Disclaimer; hasn't changed people

CSICSICSI

Warrick carefully deposited Greg into the back of the Tahoe before getting in the front passenger seat himself. With his back to Greg he didn't see the confusion on his face. Gil slipped into the driving seat; he looked back at Greg and smiled at his obvious bewilderment but didn't say anything. Greg resigned himself to once again being in the dark and stared out the window at the passing city. The Strip made Greg smile; where else in the world would you find a fairy tale castle next to a big black pyramid? Or be able to visit Paris, Venice and New York all in an hour? He let his eyes drift close as they turned off. He didn't really know where they were heading but 'Rick and Grissom were… well if not friends trusted co-workers. Around half an hour later he felt the Tahoe come to a stop, he opened his eyes to see they had pulled into a driveway of a town house. He got out quickly, scared that he had stayed still too long and Warrick would decide to pick him up again. He grabbed his bag in an effort to exert his independence and hurried to catch up with Gil. He tapped his shoulder to get his attention and waited for Gil to turn.

:Is this your home:

"Yes, as I'm the only one of the shift who can understand you, it was the logical choice," he said, Greg winced.

:You don't have to do this I can…: Gil caught Greg's hands between his and held them palms together.

"Greg, I know I don't have too, I want too," he glanced at Warrick who nodded his agreement. "We want too," he corrected, Greg frowned, and then his eyes went wide.

:We:

"Let's go inside, Greggo, and we'll explain," he said. He let one hand drop to his side and took one of Greg's in the other before lading him to the door Warrick had opened. Greg allowed himself to be led into a living room and settled into an armchair. He waited patiently for Gil and Warrick to store his bag and secure the house before sitting down opposite him. They both looked abnormally anxious and at a loss as where to start.

Greg took pity on them.

:You were going to explain the 'we': he prompted, Gil smiled at him.

"I was wasn't I? The thing is Greg, Warrick and I … that is we've … umm …" Gil floundered from the correct words. Greg decided to end his torment.

:You guys are seeing each other: he stated. Gil nodded.

"I know that this is a surprise and I don't want this to be awkward for you. That said you are staying here at least until your voice recovers and we decided to tell you," Gil explained. Somewhere along the line Warrick had slipped his hand in to Gil's in a show of solidarity and support. Bother men held their breath waiting for a response from the lab tech. Greg didn't seem phased.

:Makes sense, this is your home, it would be hard to hide all traces of a relationship: even though he didn't understand what Greg said, Rick relaxed when Gil did.

"This doesn't bother you?" Gil said clarifying, Greg shrugged.

:People love who they love: he stated as if it was obvious, causing Gil to smile.

"That is a very enlightened attitude, Greg," he said, causing a blush to creep up Greg's face and him to look away, Gil smiled wider and so did Warrick. Greg glanced at them and he tried to curl up. Warrick saw this and his heart broke at how unsure Greg seemed. Rick couldn't help himself, he got up and went over to Greg, he crouched down to try and avoid seeming threatening but the lab tech was still tracking his movement warily. He gently ran a hand through Greg's hair noticing how the younger man tensed at the touch. Warrick kept one hand carding though the short bangs as he spoke.

"Greg take it easy, I'm not going to hurt you. You're safe here," he slowly bought his arm around Greg's shoulders. He gently eased Greg off the chair to lean his head against Warrick's shoulder. Greg complied wrapping his arm around the CSIs neck. Right tightened his grip when he felt Greg responded. Neither of them had noticed that Gil had moved until he laid a hand on Greg's back. Greg jumped a mile and bolted out of the chair to the other side of the room. He was almost hyperventilating, pacing in small circles his arms wrapped around his chest.

"Greg, I'm sorry calm down," Gil said softly, inwardly reeling that his touch would have such an effect on the boy. When it became clear that words weren't going to get through to the lab tech Gil strode forward and wrapped his arms around him. Greg was shaking he looked between Gil and Warrick from the cage of Gil's arms. Something clicked for Gil and he worked out Greg's problem.

"Rick get over here and do a group thing," he said still keeping his voice barely above a whisper. Warrick complied, wrapping his arms around the younger man as well so that Greg was sandwiched tightly between them. Slowly Greg's breathing evened out and returned to normal as he realised that neither man was angry at him. He tucked himself deeper into their embrace causing Gil to smile.

"It looks like our lab rat is a cuddle addict," he teased lightly. Greg nodded looking sheepish. It then occurred to Greg that maybe they didn't want to hold him and he regretfully tried to disentangle himself. Warrick just squeezed him tighter.

"That wasn't a criticism, Greggo. Do you like this?" he asked and received a small nod.

"Good because we do too. Why don't you and Gil sit down and I'll order take out. You can even excise guest privileges and select the DVD, okay?" Greg nodded again, Warrick grinned – so maybe Gil didn't need to be around all the time, he thought as he went to grab the phone. Gil settled on one end of the couch and smiled as Greg dug out an action movie of Warrick's. He showed it to Gil, cocking his head to one side as if asking if it was okay. Gil nodded and received a huge smile as his reward, Gil realised that he would do anything to see that smile again and prayed that the boy never learnt that secret. Greg loaded the DVD and went to sit back in the chair.

"Hey, where do you think you're going? Come here," Gil indicated to the spot next to him, Greg moved and smiled shyly.

:I didn't want to impose more then I have already: Gil sighed, he hadn't realised just how damn good that mask Greg had was. He made a note of the insecurity as something to work on; he threw an arm over Greg's shoulders pulling him tight.

"You are not imposing and I'll let you into a secret, I like hugs too, and however much we try I don't think Warrick will ever be comfortable enough to be able to sit on my lap," he said remorsefully. Greg grinned at him and moved as Gil pulled him to do just that. Greg pillowed his head on Gil's shoulder, and while he was not fighting the supervisor it took him a while to relax into being on his lap. Long enough for Warrick to reappear and sit next them, pulling Greg's legs across his lap. Gil took the opportunity to inspect Greg's injuries, he frown noticing that the run in with Drake had left Greg with a few more bruises. The cast on his arm also had a scar where Greg had blocked the knife, but it hadn't cut all the way through.

"I think we need to get this checked at the hospital" he said garnering the attention of the others. Warrick looked somewhere between thoughtful and homicidal at the reminder. Greg poked the gash a couple of times and shrugged.

:It's fine: Greg grinned at Gil's look of dismay. Warrick laughed affectionately at the younger man knowing that Greg was just trying to get a rise out of Gil. A knock at the door stopped Gil from responding.

"That would be the food," Warrick announced getting up. Greg took the opportunity to slide off Gil's lap and sit on the couch next to him. Gil let him go mourning the loss of heat. He liked holding Greg more then he thought he would which was bad, he could easily become addicted to the feel of the lab tech. Warrick dumped the paper bag on the coffee table and went to get some plates. He didn't realise that Greg had followed him until he was in the kitchen. He turned and saw him in the doorway and jumped

"Man, you almost gave me a heart attack!" he gasped.

:Sorry: Greg signed before remembering that Warrick wouldn't understand him. Greg dropped his arms to his sides and sighed in frustration. Warrick guessed what was upsetting him.

"Don't sweat it, Greggo, you'll get your voice back soon, but until they we're just going to have to play twenty questions," he said reassuringly. Greg smiled at him.

"So, let's see you came in here for something?" Warrick asked, Greg nodded and mimed drinking.

"Okay cool, you want drink. Right there's beer, juice, water and milk in the fridge, soda in the larder, as is the coffee. Glasses and mugs are above the sink. Help yourself but if you have beer put it in a mug and try and keep it away from Gris, he wouldn't be happy with you touching alcohol at the moment," Warrick said with a wink. He figured it would be easier for Greg to get what he wanted himself then try and explain. He went to leave the room with the plates and cutlery, as he passed Greg the lab tech caught his arm.

"Thank you," Greg's voice was weak and raspy, his throat obviously still very sore. Warrick knew he wasn't being thanked for the two-cent kitchen tour. He cupped Greg's face with his free hand, looking deep into the soulful brown eyes.

"Greg, you don't need to thank me, you got yourself free," he whispered, Greg looked away before meeting his eyes a second time. He nodded slowly but Warrick could see that he didn't believe it.

"Greg, I have never met anyone as strong as you. Somehow after all you've been through – a lot of which we still don't know – you still smile and have a joke ready. The more I find out about how hard your life has been the more I admire you," he said honestly. He watched the blush creep up Greg's face and go from pink to red to scarlet the more he spoke. Greg was positively squirming by the time he had finished. Greg's discomfort caused Warrick to smile.

"Not good with compliments, huh? I think you better get used to them, I have a feeling you'll be getting a lot more of them in the future," he predicted, grinning as Greg rolled his eyes. He left the tech alone and headed back to the living room. He smiled at Gil as he sat back on the sofa. He set the plates down next to the cartons and lent in to kiss Gil. Rick had only meant it as a chaste touch but as soon as his lips met Gil's a hand wrapped itself around his neck increasing the pressure. Warrick felt a tongue ask for permission to go deeper and he opened his mouth with a moan, letting the probing muscle in. They fought for dominance for a long moment before his own tongue was sucked back into Gil's mouth. They finally broke apart when the need for air became an issue. It was only then that they noticed they weren't alone. They turned to see Greg back in the arm chair, leaning against one side, his legs dangling over the other. He had a carton of chow mien balanced on his stomach and his attention was on the DVD, he turned when he felt eyes on his and offered them the carton. When neither of them move for it he shrugged in a sort of 'your loss' way and went back to the film. He didn't seem the slightest bit phased that he had walked in on a co-worker making out with his boss like teenagers. It reassured Gil more then anything that Greg was as cool with this as he said he was. Rick was also surprised, complete acceptance was very rare. They didn't realised that they were still staring at Greg until he glared back

:What:

"Sorry, Greggo, we were just a bit surprised by you reaction or rather the lack of it. It's very unusual for people to be as accepting as you are; it's a testament to your character," Gil explained, enjoying the blush that appeared. Greg was definitely cute, no two ways about it, especially when he was embarrassed. Greg was now pointedly ignoring them and focusing on the TV. Gil lent back against Warrick and decided to let him be. For the time being at any rate.