Nick’s ass was killing him, a throb of pain beating in time to his pulse, but there was a grin plastered ear-to-ear on his face. He couldn’t even sleep, he was still so jazzed by what had happened in his Master’s office. Gil was sound asleep beside him, an arm tossed possessively over Nick’s chest, but Nick knew that it would be a long time before he’d be able to get some sleep.

So that’s recreational sex, he thought, smirking up at the ceiling. That’s what all the fuss is about.

Not that what he and his Master had been doing since they met hadn’t been more than recreational, but there was definitely a difference. He couldn’t wait to get to the lab the next day to talk to Greg about it. And to congratulate him too, of course.

A baby, he thought in wonder. A new life, just for him and Warrick. That’s so cool. A visible outcome of the love they have. Man, I hope Gil wants kids. I wonder if he does? I should ask him tomorrow. Maybe I should ask him now, he wouldn’t mind.

But looking over at the peaceful expression of his sleeping lover, Nick couldn’t bring himself to do it. Instead, he curled onto his side and scooted closer, backing up until he was pressed all along the front of his Master’s body.

Hopefully the position would encourage his Master’s very, very active libido when it was time to get up in the morning.

* * * *

Despite the short amount of sleep he’d received, Gil woke completely relaxed and refreshed, curled comfortably around Nick, who was sound asleep in his arms. Smiling, he nuzzled the back of Nick’s sleep-warmed neck and kissed it for added measure. His cock was mostly hard, nestled in its absolute favorite place to be, but Gil knew that Nick wouldn’t be in any shape for penetrative sex.

Sighing in disappointment, he climbed carefully out of bed, watching with another smile as Nick curled around his pillow, still asleep. He gazed on his slave for a few loving moments, then shook his head and aimed for the kitchen.

Gil started poured himself some coffee and grabbed the paper from the front door before settling into read it. It was early yet, he wouldn’t need to wake Nick for another half-hour or so to start getting ready for the lawyer’s visit. After a few minutes scanning the headlines, he picked up the phone and called Catherine’s number.

“Hello?”

Wincing at the groggy answer, Gil apologized, “Sorry, Catherine. I was calling to see if you’d be in tonight, but I guess not.”

A little more awake, Catherine answered, “Definitely not. Our fevers are gone, thankfully, but I don’t want to leave Lindsey alone just yet, she’s still pretty weak. I hope Nick won’t think I don’t trust him, but…”

“No, it’s fine,” Gil assured her. “Nick’s actually still sleeping.”

“Oh? How about some details?”

Chuckling at the mischievous tone, Gil scolded, “I do not Claim and tell.”

“Ooh. Nice, Grissom,” Catherine teased.

“Well, I’m sure you’ll get the outlying story from Warrick at some point.”

“What does Warrick have to do with it?”

Gil grinned, feeling a bit evil, and answered, “You’ll just have to ask him, now, won’t you?”

“Bastard,” she replied, without venom. “Oh. Look, I talked to Sara yesterday. This morning. Whenever the hell it was.”

Cautious now, Gil questioned, “And?”

Catherine sighed. “And she’s pissed. She didn’t say much, basically telling me to mind my own business, but I’ve seen that look in her eyes.”

“What look?”

“A woman scorned.”

“Great,” Gil sighed.

“I wouldn’t start looking into poison testers just yet, but you might want to keep an eye on Nick.”

A thrum of alarm ran through Gil as he demanded, “Why? What did she say? Did she threaten him?”

“No! No, Gil, nothing like that,” Catherine assured him. She paused and added, “It’s just that when people feel they’ve been wronged, when love’s been rejected, you know how crazy it makes everyone. And unpredictable.”

Knowing Catherine was right, Gil nodded, even though she couldn’t see it. “Yeah, okay. Get some rest and get back to work, all right? I need you there, Cath. And not because of Sara, but because you’re the best I’ve got.”

There was a pause before Catherine replied softly, “Thanks, Gil.”

He smiled. “I mean it. Give Linds a kiss for me.”

“I will. Take care.”

Gil hung up and, looking at the clock, decided to go rouse Nick. He’d probably be moving a little slower than usual anyhow, after the Claiming they’d had the night before. Gil smiled, thoroughly happy with how his life had turned out. Once they got rid of this ridiculous lawsuit, and things with Sara settled down, everything would be perfect. He would have his career, he’d have Nicky, and he’d have his friends. What more could he ask for?

Absolutely nothing.

With that thought in mind, Gil sat on the edge of the bed and leaned over to kiss his slave awake. Nick stirred, smiling into the kiss, then groaned and pulled away, opening his eyes with an accusing look. Smug, Gil questioned, “Problem, Nicky?”

“By the Gods, Master, you’ve killed me,” Nick groaned.

Gil bussed a kiss onto his nose and said, “It’s not permanent. Come on, I’ll help work out the kinks in the shower.”

“You should, you put them there,” Nick muttered.

Laughing, Gil helped him out of bed and they moved slowly to the bathroom. He gave Nick a couple of pain relievers first, then rubbed him down under steaming hot water, massaging the sore muscles inside and out with loving care. Nick moaned, his cock hard as he pushed back on the fingers inside him. Gil took care to be as gentle as he could be, stimulating Nick’s prostate constantly, but barely moving his fingers so as not to make the tear in the tender flesh worse.

He rubbed against Nick’s flank and was surprised when his slave took hold of his cock, pumping him in time to the movements in Nick’s body. It didn’t take long before he was aching to come and he leaned in to bite Nick’s ear, commanding in a low voice, “Come Nicky, come for me.”

Nick gasped and shuddered, spilling against the wall, with Gil was right behind him, spurting over Nick’s hand. Withdrawing his fingers, Gil nuzzled the wet skin beneath Nick’s ear and murmured, “I love you, Nicky.”

“Mmm,” Nick replied, giving him a goofy grin.

Gil laughed out loud at that and moved the younger man under the shower so they could get washed off and ready for the day.

* * * *

“Master?”

“Yes, Nick?”

Nick hesitated, then asked, “Do you want children?”

Thoughtful, Gil said, “In an abstract way, yes. I don’t want my family name to die with me, of course, and I want to have children with you, but I’m not ready to give you up yet. I don’t know if I ever will be, to be honest. I’m selfish, Nicky, I want you all to myself and I don’t see that changing. Does that upset you?”

Nick shrugged. “I don’t know, Master. I don’t think so. I haven’t ever really thought about it. I never thought about even being with someone before, let alone having their children. I want to have your children, but I don’t think I’m ready to give you up, either.”

Cupping his face, Gil replied, “Well, it’s not like we have to decide this very minute. There’s plenty of time down the road for that. Right now, it’s time just for us.”

“Yeah,” Nick agreed happily, leaning into the caress.

Once parked, Nick slowly eased out of the car, his ass one big bruise now that he was down from the morning’s sexual high. Meeting his Master’s worried gaze, he joked, “I think I’ll be standing up the rest of the day.”

“Maybe I should get someone to look at you,” Gil fussed as they walked to the elevator.

Nick shook his head and said, “I’m fine, Master, just sore.”

Gil maintained a worried look, but nodded. They reached the elevator and Gil hit the call button, saying, “Now, there’s no way that you can be forced to testify against me, or even give a report of what happened, because you’re my slave. I don’t know why they wanted you present, but don’t worry about it.”

Nodding, a little worried himself now, Nick questioned, “What’s going to happen exactly?”

“They’ll ask me questions about what went on with Crane. It’s just a deposition, Nicky, I’ll be fine. I’ve got a lawyer who’s going to meet us in the office. If there’s something more going on here than the obvious, she’ll suss it out. She’s very good.”

A little relieved that they weren’t going in there alone, Nick moved close to his Master in the elevator, wanting the physical comfort. Gil smiled at him, sliding his arm around Nick’s waist and tugging him in for a tight hug and a long kiss. Feeling better once the kiss broke off, Nick rested his cheek to his Master’s shoulder and sighed in contentment. “I love you, Master.”

Soft lips pressed to the top of his head as Gil replied, “I know, Nicky, I love you too. Come on. Let’s go take care of this.”

They walked down the hall of the expensive, high-rise corridor and entered the busy law office. Nick looked around curiously, never having been in one before, and found that it was a lot different than the PD and CSI lab areas. There was a reception desk without bullet-proof glass, for one, and no cops walking prisoners around, for another.

Gil tugged him to the side where a woman in his mid-to-late forties was smiling at them. She was tall for a woman and reminded Nick of his Mistress, with that no-nonsense attitude that screamed ‘I can argue you to a standstill so shut up now.’ He relaxed a little as she was introduced as Kara Walker, Gil’s attorney, and she held out her hand. He took it and said respectfully, “It’s very nice to meet you, Ms. Walker. Thanks for your help with this.”

“Oh Gil, he’s adorable,” Kara sighed, smiling at him. “No wonder you’re head over heels for him!”

Gil smiled with pride and said, “Thanks, Kara. So, we ready?”

She nodded and motioned them towards a conference room. “I’ve never tangled with this firm personally before, but they’re good. Creative. They make a lot of money on cases that no one expects them to win, so I’m not going to underestimate anyone here. Make sure you do the same. And Nick honey, keep your mouth shut unless I tell you to speak, all right?”

Nick nodded, a little worried by her words. Gil rubbed the small of his back, reassuring him, and Nick gave him a grateful smile.

Inside the conference room was a stenographer and two other women. The first was blond and petite, pleasant to look at and smiling. The second instantly reminded him of Crane and he moved as close to Gil as he could, not liking the way her dark eyes glared to fiercely at his Master. She was taller than Crane, but had the same angry set to her face, not a pretty woman.

Introductions were made around the table and Nick sank to the floor at Gil’s side, putting his hand on his Master’s thigh. Gil covered it with his own, holding it lightly.

“All right. Let’s get started right away. I don’t want to take up your valuable time, Master Grissom,” Jenny began, smiling. “This is the deposition of Master Gil Grissom and his slave Nick regarding the wrongful death suit of Master Nigel Crane.”

“First of all,” Kara interrupted smoothly. “You can not deposition Nick for anything, let alone in a matter that directly concerns his own Master, because of his slave status.”

Jenny pushed a file across the desk at her and replied, “I can. In St. Petersburg v. Bolshoi, the court ruled that testimony from a slave not of a convict-slave status can be used in a court of law for either civil or criminal suits.”

Kara gave her an incredulous look, but took the file and looked through it. “St. Petersburg, Russia?”

“That’s right.”

“Last I checked, this was an American court of law. Russian law doesn’t even apply.”

“If you’ll recall your first year law, Councilor, Federal law supercedes State, but Imperial law…”

“Supercedes Federal,” Kara finished. “What has that to do with this? There’s no Imperial law circumventing the 1703 ruling about a slave not being able to testify in court.”

Jenny nodded and agreed, “True. There is, however, a very simple law that states, ‘All laws are equal under Imperial Justice.’”

A slow smile spread over Kara’s face as she said, “I’d heard you were creative, but this goes much, much further than simple creativity.”

“Thank you,” Jenny replied, echoing the smile.

“That still doesn’t mean I’m going to let Nick give a deposition. Even if he did, the courts would throw it out.”

“So what does it hurt for him to give it?”

Kara eyed her for a long moment, then stated, “You’ve got something else, or you wouldn’t be so sure of yourself.”

Shrugging almost apologetically, Jenny said, “I do, actually. There’s a little known Imperial law dating back several hundred years that says when two states conflict in law, all evidence is admissible into council.”

“What law?” Kara snapped.

There followed a legal discussion that Nick had no clue how to follow. The tones were sharp as the women battled back and forth, citing and counter-citing case after case. Nick was vaguely surprised not to see smoke coming from the stenographer’s fingers as they flew over the small keyboard. The only thing he really knew was that his Master’s expression showed absolutely nothing and that frightened him. Gil was one of the most expressive people he knew, and for him to be upset enough to stone-wall…

Nick put his forehead against his Master’s thigh, his hand tightening its grip as he tried not to hear the near-argument going on above him.

Gil bent over him, wrapping his arms around Nick and holding him tight as he murmured into Nick’s ear, “It’s all right, Nicky, I promise. If you have to give a deposition, just tell the truth and you won’t get into trouble.”

Remembering everything that his Master had said and done that night, Nick raised scared eyes to the other man and whispered, “It isn’t me that I’m worried about.”

Gil smiled faintly, cupping his face and bringing him in for a gentle kiss. “Just tell the truth, Nicky.”

Nick nodded reluctantly and sighed, resting his cheek to his Master’s thigh. Gil’s fingers combed slowly through his hair in a soothing motion. It was several minutes later that some kind of agreement was made and Gil tapped his shoulder to get his attention. He knelt up and looked over at Kara, who gave him a reassuring smile.

“Nick, I’m going to let Ms. MacNiell ask you a few questions about the night of the duel. Don’t worry about how this will impact your Master, just tell the truth and everything will be fine,” Kara said. “Why don’t you sit over here by me?”

Uncertain, Nick glanced at Gil, who nodded. He stood and left his Master’s side and took the seat on the other side of Kara, his eyes flickering down to the table automatically.

“Nick, you can look at me while I ask you the questions if you want,” Jenny offered.

Nick hesitated, then looked up at her, not at all reassured by her encouraging smile.

“Hi there,” she greeted.

“Um, hi,” he replied.

She didn’t talk to him like he was a child, but did use a tone that was probably reserved for frightened victims. “I want you to tell me what happened the night of the Mayor’s party. Start from the beginning, when you arrived, and just keep going until the duel.”

Nick hesitated again and looked over at Kara, who nodded. Sighing, he related, “Um, we got there and greeted the Mayor. He said some nice things about me and then we left.”

“Did the Mayor say anything to your Master?”

“Uh, well, he did mention that Master Crane was, was at the party. And that I was Master Crane’s, um, type,” Nick replied.

“And what did your Master say in response to this?”

“I, I can’t remember exactly,” Nick fudged.

Gil’s voice was calm as he ordered, “Nicky, go ahead and answer her. Tell the truth, remember?”

Unhappy, Nick nodded and answered, “My Master said that he’d be short a few vital parts if he touched me.”

“‘He’ being Master Crane?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“And then what happened?”

Embarrassment heated him as he answered, “My Master made use of me in a private chamber, then we went to the banquet area. He, my Master, got me some fruit to eat and then had to do some mingling with the other guests.”

“So he left you alone,” Jenny prompted.

“Yes, but…”

Jenny interrupted with, “Please go on, Nick.”

Too used to obeying women in authority, Nick didn’t further his protest, he simply continued, “Then Master Crane showed up.”

“And what happened then?”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Nick explained, “He said that he was going to Claim me, since I was left unattended. I told him that I had a Master, that he was there at the party, but he cited the law to me and demanded to know if I was deliberately disobeying him. I told him of course I wasn’t, but my Master had said not to leave the table and I couldn’t disobey my Master. He didn’t care, he just grabbed my shoulder and dragged me off from the banquet.”

When he fell silent, Jenny prompted, “And what happened after that?”

Staring blankly at the table, Nick remembered exactly what had happened and slouched further into the chair. Keeping his voice as even as possible, Nick said softly, “He attacked me in the same private room that my Master had made me feel so good in earlier that night. He beat me, threw me to the ground, and beat me some more. He was, he was going to C-claim me, too, he had my, my pants down, but my Master got there just then. I didn’t really see what happened, because I was just curled up in a ball on the floor, but Master Crane was gone and it was just me and my Master in the room.”

There was a brief silence before Jenny asked gently, “Are you okay to go on, Nick?”

He looked up at her and countered simply, “Would it matter if I wasn’t?”

She flushed. “We can take a break, if you’d like to regain your composure.”

“I’m fine,” Nick said. “I’d rather get this over with.”

“All right. What happened next?”

“I begged for a dagger so I could kill myself to remove the stain from my Master’s honor, but he wouldn’t give me one,” Nick answered.

“Why not?”

“He said it wasn’t my fault, that I had no shame.”

“Did he say whose fault it was?”

At that, Nick went mute and shook his head.

“Nick, you have to answer,” Jenny prodded.

He looked over at Kara, who nodded, clearly as unhappy as he was. He gave Jenny a glare, the most insubordination he could manage, and snapped, “He said it was his own fault. That he shouldn’t have left me alone. Are you satisfied yet?”

Jenny shook her head. “I’m sorry, I know this is distressing for you, Nick, but what happened after that?”

“He Claimed me,” Nick said proudly.

She arched an eyebrow at him and questioned, “You’d almost just been raped, but he Claimed you right there?”

“Because I wanted him to. I wanted to get the filth of Master Crane’s smell and touch off of me and replace it with something good and true,” Nick informed her angrily. “And when he was done, I walked out at his side, nude and happy to be so, wearing only his marks to prove who I belonged to. The Mayor himself apologized to my Master for that man’s behavior and offered his personal sword for the insult done.”

“Were there any words exchanged there?” Jenny asked, inexorable.

Nick nodded and said, “My Master said that this wasn’t just about me, that Master Crane had been harassing the people who worked for him for months, stalking one of the CSI’s under him.”

“There was nothing else said?”

Nick frowned, trying to remember the exact words. “Just that my Master would have preferred a private arena, but that Master Crane had made that impossible.”

The lawyer looked unsatisfied, but nodded her acceptance and said, “Thank you, Nick. I’m sorry to have put you through those terrible memories.”

Looking over at Maria Crane, Nick informed her quietly, “You’re doing the wrong thing here. My Master is a good man who…”

“Nicky.”

Nick shut up at the sharp call of his name and again found no expression on his Master’s face. Contrite, though he didn’t know what he’d done, Nick lowered his head and apologized, “I’m sorry, Ms. Crane, I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn like that.”

“You may go sit by your Master now, if you want, Nick,” Jenny told him.

Wanting to quit the office altogether and go home to be held in their bed, Nick took up position beside Gil once more as the only very inadequate choice. Leaning on his Master again, this time he wrapped his arm around the other man’s leg, shaking as he tried not to give vent to the emotions stirred by recounting the episode with Crane. Immediately, Gil’s hand descended, petting and comforting him.

“Are you ready, Master Grissom?”

“Of course,” Gil answered easily and started talking.

His story matched Nick’s in every respect except for when they parted in the banquet. He gave a list of the people he’d spoken with that night and then continued on to an edited version of what he’d told Nick about trying to find him at the party. It was all truthful, but told without the emotions and personal explanations to fill in the bare facts.

When he was done, Jenny questioned, “And how did you feel about what had been done to your slave, Master Grissom?”

“I was furious, naturally,” Gil replied. “And worried for Nick’s safety. I knew what Master Crane was capable of as he’d raped and tortured the slave of one of my CSI’s only a few months previously.”

Nick flinched at the information, knowing instantly that he was talking about Greg. He’d known that Crane had done something, but…not that and not to Greg! Nick burrowed closer to Gil, pressing his face against the thigh to wipe away the tears that fell. Having come close to that fate himself, Nick could very well imagine what it would be like. And for someone was full of life and joy as Greg to have been put through it was unthinkable.

Gil’s hand stroked his head again, fingers combing through his hair as he continued, “There were several documented cases of personal harassment against me, by Master Crane. I tried a number of times to reason with him, but he was bound and determined to usurp my position and power at any cost. He was provoking me at every turn. Nicky was just the last straw on a very large pile of hay. Ms. Crane, I am sorry for your loss, but there was nothing I could do otherwise. If it hadn’t happened at the Mayor’s party, it would have on another night in front of other witnesses.”

“Thank you for your opinion, Master Grissom,” Jenny said, dry.

A touch to his shoulder warned Nick and he released his Master’s leg, sitting back so that the other man could rise. Standing hurriedly, Nick went into the open arm his Master offered and pressed against him, burying his face against Gil’s shoulder.

“If you have any further questions, you may contact Ms. Walker. If I find out that you’ve tried to discuss anything else with my slave, there will be consequences,” Gil stated, a very thin veil over the menace in his voice.

Nick peeked over at Jenny just in time to see her swallow nervously. He smiled at the display of power and nuzzled Gil’s throat, sighing deeply.

“I believe we have everything we need, thank you for your time, Master Grissom. And you as well, Nick.”

Nick nodded, but didn’t answer, reluctantly moving to the side so they could leave first the conference room and then the office altogether.

It wasn’t until they were in the elevator that Kara said, “If they decide to go through with this asinine suit, which I doubt after that deposition, we’ll be in an excellent position in court. I’d suggest that the two of you head home to recover, but I know you have to get to work. Tell Greg and Warrick I said hello.”

“I will,” Gil promised, taking her hand and kissing it. “Thank you, Kara. You’re wonderful, as always.”

She laughed merrily and replied, “That’s what you pay me for, Master Grissom. Good night, Nick.”

“Night,” he answered, smiling back at her.

Inside the SUV, Nick was surprised to be tugged in for a long, deep kiss, but happily so. He sighed deeply, letting the love roll over and through him, washing away the taint of the memory he’d been forced to relive.

“You did very well, Nicky,” Gil praised, smiling tenderly.

Nick returned the smile shyly and apologized, “I’m sorry for speaking out like that, Master.”

Gil cupped his face, still smiling. “That’s not why I stopped you. Whatever was said in that room was to be recorded. I didn’t want my reluctance for violence to become public knowledge. No, Nicky, you had every right to speak up like that, you were polite and deferential, and that’s all I ask of you. Your thoughts and opinions matter to me.”

Feeling warmed all the way through, Nick leaned back in his seat and buckled in as Gil started the truck.

* * * *

Gil wanted nothing more than to just bring Nick home and curl up with him in bed or in front of the fire, but with Catherine out, he had to be at work. He settled for holding Nick’s hand on the drive to the lab and keeping close on the walk inside. He left Nick in the lab with Greg, where the younger man proceeded to start drawing Nick out again. Satisfied that Greg would take good care of Nick, or maybe that they would take care of each other, he headed for his office.

He met up with Jim on the way, greeting the other man with a grimace. “Don’t even ask.”

Jim frowned and countered, “What happened?”

“I told you not to ask,” Gil sighed. He motioned the other man inside the office and continued, “Nick had to give a deposition about what happened at the Mayor’s party.”

A flicker of shock crossed Jim’s normally guarded expression as he exclaimed, “How did that happen?”

Sitting, Gil sketched a helpless hand in the air and answered, “I have no idea. Kara did her best, but this lawyer Crane has is just as good and, apparently, a lot more devious.”

“Is Nick all right?”

“He was subdued on the way over, but I think he’ll be okay.”

“What now?”

Gil shrugged. “Kara doesn’t think it will go to trial. And I’m sure, if it does, that she’s got a million motions to keep the thing tied up for years. It’s a civil lawsuit, after all, not a criminal one. It’s not something we need to worry about right now.”

“Still.”

“I know.”

They were silent for a few seconds, then Jim held out a few folders and said, “Here’s tonight’s work. Catherine still out?”

“Yeah,” Gil confirmed. “She’ll probably be in tomorrow.”

Nodding, Jim walked to the door, saying, “If you need anything, just let me know.”

Gil half-smiled and answered, “Thanks, Jim. I will.”

“No you won’t, but the offer’s there,” Jim countered, barely smiling, but with real warmth in his dark eyes.

Gil watched him go, then flipped open the folders. A strangulation downtown, a vehicular homicide involving two pedestrian fatalities, and a hotel drowning of a vacationer.

A light night so far, he thought dryly.

Rubbing his eyes, Gil breathed deeply to mentally change gears. He had to leave his home life at home and that included all the crap from the lawsuit, his feelings for Nicky, and the coolness from Sara. In order to do his job properly, he had to be in the right frame of mind, and this wasn’t it.

Unfortunately, even a few minutes later, his thoughts were still jumbled every which way and he growled in frustration. Without thinking about it, Gil stood, grabbing the files and leaving his office. He met up with Sara and Warrick on their way down and held the meeting right there in the hall. “Warrick, I want you to take a drowning down at the Greenlight Hotel. Sara, there was a vehicular homicide involving two pedestrians over on Wilcox and High St. I’ll be working a strangulation at the Belmont. Keep in touch and stay with your cops since we’re spread so thin tonight. Be careful.”

Both nodded seriously and took their assignments without question. Gil harbored the hope that it meant that Sara was getting over the situation and moving on, personally and professionally. They split up and Gil snagged the elevator upstairs to the lab.

He stood in the entryway for a moment, watching as Nick and Greg talked about samples and DNA. Nick looked extremely interested in every word that came out of Greg’s mouth and Gil had to smile. They were good for each other, no doubt about that. Greg could help Nicky become more sure of himself in a way that Gil couldn’t. Then Nick stretched over the table to grab something, a pen, maybe a notebook, and all he could focus on was his slave’s ass, showcased in the snug denim.

Lust shot through Gil and he strode into the room, greeting, “Having fun, boys?”

Nick turned a smile to him, but it faltered on whatever he saw in his Master’s face. The tip of his tongue raced over Nick’s lips as he answered, “Uh, Greg was just showing me some of the things that he does here.”

“Good,” Gil said simply. “Greg, how are you?”

Greg managed to meet his eyes briefly before they flickered back down and that sweet, shy smile hovered as the tech answered, “I’m well, Master Grissom, thank you for asking.”

“I understand congratulations are in order?” Gil continued, enjoying the flush his words provoked.

Nodding, one of Greg’s hands rested on his stomach and he said, “I don’t think it’s happened yet, but we’re working on it.”

Gil smiled and complimented, “I know you’ll be a wonderful parent, Greg. You and Warrick, both.”

“Thank you, Master Grissom.”

“You’re welcome, Greg. Nicky, would you come with me please?”

“Sure,” Nick agreed instantly.

Gil guided his slave to a nearby conference room, one without windows, and locked the door behind them. He didn’t have to say a word as he turned to face the younger man. Nick unzipped his pants and shoved them down, bending over the table for him without prompting. Gil groaned at the sight of him, the pale flesh beckoning. Not quite as pale as usual, given the paces he’d put Nick through the night before, but extremely tempting, nonetheless.

Closing the distance, he rubbed his hand over the exposed skin and then spanked it hard. Nick yelped in surprise, but bit back further sounds as the spanking continued. Gil watched with pleasure as the skin turned even more pink and then red, his hand slapping into the ass with satisfying sounds.

“Please Master, please, I’m sorry, whatever I did, I’m sorry, please stop,” Nick begged, holding fast to the table, clearly fighting with himself not to try and get away.

Gil continued the spanking for a few more minutes, ignoring the pleading. He stopped only to push his own pants down and shove his cock inside his slave. He paused to let them both catch their breaths and then, remembering that he had to go slow because of the previous night’s activities, ground into Nick’s body. Resting his forehead on Nick’s back, Gil reached beneath to find the young man hard and leaking. He grinned fiercely and started stroking him off, ordering, “Just squeeze me, Nicky. Bring me off like this, without me moving. I want to stay buried in you as deep as I can go.”

Nick moaned, but his internal muscles began milking Gil right away. Gil shuddered in response, knowing he was close to the edge. He rocked them back and forth, but didn’t actually pull in and out, just moved around inside Nick.

“Oh Gods, Master, you feel so good,” Nick panted.

Gil gasped and choked on a particularly tight squeeze, and came, flooding his slave’s body with his seed. “Is this what you want, Nicky? You want me to give you life inside you? You hungry for my seed, a slut for it like Greg is for Warrick’s?”

Nick moaned again and begged, “Please, Master, please…”

Leaning up, Gil bit his ear sharply and whispered, “Come, Nicky.”

With a shout, Nick spilled over Gil’s hand and collapsed onto the table, panting and shaking. Gil didn’t move, very comfortable where he was, draped over Nick. Feeling much calmer, he sighed deeply and carefully pulled free of his slave’s body. Glancing down, he was pleased to note no blood, so he hadn’t done any harm with his impromptu lovemaking.

He ran his hand between the slick ass, groping it with a wicked grin. “Nice and red now, Nicky, I like that look on you.”

Nick tried to glare at him as he straightened up, but was too obviously sated for it to work. I t reassure him, though, that Nick knew it had all been for pleasure, that he wasn’t being punished for anything. Gil held his hand out and Nick licked it clear, keeping their eyes locked together as he slowly did so. Swallowing against a dry throat, Gil actually felt a twitch in his cock at the sight. “Clean off the rest of me.”

Nodding, Nick dropped to his knees and licked Gil’s cock and balls clean of seed and sweat. When he was done, he tucked the spent flesh beneath the boxers and zipped up the pants, looking up at Gil with adoration.

Smiling, his heart full to overflowing, Gil bent down and kissed him, showing his own love for this gentle man. Pulling away reluctantly, he said, “I do have to get to work. Would you clean up in here for me?”

“Of course, Master,” Nick agreed, smiling as he stood. “Can I hang out with Greg the rest of the shift?”

“Absolutely. Just try and stay out of trouble.”

Nick gave him a cheeky grin. “Now what kind of trouble could we get into? We’re surrounded by cops.”

“Mmm,” Gil observed doubtfully, but smiled. “I’ll see you later.”

After stealing another kiss, Nick hummed to himself, putting his clothes to right and then looking around for cleaning supplies. Gil watched him from the door for a moment, then shook his head fondly and left.

* * * *

Greg grinned at him as Nick returned to the lab and said, “Did we have fun?”

“Oh yeah,” Nick confirmed dreamily. He leaned on the lab counter beside Greg and asked, “How long have you and Warrick been together?”

“Going on three years now.”

“And you’re happy?”

Greg smiled broadly and rubbed his stomach. “Happiest we’ve ever been.”

Sighing, Nick said, “I can’t even imagine three years from now. I’ve only belonged to Gil for a week and so much has happened already. It feels like I’ve never belonged to anyone else.”

With a laugh, Greg promised, “This hasn’t been a normal week, Nick, trust me. For anyone.”

Now that the subject had been raised, however obliquely, Nick asked, “Um, I heard what Crane did to you. It’s, I’m sure it’s what he had planned for me. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you handle it?”

Greg snorted derisively. “I didn’t. I completely shut down. I don’t think Warrick left my side the entire time I was in the hospital. And even when I was allowed to go home and come back to work, I was never left alone. No one was taking any chances in case, Crane tried again. I had a lot of nightmares. I don’t think my poor Master slept for a month. The shrink said it’s because I repressed most of what he did to me, that it was a healthy coping mechanism. It’s all still there, you know, just, buried deep. I don’t know that I’ll ever remember, but I know I don’t want to. How about you? I should’ve asked before, but you seemed to be okay. Did something happen?”

Shaking his head, Nick answered, “Not really. I just had to talk about it at the deposition today, so it’s a little…fresh.”

Greg’s jaw dropped and he exclaimed, “You had to give a deposition!? How the hell did that happen?”

“Uh, I don’t know,” Nick admitted. “The lawyers argued for a long time before Ms. Walker said I should answer the other lawyer’s questions.”

Stunned, Greg sat on his stool. “This is…I don’t know, but it can’t be good.”

“Why not?” Nick asked, curious.

“Not for us, personally, because we have honorable masters, but it’s just a step. If your testimony’s allowed, then the next step could be holding slaves responsible for what their masters order them to do. And if that something is illegal, then what happens? The slave’s already a slave. The only punishment left, really, is death.”

“Oh,” Nick murmured, not having thought of that.

“Yeah, oh.”

Greg went back to work, lost in thought, and Nick let him. If it was such a big deal, then wasn’t it likely that the case would have to go to trial? He hadn’t really paid attention to the working of the law except as it pertained to his Mistress’ finances, but he knew that law-making, or law-altering, cases were always a big deal. He sighed, thinking, I just want us to have our life now. Can’t we be left alone?

And even though it was seriously aggravating, Nick knew he’d rather be with his Master through any sort of trouble, than leading a perfectly smooth and ‘normal’ life with anyone else.

* * * *

Warrick frowned when he saw that Nick was still hanging out with Greg. It was after the end of the shift and the two slaves were talking in the break-room. They both looked pretty relaxed, lounging on the sofas, but he saw Nick glance at the clock on the wall and knew the other man was wondering where his Master was.

He just couldn’t see Grissom leaving Nick to his own devices this long without checking in, and that worried him. Taking out his cell phone, Warrick dialed Gil’s number, but got his voicemail. “Hey, Gris, it’s me. Just wondering where you were, man. It’s eight thirty in the a.m. and your boy here is lookin’ for you. Isn’t it past his bedtime? I’ll hang out with him ‘til you get here. Catch ya later.”

By then, Greg and Nick had noticed him and were on their feet. Greg hurried over to him and slid his arms around Warrick, kissing the side of his throat. Warrick grinned and hugged him tight before bussing a noisy kiss on his cheek, causing Greg to laugh. “You behave yourself, or do I have to beat your behind?”

“I behaved myself, but don’t let that stop you,” Greg answered smartly.

Warrick swatted him a good one and was laughing as he said to Nick, “Hey man, I left your errant Master a voice mail. I’m sure he just got tied up at the crime scene and lost track of time. Happens all the time.”

It obviously didn’t really reassure Nick, but he nodded anyhow and agreed, “That’s what I heard.”

“Have you two had anything to eat recently?” Warrick asked.

Nick and Greg gave him simultaneous head shakes and he grinned. “The both of you are bottomless holes, you do know that.”

“Hey, I could already be eating for two,” Greg pointed out virtuously. “I don’t know what Nick’s excuse is.”

Warrick smiled down at him and kissed him sweetly. “You could indeed, baby. Mmm. All right. Stay put. I’ll get some take-out that even Grissom would approve of, to feed you.”

“Oh Gods no, don’t do that!” Greg exclaimed, horrified.

Laughing wickedly, Warrick echoed, “You could already be eating for two. We don’t want our baby to be surrounded by grease now, do we?”

“Oh man!”

“Warrick.”

Warrick looked over at Brass and instantly stopped laughing at the expression on the cop’s face. It was like he’d aged ten years in a single day. Letting Greg go, Warrick strode from the break-room, closing the door behind him to ask, “What happened to Gil?”

“He was…shot,” Brass answered, bleak. “No sign of the shooter. It was a hit.”

“Was it successful?” Warrick demanded harshly.

Shaking his head, Brass explained, “Missed his heart by a fraction. He must’ve moved at the last second. Bullet went all the way through. Massive bleeding and internal injuries, though. He’s on the table right now. Jesus. Why can’t he just catch a break?”

Warrick sighed, knowing exactly how the older man felt. For once, they were definitely on the same page. “You call Cath and Sara yet?”

“No, I wanted to tell you first. Help you with Nick,” Brass replied.

Looking back through the narrow window into the break-room, Warrick could see from Nick’s pale face that he knew something had happened to Gil. He met Jim’s eyes and said, “Call Catherine. Gil left Nick to her in case…well, you know.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, also not wanting to tempt Fate by saying it out loud. “I’ll call her and meet you at the hospital. Minvera’s Hospital downtown.”

“Got it. Thanks, Brass.”

“Just…take care of Nick. Gil loves him and if anything happened to him, self-inflicted or otherwise…”

“Yeah.”

Warrick headed back inside the room to find Greg with his arm around Nick’s waist, both of them anxious and wide-eyed. He wished that he could reassure them, instead saying, “Nick, I’m sorry man, Gil’s been shot. He’s alive, but he’s in surgery and it’s pretty bad.”

Nick’s knees gave out and Greg barely caught him before the other slave hit the floor. Warrick sprinted the remaining distance and helped sit him down on a sofa. He bent Nick so his head was between his knees to help prevent him passing out altogether. He and Greg surrounded Nick from both sides, holding onto him and rubbing his back. “Come on, man, pull it together. You have to be strong, Nick, for Gil. Can you do that?”

Drawing in a shuddering breath, Nick nodded, lip firmly bit between his teeth. “I, I, yeah. Okay. I can…where is he?”

“Minerva’s Hospital downtown,” Warrick answered. “You ready?”

Nick swallowed heavily, but nodded again and confirmed, “As I’ll ever be.”

“Good man,” Warrick said, helping him up.

As they walked to the garage, Warrick couldn’t help thinking that Grissom’s life was like one baby step forward and several giant steps back. He found the love of his life, only to maybe lose his actual life in exchange. Sometimes, Warrick could almost believe in the capriciousness of the Gods that Grissom put his faith in.

* * * *

After the call from Jim, Catherine dressed herself, dressed a whiney Lindsey, grabbed her keys and hopped in the car. On the way to the hospital, she glanced over at her daughter and said, “Lindsey, honey, I know you don’t feel good still, but I need you to listen to me, okay?”

Sensing the seriousness in her mother’s voice, Lindsey nodded.

“Good. Uncle Gil’s been hurt pretty bad. He’s in the hospital,” Catherine said, knowing there was no real way to soften the blow.

Wide-eyed, Lindsey asked, “Will he be okay?”

Catherine sighed. “I don’t know, honey, it’s too soon to tell. Now, when we get to the hospital, I want you to be a big girl and take care of Nicky if he’ll let you, okay? Give him lots of love and hugs, because he’s going to need them.”

“I will,” Lindsey promised.

Smiling, Catherine reached over and cupped her daughter’s chin. “Thank you, honey.”

The drive didn’t take too long, and they were in the hospital only a couple of minutes after that. They were directed to the waiting area outside surgery from the front reception and found Nick and Greg waiting there. Catherine held out her arms and Nick wordlessly went to her, holding on to her tight. He was trembling, but didn’t cry, holding her silently. When she pulled back, she kissed his cheek and said, “He’s going to make it, Nicky, Gil’s a fighter.”

Nick nodded, drawing in a shaky breath before bending down to scoop Lindsey into his arms.

She held on with arms and legs and said, “Mommy said I could take care of you.”

“I’d like that,” Nick replied softly. He held her easily in his arms as he said to Catherine, “Warrick and Detective Brass went back to the c-crime scene and I don’t know where Ms. Sidle is, maybe there with them, too. Um, the doctors were waiting until you arrived to talk about Gil, I guess you’re his Next of Kin?”

Catherine nodded and confirmed, “And he’s mine. But they said he was okay at least?”

Helpless and clearly frustrated, Nick answered, “They wouldn’t tell me anything except that he was out of surgery.”

Angry, Catherine said, “Wait here, Nicky, I’ll get a doctor to tell us what’s going on.”

She half remembered to wave to Greg on her way to find someone. He just gave an understanding smile and waved her on. Catherine stalked to the nurses station and said firmly, “I want to speak with a doctor regarding Master Gil Grissom immediately. I’m Catherine Willows, his Next of Kin.”

The nurse seemed startled by the edge in her voice, but nodded and agreed, “Right away, Ms. Willows.”

It was almost five minutes later that a doctor arrived, an older man in his late fifties with the competent, arrogant air she associated with surgeons who were good at what they did.

“Ms. Willows?”

“That’s me,” she confirmed, holding out her hand.

“I’m Dr. DeGrassi, lead surgeon for Master Grissom’s surgery,” the man introduced.

Catherine looked down the hall and caught Nick’s eyes, motioning him to join them. Nick set Lindsey down and left her with Greg, hurrying to Catherine. Meeting the doctor’s eyes, Catherine said, “This young man joining us is Master Grissom’s favored and only slave, Nick. I can assure you that any disrespect shown to Nick, will upset Master Grissom a great deal. He is to be kept up-to-date with his Master’s condition and accorded every access to him, the same as myself.”

DeGrassi looked less than thrilled, but nodded. “I understand, Ms. Willows.”

Nick arrived just then and asked anxiously, “Is Master Grissom all right? How did the surgery go?”

Putting a good face on his prejudice, DeGrassi smiled briefly at Nick and answered, “Master Grissom will make a full recovery, but it’s going to take time. We repaired the internal injuries and fortunately, no major organs were damaged in the shooting. There was a head injury from where he impacted the curb, but we’re keeping an eye on it to make sure there’s no swelling or blood clots. He was a very, very lucky man. Another 2 centimeters off, and he would have been shot in the heart.”

Nick’s pallor returned to an alarming degree and Catherine grabbed for him, but he waved her off and pulled himself together. “When can I see him?”

“He’s should be out of recovery in another ten minutes, and then there’ll be another half an hour or so to settle him into his room. I’ll see that the nurses inform you when he’s ready to receive visitors,” DeGrassi said.

Nick smiled sincerely and replied, “Thank you, doctor. Thank you so much for saving his life. You don’t know…well…thank you.”

Catherine was pleased to see the hue of embarrassment flush along the doctor’s face and said, “Nicky, why don’t you tell Lindsey and Greg the good news?”

“Oh! Yeah, I will. Thanks, Catherine,” Nick exclaimed, smiling more easily as he hurried back down the hall.

DeGrassi turned his attention to Catherine and informed her, “I’ll keep you apprised of the situation as well. Just leave your contact information at the nurses’ station.”

“I will. Thank you, Doctor,” Catherine replied.

Catherine watched Nick pick Lindsey up again and Greg gave them both a hug. Grinning, Catherine walked over to the small group to join in the happy relief.

* * * *

Nick had been at Gil’s bedside for the last two days, waiting for his Master to wake up. The nurses had fast gotten used to his presence and he did his best to stay as unobtrusive as possible. He ate and washed and slept, he just did it all in Gil’s room. He took to reading from the Italian travel book to his Master, talking about the trip they were going to take.

In the early morning hours of the third day of vigil, Nick got his wish when Gil’s eyes finally fluttered open. Unable to sleep, Nick was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding his lover’s hand when it happened. Relief flooded through him and he whispered, “Keep your eyes closed, Master, let me clear them for you.”

Gil closed his eyes and Nick dampened a cloth to wipe them clean, then wiped down the surrounding skin as well, expanding to wash his Master’s face. Setting aside the cloth, he brought Gil’s hand up and kissed the palm, placing it against his face.

The fingers curled over his cheek and chin and Gil rasped, “What happened?”

“You were shot, Master,” Nick reported softly. “And you got a head injury from bumping it into the curb. That was almost three days ago.”

Frowning, Gil cleared his throat and asked, “Did they catch the perp?”

“No. Detective Brass was…beside himself…when I saw him last,” Nick informed him diplomatically.

Gil grinned at that and said, “I bet he was more than that.”

“Maybe a little,” Nick confirmed. He was horrified when the smile was dragged down and tears closed his throat, even though he cleared it a few times.

Sliding his hand around the back of Nick’s neck, Gil tugged him down and ordered gently, “It’s okay, Nicky, come here.”

Nick curled up to his Master’s uninjured side and cried hot, silent tears while Gil rubbed his back, all the more painful for their hard-won release. He’d refused to shed any since hearing the news, determined to be strong. “I’m sorry, Master.”

“Ssh, Nicky, it’s okay. You’ve been through a lot,” Gil soothed.

Shaking his head, Nick mumbled against his chest, “You’re the one who was shot.”

Gil kissed his temple and said, “It’s hardest on those who have to watch and wait, my love, always is.”

Sniffling, Nick whispered, “Please don’t get shot again.”

“Oh, Nicky,” Gil murmured helplessly. “I wish I could. But I’m fine now, and what counts is getting better so I can spend all my time in bed with you.”

That prompted a watery chuckle from Nick, who pointed out, “You are in bed with me.”

“Not in the fashion that I’d like to be,” Gil teased, wriggling his eyebrows.

Eyes rolling at the faux-leer, Nick said, “You’re so corny. And I love you so much, Master.”

Gil smiled and kissed him, long and slow. Nick melted into it, savoring the connection and love he could feel from it. When it broke off into small, nibbling kisses and then stopped altogether, Nick sighed deeply and relaxed against Gil with a smile. His Master was right, of course. What mattered was that he was all right and going to recover and they were together.

It was on that happy and very relieved thought that the stress and exhaustion caught up with him and Nick drifted into sleep.