*Chapter 8*

 

Two weeks had passed since Stella had read Mac the riot act. She still didn’t know what had happened that night, but the fact that both Danny and Mac had been late next morning told her that it had been something good.

 

This was something she couldn’t say from their current case... A man crushed by a container, another man beaten to death... It wasn’t something she had wanted to work on, but it was her job. Worse even though was the open hostility she and the team had encountered ever since they had started the investigation. It was obvious that the men were intimidated into not speaking with them and sighing audibly she looked up from the place where the other half had been found.

 

“That was a deep, deep sigh.”

 

Nick looked up and smiled at her. He had changed too and if Stella was right, then the change had happened the same night as Danny and Mac had obviously talked or whatever. There was a dirty part of Stella’s mind that wondered if Nick had been part of the ‘discussion’ between Danny and Mac and an even dirtier part of her wanted to see that on video, but if she was honest, she didn’t believe that Nick was more than a good friend for Danny and Mac.

 

“I hate working like this, when everyone is scared to even look at you and nothing you see is real.”

 

Nick nodded and shrugged.

 

“Any scene in a casino felt like this, especially the ones we would work in Sam Braun’s casinos.”

 

Her colleague had never talked much about Vegas and now as they both gathered the last evidence from the container, Stella suddenly realized that Nick didn’t know that she knew. She would have to tell him, but looking around and seeing the assessing and disdainful glances, she decided to have that conversation somewhere more sociable.

 

“Casinos, not very friendly places for CSI’s?”

 

Nick laughed at that and shook his head.

 

“One of the CSI’s in our team was related to one of the Casino owners, unfortunately not what you’d call the new breed, Sam Braun is very much old style Las Vegas... It caused tons of problems, cause he would announce that relationship whenever we started investigating him...”

 

Nick shrugged and then bent down to examine something more closely. Maybe it was chance or fate or whatever that Stella turned around in that moment and saw Don look at Nick.

 

Don’s face was completely open and Stella’s breath caught at the emotions she saw in the cop’s face and eyes. He was totally focused on Nick and there was an expression of longing and love that made her heart stutter. She was looking at a man in love, totally and utterly in love and it was Nick this love was directed towards.

 

Her idea of a Danny, Mac and Nick in a threesome shattered and was replaced by the knowledge that Don Flack was the reason Nick seemed happier and more relaxed. And yet, if they were together why the longing in Don’s face? Why the sadness when he looked at Nick now?

 

She had no time to investigate those questions right now, but Stella grinned slightly, she would make sure to bring the topic up next time she was working with Donny. And maybe she could ask for a video then too...

 

“You look like a cat that’s just eaten the canary.”

 

Nick’s comment made her smile but she shook her head and waved vaguely.

 

“Well, if you’re happy that’s great, cause I’ve got bugs.”

 

Unable to prevent from laughing at Nick’s sour look, she did and saw how several workers turned around to glare at her. It wasn’t that though, it was Don’s suddenly tense body at Nick’s comment that made her tense too as she realized what Nick had said and what he’d been through.

 

“You ok with them?”

 

Nick’s eyes narrowed slightly and he looked at her, there was something in his eyes that made her shiver, but before she could react to it, it was gone and the younger man shrugged.

 

“I’m no Grissom, but I’ve worked with him for six years, so I should be able to figure out what they are and why they are here.”

 

Looking around Nick shook his head.

 

“It’s too cold for bugs here, so they can’t be native...”

 

She watched as he carefully picked the crawlers up and put them in a can with some drops of water. Meeting her eyes he grinned at her surprised look.

 

“I once let a bug die cause I forgot to put some water in the can, believe me I was in the doghouse for a month after that.”

 

Smiling at his antiques Stella gratefully grabbed Don’s hand to help her getting of the container and watched as Nick followed her without help. And yet as the three of them stood on the ground, she noticed how close to Nick Don stood and she was sure that she had seen him quickly put his hand on Nick’s back in a reassuring gesture. Pretending not to have noticed anything, she threw Nick a smile.

 

“Believe me; no one is going to put you in the doghouse here if you kill a bug.”

 

Nick just grinned.

 

“Grissom’s conditioning was thorough.”

 

He put the evidence in the back of the car and sat down in the passenger seat. Looking over to Flack, Stella noticed that he looked at her hard and as her eyes met his, she saw a clear warning in the blue gaze.

 

‘Don’t hurt him.’

 

Swallowing hard she nodded and was surprised by the smile that crossed Flack’s face.

 

“I’ll see you at the lab.”

 

Stella nodded and prepared herself for questions while she drove back to Manhattan.

 

“Who told you?”

 

Nick’s voice was more or less devoid of emotions and it struck her that she’d never heard him talk like this, Nick was always full of emotions and the difference to this cold detached way made her shiver.

 

“No one told me, but I read the news coverage and when Mac told me that he was talking to someone from the Vegas lab, I figured you’d have to be the one.”

 

Nick’s breathing was harsh and for a moment, she wondered if she’d made a mistake. Stopping in front of a red light she glanced at her colleague and saw that Nick had his eyes closed and was breathing deeply. He was calming himself, she realized.

 

“You never said anything.”

 

His words were neither accusing nor questioning, it was just a statement and for a moment Stella didn’t know how to answer. Then though she decided that Nick deserved the truth.

 

“I didn’t know how to bring it up, I wasn’t sure if you’d want us to know.”

 

A smile crossed Nick’s face before he answered.

 

“I came here because no one knew, but then I ended up telling almost everyone. I mean I had to tell Mac right at the beginning and then Danny and I became friends and so I told him and then I freaked out at Flack and he came over and...”

 

It was interesting how red really suited Nick, Stella thought amused as she noticed the blush that covered his face now. They were silent for a while, but to Stella’s surprise, Nick grabbed her hand when they had to stop next time. His eyes were honest and concerned something that surprised her completely.

 

“Sorry Stella for not telling you, I didn’t want to leave you out, I just... I just didn’t think.”

 

It made her want to smile and cry at the same time and simultaneously she suddenly felt so old compared to Nick who was still so concerned about others about her feelings... It was something she’d noticed in the few months since she’d been working with him.

 

Nick certainly put others first and himself last, yet before she could call him onto it, Flack’s eyes and warning came to her mind and Stella smiled.

 

It was ok for Nick to put others first, cause Don would make sure that the others put Nick first.

 

---

 

Danny had a hard time to suppress the shivers as Hawkes showed him and Mac the bruising on the woman’s body.

 

“They tied her to the tree and then hit her with the car?”

 

It didn’t make sense and Mac’s shrug told him that his lover? His lover couldn’t make more sense of the scene so far than he could. Danny marveled at the fact that he could call Mac his lover, even if it was only in his thoughts.

 

“She wasn’t tied to the tree, that I can tell you.”

 

Hawkes lifted the slender body and turned her around so that they could see her back.

 

“If she had been tied to the tree, there would be marks from it, but all you can see is the continuation of the bruises from the front.”

 

Mac nodded and Danny saw that his colleague had figured something out.

 

“Thanks Hawkes, we’ll come back later.”

 

They passed the completely covered corpse on the other lab table and with a nod towards it, Danny asked.

 

“Nick and Stella’s case?”

 

The ME nodded and shuddered.

 

“Spatula Man, crushed by a container at the port”

 

Danny shivered too, the thought of being crushed alive was too horrible to consider, but at the same time he was glad to hear that Nick’s crime scene was above ground and even more, that his friend was obviously working the case with Flack.

 

Nick had not told him much about what had happened that night when Flack had shown up unexpectedly at his door step and neither had Flack, but both men were visibly more relaxed around each other and when Danny had asked Nick directly, his friend had smiled and just simply answered.

 

“He stayed the night and I was able to sleep.”

 

It wasn’t the hot and steamy comment that Danny had expected, but somehow the simple answer had carried a lot of emotions and looking at Nick he had seen the love and happiness in the dark eyes. He had hugged his friend then and told him that obviously they both had gotten lucky that night. Nick had laughed and looking at the hickey at Danny’s neck he’d commented that...

 

“Seems like some of us got very lucky...”

 

Danny hadn’t denied it, how could he? He had gotten incredibly lucky and if Mac really meant it when he told him that he was in love with him, then Danny’s luck was more than anything he’d ever expected and if he was honest much more than he deserved.

 

“That was no car accident.”

 

Mac’s voice was so sure about that that Danny looked at him surprised, his supervisor had a bag in his hand and a latex suit in his other, heart beating hard Danny crouched down next to Mac and stared at the gag... Bile rose in his throat and he took deep calming breaths when the straps followed.

 

“This was a scene gone wrong.”

 

He knew that his voice was shaky as he commented and felt Mac’s eyes on him. Quickly he grabbed the bag, the suit and the straps.

 

“I’ll get them to the lab and start processing.”

 

“Danny”

 

Mac’s voice held a volume of emotions and questions, but he wasn’t prepared to face either right at the moment and almost running he carried the items to the lab where he put them on the table and then really run to the toilet. He was shaking as he leaned against the closed door inside the stall, bile rose against and this time he didn’t stop it.

 

Why did he have to get such a case right now?

 

He had been able to ban those memories for so long, had suppressed anything that would have reminded of those days, but now after talking to Mac after feeling the open care whenever Mac touched, the contrast to the previous touches he had known was so strong that the memory constantly hovered at the edge of his mind. Danny looked at his shaking hands and growled.

 

Why was he so damn weak?

 

Slowly the shivers subsided and he dared to leave the stall. He needed to wash his hands, his face and certainly needed to drink something, needed a chewing gum to get the foul taste out of his mouth.

 

“Here”

 

A soft cloth warm and wet was pressed in his hand, and, as he just stared at it not comprehending where it came from, the same soft cloth tenderly was moved over his face, his hands and finally he saw Mac standing opposite him. The cloth he had held was thrown to the basket and he reached for a bottle of water which Danny took. He felt Mac’s eyes on him as he drank and rinsed his mouth, but the older man didn’t say anything, just stood there and waited.

 

“Thanks”

 

He hated how the word couldn’t convey what he felt right at the moment, but Mac seemed to understand him as he walked closer tentatively, almost as if he was afraid of scaring Danny. Danny hated that he had put that look of fear in Mac’s eyes and before he could stop himself he reached out and caressed the beloved face.

 

“It was nothing you did Mac, just...”

 

He broke off, didn’t want Mac to know and at the same time called himself an idiot cause it was clear that Mac already knew.

 

“Memories”

 

Danny looked up at the soft voice so close to him and he was shocked when Mac just pulled him against his own body, holding him close, banning any bad memories and any remembrance of the humiliations he’d suffered.

 

“Don’t run from me Danny”

 

The words were soft, but Mac’s eyes were clear and strong, this was no plea this was an order and almost against his will Danny felt himself relax in the strong arms.

 

“I told you that I would be there for you.”

 

Of course he had said it, but wasn’t it equally as clear that Danny had not believed him? He looked at Mac and saw the soft smile in his eyes that seemed to exist only for his eyes.

 

“I know you don’t believe me, but Danny I’ve got the rest of our lives to convince you.”

 

He stared shocked and watched stunned as Mac disentangled himself and left the bathroom as if nothing had happened.

 

‘the rest of our lives’

 

The words rang still through his mind as he finally went back to the lab and found Mac already waiting for him.

 

“You take the top and I’ll start at the bottom.”

 

Mac looked at him and for a second Danny was sure he saw a smirk, but then Mac turned back and put his protection glasses on. They started searching when in the middle of their work Mac suddenly spoke again.

 

“I’m not sure Danny, but I think I’d prefer it the other way round.”

 

For a second Danny was sure he’d misunderstood, but when he looked up he saw Mac’s eyes laughing at him and stuttering he went back processing the latex.

 

It would certainly take time to get used to Mac teasing him, but should his lover have really meant it, then oh my god...

 

---

 

Don watched from the door as Nick processed the clothing of their dead man and smiled as he found more of the beetles, he’d been so excited about at the crime scene. His lover was completely absorbed by his work and Don enjoyed the luxury of just watching Nick work.

 

There was a grace to his movements that Don was sure had to be natural, but it was Nick’s attitude that made him want to walk over and kiss him. Nick was completely focused and yet he seemed relaxed and at ease. Don’s heart stopped for a second as he imagined being the insect on the table, to have Nick focus so completely on him.

 

It was two weeks since that night when he had held Nick all night, two weeks since that soul shattering kiss and they had seen each other several times since then. But all those times had been either in a pub or a bar or then Danny had been with them. And it wasn’t that Don hadn’t enjoyed those relaxed evenings full of laughter and just to see Nick’s eyes sparkle had been worth every night, but he wanted more.

 

He wanted to hold Nick again, wanted to really hold him and to kiss him until they both were out of breath, he wanted to feel Nick’s hands on him and to get his own hand on Nick’s soft skin. He wanted to know how Nick looked when he was out of control, wanted to know how the other man sounded when he moaned his name, but most of all he wanted to claim Nick as his.

 

Nick was too great a guy and ever since that night, Don had noticed how many people turned around when he walked through the lab or the police office. It made him want to mark Nick, made him want to claim him openly, but he knew that as long as they both worked for the police, it was an impossible wish.

 

“How long have you been standing here?”

 

He smiled when he saw the joy in Nick’s eyes and casually strolling into the lab, he leaned against the table. They were alone in the lab and maybe it was time to start the seduction of Nick Stokes.

 

“Not long enough, I love watching you.”

 

Nick looked up and Don saw the confusion in his eyes, quickly he looked around and seeing no one took Nick’s hand and kissed the palm.

 

“Such talented hands”

 

He nipped at one finger.

 

“Such capable fingers.”

 

Letting go of Nick’s hand he reached out and caressed the face of the other man quickly.

 

“Such a great mind”

 

Nick had frozen when he’d grabbed his hand, but now he seemed to come back to live and a shiver ran through his body at the intimate caress and even more so at the heat in Don’s eyes.

 

“Keep this up and my mind is going to implode.”

 

Don saw the passion in the dark eyes, saw the longing and he realized that he wasn’t the only one who had waited for two weeks.

 

“Come around tonight”

 

His words were a mere whisper, but Nick blushed nonetheless. Don watched as he picked a non existing fiber from the pants and finally looked up.

 

“I’ll try.”

 

He knew that this was as good as a promise that Nick could make with the sometimes crazy hours that they all worked. Still though he felt the need to give the other man a little incentive and after once again ensuring that they were still alone he leaned down and nipped at Nick’s neck.

 

“I see you then.”

 

He left casually and smiled at Stella who chose that moment to walk into the lab.

 

“Found something?”

 

Nick grinned at her and pointing towards the glass can, he answered.

 

“More bugs.”

 

Don smiled on his way out, feeling happy and looking forward to the evening, when his phone beeped. He grabbed it out from his coat and read the short text.

 

‘Watch out, next time I’ll make you squirm at your desk.’

 

He laughed out loud, but his body tightened at the sudden image of Nick lying naked on his desk. He needed a cold shower now.

 

---

 

Mac’s heart was heavy as he watched Danny flinch at the sight of the confiscated utensils from their last case. He saw how memories rose in Danny’s eyes and wished that he could wrap the younger man in his arms, but the lab wasn’t the place to do this.

 

The one thing he could do though was get Danny away from those objects that obviously woke bad memories in his mind, yet before he could even say anything, he saw his lover’s eyes flash.

 

“Don’t”

 

Mac hid the flinch at the sharp tone in Danny’s voice and looking at the younger man he felt his heart drop. Danny was almost trembling with fury and it was him that fury was directed at. Leaning over the table, keeping his voice down so that no one could hear him speak, Danny hissed at Mac.

 

“Don’t treat me any different than before. You never cared about my emotions before I let it slip that my childhood wasn’t a bed of roses, so don’t start now.”

 

The words felt like a slap in his face and Mac was glad for all those years of training, all those exercises in control that the Marine Corps had put him through. It had taught him to keep any reaction inside, but unfortunately it hadn’t taught him not to feel.

 

Danny’s words, the contempt he spoke with, it hurt him deep to his core.

 

He had been an idiot, had been a bastard and he knew it, but after the last two weeks he had hoped that Danny had forgiven him, that the younger man had started to understand...

 

“I always cared”

 

Danny sneered, but didn’t say anything. Instead he started to process the next item. Mac sighed as he saw how his lover’s entire body language seemed to shut him out.

 

“Don’t shut me out Danny, don’t run from me.”

 

He had said those words only hours ago, when he had found Danny in the bathroom and holding him close then, Mac had been sure that Danny had believed him. Had he been so wrong?

 

“Stop it”

 

Again the words hit him hard and with a harsh growl, Mac turned around and stared at Danny.

 

“My office now”

 

Stunned surprise at both the sound of his voice as well as the command registered in Danny’s face and on some level Mac cheered because it wiped the mask of indifference from his lover’s face. Still he didn’t show anything, just turned around and walked over without checking if Danny followed him.

 

The sound of a door closing behind him, made him look up and with a heavy heart he wondered if his dream of loving Danny for the rest of his life would be coming to an end in the next few minutes.

 

Had Danny decided he’d made a mistake?

 

Had he done something to make the younger man fall out of love?

 

Had Danny ever loved him?

 

“Close the blinds at the door, please”

 

Mac got up himself and closed the rest of the blinds, shutting curious glances out and him and Danny inside their own world. He didn’t want anyone witnessing what could be a very painful experience for him.

 

“Mac”

 

“Danny”

 

They both spoke at the same time and both stopped. Tension hung in the air and Mac cringed at the sudden awkwardness of it.

 

“Danny, I...”

 

He trailed off, and for once a rarely felt emotion rose in him. Fear... it was something they had been taught in the corps too, had been trained to never be afraid, but like before they hadn’t taught him not to be afraid in such a situation and looking at Danny’s rigid posture, Mac felt fear... He didn’t want to lose Danny and maybe, he suddenly thought, maybe he should just tell him that.

 

“I can’t lose you.”

 

Surprise lit up in the grey eyes he loved so much and that more than anything else soothed him enough to walk around the desk and carefully touch Danny’s shoulder.

 

“I didn’t want to insult you, I just...”

 

Again he trailed off, how to explain that he always felt the need to protect those he loved? A wistful smile danced around his face as he remembered the beginnings of his relationship with Claire and the arguments they’d had then.

 

“When I met Claire and we started dating, she would always insist on paying and on walking home alone. I... I couldn’t let her do that, no matter that she earned more than I did, no matter that she was capable of fending for herself... We... we argued a lot then...”

 

They had almost broken up then; Mac swallowed the lump in his throat at the memory of his late wife.

 

“I wanted to make sure she was safe... I always wanted to protect her from being hurt...”

 

He had failed in the end, had failed to keep her safe because he had misjudged the world. Mac had been so sure that his wife was safe at work, that the high profiled job at the Towers was the safest place in Manhattan... And then those Towers had fallen... Looking up at Danny with a new resolve, he reached out and caressed his lover’s face.

 

“I failed her, Danny; I didn’t keep her safe... But I won’t fail you...”

 

Danny stared at him with shock and remorse in his eyes, and then with a trembling hand he reached out and covered Mac’s hand on his cheek.

 

“Mac”

 

But Mac needed to say this, he needed Danny to understand.

 

“I could see how hard it was for you to process those items... and I just wanted to make you feel better...”

 

Danny shook his head sadly.

 

“Mac, don’t use what we have outside the office as an excuse because you don’t trust me to do my job… please don’t do this”

 

You don’t trust me to do my job…

 

Again Mac felt as if someone had slapped him and feeling himself getting angry, he grasped Danny hard by the shoulders forcing him to meet his eyes.

 

“I do trust you Danny”

 

He saw the disbelief in Danny’s eyes and with a shiver he turned around. His heart hurt, his head hurt, in fact his entire body seemed to ache from what he was going to say.

 

“I made a mistake not trusting you and not talking to you when the Tanglewood case came up and I will try to make amends for this for the rest of my life... I told you that I will be there for you...”

 

Mac couldn’t look at Danny as he gathered himself to say the last thing he wanted to say.

 

“But unless you trust me, I can’t do it...”

 

He looked out of the windows and saw the empty space where the towers had been. For such a long time this empty space had been an allegory for the emptiness in his heart and with a shiver Mac turned around to face Danny again.

 

“Trust goes two ways Danny”

 

Danny’s eyes are wide and he shakes his head frantically.

 

“I trust you with my life Mac.”

 

It was a sad smile that crossed Mac’s face as he pulled Danny towards his body.

 

“But you don’t trust me not to leave you... You don’t trust me not to hurt you... I know you trust me with your life... But I need you to trust me with your heart too...”

 

The shiver that ran through Danny at those soft words made Mac tense and he tightened his arms around the younger man. For a long time they stood there, Danny spoke muffled against Mac’s chest.

 

“It’s not you I don’t trust Mac... It’s me... I... I don’t deserve you...”

 

The pain in Mac’s heart at those mumbled words was worse than the one before and before he could think about it he reached up and removed his dog tags from his neck. Danny was watching him with wide eyes as he opened the chain and fastened it around his neck.

 

“Mac...”

 

But Mac didn’t let him finish, instead he put his hand over Danny’s heart where the tags rested now.

 

“Whenever you believe that you’re not good enough for me, I want you to look at them and remember that I would have been proud to have you in my squad, that I am proud to have you in my team and that I am eternally grateful to be in your heart.”

 

Danny stared at him and with a smile Mac leaned down and brushed his lips against Danny’s.

 

“I love you.”

 

---

 

*Chapter 9*

 

Nick was surprised by the butterflies in his stomach as he knocked on Don’s door. Why was he so nervous? He knew that the other man was interested in him, and still he fidgeted as he waited for his lover to open the door.

 

Lover... Nick shivered at the thought of Don as his lover and suddenly understood the reason for the flutter in his heart, the slight trembling of his hands. It was years since he had more than casual sex, years since he had been with some he cared for, someone who cared for him.

 

Warrick’s image appeared in front of his mind, but unlike before it was not accompanied by longing and pain. He had loved Warrick, but that love had always been a fantasy, something that lived in his imagination and if Nick was honest he wondered sometimes if the reality would have been able to live up to his expectations.

 

He had loved Warrick, but if he was honest then Nick knew that that love had died the moment he had looked into two stunning blue eyes.

 

Don... Don was different, everything was different with him. The undercurrent competitiveness that had been a constant factor in his and Warrick’s friendship wasn’t present and maybe, Nick mused, it was because Don was not a CSI.

 

“Hey, good you made it.”

 

Don grinned as he stepped aside and let Nick into his flat. For a moment Nick stood there and shrugged out of his jacket, when he found himself suddenly pinned against the wall. Don’s lips were hot and insistent on his and Nick immediately opened and let the probing tongue slip inside.

 

He had dreamed of this, had dreamed of feeling this alive with someone and yet the reality made any dreams look like faded images. It weren’t any movements that made the difference, it was Don... It was the simple fact that it wasn’t someone he kissed and who was kissing him... It was Don... Don, whose hands now moved restlessly over his back...

 

Nick moaned and let himself fall into the sensations that Don created for them. Finally the need to breathe grew too strong and with another moan they split apart and yet stayed close enough to feel each other’s breaths on their faces.

 

“I wanted to do that this afternoon.”

 

Don’s voice was hoarse with desire and the fire in the blue eyes made Nick shiver. Smiling lightly he lifted Don’s hand and locking his eyes with the other man’s he sucked one of the fingers in his mouth. Don’s eyes widened and he moaned lightly at the provocative image making Nick smile.

 

“I wanted you to do it.”

 

Another shiver ran through the taller man at Nick’s words and Nick smiled feeling elated at the fact that he could drive Don this far, could make him this aroused. Then Don drew him towards the living room and entangled they sat down onto the couch or fell onto it to be more accurate. They laughed as the metal screeched plaintively and somehow the laughter eased the last of Nick’s nervousness. He looked at Don who was lying on top of him and smiled happily.

 

It felt good to have him on top, to feel the strength in the other man’s body and to know that Don would never use this strength against him.

 

“I need you”

 

Don’s eyes darkened at Nick’s words, but his hands were soft as he caressed his face. Nick felt cherished at the loving touch and moaned when lips nipped at his neck.

 

“There is something I want to do...”

 

Don trailed off and Nick felt how his muscles tensed, questioningly he looked at his lover while his fingers moved through the short dark hair.

 

‘Silky’ he mused, but concentrated on Don again.

 

“What do you want?”

 

Hot lips were at his neck now and as if he had suddenly lost control, Don pressed his body against Nick, while he nibbled at the tender skin. Nick felt shockwaves of desire racing through his body, when he understood what Don was doing.

 

“You don’t need to mark me, I am yours already.”

 

The words were out before he could stop himself and he tensed when Don looked up. The feral look in the taller man’s eyes made any worries disappear though and smiling he traced one finger from Don’s eyes to his lips and down over his jaw to the place where Don had placed the hickey.

 

“You like that, don’t you?”

 

Using the distraction Nick moved and turned them around so that he was covering Don now and with a smile at the stunned face of his lover he leaned in and devoured his mouth. The moan that his kiss drew from Don made him shiver and without even stopping to breathe he followed with his lips the same path he’d drawn with his fingers finally settling at the neck.

 

Only there he stopped and lifted his head to meet Don’s eyes. The longing there almost took his breath away and for a long time he was frozen, no they both were... Then though Don shivered and reaching out he traced one finger over Nick’s lips following the soft curve of his mouth.

 

“Mark me, make me yours”

 

Nick didn’t need another invitation and with a deep groan he leaned in and tasted Don’s skin for the first time. It was slightly salty, spicy as if he had showered with some kind of ginger lotion and then there was something so unique, so special that Nick knew he was addicted the moment he tasted it.

 

It was Don.

 

He nibbled and kissed, reveling in the noises he managed to drag from Don and while he feasted on the neck, his hands moved over the soft shirt down to where it ended and with a deep sigh he slipped his hands under it to encounter strong muscles and soft skin. His head was spinning as emotions flooded him from this simple touch. Nick had known that this was not a short encounter, but he had not expected to feel this much, this strong...

 

“Nick…” Don’s voice was trembling with so many emotions and Nick shivered as he understood that he wasn’t alone in this.

 

“I want you, but you need to want this too... I don’t want to hurt you...”

 

Don’s concern made his heart melt, but as he cupped his lover’s face with one hand he shook his head slowly.

 

“You would never hurt me Don, just as I would never hurt you.”

 

It was as close to a declaration of love that he dared to go right now, but as Don’s eyes flashed Nick smiled and leaned down to find his lover’s lips with his own again. Teasing Don with gentle nibbles and flicks of his tongue, coaxing his lips to part under his bold, intrusion.

 

“Let’s move this somewhere else”

 

Unlike last time it was Nick who said that and Don who tensed, but as their eyes me, Don relaxed and smiled.

 

"Yes,"

 

Don’s voice was softer than Nick had ever heard it and together they got up, moved over the bedroom, hands still lingering, still touching and still close.

 

 

Once in the bedroom Don shed his shirt and pants while Nick followed suit. He watched with a thundering heart as Don lay back on the bed, long legs slender and yet muscular, a toned chest... Don had the perfect body, but it were his eyes that captured him so completely that it was impossible for Nick not to touch, to taste, and he lay down next to his lover as his hands began to explore and his lips grazed and licked every inch of skin he could reach. Drawing back to see Don‘s face, to see his eyes changing, Nick fingered a nipple with deceptive idleness and watched as his lover groaned, dark lashes drifting down to hide his eyes. Smiling, Nick bent his head to taste the nub of flesh, suckling at it and its twin until Don surged against him, demanding more attention. Leaning back to look at his soon-to-be lover Nick’s breath stopped for a moment.

 

„You are incredibly beautiful!“

 

---

 

Don was shaking with desire, his breathing hard and his thoughts nothing but a jumbled mess. He was on fire, had never felt this intensely from just foreplay. Nick’s blunt fingers wandered farther down, running along the crease that joined hip and groin, combing through the coarse, crisp hair that surrounded his ultimate goal. When he felt the hand close around his cock, Don’s screamed.

 

"What do you want?" He asked suddenly startling himself as much as Nick. "Anything you want," he whispered, only a little surprised at how much he meant it.

 

"I want everything,"

 

Nick said, his voice softer than velvet, the Texan accent more pronounced in the throws of desire. He framed Don’s face with his hands and the gesture was so tender and caring that Don’s passion ebbed down a bit, enough to see the seriousness in Nick’s dark eyes.

 

“I want everything you can give me.”

 

Don had no words to answer this, this entire encounter with Nick was something he had never experienced before, had no memories to help him through and although he’d never felt this much out of depth, he didn’t mind. He felt safe in the emotions he saw in Nick’s eyes and so his answer was easy.

 

“Everything”

 

Nick swallowed hard and Don saw the shiver that ran through the slender body at his answer. He couldn’t lie passively then and reaching out he caressed Nick’s back felt the strong muscles, the broad shoulders the biceps. He wanted Nick to feel as much as he did, wanted to bring him to complete ecstasy. He still had the memory of the trembling man in his mind and he wanted to replace that image with another Nick, one in the throws of passion.

 

He moved them around so that he could touch Nick and slid his hand and lips over the toned chest, nibbling at the skin and heard the moan that was wrenched from Nick. He moved further down, seeking stronger, deeper flavors, closing his mouth around Nick’s aching arousal. Nick gasped his name, crying out his delight as his fingers gripped first Don‘s hair, then his shoulders. Then the strong body went still, then arched up as he held his hips and sucked harder to bring forth the pleasure surging through Nick, spilling from him in wet warmth that filled Don’s mouth and was swallowed down like some delicious wine.

 

His own urgency barely contained, Don shifted to lie next to his lover, taking the sated body in his arms and smiling into eyes dazzled with pleasure. Holding him close, he moved against Nick, needing friction, heat-anything. The expression in the dark eyes grew sharper and a lazy smile curled around Nick’s lips.

 

“Something you want Don?”

 

Just hearing his name in this slightly teasing, slightly accented voice made Don shiver, he was so high strung that he cried out when soft hands touched his own arousal. Nick held his eyes as he covered him with a condom and pushed the lube into his hand

 

“I need you”

 

Despite the need he saw in Nick’s eyes Don took his time preparing his lover with a care and thoroughness that rekindled the passion in the other man. Their bodies met and mated, Don sinking into Nick until they were joined as perfectly as if they had been meant for each other. There was nothing awkward, nothing rushed; eternity was caught and held in a moment as they moved together, two became one, hands entwined, and the play of tongues mimicking the other mating. The plateau so far away-and then too close, too near, impossible not to plunge over in joyous abandon.

 

Exhausted from an explosion of pleasure he had never experienced before, Don lay next to Nick, holding him close, just watching him when smiling content dark eyes met his.

 

“Do you know how I feel?”

 

Don shook his head and Nick reached out slowly.

 

“Like I’m finally home.”

 

His breath caught and Don swallowed the lump in his throat. He stared at Nick in wonderment, the words being so true for him too and he knew that there was only one thing to say.

 

“You are”

 

---

 

“Nick, you and I are going for lunch.”

 

Danny smiled with mischief as he grinned at his friend, who, although he was glowing with happiness, had dark rings under his eyes.

 

“No questions Messer”

 

Now, that was impossible, especially since he was dying to find out what had occurred between Nick and Flack, not that he couldn’t imagine it, but hey where was the fun in friendship if one didn’t even get the juicy details of the other’s love life?

 

“Every question I ask, you can ask me too.”

 

He saw that Nick shook his head in fond amusement, then though the dark eyes narrowed and focused on something at his chest, confused Danny looked down and blushed as he saw that the silver chain was dangling out of his half open shirt. Nick smiled then and patting Danny on the back, he told him still grinning.

 

“It’s a deal Danny, it’s a deal...”

 

Soon enough they were seated in a comfortable boot and Danny was almost bouncing with excitement. He grinned as Nick ordered and still grinned when his friend threw him an annoyed look.

 

“Stop that grinning… it really doesn’t become you.”

 

But Danny was just happy, Mac loved him, really loved him why else would he have given him the dog tags? And yet that wasn’t all Mac not only loved him, but trusted him and wonder oh wonder still wanted him despite his past with Sonny.

 

And of course then there was Nick, Nick who was his best friend and who looked just as happy as Danny felt and he was sure that it had something to do with a dark haired NY cop. And Danny Messer was damned it he wasn’t going to get some naughty details from his friend.

 

“So how good is he?”

 

Nick sputtered and looked indignantly at him, which of course made him laugh. Then though a look he had never seen on his friend’s eyes made him trail off.

 

“I never felt like this.”

 

How could Nick sound so lost and so completely happy at the same time? Sometimes Danny wondered how Nick had managed to become a CSI and yet still be so innocent.

 

“Like what?”

 

Again a smile crossed Nick’s face and he laughed a little as he blushed.

 

“Like I was there... Like I had finally arrived...”

 

Ok, maybe down in Texas people understood such cryptic remarks but hello, Danny was a New Yorker and as such he just looked confused. Nick must have noticed it cause he grinned and blushed even more.

 

“You know that feeling that you’re somehow on the road, that you have not yet really found your place in life? That although you have a job you love and great friends, there is still something, some part missing?”

 

Danny’s smile faded at the wistful note in Nick’s voice and he swallowed hard. Of course he knew that feeling, had felt like this almost his entire life. No matter where he’d gone he’d always been the outcast, the one who didn’t really fit, it seemed weird that Nick of all people would feel the same...

 

“Afterwards, you know after we...”

 

Nick blushed again and Danny decided to take pity on him and waved him on.

 

“We were laying in each others arms and I was there, I had finally arrived at my place.”

 

It was the most beautiful thing Danny had ever heard anyone say, but even as he reflected on it, realization hit him hard.

 

“I know”

 

Nick looked at him and Danny was sure that his friend had heard the wonder in his voice and a wry grin crossed the handsome face.

 

“You too eh?”

 

Danny nodded and smiled lightly, then though he sobered up and punched Nick lightly in the arm.

 

“Don’t think that all that sappiness gets you out of telling me the steamy details. So how was he? You top or him?”

 

Nick groaned and Danny grinned.

 

It was going to be a fun, fun lunch.

 

---

 

“I think I will fly to New York for the long weekend.”

 

First Greg thought he had misunderstood, then though he groaned. No, he thought silently, not now, not now that Nick finally seems to get over everything that has happened. But he didn’t speak his thoughts, instead just traded a look with Brass who shrugged.

 

“I mean, just three days you know checking on Nick and maybe hit some bars with him.”

 

He was close to say something then, but before he could another voice butted in.

 

“You really think Nick would be happy to see you?”

 

Saved by Hodges, now that was something that didn’t happen often and he saw the grin that now adorned Jim’s face at the shock in Warrick’s face.

 

“Of course why not?”

 

Hodges’ face was a bland mask as he turned towards Greg and conversationally almost as if Warrick wasn’t in the room started to speak with him.

 

“What do you think Sanderson? You think Nick would be happy to see Warrick? I mean the question is a valid one, especially considering he left because of him.”

 

The complete and utter silence that followed the trace expert’s statement was louder than anything Greg had ever heard. It made him almost wish he were deaf. Warrick’s face was a mask of disbelief, anger and yet underneath all those emotion there was fear too.

 

“He left because of me? What bullshit is this?”

 

Not many men in the lab had the courage or idiocy to stand up against Warrick when he was pissed, but then Greg thought with a wry grin, David Hodges certainly wasn’t ‘many men’. He stood straight and stared Warrick directly in the eyes as he explained with this cold, clinical voice what everyone had known and no one had so far dared to speak out loud.

 

“He left cause you got married. Nick was cooping with what happened with him in the box, he wasn’t leaving because of that, but he couldn’t bear to watch the man he loved being all cozy and happy with his new wife.”

 

For a second Greg wished they were somewhere else, but a quick glance told him that Brass had closed the door and no one could hear what Hodges just had said. Sending a thankful look towards the Captain, Greg was surprise to see a dark smile in the cop’s eyes. It seemed as if Brass had known too.

 

“You’re wrong and even if... I mean Nick loved me like a brother and he is my best friend. Why would he leave because of me? You’re all nuts!”

 

Warrick stalked out of the room without another look back and Hodges shook his head.

 

“What’s that river in Egypt again?”

 

Brass and Greg grinned despite their concerns, but their faces became blank again as they left the office in silence. The first couple of meters were walked in a quiet tension, then though Brass suddenly cleared his throat.

 

“Nick still calls you, doesn’t he?”

 

Warily Greg nodded not sure what would come next.

 

“He ever mentioned a cop named Don Flack?”

 

He didn’t want to, honestly, he really tried to keep the smile from his face, but the thought of Nick’s last phone call and of the pure and complete happiness in his voice made it impossible. He tried to cover it, but Brass just smiled.

 

“I thought so, got a call from him a couple weeks back. Made some enquiries, he’s a good guy, someone to trust and...”

 

Greg stared at the older man and was surprised at the concern and honesty in Jim’s eyes at those words. Wasn’t it amazing how many people still cared for Nick here? Greg allowed his smile to spread and he patted Brass’ arm thankfully.

 

“Thanks”

 

The cop shrugged and turned into another corridor to visit Grissom, yet before he disappeared he turned around again.

 

“You might want to warn Nick... Just give him a heads up, you know...”

 

Yeah, Greg mused, yeah he would have to warn Nick and he would add a suggestion cause after all he was sure that the Hamptons were wonderful in winter and there was no better way to spend a long winter weekend than snuggled up with his lover in front of a fire place.

 

---

 

Mac was tired, his body aching as he watched the husband being led away. It were those cases that hurt the most, those couples that had it all and then killed each other. It made him want to scream at them and yet he couldn’t.

 

A hand grasped his under the table and squeezed hard, it brought him out of his stupor and he smiled as he met Danny’s eyes.

 

“Let’s go home”

 

It was said quietly and Mac reveled in the word home. The fact that Danny spoke it so easily made him smile and his heart jump, but he knew that unfortunately he couldn’t go home yet. There was still paperwork to be finished and although neither he nor Danny had ever mentioned it, he had to prepare for something else too.

 

Sonny Sassone’s trial would be next week and Mac would have to testify.

 

He felt a cold hatred burn in his stomach at the thought of the man who had abused and hurt Danny so badly, he wished he would be able to bring justice to this man himself... Knowing that he couldn’t though, Mac was determined that his testimony would ensure that Sassone would never ever bother Danny again.

 

“Hey, you’re with me?”

 

Danny’s hand in front of his face made him smile.

 

“I was just thinking, I’ll finish the paperwork and then go home...”

 

Suddenly insecure he looked at his lover as he trailed off. Danny smiled and looked at him with eyes so full of love that Mac wanted to reach out and touch him.

 

“I’ll be waiting for you... although I won’t try and cook.”

 

The sparkle in Danny’s eyes was beautiful and Mac couldn’t help the smile of joy that spread across his face.

 

“I’ll pick up something on the way.”

 

They walked out of the interrogation room, chatting about the case and the paperwork that still had to be done and Mac marveled how normal it all seemed, how it looked as if nothing had changed between him and Danny and yet everything had.

 

Smiling lightly he stepped into his office and started writing the report. He couldn’t say that the paperwork was a favorite part of his job, but he knew the importance of it and refused to do it with any less diligence than he used for every normal job.

 

Two hours later the draft was finished and knowing that nothing good would come out from reviewing it at the same evening, Mac stretched and shut down the computer. His eyes burned from staring at the screen and his back reminded him that he still hadn’t called office maintenance to replace his chair. Groaning lightly, he got up and stretched again. Something jumped in his back and he frowned.

 

Maybe Stella was right and he should go and see a physiotherapist, but then another image hit him, an image of a warm room, lit by candles, soft music floating in the air and Danny gently touching him, kneading the painful knots in his back...

 

Mac smiled; yes he preferred that idea to the therapy. Still smiling he grabbed his coat, when his phone rang. For a second he hesitated, then reached out and answered with a sharp ‘Taylor’.

 

“Mr. Taylor, there is a man who claims he needs to talk to you at the reception.”

 

The receptionist’s voice was slightly annoyed and Mac couldn’t help but agree with her, it was almost 7pm and he had wanted to go home, home to Danny. But his duty was too ingrained into him and so instead of following his wish to just send the visitor away, he told the young woman that he would come down and see.

 

When the elevator doors opened Mac’s blood froze at the sight of who sat casually in the waiting area. Bryan Stevens was nothing else but Sonny’s lawyer and certainly high on the list of people Mac didn’t want to see or speak to.

 

“Mr. Stevens you know that I cannot talk to you before the trial.”

 

There was something in the other man’s silver eyes that made him shiver, something evil and hard. He braced himself against the words, against the attacks, but the lawyer just smiled.

 

“I think you want to hear what I have to say.”

 

Looking around, he shrugged carelessly and fixed Mac again.

 

“But I doubt you want to discuss it here in the open, public...”

 

Something in the way Stevens said ‘public’ made Mac tense even more, but despite the sudden fear in his heart, he kept a cold head and answered equally hard.

 

“This is just perfect here. Open and public is what I want if I talk to you.”

 

He knew that this way no one could ever imply that he’d compromised the trial before it even started. Mac swore that there was no way he would do that, He’d rather compromise himself and send Stella then make even the slightest mistake which would cause Sonny to walk.

 

“Well, it is your decision Detective Taylor”

 

Again there was a look in Stevens’ eyes that made Mac shiver, but again he suppressed any open reaction and remained standing even though the lawyer gestured he should sit down.

 

“My client asked me to approach you with the proposal of a deal. He felt that it was only decent to give you a chance to save the reputation of your lab and of course your employees.”

 

Stevens made a rhetorical pause. Mac’s heart was thundering, he knew what Sassone would offer, had known it from the moment Stevens had said those fateful words ‘reputation of your lab’.

 

Danny...

 

He knew the truth, knew that Danny hadn’t been a Tanglewood boy, but he was sure that Danny had never told the truth anybody else.

 

“If let’s say Mr. Sassone would mention during the cross examination that he has intimate knowledge of one of your employees, I suppose that your evidence and just the general reputation of this lab would be severely tarnished.”

 

He had been right, Mac felt the cold hatred that he had harbored in his heart ever since Danny had told him the truth turn into with hot rage and only his willpower prevented him from attacking the lawyer. Instead he coldly looked at Stevens.

 

“Are you saying that either I or Detective Bonaserra was ever involved with Mr. Sassone or the Tanglewood boys?”

 

The smile that crossed the lawyer’s face was shrewd, but his eyes were still cold and calculating as he tossed and envelope on the small cocktail table.

 

“You know that I am not talking about either of you and you know very well which of your employees I mean. But maybe you didn’t know the depth of his involvement with Mr. Sassone... or maybe it would be more appropriate to say. How deep Mr. Sassone was involved in him...”

 

Mac felt blood rushing through his body at the insulation and his entire body tensed. He wasn’t sure if he would have attacked the lawyer, but before he could say anything a calm and yet deadly cold voice intruded in their exchange.

 

“I hope I don’t interrupt, but there is something I want you to check out Mac.”

 

Nick’s eyes were just as his voice was; calm but deadly cold and Mac immediately realized that his colleague had heard at least part of Stevens’ last words.

 

“You aren’t interrupting anything Nick, Mr. Stevens was just about to leave.”

 

The lawyer looked at him and with deliberate care took a business card from his pocket and handed it Mac together with the envelope.

 

“Think about it Detective Taylor, just think about it.”

 

Mac felt Nick’s eyes on him as he watched Stevens leave the hall. There was a deep concern in the chocolate eyes, but the younger man didn’t ask anything. For a moment they were both silent, then Mac turned around and looked at Nick.

 

“Can you not mention this to anyone?”

 

He saw the smile that crossed Nick’s face and realized how much like a command his question had sounded. The younger man sobered immediately though and nodded, his eyes were completely serious and to Mac’s surprise there was a warning there too.

 

“I won’t, but Mac, don’t forget. Danny is my friend too.”

 

Mac nodded, then before he could stop himself, he reached out and grabbed Nick’s arm. The Vegas CSI had been someone who’d drawn uncharacteristic reactions from him ever since he met him the first time and tonight was no different. Mac was actually surprised to hear himself ask for help.

 

“What should I do?”

 

Nick looked at him and then sighed, finally though he looked at the envelope and back at Mac.

 

“Talk with Danny, it’s his life.”

 

Talk with Danny, it sounded so simple, so reasonable, but Mac knew that although Nick was right, he wouldn’t be able to do it. He couldn’t talk to Danny about this, because if Danny found out about this blackmail attempt, then his lover would do the one thing Mac would not survive.

 

Danny would leave.

 

---