For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide

[jengeorge.livejournal.com]

Title:  I'd Just Be Fool Enough To Fall
Fandom: CSI
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: NC-17 (overall)
Summary: Where Nick learns that everything he's ever wanted is right in front of him

A/N:  So this first chapter started out as a writing exercise for me that I never planned to do anything with.  Until one night Nick started whining to me that he wanted to know what happened next.  So here I am with my first ever Nick/Greg chaptered story.  Who knew! 
I want to give a sincere thank you to the brilliant and absolutely lovelycarolinecrane  for holding my hand through this and making my little story reader-ready! You are amazing!

 

I’d Just Be Fool Enough to Fall

CHAPTER 1- Ring of Fire

“Hey, Stokes! How’d the deposition go?” Nick hears Warrick calling out from across the lot.

“Fine, just glad it’s over. Is anyone still here, or did I miss it?” Nick stops his jog to the restaurant to answer back.

The rest of the team is gathered this Friday night inside their favorite local watering hole for dinner and drinks to celebrate closing the case on what was a very violent string of carjacking/beatings. Nick knew he’d be late due to his being called to the district attorney’s office, but had hoped to at least catch a bit of the festivities.

“Catherine, Gris, and Sanders are still here and Sidle just left.  Some of us still have to work tonight, which is why I’m heading out. Toss a few extras back for me, ok?”

“Sanders is here?” Nick is surprised that Greg is with the group, as he doesn’t often join them on these celebratory outings. Not that Nick is complaining- he likes Greg and enjoys working with him. He finds that he rather enjoys Greg’s smile, his flirting nature, and his ass isn’t too bad to look at either. It’s a combination that makes for some pretty intense fantasies. However, he hasn’t spent much time with him outside of work.

“Yeah, Grissom dragged him along. Apparently he feels that we lowly CSI peasants would never have gotten anywhere on the case without the awesome abilities of Greg Sanders.” Warrick’s tone is mocking and Nick has to laugh. Greg is scary-smart.

After a few more pleasantries, Nick heads inside. He quickly locates the now mostly empty table and grabs the seat next to Gil and across from Greg. Empty plates and glasses litter the table and it is evident that Nick, in fact, has missed the party.

“Sorry I’m so late. Apparently, the newbie at the prosecutor’s office doesn’t feel that she’s being thorough unless she asks every question three different times. Do I have time to grab a beer or are you guys on your way out?”

“Actually, Gil and I were just about to head out, but I’m sure we can stick around a few more minutes.” Catherine looks at Grissom, who has his keys in his hand and is pulling away from the table.

Nick’s about to tell them not to bother, he’ll just head home, when Greg pipes up, “I can stick around. I’m off tonight.” He hesitates and looks at Nick. “I mean, if that sounds alright to you.”

Grissom is up out of his chair before Nick has a chance to answer. “Great! Sorry we can’t stay, I gave Cath a ride, and I really need to get to the lab to check on some results I’ve been waiting for.”

Nick hears Catherine mutter something like, “would live at the lab if he could”, before she gives her goodbyes and the two turn to head out.

Now alone with Greg at the table, Nick see’s the look on Greg’s face like he’s about to apologize to Nick for being stuck here with him. 

“Thanks for hanging around, Greg.  Apparently I know how to clear a table.”

The tension in Greg’s face softens into a smile. “And here I thought it was me.”

After quickly flagging down the waitress, Nick orders himself a beer and his stomach reminds him that he hasn’t eaten since breakfast, so he orders a sandwich as well. Greg orders a refill of the specialty lager he’s having that Nick’s never heard of. When Nick inquires, Greg lights up as he launches into a story of touring the California microbreweries with friends last year. 

Greg, apparently, is able to absorb a great deal about a topic, because he spews forth a fountain of information about both the brewer and the science involved in developing a new lager. Nick is captivated by his enthusiasm and can’t help but smile as Greg begins a detailed explanation on fermentation. Greg suddenly pauses and snaps his mouth shut tight. He looks abashed as he apologizes for rambling on and “probably boring you to death”.

Having heard the same level of detail from Greg when he shares lab results at work, Nick is struck by the thought that he used to kind of think of Greg as a know-it-all. But hearing him talk so passionately now, Nick wants nothing more than for Greg to continue, so he tells him that he really is enjoying the explanation and to please go on. Nick can’t help but notice the slight flush that appears on Greg’s face, and he thinks it’s beautiful.

Nick feels conspicuously over-dressed in what he refers to as his ‘court uniform’: dark grey suit, blue shirt, and the green stripe tie his sister bought him a few birthdays ago, so he takes off his jacket, loosens his tie, and rolls up his sleeves. It’s better, but he can’t help but feel envious at how Greg seems to make dressing casually into an art form. Greg is crazy patterned shirts, perfectly cut jeans, and wild hair that Nick suspects Greg works hard at making look like he put no effort into.

Conversation flows easily with Greg, and Nick is pleasantly surprised at the non-work topics they find to talk about while he eats his dinner. They talk about favorite video games, television shows, and Greg’s obsession with music. Nick even finds himself on the receiving end of a slew of questions about his family. Greg, it turns out, is an only child and is fascinated by Nick’s proclamation that he has six siblings. Before he knows it, he is sharing more about his loud, interfering, loving, Texas family than he ever has with a co-worker.

The next few hours fly by, full of good food, comfortable conversation, and Nick even forgoing his usual Miller to try a Thirsty Bear lager at Greg’s urging, which he is surprised he actually likes.  He is having such a nice time he tries to hide the yawn that creeps up on him, but Greg notices.

“You’re bored. I’m boring you, aren’t I?” Greg says apologetically.

“Not at all,” Nick replies vehemently. “I just didn’t get a full sleep in after shift since I had to go to the courthouse this afternoon. I think that and the beers are catching up with me.” Before he can stop himself, Nick adds, “Actually, I had a really good time tonight. We should do it again.” And he means it.

Nick is thrilled with Greg’s radiant smile and his, “We should”.

As they settle up their bill, Nick finds himself having to hide a scowl when Greg shamelessly flirts with the waitress. It’s innocent and good-humored, and she’s probably old enough to be his mother, but it sharply reminds Nick of how very straight his dinner companion probably is. Not that he knows for sure, but Greg playfully flirts with all the women at the lab, and he often overhears them talking about what a great catch Greg would be. 

It is this thought filling Nick’s head as they make their way to the parking lot in the first awkward silence of the evening. They’re about to reach Greg’s car, when Greg reaches his hand out and places it on Nick’s arm.

“This was great, Nick. You’re a lot of fun to talk with.” Greg gives him a brilliant smile, and Nick is very aware of the warmth seeping into his shirt from the hand still on his arm.

Nick hopes that the smile he returns doesn’t look like a grimace, but he’s trying very hard not doing something foolish like lean in and kiss the mouth that he seems to be having trouble taking his eyes off of. It is all he can do to give a breathless “Me too”, that on hindsight doesn’t really make a lot of sense.

A look of confusion passes briefly over Greg’s face, but the smile is still there and he gives Nick’s arm a gentle squeeze before he removes his hand. As Greg unlocks his car door and steps in he says, “I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Nicky.”

Nick can’t help but smile as he hears his nickname pass over Greg’s lips. “See you, Greggo.”

I am so screwed, Nick thinks to himself as he finds his way to the Denali.

Comments

[lady-sallie.livejournal.com]

Why am I not surprised Greg would be a micro brew man? *L*

Can't wait for more!!!

[hiddenmuse.livejournal.com]

Totally - and I have a feeling that if he had the time, he'd be brewing his own in his spare time!

[jengeorge.livejournal.com]

You know it!

[jengeorge.livejournal.com]

Greg has always struck me as the kind of guy, who, when he finds something he likes, has to learn everything he can about it!

Glad you liked it!

[lillyg.livejournal.com]

Sweet! ^^

[jengeorge.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[burrollie.livejournal.com]

Nice. I wonder what would have happened if Nick did lean in for that kiss. I guess I'll have to wait. :)

[jengeorge.livejournal.com]

Hopefully the build up will make the wait worth it!

[maldeluxx.livejournal.com]

Awww, Nick *hugs him* :)

[jengeorge.livejournal.com]

I know! I want to hug him too!

[riku-rocks.livejournal.com]

That was great. I especially like your Greg. The 'scary-smart' bit, his ability to absorb and share information at a rapid pace, and his nervous chatter are all so spot on for the character. I'm looking forward to reading more. Thanks for sharing this. ^_^

Oh, for some reason, the second to the last paragraph is a smaller font size than the rest of the story. Was that intentional?

[jengeorge.livejournal.com]

Glad you like Greg! If feel like he is often written OOC, so I am really trying to stay true to his nature.

Yeah, I have NO IDEA why that line is smaller. It didn't look like that before I posted it.

[riku-rocks.livejournal.com]

I agree. I think you're doing well.

That's odd. Have you gone into 'edit entry' to see if there are any strange brackets or anything around that line?