nickngreg | Nearly Lost You

Title: Nearly Lost You (1/12)
Author: dyingsmile
Rated: NC-17
Genre: Angst/Romance
Pairing: Greg/Nick
Summary: The Lab explosion was terrifying and the worst thing to ever happen to me, but maybe it was a godsend.

Disclaimer: I don't own CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, nor do I know any of the actors. This has been made up in my sick little mind for your reviewing pleasure. None of this is real, just simply fiction.

X-Posted:

greg_slash,

oh_no_nicky,

csi_slash &

csi_lab_rats

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Nearly Lost You

Chapter One

I can't help, but let out a groan of frustration when Greg once again tries to get my attention. I am trying to get my work done, but that is proving to be difficult since he continues to call me over to him just so he can tell me some new lame story that has surfaced in his brain. I swear this guy can really annoy me sometimes... well most of the time actually. He has only been working here at the crime lab for a month and I can't seem to get away of him. Every time I turn around he is there, it's like I have a second shadow only this shadow talks and way too much at that! If I could go even an hour without him talking to me I would have to say that I would be very lucky.

I get a strong feeling that he has a crush on me, but I have to be mistaken. Having Greg Sanders like me would be the worst thing to ever happen to me. Okay that is being a bit extreme, but it would be bad none the less. He is a nice guy, but is way too talkative and young for me. I may be reading far too deep into his actions though because he is a pretty flirtatious guy. I don't think there is a single person in this lab, besides Ecklie, that he doesn't flirt with. Though it seems so different with me, dare I say more serious? I don't know what to think about his behavior and am actually causing myself a headache.

Now I have to leave what I am doing just so he can talk to me about God knows what. I can't say I am too happy about this and am actually in a bad mood as it is. I am trying to keep my cool though because the last thing I want to do is blow up at him when I begin getting annoyed with him, which is inevitable.

"Hey Nick, lost in your thoughts?" Greg's voice breaks through my thoughts and he startles me so bad that I nearly fall out of my chair.

Looking up into his amused eyes I allow a glare to form on my face, but all I receive in return is an annoying smirk. Rolling my eyes I sit back in my chair and try to compose myself. He leans back against my desk and sends a toothy grin my way. I look away from his face and rub my eyes in frustration; wishing he would take the hint and leave me alone. Of course that would be too easy for me though, Greg is not about to let that happen.

"So what are you doing?" He asks me after a long pause of staring at my features.

"Trying to work." I reply flatly. "Some of us actually have things to do around here, such as paper work."

"Oh am I bothering you?" He asks innocently and I have to resist the urge to slap him.

In the end I decide that a glare will do just fine and for once he takes the hint. Rising to his feet he raises his hands as if in surrender and silently makes his exit. I watch as he walks back into his lab and can't stop the sigh that escapes me. I swear that guy is going to be the death of me!

~*~

Warrick and I walk slowly in the direction of Greg's lab, we need him to analyze the newest evidence that we found at the crime scene we are investigating. The thought of seeing him again isn't very appealing to me, but I really don't have a choice because I have to work with him. I told Grissom that I don't feel all that comfortable around Greg, but he told me to stop being so childish and be the professional they hired. I was disappointed to hear those words, but in the same sense I knew he was right.

"Nick! Warrick! What do you guys have for me?" Greg asks in a cheerful voice as soon as we enter the room.

"Blood swabs." Warrick replies as he hands the evidence to Greg.

"Alright I'll get to work on this and let ya know as soon as I find anything out." Greg says softly as Warrick and I head out of the room. "Nick can I talk to you a minute?"

Letting out an audible sigh I reluctantly turn around and walk back to Greg. Leaning my body against his desk I give him a tired expression and wait for him to begin his usual rambling. To my surprise however he has an unsure expression on his face as he stares at me intently. He seems to be at a loss for words; finding it difficult to say what is on his mind.

"Please tell me you didn't keep me here just so you could stare at me!" I say teasingly, trying to lighten the mood and he blushes in embarrassment.

He lets out a soft sigh and looks at me with that same unsure expression on his face; I have to wonder what is bothering him so much. "Look Nick I know that I can annoy you sometimes and I get the impression that you don't like me very much..."

I quickly cut him off, suddenly feeling terribly guilty. "It's not like that man."

"No it's okay Nick, you don't have to apologize." He says with a small smile that doesn't reach his eyes, which is something you don't see very often. "There's just something I have been wanting to tell you for such a long time, I just don't know how you will react and that bothers me. I don't want to give you another reason to dislike me."

I wait patiently for him to continue and for the first time when I want him to keep talking, his mouth actually remains shut. He looks nervous and a little afraid; these are two things I usually wouldn't associate with a guy like Greg. He is normally hyper active with a wide smile permanently plastered on his face, this is a rare occasion for me to see him so vulnerable and unsure of himself... to be honest I don't like seeing him in such a state.

"What is it man? You can tell me." I say as reassuringly as I possibly can, hoping he will become more comfortable.

"I... well... I like you Nick, more than just a friend. I know there is probably no chance of you ever liking me, but it has been eating at me so I just had to tell you about how I have been feeling. I hope you don't hate me now, but could you just tell me if there is any chance at all... please?" He ends this speech in a pleading tone; his expression matching his tone.

I breathe in a deep intake of air and hold it there for a moment before exhaling slowly. I don't know why I wasn't expecting this conversation to arise eventually because I had a feeling that he liked me, but I find myself to be surprised none the less. I never thought he would bring the subject up and in a way I kind of hoped this day would never come. I don't want to hurt him, but I can't lead him on either. It wouldn't be fair to him, or me for that matter.

I take a moment to gather my thoughts so I can politely put them into words. I want to let him down gently, but am unsure of what to say without hurting him unintentionally. How can you reject someone without pain being involved though?

"Greg I'm not sure how to say this. You seem like a nice guy, but you're not my type. I don't want to hurt you, but there is nothing between us other than friendship." I say softly and guiltily.

"We barely have that, if at all. It's okay though Nick, I understand... I won't bother you with this again."

With that he turns away from me, in a way it feels as though he is dismissing me. I know that feeling all too well because Grissom does it to us all the time. I can't help, but feel terrible now because Greg is obviously upset. I may not like him very much, but the last thing I wanted to do was hurt him.

With my head lowered I silently exit the DNA lab and can sense Greg's eyes on my back, but not once do I turn around.

TBC....