The sounds of picks and the light sound of a person who spoke to him added to the light of a flashlight went just in time in Nick's mind.

It was time his finger was laid on the trigger, but the earthquake to his hand slowed his movements. What a relief! If believing he was pleased that his God has acknowledged him and listened to his message.

But the discovery of a bomb under his coffin is added to his current nightmare and he said to himself: "No, you won't get it now? Not after all that I already had to suffer? No please let me! "

He crossed the look of Greg shortly. The expression of his face made him confused: he was virtually certain now that everyone had heard his declaration of love and he wondered if the man of his dreams was disgusted or, like him, had the scare of his life even more now that it had been found?

He couldn't recognize it and he would have more time for that later. There for the moment, he hears Grissom calling him Poncho, as his father always do to make him calm down. The effect is immediate. So he lets him hooking an harness to his belt, the hand of Warrick in his and see Greg behind them, hesitating, obviously not knowing what to do.

He heard his friends count up to three, remaining motionless all over his body and he felt himself being raised of the ground while a large explosion occurred below them. He remained semiconscious a few minutes, knowing that he was carried to the hospital on a gurney. Those who remained friends despite a very slight hint of anger towards them accompanied him. And he was rocking before falling asleep with the stamps that it had to give. His last sentence before sinking in a deep slumber, whispered but still heard by his colleagues:

"Thank you! Thank you so much for letting me do it!"

Warrick and Catherine were a little confused, but they understood the message. He wasn't crazy and two of their best friends would finally be happy together.

The six weeks of "forced rest" were split up in two weeks of hospital and nearly three weeks in his natal home with his parents.

Two weeks in the hospital had also not been the most relaxing ones. He couldn't sleep because of the nightmares and sedatives which made him barely realize that people were with him in the room. But he couldn't help but hear snippets of conversation. And each time the man he loved was coming…

Oh yes, he would have liked to say more than platitudes, much more. Oh yes! But of course someone always needed to cut the moments when he felt ready, where he knew perfectly well that he would ignore the denial in which he was in the midst and the power to look Greg in the eyes when he would say to him all about his present feelings towards this absolutely brilliant man, who will have saved his life in a certain way.

Because Yes, it is for him that he has beaten, it is for him that he sought to resist the feeling at the bottom of him finally that something could be built between them. But for that, by being honest with himself, he should be honest as to his family. Regardless, to their opinion on the issue was not the most important. He wanted to just be happy. And not to let this incident with him forever.

But in his current state, he was unable to. The only thing he could was to leave his family to deal with him and people that will definitely help to pass this test. Finally not so definitively out.

He even thanked the sky each day of giving this second chance and wants to be stronger than everything for the happiness it is so long set aside.

He therefore went to Texas with his parents. Three weeks to try to forget, but he now knows: nightmares will become less frequent but being six feet under the ground, gasping for air and eaten alive, without having told the truth to the most important person in this world. No this he'll never forget…

But to move forward, it must be something important: revealing his sexuality to his parents.

And surprisingly for him, the worst didn't come. Outside one of his sisters, the news was accepted, all or less easily. The most important? His happiness. That is what they told him. And you can't imagine how it the felt at that moment. This feeling of happiness! Oh yes, a small step towards his inner freedom had just be done.

At the end of his "rest forced" therefore, it was a great pleasure to see again his colleagues. Tired skin, its still visible scars, the pockets below his eyes… He couldn't hide however but the psychs had given the green light and he felt too locked at home doing nothing. Therefore, so much the better. And Furthermore, he wanted to review Greg and finally have the discussion they haven't had for six weeks. This was the moment. But work is work and our two experts didn't met that very little. Place to private life in this case: no one.

When he was finished, Greg wasn't returned. He remained a little bit of time to wait for him in the locker rooms. But is it confirmed that the investigation on which he was would take time asking his attention as a chemist as his successor had his day off.

And this is, yet a discussion for later. Whore of trade of the time.

But the fact of having waited so long and knowing that this should work Greg as him, he couldn't postpone.

So he left therefore a message on his answering machine before going to his apartment.

Sounding over the intercom, he was more anxious than ever. How he would react? Did he avoid him on purpose today?... Questions multiplied until his call was answered.

"Yes?"

"Oh Yeah, Greg." Ah it's me… I was (silence) I really wanted to talk to you. Only if you let me upstairs of course!"

His voice was of any anxiety he felt and much hesitation and he was sure that Greg couldn't ignore it. But only in a whisper, he heard "Nick".

Laughing nervously, he realized that they were both in the same state of mind and it's, it was rather a good sign. "Yes it is me!". Can I come? I mean if you have… »

"No, no, it's good, you can come in... You know where to direct yourself by the way? »

And with no time to answer, the intercom reported that access was enabled.

Greg wasn't on the first floor. In other situations, he could take the lift, but that fear made him take the stairs. No I want nothing to spoil this visit with him, he thought, even if he wanted to slow down his course.

But no, no more escaping now, he had to face his destiny (and perhaps the Holy Grail).

The rise came as soon as possible. His heart beat more quickly and his impatience is clear.

The corridor. Go, go on Nick, this is not the sea to drink (a french expression). The door of the apartment, that's it.

Taking a last deep breath, he knocks. He felt sweat result on his body, hands becoming moist. Escaping or not?

The door opened, on a Greg, looking exhausted but seeming really happy to see him here.

"Hey!". "Hey, you!". "Ah you let me in?". "Yes of course! Come in! ».

He let him enter. As he expected, the place was a mess but it was clean.

Two arms came around his waist, hands caressing his chest tenderly while small kisses were deposited in the hollow of his neck. And he allowed himself to relax against this body who supported him and enjoyed the first true contact with his beloved one. But he wanted to speak. Gently, by removing the hands on him, he turned around.

"Wait G, I wanted…". "

" Shh, don't say nothing please! "

"But… ".

" Nothing to say Nicky! "

"But… ". "

"No, but… ". I love you too, I love you too so much… »

Tears returned in force, but at least he knew that it wasn't sad ones. Not really believing what's happening, he took his face between his hands, passed its inches below his chocolate eyes so beautiful to wipe a few tears and slowly inches closer to make contact with this gorgeous lips for the first time...

TBC...

Lemon for the next chapter? Or not? :-)