CSI: Sanctuary: Chapter 13

Nick had tried to talk to him. When he got back from finishing up his case, he'd said hi as they passed each other in the hall, but Greg had only mumbled something in return and otherwise ignored him.

Wanting the case of the dead journalist over, he hadn't gone home right after his shift ended, but had stayed to finish up the paper work. Being in that bar, forced into almost using his gun, he remembered what it had been like his first few years in the Dallas Police Department. He remembered chasing down crooks, almost losing his life before choosing the slightly safer career of a CSI. He didn't want to die then, and he certainly hadn't tonight, not with a daughter, and a lover he deeply cared about. With his adrenaline pumping he was wide awake all night, going over and over what had happened while he wrote out his report.

Even at the end of Greg's own shift he still wouldn't talk to him. Nick had made him coffee, which he accepted silently, like an automated teller taking money for a deposit. Nick was a little concerned. Greg wasn't one to keep his mouth shut like this.

Had he done something wrong? Or was there something else going on in Greg's life he didn't know about? Perhaps he'd run into Kristy and they'd gotten into an argument. Whatever it was, he didn't have a clue unless Greg talked to him, and unfortunately, he had to wait until they were both off the clock.

As he approached the apartment door from the elevator, he prayed Greg wasn't trying to dump him. Maybe the watch had been too much. After all, he was still tied to someone else. Maybe having that constant reminder on Greg's wrist wasn't a good idea.

Not bothering to knock, he unlocked the door and let himself in. He found Greg in the livingroom, sitting on the couch and staring into space.

"G?"

Greg neither spoke to him or looked at him. He was lost in another world, another time. Nick knelt in front of him, gently taking his cold hands and holding them in his warm ones.

"Hey, G? Can you talk to me? What happened? What's wrong? Did I do something?" As he spoke, his mind raced with yet more theories on Greg's reason for silence, but he wasn't prepared for the answer he got.

"I don't know... I'm... scared," Greg said, eyes blinking. "I'm trying to be strong here. I know this is the career choice we both made, but... I never dreamed it would be so hard."

"What do you mean? What are you talking about?" Now Nick was just plain confused.

"I heard what happened at the bar. Some rookie cop was boasting about how you took control of the situation and... and... well, how things looked real bad before you started yelling and waving your gun around."

Nick nodded, finally understanding what was going on.

"I'm an adult, and I have the same job you do, but I'm terrified of losing you." Greg finally looked up at him, tears streaking down his face. "I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't feel this way..."

"Why are you sorry? You have nothing to be sorry for." Nick carefully wiped his tears away. "How do you think I felt when your lab exploded? I didn't even know you liked me, but I was scared shitless."

"You were?"

"Yeah. Remember the night you found the little boy by the dumpster?"

Greg nodded. "How could I forget?"

"When I got to work the following day, Hodges couldn't shut up about how you almost got killed on the job, before you'd even passed your proficiency. I was ready to cream him. I was so glad you'd called the night before, even if you did wake me up in the middle of the night, just to tell me what happened. I didn't want to have to hear that from someone else. I went into the lab knowing you were ok. I wasn't nearly as scared for you as I could have been.

"Look, I'm ok. You're ok. We're both ok." Nick rested his forehead against Greg's. "Let's make a deal. If anything happens, anything at all, either in the lab or out in the field, we'll call each other. That way we won't have to hear it from someone else first and we'll know if the other's ok or not."

"What if someone catches on and figures everything out?"

"I hope bad things don't happen often enough for someone to figure us out. But that being said, there are enough tough crime scenes out there that I want you to call me if you think you need to. Even if I'm in the middle of an interrogation with the Sheriff I'll answer. Would that make you feel better? I know it would make me feel better."

"Yeah. Yeah, it would. Thanks."

"Ok." Nick gave him a soft kiss before standing up and pulling Greg into his arms for a hug.

He couldn't ever imagine leaving this beautiful man for someone else, even if he had the chance.

Nick had to admit the Psycop novel Greg had been reading awhile back was pretty good. Better than he'd been imagining. Two cops were falling in love and he was drawn to their scenes together just as much as he was drawn to the rest of the novel.

He found himself wishing the Las Vegas Crime Lab had someone in their department who could talk to the dead. It sure would make it that much easier to find the bad guys. On the other hand, he didn't want it to be him. Not unless Greg could be there to hold his hand and keep him sane.

No, not even then. The last guy he'd ever known face to face, who could do weird shit like that, had died in his own house. Skip the medium. He'd just have to solve crimes the old fashioned way.

"Nick!" Kristy interrupted his thoughts from the hallway. "I'm borrowing your car."

Well, at least she had the decency to give an announcement, even if she didn't ask first. Keys jangled on the key rack by the front door, but two seconds later she was in the livingroom, a scowl on her face. Shit. What had he done now?

"You've got two new keys on here." She held up the keys to Greg's apartment. "What do they go to? Who are you banging that I need to know about? Because you and I certainly haven't done anything in nearly four years."

Nick was on his feet, facing her, in an instant. "What the hell, Kristy! Those are for work!"

"Oh." She looked somewhat disappointed.

She'd bought the lie, but it still left a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach even after she'd left the house. He hated the idea of her driving around in his car with the keys to his lover's apartment, even if she didn't know what they were for. When she got back he would snatch them up, put them in his pocket, and never take them out again unless he needed them. Those were Greg's personal gift to him, and he'd be damned if he lost them.

Sliding the results from the GCMS into a brown folder, Greg looked at his Wenger watch, still amazed Nick had even thought to go that far, and realized it was their break time. When he'd arrived at work Nick said he would be working an entire extra shift again, and they'd quickly determined they would be taking their fifteen minute breaks together, without even having to think about it. Greg missed this part about work. But finding the routine again so easily felt good, almost like riding a bike. Life was good like that.

Making his way to the breakroom he was glad to be the first to arrive. He made two cups of his famous Blue Hawaiian coffee and sat down at the table with both mugs after rehiding the bag. He didn't have long to wait until Nick arrived and sat down across from him, gratefully taking the mug he was offered.

Nick slouched in his chair, stretching his legs until he'd found Greg's under the table. They sat together, ankles pressed against each other, in a comfortable silence. Being together like this was important to them, no arguments about anything, no discussing cases. They were thankful for the time they were given to be together, and made sure nothing, to the best of their abilities, ruined it.

Not that they'd had a discussion about it. It was a silent agreement between them, but one Greg rather liked. Knowing they were on the same page without having to actually say it out loud, talk about it, and finally agree, felt nice; Felt like coming home from a rough storm at sea.

Once their peaceful fifteen minutes had passed, Nick carefully untangled his legs from Greg's and stood up.

"My turn," Greg said, reaching out to take Nick's mug.

Nick handed it over. "I've got your ereader in my locker. I'm afraid... well, you know... I don't need anyone finding it and figuring out what I'm reading. Would you mind if I read it at your place?"

"You already know the answer."

"Thanks, G."

The door opened and Warrick came in, looking haggard and worn out.

"Tough case, man?" Nick asked.

"No other way to put it. Listen, Cath wants to see you. I have a feeling she's going to switch you to my case. I need all the help I can get."

"Alright, I'll go see what she wants. Greg, I'll catch you later. Yeah?"

"Sure."

Greg turned to the sink and began washing the mugs as the door closed quietly behind Nick, leaving him alone with Warrick.

"Don't think I don't know what's going on."

Greg froze, hot water turning his hands red.

"I know Nick's been spending more and more time with you. You know, he used to spend a lot of time hanging out with me. We'd go to bars, cruise chicks together. And then he hooked up with Kristy and all that changed." Warrick took a few steps closer to Greg, his loud footsteps ringing in Greg's ears, even with the water running. "I expected it to. I ran with it. It's what happens when you get married and kids arrive. But then he and you started to hang out a lot. And that's when I started to notice it. It took awhile, I'll give you that much. You sure do know how to hide it."

Greg finally turned around, unsure what he was supposed to say. Nick wasn't there and he had no right to out him.

"Hide what? I have no idea what you're trying to say."

"You're gay, or bi, I don't care which, and you have a crush on him." He pointed an accusing finger at Greg.

Shit. What was one to say to that? Well, when he thought about it, Warrick was wrong. He used to have a crush on Nick. But technically, a crush only lasted so long. He was well beyond a crush now. Plus, his feelings were returned...

"You're wrong. I don't have a crush on Nick. That's a little juvenile, don't you think? To be accusing people of things like that?"

"Maybe if we were in another situation. But we're not. Nick's married. He's got a family. Don't go and ruin it. That's all I'm saying. Keep your feelings to yourself. He's worked hard to get where he's at, and I don't want anyone tearing that apart."

Did he already know about them? There was a good possibility he did but didn't want to come right out and say it.

"I care about him," Greg stated. "I do not have a crush on him. There's a huge difference. If you don't believe me, go look it up in the dictionary." He brushed past his coworker and slammed the door after him.

Stumbling down the hall he made it into the men's room without anyone noticing. Seeing himself in the mirror, he looked awful. His eyes were already red rimmed and he had yet to shed a tear.

He knew the definition of the word 'care' and it was a lot more damaging than anyone would imagine without looking it up. It left almost no room for someone to care about anyone else in a friendly manner. Not if you were sure there was a possible crush involved. Shit. How would he tell Nick? He would have to, though. This wasn't something he could keep from him. What if Warrick got to him first? They were working the same case now, weren't they? They would have plenty of time to talk, and if Warrick was already that worried about him corrupting Nick then of course he would say something.

Corrupting Nick. What if he was? What if... if he'd pushed Nick away in the beginning, maybe things wouldn't... He sighed. It didn't help that he was still working in the lab a lot, even after he'd passed his proficiency. Couldn't he do anything right? He should have come out to Nick before he'd met Kristy. He could have. Then they wouldn't be in this mess.

Running water in the sink, Greg splashed some on his face, hoping to get rid of the terrible look resting there.

No. He wasn't corrupting Nick. Nick had come on to him first. He had tried to resist the older man, knowing he had a family. Nick had corrupted him. Nick needed him. Kristy wasn't giving him what he needed so he'd turned to Greg. It was that simple. Only he couldn't go and explain that to Warrick because Nick had trusted him with his problems at home. There was a reason no one else knew he was married to a witch.

Thinking back to the night he'd babysat Cara in the lab, Greg remembered how much Nick had wanted to tell Warrick about their relationship. Even back then Warrick had suspected something was up. Nick had been so upset he was willing to risk everything he had to let the world know he was gay and his marriage wasn't working out.

But when Kristy had purposely bruised him, he'd lied about it to his coworkers. They all thought his marriage was picture perfect. Knowing that, hurt. What Greg wouldn't do to be able to tell the world something was wrong. But he couldn't.

He couldn't tell Nick what had happened either. Nick would only fly off the handle and do something stupid. Greg had to protect him from himself, to protect their relationship, and hold Nick together.

Drying off his face, he prepared to get back to work. Complaining to himself about his problems in the bathroom wasn't going to help anyone, or get any work done.

"Oh, Greg!" Catherine exclaimed when they nearly bumped into each other out in the hall.

"Sorry, Cath. Lost in my thoughts."

"Yeah, me too. Hey, do you know what's going on with Nick?"

Oh no. Somehow she managed to find out. Maybe the whole lab knew already. Who had Warrick told?

"He doesn't seem to be himself lately, and I'm not sure what's up. He refuses to talk about it. But since you two seem to hang out a lot, I figured you might know something. Has he said anything to you?"

Was she actually concerned about Nick's welfare? Someone finally noticed... finally...

"I... he hasn't said anything to me. Sorry, Cath. He's kinda private about a lot of stuff."

"Hmm, yeah, I figured. I thought maybe there was someone... He needs to talk to someone. He's married to a nagging bitch." Her hand flew to her mouth, her eyes going wide. "Um... I didn't say that. Greg, you never heard me say that."

"Say what?" He was just glad someone else had finally noticed there was something wrong. "Look, I've gotta get back to work. I'll see you later."

"Right... right..."

Nick met Greg in front of the kitchen sink full of dirty dishes from their early dinner, pulled him into his arms, and pressed a kiss to his lips. "I hate swing shift," he murmured.

"Me too."

Nick kissed him again. "I don't want to go."

"But you have to. Go on. Get out of here."

"One more kiss for the road?"

"You're such a girl," Greg said with a smile. But he granted Nick his wish. "Mmmm." Nick managed to sneak his tongue into Greg's mouth until he was gently pushed away. "Go. Before Catherine chews your head off for being late."

Once Nick was gone, he abandoned the dishes and headed back to bed to catch up on his sleep. But before he could even crawl into bed something shiny caught his attention from the nightstand: A gold wedding band.

Sliding out of his pajamas he quickly donned a pair of dirty jeans from the laundry basket and his favorite Metallica t-shirt, not caring that he hadn't showered and probably smelled like sex. He rushed to the lab, in hopes that he would arrive before Nick had a chance to get in the door. But as he pulled up beside Nick's SUV, he found it empty.

The receptionist gave him a funny look as if she hadn't expected to see him there at that hour, dressed as he was. As he passed her he looked down at his pants only to discover that he'd chosen the pair with the huge chocolate stain on the front of his right thigh. Seeing the stain only reminded him of his little escapade with Nick the other day. His mouth watered at the thought. He could only hope Nick was easy to find. No one else needed to see the stain and ask how he'd gotten so much chocolate on himself like that.

Peering though the window to the breakroom, the only person there was Warrick, sitting with his back to the door. Swing shift lab techs were hard at work, some filing reports, others running tests, mixing chemicals. Nick wasn't in any of the labs. He slipped into the locker room, praying if he was there, that he was alone.

His luck held.

Nick was sitting on a bench, loading his gun. He looked up when the door shut. "G?" He got to his feet and holstered his weapon, concern written on his face.

Greg took his hand and pressed the gold band into it. Nick closed his hand over Greg's for a brief moment, before sliding the ring onto his left ring finger.

"I've got a scene out in Henderson. I've gotta get going."

"Stay safe."

"I promise."

The exchange was over in less than a minute. Learning how to forge ahead without Nick, Greg turned, and headed back to his car, praying that something would happen to bring the team back together again.

A/N: That last line should be a big hint about what's coming. Greg might regret that wish coming true…