Part 3:

When Greg went into work that night, he knew realistically that no-
one, save those that were actually involved in the case, directly or
indirectly or who he had told, knew. But it didn't stop him feeling
as though everyone was staring and whispering, that he had a big sign
or something attached to him.

Completely irrational he knew, but it was one of those paranoid
thoughts that once they started running around your head they stayed
there. He knew it was impossible though, Sara and Cat would never
tell, would never break a confidence, neither would Nick, he trusted
them all implicitedly. Holding his head up, he strode towards the
locker room like it was any other shift.

He greeted Warrick, who was just changing his shoes, cheerfully,
before opening his own locker. When he heard his own name he turned
round to receive a warm smile from Nick who had just wandered in
behind. He returned it with one of his own, wondering at the strange
flash of warmth that accompanied the exchange.

"See you guys later," Warrick announced, slamming his locker door
shut. "I'm going to hunt down some caffeine before assignments. You
haven't got any of your stuff brewing yet have you, Greg?" Warrick
flung a hopeful look in Greg's direction, who smiled apologetically.

"Sorry, man. Come see me in about half an hour."

"I'll probably be half way across Vegas by then," Warrick
grumbled. "I might come and hunt you down later though." He
disappeared through the door then, leaving Nick and Greg alone.

"Hey," Greg offered almost shyly.

"Hey," Nick smiled.

Greg hesitated, "I...what I told you..." He broke off looking
uncomfortable.

"It won't go any further from me," Nick reassured him. "You have my
word."

"Thanks." Greg smiled embarrassed. "I know you wou... I'm sorry."

"Its okay." Nick shut his locker door and turned round. "Look do you
want to catch breakfast again in the morning?" Nick was nervous. It
sounded too much like he was asking him out on a date. He cringed
inside; he *was* asking him out on a date if he were being honest.
Stupid, stupid, he told himself. He's only just told you about the
fact he was sexually attacked. Admittedly it was eight years ago but
a confident like that is hardly the point with which to broach the
possibility of a relationship. Especially since Greg had never given
off any vibes that he would be open to a gay relationship and nothing
since last night had changed that. In fact finding out he'd been the
victim of a serious sexual assault by another man would cast even
more doubt, even more arguments against it.

But something, something still made him ask the question. Stomach
knotting as he waited for Greg to respond.

Greg finished putting his stuff into his locker and took out his lab
coat closing the door carefully. He paused for a beat before turning
around to face Nick, a smile on his lips. "I'd like that."

Nick mentally let out a big sigh. Grinning, he said, "Good, I'll
meet you here after shift then?"

"Okay."



Part 4:

"I can't believe those were your grades!" Nick's expression was
incredulous.

"Yep." Greg looked slightly embarrassed.

"You know when we've teased you about being a genius, we weren't that
far off."

"Hey..."

"No, you're good. Accept a compliment when you get one."

Greg smiled graciously, picking up his fork and digging into his
omelette. Nick watched him happily, glad to see his diminished
appetite of a week before was gone. He'd wolfed down a good
breakfast that morning, though God knows where he put it. Under all
those loud and baggy shirts and labcoats there wasn't an ounce of fat.

Nick steered his mind off that train of thought quickly, mentally
chastising himself.

They'd been meeting here like this for breakfast every morning after
shift for the past week. They chatted easily, talking about a
variety of things, mostly what they'd talked about before but also
new topics, ranging slightly more personal, less about work and more
about themselves. Nick knowing about his attack had opened the door
for Greg to talk more freely about his college years without having
to worry about what he was saying or editing stuff out. He could be
more relaxed and open and in turn it encouraged Nick to do the same.

It was this particular morning, the sixth morning that Nick found
himself opening up about his sexuality. He had no real idea how
exactly the conversation had come round but suddenly he was sensing
the right moment, the right time... and he took it.

He'd never told anyone at work. His family knew and after time had
accepted him, but work had been, was, still different, still
difficult. Working in law enforcement was different. No matter how
many equal opportunities were supposed to exist, discrimination
regulated....it was still cops. Even when he'd transferred to the
Crime Lab he'd preferred to keep it private.

Of course he had no real idea how Greg would take it. Even as he
felt his lips moving and the words coming out of his mouth, he was
mentally holding his breath. He watched Greg with anxious eyes, the
coffee cup turning nervously in his hands.

"You've never told anyone else at work?" Nick shook his head, still
trying to gauge Greg's reaction. "I would never have guessed, you
know," he smiled gently. "You've never given off any indications."

"I'm good," Nick grinned nervously, though relaxing at Greg's calm
demeanour.

"So am I."

Nick paused, head tilting as he herd the quite word and then *heard*
them. He felt his entire world shift around him. He looked over at
Greg who was worrying a slice of bacon on his plate, a frown creasing
his forehead.

Sensing the question hanging in the silence, Greg looked up. He
shrugged with one shoulder before putting his fork down. "I mean, I
can't say...technically I am...cos I've never...but," he bit his lip
nervously, "when I was...before I was...before 'it' happened, I knew
I was..." He stopped, flicking his eyes up to Nick's, "attracted...to
other men. But," he took a big breath and let it out quickly, "I
never got a chance to...Afterwards I pretty much steered away from
everything to do with...sex, even girls for a long time."

Nick sat, totally stunned by Greg's stammered confession. Greg
looked up at Nick and smiled at his expression.

"Sorry, that's the second major confession I've landed on you in two
weeks. Must be going for a record," he laughed nervously.

"Sorry," Nick eventually said, "I'm just surprised." He
grinned. "You are good too."

Greg smiled and then looked pensive. "Does it change anything?"

Nick frowned.

"How you see me? How you feel about..."

"No," Nick replied immediately. "No. God, Greg, you were raped," he
kept his voice low, aware that they were still sat in the
diner, "that has nothing to do with sexuality." Greg nodded,
expression sombre, agreeing. "Nothing would change the way I feel
about you," he stated.

Greg's eyes were glued to his plate. "Nothing at all?" he asked
softly.

Nick shook his head again, pausing though when Greg raised his face
to meet his eyes.

"I mean...am I getting the wrong vibes here or..." he grinned
quickly. "Because it's not like I have much experience with this."
He turned away, looking down, embarrassed. "I kinda missed out on a
whole chunk of this," he waved his hand slightly, laughing
nervously, "I mean, is what I think...happening...happening, this
last week?"

He flickered his eyes up to meet Nick's again, allowing the other man
to see the fear, apprehension and nervousness in his face.

Nick paused few a few moments, choosing his words. "I wasn't sure,"
he began slowly, looking down before looking directly at Greg. "I
had...hoped." He laughed nervously himself, earning a smile from
Greg, a more hopeful expression appearing on his face. "I...," he
paused again, "I've had thoughts about you." His voice was soft,
unsure. "In the past, but up until now, I thought you were
straight." He took a breath. "I didn't want to spoil our
friendship." He looked at Greg seriously, seeing Greg nodding in
agreement. "And even, this last week, God, I don't want you to think
that just because you told me about you're attack, that I thought..."
he shook his head in emphasis, "I didn't, I wouldn't..."

"I know. I trust you," Greg interrupted.

"I..."

"I think it just opened the gate for us." Greg filled in quietly. "I
opened up about something really...big, in my life and it got us past
the point of just work, just daily discussion about stuff. We..we
had a link and I think it enabled us to think about..." he couldn't
meet Nick's eyes, "what else might be there..."

Nick caught one of Greg's hands gently, willing him to look at
him. "What *is* there?" he asked softly. "I've told you, I'm
interested. What about you?"

Greg looked up, a small smile starting to light his face and Nick
found himself echoing it, seeing what he'd dreamed about for the last
three years in Gregs eyes. Realising he was still holding Greg's
hand he gave it a little squeeze and pulled it back. "Come over to
mine. I don't have any fish, but I do have a mean cactus." He
quirked his mouth into a grin, "and I do mean that literally."


tbc.