Chapter 12--The Final Answer

Although he hated to see him like that, Nick couldn't help but smile as soon as he saw Greg. There was a bit more bruising on Greg's cheek, but his eye had not swollen any more.

The minute Greg saw Nick, he started talking rapidly, his hands punctuating the air. "Ok, so I see now why 'Big Guy' attacked me. Can you believe it? Weird... Do you really think that guy looks like me? Do you think that means anything that Scott was with him? What do---"

"G...slow down." Nick took a soft hold on Greg's arm.

"Sorry," Greg looked to the floor. "I've had a few cups of coffee while we've been here." He looked back up to Nick. "Crap coffee, though."

"Sophia here?" Nick asked.

Just then Sophia walked out from the interrogation room. "Ah, Nick...come with me." She turned back to the room.

Nick gave Greg's arm a squeeze good-bye and then as an afterthought, he said with a wink, "No more coffee for you!"

Greg's happy grin was the last thing Nick saw before he entered the interrogation room.

There sat the doppelganger. It really was strange how similar to Greg he looked, but Nick could count the differences. Missing were the three moles that formed a triangle on Greg's right cheek. The lashes were shorter. The bottom lip wasn't as full as Greg's. Nick stopped himself and sat down beside Sophia.

Sophia spoke first. "I've just heard from the crime lab that the blood found on your car is a positive match to Scott Gibbs." Nick looked to Sophia, surprised that the call had come in. She nodded affirmation.

The evidence was adding up. The story began to unravel... and the doppelganger told all.

The two lovers had fought and split up. The doppelganger had left to go find himself a one-night stand...completely for revenge, for he was certain that his ex-boyfriend would follow him and see all. Neither one of them knew Scott Gibbs or had ever seen him before that night. The doppelganger did say that Scott told him he reminded him of someone. "I figure, hey...lucky for me, he was hot and I was going to go for it." On the road to a motel, they'd gotten a flat and Scott had offered to change the tire. Not only had they been seen by the ex-boyfriend, he had followed them, as well.. In a rage, he drove straight toward Scott. After seeing what had happened, the doppelganger drove off, chasing his ex-boyfriend down the road. He also attempted to run him off the road, but failed. Eventually both vehicles drove off, leaving the broken, bleeding Scott Gibbs on the side of the road.

Scott Gibbs had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. He had been attracted to someone who reminded him of a long lost love and unfortunatly, it had cost him his life. Nick's heart felt heavy. They had gotten answers, but he knew they were ones that would sadden Greg more. Suddenly Nick realized Greg was outside, listening. Nick looked to the "mirror" of the interrogation room, knowing Greg was just on the other side. He quickly shoved back in his chair and turned to Sophia. She met his eyes and nodded an okay to leave.

Nick couldn't get to the other side of that window fast enough. There, standing in the dark alone, was Greg. Tears filled his eyes and his body shook. He seemed to not know what to do with his hands. Nick shut the door behind him.

The two of them stood for a moment and then Nick ran the few steps towards Greg.

Nick grabbed Greg, wrapping his arms around his shoulders and pulling him into a tight embrace. Greg's arm flew around Nick's waist, his hands reached up and gripped Nick's shoulders. Greg's body shuddered with grief.

Nick held Greg tightly, his hand holding Greg's head against him and his fingers tightly woven through Greg's hair. He spoke softly, "It's not your fault." Greg sobbed. Nick whispered again, this time into Greg's hair. "It's not your fault." Nick wished that in holding Greg, he could absorb his pain, his grief. He also wished to replace the grief in Greg's heart with the ever growing love he felt for him.

Greg loosened his grip on Nick's shoulders and slowly stepped back. Nick reluctantly let go. Greg reached up with his sleeve to wipe away the tears that stained his face. This time, Nick helped.

Nick held Greg's face in his hands and and softly gathered the tears with his thumbs. His touch was gentle around the cut on Greg's cheekbone. "Salt water in a wound isn't a good thing, G..." Greg softly laughed, the weary laughter that often follows an outpouring of tears. "Yeah, I know..." Their eyes met each other, both were silent.

Neither one might not have moved, had it not been for a knock on the door. Nick's hands fell, as Catherine walked into the room.

Catherine walked up to Greg and embraced him. Placing a soft kiss upon his cheek, she declared. "Why don't you go home now, Greg?" Greg softly nodded. "I'll drive you." Catherine then turned to Nick, "You've got some paperwork to finish..." She gave Nick's hand a squeeze and walked out with her arm about Greg. There wasn't even time for a goodbye. Nick sank into a chair. His face fell into his hands and he sat in the darkened silence.

The sound of the door closing once again and Sophia's voice brought Nick back to the present. She sat down beside Nick. "We've just finished booking procedures." She then placed a hand on Nick's shoulder. "Is it just me, is it ...I don't know...maybe woman's intuition or something...?" Nick looked over to her. Sophia continued her eyes looking deeply and honestly into his. "Nick, are you in love with Greg Sanders? ...because I'm fairly certain, he's in love with you."