Disclaimer: The concept and the people in the story are fictional and the property of several production companies. I only borrow them and return them unharmed and unmarked. No money is made of the story and no infringement is meant.

 

 

*Chapter 5 – Revelations*

 

*Las Vegas*

 

Sara had been surprised that Eric had asked her for a drink, but at the same time the thought of finding a friend in her co worker had thrilled her. She had never made friends in the team and she knew that part of the reason was the way she had joined the team. Coming in to investigate one of their own, Sara shook her head silently, even now almost seven years later Warrick didn’t trust her completely and neither did Catherine.

 

She was honest enough though to admit that it was partly her fault as well, she had been way too focused on Grissom and on her work to even think about finding friends. She hoped that would change now. It helped, she thought, that she knew Eric had no interest in her as a woman. Still it was nice to be in the company of a man who easily managed to turn every woman’s head a bar.

 

Eric was dressed in semi-casual clothes wearing a white shirt and dark suit pants and Sara noticed how many women looked at her with envy as he walked towards her with a smile on his face. “It still feels weird to start working in the middle of the night.”

 

She smiled, she had felt the same when she first had started with the grave yard shift, but it got better and now she wouldn’t want to trade with any other shift. Eric though had trouble adjusting, she thought, as she looked at him. He had dark shadows under his eyes and she frowned concerned.

 

“Are you ok?” Eric looked up and shrugged. “Sometimes I’ve got a hard time sleeping, but I’ll get used to it, don’t worry.”

 

Sara nodded and hated the awkward silence that followed Eric’s words. She wasn’t good at small talk and silently cursed herself for agreeing to those drinks. Eric laughed and she glanced at him only to see that his eyes spoke of both embarrassment and fond amusement. It made her feel better to know and see that he was as much at loss as to what to say to her as she was.

 

“Don’t worry about it, I’m just a sissy sometimes.” His slightly derogative words made her frown and shake her head. “It doesn’t make you weak that you still mourn the loss of your partner.”

 

He looked at her surprised and then smiled honestly. “Thanks. Hey, you know I was wondering what are you doing when you’re not working?”

 

She hated the question, but accepted the change of topic especially because she realized that Eric didn’t mean it as a reproach and a suggestion to get a life, he was simply curious.

 

“I read forensic books, I cook and I work out.” God, it sounded so pathetic, she thought. She had no life next to her job, but then few of them really had.

 

“Cool, where do you work out?” Eric’s question took her by surprise, it hadn’t been something she’d ever been asked and she told him about the women’s only gym she went to. He frowned for a moment, but then a grin crossed his face. “I guess, I can’t say I’m your older sister.”

 

She laughed at that and got over her inhibitions to finally ask a couple of questions herself. “What are you doing in your free time?”

 

Eric was silent for a moment, and then he sighed while he ran his hand through his hair. “Here? Not much actually... I go running, when I have the time and I read. I haven’t really settled in yet, haven’t found much to do. I went out to some bars a couple of times, but in the end... It never felt right... so I stopped. Back in Miami, I used to go swimming and diving or just hung out with my friends. Then Marisol got sick and I spent most of my time with her.”

 

She could see how the memory of his sister hurt him and reached out to comfort him. “I didn’t know she was sick.”

 

He sighed and shook his head sadly. “She had cancer, she fought so hard and then finally when it seemed as if she’d won, she got killed.”

 

It was such a horrible tale and as she once more pressed his hand, Sara felt that her words were completely inadequate to convey how she felt. “I’m sorry.”

 

He shrugged again and looked down for a moment.

 

“You know, she was so strong. She always told me that she was lucky to have me lending her some strength, but it was the other way round. She was keeping me strong. I don’t think she ever understood that.” He smiled a bit, almost shy when he looked at Sara again. “I’m close to all my family, but Marisol was always special. She was really good for Horatio.”

 

There was much left unsaid in the short sentences and Sara could easily see behind the words and hear the pain of losing someone dear, the anger at the senseless death she had suffered and the grief that neither Horatio nor Marisol had ever had the opportunity to enjoy their love.

 

“How did he take her death?” She noticed how Eric shivered and this time his eyes were dark with memories as he looked up and his voice shook as he spoke. “He was shattered.”

 

Sara respected his short comment and didn’t ask any further questions instead focused on something Greg had told her. “Greg said you’re a certified police diver?”

 

The smile that now crossed Eric’s face was lighting up his eyes and made them glitter. “Yeah, technically I am certified to process a crime scene up to 150 feet below sea level, but I somehow doubt that you have many places like that here in the desert.”

 

Sara chuckled and shook her head. “Actually we have them out in the death valley, just that there’s no water.”

 

She had started to enjoy herself and she realized that it was good to go out and chat with friends. Maybe she really needed to get a life.

 

“So what’s up with you and Grissom?” Eric’s question made her sit up straight and she glared at him. He met her eyes easily though and with a light sigh she caved.

 

“Nothing.” His smile took her aback, and his comment did nothing to calm her anger immediately. “Good, cause you and him... I can’t see it, Sara, I can’t.”

 

She wanted to get angry and shout at Eric, but the honesty in his eyes was real and if she was honest with herself, then she couldn’t see herself with Gris either. Oh, she could see them on a bed together and entangled, but her imagination failed her already at the breakfast after scene.

 

“It was a nice fantasy.” Eric simply rolled his eyes in response and she laughed again. “Sorry, I didn’t want to cause even more disturbance to your sleep.”

 

Eric grinned lightly and looked at her. “So, you’re interested in someone right now?”

 

She smiled and shrugged. “Whom? I haven’t really met anyone outside the lab and those boys...”

 

“Well, they are boys.” Eric knew what she meant and with a smile, he leaned forward. “So you want me to set you up with Hodges?”

 

When she slapped him laughingly, Eric was suddenly reminded of Calleigh and their bantering and warmth filled him as he understood that he had just grown another root.

 

---

 

“Can you explain to me why no one from the NYPD has ever contacted me about Kelly Gordon?” Conrad Ecklie’s voice was questioning, and for a moment Grissom was tempted to lie. His bad conscience though wouldn’t let him.

 

“Because I never told them.”

 

He held his breath and waited for the inevitable explosion, an explosion that never came. Instead Ecklie walked into his office and closed the door behind him before he looked at Grissom intently. “You never told them, you never notified Nick, did I understand you correctly?”

 

His voice was carefully controlled and that more than anything else told Grissom that Ecklie was angry. Normally he wouldn’t have cared, but in this case he knew that he had made a mistake, one that he had planned on rectifying soon.

 

“I wanted to call his partner, but I...” Ecklie didn’t give him a chance to finish his sentence as he shook his head with contempt. “How much do you hate Nick, Grissom? What did he do to deserve this?”

 

Shocked by the question, Grissom defended himself. “I don’t hate Nick, I simply didn’t want to hurt him anymore.”

 

“By letting him walk into a trap blindly instead of warning him? Do you call this friendship?” Even now, Ecklie’s voice was controlled, but Grissom noted how Ecklie’s hands shook in an effort to remain calm. “I talked to Archie, how could you deceive us all like that? How could you make us think that Walter Gordon was working alone when in reality he had a partner?”

 

Grissom could almost physically feel Ecklie’s anger and for once he didn’t defend himself. He had made a mistake and he knew it. He had been a coward...

 

“I want you on this case, as soon as you have finished the casino case, I want you to work on the voice. I won’t take any chances with Nick’s life. You will find the bastard that helped Gordon.” It wasn’t a question, a request or an order it was a statement and Grissom could only nod.

 

For the first time since he had met Conrad Ecklie all those years ago, he noticed the strength in the other man, but he pushed the thought aside as soon as it had entered his mind and looked at Ecklie. “I’ll find him.”

 

“I want you to call Nick or his partner right now.” Ecklie walked towards the door and turned around again. “I will notify Lieutenant Taylor myself.”

 

He left without another word leaving Grissom frozen in his chair as the same words played through his head again and again.

 

Do you call this friendship?

 

---

 

By the time Conrad reached his office he was fuming with anger, still he managed to close the door silently and sit down slowly. Only then did he bang his hand onto the desk and cursed Grissom.

 

“How could he?” The words resonated in the empty room and he wanted to throw something at the wall just to get rid of his anger. Instead he booted his computer to search for the NYPD’s phone number. He didn’t look forward to the phone call, but he was very much aware of its importance.

 

---

 

*New York*

 

“Lieutenant Taylor?” Mac didn’t know the voice of his caller, but before he could even answer, the man spoke again. “My name is Conrad Ecklie, I am the Assistant Director of the Crime Lab in Las Vegas.”

 

Las Vegas? Mac could feel himself tense at the mentioning of Nick’s former home and his voice was harder than normal as a result. “I’m Mac Taylor. What can I help you with?”

 

Conrad Ecklie... the name rang a bell, Nick had mentioned him a couple of times but right now, Mac didn’t remember what it had been about. He was still thinking when Ecklie spoke again. “Unfortunately I have to deliver some bad news.”

 

Again Mac felt himself tense and he braced himself silently. “I guess they concern Nick Stokes, don’t they?”

 

“Yes.” Ecklie’s voice trailed off for a moment, and when he spoke again it was carefully neutral alerting Mac like no agitation would have. “Kelly Gordon has left Nevada and is heading to New York. My guess is that she’s already in your city.”

 

Kelly Gordon? For a moment Mac was confused, but then the realization hit. “The daughter of the man who buried Nick?”

 

He heard the hitch in Ecklie’s voice as the AD confirmed his question and then continued slowly. “However that’s not all. After reviewing the evidence on the case, Mr. Grissom found a second voice on the tape that was left with Nick...”

 

“You’re telling me that there is a second person who was involved and that you have no idea who it is?” Mac cringed inwardly at the harsh tone of his voice, but his concern for Nick was too strong to care. “Yes.”

 

Ecklie didn’t apologize, didn’t make any excuses or promises and against his will, Mac had to respect the man for that. Still that didn’t mean he accepted the facts just like that. “I need copies of the case files and everything you have. This woman might be a threat to Nick and I will not wait for her unprepared.”

 

For a second there was silence on the other side of the phone, then Ecklie sighed. “I’ll send what I can.”

 

Again there was silence before Mac finally asked the question that had burned in him. “How long have you known?”

 

Ecklie was silent for a very long time until Mac started to wonder if he had heard him. “I asked...”

 

“I know.” Ecklie’s words were clipped, hard, angry but not at Mac, Mac realized. “We have known for three weeks now, but unfortunately the person who said they were contacting you, didn’t go through with their task.”

 

Mac wanted to scream at Ecklie for being so careless, but the other man beat him to it.

 

“Mr. Grissom will contact Detective Flack.” Ecklie’s voice sounded hesitant, but still honest. “I am sorry, Lieutenant Taylor, so sorry.”

 

Mac ended the phone call without any further small talk and stared at his desk. Slowly he reached for his phone again and called his boss. “Ralph, something has come up, can we reschedule lunch?”

 

They quickly found a new date and with a sigh Mac leaned back in his chair. He didn’t have another appointment, but he knew that as soon as Grissom had called Flack, Flack would call him.

 

And with a sigh, Mac wondered what he should tell Don.

 

---

 

*Las Vegas*

 

Danny McCoy was nervous. He had no idea what the CSIs had found so far and with Captain Brass instead of his friend Luis Perez working the case, he hadn’t gotten any inside information on the status of the case. All he knew was that he and his team were looking like perfect suspects.

 

“What are you brooding like there’s no tomorrow?” Mike’s comment made him smile, but at the same time he shook his head.

 

“We’ve got fake chips and a dead man, I don’t think that’s a reason to smile, Mike.” He noticed maybe too late that his words sounded like a reprimand, but the quick narrowing of Mike’s eyes showed him that Mike had heard. “Look, I’m sorry, but I’m just under pressure right now, ok?”

 

Mike grinned coyly. “Why don’t you admit it, Danny, you’re in over your head. This whole head of security and surveillance is a bit too much for you.”

 

Danny gritted his teeth before he made a comment that would end up destroying their friendship and for once he was almost glad when his phone rang. “Ed? Sure, I’ll come up immediately.”

 

He shut his phone closed and looked at Mike coldly. “Can you run the last sequences where the fake chips appeared after the murder of the two guys? And Video IQ anyone close to the chips ok?”

 

Without waiting for an answer, he left the security room and headed towards Ed’s office. On the way there, he pondered his friendship with Mike. Mike’s behavior bothered him more than he wanted to admit, and with a sigh he leaned against the wall of the elevator. Maybe Mike was right, maybe he wasn’t cut for this job, but Ed had given it to him, had appointed him to his head of security and Danny would never do anything to disappoint his mentor.

 

---

 

“Archie, my man, what do you have for me?” Eric grinned as Archie rolled his eyes. “I told you to have some faith in me and voila...”

 

Archie really was a wizard when it came to computer images and under Eric’s fascinated eyes, the killer walked in the shadow of the cameras only to be captured clearly by another camera. “How did you do that?”

 

“It was on film, but it was too dark. The camera isn’t adjusted well, so it didn’t have an image. But I contacted a friend in California who sent me a program with an algorithm that creates images and that’s how I found the face.” Eric frowned a bit. “Creates images? So this is a made up picture?”

 

Archie snorted and shook his head. “I really should kick you for this, shouldn’t I?”

 

Eric shrugged and held his hands up in defeat. “Hey, I’m just playing the devil’s advocate here. If you argue like this in a court, any defense lawyer is going to rip you to shreds.”

 

“The computer doesn’t create something out of nowhere. It simply highlights what is already there, but not captured because of the light conditions.” Archie leaned forward clearly fascinated. “The guy who created this is a real genius.”

 

Eric smiled at Archie’s exuberance, but Archie shook his head. “No, really he is. He’s a math professor from LA and he’s like consulting with the FBI and stuff... I looked at some of his work and it’s brilliant. I mean genius - brilliant.”

 

Taking the print out of the face, Eric walked back to the lab. The man on the picture didn’t look familiar and although Eric curse himself for it, he was relieved that it wasn’t Danny McCoy’s face.

 

---

 

“Ok, what do we have so far?” Brass watched silently as Grissom rounded up his team and everyone went through the findings.

 

Eric went first showing the print out pictures around. “Archie managed to get a clear picture of the killer, our database has nothing, but I thought of going back to the Montecito and have their system run it too.”

 

Brass could understand Eric’s reasoning and nodded silently while he waited for Warrick to continue with his findings. “Bobby compared the bullets from the gun we found in Ryan’s house against the bullets from the two victims down town. They were a match and we found gun shot residue on Ryan’s clothes.”

 

For a moment everyone was silent in the room, then Grissom looked around. “Any other news?”

 

“I got some.” Brass could feel the surprised looks on him and grinned. “Hey, I’m not that bad in my job, am I? I got a call from LA’s FBI bureau. They been working on a Russian gang that’s been producing false chips and yesterday the final raid took place. They raided a warehouse where they found fake Montecito chips and took the main people in custody. In one of the houses they found Ryan’s coordinates.”

 

Grissom looked at him and frowned. Brass smiled knowing exactly what Gris was thinking. He continued to speak though not caring about Grissom’s scowling. “The colleagues in LA believe that Ryan was the distributor of the fake chips, but decided to delegate himself and hired Fernandez and Buller to do his work. When they disappeared with the chips, he killed them, but not before his bosses found out...”

 

“So he hid himself in the casino, but they still found him?” Greg’s voice was slightly disbelieving, but Brass didn’t take offense. “Sounds like a bad novel, doesn’t it?”

 

“Certainly not like a James Bond story.” Warrick’s comment made Eric laugh, but before anyone could comment further, Grissom interrupted their fun. “So when is the local ATF coming over to take the files and evidence?”

 

Trust Grissom to crush everyone’s mood, Brass understood that Grissom didn’t like it if a case got taken away from him, and normally he felt the same. This time though, he knew that there was nothing they could really do as the main action was not here, but in LA.

 

“They want us to finish processing the evidence and work the case to the end. The guy I talked to felt that it would be too inefficient to hand the entire evidence over and have it processed again. LA will review our files and depending on where the court procedures will be, the evidence will get transferred.”

 

“So we work, and they get the fame.” Warrick’s voice was dry and easy going. Brass looked at him and smiled. “Exactly.”

 

He knew that sharing the fame with the FBI wasn’t a problem for Grissom and his team as long as no one interfered with their work. Grissom frowned again. “Who’s your contact in LA?”

 

Trust Grissom not to trust the FBI, Brass smiled inwardly as he looked at his note book. “A Special Agent Don Eppes.”

 

Grissom smiled and relaxed. “Tell him I said hi, next time you have him on the phone.”

 

Everyone in the room stared at Grissom surprised and shrugging casually Grissom told them. “I met him at the conference. He’s ok, not your typical FBI bully.”

 

Brass was honestly surprised to hear Grissom praise an FBI agent, but he wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth instead he decided to take advantage of the fact that Grissom knew Eppes. “Can you coordinate with him then?”

 

Throwing him a dark look, Grissom sighed. “I shouldn’t have told you that, should I. Yes, I’ll call him.”

 

Satisfied that the case was well on its way to being closed, at least from their side, Brass saw how Grissom turned towards Warrick and Eric. “Can you take the case from here? It would free Greg, Cat and me.”

 

Warrick nodded and the meeting was over. Brass watched how the others left Grissom’s office slowly before he turned towards Grissom. “You ok with calling Eppes?”

 

Grissom grinned and Brass realized that his friend had heard the curiosity behind his innocent question. “He’s ok, we had some good talks together in Washington.”

 

He didn’t say anything else and Brass accepted it. “Well, let me know what he says, ok?”

 

---

 

*Los Angeles*

 

“You really do know when to come around, don’t you?” Alan Eppes grinned at his son and Don couldn’t help smirking back. Charlie had told him that their dad planned on making pizza and Don had immediately decided to pay them a visit.

 

“Hey, you can’t expect me to say no, when Charlie invites me.” Unfortunately his brother had heard the comment and immediately corrected him. “I didn’t invite you, I just said that Dad is making pizza tonight.”

 

“Well, that’s an implicit invitation, Chuck.” Seeing the frown in Charlie’s face, Don tossed him a beer and grinned at him invitingly. “Is there a game on?”

 

Still frowning, Charlie shook his head. “Don’t think so, but while Dad’s cooking, why don’t I pummel you in basket ball?”

 

“You? Pummeling me?” Don laughed and grabbed the ball from Charlie before his brother could react. Charlie yelped and followed him immediately. Soon enough they were engaged in a heated game of one on one basket ball. Don had to admit that over the last months it had become harder and harder to win against Charlie and as his brother dashed past him he cursed.

 

“I’ll so make Colby pay for making that bet with you.” Charlie only grinned at Don’s comment and breathing heavily, they both leaned against the house for a moment.

 

“He was right though, it really helps me to calm down.” Don nodded in silence and somehow Charlie seemed to take it as a criticism and immediately defended himself. “Going to the gym isn’t bad, you know...”

 

Surprised at Charlie’s outburst, Don put a hand on Charlie’s shoulder and looked at his brother. “I never said that, I think it’s great...”

 

I just wish, it would be me you’re going to the gym with and not Colby. Don shivered at the thought and immediately pushed it aside. He had no right to begrudge Charlie his friendship with Colby, just as he had no right to treat Colby harsher in the office because he spent so much time with Charlie. It wasn’t their fault, it was his.

 

“Don, your phone’s ringing.” Alan’s voice brought him back to reality and he reached for the phone that his father passed through the window. “Special Agent Eppes, how can I help you?”

 

“Captain Brass finds it very fascinating that there is a fed in this world that I like.” Grissom’s voice made Don smile brightly and his words made him laugh. “Gris, to what do I deserve the honor of your call?”

 

He remembered then that he had spoken with a Captain Brass from Las Vegas in regards to the operation on the fake chips and immediately he made the connection. “You’re on the chips case, aren’t you?”

 

“Well, not personally but my team is. So I just wanted to know how you want us to communicate and cooperate.” Grissom worked nightshift, Don suddenly remembered and walking back to the living room, he grabbed a file and looked at the information.

 

“Why don’t you give me a quick overview of what you have and we see what we can do?” Don sat down and saw how Charlie hovered at the door, before he turned away almost abruptly. Don frowned at the expression in his brother’s eyes, but forgot about it as he listened to Grissom’s explanations.

 

“No bugs?” His joking words were met with a short laugh, before Grissom continued. “Warrick Brown and Eric Delko are working on the case now, I’ll email you their contact details. If you need anything else, let me know.”

 

“I will, thanks for your help.” Don thought about their conversations in Washington and after a second of hesitating he finally asked quietly. “Did you ever call your friend?”

 

For a moment Grissom was silent, then Don heard the deep sigh. “No, but I called his partner.”

 

---

 

Charlie wasn’t sure why he was so upset about Don’s phone call with the guy from Las Vegas. Maybe it had something to do with the way Don had spoken about Gil Grissom when he had told Charlie and Alan about the conference.

 

“I’ve read a lot of his journals and heard a lot of stuff about him and honestly I never believed the hype. His image just had to be larger than reality, but in fact, now I’ve understood that he really is that good.”

 

Charlie had gritted his teeth at the open respect and admiration in Don’s voice. The unknown man got more respect after a two day conference than Charlie had ever gotten after solving a case for Don and with uncharacteristic force he had pushed his chair back and left for the garage.

 

Don had found him there later and carefully leaning against the door, he had looked at Charlie. “Are you alright, buddy?”

 

Charlie had ignored his brother until Don had left. Only then had he collapsed in his chair and tried to calm his mind. The thoughts going through his head had scared and confused him and with a final sigh, he had returned to his cognitive emergence theory.

 

Almost three weeks had passed since Don had returned and regaled them with tales about the smart CSI. Charlie had been able to forget about Gil Grissom only to be reminded of him again tonight. He watched as Don spoke with the other man and felt anger curse through him as he saw the honest joy and friendship that made Don relax and his eyes sparkle.

 

He gritted his teeth when Don looked up and their eyes met. Charlie saw concern in Don’s eyes and not able to stand the gaze any second longer, he turned away and almost ran towards the garage. He closed the door behind himself and stood in the middle of the room for a second.

 

Numbers surrounded him and as he looked at one equation then at another, Charlie felt his inner turmoil calm down until he could look at his reaction in a more rational way. He was overreacting every time Don was using someone else than him as an expert, but this time it was different. Don had never even talked about asking Gil Grissom for help and from what he had gathered about the phone call, they would be working together but with Grissom providing help from Las Vegas.

 

So why was still so angry at Grissom?

 

Why disliked he the other man so much without ever having met him?

 

The questions pounded at Charlie’s mind like endless hammers and with each repetition the wall he had built around his emotions cracked a bit more. He shivered as he caught a glimpse of understanding, but shying away from the knowledge, he jumped up and started writing some equations on the one free blackboard.

 

He needed math right now, he needed the peace of mind it gave him and the possibility to lose himself in the numbers.

 

---

 

*Las Vegas*

 

Danny wasn’t sure whether he should be glad or disappointed. The case was over, he and his team were cleared. And that meant that Eric had no reason not to call him. On the other hand, it also meant that if he didn’t call, he wasn’t interested.

 

Groaning at the turn of his thoughts, Danny focused on the cameras and directed one of his men towards a gambler who took pictures of the game floor. It was another of those achingly slow days that just didn’t seem to pass. Ed had been stuck in meetings all day and Danny was glad about that small relief. His mentor would have noticed how nervous he was and undoubtedly would have asked for the reason. Danny had no idea what to tell his boss and suddenly angry at himself he stood up and told Mitch that he was going to go down and take a walk on the floor.

 

The casino was a labyrinth, Eric had been right, but Danny could have found his way anywhere with his eyes closed. He knew the Montecito better than his own home and now as he walked around, he automatically registered everything that went on at the tables and in the bars.

 

“Danny!” He stopped as he heard his name being called turned around with a smile. Mary walked over to him and sighed audibly. “Stressed?”

 

She rolled her eyes at his question. “I’ve got two kids to watch, a high school reunion to organize and three couples want to get married tomorrow. But what you say, it’s just another day in Vegas, isn’t it?”

 

Danny smiled as she shrugged. It sounded like a lot of work to him, but she was good in handling those things and he gently steered her towards the elevator. “Why don’t you take a break and we watch those kids with the camera?”

 

Despite her casual words her relief was visible and seeing the line of exhaustion in her face, Danny clasped her shoulder softly. “Hey, you’ll be fine. You always are, Mary, don’t worry!”

 

As they walked towards the elevator, he thanked the powers that were once again that Mary had kept her common sense after he had returned from Iraq. His rash decision to marry her had been the typical and wrong reaction of someone who had seen hell and wanted to hide. His fear had almost destroyed their friendship back then and even now, almost a year later; he could still see the cracks. “What’s wrong Danny? Are you ok?”

 

Her hand was soft and gentle on his back and he nodded tiredly. He couldn’t tell her why he was feeling so down. She wouldn’t understand why it bothered him that Eric didn’t call. His attraction to men was the one thing, he had never told her, the one secret he had always kept.

 

“They know who killed Ryan.” The elevator stopped and they walked into the security office together. Mary turned towards him and he saw that she was curious. “Who was it?”

 

Danny shook his head; he still couldn’t believe the outcome of the case.

 

“It was a professional hit. He worked for a syndicate that operated out of Los Angeles and produced fake chips. He was a lazy idiot though and instead of distributing the chips himself, he employed two guys to do the dirty work for him. The only thing he didn’t count on was that the two guys he hired would steal the chips from him. They broke into his flat and got the chips, he hunted them down and shot them and then hid here in the hope that his bosses wouldn’t find him... Well he thought wrong...”

 

Mary shook her head. “So they got the guys that faked the chips?”

 

Danny shrugged. “Captain Brass said that the fake chips thing is a federal affair, so I don’t know.”

 

“So you’re definitely cleared.” Her words sounded relieved and Danny nodded. “Brass said, I never really was a suspect, just kind of guilty by association.”

 

“Danny, do you know what I was thinking?” Mary sat down on his desk while she leaned down. Danny swallowed and fought the sudden urge to lean back in order to get some distance between her body and himself. “I’ve got the weekend off and so have you. I thought we could do something together, you know maybe go and see a movie or so.”

 

It wasn’t her fault that Eric hadn’t called so far and Danny pushed any anger he felt down while he smiled at her. Mary was right; they really hadn’t spent much time together lately. He nodded slowly. “Why not, sounds good to me. What do you want to watch?”

 

His less than enthusiastic response made her smile falter and Danny cursed himself for hurting her. He had to tell her the truth soon, he thought, he couldn’t go on lying for much longer.

 

“I’ll check the program, ok? And maybe you want to come round to my place before?” Her hand moved over his tie to straighten it, but Danny felt how her fingers moved caressingly over his chest. He suppressed a shiver and pushed her away gently.

 

“Maybe, I’ll see.”

 

He got up and was almost glad, when Mitch notified him of an argument that had broken out between two guys in one of the bars. Asking Mitch to put the fight onto the large screen, Danny directed some of his men towards the bar, when he felt Mary stand close behind him.

 

“Come over Danny, and you won’t regret it.”

 

Danny wanted to decline, but she had already stepped back and smiled at him before she left the room. He sat down and buried his hand in his face.

 

“A word of advice, Danny?” Mitch smiled friendly at him and Danny just shrugged. “Tell her the truth.”

 

For a second, he tensed, but he relaxed immediately again when he realized that Mitch only spoke about Danny not being interested in Mary. Danny nodded slowly and stared at his desk, but he knew that it wouldn’t help. He had told Mary already that he wasn’t interested in a relationship with her. She didn’t believe him and she probably never would.

 

Looking at his watch, Danny sighed. It was 3 P.M. and Eric still hadn’t called.

 

---

 

*Chapter 6 – First Date*

 

*Las Vegas*

 

“Hey, did you get transferred to dayshift after only six months?”

 

Luis Perez’ question made Eric smile ruefully before he muttered something in Spanish that made the detective laugh. Greg, who had walked into the 7-11 with Eric, only groaned at the cop’s comment. “That would be nice; cause then our day was only starting.”

 

Eric shook his head and explained with a shrug that spoke of exhaustion why they were here and not their team mates from the dayshift. “Day shift is flat out with three of their team down with the flu. So we were volunteered to help out.”

 

As Perez looked at him, Eric shrugged again. “Yes, I know I look terrible, but hey the job’s not a beauty contest is it? What do we have here?”

 

Perez turned back into the professional cop immediately and pointed at the chaos and the two dead bodies.

 

“2.45 P.M., three guys come in, draw their weapons and ask for cash. The clerk hands the money over, they shoot him and the only other customer.”

 

Eric checked his watch and looked at Perez impressed. “That was a fast response.”

 

It was 3.30 P.M. and Perez nodded slowly. “Clerk pressed the silent alarm. That’s why we know when it happened.”

 

Eric and Greg walked around carefully and Eric blinked for a moment. He always needed a second to get used to the smell of blood and gunpowder. He hated the smell and whenever he walked onto a crime scene where guns had been involved he had to suppress the memories of Speed and Marisol. Looking around, he noted the cameras and looked at Greg

 

“Can you get the tapes?”

 

Greg nodded and disappeared in the room next door. Eric stepped around the first body and nodded at David. “Hey Dave, you already checked this one, haven’t you?”

 

The coroner nodded and began to speak while Eric started to take photos. “Through and through, he bled out.”

 

Eric cursed silently. He knew that a through and through meant that they would have to find the bulled somewhere in the store. For a moment he thought of Calleigh and wished she were here now, but immediately focused back on the crime scene again. He narrowed his eyes and frowned. “Why is the clerk here?”

 

David looked confused, but Eric didn’t notice it as he spoke to himself. “If they shot him after he handed the money over, why is he here? Why did he walk away from the cash register?”

 

Perez had heard the question and came closer while he looked at the two victims. Eric saw him frown too and as their eyes met, he knew that the detective had come to the same conclusion as he had.

 

“This isn’t a robbery gone wrong. This is an execution disguised as a robbery.” Sighing Eric agreed and started to process the scene. He worked carefully, diligently just like Horatio and Speed had taught him. He didn’t realize what he was doing; his training was as ingrained into him as Grissom’s training was ingrained in Warrick or Greg. They didn’t speak while they worked, just processed the scene while Detective Perez watched them.

 

“You guys don’t need me anymore, do you?” Eric smiled at the question and shook his head. “We’ll call you immediately when we have something.”

 

Perez walked towards the door, but turned around once more. “Get some sleep, Delko. Pareces terrible*.

 

Eric smiled at the jab and shrugged. “I will thanks.”

 

He returned to his crime scene and collected the last item, before he started the search for the bullet. He was indeed bone tired and as he got up too fast, he felt the shop spin around him for a moment. He had been working for 36 hours straight and had barely had time to sit down and eat something. Eric sighed, he was used to work long hours and he wouldn’t complain, but he also knew that he was reaching his limit.

 

“Got it.” Greg’s happy exclamation made him turn around and he smiled as his friend held the missing bullet up.

 

He nodded satisfied and pointed at the evidence bags. “Can you get the stuff to Hodges and the bullet to Bobby? I’ll try and find the second bullet ok?”

 

Greg looked at him closely and shook his head. “Go home, Eric, you really look ready to drop. I’ll get the stuff to the lab and tell Grissom that we need a couple of hours sleep. It’s your free weekend anyway; you’re not even supposed to be here.”

 

Eric wanted to protest, but before he could get a word out he saw his supervisor stand at the door. “He’s right, Eric, go home. You’ve been up longer than the rest of us.”

 

It was true, Eric and Sara had been working the longest now and as he looked at Grissom, Eric tried to figure out whether or not his boss was angry at him, but he immediately realized that the blue eyes held nothing but compassion and honesty.

 

“Thanks, Gris.” Grissom nodded and walked over to Greg.

 

Eric grabbed his kit and was about to walk away, when Grissom turned around again. “Hey, Warrick told me to remind you that the Montecito job was closed yesterday.”

 

Grissom’s confusion with the message was obvious, but Eric wasn’t going to enlighten either him or Greg who just grinned at him. Silently he both cursed and thanked Warrick. He really had forgotten that he had promised to call Danny, but to have Grissom deliver the message was plain evil. Eric couldn’t help the shiver of anticipation as he reached for the phone. His hand hovered over the dial button when a yawn broke his concentration and he shook his head.

 

He needed sleep first.

 

---

 

“Ed, Danny, sorry I’m late”

 

Ed Deline smiled as Luis walked into the bar. He looked stressed and tired and shooting a glance at Danny, Ed wondered whether the younger man would comment on it. He didn’t have to wait for long as Danny immediately grinned at his friend. “You look like you’ve been running around all day.”

 

Luis shrugged Danny’s words off. “I’m fine, but when I was on my way over, we got a call about a robbery at a 7/11. I had to go over and then wait for the CSIs.”

 

They ordered some drinks and Luis briefed both Danny and Ed about some of the ongoing cases where the Montecito was involved. They had regular meetings and although Luis never gave out confidential details, Ed knew that the detective only granted him the privilege because of Danny. Once again, Ed looked at his protégé and smiled as he saw him checking his phone. He didn’t know how many times he had seen Danny do this today and he wondered who the lucky girl was that had gotten Danny’s attention.

 

Turning his concentration back to Luis, Ed listened to the comments and smiled at some of the funnier moments, when somewhere a phone rang. Ed saw the quickly masked disappointment that crossed Danny’s face as the younger man understood that it was Luis’ phone. This was serious and not some flirt, Ed realized suddenly. He tensed knowing that he had to talk to Danny. He knew some of Danny’s deepest secrets and he didn’t want his friend to get hurt. Luis had listened to whoever had called him and laughed merrily at something.

 

“Well, I told you to get some sleep, but thanks for the update. I’ll call Greg or Grissom if something comes up. Are you in on Monday? “ Luis laughed again, but sobered quickly and shook his head while he rolled his eyes towards the sky. “Calma Te, amigo, because honestly, Delko, you looked ready to drop… Well, anyway take care and have a good weekend.”

 

Ed wouldn’t have cared about the conversation, had he not felt Danny tense next to him. It seemed as if the mentioning of the name Delko alone had been enough to draw Danny’s complete focus on Luis. The pieces fell into place and Ed smiled. It seemed as if he didn’t need to talk to Danny, although, it would be fun. Looking at Luis, he prompted the cop with a smile. “Delko? He’s the CSI who worked our case, isn’t he?”

 

Luis nodded. “He was at the last crime scene. The lab’s got some staff shortage and half of their day shift is out with the flu. Delko’s been working 36 hours straight, so he called to tell me that Grissom sent him home and took over the case.”

 

Glancing at Danny, Ed could see how he slowly relaxed and he smiled. “Well, it’s a hard job.”

 

Luis nodded again and smiled too. “Yeah, Delko’s good though. Was with Miami Dade before and he’s certainly the first decent CSI they’ve brought in since Stokes left. “

 

Ed remembered the case with Stokes’ abduction and subsequent burial, but he was much more interested in reading Danny’s body language. Danny had relaxed, but as their eyes met, Ed noticed how Danny tensed again and this time he could read the emotion in Danny’s eyes only too easy. Danny was afraid, afraid of his, Ed’s reaction. Ed smiled at his friend and Danny relaxed. Ed felt immediately better as he saw the slow smile he got in return to his unspoken acceptance.

 

---

 

When Luis told them that the CSIs had been buried in work, Danny felt some of the hurt at Eric’s silence ease. Maybe the other man had just been too busy to call and maybe he would call him tomorrow. Danny smiled as he felt the anticipation wake in him again, but his smile faded as his eyes locked with Ed’s. The older man looked as if he knew exactly what or who Danny was thinking about.

 

Danny had always known that he theoretically preferred men to women, but when he had joined the Marines, he had closed that side of himself off. It hadn’t been that hard, his training, the stress and the pressure of the missions, the fear and the constant presence of death... All those things had reduced his passion and carnal desires quite considerably. And when he had come home for a short time, he hadn’t dared to do anything. Las Vegas was, despite its size, still a town where everyone knew everyone. Danny had played, had dated girls and had gotten his pleasure from those encounters, but when he had been alone with his dreams he had imagined a man’s hand on his cock and a muscular body against his own.

 

He had never dared to do more than dream until he had left the corps and had started to work for Ed. His first encounter with a guy had happened in New York. He and Ed had flown there for a meeting and in the evening Danny had snuck out of the hotel and taken a cab to Chelsea. He had trembled with fear of discovery as he had looked at the entrance of the bar. He had been unsure what to expect, unsure whether or not to go inside. His mind had been full with images of men in leather, full of crude sexual images and so he had been completely thrown when he had walked into a comfortable lounge with dim lightning and soft music. His entrance had made several people look at him and at first it had made him feel weird until he understood that the looks were appreciative and not negative.

 

Danny leaned back in his chair and looked into his drink. Luis was still updating Ed about various things and Danny smiled as he thought of the man he had met that night in New York. Dark haired, blue eyed and with a tender and wonderful smile, Mike Logan had been Danny’s first lover. He had been tender, gentle and full of understanding for Danny’s fear of discovery. The nights they had spent together were something that Danny still treasured and even as the meeting was over and he had returned to Las Vegas, he had kept in touch with Mike.

 

It had been then, when he had found out that Mike was working for the NYPD. They had met again and although their encounters were based on friendship and not on love, he had cherished them and had honestly mourned the other man when he had heard of his death in the line of duty.

 

In that first week in New York, Danny had constantly waited for Ed to find out. What he hadn’t expected was Ed taking him out for a drink on the first night after their return to Vegas. He had wanted to decline, but one did not say no to Ed, not if the other man really wanted something. They had driven to the outskirts of Vegas where Ed had stopped in front of a simple looking house. He had not answered any of Danny’s questions until they were inside the bar. Danny had taken a seat in one of the booths, had looked around and had frozen.

 

No matter where he had looked he had seen men sitting next to other men and with an incredulous look, he had stared at his boss who had just taken him to a gay bar. He had tried to explain himself, but a strong hand on his shoulder had silenced him.

 

“I don’t care, Danny. All I ask of you is that you don’t endanger yourself by picking up random strangers. If you need this, come here. This place is discreet and safe.” Ed had fallen silent and Danny had stared at his boss with open shock as the hand on his shoulder had slowly moved down along his arm and onto his leg. Ed had met his eyes and smiled softly. “Or you can come to me.”

 

Ed’s hand on his shoulder jerked Danny back to the present and he shivered as he felt Ed’s eyes on him again. He had taken Ed up on his offer that night and in several nights since. He knew that this thing between them was not about love, but about lust and still, how would Ed react, when Danny told him about Eric?

 

It was more than lust with Eric and for the first time in his life, Danny considered a relationship with a man, considered coming out and be open about his sexuality. He had gotten an honorable discharge after Iraq, so technically speaking, he was free. But how would Ed react? Danny shook his head as he saw Ed’s smile and the light reproach in the blue eyes.

 

“You should know me better than this.” Ed’s voice was teasing, but at the same time completely serious and Danny breathed in relief as he smiled back slowly. “Yeah, well...”

 

Eric had not called, but as if his mentor had read his mind, Ed frowned. “Let him sleep and if he still doesn’t call, then you can worry.”

 

Both amused and annoyed to get dating advice from his boss, Danny glared at Ed and suddenly narrowed his eyes as he saw something familiar in Ed’s blue eyes. “No, you won’t.”

 

Ed looked innocent, but he couldn’t pull the face off convincingly. “What?”

 

Danny wasn’t fooled for a moment and he shook his head with vehemence. “You won’t run a background check on Eric.”

 

When Ed didn’t answer, Danny groaned, he was doomed.

 

---

 

Eric was groggy when he woke, and for a moment he shook his head confused by the brightness and the noise outside. The watch on his bedside table told him that it was 10am and he sat up shocked.

 

Had he really slept for almost 18 hours?

 

It made sense; he mused silently as he got up and ambled over to the bathroom. He had pretty much been dead on his feet, and that literally meant on his feet as they had been running from case to case until Grissom had sent him home. So yes, he had needed the sleep. Still it was his day off and he had plans and they didn’t include sleeping until midday.

 

Showered and refreshed he prepared some breakfast, when his eyes fell on his cell phone and he suddenly remembered Danny’s words.

 

“You better call or I’ll track you down.”

 

They had finished the case, and that meant he had no excuse anymore not to call Danny. Eric frowned and shook at the twinge of nervousness that ran through him at the thought of the other man. He wasn’t a teenager anymore and yet that was exactly how he felt as he dialed the number and waited for Danny to pick up.

 

“Yes?”

 

The slightly irritated voice froze him for a moment, but as soon as he’d identified himself, Danny’s voice changed into the deep husky tone that had both confused and aroused Eric last time. “I wondered if you would call.”

 

The voice sent shivers down Eric’s spine and woke images of the lean, strong body and absently he wondered how Danny’s lips would taste. He shook himself out of the stupor and listened to Danny’s suggestion. “Why don’t I show you some of the sights of Vegas tonight?”

 

He would dream of that voice and what dreams would those be. Eric smiled a bit, as he realized that he was hard, it was almost scary how he reacted to Danny, how strong. He hadn’t experienced this since Speed and that thought made his decision on the offer easy.

 

“I’d love to, I bet you know some great sights.” His own voice sounded hoarse and he heard the light chuckle on the other side, before Danny promised him. “I do, Eric, I certainly do.”

 

---

 

It was weird to be in a casino but not working. Sitting in a corner Danny found himself automatically looking for the security cameras, for the black spots on the floor and in the corner. He was early and while he waited for Eric, he tried to tell himself that it was just a normal night out with a friend.

 

It didn’t work.

 

Who was he kidding anyway? This was a date and if he was honest then it was his first date with a man. He had slept with guys, had fucked them but had never ever dated them. How did someone date a man?

 

Shaking his head at the girlish sounding question, Danny straightened and told himself to cool down and still when he saw Eric walk into the room, he couldn’t help but feeling his heart speed up a bit. Eric looked great. He wore dark suit pants and a simple white shirt. It wasn’t anything special, but in connection with the olive skin, the dark hair, the lean, muscular body and the dark eyes the outfit became something different. Danny felt a shiver of lust running through him and told himself to calm down. He didn’t want to scare Eric and something told him that Eric wasn’t a casual type.

 

“Hey, glad you could make it.” Eric smiled and sat down next to him. Danny caught the scent of something musky and taking another deep breath, he made another effort to get his hormones under control.

 

“Well, honestly I’m glad too. I haven’t really been out much in Vegas, and everyone tells me it’s a great place to party.”

 

Danny grinned and ordered some drinks for them. “Hey, it’s America’s playground, of course it’s a great place to party.”

 

“Sounds good.” Eric stretched his legs and Danny swallowed hard as he noticed the subtle play of strong muscles in Eric’s leg. Damn, he thought, he really felt like a horny teenager.

 

He had to concentrate on something other than his hormones and with a smile, he looked at Eric. “So I’m not a suspect anymore.”

 

Eric laughed and shook his head. “No and apart from some ‘i’s that need to be dotted and t’s that need to be crossed, we’re done with the case.”

 

“How did you become a CSI?” Danny was honestly interested because he could see how much Eric loved his job. Eric smiled and shrugged.

 

“My dad always told me two things to honor the American system and that the only way to get clear answers was through science. I joined the academy and became an underwater expert, but when H asked me to join his team I went back to university, got my degree in chemistry and started with the lab and I wouldn’t want to do anything else.” Eric’s smile darkened for a moment, before he spoke again. “It’s not an easy job, you know. You see a lot of shit going on and sometimes I wonder why I do it...”

 

His voice trailed off and Danny waited for a moment, but when Eric didn’t continue, he decided to change topic slightly. “Luis says you’re one of the best they have here.”

 

Surprised Eric looked up. “Perez? You know him?”

 

“We grew up together, but he went to PD and I joined the army.” He saw the surprise in Eric’s eyes coupled with an almost instinctive withdrawal. “Got a discharge two years ago, so don’t worry.”

 

Eric blushed lightly and the longing that Danny had held in check since they had started to talk came back with a vengeance. Swallowing hard, Danny tried to concentrate on what Eric said and forced his lust down once again.

 

“How long have you been with the Montecito?”

 

Danny smiled as he remembered his career at the casino. “Long enough… When I left active service, I really had no idea what to do. I didn’t want to work in my Dad’s company cause at that time we weren’t on speaking terms. When Ed offered me a job at his surveillance team, it seemed heaven sent. I left when they demolished the old hotel, but when Ed told me he wanted me back in his team...”

 

Eric grinned lightly. “He reminds me of my old boss in Miami, he’s got the same presence and intensity that H had.”

 

“Why’d you leave Miami?” Danny had never been in Florida’s glamour city, and he was curious what would make someone move all the way across the country.

 

Eric’s face hardened at the question and his eyes became unreadable. “It’s a long story.”

 

A long story and not one Eric wanted to tell him. Danny got the hint and after a moment of tense silence he glanced around and pointed towards the casino floor. “You gamble?”

 

For a moment, Eric seemed to ponder the question and remained silent, then he looked up his eyes were still cold and his face drawn. “Not really, no.”

 

Again there was silence until Eric took a deep breath and looked at Danny with warmer eyes and an honest expression. “What about you?”

 

Danny smiled and holding Eric’s eyes captive he replied with a deliberate huskiness in his voice. “Not for money.”

 

The innuendo was strong and still holding Danny’s eyes captive, Eric smiled innocently before he took a deep gulp of his drink. “So where are we going dancing? Pure?”

 

For a moment, Danny thought about the hyped club, thought about going to Mystique, but finally he leaned over and touched Eric’s hip subtly with his hand. “Do you really want to go to a club that’s famous for its hot chicks? You want to pick up a girl?”

 

Danny could feel how Eric tensed and his own breathing seemed to stop as he waited for Eric’s answer. For a long time their eyes were locked before Eric shivered and shook his head. “No, I don’t.”

 

Relief cursed through Danny at the admission and throwing some money onto the table, he got up and followed by Eric, he left the casino to walk over to his car. He drove towards the club Ed had shown him all those years ago and as they entered, he heard Eric take a deep breath. Surprised at the sudden tension in his friend, Danny looked at him. “Something wrong?”

 

Eric smiled and simply moved a bit closer to Danny. “Nothing wrong, I just haven’t always had good experiences in such clubs.”

 

Pulling Eric closer towards him, Danny leaned down and allowed his lips to brush Eric’s skin as he whispered in his ear. “Don’t worry, I won’t leave you to the wolves.”

 

Eric’s shiver resonated deep in Danny’s body and with a sigh, he let his friend go, only to moan lightly at the glazed look in Eric’s eyes. Shit, Danny cursed mentally, how could he have gotten hooked so quickly? And how was he going to survive the evening without jumping Eric?

 

“Do you want a drink?” Eric seemed to think about it, but finally he shook his head. “Actually I’d rather go dancing. You’re joining me?”

 

He was playing with fire, Danny thought, as he followed Eric onto the dance floor. Sitting in a booth would have been manageable without making a fool of himself, but dancing? Danny sighed as Eric pulled him closer and smiled suddenly.

 

“I’m really not a good dancer, just to warn you.”

 

Eric smiled at Danny’s words and pulled him closer until Danny was almost pressed completely against Eric’s body. “Just follow my movements.”

 

Eric’s voice was hot against Danny’s ears and Danny couldn’t contain the moan that escaped him as he felt the strong body grind against him. His head was spinning and all his thoughts about being careful with Eric, about letting the other man setting the pace went were forgotten when he turned around and captured Eric’s lips with his own.

 

Danny wasn’t sure what he had been expecting from kissing Eric the first time and he hadn’t allowed himself to fantasize about it, but what ever he had wished for, the reality was completely different. Eric’s lips were soft and pliant under his, for a moment they met in an almost chaste touch before Eric groaned and deepened the kiss. This touch had nothing innocent in it and Danny felt himself sucked into an universe of passion and longing. They kissed for a long time until the urge to breathe became too strong and panting they broke apart. Eric’s eyes were dazed, his lips red and his face flushed, even in the dim lightning of the club, his arousal was obvious and Danny moaned at the delicious sight.

 

“Let’s sit down.” Gently he pulled Eric towards an empty booth and they sat down close next to each other. Eric hadn’t said a word since the kiss and slowly Danny started to worry. “Eric, you ok?”

 

Eric’s hand caressed his face quickly, and his eyes were momentarily haunted before he smiled and playfully leaned in and kissed Danny quickly. “I’m good, and if you get me a drink, I might actually be perfect.”

 

Danny wasn’t sure if Eric was honest with him, but he didn’t want to make an issue out of it, so he waved at a waiter and ordered their drinks. Leaning back a bit, he smiled at Eric. “So, tell me about those experiences you had in gay clubs.”

 

Eric smiled quickly, but instead of answering Danny, he leaned over and nipped at his lips. “I’d rather kiss you again, is that ok?”

 

Again Danny felt uneasy about Eric’s evasion, but when clever lips kissed him again, he forgot about it and leaned fully into the kiss.

 

---

 

Danny’s kisses were drugging him, Eric felt his partner’s strength against his own body and for the first time in a long time he let himself be held. His hands caressed Danny’s back and slowly he moved up to the tender skin at Danny’s neck, caressing and stroking Danny. The moan he received in response emboldened him and with a sigh, he moved his lips from Danny’s lips to his jaw nipping and kissing his way down along the neck to the collarbone that peeked out of the white shirt.

 

“Oh god, Eric.” Danny’s voice was hoarse and passionate. “Stop, please.”

 

Surprised and slightly annoyed Eric looked up and met Danny’s eyes. They were burning with passion, pupils expanded so that the normally blue eyes seemed almost black. It was clear that Danny was as aroused as he was and frowning Eric wanted to return to his task, when Danny stopped him again.

 

“Not here, please.” This time, Danny sounded almost pleading and once more Eric met his eyes. “Come home with me, Eric, please.”

 

The words made Eric tense for a moment, he hadn’t gone home with a guy since... No, he wouldn’t think about that now and with conscious effort he pushed everything away. Some part of his brain screamed at him to stop, to run away, but for once Eric didn’t listen and caressed Danny’s face gently. “I’d love to.”

 

The drive home was tense, silent and yet full of unspoken words. As Danny stopped at a red light, Eric looked at him and was suddenly struck by the sheer beauty of his friend. In the low street lights, Danny’s skin seemed golden, his face angular and sucking in a deep breath, Eric reached out to touch Danny. Danny’s hand stopped him before he could reach his target. “Don’t, Eric, don’t touch me. I’m on the edge right now, if you touch me I can’t guarantee for anything.”

 

The honest, almost vulnerable words made Eric shiver and with a hoarse voice he simply asked. “How much longer?”

 

Danny laughed and turned into a quiet street. “Two blocks and sixteen stories.”

 

Standing next to each other in the elevator and not touching was almost too much. Eric felt himself tremble with restraint and it seemed as if Danny felt the same and as soon as the door had closed behind them, Danny pushed Eric against the door and kissed him hungrily.

 

His back was pressed against the wooden door, his body captured between the wood and Danny’s hard body and Eric felt something inside him give away. Lust and desire flooded him and he heard a distant moan echoing through the room. His hands slipped underneath Danny’s shirt and he moaned again when he encountered silken skin stretched over strong muscles. Danny released his lips for a moment and looked at him with dazed eyes.

 

“Bedroom, now.”

 

The desire in Danny’s voice made Eric shiver and he followed his soon to be lover through the entrance hall towards the large bedroom and gasped. He could see the entire strip through the large windows. “Wow.”

 

Danny laughed lightly and Eric shuddered as he felt the hot breath against his neck. Danny nipped at the tender skin behind his ears and Eric forgot all about the view as he turned around and captured Danny’s lips.

 

They stripped without many words and as soon as they were naked, Eric turned again towards Danny and took in the sight of long legs, strong muscles. “Need you now.”

 

The words escaped him almost against his will, but as Danny pushed him towards the bed, Eric knew that they were true. He needed Danny and with a groan he welcomed the touch of lubed fingers against his entrance. He fought the urge to tense, forced himself to relax and then there was no need anymore because pleasure shot through him and he heard himself beg for more.

 

“You’re beautiful.” Danny’s words only fueled his desire and Eric lifted his hips to welcome Danny’s cock. The slow slide into his body was both painful and wonderful and Eric cried out as long buried desires clashed over him. Danny remained still for a moment and meeting his lover’s eyes Eric saw concern and care behind the desire. It made him want to weep, but right then Danny moved gently and stars burst behind Eric’s eyes.

 

It was too much, too soon and almost desperately he clutched at Danny’s shoulders before he let go and fell into the maelstrom of emotions.

 

---

 

Danny had never felt like this with anyone man or woman and as he carefully slipped from Eric’s body, his heart and body wanted nothing than to cover Eric, hold him close and never let him go. The emotions scared him and with a soft kiss to Eric’s shoulder he got up and went to the bathroom to get a towel. Eric was watching him as Danny cleaned first himself and then Eric and Danny slowly felt dread rise in his gut. Why didn’t Eric say anything?

 

Why don’t you? His mental voice sounded a lot like Delinda which was slightly disturbing if he thought about it, but he pushed the thought away before he could take hold.

 

“You ok?” Gosh his voice sounded hoarse, Eric smiled instead of an answer, stretched languidly and nodded. “Yes.”

 

The short answer made Danny antsy and lying down next to Eric he wished for a drink, but before he could make his mind up, Eric moved got get out of the bed. Danny didn’t think when he held Eric back, and pressed him against his body. “Stay.”

 

Eric’s body tensed for a moment before he relaxed. “You sure? I mean, you want me to stay?”

 

Danny’s heart fell at the question and taking a deep breath, he looked Eric straight in his eyes. “I want you to stay, Eric. This is more than a quick fuck or a one night stand. If I wanted that, I would have taken you to the back room of the club.”

 

He winced at the harshness of his words, but Eric didn’t withdraw from him, instead he shivered and nodded slowly. “Sorry.”

 

They settled against each other, and Danny watched as a haunted look crossed through Eric’s eyes. It hurt him and without thinking, he pulled Eric closer. “Did you think, I would toss you out?”

 

“No.” Eric’s voice was quiet and sleepy and Danny smiled contentedly before he fell asleep himself.

 

---

 

Eric couldn’t sleep, his mind was reeling from the events of the night.

 

He had expected Danny to hit on him, had expected to maybe have a fling with the other man, but what Eric hadn’t expected was the depth of passion, the amount of longing that Danny woke in him. This was different than the anonymous fucks that he’d had in other gay bars, different from the brief affairs he’d had with girls back in Miami, it was more, went deeper and that scared him.

 

Eric knew that the last time he had felt so deeply, had longed for someone’s touch so strongly had been with Speed. The implication made him shudder and almost as if he were reacting to Eric’s shiver, Danny pulled him closer in sleep.

 

Eric felt something cold give way in his heart and that too scared him. He wasn’t ready to feel again, not this much, not again.

 

*Spanish: You look terrible

 

 

*Chapter 7 – What comes around...*

 

*Las Vegas*

 

Waking up next to Danny should have been awkward, Eric thought as he slowly opened his eyes and met Danny’s tired but tender smile. The fact that it wasn’t scared him to death, because it proved that what he had felt last night hadn’t been a fluke.

 

“You ok?” Danny’s voice was slightly raspy and he smiled sleepily as he reached out and ran a finger along Eric’s face. “You look worried.”

 

The intimacy of the moment was too much for Eric and he moved away frantically. “I need to leave, Danny, I... I... I can’t stay here.”

 

Eric watched as Danny’s eyes darkened, and he turned away from the confusion and hurt he saw. He didn’t want Danny to feel something for him, he couldn’t deal with having someone care for him again. Scrambling out of bed, Eric almost frantically searched for his clothes. He winced as he saw how they were scattered around in Danny’s flat. He dressed fast and hesitated for a moment before he walked back in the bed room. Danny was still lying in his bed. Eric shuddered as calm, cold eyes met his.

 

“Are you done?” Danny spoke softly, but his voice had a hard edge in it. Eric nodded, he knew that his voice would betray his emotions and so he left without saying anything.

 

---

 

He was alone. Danny had a hard time believing that Eric had simply left him like that. Danny had woken up warm and wonderfully comfortable and as their eyes had met, Danny had read the same contentment he had felt in Eric’s eyes.

 

And now he was alone.

 

‘You should have known it.’ He shook his head against the mental snide remark and turned towards the window. No, he though, he didn’t know it. He had told Eric what he wanted, hadn’t he? “This is not a one night stand.”

 

Obviously Eric had seen it differently.

 

Danny sighed and got up slowly. He felt lethargic and not up to doing anything, but wallowing in misery at home wasn’t his thing either. He walked towards the bathroom and showered quickly pushing everything about last night and Eric away from his mind. He would go to the gym he decided and then he’d call Mike and meet his friend for drinks and some fun.

 

His mind was clear when he walked back to his room. Danny stopped as if he had run in a wall. The room still smelled of sex and Eric. Danny wanted to crawl back into bed and hide, but instead he walked over to the window and let fresh air in.

 

---

 

Greg was the first one to arrive for the graveyard shift after the weekend and he blissfully inhaled the steam from his coffee. Blue Hawaiian... His team mates might tease him about spending ridiculous amounts of money on the coffee, but Greg had always believed that indulgence in something like coffee wasn’t a sin, but a real pleasure.

 

And of course no one complained when he offered them a cup of his coffee at the start of a new week.

 

“You’re saving my life.” Sara’s eyes looked bloodshot and Greg frowned. “Hot weekend?”

 

She sneezed and he immediately took a step back. “Ok, not hot more cold.”

 

Another sneeze made him hold up his hands and he shook his head. “Stay away from me, ok?”

 

She smiled a bit, and turned around when Catherine and Grissom entered the room too. “Hey there, had a good weekend?”

 

Grissom looked as always, Greg thought. It was comforting somehow how Grissom was the one constant that didn’t change in Greg’s life. Sometimes Greg wondered what would have happened if he hadn’t met Grissom, if he hadn’t started working with the crime lab in Vegas, but whenever he thought about it, he pushed the thought away. He couldn’t imagine a life without knowing Grissom.

 

“Greg, buddy where are you?” Warrick had arrived and had obviously addressed him. Greg blinked once, twice and then smiled. “Just thinking about the weekend?”

 

Warrick leered at him. “Had a good one then? So how’s she look like?”

 

Greg’s smile faded a bit. He had gone away for the weekend, had flown to San Francisco to meet a friend. It had been a spontaneous decision because he had wanted to forget Eric. It had helped and enjoyed meeting his friend again, had enjoyed hanging out with him, but he knew that it would still take some time until he was really over Eric.

 

And speaking of Eric. “Where’s Eric?”

 

He received shrugs from everyone, when Eric appeared with a breathless sorry and an explanation. “I got stuck in traffic.”

 

Greg saw how Warrick frowned and turned around to say hi to Eric. But whatever he had wanted to say was forgotten, when he noticed Eric’s pallor and the tired lines around his face.

 

“Wow brother, what happened to you?” Warrick’s question made everyone look at Eric and Grissom immediately frowned. “Are you sick?”

 

Eric shook his head and sighed. “No, just couldn’t sleep. Went out on Friday and it screwed up my sleeping schedule.”

 

The explanation made sense, Greg thought, but there was something in Eric’s behavior that made him suspicious and as he saw Warrick narrow his eyes for a moment, he knew that Warrick didn’t believe Eric either.

 

---

 

*New York*

 

Mac looked at the phone for a long time. He had to call the Las Vegas police to let them know about Jimmy Slater’s confession and about the fact that Kelly Gordon’s killer hadn’t been involved in Nick’s abduction, but something held him back.

 

He didn’t want to let go of the case, he didn’t want to hand the responsibility in this case to the people who had gotten Nick abducted at the first place.

 

The thought brought him up short and without hesitating any further he reached for the phone. He had no right to judge the Vegas team for what had happened to Nick, he thought while he waited for Conrad Ecklie to pick up. No right to think that he and his team would have protected Nick better.

 

Gil Grissom and his team had found Nick in time. Mac swallowed hard and shook his head, he avoided thinking about it as much as he could. Thinking about it would make him watch Nick obsessively and he knew Nick well enough to know that he wouldn’t appreciate it.

 

“Ecklie?” Mac was silently glad when Ecklie answered the phone. He didn’t want to think anymore about what could have happened to Nick and how he hadn’t done anything to prevent it. “Hi there, this is Mac Taylor from New York. I just wanted to give you an update on the Kelly Gordon case.”

 

---

 

*Las Vegas*

 

Brass looked at Conrad who was outwardly calm, but seemed to be boiling inside. “What’s eating at you?”

 

“Taylor called.” For a second, Brass was confused, but when he realized which Taylor Conrad was talking about, he paled slightly. “Something happened to Nick?”

 

Conrad shook his head in annoyance. “No, nothing happened, but no thanks to Grissom for this. Kelly Gordon was killed and for a while, they suspected Nick to be the killer. Turns out it was some guy he helped while still being here.”

 

Brass smiled despite himself and shook his head while he followed Conrad out of his office and towards the break room. “So if Nick’s fine and Kelly Gordon’s dead, what’s the anger at Grissom about?”

 

“Kelly’s killer was not the second man in Nick’s abduction, so we still have nothing to determine who helped Gordon. And if Grissom had not been silent about the second voice, we would have investigated much earlier.” Conrad was angry, but at the same time, Brass also heard exhaustion in his voice and slowing down he looked at his friend. There were lines in Conrad’s face that hadn’t been there a couple of months ago and sighing lightly, Brass shook his head.

 

“You need a holiday, Con.” Conrad looked surprised, before a smile crossed his face. “Do I look so bad?”

 

Brass grinned, but turned serious again immediately. “You look as if you’re not sleeping and working too much.”

 

He knew that he was probably the only person in the entire police department that dared to talk to Conrad like this and at the slightly angry look he got from his friend, he simply smiled. Conrad sighed again but then nodded slowly. “I know.”

 

The fact that Conrad admitted to being exhausted shocked Brass because normally Conrad simply waved those concerns away. Looking once again at his friend, Brass shook his head. “Who are you and what have you done to Conrad Ecklie?”

 

This time Conrad laughed openly which caused some heads to turn in stunned surprise. The laughter died though and as they sat down in the break room, Conrad smiled tightly. “I need some time off, I know that, but I don’t know where to go. I...”

 

Brass suddenly understood what the problem was and he remembered something Conrad had told him when they had still been lovers. “I don’t mind being alone, but I hate going on holidays on my own. It just makes me feel like an outcast.”

 

“You don’t want to go alone.” Brass saw Conrad tense and suddenly felt an old feeling resurface. He swallowed hard as he realized that he wanted to comfort Conrad, hold him and love him. A shiver ran through him and he felt trapped in the break room. Conrad looked at him oddly, before he shrugged. “Yeah there’s that...”

 

It was heavy talk for in the middle of the crime lab and Brass saw that Conrad felt uncomfortable. He smiled at his friend and changed the topic easily. “So what are you going to do about the mysterious second man?”

 

---

 

Warrick glanced at Eric while they worked their case. They had been called to a car accident. The car had gone off the road at a point where the road was as straight as an arrow and from what they could see so far there had been no other car involved.

 

Eric worked as diligently as always, but Warrick was worried about the continued silence. Not that Eric was usually very chatty, but they did tend to speak every once in a while when working together. Finally after they had brought the car back to the lab and had worked on it for another hour in silence, Warrick had had enough.

 

“Eric, talk to me.” Eric looked up from where he was leaning over the car and Warrick immediately saw the pain in Eric’s eyes. “What happened on the weekend?”

 

Eric tensed for a moment and then he shook his head. “Not now Warrick, ok?”

 

“Okay, but we’ll talk brother.” Warrick returned to his task and frowned when he found some dirt in the glove compartment. “Eric, take a look at this.”

 

Eric walked over and frowned as he looked at the dirt which looked a bit like excrement. “From an animal?”

 

“Looks like it, but who keeps an animal in the glove compartment?” Warrick saw his confusion mirrored in Eric’s eyes and Eric shrugged. “And what kind of animal fits into a glove compartment?”

 

“Well, Tinkerbell would.” Detective Vartaan’s voice made Warrick and Eric turn around and Warrick found himself laughing at the comment. “So you’re suggesting that Paris Hilton is our main suspect?”

 

Vartaan grinned too and shook his head. “Not very likely, but hey you never know.”

 

Eric had watched the banter between Warrick and Vartaan and plucked the envelope with the evidence from Warrick’s finger. “I’ll have that tested. You two behave.”

 

Frowning at Eric’s fast disappearance, Warrick turned back towards Vartaan and shook his head. “What are you making of it?”

 

Vartaan looked pensive as he looked at the report in his hands. “Tox screen came back negative. He wasn’t drunk and with no evidence of another car, I’d say he fell asleep behind the wheel.”

 

It was the easiest solution and yet something struck Warrick as weird. “It’s morning, Tony, for most people at least, so why would he fall asleep on the way to work and not from?”

 

Vartaan shrugged. “The wife is coming to identify him. You want to be there when we talk?”

 

Warrick nodded. He hated to be there when the families arrived, but he knew that it might be important. For a moment he shuddered. A strong hand gripped his shoulder and he looked up startled. Vartaan was looking at him intently. “You don’t have to be there for the identification. I can page you once we’re done.”

 

“Thanks.” Warrick was surprised by Vartaan’s offer and if he was honest, he was also tempted to take Vartaan up on it, but he knew that it wouldn’t be fair. “I’ll be there, just call me when she arrives ok?”

 

---

 

“Danny, can I speak to you for a moment?” Delinda saw that Danny was pale and tired. In fact, she thought, he looked terrible. Time to draw him out of his office and down for a coffee.

 

“Let’s go for a coffee break, ok?” He sighed and smiled at her. “You’re not going to take no as an answer anyway, will you?”

 

She simply grinned. “No.”

 

He laughed a bit and pulled him out of his office. “Come on, you know you want to.”

 

When he smiled, Delinda felt better and sighed. She could see that he was hurting and she wanted to help him. Danny had been there for here when she had been feeling down, now she wanted to return the favor. Better her than Mary, she thought, knowing that Mary would not be able to just help Danny without hoping for more.

 

Once they were in the coffee shop, she ordered two caramel macchiatos and brought them at their table. “Spill it.”

 

Danny scowled into the coffee. “There’s not much to spill. I was an idiot.”

 

Playfully she slapped him and made him look at her. “That’s nothing new, but you usually don’t look like this, so what happened?”

 

Again he smiled although it didn’t reach his eyes and seeing the pain in the blue eyes, Delinda sighed. Whatever had happened on the weekend, had been painful and Danny had certainly not let go yet. When he remained silent, she looked at him and shook her head. “Danny, what’s going on?”

 

“I think I’m in love.” The words made her tense, but Danny continued before she could say anything. “And it fucking hurts.”

 

Oh Danny, Delinda wanted to hold him and comfort him, but instead she took his hand into hers and held it tight. “Who is it?”

 

“We met last week, and on Saturday we had our first date… only it escalated and we ended up in my bed.” Danny’s voice was tentative and quiet, Delinda listened carefully and sighed when he continued. “It was incredible, more than I’ve ever felt and then in the morning... we woke up and it was just right, you know, it felt right to be there... and then I was alone again.”

 

She had noticed how he had avoided using a name or a pronoun and sighing, she pressed his hand again. “What’s his name?”

 

For a second, Danny tensed and Delinda smiled lightly. “Danny, I always knew that if you really fall for someone, it will be for a guy and not a girl. So who is he?”

 

“Do you remember the CSI who worked here last week? He’s name is Eric.” Delinda gasped lightly as she remembered the conversation she and Sam had observed. Yes, she thought, there had been a lot of tension between the two men. “That guy, uh?”

 

Danny had a dreamy look in his eyes as he smiled. “He called me after the case was closed and we went out yesterday. We just had this instant attraction for each other and then in the club...”

 

Seeing that Danny was getting more and more depressed, Delinda grinned wickedly. “And is he good in bed?”

 

Her attempt at humor fell flat, when Danny’s eyes darkened with memories. “He’s wonderful. Delinda, I’ve never felt with anyone like with him. It’s just so much...”

 

Delinda sighed and pressed Danny’s hand. “What happened in the morning?”

 

“We woke together and it felt right, you known, felt like it should be. There was no awkwardness or anything, but then he suddenly jerked away from me and left.”

 

Delinda sighed. “I’m so sorry for you.”

 

Danny shook his head and shrugged. “I’ll survive.”

 

She was sure of that, but she also had seen the longing in Danny’s eyes when he’d spoken of Eric. It had been a longing she had never seen in Danny, and it made her determined to find out why Eric had left Danny. Delinda smiled and as Danny changed the topic she followed easily, but in the back of her mind she started to plan. She was her father’s daughter after all.

 

---

 

“Grissom, what do you make of this?” Gil walked over towards Greg and found him studying a scrap of paper. “Looks like a flyer for a club or something.”

 

Taking the wrangled paper and holding it against the light Gil nodded. “Let’s find out.”

 

Greg looked up surprised. “It’s not your case, is it?”

 

Gil tensed and almost defensively, he frowned. “Catherine can handle the case herself. I thought I help you.”

 

“So you think, I can’t handle it.” Greg’s words and voice was challenging him and Gil sighed mentally. “Greg, you’re a CSI 1, you’re not supposed to handle your own cases.”

 

Gil expected a longer argument, but to his surprise, Greg simply grinned and his eyes sparkled as if nothing had ever been wrong. “Lead me to the truth then Obi Wan.”

 

Bemused at the comment Gil shook his head and started to explain what he was doing and why. Greg’s attention never wavered from him and as they waited for the results to come back, Gil allowed himself a moment of self indulgence at simply enjoying working together with Greg.

 

---

 

Eric stared at the evidence in front of him and frowned. The results from the dirt had not helped him so far instead, they only confused him further.

 

“Heteropoda Venatoria”

 

“Bless you.” Eric smirked at Warrick’s comment and pointed at the print out. “Huntsman spider drops.”

 

Warrick looked as surprised as Eric did and Eric simply shrugged while he pointed at the results n his hand. “I’ve checked it twice, but the stuff that we found in the glove compartment was actually left behind by a huntsman.”

 

“Who in their right frame of mind keeps a huntsman in a glove compartment?” Warrick’s voice was incredulous making Eric laugh for the first time this day as he remembered Vartann’s comment. “Not Paris Hilton, that’s for sure.”

 

Warrick shot him a glance and smiled too. “No, actually the only person I could think of, would be Grissom.”

 

Again Eric grinned, and then shrugged. “I checked it, they aren’t native to Vegas, so the thing can’t simply have crawled in.”

 

Slowly Warrick turned towards him and the car. “No, but you know what? If I were driving along the street thinking about nothing and suddenly a huntsman spider came out of my glove compartment, I would probably be have a heart attack.”

 

Eric snickered a bit. “Yes, but you’re afraid of spiders.”

 

Warrick blushed and shook his head. “I’m not”

 

“Sure you are, I saw how you constantly keep a distance from Grissom’s tarantula.” “I don’t do that!” “Sure, you do.” “Do not.” “Sure do.”

 

“Am I interrupting something?” Vartaan shook his head, but Eric saw that how his eyes twinkled and despite Warrick’s death glare, Eric explained what they were arguing about. “Warrick’s afraid of spiders although he denies it.”

 

Warrick growled, but didn’t leave or contradict Eric, instead he handed the results from Eric’s tests over to Vartaan who looked at sheet of paper with interest. “A spider in the glove compartment... You know his wife mentioned something about him being phobic about a lot of things. I have to ask her if he suffered from arachnophobia too.”

 

Things that hadn’t made sense suddenly clicked in place and Eric shook his head. “You know that’s the perfect murder, if you know that he’s scared of spiders. Hide a spider in his car and there you have it; a natural cause of death and a murder weapon that’s already walked away on eight legs.”

 

Vartaan looked grim. “I’ll talk to the wife again. You want to sit in, Eric?”

 

Eric nodded and looked at Warrick. “You coming too?”

 

Warrick though shook his head. “No, you handle this on your own. I’ll check into the wife’s background in the mean time.”

 

Vartaan left to call the wife and but before Eric could walk out of the lab too, Warrick held him back. “You ok?”

 

Eric swallowed hard and suddenly all the emotions he had tried to suppress over the weekend were right there again. He shivered as he remembered Danny’s hand on his body, Danny’s laughter and soft voice and the feeling of security and warmth that had lulled him to sleep in Danny’s arms.

 

“I made a mistake on the weekend.” Warrick’s eyes were open and friendly and with another sigh, Eric pulled him out of the lab and into the empty break room. “I met Danny McCoy.”

 

“And?” Warrick’s voice was again friendly and concerned, but this time Eric didn’t have the courage to meet Warrick’s eyes. “We had sex.”

 

Liar! The voice inside his head was loud as it told him that what they had shared on Saturday night had been much more than just sex. Just sex had been what he’d had in the anonymous bars, in the back rooms, but not what he’d experienced with Danny. Another shiver went through him and he noticed how Warrick looked at him.

 

“It wasn’t just sex, was it?” Damn Warrick for his perception, Eric wanted to curse and yet on the other hand he was glad that he didn’t have to spell it out. Shrugging he looked at the coffee in his hands. “I ran, Warrick, in the morning when I woke, I ran.”

 

“Why?” Warrick’s voice held no judgment and Eric shrugged again. “I... It was too much, too close...”

 

Warrick looked at him closely and finally sighed. “What do you want from McCoy? A one night stand?”

 

Eric’s mind went back to the moments before they had gone to the club, to the easy going bantering and laughter, to Danny’s hand on his back as he told him that he wouldn’t abandon him and with a pained sigh, he acknowledged that he didn’t want just sex, just one night. No he wanted more.

 

“And do you have an idea what he wants?” Warrick was almost clinically rational with his questions and somehow that made it easier for Eric to be honest. Again he remembered and this time his heart constricted at the memory of Danny’s eyes burning with sincere desire and longing.

 

“This is more than a quick fuck or a one night stand. If I wanted that, I would have taken you to the back room of the club.”

 

“I think he wants more too.” Warrick frowned at his answer and sighed. “Eric, you have to find out what you want, and if you can move beyond Speed. If you can then call McCoy and talk to him. If you can’t then you’ve got to stop the games you’re playing. Right now you’re hurting those you profess to care about and that’s not adult behavior.”

 

This time there was judgment in Warrick’s voice and Eric stiffened at the words, but at the same time he had to acknowledge the truth behind them. Warrick said something else, but Eric hadn’t listened and looking at his friend, he waited for Warrick to repeat his words.

 

“I’m an asshole, you mean?” He tried to smile as he said it, but from Warrick’s look it was obvious that he’d failed. Warrick clasped his shoulder and smiled. “No, you’re not. You’re scared.”

 

They were silent for a moment, then Warrick looked at Eric again. “Figure out what you really want from McCoy ok?”

 

Eric nodded and another shiver ran through him at the memory of Saturday night. Warrick had noticed it and smiled slowly. “Or maybe you already know that, you’re just too scared to acknowledge it.”

 

---

 

When Greg came into work the next evening he was angrier than he could ever remember being. He didn’t acknowledge Catherine or Sara and barely registered Eric’s hello as he walked straight into Grissom’s office, closed the door behind him and looked at the man sitting calmly behind his desk.

 

“You bastard!” As soon as the words were out, Greg realized what he had said and paled. Grissom however simply gazed at him. “Good evening to you too. What can I do for you?”

 

Grissom’s calm made Greg want to shake him, but he forced himself to calm down at least a little bit knowing that he had not only overstepped his limits, but literally jumped over them before.

 

“Why didn’t you tell Nick?” From one instant to the next the calm disappeared from Grissom’s eyes and Greg swallowed hard as he saw the sadness and despair that now shone in them. “He could have gotten hurt so badly, Grissom, why didn’t you tell him?”

 

“I made a mistake in judgment.” Grissom’s words sounded as if he forced himself to speak them and he wasn’t looking at Greg as he continued. “You wouldn’t understand my reasoning.”

 

Greg could feel his anger disappear, and felt for the man opposite him. Still he needed to understand, why Grissom would fail Nick so much. “Try me.”

 

He was aware that he was pushing Grissom, and of course he didn’t expect an honest answer or even an answer at all, but to his surprise, Grissom started speaking after a moment of silence. “I thought I was protecting him. He was finally over what happened...”

 

Greg wasn’t sure what surprised him more, the fact that Grissom was answering his question or the wealth of emotions in Grissom’s voice as he spoke. Greg had never heard Grissom speak about someone like he was now speaking of Nick and a thought made him tense as slowly the pieces fit together and formed a picture.

 

“Do you love him?” Grissom tensed at Greg’s question and finally looking up, Greg was again surprised by the pain he saw in Grissom’s eyes. He was suddenly sure that he was right, that Grissom was in love with Nick and somehow the thought made him feel slightly sick.

 

“No, not in the way you mean.” Grissom’s denial was soft and Greg had to strain his ears to hear Grissom speak. “I’m not in love with Nick. But I think of him as a friend, someone who’s been through too much already.”

 

For a moment Greg faltered at the honesty and at the pain in Grissom’s eyes. He had overstepped his boundaries in more than just one way, he realized and he felt terrible. He had acted out of concern for a friend, but driven by that concern he had overlooked the feelings of someone else. Sighing, he steeled himself and looked at Grissom.

 

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t...” Greg trailed off as Grissom shook his head.

 

“No, don’t apologize, I was treating Nick wrong. “ A wry smile crossed Grissom’s face as he continued. “And don’t worry, it has been pointed out to me before that I have no people skills.”

 

There was something in Grissom’s eyes and voice that made Greg shiver, something that spoke of loneliness and despair, but before he could decide on what to say, Grissom’s phone beeped and after a last glance at his boss Greg left the office.

 

---

 

“I’ll be there in a second, Al.” Gil put his phone down and for a moment he stared blindly at the spot where Greg had stood only seconds before. Greg’s accusations still ran through his mind and he felt more tired than he had felt in a long time.

 

A shiver wracked his body and Gil groaned silently as he realized that his head was starting to pound. His shift had only just started and he already felt as if he had been working for hours. He needed to do something, needed to get up and go to the morgue, but he couldn’t move from his spot. Dread filled him as he thought of the hours ahead of him, hours of working under artificial light, hours of hiding his head ache, hours of trying to concentrate while his head felt as if it was split apart from the inside.

 

He searched blindly for the pain killers in his drawer and sighed with relief as his hands found the familiar form of the medicine bottle. Gil sighed as he took two pills and then slowly got up. He felt like an old man and with slow careful movements he made his way out of the office and towards the morgue.

 

---

 

*New York*

 

“You can’t ignore him forever, you know that, don’t you?” Nick didn’t even try to pretend that he didn’t know what Don was talking about. He knew very well, what his partner wanted and why.

 

“I’m not the one who has to make the first step...” Don grinned at his words and Nick felt like a petulant twelve year old. Still he couldn’t bring himself to call Grissom and with a deep sigh he looked at his lover. “I can’t, Don, I simply can’t forget that I trusted him and he...”

 

He trailed off not knowing what he should be saying, not knowing why he felt so betrayed and sighing slightly, Don sat down next to him. “What do you feel if you think of Grissom?”

 

What did he feel? It was a good question, Nick thought and certainly worth some thoughts, but right now he didn’t want to think about Grissom, didn’t want to talk about Vegas and he was glad when he saw Ziva walk into their living room with a smile. Since their talk she had loosened up a lot and now she sat down easily before looking at them questioningly. “Grissom?”

 

Surprised at her words Nick looked up and nodded. She smiled and shook her head. “He certainly is a very special man.”

 

Nick remembered then that Grissom had been in Washington and had met Ziva. He smiled and nodded. “Yeah, he is and he’s a good friend, or at least I thought that he was.”

 

Don growled lightly and shook his head. “That’s it, Nick, you’re calling him first thing tomorrow morning.”

 

Sighing, but knowing that he didn’t stand a chance if Don had made up his mind about something, Nick nodded slowly. He knew that Don was right anyway, still it hurt that Grissom hadn’t even tried to contact him. He felt Don’s arms around him and looking up he met his partner’s concerned eyes.

 

“It’s going to be fine, you’ll see.” Don’s words were gentle and Nick couldn’t help but believing him.

 

---

 

*Las Vegas*

 

“Warrick Brown?” The voice on the other end of the phone sounded vaguely familiar, but Warrick couldn’t place a face with the soft female tones and so he answered friendly but cautiously.

 

“Yes, how can I help you?”

 

“My name’s Delinda Deline and I’m a friend of Danny McCoy. I take it you’re a friend of Eric Delko?” Immediately wary, Warrick got out of the lab and walked into the empty break room.”

 

“I don’t know why you’d ask this, but yes I know Eric.” Was she a friend or a foe? Her laughter was delighted and a bit naughty and it sent spikes of interest through Warrick’s body. He was surprised enough to miss her first words, but when she spoke again he was listening.

 

“I think you and I need to meet. Danny’s miserable and unless Eric is a real jerk, he’s not happy either.” It was an accurate statement, but before Warrick could agree with her, she continued already. “Guys in general are blind and way too dumb if it comes to dealing with emotions, wouldn’t you agree? I actually see it as my duty as Danny’s best friend to help him, aren’t I?”

 

Delinda’s words were friendly and yet Warrick couldn’t help shivering. God help, Danny and Eric if Ed Deline’s daughter had decided to play matchmaker.

 

---

 

 

*Chapter 8 – … goes around*

 

*Las Vegas*

 

Grissom stared at the phone for a long time before he dialed Nick’s number. He hadn’t spoken to his friend since he had made the call to Don Flack. Grissom knew that Nick felt betrayed, and logically he understood why, but how should he have told Nick?

 

What should he have told him?

 

When?

 

They had become friends and had spoken about everything, had had great conversations about anything under the sun; should he have just interrupted such a talk and told Nick that there had been a second person involved?

 

Maybe he should have, Grissom mused silently while he listened to the dialing tone. Maybe he should have told Nick and yet, he couldn’t forget the sight of Nick in the throws of terror as he had seen him on the camera feed. The image of Nick reaching out for the gun, prepared to kill himself was burned under his eyelids and whenever Gil closed his eyes, he saw it.

 

I found closure. Nick’s words rang through him and shaking his head, Grissom realized that he hadn’t. He still dreamed of Nick sometimes and it hurt to see him like that. It was the deeper reason why he had never told his friend, but he knew that he was close to losing Nick because of his fear now and that scared him more than the memory of Nick in the greenish grave.

 

“Grissom, how are you?” Nick’s voice was cold and Grissom tensed. He had heard Nick speak in the same kind of voice when he had interrogated suspects and it brought home once again how much he had hurt his friend. Taking a deep breath, Grissom prepared to do something he hadn’t done in a long time, apologize.

 

“I’ve let you down, Nick, and I wanted to say that I’m sorry.” It hadn’t been easy to say and after he had spoken those few words, he waited tensely for Nick’s verdict. His friend was silent for a long time before Grissom heard him sigh.

 

“Do you even know what you’re apologizing for, Gil?” Nick spoke softer than before and this time his voice sounded almost paternal.

 

Grissom smiled lightly as he recognized the same interrogation technique that he had taught Nick. “I wanted to protect you, but I forgot that you are stronger than I give you credit for. I wanted to keep you safe and have endangered you instead. Nick, I never wanted to hurt you, but whenever I...” He trailed off, suddenly unsure how to explain, before he spoke again quietly. “Whenever I think of that night or something related, I just want to make sure you’re not hurt... Just want to protect you.”

 

And he had done a great job, hadn’t he? His method of protection had almost gotten Nick accused of murder, but before he could berate himself even more, Nick spoke again. “Gris, you have to let go of that night. You have to forget and move on.”

 

All the cold had vanished and in its place was an intense care that made Grissom tremble “I know, but I don’t know how.” He was shocked that he had been able to admit this so freely, but then he had never been able to hold back in his and Nick’s phone calls. Again Nick was silent for a moment, before Grissom heard another sigh.

 

“I left before you all got closure, didn’t I? I left before I was healthy again and all you have is the image of me broken and desperate stuck in your mind.”

 

He was speechless by the insight and yet Grissom knew that he shouldn’t be. Nick had always been good at reading people, and yes, he was right about leaving before they had found closure. Grissom wasn’t thinking when he spoke again. “We know that you’re alright; it just makes it hard because we don’t really know.”

 

Nick laughed a bit but he sobered quickly. “Tony suggested a road trip to Vegas, and I think it’s a good idea. Maybe if you see me, if you meet Don, then it will finally be over.”

 

Grissom smiled suddenly at the mention of Tony and without thinking he spoke again. “You should do that, I’d love to meet Don...”

 

Nick’s voice had become the voice of a friend again and as they continued to speak, Grissom felt some of the tension drain away and the head ache that had accompanied him ever since he had heard about Kelly Gordon’s journey to New York lessened slowly. Finally he found the courage to tell Nick the one thing he hadn’t been able to say all those months ago.

 

“I’m glad you’re still alive. I’m glad you’re my friend. I couldn’t lose you.”

 

Grissom heard the hitch in Nick’s breathing and for a long time his friend was silent, then he finally spoke with a hoarse voice. “You won’t lose me, Gris, I promise.”

 

Scientifically Grissom knew that Nick couldn’t make that promise, that there were so many unknown factors in their lives that it was impossible to promise forever, but for once Grissom didn’t listen to reason and let his heart and soul be comforted by the promise.

 

---

 

Eric watched while Vartaan and Warrick interrogated their victim’s best friend. They had found solid evidence that he had been the one to place the spider in the glove compartment, knowing about his friend's phobia and how he would react to the spider’s appearance.

 

The man in the interrogation room had almost managed to commit the perfect crime, Eric thought, had it not been for their diligent approach, they would have ruled the death an accident. It made Eric proud to realize that they had thwarted the killer’s plan and with a smile he turned his attention back to the ongoing interrogation.

 

“Good job, Eric.” Grissom’s voice made him startle a bit, but he felt pride surge through him at the rare praise from his boss.

 

They stood next to each other watching as the killer broke and finally confessed and Eric turned towards Grissom with a smile. “We got him.”

 

Grissom smiled back and nodded. “That you did.”

 

Eric smiled and watched as his boss walked away. Grissom was a silent man and much more reserved than Horatio had ever been. The thought of his friend made Eric tense with guilt. He hadn’t spoken with Horatio for a long time and suddenly the urge to hear the other man’s voice got stronger than ever.

 

Checking his watch, Eric realized that Horatio was probably already at work and without much thought he walked out of the interrogation room and outside to call his former boss.

 

---

 

*Miami*

 

Horatio didn’t recognize the number on his cell-phone and frowned slightly before he answered. “Caine.”

 

“Horatio, it’s Eric.” Horatio had recognized Eric’s voice immediately and for a moment he closed his eyes while his hand gripped the folder he held. Hearing Eric brought both joy and sadness. He was glad to hear from the other man, but at the same time Eric’s voice evoked too many memories.

 

“Eric, how are you?” Horatio put the folder down and closed the door behind him. He wanted to talk with Eric without having to watch his words and he knew that his office was the only safe place to do so.

 

“I’m good.” Eric sounded as if he hadn’t expected his own answer and Horatio felt relief flood him. He had worried about Eric ever since he had left Miami and there had been many nights when Horatio had been awake and wondering how he could have been so blind, how he could have missed the closeness between Eric and Speed.

 

“What about you, H? Any gossip or news that I need to know?” Eric's voice sounded cheerful and it had been such a long time since Horatio had heard him like this that he hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should tell Eric or not. Finally though he decided that Eric deserved the truth. “I quit.”

 

There was a long silence on the other side of the phone and Horatio waited until he couldn’t hold his breath anymore. “Eric?”

 

“I’m still here; I just had to sit down though.” Eric sounded both surprised and yet not and Horatio smiled when his friend continued speaking. “I never thought you’d leave Miami, on the other hand, I’m glad you will.”

 

“You speak from experience?” Horatio had wanted to know for a while if Eric had ever regretted the move across the country, but he’d never asked. He still didn’t ask, but Eric had obviously understood the unasked question.

 

“I guess, you could say so.” Eric’s answer was hesitant, but before Horatio could prod further, Eric spoke again. “I would have never been able to move on, had I stayed. I mean, I tried for over three years and it didn’t work.”

 

There was an undertone in Eric’s voice, one that Horatio couldn’t place and it unsettled him enough to ask. “Are you ok?”

 

Horatio hadn’t been prepared for the chuckle he got as an answer and it made his heart constrict as he realized how long it had been since he had heard Eric laugh. “How do you do that, H? How can you always read my mind?”

 

Well aware that Eric was avoiding the question, Horatio didn’t answer and instead waited for the silence to stretch long enough until Eric couldn’t stand it anymore. “I am moving on, yes, I think. I might be falling for someone and it terrifies me.”

 

Horatio had expected anything but that and as he sat down; he realized that he was both glad and resentful that Eric was indeed moving on. He kept himself in check though and pushed the negative emotions as far away as he could. “Why are you afraid?”

 

He was proud to notice that his voice had been completely calm and quiet, betraying nothing of the conflict inside him. He wanted to know who the person was that Eric had fallen for, wanted to know whether they were worth replacing Speed... The pain that shot through him at that thought made Horatio pause and it was only then that he realized that Eric had answered and he hadn’t listened.

 

“I’m sorry, Eric, I just got disturbed by something.” He knew that Eric didn’t believe him, but when his friend didn’t question him, he realized that Eric had learned that certain questions and conversations couldn’t be held over the phone.

 

“Where are you going to go?” Slightly thrown by the change of topic, Horatio hesitated for a moment and then again decided for honesty. “I don’t know yet.”

 

Eric didn’t berate him or prod any further instead Horatio heard a light sigh from the other man and then finally an offer that he had subconsciously awaited and yet never expected. “You know that you’ll always have a place in Vegas, don’t you?”

 

Horatio felt something in him break at the honesty and friendship in Eric’s voice and the hand which held his phone tightened for a moment. “Thanks Eric, I might take you up on it.”

 

They chatted for a little more and their talk moved from the heavy subjects to the easier banter and gossip about current and former team members. When Horatio said good bye almost twenty minutes later, he felt lighter and less exhausted than he had felt in ages.

 

Eric had moved away from Miami and had obviously found himself again, maybe Horatio could do the same.

 

---

 

*Las Vegas*

 

Danny sighed when he felt Ed’s eyes on him, but his mentor didn’t ask anything personal instead Ed looked at the screen in front of him and pointed at their current VIP gambler.

 

“What do you make of him?” Danny had been watching the VIP ever since he had arrived and now he turned around at Ed’s question. “There’s something shady about him.”

 

Ed nodded, but before he could answer, Mike interrupted them with a snort. “He’s clean, I’ve checked him out myself. There’s nothing in his files, his records or anything that would indicate him being ‘shady’. Who do you believe, Ed? The technology or a simple gut feeling?”

 

Danny heard the implied insult, heard what Mike didn’t say which was that it was Danny’s gut feeling which was untrustworthy, and he sighed knowing that he needed to address Mike’s behavior with him. He didn’t understand when the shift in their friendship had happened, when Mike had started to resent him because of his position and whenever he thought about it, it hurt.

 

“Keep your eyes on him, my gut agrees with Danny’s.” Ed’s voice was cold and his eyes fixed Mike with a hard glare. Danny felt a surge of warmth at Ed’s unwavering loyalty, but then Ed turned towards him and his mentor frowned. “We need to talk, Danny.”

 

Danny sighed, but he knew Ed well enough not to try to avoid the talk and so he walked ahead towards his office and waited for Ed to close the door behind him. “Do you want me to find him and kill him?”

 

Ed grinned while he said it, but the scary thing was, Danny thought, that Ed was completely serious. He considered Danny a part of his family and if someone hurt him, Ed would hunt them down and punish them. Meeting Ed’s eyes thankfully, Danny shook his head.

 

“No, I... he...” Danny groaned at his inability to formulate a proper sentence and tried again. “He didn’t do anything wrong. I... I hoped for more, but that’s not his mistake.”

 

“You sure he doesn’t want more?” Ed’s question made Danny think for a moment, before he shrugged. “He left and hasn’t called.”

 

“Did you call him?” Danny frowned and shook his head. “No, and I’m not going to call him. He ran away, so he has to call.”

 

Ed’s laughter was full of warmth and love and his eyes sparkled as he looked at Danny. “Danny, if I had acted like this with Jillian, then Delinda would have never been born. Do you have any idea how hard I had to work on convincing her that I wasn’t going to hurt her and that I was serious with her?”

 

Danny choked slightly as he tried to imagine Ed pursuing Jillian and with a grin he wondered who’d been more scared during that time Ed or Jillian. Then though his thoughts returned to Eric and his smile withered slowly. He couldn’t call Eric, he’d look like a fool...

 

“Is he important enough to you to risk looking like a fool?” Ed’s words were warm, but they carried a deep truth in them and Danny swallowed hard as he remembered the way he had felt around Eric. It hadn’t only been the sex despite that having been sensational, it was the feeling of being able to be himself and to be around someone who liked him. He met Ed’s eyes again and nodded slowly.

 

“Yeah, he is.”

 

Ed smiled. “Then call him.”

 

---

 

*Los Angeles*

 

Don couldn’t really remember the last time he’d been on an uninterrupted date. It sometimes seemed to him as if the fates conspired against him in order to prevent him from going out with a woman. His job had cost him more than one relationship, but this time he hoped it would be different, at least Liz knew what she was getting into.

 

They had just ordered their lunch when his phone rang and with a curse he answered. It was Colby, after listening for a moment Don sighed. “I’ll be there asap.”

 

Liz had already called their waiter and quietly asked for the bill and now as Don looked at her she simply smiled. “Don’t worry, at least this time they didn’t call in the middle of dessert.”

 

Remembering how a phone call had interrupted their last date Don blushed slightly. Liz laughed and shook her head. “Really Don, it’s ok, just go now, your team waits.”

 

When he arrived at the scene, Colby and David were already there and briefed him quickly. “Two dead bodies, both male, both obviously dead for a while. LAPD assumes that the last rains washed them down so it’s not clear where they’re from.”

 

Don nodded as he understood the LAPD’s thinking. “That’s why they called us.”

 

“That and the fact that one of the victims had this with him.” Captain Walker had come over and Don greeted him with a smile. The Captain and him had worked together a couple of times and Don had grown to respect the no non-sense cop. Now he looked at some faded papers.

 

“What’s that?”

 

Walker shrugged. “Some formulas that are pretty much gibberish to me. I thought your brother might be able to tell us what they are.”

 

When they had met on their first case, Walker had scoffed at Charlie’s methods, but a lot of time had passed since then and Don knew that Walker respected Charlie and often sought his counsel on LAPD cases.

 

“I’ll ask him.” Don reached for the papers, but before he could even grab the evidence bag it was snatched from Walker’s hands by a young woman who glared at him furiously.

 

“Don’t even think about taking evidence away from my crime scene, understood?”

 

Don simply stared at her and absently noted that she was stunningly beautiful. Her hair was long and blond, shimmering softly in the glare of the sun, her eyes were a deep blue and her body was slim and fit. What made him stare at her though was less her beauty than the confidence in her eyes, her movements the absolute certainty of being right which spoke from her glare.

 

“There papers haven’t been processed yet and I’ll be dammed before I let a fed ruin some evidence because he thinks he’s got a first touch right.”

 

Something about her tone and her voice reminded Don of Grissom and his comments about the FBI and he smiled. “Hey, we’re not stealing your evidence, honestly, knock yourself out. As far as I’m concerned I prefer to have the local labs examine the evidence. The thing is lately the LAPD lab has been understaffed and not able to process the evidence in the time frame we need it.”

 

Or the quality, but Don didn’t mention that. The woman had turned towards him and a smile played around her lips as she watched him. “Well I guess things have changed now. I’m sorry for tearing into you; I’m very particular about my crime scenes.”

 

Don heard David mumble something like ‘we noticed’, but he shut his team mate out and instead looked at the woman again. “Your crime scenes?”

 

She smiled again and with a practiced gesture pushed her hair back, before she extended her hand. “Calleigh Duquesne, I’m the new dayshift supervisor.”

 

Don had heard that the lab had a new supervisor, but he had never met them before. From the corner of his eyes he saw Colby and David openly ogle her and grinned lightly. “Nice to meet you Ms. Duquesne, I’m Don Eppes...”

 

Calleigh smiled again. “Call me Calleigh, please, I feel way too old if you call me Ms.”

 

“Well, in this case I’m Don, and this is the rest of my team, Colby, David, Megan, please meet Calleigh...”

 

The introductions were quick and after a short small talk, Calleigh brought them up to speed on the preliminary findings from the crime scene. Don had gotten used to the sometimes sloppy, sometimes slow and often very chaotic crime scene investigators and was more than happy to see Calleigh working with precision and attention to details.

 

“If you want the evidence to be sent to the lab in Quantico, please let me know, but I’d rather process it here, if you agree.”

 

For a moment Don hesitated, then he decided to give it a chance. “Can you do it in a reasonable time?”

 

Calleigh laughed and shrugged easily. “I’ll have to kick some people and make them get to work earlier, but that’s nothing I haven’t done yet. You’ll get your results.”

 

She sent a look at his team and told them good bye. Don watched her walk over to her team and talk to them softly. Captain Walker had walked up next to him and smiled.

 

“She’s brought quite a new wind with her.”

 

Thinking of the staid CSIs that he’d met while working with the LAPD, Don couldn’t help but grin. “More like a hurricane, I guess.”

 

Walker nodded, but his eyes were warm as he watched Calleigh drive away. “Well, it fits cause she used to be in Miami.”

 

---

 

Calleigh was still grinning when she walked into the lab. It was a good feeling to get one up on an FBI agent and although this agent Eppes had been quite friendly she still felt it was a little victory that Eppes had agreed on letting her team process the evidence.

 

She had seen his initial reluctance, but even though she wanted to be annoyed, she couldn’t help but understand his hesitation. The lab was miles away from the state of the art institution that the Miami lab had been.

 

Calleigh sighed and her smile faltered as she noticed one of her team starting to process the evidence without wearing a coat. “Simon, what are you doing?”

 

Simon looked up and for a moment he simply stared at her before he suddenly blushed. Calleigh shook her head. “You need a coat.”

 

Her voice was harder than she had wanted and she immediately felt bad, when Simon looked guiltily. She had told him several times though and her patience was waning. “I’ve just promised Eppes and his team that we’ll process the evidence as good as they do in Quantico. Please don’t make me eat my words.”

 

Simon nodded frantically and only when Calleigh left, she realized how threatening she had sounded. How had H managed to instill such a high sense of quality and diligence into her and her team mates without ever sounding like she just had now?

 

Poking her head back in, she saw that Simon now wore a coat and worked more carefully than before. Calleigh watched him for a moment and finally made a decision.

 

“Simon?” He looked up at her voice and she saw that he smiled slightly nervously. “Sorry for sounding so harsh, I’m simply...”

 

“Not used to the sloppy ways we work.” His answer took her aback and for a moment she stared at him, then she smiled suddenly.

 

“It’s just different than the way we worked in Miami.” He grinned lightly at her answer and shook his head.

 

“Calleigh, we work sloppy and it was time someone like you came around to kick us in our butts. There’s a reason why none of the federal agencies would work with us and the fact that you managed to convince Eppes to work with you is great. So don’t worry about barking… you know what they say… as long as your bark is worse than your bite...”

 

He grinned at her and relieved, Calleigh nodded. “I don’t bite, I shoot.”

 

Simon’s laughter followed her when she walked towards her office.

 

---

 

*Las Vegas*

 

Horatio was leaving Miami.

 

The shock of the news he had gotten hadn’t ebbed down and Eric realized that his hand was shaking as he reached out towards the results that had just come out of the printer. He couldn’t imagine Miami without Horatio Caine watching over her.

 

You left and maybe it’s time I did too.

 

As well as Eric understood Horatio’s reasoning, he still had a hard time to believe that H would follow through and yet, what was left for H in Miami?

 

“Nothing but memories and ghosts.”

 

“Talking to yourself is the first sign of insanity, you know that don’t you?” Sara’s voice drew him from his musings and Eric looked at her with wide eyes.

 

“What?”

 

Sara smiled at him. “You said ‘nothing but memories and ghosts’, are you ok?”

 

There was honest concern in his eyes and after a second of hesitation, Eric shrugged. “I got a call from Miami.”

 

Sara put a warm hand on his shoulder and smiled gently at him. “You have to see it from the other side, if your memories and ghosts are still there, then you’re free here.”

 

Eric watched her leave stunned. Her words had hit him like a blow. He had never seen it like that, and suddenly he thought of the memories he had built since he had come to Las Vegas.

 

... Warrick and him casually playing a round of basket ball... Sara and him in a bar talking about anything and nothing, enjoying the easy friendship between them... Grissom at a crime scene, intensely focused on the evidence, lost in his own world... Greg with his open smile and honesty, caring for Eric despite having been rejected... lounging in his new flat and watching TV... Danny...

 

Eric swallowed hard at the last thought of all the memories of his one night with Danny once more overwhelmed him. Longing coursed through him and Eric shuddered.

 

You’re free here.

 

Sara’s words rang through his head again and with a start he realized that she had been wrong. He had been in Las Vegas long enough to build memories, but unlike the memories that still lingered in Miami the memories from Vegas were happy ones.

 

You’re free here.

 

No, Eric realized, he wasn’t free, not anymore, not since he had walked into a hotel room and seen Danny. For a moment Eric hesitated and then making his decision, he reached for his phone.

 

“Danny? This is Eric, if you have a second, please call me back.”

 

---

 

Danny was tired. He was working the night shift again and as always the first two days were hard. Danny worked two weeks in the day and two weeks at night. He liked the change of pace and the difference of challenges that both the day and the nightshift brought with them. One disadvantage though was the fact that during the night shift the meetings tended to be either very early or very late. This time it had been very late and almost at the end of the shift.

 

Closing the door of his office, he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and looked at it.. He had had it in silent for the last couple of hours knowing that Ed didn’t appreciate it if his meetings with Danny were interrupted by phone calls.

 

One missed phone call... Danny was surprised that he hadn’t received more calls and with his thoughts still somehow on the meeting, he checked the caller ID only to tense.

 

“Eric”

 

The name echoed in his office making Danny look around if anyone had heard him speak. His hand trembled as he dialed his mailbox and waited for Eric’s message.

 

“Danny? This is Eric, if you have a second, please call me back.”

 

Eric’s voice alone was enough to make him long to see the other man again and before his courage could fail, Danny hit the recall button.

 

“Danny?”

 

Eric’s voice was hesitant and Danny suddenly feared that Eric was calling to end it. End what? His mental voice once again sounded a lot like Delinda and pushing the thought aside he answered.

 

“Eric, I...”

 

His voice trailing off, Danny realized with growing dread that he didn’t know what to say, Eric though didn’t seem to notice the strange silence instead it was as if Eric was glad that Danny didn’t speak thus giving him a chance to talk.

 

“Look, Danny, I wanted to say I’m sorry. Sorry for running away like I did. I... I’ve got some issues in my past and after... after that night with you... I... I freaked.”

 

Danny was sure that the national center for earthquakes registered a trembling in the area of Las Vegas from the lump that fell from his heart at Eric’s words.

 

“Can we meet? I mean, I know I acted like an idiot and you probably don’t want to see me again...”

 

Eric’s voice trailed off and Danny almost felt the other man’s insecurity through the phone. He knew that unless he said something, Eric would give up and not call anymore. He heard how his voice was trembling slightly, but for once he didn’t care. “I’m on my nightshift schedule, I’m off in two hours. When are you off?”

 

“In an hour, why don’t you come over and I’ll cook breakfast?” Eric sounded relieved and Danny felt another lump fall down.

 

“What’s your address?” Eric gave him the road and a description on how to get to his place and then the phone call was over and Danny sat down staring at his computer yet not seeing any numbers. The thought of seeing Eric in two hours, the thought of being in the same room with him... Danny felt his heart starting to beat faster. He knew that he loved Eric and yes, he wanted a chance with him.

 

“You ok?” Ed’s voice drew him from his thoughts and he blushed at the smile in Ed’s eyes.

 

“Eric called, he wants to meet.” Ed smiled and Danny felt a surge of warmth for his mentor and old friend. Ed had been the first to accept him exactly how he was, had offered him friendship and for a time even more. Spontaneously Danny clasped Ed’s shoulder and locked his eyes with the older man. “Thanks Ed, thanks for everything.”

 

Ed shrugged. “Pay it back by finally doing it right, ok?”

 

Danny nodded and his voice was serious as he answered. “I will Ed, this time, I won’t screw it up.”

 

 

---