Nick stopped dead at the sound of a pained cry. He quickly realised it was coming from his office; where he'd left Greg. Rushing to the office, Nick sighed in relief when he saw Greg standing outside. The relief was short lived, as he quickly noticed the tears streaming down his face. Stepping slowly, Nick caught Greg's eye before he approached him.
"Greg?" Nick didn't have time to continue, as his arms were quickly filled with a sobbing Greg.
"I'm so sorry, Nick. I should have known better. He's your boss, and it would've helped you, but…"
"Hey," Nick stopped the rant; making Greg look up at him. "What happened?" Before Greg could answer, the door to Nick's office slammed open to reveal a furious looking Ecklie.
"What's going on here?" Nick asked, immediately suspicious.
"The kid attacked me, that's what's going on," Ecklie spat back. Nick noticed the blood slowly leaking from his eyebrow.
"Greg?" Nick asked, looking gently at the shorter man. "Did you do that to Ecklie?" Greg nodded sheepishly; fear in his eyes. "Why?"
"I… I was scared," Greg answered quietly. "He said he wanted to…" Greg dipped his head in shame. "That he wanted to assume my debt. Take me off your hands."
"So you hit him?" Nick had to hide the smile he wanted to show at the look Ecklie was sporting. Greg shook his head.
"I said no. I like being with you. But he said it wasn't my choice. Said you couldn't afford to keep me. He said he'd take care of me, and…" Greg buried his head in Nick's chest, and the CSI barely heard the next words. "He tried to touch me." Nick turned angry eyes on Ecklie at the statement, but the under sheriff was still looking expectantly.
"Well," He pushed. "What are you going to do about this?" Nick pulled back from Greg, making the younger man stand up straight. The fear in his eyes was unbearable, but Nick had more important things to worry about. Slowly, he rounded on Ecklie.
"What am I gonna do about it?" Nick parroted, before making a show of thinking. "Well, let's see. I told him to hang out in my office. He did. He just said he likes being with me. Nice little boost to my ego there. And I told him to defend himself, which he did. So…" Nick looked over, smiling at Greg. "That's gotta deserve some coffee. Maybe some kind of cookie." Greg laughed softly, wiping the last few stray tears away. Nick turned back to Ecklie; his face suddenly dark. He stepped closer, and Ecklie quickly realised his mistake.
"Greg's debt isn't up for grabs." Ecklie visibly shrunk as Nick loomed over him. "You touch my boy again, and you'll be dealing with me." Ecklie nodded shakily; making a quick exit. Nick deflated with a sigh, turning back towards Greg. The younger man came quickly to his side; wrapping himself tightly around the brunette.
"Let's get some coffee," Nick breathed, separating from Greg and taking his hand. Greg stopping made Nick turn to see the curious look on his face.
"Your boy?" Greg cocked his head to the side, smiling as Nick ducked his head.
"Sorry about that," He replied quietly; looking up to see Greg smiling at him.
(~*~*~)
Greg swung into Archie's lab, smiling when the tech looked up at him.
"Hey Greg," Archie grinned back. "Nick back in the field?" Greg nodded, stepping in and sitting next to Archie. "I heard about the commotion with Ecklie," Archie offered. "Everyone wished they coulda been there." Greg looked down, trying to hide a smile.
"I'm getting a job here," Greg spoke quietly. "Nick said it'd help with my debt." Archie smiled widely.
"Congratulations." Greg nodded before looking at Archie seriously.
"I need you to do something for me," He said carefully. "It's ok if you don't want to, but I don't know who else to ask." Archie stopped working to look at Greg.
"What do you have in mind?"
"It's about Nick," Greg said needlessly. "He's been really good to me, but…" Archie noticed the flush to Greg's neck, and smiled.
"Something he's not giving you?" He asked a little suggestively.
"He doesn't want to feel like he's pushing me," Greg explained. "But I have an idea." Archie smirked.
"I like the sound of that."