Fic: Up in Smoke

[vampwb36.livejournal.com]

Title: Up in Smoke
Chapter: 5/?
Rating: PG:13 for now but could go up.

Spoilers: None for now, takes place season 6.

Warnings: None yet
Disclaimer: Not Mine >8( Any characters you recognize belong to Bruckheimer and Zuicker, the rest are mine

Beta: jayceepat 

 

Summary: Based on an episode of Law and Order. The CSI team investigates the death of a comedian's child and accidentally uncovers his dirty little secret. Will their inability to leave his secrets alone destroy Greg

A/N: Sorry… I know I said Friday, but well my first draft of this Chapter sucked so I completely rewrote it. I also turn 21 in <checks watch> 27 hours 28 minutes (not that I’m counting or anything) My friends have been dragging me out for pre-birthday events all week since I turn 21 on a Monday >8P. So I didn’t even get this chapter to my Beta ( who did an amazing job) until about 4 am Friday morning…

 

Beta’d by jayceepat who is super awesome!

Disclaimer: Not Mine >8( Any characters you recognize belong to Bruckheimer and Zuicker, the rest are mine

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He took a deep breath and attempted to gather his thoughts before walking back up to the door and knocking.

 

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He waited a minute giving Greg a chance to answer before pulling Greg’s spare key out of his pocket and unlocking the door.

 

The house was dead silent.

 

Nick knew that was a very bad sign. The angrier Greg got the more quiet he was. As silent as the house was Nick was amazed he hadn’t burst into flames when he entered.

 

Nick began searching the house room by room for Greg, though he’d already knew where he would find him. His study.

 

According to Greg everyone should have a little space that was just for them. For Greg, it was his study. It was a combination music room and library. One wall was devoted to books and the other was CD’s and a state-of-the-art stereo. A big overstuffed couch and coffee table was in between the two walls Greg’s study was where Greg went to unwind. Nick had only been in it a few times, but he was positive that’s where he would be found.

 

Nick approached the door that lead to Greg’s sanctuary. Though he heard no noise coming from the room Nick knew that’s where he was. He tapped on the door softly, almost immediately he heard movement in the room. After he knocked a second time the door cracked open and Greg stuck his head out.

 

“I thought I kicked you out. Officer.” Greg said, before stepping into the hallway and closing the study door behind him. “How’d you get in? I know I locked the door.”

 

Nick held up the key.

 

“Oh. Why are you here? I thought you left,” He said frowning softly.

 

“We need to talk,” Nick said, a determined look on his face.

 

“We already talked, officer.” Greg shot back once again putting an emphasis on officer.

 

“I’m not here as a CSI; I’m here as your friend.”

 

Greg snorted. “What? Did you jump in the telephone booth outside and change from Super CSI back into Nick Stokes, mild-mannered Texan?”

 

“I want to apologize” Nick said refusing to be derailed by Greg’s angry attempts at humor.

 

“I don’t care.” Greg turned around and headed back into his study. 

 

Nick darted after him holding the door open and forcing his way in, “Please Greg,” he begged.

 

“Get. Out.” Greg said in a low deadly voice.

 

“Greg, I know I fucked up, Big time.” Nick said, moving towards Greg. “But, I want to fix this. I care about you and I hate that I hurt you.”

 

 “You didn’t care 10 minutes ago and I don’t think you do now.” Greg backed away from Nick putting the couch in between them.

 

“I do, so much.”  

 

“I don’t want to hear it.  Please leave,” Greg said, a slight quiver in his voice.

 

“Just give me 5 minutes and if you want me to leave then, I will.” Nick moved closer as he spoke until he was standing in front of Greg. He put his hand on Greg’s and gave it a slight squeeze, “Please.”

 

For a moment Greg looked as though he was going to give in and listen, but just for a moment. “No.” He said an air of finality in his tone.  “I said I didn’t care and I don’t. If you’re not out of my house in 5 seconds I’m calling the police.” He pulled his hand away from Nick’s slowly.

 

“Fine,” Nick agreed turning and heading to the door only to stop and turn back around, “but while we wait for them will you listen to me?” he asked leaning against the door effectively blocking the only exit to the room.

 

“Ugh! You are so frustrating!” Greg said hitting Nick in the shoulder hard enough to knock the wind out of him.

 

He glared at Nick for a moment before sighing. “You’ll leave as soon as you’re done?”

 

“I promise” Nick agreed quickly.

 

“Fine. Talk.” Greg said settling on the couch. Nick hated the cold look he had in his eyes and wanted to make it disappear.

 

Nick settled back against the door more comfortably. “I don’t know where to start,” he admitted.

 

“Start at the beginning.” Greg said crossing his legs and bobbing one foot in a frustrated manner.

 

“OK…uhh that whole scene in the locker room today.”  

 

“Yes?” His voice lacked it’s normal warmth as well.

 

“You’re not making this any easier you know.” Nick informed him a slight smile on his face. He should have known Greg wouldn’t really just sit back and let him talk.

 

“Did you expect me to?”

 

“No I just… I’m sorry. I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions. I’m sorry I lost my temper. I’m sorry I wouldn’t listen to you. I’m sorry that I hurt you… I’m so sorry I made you cry, so incredibly sorry.”

 

Greg frowned for a second before the cold blank look returned.

 

“I had no right to attack you the way I did. No matter what I thought you had done.” Nick continued as he moved away from the door and sat on the coffee table in front of Greg.

 

“I’m ashamed of how I acted then. I’m more ashamed of how I treated you a few minutes ago though.”

 

Greg raised an eyebrow at that silently asking Nick to continue.

 

“You were right. We treated you like a suspect. You’re our friend.” He put his hand on Greg’s knee. “My best friend and we treated you like dirt.”

 

Greg looked down for a second biting his bottom lip. He looked so young and confused, Nick hated that he was the cause of the lost look.

 

“You’re wrong though about why we were treating you like that.  You thought we don’t care; that I don’t care but I do, so very much.”

 

“Then why? Why did you treat me like I didn’t matter?” Greg asked his eye bright with unshed tears.

 

”Because I’m a selfish jerk.”

 

Greg lips twitched fractionally and his eyes warmed a little.

 

“Cath found the statement and we knew we were going to have to talk to you. That it was going to be painful for you and for us.”

 

“How was it painful for you? You sat there and listened, no one did anything to you.” Greg snarled.

 

“Because I hated the idea that something that bad happened to you and I hated more that I had to confront you about it.”

 

Greg nodded his head in understanding.

 

Nick seized Greg’s hands, “Someday I hope you’ll be able to tell me the truth, what really happened, but until that day I’m not going to ask.”

 

“You’re not?” Greg asked surprised.

 

“No, I’m not.” Nick reaffirmed. Greg sent a shy smile at him and Nick took heart and continued on.

 

“I hid behind my professionalism to save myself some pain and it caused you more.” Nick squeezed Greg’s hands softly. “What you went through, whatever it was, was awful and we made it worse. I know saying I’m sorry doesn’t cut it, but I am sorry.”

 

“Yeah you did make it worse,” Greg agreed, and Nick noticed he looked more like himself and less cold. “But what I really don’t understand is why one moment we were good; better than good. Then the next...” Greg shrugged.

 

“I just… I thought I had it all figured… I…” Nick looked at his lap in frustration. He didn’t quite know how to explain how he had felt, or why he had felt the way he did.

 

The truth was the best option. Time to lay down all his cards. “I’m a planner Greg. Everything I do is planned out ahead of time. And when I thought that you were standing by and letting Bender hurt those boys…” Greg looked away. “It destroyed my plans…”

 

Greg looked back up something akin to hope in his eyes. “What plans Nick?” 

 

Nick swallowed before taking the big plunge “I like you Greg, as more then just a friend.”

 

“You do?”  Greg asked a cautious smile on his face.

 

“Yeah, for awhile now. I just… I just recently figured it out. I mean I’ve always thought you were gorgeous. It’s just recently that I realized that-“

 

“That you liked me for more than my body?” Greg said smiling.

 

“Yeah. We almost kissed today” Nick said in hopes Greg would tell him how he felt.

 

“Almost” Greg agreed.

 

“I wanted to, so bad.”

 

Greg nodded. “I did to. I like you Nick.” Nick smiled “But, I don’t trust you. Not right now.” He reached out and rested his hand on Nicks arm.

 

“I want you to be able to trust me again.” Nick said earnestly. He could think of nothing he wanted more.

 

“I want to as well, but it’s going to take time and until I can, we can only be friends.”

 

“I understand completely.” Nick said elated and depressed at the same time. Greg had rejected him, but just for the moment. Nick was going to earn back Greg’s trust and then he was going to get Greg.

 

“I’m glad. There’s one thing I want you to do for me though.” Greg said once again frowning.

 

“Anything” Nick instantly agrees.

 

“This is big Nick so I’ll understand if you say no” Greg paused studying Nick. “I want you to talk to a therapist about why you freaked out like you did”

 

“What?” Nick was surprised.  Of all the things he had expected Greg to ask, he had never even considered that.

 

“I’ve never seen that side of you before Nick and I never want to again.” He paused and swallowed, “I was scared of you Nick.” He continued so softly.

 

Nick winced, he hated that he’d scared Greg. He wanted Greg to feel safe with him not frightened.

 

“Ok” He agreed.

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“Thank you”.  Greg placed a gentle kiss on Nick’s cheek causing both men to blush.

 

Greg started walking Nick to the door. Neither spoke simply reveled in being in each others company animosity gone for the most part.

 

“Wait, um have you eaten” Nick said remembering they were supposed to be on a date.

 

“I ordered Chinese food…” he frowned, “which never came” he pulled out his cell phone and hit 9 on his speed dial.

 

Nick wandered into the living room and took a seat while Greg sorted out his delivery issues.

 

“They said they showed up and I never answered the door. I guess it is possible…”

 

“I owe you dinner” Nick said.

 

“I’m not in the mood to go out” Greg said pouting.

 

“I’ll cook.”

 

“I don’t have any food for you to cook.”

 

“I’ll be the judge of that” Nick said standing up and heading into the kitchen.

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Greg spent several minutes just listening to Nick rustling around in his kitchen.

 

‘Wow I lasted all of ten minutes.’ When Greg had gotten home that evening he had swore he was going to shut everyone out. Then Nick had apologized and he’d almost instantly caved.

 

Truth be told he’d almost caved the moment he opened his study to find Nick standing there looking so forlorn.

 

Nick had hurt him, twice. However, everyone deserves a chance to make up for their mistakes.

 

Greg really cared about Nick not only as a potential partner, but as a friend. Nick was his Best Friend.  He complained to him, confided in him, drank with him, smiled and laughed with him.

 

Perhaps some part of him wasn’t quite yet ready to lose that.

 

He and Nick weren’t back where they were before this awful day, but they would be. 

 

A few moments later Nick walked back in with a box of Easy Mac.

 

“What’s this?” Holding out the box he had a comical expression on his face.

 

“Easy Mac. Forget how to read?” Greg asked amused by the look of disgust and humor on Nick’s face.

 

“Easy Mac... “ Nick crinkled his nose

 

“Yeah, Easy Mac…”

 

Nick shook his head and sighed, “Where is your phone book. I’m ordering us some adult food”

 

“Cabinet under the phone.” Greg responded and Nick turned and exited the room.

 

“What’s wrong with Easy Mac? Nick?”

 

“There’s nothing wrong with it if you’re 18 and live in a dorm.”

 

“Yeah, well it’s good.”

 

“So is regular mac and cheese.” Nick pointed out, smiling slightly. “And at least it has real milk in it.”

 

Nick had been trying to get Greg to eat healthier for years. While sometimes it was irritating for the most part it was endearing. Nick was definitely a mother hen at times.

 

“I’m sorry I hit you” Greg said remembering the frustrated shove he’d sent Nick’s way I his study.

 

“No you’re not” Nick said chuckling slightly.

 

“Maybe a little?” Greg replied in a questioning ton. Nick was right he really wasn’t sorry. If he had really hurt him he might have been a little sorry, but he hadn’t.

 

“Maybe,” Nick replied a silly grin on his face. “Maybe…”

 

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A/N2: I’ll be updating wednesdayish… hopefully… >8)

 

Comments

[melon73.livejournal.com]

umm so i TOTALLY LOVE this story!! i can't wait till you update!! oh and, happy birthday, but if it's already past, happy belated birthday!! =)

[vampwb36.livejournal.com]

Thank you and Thank you!

I'm glad you like the story! I just updated though LJ gave me one HELL of a time...

It's already past though I'm having a party all weekend to celebrate >8)