A/N:
Disclaimer : I don't own any of the characters. Jerry Bruckheimer, Anthony E. Zuiker and CBS do.
Rating : R for adult content
Warning : soft slash/ language and spoilers. Spoilers to Grave Danger are included.
Characters : Greg/Nick and C/W primarily
Summary : Warrick is torn after Catherine's confession. He goes to talk to Nick for some advice. It put things in perspective for him.

Perspective

Chapter 1 : The Conversation

The soft rhythmic notes a breezy jazz song filled the darkened lounge. A couple lights over by the bar added a subtle glow. Long fingers played delicately over the ivory keys. A man hummed the tune adding his own interpretation to it. Warrick grabbed the glass of red wine off the piano top. He took a long sip of the dry red wine letting it linger in his mouth. He looked at the wine as it swirled in the glass. The rich pinot noir was ruby in colour just like her lips. Lips full and inviting that he wanted to taste. How he had wanted to kiss them but ...Warrick looks at the glint of his ring on the piano top. An impulsive marriage one month ago when he had nearly met Nick's fate had cost him Catherine. He hadn't talked to Catherine since the night that she found out about Tina. She avoided him whenever he came into a room. Warrick picks up his wedding ring and looks at it. Tina had been furious when he told her that it was over tonight. Nick was right. Why was he prolonging the inevitable? In the end they would have hurt each other. They barely saw each other and fought when they did. It wasn't working. They just kept dallying around it. He was dallying around the issue of her. Warrick couldn't get Catherine's confession out of his head. It had caught him off guard. He wasn't sure what to say. It played on him. He wasn't sure what to do so he went and talked with Nick. Warrick's talk with Nick put a lot in perspective for him. He needed to end it. It was the right thing to do. Now he had to figure out how to tell Catherine. He needed to see if he had lost her for good or if there was still a chance.

Warrick had gone to see Nick a couple nights back in the hospital. He was going to be released soon. The fire ant bites had healed but the memories of the box would take a lot longer to dissipate. Warrick wondered if he wanted a ride home. When Warrick had gotten there he had seen Greg standing beside Nick holding him. Nick was shaking terrified by another nightmare about being in the box. There was something about the way that Greg was holding Nick and comforting him. Greg was smoothing his hair calming him. Nick looked up and touched his face. There was no way to describe it other than love. Warrick was taken aback. He questioned entering the room but Nick saw Warrick and motioned him in with his hand. Warrick pushed open the door and walked in. Greg was all flustered.

"Hey Warrick so um how's married life?"

"Look if I was interrupting something I can always come back."

"No we were just talking. Look Nick I'll see you later. "

"Sure." Nick looked at Greg as he grabbed his jacket and headed to the door. Greg turned back and looked at Nick. Greg whispered I love you. Nick smiled.

"Hey look you don't have to leave on my account Greg."

"Nah that's fine. I've got some stuff to take care of at the nurse's station. I'll go fill out that paperwork."

"Thanks."

Greg left. Warrick walked over and leaned against the wall using his right leg as a brace and crossed his arms. He looked at Nick.

"So you are finally getting out of here?"

"Yeah, tonight. My doctor finally signed my release."

Nick looked at Warrick's face and body language attempting to gauge his reaction. Nick spoke first.

"Look... "

"Hey it's fine with me. What you do on your own time is none of my business it's just..."

"What?"

"All the waitresses I assumed..."

"That I was a ladies man. I get that. I've been so used to that cover for so long. It became like a second skin to me. "

Warrick was taken aback.

"So how long have you known? I mean you don't have to answer. It's none of my business. "

"I was gay? You can say it. I really don't care who knows anymore. Since I was a teenager I guess."

"Really yet you never..."

"No the judge would've been furious with me. I mean growing up in a law enforcement household there's a certain image that needs to be up kept. My mother suspected I think. "

" I'll love you no matter what Nick..."

"So Sander's? Look I don't mean to pry...It's just..."

"What?"

"Surprising is all I guess."

Nick got what Warrick was trying to say.

"I started out pretty innocent between us. Greg and I've always been able to talk to each other. After work we would go out for a bite to eat with each other and just shoot the breeze. I'd always suspected about Greg but never really asked him. Anyway a bit back we went out for drinks after work and well one thing..."

"I see."

"Anyway we realized it was more. We've been seeing each other for almost 6 months now. "

Warrick could keep the look of surprise off his face. He didn't have a clue. There had been nothing at work to suggest that they were an item.

"So you kept it hidden all this time?"

"Yeah. You seem o.k. with this? "

"It is what it is. You have your own life. "

"Not everyone is as reasonable as you are. I mean you see that with this job. There are a lot of bigots out there. "

Something about Nick's statement made sense to Warrick. After Nick was pulled out of the box he was taken to Desert Palm. He had been taken to the ICU. The team had all been worried. Warrick had been sitting on the bench when Catherine came over. She caressed his back and told him that everything would be fine. Warrick knew it was just so frustrating. Warrick had looked up. Greg looked shell shocked. He was pacing back and forth. The doctor had come out and told them that Nick would be fine. The doctor told Greg that Nick wanted to see him. Greg looked around nervously and walked off with the doctor. About a half hour later Warrick got up from his sitting position because he needed to stretch his legs. He offered to get a pair of coffees for Catherine and him. She agreed. Warrick remembers how drained Catherine's face looked. He touched her face just for a second. She looked at him with those beautiful blue eyes. He started walking down the hallway and ran into a livid Judge Stokes. He looked at Warrick grumbled and walked away. Jillian Stokes had tears running down her face trying to get to her husband. Warrick questioned what had happened. He had walked over to the room and was about to look in when Grissom walked out and took him aside.

"Does Grissom know?"

"Yeah he's suspected for a bit. He doesn't really care as long as it doesn't affect our work. He was a real help with my father."

"Your father?"

"Yeah. He found Greg and me in my hospital room."

"Oh so that's what that was about. I saw him leave your room after talking to you I guess. He was furious."

"To say the least."

"Has he spoken to you since?"

"Nope. I don't expect him to but honestly I don't care. I'm tired about lying about who I am. Life's too short."

"Yeah I get that. So what happened? "

Nick flashes back to that moment. He had been lying in his bed in the ICU. Greg walked in with the doctor. Nick had heard the fear and then relief in Greg's voice. The doctor told him he could stay just for a bit. Greg looked over at him. He could hear the hissing and beeping of the machines. Greg sat down beside him and kissed his hand caressing it. He had tears running down his face and was biting his lower lip. Nicky touched his face. Greg stood up and kissed his forehead. He didn't know what he would have done if he had lost him. That's when Judge Stokes walked in.

"You get your filthy hands off my son you fagot. I'll have your job for this. "

Judge Stokes grabbed Greg by the shoulders and pulled him off. He looked between his son and Greg. Jillian Stokes tried to touch her husband on the shoulder to calm him down. He gave her a look and she backed off.

"Stop it Dad. You have no right to talk to Greg like that. "

Nick sat up gingerly. He was sore. He could feel his stitches tearing. Nick's mother came to his side.

"Nicky..."

"Mom I need to do this now."

"It's fine." Greg pulled back fearful that he was about to get punched.

"No it isn't Greg. I'm tired of hiding us. I'm tired of lying."

"Poncho it's just the trauma. This geek is taking advantage of you. "

Greg looked between Nick and his father. He never wanted to do this. He knew what it was like when your family finally found out. Greg's family had been a lot more accepting of his lifestyle. They had found out his first year of college.

"No he isn't. I'm tired of lying about who I am. I nearly died tonight Dad. I love him."

There were fresh tears running down Nick's face he brushed them aside. He winced and touched his side from moving. Greg walked over and touched his hand.

"Don't touch him you pervert."

A new voice entered the conversation.

"I think that's enough Mr. Stokes. Your son needs his rest. I'm going to have to ask you to leave. "

Greg and Nick looked over and saw Grissom looking at them.

"You knew about them?"

"Yes I did. Mr. Sanders is a fine technician in my lab. I won't stand for him being belittled. Your son nearly died tonight. That's what should matter to you. You should be thankful that he's alive. "

"So this is how you run your office? Poncho you're coming back with us to Houston. "

"My office is one of the top ones in the country. I let my people live their lives as they choose as long as it doesn't affect their work. Mr. Sanders is one of my top technicians. Nick is one of my top investigators. I honestly don't care what happens after hours."

"Well it's just the trauma. My son would never be involved with this..."

"Look Mr. Stokes..."

Nick looked at Grissom trying to reason with his father. Nick realized there was no point. He was tired of pleasing the old man.

"Grissom thanks but there's no point. He's already made his choice. Dad, my life is here in Las Vegas. My life is with Greg. I love him and want to be with him. I'm gay. I've known it for a very long time. I was just never sure how to tell you."

"Well if you are then..."

Nick was starting to get really irritated by his father. He nearly died tonight. He should be relieved that he was alive instead he's badgering him about Greg.

"What I'm not your son? Is that how it goes. I nearly died tonight Dad."

"The Nicholas Stokes that I raised died a long time ago. I don't know who you are."

Nick was stunned and hurt by his father's reaction. He knew that it wouldn't be good but still he never expected to be disowned. He turns his head to the side and looks at the wall. Greg strokes his hand.

"Mr. Stokes?"

"Don't bother me."

Judge Stokes left the room with Grissom following him. Jillian Stokes looked over at her son and touched his tear stained face.

"I'll love you no matter what my Nicky. I just want you to be happy. It's good to see that you are finally."

"Jillian!"

"Coming Frank." Jillian grabbed her purse. She went over and kissed her son on the forehead.

Nick's mother had always known or suspected. Nick looked at Warrick after he told him the story.

"Ouch that's got to hurt Nick."

"Yeah. It does but I am tired of hiding my feelings for Greg. You seem pretty calm about this? "

"It is what it is you know."

"Hey Rick is something bothering you?"

"Nah... Look I'm sorry about the coin toss."

Nick touched Warrick's shoulder.

"Are you still worried about that? It's nothing put it behind you. I'll be fine. It's more isn't it? "

"Yeah you know how you said that night put a lot of things in perspective. You were tired of hiding your feelings..."

"Yeah...something happen?"

"Something Catherine said surprised me. It got me thinking. Actually I can't stop thinking about it. "

"Really? Did she finally say something? "

Warrick looked at Nick surprised. He could see that Nick had known something might happen.

"Don't look so surprised. I've been working pretty close with you two since Ecklie split up the team. I could see the looks and almost touches between you and Cath. The way you get all tongue tied when Cath comes in the room. It was as if you wanted to say something but weren't sure how to. There just never seemed to be the right time. That's why I was surprised when I heard that you married Tina. Don't get me wrong if you are happy with her then fine."

"We haven't been...happy for a bit. I think we both jumped into this without really knowing who the other person was."

"I'm sorry Rick."

"Yeah I am too."

"Look do you want some advice."

"Sure."

"Be fair to Tina. If you are happy with her then stay with her and put Catherine in the past. But if as I suspect you can't stop thinking about Catherine then let Tina go. Tell her you both made a mistake and you don't see a reason to prolong the heartache. It's going to come you know that. "

"Yeah."

"You'll just make each other miserable if you go further."

"Yeah I guess so."

"So why haven't you told Catherine how you feel?"

"I didn't want to risk losing our friendship. She's one of my dearest friends. I love spending time with her and Lindsey. I didn't want it to become awkward if she didn't feel the same way. "

"Well you know now that she does. It's not awkward right now? "

Warrick laughs it was. There was a wall between them whenever he entered the room. She would look over at him then leave the room. He would try to talk to her but she would brush it off and start talking about the case. Now it had gotten to the point that they barely talked to each other.

"Yeah it is."

"Warrick there is always a risk when it comes to relationships that your heart might get broken. That's just life but if you are willing to take a chance the rewards can be huge. Look at Greg and me. If I didn't take a chance and tell him how I felt. We wouldn't be together now. It was a huge risk coming out of the closet to my parents but if anything that box made me realize that life is too damn short to please others. Now I don't have to worry about acting a certain way for my father. I can just be myself and love Greg."

"You seem happy now even after all that has happened?"

"I am. Don't get me wrong there are good days and bad but mostly good. Greg makes it better. I know he will be there for me if I need him. So what are you going to do about Catherine and Tina? "

"I need to tell Tina the truth and then find Catherine. I hope I can explain this to her. "

"Take a chance you won't regret it."

Just then Greg popped his head inside the door. He had a pair of hot coffees.

"It's o.k.?"

"Yeah come on in Greg. Sorry for budging in. I just needed some advice. "

"No it's fine." Greg walked over beside Nick and put the coffee down on the side table. He placed the paperwork beside it. "All the paperwork is filled out."

"He knows Greg."

Greg walks over and stands beside Nick. Warrick gets up.

"Take care. I need to go and talk to someone. Thanks for the advice. "

"Sure no problem."

Warrick leaves the room.

Greg walks over and touches Nick's hand.

"What was that all about?"

"Getting what you want." Nick pulls Greg into his arms and kisses him. Greg pulls back and laughs.

"So is the paperwork done?"

"Yep. Let's get you home. "

"Hey do you know how much better you make my life?"

Greg turned to Nick and smiled.

"Yeah. You do the same for mine."

Warrick grabs the wine and takes a sip of it. He flashes back on seeing them through the door. The closeness, the touches, the smiles - It couldn't be defined as anything but love. It was real. What he had with Tina wasn't. It was an impulse. He had been scared shitless by what happened to Nick and reacted. Seeing them that way had put it all in perspective. It was a wake up call for Warrick. Warrick looks at the ring on the piano top. Tina had been hurt when he told her that he wanted to end it but surprisingly she understood. They had made a mistake. They really didn't know each other. They wanted different things out of life.

"A penny for your thoughts."

Warrick looked up and saw Catherine standing there looking at him. She had a hand on her hip. She was wearing jeans, red t-shirt and her black leather jacket. She had a glass of wine in her hand.

"Cath..."

"Nick said that you might be here. I went over to his house to check on him. Did you know about him and Greg? "

" No, I just found out a couple of nights back. They seem happy. "

She walked over and placed the glass of wine on the piano lid. She looked at Warrick. The soft light of the room played off his eyes.

"Are you...happy?"

"Better now that you are here. Look Cath..."

"Warrick look I'm sorry for avoiding you. I shouldn't have said what I did. "

"About the fantasy?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I spoke without thinking. "

"Oh."

"I hope you are happy with Tina. I only wish the best for you. You got to know that. "

Catherine picked up her glass and was about to leave. Warrick got up and touched her arm. Catherine turned around and looked at him. She looked at the left hand on her arm. There was no ring. She looks over and sees a glint on the piano top. The ring wasn't on his hand.

"Tina and I ended it tonight."

Catherine looked at Warrick.

" You did ? "

TBC ?