Disclaimers and notes see part 1

Part 11

Warrick stood and watched; amazed, shocked, his mind spinning.  "Are you guys okay?" he asked at last, his voice quiet.  

Nick nodded, but didn't let go of Greg.

"Look, I'm sorry, man.  If I'd known, I'd never have brought them over."

Greg looked up at Warrick, seeing the genuine concern on his face.  "Are *you* okay with this?"

Warrick took a breath.  "If anyone had asked me, did I think Nick Stokes and Greg Sanders were doing it with each other, I'd have scoffed in their faces.  I can't tell you I'm not very surprised and very shocked but...I'm not gonna judge you man.  If you two have found something with each other then, hey, good luck to you."

Greg smiled, the relief evident on his face.  "Thanks man.  That means a lot; really."

"Yeah, thanks."  Nick added, his eyes catching Warrick's warmly.  

"I'm not saying it's not going to take a while to get used to it, cos it will."  Warrick raised his eyebrows in emphasis. "*Totally* out of the left field."  He let out a breath.  "Does anyone else at work know?"

"Just Sara."

"And Catherine."  Nick added.  "Sara caught us holding hands, but she and Catherine had suspected.  Women's intuition apparently."  He shrugged.

"Yeah.  I get that."

"So," Nick said carefully," you haven't heard any rumours going round at work?"

Warrick frowned.  "I'd heard something. But to be honest I've been so caught up in that triple homicide recently that I haven't really been paying any attention to much else.  World War three could have started and I probably wouldn't have noticed.  That was about you then?"

"Apparently."

"Well, I don't think you're going to have to worry about rumours now.  When James gets back to work, you can bet it's going to be through the department within hours."

"Yeah."  Nick sighed heavily, closing his eyes.  Greg raised his hand to cup his jaw, thumb smoothing gently.

Warrick, watching this intimate gesture suddenly felt awkward, like an intruder.  "Look guys, I'm going to leave you alone."

"Sorry we spoiled your night." Greg turned to Warrick, who just shook his head.

"No problem.  Now I've had my eyes opened to what a pair of prejudiced bastards those two really are you're probably *saved* my night.  I'll see you at work tomorrow, right?"

Nick and Greg nodded.  "It'll be nice to know there's another friend who knows and supports us," Nick said.  

"I think," he said, pausing to cock his head to the side, " you may be surprised to find out how many there will be."  He raised his hand in a goodbye gesture.  "I'll see myself out."

Once alone, Nick wrapped his arms around Greg again, feeling him do the same.  After a few moments Nick felt Greg start to shake.  Fearing the worst, he pulled back to look at Greg's face and was startled to find him laughing softly.  He looked puzzled at Greg for a few moments smiling gently at the amusement plastered across his face whilst patiently waiting.  

Greg eventually composed himself.  "Sorry, but all that 'do we don't we, what should we do'.  It's academic now."  He chuckled.  "Ten minutes later and we're out to the whole department anyway."

Nick smiled and then chuckled himself.  "Bizarre huh?"

"Oh yeah!"

"No going back now."

"Would you?"  Greg asked, voice suddenly serious.  

"No," Nick answered without hesitation.  He leant over and brushed a gentle kiss on Greg's mouth.  "I know I had my doubts about telling other people, but don't ever doubt I wouldn't stand by you or us.  Don't ever doubt the way I feel about you.  I'm not ashamed of who or what we are."  He leaned in close again, nuzzling Greg's mouth and cheek softly.  He pulled back again, Greg frowning at the serious look on his face.  "This may be horrendously early or horrendous timing, but...I think I'm in love with you."

There was silence for a long moment.  A moment in which Nick thought with a sinking heart that he had ruined it all.  Until he watched a stunned, then elated expression creep across Greg's face.

"Oh God," Greg whispered softly before leaning in to kiss Nick deeply.  Nick felt Greg press his whole body against him hard, his tongue slipping in to catch his in an erotic dance.  After a moment or two Greg pulled back slightly, to nuzzle, nip and worry Nick's bottom lip before delving back into his mouth with fervour. 

Nick slid his hands around Greg's bare back until his reached the waistband of his jeans, slipping lower to cup the firm buttocks through the denim material.  Greg whimpered into his mouth, bringing a hand up to stroke across Nick's pectorals.

He pulled back then to stare into Nick's eyes, his breathing more laboured.  "I love you," he whispered.  Swallowing, he added, "I think I have for a while now."

Nick gazed back at him, a short laugh of relief passing his lips, his face full of emotion, before reaching a hand round the back of Greg's head to pull him into another soul searching kiss.  One that left them both gasping for breath.  The relief that Nick felt was astounding.  All the fears surrounding his feelings for Greg had been swept away with those three little words from Greg's lips.  The thought of facing people at work tomorrow seemed so much less scary now, he mused.  He smiled, seeing Greg echo it with one of his own.  "What say we carry on with our plan for the evening? " he asked, resting his arms around Greg's lean waist.  

"What?  Sex, food, movie, sex, dessert and more sex?" Greg recited.  

"Yeah, I seem to remember it going something like that," Nick smirked.  

"You're on.  From my reckoning, we should be up to the main food part by now."

"Uh huh."

"What do you have planned?"

"Me?"

"Yeah.  Your place." Greg reasoned.

"Huh.  Pizza?" Nick asked hopefully.

"Sounds okay."

"Okay then."

"You know numbers?"

"You know a night shift CSI that doesn't?"

"Good point."  Greg pulled back with a grin.  "I'll go sort out the movies."  He bent down for his discarded T-shirt and started to pull it on.

"Don't."

Greg stopped, looking back in confusion.  

"Don't put anything more on.  I...like you like that," he finished awkwardly.  "You look...good."

Greg smiled, throwing down the T-shirt.  "Okay."  He grinned.  "Only if you leave yours off as well."

Nick smirked.  "Deal".



Part 12

Walking into the CSI building the next night felt like walking into the mouth of doom. But amazingly they made it to the locker room without meeting anyone except the receptionist.  

"What? Do we wait and face them together or go it alone and take what comes?"  Greg was trying not to let his nerves show.  Although he had been the one suggesting to Nick that they should tell everyone about them, the reality of people *actually* knowing was still fairly terrifying.

Nick let out a breath.  "I don't know," he shrugged.  "Depends on who we met and when.  We can't stick round each other the whole day.  Also depends on how quick James was in spreading the good news."

Greg pulled a face, digging his lab coat out of his locker.  He turned towards the door and took one step before pausing and hesitantly turning towards Nick.  Nick, sensing that Greg really didn't want to head out on his own, hurried and caught up.  

As they headed towards the break room for the first coffee to start the night, the first person they passed was Paul, a tech from day shift.  As they passed he met their eyes, gaze flickering from one to the other.  A grin, that wavered between embarrassed and snide, hung around his mouth.  

"Greg.  Nick."  He said in greeting.  

"Paul."

Greg looked over his shoulder after they'd passed, to see Paul looking back with an open smirk on his face. He took a deep breath and glancing at Nick, followed him into the break room.  

Inside, Warrick was already sat at the table, flicking through the day's paper, while Sara was rummaging through the fridge.

"Hey,"  Nick greeted before grabbing his mug from the cupboard.  

"Oh, hey guys."  Sara turned round and flashed them a quick smile.  Coffee one hand, she leant back against the counter, her grim expression telling them everything.  

"How far has it spread?"  Nick asked quietly.  Greg sat down next to Warrick, his head sinking into his hands.  

"It was impressive.  It was through the entire day shift within the first hour apparently.  I saw Heidi from the print lab when I came in earlier.  You knew they weren't going to keep it quiet though."

"Yeah, we knew."  Nick sighed heavily.  "Done us a favour though. "  He threw a bright smile at Greg who grinned back ruefully.  "Saved us the job of telling people."

"Were you thinking about telling people?"  Sara asked seriously.

"Soon; maybe.  We had talked about it.  Not this early though."

"What are people saying?"  Greg asked.  He watched Sara throw a look at Warrick before answering.  

"Well, I have to say most people aren't actually all that bothered.  People are naturally surprised, some are a little shocked, but for the most, that's about it. They're naturally interested, you know what people are like with gossip, but since it's actually fact now, the only thing people are speculating on is how it happened."

"How...?"

"How you got together.  How two seemingly 'straight' men suddenly fall into each other's arms and beds.  People are naturally curious."

"Great."  Nick regarded his coffee with distaste.  

"And speculating."

"Speculating?"  Greg looked uneasy.  

"Yeah."

"Hey guys."  All heads turned to see Catherine walk in.  They all nodded a greeting.

"Hey, why all the long faces?"

"You haven't heard?"  Nick looked surprised.

"Heard what?  Just got in a few minutes ago.  Lindsay was running late."  She made a determined bee line over to the coffee pot; a woman with a mission.  

"Um, about Greg and I."

Catherine frowned, turning to regard them both.  "You and Greg.  I thought..."  Her eyes flicked to Sara, a question on her face before looking to Warrick, who just smiled and nodded.  "Warrick knows?"

Warrick nodded.  "And so does the whole department now.  Thanks to James and Chris."

"From day shift?  How'd they know?"  She looked confused.

"That would be my fault."  Warrick continued.  "I went round Nick's last night, with the intention of dragging him out for a drink with friends."

"And he already *had* company," she finished for him.  "Great.  Couldn't you have just lied and said you were both just, I dunno, watching the game or something?"  She sat down, mug in hand.
 
Nick chuckled, blushing slightly.  "Not exactly.  Greg was shirtless and in my bedroom at the time."  Greg, though silent, also turned a slight shade of red at that point.

Catherine looked at them both and then Warrick before allowing the smile to cross her face.  "Way to come out of the closet guys."

"Tell us about it."  Greg sighed. 

"What's the general consensus?"  She looked at Sara.

"Good; mostly."  Sara shrugged.  "Could be worse." 

"Greg, Nick, can I see you my office, please?"  All heads turned at the sound of Grissom's voice as he passed by the room, before carrying onto his office.  They looked back at Nick and Greg who both had lost the blush and now looked slightly pale.  

"I think it may have just got worse," Warrick intoned.  



"You're both quite the story around here tonight."  Grissom was sat at his desk regarding an open file in front of him and seemingly visually ignoring the two men sat nervously in front of him.  After a moment he looked up and met their eyes.  "Is it true?"

Nick coughed to clear his throat gently.  "Yes.  Yes it is."  He met Grissom's eyes evenly.  

Grissom's gaze flickered to Greg's, taking in the nervous yet defiant look on the young man's face.  He nodded slowly.  "How long?

"Three months."

They watched as he did the maths, his eyebrows raising after a moment.

"That long?"

They nodded.  "After my case was reopened."  Greg confirmed for him, taking the bull by the horns.

Grissom nodded again.  "I never realised...either of you were...gay?"  he said the last word with a question.

"Bi," Greg corrected, to which Grissom just nodded again, in acquiescence, a small smile beginning to grace his lips before he went professional again.  "Is this going to affect your  work?  Working in the same environment, same department?"

"No," they both answered together.  

"It hasn't so far and we've been together over three months.  Nobody knew til today, til..."

"No they didn't and no it hasn't."  Grissom smiled again gently.  "If anything, I think you've both been more efficient; dare I say, energised."

Greg grinned, looking embarrassed at the same time. Nick just cleared his throat again, looking uncomfortable.  

"What you do on your own time is up to you.  I have nothing against two of my team being involved, as long as it doesn't effect the work.  As soon as it does, it *becomes* my problem.  Understand?"  

Both nodded again.

His tone lowered then.  "Be careful.  If what I've heard so far is anything to go by, you are the hot topic of the moment right now.  How long that will last is anyone's guess but whilst you are, it would pay to be as discreet as possible.  People will gossip, it's human nature, we've seen enough evidence of that on the job.  But just remember that the minute *anything* starts to affect *any* members of my team, it becomes my business."  He paused to look at them meaningfully.  "And that means *any* problems you have.  Understand?  The department doesn't like anything that could be misconstrued as harassment."

"Yes."  Nick replied, understanding what Grissom was telling them. Greg nodded, looking at Grissom with something akin to burgeoning awe creeping across his face.  The offer of acceptance *and* support from Grissom was something he could only have hoped for and he accepted with gratitude and reverence.  Grissom understood and had in his own way given them his blessing.  From the person he had begun to see as a kind of father figure it was the best response he could have got.  He felt an overwhelming urge to leap up and hug Grissom, but settled for gripping Nick's hand under the cover of the table.  




"So it is true?"

Nick turned and looked into the sneering face of Conrad Ecklie.  He sighed, mentally preparing himself.  His face settling into an expression of stone.

"You and Sanders."  He chuckled snippily.  "You know, I never would have guessed. You and Sanders, well, you seemed so normal."  He eyed Nick suspiciously.  "Also seems rather sudden," he continued, "I mean, so soon after Greg's...case."

Nick frowned then.  "Case?"  He couldn't know, could he? Sure he's the other shift supervisor, so I suppose he might have had to be informed....

"Yeah.  Greg's past coming back to bite him in the ass.  Surely *you* were aware of that."

"Of course I was."  Nick's voice was low. "But I hasten to remind you that not everybody is.  It's not public knowledge, so we'd be grateful if you could use your discretion."  

Ecklie's eyes narrowed.  "Are you insinuating I would break case confidentiality?"

"You just did.  You assumed *I* knew."  Nick stared back.

Ecklie glared, eyes flickering between he and somewhere behind him to the left where he knew the DNA lab was.  He could only hope that Greg was not watching this little confrontation.  Without saying more Ecklie turned and stalked off, leaving Nick angry and depressed.  But, he reminded himself, that was the same after nearly all run-ins with Ecklie.  Glancing behind him to the DNA lab he was relieved to see that the window was empty.  




"Hey, Greg.  How you doing?"

Greg turned to see Sara smiling at him from the doorway.  

"What have you heard now?"  He turned away, back to his work.

Sara raised her eyebrows in mock astonishment.  "What?  Can't one friend come and see another without it being for any other reason than to say hi?"

Greg just looked at her.

She threw up her hands and sat on the stool by his desk.  "Oh, okay." She sighed.  "Paul and Rod from security were having a little discussion in the back garage."

"They were laughing."  Greg said, his tone flat.  

Sara paused, a denial on her lips, but then just nodded.  "Yeah."

Greg sighed.  

"It will get better."

"I thought you said most people didn't seem to care?"

Sara shifted.  "They don't really.  It's just gossip isn't it and it will ease off.  Soon, there be someone else who'll be in the limelight and you and Nick'll be last week's news."  

Greg scribbled a few more notes.  A silence ensuing.  "Are you waiting for something else?"  He looked sideways at her suspiciously.

"I was kinda hoping my car jacking sample was done..." she trailed off frowning when Greg just shrugged apologetically.  "Well," she continued a bright smile lighting her face, "in that case I also came down to invite you and Nick out tonight.  Warrick and I decided it has been too long since the night shift partied."  She grinned enthusiastically.  

Greg looked sideways at her, an interested expression crossing his face.  "Who when and where?"

"So far we've managed to hook Warrick, myself, Catherine, Grissom, Al, Archie, Sandy..."

"Wait...You've got Grissom? Grissom's coming out with us?"  Greg's eyes grew wide.

Sara just smiled; smugly.

"The when is tomorrow night and the where is, first off Beckerely's, then onto Phoebe's."

"A night-club?"  Greg's eyebrows raised again.

"Yeah."

"Gay friendly at that."

Sara grinned.  "Thought it would be appropriate."

"And appreciated," Greg nodded, then paused.  "You got Grissom to agree to go to a gay friendly night club."  He looked amused.  "I'll ask Nick."

"Good."  Sara stood.  "See you later then?"

Greg nodded, turning back to his work.

"We'll hunt you down," she threw the warning over her shoulder as she walked out.

Greg just chuckled as he slapped another set of results into his out tray.  



The music reverberated through the air and their bodies.  The atmosphere was smoky and the room dark.  Dimly lit lights illuminated various sections of the club keeping everything feeling both intimate but also separate at the same time.

Catherine sipped her vodka, leant up against the bar, her eyes casually perusing the crowd around her.  Warrick and Sara were a couple of bodies down from her, heads close, laughing over something.  Grissom had just left her to disappear into the men's bathroom and the last she'd seen of Nick and Greg, they'd been heading out onto the dance floor.  

She cast her eyes about, scanning the moving forms, until she spotted the familiar figures.  Greg, dressed in surprisingly low key black pants and a sleeveless back tee, was draped around Nick, arms round his waist, head resting on his shoulder.  Nick, also in black pants but teamed with a charcoal button up shirt, had his arms similarly draped around Greg.  There wasn't an inch of space between them, she thought to herself smiling.  As she watched, she saw Greg nuzzle his face against Nick's neck, his arms tightening momentarily before leaning up to capture the other man's lips in a slow but deep kiss.  

"Hot isn't it?"

Catherine turned to see Sara stood beside her, her eyes glued to the couple. 

"Um, yeah.  It is."  Catherine replied, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks.  

Sara smiled as the two men lost themselves in a heated embrace.  "I never realised til tonight, just how much of a....turn on it is to watch two men. Together."  She took a sip of her drink.

"It's intriguing," Catherine managed after a moment, beginning to realise what Sara meant, as she watched the scene in front of her.   

"Hot, sexy and...kinda sweet.  Cos it's them, you know?" Sara added with a grin.

"Yeah."  Catherine replied, sharing the smile.



"Are you sure you're ready?"  Nick asked softly, hands caressing Greg's waist gently.  "This is your choice."

"Yes."  He looked up at Nick's eyes, his own bright with unmistakable desire.  "This *is* my choice."  He nuzzled his face against Nick's, fingers with the waistband of Nick's jeans, slipping in-between gently.  "God, Nick.  I want you, want this so much."  He took a breath, inhaling the other man's scent.  "So much," he whispered.

"I want you to be sure.  I don't want to hurt you."  Nick knew what Greg was asking.  They had done everything physically but that one last intimate act.  Nothing they had done so far had caused them any problems, but Nick was desperate not to do anything to hurt Greg.  In any way.  

"You won't.  I want this.  God, I need this.  Need you."  Greg caught Nick's lips in a deep kiss, telling him with his body what his voice was already.  He poured everything into that kiss; desire, love, passion.  Feeling Nick respond almost immediately he pressed himself tight against his body, allowing his hands to wander.  

Aware that they were still in a public place they tried to temper their behaviour but it was hard.  Still swaying lightly together, their hips were pressed tightly together allowing their erections to brush against each other.  

"Come back to mine," Nick whispered.

Greg nodded, eyes still closed, drinking in the feel of Nick's arms around him.

Letting go slowly, Nick let his hands drift down to Greg's, holding it tightly.  he smiled, leading them both off the dance floor and towards the door.  


Catherine nudged Sara with her elbow, nodding her head in the direction of the disappearing couple.  

"Oh no, they can't escape now."  She made a move to head after them.

"No," Catherine caught her arm.  "Oh, I think they can."  She gave her a meaningful look, which after a moment Sara returned, understanding.  She smiled wickedly.

"Oh, to be a fly on the wall."

Both woman sighed.  



Nick and Greg barely made it through the front door.

Arms wrapped around each other, mouths pressed tightly together.  Nick kicked the door closed behind him with a foot just before Greg pushed him up against it.  Feeling the urgency thrumming through Greg's body Nick returned the frantic kiss.  Bracing his hands against Greg's shoulders he quickly reversed their position.  

The kiss was deep and intense, fire licking at both of them.  Neither man could seem to get enough of the other man or get close enough.  Clothes were pulled, ripped and them torn from bodies in a frenzied passion.  

Nick slid down Greg's body, pulling the remains of his T-shirt off as he went.  Fumbling fingers, shaking with adrenaline and passion opened the fastening to Greg's trousers, pushing the material out of the way with no preamble.  Grasping Greg's hard cock in his hand he lowered his head and took the organ into his mouth, sliding his mouth down the length as far as he could.

Greg let out a low moan, his head falling back against the door with a small thud.  Nick sucked and laved the head, his whole mouth working intently.  Sliding one hand up he cupped Greg's balls, squeezing gently before smoothing his thumb over the smooth skin behind.  

Greg emitted a continuous stream of moans, the muscles in his thighs twitching as Nick devoured him.  "Oh God," Greg muttered, eyes squeezed tightly shut.  There was no way either if them was going to last long, not as excited as they both were.  

With a deep body shudder and a small whimper, Greg came.  Nick swallowed quickly, wanting to take all of Greg, to finally taste him.  Sliding a hand up Greg's side he supported the other man as he his body slumped, sliding down the wall into Nick's arms.  Breathing heavily, Greg leant his face cheek to cheek with Nick before shifting to catch Nick's mouth.  

The kiss was slightly slower but no less intense.  Hot, wet, Nick lost himself in the warmth of Greg's mouth.  He felt Greg's hands wriggle round to struggle with his own pants and reaching down he helped to unbutton the fastenings, gasping when Greg's fingers made contact with his heated flesh, already very aroused from touching Greg.  Greg's hand was firm on him, but gentle, pushing his pants out of the way.  When Greg's mouth closed around the head of his cock, he moaned, eyes closing in reflex.  

Greg's hands were caressing Nick's thighs, his hips, anywhere he could reach bare skin.  Skimming below, between his legs he brushed against Nick's sacs, his tongue dipping in to tease the slit at the head of his cock at the same time.  

"Oh God, Greg," Nick gasped.

Shifting slightly, Greg took more of Nick into his mouth, relaxing his jaw and throat.  Nick let out a shaky breath, feeling his toes curl.  "Jesus, Greg," he whimpered, breathing through his nose. 

As his climax rippled through him, Nick threw his head back to bang against the door.  He glanced down and felt himself dissolve even more at the sight of Greg nestled at his groin.  

Greg held on, swallowing all Nick had to give, his one hand stroking Nick's thigh still.  Pulling back, he looked up to meet Nick's eyes before almost collapsing onto Nick's front, feeling Nick's arms coming up weakly to hold him.  He felt the rumble of Nick's chuckle from deep inside the chest he was leaning against.  

"We didn't even make it out of the hallway." 

"Yet," Greg answered with a satisfied grin.

Nick chuckled again before looking down to his groin where his pants were still open.  Grimacing at the stickiness, he curled his hand round to where Greg's own pants were also still flying open.  "How does a shower sound?"

Greg looked up hopefully.  "Like heaven.  Share?"

"Oh yeah."  Nick drawled.