A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it's taken so long but here's the second part to the last story :) Nick giving Greg some brotherly love, hope you enjoy!

Summary – Greg is injured and tries to hide it from Nick, can the Texan convince Greg he doesn't need to feel that way?

Hiding The Truth

Greg had refused to go to the hospital. He was pretty sure the doctors and nurses there would be sick of seeing him their anyway and he knew if he went then he'd have to tell everyone else and he just couldn't do that. The youngest CSI was unwavering in his decision to prove himself, and ending up in hospital for being beat up again was not the right way to do it.

The officers who had arrived at the scene had asked him if he was alright and Greg had insisted it was just a few bumps and bruises, nothing he couldn't handle. It was a complete and utter lie. His left side was on fire with at least three of his ribs broken and his twisted ankle hurt like hell to walk on. Why do I have to be so stubborn? Greg thought to himself as he grit his teeth and slightly limped over to his car. How the hell do I plan to hide this anyway?

Driving back to the lab with his ankle being messed up was a difficult task to say the least, and Greg had never had to try so hard in his life to try and concentrate on the road as he felt like he could pass out any minute. As soon as he reached the lab he slammed his head back against the headrest of his seat and sighed deeply. There is no way I'm going to get away with this he thought with a roll of his eyes before getting out, gathering his evidence and trying hard to hide his limp as he entered the lab.

Nick was worried. He had been worried ever since he got the call from Greg saying three drunken men were approaching the young, unarmed CSI. He felt guilty for telling Greg he wouldn't go and help him at the scene. He just hoped that Greg hadn't done anything stupid.

It had hurt Nick a lot when the CSI he loved like a little brother had accused him and the others of insulting him behind his back and Nick just wished that the former lab tech would understand that nobody thought he was weak. Greg could be one of the strongest men in the world and Nick would still worry about him because that was a big brothers job. Besides, to Nick, Greg was one of the strongest men in the world, he was always good at keeping a clear head.

Eventually it was the Texans turn to go on shift and when he arrived at the lab he was surprised to see Greg. The younger CSI was sat in the break room filling in a report, he had one leg rested up on the chair next to him and for some reason was wearing his sunglasses. Nick raised an eyebrow, he'd always known Greg was weird but he failed to see the logical explanation for that.

"Hey buddy?" Nick said a little cautiously as he entered the room, he wondered if Greg was still mad at him for earlier.

"Sup" was Greg's reply as he didn't look up from his work.

"Mind if I ask what's with the shades?" Nick asked folding his arms and raising an eyebrow.

"It's not the weirdest thing I've done" Greg replied with little emotion. Nick didn't like it, this wasn't his Greggo. "I don't know. I'm starting a new fashion trend, wearing shades indoors, get with it Nick."

"O...K" Nick replied as he studied the younger CSI's face a little closer "Greg, is that a bruise on your left cheek?" the Texan asked as he moved a little closer and Greg notably tensed "and has your head been bleeding!?" he exclaimed as he went to study his friends head, but Greg stuck out a hand and pushed him away.

"No, it's hair dye. I'm trying red now, what do you think?"

Nick was getting frustrated "Greg what the hell happened to you and why won't you tell me?!"

"Because nothing happened that I couldn't handle!" Greg said jumping up to leave before he could remember that was terrible idea. He cried out in pain and fell back against the table. Nick went wide eyed in shock. He caught Greg by his shoulders and dragged him over to sit on the sofa.

"Greg?" Nick said kneeling down in front of him "Greg say something?"

Greg sighed and removed his glasses revealing his eye which was completely swollen shut, Nick's eyes widened once more. "I got myself beat up, again" Greg mumbled running a hand down his face "Why am I such a friggin push over!" he yelled throwing his glasses at the wall opposite and they shattered.

Nick was shocked. He couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Greg so angry…in fact he couldn't think of a time he'd ever seen Greg angry. The kid sat before him looked like he was going to breakdown any moment and Nick was suddenly pissed beyond belief.

"I knew those guys would be trouble" the Texan said dangerously narrowing his eyes. "I'm gunna go down to holding cells and…." His fists clenched.

"See, see this is why I didn't want to tell you" Greg said throwing his hands up in exasperation "because I knew this is exactly how you'd react, I don't need you to fight my battles for me Nick! If I get beat up fine, that's my own fault for not listening to you because I was wrong as always! I'm an idiot but you don't have to get involved."

"Yeah you're an idiot alright" Nick retorted "an idiot for thinking that I wouldn't give a damn about you!" this surprised Greg "Greg, I don't care if you don't want me to defend you, because I will anyway. Man, I would defend you to the death because you're my little bro and I'd do anything for you. I've made it my job to protect you whether you like it or not, I'll always be there. And yes of course I'm pissed at those guys, look at what they've done to you, of course I'm gunna want to go and kick their asses."

"I just…" Greg started his voice breaking "I just feel like I keep letting you guys down. I don't want you to feel like you're babysitting me. I just want to prove that I'm good at my job and well… maybe I'm just not" A tear slipped down his un-bruised cheek and Nick wiped it away with his thumb.

"Greg, you are an amazing CSI." Nick told him genuinely "don't ever let anyone make you think otherwise. We don't babysit you; we watch your back just as we know you watch ours. You're saying if this happened to me or Sara or Warrick that you wouldn't get angry?"

"You know I'd do anything for you guys" Greg replied quietly. "I mean when you…you know. I wanted to kill…" he sighed.

Nick smiled in understanding "And, you could never let us down. We've all made stupid mistakes."

"Even Grissom?" Greg asked with a lopsided smile.

Nick chuckled "Yeah, even Grissom."

"Thanks Nick" Greg said finally looking at him with his good eye "I'm sorry I got so angry at you earlier. I know you wouldn't really say that stuff about me."

"Don't mention it bro. Just don't try and hide something like this from me again ok? I care to much about you. Now come on, we better get you to the hospital before Sara sees you or else she'll be beside herself." He slung Greg's arm around his shoulder and hoisted the younger man steadily to his feet.

"Really?" Greg said with a smile "In that case let her see me, then maybe I'll get that kiss…"

Nick rolled his eyes and laughed "Ok, at least I see now you're still the same old Greggo."

Woo, love a little bit oh bromance :) I got a couple of prompts to work on and some of my own ideas but I need more! So prompts are appreciated as always!

Please Review :) xx