Title: Building on the Promise
By: Rabidfan
Pairing: Nick/Greg
Rating: PG-13
Summary: The events immediately following "Ten Mistakes". Greg heals and his relationship with Nick grows.

It was humiliating. It was boring. It grated on his nerves until he wanted to shout. And the itching! Oh, the itching! Greg was ready to get rid of his casts. Two days after he was injured, the hospital had changed the heavy plaster ones for lighter and way-cool lime green fiberglass ones. Cool or not, he wanted them off. He fidgeted between his parents and prayed for miraculous healing.

His parents had been with him since the day he'd called from the hospital. What they'd done to get there so quickly, and stay so long, Greg didn't know. He loved them, and he was grateful for the help they'd been, but he longed for privacy. He wanted them to go home. The likely hood of that happening while he still wore casts was slim to none. None of the people from the lab or any of his friends had the courage to face his folks. One "he needs his rest and you are hindering his recovery" speech was all it took for them all to decide they would see him when his folks went home. Which brought him back to the need to get the casts off…now.

Greg looked up when the office door opened, and was amazed to see Nick. Nick dressed to impress. Greg was very impressed. His parents? Not so much. His mom frowned.

"Mr. Stokes? What are you doing here?" She sounded like an irate school principle facing a delinquent. Greg sighed. At this rate, Nick would decide he was too high maintenance and go find someone else to charm.

"Mom, play nice. Please." He sighed again. They'd had this conversation a half dozen times already. His mother would tear up and say how sorry she was, and then how she only wanted the best for Greg. It was familiar ground, and got them nowhere.

"I only want you to get well, Greg. You've been through a traumatic experience. You need rest." Yeah, he knew that was coming. But, what came next was a surprise.

"I want him to get better too, Mrs. Sanders. It isn't my intention to tire Greg. I miss him, and want to see how the appointment goes." Nick was beginning to get prickly. Not a good sign.

Greg wanted to sit by Nick. He wanted to kiss Nick. He also knew that wasn't going to happen. So wrapped in the misery of that thought, he missed Nick stepping near and bending over him. When he looked up, Nick gently pressed his lips against Greg's forehead.

"You look good. I really do miss you," he whispered. He had that look, the one where his eyes went soft and kind of dreamy. It was a really good look.

"Wait, I wasn't ready. Do that again!" Greg smiled up at Nick.

"Okay." This time Nick kissed Greg squarely on the lips, running his thumb over Greg's cheek bone. Remembering where they were, and who they were with, Nick pulled back with a blush.

"I'll just sit over…" he stammered out, before Mr. Sanders rose from his chair.

"Sit here, son. Greg's getting a little tired." He winked at Greg, and moved to sit across from his wife. "It's nice to see that he's got someone. We worry." Now it was Greg's turn to blush.

"Dad, please. Can we save all the embarrassing conversations for home?" He knew he was crimson. It only made the other three smile wider.

"Sure, son. What ever you say."

"Mr. Sanders, the doctor is ready for you now." Saved! Of course, the fact that he could barely rise without assistance was further humiliation, but maybe he would be more mobile in a few minutes. Please, let that be true!

"I can go in by myself. You can wait here." He meant that to sound authoritative, but it just sounded petulant.

"If that's what you want, Greg. We'll be right here if you need anything." His mom already looked hurt. He sighed.

"I'll be fine, mom. It won't take long." With that, he followed the nurse out of the waiting room.

After an ex-ray, an examination and a really long wait, Greg found himself sitting across from his doctor.

"I'm seeing definite improvement, Greg. Significant improvement. How is your stamina?"

"Not great. I seem to tire just from thinking about doing anything. I haven't actually tried any activity yet." He was embarrassed to admit that. Greg felt that three weeks should be long enough for him to be back to normal.

"That's to be expected. Extreme hypothermia taxes the body, it will take time to recover. Your vitals are all back to normal. Try to increase your calorie intake, and keep up the fluids. A few more days of rest and you should be feeling much better." Here, the doctor paused. That was never a good sign.

"As for the breaks in your forearms, I'd like the full casts to stay on for a while longer." Noting the near panic on his young patients face, he hurried to continue.

"There is significant improvement, as I said. But with the smaller casts will come an increase of activity that the bone just isn't ready to handle. I know, I know," he soothed.
"You think you'll be careful enough…everyone does. The fact is you're going crazy with the need to do something, anything. That means you won't be careful enough. Another week, maybe two. We'll check next Tuesday." After making a note, the doctor gave Greg a regretful pat on the knee and rose to help him to his feet.

"It's only been three weeks. Less than two at home. Don't expect so much from yourself." Greg made his discouraged way back to the waiting room and his little entourage.

The three looked up expectantly.

"I come back next week. Maybe I'll get half casts then." Greg tried for bravado, but just sounded dispirited and tired.

"Mr. Stokes, would you be so kind as to take Greg home? Clearly he's had enough for now, and I promised my wife lunch."

Greg knew that no such promise had been made. He knew his mother would love to tell his father so but wouldn't in front of Nick. He loved his dad. Loved him.

Nick smiled at Greg. A smile full of promise and love.

"I'd be glad to."

Two more weeks passed, much of it spent in Nick's company. That was one of two things Greg couldn't find fault with. The second, his parents reluctantly headed back home. Even his mother had to admit that Nick took excellent care of him, and with some trepidation, left her beloved child in his care.

After that, everything sucked. He'd gone back to the doctor as instructed, only to be told that his arms still weren't healed enough for a cast change. He'd lost more weight, which made the doctor frown, and "hmmm" at him, scribbling on his chart. "Come back in a week," was all he had to say. "Eat" was tossed at him as he headed out the door. Did the man have any clue how awful it was to have someone feed him? It was so much easier to just not be hungry.

Now, as he waited for the doctor yet again, he worried what would happen if his casts weren't changed today. Nick's vacation time (even some compassionate leave arranged by Grissom) had all been used up. He was going back to work tonight. As long as Greg didn't need to pee, drink or eat, he'd be fine on his own. Yeah. Nick was ready to call who ever had the night off to see if they would come stay with him, but to Greg that smacked of babysitting and he'd flatly refused.

Finally, his doctor came into the room, carrying a box full of what looked like colored tape.

"Pick a color."

Yes! "I'll take blue!" Things were finally looking up! He would be able to bend his arms, and probably have more range of motion with his fingers. The thought of using the bathroom by himself was oddly cheering. He could even feed himself after a fashion, and that was great, too!

Nick took in the eye-bleeding blue of Greg's new half-casts and smiled. Finally, something to celebrate.

"Want to go to IHOP for some pancakes?" Greg loved pancakes. The weight issue had become a sore subject between the two of them. Nick understood why it was so hard for Greg to eat, but he was literally wasting away. It was frightening.

Greg experimented with flexing his fingers. Finding them stiff but mobile enough, he turned a radiant smile on for Nick.

"Oh, hell yeah!" Nick laughed at that. Things were looking up.

Two hours and a stack of pancakes later, Greg was feeling pretty good. He had been able to eat on his own. Well, Nick had nonchalantly cut his pancakes and sausage for him, leaving his fork where Greg could easily grasp it. It had been so smoothly done that Greg hadn't even realized he'd been helped until he'd taken the first bite. But even with the help, it had felt so freeing to have breakfast and coffee without someone wiping his face for him. It was the beginning of Greg regaining control of his own life, and it felt fantastic.

Now, home again, fantastic was fading into aching exhaustion. He'd done more today than in the previous five weeks, and he was feeling it. He understood now what the doctor meant about over using his arms. Just lifting them now was painful. The reality that he needed to get ready for bed now was daunting. Again, Nick smoothly took command. Pain medication appeared almost magically along with a mug of water. He would have an easier time holding the mug than he would a glass. Sweats waited for him on the foot of the bed, and the covers were already turned down.

"You're going to make someone a really good mom, you know that Nick?"

"Just try that joke again, Greg. I wasn't ready to be amused the first time." Nick tried for annoyed, but frankly he was elated that Greg was doing so much better. Seeing him dig into breakfast was the best thing he'd seen since they'd recovered Greg from that cave five weeks before.

Greg was gratefully sinking into his pillows. He looked hopefully at Nick.

"Are you going to stay?" And didn't that sound pathetic!

"Of course I am. Just let me lock up and then we'll catch a nap before I have to go get ready for work. You sure you're going to be okay by yourself tonight? Sara's off, and she'd happily come keep company with you."

"I'm going to be fine. I'll probably sleep the whole time. Stop worrying so much." Greg couldn't really complain. It had been awesome being the focus of Nick's concern. In a twisted way, it was too bad he was getting better. Nick would be going home soon. Greg didn't need around the clock care, and Nick would be able to get some rest himself. Greg would miss him. A lot.

The pain meds were making everything fuzzy. It was time to sleep. Nick slid in bed next to Greg and placed a chaste kiss on his temple.

"Now that I can use my arms a little, I'd hoped for more." No, Greg was not blushing. He was not.

"More what, Greg?" From his smile, it was clear that Nick was perfectly aware of what Greg meant. He was going to make him spell it out. Bastard.

"More than just a kiss. More." Yeah. That was smooth.

"I wanted to show you how much I appreciate all you've done for me. How much I've enjoyed what we're working on here." Greg hoped that Nick wouldn't torture him for a more complete explanation. It just wasn't coming.

"I wanted to make love with you." There, he'd said it. Nick still smiled down at him. He bent and kissed him again, this time with more promise for things to come.

"Close your eyes, Greg. I'll be here when you open them again. As for the rest, we've got time. We've got all the time in the world. Sleep now."

Yeah. Sleep would be good. And later? Later would be better still.

True to his word, Nick was sitting beside Greg when he opened his eyes. He was still a little fuzzy so it didn't immediately click that Nick was dressed to leave.

"Are you going already?" Jeez, Sanders. Way to sound desperate.

"Grissom called me in to cover for swing. I get off early though, so I should be back by ten. I'll go by my place first and grab some clean clothes." Nick stroked Greg's hair back from his face.

"Are you sure you don't want me to call Sara, man? She loves you like a brother, and she'll be hurt that you don't want her here." Nick knew he was playing dirty, but he really didn't want to leave Greg alone. He had trouble with simple tasks and wouldn't eat without prompting.

"I'm sure I don't need a baby sitter, Nick. Sara won't be hurt by what she doesn't know. If you don't say anything, she never will." Okay, so Greg wasn't falling for that. Nick tried a different tack.

"At least promise you'll call me if you need something. Anything. Or if you just get bored. Okay?"

"I'll be fine, Nick. I'll eat. I'll be good. Really. Stop worrying." He was looking forward to having some time to himself, and he was sure Nick worried way too much.

"Okay." Nick didn't really look convinced, but had run out of options. One more, tender kiss, and Nick was out the door.

Spending his first evening alone was both a treat and torture. The privacy was heavenly but doing anything at all required enormous patience. It was difficult to open food packages, and cooking proved to be more than Greg was ready for.

By the time Nick checked in with him at seven, Greg had burned his fingers and his toast, broken a glass and dropped the juice carton on the floor. The resulting mess had taken the last of his energy reserves to clean up, and he'd retreated to his bed in defeat.

Nick listened to the woeful tale of Greg's evening, biting his lip to keep the "I told you" in. Greg seemed to hear it anyway, and grew even more depressed.

"It's dead right now, G. How 'bout I run by and get some take-out for you?" Nick actually hoped he could get the rest of the night off. He was pretty sure he could, but didn't want to get Greg's hopes up just in case.

"Thai Shrimp?" Greg was salivating at the idea. He could practically taste the spicy goodness.

"You got it! Just give me thirty minutes, okay?"

It ended up taking closer to an hour, but Nick was home for the night. He let himself into the apartment, happy to be met by an eager Greg.

"You happy to see me or dinner?"

"Both! Hurry and put it down so I can kiss you!"

"Pushy, G. It's a whole new vibe for you, I like it!" Nick juggled the bags down onto the counter and gathered Greg against him.

"I missed you." Anything else Greg might have said was muffled by Nick's mouth on his. Within seconds the kiss became heated. Both men battled to control the other, tongues twining. Reluctantly, Nick pulled back.

"Food's getting cold."

"That's why God made microwaves, Nick. We can reheat it later." Greg tried to tug Nick close again. He'd been starving just a few minutes before, now eating was the last thing on his mind.

"It's really important to me that you eat, Greg. I promise, you eat for me and later, I'll do anything you want." Nick waggled his eyebrows at Greg to indicate just what kind of promise that was.

"Anything?" It was almost too much to hope for.

"Yeah, I promise. Just eat first." Okay, sure, no problem. He'd eat.

It proved to be quite a challenge. It was hard to chew and kiss at the same time, and neither was prepared to stop kissing. Greg ended up on Nick's lap, legs wrapped around his chair.

"I'm full, Nick. Really. I'll eat more later, but I'm done for now." Greg was hard and aching and wanted Nick to follow through on his earlier promise.

"Okay," Nick whispered against his lips. "Let's just stick it all in the fridge for later."

That sounded great to Greg. He scrambled back off Nick's lap and helped gather the boxes together. As Nick stored them away, Greg couldn't help ghosting his fingers up under his shirt.

With a gasp, Nick turned into Greg's loose embrace. "I want you," he growled. "Want you so bad."

Greg surged forward into a brutal kiss. "I want you, too." He tugged Nick toward the bedroom. They left a trail of discarded clothing along the way, pausing to kiss and caress every few steps.

Easing the now stripped Greg down onto the mattress; Nick ran appreciative hands down his flanks. "You're beautiful," he breathed. "So, so beautiful." Stepping back, Nick hurried to remove the last of his own clothes, and lay down on top of Greg.

The first brush of Nick's hard cock against his own caused Greg to cry out and thrust up to get more friction.

"Please," he moaned. "Please."

"Anything, anything baby." Nick nuzzled the delicate skin behind Greg's ear. He licked a trail down to his throat, pausing to suck hard there, leaving a purple bruise.

"God, Nick. Don't tease…Oh, please!" Greg was incoherent with pleasure and desire. He couldn't articulate what he wanted, only that he wanted more.

Nick seemed to understand. He slowly kissed and caressed his way down Greg's torso, pausing every once in a while to whisper endearments to him. Greg's patience was stretched thin by the time Nick finally reached his erection. He looked into Greg's eyes, licked his lips then ran his tongue around the tip of Greg's cock.

"Ahh…" Greg helplessly thrust up, trying to gain access to that hot, wet mouth.

Nick laughed. Never losing eye contact, Nick licked around the head once more before swallowing Greg whole. Greg writhed and moaned, thrusting up for more, harder, anything to get off. Nick held him still against the sheets and finally began to suck in earnest.

There was no way Greg was going to last. He couldn't hold back. It was too hot, too intense. He felt the tightening that signaled his coming orgasm. He tried to warn Nick.

"I'm…I'm…" apparently unable to speak, but again Nick understood. He swallowed around Greg's length one last time as Greg tensed and came, calling Nick's name.

Waiting for Greg to rejoin the living, Nick worked his way back up his body to claim another kiss. He opened his mouth against Greg's, letting the other man taste himself on his tongue. Greg's eyes were glazed with lust.

"Where do you keep the lube?" Greg made a feeble gesture toward the nightstand. Nick retrieved it and a condom. He pressed against Greg's side, helping him turn onto his side. Greg drew his right leg towards his chest, giving Nick access to his most private spot.

Circling the tightly closed orifice with slick fingers, Nick murmured into Greg's hair, "I love you." He felt a moment of panic when Greg didn't respond. Gathering his courage, he more audibly repeated, "I love you Greg. I love you."

Greg's hands rose to the arm circling his chest. He grasped on as best he could, pressing back against Nick with a contented sigh.

"I love you too, Nick. So much." Nick could breath again. He kissed Greg's neck, shoulders, back…all he could reach as he gently pressed his finger into Greg.

"More!" Greg pressed hard onto Nick's hand. Nick happily complied. First two, stretching carefully, finally three fingers thrusting in and out. Greg was flushed, pressing back for more, hard again.

"Now, Nick. Now. I'm ready!" Ready and more than a little desperate.

Nick rolled the condom on with slick fingers. He lined up against Greg and carefully pressed in. So hot, so tight. He struggled for control. He didn't want to risk hurting Greg. He wanted it to be so good.

Greg rocked back, pressing Nick deeper. "It's okay, Nicky. It's good."

It was all the encouragement Nick needed. Reaching his still-slick hand around to grasp Greg's length, he began to thrust as deeply as he could. He pulled out almost completely before diving in once more. He pumped Greg's cock in time with his thrusts, faster and faster until he came with shout. He felt Greg let go for the second time just a second later, clamping down on Nick like a vise.

They lay together, gasping for air, sweat soaked, happier than either had ever been. No words were needed. Nick snuggled close, letting sleep carry him away. Greg waited for the gentle snores to start before he let himself relax enough for sleep. Contentment was like a bubble that was rising out of him, making him want to laugh out loud. They'd been building on the promise of something good for a while now. And good it was.

Greg felt his eyes closing. One last look at Nick, snoring peacefully against him. This was his future, all he needed. What ever came now, they would face together. It was perfect, Greg thought. Life was here, with this man, was perfect.

A promise fulfilled.

end