Grissom said with a small nod before he took another sip of coffee.
Warrick head snapped in the direction Grissom nodded in and there was Nick Stokes. Nick looked away as soon as he could but for a second their eyes met and Warrick was scared by what he saw there. Nick's eyes never could completely hide his feelings and right now it looked like Nick was regretting what happened last night.
"Thanks" Warrick said quickly. Without looking back at the two in the break room, he went over to where Nick seemed be rooted to the spot. As Warrick got close, it seemed Nick was fighting not to run in the other direction. Warrick felt the anger leapt up in his chest at this. What was Nick thinking he was going to do, punch him?
Warrick wasn't sure what he was going to say to Nick. Part of him wanted to talk about last night, but with the way Nick was acting Warrick wasn't sure that he would be able to have civil conversation with him right now.
"Warrick," Nick said as Warrick came to a stop before him. Nick opened his mouth to say something more and Warrick waited for about thirty seconds.
"Nick we have to talk." Warrick started off. Nick broke eye contact with him and looked down at the floor.
"I understand Warrick." Nick said.
Warrick wanted to reach over and make Nick look at him again, he settled for trying to make eye contact without touching him only because they were in the middle of the hallway surrounded by glass walls. "No I don't think you do."
Sara walked up behind Nick and gave him a small push not noticing anything between the two men. "Nick, I'll meet you by the car." She says hurriedly. The push unbalanced Nick just enough that he had to look up and meet Warrick's gaze.
Warrick held back a gasp. He felt that he finally understood what people meant when they talked two people only able to see each other or some other in the world of their own crap. It wasn't Warrick forgot where he was, or didn't notice the people around them and the world did not melt away or anything like that. It was just that all of that was dim and soundless compared to Nick.
Nick gave a half hearted smile, that didn't reach his eyes. "I understand. I better go." And with that he walked past Warrick in what would have seemed a casual fashion.
Warrick turned around and looked at Nick's back as he walked away. Why did it seem like Nick was always walking away from him? Warrick had to try one last time.
"Nick, wait a sec." He called out.
Nick stopped and turned around. "Yeah?"
"Could we talk about this after work? Over breakfast?" Warrick asked quickly. When Nick didn't answer Warrick continued on. "I wont take no for an answer."
Nick nodded slowly. "Sure." He said before he continued on out of the lab.
Well at least he was sort of getting somewhere, thought Warrick. He was going to have a hell of a time at work today, he could feel it.
Nick was trying to keep his sanity as his shift ended. He actually was expecting Warrick to hit him or something. He was still expecting Warrick to hit him. Nick was just waiting for the other shoe to fall.
The shoe fell in the form of a phone call as he was walking out of the lab and heading for his car. Nick picked up the phone to hear Warrick's voice. "Nick."
"Yeah?"
"I'm sorry. I can't make it, the case just became a double homicide and it looks like I have to stay." Nick wasn't sure how he felt that those words. Part of him was disappointed but understood, but another part of him was disappointed and reading far too much into this.
"Yeah, okay." Nick current vocabulary seemed limited as of late when it came to Warrick. He wasn't a overly talkative person in the first place but this was quickly becoming ridiculous.
"Listen I still think we need to talk about this, what about later?" Warrick asked he, Nick thought that Warrick didn't sound that sure about it now.
"It's fine, you'll probably be tried after you finish. We can talk tomorrow." At least it wasn't another "Yeah."
"You sure about that?" Warrick asked.
"Yeah" Could his voice sound anymore dead?
Warrick didn't say anything; for a second Nick thought he was going to insist that they meet up to day. "Alright. I'll see you later."
"Okay." Nick say as he heard the click telling Warrick had gone.
Part of Nick's mind was telling he should be a little relieved about this. That he had dodged a bullet, so to speak. But all he could feel was the weight on his chest that seemed to have become permanent. Nick got into his car and drove home, trying to keep his mind trained away form thoughts about Warrick Brown.
That didn't work so well. Nick decided to go take a shower before he did anything else. He must have spent over an hour under the water; just letting the hot water beat him until it was as close to ice cold as he could stand.
Warrick didn't seem as affected by all this as Nick was, or maybe Warrick was just better at hiding it. Nick knew he was going to have talk about this sooner or later but he didn't want to hear Warrick try to justify it or explain away. Nick was willing to admit it was a mistake; that he should had more self-control on his part. He didn't want to lose Warrick as a friend, but he didn't want to have to go on pretending it was something he didn't want.
After Nick got out of the shower, he put on pair of pajama bottoms and fell back on his couch. He wasn't even going to go through the motions of trying to sleep. That would be a true exercise in futility. Instead he turned on the television and let it play for the background noise. While Nick never did reach a state of actual sleep he got damn close until his stomach reminded him that he hadn't eaten since his lunch around midnight. Nick walked over to his kitchen and grabbed the first thing he saw out his fridge. He was about start on his breakfast of cottage cheese when the door bell rang. Nick sighed and putting down his breakfast went over to shoo away who ever was at the door.
It's funny how life works. Nick really wasn't expecting to see Warrick; if he was he would have put on a shirt. Nick opened to door to see Warrick standing at his front door with a six pack of beer in his hand. Nick was shocked into silence, while Warrick took in the sight of Nick half naked.
"You know Nicky, you shouldn't answer the door dressed like that, someone might think to jump ya." Warrick said with a smile as he let himself in.
Nick closed the door behind him. "What are you doing here?" He asked stupidly as Warrick walked into the kitchen to drop off the beer in Nick's fridge. Nick really should have known better then to think that Warrick would let something like this go. Once Warrick got something in his head it would take a whole lot of evidence to the contrary to get to let go
"What do you think Nick. Chances are if I didn't come over we would be dancing around each other for days and I don't want that." As Warrick talked Nick walked over to his room and grabbed a shirt that was nearest to the door. Warrick turned around and his eyes fell on the cottage cheese on the counter. "Nick have you eaten anything?"
"Don't mother me Warrick." Nick said shortly, pulling the shirt over his head, when he turned to face Warrick he could have swore he saw a look of something close to regret in Warrick's face. Nick walked back to the main part of the house. Warrick stayed in kitchen and Nick kept the counter between the two of them. Nick had no idea of what to say. Warrick pushed the food towards Nick. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." The way he said the words was a world apart from the way he was when he entered Nick's house. Warrick let Nick get in a few bits before he decided to continue on.
"About the other night." Warrick started out. "I know I was drunk but--"
Nick's heart must have skipped a beat at the "but".
"I just want to clarify a few things about that."
Nick took a deep breath, pulling up what ever strength he had left and looked up at Warrick, "Alright then."
"Nick, what am I you?" Warrick asked.
Now, of all the things that Nick was expecting Warrick to say or ask, that wasn't one of them.
"What do want me to say?" The second the words left his mouth, Nick knew he said the wrong thing.
Warrick's eyes narrowed and looked away from the man in front of him. "I don't want you to say anything. I want you to tell me, what the hell I am to you and what the hell was last night."
"Those are two separate questions." Nick said sadly. Warrick looked back at him about to shoot back an answer but Nick continued on. "You're my best friend Warrick and I shouldn't have done what I did. And I hope to God that you'll forgive me but don't make me answer the second question because what last night was to me is something I can't say."
Warrick's anger that had flared up just a second before was gone now. Nick was sitting there before him, looking like he fighting not to fall apart. Warrick wanted to reach out to him but he couldn't.
"Nick there is nothing to forgive. If I remember other night correctly I climbed on top of you."
Nick shook his head, not looking at Warrick. He got up and went over to the fridge and put away the cottage cheese. "What you did Warrick doesn't change what I did, I should have had more self-control. I'm sorry."
If Nick had been looking at Warrick he would have seen a look that was the same as when he had when a case suddenly made complete sense. Nick turned around to face Warrick. "Was there anything else?"
"Yeah." Warrick said. "Just one thing." Warrick closed the distance between the two of them and tilting his head down a bit he touched Nick's lips with his own. It was probably the most innocent kiss Warrick had ever given. He pulled back a bit so he could look Nick directly in the eyes. "Do you love me?"
For a second Warrick was afraid that he made a mistake, that he misunderstood Nick; when Nick finally answered.
"Please don't play with me like this Warrick. I can't take this." It was barely said above a whisper but told Warrick exactly what he need to know.
Warrick had to smile, nope no mistake here. One hand pulled Nick closer to him, "I'm not playing, Nicky." He lowered his lips back on to Nick's.
Nick kissed back this time; Warrick felt the warmth, gentleness, and sweet strength that belonged only to Nick Stokes Warrick pushed Nick back against the fridge, pinning Nick between him and the fridge. Nick was holding on to Warrick's shirt as the kiss deepened. Warrick moaned into Nick's mouth; he tasted so good, Warrick didn't want this to end. Warrick hands pushed Nick's shirt up and ran over Nick's skin.
Nick tensed up at the feel of Warrick's hands on his skin.
"Warrick," Nick said breathless, pushing Warrick away from him.
"What's wrong Nicky?" Warrick asked. Nick was once again avoiding Warrick's eyes. Nick knew that if he looked into those green eyes right now he would give in to whatever Warrick wanted.
"I can't do this Warrick." Nick said to Warrick's shirt, trying to get himself back under control.
"Do what Nick?" Warrick said. This didn't make sense to him.
"I- This can't-" Warrick reached up and touched Nick's face, while willing his eyes to look up at him. Nick complied and looked up at Warrick and Warrick watch the walls getting built up in Nick's eyes.
"Do you even know why you're doing this?" Nick asked in an accusing voice to Warrick.
Warrick didn't know why, he just knew it felt right. Having Nick this close to him felt right. But he didn't think this answer would work for Nick. Warrick sighed and looked away from Nick.
"I didn't think so." Nick said, moving to the side and walking away from Warrick.
Nick barely got out of the kitchen, when Warrick grabbed his arm and spun him around into a tight embrace, burying his face in the curve of Nick's neck and shoulder. "Don't walk away from me."
Nick wasn't sure if the words were a demand or plea. Warrick held him like that for a while until Nick found his voice again. "Warrick?"
Warrick looked up at Nick, "If we go slowly?" Warrick asked, his eyes showing just how afraid he was right at this time. Warrick's eyes convinced Nick to give a small nod against his better judgment.
Warrick smiled and pulled Nick into another hug. Nick slowly wrapped his own arms around Warrick.
Warrick reluctantly let go of Nick. For a second things, were a bit awkward between the two of them, until the sound of cheering from the television brings Nick's attention to the fact that that was left on through all this.
"Games on, apparently." Nick said simply. "Want to watch?"
Warrick gave a small nod. "Sure."
Nick went over to the couch and sat down. Warrick came over a beat later with two beers in hand, giving one to Nick. Nick gave a nod thanks and the two of them sat there watching the game. Nick was a bit tense at first, he felt like Warrick was sitting closer then he normally would have but after a while it was almost like before, with the two of them talking and joking. The only difference was the feeling between the two of them had a different air, it was far more intimate. They both had to admit it was nice. Nick thought maybe his mistake wasn't such a bad one.
Fin(for now I think)