“Deep In the Heart of Texas”

Characters: Nick and Greg

Rating: PG-13 (for language and adult situations)

Summary: Things have been bad for a while now, and it’s starting to take a toll.

Part Two

“No.”

“What do you mean, no!?” Nick’s face was a sea of conflicting emotions. Rage, fear, embarrassment all battled for space. Rage was winning.

Before Nick could voice his outrage, a petite, feminine hand closed over his arm. “Please.” So quietly asked. Calm, gentle. Diffusing the anger with one word. “Please.” Jillian Stokes reached over and placed her free hand on Greg’s chest.

“This is getting out of hand. Come away. Come away from the crowd and calm yourselves. Please.”

Greg was mortified. The one thing he’d hoped to avoid had happened. They’d become a sideshow at the Stokes’ party.

“Sure. Sorry.” Sorry…so inadequate. Greg walked quickly towards the more private parts of the house. He could hear Nick’s footfalls following closely behind. They ended up in the judge’s study; Nick, Greg, Bill and Jillian.

Greg hadn’t raised his eyes from the floor since the lock was turned. The room was silent, none knowing the best way to begin.

“Who’s going to start?” Figures the judge would get things going.

“Look Dad, I’m sorry we made a scene at your party. Really sorry. But this is between Greg and me. We’ll work it out on our own.”

“Bullshit.”

Wow. Greg’s head snapped up at the expletive. The judge was known for his low tolerance of BS, and Nick seemed to have surpassed it.

“You are our sons. We love you. We have every right to be involved.” The steel in Bill’s voice left no room for dissention. “Start talking.”

Greg really didn’t want this conversation now. He didn’t really want it at all. How could he articulate what he didn’t understand himself?

“All your guests. They’ll be wondering where you are.” Yeah. Distraction; always your friend.

“Stacey will run the show as long as necessary. We’re not leaving until you two start talking.”

“He calls me Greg.” The blank looks he got for that was enough evidence that Greg shouldn’t have been the one to start.

“You think he stopped using endearments because he stopped caring?” Jillian was perceptive, even understanding what Greg couldn’t properly give voice to.

Nick looked aghast. “Is that true? Is that what you think?” God, he could be so clueless sometimes.

“How else should I feel, Nick? You stay away from home as much as you can, you don’t tell me where you’re going, you don’t talk to me, you don’t kiss….” Greg’s embarrassment at having this humiliating conversation in front of the “in-laws” was like a physical ache.

Jillian cleared her throat, masking the degree of her reaction to the agonized gush of words. “Well, now you’re finally talking.” She guided Bill towards the door. “Don’t break any of the furniture.” The duo paused before closing the door behind them. “We’ll check back in thirty minutes. Don’t leave this room until you can smile at each other and mean it!”

With that parting shot, Nick and Greg were alone.

After several long, silent minutes Greg tried again.

“You treat me like a kid, Nick. You never did before, what happened? You act like my babysitter, not my lover. I hate it!” The vehemence of his words made his voice shake. “I hate it!”

“You never acted this way before! Sure, you’re always kind of Alpha-Male; I get that. It’s kind of hot. This, this is new. You’re always pissed off at me, and you act like I can’t find my ass with two hands! What the fuck, Nick?” Greg was becoming more agitated with each new revelation of past pains. “What the hell did I do? Tell me! What?”

Greg’s desperate plea was met with silence. Nick stared at his partner, not believing how bad things had become, that he’d allowed things to fall apart so badly.

“I almost lost you. Again.” It was an effort for Nick to get that much out over the lump in his throat.

“What? How? Lost me…Nick?” Greg was shaking, teary and hopelessly confused.

“They hurt you. I couldn’t stop them. You’re not safe.” Tears were flowing now, sliding down Nick’s pale cheeks.

“Nick, what are you talking about?”

“You got beat up, Greg!” Like Greg should automatically know what the hell Nick was so worked up about. “You got blown up! I can’t protect you, don’t you get it?” Nick was really sobbing now, struggling for control. “I can’t live without you, and I can’t protect you!”

“I don’t need protection, Nick. I’m a grown man, and can take care of myself.” Greg was torn between his sympathy with Nick and his wounded pride.

“You don’t need protection? You almost died, Greg! If you’re protecting yourself, you’re doing a shitty job!” How dare Greg question his right to protect him!

Greg was now as furious as Nick. “What about you? You don’t have the greatest track record when it comes to personal safety, do you Nick? At least I’ve always managed to stay above ground!” As soon as the words left his mouth, Greg wished them back. They were result of his anger, and didn’t reflect what he felt at all. But there they were, hanging between them like a sword.

“Fuck you.”