Hi guys!

Sorry it took me so long to update, but it's been a few busy days and I also wanted to make the next chapters really good :)

I know some of you think the story's been dragged out for too long now, and I partly agree. But don't worry, we're getting close to the end now! Not sure how many chapters are left, but it's not going to be too many. ;)

The next chapter might take a few days, too, but I'd rather update slowly and have a great chapter instead of rushing things, please understand that :)

And now enjoy!

A week has passed since Greg told Julian he couldn't trust him anymore. It was an awkward and weird week.

Julian tried several times to draw him out, but Greg decided to bear up, as hard as it sometimes was. He was kind of torn apart on this one. He really didn't trust Julian anymore, but he also felt sorry for him. He couldn't get the story about why Julian had a rather short fuse out of his head, but he knew that he couldn't be friends with someone he wasn't able to trust. The fact that they still had to work together made it hard, though. And Julian trying to gain Greg's trust back everyday didn't make it any easier.

Greg had to drop off DNA evidence and thought it was a good opportunity to talk to Julian.

"Hello, Greg!" Julian said cheerful.

"Hey. Here's some DNA to process."

"Thanks, I'll do it right away." This was the only upside about this all. Julian did his job faster than usual, hoping to impress Greg.

"Before you do that... I need to talk to you."

"Yeah?" he asked, hoping this would be some good news.

"You know, I really appreciate you trying to fix our... friendship, but... please stop it."

Julian raised his eyebrows. That didn't sound too good.

"It's just... give it some time. I'm not saying we won't be friends ever again, but right now... I just can't. Can you respect that?"

Julian got off his seat. "Is there NOTHING I can do to make you trust me again? I think you're being kind of unfair. I can't control myself sometimes, and you don't want to be friends anymore? It's not my fault!"

"It's not just that." Greg went on to explain why their friendship was lacking trust from the get-go. Julian hit on Greg way too aggressive repeatedly, although Greg made it pretty clear he wasn't interested. It was naïve of Greg to believe this friendship could work out. Greg tried to explain that they could still be friendly with each other in the lab, but outside of work, Greg thought, there shouldn't be any contact.

Julian nodded. "You know, Greg. That's bullshit," he said in a calm, normal voice.

"...Excuse me?"

"We like each other! Where's the problem? Why can't we be friends?"

Greg sighed. It was like Julian didn't even listen. "Because a friendship needs trust. We don't have that."

Julian laughed humorlessly. "You know, I think one day, you'll regret this..." He sat down again and started processing the evidence Greg just brought him.

Three days later, after a shift without Julian – he had the day off – Greg got home. The previous days Julian ignored Greg completely. If he wouldn't have to talk to him about work, he wouldn't have talked to him at all. That's what Greg was dreading all the time. Julian created a weird atmosphere at work and Greg hated that. He tried his best to avoid that, but he just had to tell Julian that he didn't trust him anymore, that their friendship was over. He was hoping Julian would be able to be professional about it, but he acted like a child.

He reached the door to his apartment and found Julian standing there.

"Hey!" Julian said with a smile on his face.

"Julian? What are you doing here?"

"I need to talk to you."

Greg asked annoyed, "And it couldn't wait until tomorrow?"

Julian nodded.

"You know, you could've just called..."

"No. I can't do this over the phone, I need to do this in person."

"Do what?" Greg rolled his eyes annoyed as he opened the door.

"Let's go inside," Julian suggested.

"How about you just say what you wanted to say?" Greg said while standing in the doorway. He felt kind of silly for not letting Julian in, but he knew Julian was quick to misinterpret gestures.

"Well, okay." He cleared his throat. "I know it's all Nick's fault," Julian replied in a cold voice.

"What do you mean?"

"That we're not friends anymore. That we're not together... That you hate me!"

"What? But I don't hate you." Greg tried to stay calm, despite being a bit angry and annoyed.

"You need to stop listening to him."

"Julian, what are you talking about? This has nothing to do with what Nick thinks about you!"

"It has everything to do with Nick. He hates me. And he wants you to hate me, too."

Greg rolled his eyes. "That's ridiculous. Just go home. Give it some time. Maybe we can work this out in a few months. But now... I just need some distance from you and all that crazy stuff that's happened."

"It's because you don't trust me, I know. But how can we fix this if I don't show you you CAN trust me?"

"Julian, please. I'm tired. Go home. We'll talk about this later." Greg turned around to get into the apartment. Julian quickly followed inside. "Don't you listen? Go home." Greg held the door open for Julian to leave, but he just stood there. "You know, annoying me's not going to fix anything."

Julian slammed the door shut. "Yes it will. I'll show you you can trust me." He pushed Greg with his back against the wall. "I know what you're afraid of..." He put his right hand on Greg's cheek. "You fear I'd do something to you, right?"

Greg put his hands on Julian's upper body to keep him at a distance. "I know you'd never hurt me..." he said with an insecure, fearful smile.

"You don't believe this, that's why we're not friends anymore, right?" He got his lips closer to Greg's. "But don't worry..." he whispered before he pulled his head back again. "I'm not that kind of guy." He took a few steps back. "You see?"

Greg stood there, with his back against the wall and a confused look.

"See? I can be trusted! I'm not going to hurt you!"

"Julian..." Greg was looking for words. "THIS is how you show me I can trust you? That's insane! Get out of here!"

"...What?"

"Something in your head clearly isn't right! Stop doing this!"

"Stop doing what? I want to show you you're safe with me!"

"That's not going to make me feel safe with you! You really need to stop trying. You can't fix this. All you can do is wait, maybe I'll change my mind someday."

"...That's all I can do? Wait?"

Greg nodded. "But don't hold your breath." Greg opened the door for Julian.

Julian didn't say anything, just look at Greg before walking out.

It wasn't until two days later that Greg noticed something in his apartment to be different.