title: the second time around
by: parkagirl
fandom: CSI: Vegas
pairing: nick/greg
rating: pg
spoilers: Stalker

***

He knew in the back of his head that he should visit Greg. He almost asked for a few minutes off -- to run to the hospital, but he didn't. And later he'd curse himself, even though Greg had forgive him.

When he finally did arrive at the hospital, he'd had to shove his way through.

"It wasn't easy," he'd told Greg, "to not tell them I needed to see you. That the man they were 'protecting' was the man I love."

Greg had smiled, Nick's words drifting through the fog of painkillers and shock.

Nick had reached out and held Greg's hand until he'd fallen asleep. He hadn't let go. He'd just leaned forward, fingers entwined.

When Greg woke again, Nick could see the pain. He let Greg squeeze his hand while they waited for the nurse. As the painkillers slowly lulled Greg to sleep, Nick gently stroked his hand, trying to help him relax.

They'd been through it before. The hospitals, the pain. All the sitting and waiting. But now they'd switched places. And it was Nick's turn. He would be there for Greg, just like Greg was for him. Because he knew what it was like, this second time around.

***