Title: Forwards into the past
By: Valerie
Rating: FRAO
Pairing: Nick/Gil, Ecklie/Vartaan
Beta: Antoinette
Note: sequal to Discoveries at the Lounge.

---

*Canada, Present time*

"Are you going to tell me how Conrad and Alex got together? You said that the history behind the blue moon lounge was a long one, and right now we have all the time in the world."

Nick smiled at his lover's question and snuggled closer. Gil was warm and solid against the storm outside and for a moment, Nick was silent as he listened to the wind. They were in a cottage in the middle of nowhere in the North of Canada where they spent their first holiday together. Officially Nick was in New York visiting a friend while Grissom was in Europe, but in truth they had spent the last days together in the forests of the Rocky Mountains. They had driven to the cottage two days ago and would spend another three nights here. Nick loved the wooden interior while Grissom had taken one look at the king sized bed with the large bedposts and had smiled. Nick had seen the smile and had felt a shudder running through him as Gil's eyes had raked over his body.

Now two days later they were lying on the bed sated and happy after a long session. Nick felt as if he never wanted to move from his spot, but his partner's question had been insistent and with a yawn Nick gave into Gil's curiosity.

"They met when Alex was still in LA and Ecklie had just taken over the dayshift. It was before my time. There was a case which had connections to LA and Conrad went there to liaise with the PD there..."

---

*Los Angeles 10 years ago*

"Captain Elroy, I'm Conrad Ecklie. We talked on the phone." Conrad looked at the heavy set man and mentally sighed. Captain Elroy had been less than helpful on the phone and he clearly didn't want Ecklie here. Still the murderer of Candy Jones was in LA right now and Conrad had no intention of simply giving up and letting the man slip through his fingers.

"Ecklie, eh? Yeah, as I told you, no need for you to come here. Why's a CSI coming here anyway? Well, not my decision is it?" Elroy made no secret of his contempt as he kept on mumbling insults and Ecklie realized that someone in Vegas had pulled rank over Elroy in order to let Ecklie participate. He sighed again but before he could make an attempt to salvage part of their relationship, the Captain turned away from him. "Vartaan? Come over here!"

Elroy's voice and behavior was that of a school yard bully and Conrad had to restrain himself to keep silent. His silence was unexpectedly rewarded when a young, slim officer walked towards him and Elroy. Dark haired, blue eyes, slim and slightly younger than Conrad, the man was stunningly attractive making Conrad tense for a moment before he relaxed deliberately.

"That's Conrad Ecklie from Vegas, he needs some info about Reading." Elroy didn't even wait for the officer to nod, nor did he introduce him, instead he walked away with a last sneering look at Conrad.

"Friendly chap, isn't he?" Conrad smiled at the officer's words and nodded.

"Sorry to disturb you, I hope I didn't pull you from something important." Conrad meant the words honestly, but the officer smiled and shook his head before offering his hand. "Don't worry about it. I'm Alex Vartaan by the way, feel free to call me either Alex or Vartaan, I'm listening to both."

Conrad felt something stir inside him, but he pushed it aside and asked Alex to brief him about Reading. Alex quickly took him through the evidence they had collected after Ecklie's phone call and added some of his own knowledge about the criminal. Ecklie was impressed by the other man's thoroughness and attention to detail. Listening to Vartaan felt a lot like listening to one of his team and the fact that a cop had such a deep understanding of the importance of evidence surprised him.

"You should be with CSI, you know that?" Vartaan's eyes clouded over for a moment, and silence reigned uncomfortably between them for a moment until Vartaan shrugged casually. "I once thought about it, but that's a while ago..."

The words were both matter of fact and slightly bitter and they intrigued Conrad. He had only met Alex Vartaan a couple of minutes ago, but already he felt an attraction for the other man that surprised him. Some part of Conrad wanted to know the story behind Vartaan's decision to remain a cop, but the other saner part of his brain prevented him from speaking by pointing out that it wasn't Conrad's business.

"You want to go pay Reading a visit?" Conrad nodded and soon enough they were in the car driving along the busy streets of LA towards their suspect's house. Conrad couldn't help but watching Vartaan silently, trying to figure out why the other man affected him so much.

"Is there something wrong with my shirt?" The brusque question took Conrad by surprise and he realized that he had just been caught staring. He fought the urge to blush and shrugged. "Sorry, I guess I got lost in thoughts."

He wondered whether Vartaan would call his bluff, but the other man seemed to accept the evasion and didn't question Conrad any further. Again they drove in silence and with a start Conrad suddenly realized that he had been flirting with Vartaan. He swallowed hard and told himself to get a hold on his emotions. He never ever mixed business and pleasure.

Don't play where you make your money. It was Conrad's cardinal rule and he had never broken it. He wouldn't start now.

---

Alex Vartaan had rarely ever met anyone as intriguing or intimidating as Conrad Ecklie. The CSI had an aura of power around himself and the presence of that power made Alex shiver inside. He had watched from the sideline as Ecklie had questioned Reading, had watched Ecklie play with the suspect until Reading had been cornered and caught. Ecklie had pounced as soon as Reading had revealed a crack in his mask, had exploited every weakness he had sensed in the suspect. Alex had watched and had trembled as he had asked himself if Ecklie used that power in another setting too.

Now he was in his flat and instead of feeling relieved that they had caught a killer, Alex was restless. His body seemed to have a mind of his own and his mind eagerly helped the body along by showing him fantasies of Ecklie standing in a room, looking at Alex with hard eyes while he ordered Alex to strip. Alex sighed as he turned around once more and finally got out of bed.

He knew what he needed, but as always he feared it as much as he craved it. He hesitated for a second, and then he dressed, grabbed his keys and walked outside. He hadn't been in the club for a while, and he had no idea whether one of his usual partners would be there, but at the same time he also knew that it wouldn't matter who'd be his master tonight because in front of his eyes he'd see only one person, Conrad Ecklie.

---

The case was closed and Thomas Reading was already on his way to Vegas where he would stand trial for the murder of Candy Jones. There was no reason for Conrad to stay in LA and yet, it was Friday and he had decided to spend the weekend. It was almost like a mini holiday for him, only that it was more. It was a chance to be himself for two days and with that thought in mind, Conrad dressed carefully in black jeans and a white shirt wearing no undershirt and leaving the top two buttons unbuttoned. He had gotten an address from a friend and as he leaned back in the cab, he felt himself relax slowly.

---

Alex had arrived later than usual and none of his normal partners were around. He was too edgy, too weathered to be a desirable sub for most of the clientele in the club and as he looked around once more he wondered whether he should call it a night. He knew most of the customers by sight and knew that they were looking for young, pretty boys with large innocent eyes and not someone whose eyes had a too cynical look and whose body was possibly stronger than theirs.

Sighing, he leaned back against the bar when his eyes fell on a dark alcove. He couldn't see the man sitting there clearly, but he was almost sure that he had never seen him before. There was something familiar about the man and Alex tensed in anticipation. The build and height of the stranger were achingly similar to the man in Alex's fantasies, but it was not possible that this really was Conrad Ecklie, was it? Alex' breath caught as the man moved slowly and turned towards the light. Heat suddenly flooded his body and yet at the same time he was terrified. It was Conrad Ecklie.

Alex couldn't move and like watching a train wreck happening he waited as Ecklie's eyes swept through the club and finally landed on him. For a moment time seemed to stand still as they eyes met and held until Ecklie smiled slowly and crooked his finger signaling Alex to come over. It was decision time, Alex realized, he could ignore Ecklie and the other man would never mention their encounter again. They would work together should the LAPD ever have another case with Vegas and they would remain colleagues. For a moment it sounded tempting, but Alex knew that it was his fear that was telling him to leave and not his heart.

His heart and his body told him that he had come here because of the very man who'd just indicated his interest and that Alex was an idiot if he let such an offer slide. For a second, Alex averted his eyes and looked at the drink in his hands and then his mind made up, he pushed himself away from the bar and walked towards Conrad Ecklie.

---

Seeing Alex Vartaan in the club had been a shock, Conrad didn't deny that. But once the shock had passed, he had looked closer at the younger man. Was Vartaan a sub or a dom? Normally Ecklie was able to tell immediately, but this time his assessment of the other man was blurred by what he knew about him. Of course cops weren't dominant by default and Conrad knew enough strong and powerful men that craved to let go of exactly that power in a relationship, but Vartaan hadn't given him any clues.

Conrad kept observing Vartaan covertly and saw how one of the club's patrons walked up to him. The stranger gripped Vartaan's arm hard and Conrad saw how Vartaan tensed and shook his head. The other man said something to Vartaan and Conrad saw how he sneered at the cop before he left. Only then Conrad realized how he had instinctively tensed in anticipation and with a rueful smile he understood that he had been ready to defend Vartaan. Shaking his head at himself, Conrad watched as Vartaan turned and noticed him. It took a second and then their eyes met and even in the dim light of the club, Conrad saw the moment when Vartaan recognized him. The blue eyes widened and yet he didn't look away and making a quick decision, Conrad waved Vartaan over.

It was the deciding moment, he thought, the moment that showed where the true power in a real dom / sub relationship was. Conrad had offered, but it was Vartaan who could decide on whether or not he wanted to join him. Conrad both hated and loved those moments of waiting. He hated them because he didn't like to be in a position where he had to ask and yet he loved the anticipation, the thrill that came whenever an offer was accepted. Seconds trickled by while their eyes were still locked and then Vartaan got up and walked towards Conrad.

---

*Canada, Present time*

Grissom had tied Nick to the bed and slowly caressed every inch of the beloved body. He loved having Nick at his mercy, loved seeing Nick like this spread out before him, deep in subspace wanton and vulnerable at the same time. Grissom knew that right now he was the only person that mattered in Nick's universe and sometimes the trust that Nick put in him made him speechless. Looking at this lover Grissom swallowed hard as he calmed the trembling body with gentle caresses. "I love you, Nicky, love you so much."

Nick was past coherent speech, but he arched into Grissom's touch and screamed as his lover caressed his bound cock. Grissom admired his partner's beauty once more before he removed the cock ring with his left hand. "Come for me."

Nick's body shook as he fell apart and streams of cum flowed over Grissom's hand. He licked the hand clean, savoring his lover's taste and then looking at the shaken man he smiled. "Ready for round two?"

---

Nick was floating on a sea of pleasure his body was sated and yet he was still aching for more, his mind shut down to the most basic functions and all he could think of was belonging to Grissom. Grissom was the one who had the power to arouse him beyond imagination, to give him pleasure, but he was also the one who knew when Nick needed the pain and the hurt as much as the pleasure.

Grissom was the first of Nick's partners who understood that Nick craved both pain and pleasure. For a long time Nick had been looking for someone and had gotten his relief with strangers, but when Conrad had matched him with Grissom, Nick had found what he had been looking for. He loved Grissom and he knew that this love was returned.

"Round two?" He barely managed to speak and Grissom's smile told him that he had more moaned than spoken. It didn't matter though, because Grissom would tell him if he wasn't pleased and as long as Grissom smiled as he did right now, Nick didn't care how he sounded.

Gentle hands caressed his nipples and despite having come only minutes ago, Nick felt a twinge of arousal through him. The fingers that played with his nipples were joined by teeth and Nick moaned at the dual stimulation when Grissom bit down hard on one nub. The immediate sharp pain made Nick jerk in his bonds and he kept twisting his body as the other nipple was treated similarly.

"Gil, please... " He whispered his lover's name like a prayer and his unvoiced desire got answered when he felt a slick finger at his entrance. He relaxed almost immediately into the familiar and craved touch. Grissom whispered love words against his skin and Nick moaned again as his lover thrust into his body in one smooth move.

"You're beautiful, my love." The words flowed through Nick like potent wine and he reacted to each movement with whimpers and moans as Grissom aroused him again despite his shattering orgasm only minutes ago. Grissom's hand's searched for his abused nipple and twisted it sharply. Nick jerked helplessly against the thrust against his prostate and the pain from his chest. Grissom looked at him with both love and possessiveness and Nick felt his head swim.

"Come for me, show me who you belong to." Nick couldn't not obey and with a cry of pain and pleasure he exploded and was only dimly aware of Grissom following him over the edge.

When the world stopped turning, Nick slowly came back to reality and immediately turned towards Grissom's body seeking comfort and warmth. Grissom held him close and calmed him with tender gestures and words until he knew that Nick was back into normal head space. They lay close together and one of Nick's last thoughts was that he couldn't thank Ecklie enough for setting him up with Grissom.

---

*Los Angeles 10 years ago*

"Alex," Vartaan swallowed hard as Ecklie addressed him in a dark, somber voice. He knew that there was only one possible answer and he nodded slowly before he met Ecklie's eyes. "Sir."

A quick smile crossed Ecklie's face before he turned serious and nodded at the seat opposite him. "Let's talk first."

Alex sat down quietly while he waited for Ecklie to start talking. The other man studied him for a long time, then out of the blue he grabbed his hand and circled his wrist. The pressure of those strong fingers around his wrist made Alex' head swim, but before he could fall too deeply, Ecklie let him go again.

"What are your don'ts? What are your preferences? And what do you expect from a master?"

He had been asked this so many times and yet this time it seemed somehow as if the words had a deeper meaning. Alex swallowed hard and thought for a second before he answered slowly. "I don't do blood or breath play and I'm not into water sports or anything with excrement. When I'm playing I want to give up control, I want to know that someone is in control of me. How the master achieves it, doesn't matter although I like to be tied."

Alex winced at the words feeling that they made him sound like a slut. Ecklie however gave no sign as to whether or not he was bothered by what Alex had told him. Instead he looked deeply into Alex' eyes before he smiled. "Why did you come over?"

Surprised by the question, Alex answered without thinking. "Because I've been attracted to you from the start."

Ecklie smiled slowly and put his hand on top of Alex' in a possessive gesture. Alex swallowed at the butterflies in his stomach as Ecklie pressed his hand down harder. "I won't need to tie you down to make you lose control, do I? You will do anything I say, simply because I say so, won't you? You want to please me..."

Alex swallowed as he felt his world tilt slightly at the words, felt how his head started to swim and this time he didn't stop it. He let himself fall into a light sub-space and felt a rush of warmth run through him as Ecklie's grip on his hand intensified. The other man's cold blue eyes watched him fall and Alex suddenly felt vulnerable. A shiver ran through him at the unusual sensation, but before the emotion could get a hold on him, soft hands encircled his wrists.

"Let yourself fall, you want it, don't you? Fall for me." Ecklie's voice was almost hypnotic and with a sigh, Alex let go of the last bit of anxiety. He swayed in his seat and Ecklie quickly moved over and held him for a moment. Alex felt his perception alter as he melted into those strong arms, felt how nothing mattered right now apart from the man holding him and the need to please this man.

"Follow me." Alex didn't ask where they would go, he simply followed Ecklie. He had known that the club offered rooms to special members, but he hadn't thought that Ecklie knew about them too. The other man led him through a corridor and into one of the rooms. The sound of the door closing behind him was loud and seemed to echo in Alex' ears as he waited for Ecklie to turn around.

"What's your safe-word?" Alex tensed for a moment, then he smiled and shrugged mentally. "Black Sox."

Ecklie smiled slightly, then nodded and stepped back. "Strip."

The one word command was enough to send Alex back into head space and as he started to open his shirt, he felt nothing but anticipation and desire. Slowly he undressed and stood naked with his hands behind his back in front of Ecklie.

The other man nodded slowly before he stepped closer and caressed Alex's neck and shoulders. His hands were sure and confident as they moved along Alex' arms and down to his wrists. Alex moaned as his hands were lifted over his head and secured in the cuffs that were hanging from the ceiling.

---

Conrad could see the moment Alex let himself fall completely as soon as the cuffs were around his hands and as always the moment affected him deeply. To see a sub decide to completely trust him was a gift that Conrad treasured immensely. It was different though today, it went deeper stronger and the wealth of feelings that assaulted him shook Conrad to his core.

He swallowed hard and looked at the beautiful man in front of him. Alex trusted him to take care of him and Conrad could not afford to disappoint him.

"I won't use much pain today."

Alex shivered lightly at those words and he smiled. Conrad chose a cockring, but after a moment of hesitation he put it back and picked a soft leather string instead. He always felt that it was more intimate to bind a sub himself than to use a ring and going down on his knees in front of Alex he methodically tied the leather string around Alex' balls and cock.

A low moan escaped Alex and Conrad smiled. "You don't have to be silent. I want to hear you."

He tied Alex's feet to the floor and then reached for a paddle before he put it away. He didn't want to use any toys today, he wanted Alex to feel his own hand just as he had wanted him to feel his hands when he had bound him. The strange desire surprised Conrad for a moment, but with a shrug he stepped back and grabbed a pair of nipple clamps. Almost absently he played with Alex' nipples and leaned down to suck them into hardness. With a swift gesture he put the clamps on and Alex moaned in a mixture of pain and pleasure.

"Yes, beautiful, I want to hear you. I want to know it's me making you moan." Alex whimpered as Conrad threaded a chain between the two clamps and softly pulled.

Conrad walked away and looked at his new sub. A shiver ran through him at the sight of Alex bound and yet proud standing straight not stretched too much, but just enough. His cock was already leaking against the dark leather and his nipples where adorned by golden clamps.

"You look beautiful."

Alex shivered again and Conrad smiled before he walked over and softly ran a caressing hand over Alex's back. "Do you like being spanked?"

A jerk ran through Alex and Conrad chuckled. "There is nothing that takes your control away like being spanked by your master isn't there? And there's nothing more arousing and yet humiliating than being spanked by your master's bare hand."

Alex's entire body was trembling by now and Conrad frowned for a moment, before he pulled Alex' head back and made him look into his eyes. There was a hunger and yet a submission in the blue eyes that calmed him and at the same time aroused him. "Twenty slaps with my hand. I want you to count."

"Yes sir." Conrad removed his shirt and positioned himself. Waiting another moment he watched how Alex relaxed slightly and then delivered his first blow.

"One," Alex's voice wavered but Conrad heard only pleasure and enhancing the force behind his blows he delivered the remaining nineteen in a fast succession.

"Twenty" By the last blow Alex trembled almost uncontrollably and his entire body seemed to strain both away and towards Conrad's hands. Gently Conrad wiped one tear from Alex' cheek and kissed him on his lips.

"You did very good."

He leaned down and opened the bonds that tied Alex' feet to the ground before he also released his hands. "Get on the bed on your back with your hands up on the posts."

Alex complied immediately, but he couldn't hide the wince when his burning ass came in contact with the cold sheets. Conrad pulled the restraints from the side and bound Alex's arms tight before fastening his legs too.

"That was enough pain for today, you did great. I'm proud of you."

The words drew a whimper from Alex and Conrad smiled before he moved to cover Alex' body with his still clothed body. The feeling of Alex' muscular body against him made Conrad even harder than the entire scene had made him before. Alex was beautiful, but Conrad knew that there was much more to him than a pretty face and he wanted to give Alex a night to remember.

The desire to make this encounter special, to make it unforgettable made Conrad drop the blindfold onto the floor. "I won't blind fold you, because I want you to see everything I do to you."

Alex whimpered, but his eyes were grateful. "Thank you sir."

Conrad shivered, but he hid his lust as he began to caress Alex' bound body with his hands and lips. Soon Alex moaned and whimpered at every touch and his body trembled whenever Conrad touched him.

"Please sir, please." Conrad looked up at the barely coherent man and smiled. "What do you want, beautiful?"

You, please take me." The words were a plea and yet they were spoken almost like a command and Conrad pulled at the clamped nipples in reaction. Alex cried out at the pain and his body jerked in his bonds.

"I'll take you when I want you. You're here for my pleasure, do you understand?"

"I understand sir." Alex whispered and moaned as Conrad licked at his cock head. Conrad smiled at the sound and moved away completely. Alex whimpered at the loss of contact and Conrad turned away quickly to grab a dildo and some lube. He lubed the toy and slowly moved it over Alex's cock before he slipped a lubed finger into Alex' body and found it relaxed enough. He inserted the dildo and felt Alex tighten around it.

"This will have to do until I decide what to do with you. I want you to think about my cock in you, about my hands on your skin and about what I can do to you. I want you to think about my body inside you, about me owning you."

He leaned down and for the first time in their encounter he captured Alex' lips. It was a sweet, tender kiss and although he didn't show it, the kiss affected Conrad deeply.

"I won't go far, but I want you to think about obedience while I'm gone."

He left the room and sat down in a chair in the next room with the door still open. He would still be able to hear if Alex said his safe word, but Alex couldn't see him.

---

Alex was flooded with sensations. His ass ached from the spanking he had received and from the thick dildo inside him, his nipples burned from the clamps and yet he was overwhelmed by the memory of Conrad's touches, Conrad's lips on his skin and of course he couldn't not think about Conrad's words.

"My body inside you, owning you."

It was so much more than Alex had expected from tonight, so much more than he had experienced in his past encounters. He ached to have Conrad touch him again and a moan escaped him as he thought how Conrad had touched him, how he had found every single one of Alex' hot spots immediately. He needed Conrad, needed to please him…

But right now he was alone with his thoughts and emotions whirling around inside his mind. Had he somehow driven Conrad away? Had he made a mistake? Was Conrad angry? The questions started to upset him when suddenly a warm hand cupped his cheek gently.

"If only you could see yourself right now, beautiful." Conrad's voice was soothing, gentle and Alex felt affection and something deeper grow inside him. The feeling scared him, but before he could dwell on it Conrad covered him with his body and Alex moaned as he realized that Conrad was naked.

"You feel so good, beautiful." Sharp blinding pain seared through Alex as Conrad's chest pressed against his clamped nipples and at the same time pleasure made him moan as Conrad manipulated the dildo so that it pushed against his prostate. The dual sensations made his head spin and he pulled at his bonds until he felt Conrad's hands on his wrists.

"Stop that or I'll stop."

The threat was clear and Alex stilled immediately making Conrad smile proudly. The smile made him feel heady and Conrad leaned down to lick at his collarbone. Alex moaned not knowing how much more of that sweet torture he could take.

Conrad removed the dildo and Alex screamed against the emptiness, but the scream died in a gasp when Conrad filled him with one hard thrust. Conrad's eyes locked with his as the started to move. "I'm inside you, can you feel me owning you? You're mine."

None of his previous masters had ever said anything like that to him. Alex moaned and barely managed to speak, barely found the strength to answer. "Yes, I'm yours."

Something crossed Conrad's face, but even as Alex tried to concentrated on the emotion he had seen, he was diverted by the feeling of strong fingers releasing his bound cock. "I'll remove the string, but you are not allowed to come until I say so."

It was a hard order to follow. Alex could feel his entire body throb with desire. Still he held on, and to his surprise he found strength somewhere inside him to obey. Conrad's eyes were full of warmth as he looked at Alex and then Alex felt hands at his nipples.

The command to let go and come was followed by the blinding pain of blood rushing back into his nipples and Alex fell apart. He felt nothing but pain and pleasure, and he shattered between the two emotions and even as he flew on the high of sensations he knew that he was about to lose himself. Then he came back and met deep blue eyes, they grounded him, and he let himself fall again safe in the knowledge that Conrad would keep him whole.

---

Watching Alex fall apart and feeling his body tighten around his cock was Conrad's undoing. He came hard enough to see stars and as Alex went limp against him, Conrad blanketed his body tenderly for a moment while they were still connected. His own emotions were in a whirlwind and he didn't want to let go of the other man.

"I'm yours."

Alex had said that, but had he meant it? Conrad mentally shook his head, then slowly he got up and disposed his condom, released Alex from his restraints and cleaned him. He put some soothing cream on the abused nipples and after a moment of hesitation, he gathered Alex in his arms.

He watched as Alex's eyes opened and met his slowly. Conrad knew that Alex was still deep in subspace and he caressed the angular face lovingly. "You were wonderful, my beautiful."

Alex beamed and the slight fear disappeared from his eyes. Conrad pulled him closer despite his better judgment and let himself enjoy the feeling of holding Alex in his arms. Their eyes met and Conrad sighed. "I need you to come back up, beautiful. Take your time, take all the time you need."

He caressed Alex's back and observed carefully while Alex took several deep breaths and slowly, consciously came back to reality. Their eyes met and Conrad knew right then that he wanted more. Alex affected him on so many levels that letting him go wasn't an option.

"Are you ok?" Alex smiled softly at the question and leaned closer against Conrad. "Never been better."

Conrad slowly put his arms around Alex and pulled the other man closer. The thought that other men had held him like that was a punch in his face and tightening his hold on his lover, Conrad sighed. "I don't want this to be a one time thing."

Alex tensed immediately and Conrad cursed himself for his lack of patience. Silently he waited for Alex to move away, but instead Alex turned around and looked at him.

"What do you want then?"

Seeing curiosity and anticipation in Alex's eyes, Conrad decided that he had only one chance and he would take it. "I want you to be mine."

---

"I want you to be mine."

Conrad's words echoed through Alex and for a moment he had to fight himself against falling into subspace again. Conrad had been honest with him and he deserved an honest answer. Alex looked at the man who still held him tenderly and after another moment of hesitation, he met Conrad's eyes.

The emotions there floored him and he understood that Conrad had indeed opened himself up and the vulnerability in Conrad's eyes was the final argument for Alex's decision.

"I'm yours."

---

*Canada, Present time*

"They had a long distance relationship that grew more and more intense for almost two years." Nick smiled at the fascination in Grissom's face. He knew that his lover still thought of Conrad Ecklie as a robot and that the thought of Ecklie as a sexual being was a very strange one.

"Was that when Ecklie founded the lounge?" Nick shook his head at Grissom's question.

"No, he founded it after Alex transferred to Vegas." Grissom smiled at Nick and Nick had to restrain himself from grabbing his lover. Having an accident on a mountain road in Canada because he molested the driver wasn't exactly high on his list. Grissom navigated their car through the never ending forest with an almost uncanny grace and as Nick remained silent, he sent a look towards him.

"Why did Vartaan transfer?"

Nick swallowed hard and for a moment he lost his good humor. "Because he was shot."

---

*Los Angeles 10 years ago*

"Mr. Ecklie? This is Detective Maher from LAPD, I'm Detective Vartaan's partner." Conrad froze at the words and fear clenched in his gut. There was only one reason why Gordon Maher would call him. Conrad was Alex' emergency contact.

"What happened?" He was amazed at how quiet his voice sounded, but he knew that Maher's next words had the power to completely destroy his world.

"Alex was shot during a raid today. The bullet nicked his lung, he's in critical condition."

No, Conrad shook his head in denial. It couldn't be, Alex couldn't be in critical condition. They would meet each other in two days, they had so many plans.

"Mr. Ecklie?" Maher's voice was concerned and Conrad fought for control until he found his voice again. "Which hospital is he in?"

Maher gave him the name and Conrad ended the phone call as if he was in trance. The room was spinning around him until he reached for the phone again and called his boss.

"I have an accident in the family and I need some time off." Conrad knew that he had more than enough holidays accumulated and his boss agreed immediately to give him the rest of the week off. After calling his deputy, Conrad packed some clothing and drove off.

He knew that if he left now, he would be in LA in a couple of hours. He drove fast and in silence with one thought running through his mind again and again.

He couldn't lose Alex.

---

Conrad's voice was the first thing Alex heard when he woke and for a moment he thought that he was still dreaming. Then he felt strong hands grip his and he knew those hands, knew them intimately and he understood that Conrad was here, that he was real.

It was then when he heard his lover speaking. "Don't leave Alex, please, don't leave me. I never told you, but I love you more than my life. I need you, I need you so much... Please, don't leave me."

Conrad's voice was hoarse and exhausted and Alex reacted automatically as he opened his eyes and pressed Conrad's hand. "I love you too."

For a moment their eyes locked and Alex saw the memory of fear and pain in Conrad's blue eyes. He pressed Conrad's hand again and assured his scared lover gently. "I won't leave you. I'm yours."

Conrad swallowed hard and a tear slowly made its way down over his face.

"You're mine."

---

*Canada, Present time*

"So Alex got a transfer to Vegas to be with Conrad?" Grissom was fascinated by the story that Nick had told him. It showed him a side in Conrad Ecklie that he hadn't thought existed in the ambitious man. Nick nodded, but was too engrossed in his book to answer properly.

Grissom reached over and started to massage Nick's tight. Nick looked up and smiled. "What? I told you their story."

"Not everything, not how the club was formed." Nick shook his head and shrugged. "That's because I don't know. Alex never told me and I'm not exactly in the position to ask Conrad. All I know is that it was founded a year after Alex moved to Vegas and that since then Conrad has opened up branches in LA, NY and Miami and is now talking about taking it overseas to London or Paris."

"There's a blue moon lounge in New York?" Grissom wasn't surprised that the club's concept was successful. But he had a special interest in the New York lounge.

Nick nodded. "Yeah, although I think he's called the bar and the club 'Lune bleu' for some reason."

Grissom pulled Nick closer and sighed as his partner leaned against him. He had to talk to Conrad and then he needed to write a friend in New York.

The End