Adult-FanFiction.org : Television / Streaming

Dating Advice	By : RikuRocks Category: CSI > Slash - Male/Male Views: 5865 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to CSI, nor am I making any money from this work of fiction.

Chapter List
- 12
- 13
- 14
Author�s notes: Well, now that I�ve tackled Papa Olaf, here�s Jillian Stokes. Oddly enough, I was not nearly as worried about writing her as Papa Olaf. I�m not sure if that�s because we�ve actually seen her on the show or if it�s just because I like Olaf so much.

See part one for story notes and the disclaimer.

Norwegian translations: Kjæreste = Boyfriend

Kjære = Darling/my beloved/my dear

After his phone call with Olaf Sanders, Nick pulled over and took a moment to think about the ease in which he had declared his feelings to the near stranger. He was just about to call Greg when the younger man�s cell rang, the caller ID reading Nick Stokes. The CSI smiled as he answered, �Hey, G.�
�Hey,� the familiar voice replied, �I guess you already figured out that our phones got switched. By the way, your sister called.�
�Yeah?� Nick even amazed himself with how little concern he felt at the news. He knew it was likely because he doubted Greg had said anything incriminating, but he still would have expected to feel more apprehension. �Which one?�
�Jennie.� Greg answered simply. He sounded uncertain, but not necessarily nervous. �I didn�t answer�I wasn�t sure what to say.�
�Well, you obviously found out about the switch quicker than I did. I just got off the phone with your grandfather.� The Texan decided to wait for the younger man�s reaction before elaborating.
�Really?� Greg giggled quietly, clearly unperturbed by the news. �Papa or Grandpa?�
�Olaf,� Nick answered with a grin. �They�re getting worried over there; I guess you haven�t talked as much as usual lately?� He bit his lip before he added, �He also said he�s happy that we hooked up -his words, not mine.�
Greg actually laughed at the statement. �That sounds like Papa. He must like you.�
�You know what? I think he does.� The Texan�s smile faded slightly as he shook his head in wonderment. �I didn�t even tell him anything, aside from our phones being mixed up, he just knew. Sorta reminded me of you, to tell the truth.�
�That�s weird; he always tells me I�m just like Nana.� Greg sounded as though he was pondering that, and Nick chuckled as he pulled back onto the road. �I hope he didn�t embarrass you,� For the first time since the call began, the blonde sounded a little concerned. �He�s always so generous with his feelings that I think he just doesn�t consider that some people aren�t.�
�I have to admit I was a little embarrassed�not to mention shocked that your grandfather actually used the term �hooked up� so happily.� Nick smiled returned, �He really does love you; you know that?�
�Yeah, I�m really lucky.� Greg sounded so genuinely happy that Nick felt his own happiness increase, despite the fact that the car in front of him slowed more than was reasonable, even in a tourist town. �Are you driving?�
�Yeah,� Nick leaned back in the driver�s seat, the phone held against his ear with one hand while the other remained settled atop the steering wheel. �I�m on my way back to the lab. We finally found Greer and got a warrant to check out his place. We think he and his roommate might have been workin� together, but it�s too soon to say for sure.�
�Do you want me to meet you in the parking lot, or somewhere along the way?� Greg offered; it sounded as though he were walking while he spoke. �I�m guessing you don�t want to try explaining how our phones got switched or why you aren�t answering yours today.�
The Texan sighed; he hated that Greg was right. �Yeah, that could be a tough one.�
�Well, if anyone sees me there, I could say I was in the neighborhood and wanted to check the status of my bet with Warrick�or-� The phone beeped on Greg�s end, and the younger man paused. �I hope that isn�t work related.�
�Damn,� Nick tapped the steering wheel and frowned. �Yeah, we should switch �em back ASAP. It�ll take me about twenty minutes to get to the lab. Do you mind meetin� me there? We�re busy enough today that I doubt anyone�ll notice you in the parking lot anyway.�
�Okay, I�ll see you there.� Far from sounding put out or disappointed, Greg seemed understanding and unbothered, almost cheery even. �Want me to check and see who that was in case you need to call them back?�
The Texan nodded and clenched his jaw, hoping that if it was one of his siblings, they did not leave anything incriminating in their message. �Yeah, that�s probably a good idea. Thanks, Greg. I�ll see you soon.�
Less than two minutes after he hung up, Greg�s phone rang again, and Nick checked the caller ID. Reading his own name there, he answered. �Miss me already?�
�Yeah, I guess I�ve fallen prey to your southern charm,� Greg answered. Strangely enough, there was not a hint of irony to his voice. �It was your mother who called, and by the sound of her message, you really want to call her back soon. �Or pretend your phone is broken for a while.�
Nick released a half-laugh, half-sigh. �No, I should call her. I�ve been puttin� it off, and I know I have no reason to.�
�Anything I can do to help?� Greg sounded slightly apprehensive, but still confident somehow, and very empathetic.
The Texan smiled softly, �You�ve already done plenty, G; the rest is up to me. I�ll call her the first chance I get. I meant what I said at breakfast; I�m glad I�m doing this. It�s nice to know that I could mention you or anything else in relation to this to my brothers and sisters or Rick. It was always the hardest thing to avoid before� Even if Beth never comes around, I�m glad they all know.�
�I�m happy to hear that,� Greg sounded relieved, more so than the brawny CSI had expected. �I was worried that�maybe I�d pressured you into doing something you weren�t ready for. That was never my intention, but-�
�I know, Greg.� Nick interrupted. �You didn�t pressure me. You�re a good friend�and a good boyfriend.�
�Thanks� Kjæreste;� The doe-eyed man answered after a short pause, and Nick could easily picture one of the megawatt smiles he and Warrick had been discussing earlier. �I�m just stopping for gas and then I�ll be at the lab in like, five minutes. I�ll see you soon.�
Nick frowned as he paid closer attention to the car in front of him, which he had to, seeing as it had slowed even further than before. Looking further along the street, he saw that the road was jammed several meters ahead, and he could make out the flashing lights of an ambulance and several police cars. �I�m gonna take a little longer to get there; traffic�s getting thicker -looks like an accident ahead- but I�ll be there as soon as I can.�
�Remember you have evidence for an ongoing case with you,� Greg stated just as Nick was about to unbuckle his seat belt to check out the scene ahead.
The Texan smirked and shook his head as he buckled up again. �Am I that easy to predict, or are you just that good?�
�Can�t it be both?� Greg replied facetiously, and the older man chuckled. �I�m going to set your phone to forward all calls to mine, just in case anyone from work tries to call you while you�re stuck.�
�You can do that?� A brief silence followed his query, and Nick figured that the willowy man was not sure if it was a serious question. �I�m not kidding, but I�m assuming that silence means �yes, the company policy includes that feature so all our work phones can do it��or something like that.�
�That pretty much covers it,� Greg replied, sounding as though he was fighting not to laugh at his boyfriend. �I�ll show you some of the other useful features it can do later. Bye, Kjære. Good luck.�
�Thanks, peanut. Bye.� The CSI could hear the younger man laughing as he hung up, and smiled to himself. Straining to see what was happening on the road ahead, Nick felt it was safe to assume two things; the scene was under control and he was not going anywhere for a while. Deciding to make use of the time, he flipped Greg�s phone open, wondered how he had failed to notice that the background was purple earlier, and dialed a familiar number.
�Hello?� The woman who answered did not identify herself in any way, but her warm voice and southern accent, contrasted by a no-nonsense tone with a touch of patience that one only acquires by having heard nearly everything, identified her well enough for anyone who knew her, let alone knew her as well as Nick.
�Hi, mom. How�re you doin�?� Nick had long ago noticed that his southern drawl grew thicker whenever he talked to anyone back home, and he found himself vaguely wondering if Greg acquired an accent like his grandfather�s when he spoke to his family. Before he could take the thought too far, his mother�s voice pinned him to the present moment.
�Nicky; how are you? Before you even try to say �fine�, you should know that I�m aware one of y�all started your little information chain about somethin�, and through process of elimination, I�ve named you as the first link. Moreover, since none of your brothers or sisters will tell me what�s goin� on, I know it�s serious. Are you in some sort of trouble�like that time with the whore?�
�Mom!� Nick caught himself looking around as though worried someone had heard. He felt a little amused, somewhat irritated, embarrassed and incredibly shocked. �No, it�s nothing like that! How do you even know about that?�
Jillian released a put-upon sigh, as though she were pacifying a difficult child by explaining something she had no need to explain. �Honey, I�m one of five kids myself, I�ve been married to your father close to fifty years, I raised seven kids -includin� you, I put up with that PTA crap for decades and I�m on the community advisory counsel, so you know I can schmooze and intimidate the best of �em. Let�s also not forget that I�m one of the most prominent lawyers in all of Texas�did you honestly think I wouldn�t find out about that?�
Nick blinked as he considered everything his mother just said. Not only had he mentioned the incident to several of his siblings (with instructions not to tell Beth or their parents, of course), but most of the LVPD knew about the incident, and discreet as Nick tried to be, he was a judge�s son. He decided that he should have known someone would mention it to his parents eventually.
The brawny man sighed, squeezed the steering wheel tightly with his free hand to avoid punching it, and finally, took a deep breath and relaxed as much as he could under the circumstances. Nick was just pleased that his mother could not see his embarrassed blush, guilt-ridden expression, and angrily set jaw. �No, mom; it�s nothing like that. Do you� I mean, you now I didn�t�that I didn�t pay her, right? It wasn�t like that.�
�Oh, honey,� his mother did not sound surprised or appalled, only sympathetic. �Of course I know that. I know you wouldn�t do anything like that�not that you�d ever have to anyway. I�m also not in the dark about the number of women you�ve dated, and I use that term loosely.�
Nick felt his neck heat up and knew his blush was spreading, but he decided that he wanted to hold off that conversation for another time. The one he had called to initiate would be difficult enough on its own. However, it did present him with a good place to start.
�Well, this is kind of about that�not Kristy, the uh, the prostitute�� Nick cringed at the word; hating that he had to tell his mother about it�that he had likely brought some small amount of shame to his parents by even doing it to begin with. �It�s about women though�kind of.� He sighed in frustration. �This is harder than I thought it would be. I don�t know where to start.�
�Well, I don�t know about you, honey;� Jillian began patiently, as though they were back home at the ranch, sipping iced tea on a nice summer�s day when they had all the time in the world. �But whenever one of the witnesses I�m talkin� to says that, I usually recommend they start at the beginning.�
�Yeah,� Nick laughed warily, �I�m not sure where the beginning is, to tell you the truth.�
�That�s usually the tricky bit, innit?� The stately woman commented gently, with a touch of a smile to her voice. �We could go all the way back to when you were in junior high. That�s when you and Tommy Berger stopped wresting and roughhousing after you suddenly decided you were too old for it�though that didn�t stop you, RJ, Ronnie, and Jennie from practically tearin� the house down at least once a month.�
Nick�s eyes widened. Tommy and he had been best friends for as long as he could remember, and they had always played rough, as many boys do. After puberty hit, however, he had started having an entirely different reaction to their roughhousing than he knew he should, and had promptly come up with an excuse to avoid getting himself into that situation again. If he were honest with himself, he would have to say that Tommy was probably the first boy he ever had a crush on.
�Or we could simply go back to high school,� Jillian continued thoughtfully. She obviously knew that Nick was too shocked and embarrassed to speak, but was not hindered by the same unease. �When you abruptly decided you weren�t going to re-sign for the football team at the beginning of your senior year, claiming that you should focus on your studies for college�even though we all knew you were a shoe-in for A&M anyway.
�You were always goin� though girlfriends too, and gettin� in too far too quickly, if you ask me. I know most boys are obsessed with girls in high school -your brothers certainly were- but there was always somethin� different with you...somethin� almost frantic. It was like you felt you had somethin� to prove.�
Nick swallowed thickly and nodded; even though his mother could not see it�he knew she would be able to tell somehow. He had been popular in high school, never staying in one click long enough for any of the others to develop any derision toward him. Most would think that was because he was just an all-around nice guy with various interests; he was not interested in books enough to just rely on his brains for life, but he also was not interested in sports enough to let his education slip too much. However, he had simply found it easier to lose himself in the crowd that way, which meant he never had to ask himself any of the deeper, harder questions that most teenagers like him had to ponder�like why his blood pounded for entirely different reasons than the norm when he tackled certain players.
�We could also just jump to your college years,� his mother began again, still speaking calmly and patiently, as though she were reminiscing about any normal childhood antics a parent might expect. �If I thought you went through the girls in high school, it was nothing compared to the stories I heard while you were in that fraternity. All I could do was pray you used protection and stayed safe, which I�m sure you did.
�Speaking of safety, you also returned to playing softball in college. A much safer sport than football, isn�t it? No tackling and the like, not to mention all the locker room shenanigans�And you were always so supportive of your teammates; always ready to give them a pat on the back or a friendly arm around the shoulder�but never for longer than three seconds. That�s some sort of guy rule, isn�t it?�
Nick released a heavy sigh. He had definitely started asking himself the tough questions in college, and had even found an answer, though not the one he had hoped for. Softball had been safer than football, and not because he was worried about damaging his knees or back. As far as his other extracurricular activities, while he would not go so far as to say he was ashamed of most of it, he certainly was not proud of it either. To him, using someone for sex was fine if they were in it for the same thing, but using them to hide the fact that he wanted something he did not think he should, just seemed wrong to him now.
�Then again, college is supposed to be about experimenting and finding your little niche in life, so maybe we ought to start after you graduated and joined the Dallas PD;� suggested Jillian in mock pensiveness, although she did not sound cruel in the least. �You still sowed your wild oats, but you worked hard too�really impressed the boys at the crime lab, from what the rest of us heard. You finally grew up though; with that, you realized that somethin� here would always hold you back, stop you from finding that little niche of your own.�
�Then you attended that lecture Dr. Grissom held in San Antonio and followed him to Vegas.� The older woman sighed. �I suppose life would have been harder for you here, though, much as I hate to admit it.�
Nick remembered that time of his life quite clearly. The brawny CSI had known what he wanted all around, and he also knew he could have none of it in Dallas. Between his parents� and older siblings� reputations casting the shadow of expectation over him, and the way most viewed his preferences back in the Midwest, he would never be free to just be himself. Then, he met Grissom and saw a perfect opportunity to change his circumstances. Grissom would never care about who his parents were, and most others in Vegas were less likely to make the connection his name immediately gave away in Texas�assuming they even knew who the Stokes� were.
In addition, the general population of Las Vegas was known for being rather tolerant of any behavior that was considered depraved or deviant elsewhere. Nick had regular hangouts for a normal night on the town, day off, or date, but he also had a couple bars he frequented on his bad days or the night before a day off, when he planned to get more than tipsy and knew his eye might stray to an ass of the more masculine variety. In Vegas, having someone notice that did not mean the beer shower or beating it meant back home.
�Let�s not forget the value of sticking to the present though,� Jillian continued; both pride and amusement were starting to come through in her voice. �You are a fine man, Nick. You�re good at your job, you�ve started lookin� for more than just a good time in the romance department, you have a nice house, and you call home often enough to keep your roots. It seems like you carved a lovely niche for yourself, and you finally seem more at peace with yourself too. Maybe it�s just because of what I�ve already pointed out, or maybe it�s somethin� more.
�Although, you still should find someone; no man is an island and all that. You need someone to look out for you and to give you more reason to take care of yourself. Hell, you can�t even keep track of your phone anymore, or maybe there�s another reason why my caller ID says I�m talking to someone named Greg Sanders?�
Nick�s mouth fell open and his eyes widened slightly. When he recovered enough to speak, he muttered; �Damn it, I completely forgot about that.� He sighed, and considered pointing out that there were plenty of platonic, innocent reasons for him calling from someone else�s phone, especially a friend�s�however, he repressed the knee-jerk reaction to do so. After all, that was the other reason why he had called his mother.
In any case, it sounded like the news was not going to be as shocking as he had assumed it would be. �So�you�ve known all this time?�
�Known what dear�that you bat for both teams?� Jillian answered calmly but teasingly. �Of course, honey. I did attend most of your games, if you remember.� The older woman sighed, and the teasing quality left her tone. �Honestly, I think I started to suspect somethin� before you did.�
Nick ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath. It came out part sigh, part laugh, and part sob. �Yeah, it sounds like it. I didn�t accept that I was bi �till college�if you can call ignorin� and tryin� to hide something� accepting it, that is.�
�I take it your brothers and sisters all know?� Jillian asked, although both were sure she knew the answer already.
�Yep; I called Will a few days ago.� The sable-eyed man tightened his grip on the steering wheel before adding, �I�ve heard back from all but one now.�
�Beth?� Nick made a sound of acknowledgment and his mother continued, �Don�t worry, honey, she�ll come around. That husband of hers might give her a hassle about it though. You know she�ll want to sit the kids down for a nice long talk once she�s accepted it, and I don�t think he�ll be comfortable with that yet. It�ll take some time for them to agree on what�s to be said, but they�ll get there. I can tell you one thing for sure, they won�t be startin� any family drama at my table, so don�t even try usin� this as an excuse to skip out on any holidays.�
Nick laughed slightly at that, �Wouldn�t dream of it, mom.� He sobered somewhat as he remembered the other things he called to say. �Uh, look mom, there�s more to it than me bein� bi.�
�Is this where Greg Sanders comes into it?� Jillian asked, and Nick made another sound of agreement. He was going to speak again when his mother released a thoughtful hum. �Why do I know that name�? Wait; is this the kid who started workin� at the lab about four years ago? You said he walked into the lab lookin� like he made a wrong turn during a high school fieldtrip, but then he turned out to be the best chemist you�ve ever worked with�?�
The Texan laughed outright at that. �Yeah, that�s Greg. You haven�t met him, but RJ, Jennie, Will, and Julie have�at least I think that�s it. It�s gettin� hard to keep track of who�s met who.�
�I know what you mean,� Jillian commented wryly. �There have been so many friends, coworkers, associates, lovers, rivals, and enemies for your lot now that I can barely keep up with them all. So, is this weird, chemist, genius your boyfriend�or what exactly is the situation there?�
�We�re together, but it�s new�really new. I think it�s gonna be the two of us for a long time though, so I wanted to tell you about him. Plus, he�s�scared...about me bein� quiet about this for so long.� Nick was not sure what made him add that last part, but he figured it could not hurt. After all, each of his siblings knew, so it was only a matter of time before his mother found out anyway.
�Ah, so you decided to kill two birds with one stone and come clean to everyone. Makes sense;� Jillian sounded approving. Her voice grew a little anxious as she asked, �When are you plannin� to tell your father?�
Nick took a deep breath. �I don�t know�soon, now. Maybe after shift, after I�ve gotten some sleep.�
�I could tell him, you know,� his mother offered gently. She clearly did not want to insult her son, or imply that he was not man enough to handle it himself, but no matter how old or strong he was, he was still her son. It was hard for her too let him struggle with something on his own.
Nick understood all of this; as the youngest, he had been the hardest for her to let go of, but she always respected his wishes. �No, mom�but thanks.� He smiled softly and then released it along with another deep breath. The traffic jam finally moved from a standstill to a dull crawl. �Do you think he�ll�? How do you think he�ll take it?�
�Oh, honey,� Jillian sighed. When she spoke again, it was in the same tone she had used to soothe him of his nightmares when he was a child. �Your father and I love you. You may have to be patient while he wraps his head around it all, but he would never be disappointed in you for something like this.� She seemed to hesitate for a fraction of a second before continuing, and Nick knew she was about to surprise him again. �To be honest, I prepped him for this back when you were in high school.�
�You� What?� The brawny man�s mouth fell open once again, and he did not even realize he had stopped driving until enough empty space grew in front of his Tahoe for the car behind him to lay on the horn. Nick began driving again, wondering how he had been that obvious without knowing about his preferences himself.
�After you quit the football team,� his mother answered simply. She sounded somewhat tired when she added, �I thought I shouldn�t say anything to you until you came to us�but I didn�t know how your father would react initially, before he had a chance to really think. I didn�t want you to be hurt if his knee-jerk reaction wasn�t very accepting.� Jillian sighed again, �Maybe I should have talked to you too. I never dreamed you would struggle with this for so long. I just assumed you kept it quiet around us; that you were livin� your own life.�
�I am,� now, Nick refrained from adding the last part aloud. �Sometimes�if you wait too long to say somethin�, it just gets harder and harder to say. It wasn�t because of you guys.� He paused, wondering if she knew he was not only speaking about being bi�but that was a conversation for another day, assuming he ever felt like telling them about that. Before she could reply, he asked, �How did dad take it�when you prepped him for this?�
�He was shocked at first; to be honest, so was I back then,� Jillian admitted, sounding a little ashamed. �He�was sort of in denial about it for a couple of weeks, but then he made his peace with the idea. Unfortunately, honey, that was a long time ago. Like I said, I just figured it was somthin� you decided to keep to yourself, but your father decided that it must have been a phase you went through.�
Nick swallowed and nodded, he was nearly past the accident site. �You think he�ll have to come to terms with it all over again?�
�I�m afraid so, honey. Just remember; he accepted it before, and he�ll accept it now. It might take some time, but he�ll love you every step of the way�even if he doesn�t know how to show it very well.�
The Texan�s eyes began to water, but he kept his emotions in check. He was finally able to drive at the speed limit, and he was looking forward to seeing Greg now even more than he had before. He took a deep breath and cleared his throat before answering. �Thanks, mom. Look, uh, I have to get back to the lab. I�ll call you again soon.�
�Alright;� Jillian sounded like she had more to say�or perhaps she was just reluctant to hang up when she knew Nick was still worried. �Just don�t worry yourself about your dad too much, okay? I love you, honey. Remember that.�
�I will, mom, and I love you too. Bye.�
- 12
- 13
- 14
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Dating Advice