Title: Trying To Save What's Left Of You and I
By: postnotice
Pairing: Nick/Greg pre-slash
Rating: PG-13
Summary: fannysmackin' angst...could be read as friendship or slash, but i wrote it as a preslash bit. um. fannysmackin' angst? based on the locker scene at the end, where Nick said he wanted to see Greg, of course.
A/N: could be read as a friendship, slash, or preslash piece. Based off the ending scene of Fannysmackin' in the locker room. I've never actually seen Fannysmackin', so I make no promises to everything being right. If, however, you know of a place I could see it, other than buying/downloading the season/episode (and by other, I mean sending it to me or watching it on a site), that would be very appreciated.

"Yeah, I'd like to see Greg." He almost wishes he wouldn't have come. Greg is so bruised. Bloody. Mutilated. He's crying; knowing this hurts the Texan, pained by the knowledge that the level one is in so much grief, he's starting to make others feel it as well.

The blonde's sense of smell must have perked up, because Nick can hear his name be said softly from the beaten, black and blue body in the middle of the room. Greg's eyes are closed, but his tears glisten against his cheeks, tinted purple by the limbs that attacked him so brutally.

"Yeah, G," he whispers, "I'm here," not sure he can trust his voice, Nick swallows, announcing his complete presence by rapping lightly on the wall; the last thing he wants to do is scare the younger CSI.

Unaware that he's moved, Nick is surprised when Greg's arms wrap around Nick's waist, the newly appointed hero and killer crying harder now he's got a firm foundation to lean on.

"You should probably be careful about your injuries, G," he warns, half hoping the exlab tech wouldn't let go. If he's hurt, seeking any help, and finds that in Nick, then the latter will do whatever necessary to keep Greg calm.

"Don't care," he hears in between loud sobs. "Hurts either way," Nick, fighting his own tears, sways them from side to side softly. "So scared," Greg whispers later, burying his face in the Texan's stomach. Surprised by the openness of the conversation, but determined not to show it, Nick continues swaying, hoping it's of slight comfort to Greg. "Why?"\

It's an obvious question, he knows, and Nick's not entirely sure how to answer it. "I don't know,' he finally says truthfully, repeating it after a moment. As Greg pulls Nick closer, he lets out a ragged sigh.

"I didn't mean to kill him," he confesses, emotion heavier still. Nick nods, an effort at trying to show his understanding. "Just…knock him out. Get him away. Anything," again, a nod came from the dark haired male. "But he…"

"Shh…It's okay,. You're safe," hoping Greg will save his energy, Nick prays there won't be any more visitors after him. "Can you sleep?"

"Not alone. Never again," he admits. Nodding once more, Nick does some brainstorming.

"If someone's here?"

"No one's stayed long enough,"

"I will," feeling a smile, Nick knows just how contagious happiness is when he feels one invade his own expression. He's glad trusts him.

"Good," complete silence as the level three turns down the lights and pulls away from Greg's grasp and sits in the chair next to the bed. "Um…Nick?" raspy, Nick's surprised he could ever recognize the voice.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks,"

A smile graces his face again. "Anytime,"

Fannysmackin' angst .But how many N/G writers haven't touched this topic? That's a rhetorical question, by the way.