Fic: Up in Smoke
Jul. 25th, 2007 09:56 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
vampwb36.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
nickngregTitle: Up in Smoke
Chapter: 7/?
Rating: PG13
Summary: Nick talks to Grissom about the case and finds Greg. Greg deals.
Disclaimer: Not Mine. Boo.
Many thanks to my SUPERB Beta ![[info]](https://stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
jayceepat
A/N: Hey yall here it is Ch 7! And a day early! You can thank my lovely Beta jayceepat for that! So here it is; Read, Review, Enjoy.
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Nick watched Greg run out of the room and down the hall. He felt frozen in place and sick to his stomach. He pushed the nausea back and stood and walked slowly out of Catherine’s office toward Grissom's office.
Grissom wasn’t in his office so Nick settled in on the couch to think.
He wasn’t sure if he had done the right thing approaching Greg as he had. He’d just been so sure there was some mistake; he hadn’t even stopped to think about the effect it would have on Greg if there wasn’t.
They’d sold their kid. They’d sold their 10 year old to a 30 year old man…
Nick was going to bring them down. Bender and the Sanders were going to be seeing the inside of a jail cell very soon.
He couldn’t imagine how Greg was feeling right now. Grissom was going to be pissed when he found out Greg had run off again. He was also going to be angry at Nick for talking to Greg before him. He had treated Greg more like a friend than a witness and while Greg would appreciate that, Grissom would not.
As if he could hear Nicks thoughts Grissom choose that moment to walk in, an irritated look on his face. “Why are you in my office?”
“I got a break in the case?” Nick stood up and walked over to Grissom’s desk.
“What case.” Grissom asks irritated and sits behind his desk.
“The Bender case.”
“Oh,” He says. “Sit down”
“I noticed that Greg said in his statement he went to Benders house over Memorial Day weekend.” Nick paused for a moment not quite sure how to continue on with out sounding emotional and getting thrown off the case.
“And” Grissom prompted
“Bender paid off the brothers’ medical bills the week before that.”
“What!” Grissom snapped surprising Nick.
Nick opened the file and showed Grissom the highlighted portions. Grissom read them quickly before slamming the file down on his desk.
“Have you shown anyone else these documents?”
Nick flushed guiltily. “Yeah I have. I talked to Greg, I just couldn’t believe parents would do something like that to their child I thought there had to be a mistake”
Grissom made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a growl
Nick gulped and continued. “So I had him confirm that he was at Benders over Memorial Day weekend.”
“And then?”
“And then, I told him why and showed him the documents” Nick admits. He knew how irritated Grissom was going to be.
“What happened?” Grissom asks in a surprisingly gentle voice.
“He was really upset and then he ran out.” Nick studies Grissom for a moment. Grissom looks surprisingly sad. Nick had expected Grissom to be angry not upset.
“He ran off again?” Grissom sighed.
“Yeah, but that was my fault not his. I shouldn’t have approached him about a case he was involved in while he was on the clock.”
“No you shouldn’t have. You should have talked to me or Catherine before you approached him.” Grissom looks stern once again.
“You’re right. What do we do now Grissom?”
“I think that at this point we should hand the case over to
“What! No way!” Nick yells. There is no way he is letting anyone else handle this case. It’s too important.
“The crime took place in New York Nick; it’s their case” Grissom is right but Nick isn’t ready to admit defeat.
“I know, but I don’t want to just hand it over”
“We shouldn’t be working on it any longer anyways” Grissom says.
“Why not?”
“Bender has millions of dollars and the Sanders aren’t bad off themselves, they can afford the best lawyers. We don’t want to do damage to this case because we’re emotionally involved with the victim.”
Nick hates to admit it but Grissom is right. In fact they should have given the case to day or swing the minute they became aware that one of their own was involved.
Nick sighed, “I just feel like we’re abandoning him, we shoved him out in the open and locked the door behind him.”
“And now we’re giving away the key?”
Nick nodded; Grissom always understood analogies better then most human emotions.
“You can’t be his friend and the CSI on his case, you have to choose.” He pointed out.
Once again Grissom was right and Nick knew which he’d choose. Greg needed a friend. He needed support more than he needed a CSI right now.
“You’re taking this better then I thought you would.” Nick said trying to change the subject from his and Greg relationship before Grissom began asking questions again.
Grissom smirked; he probably knew why Nick had changed the subject “I don’t like to be predictable”
“I’m going to go find Greg.” Nick stood up.
“Call me when you find him; meanwhile, I’ll update Catherine.”
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I run out of the lab faster than I’ve ever run in my life.
I run out of the building, across the parking lot and down the street. I turn down random streets, running further from the Crime Lab and Nick and that awful piece of paper.
I run until my lungs burn with pain and my legs give out. I sink down to the ground, my back braced against the wall of an unknown building.
I spend several minutes just breathing. In and out…
In and out…
In and out…
Slowly…in and out.
When my lungs stop burning and my head stops spinning, I look around. I don’t recognize any of the buildings surrounding me and there are no street signs close enough to read.
I ponder where I am for a moment before dismissing it; it doesn’t matter. Nothing really matters now.
So many emotions are pulsing through me at this moment, they are all building up. I feel like I’m on the brink of hysteria. I want to get up and run again; block out everything but the wind on my face and the burn of my body, but my legs feel numb and I doubt they’ll support my weight.
So I just sit here, trying not to think, trying not to remember; I’m failing though. The more I try not to think, the louder my thoughts get.
I don’t understand…I just don’t get it, can’t wrap my mind around it.
They are my parents…MY PARENTS! They are supposed to protect me; they are supposed to take care of me.
Instead; they sold me.
An intense wave of shame and disgust washes over me and for a moment, I give in and cry; but the shame becomes anger.
I’m over this. I’ve been over it for years; been over Bender and what had happened in that house. I’d made peace with it long ago…and now this.
My thoughts and emotions are erratic and I feel like I’m on drugs. I can’t make sense of anything. Everything feels like it’s spinning out of control.
So, I focus on breathing. I can control that.
In…One…Two…Three. Out…Four…Five…Six.
In…One…Two…Three. Out…Four…Five…Six.
I should be more surprised when someone plops down next to me on the sidewalk, but I’m not. I knew Nick would find me; that’s what Nick does. He finds the lost.
“That was quick.” I’m surprised at how steady my voice is.
“What was?”, Nick asks. He jumps slightly when I speak.
“I thought it would take hours for you to find me.”
“It’s been close to three hours since you left.” Nick’s voice is thick with worry and for a moment I feel guilty before blocking it out and concentrating on my breathing again.
“It doesn’t seem that long.”
Nick stands back up and extends a hand to help me up. I stare at it for a moment trying to decide if I want to get up or if my legs will even support me. Nick rolls his eyes and bends over. He grasps me under the arms and pulls me up.
All of the muscles in my body feel limp and useless. My head rolls listlessly until it rests against Nicks shoulder. My face is pressed against Nick’s neck; he smells good, clean and fresh. Nick holds me upright in a hug of sorts, if he lets go, I’ll fall, but I know he won’t let me fall.
“Christ G. you’re freezing.”
“I am?” I ask genuinely surprised. I don’t feel cold. I don’t feel anything.
“Come on I’m taking you home.” He half carries, half drags me to his truck and some how manages to hold me up and open the door at the same time. Once he’s got me strapped in, he starts the car and pulls away. As we drive off I take one last look at the building that I’ve been resting against for the last few hours.
I still have no idea where I am.
“Where?” I ask this time my voice sounds weak and thready
“Factory district, about 5 miles from the lab” Nick replies taking his eyes off the road briefly to send me a soothing smile.
“How’d you find me?”
“Archie tracked your cell; all the lab phones have GPS”
“Right” I should have guessed, I’m surprised he waited as long as he did to have Archie track my phone.
Nick reaches out and grabs my hand closest to him giving it a gentle squeeze. Nick’s a touchy, feely sort of guy.
“You’re still freezing.” He points the vent at me and turns the heat on full blast.
I still don’t feel anything.
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After searching for Greg for almost 90 minutes, Nick was getting close to frantic. He had a lot of different scenarios running through his head and none of them were good.
He’d searched the crime lab from top to bottom and every place within walking distance, but there was no sign of Greg.
He even broke into his locker to see if his wallet was still there, afraid that Greg had taken a cab somewhere. Maybe out of Vegas. The wallet was still there along with Greg’s keys.
Nick had called Greg at least twenty times but gotten no answer.
He was calling for the twenty-first time when he’d had a sudden realization. Archie could find Greg. He’d hurried in the direction of Archie’s lab.
“Hey Arch” Nick hurries into the lab
“What can I help you with Nick?” Archie asks spinning around an excited look on his face.
“Are you busy right now?” I ask hoping he wasn’t.
“Not really what’s up?”
“I need you to track down Greg using his cell phone”
“That’s it, man, I thought you had something exciting for me” Archie seems genuinely disappointed.
“I owe you one man” Nick claps him on the back.
Archie worked his magic and 10 minutes later Nick knew where Greg was. He'd run out of the lab yelling thank you back down the hall as an after thought.
Nick had expected Greg to be upset when he found him. Had thought he would yell and cry and rail against the world. What he found was worse.
Greg was slumped against a building staring blankly across the street. He hadn’t said anything or reacted when Nick plopped down next to him; just continued counting quietly under his breath. “One two three. Four five six”
Nick thought he didn’t even realize Nick was sitting next to him until he’d mentioned how quickly Nick had found him. Nick had hated how soft and disembodied his voice sounded and the vacant look in his eyes. He needed to get Greg home.
He’d been even more distressed to feel how cold Greg was and that he didn’t notice the cold. Having Greg’s face snuggled up against his neck was something Nick had imagined he’d like, but at the moment, didn’t. Greg was cold to the touch and trembling slightly. Nick was holding him up. Greg’s arms wrapped around his waist and his upper body rested against Nick’s.
It was a cruel mockery of an embrace
Nick had wrestled Greg’s limp form into the car and drove off. It wasn’t until he felt Greg’s cold clammy hand that he realized Greg had a minor case of shock. Nick had sped up a little then; he needed to get Greg home and warmed up.
Greg was a little more aware of his surroundings by the time Nick pulled into his driveway. He was able to walk on his own; all Nick had to do was lead him. Nick settled him on the couch with a quilt.
After a few moments Nick decided to make some soup. Greg needed to eat and it would warm him up.
Nick busied himself making soup, trying to block out the vacant look in Greg’s eyes.
Greg had just shutdown and Nick didn’t know how to get him to snap out of it. He didn’t even know if it was a good idea to wake him up. Nick couldn’t imagine what Greg was feeling at the moment.
He sighed as he watched the soup, waiting for it to boil. Nick pulled his cell phone out intent on calling Grissom.
“Nick you found him?” Grissom answers on the second ring.
“Yeah I just got him home”
“How is he?” Nick hears Sara ask.
“Sara?” Nick asks confused.
“I had to fill Sara in Nick, she found the case file on my desk” Grissom actually sounds guilty.
“I’m sorry, you don’t have to tell Greg I know” Sara doesn’t sound the least bit sorry.
“I don’t know if I will, I have bigger things to deal with at the moment.”
“Is Greg OK?” Grissom asks this time, he sounds surprisingly concerned.
“He’s in shock I think.”
“Warm him up and make him some tea or something. No coffee.” Sara says shifting into CSI mode and giving Nick orders.
“I’m making soup.”
“Good, I’m going to wait to talk to Greg before I pass the case to
“Alright,” Nick agrees.
“Do you need anything? I can drop by after shift” Sara offers
“No, I think Greggo and I are going to bunk down for the night. It’s probably better if we’re left alone. I’m going to try and get him to talk.”
“If you need anything.” Sara says softly, sadly.
“I’ll call.” Nick smiled; as much as they got on each other nerves at times they were family. With the exception of Catherine none of them had any real lives outside of work. Sara, Grissom and Warrick didn’t have any family left and Nick was estranged from his since coming out several years ago and Greg…
Nick broke off from that train of thought for the moment. “I’ll let you know if we’ll be tomorrow. OK Griss?” He hopes Grissom will give them Friday off, at the very least.
Grissom sighed “Fine I’ll see you Monday at the latest”
“Thanks man, bye” He hangs up before Grissom could change his mind.
The soup began to lightly boil and Nick took it off the stove and poured it into a bowl. He grabbed a spoon and the bowl before heading back into the living room.
Greg was no longer sitting on his couch, he was standing in front of his entertainment center. He was looking at a picture that Nick couldn’t make out from where he was.
“I brought you soup” Nick says awkwardly
“Oh good because horrendous betrayals are always fixed by soup” Greg growls spinning around an angry look on his face.
“I’m so sorry Greg…” Nick says softly he sets the soup down on the table and walks toward Greg.
Greg’s face crumples and he lets out a choked sob. “Why Nicky? Why?” He sounds broken and Nick hates it.
“I don’t know G.” Nick quickly pulls Greg to him and wraps one arm around Greg’s slender waist and the other cups the back of his head gently carding his hand through his hair as Greg tucks his head under Nicks chin.
Nick just holds Greg close for several minutes giving Greg all the physical comfort he can. His heart hurts for his friend.
“I just don’t understand why they did this to me” Greg chokes out several minutes later as he pulls out of Nicks embrace and begins to pace. “Why?” he asks softly.
“For whatever reason they did this Greg; it’s not your fault.”
“How do you know” Greg yells, he’s back to being angry and Nick is almost glad, angry is so much better than broken like he was a moment ago.
“I just do. It’s not your fault.” Nick steps toward Greg and Greg puts the table in between them
“Shut up” Greg yells.
“It’s not your fault G. The only people to blame are your parent’s and Bender”
“You don’t know anything.” Greg’s starting to tremble again slightly and Nick just wants to pull him into his arms again and comfort him.
“I know it’s not your fault.” Nick says
“Stop it Nick.” Greg growls out.
“It’s. Not. Your. Fault.”
“STOP IT” Greg yelled at the top of his lungs, “This isn’t Good Will Hunting. I’m not Matt Damon and you’re not Robin Williams. So take your soup and your cliché psycho babble and get the hell out.” Suddenly, Greg kicks the table over, sending the soup flying and catching Nick in the stomach and knocking him to the ground.
It was eerily silent for a moment as Nick struggled to breath after having the wind knocked out of him.
Suddenly Greg was kneeling next to him that sad broken look in his eyes again.
“Oh Christ Nick I’m sorry… I’m so sorry Nick... are you ok?” Greg didn’t give him time to answer. “Please don’t leave. I’ll stop yelling… I’m so sorry… Jesus I’m sorry…”
Nick pushed himself up into a sitting position “Easy Greg, I’m fine and I’m not going anywhere honey.” He pulls Greg into his lap. Greg buries his face against Nick’s chest and takes deep shaky breaths. Nick rubs Greg’s back slowly. “Easy Honey, its OK. I’m fine and we’re good.”
Greg leans against Nick for several minutes breathing slowly and snuggling against him. He pulls back after awhile and looks at Nick. “Honey?”
“I’m sor-“ Nick begins thinking Greg is offended by the endearment.
“No I uh liked it… “ Greg interrupts, ”That’s what Nana Olaf always called me when I was little.” He blushes slightly.
“I’ll remember that.” Nick smiled “C’mon hulk lets get you to bed, it’s been a long night”
“I’m not tired” Greg pouts.
“Humor me.”
“Ok” Greg climbed out of Nicks lap and held out a hand to help Nick up. Nick grasps it and pulls himself up. Nick stared into Greg’s beautiful eyes, eyes that look so sad. He wants to fix it make everything that was hurting him disappear.
Nick is staring so deeply into Greg’s eyes, he’s taken by surprise when Greg suddenly surges forward and slams their lips together. For a moment Nick is caught completely off guard but quickly catches up and joins in,
Nick pulls back slightly softening the kiss. He nips Greg’s bottom lip and Greg opens his mouth welcoming Nick in. It’s the most passionate kiss that Nicks ever experienced. He feels it all the way to his toes and Greg’s making these little noises that are heating him up even more.
After several minutes they break apart gasping for air and Greg sends him a bright smile “Should have done that a long time ago.”
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A/N2: Hope you liked CH8 should be up some time this weekend >8) I promise to keep this one to! Review it keeps me motivated!
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Date: 2007-07-25 07:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-02 05:30 am (UTC)I think the CSI's and techs all do care in thier own way. Even Hodges.
Thanks for reviewing >8)
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Date: 2007-07-28 12:02 am (UTC)JCP