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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
- 14
- 15
- 16
See the first chapter for story notes and the disclaimer.

Upon reaching the DNA lab, Nick saw Catherine standing inside with Greg. The older woman looked slightly more fierce than usual and the willowy man looked uncharacteristically cowed and tense. Nick frowned when he noticed that Greg�s hands were trembling, and that the younger man was obviously trying to hide it by holding the agitated woman�s gaze.
�Look, I�m not even supposed to be working today,� stated Greg, steadily but a little tersely as Nick quietly entered the room. �Grissom just asked me to rush through everything on Nick�s case. It�s breaking open and the other techs are overloaded as it is.�
�First of all,� Catherine started, flipping her hair back and placing her hands on her hips, which was a sure sign she was agitated. �It�s not just Nick�s case, as you should know, since Warrick�s the one who�s been keeping you in the loop on this one.�
�Nick is the senior CSI assigned to the case,� Greg interrupted levelly yet with a hint of timidity. �Which means I have to turn my reports in to him, so as far as I�m concerned, it�s Nick�s case. If you were working it with him, I�d call it your case�and no matter who was working it, it would still be my priority because that was Grissom�s order.�
�What �priority�?� the redhead snapped. �You aren�t working any other cases, and you just ran the last of their DNA samples. So just run this through,� she jabbed her finger at a couple of evidence folders lying on the chemist�s main worktable, �And I�ll take care of Grissom if he has any complaints. You�re faster than the other techs and-�
�And more skilled,� Nick interjected, deciding that he had heard and seen enough. Greg was looking tenser and he had finally resorted to shoving his hands in his pockets to keep the angry CSI from noticing the shaking limbs. Both men knew that Catherine�s anger would vanish once she saw the youth�s hands and concern would immediately take over, but that obviously was not what Greg wanted and Nick did not blame him at all.
Upon hearing Nick�s comment, Greg started and then quickly turned, looking simultaneously anxious and relieved to see the older man standing in his lab. Catherine just turned her aggravated gaze onto the Texan, a deep frown marring her lips. Suddenly, Nick had the feeling that more than just her case was gnawing at the older woman�the resentment in her eyes seemed far too personal.
The sable-eyed man was aware of Greg looking between the two CSIs as they stared each other down for a moment. Normally, Nick had no problem bowing down to Catherine -the woman seemed to need to feel a certain level of control, she was the senior CSI between them, and her experience made up for the attitude she developed at times. However, he was not about to let her take her personal problems out on Greg under the guise of a work related issue.
Knowing that he would likely get hell for it later and finding that he did not care as much as he would have expected, Nick turned his gaze away from Catherine and settled it on Greg, ignoring the woman for the time being. �Did I hear right that you�ve finished my results?�
�Yeah, I just have one more test going and it should be done in about twelve seconds. I was going to page you, but I got distracted.� Greg pointedly did not look at Catherine, and before either of the CSIs could comment, the printer behind him spit out his results and the chemist immediately returned to work, still obviously tense.
As Greg frowned at the printout and moved to place a sample under a microscope for further investigating, Nick and Catherine turned to each other again. Both stood straight and kept their gaze level. The redhead�s body language spoke of confidence, and her expression was stern, yet her eyes looked somehow apologetic as she spoke to Greg while still staring at Nick. �Page me when you get my results. I�ll handle Grissom.�
The woman spun around and left the room, ignoring Nick entirely as he felt a small gush of air as she did so. The Texan frowned and watched Catherine strut down the hall for a moment before he turned to Greg. �Now what the hell is her problem?�
Greg took a deep breath and released it before responding. �I don�t know. She was fine when I first got here; she teased to make me feel better about working on my day off and even gave Grissom some nasty looks when she suspected one of his experiments was behind it. By the time I actually started working though, she was acting as if she�s after my blood. I don�t know what I did to set her off.�
�Yeah, that sounds weird.� Nick looked about and saw Archie watching form the A/V lab. The A/V technician made a �yikes� face and nodded in the direction of Catherine�s retreat. Then Archie mouthed the words �he okay� and pointed to Greg. Nick nodded surreptitiously and waited for the other man to return to his work before he focused on the willowy youth again.
�Her case doesn�t involve her dad or one of her ex�s groupies, does it?�
�I don�t know,� answered Greg as he made a motion that was probably supposed to be a shrug, but between his tense shoulders, sore back, and the fact that he was bending over a microscope, came out looking like some sort of spasm. �The needles and syringes were sterile. One of your towels has two blood sources. The other only has one, the same one as the box that held the needles.�
�Suspect�s or one of our victims�?� asked the Texan, deciding he would let Greg calm down a little before asking about his mother�s call and Catherine�s irritability.
�Greer�s blood is the second one on towel number one,� Greg remarked as he turned to face the sable-eyed man and leaned back lightly on the counter behind him. �But it�s minimal�probably just a cut or scratch.�
�That could mean something,� Nick commented. �Who�s the major donor then?�
�Fido,� Greg answered simply, his expression not changing at all.
Nick frowned, his brows furrowed as he quickly made a mental checklist of all the persons of interest in his case. �Uh, Greg�? No one involved in the case is named Fido.�
�It isn�t human blood, its canine,� the slender chemist explained with an attempt at a grin. �Whether your guys were helping an injured dog or doing something far more disturbing, I can�t say. However, I popped across the hall to Jacqui after I noticed that one of the bloody smudges on the box had a partial print at the edge. She matched it to Mark Daniels.
�He was arrested for misuse of a controlled substance four years ago�apparently, during his residency, he was found taking some leftover medications to a sick friend. The charges were reduced as part of a deal with the DA. I pulled the file.�
Nick took the file the younger man handed him and glared at the pages. �Damn it. How do they let this guy keep workin� as an EMT after gettin� caught at that?� He sighed and looked at Greg again, �Thanks, G. I don�t know what all this means yet, but I have a feelin� we�re in the final stretch now. This should be enough to get Greer and Daniels to start talkin� for real, at least.�
�I hope so.� Greg looked as though he were going to say something else, but talked himself out of it. Then, the nerves that had begun to dissipate as he talked about Nick�s evidence returned, and the youth looked about as though seeking out a distraction. �I should probably just run Catherine�s evidence�it won�t take long and-�
�Wait, is this about Catherine,� Nick asked as he indicated the younger man�s trembling hands. It suddenly occurred to the brawny man that Greg did not know his mother had called him after speaking to Greg. Nick spared a second to make sure neither Archie or Jacqui were watching before adding, �Or is this about my mother�s phone call?�
When Greg looked at him in surprise before taking a quick glance about, Nick knew he had found the bulk of the problem. The Texan looked around himself to ensure that they were not being watched before lowering his voice and adding, �She called me after she talked to you. I called her while I was stuck in traffic on my way back to the lab�that�s why I was late. She must have saved your phone number in her phone�s memory and tried callin� me back.�
Greg nodded, even though he looked hesitant. The muddle-haired tech released another gush of air before finally speaking, although his words confused the older man. �I�m sorry.�
�Why?� Nick�s look of confusion faded when he saw the way Greg bit his lip and lowered his head slightly, like a kid who was about to be reprimanded. �Oh,� he smiled at the younger man; �She told me what you said, but you have nothin� to apologize for, Greggo. She told me you were respectful, and that you were obviously tryin� to take care of me�and that you were right.�
Nick�s smile deepened when Greg finally raised his head to meet the Texan�s stare. �Then, she told me how proud of me she is and asked me to check on you and make sure you didn�t need to be taken care of now.�
Nick�s eyes roamed over the lithe chemist slowly, taking in every sign of nerves and discomfort. �Looks to me like you do.� The Texan swallowed a small sense of guilt and quietly added, �Will you be okay until we can get you home? I�d like to talk about it more in private��
Greg was staring at him in something close to awe, which Nick had not anticipated. Suddenly, the blonde offered the older man a small, genuine smile. It was not his usual level of joy, but it was a decent start.
�Yeah, I�ll be fine.� Greg dropped his voice and assured the older man. �Don�t worry�I understand. I�m glad your mom talked to you. I hope you feel a little better now...?�
�I feel a lot better, Greggo;� Nick smiled widely. �Thanks for havin� my back.�
�Always do,� Greg answered affably but with a slight shrug and offhanded matter that suggested it was a long acknowledged trait. Nick looked at him in admiration for a moment when he realized how true the younger man�s words were, and then he smiled.
�Yeah�I really should have noticed that soo�ner�� The Texan frowned as he watched Greg fill a pipette with some solution he had mixed. Nick had seen the slender chemist perform the action many times, but something about the image struck him at present.
�Nick�?� Greg froze and looked at the older man with concern. �What is it?�
�I�m not s-� Suddenly, the brawny CSI knew why the photos of one particular victim always struck him. ��Your bracelet.�
�It�s a wrist cuff,� the younger man supplied without thought or conviction. It was clear by his expression that Greg knew the older man�s mind was going somewhere, and he was eager to follow. �So�what about it? You�ve seen it before.�
�But you don�t always wear it,� Nick commented distractedly, as he motioned a hand as though to hush to the quiet youth. �You wear other ones sometimes�� He was thinking back to the many times he had watched Greg work, until he found the memory he was looking for.
�Yeah, I have a lot of them. I keep them in an old shoe box in my closet, along with a pair of leather shackles a friend of mine got me at a renaissance fair for my birthday a few years ago.� Greg smiled when Nick blinked and suddenly focused on him. �Where are we going with this line of thought?�
�I don�t think we should discuss that here-� Nick began quietly, but stopped abruptly, flushed, and began again. �Oh�the bracelet; Yeah. C�mere.�
Greg swiftly put away the evidence on his table and checked the fume hood before following the CSI to the layout room. Once there, Nick indicated the photos that had been bothering him since the case began. The young man in the photo, named James McCormack, was wearing a blue and green rubber bracelet; the sort that Nick usually associated with youths or charity causes. It had the word �endeavor� stamped onto it, which made suspect the latter was closer to the truth.
�You�ve worn a bracelet just like that,� Nick stated as he pointed to the photograph. �I remember it reminded me of the ocean and I wondered if you got it on some surfing or scuba diving trip.�
�You could have asked, you know,� Greg commented as he turned his attention from the photo to the Texan again. �I got it outside a concert about a year ago. Some guy was selling them for a hospital fund for a friend of his who was suffering from MS.�
Nick looked at the doe-eyed man with a mixture of fondness and alarm. �And you just believed him and decided to help? That�s pretty gullible, Greggo�.sweet, but gullible.�
The muddle-haired youth did not look amused as he replied. �He was an associate of a friend, and both he and the ill dude are locals; my friends knew of them and had heard how hard the sick dude had it.� Greg�s eyes turned back to the photos. �I�ve fallen for a scheme before, but I�m not completely naïve.�
Nick held up a hand in surrender, �I believe you. Anyway, do you think it�s likely our victim was at that concert?�
�Well, the guy selling the bracelets could have sold them at other places too,� Greg pointed out as he looked around the room. The slender chemist suddenly stopped while staring at one of the other photos, which showed Alex Bowens and Kiley Lee in the front seats of the car. ��But I do know that those two were at the concert.�
As he moved to look at the photos, Nick stepped closer to the younger man without realizing it. �Are you sure? Concerts are pretty crowded�it�s usually hard to recognize people in the crowds.�
Greg shook his head slowly and turned to the brawny CSI, speaking quickly and earnestly. �It was a small one -fan club members only. I guess the guy in the photo told the girl that he liked me�they tried to get me to agree to pose with him for some photos. I told them no, but they wouldn�t drop it. The friends I was with even told them I had a jealous boyfriend, but that just made the girl even more annoying.�
�So they left an impression. Got it.� Nick nodded, trying very hard to think like a CSI instead of a jealous boyfriend himself. �Did they-� he cleared his throat and ignored the blonde�s �curious puppy� expression. �Was there anyone else with them; that you recall?�
�They left a small group when they came to talk to me, but I only remember one guy�s face.� Greg�s gaze seemed to turn inward as he added a surprisingly detailed description and then explained, �He came over to pull them away when he saw they were bothering me. Then he apologized and said they tend to get carried away�he said that he and the other guy were artists and the girl was just fanatical or something.�
�Sounds like a decent guy,� The Texan commented dryly, despite the fact that the younger man�s tone had not sounded as though he would agree with the statement. He had to concentrate not to fist his hands at his sides, reminding himself that they were talking about events that occurred around a year before.
�I guess,� Greg murmured. His voice grew stronger as he added, �Actually, I didn�t like his vibe, you know? He stood too close, talked to low, stared too hard�creeped me out worse than his friends did.� He shook his head slowly; �That could have just been a combination of the whole night, though.�
Nick arched an eyebrow at the muddle-aired youth. The final part of his statement did not sound at all convincing, but Nick decided to bring that up later, unless it appeared to be significant to the case. �That description doesn�t sound like Greer or Daniels�or any of the other victims.�
�He definitely wasn�t one of the other guys in these photos,� Greg stated certainly. The blonde looked hesitant before asking, �Is any of this relevant to your case? I mean, there were a lot of people at that concert and those bracelets could have been sold anywhere since then...or given away by someone who bought them.�
�True,� Nick nodded, �But those photos of McCormack have been bothering me since the beginning�it might be somethin�.� He sighed and crossed his arms across his chest, more to prevent himself form touching Greg than anything else. �Or I might have just recognized the bracelet from seein� you wear yours, but�wait, when exactly was this concert?� The brawny man moved to the stack of notes Warrick had left on the layout table and began browsing them. �Daniels said he drew the victims� blood months ago�crap, that�s as specific as he got.�
�The concert was around fourteen months ago.� Greg looked thoughtful, �It might not mean anything, but the condition of your victims� blood is consistent with samples I�ve worked with that were frozen between one and two years, with a thaw sometime in-between.�
Nick�s brows furrowed as he looked at the photos and thought. He knew the slender chemist was right, it might not mean anything. He could have just noticed the photos of McCormack because he recognized Greg�s bracelet without realizing it. The tension tightening his shoulders and churning his gut could just be because of how close the misfortune he was investigating had come to Greg once�
However, Nick could not shake the feeling that it was more than that, and after working in Vegas for six years, he had learned to trust his instincts.
�I�m gonna go see where we are on bringin� Greer and Daniels back for more questioning,� the Texan stated distractedly, keeping his gaze on the report in his hands. He knew that he had to concentrate on the case now instead of Greg, and he would not be able to if he focused on the younger man again.
�I�ll go work on Catherine�s evidence then,� Greg replied. Nick had to force himself not to look up at the lack of hurt or confusion in the chemist�s voice. Instead, the blonde sounded as though the sable-eyed man had already explained his detached manner. �I�ll hang around afterwards; in case anything comes up that you need me for. Let me know if I should stay or go when you�re all done.�
Nick nodded, still looking over the report. �Thanks G.� He could not help but smile gently as the young man left the room. Then he pulled out his phone and called Brass. �Hey Jim; Where are we with Greer and Daniels?�
�Just got off the phone with them,� the detective answered. �They�re on their way back in, no warrants needed. I gotta tell you, these guys really aren�t striking me as guilty.�
�I don�t think they are,� the Texan replied, and he grinned when he heard the older man release a confused hum on the other end of the line. �I want to ask them about someone else though. Any word on Daniels� car yet?�
�Yeah, actually there is.� For the first time that day, Brass sounded suspicious. Although Nick was not sure if that was due to the information he had, or the fact that Nick seemed to suddenly know more about their case than the amount of time since their last discussion should have warranted.
�Daniels loaned his car to another friend, Todd Womack, the day before the deaths. Get this, Womack called him while he was out that night and told him it had been stolen. Daniels filed a report that night, and rented the car he and Greer showed up in today. Daniels� end checked out fine, but Womack�s story sounds shaky to me.�
Nick nodded, thinking that his theory might not sound as out there as he feared it would. �You get a description of Womack?�
�Uh, no,� it sounded as though Brass were frowning. �Why? Do we have another witness I don�t know about?�
The Texan sighed, �This is gonna sound a little�unscientific.�
�Hey, Stokes, once you�re on the force as long as I�ve been, you learn to trust your gut and your guys unless they�re proven wrong.� The detective replied in his usual tone, but then shocked Nick when he continued. �You�ve always been a straight arrow, if you want to bow a little now, that just means your thinking for yourself�and it�s about time if you ask me. Now, you got a theory, I want to hear it. Shoot.�
Blinking back his surprise, Nick grinned and filled Brass in on his conversation with Greg regarding the victims and their friends. Naturally, he left out any thoughts or comments he considered incriminating about his personal relationship with the younger man, but Brass seemed to reach the same conclusion he had anyway.
�Someone had to help our vics,� Brass commented. �Womack�s as good a place to start looking as any.�
�Exactly,� Nick felt as though a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. �The guy has a flaky story, knew Greer�s car and had Daniels� ride. If he also fits the description of the other artist, who�s a friend of Bowens� and knew at least three of our victims, possibly all of them, then�.�
�He�s definitely a person of interest,� the detective agreed, �Especially if he turns out to be the creep from the concert. I�ll meet you in interrogation in ten. Let�s see what our witnesses have to say about Womack and this creepy artist Greg saw.�
�Sounds like a plan,� Nick hung up his phone and headed for the break room to get something to drink before the interrogation. Catherine was already there, looking over her case file and drinking a cup of coffee; neither seemed to be holding her complete attention.
The Texan was torn between wanted to chide the older woman for treating Greg like her personal stress-relief doll, and asking her what was on her mind. He decided it was probably the same subject in the end, so he asked after that. �Hey, Catherine, what�s goin� on with you today?�
The redhead looked up at him in surprise, as though she had not noticed his entrance. Then, her face molded into a confused expression, but Nick narrowed his eyes at her before she could feign ignorance. Instead of trying to deny anything, Catherine sighed and seemed to deflate slightly. �I know I was a little overboard with Greg earlier.�
�A little?� repeated Nick incredulously. �You were snappin� at him like he�s the scum you�re tryin� to put away�and he said you�ve been actin� like you were out for his blood since he clocked in today.� The brawny man offered the woman a disarming smile and calmed marginally. �I know how some cases can just make you want to tear into the nearest available target, but you can�t treat Greg like that.�
His expression turned serious again when he saw that the redhead was listening, �He�s on our side, Cath.�
�I know, Nicky; I know.� Catherine sighed again and calmly brushed her hair off her face. �You�re right and I�m sorry.� She held up a hand as though swearing into court. �I�ll apologize to Greg when I pick up my results.�
Nick nodded and moved to the fridge to grab a bottle of iced tea. �So what�s this case that�s got you out of sorts anyway?�
�Oh,� the redhead looked as close to embarrassed as she ever did before smoothing her features and turning to the younger man. �It�s not the case�actually, it�s pretty foolish now that I think about it.�
Nick grinned; �Yeah, hindsight�s a bitch, isn�t it?�
Catherine looked somewhat surprised by the comment before she laughed lightly. �Thanks, Nicky. I needed that.� She pressed her lips together for a moment and then turned to the Texan again, �Can I ask you something�just between us?�
Nick frowned at the woman�s tone. Anytime one of his sisters used that tone, it meant he was about to be drawn into some drama involving a sort of feminine logic he was sure he was never going to understand. The brawny man nodded anyway; after all, nothing he said ever stopped his sisters when they used that tone. �Sure; what�s up?�
�Do you think there�s any chance that something is going on between Warrick and Greg?�
The Texan could only stare at the redhead for a moment. His mind had been wiped completely blank by her question. �You mean�could they be-? Why would you- What exactly are you askin� me here?�
�I know, it sounds crazy at first thought,� Catherine explained, clearly having misinterpreted Nick�s initial reaction. �But Warrick�s not the easiest guy to read and Greg hides everything under smiles and playfulness anyway, so-� She shrugged and wore a twisted, considering expression.
Nick arched an eyebrow. �So that means they�ve got somethin� goin� on?�
�No, of course not,� the redhead rolled her eyes. Then, she leaned forward, growing more enthusiastic as she tried to explain her logic to the younger man. �Look, I never would have even considered it before today, but as interested as Greg�s been in cases before, he�s never showed up on his off time just to ask someone about one. I was with Grissom in the parking lot when he saw Greg, and I swear the kid looked the way someone looks when they�re thrilled to see someone but don�t want to let on.�
Catherine was too caught up in her own thoughts to notice the fact that Nick suddenly had to fight off a grin at hearing the description of his newly acquired lover. �Then there was the way Warrick ushered him away from everyone to talk to him�I dunno. If you could have seen them, you would be asking some questions too. Warrick isn�t like you; he doesn�t just drop an arm around Greg�s shoulders and call him pet names. Today though, Warrick pulled him into the locker room and leaned into him, and they were talking so softly, so no one walking by could hear.
�And Warrick had this�� Catherine frowned and clenched her hands in front of her, as though grasping the air for the word. Finally, she opened her hands and held them up, emphasizing her words further with a small shake of them. �Stupid grin on his face afterwards.�
By this point, Nick had figured out exactly why Warrick had pulled Greg aside, and what they had been talking about. He forced himself not to laugh as he interrupted the agitated redhead. �Catherine, calm down. Trust me; there isn�t anything goin� on between Warrick and Greg. Warrick doesn�t even swing that way and he thinks of Greg as-�
Both of the CSI�s eyes widened as they each realized what Nick had just said, or rather, what he had not said. The Texan closed his eyes and grunted quietly; �Shit.�
Catherine�s mouth fell open, but then closed as she tried to fight a losing battle against a grin. �So Greg does swing that way? Exclusively, or just when the pitch comes from that side?�
�I don�t know,� Nick lied, feeling as though his heart was about to beat out of his chest. �I just know for sure that Warrick doesn�t.� He could not help but glare slightly when the older woman started giggling quietly. �Now don�t go readin� anything into it. Just because I�m not certain doesn�t mean-�
The redhead suddenly stopped giggling and clearly started thinking. Nick frowned; �What?� When the woman�s expression suddenly turned heated, he had to stop himself from taking a step backwards. �What?�
�Nick, I�ve known you for six years now, and I know you�re a decent guy, so I�m going to give you the benefit of the doubt here, but it feels like there�s something more to this little breakthrough and I trust my judgment more than anything or anyone.� Catherine stood and placed one hand on her hip, the other gestured towards Nick. �And you�re sounding <i>way</i> too defensive of the idea. If you�re even thinking about using Greg in <i>any</i> way, then you had better think twice. You understand?�
�What?� Nick could barely register what was happening as his initial fear faded to anger, confusion, and shock. �Whoa there Catherine, you can�t honestly think-�
The senior CSI held up her hand to stop the man. A touch of derision and even amusement broke through the woman�s stern tone. �Oh, I�ve seen the way the two of you are together. I just always assumed it was harmless, meaningless flirting�we�ve all done it with someone at some point.�
The warning returned to Catherine�s tone as she either misunderstood or disregarded Nick�s growing anger. �But you and I both know Greg would all but jump off a cliff if you asked. So, if you�re thinking a little experimenting would be harmless or-�
The Texan�s rage finally overcame his bafflement. He straightened and took a step forward, glaring and clenching his fists at his sides. �You are out of line,� Nick growled between clenched teeth, immediately silencing the older woman. �Way out of line. I would never�never�use Greg like that!
�How could you of all people accuse me of such a thing, Catherine? You know how I feel about any abuse of power or authority.� Nick tried to say something else a few times, but he was too riled up to think clearly. �Damn it, Catherine, how could you-?� He groaned and turned away from the redhead, throwing a hand out in frustration and slamming his drink down on the counter. �I don�t believe this.�
Catherine gasped lightly and brought one hand over her mouth while her other hand reached out toward Nick. Instead of making contact, her hand simply hovered between them as she stared at the younger man with wide, guilty eyes. She shook her head as she removed her hand from her mouth, and then held both her hands out, as if she were surrendering. �Nick�I�m sorry.�
The initial apology had been gentle, but the woman�s voice gained strength when she saw that Nick was going to allow her to speak without a fight. �I wasn�t thinking about that. I felt bad about being so snippy with Greg and then you looked strangely�guilty, and my mothering instincts just kicked in and mixed with my investigative instincts; you know how I get. I�m so sorry. I don�t know what�s wrong with me today.�
�I think I do,� Nick ground out, still too angry to speak calmly or find any amusement in the situation. �You better reign it in or do somthin� about it soon, Cath. Whatever you do, just�leave me alone for a while.� He turned and stalked out of the break room, pausing to say one more thing before he stormed out.
�And don�t let me catch you taking your personal shit out on Greg again. I don�t want you using him.�
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