Sweet and Sour Part 2

Nick shook his head, not exactly sure what David was hoping to accomplish. "Y'know, if we'd just invited them to join us like I wanted, you could have saved all the energy you've put into glaring across the whole diner."

"Sit with us? Are you out of you mind?" David replied, but at least turned his attention back to their empty plates.

"I thought you got along with Bobby," Nick frowned. David and the ballistics expert seemed pretty tight the few times Nick had seen them interact.

"Of course I get along with Bobby," David snorted. "Find me someone who doesn't get along with Bobby."

"So...it's Gideon?" Nick glanced over at the man who was admonishing the little girl at his side not to take such big bites--that's what it looked like, anyway. "He seems like a nice guy," he added, although he didn't know Bobby's partner well at all.

Not as well as David, apparently. "When it comes to interrogation, the man makes Captain Brass look like a piker, except Brass probably doesn't lecture the perp afterward."

"Well...sometimes he does," Nick admitted.

"For a half-hour?"

"Ah...no," Nick chuckled. "Seriously? He lectures you? I think I'd pay to see that." That earned him a fairly serious glare of his own.

"He's gonna find a way to corner me in a day or two, anyway," David sounded disgruntled. "Why spend anymore time then I have to having advice heaped upon me?"

"About what?" Nick asked, and when the possibility occurred to him, he could hardly believe it. "About me?"

David was probably one of the few people on the planet, Nick reflected, who could give sarcastic looks.

"But he doesn't know me. We've only met a few times."

"Don't think for a minute that Bobby doesn't keep the man informed about all the interactions among the labrats and CSIs."

"So...what? Gideon warned you off me or something?" Nick joked and was shocked when David shrugged. Maybe it was horribly vain of him, but he was surprised to hear of the possibility of someone disapproving him as a potential partner for a friend. It was something that he really couldn't remember happening before, not even when he had his most irresponsible year in the frat house. Something else Nick didn't expect was the tiny, pleased feeling that zipped through him, making him grin. "You mean...he said not to go out with me? I mean, y'know, expressed his disapproval?" Nick snickered again because he sounded like Ozzie Nelson.

"It's disturbing how happy that makes you."

"No, it's just..." Nick leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice. "Nothing like that ever happened to me before." That comment got him another of those looks. "I mean, I'm too boring for anyone to worry about like that. And it's a little bit cool."

David stared at him blankly, then smirked. Nick watched as the smirk almost turned into That Grin, but didn't quite make it before wryness twisted it again.

Damn.

"Congratulations, there's a first time for everything."

Nick was about to comment on that when he noticed a small figure approaching their table, he nodded to David who frowned but then followed his gaze.

"Hello, Ms. Dawson-Riggs," David said, surprising Nick because he didn't alter his normally dry tone when addressing the six-year-old. "Did your fathers send you over with a white napkin of truce?"

The child didn't seem bothered by it as she fixed David with solemn blue eyes. "You're being funny, right?"

Nick nearly choked on his coffee.

"Actually, I was going for droll," David deadpanned.

"Oh," she obviously had no idea what that meant.

"Are you going to sit down, Teghan?" Nick invited.

"Yep," Teghan said and climbed into the booth next to David. "Daddy said it was okay for me to come over and see you."

"He was right," David agreed.

"I heard him and Papa talking about why we didn't come and eat with you," Teghan went on. "That you weren't mad or anything."

Nick watched her with interest, she was surprisingly grown-up for six, and he realized that David changing his manner would probably be something of an insult for her.

"Really? And what did they say about it?"

"David," Nick kicked him under the table.

"Well..." Teghan chewed the inside of one chubby cheek as she considered. "Daddy said you just didn't want Papa to have any more fathers. I don't know what that means."

David actually looked bewildered as he exchanged a glance with Nick. "He said what?"

"That you didn't want Papa to have any more fathers for lectures."

"Are you sure he didn't say fodder?" David asked, sounding a little put out.

Nick buried his grin in his coffee cup.

"Oh." Teghan thought about that. "Maybe. What's that mean?"

"Ask your Papa," David suggested. "He'll know. Apparently, he's omnipotent."

The waitress stopped by with the check, which Nick picked it up before David could and Teghan hopped back down. "Time to go," she observed.

"Looks like," David got up as well.

"'Kay. Bye."

"Later, Tegs," David said.

"Bye, Teghan," Nick added, watching her heading back to her fathers who also looked ready to leave. Then he felt the check slip from his fingers. "David..." he sighed, following the chemist to the register.

Rather than arguing, David merely ignored Nick's protests as he paid and his complaints as they walked back to the car where he said, "You done being all well-mannered now, or do you want to walk?"

"I guess I'm done," Nick said, opening his door. He stopped when he saw Gideon hurrying toward them, his expression dark. "Uh...David?"

"Was that necessary?" Gideon demanded.

David glanced at Nick, then looked back at Gideon. "Well, yes, actually. I think it's illegal to leave without paying."

Nick barely kept from rolling his eyes. That was probably not going to make Gideon any less pissed off.

"Look," Gideon continued. "If you have a problem with me voicing my opinion, you really should have told me yourself."

David arched an eyebrow. "I have. Repeatedly."

"David..." Gideon's normally calm demeanor was gone. "Using my daughter? Sending her with a message like that? What the hell is wrong with you?"

"What?" David's eyes widened as he realized how the serious situation was. "Using..? Gideon, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"It was actually kind of sick, David. What were you thinking?"

Nick looked from David who seemed utterly bewildered, to Bobby and Teghan who were hurrying toward them.

"I'm not following you at all," David protested. "What did she say?"

Gideon glanced over his shoulder, then got back in David's face. "You told my daughter I was impotent? What the hell would prompt you to do that?"

David stared blankly, then choked a few times. By the time Bobby and Teghan arrived, he was leaning against the car, helpless with laughter.

Nick swallowed his own laughter before it got out of hand, since someone had to explain to Gideon--David obviously couldn't. But he was distracted by the sight of David laughing and for a moment forgot about everything else. If David truly grinning was distracting, David truly laughing was something else entirely. He looked relaxed and carefree and made Nick think things that he probably shouldn't be thinking in the presence of co-workers and their families.

"David!" Gideon barked. Bobby arrived and put a hand on his shoulder, and Gideon calmed visibly.

"What's funny?" Teghan asked, making Nick blink back to the current situation.

"Uh...Gideon," he said, because David was still beyond speech. "David told Teghan you were omnipotent."

"Yeah," Teghan agreed.

Bobby snickered a few times before giving in as well. Gideon dropped his head, and after a few seconds, his shoulders began to shake with silent laughter.

David recovered enough to add--"Now you've got a whole bunch of new words to explain to her." Then he was off again as he practically fell in behind the wheel.

"You okay to drive?" Nick grinned, getting in the passenger side.

"Yeah," David took several deep breaths, then pointed to Teghan. "I owe you, Ms. Dawson-Riggs," he told her. "Big time. Anything you want, you call me next week and you've got it."

"Okay!" Teghan agreed immediately.

"David!" Bobby and Gideon both protested.

"Hey," David waved them off. "You can't put a price on entertainment like that." He let out another laugh and closed the door before they could say anything else.

"Hey, David?" Nick ventured once they were away.

"Yeah?" David was still chuckling occasionally.

"How about we just skip the movie?" Nick suggested and waited anxiously for his answer.

David shot him a speculative look and his eyebrows rose again. "Oh sure, this way you don't have to pay for anything," he complained, but turned onto a street that would take them back to his townhouse.

"I told you not to say anything," Bobby was still smiling as Gideon drove them home.

"Oh, shut up," Gideon said amiably, his own lips twitching.

"It was worth it, though." Bobby added, running a hand through Gideon's glossy black hair.

"Worth it?"

"You were watching David laughing?"

"Yeah," Gideon nodded slowly. "I was waiting for him to stop so I could tell him off again."

"Well, I was watching Nick watch David laughing."

"Ahh..." Gideon smiled in understanding. "And..?"

"It's not often you get to see the moment someone goes head over heels."

"Really?"

"Oh, yeah," Bobby's grin widened.

"Well, well," Gideon glanced at their daughter in their rear-view mirror. "You're quite the little matchmaker, aren't you?" he asked her.

Teghan frowned in return. "How can I make them? I'm not even allowed to play with them."

After his pseudo-confrontation with Warrick, Catherine's more subtle interrogation the following week was actually enjoyable. Of course, it was a few days after the whole omnipotence fiasco, and David still chuckled whenever he thought about it. Adding to his good mood, Nick had been very adventurous when they got back to his place and for a few days after. Nick Stokes in an especially frisky mood made being grouchy impossible.

That Catherine--unspoken CSI den mother, although she'd kill anyone who suggested it--was asking him questions instead of asking Nick suggested the CSIs were taking this whole thing more seriously. With that in mind, he was able to remain civil--for him--in response to more of Greg's gleeful inquiries and Sara's blunt questions when their turns at interrogation came during the following week. It almost seemed as though Nick's friends were attempting to move past the point of merely tolerating him for Nick's sake. When David wasn't busy being worried about the implications of that, he was actually fairly happy.

That should have been his first clue.

It was barely noticeable at first. Nick began acting a bit odd, constantly cracking jokes that were more Greg Sanders' style and trying to make everything funny. Fortunately, he gave up after a couple of weeks, but it did herald more changes that David found disturbing.

As glad as he was that the ridiculous, over-the-top jokes had stopped, in their place were bouts of brooding that weren't any more normal for Nick than the new so-called humor. They were something David found easier to understand, though, when he considered everything Nick had to deal with. If he was going to be perfectly honest, long silences were definitely preferably to lame jokes.

That didn't worry David nearly as much as what happened over the next several week. Around the time of Teghan's mix-up, he and Nick had been seeing each other for nearly five months, and most of that time, they were either at work or together. That began to change--not noticeably at first, but by the time they'd passed the six-month mark, they had gone from spending five or six days a week to two or three together. It wasn't that David kept track or anything, just something he happened to notice.

David tried not to worry about it too much, because when they were together things were better than ever. In the bedroom they'd struck a balance between Nick's relaxed playfulness and the more intense edge David enjoyed. Out of the bedroom, Nick was even more affectionate. Before long, David's innate pessimism began to assert itself and whisper that Nick had to be compensating for something. He had narrowed it down to the fact that Nick was either seeing someone else--And we all know who that would be, don't we? he'd think snidely--or that Nick had merely been getting the hang of an actual relationship again and was ready to find someone more suited to him than a bitter, greying, sarcastic chemist. Even if that chemist can make him scream like a banshee, David reminded himself, but without his customary smugness. It was tough to feel smug when he recalled that also during the past weeks, Nick had been more relaxed in Warrick's presence than David had seen him for a long time.

People at the LA Crime Lab used to tell David--to his face, no less--that he thought he was entitled. What had annoyed him most about that was that they said it like it was a bad thing. Everyone was entitled to certain things--even if not everyone got them. And if he was willing to make an extra effort, wasn't he entitled to something in return? If he worked his ass off at his job, wasn't he entitled to respect for it? If he made a point not to act like an idiot, wasn't he entitled to get pissed off at the people who did? If he dedicated himself to a relationship, wasn't he entitled to the same in return?

Damn straight.

No one was going to do this for him--he'd learned that early on--so if he wanted to keep from getting the runaround and avoid being made to look like a fool, it was up to him to take care of it.

On the other hand, if Nick had a perfectly good reason for his recent behavior, then David was being an idiot. He didn't want to ruin what he had just because of his natural inclination to expect the worst.

But he'd seen people who hung onto relationships that had turned sour. He'd mocked people who hung onto relationships that had turned sour. That certainly wasn't going to be him.

So what were his options? Losing Nick by jumping to conclusions or being laughed at for trying to hold onto a guy everyone assumed was out of his league. What great choices.

What the hell was he supposed to do with that?

David grumbled as he gathered up his stuff in preparation to finishing his shift. He muttered an indistinct greeting to the new guy on day shift trace. Why Ecklie didn't put Henry in there permanently was beyond him. Sure, the young chemist was great at jumping in and picking up slack wherever he was needed--Henry could acquaint himself with a case faster than anyone David had ever seen--but constantly changing shifts was bound to burn the kid out. Then they'd be stuck with a series of moronic newbies to break in again.

"So...breakfast, yeah? Steak and eggs at Sal's?"

David stopped in the doorway of the locker room when he heard that familiar twang. Then his stomach plummeted when he heard a chuckle in response.

"Man, do you know how long it's been since we've been there? Hell, they probably have a new wait staff."

"Which means no more free coffee and crullers for you," Nick laughed.

"That's not me anymore, bro. You know that by now."

David decided he didn't really need anything from his locker, anyway.

What else was necessary? An anvil dropping on his head à la Wile E. Coyote?

Not for David Hodges.

David didn't expect to be able to sleep when he got home, which meant that unless he found something to do, the day was going to be endless. There had been no overtime shifts to pick up--crime in Vegas had dropped back to normal levels. Determined to pass the time by doing anything except thinking about Nick, he started in on some of his more hated chores.

It worked--for the most part. It didn't keep his mind completely off Nick, but at least he was getting something done. Besides, he told himself as noon approached, he didn't really have reason to expect a call from Nick. So what if they spoke on the phone nearly every day whether they got together or not? That didn't mean Nick was obligated to call him any more than David was obligated to call Nick. And one thing he definitely wasn't going to do was start calculating who called whom more often.

When his phone actually did ring, David nearly jumped out of his skin. Maybe, just maybe, the lab did need someone to work overtime. "Hello?"

"Hey. Good. I was worried you might be asleep."

Nick. It was Nick. He'd spent so much time adamantly telling himself that Nick wouldn't call that he was caught off guard.

"David?"

He cleared his throat. "Yeah."

"I meant to catch up with you after shift, but I missed you. You cut out early?"

"Something like that."

There were a few beats of silence on Nick's end. "Okay. Um...well, did you want to get together?"

"Now," David confirmed, although he knew he sounded blank.

"Well...yeah. Were you getting ready to crash or something?"

"No." David knew his voice was tight and pissed off, but that was better than risking a choke or shake creeping in.

"David?" Nick sounded uncertain.

"Yeah?"

"Do you mind if I come by?"

"No." Might as well get it over with.

"Okay," Nick hesitated again. "Okay, I'll be over in about twenty."

"Fine," David said, and hung up.

He considered taking a quick shower before Nick got there--he was feeling a bit grimy after all his cleaning. Then he shrugged off the idea. What the hell was the point now?

David regretted that decision briefly when Nick arrived, cheerful but concerned, and greeted him with a kiss. "Hi," Nick's smile faded when David didn't respond. "You okay?"

"Of course."

"Oh," Nick gave him a searching look. "Um...I was looking for you after shift to tell you I was going for breakfast with Warrick."

David blinked, briefly thrown to hear Nick say it so easily. "I know."

"Oh." Nick frowned again. "Okay, well...I think maybe we need to--can we sit?"

Thankful for the iciness that seemed to have enveloped him, David moved to the sofa. Without that chill he might be tempted to think of all the pleasurable hours he and Nick had spent on said sofa. That could possibly make him react, and whatever happened, however Nick decided to end it, he wasn't going to react. Over? No big deal. It was just sex, but you wanted to throw that other stuff in. Your loss. See you around, pretty boy.

"It was...a little weird."

David raised an eyebrow at the non-sequiter.

"Breakfast. See, I've been doing a lot of thinking and--"

"What a nice change that must be for you."

Nick drew back slightly, obviously stung.

David gritted his teeth, determined not to give in to the surprised hurt on Nick's face. Even when they'd first met, even before they'd started talking in a friendly manner, David had never actually let his sarcasm cross over into a personal attack with Nick, and certainly never in that freezing cold voice. It had never seemed right in the face of Nick's friendly nature, and was particularly cruel now. David had to will himself not to immediately apologize.

"What's going on?" Nick asked quietly.

Not answering was practically the same as sulking, and that was one thing David didn't want to give the appearance of. He wanted to be aloof and uncaring. Unfortunately, his voice had other ideas and had momentarily abandoned him.

"David," Nick made another attempt. "I know I've been bad company lately--for a while, really. It's been--I've tried--" He stopped, looking slightly lost. "Okay." A deep breath. "One of the reasons--there were a lot, but one of the reasons I never told Warrick how I felt was because--" He glanced at David and promptly floundered again.

David felt a spiteful satisfaction in the knowledge that his coldest look still had an effect.

"Because I always hoped that...that if I ever got over it, we'd be able to go back to the way things were before, y'know?"

Frowning, David didn't reply, waiting until Nick said something he expected to hear so that he'd know what to say.

Nick was watching him, and his shoulders slumped when David still didn't respond. "I didn't tell you when I first noticed because...I mean--oh, jeez, it still sounds dumb to say this, but about...uh, a month, I guess...a month now that it's not so bad to be around Rick anymore--not so painful." He ducked his head, obviously embarrassed at having to put it into words. "And I thought things could start getting back to--but that was stupid of me because they can't. Of course they can't, right?"

David almost felt as though Nick was speaking a different language.

"So Warrick didn't know, and I'm pretty much over whatever I felt, but--I'm stupid for not seeing it before." Nick's words began to tumble out faster. "I'm always going to be the one who got buried and he's always going to be the one who could have been, but wasn't and that's always going to be there, no matter what either of us try to do about it." He stopped, swallowed, and went on in a low voice, "I didn't even realize that was there until my stuff wasn't anymore."

At that moment all David could do was offer up a silent prayer of thanks to whatever deity watched over moronic chemists for making him keep his mouth shut throughout Nick's admission. He felt ill at the thought of what could have happened if he'd started spitting out all the venom that had been brewing inside him.

Nick shifted on the sofa, looking unnerved by David's continued silence. "And after that, it didn't take long to see that even without that other stuff, things weren't going to be the same. The last time he and I hung out, we were a couple of single guys. Now he's married and I'm out so...I guess I've just been..." his voice trailed off and he shrugged.

Grieving. Grieving. He's been grieving, you lousy, suspicious bastard! David cursed himself. From the day this thing went beyond sex, he's been nothing but honest with you and you're ready to rip him to shreds over something you made up. Blood always runs true, doesn't it, Davey-boy?

"David, are you going to say anything? Ever?"

David had plenty of things he wanted to say, preferably while peppering Nick with penitent kisses. I'm sorry. I'm sorry you can't get back your old friendship with Warrick. And I don't care how bad you think your company is, it's always better than being without you. And oh God, you have to forgive me for trying to deliberately hurt you when I know you'd never do anything to deliberately hurt me. He didn't say any of those things, of course. All he said was--"You really make it damn difficult to be a pessimist," and that sounded cryptic even to his ears.

Nick's frown became puzzled. "Okay. Umm...am I supposed to say thank you or apologize?"

"Oh, Jesus," David rubbed his forehead. "Whatever you do, don't apologize."

"David...is it about breakfast with Warrick? Because to be perfectly honest, I don't think it's something that's going to happen all that often."

"Nick, you don't have to--"

"We're still friends--good friends--but I don't think we're buddies anymore, y'know?"

Dear God, and he'd thought nothing could be more painful that hearing Nick say it was over? Since when did how much he hurt depend on how much Nick hurt, anyway?

"Is it that? Or--? Just give me a little help here, David."

"It's nothing you've done," David said, trying to give Nick as much assurance as he could. "It's my problem. It was my problem before we got together and--" --it'll be my problem long after you're gone. David managed to catch himself before he completed that thought, knowing it probably wouldn't go over well. "It's something I'm working on."

Nick still looked vaguely troubled, "Are you sure there's nothing I can do?"

David finally gave in partially to the urge that had been plaguing him and reached over to brush his fingers along Nick's cheek. The dark eyes widened--hardly surprising, considering it was not the sort of caress David was prone to. "I'll let you know, okay?"

His expression softening, Nick nodded.

They sat in silence for several minutes and David took the opportunity to steady himself a little mentally. When he thought his voice would sound somewhat normal he said, "I spent the morning cleaning. I swear my fridge had take out that's been hanging out here longer than you have." He was relieved to see a tiny smile curl Nick's lips. "So I'm gonna go take a shower while you decide what you feel like doing today."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," David stood up, but before he stepped away from the sofa Nick grabbed his arm and tugged slightly. More than happy to oblige, David leaned over for a quick kiss, then continued on to the bathroom.

Standing under the steaming water, David wished it could wash away the feeling of dread the conversation brought to the surface. Apparently he hadn't escaped Ohio completely unscathed, despite his best efforts. How else could he explain his eagerness to turn on and rip to shreds someone he was supposed to care about? Who did that? Who would gladly cause pain to someone who made them so happy?

"David?"

David opened his eyes at the sound of the Texan's voice, and barely had time to register his presence in the bathroom before the shower door opened, revealing a wonderfully naked Nick Stokes.

"I've made my decision," Nick said innocently.

That's enough thinking for today, David decided gratefully, and pulled Nick in under the spray.

There was never any way of guessing what sort of mood David was going to be in.

Nick had always imagined that sort of relationship would be too turbulent to suit him. He'd seen the results of turbulent relationships in his job far too often.

David, being David, naturally found a way to contradict that. Instead of being worried about what sort of mood he would encounter, more often then not, Nick was eager to open or answer the door and find out which one it was.

On any given day, David could be all sharp wit and biting sarcasm, using and twisting words so that Nick had to dig through them to find out what exactly he was saying before the man spelled it out in that dry tone of his. Adding to this were David's utterly baffling thought processes that managed to find only two degrees of separation between the Muppets and the DaVinci Code--and that had been one of their more normal conversations.

Other times, he would seem utterly bored with everything in life. Nothing surprised him, nothing concerned him--he was completely overcome with ennui. That's when Nick would try everything he could to spark a reaction, until David either cracked a smile or--more often--grabbed him and started kissing him senseless.

Neither man ever mentioned these games, but both knew that's what they were, and both loved playing them.

There were some times, though, that had nothing to do with games. Like last week after his breakfast with Warrick when David had started out so icy and then became so tender that it took Nick's breath away. Nick thought David might be bothered by his going to the diner with Warrick--that was why he'd tried to find the chemist before leaving--but suspected there might be even more to it that David wasn't saying. Nick pushed a little, from time to time, but he knew that badgering would only make David more close-lipped.

Or there were days like today, when he barely got in the door before David had him pinned against the wall, devouring his lips and nearly tearing off his shirt. Nick did get a glimpse of David's face, and knew in an instant what he was in for. David looked genuinely angry, and more often than not, that translated into torture. Nick didn't bother trying to stop him, since David's version of torture never left any scars, either physical or emotional. Only David would think of taking out his anger on someone by making them absolutely insane with pleasure.

Nick only had a moment to wonder what had pissed David off, and then David was crouched in front of him yanking down his jeans and shorts and nuzzling his balls briefly before swirling that talented tongue around the head of his cock. That's when Nick's train of thought jumped the tracks and coherence fled.

When David's mouth engulfed him, Nick decided that he'd probably be better off in bed for this, because he knew his legs weren't going to be able to hold him up much longer. He clutched at David's shoulders and pulled him to his feet. "You're overdressed," he managed to get out before David began attacking his neck.

David didn't answer and Nick made a mental note to find out what was going on. There was no way of telling whether David was angry or upset, although there wasn't always a whole lot of difference where the chemist was concerned.

"Bedroom," Nick murmured, searching for the hem of David's shirt. "David. Bedroom."

"Yeah?" David breathed along his neck. "Let's see you walk."

Well, he had a point there. With his jeans and shorts around his ankles, Nick knew he wouldn't have gotten far before falling flat on his face. Leaning on David for balance, Nick kicked them off, and his shoes and socks for good measure. "Okay," he got back to David's shirt and the warm skin underneath. "There. Bedroom."

Between David's heated kissed and busy fingers, Nick was barely aware of his surroundings until he found himself on his back on David's bed with the owner straddling him. David was still wearing his jeans, but that was fine by Nick because the feeling of denim against his erection was fantastic. Besides David's shirt was off, so there was plenty of lean, slender muscle to explore and that was fine by Nick, too.

When their kisses began to relax into slower, deeper ones, David abruptly climbed off Nick and the bed to shed his jeans before returning to the same position. There were only a few more kisses before David began shifting down Nick's legs, tracing patterns on Nick's skin with his tongue. Knowing David, they were probably alchemical equations, Nick thought blearily. How fitting considering David was something of a wizard in this area.

Oh, God help him. David's bizarre thought processes were contagious.

Then David began working his cock again, sucking hard at the head, licking down to the base and occasionally dipping lower to mouth his balls. Nick fisted his hands in the sheets when he felt David's fingers kneading at his thighs and gently handling his balls as well. Arching his back, Nick tried to force himself to calm down--rarely did David let him get to this point so quickly. "David...I can't--I'm going to--"

David ignored the urgency in his voice, instead he began taking more and more of Nick's length into his mouth, causing Nick to fumble for the night stand. When he tried to sit up, David finally acknowledged how close he was, taking the condom and lube from him. There was a brief pause in David's actions, and Nick arched his hips up in expectation, but instead felt David deftly rolling the condom onto his erection.

Oh.

Nick had topped on occasion, but was usually more than happy to let David take the lead. And while David was always willing when Nick wanted to switch, he'd never indicated wanting to be taken before this. Just the unexpectedness of it was an incredible turn on. As David finished adding a little extra lube and prepared to move back up the length of his body, Nick gathered himself, then made his move. He caught David off guard and rolled them both so their positions were reversed.

David could give new meaning to the phrase "topping from the bottom," and Nick suddenly decided he didn't feel like letting that happen today. Bracing himself on his arms, Nick stared down into stormy, grey eyes, "Hey, this was your idea."

In response, David wrapped his arms around Nick's neck and pulled him closer for a kiss, biting at his lower lip when Nick reached for the lube again. "Already done," he said.

"You were busy down there, weren't you?" Nick grinned.

David didn't even smirk. Nick couldn't tell if he was truly angry, but the man was definitely troubled over something. He tried to move downward in order to prepare David a bit better, but David held him with surprisingly strong legs, and it was all Nick could do to position himself properly. David had taken his word in similar situations, Nick decided, so he would take David's now.

Still, he eased himself into the tight passage as slowly as possible, stopping when David's breath hissed out between gritted teeth. Then David wrapped those long legs more securely around his waist, and Nick sank in the rest of the way. Nick reached between their bodies and grasped David's erection, running his thumb over the leaking head and prompting a low growl from the man beneath him.

Nick dipped his head down, David pushed up and as their lips met, Nick began to move. He could feel David's hands skimming over his ribs and clutching at his back, occasionally slipping down to squeeze his ass and encourage him to move faster. He tried to keep a steady, even pace so it could last, but David was making that moaning sound in his throat and God, he felt so good, so hot and silky and tight and then there was more warmth on his hand as David came with a sharp cry and Jesus, don't even try to hold back anymore just let go like that because it's so so good...

David's arms were still wrapped loosely around him when Nick's breathing and heart rate finally slowed to a somewhat normal speed. Carefully, he eased himself out of David and moved off to toss the condom. Before he could return, he found himself pinned on his back as David straddled him again, his expression still stony.

Why couldn't the guy fall asleep afterward like normal people?

"What the hell is wrong with you?" David asked.

"Okay, no one likes to hear that right after sex, David."

"Since when is it CSI policy to enter a residence at a scene with only one cop--one idiot cop there as backup?"

Nick tried not to gape in surprise, "How the hell do you know ab--"

"And hey, which cop was it, Nick?"

"What?"

"Oh, Dumb Ass Michaels, you say? The cop that isn't even supposed to be on the scene with CSIs anymore?"

"What did you call him?" Nick asked, startled by all the things David knew about the case that he shouldn't, considering it had only happened a few hours before.

"What do you think DA stands for?" David asked, his dry tone returning. "Half the force calls him that now."

Nick snorted, "Well, I hadn't heard. No one ever mentions the guy to me."

"I wonder why. And after his other fabulous performance at Catherine and Warrick's crime scene, he's not supposed to work them."

"David..." Nick put his hands on David's thighs.

But David wasn't even close to finished. "And he's especially not supposed to work a scene you're working. There should have been two uniforms and a detective on the scene, at least."

Nick nodded, "Caveliere got a call while I was en route--one of his kids was taken to the hospital. I'm not sure where the other uniform was, but--"

"Oh, I'm sorry," David was using his snottiest tone, one Nick rarely heard directed at him. "You seem to think I'm asking why the house wasn't properly cleared. I'm asking why you went into a house that hadn't been properly cleared."

"It had been properly cleared," Nick insisted, getting annoyed.

"There was a baby inside, in addition to the body. Dumb Ass missed it. That is not properly cleared."

"How did you--" Nick didn't allow himself to be distracted by David knowing things in a report not even filed yet. He was tired of being lectured. "A baby is hardly anything dangerous, David."

"It's not the sign of a properly cleared scene, either," David glared down at him.

"What was I supposed to do? Wait outside?"

"Hey, what a great idea," David feigned surprise.

Enough was enough. "David, I have a job to do."

"Well, I'd like to see your job description and read where it says you're supposed to enter a possibly dangerous scene improperly cleared by a moron who is a breath away from traffic duty."

That was an interesting tidbit. "How do you know this stuff?"

"Techs know all sorts of things," David's anger was briefly replaced by his usual smugness. "And what we don't know we can usually find out."

"Why aren't you guys out there putting criminals away, then?"

"Our methods would never stand up in court."

The guy had an answer for everything. It was just as well. Nick didn't want to get into a fight over this. "Look, it was just a one-time thing."

David didn't look the least bit mollified. "Do I need to start counting how often these one-time things seem to happen?"

Nick massaged light circular patterns against David's skin, and tried to lighten the mood. "Aw, honey, it's so sweet of you to worry," he grinned.

David's expression froze, and then he abruptly moved off Nick and the bed.

"Hey! Whoa!" Nick quickly sat up and managed to catch David around the waist, pulling him down to sit on the bed. "Lord, David, you are all kinds of exhausting." He kept his arms around David, who seemed to have turned to stone. "Look, I'm sorry for joking, okay? I don't like that you worry, but I can't help liking that you care enough to worry."

"I don't care."

Nick shook his head at the man's utter stubbornness. "Just who do you think you're foolin', huh?" He rested his chin on David's shoulder, "What's the worst that could happen if you acknowledged caring? I've got no problem with it. C'mon," he kissed David's ear. "You know I'm crazy about you, right? So what's--"

"What?" David stared at him and Nick couldn't tell if he was amazed or appalled.

Okay, maybe not. Now he was wondering if he'd made a mistake saying so, but it was too late to turn back now. "David, this is the longest I've been with anyone since...jeez, college, maybe. What did you think was going on?"

"Great sex," David replied promptly.

"That, too," Nick smiled. "I hope you don't expect me to explain, because I can't. I just know I rather be with you than without you."

"Who wouldn't?"

Nick's smile widened, because David's voice quavered just a little shy of smug that time. "At the moment, I'd rather be with you under the covers. I can't believe we're having this conversation while we're just--"

"--hanging out?" David finished for him.

Nick snickered and kissed David's shoulder. "Okay?"

David nodded and they both climbed back into bed. Nick waited until David was settled, and then fitted himself snugly against the lean body, prompting a very put-upon sigh. "You know, sometimes I wonder why you just don't invest in one of those body pillows."

"Because they don't make them with extra sarcasm," Nick retorted without even thinking about it, and heard David chuckle. In that moment, Nick realized why he hadn't had any luck getting David to laugh more. He'd actually been trying, and all he'd succeeded in doing was making himself look like a bigger dork than usual. It took something unexpected and preferably absurd to put That Grin on David's face or make him laugh. Tucking that information away for later, Nick decided to address something else he was curious about--seeing as he wasn't particularly sleepy anymore. "How do you techs know all this stuff, anyway?"

"I can't disclose tricks of the trade," David replied.

"C'mon," Nick coaxed, stroking David's ribs. "The report wouldn't even have been filed before you left."

"Fine." Another one of those world-weary sighs. "This is just in this instance, though. Methods vary depending on the situation. Detective Vartann called me when he heard."

Nick frowned. That didn't tell him a damn thing. "I didn't even know you knew Vartann that well."

"I don't really," David yawned. "But just after Wendy started, he was in the lab and saw her. He asked me about the chance of getting her number, and I said I'd see what I could do."

"So you set Wendy up so Vartann would owe you a favor?"

"Nope. That's the beauty of it," David snorted. "The day before Wendy asked whether Vartann was married. I told her 'no' and she asked if I'd give him her number. So she owes me, too."

"David!" Nick let out a horrified laugh.

"Hey, if they want to play 'ask him if he likes me' as though we're in junior high, then the least they can do is make it up to me for being so good-natured about it."

Nick nuzzled against David's neck as he laughed harder, whether at David's obvious pride in his scheme or the idea of David being good-natured, he wasn't entirely certain. Once he'd settled back down to the occasional chuckle, he felt David's hand in his hair, and his body began to relax almost on cue. "Here's an idea. I won't go into any more residences that haven't been cleared by two cops, and next time you want to lecture me, you'll do it before sex so I have something to look forward to, okay?"

"I wasn't lecturing," David replied. "I was questioning your sanity."

"Well, next time question my sanity before sex."

"Then we'd never get around to anything fun."

Although most of their seventh month had definitely been bumpy, as the eighth month neared, things were much smoother. When their eighth month anniversary rolled around--Nick didn't often note anniversaries of first dates or first times, but in their case it was both--it happened to fall on a night they both had off, so Nick made reservations at Empress Court. He knew David was touched, because he'd refrained from any of his usual comments about Nick's "sentimental tendencies." Nick didn't consider himself particularly sentimental, but maybe compared to David...

Their reservations were for seven, and Nick knocked on David's door at six, then walked in without waiting for an answer, which had become the norm. Glancing around, he saw David in the kitchen, talking on the phone and pacing, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, both of which were somewhat faded. He stopped dead when he saw Nick, and Nick could tell the exact moment he remembered dinner. Nick could also tell that dinner probably wouldn't be happening, because David was looking drawn and rather pale.

"Okay, Laurel, I've got to go for now. Look, I don't know what bright idea they'll come up with, but don't...just don't, okay?" David sighed, "Okay? Yeah. Yeah, I'll talk to you tomorrow."

David didn't talk much about his family, but he had mentioned his sister--she was the only one he sounded close to. This definitely wasn't good news. Good news didn't make a person slump onto a dining chair and pinch the bridge of their nose as if warding off either tears or a migraine. "David?" Nick took a step, then stopped. "What is it?"

"Uh...I'm going to have to bail on dinner."

"David," Nick couldn't keep the hint of reproach out of his voice as moved closer. "What's going on?"

"My parents," David said numbly.

Nick crouched beside his chair. "What about them?"

"They're getting back together."

Only David Hodges could make that statement sound like a death knell.

David was relieved that he had a few seconds while Nick puzzled his comment out. He briefly considered getting changed and going out to dinner after all, but gave it up since at the moment he barely had the energy to remain upright in his chair. When Nick first mentioned the "anniversary," David had been astonished that Nick wanted to commemorate their antagonistic first date, but went along with it, glad that Nick thought it was something worth celebrating.

"David?" Nick was still crouched next to his chair, one hand on his knee.

All he had to do was lean slightly toward Nick and he would be immediately engulfed in a warm embrace. David knew that, but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. He wondered if he'd ever be able to let his guard down that much.

Nick wasn't easily deterred--something that David was eternally grateful for--and he reached up to begin rubbing David's neck gently. "Y'know, that's not usually bad news."

"I know." David wanted to explain, intended to explain, because he felt that was the least Nick deserved. But now several years of rash spending, slander, grandiose promises, guilt trips and potential bankruptcies stretched in front of him and he still hadn't quite absorbed it all. "It's a long story," he said lamely.

"Okay." Nick stood, but continued massaging David's neck. "You still have some of that bourbon left?"

"Yeah," David nodded. He kept a bottle of bourbon for those occasions when they didn't feel like having beer--it was the same reason Nick now kept a bottle of Stoli at his place.

Nick drew David to his feet. "Why don't you go sit on the couch and I'll bring us some drinks, yeah?"

David couldn't help wondering if he was making too big a deal about this. No one had died, after all. Hell, no one was even getting hurt--technically. "Look, I'm sorry about dinner, but--"

"Hey," Nick wrapped his arms around David's waist. "Do I look like I'm worried about dinner?"

"No." David didn't even bother pretending he'd rather be alone as he might have at one time.

"No," Nick repeated. He kissed the corner of David's mouth and gave him a gentle shove toward the living room. "I'll be there in a minute."

David sank onto his sofa and closed his eyes, mentally calculating how much money he'd be able to spare over the next few years should it become necessary. Not that his parents were going to get a red cent, but he wanted to be ready in case Laurel needed help, and she probably would since she could never say no to their parents' requests for money. Opening his eyes briefly, he saw Nick on his cell. Cancelling the reservations, he realized, closing his eyes again with a real pang of regret.

He also had to figure out something reasonable to say to his mother when she called to break the "good news" in a day or two. Something that wouldn't get him a guilt trip, but also let her know he wasn't buying into the lie, either. He didn't worry about his father, since he doubted he'd be speaking to the man. They spoke three times a year, dutifully, on Christmas and their respective birthdays. That was the way it had been since David told his parents he was gay just after his second year at Berkeley and it suited him just fine.

The sensation of cool glass slipping into his hand made David open his eyes again just in time to see Nick sit down next to him, a glass of bourbon his hand. Helplessly, David tried to think of somewhere to start. He took a sip of vodka. "Just give me a minute."

"No rush," Nick said quietly, running his fingers through David's hair.

David made a mental note to try and remember everything Nick was doing. The guy had this whole comfort thing down pat.

"It's not--" Another sip of vodka. "There's no real trouble. Not really."

Nick, being Nick, helped him along. "You said once your parents split when you were nine?"

"Yeah. And when I was three. And when I was fourteen. And about three--no, four more times since I left home."

"Oh," was all Nick said, but David could tell he'd already gotten the idea.

"It's a pathetically predictable pattern--" David snorted with sudden amusement and took another swallow. "Spontaneous alliteration."

Nick raised his eyebrows, "Okay, you'd better go slow with that drink."

David smirked briefly. "It's been the same since--well, since they got married, I guess. And if it was just separate and reunite, separate and reunite, it wouldn't be such a problem."

"So what else is it?"

After a brief hesitation, David decided there was no harm in telling Nick. Some part of him even whispered that it would feel pretty damn good. "It usually starts with money getting tight, but it could be anything--it's almost never gradual. One day they're fine, and the next they can't stand each other, and they spend the next several months arguing and spitting insults before they finally split. Then it's a year or two of fighting about divorce, with accusations and lawsuits and spending money while they each try to 'start a new life' until they both realize they can't live without each other and get back together so they can start the whole thing all over again." David knocked back a little more of his drink, "That's the short version, anyway."

"What's the long version?" Nick asked quietly.

"The long version?" David sighed heavily. "The long version is that they spend money they don't have every step of the way. When they're getting back together, the sky's the limit, and when we were kids and didn't know what was going on, that was great. Then we get older and it was easier for them to get us to answer the phone in case creditors were calling--things like that. When they're splitting, they blow another pile of money each to start over." He took a big swallow of his drink. "The first time they asked me for money--the only time--was my second year at Berkeley. I was on a scholarship, but they convinced me to lend them some, anyway."

"Whoa."

"They never paid it back, of course," David shrugged. "I made it through all right. Lived on hot dogs and mac and cheese for nearly a year. God, I hate hot dogs. Wasn't crazy about them before that, but..." He felt slightly nauseous at the memory. "The good part is that I never had a problem saying 'no' to them after that. After a while they stopped asking me." Another sip of vodka to wash away the bad taste in his mouth. "Laurel never got the hang of it."

Nick nodded slowly. "That's what you were telling her on the phone."

"Yeah. She makes a good living, but now she's going to have a baby. She doesn't need any added hassles."

"Well, what about her...husband? Or boyfriend?"

"Neither. Just a baby. She sucks at relationships, too. I think she'll do well as a mom, though," David glanced at Nick to see his reaction, but there was no sign of censure on his face, only concern. "I want her to move out here. She loves New Mexico, and frankly, the closer she lives to me, the less she'd have to deal with our parents."

Nick raised his eyebrows in question and his hand stilled against David's neck.

"Scared to death of their gay son. Think it happened at Berkeley."

A half-grin. "And Laurel?"

"Knew before I did," David replied, prompting a chuckle as well. Okay, that's good. That's most of it, and you can just stop there. That's enough for the guy to deal with right now. Hell, that's already more than you've ever told anyone before. Now that he'd started, though, it was difficult to stop. "But even all that's not as bad as the...hostility. No, that's not--hate. It's hate. The things they say to and about each other are..." he shook his head. "And then when they get back together, it's like none of it mattered. By the time I was seven I knew that had to be a crock of shit. But say anything and it's: don't you trust your parents?" David sighed and finished his drink off. "So you just wait and watch to see when it'll fall apart again and you'll have to hear them call each other the worst sort of--why are you looking at me like that?" he asked, almost before he'd completely registered Nick's expression.

Nick blinked, "Like what?"

A frisson of irritation murmured through him, although he knew much of it was probably being redirected toward Nick from elsewhere. "Like I just gave you evidence that cracked your case for you."

"No." Nick ducked his head, "Well, maybe a little." He finished off his bourbon without meeting David's gaze, and when the doorbell rang, he jumped to his feet, looking very relieved. "I'll get it," he offered.

David glared after him, but couldn't see who was on the other side. Listening to that pleasant drawl made it difficult to remember he was annoyed with Nick at the moment. So did the delicious scent that wafted into the living room as Nick closed the door and strolled over to set a large paper bag on the table.

"What the hell is this?" David demanded.

"The Empress Palace doesn't deliver, but Jasmine Thai's is almost as good."

David stared at him.

Nick took his empty glass. "I'll get us refills and a couple of plates. Everything else we need should be in there," he nodded at the box before going into the kitchen, calling back over his shoulder. "There's chopsticks in the bag, yeah?"

David scowled after him, and willed himself not to start rooting through the wonderful-smelling sack.

"Chopsticks?" Nick asked when he returned, handing David a fresh vodka and seven.

"Do you mind?" David snapped.

"No, I'll find 'em," Nick sat back down on the sofa and began unpacking the bag.

"I'm being pissed off with you, here," David pointed out in case Nick had missed that fact.

"Okay," Nick said agreeably.

Oh, hell. Why did he even bother? "Did you get cashew chicken?" he asked.

"Of course."

David leaned in to see what else Nick had ordered, and as he did, he realized that most of the tension across his neck and shoulders had eased. He decided not to reflect on the reason for that because he knew he was liable to get all sappy. David hated it when anyone got sappy, but himself most of all and it was happening more and more often. Instead, he concentrated on filling his plate and the fact that Nick smelled great. Better than usual. Better than the food.

Glancing at the Texan, he finally registered what Nick was wearing--a pale blue linen shirt that David had never seen on him before. It was impeccably fitted, and with or without a jacket, Nick probably could have still strolled into the Empress Palace and turned every head in the place. Instead, Nick had called off dinner without a murmur and was sitting next to David--who was more conscious than ever of his faded jeans and ratty tee--and acting as though there was no where else he'd rather be.

David sighed. He was still only a step away from sappy.

"David?" Nick glanced at him.

"This stuff is just as good warmed up, right?" David took Nick's plate away and set it on the coffee table.

"Aren't you hungry?"

"Absolutely," David said, and kissed him.

Nick made a muffled sound of either surprise or amusement, David couldn't tell, and wrapped his arms around David's neck, returning the kiss enthusiastically.

David trailed his lips along the square jaw. "Nice shirt," he muttered, just before latching onto an earlobe and biting gently.

"Thanks." It came out as a gasp.

"I want it gone," David said as he reached for the buttons.

"You bet," Nick began undoing his cuffs while sucking industriously at David's neck.

Once he got the shirt opened, David decided there was really no need to rush. So instead, he slid the shirt part of the way off Nick's shoulders and began tracing the well-defined contours of Nick's neck and collarbones with his tongue.

"Yours, too," Nick panted.

"It's nice?" David mocked.

"It's in the way," Nick's laugh was breathless.

David stripped his t-shirt off quickly, then finished peeling Nick's from his arms and tossed them both toward the armchair. Capturing Nick's lips again, David slowly bore him back until they were lying on the sofa. Nick shifted, parting his legs slightly so their groins were pressed together, making David groan into his mouth.

This was something that was happening more and more often, as David gradually began to ease up on his "down to business" attitude toward sex. There was definitely something to be said, he'd discovered, for merely exchanging long, deep kisses and soft, soothing touches, especially when they were accompanied by those little sighs of pleasure Nick made.

David broke off the kiss and studied the relaxed features of the man beneath him. Nick opened his eyes when the kissing stopped, and smiled up at David, "Doing better?"

"To put it mildly," David brushed some of Nick's hair off his forehead, trying to think of a way to voice his gratitude. "I'll make it up to you. Dinner, I mean."

"Don't be ridiculous," Nick smoothed a hand up David's spine. "Make up what?"

Something about Nick's expression, the gentle smile on his lips, awakened tiny but vicious motes of anxiety in David's stomach. He tried to ignore them and forced a smile.

"David," Nick gave him a quizzical look. "It's been eight months. Don't you think we're part the point of who does what for whom?"

"Um." Nice. Very eloquent. Moron.

"C'mon, you think I care whether we eat out or not?" The dark eyes were liquid.

The little motes suddenly grew teeth.

"Where else would I be? I mean, David, if you haven't figured out by now how much I--"

"Don't."

Nick blinked.

David levered himself up and off Nick, meaning to move completely off the sofa, but only getting so far as to sit on the edge. "If that's what I think you're going to say--don't."

"Okay," Nick propped himself up on his elbows. "Okay, lousy timing today. I can see that."

That pretty much confirmed it, and the motes began gnawing. Rending his insides with millions of tiny, razor-sharp teeth. "Fuck." David dropped his head into his hands.

After several minutes of tense, horrible silence, Nick asked, "Do you want me to go?"

"No," David said instantly.

Nick sat up, leaning close, but not actually touching. "It's okay. I can see why this it a bad time for me to say it."

"Nick..." David felt hopelessness overwhelm him, and didn't even bother trying to muster a wry tone or sarcastic quip. "There's never going to be a good time for you to say it. Ever."

Much to David's surprise, he felt an arm sneak around his waist. "I'll take my chances," Nick murmured.

To David's amazement, their disastrous excuse for an anniversary dinner didn't seem to discourage Nick in the least. David was grateful, since he was no where near ready for this to end, but he was beginning to wonder about Nick's judgement. He made himself shrug that off so he could enjoy the reprieve while it lasted.

He didn't even let the phone call from his mother upset him as much as it normally would. He managed to keep his mouth shut while she went on about how wonderful everything was, but when she began waxing poetic about how everything was going to work out this time, David couldn't help himself--"Really? You and Dad finally decided to get professional help?" That effectively put an end to that conversation.

But it was a phone call from a very upset, almost tearful, Laurel that made David's day. Once he managed to get her to calm down enough so he could understand her, that is, because at first his heart had been in his throat to hear her in such a state. When he found out the reason for it had been a huge fight with their parents over her refusal to lend them any money he started laughing with relief, at which point Laurel stopped crying and started scolding. It took a solid hour, but he managed to convince her that she was doing the right thing and their parents would find a way to get by--they always had. Just for good measure, he reminded her she now had someone more important to think about, which he knew was probably the reason for her refusal in the first place.

When he hung up, David was so relieved he barely knew what to do with himself, but Nick, who had been sitting beside him during the entire conversation, was more than happy to make a few suggestions.

It was almost enough to make David think this thing might last out the year.

David had never been fond of take-out. He had an innate mistrust of places that were take-out only. If his food wasn't right, then there damn well better be someone to complain to about fixing it. Most of the time David cooked for himself, nothing fancy, but at least always done properly.

In the past several months, his take-out-to-home-cooked ratio had practically flipped itself. The choice between preparing a meal or wasting time on the sofa with Nick was really a no-brainer. The benefits definitely outweighed the drawbacks, but that didn't mean there weren't any drawbacks at all. David had most of them covered, though--a minor rearranging of financial priorities, a dozen more laps in the pool each time, and the weekly cleaning of take-out containers from his refrigerator. He might have to smell all sorts of disgusting things at work, but David was damned if it was going to happen when he opened his own fridge.

It was something David did when Nick worked a double or, like today, had to be in court. David was just reflecting that they always got carried away and ordered too much from Tosco's when his phone rang. He abandoned his chore and moved to answer it, he had been half-expecting Nick to call while waiting to testify.

"Hello?"

"Oh, good. You're there."

David frowned. It almost sounded like--"Greg?"

"Yeah. Can you meet us at Nick's? We're on our way there now."

"We?"

"I'm bringing Nick home."

David's stomach bottomed out, and he had to remind himself that Greg sounded concerned but not frantic. "What happened?"

"I'm not getting into it while I'm driving. Just meet us there, okay?"

David hung up and raced for his car, taking every back lane, illegal shortcut he'd learned about to get to Nick's. Calm down, you idiot. If it was anything really serious, Greg would have taken him to the hospital.

He tried to think of something that wasn't serious but would still leave Nick needing a ride home hours earlier than expected. Nothing came to mind. Hell, maybe Nick's court date was postponed and this is Sanders' bright idea of getting me over there. No. Nick would have called me. No way he would have agreed to a stupid idea like that.

By the time he pulled up, he only got a glimpse of Nick disappearing through his front door. Greg was still getting out of the Denali and hesitated a moment before following Nick in. David was right behind him.

"What the hell is going on?" he demanded, catching up with the rookie CSI next to the closed bathroom door.

"Nick?" Greg knocked briefly. "David's here. I'm gonna go pick up Sara and give her the casefile."

There was a muffled response that might have been agreement, and Greg turned to go.

"Wait a minute!" David followed Greg back to the door and grabbed his arm. His first instinct was to go to Nick, but he needed to know what was going on first. "What the hell happened?"

Looking very surprised, Greg carefully freed his arm. "Nick was getting ready to testify in his case. You know, that Wedding Chapel Wars retrial? And he, uh...it kinda got to him."

David quickly filtered through his memory. Chapels. Elvis. Alien. Alien found near Area 51, buried-- "Fuck," he spat, making Greg's eyes widen. "Why is he testifying in that case?"

"Well, he testified at the first trial, but--Sara asked if he wanted her to take it over, but he said it was fine."

A headache of needle-like intensity began just behind David's right eye. Utter stupidity always had that effect on him. "And no one saw anything wrong with that?"

"Nick said he was okay with--"

David growled with exasperation. "Didn't you say you were leaving?"

Greg looked uncertain, but nodded and left.

David stalked back to the bathroom. Probably in there puking his guts out. Serves him right. What the hell is he trying to do to himself?

Without knocking or saying a word, David opened the door. All the chastising, sarcastic remarks he'd had at the ready disappeared the moment he saw the figure on the other side.

Nick was braced over the sink on arms that trembled, his head drooping low. He looked as though he shouldn't even be standing.

David sighed inwardly. "Nick?"

"I thought I could do it," Nick's voice cracked slightly.

It was on the tip of David's tongue to ask why he thought he had to do it, but he didn't bother. In fact, David couldn't think of anything to say, and he wasn't exactly sure what he should do, either.

"Okay," he took Nick by the shoulders. "You'd better sit down before you fall down."

He guided Nick out of the bathroom, stopping long enough to help him off with his suit jacket and toss it over a nearby chair. Nick yanked on his tie with a small gasp, even though it had already been loosened.

"Your collar's still buttoned," David pointed out.

Nick fumbled unsuccessfully with the top button until David pushed his hands away and unfastened it for him. He practically fell onto the sofa, and David finally got a good look at his face as Nick let his head fall back, his eyes closed. His skin was a sickly white, his lashes were wet and his lips were parted and trembling slightly as he tried to get his hitching breaths under control. He was also fiddling with the cuffs of his shirt, so David sat down beside him and unbuttoned those, too. When he'd finished, Nick grabbed his wrist and held on.

David's first instinct was to pull Nick into his arms, but he wasn't sure that was a good idea when Nick was having trouble breathing.

"I can still taste dirt," Nick rasped, but didn't open his eyes.

"I'll get you some water," David offered. "Unless you want something stronger."

Nick's only response was to tighten his grip on David's wrist.

"Okay. Do you want to--" David sighed and decided to stop thinking quite so much. "Come here," he tugged on Nick's arm.

Nick practically collapsed against him, resting his head on David's shoulder and wrapping one arm around his waist. David could feel the shivers that still ran through him.

"Dammit," Nick whispered.

"It's okay."

"No, it's not," Nick insisted, a slight choke in his voice. "Now my credibility is shot."

He should have known he'd say the wrong thing, David thought with an internal sigh. "What happened?"

"I was going over my testimony with ADA Walden--"

"This is that fake alien case?"

"Yeah. I was...I did okay until I got to the part about the dirt found in the victim's throat and--" Nick's voice broke and he swallowed hard.

David had dozens of questions he wanted the answers to, but he wanted to reassure Nick first. Unfortunately, he still didn't have the hang of that. "You weren't on the stand? Then how can there be anything wrong with your credibility?"

"I meant with the ADA."

"Fuck the ADA."

"David--"

"What the hell is wrong with him, anyway?" David had to let some of his frustration out somewhere. "Why is he putting you on the stand for this case?"

"I told him I'd be fine," Nick said in a low voice. "I didn't--I haven't--I only had flashbacks the first few months, so..."

"Flashbacks?" David hadn't even realized how much he'd tightened his embrace until Nick shifted, and even then he only eased up slightly. Flashbacks were a whole separate category than nightmares and ten times worse as far as David was concerned.

"I could taste--" Nick gasped. "It got so hard to breathe so quickly...one second I could breathe, and the next I just..." his voice failed him completely at that point.

David didn't know if Nick was talking about his actual burial or ADA's office, but doubted it really mattered. Unable to think of a thing to say, threaded his fingers through the dark hair, knowing how much Nick liked him doing that.

It did seem to help, Nick pressed closer and his shuddering eased a little. "I'm not sure what--I was talking to Walden about the coroner's report, and then...the next thing I knew, Greg was there--I didn't even know he was at the courthouse today...he told Walden he'd call Sara to get there right away and hauled me out of there."

Wonderful. Now on top of everything else, he had to be grateful to Sanders.

"Nick," David knew he should leave it there, but this was driving him crazy. "Why were you testifying in this case at all?"

"This is a retrial, and I testified in the first one."

"And when was that?"

Nick was silent for several long seconds. "About a year ago."

David gritted his teeth, "And it didn't occur to anyone that something might have happened in the interim than made your testimony a bad idea this time around?"

"Don't, David. Please."

That was enough for David to drop it immediately, even though he knew this was going to bother him for weeks. He didn't know what else to do, but Nick seemed content to just sit in silence, so David was determined to do that as long as necessary.

It was nearly ten minutes before Nick spoke. "I'm not going to let it affect my job."

"For God's sake, Nick! How can you--? Have you lost your--? What could possibly--?" David shut up before he sounded even more like a blithering idiot.

"David, I'm trying to get past it."

"Past it, my ass. You never get anywhere near it," David said before he thought. He felt Nick stiffen, and suddenly wondered if he'd crossed one line too many. With the sudden vision of Nick getting up and walking out for good, he frantically began to backpedal. "I didn't mean that. I didn't say that--that is, forget I said it."

"David--"

"I know, okay? I know I have no right to--"

"Yeah, you do," Nick said quietly. "You have the right, but that doesn't mean you are right."

David was so relieved that he decided not to say anything else.

"I'm just trying to--I don't want people feeling sorry for me. I don't want them looking at me like I'm some sort of freak."

So much for staying quiet. "Nick, you work for the Bugman's Nerd Squad on the graveyard shift. You're surrounded by cops and still came out. You're dating me. Being buried alive is the least of your problems if you're worried about your rep."

Nick pulled away from David and sat up straight.

Idiot. When are you going to learn to keep your damn mouth shut? David could feel Nick's stare and forced himself to meet the dark eyes.

Nick looked as if there were several things he wanted to say. He even opened his mouth to speak a few times. Then, to David's everlasting astonishment, Nick leaned against his chest and started laughing.

David wasn't sure if it was safe to breathe yet. No one would laugh like that if they were furious, would they? Then he noticed the tinge of hysteria in Nick's laugh. It grew stronger as Nick slumped lower so that by the time Nick was practically lying in his lap, David couldn't tell whether he was laughing or crying. Uncertain what else to do, David kept one arm across Nick's upper back and let his other hand rest on the dark head.

Eventually, Nick quieted, then shifted so he was lying on his back, his head on David's thigh. A few tears lingered in his eyes and he blinked several times to clear them. Instead, they slid down his temples, making David's chest tighten painfully. Nick drew a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "Did you know you're the only person who calls it what it is?"

"I don't think denial is a good idea."

Nick gaped at him.

"For other people," David clarified.

To David's relief, Nick let out a watery laugh. He wiped a few tears from the side of Nick's face, and brushed the dark hair off his forehead. Nick closed his eyes and David could feel him beginning to relax.

"I don't want people to..." Nick stopped and sighed. "I don't know."

You have the right to say something, David told himself. He said you did. "I just don't see--you act like you're ashamed of it. And I don't see why you would be ashamed of surviving something most people couldn't."

Nick stilled again, then put his hand over the one David was resting on his chest. "I'm going to have to think about that one."

"Fair enough." David began combing through the silky hair with his fingers. "Because if you want something to be ashamed of, you've got plenty of other things to work with."

Nick looked torn between incredulity and indignation.

"Your taste in music, for one. Your inability to appreciate a good black and white horror film. The fact that you're 35 and still can't wrap a tortilla properly. Need I go on?"

"No," Nick was grinning now. "I get the idea."

David continued stroking Nick's hair, feeling his own tension beginning to dissipate and smiling as Nick's eyes drifted shut. He thought the CSI was falling asleep until Nick drew the hand he'd been holding up to his lips and kissed the palm.

"I love you," Nick murmured against his skin so that David felt as well as heard it.

"Nick--"

"Hey," Nick's voice was still soft and easy. "If I have to work on the denial thing, so do you."

David swallowed hard. "Fair enough," he said again.

"Hey, Dave."

"It's David." David didn't bother raising his head from the microscope.

"Haven't talked to you for a while."

Which was Bobby's way of trying to subtly get some sort of personal information from him. David saw no reason to make it easy. "We talk every day."

"I mean outside of work."

"We go out for breakfast with everyone twice a week." David had made a point of keeping that same schedule with his fellow techs, even though sometimes it was tempting to spend the time with Nick instead. He despised people who abandoned friends the moment they became involved and was determined to never be one of them.

"You aren't as talkative when we go out to breakfast."

David sighed. Bobby was so bad at this. David knew he could fence all day and never give the ballistics expert the slightest bit of information, but they both had work to do. "I'm not as talkative?" he asked, finally lifting his head. "As who? I talk as much as I always do. Not as talkative as Jacqui who lists everything that's wrong with her latest boyfriend? As Archie who gets practically giddy when he meets someone new? Or as Sanders who used to share way too much information about his dates? Not talkative like that?"

"Yeah," Bobby grinned unabashedly. "Like that."

"Bobby, when did you ever hear me go into detail about someone I was seeing?"

"This is different," Bobby protested. "This time it's someone we all know. And this is...what? Nine months, now? Ten?"

"Perhaps you've noted a correlation between the relationship's longevity and my refusal to discuss it."

Bobby made a reluctant noise of agreement.

"Besides, it's not like you share everything that's going on with you and Gideon."

"Please," Bobby rolled his eyes. "Not everyone wants to hear how the kitchen renovation is going. Or about Gideon's possible carpal tunnel. Or--" his voice hardened, getting David's attention. "That Gideon and I have bruises on the bottoms of our feet because we're constantly stepping on dozens of tiny plastic accessories."

David tried to keep his amusement to just a snicker, but couldn't. Although Teghan never actually asked him for anything--no doubt admonished not to by her fathers, David had remembered her showing him her two Bratz dolls and going on endlessly about them the last time he'd been over. He might have felt silly going into Toy R Us and buying six more dolls and a dozen outfits, but apparently it had been worth it. He'd had them delivered to Teghan and according to Bobby she'd been just as excited about that as seeing what was inside. If the toys were still making life difficult for the Nosey Parkers a few months later, well, that was just a bonus for him. "She hasn't gotten tired of them yet? That's nice to hear."

"I'll bet it is," Bobby tried to look stern, but couldn't quite pull it off. "There's little discombobulated feet all over the house."

David snorted and bent back over his scope.

"Don't you think it's about time you had dinner with us again?" Bobby didn't even bother hinting anymore. "With Nick, of course."

"Gideon wants to interrogate him, too?"

"Although for once, you should probably have us for dinner."

"Cannibalism is a crime in this country, I think," David said, and grinned at Bobby's exasperated sigh.

"Seriously."

"Seriously? Pick a restaurant and a day and I'll make the reservations," David hoped being agreeable would throw Bobby off.

He should have known it would only encourage the guy. "You mean you and Nick wouldn't have us over?"

"Anxious though you are to see all your friends in unbounded domesticity, Nick and I can't have anyone over, we don't live together."

"Haven't you two even talked about it?"

David straightened again, this time to glare at Bobby. "Do we have to have the whole 'professional boundaries' discussion again?"

Completely unrepentant, Bobby grinned at him. "You really should think about it. I'd like to see what effect it would have, because you've only been dating Nick for ten months, and you smile so much more."

That was the last straw. "Get the hell out of my lab."

Eyes twinkling, Bobby pushed open the door, "I mean it. Last week, Jacqui said she counted five or six times in one shift."

"Go," David racked up his glare.

Bobby left, and David glanced around covertly at the glass walls before letting his grin get away again.

David was really getting the hang of the whole relaxing thing.

The thought flitted hazily through Nick's mind as they came up for air. He nuzzled David's cheek briefly, then settled against him. It was one of Nick's favorite ways to waste a few hours. A long, slow make-out session broken up now and then by a review of their day or, more likely, one of those absurd, off-the-wall conversations David was fond of, all of which would eventually lead to sex. What kind of sex depended on--according to David--how provoking Nick had been. Nick had yet to find any relation between his behavior and how provoked David was, but the results were always enjoyable so he didn't worry about it too much.

Right now they were in the middle of one of those silences that could become quite long but were somehow never uncomfortable. Nick's shirt was almost completely unbuttoned so David could explore the warm skin inside while Nick had his hands under David's crew neck--one against his back and the other resting on his ribs.

David let out a brief sigh, one that alerted Nick that something was definitely on his mind. "What's the matter?"

"Bobby has been especially annoying the past couple of days."

"Aw, honey," Nick allowed his accent to thicken. "Tell me all about it."

"Stop that," David tugged sharply on a lock of dark hair, making Nick grin. "Or I'll throw you to the wolves--well, wolf."

"Wolf?"

"Gideon. Bobby's been making a pain of himself hinting around for us to have dinner with them."

"And you don't want to because..?"

"Because I'm a nice guy and I'm trying to spare you the Riggs Inquisition."

There were so many possible ways to reply that Nick didn't know which one to choose. He still wasn't sure whether David was truly bothered or merely irritated with the situation, so he decided to keep any smart remarks to himself for now. "Could it really be that bad? I mean, would it seriously bother you?"

"Of course it would. Gideon is going to be so...smug about the whole thing."

"And you have the market cornered on smug?" Nick asked innocently.

"Which will be twice as annoying," David continued, ignoring Nick's question. "Because he always claimed it wasn't a good idea."

"Well, then he was wrong and you were right," Nick pointed out. "Doesn't that mean you get to be smug?" He struggled to keep a straight face because David's expression said he didn't know whether Nick was serious or kidding, and it wasn't often he could turn the tables on the chemist.

True to form, David decided to change the subject. "And if that wasn't enough, Bobby wants us to have them over for dinner. That's what he said when I told him I'd make reservations somewhere, anyway."

Nick frowned, but was glad he understood where David was coming from in this case. "Have them over where?"

"Thank you," David sounded relieved. "When I pointed that out to him, he started in on the subject of...moving in."

"Shacking up?" Nick teased with a grin. David made it sound like such a foreign concept. Then the techs' abilities to turn up all sorts of information occurred to him and he started laughing, "Maybe Bobby found out that my lease is up in a few months."

Much to Nick's dismay, something that he'd meant to be a joke suddenly...wasn't.

"Huh," was all David said.

You have such a big mouth. Now he'll think you're pushing to move in together. That wasn't what Nick wanted--at least he didn't think so. The idea was only seconds old. He didn't know if ten months was too soon to consider moving in together--he'd never been near this point in any other relationship. The notion was almost immediately appealing, but somewhat daunting and Nick knew that now that it had occurred to him, it wouldn't be going away anytime soon. The last thing he wanted, though, was for David to think he expected anything, so this was the time to come up with something else to say. "There's no reason to--"

"Hypothetically--" David began at the same time.

Nick stopped. David's "hypotheticallys" were pretty much his way of announcing it was time for a bizarre, brain-twisting discussion on a subject he'd pulled from left field. If David wanted to blatantly change the subject, Nick was glad to let him. "Hypothetically..?" he prompted.

"When would you have to notify your landlord if you were--hypothetically--not going to renew your lease?"

Whoa. The lazy afternoon suddenly became much more interesting. "Why wouldn't I want to renew--hypothetically?"

"Let's assume--just assume--that some asked you to share their residence."

"Well," Nick willed his heart to go back to a steady rhythm. "I'm obligated to give a month's notice, but I'd like to give two. Assuming I wasn't going to renew."

"So...hypothetically it is something you would do?"

"Hypothetically...I just might."

"That's interesting to know," David said, and put a stop to any other conversation by kissing him.

Nick laughed softly against David's lips before returning the kiss, because it was just like David to simply leave it there. He wasn't surprised, either, when David's lips left his to trail down his jaw to his throat. Whenever talking became uncomfortable, David always prefered to switch to sex for a while, and Nick never had a problem with that.

Was David actually considering moving in? If Bobby had tossed the idea at him at work, he would have had much more time to think about it. His question made it sound like something he was amenable to, but knowing David, he could have phrased them that way to deliberately throw Nick off. About something so serious, though, Nick didn't think he would. Still, David was private about so many things that Nick couldn't imagine the chemist wanting to share his space--even with someone as close as they had become. Of course, living with David might be the only way Nick would ever learn everything else about him and David had to know that would happen if they moved in together and maybe the hypothetical was his way of--when the hell had David managed to get his jeans off?

Nick abruptly forgot about living arrangements when David began doing that horribly wonderful thing he did, kissing and licking nearly every inch of skin from Nick's knees to his chest except his cock which was straining upwards, leaking a steady stream of precum. Finally, David gripped the shaft with one hand and let the fingers of his other brush the hypersensitive head, making Nick buck his hips with a breathless curse. Slowly, slowly, that one hand moved teasingly down Nick's cock, gently grazed his balls and began working underneath and between until the slicked finger were nudging the tight opening.

Lying on David's couch with his ass hanging off the edge, some part of Nick said he should feel ridiculous, but the rest of him just felt impatient. "No no no..." he drew his legs up instinctively to give David better access. "Dammit, stop taking all day..."

"Let's not get bossy," David chided, dipping his head to bite Nick's thigh gently while sliding one finger inside.

"David..!" Nick growled.

"Hmm?" David sounded as if he was reading the newspaper instead of adding a second long finger and zeroing in on a tiny bundle of nerves.

"Oh, god!" Having nowhere to move, Nick clutched desperately at the sofa cushions.

"Easy, Nick," David murmured, and a third finger sent sparks zinging insanely through every nerve in Nick's body.

Nick knew David was saying something else, but didn't really care. It sounded like something about wanting to make sure Nick was ready because the only lube was on the condom unless Nick wanted him to go looking for some. Nick did not want him to go looking for some and managed to get his point across loudly, if somewhat incoherently, grasping blindly for David's shoulders as he did so.

David removed his fingers and Nick let out a choked sound that quickly turned into a moan when David entered him. There wasn't quite enough lube to make the entry painless, but Nick reveled in the burning sensation that was washed away by waves of pleasure as David quickly found the perfect angle. After a few thrusts he withdrew, making Nick blink in confusion until David began maneuvering him back onto the sofa. Nick shifted accordingly and pulled his legs up to his chest again so David didn't need to waste any time repositioning himself and thrusting back inside.

This was definitely better, Nick thought crazily, because he was able to wrap his legs around David's waist and press his heels against David's buttocks as they flexed in time to the vigorous pace. Nick had no idea what he was saying anymore--when he was saying anything. Sometimes there were words, sometimes there were moans, and sometimes David's mouth on his made sound impossible. Nick was so engrossed in pleasure that he barely felt his climax coming until he was splashing semen between their bodies and saying more of God only knew what while David thrust hard into him one last time, jerking frantically.

David collapsed on top of him, and Nick stopped clutching at his sides, wrapping his arms around the lean torso to smooth along the sweaty back instead. He closed his eyes, loving the sensation of David's breath against his neck while they both sought to regain their equilibrium.

Once his breathing had evened out, David lifted his head from the crook of Nick's neck. "So hypothetically, you might."

Nick laughed, any unease about the question disappearing in amusement at the way David picked up the thread of conversation as though nothing had happened in the meantime. "Right."

He could practically feel David gathering himself for something. "What about non-hypothetically? Would you consider living here with me?"

"Yeah..." Nick said slowly, but as soon as he did, he knew it was just what he wanted. What they both wanted. "In a heartbeat."

David sighed and pressed his face against Nick's neck again. After a few moments of silence, he let out a dread-filled, "Oh, no," which made Nick's heartbeat trip slightly.

"What?"

"If Dawson finds out he had anything to do with this, he's going to be intolerable."

David hadn't had any 'next day' regrets since early on in the relationship, but now he was wondering if the spur-of-the-moment decision was right one. He was not inclined to such impulsiveness and Nick, although more spontaneous, wasn't the sort to do it, either. It only took a few days for David to conclude that this impulsive decision was probably one of the best he'd ever made. Nick was so happy, so eager, so cheerfully confident about the whole thing that David found himself looking forward to the unknown for the first time since--Berkeley? Really?

That was actually really sad.

One of the few things he and Nick had in common was their attention to personal finances. As a result, they had dealt with all the details about leases and utilities and addresses by the end of the first month, even though there were three months before Nick's lease ended. That left two months for them to get Nick moved in--the rearranging of belongings and some necessary compromise went much more smoothly than David expected--and to tell their friends and family.

Laurel was the first person to learn of it, because David called her the next day--although certainly not in the panicked state that she later claimed. She'd been ecstatic for him and promised to visit after the baby came in order to disrupt their blissful domesticity. David didn't want to tell his parents, fearing they might see Nick as a potential source of money, and Laurel agreed on that point.

As for Nick's parents--David never pushed too hard to find out what was going on there. He'd met them during Nick's abduction--sort of. He had said "excuse me" to the Judge and slunk past him in the hallway on his way to the garage when Warrick brought in the prototype. The man had, frankly, scared the hell out of him, and David still wasn't entirely sure why.

Nick didn't seem worried even though he had only come out to his family in the past year, after the trauma of being underground. David had to admit his logic in the situation had been pretty good. While home in Texas with his whole family was there telling him how glad they were he was all right, he simply dropped the news. According to him, the family situation was "sixty-fourty" and since he seemed fine with that, David was happy to go along.

At work, there were a few raised eyebrows, more of disbelief than disapproval. Bobby was disgustingly smug about the whole thing and only his access to firearms prevented David from inflicting his full annoyance on the man. Ecklie called them in to lay out the rules about being aware of and accounting for possible conflicts of interest, which usually meant having a third party involved as a witness when handling evidence from a highly sensitive case. It was something they'd already been taking into consideration and had been dealing with for months, so there were no major changes to be made in that area. Their friends were happy for them, and that was all they had really been worried about.

Overall, it was proving to be a surprisingly smooth transition and things were going astonishingly well.

David forgot to expect the worst, so it was really his own fault when he was blind sided.

It was the same as most days had been for the past six weeks. David went home after work while Nick went to his old place to pick up a couple of boxes before heading for David's. Nick was figuring that when the final moving day came, it would only take a trip or two with his truck. David wasn't sure he agreed with that, but then, he didn't care how many trips it took.

Today, Nick walked in carrying two boxes that were fairly heavy for their size, if Nick's flexed arms were anything to go by. David had a sinking feeling he knew what was in those boxes. He took the top box and looked inside, relieved to see only CDs. He nodded to the box Nick was still holding, "I thought you got them all last week."

"I missed some. There's this and another box. That's it. Honest." Nick gave him an apologetic grin. "I'll just leave these in the guest room for now, yeah?"

"Yeah," David said. "Until we get the library wing built." The scary thing was that it wasn't that much of an exaggeration. They probably could use a third room just for books once Nick added his to David's. "I'll find a place for these," he added, indicating the CDs.

"Not the garbage," Nick warned good-naturedly as he headed for the guest room. "That was only funny once. Barely."

David snorted, then set the box down when the phone rang. "Hello?"

"David, it's your mother."

He remembered word for word what his mother said next, but after that things got a little fuzzy. David wasn't sure what else he said, but he had the impression that he'd somehow gotten the promise for Laurel to phone him the next day. Amidst a distracting buzz, odd thoughts flitted past. Should he even feel like this? This was overreacting, right? Should the news make his throat close and his heart clench so painfully?

Then the buzzing stopped abruptly when the cordless was taken from his hand.

"David?" Nick's voice was soft, cautious. "Who was it?"

Nick was standing right in front of him. So close that David knew all he had to do was lift his arms to embrace and be embraced in return. He couldn't. All he could do was make himself lean forward ever so slightly.

It was enough.

Nick's arms came up to wrap around him immediately. David still couldn't return the embrace. Instead, he let his head drop until it was resting on Nick's shoulder.

"David, please," Nick whispered. "Just tell me what's going on."

Nick sounded a bit scared. That wasn't right. David knew he was making too big a deal about this. He'd had no idea it was so important to him. So important that his throat was somehow suddenly raw and tight and it was difficult to force the words out. "Laurel lost her baby."

The arms around him tightened, then one of Nick's hand reached up to cradle his head.

David leaned heavily against the warm, sturdy body, thinking about how devastated Laurel must be, with only their parents there for comfort. But she had some good friends in Cincinnati, so hopefully some of them would be nearby. Although Laurel always felt that a child should have two parents, after more than twenty years had passed without finding anyone, she'd felt she couldn't wait any longer. At her age, it might have been her only chance. It had been risky, but Laurel had relaxed after the first trimester and when she wasn't asking David about Nick, she'd be telling him about her plans or running baby names past him. She'd stood up to their parents--the first time in her life she'd ever done it--for this baby and now it was over.

"David," Nick murmured. "I'm not going to ask you to talk about it until you're ready. But let's go sit on the sofa or lie down on the bed, okay? Just tell me which you'd rather do."

Once David registered Nick's words, he realized he was exhausted. That was rather disturbing, because he hadn't even been tired twenty minutes before. "Bed."

"Okay," Nick guided him toward the bedroom.

As he allowed Nick to remove the button down he usually wore over a t-shirt, it occurred to him that something didn't seem right about this. "This is..." he stopped when Nick looked at him intently. "Um...I'm overreacting to--I don't think it should be affecting me this much, should it?"

"I don't think you get to decide how much you feel about this," Nick's lips ghosted over his forehead. "C'mon and lie down, all right?"

David stretched out on the bed, hands clasped over his stomach, staring at the ceiling fan. He didn't move when Nick settled beside him, didn't even look at him. Nick didn't seem to mind, he slid one arm under David's shoulders and draped the other around his waist as though David's behavior were completely natural. David could feel Nick's chin on his shoulder, Nick's soft breath on his neck, but the Texan didn't say a word, even though David knew he had to have questions.

Finally, in a raspy voice he barely recognized as his own, David began to talk.

He told Nick about how much Laurel had wanted this baby. About how scared he was that she might just give up now. That he didn't trust his parents to do what was best for Laurel and not just take advantage and how that made him sick to his stomach with anger and worry. Worry that Laurel would just give and give whatever their parents asked and allow them to bankrupt her a second time. He explained to Nick that these past six years had been the longest his parents had ever been separated and that he'd thought that it had finally been for the last time. Laurel, though, had always hoped they would finally reunite and stay together and David knew she was probably convinced this reunion was it and she would do whatever they asked to help them with the new start. And she shouldn't have to do that when she'd already done it so many times before.

Eventually, he was just rambling and saying the same things over and over until he ran out of words and voice and fell silent again. At some point he'd turned onto his side and wound his arms around Nick, while Nick's hand had slid under his t-shirt to stroke his back, warm and soothing.

"Do you think she'll come out here if you ask her?"

David felt the tiniest of smiles come and go. That was exactly what his whole spiel boiled down to, wasn't it? He wanted Laurel somewhere their parents weren't likely to follow. Somewhere that even if they did, there would be someone nearby to keep them from taking advantage. That it even had to be done left a bitter taste in his mouth. That Laurel might just stay where she was added a sharp tang of fear. "I don't know," he said with difficulty. "She's self-employed, so that's not the trouble. And I'm sure if I could get her out here to stay for a while...she's had standing offers in New Mexico for years. She could make a good living there--better than Ohio, if she could just--"

"Put some distance between herself and your parents."

"Yeah," David sighed and closed his eyes. "Maybe if I buy the ticket, she'll feel obligated to use it."

"Let me do it," Nick said.

David wasn't sure he'd heard correctly, "What?"

"Let me get the ticket for her."

Surely Nick didn't think all this talk about his parents somehow meant he was looking for money? "Nick--"

"What if I told her I wanted to fly her out here as a housewarming present for you? She'd say yes to that, wouldn't she?"

"That's...she'd figure it out."

"But she'd say yes."

David's chest began to unclench a bit. "She probably would."

"Okay."

David finally focused on his surroundings again, more specifically, Nick's face on the pillow so close to his own. Nick was watching him with concern, but smiled when David met his eyes. "I'll...uh..." David cleared his throat in an attempt to get rid of the raspiness. "Just let me know how much the ticket is and--"

"No," Nick said quickly.

"But it's--"

"Let me take care of this, David," Nick brushed his lips against David's.

"Why?" David couldn't help asking, although he already had a good idea what Nick was going to say.

"Gotta suck up to the big sister," Nick smiled, eyes crinkling.

That wasn't what David expected to hear, but he couldn't help smiling in return. "That's a lot of sucking up."

"Well, keep in mind that at some point you'll have to do the same. Times five."

David didn't think it was a good idea to ponder that for too long. "Okay," he said. As if you were ever going to say no to him.

"Thank you," Nick said, kissing him again.

Only Nick would thank him for something like this. There was only one way David could show him how much in meant. "I love you."

Again, he didn't get the reaction he expected. A kiss, maybe misty eyes, a smile at least, but not those dark eyes staring into his, intent and serious. "I love you, too," Nick said.

"I know," David said easily.

That got him the smile, the glowing eyes, the kiss. "I'm glad."

End