"You sure? You don't sound okay to me."

"I'm fine, Ryan…I thought you weren't supposed to be talking to me, yet?"

"Greg, when do I purposely not talk to you?"

"When you're sleeping."

"I'll choose to ignore that one or I'll really end up not talking to you."

"So you say…But I just called to see if you're still coming over tonight."

"Despite yesterday's life threatening events, I didn't say I wasn't. Why…You don't want me to come?"

"I do, I do…I wanted to remind you to use the spare key because I'm going to be a little late."

"You're not actually working pseudo-overtime…Are you?"

"Nah, you know me better than that. I maxed out my pseudo-overtime, already."

"You know you can't go anywhere. Sara took your cars keys away for that stunt you pulled yesterday."

"I know."

"If you need me to, I can take-"

"No, I…Um…I already have a ride."

"And let me hold on to some semblance of hope for you…Sara knows about this?"

"Not really...But could you, you know? Not tell her?"

"Since I'll actually be there, I guess I can cover for you. But isn't she in the office with you?"

"No…But she should be back, soon. I told her I'm going to stay with Grissom. She doesn't know I maxed out my pseudo-overtime for the week."

"Wait…Where are you going?"

"To pick up some seafood…"

"You could at least try to make up a better excuse. I can't believe you're going-"

"Oh, I hear Sara coming, now."

"Greg, don't-"

"See you later, Ryan. Bye."

"Who was that?" Sara closed the door behind her, taking off her sunglasses; giving Greg a penetrating stare.

"Ryan." Greg untangled the phone's cords, pushing the phone to the side of the desk as Sara moved closer to him. He knew she knew Greg was planning something. He shouldn't have hung up the phone so quickly. That was her first piece of incriminating evidence.

Besides the simple fact he was Greg, of course.

"Really?" She walked past Greg and set her bag on the chair, taking note of the quick sigh of something that sounded suspiciously close to relief. Too suspiciously close for comfort.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I know I wouldn't be talking to you after yesterday." Greg would probably have been six feet under by now. Or more if she dumped Greg's body in the ocean. It was one of those what-if questions she didn't really care for. She would have to have been in the car to make up her mind because she didn't know if it warranted a body dump in the ocean.

"But you're still looking at me like that." Greg pointed at her face. He knew Sara couldn't see her face, but if it was making him uncomfortable, that should have been enough for her.

"Looking at you like what?" Like Greg was crazy. Probably. But she thought Greg would have noticed those looks a long time ago. It was a surprise she didn't see them on Ryan more often. Sometimes, Sara didn't understand how Ryan could put up with Greg. She'd only known Greg four years, compared to Ryan's ten.

Maybe it was a guy thing.

Or Ryan was that distracted by Greg that he could somehow overlook the fact that Greg was...

Greg.

"Like I have problems or something." Because Greg didn't have problems. He was a perfectly normal, person. Even if he did think normal was a bit overrated.

"Oh, no. Of course you don't." Though Sara's tone betrayed the possibility of truth in her words. "I'm still wondering why Ryan is even talking to you."

"Because we're..." More than friends, best friends, closer than brothers, something that he couldn't put into words.

"You're lucky to have him, then." Teasing aside, Sara was grateful to Ryan for being there for Greg. If it meant that much to her, she couldn't imagine how much it meant to Greg.

"I am…"

"You know…" Sara decided for a new topic. This was one getting too sentimental for her. Uncharted territory that only Ryan had bothered to try to map. She also wanted to check on Greg's status concerning a certain someone. "Nick is leaving tonight."

"Yeah…" Greg laughed nervously, trying to brush off the concern he could see in Sara's eyes. "He told me about that. Family…You know how that is." But Greg's nervousness wasn't completely reserved for Nick's coming departure. He still hadn't told his mom about the shooting…And he had to add the car chase he was in.

Yeah, he knew how family was.

How his mom was.

"Just be careful, all right. No more shootings, car chases-"

"What?" Greg's face was twisted in confusion. He had no clue as to what Sara was talking about. She couldn't be telling him to be careful around Ryan because it was usually the other way around. But if not about Ryan…

"Give me some credit." Sara smirked as she leaned over Greg's shoulder. "You really didn't think I'd let you hang out with some guy behind my back, did you?"

Much to his embarrassment and a possible smidgen of something that could be referred to as shame, Greg actually did think he could. But his confusion concerned how Sara found out. Because Greg knew without a doubt that Ryan wouldn't tell. "How did you-"

"Nick called me. Asked my permission." Because it really didn't mean anything to ask Grissom.

"Oh…" Which made sense, really. Too bad Greg didn't think of it.

"Oh is right." Sara mocked as she pulled on Greg's ear, pleasantly ignoring his protests of pain. "Don't doubt me again, all right. I know you, Greg."

He held his ear tenderly, wondering if she stretched it out. "So you know about dinner, huh?"

"Who do you think picked the restaurant?"

"You were kind of quiet, tonight."

Nick was at odds with himself. He wasn't expecting the case to be solved so soon. Grissom connected the identity theft with the serial killer case in less than a week. In some respects, he was happy for the reprieve, however short it turned out to be. It was a chance to be away from his family. Not that he didn't love them, but sometimes family was just that.

Family.

But he was grateful to Grissom and Sara, who had done much to keep his situation under wraps. And he was grateful to Greg, too. The same Greg who was standing beneath the porch light, blonde hair illuminated in the night. Bleached so white it almost looked liked it belonged among the stars.

No…It was actually that white.

Greg had told him his natural hair colour was a deep brown. Something Nick wondered if he would get a chance to see. Because that certain barrier kept popping up in his mind. And he hadn't necessarily asked Greg how he felt about possibly going out with someone who had three years on him. Not that he knew that Greg would be interested in him in a more-than-friends kind of way.

But if that constant flushing around Nick was any indication… It was more enticing than anything he'd seen before. Cheeks dusted in a beatific colour and mouth partially open and inviting. Something that Nick-

"Really?" Greg looked up at Nick, missing the dazed expression he had but seconds ago. He hadn't taken much notice of the silence. His mind was too preoccupied with this last day with Nick. And the shrimp was actually that good. But he still wouldn't thank Sara even if he was going to drag Ryan there, later.

"I didn't make you nervous, did I?" Nick had this weird feeling that perhaps he had come on too strong. That this thing he wanted with Greg was too much, too soon. Especially since he was supposed to be leaving, tonight. Warrick had extended the invitation, but Nick knew his father had expected him back tomorrow.

Despite his initial desires, because his case was linked to the Vartaan guy, it was already in the media. Even though his name wasn't directly mentioned, – something which he could thank Brass for – his truck was. And it was enough to catch his mom's attention.

"No, no. You didn't…I had fun. With you, I mean." Greg rocked on his heels, hands behind his back. It was getting late and he and Nick were still standing out on Grissom's front porch. Nick's truck parked in the driveway. He knew he should go inside, where Ryan was probably waiting only moments away.

But it seemed that after tonight, it would be forever away from Nick.

Disregarding the fact they already traded phone numbers. For Greg, this involved Grissom's, his home number from San Gabriel, and Sara's, which Nick already had. But having Nick's number didn't mean that Nick wouldn't forget about him.

It didn't mean that Nick would remember him.

Nick smiled, steadily moving closer to Greg. He was happy Greg had fun with him. Not yet the kind of fun he usually aimed for, but it was still something special for him. "Yeah…I had fun, too."

"Me, too." Greg looked away at the small window beside the front door. He thought he heard someone moving the blinds, but didn't see anyone. It was probably just a figment of his imagination.

"I just wanted to say…"

"Yes." Greg turned to face Nick, his body unconsciously moving toward the older man. This could be moment.

Nick was taken back by the look in Greg's face. His eyes barely opened and expression so trusting. Waiting for something. And that's when Nick realised that Greg was just a kid and by the eagerness of his actions, a kid who hadn't even had his first kiss.

And as much as Nick felt something for Greg, he didn't want Greg to end up as another notch in his belt.

"Wanted to say that…"

"Yeah…" Greg wondered how long it would take for Nick to lean down. To bring their lips together. Any longer and Greg would have to stand on his toes and press his lips to Nick. He could feel the warmth of Nick's breath. It smelled faintly of shrimp, but that was okay because Greg loved shrimp.

"That I'm glad I met you Greg." Nick backed away as he placed his hand on Greg's shoulder. Forcing a smile as he tried to ignore the blatant hurt on Greg's face. Because it was for the best.

At least that's what Nick kept telling himself.

"Oh…Me, too." Greg almost fell back in surprise; his tone was noticeably that of someone that was completely crushed. He wasn't expecting the turn of events as he moved closer to the front door, holding onto his arm as he moved further from Nick. Maybe Ryan was right. Maybe Greg read the signs wrong and Nick didn't like him like that.

Maybe he shouldn't have believed in a stupid crush.

"Good night, then."

Nick frowned as he watched Greg dig for keys in his pocket. Hastily taking one out and using it to open the door. Greg gave Nick one final nod before he softly closed the door, but still left the lights on. So Nick wouldn't be left in the dark.

Nick sighed, placing his hands in his pockets as he walked toward his truck. Unlocking the door and climbing inside. He leaned against the seat, turned on his headlights and put his truck in reverse as he began to back out of the driveway.

Oddly disappointed in himself.

"Just so you know," Ryan hoped he was making a point with Greg. The shaking hadn't seemed to do anything for his friend's lack of common sense. Maybe he shook Greg too hard? "I'm not doing that again." But he honestly meant it, this time. He was serious, now.

No more being dragged through Greg's latest get quick scheme. No more being blackmailed by Eric because Greg had to take incriminating pictures of Ryan in a compromising situation. No more dodging bullets and car chases involving the police.

Even if the latter two were a first.

And definitely no more of Greg driving. Especially when it was his car. Ryan was actually surprised when he found the body of his car free of scratches, his tires intact, and transmission spared. Not that Greg offering to wash his car lessened the fact that he'd put Ryan's baby in mortal danger.

At least Sara took away Greg's car keys. Including the two duplicates his mother made for him. Ryan could at least find solace in that and appreciate Sara for that small miracle.

"That's what you said last time." Greg was stretched out on Grissom's long couch, taking up the majority of space as Ryan was nearly huddled on the other side, on leg sitting on top of the other as he faced the television.

Greg was tempted to place his socked covered feet in Ryan's lap. Not that he needed to do such a thing, but it was merely because he wanted to. And because he'd done it before. But Greg resisted the temptation – no matter how appealing – to place his feet in Ryan's lap for the same reason that he'd done so before. But Ryan had always responded by throwing Greg's feet off his lab which subsequently led to Greg sprawled on the floor in an undignified position.

Something that happened many times before.

"I mean it this time." And Ryan repeated the words to himself because he did. Mean it this time. He didn't want to go through trying to convince Greg that he shouldn't wear skirts. Regardless if Ryan, from then on, decided that his legs were one of Greg's greatest assets. Eventually Ryan found out Greg was in fact not confused about his sexuality but rather acting upon a dare inflicted by Archie. Only because Ryan was in San Gabriel for Christmas last year and Archie was like Sara but more evil as he tried to persuade Ryan to act on his nonexistent, more than best friend, feelings for Greg.

And no…Ryan did not have more than one Polaroid of Greg in said skirt in his room.

Deeply hidden somewhere.

"And you'll probably be saying that again." Something Greg didn't doubt. Because he did harbour some sort of regret for dragging Ryan through his machinations, or at least that's what Sara called them. However, he couldn't be completely sorry, because he would always ask Ryan who was more foolish. The fool or the fool who follows him? Something that Ryan always neglected to answer.

But at least Ryan would have to fight the smile on his face whenever Greg quoted something from Star Wars.

"I know I will."

After Ryan's admittance, there was silence in the room. Or there would have been a silence if the sound of Gremlins didn't echo in the room. Not that the silence was tense or anything, it was just without noise…Except for the lady who was screaming because she saw a couple of Gremlins.

Something, that for some reason, disturbed Greg. And coincidentally prompted his friend to initiate some sort of conversation.

"Are we christening this tonight?" Ryan was notably shocked when Greg informed him that Grissom had bought a television – not of the small variety – and cable. Both of which Ryan and Greg figured Grissom had never seen the likes of before. So they were doing the only thing they could do.

Make use of it before Grissom changed his mind.

"The cable or the TV?" Greg pointed to the screen, now filled with people running out of a building.

"I think both." Ryan crossed his arms. "Although, I shouldn't be christening anything with you."

"Come on, I washed your car."

"I won't even go there. Especially if I end up with you."

"Is that Ryanese for Greg, I don't know what I'd do without you because you make my life complete and I adore you from the bottom of my heart?"

"Yeah, right." Ryan scoffed, throwing a pillow at Greg. "You haven't been reading those trashy Danielle Steele novels, again? Because for your sake-"

"Hey." Ryan was cut off; dodging a pillow Greg had thrown at him. "Those are my mom's. I don't even know how they ended up in my room." He'd only taken a peak once…He hadn't even finished the seventh chapter when Ryan came in his room, unannounced.

"Under your bed, in that fire safe box, with your Chandler books, too. I don't know how they got there, either." Of course, Ryan had put them there. He was the only one who knew the combination to Greg's safe box.

But last night's happy dream of drowning Greg in a bathtub aside – minus the fact that they were both naked in said bathtub because Greg was too close for those kinds of thoughts – teasing Greg had always been fun pastime of Ryan's.

Like baseball.

After all, something had to make up for dealing with Greg on a daily basis.

But because Ryan was the type to reuse a joke, far after its expiration date, Greg had grown a tolerance to his teasing. A sort of wall, if you will, against the teasing.

However, he had one way to combat Ryan's seemingly harmless mockery.

"Ryan…"

"Hmm?"

"I'm sorry."

Ryan turned to Greg, interest immediately caught by Greg's words. "For what?" He knew that Greg had much to apologise for. But Greg would never do so in a direct manner, outright apologise unless he was up to something. Something malicious that had a possibility of getting under Ryan's skin. Something he had to watch for.

But this is where Ryan wavered in his resolve and against his good judgement threw caution to the wind as he saw Greg on the other side of the couch. Arms wrapped around bent legs that were pressed closed to his chest.

Like he knew it got to Ryan every time.

He knew Greg was going to spew some kind of sappy stuff. And he always fell for it.

"Because you're a good friend and my best friend." And like Sara said, someone he was lucky to have. Someone who he grew up with, got sick with, and even took baths with…When they were younger, though. It only lasted a couple of years but their parents never kept them apart. Until Ryan's mom moved to San Francisco.

The nerve of that woman. What kind of excuse was reassignment?

But as least he wasn't too far away.

"I really appreciate you for that, you know? And I know I don't-"

"Is this another ploy to make me forgive you?" Because much to Ryan's dismay, but not really to his surprise, he was falling for it.

Again.

"Maybe." Greg dragged the word out; biting his bottom in what he knew was his innocently coy look. Which was actually more coy than innocent.

And what Greg thought of as 'coy' was actually more of a 'sultry' to Ryan, who was almost reduced to tears, and left to suppress the beginnings of a moan in his throat. "All right." If only Greg knew…But then Ryan would have to admit to something that wasn't true.

Not exactly untrue, anyway.

"You can sit by me." Ryan patted the top of the couch, where his arm was draped across. He sighed dramatically when Greg nearly clambered beside him. "But don't think this means I'll let you touch the SNES." It was bad enough Ryan was still hanging out with Greg after only a record-breaking twenty-four hours – because one day didn't sound as impressive – he wasn't going to let Greg near his console ever again.

However long 'ever' really was.

"Sure, Ryan." Although Greg had replied in a complacent manner, he knew that Ryan would crumble in due time. Ryan would become putty in his hands soon enough. Like that blue silly putty he left at home.

"I'm serious, Greg."

"Ryan…I can't believe you'd think me so cruel a person. It breaks my-"

"I'll push you off this couch if you finish that sentence."

"Fine. You'd think that-" I've done something wrong was what Greg intended to say, but one look at Ryan's face, dangerously close to his own, made Greg decide to let his words fall flat. Consequently, he figured it would be better to say nothing at all.

Actions did speak louder than words.

Ryan peered down at Greg, surprised his friend had chosen to say nothing. Instead, he leaned his head on Ryan's shoulder, turning his attention to back to the movie.

And as interesting as the sequel to Gremlins was, Ryan was more intrigued by how comfortable Greg was around him. Not that their closeness was anything new, they'd always been like that. But mostly when something was bothering one of them. And Ryan knew he wasn't due for a session of insanity. He had his bi-monthly meltdown last month and wasn't due until July…Hence why he referred to it as bi-monthly.

So that only left Greg…Whose schedule was more sporadic and further in between than his. But Ryan knew only one kind of trouble that had been following Greg. The kind of trouble that began with an N and ended with a K.

And he wasn't thinking about neck.

Greg only almost broke his once. He fell off the tree and landed on Ryan instead of the ground.

But at the same time, Ryan wasn't sure how to bring it up. This thing with Nick, that is. Greg was the type of person who would rather cover up with a smile than actually go into anything touchy feely. Or the sappy stuff he did say was purposely exaggerated. Then, add the fact that Ryan wasn't the most impartial person when it came to talking about the N-word.

But the things he did for Greg.

"So…Do you want to talk about it?"

"Talk about what?" Greg turned his attention from the Gremlins attacking some news anchor to Ryan, trying to blink the sleep away from his eyes.

Ryan cringed as Greg yawned into his shirt. He wasn't as germaphobic as Greg, who ironically, seemed to think germs didn't count when it came to Ryan, but he didn't have it in him to bring up the Nick thing when Greg was leaning on his shoulder. Looking up at Ryan with eyes doused in sleep.

"Nothing…It's not important."

He watched as Greg closed his eyes, running his hand through Greg's hair and suppressing the groan that so desperately wanted to be made.

So much for a putting up a resistance.

Ryan would eventually end up giving into Greg and in this case, it was much sooner than he originally anticipated. Following Greg was basically getting into trouble. Sometimes with Greg and sometimes for Greg. Not that Ryan would actually be irresponsible enough to put them in such situations.

If you didn't count that one time he accidentally burned popcorn in the microwave, the smoke of which set off the smoke detector and resulted in a fireman banging on the windows and doors because the twelve year-old Ryan was too scared to open the door. And instead of letting the fireman in, he went upstairs and practically carried Greg – who was still sleeping – downstairs. After which Greg calmly opened the door and explained the situation and took the blame for the whole fiasco, saving Ryan from his mom's wrath.

So maybe he had good reason to give into Greg.

And let his friend sleep for now. He'd make up for this Nick thing, tomorrow. Because that's something good friends would do. It was Greg's first crush and it hit him hard. But if he and Greg only ended up as friends, Ryan was fine with that.

He leaned his head on top of Greg's. Smiling into Greg's hair as his friend continued to snore – mouth wide open – through the screams of people coming from the television. Not surprised when Greg still didn't wake up.

If this is what having Greg for a best friend is like, Ryan could live with that.

I know the ice cream bit is a horrible cliche, but come on, it's Greg. And yet shop, all I can say is that I'd being going to jail, too.

Okay, so maybe this didn't turn out to be as crackstastic as I would have liked. Somehow, that thing called angst came through. However, I believe I make up for it - in the most disturbing way - with the next chapter. It ends up more fluffy than I would have liked, but it's all good.

Three sighs later, thank you for reading and thank you yet shop and silverrayne666 for reviewing.