Title: Only You: Next
By: Lady Jane
Email: georginanoa@aol.com
Pairing: Gil/Nick
Rating: NC-17
Spoilers: Overloadand Stalker
Summary: Gil and Nick take the next step in their relationship. Gil is finding that logic cannot be applied to everything in life, especially relationships.
Series/sequel: 2nd in the Only You series.

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Nick dreamed about sex. Not that that was unusual in and of itself. He was, after all, a guy. What was unusual was the vividness of the dream. It was as if he could feel a hand stroking his cock to hardness, and oh, man, did it feel good.

But when a tongue licked up the shaft and over the head he realized…this was no dream.

"What the…?"

He jerked upright, only to be pushed back down by a hand in the middle of his chest, a decidedly unfeminine hand. Close to panic, he lifted his head, only to encounter twinkling blue eyes looking up at him from between his spread thighs.

"Holy shit," he said faintly, flopping back down on the bed.

Definitely not a dream. He lifted his head again. Yep, that was Gil Grissom holding his cock, sucking the head into his mouth, flicking his tongue into the slit.

It all came back then, everything that had been said and done that morning, despite the fact that currently his brain was sliding halfway down his boss' throat. That sight alone was enough to make his dick harden and lengthen even more, stretching the mouth surrounding him.

"Gil," he sighed, passing his hand over Grissom's sleep-mussed hair in a loving caress.

Grissom made a sound of approval deep in his throat. The vibrations around the hard flesh in his mouth made Nick groan. Was there ever a better way to wake up?

Grissom's right hand snaked up Nick's body, leaving a trail of fire behind. When his finger prodded at Nick's lips, Nick opened up and took the digit, laving it with his tongue and sucking it deep inside.

Grissom pulled his finger free with a wet pop, only to insert it into another opening that had Nick arching off the bed with a strangled cry, sending his cock deeper into Grissom's throat.

"Oh, fuck."

His ass was sore, no doubt about it, but Grissom's finger thrusting into him felt good, especially when he added a twist that brushed his prostate. That was enough to make him see stars.

Nick tried to be still, but between the double stimuli of Grissom's mouth and finger that just wasn't possible. He began fucking Gil's mouth, simultaneously fucking himself on the finger buried in his ass. From the sounds Grissom was making he didn't mind in the least.

And he didn't mind. Just the opposite, in fact. He wanted Nick losing control. Knowing he was the one driving Nick wild sent arrows of pleasure shooting throughout his own body. He wanted to make Nick feel things he'd never felt before with anyone else.

Nick came with a strangled sound that could have been a curse or could have been an exclamation of praise, thrusting so far down Grissom's throat that Gil knew he'd be hoarse the rest of the night. But what was a minor sore throat when compared to making this beautiful man his own?

Grissom made sure he collected every pearly drop of Nick's cum before slowly kissing his was up Nick's body till he reached his mouth, his own body blanketing the younger man's. Nick started to protest, citing morning breath, but considering that was his cum in Grissom's mouth, he doubted the other man would mind a little halitosis.

Their mouths met in a kiss that was slow and leisurely, despite the fact that Grissom was rubbing his hard-on against Nick's lower stomach.

"Hi," Grissom said, smiling down at Nick.

Nick's dark eyes sparkled. "One thing about it, Gil, you certainly know how to get around the morning after awkwardness."

"We work nights, so technically it's not the morning after."

Nick rubbed his thumb over Grissom's lower lip. "You want to argue semantics, but it doesn't matter what time of the day it is, it's still the morning after."

Grissom nipped Nick's thumb sharply, then kissed and licked the abused digit in apology, all the while keeping up the friction of his cock rubbing against Nick.

"Gil," Nick said hesitantly, "if you'll let me, I'll take care of that for you."

Grissom stilled, blue eyes peering intently into brown. "You sure?"

Throat suddenly dry, Nick swallowed with difficulty. "Yeah, I'm sure."

Grissom didn't need a second invitation. He got to his knees and worked his way up till he was straddling Nick's chest, his erection straining towards Nick's mouth in anticipation.

Nick licked his lips, and Grissom had to close his eyes against the sight.

"As much as I like getting blow jobs, you'd think I'd know what to do, but I have no idea."

"Start slow, Nicky. Don't try to take it all your first time. Use your hand and mouth both. Think about what you like having done to you."

Wrapping a hand around the hard dick staring him in the face with its one eye, dark eyes full of mischief, Nick murmured, "Yes, teach," before licking across the pre-cum wet head.

Grissom hissed. Nick was licking his dick. Now that was a sight straight out of his fantasies.

Nick was hesitant at first, mostly using just his hand, but the glazed look in Grissom's eyes and his ragged breathing interspersed with the occasional moan gave him courage for further exploration. He ran his lips down the extended veins, pressed his tongue against the bundle of nerves just under the glans, then took the head into his mouth, careful to keep his teeth covered.

"Yes, Nicky, like that. So good."

Praise and encouragement from Grissom had always been a heady thing, and this was no exception. Nick moaned and managed to work his mouth down until half of Grissom's cock was surrounded by the moist heat.

He didn't go any further when his gag reflex kicked in. He'd always been a fast learner, and using both hand and mouth he established a rhythm that earned him an A in his teacher's book.

"That's one talented mouth you have there, Nicky."

If said mouth hadn't been full he would have grinned. Instead his left hand came up to squeeze Grissom's waist before sliding over his ass, then on down to cup his balls.

Grissom had to grit his teeth and tense every muscle in his body in an attempt to stop the instinctive need to thrust. Nick recognized the signs and increased the tempo of his mouth and hand.

"I'm going to come," Grissom warned harshly. "If you don't want to swallow, you'd better pull off now."

Nick merely lowered his brows in a frown and tightened his grip. When you work that hard for something, why waste it?

Grissom took one last look at Nick's mouth around his cock, then threw back his head as he came, gasping as his warm seed spurted down Nick's rapidly working throat.

Nick swallowed it all. It wasn't the best thing he'd ever tasted, but neither was it the worst. It was kind of salty, not too bitter, different from the taste of his own cum he knew from kissing Grissom and numerous girlfriends in the past.

Ladies man he'd always been, but he could get used to the feel of Grissom's cock in his mouth…and his ass. One thing was certain, he'd remember every time he moved tonight what it felt like to have that hardness buried deep inside him. It wasn't a grimacing kind of pain, but he definitely twinged.

Grissom plopped down on the bed and stared at the ceiling, chest rising and falling with breathing that hadn't quite returned to normal. He wasn't touching Nick anywhere except the hand he picked up and brought to his mouth for a kiss.

"If you're that good as a novice, Nicky, I'll never survive once you fully develop your technique."

Nick chuckled as he turned his hand in Grissom's so that they were palm-to-palm, fingers interlaced. "You know how us science geeks are, always needing to experiment."

Grissom chuckled, too. "Yes, I know all about science geeks."

"You should, Gil, you're the biggest one of all."

"Feeling sassy, Nick?"

Nick turned his head to the right and grinned. "Just following the evidence, boss. You're the one who taught me the evidence never lies."

Grissom smirked. "And we know what a good teacher I am."

The alarm clock suddenly went off. Nick groaned and flung an arm over his eyes while Grissom silenced the annoying buzz.

"You think we could get away with both of us calling in sick tonight?"

Grissom sighed. "I wish, but, no."

Nick took his arm off his eyes and looked at Gil. "See, I told you sleeping with the boss wouldn't get me any special favors."

"Other than the obvious?" Grissom questioned with one brow raised, lightly running a hand down Nick's side.

Nick shivered. "Yeah, other than that."

Nick jumped when Grissom smacked him sharply on the thigh before rolling out of bed. The red mark on his thigh stung, but damned if that smack hadn't made his cock twitch with interest. He forgot all about the sting though when he saw Grissom's naked backside walking towards the bathroom.

Rolling over on his side, Nick propped his head on his hand. "Damn, Gil, who would've thought you were hiding such a great ass under those baggy clothes you wear?"

Grissom threw him a look of amusement over his shoulder, but Nick could see the blush staining the older man's cheeks. It caused Nick to grin wickedly and wiggle his eyebrows suggestively.

Grissom responded by shaking his ass tauntingly before going through the door into the bathroom. Nick laughed. His cock was definitely interested now.

Rolling out of bed, he followed Grissom into the bathroom, startling the other man when he slid the frosted glass shower door open.

"Nick!"

Nick climbed into the shower and slid the door closed. Grissom didn't back up, so their bodies were touching in some interesting places.

"Living in the desert as we do, we need to conserve water whenever we can."

Grissom's eyes lit up with laughter and lust. "Always thinking, Nicky."

Nick leaned in for a kiss. Just before his lips touched Grissom's he said, "I do what I can."

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"I can't believe you did that to me," Nick groused as Grissom slid a turkey sandwich in front of him.

"I don't know what you mean," Grissom said, the innocent look he was going for spoiled by the twitching of his lips and the gleam in his blue eyes.

Nick snorted. "I'm talking about that," he said, tilting his head to the right and pointing just under his left ear. "That hickey. Even if it was cold enough to wear a turtleneck, it wouldn't cover that."

Grissom moved to stand behind the chair where Nick sat at the dining table and stroked a hand through Nick's silky dark hair.

"I'm sorry if you're upset. I'm a possessive son of a bitch when it comes to you, and I want everyone to know you're taken, even if I can't announce you belong to me."

Nick leaned back against Grissom, into his touch, and sighed. "When you put it like that, how could I be upset? It's just, you know, I'm going to get shit about it all night, and I hate not being able to tell anybody."

"I know."

"The no fraternization between supervisors and employees policy sucks."

Grissom's hand stroked down the side of Nick's face. "I agree, but unless it changes, what we have could put both of our jobs in jeopardy."

"I know," Nick sighed, then suddenly snickered. "Man, it's going to drive Warrick insane when I don't give up a name, especially when all I do is smile. That'll be fun."

"You have a wicked sense of humor, Nicky, my boy," Grissom said, squeezing Nick's shoulder before going back around the table to his own seat.

"Warrick deserves it," Nick insisted, picking up his sandwich. "He put peanut butter under the door handle of my Tahoe."

Grissom raised a brow questioningly.

"I hate peanut butter, and Warrick knows it."

"What do you have against peanut butter? Is it a texture thing? Do you have bad memories associated with it? What?"

Nick laughed and shook his head ruefully. "Only you would try to analyze my dislike of peanut butter. I don't have a specific reason, it's just gross."

"But there's no logic to your reasoning."

"Let me tell you a little secret, Gil. Not everything has to be logical."

Grissom considered that as he chewed a bite of sandwich. "You have a point, I suppose," he conceded, thinking about his own struggle with those ever-maddening, ever-illogical emotions.

Surprised, Nick looked up from his sandwich. "You feelin' okay, Gil?"

"Never better. Why?"

"Because you just admitted that some things don't always have to have a logical explanation."

Grissom peered at Nick over the top of his glasses. "Must be the influence of a certain sexy Texan."

"Sexy?" Nick repeated faintly, cheeks pinkening.

"Mmm, hmm," Grissom all but purred.

"Oh."

Seeing how uncomfortable Nick was, Grissom was tempted to continue the teasing but decided to have mercy on his young lover. The discussion of how sexy Nick was could wait till later. Right now there were more serious things to talk about.

He reached out and touched Nick's hand where it was resting next to his glass of iced tea. "Nick, when you said you were serious about us, about this, did you mean it?"

"Yeah, I did. You?"

"Me, too." Grissom took a deep, shaky breath, ready to take the plunge. "Nick, I want you to move in with me."

"In case you haven't noticed, I've been living here the last eight weeks."

Grissom shook his head. "You've been staying here as a guest. I'm talking about moving in, sharing my house, my bed and my life."

Grissom's breath caught in his throat when he saw the slow smile light up Nick's face. It was like watching the sun break over the mountains, breathtaking and beautiful in its intensity.

Nick's hand rubbed against the one touching his. "I'd like that."

Grissom smiled in return. "Good. We're both off tomorrow, so we can start moving you then."

Nick drew a shaky breath. "I'm glad you'll be with me. I haven't been back there since Nigel."

Grissom squeezed his hand. "You'll do fine, Nicky."

"Yeah, I will, but I'm still glad you'll be there."

"Me, too," Grissom said before taking another bite of his food.

Nick continued eating as well. He was nearly finished when he suddenly groaned. "Oh, man, I won't even be able to sell my place."

"Why not?"

"Because I can't give personnel your address as my address."

Grissom considered the problem, forehead furrowed, lips pursed, before coming up with a solution. "You can rent your place, so, technically, it's still your address, and you can get a post office box for your mail. Anyone from work will call you on your cell phone."

"That would work to cover our asses, I guess."

Nick finished his meal and put his dishes in the dishwasher. "I'll see you at work," he said, giving Gil a quick kiss. He was halfway to the door before Grissom stopped him

"Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"You forgot something."

Grinning sheepishly, Nick went back and took the house key from Grissom and put it back where it belonged.

"I guess I should apologize for my little temper tantrum this morning."

"I'd rather you didn't."

Nick looked at him questioningly.

Grissom took Nick's hand and laced their fingers together. "If you hadn't been upset with me," he said, gaze locked on their entwined hands, "we wouldn't be where we are now. I would never have found the courage to confess my love if you hadn't pushed me."

"Then I definitely won't apologize, ‘cause I'm happy we're together. I love you, Gil."

Grissom smiled at Nick. "I'll never get tired of hearing you say that." He kissed Nick's hand, then released it. "Drive safe."

"Always. You know I don't go looking for trouble."

"No," Grissom said quietly as Nick walked out the door, "you don't go looking, but it finds you anyway."

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"Damn, Nick, you didn't tell me you had a date today."

Nick peered at Warrick over his cup of coffee. "That's because I didn't."

"Evidence says otherwise," Warrick said, pointing just under his own left ear.

"I didn't have a date."

"So what," Warrick said, sitting down across the table from Nick, "you just happened to get lucky?"

Nick merely smiled as he continued to sip his coffee, glad Warrick couldn't see the fingerprint bruises on his body.

"Who got lucky?" Catherine asked, entering the room and heading for the coffeepot.

"Nick did."

Catherine sat down to Nick's left. "Nice," she said, reaching out and touching the bruised area just under his ear.

Nick moved his head away from her.

"So, who is she?"

"Who's who?" Sara asked, walking in just in time to hear Warrick's question.

"Nick has a girlfriend, and she's part Hoover."

Sara sat down beside Warrick and smiled at Nick. "Dry spell is over, huh?"

Nick merely continued to smile, although there was a bit of guilt mixed in. Guilt because he couldn't tell his friends the truth, and guilt because he knew how much the truth would hurt Sara. Not that he was about to give up his own happiness for her. And even if he wasn't with Grissom, Sara wouldn't stand a chance. Everyone else could see that Grissom wasn't interested in her that way. Why couldn't she?

"Come on, man, who is she?"

Nick's smile got even wider, knowing Warrick would never, ever guess the truth.

Warrick shook his finger at Nick. "I know who it is. It's that lab tech from days, the one who thinks you have sexy eyebrows."

Startled, Nick looked up. "Huh? Sexy eyebrows? What are you talking about?"

"Oh, yeah," Catherine said. "What's her name?"

"Tina," Grissom said, walking into the room and sitting down at the head of the table.

"Yeah, Tina."

Nick looked confused. "Tina thinks I have sexy eyebrows?"

"Yes," everyone said in unison.

Nick felt his cheeks heat up and buried his face in his coffee.

"If we're finished discussing Tina's fetish for Nick's eyebrows, I have assignments."

Catherine gave Grissom a strange look. "What happened to your voice? Are you getting sick?"

"Something I ate got stuck in my throat."

Grissom's expression was bland, but Nick could see the twinkle in his blue eyes. He just thanked God everyone's attention was on Grissom because he knew his face was blazing red after that pronouncement. At least he hadn't spewed coffee everywhere.

Catherine looked like she wanted to pursue the subject, but Grissom didn't give her the chance.

"Sara, B and E with suspicious circs on Freemont. Nick, DB in Henderson. Warrick, hit and run at WLVU. Catherine, missing person at the Tangiers."

As everyone took their assignments, Catherine asked, "And where will you be?" guessing he would be with Nick on the DB. His answer, however, surprised her.

"I'll be here if anyone needs help. I have paperwork calling my name."

"I hope you and your files are very happy. The rest of us have real work to do."

Nick was the last to leave the room. He flashed Grissom a smile of pure happiness before departing. Grissom couldn't stop a smile of his own, one no one was around to see. One thing was for certain, seeing that smile made him determined to leave work on time for once.

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Brass watched Nick curiously as he worked the scene. He'd never seen anyone so happy to process a dead body before, especially one who had half his head splattered on the sidewalk from a GSW.

The only time Nick hadn't been smiling was when he'd first squatted down to take pictures. Nick had kind of winced and gingerly moved to another position, but then the smile had returned, and Brass could have sworn he'd seen a blush on the young CSI's face.

Definitely curious. Maybe it had something to do with Nicky's hickey.

Nick stood up and looked around. "This is a nice neighborhood, and our vic is wearing an expensive suit and a diamond ring. There was only one shot with a large caliber weapon, and it was right between the eyes. This wasn't a robbery or a random act."

"Vic's name is James Harris. He was a junior partner with Lewis and Barnette."

Nick grimaced. "Bunch of sharks. I've faced some of them in court before. They have a way of making you doubt your own name."

"I know. I came up against our vic about three weeks ago. He was definitely on the fast track to the top."

"High-powered defense attorney rising through the ranks. Shouldn't be a shortage of suspects."

"You know the old saying," Brass said, tugging on his jacket, "what do you call five hundred lawyers at the bottom of the ocean?"

"A good start," Nick answered with a smile.

"Yeah. Now we just have to find out who in this guy's life thought the same way."

"Nick. Jim."

"Hey, David."

"Sorry I'm late," David Phillips said, pulling on latex gloves and crouching next to the body. "Got caught behind an accident, motorcycle versus SUV."

"That couldn't have been pretty."

"The guy on the motorcycle was okay, believe it or not. He rolled free before the collision. The guy in the SUV wasn't so lucky. After he hit the motorcycle, he spun out and hit a telephone pole on the driver's side."

"Oh, man."

David looked up at Nick from his examination of the body. "I thought at first it was one of you guys. It was a Tahoe just like yours."

Nick's phone rang. After what David just said, he knew who it was before he even checked the caller ID.

"Stokes."

Nick turned his back to Brass and David and walked away a few feet.

"No, I'm fine. It wasn't me."

Brass raised a brow when he heard Nick's gentle, placating tone of voice.

"I'll be careful. I promise."

Curiouser and curiouser.

"Me, too."

Nick closed his phone and hooked it on his belt again as he walked back to the crime scene. Even with just the light from the street lamps, Brass could see that Nick's smile lit up his eyes.

The phone call, the hickey, the nearly continuous smile. Brass wasn't a detective for nothing. Evidence pointed to Nick being in love. It could have just been sex and lust, but the tone of voice he'd used on the phone suggested otherwise.

Now he just needed to investigate to see if his instinct was right about who the other person was.

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Nick twisted the key in the lock but couldn't quite bring himself to turn the doorknob. Grissom put his hand over Nick's comfortingly.

"It's okay, Nick. I'm right here with you."

Nick nodded his head.

Grissom squeezed Nick's hand before pulling his own away, knowing Nick needed to do this by himself, for himself.

Taking a deep breath, Nick opened the door and stepped inside his condo. It wasn't as difficult being there as he'd expected, but that might have something to do with Grissom's solid presence beside him.

"The contractors did a good job," he commented, looking up. "You'd never know a dead psychic and a psychotic stalker came crashing through the ceiling eight weeks ago."

"Nick?"

"I'm okay, Gil."

"You sure?"

"Yeah." He smiled at Grissom, rubbing his hands together. "Let's start sorting through this stuff."

For the most part he was okay being there. His sessions with Dr Kane were definitely helping. But he still couldn't bring himself to wear any of his clothes. That was just too close, too personal. Everything would go to charity. The only thing he'd be sorry to lose was his leather jacket.

As he worked he didn't realize he kept looking up, checking the ceilings for peepholes, but Grissom noticed. He was especially watchful when Nick went into the bathroom, knowing that was the room that bothered him most.

And he was right to be concerned. When he heard a crash and a muttered curse he hurried into the bathroom and found a shaking Nick standing over a broken glass.

"Nick?"

"Damn, damn, damn," Nick whispered.

Grissom stepped up behind Nick and wrapped his arms around the younger man's waist, pulling him back against his body and pressing their cheeks together.

"It's all right, Nicky. You're all right. I've got you."

Nick held on to the arms surrounding him. "I was okay till I came in here. Watching me sleep is one thing, but he watched me take a leak…shower…jerk off. This was just too…intimate."

"Nigel Crane violated your privacy and the sanctity of your home, but you beat him, Nicky. You were stronger than him. He can never hurt you again."

"You're right. I'm not going to let him continue to terrorize me from behind bars."

Grissom smiled proudly. "That's good to hear. Now, what do you say we take a break and have something to eat. I don't know about you, but I'm starving."

Nick's stomach answered for him, growling loudly at the mere mention of food.

Grissom chuckled. "I'll take that as a yes."

Nick laughed, too. "You order. I'll clean up this glass."

"Anything specific?"

Nick shook his head. "Whatever you want. Menus are next to the phone. Oh, and I like tea, not soda."

"I know, Nicky," Grissom murmured, rubbing his cheek against Nick's. "I remember everything I've ever learned about you."

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Grissom's hand patted the nightstand till he found his cell phone. He opened it and put it to his ear, but it kept ringing. That was when he realized it wasn't his phone ringing.

"Nick."

"Mmph."

"Nick, wake up," Grissom said, shaking Nick's shoulder where he was cuddled against him. "Your phone is ringing."

"Shit," Nick muttered groggily, rolling over towards the nightstand on his side of the bed and grabbing his phone. "Stokes."

Grissom turned on his left side towards Nick.

"Brass, man, I'm off tonight, and I'm not on call."

Grissom reached out and turned on the bedside lamp when Nick said Brass' name.

"Are you kiddin' me?" Nick said incredulously, sitting up on the side of the bed.

Grissom sighed, knowing Brass was going to drag Nicky out of their nice, warm bed and out of his arms.

"I'll be there in twenty." After hanging up Nick stood up and began dressing.

"Nick?"

Nick turned to face Grissom while fastening his jeans." You aren't gonna believe this,Gris. That DB from last night? The lawyer? Brass just called. We've got another DB, lawyer with the same firm, killed in the same way."

Grissom frowned as he sat up, covers pooling around his hips. "I don't like this, Nick. This could be a serial."

"I know."

"You needn't sound so damned excited," Grissom snapped.

Nick paused in the midst of buttoning his shirt. "Gil?"

Grissom swung his legs around and sat on the edge of the bed, his back to Nick. "I know I said I wasn't going to hold you back anymore, Nick, but this is different. If this really is a serial killer, you could be in danger."

Nick walked around to the other side of the bed and squatted down carefully in front of Grissom. "I know, Gil, but you know I'll be careful."

"It doesn't matter how careful you are," Grissom said harshly. "You attract trouble."

Nick took one of Grissom's hands between both of his own and kissed the knuckles before rubbing them with his thumb. "Brass will be there with me, Gil. You trust him to keep me safe, don't you?"

Grissom sighed and squeezed his eyes shut tightly. "It's not a matter of trust. It's a matter of my own anxieties. Now that I've found you, I don't know what would happen to me if I lost you," he said bleakly.

"You're not going to lose me. And worst case scenario? Should I somehow get hurt, you'll be okay," Nick stated emphatically. "You're the strongest person I know."

"Not when it comes to you. I'm still trying to navigate my way through this human-to-human emotional quagmire, Nicky. I tried to protect you before I knew you returned my feelings. Now that I know you love me, I want to keep you chained to my side."

"That could be interesting."

Grissom looked at Nick speculatively, one eyebrow raised. "I'll keep that in mind."

Before Grissom could further expound on his worries for Nick, his own phone rang. Sighing, he answered it.

"Grissom."

Nick stood up and finished buttoning his shirt.

"All right, I'm on my way. Take photographs at two minute intervals until I get there."

"So much for our day off," Nick said.

"Catherine has bugs."

"Sounds like a personal problem to me. Maybe she just needs an exterminator and thought you worked cheaper."

"Smart ass," Grissom said as he stood.

Nick leaned closer as if speaking confidentially. "You love my ass, smart or otherwise."

"That I do," Grissom said, grabbing said ass and pulling Nick's clothed body against his own naked one.

Nick cupped Grissom's face in both hands and leaned in for a kiss that started out tender and explorative but soon became passionate and voracious.

When they broke apart, both were breathing heavily. Their foreheads rested together, and Nick's thumbs stroked the corners of Grissom's mouth.

"Please be careful, Nicky."

"I will, Gil, I promise." Nick broke away with a quick kiss. "You be careful, too. Any more stunts like you pulled with Sid Goggle and Paul Millander and I'll be gray before my time."

Grissom snorted. "That's funny considering nearly every gray hair I have can be attributed to you."

"You look good in gray."

Grissom rolled his eyes. "Brass is waiting for you," he said pointedly, his tone clearly saying you are so full of shit.

"Right." Nick stuffed his wallet into his back pocket and clipped his cell phone to his belt, then leaned in for a quick kiss. "Enjoy your bugs," he said against Gil's mouth.

"I'd rather be enjoying you."

"Hold that thought," Nick murmured, adding a squeeze and a caress to Grissom's dick before winking and walking away.

Grissom hissed, his cock taking interest. "Not even bugs will make me forget that little stunt," he called after Nick.

Nick's laughter drifted back. "That's what I'm counting on."

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"No sign of forced entry."

Nick looked at Brass. "Chances are our vic knew his assailant, at least well enough to let him in."

"With friends like that," Brass said dryly.

Nick continued taking photographs of the scene. "Place hasn't been ransacked. Probably nothing taken."

"Just like with Harris, robbery wasn't the motive."

"Think we've got a serial?"

Brass sighed. "It's possible. Now we just have to figure out if he has a beef with all lawyers or just the ones who work for Lewis and Barnette."

"That suspect list just keeps getting bigger and bigger, even though we don't have any names on it yet."

"Yeah, who would've thought, what with lawyers being such nice guys and all." Brass suddenly grimaced. "Sorry, Nick, I forgot your parents are lawyers."

Nick chuckled and grinned. "No offense taken, Jim. Dad is a judge now, and Mom is a prosecutor. They're in it for the right reasons."

"Glad to hear it."

"Nick did you see this?"

Nick bent down beside David. "What's that?"

"Right there." David pointed to the entrance wound on what was left of the vic's head.

Nick looked closer. "Oh, yeah. Looks like fibers embedded in the wound."

He took tweezers and a bindle from his field kit and collected the fibers.

David released the body for transport and followed it back to the morgue, leaving Nick and Brass at the scene. Brass watched Nick dust for prints and collect evidence and wondered it the Texan was even aware he was humming under his breath.

"You look tired, Nick."

Nick didn't look up from the print he was lifting as he said, "Yeah, I guess I am. I didn't get much sleep today. I wasn't expecting to be called in tonight, so I spent the day spring cleaning."

"Sorry."

Nick did look up then. "Don't be. I'm glad you called. I think we've got a big case here."

Brass sighed. "If it's a serial, you know you'll be assigned help."

"Yeah, Gris will probably put the whole team on it."

"If that happens, you can bet our esteemed sheriff will call in the Feds."

Nick made a face as he collected some fibers from the carpet. "You'd think he would've learned after Culpepper nearly fucked up the Strip Strangler case."

"Kiss-ass politicians always know what looks good on them."

"And our sheriff is one of the worst, which means he and Grissom will be butting heads again."

"Gil never learned the meaning of CYA."

Nick snorted. "You can say that again. I may not like the politics involved in this job, but with my family background I learned early to play the game."

"Maybe you can teach Gil how to quit cutting his own throat when it comes to in-house politics."

Nick's head snapped up, and he turned to Jim, wide-eyed, but Brass had already turned away to look at a photograph on the desk. Shaking his head, he went back to his work. He had to have imagined the insinuation in that remark. There was no way Brass could know. No way.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --

"You're saying Bernard Shelton was strangled before he was shot?"

"Yes." Al Robbins pointed to the throat of the body on his table. "You can see the ligature marks here."

Nick looked at the red marks and slight bruising, then looked up at the coroner. "So he died of asphyxiation?"

"No. There's no cyanosis. The shot between the eyes is what killed him. My guess is he was strangled just to the point of unconsciousness, then shot."

"He wasn't lying down when he was shot," Nick said, working out the possible scenario, "so after he went down, the perp could've grabbed his clothes and pulled him into a sitting position before firing. I'll have Greg test for epithelials."

"Someone had a point to make with this man."

"Yeah, and I think he got the message loud and clear." Nick looked at the vic again, then looked back at Doc Robbins. "The vic last night? James Harris? Was he strangled, too?"

"No, and there were no fibers in the wound, either. What is the same is the entrance wound, right between the eyes, with a large caliber weapon."

"Any trace from under the nails?"

"No, his nails have been recently manicured and show no signs of a struggle."

"Thanks, Doc."

Nick left the morgue and went in search of Bobby Dawson.

"Do you have something good for me, Bobby?"

Bobby turned away from his microscope and faced Nick. "I can tell you both men were shot with the same caliber weapon, a .357 from the looks of it, but the bullets were made to fragment, so I can't tell you if they both came from the same gun."

"Are the fragments big enough to tell if they came from the same batch?"

"Afraid not. If you had the casings…."

Nick ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "Which I don't because the perp took them with him." He sighed. "Thanks anyway, Bobby."

Nick left ballistics and went to process the evidence he'd brought in from tonight's shooting. The morgue had sent over the vic's personal effects, including the clothes he'd been wearing. Nick checked the Egyptian cotton shirt, noting an area that would have been in the middle of the chest that was scrunched and wrinkled as if it had been held in a fist. Smiling, he swabbed the area for epithelials, then took the swabs to the DNA lab.

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He hadn't thought it would be so difficult.

He knew he should be concentrating on the bugs he'd collected from Catherine's crime scene, but catching sight of Nick striding down the hall towards the DNA lab completely diverted his attention. Not even finding Dermestidae Anthrenus on a naked DB, dead no more than six hours, could distract him from the sight of Nick's ass in tight jeans.

It wasn't supposed to be this way. Nick was the one who wore his emotions out in the open for everyone to see. He was the one who was supposed to have trouble separating their personal life from work, not Gil Grissom, master of self-control.

But it wasn't working out that way.

Not even a full forty-eight hours into their relationship and already he was in danger of outing them. He'd wanted Nick for a long time, but now, knowing exactly what was under those well-fitting clothes, he was hard-pressed not to act inappropriately in the work place for the first time in his life.

These unaccustomed emotions were wreaking havoc with his orderly life. But would he go back to his emotionless, sterile life if he could? Not if it meant never having Nick, never knowing his love. Nick was worth it all.

"You keep staring at him like a man on a low-carb diet stares at a dozen Krispy Kreme and people will know what's going on."

Grissom jerked and spun around. He'd been so intent on watching Nick that he hadn't heard Brass enter the room.

"Jim…."

"While I'm glad you finally got what you wanted, I don't think you want to broadcast it to everyone else."

"Jim, I…."

Brass chuckled. "It's okay, Gil. I'm on your side. I'm not going to tell anyone."

"But…how…?"

"First time I've ever seen you speechless. And as to the how I knew, I followed the clues."

"Clues?" Grissom questioned faintly, wondering if anyone else had picked up on it.

"Well, to be fair, I had a head start. After all, you did confess your feelings for Nick to me."

Grissom blinked owlishly behind his glasses. "I did?"

"I wondered if you remembered. I guess not."

"When did I make this confession?"

"After you found Amy Hendler holding Nick at gunpoint."

Grissom flinched at the name.

"You were drunk at the time."

"Veritas en vino," Gil muttered.

"Actually, it was Jack Daniels."

"And the other clues?"

"Besides the fact you were so busy staring at Nick's ass that you didn't even hear me walk in?"

Grissom felt his cheeks heat.

"Well, let's see. There's the hickey on Nick's neck. The constant smile and humming while he's processing murder scenes. And the fact that Nick is moving a little… cautiously."

Grissom couldn't stop the smile that quirked up one side of his mouth.

"I'm happy for you both, but I know I don't have to remind you about departmental policy."

Grissom sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I know, Jim. It's bad enough I'm mixing business with pleasure. I never realized how hard it would be to separate the two."

"Welcome to the real world, Gil. Relationships are messy. With co-workers it tends to be even messier. Believe me, I know."

"Cite your source."

"While I was a cop in Jersey."

"You were married then?"

Brass grimaced. "Yeah."

Grissom looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled. "At least I don't have a wife to worry about finding out."

"No, just Sara."

Grissom drew back. "Sara? What does she have to do with anything?"

Brass looked at him incredulously. "You're kidding, right?"

"No."

Brass sighed. "Gil, Sara is in love with you."

"She what?"

"Everyone knows, except, obviously, you."

"Why would she think that?" Grissom questioned, truly mystified. "I've never given her a reason."

"You really are out of touch with the world around you. She's not shy about letting people know you handpicked her to work here. To her that's a sign you return her feelings."

"That's absurd. I called her because we needed someone outside the department to investigate Warrick's part in the death of Holly Gribbs, and I knew she was detail oriented."

"To her, praise for her work is a sign of affection."

"I don't know what to say."

"Just watch yourself, okay? If that girl finds out, I have a feeling she'll be vindictive and want to make both you and Nick suffer."

-----------

"I got your page, Archie. What did you find?"

Archie looked up as Nick entered the AV lab. "I've been going over the surveillance tapes from Bernard Shelton's apartment building. Here, at 9:33," he said, stopping the tape at the right time.

Nick looked at the screen. "A delivery man."

"Right. Now, advance the tape fifteen minutes…."

"It's the same guy."

"Right."

Nick's eyes narrowed as he studied the picture. "Can you give me a side-by-side of the guy coming and going?"

"Sure."

The side-by-side was very telling. "He never looks at the camera. He knows it's there, and he deliberately keeps his head down, hidden under the brim of his hat."

"Right, and the way he's standing, you can't see the logo for the restaurant on his shirt."

"What kind of delivery man carries the bag of food back out? The only reason would be if he had the wrong address, and you don't stay fifteen minutes if you're in the wrong place." Nick patted Archie on the back. "You did good, Archie. I'll have phone records pulled to see if I can trace this guy back to a restaurant."

Nick left the AV lab and went back to processing his evidence. Once he knew he was alone, he pulled out his phone and hit speed dial 1.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -

Gil opened his phone and put it to his ear. "Grissom."

"If you don't stop staring at my ass every time I walk by, you're going to force me to come in there and do something that could get us both fired."

Grissom blinked and looked around, making sure he was alone. "How would you know I've been staring at your ass? You haven't looked in here once." Oh, God, was that him sounding so petulant?

"I know because I can feel your eyes on me. And I haven't looked in there because it's too tempting to come in there and kiss you senseless, and we both know where that would end. Do you really want to risk sex in the lab?"

He knew he was supposed to say no, but the thought of bending Nick over this table, baring his ass and fucking him till he couldn't walk right was an image that just wouldn't leave his mind.

Nick correctly interpreted Grissom's silence and sucked in a breath, closing his eyes against the images that were now flooding his mind.

"I want to be inside you again," Grissom whispered hoarsely, knowing he'd never before felt this kind of intense, almost desperate, need.

"You could've today, after we came back from my place."

"It was too soon after your first time. I didn't want to hurt you."

"I'm fine. When we get home I want you to fuck me good. No excuses."

"When are you planning on leaving?"

"I- Hold on."

Grissom heard the distinct sound of Nick's pager going off.

"I gotta go. Guess I'll have to put my lab coat on," Nick said with a chuckle, "otherwise Greg might think I'm sportin' a hard-on for him, and that might damage his psyche."

Grissom snorted. "Too late for that."

"Yeah, you could be right." Nick's voice lowered. "Don't work too late. I'm looking forward to…breakfast."

-----------

Grissom walked into the house to the heavenly smells of bacon, coffee and blueberry muffins. Even better than the smells was the sight of Nick in the kitchen wearing only sweatpants, dark hair still damp from his shower.

He toed off his shoes and put his briefcase beside them, then went into the kitchen. He wrapped his arms around Nick's waist and pulled him back against him, back to front, nuzzling his neck and breathing in Nick's clean scent.

"Hey," Nick said, pulling his head away. "None of that till you've shaved. Whisker burns are a little too obvious. I can get away with the hickey but not that."

"Spoilsport," Grissom complained, but he pulled away with a quick kiss to Nick's shoulder and headed for his bathroom.

"And make it snappy," Nick called after him. "Breakfast is almost ready."

"Yes, Mother," Grissom called back.

"Keep that up, Gil Grissom, and there'll be no main course for you."

Grissom stopped and hurried back to the bedroom door so he could see Nick. "You wouldn't," he said in horror.

Nick grinned. "No, but it was worth saying just to see the look on your face."

Grissom stalked off, muttering something about kids who didn't respect their elders.

Nick was still grinning as he set the table. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been this happy. He kept waiting for the freak out factor of loving and being loved by another man to kick in, but so far all he felt was good. No, more than that, he felt at peace, and that was something he'd dearly needed in his life.

He had just set the platter of muffins and bacon on the table and was pouring the coffee when Gil emerged from the bedroom wearing a white terry cloth robe, hair damp, face smooth as a baby's bottom. Gil sat down, and Nick placed a cup of coffee in front of him, briefly rubbing their cheeks together.

"Mmm, much better."

"Glad you approve," Grissom said dryly. Eyeing the coffee, he questioned, "Decaf?"

"Of course," Nick said as he seated himself. "I didn't think we needed another stimulant."

Grissom's mouth lifted in that quirky little smile that was unique to him before he took a sip of coffee, his eyebrows lifting in approval at the hint of cinnamon.

As they ate Nick told Grissom about his case involving the two dead lawyers and what he'd found so far. Grissom commented and made suggestions, doing his best not to let his anxiety show. He'd promised Nick he wouldn't hold him back anymore on solo DB cases, but that didn't mean he would stop worrying.

After eating they cleaned up, but that took longer than necessary because they kept getting distracted when their hands would touch, and those little caresses would then lead to kisses. Eventually the kitchen was cleaned and they made their way to the bedroom, both already half-hard by then.

Nick leaned in for a slow, deep kiss, his hands going to the sash of Grissom's robe. As his tongue stroked the inside of Gil's mouth he untied the sash and pushed the white robe off Grissom's shoulders and down his arms, letting the thick terry cloth pool on the floor.

Gil groaned when Nick changed the tone of the kiss, pulling away just enough to nip at Gil's lips over and over, not giving him the chance to deepen the kiss again. He clutched Nick's shoulders, trying to claim his mouth again. For someone who previously hadn't enjoyed kissing, he'd become addicted to Nick's kisses in a frighteningly short time.

"Nicky," he said plaintively.

Nick chuckled, pulling away from Gil's mouth completely and aiming for his ear, sucking the lobe into his mouth, then flicking his tongue inside the opening. Grissom gasped and shivered, his cock filling and lengthening to full erection.

"Never knew anyone with such sensitive ears," Nick whispered in his ear, the hot, moist breath making him gasp again.

"Oh, God," he moaned, fingers digging into Nick's shoulders. "You're such a tease."

Nick smiled against Grissom's throat, his tongue stroking across the Adam's apple, his hands sliding around and down to cup the surprisingly firm ass. He kissed, licked and nipped his way down till he reached Grissom's chest, causing the older man to hiss when his teeth scraped a nipple before his lips tugged at the hardened nub.

"Nicky," Grissom sighed, sinking his hands into Nick's short, dark hair when his young lover sank to his knees in front of him.

Grissom's stomach muscles contracted when Nick swirled his tongue around and into his navel, then trailed over the thin line of hair that ran down to the curly nest cradling a cock that was standing at attention and saluting like a good little soldier.

"Suck me, Nicky," Gil urged, tightening his grip on Nick's head.

Nick was more than happy to comply. Sliding one hand down to the back of Gil's thigh, he wrapped his other hand around the base of Grissom's cock. It was like warm velvet over steel, pulsing with life and need.

"Please, Nicky."

Nick leaned forward and licked up the shaft and around the head as if he was licking an ice cream cone. An ice cream cone that was already dripping, flooding his tongue with the salty taste of precum.

"Yes. Take me in, Nicky, suck me inside."

Grissom continued his encouragement as Nick let the smooth head slip into his mouth. He never would've suspected Grissom to be so vocal during lovemaking, but it was, he decided, a total turn-on.

"More, Nicky. Suck me harder, deeper."

Nick slowly worked his mouth down, realizing he could take just a little more than the first time, then hollowed his cheeks and sucked hard on the upward stroke, his hand following the motion of his mouth. The wet, sucking noises he was making, the feel of firm flesh sliding to the back of his mouth and the sounds of pleasure coming from Gil all combined to go straight to his own dick.

"Enough, Nicky," Grissom rasped, tightening his hold on Nick's head to stop the next forward slide of his mouth.

Nick looked up, the head of Gil's cock still trapped in his mouth. Grissom groaned at the sight, and Nick's dark eyes lit up when he felt Gil's cock twitch.

"Let go, Nicky. As much as I like the idea of you sucking me dry, I want to be buried deep in your ass when I come."

Nick was the one groaning this time, a fact that had Grissom gritting his teeth against the vibrations surrounding the tip of his cock. Nick reluctantly pulled away, licking the moisture from his lips, realizing he was already getting used to the taste of seminal fluid.

"Oh, God, you're trying to kill me. Come on, Nicky, on your feet."

Nick stood and quickly stripped out of his sweatpants, his erection rising up like a flagpole against his stomach. Grissom's eyes heated, and he licked his lips. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to have this beautiful man belong to him.

Nick saw Grissom's clear blue eyes suddenly cloud. "Hey, Gil, what is it? What's wrong?"

Grissom gave his head a slight shake. "I'm just afraid I'm going to wake up and these last two days will have been nothing but another dream."

Nick smiled wickedly, pulling Grissom flush against his body, chest –to-chest, cock-to-cock, and sealed their mouths together, his tongue trying to reach Gil's tonsils. He pulled back reluctantly, his chest rising and falling with his erratic breathing.

"Does that feel like a dream to you?"

Grissom looked as dazed as he felt. "If it is, I don't ever want to wake up."

Nick moved to the bed, pulled the covers back and lay down. Hooking one arm behind his head, he grasped his cock with his other hand, lazily stroking it as he watched Grissom.

"You comin' to bed, or are you gonna make me do this all by myself?"

Grissom stood beside the bed and watched, taking full note of the knowing smirk on Nick's face as he stroked himself. His hand suddenly shot out, ensnaring Nick's wrist.

"Hands off, Nicky," he all-but-growled. "That belongs to me, and you don't come until I say so."

Well, this is new, Nick thought, eyes widening at dominant Gil as a shiver of excitement coursed through his veins.

"Understood?"

Nick blinked slowly, wondering what had just happened. Moaning, needy Gil had left the building, and in his place was a Gil whose searing, possessive gaze threatened to burn a hole right through him.

Not that he was complaining. Being the focus of that kind of lustful intensity from Gil Grissom was pretty damned exciting.

Grissom climbed on the bed and straddled Nick's hips. Leaning forward, he took Nick's hands and wrapped them around two of the spindles in the headboard, then sat back and devoured the sight with his eyes, taking in the clean lines of Nick's beautiful body.

"Gil-"

"Hush, Nicky, and don't let go of the headboard until I tell you to."

"Why?"

Grissom grinned wickedly. "I'm conducting an experiment in self-restraint. Think you're up to the challenge?"

"Am I up for it? Geez, Gil, I don't know. Why don't you tell me," Nick said, lifting his hips off the bed and rubbing his hard cock against Grissom.

"I think the science geek definitely wants to experiment. Now, let's see how you are with the self-restraint. Remember, don't let go of the headboard until I say you can."

"You don't think I can do this."

"We'll see."

Grissom laughed then. Nick thought that laugh could only be considered evil and wondered just what he'd gotten himself into.

Grissom bent down over Nick, bracing himself on his hands, not yet touching Nick but surrounding him with his heat. Leaning down he sealed his mouth to Nick's, stroking his tongue over Nick's tongue, the edges of his teeth and the roof of his mouth.

Nick arched up, seeking more contact, but Grissom denied him, putting one hand in the middle of his chest and pushing him back down, all the while taking the kiss deeper, making Nick dizzy with pleasure. When Grissom finally came up for air, Nick was breathing hard.

"For someone who didn't like kissing, you certainly are a quick learner," he said shakily.

One corner of Grissom's mouth lifted. "I had a good teacher," he said, nipping at Nick's square jaw, then stroking his tongue over the prominence.

His lips traveled down to the area where neck met shoulder, his teeth sinking in, earning a startled cry from Nick. His lips were turned up into a smile as they slid over Nick's collarbone, then down the middle of his chest before capturing a nipple. His lips pulled at the hardened bud, his teeth nipped, his tongue soothed.

Nick's fingers twitched, wanting to bury themselves in the graying curls of his tormentor, but he didn't let go of the headboard. He wouldn't give Gil the satisfaction. At least not this early in the game.

Grissom suddenly blanketed Nick, giving him a full-body caress, his hands even wrapping around Nick's where he held the headboard. Nick groaned, loving the feeling of being pressed into the mattress by Grissom's weight. He didn't feel smothered. He felt…cherished, especially when Gil took his mouth in another soul-searing kiss.

Grissom set about worshipping Nick's body with lips, tongue, teeth, hands, eyes and words. Nick's skin became hypersensitive as it was kissed, licked, sucked, scraped and stroked, and all the while Grissom would alternate between praising Nick and telling him in explicit terms what he intended to do to him.

Nick was sweating and panting, overloaded with sensation, and Grissom hadn't even touched his cock yet. Through it all he managed to maintain his grip on the headboard, although he was sure it would be days before the marks faded.

Every moan from Nick seemed to spur Grissom on, making him push that much harder for a deeper, needier sound from the man at his mercy. His own cock was so hard from the sheer wanting in Nick's voice that he was afraid he'd come without even being touched. He'd never felt this way before, and it was scary and exhilarating all at the same time.

"You are an evil man, Gil Grissom," Nick managed, just barely, to say, lifting his head and looking at the man sucking his hipbone.

Grissom chuckled, but the unsteadiness of it let Nick know that the older man was just as affected by what he was doing. "You're doing great, Nicky."

"Yeah? So don't you think I deserve a reward?"

"What did you have in mind?" Gil questioned, nuzzling the inside of a knee.

"I want you to fuck me."

"Mmm, not yet," Gil purred, licking an ankle.

Nick hissed when his big toe was sucked into Grissom's hot, moist mouth. "At least touch my dick. He's feeling extremely neglected."

Devilish glint in his blue eyes, Gil crawled up Nick till he was able to sit on his thighs. Once there he regarded the swollen shaft as if examining a piece of evidence, taking full note of the moisture steadily leaking from the rosy head.

"Little Nicky wants to be touched, does he?"

"Oh, hell, yeah."

Reaching out with one finger, Grissom lightly ran just the tip down the underside of Nick's erection. Nick tried to buck up into the touch, but Grissom had already pulled away.

"How's that?"

Nick groaned in frustration. "I want to be touched, Gil."

"Like this?" Gil asked, using that same fingertip to barely skim that sensitive cluster of nerves just under the glans, a touch so light it felt like a feather.

"Sadistic bastard," Nick gritted out, hands clamped extra-tight around the spindles of the headboard in an effort to keep from jumping Grissom or taking matters into his own hands. He wouldn't give his boss the satisfaction of knowing his self-control had been pushed to the edge. Not until he honest-to-God couldn't hold out any longer.

Grissom had every intention of continuing his torment of Nick. Having this man at his mercy was a dream come true. But he couldn't play with Nick without feeling the bite himself. He'd wanted to push Nick's self-control to the very edge, but, unfortunately, that was a double-edged sword that did, indeed, cut both ways.

"Maybe you do deserve that reward now."

Nick's dark eyes tracked Grissom's movements as he reached into the nightstand. Seeing the lube and condom he released a heartfelt sigh. "Oh, thank God."

Grissom chuckled as he slicked a finger. He moved between Nick's legs, opening them wide. His lubed finger teased Nick's sphincter, loosening the tight ring till he was able to slide his finger in and work it in and out.

Seeing the glazed look in Nick's eyes, Grissom couldn't help but tease, "How's that, Nicky? Is that enough of a reward?"

Nick glared at him. "Don't even think about stopping."

Grissom licked his lips as he added a second finger. "Not this time. I'm through teasing for now."

Nick made a gurgling noise when Grissom's fingers began a scissoring motion, opening him up before a third finger was added. But as good as that felt, it wasn't enough.

"Can I let go now?"

"Not yet. Soon."

Nick groaned. "You're trying to kill me."

Grissom smiled as he rolled on a condom and added lubrication. "Yeah, but what a way to go."

"You are truly an evil man," Nick accused, but it came out more of a gasp because he was being breached by the broad head of Grissom's cock just then.

Grissom's jaw locked tight as he slowly but steadily sheathed himself in Nick's gorgeous ass. He'd never felt anything so hot and tight, and it was his self-control being tested now, being pushed right to the precipice.

Once he was fully seated he braced himself with a hand on either side of Nick, giving him time to adjust to the stretch and burn of penetration.

"Never knew taking it up the ass could feel so good," Nick gasped.

Grissom's laugh was more of a snort. "Oh, God, Nicky, only you."

"Quit laughing and get busy."

"Like this?" Tantalizingly slow, Grissom pulled out till just the head remained, then thrust back inside hard and quick, making Nick hiss.

"Hey, Gil?" Nick said shakily.

"Yeah?" Grissom responded somewhat absent-mindedly, taking another long, slow stroke.

"Uncle."

Grissom's brows drew together in confusion. "What?"

"I'm crying uncle and ending this experiment. Our bed isn't a lab."

A slow smile spread across Grissom's face. Not because Nick had reached his limits but because of that one word, just three little letters. Our. Nick had said our bed.

He leaned down and said, "I love you, Nicky," just before his mouth covered Nick's.

Letting go of the headboard, Nick buried his hands in Grissom's hair and took control of the kiss, tongue-fucking his mouth. Grissom groaned and could only hang on for the ride. So this was what it felt like to be ravished.

Using his grip on the graying curls, Nick suddenly pulled Grissom's head back, hot black eyes meeting dazed blue ones. "Now get your ass in gear, boss man."

And he did. After no more than a half dozen strokes he said, "Put your legs around me, Nicky."

Nick did, then sucked in a breath when the angle of Gil's thrusts changed, allowing the head of his cock to hit Nick's prostate with each stroke, his balls slapping against Nick's ass.

Nick released his grip on Grissom's hair, one hand tangling in the sheets and the other grasping his dick and starting the motion that would bring him to orgasm.

"Stop, Nicky. I want to suck you off."

Nick managed a faint laugh but released his cock, grabbing the sheets with both hands. "Don't know if I'll last that long."

Feeling the pressure building and the tightening in his balls, Grissom swore. "It might be sooner than you think."

His desire for Nick was so intense, it was almost more than his middle-aged body could handle. He wanted to take his time, wanted to make it last, but his body was having none of that, ass cheeks flexing as his thrusts became harder and faster.

When Grissom came it was with Nick's name on his lips. Arms too shaky to support him any longer, he collapsed on top of Nick, lightly furred sweat-slick chest sliding over smooth sweat-slick chest.

Nick groaned. Not because Grissom was too heavy but because he was mashing Nick's achingly hard dick between their bodies.

Realizing Grissom's breathing was beginning to even out, Nick wrapped his fingers in Grissom's hair and pulled his head up to look him in the eye.

"Don't even think of goin' to sleep, man. You've got unfinished business to take care of."

A slow smile spread across Grissom's face. "I do, don't I?"

Nick sucked in a breath when Grissom pulled out of him. Grissom didn't bother with the condom just then. Instead he slithered down Nick's body, pulled his dick away from his stomach and engulfed the hardness in his mouth.

"Aaahh!"

Nick's hips arched off the bed, but Grissom held him down with one hand, taking Nick deep in his throat rather than letting Nick fuck his mouth.

As far gone as Nick was, it didn't take long for him to come, gasping loudly at the contracting of Grissom's throat muscles around the head of his cock as he swallowed.

Grissom let Nick's spent dick slip from his mouth but continued to lick the flaccid flesh, scooping up every drop before finally releasing Nick.

Looking up from between Nick's thighs, Grissom licked his lips and smiled. "Mmm. Never tasted anything so delicious."

Unbelievably, Nick felt his cock twitch. "Oh, God, Gil, enough. I need sleep now, and so do you."

Grissom had felt the twitch and was seriously considering seeing just how quickly he could make Nick hard again, but the younger man was right. They needed sleep. They both had to work that night. This could wait.

And that was when it hit him, really and truly hit him. This could wait. Nick had said he wanted a future with him, and that was both scary and exhilarating at the same time. His entire life would be changed from here on out. Nothing would ever be the same again.

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Brass wiped a hand across his moist brow. "It's midnight in June, but it feels like noon in August. It's not even officially summer yet."

Nick looked up from the microscope and smiled. "I grew up in Texas. Feels like home to me."

"At least there's no humidity. That's one part of Jersey I don't miss."

Nick chuckled as he turned back to his microscope. "Hey, you know those fibers I pulled from Bernard Shelton's gunshot wound?"

"Yeah. You identify them?"

Nick looked at Brass again. "They're a cotton and nylon blend used mainly in the manufacturing of women's underwear."

"Underwear? You're saying our vic was shot through a pair of panties?"

"Could be. Doc Robbins did say he was strangled before he was shot. Could be what the perp used."

Brass shook his head. "You get all kinds in Vegas."

"After livin' and workin' in this town, I don't think anything shocks me anymore. Well, not much anyway."

"Then this won't shock you either. Lewis and Barnette are refusing to let us see Harris and Shelton's case files."

"Imagine that," Nick said, changing slides under the microscope.

"Should have a court order by morning."

"Good. Maybe we'll find something there. I've got nothing from the evidence so far. The bullets fragmented, and we won't have DNA from Bernard Shelton's shirt till tomorrow."

"Phone records?"

"Nada. Mr Shelton didn't order takeout from either his home phone or his cell. We don't even know if he's the one who let the guy in the building. We'll have to knock on all the doors in that building."

"Door to door with the public. It's what I live for."

"Looks like overtime for us."

-----------

"At least now we know how he got in."

Nick shook his head as he slipped on his sunglasses against the bright morning sun. "What's the point of having security measures if the manager is gonna let anybody in who claims to have a delivery for one of the tenants without checking first?"

"Booze tends to make you lose reasoning abilities. After this there'll be one more drunk out of a job."

"As well he should be. He let a killer in."

They were sliding into the car when Jim's phone rang. "Brass," he answered while starting the car and cranking up the AC. "Good. Meet us there."

Nick fastened his seatbelt, then turned his head to look at Brass.

"Looks like we have an appointment with some lawyers."

"We got the court order?"

"Yeah. They have no choice but to give us access to Harris and Shelton's case files."

Nick sighed. "Can't say I'm anxious to go wading through legal briefs."

"Hey, how many cases could two fairly young lawyers have worked?"

A lot as it turned out. Fortunately, in addition to the hard copies, everything was on disc. If this had been Nick's only case, it wouldn't have been so daunting, but crime in Las Vegas stopped for nothing and no one.

He stored the files in the lab and headed home. He wasn't even going to attempt to start on them just yet. Not when he finally had something to go home to.

-----------

"Nick."

"Hey, Gris."

Grissom stood behind Nick, peering over his shoulder at the computer screen. "What are you working on?"

"Case files for the two dead lawyers. Brass got a court order. Had no idea there would be so many." Nick nodded at the boxes of folders.

Grissom raised one eyebrow. "Do you intend to go through each one?"

"If I have to. I'm hoping it's not necessary." Nick turned on his stool till he was facing Grissom. "The files are all on disc, so I'm starting with a cross-reference, looking for cases Harris and Shelton worked on together."

"Good plan," Grissom said, putting a hand on Nick's shoulder and squeezing lightly.

It was a gesture he'd made many times in the past, but now the simple touch made Nick's eyes light up. Before he'd always seen it as a sign he'd done good work. Now he knew it was more than that. Now he knew it was Grissom's way of touching him publicly without anyone being the wiser.

He'd certainly never realized there was more behind it than praise. Now it was like a secret sign of affection, and the thought of that gave him a warm, happy feeling, especially when combined with Grissom's smile and twinkling blue eyes.

Grissom reluctantly pulled his hand away from Nick's strong shoulder. "What about the 10-51 from earlier tonight?"

Nick grimaced. "Man, those are some seriously whacked people. The husband was the one being abused. Looked like he'd gone a few rounds with Holyfield, but he refused to press charges. The guy is probably six-four, two-fifty, and his wife is five-three tops. Said he had an image to protect." He shrugged. "Nothin' O'Riley could do."

"What image is more important than stopping domestic abuse?"

Nick grinned. "Guy's an officer in the Air Force."

"So he's trained in combat but his wife beat him up."

"Yeah. I think he was just afraid he might hurt her if he tried to stop her. He was real protective of her through the whole thing. Neighbor is the one who called it in when she heard yelling and things breaking. The Captain said he was raised to be a good Southern boy."

"Nick, spousal abuse happens in the South just the same as anywhere else."

Nick shook his head. "I said good Southern boy. That means your momma raised you right, and one of the things you learn is to never hit a woman, no matter the provocation."

Grissom bit the inside of his cheek. "I'm glad you're here to explain to me the intricacies of being raised in the South."

Nick laughed. "Oh, you have no idea, Grissom. Maybe someday I really will explain it to you."

"I await enlightenment," Grissom said dryly as he turned and walked away.

Nick was still smiling as he swiveled back to his computer. The cross-reference was complete. Harris and Shelton had been co-counsel on fifteen cases. That was much better than the alternative of sifting through what had to be between two-and-three-hundred files.

With the cross-reference as a guide, he began pulling files. Whoever was responsible for Lewis and Barnette's filing system knew what she was doing, so in no time at all he'd found the fifteen he needed.

He'd finished reading through one case file and was nearly halfway through a second when his pager went off. Reading the message, he sighed and put the folders away. Multi-car pile-up on I-15. He wouldn't be returning to these tonight.

-----------

It was three days before Nick found the case file he was looking for.

The suspect was a man named Danny Melton. His fiancée, Shannon Young, had been accused of killing her ex-husband. The evidence linking her to the crime had been her vaginal fluids on the dead man's penis and his blood on her panties. She never denied sleeping with the man, explaining the fluids, but she had no explanation for the blood.

Danny Melton had hired Lewis and Barnette to defend her. The case had been assigned to James Harris and Bernard Shelton. Both had assured him there was not enough evidence to convict her. Shelton had even assured them he could get the panties thrown out, that they were the result of an illegal search. The judge, however, had ruled against them, stating the panties were in plain sight when collected.

Forensics had shown that the blood was spatter, not transfer, and Shannon Young had been convicted. Melton had not only lost his fiancée but had also lost his job due to absenteeism and then lost his house.

Danny Melton had gone from white-collar worker living in an affluent neighborhood to short-order cook living in a cheap hotel just one step up from a crack house.

Brass and Nick went looking for Danny Melton. He hadn't shown up at the Sunset Diner in nearly a week, and he wasn't answering the door of his hotel room. The greasy-haired manager unlocked the door before shuffling back down to the TV in his office.

Brass and the uniform drew their weapons before entering the small, dingy room.

"Stay here, Nick, while we clear the place."

Nick had no problem with that. He'd told Grissom he didn't go looking for trouble, and he didn't. But, as usual, it found him anyway in the distinct sound of a gun being cocked just behind his head.

"Put your hands up and turn around. Slowly."

Nick did as instructed, muttering, "You have got to be fucking kidding me."

Three times now he'd had a gun pointing directly in his face, but this time he was more pissed than scared. Was there some kind of a target tattooed on his forehead that he wasn't aware of? Was there something about him that screamed victim? Whatever it was, he was damned tired of it.

"You a cop?"

"No, I'm with the crime lab."

The man wore a suit that was definitely out of place in this fleabag hotel. His eyes dropped to Nick's waist, then came back up to his face. "You carry a gun."

Nick snorted. "For all the good it does me."

"Why are you here?"

"We just want to talk to you, Mr Melton."

The man's eyes narrowed. "You know who I am. And who is we?"

Just then the uniform called out, "All clear," to Brass.

Melton's attention was diverted, giving Nick an opportunity. With a snarl Nick lunged, grabbing the gun and knocking Melton back against the wall. Melton's breath was knocked out of him, but the bigger man managed to retain hold of the gun, struggling with Nick for possession.

Nick finally managed to gain control of the weapon. Stepping back, he brought his arm up till the gun was pointing at Danny Melton.

"Shit!" Brass entered the hallway just as Nick was pulling the gun out of Melton's hands.

"How does it feel?" Nick questioned roughly, hating the moisture that blurred his vision but knowing there was nothing he could do about it. Times of extreme stress always made him cry. It had been that way since the babysitter, and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.

"Nick," Brass said, coming closer, his own weapon at the ready.

Nick ignored him. "It's a big fucking gun, isn't it? Did you enjoy the fear on James Harris and Bernard Shelton's faces? Doesn't feel so good being on the other end of it, does it?"

"Nick," Brass said calmly, putting his hand on Nick's wrist while the uniform cuffed the suspect. "Come on, Nick, you don't want to do this."

"Don't be so sure of that," he said, his words as harsh as his breathing, but he let Brass take the gun from him.

Brass looked at the uniform and jerked his head towards Danny Melton. "Get him out of here. And make sure you read him his rights."

Nick scrubbed his hands over his face. "I am so tired of having guns pointed at me."

"You did good, Nicky."

Nick looked at Brass. "Do me a favor, Jim? Don't tell Grissom."

Brass gave him an almost sad look. "I can't do that, Nick. You know I have to file a report, and it'll just be that much worse if we don't tell Gil personally."

Nick closed his eyes and shook his head. "He's gonna freak."

"I'll try to make it as painless as possible."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -

Grissom raised an eyebrow when Brass entered his office and closed the door. He seated himself in one of the two chairs in front of Grissom's desk and just looked at Gil.

"Is there something I can help you with, Jim?" It wasn't unusual for Brass to drop by, but closing the door, the silence and the intense stare were out of the norm.

"Can't a friend come by for a visit?"

"Yes, but you look like you have something on your mind."

"Just wanted to let you know we got the guy responsible for killing those two lawyers. Nick did good work. I guess you take credit for training him?"

Grissom smirked, blue eyes twinkling.

"That's what I thought." Brass went on to explain everything, ending with, "And after Nick disarmed the guy, he broke down and made a full confession. His lawyer is already looking to plead under diminished capacity. He-"

"Jim, stop."

"Hmm?"

Grissom's eyes and tone of voice became hard and frosty. "Did you think you could just slide that by me?"

Brass thought about playing dumb but decided against it. No need to insult either his or Gil's intelligence.

Instead he shrugged. "I thought it was worth a shot."

"What do you mean Nick disarmed the suspect? Where were you?"

"Clearing the room with the uniform. Nick waited outside in the hallway."

Grissom closed his eyes. "Don't tell me. He had a gun stuck in his face."

Brass remained silent.

"Well?"

"Hey, you said not to tell you."

Grissom took his glasses off with his right hand and pinched the bridge of his nose with the left. Brass said nothing about the slight trembling in that hand.

"I don't know how to protect him from these situations."

Brass leaned forward. "Look, Gil, shit happens, and there's nothing you can do to prevent it. Okay, maybe more than his fair share happens to Nick, but what's important is how you handle the situation, and Nick done good. He didn't panic. You know what he was worried about? You and how you would react."

Grissom's mouth turned up in the faintest of smiles.

Brass leaned back again. "Look at it this way. At least he's not a cop anymore. Think of how many times this could've happened if he still wore a uniform."

Grissom scowled, his face pale. "Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better."

----------

Nick was asleep when Grissom got home, but he woke up when Gil crawled into bed and pulled him into his arms. He smiled when Grissom kissed the top of his head as he snuggled against the older man.

"Mornin', Gil."

"Good morning, Nicky."

"Supervisory meeting run late?"

"Yes. We spend more time listening to Ecklie kiss ass than we do actually discussing business."

Nick smiled. "Sounds like Ecklie," he commented, rubbing his cheek against Gil's chest.

Grissom began stroking Nick's back and took a deep breath before he could calmly say, "Brass told me about your case."

Nick stilled. "You mad?"

"Only at the man who dared point a gun at you. Mostly I'm just scared."

"I'm sorry you were scared, but I did nothing wrong. I wasn't even in the room when it was being cleared."

"I know, Nick," Grissom said with a sigh. "This is something I have to deal with and work through on my own. Just have patience with me."

"At least you didn't threaten to not let me work DBs solo anymore."

"Don't think it didn't cross my mind."

Nick rose up on an elbow so he could see Grissom. "Gil-"

"It was just a thought, Nick. I'm not going to do that to you, no matter how much I might want to."

Nick smiled. "You're not as bad at this relationship stuff as you think."

"I'm trying, Nicky. I'm set in my ways and change doesn't come easily, but I want this to work."

"You're off to a good start."

Grissom smiled wryly. "You know, we went about this relationship a bit backwards. You moved in, we confessed our feelings, we made love and we haven't even been on a date yet."

Nick blinked. "A date?"

"You know, dinner, maybe a movie or an art museum. Doing something together as a couple."

A slow smile broke across Nick's face. "A date. I'd like that." His smile faded. "But what about the possibility of running into someone from the lab?"

"I think we can manage to find places where we don't have to worry about that." He brought one hand up to lay along side Nick's face. "Besides, you're more than worth the risk."

End