Title: What About Sex? - A continuation of Cool
Author: Dee
Rating: R
Word Count: 8577
Pairings: Gil/Nick
Characters: Gil, Nick and various team members and other characters.
Warnings: Fluff and, I think, v.v.v.AU and OOC.
Spoilers: None
Disclaimer: In my dreams they are like, totally mine!
Beta: jayceepat and podga for their invaluable help in the Americanisation of the fic and their insightful comments – which I may well have ignored! I thank high_striker for his wonderful icons. I am indebted to them all. Any errors are mine.
A/N: This is Part Eight of Eleven (it has increased yet again) of an ongoing saga. I actually finished the whole tale with Cool, but was ‘persuaded’ to continue and this was written months later; so, although I have been through it, please watch out for any continuity problems!! It follows on from: Cool, The Insane Kind, Convoluted, Four times in twenty four hours, Upping the Ante, BFF and Facing Up. It will help to be familiar with these as they form part of the whole! ALL my legal and medical stuff is either: MADE UP, from House, M.D., Boston Legal or Wikipedia – I am, therefore, (not) an expert!

Gil stayed by Nick’s side for a further thirty six hours, until Nick begged him to go home to get some real sleep and then go back to work. They were three CSI’s down now, and he was concerned about his co-workers…his friends.

The sheriff had been the most sympathetic and ‘instructed’ Ecklie to cover with overtime from other shifts, until they could regroup. While Gil would be back at work fairly quickly; Nick’s absence could stretch into several months, with all the rehabilitation the doctors were talking about.

Nick’s progress had been astounding and he’d been moved, ahead of schedule, out of Intensive Care. He no longer had to have ‘around the clock’ nursing and some of his machines and tubes had been disconnected. The next steps were getting him out of bed and then intensive therapy to reassert a proper breathing pattern, after the loss of part of his lung.

Even so, his breathing was so much better; as if he had an inherent understanding that he needed a more controlled approach to distribute the air flow. The physical therapist, Marilyn, explained to both men that Nick had to learn a different breathing pattern and remember it. Considering that his previous pattern had been in place for over thirty years it took practice and patience to perfect a new one; but once accomplished his lung capacity could be as good as ninety five percent. Marilyn hoped that he would become, eventually, a better ‘breather’ than most ‘normal’ people; they became lax about breathing; slouching and taking in, generally, insufficient air.

Nick had also been assured that, in time, he could, with some hard work, be fit to undertake any physical activity he’d done before the injury…and that included running a marathon.

“I don’t have…to though, do….I?”

“Not if you don’t want to.”

“That’s good, never….did before, don’t….want to start now.”

“Right. Okay, wise guy, it was just an analogy. But there is no reason, at all, not to resume all the stuff you did before. The only proviso is to make sure you recover fully first, by adhering to the PT plan, and my instructions. Got it?” Marilyn smiled an evil little smile.

“Got it. Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.”

“What about sex?”

“I haven’t got time,” said the therapist looking at her watch.

“NO!” Nick had been taken by surprise by her joke and started to gasp for air. Marilyn, looking a bit sheepish, helped him sit up and restart his regular breaths.

Gil was chuckling; Marilyn was probably fortyish and an attractive woman, with a very toned body. There wouldn’t be many men who would throw her out of bed….except, of course, a couple of gay men. He surprised himself, that he hadn’t even, for a moment, considered Marilyn as, ’hot’, he supposed he might have done in the dim and distant past; but now he had Nicky he had no need to look at any woman, hot or not; and that was that. He smiled at Nick who was still trying to establish a breathing pattern again.

“Sorry Nick, I didn’t mean to startle you; you’ll have to get used to my sense of humour, I’m afraid.”

“Okay….sorry….but….I’m gay…just so….you….know.”

“Oh, I know alright; the whole hospital knows about you guys. The heart beat thing; that impressed the great Dr Hollis….and let me tell you that’s never happened before, in his lifetime.”

“I wasn’t in the…least surprised….when Gil told me…he is…..the love of….my life.”

“Yeah, but even with other ‘true loves’, there’s only a few instances that people know about, and it’s never been in this hospital before. Better?”

“Yeah….thanks.”

“My fault in the first place; oh, and to answer your question properly, sex is good therapy, as long as you don’t overdo it at first…no jumping off furniture...that sort of thing until you’re really fit.”

“Okay….but Gil could….couldn’t he?”

“Errrr…I suppose he could, if he was that way inclined.”

“Are you…inclined…babe?”

“There’s the bookcase.”

“Nah… you’d start reading….a book and….forget to jump.”

“Maybe, once upon a time, but not now, with you waiting to be ‘jumped’”

They all laughed and Marilyn said, “I’m going to enjoy working with you guys; but you, Nick, will probably hate me before the month’s out, I’m a slave driver.”

“No sweat….I want to get…better, fast… I want to get ‘jumped’!”

“Well, that is certainly an unusual goal to work towards. Must go, see you later Nick, Gil.”

“Thanks Marilyn.” And off she went.

“God, Nicky, you are so much better, just overnight, I can hardly believe it; you’ve even regained some colour in your face. Your beautiful face, which I love.”

“Just want me…..for my …looks?”

“Yeah, I think so.” Gil smiled and leaned over Nick and kissed his lips. He’d intended it to be just a gentle kiss. Nick had other ideas and stretched his head up towards Gil and pushed his tongue into Gil’s mouth.

Gil drew back. “You are not supposed to be doing that. You’re supposed to be resting.”

“I am resting…want you.”

“Got me.”

“Does it make sense……that I’m lying in a…..hospital bed recovering from…..a gsw and yet I…..feel really happy?”

“Doesn’t matter what you’re doing or how you are - if you’re happy, you’re happy.”

“I am. Got to talk about…..Sara…man…get it out…of my system…she was….insane….really out of her mind.”

“Nicky, I know you’ve told me some things already but when you’re ready you’ll need to be interviewed about it all; swing shift with Jed Wilkins is leading the investigation. Good man. But I don’t know how much you remember?”

“I think I remember…all of it. On the balcony…..forgot my kit….that’s why I went back. She was on….the balcony…when I came out…of my…condo….fuck Gil….she had a…a …gun….in….my….face…..” Nick had started gasping for breath again.

“Sshhh…sshhh, don’t go on ….try and calm down. Look I was going to call Ed; do you think that would help?” Gil tried the technique Marilyn had just employed to regulate Nick’s breathing. He thought about what Nick had just said; the reason he was at his condo; he simply forgot his kit. It was slung over his shoulder when he’d found him on the ground, pumping blood from his wound. Gil shuddered.

Nick was calming down. But he wasn’t frightened, or even that upset about what she’d done; it was just the indignity of it all. That he’d had to pretend he didn’t love Gil; but it hadn’t worked, she wasn’t that mad - she’d realised the bluff.

“Ed would like…this, a lot….I think I’m going to deal…with this okay…because I understand ‘me’….so much better…and I have…..you.”

“Is that a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ to Ed?”

“A ‘yes’….I’m a committed therapy……junkie now, remember?”

“Me too. I’ll ‘phone him and tell him it was you…if he’s seen the news. It’s been on the local news but no names have been released yet. I think everyone at PD is hoping some other news story’ll come up.”

“The scandal…you mean, about us?”

“Well; I’d hardly call it a ‘scandal’, but I suppose the more salacious reporters will smell a rat. We’ll just have to keep a low profile.”

“And then there’s Daddy…..to contend with. Heard anything else?”

“Not from your parents, but I have started the ball rolling with Peter Szabo; he’s going to do the POA for both of us, as soon as he possibly can, so he’ll be in to see you, probably tomorrow morning.”

“Good. Gotta come out….with all guns blazin’…only way to stop a Stokes.”

“So, some of it is in your genes then? Chasing me?”

“I didn’t chase you….I sat back and waited…worked like a charm.”

“It did. Look you must rest up. You may feel, and look, better but you’re still seriously ill. And, the lovely Marilyn is coming back to get you out of bed in….three hours. Now, do you want me to be here or would you like to face that agony alone.”

“You be here, please? If I can get to the bathroom…..they’ll take the catheter out….it’s gross man….when we kissed it really hurt.”

“Hurt? How?”

“Well, I guess I got a little bit…..of a boner man….the catheter goes into…..the bladder doesn’t it…and when you’re…hard, access to the bladder is cut off….along with the tube….yep, man, it hurt.”

“Oh God, Nicky. YOU are not supposed to be getting erections in the hospital; especially less than three days after a life threatening incident.” Gil was incredulous at Nick.

“Oh, I’m not?” Nick was a picture of innocence.

“No, you’re not….no more kissing.” But Gil was smiling at Nick now.

“It’s not my fault…I didn’t do it on……purpose. You know dicks, Gil…life of their….own.”

“Yeah, I know. Look, get some rest; I've got errands to run. I've got to go get the papers for verification for the POAs and get them to Peter. Good job you brought all your private stuff over to my place before you moved in, I’d’ve never found it all boxed up at your condo.”

“Yeah, you would…organised….remember.”

“You are; now rest and sleep. No more kisses.”

“Aw, babe. Is this Peter….Szabo…good…. then?”

“I believe so, he dealt with all the stuff for me when Mom died, with her property and everything; he seems very capable and I thought he was a straightforward kind of guy that would counteract the Stokes’ firepower.”

“Well I’m gonna keep….everything crossed, but…. you gotta kiss me, babe.”

“Well just a quick one.” And Gil kissed Nick on his forehead, then kissed his own fingers and pressed them to Nick’s lips.

“Spoilsport.”

“Yes. Now rest up.”

Nick was very nearly asleep already; his talk with Maz and then these minutes with Gil had worn him out. But he was happy. Fuck Sara, it wasn’t his fault she was off her head. Just as he drifted to sleep he smiled to himself. A year ago he knew he would have taken the blame for everything. Not anymore, this was the new improved Nick Stokes. Okay, ‘missing lung capacity’ Nick Stokes, but he still had Gil, he was alive and he was in love.

Gil saw the smile on his lover’s lips and wondered what had caused it; he hoped he wasn’t experiencing more discomfort in his dick. But he was smiling, so probably not. He ran his hand over Nick’s hair and then left the room.

He walked out into the hall and as he did so, he became aware of heated, but quiet, voices at the end of the hallway, by the entrance to the wing.

He looked up and his heart stood still.

There was no mistaking, at all, that both men were Stokes men. The woman too, even from a distance Gil could see the familial resemblance. These were Nick’s parents and probably his brother.

They were being prevented from coming into the area where all the patients’ rooms were situated. Gil could hear the Texan twang of Judge Stokes as he tried his most authoritative voice on the police guard (courtesy of the Sheriff) and under strict instructions to admit no one who wasn’t on the ‘allowed to visit’ list. It was a short list.

“I am Nicholas Stokes’s father, and this is his mother and brother; I demand to see him.”

“I’m sorry sir. I have instructions from the Sheriff of Clark County not to admit anyone whose name isn’t on my list. None of your names are on my list; I would suggest you contact the Sheriff at LVPD.”

Good man, thought Gil. It would be easy to cave when confronted with the man who is, obviously, Nick’s father.

Now Gil was stuck with a dilemma. To hide and avoid confrontation; go back into Nick’s room and ‘phone the Sheriff. They’d already talked about this possibility and it was one of the reasons he’d put a guard at the door to the wing. Nick had been able to speak briefly with the Sheriff to confirm that the last people he wished to see were his parents and family.

Or; he could walk along the hallway, step up to them and introduce himself. Of course, he was going to do that. He wouldn’t miss this opportunity, even if it was three to one. He blamed, and Nick blamed, and Ed blamed, most of Nick’s ‘issues’, on these two people. No, he wouldn’t miss this opportunity.

The Judge and the cop were still exchanging words. The judge, still quiet, but used to getting his own way, immediately, was becoming more belligerent. The older son joining in the intimidation, but without speaking.

It was Mrs Stokes who watched as Gil walked down the corridor towards them. She didn’t have to be told that it was Gil Grissom; the man who’d deliberately seduced her boy - she could tell. He was old and grey and a man, and she would die before she’d let him take her dear baby away from her.

“You are Dr Grissom.” It wasn’t a question and it was said with contempt and hatred, in a quiet voice.

“I am. It would be wrong of me to say that I’m pleased to meet you, because I’m not.”

The Judge and the brother stared, open mouthed, at Gil.

“I want to see my son.” Mrs Stokes uttered through clenched teeth.

“I’m sorry; but the last time I checked he did not want to see you or anyone else from his family.” Gil thought that encompassed the three of them.

“He is being coerced by you into rejecting his family. I want to see my son.”

“At the risk of repeating myself, I can assure you that your ‘son’, does not wish to visit with you.” Gil, ensured a heavy dose of sarcasm accompanied the word, ‘son’.

“You have no right to keep me from him.” Mrs Stokes was not letting the Stokes men into the fray just yet, but she sounded remarkably whiney for a lawyer, thought Gil.

“As a matter of fact, I do. I hold a valid Power of Attorney, Medical Proxy, and as such can decide exactly who visits, and who doesn’t visit, ‘your son’. However, it was your son’s own choice to ensure you didn’t have access to him.”

Gil was very aware that no one had called Nick, ‘Nick’, yet.

“That Power has been obtained under duress and we will be able to prove it and have it overturned.”

“Then go ahead and do it.”

“My son is lying critically injured and is incapable of making informed judgements. No court would uphold your Power.” The Judge had found his tongue.

“Would that be in your Texan court, or here in Nevada? And, how do you know about your son’s medical condition, there have been no press releases following the initial report? The hospital would have seriously breeched their own protocols if details had been released.”

“You told me, and my wife, how bad he was.”

“I said he was ‘seriously’ injured and had lost a lot of blood and lost part of his lung; also that he had been unconscious; I do not recall saying he was ‘critical’. He is fully conscious now and started physical therapy this morning. He has total recall about the incident. He also instructed me to become his proxy, which I did the day before yesterday, and that is now in the hands of my lawyer, to pursue the full POA…for each other, actually.”

“It’ll never stand up and you know it.”

“We’re both willing to take our chance in court…given the evidence.”

“What on earth are you talking about? You have no evidence….”

“….’your son’, whose name, incidentally, is Nick, will be able to discuss, in detail, his life within your family and his reasons for leaving Dallas. His therapist will be able to attest to his childhood traumas. The Sheriff, who spoke to him in private, will be able to confirm that it is Nick’s wish that you be excluded from his recovery. And, basically, that’s all I have to say. I suppose, then, that the next time we meet will be in a court of law. Good day.”

Gil felt both enormously proud and sick to his stomach. He’d left them all open mouthed and disbelieving. He’d stood up to them and easily won the first battle, but the war had only just begun. They were powerful people and they would have clout. Although he was at a loss to imagine how they could force a fully compos mentis Nick into doing something he didn’t want to do. But blood was thicker than water. Gil swallowed bile, rising in his throat.

As soon as he was out in the fresh air, he called Peter Szabo again and updated him. Peter said that if they forced a hearing, before a judge, he’d probably have them convene in Nick’s hospital room. It would be the only way to absolutely convince a judge that Nick was perfectly able to make his own decisions.

That didn’t fill Gil with much enthusiasm. He thought Nick might still be fragile under his bravado and wondered if such an ordeal would break him.

He then called the Sheriff and warned him about the collective Stokes’ and their desire to see Nick. Whatever Nick had said to the Sheriff had certainly won him over, because his response was ‘over my dead body’.

Gil then called Ed; he couldn’t speak with him but left a message with his receptionist that he needed to speak to him, very urgently.

As he drove back to his condo, he was amazed to see trucks and men and women outside his house. On closer inspection, they were lab trucks and the men and women were his nightshift team, lab rats and all. He pulled his truck up to the curb and was choked up by their generosity. Greg had them moving Nick’s stuff from Nick’s condo into his house. The new occupant of Nick’s condo would be pleased to get rid of all the stuff, although he’d fully understood Nick’s predicament when it had been explained to him.

He recovered his composure and jumped out of his truck. Warrick saw him first.

“Hey Gris, if Nick wasn’t in the hospital I’d call him on all his junk. You’re a braver man than me taking on all of this! How’s he doing?”

“Real good, Warrick. He’s started PT already and seems so much better today and is in good spirits; he even looks good.”

“I’ll take your word for that last bit. We’ve nearly finished up here. You okay? You look a bit…fucked…if you don’t mind me saying.”

“No; that would be an accurate observation. There’s been a development and….” Gil’s cell sounded and he pulled it from his pants pocket.

“Grissom.” Warrick walked away to give him some privacy.

“Ed; thanks for getting back to me. I don‘t know if you’ve heard about the CSI who was shot…..no, of course Nick isn’t dead; he was seriously injured but is now well on his way to making a full recovery. But, his parents have arrived in town, complete with threats and intimidation……you got that right……I have a lawyer and Nick himself insisted they don’t get access to him…..I’ve got the POA, but they’ve said they’re going to be able to overthrow it. I think that would be almost impossible, given that Nick is fully conscious and has no mental impairment. But I need two things, Ed. Could you get to visit Nick as soon……yes, that would be great. Secondly, if this does get as far as a court will……thank you Ed, it means a lot, you know, to be able to count on your support. Call me when you can visit and I’ll ensure some privacy. Okay. Thanks again.”

As Gil closed his cell, he heaved a sigh of relief. The lawyer didn’t think there was a hope in hell of a judge going against Nick’s own wishes. The doctors could attest to his sound mental state. He’d even bet Dr Hollis would help out. He was belligerent and obviously loved to put people, especially powerful people, in their place. Ed would support Nick and him, ‘one hundred percent’.

Gil turned back to his house and went in. Nick’s boxes were nowhere to be seen, and everyone was hanging around drinking sodas. Greg emerged from the hallway.

“Hey Grissom, I hope you don’t mind, but I had a look around and thought that Nick’s stuff would be better off in your spare bedroom than littering the downstairs. This way you can unpack at your leisure…of course if you have visitors you’ll have to move it all out.”

“I have no visitors scheduled and that’s really good of you, Greg…all of you, to help out. You’ll have made Nick very happy, I know. Thank you for being his friends. He‘s a good guy, you know…...” Gil’s voice just petered out; he couldn’t continue…the kindness of all Nick’s friends and co-workers was almost overwhelming. Especially in contrast to Nick’s family and their behaviour.

He took a few deep breaths and although he wasn’t tearful, he couldn’t continue, he was lost for words. A very unusual occurrence; he shook his head and said. “I’m sorry.”

“No sweat man.” Warrick said, somewhat awkwardly.

Wendy saved the day. “Come on you guys, we’ve done the job we set out to do, let’s give the man some space.”

They filed out of his house in a solemn column, Wendy came up to him and with an enormous amount of courage….this WAS her boss, Gil Grissom, after all…gave him a good hard hug. Gil returned it and marvelled at the strength he felt in her body, just like Catherine…was that a million years ago…no, several days.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. You need anything else?”

“No, I’m good, thank you.”

“Bye then.”

“Bye, Wendy.”

Gil was left alone. He stood still in the middle of his living room and thought about how his life had changed in the last few months. How Nicky had changed it. He seemed to have discovered a whole new set of friends. He knew that they were really Nick’s friends, but they included him in that friendship now, just naturally, he’d become a part of Nick’s whole life.

He heaved a sigh and thought about what he needed to do; why he was here. The papers Nick had brought over for safe keeping only last week, were now filed with Gil’s papers. Birth certificate. Passport. Insurance documents. Savings details. Funny how they were both diligent savers, each saving regular amounts from their wages.

Their birth certificates and further identification were needed for Peter. He’d seen and copied their CSI security passes, but wanted more; their passports would suffice.

Gil looked at the details on Nick’s birth certificate. He looked at the names of his parents. How on earth had they managed it…he’d been thinking about that a lot in the last days, since the ‘phone calls with them. He’d hoped Nick might not be their baby; he might have been swapped at birth, but no such luck, they were definitely related.

Gil shook himself out of his reverie. He had to get these documents to Peter, now. He checked around quickly and locked up and left. He got to his truck and was about to get in when he remembered something. He went back into his house, and in his bedroom, retrieved a parcel from the back of his closet. He stood looking at it for a moment or two and then smiled as he put it under his arm and resumed his journey to Peter’s office.

Peter’s assistant took the documents, photocopied and authenticated them and returned them to Gil. Just as he was about to leave Peter emerged out of his office with a client. He called out.

“Gil, good to see you, how’s Nick?”

“Much better, thank you Peter.”

“Have you got time to come into my office, just for a minute?”

“Of course.”

They went into Peter’s office and Gil was offered a coffee, which he gratefully accepted. He was actually hungry and thirsty and his stomach rumbled, loudly, as he thought about it. Before he had time to apologise, Peter produced a plate of pastries and unceremoniously put them on the seat next to Gil.

“Eat ‘em….my waistline can do without ‘em, and still Jenna brings ‘em in each day.”

“My waistline is worse than yours, but I’m starving and Nick isn’t here to say I should be eating healthy.”

“I figure a bit of sugar won’t do you any harm, just now.”

“Why? Is there something wrong? What’s happened?” Gil was getting to seriously hate surprises.

“Calm down for goodness sake, or you’ll be stroking out! Nothing’s wrong. I just thought you might like an update, a coffee and a danish.”

“God, Peter, I tell you I’m on the line here. Sara. The fucking parents. Nick is a wonderful man and he’s coping better than me, and he’s the one in the hospital.”

“Sip your coffee…but you’d probably be better off on decaff….”

“…oh, no, not voluntarily relinquishing my caffeine.” He took a few sips of the coffee. “This is good; thanks.”

“You’re welcome; eat a danish.” So Gil did, and was grateful for a few quiet moments in Peter’s office.

“So, the update?”

“I've made a few calls and provisionally asked Judge Benton if she’ll deal with this urgently. I told her the bare minimum at this stage, but I did happen to ‘mention’ that Nick’s father was a Texas Supreme Court Judge and that his mother was the DA in Dallas. And, because I specifically chose her because of her ‘righteous’ views, she said what did that mean, they could ride dustcarts for all she cared. She stood for truth and justice, not position in society, or words to that effect.”

“But, Peter, she’s big on family and doesn’t really support gay rights.” Gil was horrified.

Peter smiled. “Exactly. But; she’s straight and will be the least likely judge in the state to be swayed by the Stokes’s fire power. I've checked over some of her cases and she’s never let her political views influence her court judgements. She’s one of a dying breed if you ask me; she really does believe in right over wrong, and not ‘right versus political posturing’. She’s sound, Gil.”

“Thank you Peter; I do trust your judgement.”

“Good, now eat another danish and finish your coffee and I presume you’ll getting back to Nick?”

“Yes. He wants me to go home and sleep and get back to work, but frankly, Peter, I think I need him more than he needs me at the moment. I thought it was him being without me that was making me stay, but it isn’t, I need to be with…..” Gil stopped, suddenly. He didn’t reveal anything about himself normally, only Nick and Ed had cracked that shell, and here he was telling Peter his innermost thoughts.

“Sorry Peter, I didn’t mean to….”

“…don’t worry Gil; these are exceptional times and they change people’s perspective…that’s what I've found anyway. You go to Nick; the comfort, I’m sure, is a two way thing. He might be asking you to go, to test you…you know to see if you will stay with him...the sickness and health thing.”

Gil nodded; this hadn’t crossed his mind but he dismissed it immediately. “No Peter, that’s not something Nick would do, he trusts me, as I trust him. Thank you for the refreshments, the update and the couples’ counselling.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll come in to see Nick at eight tomorrow morning, is that okay?”

“That’s good, we’ll see you then.”

“You do know I need to see Nick on his own?”

“Of course.”

“Until then.” Peter stood and extended his hand towards Gil and the men shook hands, firmly.

“Until then.”

Gil did feel better for the decent coffee and the sugar intake. Imagine Peter knowing about relationships. Gil didn’t even know if he was married, but he supposed he saw a lot of different ‘relationship’ scenarios in his practice.

He found a space in the hospital parking lot; picked up his package and smiled as he made his way to Nick’s room. But, at the entrance to the wing, he was startled to see that there were now two cops.

“Why are there two of you? Has there been any trouble?” Gil was instantly in panic mode; he was, as Peter said, going to stroke out if he didn’t calm down.

“No, nothing’s happened; we’re changing shift, is all.”

“Oh God. I’m sorry.”

“When I say ‘nothing’ that’s not completely accurate, because those unwelcome visitors asked to speak to the Dean of the hospital and tried to get into Nick’s room. But the Dean was having nothing to do with it; she said she was bound by the medical proxy and that was that; she was good.”

“Really? That’s good for us. I have two more names for that list; Dr Ed Stephens will be in sometime tomorrow to see Nick and Peter Szabo, S-Z-A-B-O, our lawyer, will be in at eight in the morning to see Nick. Okay? They’ll both understand if you ask for identification”

The second cop had written the names to the list he had. “Got it.”

“Thanks, guys. Keep up the good work; you’re doing a great job.”

“Thank you.” They both thought that praise from the esteemed, and generally aloof, Dr Grissom, was worthy praise.

Gil made his way to Nick’s room. He was eating; but grinned when Gil walked through the door.

“How’d it go?”

“Good. Real good.” Gil went to the bedside and kissed Nick in his forehead and ruffled his hair. “You look good.”

“Every time I sleep and then….wake up I feel better….and I was hungry and they’ve given….me this…soup…I’ve had better, I must say.”

“Nicky, your breathing is so much better than just earlier. I am impressed.”

“Yeah, well you should be. I’m trying to get better for…you. My parents paid a visit…didn’t they?”

“Yes, they did. Who told you?” Gil was annoyed he hadn’t thought to tell the staff to keep quiet about the family visit.

“The Dean herself came and asked me if I was absolutely sure I didn’t want to see them.”

“Did she indeed?” Gil was now annoyed that she had seen fit to question the arrangement.

“Don’t panic; keep calm. She was lovely and since she’d already spoken….to them about me, she was very……sympathetic. Now tell me babe, what’s that…you’ve got there….is it a present for me, you…have been lacking in the present… giving and man, I am in the hospital.”

Gil was astounded. Nick was so much better, not just speaking, but in himself. He was staring at Nick.

“Well?”

“Oh sorry, sweetheart; you’re so good, you’re so much better. I can’t believe it.”

“I’m not ill, you know….I’ve been injured, but I was in perfect health….and I've got a lot to get better for…and is that a present?”

“Oh, it is, but I don’t know what you’ll think. I…I…well see what you think, you might remember it.” He handed the package over to Nick.

Nick had finished his soup and pushed the tray away; he took the package and felt it. It was fairly light and soft when he prodded it. He smiled at Gil and then ripped the paper off and revealed something wrapped in tissue paper. He gently ripped that off to reveal a teddy bear.

“Oh jeez…..Henderson, the market. Is it for me? Was it always for me, or are….you just giving it to me now?”

“Of course it’s for you. I had it restored and was going to give it to you when you moved in. But I thought about it this morning and thought you might like it.”

Nick was nodding and holding the teddy bear; he couldn’t speak and he was trying desperately not to cry, but to no avail. The tears ran down his cheeks. Gil leaned over him.

“Oh Nicky, please don’t cry, sweetheart, I didn’t want to upset you.”

“Not upset.”

“Trying to believe you.”

“It’s just that I had a….teddy bear….called….and Daddy took….it off me when….I started school. Said I was….a big boy and….didn’t need….him anymore.” The crying made it hard for him to speak and breathe as easily as he had been doing.

“I’m so sorry, Nick, I wouldn’t have brought it here if I’d known. I didn’t want to bring back painful memories.”

“Don’t say that. Just goes to…show….how much….you know me and….understand me; more than my…own parents ever….did.”

“I love you.”

“Yeah, I know. Feels good.”

“It does, doesn’t it? I’m not going to leave you here on your own, not yet, because I need to be with you. I need you.”

Nick nodded at Gil. “Me too.”

Gil put his arms around Nick and the teddy bear, careful not to disturb Nick’s IV lines, or to aggravate his bandages and wound. The intimacy was exactly what both men needed. A gentle reaffirmation of their love and their very real need for each other.

Their quiet time was rudely interrupted as Marilyn strode into the room, followed by a nurse.

“Hey, sorry to interrupt, not; come on, up and at it, Nick.” Nick and Gil separated and she saw at once that Nick had been crying. “You okay? Want me to come back?”

“Nope, I’m good to go. Just having a bit of a flashback, is all.” Nick wiped his face and then blew his nose, using some tissues Gil had given him.

“Hey, that’s good you got all of that out in a normal sentence structure.”

“Yeah, I did, and I didn’t have to…think about it; damn.”

“Don’t beat yourself up, you’re doing good. Marie’s going to unhook your IV, and then take the Foley out.” Marie was, in fact, already disconnecting the IV.

Nick pushed his own bedding back for her to get access to his catheter. He was very happy to be getting rid of that encumbrance. Stopping him enjoying a little light relief. He grinned at Gil, and didn’t flinch as it was pulled out.

Gil did flinch, and murmured, “Oww.”

“Big baby! It’s not even your….” He stopped what he was going to say in deference to the ladies present. But he grinned at Gil, and Gil knew, what was going through his dirty little mind. His wonderful, but still ‘dirty little mind’.

Just then Marilyn noticed the teddy bear. “Hey, he’s cute; he looks like he’s seen a lot of action.”

“He’s been battered and abandoned and left out to rot…..but he’s been repaired and is back stronger….and more resilient than ever before; he has someone to love him…..and loves ‘em right back.” Nick looked across at Gil.

The metaphor with Nick’s life was overwhelming, Gil responded. “He’s come through it all to emerge better and stronger; it makes him all the more loveable.”

Marilyn and Marie both knew that this was a ‘moment’. But, both men seemed strong and positive, if their body language was anything to go by. Marie collected the detritus of Nick’s Foley and left Marilyn to get the wounded man back on his feet.

“What’s his name? Hey, hold your horses.” Nick was sitting up and had started to try and get out of bed.

“Scout. Come on let’s get this over, I want to stand up.”

“’Scout’; that’s nice. Yeah, well, you’ll end up on your ass if you’re not careful. Let me guide you.”

“Named after Tonto’s horse?”

“Yeah! Well spotted, no wonder….you’re a top forensics man.”

“Why not ‘Silver?”

“He got all the attention; I liked rooting for the underdog….underhorse…arrhhhh.”

“Is this before my time? Slowly does it.”

“I saw reruns….Gil might’ve seen the originals. Okay, okay.”

“I might have. You okay there, need any help?”

“No.” Nick’s one word was uttered as he stood up and away from the bed. His wound was stretching and hurting, but he could cope. He was happy just to be out of bed.

“You did good there, Nick. Now stay still and breathe like I showed you. When you’ve gathered your strength, we’ll try a few steps. But go slow.”

“I’m breathing, I’m breathing.”

Gil couldn’t resist the temptation; Marilyn was standing to Nick’s right side, where his wound was and Nick was trying to stand upright, but failing, since the wound was too painful, just yet, for that manoeuvre. But, Nick was standing and Gil stepped two steps towards him and leaned in and kissed his lips. Just gently and chastely.

“Welcome back.” Gil smiled as much with his eyes and his face as well as his mouth. His love shone out of him, he’d have denied ever being that transparent, if anyone had been about to call him on it.

“Good to be…back. Feel lightheaded.”

“I've got you Nick, do you think you’re going to faint?” Marilyn was on his case.

“No, no, legs feel steady and….I want to do this. Want to go into the…bathroom and look in the mirror; see if I’m still real.”

“Nicky?”

“Just play along…okay babe?”

Gil nodded and Marilyn increased her pressure on his right arm. “Come on then, let’s do it.”

And, just like that, Nick stepped cautiously and slowly the eleven small paces to the bathroom sink and the mirror above it. He leaned both hands on the sink and looked at himself. He was thinner, his eyes looked sunken and he had black circles under them
He had a couple of days growth of beard and his hair looked greasy and unkempt.

Gil stepped up behind him and looked at him in the mirror. “You look pretty real to me.”

“Yeah, I am. Could seriously use a shower and a shave.”

“When you’re allowed, maybe I could help you?”

“Like that’s good idea, having you two in the shower together.” Marilyn was chuckling. “Come on, long enough on your feet for now. You can come and take a pee next time you need to go…..just little easy steps before all the hard work begins. You don’t want to go now, do you….not just having the Foley out?”

“No, I’m okay”

The patient and the PT therapist made their way back to the bed. Gil hovered behind them.

Getting back into bed and settling down exhausted Nick and he was ready to sleep. Marilyn said she would be back the next morning at nine thirty and the torture would begin properly; she warned him if he did want to get out of bed, then he must not do so alone, in case he fell. Nick promised faithfully that if Gil wasn’t with him he’d call a nurse.

When they were alone, Gil pulled his chair up close to the bed, sat down and held Nick’s hand. They were both ready for a rest. Nick suddenly opened his eyes and looked around.

“Where’s Scout?”

“Here.” The teddy bear had been propped up behind Nick’s head. Gil held him for Nick to see.

“He’s been mended real good. Where did you take him?”

“I asked Ellie Godfrey, you know my housesitter, if she knew where I could get him fixed and she knew a friend of a friend, only lived one block up and I could have had him repaired for free. In the end we compromised. I paid for all the material and thread, which was eight dollars, would you believe, and made a donation to her favourite charity and we called it quits. And, if we ever move to a new place, she does drapes and furnishing, so a good find.”

“God, Gil, you sound like an old….married woman.”

“You reckon? Mmmm. You’re probably right.”

“Gil. Oh God, you’ve got to do something for me.”

“What? What?” Gil was panicked at Nick’s sudden concern

“I’ve got to; I mean got to…..have an ice cream. A Ben and Jerry’s chocolate chip.

“Sounds urgent.” Gil was seriously relieved; he’d been suckered in by Nick’s urgency.

“It is. Wake me up when you get back, and be quick….and don’t let it melt. Go now!”

“You’re ordering me?”

“Yeah…sick here.”

“Okay, okay, guilt trip understood. I’ll have to search for it, has it got to be….”

“…no…but at least chocolate chip.”

“Your wish…..”

Gil was back in less than twenty minutes because the faithful ward receptionist, Marianne, knew exactly where to buy B& J’s ice cream.

When Gil returned to Nick’s room, Nick opened his eyes immediately; he wasn’t asleep.

“Oh, yes.”

“As I said, your wish….”

“Mmmm…” Nick was already opening up his treat and was soon enjoying his first spoonful.

“Good then?”

“Orgasmic.”

“Oh?”

“Well a lot of women reckon that chocolate….and candy is better than sex.”

“Really. Do you know what disturbs me about that statement?”

“That it’s true? You think I might like….ice cream better than you?”

“Exactly that.” Gil was trying to be serious.

“Well I don’t. And, while this is bliss….man, you have no idea….it doesn’t come anywhere….near one of my Gil-induced orgasms. Do I pass?”

“Yes, you do.”

“I've been thinking Gil; I might…..see my parents.”

A cold hand clutched Gil’s innards. “If that’s what you want, then do it.” He knew his voice sounded like a strangulated version of normal.

“Hey, babe, don’t worry.” Nick smiled at Gil. “I was thinking that…if I see them and tell them to their….faces that I’m done with them; they….might actually get the message and leave. Or, of course, knowing my mother she’d….think I was out of my mind and try…. to have me committed to…..a hospital for the insane.” The joke fell on stony ground, Gil was not about to laugh.

“I will do whatever you want. They are your parents and it’s your decision. If you feel strong enough to do it, then it does have the potential to be a fatal blow to their campaign. However…..”

“…I might fall under their spell and….move back….to Dallas?”

“I cannot influence you on this Nick. It is your decision, but I would advise caution. Why not speak to Peter tomorrow morning? And Ed said he’s coming over tomorrow.”

“That’s a good idea. Hey, babe?”

Gil looked but didn’t answer; he’d just seen an alternate universe where all Nick’s hard work with Ed was wiped out in a few minutes and Nick had once more been subsumed into his family.

“Gil, do you trust me?”

“Of course I do.”

“Then trust me. It may sound ridiculous….but as I’ve been lying here, in pain, and…..struck by the fact that….I should be dead; I've never felt stronger…..”

“….that could be because you survived when you expected to die. Like survivors’ guilt, almost. You think you’re strong, but you could be in a weakened state.”

“Yeah, I thought about that. But, I was strong before this….this has just brought it to the surface. You remember all those months ago….when I said that I knew you loved me? And you did?”

Gil smiled, he remembered. “I remember it very well.”

“And that I didn’t force any of it onto you…I let you take it at your pace….when I could have jumped your bones months….ago?”

Gil nodded.

“Well, I am strong Gil, and Ed knows this. He’s the one….that has been instilling in me this feeling of ‘self worth’. I’m not a boy anymore Gil….I’m a man. I’m in love and I’m strong.”

“Yes, you are.”

“There you are. Hey, my ice cream is melting.” And with that Nick studiously finished his ice cream.

Gil looked at the man in the bed. He was very beautiful. What had Sara…..yeah Sara, fucking Sara, called it, when he was pale….’Byronic’? But he wasn’t a tragic figure. He was strong. He’d always been stronger than he’d realised; just to contend with the problems his family heaped upon him, he needed to be strong. It just needed someone like Ed to point it out.

“You should be resting now.”

“So you can sleep too?”

“Exactly that.”

“Well, man, I've got a problem.”

“What’s wrong?”

“You know I’m not supposed to get up alone, even when I want a bathroom break? I want a bathroom break.”

“I can help.”

“You sure? I haven’t been since I've been in here…..at least I hope I haven’t.”

“Oh. THAT sort of bathroom break.”

“Your ’squeamish’ type.”

“I’m not squeamish; it’s just not what I’m used to. Come on let’s get you up and I’ll help you into the bathroom.”

“But you’re not going to stay.”

“I’ll stay if you want me to; I’ll stay.”

“Must get sick more often….”

“Don’t say that.”

“Oh come on….don’t have a humour bypass, not now.”

“Okay, okay, but it wasn’t funny.”

“It will be man, ‘cause I gotta tell you I don’t think I can…..reach to wipe my ass.” Nick was trying hard not to laugh. He couldn’t understand how Gil was so…particular…about this bodily function when he couldn’t care less about any other smell or situation he encountered.

Gil looked at Nick with an unreadable expression. “You’re not joking are you?”

“Nope.”

“Didn’t think so.”

“And, there is no way I’m gonna let one of those…. nurses near my ass.”

“They’re trained, Nick.”

“You telling me you don’t know how to….‘wipe an ass’?”

Their conversation was brought to a halt by Nicky, who, unable to contain himself, emitted a loud fart.

“That’ll be toxic, babe, you may wish to move away…..” Nick virtually collapsed laughing…he held his side and pulled a pained expression. “Man, I gotta go.”

“I know. Come on.” Gil was resigned to his fate and gently helped Nick from the bed. Making him pause as Marilyn had done earlier. Taking it steadily.

“You make a good nurse.”

“I would save your judgment until after you’ve…..I’ve….come on.”

“Scaredy cat.”

“Yes. I’m man enough to admit it.”

They were at the door of the bathroom. “Help me onto the toilet. I should be okay. I use my right hand and it’s my left side I can’t move very well.”

“If you think for one minute I would let you try, and risk pulling your wound and the stitches, you’ve seriously underestimated me. Now come on, Stokes, this better not be hot air.”

“I’m scared now.”

“I've been taking lessons off the nurses.” Gil had manoeuvred Nick to the toilet and pulled up the hospital gown he was wearing and then helped him sit down. “You okay? I’ll leave you in peace to….perform. Don’t you dare try and…do it yourself.”

“No sir. I won’t, sir.”

“And don’t be facetious; I’ll store up any problems I have with you for payback, when you’re fit again. Just so you know.”

“Thanks, I needed to hear that.”

“D’you want me to leave you to concentrate? An audience might put you off.”

“Yeah, good idea…but leave the door open a bit and talk to me, will you?” Nick spoke almost flawlessly, with just the extra breathy sounds, but his plea tore at Gil's chest.

“Of course I will. I promise I won’t leave you Nicky. Ever.”

“Sounds good.” His tired eyes shone with his love for Gil, however, a loud expulsion of air into the toilet bowl caused both men to chuckle.

“I’ll make sure no one uses an open flame in here, we don’t want an explosion, now do we?”

“I wouldn’t mind; now go, you’re taking my mind off the business at hand.”

“I’ll be right outside.” Just then his cell vibrated in his pocket. “I’ll answer this, is that okay?”

“Yeah. Go.”

Gil answered his cell. “Grissom.” It was Peter Szabo.

It appeared that the Stokes’ had approached the hospital lawyer, Lisa Holding, and asked about the Medical Proxy. She had stated quite clearly that it was legally sound. She had also told Judge Stokes that all matters were now in the hands of Peter, as she’d been told to do so by Gil….just in case, and correctly so, as it now transpired.

Peter had been contacted by Clark, Hopkins and Moran, a leading law team in Vegas. Victor Hopkins himself was handling the case and wanted in, in respect of the hearing for the Power of Attorney for Nick. This was exactly as Peter had anticipated and Judge Benton had been contacted and would be at the hospital at nine thirty the next morning if that was acceptable to all parties, but primarily by the medical staff treating Nick.

Gil had said he would try and get Dr Hollis on board, but he was elusive and busy. But Ed Stephens was coming in and Gil would speak to him; Peter himself was due to see Nick at eight in the morning.

The worry that Gil had was that Nick would be too tired and exhausted for all of this, but he finished the call with Peter and remembered Nick in the bathroom.

“How you doing in there, Nicky?”

“Good. Five pounds lighter, at least.”

“Nick, that was just…how does Warrick phrase it, oh, yes, ‘too much information’. You ready for me?”

“I think I can manage.”

“No! Nicky don’t you’ll….” Gil barged into the bathroom. “….pull your stitches.”

“Honest; I’m okay. I've done it.”

“Oh, Nicky, are you sure?”

“I know when I've wiped my ass and when I haven’t…not that I never don't wipe my ass….oh leave it, I’m okay. Help me up, I need to wash my hands.”

“Okay. I would have done it, you know.”

“Yeah, I know…but it’s not very….romantic is it?”

“As a matter of fact I think it is, a willingness to do anything for your love – you’d do the same.”

“Yeah…I would, if you didn’t bolt the door.”

“I am so not going to let you in Nicky, you have no idea.” Gil laughed.

“So spill the beans on the call….what’s happening…tomorrow.” Nick leaned on the sink and washed his hands thoroughly, as if he needed to really clean them. Gil realised it was probably the first time since before…..that he’d been able to wash them properly.

“Peter’s still coming at eight as I said but the judge is coming at nine thirty, if your doctors’ think you’re up to it…..”

“I am.”

“….but Nick, you parents have hired Victor Hopkins to represent them and he will probably be here too…”

“Will they be here?”

“I don’t know if they can force their way in, but it’s likely, yes.”

“That’s good. I said I wanted to see them and I do, I want to tell them myself. And, I know you think I’m ill, but like I said, I’m not ill, I’m injured, and weak, is all. That’s weak physically, Gil. I’ve never actually felt stronger, whether…Sara…intended it, and I’m sure she didn’t, she’s made me, and me and you, stronger.”

Gil just stood there behind Nick as he’d delivered his speech, watching each other in the mirror above the sink.

“You do realise that you said that normally, with just a bit of a breathless tone?” Gil was incredulous.

“Yeah, have you been listening? I just said I’m not ill, I’m really not sick…well apart from the shooting.” Nick looked at Gil with love and amusement.

Gil thought that he was going to cry. He couldn’t say ‘shooting’ out loud and here was Nicky saying it, facing up. (A/N: I knew I’d get the bugger in somewhere!!!)

The End tbc with ‘The Long and Winding Road’