Home of Greg Sanders Slash Fiction
by Buffyangel68
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LATE AFTERNOON: THE APARTMENT
Greg was helping make dinner when Jim and Blair finally arrived, so he only had a few steps to go to reach his safe place and he hurried there the minute they knocked. Once they were inside, he emerged and greeted them while Nick continued preparing their evening meal.
"Hi."
"Sorry we're so late. With all that's been going on, we both felt like we needed some extra quiet time alone..."
"It's okay. I understand. Come sit down. So how did you guys... like the lab?"
"It was cool." Blair responded enthusiastically as he and Jim sat on the couch. "Way more extensive than anything we have back home."
"Vegas is like Texas. Everything's bigger, better... and shinier that it looks on TV."
"Hey, watch yourself there, surfer-boy. Ain't nothin like Texas." Nick called in a teasing tone from the kitchen.
"Silly me, I forgot the rule; make fun... of any state in the union except Texas.
"Damn right. Texas is sacred ground, bud."
Greg chuckled and turned back to their visitors to find Jim looking at him solemnly.
"What is it?"
"Captain Brass told us why he thought you really set up that tour."
"Sara... yeah. I wasn't trying to hide anything... from you guys. I just thought you might say no."
"No to what? As if I can't guess." Jim said, smiling lightly
"You may be the only one who can... find her, Jim. The longer she's gone... the more scared I get. What else did... he tell you?"
"That she may have been abused as a child and that she's running from those memories."
Greg lowered his head, breathing deeply as he gathered his courage.
"I don't know you, Jim. Not really. I only know... what Blair's told me in his letters... and e-mails. He made you sound like Superman and... Casanova all wrapped up in one great guy. He also said you have a huge heart. I know you... didn't come down here for this, but I... we all need your help. Sara's in deep trouble."
Nick came strolling in just then wiping his hands on a paper towel.
"I don't know why Greggo thinks you'll have any more luck than the rest of the PD has... but if he trusts you, so do I. I'm gonna throw my two cents in with his."
"I can't guarantee anything..."
"Not askin' for one. Why don't you both stay for supper an' we'll talk about it?"
Both Blair and Jim agreed readily. Once the food was ready, two more places were set and all four men settled around Greg's small dining table, tucked in the back of the living room. Over homemade Tex-Mex and good beer, the group talked about everything and anything that came to their minds, but eventually, more serious and touchy subjects became the focus of conversation.
"You never have to meet her if you don't want to, Greg. I just think she should have to deal with what she's done face to face. Justice for her, closure for you." Jim stated resolutely. Blair shot him an irate glance that he caught, but pretended not to.
"I still don't know how I feel. It's all really confusing "
"I know. We're still sorting things out too. I should warn you that if she finds out you know the truth, she might just show up on her own, even if you don't want her to. No matter how or when the two of you meet, though, you need to be ready for her... unique viewpoint on things."
"What are you saying?"
"Don't expect her to understand if you get angry. She never thinks she has to justify anything she does. Even... or maybe especially when she hurts the people she claims to care about. I see her as a tornado. She touches down without much warning, disperses maximum destruction and devastation and then moves on and leaves the clean up and recovery for her victims to deal with."
Blair was now openly glaring at his lover, but Ellison was still being purposefully oblivious. "She won't really *mean* to hurt you with what she says or how she says it. It's just... Naomi. I can't live without Blair... so I batten down the hatches when she breezes in and I'm there with the broom and dustpan to pick up the pieces when she breezes out again."
Blair abruptly drew back and punched Jim in the shoulder as hard as he could. He then shoved his chair back, stood up and stalked toward the door. Realizing he wouldn't have time to make it to his safe place, Greg swiftly buried his face in Nick's chest. Nick's arms went around him instinctively and held on until Blair slammed the door shut and Greg slowly pulled away.
"You okay?" Nick asked Jim cautiously.
"Yeah. He packs one hell of a punch for someone his size, though..."
When Nick and Greg both looked at him as if he were insane, Jim shrugged, wincing at the brief pain the movement caused, and gave them the best explanation he could. "I knew he was gettin' mad. Didn't take away my responsibility. She's his mother. Even after all she's done to him, he loves her and he'll defend her no matter what. I figured that left me to tell you guys the truth. I'm gonna... go catch up with him."
Nick walked Greg to his kitchen corner, one arm still securely around his back, while Jim exited. After a few minutes, Greg stepped out of Nick's embrace, but they stayed there, talking quietly in that dark nook, long after the sound of the door being softly closed had faded.
7:30 THE FOLLOWING MORNING: A LOCAL DINER
"Okay, so we're at breakfast. You gonna tell me what that weird message was all about?"
"Yeah... I'm really sorry about that. I was a little... nervous."
"That's what I thought at first, but I told myself I knew better. Guess I was wrong. Damn, you *still* look wound up."
"I am. It's... the cause is the subject I wanted to discuss with you."
"Which is?"
"Embarrassing... and difficult to talk about."
"Okay, I can pull teeth as good as anybody. *Why* is it embarrassing and difficult? Wait... are we talkin' about sex?"
Gil grimaced and nodded slightly.
"I need advice and you... seem to be experienced. Flirting, dating..."
"The whole fantastic, frustratin' journey that leads to the bedroom." Warrick added, grinning.
"In a word... yes."
"Huh. Can I ask... why me?"
"Nick has charm and compassion, Greg has sweetness and humor. You just hang back and you still get offers. So the answer to why you... is because you make it look easy."
Warrick smiled and dropped his eyes briefly.
"Easy... yeah right."
"Fine, maybe it isn't that simple for you, but for me it's damn near impossible."
"No it's not. You just need to get out and practice, that's all."
Gil made another unpleasant face and looked out the window. A few moments later the waitress approached to pour coffee and take their orders. Both men spoke only as necessary, resuming their conversation once she'd stepped away. "You were about to say..." Warrick prompted.
"Right. No bars, no clubs. They just aren't my style. You know I don't do well in crowds..."
"Uh-huh." Warrick replied knowingly. "You've already got someone in mind, don't you?"
"How can you be so sure about that?"
"I wasn't, but the surprise in your voice just then confirmed it for me."
Gil sipped carefully at his mug then stared intently at the dark liquid as if it was a scrying bowl that might somehow provide all the answers he needed.
"I haven't dated seriously since I was twenty-five. I last had sex in 1996 and that was with a virtual stranger. It was..."
"Unfulfilling?"
"Unfortunately."
"Yeah, well a faceless fuck ain't supposed to be fulfilling, Gris. It's about meetin' needs an' movin' on."
"Faceless... is that what they're calling a one-night stand these days?"
"Hell of a lot more honest, don't you think?"
"But not nearly as polite or easy to discuss in mixed company."
Warrick chuckled.
"I suppose. So. You feel like tellin' me who it is we're talkin' about? You don't have to. I'm just curious."
Gil was silent and obviously uncomfortable, so his companion backed off. "Hey, no dead cats on my conscience."
"It's... not easy to say. I think I'm afraid of how you'll react."
"I've seen it all in this job, man. Almost nothin' fazes me anymore. Besides, I was raised open-minded. Go on."
Gil drew and expelled a deep slow breath, gathering his courage, before he responded.
"I've been finding myself more and more attracted... to Jim."
"Brass?" Warrick replied his tone betraying his mild surprise. Grissom felt as if were hanging suspended above a pit full of sharpened stakes while his friend and colleague pondered the revelation. When Warrick finally spoke, Gil realized he'd been holding his breath and released it in a quiet rush. "Yeah... not a big age difference, you're already good friends and I'd guess his last hook-up wasn't much more recent than yours and probably just as... faceless. I can see you two workin' out a lot better than if either of you tried to find somebody younger."
"Why's that?"
"I'm not knockin' your age, now. I just think that the couples that last are the ones that've been down the same road... the ones that share a frame of reference. 'Course passion should be in there somewhere, too. The attraction's gotta be mutual."
"How do I find out?"
"Very, *very* carefully..." Warrick advised, falling silent as the waitress brought their meals. When she left, he started again, talking while he fixed his breakfast the way he preferred. "Like I said, you have to take it slow and careful. Next time he stops to talk, stand a little closer than you normally would. Before you split up, brush his hand or touch his shoulder. Not very long though, just a few seconds. Watch how he reacts, if he does at all. If you think what you see is positive, make the touch or the proximity last a little longer the next time and keep payin' attention. Eventually, he'll catch on and say somethin'. Take the opening and ask him straight up how he feels. No matter what he says, you'll at least know where you stand."
Gil smiled broadly.
"See? I knew you were the right one to talk to. This is exactly what I needed; a walking talking instruction manual for the socially challenged."
This time it was Warrick's turn to grimace.
"Nice way to phrase a self put-down."
"I acknowledge who and what I am, Warrick. I don't try to be anything else."
"So maybe you're not James Bond. You just haven't had a good enough reason to make an effort, that's all. Maybe Brass is your reason."
"Maybe. You know... there's more I need to learn, here. Even if Jim does respond favorably, I wouldn't have any idea where to start or what to do..."
"Ah. Can't help there, but I know who can."
"You do?"
"Trust me."
"So? I need a name."
"After I get some food in me. It was a rough, tough shift, man."
"C'mon..."
"Gris... we're both hungry and you need time to think over what you've heard so far."
"Yeah..."
"So dig in before it gets cold." Warrick told him with a wicked grin. Gil surrendered, picked up his fork and began to eat.
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TBC...
